It's All Part of the Story

July 2020

"Oh my god!" Karlie exclaims nearly dropping her phone in shock at what she just read. She reaches behind her to pat the covers where she assumes Taylor is still sleeping, her eyes still glued to her screen.

When she doesn't receive any response, she drops her phone and shifts over to her other side and smiles at the fact that Taylor has somehow managed to cocoon herself so deep in the covers that only the very top of her hair is showing.

Karlie shuffles closer to the lump of blankets and reaches out to shake her gently. "Taylor, wake up," she whispers.

Karlie rolls her eyes at the lack of response and brings her head down to rest on her hand and tries to peel back the covers Taylor has tightly wrapped around herself. She drops small kisses on her hair, the back of her neck and that spot just underneath her ear hoping to rouse her.

She takes a second to appreciate how soft and relaxed Taylor looks whilst she's sleeping. This is the fourth album cycle that Karlie has been around for and she knows just how much work Taylor pours into each one, and the relief Taylor feels when it's finally released and she can't worry about it anymore. And doing this one in secret whilst not physically in the same place as her co-writers and producers had added an extra layer of complexity to the process.

So Karlie is glad that Taylor is taking advantage of the fact that there has been pretty much no gruelling promotion tour for this album so that she can take this time to rest.

Until she remembers that she has a bone to pick with her and so she gives her another nudge.

Taylor still doesn't fully wake up but she does let out a low grumble and her eyes screw shut even tighter and it's obvious that she is fighting a losing battle to cling to sleep.

"Baby, wake up," Karlie whispers directly into Taylor's ear and Karlie almost laughs at the pitiful whine that escapes Taylor.

"No," Taylor mumbles reaching out a hand towards Karlie and she ends up patting her lightly on the forehead.

"Baby," Karlie says softly, shifting over so that she's settled more comfortably, almost on top of Taylor.

Taylor lets out a deep sigh as she realises that Karlie is not going to be deterred so resistance is futile. "What?" she snaps opening her eyes to glare at Karlie.

Karlie can't help but think that it would be more effective if Taylor wasn't so adorably sleep-rumpled, her voice low and scratchy and her hair an absolute mess. She can also tell that Taylor is fighting to keep a smile off her face by the slight quirk of her lips so she knows that she's not really in trouble for waking her up.

Karlie pats around the covers on her own side of the bed for her phone, unwilling to roll off of where she's perched on top of Taylor unless absolutely necessary. Taylor for one, is not complaining, enjoying the way Karlie's loose sleep shirt falls off one of her shoulders with all her wriggling.

"Have you seen this??" Karlie asks as she unlocks her phone and turns her screen towards Taylor.

Taylor squints at Karlie's phone, the brightness a little much for her sleepy eyes but she reads the tweet on Karlie's phone aloud. "Who knew that every time Karlie Kloss went out running, she was actually getting banged by Taylor Swift."

Taylor can't help the snort that bubbles out of her before she has even finished followed by peals of laughter.

When she looks to Karlie, who is staring expectantly at Taylor from behind her phone and realises that she is not laughing along with her, Taylor does her best to school her features and look contrite.

"Oops?" she offers with a small shrug of her shoulders.

"Oops? That's all you have to say for yourself?" Karlie says incredulously. "Fucking oops??"

Taylor knows by the small smile on her face that Karlie isn't really mad so doesn't even try to suppress her wide smile.

"Taylor, this isn't funny I'm never going to be able to go for a run again" Karlie whines, dropping her head down to rest on Taylor's shoulder.

Taylor brings her arms around to circle Karlie's waist and pulls her closer, rubbing soothing lines up and down her back. She enjoys the way she can feel Karlie melt into her and she turns to press a kiss to Karlie's forehead.

"I know something else you could do instead..." Taylor says suggestively, waggling her eyebrows at Karlie.

"You're trouble," Karlie sighs before ducking down to kiss Taylor soft and slow at first but then deeply when she licks her way into Taylor's mouth.

"You love me," Taylor whispers when they break apart, grinning up at Karlie. She watches Karlie roll her eyes at her and then feels more than hears the mumbled "mmm" that's pressed against her lips as Karlie swoops down again to kiss her hotly.

xx

In honour of the Folklore release folks, let me know what you think!