TNT Short Fics

Take Me Home

Taylor is practically bouncing in her seat as they leave the airport. She can't help but point out different sights as they drive through the outskirts of Nashville toward her mom's house. Travis has been here plenty of times on his own, but she can't resist showing him her adopted city through her eyes during their short stay.

This weekend is a big deal. Leaving their bubble of LA, and Kansas City before that, to venture into their families' territories feels like the next step in the Very Serious Relationship handbook. They've been almost giddy as Easter weekend approached. The last eight months have been a steady move towards more and more togetherness, but ever since Singapore—ever since they stood under the canopy of lights beneath those massive trees, whispering promises about their future—they've become more committed to hitting all the relationship milestones that come with planning to spend the rest of their lives together.

As Taylor points out a cute diner with the best coffee and donuts, Travis grins. Still, she notices him fiddling with the clasp of his watch. He's nervous. Pointing it out would only make him more self-conscious, and she knows she'll have her turn with nerves when they leave and head to Philadelphia, so she keeps quiet about it. Instead, she takes his hand, laces their fingers together, and says, "I'm so happy you're here."

His eyes light up, and he pulls their hands close, kissing the back of hers. "Me too, Tay."

When the SUV pulls into the driveway, she playfully widens her eyes at him. "Ready?"

"Oh yeah, I'm cool," he replies, fiddling with his watch band again.

She laughs, and he gets out to open her door. As she hops down from the car, she sees her mom at the top of the steps. Before either of them can speak, Taylor notices the pleased look on her mom's face at Travis's chivalrous gesture.

"Hi, Mom!"

Her mom waves, and after the security team hands them their bags, they head up the stairs to her. Andrea immediately envelops her daughter in a hug.

"Oh my girl, two months is too long." She squeezes Taylor tight before releasing her and turning to Travis for a hug. "And you, have you been taking care of my baby?"

"You already know, Ms. Swift."

Andrea pulls back with a stern look. "None of that. I told you, it's Andrea."

"Yes, ma'am."

Taylor exchanges an amused look with her mom and shrugs. There's no changing how polite Travis is, and she loves that he wants to make a good impression on her parents.

"Alright, you two, come inside. Scott is on his way. He's positively giddy that his favorite person is here this weekend."

Taylor chuckles. "Does Austin know Dad has replaced us with Travis as his favorite kid?"

"I'm sure he got the memo in Las Vegas."

"Hey now!" Travis protests, alarmed.

Mother and daughter crack up at the look on his face and he rolls his eyes at them when he realizes they are joking.

Taylor looks up at him and hugs him close. "We promise not to pick on you too much, babe."

"Eh, I should be used to it, my family is the same," he says with a shrug.

As they head inside, Taylor can't help but reflect on how different things are from a period in her life that is starting to feel like a lifetime ago. Joe had never felt comfortable enough around her family to joke like this. For a long time, she thought he was just shy, but eventually, he stopped even trying. He was always polite, but never truly integrated himself into their family. Travis, on the other hand, fits right in—just like he's always fit so easily into her life.