Ant and Dec One Shots

Teasing Hurts Sometimes

Stephen had always been the target of Ant and Dec's cheeky jokes, especially when they were on stage together. Over the years, he'd come to expect the playful banter that kept their trio dynamic lively and fun. But this past week, something felt different. The teasing hadn't let up as it normally would; it seemed sharper, more constant, and though Ant and Dec probably hadn't noticed, it was starting to weigh on Stephen.

Each night that week, he lay awake in bed, replaying their words in his head. Ant and Dec would laugh and look over at him with that gleam of mischief, but he couldn't help feeling like he was the butt of the joke this time, not part of it. He tried shaking it off, telling himself it was all in good fun, but the doubt was too loud. By Friday, he could barely get through the day without feeling a lump in his throat.

That evening, after they wrapped up the show, Stephen took a deep breath and gathered his courage. Ant and Dec were packing up, joking around as usual. Watching them from across the room, he struggled to find the words. But he couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Hey, lads," he started, his voice softer than usual. They turned to him, still smiling, though they caught on quickly to the seriousness in his expression.

"Yeah, mate? What's up?" Ant asked, his smile faltering.

Stephen took a deep breath, his hands wringing together. "I know you both like to tease me and all, and usually I love it. But this week... I don't know, it's felt a bit... different. Like you're laughing at me, not with me. It's been keeping me up at night, just overthinking."

Ant and Dec exchanged glances, their faces falling as they realised the impact of their teasing. Dec stepped forward, reaching out a hand to rest on Stephen's shoulder. "Oh, mate, we're so sorry. We honestly thought you knew it was all just for a laugh. We'd never want you to feel hurt by it."

Ant nodded, his brow furrowing with worry. "We were trying to keep it light, but we must've gone too far. We love you, Stevie. We're laughing with you, not at you. We'd never want you to feel like you're being picked on."

Stephen managed a small smile, feeling some of the tension lift. "Thanks, lads. I just needed to know it wasn't, you know, personal."

Dec pulled Stephen into a hug, holding him close. "Never, ever personal. You're one of us, Stevie. We love everything about you, honestly."

Ant joined in the hug, wrapping his arms around both of them, pressing his cheek against Stephen's shoulder. "And we'll prove it by telling you exactly what we love about you-right now."

The three of them settled on the sofa, and Ant and Dec started listing all the things they loved about Stephen.

"I love how loyal you are," Dec began, his voice soft. "You're always there for us, no matter what. I don't know what we'd do without you."

Ant nodded. "And how kind you are to everyone. You always look out for everyone around you. It's one of the things that makes you so easy to love."

They kept going, their voices tender as they shared everything they admired about him-from his sense of humour to the way he always remembered small details about their lives.

By the end, Stephen felt an immense warmth flooding his chest, replacing the doubt and exhaustion that had haunted him all week. He knew, without a doubt, that he was loved and valued by them.

"Thank you, really," he whispered, leaning into them, his eyes heavy with a new, comforting exhaustion.

They stayed curled up together on that sofa, the quiet assurance of their love wrapping around Stephen like a blanket. And for the first time all week, he felt like he could sleep soundly, knowing he was exactly where he belonged.