The Apprentice

***Time Stamp: Three Months Later***

Frank was thankful that Gerard was distracted by Arlecchino. These past few months had been hard on him now that he knew how he truly felt about the boy. He also knew that he could never act on it or let him know. Gerard was breathing much better now and Frank thought it was nearly time to send him home. No matter what though, he would end up being the one to mourn the loss once again from his heart. He brushed a tear aside and went back to concentrating on his paper work.

"Repeat after me Gee. Ciao mi chiamo Gerard."

"Ciao mi chia-mo Gerard...was tha' right?"

Gerard looked with uncertainty at the little girl sat opposite him on the other porch chair.

"Si! You getting better! "

She clapped her hands. Gerard smiled softly, taking a sip of the sweet grape juice he'd grown to enjoy during his time there.

"It's gonna be a time before I can 'ave a conversation wiv anyone but you, but I likes learnin'..."

He sighed.

"Don't know 'ow long I's gonna be 'ere to learn for though..."

He looked down.

"I's gotta go back sometime."

"I know and I will miss you."

Arlecchino reached out and squeezed Gerard's hand.

"We may meet again someday."

Gerard smiled at her softly, looking up.

"If y' ever come to England, y' should come see me...I don' think I'll be back 'ere again though."

"It will work for us."

She leaned and kissed his cheek.

"I have to work now."

Gerard didn't know what she meant, but he smiled and waved goodbye as she headed inside. He settled back in his seat and sipped his drink, sighing softly as he put it down on the table beside him and gazed out over the vineyards and gardens below...he would miss this view when he went back to England, but right now he missed his family more. He wondered what everyone was up to...especially his brother Mikey.

"Ah ah ah."

Michael had never been treated so well by anyone. Patrick said he was something precious to him and then showed him constantly what he meant. When they were in bed, he was worshiped by the older man. His toes uncurled and he sighed as he came down from his orgasm. He was completely pliant and warm when Patrick slid inside him gently.

"I have you Mikey *uh* you are so beautiful my angel, *uh* so perfect..."

Patrick murmured into Michael's ear as he slowly pushed all the way in, his hands stroking the younger man's skin soothingly as he moved.

"...you feel so good my love."

"Too...much, ya*pant pant* treats me too good."

"No such thing my love *uh*, I would give you the world if I c-could."

"Don' need *groan* the world, need you."

"You have me, I'm not g-*uh*going...anywhere."

"G-G-Goooooood!"

Patrick thrust slow and deep...he didn't want to hurt Michael, not ever. He kissed the boy's neck in between quiet grunts and moans...he knew he wasn't going to last long like this.

"Does this f-feel good my l-love?"

"Yes, pleaase I needs..."

"What do you need?...tell me angel."

"T-Touch me."

"Anything my love..."

Patrick slid his hand between them and wrapped his fingers around Michael's shaft, stroking him with a loose fist.

"Like this?"

"Yesssss."

Mikey's back arched and his neck went back exposing more for Patrick to ravish. Patrick licked a line up the boy's smooth skin, then sucked at it, just below Michael's right ear. Michael grabbed onto Patrick and ran his fingers into the man's hair. Patrick tightened his fist a little and stroked Michael's cock a little faster.

"Oh God, 'm gonna..."

"Cum for me my love...let me hear you."

Michael screamed Patrick's name and coated his stomach and Patrick's fist with his warm cum once again. Patrick felt Michael's walls clench tight around him, it sent him over the edge and he spilt deep inside the boy with a moan and Michael's name on his lips. Michael was panting and moaning coming down from his own orgasm and feeling Patrick's inside of him. He would never tire of both feelings.

*

*

*

"Patrick..."

Michael hung his head slightly, finally getting the courage to ask the question he had been trying to for a past few months.

"...what are we?"

"What do you mean?"

Patrick softly and gently brushed Michael's hair from his face.

"Nothin’, 'twas dumb."

Michael started to pull away.

"I needs to get back before I gets in trouble.”

"Michael..."

Patrick held on, gently pulling the boy back into his arms.

"You...you do know how much I cherish you...don't you?"

"What's there to treasure? 'm a servant an' you are..."

"I am in love with you Mikey..."

Patrick interrupted with a smile, his cheeks hot and his heart racing...he hoped he wouldn't frighten the boy away, he couldn't bare that.

"...that's what I am...and there is so much more to you than just a servant, I've always known that."

"L-Love wiv me?"

"Yes Mikey, I love you. You are beautiful, kind, caring and you protect those you care about...even before you knew that Gerard was your brother, even then you did all you could to protect him. I saw how big your heart is, and all I wanted was to hold you close and protect it, protect you... “

Patrick cupped Michael's cheek softly and looked deep into his eyes.

"Do you...I mean, do you think you could ever...love me too?"

He felt like his heart was in his throat as he watched the emotions play over the younger man's face.

"I...I’s never allowed ta love so I’s..."

Michael was ashamed. He wasn't good enough for this upstanding man...this citizen of a world he didn't understand, and never would. Patrick frowned slightly, stroking his thumb over Michael's soft cheek.

"Who ever said you were not allowed to love?...everyone has the right to be happy."

Michael felt a tear slipping down his cheek.

"I's g-gonna git in trouble."

"No you won't..."

Patrick wiped at the tear with his thumb.

"You protect those you love, let me do the same...let me protect you."

"Uh, ‘ow?"

"Answer me one question truthfully and I'll tell you."

"Yes Sir."

"Do you love me?"

"I...I don' know..."

Michael saw Patrick's face fall.

"...cause I don' know what that is. I know 'ow to love me father an' Donna an' o' course Gee, but afta that..."

Patrick sighed, nodding in understanding.

"Alright, then answer me this...do you want to be with me?...do you want to learn how to love?"

"I...that’d be above me station. Less you mean like as a..."

Michael wondered if he could have that kind of life and be happy. Patrick tilted his head, he wasn't sure what Michael was saying.

"As a what?"

"A lover?"

Patrick shook his head.

"Michael, I have no interest in what society deems proper for someone like me. I don't wish to marry some simpering girl that I do not love for appearance sake, and keep a lover secret from the world..."

He took both of Michael's hands in his, holding them gently.

"I don't want that for me, or for you. Michael, what I want is to be with you...just you."

"Jus’ me?"

Michael's head was swimming. Someone wanted him for just him. Patrick nodded, leaning in to gently brush his lips against Michael's.

"Just you. Mikey my love, be mine?...marry me?"

Patrick knew it was irregular for two men to marry, but not unheard of. There were priests who were known to perform the ceremony...if Michael said yes.

"Marry me? Ya wanna marry me?"

Patrick nodded.

"I have been thinking of this for a while...I even have a ring, but it is at my house. I wasn't planning to ask today, but I couldn't help myself."

Patrick wanted him. Really wanted him. As himself. Michael started to cry.

"Oh, no my love, don't cry..."

Patrick pulled Michael in against his chest, gently rubbing his back with one hand while running his fingers through the boy's hair with the other.

"There's no need for tears."

" ’m not sad. ‘m 'apply cause I never thought I’d find someone that loves me. "

"Well you have..."

Patrick said, lightly kissing the top of Michael's head. He then swallowed nervously.

"But I notice that you haven't given me an answer."

"Yes...yes I’ll marry you."

Patrick's face lit up and he jumped out of bed, picking Michael up by his waist and spinning him around so his feet left the floor.

"YES YES YES!"

He cheered joyously. Michael laughed.

"Put me down Patrick, I's gettin' dizzy!"

Patrick grinned and lowered Michael to the ground, making sure their still naked bodies slid against each other. He placed his hands on his fiancé's hips to steady him and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

"I love you Mikey, so very much."

"I 'opes I can learn ta love ya like that too."

Patrick tried not to let Michael see as his smile slipped just the tiniest bit, he covered with a cough.

"I hope so too. Now, we should celebrate...what would you like to do?...anything at all my love."

"Well...we’s already done that so...how ‘bout somethin’ to eat?"

Patrick laughed.

"Of course, your wish is my command. Let's put on something more appropriate and go to see what we can find."

Michael smiled as he slipped on the robe that Patrick handed him and then watched as Patrick's body disappeared in his own. As they walked hand and hand out of the room and down to the kitchen Michael wondered when he would see Gerard and get to tell him the good news.

***Time Stamp: One Week Later***

"Gerard will you come here please?"

Frank was in his office. He was sitting behind his desk. He could do this. He had to do this. It was for the good of both of them.

"Yes Sir?..."

Gerard quietly stepped into the room.

"Do y' need somethin'?"

"Have a seat please."

Gerard gently closed the door then, leaning heavily on his cane, shuffled over to the empty chair opposite Frank's and lowered himself into it. He sighed slightly in relief, it hurt less to sit down that to stand. He looked at Frank with a small, shy smile.

"Thank y' Sir."

"Of course. Tell me, how have you been feeling lately”?"

"Better. Me breathin's easier an' I don' feel so cold inside...me hips still 'urt though."

"Well we can have the doctor take a look at that. I want you in the best shape for your journey next week."

"Me journey sir?..."

Gerard tilted his head slightly.

"Where's I goin'?"

"Home. I believe that you are well enough to go home to the Estate."

Gerard's eyes lit up.

"Really sir?...we're goin' 'ome?"

"You are going home Gerard. I am remaining here."

Gerard frowned slightly.

"You're stayin'?...can I ask why sir?"

"Our family business is doing well at home. There is not a need for me to be back there right now...in fact...I may decide to stay here permanently."

"NO!..."

Gerard's eyes went wide the second he realised that he'd raised his voice to his Master. He dropped his head and started to tremble as apologies spilt from his lips.

"I's sorry sir, I shouldn't o' yelled sir, I's s-so s-sorry, it weren't me place...p-please sir?...p-please f-forgive me sir?...please?"

"It's fine Gerard. This is another reason it is time for you to go. You enjoy your life as a servant; it is what you are used to. You will be happier at home being able to be yourself."

Frank took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry I tried to convince you to be something you are not."

Gerard looked up slowly, confusion taking over from his fear of being punished.

"Sir I...c-can I s-speak sir?"

"Yes Gerard. You have always been able to speak freely here, but I failed at getting you to understand this."

Frank sighed. Gerard sniffed slightly.

"Why?...tha's what I don' understand. Why were y' tryin' to make me somethin' I's not good enough to be?"

"I don't...it doesn't matter."

Frank rubbed his eyes.

"You won't be traveling alone though; I am sending Arlecchino with you."

Gerard frowned again.

"Sir you...you wanted me to call y' F-Frank before...din't you?"

"Yes Gerard."

"Do y' still want me too?"

"I want you to do what you want to. That is all I have ever wanted from you since I brought you here to recuperate. I thought you understood that."

Gerard nodded slightly.

"I din't, but I think I do now..."

He looked down and sighed before looking back up.

"Why do y' think I's 'appy bein' a servant Frank?"

"Because you don't know anything else?"

Gerard nodded thoughtfully.

"Tha's true, but it don' make me 'appy. I spent most o' me life as a whippin' boy, never allowed to even dream of anythin' better...y' think anyone'd be 'apply wiv that life Frank?...I's used to it cos I don' 'ave a choice..."

He looked down at his hands for a moment and chuckled.

"Y' know, there's somethin' very freein' about bein' able to speak me mind..."

He looked up to meet Frank's eyes nervously.

"Is this 'ow it feels to be you?"

"I guess? I wouldn't know what it was like to not speak my mind. I know that as a child I did it quite often and as a young man, I did it without thinking about whose feelings I hurt."

Gerard looked down, it wasn't like he needed reminding of that. He swallowed then looked back up.

"Y' changed now though, y' think about people more."

"Not soon enough though."

Frank shook his head.

"It doesn't matter, it's all in the past."

Gerard frowned again, studying Frank for a moment.

"Are y' a'right Frank?...y' seem down."

"I'm fine thank you. So you can start packing and be ready to go next week. If there is anything you want to do before you leave, you should go do it."

"Oh..."

Gerard looked down slightly, unsure why he wasn't feeling ecstatically happy at the idea of going back to England next week...or at being dismissed by Frank.

"I...I s'pose. I'll leave y' alone then."

He pushed awkwardly up onto his feet and turned toward the door, only for his cane to slide out from beneath him on the tiled floor, sending him down with a startled squeak.

"Gee!"...

Frank jumped over the desk to catch the boy.

"Are you alright?..."

Gerard clenched his jaw at the pain in his right hip, it had twisted as he fell. He shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut and breathing deeply through his nose, one hand gripping white knuckled to Frank's sleeve.

"I got you. I got you..."

Frank swept the boy up in his arms.

"Come, you need to lay down till I can fetch the doctor..."

He carried Gerard out of his office.

"My room is closer right now..."

Frank brought Gerard into his room and laid him on the bed.

"I'll get you a hot compress..."

He left quickly. Gerard whimpered quietly, his fingers clenching at the bed cover as he tried not to cry.

"Here Gee..."

Frank returned with the warm cloth.

"I need to take your britches off in order to put it on properly..."

Gerard nodded, his face screwed up with his teeth buried in his bottom lip. He knew he should be embarrassed, but after all the times Michael had helped him to dress or clean himself when he couldn't manage alone, he just could not find it in himself to care. Frank pulled them down slowly making sure that the front was covered by Gerard's shirt sparing him further unease. He saw the bruise blooming on his thigh.

"Wow..."

Without realising it he lightly caressed the skin. Gerard shivered slightly, a small sigh escaping his lips...the touch felt nice.

"I didn't know you bruised this easy. Did this happen when Robert..."

Frank stopped. He didn’t know why his head went there. Gerard's eyes flew open wide, he stared at Frank for a moment.

"Um..."

He felt his cheeks heat up.

"Yes?"

"Oh...uh...well how did you get them to go away quickly."

Frank didn't even notice that he was still touching him.

"I din't..."

Gerard’s voice was small as he looked down.

"...'nd 'e never gave me time to 'eal before 'e gave me more."

"No wonder you always looked exhausted."

Frank moved his hand higher, tracing the edge of the bruise. He could see lighter coloured ones other places. Gerard swallowed.

"It weren't just Bob tha' made me tired, 'twas the work too."

"Well yes, but when you are done working you should be able to rest and..."

Frank moved his hands to Gerard's back.

"...clearly were not allowed to."

Gerard shook his head, relaxing under Frank's gentle touch.

"No, 'e always wanted t' do things...'e wouldn't listen when I said I was tired."

"I would let you rest. I would listen."

Frank noted it still had many faint scratch marks.

"I would take care of you."

"Y' would?..."

Gerard murmured, feeling relaxed and calm, enjoying this moment like none he'd had before. He wasn't sure what exactly was happening right now, but he liked it.

"...'ow?"

"I wouldn't hurt you like he did. It would only be rough if you wanted it to be. Then I would clean you and hold you till you fell asleep in my arms."

Frank had moved closer on the bed to Gerard without noticing. He hardly noticed what he was even saying anymore.

"I would treat you like you deserve."

Gerard nodded slightly, he understood now.

"Tha' sounds nice...better."

He wasn't 100% certain that he actually had a choice in whether this happened or not, but if Frank was going to be gentle, then he thought that he would probably like it.

*knock knock*

Frank was brought out of his reverie by someone at the door. He looked and saw what he was doing and backed away so fast he fell off the bed.

“Scusa maestro, ma c'è una lettera per te.”

Frank got up quickly without looking at Gerard.

"Si, grazie."

He and the servant left without another word. Gerard swallowed and looked down, he wasn't sure how he should feel about being interrupted, but from what he understood from his lessons with Chino, Frank had received a letter, so he guessed that it was more important than him...of course it was. He sighed and lay back carefully against Frank's pillows, wincing quietly at the pain in his hip as he waited for Frank to return.

*

*

*

Frank was exhausted by the evening. He excused himself from supper and headed to bed. He opened the door and let out a quiet gasp. There still in his bed was Gerard sleeping. He forgot that the boy was in here. He saw that he had moved onto his back now and was slightly spread out. His pale body was on display and his shirt had ridden up so that his cock was now exposed. Frank swallowed hard.

"He's even more breathtaking than before."

Frank knew he couldn’t stay here. He quickly went to grab his night shirt and leave.

*whimper*

Gerard whined, shifting in his sleep as his dreams found him...nightmares of being stuck up that blasted chimney. He moved his hips, feeling the pain but imagining it to be part of his dream. Frank stopped. He looked at the boy. He was whining and clearly discomforted. Frank sighed. he would at least try and wake him up. He moved over careful to avoid looking at his body.

"Gee, hey Gee, come on wake up."

Gerard whimpered, his hands reaching for whoever was there, whoever was saving him from the chimney.

"Pleeeease."

Frank was grabbed and surprisingly pulled hard by Gerard till he was on top of the boy.

"No no no, this isn't good."

Gerard's dream went from tight, cold dark space, to warmth, a body pressed close to his.

"Y' warm..."

He mumbled.

"Keep me warm?"

"S-Sure, I'll just get the quilts."

Frank tried to pull away and grab for them. He tried very hard not to press against the dreaming boy.

"Noooo, don' go..."

Gerard clung onto Frank's shirt...part of him knew it was Frank.

"Fraaaa..."

Frank jerked at his name. He didn't know what that meant.

"Gee? Gee, look at me...please."

Gerard whined slightly, scrunching up his nose for a moment before he slowly fluttered his eyes open and looked up at Frank.

"Frank."

"Gee...I..."

Gerard smiled slightly.

"Y' warm Frank...will y' keep me warm?"

"Let me get you a quilt then and..."

"No Frank, you...will you keep me warm?...please?"

Gerard had a soft blush starting to colour his cheeks as he spoke his mind.

"Alright."

Frank tried to move again.

"Um...are you going to let me go so I can move...or do you want me to stay where I am?"

"Stay, please?"

"Are you sure I am not crushing you?"

Gerard shook his head a little.

"Y' not...I likes it."

"Can I at least get comfortable?"

Gerard giggled slightly and loosened his grip.

"O' course y' can."

Frank stood up then unbuttoned and slipped off his shirt. He then went to grab for his night shirt. Gerard whined, staring up at him with big puppy eyes.

"Y' can keep it off if y' likes?"

"So...you want me to lie in just my britches?"

Gerard looked down at himself, then back at Frank.

"Y'd be more comfy wivout 'em."

He gave a half smile.

"Oh."

Frank looked at the boy. The innocent boy...that was not so innocent in his bed. He reached down and opened his britches letting them slide down his legs to the floor. He then stood there in nothing. Gerard's cheeks heated and he swallowed nervously.

"I's a bit overdressed now, ain't I."

"I suppose you could join me...if you wanted to."

Gerard nodded then struggled to sit up, wincing slightly at the now only vague pain in his hip. He started to pull his shirt up and off, revealing his thin, pale body beneath. Frank remembered seeing Gerard naked right before his face was revealed.

"Beautiful."

Gerard pulled the shirt off, his hair falling around his face before he discarded the shirt off of the side of the bed and shivered, wrapping his arms around himself...his eyes cast down and his bottom lip trapped between his teeth.

"I's cold."

He whispered, looking up through his lashes after a couple of seconds.

"Oh...right sorry."

Frank moved back to the bed. He carefully climbed on top of the now naked boy and settled where he was before.

"Is this better?"

"Mhmm..."

Gerard hummed, nodding slightly. He moved a little to get comfortable, his legs parting a bit.

"Y' feel like a soft bed 'eater...y' good t' cuddle wiv."

Frank felt one of his legs slip in between Gerard's parted legs. He kept his shiver internal as his thigh brushed the boy's cock.

"I'm glad I can help take care of you."

Gerard wasn't so good at keeping his shiver inside. His breath hitched slightly then he swallowed.

"I...I wants tha'..."

He whispered, then swallowed again, shifting his hips up a little.

"I n-need tha'."

"Gee...I don't think...I mean do you understand what..."

Gerard nodded.

"Yes Frank."

"Gee..."

Gerard chewed on his lip, suddenly feeling unsure.

"Did I...did I get this wrong?...did y' not want t'?"

He turned his face away. He felt like a fool, why would Frank even want to look at him, let alone...

"No no no, I...but are you only doing this for that? I mean what do you want?"

Frank turned Gerard's face back gently.

"I don't want to be another Robert in your life."

Gerard smiled weakly.

"The fact that y' say that, I know y' not like 'im...'e wouldn't o' bovered t' ask...'e woulda just took me..."

He sighed and smiled a little wider, relaxing.

"I...I kinda liked some o' what 'e did t' me, when 'e din't 'urt me. I kinda miss the good bits, and I'd like t' 'ave that wiv you...if y' want?"

Frank couldn't help it. After hearing that from Gerard he leaned in and kissed him.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks, how's you?

Sorry you've had to wait a while for this update, but illnesses and awkward schedules meant that finding times to write together was hard, hopefully we are getting back on track now...I also hope that the wait was worth it?

So Mikey and Patrick are getting married...thoughts? and Frank and Gerard in bed about to...
:D

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