Awh, I liked the chapter with the Teddy Bear. That was my favourite.
This chapter, next to the previous one, will most probably seem boring. It's mostly speech that ends the whole thing.
So thanks for reading even though I was about to give up on it.
xx
Cup of tea?
"People think it's holding on that makes you stronger, but sometimes it's letting go."
Silence hangs in the air snickering at the two men, one stands hesitantly by the door, the other remains on the floor in floods of quiet tears, his face a blank canvas, eyes gazing at the teddy bear that lies motionless on the carpet.
"Who were you talking to?" The tranquillity is broken in two followed by a short laugh from Vince and the creak of the door as Howard leans on it slightly. The younger man looks up, his tear stained cheeks glistening in the light flooding in from the lounge, his hair flows freely from side to side then settles when his head is still.
"The teddy bear." He looks Howard straight in the eyes when he speaks, watching and studying the expression he receives back; he finds a gentle frown of confusion causing him to giggle softly "Stupid. Yeah, I know." He shrugs, his head drops back down towards the floor, his legs and backside are numb from sitting on the hard floor. His eyes go back to being fixed on the furry toy still lying sadly on it's back surrounded by hairspray, combs, brushes and accessories.
"The bear I gave you? You still have it?" Vince looks back up at Howard now wearing the same frown of confusion and nods gently sniffing back tears loudly. He finds it odd that Howard doesn't think to mock him for talking to a stuffed toy. He watches his friend close the door and cross to the bed sitting himself down on the squeaky mattress "I heard everything you said." The words slice through Vince leaving behind trails of embarrassment the same colour as his flushed cheeks "I don't hate you." These words soften the blow of the previous sentence causing him to smile a tiny bit, he remains silent, he focuses on his breathing and continues to listen while watching the bear.
"And I don't think you're stupid." Howard continues "My anger got the better of me, Vince. I'm sorry I made you feel that way." Vince half shrugs a reply not moving his eyes from the toy.
"S'ok." He mutters half-heartedly and finally breaks eye contact glancing upwards.
"No it's not okay. I'm sorry this wasn't easy for you, sorry I made it difficult for you actually. I'm not mad with you, I'm more mad with myself." He remains silent this time, the tears getting the better of him "And I miss us being friends as well, we used to talk and have a laugh all the time. Now it seems like I'm the parent looking after a stroppy teenager, no offence."
"Non taken." Vince shrugs, a slight smile playing at his lips "I have been a bit of a tit haven't I?"
"We all make mistakes." There was a pause in the room, the silence was tense, even Vince had stopped crying, "I'm sorry I told you you'd get over it eventually. I shouldn't have said something like that, I panicked."
"S'alright. I'd rather be friends than have you running away from me."
"Or yelling at you." Vince nods in agreement with a slight laugh "So...This list, I meant to ask you about the last thing."
"Oh yeah..." He looks up at his scribbled out art work and frowns "Didn't mean to put most of that."
"Anger fuelled?" Vince nods and looks back down at the floor "We'll have to clear it up before Naboo gets back, he won't be very happy at all." Howard stands and straightens his shirt still gazing with a frown at the wallpaper.
"Howard?" Vince asks before his friend leaves the room "Are we friends now?"
"Always were, little man." Vince grins finally and bobs his head down in slight embarrassment as Howard crosses to the other side of the room then sits down next to the younger man "I think he wants an apology for being thrown across the room." He holds up the teddy bear in a gentle hand and waves it at Vince who laughs softly.
"Sorry teddy." He says in a child-like manner then takes the toy and bounces it up and down on his knees gazing at it "Now my secret is out." He notices Howard's confused expression then explains, "I talk to teddy bears." They smile and laugh softly. The tension is shattered completely as Howard pulls Vince into a hug, just a quick one that ends with a smile and a question.
"Cup of tea?"
End.