save me - taylor swift

Taylor and her friends danced in the living room, the soft hum of warm-toned string lights glinting off the walls while music from the early 2000s filled the space with a nostalgic energy. Laughter echoed, socks slid across wooden floors, arms were thrown up in dramatic choreography as they belted lyrics into imaginary microphones. Taylor was in her element, cheeks flushed, hair a mess from spinning and laughing too hard.

Meanwhile, Ruby stayed in the kitchen, quietly working her way through snacks and drinks like a silent anchor to the chaos. She was making popcorn on the stove, letting the kernels heat in a large pot with a bit of oil while she also arranged the fruit platter with neat sections of strawberries, grapes, pineapple, and some of that watermelon she'd struggled to get into the cart earlier. She was focused, maybe too much so, but it made her feel useful—like she could take the weight off Taylor's shoulders for the night and just handle things.

She stood in front of the stove, one hand loosely gripping the edge of the counter, the other ready to lift the lid of the pot. The kitchen smelled faintly of butter and caramel from the popcorn, and the soft bass of the music thumped from the other room. She was just starting to hear the first tentative pops when she felt arms wrap around her from behind.

She didn't need to look. She already knew.

Taylor's arms settled easily around Ruby's waist, her chin grazing Ruby's shoulder as she peeked over to look inside the pot. Her voice was soft, near a whisper, almost drowned out by the music in the next room.

"What are you doing?"

"Popcorn," Ruby replied simply, her hand finding Taylor's forearm and holding it gently as the other lifted the lid to let a puff of steam escape. A few kernels jumped and cracked loudly inside.

Taylor swayed with her a little, watching the stove, then let out a soft whine. "Come sit with us. We'll do it later."

Ruby turned in her arms, facing her. The heat from the stove lingered around them, but the warmth between their bodies felt entirely separate. She smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind Taylor's ear before her fingers found her cheek.

"I'll make the popcorn and come," she said, voice quiet, fond. Her thumb brushed gently over Taylor's skin.

Taylor leaned into the touch like a cat in sunlight, her eyes falling shut for a moment. Ruby didn't need more than that—she leaned in and kissed her, slow and sweet, like she didn't care about the noise or the time or the people in the next room. For that brief moment, it was just them again, completely tangled in the quiet that always seemed to bloom between them when no one else was looking.

Of course, someone was looking.

"Okay, lovebirds, pack it up," came Sabrina's voice from the doorway. Arms folded, one hip leaning against the frame, she raised an eyebrow with exaggerated impatience. "Taylor, come turn on a movie."

Taylor pulled back from the kiss, giggling softly, and pressed one more to Ruby's lips, like a promise. "Coming," she called, and disappeared with Sabrina back into the living room.

Ruby chuckled to herself, turned back to the stove, and finished the popcorn, pouring it into bowls—one for each girl. She carried them two by two into the living room, setting them on the coffee table with the drinks she'd already arranged, then went back for the candy, chips, and the colorful fruit platter.

When she finally returned, Taylor patted the spot next to her on the couch, her eyes bright, hair slightly mussed from dancing. Ruby sat down without hesitation, their sides touching, and Taylor instantly leaned into her, her arm sliding around Ruby's waist.

They settled on watching La La Land, the choice sparking a chorus of sighs and enthusiastic nods from the others. As the opening credits rolled, Taylor curled deeper into Ruby's chest, her head resting comfortably against her shoulder while Ruby lazily stroked her hair. It was soft, like silk running between her fingers, and Taylor let out the occasional hum, too content to speak.