Jaylor One Shots

One Joke Too Far

Taylor and Joe have been doubled over with laughter all evening, she'd been travelling between a few different cities in the US and had finally made her way back to London. To him. They're so happy to have been reunited, spending the night consistently close in proximity. They've been dating about six months now and it's the happiest both of them have ever been. Joe often finds himself looking in the mirror, wondering what the hell he'd done so right to end up with her. It isn't because she's 'Taylor Swift', it's because of how incredible she is as a person. How nice, funny and beautiful she is. He'd never thought someone as wonderful as her would ever want anything serious with someone like him. But of course, she looks at him in the same way - wondering why on earth he'd put up with her crazy life and all her insecurities just to be with her. 

"Taylor I'm serious! Pineapples absolutely belong on pizza!" She's laughing at him, and despite it being a playful disagreement, Joe can't help but think about how adorable she looks. The couple are animatedly talking about anything and everything tonight. Both sitting on the couch, facing each other, knees touching - both leaning closer for no real purpose other than to enjoy the proximity. 

"No, you just have poor judgement! Fruit does not belong with savoury things, that's just a fact I'm sorry to tell you!" He watches as she giggles, slightly inebriated. God he loves her. 

"You're teasing my poor judgement skills? You dated Jake Gyllenhaal so you can't really talk"' Joe immediately regrets what he said when he notices her laughter evaporate. Watches as she sips her wine before mumbling a small agreement. "I'm sorry that was too far." He feels like shit watching the night change for her. She brushes him off as though it really hadn't phased her. Perhaps someone else would've bought her act. But there's something in her eyes and posture that reveals to him how hurt she really is. He has no idea the full story between her and Jake, she's never told him - he was never one for the tabloids so doesn't even have any idea of the rumours. Stupid him. He shouldn't have brought it up. Her gaze is distant, as though she's remembering something painful.

"Tay?" He murmurs quietly, gently runs his hand up her back.

"Hmm?" She slowly looks at him, a smile plastered on her face.

"You okay?" He knows she's not but doesn't want to push, wants her to open up in her own time. Despite the both of them having fallen fast, the relationship is still quite new. He sighs when she just nods her head, sipping her wine again.

They exchange brief words for the next few minutes before an awkward silence comes between them. It hasn't happened before. But with Taylor still completely lost in her thoughts and Joe feeling awful about the situation - there isn't much left to say.

"I think I'm going to go to bed." She mumbles, standing up, placing her empty glass on the table.

"Okay, did you want me to leave?" He doesn't want to leave. He wants to hold her, remind her that he isn't going anywhere. That he and Jake aren't the same. He's relieved when she shakes her head,

"You can stay." She gives him a small smile as he reaches up to squeeze her hand.

"I'll be up soon okay?" He watches Taylor nod before climbing the stairs. His eyes follow her until she's no longer in his line of sight. Joe let's out a small sigh, running his fingers through his hair. He's fucked up, he knows his humour can be a bit much sometimes but he's crossed a line tonight. He shouldn't be joking about things he could never understand the severity of. He knows she's been hurt in the past and yet still let the words fly out of his mouth.

When Joe finally makes it to their bedroom, he walks in and she's just lying there, staring at the ceiling. She's deep in thought, he knows that. His heart aches for her, he just wants to help.

"Taylor?" he calls out softly, not wanting to startle her.

"Yeah?" Her head shifts, looking over at him.

"You okay?" He watches as she sits up in bed, patting the space next to her.

"Yeah I'm good." He climbs in next to her, silence falling over the pair for a moment before Joe puts his arm around her shoulders - fully prepared for her to shove him off. He's surprised when she snuggles into him, but ever so grateful that he can hold her now.

"Did you want to talk?" he murmurs carefully, kissing the top of her head.

"You were right y'know? It was a poor judgement call back then. I got swept away by fake nicety and ended up hurt. I can't even begin to explain to you the mental pathways I went down after that relationship crashed and burned. It still affects how I view things today which is a bit ridiculous I know." Her voice is soft, and Joe looks down to see her biting her lip.

"It's not ridiculous, our past is always going to affect who we are. I'm so sorry you had a traumatic experience." He whispers, wrapping his other arm around her waist now, pulling her into his lap.

"It's okay, I don't think about it often. It's just sometimes, moments where I'm caught off-guard and the remembering makes me spiral, causing me to question everything and everyone in my life. I find myself picking everyone apart, searching for signs that they could be like him. Because I can't do that again, that fucked me up." Her words get to him, his heart bleeds for her, he tightens his grip on her - never wants her to feel that way again.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up." He feels her hand caress his arm, her eyes meeting his.

"Hey, it's all good. We were giving each other low blows all night to mess around. It was a good retort I suppose." She laughs, seems to be feeling lighter.

"You know if you ever wanted to talk about any of it, I'm here?" He brings his hand to her cheek, gently rubbing his finger over her soft skin.

"I know, and maybe someday I will." Taylor leans up to kiss him gently. He doesn't push her, never would. So he takes comfort in the fact that at least she knows he's here for her. 

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HI!! I know this isn't Christmas or birthday related but I've had most of this in my drafts for weeks before I went away so I hope you're okay with that! I hope to write a New Year one but I don't get back until the 2nd of January so it may be a little late! I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas and enjoy saying goodbye to 2021, lots of love besties 🥰