Holy Hell Jail Cell

[Reno]

The brunette sighed a little bit, worried about his potential sister in law. Though they hadn’t had many conversations (though certainly more in recent months when he came to visit) she had always been really kind to him. She spoke up for him plenty of times whenever his dad was being a jerk or when he was having a bad relationship. Even once ‘accidently’ dumped a full drink of soda on one of his one-night dates because they were treating him like scum.

She was… a really nice, caring person. She never did anything to hurt another person; hell even supported her deadbeat mother! What did she EVER do to deserve this? About as much as Ven did, he would suppose…

Sometimes, fate and destiny really threw him through hoops trying to figure it out.

He looked up, meeting Saix’s eyes, and smiled a little. He knew what Riku had done – asking the bluette to take over the case. He had not been very happy when he heard that; gave Riku a bit of a talking too, claiming that he should never give up because it wasn’t healthy and if he didn’t prove he could do this case it wouldn’t be easy to find another client. But then Riku told him that if word got out that he was sleeping with his ‘client’ wouldn’t be good for his reputation either. Then of course he had to remind him that technically, he wasn’t his client. Sure, he was doing most of the legwork with him, but it was mother’s signature on the page, not his.

But, if even if he was very proud of who he was, Sora promised he wouldn’t be outlandish – at least not until the case was closed… there was no way he was risking losing his brother.

Of course, after what he had seen the last few times the blonde had been taken here for trial… he feared that he might have already lost him.


“Eh, I figure I’m going to hell anyways. I’ll work out a deal with the devil.” Terra said with a chuckle, sounding none too concerned. Well, being on death row wasn’t so bad. When he had first been placed in here, they told him 30 years… and then he would die on June 18th at precisely 12:05 P.M. He would die at 48. It was better than rotting to god knows when in this hellhole.

He glanced at Ven, about to say more, and noticed right away he wasn’t eating. “Your slop is getting cold.” He teased lightly, poking his cheek with his fork, but quietly he was concerned. He rose all holy hell when he was moved and Ven was not. And just as he expected, people started to jump the blonde. To hurt him, to try and fuck him… either to get to him or just because he wasn’t around. Tch, and they fucking thought they could get away with it. For the past few Fridays, and anytime in between, he had been sent to solitary confinement snarling and howling after beating the shit out of anyone he heard messing with his bitch. It was sometimes as simple as slamming their head into a table until they bled, to tripping them in the middle of the run and kicking them when they were down. He was getting his message across. He may be separated but he wasn’t fucking GONE.

“Who the fuck do I have to fuck over for messing with you? Wasn’t that jackass Vanitas again was it?” His eyes swept the cafeteria, looking for the silver-haired man with narrow eyes.


A red chip was raised from the caught pile, much smaller than the red-head’s own, and laid atop the one that made it across the board. “This game is boooooring.” Roxas said as he set down the chip. The red-head blinked before laughing and saying it was because he wasn’t winning. The younger smiled guiltily, “Ahh you saw right through me!”

They laughed some as the blonde took one of his black chips and moved it forward, not having many to spare. Ever since that night on the porch… things had gotten better. He could… be close to Axel, to hold his hand, to even give him a quick peck on the cheek in greeting or goodbye. Even though sometimes shivers ran through his belly at some touches, when he initiated them they weren’t as bad. It was strange but feeling like he had some level of control in the situation helped; made him feel less overcome.

“So!” He chirped, sighing as Axel skipped over three of his black chips leaving him with one. Ah well, he’d let him win for now, because he had great news! “Guess what? My counselor stated I was doing so well lately that further treatment might actually be harmful. So, they went ahead and filed an emergency permissions to the court.” His smiled widened. “I might be getting out in the next few weeks… maybe even the next few days!”

[Rikugurl]

Saix returned the smiled slightly before looking back at the trial, seeing that very little was done. He knew, as a lawyer himself, that there wouldn't be much left. And he was right.

"Final Hearing will be on Wednesday and 9:30. I will state my final decision as well the jury on the account of Mr. Ventus Holani's release and charges." There was a bang before she continued. "Can the attorneys of law approach the bench, please." Riku and the other quickly walked up to the judge as the courtroom started to leave. As they did so, Sora felt a strong hand on his shoulder, pulling him aside.

"Sora..." Saix started, looking down at the brunette, looking rather serious. "We need to have a serious talk. What if.... what if Ven isn't who he once was before he went in? What about my sister and the baby?"


"Does it really fucking matter? I can take care of myself..." The blonde snapped as he pushed his tray away. It seemed... that Ventus was getting his spunk back now that he didn't have the constant leash around his neck. But he wasn't the man he once was... at least.... not in here. "You know they're pulling me out soon... throwing me out on my own. Why are they punishing me!?" He suddenly yelled, slamming his fists on the table, making some men look over.

"First they take you away... and now they're... they're emptying my cell even before the last say. I lost all sorts of shit..." Blue eyes looked up into the other's, cold and dark. "I belong here..." He looked away, frowning as his forehead pinched. "Once I get out... everyone's going to expect me to be... someone I'm not. I can't do it again..."

Ever since Ventus had been pulled into his own trial again, his and Terra's... intimate relationship... had suffered.


Axel grinned as he took two more black pieces, stacking them up with the others. Man, Roxas was doing horrible today... but he could tell that there was something on the younger's mind.

And that was when he spilled the beans.

"I might be getting out in the next few weeks… maybe even the next few days!"

Axel's eyes widened and he blinked a few times before smiling slightly. "O-oh! T-that's great Rox. You really deserve it... I know you've been doing a good job..." He nodded slightly, before looking away, watching the birds washing up in a bird bath.

Deep down inside... it was terrible news.
He knew that Roxas had to leave at some point but... he really enjoyed coming here everyday, spending his time doing all sorts of stuff with the blonde. There was.... no judgment on where he came from and what status they had. They were friends here...

Now that Roxas was going home...
Status would come back and hit him in the face. Factors could leave their growing friendship in shatters and worse yet... now he didn't have an excuse to leave the Gallows.

[Reno]

Wednesday... that would be when it was all over. that would be when they would determine whether Ven would be coming out of jail... or staying in for a few more years to his complete sentence! It made butterflies burst into Sora's stomach.

However as the trial came to an end he blinked as the blue-haired man called to him. He glanced over before scotting closer to hear him easier.

At his words... he frowned and looked away. His eyes seemed sad before he said softly, "That's up to Aqua... isn't it? I mean, if she doesn't like how Ven has changed then she has to determine... whether she wants to still be with him or not." But there was a different worry in this. He looked up and smiled, "No matter what she decides though, we'll still be family at least. So if she needs any support we'll still be there for her."


A brown eyebrow rose, listening to Ven's pathetic spiel. When he finished, he rolled his eyes, feeling... furious. How could he complain about that?! "Fucking Christ your a whiny bitch aren't you?" The other looked at him and started to snap at him AGAIN; but it was a bad move.

SLAP.

Ven practically fell off the bench, a hand covering his cheek quickly and looking up at him in shock. It HAD been months since he had ever physically laid a hand on him that wasn't 'intimate'. Terra gave him a vicious glare. "Jesus! When you first fucking came here you couldn't wait to get the fuck out. Now you don't want to leave? I thought you had a fucking kid and a girlfriend to take care of? 'Course bitch, you're nothing close to a man and don't have a fucking chance at that!"

He stood from the table, scoffing. "Shit Ven, grow the fuck up and find your balls already. Tch, not like that much matters. Who needs some pathetic jackass like you anyways?" Without much more words then that he turned and left, cursing under his breath.

Who DID need him anyways?

... I do...


Roxas blinked when he didn't get... as enthusiastic of a response as he was hoping for. ...What? His brow pinched up, trying to figure it out. "What's... wrong Axel? I thought you'd be more happy then this. Now we can go on actual dates! To the movies... out to eat... Unless-"

Oh.

"Unless you don't want to... still be with me after I get out..." The blonde whispered suddenly. It wasn't unusual. After he became an inconvenience, people left him him all the time. Like it didn't even matter how he felt. Pence Olette and Hayner left him because he got too weird... Reno left because he wasn't a good contact anymore... Xion left because he was too far to visit. And now Axel?
But... but they had been doing so well! He thought... he thought he...
Or maybe that was just it. Maybe he... wasn't enough. He knew he didn't really enjoy physical contact and that was an important part of any relationship but he thought - he thought Axel understood!!!

Before the red-head could find an appropriate response, Roxas mumbled out, "I'm going to get some ice cream," and got out of his chair, walking back for the center. As he did he felt tears unexpectedly fill his eyes and his heart hurt so bad. Don't cry you idiot. What did you expect? Everyone deserves something better... then used trash like you.

[Rikugurl]

Saix nodded, knowing that Sora's words were true. It was Aqua's decision and even if she said yes or no... she would know what would be best for herself and the boy. He just hoped... just prayed that Ventus would be ok... would be there for her... she already had to clean up their mother's mess... he couldn't imagine...

He blinked but smiled, hearing the last of what Sora had to say. "Thank you, Sora. That mean's a lot to the Umi family. I hope... that one day our family can be one." He looked up as Riku walked out of the court, walking towards them. "How about we all go to lunch?"


The blonde's body shifted violently, but he didn't say a word as he reach up for his face, his eyes widened and watery as he looked at Terra. His brow pinched as he listened to what he had to say, panting a bit from the pain and that was when he left.
The whole cafeteria became silent and he just sat there, speechless.

That was until the buzzer rang and everyone knew it was time for the outdoor run. Everyone got up, throwing the food they had left out and throwing their trays where they needed to go before they went through a check down and were release outside.

This was no exception to Ventus, who walked over to a bench and sat down. He watched the other inmate do some push-ups or worked on the body-builders as some stood around and talked. He just sighed, about to put his head down when---
"Hey there, Venny~"
Blue eyes widened a bit before he looked up, seeing the narrowing eyes of Vanitas besides him. "What do you want?"
The silverette only chuckled, pulling his hair behind his ears. "What I always want. I keep telling Terra that you should of been my bitch. He doesn't know how to treat you... and now he's not even in the same block and your attention is all gone..."

A pale hand reached out, running through the blonde locks.
"Leave me alone!" Ven snapped as he pushed Vanitas's hand out of the way.


Axel looked back at Roxas when he spoke, about to say that he was happy but then... those crushing words. He was shocked that Roxas would think...
"I'm going to get some ice cream,"
"What!? No, wait!" He called, his chair toppling over as he shot up from it and rushed after the blonde. Even knowing that he didn't like the contact, he grabbed Roxas's arm to halt him. "That's not it at all! What did I tell you about assuming? It makes an ass out of you and me...."

He sighed, seeing those big blue.... hurting eyes.... look up at him. "Roxas... of course I want to be with... but... I felt like.... I.... I don't know how to explain it. It's.... kind of silly I guess but... I felt like.... this was one of those places I could... run away... and forget about my life in the Gallows... to be in a place where no one could judge my past... and my present while I was with you. This feels like a whole new world... a place where... I can be myself with you. I just feel like when you get out.... everything will go back to the way it was... and I don't want to.... lose you."

[Reno]

"Yeah! That'd be great!" Sora chirped happily, always liking the offer of company. Saix was a great guy; He took all that time away just to be with his sister and help her out, as a family should. He was rather going to like him as a brother-in-law.

Hopefully the blue-haired man was right and... they'd have a very close family.


For once, Terra was first in line to get the fuck out of the cafeteria, rather then staying behind to stuff his face as much as possible. He huffed as he was quickly frisked before allowed inside, walking straight to the corner of the area where a punching bag was. He cracked his knuckles before slamming his fist into it. Fuck gloves!

"That shitting bitch..." He hissed as he continued to hit the bag, wishing it was Ven's FACE. How could he act like that? He should be fucking HAPPY. He was the one being left behind. He was the one who'd have to continue living in this shit hole... without any promises of happiness again.

Fucking BITCH. Didn't he realize he-
"Leave me alone!"
The brunette paused, before catching the swinging bag and looked across the room. "Ven...?"

His eyes narrowed at what he saw, practically seeing red. Vanitas messing with HIS puppy. Of course. He grit his teeth before grinning. Well he did have a lot of rage to expel. Beating his face in would make him all the happier.

He pulled away from the bag starting to cross the room, his eyes predatory.


The blonde flinched badly, feeling the hand grasp him and turn him around, but gasped some hearing the other speak. He blinked, looking up, unshed tears in his eyes. But... then he heard the rest of the red-head's words... and he smiled.

"That... that's all?" The red-head looked at him in shock, looking offended and Roxas laughing in relief didn't help much but... he was. He was happy. "S-Sorry it's just... Axel I'm just... I don't want to lose you either! Why do you think I'm so upset?!" He chuckled, wiping away a stray tear that started to fall, but smiled. "Axel... you can always be yourself with me. Maybe..." He looked away blushing some. "Maybe when... when I'm brave enough we can even... g-get a place... out of... out of the gallows and..."

[Rikugurl]

Vanitas grinned as he saw how feisty Ventus had gotten. So... he got some spunk in him again, was it? Looked like Terra's absence let the leash loosen around the 'puppy's neck. "You never know, Venny... I might just be better than that mutt. At least I call you by your name." He snickered, hearing the gravel behind him crunch as a shadow started to linger.

"No thanks... Terra isn't just a mutt to me... and besides, I'm out of this place soon, they said." Ven snapped, his eyes shifting to see Terra coming up from behind the silverette. He knew he had to keep talking. "So just get the fuck out of here and stop thinking that---"

His sentence was cut short when the world slowed down. A fist came from behind but a skilled inmate reached up behind and grabbed the tanner's wrist before pulling something shiny from his groin area and slashed out. It was a shank... and all it did was make red fly all over the place.

And then... Vanitas was gone, running towards a door and busting through it... to reveal what he had done. A huge gash ran across Terra's abdomen and up his chest, nothing but dripping red coming from it and he started to fall...

But he didn't hit the ground.
No... he was caught and pulled close. "T...TERRA!?"


Axel frowned as he was laughed at, feeling hurt but... it wasn't to be mean he learned. But when Roxas started to talk about the future, he sighed, looked down and shook his head. "I... I don't know, Rox.... I mean... I owe my aunt a lot of money... and... I don't think I can even land a well paying job with my criminal record to help pay rent..."

[Reno]

Blue eyes narrowed, hearing what the other was saying about him. It made his blood boil. But more so, he was furious Vanitas would even think... even imagine AT ALL that Ven would... would trade him in!!

"You fucker!" He growled his fist flying.

He didn't know if it was his shadow... or his call that warned the other. But he felt his wrist grabbed stopping him cold. He yanked back some and the other turned.

He saw the glint of metal under the sun, saw the sharp edge of the knife as it came for him and embedded itself into his body slicing up... up... blood going down... down...

And then Vanitas was gone and he crashed into Ven, the whole world spinning. "Wha..." He gasped, feeling blood in his throat. Their bodies fell together, hitting the floor and he hardly felt the arms around him. He shook against him everything hurting, struggling as he found his voice, "What... the...fuck happened...?"



"Don't talk about yourself that way Ax!" Roxas said, raising his head. "Axel... I know if you try... you can do it. Don't say you can't without trying!!"

[Rikugurl]

Oh god... the blood...
"MS. WHITE!? Please! Oh god! Breath! Please breath!" He pulled the knife from her, tossing it away as he held onto her wound, trying to stop the blood from pouring out.
His hands were covered in blood again, holding onto to his wound to try and stop it as his blue eyes were wide, full of tears. "TERRA!" He screamed, grabbing the rest of the yard's attention and everyone started to rush over to see what happened.

Blood was coming out of Terra's mouth and he knew... those eyes...
"Oh god... Terra, don't leave me! Stay with me! Y-you've been stabbed and..." The sun was blocked, making Ven look up to see the huge crowd. "GET AWAY! GIVE HIM ROOM!" He yelled at them all, hearing sirens all of a sudden and the yelling of guards.... but all he could do was look back down at Terra, feeling him shake.

His stomach turned, feeling like he could throw up amongst all the blood. This wasn't.... this wasn't happening. "Please don't..." He finally sobbed as he leaned over the brunette, their foreheads touching. "Terra.... you can't leave me...."

[Reno]

Stabbed...? His brain tried to process the words, having a hard time as he tried to help Ven keep the wound closed. But damn he had been struck good. He breathed in and out slowly, coughing some as the blood got in the way. Fucking Vanitas. He salways had to ruin a good thing...

"SSss...stop crying..." Terra mumbled as he looked into teary eyes. "W-Why... cry when it's... hopeless?" The other shouted, telling him that's wasn't true. To hold on. That they'd get here and he'd be okay. That- "You... never learned to listen... fucker... I told you....t-there are no... heroes for bad guys..."

He coughed some, more warm blood slipping down his chin. He groaned softly, before tilting his head back his eyes becoming glossy. "At least... I finally did it right... I... protected someone... I c-cared about..." He smiled, before slowly shutting his eyes, his heartbeat slowing as more of his blood decorated the floor. "I'm... a lil' tired... I... think I'll just... take a nap... 'k Ven?"

[Rikugurl]

Tears ran down bruised cheeks as he shook his head. "No! Don't say that! You need to hold on, they're coming to---" But he was cut off by the last words of the dying man... and those words broke his heart. "Please Terra... d-don't talk like that!" He cried, snot coming down his nose as his eyes continued to leak. "Don't go to sleep..." A pleading whisper filled Terra's ears as Ventus pulled him closer, his bloody hands reaching up and running over his cheek. "I love you...." His lips quivered as they touched ones of bright red.... before it was all over.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!"
"MOVE IT!"
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE!?"
"GET BACK INSIDE! EVERYONE!"

So many guards came around, pulling all the inmates out of the way and pushed them back inside. One came close, pulling Ventus away as well before calling for a nurse. But everyone knew it was too late... and even if it wasn't....who cared? This man was on death row anyway...

"NOOOOOOOO! LEAVE ME ALONE! SOMEONE SAVE HIM!" Ventus screamed at the top of his lungs as he was handcuffed and pulled away, his eyes red and puffy as all he could see was Terra's body on the dusty ground, a guard checking his pulse.
Then it was dark... and he was pulled through hallway after hallway, screaming and struggling to get free but all he got in return was being thrown into a room with four walls. A metal door was closed... and it was silent.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" He screamed for the very last time before falling on the floor, curling himself up in a ball.


BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!
BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!

A fork stopped and was placed down, some of his salad falling off as he heard his cell phone ring and vibrate on his hip. Two sets of blue eyes looked up from their meal, glancing at the silverette as he pulled his phone from his holder and looked at the caller ID. He frowned before quickly standing. "Excuse me, I have to take this." He said as he walked away from the table and went outside. Saix frowned before looking at Sora, worry in both their faces.

They waited for what seemed to be forever when Riku finally came back, a look none too good on his face.
"Well... that was some bad news..." He reported.
"How so?" The blue hair man asked as Riku sat down again.
"That was a call from the jail where Ventus is kept. Guess a prisoner was stabbed to death in the courtyard... and Ventus had some connection."

Sora didn't react to well but Saix placed a hand on his shoulder, calming him some.
"So they said... that they would have to investigate before we can have the final hearing. Since Wednesday is in five more days... we can only hope that they clear it up quickly. Until then... he's under solitary confinement."

[Reno]

Huh... he... kinda sounded... sad. Tch, Ven never stopped being... such a big baby. He sounded so wrecked about the whole thing he might of listened but... he couldn't lift his eyelids anymore...

"I love you...."

Ven...

He stopped breathing.

Only moments later, things occurring around his body he no longer knew nothing about, a hand came to check his pulse.

It was gone.



Everything was going great. Never could upset the balance the world was coming back to.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

Except that. Sora looked up from the little plate of chicken strips he had ordered, seeing the look on Riku's face. Whoever it was calling... it was bad. He nibbled on his lip sharing an uneasy look with his hopefully future brother-in-law, and they waited in silence for Riku to come back.

What he had to share made Sora lose all his appetite. "WHAT?! What do you mean!? Riku! He didn't do it, he-" Saix pulled him back, making him trial off and try to calm himself.

But it was hard. He placed his elbow on the table hiding his head in his hand. "Why did this have to happen now... of all times..." They were SO close... and now...

[Rikugurl]

The news wasn't only crushing for Sora... but for Aqua too. Riku was the one that delivered the news, since he was the one that promised her that Ven would be out before her pregnancy. Now... he wasn't so sure. There was nothing in his heart that hurt worse than leaving a women to go through her pregnancy without the father for support... let along the birth... all by herself.
She needed Ventus...

He, Sora and Saix stayed in Aqua's and Ven's little apartment for most of the night, handing her tissue after tissue as she rubbed her belly.


A few days later, some good news finally came, though it wasn't about the trial. It was Roxas.
Sirocco, Bryna and Sora drove to the rehab center that was up on a hill to pick up the other part of their family, overjoyed that he was released earlier than they thought. But before they arrived...

"What's the matter, sugar doll?" A sweet voice came from the main desk as a dark skinned woman looked up at the blonde who passed her desk as least four times. "Your family called about 20 minutes ago, said they'd be here in 30."
But the blonde shook his head, asking if she had seen Axel. Now, she knew who Axel was very well. He came every day... except today. "No, sweetie, I haven't seen him. The bus he comes on came and went already, but don't worry. Maybe he caught a cold or somethin'"

[Reno]

Large feet almost started to pound grooves in the tile as the blonde paced one way and then the next, and then one way again. "Where is he?" He murmured under his breath, his hands behind his back. He paused when he heard Bubbie the receptionist. "Well... Axel's late. Have you heard from him?" He asked, hopeful. Maybe he called. Maybe he was running late. Maybe the bus broke down. Maybe-

His eyes saddened at her words. Maybe he just wasn't coming at all. "Yeah... maybe." He sighed before walking into the lounge falling into a chair that stared outside to the bird feeder. He tried to remember what that afternoon was like after he delivered the news. Was Axel more distant? Less attentive? Was he more eager to leave for home then before?

He sighed slumping in his seat. How could he lie to him like that...?

Lost in his thoughts, he hardly noticed the ten minutes pass until there was a happy call in his ears the couch bouncing. He flinched in surprise and looked up, only to see his brother's smiling face.
"Roxas!!"
"...Sora?"
"Well who else?! You're getting out today, isn't that exciting!"
It was... "I guess..."
"You guess?" The brunette hesitated, his enthusiasm dropping as he studied his down-trodden sibling. "...What's wrong?"

[Rikugurl]

The woman at the front desk smiled as she welcomed the Holani family, having Sirocco sign the remaining release forms and handed him some pamphlets. "I'm really going to miss that child..." She sighed but smiled as she stamped the papers. "He's officially yours again!" She laughed but blinked when she saw a woman walk through the doors, looking a bit off. "Welcome to Port Royal Rehabilitation, can I help you?"

The woman blinked before walking up to the counter, smiling at Sirocco and Bryna. "Hi... It's been while..." She paused before looking at the woman. "No, I'm just here to congratulate Roxas..."
"Oh, well he's in the lounge right now, dear."
"Thanks..." The woman smiled again before pulling her short black hair behind her ear, slowly walking towards the lounge to see Roxas sitting on the couch, Sora seeming to be worried.
"Roxas...?"

[Reno]

Roxas just turned his head away from his brother, his frown deepening. "S'not important.."
"Wha... Roxas..." Why did he do this? He hated it when Roxas closed himself off to him. What's more... he hadn't done that for years now. Why all of a sudden...? What had changed?

Before he could try to goad his brother into talking, the sound of another voice made both of them look back. Roxas eyes widened some... before he scoffed and looked away. Now this didn't shock his brother at all. You scorn Roxas once... it could take a long time to gain his forgiveness. "The hell are you doing here?"