"Vince? Speak to me. Vince?!"
He shook the Goth fairy's shoulders.
The sky had gone from navy to dark gray in moments. Rain fell over London as Howard kneeled in the middle of a street with his pale, motionless friend in his arms. He pulled Vince into his chest. His heart was breaking in two.
Why couldn't it have been him? Vince always risked his life to save his. Couldn't Howard, maybe just once, save his?
"Oh, Vince," he cried, pressing his lips to his friend's hair.
But he wasn't just his friend. That is why this shouldn't of happened. Vince was his everything. The reason he had even gone into-
It doesn't matter anymore, he thought. Nothing does.
To see Vince smile and to make him laugh was Howard's purpose.
Now, He was purposeless.
He couldn't tell if he was crying or if the rain had taken the place of his tears...
He draped his tweed jacket over Vince's body, leaving his face exposed. He placed his hat on Vince's hair.
"I know you'd be pissed if your precious hair got wet." He tried to chuckle but failed miserably.
He connected their foreheads and closed his eyes.
"My other half...come back...please..." he whispered between tiny sobs. He laid Vince down gently. He pulled something out from the jacket pocket.
"I wish this day never happened," he whispered desperately. "I wish he never found you. I wish he didn't..." He couldn't speak. He couldn't choke out any more words.
He wiped his eyes with his sleeve and dabbed Vince's cheeks with a handkerchief. As the anger swelled deep inside him, he threw the object as far as he could.
He heard it shatter.
He waited, breathing heavily. Just waiting for something; anything to occur.
Damn it all...
He waited a bit longer before losing hope.
He lifted Vince again, working the man's little arms around his neck, linking them. He stood securing the forever young man on tightly. He started walking, shuffling, towards Nabootique.
He ignored the glares, the whispers of crowds and the gasps of disgust. There was only one thing left to do-the only thing to do-and he wasn't going to let them distract him.
The rain seemed to poor harder on the pair, weighing down on Howard's conscience. His knees started trembling.
How could I let this happen? Didn't even get a chance to tell him I lo-
His thoughts were interrupted by screams of terror. A wall of white light enveloped the entire town of Camden. He turned slowly, a little frightened. A beam erupted from the mysterious wall. It lured him in... Like a moth to a flame...
He walked towards it.
HOWARD!
Howard!
He jerked upward, drenched in sweat. He was panting; his hand his chest, clutching his heart. Vince was sitting on the side of Howard's bed, with one hand in his lap and the other on his friend's shoulder.
"Howard. Can you hear me?"
He looked into the eyes that left him breathless. He nodded unable to speak. He saw worry in them, taking away from their beauty.
You're alive, he thought. His breathing becoming more relaxed. He could feel Vince's heartbeat through his fingertips.
He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. "Where are we?" He looked around nervously.
"What d'you mean? We're in the flat. At Nabootique?" Howard noticed Vince hadn't taken his eyes of him. He bit his lip before continuing. "I was comin up to tell you its your shift. But when I came in I...uh..."
He removed his hand, placing it next the one in his lap and looked down. "You said some stuff in your sleep." He cleared his throat. "You said 'no reason to live.'"
The room went quiet. Vince stood, his eyes hidden. "Look, um," He started as he walked backwards. "You just get your rest and I'll take yours." He turned for the door.
"Both shifts? You know you can't-wait. What time is it?!" he looked at his wrist. He swore under his breath. "4:30?" he groaned. He rubbed his temples. "Vince, why didn't you try and wake-" "That's just it, Howard," He turned to face the older man. "I've been trying to wake you since 10:00!" he yelled. Then whispered "You wouldn't move."
He had been sitting on the bed again. He pushed Howard back. "Just sleep, alright?" He closed his eyes as soon as his head hit the pillow. Vince made his way toward the door.
He couldn't tell if he had said it allowed. "I don't think I'll be sleeping any time soon."
It was raining.
Yay! I like this one better short. There's more but I think I'll leave it!