Thanks to all the lovely people who've reviewed. Thanks for bearing with me. It's such a struggle to upload new chapters on here suddenly and I don't know why. If anyone has any advice...

Really wish I could comment on your stories too...but it won't let me!! Grrrrr!

Of course it would stop working now its half term and I have spare time! Double grrrr.

Disclaimer: All belongs to Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding xxx

Today's quote is from Robots in Disguise "The Tears".

"I'm your slave, got to taste the tears"

"You're such a ball bag Howard!"

Just what every guy with an excruciatingly bad hangover wants to hear first thing in the morning.

"Bollo agrees. Howard very stupid."

No wait. I lied. It isn't.

"Whatever." I groaned, my head in my arms.

"Really Howard, a man of your age shouldn't start on spirits. It's seriously bad juju."

Before I could ask Naboo what the hell he'd meant by "my age", Vince cut in, "Hey! Back off guys," he suddenly ordered, frowning at Naboo and Bollo as we sat around the little kitchen table.

I was suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of pride. Vince was leaping to my defence, actually sensing the emotional state I was in (not to mention the physical state too...one hell of a headache and an incredibly queasy stomach. I feel like I'm gonna do a vom-up).

I looked up at him and flashed him a wearily grateful smile, only to receive the same ferocious frown back (well, as ferocious as Vince can manage) to my surprise.

"I'm the one who gets to tell him off!" He exclaimed to the others before turning on me, "Do you know how worried we got last night? You know you can't take your drink. What were you thinking?!"

There was a sudden silence in the kitchen as we all looked at each other then back to Vince. I don't think any of us knew what was up with him. Since when did he care so much about me anyway?

"Uh-hum! Anyway I think me and Bollo oughta open up shop..." Said Naboo, edging out of our presence, looking uncomfortable.

"But it's Sunday Naboo. No shop on Sunday."

"Shut up Bollo!" Cried Naboo, nudging the simple gorilla out of the room with a look of pure annoyance on his face.

I wish I could have gone with them. I couldn't bear the way Vince was looking at me. It was like he was actually disgusted with me. What had I done that was so terrible anyway? I got drunk! Shudder-gasp! How could I?

No wait, we always get drunk. It's no big deal at all really.

"What the hell's your problem?" I shouted back as soon as the others were barely out of the room (the shouting was more out of confusion than anger I suppose).

"I just said you ass!" He shot back, ever the poet, "You got all narky with me in the shop for no reason - when I was just messing around, like we always do! Then you throw a ball of paper at me, stormed off and that was that. I didn't know what happened to you...I got all worried and all."

I felt really bad then. He was looking at me through his fringe, a look of unmistakable hurt on his face. I don't want him to worry. And I definitely don't want him to hurt inside. So I was about to make up with him, but then he said...

"You acted like a total spanner for no reason at all! I just don't get you Howard. Is it a mid-life crisis or summit?"

Thanks! He was obviously still utterly clueless. Always would be.

"No! Look, I'm a big boy Vince; I'll do what I want. I don't have to consult you before I do something. We're not joined at the hip you know. I don't have to do everything with you sir"

He looked downright miserable then.

"Since when did you not want to do things with me?" He whispered, a little shocked. I suppose, it did come out a little harsher than I intended, still I felt annoyed. Everything's gotta be about him (even though it is but whatever-that's so not the point. It isn't!).

"I didn't say that. Jeez Vince, you're like a bloody puppy." I sighed, my voice wavering. I got up, trying to dodge my way to my room and away from that heartbreaking look he was giving me. And suddenly there he was, standing in the way, hands gripping my shoulders, up close and personal. Too personal. Steadying me. No, imprisoning me, his face was alarmingly close to mine.

"Howard. What's really up with you really? What's up with us?" He sounded so unusually crestfallen, so caring that I almost...I don't know what I almost did. I wanted to tell him the truth. I wanted to kiss him, because he was finally acting like he cared. I wanted to push him away from me as hard as I could, for being so ignorant. I wanted to do all of those things and so much more. But I couldn't. Instead, I settled for shrugging his hands off my shoulders fiercely. Just to get away from that damn look.

"Nothing. Okay Vince? Absolutely nothing." I lied, trying not to cry as he held on to me.

"But Howard-

"Get off of me!" He gave up, looking unbearably distressed, "Just leave it right?" I yelled, inexplicably angry as I retreated to the safety of my room.

I am never coming out again.

How can I? I know he is hurting. I am too. I never wanted to make him feel that way. But I can't seem to help it. I used to be so good at hiding these feelings, but now I can't take it. I don't even know how I got this way - it was so sudden.

No it wasn't. I know that's a lie. It was gradual. Always there. These feelings - confusing me. Torturing me.

Love shouldn't have to be this way. But it is, and I don't see how that could ever change. He sees me, his friend. Just his friend. And what a mate I am. Look at what I've done to him. I can hear him out there. Naboo must come back (if he even left that is. He could have been lurking in the flat the whole time. Hiding and listening. He's so small and compact...) because I can hear him asking him desperately for advice, his voice pained and desperate. I put on some jazz music. Loud. Just so I don't have to hear him anymore. It fails to block him from my mind though. I see the look of utter confusion and sadness in his eyes as I move away from his grasp. It's so ironic. I flinch away, terrified of his touch when all I really want to do is hold him so badly.

I can't do this to myself anymore.

More importantly, I can't do this to him anymore.

Well, maybe just one more time.

When I tell him I have to go.

It'll kill us for a while, but in the end, I know it's better for both of us.

Still hoping you like xx