Baking And Belting

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It had been a tough week for Stephen. Between endless script meetings, countless retakes, and long, gruelling days on set, he was more than ready for a quiet weekend to unwind. Seeking a bit of solace, he turned to one of his favourite ways to de-stress: baking. With his playlist set to full blast, the upbeat rhythm of Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars pulsed through his kitchen, filling the air with electric energy. Soon, he was belting out the lyrics, whisking together flour, sugar, and vanilla, letting the familiar, sweet aroma mingle with his voice. In his kitchen-turned-sanctuary, he could finally breathe, and with each note and each stir, the chaos of the week melted away.

Unbeknownst to Stephen, Ant and Dec had been missing him, too. Their own packed schedules had left little time to catch up, and after a week full of back-to-back projects, they both agreed that a surprise visit was exactly what they all needed. The plan was simple: a cosy movie day, complete with blankets, popcorn, and all the time in the world to unwind together. As they crept up to his front door, they paused, sharing a wide-eyed grin as Stephen's powerful, soulful singing drifted through the house. They'd never heard him sing like this before, with such passion and ease. It was a side of him that surprised them-and charmed them all the same.

Unable to resist capturing the moment, Ant pulled out his phone and snapped a candid photo through the window. The shot showed Stephen mid-song, his face alight with joy and focus, one hand stirring the batter while the other moved to the beat. The scene was so full of life that even through the glass, they could feel his energy radiating from the kitchen.

A moment later, Stephen's phone buzzed on the counter. Mid-chorus, he glanced over and saw the picture they'd just sent-a snapshot of himself in his element, eyes closed, completely lost in the music. He couldn't help but laugh, rolling his eyes as he set down his whisk, amusement sparkling in his eyes. Shaking his head, he paused the music and made his way to the door.

"Couldn't resist, could you?" he called as he opened it, raising an eyebrow at the two of them standing on the step, their grins infectious and eyes alight with excitement.

"Not a chance, mate!" Dec replied, instantly wrapping him in a warm, familiar hug. "You were absolutely smashing it. How long have you been hiding those pipes?" he teased, giving Stephen a playful nudge on the shoulder, lifting a hand and squeezing his throat softly.

Ant stepped forward with a mischievous grin, slinging an arm around Stephen's shoulders. "Honestly, where's this voice been hiding? We're starstruck, Sweetheart," he teased, his gaze filled with pride and genuine admiration.

Stephen felt his cheeks flush, caught off guard by the warmth in their eyes. He managed a chuckle, brushing off the attention with a grin. "Alright, alright, calm down, you two," he said, trying to mask the happiness that rose within him. Yet, the way their words lingered filled him with a quiet sense of belonging. "You know I sing," he added, his voice a little softer.

Dec's hand rested on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You're a proper superstar and we are so proud of you, you know that?" he said, his tone soft and affectionate.

Stephen's smile widened as he tried to brush off the compliment, but deep down, it warmed him. "If you two are done embarrassing me, I still need to finish decorating this cake," he said, rolling his eyes playfully before turning back to the counter.

"Oh, we're not stopping you," Ant replied, sidling up beside him to inspect the half-finished cake. "Go on, star baker," he teased, giving Stephen a wink and a playful spank on the bottom that made him laugh.

As Stephen carefully decorated the cake, Ant and Dec peppered him with new titles-"our talented lad," "singing sensation," "brilliant baker"-each one earning a laugh. For the first time in days, Stephen felt his shoulders relax, the week's tension fading under their lighthearted affection.

When the cake was finally finished, dusted with powdered sugar that looked like snowfall, Ant and Dec practically dragged him from the kitchen to the living room. There, they had set up a cosy movie nest-pillows, blankets, and a big bowl of popcorn waiting on the coffee table, promising a night of laughter and comfort.

They nestled onto the couch, pulling Stephen between them, wrapping him in warmth. Dec draped a soft blanket over the three of them, slinging an arm around Stephen's shoulders, while Ant leaned in from the other side, tucking him in snugly. As the opening credits of a lighthearted comedy rolled, Stephen felt cocooned in their care, every ounce of tension melting away as their laughter filled the room.

Throughout the film, they made sure he knew he was loved. Ant would reach over, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze whenever he noticed Stephen's mind drifting, while Dec leaned in with funny quips, sending them into fits of laughter. It was as though they sensed exactly what he needed-gentle touches, easy smiles, words that wrapped around him like a warm hug.

As the credits rolled, Stephen felt lighter, the weight of the week dissolving into a quiet, contented happiness. He glanced over at Ant and Dec, his gaze soft and grateful. Ant caught the look and nudged him, his smile tender. "Proud of you, you know that, baby?" he murmured, his voice steady and full of affection.

Stephen's eyes misted over, and without a second thought, he took their hands, squeezing them tightly. The warmth in their gazes wrapped around him, filling him with a sense of safety and love he hadn't realised he'd needed. "I do now," he replied softly, his voice catching as a smile tugged at his lips.

They stayed there, wrapped in silence, a comforting stillness settling over them. With Ant and Dec by his side, Stephen felt whole-his heart full, light, and content, knowing that these quiet, simple moments with them made everything worthwhile.

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