Taming of the Punk

Michael made sure to wear his best suit. He knew he had Ryan's support, but it still didn't mean he did not have to impress his mother. Michael decided to arrive on horse. He left the animal to be stabled and then walked up to the front porch. As he stood there waiting for the knock to be answered he was brought back to the night before and the kiss he shared.

"Master Way."

"Oh, sorry, I guess I was off in a fog for a moment."

"That's quite alright. I was told to inform you that you are not welcome to the Iero estate."

"Excuse me?"

"Furthermore, neither is your brother. You are no longer allowed to associate with any of the Iero family. Good day."

"Wait...I don’t understand."

No more was said. The door was closed and Michael was stunned. He stepped off the porch to retrieve his horse. What had happened since last night? Was his indecent behavior found out? Surely a kiss would not warrant this kind of treatment. He mounted up and started back down the path, before he did though, he looked up at the windows. He saw Frank looking out at him. He attempted a wave and got one back, but nothing more. Clearly it was not the brothers that had the problem with him and...why his brother too? Michael rode off to tell Gerard the sad news.

Frank watched Michael leave. After talking with Ryan, he knew that his brother was heartbroken. He did not have the attachment to Gerard the same way his brother did to Michael, but still the thought of being wed to that pompous overbearing professor filled him with dread. He quietly closed the curtain and made his way back to the bed. Ryan looked deathly pale.

"Ryan."

The younger boy turned sad, wet eyes toward his brother.

"I...I do not understand..."

Ryan whispered out, his throat too sore from crying all night.

"Why did she do this?...why Frank?"

He pleaded, trembling hands clutching to the front of Frank's robe.

"I don't know Ryan, I don’t understand it either."

Frank held his younger brother close. They had commiserated with their tears all last night and still there was more.

"He was just here."

Ryan sobbed into Frank's chest.

"It hurts Frank...I cannot stand this."

"I cannot imagine what is going through poor Michael's head right now."

They fell asleep in each other’s arms again. The servant sent to wake them saw this and backed out. The whole estate knew of the Ways being cast out, but none knew why. Eventually though, Linda got fed up and went to wake them herself.

"Boys, boys, let’s go, you cannot laze in bed all day. There is much to do."

The servant that followed her in was told to draw the curtains and let the sunlight in the room.

"No."

Ryan mumbled, his face tucked into Frank's neck still.

"You breakfast is getting cold now. Let's go."

Linda pointed to the servant and after a quickly muttered apology she pulled the covers away from the two boys.

"Mother! Stop this at once!"

"Do not take that tone with me Frank. You will get up and greet the day as proper gentleman. Both of your intended's will be here for dinner and there is much to do to prepare for it."

"No."

Ryan repeated a little clearer this time.

"This kind of childish behavior will not be tolerated in my home. You are both practically adults and here you are sulking like children in bed together."

Ryan lifted his head and poked his tongue out at his mother.

"You insist on treating us as children and taking away our rights to choose for ourselves...what else can you expect than for us to react as children."

He lay back down and hid his face in his pillow.

"Alright, that is enough, if you do not get up right now, I will have the bed drenched in water."

Frank had enough.

"You will do no such thing. You will leave my room immediately!"

To point the fact he began to remove his clothing. Linda was shocked at his boldness as she had not even seen her child unclothed since his birth. Flustered she left quickly with the servant following behind. Frank jumped up and locked the doors. Ryan peeped out at his brother and stifled a giggle.

"How far would you have gone if she stayed?"

He asked, turning over to lie on his back.

"To the suit God gave me if I had to."

Frank looked out the window at the bright day trying to greet them.

"Come we are getting dressed and leaving. I will not be a part of this charade set up."

"Bravo!"

Ryan cheered, though it made him cough because of his sore throat.

"About time some sense was spoken around here."

He slid off the edge of the bed and headed to Frank's salon.

"I am inclined to wear black today...would you mind if I borrow a shirt and vest?"

"Be my guest."

Frank got dressed quickly. He had a plan to use the servant stairs and then an old escape route that he had long since abandoned. No one knew of it except an older servant who was no longer with the family. They would use it to leave the property quietly. Ryan pulled on his britches from the previous day, then chose a plain black shirt from Frank's collection of plain black shirts, then turned to look at Frank's black vests. He despaired sometimes of Frank's monochrome wardrobe, but right now it seemed appropriate.

After discarding several vests on the grounds that they did not fit nicely, Ryan spotted a lightweight jacket that he did not recall seeing before. It was still black, but something in the style was not what he expected to see. Taking the jacket off of the hanger, he slipped it on, and it fit perfectly. He returned to the bedroom, where Frank was brushing his hair as he waited.

"I have not seen this before...is it new?...it is not your usual style Frank...I approve."

"Oh...uh...Master Way goaded me into purchasing that. I knew that I would never wear it since it did not fit my figure, but...it looks good on you."

"So you do not mind if I borrow it?"

"No, I am fine with it."

Frank dug through his own closet and came up with a jacket similar, but longer. He donned it quickly.

"Do not put your shoes back on yet, we need to be quiet as we go."

Frank picked his up and then moved to the door. He opened it and peered out. No one was there.

"Come, we are headed to the end of the hall and the servant’s stairs.

Ryan's eyes lit up a little.

"You are finally going to show me how you used to evade me when we played hide and go seek when we were children?...I never could work out how you got outside without anyone seeing you."

Frank chuckled quietly.

"Yes, now shhh and follow."

Quickly, but quietly they moved down the hall and to the servant's stairs. They made sure no one was there and followed to the first floor. Once there, Frank moved to the conservatory. He peeked into the glassed in room and saw only a lone gardener off in the distance. They quickly entered and Frank moved to where a large potted plant was. He grunted as he moved it from the space it had taken up for years. Once move it revealed a smaller than normal door barely noticed in the wall. Frank tugged on the ring and it opened with a cloud of dust.

Ryan's eyes widened.

"A secret door...really?"

He asked incredulously.

"Yeah, pretty amazing huh?"

They moved through the dust filled corridor, after Frank returned the plant to position, and came out near the stables. Ryan wrapped his arms around Frank's neck from behind and kissed his cheek.

"You are amazing Frank...thank you for this."

"Hey, I can't see my baby brother have his first heartbreak before he is even presented to society."

Ryan kissed Frank's cheek again before stepping back.

"So...where are we going?"

"The Ways. I know we have never been there, but...we need to explain everything properly."

"If..."

Ryan looked down.

"If they will see us."

He looked up through his lashes.

"What if they decide we are not worth the trouble?"

"If you saw Michael’s face today, you would not be questioning anything Ryan."

Frank put an arm around his little brother as he lead him to the stables.

*

*

*

"Nothing was said Gee, nothing. I mean I saw Frank at the window as I was leaving and he looked...broken. What could have happened since last night!?"

Michael was pacing the room threatening to wear a divot in the floor.

"I mean no contact, unwelcome!"

Gerard was on his fourth glass of cognac since his distraught brother had returned home half an hour ago, and if this was all true, then he had no intention to slow down anytime soon.

"Sit brother...you will wear through the carpet."

He downed the rest of his drink and held up his glass...a servant automatically refilled the glass without a word.

"I think there must be some kind of mistake...you will see...things will become clear soon."

He had a habit of either becoming painfully negative or overwhelmingly positive when he drank...right now he could still go either way, though.

"Gerard, please stop."

Michael took the glass from him.

"I need you clear headed on this one. I need you..."

"Announcing the brother's Iero Frank and..."

Michael didn't wait. He flew down the stairs nearly upending himself. He stopped at the bottom and just stared.

"Ryan."

"Michael!"

Ryan ran across the foyer and straight into Michael's arms, tears streaming down his cheeks and soaking the older boy's shirt.

"Our mother...making us *sniff*...Gabriel...not our *sniff* idea."

"Shhh shhh, I have you my little butterfly, you are safe here. Come tell me what has happened."

Michael led Ryan away and Frank was left awkwardly to stand in the doorway.

Gerard walked down the stairs and to the other boy...he tucked a strand of hair behind Frank's ear without thinking.

"Hello Frank...do you know what is going on? Michael has been ranting since he returned, yet I know no more than I did before."

Frank could smell the alcohol.

"You're drunk."

Gerard pouted slightly.

"I am sorry...I drink if I am upset..."

He looked down at his shoes.

"I am upset at the thought of not being able to see you."

Frank felt bad for admonishing the older man.

"I'm sorry."

Gerard looked up, his eyes were wet, though he would never admit to crying.

"For what, did you cause this?"

He raised an eyebrow but shook his head to answer his own question.

"I do not think so."

"No my mother has had a bout of insanity and decided to marry Ryan off to Gabriel and I to Hartwell."

Gerard's eyes widened and he suddenly wanted to drown in a bath full of cognac.

"You are...you are getting married?"

He stuttered out in disbelief, his face draining of color as his knees wobbled beneath him. This could not be...Frank was supposed to be his...he had already seen the ring he wished to propose to him with.

"...and to that pompous stuffed shirt?!"

"I have to be married off before Ryan can be according to society proper. Mother is planning a double wedding."

Gerard collapsed into the chair behind him.

"I...need to sit down."

Frank didn't understand why Gerard was so upset by the news of him. He must just be upset for his brother. That is the concentration of his concern Frank thought.

"I am worried for Ryan, he does not know what kind of man Gabriel truly is."

"I...would say he is...a snake..."

Gerard had taken Frank's hand in his without even noticing it.

"But my brother can handle him...it is you that I worry for. That...man..."

He said the word like it was a bad taste in his mouth.

"...that you are promised to; he could never respect your longing for knowledge...to learn. He would have you barefoot and pregnant before the year is out."

Frank was in shock. Gerard's concern was for him?

"Gerard..."

Gerard looked up at Frank.

"I wished to be the one with your hand."

He said quietly.

"You...you want to..."

Frank could not believe the words he just heard. The room began to spin and he felt himself falling into a void.

"FRANK!"

Gerard jumped up and caught him as he fell; stumbling slightly before righting himself, then carried him quickly up the staircase to his and his brother's salon.

*

*

*

Michael had taken Ryan to the conservatory. He felt the sunlight would help the situation a bit.

"Ryan, if I did anything to...cause this..."

Ryan looked up with tears in his eyes.

"No no, not at all. This is our mother...she has decided that I must..."

He broke down into sobs.

"I m-must m-marry G-Gabriel!"

He wailed, throwing himself into Michael's arms again.

"Saporta? No, but why, you are his cousin!"

"I don't know!"

Ryan cried, pulling away to throw his hands up in the air.

"She treats us like children that she can order to do as she wants while expecting us to be adults and just accept this madness..."

He collapsed back into Michael's arms.

"It is so unfair."

"I wish I had some control over it. I would never want to see you fret like this Ryan...I love you."

Ryan sniffed, looking up through wet lashes and red eyes.

"I *sniff* love you *sniff* too. That is why I was so h-happy when *sniff* you asked me to *sniff* marry you."

He looked down sadly.

"I hate my mother."

"Don’t hate her, without her you would not exist. There needs to be another reason that this was put upon you. Something that we are not privy to the knowledge of."

Michael held Ryan in his arms and stroked his hair softly.

"We will overcome this my little butterfly. We will find a way to set you free again."

Ryan snuggled into Michael's chest and sighed.

"I wish that I could stay here always."

He whispered as he felt exhaustion take him under, his eyelids closing as he slipped into sleep.

"I suppose it is time to get up and get dressed for dinner this evening. Would not be right to arrive at the fiancée's home tardy."

"Aww...do you have to go?"

Victor whined.

"Please stay?"

Mike purred, laying naked across his brother on his bed as they watched Gabriel start to dress.

"I am meeting with my betrothed tonight. I shall be back in a few hours though if you would like to wait for me. I would make it worth both your whiles...meanwhile, I am sure you can find something to entertain yourselves with."

Mike smirked before running his hand up the inside of Victor's thigh.

"Oh, I believe we can."

Victor groaned as Mike's fingers brushed against him. Gabriel took a few moments to watch the brother's together. They were beautiful and he did not want to share this with anyone. After a bit though and before he got too worked up again, the clock chimed the hour. It was a half hour ride to the Iero Estate.

"Sorry to interrupt my loves, but I must dash now."

He kissed them both sweetly tasting them in each other's mouths and then donning his smartest hat, he was off to collect his well-deserved prize.

*

*

*

"I don't know where they have gotten off to. No one saw them leave the estate, but Frank's horse is gone and..."

Linda was quite embarrassed. Both of the boy's intendeds were there, but they were not. This was a slight to the gentlemen and Linda was sure they were going to reject the proposals now.

"Tut tut Lady Iero. This just proves how much of a firm hand young Frank needs to guide him. He will have that on my arm I promise you this."

"Thank you, Professor Hartwell. It is good to know he will be in good hands with you."

"I too will show young Ryan his proper place in society. He just needs a firm, yet gentle hand."

"You are both so understanding. Come, let us sup then."

Both men nodded and accompanied Lady Iero to the dining room.

Gerard had made sure that Frank was alright, then quietly left him lying on his love seat in the salon to find his brother. When he reached the conservatory, he saw Michael sat with young Ryan asleep in his arms.

"Michael..."

He said softly, so as not to wake the boy.

"May I have a word please...in private?"

Michael carefully lay Ryan on the settee that they were sitting on. He moved to another part of the conservatory with his brother.

"Did you find anything more out?"

"Only that they are both promised to obnoxious asses..."

Gerard huffed.

"But that is not what I wished to say."

"Yes, I heard that part, but there must be something more to this...wait, you had something else to add?"

Gerard took a deep breath in, then released it slowly. He met Michael's stare.

"Our bet is off..."

He said quietly.

"I love Frank more than I ever thought was possible, and that stupid wager we made should have never existed...and you can have the big bedroom if you still wish."

"I don’t even care about it anymore. I am so in love with Ryan that it hurts in here that he is not happy."

Michael touched his heart. Gerard looked over at the younger boy.

"Is he alright?"

He asked softly.

"I mean...I know he is not, but..."

"No, he is so distraught that he put himself to sleep from anguish. I was actually going to find something for him to eat when he awakens."

Michael looked back at the sleeping figure.

"What about you, how is Frank?"

"He fainted."

Gerard chuckled slightly.

"Though that may have been more to do with my revealing my desire for his hand."

"You asked him to marry you? At a time like this!?"

"I am drunk Michael..."

Gerard said seriously, but with one eyebrow raised.

"It sort of just slipped out."

"I see...well let us slip out and find them something to eat when they come to then."

"Yes, and I think I could benefit from lining my stomach too."

Michael nodded and they headed out of the room to the kitchen.

*

*

*

Professor Hartwell had long gone home, but Gabriel was still there. He assured Linda that he was fine, but had too much wine at dinner. The truth was he was waiting for the brothers to return...specifically one brother. He would soon learn his intended that he did not like to be stood up. He wondered what the Veil brothers were doing right now. He knew they would not leave though and after a sound lesson for Ryan, he would be back in their arms and their bodies. He sipped his drink quietly as he sat in the dark of Ryan's salon waiting like a spider for his prey.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks...how's you?

So that was fun, wasn't it?!...but what do you think will happen next?

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