The night John didnt return
Warning: Contains Torres, and I think perhaps a little hate surrounding his character x
Chapter one
Frank groaned as he rolled over, the sunlight coming through the window hitting his face. It had been a rough night last night, England may have been knocked out of the world cup, but that hadn’t stopped the lads going out last night, if anything it had just encouraged them to do so. Suddenly he was reminded why he had woken up in the first place, someone was banging on the door, the noise of course sounding ten times worse in his head - I’m getting too old for this, he had told himself but it didn’t mean he was going to stop. Rather ungracefully he rolled out of bed, getting up and walking over to the door of the hotel room in just his boxers. Opening it to find John standing there looking as rough as he felt still wearing the clothes from the night before - a fact that Franks brain seemed to over look.
‘Urgh, John why didn’t you take your key?’ he mumbled as he turned and walked away running a hand over his face. ‘well I thought I would be coming back with you didn’t I, not end up going back wi…’ John cut off his sentence as Frank turned round to look at him, it had suddenly occurred to him what his brain had previously overlooked. He stood there and looked at the younger man, he hadn’t come back to the room with him last night, he hadn’t come back at all, the clothes he had helped pick out last night still on his lovers back. ‘John…’ Frank started, John could see the pain in the Franks eyes as it all started to come together in his head. ‘John..’ he started again, ‘John… just exactly where did you end up last night? Tell me the truth.’
John didn’t know what to say, he didn’t know how it had happened, he didn’t mean it to, why would he? Why would he want to hurt Frank like that, he loved Frank! ‘Frankie.. erm..’ he dint know how to tell him, he knew just the name would break Frank’s heart. ‘Spit it out John!’ Frank said slightly more harshly than he had intended. ‘I... erm… remember that I love you and that I… Frank I ended up with Nando.’
No, he couldn’t have, he knew John, he knew what he was like, it wouldn’t have been the first time he had wandered while drunk, but he can’t have just said that name. he wouldn’t do that to Frank, would he? Stumbling backward he found his way to the edge of his bed and sat down with a soft thud, his head was spinning, he was used to John’s behaviour now, he’d had too over the years, this was the man he loved after all, he knew what he was like when he took him into his life, hell it was how they had started, John had gone behind Toni’s back to be with Frank at the beginning, but this was different, this was… Torres?! The Liverpool boy had his dirty hands all over his John? What was he even doing out with them? He played for Spain, no doubt Gerrard had invited him to join them or something. He felt sick, rushing to the bathroom just in time as he witnessed the contents of his stomach hit the bowel, eventually leading back against the cold tiles and the dry heaving stopped.
John appeared in the bathroom door, ‘Frankie? Frankie baby, I’m sorry.. you know what im li…’ he got cut off by Frank. ‘Don’t you dare say ‘what im like’ John, this is different, Fernando Torres? You went behind my back with Fernando Torres?! After what he did to you? To us?’ he said in a small voice.
John was taken back to the encounters on the pitch that had resulted in so many arguments, but one in particular. 4th October, there had been a bit of a scrap on the pitch between himself and Nando but everything really kicked off as they walked off down the tunnel. ‘Better watch it Frank, you might catch something off that.’ He heard Nando jibe from behind them, brushing it off as an immature comment John hadn’t notice Frank stop until he went to talk to him and found his Vice wasn’t next to him. Turning round he saw Frank had Fernando up against the wall, anger written all over his face. ‘Take that back Torres, you don’t know shit!’ Frank spat. It had been a struggle but eventually John, with the assistance of Gerrard, had been able to get Frank away from Torres long enough for him to get away into the safety of the changing room.
Chapter two
Frank couldn’t comprehend what had happened, turning away so as to stop John seeing he put his head on his arms leaning against his legs and started to sob. This was breaking Johns heart to watch, he’d put Frank through some shit in the past but this was something else, he was making himself feel physically sick, he couldn’t even begin to imagine how Frank was feeling. He loved the man in front of him, how could he have done it?! He knew Frank would be angry at him later, hell he didn’t even know if he would be able to forgive him for this, had he gone too far? Panic started to set in, he couldn’t lose Frank, not like this, especially not over Fernando Torres. He sat down on the opposite side of the small bathroom, he knew he couldn’t rush Frank, this had to go Franks way, he deserved that much, John had hurt him enough already.
‘come here.’ Frank whispered, John had hurt him yes, but he needed him now, he had always been there when he needed him in the past, when his relationship with Elen broke down, when he nearly lost the kids, when his mum died, and when he’d be hated so much by the media and fans, John was his rock, he needed to feel those arms around him, feel those tender lips as they softly kissed his head and told him he’d be okay, that they’d be okay, even if it was now him who was causing Frank so much pain.
As quick as he could John turned so he was sat next to Frank, putting his arms around him lovingly, protectively, although he knew that last one was too little too late, it was himself he had to protect the other man from. ‘I’m so so so sorry Frankie, I’m going to change, I promise you. I cant watch you get hurt from my actions any more, it breaks my heart every time I do, and this time, I know I’ve gone too far. I will do whatever it takes to prove to you just how sorry I am, how much I love you, and how much I want to change - for you.’ John said in a soft voice, his head resting against Franks.
Frank just nodded silently as his laid his head against John’s chest. He knew John meant what he said, he just wasn’t sure how much trust he would put on it. ‘I believe you, I know you love me, I love you too, but I need to know things are gonna be different, I’m gonna need to see it before you have a hundred percent of my trust again John, I don’t know how much more my heart can take otherwise.’ He replied as he held tighter onto John, he didn’t want to lose him, he loved the other man far too much, had come through so much with him, he wasn’t going to let go now.
John and Frank had moved from sitting on the bathroom floor to sitting on the bed, talking for hours about how things would be different from now on, how they would move past this, how much they needed each other and most importantly how John would earn back Franks trust. Eventually they had fallen asleep in each others arms, Franks head on Johns chest still from when the younger man had held him close as he cried.
Chapter three
The following morning Frank woke up in John’s arms, he was hoping it had all been a bad dream but by the state John was in he could tell it wasn’t. None of that mattered, they had made plans, talked about how things would change, and it would all be okay. Slowly and carefully so as not to wake John up, he disentangled himself from the younger man and walked over to the bathroom, climbing in the shower, thoughts still whizzing through his head. Everything would be okay.
An hour later and both men where dressed and ready to go out, England had been knocked out of the world cup but they still had three days before they returned to London, so slipping on his white t-shirt paired with Khaki shorts Frank followed John out the hotel room hand in hand.
Walking down the street, casually glancing in shops and on small stalls they passed the pair were enjoying each others company, generally chatting about things they saw as they walked, that was until they heard a voice from behind. John had heard it as clear as he knew Frank had, he tried to ignore it, tried to distract Frank and encourage him to do the same but then he heard the line that he knew would make Frank snap. ‘Oi Johnny, went crawling back huh? Didn’t think you could handle this hey?’ Before John could do anything to stop him Frank had turned round and punched Nando making him fall backwards against the wall, grabbing his shirt Frank was suddenly up in his face. ‘Don’t you ever call him that, and don’t you ever lay a single finger on him. Ever. Again. You understand Torres?!’ He spat, emphasis on his final words as he let him go and walked off back to John. ‘Come on; let’s go get something to eat.’ He said quietly to the other man, leaving Xabi and Pepe to look after Fernando.
They were sat in a small café down the road, Frank had a cup of coffee in his hands and John could tell he was still angry. ‘Frankie, calm down. Its okay, its just us.’ John soothed from the other side of the table, but Frank couldn’t calm down, he wanted to see that smarmy bastards face in the mud, but he knew now there was no way of taking him down for this without dragging John down with him. No matter how angry Frank ever was at John he would never do that, he was his best friend, the love of his life and his captain; he’d seen John go through enough crap with the media to do that to him. Johns voice cut in again, ‘Frank you need to calm down, if you don’t you will only get yourself in trouble, no doubt he’s already gone back to camp now and everyone’s gonna see the damage you did to his face before, you need to think about yourself when it comes to him.’
‘He called you Johnny. No one calls you Johnny apart from me John, how did he… did you tell him to call you that?’ he asked, slightly more harshly than he intended but he couldn’t change that now. John flinched at the sour bite in Franks word’s, he knew the older man didn’t mean them to sound like that but still it hurt that Frank would think that. ‘No Frankie, I wouldn’t ever ask anyone else to call me that, especially him, you have to believe me on that babe.’ Frank simply nodded and whispered ‘I’m sorry John, I didn’t mean to get so angry before, just his presence makes me annoyed though, and to hear him say those things…’ ‘I know Frankie, I’m sorry too.’ John said softly as he held Franks hand, rubbing soothing circles into the back of it.
Chapter four
Three days later and they were home, when Frank opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling, he realised that yet again he was alone in his bed. Rolling over he grabbed his phone and dialling the number he knew off by heart rolled back on to his back. Nothing, the line just cut straight through to John’s answer phone, that was weird.
‘No… FUCK!’ This couldn’t be happening John thought, standing up he ran a hand over his face, taking a sip of his Coffee before throwing the cup across the room, his anger breaking through. Picking up the paper he ran out of the room and to the car, not caring about the speed he was travelling at. He needed to see Frank, and he needed to seem him now before he had time to see the headlines.
Pulling up outside Frank’s house he ran up the steps to the front door, swearing when he realised he didn’t have his key with him, banging on the door he began to get more agitated as each second went by. Less that a minute later Frank opened the front door, slightly confused as John pushed straight passed him into the living room, throwing the pile of papers he had picked up on the way to Frank’s onto the table.
‘Erm.. John?’ Frank asked tentatively walking in behind him and placing a hand on his shoulder. ‘Have you seen this?’ John asked him taking a calming breath as he sat down, pulling Frank down with him and wrapping his arm around him. Frank took the paper off him, turning it over to see the back page he knew John would be talking about.
Liverpool accept British record £50m bid for Fernando Torres as striker heads to rivals Chelsea.
Frank stared at the page for a few minutes trying to take in what he was reading. ‘John did you know about this?’ he asked calmly, not taking his eyes off the page. He felt John move slightly so that Frank was looking at him ‘What? Are you being serious Frank, do you not think I would have told you if I knew he was coming here?’ John asked, the slightest hint of betrayal seeping into his tone at Franks question, sure he’d put frank through shit before where Torres was concerned but he wouldn’t hide something like this from him. Frank put his head down on John’s shoulder ‘No... I’m sorry, I just had to check.’ Before adding quietly ‘can you really blame me though?’ John took the paper off of frank, throwing it down on to the pile on the table, pulling Frank closer to him. ‘No I can’t Frank, I’ve put you through so much crap over the years, but especially recently. What I did while we were away was unforgivable whether I was drunk or not, and it says a lot about how much you love me that you took me back. I never meant to hurt you Frankie and I promise never am I going to let it happen again…’
With a smile at John, Frank stood up, picking up the papers and taking them out into the garden, throwing them into the fire pit and running back into the house as quickly as he could. It had started to rain heavily and it had soaked through his thin pyjama bottoms. John started to laugh as Frank walked in looking like a rather wet puppy, ‘Come on, let’s go get you dry shall we?’ he said as Frank took his hand and pulled him up. As they walked up the stairs Torres was forgotten, at least for now anyway.
Chapter five
John moaned slightly in his sleep as Frank run his fingers up and down the side of his face softly, placing a kiss on his lips before moving down to the younger mans neck, placing tender kisses along it relishing in the soft moans John was making, but getting slightly annoyed that he still wasn’t waking properly, he started sucking on the pulse point, nibbling slightly as he did so causing John to stir properly. He felt strong arms around his waist move so that he was pulled on top of John. ‘Hmmm morning Captain...’ he said with a smirk, placing his lips on top of the others. ‘Ah, well if that’s the way you want it…’ John said with a matching smirk as his eyes opened, rolling them over so he was on top of Frank before crashing their lips back together.
An hour and a half later the pair were showered, dressed and walking into Cobham. Entering the dressing room 20 minutes before everyone else was due in they got changed and made their way out onto the pitch, they were just kicking a ball between them and having a laugh when the rest of the team arrived. They could tell the others were being cautious with them at first but once they realised the pair were okay they soon settled into normal routine. It was then that Carlo walked in with Torres, standing there in his brand new Chelsea training kit. John felt Frank tense up next to him, taking his hand he leaned close ‘We’re together in this, remember that… Its okay Frankie, don’t let him get to you...’ Frank looked down at the younger man, biting back the retort that was lacing the end of his tongue before sighing and with a small nod replying ‘I know… Come on, you know what we have to do now… God, I hate us being Captain and Vice sometimes.’
The pair walked over to him. ‘Ermm... Welcome to Chelsea.’ John said trying to sound as normal as he could but Frank could tell it was forced. John looked to him for help. ‘Yeah, anything you need we’re the ones you come to… but don’t yeah!’ Frank said towards him, looking at John, quirking one eyebrow slightly before turning and walking off, joining up with Petr for keeping/shooting practise. John watched him walk away and join up with the other man before turning to Fernando. ‘I don’t suspect for one minute that this transfer was an accident, but if you go anywhere near him, or even me for that matter, outside of when we are all forced together here I will make you wish you hadn’t left Liverpool… Get it Torres?’ John spat at the Spaniard. ‘Worried are we Terry, don’t worry… I wont come between you and golden boy over there but don’t think for one minute I’m going to make things easy either? Oh… and is that a threat I hear, I’m sure the boss would love to hear you’ve been threatening the new boy...’ He chimed back. John gave a snort ‘Don’t make me laugh Torres... You’ve been here less than 5 minutes, you’ve got nothing over me.’ And with that he walked off, coming up beside Petr and Frank, snaking his arm around the waist of the latter of the two. ‘You okay?’ Frank asked him. ‘Yeah, I’m fine, just had a few words with the new boy that’s all.’ He replied with a small smirk, placing a kiss on Frank’s lips before getting stuck into training with the others.
The end of training consisted of a short 15 minute 5 a-side game, Frank and John as usual put on opposing teams to keep things ‘fair.’ John walked up beside Frank, ‘I’m sure someone somewhere is having a field day with this, God I just want to get you home so we can forget about this for a few hours..’ He said before pulling away from the older man to join the rest of his side. With a small sad smile Frank watched him walk away.
5 minutes in Frank found himself up against Torres… And also found himself getting pulled off the pitch and sent off to go get changed after a tackle on the former red that had been seen as too vicious. He walked off, still angry as he left the blonde sat on the floor with everyone around him. Everyone but john. He gave his vice I few minutes to go ahead before following him into the changing room. The sight he saw before him breaking his heart.
‘Frankie..’ He said quietly as he walked over to the other man, he was sat on the floor, his knees up and his hands stuck through his hair as his arms rested on his knees. John sat down next to him on the floor ‘wanna get out of here before the others get back? We can shower at home..’ Frank looked up at him, speaking quietly as he replied ‘that’s the best thing you’ve said all day.. come on..’ Standing up he pulled John up with him, the pair making it out of the training ground just as the other came back in off the pitch.
------------
Carlo couldn’t believe it when he walked in to find the pair gone, even if Frank wasn’t thinking straight John must have known he would have wanted to have words with Lampard over his behaviour out there. Pulling out his phone he opened a new message on Franks name ‘Frank, I’ll give you today to calm down seeing as you have already left but I want you in my office at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning. Without fail!’ Sending it he put his phone back in his pocket.
Frank was behind the wheel of the car when he felt his phone go off in his pocket, ‘Here, read what the message says for me?’ he asked passing it to John. ‘Uh oh, Ancelotti wants you in his office tomorrow morning… would have been now if we hadn’t got out of there by the sounds of it.’ John said looking down at the phone then back up at Frank. ‘Fuck.’ Was all the older man uttered in reply.
Chapter six
Frank groaned the following morning as he felt Johns hand slip away his waist, the younger man placing a tender kiss on the mouth of the elder. ‘Come on sleeping beauty, you need to get up and ready, you have just over an hour until you need to be in Carlo’s office…’ he said as he pulled away from Frank and stepped out of bed, hoping it would result in Frank doing the same.
John walked downstairs and into the kitchen, the light on his phone flashing as it sat on the table where he had left it the night before. Picking it up he saw he had a message from Petr. ‘Whats going on? Come on John… its obvious to all of us that something has happened? How much shit is Frank in? P.’ Running his hand over his face John sighed before quickly texting back ‘Just the past showing its murky face, its okay things will work out, as for Frank, not sure yet, Carlo wants to see him this morning. JT.’ He threw his phone on the table and turned to put the kettle on as Frank came into the kitchen, a pair of jeans and a casual black t-shirt thrown, his leather jacket over his arm. ‘any coffee ready?’ he asked, clear that sleep still laced his tone as he put his jacket on the chair and walked over to John, slipping his arms around his waist and placing a small kiss on his lips. ‘Yeah, here you go..’ John said handing Frank a cup just as his phone beeped again. ‘Hm okay… keep us informed. P.’ Typing a quick response he shoved it down in his pocket to see Frank looking at him, ‘Who was that?’ he asked. ‘Just Petr wanting to know what is going on… its nothing.’ The younger man assured him, placing another small kiss on his lips as he set down the plate of toast in front of Frank, confused slightly as Frank pushed the plate away with a mumble about not being hungry. ‘I best be off anyway… I’ll see you in a bit…’ before throwing his jacket on and leaving the house, John could tell Frank was already feeling down and deflated by just the prospect of having to talk to Carlo, he hated to think what he would come home like.
An hour later Frank walked, no… stormed, through the front door, slamming it so hard behind him it echoed through to the dining room where John was sat with the paper and a cup of tea. ‘FUCKING HELL!’ Frank yelled as he threw his coat down and kicked the bin in the hall way, sending it flying down the passage before sitting down on the stairs, his head in his hands.
John waited, listening, but as the house fell silent he walked through to the hall way taking in the sight before him. Leaning forward he took hold of Franks hand, pulling him up and into his arms, never before had Frank seemed so small to him, so vulnerable. Leading them into the living room John pulled them down onto the couch, Frank cuddling in closer to his side as he sighed, John always made him feel safe. ‘What happened?’ John asked softly, breaking the silence. ‘He apparently noticed the tension between us when we were talking to Torres at the start, and then the tackle… he spoke to the bastard after training about what had happened at the beginning… he’s told me not to come back to training until I can sort out my attitude and get past whatever my problem is…’ Frank felt John tense slightly as the younger mans breath caught in his throat. Letting go of the breath he found himself to be holding John answered pulling Frank closer to him ‘Frankie, baby I’m sorry, this is all my fault…we’ll work it out, it will be okay… I promise you.’ Placing a tender kiss on top of his head where it lay on his shoulder.
They were still sat on the couch in each others arms, watching some mindless film when John looked up at the clock, it was half 12, he had afternoon training at half 1, he wasn’t sure if he could leave Frank though. Thinking about it he knew he had no choice, he had to go, he was captain of the team after all, he had to set an example. Sitting up slightly he chuckled as Frank moaned at the disturbance ‘Sorry Frankie, I need to get up though…’ he said, his voice quiet. Frank nodded knowing where John had to go. John looked at Frank, he looked withdrawn and he knew the effect this was having on him, ‘I.. Frank if you want me to stay home I will…’ John said to him. Frank shook his head at him, ‘No, don’t be stupid, you’ll just get yourself into trouble then… go on, go I’ll be fine.’ He told him.
John walked into training, the tension clear as he walked in alone, throwing his bag down in the corner. He heard Didier’s voice in the corner ask ‘where’s Frank?’ John pulled his shirt on over his head, turning to his team. ‘Lets just not mention Frank today yeah boys? But if you must know, he’s not here because of Fernando over there.’ And with that he walked out of the changing rooms, glaring at Nando slightly as he went.
Getting out onto the pitch he was stopped by the Spaniard running in front of him and stopping in his way. ‘Get over it Terry, I’m not going anywhere and as I’ve said from the start, I’m not going to make this easy… saying that, I’ve not even done anything other than be here and golden boy’s got himself in trouble already… I don’t even have to try.’ And with that he walked away to join the others leaving John rooted to the spot, anger cursing through his veins like a second stream of blood.
I lost the following chapter of this when I lost my old page, so I need to re-write it, there will be at least one more chapter to come, if not two more.. but here's the first 6 chapters :) x
Chapter one
Frank groaned as he rolled over, the sunlight coming through the window hitting his face. It had been a rough night last night, England may have been knocked out of the world cup, but that hadn’t stopped the lads going out last night, if anything it had just encouraged them to do so. Suddenly he was reminded why he had woken up in the first place, someone was banging on the door, the noise of course sounding ten times worse in his head - I’m getting too old for this, he had told himself but it didn’t mean he was going to stop. Rather ungracefully he rolled out of bed, getting up and walking over to the door of the hotel room in just his boxers. Opening it to find John standing there looking as rough as he felt still wearing the clothes from the night before - a fact that Franks brain seemed to over look.
‘Urgh, John why didn’t you take your key?’ he mumbled as he turned and walked away running a hand over his face. ‘well I thought I would be coming back with you didn’t I, not end up going back wi…’ John cut off his sentence as Frank turned round to look at him, it had suddenly occurred to him what his brain had previously overlooked. He stood there and looked at the younger man, he hadn’t come back to the room with him last night, he hadn’t come back at all, the clothes he had helped pick out last night still on his lovers back. ‘John…’ Frank started, John could see the pain in the Franks eyes as it all started to come together in his head. ‘John..’ he started again, ‘John… just exactly where did you end up last night? Tell me the truth.’
John didn’t know what to say, he didn’t know how it had happened, he didn’t mean it to, why would he? Why would he want to hurt Frank like that, he loved Frank! ‘Frankie.. erm..’ he dint know how to tell him, he knew just the name would break Frank’s heart. ‘Spit it out John!’ Frank said slightly more harshly than he had intended. ‘I... erm… remember that I love you and that I… Frank I ended up with Nando.’
No, he couldn’t have, he knew John, he knew what he was like, it wouldn’t have been the first time he had wandered while drunk, but he can’t have just said that name. he wouldn’t do that to Frank, would he? Stumbling backward he found his way to the edge of his bed and sat down with a soft thud, his head was spinning, he was used to John’s behaviour now, he’d had too over the years, this was the man he loved after all, he knew what he was like when he took him into his life, hell it was how they had started, John had gone behind Toni’s back to be with Frank at the beginning, but this was different, this was… Torres?! The Liverpool boy had his dirty hands all over his John? What was he even doing out with them? He played for Spain, no doubt Gerrard had invited him to join them or something. He felt sick, rushing to the bathroom just in time as he witnessed the contents of his stomach hit the bowel, eventually leading back against the cold tiles and the dry heaving stopped.
John appeared in the bathroom door, ‘Frankie? Frankie baby, I’m sorry.. you know what im li…’ he got cut off by Frank. ‘Don’t you dare say ‘what im like’ John, this is different, Fernando Torres? You went behind my back with Fernando Torres?! After what he did to you? To us?’ he said in a small voice.
John was taken back to the encounters on the pitch that had resulted in so many arguments, but one in particular. 4th October, there had been a bit of a scrap on the pitch between himself and Nando but everything really kicked off as they walked off down the tunnel. ‘Better watch it Frank, you might catch something off that.’ He heard Nando jibe from behind them, brushing it off as an immature comment John hadn’t notice Frank stop until he went to talk to him and found his Vice wasn’t next to him. Turning round he saw Frank had Fernando up against the wall, anger written all over his face. ‘Take that back Torres, you don’t know shit!’ Frank spat. It had been a struggle but eventually John, with the assistance of Gerrard, had been able to get Frank away from Torres long enough for him to get away into the safety of the changing room.
Chapter two
Frank couldn’t comprehend what had happened, turning away so as to stop John seeing he put his head on his arms leaning against his legs and started to sob. This was breaking Johns heart to watch, he’d put Frank through some shit in the past but this was something else, he was making himself feel physically sick, he couldn’t even begin to imagine how Frank was feeling. He loved the man in front of him, how could he have done it?! He knew Frank would be angry at him later, hell he didn’t even know if he would be able to forgive him for this, had he gone too far? Panic started to set in, he couldn’t lose Frank, not like this, especially not over Fernando Torres. He sat down on the opposite side of the small bathroom, he knew he couldn’t rush Frank, this had to go Franks way, he deserved that much, John had hurt him enough already.
‘come here.’ Frank whispered, John had hurt him yes, but he needed him now, he had always been there when he needed him in the past, when his relationship with Elen broke down, when he nearly lost the kids, when his mum died, and when he’d be hated so much by the media and fans, John was his rock, he needed to feel those arms around him, feel those tender lips as they softly kissed his head and told him he’d be okay, that they’d be okay, even if it was now him who was causing Frank so much pain.
As quick as he could John turned so he was sat next to Frank, putting his arms around him lovingly, protectively, although he knew that last one was too little too late, it was himself he had to protect the other man from. ‘I’m so so so sorry Frankie, I’m going to change, I promise you. I cant watch you get hurt from my actions any more, it breaks my heart every time I do, and this time, I know I’ve gone too far. I will do whatever it takes to prove to you just how sorry I am, how much I love you, and how much I want to change - for you.’ John said in a soft voice, his head resting against Franks.
Frank just nodded silently as his laid his head against John’s chest. He knew John meant what he said, he just wasn’t sure how much trust he would put on it. ‘I believe you, I know you love me, I love you too, but I need to know things are gonna be different, I’m gonna need to see it before you have a hundred percent of my trust again John, I don’t know how much more my heart can take otherwise.’ He replied as he held tighter onto John, he didn’t want to lose him, he loved the other man far too much, had come through so much with him, he wasn’t going to let go now.
John and Frank had moved from sitting on the bathroom floor to sitting on the bed, talking for hours about how things would be different from now on, how they would move past this, how much they needed each other and most importantly how John would earn back Franks trust. Eventually they had fallen asleep in each others arms, Franks head on Johns chest still from when the younger man had held him close as he cried.
Chapter three
The following morning Frank woke up in John’s arms, he was hoping it had all been a bad dream but by the state John was in he could tell it wasn’t. None of that mattered, they had made plans, talked about how things would change, and it would all be okay. Slowly and carefully so as not to wake John up, he disentangled himself from the younger man and walked over to the bathroom, climbing in the shower, thoughts still whizzing through his head. Everything would be okay.
An hour later and both men where dressed and ready to go out, England had been knocked out of the world cup but they still had three days before they returned to London, so slipping on his white t-shirt paired with Khaki shorts Frank followed John out the hotel room hand in hand.
Walking down the street, casually glancing in shops and on small stalls they passed the pair were enjoying each others company, generally chatting about things they saw as they walked, that was until they heard a voice from behind. John had heard it as clear as he knew Frank had, he tried to ignore it, tried to distract Frank and encourage him to do the same but then he heard the line that he knew would make Frank snap. ‘Oi Johnny, went crawling back huh? Didn’t think you could handle this hey?’ Before John could do anything to stop him Frank had turned round and punched Nando making him fall backwards against the wall, grabbing his shirt Frank was suddenly up in his face. ‘Don’t you ever call him that, and don’t you ever lay a single finger on him. Ever. Again. You understand Torres?!’ He spat, emphasis on his final words as he let him go and walked off back to John. ‘Come on; let’s go get something to eat.’ He said quietly to the other man, leaving Xabi and Pepe to look after Fernando.
They were sat in a small café down the road, Frank had a cup of coffee in his hands and John could tell he was still angry. ‘Frankie, calm down. Its okay, its just us.’ John soothed from the other side of the table, but Frank couldn’t calm down, he wanted to see that smarmy bastards face in the mud, but he knew now there was no way of taking him down for this without dragging John down with him. No matter how angry Frank ever was at John he would never do that, he was his best friend, the love of his life and his captain; he’d seen John go through enough crap with the media to do that to him. Johns voice cut in again, ‘Frank you need to calm down, if you don’t you will only get yourself in trouble, no doubt he’s already gone back to camp now and everyone’s gonna see the damage you did to his face before, you need to think about yourself when it comes to him.’
‘He called you Johnny. No one calls you Johnny apart from me John, how did he… did you tell him to call you that?’ he asked, slightly more harshly than he intended but he couldn’t change that now. John flinched at the sour bite in Franks word’s, he knew the older man didn’t mean them to sound like that but still it hurt that Frank would think that. ‘No Frankie, I wouldn’t ever ask anyone else to call me that, especially him, you have to believe me on that babe.’ Frank simply nodded and whispered ‘I’m sorry John, I didn’t mean to get so angry before, just his presence makes me annoyed though, and to hear him say those things…’ ‘I know Frankie, I’m sorry too.’ John said softly as he held Franks hand, rubbing soothing circles into the back of it.
Chapter four
Three days later and they were home, when Frank opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling, he realised that yet again he was alone in his bed. Rolling over he grabbed his phone and dialling the number he knew off by heart rolled back on to his back. Nothing, the line just cut straight through to John’s answer phone, that was weird.
‘No… FUCK!’ This couldn’t be happening John thought, standing up he ran a hand over his face, taking a sip of his Coffee before throwing the cup across the room, his anger breaking through. Picking up the paper he ran out of the room and to the car, not caring about the speed he was travelling at. He needed to see Frank, and he needed to seem him now before he had time to see the headlines.
Pulling up outside Frank’s house he ran up the steps to the front door, swearing when he realised he didn’t have his key with him, banging on the door he began to get more agitated as each second went by. Less that a minute later Frank opened the front door, slightly confused as John pushed straight passed him into the living room, throwing the pile of papers he had picked up on the way to Frank’s onto the table.
‘Erm.. John?’ Frank asked tentatively walking in behind him and placing a hand on his shoulder. ‘Have you seen this?’ John asked him taking a calming breath as he sat down, pulling Frank down with him and wrapping his arm around him. Frank took the paper off him, turning it over to see the back page he knew John would be talking about.
Liverpool accept British record £50m bid for Fernando Torres as striker heads to rivals Chelsea.
Frank stared at the page for a few minutes trying to take in what he was reading. ‘John did you know about this?’ he asked calmly, not taking his eyes off the page. He felt John move slightly so that Frank was looking at him ‘What? Are you being serious Frank, do you not think I would have told you if I knew he was coming here?’ John asked, the slightest hint of betrayal seeping into his tone at Franks question, sure he’d put frank through shit before where Torres was concerned but he wouldn’t hide something like this from him. Frank put his head down on John’s shoulder ‘No... I’m sorry, I just had to check.’ Before adding quietly ‘can you really blame me though?’ John took the paper off of frank, throwing it down on to the pile on the table, pulling Frank closer to him. ‘No I can’t Frank, I’ve put you through so much crap over the years, but especially recently. What I did while we were away was unforgivable whether I was drunk or not, and it says a lot about how much you love me that you took me back. I never meant to hurt you Frankie and I promise never am I going to let it happen again…’
With a smile at John, Frank stood up, picking up the papers and taking them out into the garden, throwing them into the fire pit and running back into the house as quickly as he could. It had started to rain heavily and it had soaked through his thin pyjama bottoms. John started to laugh as Frank walked in looking like a rather wet puppy, ‘Come on, let’s go get you dry shall we?’ he said as Frank took his hand and pulled him up. As they walked up the stairs Torres was forgotten, at least for now anyway.
Chapter five
John moaned slightly in his sleep as Frank run his fingers up and down the side of his face softly, placing a kiss on his lips before moving down to the younger mans neck, placing tender kisses along it relishing in the soft moans John was making, but getting slightly annoyed that he still wasn’t waking properly, he started sucking on the pulse point, nibbling slightly as he did so causing John to stir properly. He felt strong arms around his waist move so that he was pulled on top of John. ‘Hmmm morning Captain...’ he said with a smirk, placing his lips on top of the others. ‘Ah, well if that’s the way you want it…’ John said with a matching smirk as his eyes opened, rolling them over so he was on top of Frank before crashing their lips back together.
An hour and a half later the pair were showered, dressed and walking into Cobham. Entering the dressing room 20 minutes before everyone else was due in they got changed and made their way out onto the pitch, they were just kicking a ball between them and having a laugh when the rest of the team arrived. They could tell the others were being cautious with them at first but once they realised the pair were okay they soon settled into normal routine. It was then that Carlo walked in with Torres, standing there in his brand new Chelsea training kit. John felt Frank tense up next to him, taking his hand he leaned close ‘We’re together in this, remember that… Its okay Frankie, don’t let him get to you...’ Frank looked down at the younger man, biting back the retort that was lacing the end of his tongue before sighing and with a small nod replying ‘I know… Come on, you know what we have to do now… God, I hate us being Captain and Vice sometimes.’
The pair walked over to him. ‘Ermm... Welcome to Chelsea.’ John said trying to sound as normal as he could but Frank could tell it was forced. John looked to him for help. ‘Yeah, anything you need we’re the ones you come to… but don’t yeah!’ Frank said towards him, looking at John, quirking one eyebrow slightly before turning and walking off, joining up with Petr for keeping/shooting practise. John watched him walk away and join up with the other man before turning to Fernando. ‘I don’t suspect for one minute that this transfer was an accident, but if you go anywhere near him, or even me for that matter, outside of when we are all forced together here I will make you wish you hadn’t left Liverpool… Get it Torres?’ John spat at the Spaniard. ‘Worried are we Terry, don’t worry… I wont come between you and golden boy over there but don’t think for one minute I’m going to make things easy either? Oh… and is that a threat I hear, I’m sure the boss would love to hear you’ve been threatening the new boy...’ He chimed back. John gave a snort ‘Don’t make me laugh Torres... You’ve been here less than 5 minutes, you’ve got nothing over me.’ And with that he walked off, coming up beside Petr and Frank, snaking his arm around the waist of the latter of the two. ‘You okay?’ Frank asked him. ‘Yeah, I’m fine, just had a few words with the new boy that’s all.’ He replied with a small smirk, placing a kiss on Frank’s lips before getting stuck into training with the others.
The end of training consisted of a short 15 minute 5 a-side game, Frank and John as usual put on opposing teams to keep things ‘fair.’ John walked up beside Frank, ‘I’m sure someone somewhere is having a field day with this, God I just want to get you home so we can forget about this for a few hours..’ He said before pulling away from the older man to join the rest of his side. With a small sad smile Frank watched him walk away.
5 minutes in Frank found himself up against Torres… And also found himself getting pulled off the pitch and sent off to go get changed after a tackle on the former red that had been seen as too vicious. He walked off, still angry as he left the blonde sat on the floor with everyone around him. Everyone but john. He gave his vice I few minutes to go ahead before following him into the changing room. The sight he saw before him breaking his heart.
‘Frankie..’ He said quietly as he walked over to the other man, he was sat on the floor, his knees up and his hands stuck through his hair as his arms rested on his knees. John sat down next to him on the floor ‘wanna get out of here before the others get back? We can shower at home..’ Frank looked up at him, speaking quietly as he replied ‘that’s the best thing you’ve said all day.. come on..’ Standing up he pulled John up with him, the pair making it out of the training ground just as the other came back in off the pitch.
------------
Carlo couldn’t believe it when he walked in to find the pair gone, even if Frank wasn’t thinking straight John must have known he would have wanted to have words with Lampard over his behaviour out there. Pulling out his phone he opened a new message on Franks name ‘Frank, I’ll give you today to calm down seeing as you have already left but I want you in my office at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning. Without fail!’ Sending it he put his phone back in his pocket.
Frank was behind the wheel of the car when he felt his phone go off in his pocket, ‘Here, read what the message says for me?’ he asked passing it to John. ‘Uh oh, Ancelotti wants you in his office tomorrow morning… would have been now if we hadn’t got out of there by the sounds of it.’ John said looking down at the phone then back up at Frank. ‘Fuck.’ Was all the older man uttered in reply.
Chapter six
Frank groaned the following morning as he felt Johns hand slip away his waist, the younger man placing a tender kiss on the mouth of the elder. ‘Come on sleeping beauty, you need to get up and ready, you have just over an hour until you need to be in Carlo’s office…’ he said as he pulled away from Frank and stepped out of bed, hoping it would result in Frank doing the same.
John walked downstairs and into the kitchen, the light on his phone flashing as it sat on the table where he had left it the night before. Picking it up he saw he had a message from Petr. ‘Whats going on? Come on John… its obvious to all of us that something has happened? How much shit is Frank in? P.’ Running his hand over his face John sighed before quickly texting back ‘Just the past showing its murky face, its okay things will work out, as for Frank, not sure yet, Carlo wants to see him this morning. JT.’ He threw his phone on the table and turned to put the kettle on as Frank came into the kitchen, a pair of jeans and a casual black t-shirt thrown, his leather jacket over his arm. ‘any coffee ready?’ he asked, clear that sleep still laced his tone as he put his jacket on the chair and walked over to John, slipping his arms around his waist and placing a small kiss on his lips. ‘Yeah, here you go..’ John said handing Frank a cup just as his phone beeped again. ‘Hm okay… keep us informed. P.’ Typing a quick response he shoved it down in his pocket to see Frank looking at him, ‘Who was that?’ he asked. ‘Just Petr wanting to know what is going on… its nothing.’ The younger man assured him, placing another small kiss on his lips as he set down the plate of toast in front of Frank, confused slightly as Frank pushed the plate away with a mumble about not being hungry. ‘I best be off anyway… I’ll see you in a bit…’ before throwing his jacket on and leaving the house, John could tell Frank was already feeling down and deflated by just the prospect of having to talk to Carlo, he hated to think what he would come home like.
An hour later Frank walked, no… stormed, through the front door, slamming it so hard behind him it echoed through to the dining room where John was sat with the paper and a cup of tea. ‘FUCKING HELL!’ Frank yelled as he threw his coat down and kicked the bin in the hall way, sending it flying down the passage before sitting down on the stairs, his head in his hands.
John waited, listening, but as the house fell silent he walked through to the hall way taking in the sight before him. Leaning forward he took hold of Franks hand, pulling him up and into his arms, never before had Frank seemed so small to him, so vulnerable. Leading them into the living room John pulled them down onto the couch, Frank cuddling in closer to his side as he sighed, John always made him feel safe. ‘What happened?’ John asked softly, breaking the silence. ‘He apparently noticed the tension between us when we were talking to Torres at the start, and then the tackle… he spoke to the bastard after training about what had happened at the beginning… he’s told me not to come back to training until I can sort out my attitude and get past whatever my problem is…’ Frank felt John tense slightly as the younger mans breath caught in his throat. Letting go of the breath he found himself to be holding John answered pulling Frank closer to him ‘Frankie, baby I’m sorry, this is all my fault…we’ll work it out, it will be okay… I promise you.’ Placing a tender kiss on top of his head where it lay on his shoulder.
They were still sat on the couch in each others arms, watching some mindless film when John looked up at the clock, it was half 12, he had afternoon training at half 1, he wasn’t sure if he could leave Frank though. Thinking about it he knew he had no choice, he had to go, he was captain of the team after all, he had to set an example. Sitting up slightly he chuckled as Frank moaned at the disturbance ‘Sorry Frankie, I need to get up though…’ he said, his voice quiet. Frank nodded knowing where John had to go. John looked at Frank, he looked withdrawn and he knew the effect this was having on him, ‘I.. Frank if you want me to stay home I will…’ John said to him. Frank shook his head at him, ‘No, don’t be stupid, you’ll just get yourself into trouble then… go on, go I’ll be fine.’ He told him.
John walked into training, the tension clear as he walked in alone, throwing his bag down in the corner. He heard Didier’s voice in the corner ask ‘where’s Frank?’ John pulled his shirt on over his head, turning to his team. ‘Lets just not mention Frank today yeah boys? But if you must know, he’s not here because of Fernando over there.’ And with that he walked out of the changing rooms, glaring at Nando slightly as he went.
Getting out onto the pitch he was stopped by the Spaniard running in front of him and stopping in his way. ‘Get over it Terry, I’m not going anywhere and as I’ve said from the start, I’m not going to make this easy… saying that, I’ve not even done anything other than be here and golden boy’s got himself in trouble already… I don’t even have to try.’ And with that he walked away to join the others leaving John rooted to the spot, anger cursing through his veins like a second stream of blood.
I lost the following chapter of this when I lost my old page, so I need to re-write it, there will be at least one more chapter to come, if not two more.. but here's the first 6 chapters :) x