Oneshots and Other Things

A Lot of Hugs

A Lot Of Hugs ~ Drabbles
Exactly what it says on the tin - here are a lot of hugs. Like 20 hugs.

(*~*)

1.    A hug hello/good morning (ADS - BGT)

The rain had done little to put off the crowds the first morning of the auditions in Birmingham. They were out in defiance, cheering every car that drew up to the red carpet, depositing yet another judge for Stephen to interview in the pouring rain.

All in all, it had been a bit of a disaster. The crew members were unhappy, ducking under umbrellas when they didn't have to be filming and sticking it out in the rain when they did. Stephen was grateful for his own umbrella, even if the wind meant that water was blowing in beneath it every so often anyway.

No one was particularly keen to talk to him given the weather though and he'd spent his entire morning so far chasing after David, Amanda, Alesha and Simon especially to little avail. The most he had got out of the tight-lipped head judge was a slightly snarky one sentence answer to some of his questions, the rest shaken off with a mere nod of his head.

It was always demoralising to get a reception like that, even several years into the competition. He knew what Simon was like and had learned not to take it too personally, mostly resorting to venting with Ant and Dec every so often and otherwise attempting to shake off Simon's cold reception whenever he caught the older man on a bad day.

The two Geordies were a much more reliable source of fun – usually.

From a distance, even they looked fed up as they clambered out of the car, ducking beneath an umbrella between them and hurrying along together with their usual entourage following swiftly behind them.

Stephen turned around to the BGMT producer and wrinkled his nose, not particularly wanting to get on Ant and Dec's nerves on the first day of filming given Simon's apparent annoyance already.

"Best to wait until we're inside?" he asked hopefully, sighing when he was met with a shaking head.

"Just a short interview."

He bit back the urge to argue that was easier said than done, resigning himself to spending the rest of the day being glowered at from the other side of the stage. He knew they'd both get over standing in the rain for five minutes but still approached them more than a little sheepishly.

"Morning."

"Stevie!" Ant grinned, turning quickly to greet him and forcing Dec to follow so he didn't get left out in the rain. When the older man did, he beamed equally as widely and they were both quick to hug Stephen beneath the duelling umbrellas.

Stephen's hesitance evaporated, leaving behind only some baffled helplessness directed towards himself. Of course, they wouldn't have shaken him off like that. They never did.

(*~*)

2.    A hug goodbye/good night (AD)

It happened every evening.

Regardless of whether or not they'd had one of their rare arguments.

No matter how tired both of them were.

They could have been silent for the entire drive home, lost in their own thoughts, but as soon as the car pulled up in front of one of their houses, one would undo their seatbelt and slide across into the middle seat.

It was normally Dec's house first. He'd move over and Ant would stop whatever he was doing; look away from the window or his phone; and smile warmly. In the gloom of the early evening, it was sometimes hard to tell what his expression was doing but Dec didn't need to see it. He always looked the same.