Friday I'm In Love

△ 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 △

Mikey was exhausted with Gerard's seemingly permanent state of brooding. It was illogical and downright stupid and Mikey made him well aware. It had been a month since their mom had passed away and in that time Gerard's condition had worsened by tenfold. He vaulted between insane highs and crashing lows while maintaining a steady level of healthy alcoholism. For the past two days Gerard had been sat in front of a blank canvas, unmoving and cold as ice, disheveled and unkempt like all aspiring artists of his generation.

"Is it Frank?", Mikey ventured bravely before ducking in the doorway in anticipation of violent projectiles heading in his direction. He was met with a silence which confirmed his hypothesis. "Oh, Gerard."

"He kissed me, Mikes.", Gerard rasped weakly as Mikey ran to sit down in front of him. "The day of that shit party at Rick's house. He... he kissed me and... and." he croaked. "I'm so fucking stupid."

"No argument here. But you never told me you swung that way."

"I don't. I mean... I don't like guys. I- fuck. It's just... Frank.", Gerard croaked as he tugged his blanket closer around his shoulders. "I'm probably just... missing him." 

"Remember that girl... what was it? Anna! The one from your chess club." Mikey prompted gently with a smile. "She was pretty."

It was only a few days later when Gerard found himself outside Bert's door - wound in disarray and too far in thought to care about his surroundings. He could already smell the cigarette smoke wafting from inside. Gerard rapped on the door weakly, chewing his lips as footsteps approached. 

The door swung open to reveal a very disheveled Bert dressed only in hastily thrown on sweatpants. He looked good; and that's what made Gerard sick. He smiled at Gerard easily before running a hand through his messy hair. 

"Hey, Gee, I've nearly finished it I promise I'm on the last two chapters." Bert began cheerily, opening the door and letting his best friend shuffle in like a frightened raccoon. Gerard nodded feebly in return, fighting miserably to contain the blush at the base of his neck. Bert closed the door with a gentle click behind him and Gerard found himself wandering into the living area of Bert's studio apartment. The apartment was modestly furnished - mainly due to Bert being broke - in contrast to the beautiful chaos which Gerard surrounded himself with. It was calming.  "Are you okay? You look pretty shaken." Bert continued gently as Gerard dumped himself on the closest of Bert's two leather sofas. 

"Fine."

Bert raised an eyebrow, but said no more, as he walked over and sat down beside Gerard. He sat back against the sofa and rested his chin on his fist. "What's happened?"

Gerard hung his head, looking down at his hands as he wrung them in his lap. "Nothing - It's fine." 

"Hm. Okay I'll pretend like I believe you." 

"How was work?"

"Exhausting, you should see some of the asshats who come to the bar." Bert sighed, "But you look like shit. I know exactly what can help." he smiled, jumping out his seat and lead Gerard towards the bathroom. Gerard trailed after him grumpily sighing as Bert took out a packet of hair dye. "You know you want to. Your roots are growing out, babe."

Gerard flushed. "Don't call me babe."

Bert waved him off, tugging on the black latex gloves before pouring the hair dye into the container. Gerard, not as quick as he usually was, only got with the program as Bert set the container on the sink. 

"You've got to be fucking joking me. Red?" Gerard shrieked. 

"Come on, I promise it'll look good."