Taming of the Punk

***Time Stamp: December***

"Remember what I said Frank."

"Yes Sir, do not speak with the Ways or anyone else without you present."

Frank kept his eyes on the floor. He didn't look up anymore.

"Good. Keep up this behavior and you can have a half day off when we get back."

"Yes Sir, thank you Sir."

The carriage arrived at the Way Manor. Maxwell got out of the carriage first and then held his hand out for Frank. Frank took his hand and then waited by his side before he entered the house he had not been in since the summer.

"Frank."

Linda walked up to her son.

"Good evening mother, lovely to see you again, it has been too long, but the Professor has a full schedule to keep."

"Well Maxwell, you certainly have taught my boy some proper manners."

"He is a fast learner."

"Have you seen the Ways yet?"

"No we just arrived."

Linda noticed her son said nothing else and kept his head down, but she dismissed it as nerves.

"Well I should find Ryan. I am sure he will want to see his brother. He has missed him so."

"We will find Ryan, come along Frank."

"Yes Sir, it was lovely to see you mother."

Linda watched as Frank left with his fiancé. Something was wrong, but she could not put her finger on it.

"I do not want you speaking to either of the Ways without my presence, is that clear darling?"

Gabriel had a tight hold on the back of Ryan's neck. He was wearing another high collar to hide the bruises on his neck.

"Yes sir."

Ryan said quietly, wincing slightly at Gabriel's grip.

He wanted so badly to see Michael. He wanted to tell him everything that had been happening and have Michael hold him and whisk him away to safety but...he knew he would not get the chance.

"Good, now we should find your brother first. Get that unpleasantry out of the way."

"Yes sir."

Ryan knew better than to show even a hint of excitement at the mention of his dear brother, who he missed so much. He still had the bruises from the last time he said Frank's name in Gabriel's presence. Accepting Gabriel's arm, he let himself be lead inside the large country house, his eyes remaining trained upon the floor.

"Gee, are you sure they are going to be here?"

Michael was hidden behind velvet curtains looking out at the crowd for either Frank or Gerard.

Gerard nodded.

"Gammy invited them, and no one declines an invitation to one of Madame Elena Rush's parties...now do they."

He turned to look at Michael.

"It would be social suicide if Saporta or Hartwell did not show up, and by extension, Frank and Ryan."

He looked back out at the growing number of guests in their winter finery.

"Do not worry Michael...they will be here."

Just as Gerard said that Michael spotted them...together, both Hartwell and Saporta were there too. Frank and Ryan were talking, but there was no hug or any physical involvement.

"Gee, look at this."

He moved so that Gerard could look through the opening in the curtains. Gerard's breath caught when he saw Frank; he looked paler than he remembered, thinner too.

"Frank..."

He choked out quietly, fingers gripping hard to the curtain.

"He looks so sad."

Gerard murmured, more to himself than his brother. He’s heart broken at the sight.

"Somethings not right. we need to..."

"Everything alright boys?"

Elena stepped out of the hallway to make her way to the grand floor.

"Grandmother, something is wrong with Frank and Ryan."

Gerard looked to Elena with tears in his eyes.

"What should we do?"

"You let me handle this. Go be proper gentlemen and mingle, but do not try and talk to the Ieros, I have a feeling it will cause trouble."

Elena parted the curtain and went to greet her guests. Gerard turned away, walking back the way Elena had come from.

"I need a minute."

Michael watched his brother walk off. He knew this was going to be hardest on Gerard. At least he knew what was going on with Ryan, but Gerard knew nothing about Frank at all. Michael fixed his cravat and then turned to the curtains parting them and going to obey his grandmother.

*

*

*

"Master Saporta, so nice to see you and your fiancé."

Ryan looked up and smiled politely at Madame Elena, though he really just wanted to greet her with a grin and ask her how Michael was. He hated this.

"Madame Rush, thank you for inviting us."

"Oh of course and I assume that you found your brother Young Master Iero?"

"Yes Madame Rush, I did."

Ryan said softly, feeling Gabriel's fingers digging into his already bruised arm.

"Wonderful. Oh, Ryan you must come and meet Madame Toro, she is a seamstress from Spain and a wonderful friend of mine. We can talk to her about designing a wedding outfit for you. I am sure that Master Saporta would not mind."

Gabriel was not happy with the idea of being away from Ryan. Then he could talk to Michael.

"Of course and I will find your grandson and catch up with him."

Elena knew a shrewd move when she saw one. Still it would not impede her plans; in fact he was unwittingly help them along.

"That sounds nice. I believe he is talking to one of the Veil brothers."

She pointed to the corner where Michael was talking with the younger brother, also named Michael.

"So it would seem, well you two have fun. Let me know if you like any of her ideas darling."

"I will."

Ryan smiled weakly at Gabriel before offering his arm to Elena and being lead quietly away.

"Not yet dear. Too many eyes and ears."

She led Ryan to a burly woman that looked uncomfortable in her dress. Ryan smiled politely, and waited to be introduced. The introduction never came though the woman stood there. Ryan looked at Elena for guidance, something was definitely amiss. After another 15 minutes Elena spoke.

"Ryan go with Lady Toro and wait for me."

Ryan frowned slightly in confusion, but did as he was told. Once Ryan was out of view, she went back to find Gabriel. She found him surrounded by a few young eligibles. It made her jaw clench. He was keeping an eye on Michael, who had moved to talk to some old family friends.

"Master Saporta, so sorry to interrupt, but your fiancé has stepped out with Madam Toro to look at a few designs in her guest room."

Gabriel looked and saw that Michael was still where he was before.

"Thank you for informing me."

Elena nodded and then found other guests to speak to as she searched for the other Iero boy.

*

*

*

Frank was tired and sore. He was trying to be good so that he could earn that half day. Maybe he would catch up on lost sleep.

"Professor Hartwell."

"Madame Rush."

"I hope you are having a good time."

"We are."

"I would like to borrow your fiancé for a moment if I may. I have a friend here from Portugal who is a seamstress and designs wedding outfits. I thought that Master Iero might see one he liked for your wedding."

Elena watched as something different flashed in the Professor's eyes, as if he was not even concerned about the wedding.

"Of course, please go ahead."

Unlike Gabriel, Maxwell was not worried about Frank meeting the older Way boy. He was so ashamed of himself now; he could not even look in the mirror.

"Thank you, we will be back shortly."

Elena led Frank away in the same manner she did Ryan.

Lady Toro kept pacing back and forth, very unbecoming a lady of her stature. Ryan sat on a long sofa feeling more and more confused by the minute...what on Earth was going on?...and why was Lady Toro wearing groves in the carpeting?

"Here we are."

The door opened and another women, who did not look comfortable in a dress came in with Frank.

"Frank?!"

Ryan jumped up and ran over in a most unbecoming way and threw himself at his brother, tears of happiness and relief in his eyes.

"Ryan."

Frank saw the jubilance in his brother at the sight of him, but he could not return it.

"Ryan, what are you doing here?"

Ryan pulled back to look at Frank, but instantly regretted it when he realised just how pale he was...the lighting in the main room had been lower, and he had his eyes on the floor most of the time when he'd seen Frank there anyway. He held Frank by the shoulders at arm's length and studied him critically.

"Are you ill Frank?...you do not look well."

He was aware that he had not answered Frank's question, but that was mostly because he was no longer certain why he was in here, and not in the main room with everyone else...unless...Elena?

"I am fine, just slightly fatigued."

Ryan moved his hands down to Frank's and held them gently, concern in his eyes.

"Come, sit and tell me how you've been. What is Cambridge like?"

He pulled Frank over toward the sofa he had been sat on before.

"It's lovely. The landscapes are just perfect for this crisp winter weather."

"Frank!"

Ryan exclaimed.

"Tell me what is wrong right this minute!"

"Nothing is wrong, everything is fine. How are you?"

Ryan had had enough. He did something he had not done since he was a boy and could get away with things like this...he slapped Frank right around the face.

"SNAP out of it Frank!"

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Sir, I'll be better, I can be better. I promise to make you happy. Just leave everything to me."

Ryan's eyes grew wide.

"Frank?"

He said in a small voice, suddenly very aware that something was very wrong indeed.

"Frank, it's me...it's Ryan."

Frank said nothing; he stood up and took his jacket off, then his cravat. He then undid the cuffs and buttons of his shirt. Ryan gasped, his eyes brimming over at the sight before him. He had never seen anything like it. There were bruises and welts on Frank's pale chest, and raw looking red marks around both of his wrists.

"Frank."

Ryan sobbed, reaching for him tentatively...scared of hurting him.

"My God...Hartwell did this?"

Frank still did not hear him, nor did he remember that two ladies were there as he began to remove his pants.

Ryan grabbed his hands quickly, stilling them while trying not to touch his wrists.

"Frank stop...look at me."

"I'm not allowed to kiss, sorry those are the rules. If you have a concern with this, you can take it up with the House Madam."

"My God..."

Ryan breathed in shock. He took a breath then turned to the two rather uncomfortable looking ladies who seemed to be trying to blend into the wallpaper.

"Would one of you ladies please fetch Madame Elena...discreetly, please?"

Lady Toro took the opportunity and left the room quickly. Ryan could tell that Frank was not seeing or hearing him right now, and it scared him so badly. He pulled Frank down to sit again, then put the older boy's hands between his knees and trapped them there so his own hands were free to rebutton Frank's shirt. He spoke quietly to him in calm and soothing tones.

"It's alright Frankie; everything's going to be alright."

"Are you not pleased with me? Did I do something wrong?"

"You did nothing wrong Frankie..."

Ryan tried to keep his voice calm and even, though he really wanted to scream and shout and throw (as his mother used to say) a conniption fit.

"Everything is alright."

"Are you getting the Madam?"

"No Frankie. You're safe here."

Ryan looked back toward the door...what was taking so long?

Just as Ryan thought that, Elena and Lady Toro came in.

"What's going on Ryan?"

Ryan swallowed, tears he'd been holding back beginning to fall.

"It's Frank..."

He said, voice cracking.

"He's..."

He could not finish, just turned back to his distressed brother.

Elena stood in front of Frank.

"Frank, Frank, it's Elena."

Frank looked up at her.

"Madame, was I not pleasing to him? He didn't even let me remove my clothing."

Ryan looked up at Elena in despair.

"What has that monster done to him?"

"I do not think it is Hartwell. I think...I think Frank has been working in a brothel."

Ryan felt sick.

"How the hell did that happen?!"

He did not normally swear, but he felt that the occasion called for it.

"I have a feeling that the Professor knew that your brother was not innocent and decided that this was of better financial interest till he could acquire Frank's dowry."

Ryan sobbed looking at his brother, who now sat quiet and docile before him.

"We will fix this Frankie..."

He murmured, taking Frank's hands and gently stroking his thumbs over the pale skin. He looked at Elena.

"We can fix this...right?"

"Yes Ryan. We can and we will, but not here."

There was a knock on the door then.

"Who's that?"

Ryan asked with concern, feeling Frank's hands tremble in his.

"Right on time."

Elena opened the door and Ryan saw...Brendon and Raymond from the races.

Ryan looked at them in confusion.

"What's going on?"

"Every thing is ready mum."

"Thank you Raymond. You better get going then."

Ryan looked at Elena.

"Lady Elena...please tell me what's happening?"

"I am rescuing you and your brother and taking you where those ungrateful bastards cannot get to you anymore."

Frank flinched hearing Elena curse. He looked up and finally made eye contact.

"No more servicing others?"

Ryan winced at how broken Frank sounded. He gently squeezed Frank's hands, gaining his attention.

"Never again Frankie...I promise."

He looked back at Elena.

"Thank you...we can never thank you enough, or repay you for what you are doing for us."

"Yes yes, we can do all this later, but let’s get you going."

Raymond and Brendon helped their mother's out of the dresses that were covering their servant clothing.

"Yer gon' put this on Master Iero."

Frank stared at the dress. Ryan raised an eyebrow, were they serious?

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, they are, now hurry please."

Ryan rolled his eyes and took the dress from Brendon's hands.

"Here Frankie, I'll help you."

He said softly, moving slowly toward his fragile brother. Frank allowed the cool fabric to be placed over his body. He watched as the boy in front of him was careful and took care of him.

"Ryan?"

Ryan looked up from the bow he was tying at Frank's waist. He smiled softly.

"I'm here Frankie...you're alright."

"I missed you."

Ryan's smile widened. He leaned in and kissed Frank's cheek.

"I missed you too brother."

"We can do this in a carriage Sirs."

Ryan looked at Brendon sharply, then sighed.

"You are right..."

He turned back to Frank with a smile.

"We have all the time in the world."

He finished dressing his brother in the long black dress with gilt edging and a matching cape with a large hood to hide his identity, then he took the other dress from Raymond and carefully stepped into it. It was a little on the large side for him, as Frank's dress was too, but it would certainly do the job.

"Now, we are going to be moving through the party so it looks like I am just saying goodbye to my guest properly."

Frank froze.

"He'll know it's me."

Ryan shook his head, reaching up and carefully pulling Frank's hood up over his head.

"No he won't Frankie, you're safe."

Frank trembled.

"Alright ladies, let's go."

Elena led the two foreign visitors through the party to the front door. She bid them both a safe journey and then returned to the party. Neither Gabriel nor Hartwell noticed anything. She smiled. Ryan and Frank were on their way to a safe haven of her creation, now to deal with the aftermath.

***Time Stamp: April***

Michael stared at the water still trying to figure out what happened since the night of their grandmother's annual Winter Ball. Watching Gabriel accuse him of kidnapping Ryan, Michael knew nothing of what he was talking about of course. Then Gerard coming to protect his younger brother by hitting Gabriel in the face and letting the whole of attendance know that he had the knowledge that Gabriel had taken unfair liberties with Frank when he was Ryan's age. Scandal was a favorite pass time of the small town of course. That is when Elena stepped in.

"I cannot believe your behavior Gerard. This is the last straw. This is worse than what you did in London. Both you and Michael will be sent to the Americas where perhaps my cousin can be a better influence on you than I could."

It was all over after that. Gerard protested that he would never see Frank again and Professor Hart...less, let Gerard know that it would have never have happened anyway since Frank was happily in love with him. Both of them knew it was a lie and when Gerard lunged at him, a decorated professional; it was truly mayhem, just to get Gerard away from the party. Elena apologised to everyone as Gerard was manhandled away. They were both pushed into a carriage and brought straight to the docks. Their belongings already there, which was curious. Gerard continued to lament that he had to save Frank, but then the authorities got involved. The could not be shipped out because of the winter water, so instead they were placed under a sort of house arrest till the Spring. Once Spring arrived, they boarded the ship and it was done. Now Michael watched his brother slowly wither away. He hardly ate or drank anything when they were locked up, but now that they had access to spirits, it was all that Gerard seemed to consume. Much of the steerage below was getting sick and Michael knew that they would not be allowed into the country of possibilities if they remained so. Just because he and Michael had entitlement, Michael didn't think they would be greeted any differently.

"Gee, please. If they don’t let you in, I will be all alone."

Gerard looked at his brother through a haze of alcohol.

"You'd be better off...I couldn't p-protect Frank...I'm useless."

He whined from his position on the floor. He had been on his bed, but he'd fallen off, and could not be bothered to get back up.

"Are you kidding? I would die without you! In fact..."

Michael grabbed the bottle out of his brother's hand.

"Maybe I should just be like you."

Michael began drinking the bottle of rot gut. It was horrible and it burned like acid.

"Michael NO!"

Gerard tried to scramble up and grab the bottle back. He failed and fell flat on his face with a muffled yelp. Michael felt his insides repel at the liquid fire. He started to heave and bring up his afternoon meal. Tears were streaming down his face as he cried out in pain, but went to drink again.

"M-Michael no, please?"

Gerard looked up with red eyes.

"Just because I am not worth the air in my lungs, does not mean that you should join me."

Michael's throat was too burned to even speak, but he attempted to rasp.

"I...d...wan..li..wi...ut yo."

Gerard tried to raise an eyebrow but his coordination was somewhat hampered. He dragged himself to his brother and pulled him into his arms.

"Shh Michael, I'm here..."

He petted his hair with a pale trembling hand.

"...'m not goin' anywhere."

Michael pushed his voice out.

"Yes you are, *wheeze* you're gonna leave me cause I’m not Frank."

Gerard looked at his brother in shock.

"I love you Michael, I always will and that'll never change..."

He smirked slightly.

"And thankfully...it's in a completely different way from how I love Frank."

"Then why are you trying to kill yourself?"

Gerard dropped his head, pushing it into Michael's shoulder, seeking comfort.

"I just want the pain to go away..."

He looked up into his brother's eyes.

"Don't you?"

"My pain is here."

Michael picked up Gerard's hand and placed it over his heart.

"And it's caused by you right now. I do love Ryan dearly, but you are my brother."

Gerard nodded slowly.

"I promise I will try to be strong...but you have always been a better man than me...you have always been stronger too."

He pressed his face into his brother's neck again then pulled back, wrinkling his nose.

"You threw up!"

He exclaimed in disgust like he hadn't realised before...or maybe he had just forgotten.

"Yeah dopey, you just noticed?"

Michael laughed his voice sounding like he smoked several cigars. He got up wobbling and headed to the wash basin to clean up. Gerard shuffled from his knees onto his bottom, sitting with his back against the side of his bed.

"Do..."

He swallowed thickly, looking down.

"Do you think we'll ever see them again?"

"I don't know. I honestly try not to think about it, but it is hard. Ryan was my first love and I know that you always remember that. At least I lost my innocence to the right person and I can rest easy that no matter what Gabriel does to him, he will never get that part of him."

Michael turned around all cleaned up now. He stripped off his ruined shirt and britches and changed into a nightshirt.

"Come lay down with me?"

Gerard nodded, struggling to pull himself up off of the floor. He used the bolted down night stand for support, then flopped onto the bed.

"I gave Frank my heart..."

He muttered as his eyes closed.

"And I have his...nothing's going to change that."

He sighed as he felt the mattress dip with Michael's weight. He turned to him, snuggling into his side.

"I will never love another."

"We still have each other."

Michael said nothing for a bit just letting the motion of the water rock them.

"Maybe America won't be so bad. We can start over and who knows what the years will bring right?"

Gerard started to snore quietly, his face buried in Michael's neck.

Michael sighed.

"Yeah, we'll make it work together."

*

*

*

"It's much nosier than London and definitely dirtier."

As the brother's disembarked they saw a carriage with the Way Rush family crest on it.

"Come on Gee, this way."

Gerard hefted his travel trunk up onto his shoulder, overbalancing slightly and bumping into someone.

"I'm sorry..."

He said over his shoulder as he hurried to follow his brother.

"Michael, wait for me...these are your belongings too you know."

"Hey. Uh we’re the Ways."

"Two of ya right?"

"Yes."

"Well come on."

Gerard huffed, as he trailed behind to the waiting carriage...Michael should be helping with the trunk.

Michael turned around and saw Gerard struggling.

"Gee...what are you doing?"

Gerard grunted, almost dropping the trunk.

"We have too many things..."

He said flatly.

"Joshua and Tyler couldn't carry it all."

He indicated their personal servants with a nod of his head. They were each struggling with a smaller trunk, along with their own cloth bags stuffed with clothes.

"You’re right Gee."

Michael went over and took something from the two servants. They all worked to load the carriage and then they were on their way.

*

*

*

"How much further?"

Gerard moaned as the carriage continued to rattle along. His backside was getting sore and he could really do with relieving himself too.

"Not much further. Sorry for the rough road. They are working on laying the cobblestones."

Gerard huffed, resting his chin on his hand as he stared out of the window. His thoughts went automatically to Frank, wondering what he was doing, and if he was alright.

"Here we are Sirs. The other inhabitants are not in right now, but they will be back by supper."

Michael didn't even care right now. He just wanted to sleep in a real bad. Gerard nodded once as he climbed out of the carriage and looked at the large, two story, white painted house. There were big windows on both floors with dark green shutters, a sheltered balcony that spanned the entire front of the building, with three doors that opened out onto it, and two staircases that lead down to the ground from it, and another sheltered area with chairs beneath.

Gerard raised his eyebrows.

"Big."

He murmured in vague awe before sighing and following Michael inside.

They were lead up a staircase inside the large house, and shown their respective bedrooms that were opposite each other. After a moment's thought, Gerard followed Michael into his bedroom, toed off his shoes without bothering to unlace them, then flopped onto Michael's bed with a groan.

"Wake us when supper is ready please Tyler."

"Very good Sir."

The two servants, along with the servants who had met them at the house, placed Michael's trunks in his room before closing the door. Gerard presumed that his trunks were being put in his room...but he was too tired to really care right now...he could not even find the energy to relieve himself before he fell asleep, curling into Michael's side as the younger man joined him on the large bed. As Michael drifted off a familiar scent caught his nose. He couldn't place it, but it made him smile.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks...how's you?

So so my lovely co, momiji, put this chapter up for me last night, but we both forgot that I can't get into chapters on here if she posts them, so I couldn't write my notes. So I had to take the chapter down, then put it up again with this note...sorry if you thought you were getting two new chapters in 1 day.

So we now know how bad things were for poor Frankie, do you think his life will be better now? And the Ways are in America, what will they get up to there?

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