So High School - Tayvis One Shots

20: The Weight Of The World part 2

The drive home from Arrowhead Stadium was a quiet one, the silence thick with unspoken emotions and thoughts. Travis kept one hand firmly on the steering wheel, his other resting protectively on Taylor's thigh, giving her gentle squeezes every now and then. It was his silent way of letting her know that he was there, and that he wasn't going anywhere. Taylor sat in the passenger seat, her head resting against the window, her eyes staring out into the Kansas City skyline, but her mind was somewhere far away.

The tears had stopped, but the weight on her chest hadn't lifted completely. Her heart still felt heavy, and though she couldn't quite put it into words, she was grateful for the silence between them. Travis didn't push her to talk, didn't bombard her with questions, and for that, she was thankful. Just his presence was enough to calm her nerves, to remind her that she wasn't facing this alone.

As they pulled into the driveway of their home, the house loomed large and welcoming, but tonight it felt different. Normally, their home was a sanctuary—a place where they could laugh, cuddle on the couch, and escape the pressures of their hectic lives. But tonight, it felt like a fortress against the outside world, a place where Taylor could finally let go.

Travis turned off the engine and turned toward her, his brow furrowed with concern. His hand gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. "We're home, babe," he said softly, his voice filled with so much tenderness that it made her heart ache.

Taylor nodded, forcing a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She took a deep breath and unbuckled her seatbelt, her body feeling heavier than usual. She was tired—emotionally drained in a way that sleep alone couldn't fix. As she opened the door and stepped out, she felt the cool night air wrap around her, a slight shiver running down her spine. Travis was by her side in an instant, pulling her close, his arm draped protectively around her shoulders as they walked to the front door.

Once inside, the house felt eerily quiet. Normally, there would be music playing softly in the background, or the faint sound of one of Taylor's songwriting ideas floating through the rooms, but tonight, there was only the sound of their footsteps echoing in the hallway.

Travis gently guided her to the couch, sitting her down as he knelt in front of her. His eyes searched hers, filled with love and concern, but still, he didn't press. Instead, he just stroked her knee, his thumb tracing soft circles on her skin.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he finally asked, his voice low, as if afraid to push her too far.

Taylor swallowed hard, feeling the lump in her throat rise again. She didn't know how to explain the overwhelming sadness that had been building inside her for the past few weeks. It wasn't one thing, not one single event or moment that had pushed her to the edge—it was everything. The pressure of her career, the scrutiny of their relationship in the media, the constant judgment from people who didn't even know her or Travis. It was like a thousand little cuts that had slowly drained her of her strength.

"I just... I don't know how to explain it," Taylor whispered, her voice barely audible as she looked down at her hands, twisting the fabric of her sweater between her fingers. "I've been trying to hold it together for so long, and I just—"

Her voice cracked, and the tears she thought had dried up began to spill over again. Travis's heart broke all over again seeing her like this. He leaned forward, pulling her into his arms, holding her as tightly as he could.

"Shh," he whispered into her hair, rocking her gently. "You don't have to explain anything. You don't have to be strong all the time, Tay. It's okay to fall apart sometimes."

Taylor let herself fall into him, her tears soaking into his shirt as she cried softly against his chest. She didn't know how long she stayed like that, wrapped in his arms, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek. But eventually, the tears slowed, and a sense of calm washed over her. Not because everything was okay, but because she knew, without a doubt, that she didn't have to face this alone.

After what felt like hours, Travis pulled back slightly, brushing the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. He gave her a small smile, the kind that always made her feel like everything would be alright, even when the world felt like it was falling apart.

"You hungry?" he asked softly, trying to lighten the mood just a little. "I could make us something. Or, you know... I could order us something, because let's be real, I'm not exactly a chef."

Taylor let out a small laugh, the sound weak but real. "You make a mean bowl of cereal," she teased, her voice still hoarse from crying.

Travis grinned, his heart lifting just a little at the sound of her laughter, even if it was brief. "I do, don't I?" he said, pretending to puff out his chest in pride. "But I think we can do better than cereal tonight. How about some takeout?"

Taylor nodded, grateful for the normalcy of the moment. "Takeout sounds good."

As Travis grabbed his phone to order food, Taylor leaned back on the couch, pulling a blanket over her lap. The house felt warmer now, more like home. It wasn't the food or the quiet night that made her feel better—it was Travis. It was the way he knew exactly when to give her space and when to hold her tight. The way he didn't push her to talk but let her know he was there, ready to listen whenever she was ready. It was the quiet strength he offered her, the kind of strength that didn't demand anything in return.

After placing the order, Travis sat back down beside her, pulling her into his side. "You know I'm not going anywhere, right?" he said quietly, kissing the top of her head. "No matter how hard it gets. We're in this together, Tay."

Taylor sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. "I know," she whispered. "I just... I didn't want to be a burden."

Travis's brow furrowed in confusion. "A burden? Taylor, you're never a burden. You're the love of my life. You think I'd rather you go through this alone?"

She didn't answer right away, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his arm. She hadn't realized just how much she had been carrying on her own, how much she had been trying to protect him from. But Travis wasn't someone who needed protecting. He was strong, not just physically, but emotionally. And he wanted to be there for her, even in her darkest moments.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've been so wrapped up in trying to keep everything together that I forgot I didn't have to do it alone."

Travis's heart swelled with love for her. He tilted her chin up, looking into her eyes with all the sincerity in the world. "You never have to do anything alone, Tay. We're a team, remember? Whatever's going on, we'll figure it out. Together."

She nodded, her heart filling with gratitude and love for the man sitting beside her. "I love you," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

"I love you too," Travis whispered back, pressing his lips softly against hers in a gentle, reassuring kiss.

As they sat there in the quiet, the world outside continued to spin, full of chaos and noise. But in this moment, it didn't matter. All that mattered was that they had each other. And as long as they had that, they could face anything—together.

The night was long, but for the first time in weeks, Taylor felt a sense of peace wash over her. The weight wasn't gone, but it was lighter now. And with Travis by her side, she knew she could carry it.

Because love, real love, wasn't about facing life alone—it was about holding on to each other, even when the world felt too heavy to bear. And in Travis's arms, Taylor knew she was home.