Valmont

Lady Ross stepped out of her carriage. She was told that Madam Rush was on the veranda. She made her way there. The footman nodded to her. She stepped in front of the table and addressed the much older woman.

"Good morning."

Madam Rush looked around and frowned.

"Where is everyone? Why is everyone always late?"

"Do you know who i am?"

"Of course I do."

"I just arrived."

"How nice...why?"

Lady Ross tried not to let the brazen comment get to her.

"I've come to take my son home."

Madam Rush smiled.

"He really is a lovely fair one."

The footman looked up at the window discreetly rolling his eyes. He knew what happened last night.

*

*

*

Lady Ross headed up with the footman to her son's room. Without knocking she opened the door. Her eyes are met with disarray. The bed was more than unkempt. It looked like a tussle happened. Her son's lap desk was on the floor. Papers scattered all over the place. She backed out closing the door.

"Take me to Lady Urie."

The footman nodded and then showed her the way. She knocked and waited to be answered.

Brendon turned over in his bed at the sound of knocking. He sat up slightly.

"Yes?"

He called softly; trying not to wake the boy who lay curled up at his side, though that was unsuccessful, as Ryan had been woken by the knock as well. They both sat up as the door opened and Lady Ross stepped inside, smiling, then looking confused, then smiling even wider.

"Mama!"

Ryan jumped out of the bed and hugged his mother tightly.

Brendon smiled at the exchange.

"Good morning cousin. I think you may be just in time for breakfast."

*

*

*

"Good morning!"

Gerard was in high spirits as he bounded down the steps to the veranda. He spotted the boy's mother and did an internal smirk. He stepped up to her and bowed.

"Lovely to see you again Lady Ross."

He took her hand and kissed it. She was not amused. He then moved to his grandmother and buried his face in her neck mocking a vampire. She giggled and hit him lightly, but gave him the smile he loved so much. He then looked over at Ryan who was holding a rose and trying not to look at him. He walked over.

"Give me your hands."

Ryan looked at him wide eyed and did so.

"Just as I thought."

He turned them to palms and then back. He tapped them lightly.

"Go on then, go clean them."

He then took Ryan's place.

"Your son is such a delightful treasure. You must be very proud."

"I certainly am."

"So then why are you marrying him off to a man he does not love?"

Brendon sat and listened, looking between the two with a rose between his fingers...this was going to be entertaining.

"I think I know what is best for my son's happiness Master Way."

"Can't you see he is in love with another man?"

"Are...are you talking about that harp teacher?"

Brendon asked, feigning disbelief.

"Yes, yes I am."

"Are you suggesting that Ryan should marry that boy?"

"What's wrong with that?"

Brendon laughed lightly.

"Are you losing your mind? You can't build a lasting marriage on the fancies of a fifteen year old boy."

Gerard just looked at him ignoring the growing contempt radiating from Ryan's mother.

"Why not?"

Brendon sat forward and spoke seriously, even though he thought this was quite the funniest conversation he'd had in months.

"Look around you. Look at all the tragedies caused by this illusion of love."

"The real tragedy is a mother destroying her son's life."

"Gerard, you know nothing of arranged marriages...you've never even been married..."

He laughed lightly.

"Those bonds are often very strong, and you'd be surprised, they can often lead to true happiness."

At that point Ryan returned to the table. Madam Rush saw him and took his hand.

"Oh my sweetheart, if I understand everything that has been said here, you have a dilemma on your hands."

Ryan got a look like a he just saw a ghost. he looked at Brendon.

"I do?"

"Yes dear. Tell me, if it were up to you, would you marry that magistrate...uh..."

She waved a hand at Brendon.

"Bryar."

Brendon said with disdain.

"Yes yes, him or would you like that other nice young man."

Ryan looked at the older woman and then at his mother.

"I...I don't know. I would do whatever Mama wanted."

Lady Ross smiled at this.

"But that is not what my grandmother asked you dear. She wants to know what your choice is."

Brendon watched on in fascination, nodding to Ryan to speak his mind.

"Well...well then I would...I would marry Magistrate Bryar..."

Lady Ross smiled again.

"...and take Master Smith as my lover?"

Brendon was right...this was most entertaining.

"And what a scandal that would be."

Gerard sat back almost in triumph looking at Lady Ross. She just looked at her son.

"So the dilemma is solved then."

Madam Rush smiled satisfied with the boy's answer.

"Let us eat then."

Gerard rose to give Ryan back his seat.

"Oh, but should we not wait for Master Iero?"

"Oh no my love, he went back to London this morning."

Gerard gazed at his grandmother with surprise.

"I don’t even know why. It was all very strange. He was in a curious state. I had a difficult time getting back to sleep since it was so early when I bid him farewell."

Gerard moved to his grandmother's side and whispered in her ear. She smiled and patted him on the hand. He kissed her cheek and then ran into the house. Brendon watched him go before curiosity got the better of him.

"What did he say?"

Madam Rush looked at him and smiled.

"I don’t know dear, I'm deaf in this ear."

She picked up her tea cup and shrugged her shoulders, but in her eyes, she knew exactly what her grandson was up to.

*

*

*

Frank's carriage pulled up outside his townhouse in the borough of Kensington. He got out quickly when his footman opened his door and rushed inside without a word. He walked slowly up the stairs to his private rooms. A maid was waiting at the door. She opened it fully as he approached.

"Don't tell anyone I'm back."

He said as he passed her, she simply nodded in reply, closing the door. Frank took off his gloves and lowered the hood on his coat as he walked into his bedroom. He froze, for there, across the room, stood Gerard.

After a few moments, trying to work out if this was all just a dream, Frank finally decided that it wasn't and ran to the older man, throwing himself into his arms and hugging him tightly...he could not deny his feelings any longer, no matter how hard he tried. Gerard hugged the younger man fiercely. He pulled back and looked at him. The look in Frank's eyes said everything. He closed in and kissed the boy's tender lips.

*

*

*

Frank sat on a chair next to his bed. He had been watching Gerard sleep ever since he had woken up himself, and he did not think there was a better sight in all the land.

He saw Gerard stir and open his eyes. He smiled and leaned forward a little.

"Sleep..."

He said softly, stroking his fingertips lightly down Gerard's face so that the older man closed his eyes.

"Sleep on so that I may stay here and look at you."

He sighed, smiling as he studied Gerard's face.

"Night after night I had to close my eyes just to see your face..."

He saw Gerard's eyes open again.

"Would you rather I was quiet?"

Gerard gave a small smile.

"No."

Frank smiled, going back to gently stroking Gerard's face when something occurred to him.

"Do you want me to bring you some milk?...a glass of wine?"

Gerard gave a small chuckle and how Frank was fawning over him.

He shook his head lightly.

"What do you want?"

Frank pushed lightly.

"Tell me."

A horse whinnied outside, making Gerard look up. Frank smiled.

"Your horse is in the stable...say something?..."

He pleaded a smile on his lips.

"Anything...I want to hear your voice."

"When is your husband coming home?"

Frank took a breath.

"It doesn't matter anymore..."

He smiled as he ran his fingers through Gerard's hair.

"I wrote him a letter while you were sleeping, I told him everything."

"Where is it?"

"It's gone. I couldn't wait."

Gerard tried to get up.

"No don't move..."

Frank lightly pushed him back down as he stood up, gazing adoringly at the older man.

"I will prepare something for you..."

He breathed a happy sigh, returning to the bedside.

"I'll wait on you...I want to serve you."

He smiled dreamily, standing up again and grabbing his coat before laughing lightly and hurrying out of the door.

*

*

*

Two streets away there was a market. It sold everything from fruit and vegetables, to cattle and butchered meats, to clothing and household wares, and everything else you could think of for a wonderful breakfast.

Frank made his way around the market with a basket over his arm, already heavy with breads and pastries, and with a servant trailing behind him with another basket, also almost overflowing with food.

Frank had spent longer than he had planned to collecting this feast, and he knew he had purchased too much...but he did not care, all he cared about was making Gerard happy.

*

*

*

Laden down with delicious foods, Frank hurried up his stairs with a footman in tow. His maid opened his door as he approached and accepted the baskets from the footman.

Frank ran happily into his bedroom, ready to satisfy Gerard's appetite, but when he looked, Gerard was no longer in the bed. He paused for a moment, then noticed a leaf of writing paper laying on the bed. He walked over and picked it up, his heart sinking as he began to read Gerard's words to him.

"Dear Sir, I feel so much tenderness toward you, but i cannot bear to face you when you learn the truth. You were right, for a few fleeting moments, I thought I could change. I know now that I cannot. I urge you to find another lover. One who is worthy of you. I thank you for what you have given me..."

Frank closed his eyes, the letter falling silently to the floor.

Gerard had a spring in his step as he was let into Brendon's townhouse. He licked his lips in anticipation of his reward. He walked boldly into Brendon's bedroom and then through to the salon where he was bathing. His eyes raking over his prize.

"Gerard!"

Brendon exclaimed with a smile.

"I didn't have a chance to thank you for the kindness you showed Ryan."

Ryan? Gerard had to think for a moment.

"Oh...yes, well my pleasure."

"No no no..."

Brendon leaned forward in his bath and grinned wickedly.

"...mine."

He leaned back again with a smirk on his face.

Gerard watched as Brendon lounged in the tub. He took off his gloves and gave his own devilish smirk.

"Well my dear Brendon, you lost your bet."

Brendon was actually a little surprised, despite knowing Gerard as well as he did. He leaned forward again.

"No."

He drew out the word with a smile.

Gerard leaned forward as well licking his lips at the water trailing down Brendon's chest.

"Oh yes."

Brendon sat back again, laughing as he put his arm behind his head and leaned his head on it.

"I'm very impressed...how was it?"

His eyes twinkled mischievously.

Gerard smiled leaning back again.

"Quite wonderful."

Brendon raised an eyebrow.

"Better than Ryan?"

Gerard chuckled.

"Oh yes."

Brendon smiled temptingly.

"Better than me?"

Gerard slid to his knees and moved where Brendon was in the high backed vessel.

"No one compares to you."

"How true."

Brendon smirked.

"That being said..."

Gerard leaned in and licked a stray bead of water off Brendon's neck.

"...I arrived as quickly as I could."

He moved up and nibbled on the fair one's ear.

"I could not wait to claim my reward."

Brendon frowned slightly.

"What reward?"

Gerard pulled back suddenly hurt that Brendon was not enjoying his administrations.

"Have you forgotten our bet?"

Brendon laughed, rolling his eyes then sighing.

"Oh Gerard, that was just a joke."

"Not to me. I'll have you know I came straight here from waking in Frank's bed to see you."

Brendon raised an eyebrow.

"Well then..."

He reached out of the bath with one wet hand and pressed his palm against Gerard through his britches, before starting to rub him through the material.

"...do you really think you could get hard again so soon?"

"I a-a-am already if you c-can't tell."

Gerard groaned. God, he wanted this so bad. He wanted the creature in front of him so badly.

Brendon smirked as he continued to rub, harder and faster. Gerard leaned in and ghosted his breath over Brendon's lips. Brendon smiled sweetly, but turned his face away, offering his neck instead as he roughly stroked Gerard's hard member...he knew the other man was getting close. Gerard leaned in and mouthed at the perfumed skin. He licked and sucked on it letting out tiny moans scrambling his hands on the edge of the tub as Brendon's oiled body was too slick to grip. Brendon knew Gerard was only moments away now...so he stopped, removing his hand from Gerard and lying back in the warm, soapy water. He smiled deviously.

"What was that? Why did you stop!?"

Brendon raised both eyebrows, feigning innocence.

"That was your reward, Gerard..."

At the look on Gerard's face, Brendon laughed pityingly.

"What, you didn't think I would actually sleep with you...did you?"

He scoffed and continued.

"Please...are you telling me that you would have locked yourself in a monastery if you'd lost?"

"Yes I would have, but I won so it doesn't matter!"

Gerard was angry that Brendon would do this to him. He took the bet very seriously and now he can see that Brendon was just playing with him. Gerard stood up just as Brendon's personal servant came in. He handed Brendon a letter. Brendon read it and Gerard watched him get very excited.

“You’ll have to leave now.”

"Show me the letter."

Brendon held the letter up and then let it slip into the water. He then handed wet paper to Gerard, ink running off of it. Brendon leaned back with a smug look on his face. Gerard looked at the water-logged paper, not one bit was legible. He dropped it and walked over to the bathing vessel. He placed both hands on it. Brendon shifted to look defiantly up at Gerard. Gerard smiled and then pushed with all his might tipping Brendon and the vessel over and spilling all the water on the floor of the salon. He then grabbed his hat and stormed out.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks...how's you?

My ipad demanded that i update to IOS 10...I did...I HATE IT!!...my notes page freezes constantly...and I write on notes, so that's pretty crap.

sorry, just needed to vent.

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