Ant and Dec One Shots

Protective Friendships

Ant, Dec, and Stephen had been close for years, but recently, Ant and Dec found themselves feeling an intense protectiveness over Stephen. It was almost instinctive-the way they'd pull him close when they walked together, positioning him between them as if to shield him from the world. Whether on set or off, they kept a watchful eye on him, ready to intervene if anything seemed amiss.

Stephen noticed, of course. He'd catch glimpses of them exchanging small glances when someone spoke a little too harshly or when a fan got too pushy for a photo. It was as if they were silently communicating a promise: We've got your back. And though he laughed it off at first, pretending to be fine, the care they showed left a deep comfort in his heart.

One evening, after a long day of rehearsals, Stephen was feeling a little more than just tired. It had been one of those days where nothing seemed to go right. He missed a few cues during practice, and a few critical comments from others hit him harder than usual. The weight of it all had left him feeling somewhat lost and unsure. He could've just gone home to be alone, but he knew better by now. Ant and Dec had made it clear time and time again that he could come to them whenever he needed.

He found them in Ant's dressing room, tidying up before heading out for the evening. The moment he stepped inside, Ant's eyes softened, immediately picking up on Stephen's mood.

"Hey, Steph," he said gently, crossing the room to meet him. "Everything alright?"

Stephen hesitated, glancing between the two of them. "Just... a bit of an off day, I guess," he mumbled. "I don't know, maybe I'm just overthinking things."

Dec's gaze was warm as he came over and wrapped an arm around Stephen's shoulders, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "You're allowed to have those days, you know. But you don't have to go through it alone."

"Exactly," Ant agreed, gently nudging him toward the couch. "Why don't you sit down, let us look after you for a bit?"

Stephen nodded, feeling a bit of tension melt away as he settled between them. Dec's arm stayed around him, grounding him in a way that was oddly comforting, while Ant leaned close, his presence reassuring and safe.

For a while, they just sat there quietly, letting Stephen unwind at his own pace. It wasn't long before he started opening up about the small things that had been bothering him, each worry sounding smaller as he said it aloud. Ant and Dec listened intently, never interrupting, their expressions soft and supportive. Every now and then, they'd offer gentle reassurances, reminding him just how valued he was.

When Stephen finally fell silent, Dec gave him a small smile. "Mate, you're one of the strongest people we know. But that doesn't mean you have to carry everything alone. We're here. Always."

Ant nodded in agreement, reaching out to clasp Stephen's hand. "So anytime you feel like this-lost, a bit down-you know where to find us."

Stephen felt his eyes sting a little, touched by their words and by the warmth of their unwavering support. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely more than a murmur.

They stayed close the rest of the evening, the three of them sharing stories and laughter, with Ant and Dec never letting Stephen feel alone. They held him close-protective and unwavering-and Stephen knew that no matter what came his way, they would always have his back, just like they always had.