I Want To Know What Love is…

The growing love story of Howard and Vince, set after series 3. Lots of unrequited feelings. Shows both Vince and Howard's POV.

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Chapter 2 – In The Morning…

Chapter 2 – In The Morning…

Author’s Notes: A new day and the events of the previous evening are forgotten when Vince is viciously attacked.

TITLE: ~~Razorlight – “In The Morning”~~


The water was cool and refreshing as it cascaded down on Howard’s body. Nothing beats a morning shower for waking you up. He thought. Howard felt good. Last night had been fun, once he’d shaken off Lester and gone into party mode. It made it so much sweeter that he’d managed to pull a cute little blonde. He smiled to himself at the memory. Howard Moon – the man, the legend!

He didn’t know where this confidence had come from all of a sudden, but he liked it! As he pondered on this his thoughts came to Vince. He’d really helped him lately, including him in his group of friends and encouraging him to express himself.

He’d noticed a change in Vince too he had matured lately. His free-spirited, humorous personality was still there but there was a new depth to him. Howard couldn’t quite put his finger on it….

Howard wanted to get into the shop early this morning, he’d planned to do some renovation work on the old piano. If he ever hoped to sell it he had to undo the damage that the cockney and that idiot punk had inflicted!

He turned off the shower and towelled himself dry. As he passed Vince’s room he noticed that the door was still closed. Normally he would knock to try and rouse Vince ready for work but he wasn’t sure if he had someone in there so he gave it a miss. Howard dressed, gave his hair a perfunctory brush, ate breakfast and was unlocking Nabootique within half an hour. He located his tool box and set to work on the piano.

He was startled sometime later when Vince flounced into the shop.

“Hey! You left early this morning!” Vince remarked. Howard glanced at his watch 11:26.

“And you left late! Go on, what’s the escuse?”

“Well I decided to wash my velvet catsuit, you know the one Mamma Zoom made for me? Well as I put it in the washing machine, I was sucked in and transported to another dimension. There was this giant clam wearing a trilby that tried to rape me so I had to knock him out using a frozen Vienetta. Luckily I managed to get away!”

Howard rolled his eyes, half amused.

“Best yet little man.” Vince looked infinitely pleased with himself. As Vince busied himself hanging up his leather jacket, Howard surreptitiously checked out today’s outfit selection. Electric blue shiny leggings coupled with a skin-tight Clash t-shirt, finished off with a black and silver headband worn like Rambo. Stylish and sexy and completely inappropriate work-wear! Typical Vince! Howard thought with a fond smile

“ So you had a productive night last night” Vince noted with a raised eyebrow.

“You could say that, but before you ask, Howard Moon does not kiss and tell”

Vince smirked to himself. It annoyed Howard slightly because he could tell that Vince had figured he’d bottled out. Howard knew he didn’t have to get physical to express passion but he didn’t much feel like justifying that to Vince. He’d spent the night discussing deep, philosophical concepts with his companion.

“ So do you think you will see her again?” Vince enquired. Howard studied his face, curiosity but something else too. Another emotion but Howard couldn’t quite figure it out. He looked almost anxious but why?

“Maybe, who knows? I might just play the field for a while. Not sure I’m ready to restrict myself.” Now the look on Vince’s face was one of confusion.

“Playing the field? Where has this come from?”

“Deep within, Sir. I told you before I’m a sexual dinosaur!” Vince couldn’t conceal his snigger. “Just because you don’t find me sexy, doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of chicas out there just waiting to ride the love train with Howard Moon.”

“ I never said you weren’t sexy.” Vince answered.

Howard felt himself blush slightly at this compliment. He changed the subject quickly. Why do I care so much what Vince thinks?

The morning passed without event and at lunch time Vince headed off to buy lunch. Howard hoped he didn’t just come back with sweetie lips and teeth like Friday. Naboo and Bollo arrived both looking slightly vacant, two guesses what they’d spent the morning doing! They made their excuses and headed upstairs to the flat.

Howard was absorbed in dusting the jazz record display when Vince returned.

“Please tell me you got us something half….” Turning to look at Vince his words caught in his throat. His left eye was almost completely closed and bruised a vicious purple, his nose streaming with blood. Vince was out of breath and looked like he was about to collapse. Howard rushed to the door to steady him.

“What happened little man?” Howard’s brow furrowed with concern for his closest friend.

“Some geezer jumped me, said I’d been mucking about with his missus.” Howard put his arm around the smaller man to gently guide him to a seat, Vince groaned with pain.

Carefully Howard lifted his t-shirt. He gasped; Vince’s small frame was covered in angry looking bruising. In places you could see the outline of a formidable looking boot.

“You need to go to the hospital”

“It’s fine” replied Vince “looks worse than it actually is.”

Howard gently ran his finger over Vince’s ribs. His skin felt smooth and surprisingly warm. How could anyone do this to his Vince?

“ The girl that came here last night, was it her boyfriend?”

“It must be. She told me she was single.” Vince looked like he was about to burst into tears. Howard felt a lump in his own throat. He sat down beside him and pulled him into a gentle hug. Vince felt tiny and frail in his strong arms. Howard felt warm tears against his neck. He leaned over and kissed Vince gently on his head breathing in the sweet smell of coconut.

Whoever had done this to Vince was a dead man.


End Notes: Working on Chapter 3 as we speak…. please let me know what you think so far xx