Coffee Beans

**Gerard's POV**
Well, that was a fan-fucking-tastic day. Nobody even visited. I stupidly hoped that some nocturnal being would come in to buy a comic book at ten o'clock. I had a beer sitting in the mini fridge under the desk. I pulled it out. Wow, it was the only thing in the fridge. I checked everywhere around the bottle for a due date, but found nothing. I guess beer never spoiled. I smacked the cap open on the corner of the desk and took a sip, immediately spitting it out. This was the worst beer I have ever tasted! I threw it in the paper bin at my feet and stood up. I knew where there was better liquor. I locked the door behind me and strolled down the street to the diner that happily sat on the corner.

**April's POV**
Dinner and Midnight shift wasn't so bad. I got to charge people extra for re-fills. I mean, we didn't actually charge them for re-fills, but it's how I got my tip. The people that came in were ungrateful. Very unlike the breakfast and lunch rush. At eight o'clock is when we started serving whiskey and vodka. I'd have to say, my drink mixing skills weren't the best, but anyone who came in were either already drunk, or trying to dose a hangover in more liquor, so they didn't care. I got my tips from the drunk people. They always seemed so generous and thankful for their shots.

It got quieter as the hours ticked on. I was able to collect all of the dishes and shot glasses and carried them to the kitchen. "Take a break, I can do this." I said to the little man who tiredly pushed grease around on the grill with a small spatula. He nodded and untied his apron, grabbing a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and stepping out the back entrance. I started pressure spraying all of the dishes in the sink and trying my best to get lipstick off if the wine glasses.

I heard the wind chime twinkle and someone stumble in. I dried off my hands, grabbed my notebook and saw Gerard sitting in his usual spot. What on earth was he doing here so late. Oh. he looked like shit. He had his head resting lazily on his arm that rested on the counter. I approached the poor man, "Nice seeing you here, again." I smiled sympathetically.
He gave me a weird look, "I thought you quit."
I shook my hand, "No? Who told you that?"
"That creepy guy you work for." He pushed his long black hair out of his face.
Oh course! That fuckwit always did that when he was pissed off, threaten to fire me or telling everyone I quit. When in reality, he would have touched my boob or something similar. "I wouldn't quit and not tell you. Who else would get you a coffee?" I smiled even bigger.
He cracked a small smile, "Can I have a beer?"
Wait, what? Why would he need a beer? He didn't look overworked or tired, he looked sad and broken. "Yeah, I guess so.." I reached under the counter, grabbed a glass and top it off with a golden prairie beer.
He took it and practically guzzled half of it before putting it down. He sat with his forearms on the counter, shoulders hunched over.
"You alright?" I asked, wiping the nozzle of the beer tap.
He just looked at me, "Hm? Oh, yeah, yeah. Just.. long day." He said biting his cheek.
"Sure you don't want a coffee?"
He nodded, "Too late for coffee."

I rolled my eyes, "Alright" and finished washing the dishes and placing them on the drying rack. I brought the whole thing out and placed it on the counter closest to the kitchen. I watched Gerard finish his beer while putting the dishes in their proper homes.

I walked over to him. His head was on the counter. He used two fingers to tap on the counter for another round. I unhappily sighed and poured another one. He took a couple of sips and buried his face once again. his eyes were puffy and his hair cling to the tears that were smeared on his cheeks. "What's the matter, Gerard, you're never like this?" I finally said.
He just rolled his head to one side and let out a shaky breath, "Lyn-z kicked me out..."
I gasped, "Oh, you'll be okay, I mean, you got s roof over your head, right?" Oh shit, I hope this wasn't a touchy question to ask.
He sat up and guzzled another half of beer. Wiping his tears away, he finally spoke, "she has the house, the car, the money. All I have is a comic book store."
I shook my head, "Bitch." I muttered, "You can stay with me, my parents won't be home until next week."
Gerard shook his head, "I'm living off of my brother's properties, but thank for the offer." He finished off his beer and tapped for another one.

"I'm not giving you another one." I said taking a step away from the counter.
He glared at me with drowsy eyes., "Then no tip."
I rolled my eyes, "You know how to get your way.." I said to myself as I poured another beer.
He rested his head on his hand and draw a finger around the rim of the glass.
"You shouldn't drink so fast." I said pulling out my cloth and wiping off the nozzle again.
He just looked at me and back to his beer.
"Gerard." I said more sternly.
"I know, I just need something to numb the pain" he took two sips of the golden liquid and began sobbing onto the counter.
Oh shit, I guess I had to do something. "I'm going to take you home." I said pulling off my apron and exiting the tiny counter doors. I rubbed his back. He laid his head on my chest. "Come on."
He was still sobbing as he stood up and i almost had to drag the train wreck out of the diner and down the sidewalk.

I had to hold his hair back a few times. He felt like throwing up, but nothing ever happened. He sniffed the while way, crying and thanking me over and over again. I just kept on reassuring him that it's okay. I'm doing this out of the goodness of my heart. Well, mostly because i felt bad for him. He used to be so happy but now he had hit rock bottom and it hit to see his beautiful hazel eyes bloodshot and puffy.

We finally made it to my house, he was leaning on me, almost passing out. I gentley smacked his cheek, "Hey, stay awake for a bit." He nodded tiredly. I fumbled with my keys and unlocked the door, immediately pulling him up to the bathroom. I ran the water and sat him on the toilet, pushing his hair back so I could see his face. I got on my knees to meet his eye level"You're going to be alright, okay?" He then wrapped his arms around me, squeezing me tight. "Come on" I said, trying to push away. It only made him loosen his grip. "thank you, thank you.." was all he was whispering.

Notes

*Cue the fangilring*
Continuing on a new chapter ;)