TITLE: Too close

AUTHOR: Erin Giles

RATING: PG

PAIRING: Howince

SUMMARY: "I told you not to get too near him if you haven't had it before."

NOTES: Dedicated to Cailen Braern because she's needs a little pick me up fic right now! ;)

"Will you stop scratching!" Howard reprimanded Vince, slapping his hands from where he was scratching his neck.

"It's not my fault I look like a polka dot fabric swatch," Vince moaned, "I'm out of fashion Howard." Vince said, starting to scratch again before Howard grabbed his hand, starting to douse it with camomile lotion.

"You'll only make it worse if you scratch little man." Howard chided, "I'll have to tie you up at this rate."

Vince smiled at him coyly, "Maybe you will anyway,"

Howard looked up at Vince, eyes wide, as he started to stutter, "I think you may have a fever." Howard said, putting a hand to Vince's head.

"It's not the chicken pox that's making me hot Howard, it's…" Vince started.

"Bed." Howard practically yelled, helping Vince off the couch, and pushing him in the direction of the bedroom, "I think you should go back to bed, and I'll make you a cuppa."

"Only if you come with me." Vince said coyly as he rounded the corner, heading for the bedroom.

"I told you not to get too near him if you haven't had it before." Naboo admonished Howard as he handed him another bottle of Camomile lotion.

"I didn't get that near." Howard confessed as Vince smiled, looking at him sidelong.

"There's tea in the pot," Naboo said, sighing, "Me and Bollo have got a gig." Naboo said as he headed towards the stairs. "Just try and not scratch too much."

The door shut behind Naboo and Bollo as Howard turned to glare at Vince, "This is your fault you know." Howard sniped.

"Ah come on Howard," Vince moaned, moving nearer to him on the couch, cuddling into Howard.

"What are you doing? Naboo said not to get too close." Howard said, moving away, "Again."

"You've already got it you muppet." Vince replied, smiling at him, "It's not like it's going to make a difference now."

"Oh yeah," Howard smiled, realisation dawning as he snuggled up next to Vince underneath the duvet on the couch.