Now that there was a world with Travis, Taylor found it a challenge to visualize what it had all looked like before. The album had chronicled that love, loss, and devastation -- but all of it faded into a blur that passed by like a gentle fog on an early morning highway commute. His presence and unwavering encouragement had found a woman ripping at the seams and stitched back together even the most unsightly parts; it wasn't hyperbole to argue that the footballer had accomplished what the blonde had rendered utterly impossible. She could've never foreshadowed this scene -- the warmth of his skin, the faint whispers of his shampoo and cologne in a house that was, though unspoken, truly theirs -- and she drowned in the sea of scents time and time again, always finding her way back to shore. She met the sight of his face -- those famous eye crinkles and that wide grin -- with a smile of her own, one that curved in earnest at the edges like it hadn't since all that time in the before. "Me, hard to surprise? Preposterous. I hate scary movies, I spook easily, and I'm definitely easy to surprise. I may plan albums and tours out months upon months in advance, but I promise I don't do that much with my personal life... unless it's manifesting a handsome suitor like yourself," she teased, tone taking an upward playful lilt as a thumb moved to graze across his cheekbone.

"Don't I hype you up always? It's sort of my unofficial job description," she continued with a lighthearted laugh. "Besides, you've never let me down before... it would be fairly preposterous for you to start that up all of a sudden." The warmth of his skin grew tenfold as he brought her closer, and the same arms that were around him before found a similar place this time, fingertips separating just enough to glide through the hair at the back of his neck. "All of the above," she admitted with an eventual shrug. "The glowing reviews are... well, glowing," she nodded, "and everything else is just... what it is. What it's always been. People who don't understand." She took a deep breath and leaned in for a kiss that matched his in tenderness. "It's just noise," she reassured him, wanting to be sure Travis knew she wasn't hung up on any of it, "but, that noise can get super loud if I'm not careful."

Even if it felt like he had known her his entire life, he had to take a minute to realize just how quickly things had changed since being welcomed into Taylor’s orbit. This world of hers that was once so foreign to him, had now become his own, and he was all in. Being that supportive presence as he stood behind her and massaged her shoulders as midnight rolled around and the album finally dropped felt so easy, and natural — he couldn’t imagine himself in any other position but there. And she had chosen to stay there for it all. And by there, he meant their place in Kansas City. He would only refer to it as theirs, and she embraced it. The moments he envisioned when he moved to that house were now real life, a routine that he didn’t foresee ever getting stale. Of course, they could chalk it up to playing house if they wanted to, but it was more intentional and more meaningful than that. They were establishing routines that Travis hoped would become traditions, and making memories that they would look back on for years. 

The thought of her going back on the road was something he pushed out of his mind. It was approaching fast, and time was flying, just like he knew that it would. His own obligations like the music festival he was hosting would keep him in Kansas City for a few weeks in May before he was able to join her, and he looked forward to it; although, savoring this precious time in their own little world was all he wanted. 

With such a vast home, he could easily lose sight of her and not hear the sound of her footsteps approaching until she was near — or in this case, right behind him. He was stood by the window, replying to text, one that involved his plans for the weekend, when he felt her slender arms wrap around his neck. He quickly hid his phone and a nervous laugh escaped him, “Why are you so hard to surprise?” he asked as he turned around. His phone now in his back pocket and his hands free to hold her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and tilted his head back as his eyes aimed down; their height difference evident, but never an impediment. “You’re hyping this up now. What if you’re disappointed?" he asked and smirked, knowing that would never happen, with the sweet moment he had planned for her. He pulled the blonde up towards his chest while he leant down and gave her the most gentle kiss. “How do you feel today? Anxious? Happy? Relieved?” he asked, knowing that she had spent a large portion of the day reading reviews. He constantly checked in with her. He could only imagine how it felt, to have critics dissecting something that was so personal and vulnerable.

Listen -- The Climb is always going to be in my top ten Miley songs of all time. Endless Summer Vacation will be one of the soundtracks of the summer, mark my words. Love you lots, sister -- I know you're going to do incredible things in the next few months and beyond. You did not just tell me Nova is almost one already. What is it with all these sweet kiddos growing up so fast? My heart can't handle it. The same footballer that I've been lovestruck about for a while now -- you know, Super Bowl winner, podcast extraordinaire, that guy. If you haven't met him, I'll have to introduce you sometime soon. Beyond excited -- Portugal, Paris, and every stop in between is going to be absolutely incredible. The cats are lovely, as always. They're enjoying life spent not in a tour bus, but I just think they don't understand how good they really have it. Do it; we'd love to see you!

It did but that's totally okay though that it did because people still got to watch and be suprised the fact that i sung the climb in that special for the first time in like years, in all fairness Endless Summer Vacation has been out for like a year now and it was to promot that album and you Eras tour is still going. thanks Tay coming from you that means a lot it really does, love and miss you so much. They're good thank you, Nova is one next month and Emerson is two months which i don't like. oh? a footballer? do tell all? Are you excited about going to Paris in May? How are the cats? oh i know about the laying low, you need to do that sometimes for your own well being don't you? i'd love to come maybe sometime in June? // @tylrswfts

[text]: you are a masterpiece. congratulations on another epic album release morning 💖

[ text ] : You are the absolute loveliest, did you know that? Thank you so, so much -- from the chairman herself, thank you for being part of the reason album releases are so much fun. 🫶🏻

I'm half surprised you listened to it, but I'm also not that surprised in the same breath. Did you listen to The Anthology, or just the original tracklist? There's an important distinction there. Mm, yeah -- that's a good one. I mean, I am obviously highly biased but I do pick favorites. It's definitely not one of the ones that punches me in the gut every time I have to hear it again, so there's that. Queen of sanity, that's me! Glad somebody understands. When are we getting a new HS album, though?

it's a true talent of yours. gave the new album a listen and i'm impressed. my boy only breaks his favorite toys has been on repeat since it dropped a couple hours ago. do you have a favorite track? as for doing weird things -- of course it couldn't be you. queen of being sane over here.

You know, I don't really know if I'd be a good witch -- and I think I've made peace with that. The new album's created a new army of enemies, which I'm starting to perceive as less of a bad thing than I originally thought it might be. I'm calling it real life character development. Please, I live for drama. It loves me, after all. How are you, though?

Ohhh a bit of Taylor lore I havent heard yet. I don't even need the connection to believe it because it's like equal level believable now to witch, good witch though. They both sound amazing Id like to add them to my list and raise Lapland on there too. I cant actually decide if I like hot or cold more...I literally cant Im not being dramatic here

𝓀𝒶𝓃𝓈𝒶𝓈 𝒸𝒾𝓉𝓎 𝓈𝓊𝓃𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑒 | taylor & travis.

whirlwind weeks were nothing new to the blonde, of course, but this one had been a particularly wonderful whirlwind. nearing a week since her album's release and she was still on cloud nine -- floating, freely, with no intent of ever truly coming down as far as she was concerned. it wasn't lost on her that part of what had made this album cycle already so momentous was the muse of two of her most treasured songs on the release and the man who'd taken every curveball that'd been thrown at them in stride. taylor found it hard to imagine that tour would be whisking away her to portugal, and then paris, and then what felt like hundreds of other cities in only a few weeks. it was a thought she didn't think about often, or at least -- she tried not to. but, it was the first thought that snuck into her mind on sleepless nights. it wouldn't change things, of course, but beds would be colder and her heart would ache with an incessant longing. there was no time to fret about that now, though. as the football star had told her so astutely, celebrations were in order -- and like she had said, leave it to kansas city to know how to ring in a big win. she'd found him in the living room of his kansas city abode -- a home that was quickly feeling more like theirs and less like just his -- and snuck up behind him to press a kiss to the warmth of his cheek. "you still haven't really told me what all we're up to this weekend," she whispered coyly, arms wrapping around his neck and dangling loosely against his chest. "i can get down with a good surprise, but i'll be the first to admit that the anticipation is killing me." @killa--trav

@tylrswfts

You know that I'm a mastermind... it's just what I do! I adore you, and I adore him -- this is going to be one hell of an album cycle, I know that much. I'm a Sagittarius, of course, but I feel like I have big Virgo energy about a lot of things. Lord, as long as your boys don't have 'fuck' as their first word for how many times I dropped it in TTPD. Of course, babe -- I had to send a kit to my favorite blondie. Nothing else would suffice. I love that y'all are working on balance; that's so important, and I can only imagine how good that is for your relationship. Let me talk to Travis about the schedule for next week, and we'll make it happen. I can't wait to see them!

The music video? Insane. Getting that Dead Poets Society reunion on your Tortured Poets first music video? Your mind is insane. Seriously. I love him so much. I saw him at the CMT awards and just knew he would be perfect for this. Oh yeah, I blame everything on being a Virgo. I have had the album on repeat. I swear, the boys first words might just be some of your lyrics. And thank you for the PR. I loved it! I am yeah, as much as I can. But Joe is on set long hours so I want to make sure I can do as much as I can so he can rest as well. That is something I need to take on board next tour because I always fall victim to it. Yes! Please, let me know what works for you and we will be ready and waiting for your visit!

I mean, to some extent. Fortunately, by then, I'll probably be old news and the camera won't pan to me as much in between plays -- as if I have any control over any of that, but I digress. You're right; I'm not particularly bothered, but it'll get stale eventually. This weekend, huh? Big ideas on that mind of yours, or something? Yeah, yeah... who am I to fight the alchemy, you know? The feeling was very mutual. I knew who I wanted from the beginning and was just hoping he'd catch wind of it. Needless to say, it looks like he did. It does, but some nights I just don't have the energy -- so, it's always okay to have frozen bread as a backup is all I'm saying. No judgement. The first person to use the oven? Seriously? How long has it been since you've had that house? I have so many questions. We've gotta' keep breaking that thing in; you've got one hell of a kitchen, so it only makes sense that we put it to good use. The first versions are still private, of course, but I don't know, T... a part of me just wanted the world to have those, you know? It's not like I have anything to hide. I mean, our initials even subtly glow in one of the lyric videos, so... it's sort of a thing. Our own private celebration sounds perfect! It would be fun to have friends over next week, too -- but I think I'm most excited for the time that's just us. I know I've had a good bit of it lately, but it really never gets old.

You think the haters are gonna calm down next year after they realize you aren't going anywhere, or no? Not that we care, but if they're still hating on my wife one day, that's gonna get old. "Soon" may be this weekend. And I feel very reassured by that. I always do, and you know I'm not going anywhere, either. Someone couldn't stay away — I went for it the first time, and you pulled the trigger the second time around. I only got that profile up for you, hoping that you'd see it, and thought it was a snowball's chance in hell that you would swipe right. But you did, and here we are. Scratch always tastes better. Keeping it straight with you, though, you were the first person to use the oven at this house. I'm loving watching the way you handle all of this. Meanwhile I'm still recovering from the shock of seeing those two songs on the album. I thought you were keeping them private. What changed? Not that I'm complaining about it. I'm all in. It's been a pleasure. I've never seen you more hype than that night, but I was thinking something a little more private this time. Just the two of us celebrating this weekend, and then next week I can fly out some of your family and friends, producers, engineers...whoever you want, baby. We gotta open this pool for the season and a barbecue sounds just right.

I bet she could, and you'd look the cutest in a decket-out pair. It is about damn time, honestly -- and it makes me so happy to know that we couldn't be happier. I did sign them all, slowly and over time, but I did it! The fans get too excited about them; I had to do it. Spreading it out over two years definitely helps. Now that it's been out for a couple days, I need to know if you've listened and, if you have, which song is your favorite. I would absolutely love to see them at a show. It would be the most fun ever, and I hope there's somehow we can make this happen.

my only affiliation is to you, and you're KC by default, so i'm going to rock the hell out of their merch. think she could make me overalls? i want a cute pair i can jump around in and chug beer. his brother seems like the funniest bloke too, so i would love to get to know him. i'm just in love with the idea that 2024 has given us both something good to hold onto and cherish and it's about damn time. i wanna know if you actually signed all of those 90k ones, since i don't think i could do that without needing carpal tunnel surgery afterwards. you've always been good at channeling your hurt into art and this will be another masterpiece. ahhh, thank you. i'm hoping we get a custody arrangement settled before those dates, because i wanna bring the girls to at least one show. they love watching the recording but it'd be a core memory if they could be there in person dancing along to auntie tay.

I hope so -- and I hope when you hear them, you love them. You know how much I value your opinion in everything, always. I wouldn't call it a billion; just a few. I just love you and trust you with my entire life, no big deal. I'm very excited to perform some of 'em live. This break has been much-needed and I'm definitely not ready for it to end, but I'm simultaneously very ready to get back out on the road. How are you doing lately?

Everyone is going to love your new album, baby. Have I heard any of the songs, yet?No. But I love them all, already. I know that you put your heart in soul into everything you do. Everyone is going to understand your mind a little bit more. I love how you're coming to me for advice when I've only got 8 albums out and you've got a billion. That's sweet that you trust me with giving you advice. You've made music that you resonate with - and somewhere out there, there's going to be people who also need to hear these songs. Just have faith that it's the reason you're putting this piece of work out into the world and everything else will fall into place. Are you ready to maybe perform some of the songs live? Because I'm ready to hear them.

Oh, we are so ready. Tortured Poets has people adding 'mad scientist' to the long list of things that they call me and, honestly, it's not the most unflattering thing that's ever been said -- so, I'll take it. Bali would be a dream, or the Maldives... can't ever go wrong with either. What about you?

You should know with this one statement you are acutely making my dreams come true. No I already have the coven powerpoint presentation made we are ready on this. Do you have any place in particular in mind you want to go this summ?

I mean, hey -- you never know what could happen. One day, you know nothing about football and then you're explaining the penalties to Ice Spice in a fancy box seat while the crowd gets angry you snagged the most handsome guy on the team -- and yet, I'm the distracting one. Yeah, sure, okay. A more sentimental way, huh? I'm intrigued. How soon is very soon? Asking for a friend. I mean, yeah -- I think so. Don't let that scare you off, though; I just mean to remind you I'm not going anywhere, unless you're kicking me out yourself. I mean, I don't think I really needed it. I probably wrote and erased a hundred different text messages that I never sent to you but probably should've; it was way easier to just close my eyes and swipe my thumb across the screen. I think that, maybe, a tiny part of me was afraid it'd backfire somehow -- like you'd have found somebody else, maybe somebody better. Those thoughts all seem a little near-sighted, in hindsight. I'm confident you can do it, too! If from-scratch isn't your style, a loaf from the frozen aisle will suffice. We don't judge in this house; all garlic breads are created equal, provided they're not burnt to a crisp. I'm so excited, too! It's a bursting at the seams, jumping up and down excitement. I simply cannot get over it. Thank you for being by my side through this next rollercoaster ride, baby. I think it'll be a really good one. You tell me; the Chiefs threw one of the best parties I've ever been lucky enough to be invited to, so, how are we ringing this one in?

Who would've thought, huh? I tell all my guys now: just shoot your shot. You never know what incredible things could happen. You'll hear it from me in a more sentimental way, and very soon, I promise you that. Forever? You think so? Forever sounds real nice but I don't want to get ahead of myself. I said it. No take backs. I seriously mean it, too. I've come close to saying it and I've wanted to for some time now. This past month, I don't know... It's been special. I feel like a kid who can't stop smiling. I love you, Tay. I said it again—And I'll keep saying it, and making sure you feel it. I had a similar thought the other day, and it's still wild to me that you felt you needed an app to get my attention. I don't think I have a reason for a dating profile anymore. I'm not trying to play any games when it comes to you. Put me on the garlic bread, chef. Confident I can do this without burning it in the oven. I'm just so excited for you and I know how much thought and consideration went into this album. The response will be crazy. In a good way. I think those feelings are justified, baby girl. How are we celebrating this one? Let's take your mind off the nerves for a little while.

Wait, it did? That's ridiculous, Miles. We've got to get that fixed as soon as we can. Shush -- I'm so proud of you. Your first Grammy, and now a mama? You're doing the unimaginable all at the same time. I'm in awe of you, always. How are they now, anyway? I know; time always flies when we least expect it, for better or for worse. I am absolutely taking care of myself! I'm on a bit of a break until I head out to Paris in May, enjoying time with the cats and my favorite football player. Just laying low, you know? Please do fly out and see a show; we'd love to see you!

My Endless summer vacation special disappeared but that's okay because it made room for the true queen here making money for the enitre music industry, i'm so proud of you on how far you've come, i still remember our grammy performance we did together. they're doing great thank you but i would like them to never grow up though and want them to stay this little. please tell me you are taking care of your self while doing these shows? i would love to come even if it means i have to fly out to see you. // @tylrswfts

And it's the lead single, even better! I'm loving all the discourse about all the Easter eggs already; it's one of the very best parts about these kinds of things. Post has been a collaboration that has been a long time coming. I'm so glad we were finally able to make this work. I am very emotional always; I like to believe it's something to do with my horoscope, but I think it's just more of a thing that is so deeply me. Love you so much more, thank you. Goodness, I can only imagine. Are you prepping bottles in advance, so it's a little less exhausting? You know, power naps here and there. I always tell Trav that jet lag is a choice -- more like a state of mind. If you don't believe it, you don't have it. It just ceases to exist. Oh my god, I would love to see them more than anything in the world. I've got a couple weeks still -- maybe we can do a long weekend sometime soon?

Yes, but I have said that everyone of your albums is going be historic and I've yet to be proven wrong. I know it is going to be insane. Fortnight with Post Malone? I am already screaming at it. Shut up, watching you at the CMAs made me think I could do this and I am still very emotional so I may cry over this, Taylor. Love you so much, thank you. I feel like naps are the only thing I can take. Feeding every hour is more exhausting that tour. I bet it has been nice for you. Although I am convinced you don't sleep with everything you have planning. If you want to stop by Atlanta before tour kicks off, your nephews would love to meet you.

If you could be anyone else for a day, who would it be?

Honesty Hour Ask Meme.

I'd love to be Nicholas Galitzine. I need to know what it's like to be so damn good looking and talented. That or Taylor Swift. I don't have to change my name and I could feel what it's like to be in music and be such a gift to many. || @itsnickgalitzine - @tylrswfts