TNT Short Fics

From that first moment we met - Part 2

The warm light from the outdoor string lights gives her the perfect view of his profile. His closed eyes provide all the cover she needs to study his face.

Buzzed hair, strong brow, that ridiculous mustache. She's sure no one would have picked him out of a lineup to be her type. But as she lets her gaze track his strong jawline and take in the long lashes that she only now can see, she could care less what her type was—only that he may be the only type she needs.

It still feels surreal that he's here. Between training camp, pre-season, and Jack's wedding, it was either hang out in the couple of days they have right now or wait until after the Mexico shows. They've both been going non-stop and rather than wait, he'd got on a plane to her.

She also is not proud to say it's a test. Travis sometimes seems too good to be true. She waits for the other shoe to drop. People often find the hassle they have to go to to hang out with her too much. But he of course passes with flying colors. Deep down, past the self-sabotaging cynic that has taken up residence over the past year, she knew he would. Travis isn't like other people, she's learned. He says what he means. And that was before earlier in the SUV. Him coming to get her from the car? That will stick with her for life.

He was right. This is hands down the best first date she's ever had.

After pizza, they toy with the idea of going inside to watch a movie but find that right here suits them fine. Taylor grabs more wine and a throw blanket and they settle into the outdoor couch and just talk.

They fall into the back and forth that has come naturally to them since their very first text messages. He tells her about some of the most ridiculous sports journalists' inquiries since they dropped the podcast episode. She tells him excitedly about the Eras Tour Movie and all about the rough edits she's seen so far. And her plans for the premiere where she'll get to reconnect with fans in a way she hasn't been able to since before Covid.

Somehow that turns into drawing closer and closer on the couch as the topic wanders to what things about their work excite them most. He reaches forward to play with her fingers as she describes some songs she'd been working on recently. Songs that feel cathartic and yet also feel like some of her best work yet. She bravely reaches forward to touch his cheek as he speaks of playing Jason again in November. They talk until travel, late nights on the phone with her, and the last few weeks of training camp catch up with him and he closes his eyes in a quiet moment and slips off to sleep.

So here she is, close to sleep herself but greedy to take in everything about the man who is so larger than life awake but is now perfectly still, quietly breathing next to her on a random Sunday in August just because he couldn't wait another week to meet her in person.

Just as she is about to close her eyes, he turns his head and his eyes flutter open. The blue-green, she can never tell which, focuses in on her face. He smiles openly before looking sheepishly at her.

"Sorry," he says, voice a little hoarse from sleep. "I guess being back at regular football caught up with me more than I thought."

She smiles and replies, "That's okay. I know how it is. I usually rot the entire day away after shows, so I appreciate you coming here after a game day."

He laughs and reaches forward to tug on a piece of hair that had come loose from the braid she'd pulled her hair back into after they got back to the house.

"Still, I'd rather not be the jamoke that slept through our first date. That would be my brother's job."

"Your eyes are really pretty up close," she blurts out, immediately feeling her face heat up at her words. "Oh my god, ignore me. I have no filter when I'm tired."

He's fighting laughter, "No, don't apologize Tay. It's cute."

"Shut up."

"It is! You think I'm pretty?"

"Your eyes, Trav," she answers, trying on a nickname herself. "Your eyes."

"Not the rest of me?"

She stops laughing, figuring she can turn the tables.

"The rest of you is more than pretty."

"Yeah?"

She gives into the impulse she's had all night and reaches forward to run her hand back across his buzzed hair. He closes his eyes at her touch before opening them and staring hard at her. And damn she doesn't quite know what to do with how that look makes her feel. Possessive, powerful, and claimed all at once.

"Absolutely," she whispers.

Without thinking, she leans forward and kisses him, softly at first, testing. He responds, his lips warm and gentle against hers. For a moment, the world fades, and all that exists is this—this quiet connection. She deepens the kiss slightly, feeling his hand move to the back of her neck, steadying her. It's sweet and slow, a promise rather than a rush.

When they finally part, she runs her hand across his head again. He smiles at her and squeezes her hand when it falls to her side. They don't return to the kiss. Both of them are content to let their first stand on its own merit...for now.

He yawns and the sheepish look is back.

"Bored of me huh?" She jokes, but he doesn't take the bait.

"Nah, I don't think I'll ever get bored of you, Tay," he answers earnestly. He pulls her closer and tucks her into his side.

"I don't think I will either," she says quietly. Almost afraid to say it out loud.

She closes her eyes and lets the quiet settle around them.

"Do you like breakfast?"

He opens his eyes again and looks down at her skeptically. "Do I like breakfast?"

"I mean, do you like breakfast food, pancakes, that kind of thing?"

"Taylor, I just happen to LOVE breakfast."

"Good. I think our second date should be me making you pancakes in the morning."

"Our second date?"

"Yep, when we wake up," she clarifies. And then feeling brave, she tugs on his shoulder, pulling him down with her on the couch. She kicks the throw blanket from the other side of the couch closer with her foot and drapes it over the both of them.

"Oh, that second date. I will definitely be there for that," he replies, settling in with his hand splayed across her hip.

"Perfect."