tayvis ~ invisible string

the moment you heard the news

Taylor's pov:

I was practically shaking as I stared at the screen, the election results bold and unmistakable in front of me. Trump was back in office. The shock settled in like a punch, then a wave of anger surged up, hot and insistent.. A knot twisted in my stomach, a feeling somewhere between anger, frustration, and helplessness. I didn’t even try to temper it—I was furious.

"This is fucking unbelievable!" I shouted, not even caring how loud my voice was in the quiet room. As my hands curling into fists, I let out a sharp breath. "How… how can this even happen?" I muttered, more to myself than to Travis, who was sitting beside me, his arm around my shoulders. "It feels like everything we’ve fought so hard to protect is just... slipping away again." I could feel my voice waver, a crack in my usual composure that I couldn’t hold back.

I could feel the tears stinging at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back, unwilling to let the anger simmering in me turn into something weaker. I pressed on, each issue feeling like a punch in the gut. "The abortion rights alone… I mean, knowing that millions of women, including me, will lose control over their own bodies in so many states. And our LGBTQ+ friends, the people we love so deeply—how are they supposed to live safely? This shouldn't even be a question in 2024, yet here we are. it’s all being pulled out from under us"

Travis stayed silent, watching me, listening. I could feel his steady presence, the calm strength he always seemed to carry, grounding me. He didn’t interrupt; he just sat there, listening as I unloaded. I felt almost helpless, like I was watching freedoms dissolve before my eyes, seeing the sacrifices of countless people threatened once again. I took a deep breath, feeling the fury and sadness coiling in my chest.

"I just feel like... I don't know how to be hopeful right now," I admitted softly, my voice breaking as I finally met his gaze. "It’s like watching the walls close in again, seeing every little freedom we fought for being taken away."

He reached over, pulling me into his arms. I rested my head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "I know it’s devastating, Tay,” he said quietly, running a hand through my hair. “But you’re not alone in this. You’ve got a voice. A loud, powerful one, and I know you’re going to use it, just like you always do. And so will millions of others. We’ve done this before, and we’ll keep fighting.”

"It just sort off feels like my fault.. i could've put my voice out there more.. i could've endorsed kamala more. i could've done more to protect not only over 100 million women's lives but my life aswell. what if we weren't careful enough and i got pregnant whilst on tour and not know? I'd have to cancel the tour, letting other people down, id have to carry the baby the whole time, not like i dont want to have a famiky with you, i do.. i just.. i dont.. i cant put into words how.. i dont know but i do at the same time you know?" I felt my voice tremble with rage. "All the people who’ve already faced hell to get where they are. All those voices silenced, all those lives put in danger just to satisfy this… this twisted agenda."

"It is not your fault Taylor. You did everything you could. You can't change how people vote. People look up to you. They feel stronger because you don’t give up, even when it’s hard. Don’t forget that.” His words wrapped around me, giving me just the faintest glimmer of reassurance. He gently kissed my forehead

"I know.. but It's like… just when we made strides toward protecting women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom…I said, my voice edging with a frustration I could hardly contain. "The thought that so many women are going to lose the right to make choices over their own bodies, that our LGBTQ+ friends, our family—anyone who doesn’t fit into this outdated view of ‘acceptable’—could lose their safety and rights… I feel sick, Travis."

The anger built up inside me, a desperate need to do something, anything. "It’s not politics, it's not a game, it’s people’s lives. Real people's lives. It's people we love, people who have fought so hard just to be themselves." I stared at the TV, almost daring it to rewind, to somehow undo this whole nightmare.

Travis tightened his hold on me, sensing the depths of my frustration, and I felt his steady presence grounding me, silently reminding me I wasn’t alone. I looked up at him, my heart aching, feeling a tear slip down my cheek. He pulled me closer, letting me lean my head against his chest. I could feel his heartbeat, a comforting rhythm beneath the chaos of my thoughts. He was silent for a few moments, as if choosing his words carefully.

I was so angry I couldn’t even form words for a moment. I bit my lip, trying to keep from breaking down entirely. "Do they realize what it’s like for people to live in fear like this? The constant fear that the basic rights they fought for could just be taken away?"

"I know, Tay. I know I won't be able to relate fully to the anger and frustration you feel about the reproductive rights but I know it’s hard." His voice was soft, but there was a fierce protectiveness in his tone. "But you’re not the only one who feels this way. You’re not alone in this. And you’ve got a voice, a voice that so many people listen to. You’ve done so much already, and I know you’re going to keep doing what you do best. You’ll keep standing up, keep fighting. And we’ll be right there with you."

I closed my eyes, letting his words wash over me, grounding me. He gently kissed my forehead. "You’ve inspired so many people, Taylor. You’ve given them strength when they felt weak. You’ve made them feel seen. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Just don’t forget that you have the power to make people feel stronger. That’s not a small thing."

He rubbed my back, his words settling over me like a soothing balm. I took a shaky breath, trying to let the anger and helplessness simmer down into something more solid, more resolved.

I opened my eyes, pulling back slightly to look at him. "Thank you," I murmured, my voice still thick with emotion.

He nodded, brushing a stray tear from my cheek. "And you know what? However much power one person holds, there are so many people out there who feel the same way, who won’t stop pushing for change. You’re one of those people. And whatever you decide to do, you’re never alone in it."

My thoughts a whirlwind of frustration and disbelief. "It's like they’re just waiting for the chance to strip every single right we've fought for." My mind was racing, images flashing of marches, of people in the streets, of voices raised for change. And now… this. Like it all meant nothing.

I glanced up Travis, his gaze steady on me, and in that instant, I felt the sting of helplessness. "It’s like we’re all just… expendable, you know? Anyone who doesn’t fit their narrow view, anyone who stands in their way."

He rubbed my back, his voice a low murmur.

"I’m sorry, Tay. I know this is… I know how hard it is to see something you care about and fought for being threatened like this. It’s not fair." His words settled around me like a soft shield, a momentary reprieve from the anger clawing at me. "But remember, you’re not powerless in this. You’ve already done so much, and you’re not done. Not by a long shot. And people are going to need that strength of yours. The way you make people feel seen, feel valued."

I let out a shaky breath, still feeling the anger but finding some resolve beneath it, too. I looked up at him, my eyes hard but grateful. "I just… I needed to say it out loud. Let it out. And I know… I know I’m not giving up."

im in a state of complete and utter shock. im not american but oh my god. how can some people vote for a convicted felon who has been impeached twice, has 27 sa cases against him, is openly a racist homophobe and said he'd date his daughter. i cannot even begin to fathom the terror american women and LGBTQ+ people are feeling right now. im so so so sorry about what has happened and if anyone ever needs to talk, my tiktok is meredithsappendix. you are NOT alone, so so many people still care about you. if you are worried about what is going to happen please reach out. do NOT suffer in silence. i love you all so much, please stay safe