Disclaimer - I do not own the Mighty Boosh, this is just for fun!

Author's Note - THANK YOU so much to everyone who has read this story to the end. I've had so much fun writing it and I have really appreciated all the lovely comments :) Got a sequel idea planned already... so hopefully see you soon? ;)

Chapter 30

Epilogue

TWO MONTHS LATER

Vince looked out into the crowd and felt his heart lift at the sight of so many friendly faces. Naboo and Bollo were sat at the bar, both drinking shots, and loads of old faces from his and Howard's days at the Zoo had come down to show their support. There wasn't a huge amount of people there, it wasn't as packed and crazy as their last gig at The Karate Chop. But they weren't playing to an empty room either. And people actually seemed to enjoy their set.

For once, everything felt just right.

As Vince's final guitar chords rang out through the room, he addressed the crowd.

"Cheers for coming down tonight everyone... Hope you all enjoyed yerselves. Just another reminder that tonight's show is raising money for the prevention of cruelty to Unicorns, so if you got any spare change, throw it in a bucket yeah?"

"Thanks guys" Howard added into his microphone as he headed offstage with a wave. Everyone in the audience clapped and cheered, and began to rifle through their pockets for change.

When they were backstage, Vince was still grinning like a Cheshire cat. "That was amazin'! I think we've actually raised loads too."

Howard nodded. "Yeah, people have been really generous."

Vince's recent struggle with U addiction had become pretty much common knowledge amongst everyone they knew, and as a result they had all made a special effort to come down to support him. After all, he had been clean for two whole months now, and was doing everything in his power to make amends for his actions.

"Do you think the money is gonna help?" Vince asked. He had been doing plenty of research since he kicked his U habit, and was disgusted to see what happened to all the Unicorns he had been taking horns from. At the time it had never even crossed his mind that Unicorns would have to suffer to feed his habit, and he wanted to try and make up for things in some small way. After all, he had grown up in a forest with a love of all living creatures... He couldn't bear to think of them suffering, and even worse, him being the cause of their pain.

"I'm sure it will help loads" Howard replied kindly. "It will probably help protect a whole herd of unicorns."

Vince smiled happily. "That's a nice thought."

Howard found himself smiling back, taking in every inch of his gorgeous boyfriend. His hair was matted and sweaty from performing, he had eyeliner running all down his face and wet patches all over his lilac silk shirt. But in spite of all this, he still managed to look more beautiful than Howard could comprehend. He could hardly believe he was his. After so long, he finally had his heart... and it felt more magical than he had ever possibly imagined.

"What ya looking at?" Vince questioned. "Do I look like a state?"

Howard shook his head, a grin flickering on his lips. "You look... happy."

"I am happy!"

"Good. Because that makes me happy."

Vince rolled his eyes jokingly. "You're such a bloody soppy sod sometimes. I don't think I like you being so in love all the time, it creeps me out. Can't you just go back to being miserable again?"

It was now Howard who gave an eyeroll. "Alright, fine. How about I just shut up and kiss you?"

"That would be acceptable."

Howard leant over and planted a sweet kiss on Vince's lips, his moustache brushing against the younger man's porcelain face and making him giggle.

Before their kiss could get anymore heated, someone called over.

"Oi oi lads, not interrupting am I?"

The two men turned around at the sound of the voice in the doorway. Howard's eyes lit up in recognition at the busty blonde. "Jem, is that you?"

"Sure is!" she exclaimed. She looked so much different than she had a month previously. Before it looked as though a gust of wind could have snapped her in half. Her skin had been gaunt and yellow, her eyes tired and red. But now, she was stronger, healthier. Her hair and her eyes both shone with a sparkle that hadn't been there before. "I saw you guys was playin' in town and I had to pop in to say hi. You were awesome by the way. I'm so glad you're both OK after... everything..."

Vince gave a sheepish smile. "Thanks Jem... Long time no see. You're lookin' good!"

"I feel good Vincey" she laughed. "Been going to U Anonymous meetin's ever since what happened at the flat and everythin... I feel like I've finally turned my life around." She gave an especially beaming smile to Howard. "It's all down to you... Howard fuckin' Moon! Who'dve thought it?"

Howard went a little red and looked down toward the ground shyly. Vince wrapped an arm tenderly around his waist. "He's a bloody hero ain't he?"

"He sure is," Jem replied. "You better not let him go. Or I'll fuckin' deck ya."

"I won't" Vince promised, meaning it.

"Did you hear about Banoo?" Howard asked, tactfully changing subject to avoid feeling embarrassed.

Jem nodded her head sadly, almost wistfully. As though talking about a dear old friend who had passed away. "Yeah... she got 3 years didn't she?"

"Yeah" Howard answered solemnly. "She deserved it too... But, I think it's gonna change her you know. Once she kicks the U, maybe she can go about making up for everything she did..."

"I hope so" Jem sighed. "But whateva. The main thing is, we're all free of her now. And I don't know bout you guys, but my life couldn't be betta!"

Vince had been listening quietly to the conversation, not speaking. Banoo was still a very sore subject where he was concerned, and the less said about her the better. But he was still as positive and full of happiness as ever. He believed people could change, and he believed in moving on.

And he believed in love, and it's power to change everything.

"Yeah you're right" he said, pulling Howard even closer towards him. "Life really couldn't be any better."

Howard kissed Vince's cheek. At one point he had been worried that he had lost him forever, and yet now here he was. Safe and sound in his arms. All in one piece. Sometimes, even after all these weeks, the relief was so overwhelming he just wanted to smother him all over with protective love and affection.

"Blerg!" Jem mocked. "Stop being so disgustingly adorable! You're makin' me sick!"

"Sorry.." Howard chuckled. "I just can't help myself. I'm so proud of him for getting through what he did..." He turned to face Jem's gaze. "I'm proud of you too Little Miss. Keep doing what you're doing."

"I will" she replied earnestly. "Look, I gotta go now. I've gotta be up for work in the morning... Finally got myself a proper job and everything didn't I! I promise I'll come see you guys again when you're playin'"

The three of them all exchanged understanding nods and goodbyes as Jem exited the room. Just before she left, she turned to Vince and added with a wink, "Play nice with Howard won't ya Vincey Boy? He's a gentleman... so be gentle."

Howard blushed so red the whole room was practically glowing. Jem gave a mischievous laugh and tottered off on her trademark high heels.

"That girl's got some nerve" Vince exclaimed. "I'm always gentle, ain't I Howard?" He couldn't resist sneaking his hand teasingly into the waistband of Howard's jeans.

"Vince! Stop it! We've got all our mates outside!"

"Boo, you're no fun."

Vince was still amused by how endearingly innocent Howard was. He was currently attempting to teach him a few tricks in the bedroom department, but it was still a bit too early on for any progress of that nature.

Their first time together had been a month after they made their relationship official. After Vince had got himself clean with Howard's endless loving support. It hadn't been a planned thing, it had just kind of happened one night after deciding to get back to band rehearsals and normal daily life again. After a day of talking and playing and planning and dreaming, they had tumbled into bed for a snogging session which had slowly escalated into something more.

The whole affair had been incredibly clumsy and tender and awkward and loving. Howard refused to take his socks off, and would only go through with it if he could stay hidden under the covers the whole time. Vince hadn't cared one bit. He had never felt so connected to another human being as he had in that moment, their bodies moving in rhythm together and their breath hard and long in each other's ears. Vince had looked up at Howard at the final moment, their eyes locked with as much passion as they were feeling everywhere else.

"...I'love you" Vince had panted, as the feelings of pleasure crashed through them both simultaneously.

Howard had burrowed his face into Vince's neck, kissing him over and over. "Not as much... as I love... you..."

Vince still tingled all over from the memory. Most people he knew had sex on a regular basis, but not very many were lucky enough to make love with someone else. As he had laid in Howard's arms, both of them basking in blissful afterglow, he had remembered whispering a silent prayer to whoever might be out there in the Universe listening to him.

Please let every day with Howard be as magical as this one...

He thought Howard hadn't heard, but as they cuddled under the sheets, he felt the older man's hold pull him in the tiniest bit tighter.

Getting lost in his memories, Vince removed his hand from Howard's jeans and settled for cuddling him close instead. There was plenty of time for them to have fun, when Howard was ready. For now he was just happy to take things slow, and enjoy loving him properly after all the years of unspoken feelings.

"I'll never forget what you did for me" Vince said into his ear, his tone taking a sudden serious note. "Never. I'm gonna spend the rest of my life making it up to you. You know that right? I really ain't ever gonna let you go."

Howard pulled Vince's face to his and kissed him. A slow, passionate kiss which was most unlike Howard's usual technique. Their tongues brushed together and neither man pulled away as intense sparks shot through them both.

Eventually they parted at the same time. Vince felt like he might actually swoon. "Howard..." he breathed in dreamy surprise.

"You Vince Noir... are utterly adorable." He kissed him again, this time lightly and sweetly. "Just promise me you'll never go near U again and I'll be happy, OK?"

Vince rubbed his nose against Howard's. "Why would I need that junk when I've got you now? Nothing could get me higher than loving you."

"Wow, that's corny Vince."

"Shut up! It sounded good in me head!"

"I'm sure it did..."

"No I meant it!"

"Yeah alright."

"I DID!"

Naboo poked his head around the door of the dressing room.

"Come on you gays, quit bumming out here and come talk to your fans. We're all waitin' for ya!"

"Just coming" Howard called over.

"Yeah that's what you said last night too" Vince snickered.

"Oh be quiet you little perv!" Howard grumbled.

They paused, and then smiled at each other. Everything was as it should be, and neither man had ever felt happier.

Howard and Vince. It was always supposed to be them. The two of them together, forever.

Hand in hand, they left the dressing room to greet their fans.

THE END