It was a crisp, sunny afternoon in Kansas City, the kind of day that reminded Taylor why she loved her time there. The air was clear, the energy around Arrowhead Stadium was electric as usual, and the Chiefs had just pulled off another incredible victory. Taylor stood on the edge of the practice field, bundled in her oversized red and white Chiefs hoodie, which practically swallowed her whole. Though it was only a practice day, fans and reporters had gathered around the outskirts of the field, their eyes flickering between the players and the quiet figure watching intently near the sidelines.
The Chiefs had long finished their drills for the day, but as the team broke for a cool-down, a few sharp-eyed reporters spotted Taylor standing off to the side and started whispering, snapping a few stealthy photos. She'd become accustomed to the media's constant presence, but it had been an unusually difficult week with rumors swirling around their relationship and intensified interest from the public eye. Travis was as relaxed and supportive as ever, but Taylor couldn't shake the gnawing anxiety that seemed to follow her everywhere.
After practice, Coach Reid caught sight of her, and his usual boisterous demeanor softened as he noticed her quiet demeanor. He jogged over, adjusting his cap.
"Taylor, good to see you," he greeted her warmly. "Travis will be out soon, just finishing up with the team."
"Thanks, Coach," she replied, forcing a smile. Her usual spark was missing, and Coach Reid noticed, his fatherly instincts picking up on her unease.
"You alright?" he asked, his voice gentle. "It's not like you to stand all the way over here. I know the team would be happy to see you."
Taylor hesitated, her eyes momentarily shifting away as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. "I'm okay," she said finally, though it was clear that she wasn't.
Coach Reid gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder. "Well, I'm here if you need anything. And so is he. That guy cares about you more than just about anything." He offered her a warm smile and then made his way back to the locker room, giving her some space but keeping an eye on her.
After a few minutes, the team began trickling off the field and into the stadium locker room. Travis, still high on adrenaline from the practice, was one of the last to leave. As he walked toward the exit, Coach Reid stepped into the locker room with a faint smile.
"Everyone decent?" he asked, casting his gaze around the room.
A few players chuckled, but Reid kept a serious tone, looking pointedly at Travis. "Kelce, you've got a visitor waiting for you outside," he said, his eyes giving a quiet message that told Travis something was up.
Travis's brow furrowed as he slung a towel over his shoulder, his gaze following Coach Reid's subtle nod toward the door. Without wasting another second, he made his way out of the locker room, turning the corner until he saw Taylor, her face slightly hidden as she looked down, her arms crossed as if she was holding herself together.
The sight of her like this—vulnerable, quiet, and clearly hurting—made his heart lurch. Travis's easy smile dropped, replaced by genuine concern. He jogged over, the loud thud of his cleats growing louder as he approached her.
"Taylor?" he said gently, reaching out and placing his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him, her eyes red-rimmed as if she'd been holding back tears for too long.
"Trav..." she managed, her voice barely a whisper.
He didn't ask questions. Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as the sounds of his teammates quieted around them. A few players exchanged glances, their murmurs of curiosity fading quickly as they witnessed the usually unshakable Taylor Swift seeking comfort in Travis's arms.
"Hey, I've got you," he whispered softly, pressing a kiss into her hair, his hands rubbing soothing circles on her back.
The locker room doorway was full of players, silently watching as the scene unfolded. Normally, Travis would be teasing, laughing, giving everyone a playful reason to heckle him. But right now, he didn't care who was watching. This was Taylor, his Taylor, and she needed him.
A few of the players shot each other surprised glances, and one of them muttered to another, "Damn, I've never seen Kelce so serious."
Jason, who had been gathering his gear, looked over at them with a knowing smile. "That's what real love looks like, boys," he said, watching as his brother held Taylor protectively.
Travis pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes, his hands still resting on her shoulders. "Talk to me, Tay. What's going on?" he asked, his voice soft yet steady, grounding her.
Taylor took a shaky breath, her gaze darting to the crowd of curious players nearby. She felt a surge of self-consciousness, but the warmth and steadiness in Travis's eyes melted her hesitancy. "I don't know... I guess it's just everything," she admitted, her voice cracking. "The pressure, the rumors... I just needed to see you."
Travis's heart clenched at her words, his concern for her growing deeper. "I'm here. I'm always here, babe," he reassured her, his thumb brushing away a tear that had escaped. "You're not going through this alone. Forget the noise. None of that matters."
He leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, completely disregarding the presence of his teammates, who had fallen into a respectful silence. The room was quiet, everyone aware that they were witnessing a rare moment of vulnerability and love between two people who were usually guarded with their emotions.
"Take all the time you need," he whispered, his gaze never leaving hers.
They stood there in each other's arms for a few moments longer, completely oblivious to the stares and the whispers around them. Finally, Jason walked over, breaking the silence with a gentle pat on Travis's shoulder.
"Hey, I'll cover for you if you want to get out of here early," Jason said with a supportive smile. "Family first, man."
Travis nodded gratefully, still holding Taylor close. "Thanks, bro," he replied, giving his brother a nod of appreciation.
Together, he and Taylor walked out of the locker room, leaving the team behind as they stepped into the quiet solitude of the hallway. He led her to a small lounge area nearby, where they could talk without interruptions.
Once they were seated, Taylor finally let herself open up. She talked about the relentless media, the pressure she felt to be perfect, and the growing feeling of loneliness that had been gnawing at her. Travis listened intently, his hand never leaving hers, offering her silent strength and understanding.
When she had finished, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Listen, I know it's hard. I can't even imagine the weight you carry every day," he said softly, looking into her eyes with unwavering support. "But you're not alone. I'm here, Jason's here, my whole family—they're all here for you. And we love you for you, Tay, not for what anyone else expects you to be."
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she leaned into him, finding comfort in his warmth. For the first time in a while, she felt truly safe. They stayed like that for a while, Travis's arms wrapped securely around her, both of them content to simply be in each other's presence.
Finally, Taylor looked up, a faint smile playing at her lips. "Thank you, Trav," she murmured, her voice soft but filled with gratitude.
He smiled back, brushing a gentle kiss across her lips. "Always," he whispered.
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So High School - Tayvis One Shots
FanfictionTayvis oneshots + some chapters are linked together