What's Next? || Ant x Stephen

Should we...? - Chapter Twelve

After last night, Stephen's been thinking quite a bit about what Ant had said, about Stephen's place being... Stephen's, and he knows it's a weird thought because it is Stephen's house, but maybe he wants it to be his... and Ant's house. I mean they have been dating for, technically, a year and a half. Maybe it was time.

He woke up that morning feeling a lot better, his head was a lot clearer, he was still thinking about what Michael said but not as much as before, it wasn't affecting him as much, talking to Ant really helped him. The only other thing on his mind that he was nervous about was that he didn't know whether he was ready to ask Ant to move in with him... he knew that he wanted to, just not whether he was ready too.

He stood in the kitchen, leaning against the island, drinking a cup of coffee. He was in deep thought about this situation, when Ant walked into the kitchen. "Morning Stevie" He smiled, as Stephen snapped out of thought, smiling as Ant pecked Stephen on the cheek. Ant grabbed a bowl and made some cereal. He walked around and sat on the stool in front of the kitchen island, and Stephen leant down opposite the Geordie man, smiling.

As Ant looked up at Stephen, he smiled back. "What?" He laughed awkwardly, Stephen shook his head slightly, as he laughed at Ant's reaction "Nothing. I just- I love you" Stephen smiled even more, as Ant looked down to the floor to hide his blush "I love you too" Ant replied as he continued to eat his cereal.

Stephen walked upstairs to get ready for work, Ant had a day off today, but Stephen had a few meetings to get ready for catchphrase, meaning he would have a bit more time to think about whether or not to ask Ant to move in, and he could ask his manager, Jake, he usually asks him for help and he does give pretty good advice to be honest.

He got dressed, did he hair and everything else he needed to do in the mornings before work, and made his way downstairs. He walked into the living to seem Ant watching TV, he made his way over to the window to see how many paparazzi were outside this morning, the group had gotten smaller and smaller over the last week or so, they were slowly moving on from the story of Ant and Stephen's relationship, and both men were grateful for it. There were only about 10, maybe 12, outside this morning, which is a lot less than yesterday, there were almost 20 yesterday.

"How many today?" Ant asked as he slowly turned away from watching this morning, to look at Stephen. "No more than 12 I'd say." Stephen said as he made his way to get a bottle of water out of the fridge "Slowly but surely their leaving us alone then, shouldn't be long till I can go back to mine" Ant laughed, as Stephen was in the fridge he froze when Ant said that it meant he had to hurry up with his decision, Stephen just laughed along, trying not to tip Ant off about what he was thinking about. "Yeah, well I'm leaving for work" Stephen said smiling, he gave Ant a peck on the lips, headed for the door, grabbed his bag and made his way out "I love you" He shouted over to Ant before he left, Ant shouted back "I love you too!"

(***)

Stephen had just finished his third meeting today, he only had one more to go before he could head home, and as he went to get lunch, he saw Jake standing at the vending machine, he quickly walked over to ask for his advice.

"Hey Jake" Stephen said smiling "Stephen! You alright mate" Jake said as he saw Stephen walking over to him. "Yeah, I'm good thanks, um, can I ask you something?" Stephen asked, slightly nervously. "What's up?" He asked, Stephen swallowed the lump in his throat before speaking "Um, so I've been thinking about doing something recently but I'm not sure if I should or if I'm ready..." Stephen finally explained, but it still left Jake a bit confused, he didn't exactly know what Stephen needed help with. "I'm going to need a bit more of information Stephen?" Jake joked slightly, as Stephen nodded "um I'm thinking about asking Ant to move in with me... what do you think?" Stephen finished explaining, he was now face to face with Jake who was in complete shock. "Well- wait really?!" Jake asked.

He wasn't surprised Stephen wanted to move in with Ant, more that it took him this long to do it, and that this was what he needed help with.

"Yeah...? Is it a bad idea or, should I, do it?" Stephen asked, in Stephen's head Jakes reaction meant he shouldn't "Bro! Of course, you should, I can't believe it's taken you till now to do it, to be honest." Jake said as he playfully pushed Stephen, making Stephen smile slightly. He wasn't 100% sure why he thought asking Ant to move in was a bad idea but there was a small thought at the back of his head saying 'don't ask him to move in it's a bad idea' but hearing Jake say that really boosted Stephen's confidence.

Eventually they had to head back for their final meeting of the day, Stephen was eager to get home now, he was a lot more confident about asking Ant to move in with him after his talk to Jake. It was a simple talk, but it made Stephen feel better and reminded him that he and Ant had been together for, pretty much, a year and a half. Most couples would have already moved in together.

Then again if anything's been proven over the last year and a half.

It's that Ant and Stephen aren't most couples...