Yoyo! Before we start, I just wanna tell you guys that yes, Joe does have feelings for Miley and he knew it but he can't be nice at first because his ex was 'technically' getting in the way because of her strikingly similar appearance to Miley. And Miley…well she had a crush on him ever since the beginning. XD
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"Hey…" Joe murmured softly against the steamy bathroom door, flipping his phone shut as he dried his hair with a towel. Miley lifted her head to give him a small smile before fiddling with her hand again. Joe sighed, looking at her with sympathetic eyes. What does it feel like to lose a parent? He couldn't even comprehend.
"Who're you calling?" Miley asked quiet, trying to take her mind off things. Joe shrugged, taking a seat next to her on the bed. Their eyes met for a moment before Miley looked down once more, trying to keep her tears in as she suck on her bottom lip.
"Cry."
"W-What?" Miley murmured, her eyes slowly met his. Joe's brown orbs softened.
"Cry." He repeated. "It'll make you feel better."
Miley choked out a sob as her body shook violently. Joe grunted softly. Slowly, his arm encircled her body as she leaned into his chest. If felt so new…yet at the same time…so right.
"I-I'm sorry." Miley blubbered through her blurry vision as Joe shushed her gently.
"Don't be." He murmured, his grip tightened around her, resting his chin on top of her head. Joe waited, and he waited, and he waited. He waited 'til her tears ran dry before letting out a tired sigh. One thing was for sure, Joe Jonas was worn out—and Miley knew that better than anyone. After all, he fought the waves to save her life which she almost willingly threw away.
"Joe, you don't have to take care of me." She whispered, lifting her head from his dampened shirt.
"No Miles, I want to." He replied confidently, standing up, putting a small smile on his face. "Do you want something to drink? Or um…anything?"
"It's fine, Joe." She smiled, glad to see a new side of him. Or the side she knew, not the side he wanted her to know…if that made any sense at all. "You should get some rest."
"No Miley. I'm serious. If you need anything, I got it." Joe said softly, piercing through her eyes, and she knew he meant it with everything in him.
"Well in that case…" Miley smiled, her cheeks now a soft shade of pink as she stretched out her arms. "I need a hug."
Joe chuckled beneath his breath, holding her tightly.
"Mmmmm…" Miley giggled, smearing her tears on his shirt as she squeezed him back just as tight. "You know, you're not that bad." She said, pulling away just enough to look him in the eyes.
"Yea?" Joe smiled weakly. "Good to know."
"GUYS!" The connecting door was nearly busted down as Nick and Kevin bolted towards them both, almost pouncing.
"Oooow!" Joe moaned as Nick tackled him onto the bed, his arms around his older brother.
"Joe! My God are you guys okay!?" He yelled frantically, glancing over at Miley, who was currently occupied on Kevin's lap, her arms around the eldest Jonas. 'They're so close, what have I been missing?' Joe thought as Kevin rubbed Miley's back gently. He looked over just in time to catch the flicker of pain across Miley's eyes. "Joe I was so scared!"
"I'm sorry Nick. I was a jerk. To you, and everyone." Joe sighed apologetically, pecking Nick's head softly.
"We don't care Joe, you're our brother, and we love you." Kevin smiled, ruffling Joe's hair. "Even if you are a pain in the butt sometimes."
"I think he's just trying to say we love you." Nick chuckled, getting off him.
"Thanks." Joe muttered, watching Nick held Miley protectively as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Something flashed across Joe's eyes when Miley kissed his brother's cheek, purring to his warm embrace.
"Don't worry about it." Kevin whispered to him out of nowhere, throwing an arm around his shoulders.
"Huh?" Joe asked, confused, leaning against his older brother. Kevin simply smiled knowingly, giving him a hug before standing up.
"Well I'm going to bed."
"Night Kevy." Miley said softly as Kevin leaned down to embrace her.
"Be strong." He murmured in her ear, kissing her forehead in a brotherly fashion before leaving to his room.
"Well Joe, you should head off to bed too." Nick suggested kindly, seeing his worn out brother. Joe looked at Miley with concern and she simply nodded with a strained smile.
"Actually Nick…" Joe exhaled. "Can I take your bed? I-I mean…if that's okay…just for the night?"
Nick looked surprised for a minute before realization start kicking in.
"Um, sure, of course, it's all yours for the rest of the cruise." The curly haired Jonas flashed a crooked grin. "Good to see she likes you again."
"Again?" Joe questioned as Nick hugged Miley goodnight, muttering an 'I love you.' Without another word, he closed the connecting door, never really getting to Joe's question.
"Goodnight Joe, sorry I kept you up." Miley whispered, looking into his red eyes guiltily as she pulled the blanket to her neck.
"No…it's fine." He smiled tiredly, collapsing on his new bed, turning out the light at the same time. Glancing over the night stand, he saw Miley moved around in her bed with her back facing him, trying to get comfortable. Staring up at the ceiling, Joe sighed, tossing his phone in the air as if it would ring on command. His mind was going over everything that has happened…everything he did…everything she did to him. 'Come on…please call…I need a miracle…' He thought, clutching his phone to his chest.
Miley whimpered quietly in her bed, hearing footsteps outside. Sure, they could just be ones of the employees but she was frightened. She was paranoid. Considering the circumstance, it could've been the man with the gun walking around their rooms.
"J-Joe?" Joe flinched. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice Miley next to his bed.
"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked kindly.
"C-Can I sleep with y-you?" Joe shot out of bed as he choked on his spit.
"S-Sleep with me!?"
"Please? I won't take up much space." Miley begged, whimpering in the darkness. Luckily for Joe, she couldn't see him blushing for he had defined her words the 'other' direction. "Please Joe…I'm scared…" Her lips trembled visibly.
"Of what?" Joe asked softly, patting the bed as Miley sat, not beside, but against him.
"The footsteps outside…they could be his…h-he…I just-"
"Shhh it's okay." He smiled gently, rubbing her back. "I won't let him get you…I promise…and I always keep my promises." (Like he said on the HM episode XD)
"So c-can I? Please?" Miley looked up with hopeful eyes.
"Um…" Joe hesitated. Miley lowered her eyes in disappointment and Joe quickly lifted her chin with a finger. "No Miley, please, it's not that. I just…I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of you or anything."
"Of course not! I asked. Please?" Joe sighed at her puppy-dog eyes and nodded as Miley hugged him, running to the other side of the bed and slid in. As promised, she took as little space as possible, curling up against the edge. Joe shook his head, rolling over to her as he rested a hand on her waist. "Hmmm?"
"Come on, I wouldn't want you to fall." He murmured gently with a chuckle as he pulled the brunette towards the center/him.
"Thanks Joe." Miley smiled gratefully into his red eyes as she wrapped her arms around his stomach, leaning in. Joe's eyes fluttered close as his breath turned shallow. Softly, Miley's lips brushed against his cheek. Joe reopened his eyes, a slight bit surprised. Regaining his composure, he spoke up again.
"M-Miley…"
"Hmm?" She murmured as she rested her head against his chest, completely unaware of his nervousness. Little did she know, Joe's face was turning 100 different shades of red.
"I-I know I have no right to ask you think but…" He hesitated, shuddering ever so slightly when she rubbed her head against him. "b-but…c-can you ever forgive m-me? I-I mean if-"
"Ok."
"I-If, wait, ok? That's it? Ok?" Joe asked, pulling away as Miley squirmed involuntarily.
"I never hated you Joe. After all you did for me…I can't stay mad at you for long, not even before, I hope you know that." She answered quickly, leaning into him again.
"Why? Why are you forgiving me so fast? I hurt you…I wanted to…and I did…" Joe breathed, now angry and unsatisfied as he pushed Miley away once more. "Why aren't you mad at me!?"
"Do you want me to stay mad at you?" She asked quietly, reaching out to him.
"Yes! That's exactly what I want!" Joe cried, brushing her hand away.
"Well then…" Without another word, Miley turned her back on him as if he never existed. Joe sighed. Now she's really mad at him.
"I'm sorry." He murmured sorrowfully and sincerely, pulling the blanket to her neck before lying back down. "That's not what I want." He said to himself.
Miley smiled upon hearing that. Turning back around, she curled up against him, resting an arm on his stomach. "If you didn't want it, all you had to do was say so. Like I said, I was never mad at you. Sad maybe, but not angry."
"I'm sorry you had to feel that way." He whispered back. Although Miley already forgave him, Joe found himself not being able to forgive himself just yet, as if he had to earn it—like really, really earn it.
"Let it go Joe. It's the past. You forgave me for kicking you like five minutes after I did it. Not to mention I slapped you a bit before that too, sorry."
"That was different. I deserved it." Miley sighed. He was still that persistent.
"What will I have to do to make you get over it?" She muffled into the pillow. Joe rolled over on his stomach, his face in his hands, thinking hard.
"Don't let me hurt you."
"What?" Miley lifted her face from the pillow.
"Don't let me hurt you like I did before…i-if I do it again." He murmured, his eyes red and swollen, showing all signs of crying even if he didn't.
"You won't." Miley answered confidently, as much as the sun will rise tomorrow. Her warm fingertips traced around his reddish chocolate orbs, making him shudder with hitched breaths. "I've said this to your brothers already…I love you."
Joe's eyes widened for a split moment, then returned to normal when he realized she didn't mean it like that. "I-I love you too Mi…"
Upon hearing that, Miley smiled contently, all her worries gone as she curled up next to him, instantly falling asleep. A smile played on Joe's lips as he 'attempted' to resume to his train of thoughts. However, a tingling feeling of Miley's warm breath against his cheek made it impossible. 'I can't think under these circumstances!' Joe screamed in his brain, finally giving up. With Miley barely a few inches away, Joseph Jonas finally drifted to a deep, peaceful slumber.
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"Ugh…" Joe mumbled, feeling around the bed, failing to reach Miley. 'Where did she go?' He thought, reluctantly opening his eyes, only to confirm her missing presence. Where could she have gone? Regardless, Joe stared at the dent in the pillow next to him, slightly disappointed. Moving his cold hand over the dent, he sighed slightly—it was still warm.
"Thanks Nicky…" He heard someone murmur. Glancing over his shoulder, Miley was seated comfortably against his own brother, seemingly holding a quiet conversation. Whether they were quiet was to not wake him up or not wanting him to hear, Joe didn't want to see why Miley was leaning dangerously close to the curly haired Jonas. He quickly turned away, pulling the blanket over his head to hide the sight. Little did he know, she simply pecked Nick on the cheek for his comfort and time. Joe took in a shaky breath in the darkness and almost shuddered when he felt something on his arm.
"Joe…are you awake?" Miley whispered, rubbing his arm back and forth gently. Joe didn't respond as he continued to hide beneath the blanket. "Come on Joe, I know you are…"
Ohhh busted.
"Joe are you okay?" Miley asked, concern evident in her voice as she pulled down the sheet, just enough to show his face. She crawled onto bed to be face to face with him. Gently, a hand went to his forehead as Joe unwillingly opened his tired eyes.
"I'm fine." He whispered, making Miley withdraw her hand in relief.
"Well we've been waiting for you to go out." She flashed a small smile.
"You guys can go." Joe grumbled as a pillow hit his head. "Kevin!"
"We're not gonna go without you. Do you expect us to leave you with that psycho still running around?" Kevin argued, crossing his arms. "Everything we do, we do together."
"Yea and Miley insisted on waiting for you. But THEN, she didn't want to wake you up." Nick added, siding with the oldest Jonas. Miley blushed lightly, punching Nick as Joe chuckled.
"Well then, I guess I don't have much of a choice now do I?" Joe got up, reaching over to make sure he had his phone.
"NOPE!"
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"Are you sure this is the best decision?" Joe asked for the billionth time. His brothers decided to watch a horror movie just so Miley and Joe can spend some time alone—they didn't know that, of course, that being Miley didn't particularly enjoy horrors and someone had to stay with her. Joe, on the other hand, didn't think it was the best idea, for he was afraid that he'd do something he'd regret.
"Yes, now get! The movie is starting!" Kevin shooed as the lights dimmed in the mini theater on the ship. Miley instinctively took a step closer to the straight haired boy. Nick smirked.
"You should get Miley out of here." The youngest Jonas teased as Miley fidgeted, seeing the blood on the screen.
"If anything happens…you two are so dead." Joe sneered, taking Miley's wrist, quickly leading the way out.
"That was…scary…" Miley panted once they were out on the deck.
"I didn't know you scare easily." Joe smirked as Miley pouted. However, she saw a hint of playfulness in his eyes.
"Yea well, now you know." She retorted, looking at their joined hands. "Your hand is really warm." She smiled
"Wha-oh yea, sorry." He blushed in a soft shade of pink as he dropped her wrist. Miley frowned a bit—she didn't say she didn't like it. It was then when a blond boy with brown eyes approached them.
"You're Miley Stewart?" The boy grinned as Miley nodded proudly. "I'm Jake. Jake Ryan. Huge fan!"
"Hey Ja-OH MY GOSH!" Miley shrieked, pouncing on the blond. "ZOMBIE SLAYER JAKE RYAN!?"
"That's me!" Jake laughed, hugging her back.
"Ahem, Miley…" Joe coughed loudly, causing Miley to pull away, giggling like mad.
"Oh my gosh Jake! I'm a huuuuuuuge fan! Eeeeeeeeeeep!" She squealed, jumping up and down while holding onto Joe's hand. "Why aren't you happy dancing?" Stopping, Miley gritted her teeth. "Why. Aren't. You. Happy. Dancing."
"Because." Joe shrugged, glaring at the boy before him.
"And you are…?" Jake narrowed his eyes at Joe, as if trying to remember the familiar face.
"Joe Jonas." He said grudgingly, watching Miley fawn over him.
"Oh yea! Of the Jonas Brothers!" Jake smiled genuinely, turning to Miley. "If you don't mind, how about a soda on me?"
Joe's eyes narrowed, looking away, knowing Miley would gladly accept the offer.
"Well actually um…" Miley hesitated, glancing at the brunet. Joe caught her eye, surprised that she actually asked for his approval. Not wanting to interfere with her love life (as much as he wanted to), Joe sighed.
"Just go."
"Are you sure?"
"Y-Yes." Joe answered with a strained smile.
"Shall we?" Jake grinned, holding out a hand which Miley gladly took. Joe watching their retreating back and sighed…why is it bothering him so much? It shouldn't matter to him at all! …or should it? Joe sighed for the billionth time, looking down at the deck, studying every crack on the wood.
"Joe!" Upon hearing his name, his head immediately snapped up. Miley.
"What are you doing here?" He asked, refraining from a smile.
"Well turns out you're coming with me!" She giggled, linking arms with him. "I asked Jake as he said it was no problem. I didn't want to leave you all alone."
"Come on Miley, I don't want to be a third wheel."
"What?" She laughed. "You say it like I'm on a date!" 'So does that mean she's NOT on a date?' Joe thought, grinning.
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"What? You came on the cruise just to see me?" Miley smiled, sipping on her drink while twirling on the stool against the small shack. (Like Rico's but on the boat)
"Well I thought I'd work with Hannah Montana but I really didn't get the chance to." Jake replied, laughing as Joe sat beside Miley, tossing his phone with a hopeful face on.
"Um Joe, you want anything?" Miley smiled at him, trying to bring him into the conversation for Jake was almost rambling on and on.
"No thanks."
"So Miley…" was all Joe heard before tuning out once again, staring at his cell intently. "And then I-"
"Miles…" Joe murmured absentmindedly, cutting Jake off in mid-sentence. Jake stared at him, displeased.
"Yea?" Miley smiled warmly at him, giving him her full attention. This made Jake and his big ego a little pissed. Joe was silent, still staring at his phone. Miley rested a hand on his shoulder. "Joe?"
"Huh? What?" He snapped out of la la land.
"I don't know, you called me." Miley stated in a 'duh' tone.
"Oh…w-well…it was nothing…" Joe stuttered slightly, his cheeks flushed. Miley glanced at him worried, handing him her drink.
"Have a sip, you look really hot." Miley offered, fanning him with a random magazine on the table. Joe spat out her soda.
"I-I look hot?"
"Are you okay?" She laughed innocently. "Your face is all red. Maybe we should go to a cooler area."
Thinking wrong again Joe, good job.
"I-It's fine, really." Suddenly his cell phone's blowing up and Joe showed no hesitation to answering it. "Talk to me." He said, walking out of earshot of Jake and Miley as her eyes followed him.
"Guess what Joseph?"
"Dad I don't have time for this! Did you or did you not find him?!" Joe yelled into the phone, only to be answered by overlapping, muffled voices. "DAD!"
"Hey Joe, thank you so much…" said another voice. Joe almost dropped the cell when he realized the owner of that deep accented voice. "How's my baby?"
"Great." Joe grinned brightly, his whole body shook with excitement. "I think you should call."
A few feet away, Jake and Miley observed every little expression on Joe's features.
"Dude, no one smiles like that unless he's talking to his girlfriend." Jake pointed out slyly.
"Oh really?" Miley asked, disappointed. "I didn't know he had a girlfriend."
"Well I think he really likes her. I mean look." The blond said, nodding towards the brightest smile on board at the moment.
"Yea…" Miley was about to sigh when the back of her jean pocket vibrated obnoxiously. Hesitantly, Miley flipped it open. "H-Hello?"
"Miley?" Miley gasped, dropping the phone onto the table. "Miley? Miley!"
"D-D-Daddy?!" She screamed, her shaky fingers picking up the technology. "Is that you!? But HOW!?"
"Daring calm down!"
"OH MY GOD DADDY WHAT HAPPENED?!" The brunette shrieked loudly, getting glances from people passing by, scaring some of the seagulls. Joe smirked at her surprised face form from a few feet away. "DADDY!!!"
"Baby girl!" Robbie Ray laughed on the other end. "Ask Joseph. That boy saved my life, and your manager's too."
"Joe?!" Miley whipped her head around in disbelief.
"I heard he called the rescue team and his dad. Being a Jonas Brother, these guys got to me just as I was about to pass out! Must be some serious advantages being a superstar."
"Aw daddy! I love you!" Miley grinned with teary eyes as she glanced back at Joe.
"I love you too bud. Oh, the connection is not so good now, I'm still on sea, I'll see you when you come back alright?"
"Ok! Bye daddy, I love you." She laughed. "Muah!"
"Later bud! Have fun!"
Miley grinned, clutching the phone to her chest. Turning around flawlessly, she only had one thing to say. "JOEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!"
"MILEY!!!!" He mocked with the same enthusiasm, laughing as she totally ditched Jake and ran for him.
"I LOVE YOU!" Miley screamed, pouncing into Joe's opened arms as Jake stomped off. Nobody stands up Jake Ryan…NOBODY!!!
"I love you too!" Joe laughed whole heartedly for the first time in a long time as Miley jumped on him, his face in her neck and her legs high around his waist.
"I can't believe you did that!!! That's why you were constantly looking at your phone!" She smiled brightly, her arms tightening around his head, trusting Joe to not let her touch the ground. "Thank you so much!!! Thank you thank you thank you thank you!"
"You're welcome Miles, I'm so glad it turned out fine." Joe grinned, shyly kissing her cheek.
"So did Peter Pan and Wendy." Miley blurted out, blushing once she realized her word vomit.
"What?" Joe laughed, throwing her up a little to get a better grip on her.
"Nothing!" Miley giggled, her face turning red at the closeness between them. Leaning in, she rested her forehead against his. Joe's breathing became short and shallow.
"W-What are you doing?" He stammered nervously as Miley slowly lean in. However, he didn't want to let go…not quite yet. "M-Miley…" He whispered lowly, unsure of what to do.
"Well well, what's this?" Kevin smirked as Nick elbowed him in the guts. "OW!"
"Kevin!"
"Nicky!" Miley instantly pulled her head away from Joe's, both blushing like mad.
"You two look pretty cozy there." Nick smiled, crossing his arms. "So what's going on?"
"Daddy is still alive!!! My manager too! Joe called the rescue team or something!!!" Miley grinned cheekily, her arms tightening around Joe's neck as he gave her another bounce to prevent her from slipping.
"You did?!" Kevin asked in disbelief. "That's awesome man!"
"Dude you're like, superman!" Nick added, a sparkle in his eyes.
"My hero." Miley smiled, looking into his eyes for a moment.
"How long have you two been like this? Your fans are staring." Kevin laughed, pointing at a few disappointed Jonas girls looking their way.
"Not that long, what are you talking about." Miley lied, her legs around Joe's waist as he laughed out loud. Maybe behind every cloudy day, a sun will still shine.
"Oh and is there a reason why I passed by a very pissed of Jake Ryan?"
End of Step Four
LOL did you guys like it? Haha I bet you hate Nick and Kevin right now for interrupting the perfect moment XD I was thinking, are there anything in particular that you'd like to see? I dunno, but I'm feeling slightly evil right now ;)