Taming of the Punk

"Do you think he has gone already?"

Frank looked up at Gerard as they sat next to the small pond. The ducks were still there, but soon they would fly away for the winter season.

Gerard sniffed the air dramatically.

"I do not smell Sulphur..."

He winked.

"...but the Devil is a tricky beast."

Ryan shuddered slightly.

"A Devil he surely is."

He said quietly, leaning into Michael's side.

"We will do everything we can to protect you both, right Gee?"

"Of course we will."

Gerard hugged Frank to him.

"They won't get either of you if we have anything to do with it."

"There you boys are."

Elena appeared and sat down on one of the small benches surrounding the pond.

"That was a most disagreeable man indeed. I can see why you do not like him, Ryan. His insinuations of ownership make it sound like you would be more an indentured servant than a marital partner."

She bristled at the thought. Ryan swallowed, palling somewhat.

"But he's gone?"

"He is, I sent him away smarting too."

Elena had the same smug satisfied look that Gerard got on his face. Frank giggled a bit.

"So how long do you think was can draw out our stay here?"

"As far as I'm concerned..."

Gerard said with a smile.

"...you can stay forever. But I fear your mother would have Michael and I strung up if you did."

"She would indeed."

Frank knew they had to leave and soon.

"I would not be surprised if she did not already have the gallows built."

Michael held Ryan like he never wanted to let go. Ryan clung on tight as well, an emotionally pained look on his face.

"Try not to worry..."

Gerard said softly, kissing the top of Frank's head.

"Soon we will have everything sorted out, and then there will be nothing to fear anymore."

"Well, that being said, the two of you should get ready. I bought you more time, but not much and I am sure that your mother will hear of it all, so I have a letter prepared for her to aid in the story that I told that snake."

"Thank you, Elena..."

Ryan smiled before turning to his fiancé.

"Are our clothes dry, or do we need to wear these and explain that to our mother?"

Elena thought for a moment.

"Michael, ring the carriage and have it brought about. I am taking a trip into town with Ryan and Frank."

Frank looked up blinking.

"Better than a letter if I introduce myself don’t you think?"

Gerard grinned at his beloved Grandmother.

"You are a genius Gammy...and that is just one more reason why we love you."

He nodded once as if to prove his point, then stood with his arm still wrapped around Frank's waist, and helped Elena to her feet, leaning in to press an affectionate, if sloppy, kiss to her cheek.

"Alright, you boys run off and get dressed. I will wait for you."

Elena watched them all run off and then let her true expression and concern show. She would need to find out more about both of the men trying to take the Iero brothers away. The uneasy feeling she had when she met Master Saporta was growing by the second. She headed into the manor to get ready.

*

*

*

"Well thank you Madam Rush for honoring us with a visit."

"Oh no dear, it was no trouble and I wanted to make sure that your boys were not misunderstood as to their absence."

"Yes, well they are no longer of concern for it for certain."

Madam Rush accepted her stole and then kissed each boy on the cheek.

"I will, of course, be sending round an invitation to our annual winter ball. I will see you all there then."

Frank watched the wisest woman he had ever met walk out the door.

"Well, that was quite a visit. I suppose you should get ready for supper now. Go on you two."

"Yes, mother..."

Ryan smiled, taking Frank's hand and leading him out before he could say anything that might upset this momentary calm. Once they were on the staircase up to their rooms, he squeezed Frank's hand.

"It will be alright...won't it?"

He asked, his voice quiet as he didn't really trust their mother not to eavesdrop on them.

"I'm sure it will."

As Frank watched his brother enter his room he wondered if his words would ring true.

***Time Stamp: The Next Evening***

"Gentlemen, right on time."

Frank nearly choked on his soup when his cousin and *shudder* fiancé walked into the dining room.

"Sorry, we had some last minute arrangements to make."

Professor Hartwell bowed to Linda and then turned to Frank.

"Good evening Master Iero."

"Professor."

"Now Frank, there is no need for that kind of formality."

"No Lady Iero, it is a fine quality in a fair husband."

Frank bristled at the word.

"Ryan, so good to see you again. I feel we have missed each other these last few days my sweet."

Gabriel took Ryan’s hand and kissed it. Ryan shuddered slightly and pulled his hand back as soon as he was able.

"Master Saporta."

He said in a clipped, though slightly shaky voice, shifting his chair closer to Frank's on his left.

"Now now cousin, Maxwell may be into formalities, but I am not."

He squeezed Ryan’s hand quickly but firmly.

"You may call me Gabriel or even Gabe at certain moments."

Frank shuddered. Ryan shook his head.

"I am not comfortable that. I would prefer the formality...if you don't mind?"

He said with as much confidence as he could muster.

Outwardly Gabriel bowed, but inside he was seething. He would soon put Ryan in his place.

*

*

*

"That was a lovely meal, Linda."

"Thank you, Gabriel."

The five of them were in the parlor sipping on brandy, well except for Ryan who was too young still.

"I fear the hour is growing late now."

"Well, I suppose after your brandy the two of you can take your leave."

Frank looked back and forth at his mother and Hartwell.

"Yes, that will work out nicely."

"Well, it was nice of you to have supper with us. We must do this again."

Linda chuckled.

"Oh Frank, I am sure you will be back for many a dinner in the future."

"Excuse me?"

Frank was confused.

"Yes, you and Maxwell are welcome here anytime, that is if Maxwell is not teaching."

"Yes, it will be more difficult when the semester is under way. Now come Frank, we really must be going."

Ryan's eyes went wide.

"No, I...I don't understand."

He grabbed Frank's hand desperately, tears in his eyes.

"You can't go!"

"Ryan, stop behaving like a child. Frank and Maxwell are engaged and there is an arrangement till their marriage. This way Frank can see Cambridge."

"But that's a days ride away!"

"Frank, that is enough; you will go and fetch your coat. Your room and belongings have already been taken and packed away."

Frank looked at Maxwell. It was over. Ryan threw himself into Frank's arms, holding him close.

"I'll tell Gerard...he'll get you back Frank."

He whispered in his brother's ear as he clung to him.

"I know Ryan."

The two brothers hugged and then Frank sadly headed up the stairs to get his things.

Ryan sniffed and stood.

"I need a moment mother."

He turned and left the room, heading for the stairs.

"Just a moment please Ryan."

Gabriel moved over and gently but firmly grabbed his hand.

"Let's wait for Frank to finish."

"I...I need to visit the water closet."

Ryan said, just loud enough so that his mother was sure to hear too.

"Gabriel dear, the water closet next to the conservatory, would you be a dear and accompany Ryan and grab the purple begonia that is potted on the table."

"Oh course Linda, I would be happy to."

Gabriel turned to Ryan.

"Go on Ryan, I will be right behind you."

Ryan shuddered inwardly, but sighed, as he clearly was not going to be able to escape upstairs after his brother. He headed toward the conservatory...maybe he could lock himself in the water closet and climb out of the window, though considering it was only one-foot square if was doubtful.

Gabriel watched Ryan till they parted ways. Then he went and got the plant requested.

"No, just go on. I will explain "

He could hear Frank's protest about wanting to wait for Ryan to say goodbye, but his mother waving it off and pushing them out the door. No longer worried, he headed back to the parlor.

Ryan stood for a few minutes in the water closet before taking a breath and returning to his mother and their...guests. He was surprised that Frank had not come back down yet, and worried when he realised that the professor was no longer there.

"Mother, is Frank still in his room?"

He asked though he feared the answer.

"No darling, he left while you and Gabriel were away."

She yawned and quickly covered it up.

"Oh dear, pardon me, all this excitement has fatigued me."

"Why don't you turn in Linda, Ryan and I can handle everything."

"Such a nice young man Gabriel. I knew I chose right by my Ryan."

She leaned over and kissed Ryan's cheek.

"Be a good host dear."

She waved and then was gone. Ryan stood stiffly, his eyes wide as they darted from the doorway his mother had left through, to Gabriel, who looked like a snake about to strike. He backed up a step, swallowing as he realised they were alone.

"Well Ryan...would you like to tell me what you were really doing at the Ways?"

Gabriel began to move forward toward the boy trapping him against the wall. Ryan shook with fear, his fingernails digging crescent moon shapes into his palms.

"Not going to answer me huh?"

Gabriel loomed over the boy.

"Well then, I guess it is time for good little boys to get to bed too. I will follow you and tuck you in."

Ryan's eyes almost popped right out of his head, but he nodded and squeezed out from between Gabriel and the wall...then ran.

He dashed from the room, up the stairs and straight toward the servants' staircase that Frank had shown him.

"Oh! Excuse me, I didn't see you, Master Iero."

At that moment a servant was coming up out of the staircase and moving Ryan back a bit. Gabriel had just crested the stairs and saw them. He wondered why Ryan was headed over there.

"Master Saporta, will you be staying the evening?"

Gabriel looked at the servant and then smiled with cunning.

"Yes, but no need to bother with setting up a guest room. I can just sleep in Frank's old room."

"Very good Sir, I shall turn down the bed for you then."

The servant headed down the hallway into Frank's room leaving them alone again.

"It seems Ryan, you forgot where your room was."

"I was..."

Ryan sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"I was just going to get some towels."

"That is what servants are for my dear. Now, off to your bedroom and I will tell the servant in my room...I mean Frank's old room, that you require them."

Gabriel stood there waiting. Ryan hung his head and walked to his room in silence...he would have to find another way. Gabriel knew he had stopped Ryan from doing whatever he was planning. He watched Ryan go into his room. At that moment the servant came out of Frank's room.

"All ready for you Sir."

"Would you get some towels and place them on my bed? Then you may retire for the evening."

"Yes, Sir."

The servant left and then returned. Gabriel came out of the now empty dressing salon. He changed to just his nightshirt and then grabbed the towels and headed to Ryan's. He tried the door and as he knew it would be, it was locked. He produced the skeleton key that he had made years ago. He used it to open the door. He did not see Ryan and knew he was in the salon. He locked the door again and then went to greet his fiancé.

***Time Stamp: October***

"I don’t like this Gerard. It's been a month and we have not heard from either of them!"

Michael was shaking the Sunday society paper that announced both Ryan and Frank's engagement three weeks ago. Since then, no one has seen either of them. Not even a letter. Michael was truly worried now.

Gerard slammed his cognac glass down onto the table next to him harshly...it shattered.

"Goddamnit!!"

He exclaimed angrily, shaking alcohol off of his hand, along with a couple of drops of blood.

"Blast!"

He grabbed his handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it around the cut on his hand from the broken glass.

"We'll get them back Michael..."

He said, sounding as tired and frustrated as he looked.

"I promised Frank everything would be alright, and I'm not a man to break his promises."

"I know Gee. I just..."

Michael slumped into the chair.

"I feel so helpless. I don't know what has been happening to Ryan at all. I promised I would protect him and I have failed. Maybe I am not worthy of him as I thought."

"Don't say that Michael...you could not have foreseen this..."

Gerard poured two more glasses of cognac and handed one to his brother.

"And you are more worthy than I am, and a damn sight more worthy than that son of a bitch Saporta could ever be."

***Time Stamp: November***

Victor was waiting for Mike when he saw two familiar faces. He had not seen Gabriel or Ryan since the announcement of their engagement two months ago.

Ryan walked with his eyes trained on the ground and his hand hooked over Gabriel's arm. He breathed shallowly to lessen the effects of the bruises that wrapped around his ribs to his lower back. He did not see Victor as they approached him on their way to the tailor's shop opposite the town hall.

"You need to stop losing weight, my dear. People are getting concerned and we don't want that do we?"

Gabriel held Ryan's hand over his arm and gave it a harsh squeeze.

"No sir."

Ryan whispered out.

"Master Saporta. Young Master Iero, so nice to see you. It has been far too long."

Ryan looked up and gave a small, half-hearted smile.

"Well, I have been quite busy with the family business and. Ryan has been working on the wedding of course. Spring is only five months away after all."

Ryan shifted uncomfortable, his eyes lowered slightly.

"I see. Well, may I borrow your fiancé to hear all about the plans? After all, I am sure tea and fair discussions would be boring to you."

Gabriel considered this. It would be suspicious to say no.

"As long as it is not too long, we have an appointment at the tailors in an hour."

"Of course, come."

Victor held a hand out to Ryan. Ryan looked up at Gabriel for permission.

Go on Dear."

Something in Gabriel's voice made him feel uneasy.

Ryan nodded and turned to Victor, taking his hand happily for the first time in his life...better Victor than Gabriel. Victor noticed a change in Ryan immediately as they left where Gabriel was. He started to talk and open up more.

"It's been a while, Victor, how have you been?"

"Not bad. Mother has been setting up suitors for us, but no one of interest."

"Yes, many of them are downright boring."

Mike joined them at the table with a few tea sandwiches.

"One young man asked me what I thought about the future of mud wrestling. Can you imagine such a barbaric past time? It is apparently a growing interest in the Americas."

"Well then remind me to never go there."

Victor nodded and sipped his tea. He watched Ryan as he took a sip of his own and noticed that picking up his cup made him wince. He watched as he nibbled lightly on a cucumber sandwich, the sleeve of his coat slipping up a bit. It was quite warm in the cafe and both he and Mike had taken their's off, but Ryan's was still on. It was then that he saw the bruise on his wrist.

"Oh my Ryan, where did you get that, it looks painful."

Ryan quickly pulled his sleeve back down, his eyes looking anywhere other than the brothers' faces.

"Oh, it is nothing. I am taking riding lessons and I took a fall...that's all."

"Riding lessons? At this time of year? I thought all stable hands say it is dangerous to learn with the frost on the ground and the chance the horse could slip?"

Victor heard Mike speaking, but he was still looking at Ryan. He began to see other problems and hidden surfaces under powder. When Ryan finally looked up, we saw his eyes and the powder there too. He did not like what he saw.

"So, Mike and I were in town the other day and saw Lady Rush with her oldest Grandson getting things ready for the Winter Ball next month."

Ryan smiled, nodding slightly.

"I am looking forward to it...I have not seen Lady Rush in a while."

No mention of seeing either brother. It was like he was scared to mention them.

"And how are we doing?"

Victor watched Ryan jump as Gabriel laid a hand on his shoulder. He noticed how he tightened up his fingers too, digging into Ryan's soft flesh.

"Are you having fun darling?"

"Of course...Gabriel."

Ryan looked up, smiling weakly.

"Well, we do have an appointment to keep."

Gabriel had to hold back from pulling Ryan out of the chair. He let him get up on his own and was pleased to see he was still wearing his coat.

"It was lovely to see you both. Say thank you, Ryan."

Ryan turned his eyes back to the brothers, his smile shaky.

"Thank you, Victor, Mike."

He nodded at each in turn.

"Of course, we must do this again soon."

Victor watched Gabriel guide Ryan out by the neck. He could see the pressure in his arm increasing.

"We have to go see the Ways right now."

*

*

*

Michael was sitting staring at his tea. He did not want it, but he obliged Gerard to still be there each day.

Gerard sipped his own tea, though his was laced with rum.

"The Christmas party..."

He said after a long period of silence.

"Do you think Frank and Ryan will be there?"

"I don't..."

"Excuse me sirs, but the Veil Brothers are here."

Gerard ground his teeth together...he still did not trust those boys. He pulled his rum flask from his pocket, undid the top and took a deep drag before capping it and putting it away.

"Show them in."

"I will be upstairs. I do not wish to see them."

Michael left the room.

Gerard thought of following him but was kind of curious as to what brought the boys to his home. Victor took tentative steps in. He knew from certain circles that the Ways did not take kindly to the rumors spread about them, but this was a serious matter.

"To what do I owe this...honor?"

Gerard said from his chair, one eyebrow raised and not even a hint of a smile on his lips. Victor heard Mike swallow hard and he held his hand. He was the older of them. It was his responsibility to apologize.

"We came to apologize for the situation and pain that we have caused you and your brother and of another important matter."

"And what matter would that be?"

Gerard asked, blatantly ignoring the apology.

"We saw Young master Ryan today."

At this Gerard perked up. He sat forward eagerly in his chair and bade them sit opposite him by the fire

"Tell me...how is he? Did he mention Frank?"

Victor was a little hurt that Gerard did not accept his apology. He suddenly decided he did not want to be here.

"Excuse me; I need to use the water closet."

He knew where it was from previous times here and walked off without another word.

Gerard watched him leave and frowned slightly before turning to Mike.

"I...I didn't mean to upset him. We are just so worried about Frank and Ryan...you cannot know how much."

"It is true that I cannot know that, you cannot know what it is like to live in a shadow and be defined by rumors so much that you just become them to satisfy the masses."

Mike sat down.

"Do you know the story of the Ieros Master Way?"

"What do you mean?"

"Gabriel Saporta was engaged to Frank Iero seven years ago. They were the premiere couple of the town. Their arrangement was perfect and they looked so happy. Then Lord Iero became ill. Lady Iero went to care for him and brought her youngest son with her. Frank stayed with the Saportas. When Lady Iero returned, the Saportas announced that the engagement was off...that Frank had betrayed Gabriel somehow. Rumors went around, but nothing was disclosed. After that, Frank became a discipline problem and kept begging to be sent to the Americas. Lady Iero refused and just kept setting up suitors, but Frank would have no one."

Gerard shook his head sadly.

"Yet that is not the whole story I fear, and I honestly do not trust Gabriel Saporta with young Ryan."

He practically spat Saportas name.

"No it is not and you have every right to fear for the boy. He is already mistreating him."

Victor returned and sat down next to his brother.

"We saw bruises and other marks of mistreatment."

"Damn it!"

Gerard barked, throwing his tea cup into the fire angrily and storming over to the window.

"We should have run with them when we had the chance."

He murmured, barely above a whisper as he looked out on the frost-covered grounds.

"No one knew that Gabriel had that in him. I certainly didn't when I let him..."

Victor didn't finish the sentence. He was ashamed that he used his body in order to get Gabriel to work with him. In the end, he got nothing for his brazen actions, just another notch on the bedpost.

Gerard turned.

"Has he...I mean...did he hurt you?"

Victor hardened his heart. He would not let his guard down again like that.

"Nothing that I can't handle, I'm not exactly a delicate flower you know."

He laughed merrily to cover his pain. Gerard raised an eyebrow at him but didn't comment.

"Anyway, that is what we came to tell you. I guess we will see you at the Winter Ball next month."

Victor rose to leave, but Mike remained seated.

"Mike."

Victor knew of he stayed any longer he would not be able to hold it in. Gerard cocked his head to one side.

"Was there something else Mike?"

Mike looked at Gerard almost pleading for understanding, but his eyes held nothing.

"No, I guess not. Tell Michael I said hello."

"Please...what was it?...I cannot help if you say nothing."

"Nothing really."

Victor makes his way to the door. Gerard walked to him quickly and softly placed his hand on the younger man's arm.

"Please?"

Victor could feel the tears starting to fall.

"Just...just take care of him okay?"

"You mean Frank."

Gerard said, rather than asked.

Victor just nodded.

Gerard sighed, smiling slightly.

"You can count on it."

He looked between the two brothers.

"I recommend that you both stay away from Master Saporta, as I fear he is more dangerous than you could ever imagine."

"We will."

Mike answered this time. He knew his brother had no voice anymore. They left and Michael came out of the shadows.

"You really hurt him choosing Frank."

"I realise that Michael...but you must realise that from the moment I laid my eyes upon Frank, there really was no choice to be made."

"I do dear brother, but you must remember the heart is a fragile thing and you did not like it when Frank broke yours...even if it was because Gabriel schemed to make it happen."

"I know..."

Gerard said sadly.

"But I am afraid that I do not know how to fix Victor's heartbreak...do you?"

"I may actually, but first we need to figure out how to rescue our hearts."

Gerard nodded.

"You are right...we do."

Then Michael lost his bravado and collapsed.

"Michael!?"

Gerard gasped, rushing to his brother's side.

"We'll get them back Michael...I promise you we will."

He murmured as he held Michael to him.

"I promise."

"Well, what did you find out?"

"He's in debt to his family. He has been trying to woo a rich benefactor, but it backfired. That's why he went after Frank. Then he met someone richer and after taking Frank's virginity, he left him for her. Then she left him so he came back for Ryan."

"And now he has his cash cow."

"Yes, but he knew he had to get rid of Frank first."

"Does he know what Hartwell does?"

"No, but I do not think he would care."

"Are the invitations sent?"

"Yes, but can you be sure they will both come?"

Elena laughed.

"My dear Robert, no one would ever refuse an invitation to the Rush Winter Ball."

Notes

Hi there chipmunks...how's you?

So Frank and Ryan are in trouble...do you think the Ways will be able to save them?

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