Ant and Dec One Shots

It Simply Was

The bustling chaos of Britain's Got Talent was in full swing as the day's auditions stretched into the late afternoon. The judges, seated at their imposing table, watched the whirlwind of activity around them-staff members darting about, adjusting equipment, cuing performers, and managing the waves of audience energy rising and falling with each act. But amidst all the noise and anticipation, one thing was clear: the energy between Ant, Dec, and Stephen was something entirely different, a quiet yet profound force that seemed to resonate just below the surface.

For as long as anyone could remember, Ant, Dec, and Stephen had shared a unique closeness. Their bond, built over decades of shared experiences, transcended words and gestures-it was as though they could feel each other's thoughts, sensing every unspoken word and every shift in each other's moods. They didn't just work together; they moved as one, in a seamless rhythm honed through years of friendship, laughter, and even the occasional heartbreak.

The ambient hum of clattering equipment and the muffled conversations of crew members filled the room, yet, as they sat just beyond the judges' table, the trio seemed almost untouched by the commotion. Each movement was a soft exchange in the language they had created over time. Ant's fingers drummed quietly on his knee, and Dec caught the beat without a word, offering a brief nod that only Stephen would catch. Moments later, Dec moved fluidly through the crowd, returning with a bottle of water cold against his palm. He handed it to Ant, and in one smooth motion, Ant took it with a nod, the silent thank you hidden in the warmth of his gaze. Their movements were so seamless, so effortless, that it felt like watching a familiar dance-the kind where no one needed to lead because every step was instinctive.

Stephen watched, lips curving into a soft smile as he took in the ease between his friends. The simplicity of it warmed him, the way Ant could anticipate Dec's needs with a single glance, or the way Dec's hand would find its way to his back, grounding him in the moment, reminding him he was part of something unbreakable. It was these small gestures that had come to mean so much more than any grand declaration ever could. He felt the weight of their friendship, the unspoken love that was always present, humming quietly beneath the surface, ready to catch him whenever he needed it.

A flicker of longing crossed Stephen's face as he reached for Dec's eyes. Before he could even think to ask, Dec was already rustling through his bag, producing a familiar packet of crisps. Their hands brushed as Dec passed it over, a gesture that spoke of affection and reassurance. Stephen took it, holding Dec's gaze for a moment longer, his playful smirk tempered by the gratitude that shone in his eyes. He knew they didn't need words, yet he found himself savouring every unspoken sentence, every silent promise.

As Stephen munched on the crisps, savouring the salty comfort, he glanced over his shoulder to catch David Walliams watching them with curious eyes. David's brows lifted, and his gaze narrowed, intrigue colouring his expression. Clearing his throat, he leaned forward, his voice breaking through the backstage hum. "You two," he began, his eyes flicking between Ant, Dec, and Stephen, "it's like you have some secret language or something. I mean, I've seen you all together for years, but it's different...you're reading each other's minds now, aren't you?"

The three friends exchanged amused glances, as if sharing an inside joke. Ant's eyes softened as he looked at David, the humour in his expression underpinned by a deeper fondness. "Not a secret language," he chuckled. "Just...a bond. One we've built over years of being together, of learning the small things about each other. You get close to people, and sometimes, you just know."

Stephen's fingers absently traced the edge of his shirt as he added, "It's more than just work. When you share all these moments, from the craziest highs to the lowest lows, you start to feel each other. Ant and Dec are like family to me, like brothers. I don't need them to tell me when something's wrong-I just know."

David blinked, visibly struck by the depth of Stephen's words. He glanced at Ant, then Dec, still visibly curious. "But it's like you're in sync," he pressed, brow furrowing. "How do you not need to talk? I've never seen anything like it. It's...beautiful, honestly."

Ant chuckled again, glancing at Dec as if to gauge his reaction. "It's really not magic or anything mystical. It's years of shared experience, of knowing what the other needs before they say it. Dec knows when I'm thirsty just by the way I sit. Stephen knows when I need a snack by the way I tap my fingers. It's all the little things."

The normally unshakeable Simon Cowell raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "So, you're telling me you two have been so in sync that Stephen picked it up, too? Without even trying?"

Stephen's playful grin softened, a warmth in his eyes that he reserved only for moments like this. "Exactly," he replied, a note of pride in his voice. "It's like a dance. No one has to lead because we all know the steps."

There was a pause, the noise around them fading away as the judges absorbed the quiet magic of the bond they'd just witnessed. Simon cleared his throat, his voice quieter than usual. "Well, that's something you don't see every day. You all are...lucky to have found that."

The trio, as if sensing the gravity of the moment, shared a look-one that carried the weight of years of friendship, of laughter and silence, of every little thing that bound them together. Ant reached over, patting Stephen gently on the shoulder, his hand lingering for a moment longer than necessary. Dec shifted closer, his hand finding its way to Stephen's back, a quiet signal of affection and support.

It wasn't magic. It wasn't some unexplainable force, but a connection that had grown quietly, piece by piece, through small gestures and shared moments. It was love, trust, and an understanding that ran deeper than words.

As the judges finally turned their attention back to the stage, still touched by what they'd witnessed, Ant, Dec, and Stephen settled back into their rhythm. For them, this bond was the most natural thing in the world. It didn't need words. It simply was.