the alchemy | Taylor Swift x OC

12

Bailee's arms righted around Taylor, but her mind refused to stay quiet. The room, though silent, buzzed with unspoken words, and unresolved tension. She stepped back, her hands lingering on Taylor's arms,her eyes searching for Taylor's face.

"This... isn't something we can just brush aside Tay," Bailee said, her voice softer now but still firm. "I need to know you're ready to be honest with me. Completely."

Taylor nodded, her lips trembling. "I am. I swear. I just... didn't know how to handle everything. The tour was suffocating me, and the way people talked about us— like we were some headline, not real people— it was overwhelming."

"Why, Tay?"Bailees voice cracked. "Taylor, I've been all in since we started talking. I've fought for this...for you. But if you don't believe in us, then what's the point?"

Taylor reached for Bailee's hand, her grip desperate. "I believe in us. I do. I was just scared, Bailee. I'm not out yet. This is a big step in my life. But tonight, seeing you here, standing up for me, for us.. it's the first time in any relationship where I've felt grounded."

Bailee stared at her,the raw emotion in Taylor's eyes stirring both sympathy and doubt. "I want to believe you. But you have to show me, Taylor. You can't just say things when it's inconvenient. This isn't about Joe or headlines. It's about whether or not you're ready to fight for us like I have."

"I am," Taylor said, her voice steadying. "I'll prove it to you, Bailee. I'll do whatever it takes."

Bailee nodded slowly, the wall around her heart softening but not crumbling. "Then start by being honest. Why didn't you tell me you were scared? Why didn't you come to me instead of running to Joe?"

Taylor hesitated, her eyes fell to the floor. "Because I was ashamed," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ashamed that I couldn't handle the pressure. You're out already and I didn't want to bring you back into the closet. That I don't have it all together. I didn't want you to see me like that."

Bailee exhaled sharply, her frustration mingling with an ache in her chest. "Taylor, I don't need you to have it all together. I need you to let me in. I don't care if I have to go back into the closet for you. Trust me with messy parts, the hard parts. That's what being in a relationship means."

"I know that now," Taylor said, her voice thick with emotion. "And I'm sorry Bailee, I'll do better. I'll be better."

Bailee studied her for a long moment, weighing the sincerity in her words. Finally, she took a deep breath and stepped closer. "Okay, but this is the last time you run Taylor. If you can't face things with me, then we're done."

"I understand," Taylor said, her voice steady but her eyes glistening with tears. "And I won't let you down again."

Bailee nodded, the weight on her chest lifting ever so lightly. "Then let's start fresh. Together."

Taylor smiled through her tears, reaching for Bailee's hand. "Together."

They stood there, hand in hand, the air between them heavy with both the wounds of the past and the fragile hope of a new beginning. It wouldn't be easy— and Bailee knew that. But for now, they had taken their first step.

Bailee suddenly got an idea.

"Taylor," Bailee asked. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Always, Bailee Rose."

-

A/N: Hey everyone! Just a little filler chapter, i think we have about 3 more chapters left😩

I wanted to make it longer but I genuinely don't have anymore time!!!

Hope yall enjoy!!