Under the willow tree...(edited)

The grey light of dawn was just beginning to show through the curtains as Sniper and Linda were sat on the sofa side by side, and heard the car pull into the driveway. The two woman looked at each other nervously, they'd spent the last few hours in an uneasy silence, knowing what the boys planned on doing, but having been unable to convince them otherwise.

Now they were back and the reality that they had probably killed a man was truly sinking in.

Linda was still a little shaky from the drug in her system, and Sniper had been unsure whether coffee was a good idea or not, but the older woman had insisted and Sniper had relented and made them both cup after cup of the stuff.

Levering herself up from the couch, Sniper told Linda to stay put then went to unlock the front door. Peering out into the cold front yard, a shiver running through her from the icy air, she watched as Syn and Zacky helped Frankie out of the back seat, a small wrapped up figure held close to his chest, and a worried look on his face. As they headed toward the door, Sniper opened it wide and ushered them inside, closing and locking it once they were all in.

"Frankie, thank God."

Linda breathed from the couch as her son walked in the room. He offered her a small strained smile as he moved over to sit on the rug in front of the hearth, grateful that someone had thought to start a fire in the boys' absence. Gerard's eyes were still open, staring unseeingly into space.

"Come on baby..."

Frankie hummed to him, brushing his hair from his face with cold fingertips.

"Wake up angel...you're safe now. It's over."

Sniper was fussing over her stepbrother's cut left hand as Linda asked the question that none of the boys wanted to answer.

"So, what happened?"

No one replied for several moments, everyone avoiding her gaze. Then Zacky spoke quietly.

"We dealt with it."

That was all he said, and Linda decided that maybe she didn't actually want to know the details, but she needed a little more than that.

"Who did you deal with?"

Syn grimaced slightly.

"Just Terry. Mikey wasn't there."

Linda nodded, sensing that she wasn't getting any more information right now.

"Sniper dear?..."

The younger woman's head turned her way.

"Why don't you put the kettle on?...I think we could all do with a hot drink..."

She looked at Zacky.

"Could you give her a hand?"

The two teenagers nodded then disappeared into the kitchen. Syn sat down in the armchair opposite Linda.

"We're all gonna stay here til we know where Mikey went. Don't worry Lin, everything's gonna be ok."

Linda gave him a tired smile then turned to watch as Frankie carefully unwrapped the blankets from around Gerard's motionless body.

The younger boy's face was slack and bruised. His eyes were empty looking, and Frankie feared that he'd gone for good this time.

"Baby please come back...I need you baby."

He felt tears slip from his eyes and he let them fall. Holding Gerard's fragile body against his, Frankie buried his face and sobbed quietly. Linda covered her mouth as she looked away, unable to watch her son's heartbreak any more.

When Sniper and Zacky returned with the drinks, they gave Linda her coffee and placed Syn's on the table at his side cause he'd fallen asleep, then Sniper took Frankie his mug of hot chocolate, hoping that it may work again to wake up the pale and catatonic boy in his arms.

Frankie smiled thankfully at her as she settled on the rug at his side and prepared to help him with the drink. Between them, the friends poured small sips into Gerard's parted lips...it didn't work.

Frankie had spent the last hour trying to wake Gerard, Syn had slept and Zacky had been on his phone, calling everyone he knew, putting out feelers for the elusive Mikey. Sniper had been trying to call Avril, though every attempt was going to voicemail, and Linda was calling a friend of hers, one that could hopefully get her custody of Gerard, even without his "father's" consent, or even a signature. It probably wouldn't be 100% legal, but it would be done well enough that no one would ever suspect.

"So it's possible?...and you could...You're a fucking miracle worker, Pete.. I owe you, big time! Haha...yes, it's a deal...So when do you think?...Really?...Fantastic! We'll see you then...yes, ok...bye Pete...Bye..."

Linda hung up and turned tired but happy eyes toward her son.

"He can do it Frankie!..."

She beamed.

"He'll do it!"

Frankie looked up from Gerard's pale face, eyes wide and wet.

"What if he doesn't come back mumma?..."

He couldn't hold back his tears and Linda remembered just how young her son actually was, beyond the piercings and illegal tattoos...that she did in fact know about, but never mentioned.

"I can't live without him mumma."

And Linda knew that was true, and that if that poor ruined boy didn't wake up, she was likely to lose her Frankie too.

"He'll be ok..."

She climbed down onto the floor next to him and checked Gerard's vitals.

"Give him time Frankie."

Realistically though, she wasn't so sure. Gerard had been so traumatised already, a broken shell of a child really, and now God only knows what new horrors he had been put through, and maybe just being taken had been enough to snap his already fragile mind...who knows. Linda pulled Frankie into her side, pressing a soft kiss to his hair as he cradled Gerard to him.

"Come back Gee...I love you."

And right there...Linda's heart broke in two.

"Hey...you'll never guess what I saw..."

Bert laughed as he returned to his grotty one bedroom apartment.

"I swung past your place and I saw three guys forcing their way in..."

When he didn't get a reply Bert shrugged and carried on talking as he took off his coat and boots.

"I watched 'em for a bit through the window...hate to say it babe..."

He walked into the bedroom, smirking at the sight before him.

"...but they kicked y' dad's ass..."

He climbed on the bed next to the younger boy.

"Aww come on...ya not still sulking are ya?...I am sorry about before. Didn't mean to be so rough..."

Still not getting a response, Bert grabbed Mikey's chin and turned his head to face him.

"You look at me when I talk, ya little shit..."

He spat out angrily as he saw the boy's eyes widen in fear.

"That's better. Now, as I was saying. They beat the Hell outta him...wouldn't be surprised if they killed him..."

Bert carefully removed the ball gag from Mikey's mouth and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Better?..."

He grinned as Mikey nodded.

"How would you feel if they had?"

Mikey thought for a moment as he let his jaw relax. Yes he loved his dad, but the man really was a monster.

"If he's dead?..."

Mikey began softly. Bert nodded for him to continue.

"Then I'm free."

Bert grinned.

"You should learn to trust me more babe. Didn't I say this was gonna work out?"

Mikey nodded.

"Yes sir. You know best...as always."

When the doorbell rang at just after 10 that morning, everyone jumped except for Gerard as they'd been sat in silence for several hours now. Linda climbed wearily to her feet and went to answer the door. Opening it, a smile spread across her face.

"Pete...good to see you. Thanks for doing this."

"It's ok Linda..."

He smiled.

"Happy to help."

Linda ushered him in out of the cold and shut the door behind him, before leading the way into the living room. All eyes turned their way as they entered and Frankie smiled slightly at the older man.

"Hey Pete. Long time, no see."

Pete grinned down at Frankie and the small pale boy in his arms.

"This Gerard?..."

He asked, sitting himself down on the sofa. Frankie nodded.

Still not responding then?"

Frankie shook his head, sadly.

"Let's get this sorted."

Linda suggested, clearing space on the coffee table for the paperwork.

"Ok...let's."

Sniper stood up.

"Coffee?..."

Linda, Pete, Syn and Zacky all nodded. She turned to Frankie.

"Hot chocolate Frankie?"

Frankie smiled gratefully, nodding slightly and Sniper headed through to the kitchen. Frankie whispered into Gerard's ear.

"You like some hot chocolate baby?..."

No reply.

"Please baby?...please wake up?"

Nothing. Frankie buried his face in the younger boy's long black hair, feeling lost as tears slipped from his eyes. Linda looked up from the papers and frowned as she heard Frankie sob quietly. She just wished that she knew how to help.

After a few minutes, Sniper returned with a tray full of drinks and carefully handed them out, finishing with Frankie's as she took her place at his side and helped him to try and pour small sips between Gerard's thin, dry lips. The first sip had no effect...but the second...

"F-Frankie?"

"Oh my God!...Gee?!"

Gerard's eyes slowly looked around the room. He was back in Frankie's house and back in his arms.

"F-Frankie...you...you came for m-me?"

Frankie kissed Gerard's cracked, dry lips.

"Of course I came, baby. I'll always come for you!"

Gerard snuggled against Frankie's chest.

"What h-happened?"

Frankie grimaced. Luckily Gerard didn't see.

"We came and got you. You're safe now and that's all you need to know."

"But what about my d-dad?"

Gerard whimpered, fear evident in his voice. Frankie gently lifted Gerard's face to meet his eyes.

"He can never hurt you again. You have my word on that."

Linda cleared her throat and Gerard turned to look at her.

"Gerard sweetie...this is my friend Pete. He's a family lawyer, and he's agreed to help us. He's going to arrange for me to have full legal custody of you...if you'd like?"

She didn't think he needed to know that it wasn't totally legal. Gerard looked between Linda and the man sat on her left. Of course he wanted that, but he wasn't sure that his dad would agree to give him up.

"My d-dad wouldn't a-agree to th-that."

Pete smiled at the clearly shaken boy.

"Don't you worry about that. If this is what you want, I can make it happen."

Gerard looked up into Frankie's hope-filled eyes, then back at Pete and Linda.

"Yes..."

He murmured, smiling happily.

"I want that."

Suddenly Sniper's phone rang in her pocket and she pulled it free then dashed into the kitchen to answer it. Frankie offered Gerard a sip of hot chocolate, and the younger boy happily drank it.

Gerard knew he'd been back in the basement, even though he couldn't really remember it, and he didn't know how long he'd been there...but somehow, he just knew.

Curled up in Frankie's lap, sipping chocolate and listening to the quiet mumbling of those around him, Gerard could almost believe that his nightmare was over...almost.

Even though this Pete guy had said he could do it, Gerard still had his doubts. Terry would never let him go willingly, he'd come to Frankie's house after him before...what was stopping him from doing it again?

Gerard wasn't listening to what was being said, all he heard was a low buzz of conversation until the door to the kitchen burst open, making him jump and bury himself more into Frankie's arms.

Everyone turned to look at Sniper as she stood there looking shocked and confused with her phone still in her hand. She didn't speak, so Syn got up and crossed the room to her.

"What happened?...are you ok?..."

He asked gently. Sniper grabbed his arm and pulled him close to whisper in his ear. After a moment.

"HOLY FUCK!...You sure?..."

Sniper nodded.

"Well I didn't see that coming!"

Frank cocked an eyebrow at the older boy.

"Syn?...what's going on?"

Syn and Sniper both turned to look at him, they both looked somewhat shocked now.

"Umm..."

Sniper tried, as Syn looked like he wasn't going to speak any time soon.

"That was Avril. She thought we should know...Bert?...he's with..."

She trailed off.

"He's with Mikey..."

Syn said quickly.

"They're like an item...have been for a while apparently."

Gerard shook his head, looking up into Frankie's curious eyes.

"But...but Mikey's not...gay."

He breathed. Frankie held him close, stroking his hair gently.

"It doesn't matter. As long as they stay away from you, I'm happy."

Gerard pulled back slightly, frowning. Frank could see the tremor running throughout his frail body.

"But he's not..."

Gerard said, confusion plain in his voice.

"He's homophobic...like dad."

Frankie pulled him back into his chest as he turned back to Sniper.

"Are you sure Snipe? Could she have got it wrong?"

Sniper shook her head.

"No. She spent the last hour with them. Apparently they've been together for more than a year. They were all lovey-dovey and shit. She said Mikey seemed happy."

"Doesn't know about his dad then."

Zacky muttered quietly. Gerard heard him.

"What about dad?"

He asked quickly. Zacky's eyes bulged and he looked quickly from Frankie to Syn and back for help.

"He means that we had to, err...rough him up a bit..."

Frankie murmured, stroking Gerard's long hair.

"...to get you out of there, ya know?"

Gerard nodded, relaxing slightly.

"Oh."

He curled up against Frankie's warm chest, yawning softly.

"You tired baby?..."

Frankie whispered in his ear, sending a small shiver through the younger boy. Gerard nodded, rubbing his face on Frankie's hoodie. Frankie chuckled slightly, kissing the top of Gerard's head.

"Ok cutie. Go to sleep...I've got you."

Gerard yawned again and closed his eyes.

"I think we need to check this Bert and Mikey thing out..."

Syn said after a few silent minutes as he sat on the arm of the sofa.

"They're bad enough separately...but together?...that's kinda scary."

"Didn't think anything could frighten you?"

Sniper teased. Syn smirked back.

"It can't...I just think we ain't seen the last of those two, and they both got it in for..."

He nodded his head toward Gerard's sleeping form, curled up in Frankie's lap.

"We need to know if they're planning anything, or if they're gonna leave him be."

Frankie chewed his lip considering this, then looked up between Syn and Zacky.

"Yeah...I think you're right. Would you two go do some recon?...just see what you can find out?"

The two older boys both grinned.

"Sure..."

Syn chuckled.

"And if we get a chance to beat the shit outta them...we will."

Frankie rolled his eyes but grinned back, ignoring the concerned sigh from both his mom and Sniper.

"Ok guys...just be careful?"

"Will do..."

Syn muttered as they pulled on their coats and shoes.

"And we'll grab pizzas on the way back."

"We'll be waiting."

Frankie said. And then they were gone.

Two hours later Syn and Zacky returned, a stack of pizzas in their arms and news of Bert and Mikey ready to be told. As they let themselves in the house with the key Linda had given them, all eyes turned their way. Frankie was the first to speak.

"Well?...what did you find out?"

Syn shrugged off his coat and collapsed onto the sofa, grabbing a slice of pizza and sighing deeply. Before he took a bite he met Frankie's eyes.

"It's true...Bert and Mikey, it's all true."

Frankie frowned.

"But I don't get it. He was always openly homophobic. Did either of you suspect anything?...I mean you've known him a lot longer than me."

Syn was chewing, so Zacky fielded this question.

"No. No idea. He must've been a really good actor."

Everyone fell silent as they started to eat and think about the situation. Frankie gently shook Gerard awake.

"Wakey Wakey baby. Pizza's here."

Gerard's eyes fluttered open and he yawned cutely, looking up into Frankie's warm hazel eyes. He accepted a slice of pizza and slowly ate.

At some point during the last couple hours Pete had left. He had all the information he needed to sort out the paperwork, and he promised he'd get it all sorted as soon as possible.

Linda was just about to ask Syn something when there was a knock at the door. Putting down her slice of pizza, she headed through to answer it. The others couldn't see who it was, but they heard Linda's voice and were all suddenly on high alert.

"And what the fuck do you want?"

"Can we come in?..we're not here to cause trouble, I swear."

Linda frowned, but nodded after a moment.

"Ok...but you so much as look at anyone wrong..."

She let the warning go unsaid, because it really didn't need to be. The two boys on her doorstep nodded, stepping past her into the warm hallway. Linda noted their joined hands but didn't comment. Closing the front door, Linda headed back into the living room.

"Follow me."

"WHAT THE HELL?..."

Frankie shouted as Bert and Mikey walked in the room behind his mother. Gerard jumped, then buried himself in Frankie's chest as his eyes met with their visitors.

"Sorry baby."

Frank cooed, stroking Gerard's long hair comfortingly. He continued to hush him while his eyes sent daggers at the unwelcome pair.

"What are you doing here?"

Sniper asked coolly. Bert looked at Mikey to speak for them. Mikey sighed.

"Ok...look, we're sorry...for everything..."

He couldn't meet anyone's eyes.

"But you don't have to worry about us anymore. We're leaving. Bert's got a job in California, and I'm going with him."

"Seriously?"

Sniper asked, incredulously. Bert and Mikey both nodded.

"I got the call last night..."

Bert said quietly.

"I start in a week and they're providing accommodation and flights down there too."

"Fantastic. Bye."

Syn grunted, his hands in fists at his sides. Mikey chanced to meet his eyes.

"We really are sorry..."

He saw Syn scoff and turned his eyes toward his clearly frightened half brother.

"Gee?..."

Gerard buried in further and Frankie bared his teeth slightly. Mikey sighed and stepped a little closer, away from Bert's side and further into the lion's den. He could feel everyone staring hatefully at him. He couldn't honestly blame them.

"Gee..."

He crouched down a couple feet away from the trembling boy.

"It's you I came here to apologise to the most. I was an asshole, and a fuckin' rotten big brother..."

He hung his head slightly, staring at the floor.

"I should've protected you...should've done something to make him stop, instead of joining in. I could say that he was a manipulative bastard, and that I was too young to know better when it started...but that'd be a lie. I did know better, but I was scared that he'd turn on me too. I wasn't strong enough to take that and I can't apologise enough for what I've done to you..."

He could tell that Gerard was listening, even if his face was still hidden in Frankie's chest.

"I wish things had been different. I wish I could've gotten to know you better...but you're safe now...you have Frank and all these guys who I know are gonna look after you. And I'm going far away, so you'll never have to see me again. I just hope that one day you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. But I'd totally understand if you didn't."

He watched Gerard with sad eyes for a moment, then slowly stood up and turned toward Bert who was standing silently in the doorway.

"Wait..."

A tiny shaky voice caused him to turn back. He looked down and saw Gerard's pale, tear-stained face looking up at him. Mikey glanced at Frankie and received an icy warning glare, then knelt down in front of Gerard, swallowing heavily.

"I n-never expected you to s-stop him..."

Gerard whispered.

"He w-was always t-too strong. I knew you w-were scared of him t-too..."

Mikey nodded.

"And I even get why you d-did what you d-did, at home...to keep on his g-good side..."

Again, Mikey nodded.

"B-but what I don't understand is w-why you did it all the o-other times...like i-in school and stuff...when he w-wasn't there..."

Mikey bit his lip...he didn't have an answer to that. Gerard sighed.

"Well n-now you're free of h-him. You're leaving to start a n-new life, and from the m-moment you walk out that d-door, I will n-never think of y-you again. You don't g-get my f-forgiveness today. I d-don't have that in me...yet..."

Gerard rested his head back against Frankie's chest, his eyes still on Mikey.

"Goodbye Michael."

He murmured, closing his eyes and burying his face once more. Mikey felt tears run down his cheeks but made no effort to wipe them away. He hadn't even expected one word from Gerard. He'd thought the younger boy was too far gone to say anything. Guess he was stronger than anyone knew.

Mikey stood again and joined Bert by the door before facing the room.

"Goodbye..."

He murmured.

"I hope you can all forgive me one day, or at least forget me."

"Time to go babe."

Bert said quietly at his side. Mikey nodded, and two minutes later Linda was closing the door and they were gone.

"You ok?"

Frankie murmured to the boy curled up in his lap. Gerard nodded slightly, a tired yawn on his lips.

"It's over. I have a new home, new friends and I have you..."

He smiled up at Frankie.

"I couldn't be happier."

Frankie smiled back at him then placed a soft kiss to his pale pink lips.

"Sleep my love...tomorrow's the start of forever."

~THE END~

Notes