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

In case we don't live forever...

As the sunset lowly over the London skyline and peace descended on the city, like many times before, a young couple found themselves settling in for the night with the curtains drawn and the TV on. Unlike previous times, the atomosphere was heavy with unspoken emotions, unshed tears and an undeniable love for each other; every passing moment filled with a gentle touch, a soft whisper or a shared glance, reluctant to leave each other's hold and face the reality that tomorrow would bring. After six long months isolating together due to Covid-19, neither Joe nor Dianne felt ready to let the other one out of arms reach, to lose the feeling of familiarity they had grown accostumed to, ready for the lonliness those first few days apart would bring but as working adults, both realised this separation was necessary, no matter how difficult it would be to begin with.

"Hey Joey...this is really nice you know, Just this...having a social media break, no filming and just being able to be this clingy all day," Dianne giggles nervously, coming over shy for soe reason despite their blossoming, nearly-two-year relationship and burying her face even deeper into Joe's body. "I know it's not realistic with either of our jobs but this little detox weekend has been amazing. These last six months have been content crazy...it's nice to be back the way we started almost. Stealing kisses throughout the house, the random affection attacks and the way I can be clingy as fuck without anyone to judge." She finishes, smiling up at the blond man holding her as he chuckles at her strange confession, "What if I'M the one judging you? What you do then, huh, HUH?" he mutters as he launches a tickle attack, ending only when Dianne rests on top of his body, her knees either side of his hips and her head in his favourite place...resting over his heart. Ending in a tangle of limbs, the pair settle in a comfortable position, still entwined with the other, they settle once again to finish the film of choice- Moana- and spend their final evening together before both Dianne and Joe return to their respective TV jobs in the coming week.

As the body on top of him grew heavier and his girlfriend became sleepy, Joe took a second to just embrace the way he was feeling in that moment- a moment with just the two of them.

Grateful- Grateful for the last six months and the wonderful memories they had managed to make within thier own flat; outdoor cinema dates, building a den, workouts and unshared moments.

Nervous- Nervous for the final surprise he had planned for later; nervous for his own return to work and Dianne, entering into a Strictly Isolation and nervous for the emptiness he would feel in the house whilst she was away.

Love- The undeniable love he could feel...that he has been lucky enough to feel for almost two years and entering his life at a time where Joe truly believed he could never find anyone as special as Dianne.

Glancing down at the sleeping beauty, currently cuddled up on his chest, Joe couldnt help but smile as he watched Dianne stir lightly, wrapping his shirt in her fist and stretching her legs down to meet his own legs. Noticing the time slipping away, Joe lifts a hand to cup the redheads cheek, using his thumb to trace gentle patterns on her skin in an attempt to rouse Dianne from her nap and head up to bed. "Dotty, love? I think it's time for bed honey, come on...you've got an early call time right?" Noticing her stir again, Joe continues, " I've got one last surpirse for you before tomorrow as well, just a little thing don't worry, lets sit up, that's it...take my hand, let's go to bed." Lifitng her heavy body out of the comfy position she had been lying in, Dianne bounces to her feet, stretching up to ease the twinge in her muscles before heading towards the door, looking over her shoudler to check Joe was still behind her as they made their way to the stairs. Hesitating at the bottom of the stairs, pressing a kiss to his girlfriends exposed shoulder, "You go on up Dot, I'm just going to shut my PC down and lock the door." Tapping her bottom, he smirks up at her reply..."Don't be long Joey...or i'll be sparko and it'll be a waste of our last night." She laughs.

Gathering his final surprise from his office and locking the front door, Joe traipsed up the stairs, items hidden behind his back, readying himself for the final night with his girl before they spend a few weeks apart. As he walks in to their shared room, fairy lights on and that addictive giggle coming from a heap of blankets in the middle of their bed and in that moment, Joe KNEW that Prankster Di was back..."What are you up to this time Dot..." Once undressed, pulling the covers off the bed, he revealed a chuckling Dianne, wearing his pj bottoms, an oversized shirt and an innocent smile, squealing when he pounced on her playfully, wrapping her in his arms once again and pressing a kiss to her hairline.

"I've uh...I bought you a little something before you go away. Just a uh...a little something to remind you of me, not that you'll need it seeing as we've been together near two years and you've lived with me for so long and how much you mean to me and yeah...i'm waffling but even after all this time...you still make me nervous Dot, in a good way of course but I just... yeah I just love you. So..." Pausing his rambling to retrive the items he had stowed prior to his attack, he placed the little bag infront of his tearful girlfriend. "Joseph...you really didn't have to! Oh Joey...I'm fully crying now. You're making this really hard to leave you tomorrow. Can I open it?" She mutters, wiping her eyes rapidly and reaching over to drop a kiss on her, equally emotional, boyfriends nose. Laughing loudly and bundling her back in his arms, Joe holds her tight to his chest, "Of course you wally! I didn't buy you a gift for you to not open it, you dingo! I want to sort of explain it too...there is a reason behind it.." Untying the delicate ribbon on the small bag, Dianne rustles through the tissue paper to reveal a dainty necklace chain, with an engraved heart charm attached to it. Turning it over in her hands, her face changing as she read the enscription...

"I'm here, always.

your Joey."

"Don't say anything Dot, hold on. This little message is something you can hold on to when you miss me and I can't be there with you. Hold on to it and i'll be right there in your heart. I've uh...there's a second part to this gift too, something I hope you'll wear every day...wear it forever. I uh...god Dot i'm not good at this but yeah, I hope you like it... Close your eyes love, hold your hand out." His nerves evident as the redhead studies his face before following his command and resting her eyes, her left hand extended. Drawing in a shaky breath, Joe reaches under his pillow and pulls out a small, black satin box, opening it and glancing down at the contents once more, before placing it in the centre of her hand.

"And...open."

Dianne's gasp echos louldy throughout their bedroom as her gaze met the intricate ring, nestling in the cushions of the ring box in her hand.

"Joe...Joey..." Her breath catches as the tears trip down her cheeks. Noticing her reaction, Joe jumps in with his pre-planned speech. "Now Dot, it's not an engagment ring- this isn't a proposal...not yet anyway. Although, it's no secret, I do want to marry you my girl but now is not the time. When I do...it'll be much nicer than in our bed, the night before we separate. Anyway, think of this as a...maybe...a pre-proposal? A promise! Yeah, a promise! That's it. This is my promise to you, right now...in case we don't live forever, let me tell you now, I love you more than you'll ever wrap your head around. In case we don't live forever, let me tell you the truth...I'm everything that I am, because of you. I'll be your hero when you need one, I look up to you and I see one...i'm the man I am because you taught me to be one. You made me Dot and I will love you endlessly for it. So this right now? Not my proposal...but one day, It will be...if you'll have me of course."

With the tears freely falling down both faces, Dianne repositions them so that she is once again, sitting over Joe with his face in her hands, nose to nose, forehead to forehead. "I'm not going to say yes right now...I'll save that for next time but for now i'll say this; I promise. I promise to be here when you need me, I'll hold you forever and a day. As for this, it's perfect Joseph...absolutely perfect. I love you, forever and a day."

In that final moment, words were not needed as the couple united once more, limbs tangled and all other thoughts disgarded. In case they don't live forever, they have the truth.

All anyone needs in life, is love.