Envision The Magic [Frerard] [By innocent_wolves on LJ]

Chapter Three

Already at half past seven the lounge was starting to fill up with guests. Jill had already mixed Gerard's two requested drinks and had them sent off to his suite. If the rumor was true he probably had some chick with him, enjoying a few pre-show perks. Once again Frank found himself frowning at the thought of him.

Only minutes after his last, unpleasant visit, two waiters arrived carrying a large cardboard poster. Carefully, they propped it up by the entrance of The Colossus, making sure it was wiped clean of all smudges and fingerprints.

The text printed on it was in gold letters, looking bold and glossy.

Envision Destiny proudly presents: Gerard Way - Envision the Magic.

The words were however only a small, shimmering addition to the photo, which showed Gerard himself, wearing a stiff-collared white shirt, a black tie and a deep crimson, embroidered vest. With eyes sparkling, almost supernaturally, he was directing a true magician's stare at the lens, flaunting a wry, secretive smile, one eyebrow cocked into a perfect arch. Bright red playing cards seemed to be flying, almost magically, from one of his hands and into the other, creating a wide step-by-step bridge between his fingers and his open palm.

While doing the risky business of shining glasses and keeping himself out of the way, Frank felt his eyes repeatedly dart back to the poster by the door. He couldn't make up his mind on whether he thought the photo was cool or just lame. It didn't come as a big surprise that now, during the intermission, several of the guests - and especially the ladies - hurried to crowd admiringly around it, drinks in their hands and discussing eagerly among themselves. Frank hoped intently that "The Great Gerardo" wouldn't show up as well; he would for sure be the kind of guy who just couldn't help but bask in their admiration and then brag about how all these people were there because of him.

Of course, once that particular thought escaped him, he should have knocked on wood.

"Mr. Way! What an amazing show!"

"Your act just keeps getting better and better!"

"I went to see you perform in Vegas last year! I'm a big fan of yours!"

Those words, along with all the surprised gasps and exclamations, made Frank look up in slight panic, and when he spotted him greet his crowd of admirers with a wide smile, he quickly put away the tray of cocktail glasses he was supposed to chill and prepare.

"Show's not over yet, ladies and gentlemen," Gerard said, putting up a very convincing 'there, there'-face. "I have several tricks up my sleeve," he added, and the crowd replied with appreciative laughter.

Frank rolled his eyes, annoyed.

Different variations of "I can't believe he's joining his audience in the lounge!" and "He's so down to earth!" followed the man like a trail as he made his way towards the bar. He looked as though he had stepped right out of the show poster, with his glowingly white shirt, crimson, embroidered vest and creased, black trousers. His hair was just as ruffled as it had been earlier that afternoon, but it suited him well, creating an unexpected contrast that matched perfectly against the flawlessness of his outfit. Frank couldn't help but admit to himself, reluctant and almost jealous, that he was ridiculously good looking.

For a moment Gerard reminded him of back when he started to realize that girls didn't really attract him anymore. He'd spent one random, absolutely crazy night with a guy whose looks could have floored anyone and after that he'd spent ages trying to find a girl who could match any of that. That search had been fruitless, and from then on Frank had the tendency of sticking to the guys. Right now he was having the same feeling he'd had that crazy night, experiencing that mental blow your gut receives once you see someone you know you can't keep from staring at. Gerard was exactly that kind of man, and tonight he'd enhanced his features by displaying the look of a true gentleman, as though he'd been snatched right out of that era – until he opened his mouth to speak.