Russell Howard and Jon Richardson

Chapter 2

About thirty people are gathered in the living room that evening. Most of these people are friends of Russell's, from his TV work or otherwise, some of them quite well-known. Jon can't help but feel a little intimidated and finds himself becoming more shy and quiet as more people arrive.
The appartement has a spacious living room with an open kitchen, perfect for parties like these. The television is set to BBC3 and everyone gets comfortable. The intro starts and Russell's name appears in big letters on the screen. It must be a weird experience to have a TV show on BBC3 revolving completely around you, Jon assumes. He looks over at Russell to see the expression on his face. However, Russell's face is mostly blank, with only subtle hints of tension. The intro stops and the show starts.

The show is fast-paced, witty and hilarious, not to mention Russell is amazing in it. Within a minute the living room is filled with laughter and Russell is high-fived and congratulated by all his friends. Jon suspects this show is gonna be a big hit. When the show is over the small crowd in their living room erupts in loud cheers.

Russell stands up and the room quiets down. Russell smiles warmly. 'Dear friends, thanks for sitting through that with me.. Now let's get shitfaced!'

His friends cheer loudly, and people start talking and grabbing drinks, the room is loud with chatter and laughter. Russell is talking to five people at the same time, all of them enthousiastingly shouting out things that were great about his show. Jon wants to talk to him too but expects he'll have to wait his turn.
A sudden feeling of loneliness overtakes him as he looks around the crowded room at Russell's many friends, realizing he doesn't know many of them well, and some not at all. He looks at Russell, still surrounded by people. How will Russell's succes affect their friendship, will he even have time for Jon?

'Hey Jon, what did you think, pretty good right?' Sam pats him on the shoulder and offers him a beer. Jon gratefully takes the beer and takes a big gulp. Alcohol will definitely help this situation.

'It was great, I think Russell is in for some good reviews.' Jon says smilingly

'I think so too, that was excellent'. A handsome, tall, blonde man next to Sam says. 'I don't think we've met, Humphrey Kerr'.

'Jon Richardson' Jon says, shaking his hand politely. He can't help feeling slightly intimidated by this man's towering height. He must be at least 6'7, making him a full foot taller than Jon at 5'7. Humphrey doesn't seem to take notice, a generous smile on his kind face, as he looks into Jon's eyes.
Someone calls Humphrey's name and he excuses himself and walks of.

Jon and Sam discuss the show, laugh and drink a couple more beers, Jon is having more fun than he expected. All worries from just before seem to vanish, erased by the alcohol that colours Jon's cheecks rosy. After a while Jon sees Russell getting a beer from the fridge and he taps him on the shoulder excitedly.

'Russ, congratulations man, your show is awesome.' Jon shouts happily over the increasingly loud murmurs of their crowded living room.

Russell looks at him, clearly a bit tispy himself and pats Jon on the shoulder 'Thanks man, that means a lot. Are you wasted yet? You promised!' Russell grabs a full bottle of red wine from the fridge and pushes it into Jon's hands. 'Finish that before the night is over' Russell urges. 'That is your asignment for tonight. Jon laughs and takes a massive gulp.

Russell cheers. 'Yeah that's more like it you party animal!'

The doorbell rings and Russell leaves to answer it. 

Jon sits down on a barstool at the kitchen counter.He takes another big gulp from the bottle and starts to feel properly buzzed. He looks at the clock. It's 2 AM and the party is still in full swing. Not bad. The living room and kitchen are dimly lit and cozy and he can vaguely make out two people kissing in a far off corner. The atmosphere resembles that of an office christmas party: warm, cozy, alcohol-fuelled, full of hook ups that will later be looked back on with regret.

'Are you really gonna drink that whole bottle by yourself?' A suave oxbridge voice asks, coming from just behind Jon. He spins around and has to lift his head slightly to meet Humphrey's smiling eyes. Once again he feels slightly dwarved next to such a tall figure. 

'Well you can help me out if you want'. Jon utters, handing the bottle to Humphrey, who takes a massive swig. Jon wonders how much alcohol it takes to get such a tall man drunk. Maybe it's less than you'd expect, he ponders, as Humphrey is clearly a bit tipsy already. 

'So you're a comedian right?' Humphrey asks politely. 'What is your material about?'

'Just light-hearted stuff, like my cripling case of OCD and the fact that I've been single for 8 years. Mostly just about how great my life is.' Jon explains sarcastically.

'You've been single for 8 years?' Humphrey asks, seeming genuinely surprised by this fact.

'8 years, 3 months and counting' Jon says, feeling oddly proud of his accuracy. He curses his alcohol fueled brain for distracting his thoughts from the conversation as his eyes involuntarily wander to Humphrey's toned biceps. When his eyes meet Humphrey's again, something seems to have changed in the tall man's expression.

'So you don't have a lot of luck with girls than?' Humphrey asks, with an undertone of anticipation.

'Not with girls or boys really.' Jon says, not losing eye contact, charged with wine-fuelled confidence. 

'I see', Humphrey says smilingly as he takes another big gulp of wine.

It's been a long time since Jon felt any attraction towards anyone that wasn't Russell and he feels relieved that he's still capable at all. Is he finally getting over Russell? And, more pressingly, is Humphrey really into Jon, or is Jon making all this up in his mind? Humphrey definitely doesn't fit into any gay stereotypes, and Jon's gaydar is historically unreliable.

Humphrey sits down on the bar stool next to the one Jon is sitting on, closing some of the distance between them and looks Jon in the eyes.

'A guy like you must get asked out a lot, though?' Humphrey continues, suggestively.

'How about yourself? Jon asks, trying to turn the tables a little.

'Haven't had a boyfriend for 2 years' Humphrey admits, 'I thought that was a long time before you mentioned 8 years.'

Jon tries to hide his euphoria at finding out Humphrey is indeed gay, but he can't manage to hide a small smile causing dimples to appear in his cheecks.

'I've always had weakness for dimples' Humphrey utters. 

Humphrey's eyes move from Jon's dimples back to his eyes. Humphrey's hand lands softly on Jon's knee, who instinctively moves his knee back, with a shocked expression, causing Humphrey to quickly remove his hand again.

'Sorry, too forward, I get it, so sorry.' Humphrey says quickly, looking a little taken aback.

'Oh no, sorry, I've just always been a little jumpy about physical contact.' Jon says rapidly, cursing himself and his weird quirks.

'Maybe I should go' Humphrey starts, slowly sliding of his stool, with a pained expression on his face.

Jon quickly grabs Humphreys hand.

'Come with me' He says shortly.

Jon takes Humphrey to the dimly lit halway by the door, which is empty like Jon had hoped. He turns around to look at Humphrey's handsome face. He is reminded once more of the big height difference between them. Before he knows it Humphrey's lips are on his own. Humphrey kisses him slowly and gently, like he's afraid to break Jon in half. Jon slowly moves his hands into Humphreys blonde hair and the kiss intensifies. Humphrey starts pushing Jon back slowly, Jon can't help letting out a soft moan as his back gently hits the wall and Humphrey presses him into it. Humphrey's hands move eagerly to Jon's lower back.

'The party is in the living room!! No funny business in the hallway thank you very much!!' A cheerful voice shouts to interrupt the moment. As Jon and Humphrey disentangle, Jon's eyes meet Russell's.

 'Jon?!' .. Russell's voice sounds shocked.