October gave way to November and the weather turning colder. November led to December and the first snow fall of the season. Then Christmas was upon them. Patrick had noticed a slight change in the way Gee reacted towards Frankie lately. He wondered if he missed something when he could not make it to see Frankie on his birthday.
Later Gee told him that it would have been just the three of them on that day and the party was postponed till the next weekend when Frankie was feeling much better. Since he was sick, it was just Frankie and Gee. When he asked what they did, Gee said watched movies and listened to Frankie cough and sneeze a lot.

"Will that be all sir?"

"Yes thank you."

"You too sir and have a Merry Christmas."

Patrick took the small bag from the sales person and left the store. He was a little worried that Gee wouldn't like it, but Gee still had the stuffed cat from the carnival on his bed to cuddle with every night, so maybe Patrick was worried for nothing.
He stopped by the Way's on his way home. He knew Gee would not be there. He gave the gift to Mrs. Way to give to him on Christmas. He was going to be away for that week, but he would be back in time for the New Year's party at the school.

"I'm home dad."

"Great, are you packed already?"

"Yeah, I just had to drop my gift off for Gee."

"He's special to you isn't he?"

"He's been my best friend since we moved here."

His dad nodded and Patrick rolled his eyes and headed upstairs to his room. Maybe he was something special. Maybe after the new year, he would be more than a friend.

(time passes)

Frankie was bouncing in his snow boots as he waited for Gee to answer his door.
It was Christmas Eve, and he couldn't see his best friend tomorrow, as his entire family had descended on him and his mum last night, and he was told that Christmas Day was for family, so he was having to drop off Gee's gift a day early.

Gee opened the door and saw a red nosed, rosy cheeked Frankie, bouncing up and down on his doorstep, all bundled up in about a dozen layers of clothing.

Gee giggled, grabbing Frankie's sleeve and dragging him inside, before slamming the door shut to keep in the heat.

"Frankie!.. It's freezing out there!.. What are you doing here?.. You'll catch another cold."

He pulled Frankie through to the living room and in front of the fireplace.

"I brought your Christmas present Gee!"

Frankie exclaimed, though his voice was muffled by the scarf that was wrapped all around the bottom of his face.
Gee wondered how he could breathe.

Frankie pulled off his gloves.. using his armpits, as his mouth was still covered.. then quickly unwound the scarf.

"Thank fuck!.. I can breathe!"

Gee giggled.

"Language Frank!"

Donna called from the kitchen.

"Sorry Donna."

Frankie stifled a laugh, then unzipped his padded jacket and reached into the inside pocket.
After a moments struggle, he withdrew a small square box, wrapped in dodgy paper.
The paper was red, with cartoon Santas on it, but they all were bending over to show their bare asses.

He handed the gift over with a grin.

Gee accepted it with a giggle.

"Classy Frankie!"

He smirked, pulling the smaller boy in for a hug.

"Thank you."

"Happy Christmas Gee.. Don't open it til tomorrow, ok?"

"Awww."

Gee pouted. Frankie grinned.

"Wait here Frankie. I got you something too."

Gee turned and ran off upstairs to his room, leaving Frankie to get warm in front of the fire.
As Gee left his room a minute later, Frankie's gift in his hands, he ran straight into his dad.

"S..sorry sir."

He said quietly, eyes to the floor.

"Be mindful of your surrounds boy. Where are you in such a hurry to get to?"

"To.. To give Frankie h..his Christmas present, s..sir."

"Thank you sir."

Gee slipped quickly past his dad and back downstairs, giggling slightly when he saw Frankie sat on the rug with a hideous Christmas sweater on, probably knitted by his aunt, and his socks off, his feet defrosting close to the fire.

"Here Frankie."

He held out a flat, rectangular package in much more traditional wrapping paper.
Frankie grinned up at him, hands held out and grabby.

"Nice sweater."

Gee smirked, handing over the gift.

Frankie scowled, then giggled.

"Can I open it?"

Gee nodded.

"Sure.. It's not much, so I hope you like it."

Frankie smiled reassuringly, then set about ripping into the paper.
Once the paper was off, he turned the object over in his hands and gasped, wide eyed.

"Gee!.. You drew us!.. As heroes!"

He stood up and hugged Gee tight to him.

"I love it."

He murmured in Gee's ear, just as the front door opened and Mikey walked in.

"What's all this?"

Mikey walked in a kicked his boots off leaving them in the middle of the hall. He walked into the living room to sit by the fire. He tried to snatch the picture out of Frank's hand.

Frankie held it out of Mikey's reach, while pulling Gee around behind him.

"None of your business."

He growled quietly, feeling Gee's fingers clinging tight to his.

Gee stared at the ground.

"Whatever, It's probably something stupid and childish that Gerard made."

Mikey grabbed the video game and plugging it in, turned his back on them. He would bide his time and get it from him later.

Frankie frowned, then turned to Gee, offering him a bright smile.

"I can't stay for long Gee, mum said I have to 'spend time with the family'."

He air quoted, rolling his eyes.

Gee sighed.

"That's ok Frankie."

Gee's voice sounded small, as he glanced up at him.

"Thanks for the present."

He'd hidden it in his room, not wanting Mikey to get his hands on it before he even had a chance to open it.

"Promise you won't open it til tomorrow?"

"Of course Frankie."

Gee smiled sweetly.
Frankie grinned.

"Cool. Well, I better put my thousand layers back on and get going."

Gee giggled.

"Admit it Frankie.. You like the sweater."

Frankie stuck his tongue out at his friend, and they both fell about laughing, just as Donna walked in the room.

"Are we seeing you tomorrow Frank?"

"No. Afraid not. Family's in town."

Frankie shrugged as he calmed down and pulled his scarf back on.
Gee walked him to the door and watched as he pulled his snow boots back on.

"Take me with you?"

Gee said quietly, shuddering as he heard his dad speaking to Mikey in the living room.

"Merry Christmas Frank. Will we be seeing you and Patrick tomorrow?"

Donald was sipping a glass of Donna's homemade eggnog...with a generous amount of nog in it.

"No sir. My family turned up late yesterday.. Mum's at the store now getting extra food, cos they didn't tell us they were coming."

"And Patrick's away over Christmas."

Gee added quietly, eyes down.

"Ah well, we will miss you."

Donald clapped a warm hand on his son's shoulder.

"Take some of Donna's eggnog home to them then, I insist."

"Thank you sir."

Frankie said, seeing Gee flinch at the heavy touch.

"But my mum doesn't allow alcohol in the house when Uncle Richard comes over."

He scratched the side of his nose.

"Never goes well."

Donna stepped forward.

"I've got some without the alcohol in if you'd like?"

Frankie smiled at her.

"Really?.. That'd be great actually. Thanks."

Donna smiled, turning toward the kitchen.

"Mikey, come help me put some in a couple of bottles for Frankie please."

Mikey huffed and walked after her. He watched his mother pull out four bottles and begin to fill them. Mikey grabbed another empty one and filled it with the rum eggnog. He put it with his mother's and slipped one of the other bottles away.

"Wow mom, you did it all! I hardly even had to be here!"

Mikey grabbed one of the many festive Christmas baskets that his mom liked to make and slipped the four bottles into it. He carried them back to Frank.

"Here you go Frankie, tell everyone merry Christmas from us."

He smiled earnestly.

"Err.. Yeah. Ok."

Frankie took the basket, looking suspiciously at Mikey for a moment before turning back to Gee.

"I'll call you later Gee, ok?"

Gee nodded, quiet because Mikey was still standing close by.
Frank wrapped one arm around Gee's shoulders, pulling him in for a hug. He whispered in his ear.

"Take care tomorrow Gee. Call me if you need to talk."

He stepped back, transferring the basket to his other hand. Gee nodded, smiling shyly.

"Well, Merry Christmas everyone."

Frankie waved, then left, Gee watching him walk away, before shutting the door and turning to come face to face with his brother.

"So Gee, shall we uphold our Christmas eve tradition?"

Gee tried to step around Mikey.

"Now son, your brother wants to spend time with you. Go on, we will call you when dinner is ready."

"Yeah Gee, come play with me."

Gee took in a deep shaky breath, looking at his dad.

"Yes sir."

"Come on Gee."

Mikey grabbed Gee and dragged him to the basement door. He opened it and pushed Gee through and then locked the door.

"Now Gee...you are going to tell me what you made Frankie right?"

Mikey started to stalk down the steps towards him till he was backed against the wall. He reached up and ran a finger against his cheek feeling him tremble. Mikey liked having this power over his older brother.

"Cause if you don't...I'll give Bobby a call and..."

He smirked and patted Gerard's face lightly.

"...he will make you tell me."

Gee swallowed, tears starting to slip from his eyes.
He shook his head.

"N..no."

"No what Gee? No you won't tell me, or no you don't want me to get Bobby to make you?"

"I.."

Gee squeezed his eyes shut.

"I w..won't t..tell you."

Mikey pulls out his phone and pulls up Bob's contact info.

"Last chance Gee."

Gee bit down on his lip hard, his shirt front becoming wet with tears now.
He wouldn't do anything that could put Frankie in his brother's firing line.

He shook his head, whole body shaking along with it.

Mikey leaned into Gee, so he could hear the grunt that answered when Bob picked up.

"Bobby, It's Mikey. Gee and I were getting ready to play a game and he decided he wanted you to join us."

"What game?"

Mikey smirked at Bob's question.

"Interrogation."

"I'll be right over."

Mikey closed the phone.

"So now we wait."

Gee whimpered, turning his head away.
He missed the days when mum used to come down to do the laundry.. before she persuaded dad to get the back closet turned into a utility room.
Mikey could never do this back then.

They could hear the crunch of the tires as Bob was dropped off. He came in and greeted Donna and Donald and then was told where the boys were. Mikey looked at Gee.

"Don't even think of moving."

Mikey went up the stairs and unlocked the door before returning to his shaking brother. Bob opened the door and then relocked it. He had a small bag in his hand.

"Hey Bobby, what's in the bag?"

Bob smiled that wicked smile he had. He pulled out a rope and a gag.

"Persuasion."

(time passes)

"Boys dinner...why's this door locked?"

Mikey came bounding up the stairs with Bob in tow.

"Sorry Mr. Way, I must have hit the latch when I closed it earlier."

"Ah, well it's dinner. Where is your brother?"

"He actually decided to take a nap. He was pretty upset that Frank and Patrick could not join us to play."

If Donald had not drank so much eggnog, he would have been quite upset, but he did not think twice and did not check.

"Alright, your mother can save him a plate."

He closed the basement door making sure it did not lock and he ushered the boys into the dining room and explained everything to his wife as they sat down to eat.

---

Gee cried silently behind his gag. He knew he'd have a few more new bruises by the morning, but he was determined not to give in.
He just hoped he could be strong enough to take whatever else Mikey and Bob might have in store for him.. But he wasn't so sure he could be.

(time passes)

Mikey sulked in his room. In the end Gee stayed quiet and Bob went home. Now Gee was in the shower and Mikey was going into his room snooping. He pushed aside the stupid stuffed cat on his bed and flipped through his sketch book to find...nothing.

"Fuck."

With no luck, Mikey went back to his own room to sleep till Christmas.

Gee finished his shower, flinching each time he touched the fresh bruises that littered his pale skin.

Bob had been especially brutal today, saying it was his Christmas present to Mikey.
Gee thought a CD would've been better.

Eventually clean and dry, Gee pulled on his favourite pjs, then headed to his room.

"Damnit Mikey!"

He muttered, seeing his room had been searched.
He went to his bedside and pulled it away from the wall, slipping his hand into the small hidden space there. He smiled. The gift Frankie gave him was still there.
Pushing the nightstand back into its place, he climbed into his bed, shutting off the bedside lamp and closing his eyes.
Now he just had to get through tomorrow.

(time passes)

Patrick ran to the school. He had been away for so long. He missed Frankie and he missed Gee.
Gee, he was all he thought about the whole time he was gone. He needed to let him know in this coming year. He needed to stop being scared and just man up. He took the stairs of the school two at a time, he was so full of energy. He burst into the school and ran to the gym. He went through the doors and saw Gee standing with Frankie and talking to a couple of people from the drama department. Patrick knew they were trying to get him to take part in the Spring play. He ran over.

"Come on Gerard, you would be amazing and you have the perfect voice for it."

"I don't know guys."

Gee rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"You really think I could do it?"

"Gerard if there is anyone that can convince a town to waste their money as the Music Man, It's you."

Gee giggled.

"Well, I guess I could give it a go."

He turned.

"Hi Pat."

He grinned wide, greeting his friend.

"Hey dude."

Frankie lightly punched Patrick in the shoulder.

"How was your Christmas?"

"It sucked, all my cousins had boyfriends or girlfriends so it was all kissing and cuddling, blah."

Patrick heard Gerard giggle and it made his heart flutter.

"I missed you...guys."

"We missed you too Pat."

Gee smiled.

"Oh, and thanks for the present. It's cool."

Patrick looked trying not to seem eager to see if Gee was wearing it.

"I'm glad you did."

Gee pushed his hair out of his face as someone said hi to him while walking past. He said hi back, and didn't notice his sleeve sliding up his arm to reveal the leather bracelet with the glass locket on, with a picture of Frankie and him, that Frankie had given him.
He hadn't taken it off since Christmas.

"I'm going to get some punch."

Patrick walked off quickly. He felt the tears coming. he didn't want anyone to see them. How stupid did he look. Gee was wearing Frankie's gift, not his. Who was he kidding. He was nothing to Gee. He was not Frankie.

"There's punch?"

Gee asked Frankie, a small smirk on his face.

"You want some?"

Frankie asked, grinning back and taking Gee's blue plastic cup before heading after Patrick. He was surprised to see Pat walk straight past the refreshments table and quickly out of the gym.
Frankie looked back and saw Gee laughing with two boys from their English Lit class. He put their cups in the trash can by the door and followed Patrick out.. He saw him disappear into the boy's toilets down the hall.
He followed, pushing into the room.

"Pat?.. You in here man?"

Patrick froze. Why was Frank in here?

"Y-Yeah, I just suddenly had to go. You know how it is."

"Sure dude."

Frank went to the wash basins and looked at his reflection in the cracked mirror above.

"We missed you over Christmas Pat.. Mikey and Bob got to Gee on Christmas Eve, but he won't tell me what happened.. Perhaps you could talk to him?"

"Yeah, I can try."

Frank ran his fingers through his hair.

"I get the feeling it's got something to do with me, but Gee just says he's ok, and not to worry.."

He chewed on his lip, turning to face Patrick.

"But I saw the bruises.. Well, some of them anyway, before Gee covered them up."

Of course it has to do with Frank. Everything does.

"I said I would try, now if you don't mind I kind of need to get back to..."

Frank raised an eyebrow, then realised that Patrick had his cock in his hand, and blushed.

"Oh, err, yeah. Sure dude! See you out there."

Then he left quickly, returning to the gym.

Gee was sitting on the edge of the small stage at the front of the room as Frankie approached with fresh drinks in his hands and a grin on his face.

"Hey Frankie. Where'd you go?.. I turned round and you'd vanished."

Gee smiled, accepting the cup.

"Just needed a piss."

Gee nearly choked on his drink.

"Nice *cough cough* image."

He took another sip, looking up as Patrick walked over.

"I'm not feeling well guys. I think I'm gonna go."

"Aww."

Gee pouted, sliding down from the stage and putting one arm around Patrick's shoulders.

"That's not good. We haven't seen you in so long."

"Yeah.."

Frankie chimed in.

"Why don't you sit and have a drink?.. You might feel better."

Patrick could not help noticing the bracelet on Gee's wrist.

"No, I think it would be better to go. That way I don't bring you two down too. You seem really happy right now."

"Yeah.."

Gee grinned, showing all his tiny teeth. He pulled Frankie in for a three-way hug, nearly spilling his punch all down his back.

"We're happy cos we're all together again."

His smile fell.

"Do you really have to go?"

He wobbled his bottom lip and gave Patrick puppy dog eyes.

"I..."

Patrick felt his resolve melting away. He hated to see Gee pouting anytime.

"Okay Gee...I'll stay and see if I feel a little better."

"YEY!"

Gee let go of them both and threw his arms up in celebration, emptying his punch over Frankie's head.

"Ah fuck Gee!"

Frankie yelped, jumping back, hair dripping everywhere.

"Language Frank."

A teacher said from a few feet away.
Frank looked back, sheepishly.

"Sorry Mrs. Cotton."

"I'm sorry Frankie."

Gee's lip was trembling for real now as Frankie turned back toward him.
Gee took in a shaky breath, a tear tracing down his cheek.
Before Frankie could assure him it was ok, Gee had turned and sprinted from the room.
Frankie and Patrick looked at each other.

"We best go after him."

But when they reached the doorway into the hall, there was no sign of their friend.

"I'll check this way."

Frankie pointed left, then took off, leaving Patrick to go right.

Patrick had a feeling he knew where Gee was. He knew that Frankie was going to check the art wing, but Patrick knew Gee a little bit better at times.
He climbed the stairs to the second floor and headed to the music wing. He opened the band room and listened. Soon enough he heard it. Light strumming. Patrick walked in and saw Gee sitting in a corner with a guitar in his hand.

"Gee."

Patrick came over and grabbed his own guitar. He sat down quietly and started to match what Gee was playing.

Gee looked up, his eyes red, bottom lip chewed raw.

"Is he mad?"

He murmured quietly, fingers stilling on the strings.

Patrick put down his guitar and pulled Gee's away from him. He boldly pulled the boy to him, practically in his lap.

"I don't ever want to hear those words strung together in a sentence again. Mikey is a little unhappy shithead that wants everyone to be as miserable as he is."

Patrick laced his hand with Gee's, ignoring the bracelet.

"Since we have been in school without him, has anyone really picked on you like they used to?"

Gee shook his head, still staring at the floor.

"But dad would be happier if I weren't there.. Probably mum too."

Patrick's breath hitched. He remembered what Gee went through this last year in school. Mikey had been particularly cruel that day when Frankie was home dying with the flu.
Patrick had to talked Gee down from the roof of the school.
They skipped the rest of the day and went for ice cream and sat on the beach wrapped in a blanket with Patrick reading dirty jokes from his phone and making Gee laugh and smile. He pulled out his phone.

"Hey Gee."

Gee sniffed, looking up through his hair.

"So....when Michael ends up in hell he is not surprised. He has done a lot of fucked up shit so when the devil reaches out to shake his hand he just takes it. The devil puts his arm around Michael and explains the place to him."

Patrick drops his voice a bit.

"See Michael, things are not all that bad around here. People like to exaggerate a lot."

Patrick goes back to narration.

"The devil takes Michael into a room where there are many tables and soft music is playing. At each table their sits a beautiful woman with legs forever, tits that won't quit and he can only imagine their ass. On the table is the finest scotch that anyone would ever want. Each table has a man sitting at it chatting with the woman and opening the bottle. The woman says nothing, but looks interested instead. The devil leads him to his own table with a beautiful woman and the same bottle of scotch."

Patrick drops his voice again.

"I will leave you to get actuated."

"The devil then leaves. Michael's mouth waters at the potential of what can happen in this place. He is about to touch the bottle of scotch when he notices that the man at the table next to him is crying. Michael leans over."

Now he raises his voice and bit and he actually sounds a bit like Mikey.

"Hey man, why are you so upset? You have the best booze and pussy in front of you. What could be wrong?"

Patrick drops again to narrate.

"The man looks at Michael and shakes his head."

Patrick gets a solemn look and sound in his voice.

"Things are not always what they seem here young man."

Patrick changes voices again.

"How do you mean?"

Now Patrick goes in for the kill.

"That bottle in front of you has several holes in it."

"Michael picks up the bottle and indeed it is empty."

Patrick pitches again.

"Okay so that sucks, but you still got the piece of pussy."

Patrick pretends the man is wailing.

"No no no son. The bottle has holes in it...but the woman does not!"

Patrick looked at Gerard grinning.

Gee tried to stifle his giggle, but in the end, he couldn't.

"Oh man Pat. That's a good one.. You gotta tell Frankie that one.."

His eyes dropped slightly, his smile too.

"You sure he's not mad at me?"

He looked back up, hopefully.

"Yeah Gee, he's fine."

"That's good."

Gee yawned, resting his head against Patrick's shoulder.

"Are you ok now?.. Do you feel better?"

Patrick put his arms around Gee and caressed his hair.

"Yeah Gee, I am. You make me feel better."

Gee smiled, yawning again and closing his eyes.

"You make me feel better too."

"I'm glad...and I'm glad you liked your present too."

Gee shuffled awkwardly.

"I loved it Pat.."

He hesitated, then looked up.

"But.."

"But what?"

"But Bob saw it, and took it.. I tried to get it back, I swear I did Pat!"

Gee whimpered.

"But he hit me.. I'm sorry."

Now Patrick felt horrible. He had it all wrong.

"Oh Gee, I'm so sorry. Hey listen. It had insurance on it so we can get another one."

Patrick lifted Gee's face.

"I'm not mad at you Gee. You are more important to me then some silly piece of jewellery."

Patrick could feel Gee lighting up again as they hugged. He pulled back and looked deep into Gee's eyes. Maybe this was the moment. He took a deep breath.

"Gee I..."

"Oh there you are!"

Frankie grinned as he appeared at the door.

"Are you ok Gee?"

He crossed the room and crouched down in front of his friends, gently taking Gee's hand in his.

Gee smiled softly at him and nodded.

"Yeah. I'm ok.. I'm sorry I freaked Frankie.. And I'm sorry I soaked you in punch."

Frankie giggled.

"Don't worry about it.. I'm not."

"You probably taste real good now.."

Gee's eyes went wide and he slammed his hands over his mouth. Did he really just say that out loud?!.. Oh. Fuck.
Gee's cheeks were the colour of ripe tomatoes.
Frankie just grinned.

Patrick was surprised that Gee said that and saw that he was completely embarrassed. He decided to rescue his friend.

"Nah Gee he wouldn't taste good at all."

Both Gee and Frankie looked at him and he smirked.

"Did you even taste the punch? It tasted like shit!"

Frankie giggled, and after a moment or two, Gee joined in.

"Perhaps we should get back to the gym before the teachers go ape and send out a search party."

Frankie stood up, pulling Gee up by his hand.

Patrick smiled when Gee held a hand out for him. The three of them walked back to the party together hand in hand.

(time passes)

"10 more second everyone!"

Patrick looked at Gee and Frankie. The rest of the party had gone great and now they were at the end.

"10, 9, 8..."

Gee smiled looking at his friends, he really wanted to kiss Frankie at midnight, but that would be weird right?

"7, 6, 5.."

Maybe he could kiss him and Patrick on the cheek, then it wouldn't seem so odd.

"4, 3, 2..."

Gee pulled them into a hug and Patrick looked up at him.

"Love you Gee, love you Frankie."

Gee grinned.

"I love you both too."

"1.. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!"

Gee knew it was now or never. He quickly pecked Patrick on the cheek, then turned to kiss Frankie's cheek.
Frankie turned toward him at the last second, and their lips met.
Gee's eyes went wide in shock, frozen in place.
Frankie was surprised, but softly kissed Gee's lips, cos he'd wanted to for so very long.
Frankie pulled back first, a smile spreading on his lips.

"Happy new year Gee."

He murmured quietly, their noses just touching.
Gee blushed pink, a soft smile on his lips now.

"Happy new year Frankie."

Patrick watched all the confetti coming down. He closed his eyes as the kiss from Gee lingered on his cheek. That was the moment. There was no going back. This year he was going to confess to Gee and let him know how he truly felt.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks.. How's you doing?..

Hope pe you're enjoying this?.. We are!

Till next time..

Please comment, and peace out babies!
<3