Aren't you happy for me?

8) It's me, Decky

Monday came fast and Ant didn't know why but he was incredibly nervous, waiting for Dec. He tried to keep himself occupied.

He didn't even know what brought this up, but he thought it was maybe the fact he hadn't seen Dec for so long. Almost a whole week and they always managed to see each other more often than that normally.

"Hey" Dec smiled and literally threw himself onto Ant once he had opened the door.

Ant wrapped his arms around Dec and took in his familiar scent. It sent a warmth through his body and he knew he had to pull away so that this warmth wouldn't spread further to his lower body. So he disentangled himself quickly and ruffled Dec's hair instead.

"Happy birthday, Decky" Ant said and Dec smiled the biggest smile Ant had seen on his face in a long time.

"Did you get me something?" Dec asked excitedly once they were in the kitchen and Ant sorted the drinks out.

"Maybe" he giggled and poked his tongue out. "You want to have it now?"

Dec nodded eagerly and Ant went into the living room to fetch the little box that was placed on the drawer. "Here you go. Happy birthday. I really hope you'll like it" Ant said nervously.

"I always like your presents" Dec smiled and impatiently unwrapped the present. There was a silver box inside and Dec looked at it questioningly. It looked like a ring box.

"Just open it" And rolled his eyes and they had to laugh.

Dec opened it slowly and he gasped at the sight of it. Inside there was a metal keychain in the shape of a NUFC shirt, black and white stripes on it of course along with the number 5, Dec's lucky number and above it, the letters D, E and C were engraved.

"You like it?" Ant asked nervously.

"I love it! Gosh, Ant, it's amazing!" Dec beamed and once again engulfed Ant in a big hug. "I always wanted a NUFC keychain!"

"I know" Ant said against Dec's hair and he was tempted to kiss his temple but he held himself back. He once again took in Dec's scent before pulling away and smiled at his best friend.

"You know me too well" Dec giggled and immediately put the keychain on his keyring. "Perfect" he smiled.

They had a lovely evening and for Ant it almost felt like before.

They watched the footie and shouted at the screen, they laughed about the players slipping on the grass and they drank their beer, talking about everything and anything and before they knew it, it was past midnight and when Ant excused himself to the loo and came back, Dec was fast asleep on the sofa.

He smiled and watched Dec for a good 15 minutes before gently shaking him.

"Decky, I think you have to go home" he whispered and stroked his side lovingly.

"Stephen?" Dec mumbled, eyes still closed.

And there it was. This now oh so familiar sting in Ant's heart. All evening, they hadn't even talked about him, strange enough. And for Ant it was like he didn't even exist, but now he was taken back to reality. Dec was with Stephen and Ant couldn't deny it, he even said his name in his sleep.

"It's me, Decky" Ant smiled sadly and helped him sitting up. "Come on, I'll drive you home."

"No" Dec said quickly.

Ant's heart skipped a beat. Did Dec want to stay? Ant thought back to the days where they even had shared a bed a few times when they had stayed over at each other's parents' houses and he smiled at the memory. Nothing had ever happened, they hadn't even cuddled or anything, but just now imagining sleeping beside Dec send a warmth through his body.

"I promised Stephen to come over to his tonight" Dec added in that moment and Ant's heart sank. "Could you maybe...?"

"Oh, err... of course, come on" Ant said and quickly went into the hallway to put his shoes on to not show Dec how hurt he was.

'Silly, you really have to stop this' he said to himself and he knew he couldn't do this anymore.

He couldn't spend such an evening with Dec when he knew he would go right back to his boyfriend afterwards. He just couldn't. He loved Dec with all his heart but he knew if he carried on like this, it would break him.