reputation | a taylor swift fanfiction ✓

track 9 | getaway car

november 6th; london

taylor had been expecting joe to act like last night had never happened, but she was wrong. while taylor was sipping her coffee, joe came into the kitchen. immediately, he said, "so...what do we do about last night? everything's out in the open."

"well, good morning to you," said taylor. "we both like each other, don't we? i'd love to act on those feelings."

"great," joe replied. "so are we going to keep this a secret from the media?"

"never mind that," said taylor. "my answer would be yes, we'd keep this a secret. however, our relationship's not going to happen. i can't drag myself into this. you can't drag yourself into this. haven't you seen what they print about my boyfriends? i can't do this to you. it's not gonna happen." 

"whoa," said joe. "slow down. you're prohibiting our relationship because you want to save both of our reputations? i can understand where you're coming from, but don't you think that you should at least give it a chance—"

"no," said taylor, suddenly annoyed. "i'm not doing this because i don't like you, joe. why would i kiss you last night if i didn't like you? i'm just saying, we can't do this. i'm worried about your image, not mine. i can't be the one who causes your downfall. you're so early in your career. your undamaged reputation needs to stay intact as long as possible. so, we're not going to date." she wanted to add that it was for his own good, but she didn't want to sound like a parent.

taylor suddenly realized that she had gotten up from her chair and was now pacing around the apartment. she sat on the couch and sighed.

joe sat down next to her and ran his fingers through his blond hair. "look, taylor, you don't have to put yourself through this. why are you preventing yourself from getting what you really want?"

  "i said, i'm not refusing to date you because i don't like you. and even if i kissed you last night, i don't want to be in a relationship right now. not after...all those exes."

upon hearing this, joe's tone softened. "well...what happened, exactly?"

"i don't feel as bad about tom. it's calvin harris that bothers me more. when we first broke up, there was no bad blood at all. later..." taylor grimaced. "it was that damn song, "this is what you came for". i wanted to keep the identity of nils sjöberg a secret, but my team chose to reveal it instead. anyway, you know what he also said? it was indirect, but he said that i enjoyed tearing people down, which isn't true. there were sirens in the beat of his heart." she swallowed. she would not cry in front of joe. "i should've known it would turn out like this. we were flying, but we'd never get far."

"oh," said joe, placing a hand on taylor's shoulder. "i understand where you're coming from, but it's not worth it to close yourself off. i can tell you like me, and vice versa. we could just not appear in public together. there aren't any...cameras here. or in any of your residences, probably. it's not impossible."

taylor met his gaze. the urge to cry was still there. there was moisture in her eyes. "you do have a point. perhaps...i'll think about it." 

"also," said joe, "whatever you do, i'll support you, whether or not i'm your boyfriend."

taylor got up, found a tissue, and wiped her eyes. perhaps she should reconsider her decision. joe was such a great person, and she kind of wanted to claim him before he was taken by another person.

she sat back on the sofa. "oh my gosh. you really are something."

joe laughed, briefly. "i'm aware of that."

taylor inhaled deeply, then said, "look, you have a point. i do like you. and...i guess i—i could be your girlfriend. because... we both want it." she dabbed at her eyes with the tissue.

"really?" said joe. 

"yeah," said taylor, softly. she watched as he smiled, and she grinned too. "but, if it ever gets to be too much for me, i'm going to need my space. like i said, i don't know if i'm ready for another romantic relationship."

"that's not a problem," said joe. "as i said, i'll support you whether or not i'm your boyfriend."

taylor scooted closer to him. "thank you." she was just about to add i love you, but they weren't at that point yet. she was not one to give away i love yous easily. 

joe did not reply. instead, he leaned in, his fingers touching taylor's chin lightly. "may i?" taylor nodded, and their lips touched. 

taylor pulled away, and made eye contact. joe's eyes were an ocean blue. they crinkled as he smiled and leaned in once more. 

finally, joe pulled away, looking at her. "i never dreamed of this. i never, ever thought this would happen. but here i am."

"yeah," said taylor, quietly. "here i am. here i am in another relationship, when i thought i was done with men for the rest of my life." a pause. "and i'm excited to see where this decision takes me."

UNEDITED

so this one's a bit shorter and it's like 97% angst and 3% kissing. anyhow idk if this is...good but we're publishing it anyway lol also don't forget to vote!! ur girl needs it