Freshly Baked Goods

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Ant and Dec walked into their office at the ITV studios, their steps light but their minds already racing with the usual buzz of work. Yet today, something felt different. As they entered the room, a gift basket caught their attention, sitting innocently atop their desk. The vibrant colours of homemade treats-rich chocolates, golden biscuits, and hand-baked pastries-seemed to glow against the otherwise neutral office. Beneath the layers of sweetness, a small, neatly folded note peeked out, its corners perfectly aligned.

Dec was the first to reach for it, his curiosity piqued. But before he could unfold the paper, Ant leaned in close, his eyes alight with anticipation, eager to share this unexpected moment.

"Dear Ant and Dec,

I just wanted to take a moment to let you both know how much you mean to me. Working with you these past years has been one of the best parts of my life. I know you always put your whole selves into everything you do, often giving more than you should without a second thought. I can see how hard you push yourselves, and while I admire your dedication more than I can say, I worry sometimes that you don't take enough time to just pause and breathe.

So, I made this little basket as a reminder that you deserve to take a moment for yourselves, to feel loved and appreciated, because you both give so much of that love to others. You make my life brighter every day, and you make everyone around you feel like they belong, like they're family. That's such a rare and beautiful thing, and I'm so lucky to have you as my friends.

Please remember, whenever things get busy or stressful, that I'm always here for you both, no matter what. You've been there for me through my highs and lows, and you've shown me what it truly means to be loved and supported. I'm grateful every single day to have you in my life.

I hope you enjoy these treats-I made them with you in mind, just like you always make the world a bit sweeter for me. Take care of yourselves, because you're both so special, and the world is better with you in it.

With all my love,
Stephen"

Ant's fingers lingered on the edges of the note, his chest tightening with the weight of Stephen's words. His voice broke the silence, low and tender. "This is really good, isn't it?" His words felt fragile, almost reverent, as he picked up one of the golden cookies. He broke it gently in half, the crack filling the room. The sweet, rich scent of vanilla and dough filled the air. He bit into it, savouring the flavour. A smile spread across his face. "He really knows how to bake."

Dec's expression softened, his gaze shifting between the basket and Ant, the warmth in his eyes unmistakable. "Yeah," he murmured, his voice thick with gratitude, "he really went all out for us." He took a bite of the biscuit, his smile growing as he chewed. "Look at us-he's spoiling us rotten."

Ant chuckled softly, but his eyes glistened with emotion. "We've got to thank him properly for this," he said, brushing crumbs from his hands, the lightheartedness masking the sincerity in his tone. "Let's go find him."

Without hesitation, they headed down the hallway, the noise of the studio fading as they moved closer to Stephen's office. The warm connection between them seemed to intensify with each step. When they found Stephen hunched over his desk, flipping through notes, he looked up in surprise, his eyes widening as he saw them.

Before Stephen could speak, Ant was already by his side, pulling him into a tight, protective embrace. The familiar warmth of Ant's body enveloped him, and Stephen felt a wave of affection wash over him. "Stephen," Ant murmured into his ear, his voice hushed but full of emotion, "thank you. Really."

The sincerity of Ant's words made Stephen's heart flutter. He sank into the embrace, his body relaxing against Ant's. For a long moment, they stood there in silence, the weight of Ant's words echoing in the air.

Dec stepped in, placing a soft, lingering kiss on Stephen's cheek. "We love you so much," he whispered, the affection in his voice unmistakable. He wrapped an arm around Stephen's shoulder, pulling him close as if to reassure him that this moment, this bond, was everything.

Stephen felt the rush of warmth spreading through him, a feeling so rare and precious that he almost couldn't grasp it. His cheeks flushed, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. In that moment, he felt safe-completely enveloped in the love and care they had for him. It was a comfort he had never known, and he held onto it with all his heart.

As the warm embrace lingered between them, a sense of quiet contentment settled over the three of them. The world outside their little bubble seemed distant, as if it didn't matter for this one moment.

Ant pulled back slightly, just enough to look into Stephen's eyes, his expression softening further. "We should do something special for you, too," he murmured, his thumb gently brushing Stephen's cheek. "You mean so much to us, you know?"

Stephen's breath hitched slightly at the tenderness in Ant's voice. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been shown such affection, and the sincerity in Ant's touch felt like a balm to his soul. "You already do," he replied, his voice barely a whisper, "every single day."

Dec's gaze softened as he looked at both of them. He reached out to gently cup Stephen's chin, tilting his face up, his thumb tracing along his jawline with a loving tenderness. "We want to remind you, every chance we get, just how much you mean to us," he said, his voice filled with warmth.

Stephen's heart fluttered, and he leaned into the touch, his eyes closing for just a moment as he let the simple affection wash over him. When he opened his eyes again, he found both Ant and Dec's faces inches from his, the depth of their love for him clear in their expressions. He felt utterly cherished, as though they would protect him forever, and the thought filled him with a peaceful sense of belonging.

"I don't know what I did to deserve this," Stephen murmured, the emotion in his voice thickening. "But I'm so glad I have you both."

Ant smiled, brushing a strand of hair out of Stephen's eyes with gentle fingers. "You're exactly who we need," he said softly, his voice full of quiet adoration. "You're our everything."

Dec pulled Stephen into another embrace, holding him close as if the world might slip away if he didn't. "We've got you, little one," he whispered, a tender smile playing on his lips as he pressed a soft kiss to the top of Stephen's head. "Always."

Stephen closed his eyes, breathing in the calm, steady rhythm of their affection, and for a moment, he couldn't help but think that this-this was what true love felt like. It wasn't just about grand gestures; it was in these quiet, intimate moments. It was in the way they touched him, the way they cared for him, the way they just were with him.

As they stood there, wrapped in the safety of their embrace, the door to Stephen's office creaked open, and the sound of bustling studio life filtered in. But it felt like a distant hum. In their little bubble of love, there was only the soft whisper of their shared breaths, the warmth of their bodies pressed together, and the unwavering reassurance that they would always have each other.

For the first time in a long time, Stephen felt like he had everything he could ever need, and he wasn't going to let go of it-not now, not ever.

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