such a softer sin | gerbert

chapter ten

Gerard wipes the top of the bar while he listens to the guy attempting to chat him up. He's been rather chipper after such an amazing night with Bert last weekend. It was perfect. He was so sweet, made Gerard feel so important. They spent the rest of the night in bed together, just spending time together.

Unfortunately they haven't seen each other much this past week. Bert's been afraid to come back to the bar, in fear that Zach will be here when he does.
He hasn't admitted that's why, but they both know. It's sorta a 'know but don't admit or talk about it' kind of thing.
Gerard can't imagine how Bert feels. He's so angry that Zach has this kind of hold on him.

Gerard isn't feeling well right now. His stomach is killing him, he's got a headache. Nothing too serious, though the music and obnoxiously loud talking of busy bar isn't helping his headache.

Gerars glances up from wiping the bar top, making eye contact with the familiar beautiful blue eyes of Bert. Smiling almost immediately.
"You're here. How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay. I'm sorry I haven't been here these past few nights. Have you seen him in here at all during your shift?" Bert asks as he takes a seat on the barstool of the bar island. Glancing around to be sure that he isn't here.

"No, I haven't seen him. But hey, don't worry. There's no way I'd let anything happen." Gerard reassures Bert. He hates seeing how nervous and afraid Bert is when it comes to Zach.
Gerard isn't the confrontational type, by no means. And definitely, very.clearly not a fighter. But he would love to kick the shit out of Zach.

Though they're interrupted by the guy who's been chatting him up all night.
"Let's dump this place, just come home with me beautiful." The guy beside them continues to hit on Gerard.
Bert looks over at him, shaking his head at how pathetic this guy is. Does he really think that's going to make Gerard want to go home with him?

"Thanks Gee, that means a lot to me. But if he does come around and I'm not here, please walk away and ignore him. Don't talk to him. Please, Zach isn't a good guy, I don't want you getting hurt." Bert begs. He's so afraid of Zach doing something because he sees him and Gerard are really close.

"I can't promise anything." Gerard says. Gerard continues his shift as him and Bert talk. The guy often interrupting with drunken flirts after ordering another 4 shots. Becoming wasted. Though they just ignore him and his comments, continuing their conversation.

"This is your last one for the night, Mr. Pail." Gerard softly laughs as he pours the regular his last drink. Gerard enjoys their relationship. He's a great man, always knows how to put a smile on the faces of everyone around him.
"I called you a cab, it'll be here soon."

"What did I do to deserve a beauty like you taking care of me?" He jokes plafully as he downs the strong liquor in his glass shot glass, setting it back down and sliding it to Gerard. Earning a sweet laugh and sarcastic remark back from him.

The guy from beside scoffs, downing his shot before slamming the glass down on the bar top. Catching their attention.
"If you'd let me buy you a drink and I'll be the taking care of 'a beauty like you' in bed. But you're being such a stubborn bitch."

"Hey!-" Bert says standing. Hearing the vile and disrespectful comment made towards Gerard. He's had enough of this asshole, he's been saying things like this all night. And it's pissing him off.

But Bert is cut off by an even angrier voice. Mr. Pail turns, looking at the guy beside him who's been on their nerves all night, but just took it too far.
"Have some fucking respect you moron. He's made it clear that he's not interested, leave it at that."

"It's okay, it's okay. Dude, I think it's best you leave." Gerard says, directing it to the guy. Placing a hand on Pail's arm. Not wanting a fight to ensue between any of them, especially over Gerard.

He scoffs, standing. Flicking them off before leaving the bar. Gerard sighs, letting go of his arm. Softly laughing. "You two do know that I can handle myself, right?" Gerard chuckles, looking at the two men stood in-front of him.

"Well when a guy starts talking about what he'd do to you in bed followed by calling you a stubborn bitch. Then I'll gladly be the one to say something." Bert softly chuckles, sitting back down.
Bert isn't the 'violent' type rather than just very protective of the people who mean most to him.

There's a whistle, making them glance over to see the cab driver here for Pail.
"You gonna be okay here for the rest of your shift?" He asks, double checking.

"I'll be fine. Now go home and sleep." Gerard softly laughs. Mr. Pail leaves and Gerard pours himself a drink.
Just to relax himself. Bert sighs sadly as he looks at Gerard drinking again. He's constantly drinking, working or not.

"You okay Gee?" Bert asks, looking at the whiskey in the glass he holds in his hand. He knows that with taking care of Mikey on his own, juggling 2 jobs and being alone has taken a toll on Gerard. In which he obviously relies on alcohol to make him feel better.

"I'm fine baby. Thank you by the way, for saying something. Even though you didn't need too." Gerard says as he finishes the last bit in his drink. Though noticing Bert tense, glancing around. "Shit, sorry. I forgot."

Gerard forgets they have to keep their flirts on a downlow when so many people are around. They usually do flirt at the bar, but tonight is extremely busy. Meaning they can't.

"It's okay. But no need to thank me Gee." Bert says. He looks around, making sure that Zach isn't here. Gerard's about to get off of work, thankfully. He's exhausted after a long day of working and putting up with the bullshit this job throws at him every night. This job is honestly dulling him out.

His shift finally ends, Gerard and Bert walk out of the bar together. The two talking at Bert walks him to his car that's parked down the street. Catching up after little contact this past week.
"So what are you doing for the rest of the night Gee? Any plans?"

"I'm gonna go home, shower. Then I'm gonna go read with Mikey. I work so much that I don't get to spend enough time with him. So tonight's going to be an us night. What about you?" Gerard says. Smiling at the thought of his little brother who's probably waiting impatiently for him right now.

"Aw that's sweet Gee. I'm probably just going to go home and chill with Quinn. Call me if you guys need anything." Bert says. The two go their seperate ways, Gerard excited to get home and spend some time with his little brother.

• • •

Gerard smiles as he lays in bed talking on the phone with Bert. It's roughly 8 am though his room remains pitch black. Due to the fact Gerard drinks alot, he keeps his windows covered with sheets to help with his usual morning hangovers.

"So why aren't you at work Gee? I thought you had a shift at the bookstore today?" Bert asks. Gerard mentioned it yesterday at the bar, though he's home and in bed. Talking to Bert?

"I think I caught something, I'm not feeling well." Gerard sighs. He wouldn't usually just call in sick. But Gerard got really light headed this morning, he could barely stand up to help get Mikey ready for school. There's no way he could get behind the wheel like this.

"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier!? Do you need anything? Soup? Crackers? Any medicine?" Bert asks worriedly. He knows it has to be bad if Gerard called in sick. He knows him. Gerard would never call in sick if it wasn't serious.

"Bert I'm fine. I just need to relax. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll be better in no time." Gerard softly laughs at Bert's concern. Reassuring him that it's okay.

That's what Gerard hopes at least. He really can't afford to miss another day.
He has bills to pay, he has to take care of Mikey. Whether or not he's feeling well tomorrow, Gerard doesn't have a choice but to go into work.