Pitch Perfect Harmony

Perfectionized Zoning Out

When Travis woke up on the couch the next morning, he could already hear Taylor rummaging around in the kitchen. He stretched his neck and sat up slowly. The couch really wasn't an ideal place to sleep anymore. "Good morning, Allie", he smiled walking over to her and hugging her from behind. "Good morning", she grinned leaning into him comfortably. "I missed you", he whispered and kissed her cheek. "You missed my cinnamon rolls", she chuckled but he shook his head. "Well, maybe them too but you more", he argued. "I thought, when you're out for practice I might invite Brit over", she told him. He immediately looked at the clock and was relieved when he noticed that they both seemed to be in an early rhythm at the moment.

"I think", he started and turned her around in his arms but holding her against the counter softly. "You should do everything that makes you rest. And that does not include hosting coffee meetings. Bake as many cinnamon rolls as you want if it helps you come home but please take a break", he added carefully. Taylor noticed the worried look on his face and took a deep breath. He was probably right. "Then you take them to practice for the guys?", she suggested. "I might need to protect them against Coach Reid but, yes. I'll leave some for us later. What does help you relax?", he asked back to the topic. "Trav, I'm okay", she chuckled but he just kissed her silent. "I mean it. I want you to lie down or at least sit down and do only what you absolutely need to do or what helps you relax", he said. "I need to write a statement about Vienna with Tree", she remembered and he could watch her smile fade.

"Then do that first. And then you watch some Netflix or whatever. Order some food? You could chill in the pool", he suggested some things. "I'm not good at doing nothing", she admitted. "Didn't you bring your knitting kit last time?", he had another idea, and this time, her eyes grew big and her smile wide. "Oh yes! I didn't finish the little pillow", she remembered and was about to go and get it but he held her back again. "First the cinnamon rolls, then breakfast, then Tree, and then knitting. And before you do any of that, take a breath and kiss me", he commanded making her smile up at him sheepishly. But she did exactly that.

At least up to the point where Travis had left for training and she cleaned up the kitchen. After that, her energy was gone. But she at least pushed through the small video conference with Tree and they finished the statement. Then, she just pushed her MacBook aside and sighed. Her thoughts were again racing and it made her stay on the couch staring at the ceiling in silence. Taylor couldn't even quite grab a single thought for longer than a second. And suddenly, the front door sprung open and she heard Travis come home. She looked at the clock surprised by how much time had passed. It must've been hours and the sun was already starting to set. "Here you are", Travis found her and immediately came over for a short kiss. "What have you been up to?", he asked sensing her mood. "I... I think I just sat here since I talked to Tree", Taylor admitted embarrassed. "Didn't you want to do that right after breakfast?", he asked surprised. "I did", she agreed. "So... you sat here since breakfast. Did you have anything for lunch?", Travis continued to ask carefully. She hesitantly shook her head. It wasn't easy to explain that she hadn't moved since that and forgot about time completely. He'd think she was stupid.

"Tay, are you okay? Did you really just sit here?", he wanted to know concerned. Taylor shrugged looking away insecurely. "I know it's weird", she mumbled trying to say it first so he wouldn't. He noticed her anxious behavior and decided to sit down with her. Gently, he pushed her away just enough for him to fit on the couch too. Taylor still avoided looking at him. She felt stupid herself. How could someone not move for hours and didn't even notice? "Allie, I'm just worried, okay? Can you tell me how you feel?", he asked trying to get behind this. She thought about it for a moment but there wasn't an answer coming up. How did she even feel? Why didn't she know? Shouldn't everyone be able to answer this question? Feeling even more stupid, her eyes were watering. There was a limb in her throat and her chest felt tight. She had to say something. He needed an answer. "Tay, hey, come here", he mumbled and pulled her into his chest carefully. His calm voice made her let go and she started crying.