the stars in your eyes | t.s. one shots

the article

Taylor walks into the living room of her Los Angeles home where she finds Travis on the sofa, watching some stupid-looking comedy movie. She doesn't much care what it is, but she's glad it's making him happy tonight.

"Hey babe," he says, looking up as she walks over to him. "You doing good? How's the packing going?"

Taylor sighs. "It's alright. I've still got to pack my workout clothes, shoes, and makeup... but I'm mostly done otherwise." Having never been a light packer, Taylor's already got two huge suitcases filled up with her favorite clothes for the summer in Europe. She's sure she'll acquire some more, too. Her stylist is always bringing over new looks for her to try, ones that have been gifted from brands, or ones that he just picked out because he thought they'd look nice on her. And on top of that, she certainly does enjoy some retail therapy every now and then.

"Sounds like it's coming along well then," he says, pausing the TV and patting the spot beside him on the sofa, indicating for her to come and sit with him. It's an opportunity which she gladly accepts, taking more steps in his direction. "You've still got a few hours before bedtime. You'll be all good."

Tomorrow is going to be a hard day for the couple- one they've been dreading for a long time. First thing in the morning, Taylor will be on a flight heading off to Paris to start the European leg of the Eras Tour. And Travis will be staying behind in the United States. They've spent the last few months together, growing to be practically inseparable as they lived their lives during Travis's off-season and Taylor's break from tour. It's going to make being apart for the summer that much harder, but they wouldn't trade the time over the last few months for anything. It's solidified their relationship for both of them. Living together felt like the final test of their compatibility, and to say that they passed with flying colors would be an understatement. They've both never been happier.

"Are you getting excited for your super glamorous, luxurious, posh, whatever the fuck they say over there... European summer?" Travis asks, snaking his arm around her shoulders after she sits down next to him.

Taylor lets out a little laugh, rolling her eyes. "It'll just be a repeat of last summer, being shuffled from hotel rooms in one city to the next, but this time, I don't even get to go home in between. It's really not as cool as it sounds. It honestly doesn't even matter what city I'm in at any given moment. It's not like I get to see it. It's just another hotel room, and me all alone in it."

Travis frowns. "Sweetie..." He wishes he knew what the right words were to say.

"It's just the truth of the matter," she shrugs. "I love performing, I love being on this tour, but it's not like... fun... as soon as I am out of the stadium."

"At least you'll get to go back to your place in London during the weeks," he says. "That'll be like going home, won't it?"

Taylor only shakes her head, her face remaining stoic. What she's about to say isn't something that upsets her. It's just a fact, and one that she needs to state right now. "London isn't home. Not anymore- that chapter of my life is closed. It hasn't been home for a very long time."

Travis thinks for a moment. "Isn't there a single thing that you're looking forward to in London?" he asks. "A certain kind of takeout, special coffee, a favorite sweater you left in the closet there, a nice, quiet spot you can go walking... anything?"

Taylor bites down on her bottom lip, taking a moment to go through her memories there. Six years of living there, she's sure there's something she can look forward to. Of course, there are happy memories from her time in London. It really was the right move for her to go there with Joe, all those years ago. But as the time passed, their differences became irreconcilable. Eventually, she thinks of something that does bring a smile to her face. "There's this adorable little place in Kensington... they've got the best cream tea that you'll ever have, and a private room on the second floor. I used to go there a lot, just to get out of the house."