Similar warnings apply to this chapter to the last one. In addition, it is set in a prison environment, to warn anyone who finds that sort of thing upsetting, and there are mentions of alcoholism.

Fours weeks of sentence served.

"So what are things like here?"

This was Tsvetan's first time visiting, and now he understood why it had taken him so long. After producing an ID and signing in, he'd been searched and made to walk through a metal detector, and then sniffer dogs checked for any drugs he might be carrying. He'd not been happy about the search at all, but knew he wouldn't be allowed back if he refused, so just let the staff get on with it. He hated it though, being patted down and touched by unfamiliar hands. It put him on edge. Still, by the time he'd shoved all his possessions into a locker and handed over a deposit (twenty dollars), he was feeling slightly better, though the hefty deposit had irritated him somewhat.

Still, now he was sitting in the middle of the most miserable room opposite the most wonderful person he knew. Alin shrugged at the question.

"So, so," he replied, "I'm pretty busy usually, with work and education classes and all. The whole thing's a bit dull really."

"Have you made any new friends?"

Alin wrinkled his nose; "I'm not some child at a new school. But yes, I have a little gang here: Ripper, Slicer, Slashing Joe, The Hook. My nickname's Lanky Twat."

They both laughed, smiling warmly at each other. They sat at a dull grey table on hard, plastic chairs, surrounded by similar friends, spouses and relatives talking and joking with inmates, or sitting solemnly, exchanging news. Since it was a Wednesday, the place wasn't as crowded as it could be, so there wasn't too much din and disruption. Several guards were stationed around the room to keep an eye on the prisoners, in case anyone broke any regulations.

"So how come it took you all this time to visit?" Alin propped his head up with his hands, raising an eyebrow.

"I guess…" Tsvetan shrugged, "I was a bit nervous about the whole thing, you know? It sounded a bit scary, what with the searching and being in a crowded room, so I waited until I felt ready."

"Fair enough, though you do realise I'm only allowed two, hour-long visits a week, right? And the place has a 'use it or lose it' policy with visiting time, so you either see me twice a week, or not at all. I'd like to spend those times seeing your pretty face."

"Well…" Tsvetan grinned sheepishly, "I'll try to take some time out of my week to drop in then. But wait, wouldn't you rather someone else visited too?"

"There's a reason why I only put you on my visitors list," Alin winked, "I don't think I could spend a whole hour talking to anyone else. I just want to see you as much as I can."

"But Sadik, Alfred, Katya and Toni will want to visit too! They told me in person," Tsvetan protested; "I'm sure they'll be better at cheering you up than I would be."

"I don't want cheering up! I just want to see you…"

"Well, thanks." Tsvetan reached his hand across the table, squeezing Alin's briefly before any of the prison guards saw. When they first met, they were allowed a quick hug before being seated, and hadn't had any contact since. He knew they weren't allowed to hug or kiss during the visit, but could they at least hold hands? Probably not. It would look too suspicious, like Tsvetan was trying to smuggle something into the prison via Alin or something. Still, it didn't look like anyone had noticed.

"You should put some more people on your list," he added, "in case something happens to me or there's some emergency and I can't get here. They don't have to visit unless it's absolutely necessary."

"Alright," Alin rolled his eyes, "I'll add some people if you don't go on about it."

"Fine." A minute passed before anyone spoke.

"There's something I'd like to talk to you about," Alin began, "and I guess everything's sort of calmed down now, so I can bring it up."

"Yes?" Tsvetan played with his hands nervously, looking down at his knees.

"It's about something you said," Alin spoke in a low, even voice, "that night, in the cellar…"

"I said a lot of stupid shit! I thought I was dying," Tsvetan refused to meet Alin's eyes. Was he seriously going to do this here? With everyone else around? Still, no one was even paying them any attention, and besides, communicating with other prisoners and visitors wasn't allowed.

"Do you include the confession of love in the 'lot of stupid shit'?"

"So you remembered, huh?" Tsvetan looked around, grinning sheepishly and still refusing to look directly at the other. "Well, I guess it all depends on how you feel about the whole thing as to whether or not I see it as stupid."

"You know how I feel," Alin frowned, "I told you I loved you there and then."

"You did?"

"You don't remember?" Tsvetan nodded his head and Alin sighed, "well, I guess you were kinda out of it… Still, things are mutual. I'm proud to say I love you, not just romantically, but as my best friend and partner in crime, which probably isn't the best thing to say here. Still, I can't see myself being with anyone else ever again."

"Really?" Tsvetan gave a brief grin before his smile fell, "so what do we do about it?"

"Well, if I wasn't in here, I'd take you out somewhere. We could go see a film, or go for a dance, get something to eat then stroll through the park. Before all that, I'd pop out for a few hours, get dressed up nicely at a mate's house and buy some flowers, then turn up at the door, comment on how amazing you looked, and date the fuck out of you."

"Date the fuck out of me?" Tsvetan raised an eyebrow, snorting and looking at Alin with a smirk.

"Or something to that affect;" the prisoner airily waved a hand, "but it doesn't matter anyway. I'm here and can't just take you out somewhere." He looked down, resting his hands on his lap, "I'm pretty much useless to you, huh?"

Tsvetan sighed, leaning over and curling a finger under Alin's chin, lifting his face up and staring determinedly at the other, "listen here, Alin Radacanu, you may be many things, like a crook, a weird bastard and sometimes a downright shit-"

"Thanks, I feel so much better…"

"Shush. You may be those things some of the time, but you're also one of the most selfless people I've ever met. I think the fact that you're here proves that. You're also kind, and you make a genuine effort to be sensitive, and I thank you for that. You may not realise it, but your personality is beautiful, and yes, you're not too bad to look at either. Al, how many people do you think would do what you did for someone they care about?"

"You'd be surprised," Alin shrugged, "besides, I had a lot of help."

"Still…"

"Thank you though," Alin grinned, "you cheered me right up!"

"Good to know," Tsvetan barked out a laugh, covering his mouth with a hand.

"Still, I'd be pretty shitty to have as a partner. You can go on about how great I am- in fact, I encourage that- but the matter of fact is that I can't take you on dates while I'm banged up in here!"

"There's more to a relationship than going on dates," Tsvetan commented, "but if they mean that much to you, I'll see what I can do." He stood up, making his way over to the vending machine in the corner of the room and pulling out the clear bag he kept his loose change in, as part of the prison visiting regulations. He put a few coins in the slot and punched in the numbers for a small packet of sweets, collecting his snack and making his way back to Alin's table.

"We can still have dates," he explained as he opened the packet, pouring the sweets onto the table in between them, "it's just that they'll be in here. Doesn't mean they can't be fun."

"I see," Alin took a sweet, holding it between his fingers and looking at it with interest before popping the thing into his mouth, "so this is our first date?"

"It appears so," Tsvetan let out a chuckle, grinning widely, "wow, I've thought about this or ages, if I'm honest, but I'd never thought for a moment it would actually happen…"

"Seriously? Well, I'm glad I can make this a reality."

"Excuse you, it was my idea, and I'm the one paying for the meal!"

"And what a lovely one it is too," Alin ate another sweet, chewing it slowly, "in that case," he added, rolling his eyes, "I'm glad you made it a reality for yourself."

Tsvetan just nodded, eating a sweet of his own. Alin grinned almost animalisticly, leaning forward and crossing his legs.

"So, Mr Borisov, tell me a bit about yourself."

Tsvetan laughed before replying, "well, I'm twenty-two, from Sofia, and work at a clothes store, though I'm applying to do a psychology major at a community college and hope to get a job as a counsellor one day."

"Really?" Alin's eyebrows shot up.

"Well, my parents said they'd get the money together," Tsvetan shrugged, "if I get a good job at the end of it then it'll be worth it, according to them."

"Well good luck with that!"

"And you? What are your plans for the future?"

"To be the amazing bastard I already am, and maybe sort my life out. Yes, it'll definitely be a fresh start!" He sighed, leaning back in his chair, "the number of times I've told myself that before…"

"Maybe it'll come true this time. I believe in you."

"That's not really something you say on a first date, but thanks anyway."

"Seriously, Al?"

Alin raised a hand, "now, now, just play along!"

"Fine."

"Have I ever told you that you have the most beautiful eyes?" Alin leaned forward again, chewing on a sweet and grinning with half-lidded eyes as he stared evenly at Tsvetan, who blushed.

"No, but I like it when you do."

"Good. It might become a habit of mine."

"Not your worst habit by a long shot," Tsvetan replied flatly.

"Are you even pretending this is a date? I thought this was your idea! Just play along."

"Fine," Tsvetan rolled his eyes, "so, Mr Radacanu, is that a knife in your pocket or are you pleased to see me?"

"Just because I'm in prison doesn't mean I carry a knife!" scoffed Alin, "wow you're so rude."

"I'm a comedic genius."

"Keep telling yourself that…"

"I will," Tsvetan stuck his tongue out.

"I guess you'll have to," Alin shot back, "since no one will."

"…Why am I even on a date with you?"

"Sir, it's time for you to go," a guard tapped Tsvetan on the shoulder and he jumped slightly, "your hour is up and there are others waiting for a seat."

"Understood," Tsvetan nodded and stood up, but Alin grabbed his sleeve.

"I have to ask, before you go," he muttered, "how are you coping?"

"Fine," Tsvetan gave a fake smile, "just fine."

Alin wasn't convinced, but let him go. He stood up, moving around the table to give Tsvetan a brief hug and kiss him on both cheeks. "Take care, okay?"

Tsvetan spoke with a flat, self-conscious tone; "same to you, dear."

Three months of sentence served.

Alin listened silently as Tsvetan sung in a gentle, low voice. He couldn't understand what the man was saying, but loved it nonetheless. It used to be a regular occurrence, before Tsvetan's kidnapping, and he missed it more than so many things. He remembered how Tsvetan would just sit next to the window in the living room, singing about love, death, his homeland and many other things in his language as he looked over the city, probably daydreaming about his future. Alin would sometimes joke about not being able to hear the TV, but honestly preferred Tsvetan's voice.

When Tsvetan had finished this time, he blushed slightly, throwing a small smile in Alin's direction.

"So what did you think?"

Alin tried to blink back tears as he rested his chin on his hands; "I miss you so much."

Eight months of sentence served.

"So how's college?" Alin grinned over the table as he bit into his half of a chocolate bar.

"Great so far!" Tsvetan beamed back, holding his own half of the bar, "I've made a few friends and everyone's really pleasant. It feels like when I was a teen, except I'm older and surrounded by these pipsqueaks who aren't even old enough go on the piss with me once in a while. Still, it's a nice atmosphere."

"And you haven't started trouble with anyone?"

"Oh no!" Tsvetan smiled proudly, "I'm friendly with everyone! I think everyone sees me as a big brother, or at least a funny, drunken uncle."

Alin laughed at that, "that's good to know. But go easy on the booze, okay? That stuff makes you go really weird."

"You're one to talk."

"Maybe," Alin shrugged, laughing to himself.

"What so funny now?" Tsvetan raised an eyebrow, lips curling into a smile.

"Oh, nothing," Alin waved a hand, "just thinking about whether it's cool or creepy that I'm dating a student."

"I'm twenty two you wacko," Tsvetan scoffed, though he couldn't stop himself from laughing, "wow what goes on in that head of yours?"

"Do you really want an answer to that?" Alin stuck out his tongue.

"Not really, if I'm honest."

Eleven months of sentence served.

"Give me the bottle," Katya looked at her friend sternly, holding out a hand like a teacher who had caught a student passing a note in class.

"No," Tsvetan mumbled, taking a defiant swig of wine, slumped on the couch in his dim living room. It was already half empty, and there was no way Tsvetan was prepared to turn it over to his friend until he drank every drop.

"You've had too much already!" Katya shook her head, "you'll do yourself a load of damage! Alcohol is a depressant, remember? You'll get worse again! You always go into a bad place when you binge."

"Maybe I want to go back there," Tsvetan mumbled.

"Don't you dare," Katya tried to snatch the bottle away, but Tsvetan put a hand on her forehead, pushing her away and holding the bottle out of her reach with the other. "You're being ridiculous! You were doing so well; don't let it all be for nothing."

"Oh who cares anymore?" Tsvetan glared at her, "I know you want things to be easier for yourself, but I'm sad today, and want to forget why I'm sad."

"It won't make the reason you're upset go away," Katya reminded him.

"But it'll help me not think about it for a few hours," Tsvetan took another gulp of the fruity alcoholic beverage, and Katya quickly grabbed it, pulling it away from his lips and covering them both in wine.

"Now look at what you've done!" Tsvetan jumped up, looking down at his shirt in horror.

"It can be cleaned," Katya shrugged, finishing off the wine so Tsvetan couldn't, "it doesn't matter if the shirt is ruined, but it matters if you are, okay?"

"No it doesn't…" Tsvetan looked at the floor.

"Look, Borisov," Katya sighed, "I know what alcoholism does to people-"

"I'm not an alcoholic!"

"You kinda are," Katya turned the wine bottle over in her hand, "or a frequent binge drinker at the very least." Tsvetan didn't reply, and she continued; "listen, I know what alcohol does to people, and I don't want to see one of my best friends cut his life short because of it. I was the one who took Ivan to all those alcoholics anonymous sessions when he was younger. He was in an awful place, but got help!"

"He's still an alcoholic though!"

"Actually he's just a drunk now," Katya smiled sheepishly up at him.

"You're talking bollocks…"

"Must be the wine talking," Katya joked as Tsvetan sat back down on the other end of the couch to her; "so what's troubling you, hon?"

"I miss Al," Tsvetan sighed, leaning back and picking at the arm of the chair, "I miss having him here and seeing him regularly and us doing dumb shit together. I miss his presence here, and his loud voice and tacky jokes and reckless ideas on how to make money. I hate being alone all the time. I hate it I hate it I hate it! This loneliness is like sickness that won't go away!"

"I see," Katya held out a hand, and Tsvetan allowed her to rub his shoulder soothingly. "I'm not going to lie: he won't be out of there for a while, so you'll have to get on without him for now. But you can still visit him!"

"Yes for two hours a week on opposite ends of a piece of crap table in some miserable visiting room. I can't even kiss him properly because it's against regulations! Sometimes I just want to snuggle up to him and hold him close but I can't and it's so lonely…"

"You have us," Katya tried, "neither me or Toni or Alfred will object to you hugging us every now and then."

"Yes but none of you are Alin," Tsvetan shot back, "no offense, but I need a lanky frame dressed in weird clothes with long shaggy hair and pointy teeth. I need Alin!"

"And you'll get Alin, in three years."

"I guess," Tsvetan looked away, "fan-fucking-tastic."

"That's not all, is it?"

"How do you do that?"

"Instinct?" Katya tried, "so what's wrong?"

"I'm getting nightmares again," Tsvetan admitted, "I thought they'd gone months ago but they're back and I'm not getting enough sleep, which affects school and work and it's making me so damn stressed."

"What are they about, if you don't mind me asking?"

He didn't speak for a long moment. "I'm tied up," Tsvetan began, "to this chair and you and everyone I know just takes turns to beat me," he covered his face with his hands.

"We'd never do that to you, I promise."

"I know!" Tsvetan glared at her, "I'm not an idiot. But it was so real and it makes me too scared to be around you all."

"You should tell your teacher," Katya suggested, "they can probably help better than I can. Or go back into therapy."

"I can't afford that! And I'm not gonna ask for money," he added before Katya could say anything. "But I guess my teacher could give me some advice; I'll try it!"

"That's all I ask."

"Well, I should probably take a nap," Tsvetan yawned, "since I got fuck all sleep last night."

"I'll leave you in peace," Katya stood up to leave, "but before I go, I better make sure you don't do anything stupid." She walked over to the kitchen area and rummaged through the cupboards, pulling out any bottles of drink she found.

"Oh come on!" Tsvetan protested as he stood up, "that's unfair!"

"It's for your own good," Katya stuffed them into her large handbag, giggling; "wow I hope a cop doesn't pull me over on my way home, or I'll be joining Alin."

"You'd deserve it," he mumbled.

"I'm just trying to help," Katya sighed at him. He knew he shouldn't be so harsh with his friend; she might be patient and understanding with him, but he knew deep down that she was extremely sensitive, and her feelings were easily hurt by cruel words.

"I'm sorry," he told her, walking over and rubbing her arm, "I'm grateful, honestly."

"Good!"

After they'd said their goodbyes, Katya left. Tsvetan chuckled to himself as he wandered into his room, kneeling on the floor and pulling a bottle of vodka out from under his bed.

"Gullible idiot," he mumbled as he unscrewed the top.

"So how is he?" Eduard asked as he watched Katya search her pockets for the spare key to Tsvetan's apartment. He heard his girlfriend sigh through the dim light.

"I don't know," she admitted, "I've been too busy to visit, but hopefully he's managed. Alfred said he was fine this morning though."

"Heard he gave you trouble last time," Eduard commented.

"Only because he was acting like a child," Katya replied, "he was drinking too much again so I told him not to. I think he's stopped being so disobedient now."

"Good to know…"

Katya nodded as she finally produced the key and unlocked the door. "Still," she told him, "he'll probably be glad of some company."

Eduard nodded as she opened the door and walked inside. He was about to follow her when a shrill scream cut through the air.

"Ed, quick! Phone an ambulance! Oh dear god Tsvet please wake up…"

"Again?" Alin sighed whilst Tsvetan squirmed under the other's gaze.

"I was… in a terrible place," he played with his hands nervously, seeming to shrink in his chair, "I didn't see a way out and was so alone…" Alin had been surprised when it was Katya who came to visit earlier that week instead of Tsvetan, and he'd not been able to help feeling nervous about it. And it turned out those fears were scarily warranted, since Katya had brought news that Tsvetan was in intensive care after overdosing again.

"This is your fourth attempt at suicide," Alin commented, resting his head on one of his hands, "why do you do this to us?"

"It's not about you!" Tsvetan hissed, "I'm on my own and trapped in these thoughts and memories I can't escape! Numbing myself didn't help, and neither does the alcohol, in the end, so I tried something more drastic and it caused everyone pain and I feel so damn guilty about it but I don't know what other option I have!"

"I'm sorry," Alin looked away, "it must be hard for you, and I need to remember that. But the pain will go away, eventually."

"What do you even know? You didn't have to go through it."

"But I did," Alin whispered, "and I know I got off lightly but what happened with Jensen and Kirkland messed me up too." He'd told himself he wouldn't talk about his own trauma, not while Tsvetan was suffering, but the other had to understand what he was going through, even just so he knew he was not alone. That was all he was saying on the matter though; no need to tell Tsvetan about his night terrors, which left him waking up screaming and terrified, unheard by the world outside his cell, or how he'd had a panic attack when he saw another inmate lighting a cigarette. He didn't want to talk about how he hated changing or showering, because he'd see his scars in the mirror. His back was disfigured and distorted, red and bumpy and it made him feel ugly, like his physical appearance was finally reflecting the darker parts of his personality. It was a mark of his own stupidity and cruel nature, and he hated the sight of it.

"I'm sorry," Tsvetan mumbled, "I forgot…"

"Don't worry about it," Alin winked, "that's my job."

"I'll still worry."

"Look, can you do me a massive favour?"

"Anything!"

"Get Toni to move in with you," Alin told him firmly, looking him in the eyes, "or Alfred or one of old man Vargas' boys. Just have someone living with you and keeping an eye on you."

"Way ahead of you," Tsvetan gave a forced grin, "Toni's living with me now. It's loud, and he hugs a lot, but I guess that's better than before."

"Good to hear it."

"Al, I'm so sorry about everythi-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence," Alin growled, "just focus on getting yourself better and looking after your own health."

"I'm trying! Honest!"

"Just keep on trying, okay? Never stop trying!"

"Will do."

Two years of sentence served

"So, Mr Borisov, how was your day?" Alin leaned heavily on the table, smiling seductively at Tsvetan, who blushed.

"Alright, I guess. Made a start on my assignment. Decided to get a pet."

"You just woke up and bought an animal?" Alin raised an eyebrow.

"Not at all! Why would you think that?"

"Sounds like something you'd do…"

"Well I haven't bought one yet. I just thought that I could do with some company now that Toni's moved back upstairs. So I was looking on the internet and decided a snake would be a good choice!"

"A snake? Are you serious? Tsvet, you can barely look after yourself! If you need company then buy a fish or something that doesn't require too much care."

"But I'd be fine with a corn snake," Tsvetan argued, "they're little and don't need much caring and aren't too difficult. I can talk to it when I'm alone too, and feed it and fuss over it, and take it out of its cage. Can't do that with a fish. Funny, I thought you'd love to come back home to a little pet snake. You'd probably find those kinds of creatures cute."

"I would! And I love snakes," Alin replied, "but it was just so sudden."

"I know, but I'll make sure to research thoroughly before getting one," Tsvetan shrugged; "I decided that when I get one it'll be called Vladislav."

"If you start referring to it as your child I'm breaking up with you," Alin joked.

"Is someone jealous?"

"Not at all, now can I tell you some exciting news of my own? Or do you need to inform me that you've decided to buy any more beasties? Starting a zoo, perhaps? Recreating Noah's ark?"

"Go ahead." Tsvetan decided to ignore most of what Alin had said.

"Apparently I've been such a good little prisoner that they're reducing my sentence by a whole year!"

"Seriously?" Tsvetan stared at him, astounded, "that's fantastic!"

"I know," Alin fidgeted excitedly in his seat, "I can't wait!"

"It's still a long way away…" Tsvetan deflated, looking at the floor miserably.

"Only a year," Alin reminded him, "we've already done most of it!"

"I guess…"

"So, shall we get on with our date? I'm feeling peckish. Don't really get to snack on chocolates and sweets most days."

Tsvetan laughed, pulling his change out of his pocket and getting up to go to the vending machine. His step was lighter than Alin had seen it for a while, like the weight of his love's imprisonment was finally beginning to lift itself from his back, and he could begin to forgive himself.

"Why do I find you so adorable?" he asked before he left.

"Because you're a poor madman," Alin muttered when the other was out of earshot.

Not sure if I should describe this chapter as a roller coaster or a train wreck. So yeah only one more chapter left. I can't fucking believe it! This took ages to write because I forgot to write notes on this chapter then wondered why I couldn't remember what goes in it, so yeah it turned out very different from what I intended. Still, not unhappy with it.

Luckily I have a clear idea of what's happening next, because I have a written record of it.

Reviews make my week yo!