So High School - Tayvis One Shots

29: A Game To Remember

Arrowhead Stadium was buzzing with electric energy. Fans roared, waves of red and gold spilling from the stands as the Chiefs fought hard on the field. It had been a nail-biting game from the first quarter, the kind of game that drew everyone to the edge of their seats. The opposition was strong, pushing back hard, and Travis felt the weight of every single play, every second that ticked off the clock. He was everywhere on the field—blocking, catching, pushing forward. But every small error gnawed at him, and as the final seconds counted down with the Chiefs narrowly securing victory, he felt something close to relief but far from satisfaction.

Up in the box, Taylor had been watching the game with her heart in her throat, hands clasped tightly together. Every play felt like it weighed a thousand pounds, and every time Travis looked her way, she could see the strain etched across his face. She knew him well enough to see that despite the victory, he'd be hard on himself. And in moments like these, the last thing he needed was the usual post-game teasing from family and friends.

As soon as the game ended, she turned to everyone in the suite—Donna, Jason, Kylie, and the others who'd gathered to cheer Travis on—and with a gentle but firm tone, she made a request.

"Would you mind giving us a little time alone tonight? I know he'd love to see you, but he's... he's pretty hard on himself after games like this, and I just want to be here for him," Taylor said with a soft, understanding smile.

Donna nodded, giving Taylor's hand a supportive squeeze. "I get it, honey. Just let him know we're proud of him, alright?"

"Of course," Taylor replied, feeling her heart warm with appreciation for their understanding.

As the suite slowly emptied out, Taylor took a deep breath, preparing herself. She knew exactly how Travis would be feeling when he walked in. Despite the cheers and the win, his disappointment in himself would be hanging over him like a cloud, and he would be carrying it until he let it out. She was ready to be there for him, just the two of them.

The door opened slowly, and Travis stepped inside, shoulders slumped, his helmet dangling loosely in one hand. His gaze swept over the room, expecting to see his usual crowd, ready to rib him about his plays or celebrate with boisterous cheers. But instead, he saw only Taylor, standing quietly by the window, looking at him with that familiar warmth and unwavering love.

Surprise flickered in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a pained look as he dropped his helmet to the floor with a quiet thud. The silence stretched between them, heavy with the weight of the night.

She moved toward him, wrapping her arms around him without a word. Her touch was gentle, and he let himself sink into it, closing his eyes as he exhaled deeply.

"Why'd you make them leave?" he murmured, voice thick with frustration. "They'd probably be better company than me right now."

She pulled back just enough to look at him, her hands resting softly against his chest. "I wanted it to just be us," she said softly, brushing her thumb over his chest in soothing circles. "I know how you feel after nights like these. You don't need a room full of people right now, Trav. Just... just let me be here with you."

He looked down, swallowing hard, as his fists clenched at his sides. The familiar disappointment welled up in his chest, and he couldn't hold it back anymore.

"I was sloppy tonight, Tay," he said bitterly, the frustration evident in his voice. "I could've played better. Should've played better. Those fumbles, missed catches... I was just dragging everyone down." His jaw tightened as he shook his head. "I don't even know how we won. I was... I was useless out there."

Taylor took his face in her hands, her gaze steady, unwavering. "Travis, listen to me," she said firmly, her voice low but filled with conviction. "You were not useless. You played your heart out, and I saw it. I saw how hard you worked tonight, how you were fighting for every inch. You don't have to be perfect to be incredible. And you were incredible."

He looked away, unable to fully accept her words, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips. "I just... I don't know. I wanted to do better. For the team. For everyone." He shook his head, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "For you."

Her heart squeezed, and she reached up to gently stroke his cheek, guiding his gaze back to hers. "You don't have to do anything 'better' for me, Travis," she said, her voice soft and reassuring. "I don't love you because you're perfect, or because you win every game. I love you because of the man you are—the man who puts his all into everything, who cares about his team, who never gives up. That's who you are, and that's who I love. Nothing you did tonight could ever change that."

A flicker of vulnerability crossed his face, his shoulders finally relaxing as her words sank in. He reached up to cover her hand with his, holding it against his cheek, and closed his eyes.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

She leaned in, pressing her forehead to his, her other hand resting on his chest as she felt his heartbeat slow beneath her touch. "You're everything to me, Travis. You don't have to be anyone other than who you already are. I just want you, the way you are."

He opened his eyes, meeting her gaze, and there was something raw, something achingly vulnerable in the way he looked at her. In that moment, she could see the layers of self-doubt and disappointment he had been carrying, and her love for him only grew.

Without another word, he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her tightly as if she was his anchor in the storm. They stood like that for a while, wrapped up in each other, letting the silence between them speak louder than any words ever could.

Finally, he pulled back, a faint smile breaking through his somber expression. "You know, I was ready to walk in here and have everyone throw jokes my way, give me crap about the game," he said, his tone lightening. "But instead, I got you, being all... perfect and supportive."

Taylor laughed, leaning into him as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Well, someone has to remind you how amazing you are," she teased, giving him a gentle nudge.

He chuckled, the sound deep and warm, and then he leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "I don't deserve you, you know that?"

She rolled her eyes, tugging him down for a real kiss, her hands threading through his hair as she poured all of her love and reassurance into that single moment. "Yes, you do," she murmured against his lips. "And don't ever forget it."

Later that night, they found themselves curled up on the couch, the sounds of the game far behind them. They stayed close, Travis's arm around her shoulders, Taylor resting her head on his chest as they quietly relished the peace of just being together.

At one point, Travis lifted her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles, his gaze soft and full of gratitude. "I mean it, Tay. Thank you for being here. For always being exactly what I need."

She smiled, nestling closer to him. "You don't ever have to thank me, Trav. I'd be anywhere for you."

They drifted off to sleep just like that, tangled together, with Travis feeling more at peace than he'd felt all season. He knew that no matter what happened on the field, no matter how he felt, Taylor would always be there, the constant in his life, grounding him and reminding him of the love that surrounded him.

And in that moment, he realized that every tough game, every rough night, would be bearable as long as he had her by his side.