SUMMARY: Julian and Noel's relationship gets closer. real person fic.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters in the following story. All characters are property of The Mighty Boosh, its creators and this story is purely fiction.

The costumes were always so hot. That's why Julian never minded stripping down to his pants to get into character. Today it was a slave to a race of homicidal blue Zooberons led by a sexually deranged midget. The inner workings of their minds still brilliant.

Regardless of the insanity, he was glad to be donning nothing but a burlap loin cloth and some cool metal chains. The only article that wasn't pleasant was the thick fabric around his neck protecting him from the prop chains. It made him feel slightly claustrophobic, like he was choking. Still it was worlds better than his "sand" costume he was wearing yesterday. He shuddered at the memory.

Makeup was always the first part of the day, and while Julian sat there getting his face all arranged, his mind took a familiar turn towards uncertainty. Since the beginning of series 2, he felt something inside changing: an apprehension growing. Of course we was all too happy to disregard it as nerves and lack of clothing but still it nestled itself somewhere inside his brain and fell asleep.

The cracked grey leather of the makeup chair was sticking to the backs of his thighs, making an odd squelching sound every time he shifted. Christine set about finishing the heated "pre-burial" (as she so lovingly dubbed it) look, rambling about another pot of colour going missing. She left him to rally a search party. Julian stifled a laugh as one of the costume managers nearby had started arguing with Dave about the condition of the Bollo suit.

"Yeah well I keep telling everyone its 4000 degrees in here; I can't stop myself from sweating"

"No, but you can at least make sure it's rung out or washed… something!"

"Sorry mate, not my job. I'm monkey and photos." In a dramatically childish gesture, the costume manager threw down the suit and turned on his heel, stomping away. It couldn't be helped, Julian let the laughter break through and chuckled at the drama. He loved it, knowing that he might not be the only one high strung. It relaxed him somehow.

"Worse than when you and Paul have a go." A warm voice ghosted across Julian's ear, smooth as the prickles on Julian's skin were sharp. The tightening of his stomach disconcerting, he turned to his friend that had sidled up next to him, smile unavoidable.

"That suit is pretty rank; I can smell it from here. That or it might just be you spoiled chosen one." Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the grin spread across Noel's face, one of those mischievous smiles that made it momentarily hard to breathe. Raven silk brushed his cheek as Noel rested his head against Julian's briefly before Christine returned, ushering him into his own worn out chair. There was something wrong with Julian, there had to be. He found himself staring too long as another makeup artist brushed gloss across slightly parted lips. It was a compulsion, like he knew it was wrong but his body…

Tearing his gaze away, flustered brown eyes turned towards the opposite end of the studio, focusing on a blue skinned, robed figure who was staring intently at the eccentric man now getting his eyes kohled.

"Hey Rich," Julian called over "wanna do lines with me?" He really didn't want to but for some reason the way those eyes seemed to be slightly devouring or predatory made his skin crawl. Rich snapped out of his trance, crazed look fading to dull stupidity.

"Nah, I'm gonna find a sandwich." He hovered between staying and going until his large stomach made the decision for him and pulled him away towards the lunch table. Julian turned back towards the man next to him, his body again having trouble adjusting. Noel, fashioned in his white guitar flares and studded black top, a perfect fit – but Julian found his eyes straying inappropriately to the flash of pale skin where the top few buttons went forgotten. It took a moment to realize Noel was talking.

"Oi, you listenin?" freshly made lips pulling into a gentle pout.

"Sorry, just uh…" he shook his head clear of daydreams. "What you on about?"

"I said we need to finish the music for Old Gregg tonight" uncrossing long white leather legs, he grew restless in the chair, giving the girl backcombing his hair an impatient look. It was more humorous than threatening. "We're filming it tomorrow."

"Oh, right! Alright do you want to just ride home with me after" a giddiness swept through him like a child asking to have a sleep over, strange, and then apprehension slithered somewhere around his middle.

"Alright, sounds genius." Finished with his Vince transformation, Noel winked at his artist and took the mirror she handed him, admiring the final product. "Cheers!" flashing that smile again; the slim man pulled himself off the chair and fixed his hat on. "Almost done Chris? I don't want my hair to fall flat; it's well hot in here"

Christine just laughed and brushed another few bristles across Julian's forehead. Julian turned his attention to the tops of his bare feet, they were dirty and cracked. But he just couldn't look at his co-star any more, uncomfortable feelings spreading from his stomach to other places.

"I'll be along in a minute, round up Dave and Mike so we can get started on…" He trailed off as Noel had taken one of the prop chains in his hands and was following the links down to the bare skin of his torso. Long slender fingers brushed lightly against Julian's ribs. He decided to forgo breathing all together knowing the alternative would be hyperventilating. A maelstrom of thoughts and emotions poured across his brain, none making sense and some he wasn't prepared to deal with.

"Julian, are these hurting you? Your skin is all red" His fingers still sweeping across slightly angry skin gently, looking upset. Fighting to talk properly, Julian sucked in a breath and assured his friend it was just the heat. Seeming appeased, Noel relinquished his touch, almost hesitantly, and disappeared behind the green screen to find Paul.

"I was sure I had the red contrast perfect." Christine fussed, dabbing at his cheeks, Julian too embarrassed to admit he may be blushing.

XXX

"Do you have anything else? I do like gifts"

"Cut" Paul shouted, letting out an irritated sigh. "Rich back up; you're to close to Noel – okay people once more"

"Do you have anything el"

"Cut!"

"Oi Fulcher! What you doin? You're practically in my lap" Julian noticed him trying to squirm backwards.

"We're going to try it one more time" annoyance vibrated from one corner to the other, Paul commanded a few quick lighting changes before calling action.

"Do you have anything else, I do like gifts."

"Oh yes, Peppo!"

"CUT!" Paul threw his copy of the loose script down. "Let's take a break yeah? Rich come talk to me." Getting off his knees, the grumbly American stumbled over to where the director sat hunched over in his collapsible chair.

"What do you reckon is the matter with Rich?" Julian asked as he reached out a hand to pull Noel from the ground.

"Dunno" he brushed off the back of his trousers "but he's been creepin me out all day, starting to go a bit wrong"

"What do you mean?"

"Somethin bout him lately is all, I dunno, wonky." He tilted his head in Rich's direction. "Keeps givin me these looks like he's angry at me, then switches to happy again." Strange possessive feelings flitting about his ankles, Julian shrugged. Not knowing really how to react just yet.

"Cuppa tea?" he offered instead

"That'd be genius" The taller man stalked the lunch table for some Earl Grey. Nicking two bags, he headed for the microwave. Julian really didn't understand the ferocity of his emotions lately, severe and acute all at the same time. He felt like a switch, flicked in an instant and all these weird unexplainable feelings rush like a current. Deducing the instances, his partner seemed to be at the center of it all.

He really was trying to pinpoint the moment it all started, but the jumbled mess of memories caused more confusion than good. Julian settled for dividing the origins into two separate categories: the time before and after starting series two, and began his all too Howard-like analysis. Before, while they were touring and on break everything still seemed normal, but things started changing right before filming. Now, they didn't spend as much time together. No late nights out at the pub, no weekend parties at each others' flats, just working all the time. He loved it, of course, but not seeing Noel like he had, it made him restless. The nights that Noel did come home with him and they'd sit on the couch listening to music neither liked because they couldn't decide on a genre were the only times he felt normal, relaxed, content.

Honestly, he was being foolish in trying to reason with himself that all this was is need for more consistency. But the whole charade tumbled the second that Rich gave Noel that possessive look. It sparked a chain reaction of memories ending with an epiphany he though his denial could stamp down hard enough to be buried where no one would ever find it. Julian wanted Noel, in the most primal of ways: he loved him.

It was so simple and obvious, almost as obvious as the rage boiling just below the surface for that obscene American. The thought, mere suggestion, that anyone else would share those types of thoughts of him twisted everything inside. Why hadn't he realized it sooner? Everything seemed so captivating: the way that shiny black mane framed flawless ivory skin; relentlessly innocent eyes that just…

The beeping of the microwave snapped him from his stream of thoughts. Plunging the teabags unceremoniously into two polystyrene cups, he headed back to where he left Noel standing thoughtfully at the green screen. Relinquishing one cup, he prayed that his face didn't betray his revelation.

"Cheers" Julian attempted to stifle a gasp as those long, slender fingers brushes against his own.

"Lots of sugar" was all he had to offer back while he chastised himself for overreacting.

"You're the best." Noel stepped closer and slid his arm around Julian's waist pulling their bodies closer than he was prepared for. Hot breath cascaded over his neck as Noel buried his face just above his shoulder. This proximity was suddenly overwhelming and then just that careless whisper…

"Ju." It was like a purr, shivers coursing from the kiss of heated skin to the centre of his body. Julian stiffened, trying desperately to gain composure, very aware of the public setting and that there would be no worse time than now, to get excited in front of everyone he had ever met but…

Noel had pressed himself up against Julian's chest, slender arm securely wrapped around his waist still and ridiculously pouty, tea warmed lips just millimeters away from brushing overheated skin. "Look to the left, he's doin it again."

Better than an icy shower, all the brazen lust and overload that had been steadily building became instantly inundated by white fury. As he pulled his gaze towards the Californian slouching sloppily next to Paul, he saw the same look from this morning fixed on the man clutching onto Julian. The hungry stare flickered between rage and madness as he moved his eyes to lock on to the taller man's, a deadly challenge erupting between them.

Unspoken but decidedly violent, a strange electricity crackled between the Brit and American. It was almost as if Rich was competing in a contest that the other never consented to. Julian instinctively wrapped his own arm around Noel protectively and pulled him closer. Noel didn't complain. The slight tremble didn't go unnoticed either. The bumbling man turned off all expression and floundered his way over to the pair.

"Vincy my prince." He started, blank look swept away to make room for nauseating adoration. "Paul wants us to have one more go before the end of the day." Those strangely beautiful aqua eyes flashed up panicked at Julian as a big meaty hand encircled Noel's tiny wrist and tugged roughly, pulling him from the safety of Julian's arms. He watched helplessly as, like a doll, Rich dragged him across the studio and pushed him to the floor. The music started again and action was called. Colouring the air around him with obscenities, Julian adjusted the chains around his neck and followed.

XXX

The rest of the day's filming went rather smoothly. It was possible the whole fiasco with Rich existed solely in his head, with everything still trying to processed through his neurons, it may have been an over exaggeration. Still, that look that Noel had given him was genuine and not to be discredited. The only scene left to film was the one they couldn't finish because the Bollo suit was still 'wet'. It could be done most likely in an hour the next morning. Definitely glad for the reprieve, even wearing next to nothing, Julian still felt like he was cooking. Abandoning the top half of his costume, he set off towards the dressing rooms.

"This costume is absolutely deplorable" that painfully familiar voice crept up behind him as they both reached the door. "I feel like I'm meltin in here." Tossing the cowboy hat aside, Noel fussed in front of the mirror for a moment, frowning at his limp hair, before he started to disrobe. The black studded shirt fell heavily to the floor. Julian again deciding that breathing may not be an option, shifted the waistband of his shorts that had become significantly more restricting. He tensed and made for the door. Unbidden, dread coursed its way through his veins; what if Noel notices? It would all be over.

"I've forgotten something." Julian shot out into the hallway leaving a confused and semi-naked man in his wake.

XXX

"Yeah, so what was all that about earlier?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Julian's tea cup clinked heavily on the table top. He was so hoping this wouldn't be brought up; suddenly the living room seemed too small.

"You makin a beeline on me as if Charlie Parker was in the parking lot signing autographs in all his zombie glory"

"I don't know what you mean." Blush. After dashing from the small broom cupboard of a dressing room, Julian had locked himself in the bathroom dousing his face in icy water and changing in the safety of solitude. It was almost twenty minutes before he was presentable again. He reappeared finding a slightly miffed Noel waiting in the hall: arms crossed over his chest, leaning back against the wall… god it was sexy. The gentle scowl on his cherry lips faded immediately when Julian appeared looking apologetic and slightly guilty. Thinking that he'd lucked out, Noel hadn't asked for an explanation; just linked his arm around the taller man's and led him towards the parking lot.

Now they were both sat on the sofa, indulging in a cup of Twinnings, listening to Gary Numan.

"Get stuffed, I was talking to you then you ran off like I lit your pants on fire." Ugh he didn't know the half of it.

"I told you, I left something in the studio and I didn't want it getting nicked." The tea was hot and soothing against his lies, making them go down easier. But there was this awful feeling lying in the pit of his stomach knowing he was being deceitful. Honestly, it was a lie to cover up what… it was useless, lying would get him no where. "Sorry, I shouldn't have… um I"

"Alright Ju," Noel held his hands up "just giving you a hard time ya tit." And like that, the budding tension snapped and the boa constrictor hugging Julian's insides withered as quick as it'd come. "Now let's get started on that song, I think I actually might have some pretty funny ideas."

Julian visibly relaxed as both went into autopilot and began pulling lyrics and cords out of thin air. It was nearly 2am when they had all the music for Old Gregg finished. Noel stood up and stretched, joints popping from prolonged hunching, the older man creaking a considerable amount more when he followed suit. They both decided to call it a night.

The crux of nocturnal life was at its fullest: crickets, owls and many other oddities making their presence known. Julian despised it, he knew once Noel left, those sounds would swallow him whole. The unhappiness that lurked around the edges would creep back in. before his brain could catch up with his mouth…

"It's pretty late, might as well just stay here and we can fetch the driver in the morning." Childish bit of pink blowing his cool demeanor.

"Cheers Ju, I'm well tired" eyes lighting up jovially, "but I have no intention of crashing on this crappy sofa" the corners of his lips pulling up into a mischievous smile "so you'd better not steal all the covers."

"Now wait just a" Julian's defense a lost cause, Noel had already disappeared up the stairs and he couldn't follow fast enough.

Noel wasn't really sure what had caused his strange behavior last night. There was something about spending last night with Julian that was so recharging and refreshing. There was a playfulness that awoke between that had been missing. No tension, no friction, no one else bothering the flow between them. He found himself prolonging the completion of the scripts and songs. It had been really late, and filming was taking its toll, but he couldn't seem to mind.

The tea rings on the mahogany table were the only indicators of time passing. It was like another world descended upon them, encased in the area surrounding the decaying golden sofa. This wasn't Julian's flat, it was their home. Music blanketed the walls and floor with colourful melodies and laptop wires became entangled with limbs, their creation become a part of them. Somehow after all this time it seemed so surreal and complicated but never less than perfect. So it was vaguely unnerving to find himself stealing sideways glances; more often than not, was rewarded by his partner doing the same only he turned colours when caught.

Unfortunately, the last cord of "love games" was written and saved to the zip drive; the chiming of a distant clocking jabbing them with the reminder that there were only 5 hours left until the makeup room would beckon to them one more. He was going to ask to stay but Julian offered first. He wasn't sure why there was so much hesitation in his invitation but there was a rare glimpse of vulnerability in those shifting brown eyes so, naturally, Noel had to take advantage of it. Nothing could have been a better decision.

XXX

The weak morning light filtered in through the slats of the blinds, falling soundlessly against the two lying in bed together. Raven tresses hung messily across Noel's forehead. Blinking slowly into the predawn light, he took in his surroundings. He was lying on his side in Julian's bed, Julian's arm draped over his waist securing him to a firm chest. Sleep had been so remarkable: dreams vivid, bountiful and illogical. All of which had alluded him for a while now. Recalling the events leading up to this were so strange. Julian had bounded up the stairs behind him so energetically then was zapped and deflated, like so often lately that it decidedly deserved some detection work on his part. Julian faltered.

Worried that the tension would ooze back into the room, Noel quickly took to balking at the selection of pj's available to him and opted for his vest and pants. Julian on the other hand, looked like the next cavalry kid in his suit of armor passing for sleepwear. They both slid into bed, like so many times before, but now there was a thick band of tension stretched across the two. Why? What had happened to create this feeling between them? Suddenly noel was worried that he'd done something to piss Julian off and he just wasn't saying. Regardless, they both fell asleep relatively quick on opposite ends of the bed and somehow woke up in each other's arms: Julian clutching his bed mate and a faint smile gracing his features, easing the lines and making him youthful.

No weirdness or uneasiness came, it hadn't before either when they awoke like this. Noel just felt safe and peaceful with his back pressed up against Julian's familiar warmth. He didn't want to move. The softness of the blankets, the chill breeze pouring in through the window and strange complacency lulling him into a bliss so rarely felt.

It was broken by the obnoxious blare of the alarm clock screaming its siren song of morning and lateness if they didn't get up soon. That serenity in the twilight of sleep shattered and well acquainted tension filled the bed thickly, threatening to strangle the air from his lungs: Julian had woken completely. Clumsy limbs tangled the sheets as he mumbled apologies and leapt out of the bed like it was on fire. Before Noel could even roll over and tell him not to worry, the bathroom door was clicking shut. Surprisingly, Noel was disappointed. If only they had the day off, or could blow off filming, they could have stayed there a while longer, could have stopped Julian from running, but it couldn't be helped. Pulling himself out of bed, he rubbed the sleep and confusing thoughts from his eyes and headed to the kitchen for some English Breakfast.