Russell Howard and Jon Richardson

Chapter 1

-Jon's point of view-

Cooking has always been one of Jon's favourite ways to unwind, and seeing as Russell can barely tell a kettle from a pan, Jon more or less provides every meal they eat.
When Russell gets down the stairs, he sighs happily as the smell of perfectly fried omelette with bacon and chives hits his nose.

'Good morning, made you some eggs' Jon says.

'Oh you legend, that looks amazing' Russell says gleefully.

Russell doesn't know half the impact these little compliments have on Jon. Jon smiles and hands him a plate. Jon can't help but notice the toned muscle in Russell's right arm as he takes the plate and places it front of himself. Jon avoids eye contact, and tries to push the thought away. As Jon turns on the coffee machine he foccuses his thoughts on the day ahead.

'Are you nervous? Big day right?' Jon asks tentatively.

It's friday and tonight Russell Howard's Good News is launching, and although the producers at the BBC are happy with how it turned out, there is no telling how the British public will respond.

Jon meets Russel's eyes and in the blue he sees a flash of anxious realization, before it dissapears and Russell smiles. Jon can't help but notice the smile doesn't quite reach his eyes.

'Big day.. sure is' Russell mumbles.

Jon decides to change the topic, as Russell is clearly trying to hide his angst, it might be better to distract him.

'So looking forward to your little launch party tonight?' Jon asks in his cheeriest voice. 

Jon, an introvert himself, would only experience more stress at the thought of a party at the end of a stressful day, but he knows Russell well enough to know they are different in this respect.

'Definitely!' Russell says happily. 'We are gonna get so smashed, I can hardly wait!'

'Excellent, I'll make some snacks this afternoon' Jon says.

'Thanks' Russell responds smilingly. 'But just promise me you won't go to your room halfway through the party this time.' Russell says seriously, though with a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth. 'I want you hammered, making out with some guy or girl, not in bed till after 4 a.m. okay?' Russell says, a warm smile on his face at the thought.

Jon smiles warmly at the use of guy or girl. He thinks back to the moment he told Russell he was bisexual last year. He was scared shitless his sexuality would ruin their friendship, but as he should have expected Russell was great about it.

'All right, careful what you wish for, I'll get smashed all right, you watch me' Jon laughs.

Jon has grown used to the small aches he feels every time Russell mentions his or Jon's romantic involvement with other people. He decided a long time ago that his feelings for Russell will have to remain his best kept secret if he wants this friendship to work. Jon never had much hope of him and Russell getting together anyways, as Russell had never shown any romantic interest in men, let alone in Jon. Jon realizes it might seem tortuous to live with the person you love and never confront those feelings, but he prefers it to admitting his attraction and ending their friendship. He could never survive that. Moreover, he is happy, he has been happy since he moved in with Russell, and expects he'll remain happy as long as he has Russell in his live. Even if it means short bursts of heartache every once in a while.

The doorbell rings to interrupt Jon's train of thoughts.

'It's probably Sam, I'll get it' Russell jumps up and walks to the door.

That afternoon the three of them hang out and play fifa, until more people arrive to watch the launch of Russell's show with them.