Under the willow tree...(edited)

When Frankie woke up to cold bright sunlight flooding through the living room windows, blinding him to his surroundings, he was momentarily disorientated. Questions flashed through his mind...why wasn't he in his bed? What time was it? Who was laying on him?...but as his eyes became accustomed to the light, his groggy mind started to fill in the blanks in his memory, and suddenly everything came back to him.

He was home, his mum had collected him in the early hours of the morning and the boy in his lap was Gerard...oh God. Images of what he'd seen last night spun through his head, making him feel a little sick.

Looking down, he saw a pair of pretty hazel eyes staring back at him.

"Morning Gee."

He whispered, smiling softly. Gerard smiled back, pushing his head into Frankie's chest and yawning quietly. Frankie looked around the room, Sniper was curled up in the armchair still fast asleep, and there was no sign of his mum. Just as he thought of her though, she came out of the kitchen, a large mug of coffee in her hands, and tired dark circles beneath her eyes.

"Morning Frankie."

She muttered, offering him a small weak smile for his. Gerard whimpered and buried his face more, Frankie turned his attention back to the boy.

"Sweetie, it's ok. This is my mum...you're safe here..."

Gerard slowly lifted his head to look at Frankie. He was shaking slightly, and clinging to Frankie's shirt for dear life.

"It's ok."

Linda sat carefully on the arm of the sofa farthest away from the frightened boy, and sipped her coffee thoughtfully before speaking quietly.

"Hello Gerard..."

She smiled kindly as he turned large scared eyes her way.

"I'm Linda, you have nothing to be afraid of here. I'm making breakfast, are you hungry?"

Of course Gerard was hungry, he couldn't actually remember the last time he'd eaten it had been so long, but this was new, someone being nice. If he said yes, would he get hit?...would they think he was asking for something?...would they want something in return? Fear and panic coursed through him as he turned wide eyes back up to Frankie's gentle face...he wouldn't hurt him, he had rescued him, Gerard could trust him, right?

Frankie smiled down at him reassuring, nodding a little, telling him that it was ok to reply.

Gerard looked quickly between the two, his heart was racing and he could feel tears slipping from his eyes, was it really ok?

"Gee?..."

Frankie whispered, gently stroking the confused boy's wet cheek with his thumb, wiping away the tears and gaining a small, hiccuping smile in return.

"It's ok, really...you're hungry, I know you are. Do you like pancakes?..."

Gerard's eyes lit up and Frankie grinned.

"I take that as a yes?..."

Gerard smiled shyly, burying his face again. Frankie giggled.

"You're so cute..."

He cooed against Gerard's ear, making the younger boy squirm and blush. Frankie looked back at his mother, who had sat quietly observing her son's interaction with the damaged boy for the past few minutes. She was grinning at him.

"What?"

He asked, seeing her knowing smile. She shook her head, taking another sip of coffee, eyebrows raised.

"Nothing..."

She laughed lightly.

"So, pancakes?"

Frankie nodded and she headed back into the kitchen to start the food.

Gerard's head was rested against Frankie's shoulder and his fingers were playing with a lose thread on his shirt. He was relaxed and that made Frankie happy. It meant that he felt safe...well safer, anyway.

"Frankie?"

Sniper muttered from her spot in the chair. Gerard tensed.

"Morning Sniper, you sleep ok?..."

The black haired girl groaned, stretching out tired muscles. Frankie grinned.

"Yeah, sorry 'bout the chair. You want pancakes?..."

Sniper shot suddenly upright, a massive smile spreading across her lips as her head bobbed in agreement. Frankie giggled.

"Go through and let my Ma know you're awake then..."

He nodded toward the kitchen door and she quickly followed his directions and left the room. Turning back to Gerard, Frankie realised that Sniper had scared him. The boy's whole body was held tight and still, rigid with fear.

"Shh Shh. It's ok baby, relax hun, no one's gonna hurt you..."

Softly stroking the boy's dark hair, he placed gentle kisses to his forehead.

Shhhhh."

Slowly, he began to calm down, his body relaxing into Frankie's warm embrace. Frankie knew that there was a long way to go, a lot of tears and pain before Gerard would feel comfortable and safe, if he ever did, but Frankie was determined to help him any way he could.

"Pancakes are ready..."

Sniper called from the kitchen door, a huge grin on her face. Gerard's whole body jolted at the sudden noise, and he whimpered and clung to Frankie tighter than ever.

"Sorry."

She mouthed to Frankie, seeing the younger boy's reaction, before slipping back out of the room. Frankie sighed and gently stroked Gerard's long black hair.

"Shhh...it's ok..."

Gerard sniffed and looked up at him with worry filled eyes.

"Shall we go get some breakfast?...pancakes?..."

The thin boy's stomach grumbled in agreement. Frankie giggled.

"That's a yes, then..."

Gerard graced him with a small, sweet smile...shy, but happy.

"Hold on tight."

Frankie whispered as he levered himself awkwardly off of the sofa, Gerard held bridal style in his arms, the boy gasping and throwing his arms quickly around Frankie's neck. Frankie headed to the kitchen, pushing the door open with his foot then quickly stepping through into the warm, sweet smelling room.

Linda was by the stove, busy putting the last pancakes onto a large serving dish while Sniper was placing plates, forks and a large jug of syrup on the table.

Frankie sat down on one of the chairs with Gerard sat sideways on his lap, face buried nervously in his neck. The boy was shaking slightly, and wouldn't lift his head when Linda quietly spoke to him.

"Gerard, would you like blueberry pancakes, or chocolate chip?"

When he didn't answer, Frankie suggested she served him one of each, then he could try them both. Linda smiled sadly at her son, stroking his hair from his face before plating up the food.

"There you go sweetie."

She said gently as she placed the plate in front of the frightened boy, then turned to dish up Frankie's pancakes...two of each, with lots of syrup. She knew her son.

"Gee?...come on hun, you need to eat..."

Frankie urged, prying the boy's head away from the crook of his neck. Gerard looked up at Frankie with big, wet eyes.

"Aww baby, don't cry...look, pancakes. Come on, try some."

Frankie smiled, nodding toward the boy's plate. Gerard silently looked around the table to see Linda and the girl from before with the funny name, both eating pancakes and smiling kindly at him. Was it ok to eat? Really? Looking back to Frankie for some reassurance, and finding the older boy grinning back...Gerard decided to go for it, and turned toward his plate. The pancakes looked really nice and smelled divine, so he tentatively, still expecting to be hit, reached out and picked up the blueberry one in his fingertips and brought it up to his lips. When all he got were smiles and nods of encouragement, he took a tiny bite, pupils dilating as the strong sweet fruit flavour burst in his mouth. A soft moan escaped his throat and his eyes fluttered closed, it had been so long since he'd eaten, and this tasted so good.

Frankie heard the moan and swallowed hard as he felt his dick twitch...really not the time.

Gerard managed to eat all of his blueberry pancake and nearly half his chocolate chip one before he groaned quietly and rubbed his hand over his food swollen belly. Frankie giggled.

"You full baby?..."

Gerard nodded, resting his head against Frankie's chest and smiling sleepily.

"Ok. Let me just finish up, then I'll take you to get cleaned up...ok?"

Again the small boy nodded, eyes closed and a content and relaxed smile on his sweet face.

When Frankie had finished eating, he carefully lifted the sleeping boy, now softly snoring, and carried him out of the room without a word to the two women as they cleared away the breakfast dishes and put on a fresh pot of coffee.

Walking up the stairs to his room, Frankie was well aware that what came next could quite easily traumatise the boy further, but he knew it had to happen. Gerard needed to strip off and have a shower, cause last night he'd been redressed with blood still dry on his legs. This was not gonna be good.

Reaching his room, Frankie sat on the edge of his bed, Gerard curled against his chest. He really didn't want to wake him, he looked so peaceful right now, but this needed to be done.

"Gee?...baby?...wake up sugar..."

He cooed softly, stroking the sleeping boy's hair. Gerard stirred, hands clasping at Frankie's shirt and eyes fluttering slowly open. He looked up into the older boy's eyes with such trust that Frankie almost forgot to breath.

"Gee, sweetie..."

Gerard smiled.

"You need to have a shower...ok?..."

Gerard's face dropped, but he nodded gently. Frankie breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps this wouldn't be that bad after all.

"Ok...so I'll go start the water and get you a towel and some clean clothes, I think I have some that'll fit, and you get undressed...ok?"

Frankie looked expectantly into Gerard's eyes, waiting for a sign that this plan was ok...that's not what he got. Gerard's eyes grew wide with fear as he clung tighter to Frankie.

"D-don't..l-l-leave...m-me."

He stuttered out, then without warning, pressed his lips hard against Frankie's, while squeezing his eyes tight shut. Frankie froze. This wasn't right. The boy had been raped for fuck sake, he couldn't take advantage of him in this state but..oh, his lips felt so good. Fuck it!...Frankie kissed back. Gerard's once tense body started to relax.

It was a sweet, closed mouth kiss, firm but gentle, and neither one of them tried to make it more. After about a minute, they pulled apart, (cos ya know, humans need to breathe) and just smiled at each other, their foreheads resting against one another.

Frankie was naturally the first to break the silence.

"I'm not going anywhere, baby..."

He said softly.

"Come on, come with me."

Shifting Gerard so that his thin legs were wrapped around his waist, Frankie stood up and carried him to the closet. Again, Frankie was glad that his mother had sorted out his clothes, though, after a week, they probably weren't quite as tidy as they had been, but he could still easily find his warmest skeleton onesie, and clean pairs of underpants and socks, all without having to put Gerard down. Once he had the clothes, he walked into his bathroom.

Placing the items on the closed toilet seat, Frankie reached over and turned on the shower, sticking his hand under the flow to check the temperature.

"Ok sugar..."

He cooed.

"You need to get down and get undressed now..."

Gerard lowered his feet shakily to the floor.

"I can wait outside if you like?"

The boy's head shook so hard that Frankie feared it may fall off.

"S-stay...please?"

He whispered, eyes wide and wet. Frankie smiled softly.

"Ok baby."

Gerard smiled back, then started to undress. Wincing as his grubby clothes rubbed against the cuts and bruises covering his pale skin, Gerard carefully stripped off the jeans and hoodie, leaving him to stand naked in the small room as it started to fill with steam.

Frankie had averted his eyes the whole time, though he was aware that he'd already seen Gerard in his birthday suit, but he didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable. Frankie jumped as a small hand touched his shoulder lightly. He turned, keeping his eyes raised to face the other boy. Gerard giggled. What the...?

"You can't sh-shower in th-that."

He grinned, pulling on Frankie's top. Frankie gawped at him. Did he really want them to shower together? But Gerard seemed determined, as he fought to remove Frankie's Misfits tee then reached for the button on his jeans.

"Ok sweetie...ok..."

Frankie giggled, batting the other boy's hands away gently before undoing and taking off his skinnies, but leaving his boxers on.

"Come on, let's get in the shower. It's nice and warm."

He could see Gerard shivering a little. Gerard frowned. What now?

"T-take th-them off..."

He pointed at Frankie's Batman boxers. This was such a bad idea.

Blushing pink, Frankie pushed the thin black cotton down off his hips, and let it fall to the floor. Now they were both naked. Gerard smiled.

"B-bet-ter."

Frankie took Gerard's hand in his and stepped into the warm water, pulling the younger boy in gently behind him. Gerard whimpered as the spray hit his damaged skin and moved closer to Frankie, shaking slightly and digging his head into Frankie's bare shoulder.

"It's ok sweetie...I'm here..."

Frankie tried to reassure the trembling boy who was now pressed up against him, while simultaneously trying to ignore the fact that the very cute naked boy was pressed up against his equally naked body.

"Err...Gee?..."

Gerard lifted his head, a pained look in his pretty hazel eyes, a look Frankie desperately wanted to take away.

"We should...err like...wash..."

Gerard nodded and accepted the soap that Frankie handed him, before starting to lather up his thin body, wincing as the soap touched his broken skin.

Frankie stood in the corner of the small space, his back against the tiles, and only a tiny bit of water reaching him. He tried to not watch Gerard as he scrubbed at the blood on his legs, but the second he realised that the boy was crying, he had to comfort him.

"Shhh. Baby it's ok...don't cry...you're safe now...I'm right here."

Gerard finished washing quickly, and handed the soap back to Frankie with a small shy smile before rinsing himself off.

"C-can I...w-ash my h-hair? Please?"

His voice was so quiet, like he wasn't used to asking for anything, which of course he wasn't. Frankie smiled.

"Of course baby..."

Grabbing the shampoo, Frankie hesitated.

"Why don't I wash it for you?...would you like that?"

Gerard's eyes lit up as a rare grin spread across his face and he bobbed his head in acceptance, then turned around so his back was toward the older boy.

Frankie giggled, then squeezed a generous amount of the sweet strawberry scented gel into the palm of his hand and set the bottle back in it's place, before stepping a little closer and putting his hands to Gerard's hair.

Massaging his fingers through the long black strands, Frankie slowly became aware of a small noise...a moan, coming from Gerard. Hearing this, he quickly started to get hard. Shit, so not the right time. He tried to school his thoughts, tried to think of anything but the beautiful, wet, naked boy, moaning softly under his fingertips. Damn, this was bad.

"I'm...err...I'm done."

He mumbled, removing his hands and trying unsuccessfully to cover his now quite obvious hard-on. Gerard stuck his head under the fast flowing water and rinsed out the shampoo quickly, then turned around to face Frankie. And that was the moment he saw Frank's...problem. Oh fuck!

Frankie's eyes grew wide and his cheeks flushed. He was standing there, buck naked, dripping wet, with an aching hard-on that he was trying to hide...face to face with sweet, timid, damaged Gerard...who was also naked, wet and...hard...WHAT?...Except, he wasn't trying to hide anything.

After all he'd been through, how could he not be trying to disappear right now? And why was he moving closer?

"Err...Gee?..."

Frankie's voice sounded high pitched and alien to his ears.

"What're you d-doing?"

He stuttered slightly, as Gerard reached him and snuggled up against his body, apparently completely ignoring both of their raging boners as if they weren't even there. Gerard's arms wrapped around Frankie's middle as he sighed in content.

"I'm tired F-Frankie."

Frankie leaned his head back against the shower wall and gazed at the ceiling, taking a few deep breathes to calm himself.

"Gee...I need to wash now..."

He tried to keep his voice neutral.

"There's a towel right there..."

He pointed to the rack next to the shower.

"Why don't you get yourself dry, then get dressed. Your clothes are on the toilet."

Gerard lifted his head from Frankie's shoulder and looked into his eyes.

"Don't w-wanna l-leave you."

He muttered quietly, holding Frankie a little closer. Frankie sighed and was about to say that he would still be in the same room when Gerard leaned in and kissed him. This time, Frankie didn't hesitate. He kissed back straight away, his hands sliding up into Gerard's wet hair, causing the younger boy to moan into his mouth.

As Gerard's hands shyly explored Frankie's body, from his neck down to his ass, which he squeezed slightly, Frankie jumped, accidentally bucking forward, their hard dicks rubbing together and making them both moan. Frankie knew this shouldn't be happening, but his crazy teenaged hormones were in control right now, and as much as he knew he ought to stop this, he also knew that he couldn't.

Their kiss grew heated, all tongues and teeth and heavy breaths, as they ground against each other in frenzied desperation until Frankie pulled away, his conscience finally winning out.

"Gee..."

He gasped, turning his face away.

"..we can't."

Gerard stilled, his hands remaining on Frankie's back as he dropped his forehead against the older boy's shoulder, trying to catch his breath.

"Why?..."

He whispered, his voice barely audible above the sound of the shower that was starting to turn cold now. He raised his head when Frankie didn't answer.

"Don't you like me?"

Oh God, he sounded so lost, so sad. Frankie felt ill. After everything this boy had been through, beatings, rape, all of it...he just wanted to be loved...and Frankie had nearly taken advantage of that. Right now, Frankie actually hated himself.

"Oh my God, sweetie...you have no idea how much I like you..."

He tried to find the right words.

"But you don't have to do this after...after what happened. You need to heal."

Frankie looked into Gerard's eyes, he hoped what he was saying was making sense. Gerard stepped back, head down, his hair falling in a curtain in front of his face.

"I o-only w-want-ed t-to th-thank y-you..."

He whimpered, fresh tears shaking his body.

"F-for rescuing m-me."

Frankie gasped loudly, making Gerard look up at him. Frankie was pretty sure his heart stopped in that moment.

"Gee..."

Frankie was crying now.

"You...you thought I wanted you to do...that...as a thank you?..."

Gerard nodded in reply.

"My God...what have those monsters done to you?..."

Frankie sobbed.

"Never...you should...I..."

He couldn't even form sentences now. He took a deep breath and tried again.

"The only way you should ever have to say thank you...is to say it. Never do something you don't want to, just to please someone else. Never..."

Frankie swallowed hard.

"Do you understand me sweetie?"

Frankie stared into Gerard's eyes, hoping that he was getting through. Gerard sniffed and rubbed his nose with the back of his hand. Then he nodded, looking down shyly.

"I did like kissing you th-though."

He murmured, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. Frankie grinned.

"I liked kissing you too..."

He said softly.

"Hey...let's get out, water's getting cold."

Gerard raised his head to gaze at Frankie, a kind of relief mixed in with the happy and tired look on his face.

"O-ok."

He smiled softly as Frankie offered him a hand, which he took without question, then followed the older boy out of the shower and into the bathroom.

Frankie handed Gerard a large red towel and picked up his black one for himself...he'd just have to wash later, maybe when Gerard was asleep.

The two boys dried themselves off in silence, Frankie dressing any of Gerard's wounds that needed it, then helped him into the clothes he'd picked out for him. The onesie practically drowned him, but at least he'd be warm.

Gerard yawned and leaned against Frankie's shoulder as the older boy did up the buttons.

"You tired sweetie?..."

He chuckled. Gerard nodded, almost collapsing on him now.

"Ok...come on."

Frankie scooped the younger boy up into his arms and carried him through to the bedroom. By the time he reached the bed, Gerard was already asleep. Frankie smiled and placed him down before turning and walking to his closet to find himself something to wear, after all, he hadn't intended to shower when he went in there, and therefore hadn't taken a change of clothes in with him.

"Nice bum."

Came a small giggle from the direction of the bed, as Frankie leaned down to retrieve his pyjama pants that he'd just dropped. Straightening up, he turned around, one eyebrow raised.

"I thought you were asleep."

He scolded lightly, then smiled so the boy wouldn't think he was being serious. Gerard yawned again.

"Don't wanna sleep alone."

He mumbled, eyes dropping and a light pink blush colouring his cheeks. Frankie grinned as he pulled on his pjs and walked toward the side of the bed.

"You don't have to baby..."

He climbed into the bed and lay down, Gerard quickly shuffling closer and wrapping himself around the older boy. Oh well, guess he'd shower later.

"Sleep now sweetie...you're safe with me.."

He whispered as he felt Gerard sigh and relax against his side.

"You're safe."

He gently kissed his forehead as he drifted off to sleep.

Frankie closed his eyes. It was about 2:30pm, but life with Gerard in it was proving to be somewhat exhausting, so he decided that a nap wasn't such a bad idea. As he lay there, waiting for sleep to take him, a couple of questions entered his mind, ones he really wanted answered...

1. Was Sniper still downstairs with his mum?

2. What happened to Mikey after they'd left? Had Syn and Zacky made him pay for involving them in his dad's mission to make Gerard's life a living hell? Or had he tried to persuade them that he was right?

Frankie sighed, he would find out the answers at some point, but right now...sleep.

Soon, both boys were snoring softly, snuggled against one another, their arms wrapped tight around each other's bodies as they drifted into dreams...though unfortunately, not particularly sweet ones.

When Frankie awoke some indeterminate period of time later, it was to find Gerard sat up awake at his side, with his legs crossed and staring blindly out of the window at the snow that fell onto the darkening town.

Frankie didn't want to startle the boy, so he quietly cleared his throat as he rubbed his tired eyes and pushed himself upright. Gerard turned slowly toward him, as if in a trance.

"It's snowing."

He whispered, eyes shining with fresh tears. Frankie wriggled closer and wrapped his arm around Gerard's thin shoulders.

"Then why are you crying?"

The younger boy sobbed and buried himself in Frankie's chest.

"Snow's cold. Don't like being c-cold."

He whimpered. Frankie held him close.

"Aww, sweetie. Don't cry. You're warm here, aren't you?"

Gerard nodded, though he still shivered as he clung to Frankie's pyjama top.

"W.-what's gonna h-happen now?"

Frankie wasn't sure how to answer that. He wanted to be able to say everything would be ok, that Gerard could stay here indefinitely. He wanted to say they'd always be together...but in reality, he just didn't know what was to come.

"I don't know sweetie..."

He murmured against the younger boy's soft black hair, gently stroking it with his fingers.

"But whatever happens, you're not going back there. I swear I won't let that happen."

Gerard lifted his head to look into Frankie's kind eyes, the older boy's tears mirroring his own.

"Ok..."

He swallowed back a sob.

"Uh, Frankie?"

"Hmm?"

Frankie hummed.

"I'm...I'm hungry."

Gerard closed his eyes, for a moment he feared that he'd be hit for asking, it's what Terry always did, but the blow never came. Frankie smiled. This was progress, Gerard had barely even been able to accept food easily before, and now he was asking for it.

"Ok baby...let's go get you fed."

Gerard opened his eyes and smiled coyly. Frankie pulled Gerard carefully into his lap, wrapping the younger boy's legs around his waist, and shuffled off of the bed. Gerard squeaked as he found himself carried from the room.

As they made their way slowly down the stairs, voices and soft laughter drifted up from the living room...well that answered one of his questions. Gerard tensed. Taking a steadying breath, Frankie whispered softly to the skittish boy.

"Shhh baby, it's ok. It's just my mum and Sniper..."

But Gerard couldn't relax. He wanted to, really he did, but his natural response to strangers was fear, even though it hadn't been strangers who had hurt him, he still found it incredibly hard to loosen up around people he didn't know, and his anxiety didn't help the matter.

Frankie though, Frankie was different. Frankie made him feel safe, made him comfortable. He could never be afraid of Frankie.

Clinging to the older boy, reminding Frankie of a baby spider monkey he'd seen in the zoo once, Gerard buried his face and tried to regulate his rapid breathing. Frankie cooed to him as they reached the bottom step.

"I got you, you're safe.

Two sets of curious eyes turned their way as they stepped into the living room, all laughter and conversation ceasing but gentle smiles remaining.

"Hi boys..."

Linda said quietly, noticing that the small boy was shaking, his knuckles white as he gripped her son's neck.

"Sleep well?"

Frankie grinned.

"Yeah Mumma, we did. And now, we're both hungry."

Linda raised her eyebrows, pleased that Gerard would admit to it now.

"Pizza?..."

She suggested. Frankie nodded happily.

"Ok. You all chill out, I'll make the call..."

Then heading for the kitchen.

"You're staying, right Sniper?"

Sniper murmured her agreement, and Linda disappeared through the door.

Frankie settled himself down on the sofa with Gerard sat straddling his lap, his face still stuffed in the crook of Frankie's neck. Frankie tried really hard to ignore the fact that they were both sporting semi's, as their crotches pressed together and Gerard wiggled against him to get comfy. God, this boy was definitely gonna be the death of him, Frankie blushed red.

From the other sofa, Frankie heard a small chuckle and looked over to see his friend's sparking eyes, while she covered her mouth in an attempt to hide her amusement.

"What?..."

He scowled at her, just eliciting more giggles.

Ugh. Shut up."

He endeavoured to remain stony faced, but her cheeky laughter was just infectious and he soon found himself sniggering along with her. Gerard was surprised to feel Frankie shaking with laughter beneath him, and frowned as he lifted his head to discover the cause. It wasn't obvious to him as he looked between the two giggling friends, but it was clear that they were both tickled by something.

Catching his breath, Frankie smiled at the boy sat in his lap.

"You ok sweetie?..."

Gerard nodded, still confused, but now a little less anxious.

"Pizza ok for you?"

It wasn't exactly like he could tell Gerard why they were laughing. Gerard smiled and nodded.

"I l-like p-pizza."

He stuttered quietly, his voice low enough that the girl across from them couldn't hear. Frankie grinned at him, lifting his hand to gently stroke Gerard's pale cheek, the younger boy leaning into his touch and closing his eyes, a soft almost-purr slipping from his lips.

"Hey, baby?..."

Gerard opened his eyes again.

"You didn't meet properly earlier, this is Sniper."

Slowly, Gerard turned his head to look nervously at the girl. She smiled.

"Hi Gerard..."

She said softly. Maybe she wasn't so scary after all. Gerard smiled shyly at Sniper, not sure what to say. As it turned out, he didn't need to speak...she was quite happy starting the conversation herself.

"I think I've seen you in school, you're in my music class, right?..."

Gerard shrugged. He thought maybe that was right, but he'd really always avoided his classmates, what with the fact that they were all two years older than him, and seemed to loathe him because he'd skipped.

"Yeah..."

She continued, grinning at him.

"I heard you sing one time. You're really good..."

Gerard blushed and shook his head. He didn't think he was good. Sniper giggled.

"No really, you were great."

Frankie gently squeezed the younger boy's middle, Gerard turned to look at him.

"I didn't know you could sing baby?..."

Gerard shrugged again.

"I can't wait to hear you..."

Gerard's eyes grew wide and he shook his head violently side to side. Not happening...NOT HAPPENING! Frankie laughed softly and stroked Gerard's hair.

"Ok sweetie, ok..."

Then he turned to Sniper.

"When Gerard has to go back to school..."

He felt the boy tense and rubbed his back comfortingly.

"Will you help me keep him safe?"

Sniper grinned.

"Of course I will..."

She assured.

"Those assholes aren't gonna lay a finger on you honey."

Gerard rested his head against Frankie's shoulder and looked over at the girl in the tiger-print onesie, a small frown playing on his young face.

"What's..."

He swallowed, unsure if he should continue. Sniper smiled and nodded for him to carry on. He took a deep breath, then started again.

"What's your r-real name?"

His voice cracked as he feared getting hit. His eyes dropped to the ground as she failed to answer. Had he upset her? Was she angry at him now? Tears started to form and he began to shake. He felt Frankie hug him close as his breathing hitched.

"Alexis..."

She whispered, like she was ashamed or something. Gerard peered over at her and saw her head hung low.

"My mum was obsessed with Joan Collins."

Gerard frowned, tears forgotten.

"Who?"

Sniper looked up and giggled.

"Seriously?..."

Gerard glanced at Frankie but he looked just as clueless. Sniper sighed.

"She was some actress in the 1980s, or something. She played a character called Alexis Colby in some show mum watched..."

Sniper looked at the boys nervously, expecting hyena laughter any second. It didn't come.

"Like I said, obsessed."

She returned to examining her fingernails.

"Why are you called Sniper now?"

Frankie piped up, a cheeky grin spreading over his lips. Sniper looked up at the curious boys staring back at her, her eyes lighting up.

"Cause I'm a crack-shot with a snowball..."

She dead-panned.

"Wanna go outside and see?"

Frankie chuckled, but Gerard just shook his head and buried himself closer into Frankie's warm body. Just the thought of it made him shiver. Sniper raised an eyebrow at Frankie in query. Frankie smiled back, shaking his head sadly.

"Gee doesn't like the snow..."

He murmured quietly, pressing a soft kiss into Gerard's hair.

"Too cold."

Just then, Linda walked back in from the kitchen. How long did it take to order pizza anyway?

"Food's on its way..."

She said brightly, placing a tray of drinks on the table.

"Hot chocolate anyone?"

Sniper grabbed a mug, grinning wide.

"Thank you Linda."

Frankie nodded.

"Please..."

Then he looked down at the boy resting on his shoulder.

"Baby? Hot chocolate?"

Gerard blinked back at him, a slight blush colouring his cheeks.

"I...I never had it."

His voice small and shaky. Frankie found that he wasn't actually surprised, and that made him sad.

"Well, do you wanna try it?..."

He asked gently.

"It's good."

Gerard thought for a second. He kinda remembered chocolate. He hadn't had it since his mum left 8 years ago, but he was pretty sure he'd liked the sweet flavour. Smiling a little, he nodded.

"Yes p-please..."

Frankie grinned and accepted the mug his mother handed him, taking a gulp to check the temperature before offering it to Gerard's lips. Gerard took a small sip, Frankie watching as his pupils dilated with pleasure.

"Mmmm."

My God that was good. Frankie giggled.

"You like it baby?..."

Gerard smiled and nodded, a drip sliding down his chin. Frankie had to stop himself from licking it off.

"More?"

Gerard grinned and opened his mouth a bit. Frankie obliged. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Gerard froze, his eyes growing wide, his body starting to tremble, then he was burying himself into Frankie's chest as he whimpered quietly.

Linda went to answer the door while Sniper moved to take the mug from Frankie's fingers, so the hot liquid didn't spill.

"Shhh, baby. It's ok..."

Frankie murmured.

"It's probably just the pizza."

But as Gerard began to relax, loud voices came from the hallway...Linda, and a man who's voice Frankie didn't recognise.

"YOU CAN'T JUST BARGE IN HERE!"

Linda shouted. This couldn't be good.

"GET OUTTA MY WAY BITCH..."

Aww Hell no!

"GIVE ME MY FUCKIN' SON."

Oh...fuck!

Frankie gripped tight onto Gerard's trembling form as he pushed himself to his feet and stared with terrified eyes from the doorway into the hall, over to Sniper who stood with her mouth agape at his side. Silently, she grabbed his arm and began dragging him toward the kitchen, as Gerard's whimpers and sobs grew more intense.

"Hush baby, please..."

Frankie urged the frightened boy as tears dripped down both their faces. But Gerard was too far gone now, the fear coursing through his thin body like fire, his mind going numb to all but that.

"Please baby, please...you have to be quiet."

Sniper could tell that Gerard was no longer listening, or couldn't even hear what Frankie was telling him, so his cries were becoming louder and more desperate by the second. Pulling on her friend's arm, she steered him into the kitchen and over to the back door.

"Frankie, where's the key?..."

She hissed urgently. Frankie looked to the hook on the far wall, the small silver key glinting in the bright artificial light. Sniper dashed over and grabbed it, then hurried back and fumbled with the lock.

"Damn it. It won't...ah, got it..."

She flung the door open and winced as the cold air hit her face.

"Fuck, that's cold..."

Turning back and grabbing Frankie's arm, she dragged him out into the snow, then shut the door and relocked it.

"Come on..."

Barefoot and already shaking badly, the teens made their way across the yard and out the back gate, the darkness quickly engulfing them as they ran blindly into the frozen woods that backed onto all the properties along Frankie's street.

"Come on Frankie."

Sniper pressed, driving him further through the trees.

"Sniper wait..."

He begged through chattering teeth.

"Where are we going?"

"My house..."

She muttered, yelping slightly as she stood on a sharp twig.

"Damn it!..."

Looking down, Frankie saw red on the fresh white snow.

"It's not far."

Then they were moving again.

"How can you tell where you're g-going?"

Frankie shivered violently, hitching Gerard's legs up and adjusting his grip on them. The boy was quieter now, just the occasional gasp or whimper.

"I'm m-magic..."

Sniper giggled.

"There it is..."

She said, pointing at a house through the trees. There were lights on, and hopefully heat.

"Come on..."

Soon she was opening her back gate and dragging her exhausted and frozen companions up to the door. It was locked.

"Fuck..."

She muttered, before starting to bang heavily on the wooden door.

"MOM...SYN...OPEN THE GOD-DAMN DOOR...SYN...FUCKSAKE...COME ON."

After a few more seconds of pounding hard on the door, an unsure voice came from inside.

"Who's there? What do you want?"

"We want in, you idiot...Come on Syn, it's f-fucking f-freezing out here."

Sniper snapped, though her chattering teeth dulled the effect somewhat.

"Sniper?..."

The older boy gasped, quickly unlocking the door and yanking it open, a wall of warm air hitting the shivering teens.

"Fuck, get in here..."

He ushered them inside and closed the door.

"What the fuck happened?"

Frankie noticed that Gerard had fallen silent, his body becoming limp in his arms, requiring the older boy to support his weight...such as it was.

"W-we'll exp-explain everyth-everything. But can we g-get warm f-first?...Please?"

His voice shaking so bad he could barely talk. Syn nodded.

"Come on..."

He lead them through into a small dark sitting room, the only lights coming from the TV, that seemed to be paused on some horror movie, and the fire that flickered cheerfully in the grate.

"Warm up and I'll get you some blankets and shit."

Then he disappeared out of another door.

Frank collapsed onto the rug in front of the fireplace and shifted the motionless boy in his arms.

"Gee?...come on baby, wake up..."

Panic shot through him as he saw the younger boy's blue lips and paler than usual skin.

"Gee, come on, COME ON..."

He shook Gerard's shoulders, as tears began streaming down his icy-cold cheeks.

"Don't do this to me..."

He whimpered, Sniper moving to his side and checking the younger boy's pulse. Frankie held his breath, staring wide eyed from the girl to the silent boy in his lap.

"Well?"

He demanded, his voice cracking with fear. Sniper dropped her head down, a choked sob escaping her cold, chapped lips. Just then, Syn returned with his arms full of blankets and dry clothes.

"How you doing?..."

He stopped in his tracks as he saw the looks on their faces.

"Shit. Is he...?"

Frankie sobbed despairingly, turning his attention back to the lifeless boy and pulling him hard into his chest, rocking back and forth and begging him brokenly to wake up.

"Please...p-please?...please baby...don't leave me..."

It couldn't end like this, it just couldn't. After all Gerard had survived...this was just too cruel.

"Gee?...Please?..."

Notes