turps

Frank watches the flick of Gerard's wrist as he paints his face. He's already got the usual eyeliner on, finger-smeared over his eyelids and the tender skin under his eyes. The blush goes next, something extra for tonight's show, brushed over Gerard's cheekbones in broad, round strokes. Frank looks at Gerard's reflection in the mirror and his breath catches in his throat. Gerard's eyes are dark and focused, the blush highlighting his apple-shaped cheeks. Gerard's hair is newly dyed and shockingly red and he's been biting his lip for a while, leaving it tender and spit-slick, and Frank can't tear his eyes away anymore.

Their eyes meet in the mirror and something warm blooms in Frank's chest, the warmth spreading all over. And fuck. Gerard smirks at him, wiping his wet lip on the back of his hand.

"You look like you want something," Gerard observes, abandoning the brush for Frank's total attention. "What do you want, Frankie?"

"I --" Frank starts, blinking slow. Watching Gerard going through the motions has put him in a muzzy, listless mood that he doesn't feel ready to snap out of. It's so quiet and dark in the bus, the reading light that Gerard's attached to the mirror is casting them in a soft spotlight and fuck, Gerard looks good. But something's missing. Something Gerard still needs. Frank grabs the toilet bag with all the make up and starts rummaging through it while Gerard watches him curiously, and as he pulls the almost unused lipstick out, Gerard gives him a knowing look. "Please?"

Gerard nods after a while and their fingers brush as he takes the stick from Frank, turning back to the mirror. "I don't even know what this thing's doing here. I don't think I've put on any since like, high school," he rambles, purses his lips for a while and then rubs them together, spreading red everywhere. He steps back from the mirror and caps the lipstick, putting it back in the bag. Then he turns to Frank, giving him a hesitant look. "So, what's the verdict?"

"You look fucking amazing," Frank breathes out, trying to look at Gerard in the eyes while he speaks to him but finding it hard to take his eyes off his lips. "Fuck -- I just. I think you're so fucking perfect right now."

Gerard gives him a small, almost surprised smile. He leans against the dressing table, managing to knock over half-empty bottles of hairspray. "Yeah? You don't think it's too much?" Frank shakes his head vehemently, and Gerard shrugs, turning his head to check himself out in the mirror again. "Don't think I'm going out like this though, I'm not quite Bowie yet."

"So this is just for me?" Frank grins big, and Gerard laughs, shaking his head.

"Yeah, don't get cocky though. Or I won't do it again."

"Again?" Frank beams, and Gerard winks suggestively, dark lashes dusting his cheeks. And Christ, Frank just wants.

Gerard's studying him with intent, slowly licking his lips before he rasps out, "Now be a good boy a get me some wipes, it's getting time to go."

"I have a better idea," Frank says, stepping close and hooking his fingers around the collar of Gerard's t-shirt, pulling Gerard in for a kiss.

Gerard makes a small noise and then just melts in the kiss, letting Frank brush their lips together and smear the lipstick over both their mouths, resting his arms on Frank's shoulders. Frank licks into Gerard's mouth and tugs at his lip with his teeth, wanting to taste and feel the texture of the lipstick, so stupidly turned on he doesn't know what to do with himself except this, just keep kissing him.

Gerard pulls away from the kiss after a while, breathing hard, and touches his forehead against Frank's, licking his lips. He hums a little, mouth quirking up, lips even redder than before. He plants a small kiss to Frank's lips and huffs out a laugh, stepping back a little before starting to wipe Frank's face with his hand, brushing his knuckles down Frank's cheek. "Jesus, Frank. I think you made it worse. Now we both look like we've been up to something terribly naughty."

"Yeah, with each other," Frank grins, and Gerard nods, smiling bright. He swoops in for another kiss and Frank laughs into it, making a note to buy the next store they go to empty of all the lipstick.