MAY 14, 2012

9:30 AM

Arthur sat and waited once again. And once again, they were late.

The night before, he'd done some research on the case. He looked more heavily into the charges, and discovered exactly what each thing he was accused of meant. Apparently, there was something that Alfred hadn't told him.

Arthur sighed. Could it have all been a lie? Since he'd left out that one fact... could it be that the whole thing was just so that Arthur would end up making a fool out of himself in front of the jury when he made his case, which was based solely on false arguments? HE shook his head. Somehow he couldn't believe that someone as pure and innocent as Alfred could have done something that awful.

There was a reason Arthur had become a lawyer. It was because he knew an innocent man when he saw one. And Alfred F. Jones was just that. He was absolutely sure of it.

Then the door swung open again, revealing Alfred, who was no longer being dragged by guards. He seemed to walk willingly into the room this time, but something was very different about him. He looked shy, broken, ashamed even. He faced to the side so Arthur couldn't see part of his face.

The guard once again turned to leave, but Arthur called after him, "Oh, sir! Is there any way you could take his handcuffs off?"

Alfred looked up in shock, but still did not face him directly.

The guard seemed hesitant. "Are you... sure you feel safe?"

"Yes, I'm quite sure."

The guard shrugged and produced a key from his pocket, promptly unlocking the handcuffs that restrained Alfred's wrists. Once they were off, Alfred rubbed his wrists tenderly.

The guard nodded to Arthur and then left.

"Alfred, are you okay?" Arthur said.

Alfred did not respond.

"Why aren't you looking at me?"

No response.

Arthur stood up and walked to Alfred. He shook him a little. "Hey, Alfred! You're starting to scare me. Seriously, what's the matter?"

Then, Alfred turned to face Arthur with sad eyes. Then Arthur saw it. He a new bruise on his face, but this time on his forehead.

"What happened?" Arthur demanded. "Jeez, it looks as if you've been hit by a cinder block..."

"I fell..." Alfred whispered quickly, looking away. He was a terrible liar.

"Alfred, tell me what really happened." Arthur insisted.

"I... I..." Alfred put his head in his hands. "Oh Arthur, it was awful! There was a man... and he... oh god!" He wailed.

"What?" Arthur squeaked. "He...?"

Alfred looked up quickly. "Oh god, no! I didn't let him do that! But... when I said no... he punched me. A lot." Alfred lifted his orange jumpsuit sleeve to reveal another bruise. Arthur then noticed another on Alfred's lip just beginning to turn a deep purple. And another on his collarbone.

"Did you... fight back?" Arthur said.

"'course I did! I actually think he's in a lot worse shape than I am." He chuckled.

Arthur widened his eyes. "Then why...?"

"I'm assuming I don't look very good at the moment. I was kind of embarrassed about it," Alfred smirked. "But I can see now that you don't really give a fuck how I look."

"Why the bloody hell would I?" Arthur demanded.

"Ah cool it, Artie. It's fine, I mean, it isn't like I can really do a whole lots about it. You probably don't think very highly of me anyway."

Arthur chose to ignore the "Artie". "You... I never said that."

"You might as well have. I just met you yesterday and I can tell already that you have something to tell me." Alfred seemed totally relaxed. He was picking at his fingernails as if he were having a casual chat in a shopping center.

"How?!" Arthur blurted.

"You've been fidgety this whole time. I can tell you've been wanting to say something. Could you just say it?"

Arthur cleared his throat. "I have found out what the third charge was for," He paused, making sure Alfred was looking him in the eye. "And it would seem that you left something out yesterday."

Alfred blushed. "It was for that...?"

Arthur crossed his arms. "Yeah that. Alfred, why didn't you inform me that you were painting graffiti on the back of his store?" Arthur squinted.

Alfred bit his lip and looked around the small room. "I... thought it didn't matter."

"Why would you do that, you idiot!?" Arthur growled.

"Sorry! That guy was such a dick! It wasn't even my idea!" Alfred crossed his arms, like a child being scolded almost.

"What do you mean? Who else was there?" Arthur hissed.

"I... won't tell you." Alfred turned away.

"Why the bloody hell not?" Arthur went over to him and shook his arm. "Hey, look at me! I'm speaking to you!"

"He didn't mean it..." Alfred whimpered.

"What?" Arthur stopped.

"My... boyfriend. He convinced me to do it. I didn't even do that much. He was really the one who did it. But I was there. I'm so sorry..." Alfred put his head in his hands.

Arthur put a hand on his shoulder. "If it was mostly him as you say... Then why was it only you who was accused?"

"The guy was mad at me. He must have only followed me and not payed any attention to him," Alfred shook his head. "I didn't know that I'd be accused of that too..."

"Oh, god, Alfred. You could do jail time for just that. How could you have been so stupid? How are we going to get you out of here if there is something you actually did that you are being accused of?" Arthur ran a hand through his hair.

"...I could end up staying in here... just for that?"

Arthur stiffened. "Yes... Yes you can."

"Oh god!" Alfred wailed. "How am I ever gonna get outta here?!"

"Alfred! Pull it together!" Arthur took both of his shoulders in his hands. "Don't lose your head. I might be able to get you out of here with no jail time, some community service, and a fine. But you have to cooperate, and don't keep anything from me ever again. Got it?"

Alfred nodded.

"As long as you can promise me you've never vandalized private property before."

Alfred nodded again. "I swear I've never done anything like that before."

"Okay. Then can you tell me who this boyfriend of yours is?"

Alfred turned bright red. "I... He isn't my... boyfriend... anymore."

"Okay, then tell me who your ex-boyfriend is." Arthur sighed. Alfred was being difficult, and it was annoying. Couldn't he be more direct? Would it kill him to just say exactly what happened? It was the only thing that could save him.

Alfred shook his head.

"Why not?" Arthur growled.

"I... can't let him get in trouble for this. It's better only one person suffers, and I'd prefer that it's me."

Arthur could hardly take this. "You IDIOT!" He yelled.

Alfred stood up suddenly, and he towered above Arthur. "Have you never loved anyone? I loved him before all of this. I honestly did. And I know the guy I loved is still in there somewhere, so I won't be turning him in to the police any time soon!" Alfred's eyes were starting to look shiny.

"Alfred... Are you crying?" Arthur whispered.

"No!" Alfred snapped, quickly wiping his eyes. "It's just... if he gets caught another time for that... he's going to prison! Have mercy! He can't handle prison! He can't fight people off like I can! He's too sensitive!" Alfred wiped at his eyes again. It looked as if Alfred was the sensitive one.

"He's done this before?"

"Yeah... lots of times. I was just never with him when he did it. But this time... I was unfortunately." Alfred sat back in his chair again, arms still crossed.

Arthur pulled out his notepad. He started to write things down. "Tell me his name. Please. I understand you want to keep him safe but... you have to think of yourself too."

Alfred lowered his head. He shook it twice.

"Please." Arthur insisted.

Silence for a moment. "Just let me take the blame."

Arthur sighed. "Fine. But if you ever change your mind about it... you can always let me know."

Alfred looked up, startled. "Really?"

"Yeah," Arthur said. "But you have to tell me every single other detail."

Alfred nodded eagerly. "Okay! Thanks, Artie!"

"Who said you could call me 'Artie'?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"I don't need anybody to say it's okay, because I'd do it anyway." He smiled.

"Don't call me that!" Arthur snapped.

"I'm not listening!" Alfred plugged his ears and giggled. Fucking giggled.

Arthur sat down, exhausted. "I swear, sometimes I feel as if I'm working with a child."

Alfred grinned. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

Arthur looked at him disinterestedly.

"Aww! Don't look at me like that, Artie! We're buddies!" Alfred stood up and gave Arthur a hug.

Arthur pushed him away, baffled. "What the hell? who said we were 'buddies'?"

"ME!" Alfred smiled. He didn't even look a little bit embarrassed.

Arthur felt himself blushing again.

"Hey Arthur?"

"Hm?" Arthur looked at him.

"Do you think I'm gonna get out of here?" Alfred looked genuinely concerned.

Arthur thought for a second. He wanted to answer honestly, but he didn't want to scare Alfred. He was completely torn. Then he decided that the truth was best. "It doesn't look like it at the moment." He said.

Alfred smiled sadly. "I figured."

Arthur looked away awkwardly and rubbed his arm.

Soon, the guards came in to take him away. Arthur had almost forgotten that they only had an hour each day. The other twenty-three, Alfred was on his own in that big, dangerous place.

Just as the police were placing the handcuffs back on his wrists, Arthur grabbed his arm and said firmly to him, "I will do everything in my power to get you out of here."

Alfred was silent for a moment, blue eyes shining. Arthur noticed his Adam's Apple bob up and down as he swallowed. Arthur then realized awkwardly that his face was just inches from Alfred's. He pulled away abruptly, and Alfred's eyes were still wide.

Alfred nodded. "Thanks, man."

And then they were gone again.

Arthur couldn't figure out why he was so embarrassed. Oh right. Alfred was gay... Arthur had probably made it look like he was going to... He didn't even want to think of it. If he did, then he wouldn't be able to think of anything but that whenever he saw Alfred, and not because he WANTED to or anything! Certainly not! But... it would be too weird to ignore. Arthur wouldn't be able to look him in the eye without wincing.

Arthur grabbed his notebook and stuffed it in his briefcase. He'd be back tomorrow.