Thank You For The Venom (Frerard)

5 - Late Dawns and Early Sunsets

5 - Late Dawns and Early Sunsets

When Gerard woke up the next morning he realised he wasn't in his own bunk. He turned in the cramped space and saw Bert sleeping beside him, an arm resting over his waist. His breath stank of beer and cigarettes, although Gerard was sure his wasn't exactly fresh either. 

After his conversation with Frank after the show (was it an argument or a heart to heart? Gerard still couldn't figure it out) he'd headed straight to Bert's bus. They'd had a few beers and gone to bed. Gerard was pretty sure they'd had sex, but the memories blurred, just how he liked it. That was the great thing about Bert - it didn't matter what he remembered, because neither of them really cared. In fact, he was pretty sure they'd never slept together sober. It was always a messy, drunken affair. 

He sighed, and closed his eyes again for a moment, realising that the bus was stationary, so they must have reached the next venue. His head still pounded, but the shakes weren't so bad today. He fumbled around for his phone, and eventually found it down the side of the bed. It was just a shitty old flip one, but it could tell him the time and send texts and to be fair he hardly ever used it - all his friends tended to be in the bunks next to him anyway. 

It told him it was midday, and he had one text from Mikey. 

Bus call said you were already on The Used's bus so we'll see you for soundcheck tomorrow. Hope you're okay x

He fired off a quick reply reassuring his brother he was fine and would see him in a minute. Bert was still passed out, and Gerard had no real urge to wake him, so he pulled on his jeans and jumped down from the bunk, grabbing one of Bert's t-shirts so that he wouldn't have to put his stage gear back on. It was a basic Metallica oversized t-shirt that he quite liked. Maybe if Bert didn't notice it was missing he'd hang on to it. 

Some of Bert's bandmates were in the living area, but he just mumbled a hello and carried on past them, eager to get back to his own bus and have a shower. 

He jumped down into the unfamiliar parking lot, wandering around past various crew members and venue staff until he finally found his own bus and eagerly headed straight for the kitchen area, coffee the only thing on his mind. 

As soon as he started to make his coffee Mikey emerged from the back of the bus, comic in hand and yawning. 

"I heard the coffee machine and thought it might be you" he said, leaning against the doorway. 

"You know me too well" Gerard smiled at him. 

"You okay? Frank said you'd gone to talk to Bert or something last night, but he seemed pretty off with everyone and he went straight to bed."

"Oh yeah, I'm fine" Gerard shrugged, not wanting to admit that he hadn't really talked with Bert at all "what do you mean, Frank was off with everyone?"

"Well he phoned Luke but he didn't stay on the phone long, maybe a few minutes, sounded like he was being a bit snappy with him y'know? And when we asked if you were coming back on our bus or staying on Bert's he was pretty moody and said he was going to bed." Mikey moved past him to sit down, whilst Gerard thought over his words. He couldn't help but be a little happy that Frank had spent longer talking to him after the show than Luke, as selfish as it was. 

"Oh right, where is he now?"

"I think he went out for a walk or something, probably clearing his head. You should try it too" Mikey mused "I mean, if you want to. You have a lot going on at the moment and I know Bert is stressful and Frank was mad at you for yesterday, and well" he paused and met his elder brother's eyes "I'm worried about you too, to be honest."