such a softer sin | gerbert

chapter forty three

Gerard smiles as he talks with Bert and Pail. Unfortunately Gerard's working another double shift and closing at the bar tonight. But this will thankfully be the last time he'll have to do this, since Mikey's birthday was last week. He only took this tonight to be able to put some money back in savings after spending a lot on his brothers birthday present.

The time goes by painfully slow for Gerard. Midnight rolls around, though he's still working for a few more hours tonight. Gerard and Bert's conversation is interrupted by his phone ringing, his heart nearly stopping when he sees the caller. Mikey. "Is everything okay Mikes?"

It's a school night, Mikey knows better than to be up this late. And even if he did, he wouldn't call Gerard at work unless it was important. Bert immediately looks up when hearing that it's Mikey. Gerard puts it on speaker so he can hear as well.

"I'm scared Gee. There- there- there's yelling outside again." They hear Mikey's shaky voice over the phone. Gerard's heart breaks, his baby brother's there all alone and afraid. Bert stands and puts on his coat. Going to go by the apartment to check on him, make sure everything's alright.

"Go make sure the front door is locked. Bert's on his way. Just wait on the couch and listen out for him when he knocks, it'll be okay baby." Gerard reassures him. Feeling so guilty for not being there with him. Guilty that he can't be the one to go check on him.

Bert drives to the apartment complex. When he head to their floor he sees the usual group of guys outside, two of which are fighting. Bert walks by them in annoyance and to the apartment, knocking on the locked front door. "It's me Mikey, open up."

The door is opened and just as Bert enters, he's quickly hugged by Mikey. Bert rubs the scared teens back to comfort him. "It's okay Mikes, it was just a few guys fighting. Don't worry."

Bert's phone rings with an incoming call from Gerard. Answering it, he's immediately met with Gerard's worried voice on the other end. "Is he okay? What's going on? Was there another fight outside again? Those guys are always going at it, all night sometimes."

"He's fine, just a little shaken up. But yeah it's those guys out in the hall fighting. I'm going to stay here with him tonight to make sure he's okay, are you going to be fine there? Can you take the rest of the night off? I don't want you there alone." Bert asks. Going to stay with Mikey to make sure he's okay.

"I can't tonight, but I'll be okay. Get some rest, okay? I'll see you in a few hours." Gerard says before they say their goodbyes and get off of the phone. Bert takes his coat off and sets it on the hook by the front door. Shivering slightly from the cold outside.

"I thought you'd be asleep by now. Have you eaten yet?" Bert asks. Looking at the couch where Mikey sits. Where papers are spread out on the coffee table, a few stacked books and his blanket where he's obviously been all night.

"No. I've been bust pac-practicing my speech." Mikey says and Bert walks over and sits on the couch with the teen. Who scooches over close to him as the yelling outside continues. Obviously still of afraid from the guys outside. Bert smiles, happy that Mikey trusts him and comfort enough to depend on him.

"At 1 in the morning Mikes? You should have been in bed several hours ago. You have to get up to get ready for school in just a few hours." Bert asks. Wrapping an arm around the teen to help reassure and calm him. Knowing it works like a charm whenever Gerard's upset or bothered.

"I want to better- get better. Gee spends all the money he makes from wor- working himself to death just to course- put me through the speech courses. I don't want to let him down so I thought I'd w-wait up studying until he got home. I like when he reads to me before bed." Mikey explains. Correcting himself whenever he skips words.

"Hm well why don't we order some pizza then? If you'd like, I'd love to help you practice your speech." Bert says. Mikey looks at him with a smile. Bert's heart warms as he watches him, him and Gerard definitely share the same beautiful smile.

Bert calls into the 24/7 pizza delivery place for the two of them. He grabs the papers spread out on the long coffee table in-front of them. Examining and reading over what looks like some practice sheets Mikey's been working on. "Show me what you're working on."

Mikey reads aloud from the paper, attempting to complete a sentence without struggling. Bert helps him when he gets stuck on certain words or phrases. Encouraging him whenever he gets frustrated. "You've got this Mikes, try it again. Slow down, take your time."

After a half hour of practicing, the pizza arrives. The two eat while talking. Talking about school, classes. Mikey asking him about his band. "How have you been? I mean I know it must be tough not having Gerard around with you a lot of the time."

"Oh I'm okay, I Gerard- I know Gerard doesn't have much of a choice.  I just hate much- That he has to work so much, he's always so exhausted and it isn't healthy. That- That's why I never mentioned his drinking, I knew that it helped get him through his long hours. I'm just really glad that he has you." Mikey says.

"Your brother loves you very much Mikey. He's always bragging about how smart and beautiful you are to friends and people at work. That's why he agreed to get sober, is for you. Just never forget that."  Bert reminds Mikey how much Gerard loves him. Knowing that this is tough on Gerard, but just as much on Mikey too.

Mikey sets down his plate and rests tiredly into Bert's side, trying to ignore the yells of guys hanging around and fighting outside. Pulling the blanket onto him and Bert. "He loves you too. I don't know - know what's going on with you guys, but never- I've never seen my brother so in love."

"My brother struggled his- with his sexuality for a long time. But he finally accepted himself. He thought every- everyone would be ashamed about being gay, but it was really himself who was ashamed. Bert we love you, your friends love you. No matter what. Just remember that." Mikey says.

Bert smiles softly and places a gentle kiss on his forehead. He reaches over and grabs the book on the stand before relaxing back into the couch with Mikey. He begins to read to him, knowing it'll be a little while before Gerard gets home, despite it already being 2:30 am. Knowing Gerard reads to him every night before bed.