Requested by: wonderland_7193
Taylor's laughter echoed off the vaulted ceilings of the charity gala, her bright smile blending perfectly into the glitzy crowd. She was doing well, or so she thought. Being in a room full of admirers, cameras flashing, and conversations buzzing should've felt normal by now. Yet, deep down, something felt off—too many people, too many eyes.
She stood beside Travis, who was busy chatting with a group of other athletes. The sound of voices merged into one loud hum, growing louder, pressing against her ears. Taylor shifted uncomfortably, pulling at the fabric of her dress as her heartbeat began to quicken, the room closing in on her. Her fingers trembled, and suddenly the air felt too thin. Her breathing hitched as if someone had placed a heavy weight on her chest.
Not here, not now.
"Hey, babe, you okay?" Travis's voice broke through the haze, his eyes catching hers, brows furrowing with concern.
Taylor opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Her vision blurred slightly as the lights above flickered, bright and overwhelming. Her breath came in short gasps now, her heart racing as if it might burst from her chest.
"Taylor." Travis's voice was softer now, and before she could even think, his hand was on her lower back, guiding her away from the crowd. "Come on, let's get out of here."
The bustling ballroom became a distant blur as Travis led her through a side door into a quiet hallway. The cool, dimly lit space was a stark contrast to the overwhelming brightness of the gala. Taylor's knees wobbled, and she leaned into Travis for support, her hands gripping his shirt. She could hear the steady beat of his heart beneath her touch, a grounding rhythm that slowly pulled her back from the edge.
"You're okay. Just breathe with me, alright?" Travis murmured, his deep voice low and calming. He positioned her against the wall gently, his hands still firmly resting on her shoulders. "In... and out. Slow."
She tried to follow his lead, focusing on his steady breaths. In. Out. Her vision slowly cleared, the shaking in her hands subsiding bit by bit as she mirrored his breathing.
"Better?" Travis's eyes searched hers, full of concern but laced with patience.
Taylor nodded weakly, though her legs still felt unsteady. She pressed her forehead to his chest, inhaling the familiar scent of him—sandalwood and something warm that always made her feel safe.
"I—I don't know what happened," she whispered, her voice shaky. "I just... everything felt like too much."
Travis wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, his hand gently stroking her back. "You don't have to explain it, Tay. Sometimes these things just hit you. I'm here, okay? Always."
They stood there for a moment, his body shielding her from the world outside, allowing her to catch her breath and feel whole again.
"Wanna get out of here?" he asked softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Yeah," she whispered. "I think I just need some quiet."
The ride home was a soothing blur. The car's hum and Travis's hand intertwined with hers kept Taylor grounded, but by the time they reached home, the weight of the night had completely drained her. She slipped off her heels the moment they walked through the door, kicking them aside as if casting away the remnants of her anxiety.
"Okay, so... brownies, cookies, or cinnamon rolls?" Travis asked with a teasing grin, already moving toward the kitchen.
Taylor blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in energy. She couldn't help but smile. "All of them?"
