Innocent Criminal

Chapter 7 Pain and Conversations

In their cell, in an eerily quiet prison block Kane sat gently lead Haru over to sit on his bed before taking the stool for himself. Haru still held his trembling hands to his chest, and even though he was no longer in the bitter cold his hands were still screaming in agonising pain and stuck in a clenched fist form. 'Alright, let's see your hands mate.' Kane said as he reached out. But he stopped when Haru harshly flinched away clutching his hands harder into himself. Barely holding in a sob. 'It's ok,' Kane raised his hands in mock surrender. His voice kept calm and quiet. 'Ive got medical experience, I can see what I can do for you.' He offered.

Though over the past few days Haru had convinced himself of the evil intentions behind Kanes kindness, in that moment with the amount of pain he was in that just wasn't going away, and.... god dammit why dose he sound so genuine.

Slowly, the young man moved his bundle of hands out ever so slightly as an acceptance to Kanes offer.

Kanes touch was startlingly gentle to Haru. His hands were so warm and his skin slightly calloused. Though those thoughts for Haru cut off the moment Kane attempted to move one his finger in his right hand and pain shot up so intensely he couldn't help let out a tear. 'Ah - mmh' Haru tried to muffle the cry's of pain and Kanes soft voice came 'shhh its ok, bear with me a sec.'

Kane took the blankets from Haru's bed and wrapped it around Harus hand that was already enveloped in Kanes much larger hands. For a while they just waited it out, waited to Harus hands to warm up and increase blood flow. It was horrible for Haru, and the pain took a long time to even lessen slightly. But man was Harus brain going a mile a minute.

Even with a pain clouded mind Haru couldn't stop his thoughts going to how every time this had happened he'd had to wait out the pain alone, and now this strange man before him was there, holding his hands with soothing words of comfort and a aura of safety Haru didn't think he'd ever felt before.

As his hands eased up the pain, he began to feel Kane gently rubbing his thumb over the scarred and rough skin as the sat in silents. Harus eyes at some point became transfixed onto Kanes face - to which Kane pretended not to notice - he looked as if he where memorising each aspect of the beutiful face before him. The full lips, the wide and strong jaw line, the slight crook of his nose, and the eyes that truly, completely and undoubtedly held kindness not even Harus toxic brain couldn't deny.

Eventually Kane removed his hands and the blanket from Haru's left hand, leaving the right still bundled up in warmth, to inspect the still curled up hand. 'I had a friend a few years back who had burnt the inside of his palm, similar to this, so I'm going to reassure you I have some idea of what to do' Kane said in a low tone as if trying not to disturb the peace and quiet before he gently pried his thumb underneath Haru's curls fingers and began massaging the skin to induce more blood flow.

Haru tried to stay as still as he could but every now and then Kane would press down and pain would shoot up again, causing Haru to hiss and flinch his hands away in an attempt to escape. But Kane held his hands firm and pulled them back out every time and whisper 'it's ok' or 'you doing really well' and 'almost there mate'.

It was perplexing to Haru. He didn't like to be touched by anyone, yet Kane was touching him, and it felt so welcoming and warm instead of triflingly uncomfortable. He didn't trust the man and told himself he was evil like everyone else but there was no doubt in this man's genuine smile.

Haru didn't know what to do with the situation. But for the first time in as long as he could remember he wasn't drowned by anxiety and fear, it felt to him like finally taking a breath of air. And Haru liked it, the relief, so for now he'd just accept it and relish in the feeling for as long as he could.

Kane had moved onto the left hand after Haru's right regained most of its movement, and decided to try break the silence. It was the perfect opportunity to get some information out of the suspect.

Kane had got Haru's file sent over when he and his colleges found out about Haru connection to King. Possession and distribution of heavy opioids what what Haru was charged with. However surprisingly he had no other convictions or even arrests before that.

'Don't talk all that much do ya' he said casually. Haru stared at him for a while as if contemplating what to say.

'Just don't have much to say.' He eventually replied. 'Not the best company in a place like this I suppose'

'Well, would you consider me decent company?'

'I guess' Haru shrugged, eyes focused on their joined hands instead of Kane.

It took not long before Kanes original intentions to prey information from Haru flew out the window. Instead what did he learn? He learnt Haru favourite colour, favourite music band, favourite food. He learnt Haru loved a good fish and chips on a cold England day, much like Kane himself. He learnt Haru loved the sea but had never been outside London till he got sent off to prison. Kane talked about his trips abroad that Haru was insanely interested in, questioning everything.

What was the wether like in Spain?

Have you been on a boat? Did you get sick?

What's it like to be In a plane?

Is the air different there?

Are the people nicer there?

Is there really cafes on every corner and street In Paris?

It shocked Kane how animated Haru had become, how much enthusiasm he had over small things. Kane honestly loved it, was engrossed by it, never wanted to see the withdrawn timid version of his cell mate ever again. Haru didn't smile per se, but it was there, hiding in the corners of his lips when he talked about wanting to see the stars in Iceland without any light pollution.

'You can't see many starts in London, but without the city lights people say they see thousands. Even the andromeda galaxy!' He exclaimed. Kane didn't know what the andromeda was but he smiled and said that it was cool and interesting. Haru's hands no longer hurt, he could move them like normal mostly, yet neither of them made a move to let go of the other as they continued to share the lighthearted conversation.