Jaylor One Shots

Date Night Disruption

She's squeezing his hand so tightly, to the point where she'd probably be worried she's hurting him if it wasn't for the fact that he's holding hers just as tight. This wasn't something either of them had expected for the evening. They'd just wanted to go on a nice, low-key dinner date. Just the two of them. It isn't something they do very often, for the sake of staying hidden. They'd been having such a good time too, she'd been so happy. But now she's terrified, the bright flashes are sending surges of anxiety up and down her body and they just aren't stopping. She just wants to cower behind Joe and not let any of them see her. Taylor feels horrible, it's her fault they're here. It's her fault and yet somehow she has the audacity to be frightened, shouldn't she be used to this by now? But no, she isn't. Because this is the one thing she's never been able to get used to. She tries to block out the insults and questions they hurl her way, she tries so hard but it just isn't possible. They're too loud, and too close. She grips Joe's hand a little tighter as she does her best to control her facial expressions and body language. She knows these pictures will be overanalysed and dissected by the world, and she just doesn't want any drama. She's had enough of that for a lifetime. As she peeks up at Joe's face, she can see he's pissed. She knows he gets a little protective in these situations, but she doesn't really mind. She needs someone who understands the way she feels about this. She's had boyfriends before who insisted that they go on pap walks so the world could see how in love they were. She'd always hated it, but with Joe - he understands completely. 

After what feels like a lifetime, they reach their car, quickly slipping into the backseat. The door shutting behind them drowns out the noise, the voices immediately becoming muffled. At least now she can block them out. Joe hasn't let go of her hand, but neither of them say anything just yet, both at a complete loss for words. It had been a little unexpected. Usually they avoid that kind of situation, unless they go to an actual event. But it's always planned, they know it's going to happen. They've had date nights before where they haven't been caught like this. They always plan everything so meticulously that it doesn't leave much room for a surprise. Maybe she'd been too careless tonight, she should've been better. As the car begins moving, she looks out the window as the paparazzi fade away. There had been so many of them tonight, she hates it. She hates the fear they bring to her now, nothing is worth that. Nothing is the worth the intrusion, or the hit it takes to her mental health every single time. Their comments still sting, they take the most personal shots at her every single time. She feels Joe let go of her hand to quickly wind his arm around her, gently kissing her head. She looks up at him, tries to offer him a small smile. He dips his head to press his lips to her forehead and Taylor immediately feels herself unwind, the tension in her body somewhat ebbing away. She's so grateful for this effect he has on her. In the past, she'd have stewed over what just happened for days, letting it infiltrate her mind until she forced herself to fix whatever insults they were throwing at her. It had become so unhealthy and she'd known she couldn't continue that way. And then she met Joe, a man who is so normal in his view of the world, so understanding of everything she'd told him and he'd helped her disappear. He'd helped her find who she really is, underneath all the pain she'd been in when they first met. She leans her head on his shoulder, letting out a small sigh as his arm tightens around her body.

As they pull into her garage, Joe helps her out of the car. They quickly thank the driver before heading into their apartment. Once inside, Taylor sinks into Joe. Just holding him close, so happy to be home and away from all of that. She feels his arms around her shoulders as they just stand there for a while, unwinding from the mental trauma all of that causes, letting it settle and move on. 

"Are you okay?" She hears him murmur, gently stroking her back. She closes her eyes, taking a few moments before responding. 

"I'm sure I will be." She says softly into his chest. "Are you?" She asks gently, feeling bad that he has to deal with the chaos that seems to follow her everywhere.