Ant and Dec One Shots

Hurt From The Jokes

The following week, Stephen could barely drag himself out of bed. His usual bright energy was dulled, replaced by a quiet exhaustion that seemed to cling to him, weighing him down. The jokes Ant and Dec had made last week-lighthearted jabs, really-had struck something deeper in Stephen, leaving him sleepless and wounded. Each time he closed his eyes, he'd replay those moments, hearing the laughter in the studio, his own forced chuckles covering the sting he felt inside. The disappointment he felt in himself, thinking he was maybe being too sensitive, only made things worse.

By the end of the week, he was worn down, and his exhaustion showed in the dark circles under his eyes, the quietness in his voice, and the slump in his usually lively posture. Ant and Dec hadn't seen him in days, but the moment he stepped into the green room on set, they noticed the difference right away. He was thinner, paler, and didn't even muster his usual grin. Instead, he just mumbled a soft "Hey" and took a seat, glancing down at his phone.

Dec nudged Ant, sharing a concerned look. They both approached Stephen, taking seats on either side of him, each placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Stevie, what's going on, mate?" Dec asked softly. "You're looking a bit... down. Are you alright?"

Stephen shook his head, trying to brush it off. "Just tired, I guess."

But Ant wasn't convinced. "Come on, we know you better than that. You're not yourself. Please, talk to us."

At that, Stephen's resolve broke. His shoulders slumped, and he let out a shaky breath, his eyes stinging with un-shed tears. "It's... it's just some things you guys said last week. The jokes. I know you didn't mean them, but they just... stuck, I guess."

Ant and Dec's faces fell, a deep remorse settling over them as they realised how their words had affected him. They had never meant to hurt him, but seeing how much pain he'd been carrying alone hurt them, too.

"Oh, Steve," Dec murmured, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and pulling him into a hug. "We had no idea. I'm so sorry."

"We never, ever wanted you to feel that way," Ant added, rubbing Stephen's back comfortingly. "We love you, you know that, right? We'd never say anything that would hurt you on purpose."

Stephen managed a small nod, leaning into their comforting presence. "I know, it's just... sometimes it's hard to laugh it off."

"From now on, we'll make sure there's no question how much we adore you," Dec promised. "If we ever say anything that feels like too much, just tell us, alright? And after every joke, we'll make sure you know how much you mean to us."

After filming, they stayed close to Stephen, showering him with genuine affection. They cuddled up on the couch in their dressing room, Ant and Dec each holding him close, whispering reassurances and little affirmations about how much he meant to them. Dec pressed a gentle kiss to Stephen's cheek, and Ant gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze.

"Just remember, Stevie," Dec said softly, "we love you, and nothing's ever going to change that."

For the rest of the night, they took turns holding him close, comforting him, and reassuring him with whispered words of love and promises to always be there. And for the first time in days, Stephen felt his worries slowly ease. The hurt might linger, but he knew now, without a doubt, that he was loved-and he had two friends who would make sure he'd never forget it again.