delicate (tayvis one shots)

the alchemy pt. 2

Days passed, and Nashville's late summer days began to blur into cooler autumn nights. But for Taylor, that rooftop encounter with Travis had left an indelible mark, replaying in her mind like a song she couldn't quite shake. Their conversation had stirred something inside her, something she hadn't felt in years—hope. But it was also laced with fear. Fear of vulnerability, of trying again, of letting herself believe in something real.

She wasn't sure what came next. But as the days turned into weeks, the late-night texts between her and Travis became more frequent. What started with casual "How's your day?" soon evolved into long, meandering conversations about life, their childhoods, and everything in between.

It was refreshing. Travis wasn't like anyone else she'd met in the world of celebrities and fame. He was real, grounded, someone who didn't dance around with flowery words or say things just to please her. He challenged her, made her laugh, and made her feel seen in a way she hadn't been in a long time.

And yet, they hadn't seen each other since that rooftop night. Life had gotten in the way. She had studio sessions, meetings with her team, and a whirlwind of obligations that kept her on the move. Travis had been busy too, preparing for the season, training camps, and traveling for games.

It wasn't until one quiet evening, weeks later, when she was sitting in her dimly lit living room, strumming a new melody on her guitar, that her phone buzzed.

Travis: What're you up to this weekend?

Taylor's heart skipped a beat. It had been so long since she had spent time with someone just for the sake of it. No cameras, no press, no need to keep up appearances. Just... someone real. And the thought of that made her feel both excited and terrified.

She hesitated, fingers hovering over the keys, before finally typing back.

Taylor: Free. What did you have in mind?

His response came quicker than she expected.

Travis: How do you feel about getting out of the city? Just you, me, and some fresh air. I know a place. Quiet, private. Thought you might like it.

Taylor bit her lip, her pulse quickening. She stared at the text, uncertainty flickering through her mind. It wasn't just about getting out of the city—it was about taking a step closer to him. To what this could be.

After a few deep breaths, she typed back: Sounds perfect. When?

That Saturday, Taylor found herself in the passenger seat of Travis's truck, the city quickly disappearing in the rearview mirror as they drove out toward the quiet Tennessee countryside. She had insisted on wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, even though Travis assured her that the place they were heading was completely off the radar.

"I'm serious, Taylor," he'd said, glancing over at her with a grin. "No one's gonna find us out here. It's a cabin I've been going to since I was a kid. My family used to come up here for vacations before football took over our lives."

The idea of seeing Travis in such a personal, intimate setting made her nervous. It was one thing to text late at night, sharing pieces of themselves bit by bit. It was another to actually spend time alone together—especially in a place that held so many of his memories.

The drive was peaceful, the rolling hills and golden fields of the Tennessee countryside stretching out around them. Taylor found herself relaxing as they drove deeper into nature, the city's noise fading further into the distance.

"So," Travis said, breaking the comfortable silence between them, "what's the deal with you and alchemy? You brought it up that night on the rooftop, but we never really talked about it."