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Taylor pauses the audio file Aaron has just sent her as the song ends, removing her headphones. It’s so rewarding when any of her songs finally come together, but this one in particular has her giddy with excitement. Oh , it’s such a good feeling.
She can’t wait to show it to Travis.
It’s not the first song she’s written about him. It’s not even the only one she’s adding to the album. She has pages full of lyrics about Travis and their time together and the way he makes her feel.
But this one is special. It’s so openly about them, full of references to their relationship, and it feels so unlike anything else she’s written before. She’s not masking any of it, not trying to make it ambiguous. This song is about Travis, for Travis, and she’s shouting it from the rooftops.
Maybe it’s because Travis tells her all the time that she isn’t too much, that what she does is beautiful and should be treated as such. He celebrates her music, recognizing it as a crucial part of who she is, and boy, it makes her heart beat faster, just thinking about how much he always makes sure to praise her talent.
What a miracle, the way she turns life into poetry.
Maybe it’s just because she’s the happiest she’s ever been, and she wants everyone to know.
Whatever the reason is, she’s not hiding anymore.
“Hi, baby,” Travis’s voice makes her look up from her laptop, a big grin on his face as he makes his way into the room. He’s just returned from recording the week’s podcast episode, and it’s impossible for her to avoid a huge smile spreading on her face when he sits down on the couch right beside her. “How’s the album going?”
Taylor grins, leaving the laptop aside as he shifts, giggling when he kisses the top of her head and her cheek before kissing her lips. “It’s all coming together. I’m so excited to listen to the finished product, we’re almost done.”
Travis puts his arm around her shoulders, tugging her just a bit closer. He looks at her with adoration in his eyes, making her blush. “You’re fucking brilliant, Tay. This album is going to be amazing.”
Her cheeks go even more pink at the sweet compliment, and she shifts in his hold so she can straddle his lap. His hands quickly move to her waist, and his eyes crinkle at the corners when she leans in to kiss him just a bit deeper. “You haven’t even listened to all of it yet!”
“So?” He whispers against her mouth, cheekily biting on her lower lip just to make her gasp. “I already know it’s going to be wonderful. It’s your album, after all.”
“Travis,” She chuckles softly as he starts trailing kisses down the side of her neck. “What are you doing?”
“Am I not allowed to celebrate my girl’s brilliant songwriting skills?” He teases, grinning up at her. "She is the music industry, you know?"
She rolls her eyes fondly, reaching for his hand. Their fingers interlock, almost automatically, and she takes a deep breath.
God, she loves him.
“Well, you certainly can,” Taylor leans in to press another kiss to his lips. “But before that…there is a song I want to show you.”
Travis’s expression softens, his wide grin turning into a soft smile when he brings her hand to his lips and kisses it gently. “I’d love to listen to it, Tay.”
She returns to the spot she’d been sitting in next to him, grabbing her laptop. She sets the audio file up again, suddenly feeling a bit nervous.
“Just…promise you won’t say anything until the song’s over, okay?”
Travis must notice the slight change in her voice, because he holds her hand and squeezes, trying to reassure her. “I promise, babe.”
“Okay…it’s called So High School.”
Taylor takes another deep breath, and presses play.
The guitar riff starts, and her voice follows soon after. She doesn’t take her eyes away from Travis, wanting to absorb his entire reaction.
Travis listens to the lyrics carefully, his smile quickly growing on his face when he realizes the song is about them.
His face flushes as she sings, chuckles leaving his lips as she mentions that one night when they’d half-watched American Pie with his friends before sneaking out of the room, and he looks so amused at the “ you know how to ball, I know Aristotle ” line that even her own smile gets bigger.
As promised, he doesn’t say anything while the song is playing, but he does lean in even closer to kiss her forehead firmly, the kiss a promise in itself, as her voice in the recording says what she’s felt every single day since they met.
No one’s ever had me, not like you.
As the finishing notes play, Taylor reaches to stop the audio, looking at Travis with a hopeful glint in her eyes. “Well, what do you-“
“Come here, girl,” Before she can even get the whole question out, he’s kissing her hard, cupping her face with his palms. She squeaks in surprise, but quickly reacts and returns the kiss.
Travis finally pulls back, just a bit, and looks at her, teary eyed but with a massive smile. “Every day I’m sure I can’t love you more than I already do, and every day you prove me wrong.”
“I love you too, Trav,” Taylor smiles at his words, putting her hands over his. “So much.”
“This song, baby, it’s…it’s fucking electric ,” Travis gently caresses her cheeks with his thumbs. “ You are electric, Tay.”
“I take it this means you like it.”
“I love it so much,” He nods, kissing her forehead again. “I’m the luckiest motherfucker in the world.”
“We’re both lucky,” Taylor says, shifting her face a bit to kiss his palm. “Trav, I…thank you.”
“Girlie, I should be thanking you. I mean, holy shit, you’re so-“
She grins, bringing a finger to his lips to quiet him down. He smiles, face still flushed, and lets her talk.
“Thank you for making me feel like a teenager in love,” Taylor whispers, eyes bright. “I can’t wait to keep writing songs about us for a long, long time.”
Travis kisses her, a vow and a reassurance all at once, and speaks against her lips, his words the perfect reflection of her feelings. “You already know, babe.”