Tayvis one-shots (3)

Through the Noise (requested)

The noise of the cameras, the flashing lights, and the constant murmurs of speculation had become deafening. Taylor had always known that being a singer-songwriter would come with its own set of challenges. Fame, with all its glitz and glamour, wasn't what she'd chased—she'd always wanted to tell stories, to share emotions, to connect through music. But with the release of her latest album, the media frenzy had taken an unexpected and exhausting toll on her.

Taylor had spent years building her reputation as one of the most celebrated musicians of her time. Every song she wrote was dissected by the media, each lyric turned into tabloid headlines. On top of that, every outfit she wore and every facial expression she made onstage was scrutinized. Yet, what had always stung the most was the criticism about her personal life. It seemed that no matter what Taylor did, she was either too much or too little in their eyes.

Then came the rumors—pregnancy speculations, breakup whispers, and stories about her mental health. Every magazine claimed to know what she was going through. They didn't. They couldn't.

Her relationship with Travis, star tight-end for Kansas City, hadn't escaped the headlines either. The media often referred to them as an "unlikely" couple, pitting their careers and personalities against each other. Travis had always brushed it off, telling her to ignore the noise. But Taylor found it harder to do that every day.

Tonight, sitting in her dressing room after another sold-out show, Taylor felt the weight of it all pressing down on her chest. She stared at her reflection, the glamorous stage makeup masking the exhaustion and vulnerability beneath. She was supposed to head to a dinner with her team after this, to celebrate the tour's success, but she couldn't muster the energy to pretend that she was fine anymore.

Taylor picked up her phone, scrolling mindlessly through the endless barrage of notifications. Headlines popped up—"Is Taylor Swift Hiding Something?" "Trouble in Paradise with Travis Kelce?" "Taylor Looks Tired: Is She on the Verge of a Breakdown?"

Her stomach twisted as she read through them. What was the point of all this? Why did she continue to put herself through it, to bare her soul, only to have it trampled by strangers who didn't even know her?

She dropped her phone and pressed her hands against her face, willing the tears not to fall. A soft knock came at the door.

"Tay? Can I come in?" Travis's familiar voice called out.

She wiped her eyes quickly and took a deep breath. "Yeah, come in."

Travis stepped inside, his large frame filling the room. He was still dressed in his street clothes—jeans, a simple T-shirt, and a baseball cap. His presence always brought her comfort, but tonight she felt like a burden.

"Hey," he said, his voice soft. "You okay?"

Taylor forced a smile. "Yeah, just... tired. Long day."

Travis raised an eyebrow. "You don't have to pretend with me, Tay."

She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "It's just... everything. It feels like too much sometimes. I don't know how to keep doing this."

Travis walked over to her, kneeling down in front of her chair so they were eye level. He took her hands in his, his touch grounding her.

"Talk to me," he urged gently.

Taylor hesitated, unsure if she could find the right words. "It's the media," she started. "They just don't stop. Every day it's something new—something cruel, something invasive. They twist my words, they make me doubt myself. I love my music, but I hate what it's turning me into. I'm constantly worried about how I'm being perceived instead of focusing on what really matters."

Travis's expression softened, his eyes filled with concern. "I'm so sorry, love. I know how hard it's been on you. And I hate that they're making you feel this way."

"It's not just that," Taylor continued, her voice wavering. "I'm starting to doubt everything. I used to be so sure of who I was, but now I feel like I'm just playing a part for the cameras. And with everything they say about us... I don't know. Maybe I'm just not cut out for this life anymore."

Travis squeezed her hands gently. "Taylor, you are one of the strongest people I know. What you're feeling is valid, but don't let them take away the person you are—the artist you've worked so hard to become. None of this defines you. You do."

Taylor blinked back tears. "But what if I can't keep up? What if I'm not enough?"

"Not enough?" Travis echoed, his voice firm yet tender. "Love, you're more than enough. You've poured your heart into your music, and that's what matters. The people who love you see that. I see that."

She shook her head. "Sometimes, I just don't know how to handle it all. It's like I'm stuck in this storm, and I can't see a way out."

Travis tood up and pulled her gently into his arms, holding her close. She rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing. It was a reminder that amidst all the chaos, this—being here with Ben—was real.

"I've got you," Travis whispered into her hair. "And you don't have to go through this alone. I'll be here for you, every step of the way. We'll face it together, okay?"

Taylor nodded, her tears finally spilling over. "Thank you," she whispered back. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," he replied, his voice full of conviction. "We're in this together, my love."

For a few moments, they stood there in silence, wrapped up in each other. Taylor felt some of the weight begin to lift off her shoulders. It wasn't gone completely, but it was manageable now, with Travis by her side.

As she pulled back slightly to look up at him, Travis smiled warmly. "Let's get out of here," he suggested. "Skip the dinner. We'll go home, watch a movie, eat pizza. Just relax for a change."

Taylor managed a small laugh. "You always know how to make things better, don't you?"

"It's a gift," Travis teased, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Taylor smiled, the first real one she'd felt all day. Maybe the storm wasn't over, but at least now she had someone to weather it with. And for the first time in a long while, that was enough.

With Travis's arm around her, Taylor left the dressing room, feeling a little lighter and a little more like herself. Whatever the world threw at her next, she knew she wasn't facing it alone.