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The candle lit room of the gentlemen's club bustled with noise as members said their fair wells. It was just past two in the morning and Pip & Herbert were a laughing drunk mess, clashing into one another while tripping on each step. It took them nearly thirty minutes before managing to leave the building and start their walk home in the cool street of what was now early spring.
“Gosh I don’t think I’ve ever had such fun,” Herbert beamed.
“I’d say the same if it weren’t for that blasted Drumle and his oh so profound comments about Estella,” Pip said back with a scoff.
“My word Handle, is she all you ever think about?” He responded slightly agitated.
“My dear Herbert, you just don’t understand what it is to be in love. It’s almost as if she consumes my every thought. You’ll see one day, there are plenty of lovely young ladies who I’m sure will catch your eye.”
Herbert now a little too intoxicated to hold back replied,
“That’s what I should be saying to you! I mean surely you can’t believe that no one else may be more loving or even suitable than her,”
“Like who?” he said, walking forward laughing.
Herbert on the other hand stood still under a street lamp surrounded by the glow of the night's fog. The silence filled the area and Pip turned back to look at him.
“Is something the matter?” He asked with worry in his voice. All while taking a step back to stand in front of him. He had never noticed how Herbert was slightly shorter than himself. They met each other's eyes and Herbert hesitated before lifting up his hand to cup the side of Pips face.
“Oh Handle can’t you see?"
“See what?”
And with that Herbert tilted up his head and leaned forward to kiss Pip softly. Shocked, Pip was only able to slightly reciprocate the kiss, parting his lips and placing his shaky hands on his arms. Herbert slowly pulled back and looked into Pip's eyes full of surprise.
“I-I’m sorry Handle. Truly I don’t know what came over me. I’ll go to the Inn tonight… I really am sorry. Goodbye Handle.”
· • —– ٠ ✤♚✤ ٠—– • ·
Pip wanted to stop him, grab his hand and lead him back to their cramped home. But awe left him at a loss for words, and before he could snap out of his trance, Herbert was gone.
He wanted to scream and cry, of joy or sadness he didn’t really know. How could he have not realized? And even worse, leave him when he did? The only thing consolidating his woes was the fact that they were in fact roommates so at some point he’d have to come back.
But the silence of the night only let his thoughts wander more and his state of panic grew. What would he say? What would Herbert do? Could they kiss again? Oh he hoped so. The thought of it left his stomach in knots and his mind blurry. He could not sleep, no he wouldn’t dare to. Usually, his nights would be taken up by Estella, but now Hebert was all he could think about. And that itself terrified him. Surely he couldn’t like a man? Of course he liked him, gosh he was lovely, but could he love him? Pip pinched the bridge of his nose frustrated with his racing thoughts and heart hammering in his chest. He unconsciously pressed two fingers to his lips reminding him of what had happened. This seemed to be the only thing to calm him down. That and enough alcohol to go blind. He knew Herbert would most likely be back Monday as it was Friday - or well Saturday morning now so the inn would hold him for the weekend.
Two felt far too long but Monday came and Pip had cleared his schedule completely and stayed idle in the apartment. He did not read or write but just sat in the dining room listening to the sound of the grandfather clock. It had been hours - or at least it felt that way - before he heard a rattling sound coming from the entrance and he frantically stood up fixing his waist coat and smoothing his hair before rushing to the front door. And there stood Herbert. Eyes red and puffy, and his clothing in slight disarray. They stood together once again. Staring. Pip gave him a sympathetic smile, and let his eyes wonder.
“Hello dear Herbert.”