Emperor's New "Clothes"

The ride home was quiet. Micha drove and Gerard sat with Frank in the back seat, quietly stroking his back and murmuring into his hair.

"You think he gets it now?"

"Not fully, but I think It is a start."

"What happens when we get home?"

Gerard kissed the top of Frank's head.

"Real training begins."

***Time Stamp: One Month Later***

"Sir?...Would you like a drink?"

Frank stood in the doorway of Gerard's bedroom, his head lowered and his hands clasped behind his back.

"I can make you a Jalapeño Margarita if you'd like?"

"That sounds like a nice start to the afternoon."

Gerard watched Frank bow and then walk away. He had truly been the perfect pet. He had even made sure that the delivery girl did not come here anymore. Gerard decided that he would reward Frank this weekend while Micha was away at a conference.

Frank made the drink, humming quietly to himself as he moved around the kitchen. When he was finished, he carried the drink, and a bowl of veggie tempura he'd prepared, through to where Gerard was lounging on his bed while he read a magazine.

"I noticed that you didn't eat much at lunch, so I made you a snack. I hope that's ok sir?"

"It is very much okay Frankie."

Gerard took the drink and sipped it. It had just the right amount of heat and sweet. He was pleased.

"Listen Frankie, you deserve a reward for your excellent efforts these past few weeks. How would you like to go to a movie again?"

Frank smiled.

"Yes sir. That would be nice."

He bit his lip slightly, raising a hand to rub at his temple.

"Is there anything else you need sir?"

He'd had a headache coming on for the past two hours, and it was now threatening to ruin his whole day.

"No Frankie I'm good, but you don't look so good. Come here please."

Gerard waited for Frank to step to him. He felt his face and it was flush.

"Frankie, you feel clammy. Are you getting sick?"

"It's...possible sir."

Frank said, dropping his face toward the floor.

"I've always gotten sick easily."

Frank shook it off and lifted his head.

"I'm sure I'll be fine. It's probably nothing."

He tried to play it down, but wasn't too convincing. Gerard frowned with concern.

"Frankie, you must always tell me when you are not feeling well. A good Master takes care of their pets and part of that is making sure they are well."

Gerard stood up.

"Lay down."

"Sir...I still have chores."

Frank complained weakly as he sat down to take his shoes off.

"No buts Frankie. Get in the bed now. Take off your uniform. "

"Yes sir."

Frank bent down to unfasten his Mary Janes, and his head swam, causing him to sway slightly, gripping the edge of the bed.

"Easy baby, come on, in you go."

Frank sat up, his face a little pale, and started to undo the two little buttons on his waistcoat. He hadn't realized, but his hands were shaking slightly.

"I got you."

Gerard helped Frank to remove his uniform. He grabbed a t-shirt and handed it to him.

"Put this on."

Frank nodded, pulling it on over his head. He went to undo his pants, but was suddenly hit with a wave of nausea and clamped a hand over his mouth as his eyes bugged and he started to dry heave. He looked desperately toward the bathroom...just a few feet away, but it might as well have been a mile. His eyes shot to Gerard's face in pleading. Gerard quickly scooped Frank up in his arms and carried him swiftly to the bathroom. They barely made it to the toilet, and Gerard had barely put Frank down on his feet before Frank was throwing his guts up. He clung onto Gerard's arm as his vision swam. At one point, he was pretty sure he'd turned completely inside out. After five minutes, that felt like an hour, Frank found there was nothing left. His legs shook beneath him as he gasped for breath...he hadn't gotten sick that quickly since he was a teenager...he didn't miss it.

"I'm..."

Frank gagged a bit, then continued.

"…sorry sir."

"Shhh shhh, don't try to talk."

Frank's eyes started to droop closed...he fought against it.

"I...I din't get any on ya, did I?"

Frank's Jersey accent got stronger as he slurred with exhaustion. Gerard would have giggled if it was appropriate.

"No Frankie. I am fine."

"I'll have a sleep then f-finish the laundry."

"Sure Frankie sure."

Gerard just agreed with him. It's easier.

*

*

*

Frank awoke in the dark. He felt warm and safe and...someone’s arms wrapped around him from behind. Frank had never been the little spoon before despite his height, but he had to admit, at least to himself, that it felt good. He couldn't quite remember what had happened, or whose bed and arms he was in, but he figured he could wait until morning to find out. Sighing deeply, he snuggled back against the warm body and soon drifted back off to sleep.

*

*

*

"Here Gee, I got the medicine for Frank. Is he okay?"

Gerard took the bag from Micha.

"I'm not sure, I think he has the flu, but I don't know if it is any worse."

"Well make sure he eats all that Vegetable Pho I made him. The ginger will help a lot."

"I will. You should get going."

"Yeah, I'm actually excited for a meeting at his company."

"This could mean really big changes for the better."

"Right. See ya Gee."

Micha kissed him and then left. Gerard set the bottle of medicine on the tray with the Pho and carried it into the bedroom. Frank was having the weirdest dream... He was in a tent with a llama, a panda, and Gerard. They were playing truth or dare.

"Panda...truth or dare?"

Frank asked.

"Dare!"

Frank found it totally reasonable that the panda could talk.

"Kiss llama."

Panda smirked, which again Frank didn't question, then leaned over and kissed the llama. When they parted, panda wiped his mouth with his paw.

"Ok Frank, your turn. Truth or dare?"

"Dare!"

Frank said without hesitation.

Again panda smirked.

"Kiss Gerard."

Frank grinned and turned to the platinum haired man. He leaned in, closing his eyes. Then...

Frank woke up.

"Huh? What? Panda?"

He mumbled out in confusion as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Frankie, time to eat. Come on sit up."

"Eat?...Panda?"

Frank's brain wasn't quite awake yet.

"Panda huh?"

Gerard made a mental note of that and helped the delirious boy to sit up a bit.

"It's hot, so be careful."

Frank looked up and smiled like he was drunk.

"I have to kiss you."

He slurred.

"You do huh? Well let's wait till you are feeling better, but I will hold you to that."

Gerard sat on the side of the bed and dipped the spoon in the hot broth.

"Blow Frankie, gently."

"Blow Frankie."

Frank giggled like a drunk thirteen year old. Gerard rolled his eyes. He blew on the broth himself and held it up for Frank to take into his mouth. Frank looked at the spoon for a moment, then opened his mouth wide.

"There you go, good boy. Can you feed yourself now?"

Frank pouted, but took the bowl and spoon. Gerard made sure that he was eating. He then left to get Frank some hot tea and ginger ale to take the medicine with. He looked outside. The leaves were falling now. It was fall and it was breathtaking.

"Gonna be Halloween soon Frankie."

Gerard returned with the two drinks.

"M buffdy."

Frank mumbled around a mouthful of broth.

"Sorry Frankie, I can't understand you."

Frank swallowed then smiled sheepishly.

"I said it's my birthday."

"When?"

Gerard put the drinks down and sat on the bed again.

"Halloween."

Frank said before spooning up another mouthful.

"Oh, well we will have to do something special for you. Maybe go to the club."

Frank froze for a second with the spoon half way to his mouth...then he took in the mouthful and gave a slight smile, his cheeks turning even redder than the fever was making them.

"Don't force yourself Frankie. Only eat what you can."

Frank nodded slightly...honestly, it could've been dishwater for all Frank could taste right now, but it smelled good...he continued to eat a few more spoonfuls until the effort of holding the bowl became too much.

"Okay Frankie, you can have more later, I want to take your temp after you drink some ginger ale and take your medicine."

Frank yawned wide, his eyes fluttering.

"Ok daddy."

He mumbled, already on the edge of sleep.

Gerard chuckled. He poured the medicine for Frank and fed him the spoon. He gave him the ginger ale to sip to take the taste away. Then he took his temperature and frowned.

"Frank, you are still 101 so you need to rest more."

Frank made semiconscious grabby hands at Gerard.

"Cuddles."

"Alright Frankie, but just for a bit."

Gerard climbed into the bed and found himself quickly manhandled as a snuggle pillow. He laughed. He kind of liked this side of Frank. Frank snuggled into Gerard's warmth and was soon asleep.

*

*

*

It had been three days and Frank's fever was finally gone. Gerard was happy that it was in time for the weekend and they would still be able to go out. There was a Halloween carnival in town and Gerard was planning on surprising Frank with it. Frank was just finished preparing breakfast when Gerard appeared.

"Good morning sir."

Frank smiled.

"Did you sleep well?"

He placed Gerard's plate on the table. The eggs benedict with prosciutto looked amazing.

"Looks good Frankie, please join me."

Frank smiled and hesitantly placed his plate on the table, sliding into the seat opposite Gerard.

"Thank you sir."

They ate in silence for a bit.

"All set Gee. I will see you on Monday."

Micha went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.

"I made you snacks for the drive mistress."

Frank said, standing to retrieve said snacks.

"They're Hummus and Roasted Veggie Wraps. I hope you like them."

"Well thank you Frank. They look delicious."

She patted him on the head.

"I am glad you are feeling better."

"I am mistress, thank you."

Frank said, his voice a touch more formal than when he'd been speaking to Gerard...he didn't realize he was doing it though.

"Well I am off."

She grabbed her satchel and then kissing Gerard left. Frank returned quietly to his seat, taking a sip of his freshly squeezed mandarin juice, his eyes a little unfocused.

"Hey Frankie, since you are feeling better, we can still take in that movie tonight."

Frank perked up, his eyes brightening and a wide smile spreading on his face.

"Really sir?"

"Yes, I think you deserve it."

Frank grinned wide.

"Thank you. Thank you so much sir."

"The faster you finish your chores, the faster we go."

Gerard liked watching Frank light up.

"Yes sir."

Frank nodded enthusiastically. He took one more bite of his breakfast, then stood and took the plate over to the trash, scraping the remains away before putting the plate into the dishwasher.

"I'm going to change the beds and put on the laundry Sir. Please just leave your plate on the table when you've finished and I'll sort it when I come back."

"I have some work to do myself."

Gerard got up and headed to his room to get dressed. Then he grabbed his lap top and went on the terrace.
Frank stripped the beds and aired the rooms, he decided to make the beds later. He took the hampers through to the laundry room and sorted the clothes before putting the first load in, then returned to the kitchen and finished clearing up the breakfast things, starting the dishwasher and wiping down the table and counters. When that was done, he whizzed round with the vacuum cleaner, then the duster, before washing out the shower and bath and putting clean sheets on the beds. By the time that was done the first load of laundry had finished washing, so Frank transferred it to the dryer and put the second load in to wash. He then put away the dishes, as the dishwasher had finished its cycle. The timers on the washer and dryer still said 1h 22m, so Frank looked for something else to do...after ten minutes, and an internal debate as to whether it was actually worth breaking his back trying to move the huge sofa to clean underneath it or not, Frank admitted defeat and walked out to the terrace. Gerard was working, so Frank stood with his hands behind his back and cleared his throat.

"Sir, is there anything specific that you need doing that I don't usually do? I seem to have run out of jobs, and the washing still has over an hour left to run."

Gerard looked up from his lap top and took his transitions off.

"My goodness, you got a lot done or I have been working for a while."

Frank giggled slightly.

"It has been nearly four hours Sir."

"Well then, how about a quick lunch. Something light and then we can go."

"Yes sir. Would you like it out here?"

"That sounds lovely Frankie."

Frank bowed slightly then went back in to start lunch...45 minutes later, he returned to the terrace with two plates.

"Voila..."

He grinned, placing one plate on the table in front of Gerard.

"It's called One Pan Tikka Salmon with Jewelled Rice...enjoy."

He moved to sit on the floor.

"This looks amazing Frankie!"

Frank shrugged.

"It's just something I used to make for my..."

He trailed off, his eyes falling to the plate in his lap, suddenly regretting making the dish.

"Frankie."

Gerard felt bad for bringing up bad memories.

Frank looked up, shaking his head slightly.

"Yes Sir?"

Gerard decided to leave the conversation for later.

"Let’s eat quickly so we can go."

He smiled behind his glasses. Frank smiled back, glad that Gerard hadn't pushed him to talk.

"Yes Sir."

He tucked into his meal. Gerard was glad that Frank was able to bounce back quickly. He smiled again and began to eat.

*

*

*

Frank and Gerard were in the car on the way to the movie theatre...the radio was playing Bohemian Rhapsody and they were both singing along at the tops of their lungs when Frank suddenly stopped and swiveled in his seat, peering out of the window behind them.

"Err Sir?"

He said, turning confused eyes toward the older man.

"We seem to have missed the turning...the theatre's back there."

"I know Frankie."

Frank frowned, looking back again.

"I don't understand Sir...are we going to a different theatre?"

"Not quite Frankie."

Gerard smiled as he began to crest the hill. He knew that the festival would be in view at the top.

"Then...where are we...OH MY GOD!!"

Frank saw the top of a Ferris wheel.

"Are we going to the festival Sir? Can we have candy apples?"

He bounced in his seat...he hadn't been to one of these since he was in school.

Gerard laughed. He knew this was the right choice to make.

"Well....if you would prefer the movies, we can turn around."

"Nonono!"

Frank shook his head urgently, bright pleading eyes flicking between Gerard and the festival.

"I love festivals...especially the corn maze...after dark."

"Well you are in luck cause this one is one of the best in New Jersey."

"Do they have good monsters?"

"I guess we will find out in a few hours."

Gerard parked the car and they got out.

"Let's walk around for a bit and see what else there is to do. He have a few hours to kill since it is only three now."

"Ok Sir...where do you want to go first?"

"This is your treat Frankie, what would you like to do?"

Frank looked around with excitement until he saw what he was looking for...he grabbed Gerard's hand.

"Can we get apple cider donuts then go in there Sir?"

He pointed at the haunted house.

"That sounds like a good way to start the day."

Gerard walked side by side with Frank to the concession stand.

*

*

*

Frank leaned against Gerard's shoulder, eating his candy apple while they waited in line for the haunted hay ride.

"Today's been so fun..."

He grinned.

"I loved painting those little pumpkins...and the show...ooh ooh and the Ferris wheel..."

He enthused between bites of his sticky treat.

"But you know what I liked best?"

He looked up at Gerard, eyes reflecting the twinkle lights that had come on about half an hour ago, as the sun headed down behind the trees on the horizon.

"What's that Frankie?"

Frank blushed slightly, looking down.

"When you held my hand in the haunted house when that..."

Frank shuddered.

"...spider dropped on my head."

"Awww, it wasn't real though Frankie."

They shuffled along in the line

"Arachnophobia is an equal-opportunity phobia..."

Frank said seriously, with a slight huff.

"It doesn't care if the freaky thing is real or not."

Gerard laughed lightly.

"Alright Frankie, I will protect you from the real spiders and the fake ones from now on."

They made it almost to the front. The wagon was getting full.

"We have room for two more."

The guy in charge called out.

"Here, this couple here!"

Gerard saw the girls behind him pointing to them.

"Alright guys, come on up."

Frank blushed heavily and wasn't sure why, but didn't argue the "couple" comment. They climbed up on the wagon and then they were off.

*

*

*

When they arrived at the maze, Frank was shocked to see how different it looked from when they went in during the day. When they'd gone through before, surrounded by kids hyped up on sugar and parents desperately trying to wrangle them, there was no decapitated skeleton pointing the way in, and no gravestones around the entrance...it was actually kinda scary now, and the fake spider's webs draped over everything didn't help. Frank swallowed heavily and almost decided not to go in, but he was no pussy, and refused to be scared away by spray on cobwebs and guys in costumes. Smiling at Gerard, though it was probably closer to a grimace, he climbed down from the hay ride.

"Let's do this shit...Sir."

Gerard smiled back.

"Alright folks, here are your flashlights. We ask you to return them after you leave the maze. If you drop them, don’t worry, we do go around and collect them afterwards. Please remember that these are young men and women making a living for your enjoyment. That being said, do not attack them with the flashlights."

Frank rolled his eyes, thinking that that shouldn't need to be said.

"I guess it’s a real problem."

Gerard chuckled a bit.

"Oh Jack, I'm scared."

"Don't worry Emily, I'll protect you."

Frank looked at the teenaged couple to their right and fought the urge to laugh. He looked up at Gerard, and saw he was biting the inside of his lip to prevent the same thing.

"Oh I know you will Jack, casue you're on the football team and that makes you big and strong and not afraid of anything."

Gerard leaned over and whispered in Frank's ear.

"Bet Jack would be pretty fucking scared if we took him to the club."

Frank blushed and giggled.

"He'd probably run screaming like a little girl..."

He smirked.

"Or maybe he'd like it."

"Good luck folks and have fun."

The guy stopped talking and the gate opened. As they went by Gerard was handed a flashlight.

"Ready Frankie?"

"If you'll protect me Jack."

Frank simpered in a girly voice, clinging to Gerard's arm and fluttering his lashes up at him, a smirk on his lips.

"I got you Emily."

Gerard took Frank's hand and they ran into the maze to try and find the exit.

*

*

*

"Holy shit! Did *puff puff* you see the look *wheeze* on Jack's face when *gasp* the guy..."

Gerard was having trouble talking now. He had not laughed this hard in so long. He collapsed outside the maze after turning in their flashlight.

"I think he *gasp* pissed his *gasp* pants."

Frank flopped down on top of Gerard, shaking with laughter.

"I didn't know *wheeze* who screamed louder *gasp* him or the girl!"

"Him...definitely *pant pant* him."

"My side, fuck, hurts *pant* so much!"

Frank reached over and rubbed Gerard's side without thinking, his fingers slipping under the edge of his jacket and shirt.

"These *gasp* places were never this *pant* good when I was a kid."

"Cause you can't see this shit yet!"

Gerard's breathing was getting better. What Frank was doing was working.

"Let's go get some cider and roasted corn."

Frank grinned.

"Ok Sir...ooh...can we go back to that donut stand first please?...I want to try to get the recipe."

Gerard took Frank's hand again.

"I was going to get some for Micha, but I’m thinking we will eat them all first so maybe a recipe is a good idea!"

Frank smiled happily as they walked toward the stand.

*

*

*

"I still can't believe that guy wanted 50 bucks for that recipe..."

Frank shook his head, laughing lightly as they climbed out of the car, back at the house.

"And I can't believe you paid it..."

He stepped over and hugged Gerard around his waist, leaning into his chest for a moment before smiling up at him.

"Thank you Sir."

He said softly before letting go and stepping back.

"You deserved it Frankie and Micha is going to flip when she tastes those doughnuts."

They arrived back at the cabin around ten. Gerard headed inside. He took his coat off and stretched.

"I need a nice hot shower after all that."

"I'll go start it Sir."

Frank said, heading toward the bathroom.

"Nah, you did enough today. You can chill or head to bed."

Gerard kissed Frank on the head.

"Goodnight Frankie."

He headed into the bedroom.

"But I..."

Frank sighed and hung his head, turning to go to his room unable to tell Gerard that he really wanted to sleep with him tonight.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks...how's you?

Halloween fun and a sick Frankie...what more could you ask for?

Until next time...PLEASE COMMENT, and peace out babies!
<3