Prison AU. Brotherly love between Tadashi and Hiro, but they're not technically related. There is no ship here, though. Rated T for vulgar language and darker themes. If any of the ratings change then I will surely inform you. Reviews are much appreciated (and will probably get the chapters out faster. I sound like a review-strumpet, though. Maybe if I showed some more shoulder I'll get more reviews).

Tadashi had been sitting there in his room for what felt like a lifetime, absentmindedly bouncing a ball against the wall and then catching it, only to repeat the process immediately after the ball had found its home in his firm hand. The moon peaked through the bars of the window, and Tadashi scowled at how beautiful it was – sure, he tried to keep a positive outlook on life, but in the end, when he was left alone, he was envious of the world. He wanted nothing more than to be out of this confinement and to breathe the fresh air of the outside world. To run and frolic like there was no one looking and let his guard down for a day so that he didn't have to constantly worry about things. He made sure to keep this anger and disappointment to himself, though, instead taking on a respectful and quiet demeanor. People didn't mess with him, though, because he had made it obvious that he could defend himself if he needed. His years of martial arts weren't just to stay in shape.

"No! You can't put me in this prison – move me over a state or something! Please, please, please," a voice that sounded far too young to be in prison begged. "People in here are pissed at me, you can't do this!"

"Shut it, kid, and just accept your punishment. You get you're served," said one of the guards gruffly. If the kid had been able to see his face at that moment, though, he would have been able to see the regret of putting the eighteen year old into the jail on the man's face. However, bot fighting was outlawed and the boy had been caught, along with several others. He had been a little worse for wear when he was arrested, but the jury had not ruled in his favor and he was put into two years of jail for bot fighting (amongst other things).

The kid was pushed into his cell and the door was locked behind him. The guards looked at the other that resided of the cell, who hadn't been informed about the new arrival. "You're getting a new roommate, by the way, Tada. He's just a kid." With that, the guards left.

Hiro looked at his new roommate, both relieved and terrified about that fact that he didn't recognize him. Without saying anything, though, Hiro climbed up to the top bunk and laid on his back. He wasn't going to be talking with his new mate tonight. Tadashi scoffed under his breath before deciding to speak to the newcomer.

"You could have at least introduced yourself."

Tadashi didn't get a reply. He figured that the boy was probably sleeping. He took his bouncy ball and put in into his pillow case, where it would safely remain for the rest of the night. After that, he decided to hit the hay as well, and minutes later a soft snoring could be heard throughout the small cell.

Hiro Hamada, however, wasn't asleep. He only opted to ignore his new roommate, laying down on his back and staring at the ceiling that was much too close to his face for his comfort. He was silently cursing himself for being caught bot fighting. If he were to have still been a little kid or if it were a friendly competition then things would have been completely fine, but this was intense fighting that involved drugs and gambling. It wasn't anything that kids would get in on, and Hiro got busted because he was careless.

When he heard the soft snoring of his roommate he sighed to himself. He should really get to sleep, too, even though he wasn't the slightest bit tired. After such a day, though, how could he not be tired? He was tried and jailed in the course of one day, not an ounce of mercy having been shown to the young adult. Not only that, but he was thrown into the local prison, meaning that there were going to be other bot fighters that weren't going to be happy with him. He had very few friends in the world of bot fighting, so he would be very lucky if he wasn't killed or hospitalized within the first few days.

Hiro tried to push these thoughts aside, instead thinking of how his new roommate was respected by the guards. Tada was what the guard called him. Maybe that was a nickname that he was given, or it was short for something, but Hiro wasn't sure. If he was extremely lucky, he could acquaint himself with the older, and maybe even gain protection from him. He seemed like a strong person over all. There had to be some way for him to remain safe until he could escape this hellhole.

Through the night, Hiro drifted in and out of a fitful sleep. He was careful not to wake his cellmate every time that he awoke, though, instead taking solace in the soft snoring that he provided. He couldn't be killed when the other was sleeping.

The snoring lasted until bright and early the next day, and the guards gave them food at seven thirty. Both of the tanned skin men went to the food, sitting down and eating it with the provided chopsticks rather than the fork.

They ate in silence until Tadashi finished his food, looking at his new roomie. The other was less than half way done with his food.

"Hey, I'm Tadashi," he said firmly. Hiro respected the tone, but it wasn't harsh but it wasn't timid. It demanded your attention, but it didn't push you around. Hiro could tell that he would be the center of a room without even trying. "What's your name?"

"Hiro Hamada," he said. He winced internally at how weak and fearful his voice sounded in comparison.

"That's kind of funny, my surname is Hamada, too," he chuckled, smiling. "I knew that they usually sorted these cells by alphabetical order, but this is kind of ridiculous. I guess we're both seashore rice patties – unless you're Arabic."

"Nah, my parents were from Japan. Thus, the whole living in San Fransokyo, thing," Hiro replied quietly, picking the egg out of his rice. "What are you in here for? I'm in for bot fighting."

"Manslaughter," Tadashi replied. He said it as if it were as casual as the weather.

Hiro sputtered his lips and got up, staring at the other for a solid minute before voicing his opinion on the matter.

"But you're really nice!"

"It was an accident."

"But you're so young, how long are you in here?"

"A few more months."

"That is not fair."

"It kind of is," Tadashi replied, his tone sounding rather final. Hiro sighed and backed down.

"Is there a story behind it, or are you the mysterious type of guy that doesn't tell – wait, hold up, much more important. Are you gay? Or a rapist, I think that's more of my question. Please tell me that I don't have to sleep with one eye open when I'm around you."

Tadashi chuckled and shook his head. "Calm down, you're safe with me. Out there, though? Maybe not so much. I can protect you if you want, but if you want I can stay out of it. I heard you come in last night – really, it was hard not to. Also, I'm rather asexual, so you don't have to worry about that, Hiro."

"Thank god for that, and…" Hiro paused to think about the offer. It seemed a little bit much to ask, but he couldn't just survive on his own because he was small and would be brutally murdered in point two seconds. He decided to swallow the little pride that he had left and nodded. "That would be amazing. I would totally love your protection." Hiro didn't mention the fact that Tadashi didn't answer the question about the story.

"Then when it's time to go out to the yard, just loop your fingers into my waistband. I know that it may be awkward, but it's the best way to get people to know that you're under my protection," he said. Hiro nodded and they fell into silence again. Hiro felt like Tadashi had found a way to own him without him even noticing.

Realization fell upon him when the guards were coming up to let them out into the yard.

He was Tadashi's bitch.