Taming of the Punk

Gerard clapped as Venom romped home in first place, as he knew he would.

"See brother? I told you this was Venom's year."

"You gave him a good run for his money though Michael."

Michael smiled at his grandmother. Even if he did take second place, they still beat Cobra.

"Do you think that Ryan will come to the winners' circle too?"

Gerard smiled.

"You really do like him, don't you Michael."

He ignored the word "too", because that implied that Frank would be coming, and he was too much of a realist to believe that the boy had forgiven him enough to accept his invitation...though that did not stop him from hoping.

"I do and it bothers me that he is being mistreated by that snake of a man that only wants to gain what he can from their joining."

Michael gritted his teeth.

"Boys, when your grandfather wanted to court me, I would have nothing to do with him. I thought that he was uncouth and unrefined, but I realized that I was seeing a side of him that no one else had. His willingness to be vulnerable for me was what won my heart. If you do the same, I am sure that you will be seen for who you are and your true intentions."

Gerard knew that Elena was trying to help, but he feared that if he showed Frank the real him, that the boy would dislike what he saw and not give him the time of day. What had started as merely a wager with his brother, had become something quite different, and he would freely admit that he was fast losing his heart to the feisty younger man.

"I am quite sure that Ryan will make the right choice Michael...he may be young, but he seems to have a good head on his shoulders."

Gerard looked toward the boxes as they arrived at the winners circle...would the boys come?

"Come on Ryan, hurry!"

Frank had never moved so fast in his life. As soon as the winner was announced, he grabbed Ryan, forgetting all about the bet he made with Gabriel and pulled him toward the winners' circle. The crowd was thick around it and Frank could not see an opening. What if Gerard thought he didn’t come? Frantically looking for an opening, Frank did something most unbecoming. He shouted.

"Gerard!"

Gerard's head snapped around as he heard his name called...he was in the middle of shaking the hand of Prince Arthur, a great honor, but Frank's voice drew his attention. Realizing his faux-pas, as Michael dug him in the ribs to regain his attention, Gerard turned back to the intimidating military man.

"I do apologise Sir. I was distracted."

"It is no trouble. I can see how the excitement can get to you. I would like to sponsor your's and your brother's horse at..."

Michael lost what the Prince was saying to Gerard. He knew the voice that called out was Frank. He started to scan the crowd and saw him with Ryan. He quickly made his way over and pulled them into the winners' circle in front of everyone.

"Oh, and who is this?"

Michael just realised that the Prince was addressing him. Gerard noticed that his brother seemed to have been struck dumb, so stepped in to make introductions.

"Your Royal Highness, it is my pleasure to introduce Masters Frank..."

He indicated with his hand.

"...and Ryan Iero. Gentlemen, may I introduce you to His Royal Highness, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught."

Ryan was wide eyed and blushing wildly, but he still had the wherewithal to bow to the Prince.

Frank also bowed wide eyed. The prince, the actual Prince!

"Sorry to disrupt your conversation your Highness."

"Nonsense, I had no idea that The Way Family had such lovely acquaintances. Please you must join me for tea."

Ryan beamed.

"It would be a great honor Your Royal Highness. Thank you Sir."

"Well then..."

The Prince turned to leave and Michael took Ryan's arm.

"May I accompany you young Master Iero?"

Ryan smiled coyly.

"Certainly you may."

Gerard looked at Frank hesitantly.

"And may I escort you, Master Iero?"

He disliked the need for such formality after being able to call Frank by his given name at tea with his grandmother before, but he knew that calling him Frank in the Prince's presence would be highly frowned upon.

"Yes, please."

Frank gave his arm to be taken by the oldest Way. They escorted them behind the Prince and his procession. Out of the corner of his eye Frank saw Gabriel staring in shock. He smiled internally.

*

*

*

"Um...I fear that we arrived with our cousin, so we must leave with him."

Tea was wonderful and after the Prince excused himself, Gerard and Michael took him and Ryan on a walk back to their stables. The sun was starting to set and Frank really didn't want the day to end.

"Frank, did you forget?"

Ryan asked, raising a brow at his brother.

"Forget what?"

Frank had to admit that his mind was rather clouded at the moment.

"Why, the wager you made with cousin Gabriel of course. You won!"

Michael looked surprised.

"Frank, you made a wager with that snake?"

Michael quickly covered his mouth.

"Forgive me, that was very out of line."

Ryan giggled.

"It was a good bet, and an easy win. It means that we are free to accompany you to Lady Elena's home..."

He blushed looking down and dropping his voice.

"I mean...only if that is alright, of course?"

He looked up shyly.

"Yes! I mean, yes, please, it would make me and uh...Gee, well Gerard, happy to take you home, I mean bring you home, I mean YOUR home, not ours, I mean..."

Gerard raised an eyebrow.

"Relax brother...do I need to fetch the doctor with a sedative for you? Has the sun effected your mind?"

He turned and smiled at Frank, rolling his eyes slightly at Michael's floundering.

"You're a horse’s ass Gee."

Michael stuck his tongue out at his brother and then turned to Ryan taking both his hands.

"It would be an honor to accompany you back to the Iero Estate."

Ryan smiled wide.

"Wonderful. We will have to inform Cousin Gabriel first of course."

Gerard frowned at the thought of having to go anywhere near that man, but he held his tongue, as it was only polite to inform him of the change in travel arrangements.

*

*

*

It turned out that Gabriel was a better sport than Frank had even imagined...of course it helped that Lady Rush was there to see everything off. Now they had been traveling for almost the whole of the evening when the carriage stopped. The Ways got out and went to make sure their rooms were ready. Frank and Ryan waited in the carriage. When the men returned they did not look happy.

"What happened?"

Michael was a flush color.

"It seems there was a mistake and one of our rooms was given away. We only have one room, so you and Ryan will take it and Gerard and I will find other shelter or stay in the carriage with the horses."

"Oh..."

Ryan frowned slightly, looking at his brother for any ideas.

"That does not sound comfortable at all."

"We can just share the room."

Frank didn't even realise he spoke aloud.

Gerard swallowed harshly.

"Are...are you sure?"

"I am sure the bed is large enough since they assumed you could get away with just one. Come, I am exhausted, let us go to the room."

Frank grabbed Ryan's hand before he changed his mind.

*

*

*

"Well, the bed certainly looks big enough."

"Gerard and I shall sleep on the floor."

Gerard nodded his agreement.

"Michael and I will wait outside while you change for bed, then we will come back in...if that is alright with you?"

He addressed both of the Iero brothers, yet looked only at Frank.

"Yes, that will be fine."

Frank watched them leave and then sunk down on the bed.

"Ryan, why did I say that?"

Ryan was undoing his britches...he looked up.

"Why did you say what Frank?"

He queried, unsure of Frank's train of thought.

"To share a bed with him...them? What will he, they think of me, us!"

"Frank...we are not sharing the bed with them, merely the room."

Ryan moved to Frank's side and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"They with think no less of us...more in fact, as we did not insist upon them sleeping with the horses."

"Are you really going to let Michael sleep on the floor?"

Ryan looked at his brother, then the bed.

"Do you suggest that we sleep on the floor instead...or that we all sleep in the bed?"

He raised an eyebrow as he met Frank's gaze.

"The bed is large enough if that is what you are alluding to."

"I don't...I don’t know."

"Gerard what are we going to do? We can't sleep in the same room as them! Propriety says it's wrong!"

Michael paced back and forth in front of the room.

"I know..."

Gerard ran his fingers through his long hair in frustration.

"But it was Frank's suggestion, not ours..."

He dropped his hand, letting out a huff.

"Maybe we should sleep in the carriage."

"I..."

There was a knock at the door signaling that they could go in. Michael touched the door knob and took a deep breath ready to state his feelings.

"Ryan, Frank, I think Gee and I should..."

The words dried up in Michael's mouth as he saw Ryan was wearing silk night shirt that came just above his knees. Frank was wearing a more demure longer version.

"Yes?"

Ryan questioned.

"Beautiful."

Mikey realised he just blurted that out. He ran out of the room spinning Gerard as he did. Gerard bounced off the doorframe and fell awkwardly to the floor, grunting and clutching his knee.

"Gerard!"

Frank ran over and knelt down.

"Are you alright?"

Gerard winced as he tried to move his leg. He shook his head with a frown.

"I seem to have twisted my knee, could you help me to the chair please?"

Frank leaned down and let Gerard put his arm around him. He walked Gerard to the chair near his side of the bed.

"Ryan, where do you think you are going dressed like that?"

Frank's head shot up from looking at Gerard's knee as he saw Ryan trying to leave the room.

Ryan looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"To...to find Michael?"

He said, though it came out as more of a question.

"Michael is a grown man Ryan, he will return when he realises how silly he is being. Now come, help me take care of Gerard. Go fetch a cold cloth from the basin.

"But..."

Ryan looked out the door then back at Frank, sighing loudly.

"Alright."

He closed the door and went to the wash basin in the corner. He wet a cloth and walked over to his brother, handing him the cloth.

"Um...can you...I need..."

Frank was flush. He didn't want to say out loud that he needed Gerard's pants off. He tugged on the material instead. Gerard understood, his eyes widening as he swallowed deeply.

"Oh err...yes, of course."

He flustered, undoing his britches. He looked between the two younger men.

"I can take care of this if you are uncomfortable."

"We are all men...nothing I have not seen before."

Frank tried to keep the tremor out of his voice. Gerard glanced between the brothers.

"If you are sure."

"Yes, we are sure."

Frank hoped Ryan did not mind him speaking for him.

Ryan nodded in agreement. Gerard sighed.

"Alright then."

Putting his weight on his uninjured leg, Gerard stood up enough to slip his britches down off his hips and down to his knees before he sat back down with a groan...he then pushed them the rest of the way down, holding the front of his shirt down to cover his manhood, which he was internally cursing, as it had become ridged at Frank's closeness. Frank tried not to look as he laid the cloth over Gerard's knee.

"Am I intruding on something?"

Michael stuck his head in the doorway. Gerard looked up.

"You knocked me down, you ass."

He frowned at his brother.

"Are you alright?"

Ryan asked, pulling Michael's attention to him.

Michael was still speechless at how good Ryan looked.

"I am alright, sorry if I frightened you."

Ryan smiled coyly.

"You did not frighten me, just worried me a little."

"You just took me by surprise, that's all."

Ryan giggled innocently.

"How?...I did nothing."

"Ryan."

Michael lifted his hand and touched his face. It was the first time they had any skin contact. No gloves in the way. It was as soft as Michael thought it would be.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? You have an amazing heart and a sweet voice and the best fashion sense and..."

*cough cough*

Gerard cleared his throat, raising an amused eyebrow at his brother when he looked over.

"Thank you."

Ryan said softly, drawing him back.

"Right, well...I uh...Gerard, you have no britches on."

Gerard's eyes widened like he hadn't noticed. He looked at Frank who was kneeling in front of him, holding the wet cloth to his knee.

"I..."

He looked back at Michael with a slight blush on his cheeks.

"You knocked me down."

He repeated weakly, because he didn't know what else to say.

"Yes, and he twisted his knee. Ryan and I were helping him."

Michael thought about Ryan on his knees like Frank for his brother and it made him see red. Without meaning to, he pulled Ryan to him possessively. Ryan gasped in surprise, but did not try to pull away.

"Uh...Michael...can you let go of my brother?"

Michael jumped and accidently pushed Ryan toward the bed. He tangled in his own footsteps and fell forward pinning him to the bed. His night shirt slipped up showing his pale thigh. Gerard slapped a hand over his eyes and bit his lip to stop himself from laughing. Ryan froze, eyes wide and startled, and a heavy blush staining his cheeks.

"Alright!"

Frank jumped up.

"I think we all need to just get to bed."

Frank pulled the top layer of covers off the bed and laid it on the floor next to him. He then took the extra blanket and tossed it to Michael.

"It's summer so I don’t see you needing much of anything else."

Ryan smiled shyly as Michael got quickly off of him, red faced. Ryan moved to the side of the bed and slipped under the sheets. Gerard lowered his hand and removed the wet cloth from his knee.

"Yes. I think we have had quite enough excitement for one day...time to sleep."

He looked at his brother.

"Before your face combusts Michael, would you please help me onto the floor, oh, and apologize to young Ryan, yes?"

He quirked an eyebrow.

"Why doesn't Frank just help you, you seem to have gotten closer while I was out."

Michael turned away and lay down on his own blanket next to Ryan's side of the bed. Gerard looked at Frank, then away.

"It is alright..."

He said quietly.

"You do not need to."

He started to struggle off of the chair, biting back a yelp as the pain shot though his knee again.

"Gerard!"

Frank lunged to catch him heedless of his clothing.

"Here, I want you to sleep up here; I'll sleep on the floor."

Gerard shook his head fiercely, mouth pressed into a tight line to hold back any embarrassing sounds he may make. Taking a breath and drawing his strength together, he looked at Frank.

"I would not be able to rest if you were to sleep on the hard floor. Please, just help me down...your brother and you should have the bed."

Frank knew the argument was mute. He did what was requested. When they were both lying down, one above and one below, Frank stayed to the edge and did not let go of Gerard's hand. Gerard smiled in the darkness after Frank had extinguished the last lamp. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep, though the hard floorboards made slumber an unattainable goal.

As the night ticked on, Gerard started to shiver. The room itself was not cold, and being June, and a particularly warm one at that, he was surprised at how cold the floor actually was. Feeling his teeth start to chatter, Gerard moved awkwardly onto his side and curled up, though this just sent painful shockwaves through his knee, and caused him to unintentionally squeeze Frank's hand.

*

*

*

Michael got up to find the water closet. He grumbled as he fumbled with his britches. Damn, he fell asleep in his clothes again. After the water closet, he stepped out and stripped to his button shirt. He was too tired to find his night clothes. Michael moved to his side of the bed and groaned when he found another body. Great, so Gerard had stolen his bed once again.

"Move over Gee, come on, I'm exhausted."

The body shuffled and Michael crawled in. He could feel the heat coming off his brother. That was unusual, his brother was typically cold. Well he was not going to complain since he was cold. He turned to face out and settled back down.

*

*

*

Gerard woke up to pain in his hip and knee. He was cold and disorientated...and on the floor for some reason he could not quite figure...maybe he had fallen out of bed? Struggling to sit upright, a quiet groan escaping his lips, he peered sleepily at the body lying close to the edge of the bed.

"Damn it Michael."

He huffed quietly. His brother had pushed him out of bed on more than one occasion in the past, so it was not a big surprise that he had done it again. Using the edge of the nightstand for support, Gerard pulled himself to his feet and onto the narrow strip of bed that his brother had not coveted.

"Move over."

He whispered, nudging the sleeping form a little. When Michael moved a few inches, Gerard slipped under the covers and pressed into his side for warmth...Michael always was warmer than him. A few short moments later, and Gerard was sound asleep.

*

*

*

The first thing that woke Frank up was the birds chirping outside. The second was that someone was in the bed with him.

"Ryan."

Ryan made a noise and Frank cuddled into him more. He was about to fall back asleep, but then he realised...he was facing Ryan, he could see his sleeping face through his half lidded eyes. If he was facing Ryan...then who was holding him? He looked down slowly and saw an arm draped around his body. The fingers were long. Artist fingers they were called. There was a black onyx ring that sparkled in the sliver of morning sun that was peeking through the drapes. He only knew one person that had that ring.

"Foul sun."

Frank looked up when he heard another voice. He saw the head of Michael peeking out above Ryan's. He too had an arm around his brother. Ryan looked so content. His hand had slipped down and covered Michael's. Frank knew he should move. He knew that he should alert everyone in the room that this was such a lack of moral propriety...but Gerard felt so warm and he felt so safe in his arms. Instead he slipped his own hand down and boldly interlaced his fingers with Gerard's. He felt the coolness of the ring next to his skin and quietly sighed as he drifted back off to sleep.

*

*

*

Gerard awoke feeling warm and comfortable, except for his knee, that felt stiff and painful. He kept his eyes closed, as even through his eyelids he knew that the sunlight was shining in and straight upon his face. He had his arm around a warm body and he frowned that Michael appeared to be holding his hand in his sleep. He tried to release his fingers without waking his brother, but Michael's grip just tightened a little, so he let him be...for now. After a few minutes of just lying there, his mind slowly waking up to the new day, his eyes suddenly shot open as the realisation hit him that he and his brother had given the bed up to the Ieros last night, so...his heart was in his mouth as he peered over the sleeping figure in his arms and saw that it was actually Frank.

Fear crept into him that Frank would think he was trying to take advantage...he would have himself flogged before he allowed Frank to think that badly of him, as he had only just regained the boy's trust.

Breathing as quietly and as shallowly as he could, Gerard tried again to untangle their hands and move back from the being pressed against him...because apart from anything else, he had awoken with an all too familiar problem, that was currently pressed against Frank's soft behind...that would not do at all.

Gerard moved his hips back away from Frank's warm body, but was still unable to retrieve his hand without waking the younger man.

"Gee, tell Tyler to just bring tea up. I don’t want to move yet."

Michael snuggled into Gerard's body. Gerard lifted his head to look over Frank at his brother. He saw that Michael was holding Ryan in much the same way as he was holding Frank.

"Shh..."

He hushed him urgently, scared of waking the boys in their arms...scared of their reactions.

"Huh, wha..."

Michael's eyes went wide as he saw his brother holding Frank. Panic made him start to shake.

Ryan woke slightly, but kept his eyes closed, his face scrunching up as he squeezed Michael's hand. Michael looked at Gerard for any kind of direction for the situation. Wide eyed, Gerard shook his head and gave a half shrug, mouthing the words "I don't know." Michael started to pull away and found his hand trapped.

"They will be angry at us."

He mouthed back to his brother. Gerard chewed on his bottom lip...he felt like crying right now.

"He won't let go."

He mouthed, indicating Frank with his eyes. Michael looked down and saw that his brother was in the same situation he was. He looked back up mouthing.

"Do you think he knows?"

Gerard raised an eyebrow.

"I doubt that."

He mouthed back.

"So what do we do then?"

Michael knew they had to extract themselves, but Ryan was warm and he felt that pulling him back into his slumber. Gerard shrugged.

Ryan shifted, snuggling back against Michael. His eyes were just open, and he could see Gerard's head peering over Frank as he had a silent conversation with his brother. He thought it amusing that the Ways seemed to be scared right now, as it went completely against their characters. He squeezed Michael's hand to see what reaction he would elicit.

"I guess we wait till they wake up first and hope."

Michael mouthed one more time to Gerard and then deciding to squeeze back settled his head against Ryan and closed his eyes.

*

*

*

Gerard could not sleep again...the ache he felt between his legs was growing with every minute that he was entangled with Frank, and he could not move his hips back any further without falling out of bed...his backside was already feeling a draft where the blankets did not cover him properly. He prayed for some divine intervention that would make his problem subside before Frank awoke and noticed it, but apparently God was not on his side today, as he felt Frank begin to stir. Frank was still half asleep as he untangled himself from Gerard. He moved from beneath the covers, crawled to the end of the bed, then went to find the water closet.
Gerard sighed in relief...he could do nothing to assist his brother right now, but at least he could make an escape. Quietly he climbed off of the edge of the bed, biting back a curse as he put weight on his injured leg. He moved down onto the floor and hoped that Frank had been too sleepy to realise the change in his position.

Frank returned and gave a little internal frown that Gerard was gone. He decided to start some trouble then.

"MASTER WAY, KINDLY TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF MY YOUNGER BROTHER!"

Michael woke with a start and flailed falling off the bed. Ryan woke with a start.

"What what?"

He looked behind him, over the side of the bed, then at his brother, stood there with his hands on his hips at the foot of the bed.

"Frank. That was not nice."

He tried to sound stern, but after a second, and seeing the mischievous glint in his brother's eye, he could not help but fall into a fit of giggles.

Gerard sat up, wincing slightly and looking around. He saw his brother sitting on the floor beyond the bed and, having heard Frank's shout and the subsequent thump, he realised what had happened. He grinned and looked at Frank.

"Good morning."

"Humph, it is most certainly not a good morning."

"I'll agree."

Michael pushed onto his knees and rubbed his behind. Gerard's smile dropped and he lowered his eyes to the floor.

"Do not be so harsh brother..."

Ryan chastised, sitting up and straightening his nightshirt.

"The sun is shining; we slept in a warm bed with good company..."

He smirked slightly, seeing everyone realising that they had all been aware of the sleeping arrangements all along.

"And it is time for breakfast."

He concluded with a smile. He could smell freshly baked bread, and it made his stomach growl quietly.

"I'll go get breakfast."

Frank slipped his britches on and then took off his night shirt. Gerard's eyes widened at the sudden appearance of creamy, unblemished skin. He snapped them shut when he realised he was staring. Frank grabbed his shirt and slipped it on. He then turned to grab his shoes and realized that everyone was staring at him.

"Yes?"

Ryan giggled.

"Nothing brother."

He looked at Gerard and saw he was as red as a ripe tomato. Frank rolled his eyes and then left the room.

"Um...well that was awkward."

Michael stood up fully.

"I am sorry if I took any liberties from you Young Master Way."

Ryan shook his head.

"Not at all, though I should be obliged if you would both cover your eyes while I dress for the day?"

"Right, yes. Gee?"

Michael waited till Gerard closed his eyes and then closed his own. Ryan slipped out of the covers and crossed to his britches, that he had left folded on a chair in the corner. He pulled them on then removed his nightshirt before slipping his shirt and waistcoat on. He sat on the chair to put his shoes on, then stood and looked between the two Way brothers...their eyes were still firmly closed. He walked quietly to Michael's side and tiptoed to press a soft kiss to his cheek, then turned and headed to the door.

"You can open your eyes now."

He said, slipping out into the hallway and closing the door behind him. He had not missed the fact that both Way brothers had a very obvious problem that they were unsuccessfully attempting to hide, and he felt it only polite that he leave them to take care of themselves while he assisted Frank in fetching the breakfast.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks...how's you?

Yeah, so that happened...awkward much?!?

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