Joe Mazzello Imagines

Do all women have to do that?

I don't know if this will be triggering for anybody as it mentions possible attacks.

"Hey, Y/N." Joe says immediately as he walks through the front door of our house, taking a seat next to me. "There's something that we discussed today at work which I want to discuss with you because I want to see what amount of that is true." I put down my book and turn my body towards him so he knows I have his full attention.

"Of course, Joe, what's up?"

"Do you take measurements or... precautions to protect yourself when you go out at night?" Concern laces his voice and I know he's worried about my answer, but there's no shame in the truth.

"Oh yeah, definitely. I do that whenever I'm out alone."

"Wait, really? You say that so casually." He says as if he can't believe it.

"Yeah, because I've never known a world where I wouldn't do that apart from when I was a kid and too young to know any better. It was one of the first things I was taught growing up as a teenager. It's the same with my friends as well. I was taught, at night and if I don't feel safe, to carry your keys between your fingers so that you can use them as a weapon if someone tries to attack you. Also, if someone tries to attack you and your in the town or city, scream 'fire' as there will be a higher chance of people looking out their windows than what 'rape' or 'help' would.

"I also got taught to always walk like you have somewhere to be, with purpose, and keep your phone out and ready, just in case. There are other things I have been taught too, but then we would be here for hours. Those are the main ones, though." I relax in my seat as Joe looks at me in shock, his mouth hanging open a little.

"Really? You go through all of that all because you are alone at night?"

"Yeah, it's just a precaution for myself so that I know that I have something to fall back on just in case anything does happen. It's not a nice world out there for women, never has been."

"So, do all women have to do that? Do you all go through all that?" He moves closer to me, eager to hear my answer.

"Well, I can't speak for all women, but I know my girl friends and I do. We all have this thing where if one of us is going out for the night without and we know someone won't be there with us the whole night, we have to text one of the girls' everything."

"Everything?"

"Yeah, like our plans for the night, who we're with, what time we're planning on going home. You know, all those details just as a safety precaution. I think our group is on edge a little bit more because something did happen to one of us one time. She's okay now, though." I quickly add, seeing the tense, worried look on his face, but saying this does little to ease it. He seems so worried about all of us.

"But, my mates and I never have to go through all of that." He says, trying to make sense of everything. "Actually, no man I've ever talked to has to go through all of that."

"Of course not, that's because all men are perceived as dominant, macho and very capable of handling themselves in a fight, which can work in your favor or be your downfall. Women are seen as the complete opposite. No matter how far we've come or how powerful we've become in society, we're always going to be seen as the weaker gender and the easy targets. But as soon as a woman is seen with a man, that is seen as more of a threat as the men in this situation are seen more as the protectors of the 'damsel in distress'". I air quote the last words with a lace of annoyance with the title women have been given.

"I'm pretty sure it's the women who do more of the protecting than needing to be protected." I mutter more to myself even though I know Joe can hear me, before I carry on. "But that's just how society is with the way they view gender and sadly, it not only influences how people see us, but also how they treat us. I also don't think that's going to change any time soon even though I think it desperately needs to." I am super worked up talking about all of this and, by the tense look on Joe's face, he's worked up about it as well.

"It does need to change. Women should be able to feel safe walking down the street and not feel like they're going to be attacked at any minute. That's just not right." Joe sighs, leaning his head back and he looks at me. Like, really looks at me. He moves his hand up to caress my face and I immediately lean into his kind touch. "I've always known you were strong and brave, Y/N, but I underestimated just how strong and brave you really are. I hope you know just how much I love you." My heart melts at his words and I smile at him.

"I love you too, Joe." He smiles and kisses my forehead, wrapping me securely in his arms.

"Maybe we can find a way to change this. Together."