A Lovely Day...

Lucky

A/N - Yep, I'm still here and clinging to life. This has not been a good year for writing...I am mortified that I haven't updated any of my stories in months and months. There's just too much on my plate and no time for 'having fun' (i.e., writing and reading). I had inspiration for a really short scene based on Dec's adorable birthday thank you yesterday, and managed to write this little one shot between 12:30 and 2:30am last night...So, apologies if it's complete rubbish! 😬😂 

PLEASE NOTE: This one shot is written with Ant and Dec as a couple, so if that's not your thing, just don't read it. Thanks, and take care! -H. x

The evening was warm, quiet...Apart from the soft tones of music playing in the background, the night air was completely still with just the hint of a slight breeze rustling the fairy lights and wildlife-themed party balloons. Everyone else at the birthday party had slowly drifted out, wending their weary ways home after a long day of filming for the Celebrity Special of I'm a Celebrity... here in South Africa. The only two left on the veranda were him and Declan.

"Anth," Declan Donnelly said suddenly, grabbing at Ant McPartlin's arm in a slightly childlike manner, "Can you get me 'nother drink, please?"

Ant grinned at his partner and simply shook his head, "You've had enough, sunshine. Don't want a sore head now, do we??"

Dec pouted, pulling his best puppy eyes, "Come onnnn, I've only had three beers!"

"Aye, an' three beers is your limit, kidda. You're only little," Ant smiled, easily dodging the playful hand that swung his way at the 'little' remark. "Come here, you," he pulled the empty bottle out of Dec's hand and placed it on the floor next to the loveseat swing they were occupying before wrapping his arm around Dec's shoulders, pulling him into his side in a secure cuddle.

His head dipped, nose burying itself in his beloved's fluffy hair and lips moving of their own accord, tenderly kissing the soft, slightly mussed up strands. Dec gave an appreciative hum, beer forgotten as he snuggled deeper into Ant's hold, basking in the love being shown to him.

Lightly grasping Ant's hand in his own, his eyes traced the letters engraved into Ant's wedding ring – Declan's Forever – his heart fluttering yet again at the wording, just as it had for the past decade. Lifting his head and regarding his husband with a smitten expression, he giggled as Ant placed a soft kiss on the tip of his nose.

"What're you thinking?" Ant murmured, smiling softly at his tipsy lover who was looking up at him with adoring heart eyes.

"How lucky I am," Dec replied, slowly leaning up to press his lips to Ant's in a gentle kiss, "Love youse."

"Love you more."

Dec stretched lazily before slipping an arm around Ant's abdomen, curling closer and laying his head on his partner's chest, eyes slowly fluttering closed while he breathed in the peaceful night air. After a minute or so, a sleepy murmur drifted up to Ant, "What is it?"

"Hmm?" Ant questioned, peering down at Dec pillowed on his chest.

"I know you're thinkin' 'bout sommat," Dec slurred, alcohol and exhaustion taking their toll on his speech.

Ant chuckled quietly, eyes crinkling into a smile. "Y'shouldda been a detective," he gently ribbed his husband, "Na, nowt serious...Just...Did you have a good time today?"

Dec huffed, seeming almost offended at the question playing on Ant's mind. "Whaddya think, ya radgie?? I've had a lovely day..."

He slowly sat up so he could look Ant in the eyes. "Started off with a lovely...surprise...." he blushed slightly as Ant gave him a sultry smirk, continuing, "And homemade English breakfast in bed...And then ya gave me my present. An' then I got to spend me whole day workin' wi' you...And then the lovely dinner and par'y tonight...It was lovely, Anth."

Dec cuddled back into Ant's chest, finishing, "An' now I'm sittin' here in th' dark wi' you...It's so roma'tic, Anth."

"Good." Ant lifted Dec's chin with his finger, craning his heck to place a soft, lingering kiss on his lips. "It has been a lov-a-ly day," he said, tone slightly mocking but ever so loving.

Sticking his tongue out in a silent raspberry, Dec mumbled into Ant's polo shirt, "Shuddup...Me brain's gone all fuzzy...."

"Aye, I'm just teasing youse," Ant chuckled, tracing a featherlight touch down Dec's arm and across his side, eliciting a slight shiver. "Ya wanna go in...?"

Instantly recognizing the tone in Ant's voice, Dec snickered quietly, "You're a randy bugger sometimes," catching Ant's roaming hand in his own and placing a small kiss on the palm, pulling it tight to his chest. "Nah, too sleepy," he answered Ant's unspoken question, adding through a wide yawn, "Nee' a nap first, Anty..."

Pulling Dec closer and securely wrapping his free arm around him, Ant gave a soft smile, watching as his husband's eyes slowly drooped shut. As Dec's breaths slowed into a steady cadence, Ant pressed a gentle kiss to the hair tickling his chin, carefully adjusting his position to become more comfortable for both of them. When a tipsy Dec said he needed a "nap", he didn't just mean a 30-minute power nap...He meant a 3-hour long sleep. They'd be here a while!

And as he slowly began to join his chosen life partner in the land of nod, he couldn't help but find himself walking through memory lane of the 30-odd years they'd spent together...All the things they'd done, everything they'd been through. Life had tested them severely, had tried to break them, had attempted to tear them apart and had once or twice nearly succeeded...But through it all, one unwavering truth had emerged: their love was unbreakable.

Some might say their co-dependence on each other was unhealthy. But they truly could not live without the other by their side.

With a tenderly contented smile etched onto their faces, the two men fell asleep in each other's arms, secure in their undying love that needed no explanation.

Two hearts beating as one.