Third POV
"Ooh Shit!!!"
"Yes Ant.. we all had a great time watching everything"
Ali was holding an exhausted Dec when they swiftly made way to Ant's dressing room, bowing their heads down. Once inside it, Ant hugged a distraught Dec and placed his lips on his forehead. Ali and Stephen slipped out of the room to give them the privacy they need to sort things out.
"I am so sorry Decs, I couldn't watch you say those words to Ali and I couldn't let your love slip away from you. I just wanted to protect you pal. Just wanted to make you stop... I am so sorry" He slowly rubbed his hands on dec's cheeks where red bruises were forming. How could I do this to him.
Dec knew why Ant did that. And that made him feel more guilty.
"Ant..", he pulled Ant to the sofa nearby and sat facing him, his hands around Ant's waist and head on his shoulders . "You don't have to apologise Ant, I know why you did that and to be honest I am rather thankful to you for that. I could have lost her. It's confusing me Ant", he pushed his head to Ants collar bone. "I don't know how to handle myself now.I don't know how to put up with all these emotions. I cant.."
"Shh Decs..I know ...I didn't then. But when I saw that video, I realised the pain you might have gone through , you were right to be angry, sad or even reckless. But throwing our career and reputation was not a great move pal. Ali was right. ITV could have lost their trust in you" . Dec was about to cut in but Ant held him tight.
"I am not asking you to forgive anyone or ignore what they did to you. In fact I had already asked Ali to take necessary actions against whoever responsible and we were about to discuss that with you. Did you think me or Ali would let the people who used your feelings against you alone Dec? You should have known us better. We will find a way for everything Dec,
Together
I will fight the world with you Declan, but I can't fight you. Please listen to us Decs"
"I know Ant. I am so sorry . Past few hours were terrible An...th". The sobs came in full power and he couldn't believe how much he had cried today.
"Stop it man", Ant said with a tearful voice. "You are making me emotional you numphy Scrappy Doo. Why are we acting like a couple, making up ?"
He heard a muffled laugh from his chest. "Because we are. Wanna kiss and make up?"
"Kiss yourself peahead", Ant retorts with a smile.
"Umm...was worth a try"
Ant couldn't hold the laughter this time. He sobers when he see Dec relaxing against him. "We will find a way Decs, we always do".
Dec nods from his chest snuggling closer."You already said that".
Ant rolled his eyes for that.
"Err.. Dec.. I think you have to talk to Ali. You made her so worried mate. First, the news of me burning... " he regretted saying that when Dec tensed in his hold.
"Ohh sorry..."
"Hmm"
He tightened his hold, placing Dec literally on his lap... "Then to worry how you could have handled the news. Then to get the shock of a lifetime knowing you want to pull out our contract with BGT, then to cope up with your stubbornness and your infamous Scrappy power, she deserves much more than an apology lad"
"I know Ant .But I don't know how to face her. How can I apologise for all those things I said and did?"
"It is so clear that she is not angry at you. But just talk. Let her know you didn't mean any of that... Talk to her. Do you remember what I said to you when you told me you want to propose her? After Anne and Me, she is the only one who could handle you? It is as true as it could be, Decky"
Dec hugged Ant tightly before letting him stand up. "I am so sorry mate", Ant rubbed his reddening cheek slowly and shuffle his hair much to his annoyance. After giving a cheeky wink, he walks out of the room.
Dec could hear voices outside and a moment later, Ali enters.
"Ali.. I.."
He didn't had to complete his sentence as she did it for him. She took his face in her hands and kissed his salty lips letting him pour in all struggles and reliefs of the day.
*************
Ant had come out of his room not only because he wants to leave his friend with his wife for some time but also because there was something or rather someone important waiting outside.
"How is he?" Stephen asked when he came out
"Tired, emotional, can't blame him".He rubbed his face and forehead in exhaustion.
"Here you go" Stephen offers him a glass of water.
"Thanks mate not only for this but for everything you did for us today"
"Come on Ant.."
"No Stevey, I cant think what would have happened if you hadn't thought about Declan. If you had not held him to you while he broke down on stage, I don't know what could have happened to him. It kills me each time to think of that"
"Then don't think Ant, and I was standing in the opposite wing. I clearly saw his broken face and I just acted to my instinct. If I hadn't reached there, someone else would have done that"
"No Stephen, you gave him the comfort I was bound to give at that moment. You held him to your chest while he cried for me. I can't be more thankful". Ant felt tears in his eyes and turned his head to hide it from Stephen.
"You are my friend Ant, both of you. And I honestly regret holding him" Stephen smirks showing him a purple bruise on his arm.
Ant laughed at that "He could be rather violent sometimes"
"Unbelievable"
Ant shocked Stephen by pulling him in for a hug. "Thank you Stevey, for everything". Ant said tightening his hold.
"Its okay Ant. I know"
"Do you think we gave them both enough privacy for one day? We have to discuss things" .
Stephen was about to barge in when Ant said "Knock, nonsense"
Stephen laughed at that and knocked
"Come in.. " they heard Dec and entered to find the owner of the voice sitting on the couch with his arms wrapped around Ali.
Stephen couldnt help being jealous of that. "Someone's feeling cozy today. Oh how I regret myself for being single". Dec gives him a stern unamused look and shifts his eyes to show him who he was with. Stephen literally bite his tongue ,glad that Ant didnt see the short eye to eye conversation.
Dec got up from his seat and hugged Stephen. "Thank you Stevey"
"Come on you lot. Stop thanking me. It's embarrassing you know"
"Yeah that's why we are doing it nonsense " Dec grinned at him
"Unbelievable "
"So, what are we going to do? I am sure the press will be typing all sort of stories by now. How can we show people the real story. Or should we?" Ali piped in
"I think we should. It's safer to tell the truth than watch the press roast us". Dec said, looking at Ant.
"Are you okey with that Decs?"
"Come on Ant.. didnt I just say we have to do that?"
"But how can we do that?"
"Err guys.. I might have something to confess to you lot. I hope you don't take me wrong"
"Shoot it out Stevey" , Ant said placing a hand on his shoulders
"When you guys were in your own bubble out there, I saw cameras looking up eager to capture it all. And I did something rather weird.
I asked Roy to shoot it all so that no one could make any stories out of it"
Ant, Dec and Ali looked at Stephen in shock. Suddenly Ali hugged him close and thanked him in earnest. "You are an Angel Stevey" . Stephen blushed a little at that. "I think we should do something with it before the paps could do anything"
Suddenly Rachel blurted into the room. "Uhh Sorry..but.."
"What is it Rachel? you here?"
"Yeah Ali I tried to call you . Where are your phones? Do you know what is happening now?"
"What is it Rachel?" Ant asks worriedly.
"Some people had sold the footages of your fight to the papers. Twitter is down on its heels.. Memes of Ant slapping Dec is everywhere!!
The response is terrible and ITV was on our phone asking an explanation. Social media is in a wreck. Evening tabloids are printing the stories of your fight. We couldn't stop it.
The whole nation wants to know what happened"
She said looking at the ashen faces in front of her
"You better get some explanation done"
TBC
********
Thank you so much for your support. Glad that the story is evolving itself😊😊😊