What started with a random number (BXB) (GAY)

Threat neutralized

"Not guilty of assault and battery." 

A sigh of relief escaped both the lips of Emory and Charles, the two words spoken allowing Emory to relax instantly. 

Out of the whole courtroom, they seemed to be the only ones--besides Red, of course--happy with the outcome of the case. There were many murmurs and complaints filling the room before the judge spoke up. 

"The court acknowledges the jury's verdict. Mr. Rosewood, you are free to go. Court is adjourned." 

As the judge stood from his stand and began walking into a separate room, Emory glanced at Charles. "Can I just get up and leave?" He asked in a hushed tone, receiving a firm nod from Charles as he stood first, gathering his things that had been laid out on the desk. 

Emory stood after and turned so that his back was to the front of the room. He gave a glance at Lawrence. He didn't speak a word, he just grinned ever so slightly before turning his attention to the back of the room. 

His eyes scanned the back row for that familiar face, and he was met with nothing. Red must have already left. 

As Emory left the courtroom, he exhaled slowly, yanking the tie from his neck almost immediately as he shoved it in his back pocket.

He liked the way the cool air felt on his face, compared to the humidity he experienced inside. His eyes scanned the parking lot before falling on a man near the corner of the building, leaning up against it with a hood over his face. There he was. 

Emory walked over, stopping next to Red, who pulled down his hood and spoke first. "Your dad," He started. 

Tensing up, Emory instantly averted his gaze. He had used his past traumas to try and guilt-trip the jury, which was good for his case, yet horrendously bad for a discussion with Red. 

"He hit you a lot?" 

Emory shrugged, kicking some loose gravel with his shoe as he stared down at the ground. 

His gaze was quickly snapped back to Red's face as his jaw was grabbed in a firm yet gentle grasp. He clenched his jaw but didn't pull away. "Answer me. Do I need to break a few of his bones?" 

"He hit me sometimes. It- just drop it. Forget it. I don't wanna talk about this shit, okay?" Emory finally responded, grabbing Red's wrist and forcefully tugging it away from his face. He dropped both hands to his side before he took a small step back and continued speaking. "Don't go after him either." 

"Why's that? It's not like he'll know it's because of you. I'll just be vague, say he pissed me off, and show him what happens when someone does that." 

"I'm serious, don't fucking do anything. I'll never talk to you again."

 Red cocked his head to the side, eyes scanning over Emory's face for a moment. "Now, you don't decide whether you talk to me or not. But I'll leave him be if you really want me to." 

His eyes soon flickered to something behind Emory, and his expression instantly hardened. This made Emory realize something that he hadn't before. Red's expression, tone, language, everything was always softened when he talked to Emory. 

However, as his curiosity piqued, he too looked at what was behind him. And to his surprise, there was Pattinson, talking to another officer. Although he didn't quite know how Red recognized him, since he had only given him a name. 

"I'm beating his ass though." 

"I give you full permission. Not here, though. There's cameras and other officers swarming this shithole."