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The soft hum of the hotel’s central air conditioning was the only sound Gerard Way permitted for now. He moved with a quiet intensity, his usually flamboyant energy subdued by a new, tender focus. Their room, with one queen bed, felt too bright, too sterile.
Frank had been quiet all day, a little more fidgety than usual, and Gerard knew why. Today was the day they were going to try it, properly. Frank’s age regression, particularly his delightful puppy-space, was something they’d started talking about in hushed tones, speculated about, skirted the edges of. But tonight, with the band off-duty, Mikey and Ray safely ensconced in the room next door, they had the space and time.
Gerard started by tackling the offending overhead light that filled the cheap hotel room. He found the dimmer switch and twisted it until the harsh overhead glow softened into a warm, inviting amber, casting long, gentle shadows. Next, the bed. The hotel-issue duvet was thin, but Gerard found spare blankets in the closet, along with a few extra pillows. He layered them onto the bed, creating a plush, inviting nest. He fluffed the pillows until they were like soft clouds, then arranged the spare blankets into a comforting mound at the foot of the bed, ready for snuggling. He even pulled the heavy blackout curtains closed, sealing the room off from the intrusive city lights and the outside world. This was their bubble. Their safe space.
A knot of nervous anticipation tightened in Gerard’s chest. He wanted this to be perfect. He was honestly surprised with how far he was leaning into this caretaker role. Taking a deep, fortifying breath, he padded over to the door that connected their room to Mikey and Ray’s. He gently tapped. No response. Good. They were likely already asleep or engrossed in their own quiet activities. He double-checked the lock, a symbolic gesture more than a necessary one, but it brought him a moment of calm. Not that gerard was embarrassed of frank, but he knew the man himself was already in new territory allowing gerard to see him like this. He didnt know if frank would feel comfortable telling ray and mikey, if he ever would. So for now, this would be their private business.
He was finally done and went to retrieve Frank who was waiting in the small bathroom preparing himself for what was to come.
“Hey, Frankie,” Gerard whispered, his voice pitching low, gentle. “Come here, sweet pea.” he beckoned. And after a few silent beats the door creaked open.
Frankie looked up, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes, but also a yearning. Frank looked small already. dressed in soft pajama pants and a black sweater. his usually sharp jawline softened, his eyes a little wider, more vulnerable. He stepped out of the bathroom, bare feet silent on the carpet. Gerard extended a hand, and Frank instinctively took it, his fingers curling around Gerard’s. Gerard led him to the newly made nest, sitting him down amidst the soft blankets.
“Comfy?” Gerard asked, his thumb stroking the back of Frank’s hand.
Frankie nodded, a small, almost imperceptible dip of his head. He looked around the dim room, eyes lingering on the soft lighting and the inviting bed. A faint blush dusted his cheeks.
“Yeah… looks s’nice. Soft.” he says running his hand along the bedding.
Gerard sat beside him, carefully, giving him space but close enough to be a comforting presence. He took a moment, gathering his thoughts, then began. His voice was soft, warm, infused with a tenderness that Frank rarely heard directed at him.
“Okay, my love-bug,” Gerard began, smoothing a stray lock of hair from Frank’s forehead. “We’re gonna try something new tonight, something just for us, okay? And just like with anything new, we have a few little rules, just to make sure you’re safe and happy.”
Frankie shifted, already starting to sink into the comfortable vulnerability of the space Gerard had created. His eyes, though still bright with a touch of adult awareness, were losing some of their sharpness, becoming softer, more unfocused.
“Okay…”
“First rule,” Gerard continued, gently holding Frank’s hand. “You have to promise to listen to me, okay? Right now, I’m the grown-up, and you’re my little boy. Im the adult in this situation and i keep you safe. That being said,” he paused, leaning in with an air of seriousness, “if anything I do or say makes you feel yucky or uncomfortable, you tell me alright? You make a little noise, pinch me, anything. so I know. You can always tell me if you don’t like something, even if you’re tiny. Understand?”
“Okay gee…” Frankie nodded. Now fiddling with the sleeve of Gerards sweater.
“Good boy,” Gerard murmured, affection for his pup bleeding through his voice. He was falling into this new role with surprising ease, a maternal instinct he didn’t know he possessed blooming within him.
“Second rule,” Gerard continued, gently stroking Frank’s hair. “No smoking, Frankie. Not when you’re little. I know usually a joint calms you but It’s really not good for tiny lungs. Let alone big lungs,”
He sees frank gave a defiant frown. “And no biting the furniture either, little puppy. That’s a big no-no.” he adds to lighten the mood. It seems to work from the way frank responds. A small giggle, breathy, almost silent sounds from him. He shook his head, burying his face deeper into Gerard’s side, a clear sign of regression, but an affirmative answer either way.
“Third rule,” Gerard tries to get through them before his boy is too small to listen, his voice dropping slightly in mock seriousness. “Hands off the phones and laptops, mister. No screens when you’re tiny. They’re big-person things, and we dont want you talking to adults well your just a little boy dont we? We’re going to play with soft things tonight, alright? Or maybe watch some silly cartoons later.” He ruffled Frank’s hair.
Frankie made a soft whimper, a sound of mild disappointment, but then he snuggled closer, relinquishing the thought of his phone already in turn for cartoons.
“And the big one, the most important one,” Gerard said, his tone firm but still gentle making sure frankie was listening. “No leaving this room. Not even peeking into Mikey and Ray’s room, okay? Not unless I’m right here with you, holding your hand. This room is our safe bubble. Our special place. We don’t leave the safe bubble without the grown-up present. Can you say ‘okay’ for me, little one?”
Frankie didn’t say ‘okay’. Instead, he shifted, lifting his head, and gave a soft, almost imperceptible whine, then nudged his nose into Gerard’s side, like a small dog seeking comfort. His body had relaxed, melting into the blankets, and his hands, once restless, now curled softly on Gerard’s shirt, occasionally twitching like paws. His eyes, wide and soft, gazed vaguely at Gerard, a look of utter trust and innocent vulnerability.
Gerard’s heart swelled. He recognized it. The subtle shift. The way Frank’s movements were softer, more fluid, less precise. The faint tilt of his head, the way his breath hitched in little snuffles. His little puppy was here.
“Oh, my little puppy,” Gerard whispered, pulling Frank closer, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “Are you too tiny to talk? Words are too much for little puppies arent they?”
Frankie responded with an affirmative sigh, a sound that was less human and more that of a contented dog. He pressed himself into Gerard’s embrace, his body going boneless, a soft, almost inaudible whimper of pure contentment leaving his throat.
Gerard’s parental instincts surged, potent and overwhelming. He found himself rocking Frank gently, stroking his back in long, soothing motions. “Yes, you’re my good boy. My very best boy. Just a little puppy right now, huh? No big scary grown-up things to worry about. Just me, and soft blankets, and lots of cuddles.”
Frankie let out a happy giggle, he couldve cried right now. Gerard knew how to take care of him so well. He loved gerard so much. He felt utterly safe, profoundly understood. The nervousness that had clung to him all day, the anxiety of stepping into this vulnerable space, evaporated like mist. Here was gerard who not only accepted him but actively cherished this part of him. Someone who wanted to play with him, who saw him not as a grown man with responsibilities and expectations, but as a small, beloved creature who just needed care and affection. The thought filled him with a quiet joy, a bubbling excitement that manifested in a little wriggle and a happy, wordless sound.
They spent a blissful chunk of time like that, Gerard holding Frankie, murmuring soft endearments, stroking his hair, and Frankie responding with contented sighs, soft whines, and nuzzles.
Frankie then grabbed the worn out stuffed doggy he keeps with him and brings it to Gerard. He silently throws it to Gerard and waits. Gerard throws it back thinking they're playing catch. He miscalculated the throw a little and it ended up landing on the corner of the queen bed behind Frankie. He goes to apologise and grab it for him but instead Frankie jumps around and pounces on it before crawling back to where hes sitting and this time places it gently in Gerard's lap. Oh… Gerard realises. They weren't playing catch, Frankie wanted to play fetch. This time when Gerard throws it he intentionally gives it a bit of a wild throw. Nothing to crazy it still lands lightly a few feet away from Frank, but his heart soars as he sees Frank bound happily over to it excitement and satisfaction filling his tiny pups heart as he brings it back to his caretaker..
Gerard watched, utterly captivated, occasionally reaching out to scratch behind Frank’s ears or rub his unruly hair. Frankie loves the attention and just melts at the physical contact. He cant imagine his little boy ever being regressed alone. How sad a sight that must be.
Franks having such a fun time, after fetch Gerard played pretend with him and some of his stuffed animals. Franks parents never engaged in play with him even when he was a little kid this was all new territory and Frank loved all the attention. Gerard asks if he wants to play hide and seek and Frank immediately runs off to hide in excitement. Gerard pretends he didn't see him dart under the bed and starts counting. They play a couple rounds of that and Franks just having so much fun with Gerard, he loves not being alone. He loves playing with others, and thats when he had the thought,
a flicker. In his joyful, uninhibited play, with the little puppy mind fully engaged, a memory surfaced from the big-person world. Mikey and Ray! They were just next door! And they loved to play! They could all have so much fun together, chasing each other, being silly. The thought sent a surge of pure, unadulterated excitement through Frankie. The idea that ‘big him’ would be mortified if his friends saw him in this current state didn’t even register in his small mind. He just wanted to share the fun, to bring his best friends into him and gees safe, happy bubble.
With a sudden burst of energy, Frankie scrambled off the bed, a playful bark escaping him. He scampered towards the door leading to Mikey and Ray’s room, his little puppy brain only focused on the promise of shared laughter and chaotic fun. His small hand, still adorably clumsy, reached for the doorknob and began to turn it,
“Frankie! Woah!-”
Gerard’s voice, though still gentle, held a sudden edge of surprise with a touch of firmness and shocking closeness. He was across the room in two long strides, his hand closing gently but firmly around Frankie’s wrist just as his fingers brushed the cold metal of the knob.
Frankie froze, startled. The suddenness of Gerard’s presence, the firmer tone in his voice, sent a jolt of alarm through his small body. His head snapped up, wide eyes fixed on Gerard’s face. And instead of Gerards usual smile and warmth Frank saw concern. Oh no. hed been bad. The joy of a moment ago vanished, replaced by a sudden tremor. His bottom lip began to tremble, and his eyes welled up, glistening with unshed tears. He let out a soft, distressed whimper, a tiny, heartbroken sound.
“Frankie look at me…” Gerard tries as Frank avoids his gaze, and for the first time since Frank fully regressed, he spoke,
“Momma…” he whimpered, the single word soft, barely audible, laden with fear and the dawning realisation of having almost done something terribly wrong. His small hands instinctively clutched Gerard’s shirt, pulling at it weakly. “I sowwy… didn’ mean to.” he sniffled sadly.
Gerards heart wanted to break. he truly didnt mean to scare his little so much, he was just thrown off by Frankies shift of gears. "oh hun-"
“momma mad?” His voice was thin, fragile, on the verge of breaking. A single tear tracked a path down his cheek as he turned to chance a look at Gerard.
if Gerard’s heart was twisted before it was in knots now. The new name frank adorned for him just pushing the knife deeper. He knelt immediately, pulling Frankie close, wrapping him in a soft embrace. “Oh, baby, no, no, no,” he murmured, rocking him gently. “I’m not mad. Never mad at my good boy. Never, ever. You didn’t make me mad, sweet pea. But do you remember what we talked about? The rules?”
Frankie buried his face in Gerard’s shoulder, a full, heart-wrenching sob shaking his small frame. He was crying properly now, soft, choked sounds, his body trembling against Gerard’s. The fear of disappointing Gerard, the shame of almost breaking the most important rule, was overwhelming for his little mind.
“Da wules?” he tries to recall but he cant stop crying, and all the thoughts just jumbled in his mind and he just wants momma.
“Shh, shh, it’s okay, my love,” Gerard soothed, rubbing circles on Frankie’s back. “It’s okay to forget sometimes. We just have to remember, this room is our safe place, remember? Our special bubble. We don’t leave without mommy’s hand, okay? We keep you safe here. That’s the most important thing. Mommy’s job is to keep you safe, and you help mommy by staying in our bubble, alright?”
He held Frankie close, letting him cry it out, whispering reassurances into his hair. “Good boy. Just a little mistake. We learn, and we remember, and we stay safe. My sweet, sweet boy.”
Slowly, the sobs subsided, replaced by sniffles and little shuddering breaths. Frankie clung to Gerard, his hands gripping Gerard’s shirt tightly, as if afraid to let go. He looked up, his eyes still red and glistening, but the fear was slowly receding, replaced by a fragile trust.
“Momma we go see Way and Mikey? Wanna play with Way and Mikey!” Frank bounces in place trying to pull Gerards hand to take him to them. Gerard found the boys childlike lisp adorable.
“Oh baby….i know you want to see them right now, and im sure theyd be so happy to play with you but thats something we need to plan for before hand okay? We can talk about that for next time my love.” Frank pouts at that and Gerard cant help but find it just a little adorable.
“Wanna watch some cartoons instead, my brave little puppy?” Gerard suggested, his voice soft and inviting.
Frankie’s eyes widened slightly, and he nodded, a small, tentative movement.
Gerard helped him back onto the bed, settling him amongst the soft pillows and blankets. He found the remote and put on an old familiar cartoon, something gentle and colorful that wouldn’t overwhelm. Frankie snuggled close against Gerard’s side, his head resting on Gerard’s shoulder, occasionally lifting his gaze to the screen, but always drifting back to Gerard.
After a while, a soft rumbling sound came from Frankie’s tummy. He whined softly, a low, hungry sound, and pawed gently at Gerard’s arm.
“Oh, is my puppy hungry?” Gerard cooed, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Want some yummy food? Wait, wait, let mommy get it for you.” Gerard beamed at himself, he was really falling into this new role pleasantly. He really liked being franks momma
Frankie whined again, pulling back slightly in anticipation. Gerard got up, returned with a small bag of crackers and some apple slices from the mini-bar. He picked up a cracker, breaking it into smaller, manageable pieces.
“Open wide, good boy,” Gerard said, holding a piece to Frankie’s lips.
Frankie, without hesitation, opened his mouth, his eyes fixed on Gerard’s face. He chewed slowly, contentedly, letting Gerard feed him each piece. He ate the apple slices the same way, utterly trusting, utterly small.
Gerard felt a profound sense of love and protectiveness wash over him. This was new, this deep, nurturing instinct, but it felt so right, so natural. He loved his good boy. He loved Frankie in every facet, every size, but this little puppy was a special kind of precious.
As the cartoon played on and the room grew darker still, Frankie eventually grew heavy against Gerard, his breathing evening out. He felt safe in his mommas arms and slowly drifted off to a peaceful sleep. Gerard shifted, gently adjusting the blankets around them both. He wrapped his arms tightly around Frankie, feeling the soft weight of the small body, the warmth of his skin. Frankie, curled into a tight ball, snuggled deeper into Gerard’s chest, completely trusting, completely safe. And Gerard, tired but filled with a quiet, profound joy, held him close, falling into a deep, peaceful sleep with his good boy tucked securely in his arms.