TNT Short Fics

Just grab my hand and don't ever drop it - Part 1

Summary: Five moments that reflect on a promise

***1****

An earring clinks to the ground and Travis bends to pick it up. Dropping it in Taylor's palm, he takes in her face in the mirror and the furrow of anxiety between her brows as she looks back at him.

"You know, Tay, we don't have to do this yet. Not if you're not comfortable," he reminds her.

Her face smooths and she turns to reach for his shoulder to give it a squeeze. "No, I want to. I'm just nervous, I guess."

He takes her hand and kisses her palm before reminding her, "That's okay. I'll be right there with you. I'm nervous too."

"Yeah?" she asks with relief.

"Oh yeah," he insists. "What if I trip and look like a jamoke in front of the world and especially my girl?"

She blushes at his teasing," Nah, I know you won't. You've got this."

"We've got this, girl," he replies, confidence in his voice. "SNL won't know what hit them."

She looks down with a huff of a laugh before looking at him seriously again. "I just...can you do something for me?"

"Anything."

"Just...don't let go. I mean please hold my hand."

He reaches for her, tucking her under his chin and doing just as she asks right in this moment, "Tay, of course. I've got you, I promise," he vows. "We're in this together."

Travis knows she's been left behind. Left to hide or run for a door on her own through flashing lights. Has been made to feel like an embarrassment. How anyone could do that to her is beyond him. All he wants to do is be beside her. Proudly show her off.

He sits on the bench at the foot of her bed and pulls her close between his knees. Looking up at her for once, thumbs brushing soothing circles on her bare sides that are not covered by the corset top she wears.

"You...Tay, you are the most amazing, beautiful... God, you are everything," he says in a rush of breath. "I want nothing but to stand next to you."

"It gets crazy. Loud and uncomfortable," she states matter of factly. "I can't see in the lights."

He threads their fingers together and squeezes. "So we'll just focus on this. Feel that?" he asks, squeezing three times.

"Yes."

"That's to remind you I'm here."

"Trav," she murmurs, leaning forward to capture his lips. Her hand slides to his cheek, thumb brushing against his skin. Travis's hand not wrapped around hers settles at the small of her back, pulling her just a little closer.

When they part, she reaches forward to run a finger along the edge of his smile and up to the lines next to his eyes. "I'm here too, promise," she asserts with a soft smile. "When it is too much for you.."

He lifts their entwined hands and kisses her knuckles before telling her, "Then you squeeze my hand. But it will pass, Taylor. It may be a lot but then we will get in the car and it will pass. And we'll still be right there together."

She nods but still looks uncertain. He knows that he'll have to accept that it may take time for her to believe him. She's been promised so many things that didn't stick. All he can do is show her. Be the one that shows up time and again.

Taylor steps back and fastens the earring before turning to grab her coat from the bed.

"Ready?" he asks, holding out his hand to her.