Chapter Seven

"Birdie?" The albino's voice broke Canada from his thoughts. He smiled gently looking him over. His face was flushed slightly from sleep. He had lines across his face from sleeping on his sleeve. He looked adorable. "Vhat are jou doing up?"

"Huh?" Matthew asked. "Oh, I was just talking to an investigator."

"Vhat?" Gilbert asked confused sitting up.

The Prussian yawned rubbing his eyes. He sat up and stretched before skootching over to him. Canada lifted his arms so the albino could crawl into his lap. He hummed quietly as he did. Gilbert rested his head on his chest as he put his arms back down around his waist. They were quiet for a moment.

"Vhat happens to ghouls in jail?" Prussia asked looking up at him.

"Well, they're kept as long as their useful. Mostly for information, but others are experimented on. The suppressants make us venerable like humans. Most of the experiments are products or treatments they don't want to test on humans or animals." Matthew explained. "When they're not useful anymore, their kagune is removed to make quinque out of it if it's worth it. Then they're disposed of."

"How?" Prussia asked.

"Crushed than burned in most places." Canada said. He noticed the nervous look on the albino's face. "You'll be okay." He said reassuringly. He wasn't going to tell Gilbert about the deal he made. It would be easier. "I promise."

"I'm more vorried about jou." Prussia said pressing a kiss to his jaw.

"I'll be fine." The Canadian said resting his head on top of his fiancé's. He buried his nose in his hair to scent him properly. He could still barely smell him. "Don't worry about me."

"Ich liebe dich, Vögelchen." Gilbert said with a sigh.

"Je t'aime aussi." Blackbird hummed nuzzling his hair.

"Jou mentioned suppressants? Vhat are those? Do they hurt you?" Prussia asked worriedly looking up at him.

"They don't really hurt me." Matthew said reassuringly. The albino looked slightly relieved. "Suppressants just limit the amount of RC cells a ghoul can make. RC cells are what give us our faster healing and tough skin. It's what kagune is made out of. With suppressed RC cells were venerable just like humans."

"Oh." Gilbert said slowly. He still looked worried. His eyebrows were furrowed. Canada leaned down and pressed a kiss to his temple. He relaxed slightly.

They sat quietly together for what seemed like hours. Every second Matthew was waiting for the investigator to come back. He didn't want to be alone, but he couldn't let him stay with him. He knew the Prussian would be angry if he knew about the deal. There was no way he'd just agree with him. It would be better to surprise him than argue with him. He just hoped he wouldn't be mad for too long.

Canada's head snapped up hearing a knock. He spotted the investigator in the window and sighed. Gilbert noticed him too and scowled. The Canadian sighed moving his arms to let the albino get up. He turned and offered his fiancé a hand to help him up. Matthew smiled and took it. He pulled him up and the pair went over.

Eight special class investigators entered the room through a hidden sliding door. Blackbird watched them carefully as they watched him too. He noted where the door was. They couldn't escape now; he was too weak from his wounds and suppressants. It wouldn't be safe for the albino either. It was better for him to go with the investigators.

Prussia immediately stepped in front of him. He put himself in between the Doves and Canada. The blond stepped back and away from him putting his head down in submission. The investigators watched Blackbird move away and advanced towards the albino.

"Leave us alone." Gilbert warned dangerously. The Doves ignored him stepping forward. They grabbed him and the Prussian immediately started fighting. "Let me go!" He yelled elbowing one of the investigators in the face and punched another. He growled and pulled away from the Doves. He tried to get back to Blackbird's side, but they easily grabbed him again. "Fick ab! Berühre mich nicht!"

Matthew hated watching him struggle to get away from them and back to him. He looked at the floor not wanting to meet the albino's eyes. He had to fight his instincts to jump in and protect him. He knew it was better for him to go with them, he'd be safer.

"Birdie!" Gilbert called desperately. Canada's eyebrows furrowed biting his lip. His breath was quick and he was holding back tears. He hated hearing the Prussian yell for him and not being able to help. "Vogel bitte!"

Prussian Doves finally managed to drag the albino out. He was still yelling and fighting them. He heard the door shut and lock. He could still hear muffled fighting and didn't look up. He still didn't move or look up long after the sounds disappeared. His heart hurt knowing he was alone, but he felt slightly at ease knowing Prussia was safer.

Matthew heard a light knock on the window. The sound in the silent cell knocked him out of his stupor. He looked up seeing Harley. He noticed his hair and coat were a bit ruffled and disheveled. He had a bruise forming on his jaw.

"Blackbird." The Dove greeted. Canada just looked at him blankly. "Come here."

The Canadian raised an eyebrow. Harley tapped something into a holographic panel on the glass. A small section of it lifted to make a hole.

"Put your hands through." The investigator explained.

Matthew was a bit apprehensive, but did as he asked. Harley pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the mitts. He took them off and set them on the ground. Blackbird pulled his hands back through and the hole closed. He rubbed his wrists and flexed his fingers. It felt nice to have the heavy mitts off.

"Thank you." Canada said gratefully.

"Not a problem." Harley hummed crossing his arms. "I'll give you some time to settle in. We're not in a rush, you'll be here for quite a while. We'll start questioning tomorrow."

The investigator turned away and left. The window became opaque again. Matthew sighed sadly looking back into the empty cell. He didn't have anything to do. The Canadian went over to where Gilbert had been sleeping. He laid down in the same spot trying to catch his scent. It was one of the few things that put him slightly at ease. He couldn't even smell him faintly. The suppressants were still blocking his senses. He was exhausted and didn't realize that he fell asleep.