Valmont

The beautiful song filled the rafters of the room. Ryan stood among the other boys singing. He wondered what it would be like to add a girl's voice to theirs, but they were all still young and none of their voices had shifted so really they all still sounded like girls.
The door opened and one of the Brothers walked in. All the boys were advised with a stern look to continue to sing as the Brother made his way to the instructor. There was a bit of whispering back and forth and then Ryan was motioned to come forward. Now the singing quieted around him as the other boys began to speculate why this was happening. Ryan was pretty sure he knew though and it excited him. He moved from his place in the choir to the floor. The Brother started to walk out and Ryan followed him listening to the choir get admonished for misbehaving. They walked out of the dark room and down the corridor out into the courtyard. Then as Ryan was looking around he saw her and began running without thinking.

"Ma'ma!"

Ryan ran into the arms of his well-dressed mother. He knew that she was an important part of Victorian society. He was proud that one day he would take his place there too.

"Ryan my love, look how much you have grown! I have a surprise for you, look who I brought."

Ryan removed his face from his mother's comforting bosom and saw a tall man dressed as well as his mother was. He pulled away from his mother reluctantly, but fully.

"Do you remember me?"

Ryan thought about it. The man did look familiar. Then he did remember. He had been to the Operetta with him.

"Yes, but I am afraid I do not remember your name Sir."

"I'm Master Urie dear, but you always called me Brendon...do you remember now?"

"Yes, I do. We went to the theater together. I would love to do that again some time."

"Ryan, do not be so presumptuous."

Ryan bowed his head admonished by his mother.

"Yes Ma'ma."

"Oh it is no worry Lady Ross, the enthusiasm of youth is quite refreshing I find."

Brendon winked discretely at Ryan.

"Walk with me dear?"

Ryan nodded and then walked beside the older man. Actually by standards Brendon was not older like his mother. Ryan knew that Brendon was only 10 years older than him, but his husband had already passed away. Ryan always wanted to ask how, but it was wrong to.

"Master Urie...I mean Brendon, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course my dear."

Brendon smiled at the young boy.

"Do you know if it's true? Am I intended to be married?"

"Well...I believe your mother wishes to tell you herself but..."

Brendon smiled, leaning in conspiratorially.

"I think, as you have guessed already, that there is no harm in my confirming such."

Ryan's eyes became wide with excitement.

"Who is he?"

Ryan saw confusion in Brendon's eyes.

"You don't know either do you?"

"I am afraid not my dear...your mother is being very secretive about the whole thing."

"Oh. Um...please if you could, can you try and find out who it is? I would be ever so grateful."

Brendon smiled lightly, patting the younger boy's hand that was clutching hopefully at his sleeve.

"Of course I can try, though I cannot promise any success."

Ryan smiled as they walked back to his mother together.

*

*

*

Ryan walked into the town house properly, but when he saw his personal maid, whom he had not seen in seven years, well they ran off together like school children.

"Ah, I guess boys will be boys."

"Yes..."

Brendon laughed lightly.

"Even boys who are soon to be wed."

"Who told you?"

Brendon smiled.

"I hear things."

"Well...yes, it is true, but please don’t tell Ryan yet."

"Of course not..."

Brendon assured.

"But may I know who his intended is? I am longing to know."

Instead of answering Brendon properly, the matron continued to talk.

"Do you know it was his idea the Ryan stay in the monastery so long? He wants him to retain his innocence as long as possible...as do I."

"That is so sweet of him."

Brendon smiled, though he realized what Lady Ross did not; that this man...whoever he was...just wished to be the one to ruin that innocence. He did not voice this.

"But who is he?"

Lady Ross stopped.

"I'm sorry...I just can't. You understand right?"

Brendon sighed.

"You are being awfully secretive Lady Ross..."

He smiled indulgently.

"This man must be someone very special."

"He is...and that is why I have come to you."

She took Brendon's hand.

"I want Ryan to go into his marriage as innocent as possible, but with the wisdom that you possess."

Brendon hid his smirk by turning it into an appreciative smile.

"Well would it be of help if I took young Ryan under my wing?...teach him a little of society...he has been in the monastery for so long, that he knows little of how to interact with any other than his peers and tutors."

"That would be wonderful. On thank you Master Urie, you have such a good heart."

*

*

*

Ryan looked excitedly out at the guests still pouring into the theater. He was not even sure what the Operetta was about that they were seeing. Brendon and he were in their own private box with a small table that had several delicacies on it that Ryan's mother would never let him have. He saw that Brendon sat down and opened up the lace curtain so that everyone could see them. Brendon took out his fan and then looked at Ryan. He sat down and did the same. Ryan turned to ask Brendon what they were seeing when there was a knock on the door. He turned and as the door opened the most handsome young man he had ever seen walked in. He watched as Brendon's face lit up at his entrance.

"Why, Gerard...what a nice surprise."

Brendon held out his hand for the other man to kiss. Gerard enjoyed the moment immensely. It had been a while since he saw Brendon. He was about to suggest they find a more private place when his eyes fell on Brendon's guest. He smiled as the barely of age boy blushed. Letting go of Brendon's hand, he moved to where the boy was. He picked up his hand, startling the lad and then looked at Brendon.

"Well? Aren't you going to introduce me to your companion for the evening?"

Brendon smiled at his friend and verbal sparing companion.

"Master Way, may I introduce my cousin, Master Ryan Ross. Ryan, this is my good friend Master Gerard Way."

"It's a pleasure Young Master Ross."

Gerard smiled and kissed the boy's hand, enjoying the reaction.

"Ryan...do you think that you should allow Master Way to hold your hand for so long? It could appear as an invitation for something more."

Brendon smirked at Gerard over the boy's head. Ryan quickly pulled his hand back blushing. This made Gerard smile even more.

"Is this your first Operetta Master Ross?"

Ryan looked at the man and then at Brendon.

"Should I answer him?"

"What do you think?"

Brendon raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

"Well you said that if he holds my hand too long that it is an invitation. Would this not count as one too?"

"Well..."

Brendon appeared to consider this for a moment before he spoke.

"That depends. Would you like Master Way to join us?"

Brendon looked back at the handsome man and made his choice.

"No, this is not my first. I have been to one other with Master Urie, but it was when I was younger."

"And how old are you now?"

"A word please Master Way?"

Brendon stood quickly, leading Gerard out of the room into the busy hall.

"That is the only son of Lady George Ross Gerard, and he is under my protection."

Gerard ran a bold finger down Brendon's cheek to his neck.

"And how old is he?"

"He is 15, you monster..."

Brendon said, laughing lightly.

"…and he is promised to another."

"Well, I only came to let you know that I will be leaving for the country tonight."

"Oh and who is the unlucky gentleman or lady this time...hmmm?"

"My maternal grandmother."

Brendon was in slight shock for a moment and then smiled genuinely.

"Lady Rush?...oh my...I have not seen her in so long...please pass on my kind regards?"

"I will...but if you decide that you are bored with the hum drum life of the city, you know where to find me...and I do hope you will find me."

"Oh I doubt that will be necessary Gerard...I am quite sure I will have plenty to amuse myself with in town. Now, I must return to my guest...goodbye."

Brendon smiled sweetly before returning to his seat again. Ryan looked up when Brendon came in.

"Where did Master Way go?"

"To see his grandmother, apparently."

"Is he your lover?"

Ryan shocked himself for asking such a brazen question.

Brendon looked at the boy in surprise.

"I am a widower Ryan. It is inappropriate to ask such a thing."

"So...you haven't since...you know..."

Brendon put his hand over his heart, eyes going wide and mouth dropping open.

"Of course I have not, widowers simply do not have lovers.”

***Time Stamp: Sunday Evening***

"More."

Brendon purred, lying naked on the dark rumpled sheets of the large four poster bed.

Robert looked in to the mirror at his lover.

"More? My dear, if you want more, I think you should find another lover."

"Oh no, I do not wish for another lover. I am quite happy with the one I have."

Robert continued to get dressed.

"When can I see you again?"

Brendon moved onto his hands and knees and crawled to the foot of the bed, kneeling to watch the older man.

"I'm not sure honestly."

"Monday?"

"Probably not."

"Tuesday?"

"No, I'm afraid not."

"Wednesday?"

Robert finished buttoning up his vest and then slipped on his suit coat.

"I will let you know."

"Are you seeing someone else?"

Brendon asked, head tipped slightly to the right.

Robert turned abruptly.

"What?No , of course not. There is only you my dear."

He put on his shoes and then crossed to where Brendon was.

"I must leave now."

"Must you?"

Brendon kneeled up, wrapping his arms around Robert's neck and pressing his naked chest against the older man's clothed one, before moving his lips to Robert's neck and sucking gently.

"Yes, my dear I must."

Robert pulled away with one last kiss and then left.

***Time Stamp: Wednesday Evening***

Brendon arrived at the Ross Townhouse for the premiere of Ryan’s musical debut.

"My dear, don't you look lovely. Come, Ryan is practicing."

Lady Ross took Brendon's hand and led him to where Ryan was playing his harp under the watchful eye of his music teacher. When he saw Brendon arrive, he abandoned the musical instrument in favor of a hug.

"Well hello Ryan..."

Brendon laughed lightly as he let the boy go after their embrace.

"It is good to see you, and wonderful to hear such beautiful playing."

Ryan smiled at Brendon and then saw that her music teacher had risen properly.

"Oh, this is...I'm sorry, I have forgotten your name."

"Master Spencer Smith."

"Yes, Master Smith."

Ryan watched as Spencer bowed. He then turned to Brendon.

"Master Urie, I need your help."

"With what my dear?"

Brendon asked sympathetically, taking the boy's arm and leading him away a little.

"I know he's here. My fiancé, I can sense it. I'm shaking so much I fear I won't be able to perform. Please you have to find out who he is for me."

Brendon resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and smiled instead.

"Of course my dear, I will try. But your mother is still being so tight lipped about it that I fear I may have little luck."

"Thank you for anything that you can do."

Ryan kissed Brendon's cheek and then went back to his music lessons. Brendon rolled his eyes now, then went in search of Lady Ross. He found her sipping champagne as she excused herself from two large women who were discussing horses.

"Ah, Lady Ross...young Ryan plays so beautifully, though I see him a touch distracted today."

"What has him distracted?"

She led Brendon away in case there was a delicate situation at hand.

"He believes that the man he is to marry is here...is it true?"

"Now how does he know this? He is a clever child."

She looked around.

"Would you like to meet him?"

Brendon smiled wide.

"Oh yes...I would like that very much...then I can put my mind at ease for the dear."

"Come, I will take you."

They moved through the crowd all there to watch the child play for them.

Brendon followed close behind Lady Ross, trying to guess which of the eligible gentlemen had shown Ryan favor.

"Why all the secrecy?"

He asked as they passed into a large hallway.

"He has a mistress that he is trying to get rid of. Apparently she is too touched in the head to take the hint."

Brendon laughed lightly.

"Silly thing probably is hoping for more."

"I know, can you believe that anyone like that would think they are worth a reputable marriage?"

The two laughed as they arrived in the room. Lady Ross spotted her son's intended.

"Ah Magistrate Bryar, I would like you to meet my cousin Master Brendon Urie."

Brendon's greeting smile got stuck, slipping slightly into a grimace, his eyes widening a little. Robert's eyes widened for a moment and then quickly schooled themselves.

"Oh...do you two know each other?"

Lady Ross looked back and forth between the two. Brendon looked Robert in the eye.

"I do not know...do we?"

"Well, if we do, then your memory is better than mine Master Urie."

"Then I guess we do not."

"Then it was lovey to meet you."

Robert bowed and then turned back to the guest he was talking to.

"Well, come dear, it is just about time for Ryan's performance."

*

*

*

Ryan was amazed he was able to remember the words and the music to play considering his nerves. He kept glancing at all the men in the room trying to figure out who it was that he would be marrying. He was also looking for Brendon to give him a clue.

Brendon made his way through the crowd and came to a stop beside Robert. He did not look at him. Robert felt a presence next to him. He looked and was shocked to find his...former mistress standing there.

"Congratulations Magistrate Bryar. You could not have chosen a lovelier boy to be your husband."

Brendon spoke quietly, his eyes staying on his cousin.

"You are not bothered by this?"

"Of course I am not. We were never going to marry; it was always just for fun."

"Well...thank you for being so understanding about everything. For what it’s worth, it was fun while it lasted."

Brendon smiled at him.

"It was indeed."

Then he began clapping as Ryan's performance came to an end.

Ryan looked up and saw Brendon talking to a very distinguished and older looking gentleman. That must be him! Ryan was filled with excitement now and he ran to his mother and allowed himself to be embraced in her arms. Ryan knew that after this moment, his life was about to take on a great change.

Notes

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

So the lovely momiji and I decided to take on this wonderful movie...if you've never watched it, I highly recommend it.
We hope you enjoy the ride.

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