Author's Note: Oh no, it's nearly finished! Two more chapters I think. Thanks to everyone for reading.

To say that he was proud was an understatement but Howard couldn't think of a word to describe how he felt right now. He wouldn't admit it of course, he was supposed to be an intellectual after all, but right now he could barely remember his name, let alone a fancy word for how he felt.

Vince would probably say 'genius' and somehow, in a simple way, that did cover it. The whole night, the fashion show, the compliments and offers, Vince's joy, it had all been genius. And now, sitting opposite him on the bed wearing only his vest and pants, was the object of his pride, the most genius thing imaginable. His Vince. It felt like a dream, or a fantasy, and Howard wondered how they'd gotten to this point.

"HowardHowardHowardHowardHoward!" Vince had come running into the bedroom at a tip toe, holding his boots in his hands and trying to call to Howard while also trying to maintain a whisper.

"What is it?" Howard whispered back, because when Vince whispered it created a kind of magic that he just couldn't fight.

"Blanche's fallen asleep on the sofa!"

Howard creased his brow in confusion. They still had an hour before the pre-show drinks and Vince made a point of never turning up on time to a party anyway, so they had plenty of time. What was more, Vince didn't look worried or upset. There was a glint in his eye that reminded Howard of the moment Vince had laid eyes on Black Frost's red cowboy boots.

"I'm having those!"

Howard started to feel a little nervous.

"Is that a problem?" he asked, voice wobbling as Vince carefully put down his boots and sashayed toward him, his hips swaying in a manner that made Howard's mouth water.

"Not a problem at all," Vince purred, backing Howard up against a wall mounted, full length mirror.

"No?"

"No. In fact, I think she'll be out for a while."

"Oh." Howard didn't know what else to say. Vince's tone was practically predatory and, while part of his brain knew where this situation was probably headed the rest of him was panicking because it had no idea what to do in this situation.

"I reckon we've got enough time to, maybe, have a bit of fun, yeah? Try something new?" He looked up at Howard with his big eyes, blue enough to drown in, and Howard felt himself surrender. He wanted this, he knew he did, but he was worried that he'd get the chokes again and freeze up at a crucial moment. Vince might laugh at him, or worse, be disappointed, and then he'd have to run away, hide somewhere until Vince forgot about him. Except that he didn't think Vince would forget about him that quickly. He'd said forever after all.

Howard gave a nod and at the slight movement Vince lunged forward to kiss him passionately, first on the lips but then up along his jaw line until Howard felt Vince's perfect lips nipping at his earlobe. It was all too much and Howard let out a moan full of lust and longing, his hands clenching and unclenching by his sides as Vince's smaller, nimbler palms traced up and down his torso.

He'd been in the middle of dressing when Vince had tip toed in and his shirt was unbuttoned which meant that Vince's hands were running up and down his exposed chest sending tingles and shivers through his sensitive flesh. As he moaned again Vince pulled him away from the wall and down on to the bed.

Howard had barely hit the mattress before Vince was on him, straddling his waist and kissing him like his very existence depended on it.

"I want to do something for you, Howard," he whispered breathily as he kissed down Howard's neck and letting his tongue flick over his clavicle.

"Can I do this for you?" he panted into Howard's chest and Howard whined, actually whined in his need.

Vince seemed to understand and began to kiss his way down Howard's chest and every flick of his tongue sent a series of electric shocks through his system. It was too much. If this was what sex was like, he wasn't sure he'd be able to cope.

"Vince-" he tried to warn him but Vince simply slid back up his body, rubbing their bare torsos against one another and drawing him in to another fiery kiss. When had Vince removed his shirt?

Howard was losing his grasp of time and space and now there was a slender hand working his belt free.

He whimpered when Vince's mouth left his but a moment later it was back, hot and wet and all around him and Howard arched into the sensation. It was all too much. Wrapping his fingers around the silky strands of Vince's hair he gave into the sensation. Gave in to Vince.

They'd made it to the party eventually. Vince had swept around the room, wearing his Sunshine Kid persona like he had once worn the Lonely Angel one and most of the guests had been stunned at the transformation. Howard's trained, albeit small, eyes could see that Vince was nervous and his mannerisms were actually shy but he had wooed the fashion elite who had gathered to see both his designs and his change in style.

Blanche had been feeling shy, overwhelmed at the number of people and the cameras, and so Howard had taken her to a quiet spot backstage and left Vince to do what he did best: effortlessly convincing people to love him.

They had emerged when it was time for the show to start. Vince had pressed a kiss to Howard's lips to the sound of wolf whistles from the other models and peppered Blanche with kisses to the sound of several awws. They'd taken their seats in the front row and watched as Jaquettie's collection was shown, seemingly quite rushed, before Vince's collection was announced.

Every piece was beautiful. Vince had mentioned that they had been inspired by adventures he'd had with Howard and as each model strutted forward Howard saw the adventures come to life. There were the black and silver creations with red boots that called to mind the Tundra, white and neon outfits that made him think of Vince's short-lived electro career, and the fire and fur of the jungle room. They were stunning and Blanche was transfixed, enjoying seeing them up close after only getting a glimpse from a distance in the afternoon.

While Howard was able to take in the designs, he knew that many of the people around him were simply looking at Vince, and he couldn't blame them. He'd always had the impression that models weren't allowed to smile when strutting the catwalk. Vince had certainly never smiled in anything he'd seen during the Unicorn Tears campaign.

Now though, he was grinning as widely as he could without actually hurting his face. He was riveting, entrancing... everything. Howard knew he was in love because he was gushing about the man inside his own head.

When Vince had come on to the runway for his final bow the stage manager had appeared at Howard's side and escorted him to the steps. Vince had scooped Blanche into his arms and smiled and waved as people applauded and the cameras flashed. Howard had hung back but when Vince had seen him he'd given him a look. It was a look of longing and of command. It was a look that said: "Get here now, you berk, so I can kiss you in front of all these people."

Howard wasn't too keen on kissing in front of a crowd but the look also told him that doing what he was told now would equal rewards later. Blushing hard and feeling it deepen when he saw Vince giving a little chuckle, Howard climbed up to stand beside Vince, who threw his free arm around his shoulders and gave him a thorough kiss. The camera flashes were intense but it was Vince's smile that blinded him.

They hadn't stayed long at the party. Vince had done the rounds, accepted the praise, and was given a number of business cards before pulling Howard and Blanche toward the waiting car and home. Blanche had talked non-stop about the colours and the costumes until she had suddenly fallen asleep in Vince's arms in the lift on their way up to the apartment.

Howard had watched as Vince carried his daughter inside and toward the sofa.

"I'll bring her in to our room later," he told Howard with such an earnest expression that Howard just wanted to cuddle him. He was such a sweet daddy and as they made their way to the bedroom Howard wondered, not for the first time, just how he had gotten so lucky.

And so here he was, with the object of his pride, the most genius thing imaginable, sitting opposite him in his vest and pants on the bed. His Vince.

"We can do whatever you want, Howard," he said softly. "We don't have to rush into things, do everything at once. We can just, you know, do whatever you want. Alright?"

Howard melted.