TNT Short Fics

It's brighter now

The water stretches out before her, tranquil and serene with tufts of fog floating above its mirror-like surface, clinging to the mountains surrounding the lake. She closes her eyes to commit the view to memory. The weather has been warm and sunny for the first half of their trip, but now clouds are rolling in for the last two days. She doesn't mind. It brings a quiet, a peace, similar to what she is feeling.

She pulls the throw further around her against the slight chill, tucking her face into the collar of Travis's hoodie. She thinks about grabbing her phone or notebook but something keeps her here. She knows nothing about this trip will leave her anytime soon, so she's content to stay put.

Tugging the sleeve of the sweatshirt up, the sight of the ring on her third finger sends a thrill up her spine. It transports her back to last night and their late-night walk along the shore, with the moon shining brightly above them. She still feels his hand in hers, his thumb nervously rubbing her palm before he stopped, got down on one knee, and told her these were the hardest words to come up with for the easiest decision of his life. The memory of how she felt when he spun her around after her "Yes" is carved into her mind, as is the weight of the ring on her finger as he slipped it on. She remembers how she cried into his neck, holding on tightly, overwhelmed with emotion for her love, who seemingly came out of nowhere but who has settled into her heart as if he's always been here.

She thinks now about what he said—the easiest decision of his life. After all the heartbreak and all the men who dangled the idea of forever in front of her, he is the only one to truly know her, to delve into her, to understand her. And forever with her is the easiest decision of his life. With his words, the last remnants of anguish from feeling either less than or too much finally evaporate.

It may not have been the easiest road for her, but it is the easiest answer she's ever given. Not just because of the dreams she's had and pursued, but more because of the man who now stands before her—or, more importantly, beside her.

Travis, with his overflowing joyful outlook on life, and the smile that takes over his whole face. The way he brings her care and calm even with his over-the-top personality. It's his jokes and the confidences he shares with her, their secrets in the dark, and their snarky commentary on bad TV shows they watch before bed. It's him stealing kisses and bites of food when she's cooking dinner. The tears he shed the first time he said he loved her, and the ones that fell when she told him about all the hurt that came before him. It's the way he says her name carefully, reverently as he moves inside her. And all the ways that make him her best friend—from dancing together at Coachella to being a fierce pickleball partner to creating increasingly chaotic cocktail recipes with her while lounging by the pool. No one has ever had her, understood her, held her like he does, and no one ever will.

She twirls the ring around her finger, feeling not just happiness but also the peace that comes from finding her other half. She sends out a thanks that her pleas those dark nights last summer have been answered—and that he was the answer. She didn't miss him. Sometimes she gets caught up in how close she came to doing so, but now she knows this was the road she had to take to find him. Whatever the reason, she will not take it for granted; she will not take him for granted.

She turns back to the water, noticing the light is starting to shift. Maybe they'll have sun after all.

"This is the most beautiful sight I've ever seen," comes a voice from behind her. She turns, and he's there, leaning against the door frame, looking at her rather than the water. She smiles and holds out her hand.

He comes to her, slipping in beside her, leaning his head on her shoulder before turning to kiss her there.

"What do you want to do today?" he asks.

He planned this entire trip months ago, thoughtfully combining outings with activities he knows she loves, such as cooking together and taking late-night walks. He has one more surprise for her before they leave tomorrow, but today is completely open.

"Hmmm, maybe we just stay here together today? Just us," she replies.

"I love that," he says, kissing her hand above his ring. "Just us."