Chapter Text
Four hours until showtime, Wembley is abuzz in preparation. Lounging in the dressing room, Taylor is counting down the minutes until Travis returns.
He got in late last night, and after spending weeks apart leading up to this visit, she can admit to feeling a little clingy. Thankfully, he seems to be on the same wavelength. Last night, he’d kept both arms wrapped around her all night like a human security blanket as if he just couldn’t get close enough to her. She knows the feeling.
Kylie’s sitting across from her, applying what must be her tenth layer of mascara while trying to convince Jason not to embarrass them in front of Prince William. With their meeting with the Royal family quickly approaching, Taylor knows her window for eating is fleeting. Her mind drifts longingly to all of her favorite London food stops that she’s been skipping for tour-approved, perfectly balanced meals.
She slumps back into the couch, looking over to her mom. “You know those chicken doner kebabs from the place around here? We got them when you and Austin visited a few years ago. I would kill for one of those right now.”
“Well, honey, it’s right down the street. We could order it,” Andrea offers.
“No, by the time it gets here, it’ll be too close to showtime to eat.” Taylor’s voice comes out whinier than she means it to, momentarily reverting back into a grumpy little kid, complaining to her mom.
There’s comfort in the vulnerability of it. Whining to her mom before she has to be Taylor Swift and focus solely on the experience of the other 90,000 people in the room. But there are already eyes on her — there always are. And even if she trusts everyone in this room, they travelled to see the show, and she isn’t about to seem ungrateful and petulant in front of them.
She straightens her posture and composes her face. “It’s fine. Maybe I’ll have the team order it for after the show.”
“I’ll make sure they have it ready for you,” her mom says gently.
Taylor is mentally preparing herself to scarf down yet another serving of quinoa and greens when she feels the energy of the room shift. A lighter, warmer buzz courses through her before she even hears his voice.
She turns her head just in time to watch Travis stride into the room, wearing the biggest grin and the type of grounded confidence that makes her dizzy.
“Show day, baby!” His booming voice washes over her like a drug, instantly improving her mood. “You all ready to see the greatest show of all time?”
“Hell yeah we are!” Jason bellows, matching his brother’s energy.
Taylor blushes, still not used to someone hyping her up the way Travis does. Acting like the whole world rightfully revolves around her.
He acknowledges everyone in the room with a pat on the shoulder or a nod, but there’s no mistaking the intention in his gait as he makes his way across the room. He only has eyes for her.
“Tay, I got you a chicken kebab from that place you said you liked. Thought you might be hungry.”
He hands the bag to her casually as if it’s merely cheap street food and not the single most thoughtful gift she has ever received in her life. If she hadn’t already fallen head over heels for this man, this would’ve shoved her right off the cliff.
Andrea lets out a quiet chuckle, beaming at the scene playing out in front of her.
“Oh, you’re good,” Scott compliments Travis before Taylor can find the words.
“Oh my god, I could not love you more.” Taylor pulls his face down to her level for a kiss before he takes a seat next to her on the couch, his hand immediately finding its natural resting place on her thigh. “I was just saying I was craving this.”
“So you’re reading minds now? When did my life turn into my little brother constantly showing me up?” Jason jokes. Kylie rolls her eyes at her husband but gives Travis an approving smile.
Something about Kylie’s look makes Taylor realize how unusual this is for Travis to be so in tune with someone. Like she’s the first one he’s ever treated this way. The first person he’s ever cared about deeply enough to know so completely.
“Nah, I just know my girl.” Travis kisses the top of her head. “Had to make sure you got your protein in before you have to host the royal family. Apparently the monarchy is important enough to meet before shows unlike NFL players,” he teases her.
“You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?” She snuggles closer to him, opening the bag and letting the smell of properly seasoned chicken overwhelm her senses.
He shrugs. “Makes for a good story. I got to you eventually. That’s all that matters.”
Taylor’s heart swells. “Well, if you didn’t already have me, this kebab would’ve sealed the deal.”