Ant and Dec One Shots

A Temporary Gap

Dec waved goodbye at the airport as Ant and Stephen stood side by side, watching him walk toward security. His cousin's wedding was a week-long affair, and though the three of them rarely spent extended time apart, Dec had reassured them with his trademark grin that he'd be back before they knew it.

"Promise you won't have too much fun without me," Dec teased, throwing a cheeky wink over his shoulder.

"No promises!" Ant shot back, his smile mischievous as he returned the wink.

Dec chuckled, disappearing behind the gates. Ant and Stephen exchanged glances, an unspoken agreement passing between them. For the next few days, it was just the two of them, and they intended to make the most of it.

At first, they filled their time with the usual rhythms of their lives-work, meals, the occasional silly conversation that turned into hours of laughter. But as the days slipped by, a deeper bond began to form, something more than just the comfortable companionship they shared. They binge-watched Stephen's favourite crime drama, the mystery pulling Ant in, despite his initial reservations. As they curled up on the couch, Stephen would nudge him playfully when something suspenseful happened, their shoulders brushing with each jolt of tension from the screen.

They cooked elaborate meals together, their shared kitchen antics turning into little competitions. Stephen would laugh as Ant tried to convince him that his dish was better, teasing him about how his garlic bread had "too much garlic," only to have Ant retort that Stephen couldn't even chop onions properly. They both revelled in the ridiculousness of their arguments, throwing flour at each other and bursting into laughter, their jokes and stories becoming an ever-growing pile of inside humour.

"Come on, mate, you can't be serious," Ant teased one morning as they were prepping ingredients for a curry.

Stephen raised an eyebrow, leaning in with a smirk. "You haven't even tried my secret ingredient yet. Just wait."

"Secret ingredient? It's not garlic again, is it?" Ant laughed, rolling his eyes. "If it is, I'll have to run for the hills."

And then, as the days passed, Ant managed to drag Stephen to the golf course for a few rounds-something Dec would have avoided at all costs due to the colder weather. Stephen had never been much of a golfer, but he enjoyed the opportunity to laugh at Ant's competitive spirit, even if he kept hitting the ball into the trees.

By the time Dec returned the following Sunday, Ant and Stephen were practically inseparable. They had a mountain of inside jokes, little shared moments that only the two of them understood. As they saw Dec walk through the door, tired but happy, they greeted him with their usual warmth-hugs, kisses, and all the usual affection. But something felt different.

As Dec kicked off his shoes and settled into the living room, he caught a glance between Ant and Stephen, their eyes lighting up at some joke only they shared. He found himself watching them more than he intended, the laughter between them almost feeling like a wall. He shook it off, but the feeling lingered.

The next day, Dec tried to insert himself into their banter. He made a joke-something that would normally have everyone laughing. But this time, it fell flat, his words hanging in the air awkwardly. He tried again, but they barely reacted, moving on quickly to another topic.

"Come on, lads, I was just trying to lighten the mood," Dec muttered to himself later, pushing his hair out of his face.

But it wasn't just the jokes. By Tuesday, Dec started to notice how their conversations seemed to flow seamlessly without him. He'd try to offer an idea for their upcoming project, but Ant and Stephen would dismiss it almost immediately. They didn't mean to hurt him, but the way it was done stung-like they didn't even see him anymore.

By Thursday, Dec was feeling completely out of place. During rehearsal for Saturday Night Takeaway, he found himself speaking to empty air. Ant and Stephen were so absorbed in their own world that when he spoke, they didn't even pause to acknowledge him. Their heads were tilted toward each other in shared conversation, their laughter punctuating the silence around him.

After rehearsal, Dec barely managed to say goodbye before heading home alone. His chest was tight with something he couldn't name-hurt, frustration, confusion. He wasn't sure what had changed, but the void between him and his boyfriends felt too large to ignore.

Later that night, Ant and Stephen came home to find the house unusually quiet. The sound of the door creaking open sent a pang of worry through Stephen. They checked the kitchen, the living room, before finally making their way to their bedroom. There, they found Dec curled up on the bed, his back to them. At first, they thought he was asleep, but the soft, muffled sobs that reached their ears made it clear he wasn't.

"Dec?" Ant said softly, his voice laced with concern. He sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers brushing through Dec's hair.

Stephen knelt beside him, gently touching Dec's shoulder.

Dec turned, and his tear-streaked face made their hearts break. His voice trembled as he spoke, the raw emotion of it impossible to ignore. "I feel like I've lost my place with you two."

Ant's heart dropped into his stomach. He scooted closer, wrapping his arms around Dec in a tight, desperate hug. "Lost your place? Dec, no. Never. You're not just a part of this-you are this."

"You two have been so close since I got back," Dec continued, his voice cracking. "I feel like I can't catch up. Like I'm just... extra now."

Stephen's eyes welled with guilt, and without thinking, he crawled onto the bed and wrapped his arms around both of them. "Dec, we never meant to make you feel that way. We've missed you more than you know."

Ant squeezed Dec tighter. "We got caught up in our own thing, but it doesn't mean we love you any less. You're everything to us, Dec. Always."

Stephen kissed the side of Dec's head, holding him gently. "You're the glue, Dec. The thing that makes all of this work. We love you more than you realise."

That night, the three of them stayed tangled together in bed, talking through their feelings until the weight of the words lifted. Ant and Stephen promised to be more mindful of their dynamic, never wanting to make Dec feel like an outsider again.

The next morning, they surprised Dec with his favourite breakfast-pancakes, bacon, and eggs piled high. They made a point to include him in every little thing, making sure he felt like the centre of their world again. With every touch, every shared laugh, they reminded him that his place in their hearts would never be replaced.

By the weekend, Dec was smiling again-his usual carefree laughter filling the house. Though Ant and Stephen still had their inside jokes, they made sure Dec was always a part of them. And in that space, Dec found his place-his heart at home with them, just as it always had been.