such a softer sin | gerbert

chapter twenty eight

Gerard lays in bed in the dark, on the phone with Bert. It's roughly 1 am and Gerard can't seem to fall asleep. There were some sketchy guys outside their apartment in the hall and Gerard's just worried about them being here. So Bert offered to stay on the phone with him until he falls asleep. Mikey's joined him in ber, but passed out.

"Your apartment complex is a really sketchy place, not safe for you guys to be living at. And it seems to bother you, so why don't you just move?" Bert asks as he lays in bed, his phone laid on his forehead with his eyes closed as he talks with Gerard.

"This place is cheap, easily affordable. I don't have the money for a 6 bedroom apartment like you." Gerard chuckles, teasing Bert about the nice apartment that he shares with his best friends.

"Yeah yeah smartass. I know, but I mean an extra hundred or two a month is definitely worth it if it means the two of you are safe." Bert says, hating to know that Gerard doesn't feel safe enough to go to sleep.

"A hundred or two makes a big difference for us. But Mikey doesn't leave the apartment without me. And Pail comes by and checks on him often when I'm gone for a long period of time." Gerard explains to Bert that even though this place is shit and dangerous, that he makes sure Mikey's safe.

"Yeah? And what about you? Who walks you to your car to make sure that you're okay? Exactly, no one. I don't like you guys being there." Bert points out. Hating that Gerard isn't even thinking of himself and his own safety.

"I can take care of myself sugar. We've lived in this apartment complex for nearly 2 years. I mean the drugs and violence around here has gotten worse but we'll be okay." Gerard reassures him, knowing how much Bert seems to worry about him and Mikey.

"I know I just seen you earlier, but I miss you." Bert says over the phone. Wishing he could be with Gerard right now. Even if they were just sleeping, he just really wants to be with him right now and always.

"I miss you too. You can come over baby, you can join Mikey and I in bed." Gerard offers, honestly would love for him to come over. Knowing it'd make Mikey feel better to have him here.

"I would, but you really need to sleep. And if I come over we'll end up being up all night." Bert says. Earning a soft chuckle from Gerard in response, knowing that's true.

The two stay on the phone together for a while longer. Talking until Gerard's end goes silent. Bert chuckles softly, hanging up the phone since he's fallen asleep.

• • •

Gerard tiredly puts books on the shelf quietly. He's beyond exhausted at this point. He got less that 4 hours of sleep last night, having to work this morning and tonight. Along with a few extra hours at his bar shift tonight, he'll be closing again tonight. Gerard's honestly so drained today, he just wants to go home and sleep.

"Hm, no singing today?" Gerard hears Bert's voice. Bert leans against one of the shelves as he looks at an exhausted Gerard. Pointing out the fact that he isn't humming or singing to himself like he usually does in the morning.

"Not today." Gerard says as he places another book on the shelf. Bert grabs Gerard's hand, stopping him from reaching for another book.

"Baby you barely slept last night and you're stressed. Take this morning off and go get some sleep before tonight." Bert says, worried about him. Knowing what happened the other night with Zach has him stressed. Knowing Gerard didn't sleep but only an hour and a half last night before getting up to get Mikey ready for school.

"Unfortunately I can't. I start bar shift early today." Gerard says as he pulls his hand away. Beginning to put then back on the shelf, trying to hurry and get done with these so he could take a break before his bar shift in a few hours.

"Oh, so you get off early tonight?" Bert asks. Figuring that if he has an earlier shift that he'll get off earlier than he usually does at night so he can go home and catch up on his rest. Bert wants to start driving Gerard home every night. He doesn't trust Gerard being out this late, and driving home half asleep.

"No, I close tonight too. I took an extra shift so I can have extra to save up for Mikey's birthday next month." Gerard says as he sets a fallen stack of books on the shelf back up.

"What? That's way too many hours, you were already exhausted with what you were working. Don't work extra Gerard. Let me pay for Mikey's birthday." Bert insists. Bert likes being able to help him with whatever he needs. It makes him feel like he's actually helping.

"No. I'll be fine, it's just for a few weeks until I've saved enough up. Mikey really wants a new bass guitar this year for his birthday." Gerard chuckles softly. He wants Mikey to have a perfect 16th birthday. Gerard always does his best to make his birthday's special, but you only turn 16 once.

"Let me hook you up then, Jeph's really close to the guy who customizes his bass." Bert insists. He knows Gerard doesn't want any help because he feels like asking for help means he can't take care of Mikey himself. Bert knows he can, he just wants to make things easier for him.

"Bert stop worrying about me, I'm fine." Gerard chuckles at Bert's persistence, finding it sweet though. He knows Bert just wants to help, but Gerard doesn't need it. He can take care of his family on his own.

Bert shakes his head while standing straight up from leaning against the  bookself. Gerard eyes can't help but to travel down Bert's body with a sly grin before teasing. "I mean I'll go home if you join me."

"Careful baby, only take as much as you can handle." Bert chuckles. Smirking as he watches Gerard bite his lip, watches how his cheeks raise a shade of light red. Honestly brightening Bert's day to see how easily flustered he can make him.

"You're lucky you're charming, it seems to get you a lot of places, and a lot of things." Gerard grins, enjoying the chance to mess and tease Bert while he has the chance. Since they can't at the bar, with Mikey, or with friends.

Bert places a hand on Gerard's hip, leaning into his ear. His hand squeezing and gripping gently. "You wait until we're together and I'll show you just where my charm will get me."

Gerard's jaw nearly drops, unable to hold back a smile despite how flustered he now is. Pulling away, Gerard just laughs sweetly. "Once more, you've made a bad day good again."

Bert laughs and places a soft kiss on his head. He wouldn't trade this for anything.