Instantly Infamous 3

  Gerard awoke the next morning in an empty bed.  He sat up, greeted with the pleasant lack of back pain.  It took a moment for his thoughts to properly arrange themselves as he stretched, rubbing his eyes.  He quickly remembered everything, and realized what was missing, "Frank?"
  The small young man entered from a separate section of the enormous bedroom, "Oh, I see you have awakened?"  Gerard nodded, still a bit drowsy.  "Well come here," Frank grinned, hands behind his back, "I have a surprise for you."
  Gerard uncovered himself, shivering as the cold air hit him, but was able to shake it off, going over to where Frank was standing, the short boy swaying slightly in his obvious excitement.
  "What is it?"  Gerard cocked an eyebrow, looking down curiously at the boy's gleaming hazel eyes.  A small black box was thrust in front of him.  He took it timidly, looking from the box, then back to Frank.
  "Go on, open it up!"  Frank urged, nodding towards the gift.
  Gerard did as he was told, gingerly lifting the top off and peering inside.  He gasped, looking back to Frank with large eyes, "Wh-what is this?"
  Frank took the box, staring at its contents with a smile, "I picked it out a few months ago for when I was to choose a wife.  I figured that we never had a proper engagement, so..."  Frank pulled the small golden circle from its box, tilting it about with a grin as the jewels on it glistened in the morning light.  He lifted Gerard's ghostly white hand, gently slipping the ring on the traditional finger, "I'm not sure if it fits, but we could always get it adjusted."
  Gerard held his hand out in front of him, staring admiringly at the glinting object with blinking doe eyes, his mouth agate.
  "Do you like it?"
  He looked past his hand at the boy in front of him, who was staring back with hopeful eyes, biting on his lip.  A huge grin lit up Gerard's face, "Frank, I love it.  It's beautiful."  Gerard leaned forward, giving the smaller boy a half hug and muttering his thanks.
  "It is my pleasure."  Frank was silent for a moment, eyes scanning across the other's features.  He enjoyed the way Gerard's cheeks would blush whenever he realized he was being admired.  "You really are the most gorgeous creature I've ever seen."
  Gerard looked down at his hands, fiddling a bit with his new ring, "I-I am flattered."
  "You seem to disagree."  Gerard nodded.  Frank furrowed his eyebrows, "How could you possibly look at yourself and see anything less than perfection?"  Gerard didn't answer, he could think of plenty of things about himself that he couldn't stand.  He kept his head down quietly.
  Frank lifted the other's chin, forcing him to make eye contact.  He almost looked angry, "You listen to me Gerard Way, you are perfect exactly as you are.  Understand?"
  Gerard opened his mouth to speak, but Frank cut him off, "Understand?"  He nodded.  "Good," Frank smiled again, taking Gerard's hand and swinging it with his own, "Now, breakfast with Mother and Father shall begin soon,"  Frank motioned to clothes folded neatly on a small table, "put those on...and don not fret, I now know not to look as you dress."
  Gerard laughed, picking up the clothes he was supposed to wear and examined them momentarily as Frank turned his back.
  "...I am finished, although they are a tad small."
  Frank turned around, smiling when he saw Gerard wearing his clothes, "You look excellent."  There was a rapping on the door, making Frank spin around, "Yes?!"
  A muffled voice came from outside, "The king and queen are ready to see you now."
  "Excellent, we shall be down momentarily."
  The sound of footsteps was heard, and slowly faded away as the person left.  Frank turned to the taller boy, a look of concern showing plainly on his face, "I must warn you Gerard, more than likely we shall be greeted with anger and bitterness from every angle upon arrival."
  Gerard sighed, his black hair falling in his eyes, "I expected as much."
  Frank pushed the other boy's hair back, whispering a sentiment in a foreign language that Gerard didn't understand, "I beg of you to pay no heed to their foul words.  Keep your head high."  This was followed by more foreign ramblings.
  "I will try my best to not be discouraged."
  "Good, and we had better not keep them waiting...Um, may I..."  Frank's voice trailed off.
  "What?"
  Frank looked up with cheeks the shade of cherry blossoms, "May I hold your hand?"
  Gerard was confused by the boy's sudden shyness.  The entire length of time he'd know Frank he'd always been exceedingly affectionate, not once asking permission until that instance.  Although Gerard simply nodded, not questioning it, "I don't see why not."
  Frank carefully entwined their fingers, as if he was afraid Gerard would shatter.
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  Gerard was led into a large room with a long table in its center, lined with many types of food that seemed alien to him.  Frank's father and, who Gerard assumed to be, his wife sat at the far end.
  He felt Frank's grip tighten as they approached.  Suddenly, the woman stood with a cry, and tears quickly began to flood her eyes, "So it is true!  I never dreamed such a shameful display as this, and from my own son?  No!  It cannot be!"  She collapsed dramatically in her chair, sobbing into her husband's shoulder.
  The king grunted, giving his son and Gerard a terrifying glare, "I am afraid it is as real as it seems.  The boy and his corrupt harlot shared a bed through the night."
  Frank released Gerard's hand, pulling a chair out and motioning for Gerard to sit.  The pale boy complied, sitting silently with his head down.  Frank took a place beside him, speaking quietly, "You have my word that Gerard and I have not done what you are implying, Father."
  "Your word is null in this home as far as I am concerned.
  Frank did not reply, but merely bowed his head respectively.
  The Iero royal family and Gerard silently ate their breakfast, nobody made a sound until Frank's father stood up, addressing his son, "Franklin, what is that on the boy's finger?"
  Gerard froze, peering up at the king, then down at his hands.  The ring was there, shining in the light.
  Frank spoke in a monotonous way, not looking up from his plate, "That would be my fiance's ring in its respective place, is that not the correct protocall?"
  "You gave him the ring?"
  "I do not see what is so surprising.  Does it not look beautiful on him?"
  The king looked away in disgust, "Beautiful is a word to describe a woman, which is who should be wearing that ring, not that boy."
  Frank stabbed at his food violently, obviously becoming annoyed, "'That boy' has a name.  His name is Gerard, and in my eyes he is the most beautiful person that ever lived, much more breathtaking than any of the painted up whores you have offered to me.  And I am overjoyed that he is the one that bears my ring, and not one of them."
  Gerard looked fearfully at Frank's father, half expecting him to either shout or slay him on the spot.  What he didn't expect was for the king to laugh.  Frank also looked shocked, dropping his silverware and looking up, confused.
  The king laughed, looking down at his son, "It amuses me the way you go on about what an amazing gift this boy is to you, while obviously he has only agreed to this petty marriage with money and power in mind.  It almost makes me pity you and your shameful emotions."
  Frank didn't speak.  He jumped up, letting his chair fall back, and ran away as quickly as his feet could carry him.
  Gerard stood, "Frank!  Frank wait!"  he ran after the smaller boy, frantically hoping he could keep up and wouldn't lose him.

  "Frank?" Gerard looked around, silently padding across the polished floor, "Where are you?"  He could hear the sound of shaky breathing, and what could only be the muffled sobs of the young prince.  Turning the corner he saw the boy's back turned to him.  He sat down beside him, rubbing his back in soothing circles, feeling a heavy sense of emotion weigh him down as Frank sobbed, his face flushed, and his eyes puffy.  "Frank, do you remember what you said to me this morning?  Keep your head high and pay no heed to what they say."
  Frank leaned his head on the other boy's shoulder, "I-I usually don't.  I-I am s-so sorry Gerard."
  "About what?"
  "I took your life away from you, j-just because I am a selfish, selfish person.  I had no right!"
  "Shhhh," Gerard rested his cheek on Frank's head, "I agreed didn't I?  You are forcing me into nothing.  If anything, you have been more kind than I have expected."
  Frank pulled away, wiping his eyes before looking at the pale teen beside him, "Gerard, did you have a girl in the village?"
  "What do you mean?"
  "I mean, was there a girl that you were courting, or that you one day hoped to court?"
  Gerard shook his head, "No, never.  In all honesty, the women did not care much for me."
  Frank sniffled, hugging Gerard's arm, "Then they truly were fools."
  "Come on," Gerard stood, holding out his hand for Frank to take, "Let us do something to take your mind off of this."