Unconditional

I Promise

Dec felt a huge wave of appreciation for his dark-haired friend. The way he thought about everything and the way he functioned masking all his worry and nervousness. He will be a perfect leader.

Dec's musing was cut off as a huge cheer is heard, and he realises that it's time to get on stage. As everyone started arranging the props , Dec takes a moment to peak at the audience. His heart jumps to his chest at that. He did expect a large gathering but the crowd before him was many times the number he has calculated. He gulps as fear chokes his throat. And then something bigger takes its place as he thought about the things that happened a few minutes ago He is there...he is somewhere amongst the crowd...

Suddenly he feels a hand on his shoulder and looks around in fear to see Ali smiling at him.

Ali: "Are you alright?"

Dec: "Yeah...I...just..."

Ali nods understandingly and slowly hugs him. He leans into the scent of rose and jasmine.

Ali: "You can do this"

He pulls away from her and nods at that. As she moves away, he sees Stephen nodding at him and giving him thumps up. He gives him a nervous smile.

As the crew members walk out of the stage, all set and ready, Dec's heart goes overdrive. Suddenly he feels cold feeted and vulnerable.He closes his eyes tight I can't do this...I can't...I am.not ready..I will let them down...I will let Anth-

The thought just came to his mind and suddenly he gets the scent of vanilla and citrus...he sighs at that and opens his eyes to see Ant looking at him, calm and relaxed.

Ant: "You still nervous?"

Dec nods and bites his lips. Ant just smiles at that "Don't be . You are the best thing we have right now. I know how good you are. Do your best. Trust yourself. Think of nothing else now. It's you, and the thing that you love the most. On that stage, you are Duncan. Not Declan! Be that! Try your best to imagine yourself as Duncan. I know you can do it"

Dec stares at Ant for a moment. He felt what all Ant said to be the best advice ever! You are Duncan, Imagine yourself as Duncan. And that was the thing Dec craved the most at that moment - to shut his self out.

He feels Ant's hand squeezing his shoulder and he sighs at that.

Ant: "Nobody else can do this better than you"

He nods at that feeling relaxed and appreciated. He squeezes Ant's palm on his shoulder and then he hears Ant whispering to him "I believe in you"

Dec's eyes snap to Ant's to see a genuine smile and then Ant pulls his hand away and turns to the team "This is it guys. I will be in the front row and believe me when I say that we are the best team out there. Let's prove that right again and let's do this!!"

Ant, Danny, Simon, John and Gino walk down to the audience while Ali and Anne stayed to make sure everything goes smooth. Anne gives Dec an appreciative smile and Dec nods at that. And as it was time to get on, he feels a huge rush of adrenaline coming in. Be Duncan Ant has said, I believe in you Ant has said. It's time to prove him right.

As the first set of music starts and crowd cheers, Dec gets on to the stage with everyone. Even if it was dark on the stage, he could see the audience clearly. But his eyes only stuck on to the one person in front of everyone. Ant's eyes were sweeping through the whole stage, making sure everything is fine. They then stops at somewhere he thought Dec will be and Dec's heart warms at that. Ant then nods slowly and Dec feels excitement coursing through him. The pain in his knees and elbows were increasing but he ignores them. The lights come on and he enters into his role. And for the next few minutes he shut Declan out.