The Other Half Of Me

Mikey looked up at the sign.

"Cool Ghoul."

"Do you think Bert will be there?"

"Pete. Seriously, why did I bring you?"

"Come on Mikeeey."

"Oh geeze."

"Can I help you boys?"

"Yes, I'm looking for Lynz?"

"You look a little young to be a client."

"Oh no Sir, I'm not even 16, I just...wanted to thank her for paying for my glasses."

"Oh! You were the boy she ran into last week. Sure, come in and uh...you?"

"'m here to see Bert."

Ryan smirked. This was the boy that Bert had been texting since early April.

"I think he can fit you in between clients."

Ryan watched the boy light up. He laughed as he let them in and wondered what Frank would think of the whole thing. He would snap a pic of the puppy love twins for him.

(time passes)

Lindsey was sat on a stool in the side alley with the fire exit door open while she had a much needed cigarette. She'd been trying to quit, but the last client she had was an asshole who'd put his hand up her skirt...so she'd broken two of his fingers and told him to "Fuck off!"...she was pretty sure she deserved a smoke right now.

She looked up as Ryan appeared in the doorway and grinned.

"Hey Ry, you lookin' for me?"

"Yeah, you collecting your own strays now?"

Lindsey tilted her head with a confused look on her face.

"What do you mean?"

She asked, flicking her cigarette end into a puddle and standing up.

"There are two boys no where near legal here to see you...well one of them at least. The other seems to have a mini hard on for Bert."

Lindsey raised an eyebrow at Ryan.

"Really? What's the kid look like?...the one that's here to see me."

"He's kind of tall for his age and a bit gangly."

"Glasses?"

"Yup."

Lindsey grinned.

"It's the one I knocked down ain't it."

Ryan laughed.

"Yeah, the one that was staring crosseyed at your ass blind as a bat as you came back to Gee and I."

Lindsey laughed, lightly punching Ryan's shoulder.

"What?...you jealous of some kid who's younger than our kitten?"

"Maybe..."

Ryan stepped up and plucked Lindsey's cigarette out of her hand and took a drag.

"Maybe I have my own ideas about you. Maybe I have had them for a while now, but I was waiting for you to find that moment you needed to be happy first."

He blew the smoke out and held a nervous smile on his face. It was now or never.

Lindsey smirked.

"Then maybe you should stop talking and kiss me."

Ryan smiled and leaned over and placed a small kiss on her lips. He then took another drag and handed her the cigarette.

Lindsey gave him a look.

"You call that a kiss?...come here..."

She threw her cigarette into the gutter and grabbed the front of Ryan's shirt, pulling him toward her.

"This, is a kiss."

She pressed her lips to his firmly, pushing his back against the wall.

Ryan laughed into the kiss.

"I love reving you up like this. Too easy baby, too easy."

Ryan reversed them quickly and pushed his thigh between her legs. He pinned her wrists to the wall above her head and pushed his face into her neck inhaling the purfume she was wearing.

Lindsey's breath hitched.

"Do you...do you really want this Ry?"

"I've wanted this since a month after you arrived. I never saw anyone more beautiful than you before. You were so shy and sweet too. You reminded me of a little bumble bee with your yellow rain coat. I guess that's why I call you Honey."

Lindsey blushed, her bravado from before dissolving as she bit her lip shyly.

"You never said...I wish you had."

"I was waiting till the perfect moment..."

Ryan leaned up and kissed her slowly.

"...I think this is it."

Lindsey shivered.

"M-me too."

"I would love to continue this, but you do have someone waiting, but I was thinking..."

Ryan brushed a thumb over her lips.

"...that after work I'd like to take you to dinner and we can talk more."

"I'd like that..."

Lindsey said with a happy smile.

"But like you say...right now, I gotta go deal with another little boy."

She winked and slipped out under Ryan's arm and disappeared back inside.

Mikey was waiting patiently for Lynz to appear. He was laughing as Pete was standing near Bert while he was finshing with his client. He was talking a mile a minute about the website and tattoo designs.

"...and I saw these ones that the site said were by a new artist?...they're absolutely awesome and my friend Bob...you know the one I told you about who's trying to grow a beard and it's not that good, well him...I told him about the designs and he wanted to look and I showed him and now he wants to come down when school's over and meet the artist so I said I'd ask you if we can do that so...can we?"

Pete ran out of breath.

"Ha ha ha, slow down Pete. First, We would be happy to take care of you friend's first tattoo, but Kitten G is only the artist. He doesn't do the tattoos. I can do that though."

"Oh..."

Pete deflated a little.

"But Bob really wanted to meet the artist."

"Believe it or not, he's afraid of needles."

Pete raised an eyebrow.

"And he works..."

He waved his arms around.

"...here?"

"Yeah. See our boss helps kids off the street. At one point we all were fu...messed up kids trying to survive. Some more than others. He cleaned us up and gave us jobs. Now we are all respectable...well I wonder about Brendon once in a while."

Pete looked over to where the older boy was trying to balance a pen on the end of his nose, and giggled.

"Yeah...I wonder about him too..."

He looked back at Bert.

"So you were messed up?"

"Yeah kiddo I was, but that was six years ago and look at me now."

Bert spread his arms out, proudly showing off his first chair area and all the client's pics he has up.

"You look good..."

Pete's eyes widened as he realised what he'd said. He backtracked quickly.

"I mean you look like you did good...like you've got yourself together and sorted and..."

He spluttered. Blushing wildly.

"Sorry."

He looked over at Mikey who was cracking up a few metres away.

Bert felt for the kid. Crushes kind of sucked. He ruffled the boy's hair.

"Hey, it's my job to grab lunch for everyone, would you and your friend like to join us. You can take the ride with me...if that's okay?"

Bert looked over at the other boy and Lindsey.

Pete looked back at Bert and grinned wide.

"Yeah, that'd be cool. Thanks."

Bert smiled at the boy. Of course he would say yes.

"Okay, let me get everyone's order first."

Bert didn't need Ryan and Brendon's...he always knew what they ate. He walked over to Lindsey and the other boy.

"Hey, lunch run."

Lindsey grinned.

"Cool, I was getting hungry..."

She looked at Mikey.

"You stayin' for food kid?"

"I uh..."

Mikey wasn't sure. He looked over at Pete, but he was no help. Just staring back at them...well Bert. Mikey groaned.

"Like I could drag him out right now."

Lindsey looked over and giggled.

"Yeah, don't think so. So what do you want?...my treat."

"Oh, you don't have to...I mean I can..."

"Relax kid, we have an account with the store."

Mikey looked at Bert.

"Alright then, sure."

Mikey gave his order and then watched as Bert went back to Pete, who was practically a pogo stick now. Bert pocketed the list and then they left together.

"He's okay right? Like he's not going to..."

Mikey didn't want to be a dick, but Pete was his best friend.

Lindsey looked toward the door then back at her young companion.

"Nah...Bert's cool. Besides, Frank would likely skin 'im if he did anythin' so...icky."

Mikey laughed.

"Icky huh? You're like six years older than me and you still say icky?"

"What's icky?"

Ryan came in and kissed Lindsey on the cheek.

Lindsey lit up, grinning and blushing like a schoolgirl...well she was dressed like one.

"Nothing's icky...cos Frankie wouldn't allow it."

She beamed, giggling at Ryan's confused look.

Mikey looked away. He should have known that a beautiful girl like this was taken. Still she was nice to talk to and he could look right?

"Oookay? So what are you two on about?"

"Mikey's friend Pete went to get lunch with Bert."

"Are you sure Bert's safe?"

Ryan laughed as he avoided getting swatted by his...girlfriend, but the boy was pouting with his arms crossed.

"Oh man, I'm kidding. The worst he will do is talk Bert's ear off right?"

Mikey chuckled.

"True."

"So how about a movie while we wait."

Ryan flipped the sign on the door and locked it knowing Bert had a key. He led the two to the lounge.

(time passes)

"So I will pick you up in about an hour. That enough time Kitten?"

Gee nodded, smiling shyly.

"I think so, yes."

"Good."

Frank kissed Gee on the cheek and then watched as he exited the car. He waved and then was gone.

Gee watched the car disappear around the corner, then took a breath and walked into the pretty pink boutique.

"Welcome to The Stars...oh, hello again, welcome back."

The same women that helped Gee before was there at the door. She bowed to him and then smiled.

"Alone this time?"

Gee nodded shyly.

"I h-have a g-gift c-card."

"Wonderful and I saw there were quite a few outfits that you didn't have time to try on that you liked."

Gee nodded again.

"Y-yes...a lot..."

He started pointing to skirts and pretty tops and shoes and anything else that caught his eye.

"...and I r-really like th-this one..."

He took the hem of a pretty white dress with lace and ribbons.

"B-but do you d-do it in pink?"

"We have everything in pink. We even have black, just not in the shop. The owner thinks it doesn't go with the asthetic, but people still buy it."

"I l-like black..."

Gee whispered after a moment's thought.

"...as l-long as I c-can p-put pink with i-it."

"Come with sweetie."

The women took Gee's hand and lead him to the back of the store through a pink curtain. There the colour of the store changed from the bright pastels of pink and purple to a more gothic black. She pulled him to a wall that had all pink and black dresses.

"We also have accessories to go with it."

She showed Gee the table with corsets, stockings and even a pair of bloomers. There was a pretty pair of black lace gloves with pink accents too.

"Ooh..."

Gee squeaked happily.

"I l-like th-these...but not the c-corsets...I'd l-look s-silly in them."

He picked up a pair of black bloomers with pink lacy trim.

"Th-these would b-be good when I'm p-painting...but th-they're t-too long..."

He disappeared back into the front of the shop and returned a moment later with a pair of pale pink short bloomers with an attached skirt in his hands.

"D-do you do th-these in black?"

He looked up hopefully.

"Sure, and I bet you would look amazing in the corset too. We should try one out."

"I like th-these t-two...and I'll t-try a corset. Y-you gotta promise n-not to l-laugh though."

"I would never laugh at you. After all, you are a Princess remember?"

She watched the boy blush at her remembering the nickname Ryan gave him. She grabbed the corset and a pair of stockings and showed him to a dressing room.

(time passes)

Frank was trying hard to concentrate at the meeting. It was really important, but he could not help remembering the outside of the store that he let Gee off at. So much pink and frills. He liked the pink, but sometimes he just wished that Gee had a bit of an edge to him. Frank had a thing for black, there was no denying that. He chuckled about it.

"Something amusing Mr. Iero?"

"Yes, the addendum in paragraph four is. Tell me, why is that even mentioned?"

The suit was taken back by his answer. Frank loved when people wrote him off as a tattooed punk. They were always shocked. He pushed his Kitten to the back of his mind and went back to the meeting.

(time passes)

"Well I think that is it, and I told you that corset would look stunning."

The sales woman, now named Nekita, was bagging up the last of Gee's purchases.

"One moment please?"

Nekita turned to see the store owner walk up. She didn't even know he was here.

"I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time Miss."

Gee turned around, blushing that the man thought he was a girl.

"Grant, I had no idea you were here."

"I was and I could not help but notice the wonderful job you did with your client or how well he fits my designs. That being said...I have a collection that I've been working on, but I have yet to find the right model."

"Grant...you don't mean..."

"Yes, my dear, I think I do."

He looked at Gee.

"Would you be willing to follow me Princess? I have something wonderful to show you."

Gee bit his lip nervously.

"I...I don't know..."

He whispered, hiding in his hair a little. He'd gotten used to Nekita, but he didn't know this guy at all. Gee felt like crawling under the clothes racks to hide...he didn't though.

"I...I g-guess it'd b-be ok."

"Nekita can come with us."

Grant gave a gentle smile. He didn't want to frighten the kitten away.

Gee looked from the tall man, to Nekita, then back.

"A-alright."

He smiled shyly.

Grant lead the boy back to his private work room. He gave him a seat in a small plush chair.

"Behold, my greatest creation. My Chi collection."

Grant pulled back a small curtain to reveal several beautiful dresses on maniquins.

"What do you think Princess?"

Gee gasped, his little hands going up to cover his mouth as his eyes widened. After a moment, he lowered his hands and looked slowly over a Grant.

"You made these?...th-they're beautiful."

"Only beautiful if someone equal to them is wearing them. Would you like to try one on? Nekita can help you if you like."

"Me?...you w-want...me to t-try one?...why?"

Gee tilted his head...this didn't make sense to him.

"Because you are perfect for this. When people see the catalogs, they will go mad knowing that they will never look as good as you, but they can try."

"But but...but I'm not pretty enough f-for th-those."

"Princess. I saw you in all those outfits in front of the mirror. Your smile lit them up. You are made for these outfits."

Gee looked down at the tiny black dress and mini bloomers he was wearing, then back up at the long gowns in front of them.

"But th-those are d-different."

"Just try one Princess."

Nekita took Gee's hand and lead him to one of the dresses...the one she saw he got most excited about. She motioned for Grant to leave. He mouthed 'thank you and good luck' and slipped out as the boy was entranced.

"I-its so p-pretty. I like the t-train at the b-back..."

Gee walked around the mannequin, careful not to step on the delicate fabric.

"And the f-frills."

"Come on Princess, let's try it on. I even have ears to go with it."

"O-ok..."

Gee said, turning to look as Nekita held out the ears. He tilted his head when he saw the plastic ears.

"Th-they're w-weird."

"Wait till the whole outfit is on. They will be perfect then."

"Oh...ok."

"Wonderful, let's get started then!"

(time passes)

Grant was honestly nervous. He wondered if he had been too bold, but he was sure he had the right idea. He watched as the curtain parted and Nekita beckoned him forward. He moved quickly.

"You are a genius once again Grant."

Grant smiled as he slipped behind the curtain. He lost his breath. The boy was breathtaking.

"Oh yes, this is perfect!"

Gee blushed, glancing over at himself in the long mirror with a smile.

"It's s-so pretty."

He whispered out.

"It is Princess and you will make all the dresses look that good."

Grant stepped up and laid a gentle hand on Gee's shoulder.

"Will you be my catalog model?"

Gee tensed up at the touch, then offered a small, slightly shaky smile to Grant's reflection.

"I...I d-don't know...I..."

He chewed on his lip and looked at himself in the mirror.

"Y-you really th-think I c-could?"

"I do Princess and of course I would pay you. You would get paid for the modeling and 10% for every dress sold through the catalog."

Gee turned toward the older man, his face filled with shock.

"Really?"

He couldn't believe this. He could earn his own money! He could pay his own way and not rely on Frank to keep him.

"So what do you say Princess?"

"Yes!...I s-say yes."

Gee grinned wide, his whole face lit up.

"Wonderful!"

Grant motiond for Nekita to grab his phone.

"So let me get your information and then we can set up a time. Are you fully avaliable or do you have another job?"

"Oh I...I w-work in a t-tattoo shop...but l c-can g-get free t-time."

Hearing that, Grant was not worried about his age anymore. You can't go near those places without being at least 18.

"That works."

Grant got the rest of the the boy's info and then let him get undressed.

"Before you get dressed Princess, I'd like to give you a gift."

He handed Nekita the clothing.

Gee looked at the pretty black and white dress, shoes, knee socks and collar...he was astounded.

"F-for me?"

"I would honored if you would wear it now."

Gee nodded excitedly, taking the dress delicately in his fingertips and holding up to himself as he turned to look in the mirror.

"I'd l-love to..."

He turned around and tiptoed to kiss Grant lightly on the cheek.

"Thank you so much."

He smiled brightly before disappearing behind the changing screen.

(time passes)

Frank was stuck in traffic. He had tried to call Gee to let him know everything was fine, but...

"No fucking bars!"

Frank punched the streering wheel. He hoped that Gee was not upset or worried. Maybe he thought that Frank abandoned him! Frank saw a side road and screeched into it. He had to find a way around this mess.

"I have to get to my Kitten!"

(time passes)

"So I will have all this sent to the address you gave us. Well Princess, it has been a pleasure."

Grant kissed his hand and then bowed, leaving to make some calls for the catalog. Just as Grant left Frank burst in the door.

"Kitten! I'm so sorry! Traffic was a bitch and I tried to call you and I had no fucking reception and I was worried that you thought I...."

Frank stopped ranting. He just stood there with his jaw dropped open. He could not believe what Gee was wearing.

"Kitten...you look..."

Gee looked wide eyed at Frank, then down at himself and back up.

"Y-you d-don't like it?"

He asked nervously, his urge to hide under the clothes racks starting to return.

"What!? No no no! I love it! I really love it!"

Gee looked up through his lashes at Frank...he started to feel himself calm down.

"Really?...y-you do?..."

He tilted his head, pouting slightly.

"Y-you're not j-just saying that...are y-you?"

"Never Kitten, you look amazing!"

Frank stepped up and kissed Gee softly.

"Come on, let's go get lunch. Do you have everything?"

Frank looked down and saw that Gee just had a small bag.

Gee nodded, smiling sweetly.

"I'm g-good."

Frank guess he had everything else delivered.

"Then let's go. I have something special planned for you."

"Take care Princess."

Grant reappeared and was standing next to Nekita, who was bowing. Frank saw the guy and pulled Gee in close.

"Bye."

Gee smiled and waved, snuggling into Frank's side.

(time passes)

"So Kitten, have you ever been to a habaci place before?"

Gee looked over at Frank from the passenger seat as Frank pulled the car to a stop.

"No Frankie...what's th-that?"

"You will see."

The waitress took them over to a table that had a wooden area around the edge for plates, and a giant tabel top grill in the middle, along with a large hole that was big enough for someone to stand in.

"Don't touch the metal part Kitten, it's very hot."

Gee nodded.

"Ok Frankie."

He jumped as he heard a squeal come from someone at another table. He looked, but couldn't see what was happening. He turned back to the table to see there was now a man in a red chef's hat stood in the void in the middle of the table. He shuffled closer to Frank.

"So Kitten what would you like to eat?"

"W-what i-is there?"

Gee whispered.

"Take a look at the menu Kitten."

Gee looked at the list where Frank pointed to, the Hibachi Entrees. There were so many things to chose from that he was a little overwhelmed.

"W-what are y-you h-having Frankie?"

He asked quietly, looking up through his lashes.

"I'm going for surf and turf. Steak and salmon."

"Oh, um..."

Gee looked at the menu again.

"C-can I h-have the salmon...p-please?"

He looked at Frank with wide, hopeful eyes.

"Of course Kitten."

The waitress came over and took their order and Frank ordered some sushi as well as saki for himself and ramune for Gee. The chef introduced himself and then, as the salad and soup were being served, he began his show.

Gee watched with interest, but squeaked and huddled into Frank's side as the chef sent flames shooting toward the ceiling.

"It's okay Kitten I have you."

Frank held Gee during the show. He could see the boy was fascinated, especially with the onion volcano. The sushi arrived and Frank picked up a piece of salmon.

"Open up Kitten."

Gee opened his mouth, poking the tip of his tongue out a little and looking up at Frank expectantly.

Frank swallowed hard and looked away as he placed the piece of sushi on Gerard's tongue.

The tip of Gee's tongue brushed Frank's finger as he curled his tongue around the salmon, pulling it into his mouth.

"Mm..."

He hummed happily.

"Yummy."

"You sure are...I mean..."

Frank cleared his throat and heard the chef chuckle. He finished making their food and then left. Now they were alone. The food was still too hot to eat so Frank decided that it was a good time to talk.

"Hey Kitten. I uh, wanted to talk about last week. Is that okay?"

Gee shuffled around in his seat to face Frank more, his skirt riding up his thighs a little.

"What about l-last w-week Frankie?"

"Kitten...um...you called me daddy as you feel asleep, and I know how your father treated you so I was a little taken aback."

Gee blushed, looking down and hiding in his hair as he twisted his hands in the hem of his skirt.

"I'm s-sorry. I w-w-won't d-do it ag-again..."

He sniffed quietly.

"P-please d-don't b-b-be m-mad?"

"No no no Kitten, I'm not mad, not mad at all, just trying to understand."

Frank pulled the boy into his lap. He pet his hair lightly.

Gee kept his eyes lowered, trembling slightly as he sniffed again.

"I..."

He shifted to get comfortable, though he knew it was the conversation, rather than the position that was bothering him.

"I n-never c-called him th-that."

He whispered brokenly.

"You never called who that Kitten?"

Frank picked up the chopsticks and started to feed Gerard.

Gee turned his face away, sobbing quietly. He didn't want to think about his father.

"Kitten please, talk to me. I need to know if what happened was okay or if it was because you were so tired you didn't..."

Gee turned his head back a little, though not all the way.

"I never called my f-father...daddy..."

He whispered out.

"He w-was papa then...then s-sir..."

He finally looked at Frank.

"I called you d-daddy...cos I w-wanted t-to."

"I didn't mind Kitten. I didn't mind at all and I can be your daddy if you want me to be...but you have to remember you aren't 18 yet and I won't do anything with you till you are."

Gee looked at Frank with big wet eyes.

"But...but I'm o-old e-enough to c-consent..."

He lifted a shaky hand and placed it softly on Frank's cheek.

"And...and I do."

"I know you do Kitten, but it would be easy for your parents to lay charges against me becasue you were 16 when you ran away and your father would do it just to hurt us."

Gee shook his head decisively.

"But I'm n-never g-gonna see them a-again...so, so it d-doesn't m-matter w-what they'd s-say."

"You never know Gee and I don't want to give them any ammunition. It's only another year. If our relationship is that important to you, then you can wait right? I know you are worth it...and besides...."

Frank leaned in and gave a small lick to Gee's ear as he whispered into it.

"We can still fool around a little."

Gee moaned softly as Frank's tongue and warm breath touched his skin, his eyes fluttered.

"W-we can?"

He asked weakly.

"Mhmm, just not go all the way, but it doesn't mean I can't please my Kitten a little."

Frank dropped one of his hands and caressed the top of Gee's bare thigh.

Gee shivered, a small whimper leaving his lips.

"And...and I c-can please you?"

He shifted himself up on Frank's lap. He could feel Frank's reaction quite clearly.

"If you want to."

"Are you finished? Would you like anything wrapped up to go? Any dessert?"

Frank smirked at Gee and then turned to the waitress.

"Yeah, can we get this to go and I think we will skip dessert today, right Kitten?"

Gee nodded, his cheeks red as he avoided the waitress's gaze.

The waitress nodded and left to get boxes. Frank slipped Gee off his lap and fixed his pants.

"Are we g-going home n-now...daddy?"

Gee said softly, his head lowered a little so he was looking up through his long lashes at the older man. His fingers played with the fabric of his skirt nervously.

"Yeah Kitten, yeah we are."

Frank boxed up the food quickly and paid the check. He then took Gerard's hand and they walked out the door to the car.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks...how's you?

So a lot happened this chapter, didn't it?...all good do you think?

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