Ant and Dec One Shots

Insecurity Reassurance

The past few days had felt a little different for Ant. It wasn't that anything had changed between him, Dec, and Stephen - at least, not in any obvious way. But there was something in the air, something he couldn't quite put his finger on, and it had begun to eat at him.

Stephen had always been a little brother to both of them, a constant source of joy and laughter. But lately, it seemed like the bond between Stephen and Dec had deepened even further. They'd been spending more time together, laughing at inside jokes, sharing little moments of closeness that made Ant feel like he was on the outside. It wasn't anything intentional. Stephen didn't mean to pull away from him, and Dec surely didn't want to make him feel excluded. But still, the ache was there, and Ant couldn't ignore it.

On the third night in a row of staying in, turning down their offers to join them for dinner, Ant sat on his couch in his flat, feeling a wave of loneliness wash over him. He hadn't been this unsure of things in a long time. His relationship with Dec had always been rock-solid, best friends through thick and thin, and Stephen had always been an important part of their dynamic. But now, it felt like he was losing both of them, and that terrified him.

Dec noticed it immediately. The way Ant had been pulling back, the slight shift in his usual upbeat mood, the way he'd turned down every invitation to dinner or a quick hangout. Something was off, and it didn't take long for Dec to realise what it was.

"Ant's been acting strange, hasn't he?" Stephen said one evening as they were sitting on the couch together, enjoying a quiet moment after a long day of work.

"Yeah," Dec replied, glancing over at Stephen. "I'm worried about him. He's been distant for a few days now, and I don't know how to get him back."

Stephen frowned, his heart sinking a little. "He's not... mad at me, is he?"

"No," Dec assured him quickly. "It's not like that. I think he's just... I don't know... maybe feeling a bit left out?"

"Left out?" Stephen echoed. "But I didn't mean to-"

"I know," Dec said softly. "I think it's just that you and I have been spending a lot of time together, and he might be feeling a little... I don't know, forgotten? It's hard to explain."

Stephen looked down, a little hurt that he might have contributed to Ant's feelings of being left out. "I didn't mean to push him away."

"I know, mate. Neither did I." Dec sighed, rubbing his face in frustration. "But I'm going to fix this. I'm going to talk to him."

Later that night, after Stephen had gone to bed, Dec made his way to Ant's flat. The familiar feeling of worry gnawed at his gut, but he knew this conversation had to happen. Ant was his best friend, and if something was bothering him, Dec wasn't going to just let it slide.

He knocked lightly on the door, and after a brief moment, Ant's voice came from inside. "Yeah?"

"Ant, it's me," Dec called out softly. "Can I come in?"

There was a long pause, but finally, the door opened. Ant stood in the doorway, looking a little worn out, his eyes tired and distant. "Dec," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "What's up?"

Dec stepped inside, his expression softening as he looked at his best friend. "I've been thinking about you, mate. You've been quiet the past few days, and I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

"I'm fine," Ant muttered, stepping away from the door. "Just... tired, you know?"

Dec followed him inside, his heart heavy. "I don't think it's just tiredness, Ant. You've been pulling away from me and Stephen. I can tell something's wrong."

Ant sighed, running a hand through his hair as he sat down on the couch. "It's nothing, Dec. Just... maybe I've been feeling a little... left out, I guess. I don't know. You two seem to be getting closer, and I don't know where that leaves me."

Dec's heart hurt hearing the words come out of Ant's mouth. He walked over and sat down beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Ant, I'm sorry if it's been making you feel that way. That was never my intention, and I'm sure it wasn't Stephen's either. But you're not losing me. You'll never lose me, mate. You're my best friend. You always have been. You always will be."

Ant looked at him, his eyes slightly wide as if unsure whether to believe the words. "But... I've been feeling like I'm the third wheel lately. Like maybe you two don't need me as much anymore."

"That's not true at all," Dec said firmly, shaking his head. "Stephen's amazing, and I love having him around. But that doesn't change anything about you and me. You're the person who's been with me through everything, Ant. Through the good, the bad, the embarrassing, and the ridiculous. You're my best mate, and that'll never change."

A lump formed in Ant's throat as Dec's words sank in, and for the first time in days, the heaviness in his chest began to lift. "I don't want to lose you, Dec," he admitted quietly. "I don't want things to change."

"They won't change," Dec said softly, pulling him into a tight hug. "I'm not going anywhere. You and me? We've been through it all. And nothing's ever going to change that."

Ant closed his eyes, letting himself relax into the embrace, feeling the warmth of Dec's reassurance. He wasn't losing his best friend. Not now, not ever.

"Thanks, mate," Ant whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I needed to hear that."

"Anytime, Ant," Dec replied, his voice just as soft. "Anytime."

They sat there for a long while, just holding each other, knowing that no matter what happened, they would always have each other. The bond between them was unbreakable, and that was something nothing - not even their growing friendship with Stephen - could ever change.

And with that, Ant felt a sense of peace wash over him, knowing that he was still just as important to Dec as he ever had been.