the stars in your eyes | t.s. one shots

for forever

"Hey," Taylor says, twisting her neck around to look at her boyfriend. They're entwined on the chaise of their sectional sofa; she is nestled between his legs and her arm stretched up to wrap around his neck. His grasp is firmly around her midriff. Still, somehow, they want to be closer.

It's been the most incredible summer for the couple, spending time in Florida whilst Travis trains and Taylor helps out her parents, who are both recovering from surgeries but doing so incredibly well. The young couple has fallen even deeper in love since the Eras Tour ended- which they didn't think was possible. They have lovingly crafted a life together- one free from all the outside noise. It's a life that is far from normal, far from what either of them ever envisioned as kids, but that doesn't matter. It's theirs. Everyone who has the privilege of being in their inner circle knows what their future holds. 

It's clear to Taylor and Travis, too. That's why her next words don't catch him off guard. "I want to marry you someday." They're murmured lazily as she snuggles into his side. It's not the first time she's said it. In fact, the words have become pretty common for both of them. They say it outright, just like that. Plain and simple, it's the truth. They aren't dancing around it. 

This time, though, a knot twists around in Travis's stomach. Lately, Taylor's been saying those words more and more often. She told him the same thing yesterday; she wants it so badly. Travis knows that. The woman has no idea that he's had the ring for a couple of months now, tucked away in the back of his sock drawer, but he's trying to figure out how to make it absolutely perfect for her. 

There was a time when he thought he'd do it down here in Florida. They could take the boat out, and it could be really special. Jason vetoed that one- said that the water made it all too risky. He was probably right. He had also thought about doing it when they were up in New York for a few days, so that Taylor could get some work done and tie up some loose ends with the album. They'd been out for a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant, and he really had thought about doing it then... but it felt too risky. There was way too much chance of someone seeing it and spoiling what he'd intended to be their secret.

So, the ring, in all of its dazzling glory, still sits idle in the back of his dresser. 

Travis is sure that if he could tell her the debacle that he was faced with, she'd knock him around and ask what's taking so long, or what he's waiting for. Life isn't getting any longer, and they're not getting any younger.

His dad and brother are the only two people who know. They're both encouraging him to do it, to get it over with... partly because neither is good at keeping a secret. They also want him to do it because they love him, and they love her. They want her to be a part of their family, and they want him to take the first steps towards his own family.

The sound of Taylor's proclamation rings in Travis's ears for the rest of the day, and that night, he finally makes the decision. It settles deep within his brain and heart: he's got to get it done. There's really no good reason he hasn't. He isn't even particularly nervous, because there's no question of what the answer's going to be. Her mindless mutterings confirm that. They talk about the future all the time, about how they both want things like marriage and a family. They're ready to have it all, and she wants it- soon. 

He decides that he should do it before the season opener. That way, they can have a little bit of time to keep it for themselves and their nearest and dearest before the whole world finds out when she shows up to the stadium with that beautiful ring on her finger. Even better, that way, she can come to her first game of his last season as a proud fiancée; she can show off the ring to everyone in the suite. She'll be giddy- he just knows it. 

The ring is a beauty. There's no doubt about it. It might be the biggest diamond he's ever seen, set on a simple gold band. It's classy and timeless, somehow nothing too flashy. He had one request for the jeweler whom he worked with in designing the piece. He wanted it to have a massive stone, but he didn't want it to be gimmicky or overly dramatic. They captured that perfectly. Taylor's going to adore it.