Frank didn't talk to Gerard the day after seeing his skype video, although he had been planning on asking him to stay behind so he could judge for himself if Gerard seemed as interested in him as Ryan had said he was.

But when he had actually seen the dark haired boy slink into class almost ten minutes late, he had immediately felt a flush crawl across his cheeks, images from last night's show flashing across his mind as Gerard hurried to his seat and quickly took out his book.

Frank had to shake himself to remember what he had been talking about, and throughout the rest of the lesson, he was constantly distracted by every small thing Gerard did.

His thoughts were occupied with trying to decide what the best way to approach his student was instead of on what he was teaching, but when the lecture ended, he was still at a loss for what to say since "hey I saw your skype video and I think we would make a good couple" probably wasn't the smartest way to start off the conversation Frank wanted to have, but he was coming up blank on how else to let Gerard know that he was also interested in the CG/L lifestyle.

So he let the students leave, his teeth digging into his lower lip when Gerard dropped off last week's assignment on his desk as he passed by. Frank's chest tightened as Gerard graced him with a weak smile, but before he could open his mouth, Gerard had turned away, leaving Frank with his illicit thoughts and his hopes for something more without so much as a backward glance.

Frank had time though, graduation was still a few weeks off after all, and even though Gerard was technically of legal age, Frank didn't want to push him into anything while he was still his teacher.

If Gerard truly was a little, he might feel pressured by Frank's position and agree just to please him, not to mention that it was also likely that he wouldn't truly be into the things he had done on camera. He could have just figured out that he received more viewers and donations by uttering the word "daddy", which would be quite disappointing for Frank, but it was a possibility he needed to keep in mind.

Frank hoped that Gerard was a little though, he'd seemed so comfortable in that role during his video, and yes - he might just be a good actor, but there were other signs of it as well that Frank was beginning to notice now that he was aware of what Gerard did in his free time.

During their tutoring sessions, Gerard would practically preen whenever Frank praised him, and even when he'd get an answer right, he would never be sure of it until Frank confirmed it for him.

Of course, most people enjoyed getting assurances from others, but Frank wanted to think that this meant that Gerard was perhaps a little, maybe even the person who could finally be what Frank had been looking for all of this time.

Frank had learned from his past relationships that he needed to be with a true little if he was ever going to find something that lasted longer than a few months. His previous boyfriend had been curious about the lifestyle, but not anywhere near as committed as Frank was, and that was what drove them apart in the end. So no matter how attracted Frank was to Gerard, if this was only an act to him, then Frank wasn't going to pursue anything serious with the other man.

But he'd never know if he didn't speak with Gerard about it, which he planned on doing soon, just not quite yet.

~~~

Almost a week passed before Frank found the perfect opportunity to talk to Gerard, not that he really needed one, but he was nervous. He and Gerard had a good relationship considering that he was his teacher, but Frank was so scared he had misread the situation, even with Brendon and Ryan's constant reassurances that he hadn't.

But if Frank was being honest, Gerard meant a lot to him, and he didn't want to ruin their friendship by pushing things. He had managed to ignore his crush on him until he'd seen his video, and as much as Frank truly wished to be with Gerard if he was willing, he didn't want to assume anything, or even worse, embarrass Gerard in any way.

Frank kept to his original promise and returned to Gerard's website to donate again, and as tempting as it was, he didn't watch Gerard's next video. His guilt outweighed his curiosity for once, and he managed to sufficiently distract himself while it aired. He might have jacked off later to memories of the last time he had been in Gerard's skype call, but Frank couldn't help the images that popped into his mind the second he wrapped a hand around his cock.

But as the days passed and Gerard's graduation loomed nearer, Frank knew he had to act soon before Gerard was out of his life forever. Some students kept in contact with him, but it wouldn't be the same, and Frank had a limited window of time in which to make his move.

Frank would give himself mental pep talks every morning, he needed to just ask Gerard out for dinner or something and see where things went from there, but all of his bravado would disappear each time he saw Gerard. He typically ended up staring at him pathetically, hoping Gerard would somehow read his mind so he wouldn't have to sort out his tangled thoughts, which of course never happened.

It didn't help that Gerard only had his class three times a week, and that he no longer needed tutoring either. Things would have been so much easier if Frank had been aware of Gerard's kink a few months ago, but that wasn't how events had unfolded, so he was going to have to bite the bullet sooner than later if he actually wanted this to work out.

But as if the universe had taken pity on Frank and decided to intervene, Frank spotted Gerard in the hallway as he was heading home on Friday.

Frank had once again told himself that he would speak to Gerard after class, but he had looked so stressed out and exhausted when Frank had seen him that he hadn't bothered, not wanting to add to the burdens that were obviously pressing down on his student with finals looming and whatever else Gerard was going through.

Gerard was hunched over when Frank noticed his messy hair as he was passing by, the sight alone pausing his steps even before he noticed the scene he had walked in on.

Frank had to take a few moments to make sure that what he was witnessing wasn't simply friendly banter, but when he ascertained that the two boys pulling on Gerard's backpack had malicious intentions in mind, Frank immediately began moving in their direction.

"Come on, just show us - you brought the thing to school after all," one of them laughed as Gerard continued to cower away, his long fingers tugging on his bag roughly, but it wasn't enough to deter his insistent classmates.

This wasn't the first example of bullying Frank had stumbled upon, but it was a rare occurrence. Most students seemed to realize how pointless it was by this stage in their life, but apparently these boys still had some internal issues that they were now taking out on Gerard, and Frank could think of nothing besides protecting him.

"Hey," Frank snapped harshly, drawing all eyes to him as he finally stopped in front of the small scuffle, "I don't know what's going on here, but if you don't want me to escort you to your next class and have a talk with your teacher, I'd leave - right now," Frank suggested, his brows narrowing as he stared down at the two boys who seemed vaguely familiar but not enough so to place their names.

"Yes sir," the taller boy nodded instantly, backing away from Gerard as he spoke, but his friend with the shaved sides in his hair didn't move just yet, his face taking on a stubborn cast as Gerard simply curled around his bag even further.

"We just wanted to see his stuffed animal, he had it out in class," he giggled in a manner that wasn't at all friendly, causing Gerard to blush so brightly that Frank noticed the red tint to his cheeks even with the downward cast of his head. "We weren't going to tear it up or anything."

"Well it seems as if Gerard doesn't want to share it with you, so I'd strongly advise you leave him be," Frank reiterated in his sternest 'teacher voice' that always got even his rowdiest classes to pay attention, and it didn't fail him this time either.

"Fine, come on George," the boy muttered, motioning for his friend to follow him as he slunk off down the hallway, shooting Gerard one last look as he went which Frank ignored since his focus was occupied by Gerard's shaking frame.

"Hey, are you alright?" Frank asked softly, his hands fluttering out to touch Gerard, but he thought better of it when Gerard began to tremble even harder, his arms tensing where they were still clutching his backpack to his chest tightly. "Do you want to go to my classroom for a bit, it's empty at the moment," Frank offered when Gerard seemed to be incapable of speaking, earning himself a frantic nod in return.

Frank lead the way quickly down the now mostly deserted hallway, making sure that Gerard was right behind him as they went. As soon as they entered the room, Gerard's knees buckled, only Frank's outstretched hand stopping him from falling to the floor completely.

"I'm sorry," Gerard whimpered as Frank led him to the closest chair, his voice emerging thick and slurred which Frank easily recognized as the sign of tears on the way.

Frank wasn't usually good with emotions from others unless they were close to him, but it was different with Gerard. Maybe because Frank hoped he was a little and his instincts were already kicking in, or perhaps simply spending so much time with the younger man had made Frank more comfortable with him than he realized, but he didn't feel that awkward sensation that he usually encountered when he was faced with a crying student.

"It's okay, they can't bother you here," Frank whispered in what he hoped was a soothing tone, his fingers clenching at his sides to prevent himself from initiating the idiotic motions he was dying to make like wrapping his arms around Gerard or brushing his hair out of his face or something like that.

"I know, fuck - I - I've just had an awful day, and I didn't think anyone had seen, but of course they fucking did. Now they'll think I'm a freak, and just - it helps me calm down okay?" Gerard ended on a wail, burying his face in his bag which he was still holding like his life depended on it.

"Is it a stuffie?" Frank asked, slipping back into the terms he had used with his old boyfriend, which was apparently the right thing to do in this situation since Gerard's breathing stopped hitching and the semblance of what might have been a smile crossed over his face.

"Yeah - she is..." Gerard admitted warily, his hand reaching inside the open zip of his backpack, supposedly to touch the animal being spoken about. "I know it's weird, but with finals and everything, having her with me just helps a bit. I don't really know how to explain it." Gerard shrugged as if it wasn't all that important, but Frank could tell that it was, he was just afraid of the reaction he'd get.

"What's her name?" Frank asked, biting back the thousands of questions he had regarding if Gerard just like stuffed animals or if he aged down as well, and maybe if he was single too in favor of keeping the conversation on a track that would hopefully cheer Gerard up instead of focusing on Frank's fantasies.

"Freckles," Gerard grinned shyly, pulling out a small white horse with red spots. "I have lots of different ones, but I think she is my favorite, although I'd never tell the others that."

Frank beamed down at Gerard as he explained, noticing the way his voice had changed slightly and his posture had relaxed from its earlier rigidity. Frank wasn't sure if Gerard was simply more at ease now that he was away from his bullies or if he might be slipping into little space slightly, but either way, Gerard was smiling now, and that was all that mattered.

"She's lovely," Frank grinned, reaching out to stroke the small animal when Gerard held her up for his perusal, "and despite what those boys said, I think it's amazing that you brought her here, I'm sure she enjoys the change of scenery."

"I -" Gerard stumbled over his words, another flare of red dusting his cheekbones as he tucked his hair behind his ear with his free hand, but just when Frank's heart was skipping in his chest with anticipation, Gerard's gaze slid to the clock on the wall behind Frank, his eyes widening as he stood up suddenly. "Shit - I have a class now, fuck, I'm going to be late."

"Oh," Frank exhaled quietly, his body trying to catch up with the sudden shift in Gerard's demeanor as he obviously pulled himself back together. "I didn't mean to keep you, but are you sure you're okay?"

"I am now thanks to you," Gerard smiled softly, his eyes seeming to sparkle slightly as they met Frank's for a brief moment before he ducked back down so he could zip Freckles away in his bag. "It means a lot to me that you stood up for me, and that you didn't freak out over Freckles," Gerard added on hastily, his sentence emerging so rapidly that Frank had to take a moment to sort out its meaning before replying.

"You shouldn't have to deal with any of that alone," Frank settled on saying, even though he yearned to spill so much more of his heart, something along the lines of how he wanted to protect Gerard always, or buy him another stuffie and take care of him the way he deserved, but now was not the time, "and if you ever want to talk about anything, or you just need a place to hide out, my door is always open."

"I know, thank you," Gerard repeated, his smile revealing his teeth as he retreated toward the exit slowly. "I really do appreciate that."

"Now go on, you don't want to be even later than you already are," Frank encouraged Gerard when he paused with his fingers wrapped around the handle of the door, an odd fluttering feeling erupting in his stomach when Gerard sent him another quick grin before hurrying away rapidly.

Frank stayed in his classroom for a few more minutes after that in an attempt to sort through what had just happened, not that it had been anything monumental, but it felt important to him. Gerard had opened up to him, he'd share his stuffie with him, and although Frank could still be grasping at straws, he seemed to have many characteristics of a little.

Whatever their interaction did or didn't mean, it was obvious that Frank was truly smitten with Gerard now. It became more apparent with every day that passed, and Frank knew he would have to tell him soon, even if he was rejected, which - according to Brendon, he wouldn't be. Still, just because Gerard had a bit of a crush on him didn't mean he actually wanted to be with his teacher.

Frank used to be enamored with his old driving instructor, but if the man had ever reacted to his terrible attempts at flirting with anything besides ignorance, Frank had no idea what his sixteen year old self would have done. At least Gerard was an adult though, he was legal, and hopefully also a little, which tilted things in Frank's favor.

Frank would tell him about his feelings soon, after graduation at the latest, he had to.

Another chapter is here for all of you lovely people.

I think there is only two or three left I've forgotten how I split it up but I'm going to try and put it all up soon so I can focus on other things.

I hope you enjoyed this and if you did votes and comments are always nice to receive.

Chapter dedicated to GeeIsFranks

Love you xx

((((satisfied vibes))))

- starr