Without You

26. I'm Best with You

A/N - OK, folks, this is a *long* one. I'm updating slightly earlier since I have midterms the next two days, along with a bunch of business appointments. Writing is flowing much better now, so I *might* be able to do slightly more frequent updates *if* time allows...But don't hold your breath! 😉😂 Thank you for all of the support, as always - I appreciate it very, very much!! 💕

Ant swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand as Takeaway came back on air, sucking in a shaky breath. He'd been brokenly shedding bitter tears, mourning the loss of his and Dec's career, and possibly even their friendship. Things had been slightly strained the last time the two of them had been together. Even though Dec had been his ever-loving and caring self, there had been definite unmentioned tensions between them. And it was obvious Dec still cared about him and seemingly needed him – everything that had gone on over the past week strongly suggested that, at least – but Ant wasn't stupid. He knew he had broken the most important aspect of their relationship with his irresponsible actions: trust.

Always, always, they had implicitly trusted each other, going way back to the very start of their friendship. But how could Dec ever trust him again after being repeatedly lied to and then betrayed in the worst possible way? No, it just didn't seem possible they could ever quite regain what Ant had so recklessly destroyed. And sure, Dec was being supportive, but that was just how Dec was. It could only be a matter of time before he got sick of cleaning up Ant's messes and being his only true friend in life...And Ant knew he couldn't blame him if he decided to call time on their friendship. He deserved to be shunned and discarded, even by his best friend.

Another tear fell to the floor as Craig David sang yet again, "When I'm with you, magic, ooh, magic," and Dec came back onto his screen. It was time for "Singalong Live." The Rembrandts. Ant unconsciously held his breath as Dec welcomed the band to the stage. There was no way they could possibly be singing the "Friends" theme – ITV would never agree to it, and why on earth would Dec even want them to sing it in the first place? It had always sort of been "their" song – they both loved it and it described their relationship so well. Over the nearly 30 years they'd known each other, they'd always been there for each other no matter what. Shame he had to go and ruin that...

Ant gasped as The Rembrandts confirmed what they would be singing: "I'll be There for You." This was madness.

"Here we go, then, with 'I'll be There for You', it's The Rembrandts. Let's sing along live!"

Ant's already red-rimmed eyes filled with tears yet again as a hint of a warm smile ghosted across Dec's face and a deeply familiar, fond tone filled his voice for a brief moment as he voiced the name of the song. The momentary loving spark in Dec's eyes hadn't gone unnoticed, either, leaving Ant in bits before the song had even started. Dec had just told him, in his own quiet way, that the meaning behind this song was absolutely genuine. None of that had been faked...And it had all been directed straight at him.

Quiet sobs shook Ant's body as the familiar tune struck home deep in his wounded heart and mind.

"Your mother warned you there'd be days like these,

But she didn't tell you when the world,

Has brought you down to your knees,

I'll be there for you,

When the rain starts to pour,

I'll be there for you,

'Cause you're there for me, too."