Ant and Dec One Shots

A Little Bit of Love

As the bright lights of the studio glowed outside, Ant and Dec were all smiles, preparing for their upcoming show of Saturday Night Takeaway. The energy in the air was electric, the kind that always made them feel like kids again, about to pull off something incredible. But as they strolled down the hallway past the dressing rooms, Dec suddenly slowed, catching a quiet, broken murmur drifting through one of the doors.

He reached out to stop Ant. "Do you hear that?" Dec's face softened with concern, his usual cheer replaced by a serious look.

Ant paused, listening closely. "It sounds like Stephen," he said, his brow furrowing. "Let's check on him."

Without a second thought, they both stepped up to the door, and Ant gave it a gentle push. The dim room welcomed them with a stillness that seemed to hold Stephen in place. He was sitting on a stool, head down, fingers fidgeting with the edge of his shirt. He froze when he sensed them enter, though he didn't look up.

"Hey, mate, what's going on?" Ant asked gently, his voice as soft as his concern was deep. He moved closer, while Dec stayed back a moment, gauging Stephen's mood.

Stephen's shoulders rose slightly as he took a shaky breath. His voice was barely above a whisper. "I was just... thinking about how I look, my weight, my voice... all of it."

Ant and Dec exchanged a pained glance. Seeing Stephen, usually so lively and quick with a laugh, looking so vulnerable cut right through them.

Dec moved to sit beside Stephen, grounding the space with his presence, while Ant knelt down, his hand reaching out to lift Stephen's chin gently, guiding him to look up. He needed Stephen to see his eyes, to feel the truth in them.

"Stephen, listen to me," Ant said, his voice unwavering but filled with care. "You are amazing just as you are. We love you for who you are, not what you look like or how you think you sound."

Dec nodded, reaching out to rest a reassuring hand on Stephen's back. "Honestly, mate, I don't think we tell you enough. You bring so much joy to our lives-both on and off the stage. Your laugh, your jokes, even the silly things you do backstage. It all makes this whole experience better."

Stephen's gaze dropped, uncertainty still lingering in his eyes, but he nodded slightly, the warmth of their words beginning to break through.

"You're not just a colleague," Ant continued, his voice steady, the kind of tone only used for things he truly meant. "You're family to us. You're our little brother. You make every moment more fun, every joke better. We wouldn't trade that for anything in the world."

Dec gave a gentle squeeze to Stephen's shoulder. "And your voice? It's unique. It's yours, Stephen. That's what makes it special. Remember that time you sang that ridiculous song backstage? We laughed so hard. Not because it was silly, but because it was you being yourself."

A hint of a smile played at the corners of Stephen's mouth as he recalled the memory, their laughter ringing in his mind.

"We love having you around, mate," Ant said, his tone warming as he leaned closer. "You make backstage so much brighter. Just knowing you're here makes the day better."

Stephen swallowed hard, his throat tightening with emotion. "I just... I keep thinking about what everyone else sees," he admitted, the vulnerability in his voice raw and painful to hear.

Dec's face grew stern with conviction. "Forget what everyone else thinks!" he said, a fierce loyalty lighting his eyes. "You are incredible, just as you are. You don't have to change for anyone. Anyone who doesn't see how amazing you are... well, they don't deserve to be in your life."

Without a second thought, Ant reached out, pulling Stephen into a tight side hug. Dec quickly joined in, wrapping his arms around them both, the three of them forming a protective, unbreakable circle.

For a long moment, they stood there, wrapped in each other's warmth, the weight of Stephen's insecurities slowly easing.

"Now," Ant finally said, his voice playful again, "we've got a show to put on, and we want you out there with us. No more of this self-doubt nonsense. We're a team, remember? Our favourite trio's about to steal the spotlight."

Stephen chuckled, the tension melting as he let himself breathe, truly breathe, in the safety of his friends' arms. "You really mean it?"

"Absolutely," Dec said, his eyes twinkling. "And don't you forget it. We're in this together, always."

With a newfound confidence glimmering in his eyes, Stephen smiled, feeling lighter than he had in ages. He let their words sink in, a gentle warmth flooding his heart. "Thanks, you guys. I really needed to hear that."

"Anytime, mate," Ant said as he stood up, pulling Stephen up with him. Dec patted Stephen on the back with a grin. "Now, let's get ready for some fun!"

As they walked out of the dressing room together, Ant and Dec flanked Stephen, laughter bubbling up between them. With his two friends by his side, Stephen felt that unmistakable sense of belonging-a sense that he was home, wrapped in their love and ready to face the world.