TNT Short Fics

I knew it all along

Their giggles kick in around 3 a.m. They hadn't stayed at the afterparty long after the game. A couple of laps around the room to let people congratulate Travis and then Taylor clocked him flagging. He has tells only she knows at this stage of their relationship and the slow blinks and heavy arm around her shoulder told her all she needed to know. They extracted themselves from the group and he kissed her gratefully as they dropped into the back of the SUV.

Now back at home, tucked up in bed, they are too amped to actually sleep. And yet, too tired to do anything else. They pull the covers over their heads and hash out the game, Taylor running her hand across the bruise to his cheek he picked up in that block for Pat in the endzone. They wander around topics as only the overly tired can, what kind of pop tarts Taylor will make tomorrow, if they need to do much else to close up the house for the season after the next few weeks, what Travis's schedule looks like the next few days.

"I think I just have a meeting tomorrow," he notes. "I'm sure Andy will put us back on the same Super Bowl routine he's had us on the past few years."

Taylor takes a beat at his words, "Travis," she says with astonishment as it hits her once more. "You have a yearly Super Bowl routine."

He looks at her as he registers what she means, and it hits him too. And then they break into giggles of disbelief. The wonder of making it back here another year, let alone three in a row.

"Shit's wild, Tay," he says with a shake of his head. She knows he and the guys never take this for granted. They know what it takes to get here. How lucky they are. She can't help but repeat what she's been saying all night.

"I'm so proud of you. Look at what you accomplished, Trav."

He squeezes her side but insists once more, "You gotta save that for two weeks from now."

"Nah," she disagrees as she turns his chin with a fingertip so he looks her in the eyes. "I am proud of you right here. For getting right to this point. Don't forget how big a deal this is too, Travis."

"But what if—"

"Nope," she shakes her head emphatically "Not what if. Right here." She's adamant, wanting him to not miss out on this moment.

"Two weeks from now starts tomorrow. How does it feel right now?"

"I —" he stops and blows out a breath. Taylor knows she's getting to the heart of it. Getting him there.

"It feels good, but..."

"But what, baby?"

"What if that was the last one?" he questions in a hushed tone.

And there it is. She pulls him close, turning them so his head is on her chest, holding him to her.

"I'm not...you know I'm not this year. But even if I play next year....getting this far. It's never guaranteed so what if that was it?"

They've been talking more about this the last couple of months, about what the future holds for both of them. And she knows he's not ready to give this up just yet. She doesn't want him to, knows how much it is still in his blood. That even slowing down, he knows he's still got a big part to play in this team. Maybe even a bigger one that any sports commentator will ever acknowledge—building the next generation of Kelces as a mentor. Their talks feel more like the beginning of acceptance that retirement is in sight rather than the start of a goodbye.

But Travis is right. Nothing is guaranteed. She knows that herself. Has felt it before, had wondered it as she stepped off the stage in Vancouver that last night. What if this is the top and where do you go from here?

She presses a kiss to the top of his head and whispers into his hair, "If this is the top of the mountain, then stop and take in the view, Trav."

He pulls her closer, "It was harder to get here this year."

"Hmm, that should make it sweeter at the top then, yeah?"

He's quiet for a moment, thinking over what she's saying. "It does. You're right, it does."

They don't speak for a few moments, just living with this realization between them.

"You know we're not actually at the top yet right?" he asks, teasing. He knows her, knows she's dialed in for a threepeat just like him.

"Of course, I do," she says with an eye roll. He lifts his head to smile at her. If anyone believes in them, it's her, always.

"Just like I know you know when you come back, it won't be the last one."

"How can you know that, Tay?" he asks but there isn't much disagreement in his tone.

"Wasn't I right already? You prove me right when you prove them wrong every year."

He lifts his head, chin to her sternum. He wants her to see how much he means what he says next. "Thank you for climbing with me. I wouldn't be here without you, you already know."

"It's what we do," she states matter-of-factly.

The past several months have proven it over and over again. From cheering in the suite and the VIP tent to spending entire days in bed after game nights and show days. From ice packs and aching feet to late-night calls after performances and early-morning kisses before he heads to practice. Through it all, they've shown up for each other.

"It is," he agrees, moving back to the head of the bed to hold her tucked under his chin again. "I just wish someone would get the Grammys and the NFL in a room together to fix this schedule."

She giggles again, "If I could actually rig anything it'd be the calendar. "

He laughs into her hair, "I wish."

"I know me too. But you'll be right there. I'm making sure of it remember?"

Travis thinks of the very tiny red dress hanging in their closet that he watched her get fitted for earlier this week. And of all the accessories that went with it...

"Are you kidding? I almost thought about throwing the game tonight for that dress, Tay."

The giggles start up again. But even with the laughter, Travis can feel sleep finally starting to creep up on him, and Taylor notices too. She runs her hand across his forehead, smoothing his hair back.

"Sleep, baby," she says. "Big things start tomorrow."

"Hmm, better get our climbing gear, girl."

She looks at him as his eyes close. Her whole world. "We will. I just want to take in this view a little more."