Without You

16. You Are Wrong

A/N - Here's another update for you! Thanks for your understanding about RL and all of your lovely comments - I've read and appreciate them all, just haven't had a chance to reply! Enjoy! 😁

"I've got a bloody concussion. And don't you dare breathe a word to anyone!"

Dec was sick of pretending, but at the same time utterly annoyed with himself for having completely failed at hiding his injury from notice. He trusted Saul to keep it a secret, otherwise he never would have told him. But still, he hated that someone else knew now. He just hoped Saul wouldn't be difficult and make him go see a doctor or something. He really was fine. He'd had a concussion before, he knew how to continue working with one, it really wasn't a big deal. Sure, he'd had Ant looking after him basically  24/7 the last time around, but he was a grown man who was perfectly capable of taking care of himself. It would be fine. And anyway, this one couldn't possibly be as bad as the one he'd suffered back in 2006.

"You what?!" Saul hissed back, looking utterly shocked. "How the hell did you do that?!"

Sighing, Dec closed his eyes, hands coming back up to rub at his horrendously throbbing head, saying pointedly, "Not here, Saul."

Noticing the severe tone in Dec's voice, Saul nodded, forgetting Dec couldn't see him. "Can I get you anything? Paracetamol? I could ask the steward if she has an ice pack, maybe? Is it just a headache, or is it a migraine, do you know?"

Dec kept his eyes firmly shut, and inwardly winced at the seeming loudness of Saul's voice. He was extremely light and sound sensitive at the moment, and his stomach was still strongly rebelling every time the plane jolted. "Erm, think it's a migraine now," he mumbled, "Cold pack might help? Don't wanna cause a fuss, though." The level of pain ricocheting through Dec's skull was unlike any he'd ever experienced. Yes, he'd had headaches – and nasty ones, too – after his concussion nearly 13 years ago, but he hadn't had to go on a transatlantic flight that time around. Apparently, the high altitude wasn't mixing well with his concussed brain.

Saul must have left his side at some point, because the next thing Dec was aware of was a kind voice saying, "Here you go – I've wrapped it in a tea towel so it doesn't give you frostbite." Cracking his eyes open, he found himself face to face with a concerned-looking stewardess handing him an ice pack wrapped in a bright red towel. Honestly, he was almost beyond the point of caring if anyone figured out he was in a bad way now, the pain was that awful. He might as well see if this would help at all. Taking it with a grateful nod and fake smile, Dec reclined his seat as far as it would go and lay the pack on his forehead, letting out a sigh of relief as the cold seeped into the pained recesses of his skull. He hadn't expected it to help, but it felt heavenly...

"Look, Dec, I know what I said, but I just can't do it anymore. I've thought about this a lot the past few months, and it's just not working..."

"But Ant, please, you can't do that! You can't possibly think-"

"I can think whatever I want to, Declan. It's over. No more pain. I love ya, pal, I'll never stop loving you, remember that. Goodbye, Dec."

"NO!!!!!!!!!! ANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Dec jerked forward in his seat, sending the ice pack flying and winding himself as the tight seat belt cut into his abdomen. His wild eyes darted around, frantically looking for his best friend who'd vanished, removing himself from Dec's life forever. Quiet, panicked sobs tore through him as he realized what this meant: he was utterly alone in the world. He had no one. Ant was gone.