Ant and Dec One Shots

Stephen's Uncanny Intuition

As rehearsals for their live show continued, Ant and Dec found themselves feeling more exhausted than they'd anticipated. But Stephen was always there, somehow knowing just what they needed before they did.

One morning, they arrived looking a little worn out from an early start. Before they'd even had a chance to sit down, Stephen was there, setting down two cups of coffee he'd prepared just the way they liked. Ant blinked at his cup in surprise. "Oh, you're a hero, mate," he said gratefully, taking a long sip. Dec echoed his thanks, adding, "Stephen, I don't know what we'd do without you."

Stephen only smiled, shaking his head. "It's my job to look after you two, just like you look after me. Besides, I know how you get when you haven't had your coffee," he added with a playful wink, earning laughs from both of them.

Later in the day, as they were running through some of the show's trickier segments, Stephen noticed them starting to stumble over their lines, their usual sharpness dulled by fatigue. While they paused to discuss the next segment with the director, Stephen quietly left and returned with a tray of fresh fruit, water, and a few energy bars. He set it down in front of them with a reassuring smile.

"Figured you two could use a little fuel," he said, gently pushing the tray towards them.

Ant and Dec looked down at the spread, both of them suddenly aware of just how hungry they were. "Stephen, you're incredible," Ant said, popping a grape into his mouth with a grateful smile. "Seriously, you think of everything."

Dec nodded, grabbing one of the energy bars and giving Stephen's shoulder a pat. "I don't think we say it enough, mate. Thank you."

But Stephen just chuckled, brushing off their thanks. "Like I said, it's my job. And besides, you two deserve to be looked after for once."

As the day wore on, Stephen continued his quiet vigil. When they needed script notes, he had them printed and ready. When Dec mentioned feeling chilly, Stephen reappeared with a cozy jumper from his own bag, draping it over Dec's shoulders without a word. And when Ant began rubbing at his temples, clearly fighting a headache, Stephen handed him a cool cloth and a couple of painkillers he'd packed "just in case."

Both Ant and Dec were touched by the thoughtfulness in every small act. It wasn't just that Stephen had anticipated what they needed-it was the way he did it, with so much care and without a hint of expecting anything in return.

As the days went on, Stephen's uncanny knack for knowing exactly what they needed became almost like magic to them. During one particularly hectic rehearsal, when they'd been running through scenes non-stop, Ant was starting to feel worn out. He was about to suggest a quick break when Stephen appeared with two fold-out chairs, setting them up right there on stage just as they needed them.

"Sit," Stephen insisted, placing his hands on their shoulders and guiding them into the chairs. Ant and Dec didn't even bother protesting. They sat, letting out sighs of relief.

"Stephen, mate, you're a star," Dec said, rubbing his tired eyes. "I don't know what we'd do without you, honestly."

"You'd do fine," Stephen replied with a grin, though there was a warmth in his gaze. "But I'll be here anyway, just in case."

And then there were the moments when Stephen wasn't just taking care of their physical needs but their emotional ones, too. As the date of the awards ceremony approached, Ant and Dec found themselves growing more anxious. They tried to keep it to themselves, but Stephen picked up on their stress as easily as if it were written on their faces.

One night, as they were packing up to go home, Stephen pulled them both into a gentle hug, holding them close. "You two," he murmured softly, "are the heart and soul of everything you do. Don't let a bit of nerves make you forget that. Everyone is excited to see you-you're as loved as ever, and nothing's going to change that."

Ant's eyes softened, and he gave Stephen's back a grateful pat. "You always know just what to say, Stephen. Seriously, thank you."

Dec hugged him a little tighter, the reassurance sinking in. "Couldn't have said it better myself," he added, his voice thick with gratitude. "We owe you, you know?"

Stephen pulled back, shaking his head with a small smile. "You don't owe me anything. Like I said, I'm just looking after you two-just like you always look after me."

Ant and Dec shared a look, touched by Stephen's words. Even when he insisted he was just doing his job, they knew there was nothing routine about the way he cared for them.