Avalanche [Kaylor]

Prologue

'Morning angel'

A silky, warm voice pulls Taylor out of a deep, embracing sleep. Her eyelids slowly separate and crystalline green eyes swim into focus. A sliver of golden morning light filtering through the curtains illuminates the woman's face, angular features relaxed and serene.

'You're the angel' Taylor murmurs through the haze of slumber, inching closer to the taller woman's warmth.

'It's the big day!'

Karlie squeezes Taylor with excitement.

'Yeah' Taylor sighs softly, snaking her arms tightly around Karlie's shoulders. She glanced at the bedside clock. 8.30am. Reputation was going to be released in less than five hours.

Another cycle of heterosexual media speculation. Another round of interviews, live shows and constant plans to weave believable narratives of false romances together. Playing a character who isn't real...

'What are you thinking about?'

'Huh?'

Taylor stirs out of her anxious thoughts.

'Your face did that thing where you're worrying about something. It's going to be incredible, you've worked so hard on this thing and it's going to pay off!'

'I guess...I hope so.'

Taylor's gaze drifts into the winter sunlight. Her fingers begin to curl around Karlie's shimmering locks falling across her face. She thinks about the past year.

A combination of bliss and pain.

Laying enough trails of rumours and gossip had given Karlie and Taylor space to retreat behind media curtains of speculation. While tabloids had exploded with gossip surrounding the carefully plotted Tay-Kanye feud and Perry vs Swift clapbacks, the couple had been blissfully enjoying a secluded year of candlelit evenings, sundrenched beach holidays, and the occasional drunken 3am adventure.

The glittering, dreamlike months however had become tainted by dark fears in Taylor's mind. The recent reviews for Look What You Made Me Do had been uninterested at best, scathing at worse. An increasingly loud group of critics online had called for the end of her career, her voice...even her death. Even the strongest of minds isn't immune to words full of such hatred.

'Once the album's out...it just means back to no free time. Back to everything I say or do being scrutinized...I've got so used to life not worrying about that stuff. And by the way it's gone so far everyone's going to hate it and me again anyway...I just don't want them to come after you if they find out...'

Taylor finally replies.

'Hey! Stop that!' Karlie frowns at her.

"None of our private life has to change! You've placed enough straight breadcrumbs to keep the tabloids running circles round British white dudes for years'

Taylor smirks. 'That's true'

'And the bad reviews always come from the asshole, indie dudes who just listen to obscure noise music and live in their parents' basements anyway. You're Taylor Swift! Who gives a shit about them!'

Karlie plants a reassuring kiss on Taylor's cheek. The soft, tender lips on her skin makes Taylor's insides melt, her mind easing into the place of safe warmth that only Karlie's gentle words could take her to.

'I love you' Taylor murmured.

'I love you too, Taylor' Karlie rubs the shorter woman's back softly.

'I'm sorry I'm probably going to be a stressed mess for a good few months. I just don't want you to be affected by anything if stuff ever comes out about us...it's okay if people hate me, but I don't know what I'd do if they went after you too. I'd do anything to protect you Karlie' Taylor looks at her girlfriend with wide, worried eyes.

'I know, Taylor. You don't have to worry about me. Everything's going to be fine'