Chasing Headlines

Taylors POV

It had been a week since the Chiefs game, and the media was buzzing with excitement. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were everywhere—on talk shows, trending on Twitter, and the tabloids couldn't get enough. The public was lapping up the idea of the two megastars being a couple, even if it wasn’t real. Taylor had posted a couple of casual photos on her Instagram of her at the game, with Travis sharing one of them on his own page. The photos of them interacting with his family had made headlines, and everything seemed to be going according to plan.

But Tree Paine knew this wouldn’t last long without the next step. Media attention was great, but it could quickly fizzle out without more fuel to keep the fire burning. Tree had been keeping an eye on the buzz, strategizing the perfect way to maintain the narrative and give the media something fresh to talk about.

So, she called up Taylor and Travis for a meeting.

"Okay," Tree began, laying out the plan. "The public’s loving the ‘casual’ vibe, but now we need another date—a public one. Something that'll give the media a new angle, but without overdoing it. You’ve done family, now let’s do something fun. Something a little more… spontaneous."

Taylor raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Tree grinned. "A concert. But not just any concert. Travis, you’re going to surprise her at one of her shows. A backstage pass, casual vibes, some laughs, and a few pictures. We keep it low-key, but it gives people something to hold on to."

Travis leaned back in his chair, looking at Taylor. “You okay with that?”

Taylor hesitated for just a second. “Yeah, I think I can handle that. A concert would be fun—and we can keep it chill.”

Tree nodded. “Exactly. This is just about keeping things light and showing that you’re both enjoying the ride. We don’t need to be overly affectionate—just two people having a good time. The media will eat it up.”

Taylor and Travis exchanged a look. Despite the strange circumstances of their “relationship,” they both knew how important it was to keep the momentum going.

“So, when do we do this?” Travis asked, already feeling like he was getting into the swing of things.

“Next weekend,” Tree said, smirking. “It’s going to be the perfect way to keep the media guessing, and it'll help keep your names at the top of the headlines.”

Taylor smiled, nodding in agreement. “Alright, let’s do it.”

And just like that, their next public move was set. It wasn’t the kind of date most people dreamed about, but for Taylor and Travis, it was the next step in making sure their story kept the world talking.

-----

The night air was cool as Taylor Swift’s tour bus rolled into the city, buzzing with excitement for the next stop on her highly anticipated tour. But tonight wasn’t about the fans or the show—tonight, it was about keeping up the media narrative.

Taylor had just wrapped up soundcheck and was getting ready for the show when Tree Paine found her backstage, clipboard in hand. “Alright, everything’s lined up,” Tree said, looking over her notes. “Travis should be here soon, and once you’re done, we’re going to play this out exactly as planned. Low-key, fun—nothing too intense.”

Taylor, who had already been briefed, nodded. “I’m good with it. I think this will be fun.”

As if on cue, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, and soon, Travis appeared at the backstage entrance. His wide grin softened the edge of any lingering awkwardness. Dressed casually in a hoodie and jeans, he looked nothing like the football star that dominated headlines. He was just… Travis. Taylor couldn’t help but feel a little more relaxed in his presence.

"Hey," Travis said, giving her a friendly wave. "Ready to have some fun?"

Taylor smiled, her nerves easing at his easygoing demeanor. "Yeah, let’s do this."

Tree, now satisfied that everything was in place, clapped her hands. “Alright, the cameras will be rolling soon. Keep it casual, but make sure you’re seen together—like you’re just two people hanging out. We’re going to grab some photos before and after the show.”

Travis chuckled. “No problem. Just another day in the spotlight.”

They shared a laugh, and then Travis offered his arm to Taylor, leading her out into the crowd of fans and photographers waiting outside the venue. The moment they stepped into the public eye, the flash of cameras surrounded them, capturing the picture-perfect moment of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce walking side by side.

They posed for a few quick photos, playing the part, exchanging laughs that looked natural—like they were two people who had been friends for years. The flashes didn’t stop, but both of them were surprisingly at ease. The constant presence of cameras was becoming second nature.

As the night went on, Taylor made her way to the stage, giving Travis a quick wave as she walked out to perform. The crowd was roaring, and the energy was electric as she launched into one of her hits. Travis stayed backstage, watching her with a mixture of admiration and awe, taking in her performance as if it were just another concert he was attending—except this time, he was a part of the story.

After the show, Taylor came offstage, greeted by cheers from her crew and the familiar post-performance buzz. She walked over to Travis, who was waiting by the side of the stage, a big smile on his face.

“Great job out there,” he said, leaning against the wall casually, his voice full of genuine admiration.

“Thanks! You weren’t so bad yourself,” Taylor teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

The press had caught wind of the two of them, and as they moved toward the exit, photographers snapped more pictures—some showing Taylor laughing, others capturing the moment when Travis opened the door of the car for her. The flashes were bright, the cameras rolling, but both of them stuck to the script—easy smiles, lighthearted banter, and nothing more.

Once they were out of the public eye, the car’s engine hummed to life, and they were off into the night, away from the chaotic buzz of the media circus. They both sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the weight of the evening settling in.

“Well, that went better than expected,” Taylor said, her eyes still bright from the performance.

Travis chuckled, nodding. “Yeah, I didn’t think we’d pull it off so smoothly, but you made it easy.”

“I have to admit,” Taylor said, turning to face him, “I was a little nervous at first. But it actually felt... fun. You made it feel like we were just two people out having a good time.”

“Same here,” Travis said, glancing over at her. “It was surprisingly easy. You know, it’s not as hard as it seems when you’ve got someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Taylor laughed softly, leaning back in her seat. “I think we’ve got the hang of this PR thing. Just gotta keep it light and have fun with it, right?”

“Exactly,” Travis said with a grin. “We’re both in this for the same reason. It’s just about keeping it real, even when it’s not real.”

As the car rolled through the streets, they talked a little more about the evening, making small talk, and teasing each other about their public personas. It wasn’t a typical date, but something about it felt genuine—a connection that was easy to slip into, even if it was all just for show. The evening had been a success, and they had managed to keep up the illusion that they were just two people having fun.

When the car finally pulled up outside Taylor’s hotel, Travis stopped the vehicle and turned to her.

“So, same time next week?” he joked, his smile easy and comfortable.

Taylor laughed. “I think so. I think we’ve got this.”

As she got out of the car, she gave him a wave. “Goodnight, Travis.”

“Goodnight, Taylor,” he called after her, watching her disappear into the hotel.

For now, the plan was working. The media was buzzing with fresh headlines, the fans were hooked, and their PR relationship was only just beginning to take shape. Whether it was real or not didn’t matter for the moment—they were both playing the game, and tonight, they’d won.