tratie one shots ~

6. Insecurities

We were sitting on the couch in the main area now made for the cabin leaders to hang out at, so the burden of leading the cabin doesn't stress them out too much, all the time.

I was sprawled all over the couch, head on Katie's lap, recalling last night's events.

The boys and I had gone out to eat, and we were discussing our love lives, and as soon as I contributed to the discussion by sharing how affectionate Katie was, everyone just looked at me with sheer disbelief. Why? was it so hard to believe I was worthy of affection? Apparently, since they had never seen Katie even hug me, they just didn't believe that she could reciprocate or be affectionate. And while it's true Katie doesn't like PDA, I can see why my friends would think she's anti-romantic.(those who get it;)

I was brought back to Katie telling me about a new plant she'd grown, eyes bright. I just nodded, which didn't seem to satisfy her as she frowned.

'Trav, are you okay? You've been out of it today.'

I sat up on the couch at the other end, against the armrest, already missing the warmth Katie radiated.

'I was just thinking of something, I'm fine.' I was hoping she'd take the hint and let it go, but she seemed adamant about knowing what was bothering me, as she constantly tugged at my arm. I sighed.

'It's just that, the boys seem to think that you and I don't have the best relationship, just because they've never seen us being affectionate with each other... I've just been thinking.'

She snorted, 'If by thinking, you mean, giving yourself an existential crisis, then, yes, that's what you've been doing.' I just looked away.

'Hey,,' I refused to look at her, 'You know I like you just the way you are, and for who you are, right?' I looked at her, ready to retaliate, when I saw an expression I had never seen on her.

Katie had the most open, fond, and tender expression on her face, her green eyes looking at me adoringly. Something about that expression made my breath hitch, and I had a feeling that expression was reserved especially for me. She crawled over to me.

'I'm sorry I can't do much about them seeing me being affectionate, you know I feel uncomfortable about those sorts of things... but, that doesn't change the fact that I adore you the way you are, and like being around you.'

She smiled at me, her eyes closing a minute as if she was basking in my presence. She then plopped herself into my lap, surprising me, as she was not one to be openly intimate. My hands immediately around her waist, almost as a default action.

She rose slightly, closed her eyes, and kissed my forehead. She then kissed both my eyelids, my cheeks, my chin. She moved her head away, to look at me, and then kissed my nose with a soft boop. I just stared at her, wide-eyed.

And then she pulled me in for a soft kiss, her lips warm on mine, and love pouring out of the kiss. My eyes fluttered shut as I savoured the kiss. She then pulled away and beamed at me, and my heart was combusting at how cute she was.

My face was red, I could feel the hot blush all the way to my neck as I hid my face in embarrassment in the crook of her neck. She giggled a bit, my nose tickling her, as I nuzzled my face deeper into her soft skin.

'Well, you don't get to see a flustered Travis often', she laughed.

'Shut up', I grumbled, but I knew she could feel my lips smiling against her skin.