It isn't a big deal. At least, that's what Piers tells himself again and again. Dean and Seamus are best friends. They've known each other for years, and it's just like Piers' friendship with Dudley.

Except Piers never lingers just a bit too long when talks to Dudley. Piers never tells Dean he's going to be late because he has to help Dudley with some unnamed task. Maybe he's being ridiculous, but Piers can't seem to shake it, no matter how hard he tries.

…

Dean rings him around four, and Piers' heart flutters. It's ridiculous that his hand still trembles like this, even after three years together. Really, he hopes Dean never stops giving him butterflies.

"I'm going to be a bit late coming home tonight," Dean tells him.

Piers swallows down every negative emotion he feels, struggling to latch onto a shred of indifference. "Oh." He's glad his voice sounds strong at least. "I see. Is it Seamus?"

A hesitation. Piers wonders if he's imagining the tension that seems to hang in the air between them. "I'll be home around eight," he says. "Maybe we can watch something before bed. I mean, if you'd like."

Piers doesn't answer. He disconnects the call and lets out a frustrated groan.

Dean would never cheat on him. It becomes something of a mantra, a phrase he has to repeat over and over to keep from losing his mind. Sometimes it helps. Not tonight.

…

Piers is in bed by the time Dean comes home. It's still early, just barely past eight. Ordinarily, he would be sitting in the living, lazing around and watching the telly, suggesting he and Dean make some popcorn and find some show to mindlessly absorb.

Not this time.

The hurt still stabs his heart, like someone has inserted dozens of needles into his chest. Max explained to him what it felt like when Jeremy broke up with him once, and Piers thinks he finally understands that pain firsthand.

"Piers?"

He stays perfectly still, breathing slow and steady. If he lies here and just pretends, everything will be okay. He will eventually fall asleep, and this stupid moment can be left in the past.

"I'm sorry," Dean sighs, and Piers feels the familiar subtle weight of his boyfriend sitting on the mattress.

Piers keeps breathing. He stays quiet and still, hoping Dean will continue, curious. Is this a confession of guilt? Piers' chest squeezes, and he has to concentrate on his breath because it's so hard to remain in this position.

"I know I'm hurting you. It isn't what you think."

Then what is it? But Piers cannot say it aloud, and Dean is not a mindreader, so there is only silence, followed by the soft creak of the bedsprings as Dean lies next to him.

…

"You don't really think he's cheating, do you?" Max asks as he sets a cup of tea in front of Piers. "This is Dean we're talking about. He's absolutely crazy about you."

Piers hates his cousin's tone. It makes him doubt himself, despite everything he's gone through. If Dean was innocent, he wouldn't act so sketchy. Piers recounts everything that's happened over the past month, hoping Max will understand why he's so worried. If anyone could get it, of course it would be Max.

By the end of it, Max still doesn't look convinced. He just sighs and plucks a cookie from the tray in the middle of the table, shaking his head. "I think you're wrong," he says, and it sounds like he knows something.

Piers groans. He feels like he's stumbled upon some great conspiracy. That, or everyone is trying to make him feel crazy.

"Just wait," Max assures him. "Everything will work itself out in the end."

Piers knows it won't do any good to argue with him. Even after everything he's said, Max has clearly taken Dean's side in all of this. He tries no to feel resentful, but it's hard. With a forced smile, Piers grabs his own cookie. "Yeah. I'm sure you're right," he says, and he makes a mental note to not come to Max with these sorts of things anymore.

…

"So he doesn't suspect it, huh? Good."

Piers freezes in the doorway, keeping perfectly still when he hears Dean's voice.

"I know, Max, but… I don't know what else to do. I feel like keeping secrets is going to drive me insane."

Max? Piers shakes his head. There's no way in hell. Seamus, sure. But Max? It would explain why his cousin was so quick to defend Dean. Must be one hell of a guilty conscience.

"Not much longer now. I just have to keep it up until Friday," Dean continues. "I hope Piers will forgive me for all of this."

That's all he needs to hear. Piers turns and walks away, closing the door behind him.

…

"Dean rang again," Dudley tells him.

Piers scowls. He hates that Dean knows exactly where he would go. Then again, they're meant to be hopelessly in love; maybe, under different circumstances, he would have found it to be endearing. Not now. Not after overhearing Dean's half of his conversation with Max three nights ago.

"I hope you told him I don't want to talk to him."

Dudley sighs heavily. "Maybe talking would help."

Piers blinks slowly, trying to process what his best friend is saying. Talking? Talking to Dean? Talking to Dean after Dean has hurt him like this? "You must be out of your mind."

Dudley shrugs. "Fine. Don't," he says. "How about a walk in the park when I get off work? Help take your mind off things."

For a moment, Piers wants to say no. Why should he do anything when it feels like his world is ending?

But why not? Why shouldn't he enjoy himself? Dean obviously is.

"Sounds good."

…

"Piers!"

Piers wants to turn in the other direction when he sees Dean making his way over, Seamus not far behind him. Dudley reaches out, gripping Piers firmly by the shoulder.

"Sorry, mate," Dudley says, but he doesn't sound especially apologetic.

Piers wants to swing on Dudley, but his best friend has always been a much better fighter. It would only end in failure. "What the hell?"

"This… This isn't how I planned this," Dean says with a chuckle, like it's the funniest thing in the world. "Ended up a bit awkward, to be honest."

"Awkward? What on earth could be awkward about you shagging my bloody cousin?" Piers snaps. "Where is Max? Figured he'd be with you."

"Shagging…?" Dean shakes his head, slapping his palm to his forehead. "Piers, honey, no. I would never!"

"Then Seamus?" Suddenly Piers isn't so sure.

Seamus snorts, eyes rolling. "No offense, but Dean isn't really my type," he says. "Besides, I think Lavender might murder me if I was messing around with anyone."

"Then what the hell is going on?" Piers demands, pulling out of Dudley's grip.

Dean laughs again."Like I said, this isn't how I wanted this to go down," he says before dropping to one knee and pulling a ring from his pocket. "Gotta say, it will definitely be a memorable moment, at least. Will you marry me, you idiot?"

All the jealousy melts away. He can't believe he would ever think Dean was cheating. Dean, of all people. Dean, who has always been so good to him.

"Yes."

With a grin, Dean slides the ring onto Piers' finger and climbs to his feet, pressing a kiss to Piers' lips. "I had hoped for a much more romantic evening," he says.

"Where's Max, anyway? I'm assuming you roped him into this as well."

Dean gestures toward the gazebo, where Max stands, holding up a cake and waving. "Who do you think catered?"