Vince stared at the photo. He'd looked at it for over an hour. It still didn't make sense. Howard had known what he was doing. He'd known all along and yet he'd still gone along with it. What did that mean? Vince sighed and looked at the ring on his finger. He still hadn't taken it off and, if he was honest, he didn't really want to take it off. It looked nice good there, he kind of liked the fact he was off limits. He thought it could work in the clubs.

"Oh that's Vince Noir." They would say, "You haven't got a chance. He's taken." He smiled. He quite liked the idea of being taken. But taken by Howard? That was a whole other story. But the thought made him fluttery inside. He felt excited like when you're on a rollercoaster and your getting close to the top. The same way he felt every time he looked at Howard.

What was he going to do?

Howard led on his bed and groaned loudly. Why had he been honest with Vince? He should have just played along with the disgust, got the divorce. Left it at that. He was hurting so much, he felt sick. He wasn't crying. He was not crying. It had just been raining on his face. He groaned and then a small voice whispered his name. Vince was fidgeting by the door.

"Go away." Howard said without turning around. His voice was strained and hurting. Vince winced, when he heard it.

"I… look. I'm… Howard?"

"What?"

"Do you, you know, love me?"

"No." Howard spat quickly. He didn't want to talk about this now. He wasn't in the mood.

"Coz I think… I mean... I don't know. I think I might."

"Might what?"

"Love you."

"You bitch!" growled Howard, finally turning around to glare at his, well… husband. "Why are you doing this? Is this some new game? Some sick, stupid new game where you just twist my feelings and hurt me for your own shallow pleasure."

Vince blanched and took a step back. He swallowed thickly.

"What? Howard. I'm not doing anything. I'm just trying to explain."

"Explain what? You married me and you regret it. End of!""You were there too Howard!" Vince yelled. "You saw how drunk I was! You must have known I wasn't really in the state to make a commitment to finish a meal, let alone commit to a marriage."

"I… I…" Howard stuttered. He didn't know what to say. Was Vince trying to make this out to be his fault?

"I wasn't the one who suggested the marriage."

"Weren't you?" Vince asked, voice suddenly quiet. Tear-broken and desperate. "Tell me Howard. Tell me what happened."

Howard considered the man ahead of him carefully. He looked somehow broken. He wasn't crying. Vince never really cried but his eyes were bright and angry and his hair was a mess and he just looked lost.

"I don't know how I feel." Vince whispered, in brutal honesty. "I… I mean. I don't know what love is Howard but… I mean, I know I feel more comfortable around you than anyone else in the world. I know you're my best friend ever. And I know… I know that I really want to kiss you right now."

Howard frowned. None of this made sense. "You do?" he asked.

Vince nodded shallowly. "Would that be okay?"

Howard shrugged. "I guess. I mean, we are married."

Vince smiled a little and perched himself on Howard's bed. He placed a hand gently on Howard's cheek.

"I'm sorry, Howard." he whispered.

"For what?"

"Acting like a tit." he sighed. "I didn't mean anything I said earlier. I was shocked, you know. I didn't want to be tied down. I'm still not sure if I do but, I really care about you. More than I've ever cared about anyone. Is that love?"

"No." Howard shook his head. "Love is… love is when you don't think you can breath without the person. When you think of nothing else but them, when everything reminds you of them. When they always look beautiful, when they can cheer you up just by being there."

"Is that… is that… how you feel about me?"

Howard looked down at his knees and nodded.

"I couldn't imagine my life without you." Vince insisted and leant over to kiss Howard on the cheek. "Teach me how to love Howard." he urged, pressing another kiss to his cheek. "Teach me how."

"You're being ridiculous Vince." he said, but he wasn't very convincing and Vince's lips were on his and they kissed slowly. Howard's mind went totally blank. He didn't know if this was good or bad anymore. He pushed Vince away slowly and the younger man frowned. His eyes, large and confused. He looked scared.

"Howard. I…" he fell silent.

"What?"

"Please."

"Please, what?"

"Please." he begged. "I can't."

"Can't what Vince."

"Can't lose you."

"Lose me? What are you talking about?"

"I couldn't bear it if you left me. I don't want to get divorced. I've never felt this way about anyone before I was just… I am just scared of messing it up. I'd rather be your friend that have you hate me."

"Why would I hate you?"

"Coz… I don't know if I can be a good husband." he said, he sounded desperate. "I don't wanna mess it up. I'm terrified that you'll leave. I'm terrified you'll never know how much I care. You make me feel like everything is so perfect, even when it's falling apart. You make me feel like everything will be okay, even when we're up to our necks in sand. I… I don't know what this is." he said.

"Vince." the younger man looked up. "I think this might work."

"Huh?"

"I… I mean. I think that's love."

Vince nodded and kissed Howard again. It was a bit rubbish because, Howard quickly realised, Vince was giggling and there were tears running down his cheeks.

"What?" Howard asked, pushing him away.

"I'm just… I'm happy." he laughed, wiping the tears from his cheeks. "So happy."

"Me too little man." Howard smiled, kissing his forehead.

"Hey Howard."

"Hmm?"

"I bet we're the first couple ever to get married and then realised they love each other."

Howard chuckled a little. "Probably." he grinned.