The Beard

- Six -

Y/N stood in front of her mirror, carefully applying a light touch of makeup. It wasn't her usual routine—Y/N was more of a tomboy, always keeping things simple—but today, the paparazzi would be everywhere, and she had to at least look put-together.

Taylor sat on the bed, her legs crossed and her arms wrapped tightly around a pillow, her gaze fixed on Y/N. She was quiet, unusually still.

Normally, she'd be talking about something, even just humming a tune, but today her silence hung heavy in the air.

Y/N glanced over at her as she reached for her perfume. "Tay, you alright?"

Taylor's gaze flicked up, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine," she said, her voice soft but strained.

Y/N tilted her head, unconvinced. "You don't look fine."

Taylor shifted, her expression distant. "I just hate this whole situation. You're going out there with Elizabeth, and you'll be laughing, and you'll be getting to know her... And I have to sit here and watch."

Y/N's heart twisted at the raw vulnerability in her voice. She walked over to Taylor and kneeled in front of her, gently brushing her hand over Taylor's knee. "Tay, you know this is just for show. You know that I'm only doing this shit for you. I hate this, I hate it more than you do. But this is literally what you made me sign up for in order to be with you still..."

"I know," Taylor whispered, biting her lip. "But it's still hard. Seeing you go out and act like you're... dating someone else... I forced you into this—into pretending for the world—and now I have to watch you be with someone else."

Y/N sat beside her, taking Taylor's hand in hers. "You're the one who wanted the PR stunt. I'm just doing what I need to do. I promised you I'd keep my distance from her, and I will. You don't have to worry about her."

"I just never realized how jealous I'd be," Taylor admitted quietly. "I've never been in this kind of situation before. Watching you get dressed up, going out to look happy with another woman... I don't know how to handle it."

Y/N gave her a reassuring smile, leaning in to kiss her forehead. " I don't know how I will handle seeing you all over some football asshole... but I guess... we will figure this out as we go."

Taylor nodded, though her eyes still looked uncertain. " Just swear to me that you love me and that you won't leave me.

" I swear Taylor, you are the love of my life. I won't leave you unless you give me a reason to."

She kissed Taylor gently, lingering for a moment before pulling away and grabbing her keys. "Alright, I'm off. I'll be back before you know it."

Taylor watched her with a conflicted look, but she managed a faint smile as Y/N left. "Be safe"

(...)

When Y/N arrived at Elizabeth Olsen's house, the paparazzi already waiting outside, cameras flashing as soon as her car came into view.

She could feel the familiar weight of their gaze on her as she got out of the car, but she kept her head down and her focus on the task at hand. This wasn't the first time she'd been photographed, but today it felt different.

When she knocked on Elizabeth's door, the actress opened it quickly, dressed in a simple sweater and jeans. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun, looking effortlessly chic.

"Hey," Y/N greeted with a small smile, pulling her into a brief hug.

"Hey," Elizabeth replied, looking around nervously. "Are we ready for this?"