Unconditional

More than I can count

The next day when Dec woke up, Ant was not in his bed. He was startled for a moment and then he was reminded of their daily routine. He showers and walks up to the roof, feeling instantly relaxed and refreshed as the cool air hits him. He finds Ant beneath their usual water tank and sits beside him. Ant was starting to sketch something and Dec leans in to look what it is.

Ant: "Don't. I will show you once I finish this"

Dec: "You say this every time. But I can never find any of those sketches!"

Ant: "Wait! You went through my stuff?!"

Dec shrugs "What if I did?"

Ant: "There is something called privacy"

Dec: "Is there anything in your life that I don't know?"

Ant thinks for a second and then shakes his head in wonder "Wow, no. That's..."

Dec: "Surprising?"

Ant smiles "With such a talent, you can be a journalist. You got everything out of me"

Dec: "I think I did"

Ant: "Even then, going through my things...I don't like it. So stop doing that"

Dec: "Oooh Scary"

Ant: "Shut up!"

Dec: "Anth ..."

Ant: "I am fine"

Dec: "What?"

Ant: "I know when you start loose talks. You wanted to know how I am feeling. I am fine"

Dec: "And I know it when you play things down"

Ant: "I am genuinely fine. It's just that...going back there...I don't know. And after that I have to go to my office... Mam will be there"

Dec: "It will be alright" Dec places his palm on Ant's which was holding the pencil. Ant drops the pencil down to his lap and crosses their fingers, squeezing Dec's smaller ones.

Ant: "Hope so. I maybe be late to reach the hostel. So ask David to take you back and do not keep the door open okay? I will call you when I am here"

Dec: "Okay. I will"

-------------------------

Ant entered the college with trepidation and the only relief was the presence of the slightly smaller man beside him. As he walks to the rehearsal hall, he hears whispers in the corridor and he couldn't believe what he was hearing. The fleeting murmurs included:

"There is Ant Mcpartlin! To fight Andrew alone, woah I didn't know he was this brave"

"I always thought he is just a shadow in their group but wow"

"I bet there is a defined six pack inside that shirt oh I would-"

"No wonder Declan had hit Andrew like that. He must have got it from Anthony"

Ant realises that Dec is trying to hide his laughter and nudges him

Ant: "What happened to them?"

Dec: "What? Those are called compliments. C-O-M-P-"

Ant: "Shut it!"

They reach the rehearsal hall and are met by Dannie