Ant and Dec One Shots

The Bonds We Keep

During Ant's year off, Dec and Stephen's friendship blossomed in unexpected ways. At first, it was just Stephen popping by to check on Dec, offering the odd distraction from work. But before long, Stephen was practically a fixture in Dec's office, his laughter filling the space as they spent hours working side-by-side. They fell into a rhythm that surprised them both-Stephen always seemed to know when Dec needed a quick laugh, while Dec intuitively picked up on Stephen's tiredness, offering him silent moments of understanding.

One afternoon, Dec noticed dark circles under Stephen's eyes and nudged him toward the couch in the corner. "Mate, you look shattered. Why not take a nap?" At first, Stephen laughed, brushing it off. But Dec insisted, and eventually, Stephen caved. He stretched out, his head settling onto Dec's lap, and dozed off as Dec continued working, occasionally running a gentle hand through Stephen's hair. In the quiet comfort of Dec's presence, Stephen found a calm he hadn't realised he needed. Soon, the naps became part of their routine, a moment of closeness and care that neither acknowledged openly but both came to rely on.

Outside the office, their friendship continued to grow. Stephen would join Dec for dinner, where they would spend long evenings lost in conversation and laughter, sharing jokes, memories, and a mutual respect that went unspoken. Dec began to look forward to these evenings more than he could say, the companionship filling a space Ant's absence had left behind. By the time Ant was ready to return, Dec and Stephen had an unspoken understanding, a connection forged through countless shared moments.

On Ant's first day back, it seemed like any other day to Dec. After the morning script read-through, Dec stayed back with Ant, catching up on the routine when Stephen walked in with his familiar, easygoing grin.

"Lunch?" Stephen asked, his eyes meeting Dec's, and without missing a beat, Dec stood, already reaching for his coat.

Ant watched the exchange, a pang of surprise hitting him. There was something seamless in how they moved together, something Ant couldn't quite place but felt keenly. He shrugged it off, convincing himself it was nothing, but the feeling lingered, sitting heavy with him through lunch and growing stronger when they returned to Dec's office. Stephen immediately curled up on the couch, his head finding its familiar place on Dec's lap, and Dec's hand naturally began its gentle path through Stephen's hair.

Ant cleared his throat softly. "Is this... usual?" he asked, keeping his voice light though a hint of vulnerability slipped through.

Dec looked up, as if only now noticing Ant's presence. "Oh, yeah. Stephen's practically here every day. Poor guy barely sleeps-so I let him rest when he's here."

Ant managed a small smile, but his heart ached. Watching them together, the ease of it, the care Dec showed, he felt like an outsider. In the weeks that followed, the feeling only deepened. He watched as Dec and Stephen's routines continued, each glance and laugh between them a quiet reminder of the connection they'd formed. Whenever he tried to make plans with Dec, Dec was already booked-an outing with Stephen here, a night out there. Ant began to wonder if, in his absence, he'd lost something precious that could never quite be replaced.

One evening, after Dec cancelled another plan, Ant sat alone, the loneliness a dull ache that seemed to settle deeper each time. Memories of late nights, shared laughter, and unspoken understanding between him and Dec weighed on his heart, and the thought of having lost that closeness felt unbearable. The unasked question lingered in his mind, gnawing at him: Had Dec already moved on without him?

Unable to hold it in any longer, Ant found himself standing on Dec's doorstep one rainy night, his emotions too tangled to ignore. Dec opened the door, his face shifting to concern as he saw the turmoil in Ant's expression.

"Ant, what's wrong?" Dec asked softly, ushering him in from the cold.

Ant took a shaky breath, his voice faltering. "I just... I thought I'd come by, see if we could catch up. But it feels like I don't fit in anymore. You and Stephen... you've got this whole thing now. And I'm happy for you both, but... I feel like I've lost you, Dec. I feel like I've lost my best mate."

A pained look crossed Dec's face as he pulled Ant into a tight, wordless embrace, holding him close. "You haven't lost me, mate. Not even for a second," he murmured, his voice filled with warmth and a tenderness only a friendship like theirs could hold. "I'm so sorry-I didn't realise it would feel like this. You mean everything to me, Ant. You're my brother."

Ant held on, the vulnerability he'd kept buried rising to the surface. "It's just... hard, seeing you so close with him. I thought we'd always be... well, us."

Dec pulled back slightly, his hands resting on Ant's shoulders. "We are, Ant. Stephen's a great friend, but he'll never replace you. You're my best friend, my family. That's never changing."

The sincerity in Dec's eyes softened the ache in Ant's heart, the words filling a void that had been growing without him even realising. They sat together, talking through the night as Ant shared his insecurities and Dec listened with quiet understanding. Dec assured him that their bond was unbreakable, that no one could ever take Ant's place in his life.

By the time the sun began to rise, their old, familiar laughter had returned, the weight lifted from Ant's heart. They teased each other, joking and sharing stories like they always had, the warmth of their friendship wrapping around them both. It was clear that, while their lives had shifted, their bond remained-stronger and deeper than ever. And in that moment, as they sat together, Ant knew he hadn't lost anything; instead, he'd gained a renewed understanding of just how much he and Dec truly meant to one another.