such a softer sin | gerbert

chapter twenty three

Part Two

The heat blows as headlights of other cars blind and dance over them as they drive down the dark highway. Gerard smiles as he looks in the review mirror into the backsest where Mikey is fast asleep with the rather large stuffed bear that Bert had won him at one of the booth earlier this evening.

It's roughly 1:30 am. They're on their way home from the fair and Gerard couldn't be more happy. Tonight was so much fun, he loved finally being able to spend time with his brother and Bert. Tonight was even better than Gerard had thought it would be.

"You look tired." Bert chuckles as he glances over to Gerard from the road. Noticing him looking at Mikey in the back. Tonight was fun but also exhausting trying to keep up with Mikey.

Gerard tiredly chuckles and slides his hand onto Bert's that rests on the gear stick. Earning a smile in response from Bert. "Stay over tonight?"

"Do you even have to ask? Of course." Bert chuckles sweetly. Already planned on it, knowing that Gerard would ask. Every minute together counts to them. Even if they're just sleeping, they just enjoy being together. And at night especially, for Gerard.

Gerard feels so much better with Bert being in the apartment, being in bed with him. He hates going to sleep alone, in bed by himself. Along with the fact that they don't live in the best of apartment complex building, which Bert being there makes him feel better about being in such a bad place.

They arrive at their complex and Gerard opens the back door of the car. "Wake up Mikes, we're home. Come get inside and in bed."

Gerard helps his exhausted brother out of the car as Bert grabs his bear and bag. Walking with his arm wrapped around the shivering teen into the dim, quiet and cold apartment. All of them are absolutely exhausted.

But before heading to his room and going to bed, Mikey turns and hugs Bert tightly. "Thank you so much for tonight, it was so much fun."

"Of course Mikey, I'm glad you enjoyed it." Bert smiles as they hug, placing a kiss on the top of the teens head. Mikey's always been hesitant around Bert, but seems to have completely warmed up to him after tonight.

Gerard walks Mikey to his room and kisses his forehead goodnight before leaving and heading to his room to see Bert waiting for him. "You made his entire year tonight, you know that?"

"Mm, and what about you?" Bert grins teasingly as he steps close. Resting his hands on his hips, gripping gently.

"Tonight was perfect. But you made my whole year when I met you." Gerard smiles as Bert's tattooed hands grips along his hips. Though Bert can't help but to smile as he hears him say that.
All he wants is to make Gerard happy, it's all he cares about.

"And about Mikey's comment earlier this evening, I'm sorry. He doesn't think before he talks." Gerard apologizes for his brothers comment about them. He knows it made Bert a little nervous, seeing as Mikey suspects that they're together, that he's gay.

"It's okay, I know he was just teasing. I can't blame him, I guess we made it a little obvious tonight." Bert sweetly chuckles, thinking back on tonight. He had so much fun with them. It was really sweet watching all of Mikey's energy and excitement.

Gerard places a soft kiss on Bert's cheek. "For tonight, for everything."

"A kiss on the cheek? That's it?" Bert teases as Gerard pulls always, walking towards the bed as he strips of his shirt. Beginning to unbuckle his belt as he chuckles at Bert's comment.

"Believe me sugar, if we were together I'd be treating you with a lot more than just a kiss on the cheek." Gerard grins as he slides his belt out from the loops of his jeans, tossing it to the ground.
Making Bert's heart begin to race, hearing his flirts and teases.

Bert laughs shaking his head, sliding his shirt off tiredly. Gerard kicks off his jeans before falling onto the bed, feeling his feet ache as he's been on them all day every day for the past week. Though tonights exhaustion was defiantely well needed.

"Tomorrow I don't want you to even leave this room, okay? Just rest the day you have off." Bert says as he gets in bed with him, knowing how tired he is. Though they are only going to the fair the first day, he's making Gerard take Sunday off as well, to rest.

Gerard just his head on Bert's tattooed shoulder after covering them up. Bert reaches over turning off the lamp as he wraps his other arm around the pretty red head he's lucky to have in his life.

Bert softly drags his fingers along the soft skin of Gerard's bare arm. "You know we can't flirt as much in public anymore. Not like we did tonight."

"Yeah, I know." Gerard sighs soflty. He knows Bert isn't going to come out any time soon, or ever. Even though he doesn't admit it, he's not willing to come out. Not for himself, not for Gerard, not for anybody.

"I know this isn't fair-" Bert begins to apologize again. Feeling so guilty for what he's doing to him. Though he's cut off by Gerard's voice.

"Stop apologizing for it. It's okay, I understand Bert." Gerard cuts him off from continuing to apologize for this. Something that he doesn't need to be sorry for, or feel bad about at all. As much as Gerard hates not being able to be with Bert, he doesn't blame him.

"I can't help it, I just feel really bad." Bert says as he begins playing with the ends of Gerard's soft red, shoulder length hair as they lay in the dark.

"Don't feel bad. Look, let's just not talk about it right now sugar. I just want to enjoy tonight with you." Gerard sweetly reassures him before changing the topic, not wanting to talk about this tonight, or honestly at all.

Yes, his feelings are hurt over the fact that Bert seems to be embarrassed to come out as gay. That he made the decision that it's what's best for Gerard if they're not together without even talking to him about any of it.

"Thank you so much for tonight Bert. Seriously, it means so much that you did this, that honestly you're still even my best friend." Gerard says. He's so fucking grateful for Bert, to have him in his life even just as a friend.

"Of course baby. Is it all men that you have a low opinion on or is it just me?" Bert teases the fact that Gerard seems to be shocked that Bert's still here. That he hasn't moved on or forgot about him.

"Sorry. I'm just used to meeting guys and them loosing interest. Guys don't want someone who doesn't have much time. Or that won't sleep with them, or takes care of a teen on their own." Gerard softly chuckles.

"Well I'm not like those guys. I'm here to stay Gee." Bert says as he squeezes him closer, placing a kiss on the top of his head. Smiling when Gerard's hand slides into his own in response.

Together or not, they love each other. They always have each others backs, always there to take care of each other. It's not all about appearances or lables and social status for them, just having one another is what really matters most.

And that'll never change, regardless.