Chapter Text
Maybe it was the warm fire, or Utterson’s disconcertingly comforting house (which strangely contrasted his cold personality), or maybe it was the pleasantries exchanged over a delightful supper, or the wine served with. What ever may be the cause, he was seated opposite the fire, in Utterson’s charming plush armchair, holding a glass of tastefully vintage wine.
“Jekyll, I suppose you’ve heard of the newest legislation.”
The lawyer had sharply reminded Jekyll of the topic at hand, the true reason he was sat in this chair. He’d heard of the new laws being brought in to strengthen the already strong laws against the queer and the prostitutes, each man whom he had flirted with while powdering his hair hadn’t intentionally reminded him of the punishment that faced if he continued and were caught.
“Hard to miss those were,” Jekyll tried to keep his voice steady but he couldn’t deny the solemn that slowly crept in. He wished he could confess to Utterson that he was the primary subject of his most recurring dream, but the consequences at hand returned him to civility. He could gush over Utterson a different time.
“Jekyll, I know you have a certain way of life, though you certainly know I don’t approve…”
Jekyll certainly did know of Utterson’s disapproval, especially of his lifestyle, as it was him who always had to defend Jekyll when police found him drunk, wandering the streets of Soho, and it was him who lectured Jekyll whilst returning him to his dwellings. It was these ever-repeating events which led Jekyll to fall head over heels for the lawyer.
“You should go home, Henry,” the lawyer’s tone softened almost imperceptibly, though it didn’t miss Jekyll. The doctor sighed and rose, he supposed it was about him he returned to his house. He wished he could be honest about his feelings for Gabriel, but it could spell trouble if this love were unrequited, so he bit his tongue.