Requested by: @hrtsfortaytay
Tw: (Suicidal Tendencies)
Travis woke to the familiar warmth of Taylor clinging tightly to his side. He blinked against the early morning light streaming through their bedroom window and gently tried to shift, but her grip only tightened around him, her legs tangling even more securely with his.
"Babe," he murmured softly, brushing her golden hair away from her face. "I gotta get up for practice."
"Mmm," Taylor groaned in response, her face burying deeper into his chest, her fingers clutching at his shirt like a lifeline. "No. Stay."
Travis hesitated. This wasn't the first time she'd been clingy lately, but this morning it felt different-desperate. He sighed, knowing he couldn't fight her on this today. Gently, he reached for his phone on the nightstand and shot a quick text to Andy Reid, telling him he wouldn't be making it to practice today.
Taylor stirred, her eyes barely opening as she peeked up at him through her lashes. "You're not going?" she asked sleepily, still holding him tight.
"Nope," Travis said softly, stroking her back. "Not today. I'm staying with you."
She smiled faintly, her body relaxing slightly against his, though she made no move to let go. Travis had no problem with that. Whatever was going on with her, he was going to be there for her. A few hours later, after a slow morning spent tangled together in bed, Travis got ready for the day with Taylor still wrapped around him like a koala. When it was time to leave for a meeting with Tree, her manager, Taylor still hadn't let go. He didn't complain, though. He carried her, arms and legs wrapped around his torso, as they left the house, got into the car, and headed for the meeting. She stayed clinging to him the entire ride, her cheek pressed against his shoulder, her breathing calm but heavy with exhaustion.
By the time they arrived at Tree's office, Taylor was visibly drained. She didn't say much as they entered the conference room, her body still curled around Travis. He gently took a seat, keeping her in his lap, his large hands rubbing soothing circles on her back. It wasn't long before Taylor drifted off, her breathing deepening as she fell asleep against him.
Tree cleared her throat softly, her eyes filled with concern as she glanced at Taylor before looking back at Travis.
"Travis... we need to talk," she began, her voice low. "I've been really worried about Taylor."
Travis's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Tree took a deep breath, her fingers nervously tapping the table before she continued. "She's not doing well, mentally. She's been having severe panic attacks, separation anxiety, depression... She's been crying herself to sleep almost every night while she's been touring." Her voice wavered, and she cast a worried glance at Taylor, still sleeping soundly on Travis's lap. "It got worse last week, Travis. She tried to... she tried to take her own life."
Travis's heart stopped. His grip on Taylor tightened instinctively, his chest tightening with fear. "What? When?
How?" His voice cracked, his mind struggling to comprehend what Tree was saying.
"In the stadium dressing room. She took pills," Tree whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I found her just in time. I tried to talk to her about postponing the show, but she yelled at me. She refused to listen. She just... went on performing like nothing happened."
Travis sat in stunned silence, his heart hammering in his chest. He had no idea.
Taylor hadn't said a word to him about any of this. All he had noticed was how clingy she'd been, how she refused to let him out of her sight. But he had never guessed it was this bad.
"I-I had no idea," he admitted quietly, his voice heavy with guilt. "She never told me she wasn't doing well... but now that you say it, l've noticed lately she won't let me go. She's terrified of being alone."
Tree nodded sadly. "She's been hiding it, Travis. But it's worse than we thought. She needs help."
Travis looked down at Taylor, her face peaceful in sleep, her fingers still gripping his shirt. He felt sick. How had he missed this? How had she been suffering so much, right in front of him, without him realizing?
When they finally returned home, Travis laid Taylor gently on the bed. She stirred awake, blinking groggily up at him. "What time is it?" she murmured, her voice hoarse from sleep.
