The Strange Affair of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

The story of Jeckyll's front door

Gabriel Utterson had everything he could've wanted...a month before. It was a fine day but he could not enjoy it. Too many thoughts plagued his mind. For one, he had two partners whom he'd felt he could not live without. On the one side, there was Henry Jeckyll, a mighty specimen if he might say so himself. Many a day he had gotten lost in those comforting arms and many nights he'd trail his own arms over Harry's muscled abdomen. Although, unfortunately, in the public's view they were nothing more than companions.

On the other hand, Utterson had another lover, Hastie Lanyon. One who had accepted him both in privacy and outside. On many occasions, he had glided his hands over his smooth flesh on their routine walks. Pushing up Hastie's spectacles had become a habit of his which was always accompanied by a slight, shy smile from both ends. A habit that he had missed since their walks had taken a pause a few days prior.

Both Harry and Hastie had wanted to pursue him solely. It broke his heart to know that he might leave with only one of the two or even none. The thing is he could not choose. He had fallen for both in equal amounts. He had tried to reason but his pleas had come to no avail. Both Harry and Hastie had bestowed upon him an ultimatum. Either they were chosen or they'd go their separate way. Too much had come between them and thinking back over it, they had always seemed to have an awkward manner around each other. They had never touched each other affectionately unless he asked for it himself.

Dread seemed to rush over Utterson as he replayed memories but saw them in other eyes. He'd seen the hurt in Harry's eyes when Hastie's hand clutched his own at soirees and dinner parties whether they were hosted at his own abode or a friend's.

Days seemed to blend into one another and the moon had gone through many cycles as the time for Utterson's final decision started to run out. The once bright days had turned to those filled with thick sheets of grey where the horizon could no longer be seen. The sky had an awful pallour to it until the darkest shades of white came from the clouds. The streets held a sluggish presence about them and the ghosts of livelihood roamed langourously.

Finally, the hour had come. Utterson made his way through the streets. Everything felt as if it slowed down and time had converted to solely a concept. His feet had automatically moved already knowing where they were heading. Suddenly they stopped and he turned to face Harry's front door. The white wooden frame looked duller on this day and was slightly chipped at the edges. It had a height taller than the average to accommodate Harry's towering frame.

Utterson took a deep breath and it seemed even the simple elements such as the wind were against him as the cold air clawed at his nostrils. Utterson realised that this may be the last time he would be at this exact location. This may be the last time that he and Harry would be together. Harry would no longer be Harry but Henry Jeckyll instead.

He placed a firm knock on the door and was confronted by Poole, Harry's butler. Acknowledging him, Poole moved to the side and dictated that Harry was expecting him in the dining room for a hopefully extended luncheon. Utterson had nodded in response and made his way inside not having needed to be directed already knowing each room by memory.

As he walked through the petite library he caught sight of the rare novel he had gifted Harry for his birthday just two years prior. A smile came across his face as he remembered the day with exceptional detail.

He had gone on a walk with both Harry and Hastie when the book in question had caught Harry's eye. He had insisted on going inside but once hearing the cost and noticing the look of disapproval from Hastie he decided not to make the purchase. His shoulders had slumped for the rest of the walk so Utterson had made an excuse of having a client and leaving Hastie and Harry in each other's company before running to the store to purchase the book.

Upon seeing 'The Way About Transformations and Potions: Volume I' Harry's face lit up and he clutched the book to his chest and it had seemed that if he could've he would have stayed in the moment and never let go of the book but after what had seemed like forever, he had embraced Utterson and promised many things for the night hours quietly since there were others around.

Utterson shook his head to rid himself of the trance his memories had placed him under and continued to the dining room. Harry's head lifted for a moment before he controlled himself and lowered it trying to hide the emotions off his face. It was a momentous day for himself as well since he'd find out if he really meant as much to Gabriel as he'd thought prior.

Out of Utterson's sight, Henry Jeckyll raked at his inexpressibles and felt his overgrown nails through the thick material. He tried to avoid Gabriel's eyes