FicWad

“What the fuck is that?” Frank paused in mid flow of grabbing a carton of orange out the fridge, his body tensing when he heard his father’s angry voice and he slowly, ever so slowly, turned to face his old man.

“Erm... what’s what?” He asked quietly, looking innocently at his father as he stormed into the kitchen, smacking the juice out of Franks hand as he went to take a sip straight out the carton. The cardboard vessel flew across the room and hit the wall, liquid orange splashing across the cream paint and pooling on the tiled floor.

“That... that... THING on your NECK!” Spit flew into Franks face as his dad shouted at him and he grimaced, his hand still raised from where he had been going to drink the orange. He assumed the ‘thing’ his father was referring to was the scorpion tattoo that had been inked into his skin for about three days. Of course... not having the world’s most observant parents his father hadn’t noticed before.

“You mean my scorpion?” He asked innocently, raising a hand to touch the tattoo he couldn’t feel but knew was there. He had known his parents would freak if he didn’t ask them... which was why he had asked his mom... His dad of course hadn’t been informed – Frank knew what his feelings on the artwork would be and he had decided to just risk it.

He had always been a glutton for punishment.

“Is that thing REAL!?” His father bellowed and Frank rolled his eyes, chewing nervously on his lip ring even as he remained looking casual. He had spent years perfecting his ‘moody teenager’ persona, and he used it as a sort of shield at times like this.

The truth was, he was terrified of his father. Though he had never been abusive to him, he had always had a temper, and Frank had seen enough people on the receiving end of that fist enough times to know it wasn’t something he wanted to feel himself. He knew getting the tattoo would piss his old man off, and he had got it anyway, he had just prayed that maybe his dad might have a change of character and be fine with it in the time it took for him to notice...

“Yeah dad, it’s real. I got a living breathing scorpion on my neck – don’t touch it! It might sting you!” He snapped sarcastically as he rolled his eyes. He knew sarcastic comments were not going to help him one little bit, but the words just slipped off his tongue before he could stop them. He supposed it was just human nature to say shit like that without thinking about it... and it was too late to take them back, so no point regretting it.

“You cheeky little shit – you know what I mean!” His father roared, gripping him by the collar of his shirt and shoving him against the fridge, pinning him there with their faces inches apart, his teeth bared and clenched as he glared at his son. His once perfect, catholic son, who had become more and more like the sinners outside as the years went by.

If Frank hadn’t been afraid before he certainly was now and a quiet whimper escaped his throat as his father’s knuckles pressed against his neck from where he held him, his hazel eyes, just a shade lighter than Franks turned black with rage.

“IS IT REAL!?” He shouted, so loud Franks ears rang and he squeezed his eyes shut, growling as he tried to twist out of the older man’s grip.

“YES! Jesus Christ! It’s fucking real okay!? I got it done three days ago Mister Observant!” He shouted back, though his voice held little of the conviction his father’s did. Frank just couldn’t argue with him as passionately as his old man could. He hated confrontation, and though he had inherited his father’s rage it was more internally focused than externally.

“You little shit!” His dad raged, throwing him across the kitchen before he punched him, though he only ended up striding back towards him anyway. “I can’t believe you got that filth on your skin! Now how are you supposed to get a job!? Don’t think you’re staying under my roof if you don’t pay your way!” He bellowed, leaning over Frank who had fallen to the floor when he had been shoved away.

Frank hissed in pain from where his ribs had hit the tiled floor hard, and he groaned in pain as he looked up at his father’s angry face. He honestly didn’t see what the big deal was, and he thought it was unfair how his dad was using a job as an excuse to yell at him. He had always made it clear that he planned to try and break into the music scene, in one band or another, and so far his dad had always supported him. Why did a tattoo have to change it?

“What the hell is your problem!?” Frank demanded, struggling to his feet and shoving his father away from him. “It’s just a tattoo! I’m nineteen years old – you can’t tell me what to do anymore!” He shouted, glaring up at his father who, as much as he had feared, he had always respected. But when his fist collided sharply with his jaw all that respect shattered as pain exploded across his face.

“Damn right I fucking can!” His father all but screamed as Frank fell back against the wall, tears welling in his eyes as he gripped his jaw, half certain it was broken. “Whilst you live under MY roof, whilst you are MY son you will do as your damn well told!” His father shouted, jabbing his finger at Frank who stared at him with pained eyes.

“Fuck you.” He hissed, a sob rising in his throat and making it ache as he struggled to swallow it back. “I am not your son.” He snarled, ramming his shoulder against his dad’s as he stormed past him, still clutching his jaw in one hand as he grabbed his jacket in the other and stomped out of the house, ignoring his father’s shouts as he slammed the door shut as loud as he could.

>X<

Frank sniffled as he hid his face in the darkness created by his arms wrapped around his knees, his body bent double as the last of his tears dried on his cheeks. He knew his dad would be angry when he saw the tattoo, but he never thought he’d be that angry. His dad had never hit him before and the shock over rode the pain with force.

He had been sat in the forest for a couple of hours already and most of his tears had dried up by now, though his body was still just a cocktail of emotions. He was stunned that his father had reacted as badly as he had, and he didn’t know whether to be more angry or upset about it. Either way, he had to choose and cool down before he went back home, since his homecoming wasn’t going to be welcoming as it was let alone if he was bawling or looking for a fight. But it was just so unfair.

Frank growled softly into his knees and gave a dry sob, his nails scratching at the denim on his legs as he tried to purge his body of the negative emotions and make himself calm enough to return home. He just wanted to get into his room and play his music as loud as he could. Grab pansy and play some hard, fast riffs that would spend him of his energy. He just wanted his dad to apologise. He just wanted -

Snap.

Frank jumped and shot up with a gasp, his eyes wide and bloodshot from the tears as he looked around with a hammering heart. His ears rang from the sound of the twig snapping, the forest everywhere still and silent and Franks flickering gaze failed to locate the culprit who had caused the noise.

He knew he hadn’t imagined the noise, and the snap had been too sharp, too definite to have been a twig small enough to have been snapped by a small animal like a squirrel or a bird. Frank was certain it had been made by a person, and he stared around with panic slowly filling his chest when he continued to be unable to see anyone in the darkness created by the trees.

It wouldn’t have been such a big deal if it had been any other forest Frank was sat in, but this was the forest. The place that had plagued many of the towns peoples nightmares for decades.

Frank had never been afraid of the forest, or the tales that surrounded it, and for ten years now he had been coming to this very clearing to just sit and think. He had never had many friends, and so these trees that housed such fear for other people had proved to be Frank’s sanctuary – no bullies ever followed him in here. And no one ever searched for him here, no matter how long he waited. It was always silent, always still, and Frank had never seen a single soul here.

The snap continued to ring in his ears as his breath began to come in short, sharp gasps and he shakily got to his feet, still staring about in fear. This forest had become something of a home to him during all those times he had used it as his escape, but now it felt like all the fear that he should have felt all those times came crashing down on him in one. The tales surrounding the place were ridiculous, just superstitious nonsense and Frank had considered himself above all that. But now he wasnt so sure.

The three witches that his mother had used to whisper about... the ones who walked around in stinking, rotting rags that hung off their skinny, dirty frames. With grey, drifting hair and empty sockets where the eyes should have been... Were they real? Had all the times that Frank had brushed it off as fairy tales been a mistake? Were the children who used to enact the witches different ways of torture in the playground right?

Or what about the headless horseman? Who had used to ride through the night into the town and terrorise the townsfolk on his black stallion sent from hell itself. Who would use a flaming sword to slice heads where he went, in the vain hope of finding his own and returning it to its place atop his neck. Was he real too? Had it been the horse’s hooves, that trod so softly and silently so no one could hear him coming, skipped a beat and hit a twig? Was it walking now? Circling Franks little clearing as the horsemen twirled the sword around his fingers.

Frank shuddered and felt a ripple of fear run up his spine, tangling his hands into his hair as he looked around in horror. He could feel that someone was watching him. He knew it wasnt his imagination, he wasn’t being paranoid. He could feel it. Coming at him from all angles and he turned in circles as his frightened eyes took in every shadow, every tree, the shape of every leaf and he saw people where there weren’t any. The fear warping his judgement and he struggled to keep his mind straight as he scolded himself in the back of his head for being so stupid.

Frank sighed and filled his lungs with air in a deep breath, bending down to rest his hands on his knees and he screwed his eyes shut as he forced himself to take a moment to calm down. It was ridiculous to start panicking when he had no reason to. The twig could have been snapped by a fox or a badger or something. After spending his whole life laughing at the towns people for being so afraid of the woods, was he seriously going to let one little thing freak him out? It was absurd.

After spending a few minutes just recomposing Frank slowly straightened back up and looked around again, forcing himself to think calmly and rationally this time and he soon decided that he really was alone. Just like he always was. He tutted and mentally slapped himself for over reacting the way he had and promptly sat back down again, leaning against one of the tree trunks as he drew his knees up to his chest.

The minor fright had evaporated most of his anger and left behind a sweet numbness that was only just tinged by sadness. He thought over what had happened between him and his father and decided he would just have to go home, apologise as best he could and hope things worked out. If not... well. He was twenty years old already, maybe it was about time he moved out and got some independence anyway. Besides, tons of kids got hit by their parents – and on a daily basis too. Frank felt a little ashamed at the thought and blushed for getting so upset over it, when he really had no right to be. His father had never hit him before, and Frank was lucky to have such a loving household when some people never got that. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more ashamed he felt for running away like he had. He was acting like a child, how could he expect his dad to respect him when he threw temper tantrums like a toddler?

Frank considered it for a long moment and groaned, feeling ridiculous. He really had been wrong to run off like he had, and to say such a harsh thing as practically disowning his father was just plain cruel. He instantly felt bad and sighed, getting to his feet again with the intention of going back home, but then another snap, louder than the first, sounded through the silent forest.

Frank froze and gasped, standing bolt upright and staring around with wide eyes once more. His heart was hammering in his chest but he was determined not to freak out again this time. This time... now he was certain what he was hearing was not an animal. It had to be something big, like a human.

’Or a horse’

No! Not a horse! Frank quickly shook his head and brushed a hand through his hair as he bit on his lip ring. He was going to start over reacting again if he let his imagination run away with him. No matter what it was that was still evidently walking through the trees it was not the headless horse man’s horse... He refused to believe in such superstitious nonsense.

Swallowing down his fear Frank held his head high and began to stroll across the clearing towards the thin, barely noticeable trail that he had ground into the dirt himself from walking here almost every day for the majority of his life. He decided he was just going to go home and try to make amends with his father, and completely ignore the snapping sounds he had heard. It was a wood for crying out loud, it could have been anyth -

“What are you doing here?”

Frank nearly shot a foot into the air when a cool, male voice penetrated the darkness, making Franks heart miss a beat and then pick up again much faster than before. He gasped and spun around with wide eyes, staring in shock at the man who was stood in the middle of the clearing as if he had been there the whole time, though Frank had only had his back to that particular spot for barely a few seconds... he hadn’t even heard the man move.

“O – Oh! I... I’m sorry, I err... I d – didn’t see you there.” He stuttered, taking an automatic step backwards as he stared at the stranger that was observing him with calm, uninterested hazel eyes.

Frank knew everyone who lived in the town, after all, Salem was only a tiny place, practically a village and he was pretty certain that if he had even so much as glanced at this man before he would have remembered him. He was taller than Frank, but that wasn’t exactly impressive since Frank was still a measly five foot four, though the stranger’s skin was considerably paler than Franks olive complexion, only made more obvious by his onyx black hair and plain black shirt and jeans. But more importantly, he was insanely good looking.

Frank didn’t think he had ever applied the word beautiful to a man before – despite being a happily open gay man himself. But this stranger... he was more than just beautiful, he was painfully, heart achingly beautiful. And even though his eyes were filled with un-interest and his stance just screamed ‘bored’ he emitted a certain charm that was drawing Frank in like a moth to the flame.

The stranger quirked an eyebrow as Frank stared at him, taking a timid step forward, making the stranger smirk slightly.

“Erm, hello, kid – I asked you a question.” He said coolly, but Frank could hear a trace of irritation hidden by the otherwise monotonous voice.

“Oh! I... I’m sorry, erm... I was just... I come here sometimes t – to...” Frank trailed off, biting on his lip ring for a moment before he frowned, glaring at the stranger and folding his arms across his chest. He didn’t know who this guy was, but he wasn’t about to let good looks get the better of him. After all, Frank was the only person in the whole town who wasn’t petrified of coming into this place and he felt a sort of ownership over it. And here this guy was, dressed like some goth or something, trying to make him feel unwelcome.

“I come here all the time. Almost every day for like, over a decade. I should be asking you what you’re doing here.” He snapped and for a long moment the stranger looked as if he hadn’t even heard him, but then slowly his eyebrows rose up so high that they disappeared beneath his black hair.

“Oh? What’s your name?” He asked with a hint of amusement in his voice and Frank stared at him for a long moment, still tugging on the loop of metal threaded through his bottom lip before sighing and stating his name. Another long pause followed as both men just stared at each other before Frank couldn’t take it and he spoke up again.

“What’s yours?”

He didn’t know who this guy was, or who he was trying to be, but the statuesque way he stood, the unblinking eyes, unmoving limbs, the way he could just fall silent without seeming awkward... it made Frank feel uncomfortable.

“My name is Gerard.” The stranger said softly, his hazel eyes flicking over Franks body, up and down, up and down, but Frank didn’t feel like he was being checked out. He felt more like he was being worked out. Like this man was just as intrigued by Frank as Frank was by him.

“Well it’s... Nice to meet you?” Frank didn’t mean to make it come out like a question, but it did. The man, Gerard, didn’t seem to care though. He was too busy looking at Frank with a soft smile playing about his perfect cupid bow lips.

Gerard hadn’t got a good look at anyone in a very long time. He was an introvert to the extreme. A hermit practically. Salem was a small town, and Gerard had grown bored of it many years ago. Though, staying shut up in his own home wasn’t much more interesting either. He’d travelled the world a couple times; in fact, he’d just got back from Finland where he’d spent some time with some other people like himself, and this man stood in front of him was just what the doctor ordered.

Frank was a short guy, but Gerard guessed he wasn’t a teenager. Probably in his early twenties, not that it really mattered. Salem was not located in the sunniest place in the world, and most people were pale. Old fashioned. Superstitious... But Frank. Well... he wasn’t like them. Gerard didn’t need to be a mind reader to know that.

Franks skin was a soft olive colour, glowing almost in the green light that filtered through the leaves into the clearing they stood in, and decorated in tattoos of every colour of the rainbow. His hair was shaved at the sides, dyed peroxide blonde, with a flat onyx Mohican running down the middle and flopping across one chocolate brown eye. His clothes were slim fitted, ripped black jeans and a white t-shirt with a v-neck that revealed his collar bones. A neon pink belt was slung around his slim hips, silver studs shining dully and Gerard bit his lip.

Frank was an attractive man for sure. But there was something more than his looks that were drawing Gerard in... The delicious sound of his heart beat, strong and rhythmic, beating wetly inside the cavity of his chest. The sound of blood gushing through veins was making Gerard’s mouth water, and when he inhaled he could smell the copper saltiness of the warm liquid.

Dear God, it had been far too long.

“The pleasures all mine.” Gerard drawled after a short pause, smiling as sweetly as he could as he reached out a hand. Frank quirked an eyebrow at him and shyly slipped his palm against Gerard’s, the two of them shaking hands slowly as they looked at each other.

“Are you... new in town or something?” Frank asked when their hands pulled apart, automatically folding his arms again as he observed Gerard, the two of them barely a couple of feet apart now, and Frank felt kind of stupid for getting so frightened earlier. Gerard, as mysterious as he was, wasn’t frightening at all.

“No. I’ve lived in Salem for a long time. But I was away recently... on... vacation.” He said softly, the words dripping past his lips slowly as if he was concocting a story before he even said them. Frank frowned, not really believing a word of it.

“Really? I’ve lived in Salem my whole life and I’ve never seen you around before.” He said pointedly. He was pretty certain twenty years was a long enough time to see someone, and he knew he had definitely never seen Gerard before.

“I don’t live in the town itself, well, as in the streets. I live here. In the woods.” Gerard explained casually, as if it should be common knowledge that a strange, gorgeous man lived right here in the very woods that everyone was afraid of. Frank supposed it was understandable no one knew about him if they were too afraid to enter the trees, but Frank had never seen a house around here. Though... he’d never really explored, it was true. But wouldn’t Gerard have to come into the main town to buy food and things?

“You live in the woods? Where?” Frank asked and Gerard gave a soft smirk, looking at the young man with amused eyes as he inhaled the seductive scent of his blood.

“Maybe I’ll show you sometime.” He offered politely, though it was clear from his tone that that time was not now. Frank pouted a little, making his face so much more adorable and Gerard just wanted to pull him into his deadly embrace and make him moan while he took that sweet nectar from him.

“So tell me Frank, why were you crying?” He asked softly, making Frank forget all about wanting to know where this mysterious man lived as he blushed deeply. He hadn’t realised anyone could see him earlier and he bit his lip, hanging his head.

“It’s none of your business.” He snapped harshly, blushing even more and looking up at Gerard with worried eyes. “I’m sorry I –”

“No need to apologise. It’s fine.” Gerard said softly, cutting him off as he raised his hand, brushing the apology away. “I understand. How rude of me to have intruded on your personal life when we’ve only just met. Forgive me.” He said kindly and Frank stared at him, dumbfounded.

“It’s err... its okay.” He said uncertainly, Gerard giving him a warm smile. There was something about this man that Frank couldn’t quite work out. There was a way in which he spoke that sounded like he didn’t quite belong in this time. Frank half expected him to disappear. He was so beautiful, so mysterious; Frank was half convinced he was just a figment of his imagination.

“You said you come here almost every day. Why is that?” Gerard asked, breaking Frank from his thoughts. He had decided by now that he liked this man, Frank was interesting... different. He had a rebellious streak behind those puppy dog eyes that Gerard adored. He had spent plenty of time being around humans and it was extremely rare when one brought any interest to him, and now he had found, he was determined to snare him in his grasp. Not that it would difficult, of course.

“Oh... I... I don’t really know. I’ve just always come here. To think I guess.” Frank shrugged, biting his lip softly as he looked at Gerard, just unable to take his eyes off him. Frank couldn’t help it, his last boyfriend had left him to travel the world about a year ago, and so the last good looking guy had vanished from the town. Frank wasn’t exactly shallow, but you couldn’t exactly jack off over personality. And Gerard was definitely a pleasant surprise. He was even better than Frank’s concocted fantasies.

Frank blushed a little as he realised he was beginning to undress the other man with his eyes and forced himself to stop it. He wasn’t a pervert or anything, but he was a man, and he had needs that hadn’t been satisfied for way too long. Salem was a small town, and not only were good looking guys rare, gay ones were too. In fact, Gerard himself probably wasn’t gay.

But if he was...

Frank almost began to drool as Gerard gave him a sexy smirk and chuckled softly, as if he could tell exactly what Frank was thinking.

“Well. Maybe I should start taking walks more often, and perhaps we shall meet again.” Gerard smiled, squeezing Franks shoulder and walking away, causing the younger man to gasp and spin to face him.

“What? You’re leaving?” He squeaked. But he wanted to talk to him some more. To get to know him, maybe ask for his number if he got the right signals; But Gerard only glanced over his shoulder and gave a soft, seductive smile, flipping his black hair out of his eyes.

“I’m afraid I’m busy today Frank. I have some work to do, but I’m sure we shall meet again soon. In fact, I’ll make sure of it.” He promised and Frank felt a pleasurable tingle worm its way down his spine. He gave a goofy smile and nodded dreamily, practically purring in content.

“Okay... until next time then.” He smiled and Gerard gave a soft chuckle.

“Yes. Until next time.”

A/N: Hey kiddies! So, I have a new story up... shame on me x) I know I haven’t added to She will love you in forever, but I promise I will add to it eventually, it’s just currently on some major hiatus but I shall continue to fight with my muse until it gives in and helps me out, in the mean time, not writing has just been killing me so I decided to make a fresh start and write this which has been in my head for yeaaars but I never quite got round to writing it :P I have a ton of ideas but I’m not sure which direction I’m gonna take this, all I can say is, I hope it breaks me out of my writers block and I hope it lives up to expectations... without anything expected ;)
Bring on the teeth, the blood, and the frerard.
You guys want sex? I hope so, cos’ you’ll be getting it x)
Happy Halloween.
Love love xox