Howard believes Cedric. That's the terrifying thing. He believes him. He still isn't quite sure what Cedric sees in him, but he does believe Cedric at least likes the routine of being the butt of all the jokes.

He curls up into a ball on the couch, knees to his chest and face buried in the cat. It's a defensive gesture.

"Ced..." He takes a deep breath and whispers something he's never told anyone. "The last person I fell for broke my nose."

It goes a long way towards explaining why Howard's so gunshy with romance. He mustered up the bravery once, to ask Cedric the first time. He doesn't know if he can again.