fic: need you now
Title: Need You Now
Author: _takemebabyx
Rating: PG
Characters: Taylor Swift & Joe Jonas
Summary: It’s a quarter after one, I’m all alone and I need you now.
A/N: This fic is based on and inspired by Lady Antebellum’s new single, Need You Now. I don’t own these awesome lyrics, unfortunately.
It was a typical late Tuesday night for Taylor; just a little past one o’clock. It wasn’t unusual for her to be awake at this time. She often absent mindedly drew pictures on the pages of her notebook, occasionally scribbling down a few lyrics. But every time she wrote down lyrics, they were always about him. She didn’t know why, but she needed him. Something inside of her just wouldn’t let him go.
Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor,
Taylor sighed, looking around at the circle of photos and pieces of paper that surrounded her. Sometimes she just didn’t even know what to do. He inspired her, which was something he had always done. She’d started so many songs after speaking with him on the telephone, or seeing him for a couple hours in person. He meant everything to her; she didn’t know what she’d do if she didn’t have him. But that was the problem. She didn’t have him anymore. He wasn’t hers. He wasn’t anybody’s, but he definitely wasn’t hers anymore.
reaching for the phone cause I can’t fight it anymore,
She carefully let her fingertips trail over the most recent photo of the two of them. She wished every day that it was more recent, but the truth was that it was almost a year old. She couldn’t handle this anymore. How long could they go without speaking? How long could they go calling each other every so often, but hanging up before the other picked up? Her heart raced every single time she saw his name pop up on the screen of her phone. How long could she last just seeing his face in a crowd of hundreds? Taylor let out a sigh as she reached for her phone. There was no more fighting it.
and I wonder if I ever cross your mind? For me it happens all the time…
She stared down at her phone in her hands, his name on the screen as clear as day. It taunted her. Deleting it would probably be the best thing to do, but she… She couldn’t do that. She just wanted to hear his voice; it had been too long. She wondered if he ever thought about her. Lately she wasn’t so sure. Was she the only one still hung up on this?
It’s a quarter after one, I’m all alone and I need you now.
And I don’t know how I can do without, I just need you now.
Taylor glanced at the clock as she pressed her phone to her ear. She took a deep breath as she heard it ring. She didn’t even know if he would even answer. She had no idea what she would say to him if he answered. Finally, she heard his voice, but it was just the same recording she heard every once in a while. She closed her eyes, listening to his soft, sometimes quiet voice. She heard the beep and stayed silent for a few moments while she tried to decide whether or not she should speak. Taylor took a deep breath. “I’m sorry,” She quietly started. “For calling…” She shook her head lightly, hesitating again. “I promise I won’t… I won’t come.” She promised. “But I… I need you now.” She whispered, hanging up the phone without another word.
Another shot of whiskey, can’t stop looking at the door.
Wishing you’d come sweeping in the way you did before,
Joe was making himself comfortable in his bed, staring at the door as he always did. Sometimes the whiskey was too much, which often just made him want to sleep, but she always kept him awake. He remembered the smell of her hair and the softness of her skin. Sometimes when he closed his eyes, he hoped than she would be standing right in front of him when he opened them. Her bouncy, frizzy, sometimes perfect curls and all. But she never was. She never came. Every single time Joe opened his eyes, he just downed a few more shots of whiskey.
and I wonder if I ever cross your mind? For me it happens all the time…
Joe let out a dramatic, rather pathetic sigh as he opened his eyes. He wished things were different, and he wished that he didn’t screw everything up. She never left his thoughts, yet he had no idea what the hell he had to do to fix this. He didn’t have a damn clue.
It’s a quarter after one, I’m a little drunk, and I need you now.
Said I wouldn’t call but I lost all control and I need you now.
And I don’t know how I can do without, I just need you now.
If Joe said he was a little drunk, that would be an understatement. He’s words were slurred when he talked, and he didn’t even want to try to get up and walk. He managed to get his hands on his phone. He started at the screen once he realized she had called… and left a voicemail. He took a deep breath, entering his password so he could listen.
Joe was shocked at what he heard her say over the phone. The simple words she spoke almost brought tears to his eyes. He always told her he wouldn’t call… But he had no control. He needed her too. Who was he kidding? He needed her more than anything.
“Taylor,” He spoke into the phone once it picked up. He sighed when he realized it was just her voicemail. “I’m sorry.” He whispered, not sure what else to say. He never knew what to say past this point. Joe stood up from his bed, slowly stumbling towards the door. He headed down the stairs, still holding the phone to his ear as he went. He was lucky he didn’t fall. “I’m really… I just…” He let out a frustrated sigh. He didn’t know.
Said I wouldn’t come, but I lost all control, I NEED YOU NOW.
Taylor stood at his front door, just staring at it. She didn’t know why she was here. She didn’t even know why she came. This was stupid. This was so stupid. She shook her head lightly at herself. She told him she wouldn’t come, so, then she decided to come? She couldn’t control it.
Joe knew he shouldn’t even think about going to see her, but he couldn’t help it. He finally hung up the phone and reached for the door knob. He opened the door and was surprised to see a familiar blonde standing in front of him.
Taylor let out a small gasp when she saw him. He was such a mess… But that was her mess. He was her mess. She could barely contain herself. From the first minute she saw him, the tears were already forming in her eyes. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She was so scared to open them again. She didn’t know what she would do if this whole thing turned out to be a dream.
Joe took a step forwards, watching Taylor closed her eyes. He watched a single tear fall down her cheek. He shook his head, reaching his hand out. He didn’t want to make her cry. He never wanted to make her cry again. He gently placed his hand against her cheek, slowly wiping the tear away. “Taylor,” He whispered, “Look at me,” He told her.
Taylor hesitated for a moment, leaning into his touch when his hand met her warm skin. She was scared and vulnerable. Taylor took a deep breath and then slowly blinked her eyes open. She smiled softly when he was still standing in front of her, just as perfect as he had ever been. “I know I said… I wouldn’t come.” She whispered. “But I seemed… I’ve lost all control,” She continued. “I just need you now.” She said, her voice barely audible. If they hadn’t been standing so close, Joe would have never even heard her.
Joe smiled softly, placing his free hand on her waist. “I’m a little drunk, but…” He shook his head. “I need you now,” He repeated after her. “I need you now.” He repeated again, this time in a whisper. Then he slowly leaned in, pressing his lips to hers in a soft, perfect kiss.