TNT Short Fics

So we'll run, we're ruining everything - 2/2

Every time they'd seen the house, sunlight had poured through the windows, illuminating its warm, inviting spaces. So when the beginning of their second week in Italy dawns with a downpour, it should dampen the light mood that has been growing as they shook off the vestiges of Midwest winter and shitty football games, yet Taylor thinks there's something captivating about the rain. How it trails down the windows and the rhythmic sound of it hitting the stone outside the house and the gracefulness of sheets of rain that blow across the lake. It draws them in.

They hunker down in bed, watching the rain—and each other—all morning. Travis drifts back to sleep, his hand tracing lazy patterns along her arm, and she doesn't move, content to stay right where she is. She watches the rain slide down the windows, her fingers drifting gently down his back. The sky is heavy and gray, the lines of rain reminding her of her own lyrics: "rivulets descend my plastic smile."

She used to hate days like this—the endless gray of England had once fed her depression, closing in around her like a fog she couldn't escape. But here, in this bright cream-colored room they've bought to fill their future, the rain feels different. Softer. Like it's washing winter away, making room for spring.

The last time she cried, yes, it had been over a man—over Travis—but not because of something he'd done. She'd wept for the hurt he carried after letting down his team. Even then, through his own pain, he'd reached for her and tried to comfort her when he saw her tears. And they'd held on to each other. Something so different from the life she once knew. Something brighter and stronger, even on the gray days.

*****

They are driving along the winding road between Varenna and Bellagio. The windows are cracked, music playing, and they laugh at the sweet but bumbling owner named Alice at Crotto dei Pescatori, who fawned over Travis.

"Am I going to have to fight off an Italian nonna, Trav?" she giggles.

"Oh no, baby, you already know I'm all yours," he smirks at her.

The mood is light and they've had the best day. Taylor's still smiling when she glances over at Travis, watching him tap his fingers absently against the wheel in time with the music. His shoulders are relaxed, his profile easy.

So she can't quite explain why she picks this moment to bring up the one topic they...well, they haven't been avoiding it, but definitely sidestepping it. There is an undercurrent she can't quite name. She's not sure, but she knows it's time to ask.

"Have you thought any more about next season," she asks casually. But they both can hear the concern behind it.

Travis blows out a breath and she notices how he grips the steering wheel tighter.

"Shit, I shouldn't have asked right now," she says, reaching up to nervously ruffle her bangs, her gaze drifting to the road ahead. "You're still processing, I'm sor–"

"It's kind of all I think about," he interrupts.

"Oh," she says, her brow furrowing in surprise.

He shakes his head. "I just...I don't know, Tay. Last year...it was a lot."

The road dips closer to the lake, sunlight shimmering off the water. It's beautiful, yet Taylor's thoughts are stuck on the tightness in Travis's voice.

"It was," she agrees.

"Between my body not doing what I wanted, the pressure of trying to ramp things back up. Always being a step behind. It was exhausting. I felt like I was just hanging on at the end." His fingers flex on the wheel before relaxing again. His gaze stays locked on the road like he can't risk looking at her.