tayvis oneshots <3

tale as old as time • part four

hello! halfway through writing this, i realised this could fit as a part 4 to 'tale as old as time.' so, if you'd like to go back and read those 3 first parts, you might get a clearer idea as to what's up. but this chapter can also stand on its own.

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Taylor sat on her piano stool, staring at the keys and counting back and forth from C to C. She took a deep breath, then another, then another, then her chest squeezed tight and she let out a soft whimper as tears welled in her eyes. She flinched slightly at the sound of her phone receiving a notification.

Final security check was all clear. Police and media are gone, the regular guys will be in their places if you need anything. Tomorrow we will be sent information on when you can go in to give your formal statement. Sleep well.

She sent back a brief thanks and put the phone down with a shaky hand. She went back to counting piano keys, shaking her head at her own futile effort to calm down. The risk was gone. The panic was over. Her head knew this, but her body was stuck behind. She picked up her phone once again, slowly this time. She couldn't. She shouldn't. But she really wanted to.

She thought he might not answer, but on the fifth ring, her heart stopped.

"... Taylor?"

She tried not to sob at the sound of his voice. It took her a moment to gather herself. "Travis... hi..." she scrunched her eyes closed. "Did I wake you? I definitely woke you. I'm sorry-"

"It's okay," he said, his voice soft. "I could use an early start. What's wrong?"

It's not that Taylor hadn't spoken to Travis in two years. Communication resumed about a year ago, though rare and often trivial. The new album is great! from him and Congrats on another Superbowl! from her. But something about hearing him now, so caring and kind, brought a rush of nostalgic feelings to Taylor.

Taylor swallowed. "Um... I just..." she tried to force her voice to not shake. "Someone broke in tonight."

"What?" Travis exclaimed, his voice still soft but laced with urgency. "Into your house?"

Taylor nodded. "Yeah... my New York apartment. You'll probably see articles tomorrow, ah... I heard him from my room and locked the door and called the police and stuff and..."

"Oh my god, Taylor, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Taylor sniffled. "I just... I can't calm down. The police left, and it's just me now, and I'm so tired but I'm so unsettled I just... I don't feel safe."

"Tay, slow down. It's okay. You might be in shock," Taylor heard rustling, probably Travis sitting up in bed.

"No... I just... I feel stuck in this perpetual panic. I don't know."

"Okay, that's okay. You're okay."

"I'm doing the breathing techniques, I sat at the piano. But I still feel so... panicky. I could ring someone else but..." She had to swallow hard. "The only person I wanted to talk to is you. I'm so sorry."

"Taylor." Travis' voice was so soft. So lovely. "Why are you sorry? This is okay. It would always be okay."

"Thank you," her voice shook. "It's just so... Can you talk to me for a while? Until I feel slightly less... scared?"

"Of course. Is there anything that might help? Anything specific I can do?"

He could be saying anything, Taylor realised, and just the way he spoke would soothe her. "I don't... I don't know," she replied, breathing easier.

"What about we go through the facts? Security will be more alert than ever, right?"