Ant and Dec One Shots

Friendship Shift And Isolation

Ant and Stephen had always shared an easy camaraderie. Their bond, forged over years of working together, had always been strong. But recently, something had shifted. Between shoots, on lunch breaks, even after work, Ant found himself spending more and more time with Stephen. They'd chat about everything, share jokes, reminisce, or talk about plans for the future. It felt like they were two peas in a pod, always in sync.

Dec, however, began to feel a growing sense of distance from his two closest friends. At first, it was subtle-a shared laugh between Ant and Stephen, a lingering conversation that didn't seem to include him. As the days went on, the feeling deepened. It felt as if they'd built a little world for just the two of them, leaving Dec on the outside, looking in.

He tried to join in, to reconnect with the trio, but every effort seemed to fall flat, met with half-hearted responses or distracted attention. Ant and Stephen remained in their own bubble, leaving Dec to withdraw further.

Days turned into weeks, and the spark that usually lit Dec's eyes began to fade. His meals became sparse, and he rarely slept through the night. Instead, he lay awake, replaying every laugh, every moment that made him feel like an outsider. Food lost its appeal, and he couldn't bring himself to speak up. They didn't need to worry about him. After all, they had each other.

One evening, after a particularly long shoot, Dec felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. He'd barely eaten all day, and fatigue hung heavy over him. As he walked across the set, his legs buckled, and he collapsed. The crash was enough to send Ant and Stephen rushing over, their faces pale with worry.

"Dec! Dec, are you okay?" Ant's voice shook with panic as he knelt by Dec's side. Stephen's face mirrored the worry, his hand reaching out to steady Dec.

In that moment, it hit them both just how much pain Dec had been hiding. His face was pale, his frame looked fragile, and his eyes held a sadness they hadn't seen before. Ant and Stephen helped him to a quiet room, their hands trembling as they guided him to sit down.

"Dec, what's going on? You've been so quiet lately," Ant asked, his voice barely above a whisper, but heavy with worry.

"I'm fine," Dec muttered, his voice faint. He tried to smile, but his expression betrayed the sadness he felt.

Ant knelt in front of him, his hands gently resting on Dec's shoulders. "No, you're not fine. You've been distant, and I should've noticed sooner. We've missed you, Dec."

Stephen sat beside him, resting a hand on Dec's shoulder, his thumb gently tracing circles to offer comfort. But Dec shook his head, tears finally slipping down his cheeks. "You don't need me. You two are... you're happy together. And I just... I don't belong anymore."

Ant's chest tightened. "Dec, you're our brother. I- I never meant to make you feel like this. I didn't see it, and I'm so sorry."

The sincerity in Ant's eyes made Dec's chest ache. He wanted to believe them, but the pain had rooted itself so deeply within him. He looked down, voice breaking. "I didn't want to be a burden. I didn't want to seem weak."

Stephen moved closer, wrapping an arm around Dec, pulling him into a warm, steadying embrace. "You're never a burden, Dec. We care about you so much. You're family."

And with that, Dec let it all out. Months of hurt, loneliness, and the exhaustion of holding it all together poured out in silent sobs. Ant and Stephen held him close, whispering reassurances and soft promises, their touch gentle and unwavering.

In the days that followed, Ant and Stephen became Dec's anchors. They took turns sitting with him at meals, making sure he ate even if it was only a few bites. When he struggled to sleep, they'd stay by his side, just talking or sitting in silence, offering their presence as comfort. Every small act became a reminder of their bond and of the love they shared.

Dec's health took time to recover, and there were days when he still felt the weight of loneliness pressing in. But Ant and Stephen were always there, lifting him back up with their laughter and gentle support.

Months later, as Dec continued his journey back to himself, he felt his heart start to mend. One day after a long day of work, Ant pulled him aside, his voice tinged with guilt and love. "Dec," he began, "I've been thinking about everything. About how I wasn't there for you when you needed me most. I'm so sorry, mate."

Dec looked into Ant's eyes, his own filled with a mixture of forgiveness and lingering pain. "I know, Ant. I'm doing better now. It's okay."

But Ant wasn't done. He wrapped his arms around Dec in a hug so tight, it felt like he was trying to piece together every part of Dec that had been broken. "I love you, mate. I'll be here, every day, making sure you know that. You're my brother."

Dec felt warmth bloom in his chest, a feeling of being truly seen and loved. For the first time in a long time, he felt whole again. "I'm not going anywhere, Ant. I love you too. And... I'm doing better now. It's over."

Ant's smile was filled with relief. "We've got each other, always."

And in that quiet, heartfelt moment, Dec knew it was true. The love and friendship between them were unconditional. It was enough to get through anything.