The Apprentice

Gerard woke up to coughing...only this time, it wasn't him.

He struggled to sit up in his bed, looking around his dark room. It took him a moment to remember where he was, as this room was so much...more than his tiny bare box room, back at the Iero estate.

The coughing had stopped again, and Gerard listened to the quiet villa for any signs of life...he heard none. Laying back down, he tried to fall back to sleep, but after a while he realised that it was not going to happen.

Gerard thought about how different things were here, not just the weather and the fact that he could not understand what anyone said, but also Frank. Frank was kind and generous, patient and understanding here...traits Gerard never thought he'd be able to associate with his Master. Gerard had thought it was a trick at first, a ploy to gain Gerard's trust before Frank did something truly nasty...but no, he was starting to think that wasn't right, and that maybe Frank really had changed.

The coughing started up again and Gerard decided to go check on whoever it was, as they sounded like they could be ill...and he knew better than anyone that having someone with you, to take care of you, was very important to your recovery.

Gerard climbed out of bed, pulling on his robe and picking up his cane. He left his room and stepped into the hallway. He heard the coughing coming from his right and realised that it could only be Frank. Gerard took a steadying breath, then walked over to Frank's bedroom door and knocked.

*knock knock*

"Frank?...are y' alright?"

"*cough cough* Fine, just a *cough cough* tickle in my throat."

"Can I...can I get y' anythin' Frank?"

"No I..."

A violent coughing fit hit him and he doubled over.

Gerard frowned then decided that if Frank was really as changed as he seemed, then he would be alright with accepting some help.

"I'm comin' in Frank..."

He opened the door and stepped inside before Frank could argue. He crossed over to the bed.

"Y' sick Frank!"

He exclaimed.

"I'm gonna fetch y' somethin' for y' throat. Please lay down, I'll be back in a minute."

He turned to go. Frank tried to protest, but a wave of nausea hit him along with dizziness and he vomited over the side the bed. Gerard turned back at the noise, his eyes going wide.

"Oh no, Frank..."

He crossed back to the bed and perched on the edge, gently stroking Frank's back, soothingly.

"Relax, y'll be alright."

He waited for Frank to finish vomiting.

"Ugh, I feel like death."

"Lay back Frank, I'll get y' somethin', then I'll clean this up."

Gerard gently pushed Frank to lay back before using the sleeve of his robe to wipe Frank's mouth, then head out of the room.

He walked as quick as he could, leaning heavily on his cane and having to pause for breath here and there until he reached the kitchen. It was still dark so all of the staff were likely asleep, but that was better Gerard guessed, as he wouldn't be able to tell them what he needed anyway. Gerard looked around until he found a jug of water in the icebox, three lemons in amongst other fruit in a bowl, and a small bottle of honey in the cabinet near the stove. Gerard spent a couple of minutes trying to work the stove and sighed in relief when it finally lit. He put some of the water into a pan, squeezed the juice of two of the lemons into the water and added a generous amount of honey before setting the pan on the stove to heat. He stirred it with a big wooden spoon, tasting it occasionally until steam started to rise and the mixture started to bubble slightly, then he took it off of the stove, which took another minute to turn off, before pouring the drink into a large blue painted mug. Gerard carefully carried the mug back through the house, pausing again along the way until he reached Frank's room. He knocked again, then entered quietly.

"I's sorry I took so long Frank...I couldn't figure the stove..."

He walked to the bedside, avoiding the puddle of vomit on the floor, and set the mug on Frank's nightstand.

"Let me 'elp y' sit up."

He turned a soft smile toward Frank. Frank groaned as he felt the pillows propped up behind him. He was given a steaming cup of something. He sniffed it lightly.

"I smell honey and see lemons. I think...yes, Elena made this for me when I was a kid."

"Yeah, grandma taught me...I 'ope I made it right..."

Gerard supported the mug from beneath as Frank held it in unsteady hands.

"Small sips please Frank."

Frank nodded and did as he was told.

"This is good. It feels nice on my sore throat."

"G-good."

Gerard continued to hold the base of the mug as Frank sipped...he would clean up the mess on the floor when Frank was done.

Frank finished the liquid and felt better.

"I think I can lie down again."

Gerard nodded and took the mug, carefully setting it on the nightstand before helping Frank to get comfy.

"Try t' sleep Frank...I'll be as quiet as I can cleanin' this up."

He said softly before walking over to the water closet to fetch a towel and a wet wash cloth.

"Gerard...do you mind...I mean...can you stay with me?"

Gerard looked back from the water closet door.

"If y' want, but I gotta clean this up first, else it'll smell in 'ere."

"I can call a servant."

"I am a servant."

Gerard said quietly, his eyes dropping to the floor as he walked back to the bed with the towel and cloth and got awkwardly down onto his knees.

Frank reached down, but a dizzy spell hit him and he only lightly touched Gerard's head.

"No Geeee, you are my guesssss"

"Frank!..."

Gerard gasped and grabbed him as Frank pitched forward.

"Easy there..."

He lay Frank back and looked at him seriously.

"Y' nearly fell outta y' bed."

Frank held onto Gerard.

"Please...stay."

Gerard sighed.

"I ain't goin' nowhere, but I gotta sort this."

He nodded toward the half cleaned floor...at least it was tiled and not carpeted like back in England, he thought absently. Frank rang a cord near his head. Within a moment a servant appeared.

"Qual è il vostro bisogno Sir?"

"Si prega di girare giù il letto per gli ospiti e poi Pulisci tutto."

"Si Signore, Signore molto buono."

The servant left.

Gerard looked at Frank curiously.

"What did you...I mean if you don't mind me asking...what did you say to her?"

Before Frank could answer the servant returned.

"Tutto fatto Signore."

"Grazie."

Then the servant began to clean up the mess. Frank moved to the other side of the bed holding Gerard's hand.

"Come with me."

Gerard frowned in confusion.

"Where to?"

Frank just gave Gerard a weak smile and pulled him out of the bedroom to another room. The bed was set for them. Frank climbed in and then shifted over.

Gerard swallowed.

"Y' want me to..."

He waved his free hand at the bed.

"I could sleep on the floor if y' want me t' stay."

"Don't be silly, please get in. I don’t want to be alone."

Gerard sighed.

"Alrigh', but I got cold feet, just t' warn y'."

"I can fix that."

Frank pulled on the cord and the servant appeared again.

"Qual è il vostro bisogno Signore?"

"Si prega di mettersi un letto caldo per noi."

"Si Signore, Signore molto buono."

The servant left again.

Gerard frowned, looking down...he didn't like not understanding what people were saying. The servant returned with a warming pan. She slipped it under the blankets.

"There, no cold feet."

Gerard gasped slightly then sighed, a smile slipping onto his face.

"Thank y' Frank."

He said quietly, a slight blush coloring his neck and ears.

Frank pulled Gerard in and snuggled him into his chest.

"When I was little, I used to do this with...your brother. We did this when either one of us got sick."

Gerard looked at Frank with surprise.

"You did?...but...but you..."

His words fell off...he didn't want nice Frank to go away and nasty Frank to return if he mentioned how Frank had always treated staff...for as long as he could remember anyway.

"I can't explain what happened to me. I wish I had an excuse, but it’s as if I suddenly realised where I stood and where he stood, but back when you were first born, we were...best friends."

"You were?...I never knew."

"Yes...and now I regret my behavior and where it led. I...I had no sympathy for when his mother died and I never understood how it felt till I lost my father, but even then I was more angry that I could not keep up my boyish way of life. I didn't want to grow up."

"What...what changed?"

"You...seeing how everyone cared about you and the fact that I only did once I saw your face...I knew that I had to do something or I was going to end up hurting someone even worse than I did you."

Gerard was confused.

"But...but y' hated me. How could anythin' t' do wit me make y' wanna change?"

I never hated you, but I didn’t value you as a person or as a life. That was my mistake."

Gerard sighed, turning his head away as much as he could with Frank still holding onto him.

"Y' should get some sleep...Sir."

He murmured softly, closing his eyes.

"Yes."

Frank settled in hoping that the boy heard his words and his meaning behind them. He guessed he would find out in the morning…although he noticed that he was calling him Sir again instead of Frank. Still he was too tired to question it right now and drifted off.

*

*

*

‘Oh fuck.’ Frank woke up feeling worse than he had last night. He was cold and clammy to the touch, but he felt like he was on fire, he also realised that he spoke out loud, but no sound came. Gerard woke up and groaned slightly at how wonderfully warm he felt...it had been a long time since he'd felt that. He turned his head and saw Frank. For a second he panicked, not remembering last night...but then it came back to him and he realised just how ill Frank looked.

"Y' look worse sir...I'd ask someone f' some medicine for y', but I don't think they'd understand me."

Frank tried to say something, but the words got caught in his chest and he suddenly couldn't breathe. He groped for Gerard. Gerard's eyes widened and he moved to sit up, carefully pulling Frank up with him as best he could.

"Easy sir, take it easy."

He rubbed his hand on Frank's back firmly...like Mikey does for him when he's sick. He missed Mikey. Frank clung to Gerard, scared and crying. He had never felt like this before. Gerard wasn't sure what to do except to hold Frank...so that's what he did. He held him and stroked his back and spoke soft and calm to him.

"Don' cry sir, y' gonna be alrigh'. I'm 'ere sir."

Frank tried to find his voice, but there was nothing. Gerard frowned concernedly.

"Sir?...'ave y' lost y' voice?"

Frank tried again...nothing. Gerard sighed.

"Well this in't good!...y' needs a doctor, and I don' know how to ask for one."

Frank shook his head. He needed to make Gerard understand.

"Hmmm, maybe if I drag one o' the staff in 'ere, they'd see you was sick and fetch a doctor."

Gerard mused. Frank nodded and pointed to the cord. Gerard smiled and reached up, pulling on the cord...he'd kind of always wanted to do that. The servant arrived and looked at the situation.

"Qual è il vostro bisogno Signore?"

Gerard looked at Frank, then back at the woman.

"Um, Frank's sick...needs a doctor."

He said slowly and loudly, pointing to Frank and gesturing to his throat...hoping the woman understood. The woman looked at both men. She saw that her Master could not speak and left the room. Gerard looked at Frank.

"Did she understand me?"

Frank just nodded and then coughed, shivering. Gerard moved closer, pulling up the blankets more and wrapping them, and his arms, around Frank's body.

"Easy sir, try t' relax."

Frank coughed again and clutched on to Gerard.

Gerard rubbed at Frank's back, rocking him gently and starting to hum a tune quietly, trying to calm his Master. After a minute he began to sing the words softly, the words Elena had taught him.

"Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss within the cup, And I'll not ask for wine. The thirst that from the soul doth rise, Doth crave a drink divine; But might I of Jove's nectar sup, I would not change for thine.

I sent thee late a rosy wreath, Not so much honoring thee As giving it a hope that there It could not withered be; But thou thereon didst only breathe And sent'st it back to me, Since when it grows and smells, I swear, Not of itself, but thee.

Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss within the cup, And I'll not ask for wine. The thirst that from the soul doth rise, Doth crave a drink divine; But might I of Jove's nectar sup, I would not change for thine."

Frank was taken back. Gerard had a beautiful singing voice. Why was he wasting his time being a servant when he could have been a parlor singer? Frank had to talk to Patrick when he got back. Patrick would be able to make things right. Frank started to gesture with his hands for Gerard to come closer. Gerard moved his face closer to Frank, tilting his head.

"I's sorry sir, I thought that'd help."

Frank reached up and touched Gerard's face. He had so many words for him, but he had no voice to articulate. He looked into Gerard's eyes pleading with him to understand. Gerard swallowed nervously.

"I's really sorry s-sir."

His voice went quiet and his eyes dropped. Frank shook his head and smiled as he pulled the boy closer. Gerard frowned slightly, he didn't understand what was happening.

"I don' understand sir."

It was that moment that Frank realised that he wanted to kiss the boy. He knew he shouldn't. He didn't deserve the kind and gentle creature, but he wanted him so much. Gerard chewed on his lip unsurely, he didn't understand the look Frank was giving him...or why he was so close. Frank continued to stare at the boy with a soft eye willing him to understand. Gerard looked down then back at Frank's eyes.

"I don' know what y' want sir...can y' show me?"

Frank swallowed hard. Would he slap him or worse punch him...even though he was sure the boy was pretty weak still, he nodded and reached up laying a hand on the back of Gerard's neck and pulling him down gently. Gerard's eyes widened. Was this it?...did Frank want to do what Robert used to do to him? If that was it, Gerard knew he had no choice but to obey...Frank was his Master after all. He closed his eyes and let Frank do...whatever he was planning on doing. Frank hesitated. The look in Gerard's eyes was fright. That is not what he wanted. He quickly brought up a cough and rolled over letting go of the boy. He suddenly remembered how the original soot master, which he fired, treated Gerard. He could not believe he almost did the same.

Gerard opened his eyes and looked at Frank.

"S-sir, are y' feelin' worse?"

Frank nodded his head and hunched over further. He couldn't even look at the boy anymore. Gerard reached out and stroked Frank's back.

"Hopef'lly the doctor'll be 'ere soon. Try t' rest sir."

Frank shuddered at the boy's touch. He just pulled the covers up and hid. His shame was growing. Gerard frowned and pulled his hand away.

"Do y' want me t' leave y' alone sir?"

There was a light knock at the door and the servant from before appeared.

"Giovani Signore posso parlarle un momento?"

She crooked her finger at Gerard. Gerard nodded to the servant and climbed off of the bed, grabbing his cane and following her from the room quietly...maybe Frank just needed to sleep. She brought Gerard into a small room where a little girl was sitting sipping on a cup of warm chocolate.

"Mia nipote può parlare inglese."

Gerard looked from the woman to the little girl, then back.

"I's sorry, I don' understand."

"My zia say I speak English."

Gerard looked back at the little girl in surprise...she had a strong accent, but he could understand her.

"Y' do?...at last, someone I can talk to. Can y' ask when the doctor can come for Master Iero please?...he's real sick."

"He will be here soon."

She put her cup down.

"I talk to Franco for past months."

"Franco?...oh, y' mean Frank..."

Gerard smiled at the girl.

"I's Gerard by the way, what's your name?"

"Arlecchino."

Gerard blinked a couple of times.

"Ar-lec-chino?"

He tried sounding it out. She laughed.

"You can call Chino, iz what Franco call me."

Gerard giggled.

"Chino, that's easier. Y' can call me Gee if y' likes."

"Gee!"

She clapped her hands.

"Franco says nice words for you."

"He does?..."

Gerard asked in surprise.

"Y' sure 'e's talkin' about me?"

"Si, he call you his piccolo principe."

Gerard recognised those words...Frank had said them and so had the tailor, he just did not know what they meant.

"Can I ask y' Chino, what does that mean?"

She smiled.

"It mean little prince."

Gerard was shocked...maybe he'd heard Frank wrong, or maybe the translation was wrong.

"Are y' sure?...cos 'e don' see me like that."

He said with a small frown, shaking his head.

"Si, I know. He talk about you and...how he treat you bad and how he make better."

Gerard sat down opposite the girl.

"Did, did 'e say why 'e wants t' make me better?"

She blushed now.

"He say he like you. You bella to him."

Gerard tipped his head to the side curiously.

"I's what?"

Arlecchino thought for a moment.

"You are, how you say, pretty?"

Gerard shook his head.

"No. Y' got it wrong...'e don' think that."

"I have talk to him when he drink. Men speak truth with spirits."

Gerard sighed. Spirits, alcohol...that explained it. Had Frank been under the influence before?...when he'd been about to...do whatever he was going to do?

"Yes, they do."

"I see you do not feel same. He say that too. He say you find him mostro."

Gerard looked up, raising his eyebrows...he didn't really feel like talking that much anymore. He'd known Frank being nice to him was a trick of some sort, and now it seemed clear that his Master just wanted to use him like Robert had. How could he have thought different for even a moment?

"Mostro?"

"Um...scary, bad, mean...thing?"

"Monster..."

Gerard took a moment to realise the word.

"I don' think 'e's a monster...'e's a man...one who's used t' gettin' what 'e wants, that's all."

"What he want?"

She crinkled her nose.

"He give so much and never ask for anything."

Gerard smiled at the girl's naivety.

"You've not known 'im as long as I 'ave."

"Si, but he tell me how he was as a boy and he feel bad about it too."

"Arlecchino bisogno di te per un momento."

The girl looked at her aunt and then back at Gerard. She got up and moved over to him. She took his hand and whispered in his ear.

"Go talk to Franco and listen with this..."

She touched his chest.

"...not this."

She touched his head. She kissed his cheek and then left with a small smile. Gerard frowned slightly, but stood up and headed back to Frank's bedroom, nodding his thanks to the servant on his way out of the room. He walked slowly along the hallway, leaning heavily on his cane. He was tired and needed to rest, but he felt like this was more important than sleep right now.

He reached the door and knocked lightly, then opened it and stepped inside.

"Sir?...are you awake?"

He didn’t want to disturb Frank if he was sleeping. Frank was reading in bed when the knock startled him. He looked up and smiled when he saw the boy. He bade him inside.

"I am a bit better now thank you. The doctor was here."

Frank was raspy, but he could at least talk. Gerard gave a half smile, closing the door quietly and crossing to stand beside the bed.

"Tha's good Sir. I met Chino, she said I should talk to y', and listen wiv me heart."

Frank was in the middle of taking a drink of water when Gerard said this. He breathed it in an started to cough and choke. Gerard's eyes widened and he crawled quickly onto the bed, taking Frank's glass and setting it down on the nightstand before stroking Frank's back soothingly.

"Easy sir, try t' breathe."

With the boy touching him, it made it even harder. What had the little girl said? She knew so much about him. He was a fool to speak so freely to her, but there was no one else that spoke even the remotest amount of English. Gerard panicked moving his hands away.

"I's sorry sir...did I 'urt y' Sir?"

Frank shook his head. Gerard tentatively replaced his hand.

"Did I say somethin' wrong?"

Again Frank shook his head. He didn't trust what little voice he had. Gerard frowned slightly, then tried something else.

"Do y' want me t' go Sir?"

Frank didn't want that at all. He tried to turn over, but did not realise how close the boy was to him. When he turned, he pushed the boy over as well and they both landed on their backs in the bed. Gerard gasped, but decided to give Frank the benefit of the doubt. He looked at him with a small smile.

"Y' a'right sir?"

"Yes, I'm good."

Gerard smiled a little wider.

"Tha's good Sir, is there anythin' y' need?"

Frank knew what he needed, but he didn't have the heart to say. He lightly shook his head one more time as he felt himself fall apart inside knowing this boy would never care for him. Soon they would go home...well Gerard would. Frank made a decision to stay in Italy. It would hurt too much to be home, but first he would make sure all was right for the boy.

"Y' should sleep sir, 'elp y' feel better."

"Yes, you are right. Good night Gerard."

Gerard curled up on his side on top of the covers, shivering slightly.

"G'night sir."

Frank wanted to pull him in close, wanted to cover him and make him feel warm and safe, but now he knew that those were two things that he would never mean to the boy and it broke his heart.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks...how's you?

So this time Frank is sick, and Gerard is looking after him!...will Gerard see that Frank has changed, or will Frank be "Sir" to him forever?

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