Bug Carnival

"I've been here the other three times you've served time," Etho replied easily. "I don't know why you were expecting anything different this time."

"Well, your sentence has to end at some point," Joel pointed out. "Unless it's a life sentence. You know, you still refuse to tell me what exactly you're in for."

"Let me guess," Etho said evasively, "more minor felonious larceny?"

"That was a lot of big words, Eefo. Did you just hand me a dictionary?"

"No, Bdubs brought me Robin Hood. That's what that is."

"That feels like you're trying to make a point."

Etho draped his arms through the bars of his cell. "Bdubs is the one who chose it — is he making a point?"

"Why can't you ever answer directly?" Joel sighed, stepping away from the bars and trudging over to his bed.

"What'd you steal?" There was a creak, presumably Etho sitting on his own bed.

"I'll tell you when you tell me what your sentence is."

Etho had the gall to laugh, a low chuckle that made Joel's eye twitch.

"That's a story for another time," Etho murmured after a moment.

Joel huffed, turning on his side and sliding the book towards him, tracing a finger lazily over the letters on the cover. "You say that every time."

~

Etho settled next to Joel, close and warm as he pressed against the latter's side.

"Clingy, as always," Joel mumbled around his mouthful of food, even as he leaned into Etho. "So obsessed with me. You were just waiting for me to end up back in here, weren't you? Counting down the days?"

Etho huffed a laugh, pulling his tray towards himself, his shoulders curling inwards. He tucked his chin towards his chest as he pulled the medical mask over his mouth and nose down. Joel averted his eyes, pushing the bland food around his tray.

"Is that Joel?"

He barely suppressed a groan as Scott settled across from him, delicately setting his tray on the table. Joel smiled thinly at the man, Etho pressing his shoulder harder into Joel's.

"I suppose it was too much to hope for that you'd be long gone," Joel sighed, resting his chin on his hand and dropping his fork unceremoniously. Scott laughed, lacing his fingers and placing his head atop them.

"Oh, Joel, you know I'm in here for murder — I'm not leaving for a long while."

"Parole is a thing."

Scott's smile only grew. "Not for me, it isn't."

"First degree, Joel," Etho said quietly, still focused on his food. "'Life without chance of parole' is his sentence."

"Shame," Joel said, still glaring at Scott. "Lucky for me, though, I won't be back after this."

"You said that last time," Scott sang, finally turning his attention to his tray. "And here you are."

Joel's free hand curled into a fist, Etho's eyes flicking over at the motion. Scott clocked the movement, his lips quirking upwards. "Ah, right," he said. "Your boyfriend will protect you."

He knew better. But Scott had a special way of getting under his skin. Joel shoved to his feet, Scott leaning back as Joel slammed his hands on the table and leaned towards him.

"Watch it, Smajor," Joel spat. "I don't need anyone to protect me, and if you doubt it, I'll shove your precious ego so far up your—"

"Joel," Etho warned, grabbing Joel's arm and squeezing. Scott grinned and blew a kiss towards the pair.

Joel could take Scott. He could. But that was just what Scott wanted, the antagonist. Reluctantly, Joel sat back on the bench, folding his arms atop the table.

He listened to the idle chatter of the cafeteria for several minutes until Etho pulled his mask back onto his face and leaned fully into Joel. Scott finished his own food and pushed his tray back, resting his elbows on the table.

"How long's your sentence this time around?" he prompted Joel.

He thought about saying something smart but ultimately decided against it, tapping his fingers against the table. "Three months," he grumbled.

"Pretty short, don't you think?"

"I didn't choose the sentence, did I, lad?"

Scott shrugged. "Always wondered why they stuck you in here with us with your misdemeanors."

"They're not misdemeanors," Joel muttered petulantly, though he was unsure why he was defending his felonies, as if thievery could compete with first degree murder.

"It's grand larceny," Etho supplied cheekily.

"Oh yeah?" Scott snickered.

"Yeah," Joel snarked. "At least you can commit grand larceny more than once. Get caught doing your bloomin' murder and you can never do it again."

"Never say never," Scott retorted, wagging a finger at Joel. He only rolled his eyes in response.

~

Joel hissed through his teeth, Etho's hand firm on his jaw while his other dabbed at Joel's tender nose.

He couldn't help it, okay? Joel knew he was quick to anger, and he'd been in prison with many of the same inmates several times now; he knew them and they knew him, and antagonizing each other was just part of the game.

And breaking each other's noses. That was part of it, too.

Unfortunately, Joel's nose had taken the brunt of the damage, though Martyn hadn't escaped the scuffle unscathed. Etho and Ren had pulled the pair apart before any real damage could occur. The other inmates had already been distracting the guards to keep severe punishment from Joel and Martyn, something they only did because they all feared or respected Ren and Etho.

A thank you was stuck in the back of Joel's throat as Etho braced his thumbs against the base of Joel's nose, the words dissolving in a shriek as Etho snapped his nose back into place. Etho's hands cradled Joel's face, waiting until the latter stopped squirming to begin cleaning up the blood smeared on his upper lip.

"Way to make a statement," Etho finally said.

"Martyn has a very punchable face."

"A lot of people say the same thing about you."

"Why?! I'm very handsome and loveable! No one wants to punch me!"

Etho's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled beneath the medical mask. "Yes," he agreed with a nod. "Very handsome. Very loveable."

"Don't patronize me, Eefo."

"I'm being serious." Etho tucked the cloth he'd been using into the collar of his jumpsuit, leaning back on his bed. Joel frowned down at the man, then puffed out a breath and flopped back to lay down next to his companion.

The bed was hardly made for two people, but Etho turned to lay on his side, pressing his back against the wall and making room for Joel to stretch out on the bed beside him.

"Three months, you said?" Etho murmured, lowering his head to the pillow, knuckles brushing Joel's side.

"That's what the judge said," Joel replied quietly, turning his head towards his companion. Etho shifted his head to nestle deeper into the pillow, blinking slowly at Joel.

"Did you talk to Lizzie?"

"I called her yesterday, yeah."

"And?"

"I'm in for an earful at the end of May."

They sat in silence for the next few minutes, Etho closing his eyes and pulling his mask just below his nose. Joel dropped his hand to rest over his companion's.

"You think very loudly," Etho mumbled without opening his eyes. Joel scowled.

"Come on, Etho! This may be our last sentence together."

"If you can keep your hands off people's valuables."

"I can."

"Mhm."

Joel gave Etho's hand a punishing squeeze. "Come now," he urged. "Tell me your sentence. What are you in for, Eefo?"

Etho cracked one eye open, then promptly shut it again, shifting to tuck Joel's head under his chin. "Just trust that the next time you're in here," Etho murmured, draping one arm over Joel's middle, "I'll be here."

And perhaps that was the best Joel was ever going to get. He sighed, butted his forehead against Etho's chest, and closed his eyes.