such a softer sin | gerbert

chapter twenty five

Gerard sips at the heavily strong but mouthwatering whiskey in the glass he holds in his right hand. Listening to one of the male customers brags and flirts that he's only listening too to keep him entertained until the end of his shift. Knowing damn well this guy's lying about the 'nice car' that he 'owns'.

He's excited to get home and call Bert.
Mikey's at his friend's house tonight, meaning he has the entire apartment to himself until he gets back from school tomorrow. Gerard has the morning shift off, so he doesn't come into work until 8pm tomorrow night when the bar opens.

As he sips his drink while listening, he notices Jeph enter the bar. With Dan, Quinn and Bert all following shortly behind him. In which Jeph quickly smiles as he approaches the bar island. "Nice to see you again, beautiful."

"Hey sugar." Gerard smiles at him before stands straight from leaning against the wall. Looking to Bert who's eyes seem to be glued to him. Winking at him before averting his attention back to Jeph. "What can I get you guys? Your usuals I assume?"

"Actually not, just some beers for now. We stopped by to see if you wanted to join us. We're just gonna go back and hang at the apartment and since we haven't actually had the chance to hang out outside of the bar you'd wanna join." Dan asks as they take their seats on the bar stools of the island.

"I'd love too, but I don't yet off for another thirty minutes." Gerard says as he begins wiping down the bar tops. He doesn't get off until 11. Him and the guys have a lot in common, they're in here a lot so they always talk.

"Mm, that's perfectly fine." Quinn grins as he stands to his feet. Eyes on the cute guy across the bar who drinks all alone. Quickly leaving the group and sparking up a conversation with him.

Gerard grabs them their beers and steps away to go check on another customer. Though Bert nods for him and leads him to the side of the bar and away from everyone and the guys. "Is coming with us smart Gerard? I mean, it being with my roomates and all. It's not a good idea."

Gerard pauses, a little shocked. Which Bert much notice how taken back he is as he quickly tenses. "I didn't mean it like that Gerard, you know that I-"

"I think I got exactly how you meant it. You've made it crystal clear." Gerard says, scoffing softly before walking away and back to the bar. He apologizes to the guys, telling them that he has to go home due to his 'brother'. Though Mikey isn't home and Gerard really wanted to go with them.

"Really? Damn, I was really looking forward to hanging out with you." Jeph says, disappointed that Gerard backed out of going. But understanding that it's to go be with his 'sick younger brother.'

"Yeah, so was I." Gerard sighs sadly. Honestly a little hurt but what can he do? Bert obviously doesn't want him to be around his close friends. It's not like they'd know that they're into each other just by hanging out? But Gerard isn't going to argue or get mad.

"Gerard." Bert says softly, feeling guilty for what he said and how he said it, not meaning it entirely the way Gerard's taken it as. Seeing that it obviously upset Gerard, seeing how bummed he is over having to tell them no.

Gerard just finishes off the last bit of whiskey in his glass. Earning a sad look from Bert who leans against the bar island. "You guys should go ahead and get going, I'm gonna close up early tonight and head home."

"Bye sweetheart. I hope your brother feels better" Dan smiles, hugging Gerard over the counter. Noticing how upset Gerard seems to be right now. Assuming it's probably over the fact that his little brother is sick at home, waiting for him to get back.

The guys exit the bar but Bert stays a moment. Placing a hand ontop oh Gerard's. "Baby that came out wrong. You know I didn't mean it like that-"

"Bert just go. Wouldn't want them suspecting anything, right?" Gerard says, cutting him off mid-sentence. Not wanting to listen to Bert's apologies. Gerard isn't mad at him, he's just a little hurt over it.

Bert softly sighs and leaves the bar, joining back with the guys who waits outside for him. Feeling so guilty. He didn't think about it before he said it. He didn't realize how that sounded.

Gerard sighs softly, pouring himself another drink to help with the stress.

• • •

Gerard wakes feeling movement in the bed he sleeps on. Feeling his blanket lifted off of him and laid back on him again. He mumbles tiredly as he feels the skin of another person, a head laying on his shoulder.

"Bert I don't want to hear your apologies. I just want to be left alone." Gerard mumbles half asleep. Thinking it's Bert who's joined him in bed after what had happened earlier at the bar. Just wanting to sleep off his hurt.

"What with- what happened with Bert? Guys fighting?" He's surprised to hear Mikey's voice instead of Bert's since he wasn't supposed to come back home until tomorrow night. Yet here right now? At this time?

Gerard opens his eyes and looks to his alarm clock that reads 3 am. "Mikey how did you get here? I thought you wanted to stay over and Jack's?"

"I wasn't well- feeling well. But why are mad- are you mad with Bert?" Mikey questions curiously. Hating to hear that they seem to be fighting. Mikey really likes Bert. And knowing how much he means to Gerard as well. He doesn't want to see anything bad happen.

"We're not fighting. Are you okay Mikes? Is it your head?" Gerard answers but quickly puts the attention onto his brother. Worried to hear he isn't feeling well. Wanting to know if he's sick or if it's something small.

"Yeah." Mikey mumbles tiredly. Gerard pulls the blanket and covers his brother more. He places a soft kiss on the top of his head before passing back to sleep.

[T.he ending was a little rushed because I'm highkey really excited for the next chapter.]