Frankie and Cam Five

Background -- Some time ago, I wrote a one-off story called 'Dance of Desire'. This led to a second story, in which my original two characters had quite busy part-time roles (Dangerous Liaisons). Then I bought my original two back for a third story (Perfection) which I felt finished everything off quite nicely and the two of them went quiet in my head.

Until Frankie and Cam 4, at which time I gave in to fate, and the fact that this was going to be another series. I have given MarcLuciFer ("Hey" ^_^ x) permission to (virtually) slap me upside the head the next time I confidently state 'this is a one off story', because over 50% of the time it turns out to be a barefaced lie!

Here is part 5. You can read it as a standalone, but you will get much more out of the characters, and avoid spoilers, if you read the stories in order. As I have suggested on more than one occasion. You don't have to read any of my stories, all at once!

Content Warning: There is a hurricane in this story. Not anything major, but I have no idea in what circumstances, or when circumstances, people will read this story. I'm well aware that both coincidence and nature can be a bitch, so if you are happening across this tale and the timing is really bad, then please be assured I do not make light of the devastating effects that such an event can have. This event, thankfully, is totally made up.

Tess-O'Meter -- Green.

Second Disclaimer:

So, this story has been sat a couple of months, waiting its turn. Unfortunately, not a few weeks before publish, both the Caribbean and Philippines have been hit with devastating storms.

I decided against waiting. As I said above, nature can be a bitch, this could always be the case. So other than removing the word hurricane from the sub-title, I have gone ahead.

However, I say again. I do not take these events lightly. Recovery for people and communities may take months, years, or never. Please do keep people in your hearts when these headlines flash across your screens.

It's more than a passing headline for them.

Love Emily x

-X

Cam allowed himself to be led from the air conditioning into the sun and intense heat.

An enthusiastic breeze whipped his dark blonde hair into his eyes and he quickly pulled his sunglasses down, even as an equally enthusiastic Frankie spun with a grin. "Welcome to Cuba. What do you think?"

Cam looked deliberately back at the airport building, then around at the busy road, car parks, and sparse palm trees. "It's beautiful," he said with exaggerated glee.

Frankie snorted. "Okay, point taken, but wait until you see the town proper, and the countryside, and the sea," he stopped himself and took a deep breath. "Sorry, I'm a little excited."

"So am I," Cam assured him, and squeezing his hand giving him a quick peck.

Slightly calmer, Frankie walked them towards a taxi rank where a small group of drivers were leaning on an interesting mix of colourful older cars and bright yellow, well, Cam wasn't quite sure what they were.

The drivers watched them approach, continuing to smoke and chat, and shook their heads as they drew near. When Frankie called out, they startled a bit, but then shook their heads again and grumbled some comment that made Frankie stiffen.

A car from further down the line beeped and waved at them, but then a loud call of "Vega-Perez!" made them turn.

Frankie dropped his case, bag, and Cam's hand, and was caught up in a crushing hug. Cam was relieved when the six foot four (at least) tattooed and pierced man dropped Frankie back to his feet and they started a complicated handshake fist bump display that made Frankie laugh, stop, wave his hands and say "Again," in Spanish, before they completed the greeting and stepped back laughing.

"Diego, this is my husband, Cam." Cam stepped forward for a more usual handshake. The guy had some grip. "Cam. Diego is a cousin. Well sort of. It's a mix."

"Family," Diego confirmed, and Frankie nodded. "You are English?"

"No, I'm from Italy." Cam smiled.

"Ah. Do you speak Spanish?"

"I understand some, but no. Not like he does," Cam gestured at Frankie.

"No one speaks Spanish like Frankie does," Diego teased, and Frankie rolled his eyes.

"You are going home? I can drive you."

"Really? That would be great. Apparently these guys don't want to drive homosexuals!"

Cam and Diego both growled low in their throat.

"Well, that one down the line was more encouraging," Frankie admitted, waving at the car who had beeped them. He waved back.

"That's Jose. Hold on, wait here." Diego jogged over to the friendly cab and chatted for a moment, then strolled back past the front five cars and their grumpy drivers.

What he said to them didn't sound friendly at all, and they all shifted uncomfortably like kids getting a telling off. They looked unhappy when he walked back and grabbed Frankie's case and bag. "I have Jose's number for your trip, but today I will drive you." He looked at Cam. "Those old men. That's not what Cuba is like any more."

Cam smiled to show he understood.

Frankie didn't bother arguing further with the men. He held a hand out behind him, which Cam took automatically, then after giving them a satisfied look, he stuck his nose in the air (literally) and walked away, tugging Cam towards a car park.

Cam waited twenty paces before he asked quietly, "Can you see where you're going?"

"Hush," Frankie cautioned, nostrils still skyward. "Don't muck up my dramatic exit."

Then he crashed into Diego who had halted with a grin on his face, and they all started laughing.

"What did you tell them?" Cam asked.

"That they better hope they do not have bad cars after being so rude to Juan Vega-Perez's son."

"Dad's kinda a big deal here, and Diego is a mechanic. Most of my extended family are really, so if they break down they may be in trouble."

"Cool," Cam grinned, then waved away Diego's offer to take his case as well. "So, you use your dad's name here?" he asked.

"What? Oh yea, sorry I didn't even think. Yes, most people will use Vega-Perez here. It's out of respect for my dad. Old fashioned, he doesn't care, but you know. They call mum the same."

They had reached a disappointingly modern car and Cam shoved his case in the back.

"Sorry, Frankie. I can tell people to use Vega-Caro."

"No, I like being Vega-Perez when I'm here," Frankie insisted, and Diego looked pleased as he guided them into the car.

-X

Both Frankie and Diego insisted that Cam must sit in the front, for the best views of his first time in Cuba.

Frankie made a quick call to let his dad know they were safely landed and on route, then sat with his head between the seats, almost in the front himself, grinning from ear to ear and pointing out literally everything, from cars and buildings to trash cans.

Occasionally forgetting himself and slipping into Spanish which Cam had never known him do before, he found it slightly fascinating. It was almost like the air itself was bringing out Frankie's Cuban.

Diego took a scenic trip around the edge of Havana, taking a few detours to point out a favoured building or park, but mostly heading for the main road out of town. "You will have plenty of time to come and tour Havana. I know Juan has arranged for you to stay with a friend in town for four days next week so you do not have to rush. Today I just show you a little."

"It's amazing," Cam gazed at the buildings and cars. At one point they halted in traffic and he looked to the left, his eye caught by an elderly woman in bright red and yellow and colourful bangles, sitting in the shade. She had a sleepy cat in her arms and was smoking what looked like the world's biggest cigar.

She smiled at him and blew him a seductive kiss full of fragrant smoke.

Cam laughed, caught the kiss and mimed tucking in down his tee, close to his heart, before blowing a flirty kiss back. Her face wrinkled as she chuckled, and as the car pulled away and he called, "Bellissima," he heard her laughing.

"Who are you flirting with?" Frankie demanded as he scrambled to look out the back window. "Oh, Wow!"

"Yea," Cam agreed. Then. "Are you going to put your seatbelt on?" as Frankie's head popped back between the seats.

"Nah."

"Frankie."

Diego glanced in the mirror. "Frankie, we are leaving the city now. Be a good boy, okay?"

Rolling his eyes and grumbling Frankie belted up as the car rolled onto a larger highway and through anonymous urban sprawl. For ten minutes they could have been anywhere. Then the world opened up again and Cam swivelled his head to gaze at fields and forest on his left and the sea on his right.

"Less than an hour, we have lots of time," Diego advised.

Cam nodded and turned again to look at the ocean. Flinching when his nose brushed a dark brown naked foot.

He grabbed the ankle it was attached to and glared at the back seat, where Frankie was slouched down giggling hysterically. Some of which was jet-lag! Cam gripped the ankle harder when Frankie tried to pull back.

"Mine," he stated and nipped Frankie's sole.

"Ah, ah, no gross. Stop. Urghh," Frankie choked as Cam nipped again then licked. "It's dirty," he squeaked.

"You say you are dirty?"

"That foot's just been on a ten hour flight!"

"Yes, on a clean plane," Cam pointed out and kissed him this time. Frankie gurgled and fake died across the back seat. "Keep your body parts with you then," Cam suggested and released him.

Diego was smirking as he pulled into a gas station.

"Will you let me pay for the fuel?" Cam asked.

"No," Diego declared, looking offended.

"Because you are so kind to drive," Cam explained, holding his hands up to indicate peace.

Diego opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a statement from Frankie that made him grin instead. Cam turned and glared at Frankie. He knew the Spanish word for stubborn.

"If Diego takes us out again we'll pay our share," Frankie soothed the two men. "But for today, why don't you buy us a cool drink in that café instead?" he suggested to Cam.

Cam shrugged at Diego, "Si?"

"Si."

"Okay, come on." Frankie led Cam to the café set back from the pumps, and by the time Diego joined them, they had ice cold juice and small sweet cakes.

They chatted, Cam and Diego bonding over Diego's tattoos. One of a fire breathing dragon he explained took five trips and a total of twenty-six hours in the chair.

Frankie flaked dramatically across the table at that point. "Stop talking about needles."

Cam rubbed his back in comfort. Then cheered him up by suggesting their first Cuban selfie.

Frankie caught the three of them, and made sure to get the tasty cakes in shot. Pinging a message to both his parents, so they knew about the pit-stop, before they finished the treats.

Half hour later they were back on the road.

-X

Cam looked around with interest as they neared the small town where Juan lived.

He had moved out of Havana around ten years ago, and rented a small estate on the edge of a small town. Renovated it, built a recording studio, and also a small café/club.

For his nephew and family (and by now many of their extended family and friends) he had also given land to build a modern garage where they specialized in fixing and restoring many of the beautiful old cars that were still driven here.

Frankie said for the first few years, Juan had still been in Havana many nights of the week, but more recently he concentrated less on performing, Havana, and travel, and more on recording and teaching.

Quite frankly, at this point, Juan was so well known that people travelled to him. To see him perform intimate sets in the café that transformed into a small club in the evenings. Or for lessons.

A few years ago he had been able to buy the land that he had been renting, and secure it for his family. Private ownership was relatively new in Cuba, but Juan had always been seen as an ambassador for his country and stayed well out of politics or expressing opinions, so he was in good favour.

Ultimately, he was less than an hour from Havana. It was the perfect balance of quiet and busy.

The roads became smaller and smaller as they wound their way through the countryside nestled between La Boca and Player Banes, tantalizing glimpses of the sea breaking through the trees.

"That's Dad's place," Frankie pointed out a bustling café on the edge of the small town, more a village. "And the garage," he added as they turned a corner. "You walk that way for the beach."

"I live behind the café," Diego said. "My door is blue, very bright, like the sky. Come any time."

Cam was about to thank him when the car jerked to a halt. Diego pushed out of the door already swearing at the skinny young boy who had run out in front of the car.

Instead of looking scared the boy ran forward and grabbed Diego's hand. Cam and Frankie got out too.

"What's going on? Alvero? Is that you?"

The boy stopped and frowned at Frankie, who crouched in front of him. "I'm Frankie. Juan's son. You might not remember."

The boy patted his arm, "Frankie, yes. Juan showed me pictures. But please, Abuela?"

"Say it again slowly," Diego instructed.

"Abuela fell, I can't get her up."

The men jumped straight into action. Frankie explaining as Alvero led the way to a small path and what looked like a shack. "Abuela is Grandmother."

"Yes, I know this."

"Alvero's great-grandmother, actually, but everyone calls her Abuela" They turned a corner and saw the ancient lady half lying on the ground.

"Are you hurt, Abuela?" Diego called as they rushed over.

"No, no. Just stuck." Then her face lit up, she held up a hand as Diego supported her to a sitting position. "Francis. How wonderful."

"Abuela," Frankie lifted and kissed her hands, taking the opportunity to examine them. "You fell?"

"No, I sat very carefully with my Alvero's help, I was a little dizzy. But he's too small to get me up again," she cradled Alvero's cheek when his lip wobbled.

"We try to stand?" Cam suggested, gently "Then we see."

Abuela nodded and held a hand to him and Frankie. With Diego supporting from behind, she gained her feet.

"Okay?" Frankie watched her closely.

"Si. Not enough to drink. I sometimes forget," she turned and looked up at Cam, her right hand still in his. "You must be Cam. I am Abuela, and I insist handsome men must always kiss me on the cheek."

Cam grinned and leaned in to place a soft kiss to her skin. "It's good to meet you."

"Juan showed me pictures, Francis, but your husband is even more handsome when we meet."

"He is quite pretty," Frankie agreed. "And nearly as wonderful a person as you."

Abuela laughed and patted his cheek, just as she had her great-grandson. Then, keeping one hand on Cam's arm, she allowed herself to be escorted inside and fussed a little.

Once they were satisfied she was well, and Alvero no longer upset, they left her. Diego and Frankie both frustrated as she had bullied them in fast Spanish not to tell Juan, or Frankie's mom, until the morning.

They drove the few minutes on to the house. Frankie and Diego both complaining.

"I have never heard the Francis before," Cam admitted. "Only when we got married."

"Yea, she always calls me Francis. No one else ever does. Not a lady you can argue with though," he grinned when his parents came out and ran forward with a shout.

Diego and Cam stood and smiled as they hugged and super-fast Spanish filled the air. Then as Frankie and his mom still hugged, Juan came down and pulled Diego in, before turning to Cam.

Cam held out his hand then grunted when he also was pulled into an embrace.

"It is good to see you Cam," Juan let him go as Frankie's mom moved in for a hug as well. "Welcome to your Cuban home. I'm looking forward to having more time with you."

Cam couldn't help the grin. It had been simply said, but heartfelt. He knew Frankie's mom well, but had only met Juan on three occasions. One being the wedding. They were both curious about the other.

"Thank you. I am also happy to have more time."

Juan looked pleased. "Come on in then, you must be tired. What's wrong with you two?" he demanded of a whispering Diego and Frankie.

Their shoulders fell. "Nothing," Frankie muttered.

"We had to stop and help Alvero and Abuela," Cam said bluntly. "Abuela, felt dizzy and could not get back up from the ground."

"She made us promise not to tell until the morning," Frankie admitted, shooting Cam a look.

"Because it is your first day home," Cam shrugged. "She didn't make me promise and I don't speak Spanish!"

Frankie bounced three times on his toes, then grabbed Cam and kissed him thoroughly. "I LOVE you," he declared on stepping back.

"We will check after dinner," Juan said, meaning him and Pilar. "You two will be sleeping soon anyway. Diego, will you eat with us?"

"Thank you, but I have a date," Diego smirked at Frankie's quiet comment and made a quick sign where Juan couldn't see it. "But another time. I'll see you soon," he hugged both Frankie and Cam goodbye and turned back to the car. "I'll double check on Abuela now," he said.

"Thank you. We will go down in an hour or so."

-X

It was a quiet meal. Exchanging news and plans. But they had five weeks, so no one felt the need to rush.

In fact, Juan spent a lot of time asking about Cam's family in Italy. His brother, and his foster mom and sister.

Cam found himself telling stories he hadn't thought of in years, and some that he might not have ever told Frankie. Knowing they would hurt his heart.

But as his friend, Armenia, had once commented. Juan Vega-Perez was someone who you just opened your heart and soul to.

At the end of a tale, Juan patted his hand as Pilar came around to hug him.

"Such a strong man," he said. "It would take a strong man to handle my Frankie." He sent a wink Frankie's way, getting a wobbly smile in return. "But I am truly sorry that you had to find your strength through such trials. Too much for one so young."

He gently tugged Pilar's arm so she fell gracefully into his lap, giving Cam some space. "We are your family now, so future trials will not be faced alone. I feel a wish that one day you would call me 'Papa', but for now I hope you would call me your friend."

Cam had to take a moment before he could speak, so as not to embarrass himself. Frankie, who had no such qualms had lowered his head to his arms, and his shoulders could be seen shaking.

"Si, Juan. We are friends, and I am very glad to be." He sent a gentle smile at Frankie. "He's tired."

"Yes, and we have five weeks to become better friends, so for now you should both go and rest." He patted Pilar's bum casually as she stood and stood himself. Walking around to pull Frankie up, but frowning at Cam.

"The jet lag and the time difference. Will it be dangerous for your head?" he asked, giving Frankie a squeeze and pushing him towards Cam.

"No, I don't think. I hope not, but I have flown similar differences before."

"You need to wake naturally. Not force it," Frankie sniffled.

"Si. This I will do."

"Come on," Pilar said. "Bed, both of you. We will see you tomorrow. Whatever time you get up."

Cam and Frankie stumbled towards their room, but then Cam paused. "Are you going to check on Alvero and Abuela?"

"Si. We go now. We shall come back quietly."

With a final smile the door was closed and Frankie staggered to the bed, falling like a tree being felled. "God, I'm so tired." He wailed, trying to cover the emotion that had risen at his dad's words.

"Come and clean your teeth."

"I can't move," it was muffled, as Frankie was face down.

"Then you can't kiss me goodnight."

A cross frowny face appeared. Cam thought he looked like a little kid with his cheeks still wet, but he held back a chuckle.

"That's mean."