Ant and Dec One Shots

Dec Feeling Excluded

As the days passed, Ant and Stephen's friendship continued to grow, their bond becoming stronger with every dinner they shared, every drink they had after work, and every inside joke they developed. It was effortless between them, a connection that made both men laugh and feel comfortable. They had developed their own little world, one that left Dec feeling like he was a spectator rather than a participant. He loved both Ant and Stephen, and he'd always cherished their friendship, but lately, he couldn't help feeling left behind. Every time he saw them together, laughing over something only the two of them seemed to understand, it felt like there was a wall between him and the rest of the group.

At first, Dec thought it was just a passing feeling, that maybe he was being overly sensitive. But as the days turned into weeks, he couldn't shake the sense of distance. When Ant invited him to join them for dinner one evening, Dec declined, saying he was too tired. The next time they made plans for drinks after work, he made up another excuse. Soon, he realised that he wasn't just pulling away physically; he was distancing himself emotionally, trying to see if either of them would notice or if he was simply no longer as necessary to their dynamic.

Ant, who had always been so attuned to Dec's mood, felt the shift almost immediately. It was subtle at first-Dec was still there, but something was off. He hadn't been around as much, and when he was, he wasn't quite as present. His usual jokes didn't land the same way, and his warmth, the way he'd always been able to make Ant feel like they were in their own little world, seemed to fade just a bit.

Stephen noticed it too. During one quiet dinner at Ant's place, after Dec had declined another invitation, Stephen leaned in and spoke quietly. "Mate, do you think something's wrong with Dec? He hasn't been himself lately."

Ant frowned, his heart heavy with concern. "Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. It's like he's... slipping away from us. I just don't know what's going on."

Stephen, who had become increasingly close to both of them, gave Ant a look. "Do you think it has anything to do with you and me spending so much time together lately? Maybe he's feeling a little... left out?"

Ant was silent for a moment, processing the thought. "Maybe. But I've tried to include him. I don't want him to feel like he's not part of this. He's my best mate, you know?"

Stephen nodded, understanding the sentiment. "I think you should talk to him. Whatever's going on, it seems like he's not going to tell us unless we ask."

That night, when Stephen finally left, Ant couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to do something, to reach out to Dec. He couldn't bear the thought of losing that connection, the one that had always made them so inseparable.

Later, after a long, quiet evening, Dec and Ant found themselves curled up on the couch together, watching one of their favourite murder mystery shows. It was a ritual they had shared for years, but tonight it felt different. Ant kept glancing at Dec, watching him quietly. Dec, for his part, was lost in thought, trying to fight back the nagging feeling in his chest.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of silence, Dec turned to Ant, his voice soft and hesitant. "Ant... do you still love me?" The words came out unexpectedly, and as soon as he said them, he regretted it.

Ant's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Of course I love you, Dec. Why would you even ask me that?"

Dec shifted uncomfortably, his gaze falling to the floor. "It's just... you and Stephen, you're always together now. And I feel like I'm not really part of things anymore. You've got your inside jokes, your own little world, and I'm not in it the way I used to be. I guess I started to wonder if maybe you didn't need me as much as before."

Ant's heart ached at the vulnerability in Dec's voice. He reached over and gently cupped Dec's face, lifting his gaze so they were looking at each other. "Dec, listen to me," he said, his voice steady and warm. "You are the most important person in my life. You've always been. No matter how much time I spend with anyone else, no one-no one-could ever take your place."

Dec swallowed hard, his throat tight. "But I've felt like I'm being pushed aside. Like you and Stephen have this thing, and I don't fit in."

Ant shook his head, his thumb brushing over Dec's cheek. "I never meant to make you feel like that. I've been so wrapped up in everything with Stephen and work, I forgot how much you mean to me. You're not just my best friend, Dec. You're my other half. You're my soul mate. You're the one I've always turned to. I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you."

Tears welled up in Dec's eyes, his breath shaky. "I didn't want to feel this way, but I guess I got scared. Scared that maybe you'd realise you don't need me as much as you think you do."

Ant leaned in and kissed Dec's forehead, his voice thick with emotion. "I need you, Dec. I need you more than you could ever understand. You've been by my side through everything, and that's never going to change. I promise. You're not just part of my world, Dec-you are my world. Don't ever doubt that."

Dec's heart calmed, his chest feeling lighter with every word. He leaned into Ant, resting his head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry for pulling away. I should have just talked to you sooner."

Ant wrapped his arm around Dec, pulling him even closer. "There's nothing to apologise for. You're my best friend. You don't ever have to worry about being left out, okay? We'll always be a team, no matter what. You and me, we're in this together. Always."

Dec nodded, closing his eyes as he soaked in the comfort of Ant's words, the warmth of his embrace. "Always," he whispered.

They stayed like that for a while, curled up together, the silent promise of their unbreakable bond hanging in the air between them. The show played on in the background, but neither of them was paying attention to it anymore. In that moment, nothing else mattered. They had each other, and that was enough.