Ant and Dec One Shots

A Year Of Togetherness: An Exploration Of Friendships And Loneliness

The year after the drunk driving accident had been a turbulent one for all of them. While Ant focused on his recovery, Dec and Stephen found themselves navigating a world without their usual third partner. What began as a practical need for Stephen to step in as a support for Dec slowly turned into something more-something unexpected.

The first getaway happened without much fanfare. It was just a simple suggestion from Dec, a spur-of-the-moment decision to take a break from the pressures of work and life. They rented a small cottage on the coast, far from the busy streets and the buzz of the entertainment industry. The air was fresh, the waves crashing against the shore, and for the first time in months, Stephen felt a genuine sense of peace.

Sitting across from each other on their first evening, the fire crackled softly in the background, Stephen let his guard down. He had always been one to keep his emotions in check, but there was something about the tranquillity of the night that invited him to speak freely.

"You ever think about how much we've changed?" Stephen asked, swirling his wine and staring into the flames. "I don't know if I'd recognise myself a year ago."

Dec tilted his head slightly, the weight of the question settling between them. "In what way?" he asked, his tone open, inviting Stephen to share.

"I guess I just feel like we're so much more connected now. It's not just about the laughs anymore. It feels deeper, y'know?"

Dec's expression softened as he listened, the firelight dancing across his features. "I know what you mean. It's like we've started to understand each other in ways we never did before. I think it's because we've been through a lot, together."

Stephen nodded, taking a long drink from his glass. "It's like we're clones of each other now, isn't it?"

Dec smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "Yeah, I think you're right. It's funny how we didn't see it before, but now, it feels so... natural."

That weekend solidified a bond that neither of them had expected. Every morning was filled with quiet walks, afternoons spent by the beach, and evenings of laughter and storytelling. The simplicity of the days, free of any outside distractions, made them realise how much they relied on one another.

Over the course of the year, these weekend getaways became a regular occurrence. Each one was a small adventure, a break from the world that allowed them to relax and bond further. Sometimes they went to the mountains, other times to the countryside, each location offering a new backdrop for their growing friendship.

There was the time they rented a cabin in the mountains. The air was crisp, the trails winding and steep. After a long day of hiking, they would sit around the fireplace, tired but content. Stephen would share something from his childhood, and Dec would respond with a story of his own, their easy rapport making it feel like they'd known each other forever.

One weekend in particular, they rented a lake house in the middle of nowhere. It was a small, secluded place, perfect for getting away from everything. With no distractions, no phones, and no one else around, they spent their days talking, playing games, and doing the simplest things. It was during these moments that their connection grew to something deeper than they could have anticipated.

On one of the evenings, while sitting on the porch, Stephen looked up at the stars and asked, "Do you ever think about how different things could have been if we met earlier? Like, what if we'd crossed paths years ago?"

Dec thought for a moment, taking in the view. "I don't know," he replied. "Maybe we wouldn't have gotten along the same way. Maybe we needed to go through everything we did before we could be like this."

Stephen smiled softly, nodding in agreement. "I'm glad it was you, mate. I'm really glad."

It was in moments like these that both of them realised how much they had come to rely on each other-not just as friends, but as constants in each other's lives. It was a connection that felt inevitable, almost like they had been meant to find one another when they did.

When Ant returned to work, the world seemed different. The office was alive with activity, the usual hum of laughter and banter filling the space. But something was off. He had expected it to feel like it always had, but it didn't. The absence of the familiar rhythm of their trio was palpable, and the silence that surrounded him felt oppressive.

There was an energy between Dec and Stephen now-a familiarity-that Ant couldn't deny. They laughed and joked with ease, their inside jokes flying faster than Ant could keep up. It was like they had built a world without him, and as he watched them, the sting of isolation hit harder than he anticipated.

It was during one of the first meetings Ant attended that he really felt it. Stephen leaned against Dec casually, making some comment that made Dec laugh, his hand resting on Stephen's shoulder in a way that felt natural, almost intimate. Ant watched them from the corner of his eye, the weight of the unspoken bond between them sinking in. His chest tightened, and for the first time in months, he longed to be a part of it again.

Later, when they all gathered for lunch, the three of them sat around the table, and it quickly became clear that Dec and Stephen shared an ease with one another that Ant wasn't part of anymore. They were speaking in shorthand, finishing each other's sentences, and laughing at jokes that Ant didn't even know had been made.

"So, Ant," Dec asked, trying to include him in the conversation. "You catch that episode last night?"

Ant smiled, though it felt strained, his words leaving his mouth mechanically. "Yeah, it was good. Funny."

Stephen shot him a quick look, concern flashing in his eyes, but he didn't press it. Instead, he just smiled and nudged Dec with his shoulder, a casual touch that seemed to pass through Ant like a silent reminder of how far they'd drifted. The moment passed, but it left Ant feeling more alone than before.

The loneliness didn't subside. It followed him everywhere-during meetings, while sitting in the green room, and even when they were out for lunch. It wasn't that they meant to exclude him; it was the way they had become so close that even the smallest of gestures felt intimate. They would share quick glances, small touches, and inside jokes that Ant couldn't participate in. It was a world he wasn't part of anymore, a world that had been created in the time he was absent.

One afternoon, he stood at the doorway of the office, watching Dec and Stephen share a quiet moment at the coffee machine. They were laughing at something, their chemistry so effortless, so natural. Stephen's hand brushed against Dec's as they reached for the same mug, and the easy familiarity between them struck Ant like a physical blow. It made him feel like a stranger in his own life, like the space he had once occupied now belonged to someone else.

The isolation weighed heavy on him. He wanted to be a part of it again. He wanted to feel that connection again, to have the banter and the easy companionship that he once had with them. But it felt impossible. How could he just step back into a friendship that had clearly evolved without him?

The next morning, when Dec and Stephen came into his office to check in, Ant forced a smile. They stood there for a moment, the tension in the air palpable.

"You good, mate?" Stephen asked, his voice quiet but sincere.

Ant looked at them, the weight of his feelings pressing down on him. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... getting back into the swing of things. I spent a lot of time barely going to bed until the early hours and sleeping most of the day for the past year, so kind of exhausted."

Dec stepped forward, his hand resting on Ant's shoulder in a gesture that felt both familiar and distant. "We're here, alright? We'll catch you up. It's not just about the work-we're still a team. Always have been."

Stephen nodded, a small but reassuring smile on his face. "You're part of this, Ant. Don't forget that."

It was a small comfort, but it wasn't enough to dispel the ache in his chest. He knew it wouldn't be the same. Not right away. But maybe, with time, he could find his way back into the fold. After all, they were family, and that was something that had never changed.