The wine finally washed away the blood-tang of the pink beef. Gabriel Utterson detested the taste of beef, but the flow of Jekyll's fine wine soon stilled his reluctant stomach.

"For how many years have we dined together, Gabriel?" Utterson looked up to meet Jekyll's gaze, his eyes were dark but gentle and amusement emanated from them.

"I don't think that I could count them Henry…Has it been thirty, perhaps more…" The meal finished, Utterson's hand patted at his right pocket, feeling the familiar shape of his pipe. Tradition dictated that he would rise from his finished meal, lead Jekyll into the warmth of the Drawing Room.

"And how many more before you voice your dislike of beef?" If Utterson had not known Jekyll so well, he might have supposed a deal of sadistic pleasure at his discomfort in those eyes. Flushing, he drained the glass of its minimal contents.

"I did not think-"

"You said yourself Gabriel, we have known one another for countless years. We have shared many things, and yet you hide behind social etiquette on this occasion…" It wasn't a question, though Utterson felt some response was required.

"There must exist some rules between even us," he said in a long sigh. As usual he had drunk too much, and both of them knew it.

"Your glass is empty," Jekyll was suddenly close, Utterson could feel the warmth of his chest against his shoulder. Liquid sloshed heavily against the inside of the glass. The familiar phrase made him laugh, but he couldn't hear the noise of it clearly.

It was as though he had fallen asleep. When realty hit him sharply, there were soft heated lips pressed against his. His wine filled stomach gave a lurch, gurgling quietly. The fire prickled with heat in perfect sync. He could taste the blood in Jekyll's mouth and didn't care. He hated the coppery taste, but wanted more.

Jekyll's pupils were large, loving. Utterson's fingers curled through his grey hair, teasing the hair that fell onto his collar. Their lips met again in a familiar, practised touch. The maid might enter at any moment, but they were never caught. Poole, Jekyll's long time butler, always knew what to do. Discreet to the last.

"Henry," his voice sounded even again. Jekyll was in his seat, looking as though he had never moved. He was nodding seriously.

"Don't you ever become confused?" Jekyll asked quietly. Utterson was confused at this moment, the lingering taste of his friend in his mouth contradicting a serious conversation. "About those rules I mean. It is as though we live many lives Gabriel…one by daylight, another by the candle, and another entirely for when there is no light at all."

"Do you refer to you and I?" He asked boldly, earning a long stare from his long time friend.

"I mean to include you and I" Jekyll concluded.