Unconditional

Unconditionally.....

Dec held Ant close as he willed the other person to pick up the phone soon. Ant's face was pressed to his neck, warm tears seeping to his chest. Ant's breathing has turned to gasps and he felt worry creeping as Ant held his shirt, slightly clawing his chest.

Dec: "Hold on Anth... hold on"

He held the phone between his ear and shoulder and starts rubbing Ant's chest like he had seen Johnny doing the other day. As he was about to give up and run downstairs to Mary, the phone gets answered. Dec's heart skipped a beat as he hears Johnny's enthusiastic voice through it

Johnny: "Ant, man...."

Dec felt many emotions coursing through him. Anger , fear, despair. But it's not the time to fall for his emotions. This is about Ant now... nothing else matters

Dec: "I..."

Johnny: "Who is this? Where is Ant?! who are you?"

Dec could hear other noises behind and realises that they are all together. He feels his throat tightening. But the strangled gasp from the boy on his chest was enough to give him the courage he needed

Dec: "I am Dec...Declan.. Anth is here. I don't know what happened but he is coughing and gasping.. looks like he cannot breathe. We went to the library today and he was okay till we reached here and then this happens and I don't know what to do..I rubbed his chest but he-"

Johnny: "Dec... Declan!"

Dec stops his rambling, hearing his name being called by the other boy

Johnny: "Can he talk , is he awake?"

Dec: "He is awake but is breathing hard" Dec was close to tears now "I am afraid. I don't know what to do... he is so tired...He can't breathe I think!!! Should I call an ambulance?"

He hears scrambling noises at the other end

Johnny: "Oh God! Dec.. listen to me... don't panic... Ant needs you okay? Keep rubbing his chest and don't let him sleep. Do Not Let Him Sleep alright? We will be there in five minutes"

Dec realises that Ant is about to fall asleep and shakes him awake. He has gone worriedly pale and was breathing in with a lot more struggle

Johnny: "Dec...you hear me?!"

Dec: "Yeah..yes..I do... I..."

Johnny: "Encourage him to breathe and keep rubbing his chest. We are on the way okay?"

Dec: "Okay...okay... but"

Johnny: "Check his lips and fingertips Dec, do you see any changes?"

Dec lifts Ant's chin and checks his lips. Ant just lets him do that. He checks the fingers clawing his shirt also, but doesn't find anything unusual

Dec: "No...no changes"

Johnny: "Good.. but if you find any traces of blue or black, call the hospital, okay?"

Dec: "Oh okay... will he be alright? what's happening?"

Johnny: "We will be there soon.. I trust you Dec, he needs you now"

As the call ends, Dec alters the position and makes Ant sit against the headboard. He unbuttons Ant's shirt and tries his best to ignore the chills that passed through him seeing the scar running through Ant's pale chest.

He holds and rubs his chest in earnest , all the while asking Ant to take deep breaths

Dec's POV