It's in the little things: One-shots x2

Audition: you have GOT this!

Joe's POV:

" You can try...oh but I...I love you means you're never ever getting rid of me." I finish, panting lightly and flopping onto our shared bed, grinning up at my sleepy girlfriend. "Was that any good? Was it better than before? Or am I shit and should just pull out?" It's the night before my audition for Waitress on West End and despite the fact that I have been practicing and rehearsing for weeks, I am still absolutely bricking it. "Joseph! Stop It right there! You are NOT dropping out, you are absolutely brilliant as I have said every time you perform for you. Now stop being a negative ned, you're amazing. You're gonna smash it tomorrow and if you don't get it, then we both know that there are hundreds of other opportunities for you out there." Dianne half yells at me, throwing a cushion at my head. "Do it once more before bed, run through your lines and songs and then come here and get a good nights sleep my love. Go on, places!" she dictates, pointing at the "stage" at the end of our bed.

Running through it once more, feeling considerably more confident this time, with my words, lyrics and pitch, I crawl into bed beside my already snoozing girlfriend. She has been an actual angel through this whole process, listening to me sing the same songs on repeat, learning lines and cues and settling my crazy nerves multiple times a week, whilst pursuing her own dance career at the same time. Deciding to leave her to sleep, I roll onto my side and try desperately to turn my brain off and settle the rising nerves, knowing I need to have a proper nights sleep. As if she knows what is going through my mind, my very sleepy girlfriend shuffles towards me, wrapping me into her grasp from behind like a koala bear, one hand creeping up my chest to rest over my heart, her fingers ghosting over my skin ever so softly. Pressing a kiss to my shoulder blade, she buries her face against my back and settles down again and with that, the nerves dissolve and a wave of tiredness comes over me, allowing me to drift off into a dreamless sleep.

After a solid seven hours of sleep, I begin to stir, becoming aware of how our positions changed during the night, Dianne now curled up on my chest, our legs entwined and my arm holding her tight to my body. She has clearly been awake for a while, tracing absent minded patterns across my abdomen, not aware that i'm awake just yet. " Morning little one, did you sleep well? Have you been awake long?" I mutter, not yet ready to open my eyes and face audition day just yet but totally ready to pull her closer and enjoy some early morning cuddles with my girl. Pressing a kiss to my chest, she grins up at me, " I've been awake nearly two hours but SOMEONE wouldn't let me up to wee..so now you're awake, please let me out of your death grip!" she giggles, pushing me away and sprinting off to relive herself and leaving the bathroom door open behind her.

And who said romance was dead?

Returning to her previous place on my chest, we sleepily chat about our plans for the day, what we want for dinner and whose turn it is to do the bins...how very domestic of us. When did we become like this? Maybe it is time for us to take the next step in our relationship...maybe I should grow a set and ask her to move in fully...that's an issue for another day.

Today's a day, like any other, but now I've changed, I am a performer...

Dianne's POV

Finally waking up enough to start our days, Joe pushes me downstairs to shower while he gets ready, in the aim that both of us will get dressed with enough time for a quick breakfast and cuddle before I've got to leave for training. I wish I could stay home today, to calm him down and hype him up before his big audition but unfortunately, the strictly grind never stops. So i'll do what I do best...glancing around incase he is nearby, I grab a pen and a piece of paper, quickly scribbling a little note for him to take to work with him.

"To my Joseph,

I know you are nervous but push all those nerves into excitement. I am so so proud of you little one, I know you will be amazing.

Remember: you have GOT this!

You have taken my heart with you today, look after it for me.

all my love,

your Dotty <3 xxx"

It's not much but it might be enough to make him smile through the nerves, bless him.

With both of us ready for the day, we flop down onto our love seat together, enjoying a few moments of peace before what is going to be a hectic day for both of us. There are no words needed, just some cuddles, light kisses and a brief goodbye, rudely interrupted by the notification saying my car had arrived. "Bye my love! You'll smash it as Ogie, I just know it." kissing his head one more time for luck, I head down to my waiting car, leaving him stood in the doorway behind me.

Arriving at the studio, i'm instantly greeted by my fellow professionals and head to warm up with Neil, Gorka and of course, fancy Nancy. As we stretch, the room is filled with light hearted chatter, exciting plans for the weekend and talks of Gorka's new baby but all I can think about is Joe and his audition. Shooting him another quick text for luck, we settle into learning one of the various professional routines for this series of strictly and I am incredibly excited, allowing the choreography to fill my brain and nothing else, dance once again taking over my body. Finishing up for the day, Nancy, Katya and I head out together and I receive the message I have been waiting for all day...

"Ello Dotty...it went really well I think, will find out in a few days time. Hope rehearsals are going well, give everyone my love. Nando's for dinner tonight? Also...thanks for the note <3"

I knew he would do it!