do yk that trend where girls prank by getting ready like they have a date or ask their boyfriend abour it but there never was a date planned so the boyfriend thinks they forgot? would you maybe be able to write this with Joe?
"The prank"
⋆⭒˚.⋆ Joe Keery x reader ⋆⭒˚.⋆
english is not my language please be kind and sorry if i wrote wrong :) requests are open if you want!
summary: You pull a viral TikTok prank on Joe;getting fully dressed up for a fancy date that never existed. Joe immediately spirals, convinced he forgot something important
warnings: Fluff, pranking, mild language, established relationship
You had seen the trend everywhere on TikTok for weeks. Girls getting all glammed up, telling their boyfriends they had big plans, only for the guys to panic because no such date existed. The reactions were gold; some guys sweating bullets, others immediately trying to salvage the night. You couldn’t stop laughing at the videos, especially the ones where the boyfriend looked genuinely heartbroken thinking he’d messed up.
And with Joe as your boyfriend? The idea was too perfect to pass up.
Joe was the definition of attentive, even with his chaotic schedule he always made time for you. But you knew he sometimes worried he wasn’t doing enough.
This prank felt like harmless fun that might even end with him feeling extra appreciated.
You waited for a friday night when he had a full day of meetings. As soon as Joe texted that he was heading home, you sprang into action.
The black dress came out first, the one he loved, with the perfect fit and that thigh high slit. You spent nearly an hour on your hair, creating soft waves that framed your face just right. Makeup was next: flawless winged liner, a bold but elegant lip, highlighter that caught the light. You even put on the perfume he’d bought you for your last anniversary, the one that made him bury his face in your neck every time.
By the time you heard the front door open, you were spritzing one last mist and humming along to the romantic playlist you’d queued up.
“Babe? I’m home!” Joe’s familiar voice called out, warm and tired from the long day.
You smiled at your reflection, heart racing with excitement.
“In the bedroom!”
The door opened and you turned slowly, giving him the full effect.
Joe froze in the doorway, keys still in hand, eyes widening as he took you in. His messy brown hair was slightly disheveled from running his hands through it all day, and he was still in the casual button down and jeans he’d worn to meetings.
The look on his face, pure awe mixed with something else, made your stomach flutter.
“Wow,” he breathed, stepping closer. “You look… incredible. Like, unfairly stunning.”
“Thanks!” you replied brightly, smoothing the front of your dress. “I figured I’d get ready early so we wouldn’t be late.”
Joe’s expression shifted and the easy smile faltered for a split second.
“Late… right… Yeah, of course.”
You watched him closely, biting the inside of your cheek to keep from laughing, he was already spiraling, you could see the gears turning behind those expressive hazel eyes.
He cleared his throat. “Let me just… jump in the shower real quick. Won’t take long.”
Before you could respond, he disappeared into the bathroom. The second the door clicked shut, you let out a quiet giggle and checked your phone. TikTok was already open, ready to record his reaction later if it got really good.
Under the running water, Joe was quietly panicking.
He scrubbed shampoo into his hair aggressively.
Had he forgotten a date? Anniversary? No, that was months away. Your birthday? No. Some special milestone? He racked his brain, replaying every conversation from the past few weeks. You’d mentioned wanting a nice night out soon, but nothing specific. Had he agreed to something while half distracted in a meeting?
He emerged ten minutes later, hair still damp, wearing the t-shirt he knew you loved. The one that made his eyes pop.
“Okay, I’m ready,” he said, forcing a confident grin. “Where are we headed again?”
You tilted your head innocently.
“You pick, babe. You made the reservation, remember?”
The color drained from his face for half a second before he recovered.
“Right… Yeah… Of course I did.”
He pulled out his phone, pretending to check details while you touched up your lipstick. You caught him frantically typing texts under the table, probably calling in favors. Joe was nothing if not resourceful.
“Alright,” he announced a minute later, pocketing his phone. “We’re good, let’s head out.”
The drive to the restaurant was filled with light conversation. You asked about his meetings, and he told you a funny story about one of the producers spilling coffee everywhere, but his hand on your thigh was a little tighter than usual, and every few minutes he’d glance over like he was making sure you were still happy.
At a red light he lifted your hand to his lips and kissed your knuckles.
“You really do look amazing tonight. I’m the luckiest guy alive, you know that?”
Your heart melted a little. “I know.”
He’d somehow scored a table at La Luna, one of your favorite upscale Italian spots downtown. The hostess greeted you both warmly, and you were seated at a cozy corner table with string lights overhead and a perfect view of the city skyline sparkling below.
Joe was in full boyfriend mode, he ordered your favorite wine without hesitation, reminded the waiter about your mild nut allergy, and kept the conversation flowing effortlessly. Appetizers arrived and he made sure you got the first bite of everything.
Halfway through the main course, you couldn’t hold it in anymore.
You set your fork down, covering your mouth as laughter spilled out.
“Okay, okay. I can’t do this anymore.”
Joe looked up, brows furrowed in confusion. “Do what?”
“The prank.”
You pulled out your phone and showed him the TikTok trend, scrolling through video after video of girls in glam and panicked boyfriends.
“There was no date, I made it up to see how you’d react.”
Joe stared at the screen, then at you, then back at the screen.
Realization dawned, followed by a slow, disbelieving laugh as he ran a hand through his hair.
“You evil genius,” he groaned, but his eyes were sparkling with relief and amusement. “I was having a full existential crisis in the shower. I thought I’d forgotten our anniversary or some huge thing. I was ready to propose on the spot just to make up for it.”
You burst out laughing. “Wait, really?”
“Not right this second, though don’t tempt me but yeah. I spiraled hard, texted three different people to get this table. I owe favors now.”
He shook his head, still chuckling. “You really went all out. The dress, the hair, the perfume… I’m both impressed and slightly terrified of how good you are at this.”
You reached across the table and took his hand. “I’m sorry, babe, it was supposed to be funny, but I didn’t expect you to go full hero mode and save the night like this. You’re too good to me.”
Joe laced your fingers together, his thumb brushing gently over your skin.
The candlelight danced across his face, highlighting the soft smile that made your chest feel warm.
“Nah,” he said quietly. “I just never want to be the guy who takes you for granted. My schedule’s been insane lately, and I know I’m gone a lot. If a prank is what it takes for me to step up and give you the night you deserve, then… mission accomplished, I guess?”
The waiter cleared your plates, and the conversation shifted into something deeper and more comfortable. Joe told you about the new script he was reading; something quirky and character driven that reminded him of the early days when you first started dating. You shared updates on your latest project, a branding job for a small music label that excited you because it felt personal.
Dessert arrived, tiramisu to share and Joe fed you the first bite with a playful grin.
“You know,” he said between bites, “as stressful as the last couple hours were, this has been one of the best nights we’ve had in a while. No distractions, just us.”
You nodded, feeling a little guilty but mostly grateful. “I love how you always try so hard, even when you think you messed up. It means everything.”
Joe leaned back, studying you with that intense, affectionate gaze he reserved only for you. “You make it easy to try hard, being with you is the one thing that feels completely right in all this chaos.”
After dinner, instead of heading straight home, Joe suggested a walk along the nearby waterfront. The city lights reflected on the water, and a cool breeze made you shiver and he immediately shrugged off his jacket and draped it over your shoulders, pulling you close with an arm around your waist.
“You’re cold.,, we can go back if you want,” he murmured against your hair.
“I’m perfect right here,” you replied, leaning into him.
You walked slowly, talking about everything and nothing…
“I still can’t believe you pulled that off,” Joe laughed. “I’m telling my band about this. They’re gonna give me so much shit.”
“Good, you deserve it for being so adorable when you panic.”
He stopped walking and turned to face you, both hands on your waist. “Adorable, huh? I was one step away from googling ‘how to recover from forgetting a date’ in the car.”
You laughed, wrapping your arms around his neck. “I love you, Joe, even when you’re spiraling.”
“I love you more,” he whispered, leaning in.
The kiss was soft at first, then deeper, full of the relief and affection that had built up all evening. When you pulled back, his forehead rested against yours.
“Next time you want a fancy night, just say it,” he said. “No pranks required. Though I have to admit… this one turned out pretty great.”
Back at the apartment, the energy between you had shifted into something warm and intimate. You kicked off your heels while Joe dimmed the lights and put on the same playlist from earlier. He pulled you into the living room for a slow dance, even though there wasn’t much space.
The night wound down with the two of you curled up on the couch, your dress traded for one of his oversized t-shirts. Joe’s fingers traced lazy patterns on your arm as you talked softly about nothing important. Every so often he’d press a kiss to your temple or your shoulder, like he couldn’t stop reminding himself you were there.
Eventually you confessed more about the prank, how you’d planned it for days, practiced your innocent face in the mirror, even debated whether to go with the red dress instead.
Joe listened with mock betrayal. “The black dress was a lethal choice, you knew that was my weakness.”
“Exactly,” you teased.
He rolled you over gently so you were facing him, his expression turning sincere.
“Hey… seriously, thank you for tonight. Not the prank part…the reminder that we should do this more. no excuses.”
You cupped his face, thumb brushing his cheek. “Deal, no more forgetting pranks… probably.”
He laughed and kissed you again, long and slow, the kind of kiss that made everything else fade away.
As you drifted off later that night tangled up in each other, Joe’s arm securely around your waist, you couldn’t help but smile. The TikTok trend had been fun, but the real win was the way it brought you closer, reminding both of you how lucky you were to have someone who cared that deeply.
Joe wasn't perfect, neither were you… but nights like this? They made the chaos worth it.
Taglist: @watercolorskyy, @deviousfaye , @watercolorskyy , @l33nlikeacholo @ophirei @leahfaith @bluehexagon8 @unclejeezysblog@sweatydjoshoes
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