*Ten Years Earlier*

"You are not going out tonight Gerard and that's final!"

"We're just worried about you."

"Don't sugarcoat it Donna. He's not going anywhere until he gets his act together."

Gerard scowled at his father. It was a Friday night and like clockwork Donald had started his tirade against his son's plans.

"You're out all night, sometimes you don't come home for days. Look at what it's doing to your poor mother Gerard."

He had to admit his mother was looking tired, the light behind her eyes had dimmed a little.

"Well maybe if you didn't scream at me every time I tried to leave the house."

"Go out the house to do what exactly. Drink? Smoke? Shoot up with that crackhead boyfriend you refuse to bring home? Maybe if you weren't slumming it it with someone you are ashamed to be around we might get along."

"I'm not ashamed of Bert. I'm ashamed of you. Ever since I came out you've been treating me like shit. He doesn't deserve to ripped to shreds by your homophobic ass."

"Gerard, your father loves you."

"Well maybe he can act like it once in a while."

With that Gerard stormed out. It wasn't the first time he'd end an argument with his parents that way. What he didn't know is that it would be the last time. He looked up to the upstairs window, where his little brother was watching him. Gerard paused for a second. He hated how much he hurt Mikey when he fought with their father, and briefly considered going back inside.

But enough was enough and Gerard wasn't going to back down. His resolve was hardened seeing Bert's black Ford at the end of his street. Just seeing him waiting brought a smile to Gerard s face. Bert may have his problems but to Gerard he was perfect. He got in the car and Bert greeted him with a small kiss.

"That's a big bag Gee. Are you sure about this. They are your family." Gerard looked his boyfriend in the eyes.

"I know we talked about this Gerard. i just want to make sure this is definitely what you want. You really want to give that all up for me?"

"Of course I do. You're more family to me than they ever were." Bert watched Gerard. "Just drive. Please."

They drove in silence to Bert's apartment. It was small and a bit dark but immaculately clean. Gerard had his suspicions that clean had been a coping mechanism for Bert after he lost his family.

"Don't unpack yet Gee. I've got bigger plans than just hiding out here."

"What do you mean?"

"I figured if you're serious we should go further. Not just to my place, or even another town. I'm taking you out of New Jersey for a bit. Just until your head clears a little."

Gerard opened his mouth to protest he wouldn't change his mind but Bert cut him off.

"I know, but we're leaving tomorrow. Tonight is just for us."

He got two beers out of the fridge then he and Gerard settled in on the couch.

"You know I'll love you forever?"

"Of course I do Babe," Bert raised his can, "To our forever"

Gerard never noticed how there was always another drink, or that Bert wasn't getting as drunk as he was. He was happy with the man he loved. When he slept there were no dreams.

When he woke Gerard was in the backseat of Bert's car. A pounding head and dry throat grabbed his attention.He groaned.

"Welcome back to the land of the living. You were completely dead to the world. I couldn't even wake you when we had to go."

The landscape was unfamiliar to Gerard when he looked out the window. There was a bottle of water in the foot well to his relief.

"Where are we?"

"Remember I said I had a house out of state. We're almost there, if we'd left any later it'd be dark by the time we got here."

That wasn't exactly what Gerard had meant but at that moment a wave of nausea distracted him.

"Jesus how much did I drink last night?"

"I'm not exactly sure but I had to pull you away from the spirits at about 3 this morning. I'm kind of surprised you're not dead."

Bert's laugh was harsh and humourless. Gerard stomach dropped, what had he done last night? He just stared out of the window, trying to unscramble memories from the night before. He remembered Bert carrying him to the bed. Something was murmured in his ear. It was all dark. A sharp pain in his neck. Gerard lifted his hand to his throat. He had a bandage wrapped around it.

"Did I fall last night?"

"Yeah, your drunk ass was trying to get to the bathroom. Seriously Gee you should just try and go back to sleep. I'll wake you when we get there."

Gerard was hit by a wall of drowsiness and passed back out.

Notes

In case you hadn't guessed I have no writing schedule. I'm trying to get the ball rolling and hopefully the next chapter won't take quite so long or be as fillerry as this is.

So as always comments are always welcome
Love you lots <3
Wren