Jaylor One Shots

Dancing With Our Hands Tied

"I knew there was no one in the world who could take it..." Once is all gets out, she knows he'll run. Sure, she's told him so many times how bad the media can be, how it can ruin any good thing to ever exist. But every time she'd tried to explain he promised he understood, swore that it would never happen to them - that he'd stay through all of it. She knows that hearing it, and experiencing it are two different things - something he is too new to understand. She'd almost forgotten until today and the last thing she wants is to put Joe through that - to link him to her for life. She doesn't want her awful reputation to ruin his. 

"I loved you in spite of deep fears that the world would divide us." He's helped her overcome so much - her fears in love, fear of the outside world ruining so many things, fear that she'd never be the one for anyone. Today, the paparazzi hurt her again. Managed to get under her skin. She knows that once things get out about them, he'll see the truth in her words - understand why he should have left when she'd told him to. 

"Swaying as the room burned down." The song she's writing is reminiscing on what their relationship is, as well as what it will become - how she would give absolutely anything to hold onto him throughout it all, but that she just can't do it to him. 

"Dancing with our hands tied." Their hands are tied. There is nothing either of them can do to stop what is destined to come once the world finds out. The only thing she can do is protect him. No one has to know they'd ever been together, he'd be safe - she'd never tell a single soul. His reputation can form on its own without her there to ruin it. 

She sighs as she places the guitar beside her. The song she's written has crushed her heart, but she sees the truth in it. She loves him so so so much. She never knew she could love like that, never understood what it really felt like. Until she met Joe. Now, she had to protect him, in the same way he'd helped her through so much. She feels tears spring back into her eyes as she continues reminding herself that this is for the best. She can't be selfish about this. Especially not when someone as amazing as Joe is could end up hurt. Taking a deep breath, she stands up - stretching out her limbs. It had only taken her 40 minutes to write the song. She isn't sure if it'll ever see the light of day - perhaps it'll just be one of the ones she holds close to her heart, to remind her of him. She gets back into her car, letting her driver take her home. She rests her head against the cool glass of the window, mulling over how on earth she's going to shatter both their hearts today. A part of her is silently praying Joe won't be home when she gets there. 

Her prayers have not been answered. She can hear the TV playing in the living room. as soon as she steps through the front door. Taylor quickly runs upstairs to take a shower, choosing to avoid the situation for a little longer. The warm water running down her back feels nice. She isn't quite sure how to go about this. Does she just yell and scream or try have an adult conversation? What will best make him understand? Finally she shuts off the water, deciding to just go and rip the bandaid off - hoping to just get it over and done with. He'll move on, and one day - he'll understand it was for the best. Once she dries off, she quickly slips on some comfy clothes before heading  downstairs. 

Joe seems to notice her coming down the stairs and jumps up, coming closer to her. The grin on his face just cracks her in two. She can feel her heart thumping heavily in her chest, it's so intense that she's almost surprised he can't hear it. 

"Hi love, how was your day?" He leans down to kiss her but she turns her head away in the last moment. He looks at her, his brow furrowing in confusion. He opens his mouth to say something but she beats him to it,

"We need to end this." Her words are blunt and she curses herself for not softening the blow. She sees Joe's eyes widen in shock

"Huh?" He says, clearly caught off guard. "Things are so good! Why would you want to end this?" Taylor can feel the frustration radiating off him.