TNT Short Fics

Life is short. Have adventures.

He catches her frowning at the suitcases stacked to the side of the mudroom as he walks back to the living room with their coffee. She's adorably rumpled, hair falling in tangles around her after waking up late from a night out at Selena's birthday. She'd look stunning last night, all sparkles and laughter, and all his. But like this, undone and barefaced? This is his favorite version of her. The one no one else gets to see.

Even if she is currently scowling at the camp trunk she jokingly bought him for "football sleep-away camp" as if it has personally wronged her.

He steps in front of her, blocking her view of the offending item, and holds out her mug.

"You okay? You about to fight the luggage?"

She exhales and accepts the coffee, cradling the mug in both hands. "I just don't want this to be over."

"Over?" he asks, already knowing.

"Yeah," she says quietly. "Our summer. It's over."

He sinks onto the couch beside her, setting his mug on the coffee table before tugging her onto his lap. He wraps his arms around her waist, careful not to jostle her drink.

"I know," he says, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. "I've loved every second of it."

"I... I didn't know it could be like that," she murmurs. "Standing still. Not working. That it could still be fun and exciting. Having adventures but also doing boring things like the dishes every night."

He hums in agreement, kissing her shoulder again. "Teaching you how to load the dishwasher the right way was definitely an adventure. All those cups on the bottom rack..."

She nudges him with her head, mock-offended. "Shut it. I'm trying to be sweet."

"You are too fucking sweet," he agrees, leaning back, letting her settle against his chest. "And I get it, Tay. We've both never slowed down. I used to think it would drive me nuts. But this offseason...it's been the best time of my life."

She shifts so she can see his face, resting her elbow on his shoulder and her chin in her palm. "What was your favorite part?"

"All of it."

"No, really!"

He thinks back through the last six months. He's telling the truth that all of it has been his favorite part. The rest and recovery in Italy, the fun surrounded by friends in the Bahamas. Nights sitting on the couch, taking turns watching each other's favorite movies. Showing her how to play hockey on the ice that brisk snowy night in Montana. Spinning her around as she laughed freely when she found out she had gotten her masters back. But there is one thing that stands out amongst the rest, for sure.

"Falling asleep next to you every night, not having to worry that one of us had to be on a plane the next day or the next week, even. Just...you there beside me."

Her expression softens at that, and she nods. "That was the absolute best."

"Besides that," he prompts, "what about you?"

"Oh, that is easy," she grins. "The hot tub in Boca."

He laughs, blushing. "Taylor Alison, with your dirty mind."

"You love it," she says smugly, tracing the edge of her mug with a finger.

"I love more than just your dirty mind, girl. You already know."

She lets out a quiet laugh, resting her head on his shoulder. The stillness returns, warm and comfortable.

"But I think my real favorite," she says after a beat. "I was looking at photos the other day from all we've done, and I don't know... It's just all I could think was that we just looked so peaceful."

He looks down at her. "I think we are, yeah?"

"I do," she whispers, her voice catching. "I didn't know that could happen with me around."

"Tay."

She shakes her head gently, not needing comfort so much as clarity, "No, I know. But it never has."

He pulls her tighter into his chest. "I am so fucking at peace with you, baby. It's like I can take a deep breath for the first time in my life."

"Me too, Travis. God, me too."

They are quiet for a moment, just soaking in this feeling. Keeping it close for when they are back to work and back to their fast-paced life. Knowing that the peace they've found these past few months will always be there, surrounding them.

After a moment, she sighs. "What am I going to do next week when you're in your favorite place in the world?"

He leans back, shaking his head. "Nah, I love football. But this? This is my favorite place in the world."

"Still."

He smirks. "You're gonna bake all the sourdough and cookies and carbs you've kept from me the last couple of months so you wouldn't 'tempt' me," he jokes, lightening the mood.

She perks up, eyes sparkling. "Mmmm, maybe. Still not good enough."

He shrugs. "Yeah, but it'll get you through until I'm home."

"We'll be home," she clarifies.

"We'll be home," he agrees.

She studies him for a second. "I'm excited for football, Trav. I'm excited for all the tricks up my sleeve this fall. I just..."

"I know," he nods. "But we'll do all this, and then we will get to do adventures again. And then we'll just do that back and forth the rest of our lives. Sound good?" He holds out his pinkie.

She hooks hers through his. "Sounds like the best."

He kisses the back of her hand, then stands, tugging her to her feet.

"Now, we've got one more day, so how about one more adventure?"

She smiles widely with a nod, tugging him toward the kitchen to drop off their mugs. They don't say what the adventure will be. It doesn't really matter.

But just before they reach the counter, he stops.

"Wait—you said you were looking through photos. Maybe that is something we can do while I'm gone. Will you send me your favorites?"

"Yeah." She nods. "Send me yours?

"Of course."

He hesitates, watching her tuck her hair behind her ear. Not sure if she's ready to hear what he wants to ask. Not after their bubble of peace. But then he remembers their summer and all the love they poured into it. He wants to show that off.

"Tay...what if I post some? To Instagram. Just some we both like."

She pauses, surprised. Her breath catches for just a moment, but then she exhales slowly. And smiles.

"I think we'd break the internet."

"Good," he grins. "It's been a few weeks. Gotta keep them on their toes. And they gotta see my girl and her smile."

She laughs and steps closer, bumping her shoulder into his.

"Let's do it."