cherry coke

Nick found himself back at the club later that night. The overwhelming scent of alcohol made him gag and the bright lights were working on giving him a headache. He couldn't believe that he was somewhere this out of his comfort zone for some random, unstable, red haired man.

Nearing the bar it was very obvious where Gerard was. He attracted people like bees to honey and he seemed to thrive from the attention. He could hear the chatter from the dancers surrounding Gerard who Nick assumed were on break. They asked him questions with eager smiles on their faces and laughed, loud and genuine at whatever Gerard's response was. He guessed that Gerard had an addictive personality. Hw would say that he didn't get all the hype but then again he'd only spoke to the man while he was fucked up and still he likes him enough to be here right now.

The logical side of his brain was telling him to wait until the dancers got back to work and left Gerard before walking over but he decided his sense of logic was pretty damaged when he got into a car to meet a man he talked to once at the sketchy bar.

the closer he got the stronger the stench of drinks became though he noticed the absence of a glass anywhere near Gerard. So maybe he wasn't a drunk? He thought.

He managed to make himself noticed by Gerard with a simple wave. The red haired man's eyebrows pulled together like he was thinking for a few moments before he smiled delightedly.

"Neil!" He said in remembrance.

Nick smiled nervously as the five women and two men dancer's eyes all fell on him.

"It's Nick." He corrected quietly enough to not sound rude but loud enough to be heard over the constant chatter and music.

"Same thing," Gerard dismissed with a hand wave.

He was dressed in a thin grey shirt that had some sort of band design on it at some point but was now almost completely incomprehensible now under a leather jacket that made his hair color seem even more vibrant.

Nick didn't notice the man's eyes until now, a plain light green color that glowed brighter under the gentle light near the bar in comparison to the rest of the club. They reminded him of Frank, who's eyes were also mixed with a bit of green, though more hazel than anything.

"You said you'd see me again and here you are, it's nice to see people stick to their word." Gerard complemented with a smirk.

"Um yeah."

One of the dancers spoke up, "Is this your boy, Gerard?" She asked, as if Nick wasn't standing right there.

"No, you dimwit he said his boyfriend would never come here." A male dancer insulted playfully. He was the shortest of the bunch, with big brown eyes and curl covered hair that matched. You could tell that his size had nothing to do with his attitude. He stayed the closest to Gerard, sitting on a stool pulled next to him instead of standing like the rest.

"Ah, buddy you're definitely barking up the wrong tree, Gerard is in a very committed relationship." The dancer from before said.

"I'm not interested in Gerard that way!" Nick defended himself. Gerard was most definitely attractive anyone with eyes could tell that but he had no romantic interest in anyone but his boyfriend. The thought of being with anyone else was revolting.

"I'm flattered." Gerard said sarcastically.

"I'm sorry." Nick said not sure how to respond and definitely not used to Gerard's intimidating nature.

"It's fine I cant be everyones type now can I?"

"I beg to differ." The small boy sitting next to Gerard said with an eye-roll. Gerard pinched his cheek playfully at the half-compliment and he boy swatted his hand way.

"Hey, Neil?" The small one said.

"Nick." He corrected with a nervous smile. The boy was obviously un amused and rolled his eyes once again, something he seemed to be a pro at.

"What time is it?" He continued.

"Almost ten." He replied.

The other dancers signed and Gerard gave them a look of pity.

As they all walked away, sequins and jewels reflecting the light as they went Gerard stopped the small one by saying, "Break a leg, Ashton!" With a knowing smirk. The boy, Ashton, scowled back as the others giggled.

Once they were gone Nick hesitantly took a seat next to Gerard.

"Would you believe someone as graceful of a dancer as him broke their leg on their third night working?" Gerard said with an amused grin.

"I haven't seen him dance before but he- uh seems nice?" Nick said.

Gerard pushed his shoulder bit, "Thats hilarious," He chuckled "Y'know forced compliments are just as good as silence."

Before Nick could respond, Gerard was talking again.

"How was your friends show? I saw tons of people crowding around the building when I left the other night he must really be something special."

"Oh he is," Nick said, "I actually think you two would get-"

"Drinks?" Taylor interrupted.

"Sober night for me, I've got shit to do when I get home." Gerard said. "I'll take a cherry coke"

"You?" Taylor said with a raised eyebrow in an almost teasing way.

Nick felt partially offended. He knew that the man was suggesting that he couldn't handle a drink and even if that's true, he had no right to call him out like this.

"I'm fine." Nick said with a bit of a pout, Realizing that he was going to have to drive himself home after this.

Gerard and the bartender shared a smile that made Nick even more uncomfortable.

"So is your friend still in town?" Gerard asked already staring at him whenever he looked up.

"He is. He's still in town. He actually lives here." Nick said.

Gerard rose a, perfectly arched as Nick noticed, eyebrow before speaking again, his words crisp from his drink. "So I've had a little superstar living right under my nose huh?"

Nick swallowed. For some reason he found himself slightly intimidated by the skinny, red-haired man. Maybe it was his forwardness or the way he kept eye contact even when Nick was forced to look away.

"Well he's pretty big." Nick defended his friend, "I could run up the street and get you a magazine with his face on it right now I swear-"

Gerard's charming smile was back accompanied by a hand on his shoulder telling him that it was alright. Nick felt his face grow warm as he stopped talking.

"I believe you, sugar. I'm not the type to keep up with all that celebrity shit, it's not my vibe." Gerard says. "But a couple years ago, that was another story"

Nick smiled softly at the small pieces of Gerard that were becoming exposed.

"I wish that you two could meet. We'd," He thought for a moment, "We could all have dinner together." Nick said with a smile.

Gerard returned a lopsided one that made Nick feel childish.

"That sounds nice. We could be a little gang eh?" Gerard jokes.

"I suppose." Nick said, "I think you two would really hit it off. He's real sweet after he warms up."

"I bet he is." Gerard says sipping at his coke again, "Doubt a celeb like your friend would want to hang with someone as low of class as I am." Gerard said partly joking. Mostly to himself though. He was nowhere near broke though he chose to let Bert "provide" for them like he wanted to. Bert's main source of ego was being in power so Gerard let him have it.

"No, Frank's not like that." Nick clarified. "He'd love to meet you one day, I even told him about you."

At this point he'd passed the line of being enthusiastic to fibbing. He didn't feel bad though, he knew that his intentions were good.

"Hm," Gerard hummed.

Nick chewed on his lip before speaking again, hoping not to make a food of himself, "What if-" He said catching Gerard's attention. Their soul piercing eyes causing him to lose his confidence all over again. "What if I scheduled a get together with all three of us?"

Gerard looked shocked for a split second, and then amused. Nick continued,

"We could have dinner or just have a guy's night out, we could all use another friend, and i'm not in town for much longer." He said secretly desperate for Gerard to agree.

He saw the loneliness is Frank's eyes while being with him. He was starved of love and in desperate need of more people in his life whether he wanted to admit it or not. Same with Gerard, though the young man seemed much more confident in his lack of reoccurring company, aside from club regulars.

Gerard smiled pulling an old receipt from his jacket pocket and a pen. He quickly jotted down a surprisingly neat line of numbers before sliding it over to Nick.

"Call me whenever your superstar is ready to meet me." He said cockily.

"Will do." Nick responded sliding the slightly wrinkled old paper into his pocket.

Chapter Five:
star

Gerard was  lounging on the couch with Bert when his cellphone rang.

Berts head was in his lap, the man slowly starting to doze off as the movie playing on their t.v. came to an end. Gerard's hands combed through his freshly washed and dyed black locks.

"Who's that?" Bert asked softly peering up at him with curious blue eyes. Gerard smiled at him, running a hand over Bert's slightly scruffy cheek. The man leaned into it, closing his eyes again.

"Don't know." Gerard answered reaching for him phone on the table next to them.

The number had no caller ID, he stared at the series of numbers trying to decipher who it was. By the fourth ring he his answer.

"Hello?" He said, feeling Bert's breathing become less calm, he was wide awake now.

"Um, Hey? Gerard, is this you?" Nick asked. Gerard smiled at the awkwardness in his friend's voice.

"Hey, Nick."

"Oh thank God, I thought that you'd given me a fake number or something." He was somewhere busy, Gerard could tell. The fuss of the busy New Jersey streets was recognizable over his voice.

"Now why would I go and do that?" Gerard said, swallowing before speaking again, "Now'd you just call to hear my pretty voice or do we have a date set up?" He asked purposefully teasing Bert who flicked his leg.

"Yes!" Nick responded excitedly, "I actually do, and if it's not inconvenient for you, it's at seven tonight."

Gerard hummed, fingers still moving fluidly over Berts scalp. "Where're we meetin'?"

"There's a nice restaurant that stays open late down town and my friend likes it a whole bunch. Live local bands play every night, they'd love to have him be there." Nick said, crossing his fingers that Gerard would agree.

"Never heard of it, and I've been everywhere." Gerard says.

"Apparently not, so this'd be a chance to meet a new person and find a new hang out spot!" Nick advertised, like it was the best offer in the world.

"Well," Gerard said drawing out the suspense, "I'll have to talk to my boyfriend."

Nick moaned into the phone, and Gerard giggled.

"But you can tell your superstar that I'll be there, yeah?"

"Gerard, I promise you wont regret it, he's really an awesome guy."

"I'm sure he is." Gerard said.

"Well i'm using a pay phone, times about to run out, see you tonight!" He said before the line went dead.

Gerard sighed, tossing his phone to the other end of the couch. Bert was looking at him with puppy-dog eyes again, "Who was that?" He asked. Gerard didn't blame him, he barely ever got calls, around Bert atleast.

"Just a friend, baby." Hw assured him, turning his attention back to the movie.

"You guys were talkin' about a date? Are you goin' somewhere?"

"With a few friends at seven." Gerard answered.

"Hm. . . can I come?" He asked.

"Bert," Gerard scolded.

"I'm sorry."

Gerard rearranged himself so that he and Bert were face to face. "Baby, I'll only be gone for a few hours okay. I know that I don't go out much but you can't be with me every second."

"I know." Bert answered sadly.

Gerard smiled at him and kissed his forehead, barely being able to pull back before Bert stole a kiss from his lips too. "My sweet boy." Gerard cooed at him.

Bert blushed at the affection. "Shut up." He said, handling it in the only way he knew how. When Gerard did, in fact, shut up he chewed at his lip feeling like an asshole. "I love you." He said before pressing his face into Gerard's shoulder, breathing in his sent.

"I love you too." Gerard responded.

This last bit was never finished but since i wont be coming back to this story the plot that i had saved was pretty straight forward:
Gerard and Frank would meet, their relationship would move relatively slow for the most part with bert being a huge obstacle, eventually Gerard, without the help of Frank (character development !) would break thing's off with Bert and he and Frank would start things over in a much healthier way than shown in the first book, Gerard being just as independent as Frank, if not more.

a/n
thanks for reading guys ! i hope every one is well and if not my dm's are always open ! (10/1/20)