Archive of Our Own

ONE. 

Jasper rather liked the Society, to be honest. With its shiny walls and beautiful skylight, it made him feel… dignified? Well, it made him feel like he could just maybe be a proper mad scientist. It was a nice, albeit strange feeling. 

But, in Jekyll’s office, it felt a bit much; it was more like a pressure than a haven. Especially when trying to brew a mixture. 

“So, uh, for the potion… '' Jasper was currently in Jekyll’s office, surrounded by red velvet and many beautiful cabinets. He watched as Jekyll tried to show him how to make a potion to stop Jasper’s… wolfiness .

“You stir it three times clockwise, yes.” Jekyll gestured for Jasper to take the spoon. “You can try it, if you like.”

“You sure? I don’t wanna mess this up.” Jasper wasn’t confident in his skills- after all, it was his fault he was half-wolf in the first place. He didn’t know if it’d be smart for him to actually try and help Jekyll.

“You won’t, I promise,” Jekyll said warmly. 

Jasper hesitated, but then took the spoon.

He stirred it carefully, once, twice, t-

“DARLING, I-” the door burst open.

The spoon went counterclockwise, and the potion turned an ugly brown.

“Sorry, sir!” Jasper exclaimed. God, of course he messed it up. He’d known it the minute he’d grabbed the spoon.

Jekyll chuckled. “It’s not your fault, don’t worry.” Jasper felt relief flood through him at those words. “We’ll pick this up in a minute.” The scientist turned around. “Lanyon, I told you I was brewing wolfsbane. What’s so urgent?” 

Jasper wasn’t great at many things, but he could observe. This Lanyon man was ruffled- or, as ruffled as someone like him could be. He seemed to be high-class, from both his outfit and his posture. It was probably urgent, then.

“My father sent another letter.” 

Jekyll’s face fell. “Oh, Christ. ” he put his head in his hands. “What did this one say?” 

“Oh, just the usual drivel of, ‘you’ve disappointed us all, you have no use in the world,’ etcetera etcetera,” Lanyon said calmly while waving a dismissive hand. Jasper frowned. Was this normal, then? That was rather sad. 

“So what was so urgent, then?” Jekyll said with a raised eyebrow.

Lanyon grinned and stepped closer. Jasper tilted his head. Something was… off.  

“Well, firstly love, I just wanted to see your pretty face,” Lanyon… murmured? No, that couldn’t be right. They were very close now, and Jasper was getting the distinct impression he wasn’t supposed to be here. “And secondly-” 

Jekyll interrupted him with a cough.

Lanyon blinked, and turned to face Jasper. He sprung back from Jekyll as if he was a hot coal.

“Who are you.” it wasn’t a question- it was a statement to show how pissed off Lanyon was.

“Lanyon, as I had said earlier, ” Jekyll grit out, “I was making a potion for a young man I found on the street last night. This is him. Lanyon, meet Jasper.” 

Jasper waved, curling in on himself ever-so-slightly. He definitely was not supposed to see that. “Nice to meet you, sir. I’m, uh, Jasper.”

Lanyon’s face softened ever so slightly. “Pleased to meet your acquaintance. I’m Robert Lanyon. I help run the society with H-Jekyll.” 

“Well then.” Jekyll took a step back. His face was a light pink. “Lanyon, what do you need?”

Lanyon’s eyes flicked over to Jasper. “I, er, wanted advice on what to write back.”

“Because?”

“He included a marriage proposal in this one.”

“ Hell. ” Jekyll thumped his head on his desk. “How many days has it been?” 

“216, I presume,” Lanyon said smoothly as Jasper watched in shock. Lanyon had just been offered a hand in marriage , over letter . Jasper may not have known much, but he knew that wasn’t how things usually went.

“New record, then,” Henry muttered as he took out a notebook. “What lady was it this time?”

“Esther Cunningham.” 

“Oh.” Jekyll wrinkled his nose. “Wasn’t she the one who got incredibly drunk during the Fall’s Eve Ball?”

“Yes. In fact, my father said that I was, quote, ‘perfectly suited for her since neither of us were ever going to achieve anything of use.’”

Jasper suppressed a shudder. He couldn’t imagine his parents treating him like that. 

“Well,” Jekyll said, “he’s wrong about that, just like how he’s been wrong about many other things.”

Lanyon frowned. “Like what?” 

“Oh, just some of your… preferences.” 

Lanyon snorted, and took a step closer. “Really?”

“Yes, really. ” Jekyll stepped closer as well, and his eyes were… Well, they reminded Jasper of the expression his mum's eyes had that one night his dad had made her an anniversary dinner.

“Sir?” 

“Hm?” Jekyll tore his eyes off Lanyon, and tensed up when he saw Jasper.

“Should I… leave?”

“That might be…” he gazed back at Lanyon, who’s mouth curled up a bit. “Prudent, yes. Close the door behind you, please.”

“Right. And, sir?”

“ Yes , Jasper?” he wasn’t even looking away from Lanyon at that point. No chance talking to him. If Jasper stayed another minute, he’d probably have to wash his eyes out after.

“...Nevermind. I’ll just tell them you’re busy.” Jasper scurried out, and the door slammed shut.

Well. that was… hm. Jasper didn’t want to think about that more than he had to.

“You alright, young sir?”

It was Mr. Bird- he was looking at Jasper with concern. 

“I-i’m fine!” Jasper squeaked out. “Er, just- talked to Jekyll at the wrong time.”

“Oh. Was he with Lanyon?”

Jasper froze. Did… did the lodgers know of their relationship? “Uh, yeah, actually.” 

“Ha! Bored y’to death with talk of finances, eh?” Mr. Bird gave him a nudge. “Better luck next time.” The man walked off.

So, they didn’t know. Or Jasper was imagining things. Jasper frowned, trying to remember the encounter.

Yes, it has been rather… flirty, but Jekyll and Robert were high-class. They couldn’t feel anything like that, right? 

He should probably talk to the butcher girl he met- her and Jekyll had seemed close. Maybe she would know.

—

Lanyon’s head fell into Jekyll’s shoulder, shaking with laughter. “ God , that look on the boy’s face.”

“He definitely knows,” Jekyll muttered. “All thanks to your comment about my face.”

“Excuse me? I wasn’t the one who started talking about ‘preferences.’”

“Yes, well. Still.” Henry sat down into his chair. “I have work to do, Robert, so.” 

“Are you sure about that, darling?” Lanyon murmured. He started to trail his fingers down Henry’s neck.

Henry blushed. “...maybe not.”

—

TWO. 

“Uh, excuse me?” Jasper tapped on the shoulder of the nearest person he saw. He wanted to talk to Rachel and had no idea where she was.

The man looked over, and Jasper realized it was Mr. Archer, the botanical clockwork engineer. “Ah! Jasper, right?” 

“Er, yes.” Jasper tried to grin- it felt sheepish. “I was wonderin’ where Miss Rachel was?” 

Mr. Archer pointed behind him. “Kitchen, probably. Why?”

“I, uh, wanted to get some food and talk to her.” Jasper weighed his next sentence carefully. Food was important, but he also was hoping to ask Miss Rachel about Lanyon and Jekyll’s relationship. He hadn’t had the chance to do it that night (he may have been distracted by watching Rachel’s face)  so he’d been looking for another chance.

He couldn’t stop thinking about it, was the problem. The idea that someone else might be odd, like him. He’d just be ever-so-slightly more comfortable here if he knew Jekyll wouldn’t be disgusted by his… stuff.

 Jasper, obviously, had to be careful when choosing which person to ask about the two men’s relationship. Mr. Archer seemed safe- at least, Jasper had seen the way he’d looked at a couple of the fellows here, so he probably wasn’t a threat. “I just wanted to ask about the Lanyon person.” 

A grin unfurled on Archer’s face. “Oh, Lanyon , eh? Had yer first encounter with him, I dare say. How was he?” 

Jasper paused, and then decided to go full in with the truth. “I first saw him a couple days ago. A bit… high-class, but seems like a decent man. Jekyll certainly approves of him, and he funds this, so I don’t mind.” 

“Hm.” Archer appraised Jasper. “You’re a smart lad. He does fund most of this operation, and yes, he is very high-and-mighty. I hope you aren’t going to Rachel for a bad reason.” 

“Oh, no, no!” Jasper laughed awkwardly. “No, I just wanted to ask where Jekyll knew him from.”

“Ah. Well, I heard it was from school.” Mr. Archer sighed wistfully. “Damn shame that man is straight as an arrow…”

Jasper blinked. “What-what do you mean?”

“Hm? Oh, nothing,” Mr. Archer said dismissively with a wave of his hand. “He’s just a handsome fellow. You don’t… have a problem with that, right?”

Jasper looked up. He could see the fear and equal threat in those words. “No! Not at all, sir. I- i’m-” He fumbled for the words, just deciding to give up. “I got no problem,” he finally said firmly.

Archer gave an approving smile. “Right. Well, you best find your Rachel then.” 

Jasper gave a nod, before turning back. “Wait- whaddya mean straight as an arrow?”

“Well, he’s Lanyon, ” Archer said as if that explained everything.

“Right…” Jasper turned back and walked down the hallway.

There was no kitchen.

Jasper sighed, slightly disgruntled. He headed back the way he came and knocked on Jekyll’s door.

“ Who is it?” it was Jekyll’s voice.

“It’s uh, Jasper, sir. But if you’re busy, I can leave and-”

“ No, it’s quite alright,” Jekyll cut in. “you can enter. Just close the door behind you.”

Jasper paused, but turned the knob. He blinked when he saw Lanyon. Lanyon was practically on top of Jekyll whilst snoring.

Jekyll gave a sheepish smile. “Sorry, but he’s asleep and I didn’t want to wake him.” The scientist looked at the head sleeping on his shoulder and a fond, sappy smile appeared.

Right. So Jasper was probably not imagining things. Maybe. Possibly.

“Sorry sir, but where are the kitchens again?”

“Down the first hallway, take a left, then a right, and head straight.” Jekyll gave a smile. “Anything else?”

“...nope,” Jasper said after a second. “Thanks, sir.”

“No problem. And Jasper?”

“Yes?” Jasper turned to Jekyll. Was he holding Lanyon’s hand?

“You can call me Jekyll.” 

Jasper resisted the urge to beam. “Right. Jekyll, then. Night.” 

Jasper softly closed the door behind him.

—

“Lanyon?”

“Mrmph?” Lanyon shifted, his hair mussed. “Wha’ is it?”

Jekyll barely suppressed a smile as he softly whispered, “Jasper saw you laying on my shoulder.” 

Lanyon’s eyes snapped open and he jumped off of Jekyll. Jekyll couldn’t stop laughing.

“Christ, Henry,” Lanyon said as he fixed his hair. “That’s a lodger . He can’t just see me like that!” 

Jekyll clasped Robert’s hand, trying to calm him down. “It’s alright, Robert. Jasper’s fine .” 

“You can’t be sure, though,” Lanyon muttered.

“Fine, I'm not sure, but could you imagine Jasper hurting someone?”

That gave Lanyon a pause. He sighed. “Alright, fair enough.” he kissed Jekyll, softly, on the cheek, and headed back to their quarters. 

(Lanyon, officially, had a house only a 15 minute walk away. If someone observant was to go into Jekyll’s room, however, they would notice the extra hair products, the second toothbrush, the chest full of another man’s clothing, and the framed photos of a family who most certainly wasn’t the scientist’s).

“You know,” Henry said aloud, “it’s quite interesting how you’re far more scared of someone seeing you asleep on me then someone noticing you blatantly flirting with a man.”

Henry heard Lanyon snort, and a smile crept onto his face. (lanyon rarely felt comfortable enough to not be perfect. Henry always felt like grinning madly when he heard some other laugh then the practiced one for the masses). “Vulnerability is far more worrying than being caught by the police, Henry, I'll have you know.”

“Only for you, darling. Only for you.”

—

THREE.

“Mr Jekyll?” Jasper carefully knocked on the office door. “I, uh, need to talk to you about somethin’.”

The door was opened by Lanyon. Jasper still wasn’t very close with him, but Jekyll made him de-mystified. Lanyon was just a human. Mostly.

“Morning, Jasper,” lanyon said smoothly. His clothing was relatively wrinkled- had he stayed the night? “Come in.”

Jasper walked in carefully. The room seemed… different, somehow. There were signs of a person living here. Henry probably cleaned it up when the lodgers were here, but almost all of them were out for the fall holidays. They were probably sleeping off a hangover in some alley or hanging out with family.

Jasper, himself, had written a letter. Home was too far away for him to do much else.

“Henry, dear?” Lanyon yelled, rapping on a door. “Jasper is here. He needs to talk to you.”

“It- it isn’t urgent, really.” Jasper was getting the feeling, again, he was intruding on something important. “If yer busy-“

Lanyon chuckled warmly- it was bizarre . “It’s quite alright, Jasper,” he said with a fond smile. Jasper blinked. Lanyon was perfectly nice, but he hadn’t interacted with Lanyon to warrant this type of reaction.

“Yes, what he said.” Henry walked out. His hair was mussed from sleep, and he had clearly just thrown on some proper attire instead of pajamas. “What do you need, Jasper?”

“Well, er…” Jasper's eyes darted at the two and back to the ground. He needed to talk about the tailor, but it was hard enough thinking about doing it with just Jekyll. “Mr. Lanyon, I’m sorry, but is it alright if I could just talk to Jekyll…?”

“Of course.” Lanyon stepped out. “What do you want me to bring back from the kitchens, Henry?”

“Oh, whatever you find fit.”

“Right.” Lanyon closed the door behind him.

The silence afterwards was oppressive. Jasper wanted to tell Jekyll, he really did, but he didn’t want to tell him. He just wanted Jekyll to instantly understand. Words were difficult normally, and Jasper wasn’t even sure there was a word to describe who he was. This wouldn’t be easy.

“Jasper, are you quite alright-“

“I can’t go to the tailor,” Jasper blurted instead of anything reasonable. God .

Henry’s face furrowed in confusion. “Oh. Why not?”

“I, well…” 

“If It’s a money issue, rest assured, the Society will cover it.”

Jasper sighed and started to scratch the back of his neck. He wanted to sink into the ground. “No, it’s not that. I just…”

Jasper looked out into London through the window across from him. Even from up where he was, he could hear the yells of delight from the kids.

“I didn’t… look like this when I was a kid,” Jasper said softly. “I had long hair and a dress. I was named a girl name. I always felt so uncomfortable with my name and my hair, so I decided I could just change that when I moved to London. I didn’ think anyone would assume anything. But then everyone treated me like a guy and it just…” 

“You found it fit better with who you were?”

Jasper blinked. “Uh, yeah.”

“Hm.” Henry didn’t look angry, he just seemed contemplative. “So you feel uncomfortable going to the tailor because you didn’t want them to learn about this situation, was that it?”

Henry was taking this… really well. “Yeah, i-I guess.” 

“That’s completely fair, Jasper.” Henry frowned. A lightbulb seemed to flicker above him and he grinned. “Would you feel comfortable with Rachel tailoring a suit for you, though?”

Jasper paused. He really liked Miss Rachel, and he didn’t want to ruin anything. But he also couldn’t continue with her the way he was if she didn’t know. “Well, I guess. As long as she’s alright with it.”

“She will be, don’t worry.” Henry gave a kind smile. “Is that all you needed to talk about?”

“…yeah.” That had been easy. Really easy. “You’re, uh, takin’ this well.”

Henry shrugged. “Things aren’t always as black and white as people think. Besides, I’ve seen far stranger things before- this isn’t even that unusual.”

“Oh.” A warm fuzzy feeling arose in Jasper’s chest- he was okay. Henry didn’t care. “Alright then. I’ll- I’ll take my leave, then.”

“I’ll tell you when Rachel is available later today,” Jekyll said.

“Right. Thanks!” Jasper almost felt giddy- he was fine!

“And, Jasper?”

Jasper paused at the door. “Yeah?”

“I know…” Jekyll pauses, clearly parsing his words. “I know how difficult it can be to admit things like this to others,” he said slowly. “Good job. I am impressed.”

“I-“ Jasper tried to smile. “Thanks, sir.”

He closed the door. Jasper couldn’t tear the smile off his face.

“So, it went well, then?” A voice said from outside.

Miss Ito had become another friend in the society- she had accidentally found out when Jasper had said “farmgirl” instead of farmboy. It’d been explaining to Jasper she was the same, but in a different direction, that had let Jasper feel comfortable enough to tell Jekyll. She was also one of the ten or so still here for the holidays- her home was too far away as well.

“Yeah, it went great.”

“Good,” Miss Ito said with a smile. “I was worried because, you know, he isn’t like us, but…”

Jasper blinked. “What do you mean?”

“Well, he’s a… he's a normal one, is what I mean. You have your boyishness, me… my girlishness, but he doesn’t have any of that,” Miss Ito said with a wave of her hand. “It’s just nice to know he’s truly okay with some form of that stuff.”

“You think he isn’t like us?” Jasper was confused. He had thought he could make an assumption based on what he had seen. Jekyll and Lanyon weren’t… they weren’t just close friends. Close friends didn’t make jokes about preferences, or stay the night in each other’s rooms, or fall asleep atop the other.

Or did they? Jasper wasn’t a city folk, maybe people were different here. Along with that, lanyon was a posh person- maybe it was in style to make remarks like that, to act like that.

Still. It’d be weird.

“Well, I mean, yeah. It’s Jekyll and Lanyon.” Ito finished off her cup of tea and stood up. “Well, I best be off! Have fun getting fitted, Jasper.” 

Jasper nursed his cup of tea, watching the tea leaves settle.

Huh. Maybe, he was still wrong. Maybe.

—

Henry was finishing paperwork with only the light of the moon when Lanyon came back from the meeting.

Lanyon stared. He sighed. “Light of my life, Henry, dearest idiot of mine, it’s 11:32.” 

“I am aware.” 

“You aren’t dressed for bed.” 

“Again, I know, Robert.”

Lanyon gave his why-do-i-love-this-man sigh as he facepalmed. It was one of his most frequent sighs. “Please, love.”

“Fine .” Henry wanted to finish even more paperwork, but Lanyon always meant it when he said please. Henry gave a flourish as he signed the final paper. “I’m done. Happy?”

“Very much so.” Lanyon set down the bag full of produce and kissed Jekyll on the cheek. The two walked alongside each other into the bedroom, arms brushing. “Anything important happen today?”

“Well, not much besides signing,” Henry said. He pulled his shirt off and grabbed his nighttime one. “Everything is finalized, though.” he smiled at Lanyon. “We have a good couple of hours to ourselves tomorrow.”

Lanyon froze. “ Hours?” he said disbelievingly. Henry couldn’t blame him- the last 3 weeks had been nonstop work. They’d only had the nights to themselves. Hell, sometimes not even that with the idiocy of the lodgers. But because most of them were gone, and all the paperwork was completed, Jekyll had done the impossible. He had guaranteed free time.

“Yes, hours. Why do you think I was up so late?” Henry tried not to feel too proud as Robert stared at him with awe, expression fully open. He failed.

“...would it be inappropriate to say I love you more than anything in the world?”

Henry felt a smile creep onto his face. It was a smile of pure joy, one he hadn’t felt since childhood (besides those moments with Lanyon). “No, because I love you too, Robert.”

“Good.” and Robert was Lanyon again, a man without flaw or vulnerability. “But seriously? Nothing important?”

Henry paused. “...oh! Yes, actually. Jasper had a talk with me.”

Robert froze. His fear was palpable. “Good talk or bad talk?”

Henry sometimes forgot how afraid Lanyon was of getting caught. After getting caught by his father, he had been scared for months. “No, no,” he said hastily. “Good talk. He’s, uh, actually somewhat like… like us.” 

Robert blinked. “Huh. I thought he was taken with Rachel.” 

“He is, but remember Ito? He’s like her, just- in the other direction.”

“ Ah. Good to know. Rachel will be tailoring him, then?”

“Yes, hopefully.” Henry shuttered the windows. He felt Lanyon wrap his arms around him from behind. It sent a tingle through his veins and a warmth into his gut.

Lanyon’s hand started to snake down Jekyll’s stomach.

“So, hours , you say?” Lanyon murmured into his ear. His hand dipped further.

Goosebumps prickled on Henry's skin, and he could feel his heartbeat ratchet up. “Er, yes. Until 12 tomorrow morning.”

“Then let’s make good use of it, shall we?”

“...Yes. let’s.”

—

FOUR. 

Dear rachel,

You’re really pretty and your eyes are really nice. Would you like to maybe go out some time? It’s completely alright if you don’t want to considering you’re so lovely and could do better and also i’m not even fully a guy-

No, no, that letter was useless. God, Jasper couldn’t write at all.

“Whatcha doin’ there, Jasper?”

Jasper jumped, turning around to see Mr. Archer peeking over his shoulder.

“Er, nuthin,” Jasper said hastily. He started to crumple the paper up, but it was too late.

“Ahhh,” Mr. Archer said with a grin. “Miss Rachel, eh?”

Hell . “Er, please don’t tell her.”

Mr archer patted Jasper on the shoulder. “I won’t tell anyone, don’t worry.”

Jasper let out a sigh of relief. He could trust Archer. He took out another piece of paper and began to write.

Hey, Miss Rachel! How’s your day been?

“Oh, don’t start your letter like that!” A female voice chirped.

“AH!” Jasper whirled around to see another 7 lodgers had somehow appeared right behind him. 

Miss Lavender smiled apologetically. “Sorry, but we heard your shout and had to see what was going on!”

Jasper couldn’t shoo them away now, he knew that for certain. It was probably best to get the help he could. He hadn’t been doing well before, anyways. “A-Alright. How should I start it, then?” He said tentatively. 

“Hm.” Miss Lavender pursed her lips. “I don’t write letters, so I can’t help you there. Sorry.”

“Yeah,” another chimed in. “I can give you some pens, but I’ve never liked anyone that way.”

“Only guys for me, and I don’t think you can compliment her beard,” one more said.

“Can anyone help?” Jasper asked.

The room was silent.

“Oh!” Mr. Doddle snapped his fingers. “You’re close with Jekyll, right?”

Jasper nodded.

“Then ask Lanyon .”

The lodgers around him exclaimed and made sounds of agreement. Jasper just blinked. 

“Sorry, what?”

“Don’t worry, he’ll help you since Jekyll likes you so much,” Miss Lavender said. “‘Sides, he definitely knows how to woo women .”

Where had the Women-stealing Lanyon been when Jasper had seen the man literally sleep on Jekyll’s shoulder? 

“Have any of you guys actually… talked to lanyon much?” Jasper asked. 

“Well…” Archer trailed off. “Not really, no. Jekyll just admired him so much I feel like I know a lot about him.”

Jasper bit his lip. He still hadn’t figured out whether Lanyon and Jekyll were together or not. Maybe what the lodgers said would help. “What has Jekyll said ‘bout him, anyways?”

“Well, he's funny.”

“Charming.”

“Cunning.”

“Wickedly handsome.”

“Great man at heart.”

“Smart as a tack.”

“Best man Jekyll knows.”

Oh lord , Jasper thought. “Anything about… talking to people, though?”

“Well… not really, now that I think about it,” Archer admitted. “I just thought, y’know…”

Yeah. The lodgers seemed to assume a lot. Not that Jasper was blaming them- he only thought differently because he’d seen things. However, they’d been here longer. They were probably right. “I see. That’s- a lot of stuff to describe Lanyon.”

Miss Lavender giggled. “Oh, nothing compared to what Lanyon says about Jekyll!”

“I see,” A voice said. “And what does he say?”

Jasper turned around to see Jekyll standing there, a perfectly placid look upon his face. Jasper could see the mischievous glint in his eyes, though, well hidden as it was. This would be… interesting.

“Oh, well, apparently you’re the best thing on god’s green earth,” Mr. Archer said.

“You’re lovable. ”

“You’re kind.”

“You’re honest.” 

“You’re generous.”

“He couldn’t imagine his life without you.”

“He misses you constantly, trust me.”

The adjectives just kept coming, and Jasper could barely sit up through all of it. They’d said this? Out loud? To other people?

God.

Jekyll seemed to be having a difficult time keeping composure as well, from his expression. He seemed a bit… awestruck. “Ah. I see.”

“Yeah, but enough about him, ” Miss Ito said with a wave of her hand. “Help Jasper with his letter!”

Jasper had forgotten about the letter entirely, at this point. He had rather wished everyone else had forgotten it when Henry reached over. “Oh, what do you need help with Jas-”

“It’s FINE!” Jasper squeaked as he grabbed it. Jekyll froze as Jasper stuffed the pqper deep, deep down his pocket where no man could ever find it. “I don’t really think a letter is the best way for me to tell her anyways.”

Jekyl blinked. Understanding dawned on his face.  “ Ah. I see. I can’t help you with a letter, I'm afraid, but getting her a nice pastry or two would be a good start.”

“Thanks, Henry.” 

“No problem.” Jekyll looked at everyone else. “Anyone else need anything?” 

They all shook their heads.

“Right then. I’ll take my leave.” Jekyll walked off.

Jasper frowned and pocketed the last letter. Well, it seemed the entire idea had been a bust.

Still. Maybe he could tell Rachel his feelings after all.

—

“So, how’d the day go?”

“Absolutely horrid, darling.” Lanyon was laying next Jekyll in bed as he finished writing one last permission form for the exhibition. He sighed. “Father can’t show empathy for others unless forced, and it’s pitiful.” Henry sat down on the floor next to Robert and took his hand. “What about yours?”

(Sometimes, Robert would lie awake at night, wondering how the hell a man like him was so lucky. He knew, for a fact, he didn’t deserve it- or at least, was pretty sure he didn’t. Henry’s constant protests made him doubt because Henry was rarely wrong).

A soft smile was on Henry’s face. “Rather nice, actually. I learned some interesting information.”

“Oh?” Lanyon wasn’t a gossiper , necessarily, but he’d been raised by rich folk. He couldn’t be blamed if it was interesting sometimes. “What is it?”

“I learned that your filter is rather… awful when considering me.”

Robert blinked. “Whatever do you mean?” 

“The lodgers listed over 17 compliments about me from you.”

“Which were?” 

“Lovable, kind, best part of my life, etcetera…” Henry looked down for a second, and suddenly, it was like they were in college again, and Lanyon was teaching his best (and only true) friend how to fake confidence. “Surprising, honestly.”

Lanyon had to fight down the inexplicable urge to laugh. “Henry, love of my life, I’ve constantly called you those.”

“Yes, I know, that’s not a surprise,” Henry explained. “They were just… alright with it.”

Robert paused. He’d hoped some person in the world would accept his… preferences . He'd hoped for it since the day he first realized what they were. But the world didn’t work that way. “You mean that honestly?”

“Yes, I do.” Henry put his book away and turned off the lamp on his side of the bed. “I think they’re alright. Honestly.”

“Hm.” Robert turned off his light as well and kissed Henry’s cheek. “Good to know. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

FIVE.

Jasper sat in Jekyll’s office, scribbling some findings down. It was the quietest place in the Society, along with being the most likely place he could find Jekyll. Plus, it was a shorter walk to the kitchens from here then from his room.

Knock knock knock. Jasper looked to Henry- the man was wearing an expression of faint surprise. He nodded towards Lanyon and the latter opened the door. “Come in.”

(Lanyon and Jekyll had been close for long enough that they could communicate silently- a skill necessary for being part of high society. Still, sometimes it was useful for when one wanted to say “I love you” without revealing the fact to others around them.)

Miss Lavender entered with a brown-haired woman right behind her.

“Mr. Jekyll? Mr. Lanyon? Can… can I talk to you for a moment?”

Jekyll nodded. Lanyon closed the door behind the two women.

“Good to see you, Miss Flowers.” Lanyon turned to the other woman. “And your name is?”

“Er, Miss Barkley, sir.” She shook his hand- Jasper could see it was calloused even from his seat. Working woman, then. That was nice. Sometimes Jasper felt a bit isolated in his background up here in the city- others worked, but few rarely had to do physical work to the point they developed callouses, or had ever interacted with farm animals. The farm clothing Miss Barkley was wearing suggested otherwise.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Barkley,” Lanyon said warmly.

Jasper raised his hand. This seemed like an official meeting. “Er, should I leave?”

Miss Barkley turned to Miss Lavender. She tilted her head, and Miss Lavender responded with a shrug. 

“No, it’s fine Jasper,” Miss Lavender said after a moment. ‘Sides, you can advocate for me.”

Jasper frowned. “Advocate for what?” 

Lanyon and Jekyll exchanged a look that seemed more weighted than Jasper could parse. “Is… is something wrong, Miss Lavender?” Lanyon said slowly.

Miss Lavender bit her lip. She turned around, facing Miss Barkley. “The, uh, holiday party is coming up in a couple of months.”

“Wait, holiday party?” Jasper blurted out. He winced.

Jasper hadn’t celebrated winter with his family besides a nice meal and a night around the fire. He’d heard about the grand parties, though, from his parents. They were amazing, apparently, with glittering ceilings and food with ingredients no one could pronounce.

“Yeah, the holiday party,” Lavender continued. “And I have a person I want to bring as a date.”

Jekyll smiled. “Splendid! Who is he?” 

“It's… it’s me,” the girl behind her said sheepishly. “Hi.”

Jekyll blinked. He looked over to Robert. “…As your date?”

“Yeah. My date.” Miss Lavender took a breath. “And- don’t tell me I can’t bring her, cuz she’s- she’s my everything .'' Miss Lavender continued, standing straighter, “if you have somethin’ to say, say it. I understand it isn’t- isn’t orthodox, but nothing here is orthodox, so-“

“Miss Lavender.” Lanyon raised his hand. “Your choice of company is perfectly acceptable. Moreso, even, as Miss Berkeley seems to be a lovely woman.”

Lavender and the woman were completely still. they blinked a couple of times. “You, er, you don’t mind?” 

Jasper frowned. Jekyll had heard his announcement of his- well, gender problem, and hadn’t cared. So no matter what they probably wouldn’t.

However, ifLanyon and Jekyll were together, of course they wouldn’t care if Lavender brought a woman. But they would care if they weren’t.

So, they weren’t together, then. Or the two hid it from all the lodgers.

(If they were hiding it, Jasper surmised, it was the worst hiding he’d ever seen.)

“Of course not,” Jekyll said warmly. “The Society is for all rogue scientists. Now, miss…?” 

“Petunia,” The woman said faintly. “Petunia Berkley.”

The event is dinner casual, not formal, so don’t worry about that,” Lanyon said. “Food will be provided. Is that all?”

Miss Lavender blinked. “...yeah. Yep. it is. We’ll just leave, then.”

“Lovely,” Lanyon said smoothly. “Have a nice day, both of you.”

The two women slowly walked towards the door, closing it faintly behind them.

“Er, Henry?”

Jekyll looked over. “Yes, Jasper?”

Jasper scratched at the side of his neck. “I was certain of this earlier, but I just… you’re fine with my thing , right?”

Jasper swore he heard a poorly muffled snort from Lanyon. Jekyll gave a quick glare to the latter before facing Jasper again. “Of course Jasper.”

“Great,” Jasper said with a tentative smile. He looked at his paper- the atmosphere had been ruined by the interruption. “I’m gonna head back to my room, that alright?”

“Of course,” Lanyon said. “Have a nice day.”

“You too!” Jasper shut the door behind.

So he was wrong again. Huh.

—-

Lanyon collapsed into snickers as soon as the door was closed. Henry tried not to laugh as well.

“Oh, darling, are you alright with that sort of thing?” Lanyon drawled as he walked over to Henry's desk. 

“ Lanyon ,” Henry warned.

“ Jekyll,”   Robert mocked.

Henry’s face unfurled into a warm smile that made little sparks race in Robert's stomach. “You’re an utter asshole, you know that?”

“Yes, but you love me, Henry.” Robert kissed him softly. 

(not long enough ago, Robert had never let himself just… hold Henry. He’d been too afraid of attachment, of getting his heart broken. Robert tried to remember to treasure moments like these. Moments that were soft in every way, capable of being shattered yet still whole and beautiful. He usually succeeded.)

Henry smiled into the kiss. “And I have no idea why, honestly.”

They broke apart, and Robert couldn’t help grinning like a damn fool. Really, he acted like a teenager far too often. “So, are you?”

Henry frowned. “Am I what?”

“Alright with Petunia and Miss Lavender. I rather hope they don’t influence any of our lodgers,” Lanyon said with as much seriousness as he could muster.

Henry stared at him, before turning to the side and working on his work. “I give up.”

“HENRY!”

SIX.

Jasper couldn’t stop himself from pacing up and down his room. It was the day of the winter formal, and he was going to see Mrs. Rachel and talk to her and have to be normal around her and oh god-

“ Jasper?” the voice of Henry called out from the other side of Jasper’s door. “ Are you quite alright?”

“Er, i’m fine!” Jasper wasn’t, but he was close enough. He took one last adjustment to his bow tie, and opened the door.

“Er, do I look alright?”

Henry gave him a look similar to the one Jasper’s dad had when seeing him properly help around the farm for the first time. “You look wonderful, Jasper,” Henry assured. “You ready?”

“I… I am.” Jasper could do this. He’d have to talk to someone and not mess up the exchange, but! It was okay. Miss Rachel liked him no matter what. Hopefully. “Let’s go.”

Henry nodded, and the two headed to the ballroom.

It was, for the lack of a better word, amazing. The air seemed to sparkle with snow while inside, and holly wreaths adorned the stairs. All the lodgers were there, dressed up for the occasion.

On the right, Jasper managed to see Petunia and Lavender standing together, hands clasped.

Petunia and Lacender turned, smiling as they saw them all approach.

“Welcome Jasper! You look very nice,” Petunia said kindly.

“Er, thanks ma’am.” Jasper rubbed the back of his neck. He had got to get better at compliments. “Y’both look lovely too.”

“Thank you kindly, Jasper.”

“JAS!”

Jasper’s head turned abruptly to see Rachel, waving at him frantically.

She was beautiful. Jasper blinked a couple of times helplessly. Nope, still far too pretty.

Jasper headed over. “Hey, miss Rachel. How are you?” Jasper wasn’t very good at this, but he had to try.

Rachel gave him a smile. “I’m great, don’t wo-“ her smile fell off.

Jasper frowned. “What is it?”

“Oh, god,”   she sighed dramatically. “Look over there.”

Jasper did, and he saw Lanyon and Jekyll just standing under mistletoe next to a platter of gingerbread cookies.

“Oh, were the cookies not good?” 

Rachel shook her head and opened her mouth. She was cut off from the oddly loud snort from lanyon.

“Oh, look, Henry.” Lanyon was smiling rather wickedly. 

“Hm?” Henry looked up, and an unusual expression curled on his face. Jasper blinked. It was oddly… exasperated. “ robert .”

A couple of the lodgers looked up, and their faces all went pale. Jasper watched as they started to whisper amongst themselves. 

Was it about the gingerbread? Yeah, it seemed out of place, but-

Oh. It was the mistletoe.

Oh hell.

Jekyll stared at the mistletoe for a moment, he gazed down, and levelled Lanyon with a look. It was piercing. “Did you put this up?” He leaned in, ever so slightly.

“I have no idea what you mean,” Lanyon said drily. He took a step closer.

Jasper blinked. Oh god. He had been right. The lodgers were bloody IDIOTS.

“Really? You don’t?”

Lavender slowly curled her hand around Barkley, tensing up. 

“Of course not, love,” Lanyon drawled. They were too close now- far too close. All the lodgers simultaneously froze up. “Still, it is traditional.”

“Right. Of course.” Henry rolled his eyes, but a smile twitched at his lips. “Just-“

And Henry swooped in to place a light peck on Robert Hastie Lanyon’s lips.

Lanyon smiled, and he leant in.

Oh my god oh my god Jasper would HAVE to bleach his eyes oh lord-

“You- er-“ Miss Lavender squeaked. “GAY?”

The two leaders froze, before springing apart. Lanyon had turned incredibly pale.

“Forgot there were other people,” lanyon muttered under his breath. Jasper didn’t know whether or not to react with glee on being right of a groan from his fellow co-worker’s idiocy. “Er, what do you mean miss Lavender?”

Miss lavender did not respond. She, instead, stared with wide eyes and an air of mortification. Jasper, admittedly, felt the same. “Er- it’s just-“ she shook her head. “Nuthin.”

Henry shrugged. “Well, alright.”

It was silent for a moment. Jasper had never felt more awkward in his entire life.

“I… I assume you are all fine with this?” Lanyon asked. His hand reached out for Henry’s.

“It’s fine. They all had to have known,” henry said quietly. “It’s not like we were subtle.”

The crowd was suspiciously quiet. Jasper tried to not feel offended by the look Henry and Robert was giving him and all the lodgers. He failed.

“You… did know, right?”

“Er…”

“None of you knew?” Jekyll, if Jasper didn’t know better, looked offended. 

The lodgers stared.

“We, uh, had our suspicions,” Miss Lavender piped up, “But we thought Lanyon couldn’t possibly be… y’know…” 

“Gayer than a lark,” Archer supplied.

Lanyon stared for an uncomfortably long time, before turning to Jekyll. “They’re here because they’re some of the greatest minds of our generation, correct?”

“Supposedly, yes,” Jekyll muttered. “Did anyone figure it out?”

Jasper shrunk, hoping not to get caught. Bird, the backstabber, shoved him out before he could become unnoticed. “Jasper did, now that I think ‘bout it.” 

“Yeah,” Archer said, “He seemed surprised when I made that comment ‘bout…” his face turned pale as he remembered the exact details.

“Oh?” Lanyon raised an eyebrow. “What comment?” 

“It’s- nuthin, really.”

“Hm.” Lanyon didn’t look convinced, but he turned his gaze to Jasper nevertheless. “Well, it seems at least one of you still has a functioning brain.” He sipped a champagne glass that had seemed to materialize out of thin air. “Henry and I will head off to our chambers, if that’s alright with you, Henry.” 

And how in all the world had Jasper not been certain after hearing Lanyon said darling, my lord.

“Of course,” Henry added. “Night, all.”

The two headed through the crowd. But, before Jasper could stew in his personal mortification, someone tapped him on the should. He spun around, and saw it was Henry.

“Good job, Jasper.”

Jasper tried not to flush with pride. “Thanks. Henry.”

Henry gave a nod and continued to walk with his…husband? partner? Jasper didn’t quite know how to describe the two.

Jasper smiled to his shoes for a moment. Well. Seems he wasn’t that stupid after all.

“Jasper, c’mere! We’re making bets.”

And, maybe, he’d found his people.

-fin.