You're The Voice - Sidemen

Chapter 10

WARNING: a homophobic slur is used in this chapter, and is not censored.

"So, Ethan and Josh told you then?" Simon asks Vik, as the two trail at the back of the group. David, and a new girl who's working at the community centre, Linda have taken them on a hike (it's more of a walk to everyone else, but any walk further than necessary feels like a hike to Vik). They're headed up to the nearby vantage point, looking over the rolling Cornish hills. They're not quite there yet though, the hike taking its toll on the group.

Or more specifically, Simon and Vik. Josh is actually interested in the droning tone of David's voice, fascinated by what he's telling them about Cornish culture, which comes as a surprise. Sarah, Tobi and JJ are chatting to the new girl, while Ethan and Harry trudge up the hill, midway between the front cluster and the two stragglers.

"Yeah, they did." Vik's voice comes out a little strained, out of breath as they climb the hill.

"I was the second person in the country diagnosed, you know. They're up in the high thousands, by now. We're not really sure what's keeping me alive by this stage." Simon muses aloud, more thinking to himself than talking to Vik. "I don't often talk about it, it's a bit of a conversation killer, if we're being honest. There's only so many times I can tell someone I'm dying, before it gets old."

"I guess so. It's probably not something you want to dwell on either." Vik contributes hesitantly. He doesn't want to put words in Simon's mouth, wants Simon to expand on his viewpoint.

"Not really. I mean, I'm still me. I'm still well at the moment, or as well as I can be. I don't need special treatment... can we change the conversation?"

"Sure. We're at the top of the hill anyway."

The two walk in a comfortable silence for a while, catching up with the group. They all stand in awe, surveying the land around them, the Church in the distance, the fields, some with animals in, others empty. Apparently on a clear day, you can make out the outline of the sea, but today is grey, a faint fog settling in the distance. It's peaceful, and a beautiful sight to behold. The English countryside in all its finesse.

Simon reaches out, and entwines his fingers with Josh's. He feels at ease, for the first time in a long time. He's surrounded by the people he loves, and a couple of others, who seem welcoming enough. He's at peace with the world, with his situation.

However, that peace is very quickly disturbed, as bus after bus travel down a single country lane.

"What's going on there, then?" JJ questions aloud.

Linda sighs, "well, there was a protest today down nearer the mines. Police will have gone and arrested them. My Danny'll be in all that. The kids'll miss him tonight, he's meant to be on bedtime story."

"Well, that's not legal." Josh mutters, the rest of the group turning towards him. "To arrest you, the police need to have evidence to suspect that you're going to be involved in a committing a crime, that will warrant being arrested. If they've got no feasible proof, they can't keep them there. It's illegal."

Linda's eyes widen. "You're sure about that?"

Josh laughs out loud, "never been more sure of anything in my life. Had to pull that card out far too many times with those two." He points at Simon, and then Harry. "London coppers were never too fond of this one's flamboyant dress sense." Josh grins cheekily up at Simon, and gets a slap on the arm for it.

"I haven't been out and about in drag in a while now, it's only on a night out, now and again." Simon's voice drops to a murmur in Josh's ear, "plus, you loved Miss Carriage in the bedroom, babe." Josh rolls his eyes in response, feeling his face heat.