Chapter 14

Howard had fully expected a call the very next afternoon. He knew the boy wouldn't phone while he was out. He seemed fully aware of Howard's working hours, if the stalking for days thing was true. However, Howard was met with no call at all that afternoon. Nor the day after that.

On the third day, as Howard pulled on his jacket, counting down the minutes on his wall clock to the exact moment Moose would be knocking on his door, a shrill cry rang out through the hut, startling Howard. It took him a moment to realise that it was only the phone ringing. The last person to call him on that phone had been his mother, late last year. He knew who it was before he even picked it up.

"Alright, Howard? Listen, I was in the neighborhood and was wonderin' if you wanna go get some drinks?"

"But...you're fifteen."

"Yeah well, I got a solution to that, don't I."

"Oh? And what makes you think I'm going to be buying you drinks?"

"You will."

Howard could feel the cheeky grin through the phone, and wanted to shout that he didn't think it right to purchase alcoholic beverages in a pub for a fifteen-year-old kid, but he stopped himself short. He wasn't the boy's father. He let out a quick, heavy breath.

"Fine. Me and Joey are heading on to the Hellfire Pub; do you need directions?"

"Um, yeah, thanks."

Giving directions to the kid, who he could hear scribbling them down onto paper, Howard heard the awaited knock at his front door. He called out to Joey that he would be just a second, and quickly told Vince that he'd see him there. Howard wasn't certain why he had so easily invited the boy along with them, but it was Vince after all. They had history, a friendship. As long as the kid didn't try any of that scary shit he'd pulled the last time, Howard could see no problem letting the boy tag along. Who knows, it could be just like old times. A part of Howard ached for that. That lost kinship that he'd felt for the child, so long ago. This might well be his opportunity to patch that hole in their bond.

"Howard!"

Howard turned to find his entire front covered by sparkly kid as Vince hugged him tight. Thankfully he only held the man for a brief moment before letting go and sliding onto the neighboring stool previously filled by Joey, who could be heard laughing loudly across the room. Howard did his best to ignore the curious glances and smirking whispers and focused on the kid, who had just ordered something bubbly and pink. Howard really didn't want a repeat of what happened in the other pub. He felt entirely out of his depth.

"So what've you been up to?" Vince asked after a long stretch of silence that wasn't as tense as Howard had thought it would become.

"Well, Cooper's been a bit ill lately. Er, that's a fox that I look after. Oh, and Fossil tried going into Bollo's cage for the third time. Stupid git thinks the ape'll get used to him. And, um, the fish have been doing fine..."

"No I mean, like, over these...what, seven years? Damn, that's a long time. Doesn't feel like it's been seven years since I last saw you; it really doesn't. Is it the same for you?"

"Um, well, I've been fine. The zoo could be doing much better but...yeah, it's fine. There's really not much else to tell, really. My whole life has been about the zoo, and all the animals."

Vince hummed happily at this, a look of interest sparking behind his eyes.

"Must be amazin', to get to take care of all those cool creatures, yeah? Like that lion I saw. I'm insanely jealous of you, Howard. You got a dream job."

"Heh, not sure if I'd put it that way, Little Man."

Woah, back up, hold the dial. Howard hadn't meant to use that old nickname. In fact, if he remembered correctly, last time he'd called the kid that it had resulted in tears. He'd just felt so chuffed at the admiring tone in Vince's voice that he'd let it slip. Howard grimaced down at his drink, expecting the worst. For all he knew, the boy would start screaming at him or something. When this didn't happen, Howard risked a look over at Vince, and was surprised to see a small smile on his face. He could practically feel the warmth radiating off of the boy. Oh no, he had that face again; that serious face right before he'd caused Howard to see flashing lights with his invasion into Howard's sacred bubble.

Howard hastily leaned away from the kid, though Vince had made no physical move. At a loss of words, Howard picked up his drink and finished the entire glass in one. He waved at the barman to bring him another. He felt he was going to need it.

Another long silence radiated between them, this one filled to the brim with Howard's nervous static and that damned warmth coming off of Vince in waves, ghosting over Howard's outer walls, leaking in through the cracks. Finally, Vince finished off his own drink, but instead of signalling to the barman, he looked up at Howard with a grin.

"Hey, what say you an' me head on over to this club I know of. I never been there before, but I hear it's wicked."

"Uh, no thanks, Vince. Think I'll just stay here a bit longer, then I really must be heading back. Gotta get some shut-eye."

"What for, tomorrow's Sunday."

Howard had no return argument. He just wanted to go home. This place was much too hot and noisy for him. He sighed down at his glass, and made the mental decision to be firm, to not give in to those pleading eyes that had made him let the boy into his house and resulted in him over the arm of his couch.

Standing up, Howard strode for the door, knowing full well the boy would follow. He didn't disappoint. Once they were in the outside air, cold from the recent rain, Howard turned to the boy with an authorative stance.

"I'm going home now. I'm tired, I haven't had much sleep this last week. Goodbye, Vince."

"Well, wait, could I come along? I-"

"No, Vince. You...go on to that club of yours. Have fun, or something. I'm just too exhausted to...handle you right now."

Vince went to reply, but seemed taken aback by those last words, and his brows drew together in confusion. Howard turned and headed for the Lodge, noting with satisfaction that he heard no accompanying boot clacks.

The morning sun didn't stab Howard's eyes for the first Sunday in a long time, and Howard was confused by this before recalling that he actually hadn't gotten pissed the night before. Looking over at his clock, he noted with a groan that it was nearly seven in the morning. Much too early to be awake on a Sunday. So Howard lay back down on his couch, duvet on the floor in the warmth of the hut.

This sleepy peace was ruined by two loud raps on the door. Howard continued to lay there, knowing that he had locked the door when he came in. Another knock, and then the door moved slightly as whoever it was disturbing Howard tried to open it.

Now very miffed, Howard stood sharply and shuffled to the door, intent on telling off whoever it was forcing him to move at this ungodly hour.

He shouldn't have been as shocked as he was to see the sodding kid standing there. Well, standing's not the right word. More like sleeping upright, arm propped against the outside wall for support. At the sound of the door flinging open, he stood almost straight, bleary eyes taking in Howard, before he mutely slid between the man and the doorframe, letting himself inside.

Howard watched in appalled fascination as the boy literally crashed to his front on Howard's sofa, snoring almost instantly. Howard shook his head; the kid was obviously drunk off his tits, and most likely other substances as well. Howard could practically see the smoke lingering on the boy's clothes, and felt a prick of guilt, that he should've been there, with Vince, to keep him in check. Who knows what the boy had gotten into on his own.

Howard opted to question him later, and walked over to the sofa. He reached out and turned the boy's head so that it was on it's side, and not buried into the sofa. No sense in having the boy smother himself in the cushions. Howard then noticed something underneath the boy's fringe. Brushing it aside, he beheld the word 'VIRGIN' stamped out in red on the kid's forehead. Yes, Howard had many questions about Vince's night out at this club. For now, he settled for laying his duvet over the sleeping teen, and going into the kitchen to put the kettle on.

Vince slept nearly the entire day, which wasn't surprising seeing as how he'd stayed up partying until the morning hours. Howard didn't think he had ever possessed that kind of stamina. Howard was on the floor, leaning against the couch, when he felt the cushions shift and heard Vince groan in misery as he rolled over onto his back. Keeping his eyes closed, Vince sat up, putting a hand to the side of his head as if his neck alone couldn't hold up such a weight. He groaned once more as he squinted out into the bright room. Howard had opened the curtains as he prepared breakfast.

The older man sat patiently, turned slightly to watch the kid messily kick the blanket down to his feet. Once the boy seemed to be completely awake and sitting up on the couch, Howard threw the duvet to the floor and joined the boy on the furniture, now smelling mostly of cigarette smoke from Vince.

"So. Have...a bit of a night, then?"

Vince squinted over at Howard as if just noticing him, and then nodded with another small groan. Howard felt strangely smug, as if to say 'There, you see? That's what happens when teenage boys go out on their own and get pissed to the nines.' He chose not to voice any of that out loud, and instead went for a different approach.

"You never did tell me what you'd been up to for these seven years."

Vince made a swatting motion in the air.

"Aw, you don' wanna hear 'bout me boring school days. My life's been one big yawn. Up 'til over a year ago. Tha's when I met Leroy. He goes to a posh independent school; his family's well loaded. Anyway, me an' 'im became fast friends, and since he's older than me he takes me drivin' out places. Mainly to concerts an' stuff. And yeah...that's basically it. Not much more to tell."

"Did he not come here with you this time?"

"No. I took a bus."

"...You took a bus from Mitcham just to go out to a pub for one night?"

"Well it's not like it was a long trip, so...and actually, I was wonderin' if...since it's the hols an' all, if I could stay with you until school lets back in? Please?"

Howard was so geared up to say "NO" that it felt as though a locomotive had crashed against the back of his teeth when he choked the syllable down at that last word from Vince. He was giving the man such meek little glances through his fringe that Howard felt stranded. Calculating in his head, Howard sighed loudly as he visibly relented.

'He's only got two more weeks until school starts. Might as well let him stay on 'til then.'

"Where's your things, then? Did you even bring clothes?"

"Yeah, 's all back at a hotel room. I'll go an' get it later."

Vince seemed to physically hold himself back from landing square in Howard's lap, and just settled for breaking out that supernova smile of his. He ruffled his hands through his hair, seemingly just to give them something to do. Howard once again caught sight of the bizarre stamp on the kid's forehead. He gestured at it, keeping a light tone.

"What's, uh, what's with the red?"

Vince appeared confused for a second, before realisation landed on him. He clamped a hand over his forehead, and Howard had to hold back a smile at the slight pink that blossomed on Vince's cheeks. Vince's mouth grew into a thin line as he sighed heavily through his nose, shifting so as to sit with his back against the arm of the sofa, facing Howard fully. He dropped his hand, looking up at Howard with an embarrassed expression.

"Yeah, forgot about that. Just some stupid game from the club. I kinda got...a little too into the spirit of things, and just leapt into any game that was goin' on."

"...And? What sort of game involves stamping...that onto people."

Vince didn't explain, just shook his head and closed his eyes once more, rubbing at his nose and fidgeting about. Howard couldn't help it, curiosity got the better of him.

"So...are you? You know..."

He gestured at Vince's head, and Vince once again went a bit pink, and his hand went up as if to cover the word again, before lowering it in defeat. He nodded sullenly, and glanced at Howard with a hooded gaze, as if expecting Howard to laugh at him, or even poke fun.

"I'm not gonna make fun of you, you know. It's not like it's a sin for a young boy to be...well, I'd be shocked if you weren't. Kids these days..."

Howard shook his head, staring off into space. Yes, kids these days indeed. Howard had little hope for the future generations. His gaze was drawn back to the child as Vince smiled ruefully, lowering his head to stare at his hands.

"The others did. At the club. They all had a right laugh when tha' one girl guessed right, that I was a virgin. Laughed and looked at me like I was some sort o' freak. I just laughed it off and went for more drinks. But..."

Howard sensed the black despondence leaking off the boy, and his mind desperately sought for something, anything to make the kid feel better.

"It's no big deal. Loads of people never...you know, before. Hell, uh- I haven't even...you know..."

Vince's eyes shot up and met Howard's, astonishment written in them.

"You mean you're a virgin? But you're old!"

Now why did Howard have to go and reveal that! He was mentally beating himself to a pulp.

'Way to reveal one of your deepest, most humiliating secrets, Moon-wait what does he mean old!?'

Vince's smile was not mocking, however. Despite those last words, it was genuine. He tentatively reached out and laid the tips of his fingers on Howard's arm, as if to offer comfort. He quickly drew them away, respectful to Howard's wishes for space, which made Howard feel a bit of that old fondness for the boy that had been lost to him for far too long.

Indeed, Howard did feel a tether of that old bond, lost in the fog between them. Howard grasped the bond in both hands, and mentally vowed to follow it until he was back by Vince's side, just like old times. It felt good to confide in someone; someone Howard knew he could trust, almost on an instinctive level.

Howard rose and went into the kitchen to make more tea. He returned soon after with two mugs, and handed off one to Vince, who gave his thanks.

"So...while I'm here, d'you think maybe I could help out? You know, with the animals an' all."

"Hmm. I don't think so, Vince. I could get sacked for that...But tell you what, you can tag along and give me company."

Vince perked up at this, grinning at Howard and shifting once more in his spot, this time out of sheer excitement, which Howard could not hold back a smile at. For the rest of the day, it truly felt as if Howard was back in his old bedroom with that little blond boy.

Howard entered the Zooniverse office building twenty minutes late, and that was only because he'd finally just grabbed the kid by his arm and hauled him out of the Lodge. He'd explained again and again that they weren't even leaving zoo grounds. It was just a little get-together for one of Joey's friend's birthday. Still, the boy had insisted on changing tops and jewelry several times, as well as flattening his hair and applying and re-applying his eyeliner. He looked like a flippin' camp goth, if there were such a thing. Ah well, nothing to do for it now. He'd snatched the eyeliner from those bony little fingers, wrapped his hand around a wrist, and ignored the boy's indignant shouts as they marched out the hut front door.

Down the hall and to the right was the zoo lounge, which used to hold occasional parties when Nooka was around. It hadn't been used for anythingin the last four or so years. Howard figured that might've been why Joey chose it as a prime space for a birthday party. Sentiment.

Entering in through the open doorway, Howard blinked at the bright lights of the large room; Joey had obviously bought new ones. Scattered about said room were seven old men, a few bound to wheelchairs. Howard had only met this group of people once before. Apparently they were war buddies of Moose's late father. Joey had explained how they'd all practically raised him from boyhood, after his mother succumbed to cancer. Even after his father's passing six years ago, Joey still kept in touch with these men, often relaying a funny tale to Howard on quiet lunch breaks, or occasionally at the pub, when Moose tired of conversing with friends and sat down with Howard in their isolated corner of the bar.

"Moono!"

Howard's head turned toward the sound with a grin. Moose came walking over from the small kitchenette in the corner, clapping the other man on the shoulder before turning to look down at the kid with a confused expression. Howard quickly interceded, releasing his hold on the boy and gesturing between the two.

"Joey, this is Vince. Vince this is my good friend Joey Moose."

Joey smiled and offered his hand to the kid, who took it with a grin of his own. Howard really hoped the two got along well, and let his mind wander a bit with images of the three of them, thick as thieves. He came back to himself as Joey was mid-sentence in conversation with Vince.

"-look like one of those new little film stars. That's what they wear these days."

Vince laughed, enjoying the undivided attention.

"Well y'know they called me Vince Noir, rock n' roll star, back home."

"You in a band or something, Vince?"

"Used to be. Yeah, the guitarist threw a hissy and walked out on us. S'alright, though, they were all shit anyway."

Howard tensed a bit. Joey had an odd peeve with cursing for some reason. The man's smile didn't waver, however, and Howard allowed himself to breath out slowly. Howard couldn't count how many times he'd been smacked upside the head for spitting out a swearword in the Aussie's presence.

"So how old are you, Vince? Thirteen, fourteen?-"

"I'm twenty-five, actually. Same as Howard."

Howard's mind was flung back to the present, and he laid a hand on the kid's shoulder, looking at Moose with a smile that relayed the kid was obviously joking.

"No you're not, Vince-"

"We're the same age."

Now the kid was looking up at him, and Howard honestly couldn't tell whether he was joking or not. But he had to be. Vince knew his own age; acknowledged it constantly. This was another one of his little stunts. Fortunately Moose seemed to understand and moved on. The conversation continued, hopping from subject to subject, until a gravelly voice broke out from across the room.

"Who invited the lady?"

It actually took Howard a moment to realise the old man was referring to Vince, and by the time he did all eyes in the room were landing on the three of them. Moose let out a snicker, not meaning anything cruel by it as he laughed, but Howard saw the kid bristle, air of ease gone. It only got worse as another voice piped up as the men all made to move closer to the stranger in the room.

"Has Harold brought along a little girlfriend?"

Okay, now they were all just teasing. Howard knew these guys weren't that daft. But their humor, well-intentioned as it may have been, was causing Vince to go mute and move back to stand once more beside Howard, brows drawn. The kid obviously didn't see the joke. Feeling sympathetic, Howard stepped forward, hands raised.

"Alright now lads, let's simmer down. Let's just get back to the party at hand. Uh, who's birthday is it, again?"

Moose spoke up this time, pointing at the man who'd initially spotted Vince.

"It's Bonker's day today. He's turned ninety-seven, if you can believe it."

"Oh I can believe it."

Howard cringed. That child and his mouth, always blunt to the point of rudeness. And going by his expression, Howard knew the kid was also more than a tad angry. But seriously, what did he expect going out dressed like a gothic thirteen-year-old girl? Howard mentally shook his head in bewilderment. Moose also seemed to be on the confused side, although Howard was seeing the first signs of aggression about him. Moose was incredibly protective over what he perceived as his family, and would have no word against them, not even from Howard, and certainly not from a strange teenager. The man smiled once more, however, and walked back toward the kitchenette, calling Howard to follow.

The man sighed in relief and moved along with Moose, hearing the kid as he clacked closely behind Howard. The older men in the room had all gathered together at a long table in the centre of the room, and seemed to be relaying stories of some bloke by the name of Squeaky.

Once Joey realised Vince had followed them, he seemed a bit at a loss, and Howard realised the man had wanted them to have a word in private. Casting about for something to keep the teen busy, Howard spotted the kettle, which Moose had been busy preparing earlier. The man nodded toward it, looking at Vince.

"Alright Vince, why don't you set about making these men some tea while Joey and I have a word."

The boy looked incredulously up at the taller man, argument in his eyes before it ever left his lips.

"Why do I have to make the tea? I don't even know these old geezers!"

Crisis spotted, Howard pointedly didn't look at Joey behind him, and instead leaned down to Vince's level, close enough that he could speak lowly.

"Just make some tea, Vince. For me, please."

Vince scowled but dutifully walked over to the counter, and Howard shepherded Moose to the opposite side of the room, where they were beyond hearing range from the kid but Howard still had a clear view of him. Moose did not look happy, and Howard gave him a tight smile.

"Who the kid, Howard?"

"Well, uh, he's a boy that used to live in my neighborhood. I...kind of looked after him when he was little. Used to follow me everywhere."

"Hmm, you've never mentioned him before. How come I've never seen him about the zoo? Honestly never imagined you to be the babysitting type."

"Yeah well, we haven't actually spoken since I took this job. Um, but that's not because of anything bad! We just...lost track of each other."

"...So let me get this straight. You tell me you haven't seen that kid since he were...what, six? And now he shows up and your response is to let him shack up with ya until he goes back to school?"

"Well it sounds a bit weird when you put it like that-"

"Listen to me, Howard." Moose's tone lowered and he stared the other man directly in the face. Howard knew this to be Moose's way of conveying that he was being very serious. "You've never doubted my feelings before. Well I got a feeling; a vibe off this kid that just doesn't sit right with me. I mean, he seems nice enough, but I saw the second you came in the room with him-"

"Oh please, Joey. You're just miffed he insulted the guys. Hey, I understand. I'll speak with him about it later, alright?"

Howard had to admit Joey was right in one respect. The Aussie was quite perceptive when it came to people. He was never able to fully describe it, but Howard had learned over the years to never doubt the man's instincts. But Joey was wrong this time. He was just ruffled because a stranger had insulted his family. Howard smiled kindly at his friend, who sighed in exasperation and moved back toward the kitchenette and the teen. Howard followed, and saw to his relief that the boy had not only made tea, but had dug out enough cups for all of them, though he scowled at any who looked over at him.

Joey took over from there, silently filling each cup and passing them out to the men at the table, who smiled and thanked Moose. Vince crossed his arms as Howard sat him down on one end of the table, sitting between the kid and one of the men; Hilary, if Howard remembered correctly.

Bonker was wheeled up to the head of the table, and Joey led the men in a mismatched chorus of 'Happy Birthday'. Vince seemed to finally loosen up after a while, and was soon sitting enraptured as The Colonel told one of his many Squeaky tales. Howard only half-listened, lost in thought.

"...And he ripped off his clothes and ran screeching towards the enemy! By god, I'd never seen anything like it. Spectacular, it was!"

Vince grinned, eyes bright, "And then what happened?"

"Oh he was torn to shreds by the enemy."

Howard, catching the end of the tale, made a face of confusion. Why the hell did no on stop the crazy blighter? The story was almost too insane to be believed. Vince seemed to, though, and the boy burst into laughter at hearing the fate of Squeaky and his psychotic display of combat.

The rest of the party went as such, and to Howard's undying gratitude, Moose said nothing more of his 'vibes' and though the men continued to refer to Vince with feminine pronouns, the boy didn't fling any insults at them. And when the hour grew late Howard excused himself and Vince, knowing that despite their age these men could and would stay up into the morning hours.

Howard let the kid have the sofa, and buried himself into the sleeping bag, out before he could even make sure all the lights were off.

(review any thoughts/love/hatred! Even questions concerning details, characters or whatnot. I'll always reply, but I can't guarantee I will answer ;)

Hope you're enjoying the ride so far!)