TNT Short Fics

A beautiful, beautiful time-lapse

The air is warm, perfumed by the lilacs that line the pea gravel lane. She tips her head back, eyes closed, letting the sun soak into her skin.

"Sweetie, you look so serene right now."

She smiles, not feeling the need to turn her head. Knowing that he's in this moment with her. This pocket of peace they've been carving in small pieces through a whirlwind summer.

"I feel it, Trav," she answers, finally opening her eyes. Color explodes around her as she takes in their surroundings again: pinks and purples and white. And green, so much green.

He'd woken her this morning with kisses and promises of a walk along the rambly lane behind the cottage, the one that skirts the edge of the village. They've been sneaking these walks in between tour stops, and she's holding tight to each one, aware they'll soon end when he's back to football full-time.

As they come to a bend in the lane, she sees it. The tall structure is decked out in pastel pennants fluttering in the breeze. The closer they get, the more the scene before them comes into focus. Other rides are scattered across the field. It's a country fair, set up at the large estate.

Travis whistles, pointing. "Man, I haven't been on one of those since I was little. Jason was always too freaked out by heights to go on it, but my mom and I loved them."

"It looks like the little fair we'd have in the summer in Wyomissing," she says wistfully. While there had been a bigger county fair in Reading, her family had always ended up at the little summer fair. Cotton candy memories drift back, sticky fingers, laughter, the hum of dusk.

"We should go check it out," Travis says."

"I mean... it looks closed this early."

That glint appears in his eye. The one that always means adventure. "Tay, let's investigate."

She laughs as he tugs her hand and leads her closer. There are clearly no patrons, just workers moving around. As they get closer, she notices a sign that tells her that they've actually just missed the fair. They must be getting ready to pull everything down.

Travis turns to her with a grin after he spots a man near the Ferris wheel. "Wait here," he states with a nod to Drew.

"Babe," she starts, but he's already jogging towards the man, hand outstretched. He's ridiculous.

She watches him turn on that Kelce charm: big grin, back slaps, easy laughter. He points back towards her, and the man shades his eyes from the sun, squinting to follow the gesture. The exchange continues before they shake hands, and Travis comes striding back, grin wide.

"Come on, sweetie."

"No way," she scoffs.

"What? I got charm."

He absolutely does, but she figures it might be her name that opened the door. Except as they reach the ride, the man waves to her and laughs. "Your young man is very persuasive. He told me... well, let's just say he made a strong case."

He clearly has no idea who she is. And she turns to beam up at Travis.

"What do you say, Tay Tay? Want to go for a ride?" Travis asks, one brow raised.

"Absolutely."

She catches Drew's eye, and he rolls them at her, knowing by now there is no talking her out of the whims she and Travis get up to.

"Now, no funny business, you two," the man teases with a wink as he holds out a hand for Taylor to take to step up into the carriage. She blushes, turning to take in the privileged sight of Travis awkwardly folding his 6'6" frame into the seat beside her.

A kaleidoscope of bright, fair music starts as the man pushes a button. The wheel lurches then steadies into a smooth rise. She can't help the laugh of delight that spills out, light and unguarded, as she reaches for Travis's hand.

"Look! You can see the whole village!"

He squints before joking, "I think I can see Beckham's soccer field from here."

They circle a few times before the Ferris Wheel holds steady at the top.

"Wow, it's really pretty," he says as she notices the sunlight catch the verdigris green of his eyes at just the right angle.

"Yeah, it is," she agrees, not taking her eyes off of him.

He glances over, catching her stare. "You flirting with me, girl? You heard Fred, no funny business."

"Not even a kiss," she challenges.

He fakes being put out, then reaches for her cheek. I guess one kiss won't hurt," he whispers against her lips. She sinks into the kiss. The faint scent of his cologne, the warmth of his hand at her jaw, the way the world seems to fall away for those few suspended seconds. It all folds into this moment like it's exactly where they're meant to be.

The Ferris wheel jolts back into motion, and they swing slightly. It knocks their noses together, and she opens her eyes to lock eyes with him as they both dissolve into laughter.

The laughter that escapes surprises her, light and free and reflexive in a way she hasn't felt in years. She reaches for his face, needing to put her fingertips to the wide smile and laughter creasing his eyes. His joy pulls a fresh wave of laughter from her belly.

Everything that has felt impossible or rushed over the summer—or really her entire life— falls away, leaving only this beautiful suspended moment in time. A moment that feels shimmering and warm and wild, just like when she was small. She realizes with a breath that feels like it could carry forever, that she's found it. They have found it. This moment, this peace, this love. Together.

They lean back in the seat, the Ferris wheel steadying before starting to turn once more. The sun slants through the lilacs across the field, painting everything a soft gold and lavender. She presses her head against his shoulder, and for a long, perfect stretch, the world narrows to just them—kisses, laughter, and the hum of summer fading into quiet, like coming home.

AN: Fun fact: there really was a park fair at Great Tew in the Cottswolds the weekend of the London shows last year. And yes, it did have a Ferris wheel.