Russell Howard and Jon Richardson

Chapter 3

'Oh I'm sorry, I'm being rude, don't mind me..' Russell utters whilst making a u-turn straight back into the living room.

Humphrey chuckles. 'Well at least his comedic timing is good, his timing otherwise.. not so much. You wanna get back in there?' He points towards the the living room.

Jon takes a little longer to regain composure. 'Yess.. sure.. yes, lead the way.'

Humphrey grabs Jon's hand and steers him back through the crowded living room to the kitchen. 

They get two beers from the fridge and start discussing their favourite comedians. Turns out they both love Louis C.K. and they start quoting his best jokes to each other. It's like the awkward moment just before never even happened. 

However, Jon can't keep his mind from wandering back to the moment when Russell met his eyes in the hallway. That puzzled look. It had felt oddly satisfying to have Russell walk in on him kissing this attractive man. Russell often teases Jon about his lack of a sex life, it was nice to prove him wrong for once.
At the same time it had felt as though he was cheating on Russell, which is ridiculous as Russell has no sexual interest in him at all. Jon's eyes wander around the room looking for Russell. Russell is at the other side of the living room chatting to Sam, looking a little distracted himself. Suddenly, their eyes meet, but Jon quickly looks away. Jup, definitely awkward, Jon thought.

Humphrey hasn't noticed anything as he is still trying to come up with the name of his favourite movie that Louis CK has starred in. Their conversation continues and they talk about British TV, politics and career paths. Humphrey is smart, funny and patient, but Jon remains a little distracted.

Around 4 AM people start to leave, and Humphrey does too eventually, after winkingly passing Jon a note with his phone number.
At 5 AM the last people leave, and Jon and Russell start cleaning up the mess. An awkard silence exists between them. 

'So you and Humphrey Ker, huh?' Russell says finally, as he lines up empty beer bottles in a box.
'Yeah I guess so'. Jon says tentatively as he wipes the table clean. 'Thanks again for your subtle interruption by the way'.

'Yeah I'm sorry about that mate'. Russell says smilingly.

'It's fine'. Jon laughs.

They finish cleaning and drop down on the couch.

 'I just don't know if..' Russell seems to struggle to find the right words. 

'What?' Jon asks. 

Their eyes meet and Jon finds Russell hard to read. Russell continues 'I'm just not sure about him, you know?' 

'Why not?' Asks Jon. 

'Well when I walked in on you two.. you know..'

There was now an actual blush spreading across Russell's cheeks.
 'I just don't know if I like the way he..'

Jon quickly jumps to conclusions.

'What? You don't like to see two men kissing? I thought you were okay with me being a bisexual?' Jon says, angrily. He has no empathy for homophobes.

'No!' Russell says hastily, 'that's not it, it's just..'

'What, do you just not want me to make out with anyone ever?' Jon now asks, annoyed.

Russell looks at him. Puzzled.

'No Jon, I want you to be happy.' Russell says, suddenly very sure of his thoughts. 'And I am completely okay with you being bisexual.' Russell grabs both of Jon's hands in his own and looks him in the eyes. 'Never doubt how much I care about you okay?' 

Jon looks shyly at their entangled hands, he's usually not a fan of physical contact, but Russell has always been the one exception tot that rule.

'Okay', he finally answers. And Russell hugs him tightly.

When they disentangle Russell has a very serious expression on his face. 'I'll always want you to be happy Jon. But we may have a different problem.'

'What?' Jon says nervously.

Russell's cheecks start to warm once more. His eyes don't meet Jon's.

'I think I felt jealous..' Russell finally admits softly. 'Jon.. I think I like you..'

Jon's heart stops.