Ant and Dec One Shots

Panic Attacks

Ant and Dec had always been protective of each other. Whether they were navigating the busy hallways of the studio, dealing with hectic filming schedules, or brushing off the occasional negative comments, they kept each other grounded. A gentle hand on the other's back or fingers intertwined as they walked side by side was all they needed to feel reassured. They'd learned over the years to be each other's anchors, and their bond was unbreakable-steady, like a lighthouse in a storm.

So when Stephen arrived at work one morning looking pale, with dark circles under his eyes and a weary smile that barely reached his lips, Ant and Dec's protective instincts extended to him without hesitation. From the moment he walked in, they were there, fussing over him like a pair of mother hens. They offered him tea-decaf, of course, which they insisted would be gentler on his system-and kept checking on him, almost as if by instinct. Ant even swapped out Stephen's usual coffee mug with a mug of warm herbal tea he'd prepared, smiling as he set it down and giving Stephen's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

As Stephen moved through the office, he found that he was rarely alone. Anytime he tried to get up and walk across the room, one of them was already there-carrying files, fetching things, or steadying him with a supportive hand on his arm. He chuckled at first, touched by their constant attention. But as the day wore on, he began to feel overwhelmed by it. Every cough or sigh seemed to set them off on another round of hovering questions, and by midday, Stephen felt as though he was walking in a bubble of their worry.

Finally, after answering yet another one of their concerned questions, Stephen's patience gave way. "Guys, please! I'm fine," he blurted out, a bit sharper than he intended. "I don't need... babysitting." He immediately regretted the harsh tone, but the words hung in the air. The look of hurt that flashed in Ant and Dec's eyes was brief but unmistakable before they quickly masked it, backing off with quiet nods.

"Alright, mate," Dec mumbled, his voice soft. "We'll give you some space."

As they walked away, Stephen felt the initial relief of being left alone, but it didn't last. The silence that settled around him was heavy, and it wasn't long before a pang of regret sank in. What if he'd been too harsh? What if he'd hurt them so much they wouldn't come close again? The thought gnawed at him, and he felt his chest tighten as his mind spun with worry. Images of them keeping their distance, of their friendship becoming strained, crowded his thoughts. It wasn't long before his breaths grew shallow, panic simmering just beneath the surface.

Overcome with the need to apologise, Stephen stood up, gripping the edge of his desk for support as he made his way to Ant and Dec's office. The stairs felt like mountains, each step harder than the last, his heart pounding painfully in his chest. By the time he reached their door, he was in the middle of a full-blown panic attack. With a trembling hand, he gave a soft knock.

Ant opened the door, his brows knitting together in concern as he took in Stephen's tear-streaked face and uneven breaths. Without a word, he wrapped an arm around Stephen's shoulder, gently guiding him inside, his hand firm yet comforting.

Dec quickly rose from his chair, his expression mirroring Ant's concern. "Stephen, mate, sit down," he said softly, leading him to a chair and kneeling beside him. "You're alright. Just take deep breaths. We're here."

They each took one of his hands, grounding him with their steady presence. Dec rubbed gentle circles on his back, whispering soothing words, while Ant held his hand tightly, his thumb brushing over Stephen's knuckles. Their calm, steady breaths seemed to help Stephen's own breathing slowly settle, the panic ebbing away like waves receding from the shore.

When he finally looked up, guilt and shame clouded his eyes. "I'm so sorry," he managed, his voice shaky. "I didn't mean to snap. I just... I felt smothered, but I was scared I'd pushed you both away. I didn't want to lose... this."

Ant's expression softened, and he squeezed Stephen's shoulder gently. "Stephen, you're family to us. There's nothing you could do that would push us away."

Dec gave a small, understanding smile, still holding Stephen's hand. "You're like a little brother, and yeah, maybe we went a bit overboard today. But that's because we care. If you ever feel overwhelmed, just tell us. We'll always listen."

Stephen let out a shaky breath, relief washing over him as his heart settled. He leaned back, his shoulders relaxing as he allowed himself to feel the warmth of their friendship. "Thank you," he whispered, a small, grateful smile forming. "I just... I was afraid you'd stop caring."

Ant chuckled softly, pulling Stephen into a tight hug. "Not a chance, mate," he said, his voice warm and reassuring.

Dec joined them, wrapping his arms around both of them in a firm, comforting embrace. They stayed like that, letting the quiet strength of their bond say what words couldn't. And in that moment, Stephen felt truly safe, knowing that no matter what, they'd always be there-protecting him, caring for him, and loving him as family.