So High School - Tayvis One Shots

2: The Last Show

The final notes of "Karma" reverberated through the stadium, lingering in the air like the moment itself. Taylor stood center stage, bathed in the warm glow of thousands of lights, her chest rising and falling as the crowd's cheers echoed off every corner of the stadium. This was it—the final performance of her Eras Tour. The gravity of the moment pressed down on her heart, but she wasn't ready to say goodbye. Not yet.

She glanced to the side of the stage, catching a glimpse of Travis. He was there, just as he had been for so many shows before, his eyes locked on her, radiating support and pride. The sight of him steadied her, grounding her amidst the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overtake her.

As the crowd's roar began to fade, a hush fell over the stadium. It was almost as if the audience could sense that something more was coming. Taylor's lips curled into a mischievous smile as she stepped forward, microphone in hand.

"You guys didn't think I'd let it end just like that, did you?" she teased, her voice light, yet filled with emotion. The crowd erupted again, anticipation buzzing through the air like electricity.

Without another word, she disappeared offstage for a moment, only to reappear moments later in a dress that shimmered with every color from her different eras. It was breathtaking—a gown that symbolized every chapter of her career, from the fearless girl who first strummed a guitar, to the woman standing on this stage, saying farewell to one of the biggest achievements of her life.

The music began to play again, and she dove straight into songs that had shaped her journey, one from each era. She began with "Tied Together with a Smile," her voice soft, taking the crowd back to her country roots, where everything began. The words felt both familiar and fresh as if she was singing them for the first time. From Fearless, she sang "The Best Day," her voice cracking with emotion as the memories of her younger self flooded her mind.

Moving forward through time, she sang "Enchanted" from Speak Now, her voice soaring through the stadium, every note a testament to the magic she had created with her music. The audience swayed, hanging on every word, every melody.

As the eras blended together, she moved into the 1989 era with "You Are in Love." The crowd quieted as she reached the intimate line, "And he keeps a picture of you in his office downtown." But this time, something magical happened. The entire stadium sang back to her, but with a twist—"And he keeps a picture of you in his suite downtown."

Taylor froze for a second, her heart skipping a beat. They knew. They were referencing the photo Travis kept of her in his suite at Arrowhead Stadium, the one on the wall, a small but intimate gesture of love and pride. She caught his eye from across the stage, and he gave her a subtle nod, a smile tugging at his lips.

With a deep breath, she continued, moving into Reputation with "Call It What You Want," a smile gracing her lips as the crowd sang along with her, embracing the rebellious edge of the song. In her Lover era, she shifted into "The Archer," the haunting melody filling the stadium, but this time, it felt like an ode to her own vulnerability, her openness with the world.

And then, she reached —Midnights. She sang "Labyrinth" with her heart wide open, pouring all her recent experiences and emotions into the words. Her voice cracked on the final note, but the audience held her, lifting her with their love and support.

But it was when she began to sing so high school that the atmosphere shifted once again, becoming lighter, nostalgic, as if she were taking the crowd on one final journey through her past.

Then came "Mary's Song." The melody of the song felt almost like a lullaby, comforting and sweet. But as she approached the line, "I'll be 87, you'll be 89," she glanced toward Travis. A soft smile spread across her lips as she altered the lyric. "You'll be 87, I'll be 89," she sang, and the crowd went wild, understanding the small but heartfelt change. Travis, standing at the side of the stage, grinned, his eyes shining with love and pride.

For the finale, she launched into "Long Live," spinning across the stage with joy and abandon. The moment felt triumphant—her celebration of everything she had accomplished, the highs and the lows. But in her exhilaration, she misjudged a step, and suddenly the edge of the stage was too close. Her heart stopped for a split second as she lost her footing, her body tilting forward.

Before she could even process the fall, strong arms were around her, catching her midair. Travis. He had been watching from the side, and in a heartbeat, he was there, pulling her back to safety. The crowd gasped, then erupted into cheers as he held her tightly, his heart racing in sync with hers.

For a moment, Taylor looked up at him, her breath caught in her throat. His eyes were locked on hers, and without thinking, she leaned in and kissed him. The stadium exploded with sound, the crowd roaring their approval. Travis deepened the kiss, holding her tightly, his hands steady as they grounded her.

"You really know how to make an exit," he teased, pulling back slightly, his lips still close to hers.

She laughed, breathless, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I guess I wanted to give them something they'd never forget."

Together, they walked backstage, hand in hand. Taylor felt a mix of exhilaration and exhaustion wash over her, the high of the performance finally giving way to the weight of it all. Travis didn't let go of her, scooping her up in his arms and carrying her all the way to her dressing room.

"You okay, babe?" he asked, his voice soft and full of concern.

Taylor smiled, resting her head against his chest. "Better than okay. That was... incredible."

They kissed again, a soft, lingering kiss that was both a thank-you and a promise of more moments like this. After a moment, Taylor changed into one of Travis' oversized hoodies, pairing it with her leggings. It felt like a warm embrace, comforting and familiar, exactly what she needed.

Later, they headed home. Travis had arranged a surprise for her—her favorite food and a bouquet of flowers waiting on the table. She looked at him, her eyes shining with gratitude and love.

As they settled on the couch, Taylor put her head on his shoulder, the quiet between them filled with unspoken words. They didn't need to say much. Travis kissed the top of her head and held her close, his arm wrapped around her protectively.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice full of affection.

"I love you too," Taylor murmured back, closing her eyes as the exhaustion from the night finally overtook her. In that moment, nothing else mattered. It was just them, and that was all they needed.