An unexpected love || Ant x Stephen

Suspicious Behaviour - Chapter Twenty Seven

It's been almost 2 and a half weeks since Ant and Stephen came out to their friends and recently Ant's been noticing some strange things about Stephen, subtle changes in the younger man's behaviour, started acting differently around him, he would give him strange looks, or if he was on the phone, the moment Ant entered the room Stephen would instantly end the call, or sometimes Stephen would have to shush Dec when Ant walked into the room. 

Stephen was coming home later and later each night as well, at first Ant thought maybe it was because his meetings in work were running later than he expected them too, but he's had the last couple of days off work and he is still coming home late. Ant was starting to get suspicious of the younger man. He would ask questions about what was happening, or why Stephen was coming home late, or why he was acting strange, but he wouldn't answer the questions, he would just act as if Ant never said anything. 

Ant started thinking maybe something was wrong between the two of them, maybe Stephen started losing feelings for Ant or he was regretting the two of them. He didn't know, all he did know was that something was off. At first, he tried to brush it off, act like everything was okay. Until it got to a certain day in November. November 18th!

It was Ant's birthday today, he woke up ready for the day, he was so excited to celebrate the day with Stephen! 

He sat up in the bed and ran his hands through his hair, he looked next to him only to see that Stephen wasn't there. He was a bit confused, he got up from the bed and started to make his way down to the kitchen too see Stephen packing a bag. "Hey, where you off to?" Ant asked walking into the room with a smile on his face, Stephen looked up slightly startled "hey. Sorry, you scared me then, uh I'm working today. Why?" Ant looked at the younger man confused; he was working? But its Ant's birthday. "You are? Don't you know what day it is?" Ant asked nervously, has Stephen forgot Ant's birthday? "No, I know what day it is." Stephen said, Ant looked relieved as the corner of his mouth lifted up "It's Friday" Stephen smiled "listen I know I said I don't work on Fridays anymore but there's a few meetings I have to attend today, I'll probably be home late, you don't have to wait till I get home" Stephen smiled at Ant, put his bag over his shoulder as he went to leave he gave ant a peck on the cheeks and rushed out "I love you!" Stephen shouted through the house as he left "love you too" Ant mumbled under his breath as the door shut.

Ant dropped into the seat next to him and dropped his head into his hands, he couldn't believe it Stephen had forgotten his birthday...How is that possible!? He's always celebrated his birthday with Stephen, Dec and a bunch of friends from work. How could he not remember? The one year their celebrating it as an actual couple...? Ant had no clue what was going on, all he knew was that he was hurt that Stephen forgot.

(***)

Stephen rushed out of the door shouting "I love you!" he shut the door and ran to his car. He got in and chucked his bag onto the back seat and grabbed his phone. He rang Dec to let him know he was on his way over. 

He started the car and drove all the way from his house to Decs. As he got there, he walked up to Decs house and knocked the door. 

He heard footsteps on the other side of the door, getting closer and closer. When Dec opened the door and smiled as he saw Stephen "come in" Dec said as Stephen stepped into his house. 

They spent 2-3 Hours talking when there was another knock at the door, which confused both Dec and Stephen since neither one was expecting someone. Dec got up to go and answer the door, when he did, he saw the taller Geordie man standing in front of him. "Ant?" he said loud enough for Stephen, who was in the kitchen, to hear him so he could hide. "What are you doing here?" he asked as Ant made his way into Decs house and into the kitchen, as Dec followed behind hoping Stephen was able to hide before they got in there. "Somethings wrong with Stephen." Ant said rather bluntly "W-What...what do you mean?" Dec said confused "well Its just he's been working very late recently and he's keeping secrets and I don't know why, or what is wrong but I'm worried" Ant said in a very quick speed "Okay, Okay, Ant calm down! Take a breath." Dec said placing a hand on Ant's shoulder. "Do you have a specific...worry?" Dec asked as He moved Ant to sit down "I don't know...maybe, He's regretting our relationship or......" Ant trailed off not wanting to think what he was thinking, he didn't want to think that Stephen would... "Maybe he's-" he stopped himself from saying it, he didn't want it to be true, but he couldn't not think it was possible at the same time. "Wait...you don't think Stephens cheating on you?!" Ant looked away, embarrassed that he could even think anything like that, but he couldn't lie, it had crossed his mind once or twice. 

"Ant, that's insane! Okay Stephen loves you he would never cheat on you." Dec said as Ant nodded, He wanted to believe the younger man, but it stilled crossed his mind once or twice. Ant eventually left, to go get some fresh air and Dec went back into the kitchen to see Stephen walking out looking at the floor "how could he think I was...Cheating on him??" Stephen said in almost a mumble "It's going to be fine, he's just not used to you keeping secrets from him, even if it's his surprise birthday party" Dec said as he placed a hand on Stephen's shoulder to try and comfort him "It's all going to be fine" Stephen didn't respond he just looked away and nodded slightly.

*Time skip* 

Stephen was waiting in Ant's house, waiting for him and Dec to get home from the pub, ready to surprise him with, hopefully, the best surprise party ever! 

As Ant and Dec were walking up to the front door, Ant stopped him just before the steps "What?" Dec asked slightly confused "I- Uh...I just still can't believe that Stephen forgot my birthday" Ant said as a frown appeared on his face. It was killing Dec that he couldn't tell him that Stephen hadn't forgot his birthday, but Stephen had been planning this party for the last month and Dec had done so well at keeping it secret, it surprised Stephen, it even surprised Dec. He wasn't going to ruin this for the both of them, he was determined!

"I'm sorry. Come on, let's go in and have a drink and relax!" Dec said trying to comfort the taller Geordie man. Ant nodded and made his way to the front door, unlocked it and walked in, as Dec followed behind him. He pressed the light switch when he saw a huge crowd of people, Stephen standing right at the front as everyone yelled "SURPRISE!!" Ant had no clue what to say all he knew was that he was surprised.

"W-What?" Ant said as he walked towards the group of people, He looked Stephen in the eyes and smiled "I thought-" Ant started as Stephen walked towards the other man "I know...I was in the next room when you were talking to Dec about it..." Stephen said as he looked to the floor "Dec helped me set it up, I'm surprised he kept it a secret to be honest!" Stephen said mocking Dec "Wait. Go back, you heard my conversation with Dec? You heard me saying..." He faded off towards the end of the sentence, he started feeling bad for even thinking it now that he knew what Stephen was actually doing "yeah...I heard" he said as a frown on Ant's face started to appear "oi. No! No being sad on your birthday! This is your birthday party, and we are going to have a good time." Stephen said as he picked Ant's head up and placed a kiss on the younger man's lips. Which made Ant smile uncontrollably as he nodded, and he and Stephen went to mingle with people at the party.