If he hadn't been so afraid of Moloch's revenge, he might have been able to sleep for the first time in months. He wasn't so much afraid of what Moloch would do to him — for revenge there would be, he knew that. Moloch would remind him of the fact that he could think of a million ways to hurt him — but pain was nothing new. It was even something inevitable. 

No — what really froze his heart was the thought that Moloch would hurt Rick. 

He didn't understand. They had been so careful, how could Rick walk straight to them in a crowded room, showing everyone, including Moloch, that they were friends? It made him angry. Didn't Rick think of the consequences at all? Was he underestimating the pain Aaron was going through every night? Did he believe it wasn't so bad? 

He had even offered to switch cells. 

Hearing those words still made him feel sick. It was probably meant in a sweet way — but it hurt. How could Rick believe that he would ever allow Moloch to do with him what he did to Aaron? Aaron was already ruined. Broken, violated, abandoned by everyone but Rick. Until he met Rick, his lips had been unable to smile for months; a dull indifference had been the only thing he felt. He had been dead inside — and Rick had awoken something inside him. Something which made life better here, but which was thrown to pieces now. 

It felt like now, everyone could see the shards he was consisting of. 

Rick however was still in one piece. He was still pure, his heart was still good. 

And once Moloch was done with him, pieces would be all that was left of him. A fact Aaron was forced to live with. After all, he had allowed Rick to come closer; he had longed for his friendship, for his love. His weakness cost Rick his innocence, maybe even his life. 

. . .

Aaron sat upright as the door of his cell was opened. It was still dark; the alarm clock wasn't blaring. His stomach cramped up at the thought that Moloch was already released from solitary. Or maybe he was permitted to sleep here and would he go back tomorrow. He was surely able to arrange something like that. 

"Thank you," a polite voice sounded when the door closed. 

Aaron narrowed his eyes to identify the man who was inside his cell now. Moloch would never thank a guard. His built was also much smaller than that of his tormentor. 

His heart seemed to shake in his chest when he realized that it was Rick.

"What — what are you doing here?"

Rick sat down at the edge of the bed. Aaron reached for the light switch, he couldn't believe the boy was really here. 

"I wanted to be with you," Rick said quietly. "Even though you're mad at me. I hope — I hope I can make things right. Mateo bribed a guard who will bring me back tomorrow morning."

Aaron's head was spinning. He couldn't wrap his head around this; Rick had come to him and his cellmate had paid a lot of money for it.

"Why would he do that?" Aaron asked in a hoarse voice. 

"I think because he wants to help you, but he doesn't know how," Rick answered. "When I told him I wanted to be with you, he said he would take care of it." The boy reached his fingers forwards, taking his hand in his as if it was something very fragile. "I don't know if you want me around. Maybe you preferred to be alone. I can also sit on the chair and wait until the sun comes up." A pink tinge spread across his cheeks. "Maybe this was stupid. You — I guess you were relieved that you were alone and now..."

"I'm glad you're here," Aaron said. "I'm not sure it's smart... But..." he sighed. "But Moloch knows about us anyway."

The boy bent his head. "I couldn't watch and do nothing. He's a monster. I keep thinking about what he said so shamelessly about you, how he treated you in public..." His voice sounded smothered and when Aaron moved his glance to his face, he saw the tears in his eyes. "I feel so sorry for you," the boy said, his voice shaking. "I was so relieved that he would stay away from you for a few days... I didn't think of the consequences."

Tears rolled down his cheeks. 

Aaron sat on his knees, taking Rick's face between his hands and wiping the tears away with his thumbs. For a while he stared into his sweet, sad eyes. 

"Please, never suggest to switch cells again," he whispered. "I have to endure this for six more weeks. Never try to lure him out again, I don't want you to take my place once I'm gone. I can do this for another few weeks," he promised. "And once I'm out, I will wait for you."

Rick raised his hand, with the back of his fingers he caressed Aaron's cheek. His gentle touch caused goosebumps to spread across his neck and shoulders and he closed his eyes. 

"Will you really wait for me?" Rick asked. His voice was almost inaudible. "It will take more than six months before I can leave."

Aaron opened his eyes again. Rick had pulled his hand away and his skin felt cold. 

"I will visit you each week."

Rick's cheeks flushed. "You will?"

"I will." Aaron laid back on his bed, shoving aside a little. Hesitantly, he looked at his friend. "You want uhm — You can lie down next to me if you like?"

"Oh." Shyly, Rick bit his lip, causing Aaron's stomach to flutter. The boy laid down on the bed and rolled on his side. Aaron felt nervous. A tingling feeling raced down his arms to his hands, and he raised his hand and awkwardly raked his fingers through Rick's brown curls. His hair was so soft, and the curls were so beautiful. 

They were lying on their sides facing each other. He noticed that Rick didn't know what to do with his arm, which was awkwardly lying between their bodies. Would he like to feel his hand on his hip? On his chest? He didn't know — and he felt relieved that the boy wasn't trying anything. 

He moved his glance back to Rick and looked into his brown eyes. He was so handsome... Aaron couldn't imagine why Rick would want to be here with him. Actually, he'd thought that nobody would ever want to touch him after what had happened to him. He thought they would be disgusted with him. 

Aaron's gaze wandered to Rick's lips. Would they taste like they had done last time? Or would he be reminded of Moloch? There was a knot in his stomach. No — Rick was the opposite of his cellmate. He moved his face a little closer to his friend. His heart was sputtering in his chest. Just a little closer...

Suddenly, their noses bumped and ashamed, Aaron turned his face away. 

Rick's lips softly touched his cheek. A sigh of relief left Aaron's lips. He turned his face back, this time their lips did reach each other. Aaron cupped Rick's jaw while pressing small kisses to his lips. After a while, Rick's tongue tapped against his bottom lip and he opened his mouth to let him in. 

Aaron's toes curled as they snuggled closer. The kiss was tender and soft. Whatever Moloch had tried to take from him, he hadn't succeeded. This kiss was something nobody could imitate, for a brief moment his world seemed to be painted in gold. Rick laid an arm around him, pulling him closer. 

For a long time they were kissing, until Aaron felt something hard press against his pubic region. Immediately he recoiled, his back hit the wall. 

Rick looked at him, startled. "What is it? Did I do something wrong?"

Aaron didn't answer. Instead, he stared at the boy's waist. Through his thin pajama pants, his erection was clearly visible. Something inside him contracted. A voice in his head whispered that Rick was only after one thing. 

Sex. 

Just like all other men around here. 

"Oh," Rick said quietly. His cheeks turned flaming red, and awkwardly he tried to shield off his excitement with his hand. "Sorry. I — I didn't want..." His eyes dropped. "I think you're incredibly handsome and I am very much in love with you, but I would never... I would never do something you don't want me to, Aaron. You — you have to believe me. And I promise you that... that I never think about such things when I fantasize about us. Not until — not until you're okay with it. And if you're never okay with it... then that's okay too. We will find other things we both feel comfortable with, right?"

Rick looked up. Aaron saw the truth in his eyes and the fear slipped away. He felt guilty for comparing Rick to the others. Of course he was different. 

"Sorry," he murmured. 

"It's okay," Rick said. He moved a little closer to Aaron and rested his head on the same pillow. Aaron felt warm when he looked into the boy's eyes. Even though he wasn't touching him, it felt like he was receiving a warm embrace. "Mateo already told me I have to be very careful with you."

It felt like he had swallowed a stone. The thought that Rick discussed things like that with his cellmate, gave him a strange feeling. 

"You were careful," he answered, looking at the sheets. "I responded too fiercely."

"It's okay," Rick said once more. "Shall we sleep?"

Aaron nodded. Rick turned on his back and reached for the night light to switch it off. Aaron hesitated briefly before crawling closer to his friend, craving for his warmth. 

Hesitantly, he wrapped an arm around Rick's warm torso. He was afraid that he was showing mixed signals, but he really wanted to feel the reassurance of his arms. 

In the darkness, their lips met without it being Aaron's intention, and while they kissed in silence, their embrace became more passionate until they fell asleep with their limbs entangled.