"Howard?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you love me?"
Howard propped himself up on his elbow, frowning over at Vince who was in the kitchen. "Sorry?"
Vince grinned, joining his friend on the sofa. "Well, remember that kiss on the roof?"
Howard sighed. "Vince, that didn't mean anything. It was just to stop the head Shaman from murdering you. You said so yourself."
"No, think about it," the little man started excitedly, "You said you loved me but then nothing happened!"
"I didn't say I loved you, little man. I said you showed me love."
"You said you loved me."
"No I didn't."
"You did."
"Did not."
"Did TOO!" Vince cried happily, bouncing up and down on the sofa like a little kid. Howard couldn't help but smile.
Vince really was adorable. None of his individual features were particularly appealing to the Northerner, yet when they all came together to form Vince Noir, Rock and Roll Star, Howard couldn't help his heart flutter. Those big blue, almost too-inquisitive eyes only emphasised by the dark, raven hair carefully framing his face. So beautiful, so soft. It always smelt of hairspray or expensive shampoo or strawberry scented heat spray. Those bright smiles and carefree laughter, so frequent that it would certainly annoy Howard if it wasn't Vince emitting them. That razor-sharp jawline that Howard was just aching to caress with his large hands.
God, all these little things and more came together to create this beautiful, beautiful man. And yes, Howard did love him, but he knew Vince wouldn't take his affection seriously and just tease him silly. The tall man's heart ached, he was just dying to declare his love: of course I love you, Vince. I've loved you since the moment I met you, you're the most important person in the world to me. Nothing could ever-
"D'you mean that, Howard?" Vince interrupted his friend's thoughts with a coy smile and shy whisper.
Oh bollocks. Had Howard really just said that out loud?
"Uh..." he began awkwardly, racking his brains for an excuse.
Before he could think of anything, he felt Vince practically throw himself on top of him, eliciting a surprised yelp from the taller man. Vince wrapped his arms around Howard's large frame in a hug, and since they were both sitting almost horizontally, the smaller man was literally lying on top of his friend.
"I love you too, you big jazzy freak," he mumbled into Howard's chest, unable to keep the large grin off his face.