Ant and Dec One Shots

The Shifting Sands Of Friendship

The early autumn sun filtered through the tall trees lining the park where Ant and Stephen strolled side by side, their laughter echoing in the crisp air. It had become a regular occurrence for the pair to spend time together outside of work, a bond that seemed to strengthen with each outing. They joked and teased, developing an array of inside jokes that only the two of them understood. As they made plans for a weekend away-an impromptu adventure full of late-night chats and new experiences-Ant couldn't help but feel exhilarated. But unbeknown to them, a shadow was forming in the background, cast by their newfound closeness.

Meanwhile, Dec watched from afar, his heart heavy with an unfamiliar sense of isolation. At first, he tried to brush it off, telling himself that friendships naturally ebb and flow, that Ant and Stephen were just going through a phase. But as the weeks rolled on, and the laughter shared between Ant and Stephen became more frequent, Dec felt more like an outsider in a friendship that once included him completely. Their late-night texts, the spontaneous gatherings, and the shared glances left him feeling like a third wheel, alone in the dark while his friends basked in each other's light.

Dec began to withdraw, his usual vibrancy dimming to a flicker. He found it hard to focus on rehearsals, the jokes shared among the trio now feeling like whispers from a different world. He stopped making the effort to join in conversations, opting for silence instead. Even during lunch breaks, when he would once thrive on banter, he now pushed food around on his plate, struggling to find the point in eating. The spark that once defined him began to fade, leaving a shadow of the person he used to be.

Ant noticed the change first. There was something in Dec's eyes-a dullness, a sadness-that pulled at his heart. He would ask, "Are you alright, mate?" but Dec would simply deflect, throwing a weak smile in response, as if that could mask the growing concern in Ant's chest.

One day, during rehearsals, the pressure became too much. Dec stumbled, feeling the ground tilt beneath him. Before he could register what was happening, he collapsed straight into Ant's waiting arms. Panic surged through Ant as he lowered Dec gently to the floor, the medic rushing over as murmurs of concern rippled through the crew.

"Stay with me, Dec," Ant whispered, brushing hair from Dec's forehead as he lay there, eyes fluttering. The medic quickly assessed the situation, nudging Dec to take sips of water and nibble on energy bars to stabilise his blood sugar. As the haze began to lift, Dec felt Ant's steady presence beside him, grounding him in a world that felt increasingly chaotic.

Once they were back in their dressing room, the door shut against the world outside, Ant's worry turned to determination. "What's going on with you, Dec? You can talk to me," he urged, his voice low and filled with concern.

Dec looked down, ashamed, the silence stretching painfully. "I don't know, Ant," he finally admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "It's just... everything feels different. I feel left out."

Ant's heart sank. "You're not left out, Dec. You're family. You're always a part of us."

Dec sighed, "I know. But it doesn't feel that way. I miss you, mate."

Before Ant could respond, Stephen walked in, concern etched across his features. "I heard what happened. I'm so sorry, Dec," he said, his voice laced with regret. "I never meant for things to come between us."

Dec nodded, feeling a flicker of warmth at Stephen's sincerity. "It's alright. I just... I feel like I lost something important."

"Let's fix this," Stephen said, stepping forward. "We need to make an effort to include you, Dec. You matter to us."

From that moment on, Ant and Stephen made a conscious effort to draw Dec back into their lives. Ant arrived at Dec's house every morning an hour early, armed with breakfast and a heart full of concern. They would eat together, with Ant gently nudging Dec to open up about his feelings, always ensuring his friend felt safe and supported.

It took weeks, but slowly, the flicker of Dec's spark began to grow brighter. One afternoon, Dec approached Ant, who was setting up for another round of rehearsals. Without a word, he enveloped Ant in a tight hug, feeling the warmth and security that had been missing for so long. "Thank you for always being there for me," Dec murmured, his voice muffled against Ant's shoulder.

Ant smiled, relief flooding through him. "I'll always be here, Dec. You're my best mate, and that won't change."

Feeling lighter, Dec turned to seek out Stephen. He found him in his dressing room, looking a little lost himself. "Hey, can we talk?" Dec asked, taking a seat across from him.

Stephen looked up, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "I didn't mean to come between you and Ant. I thought... maybe I was the problem."

Dec shook his head, his heart swelling with affection. "You're not the problem, Stephen. You mean so much to both of us. I still love you, and nothing can change that. We just need to be honest with each other and make sure we all feel included."

Stephen's face softened, the tension easing. "I don't want to lose either of you," he said, his voice earnest.

"You won't. I promise." Dec reached out, squeezing Stephen's hand. "We're a team. Always."

As they sat together, talking through their feelings, Dec felt a sense of hope begin to bloom. In that moment, surrounded by his friends, he knew that while the sands of their friendship might shift, the foundation of love and support would always remain steady. Together, they would navigate this new chapter, stronger and closer than ever.