Unconditional

You Should Be Proud

Ant: "But you are more important to me"

Tears sting Dec's eyes at that. Their relationship has changed from 'stay away from me' to 'you are important to me'. Ant sighs as he sees Dec's face

Ant: "Are you alright?"

Dec: "Just....emotional. You mean it?"

Ant frowns "Mean what?"

Dec: "That...that I am important?"

Ant: "This was not the first time I told you that"

Dec: "I didn't believe you then. You were comforting me. But no one else ever said it and even if they do, they don't mean it. I was never important to anyone. Except my family of course...but they are my family"

Ant frowns at that. Someone as lovely as Dec being not important to anyone? The world must be crazy

Ant: "You said you had boyfriends in the past. They-"

Dec: "Who likes to secretly meet and have a shag and walk out without a word? And even if they do walk with me and call me sweet names, it's always for their 'needs' Anth... I do believe in love... I did have girlfriend in the past but once they know you are interested in boys too, they sort of lose their trust. And none of my boyfriends ever saw me as anything more than their playboy"

Dec looks at Ant's concerned face

Dec: "I am sorry for telling these to you. I never told this to anyone...not even to Stephen. I never had friends at school. And when Stephen used to come for summer holidays, I was the only friend he had back home ...what he doesn't know is that he was the only friend I had. No one ever gave a damn about me, Anth. Not even the ones I expected to. I am just giving you more reasons to not trust anyone eh?"

Ant: "They all must be idiots to not realise how lovely you are. They don't deserve you, Dec"

Dec : "You are being sweet to me"

Ant: "I am being honest"

Dec shrugs at that.

Dec: "Thanks, I guess. You know how I didn't wanted to come here...but I am glad I did"

Ant: "Even after being here and letting them suck out your blood?"

Dec: "Yeah. I have been through worst. Here atleast I have people who genuinely care about me. I never told my lot but I was not just worried but I was terrified. And without you... I wouldnt have lasted a week here let alone this course" Dec chuckles at that "You once told me the same thing"

Ant: "And it's true"

Dec: "Thank you Anth..  I never wanted anyone to like me as I knew no one will. But don't know why I wanted you to like me, and trust me"

Ant: "And I do...  took time though. But I do"

Dec smiles at that : "You are too nice, you know?"

Ant: "Well, you told something like that to me yesterday....you told me many things yesterday..."

Dec frowns at that "What all? I do remember talking to you but my head was all fuzzy"

Ant: "You told me I am good, great and handsome" he smirks

Dec chuckles "Oh that...that I remember"

Ant frowns at that. He had actually thought Dec was high on drugs when he said that

Ant: "Mm..what?"