Ant and Dec One Shots

A Christmas Gift For Stephen

The cold winter air swept through the streets of London, with Christmas lights twinkling on every corner and snowflakes gently falling from the sky. The city was bustling with holiday cheer, but for Ant and Dec, the only thing that mattered was the surprise they had been planning for their best friend, Stephen.

They'd spent years together, sharing laughter, adventures, and moments of pure joy. Over the years, Christmas presents for Stephen had always been filled with jokes-silly gifts that made him laugh, like novelty socks, ridiculous mugs, and quirky gadgets. It was their tradition, and Stephen loved it. But this year, something felt different.

Ant and Dec had discussed it for weeks, and each time they brought it up, they both agreed: this Christmas, they wanted to give Stephen something more. Something meaningful. Something that would show just how much they cared for him, beyond the playful teasing they'd always indulged in.

"I think we've finally found it, Dec," Ant said, grinning as he held up a small, beautifully wrapped box. "This one's going to blow him away."

Dec leaned over, examining the package with a soft smile. "I hope so. It feels right. It's time to show him just how much he means to us."

The present wasn't extravagant. In fact, it was simple-a leather-bound journal with Stephen's initials embossed on the cover. But it was the inside that made it so special. Inside the first page, Ant and Dec had written a heartfelt message, one that they knew Stephen would treasure forever.

As the evening rolled in, the three friends gathered around the Christmas tree in Ant and Dec's cozy living room, the fire crackling in the background. The tree was adorned with twinkling lights, and the scent of mulled wine filled the air. They exchanged small pleasantries, settling into the familiar rhythm of their holiday routine.

Finally, Dec cleared his throat, his gaze shifting to Stephen. "Hey, mate, we've got something for you this year. It's... different. No jokes, no novelty socks."

Stephen raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk crossing his face. "You two? Not making fun of me? What's going on?" He leaned back in his chair, raising the back of his hands to their foreheads in a dramatic fashion. "Are you two sick? Did you not tell me?"

Ant and Dec both laughed, shaking their heads. "We're perfectly fine, Stevie," Ant replied with a grin. "This is just... well, you'll see."

Stephen, still puzzled, looked down at the small box in Ant's hands. "You're really not going to prank me? What's the catch?"

"No catch, I promise," Dec said, trying to suppress a smile. "Just open it, mate."

Stephen took the gift, his fingers brushing against the soft, cool leather. He hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the box in his hands. It was unexpected. He carefully peeled away the wrapping paper, revealing the journal inside. He paused, his eyes scanning the beautiful craftsmanship. The initials "S.J." were embossed on the cover, and he could tell this wasn't a cheap, last-minute buy.

"Go on," Dec urged, his voice soft.

Stephen opened the journal, and his eyes landed on the message that Ant and Dec had written. The ink was clean and bold, filling the page with sincerity:

*"To our dearest Stephen, our best friend and brother.

We've shared so much together-so many adventures, so much laughter, and a lifetime of memories that have shaped who we are today. We could fill pages with the stories of how you've made us smile, how you've been the one we turn to when we need strength, or even just when we need someone to sit with us and say nothing at all.

But this isn't about all the things you've done for us-it's about who you are. You've always been the heart of our friendship, the one who keeps us grounded, the one who never hesitates to share your kindness and love with the world. Your loyalty, your humour, your compassion-it's more than we could ever hope for in a friend. You are everything to us, and we're incredibly lucky to have you by our side.

You've been there in ways no one else has, in moments of joy and sorrow, in laughter and silence, through every twist and turn. No matter what life throws our way, we know we can count on you. And we want you to know that we will always be there for you too, as brothers, as friends, as family.

This journal is just a small token of how much we love you. We don't have enough words to express how much you mean to us, but we hope this gift can remind you of what you mean to us, even when we're not there to tell you. You are loved, you are cherished, and you are part of our hearts, forever.

We are more grateful for you than words can say, and we love you more than anything in this world. Thank you for being you.

With all our love,
Ant and Dec"*

Stephen's breath caught in his throat as the words sank in. His vision blurred with tears as he traced the edges of the page, overwhelmed by the kindness and thoughtfulness behind the simple words. This was more than just a gift-it was a declaration of everything they had shared, everything they had been through together.

He looked up at Ant and Dec, his voice trembling. "You... you really mean that?"

Ant and Dec exchanged a glance, their expressions softening. "Of course we do, mate," Ant said, his voice steady but full of emotion. "We love you more than anything."

Dec nodded, his eyes warm. "You're family, Stevie. Always."

Tears spilled down Stephen's cheeks as he hugged the journal tightly to his chest. It wasn't just the gift that had touched him-it was the love and thoughtfulness behind it. The two men who had always been by his side, who had made him laugh, who had lifted him up when he was down, were now reminding him of something he'd always known but had never heard quite like this before.

"I don't know what to say," Stephen whispered, his voice cracking.

"You don't need to say anything," Dec replied softly. "We're just happy you know how much you mean to us."

Stephen, overcome with emotion, hugged Ant and Dec tightly. "Thank you. I-this is the best Christmas gift I've ever gotten. You two are my world."

Ant smiled and patted him gently on the back. "You're our world too, little one."

With the warmth of their embrace surrounding him and the fire flickering in the background, Stephen felt an overwhelming sense of love and belonging. Christmas had always been a time for gifts, but this year, the greatest gift had been the reminder that he was loved-truly, deeply loved-by the two people who had become his family.

And as they settled down to enjoy the rest of their evening, with laughter, stories, and more heartfelt moments, Stephen knew that no matter what the future held, this Christmas-this gift-was a memory he would carry in his heart forever.