such a softer sin | gerbert

chapter eight

Gerard places the books on their shelves. Singing softly to himself as he works his morning shift at the bookstore. Luckily he has the night from the bar off, just having to work only this morning, off for the rest.
He feels really bad for Bert considering the whole Zach thing last night.
He's obviously really distressed by what happened with Zach last night.

Though it bums Gerard to see that Bert may still have feelings for his ex. If he didn't then why would he care so much? Why would he stop and talk with him instead of telling the scumbag to fuck off? Zach obviously hurt him more than Bert's letting on.

"Hey beautiful." Gerard hears Bert's voice. Smiling when he turns to see him stood beside him. "You have a pretty voice. Was that a Bowie song I heard?"

"Of course it was, you know I'm a sucker for Bowie. How are you feeling?" Gerard asks as he sets the book in his hand down. Wanting to check up.
Gerard left Bert in bed this morning to sleep, as Gerard had to get Mikey ready for school then go to work.

So Gerard left a note telling him he went to work, to lock the front door back when he leaves. Letting Bert rest.
"I'm okay. Thank you for letting me intrude. I'm sorry for waking you, I know you'd already had a long day."

"Of course Bert, don't thank me. And I enioy having you over at night anyway." Gerard chuckles before continuing to place books back on the correct shelves. "I get off in a few minutes, do you want to go grab coffee?"

"I'd love too." Bert smiles sweetly. He's so grateful for Gerard. He always listens to what Bert has to say. He's not judgemental, they share the same sense of humor. Gerard always knows what to say, always knows how to make him smile. How to make his day better.

Gerard finishes up his shift before the two walk down the sidewalk together. Headed to the cafè a few blocks away as they talk about Mikey's feelings on Bert.
"Yeah, Mikey's been asking about you." Gerard chuckle.

As they talk, Bert's eyes glance up from the pavement he has a habit of staring at while walking. His eyes catching the familiar hazel ones of the last person that he wants to see. Zach, again.
"Bert! Hey, what are you up too?" Zach smiles, approaching.

"Hey." Bert gives a sad smile, not wanting to be rude. Gerard looks at Bert, feeling bad. Seeing how upset he is. "We're just going to go grab coffee."

Zach's eyes go to Gerard who's stood beside Bert. His eyebrow raises as he examines him. Not seeming to be impressed by the two together.
"You're the bartender at the bar from last night? Why are you with Bert? Grabbing coffee?"

Gerard looks at him, a bit taken back by how contolling he seems to be.
"Yeah, I am. And I'm with him because we're friends. Is that a problem?" Gerard says, crossing his arms.

Zach looks back to Bert who's sulked back nervously by the confrontation.
"No, not a problem. Call me later Bert, we really need to talk. See you later baby." Zach smiles

Zach looks back to Bert before walking past the two. Intentionally hitting Gerard's shoulder as he walks by. Only angering Gerard more, seeing how controlling and possessive he is of Bert.

Bert just begins walking again, remaining silent as they continue walking to the cafè. Gerard watches him, feeling bad that Bert was put in that position. The two arrive at the cafè, taking their seats in a booth.
The strong smell of coffee making their mouths water, the warm and calming aesthetic atmosphere of the cafè.
"I'm sorry." Bert says.

"Don't apologize. It's not your fault that you have a scumbag of an ex." Gerard says, still angry. Who does he think he is to show up out of the blue and act like he owns Bert? To question what he's doing and who he's with?

"Is your shoulder okay? I saw what he did. I'm sorry for not saying or doing something about being rude, and hitting you." Bert apologizes again. Feeling bad that he put Gerard in that situation.

"It's okay Bert. But are you scared of him? I mean, I've never seen you get that quiet and upset." Gerard asks. It's obvious that he is, but he wants to hear it from Bert. Wants to be able to make him feel better about whatever went on in their relationship. Things that happened behind closed doors.

"I don't want to talk about it, about him. Let's just enjoy our coffee." Bert softly smiles, managing to cheer himself up. Gerard respects that and drops the subject. Changing the topic and making jokes to help cheer Bert up.

The two talk and talk, going through more coffee than they should be drinking. "Let's go out tomorrow night. I think it's the least I can do. Dinner maybe?" Bert suggests.

"Mm. And should I consider this a date, Mccracken?" Gerard grins teasingly. Playing around with him. Trying to keep Bert's mind off of Zach and the confrontation earlier.

Bert smirks as he watches Gerard's cheeks beginning to blush over.
"Yes, you should. That is if you can make room for me on your oh-so busy schedule around 8 tommorow night." Bert chuckles.

"Well in that case, I suppose I could reschedule some appointments and take Mikey to his friends house for the night." Gerard smiles, biting his bottom lip lightly. Now very excited for tomorrow night. An actual date.

• • •

Gerard brushes his shoulder length red hair as he stares at himself in the mirror. Examining his soft grey t-shirt. The black skinny jeans he wears that have rips in the knees of them.
The black chipping nail polish on his fingernails only adding to the look.

"You look really good.." Gerard hears Mikey's voice. Seeing him stood in the doorway of his room, watching him.
"Are you date- are you going on a date?" Mikey struggles.

"I guess that's what you could call it. James and his mom will be here soon to pick you up. Are you gonna be okay staying with them for the night?" Gerard double checks with him.
Mikey spends the night with them often due to him and James being close friends. Gerard just wants to make sure Mikey is okay with tonight.

"Of course. Be careful, kay- okay?" Mikey stammers a little, but corrects it. With his disability, Mikey struggles with some delayed and shaky speech.
But with the courses he's been taking at school and the fact that Gerard and him read together every night, it's been getting better.

There's a knock on the front door and Gerard greets James mother, thanking her for allowing Mikey to spend the night. Once Mikey's gone, Gerard waits anxiously on the couch. He can't remember the last time he's been taken on an actual, proper date.

The clock strikes 8 and as if on cue, there's another knock on the front door of him apartment. Gerard nervously takes a deep breath, calming himself.Opening the door, Gerard smiles to see Bert before him.
"You took '8' seriously. It'a 8 on the dot."

Though no response is given. Just Bert's smile as he examines Gerard. His outfit. "You look absolutely beautiful."