tayvis ~ invisible string

when i break, its in a million pieces (part 1)

TW for this one guys, mentions of eating disorders but it will get worse throughout the parts, i love you all so so so much and if you're going through something like this please talk to someone, they will help the best they can

Taylor’s POV

The kitchen smelled incredible, like warmth and comfort wrapped in the scent of coffee,  freshly scrambled eggs, and toasted bread. It was Travis’s signature, making mornings feel softer, brighter, even when the world outside felt sharp and loud.
He'd been bustling around since I woke up, determined to make me sit down and eat something.

But today, that warmth just added to the weight I was already carrying. I sat at the table, clutching a mug of steaming peppermint tea so tightly that the ceramic felt like it might crack. The steam from the tea was calming in theory, but the knot in my stomach tightened as I glanced at the plate of food Travis was preparing for me. The thought of food churned my stomach, but I kept a neutral expression, offering Travis small smiles whenever he looked my way.

He was humming under his breath, moving around the kitchen in that casual, efficient way he had. I tried to focus on that—the simple rhythm of him being here, being steady—but my mind kept circling back to the unease growing inside me.

“You’re quiet this morning,” he said, breaking through my thoughts as he set a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of me before taking a seat across the table.

“Just tired,” I replied, forcing a soft smile and a yawn to sell the excuse.

He sat down across from me, his gaze lingering on me longer than I was comfortable with. “You sure? You’ve been running non-stop lately. You need to take care of yourself, Tay.”

I nodded quickly, taking a sip of tea to avoid answering. The tea was warm, comforting in a way food didn’t feel right now. The thought of eating made my stomach churn, but I didn’t know how to explain that to him.

“You’ve got a busy few days ahead,” he continued, gesturing to the plate. “You need to fuel up, or you’re gonna burn out.” He nodded, his sharp eyes flickering over me for a moment before he picked up his fork.

I hummed in agreement, pushing a piece of toast around the plate with my fork. “I know, you’re right.” I took a small sip of tea instead, hoping he wouldn’t notice that I hadn’t picked up my fork.

But I didn’t eat. I couldn’t. The knot in my stomach felt tighter with every second that passed, and I hoped the tea would be enough to distract him.

The silence between us grew heavier. I could feel his eyes on me, watching as I made no effort to take a bite. I tried to focus on the tea, on the warmth spreading through my hands, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the growing tension.

“Taylor,” he said finally, his voice softer now but insistent. “You’ve barely touched your food.”

I froze for a moment, caught off guard by his directness. “I’m not that hungry,” I said, forcing a casual tone.

His brow furrowed, concern flashing across his face. “You haven’t been hungry much lately,” he pointed out, his voice gentle but unrelenting.

I shrugged, trying to deflect. “I’ve just been busy, you know? Late nights, early mornings. Sometimes I forget to eat.”

“Forget?” he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Tay, you can’t just forget to eat.”

I tried to laugh it off, but it sounded hollow even to me. “It’s not a big deal. I’m fine, really.” I shrugged, avoiding his gaze.

He leaned forward, his hand brushing against mine on the table. “Taylor, you’ve been running yourself into the ground. You can’t keep doing this to yourself. You don’t seem fine,” he said softly,  his eyes locked onto mine, steady and full of worry.

My throat tightened, and for a moment, I thought I might cry. But I couldn’t let him see that. I couldn’t let him know how hard it was just to sit here, to pretend everything was okay. I couldn’t let him know how hard it had been to even sit at the table, let alone think about eating.

“I’m fine,” I repeated, my voice sharper than I intended. “I promise.”  I pulled my hand away and grabbed my tea.

Travis’s expression didn’t waver, but he didn’t push further. He just nodded, though the worry in his eyes didn’t fade.

Before he could say anything else, my phone buzzed on the counter. I jumped at the distraction, grateful for the excuse to escape the conversation.

“It’s Tree,” I said, grabbing my phone and glancing at the screen. “She’s downstairs. I have to go.”

“Already?” Travis asked, his disappointment clear in the way his shoulders sagged.

“Yeah,” I said quickly, standing and grabbing my bag. “I’ll call you when I land, okay?”

He stood too, his tall frame looming over me as he walked me to the door. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said again, forcing another smile. “Don’t worry about me.”

He hesitated, like he wanted to say more, but instead, he leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Safe travels, superstar.”

“Thanks,” I whispered, slipping out the door before he could ask any more questions.

---

Travis’s POV

I stood in the doorway, watching her car pull away, the uneaten plate of food still sitting on the table behind me. Something wasn’t right, and I knew it.

Taylor had been off for weeks now—smiling less, eating less, retreating into herself. Every time I tried to bring it up, she brushed me off with an excuse or changed the subject. And now, she was gone again, before I could say what I needed to.

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling in my chest. I didn’t want to push her, but I also couldn’t just stand by and pretend I didn’t see what was happening, I couldn’t ignore it anymore.

Something was wrong.

She was slipping through my fingers, and I didn’t know how to stop it.

With a sigh, I sat down at the table and picked at the cold eggs on her plate. I’d give her space for now, but the next time I saw her, I wasn’t letting it slide. She needed help, whether she wanted to admit it or not. And I wasn’t going to let her face it alone.