A/N: I have put up the first chapter of my new fic Mint and Honey! It was an old fic that I'm reviving and I know you guys are gonna love it!

Frank was practically thrumming as he sat at the bar, grinning brightly at his boss the entire time. They were somewhat early to arrive at Gibson's that next Saturday. Everyone had said they would arrive around four in the afternoon to await the election results being announced on TV. Frank had never attended before, but this was apparently a tradition.

He could tell Gerard was nervous, sitting in a booth with his wife, while Frank waited at the bar for his soda.

He was always so excited about voting for country and county, knowing that they were separate. He had been told that throughout the year of congressional voting, each state votes on a different day in the year until every district had concluded their voting. It varied from date to date every two years and last time, Frank remembered, their district had voted in June, this year it was April.

Frank knew it could have gone either way. Some districts in Jersey were very against Gerard and were strictly Republican, whilst others openly supported him. He stared at that blue and red map every day at work, wondering how on Earth anyone could hate his boss. He was so glad that their district of Wyckoff had been faithfully Democratic, even if he didn't always agree with them or their main candidate, he always liked to remind himself: it could always be worse.

The next to arrive was Derek and his own Lindsey that Frank finally got to meet. They went to sit with Gerard and other Lindsey in the booth. Frank sat in a chair facing the door, waiting to see who would show next.

Over the span of an hour, almost everyone arrived except Sarah and Bob. The latter who had a birthday party to get to, and Sarah never came to these little gatherings in the first place. The staff were all mingling, waiting for the news to come on, drinking and chatting with the few patrons and their colleagues. Frank was sitting with Pete and Patrick when he saw Josh and Ty walk in, both carrying bike helmets. Frank withheld the urge to drool when Ty took off his leather jacket, revealing the slouchy muscle tank beneath it. Josh smiled and came over to give Frank a hug, and Ty gave him a one-arm squeeze. He seemed so uncomfortable and stuck to Josh like possessive glue, stepping just so casually in between anyone that got too close.

He watched them curiously, observing how they carried themselves since they were able to be together in public. And as Frank had expected, it was no different to when they were together in private. He had seen them out together in California, but that was different, they were away from home and could act however they wanted. Now, however, they were with Josh's friends and his employer, and he had to act a certain way. And yes, Ty was more reserved than his usual formidable Dominant self, but he still kept Josh in check.

Frank watched the way Ty brushed Josh's cheek with his knuckles and fed him some pretzels, his eyes lighting up when Josh kissed his fingertips, and Frank couldn't help but feel a sharp twisting stab of envy. He couldn't do that with his primary partner and, probably, wouldn't be able to do that with his unofficial secondary since he didn't want to make anything awkward for him and Josh at work now that they had somewhat smoothed things over.

He looked away, his mood immediately on a damper despite how excited he had been. He turned back to Patrick, signing that he would be right back - one of a few phrases he had picked up after being there for four months now.

He went to the bar and ordered himself another coke, but this one had some rum in it this time, and he didn't care at all. He took a large sip and was about to start wallowing in his own pity party when Pete jumped up to tell everyone to be quiet. The bartender turned the volume up on the TV in the corner, and everyone adjusted themselves to look at the pretty blond on screen.

"Welcome back to our special coverage today as we look into the results of New Jersey's elections from yesterday. Masses flocked to their government-regulated polls to vote for their district representatives, as the rest of the country waits for their turn. For what has been going on now since January, we wait with bated breath to see who will reign for another two years." Frank watched as they cut to footage taken from a few different voting areas showing the long queues outside of the buildings.

She smiled at the camera, "After an entire day of waiting, we finally have the results for all twelve of our state's districts. First District of Camden, district representative Shaw Glinston wins at fifty-six percent. Second District of Dennis Township, district representative Alan Tyson wins at sixty-point-four percent. Third District of Moorestown, district representative Susan Hague wins at sixty-three-point-two percent."

Frank noted that the entire bar was silent, whether the other patrons were watching or merely being polite, he was sure you could hear a pin drop. He glanced over at Gerard, who was staring at the TV so calmly, but Frank could see Lindsey holding his hand.

"Fourth District of Hamilton Township, district representative Douglas Pearson wins at fifty-two perfect," The blond smiled, showing a photo of each candidate beside her on the screen. Frank sat up straighter as she continued, "Fifth District of Wyckoff-"

"This is it!" Pete called out and turned to a woman, "Shut up!"

"- district representative Gerard-"

Frank didn't even get a chance to hear by how much he had won before the entirety of the bar erupted into loud cheers and applause. Gerard smiled brightly, clearly surprised and bashful because of the attention he had not expected. Ty grabbed his hand and stood him up, making Gerard stand as everyone applauded. Frank was grinning so much that it hurt, and he was trying not to cry at the same time. The rest of the results meant so little in comparison, everyone was just so happy and so proud of their boss.

Gerard was getting handshakes and hugs from every side and Frank took it as a scapegoat. He snuck into the crowd to hug his Master as tightly as he could. It was for a brief second, but it was more than they had ever had before, and Frank was soaring. He let go, watching Gerard give Lindsey a chaste kiss as the applause died down an octave, but Pete was insistent on everyone having some champagne to celebrate. Even Gerard joined in, knowing that if it had a low sugar content, he would be okay with half a glass.

Everyone grabbed chairs or stood around, filling up random mismatched tumblers and glasses with champagne from the bar. Gerard raised his glass and smiled at all of his employees with a bright smile, "Thank you all for sticking by my side and believing in my grandiose ambitions even just for this district. I hope to still expand and maybe even run for Senate in a few years and I would love to have every single one of you at my side."

"Two more years!" Pete called before shotgunning his champagne. Everyone else clinked their glasses together for the toast before taking a hearty sip. Frank smiled proudly at his boss as he sipped his bubbly, he was so proud of him.

Gerard sat down and kissed Lindsey's hand gently, leaning back in his chair as he sipped and struck up some conversation with Derek and other Lindsey. He felt someone looming behind him and he turned, seeing Josh standing there looking surprised as he had raised his hand to tap Frank's shoulder.

"How'd you do that?" Josh smiled.

"Felt a disturbance in the Force." Frank smiled, "What's up, pup?"

Josh's cheeks went pink and he smiled sheepishly, "Everyone is congratulating Gerard and Lin, but... Y'know," he leaned in, "Congrats to you, too."

Frank smiled up at him, "Thanks, I guess."

"Oh, I... I forgot I had something for you. I know it's a random time to bring it up but I forgot last time, too." Josh went to grab Ty's backpack and came back. Frank was watching him curiously the entire time, sipping his rum and Coke.

Josh reached into the bag and pulled out a box. Frank took it, turning it to face him when he saw the black Converse label printed on the top. He frowned and slid into a barstool across from Josh, "What's this?"

"I remember months ago you said you wanted to get yourself a pair but you missed the presale." Josh played with his fingers nervously.

Frank opened the box and pulled the tissue paper aside, his jaw dropping when he saw the limited edition hightop AC/DC Chuck Taylor collab sneakers he had been pining after for seven years. He lifted one up and examined the side where all members of the band had been printed, the same iconic photo from their Highway to Hell shoot. He looked up at Josh, his fingers shaking, "Y-You bought these for me?"

"W-Well, yeah? Are they... Did I buy the wrong ones?" Josh frowned, concerned.

Frank let out a small laugh of disbelief, "No, no, these- They're the right ones, Josh, but... Why would you do this?"

"Because you wanted them." Josh smiled simply.

"I can't believe you remembered something so random."

"It's not random if it matters to you." Josh stated softly.

"Thank you so much." Frank set them down carefully and pulled Josh into a tight hug. He was so overwhelmed by his emotions yet again, so surprised by the random and generous gesture from the man he had hated for so long.

He smiled as he looked up at him, laughing softly when he saw how pink Josh had become. He took his new shoes and put them under his arm, "Wanna come with me to the car, quick? I'm gonna put them on and put my others in the trunk."

Josh grinned brightly and followed as Frank snagged the car keys from Lindsey and walked outside into the parking lot. He popped open the trunk and hopped around as he tugged at his boots. Josh opened the box and loosened the laces for Frank, holding the shoes out to him. Frank couldn't help the wide smile on his face as he bent down to pull them on. Josh put the box in the trunk and stepped back, waiting patiently, "They look really good."

"They're so comfy." Frank stood up and smiled, "Thank you so much."

"Oh, s-sure. Yeah, of course. I mean... They're just shoes." Josh waved a hand and looked away idly, his cheeks turning pink.

Frank squinted a tiny bit as he closed the trunk lid, "Josh?"

"Hmm?"

"What's the real reason behind the shoes?"

"You wanted them." Josh shrugged.

"Yeah, and you just happened to buy them for me knowing they're expensive. Why? I won't be mad or anything, y'know."

Josh looked down at his fingers, "I just... Wanted to do something nice, Frank."

"For me? Why not Ty?"

"Because I want you to like me."

"I do like you, Josh." Frank smiled. Josh looked up in earnest at Frank's words, staring at him, his brown eyes soft and pleading. Frank stared at him for the longest second as his words finally rang bells, "Oh."

Josh looked down, "Forget it."

"No! I- No, I..." Frank sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "No, it's okay. I won't forget it, Josh. That's... That's so sweet of you. I had no idea." Frank watched Josh's face go from pink to red, his eyes now permanently cast down, "How long?"

"About four months." Josh shrugged, "Give or take."

"Wh- Wait, what?" Frank did the math in his head, "I've only known you for... Oh. God, Josh, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. And this whole time, I..."

"Don't worry about it." Josh waved a hand, "I didn't expect anything anyway."

Frank frowned as he leaned against the trunk, doing his best to process the news he had been handed so suddenly. He swallowed, his heart racing as his stomach began churning, "I- Uh... I don't know what to say. I appreciate you telling me, I know it's not easy, but I hope you feel a bit better after you said it."

"I actually feel a little nauseated," Josh admitted, "I've never had feelings for someone when I was with someone else. I feel dishonest. And Ty knows now, and he doesn't mind. He was just proud that I told him and that I had the guts to communicate even when I was so scared."

"I understand." Frank whispered softly, "I know how it feels. I was forced into a monogamous relationship by someone who was controlling me, and I had no idea it was happening. And when I started getting close to Ty, I had multiple panic attacks from my own trauma. But Gerard explained that it's okay to feel that way."

"It is." Josh whispered, "My previous partner used to spank me if I ever even just looked at someone else. I guess I was just expecting the same from someone who is nothing like Peter."

Frank pouted, "I'm so sorry, Joshy."

"I have Ty now and he's all I could ever ask for and more. He's the one thing I didn't know I needed, and I'm kinda surprised by it. I met him only once before this at a birthday party for Gerard, and he didn't even look at me, then." Josh laughed softly, "But I guess it's just all about timing."

Frank looked around the parking lot, his mind racing with every single bit of information and all of the flurried emotions running rampant in his stomach. He also felt like he could throw up, but was it the slow realization, or the alcohol? Both?

He turned to look at Josh again, blushing when he realized he hadn't spoken for a good few minutes, nor had he been listening. He looked down at his new shoes, "Y'know, I... I always hated you from the start, even before I found out."

"Wh- You did? Frank, what did I do?" Josh asked, his voice pitching with exasperation, his eyebrows knitting.

"I was attracted to you. And I didn't understand why. And I pushed it aside for a long time until I forgot about it until I found out about you and Gerard. And that gave my hatred a leg to stand on, even if it was wobbly. It gave me a reason as to why I could turn my feelings into anger and cover up the fact that I just... Hated myself. I was struggling with so much, and I still am. These past four months have been nothing but constant change for me, and I am not the same person I used to be even a week ago, and I won't be the same next week. And hating you had been the one constant I had, because I was so sure of myself in that Gerard would turn out just like Ryan, just using me to hurt me."

"He'd never-"

"I know, Joshy. I know that now. I know he never did what he did to hurt me. And I've forgiven him, and myself. I sat there seething over you for ages, but it was because I couldn't decide if I wanted to be with you, or be you. I was jealous of how he looked at you, and I was so stupid and selfish to tear you apart because I was so close-minded and hurt by my past that I didn't understand. And I'm so sorry. I never even considered how it must have hurt you that I ripped him away from you so suddenly after three years. I guess I'm also just so confused about why you don't hate me, either. I deserve it."

"I couldn't if I tried." Josh admitted, "I wanted to, and Ty told me I should, but he's always so crabby. And I guess I should have, but at the same time, you were entitled to feel that way. And... I was just grateful that you gave me any sort of attention, even if it was because you were glaring at me or trying to choke me with the Force."

Frank couldn't help the small laugh that left him, smiling when Josh did, but it faded just as quickly as it appeared. He scratched his head idly, "I just don't know what to do, or feel, for that matter. Like... This isn't what I do. This is all so new, I'm still trying to accept the fact that Ty and I are a thing, even if it's not an official relationship. I was expecting a one-and-done, not to be the meat in that sandwich, ya dig?"

"I dig." Josh put his hands in his jacket pockets, "I'm not expecting anything from you, Frank. I just wanted you to know."

"No, I know. But..." Frank shook his head, "I don't know what to do. I don't know how to feel. I don't think I feel the same way, Joshy, I'm sorry. I mean, I don't think I have to be sorry, but I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't. As long as this doesn't affect our relationship or anything. Please don't go back to hating me."

"Nah, I could never." Frank smiled and held his arms out, letting Josh hug him tightly. They stood there in an embrace for a good few seconds before Josh stepped back.

"I'd better go back in and make sure Ty isn't threatening anyone."

~

"You're awfully quiet, Cynthia." Gerard commented as he looked up from his plate of lasagna that Frank had made that afternoon.

Frank blinked, coming back to reality before he realized he had completely zoned out staring at the bubbles of his soda. He looked at his Dominant, "Pardon?"

"Did you hear what I said, my prince?"

"I- Well, not really, sir. I'm sorry."

Gerard chewed and swallowed a bite of food, "I asked if you saw who was at the bar?"

"Who, sir?"

"You remember the man you sucker-punched the other week?"

"Jimmy?" Frank's nose wrinkled up in disgust, "What the hell was he doing there?"

"He was looking for you, apparently. He knows a friend of Cara's and figured where we would be. He wanted to talk to you when you were out with Joshua."

"Do you know why?"

"He wanted to thank you," Gerard said as he finished his food, "Apparently you knocked some sense into him when you last saw him, and he has taken his fatherly duties more seriously. And he wanted to express how sorry he was for the way he treated you. That you were right."

Frank stared at him in surprise, "Are you sure you have the right person."

"Frank, the man has bubblegum pink liberty spikes, there aren't that many people like that living in my district." Gerard chuckled, "I recognize him from her funeral."

"He really said all that?" Frank sat back, slightly baffled by the change of heart.

"I may have paraphrased to summarize but that was the gist of it, I promise. He seemed earnest, at least. He even flinched when he saw Ty."

Frank nodded, his mind straying back to the hours prior when he had been outside with Josh. Gerard let out a small sigh and reached across the table to hold Frank's hand, "What's on your mind?"

Frank looked at Lindsey, who was also looking back at him with concern, and he sighed softly, "Just dealing with some stuff."

"Are you feeling ill?" Gerard reached across the table and gently put the back of his hand against Frank's forehead.

"No, sir. Just tired, I think. Today was a lot." Frank whispered and leaned into the touch, closing his eyes for a moment.

"I think I'll go and watch some TV." Lindsey smiled as she picked up her plate, taking it to rinse it and put it in the dishwasher before excusing herself and going upstairs to give them some privacy.

Gerard watched her vanish before he turned to look at Frank, "Still tired?"

Frank looked down, hanging his head in shame, "No."

"I thought as much. You are rather easy to read, my boy."

Frank sighed and rubbed his eyes, "I'm not physically tired, but mentally? Fucking exhausted."

"What's going on?"

"I don't even know where to start, sir. Honest. My head is such a mess right now and no single thought is cohesive enough for me to grab onto it and start puzzling it together. And it's so overwhelming."

"It does sound nightmarish." Gerard sipped his lemonade, "What brought this on? Can you single out a particular incident?"

"Oh, yes." Frank muttered, "Sure fucking can."

"Can you share it with me? Are you comfortable talking about it?" Gerard sat back with his hands clasped over his torso, looking at his submissive with genial ease and slight concern.

"I... I kinda have to. It involves you, too."

"It does?" Gerard frowned, tilting his head as Frank got up, too uneasy to sit still, "Please talk to me, Frank. I don't like seeing you like this."

"Josh spoke to me today at the bar."

"I saw he bought you new shoes," Gerard smiled, "That was awfully thoughtful of him. I hope you said thank you."

"'Course, sir." Frank fiddled with his ring, running his tongue over his lip ring anxiously, "Josh likes me, sir."

Gerard looked up, his face remaining absolutely still despite his eyes clearly filled with genuine surprise, "He does? He said so?"

Frank nodded wordlessly, suddenly and completely wrought with anxiety over how his Master would react. Gerard sat forward to regard him, scratching his eyebrow with a long index finger, "Did he say for how long?"

"Since we first met, I think."

"I see."

"Oh, god, you're mad." Frank whined and turned to start pacing, "I knew it. I told him I didn't like him, I tried to let him down as nicely as possible but... Fuck- aw, fucking hell, I knew you'd be mad. I did everything I could, okay? Shit- should I send him flowers or something? But no one died, that's weird, isn't it? What should I do? I didn't mean to hurt him. Please don't be mad. I can fix it-"

"That's quite enough, my boy. Take a deep breath for me." Gerard rubbed his index finger and took a deep breath, showing Frank how to calm himself before he went into a frenzied spiral. Frank copied his Dominant, tracing outside of his finger, up and inhale, out and exhale. He did it three more times before he felt calmer, able to gather his thoughts into a haphazard pile after they had been scattered around again.

"I'm good."

"I'm not so sure, but you're certainly more coherent now." Gerard took another sip of his drink, "So, Joshua said he has feelings for you? Interesting. And you don't feel the same?"

"I-I- Well, no. I mean, I don't think so. I think he's hot, but you have to be fucking stupid not to think so."

"Agreed."

"I told him I don't."

"But is that true?"

"What?"

"What you said to him, Frank. Is it true?"

"It is." Frank frowned, "I mean, I care about him a lot. He's a close friend to me, and I care about him. Like... A friend I want to kiss, but not like-" He frowned even more, "People don't want to kiss their friends much, do they?"

"It isn't an overly common occurrence unless it's unrequited or a crush. I know having a crush on your friend is common if you come from a tough childhood. But kissing isn't necessarily romantic, either. A lot of people kiss their friends because it's how they show affection. It all depends on the kinds of kisses you want to give him, Frank."

Frank opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a loss for words. He sat on the edge of the sofa and let out a groan, "It's more than kisses. But... But I thought it was only physical. I thought that was it. But what if it's not? What if it's more than that? What if I do like him but I've forced myself not to because of what happened? I'm so fucking lost."

Gerard got up again and took his plate to the kitchen, "I think you already answered your question. If you didn't like him, you'd know."

"Fuck." Frank sighed.

And then his brain did a rewind fairly quickly and he turned to look at his Master who was now washing the dishes. He raised an eyebrow, "We have a dishwasher, sir."

"I'm aware."

"Or... I could do that." Frank offered and came closer.

"I'm more than capable of washing my own dishes, thank you." Gerard stated curtly and Frank bit his lip, immediately sensing the tension between them.

"Did I do something, sir?"

"No."

"Are you upset?"

"No."

"Are you lying to me, Gerard?"

He turned to regard Frank over the rim of his glasses and Frank swallowed, instantly regretting the use of his name. He shrank back but stayed put. Gerard went back to furiously scrubbing the Pyrex dish. He steeled himself yet again, "Gerard, don't ignore me, please. We can talk about anything, remember?"

Gerard dried his hands on the dishtowel and threw it on the counter lightly, turning to look at Frank, "You didn't do anything. Why would you have done anything? Of course not."

"Then why are you acting like this?"

"Because I'm fucking mad!" Gerard snapped and Frank jumped in surprise, yelping softly.

"Wh-"

"Your hypocrisy is limitless, Frank. How am I supposed to feel right now? You drop this unexpected bomb on me that you may or may not have feelings for my former submissive, a submissive that I had to completely remove from my life outside of a professional standpoint because you couldn't stand the thought of us even being in the same room! How am I meant to feel?!"

"I-I-..." Frank's eyes automatically filled with tears, "P-Please don't yell at me."

Gerard closed his eyes, taking in a deep but shaky breath as he held the counter with white knuckles, "I am fucking hurt by all of this, Frank. I understand that I hurt you by what I did, and I have no leg to stand on at all, but I don't think you seem to grasp what you made me do. Now that you have been in a relationship with two people, how would you feel if Ty told you right now, out of the blue, that he didn't want you and I together anymore, and that he'd leave you if you stayed with me? How would you feel?"

"That's different."

"How?"

"I love you."

Gerard just looked at Frank simply, staring at him as hurt flashed in his eyes, and Frank suddenly realized, "Oh. Oh, God. You loved him, didn't you?"

"I was with him for three years, Frank. I wasn't in an emotional relationship with him like I am with you. I didn't love him in the same capacity that I do with you, because I never let myself get that far. I didn't lie when I said you were the exception. But... He was a very close second if I didn't have the self-control."

Frank's lip wobbled and he bit down on it to stop himself from crying, realizing how selfish he had been without realizing. It may have been warranted because of how Gerard had handled the situation, but Gerard had a point. He wiped his eyes on the back of his hand, "I didn't realize."

"You wouldn't until you felt the same way yourself. Could you give me up, Frank?"

Frank let out a little whimper and shook his head, the tears flowing freely now, his heart hammering in his chest, mimicking his pain so intrinsically, mocking his selfishness and his pig-headed tenacity for trying to make everything go his way. He sniffed, "I'm so sorry I took him away from you."

"I know you are. But can you understand why I'm so upset? You chastised me for my way of life even after you said you forgave me for lying to you, they are two separate incidents, Frank. You didn't even regard his feelings in the mix at all, and wanted me all to yourself even when he had been with me so much longer, and didn't give a damn about him. And every time he phoned me, crying and sobbing that he missed me and that he felt abandoned, I couldn't answer it, I couldn't react. I couldn't lose him and you, and for that, I hurt him. And I will never forgive myself for it. I don't ever regret choosing you over him, but I wish that you and I both handled it better."

Frank looked down at his shaky hands and nodded, "Do... Do you still love him?" He looked up when he was met with silence, frowning, "Gerard?"

"I don't know."

"How do you not know?"

"Because I only broke it off with him a few weeks ago, Frank. That wound is still so fresh, and I would be lying if I said I felt nothing, but at the same time, it is nothing in comparison to how much I love you."

"You said that we never compare, Gerard. Don't compare our love to how you feel toward him. That's not fair. We treat our relationships separately in our polycule, remember?"

"You're right." Gerard sighed and leaned against the counter, his face in his hands.

"Answer me, please," Frank whispered, his voice shaking, "Do you love him still?"

Gerard turned to look at Frank, "I do. I-I love him. More than I thought I did. More than I wish I did. I wish I could be what you wanted, Frank. I do. Sometimes it keeps me up at night knowing that I'm not the singular person who loves monogamy just like you do."

"But... I-I don't anymore. I... I'm not saying I'm going to date nine hundred people at once, but I'm starting to realize that it's okay to love more than one person, and no one is going to hate me for it. And... So should you."

Gerard frowned and stood up again slowly, "What?"

"You deserve that much. You deserve to be with someone you love and I'm not going to be the one to stop you. I don't hate you anymore, I... I understand. And I'm so sorry for treating you like fucking garbage for being a human being."

Gerard sniffed and smiled, "You are far more than I deserve."

"Go. Go get him, please. I'll be here waiting for you, I promise."

Gerard rushed around the counter faster than Frank had ever seen him move, yelping and laughing when he was lifted up in a bone-crushing hug. He hugged his Master right back, kissing his cheek. Gerard set him down, kissing him so passionately before he ran to grab his keys and disappeared into the garage.

Frank was slightly bewildered from how fast he had been manhandled, but he smiled, hearing the big door open and the car drive off. He laughed softly, finding himself surprisingly at ease with what he knew to be going on. He had never seen Gerard so happy in his life and, yes, he knew that it was because he was going to find the boy he loved as well, but it was thanks to Frank that he was so happy. Frank had given him the one thing that he had missed sorely, and he knew some people would never understand no matter how much he tried to explain it, but that was okay, he would never judge them because he had been there, too. He had been that person who idolized and was so proud of his monogamy, but he had slowly come to realize that change is okay. He was still in love with his Dominant, he was still the one that held the most of Gerard's heart, but he was genuinely happy that the other part was no longer breaking.