Ant and Dec One Shots

Left Out In Love

For weeks, Declan Donnelly had felt like a shadow in his own home. The bond between Ant and Stephen seemed to grow stronger every day, leaving Dec feeling like an outsider. Every shared laugh, every private moment between the two, only deepened his sense of exclusion. It wasn't that they were unkind or dismissive-not outright-but their dynamic had shifted, and Dec couldn't help but feel pushed to the periphery.

The distance between them became unbearable. Dec found excuses to sleep on the sofa most nights, claiming he was too restless to sleep in their shared bed. The truth, however, was far more painful. Lying beside them, watching Ant and Stephen cuddle and laugh, felt like a reminder that he no longer belonged there.

He threw himself into work, retreating to the home office for hours on end. If Ant or Stephen noticed, they didn't say anything, and that silence stung more than words ever could. By the time Stephen left for a week to film Deal or No Deal, Dec had all but disappeared from their shared life, hiding in the office during the day and sleeping alone at night.

It wasn't until the third night of Stephen's absence that Ant noticed just how empty the house felt. Dec's laughter, once a constant presence, was nowhere to be heard. The sofa in the living room remained untouched, and their bed was cold and lonely without him. Concerned, Ant padded through the house, finally stopping at the door to the home office.

The faint glow of the computer screen illuminated Dec's face, his features drawn and weary. He was slumped over the desk, headphones in, oblivious to Ant's presence. Ant's heart ached at the sight. How had he let things get this far without noticing?

Quietly, Ant stepped into the room and placed a gentle hand on Dec's shoulder. "Dec, love, come on. You can't keep doing this."

Dec startled, pulling off his headphones. "Ant? I'm fine. Just working late."

But Ant wasn't having it. "No, you're not fine. You've been hiding in here for days. Come with me." Without waiting for an answer, Ant scooped Dec up in his arms, ignoring his weak protests.

"Ant, put me down," Dec mumbled, though his voice lacked conviction.

"Not a chance," Ant replied firmly, carrying him to the bedroom. He gently set Dec down on the bed and sat beside him, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "Talk to me, Dec. Please."

Dec avoided his gaze, staring at his hands. "There's nothing to say."

"There's everything to say," Ant countered softly. "You've been so distant, and I've been too blind to see it until now. Please, love, tell me what's wrong."

The dam broke. Tears welled in Dec's eyes, and he covered his face with trembling hands. "I feel like I don't matter anymore," he whispered. "You and Stephen... you're so close, and I'm just... here. I feel like a third wheel in my own relationship."

Ant's heart shattered at Dec's words. He wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close. "Oh, Dec, no. I'm so sorry. I didn't realise you were feeling this way." He pressed a kiss to Dec's temple, his voice thick with emotion. "You're not a third wheel. You're everything to me, to us. I love you so much."

"But I don't feel it," Dec sobbed. "I feel so alone."

Ant held him tighter, letting him cry against his chest. "I promise, Dec, we'll fix this. You're the heart of this relationship. You always have been."

Over the next week, Ant made a concerted effort to show Dec just how much he meant to him. He planned quiet evenings together, leaving little notes of affection around the house, and showering Dec with the love he'd been missing. By the time Stephen returned, the tension had eased, though Dec still felt wary.

Stephen, however, wasted no time in pulling Dec into a warm hug the moment he walked through the door. "I missed you, Dec," he said sincerely. "The house doesn't feel the same without you in it."

Dec hesitated, but Ant nudged him gently.

"Go on, Dec. Tell him," Ant encouraged softly.

Taking a deep breath, Dec opened up about his feelings. To his relief, Stephen listened attentively, his own eyes glistening with tears. "Oh, Dec," Stephen said, his voice trembling. "I never meant to make you feel left out. You mean the world to me, to us. I love you, too."

The three of them sat together on the sofa that evening, a tangle of limbs and whispered reassurances. For the first time in weeks, Dec felt truly at home, wrapped in the warmth of their love. The healing had begun, and he knew they'd emerge stronger than ever.