I just got done with work when I got a call from Gerard. I went to the living room and answered the phone.

"Hello?" I asked as I put the phone to my ear.

Gerard sighed and I frowned.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Just...just having a bit of a bad day," he said. "Could I come over?"

"Of course, I just finished up with work," I said.

"Okay good because I'm already in your driveway," he said.

I looked at the window and smiled as I watched him give the keys of his car to one of my employees before going inside. I smiled, going over to give him a hug and pull him up to my bedroom.

"What's wrong?" I asked, sitting on the couch with him after starting the fire and taking his coat.

Gerard ran a hand down his face, his eyes watering.

"Our semester is about to end and I just got some of my grades," he said. "And my GPA is no longer high enough to qualify for my scholarship. I-I lost it. It was ten grand a year and I lost it."

Gerard looked away, taking a deep breath.

"It's gonna be okay," I said as I rubbed his back soothingly.

"I can't afford the school, Bunny," he said. "It's just too expensive and I can't take any more loans out from the bank, it's just too much, I won't be able to pay it off for years."

"Let me help pay your tuition," I said.

"No, no, you can't," he denied.

"Yes--"

"Seriously," Gerard interrupted. "You're not paying for my education. I-I'll figure something out. I was just upset and wanted to see you because you make me feel better. I didn't come to guilt trip you into giving me money or anything. I would never ask for your money."

"You sure?" I asked and he nodded. "Well, do you want to eat or something?"

"That sounds good, actually," he said.

I went over to the little intercom system on the wall by the door, holding down the little button to the kitchen.

"Could you bring up some food?" I asked. "Some popcorn and chips and grapes and sodas and a cheese platter. What would you like, Gerard?"

"Oh, anything is fine," he said, clearly not wanting to bother my staff.

"And some smoothies, strawberry banana," I said.

I sat back down, smiling as he held my hand.

"You know, I could have gotten the food, I feel bad having them take orders and serve me food," he said.

"It's okay, Gerard, this is what they're paid to do," I said.

He nodded, sighing quietly. He laid down on the floor in front of the fireplace. There was a soft orange glow over his face as he looked at the wall.

"I have to pick up more shifts at work," he said. "My shift leader won't let me because we're still pretty booked and I'm still kinda new, newer dancers don't get first pick of shifts. I'm really, really sorry to do this but I know your dad owns the place and I was hoping that maybe he could pull some strings with the shift leader and could get me some more shifts."

"Yeah, of course," I said.

"Oh, thank you, thank you so much," he said.

"It's okay, it's no big deal, really," I said. "I can do whatever I want, I can take to your shift leader myself, they have to do what I say."

Gerard picked himself up to lean on his elbow. I smiled, going over to straddle his hips.

"Maybe I can help you relax a little bit," I said, running my hands down his chest.

"I'm not really in the mood," he said, gently holding my wrists with one of his hands.

I smiled, nodding my head.

"That's okay," I said, moving to sit beside him.

The fire behind me warmed my back, making me shudder from the sudden change in temperature.

"So, with Thanksgiving and Christmas and everything coming up, I was wondering if we were gonna do the whole gift thing or if we weren't at that stage yet," he said.

There was a knock on the door and I held up a finger, going to open it. I was handed a tray of food and I thanked them before shutting and locking the door. I set the tray down on the rug next to us, picking up the smoothie.

"I want to do the gifts," I said. "I wanna do the whole nine yards. I never dated anyone before, I want to make my first holidays with someone special."

Gerard nodded. "The only problem with that is that I can't really afford it, especially since I just lost my scholarship."

"Then I will shower you with gifts and spoil you," I said.

"No, Bunny, I don't really want that," he said. "I don't come from money like you do. I never had the same luxuries as you. I don't want expensive gifts from you. Maybe one thing under twenty dollars."

"That's it?" I asked and he nodded. "O-okay, if that's what you want."

Gerard smiled, eating the cheese and crackers.

"I know what might relax you," I said. "Let's take a bubble bath."

I went to the bathroom and started the faucet, checking the temperature to make sure it was nice and hot before adding bubbles. I kept an eye on the tub, turning off the water when it was done. There were speakers in my bathroom and I started playing some soft music from my phone. Gerard came in and got undressed, getting into the tub with a deep sigh. The large tub was built in with half walls around it at the same height. I brought the food tray in and sat on the little wall behind him, rubbing his shoulders.

Gerard sighed, closing his eyes as he tipped his head back. He hummed, a soft smile on his face. He was so calm he ended up falling asleep and I smiled. I ran my fingers through her hair, letting him sleep. He was a working college student, he needed time to rest.

There was a knock on the door and I got up, going to answer it. Jamia smiled, coming in and plopping herself down on the couch.

"I am bored," she said. "You wanna watch a movie or something?"

"Gerard is over," I said. "He's asleep in the tub."

"Oh, sorry," she said, standing up.

"Actually, I have a little favor, maybe one your sister or one of her friends could help me out with," I said. "Gerard lost his scholarship and needs to pick up more shifts at the strip club. I'll give you money to give to them to see him at work without mentioning me and start tipping him big weekly. He needs the money."

"Why don't you just give it to him?" Jamia said.

"Because he won't accept it," I said. "He wants to be able to earn the money himself."

"I guess I understand," she said. "I feel like I might be the same if I had to work for my money."

"I'm glad I don't," I said.

"Yeah, well, you're an only child, a spoiled brat," she teased.

"Well, yeah, obviously," I said.

Jamia smiled, kissing my cheek.

"And I'm gonna spoil my kids too," I said. "They're gonna be so spoiled and have the nicest outfits and toys, just like how I grew up.

"We'll see about that," she replied before leaving.

I stood up, doing some reorganizing around my room for a little while when I heard the splash of water. I went into the bathroom to see Gerard awake in the tub, a soft smile on his face.

"How long was I asleep?" He asked.

"Almost an hour," I said.

He sighed. "Thanks for letting me sleep, honestly I was so tired, I haven't been sleeping the best recently."

"What's wrong?" I asked, sitting beside him.

"I don't know," he mumbled. "Bunny, I've just been thinking a lot. What if you moved out? Moved in with me? You wouldn't have to be there to take over the business, it wouldn't be your responsibility anymore."

I sighed, holding his wet hand.

"I can't, I'll be cut off if I leave," I said. "And I have kids on the way, I don't want to be a distant father, I want to be here for them and for Jamia."

"I just worry," he said. "What if you get hurt? Or get caught by the police?"

"Most of the police here are crooked, believe it or not," I said. "We mostly have to worry about feds. And don't worry about me getting hurt, nothing is going to happen to me, okay? I'm going to be just fine."

"What if something happens to me because they know we're together?" He asked. "Some rival gang? Or mafia group or whatever."

"The other families know that you are a civilian, they wouldn't target you, it's like an unwritten rule because you're not part of the Iero family," I said. "And no one knows that we are together besides Jamia and my parents. It's a secret, remember? My dad couldn't stand the humiliation of having a gay son, especially such a weak pansy one who likes being tied up."

"You're not a weak pansy," he said. "It's just your preferences. Being submissive in bed doesn't make you a weaker person overall. You are amazing, Bunny. Listen, you're the headstrong boy who won me over in the club that one day. You're the one who came over to my house first and who literally broke into my house just to get some dick. You are brave and confident and strong, you don't need to be just what your dad perceives you to be."

I smiled, kissing his forehead.

"Thank you, Gerard, that means a lot," I said. "I love you."

"I love you too," he said. "Now, are you gonna join me in this tub or let me get pruny all by myself."

I smiled, standing up and getting undressed so I could join him in the large tub. I turned on the jacuzzi jets, cuddling up close to him as I closed my eyes.