Disclaimer: Really? Come on, you all know by now it's owned by the uber sexy Julian and Noel.
Vince sat in the chair by the window, flicking through the latest copy of Cheekbone. He wasn't really concentrating on the article though. He was thinking about Howard.
The man in question was currently sitting behind the shop counter. Vince didn't know what he was doing, because he didn't want to look at him in case he started staring and Howard thought he'd gone wrong.
Vince hated feeling like this. It sounded weird; hating that you like someone, but he did. It didn't make any sense. Howard was about as far away from Vince's 'type' as was possible to get. He didn't wear bright clothes, or enjoy dancing in clubs, or anything like that. Vince wished more than anything he could just view howard as a friend, but he just couldn't. He looked up from his magazine and caught Howard's eye, causing his stomach to give a tiny flip. Vince smiled at him, but Howard just looked back at whatever he was doing to Stationary Village.
Vince bit his lip and went back to pretending to read the magazine, fighting an urge to run to the nearest mirror and check he looked alright. He did sometimes catch Howard watching him, but the older man always looked away when he caught his eye and it made Vince feel a bit paranoid. Did Howard like him? Was that why he sometimes caught him looking?
But if he liked him, why wouldn't he smile? Why just look away? Vince sometimes had the horrible feeling that maybe there was something on his face that Howard was looking at, smudged makeup or a food stain or something. But he always looked ok when he found a mirror.
He just wished he knew how Howard felt about him! He'd never had this before; having someone constantly on his mind, unable to eat or sleep without thinking about him…
"You ok, Vince?" came the monotone voice of Naboo. Vince jerked his head up to see the shaman watching him curiously.
"Yeah, I'm fine Naboo. Genius."
"Good, because I need you to collect something for me. Just follow the directions." he handed Vince a map.
"What is it?" he asked, examining the piece of paper.
"The less you know the better."
Vince looked up suspiciously. "It's not anything dodgy is it? Because that wasn't fun last time we got caught with one of your shady shaman objects."
"No, it's nothing dodgy!" Naboo said in irritation. He hesitated. "Although, if the police do try and follow you, don't pull over ok?" he turned and left the room before Vince could argue.
Vince looked over at Howard and grinned, rolling his eyes. "What the hell is he wanting us to do now?!"
"I know!" Howard replied.
"Ready for another wacky adventure?"
"Um, yeah." Howard nodded uncomfortably, then turned and walked into the back room without looking at Vince again.
Vince sighed as he watched the object of his affection leave the room. This was going to be a long trip.
Sorry, I know I should be updating my story instead of writing new stuff, but the muses just struck! Reviews are loved and rewarded with warm chocolate chip cookies!