The End. ~Frerard~

a chapter in which Bert does not sexually harass Gerard (kinda)

"i don't think i can do this." Gerard was finding it hard to breathe as he paced around his cabin. "i cant talk to Bert! he's gonna- he's gonna grab me and i won't be able to get him off me!" Gerard said breaking down.

"no, that's why i'm gonna be there." Brendon said calmly, attempting to calm Gerard with his words.

"but what if Pete and Rem are outside? they won't let you in!" Gee exclaimed, tugging on his hair. "Brendon i can't, i-i, i really want to, i want to get Frank out of there but i can't just waltz in there and talk to Bert. he knows i'm intimidated by him and he always takes advantage of that! especially when we're alone!" Gerard slumped to the floor and laid in fetal position. "you said you know where the cells are, tell Frank i had a heart attack and died. or that Bert was being touchy feely and i tried to get him off but he bashed my head into the wall and my skull crumbled or something." Gerard sniffled.

"okay no, don't start crying," Brendon said rubbing circles into Gerard's back. "i'm not giving up on you and i'm not telling Frank you died. he'd go nuts and kill Bert and anyone in his way." Brendon smiled softly.

"no he wouldn't," Gerard said shaking his head against the floor."

"yes he would!" Brendon laughed. Gerard continued to hyperventilate and cry. "Gee, you're going to be okay. think about it this way, once we do this, we'll be able to leave this shithole. Bert is only a minor obstacle." Brendon said softly, continuing to rub circles into Gerard's back. he just didn't realize how wrong he was. none of them did.

Gerard slowly began to calm down and got up off the floor. he practiced what he would say when he went to see Bert.

-

"i'm going to fucking vomit" Gerard said looking at the door of Berts cabin.

"no you aren't, you're going to be fine and i'm going to be outside and if anything happens, just holler," Brendon gently shoved Gerard towards the door. "you're going to be okay." he said smiling softly. Gerard nodded and knocked on the door. he looked back for reassurance but Brendon wasn't there.

"that little fu-"

"Gerard?" Gerard snapped his attention to the guy in front of him.

"Bert, hi." he said laughing nervously.

"what are you doing here?" Bert asked, genuinely confused.

"i wanted to talk to you." Gerard said pinching his thigh. Bert raised his eyebrow and leaned against the door frame. He looked Gerard up and down, licking his lips.

"about what exactly?" he said getting the wrong idea.

"about Frank." Berts expression changed completely.

"who?"

"the unwanted you captured yesterday."

"oh i see," he said smirking. "you wanna talk about how cool it was that i caught him." Gerard  just stared at him. "here come in," Bert said grabbing Gerards arm.

"no i'm ok-" the door shut behind them. "okay cool...now i'm...inside" he said through his teeth. he laughed nervously. "fuck"

"what?" Bert asked, putting some cheap cologne on for some odd reason.

"huh? nothing." Gerard said all too quickly.

"anyway you're here to talk?" Bert said cornering Gerard.

"yes, talk. not about you though." Gerard smiled and ducked under Berts arm and scurried to the middle of the room. "i wanna talk about Frank."

"why do you wanna talk about that rat?" Bert groaned, rolling his eyes.

"that doesn't concern you," he furrowed his eyebrows. "i just need you approval-"

"oh but you have my approval baby," he said winking. Gerard looked at him as if he just swallowed a raccoon whole.

"you don't even know wh- nevermind" Gerard sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "do you know when the general is getting back?" he asked, looking up.

"in about a month... why?" Bert questioned.

"can Frank stay with me until the general gets back?" Gerard looked up.

"you want that rat to stay with you for a month? why?" Bert scoffed. Gerard was confusing and Bert could usually figure him out but this was definitely something Bert wouldn't be able to understand.

"i just want him to. is that an issue?" Gerard argued.

"Gerard it's against the rules. you know that. i already bent them once. if i get caught, i'll be fucking hung in front of my family." Bert said sitting on his bed, staring at nothing in particular.

"i.... i know" he whispered, looking at the floor.

"i cant just let you. i want to but i can't. you know that." Bert said softly, looking at Gerard.

"yea i-i know, i just thought you'd understand. you have Pete and i don't have anyone really. you guys grew up together and Frank says he knows me, i just wanted to know more about my past, you know?" he said quietly. Bert sighed.

"fine. he can stay with you but i need him back before the general gets back."
Bert sighed in defeat. Gerard looked up with surprise. "but we speak nothing of this." Bert warned.

"yes of course!" Gerard said smiling brightly.

"i'll drop him off at yours later tonight." he sighed.

"thank you so much."

"don't mention it." Gerard began to walk out but stopped right before the door.

"hey Bert?" he looked at the man who sat at the edge of the dirty ass bed. he looked up.

"yea?"

"thank you, for not trying anything i mean. for not forcing yourself on me. and for letting Frank stay with me." Gerard smiled. Bert smiled back.

"yea...no problem. i'll try to do it less often." he nodded. Gerard nodded back and left.