This ship may sink!

Gerard slowly took ahold of Frank's strong tattooed hand and walked to the now very busy dance floor. They were just about to start to dance, when the door opened, and Gerard was almost frozen in fear..........

"N..no!.." He whimpered, ducking down to hide behind Frank ".. Don't let him s..see me."
Frank caught on quickly, and shielded the imposing newcomer's view of the trembling boy behind him "Stay down Gee!.. He hasn't seen you.."
Gerard's hand shook in Frank's, as tears streamed down his cheeks. He peeped out from his hiding place, and saw Robert looking angrier than he ever saw him before. Gerard's breath caught on a sob, and he hid again ".. Gee?.." Gerard looked up at Frank through his tears and dark lashes ".. He's searching the room!.. Let's go."
Gerard nodded, and slowly stood up, keeping his head bowed, and his shoulders hunched.
Frank squeezed his fingers reassuringly, then started to pull him through the crowd toward the second class hallway door.
Gerard was too scared to look back, but to scared not to.
Glancing over his shoulder as they reached the door, his eyes met with Robert's, and widened in fear.
Robert looked murderous, and was already pushing his way through the crowd as Frank tugged on Gerard's hand, and pulled him into the corridor.
It was cold in the passage, compared to the heat created by all the bodies at the party, but Gerard didn't have time to worry about the temperature, as they were suddenly running down the dimly lit passage, leaving the music and laughter behind.
They turned a corner half way down and Gerard chanced a look back. Robert was already out of the door, and he saw where they were. Gerard's eyes locked with his for a moment before Frank was pulling him round the corner, and into another run.
Gerard could hear footsteps behind them, but didn't dare look back again.
A few corners later, the footsteps becoming fainter and more distant, suddenly Frank stopped outside a cabin door, and pulled a key from his pocket. He quickly opened the door and ushered Gerard inside. He gave one last look the way they'd come, then slipped into the room and closed the door, clicking the lock into place "Welcome to my place.." He whispered, smirking wryly as he waved his hand to indicate the tiny room ".. Are you ok?.." He gently took both of Gerard's cold, pale hands in his, and guided him over to sit on his bed.
Gerard was white as a sheet, and shaking badly, he stared, wide eyed back at Frank for a moment, barely able to breathe, then gasped in a quick breath as a fresh flood of tears sprang from his eyes, and he collapsed forward into Frank's chest.
Frank was shocked, but quickly recovered, and wrapped his arms around the younger man's frail body, and gently stroked up and down his back, while cooing soft, reassuring words in his ear "..Its ok.. We lost him.. You're safe here.." He didn't know who that angry man was, but he could easily tell that Gerard was terrified of him, and that's all he really needed to know.
Once Gerard's sobs had died down, reducing to soft sniffs, and the occasional hiccup, Frank pried Gerard up from his chest, and lifted his chin with the tips of two fingers, till he could look him in the eye. Gerard dropped his tear-reddened eyes toward his lap though, embarrassed by his breakdown ".. Gerard?.. Look at me?.." Gerard looked up through his lashes. Frank smiled, softly ".. Who was that man?"
Gerard sighed, sniffing dejectedly "It.. It's hard to e..explain."
"Try me!.. I'm listening!" Frank got the feeling that Gerard wasn't listened to very often.
Gerard bit his lip and took a breath to calm himself, before he started to speak "He.. He was my p..parents servant. When th..they died, he became my g..guardian.." Gerard shook his head as a few more tears slipped down his cheeks ".. He.. He says he.. owns me now!.. That he can do whatever he w..wants to m..me." He hung his head as sobs wracked his thin body again.
Frank was astounded. That man had NO RIGHT!!
Frank carefully pulled Gerard back into his arms, feeling him tense, then slowly relax against him "He hurts you?.." Frank questioned, softly. Gerard nodded, as his fingers clutched Frank's shirtfront ".. He hits you?.." Again, a nod ".. Does he.." Frank trailed off, and Gerard lifted his eyes cautiously to meet Frank's, giving him a silent look to continue. Frank swallowed deeply ".. Does he.. touch you?"
Gerard's eyes went wider still as he sat back from him. How could Frank know that?.. Was he just guessing?
Gerard's breathing quickened as he felt his heart race in his narrow chest. He couldn't meet Frank's eyes, humiliation and self-loathing eating at his mind.
If he answered.. If he told Frank "Yes!.. Yes Robert does touch me!" What would Frank think of him then?.. He'd hate him, surely!
After a couple minutes silently panicking, Gerard chanced to look at Frank's face. The hatred and disgust he had expected to see, we're not there!.. Instead, was a look of concern, and compassion.
Swallowing heavily, Gerard took a breath, then whispered "Yes!.. He does!" Then closed his eyes, and waited for Frank to respond...

Notes

Hi there chipmunks.. GeesCLUELESSgirl here..

Sorry for the wait.. Writer's block's a bitch!!..

So.. How do you think Frankie will react? Hmmm?

Anyway.. Please comment, stay safe, and peace out babies!
<3 Love ya!