Ant stood a good distance back from the grave while Decs family said their final goodbyes.He wasn't surprised that Dec was the last person to walk away.He watched him sadly,the look of loss and devastation so plain to see on his anguished features.Even though Dec was the last one there,Ant had noticed his reluctance to actually look at the grave.

With a sigh he made his way over just as Dec was making his way towards the church.

"Dec" he quickly called out before he got swallowed up in the assembled crowd.

"Oh hey,I was just coming to find you" Dec announced turning around.

"How are you doing?" Ant enquired concerned

"Ok,I guess" Dec replied sadly "a bit numb and totally drained,I feel like I could just fall asleep right here,right now"

"I'm not surprised" Ant smiled "it must have been exhausting but you did so well,I'm proud of you and so would your dad be"

"Yeah" Dec tearfully agreed "but it's not over yet"

"Yeah I know" Ant knew Dec would find the wake almost as hard as the funeral.

"It's just going to be very testing to have to socialise with everyone right now" Dec whispered "but I don't have any choice,it's expected of me,if Mam and everyone else can do it then why can't I?"

Tears were now flowing pitifully down Decs tender cheeks once again.

Ant pulled him into his arms

"Hey,of course you can do it,no one said it was going to be easy.We've said goodbye to your dad and now it's time to give him the best send off ever.He would have loved that wouldn't he?A good old Irish knees up and plenty of Guinness"

"Yeah he would" Dec laughed as he pulled back from the hug "I know you're right and I know I'm being silly,it's just the thought of making pleasantries with distant relatives I barely know or haven't seen for years just seems like such hard work right now,sometimes being the confident,chatty one can actually be a curse"

Ant totally understood where Dec was coming from.He took it for granted that Dec would often do the talking and joking for both of them throughout their career,knowing how happy Dec was to do that,he was a natural talker and people were always drawn to him.On the other hand Ant could often unintentionally come across as moody,miserable and unapproachable when it was in fact just his shyness getting the better of him.

Thinking about it now,Ant realised he hardly ever gave that a second thought,how hard it must be for Dec,after all even the most confident of people must have times where they just don't feel like talking or socialising,times when they just feel low.He made a mental note to himself to talk to Dec about this once he began to come to terms with his loss!

"You're not being silly" Ant assured him "the way you're feeling is totally understandable,but I know you can do this,I'll be by your side the whole time and I'll help get you through,come on,they'll be waiting for you"

"I'm just worried about Mam" Dec added

"She'll be ok pal" Ant replied "she's got lots of people around her who love her and will look out for her and we can stay up here a bit longer if you want to?"

"I guess" Dec sighed

Ant placed a comforting arm around Decs shoulder and slowly led him towards where everyone was gathered outside the church.

There were now smiles on peoples faces as they all mingled,before getting into their respective vehicles.Ant had offered for Dec to come in his car to drive to the local pub where the wake was being held,but Dec was afraid this would upset Anne so declined,It was only a relatively short drive anyway so it didn't really matter whose car he went in,although both Ant and Dec knew that short twenty minute respite would probably have done Dec the world of good!

At the pub,it was just as Dec had expected.Ant did his best to try and build a protective wall around him by making sure he and Decs siblings were sat either side of him but inevitably,people wanted a piece of him.It made Ant sad that even Decs own extended family wouldn't give him a break but also knew it wasn't their fault.That's what happens at funerals,people catch up with family they haven't seen for ages so why would this one be any different?he just felt so sad for Dec knowing how much he was struggling but trying to put on a brave face.

But he also knew his Decky,and he was pretty confident that after a couple of drinks,he would start to relax and unwind a bit,which is exactly what Dec needed at that precise moment and exactly what happened!

After a few pints Ant knew Dec was slightly tipsy but he thought that was probably a good thing.Even if he got totally rat arsed,it was no doubt what he needed,he could worry about the inevitable hangover when it arrived.For now Ant was happy to see him willingly start conversations with people who were even making him laugh.Ant chuckled to himself as he heard what he always affectionately called 'the happiest sound on TV' Dec was blessed with the most adorable laugh Ant had ever heard,he and the nation loved it!

Throughout the rest of the day and late into the evening,many drinks were drunk and songs sung in Fonseys honour.

The landlord,of the pub,Mike,had said they could all stay as late as they liked,he too had been devastated at the loss of his regular customer.Anne and Fonsey had frequented his establishment at least once a week since the kids were small,usually on a sunday afternoon where they would all sit in the beer garden,weather permitting and the youngest kids would be treated to a coke and a packet of crisps while the older ones and Anne and Fonsey would sip on their alcoholic beverages,or knock them back as was often the case where Martin was concerned,which always earned him a rather stern telling off from Anne.

This was a weekly tradition that they all loved and even after all the kids had all left home,Anne and Fonsey would carry it on religiously,it was sadly only Fonseys failing health that eventually put a stop to it!

By midnight,most people had left to make their way home or to nearby hotels.Only Anne,Decs siblings,Ant and Dec were left sitting around the large,circular table.

Mike kept a respectable distance,quietly drying glasses and wiping beer stained surfaces while giving the family their obviously much yearned for privacy after such a difficult day.

"To Dad" Partricia announced,raising her glass "may he rest in peace and always be looking down on each and every one of us from up above and be a guardian angel to all of us"

"Not to mention causing havoc up there" Martin chimed in.

Everyone laughed "To Dad" they all repeated and raised their glasses.

They soon all decided it was time to leave and let Mike get to bed!

"Are you coming back Decky?" Anne enquired "or going back to the hotel?"

"Do you want me to come back Mam?I don't want you to be on your own" Dec stated.

"Sweetheart I won't be on my own,Martin and Eammon are staying all week remember?if you want to go back to the hotel,that's absolutely fine with me,I'd imagine you'll want to spend some time with Anthony?" Anne smiled at her youngest child sadly,she knew he was suffering just as much as she was,but as usual,he was attempting to put on a brave face for her sake.

"Oh yeah,silly me" Dec shook his head at his own forgetfulness "ok Mam,the hotel would be good,I'll see you tomorrow though and every day until we go back to London"

He hugged her tightly before doing the same to his brothers and sisters and Ant did the same.They both then climbed into a taxi and made their way to the sanctuary of the quiet hotel on the outskirts of town.

Ant looked at Dec slumped in the back of the cab,he looked absolutely exhausted and Ant knew exactly what he needed.

"Come here" He held his arm out and Dec slid along the back seat and got comfortable snuggled up against Ant,safe and warm as Ant held him all the way to the hotel,stroking his arm reassuringly and resting his chin on Decs head!

It was literally no more than five minutes before Ant heard gentle snores coming from the head burying itself deeper into his chest.He gently stroked his fingers through his hair and kissed his head.Ant also felt totally drained and exhausted from the days events but there was no way in the world he was going to let that show to Dec.If there was one time he needed to step up and be there for his best friend,this day was it and he could only hope and pray that he had succeeded in the task and been the comfort and support to Dec that he desperately hoped he had been and that Dec had very obviously needed!

He felt bad that he had to wake Dec up when they arrived at the hotel,it had barely taken Dec a few minutes to fall into a deep sleep in his arms.

Ant always envied Dec that particular talent,if that's what you could call it?Insomnia was definitely no fun as Ant knew only too well!

"Decky,we're here,come on sleepy head,let's get you to bed" Ant gently cajoled.

Dec stretched slightly and reluctantly got up from his comfortable position in Ants arms and slowly climbed out of the taxi.Ant placed a protective arm around him once again as the cab drove away and Dec leant practically all his weight against Ant as they walked towards the hotel entrance.

Ant kissed his head "God you really are shattered aren't you?poor lad,and probably a bit pissed too"

Ant helped Dec to the separate hotel room he'd booked,knowing he would probably appreciate some alone time.

Dec immediately flopped onto the bed fully clothed,so Ant began the familiar task of undressing him and getting him into bed.This was a favour they'd done for each other many,many times over after one or four too many drinks over the years.

Once he had got Dec into his pyjamas,he kissed his forehead,turned off the bedside lamp and made his way towards the door.

"Stay?" Dec mumbled

Ant was surprised,Dec had been totally out of it while he had been getting him ready for bed.

"What?I thought you were asleep" he smiled as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Please stay" Dec repeated "I just don't want to be alone"

"Of course" Ant agreed "I'll just get ready for bed,then I'll be back"

He went off to his room and got his pyjamas and toothbrush.Once ready for bed,he climbed into the king size bed alongside an apparently sleeping Declan.

They both loved that they were so comfortable with each other and their sexuality,that they had absolutely no problem sharing a bed or cuddling up to each other should the situation call for it.It was an important part of their friendship that they could do this and it meant nothing more,nothing less than how much two men loved and adored their best friend and wanted to be there for each other in their times of need!

Dec was laying on his side,facing away from Ant.

"Thank you" he whispered

Ant was surprised once again that Dec was actually awake.

"What for?" He modestly enquired

Dec rolled over to face Ant

"For being here,for holding me when I needed it,for being an amazing friend,I really do appreciate it,I know I couldn't have got through today without you,I love you Ant"

Ant smiled "I love you too Decky and you're very welcome,you know I'd do anything for you"

Ant kissed his forehead again "today has really taken it out of you hasn't it?You did so well though,i know how hard it was for you.I'm so proud of you for how you handled everything.Now you get some sleep and I'll be here for you if you need me"

He watched as Dec immediately drifted off into a deep sleep.

"Goodnight" he whispered to his sleeping buddy.

He was glad today was over with but he was worried about Dec.

He was extremely worried!