#-again sorry if it seems like im Mad- im not jus sorta

[arcadequeerz]

[the-blueish-trashcan]

He’s in Charge; Chapter Six

Pairing: Henry/Bertrum

Warnings: Light detailed injuries

A/N: Despite the injuries mentioned, this is one of my favorite chapters so far. It’s a tad shorter than the others, but... it’s worth it, I promise. I also apologize once again for Wally... speaking. Someday I’ll learn to write him without jacked up dialogue.

Chapter word count: 1,560

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Chapter Five; Confession

Dressed in a black button-up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a pair of brown slacks, Henry finally stepped into the studio close to noon. The minute he did, he found the place buzzing with activity. A lot of employees were gathered near the front door, in the more open part of the room. No one seemed to notice him at first until the animator spotted Wally coming towards him.

“There ya are! I was worried somethin’ happened to ya, are ya aight afta yesterday?” He gently grabbed Henry by the shoulders.

Henry tilted his head to one side. “What are you talking about?”

“What Joey did to ya! I saw the whole thing.”

Henry’s eyes went wide, then he looked past the janitor at the crowd for a moment. “I’m… I’m fine. You saw it?”

Wally nodded, finally letting go of him. “Yeah, I can’t believe he’d manhandle ya like that, I was worried he’d actually hurt ya.”

Henry considered that for a second. “I… don’t think he would, but… What’s everyone doing up here? This can’t be because I showed up a little late.”

“Nah! Well, sorta. In a way it’s ‘cause’a you. Joey got the shit beaten outta him last night, afta you went home, I guess. I dunno who he told, but it was so bad he had ta go to a hospital! I don’ think he’s pressin’ charges on anybody, though, you know he don’ like the law nea’ his business.”

“What?! Who would do that?!” The minute he demanded the answer, he knew it.

“Bertrum! Tha’ guy really hates Joey, he was really mad when I tol’ ‘im what he did ta you.” Wally gestured for Henry to follow him. “Speakin’ of, he wanted ta see ya the minute you were back, c’mon. Joey ain’t hea’ to stop ya.”

Henry stayed close as Wally led him through the people, some of which greeted him quietly. “I really, really can’t believe Bertrum would hurt someone that badly…”

Wally shrugged. “He didn’ get away unscathed, they had a fight, from what I saw of it. Made a pretty big mess, too. First they were jus’ yellin’ like normal, then they started swingin’!” At the word, he made motions in the air like he was also punching someone. “Sure scared me, an I wasn’ even involved!”

The rest of the walk down to the warehouse was silent, mostly on Henry’s part. He wasn’t sure what else to say, or to even talk about. Wally took him back to the small room housing the mascot costumes, calling out to get the attention of the designer inside. “Heya Bertrum! I got somebody you’re gonna wanna talk ta!”

As they rounded the corner to the inside, Bertrum sighed, facing the workbench with his hands on it. He didn’t bother turning around. “For the last time, I don’t want to see another fucking person today! I swear, I will lock you in your own damn supply closet if you don’t leave me-” His voice, at first, had begun to rise very rapidly, but he stopped short when he saw Henry. 

Said animator had already moved behind Wally, as if the janitor could shield him from Bertrum’s anger. The first thing he saw was the black eye the designer was already sporting, as well as the large bruise on his cheek just under it. The second thing he saw was as swollen, split lip, then a clenched left fist, which was wrapped in bandages. “Oh my gosh…” Henry was quick to move forward, taking Bertrum’s injured hand in both of his own as gently as he could.

Bertrum let his hand uncurl in Henry’s hold, allowing him to examine it. “I didn’t think you would be here today.”

“I’ll jus’ leave you two be, I’m gonna be upstairs.” Wally voiced, then disappeared out the door.

“Bertrum… What did you do…? How bad are you hurt?” Henry looked back up to his face, carefully reaching one hand out to rest on his unharmed cheek. 

“It looks worse than it is. You should see Drew.” With each word, each one with an ‘s’ had a distinct whistle to it that hadn’t been part of his speech before.

“I don’t think I want to. What did you do to him?”

Bertrum glanced away. “He may or may not be the shameful owner of a few broken bones now. Perhaps a few missing teeth.”

“Why would you do something like that?! You could get in so much trouble! Not just with Joey, but if word gets around-”

“Any word Drew has to spread is going to stay in that twisted head of his, I made that particularly clear to him.” Bertrum snapped before he could finished, then realized how rough he’d been. “Sorry. I’m still bitter.”

“I can tell. Bertrum, why? Was he really so bad you had to break his bones?”

“To you, yes. Besides, he has two-hundred and six of them, he could stand to lose a few.”

Henry shook his head. “You’re telling me you physically assaulted my boss because of how he was treating me…?”

“Henry, your business is your own. Whether he learned from you, or from someone else, your information is not his to spread, especially something so personal.”

Henry suddenly tensed. “Then you know that I’m-”

Bertrum’s voice lowered greatly. “That you’re homosexual? I figured as much myself, it wasn’t my place to label you in such a way, if that’s not what you wanted.”

Henry visibly relaxed. That hadn’t been exactly what he meant, but he would take it for now. His hand finally left Bertrum’s face, that arm instead wrapping around his waist. The other soon followed as he pressed himself into the taller man’s chest, holding him tightly. “You didn’t have to do that for me, that was so stupid of you…”

“Believe it or not, I’m very capable of stupidity.” Bertrum replied, his voice rumbling through his chest. One of his own hands came to rest in the middle of Henry’s back, the other on his head.

“I’m just glad you aren’t hurt worse…”

“I know. I… appreciate you being concerned over me.” After that, both went quiet, only wanting to take a moment to enjoy each other’s touch.

When Henry finally let go of the taller man, he wasn’t sure how much time had passed. However, Bertrum hadn’t tried to pull away first, which he took as a good sign. He took half a step back, folding his hands and continuously moving his fingers. “Thank you, Bertrum.”

Bertrum raised a brow. “For?”

“For being kind to me, and understanding. Look, I don’t really know what’s been happening here the last couple weeks. Everything is just sort of falling apart and I don’t understand why, but you’ve been treating me really well… Spending time with you has really helped me hold it together, and I really appreciate that. I don’t care what Joey says about you and me going out, I… I need it. I need to be with you.”

Bertrum’s face turned shocked at his words. “Is going out what we were doing?”

“I think so. You brought me home and had dinner made for me, that’s-” He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “That’s pretty much what I’d call a date!” 

“That’s truly a relief to hear. When you left the other night, I was sure I’d done something wrong.”

“No, no! Not at all! I just wasn’t expecting it! I didn’t know how to react, I mean… I’ve never gone out with a woman, I didn’t ever expect to be going out with a man, let alone one like you…”

“Henry.” Bertrum stopped him by carefully placing a hand on his cheek, the one without bandages on it. “You’re perfect. I don’t want you for a moment to think you’re anything less than that. And, if it’s all the same to you,” He leaned close, their foreheads nearly touching. “I’d like to kiss you now.”

His eyes fixed on Bertrum’s, his face rapidly heating up, Henry quickly nodded. He hardly managed more than a whisper. “What about your lip? I don’t want to hurt you more.”

“You won’t hurt me. I promise.” He offered a gentle smile, tilting his head to the side ever so slightly and pressing their lips together. Henry’s eyes automatically closed, but otherwise, he was unsure of what to do. He felt Bertrum’s other hand on his hip, which he didn’t mind, and not wanting him to pull away, he put his arms around the designer again. He felt himself relax, the rest of the world momentarially fading from his mind.

After what had to have only been a few seconds, despite feeling like hours, Bertrum broke away from him, his smile still present.When Henry opened his eyes again, he smiled right back, starting to laugh without meaning to. The sound quickly spread to Bertrum, who chuckled back quietly.

“I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into here. I have no idea what I’m doing.” Even as he spoke, Henry couldn’t stop his laughter.

Having quieted himself, Bertrum stood back to his full height and pulled Henry close again. He let his chin rest on top of the animator’s head. “That’s perfectly alright with me. I’ll take you any way you are.”