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“It’s been too long, it really has. I’m delighted to see you, Barok.”
In any other context, those words would have been happy ones. Ones Barok could have clung to as a brief ray of sun during a storm. Yet, the circumstances didn’t allow him any comfort. Meeting his friend again through prison bars was never how he’d hope for such a reunion. Though, he’d often tried to push such thoughts away. It had been so unlikely they’d ever see each other again.
“It’s been ten years. And here we are, meeting in prison of all places.,” Barok replied, finding himself unable to quite look at the other man directly. He didn’t trust himself to maintain his composure if he looked, and he couldn’t allow himself to slip with guards in view.
“I can’t forgive myself for what happened to Mr. Asman! I just can’t!” Albert exclaimed, normally cheery voice dripping with guilt, “I… I still can’t believe it could happen…”
Even after all this time, Barok hated hearing the other upset. Somehow he could still remember times he had comforted Albert through school whenever his newest experiments failed. This was far more serious than those times, but his impulse remained the same. He wished for nothing more than to put an arm around the other’s shoulders and assure him that next time would be better.
But now that would be a lie. And he was unable to show any comfort at all. He crossed his arms tightly, as though his body would betray his mind and still attempt to hold the other through prison bars. This was a terrible situation… and it was only going to get worse.
He was quiet for a moment, controlling his emotions, before he spoke, “Tomorrow, the court will decide.”
“Yes!” Albert agreed, closer to his usual demeanor, “I have a young Eastern man acting for my defense. He seems reliable enough, though. It-it was an accident. A terrible accident. He-he-he assures me he can prove it!”
That was what he had to hope for. Barok already knew of the aforementioned “Eastern man’s” involvement, having heard it from the own man’s mouth that morning. He had no choice but to put a small amount of faith into his learned friend that he would be just as stubborn to defend his client as always.
But even that wouldn’t protect Albert from…
“I must warn you,” Barok began after a moment’s pause.
“Oh, I know, I know! I’ve heard already,” Albert interrupted a bit sheepishly, “you’re going to be prosecuting, aren’t you?”
“...Yes” Barok replied, looking towards dismal stone floors.
Albert was silent for a moment, a rare thing for him. Which only meant he truly had something of great significance to say that had a great deal of thought behind it.
“Since I’ve returned to England, I’ve heard lots of stories,” Albert began simply, voice devoid of its usual lifts and excitement. Barok would have rather listened to him speak in any other way. So much had changed in ten years. He wasn’t certain he could take Albert believing any of the rumors that now surrounded his life.
“Barok, are you really…?”
No, Barok didn’t want to hear that question. He’d heard it far too often from scornful passers-by and assailants. If Albert believed those lies enough to even ask, it would hurt far more deeply than the attack he’d just endured, and he wasn’t certain he would ever recover. Please, let his one shining light remain that way, even if just in reflection.
“What…?” Barok asked when Albert suddenly went quiet. If this was to happen, he wouldn’t delay it. Better for it to be over quickly so he could bar himself in his estate after. His eyes cut to the other, hoping beyond hope he wouldn’t see fear in the other’s eyes.
Another long moment of silence, then…
“Nevermind,” Albert said, a warm smile coming to his face, “I know that you have my best interests at heart.”
Trust. All the terrifying things Albert had likely heard, all the time that had passed, and Albert still trusted him. Barok had to look away. The light nearly hurt his eyes, so accustomed to shadows.
“My friend is on trial,” he said, voice far more gentle than he’d allow anyone else hear him speak, “I wouldn’t entrust it to anybody else.”
“Of course. I fully understand,” Albert said, “thank you, Barok.”
“Until tomorrow, then. I’ll see you in court.”
Yet, he found himself turning to face the other instead of turning to leave. Barok’s eyes lingered on the other. Such a dark and cramped place didn’t suit one so bright and free. He glanced about him to ensure the guards were properly preoccupied before holding his hand out halfway between the bars. Gently, Albert laid his hand within the other’s, staring at their hands before meeting the other’s eyes and smiling. Despite himself and all the hellish circumstances around them, Barok smiled back. It couldn’t have been called a handshake, but Barok wasn’t willing to call it anything else, even as his thumb traced across the top of the other’s knuckles. This was all he could do for now. The rest wasn’t up to him.
Even after ten years, his friend was the same, as was their friendship. For that he would always be grateful. If only there had ever been a chance for more. More of what, he wasn’t certain. He only knew, in that moment, that the bars of the prison cell were a far greater distance than time and seas had ever been.