Valmont

Brendon could not stay in town, he did not want to bump into Robert, so he decided to take Gerard up on his invitation and visit with his Grandmother in the country. He was still sulking as the Rush estate came into view, but put on a smile as his carriage turned onto the long tree-lined driveway up to the large country house.

"It's your turn Madam Rush."

The gentleman looked up and saw that Madam Rush had her eyes closed. He signaled the footman behind her.

"Is she...you know."

The man looked.

"No Sir, just resting."

"Ah, well, we should..."

The other gentleman and his wife that they were playing card with, left the room carrying the table with them. The footman closed the door to let the elderly lady sleep.

Brendon's carriage came to a stop outside the front of the large house. His door was opened by his driver and he thanked him as he stepped down then headed inside. He was shown through to a drawing room by one of the servants and left there, seeing Madam Rush asleep in her chair. Brendon took the seat opposite her and cleared his throat, a smile on his face.

"Is it my turn? Oh, uh..."

"Hello Madam Rush...do you remember me?"

"Of course I do...just...remind me again?"

Brendon resisted the urge to laugh, and chose to smile instead.

"I am Master Brendon Urie."

"Yes, yes you are."

"I just arrived."

"I know. Wait...where is everyone?"

Madam Rush just looked around and everyone that left the empty room, shrugged and smiled.

"Sir, Sir, there he is!"

Gerard came round from the tree that he was reading under. His servant Patrick was pointing across the duck pond. Gerard looked and smiled. It was indeed his latest interest.

"Give me a push Patrick."

Gerard jumped into the small row boat he used to get to the other side and grabbed the steering pole. Patrick pushed him off the land into the water and almost lost his own footing. He watched as his master crossed the still water. Then he truly lost his footing and tripped in.

"May I offer you a ride Master Iero?"

Gerard steered the boat close to the shore where Frank Iero, a curious creature was walking. He was using a parasol to shade himself from the blistering sun.

"I do not think so, but thank you Master Way."

Frank smiled at the older man.

"But why not? The water is beautiful."

"It is, but I cannot swim."

"Well neither can I, but here I am."

Gerard gave the younger man a dazzling smile.

Frank smiled politely.

"Besides...I think my husband would not like it if I drowned."

Gerard frowned at the mention of the man.

"Where is your husband Mr. Iero?"

"Oh, he is in Ipswich."

Frank smiled as he thought of his husband.

"So you live alone then?"

"Of course not..."

Frank laughed lightly.

"I live with my husband in London, but he is a High Court Judge, and prefers no distractions when he is presiding over a case."

Gerard practically rolled his eyes, that was a memorized line if he ever heard one.

"Do you love your husband?"

"Of course I do Master Way."

"Then why aren't you with him."

"Because I am here visiting with your Grandmother."

Frank said as if it were obvious.

"And my husband prefers to be alone when he works."

"Does he often work on important cases?"

"Oh yes, quite often."

"Well then you must be an exceptional young man."

He saw that Frank was confused by his comment.

"To have a husband that is never there to take care of his husband's needs."

"Well you have clearly never been married Master Way."

Gerard chuckled.

"No no I have not...I am in love though."

"You are in love?...then why are you not with him?"

"But I am with him."

Gerard smiled once again and waited.

"I am talking to him right now."

Frank's smile fell into a frown.

"You cannot say something like that."

"Why not? Is it not okay to be in love with someone, especially if they are charming, beautiful and intelligent?"

"Of course it is alright to be in love...if the feeling is mutual and genuine."

Gerard frowned a bit.

"Then you do not love me?"

Frank laughed lightly.

"No, of course I do not love you."

Gerard made a face like his heart was broken. He let go of the pole and fell off the boat into the water. Frank's eyes widened as the older man disappeared beneath the water.

"Master Way?...Master Way please?...MASTER WAY!"

He looked around desperately for anyone that could help...he saw no one.

Patrick heard the cries and looked up. he saw his master's boat, but not his master. Knowing full well he could not swim, but that his master was his responsibility, he jumped into the water to save him.

"Master Way, please do not do this."

Frank bit his lip in distress.

Gerard suddenly surfaced clinging to the boat.

"Master Way you scared me."

Frank chided.

"Why should it matter? You don't love me, so I might as well be as good as drowned."

"No..."

Frank frowned, backing up a step.

"I am not smart enough to talk to you."

With that Gerard saw Frank run off. Gerard fell back into the water and started to scream for help. When he saw it was not working he stopped and stood up in the knee deep pond.

"Help me!"

Gerard looked over and saw that Patrick was in the center of the pond, where it was quite deep. The fool had jumped in to save him knowing he could truly not swim. Gerard rolled his eyes and jumped in to save the poor man.

*

*

*

Madam Rush was dozing off when her grandson walked by soaking wet with his servant. She had to rub her eyes to make sure it was not the port talking.

"Bloody fool Patrick, you know you can't swim!"

"I was trying to help you Sir!"

"Yes, but I can swim!"

They trudged past his grandmother's servants making a mess on the floor. Gerard opened the door to his bedroom and walked in. Brendon was lounging on Gerard’s bed. He smirked at the sight before him.

"Hello Gerard, did you miss me?"

"Brendon."

Gerard turned realized he was being completely informal in front of Patrick...then again he didn't give a flying fig.

"I am so happy you came to see me."

"I am sure."

Brendon smiled. He turned to address Patrick.

"Please prepare Master Way's traveling clothes, and pack the rest."

"Wait...why where are we going?"

Gerard stopped Patrick for the moment.

"You are coming back to London with me."

Brendon smiled, before looking back to Patrick.

"Go on then."

"You have not said why?"

Brendon crawled to the edge of the bed and leaned forward a little.

"Because I need you in London Gerard."

Gerard smiled. This could be interesting. He bade Patrick leave. He walked to the table and started to remove his wet clothing.

"Do you remember my little cousin, from the operetta?"

"I do."

Gerard put his foot up and started to remove his stocking after dropping his wet shirt to the ground.

"Well I told you that he is to marry..."

He saw Gerard nod, so continued.

"Guess who to."

"I can't even begin to imagine."

Gerard finished talking off his stockings. His hair was still dripping down his back and splashing pond water on the floor.

"Magistrate Bryar."

Brendon said sourly, leaning back in the chair.

Gerard looked at him. He knew that Brendon had been Bryar's mistress for a while now. He could not help it, he started to laugh. Brendon's look turned sourer. Gerard slowed his laughter and sat in the chair.

"Wait...what does this have to do with me?"

"You are the only one that can help me."

"Do you want me to challenge him to a duel?"

Gerard cocked his head like a dog. Brendon smirked.

"No Gerard. For this, I need you very much alive."

He sighed.

"Ryan reminds me of myself at 15...sweet, innocent...pure..."

He looked sad, turning his head away, hand hovering at his mouth...he sniffed slightly, then turned back, his face cold and intense.

"I want you to end it...I want you to take Ryan's virginity...I want Magistrate Bryar to find on his wedding night that he did not get there first...I want him to be the laughing stock of London."

Gerard was shocked. He had never seen Brendon so cold like this. He wondered what happened to the fun loving boy he once knew.

"You want me to seduce a little boy, who has no knowledge of anything, who would just fall on his back because of curiosity sake. Well anyone can do that, you don’t need me."

"I am doing you a favour...I thought you liked him."

Brendon raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I do, but you see, I cannot leave for London. I am enjoying the beautiful fresh air of the Essex countryside."

Gerard smiled brightly at Brendon. Brendon raised his other eyebrow to join the first...a smirk slipped back onto his face.

"Who is he?"

*

*

*

Dinner was finished and dessert had been served. Everyone laughed at something the Colonel had said, and Frank joined in politely.

Brendon sipped his wine as he finished laughing and turned to Lady Rush, who sat at the far end of the table from him.

"May I change the subject Lady Rush?"

He asked with a smile.

"Change anything you like my dear."

The table chuckled at her brazen answer. Brendon smiled brightly then turned to look at Frank.

"Do you love your husband?"

Frank's happy smile fell, but did not disappear completely. He glanced at the Colonel's wife who started giggling at the question.

"Yes..."

He looked back at Brendon who had a playful smile on his face. The Colonel looked between the men in interest.

"Yes, I love him very much."

Brendon raised a curious eyebrow.

"Then why are you here?...why aren't you with him?"

Frank turned an exasperated look toward Gerard, recognizing the line of questioning. Gerard rolled his eyes at Brendon and then looked at Frank apologetically.

"Forgive Master Urie. He and I share the same style of thinking."

Gerard turned back to Brendon.

"The Judge Master Iero is wed to, prefers to work alone and without distraction when he is on important cases...which he has often."

"Uh huh."

Brendon smirked, taking a sip of his drink.

"Men always sat they prefer to be alone..."

The Colonel's wife laughed slightly.

"But I love my husband, so I go where he goes."

She stated, taking a bite of her dessert.

"Out of love..."

Gerard's curiosity is peaked.

"...or fear perhaps..."

Everyone turned to him now so he continued.

"...that you might be tempted?"

The Colonel pointed to himself.

"You mean that I could be tempted."

His wife hushed him.

"Are you saying that I would be unfaithful?"

"Well not now, but if you were alone."

Frank frowned slightly, shaking his head slightly.

"Master Way, you simply do not understand the mind of a spouse."

The Colonel's wife nodded.

"You're right. If one wants a little adventure, they do not need to be alone..."

She turned teasing eyes toward her husband.

"...they can do it right under their husband's nose..."

She giggled, turning back to Frank.

"Isn't that true sir?"

Frank sighed.

"That is not at all what I meant madam..."

Everyone was staring at him expectantly...he turned to Gerard.

"Master Way...I know some spouses are weak, but believe me there are some that will always be true."

He spoke in earnest.

"Nonsense..."

The Colonel waved his cutlery around.

"A true partner is a contradiction in terms."

Gerard saw that everyone laughed, but Frank.

"Not always."

The Colonel looked at Gerard.

"I believe that some partners stay true..."

Gerard turned back to Frank.

"...and I find them fascinating creatures indeed."

Brendon smirked as he swallowed a bite of peach.

"Men usually do."

Frank laughed slightly.

"I've noticed..."

He looked over at Madam Rush.

"Why is that?"

It was Brendon who answered though.

"Because men are always chasing visions my dear..."

He smiled.

"They want us to be Angels."

He laughed then took another bite.

"But in bed, they want us to be demons."

The Colonel's wife laughed.

"Then there always comes that morning surprise...when you wake up in the arms of an ordinary woman."

The Colonel sounded like he was lamenting.

Brendon chuckled and turned to Gerard.

"Do you agree Master Way?"

Frank watched for his reaction.

Gerard looked thoughtful.

"I did once long ago."

Brendon glanced between Frank and Gerard, that playful look back in his eyes.

"Ah, but you don't anymore."

"No, no I do not."

"It seems to me Master Way that you believe one thing in London, and another in the country."

Brendon smirked, taking a sip of his wine.

"Perhaps, I believe in one thing when I am in love and another when I am not."

"Master Way, there is something I have been wondering about all evening..."

Brendon smiled, looking like a beautiful, but deadly snake getting ready to strike. He watched Frank as he spoke...Frank was looking down at his hands.

"If you had your choice of all the spouses present..."

He looked at the Colonel's wife then back to Frank, before returning his eyes to Gerard.

"In whose arms would you spend the night?"

Both Frank and Gerard looked at Brendon but did not reply.

"Now now now, that is not fair."

The Colonel cleared his throat.

"You are asking the wrong question. It is not who he would like to spend the evening with, it is...which one of you would like to spend the evening with him?"

The Colonel's wife smiled guardedly at Gerard, Frank looked down at his lap, clearly uncomfortable with the question, and Brendon smiled as he saw this.

"We all would?"

The Colonel's wife shook her head with an indignant look, though the smile was still in her eyes.

"Not me."

Brendon giggled.

"Not me."

Brendon looked playfully at Frank as he picked up a slice of fruit and bit into it. Frank looked up slowly, sensing all eyes on him...he hesitated, seeing Brendon smirk as he sucked juice off of his fingertip. Frank smiled politely.

"I do not think the question is worth answering."

"Well then..."

Madam Rush looked around.

"...I guess that leaves...me."

The table erupted with laughter and Gerard smiled at his grandmother and saluted her with his glass of port. She blew a kiss back at him.

*

*

*

Everyone moved up the stairs to the guest wing. Gerard watched as Frank said goodnight to the Colonel and his wife. He then watched as the Colonel said goodnight to his wife and they slipped into different rooms. He watched Frank until he disappeared into his own room and the door was closed by the footman.

"Gerard..."

Brendon said from behind him, causing the other man to turn.

"...you disappoint me; that is what is keeping you here?"

He smiled incredulously.

"Tell me...are you really falling in love?"

Gerard looked from Frank's room to one of his favorite objects of affection.

"Why, would that make you jealous?"

He smiled hopefully.

Brendon shook his head with a smile.

"Not really."

He said almost sympathetically.

Gerard's smile dropped.

"Why not?"

"Because you are wasting your time."

Gerard's smile returned.

"Oh, I don’t think so."

"You'll never have him."

Brendon smiled, a laugh evident in his voice.

"Want to wager?"

Now Gerard's smile turned sly.

Brendon's smile remained.

"Alright...anything you want."

Now Gerard's smile became brazen. He pushed them into a small alcove and pressed his face into Brendon's exposed neck.

"You."

Brendon put a hand onto Gerard's chest pushing him back, though only by an inch or two.

"And if you lose?"

"Anything you want."

Brendon took a breath, and looked down, then looked up with a smirk...a laugh behind his words as he answered.

"I want you to...shut yourself in a monastery, anoint yourself in ashes, and repent for all your sins."

He smiled playfully at the end.

Gerard smirked.

"I accept your wager."

Brendon smiled devilishly.

"Goodnight my little monk..."

He tapped Gerard on the nose with his fingertip as he slipped past him and headed toward his room.

"I'm afraid you'll be very lonely..."

He smiled back over his shoulder.

"Remember me in your prayers sometime."

He laughed lightly as he disappeared around the corner, his laugh echoing down the hallway until he had retired to his chamber to rest. Gerard watched him leave. He then watched the footman leave. Making sure the coast was clear he made his way to the Colonel's wife's room. He knocked gently.

Lady Grace opened her door with a curious look.

"You know, something you said at dinner has been running through my mind all evening."

"Oh, but I said so many things."

She smiled.

"Well...it had to do with your husband's...nose."

Gerard gave a small leer.

Lady Grace's face lit up for a moment before slipping into a seductive smile.

"And I thought you weren't interested."

She stepped back, opening the door so he could step inside.

"How could I not?"

Gerard moved forward and embraced her as he closed the door.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks...how's you?

We hope you're enjoying this fic as much as we're enjoying writing it.

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