Title: Shades of Innocence

Pairings: Germany/Italy, Spain/Romano, America/England

Feliciano Vargas was just a man in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sent down for a crime he didn't commit; Feliciano meets and falls for a German inmate who is imprisoned for life for an unspeakable crime. An unlikely bond is formed between these two and Feliciano discovers that there's more to this heartless criminal than meets the eye.


In the last hour Feliciano Vargas had been shown and presented all four corners of the prison, from the kitchens to the chapel, the visiting centre to the shower room. The Italian was having immense trouble taking it all in, and even found himself zoning out as the British prison guard presented and explained all the various rooms. He was still shaken up from his fall in the cafeteria, not so much from pain, although his knees did throb a bit, but more from the humiliation and the general shock of being tripped in the first place. And Ludwig, just staring at him with those piercing blue eyes, looking at him with a mixture of annoyance and disgust...it was enough to make the Italian's stomach churn.

The last place Alfred and Arthur took the Italian was the prison courtyard; the only place where the inmates had the slightest taste of freedom. That only being if you could ignore the towering thirty foot fence that surrounded the deserted clearing, razor sharp barbed wire wound all around the top, glinting dangerously in the sun that blared down over them. It was a large wide open space at the back of the prison, mainly covered in tarmac but with a few patches of vegetation.

A basketball court stood towards the back of the yard, and a pile of weights and work out equipment took up a small section by the entrance to the courtyard that made up a gym. There was just one tree, a rather tall yet leafless oak stood almost exactly in the centre, bursting through a small patch of grass otherwise surround by black tarmac. A few benches with tables were also dotted around for inmates to sit on, yet they were firmly rooted down into the ground, to ensure that they weren't going anywhere, or used as a weapon.

By the time Feliciano was shown the courtyard, the inmates had been done with breakfast for almost an hour, and most of them were outside. A violent game of basketball was commencing between two rival gangs at the end of the courtyard, less a game more a string of punches and attacking between the two teams with the occasional bounce of a basketball. Several more prison guards were outside, stood in various spots around the yard to keep everything in order. The larger inmates were all congregated by the work out equipment, lifting heavy weights and doing reps. Others were merely standing around in their gangs, talking quietly amongst themselves whilst occasionally shooting dirty looks towards other inmates, and then going back to discussing their plans.

Ludwig, once again, was the easiest to spot. He was stood by the only tree in the courtyard, leant back against the sturdy trunk with his arms folded across his chest; his eyes were closed yet there was that nasty grimace ever present on his face. Not a single inmate was within ten feet of the German, they all kept a safe distance from him, and from the way they so naturally knew to avoid going near the tree it was clear to the Italian that this was something they were very used to doing.

"Okay dude so this is the last place to show you; this is the courtyard." the American prison guard said, presenting him the area less than enthusiastically.

"Inmates can't come out whenever they want however." Arthur said from the Italian's other side. "They can stay out here until lunch, then most days this place is closed off until the next day, and they can either go back to their cells or go about their other activities."

"...like what?" Feliciano asked softly, wanting to keep the conversation going and delay the prospect of being abandoned here.

"Well, some work." the Brit said. "In the kitchens or in the office doing small tasks."

"We also got some group help sessions set up here for addicts." Alfred informed him, looking at the Italian suspiciously. "...you got a problem with drugs dude?"

Before Feliciano could answer Arthur chipped in. "Of course he doesn't Alfred, did you even bother to read his file?" he asked with a roll of the eyes.

"Don't start on me dude, besides it might not have been in there."

"Even if it was you wouldn't have seen it, you never bother to read things through thoroughly enough."

Feliciano stood anxiously between the two guards as they continued to bicker; throughout the short amount of time he'd been here he'd already noticed how the two prison guards often argued like an old married couple about the most trivial things.

"Anyway." Alfred said firmly to get Arthur to stop answering back. "We put on sessions for inmates to hopefully get them off the drugs and alcohol when they get out of here."

"Yes, it never seems to work however..." Arthur muttered. "There are also a number of educational classes on here which you can sign up for if you like...but those are mainly for inmates with little or no education."

"...what does Ludwig do?" Feliciano asked quietly, gazing over at the blond; he had such dominance just by the way he was standing.

Arthur and Alfred exchanged a glance. "He doesn't really do anything." the American said with a shrug. "Just stays on his own all the time."

"Look, Feliciano..." Arthur said with a sigh, placing a hand on his shoulder; he couldn't help but have noticed the Italian's fascination with the German. "If I were you I wouldn't try to get close to Ludwig; I know it seems tempting that he'd offer you good protection but trust me, it's not going to happen."

Feliciano bit his lip. "...why not?"

"Because he doesn't want people getting close to him dude." Alfred said, almost with a laugh. "Can't you tell?"

"He prefers isolation, that's why he's always so pissed off when we try to give him a cellmate." Arthur said, watching the German. "...yet I think, although he'd never admit it, that he pities you a bit...maybe that's why he hasn't tried to hurt you."

"Don't mistake pity for friendship dude." Alfred warned him, giving him a pat of the back. "Just steer clear or him, it'll be better for you both."

The Italian nodded slowly; he felt the American and the Brit take a few steps back and his heart gave a frightened lurch as he realised they were leaving him. "Okay well we'll see you around Feliciano, keep out of trouble okay?" Arthur said gently, giving him a reassuringly smile before he and Alfred went off to break up fist fight that had just broken out between two of the block D inmates on the basketball court.

Feliciano stayed perfectly still, frozen to the spot just in the doorway leading from the prison to the open courtyard. Thankfully no body was staring at him this time, too busy with whatever it was they were doing to be concerned about the new inmate. It was just as bad, if not worse, than being in the cafeteria. What was he supposed to do? He was out here for the next couple of hours or so at least, and everywhere he looked he saw snarling, intimidating faces.

He thought perhaps the best course of action would be to do what Ludwig was doing, find somewhere to be by himself and hopefully avoid contact with anyone. That was going to prove to be difficult however, as the courtyard was very crowded and a few prison guards were already giving him strange looks as he hadn't yet moved from the doorway. All of the benches were taken up by inmates sat together conversing, he could see somewhere near the back one being used as a sort of stage for one inmate who was stood on top of the wooden table, addressing a large crowd of burly looking men whilst keeping a tight grasp on another inmate's arm. The Italian didn't even want to know what they were up to so tried to avoid watching.

However he couldn't stand in the dimly lit doorway forever. Very slowly the Italian edged himself outside onto the gravely tarmac, wincing slightly as the bright sun glared down at him from the cloudless sky. Beyond the intimidating, thick bared fence that encased them there was nothing but a deserted dirt road clearing, no sign on civilisation for miles. Feliciano carried on, taking the tiniest steps as he moved further into the sea of people, he suddenly found himself surrounded by orange jumpsuits. He cast his eyes over Ludwig once more but this time he steered well clear of him, there was no bench for him to knock over this time, but he was certain the German would have other ways of keeping the Italian the hell away from him.

Feliciano sighed, dithering awkwardly in no particular spot, just rotating slowly as he gazed around. Brutal people everywhere he looked, getting into fights and arguing violently amongst themselves. Some were more reserved and stuck to themselves like Ludwig, so surely the Italian could do the same without getting into trouble.

"Hi."

The Italian jumped violently as an unfamiliar voice sounded in very close proximity of him. He spun around and found himself face to face with one of the inmates. The man looked about forty and towered a good two feet over the Italian; he had large body builder arms with tattoos scrawled across them. The inmate had a tuft of dark hair and small fiery eyes; he was giving the Italian a rather menacing look. "H-Hello." Feliciano squeaked, taking a hesitant step back.

"What do they call you?" he grunted, eyes never leaving the younger man's frightened face.

The Italian swallowed slightly, it was perfectly valid question, but this man's size and general appearance was incredibly startling. "Um...I'm Feliciano..."

The man immediately recognised his accent. "You Italian?"

Feliciano nodded slowly. "...sì." he said quietly, still edging backwards.

He nodded, eyeing the Italian over; Feliciano didn't like the way he was being stared at, it reminded him a lot of a blood thirsty animal who'd just spotted a tasty victim. "Alright, come with me."

Before Feliciano knew what was happening the large inmate suddenly lunged forward, taking a sharp grasp of the Italian's forearm. He then proceeded to drag the young man away by the arm, and Feliciano could do nothing but let himself be forcefully pulled along, his struggles not even registering under the inmate's death hold of a grip. "W-What?" Feliciano gasped out, he didn't know what was going on; where on earth was the man taking him? He looked around wildly for Arthur and Alfred as his feet were dragged across the tarmac but he couldn't see them through the dense barrier of people.

His fear only grew when he saw what they were heading towards; the table he'd spotted earlier near the back of the courtyard where what looked like some kind of auction was taking place. A crowd of foul-mouthed inmates were waving packets of cigarettes and edible snacks at the man stood on the table, holding hostage a redheaded inmate who looked alarmingly to be in the same situation as Feliciano. As the Italian drew nearer the scrawny redheaded inmate (although not quite as scrawny as Feliciano) was flung down onto a large man in the crowd, in exchange for three packets of cigarettes and a chocolate bar.

Whatever Feliciano had been expecting, it certainly wasn't this. The man grasping his arm suddenly hoisted the small Italian onto the table with a grunt of, "Got another one." to the other equally large inmate already stood there waiting. The Italian didn't even have a second to make a break for it before both his arms were forced behind his back in a strong hold and he was thrust forward and presented to the crowd like a piece of meat. A sea of hungry, menacing eyes stared up at him. Feliciano's own flitted across the crowd with fear, his heart pounding with foreboding as he struggled in the inmate's tight grasp.

"Okay what are my bids for this one?" the man holding Feliciano called to the crowd in a gruff voice.

"Two packs." a black scruffy haired inmate called from the front, brandishing a couple of cigarette packets from his pocket.

"Are you fucking with me?" the burly inmate snarled, with one hand still keeping Feliciano in place he seized the Italian's cheeks, squishing them together. "This one's gorgeous." he said with a twisted smirk, eyes glinting. "Not going for anything less than four."

Feliciano felt physically sick, never in his life had the word gorgeous felt anything less like a compliment. When his face was released he began craning his neck, desperate to find any sign of Arthur and Alfred or even any of the other prison guards at this point, they'd surely put a stop to this!

The man kept a crushing grip on the Italian's wrists. "Who else?"

"Three packs and a candy bar."

"Four packs and two candy bars."

"What's this kid's status?" one inmate suddenly yelled from the back, halting the auction.

The man holding the hysterical Italian yanked him round to face him. "You a virgin?" he barked, crippling hands still restricting his movement.

Feliciano was quaking under his threatening glare, breaking out in a cold sweat, his heart drumming furiously beneath his jumpsuit as he stared at him with panic-stricken eyes. "W-Wha I-I uh...um..." he stuttered out in a trembling quiver.

"That's a yes then." the man sneered with harsh laugh; he addressed the crowd again. "Genuine virgin ass up for grabs here." he announced and Feliciano paled.

"He's also Italian, Rich." the man who'd caught Feliciano interjected from beside the table.

"A genuine Italian virgin." Richard clarified, putting emphasis on the word Italian as if this somehow sweetened the deal.

"Five packs."

"Five and a half."

The bidding war continued with the crowd of inmates yelling out their offers in turn. Feliciano continued to frantically search for prison guards but none were in sight; Richard kept a firm hold on the Italian's wrists. Feliciano twisted and turned desperately trying to pull away but his hands just wouldn't give. Richard smirked, holding on with little effort. "Feisty little thing isn't he?"

"Six packs." a large inmate with a skinhead called from the middle of the crowd, causing everyone else to dwindle down to quiet murmurs as no one made a counter bid.

Richard waited a few moments before he spoke. "Okay six packs of smokes for the Italian virgin going once..." Feliciano's heart was pounding, tremors of fear running down his spine. "Going twice..." this was it. He was actually being sold like a pig for slaughter; the inmate who had just bought him was slowly making his way towards the bench to claim his prize, an evil grin onto his twisted face. Feliciano gave one last attempt to run, desperately trying to wrench himself out of Richard's grasp, his chest heaving on the brink of hyperventilation, tears forming in his painstaking eyes as the man was getting steadily closer; Feliciano could feel himself being pushed forward, ready to be claimed. He dug his heels into the table but it was no use, this was actually happening, he was actually going to be taken and rap-

"Six packets of cigarettes und two chocolate bars."

The crowd was abruptly silenced by a new arrival; Feliciano froze in Richard's strong gip. The sea of orange jumpsuits slowly parted to reveal the new bidder, all eyes staring at him with a mixture of confusion and shock, some even with fear. Feliciano himself was even more stunned than the rest. There, in the centre of the crowd, slowly making his way towards the bench as the sea of inmates parted to let him past, was Ludwig.

Richard quirked an eyebrow but shrugged. "Sold to the highest bidder." he said with a smirk, holding out his other hand.

Ludwig threw the cigarettes and chocolate haphazardly into the man's chest before snatching Feliciano away from him, dragging him back through the crowd where the inmates still looked completely baffled. The large man who'd originally won Feliciano didn't dare try to argue when he'd realised who'd out bid him. The Italian stumbled beneath the German's crippling grip, his fingers digging into the younger man's upper arm as he yanked him out of the auction and back down the courtyard.

Feliciano didn't know whether he should be more or less petrified by these turn of events. He was so confused; Ludwig had just saved him from being someone's bought sex slave, yet at the same time he'd just ended up being bought by somebody else, the one man every person in the prison seems to fear the most.

Feliciano was suddenly forced up against the tree Ludwig had been leaning up against. He gasped out as the German pinned him up against the trunk, hands fisted into the front of his jumpsuit, face the pure picture of rage. "What the HELL do you think you're doing!?" he snarled dangerously into the young man's face.

The Italian was absolutely petrified, trembling under the German's piercing glare. "Wha, I don't...I mean I-"

"What the HELL were you doing getting caught up in all of that!?" Ludwig bellowed, eyes shifting to where the auction was continuing before they immediately snapped back to Feliciano's horrified face.

Feliciano desperately shook his head, feet scrambling against the tree roots as he tried frantically to get away. "I-I didn't, I mean they just-"

"For fuck sake even a newbie like you can't be stupid enough not to know not to get involved!" Ludwig spat, shaking the Italian slightly. "I mean for fuck sake do you actually want to become someone's punk?" he demanded.

"...s-someone's what?" the Italian's stuttered quietly.

"A rape victim, an inmate's bitch, is that what you want?" Ludwig snapped, glaring at him. "Because that's what happens to weaklings like you who let themselves get pushed around! For Gott sake Vargas you are going to die in here if you don't man up a bit!" he yelled, face going red. For a moment the German loosened his grip on the young man, as if he was about to release him. But then he suddenly leant in close, causing the Italian to give a frightened squeak. "Und if anybody in here asks if you're my bitch you better make damn sure that you tell them you're not. You got that?" Ludwig growled, voice shaking as he spoke.

The Italian bit lip, jaw trembling noticeably. "...w-why?"

"Why?" Ludwig spat with disgust. He moved nearer despite the Italian's tremors of absolute fear, snarling into the young man's ear. "Because I'm not some sick ass jocker who needs someone to be his little bitch, I'm a lone wolf." he stood back up, dropping the Italian who slumped back into the tree. "Und I'm not going to be around to save your ass every time you get in trouble so MAN THE FUCK UP!" the German roared.

Feliciano winced, eyes clenching shut as he stood shaking against the tree. When he opened them again Ludwig was gone, and Feliciano could do nothing but stand frozen, rooted to the spot. The people around him didn't seem to have notice what had just happened, or maybe they'd deliberately avoided looking; they went about their own conversations and activities without so much as a second glance. Eventually Feliciano's senses slowly came back to him, furiously pounding heart returning to a normal pace, only then did he realise how badly his stomach was twisting and churning.

The Italian had to be taken to see Elizaveta in the end. Arthur eventually found him again, throwing up as discreetly as he possibly could by the front of the courtyard; the Brit had suggested a visit to physician when he saw what kind of state the Italian was in, pale, sick and trembling.

Ordinarily Feliciano would have just said his illness was due to the shock of being so terrorised, not that he was actually physically unwell. However Feliciano said nothing, he couldn't possibly give up the chance to see the friendly Hungarian, even if just for a few minutes. She only took his temperature and gave him a glass of water but the time spent away from danger and fear helped to soothe his shaking.

By the time Alfred and Arthur had managed to drag him away from Elizaveta's office he was taken to the cafeteria for lunch. Feliciano was still quite shaken up by what had happened and feeling rather unwell, so he didn't even mind when his food was once again knocked out of his hand, he wouldn't have eaten it anyway. Although come dinner time he had to scarf down all the food he possibly could before it happened again or he worried he might starve.

When he'd returned to his cell between lunch and dinner, Ludwig wasn't there. Even Arthur had been quite shocked, and Feliciano immediately got the feeling that the German was avoiding him. Come evening though all the inmates had to be locked up again by seven, and lights out was at ten. The Italian had been curled up on his bunk when the German returned on the dot at seven, he'd grimaced when he saw the younger man and climbed onto his own narrow bed without a word.

Feliciano had felt it maybe best not to tell Arthur about what had occurred in the courtyard, he'd been tempted to mention it to Elizaveta but was worried he'd just make things worse, and that the inmates would be out for revenge. He had however asked Arthur to properly explain what a punk was; the Brit was alarmed and immediately lectured him not to ever, ever get involved with that kind of thing in here. He'd said that an inmate would become a punk in exchange for protection, however this usually resulted in them becoming a form of slave to be used and abused, and almost certainly led to being raped.

Only then did Feliciano fully realise what it was Ludwig had done for him. He'd saved him from the worst possible kind of fate, even though the German clearly couldn't stand him he'd gone out of his way to help him. The Italian very tentatively sat up in bed, wincing slightly when it creaked and shuddered with his movement but thankfully Ludwig said nothing. Feliciano bit his lip, fingering the sheets uneasily, guilt dropping like a stone in his stomach. It wasn't the fact that the German had intimated the other inmates for him, he did that so naturally anyway, but he'd given that man all those packets of cigarettes and chocolate...he had no idea of their worth in here, but Ludwig had paid for his freedom.

Feliciano slowly shifted to the edge of the bed, his heart hammering nervously as he thought about what he was about to do. He could hear the German's heavy breathing from the bed above him and wondered whether or not he was asleep, but there was only one way to be sure. Slowly and undoubtedly unsure Feliciano got to his feet, fingers twisting anxiously together as he dithered by the bunk bed ladder. Ludwig gave no indication that he'd noticed him; the Italian grasped hold of the rails, legs shaking just slightly as he slowly pulled himself up.

The Italian leant his knees cautiously on the very edge of the German's bed, gripping tightly to the rails. His stomach was convulsing; Ludwig was lying on his back, the Italian could only just make him out in the very dim light. Feliciano bit his lip, trying to open his mouth to speak but no sound came out. The only noise he made was a squeak of shock when the German suddenly sat bolt upright in bed, narrowed eyes fixed on the Italian's face. "What do you want?" he growled.

Feliciano swallowed slightly, heart hammering nervously as the German's eyes seemed to be able to pierce him through the darkness. "I...I um...I just, I...was...um-" he fumbled over his words, keeping a tight hold of the bed rails to keep himself steady on the top bunk.

"Spit it out." Ludwig snapped.

The Italian jumped slightly. "W-Well I...you um...you saved me..." he whispered, managing to meet the German's eyes as he knotted his hands together. "...thank you."

"Whatever." Ludwig grunted. "Was that all you wanted?"

Feliciano shook his head. "N-No I...I wanted to know um..." he dared to shuffle just the tiniest bit closer on the mattress. "...cigarettes and stuff, is like money in here...right?" he asked softly.

"Ja."

Feliciano nodded slowly, he'd expected as much, and this only heightened the guilt. "So...um, I don't know um, what's it's worth in here but...was I expensive?" he finished quietly, hoping to God the answer wasn't a yes.

Unfortunately Ludwig nodded. "Ja, extremely, the good looking ones always are." he muttered coldly. The Italian nodded, chewing on his bottom lip. The blond sighed irritably as the young man made no move to get down from his bed, he seemed to be dithering, debating something in his mind. "What now?"

Feliciano edged closer, heart drumming furiously beneath his jumpsuit as he thought about what he was about to do, what he was about to offer. The Italian couldn't help the intense guilt flooding through him, it was torture. Never in his life had anyone done something so nice for him without the Italian giving them something in return...and as much as his body trembled and his mind told him it was a terrible idea, he had to proceed.

"Um...I just...you didn't have to, and I feel really bad..." he murmured softly, reaching out a shaking hand to lightly brush across the German's leg that lay in front of him. His fingers barely grazed him, but his heart rate just about tripled as he came in contact with him. Feliciano bit his lip, voice trembling as he spoke. "...so...if-if you want to..." his hand shifted further up towards the German's knee. "...I mean you did...buy me-"

The Italian gasped out as the hand travelling up Ludwig's leg was grasped onto by the German's own, fingers crushing his wrist. "Nein." he spat, forcing Feliciano's hand away from him. "Don't even think about offering yourself to me." he growled, eyes darkening.

Feliciano panicked, stumbling backwards on his knees, having to cling to the rails just before he fell off the bed. "S-Sorry I just-"

"The hell is wrong with you?" Ludwig snapped, drawing his legs in towards him in disgust. He glared at the young man. "For starters you're making the assumption that I have sex with men."

The Italian looked alarmed, oh God, he'd undoubtedly insulted the German. "N-No I didn't mean, I mean I just..." he stuttered desperately, face paling, he felt sick again.

Ludwig rolled his eyes, deciding to put the Italian out of his misery. "Luckily for you that assumption is correct." he muttered, quirking an eyebrow at the way Feliciano seemed stunned. The German shifted closer towards him, voice taking on a sinister tone. "Und whilst I do go for men I do not in any way agree with the sick way those bastards auction off the weaklings in here for their own personal gain; it's just a sick way of justifying rape und I'll have no part in it."

Feliciano nodded hurriedly, desperate to climb back down onto his own bunk, but Ludwig wasn't through with him yet. His sharp eyes kept the young man from moving as they remained fixed, unblinking on his own. "But if I had wanted to fuck you Vargas, I would have done so the second you became my cellmate, with or without your permission, I wouldn't have to pay for the privilege." he muttered darkly. "So don't you ever try to offer yourself up to me like some kind of filthy plaything, for gott sake Vargas have some respect for yourself." he growled with that familiar look of disgust, and just as suddenly as he'd sat up the German lay back down, relaxed out on his bunk as if nothing had ever occurred.

The Italian seemed frozen with shock, shaking internally even as the blonds' snarling face disappeared from sight. With a lot of will however, he managed to scrambled down from the top bunk, stumbling over the last rung of the ladder before practically diving for the safety of his own bunk. He curled up beneath the sheets, his body quivering so violently it almost shook the entire bunk. The Italian couldn't decipher between the shock of being so badly mistaken, or the fear of being threatened with potential rape.


I actually felt truly awful writing this, truly awful

Reviews are love however if you don't hate me :)