Saint Jimmy noticed him right away. Though he was with a customer when Frank first walked into the bar, Jimmy saw him. It was like he sensed him.
When business was done (nice, clean, easy deal. One of the reliable kids, one of the few. Never asked for anything he couldn't afford) Saint Jimmy settled himself back into the couch. He had a perfect view of the alarmingly comfortable looking young boy getting served at the bar.
"Now, now. You're too young to be in here." Saint Jimmy muttered. "Naughty boy." He added, with a grin.
"What's that, Jimmy?" Beside him, Johnny perked up, as he always did when he wasn't being directly talked to. Saint Jimmy didn't reply, merely nodded at the bar, in the general direction of the boy. Johnny looked, shrugged, then looked back to Saint Jimmy. "So? New kid. What's the staring about? If he wants your supplies, Jimmy, he'll come over. Staring won't make him come any faster." Saint Jimmy grinned more, and Johnny had to retrace over his words to figure out what he'd said that was amusing. "Already thinking that far ahead, are we, Jimmy?" he grumbled once he realised the sexual connotation Jimmy had taken, so typical.  
Jimmy, finally taking his eyes off the boy, turned to Johnny, who was sulking, arms folded and slumped on the couch. "You're adorable when you're jealous, Johnny." Saint Jimmy told him. "I. Am. NOT-" Jimmy grabbed him by the hair, yanked him closer, kissing him before he could finish the sentence.

Frank saw him out of the corner of his eye as he walked closer. He made a point not to look up, kept his eyes on his drink, picking it up just as the guy he'd noticed, the leader, settled onto the stool next to him.
For a while, there was silence, and Frank guessed maybe the guy hadn't really been coming up to talk to him after all, why would he? No one knew him here, wasn't that the point? Laughing at himself, mentally, for his paranoia, or was it vanity? Frank picked up his drink again, suddenly feeling much more comfortable.
"Aren't you a little young for that?" Frank nearly jumped as the guy suddenly leaned closer and whispered to him. Carefully putting his glass down, Frank looked at the stranger, to find the stranger look right back at him, a small smile on his face, and eyes, bright green, felt like they were staring right into him.
When the fuck did he start paying attention to peoples eyes?
"I-" Frank stuttered, then, collecting himself, he started again. "I'm 21." He said, confidently, this time. "Only just, but still, I-"
"No. You're not." The stranger argued. Frank opened his mouth to protest some more, but he was interrupted. "You're not far off, let me guess… 19? 20? You look younger than that, but you're definitely not a day under 19. You'd look more scared if you were." Frank blinked. "I'm 20, just." He found himself saying, with a sudden, nervous glance behind the bar. "Don't worry." The stranger told him. "They're good at the blind eye in here." Then, sticking out his hand, "I'm Saint Jimmy." Frank suppressed the urge to laugh. "'Saint?'" He said. "Get to know me better, you might find out why they call me that." Saint Jimmy said, with a wink. That time Frank did laugh, finally taking Jimmy's hand, shaking it. "I'm Frank." Saint Jimmy grinned. "Nice to meet you, Frank." Then, "You seem an adventurous one… Underage drinking, sneaking into a bar… How'd you feel about coming and sitting with me and my friends? Maybe get you something a little more adventurous." Frank noticed Saint Jimmy was holding out his hand again, though this time there was something in it. Frank only glanced then said. "I'm… Okay. Really. Thanks." Saint Jimmy grinned, slipping his hand back into his pocket, coming out again with his hand empty. "Alright, offers there." Jimmy said, hopping down off the stool. "See you around, Frankie."

Frank didn't go back there for a few weeks, something about Saint Jimmy had unsettled him. He'd seemed nice enough. But… It wasn't even the drugs he'd been offered. Something about the way Jimmy had smiled at him…

But, eventually, he couldn't help himself.

Frank tried telling himself that it was just because it was the only place he'd gone that had actually served him. He'd tried a few other places, but most hadn't even let him through the door.
Just this place, The Phoenix, let him get away with it.
He won't even be here. Frank told himself. And even if he is, it's not like I want to see him.
But the thing was, there was a small part of Frank that really, really did want to see Saint Jimmy again, he'd been oddly intrigued. Not least as to why he'd want to have anything to do with a random loner like himself.
But at the same time, he was scared of seeing Saint Jimmy. He had a bad feeling he'd wind up someplace he wouldn't be able to get himself out of, if he wasn't careful.

Frank was sitting in the same spot as last time, trying not to look around. Pretending he wasn't disappointed that he couldn't see Saint Jimmy anywhere, or any of the others who'd been hanging around him that night.
Not that Frank really remembered what the others looked like.

Two drinks down and still no sign, it'd been quiet tonight, and the last time he'd been here had hardly been crowded.
He was about ready to leave when a commotion from behind him, where the door was, drew his attention.

It was a larger crowd than last time, and they were a lot louder, but still, in the centre of it, Frank saw him.
While everyone around him was excitable and laughing and cheering about something or other, jostling each other about and occasionally knocking into the furniture, Saint Jimmy was like a pocket of calm, the eye of the storm. He walked slowly, smiling slightly, head slightly down. Not submissively, not at all. He was merely acting coy. Something Saint Jimmy knew sent most of his followers wild. They all wanted him, whether they admitted to it or not, and giving them the idea they might one day get him made them more compliant to his wishes.
Again, it was like Saint Jimmy could sense Frank was there, he looked up at just the right moment to catch Frank's eye as he walked past. Saint Jimmy didn't stop, didn't say anything, barely reacted at all. But Frank knew he'd been acknowledged. He had a feeling some of those in the crowd around Saint Jimmy would kill to have Jimmy look at them like that.

Frank resisted going over. But his eyes kept wandering to the group, kept wandering to Saint Jimmy, who again, had the sandy haired guy hanging off him, touching him at all times. And again, though the crowd was big, and they'd all split off into their own separate conversations, they all had that pull, they were all drawn to Saint Jimmy.
Frank felt the pull too, but still, he resisted.

A few more drinks and Frank was seriously considering leaving now. He sensed he had to get out of here, before he found himself over there.

He was nearly at the door when he heard a voice behind him.
"Leaving so soon?" Frank turned, slowly, forcing himself to be calm, casual. Saw Saint Jimmy behind him, grinning at him. Frank shrugged. "I was just-"
"I was heading out for a smoke." Saint Jimmy interrupted. "Johnny's being a little bitch and won't come with me. I'd hate to fuck my lungs up all alone. Since you're going outside anyway, figure you should keep me company."
"I don't smoke." It was a lie, but Frank couldn't stop himself. Saint Jimmy grinned, like he knew Frank was lying. He slipped his arm around Frank's shoulders. "Really? It's easy. I'll show you how."

It wasn't cold outside, but Frank felt a shiver pass through him as he watched Saint Jimmy.
They were just around the side of the bar, Jimmy was leant up against the wall, eyes closed as he once again put the cigarette to his lips, drawing it in, lazily blowing the smoke out.
Frank, also leant against the wall, beside Saint Jimmy, couldn't stop staring at him. He was oddly enrapt by him and his simple task of smoking.
Saint Jimmy opened his eyes, and turned his head, smiling at Frank. "Want?" He said. Frank didn't know how to reply, startled, his eyes went wide as he struggled to answer. Saint Jimmy grinned wider as he held up the cigarette between his fingers. "I was only offering you this." He said, pushing himself off the wall, positioning himself in front of Frank, a little too close. "Unless, of course, you were hoping for something else?" A hand, boldly reaching out, glancing over Frank's cheek.
Frank didn't answer at first, but when he did, he made sure he sounded confident. "Just the smoke, thanks Jimmy." He said. The grin never leaving, Saint Jimmy held up the cigarette, letting Frank catch it between his lips, inhale. Jimmy backed off as Frank raised his hand, taking the stick between his fingers, closing his eyes as he exhaled.
"Thought you said you didn't smoke." Saint Jimmy said, now lighting himself a new one. Frank grinned, opening his eyes again, "Only occasionally." He replied, with a  shrug. "Sure, sure." Jimmy winked at him.

When they walked back inside, Frank wondered why he'd felt so uneasy about Jimmy. They hadn't said much else, but it'd been… Comfortable. Now they were heading back to the table, where all Jimmy's friends (followers) were waiting. Jimmy's arm loosely and casually around Frank's shoulders, guiding him. Frank had a feeling he should've been unnerved by the contact but he really wasn't. It felt kinda right.
As they got to the table, everyone looked up, most looking at Jimmy, but a few giving wary, or intrigued looks to Frank. One, the sandy haired guy Frank recognised from the other night, was glaring at Frank.
No, not at Frank. At the arm around Frank's shoulders. Wait, wasn't that the guy Jimmy had been making out with before? Was this the 'Johnny' who'd refused to come out with Jimmy? He guessed the two of them were some kind of item, but that wasn't exactly Frank's problem. He wasn't looking to move in on Jimmy, he wasn't interested in him like that.
Or, at least, he didn't think he was.
Frank was pretty sure he was straight, but he wasn't exactly certain about that. He'd never liked a guy in that way, but then again he'd never had a serious girlfriend either. Not that it mattered, but perhaps at some point he would need to mention his almost certainly straight status, just to make sure no one mistook his intentions.
Of course, it wasn't really his intentions he had to worry about.
"Everyone, this is Frank." Jimmy announced, proudly. And Frank smiled, a little nervous at being introduced to so many people all at once. "Hey"
A few greetings thrown his way, then most seemed to loose interest in him.
"Found yourself a new toy, Jimmy?" Asked one of the few who hadn't lost interest. Frank felt uneasy then. What did that mean? "For fucks sake." The girl sat next to the guy said, smacking him on the arm. "Don't scare the poor boy."
"Yeah, where'd you find this one, Jimmy?" Someone else asked. "Playground?"
"Careful, they'll have you for paedophilia."
"Never got me for anything else, did they?" Jimmy quipped back, with a wink. "And pipe the fuck down, he's not that fucking young." Jimmy genuinely sounded annoyed, so everyone promptly shut up. "Enough of this shit. You all be on your best fucking behaviour, make Frank feel welcome." Even Frank could sense the edge in Jimmy's voice, he was pissed, and he had a feeling you didn't want to be the reason Jimmy was pissed.
Jimmy's arm dropped from Frank's shoulders, only for him to take his hand. Jimmy lead him round to the space that'd obviously been left for Jimmy in his absence. "Move up, Johnny." Jimmy told the sandy haired guy. So Frank had been right, that was Johnny. "I don't think Frank wants to have to sit on my lap." Frank's heart jumped a little, there'd been a few mentions like that already, hints of a sexual nature (and by Jimmy's tone, that definitely had been one). And Frank honestly wasn't sure what he thought about that. Johnny glared at Frank even more, but still obeyed Jimmy's orders. Frank felt a little uncomfortable, sitting next to Johnny, with Jimmy the other side. Frank tried a smile at Johnny, but the other man simply gave him a dirty look and turned away from him.

The night passed in a bit of a blur after that. Drinking and chatting. The girl who'd spoke up earlier, Alice, it turned out her name was, leaned across the table at Frank. "Sorry to ask this, after all the stick you got from this moron." Another smack on the arm for the guy next to her. "But how old are you?"
Frank didn't answer right away, not certain it was a good idea to tell these people his real age. He glanced at Jimmy, who he'd thought hadn't been paying attention, turns out he had. Jimmy shrugged, nodded. Frank focused back on Alice again. "20." He told her. She smiled slightly, nodded. "You know, you look a lot younger than that." She told him, not patronisingly, almost caringly. "You look like a baby." Even that didn't have a cruel edge, though she did look slightly sad, for reasons Frank couldn't figure out.

They were there until the very early hours. In the back of his mind, Frank was thinking about how he had to be up for work in a few hours, but the alcohol buzzing through him made it seem far away, unimportant.
Jimmy hadn't stopped touching him all night. Be it a hand on his arm, on his leg, arm back around Frank's shoulders, just always something. And now, as they headed to the door, was no exception. Jimmy had his arm around Frank's waist, pulling him in as close as possible.
Frank could feel Johnny's eyes boring into the back of his skull, even though he had no idea exactly where Johnny was.
Frank had got used to Jimmy's touch so much already, this didn't feel even slightly strange anymore. In fact, he kinda liked it. At the door, while everyone else slowly dispersed, calling their goodbyes and thanks to Jimmy as they went, Jimmy turned to Frank, pulling him in close. So close Frank could smell the sweet alcohol Jimmy had been drinking on his breath when he spoke. And when Jimmy spoke, it was in an equally sweet whisper. "Fancy coming back to mine, Frankie?" Jimmy's arm curled tighter around Frank, while the other moved around his back, fingers stroking slightly. "Um." Frank couldn't think, he didn't know. He wasn't sure. "Um."
"Take your time, baby." Jimmy told him, with a hint of laughter at Frank's uncertainty. "I've got all night."
"I don't." Frank replied, too quickly. He winced. Started again. "I've- I've got work in the morning." Jimmy smiled at him, like he wasn't sure if he believed him or not. "Okay, Frankie." He said, slowly releasing him. "Some other time." Frank nodded, though he didn't know why. Did he really want to go back to Jimmy's place? Being out in a bar with him was one thing. But alone. In his home?
Frank wasn't sure how he felt about that.
Then Jimmy kissed him, lightly, on the cheek. But it was enough to startle Frank. His cheek felt hot, and he raised his hand to it, as he looked up, watched Jimmy go.
Frank was suddenly aware of how cold the rest of him felt, now he couldn't feel Jimmy touching him.

He thought about it all the way home, trying to figure it all out. By the time his head hit the pillow though, all thoughts were gone.
And the next morning he was two hours late to work.

Frank told himself he wasn't going back there the next night. He'd drunk a little too much the night before and he didn't want to get into the habit of doing that.
Then there were all the mixed up stuff with Jimmy… He wasn't sure if he was quite ready to face him again.
And yet…
Here he was.

But he didn't find Saint Jimmy.
Instead, someone else found him.

Frank had sat himself at the bar, again. He was looking around, nervously, as he had the night before. It was busy that night, so he'd expected to see Jimmy, but there was no sign of him.

Eventually he got up from his seat, started wandering, slowly. Maybe Jimmy wasn't in his usual spot, didn't mean he wasn't there though.

Frank had nearly made a full circuit of the place when he felt a hand grab his arm, yanking him into the narrow corridor that led to the bathrooms. Frank panicked, tried to shake the hand off, push away, but then he was slammed against the wall, a hand on each arm and a body close, pining him in place.
It was kinda dark, but after the initial fear passed, Frank was able to focus, process who it was that'd grabbed him.
"Johnny?"
He wasn't sure what he was more surprised about. The fact Johnny was here, without Jimmy anywhere nearby (perhaps he was near, and Frank just hadn't seen him?), or the fact that Johnny had grabbed him. He knew Johnny didn't like him much, but he hadn't taken Johnny for a man of action. Maybe he'd underestimated Johnny? Was he in more trouble than he'd thought?
"What-" Frank didn't even get his half-hearted question out, of course he knew exactly what Johnny wanted, it was a stupid question, but Frank wanted anything to break the silence which consisted of Johnny staring at him with eyes that looked like they could burn. "Don't play fucking cute, 'Frankie'." Johnny's face twisted slightly as he used Jimmy's nickname for him. "Stay the fuck away from Jimmy. Got it?"
Frank tried his best to keep his face blank, neutral, open, but on the inside he was fucking annoyed. It wasn't his fault Jimmy had come up to him, talked to him. He hadn't wanted to go out for a smoke with Jimmy last night, sure it had been his decision to come back in with Jimmy, but Jimmy had done all the initial chasing. Now he was being told to back off by an over-protective boyfriend? Oh. Great.
"Johnny." Frank said, calmly. "I don't know what you're getting so worked up about, but I just-"
"I'm getting worked up because you're sniffing around here hoping to find Jimmy." Frank nodded. "Sure, I want to find Jimmy, he's been nice to me, he-"
"Do you think I'm stupid, Frank?" Johnny demanded, suddenly. Although Frank had another answer in mind, he decided to go for the one that wouldn't get him in so much trouble. "No." He said. "Good." Johnny nodded. "Because I'm not. I saw you last night, you couldn't keep your hands off him." And again, Frank thought how unfair that was, it hadn't been him! It was Jimmy who hadn't stopped touching Frank all night. Frank had kept his hands perfectly to himself. "Johnny I-"
"And I heard him, you know? I heard him ask you back to his place, bet you thought you were well in then, huh, Frankie? Well guess what-?"
"If you heard him ask then maybe you also heard me saying no!" Frank finally snapped. Johnny was refusing to see that Frank was, in fact, innocent in all this, it was Jimmy doing all the work, crossing all the boundaries, and the fact that Johnny was ignoring this was starting to really piss Frank off. Johnny opened his mouth, ready to argue, but Frank wouldn't let him. "And, before you start accusing me of any other shit maybe you should know I have no fucking interest in Jimmy, not like you're suggesting anyway. I do not want to get in the way of you and him, I do not want to sleep with him, nothing. I'm not even fucking gay! I want nothing from him but his company, I'm new to this city and it's just nice to have someone to hang out with. Now quit the fucking jealous boyfriend act and maybe we could be friends too."
Frank could feel his heart pounding, adrenaline kicking in hard, half expecting a fight, the continued look in Johnny's eyes in no way helping to calm his nerves.
Finally, Johnny said. "You're not gay?" Frank sighed, rolling his eyes, so that was the only part of his speech Johnny had listened to? Fine. Whatever worked. "No." Frank told him. "I'm not." Johnny still looked at him, suspiciously, but, eventually, he released Frank's arms, and stepped back. "Okay." Johnny nodded. "Good."  
Frank sighed in relief at being released finally. "Well. Now that's clear, is Jimmy about?" A flash of something dangerous in Johnny's eyes when Frank asked that, but he seemed to calm down after a second, probably replaying what Frank had just said to him, in his head. "He's not." Johnny said, but not like he was trying to hide anything, somehow Frank could tell Johnny was telling the truth. "Lazy bastard couldn't be fucked to leave the apartment, he's sent me out on his errands." Frank cocked an eyebrow at him 'errands'? Johnny caught the look, waved the question off before Frank could ask it. "Don't worry about it, nothing much." Then, small smile on his face, slightly wicked, Johnny asked, "I wouldn't say no to a little company, Frank."
Frank could feel, in his gut, there was something off here, something he should be worried about, something he should be scared of. He couldn't figure it out, but it didn't matter because before he knew it he was answering, "No. Thanks, Johnny. But, uh… I was only gonna say a quick hi to Jimmy and then… Um. Tell him I said hi, yeah?"

Frank hurried out of the bar then, without waiting to hear or see Johnny's reply. Because Frank had remembered the bag Jimmy had offered him the first time they'd spoken.
A lot of things suddenly became very clear.
Saint Jimmy was a dealer.
And Frank knew he should want to stay as far away from Jimmy as possible now.
Drugs. Shit.
He'd known there was something about Jimmy that his instincts told him to be cautious about, but he'd just assumed it had something to do with how over-affectionate he was.
Now he knew and…
He knew he was still going to come back the next night.

Frank didn't even need to get inside before he found Saint Jimmy.
He was standing outside the door, leant against the wall, smoking. He smiled as he saw Frank come towards him. "Heard you were looking for me last night." Jimmy said, once Frank was close. Frank shrugged, non committal. "I also heard you had a bit of a run in with my Johnny." The smile turned slightly wicked then, a glint in Jimmy's eye. Frank felt the anger rise in him again. "He was the one who-"
"Don't worry about it." Jimmy said, raising a hand to halt Frank's protests. "I know what a jealous bitch Johnny can be. I know he was the one giving you grief. Sorry about that, just ignore him."
Frank nodded. "I think it's sorted now, though Jimmy. I told him I wasn't interested in you, not like that. I mean, I'm straight so…" Frank didn't really know how to finish that sentence, so he just kinda let it hang. Jimmy continued to grin at him. "Oh. Really?" He said. Something in the way Jimmy said it, it was almost like he was questioning Frank.
Was he sure?
Really sure?
Was he sure he was straight?
Sure he wasn't at least a little interested in Jimmy?
Jimmy flicked away his spent cigarette and slipped an arm around Frank's shoulders, giving Frank a warm, comfortable feeling of something familiar. Cut through with an unknown, darker feeling.
Frank was sure.
He wasn't interested.
Was he?

Frank stayed out late again that night, and it was the second time since they'd met that Jimmy offered him drugs.
Johnny had been sitting the other side of Saint Jimmy and saw the exchange, he looked up at Frank, grinning, knowingly.
Frank took the drugs offered to him, saying thanks, but he'd take them later.
Jimmy grinned, shook his head. Took Frank's hand and led him away from the table.

Jimmy didn't let go of Frank's hand until they were in the bathroom. Surprisingly clean, but then, despite their lack of regard for the legal drinking age (not that Frank was complaining) The Phoenix was a nice place.
Jimmy did a quick scan, checking they were alone, then, seemingly out of nowhere, he said. "I know you're a virgin."
Frank's heart rate sped up considerably. Wait. What?
Jimmy saw his wide eyed look of panic and confusion, smiled as he walked slowly closer. Frank found himself backed against the wall (again), wondering what the hell was going on.
Jimmy didn't stop until he was right up close, then he reached out, reached into Frank's pocket, pulling out the drugs he'd stuffed in there. "I mean these, angel." Jimmy said, waggling the bag in front of Frank's face. "But…" He continued, his other hand reaching down now. Startling Frank as he pressed his hand to the front of Frank's jeans. "I do get the feeling you're a virgin in more ways than one." His hand rubbing gently. Involuntarily, Frank closed his eyes. He couldn't deny it, that felt good.
I'm not interested in Jimmy like that. I'm straight. I do not want to touch or be touched by Jimmy. I do not want to sleep with Jimmy. I am not interested in Jimmy. I am. Not. Gay.
The thoughts danced in his head, right along with Jimmy's slightly sing song voice. "I didn't want you trying these things by yourself for the first time." It took Frank a second to realise Jimmy wasn't touching him anymore, it was just in his mind now, and fuck, Jimmy was grinning, he knew the effect he'd had on Frank, and fuck, of course he could tell, Frank was already slightly hard and. Fuck.
Jimmy didn't say anything, but he made a point to look down, before returning his eyes to Frank's again. "Okay, sweetheart, we'll do this together." There were two pills in Jimmy's hand, and though he was sure he'd been told, Frank couldn't remember what they were. He didn't want to ask again, he hated asking things twice, he thought it made him look stupid. Jimmy had already popped one of the pills in his own mouth, swallowing it easily, he smiled, tipping his head back slightly, as if he could already feel the affects. Maybe he could, maybe the whole process worked for Jimmy.
But now he was waiting for Frank.
He was frozen, no idea what to do. Scared, of all of it.
Jimmy smiled, picked up the other pill. "Open your mouth."
Still terrified, Frank did as he was told, feeling helpless and silly. Jimmy placed the pill on Frank's tongue, then, with a hand gently under his chin, closed Frank's mouth. "Swallow." Jimmy said, wicked grin back in place. Was it Frank's imagination, or was Jimmy purposefully making this sound dirty? Again though, Frank did as he was told.
And he found it wasn't just Jimmy's love for the drugs, these really did hit quick. Frank felt his head tip back, banging slightly against the wall, but he didn't care. This felt…
Fucking beautiful.
He was suddenly aware of Jimmy again, he had his hand between Frank's legs again, and his face was buried in Frank's neck. Shit. That coupled with the sensation on the drug, Frank felt like this was going to be the quickest, dirtiest, best make out session he'd ever had (not that he'd exactly had many before).
Jimmy detached his mouth from Frank's skin, came up to whisper in his ear. "So, Frankie, you're straight, huh?" Frank tried to reply, but his words choked. "I dunno, angel, getting this fucking hard while another man touches you… Doesn't feel very straight to me."
Again, Frank tried to reply. "I'm guessing you've never kissed a man, have you?" Frank shook his head, he'd closed his eyes but he could feel Jimmy's lips close. Oh God. So fucking tempting.
Then. Suddenly, it all stopped. "You won't today either, Frankie."
Frank opened his eyes, saw Jimmy grinning, as always, he was proud of himself. Jimmy giggled, actually giggled, like a girl, then grabbed Frank's hand. "C'mon Frankie, we don't want someone finding us like this, do we?"
And again Frank found himself pulled along behind Saint Jimmy. Trying to figure out what the fuck was going on.

The night past in a blur, part down to the drugs, part down to Jimmy's usual whirlwind ways. No sooner had Frank got used to a situation than it changed. One thing was constant though.
Saint Jimmy.
Frank was almost certain Jimmy hadn't let go of his hand all night, clutched tightly, as if he was afraid Frank was going to make a run for it at any second, which was far from the truth. Frank wanted to stay close to Jimmy, he wasn't used to the drugs and he had a feeling he'd been drinking too much and yeah it was stupid but he kinda didn't want Jimmy to leave as he kinda felt like Frank's safety net.
He completely ignored the fact that Saint Jimmy was the one who'd led him here.
All night Frank felt eyes on him. Boring into him. He knew Johnny was staring again, and he did feel slightly guilty that he was in constant physical contact with another guys boyfriend, but he meant no harm by it. He wasn't looking to make a move on Jimmy or anything.
His mind flashed back to the bathroom. Pressed up against the wall, Jimmy's hand on him and-
Okay. Well. That hadn't been his fault.
You could've stopped him.
Yeah. Right.
Frank already knew you don't, can't say no to Saint Jimmy. You might think it, you might even say it. But, in the end you'll always say yes.

Johnny's weren't the only eyes on the two of them though. It might've just been Frank's mind playing tricks on him, but it felt like everyone was watching them.
Everyone was jealous of Frank, or in awe that he'd got so close to Jimmy so quickly. Most were a little bit of both.
Once Frank caught the eye of the girl, Alice.
She didn't look jealous, or in awe.
She looked sad again.
Frank still didn't get it.

He didn't remember getting home that night, but when he woke up he felt sick. He was glad he had a day off work, he'd woken up late again for one thing, and he didn't feel like facing the world either.

Until that night.
There'd never been any doubt in his mind about going back again.

After that Frank was going every night, Saint Jimmy always welcoming him with open arms, Johnny always giving him death glares.

He was a little surprised when Jimmy started asking for money for the drugs, but then again, a part of him had expected it. Saint Jimmy was a dealer after all. And though Frank didn't have a lot of money, it wasn't like he had many other outgoings either.

At first Jimmy would always take Frank off to the bathrooms, or round the back of the building if they couldn't get privacy elsewhere. He'd help Frank out until he got more confident with the drugs himself. Then Frank started going alone, Jimmy watching him go, a wicked and proud smile on his face as he followed his movements.
Jimmy never really tried anything like the first time, yes he was always touching Frank, leaning on him, sometimes giving him a few innocent (as it gets with him) kisses on the cheek. But he hadn't put himself and Frank in any kind of sexual situation again. Frank guessed maybe Jimmy had just gotten a little carried away, and he was sorry for it, that's why it was never brought up, never repeated.

His opinion on that changed about a month later, however.

Frank titled his head back against the wall, closing his eyes, waiting to see if the effects would kick in quickly again this time.
They didn't, but that was fine, he preferred the slow burn anyway, he'd found if they kicked in quick, they faded quick, if he had to wait… All the better.
He went over to the mirrors, leaning forward slightly to get a good look at himself.
He thought he looked pretty good, despite the slightly tired look around his eyes, he thought he looked better, more alive than he had… Ever.
A grin (unconsciously trying to copy Saint Jimmy's trademark) and then he turned away, heading, confidently out the door and back into the bar.
Within seconds he was pinned against the wall, almost exactly where Johnny had shoved him into a month ago. Perhaps the boyfriend felt the need to reiterate his claim on Saint Jimmy.
Turned out it wasn't Johnny at all.
It was Saint Jimmy.
And, no sooner had Frank figured that point out than Jimmy pressed even closer, and, without warning, kissed Frank, suddenly and forcefully.
A million thoughts rushed through Frank's mind, but all fragments, none of then coherent.
So this was what it was like to be kissed by a guy?
He had to admit. He kinda liked it.
Not gay, remember?
Yeah… That wasn't looking quite so certain anymore.
It took a couple of seconds for Frank to get over the shock, relax enough to kiss back. When he did, it encouraged Jimmy further. He felt Jimmy's tongue against his lips, demanding to be let in.
And well. You can't say no to Saint Jimmy.
Frank found his hands wandering up and down Jimmy's back, pulling him in closer, and Jimmy's hands felt like they were fucking everywhere.
Everywhere except the place Jimmy had touched him before. Which Frank was grateful for, he wasn't sure if he could take that too right now.
Then, just as quickly as it had started, Jimmy pushed away, smirking, wickedly as he saw the look of disappointment on Frank's face, who eventually looked up at him again.
Saint Jimmy said nothing, but he grabbed Franks hand, leading him back to the table full of people.

Frank had just been sitting there, staring blindly, Jimmy's hand still tight around his. Frank had barely noticed.
He'd just been kissed.
He'd just been kissed by a guy.
He'd just been kissed by Saint fucking Jimmy.
His thoughts were a jumble, nagging sensations of how wrong it was, but at the same time he couldn't shake the fact he kinda liked the thought. He'd liked the kiss, enjoyed it.
Kinda wanted more.
Shit.
He knew he was screwed.

Frank was vaguely aware of Alice coming over, sitting the other side of him. "Frank? You okay?"
He snapped himself out of it enough to look up, smile at her, nod. She frowned back at him, apparently she didn't believe him.
"Jimmy." She said, leaning across Frank now to get to the esteemed leader. Jimmy spared her a brief look, then turned his full attention on her. For reasons no one could quite understand, Jimmy had a certain respect for Alice, and would often listen to her. Not every time, but then, that just wasn't in Jimmy's nature, after all. "Can I borrow Frank for a second?" She asked.
Jimmy grinned. "So long as you bring him back in one piece."
"I think he's got more to fear from you than me, Jimmy." Alice said, rolling her eyes, though Frank got the idea she was more serious than she was making out.

He found himself led outside, not something he was completely happy about. It was cold and he'd left his jacket inside. But at least it gave him an excuse to smoke, he felt like he could kinda do with the stress relief right now. Alice watched him as he lit up, waited until he took his first drag.
"Jimmy get you on those things?" She asked. Frank looked up at her, first time he'd given her eye contact since they got outside, his annoyance clear in his eyes. "I already smoked." He said, slightly indignant. He did not mention the fact that he'd been smoking a hell of a lot more regularly lately.  Alice nodded, accepting his answer none the less. She waited a little longer, and in that time Frank was glad he had something to do with himself, he could sense how much more awkward this would feel otherwise.
In the end, it pretty much came from nowhere.
"Frank. I know what's going on."
He didn't look at her, suddenly feeling hot, though whether it was from embarrassment or anger, he wasn't quite sure. "I don't know what-"
"Frank." Alice cut in before he could finish his protest of ignorance. "Don't. I've seen it enough times to know what's happening. And to know where you're heading." Now he definitely felt annoyed. He didn't need mothering. (In truth, he just didn't like that someone else was saying the things he'd been thinking, trying to avoid) "I can handle it." Frank said, sounding much more sure of himself than he truly was.
Alice moved closer, a light hand on Frank's shoulder. "But you can't handle him." On pure instinct Frank shrugged her off, but gave her eye contact instead. He frowned at her words. "Who?" He said, "Jimmy? I don't-"
"Do not lie to me Frank, I am trying to help you. Yes of course Jimmy, who the hell else? I've seen. I know."
A cold chill suddenly replaced the hot anger in Frank.
Fuck.
They'd been seen?
Fuck.
Why hadn't Frank thought of that? He'd known they were in easy view, but he'd assumed Jimmy had checked if they were clear. Then again, knowing Jimmy, he'd want to be seen.
Fuck. Fuck.
"You…" He stammered "You saw us… When we… Um… You saw-"
"No." Alice said, saving Frank from repeating the same thing anymore. "I didn't see you do anything specific. But the fact you seem so nervous about the idea tells me a lot."
And now he felt stupid for walking right into that. For making it sound worse than it really was. He lowered his gaze again. "We only kissed…" He mumbled.
"It's never 'only' with Jimmy." Alice said, simply. "And I think you know that, don't you?"
Frank didn't reply, but he knew, he did know that. And yes, some part of him was still telling him he should be worried, that this was going to lead somewhere he didn't want to go, but at the same time, he knew he couldn't help it.
Alice's hand was on his shoulder again, and this time he didn't shrug it off. "I'm giving you the chance to go." She told him. "If you go now you'll be able to leave this all behind. Jimmy is interested in you, very interested. But not so interested that he'd go looking for you if you left."
And with that, the anger, the confusion came right back again. "What the… You think I should leave?" Frank asked, frowning deeply as he tried to understand. "What the hell? Oh don't tell me this is another thing like Johnny. How many people want a fucking claim on Jimmy anyway?"
Alice laughed, lightly, and kept a pleasant smile on her face as she told him, "Oh. No. Definitely not like Johnny." She assured. "No one's like Johnny. Poor boy…" She paused, the smile fading briefly, and Frank got the feeling she felt genuinely sorry for Johnny. Frank had a few guesses as to why, but, much like she'd known more about Frank than he thought he'd let on, he had a feeling she knew more about Johnny than anyone else did. Even Jimmy. Maybe especially Jimmy. "No, Frank. This has nothing to do with jealousy. This has to do with stopping you… Falling down the rabbit hole."
Frank caught the reference immediately. Alice in Wonderland. Clever. He took a second to marvel at the fact that she even sort of had the Alice in Wonderland look going… If Alice had been a vaguely punky 20-something year old. But he didn't focus on that too long. He thought about what she'd meant.
And he realised she'd summed up all the thoughts and fears he'd been having. He was scared he was about to fall into something, somewhere strange, mad even, and he'd have no way of getting out. But there was something else that scared him even more. "I don't want to leave." He said.
Frank could feel himself shaking, realising what he'd just said, what it meant.
Even with someone physically offering a way out, he wasn't going to take it.
Alice sighed, she had that sad look again, and now Frank thought maybe he understood a little of what the look was about. "I'd hoped you wouldn't say that." She said.
Then she turned, started heading back inside. Paused, came back to Frank.
Alice stood a lot closer to him, startling him at first, until he was more distracted by the hand she placed on his cheek. Frank had no choice but to look at her, to see her staring, intently at him, studying him.
For a crazy moment, Frank wondered if a second person was going to kiss him tonight.
"So innocent." Alice said. Frank frowned, ready to ask what she meant, but by then, Alice had moved away and disappeared inside.

He had no idea how long he'd been standing out there, still thinking over what Alice had said, still thinking over his own decisions, when a hand landed on his shoulder, a voice snapping him out of his thoughts, making him jump.
"There you are, Frank. Thought maybe you'd run away from me."
Frank turned around, smiling in what he'd hoped would seem a normal, casual way. He had a feeling it was a little bit strained. Saint Jimmy didn't seem to notice though.
"I-" Frank began. "No. I just stayed out here a while, that's all." God he sounded lame, but nothing else came to mind. Jimmy grinned, slipping an arm around Frank, drawing him close. "Good. Because, I was wondering…" Jimmy trailed off, leaving Frank waiting, nervously to hear what was coming. He thought he had an idea.
Jimmy leaned in, his mouth practically touching Frank's ear, "How about you come home with me tonight?"
It was exactly what Frank had thought. But it still managed to shock him. He didn't realise that Jimmy was still talking. "I've got some… There's some things we can do back at my place, not so easy to do here, even around friends."
Fuck.
Okay, now would be a really good time to come up with an excuse, leave and, basically, take Alice's advice. If ever there was going to be one last way out, this was it. All he had to do was say
"Okay." Frank nodded. His voice came out small, though he realised the magnitude of it. Jimmy smiled, wider, kissing Frank on the cheek. "Great!" He exclaimed.
They were already leaving, Jimmy leading Frank easily, when they heard the shout behind them. "Hey! Jimmy! Where're you going?"
They both turned, saw Johnny, a smile forced on his face for Jimmy's benefit. But Frank noticed Johnny's eyes kept wandering to the arm Jimmy still had around him. A little vindictive streak crept into Frank then, he reached up to the hand on his shoulder, taking it in his own. Johnny saw, and his eyes widened briefly. Frank knew he'd got the reaction he'd wanted, even if he couldn't figure out why he'd wanted it. Jimmy's only reaction however, was to squeeze Frank's hand gently, which, again, got the not so subtle reaction from Johnny. "We're going back to mine, Johnny." Jimmy told him, smoothly. "Is that okay by you?" There was an edge to Jimmy's voice now, an annoyance, he was testing Johnny, daring him to argue.
Johnny looked between Frank and Jimmy, trying to think of something to say that wouldn't push Jimmy further, in the end though, he couldn't help it. "But Jimmy I-"
"Give us a moment, would you, Frank?" Jimmy said, sharply, though Frank knew the anger wasn't aimed at him. Frank nodded, letting go of Jimmy's hand, allowing the other man to untangle his arm from around his shoulders.
He watched, awkwardly, as Jimmy grabbed Johnny by his shirt, dragging him a short way away.
Not that Frank missed much of the conversation.
"What the fuck is your problem?" Jimmy hissed.
"My problem?! Jimmy, what the fuck do you think you're doing? You're going back to your apartment, our apartment with-"
Johnny was cut off as Jimmy smacked him. Frank flinched, and took note that he never wanted to give Jimmy a reason to hit him like that.
"OUR apartment?" Jimmy demanded. "I'll tell you what Johnny, when you start contributing, then you get to call it yours, until then, you're a fucking guest. And as a guest you have no fucking say over who is there and who isn't."
"This isn't about the apartment, Jimmy…"
It was then that Jimmy softened. "Aww, baby." He cooed, leaning in closer to Johnny. "You really are cute when you're jealous." Johnny smiled slightly, nervously. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." Jimmy told him.
Then, abruptly pulling away from Johnny, he called over to Frank, "Hey, Frankie, what'd you say to having someone join us, huh? Make it a party?"
Frank still didn't quite know what going back to Jimmy's place was going to entail, but, he knew there was only one right answer to this question. "Sounds fun to me, Jimmy." He said, a little shakily.
"Oh, it will be, I promise that." Jimmy said as he rejoined Frank, his arm slipping around him again, the other arm going around Johnny, who, Frank noticed, took a tight hold of Jimmy's hand.

Johnny pushed his way ahead of Frank once they headed up the stairs to Jimmy's apartment, Frank rolled his eyes but said nothing. If Johnny wanted to be a child, fine, Frank wasn't going to join in.
Jimmy opened the door, and Johnny bounded past him. "Fucking hell Johnny!" Jimmy snapped as he was nearly knocked over. "Sorry!" Johnny called.
Jimmy turned his attention to Frank, who now hesitated. He'd seen something, doodled on the wall beside the door. It was only small, but it was perfectly detailed.
A white rabbit.
Follow the white rabbit.
Oh for fucks sake…
"Oh yeah." Jimmy said, following Frank's gaze to the creature on the wall. "Alice thinks she's a fucking artist. I told her great, just don't doodle on my shit, so what does she do? Doodle outside my fucking door. Women. Honestly."
So it was Alice's… Somehow Frank got the idea this wasn't just a random piece of art, it was a message, a symbol.
Frank chose to ignore it. "It's good." He said, finally taking his eyes off it. Jimmy smiled. "Don't you fucking tell her that, it'll only encourage her." A wink told Frank he was only joking.
"Now, c'mon Frankie, you didn't come here to stare at my door." Jimmy stood aside, allowing Frank the room to step in.
The place was tiny.
Directly in front of him was a couch (on which Johnny was already sprawled out on), a TV directly across from it. On the wall opposite the door where stacks of magazines, CD's, DVD's, a CD player balanced on top of some of the magazines. The wall itself was a dirty cream, and here and there were 'artistic' touches. Drawings, doodles, scrawled words and writings. Fairly high up, in big letters were the words 'I never liked you either!" And, near the centre, in red "rage and love". There was much more too, but Frank couldn't quite take it all in. Off to the right was a small archway, and just inside it, Frank could see a mattress on the floor, a couple of off white pillows and a light blue blanket strewn across it. Past that there was a kitchen, simple, but with untidy clutter making it look fuller. A large window which would bring in a lot of light if it wasn't night time almost filled the wall furthest to Frank's right. Set in the wall to his left was a small door, which, since everything else was accounted for, Frank could only assume led to the bathroom.
The floor was dark wood, with various scratches and gouges in it.
Somehow this wasn't the type of place Frank had expected Saint Jimmy to live.
"Home sweet home, Frankie." Jimmy said, gleefully as he pushed past, after shutting the door behind him. Frank watched as Jimmy joined Johnny on the couch, hitting his legs and scolding him for taking up all the room. Jimmy held out a hand to Frank, encouraging him over. He felt Johnny watching him as he settled next to Jimmy, a bit too close even for his own liking, but somehow, eventually, they relaxed into each others company. If this was all Jimmy was after… A little company, well. There wasn't anything so terrible about that, was there?

They must've been there an hour, flipping through channels, half watching TV, before Jimmy got up, headed for the kitchen.
Frank looked over at Johnny, questioningly. Johnny grinned. "This is where the real fun starts."
Frank was even more confused, until he saw Jimmy returning, a collection of things bundled in his arms, he sat, cross-legged on the floor, setting everything down, then started to set it all up.
"Want some help, Jimmy?" Johnny asked, eagerly.
"Nope."
Frank was just staring, watching Jimmy. He should've known. Drugs, it was always drugs with Jimmy wasn't it?
Only this time, they were stepping it up a level, harder drugs now.
Frank's eyes landed on the needles and he wondered if there was an excuse he could come up with that was good enough so one of those didn't end up in his arm.
Johnny was off the couch, kneeling near to where Jimmy was working, "Oh c'mon Jimmy, it'll be quicker if I help."
"You'll fuck it up. Somehow. Again." Jimmy replied, not taking his eyes off his works. "That was once!" Johnny protested. "Answers no Johnny, deal with it."

A few moments later, then Jimmy was calling Frank over. Hesitantly, Frank slid off the couch, moved down on his knees, close to where Jimmy was sitting.
Jimmy looked up at him, smiling, bringing one of the syringes up to eye level. "Know what this is?" Jimmy asked. Frank shook his head, finding himself staring at the liquid inside, transfixed by it. "Fucking beautiful, that's what it is." Jimmy told him. "I know, I know, we're skipping a few steps here, but c'mon Frankie, I'm offering you the best here, you're not going to turn me down, are you?" When Frank didn't answer right away, Jimmy moved closer, taking Frank's hand, his thumb making soothing circles on the back of Frank's hand. "It'll be so good." Jimmy promised.
Despite all the voices in his head, telling him not to, Frank nodded, and Jimmy's smile grew.

Jimmy told him to lean back, against the couch, so Frank obeyed, closing his eyes as he waited for Jimmy. He felt Jimmy's fingers curl around his arm, and he tried to keep calm despite knowing what was coming.
"Jimmy…" Johnny said, a sulky tone creeping into his voice. "Why are you letting Frank go first? You always-"
"Quit your fucking whining Johnny." Jimmy snapped at him. "This is Frank's first time, only right I'm good to him." Frank felt a hand against his cheek, stroking, it didn't quite distract him though.
"Fucks sake Jimmy, you make it sound like you're going to fuck him or something." Johnny grumbled, making Frank's stomach knot slightly. Then he felt the pinch in his arm, taking away any thoughts other than that, other than the substances working into him.
Shit. Was it really working already?
Frank was aware of Jimmy letting him go, kissing him lightly on the lips, then moving away. Apparently to see to Johnny before he started complaining more.
Frank was lost, utterly lost, but he didn't fucking care.

He didn't remember much else after that, and what little he did remember didn't make much sense.
All that was certain was that at some point he'd got back up on the couch, fallen asleep.

When he woke up it was dark, almost all the lights out in the apartment, and, suddenly, Frank felt very alert. In the seconds it took him to regain consciousness, he'd sobered completely. He remembered where he was quickly enough, and so calmed once he knew and understood his surroundings.
It was then that he heard it.
Fast, heavy breathing, an odd smacking kind of sound.
Groans of pleasure, and of pain.
Allowing his eyes to adjust to the gloom, Frank then dared a look across the apartment.
Though he'd kinda guessed it, he was shocked by what he saw.
Jimmy and Johnny…
On the bed. Together.
Frank blinked, rapidly, as if that was going to take the images away. The real solution would be to look away, to close his eyes, turn back to face the couch and hope to fall asleep again soon.
He couldn't though. He felt sick, but he couldn't look away.
So much naked skin, both pale, making them stand out even more in the darkness. It might just have been because the light (what little there was) was directly on him, but Jimmy looked paler.
Frank guessed it was because Jimmy's business relied on the darkness of night, he rarely had cause to go out in the day.
He continued to stare, knowing he shouldn't, even knowing that he didn't really want to, but it was like he was transfixed.
This was sex, in real life. Not on a screen, but real.
There seemed to be something so… Uncomfortable looking about it, on both parts. But while he occasionally heard sharp little breaths from Johnny, indicating pain, it was more often moans of pleasure.
Jimmy, on the other hand, clearly had none of even the small problems Johnny was having, this was all pleasure for him and geez was he fucking loud about it! Frank was suddenly uncomfortably certain it was Jimmy who'd woken him up.
That's when it occurred to him… Did they even remember he was here? It was a small apartment, but possibly the drugs had-
Suddenly Jimmy looked up, straight at Frank, causing Frank's mind to stall momentarily.
Oh. Jimmy remembered he was there alright.
Without altering his pace even slightly, Jimmy grinned at Frank, then, to further confuse, Jimmy winked. Frank turned away abruptly then, his mind suddenly racing again.
He had so many questions, so many thoughts on what he'd seen, on what was still happening behind his turned back.
But there was one thought that stood out, and that he wanted to bury completely.
He was wondering, just a little, what it would be like to be in Johnny's place…

By the time Frank woke up again, Johnny was gone, and Jimmy was passed out on the bed, still naked and sprawled out with limbs at weird angles, the blanket covering the lower half of him at least.
Frank wasn't sure if he was meant to wait around for Jimmy to wake up and then say goodbye, but, by the looks of it, Jimmy waking up was some time away. And it seemed like Johnny had left without ceremony.
Frank decided that was a good plan.
He left in a hurry.

But he was back again within the week, more people over that time, including Alice, who Frank saw drawing another white rabbit, this time hidden into the graffiti like wall.

The drugs became ever more a part of Frank's life, and, therefore, so did Jimmy. He spent more and more time either at the bar or at Jimmy's place, it seemed like he was rarely home. And, apart from having to dodge the evil glares and hateful comments from Johnny, and despite the nagging feeling that he was in serious trouble, Frank felt like life was pretty fucking good right about now.

That was, until the one day he couldn't pay Jimmy.

They were at Saint Jimmy's apartment, just the two of them for once, Frank had come over to tell him. Well. To tell him he needed the drugs but he couldn't pay Jimmy, not yet. He would though, he'd pay him as soon as he could, just not right now.
Saint Jimmy smiled at him, taking Frank's face in his hands. "Oh, angel. It doesn't work like that, I'm afraid. If I don't get paid… You don't get the drugs, got it?"
He needed them badly though. He knew he'd got himself in too deep, let things spiral out of control, but he couldn't help that now.
Frank didn't know when, but eventually he ended up on his knees, pleading with Saint Jimmy to change his mind, just once, for him?
"Shh, hush now Frankie, it's okay." Saint Jimmy said, soothingly, kneeling down with Frank now, taking him in close, holding him, stroking his hair, comforting him.
"There are… Alternatives."