such a softer sin | gerbert

chapter twenty nine

Gerard finishes off the strong whiskey in his glass, pouring himself another as he leans against the inside of the bar island. Drinking to ease the pressure in his head, the pounding and acheing. He's more than ready to go home, but he has to finish up his shift since he's taken the night shift for extra hours.

"Gee that's enough." Bert says, taking the glass from his hand before he takes another sip. Concerned with Gerard's drinking problem, the stress he's under. He's worried about his drinking, but he doesn't want to upset him by bringing it up in conversation.

"Bert I'm a grown adult, I will drink if I want." Gerard says raising his eyebrow, taking back the glass from Bert. Gerard doesn't see why everyone's so bothered by his drinking, it doesn't effect them. It helps Gerard get through long hours, so what's the problem? What's it to them?

"I know, I'm just worried. Just slow down, that's your fourth drink tonight." Bert says sympathetically. Wishing he could make this all better for him, make life easy and simple for him. He wishes he could take away all the pain Gerard's clearly in, and not just physically either.

He's clearly struggling emotionally, weather he admits it or not. Anyone who looks at Gerard can tell that he's hurting, in pain. Bert wishes he could help him, make him happy. Make Gerard feel worthy and loved.

It's obvious that he lacks love and validation. Sure he knows Mikey loves him, but he doesn't have the love of a parent, or a spouse. Gerard doesn't express his feelings to Mikey since it's his younger brother who he's the guardian of. Doesn't have many friends. Outside of his brother, it seems like Bert's all he's got.

Many many more drinks later as the time passes, the clock strikes 12:45 am. Gerard gets ready to close up and head home, though he keeps stumbling and tripping. Bert insisted on driving him home, since he's drunk and exhausted. Plus he wants to spend as much time with Gerard as he can.

"Come on." Bert says, placing his jacket on the shoulders of a drunken Gerard, wrapping an arm around him as he walks him down the cold, dark and empty streets of New Jersey.

He walks Gerard to his car, opening the passenger door and helping him in. Bert begins driving, towards the apartment conplex. Glancing over to Gerard in the passenger seat, seeing he's already passed out. Bert sadly chuckles to himself. "That didn't take long."

After a 10 minute car ride, they arrive at the apartment complex. Bert wakes him, walking him into the apartment complex, passing sketchy guys who stare at the two. Bert unlocks the apartment door and walks him in.

As he closes the front door, Gerard takes no time before plopping onto the couch. Bert softly laughs and walks over, pulling the couch's throw blanket over and covering him up as he rests into the soft couch. "We're having a talk about this later."

Gerard just hums as he buries his face into the couch pillow. Bert places a soft kiss on his head before standing and turning off the lamp. He goes down the hall, checking on Mikey. Seeing him fast asleep.

Bert closes the door back before going back to the living room and laying with Gerard. He isn't gonna leave them alone after seeing those guys outside. Plus he wants to be with Gerard right now. Eventually he's gonna get them out of this shithole.

• • •

Gerard slowly becomes conscious to the feel of pounding in his head due to his hangover. The overwhelming pain in his head growing even worse as he opens his eyes only to be blinded by the sunlight that creeps in through the closed living room blinds.

"Morning beautiful. How's your hangover?" He hears Bert's soothing voice when he sits up. Gerard rubs his eyes tiredly before looking around the room. Panicking when he sees it's a little over 7 am. Meaning Mikey's late for school because he slept in past his alarm.

"Relax, I got Mikey ready and walked him to his bus stop." Bert chuckles after Gerard hurries to his feet. Gerard tiredly sits back down on the couch, resting back into the cushions and pillows.

Bert moves closer to him, sliding his hand onto Gerard's. Hoping to talk to him about his drinking problems. "You got drunk last night so I took you home. Gee you know you can talk to me, about anything at all. I'm here for you."

"I'm fine. Stop worrying about me." Gerard says and lays his head on Bert's arm. Hand in hand still. Not wanting him to worry, though he knows it isn't going to be that easy to get Bert off his case. Bert's stubborn- especially when it comes to the people he loves. Though it drives Gerard crazy sometimes, it's something he loves and would never change about Bert.

"I know you're not ready to talk about your issues, I get that. But let me take you out to dinner tonight?" Bert says. Wanting to talk with Gerard, to spend some alone time with him.

"I'd love too, but I can't. I work tonight." Gerard says as he rests his eyes while they speak. Still exhausted after the agonizingly long and stressful week. Wishing he could go out with Bert for dinner, but can't afford to miss a night of work at the bar or morning shift.

"I'll pay you for your lost shift. Please? I have a lot I want to talk to you about. And I really want to take you out and spend some time with you." Bert says, begging. He really wants to take him out for dinner, talk to him about anything and everything.

Gerard smiles, looking up at him from his arm. "Mhm, and what's the occasion?"

"Does there have to be an occasion? Can't a man just take his beautiful lover out for a nice dinner?" Bert grins at him, earning the pretty smile from him that Bert absolutely melts from the sight of. Though they're not 'officially' together, they still act like a couple.

"Mm, I suppose not." Gerard smiles, flattered that Bert seems to really want to take him out for dinner. That he isn't just looking for one night stands, but an actual friendship/relationship. Unlike most other guys Gerard's been with in the past.

Bert wants to make it a usual thing. He wants to take Gerard out for a dinner at least every other weekend. So the two no doubt get alone time, time to sit and talk through all the stress of work.