save me - taylor swift

The night was colder than Ruby expected.

She pulled her coat tighter around her as she followed Taylor and Travis Kelce through the entrance of Nobu Downtown. The restaurant was swarming with photographers, their cameras flashing so violently that for a split second, the world felt like it was stuttering, flickering between bright white light and deep shadow.

"Taylor! Over here!"
"Travis, give us a smile!"
"Taylor, any new music coming?"
"Are you guys engaged?"

The voices blurred together, a mess of shouting, rapid-fire questions, and the occasional aggressive demand for attention.

Ruby didn't flinch.

She moved with practiced ease, her posture stiff but composed, staying close to Taylor's side without touching her. It had only been a few days on the job, but she already knew how Taylor preferred to be handled in these situations—no unnecessary hand on the lower back, no tugging at her arm, no overtly aggressive shoving through crowds.

Taylor wanted distance, but she also wanted control.

Ruby gave her both.

Elijah had assigned her as Taylor's personal guard for the night, which meant she was solely responsible for her safety from the moment she left her apartment to the moment she was back home. She had spent the entire day researching Nobu's security measures, mapping out the entrance points, scanning through previous incidents where paparazzi had gotten too close.

Now, she let that knowledge guide her.

Travis, naturally, was more relaxed about it. He was used to attention, but the kind that came with sports—boisterous, chaotic, but not dangerous. He waved at the cameras, flashing them a broad smile, while Taylor kept her head down, only glancing up when absolutely necessary.

Ruby kept moving, her presence a quiet shadow beside them, until they finally made it inside.

The second the heavy doors shut, muffling the noise from outside, Taylor let out a slow breath.

"You alright?" Travis asked, pressing a hand to her lower back.

She gave him a small smile, nodding. "Yeah, just... a lot of people."

He chuckled. "Tell me about it."

Ruby didn't say anything. She scanned the restaurant, ensuring their path to the table was clear. Nobu was high-end, and high-end meant privacy. The restaurant had its own security, but Ruby didn't trust other people to do her job.

She walked them to their table, standing stiffly until Taylor sat down. Only then did she take a step back.

"I'll be outside," she murmured.

Taylor didn't acknowledge her.

She didn't have to.

Ruby had already turned on her heel, making her way toward the exit.

The night air was crisp as Ruby stepped outside Nobu Downtown, leaving the warmth of the restaurant behind. She exhaled, reaching for a cigarette, rolling it between her fingers before lighting it with a quick flick of her lighter. It had been a long time since she last smoked—she had sworn she was done with the habit, but something about standing under the dim glow of the city lights, her nerves wired from the constant presence of cameras and flashing bulbs, made her give in.

The evening had been routine so far, or as routine as it could be for someone like Taylor Swift. Ruby had kept a close watch over her as she navigated the sea of paparazzi at the entrance, shielding her from the blinding flashes and intrusive shouts while ensuring she and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, made it inside without issue. She had stayed at a distance as they settled into their table, only excusing herself once she was sure everything was secure. Now, with her back against the cool brick of the building, she let herself enjoy a rare moment of quiet.