Brand New, Full Throttle ☆ Tayvis

we're taking on the world together

Taylor had already gotten changed three times, cleaned the whole house and learnt everything there was to know about Donna Kelce, before Travis' mom arrived for lunch. Seeing how nervous his girl was, Travis spent all morning answering her hundreds of questions and reassuring her that everything would be fine. Admittedly, though, Taylor's nerves seemed to be contagious, as he wondered how she would act normal around his mom when she was clearly so panicked.

When the doorbell rung, she took in a breath big enough to puff out her whole chest with a mask of confidence, and a sudden wave of practiced extrovert professionalism washed over her. She took his hand and squeezed it as they walked to the door to welcome Donna in.

Taylor had made marsala risotto (and brown butter cauliflower streaks and double-smoked salmon with horseradish cream AND seared scallops with smoked pomegranate glaze), and it was amazing. She could tell she'd won brownie points by cooking for Donna. They ate outside, sitting on the porch steps that led down to the pool, and Travis kept his arm around Taylor's hip.

He was continuously shocked by how outgoing and confident Taylor seemed the entire time, despite being so nervous she had almost cried only a few hours earlier. She was making jokes with Donna, laughing at her stories and asking all the right questions at the right times. Professional, he reminded himself. She's had years and years of practice at this. At one point, he went inside to grab a bottle of wine, and as he walked away, Taylor's face dropped, knowing it was time for a very uncomfortable conversation. She had told Travis that she was going to talk to his mom about this, but she didn't particularly want him to have to witness it.

"Hey Donna, umm, there's kind of something I need to talk to you about," She said, trying not to show any sign of awkwardness on her face.
lol
"What's up sweetheart?" She turned to her, resting her legs down over the steps. Taylor smiled - Trav's mom was already treating her like a daughter.

"So, as you know, I'm going to the game on the 24th, but I need to warn you that once the world sees me there, it- it will be chaos. Trav and I will face the worst of it. Like, on his media days, 80% of the questions they ask him will be about me. All his achievements will be ignored and he'll just be known as 'Taylor Swift's boyfriend', or at least for the first few months. But it will extend to you too - you'll be asked about me all the time, paparazzi will follow you each time you leave the house, you might even need to think about increasing your home security. I wish I could tell you that you won't be negatively affected by me dating your son but... Take how much media attention you guys had right around the release of the Kelce documentary, and multiply it by 20." Taylor's voice cracked with guilt. "I'm really sorry, Donna, I just don't think it would be fair not to warn you of all this stuff. And if you're not prepared to deal with it then... then you need to talk to Travis about whether or not you approve of him dating me." She took a very long, shaky breath. Silence followed.

Donna stared at the ground for a moment, like she was thinking about everything Taylor had said. When she spoke, her words were slow and thoughtful.

"Taylor. As a mother, all you want in life is to see your kids happy. It makes me sound like a terrible feminist, I know, but once I had Jace and Trav I didn't even really care about my career anymore. They were suddenly my whole priority. I'd give up anything for them. And Travis, I've always worried a bit about the baby of our family because he was just always so... immature, and insistent that he was content just hooking up with girls, never really falling in love. So the fact that you've come into his life and he's turned himself from an arrogant boy to a grown-up gentlemen; that tells me that he's really serious about you. And now that I've met you, I can see why!" Donna took Taylor's nervous fidgeting hands into her own. "He loves you a lot, Taylor, and you make him really happy. Off the field, you're just about the best thing to ever happen to him. I'd be the world's worst mother to not be so excited for him, even if it means I have to put up with a few paparazzi. Bring it on." She offered Taylor a playful smirk, but Taylor's smile in response was strained. She still couldn't be sure that Donna understood the weight of what she was trying to warn.

"But, Donna, it's... It's a lot. I've been dealing with the media for basically my whole life and I still have days when it's too much to handle. I mean, what about Jason and Kylie's girls? By the time Wyatt's old enough for social media, she'll have millions of people requesting to follow her every day. I wish I was exaggerating. As the public's opinion of me fluctuates, their opinion of you will change too. If I'm being criticized for using my jet too much or whatever, you'll be dragged into it too. I just- I really need to know that you understand what will happen, because I don't what you to resent me when it happens." She whispered the last sentence.

Donna shuffled over to her, and wrapped her arms around Taylor's shoulders. "Oh, Tay, come here sweetheart. I know you're not going to believe me until you see it, and I'm sorry that you've been made to feel that way in the past, but I'm serious. There's nothing my family wouldn't give to make Trav happy. Same goes for any of us, and for you. And I understand that it will be tough, and there will be days when there's fifteen or twenty photographers at my home wanting to see if you're there. I understand what we're giving up, what Jason and Kylie and the girls are giving up too. But I promise you, we are choosing to give that up. Everything's about to change, but it's all worth it honey. You're worth it."

*************

A week later, the whistle blew, concluding the fourth quarter. Taylor was ready to be back in Travis' arms. The game was amazing; the Chiefs beat the Bears 41 to 10, Travis contributed a touchdown to that and Taylor had met so many new people. Donna introduced her to to Travis' hilarious best mates, Aric, Ross and Harry, and Pat Mahomes' gorgeous wife Brittany, who had explained each moment of the game. Taylor had a pretty decent understanding of what was happening by the end. Everyone in the suite was so welcoming and lovely, and although it was overwhelming to meet like, half of the most important people in Travis' life all at once, she had a really great time. Tree had texted her a few times to let her know that the public reception of their relationship launch seemed positive so far. She could definitely feel the cameras pointed at her throughout the game, and she cringed a bit when she saw herself on the jumbotron. She understood, of course, it was exciting that she was there, but now she just wanted to hang out with her boyfriend.

Brittany led her down to the locker room. They stood against the wall, laughing at something Taylor had said, as the players began to walk out, showered and freshly dressed. One by one, they all said hi to Britt, then stopped when they saw Taylor. "Holy shit!", "No fucking way!", "Ain't no way you're here to see Kelce?!" Each one shook her hand or gave her a hug and she told them all she'd talk to them later.

Travis and Patrick walked out together, laughing just as Taylor and Brittany had been. The girls walked over to them.

"Hey pretty girl," Travis mumbled into her neck as he hugged her, his arms wrapping around her back and his huge hands holding her ribs.

"Good game babe, you were amazing." Taylor reached up to whisper into his ear, wanting to save the moment just for themselves.

"Thank you, Tay, thank you so much for showing up, thank you for wanting to be public with me, I appreciate you so much babe. Did Chiefs Kingdom treat you okay?"

"Yeah, it was electric out there, and everyone in the suite explained to me what you were doing on the field, it was a lot of fun."

Looking up from their little moment, Taylor and Travis noticed the Mahomes waiting for them at the end of the hallway, talking to Lyndsay and Blake Bell. They could wait. Travis looked back down at his girl.

"'Electric,' huh? First you're stealing my clothes, now you're stealing my words. Alright nah, I see how it is." He teased, kissing her shoulder.

"Oh my god, Trav," Taylor giggled, reaching up to kiss him. "You did not invent the word 'electric'."

"Yes I absolutely did!"

Travis began to lead her, hand in hand, down the hallway to say goodbye to his mom, and then take Taylor to his convertible once again, this time with security trailing them to the club.

"You're a thief, Tay," he whispered, as he helped her into the car. "Stealing my heart." She threw her head back laughing, covering her face with her hands. Somehow, the universe knew that this super corny, cuddly giant was exactly what she had been missing in her life, and she'd thank her lucky stars for him every night.