It started as a Game

Him!

Declan wasn't one to discuss private life in front of his colleagues. Let alone his boss. But there was a certain information Rebecca Winterbottom needed to know. So he wandered over to the group. She was still surrounded by a few men, including her husband with whom Declan had had this nice conversation about an hour ago.

He quietly placed himself beside her, engulfing in the conversation with his colleague Thomas Gorham at the same time. He liked that guy, he was a bit stiff but alright. They talked about finances a bit, the usual stuff. Declan waited for the right opportunity to enter into Rebecca Winterbottom's conversation she currently had with another colleague and her husband. Especially, because he knew that this colleague was one of the few so called friends of his boss, so he hoped that they soon would change over into a more private conversation.

Declan noticed Anthony glancing at him from the corner of his eye from time to time. So he really had had an impact on the slightly taller man. At least that was how Declan interpreted it and he hoped he was right.

"So, we had the craftsmen over today because our boiler broke" his boss said in that very second and Declan saw his chance. He turned a bit so he was facing her.

"Oh, tell me about it. My ex-boyfriend once drilled the water line" Declan quickly said and grinned at Rebecca and her husband.

It was dead silent for a few seconds until Declan shrugged his shoulders and added: "Complete mess." And turned back to Thomas to return to their previous conversation.

His colleague talked about something but all Declan did to react to that was nodding with his head. Actually, he was busy registering every move Anthony and his wife did. He had seen this look on her face. This look she always had when she was unsatisfied and frustrated. So basically, the look she always had. But he saw something else. It was a mix of confusion and fear.

Confusion because she clearly hadn't suspected that. First of all, him talking about his private life, just like that. Declan knew she found that strange, he had never only spread a single word about it over the past few months and after all, they had to work quite closely together and it would only be the most normal thing to babble at least something out.

Fear because she probably wasn't used to gay men around. Let alone gay men who had talked to her husband for quite an amount of time that evening. Declan also didn't know whether she was accepting of gay men in general but of course he didn't care. With every other person he did, but with her. He didn't care.

Other was Anthony's reaction. He mainly had blushed and it had shown Dec once again, that he had succeeded in at least confusing the dark-haired man. But he wasn't so sure whether Anthony was a bit afraid on top. But then again, he had a lot of time to find out still. When Anthony excused himself to the loo, Declan quickly followed him.

Anthony noticed and as soon as they were out of hearing distance to his wife, he turned around and looked at Declan quite puzzled.

"I really hope this doesn't change anything. I remain my point. I liked our little conversation and you don't have a problem with me being gay, do you?" Declan said straight forward but nevertheless very gently and smiled at the slightly taller man.

"Err... N-no... Of course not... I... umm... I..." Anthony stuttered.

Declan only smiled at him and took another sip from his wine glass. When Anthony just kept on staring at him, apparently searching for the right words, Declan suddenly felt his heart beating faster in his chest and he tried to concentrate on sipping his wine.

Anthony cleared his throat and then smiled back. "I'm sorry, I really don't have a problem with that" he explained and squeezed Declan's shoulder.

"Good" Declan smiled and turned back around to walk back to Anthony's wife.

He smirked internally when he saw the expression on her face. Her mouth was open, her eyes a bit wider than usual and he saw a slight sweat erupting on her forehead. As soon as she noticed Declan staring at her though, she quickly turned away and put on her fake smile again.

What the hell does this nice bloke want from this bitch? Declan asked himself that for the rest of the evening. Initially, he had thought that Anthony would be just like his wife, a right snob. But quite on the contrary, he was nice. He was genuinely nice. Even now he was smiling at him from across the room from time to time when their gazes met.

In contrast to that, Rebecca Winterbottom hadn't deigned to look at him again. But of course he didn't care.

Declan had kept his distance for the rest of the evening. That was until he saw Anthony approaching him just as he was about to leave. Declan popped his coat on and buttoned it up when he heard a voice behind him.

"Mr. Donnelly" he called and Declan turned around.

"Declan, please" he replied and smiled at Anthony.

"Declan" Anthony smiled. "I... Err... It was nice meeting you" he stuttered.

Declan only smiled and nodded before walking towards the door. He was surprised when Anthony followed him, even outside. When he turned around to look at him, he knew why though as he saw him standing there with a cigarette between his lips, ready to light it with a lighter in his hands.

"Do you mind?" Anthony asked and when Declan shook his head, the taller man lit his cigarette and puffed on it a few times. Declan didn't know why but he thought it was utterly sexy. He hated smoking in general but there was something about this man which made it look attractive.

Declan caught himself staring at the slightly taller man in admiration. He was astonished by the impact this man had on him although he only knew him for a few hours. And especially although he had only talked to him to annoy his wife. But the more he talked to him the more liking he found in the dark-haired man.

"You know? It is quite rare to find people like you on such occasions. And I am sorry if I misjudged you in the beginning" Anthony said after a few moments of silence, pulling Declan out of his thoughts.

Declan knew he was referring to the image he had of him, created of course by his wife. But he chose to ignore that for now. He was smiling internally again because this guy had approached him and had even followed him outside. He saw through the glass window over Anthony's shoulder how confused his wife was by that and how she looked away in embarrassment when their gazes met. Good. That was good.

"People like me?" Declan chuckled.

"Genuine people" Anthony explained. "I don't accompany my wife that often anymore because most of the time there are only knobs." He immediately placed his hand over his mouth on the realisation of what he had just said.

Declan couldn't help but laugh at that and the taller man joined him as soon as he realised that Declan wasn't offended by his comment.

The rest of Anthony's cigarette was spent in silence but Declan waited until the taller man had finished.

"Right then" he smiled when Anthony stubbed out his cigarette. "See you around I guess."

"Right" Anthony smiled and nodded before heading for the door again.

Declan turned on his heel and walked down the street. Damn, he really hoped to see this guy again. And better sooner than later.