Regiphobia

The Death

Goda sat in a comfortable seat beside Gabe. He felt heavy. He didn't want to be here, but he knew Gabe would get mad at him if he asked to leave, and he probably wouldn't be allowed to anyway. There was only one thing to look at. 

His dad, behind some bulletproof glass, was banging on the door out. He kept knocking, yelling, and Goda couldn't make out the words but he could hear it. He could hear how angry, but scared his father was. He wanted him dead, didn't he? Of course. He wanted him gone and out of his life but he didn't want to watch this, he wanted to puke.

"Richard Koetsu, you were found guilty of the assault and history of domestic abuse of your son Goda Koetsu. You have been sentenced to death by poison gas," a voice came through the speakers by the ceiling. Goda was tense. Oh god, no, he didn't want to watch this, he couldn't be here.

"Please do not attempt escape."

Gabe and Goda were alone in that room. There wasn't a single security camera or microphone. No one to see or hear him in the case of... an emergency. He looked away from the glass, a lump in his throat.

He felt a squeeze on his hand, "Eyes forward, love. You wanted this, didn't you?"

Goda obeyed.

Goda could hear the quiet hiss of gas being released. His hands were shaking. His heart was pounding. His dad got more frantic. More noises, it felt like the gas must have been seeping into their room. Blood was splattered on the glass now, and it spread over it all. It dripped into the room they were in, cracking the glass. It shattered, pouring, bleeding.

He watched the blood raise to his calves and he turned to Gabe, "We- We have-"

Gabe was staring at him, blood dripping like tears from his eyes, "You wanted this. You wanted this. Why are you crying, my doll? You wanted this."

Goda ripped his hand away from the other, running to the door and trying to pull it open as the blood got to his thighs. Those words echoed in his ear as he found it was locked. He pounded on the door, crying for help, tears on his cheeks and only making the sea below him rise faster. His waist, his chest, his neck, he couldn't get out.

"Let me out-!" he tried to scream, but it filled his mouth and he had to swim to breathe. He took one last breath when it hit the ceiling, then-

He shot up in bed, screaming. His skin was pale, cold, covered in sweat. He was shaking, tears on his cheeks. Gabe sat up beside him, "What is it?"

Goda looked around quickly. A nightmare, that was all. Not anything else. But he couldn't stop crying. A sob came from his throat as he pulled his knees to his chest, hiding his face. He felt two strong hands lightly rest on his shoulders.

"Another nightmare?" Gabe mumbled, rubbing his shoulders gently. Goda managed a nod, but he was still shaking. "Hey, it's alright. Just breathe. It wasn't real. Damn, you seem to be having a new one of those every night."

"I'm s-s-sorry," Goda whimpered, "I kn-know I'm pathetic, I'm sorry, I c-can't stop them-"

"Oh, my doll, it's alright. I know you can't. You're such a good boy for me, apologizing without even being asked. Such a good boy," Gabe ran a gentle hand through his hair, and Goda leaned against him. He needed something, anything, to not spiral out of control, and it was at times like these that Gabe could do as he pleased. When Goda needed it, and Gabe was the only one there...

"My perfect darling... Just breathe, my love, it's alright. I won't let anyone hurt you," Gabe whispered in his ear, wrapping his arms around him, "I'll take care of you. It's all OK."

Goda nodded, unable to think about what Gabe was saying. He was just focusing on how calm he sounded, on how warm it was beside him, on how the arms around him were keeping him safe.

"Do you think you can sleep? We have quite a bit to do tomorrow," Gabe said, rubbing his back with one hand.

"...I'll t-try," Goda mumbled. Gabe laid down with a nod, holding out an arm for Goda to lie in. He laid down, curling into his side. A tiny voice in his head was telling him it should be Juan, but he didn't pay attention to it.

He did manage to fall asleep again. It wasn't exactly restful, but he slept. It was only a few hours more until he felt Gabe wake him up. He opened his eyes.

"It's time to get ready, my love," Gabe said softly, caressing his cheek. Goda nodded, still incredibly tired.

He sat up. There was an outfit Gabe must have grabbed for him folded neatly on the foot of the bed. He leaned over to grab it, looking to the other to make sure that was what he was supposed to do. Gabe nodded, so he picked it up and slipped out of bed.

He took the clothes and headed into the bathroom to shower and dress. He set down the outfit, taking off his pajamas and stepping under the water. He shut his eyes, just happy for the warmth. He only stayed there for a short while, then got out, dried off, and got dressed. 

He put his hand on the doorknob, but hesitated. He had to go, Gabe would make him.

He stepped out into the room, Where Gabe was putting on a tie. "Ah, there you are my dear. Why don't we head down?" Goda nodded, not having any other choice. Gabe took his hand and lead him out the door. They moved through a maze of rooms and halls to a plain door with a small metal sign.

Viewing Room

Gabe opened the door. Unlike in his dream, there were several people inside. He'd seen most of them before, but he'd never been allowed to talk to them. Gabe lead him to the open pair of chairs in front of all these people. He sat down, as did the other. On the other side of the glass, unlike in his dream, his dad had his wrists and ankles restrained in a chair. There was an IV in his arm. 

Gabe took a quick glance around the room. It seemed he found whatever he was looking for because he nodded to the security camera in the corner of the room. It took a few seconds, but the speaker turned on.

"Richard Koetsu, you have been sentenced to death by lethal injection by the King of Monaco for the assault of the future Prince Consort, Goda Koetsu."

Goda squeezed Gabe's hand.

His dad looked defeated, head down already. He should be smiling, but it had never been that simple for him. If only.

"Please prepare for your death."

There was complete and utter silence in the room.

A man walked in, accompanied by a bodyguard. He had a syringe in hand and latex gloves on. He grabbed the tube attached to Richard's arm, inserted the syringe into a section Goda couldn't see, and pressed down on the plunger.

Goda shut his eyes. Gabe had to be feeling how his hand was trembling. He was silent, eyes closed, for what felt like an eternity. He heard people whispering to each other. He immediately wondered if it was about him. He heard footsteps and the door opening, then a minute of silence.

"We're alone, doll," Gabe said. He opened his eyes hesitantly.

His father was slumped over. Dead.

As Gabe escorted him out, he could have sworn he'd seen just a hint of blood on his collar, but of course, he knew it wasn't real. It never was.