Another Way | Adopted by Gerard Way (Book Three)

17

It was nearly midnight when Mason dropped off Harley. She was so tired, she was considerably calmer on the drive back than she was on the way to the drive-in, barely staying awake as she leaned on her hand and nodded lazily along with whatever Mason was droning on about. She didn't even have the energy to think about the speed at which the car was traveling and the staggering statistics about car crashes with teenagers behind the wheel.

"Goodnight, skater girl," Mason said above the hum of the motor and the music that was kept at a low volume for the duration of the drive. "Can't wait for our next adventure."

"I can't wait either," Harley said with a tired smile. Mason squeezed her hand before she left the car and plodded through the dark, crickets chirping in time to her footsteps, to the big front door. She opened it lethargically, cringing at the small squeak the hinges made; everything always seemed so much louder at night.

In the hallway, she peered through the pitch darkness that was like a veil in front of her eyes as she untied her shoes, using the wall for support. Then, the light was clicked on.

"Hey," Gerard said. Harley squinted at him through the sudden light. He stood in his pajamas with his hand still on the light switch.

Lindsey had gone to bed about an hour ago, but Gerard hadn't even attempted to let sleep take over, instead of lying awake next to her with his eyes open before sliding out of bed within ten minutes and waiting restlessly in the living room for Harley to return. Although the TV was off, leaving him in total darkness, and his brother was at his own home, he couldn't help but compare this night to the one that started with a Star Wars marathon and ended with a tearful, panicked drive to the hospital. He was suddenly wondering how he could've let Harley be driven to God-knows-where by some strange teenage boy past sunset. The borderline seething rage at himself coursing through his veins was almost enough to mask his anxiety.

"Hey," Harley said back with a worn-out smile as she lined up her shoes next to the other pairs. Fueled by the relief of seeing his grandchild safe and in one piece, Gerard engulfed her in a hug, catching her off guard. "Did you miss me that much?" she asked with a small giggle.

"Mm-hm," he nodded, smoothing her hair without letting go.

She breathed in deeply, inhaling his soothing scent of lingering cologne and smoke from the cigarette he'd stepped out for while he was waiting anxiously for her to return. She could've fallen asleep in his arms, but she forced herself to stay standing, letting him support most of her weight. She suspected that most of her exhaustion was due to her skyrocketing anxiety levels throughout most of the date and that she could now finally let her guard down completely.

"I'm about to fall asleep," she murmured into his shoulder.

"Alright, kiddo, you head up to bed," Gerard said as he squeezed her one more time. "Tell me about how your date went tomorrow, yeah?"

Like a toddler fighting sleep to beg for one more bedtime story, Harley shook her head, rubbing her eyes. "No, wait, I can stay awake a little longer."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded and took one of his hands with both of hers and pulled him to the living room. After sitting in a car for a few hours, the couch felt like the most comfortable seat in the world and she melted into the cushions, stifling a yawn. Gerard sat next to her and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad I went on that date," she said decidedly as he put an arm around her and pulled her close.