A/N: This is, I think, technically a drabble. I’ve never really written one before, but this was a scene which got in my head and wouldn’t leave me alone. Inspired by reading too much unresolved angst. Dedicated to Ceni Vonir whose story ‘Threads’ has more unresolved angst than is healthy ;)

It could have happened at any time, but for some reason, for no reason, it happened tonight.

It started with an accidental touch, an unintentional brushing of hands as they passed in a doorway. Accidental, but nonetheless sending shivers down two spines and making both their hearts beat faster.

This must have happened a hundred, a thousand times before, but this time it was different. This time they didn’t let go. For several seconds they just stood there without looking at each other, fingers intertwining shyly. Then, impulsively, for he never did things any other way, the smaller of the two led the other by the hand to a quiet corner and pulled him close, shivering at every touch.

He moved his lips to his companion’s ear, feeling that any sound above a whisper could shatter whatever spell it is they are under and lose this chance to change things forever.

“I can’t stand this anymore, Howard,” he whispered.

“Me neither,” admitted Howard. Both trembling, they tilted their heads so their lips brushed together. The kiss was slow at first, nervous. Wanting more, Vince ran his tongue over Howard’s bottom lip. Howard froze. Pulling away, Vince looked up at him and their eyes met for the first time that evening, perhaps the first time for weeks. Howard suddenly looked worried, although he kept his arms around his friend.

“What are we doing?” he asked, half fear, half wonder in his voice. “I didn’t think we…” He left the sentence unfinished. Not, ‘I didn’t think we felt that way about each other’, he knew now that would be a lie. Perhaps, ‘I didn’t think we were ever going to do anything about it’.

“You think too much,” Vince told him, “What do you feel?”

“You,” Howard responded simply and sincerely, looking into his eyes. Vince kissed him, hard, and this time Howard kissed him back with equal passion, bringing one hand up to cup his face, pulling him even closer. Vince moaned against his mouth and Howard tightened his arms around him as the kiss deepened. Still shaking, Vince began to run his hands over Howard’s body. It wasn’t enough, he wanted to be closer still…

Howard felt like he might have a heart attack at any second.

“Vince….this…it can’t be right…”

“Don’t you want…”

“Yes! No, I mean, I want…I need…I can’t…” Howard stammered. Vince shushed him by pressing a finger to his lips.

“You don’t have to say anything. Just…” He looked suddenly nervous himself as if struggling with something. “Just love me. You do love me, don’t you Howard?” He looked at him pleadingly. Howard answered without hesitation.

“I’ve always loved you.”