It started as a Game

Even closer!

The weekend went by quickly and soon enough Declan found himself heading home again. But other than the other times he drove home he wasn't as grumpy. Because he knew Anthony was in London and as he had said to his mum, he wanted to be there for him. Because he cared about him. And he couldn't wait to see him again.

They had constantly texted each other over the weekend. And although it was just about random stuff, Declan knew that Anthony thought about him and cared about him. They promised to visit Newcastle together some time and to go to a home game of the Toon. Declan loved the fact that they were making plans because that meant that Anthony planned his future with him. In what way he wasn't sure, but he didn't really care. He just wanted him by his side.

When he got into work on Monday, the atmosphere was strangely very warm and welcoming, although Rebecca Winterbottom was there. Initially, he had feared coming to work because of their stupid promise. But now, he didn't really care anymore. Declan figured it was because he had seen how much Anthony cared about him, whether he was nice to his wife or not, it didn't make any difference. All he cared about was Ant and he didn't give a damn about his boss at the moment.

Luckily, he didn't have that much work to do and Rebecca didn't seem to bother too much either. Maybe she wanted to stick to her weird promise of being nice to him. 'As if that would help' Declan thought and rolled his eyes. Her smile was still fake and her jokes were still cheap. The only difference was that she didn't approach him directly with her little remarks, but Declan did see the looks she gave him nevertheless. But he really didn't bother to do something himself, he didn't really care. He just hated this woman and her behaviour didn't really change anything about that.

So he went home a little early and decided to cook himself a nice meal, fetching some groceries on the way home. He loved it when he had an evening all to himself, so he was very annoyed when the doorbell rang about an hour after he had gotten home. He had just started cooking and was enjoying himself.

"Bloody hell" he muttered under his breath and went to answer the door.

His mood immediately changed though when he saw Anthony standing outside the door, looking rather miserable.

"I'm sorry I didn't text or anything, but I was just wandering around outside and I somehow ended up here" Ant said quietly, still standing outside the door.

"Don't be silly" Dec smiled at him and ushered him inside before engulfing him in a huge hug. "I was just making dinner, nothing too fancy. Want to join me?"

"That would be nice" Ant sighed and got rid of his coat before following Declan into the kitchen.

Declan noticed how quiet Anthony was during cooking and also during dinner, but he let him be. He knew why he had shown up. Of course he knew. Something was wrong. Something must have happened with his wife. But Declan wasn't one to pester someone with questions. He knew too well how that could backfire. So after the meal, they sat quietly side by side, a bottle of beer in a hand each.

Anthony didn't know how to behave around Declan anymore all of a sudden. He felt so comfortable, despite the fact that they weren't talking. He had never had that with anyone else before. And it scared him a bit. He knew that he liked Declan more than he should. Of course he knew that. He was a grown man and he knew that he felt more than friendship towards the slightly smaller man. He thought about him all day. Every day. And he knew Dec was gay. And that didn't make it any easier. So he was scared. At the same time he felt somehow at home. It was only the second time he was sitting on this sofa with Declan. But at the moment it felt more like home to him than his own house.

Anthony couldn't bring himself to say something. And he was glad that Declan didn't push him. He didn't want to remember the situation at home. And he surely didn't want to talk about it. He was just in desperate need of a friend and he considered Dec as a friend. His only genuine friend.

He had found himself walking towards Declan's flat without even noticing it. Before he knew it he had stood in front of it. And it had taken him a lot of courage to ring the bell. He didn't even know why. Maybe because he was embarrassed again. Although he knew he didn't have to be. Not with Declan. Because Declan somehow understood. And Declan didn't need to know. He was just there.

So they just sat there in silence for a good 10 minutes and slowly but surely Ant could feel himself relaxing. This was what he was looking for. Relaxing. Just forgetting everything for a little while. And he knew he could do that when he was with Dec. It had been like that from the very beginning. Right at their first encounter. In that night, he had forgotten everything that stressed him out. He had just talked with Declan and he had forgotten the time passing by. And although they weren't talking right now, there was the same feeling emerging in Anthony and it gave him peace.

Anthony could see a hand moving in the corner of his eye and soon enough he felt it coming to rest on his upper leg. He turned his head and looked at Declan. Only now did he realise how beautiful those blue eyes were which always showed so much affection. Anthony closed his eyes and let his head fall sideways onto Dec's shoulder and sighed loudly.

"It's alright" Declan whispered and gently stroked Anthony's thigh. "You don't have to talk."

Anthony relaxed completely now and enjoyed the caring demeanour of the fellow Geordie. He could really do with some comfort and he was glad that Dec just did it and didn't question it. He was there for him. A feeling Anthony wasn't used to. He didn't do anything, he didn't say anything, but he was there. He felt Declan's palm still stroking gently up and down his leg and he smiled at that. Just like last time, it did him good. He always had to be strong, he'd never had someone that comforted him in the way Declan did right now.

"I'm not weak" Anthony whispered, not moving an inch.

"No, of course you're not" Declan smiled and squeezed the younger man's knee lightly. Then he turned his own head and tenderly brushed Ant's forehead with his lips.

Something in Anthony clicked in that moment and it all went in speed of light. All those buried feelings broke loose and he literally threw himself onto Dec and smashed their lips together. He was surprised though that Declan pushed him off after a few seconds, despite kissing back earlier.

"Whoa tiger" Declan laughed.

"Oh God, I'm sorry... I..." Anthony stammered and lowered his head in embarrassment.

Declan had been totally taken off guard by Anthony's kiss. But it wasn't only the kiss. It was Anthony's demeanour changing drastically to a very dominant and demanding man. Judging from the force and power in the kiss. And Declan liked strong men. He liked dominant men. Declan didn't even think about the fact that this man was still married. He only thought about the younger man's tongue swirling around in his mouth and what it had induced in him.

His body was literally a mess. Just the fact that it all had gone so quickly and that Declan had felt quite a wave of arousal hitting his body immediately, made him dizzy. He realised that he liked Anthony even more than he had already admitted to himself and he was also quite scared that he had liked it so much that Anthony had been so demanding. At the moment he couldn't combine those two versions of him in his head. All he knew was that that kiss had been damn hot and had induced quite some desires in him.

"No... It's alright, I... I liked it actually" Declan said sheepishly. He felt like a goddamn teenager at the moment, but he didn't care.

"Really?" Anthony exclaimed astonished and grinned. But then he lowered his head again and sighed. "I am sorry, I must have made you feel used."

Declan looked at him puzzled. But then he understood. Anthony was miserable so he had searched for comfort. But actually not that kind of comfort. But it had just happened and Declan knew that Anthony blamed himself. Although he of course had obviously wanted to kiss him, after all it had felt very genuine. But Declan understood. Of course he did. So Declan nodded, but smiled at the slightly taller man.

"It's alright, I get it" he said gently and put an arm around Anthony's shoulders, stroking his side lightly. "Let's just take our time with this."

Anthony nodded. He had to agree. Declan was right. They mustn't rush things.

The next thing Anthony knew was feeling Declan's lips against his own and climbing on top of the smaller man. He wrapped his arms tightly around Declan's gorgeous body, kissing him hungrily again all the while and enjoying the quiet moans escaping his mouth.