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

Home and Away (Part One)

Joe's POV:

Am I really going to do this?

Am I really packing my case to jet off to the other side of the world for Christmas?

More importantly, am I REALLY meeting and celebrating Christmas with my Australian girlfriends

ENTIRE family?

How on earth did it get to this stage in my life? I might of taken me 27 years but my god Joseph, you've got there now. Staring at the obscene amount of suitcases sitting beside our front door, Dianne's grin lights up the whole hallway as she paces, frantic to make her way back to her native land in 20hours time. "Chill out Dot, come here you softy, the car will be here soon and then its MY turn to pace and stress yeah? Give us a cuddle, love, you'll tire yourself out before we even fly at this rate." I chuckle, grabbing my over-excited girlfriend into my arms and holding her in place. "I'm sorry Joseph...I just want to leave and get on the plane before you...I dunno before you decide you don't want to come or something. I mean, it is intimidating I guess, i'm bad enough, I don't blame you if you don't want to come. Do you still want to come?" She rambles, not meeting my gaze in case I confirm her fears. Pulling her into my chest, I slide down the wall behind us and pull her into my lap, focusing on stroking her hair rhythmically and give her a chance to settle before I speak.

See, a little know fact about Dianne is that she loves rhythm. Well obviously, she's a dancer, but the quickest way to ease any fears or anxiety is to turn her attention to the beat of something else and she soon relaxes. Hearing her breathing even out, I pull her chin up so she has to face me and the worry in her tear filled eyes breaks me a little. Instantly, any fear or worries I previously had about going away for Christmas melt away; Dot always comes first. "Dot? Dot, look at me, okay? Dianne, of course i'm coming to Bunbury with you, there Is no way I want to spend another Christmas apart if I can help it. I've always said how much I love Australia and seeing a new part of it, exploring WA with you? I can't imagine anything better." Sniffling quietly into my shirt, she eventually concedes and leans her forehead against mines, pressing a kiss to the very tip of my nose. "I love you Joseph, i'm sorry for being silly. It's just...I've never brought anyone home for Christmas before, so it is kind of a big deal for me and I don't want you to feel pressured into it, i'd never do that to you." she whispers, eyes closing as we hold this position.

Being this close to Dot, our eyes connected and our faces resting against each other is my favorite type of intimacy between us- there's no need to talk, no need for any other physical touch, for that moment, it's like our brains are just connected. I never ever thought i'd be the romantic type, never even considered I could enjoy something like this so much but sitting here, Dot resting between my legs with her head to mine? My heart grew sizes, if it was even possible and the crushing love for her sat heavy in my chest, a single tear sliding down my face as I lift my hand to cup her face and massage her head. It was the perfect moment, if such a thing could exist...until, of course, we got interrupted by the familiar *DING* of an iPhone, reminding me that our uber was waiting downstairs so we could head to the airport. Lifting her to her feet, pausing to let Dianne brush the tear away, we grab the suitcases and set off on our adventure.

Dianne's POV:

After our little breakthrough moment on the hall floor, I do feel a lot better about our trip, more confident almost. It's strange, according to the world, I am the tough, confident and fiery latin and ballroom dancer but at home? Only Joseph gets to see the true side of me; the "me" who isn't as brave, who worries about the tiny things and stresses over random things...the "me" who sometimes won't let me love myself, let others love me and the "m"e that sometimes crumbles a little. This past year and a half has been the biggest learning curve for me- Joe might not have had a serious girlfriend before but I've never truly opened up to anyone before, not like this anyway. Boyfriends have come and gone, I've been home and away, there is never any point baring my soul because I only end up hurt and weaker than before, so usually, I just keep my guard up and be that powerful dancer that is infallible. But i'm not and today demonstrated that.

With our fingers interlocked across the middle seat of the uber, both of us have remained pretty quiet following our little discussion inside, choosing to focus on the rhythms and movements of our bodies instead. As creepy as it sounds, I love watching Joseph when he doesn't notice- in the early morning when he's still sleepy, when he is focusing on something or when he is daydreaming because it's usually the only time that he isn't rushing around like a mad man and I can really take notice of the little things. I can't help myself, I detach my hand from his and reach across to caress the baby hairs on the bottom of his neck, smiling as he nuzzles back into my hand, enjoying a moment of bliss before he takes the role of "Stresshead" whilst we check in and get through security. Knowing how much Christmas means to the Sugg family, I can't believe he actually suggested that he went with me this year, I had been hyping myself up to go alone again but of course, Joseph Sugg shocked me once again.

With cases checked in, hand luggage through security without any issue or stops, we take advantage of our time before the gate and grab some shopping through duty free, including Joe's main Christmas present; a new set of beats. Time genuinely flies and before we know it, we are on board and cuddled up in our own sections- business class because Joe managed to upgrade us without me knowing, another little surprise apparently. Only downside to the upgrade is that we have separate booths on this flight, meaning Joe feels like he is miles away and I know for a fact that i'll end up in beside him at some stage, the feeling of anxiousness not fully settled just yet, even though we have taken off and there is literally nowhere for him to go yet. Settling back into my seat, another debate wracks my brain...something else I've been struggling with lately. I've travelled a lot in the last decade; all across Europe, Australia, America and now the UK but Bunbury has always been home and everywhere else is "away" but since moving in with Joseph, London has felt more and more like home and now Oz has become the "away". I guess this trip will ease my mind and provide an answer to the million and one questions running through my brain.

Oh well.

At least I have Joe beside me.