Ant and Dec One Shots

On The Outside Looking In

Ant sat slumped on his couch, barely noticing the time slipping away as he scrolled aimlessly through his phone. His heart tightened as picture after picture of Stephen and Dec flashed across the screen. They were out again, laughing over fancy cocktails, arms draped around each other, their grins wide and effortless. Their friendship, their bond-it seemed so natural, so close, and he couldn't help but feel the painful distance growing between them. The realisation twisted inside him, sharp and unforgiving. He wasn't even sure when it had started-weeks, maybe months-but he'd somehow found himself on the outside looking in, like a stranger peering into a world he used to belong to.

He replayed conversations in his mind, trying to pinpoint the exact moment he'd lost his place. Dec was his best friend, his anchor, and Stephen had been a welcome addition to their lives. But now... now, it was as if he was little more than an afterthought. The invitations had tapered off gradually, and soon enough, they stopped coming altogether. At first, it had only been the big outings, but now even the smallest, most casual plans didn't include him. He'd see their photos on social media, read their shared inside jokes, and feel the sting of memories they hadn't thought to share with him. They were moving on without him, and he was fading into the background.

The silence around him grew heavier each day, and he felt himself retreating, both intentionally and instinctively. He became quieter, blending into the edges of conversations, his voice barely breaking through the laughter that came so easily between Dec and Stephen. On the rare occasions they were all together, Ant forced a smile, nodding along as they recounted stories he hadn't been a part of. He stopped trying to join in, the words catching in his throat as he watched Dec and Stephen effortlessly connect, each glance between them a reminder of what he'd lost.

The ache gnawed at him, tightening his chest every time he saw them together. He hardly slept, each night spent wide awake, staring at the ceiling, his mind spinning with worry and self-doubt. He barely ate; the thought of food brought no comfort, and his once-full appetite faded to a distant memory. He found himself losing weight, his clothes looser, his reflection hollow-eyed and worn. But when he looked at Dec and Stephen, their laughter filling the room, he'd force a tired smile and say he was fine. They'd ask, sometimes, if he was okay, and he'd laugh it off, claiming he was just tired. They never questioned it, never noticed the way his smile faltered or the shadows under his eyes.

One night, Ant sat alone in his flat, the quiet so thick it felt suffocating. He scrolled through Twitter out of habit, only to stumble upon comments that cut deeper than he'd expected.

"Why's Ant not around as much anymore? Dec and Stephen look like they're having a great time, but it's not the same without him."

"Anyone else feel like Ant's being left out? It just feels wrong."

Each comment was like a knife to his heart, carving out the fears he'd tried so hard to ignore. People noticed. It wasn't just in his head. The tears he'd held back for weeks finally spilled over, hot and relentless, and he barely had the strength to wipe them away. He was losing them-his best friend, his sense of belonging-and it hurt more than he could put into words.

The next day, Dec and Stephen showed up to rehearse, as casual and relaxed as always, trading jokes and stories that Ant only half-heard. He sat on the edge of the couch, their voices blending into a hum that blurred around him. Dec nudged him, his voice filled with that familiar, easy warmth.

"Ant, you alright? You've been a bit quiet lately."

Ant forced a hollow laugh, waving it off. "Yeah, mate. Just... tired."

Dec smiled, accepting it without question, and turned back to Stephen, their laughter resuming almost instantly. Ant sat there, feeling smaller and more invisible than ever, as if he were little more than an afterthought in his own life.

The days dragged on, each one a little darker than the last. He started avoiding them more, declining invitations with vague excuses, each "No thanks" adding another brick to the wall he was building around himself. He barely left his flat except for work, his world shrinking to the walls of his empty home. Food remained untouched in the fridge; his bed stayed neatly made, the sheets barely disturbed. He was a ghost in his own life, drifting through the days without purpose or connection.

One night, as Dec and Stephen chatted about their weekend plans, Ant's heart broke a little more.

"Think I'll just stay in," he mumbled, not even looking up.

Dec gave him a surprised glance. "You sure, mate? You're welcome to come along."

Ant forced a smile, shaking his head. "Nah, you two go have fun."

And with that, another piece of his heart slipped away, lost in the gap between them.

The breaking point came weeks later. They were at Dec's flat, planning the week's schedule, and Ant sat on the couch, his fingers digging into his knees, a dull ache settling in his chest. He watched as Dec and Stephen leaned into each other, laughing over something he hadn't caught. He could feel the pressure building, the weight of weeks of loneliness and heartbreak pressing down on him. Before he knew it, the words were spilling out, raw and unfiltered.

"Do you two even care about me anymore?"

Silence fell instantly, Dec and Stephen looking up in shock.

"Ant," Dec murmured, reaching for him. "What are you talking about?"

Ant's voice cracked, his hands trembling. "I feel like... like you don't need me. You're always together, laughing, making plans, and I'm just... here. Alone."

Stephen's face softened, a look of guilt flashing in his eyes. "Mate, we didn't mean to shut you out."

Ant shook his head, his voice breaking as the tears finally spilled over. "It doesn't matter if you meant to. It happened. I feel like I don't belong anymore, like I'm invisible to both of you."

Dec took a step forward, his voice thick with emotion. "Ant, you're my best friend. I'd be lost without you. I never wanted to make you feel like this."

Ant sank back onto the couch, burying his face in his hands as sobs shook his shoulders. In an instant, Dec and Stephen were beside him, wrapping their arms around him, holding him tightly.

"We're so sorry," Stephen whispered, his voice choked. "We got caught up, but we never stopped caring about you."

Ant let out a shuddering breath, nodding as he clung to them. "I just... I didn't know how much longer I could take it. I felt so forgotten."

Dec hugged him tighter, his own tears glistening. "You're the most important person in my life, Ant. I'm so sorry we made you feel this way."

They stayed wrapped around each other, the silence full of unsaid words and broken hearts slowly mending. In that moment, held by his best friends, Ant felt the darkness begin to lift, replaced by the warmth and love he'd thought he'd lost.