Veritas Part 2
Title:Veritas 2
Author: Concupid
Pairing: Howard/Vince
Rating: PG-13
Fandon: The Mighty Boosh
Warnings: angst
Summary: Howard thinks about getting older.
Author’s note: I literally could not stay awake last night long enough to write a chapter, but dammit!, I am going to keep writing this! I've read every kind comment and I thank everyone who is cheering me on. You've all made me feel so good... here's a bucket load of angst.
Immediately after the single most humiliating moment of Howard’s humiliation-filled life, Vince disappeared into a cupboard with another man’s wife. It was symbolic of the whole day. It all began with Vince disappearing before breakfast, ruining Howard’s careful plan for a wacky, impromptu pancake buffet. Then, after Howard spent all day waiting for Vince to suggest drinks, Vince suggested a party instead. Years of tradition out the window for a chance to impress his new, trendy friends.
It was time to accept that Vince was growing up; not in the sense of getting more mature or sensible, but more like a late puberty. Vince was finally starting to want to engage in ‘mature’ entertainment. Howard never thought he’d see the day Vince would be chasing a married woman while her sword-wielding husband was an invited guest in his home, but he knew Vince would have to start dating eventually. People grew up, and they partnered off. That was the way it was supposed to be. Those who didn’t pair off ended up alone and pathetic. They ended up like Howard.
Howard couldn’t face the party. He’d made a fool of himself, been abandoned by both of his supposed friends, and someone was blasting Fleetwood Mac while Saboo complained. He headed to the roof for some peace and quiet, so he could reflect on getting older, but not better.
Even as he aggressively pitied himself, Howard hoped Vince would seek him out. From the time he started at the zoo, Vince had been a bright spot in the generally bleak landscape of Howard’s life. He didn’t have any great tragedies to mourn, Howard was just another undereducated man, past his prime and trying to figure out what he wanted to be when he grew up. Each birthday was a terrifying reminder that he was just a little less likely to accomplish anything worth mentioning before he died. Every year, he wondered if it was time to buy some cats so he wouldn’t die alone.
Then he would go out for drinks with Vince. He’d grouse at his flighty friend for forgetting his birthday, but his stomach would be in knots thinking about what might happen that night. The first year, Vince had been giggling and pink cheeked after a few sips of lager, and spent the night giggling and batting his eyelashes like a cartoon character. The next morning, Howard had woken up sick and more than a little alarmed. It was a dangerous game to be drinking and getting… friendly with an underaged underling. He resolved to be more professional and a better and kinder mentor to Vince.
The next year, Vince suggested drinks again. Howard felt confident that he’d set firm and clear boundaries with Vince and there would be no further complications.
But the alcohol barely hit Vince’s lips before he was in Howard’s personal space, touching his chest and offering him what Vince considered to be high praise.
“Howard, you are well tall. You must be able to reach every shelf in your house.”
“It’s great that you don’t even have to brush your hair. It must save you so much time in the morning.”
“I like your tiny eyes, they make me think of Patrick Swayze.”
Every year, it was the same. Like one of Pavlov’s dogs, Howard’s birthday short circuited something in Vince’s brain. 364 days a year, he teased Howard about being a sorry old git, but on his birthday, he was full of hugs and compliments.
It was scary. It was terrifying in a way that Howard could barely understand. Every year, Howard stood on a precipice and waited for someone to push him off. If he made a wrong move and sabotaged his friendship with Vince, he’d have nothing. Vince was his best friend, and he wasn’t always sure Vince liked him. Vince had a big heart, and terrible judgment. That he and Howard had nothing in common was irrelevant. At some point, Vince decided he liked Howard and therefore he would stick by him, even if he gave himself headaches with all his eye rolling. Howard had no place in Vince’s new world of trendy clothes and trendy friends, but Vince kept him around like a childhood teddy bear. Howard was a mangy old piece of Vince’s childhood.
Howard was surprised by the tears in his eyes as he imagined life without Vince. He knew it was silly and childish, but he hated Vince for messing with their tradition, for bringing a bunch of strangers into what should have been their night, and for growing up and wanting to chase beautiful women instead of his cranky flat mate. It had been a long time coming, but Howard still wasn’t prepared. He considered seeking Vince out and demanding his attention, but then he remembered Vince teasing him earlier on.
Of course, Howard fancied Vince. Everyone did.
Author: Concupid
Pairing: Howard/Vince
Rating: PG-13
Fandon: The Mighty Boosh
Warnings: angst
Summary: Howard thinks about getting older.
Author’s note: I literally could not stay awake last night long enough to write a chapter, but dammit!, I am going to keep writing this! I've read every kind comment and I thank everyone who is cheering me on. You've all made me feel so good... here's a bucket load of angst.
Immediately after the single most humiliating moment of Howard’s humiliation-filled life, Vince disappeared into a cupboard with another man’s wife. It was symbolic of the whole day. It all began with Vince disappearing before breakfast, ruining Howard’s careful plan for a wacky, impromptu pancake buffet. Then, after Howard spent all day waiting for Vince to suggest drinks, Vince suggested a party instead. Years of tradition out the window for a chance to impress his new, trendy friends.
It was time to accept that Vince was growing up; not in the sense of getting more mature or sensible, but more like a late puberty. Vince was finally starting to want to engage in ‘mature’ entertainment. Howard never thought he’d see the day Vince would be chasing a married woman while her sword-wielding husband was an invited guest in his home, but he knew Vince would have to start dating eventually. People grew up, and they partnered off. That was the way it was supposed to be. Those who didn’t pair off ended up alone and pathetic. They ended up like Howard.
Howard couldn’t face the party. He’d made a fool of himself, been abandoned by both of his supposed friends, and someone was blasting Fleetwood Mac while Saboo complained. He headed to the roof for some peace and quiet, so he could reflect on getting older, but not better.
Even as he aggressively pitied himself, Howard hoped Vince would seek him out. From the time he started at the zoo, Vince had been a bright spot in the generally bleak landscape of Howard’s life. He didn’t have any great tragedies to mourn, Howard was just another undereducated man, past his prime and trying to figure out what he wanted to be when he grew up. Each birthday was a terrifying reminder that he was just a little less likely to accomplish anything worth mentioning before he died. Every year, he wondered if it was time to buy some cats so he wouldn’t die alone.
Then he would go out for drinks with Vince. He’d grouse at his flighty friend for forgetting his birthday, but his stomach would be in knots thinking about what might happen that night. The first year, Vince had been giggling and pink cheeked after a few sips of lager, and spent the night giggling and batting his eyelashes like a cartoon character. The next morning, Howard had woken up sick and more than a little alarmed. It was a dangerous game to be drinking and getting… friendly with an underaged underling. He resolved to be more professional and a better and kinder mentor to Vince.
The next year, Vince suggested drinks again. Howard felt confident that he’d set firm and clear boundaries with Vince and there would be no further complications.
But the alcohol barely hit Vince’s lips before he was in Howard’s personal space, touching his chest and offering him what Vince considered to be high praise.
“Howard, you are well tall. You must be able to reach every shelf in your house.”
“It’s great that you don’t even have to brush your hair. It must save you so much time in the morning.”
“I like your tiny eyes, they make me think of Patrick Swayze.”
Every year, it was the same. Like one of Pavlov’s dogs, Howard’s birthday short circuited something in Vince’s brain. 364 days a year, he teased Howard about being a sorry old git, but on his birthday, he was full of hugs and compliments.
It was scary. It was terrifying in a way that Howard could barely understand. Every year, Howard stood on a precipice and waited for someone to push him off. If he made a wrong move and sabotaged his friendship with Vince, he’d have nothing. Vince was his best friend, and he wasn’t always sure Vince liked him. Vince had a big heart, and terrible judgment. That he and Howard had nothing in common was irrelevant. At some point, Vince decided he liked Howard and therefore he would stick by him, even if he gave himself headaches with all his eye rolling. Howard had no place in Vince’s new world of trendy clothes and trendy friends, but Vince kept him around like a childhood teddy bear. Howard was a mangy old piece of Vince’s childhood.
Howard was surprised by the tears in his eyes as he imagined life without Vince. He knew it was silly and childish, but he hated Vince for messing with their tradition, for bringing a bunch of strangers into what should have been their night, and for growing up and wanting to chase beautiful women instead of his cranky flat mate. It had been a long time coming, but Howard still wasn’t prepared. He considered seeking Vince out and demanding his attention, but then he remembered Vince teasing him earlier on.
Of course, Howard fancied Vince. Everyone did.