So High School - Tayvis One Shots

24: A Hickey Or A Bruise?

It was the morning after their visit to Travis's family, and Taylor was still stretching sleepily in bed as Travis got up and pulled on a shirt, his hair tousled, clearly still waking up himself. The two of them had planned a relaxed morning together, taking it slow before Taylor was set to fly out that evening for a series of meetings. But as she sat up and pushed her hair away from her face, she felt the warmth of a little lingering smile from the night before.

"Good morning, gorgeous," Travis murmured, leaning over to kiss her forehead.

"Good morning," she replied, her voice soft as she stretched out, running a hand through her hair with a contented sigh.

Travis smiled down at her, still a little sleepy himself, and then he noticed a faint mark on her neck, just below her jawline. His smile grew, a little sheepish, a little playful.

"Uh, Tay..." he said, smirking. "Did I do that?"

She blinked, surprised, and glanced in the mirror across the room, noticing the faint purple smudge on her skin. "Oh no..." she laughed softly, bringing her hand up to touch it. "Looks like it."

"Oops," Travis chuckled, looking a little too pleased with himself as he leaned in closer, brushing her hair back for a better look. "I guess I got a little carried away."

"Maybe just a little," she teased, arching an eyebrow. "Now I've got to go out looking like this."

Before either of them could react, there was a sharp knock on the door, and then Jason's voice rang out from the other side.

"Breakfast is ready—oh, and Travis, you might want to help Taylor with that bruise on her neck."

Taylor and Travis exchanged a glance, her cheeks turning pink as she stifled a giggle.

Travis opened the door, keeping his expression carefully neutral. "Morning, big bro."

Jason crossed his arms, a playful smirk stretching across his face as he pointed to his own neck. "Really? I mean, come on, Trav, in front of the family?"

Travis shrugged, feigning innocence. "Who, me?"

Jason leaned his head into the doorway, grinning at Taylor. "You okay in there, Taylor? Just checking you're still alive after last night."

"Oh, I'm fine," Taylor laughed, rolling her eyes. "Though it seems I'm marked for life now."

The two of them made their way downstairs, Jason still chuckling and making exaggerated coughs and nods in Taylor's direction, teasing her relentlessly. They entered the kitchen to find Donna standing by the counter, stirring pancake batter, her eyes twinkling as she noticed the faint mark on Taylor's neck.

"Oh, sweetheart, what happened?" Donna asked, her voice full of concern that quickly turned to mild amusement as realization dawned on her.

Travis grinned sheepishly, stepping forward. "Mom, I can explain—"

"Oh, no need, honey." Donna laughed, her smile kind and knowing. "Just part of being young and in love, I suppose."

Taylor's cheeks reddened, but she couldn't help but smile, a mix of warmth and shyness.

"Uncle Trav left Auntie Tay a bruise?" Ellie's curious voice piped up from the table, wide-eyed as she looked between them. "Did you hurt her?"

Travis bit back a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck, while Taylor tried to keep a straight face.

"Well, Ellie," Taylor started, smiling gently at the little girl, "it's a special kind of bruise. It doesn't hurt, I promise."

"Ohhh," Ellie said, nodding as if she completely understood. Jason, meanwhile, was struggling to contain his laughter in the corner, giving Travis a knowing look.

Throughout breakfast, Jason couldn't stop sneaking amused glances in Travis's direction, even nudging Kylie at one point and muttering under his breath about the "lovebirds and their battle scars." Taylor caught some of his comments, playfully kicking Travis's foot under the table.

"Gotta be careful around this one," she whispered, teasingly narrowing her eyes at him as she lifted her coffee mug.

Travis leaned closer, his hand brushing her knee under the table. "Noted," he murmured with a wink. "But I think it looks kind of... nice."

As they wrapped up breakfast, Kylie walked by and handed Taylor a scarf, grinning. "This might help cover that 'bruise'—at least until you're out of teasing range."

Taylor laughed, gratefully taking it, and they spent the rest of the morning basking in the relaxed, comfortable warmth of the family.

Later, while Taylor packed up her things upstairs, Travis slipped into the room behind her, closing the door quietly and wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Had a good time, even with my 'mark of affection?'" he asked, voice low as he brushed his lips along her shoulder.

"An amazing time," she replied, tilting her head to kiss him softly. "Bruises and all."