The Apprentice

***Time stamp: January***

Gerard missed his family, but being in Italy for the last few weeks had been a lot more pleasant than the cold of an English winter. The air was warm and the staff at the villa were friendly, but he got the distinct impression that they hadn't been told that he was a servant too...they treated him the same way they treated Frank. Gerard wasn't complaining of course, not that that would do much good any way, as he didn't speak Italian and they didn't speak English, but he just thought it a little odd that Frank hadn't told them. Gerard hadn't seen much of Frank, but he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. At least the warm weather seemed to be helping his breathing somewhat, so he supposed that he had Frank to thank for that. He was sitting on the terrace at the rear of the villa, under the shade of a parasol, with a blanket wrapped around him as he stared out at the beautiful scenery when the door to his left opened, breaking him out of his musings. He turned to look, and saw Frank coming toward him.

"Oh, 'ello sir."

"Good afternoon Gerard, how are you feeling today?"

"A little better sir...warmer."

"Good, that's good."

Frank dropped into the seat next to Gerard.

"I am tired."

Gerard nodded slightly, not knowing what to say as he'd never actually sat and talked to the older man alone before...it made him nervous. He let his eyes drift back up to the view...it really was quite lovely.

"We should go into town tonight. There is a festival that I think you would enjoy."

Gerard looked over in confusion.

"O' course sir..."

He nodded, figuring that his Master wanted him there to fetch him drinks or something. There were other servants at the villa who were better suited to the task, and who didn't run out of breath every few steps they took, but this was Frank, so Gerard had been expecting this "rest and recuperation" trip to turn into just another way to put him in his place...he was surprised it had taken this long actually.

"Wha'ever y' need sir."

"Gerard...you are here as my guest, so there is no need for formalities, please just call me Frank."

"I...I couldn't Sir..."

Gerard said quietly, eyes dropping to his lap.

"Y' me Master, Sir."

"Well then as your Lord and Master, I command you to call me Frank."

Gerard swallowed and looked up through his hair.

"Yessir, I mean...Frank."

"Good, now although it is warm out, you should wear a sweater for the trip. Be ready in about two hours to go."

Gerard nodded.

"Yessir..."

He giggled nervously.

"Frank. That's goin' t' be 'ard t' get use to."

"You will do fine."

Frank got up and stretched.

"I will meet you at the front in a bit. I have more work to do before we go."

Frank patted Gerard on the shoulder and then left. Gerard frowned, he was very confused, this was not the Frank he'd grown to know and fear. Sighing softly, he decided he could relax for a while before he needed to get ready to go. He rested his head back and closed his eyes.

*

*

*

"Sorry about that Gerard, I lost..."

Frank didn't see Gerard in the front like they had planned. He felt bad that he lost track of time while working. He went to see if he was waiting on the veranda. Frank walked out and stopped. Gerard was asleep in the same chair from before. The sun was setting now and it lit his skin a glow. The light breeze moved his hair about and Frank had to admit that the boy was very pretty. He thought about skipping the carnival if the boy was too tired, but he had such hopes of going. He left and told a servant to wake Gerard up and to tell him that he was delayed a bit longer. Then he went to get dressed.

"Signore... Signore... si deve svegliare Signore."

Gerard woke with a start.

"Wha'?...oh, I...I musta fell asleep...sorry."

He shuffled in his seat awkwardly. He tried to understand the gestures of the servant as she tried to get up to rise from the seat.

"Master Iero stava ancora lavorando in ufficio, così avete ancora tempo per vestirmi per la vostra gita di sera."

Gerard understood "Master Iero” and very little else, but he figured that he had over slept and missed Frank. The servant bowed and left. Gerard shivered as he left the blanket on the chair and headed inside. When he reached the room he'd been staying in, he quickly found one of the warm sweaters that he'd received for Christmas and pulled it on. He still felt that familiar chill inside his body, but the sweater helped a little.
Gerard left his room and headed outside to the front of the villa. He was rather surprised to see that Frank was still there.

"All ready? Sorry again about the delay, hope you were not waiting long."

Frank walked up in a light coat. Gerard was confused and then wondered if the servant was trying to tell him that Frank was going to be late.

"Come, let's go."

Frank led Gerard to the carriage. Gerard hugged his arms around himself as he settled into his seat. He wanted to ask about the festival, but was scared of crossing the line with his Master by speaking before being spoken to.

"So have you ever been to a festival...sorry, that was stupid to ask, of course you haven't."

Frank looked out the window and blushed slightly. Gerard chewed his lip for a moment then asked quietly.

"What's it like?"

"Well it's colourful and there is music and dancing and jugglers. There are special foods to eat and jesters and sometimes a fire eater."

Gerard frowned in confusion.

"Someone eats...fire?"

"Yes and it is spectacular even in the day time."

"It sounds dangerous."

"That is part of the fun though."

Frank chuckled. Gerard hummed slightly as he thought about it.

"Maybe it'll warm me up."

He said quietly, his eyes turning to the beautiful scenery they were passing through.

"You never know."

Frank smiled as the carriage continued down the cobble stone road toward the town. Gerard shivered in his seat, wishing he had thought to bring a blanket for the short journey.

"Cold?"

Frank reached under the seat and pulled out a warm quilt.

Gerard turned to look at Frank, and smiled gratefully.

"Yes. Thank you s...Frank."

Frank tucked the quilt around the boy's body.

Gerard shivered again and pulled the blanket in tighter.

"Thank you."

He murmured, his cheeks flushing slightly. Frank watched the boy staring out the window. His eyes seemed to be full of wonder and youth despite being almost 17 now. Gerard saw the little town coming into sight and gasped as he saw coloured ribbons and lanterns lit and heard the first strains of happy music playing on the air. If it weren't for the blanket wrapped around him, Gerard would probably have leaned out of the carriage window for a better look...he couldn't help bouncing in his seat a little though. Frank laughed at how excited Gerard looked. The carriage stopped and the door opened. Gerard almost fell out of the carriage in his haste to untangle himself from the blanket.

"Slow down Gee....uh, Gerard, we have plenty of time."

Gerard froze for a second at the familiar name, his eyes widening as he sat back down.

"I's sorry sir..."

He said shakily, his eyes dropping automatically to the floor.

"I's gettin' ahead o' meself."

"No no no, no apologies. You are having fun. I just...I have not seen you ever act this excited before, even when you were a kid and..."

Gerard kept his head down, pulling the blanket around him again and trying to disguise the shakes that were taking over his body...whether from his chill, or from the fear of punishment, he wasn't entirely certain.

"Hey relax."

Frank put an arm around the boy.

"You are fine; no one is going to yell at you. Now, shall we get going?"

Gerard nodded slightly, keeping his head down.

"Yessir."

Frank helped the boy down from the carriage and then they made their way into town and the carnival. Gerard kept his head lowered, arms wrapped around his thin body as he walked half a step behind his Master. Frank rolled his eyes and backed up placing his arm around the boy once again. Gerard let out a small surprised squeak, his eyes widening and darting up to look at Frank, who was considerably closer to him than Gerard ever recalled him being before. He stiffened, stumbling slightly as his heart raced in his chest. He really didn't understand what was happening right now.

"Come on, let's get you something warm to drink."

They found a stand where they had the warm chocolate that Gerard had at Christmas.

"Y-you don't 'ave to Sir."

"We need to warm you up."

Frank pulled out a few lira.

"Posso avere una tazza di cioccolato caldo e un caffè espresso per favore."

("May I have one cup of warm chocolate and one espresso please.")

Gerard wished he understood...it was a very pretty language.

The man nodded and quickly made the drinks. He then handed them to Frank.

"Grazie."

He handed the warm chocolate to Gerard.

"Thank y' Sir."

Gerard said softly, taking the mug with lightly trembling fingers.

"Come let's sit for a bit and watch the jugglers."

Gerard nodded, wrapping both hands around the mug to try to warm his cold fingers as they headed toward a fountain where other people were sitting around the edge.

The jugglers were wowing the crowd with their act and their colorful costumes. The children clapped and danced about to the music accompanying them. Gerard smiled as he sipped his warm chocolate and watched the entertainers. He was starting to relax again. The chocolate was thick and sweet and he was feeling a little warmer inside. He sighed softly in content.

"Good?"

Gerard nodded.

"Yessir...thank you."

Frank sighed; the boy would need more time.

"So after this, what would you like to do?"

Gerard shrugged slightly.

"Maybe..."

He wasn't sure if his opinion was really wanted, or if his Master was just asking for appearances sake. He continued quietly, eyes dropping to stare into his drink.

"Maybe get something to...eat?"

"Alright, it is close to supper time."

Frank stood up and spied another cart.

"Wait here; I will bring you something back."

Gerard looked up.

"Y' don' 'ave to Sir...I should be doin' the fetchin'."

"Nonsense, enjoy the show, I will be right back."

"Yessir."

Gerard watched Frank walk off toward the cart, he couldn't figure out what he was up to and was scared that this was all some sort of trick...maybe he was going to go back to England and leave Gerard behind...alone.

*

*

*

The line was long, but Frank could tell why once the food was passed into his hands. He carried them back to the boy along with two cold drinks.

"Here we are."

Frank handed the boy the savory treat in his hands.

"Careful, it is quite hot."

Gerard nodded slightly.

"Thank y' Sir."

He said quietly, not really trusting his voice to not shake right now. Frank sat down next to Gerard and made sure his own was wrapped properly.

"So you want to carefully break it in half."

Frank demonstrated and the air was filled with tomatoes, cheese, and meat. Gerard inhaled as heavily as his poor lungs would allow, a small smile slipping onto his face. His tummy chose that moment to rumble quite loudly, making him blush and giggle slightly. He carefully copied what Frank had done.

"Like this?"

"Very good. Now I didn't know what kind of filling to get you, but I remembered that you liked Elena's sausage stew so I chose sausage for you. I hope that is alright."

Gerard nodded slightly.

"Thank y' Sir."

He took a small bite, and followed it with a moan of appreciation, his eyes fluttering closed as he savored the slightly spicy taste.

"That good huh, better than purple asparagus?"

Gerard giggled quietly.

"It is Sir...thank y'."

"Good, I'm glad."

Frank sat with the boy as they ate. Soon the show was over and both of them were sated.

"Shall we walk around a bit?"

"Yessir, if y' want to Sir."

Gerard nodded softly with his eyes down as he pushed himself up onto his feet and wrapped his arms around himself for warmth.

"Come on, I know the place I want to go."

Frank brought Gerard to the coat shop next to where he found the calzones. Gerard looked at the shopfront in confusion.

"You need a coat sir?"

Frank took the boy's hand and led him into the shop.

"Buon pomeriggio signori, cosa posso fare per te?"

("Good afternoon Gentlemen, what can I do for you?")

"Ho bisogno di un cappotto caldo per il mio amico qui."

("I need a warm coat for my friend here.")

"Naturalmente, Signore, di che colore pensavi?"

("Of course Sir, did you have a color in mind?")

Frank looked at Gerard carefully. Gerard chewed on his lip. He had no idea what was being said, or why Frank was looking at him. He felt slightly uncomfortable and shuffled his feet, looking down at the tiled floor.

"Penso che qualcosa di bello in nero e lungo modo che incornicia lui."

("I think something nice in black and long so that it frames him.")

"Ho appena la cosa signore."

("I have just the thing.")

The man beckoned them to follow him to a section in the back.

"Che ne dici questo uno?"

("How about this one?")

Frank looked at the coat that the man held up. He then turned to Gerard.

"What do you think piccolo principe?"

Gerard looked up with his confusion clearly painted all over his face.

"Sir?"

"Do you like it?"

"Oh, yessir...I think it'll look nice on ya."

"Quanto tempo ci vorrà per adattarlo?"

("How long will it take to tailor it?")

"Un giorno o due signore."

("A day or two Sir.")

"CE la fai in 12 ore per un prezzo migliore?"

("Can you make it in 12 hours for a better price?")

"Sì, Signore, io posso."

("Yes Sir, I can.")

"Si prega di fare quindi".

("Please do.")

"Sarà necessario misurare lui signore."

("I will need to measure him Sir.")

"Naturalmente e misurare me troppo, non voglio fargli sapere è un dono."

("Of course and measure me too, I do not want him to know it is a gift.")

"Un regalo per il piccolo principe"?

("A gift for the Little Prince?")

"Sì..."

("Yes...")

Frank looked at Gerard and smiled.

"... .per il piccolo principe."

("...for the Little Prince.")

Gerard was still at a loss, looking between the two men. He had a feeling that they were talking about him, but he had no idea why.

"Vieni e Seguimi per favore."

("Come follow me please.")

Frank took Gerard's hand and they headed to the back of the store where the work room was. First the keeper measured Frank.

"Va bene piccolo principe, sei prossimo."

("Alright Little Prince, you are next.")

He smiled at Gerard.

Gerard looked at Frank.

"Sir?"

"Go on Gee."

Gerard tipped his head to the right a little.

"Y' want me t' get measured Sir?"

"Yes Gerard, go on."

Gerard blinked rapidly for a moment then nodded.

"Yessir."

He didn't understand, but this was his Master, so he would do as he was told. He stepped over to the Italian man and tried not to shake too much as the man started to measure him...he wasn't too keen on having a stranger touching him, even in this professional setting. The man was quick and efficient and soon Gerard and Frank were on their way back to the villa with two full stomachs and one confused heart.

Notes

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

So Frank's still being nice, and Gerard's confused...what do you think will happen next time?

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