Ant and Dec One Shots

Selfless Realisation

Ant had always let Dec go first. Since they were kids, it was second nature. Dec would light up with excitement over a new toy or a snack, and Ant would step back without a second thought. Seeing Dec's smile, that spark of pure joy, filled him with a sense of happiness he didn't need to chase anywhere else. And over the years, as they grew from boys into young men and then adults, that pattern stayed. He never questioned it.

At a recent fan event, a fan gifted them matching phone cases-one blue, one black. Dec immediately snatched them up with an excited grin, studying each one in his hands, flipping them over and considering how they'd look on his phone. "These are brilliant! Just look at the design, Ant!" Dec beamed, turning to show him.

Ant just smiled, the warmth of Dec's happiness filling him up. "They really are," he agreed softly, not even glancing at the cases in Dec's hands. It didn't matter which one he'd have preferred; Dec was happy, and that was all he needed.

As Dec darted off with both cases, Stephen, who'd been watching from nearby, frowned and nudged Ant. "Mate, you didn't even try to pick one for yourself, did you? You just let him take both."

Ant shrugged with a gentle smile. "I never mind," he replied, his tone soft and unbothered. "Seeing Dec happy like that? That smile of his? It's worth more to me than any little thing. I'd rather go without than have him lose that look on his face. It's been like that since we were kids."

What Ant didn't realise was that Dec had paused at the top of the stairs, just out of sight, and overheard every word. His hand stilled, clutching the phone cases, as his heart squeezed painfully in his chest. He thought back to the countless times Ant had given up things-big and small-for him, without a single complaint. Dec felt his throat tighten as a wash of shame crept over him. He'd been so oblivious, always just... expecting that Ant would go without so that he could be happy.

From that day forward, Dec made a conscious effort to take only what he needed, leaving Ant to have his fair share. Next time they got fan gifts, he only took one and offered the other to Ant without saying a word. Ant, slightly surprised, accepted it but didn't think much of it. But when it happened again and again-Dec carefully selecting just one item and handing the rest over-Ant finally couldn't keep quiet.

"Dec, what's going on?" Ant asked one evening, pulling Dec aside. "Since when do you only pick one thing? Usually, you'd have half a mind to take the whole lot!" he joked lightly, trying to get a smile out of Dec.

Dec's expression, however, was anything but lighthearted. He avoided Ant's gaze, fiddling with his sleeves and swallowing hard. His voice, when he finally spoke, was barely a whisper. "I... I heard you that day," he murmured, his eyes glistening with un-shed tears. "I overheard you telling Stephen... about always letting me have first choice, about how you didn't mind giving up things if it meant I'd be happy."

Ant's expression softened immediately, concern filling his eyes as Dec's voice wavered. "Oh, Dec... you didn't need to worry about that."

"No, Ant, you don't get it," Dec choked, voice cracking as he struggled to hold back his tears. "I never realised... I was so blind. I just took, without even thinking about how it might feel for you. And you-you never said a word. Not once. I was so selfish..." His voice broke completely as he finally looked up at Ant, his eyes shimmering with guilt and remorse.

Without a moment's hesitation, Ant reached out and pulled Dec into a tight embrace, holding him close. Dec clung to him, burying his face in Ant's shoulder as he finally let the tears fall. Ant rubbed soothing circles on his back, feeling the tension melt away as he whispered gentle reassurances. "Hey, shhh... It's alright, Dec. I don't want you beating yourself up over this."

"But I hurt you, Ant," Dec whispered, his voice muffled as he clutched Ant's jumper. "I took and took, and you... you just let me. And all this time, I never thought about what you might have wanted. I'm so sorry."

"Listen to me, Dec," Ant murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Dec's head. "You never hurt me. Not once. I'd rather give up a thousand little things than ever see that smile fade from your face. You're my best friend. There's nothing more important to me than your happiness. That's all I want-to see you smiling, feeling loved, feeling safe."

Dec's grip tightened, his breathing still shaky as he tried to take in Ant's words. "You... you really mean that?" he asked, looking up with red-rimmed eyes.

"Every word," Ant replied, reaching up to gently cup Dec's face, brushing a stray tear away with his thumb. He offered a small, comforting smile. "You're worth it, Dec. Every single time. And if you ever doubt that, I'll remind you as many times as you need."

Dec's lips quivered, and he let out a soft, shaky breath as he leaned into Ant's touch. "You're too good to me, Ant... I don't deserve it."

"Hey," Ant murmured, pulling him close again and resting his cheek against Dec's temple. "You deserve all the happiness in the world. You're my best mate. My brother. And I'd do it all over again, just to see you smile like you did when we were kids."

Dec finally relaxed into Ant's embrace, feeling the guilt and weight of his earlier thoughts melt away. Being held so close, surrounded by Ant's warmth and comfort, he felt safe in a way he couldn't even describe. His head rested on Ant's shoulder, and for a while, they just stayed there, sharing quiet, tender comfort.

After a while, Dec pulled back slightly, wiping at his eyes with a small smile. "Thanks, Ant. For everything. I... I love you, mate."

Ant grinned, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Dec's forehead. "Love you too, Dec. Always." And as he pulled Dec close for one last reassuring hug, he whispered, "Just remember-you don't have to worry about a thing. I'm here for you, no matter what."

And for the first time, Dec truly understood just how deeply Ant's loyalty ran. As he closed his eyes and let himself be wrapped in that unshakeable bond of friendship, he felt something warm and whole bloom in his chest. He'd been given the greatest gift of all-someone who would choose his happiness, over and over again. And this time, he knew he'd never take that for granted.