Taming of the Punk

Gerard woke with a start.

"Frank?!"

He gasped out, sitting up with one hand clutched to his chest and tears running down his face. He looked around...it took him a moment to remember. He sighed, his shoulders slumping as his memory returned to him. Frank was gone...he was gone. He was in the Americas now, and would never see that beautiful boy again. Gerard shuffled off of Michael's bed...luckily he had not woken him...and stumbled his way to the water closet to relieve himself. When he came back out, Michael was sitting up, rubbing his eyes.

"Sleep well?"

Gerard asked. He tried to smile, but it was increasingly difficult these days.

"I had a weird dream. Like impossible to the point I knew I was dreaming. We were sitting in a garden with Ryan and Frank and there was this scent and I swear I carried it with me cause I can still smell it and I can't even say what it is, but it makes me smile and..."

Michael was still talking when there was a knock on the door.

"Come."

It was Joshua.

"Supper is ready Sirs, and also your housemates have arrived as well and are waiting for you at the table."

"Housemates?"

Gerard looked at Michael in confusion.

"Were we told about housemates?"

He was a little disappointed in himself that he might have been so drunk when they were told that he didn't remember.

"When we were in the carriage they mentioned it."

Michael yawned and looked at his rumpled clothing. He just wanted to eat. He didn't want to worry about propriety. It was his damn family house. If these people were living here too, then they would see him at his worse. Michael was past the point of caring about impressing anyone anymore.

"I'm gonna head down and greet them."

"Mikey?"

Gerard said quietly, knowing that his brother would listen as he hardly ever used the name he'd called him when they were children.

Michael stopped.

"Yeah Gee?"

Gerard looked down at the floor.

"Don't let me drink."

Michael turned and looked at his brother.

"You know...I think that is the smartest thing you have ever said to me."

Gerard looked up with a small smile.

"I'm depressed enough over losing Frank without adding alcohol to the mix. You were right before when you said we have each other...I guess it's all we can really count on now, isn't it."

Michael walked back over and hugged his brother tightly.

"Come on, let’s go greet these housemates together."

"Alright..."

Gerard mumbled, his face buried in Michael's shoulder. He lifted his head to look him in the eye.

"But don't expect me to make friends...I'll be polite, but that's it."

"That's all I ask."

Michael took Gerard's hand and headed out of the bedroom and down the hall to the stairs. Gerard would have preferred for them to have the house to themselves, but apparently that was not happening.

"And if they are rude, ignorant asses...then expect the same from me."

He said as they descended the wide staircase side by side.

"Of course."

They moved through the parlor to the dining room. They could hear quiet chatter and the clinking of silverware. Apparently, their housemates were not waiting for them to start eating. Michael guessed he was right to not worry about what they wore. Still when he entered the dining room, he had an apology on his lips for the man, woman, or fair one that was seated.

"Terribly sorry for the delay, we had a long journey and..."

Michael's memorised words fell from his lips and only one replaced it.

"Ryan."

"Michael?!"

Ryan dropped his fork in shock, his eyes wide.

Gerard stood with his mouth open, his eyes locked firmly onto Frank. This had to be a dream. Any second now he was going to wake up and find they were still on that damn ship...he daren't blink for fear that this wonderful fantasy would disappear.

"Frank."

He whispered out after a moment, not wanting to wake himself up.

"Gerard."

Frank was still clutching his fork, the food balancing on it getting ready to fall. Then he was out of his chair and crossing the room. He stopped just in front of the ghost of his love.

"Are you real?"

"Am I awake?"

Frank reached out with a trembling hand and touched, just brushed Gerard's cheek with the tips of his fingers.

"You're here."

He then fainted. Gerard snapped out of his daze and caught Frank's thin body as he fell.

"Frank!"

He gasped out, realising that this was no dream. He scooped him up and carried him to a bench seat under one of the windows, laying him down gently. As happy and shocked as Ryan was to see Michael, Frank was still his brother.

"Frankie?"

He said soft with worry as he left the table and joined them at the window seat.

"I think he fainted from the shock as I feel I may."

Michael reached for a nearby chair and landed in it.

"What...how..."

"Does that matter right now?"

Gerard said without taking his eyes off of Frank for a moment, his fingers tracing the boy's jaw.

"We are all here...how, we can discuss later."

"Grandmother. It had to be her. But it was months ago."

"She is very sneaky, isn't she..."

Ryan smiled, looking over at Michael.

"We did not know you were coming...she only told us that she was sending us somewhere...safe."

His voice faded with the last word, a shudder running through him as thoughts of before came to mind. He turned his eyes back to Frank and took his hand, squeezing gently.

Michael didn’t know what came over him as he was never aggressive, but he suddenly found himself off the chair and pulling Ryan into his arms.

"You're real and you’re here and..."

No other thoughts crossed his mind and he bent his head to kiss the fair one in his arms. Ryan gasped, his hands flapping for a second before he realised what was happening and relaxed completely, his arms winding around Michael's neck as he joined in the kiss. Gerard glanced at them for about a second, but was really much more interested in looking at Frank.

"Gee."

Gerard's eyes widened.

"Frank...I'm here my love...come back to me."

Frank's eyes fluttered.

Gerard's breath hitched and he swallowed heavily to hold back his tears.

"I'm here Frank...everything is alright now."

Frank's eyes opened.

"Am I dead? Have I passed on because I was told that was the only way I would ever see you again."

"No! No no my love..."

Gerard cooed, cupping Frank's cheek gently.

"We are both very much alive, and together, and no one will ever take you from me again...I would kill anyone who dared try."

Frank leaned into the touch.

“Then kiss me please, for it has been far too long."

Gerard smiled, his tears finally breaking free as he leaned down and pressed his lips softly to Frank's. Frank's tears mingled with his own as the boy started to shake beneath him.

Gerard pulled back, scared that he'd hurt Frank.

"I'm sorry. Did I...are you alright?"

"No, not at all. I'm just..."

"Gee, I think we need to take this somewhere else."

Michael was red and flushed from his kiss with Ryan. He scooped him up in his arms and motioned for his brother to follow. Ryan's arms were around Michael's neck, his lips pressing against the older boy's throat.

"Mhmm."

Gerard murmured in agreement, carefully picking Frank up bridal style then following Michael out of the room and up the stairs. Michael entered the room they slept in not concerned whose it was. He walked to the other side and placed Ryan on the bed. Gerard followed his brother into the same room...it just felt right...he sat down with Frank in his lap and just looked at him for a moment, softly stroking Frank's hair from his face.

"I missed you so much my love...I was not me without you."

"No more talk. We sleep now and in the morning everything will be explained."

Michael went and turned the oil lamp down to dim. He then undressed and crawled into bed next to Ryan.

"Sleep my butterfly."

Ryan curled into Michael's chest, pressing into his warmth and comfort. Gerard smiled as he moved Frank and himself into the same position, with the two Iero brothers back to back between him and Michael.

"Go to sleep Frank. I'll be right here my love."

He softly kissed Frank's lips as they settled in to rest.

*

*

*

"Please please no more."

"Awww, you can take it honey, that's what whores do."

"NO, I can't! Too big, too much!"

"Well tough shit cause here it comes."

Frank screamed.

Gerard woke with a start. Frank was still asleep in his arms, but he was thrashing, struggling to break free.

"Frankie, Frankie wake up my love."

He whispered urgently, trying not to wake his brother or Ryan...unfortunately, Frank had apparently kicked his brother, because Ryan woke too.

"Frank?"

Ryan turned over in Michael's arms, sleep escaping him when he saw his brother's distress. He sat up, shedding Michael's arm.

"Frankie, it's alright, calm down..."

He looked at Gerard who was on the edge of panic.

"You too."

Gerard swallowed, nodding then turning his eyes back to Frank's fidgeting body.

"My love, please wake up. You're safe my love, you're safe here."

Frank continued to thrash around. He could not hear anyone other than the monster of a man that was tearing him apart. Gerard looked at Ryan, tears on both their faces.

"What happened to him?"

Ryan shook his head.

"Not now. Let's just try to calm him, yes?"

Gerard nodded and they continued to speak softly, while holding him down gently so he couldn't hurt himself. Gerard was amazed that Michael was still asleep. Frank's breathing starts to slow a bit. Gerard leaned in close, murmuring in his ear.

"Come on my love. That's it...you're safe here...no one is going to hurt you."

"Come back to us Frankie."

Ryan said softly, close to Frank's other ear.

"R-R-Ryan?"

"I'm here Frankie. You're safe here."

Frank started to open his eyes. His body was drenched in sweat from fear now. Ryan smiled down at his brother in relief.

"You are alright."

Gerard sat back a little. He knew something terrible had happened to Frank, that much was obvious, and he didn't want to frighten or crowd him right now. Frank turned and looked at Gerard.

"You're still here; I thought it was a dream again. I dreamt about you so much, but it never came true and I would wake to the nightmare that was my life instead."

Gerard shook his head.

"I am no dream my love...and that nightmare you lived cannot hurt you anymore."

He was holding Frank's delicate hand in his, gently running his thumb over Frank's bare knuckles.

"No one will ever hurt you again."

Frank tried to smile, but then he shivered violently. Gerard moved a little closer, tentatively.

"Can I hold you?"

"He needs a warm bath Gee."

Michael yawned and circled his arm around Ryan. Ryan turned his head, smiling softly.

"That's a good idea. Would you run one for him please?"

"Nooooo wanna stay with yoooou."

Michael whined like a child and pulled Ryan in tighter.

"Besides it is still too cold to fetch water."

Ryan giggled, wriggling slightly.

"You don't need to fetch water...have you not been in the bathroom yet?"

"Um...no?"

Ryan grinned like a child with a new toy.

"There is running water...hot running water. Go look...and start that bath..."

He blushed slightly when he realised he was being a little bossy.

"Please?"

Michael grumbled but got up. He trudged out of the room and down the hall.

"Holy shit!"

Was heard a few minutes later along with pounding footsteps.

"Gee you have to see this!"

Gerard raised an eyebrow.

"I'll see it when I carry Frank in there...just please fill the bath?"

Ryan giggled.

"Hear that Frankie?...you're going to be carried to your bath."

Gerard choked slightly, his face feeling somewhat warm.

"Right right sorry."

Michael ran out of the room again. Gerard rolled his eyes then turned back to Frank.

"Do you mind if I carry you?"

He didn't want to overstep. Frank just nodded lightly. Gerard swallowed.

"You do mind?"

Ryan noticed Frank's slightly vacant look, tinged with residual fear.

"I think Frank's a little disorientated right now Gerard. I think it will be alright for you to carry him."

Gerard nodded, a concerned frown settling on his face.

"All done."

Michael returned. Ryan smiled at him.

"Thank you Michael..."

He slipped off of the bed, keeping hold of Frank's hand.

"Come on Frankie, time for our bath."

Gerard scooped Frank up carefully, mindful of every hitched breath and tiny flinch. He followed as Ryan walked toward the door, never releasing Frank's fingers.

"Michael, are there warm towels in the bathroom?"

"Yes. I made sure."

Frank was vaguely aware of what was going on. He knew he was being carried to a bath. The water would feel good. He had been enjoying them since they came here. When they reached the bathroom, Ryan pointed to a love seat in the corner.

"Sit down and I'll undress him."

He said quietly to Gerard. Gerard nodded and sat, with Frank in his lap. Ryan started to carefully unbutton Frank's shirt, murmuring softly to him as he went. Frank looked up and saw his brother and smiled. He was safe with him always. Ryan smiled back gently as he removed Frank's shirt from his arms. Gerard suppressed a shudder and string of expletives when he saw scars on the once pristine skin.

"I'm going to take your britches off now, alright Frankie?"

Ryan didn't wait for an answer because he was pretty sure he wouldn't get one right now. Frank felt the fabric leave his body. He relaxed more. Gerard sat quietly, the fingers of one hand entwined with Frank's, while he ran the fingers of the other soothingly through Frank's hair...it was longer now...Gerard liked it longer. Once Ryan had Frank's britches off, he smiled softly at him.

"I'm right here Frankie."

He stood slowly, then keeping eye contact with his brother, started to remove his own clothes. Gerard averted his eyes to the ceiling.

"Hey Ryan should I..."

Michael stopped when he saw his beloved butterfly disrobed. Ryan glanced over.

"Stay."

He said softly before turning his eyes back to Frank's and carefully taking his free hand.

"Let's get in Frankie...you'll feel better."

Gerard stood up, holding the silent naked boy in his arms. He followed Ryan to the side of the bath. Ryan climbed in and sat down, still connected to Frank by their hands, then Gerard carefully lowered Frank in to sit with his back to Ryan's chest. Michael felt something his heart that was too big to contain. Watching Ryan take care of Frank pulled on something. He could see himself and Ryan with a family. Ryan bathing the baby just like this. Then he was worried. In the time he was with Gabriel, did he take any liberties? Ryan picked up a water jug that was sat on a stool beside the bath. He dipped it into the water, then gently poured the water over Frank's pale chest. Gerard knelt on the floor next to the bath, still holding Frank's hand and just watching as Ryan bathed him and cooed softly.

"This is better, isn't it Frankie?"

"Yes Ryan. You always take such good care of me."

Ryan smiled, happy Frank had found his voice, though he noticed that his brother hadn't acknowledged Gerard's presence, even though they were holding hands...Gerard noticed that too, but did his best not to show that it bothered him.

"What are brothers for?"

"Taking care of spinsters that will never find love cause they are not worth it."

Gerard's heart cracked...Ryan saw it happen right before his eyes.

"You are worth it Frankie..."

Gerard said softly.

"…I love you."

Frank heard another voice and turned his head.

"Look Ryan, I'm dreaming again. Isn't he handsome? So much love for him that I won't be able to give."

Frank started to cry. Silent tears slipped down his cheek. Gerard bit his lip to stop from crying. He breathed deeply for a moment, then looking at Ryan and gaining an encouraging nod, reached a hand up and cupped Frank's cheek before gently pressing his lips to the younger man's.

"He's real Frankie..."

Ryan whispered in Frank's ear.

"Trust your eyes brother."

Frank felt the press against his lips. He closed his eyes and let his senses take over. He could smell Gerard's aftershave and felt his long ebony hair tickle his cheek. He could feel the slight callouses on his fingers, very different than Ryan's softer hands. Finally he opened his eyes as he broke the kiss.

"Gee."

Gerard kept his hand on Frank's cheek as he looked into his eyes.

"I'm here my love. It's me."

He said quietly, still fighting back his own tears.

"You are here, you really are.

"I said we would be together, didn't I?"

"You did. You kept your promise."

New tears were falling down, but they were tinged with happiness. Gerard smiled a little shakily as his own tears started to slide from his eyes.

"I wish we had never been parted, but we are together now, and whatever has happened is in the past and I will never leave your side again...unless you tell me to."

"Please, please don't."

Frank reached up and touched Gerard's face. Gerard leaned into Frank's touch, turning his face a little to softly kiss his palm.

"I will be with you as long as you want me to be...always?

He looked hopefully at Frank.

"Yes yes, always!"

Frank scrambled forward sloshing the water everywhere as he kissed Gerard again wrapping his arms around the older man.

Gerard didn't give a jot that he was now soaking wet. All he cared about was that he finally had his Frank back in his arms...where he belonged. He hugged him as close as the side of the bathtub would allow, and kissed back gently...he was still afraid of hurting or scaring him. Ryan smiled at the pair and looked over to where Michael was stood awkwardly near the door. He crooked a finger at him.

"I'm feeling left out Michael."

He pouted slightly, then smiled. Michael stumbled forward nearly pitching into the bath himself. He caught his hands on the rim.

"I...beautiful..."

Ryan giggled slightly, reaching up a wet hand to grab the front of Michael's shirt and pulling him down for a kiss. Michael had to do everything he could to keep from slipping off the side, but God he wanted to touch.

Ryan pulled back after a moment and frowned slightly.

"Not enough."

He muttered before pulling Michael down to him with all the strength he had, their lips pressing harder together than before. Michael scrambled for the edge, but lost it and found himself in the tub in between Ryan and Frank. Frank broke his kiss with Gerard and smiled.

"Honey, this vassal isn't big enough for the three of us."

Gerard chuckled.

"And I was going to ask if I could join you..."

He smirked slightly.

"But maybe you would join me instead?...in the...bedroom?"

He asked tentatively.

Frank smiled shyly.

"Carry me?"

"Of course."

Gerard grabbed one of the warmed towels off of a nearby chair then carefully scooped Frank out of the water, wrapping his small wet body in the towel and holding him close.

"Your bedroom or...well I haven't actually seen mine, but yes..."

"Down the hall to the left. Two away from the bathing room."

Gerard smiled then headed out of the room with Frank in his arms...he decided not to bother the other couple right now. Michael vaguely felt Frank be removed from the bathing vassal. The only thing he could see or feel clearly right now was Ryan. His essence surrounded him and he never wanted to let it go again. Ryan pressed himself against Michael. He needed him so much...his lips, his embrace...every part of him to the point that he could barely control his own mind, and certainly couldn't control his body, or the small moans that escaped his mouth from just being back in Michael's arms again after way too long.

"Ryan Ryan, you're gonna get sick."

"Then please...warm me?"

"Fuck."

Rarely did Michael curse, but there was no other word. He ripped off his soaked nightshirt and moved so that Ryan was in his lap. He turned the taps to let more water in and replace what Frank had sloshed out. Ryan shifted to get comfortable, feeling Michael beneath him...he wriggled more.

"Darling, you need to stop doing that. I'm not going to be able to control myself much longer."

Ryan tilted his head a little, a small smirk appearing on his face...though its effect was somewhat lessened by the bright color his cheeks were turning.

"Who said I want you to?"

Michael stilled.

"But...wasn't that just a one time...I mean we just wanted to make sure that he...and we..."

Ryan swallowed, then started to climb off of Michael's lap, water splashing everywhere.

"I'm sorry. I must have misunderstood."

He mumbled quickly, cheeks even redder as he looked anywhere other than Michael's eyes. How could he have misinterpreted the older boy's feelings? He felt such a fool right now.

"Wait!"

Michael pulled Ryan back and held him to his chest.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply..."

Michael looked into the saddened eyes of the boy he was in love with.

"I thought that our moment was just that, a moment in time for us. I thought if I ever got you back, I would treat you properly and go back to courting you like you deserve. I never want you to think that what we did, what we have is anything less that the most precious gift you could have ever given me."

Ryan kept his eyes lowered to the water. He felt ashamed now. Would Michael think him too brazen? Would he think Ryan was like those boys back in England who slept with any man who looked twice at them…because he wasn't.

"You...you don't want me."

He whispered, head dropping more so his hair fell in his face. He knew the Ways' arrival was too good to be true.

"I do want you. I want you so much that it hurts here."

He picked up Ryan's hand and placed it on his chest.

"The thought of that…man touching you brought out a side I never thought I would see in me. Protective."

Michael searched for Ryan's eyes.

"I want to give you a life that you deserve. I want to see you smile and laugh and be genuinely happy."

"I will be, if I'm with you..."

Ryan said softly, eyes looking up slowly.

"And...and Gabriel?...he did not get his way with me."

Michael took a breath and then thought.

"At all?"

Ryan looked down shyly.

"He...did some things, but I tried really hard to stop him..."

He looked up, eyes swimming as he begged the Lord that Michael believed him.

"I swear I did."

"Did he make you...do anything to him?"

Ryan looked down, nodding silently. He shivered slightly, and he wasn't 100% certain that it was because of the water, that was starting to cool.

"Please."

Michael lifted his chin gently with his fingers.

"I need to know so I know what to make go away for you."

Ryan kept his eyes lowered...he hadn't spoken of this at all, not even to Frank. Considering what Frank had been through, that was probably for the best.

"He m-made me take his..."

He fumbled for words, his cheeks growing hotter. He pointed down to his member. Somehow it didn't bother him that he was sat here talking whilst he was naked right now.

"...in my mouth...like I did to you."

"My poor butterfly."

Michael pulled the boy in tight. Ryan buried his face into Michael's neck, trying not to cry.

"Please forgive me? I did not want to...I hated it, he choked me, but when I said no...when I tried to stop him..."

Ryan swallowed and raised his head to meet Michael's eyes. He took one of Michael's hands in his and silently guided it to the side of his neck, just behind his right ear where a thin, inch-long scar lay.

"I kept on fighting him though."

"That monster! I'll kill him!"

Ryan raised an eyebrow.

"You would need really long arms..."

He giggled slightly through his tears.

"Or can you kill someone by telegraph now? I am so behind on these new technologies you know."

"It would not be a satisfying death unless I tended him with my bare hands and I can feel his evil heart stop beating...although I suppose that is not a very honorable thing to say."

Ryan's other brow rose and he grinned wide.

"Who cares about honorable in talking of that man's demise...it would be, as you say...satisfying."

He took a chance and rolled his hips down into Michael's lap just once. Michael was shocked at Ryan's reaction. Maybe the macabre is in both brothers.

"Would it please you if I served it to you on a platter after presenting it in a lock box...My queen?"

Ryan's eyes widened slightly, but his smile did not dim.

"Very much."

Michael felt himself getting hard as his body reacted to Ryan's movements.

"Or better, I will tie him to the table and kill him in front of you."

"What with?"

Ryan asked, rolling his hips again.

"Whatever you want me to use."

"A butcher's knife?"

"That would cut his chest open easy and end his life. I could also torture him for a bit."

Michael pressed his face into Ryan's neck and licked a drop of water. Ryan shuddered, moaning quietly.

"That's...that's a bit..."

He trailed off, realising that this conversation was headed in a direction that was a little more suited to Frank's sensibilities than his.

"We can torture him by showing him how truly good you are at pleasing your one love."

Ryan smiled wider again.

"I definitely did not please him..."

He lowered his voice conspiratorially.

"I used to put salt in his tea, and I watered down his whiskey with bath water...that I had urinated in."

"Why you little clever minx, tell me more."

Ryan giggled.

"Well I was tending to some flowers in the garden one day and I found these large sticky slugs..."

Michael sat there and listened to all the childish things that Ryan did to Gabriel. He realised that they were fine like this. Sitting comfortably in a bath together with no intent of intimacy, yet this moment was the most intimate that they had been even when Ryan gave him the gift of his innocence.

"How about we get out and get some warm cider?"

"Well I do not know..."

Ryan tilted his head a little.

"If you were offering hot cocoa, then I would definitely say yes."

"You do have expensive exotic taste don't you Master Iero."

Ryan smiled wide.

"Well I like the better things in life...that is why I like you, you know?...also, I am not really old enough for cider...my mother would not approve."

"Alright, no nectar of the Gods for my butterfly yet."

Michael eased Ryan off his lap with a kiss and then got out of the water. He wrapped himself in a warm towel. He then walked over with another one.

"Up my little butterfly."

Ryan stood, water dripping down his thin, pale body as he looked lovingly at Michael with his big brown eyes. Michael walked over with the other towel and wrapped it around Ryan. He then scooped the boy up and carried him to his own room across the hall. Ryan sighed happily as he leaned his head against Michael's shoulder.

"I love you Michael."

He whispered into the older man's neck, yawning slightly. Suddenly something occurred to him and he raised his head to look into Michael's eyes.

"Wait...are we...I mean...do you still want to...marry me?"

"Are you joking? I almost called you Master Way just now."

Ryan's eyes widened, then he relaxed and smiled.

"I would have answered to it."

Michael smiled.

"Let's get you dressed and we can go downstairs and sit by the fire."

"That sounds perfect."

*

*

*

"This is nice."

Frank was cuddled into Gerard's arms as they lay in his bed.

"It is. I have missed this, and you, so very much my love."

Gerard carded his fingers gently through Frank's hair.

"I missed you so much. I had...I had a small portrait of you that Elena gave me. I hid it and at night instead of sleeping, I would just look at it. You kept me sane through it all."

Gerard took a breath. He wasn't sure there would ever be a "right time" to talk about whatever had happened to Frank that had damaged him so badly, but he knew that Frank did in fact need to talk about it...and Gerard needed to know.

"Through what my love, talk to me...tell me what happened."

He pulled Frank firmly against him and continued to stroke his hair in an effort to show that he was safe, and that his memories could no longer hurt him.

"Oh...I..."

"You are safe here my love...you know that, right?"

"I...I do and I have known that for the past four months that I have been here, but it did not mean that the nightmares ended and that I did not jump when someone came calling from your Grandmother's firm."

Gerard stroked Frank's cheek softly.

"Let me help you if I can...please tell me what happened when you were with the Professor...it could help to talk about it, and not hold it inside."

Frank took a shuddering breath in.

"He...he never touched me if that is what you have thought. In fact he said that I disgusted him."

When the carriage stopped Frank was ready to give Hartwell a piece of his mind as soon as they entered his sister’s home. Unfortunately when the doors opened and he was ushered in everything that he was going to say fell from his lips wordlessly.

“Well Maxie, you kept your word didn’t ya?”

“I always do Marie; you should make some good money with this one.”

“And you of course.”

“What’s going on here?”

Instead of an answer he received a slap hard enough to bring him down to his knees.

“ ‘ere, you don’t be mouthin’ off like that. I take you up real fast like.”

Frank looked up at the woman in defiance.

“Looks like I gotta teach this one a bit o' a lesson.”

Frank was grabbed and thrown at another man.

“Take ‘im to the basement till he learns ‘ow to talk more genteel like.”

Frank’s face was blank as he continued his story to Gerard.

“I was beaten pretty good that night. Then I was sent to a sparse room and thrown some outlandish looking clothing. I was told to dress in it and wait for instructions.”

Gerard didn't understand, and he said as much.

"I don't understand...who were they?...the woman?...the other man?"

Frank ignored Gerard's questions and continued as if he was not there.

"No instructions came and I fell asleep. Then when it was night, I woke up to the sound of a party. I opened the door and looked in the hallway. There were young boys and girls with older men. They were entering and leaving rooms. Some were only partially dressed."

Realisation hit Gerard like a heavy train. He felt sick.

"I don't know why, but I headed down the stairs. There was indeed a party, but nothing like I had ever seen before. There was much drinking and dancing, but nothing respectable could be said about it. It was then I was grabbed and pushed against the wall."

"Here now, aren’t you a sweet thing?”

“Get off me!”

“Now that’s no way to talk to a potential buyer.”

“Is ‘e givin' you any trouble ‘arry?”

“He is, but I like them feisty. How much for the night?”

“I just got ‘im an’ ‘e 'asn’t even been broken in yet.”

Harry leered at this thought.

“I'll give you a pound for the night.”

The cash exchanged hands and Frank found himself being pushed into a side room and onto a bed.

“It all happened so fast. I had no chance to even protest.”

Gerard swallowed back the bile that crept up his throat. He squeezed his eyes shut, tears slipping down his cheeks. He opened them again when Frank continued to talk...he had to be strong for him now.

"When he was done I just lay there. The tears that I started with had all dried. I had none left. That was the beginning of the nightmare."

Gerard could see how hard Frank was trying to hold himself together, trying not to break down, but he knew that the fair one needed to cry, to let it all out. He held Frank gently to him, his arms loose enough that Frank wouldn't feel trapped, or like he couldn't escape if he wanted to.

"You can cry my love..."

He whispered.

"You can scream and shout and punch me if you like...don't hold it in."

He didn't even know if Frank could really even hear him right now.

"Hartwell came by once a week to collect his part of the money. He sneered at me."

"You bring in a pretty penny my dear. When I get your dowry though, that is when we will really live."

Gerard really wanted to string Hartwell up by his testicles and beat him to death with a chair right now. Frank stopped talking after that and just stared blankly straight ahead. Gerard swallowed, blinking away his tears.

"You're safe now my love. You're safe now."

He pulled Frank gently to him again, and kissed the top of his head softly.

"You're safe."

"I'm broken, used, filthy, and discarded. You should do the same."

"You're safe, and I'm never leaving you. I love you Frank...you don't know how much..."

Gerard sobbed slightly, holding Frank's head against his shoulder with his fingers in Frank's hair.

"When I thought that I would never see you again...Michael will tell you...he nearly lost me to despair. I was so close to drinking myself into an early grave because without you my love, I'm nothing."

"Please don't do that to yourself. You have so much to live for."

Gerard hung his head.

"No...I don't."

"Gee."

Frank turned and touched his face.

"You are handsome, talented, witty, charming, everything anyone would want in a husband. You are going to make a great father someday too."

Gerard looked up through his hair.

"You want children…because I would love that."

"I would make a horrible mother."

Gerard shook his head decisively.

"You will make a wonderful mother."

"I...don't know. What would I have to offer my children?"

Gerard gently turned Frank so he could look straight into his eyes. He softly held his chin in his fingers so he couldn't turn away.

"You have love, intelligence, humor and you don't let anyone stop you from getting what you want...you have so much to teach our children..."

He caught himself.

"I mean..."

He swallowed, releasing Frank's chin and looking away himself.

"I mean your children...I didn't mean to assume."

"You...you want to have children with me? Still, after all I just told you?"

Gerard nodded, looking back at Frank.

"Of course I do...you are the strongest person I know, and I would be proud to have children with you...if you still want to be with me?"

"Gee...I..."

Frank just started crying.

Gerard took in a deep breath...had he said something wrong?

"Frank...my love?"

Frank would not stop crying. Gerard looked toward the bedroom door, chewing on his lip nervously, then looked back.

"Should I fetch Ryan...do you want me to go?"

Frank bent over and clutched his stomach.

"FRANK?!"

Gerard didn't know what to do.

"I'll get Ryan."

He stood quickly and headed toward the door.

"NO! DON'T LEAVE ME!"

Gerard spun around and promptly tripped over a footstool, crashing to the floor in front of where Frank sat on the bed.

"Ow..."

He yelped, scrambling to get back up to Frank, shaking his head rapidly.

"I won't leave you my love."

"Please please, don’t ever leave me again."

"Never, never my love."

Gerard cupped Frank's face between his palms.

"You are stuck with me I fear."

He gave Frank a half smile.

"Then it is a fear that I will readily embrace."

Gerard smiled wide. He carefully pulled Frank back into his arms.

They sat for several minutes in a comfortable silence before Gerard spoke again.

"So how many children were you thinking of my love?"

"I always wanted two. I thought they could be best friends, but then Ryan came along and..."

Frank chuckled.

"...I just wanted to be an only child again."

Gerard laughed lightly.

"I think two sounds good...where would either of us be without our brothers...hmm?"

Frank looked down and away.

"I want...I want a little girl that I can teach...that I can show that she can do and be anything she wants to and doesn't need anyone to make her complete..."

Then he looked up again.

"...unless it is her choice to have them."

"You want a girl who is just like you...that sounds perfect to me."

At that moment Frank's stomach rumbled.

Gerard chuckled.

"Hungry?"

"It has been a while since the last meal."

Gerard's stomach growled noisily.

"I guess it has been a while for me also."

He did not mention this his "while", was actually several days...he did not wish to worry Frank, and Gerard considered Frank's health of far greater importance than his own right now.

He stood up and carefully scooped Frank up into his arms.

"Shall we go see what there is to eat?"

"Um...I think we have to get dressed first?"

Gerard looked down at himself and Frank. They were both just wearing bathrobes over their bare skin.

"Is it just the four of us and the staff here?"

He asked with a tilted head and a slight smile.

"Yes, but..."

Frank squeaked as Gerard carried them out of the bedroom and down the hall to the stairs.

"Gerard, you’re mad!"

Frank was laughing like he had not in a long time.

Gerard grinned at him.

"It has been said."

Gerard carried him down the stairs and brought him the parlor.

"I don't want to wake the staff and bother them.

Gerard thought for a moment.

"Where is the kitchen? I will make us something."

"Oh no you don't Gee, last time you were in the kitchen, we had to call the fire brigade."

Michael came down the stairs holding a blushing Ryan's hand.

Gerard pouted.

"I am not that bad."

Michael looked at Frank.

"Mother still laments the drapery."

Frank looked at Michael wide eyed and then at the drapery behind him.

"Perhaps, you should leave the cooking to Ryan. He is a wonderful cook you know."

Ryan smiled happily...it was good to hear Frank sounding more like himself, and less like the ghost he'd been these past months. Gerard sighed, his head low.

"I was only going to make a sandwich..."

He mumbled to himself before speaking to the others a little louder.

"Perhaps it is best if you do it Ryan."

Ryan smiled softly at Gerard.

"Why don't we do this together?"

He suggested, reaching out with his hand that wasn't in Michael's and grabbing Gerard's robe's sleeve, pulling him toward the kitchens at the rear of the large building.

Gerard realised he didn't have a choice in the matter.

"Hold on..."

He said, gently turning to place Frank down on a chair. He softly kissed Frank's head.

"I'll be back soon. I'm sure Michael can keep you company..."

He turned back to Ryan.

"Lead the way."

Ryan smiled, took Gerard's hand and led him out of the parlor.

"Did he tell you?"

Ryan asked once they were out of earshot. Gerard raised an eyebrow.

"Tell me what?"

"About what happened to him?"

Gerard sighed deeply.

"He did...I knew he was strong, but what he went through...I know I would not have survived that."

Ryan nodded sadly as he located a loaf of bread, the remains of the roast duck they had been eating the day before, and other things to make them all sandwiches.

"Nor would I. He is the strongest person I know...though right now..."

"Right now he's fragile."

Again Ryan nodded as he gave Gerard a sharp knife and a couple of tomatoes.

"Thin slices...and try not to cut yourself."

"I can cut a tomato."

"Of course...as long as you don't set fire to it."

Ryan smirked as he cut the bread into thick, even slices.

"That was one time!"

Ryan gave him a disbelieving look. Gerard's shoulders dropped, along with his voice.

"Alright...twice."

Ryan giggled.

"Alright, so I think that's enough tomato..."

Ryan said after a minute.

"Could you peel a few leaves off of that lettuce please?"

Gerard nodded and continued to work.

"Did Frank tell you what happened with me?"

Gerard stopped work and turned his head to face the fair one, whose eyes were trained on the bread that he was now spreading with butter.

"No, and I did not ask...that is your story to tell...but only if you want to."

Ryan sighed heavily, placing his knife down and turning to face Gerard.

"Gabriel tried to do...things...but he never..."

He looked down, wringing his hands in the front of the nightshirt he was wearing.

"He never consummated with me."

Gerard sighed in some relief.

"Well that at least is a blessing."

"It is."

They both turned back to preparing the sandwiches, a comfortable silence falling over them both.

*

*

*

Frank smiled as Gerard and his brother returned with a platter of sandwiches and a bowl of salad.

"It looks wonderful."

"I cut the tomatoes."

Gerard said somewhat proudly.

"And he did not set fire to anything so we are good."

Ryan smirked and Gerard elbowed him lightly, rolling his eyes.

"I said I could manage sandwiches."

He gave Michael a look like he had proved a point.

"With Gee you never know."

Michael ducked as he took a sandwich and helped himself to some salad.

"I'll get some wine."

Frank got up and headed to the lounge. Ryan followed.

"You talked to Gerard..."

It wasn't a question.

"Did you tell him...everything?"

Frank froze.

"Not...everything. I told him most though. He doesn't have to know about Gabriel...again. I was keeping you safe...or as much as I could do."

"I talked to him...but I didn't tell him everything either. I told Michael everything, about what happened to me anyway."

"He doesn't need to know about Gabriel, it will just anger him more."

Frank found a simple rosè that would pair well with the duck.

Ryan stepped over to his brother and hugged him gently, burying his face in Frank's neck.

"I'm really proud of you, do you know that?"

"I know, I just wish you had another reason to be proud of me."

Frank took Ryan's hand and they returned to the dining room. Gerard looked up with a smile. He walked over and slid an arm around Frank's tiny waist, pulling him gently into his side.

"I missed you."

He murmured, close to his ear.

"Every second away feels like an eternity?"

"It does."

They ate side by side companionably.

"I am stuffed."

"I don’t think I could eat another thing."

"I think I saw an apple pie in the kitchen..."

Ryan said with a sly smile...if he knew anything about his brother, it was that he could not resist apple pie.

"And cream."

Frank tried to perk up, but groaned.

"Full my love?"

Gerard chuckled slightly as he gently rubbed his hand on Frank's belly.

"Mmmm, want sleep. Want you."

Frank murmured into Gerard's neck. Gerard knew that Frank didn't want him in a physical way, because how could he after what he had been through?...but it was nice to know that he wanted to be near him, and the thought of sharing a bed did not frighten him.

"Alright my love..."

Gerard stood from his seat before scooping Frank up into his arms.

"Time for bed..."

He looked toward Michael and Ryan.

"Goodnight..."

He nodded to each of them.

"We will see you in the morning."

"Goodnight Gerard..."

Ryan smiled as he stood and walked over to them. He kissed Frank's cheek.

"Goodnight brother. You know where I am if you need me."

Michael watched as Gerard carried Frank up the stairs.

"Shall we retire as well my butterfly, or does your sweet tooth need rest first?"

"I think the apple pie can wait until morning, don't you?"

Michael scooped Ryan up in his arms.

"I do believe you are sweet enough for me."

He followed in his brother's footsteps as he carried Ryan to their room.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks, how's you?...

So they are together again at last, and just one more chapter to go I believe. Are you happy how things are working out? Do you have any questions that you want answered?...maybe they'll be answered in the epilogue. But you can ask me now if you like...of course I won't tell you any secrets that are due to still be revealed, but if you ask anything that's not going to cum up, then I will try to answer you.

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