Ant and Dec One Shots

TLC

Stephen felt it creeping in-a dull ache in his muscles, a scratch in his throat, and a foggy heaviness pressing on his mind. He sighed, pulling his hoodie tighter around himself as he sat curled up on his couch, scrolling aimlessly through his phone. The flat felt oppressively empty, the silence amplifying the loneliness that had been clawing at him all day.

He didn't want to be alone. He couldn't. Not tonight.

With a sniffle, Stephen stood and slipped on his trainers, his movements sluggish. He already knew where he needed to be-the one place where he never felt anything less than completely loved.

When he knocked on Ant and Dec's door, it barely took a moment for it to swing open. Ant greeted him with his signature wide grin, which faltered the instant he saw Stephen's pale, weary expression. His brows knit together in concern.

"Stephen, mate," Ant said softly, ushering him inside without hesitation. "What's wrong? You look knackered."

Stephen sniffled again, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't feel great. And I..." His voice cracked as he glanced down. "I didn't want to be by myself."

Ant placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You don't ever have to be. Come here."

From the kitchen, Dec emerged holding a steaming mug of tea. His face lit up when he saw Stephen but quickly softened into concern as he noticed the slump in his posture. "Oh, love," Dec said, setting the mug down and walking over. "You look like you need some proper cuddles and TLC." Without another word, he pulled Stephen into a warm, enveloping hug.

Stephen let himself sink into Dec's embrace, his body melting against him as a lump of emotion lodged in his throat. "I think I'm coming down with something," he murmured. "Just needed to be with you two."

"You've come to the perfect place, little one," Ant said, wrapping his arms around both of them, sandwiching Stephen between them. "We'll sort you right out. You just leave it to us."

Between Ant and Dec's gentle guidance, Stephen soon found himself bundled up on the plush sofa, nestled in a cocoon of blankets. Dec fussed over the cushions, fluffing them with precision, while Ant draped an extra throw over Stephen's legs.

"There we go," Dec said, perching on the arm of the couch. "Now, you're not to move a single muscle unless it's absolutely necessary. Doctor's orders."

Stephen chuckled weakly, his voice raspy. "Yes, Doctor Donnelly."

"That's better," Dec said with a wink, leaning down to press a soft kiss to Stephen's forehead. "Now, let's see about making you feel like the most loved little one in the world."

Ant returned moments later with a tray laden with snacks-crisps, biscuits, and sliced fruit arranged neatly like it was some sort of offering. He held up a grape with a cheeky grin. "Open up, baby boy."

Stephen blinked at him, momentarily caught off guard. "You're... going to feed me?"

"Obviously," Ant replied with mock seriousness. "You're far too precious to be using up energy for something as trivial as eating."

Stephen hesitated for half a second before opening his mouth, his heart warming at the playful care in Ant's gesture. Dec settled beside him, tucking a strand of Stephen's hair behind his ear and murmuring, "That's right, sweetheart. Let us take care of you."

For the next hour, Stephen was utterly pampered. Dec tucked him in tighter every time the blanket shifted, planting kisses on his forehead and cheeks between sips of tea. Ant kept a steady stream of snacks coming, grinning as Stephen gave in and let himself be fed. They peppered him with sweet nicknames-"love," "sweetheart," and "our little one"-each word wrapped in affection.

"You're so important to us," Ant said suddenly, his voice unusually soft as he adjusted the blanket around Stephen's shoulders. "You've got no idea."

Stephen's throat tightened, and he blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay. "You guys make me feel so..." He trailed off, searching for the right words. "So loved."

"That's because you are, baby boy," Dec said, leaning in to kiss his temple. "Always."

As the night wore on, Stephen found himself feeling lighter, the ache in his chest replaced by a warm glow. At some point, he drifted off, his head resting on Dec's shoulder while Ant rubbed slow, soothing circles on his back. Even in sleep, he felt the love radiating from them-their steady presence keeping the loneliness at bay.

When he woke the next morning, it was to the scent of tea and toast and the gentle murmur of Ant and Dec's voices. He stretched, the blankets cocooning him like a protective shield, and smiled to himself.

He wasn't alone. Not with them. And that made all the difference.