Ant and Dec One Shots

Struggles

The past few months had been filled with laughter and endless plans between Dec and Stephen, who had grown closer than ever. They were inseparable, spending nearly every free moment together. Ant was happy for them but couldn't shake a gnawing feeling of loneliness. As Dec and Stephen made plans without him, Ant began to feel like a third wheel, slipping further into the background. His appetite dwindled, sleep became rare, and he felt like he was on the outside looking in, invisible to his closest friends.

It came to a breaking point during a live show. Ant, weakened from days without proper food, water, or sleep, felt his vision blur as the lights dimmed around him. Then everything went black.

When he opened his eyes, he was backstage, slumped on a couch with Dec and Stephen hovering over him, both of them ashen with worry. He could hear Dec's voice, thick with concern, urging him to drink some water, but Ant couldn't bring himself to meet his gaze. They asked if he was okay, begged him to tell them what was going on, but Ant just deflected with a sarcastic, "Oh, so now I'm worth paying attention to?"

His words stunned them into silence. He took a shaky breath, his bitterness bubbling up. "You know, if it were you," he said, looking at Dec, "I would have noticed something was wrong immediately. But you didn't care enough to see it. Not once. I mean, your family even checks on me daily." As if on cue, his phone buzzed, breaking the silence. It was Moira, one of Dec's sisters, calling out of concern after seeing him collapse.

Ant answered, his voice lighter than he felt, putting on a reassuring act for Moira's sake. "I'm fine, Moira, really," he said, glancing at Dec as he spoke. "I finally got noticed by your brother here." Dec's face crumpled with guilt, his expression sinking as Ant ended the call.

When he turned back, Ant softened, sensing Stephen's discomfort. "It's okay," he said gently. "I've been spiralling for a while, but it's not your fault, either of you."

Stephen, wide-eyed and shaken, blurted out a heartfelt apology, his voice thick with guilt. He blamed himself for not noticing, for all the time they'd spent together while Ant was left behind. Ant reached out and squeezed his shoulder. "Really, I'm alright, Stephen," he murmured. "You both just got a little caught up. It happens."

Stephen nodded, though remorse lingered on his face, and he gave Ant's arm a gentle pat before quietly leaving the room to give the two best friends some privacy.

Left alone, Dec looked at Ant, struggling to keep his composure. He swallowed hard, but the flood of guilt was too strong, and tears began to fill his eyes. He tried to blink them away, but he couldn't hold it in. His voice trembled, thick with regret. "I should have seen it, Ant. You're my best friend. I don't know how I let this happen... I feel terrible. I can't believe I treated you like this. I'm so sorry."

The words came out in a choked whisper, and Dec's shoulders shook as he tried to hold back his tears. But he couldn't-he hadn't realised how deeply he'd hurt Ant until that moment, and it overwhelmed him.

Seeing Dec like this broke Ant's heart. He'd felt so alone, so unimportant to the people he cared about most. But hearing Dec's sorrow, seeing him genuinely devastated, softened Ant's anger. With a soft sigh, he pulled Dec into a tight embrace, holding him as he cried.

"Hey, don't talk about yourself like that," Ant murmured, rubbing Dec's back. "You're here now, and that's what matters. You're not a bad friend. You're my best friend, and nothing changes that."

Dec's tears only flowed harder. "I feel like I failed you, Ant. I didn't check in-I didn't even realize something was wrong. All those times you were struggling, and I was... I was just off with Stephen like you didn't matter. I'm so sorry," he said, his voice breaking. "You deserved better than that. Better than me."

Ant pulled back slightly to look Dec in the eyes. "Dec, you're here now, and that's all I need. I know you didn't mean to make me feel this way. I know you care-you've always cared. I'm just... I was just struggling, that's all. We all have times when things get hard, and I just happened to have mine without telling anyone."

Dec bit his lip, wiping his eyes as Ant gently cupped his shoulder. "I'm going to be okay," Ant said softly, his voice full of reassurance. "And I know you're going to be there for me."

Dec managed a small, shaky smile, but he still looked at Ant, his brow furrowed in concern. "But are you really going to be okay? I can't help but worry. I don't want to let you down again."

Ant chuckled softly, his voice warm. "I know you won't let me down. You never have, not really. I know you'll be there, because that's who you are, Dec. My best mate. You just got a little caught up. And believe me, I get it."

Dec nodded, but the weight of his guilt still lingered. "I just... I just want you to know how much you mean to me. I don't think I've said it enough."

They held each other for a long time, allowing the silence to fill with all the unspoken words, all the love and loyalty they'd never needed to say aloud before. They both knew they'd come out of this closer, stronger, because even when they faltered, their bond never truly broke.

Over the next few months, Dec and Stephen made a concerted effort to make Ant feel loved and included. They checked on him, took him out on small adventures, and spent quiet evenings as a trio, reminding him he was cherished. Dec continued to reassure him, repeating how much he valued him, and Stephen made sure to show up for Ant whenever he needed someone.

One evening, as they were winding down after a long day, Dec pulled Ant aside and wrapped him in a tight hug. "Are you really doing better?" he asked, his voice a mix of hope and lingering guilt. "I can't shake how awful I feel for letting you go through all of that alone."

Ant smiled, squeezing him back. "Dec, you don't need to keep apologising. I wouldn't be doing better if it weren't for you."

Dec let out a relieved sigh, finally allowing himself to let go of the guilt. They stood there for a long moment, just grateful for each other, knowing that no matter what, they'd always come back to one another.