Hey hey ^^! First of all, many thanks for the nice reviews i've had so far ! It really energized me and got me going and I really hope you'll feel a little of that in this chapter ! Look look, it's longer XD ! Anyway, it's really nice to hear what you think ! Poor Vanni (Vani ? Vannie ? Can't seem to decide...) indeed ! Relax, he can take it :p ! As for why he is in jail, you'll know a bit more at the end of this chapter, but not too much either lol ! There's a little twist at the end... we'll see how that goes...
Thanks for you reading and reviewing, you made my days !
Disclaimer : I obviously do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of the characters or places affiliated. Same goes for Final Fantasy.
How far is heaven from hell ?
Chapter 2
Wake-up calls at Radiant Garden's Penitentiary were far from enjoyable. Sure, the guards always made a point to remind every inmate that they were nothing but lowlifes who didn't even deserved to lick the dirt off their boots, but they were especially nasty on mornings. The mornings were actually a ritual you had better get used to real quick if you didn't want to be beaten up right there and then in your cell at six in the morning...
Vanitas himself had learned the drill the hard way. He hadn't complied the first time and had mouthed off like the cocky idiot he often was. Let's just say he hadn't seen the ferocious beating up coming. And boys and girls, you could be freaking Bruce Lee, when you were roughly woken up at six in the morning, ten guards armed with billies and tasers usually were enough to make you regret having been a bad boy. The week he had spent in the infirmary, and the month to fully heal while trying to survive after that had greatly helped him to understand when to keep your fucking pride in check and bow your head like a good bitch.
Which is why when two guards shouted to wake up from behind the door of his and Axel's cell, they both knew to get snappy instantly. Vanitas didn't have time to recall the reason why he'd found himself in Axel's bed in the arms of his friend. He joined said friend flat on the floor, face down, legs spread and hands behind his head, ready for the morning inspection. He'd have time to be grumpy and damage Axel later...
"You guys better be ready !"
The shouting voice, Vanitas recognized as being that of Larry, one of the guards Xehanort had on his little network of bribed guards. Vanitas knew him very well since he was the intermediary between this guy plus a few others and the Big Guy. Since he wasn't part of the pair that usually made the morning inspection in their block, the brunette knew Larry needed a favor from either him or Xehanort.
"You two can get up slowly and face us now !"
The other one, Vanitas didn't know. When he was up and facing the guards he saw Larry in front of him and the other one in front of Axel on his right sizing the redhead up. He couldn't look at Axel to see if he recognized the other guard and talking was still out of the question for now. The new guard was not one he'd seen anywhere in the Penitentiary. That could be a problem in the eventuality that he'd been appointed to the morning inspection of their block starting today. The man looked thirty-ish. He was taller than Vanitas... definitely taller than Fat Larry (Vanitas always pictured him with a t-shirt that said : "Yay for pancakes ! Gimme gimme !") and roughly the same size as Axel. Somewhat muscular and fit with cruel eyes and something in his demeanor that screamed issues with anger management (like he was one to talk, though)...
"OK, everything is fine on our end, guys, said Larry in the device they all used to communicate in this place. We'll be moving on to the refectory in a few. Over !"
Vanitas and Axel knew that meant they were allowed to move and talk then. The brunette risked a discreet glance at his friend but the redhead has his poker face on so there was no way, even for him, to know what he was thinking. The other guard just moved to stand near the door of their cell with his arms crossed. Vanitas didn't like the look the creep had on him. He knew that look perfectly well and it made him want to crawl out of his skin. The young man was only thankful he had been fully dressed to sleep that night and that Axel hadn't undressed him in his sleep (now did that surprise someone ? Anyone ?) like he'd done some time ago... The creepy guard looked ready to jump his bones at any given time.
"Now boy, said Larry, pocketing his communication device, d'you still have some smokes to trade ?"
Larry was a crooked, overweight greedy guy, but he was nowhere near creepy. He was decent enough when you kept him fed just enough and knew that you didn't shit with Xehanort's crew even if you were a guard. For that matter, he'd been one of the guards that had witnessed Vanitas in a fight against other inmates and had had to put him down with at least twenty other guard with tasers... So the brunette felt far from threatened.
"Didn't ya give him some last week, Van, asked Axel while casually sitting on his bed ? Feeling stressed in your old age, Larry ?
_The day I want to talk about my life with the likes of ya is the day you start being sane, countered Big Larry with a smirk ! And tell your boss that it'd be good for him to contact his lady friends for some time this month... just to keep the communication friendly between y'all and us honest and hard-working guys.
_Will do, Chief, answered Axel easily ! You remind your hard-working and arguably honest colleagues that the good fun we provide you all with comes with a price that we will want to discuss first. I also have several colleagues of yours who have made good use of my contacts outside and who have very conveniently forgotten to say thanks. Tell them I haven't forgotten, that I never forget and that if they need a reminder, Xehanort isn't the only one with great persuasion skills, got it memorized ?"
You had to hand it to Axel, he knew how to get his point across. Many were those who forgot that his carefree attitude and his goofiness was mostly for show. Axel was not a bad guy, Vanitas knew that. That didn't make him any less of a very dangerous guy. You didn't survive and thrive in this hellhole without being a fucking bad-ass. The redhead was the one Xehanort tasked with his "persuasion campaigns". He always knew who to bribe to get one guy alone without disturbance for a conversation (well Axel talked while the other guy usually screamed in pain before crying for his mother) and he had an uncanny sharp sense for opportunity and self-preservation (which extended to you if you were his best friend and occasional cuddling target).
Larry would pass the message along.
"I don't like your tone, lowlife scum !"
The creepy one had stayed silent throughout the conversation until Axel's little pep talk to Larry. He looked like he was considering shutting the redhead's trap with much added grief. Axel didn't seem worried though. He was just innocently raising his eyebrows like he didn't get why the guy was in this state. Though Vanitas could see that his friend was ready for a fight if it came to that. The brunette was slowly getting in his fighting stance himself...
"Oh shut your damn pipe, Joe, intervened Larry in a fed-up tone ! It's too soon in the morning for Rookie Hour, got that ? Wait for me outside, why don't cha !"
"Joe" stood motionless for ten seconds. Vanitas was sure he wouldn't listen to Big Larry. They would have to get messy and the day was just starting...
Joe was sending death glares to Axel.
"Now, you dimwit, shouted Larry, fuming !"
Joe finally relaxed. He sent one last death glare Axel's way then turned on his heels, opened the door... and just before heading out, he sent one last look to Vanitas, sizing him up and down... and that was that. The brunette discreetly let out a sigh he didn't know he'd been holding. He had considered mouthing off to get the measure of this creep but he could recognize a rattlesnake when he saw one. They were at their most dangerous when backed into a corner. And now was not the time and place to start problems on a whim. He barely suppressed a shudder of disgust and uneasiness when he thought about the look of that half-shit on him...
He had to get a grip though, before Larry could entertain the idea that his colleague could scare him.
"Nice fellow, he said to Larry with his smirk back on. Is he conveying to us you and your colleague's stand on things ? We'd hate to end our fruitful relationship on a simple misunderstanding...
_He's new, argued Larry, a little peeved at the young man's tone ! He doesn't get how all this works is all !
_Or you all think you're in a position to change our agreement, interjected Axel in a no-nonsense tone. Either way, Xehanort may feel it is time to remind you just how peaceful the Penitentiary has really been these days..."
Larry was obviously at a loss of words at that idea. He was more than a little pale and Vanitas could understand him. His friend was not really subtly (but then, it was kinda the point) referring to the gigantic riot that had seen Xehanort rise to power among the inmates. The direction of the Penitentiary had been forced to negotiate the end of this huge debacle with Xehanort so as not to be forced to require the help of outside authorities and then undermining their ability to maintain order. Another disaster of this magnitude would be really bad for the direction (who would lose their credibility and possibly their jobs), for the guards (who would lose all the nice bribes they were now solidly used to, their jobs and just maybe their lives) and for the inmates (who only had their lives to lose, after all).
"Listen, said Larry with a desperate look on his face, Joe is just new and kind of a hothead...
_Not our problem Larry, cut Vanitas with a serious look ! You don't want problems, we want our regular morning inspection team back. You'll have to find another way to contact us. We'll need good news to report to Xehanort soon cause these days you and your team of honest and hard-working buffoons are cutting it a little short, Larry. Until then, you'll wait for the cigarettes."
Larry didn't answer anything but there was no need to. Everything that mattered had been said. Vanitas and Axel had laid the terms, it was now the goon squad's turn to either play ball or prepared to get squashed. For all he was clueless, Larry understood that and he didn't wait too long before heading out. Vanitas just let himself fall on the bed next to his best friend. Axel had his back against the wall and just seemed a little lost in thought... which was already telling for someone like the redhead who usually appeared happy and unconcerned.
Axel seemed to notice his friend watching because then he looked back with his trademark casual face.
"Quite a morning, right ?
_Yeah... Next best thing to a good lay...
_A good lay, exclaimed Axel in mock horror ? And here I thought you were serious about us !
_You wish, quietly joked the brunette with his trademark smirk ! A body like mine can't afford to be wasted away on just one person, my friend !
_You man-whore you, said Axel while trying to poke Vanitas' head !
_Seriously though, continued the brunette, losing the smirk... That was bad...
_You don't have to tell me, nodded Axel, getting serious himself.
_And I'm positive this "rookie" isn't an isolated incident. We should have seen this coming. There was no way the direction wouldn't try to shift the tables on us when we were sure they wouldn't.
_Yup, and we're gonna have to talk to the Big Guy about this for sure but that's not what worries me more...
_What else is there, asked Vanitas, a little surprised at that statement ?"
Axel was looking at him with a worried look. Which meant whatever he was thinking about was serious. Was it about what he's coaxed out of him the night before ? Was his friend afraid that he would off himself or something stupid like that ?
"I can hear the wheels of what passes for your brain turning in the wrong direction, mate, lightly teased the redhead...
_Well tell me then, you great asshole !
_Haven't you seen this nut-job looking at you ? This guy's aching for a piece of your ass in a bad way, Van ! And I'm not talking in the biblical sense, yeah ?
_You jealous or something, smirked Vanitas while taking a suggestive pose from his laid down position ? I don't swing that way but maybe..."
The brunette didn't have time to finish before Axel through a backward punch in the wall... which cracked very nicely... Vanitas was surprised to say the least. Axel was pissed.
"Be serious and stop your shit, Van, all but growled Axel with a dangerous look on his face ! It's bad enough that most of our guys are just waiting for your guard to let down to attack you and have their way with you ! This guy screams "nutcase" and we don't know how many of the goon squad he's got backing him up ! I'm sure Larry and his loser colleagues have no idea how many Joes there are among them ! I don't know if you're aware, but if you managed not to have your cherry popped all this time it was also because of damn sheer luck and good timing ! I can't watch your back 24/7, Van ! And I don't want to see you get tag-teamed ! A "body like yours" is not exactly a common thing around here ! Stop being so fucking cocky !
_Fuck you, you bastard, retorted a raging Vanitas ! I can take care of myself ! I'll destroy anyone who dares to think they can just..."
The brunette stopped himself when Axel just watched him expressionless.
"And what will happen when you just kill them, Van, asked the redhead quietly ?"
That's what he had said, right ? He'd just said if someone tried to have their way with him, he'd kill them... How far gone was he ? Was he becoming like all these poor bastards out there ?
So what ? Am I supposed to just take it ? Was I supposed to, then ? I a am not a fucking bitch !
No Vanitas was not a bitch. But was he an assassin ? A cold-blooded murderer ?
"What do you think will happen if you kill these goons, he heard his friend ask ? How many more years do you think you can last here ?"
Vanitas let himself fall on the bed again. He felt truly and well fucked. He didn't want to stay here any longer than he had to... but his case was complicated. It was under revision last he heard but that had been six months ago. And then, the lawyer the city had provided him hadn't been much of an inspiration. To make a long story short, he didn't know how much time he'd have to spend in the fucking Penitentiary.
"We can't stay here, Axel, realized Vanitas out loud...
_I know, genius, retorted Axel with a frown. Thing are gonna get crazy before long here. But we don't have time to talk about it just now. They're coming to round us up for breakfast in two minutes. And we're gonna have to tell Xehanort about this morning.
_Right... Good times...
_No shit, Sherlock !"
The refectory was a big room. With lots of table. White walls. No windows. And lots of guards standing all around the room. When the wake-up calls weren't enough of a reality check, the refectory usually made it clear for you : "Suck to be you !"
The food was edible and the coffee was strong, which ensured that nothing major happened during meals. Why spoil the only good times of your life in hell ?
There wasn't enough seats for all the inmates. Which meant that the privilege to have a chair went to the upper level of the food chain. There were several groups of tables. Of course Xehanort and his inner circle were the ones who had the most tables and chairs.
Vanitas and Axel were fortunate enough to eat with them and to have earned the right to a chair. Not too far from the Big Guy himself as a matter of fact since breakfast and the other meals were the times Xehanort got his cronies to report to him all the happenings of the place. A regular meeting, would you believe it ? Not that he'd voiced it out loud to any of them but it really felt like they were trying to make more of themselves than they ever would be... Lords of the land of the Fucked ! Then again, it was human nature to make believe you were in control, right ? The brunette himself was taking pages from the same book...
A discreet push from Axel reminded him that introspection could wait. Trays in hand, they made their way to Xehanort's table. Xehanort was a very deceptive man. To someone who would have only known him by reputation, he would sound like a ruthless mass of muscles in his thirties, hiding an ax somewhere, munching on the bones of his latest victim and with a bad temper... and they'd be wrong. Xehanort was closer to a sixty-year old man, bald, with a small white beard, approximately the same size as Vanitas (hence not real tall but try telling the brunette that...) because he was hunched, with cruel and piercing golden eyes. The thing was the old bastard was as strong as he sounded despite his appearance. Many were the poor sods who'd underestimated him. The old man reveled in that because they were done for as soon as they made the mistake.
Vanitas felt like today was all about dangerous looks. The one the Big Guy was giving him and his red-headed cell-mate gave him quite a sens of foreboding. But he wasn't about to show him that. Being in the inner circle was a constant struggle and a good place was never secure. If you didn't have the balls, it wasn't worth giving it a try. He sat beside Axel, smirking with deliberate and casual confidence.
"I was wondering when our youngsters would show up, said Xehanort with his deceptively sweet voice and the smile that went with it... Were you delayed ?
_The wake-up call kept us somewhat, answered Axel with his carefree tone while he was drinking hos coffee.
_They wanted something in particular, asked James, a guy who sprouted an eye-patch proudly and who considered himself Xehanort's right-hand man, or did they just surprised you two lovebirds at it ?"
It didn't surprise Vanitas when he heard the entire table laugh at that. It was a running joke between them that Axel and him had wanted to share a cell just to be able to do the nasty as much as they wanted. The brunette personally thought that they were trying to ascertain whether that was what really happened in their cell. Granted, Vanitas was proud of his looks and never bothered to hide it, but he knew for a fact that most of these guys just dreamed to be able to fuck him. Many among them had had their fingers broken trying to cope a feel off his butt. The fact that Axel hadn't lost an arm yet being so close to him all the time bugged them and they were jealous. Sadly, criminals and crooks tended to forget important notions like friendship.
Vanitas knew that Xehanort was watching him, waiting for him to defend himself. The old man was constantly evaluating their worth. The brunette settled to look James directly in the only eye he had left with a lascivious look.
"Truth is, James, there is more to Axel than meets the eye... Whereas we can all see at first glance that you're overcompensating for something..."
He licked his lips slowly to emphasize his meaning then quickly turned his attention to the Big Guy whule the laughter quickly subsided.
"Larry wanted cigarettes. And he asked us to forward a booty call request for him and the rest of the goon squad. He put himself and a new guy on our wake-up call team to tell us that.
_I assume you told them about the misconception they seem to entertain, asked Xehanort with a pleasant smile...
_They'll ask nicely before we give them anything, assured Vanitas just as casually.
_Good, good. What was that about a new guy ?"
Leave it to the old bastard to catch quickly on anything fishy...
"The guy was a hothead, said Axel who had just finished his tray and seemed to have eaten his fill and thus quite happy with everything. Let's say he didn't like the grievances I had. Probably thought I had forgotten my place, the poor sod.
_Unfortunate, commented the old guy, giving nothing away.
_He got us thinking that the direction may be trying to end our little agreement by introducing new blood in their goon squad. Guys that won't be as easily bribed as the losers we dealt with up until now."
And that would have been when Vanitas would have thought to see at least a hint of an emotion on Xehanort's face... except there were none.
"You don't seem surprised at that, remarked the brunette to the old man in as unconcerned a tone as he could manage...
_In fact, added Axel in a serious tone, surprising even his friend, you even look as if you were aware of all this.
_The untrusting ton of your voice hurts me, Axel, said Xehanort with an impassive face."
The conversation paused there. At that moment, Vanitas was very much on edge. He took one look at Axel who knew the old man better than him. In times like these, the redhead was his compass. According to his friend's reactions, he knew instantly if everything was going to hell or not. Judging by the frown Axel was not bothering to hide, something was seriously wrong here...
Xehanort then got up from the table slowly and took his time to look at them all. He was going to make some kind of announcement... ans all bets were off on what it would be and what it would mean for Vanitas and Axel. The brunette was tense and at a loss. He'd been thinking very actively during the pause about what he'd done for the tables to turn on him but he came up blank. Then again, he wasn't really necessary to Xehanort and the man was unpredictable. That's what ensured him to be one step ahead of everyone else.
"My friends, began the old man with a strong voice you'd never suspect to come from that body ! What Axel and Vanitas have revealed to us is accurate and true ! And I was aware of it all, I have to admit that to you all !"
There was a whisper all around as every last one of the members of the inner circle seemed to have been taken by surprise at that declaration... except maybe James who seemed to have risen above Vanitas' cutting remark and wasn't all that bothered anymore. The brunette hesitated on how to react. The old man was coming clean to all of them about knowing beforehand about something he should have told them.
He then jumped at the sound of a very menacing growl coming from Axel... When he looked, his friend was visibly seething with rage !
He didn't have time to assess the situation though. Xehanort was not done talking.
"There is a change coming in the way things are gonna work around here. I didn't tell you that ahead of time because I was seeing to it that I would have good news to announce to you all ! My friends, I wasn't about to let the complacent suits believe they've got all of us just placidly waiting to die in this charming place without even an ounce of comfort. Comfort that is after all the right of every human being without distinction."
Vanitas felt nauseous. Something was off and he knew it if Axel's reaction was any indication. But now he could see it... Xehanort was bullshitting every last one of them and those stupid fuckers were taking all of it !
"My friends, I have secured us a deal with our new playmates. Those new guys that our two youngsters seemed to believe were not to be bribed so easily... well, they just needed a little nudging. Everybody wants something ! And there is a solution to everything !"
Vanitas Leonhart, the too-cool-for-you guy was not in control anymore. And as he watched Xehanort turn his head in his direction and and give him a wide smile, the brunette had a general idea of what he looked like... a frightened young boy no more dangerous than a deer caught in headlights...
"The solution is here, he heard the old bastard slowly articulate."
Just at that instant, when he saw nothing more than golden eyes, cruel, cold and calculating, his head exploded... or that was what it felt like anyway...
The last thing he was aware of before he felt himself go was his best friend's desperate shouting...
"Van ! Van ! Let me go you crazy fuckers ! I'll have your head for that ! Van !"
"... damage him too much in the head, didja ? I like to hear them scream and he gotta be conscious and sane for that !"
If that was a dream, Vanitas wanted a refund. His head hurt and there was way too much light...
"The boy is solid, don't you worry about him. You'll find these restraints I advised you to use in handy. He is never to underestimate."
Xehanort's voice didn't have any business being in any dreams... The old man had had him knocked out from behind... Vanitas was tough, but a well-placed blow to the head was as effective on him as on anybody else. The brunette tried to open his eyes. The intensity of the light was not as strong as he'd first thought. He could see clearly enough to realize where he was... back in his cell... securely tied up to Axel's bed.
Xehanort was there, of course. He was calmly looking at him with a ferocious and calculating smile. No need to play games anymore apparently. The old man wasn't alone. Joe the creepy guard was just next to Vanitas... looking at him with hungry eyes...
"W-w-what the f...
_There, there boy, soothingly hushed him Xehanort. You're just contributing to everybody's best interest here...
_Look at his mouth, he heard another gruff voice that came from behind Joe ! I don't think you can fit more than one in there..."
Vanitas felt everything shut out around him... He couldn't hear anything anymore... He didn't know if he was crying or yelling...
No please ! Don't do that ! Don't look at me like that ! Don't touch me ! I don't want to ! I want... I just want my parents ! Please mister, I'm scared !
It won't hurt so shut up ! Or I will go back and find your brother !
No please ! I'll be good ! Not Sora ! Not him ! Sora !
"Van..."
Don't touch Sora, please !
"Van, listen to me ! It's Naminé !
Naminé ? Hadn't it been her voice for a moment...? But she hadn't been there then... Was he still in that horrible place... or in the next one ? Or in another one altogether ? Was he dead ?
"You're not dead, silly !"
Naminé's voice... so pure and so beautiful when she laughed like that... It would have been nice had it been more than a dream...
"It's not a dream ! I'm coming for you, Van ! You just have to hold on ! I am almost here ! Oh, please, hold on just..."
And then there was darkness...
So here it ends ! Couldn't wait much longer to drop that one ^^! So Naminé, huh ? What's she doing here ? Is she here at all ? I'll be writing the answer as quickly as I can !
Thanks so much for reading this ^^ ! Hope you'll find the time to review my story, cause there's no better fuel out there ! Aaaaand I'm ranting again... Be seeing y'all very soon !