You're The Voice - Sidemen

Chapter 4

It's another uneventful day at 'Gay's The Word', Josh thinks as he rearranges the books on a shelf into alphabetical order. He's already done this same shelf several times over, out of sheer boredom. Thursdays are quiet, like most other days, if he's being honest.

Although, a part of him loves Thursdays the most. On Thursdays he gets to watch Simon sit atop the till, humming to himself and kicking his legs in time to whatever tune is faintly tinkling out of the radio. He gets to watch Simon in a state of complete and utter peace, without fear of a scathing comment from a 'customer' (in other words, a heckler who comes into the shop just to verbally harass them). He gets to see Simon happy and undisturbed.

Josh couldn't ask for more than that.

Moving away from the bookshelf, Josh walks over to Simon and wraps his arms around the man on the counter's waist before snuggling his face into Simon's neck. Giggling erupts from above him, due to the beard tickling, before arms come to settle around his shoulders.

"Not that I don't appreciate it, but what's brought this on?"

"I love you." Josh's arms tighten around his waist, and Simon's eyes widen. Of the two, Simon's the more vocal in his affection, Josh preferring to show his through little actions, or smiles.

Or simply through the look in his eyes.

"I love you too." Simon's voice wavers as he speaks. His throat hurts, and he's trying not to cry.

See, Simon knows Josh loves him. He also knows that Josh has had a difficult time in his youth that's resulted in stunted verbal abilities when it comes to expressing his emotions. He knows that Josh feels like he can't let his guard down, he feels like he's failed someone if he does. So Simon treasures every single time Josh does let down that guard.

The two of them look at each other, for an indefinite amount of time. It feels simultaneously too short and too long, but they're both happy. In their own little world. Their own bubble.

When the door is thrown open and the bell rings out into the silence, that bubble is burst. Josh turns around, with Simon's hands still lightly tracing his shoulders, settling his back against a still-seated Simon's chest after seeing who has just sprinted through the door.

It's Vik, breathing heavily, bent over with one hand resting on his knee to balance himself and regain his breath. The other hand, is raised in their direction, an opened envelope in its clasp.

Josh reaches out to take the envelope, and begins to open it after having received a nod of approval from Vik to do so. Josh produces a letter from within, and begins to read, Simon's head against his shoulder reading alongside.

Once they've finished reading, Simon squeals, and pushes Josh forward slightly to swing his legs off the table and gather Vik into a hug.

"Vik, this is fucking amazing. We'll wait until everyone's here before you tell them the news. When did you get the letter?"

"Today. I got home, opened it, then ran here. Well, I made it half way then I realised I'd left my door unlocked, so I went back and locked it. Then I ran here again. I can't believe it myself."

"Well, whatever you said in your letter about us must've come off right."

"Only for this lot, though. The other two places both turned us down."

"Vik," Josh intercepts, "don't put yourself down like that. You got the LGSM a twin group. That's what we needed, and we couldn't ask for more. Thank you so much." Josh goes in for a handshake, when Simon tuts from behind Vik.

"I know you're about to go all 'Roman clasp' on him, but you're allowed to give him a hug, Josh." Rolling his eyes, Josh follows his boyfriend's instruction, but the hug is a little bit awkward for him and Vik, even if it is well-meaning.