Don’t Leave Me

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Two years have passed since they've seen each other. Nothing's really changed. Or so it appears at first glance...

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Notes: Nevermind!! Third of four total Fics plus an ending to an unfinished fic.

A note from the webmistress: There is an instance of a chapter title halfway down a chapter in this fic. This is not sloppy uploading from me, but precisely what was in the files as uploaded by the writer. As you can tell from their notes, they had a lot of problems with uploading to the original archive.

Don’t Leave Me by Noelissexy

[nextpage title=”CHAPTER 1″]

Shit.

He found him. He thought he had run far enough, hid long enough but he never could escape the kid. Never could stay away.

Then again, he knew he never wanted too…

He saw the small figure at the other end of the alley. Those icy blue eyes full of hate. He’d been so shocked that he’d been found so quickly, that he hadn’t noticed that the little one walked to only a few feet away from him.

At first the little man just stared, panting, but he never took his eyes of him. As though he thought he would disappear. Finally he spoke.

“Why? Why would you lie to me?” the little man choked, holding back his tears.

The tall man couldn’t look at his red, swollen eyes knowing he caused the little one so much pain. He turned away. Even so, he could still feel them burning a hole into his back.

“Because,” He whispered, too harshly. “I had to.”

The smaller shook his head.

“That’s not fucking good enough!” He yelled as he stepped towards the man’s back.

“Well it has to be! I had no choice!” He turned and stepped toward the other. He was so close. He’d missed him so much. He touched the smaller’s cheek, gently. They stared into each other’s eyes until the smaller looked down and whispered in a small voice.

“No. It’s just that… that you didn’t trust me. You never did anyway.” He pushed the hand away slowly.

He went to touch the smaller’s shoulder but dropped it to his side as he saw the body shivering.

“Just… forget it. Go. Leave. I… I don’t want to see you anymore!” He spit, through clenched teeth. His voice grew in tone but not much.

He saw tears fall from beneath the little one’s fringe. It hurt him so much, it killed him, to have cause him this much pain but he had to have lied. He couldn’t let him see what he’d done.

Rain drops sprinkled down from the dark gray sky, making the little one’s onyx hair glisten.

He sighed a sad sigh, knowing him being there was only making it worse.

He leant down and kissed his love’s forehead and ran into the night.

“I still love you, Vince.” He whispered as he ran. “And I promise, on my life, I will be back.”

But that was only the beginning.
[nextpage title=”CHAPTER 2″]

Author’s Chapter Notes: Darn. Still can’t master that HTML code thingy… I’ll work on that, yeah?

It was hard without him around. Not hearing Jazz blasting from the stereo or scatting coming from the bathroom or the ritual late night crimping or….

But he pushed through. He made himself get over it. Well, except for the dream.

The dream that woke him every night.

He’s running through London, searching for him.

Turning corner after corner after corner and still no luck.

He reaches the dreaded alley where he’d seen him last.

Just then, he sees someone on the other side.

He yells the name that burns as it passes his lips…

They stop and turn slowly.

It was him.

He came back.

He really came back.

With tears plummeting down his cheeks, he holds his arms open wide,

yearning to embrace the older man.

As he is merely feet away…

The older man disappears.

Broken and alone, he falls to his knees and bawls,

just like he did the night he left.

Just like he does every night.

It never ended…

Chapter 2

Two Years Later

Vince shifted in bed as Naboo thumped away at his door.

“Vince, wake up you ball bag! It’s nearly 10:30 and the shops not open,” was the muffled lisp that came through the door.

He groaned, and turned onto his side. “I’ll be out. Gimme a minute.”

He opened his bloodshot eyes only just, still exhausted as usual. He wanted to go back to sleep. But what good would that do? He couldn’t even have Howard in his dreams…

With a sigh, he turned onto his other side and glanced at his window. There, he saw two little birds sat on his window pane whistling and chirping away. He smiled a weary smile and stretched. He liked hearing birds in the morning. Always about something irrelevant, but still the light sounds of a new day lifted his spirits, even if only by a little bit.

He slid out of bed and went over to his own. He stopped and looked over his shoulder.
When did I….
That’s strange. He remembered running home drenched, ignoring Naboo and Bollo’s questions, busting through their-now, only his- bedroom and burying himself in the nutmeg sheets and duvet, taking in Howard’s scent and crying himself to sleep. He remembered sleeping in Howard’s bed for a month before it only smelled of expensive hair product mixed with sweets and alcohol. He remembered crying himself to sleep over that as well. But that was two years ago. So how when and for what reason was he in-
“Vince! Come on. Get down here!” Naboo groaned as he rapped away at the door.

Vince mussed his hair, annoyed. “Alright. I’m comin! Keep your turban on.”

He washed up in the shower for a few minutes and combed his knotted hair. He didn’t bother with it that much anymore. Occasionally he’d give the essential two hours needed when he was going out with Leroy but he didn’t really go out that much. Leroy, like most of Vince’s friends, got tired of his depression and chucked him. But when Vince needed some time out, he’d ring Leroy. Leroy always came back.

He shrugged on a black t-shirt and some thin sweats and made his way down to the shop. Vince stopped a step before where Naboo sat at the bottom of the staircase.

“What are you doin? I could’ve tripped, you batty crease,” Vince complained. But he just sat there stone still, staring blankly at the ceiling. “Naboo?”

He waved his hand in front of the shaman’s face. His old white cowboy boots made a click as they made contact with the shop floor. “Naboo?” He snapped his fingers in front of his face. “Naboo how stoned could you’ve gotten in…” he looked over at the grandfather clock. “…less than 12 minutes?”

After a few tries of crashing pots and blaring electro, he rolled his eyes and gave up. He unlocked the door and turned the shop sign to open. He leaned against the door frame after lifting the shutters and looked up at the sky. Gray-blue. Pretty yet barren without any clouds, he thought, vacantly. Just a blanket of emptiness mirroring himself in a way…

He walked over to his barber chair, picked up his forgotten cheekbone magazine and slumped down into it. Yet another boring day, he thought.

Unfortunately, today was anything but boring…

Chapter End Notes: Hmm! Copy n paste frm fanfiction.net!

[nextpage title=”CHAPTER 3″]

Darn HTML thingys. Still can’t do it.

Let This Be the Place Where You Will Be Again…

Chapter 3

Bollo waddled into the second hand shop sporting a new cowboy hat. The bell caused Vince to look up.

“Alright, Bollo. Nice hat,” Vince said, monotone. A tone Naboo and Bollo were used to.

“Maybe you can borrow sometime,” he answered as he made his way towards the stairs.

“Maybe,” He lied, going back to reading his magazine.

“Vince?” Bollo called, coming back from around the corner. “How long Naboo been like this?”

Vince shrugged. “I don’t know. About 30 minutes?”

He threw the little shaman over his shoulder and sighed as he shook his head.

“5th time this week.”

Vince laughed a bit to himself. It was only Monday. He lowered his magazine to look outside the big window again.

Bollo stopped before he got to the third step.

“Oh yeah. Vince. There a sale down at Topshop. 75% off.” He waited for the excited outburst of his precious Vince, but it never came.

Instead, Vince hummed pretending he cared what Bollo had said. Bollo shook his head again.

“Vince why don’t you go out? I take over for a while?” He asked hopefully.

Vince walked over to the stair case with crossed arms and sighed.

“Uh, I guess. Couldn’t hurt.”

Vince grabbed his credit card before he passed Bollo on the stairs and went to his room. Grabbing the first coat he saw, he passed Bollo once more and patted him on the arm.

“Thanks,” He said, sincerely.

He looked at the trace of sunshine kid that peeked through Vince’s smile but just as soon as it appeared it disappeared. Vice was walking backwards towards the door with his hands in his pockets.

“Be back later, alright?” He heard the shop bell ding and everything was quiet except for Naboo’s breathing.

He climbed the stairs and when he reached the sitting room, he set Naboo on the couch.

“Ugh,” he grunted as he flopped down on the other end. “I’m gettin too old for this.”

He flicked on the TV and turned to the news. He saw, “Breaking News: Shopping Shredder Strikes Again.”

He leant in close to the TV with wide eyes in panic and turned it up.

Then he heard the man say, “Suspected to be his main targets: Medium height, thin women with long black hair.”

Bollo tried ringing Vince’s mobile. He heard the electro ring-tone somewhere behind him. He hung up.

“Stay away from Topshop and Shamansburys…where his last 4 victims were spotted.”

Bollo turned off the TV and looked over at the sleeping shaman.

“I gotta bad feeling about this…”

Chapter End Notes: Thanks fer reading!
Action in next chap. So stay tuned!

[nextpage title=”CHAPTER 4″]

Vince is in trouble!

“Sometimes, Something Horrible Has To Happen For A Result To Occur”

Chapter 3 p2

It was half past eleven when Vince (and his many bags) made it to the alleyway across from Nabootique.

He really did need this break. He needed to clear his mind. Fresh air and all that.

He shook his head before his thoughts crept back to…

He beamed with excitement at all of the new clothes and shiny (useless) trinkets he bought (impulsively). Still listening to the new Horrors’ CD on his player, he made his way down the narrow streak of asphalt.

Beside the click of his new golden boots, and the “music” coming out if this headphones, it’d been quiet up to that point. A waste bin fell a yard or two behind him. Vince jumped slightly at the sound. He paused his CD and looked over his shoulder.

Nothing there…hm.

He continued walking, a bit faster than before, but the feeling of someone watching him, following weighed down on him. As he’s half way from both ends of the Alleyway, a shuffling of old, worn shoes is heard directly behind him.

Suddenly, someone grabbed Vince’s arm and twisted it behind his back. He dropped all his bags and felt something cold and sharp against his Adam’s apple.

Vince’s arm was restricted at his waist and his body was pulled tight against the person.

“What’cha got there, lov’?”
*****
The large man breathed into his ear, hotly, “What’cha got there lov?”

The sharp object was pressed just hard enough to break the skin of Vince’s neck. His knees trembled as thousand and three death scenarios flash through his head at once.

So many ways to die.

His breathing quickened, panic striking hard. The man smirked, feeling this girly man’s reaction to him.

“Money,” He growled, low and threatening. Vince shivered.

“I-I don’t have anym-more!” He whispered, struggling to get the words out.

The man twisted Vince’s arm back farther. Vince sqealed in pain and kicked, trying to break free.

“Well then. I guess today just isn’t your day…”

Vince hears a muffled pop by his ear. His shoulder had been dislocated…
*****
It all happened too fast.

A shrill screech, as well overwelming pain, ripped through him. He felt as if his heart was attempting to escape his ribcage. Thick, salty, tears fell to the man’s large hand.

“Money! NOW!” He yelled directly into Vince’s ear. Vince’s wails turned to gasping sobs and sharp inhaled breaths as he shook his head.

N-none. Don’t have-Don’t kill-not until-until-I see-see-

His thoughts were becoming more and more incoherent, his eyelids, an impossible feat to keep open, slid shut. He slumped, hopeless, loveless and numb. The “man” switched his grip on the blade.

“Shame, shame,” The cruel man sighed, mock-disappointed. “And such a pretty face.” he kissed Vince’s wet cheek.

The Man moved the arm around Vince’s waist to his left shoulder and gripped tightly.

He drew back and…

Chapter End Notes:Oh no!
Vince!
What’ll happen?
[nextpage title=”CHAPTER 5″]
Author’s Chapter Notes: Gets complicated. (yes Vincey lives)

Vince braced himself for the finishing blow.

But it never came. He opened his eyes, only half way, when the man gripped his shoulder tighter than before. The hand was shaking. He heard the clatter of the blade hitting the back of his boot. Vince feel to his knees, the hand supporting him slipped off his shoulder moments ago.
He lifted a hand to his throat, and stared at his fingers. Vince heard the man fall with a scream. But he didn’t care at this point. Vince touched his shoulder and found his arm was completely numb. He tried to rotate his shoulder but immense pain throbbed and made him whimper.
Dizzy, he rolled onto his back with the smell of cotton in his nose, the sound of scraping and a blood curdling scream before fainting…
________________________________________
~He had the dream again~
He turns the final corner but this time, he stops.
He doesn’t call his name.
Instead, he walks towards him.
Speeding up.
Faster and Faster.
He shut his eyes tight as he leaps toward the back of the man whose name burns his lips.
He wraps his thin arms around the older man’s center and gasps in surprise and joy.
The first thing he does, before bursting into tears, is mumble, “Don’t leave me… please?”
Howard turns and pulls the shaking little man as close and he can. “Alright.”
“Never again?” He buries his face deeper into Howard’s chest.
Howard is making small, soothing circles on Vince’s back with the fingertip of his pointer finger as he breathes his response into Vince’s hair.
“Never again…”
________________________________________
Vince shifted awake, twisting his feet in the sheets. He rolled up with his right shoulder, unaware of where he was and how he got there. His eyes were closed but he could tell it was still dark.
He remembered the man from the alleyway and touched his left shoulder. It felt cold from the ice pack that had fallen, and tender to the touch. He brushed his finger over this throat, wincing a little, feeling the fabric of a smooth bandage. The cut wasn’t too deep, as he remembered.
He opened his eyes, focusing them as best as he could, and stared at the blue trumpets and stripped sheets. He recognized his and Howard’s room immediately. He rubbed his forefinger and thumb over his eyes and took a deep breath.
Howard’s bed again? And the sheets I bought him? The universe is just being a wanker now!
Vince sighed, disappointed and laid back down slowly. He had really, honestly thought that maybe…the dream wasn’t a dream?
“It felt so real…” He sighed again, staring up at the now bare ceiling.
In the quiet of the bedroom, he could hear muffled voices. Vince pushed off his right arm and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Although, he swayed at first but he made to the door, and opened it, quietly. The now unmuffled voices were arguing in hushed tones. Three voices. He tiptoed down the hall to the staircase. He was sure that one of the voices belonged to an angry Naboo. He was getting louder and louder.
Naboo never yells. No matter what you’ve done, Vince’s brain supplied. He crouched down and listened to their conversation.
“…Why are you here then? He’s broken in more ways than his body!” The other voice mumbled something unintelligible in response. “And I’m allowing that to go unpunished.” He heard Bollo grunt in agreement.” He knew that voice, but from where? He crept down a few more steps and listened closer.
“…That I can’t stay Naboo. I-I just can’t risk it!” The voice snapped. “He’s too important.”
Vince stood and slowly stepped down the rest of the stairs, stomach in nervous knotting. He peered around the corner and saw Naboo, looking furious.
“What are you hiding?”
The mumbling man answered, “He was in trouble and I couldn’t just leave him in the hands of that…vile little worm…”he added so much venom into the last few words, Vince shivered hearing them. As soon as he made it to the landing, the man with his back to Vince stopped mid-word and Naboo’s eyes flicked to Vince’s. Bollo was still glaring in anger and unease at the man. For some reason, Vince called to the man, “Howard?”
The man stiffened. How could he forget? It was Howard. It had to be. Vince called him again, taking a step towards him.
“Howard?” He had a sudden feeling of lightheadedness. He felt he was to collapse when Howard turned to wrap his arm around his waist. The hold Howard had on him tightened and untightened, his head to his chest.
“Easy, little man,” He whispered. Vince smiled at his old nickname while his eyes went out of Focus again as he took in Howard’s sent. Oh, how he truly missed it. Missed Howard. But just when he was getting comfortable in Howard’s arms, Naboo ordered Bollo to get Vince a new Ice pack and to change his Bandage. He was bleeding grip tightened briefly and letting do when Bollo Started to Vince up bridal style.
Howard was about to turn away when Vince grabbed his arm.
“Are you leaving?” He asked in a small voice.
Everything went still.
Finally, without looking at small, innocent, injured Vince, he answered.
“No. I’ll stay.” His voice was low, but honest.
Vince’s grip loosed and fell from the Howard’s wrist, reluctantly and he was carried up the stairs.
Before Vince lost sight of the shop, he glanced at Howard who was already looking. If he wasn’t so distracted by Howard’s return, he would’ve noticed the difference in eyes. The warm, naive brown replaced with a colder, experienced black. Howard looked away.
Vince asked Bollo to let him go but he held on, shouldered the bathroom door open, and set Vince down on the fuzzy toilet lid. Bollo lifted his chin and with his chubby gorilla fingers, unraveled the bloodied bandages and replaced them with fresh clean ones. He tried getting up but he was pushed back down. “Sit Still. Bollo not done yet. Need to check temperature and hit knee with hammer.”
“Uh, thanks, Bollo but I’m fine!” Vince got up and squeezed past Bollo to the bedroom. Night!”
He shut the door and leant against it, with a mad grin on his face. It had sunken in completely. Vince dives onto his bed and buried his head in his pink pillow. Vince closed his eyes and laughed silently till his sides ached but that was okay. Howard was home and safe and nothing else in the world mattered.
He thought back to the…’situation’, as he called it, which had caused all of the drama that cumulated up to this point: Maybe he did go a little overboard but he did get lied to. All he wanted to know was why Howard couldn’t just tell him the truth.
If he wanted to go out without me, that would be just fine! But saying that he’d be taking care of his sick mum for a few days?
Vince shook off the feelings of anger and bitterness. If anything, the only thing he should be feeling is relief.
And besides, it wasn’t like he was jealous of him!
Or her.
Not at all!
Vince looked out the creaking window.
…right?

Chapter End Notes:: 3

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