"Frank?"

"Yes, sir?" Frank jumped and turned to see Gerard standing in the doorway of the kitchenette of their building, leaning casually against it as Frank stirred milk into his second mug of coffee. It had been hours since he had returned from his coffee run where he had handed Derek and Gerard their drinks and had shown his banana-nut breakfast muffin to his boss. He had also forgotten his pancakes at home, remembering them sitting on the counter by the door in his Power Rangers lunchbox.

"Do you have prior plans tonight?"

"Tonight?" Frank frowned, thinking quickly, noting that it was definitely not Tuesday, "Nope. No, sir."

"Good. I need you tonight. I need you to help me out after hours. Is that okay with you?" Gerard raised an eyebrow and Frank swallowed at the way he was being looked up and down.

"Perfect, sir." Frank nodded as he tapped his spoon on the rim of his cup and set it aside, lifting the mug to his lips, "Nothing else to do."

"Good." Gerard trailed off, looking at him once more, "Good."

He disappeared swiftly afterward, leaving Frank alone and pondering on his words; it must have been important. Frank glanced over at Derek, who was busy typing away with his earbuds in his ears. Obviously Mr. Way didn't mind music in the workplace and Frank needed to remember that. He looked at the clock, realizing it was literally almost time to go home, and then he realized that was for everyone else but him. He slid further into his chair, taking another sip as the coffee warmed his hands. He had finished his assigned tasks ages ago, much to Derek's dismay, and was told to at least try and look busy until Gerard gave him something else to do. Frank was the King of looking busy; he had perfected that maneuver in high school already. He watched as Derek began to pack away his things, putting his travel mug and lunch box back in his backpack along with the rest of his stuff.

"What?"

"Nothing." Frank shrugged, "Checking out your shirt. It's really cool."

"Thanks." Derek smiled awkwardly, pushing his glasses up on his nose, "My girlfriend got it for me when she went to Philly."

"Ah, nice." Frank smiled, "You still together?"

"Yeah, Lindsey and I've been together for almost two years now." Derek stood up as he logged out of his computer.

"Lindsey?"

"Different Lindsey." Derek remarked and Frank chuckled, setting his coffee down, "Definitely different. Both blond, actually."

"Right, yeah."

"What about you?" Derek asked, "Dating?"

"I-" Frank was about to answer when someone he didn't recognize poked their head into his office, making them both stop. A burly man, with strawberry blonde hair and a lip-ring, eyed Frank up and down before turning his blue eyes on Derek with a small smile.

"Who's that?" He asked in a bored tone.

"Oh." Derek cleared his throat, "New guy. Frank, that's Bob."

"Sup." Frank nodded with a friendly smile as Bob looked him over yet again.

"He dresses like a spaz." Was Bob's only comment before he looked at Derek again, leaving Frank overly-disgruntled and pink in the face, "You coming to Gibsons with us tonight, Dez?"

"We going straight after work?"

"As always." Bob grinned and Frank frowned between the two of them, watching Derek pack up.

"Excuse me, gentlemen." Gerard purred softly from behind Frank, making them all turn and look at him, seeing the Congressman standing yet again in the doorway to his office with a smile on his lips, "Am I interrupting?"

"Not at all, sir." Derek smiled, "We're just making plans."

"Oh, well carry on, I can wait." Gerard smiled, putting his hands in his pockets as Derek looked at Bob again.

"Are the guys all coming as well?" Derek asked before he looked at Frank, "And you, new kid?"

"Me, what?" Frank stiffened up, looking at Derek when he realized he was now the main focus, his eyes going around the room, "What?"

"We're all going out to Gibsons now after work for a drink, d'you wanna come?" Derek asked as he put his bag on his shoulder and walked to the door of his office, standing there as Frank got up.

"Well, I..." He frowned as he followed them out of the office and into the hallway. He saw the rest of the employees all standing at the door to leave, all looking at the exchange between current employee and new meat. Sudden indecision hit Frank as he looked at Derek, and Bob and then back at Gerard, who was standing stoic behind him, looking expectant.

"Yeah? You coming or what, spazmod?" Bob asked and Frank let out a small whimper, looking at Gerard and at his coworkers, his moral compass wobbling as though he were a giant magnet, spinning around between his two major choices.

"Frank...?" Gerard asked out carefully. That was what swayed him, that voice was what tilted him.

He turned on his heel and looked at Gerard, letting out a sigh, "Yeah. Yeah, I'm coming." He turned to look at Derek, biting nervously on his lip, "N-Next time, I promised I would work overtime tonight."

"Fine," Derek shrugged as everyone began filing out, "Your loss, new kid. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah..." Frank muttered, frowning as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Frank," Gerard called from his office, making the latter yelp and rush in, realizing he had been standing on the spot for ages.

"Yes." He breathed out, "I'm here." He opened the door and slid into the room, trying not to stare while he walked. The inside of the office stood out from the rest of the place that Frank had seen so far. Wowed by it, Frank's eyes darted around, taking in everything he could as quickly as possible while still trying to walk in a straight line towards the desk.

He didn't want to look like he was gawking or come across as completely professional because Frank was amazed by the office. The floors were white; completely different to the rest of the floors in the office, making it stand out even more. The other thing that stood out was a bright orange rug that he would never have expected. Maybe he has a thing for orange, Frank thought, knowing not to question even though he did wonder. A long expanse of window stretched out to his left, showing what looked like a patio area, dotted with one or two potted plants. The walls were white too. It felt far too clean for Franks's liking. Ryan probably would have been in heaven if he could have seen just how pristine the walls were. The wall on the far side from Frank wasn't white though. Instead, a large mahogany bookcase filled the wall. The wood a deep red-brown russet color, completely in contrast to the rest of the room which felt so clinical and appeared so bright. The shelves were filled with an array of things, ranging from books which seemed like the obvious thing to store, going on to ornaments and trinkets, going onto the large painting that was right in the middle of the whole unit. Frank glanced at it. Clearly it was abstract, just like the other paintings that he had seen dotted around the office. This one was different though. A dark canvas with what looked like a smear of ablaze in the middle of it. Oranges from dark to light, lining a bright yellow center, with white in the middle of it all. The center which Frank focussed on for a split second before he looked at the one thing he was heading towards.

The oversized desk that matched the bookshelf in color. Such furniture Frank didn't even want to consider the price tag that had been attached to the desk once. All he took notice of was the fact that it was modern like the bookshelf too. There were a few things dotted on it, lamp, laptop, paperwork, the empty coffee cup which had probably been the first drink of the day. But that wasn't Frank's main focus now. No, he peeled his eyes away from looking around the office in a second, finally bringing his attention onto the one thing in the room that made him feel like his stomach was really doing some sort of acrobatic display inside of him.

"Good boy." Gerard nodded, "Now, come here." Frank walked over as Gerard got up and walked to his bookshelf, scanning over the vast collection as Frank sat in one of the chairs at Gerard's large desk, facing Gerard's large leathery chair. Gerard returned, setting a book down in front of Frank. It wasn't a large book, it wasn't a fancy book, it looked like a simple bound notebook with the word 'employees' written on the front.

"What's first, sir?"

"You ate this morning, correct?"

"I did, sir. That muffin I bought when I went on the coffee run." Frank smiled, "And then I went to buy myself a salad at lunch."

"Good boy. One must never neglect their physical health or they end up with complications and conditions that are irreparable. Can't have you being ill now, can we?"

"No, sir."

"I want to see you eating at least one meal every day at work, do you understand? I'll have Derek keep an eye on you if you don't think you can follow a simple instruction as such, Frank."

"I'll bring lunch every day, sir." Frank smiled and watched as Gerard shed the jacket of his sapphire-hued suit, laying it over the back of his chair. He began absent-mindedly rolling the sleeves of his shirt up neatly to sit beneath his elbows before he ran a hand through his tousled vermillion hair.

"May I ask you a question, Frank?"

"Of course, sir."

Gerard sat down in his chair with one leg over the other, resting his elbow on one of the armrests to bit on his finger idly, watching Frank with intrigue for a second before asking, "How was your first day? Any ups and downs? Questions?"

"It was..." Frank rolled the ball of his tongue-bar over the back of his teeth, "Interesting to see how you run your ship. Staff seems pretty cool, too."

"You seemed nervous this morning, boy. How come?"

"Honestly, sir." Frank went pink as he looked down at his hands, "The most nervewracking thing about today was getting you your coffee. I didn't wanna fuck it up."

"Well, you did very well. You outshone Brendon in that simple task alone. He could never get it right. A latte could baffle him, the poor fellow. Lovely man, of course. Very friendly. But..."

"Not what you were looking for?"

Gerard's eyes sparkled as he smiled at his new assistant, "Exactly, Frank." He got up and walked around the enormous desk to stand beside Frank, leaning in with a hand splayed over the desk, the other flipping the notebook open, "One of the most important things there is to know about your job, or any job for that matter, besides the work you do. Those with whom you work."

"For sure, yeah. Teamwork and all those good things."

"Every person within my employment, boy, they all play a role in this enigmatic machine of which I am the scrupulous luminary. I wouldn't hire anyone that I didn't deem necessary for my continued candidacy, you understand. And everyone has their spot within the electoral machine, from myself right at the top all the way through the sensitive tissue of its organs and its sturdy bones. From the heart to the metatarsals."

Frank swallowed, his stomach tying itself into a knot for some unknown reason when Gerard began to talk with such rapture about his career and the people responsible. He nodded in agreement and Gerard leaned in, his hand on the book, "Tell me, Frank. What is your job title?"

"Oh!" Frank raised his eyebrows, "I'm your assistant and your scheduler and something about a representative." He smiled.

"Half-correct." Gerard smiled, perching himself on the desk, "I didn't ask what you did, I asked what your title is."

"I-I don't remember." Frank replied honestly and looked down, "Sorry, sir."

"That's quite alright. I don't expect you to know the first time. Pop." Gerard stated. Frank frowned and looked up.

"I-I'm sorry?"

"P.O.P." Gerard repeated, "Easy for everyone to remember. Patience, obedience, and practice. It's a motto I've used for many years in everything I do, not just work. Take care to remember it. Patience in learning new skills, obedience in keeping your skills maintained, and practice growing yourself. It's how you grow from a defenseless owlet in the nest to a mighty predator who can hunt for itself."

"An... Owlet, sir?"

"A baby owl, Frank."

"Oddly specific. Why not just a bird, sir?"

"I happen to like owls. Is there a problem, boy?"

"No, sir. Owls are pretty cool." Frank smiled, "I like that whole thing, though. Pop."

"Your title, my dear boy..." Gerard smiled, "You are my Personal Assistant in charge of scheduling, executive inclusion, and field representation."

"That's the one." Frank chuckled, "Now, can I ask what that means?"

"I'd be insulted if you didn't." Gerard nodded, "You're my Personal Assistant so you do as I ask of you. You're my scheduler so you make all of my appointments, tell me about them and manage them in an orderly fashion. And as a Field Representative, which is very similar to a Caseworker. You will act as a liaison between Congresspersons, Constituents and government agencies, or other organizations."

"Right..." Frank whispered.

"Now, let's go through who works for me, hmm?" Gerard smiled as he turned the page, showing a photo of a man with light caramel-colored skin and a bushy mane of hair in almost the same shade, "This is Ray Toro, my Chief of Staff. Do you know what he does?"

"Chief of Staff is the highest-ranking and usually the highest-paid legislative staffer in the office." Frank bit his lip as he looked at Ray's formal photo, "They oversee all of us and are in charge of making decisions that benefit the good of everyone here. They're meant to be the most experienced in politics and policy initiatives."

"Very, very good." Gerard praised, making Frank smile proudly, "Very good." He turned the page, showing a photo of a light-skinned woman with a short brown bob of curls and ruby lips, "This is Christa Toro."

"Ray's wife?" Frank asked out and Gerard nodded, "His second in command."

"Very nice. Christa is the Deputy Chief of staff and works as Ray's assistant in everything. Like a team."

"Right." Frank nodded and Gerard turned the page yet again, another woman this time with thin gold-rimmed glasses and long brown hair.

"Ah, Cara Shaw." Gerard smiled, "Wonderful human being. I've known them since college. They're now my Legislative Director. What does a Legislative Director do exactly, boy?"

"Um..." Frank looked at Cara as he racked his brain, realizing that Gerard had hopped off of the edge of the desk and was now standing at his side, leaning over to look at the book with him, making his concentration falter, "They... They oversee legislative staff."

"So, not all staff like Ray?" Gerard asked quietly and Frank shook his head, "Good. And Cara works with," Gerard turned the next page to a man with a full, dark beard over a baby-face and semi-shaved head, "Matt Olson."

"Who's he?"

"He's the Senior Legislative Assistant." Gerard smiled, "Cara's assistant. Handles member's priority issues that are committee, district, or mission-related. He develops legislation and strategies for legislative priorities; he's the staff member at mark-ups and hearings."

"Right..." Frank muttered as Gerard leaned closer, a hand on the back of his chair, making him straighten up and lean in to the book, "Who's next?"

"You're rather eager, Frank."

"I..." Frank went pink, "I just wanna know."

"Next is," Gerard turned to a photo of a man with brown hair to his ears and another impressive beard, "Alex Grippo. He's a Legislative Assistant."

"But not a senior?" Frank frowned as Gerard shook his head, "So, he works under Matt? And I think... He handles issues outside the member's priority areas, briefs the member on votes and hearings, staff member at hearings; meets with constituents, answers constituent mail, prepares speeches and record statements."

"And Cara." Gerard added and turned the page to see a man with a long, muscular face with an even thicker beard and squinted eyes, reminding Frank almost of Frankenstein's monster in a way, but less terrifying, "Rob Hughes. He's the Legislative correspondent. What do they do, boy?"

"Oh!" Frank frowned and leaned in, "My friend is an L.C. They're responsible for drafting letters in response to constituents' comments and questions. And legislative issues."

"Good boy." Gerard smiled, giving Frank's shoulder a squeeze, making Frank's leg automatically want to jerk under the desk, "Next we have... Ah, Patrick Stump."

Frank looked at the ginger-haired man who couldn't be much older than him with his slim face and bright eyes, his hair short and fringe slick, and a thick pair of black glasses perched on his nose, "What's he do?"

"He's the Press Secretary and Communications Director." Gerard pulled the book closer, "Know what they do?"

"He's responsible for the relationship between you and the media, the liaison for the local and national press. He issues press releases, right?"

"Correct." Gerard smiled, "Very good. You know your stuff."

"I try." Frank gushed, smiling coyly.

"Now..." Gerard turned to the next page with a picture of himself, "Who is this?"

"That's... That's you, sir."

"You're very astute. That is indeed me, boy. Well done." Gerard replied with the tiniest hint of sarcasm in his voice that had Frank's smile widening, "And what am I?" Gerard looked at Frank, their faces inches apart, making Frank swallow and shudder, "Hmm?"

"You're the Congressman."

"And another name for myself would be?" Gerard pried and Frank breathed out shakily.

"M-My boss...?"

"Very good..." Gerard smiled, "But-" He looked away, letting Frank relax slightly, "I'm also the District Representative. And in this case, I also happen to be the District Director."

"Oh. Yeah- Fuck- Of course." Frank closed his eyes, cursing himself at his ignorance, "I knew that."

"I'm sure you did... You're getting distracted, I see."

"I..." Frank frowned, growing pink, "I guess... Sorry, sir."

"That's quite alright." Gerard smiled, "Do you know what I do?"

"You... " Frank frowned again, "A District Rep is elected to a two-year term serving the people of a specific congressional district, right? Among other duties, I guess the most important are representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees."

"Perfect." Gerard smiled, "Good boy. And as the District Director, I manage overall district operation and workflow. I'm responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and managing district staff; representing member at events; monitoring district issues and politics, conducting staff outreach."

Frank smiled, feeling slightly relieved. The last thing he wanted was to fuck up Gerard's damn job description and look like a total fucking nitwit. He shifted in his seat to tuck one foot behind the other, "Thank you, sir."

"Next in the book..." Gerard turned the page to show a blank frame where a photo should be and Frank's very own title beneath it, "Ah, look at that. Right beneath me."

"Well..." Frank giggled and leaned forward, "I am below you, aren't I?"

"As you should be," Gerard smirked and Frank chuckled. He looked at the blank page.

"When do I go in the book, sir?"

"When you've worked here for more than a month. When I'm assured of your capabilities." Gerard explained as Frank examined the book, turning the page himself, looking down at the picture of Derek, clean-shaven this time, an unnerving sight for Frank, "Oh, Derek."

"Derek." Frank muttered, "What's he do?"

"He," Gerard leaned in again beside Frank, "Mister Zanetti is the Office Manager and he is also the Staff Assistant. The title is rather self-descriptive, isn't it?"

"A tad." Frank chuckled, "He's in charge of the office, isn't he? Assists Chief of Staff in managing office functions, complying with CAA and ethics policies, and financial disclosure reporting... Maintains office equipment, furniture, supplies, and filing systems and manages office accounts."

"Such a smart boy. But as Staff Assistant he does a lot more than that. Once you've mastered being my assistant, we'll see about you taking on that role instead. They handle word processing, filing, faxing. Also responding to general constituent requests, processes tour and flag requests, staffs the front reception area, greets visitors, and answers telephones." Gerard chuckled dryly when Frank swallowed hard, a sudden nervous sinking in his stomach, "I wouldn't offer you the opportunity if I didn't think you could handle it, Frank. I would never have you do anything for me if I thought for an iota that you couldn't do it. Who's next?"

"James Dewees." Frank stated matter-of-factly, looking at the much older chubby man with his all-over-the-place chestnut hair and his smile, "He's the... Computer System and Mail Manager. So, he's the tech nerd who fixes all of the electronic stuff and he also happens to be Postman Pat?"

Gerard chuckled at that, smiling brightly at Frank, "Your humor is certainly unique, and contagious as it were, and nicely timed. Yes, he is. And I'll be sure to tell him of his new nickname tomorrow morning."

"Oh, God." Frank paled, looking up at Gerard suddenly, 'Wait. No- I-"

"He'll take it in good spirit, we all have a good sense of humor toward our colleagues in this office, boy. Like a big family. What he formally does, however, is that he manages all computer hardware and software systems used by office, maintains office websites, Internet, and Intranet systems. He acts as a liaison with vendors and HIR, answers staff's computer questions, and manages constituent mail processing." Gerard winked and turned the page, smiling widely, "My Lindsey."

Frank looked down at the page with a frown at the woman with the doe-brown eyes, bright red lips, and her blonde hair back in what Frank assumed to be a hair clip with lengthy strands hanging in a frame around her face, "Ballato?" Frank looked up, "She didn't take your name?"

"She never wanted my last name even when we dated in college. She may be my wife but she's very set in her ways and found it unnecessary to take my name. She wants to be known as her own person and not just as a Congressman's wife." Gerard smiled, "She's such an empowered woman."

"I can tell. And if I may, sir, she's beautiful" Frank pursed his lips, impressed already. He heard Gerard hum in agreement at his latter statement. Frank looked up as Gerard with a small frown, "I didn't see her today."

"She was out with a friend of hers for lunch today and had appointments out of office. She'll be in tomorrow. She's been very excited to meet my new lackey." Gerard mused, pursing his lips as Frank scowled ruefully up at his boss, "Relax, Frank."

"So, what does Lindsey do here?"

"Besides keep me happy?" Gerard asked with an almost hint of playfulness if it were at all possible, "She's the Deputy District Director and the Projects and Grants Coordinator."

"Oh." Frank scowled, "I-I don't know what that is."

"She is in charge of and including, she assists in obtaining federal and private funding for constituents, addresses the needs of local governments, private and civic organizations, and other constituents."

"Wow..." Frank muttered softly, "That's a lot of shit."

"It is a lot of shit. But, she handles it and moreover, handles all of the staff here, myself included sometimes." Gerard turned the page with a small smile, "Ah, the office clown."

"Pete Wentz?" Frank frowned at the platinum-blonde haired man with his pouty lips and bright eyes, "He's the... Caseworker."

"You'll be working with him when you do field rep work. In politics, a Caseworker is a type of legislative staffer responsible for dealing with constituent services- services provided to the constituents of a legislator. Caseworkers often deal with individual or family concerns, such as obtaining social services." Gerard smiled, "Got all of that?"

"Most of it, yeah." Frank answered truthfully as Gerard leaned in again and turned the page to another square-faced man with short brown hair and a ginger beard, "Andy Hurley?"

"He works closely with Pete." Gerard stated simply, "He's a Constituent Services Rep. Similar to a caseworker. What's the difference, boy?"

"Not much except the title but a lot of politicians split up the jobs of a Caseworker between two because the workload can get hefty."

"Not many people know that." Gerard seemed surprised, "Why different titles, then?"

"That..." Frank frowned, "That I don't know."

"Because they kept wanting to know who was in charge of who so, I eventually gave them different titles to stop the arguments every five minutes when one told the other what to do." Gerard rolled his eyes, running a hand through his hair, "But they're fantastic at their jobs so I let them have their official titles as is."

Frank couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of the two men bickering in Gerard's office while he tried to sort them out. And Frank had no doubt in his mind that Gerard was definitely a man who would sort problems out very quickly.

"Our Congressional Aide. A Mister Joshua Dun." Gerard gestured to the book and Frank looked down to see a scruffy-chinned man near his own age, with a bubblegum-pink colored fluff-mohawk on his head, and dark eyes, "I think you two would get on well. Very quiet young man but he's a wonderful person to be around. He's got oracular chemistry about him that one tends to gravitate towards, much like you do. You're more..."

"More...?"

"Rougher around your edges," Gerard smirked blithely, "You have a lot to learn whereas Joshua has quite a few years under his belt working for me. You'll learn, don't you worry. Put your frown away, dear boy."

"Ah..." Frank uncreased his forehead and looked at the book, spying Josh and his title yet again.

"What does he do here, boy?"

"I have no idea, sir."

"Mister Dun is more of a here-and-there man in the office. He works with the other employees doing whatever else needs doing. He's only a temp but he's been a temp for a couple of years now. A congressional aide supports a congressperson in whatever duties are deemed necessary. They perform all duties ranging from research on specific legislative bills to simple administrative tasks such as handling emails for their assigned congressperson."

Frank nodded, "Oh, I see. He's like the office's 'every-job' guy."

"Exactly." Gerard smiled, "He did your job for a while but he told me I was very high maintenance and decided to work with the others." Gerard smirked then, "Lovely boy."

"I..." Frank frowned, "Weren't you mad?"

"Why should I be? He's right." Gerard waved a hand, "I've had over nine assistants in the past two years. None of them can do what I ask within capacity. Lindsey has often compared me to a dictator or a military leader. I can be very unyielding when I ask something of you."

"That's comforting." Frank muttered, immediately changing the subject as he turned the page, "Sarah Orz-... What?"

"Orzechowski." Gerard finished, "A small mouthful, I know. She's going to be working with you as a Field Rep."

"Ah..." Frank remembered her from that morning, remembered her giving him the dirtiest of glances, "Awesome."

"A Field Rep updates the Congressman and District Director on district and local issues and just in general keeps a good name for the Congressman in public." Gerard waved a hand, "And lastly are my Legislative Counsel. I believe you've met Mister Bryar?"

"Uh-huh..." Frank eyed the photo of Bob beside the photo of a man called Joe who had a mop of dark curls on his head and wide bright eyes, "Well aware of Bob."

"What do they do?"

"They're your Council, a council within a legislature which supervises nonpartisan legislative support staff." Frank shrugged, "In a nutshell."

"Very nice." Gerard straightened up, "Good. Now you know everyone here."

"Yeah..." Frank muttered as he stretched his legs out under the desk, "That's good. Thank you, sir."

"Frank?"

"Yes, sir?" Frank asked as he watched Gerard walk around the desk and sit across in his own leather chair, leaning forward, fingers steepled in front of his face as Frank ran the ball of his tongue bar over his teeth out of habit.

"I have another question."

"Of course, sir." Frank smiled.

"Your... Outfit." Gerard tilted his head, "Where did you get it?"

"Oh..." Frank went bright red, "Well, I live with my boyfriend and we sometimes swap clothes." Frank lied quickly, trying to assuage to the fact that he had, in fact, had zero fucking clothing for normal situations.

"Oh, so it's Ryan's suit?" Gerard asked and Frank sighed, nodding, "Well, if that's the case, he seems like a very interesting man."

"Oh, please." Frank scoffed, grinning as he sat back in his chair, rolling his eyes.

"What? Did I say something?" Gerard asked, looking concerned as his brows knitted together.

"The most interesting thing about Ryan is his clothes and that he bleaches his asshole. That's it." Frank snorted, and then frowned, and then looked down and back up all within seconds, "Did I just... Was that...?"

"Out loud?" Gerard asked slowly, his lips in a grim line, "I'm afraid so. But that is pretty interesting."

"Oh, God, he's gonna kill me." Frank groaned, his ears now tinting beet red as he hid his face in his hands, elbows rested on his knees, "Why the hell did I say that?"

"Trying to shift the topic off of your fancy suit, I think,"

"I didn't want to say that out loud, nor would I sabotage my boyfriend's asshole in the process." He stated simply, watching Gerard chuckle.

"How noble of you, Frank." Gerard smirked as he switched his computer screen back on, "It sounds so painful."

"Oh, it is..." Frank commented and then suddenly his brain came to a screeching halt, everything slamming on brakes when he realized his second anal-bleach related mistake. His eyes widened as he and Gerard stared at each other, Frank's pierced tongue pressed flat against the roof of his mouth. Frank wanted to curl up and die right about now, feeling almost nauseated at himself and his lack of control.

"Frank, be a dear and spell check those for me, would you?" Gerard casually asked as he slid a pile of notes towards his new and bright red assistant.

"Yes, sir." Frank sighed out in relief at Gerard's smooth subject change, grabbing the notes and a pen.

"I'd love to meet this boyfriend of yours." Gerard remarked simply, "Get to know a bit more about him."

"Oh, I think you know way more about him than the average human should." Frank squinted jokingly at Gerard as he grinned.

"Perhaps you're right. I think Ryan should remain a mystery rather; never peek behind the curtain and what have you." Gerard waved a hand and Frank let out a small laugh.

"Especially if that curtain's hiding painful bleach and paisley."

"Oh definitely, boy. Definitely."

Frank took that as his cue to leave. He nodded, turning to leave, but something in his head drew his attention back to the orange rug that was splayed out on the floor in front of him. It was the kind of thing that he knew to keep to himself, but for some reason, God knows what, his brain to mouth filter had a malfunction.

"I see you like orange," Frank commented. Gerard didn't say a word; he sat completely still in his chair, looking at Frank who had turned back around to him, "Y'know," Frank continued when Gerard didn't say anything, "Because you have a lot of orange in your office. The painting... Your rug... Your hair."

"Are you saying my hair looks like carpet?" Gerard shot his question back instantaneously and Frank froze, his eyes widening with realization. It had probably been the stupidest thing he could have ever said. Why didn't he just keep his mouth shut, walking out of the office to go back to his desk where he would work on the pages he had been given?.

"No," Frank blurted out fast, shaking his head while his cheeks flushed, "God, no. I was... It was just a comment. I-I meant nothing by it. Oh, fuck-"

Gerard narrowed his eyes at Frank then, placing his papers neatly on the desk, putting his full attention onto Frank with his fingers steepled yet again. That made Frank feel like he was shrinking for a second. Those eyes on him, making him look down because of the sheer intensity. God, why had he been so stupid? Why couldn't he have just kept his mouth shut?

"Don't you have work with which to busy yourself, boy?"

"I do," Frank nodded, hoping that this was a sign that he hadn't just fucked up, "I should probably just-" He said, pointing towards the office door.

"I think you should," Gerard agreed casually, making it hard for Frank to tell if he was upset with him or not. He was so complicated to figure out and Frank was going to take this opportunity and move on very quickly from the stupid thing he had said.

"I suppose the good thing is; if you spill your coffee on that suit, we wouldn't notice because it is so... Busy." Gerard commented as casually as Frank had, a retort that fell so honey-dripped from Gerard's tongue. That was payback and Frank knew that he had it coming after his unfiltered error. He sighed, almost being able to picture the smirk that was on Gerard's face.