TNT Short Fics

Tour Mode Addendum: Vancouver

"Oh my God."

It hits her on stage. She cannot stop saying it. Over and over. She's at a loss for words as the feeling of awe washes over her at the accomplishment. She's made it through 149 shows. She distinctly remembers a time when she wasn't sure if she'd make it through 14 and yet here she is. There is also the awe for the people who stand here with her who have stood by her through it all.

She steps forward to take one final bow. Looking over the crowd, she sends all her love and appreciation out to the people that have made the last two years what they were and then she turns around.

And skips away.

She grabs the people who have become her friends, who have been her family. And she runs for that door. Because as much as she has loved her time on tour, suddenly all she sees, all she feels...it's through that door—the future.

The possibility.

The feeling follows her home. Less than an hour after the show, they're on their way to the airport after final hugs with the team and promises to see each other on the group trip they'll be taking in the spring. She boards the plane and lays her head on her mom's lap. The feeling of her mother's hand as she cards her fingers through her hair, lulls her to sleep.

"We're so proud of you, Taylor," is the last thing she hears.

*******

Hours later, she slips through the house and realizes somewhere along the way she's perfected knowing every little thing about it even in the dark. She knows the third step from the stop squeaks but more, she knows to avoid the left side of the island because Travis inevitably leaves his shoes there. And there is definitely a wet towel on the floor at the end of the bed. Pulling back the covers, she lines her body up against Travis's back. She feels more than hears his inhale at her arm coming around him (or more likely, her cold toes finding his warm calves). He grabs her arm and squeezes three times before turning in her embrace.

"Tay?" He whispers.

"Shhh, it's early. Go back to sleep."

He pulls her arm further around him and sighs.

"I'm glad you're home."

Later, they'll talk about the end of the tour about how she feels about it, but for now, this is all she needs.

"Me too, Trav. Me too."

*******

Monday is spent like their last few have been when they both were on the field on a Sunday—in the den in their PJs with movies and snacks. They watch Love Actually and Christmas Vacationfor the pod and have a pretend fight over which they like best. She makes him promise to tell Jason and Kylie how he teared up at the scene of Liam Neeson and the little boy by the water. He makes her admit that Love Actually is not a Christmas movie but rather just a movie that takes place at Christmas.

It feels like a normal Monday.

They're in the kitchen rummaging through the cabinets for hot chocolate when he casually suggests they go out.

"Hmm?"

"Tonight. We should go out for dinner. You know, just a quiet dinner to celebrate."

"Oh, you're not too tired from yesterday?"

"Me?" he questions, reaching for her and pulling her close. "I should be asking you that. But I'm not. Sure enough, I wanna get dressed up and drink champagne, and celebrate with you."

"Trav," she says, burying her head in his chest. "You are the sweetest."

"So, it's a date?"

"Let's do it."