Chapter 9

Newt knelt on the floor, sorting the laundry into the drawers. He started off folding the clothes before growing more and more bored by the action and balling everything inside.

Leo was out on the wing playing table football with Greaves of all people. Newt couldn't stand him after the shanking incident and had retreated to his cell, knowing Leo would hear him if he shouted.

He still didn't know what he was supposed to shout.

"How disappointing, I thought I'd taught you better than that."

Newt gasped at Jude's voice.

Jude's voice.

It wasn't possible.

The cell door closed with a gentle click.

Newt didn't dare turn to the door. He got back to his feet slowly, facing the window.

"Jude…"

"Yes?"

Newt was too afraid to turn around. He pulled a deep breath into his lungs and checked his feet to make sure they were firmly on the ground. "Are you really here?"

"Why don't you turn around and find out?"

"I'm scared to."

"Newt," Jude said softly. A hand gripped Newt's shoulder. "I'm really here."

Newt held his breath, shuffling in a small circle until he faced his brother. When he widened his eyes, they dropped tears onto his cheeks.

"Don't," Jude murmured as he wiped them away with his thumb. "I'm sorry it took me so long, okay? I had to work my notice, then go through training and an induction week on A-wing."

Newt gaped at the uniform, not dissimilar to Jude's police one. White shirt, black trousers, but no tie. Instead he wore a navy-blue V-neck jumper with a prison chest stitched to the right side. He had a radio attached to his belt buckle and a huge set of keys.

"You…" Newt pointed at his hair. "You styled your hair?"

"That's what you're most shocked about?"

Newt touched the stiff wave.

"Hope showed me a few tricks."

"It looks good."

"Thanks."

Newt lowered his hand. "Are you here to break me out?"

Jude's eyebrows shot up to meet his hair. "Erm. No."

Newt jabbed Jude's cheek with his finger. Hard.

"Ouch."

"Checking this is real, that's all."

Jude smirked. "Then pinch yourself."

"That's not conclusive," Newt said. "I'm going to hug you now."

"About time…"

Newt captured Jude in a fierce hug. He shoved his nose into Jude's neck and breathed in lavender fabric softener. Stone, Mickey and him didn't use it. The scent had become unique to Jude and his flat, but it was still the smell of home. Jude embraced him back and ran his long fingers through Newt's hair.

"This needs a trim."

Newt sniffled, burying himself deeper into Jude's arms.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be at your sentencing. You know it's complicated with my job, but it gave me the perfect head start when applying for the prison service."

"Why did you want to be a prison officer?"

Jude hummed. It vibrated against Newt's cheek. "Because I fancied the huge pay cut and the ridiculous hours, Newt."

"Really?"

He leaned back and flicked Newt squarely on the forehead. "I'm here to keep an eye on you."

"What about Stud Muffins? Stone and Mickey. You're the lookout."

"Yes," Jude said. "I look out for my brothers, and the best way I can look out for Stone and Mickey and you is by being here. The bakery—and what happens out the back of it, can wait. You're more important."

"But—"

Jude gently knocked his knuckles into Newt's chin. "No buts. You come first."

"I didn't think I'd get to see you until I was out."

"Couldn't have that." Jude smiled. "I brought you something."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a familiar chain. Newt blinked, refocusing on the blue of the swinging pendant. The same colour as his mother's eyes, and when he brushed a finger against it, he thought of her.

He saw her gazing down at him.

She'd taken it off her neck and hung it around his, telling him to look after it until she came back. It was a link wherever he was to home. Stone had told him not to wear it to his sentencing, said he'd have to hand it over when he was processed into the prison and it might go missing. Gold and silver chains were allowed, as were plain wedding rings, but not priceless blue pendants.

Newt took Neptune into his palm. He gasped, looking up. Blue eyes met his, not the same shade as their mothers, but close enough. Some people thought they were cold, harsh, but Newt knew they weren't. That blue looking back at him was soft for certain people, him being one of them.

Possibly, they were softest when looking at him.

"Jude…"

"Officer Aster." Jude smirked. "Stone and Mickey okayed me bringing it in. You've got to keep it hidden, though."

"I will." Newt stroked the pendant one last time, then hid it inside his pillow.

The cell door opened. Leo froze, gaze falling on Jude's hand on Newt's shoulder, then following the arm up to Jude's face.

His jaw dropped. "You're fucking kidding me."

Jude snatched his hand away. His flicker of panic lasted a millisecond, then he schooled it away. "I'm prison Officer Aster. A new starter. I'm going to be?—"

"Don't act like you don't recognise me," Leo interrupted. "You're the bastard that arrested me."

"Not to be technical, but my colleague arrested you."

"You chased me down."

Jude smiled, but it was strained. "You are a diamond thief. Of course, I was going to chase you."

"I snapped my ankle."

"I remember." Jude folded his arms. "I vomited down the wall because of it."

"I almost died!"

Riley pushed by Leo to get into the cell. "Have we got a problem here?"

"No," Jude said.

Leo widened his eyes. "Yes. A tall-arsed, lanky problem. Why is he on this wing?"

Riley shot daggers at Leo. "You don't get to dictate where new officers are assigned. We need all the staff we can get."

"We're not desperate enough for him."

"Enough," Riley snapped. "Officer Aster isn't going anywhere."

"No," Jude said, "but your manner is rather threatening, Lenard. Maybe you'd be more suited to A or B-wing."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Stop! Just stop!" Newt shouted.

"Aster," Riley said, flicking his head back. "I'll show you the yard."

"Sounds good to me."

Leo blocked Jude's path until the last possible second, then let him pass. He slammed the door. "I can't believe he's here."

Newt bit his lip. "He might not be so bad?—"

"What do you mean he might not be so bad? I'm in here because of him!"

Newt winced.

"Sorry." Leo ran a hand over his hair. "I don't mean to take it out on you. It was a shock to see him, that's all." He exhaled harshly. "Greaves gave me this to pass on."

"You're friends with Greaves now? He stabbed you."

"I wouldn't say friends, but it's how it is in here. One week you hate someone, the next week you think they're alright."

He held out an envelope.

"Greaves sorts the posts out, delivers it to the cells, but I said I'd take yours."

Newt eyed the letter. The top had been ripped open and then resealed with tape.

He ran his finger along the edge.

"The staff checked it," Leo said.

"Do they check yours too?"

"I don't get any mail, Newt."

"Oh…"

Leo gestured to his bed. "Let's see what you got."

He sat down, and Newt joined him, shuffling back until his back hit the wall.

Newt ripped off the tape and shook out the contents. It wasn't a letter like he'd assumed, but a few photographs. His heart beat out of rhythm in his chest at the first picture of him with Stone and Mickey and Triton hanging limply around his neck.

Newt flipped the photo to the back of the pile and frowned at the next picture. A blurry picture with pinks, greys and orange around the edge.

"What the hell is that?" Leo asked.

"It sort of looks like Jupiter's colours." Newt studied the picture for a long time. "I taught Mickey how to use my telescope before I left…but it's hard to get Jupiter in that kind of detail. This…this is incredible. He must've worked hard, read the books I gave him…"

Newt put the photograph to the back and grimaced at the next picture. He inwardly cursed Mickey and swore when he next visited to kick him in the shins under the table until he begged for mercy.

Leo tilted his head. "Is that…is that a cat's arsehole?"

"Yes." Newt blew air from his nostrils. "Mickey zoomed in on Triton's arsehole and tricked me into thinking it was Jupiter…"

The next picture was of Mickey, pointing at the camera and laughing with tears in his eyes.

Leo leaned closer, smirking. "He got you good."

"I hate my brother," Newt grumbled.

"No, you don't," Leo said softly.

Newt put Mickey to the back of the pile. His eyes felt scratchy at the photograph of Triton.

"He looks like you," Leo mumbled.

Newt smiled. He missed Triton climbing onto his chest and wrapping around his neck. He missed the sound of him purring and the slow blinks they exchanged while lying in bed, both content.

The next photograph was Stone. The small tilt to Stone's lips couldn't be described as a smile. It didn't lift his cheeks, let alone his eyes. Newt was familiar with Stone's guilt-ridden face, but this was something different, something that made Newt's insides shrivel.

Stone looked worn down, haggard in a way Newt hadn't seen before.

He hid Stone's photograph at the back and looked at the first one of him sandwiched between Stone and Mickey again.

Robin had taken it a week before the sentencing.

Stone looked more like Stone.

"How come you don't get any letters?" Newt asked.

"There's no one out there to send any to me."

"You must have someone."

"Your brother sent me one, that's it." Leo flicked the photographs in Newt's hands. "You're lucky, Newt. Someone gives a damn about you."

"Leo—"

"Now…" Leo heaved himself up. He smiled. "It's teatime."