An unexpected love || Ant x Stephen

The Work Party - Chapter Nine

The glittering wrap party for Saturday Night Takeaway was always the rowdiest event of the television calendar. It marked the end of months of grueling live shows, high-stakes pranks, and the relentless pressure of being the nation's favorite Saturday night entertainment. But for Ant and Stephen, the bubbles in the champagne flute weren't nearly as dizzying as the secret they were carrying between them.

The final "End of the Show Show" had been a triumph, a whirlwind of glitter and roaring applause. As the credits rolled, Ant and Dec made their way back to the dressing rooms, their suits slightly rumpled from a night of high-energy hosting. Dec led the way, but as they rounded the corner toward their door, he slowed down, nudging Ant sharply with his elbow.

"Target sighted," Dec whispered with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Stephen was leaning against the wall outside their dressing room, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He looked slightly out of place in his formal waistcoat, but the second his eyes met Ant's, he straightened up. The biggest, most uncontrollable smile broke across Ant's face, one he tried—and failed—to suppress for the sake of any passing crew members.

"Hi Stevie," Ant said, his voice dropping into that softer, more intimate register he only used when the cameras were off.

"Hey Ant," Stephen replied, his own grin mirrored back with equal intensity. They stood there for a beat too long, caught in a gravitational pull that ignored the busy corridor around them.

"Yeah, alright, hi Stephen! Lovely to see you! So glad you could make the three-meter trek from your room to ours!" Dec interrupted sarcastically, waving a hand between them.

Stephen blinked, finally tearing his gaze away from Ant. "Oh, right... sorry. Hi Dec."

Dec rolled his eyes, huffing out a laugh as he unlocked the door. "I'm invisible. I've officially become the furniture. Come on, get inside before someone sees you two looking at each other like lost puppies."

The moment the door clicked shut and the lock turned, the professional distance evaporated. Ant didn't even wait for Stephen to step fully into the room before pulling him into a tight, grounding hug.

"Nice to see you too," Stephen laughed into Ant's shoulder, his arms winding around the shorter man's waist.

"Shush. I've missed you," Ant murmured. "The last two hours on stage felt like a year."

Dec let out a long, theatrical sigh as he started unbuttoning his shirt. "Oh, for the love of—get a room, you two. Or at least wait until I've left for my own house."

Stephen poked his tongue out at Dec over Ant's shoulder. "You're just jealous because you don't have a magician to cuddle."

Twenty minutes later, the scene had shifted to Ant's house. The transition from 'TV Stars' to 'Party Guests' was in full swing, and the atmosphere was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and the frantic energy of a looming deadline.

"Stevie, hurry up! The car will be here in ten, and we haven't even had a pre-drink yet!" Ant shouted as he buttoned up a fresh shirt.

Stephen was standing motionless in front of the guest room wardrobe, looking like a man facing a firing squad. His brow was furrowed, and he was gripping a coat hanger so hard his knuckles were white.

Ant stopped, his frantic pace slowing as he realized Stephen wasn't just being indecisive—he was spiraling. He walked over, gently turning Stephen around so they were chest-to-chest. He didn't say anything at first, just pulled him into a quiet embrace, resting his chin on Stephen's shoulder.

"I'm sorry"

"You don't need to apologize, Stephen," Ant whispered, sensing the 'sorry' that was already forming on the younger man's lips. "It's just a party."