Ant and Dec One Shots

Warm Welcome

Stephen stepped through the front door, juggling his briefcase and a takeaway bag, his shoulders sagging under the weight of the long day. He kicked off his shoes, letting them fall unceremoniously to the floor, and paused to take in the familiar hum of the television coming from the living room. It was the sound of home, but tonight it didn't quite ease the tired ache in his chest.

Padding toward the source, Stephen peeked into the living room and spotted Ant and Dec sprawled on the couch, their legs tangled together like vines and arms lazily looped around each other. They weren't even watching the screen, just murmuring softly to one another, their faces lit with quiet smiles.

It was the kind of scene that would usually warm Stephen's heart, but tonight it stung just a little. He stood in the doorway, takeaway bag in hand, feeling oddly like a guest in his own home.

"Oh, I see how it is," he muttered, loud enough to be heard, his voice carrying the dramatic weight of a Shakespearean tragedy. He plunked his things down on the coffee table with an exaggerated huff, letting his shoulders sag further for effect.

Ant glanced up at the sound, his brow furrowing in concern. "Hey, baby! You're back!"

Stephen crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. "Don't 'hey baby' me," he retorted, flopping onto the other sofa with a flair that could rival any West End performance. He sprawled out dramatically, one arm flung over his face. "No one loves me. I'm just a forgotten ornament in this house. Never get any affection. Never get any love. Just me and my lonely little takeaway bag."

Dec bit his lip, clearly struggling to hold back a laugh, while Ant failed entirely, his chuckle bursting out. "Oh, this is serious," Dec said with mock gravity, nudging Ant. "We've neglected him, Ant. Shameful behaviour."

"Unforgivable," Ant agreed solemnly, his lips twitching with a grin. "We'll have to make amends immediately."

Before Stephen could deliver another line of his pity-party monologue, both men sprang into action.

"Oi! No-!" Stephen yelped, trying to escape, but he didn't stand a chance against their ambush. Ant and Dec tackled him onto the sofa, pinning him down with a barrage of determined cuddles.

Ant started planting soft kisses along Stephen's cheeks, murmuring between them, "Poor, neglected Stephen. How could we let this happen?"

Meanwhile, Dec shifted to pepper kisses along Stephen's neck, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "No affection, you said? None at all? Terrible."

"Alright, alright!" Stephen gasped, his laughter spilling out despite his protests. "You've made your point! I take it back!"

"Not so fast," Ant replied, shaking his head firmly. "We've got to be thorough. No half-measures here."

"You know the rules," Dec added with a smirk, tucking himself snugly against Stephen's side. "Proper cuddles or it doesn't count."

Within moments, they'd manoeuvred Stephen into the middle of the couch, sandwiched between them like the filling in a particularly affectionate hug. Ant wrapped an arm around Stephen's waist, holding him close, while Dec rested his head on Stephen's shoulder, his hand rubbing slow circles on Stephen's back.

Stephen let out a long sigh, the day's exhaustion ebbing away under the warmth of their embrace. His earlier dramatics melted into a sheepish grin. "I suppose this isn't too bad," he admitted quietly, his voice losing its edge.

"Not too bad?" Ant gasped in mock outrage. "Stephen, we're giving you our premium-grade cuddles here. Show some appreciation!"

Stephen chuckled, tilting his head back to look at them both. "Fine, fine. It's amazing. Ten out of ten. Best cuddles ever."

"That's more like it," Dec said, pressing a kiss to Stephen's temple. "Now tell us about your day, love."

Stephen hesitated, his fingers fiddling with the hem of his shirt. "It was alright. Just a couple of meetings and some script reads. The usual."

Ant's gaze softened as he studied him. "But?" he prompted gently, sensing there was more.

Stephen's shoulders dropped, his voice quieter now. "But I'm just so tired. And I missed you both so much."

Ant leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to the top of Stephen's head. "We missed you too, sweetheart. More than you know."

"Loads," Dec echoed, his hand never pausing its soothing motions. "You're the best part of coming home, you know."

Stephen closed his eyes, his earlier frustration fading completely. Here, cocooned between them, he felt safe, loved, and whole. "You're both ridiculous," he murmured, though his smile gave away how much he adored them.

"And you wouldn't have us any other way," Ant teased, tilting Stephen's chin up to press a soft kiss to his lips. "Now, no more nonsense about being unloved, alright?"

Stephen nodded, his heart feeling lighter than it had all day. "Alright. No more nonsense."

The three of them stayed like that for a while longer, wrapped in warmth and quiet affection, until the takeaway bag on the table beckoned. But in that moment, Stephen didn't care if his food got cold. He had everything he needed right there.