Ant and Dec One Shots

Dec Struggles With The Distance

Dec sat in his kitchen with a mug of untouched tea, staring blankly out the window. His mind was elsewhere, swirling with worries that had quietly, yet persistently, grown in his heart since Ant had moved to a new house. It wasn't as though Ant had moved halfway across the country, but the distance felt magnified somehow, carving out an empty space between them that Dec couldn't ignore.

It had been a couple of weeks since the move, and while they saw each other at work, the shift in their routine-the closeness they'd always shared-felt like a piece of himself had gone missing. They'd been best mates since they were kids; their lives had intertwined in every way imaginable. Ant's presence had always been a constant, the one thing Dec could count on through thick and thin.

The empty feeling gnawed at him, creeping into every quiet moment. Dec hadn't been sleeping well, lying awake at night in that dark, lonely room, his mind looping with anxieties he didn't want to admit to anyone. What if this distance changed things for good? What if the bond they shared wasn't as strong as he thought?

Ali, ever perceptive, had noticed. She'd seen his smile wane, his energy dwindle, and the light in his eyes fade with each passing day. She watched him drag himself outside to play with Isla that morning, as if the weight he was carrying had become too heavy to bear. While he tried to stay cheerful for Isla's sake, Ali saw the exhaustion and sadness in his face as he pushed her gently on the swing, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.

She couldn't bear to see him this way. After making sure Dec was distracted, Ali quietly picked up her phone and called Ant. She spoke in a low voice, her concern evident as she explained how worried she was about Dec's unusual withdrawal, the weariness he tried so hard to mask, and how she could only guess that something was deeply bothering him.

Ant felt his heart tighten as he listened. Dec, his best mate, the one who always seemed so strong, so steady, was struggling. He wasted no time in heading over with Hurley by his side, his heart aching with concern and a fierce need to be there for Dec, just as Dec had always been there for him.

When Ant arrived, he found Dec sitting in the garden with Isla, his face looking more worn and weary than he'd ever seen. But when Dec looked up and saw him standing there, Ant felt a spark of relief; he could see that little light return to Dec's eyes, just for a moment.

"Fancy a trip to the park, mate?" Ant asked softly, smiling as if it were the most natural thing in the world, keeping his tone light but his eyes steady on Dec.

Dec managed a nod, his voice catching as he replied, "Yeah... yeah, that sounds nice."

Ant brought Hurley along, and the four of them walked to the park together, with Isla laughing and swinging Ant's hand in hers, Hurley trotting happily alongside. Dec held Isla's other hand, while Rocky bounded ahead, eager to reach the familiar green space. Once they arrived, Ant set Isla up on the swings, making sure she and the dogs were happily occupied before gently guiding Dec over to a bench. He took a seat beside him, close enough that their shoulders touched.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Ant watched Dec's face, the way his eyes seemed unfocused, lost somewhere deep in thought.

Finally, Ant broke the silence. "Alright, Dec... what's been going on?" he asked softly, his voice as warm and steady as a gentle embrace.

Dec looked down, taking a shuddering breath. He felt vulnerable, exposed, but something about Ant's presence, his unwavering support, made him feel safe enough to speak. "I don't know, mate," he whispered, his voice thick. "It's just... you moving. It's silly, I know, but it feels like... like I'm losing you."

Ant's face softened with understanding, and without a word, he reached out, wrapping his arm around Dec's shoulders and pulling him close. "Oh, Dec," he murmured, his voice filled with so much tenderness it nearly broke Dec's heart. "You're not losing me. Not even close."

Dec swallowed hard, feeling tears prick at his eyes. "But... it's different now. We don't see each other as much. We used to live just a stone's throw away, and now... now it feels like there's this... this space between us, like things are slipping away."

Ant pulled him even closer, resting his chin on Dec's shoulder as he rubbed his back in slow, comforting circles. "Hey, nothing's slipping away, alright? I know it's been a big change, but nothing about how I feel about you has changed. You're still my best friend, Dec. You're still my family."

Dec nodded, but he couldn't shake the lingering fear. He leaned into Ant's embrace, letting himself feel the warmth and safety that only Ant's presence could bring.

Ant pulled back just enough to look Dec in the eyes, his gaze steady and filled with affection. "You don't have to carry this alone, you know. You can tell me anything, Dec. Anything. I'm here for you, just like you've always been there for me."

Dec let out a shaky breath, nodding again, his throat tight with emotion. "I don't know what's wrong with me," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "I feel... silly, worrying about all this. I should be happy for you. But... it just feels like something's missing."

Ant took Dec's hands in his, squeezing them gently. "It's not silly, Dec. It's because you care. And that's something I've always loved about you, mate. You feel things deeply, and that's one of the things that makes you... well, you." He gave a small smile, his voice softening even further. "And I wouldn't trade that for anything."

Dec felt a tear slip down his cheek, and Ant reached up, gently brushing it away with his thumb. "Look, I know things feel different now, but I promise you, nothing has really changed. We're still working together, still seeing each other every day. And any time you need me, I'm here."

Dec nodded, leaning his head against Ant's shoulder, letting himself soak in the reassurance, the quiet strength in Ant's words. It felt like a balm on a wound he hadn't even realised was so deep.

"I love you, Dec," Ant murmured, his voice so soft it was almost a whisper. "You're my best mate, my brother. And nothing-not distance, not time, nothing-will ever change that."

Dec's breath hitched, and he turned to look at Ant, his eyes filled with gratitude. "I love you too, Ant. I... I don't know what I'd do without you."

Ant smiled, his hand reaching up to ruffle Dec's hair affectionately. "Good thing you don't have to find out, then, yeah?"

They both chuckled, the sound light and warm, easing the tension that had been weighing on Dec's heart. Ant reached out, pulling him into another hug, this time holding on a little longer, letting Dec feel the depth of his affection, the reassurance that he was still right here, as close as he'd ever been.

As they broke the embrace, Ant glanced over at Isla, who was now giggling on the swing as Rocky barked happily beside her. He nudged Dec gently, his eyes twinkling. "Now come on, mate. We've got a little girl to push on the swing, don't we?"

Dec smiled, the warmth slowly returning to his face. "Yeah... yeah, we do."

The two of them stood, side by side, as they walked over to Isla, who greeted them with a gleeful laugh. Dec took the swing beside her, while Ant gave him a gentle push, laughing as Isla tried to swing higher. In that moment, with Isla's laughter filling the air and Ant beside him, Dec felt the ache in his chest begin to heal. The worry that had weighed him down for weeks finally lifted, replaced by the steady, unbreakable love of his best friend.