Bloodstained Bathtubs and an Absence of Death (Frerard)

21 - Lie to Me

"It's going to be okay, Frank," I whispered, running my fingers through his deep, black hair, down to his warm cheek. "I promise that no matter what happens tomorrow, I won't let them take you away from me".

Frank was surprisingly calm. I listened to the sound of his soft breathing as he remained silent. He was lost in his thoughts. I knew he was just as nervous as I was.

I leaned in, connecting our lips. He kissed back, biting at my lip gently while allowing for our legs to intertwine underneath the sheets of the bed. I let my kisses trail down his jaw and neck as he finally spoke up. 

"You're the only thing that matters to me anymore, Gerard. I don't know what I'm going to do if we're separated but..." he looked me in the eyes. I could see the hopelessness in him.

Soon after, Frank was cuddling up closer to me, laying his head against my chest. I wrapped my arms around him.

"It's not going to come to that... it's not going to come to that..."

...

Frank's lie detector test approached quickly. I couldn't sleep the night before as I held Frank. I was restless, because even though I assured him everything would be fine, something deep down insisted it wasn't going to be. 

The authorities made sure that I didn't come in the room with him, assuming if Frank was trying to keep something a secret, I could possibly be the one preventing him from speaking up. I thought it was unfair, but I knew I had to comply, or we would both look suspicious.

To make matters worse, Mikey hadn't changed his opinion on what had happened with the police, which worried me. I could've sworn once he had heard my reassurance, he'd go directly to them telling them he overreacted when suspecting Frank was the one who was behind all of this. I was wrong. I had not heard him talk with them at all. As of right now, Frank was the top suspect in this case based on what Mikey claimed he saw, whether or not he still believed it or not.

I had even asked him in secret before Frank and I left to have the test done, how he'd think the test would go. He told me we had nothing to worry about surly, as the intruder couldn't have been any of us. Had he been lying to my face? Did he still suspect Frank?

Whatever the case was, it was too late now. I sat outside the office Frank was required to go to, tapping my foot impatiently. My heart was attacking my chest, as I felt as though it was going to burst right out from how hard it was beating. Just being around a place where people could read your every move and analyze what it meant worried me alone... but the fact that I had to rely on someone guilty to pass a polygraph test? All I could do was sit and wait.

I assured Frank beforehand that it would be okay. All he had to do was stay calm and keep track of everything he said. He couldn't let his heart race too much, or break a sweat, or stumble over his words or fidget a lot or... fuck, there was so much he had to watch out for...

The clock continued to painfully tick on as I awaited to hear the results. People walked by paying no mind to me, yet it still felt as though I was being watched from every angle. My paranoia was getting to me... and so was my guilt. I should've been the one in there being interrogated right now. I was the serial killer everyone had been looking for for years. Frank had only slipped up and tried to hurt my brother as a result of being around me... So why was I the one no one seemed to suspect of being guilty? This wasn't right...

Suddenly, the door opened to the room Frank was being questioned in, and my heart dropped.

Out walked Frank, handcuffed, eyes full of tears, staring at the floor.

I panicked, running up to him, "Frank, what happened in there? Why are you handcuffed?" I was ignored by him and the policeman leading him away. 

...I already knew exactly what was going on though. 

Frank was quickly led out of my sight, before the professional who assumably ran the test on him exited the room shortly after. He turned to me. I suddenly became even more worried. What the hell had Frank said to them in there?!

...I already knew deep down.

"Excuse me, are you Gerard?" the man asked me.

"Yes, that's me," I tried to remain calm. "Where's Frank being taken? Please let me be with him."

"He mentioned you were his boyfriend. I know you must be worried sick about him, but unfortunately you can't see him at the moment...I bring bad news in regards to your partner too... I can't reveal too much information to you now, as it is needed to be discussed over Frank's future court case, but-"

"Court case?!" I swallowed hard, in disbelief of what I was hearing, yet at the same time, knowing damn well this was going to happen if Frank didn't pass the lie test. "He... he's guilty you mean?"

The man sighed, adjusting his glasses before speaking again, "I can't disclose anymore information as of right now, but the information on the case will be sent to you soon. I assume they'll be wanting to hear from you there, as you are close to him from what I can tell".

"No, no, no," I started to lose my grip, "This can't be happening- he's innocent!"

The man took a step back, "Sir, you'll have your chance to stand up for him to the judge and the jury. I only administered the test to him and this is as much as I can say for now."

"Can I please go see him at least? I need to make sure he's alright."

The man was already turning to leave, clearly not wanting to deal with me, "Frank is going in to be questioned further, and for now he needs to be kept in custody. They may let you call him sometime tomorrow."

I was left speechless as the man went on with his duties. Frank was going to court now... I had to think of something quickly, before they found him truly guilty. But fuck... what could I possibly do to prove that a guilty man was innocent?