#Travlyn if you really squint

[plausiblyananomaly]

Only Storybook’s Have Happy Endings

Title: Only storybook’s have happy endings

Notes: I guess you could call this a Character Study of how she might react to a certain situation. Also, This is Katelyn-focused incase you couldn’t tell. (Did I do this right I HOPE I did this right. )

Word Count: 1157 WORDS(This is the longest thing I've ever written)

Only storybooks have happy endings

 It’d be a lie to say..she wasn’t even the slightest bit hopeful when she came back. Maybe some might even say excited to return home. 15 years with no Zane, the world had to be better because of that. Without Zane here..there was nothing stopping her from coming home and telling them how much she missed her family. 

Except. That wasn’t at all what happened.

The moment the village came into view her heart sunk. It was blackened. Crumbling, deserted...empty. It felt so hollow only representing a shell of what it had once been. She couldn’t even say she was surprised. She knew Zane hadn’t been telling the truth the day she left to join the Jury. Still she hadn’t expected something like this.

Had it ever really been there? Or was it a memory made of air.

Despite the ruins, Katelyn knew her way around. It was familiar in the sense that when she saw the ruins she could see what had once been there. She could look at the market and remember the vibrant shades of blue and white, people from their stands shouting to get your attention. Kids running around narrowly avoiding crashing into each other, laughing the entire way.  

She could walk past where there once stood a blacksmith’s shop. The clanging of metal on an anvil was still close in memory, or the freshly made bread from the bakery. How on windy days the smell would blow over and mix with the smoke from the charcoal and it created a scent of its own.

Alone the house stood, empty of the familiar faces she had wanted so desperately to see.

She stopped in front of the house. It was the only one that hadn’t been burned to the ground. Maybe it was supposed to be an example, Zane would’ve been the type to do that - leaving the house of the firefist’s standing..just to show how little they could do in the village’s time of need. 

Or maybe it had been forgotten. Or they never got to it. Regardless, the house was empty now. The wood creaking under her feet, was the only noise that had been made. But truly no matter where she looked, there was nothing left. Without even realizing it she felt tears fall. What started as a silent sob, got louder, and suddenly she was no longer standing. Sitting on the floor holding herself as she sobbed. Everything she’d tried to protect was gone.

It was almost hilarious. The proud, cool, and confident “Lady Katelyn” in the middle of an empty room. Sobbing. Out of grief. Out of the fact she couldn’t control this. Out of anger. Bitterness, there were too many emotions and feelings all bubbling over to really tell. It was just one big mess. Some say that the spirit’s of the dead watch over you.

Katelyn didn’t agree. Finally picking herself back up after what felt like forever, she felt no closer to her possibly dead family. She didn’t feel calm watchful eyes, trying to whisper in her ears that she wasn’t to blame. She never would. When her mother died and she was just a little girl, she didn’t hear her say anything no matter how long she cried or asked to be closer to her. If it didn’t happen then, why would it happen now?

She breathed deeply, taking in the rooms surroundings. Her breathing was far to rapid, and slowly she counted until her heart felt into a steady rhythm. No longer beating like it was trying to force itself out of her chest. Looking around the room once more, she smiled. It wasn’t a happy smile but at least she could still smile about this. This was a goodbye after all.

All stories have to end.

Katelyn could accept the changes to the story. This was the closure she had wanted. To truth she so desperately had needed to see.  Yet, even now she felt unsettled. Tired. Vulnerable.. It wasn’t something Katelyn enjoyed. It wasn’t something that belong on a Firefist.

She was supposed to be confident, bold, strong, and smart. She was all of those things, but somehow insecurity had found its way in there. Creating cracks in the picture perfect image of a cool and collected woman.

Deep down a voice asked her if she really wanted to be all of that. If she wanted to pretend forever that she wasn’t human. That she had flaws, but that voice was much to quiet and much to weak that it only took a clenching of her fist to silence it.

Once it was silent, Katelyn stood up finally. Looking back at the village for the last time before turning around and walking away.

She walked without looking back. Finally saying goodbye

A story for another day

   Travis, might’ve been the most annoying person in the world. Katelyn had firmly decided on that. His smile seemed to bring out the worst in Katelyn, and by that she meant that it made her want to smile. She laughed with him, she talked with him.  How much longer before she fell for him? They both were tumbling further into a hole and they kept saying “Don’t get to close” all the while getting closer and closer. It was only a matter of time before he asked.

“...You’ve seemed..off ever since you went back to that Village. Did...Did something happen?”

 Travis sat with his legs crossed on the sand. He was raking his fingers through the sand searching for shells. Every once in awhile he would stumble on a poor crab and snap his hand  backwards to avoid the claws of it. The disturbed crab then digging back into the sand, while Katelyn let the silence settle on them.

“I..uh...mean you don’t have to tell me!” Travis spoke again looking at her nervously. She was worrying him by saying nothing. “Of course, that’s up to you. I just. Wanted to make sure.” Katelyn sighed, leaning back with her arms holding her head up. “..No. I just, didn’t think anyone noticed.” She choose her words carefully, focusing on the moon in the night sky. She felt like it had been so distant, and now it felt like it had happened only yesterday.

“..The village. It was gone. All of it. “

“Oh..”

“Yeah..Oh.” Katelyn laughed, bitterly. Sitting back up she looked over at him. “Soooo.... This was a good talk, let’s not do this again and i’m going to go to sleep.” Katelyn turned away from him starting to walk down the beach.

“..It’s okay..to talk Katelyn. I..just want you to know that.” Travis said almost to softly for anyone but her to hear that. She felt her confident attitude wobble, and with a nod. She kept walking. She wasn’t ready to be vulnerable today. That was a time for another day, with a story that had a happy ending.

[undercovermcdfan]

you make loving fun | travlyn

title: you make loving fun

summary: love is a complex feeling, but when it comes to her, only poetry seems to flow. Travlyn. Starlight.

a/n: AAAAAA. About time I write a fic based off the fake dating duo—man I’m so excited for their romantic plot line as I am about Travis’s entire set up for whatever role he might take. I had to indulge in the good feelings okay.

warning(s): travis being lovestruck, confession, spoilers (sort’ve), smooch smooch

.

.

.

.

.

.

He isn’t much of a waxing poet, despite her reflections about him would insist otherwise.

When in comfort and thoughtful, he always has the right thing to say—and she would laugh, sweetly, genuinely, admitting to him with a softer tone “Sometimes it makes me almost nervous how convincing you are. Are you sure you don’t want to be an actor?”

He huffs a breath, batting at her and she laughs again, tipping her chair against the railing of open air balcony; the darkness sea met with the inky abyss of the sky, a bright and white moon large in the sky as more stars than he could even comprehend populating the atmosphere. And she, existing against this backdrop, looks like what his love for her feels.

.

.

She never lets her playfulness die down, narrowing when she teases and growing wide momentarily when she finds something of interest. How she fits comfortably against him, wiggling as she doesn’t think twice with invading his space to show him some nice photos she takes of their recent excursion or something funny she seen online. She hums in acknowledgement as he complains about long lines and she berates when he skimps on lotion when they laze. Attentive and busying, she would sometimes excuse her forwardness: I told you I nag. She advises and critiques, pushing but in the right direction, sometimes him resulting in childishly sticking his tongue, a sign of defeat because… she is right, again.

(Which is why he savors the moments when he catches her off kilter, because though her reactions weren’t over the top, she never got away with it. Arms raising in defeat, she snorts with an affectionate eye roll and pursing her lips as she watches him cheers in the small victory.)

.

.

“You know,” she stretches, letting her chair fall forward to its proper position with a clunk against the floor. Some of her hair falls forward, the temptation to tuck it back as she grins, her blue eyes watching him with delight of the words she will say next. “Us dating since high school is a rather… long time.”

He clicks his tongue, groaning immediately as he sinks down in his seat and taking a pouty sip from his fruity tropic drink. “Katelyn. Please.” He feels his face flushing hot with his mumble, but he can’t even bring himself to mockingly glare. She’s taking it better now than before, coming down from the stressed plane she tends to visit—and mainly, he adds to this fact guiltily, because of him.

Now it’s a topic within her arsenal to fluster Travis, the smooth talker, into stuttering mess and jamming his system.

“Please what, love of my life?” she leans forward, “Am I testing your patience, darling?”

“…maybe. Makes me question if I’m really the annoying one of the couple.”

“I humbly accept the title if it means you become the responsible one.”

He makes a face, after taking a thought sip. “You barely trust me with the suite key.”

“You nearly lost it twice—and locked yourself out once already.”

“And then you bought me this oh so fashionable lanyard, so I won’t lose it,” he hums, patting his chest—and sits up straighter, patting his pockets. She gestures to the floral-patterned lanyard on the table. He grabs it, returning to its trusty place, “I’m fully ready to be the Responsible one.”

She laughs, a small snort as she pushes back her hair.

A smile grows… warm but he frowns at the twinge of sadness to it, as her fingers lock together and she taps her thumbs, looking down in thought. “Hey Travis…” she looks up then, still smiling though he feels her guard starts to be let down. “Can I be honest?”

“Of course. What’s on your mind, Katie?”

“Well,” Katelyn says, “You.”

.

.

He admits it hurts, the barriers she sets. After every hurdle, another wall seems to erect and leaves him always with two options: to trek on or to give up.

He can sing until the sunset that his feelings weren’t superficial, but others, especially Katelyn herself, were still skeptical of them.

The resident flirt, skirt chaser and dude-mancer (clever nickname, brought to him by Laurance), Travis isn’t the type one would look at and think “Oh, he’s the settling sort.”

But maybe it’s because his standards set to one bar, he never felt the will to really think about it until she gives him the chance.

The irony, though, is as he scales her walls of blocks after blocks, surpassing what her friends know, then close friends, then what KC and Aphmau knows, closer and closer, she opens—she’s doing the same to him. And he doesn’t notice, until he catches her studying gaze, laying on her side as he slowly rises from their nap on the pull-out couch in their suite.

She notices.

Soon enough, it almost scares him how she quickly and accurately deciphers his fleeting expressions between masks. “You’re an open book,” she comments, sliding over and resting her head on his shoulder, after bout of loneliness overcomes him and she quickly supplies him with her own, quiet form of comfort. She pauses, her nose wrinkling in thought, “I wanted to say, ‘you’re lucky I love reading so much.’ I hate that. Irene.”

Of course, he laughs, people don’t understand how no-nonsense Katelyn, distant and cold Katelyn, could make him but in their quieter moments, he melts—but what hurts is she’s only starting to. She isn’t there yet.

Terrifying to think, as he lets his guards down quicker and quicker, he can’t blame her for not whole-heartedly trusting him with the situation he places them in… and helpless not knowing, as his love only dips deeper for her, where she lies in feelings. His guess is as good as anybody’s.

(But nobody knows the truth of their arrangement. This is a struggle he takes on alone, not even able to confide in the one person he should be able to.)

.

.

Me? He thinks, trying hard to school his surprise but her expression only saddens, she must’ve notice his worry and guilt.

A pause settles in between them, she bites her lip as she ponders—her ‘Give me a moment, I’m trying to see if I can phrase this right’. So, he keeps his mouth shut, both out of knowing the habit she possesses and knowing it’s quicker if he lets her speak.

And when she finally breaks the silence, she begins slowly, looking away from him. “You… are really something special.”

…What.

“No, really,” she glances at him, already losing steam as she… blushes, “I’m serious. Not just special, Travis, you’re something else entirely. And you know, I always think to myself ‘Well I got him figured out’, that you’re this or you’re that. But…” she makes a gesture he doesn’t understand, “You always throw a curve ball, and I just don’t get you, as much I want to.” She almost sounds frustrated but… there’s something else to her voice. She pushes her bangs back, letting out a dragged-out sigh, “Believe me. I want to.”

“To be a better pretend girlfriend?” He says lightly but that earns him a glare.

“No,” she chides, “to be a better friend. To… be… Irene, why can’t I be you? Just say the right thing in an emotional way.”

He blinks.

.

.

They have a game, over the course of their pretend dating career, to sometimes quiz each other about each other.

He thought he would ace this game—but she soon proves to be some sort of savant at memorizing facts and quirks of Travis Valkrum.

Not to say, he isn’t as good or even better; but he had years of an undying high school crush turn into neighbor into close friends under his belt. Maybe she’s just perceptive. Maybe, with his hopefulness shining through, she feels the same and over the years notice him like how he notices her.

(She hasn’t beat his score yet.)

.

.

“I… what?” he laughs, almost incredulously, “Katelyn… Katie, I don’t… You don’t wanna be me. Maybe you’re overthinking it—I’m not that complex.”

She points her finger at him, squinting with condemning look, “No. No modesty, no lies.” She continues to assert, “You hide way too damn much. You zone out, you don’t always say what you want to say, and…. You know, I’m the first to let somebody’s business be their business. Travis, I’m being honest right now—“she leans from her seat, putting her elbow on the table, and her expression still serious, “this long since stopped being about the stuff.”

.

.

For the first time, in a long time, he sees her completely drop her guard.

While she doesn’t press her face against the window, she intensely stares at the puppy in the window—white and puffy, it tilts its head at her and she whispers, almost reverently, “Oh my Irene.”

He never seen her care for pets before; neither hate or dislike, ironically enough, she always seems indifferent to animals. Aphmau and KC were wild enough, and they always brought in strays when they can. She always shrugs, Dogs, cats, parrots— they never stay for long.

So, this is a surprise.

“He’s… so small,” she whispers to him, tugging on his sleeve to get him to look closer, “I bet you he’s really soft.”

He shoots her a glance. But… seeing the look of awe, he can’t help the smile to come on. “We could go inside and see?”

“…Isn’t Dante waiting for you though?” she glances away for a moment, before her eyes return to the white pup, “We should get going, shouldn’t we?”

“Don’t want to get attached?”

She doesn’t answer.

He starts to pull her towards the door of the pet shop. Her whispered protests die the moment the shop keep lets her hold the wiggling ball of fur.

(She doesn’t take the dog home. But the way she smiles at him, her arm looping his as they walk out of the store, he wonders if he should call back later and ask about the dog—maybe the breed at least. He might’ve found his birthday present to her.)

.

.

Her eyes soften, and she scoots her chair closer, grabbing at his hand. “Travis. Tell me what we are, what you think we are.”

.

.

He wants to ask her often if there is anybody who catches her fancy. Or if she has a type.

She avoids the question smoother than she does the moon walk—though she could honestly just hyper focus on the game at hand.

(She ends up beating Laurance’s score. She never ends up answering his throwaway question.)

.

.

Travis feels his mouth dries, his heart thudding in his chest—he couldn’t just avoid her gaze, it’s too obvious but he does. Silence is uncomfortable.

“Do you want to know what I think we are?”

He nods.

“We’re two people,” she starts, her chair scoots closer as she leans forward and squeezes his hand, “who come off across as selfish but it’s really them having terrible luck and always doubting themselves. Hearts in the right place at the wrong time. Jumping at the wrong chances…” he could feel the small smile in her voice, she continuing as she takes his hand and runs her thumb over his knuckles, “but unlike me, you know how to make the best of it.”

He looks up her, his face is burning. His mouth is sealed and she takes it as a sign to continue.

“We’re remarkable idiots.”

He snorts at this. And she chuckles, shaking her head.

“Maybe that’s why I like you so much,” she quietly says.

.

.

She cradles the green package in her hands, her face flushing from ear to ear. She all but shoves the present into his arms, stuffing her hands into her pocket.

It isn’t his birthday, nor a holiday that celebrates gift giving.

Frankly, he’s expecting the pizza man to be at his door, not a flustered Katelyn who shoves whatever it is in this box and now bolting across the street back to her home.

“…Thank you?” He calls out questioningly but the door is slammed from across the street, so he just shrugs.

He rips open the present, letting the letter drop to the ground—and nearly the box, but luckily, he caught it in his surprise fumble.

The letter read:

You have pretty expensive taste. Please don’t break it— but there’s a warranty to it if you do. I know this is nothing to the places you and Terry take me to.

Thanks for being a pretty cool dude,

Katelyn.

(The present is a graphic tablet—the very same one he put on his wishlist and slowly saving up for on the side. He wonders when she saw it—or if she asks Dante to snoop for her. He remembers wishing he could run over to give her a kiss—he settle with a hug the next time he did.)

.

.

He opens his mouth. Then shuts it. Then stares at their hands, before looking at her face again.

“You… mean that in a…”

“Yes.”

“So you…”

“Yes.”

“Romantically?”

“And in a friend sort of a way too, but yes.”

“….no,” he says in disbelief, “you… like me… For how long?”

She grins. “I’m still trying to figure out when I started.”

He grows quiet, but as reassurance, he interlock their fingers, their knees touching as he leans forward. His heart races, she is glowing in this light; a grin on her face, conveying relief but also excitement.

Oh boy. “So you like me… but…”

Her falls a little, softness stop as her breath hitches. Panic.

“You know I don’t just like you?” he asks quietly. Her eyes is wide. “Katie—nobody keeps up a lie like you being my girlfriend for over ten years just for a like.”

“I…”

He licks his lips nervously, cracking a sheepish smile, though in his ears his heart is now thundering. “Maybe a love?”

.

.

She stands at the shoreline, dusk has already came and went and it’s just the two of them right now at this particular part of the beach.

“Ah,” she says, stretching her arms out and feel the breeze—her hair is pull into a low ponytail, and with her swim suit, she looks… He flushes, looking away as if the scene he’s witnessing is private. He looks up when she turns to him, grabbing his hand as she pulls into the tide with her.

“You’re sulking way too much,” she says with a grin, “enjoy this with me. Not every day you get to go on an expensive trip like this.”

Especially just the two of us… and my dad.

“Hey.” She stands in the waves, her face dropping into something touch concern, as she studies his face and she reaches up to pinch his cheek, “Travis, it’s just the two of us. No pretending, okay? So don’t feel guilty—I came to help you out, I’m completely fine with this. Now show me that doofus smile.”

He smiles a little.

“Nah—I know you can do better, Travis.” She laughs a little and he laughs as well, shaking his head.

“You’re so pushy.”

“I’m a demanding fake girlfriend as well as a bossy friend,” she pats his shoulder, “Now that we have our feet wet, you up for a night swim?”

He shrugs, “We might as well put our suits to use.”

“Exactly my thoughts.”

(She ends up winning. He doesn’t mind.)

.

.

He kissed her before—or rather, she kissed him before.

But this… is different.

Though her shoulders are tense, the kiss is light and nervous, soft and warm. She relaxes the grip on his hand, as if she expects him to pull away despite he just confess his love for her. It’s cute how her eyes are squeezed shut and she didn’t take a breath or release one.

Their kisses before were always a heat in the moment type thing, like her, it’s a flash of warmth then her running off before they could do anything about what happened.

His hands slide up her arms, and he shuts his eyes, returning the kiss with a soft hum. She lets out a content sigh, relaxing her shoulders as she reaches up and wrapping her arms around.

Their kiss is fruity, like the drinks they had, delightful and refreshing as they deepen it for a moment before pulling away.

“…Heh.”

He flushes, beaming brightly as he leans his forehead against hers. “What’s so funny?”

“Pineapples. Doesn’t taste as bad as I thought.”

“Is that so?” he chuckles, “I’m willing to give you another taste.”

“Terrible line,” she gives him a small peck, slowly closing her eyes again as she lets herself be pulled onto his lap, “But yes, please.”

He isn’t a waxing poet—because poets could go on and on how magical a kiss like this is.

Only thought that came to his mind? Hot damn.

[undercovermcdfan]

lagom | travlyn

title: lagom

summary: he asked. she agreed. Travlyn. MCD s3.

a/n: SO. This is highkey born out of the need to write a fic about travlyn??? And this came to mind! I always always yell about the Guard academy hosting Balls (like to fund the academy? Because there’s no central government, so they must generate money somehow without hindering the alliance’s economy), so what if this fic might be a two-parter; I wanted to write them dancing but gotten side tracked lol.Also yes, Travis and Katelyn live together as roommates /eyes emoji I mean the dude been living on a mountain and she could use a roomie lmfao

warning(s): eye emojis they flirt, sweet talk

.

.

.

Lagom (n.) not too little, not too much. Just right.

.

.

.

She bit her tongue, averting her eyes as a laugh wanted to bubble up. But alas, even the futile attempt to save feelings and covering her mouth, Travis caught her smile.

Which was fair, because he must know how ridiculous he look.

“I can explain,” he cracked out, the sharp pitch being the last thing to break down the dam.

The house filled with her laughter, a laugh she hadn’t in a long time; it took up the space around them, aching and deep, broken by a snort as she tried to rein it in.

Honestly, life taken quite a turn the past month— and of course it would. Travis did, in fact, always had that effect in her life. Whether she admit enjoying this little fact.

Putting aside the broom, his face warmed as he wringed his hands nervously; the home was spotless, as it always was since he taken up in her spare bedroom. She slid off her bag, the heavy thud of books and reports dropping to the ground as she shook her head. “Well, I’d love to hear it,” she said, dragging her feet to the couch and plopping down it rather ungracefully. Sure, she was the headmistress of the Academy and certain amount of grace was expected from her station as well as status of a Lady. But she also was running on so few hours of rest.

Beside Travis was the last person she had to worry about holding her governmental persona in front of.

Especially, especially, while he tried desperately to explain the scene she just witnessed.

And explain he did, flustered and fidgeting, the shame of being caught battled out the embarrassment of being caught on his face, twisting grimace twinkled as he showed too much of his sharpen teeth—a nervous habit that would normally intimidated some other than her. She found the habit rather cute.

In the matte of being truthful, she must say how strange it was, letting the affectionate thoughts flow rather than stopping and berating herself all together. It was a subtle change—she can’t pin when the switch actually happened; all she knew was her weariness of calling herself out whenever words like sweet or cute supplied as adjectives of the things Travis does.

“Dancing,” she echoed back, “You don’t know how to dance? Hmm… well I’m surprised, I seen you fight.” He squinted at her. She grinned, patting the space beside her and despite his annoyed expression, he took up seat beside her. “Don’t give me that—you fight with strength but even to this day, there’s not much grace to it because your lack of formal training.” Lowblow.

He clicked his tongue. “How bad were the meetings today?”

“Terrible. That obvious?”

“You’re always overly critical when cranky—hard to miss it.”

She hummed, leaning her head against his shoulder—feeling him tensed up, patted his arm in comfort, a well understood sign of Shh, don’t question, I’m tired. Maybe a little affection to it too. “Sorry,” she said, the last of her energy sapped by that laugh, “Juggling between debating scenarios and strategies meetings on top of fussy benefactors who badgering me for a when on the Academy’s yearly Ball—I don’t mean take that out on you. You don’t deserve that.”

“I don’t but you are forgiven, Lady Firefist,” he smirked at her slight wince; after hearing the title lady all but yelled at her today, she rather good on not being called anything besides Katelyn. But she’d let it slide, rolling her eyes. “Actually, funny that you bring up that Ball. Being a source of entertainment in your life, I do request a proper apology.”

“Oh?” She sat up slight, leaning away with furrowed brows. His tone, while playful and even a little… hopeful, she could already foresee where this was going. She pursed her lips, gesturing him to continue.

“I would like to go to this Ball.”

She shrugged, “I was going to invite you soon, naturally. But it’s not for another month—”

“You didn’t let me finish,” he said, leaning back as he kicked up his feet onto the coffee table. She nudged them off with her leg and look of warning, but her expression still open. “I want to go with you. As your date.”

“As my…” she blinked. And blinked again, her cheeks pinkening—well she shouldn’t be so surprised. It was naturally to think he would ask that and even though it wasn’t a sudden shift, the mood felt… different.

“I mean. Unless some frumpity benefactor taken you up, I just… thought it was worth asking?”

“What brought this on, though?”

Now it was his turn to blink in surprise.

She narrowed her eyes. “Did you go through my things?”

“No— well, not going through, more like you left the letter there and that disaster of an office space need a good dusting. Really unhealthy not to, Katelyn,” he rambled, looking away. “By the way—that Lord Augustine or whatever, he sounds so pretentious. I would like to do you the honor, isn’t you who’s honoring that dude?”

“Travis.”

“I mean, and that handwriting? I give points for sincerity of writing it—that or he should fire whoever writing his letters.”

“Travis.” She touched his arm.

He continued to rant, “And, Irene, who asks for a date through letters? Sounds more of a business arrangement.”

She snorted. They always are. But she should stop him before he continued to drag on, she touched him again, cupping his face with beamused smile. “Don’t do that again.”

“I won’t,” he immediately deflated, flustered and sheepishness coming back, “Now I’m sorry.”

“It’s accepted,” she smiled wider, getting up off the couch, “And yes.”

There’s a pause, as she started to walk towards the kitchen—followed by the sound of him nearly tripping over himself. “W-wait, really. Just like that? You know, before I saw that damning letter, I actually was thinking of asking you and properly,” he called out, following after her, “Irene, I said that so lamely.”

“Nonetheless, I said yes. Much rather you than some Lord who want better position on the Alliance or Academy board,” she said, throwing him a smile over the shoulder and a glint in her eye, “Consider me won over by your directness, Sir Valkrum.”

“Sir…”

“Also get use to that,” she opened up the cupboard, “And people nitpicking your every move. The Academy and the village may be use to your presence but we’re talking about almost all the lords within the alliance and their families appearing; one wrong rumor would stick more than any impressive battle victory.”

Another pause. And then a softer “Oh.”

“Oh indeed,” she shut the cupboard, pulling out two tea cups and kettle, “I appreciate you asking me out—ease my journey into social hell.”

“….it can’t be that bad, can it?”

“Travis, you been living on a mountain most of your life—and this whole game been mines since… Irene, I don’t know how long. Only person who would have more experience is Garroth. So this is your chance to back out and save yourself.”

“I…” he shook his head, opening up a cabinet and handing her the baggie containing the dried tea leaves after watching her search after she set the kettle. “Thanks.” “No problem, rearranged the contents again—but, I think… I won’t be scared off. After all,” he smirked, leaning against the wall as she turned to face him, “a night with you is too good to pass up.”

“Is that so?” she mused, raising a brow, “Even if it means you taking dancing lessons—don’t give me that look.” She chuckled, “I’m sure you’ll share dancing with not just me—people are always curious about fresh faces, after all. I rather not hear complaints of stepped toes or awkward situations. Not another Liochant incident.”

“I’ll ask about that later.”

“Mm, better another time when he’s here to defend himself.”

They both laughed, she poured the tea into the cups and slide one closer to him. “But I jest, thank you for offering. Now I have something to say rather than procrastinating my choices and making replies.”

“No prob…lem. So… choices. How many letters?”

“How many single lords looking for a gain in status?”

He frowned at his cup of tea. It’s funny how jealousy showed and the small urge to tease him even more; taking a sip of much needed comforting warmth, she hummed. “Don’t look glum. I’m rather excited now—never was before.”

Like a switch, another suave grin appeared, ego starting to visibly inflate. She snorted at his “is that so?” and cocked brow, and nodded.

“Hmm… so much to do,” she murmured, but smiling, she could already feel the stress of her day melting away. “Anyways, I didn’t get a chance to ask—how was your day?”

[undercovermcdfan]

1/Travyln

First kiss

title: in the space between

AU: dads au

summary: he has to make it count. Travlyn.

a/n: I finally wrote a piece about thesetwo in this AU—which, technically doubles as a ‘childhood friends to lovers’ aufor travlyn lmao. I had fun writing this. If you want to know the timeframe(it’s after)/more about Travis’s confession, clickhere! I co-made this AU with @crybabytime, so please check out and rb heramazing art in her Dads AU tag!

warning(s): travis anxiety takes the wheel; helphim, fluff, smooch

.

.

.

.

.

There’s notreally a ‘how to’ book when it came to dating.

Even less soto dating your best friend-slash-next-door-neighbor-who-been-in-your-life-since-forever.

For starters,the line of being best friend and being boyfriend was much moreblurred than he realized; frankly, there wasn’t even a line! The before andafter—though yes the confession being lifted off his shoulders was a weight that hewas happy to get rid of—was almost indistinguishable.

The holdinghands to the bus wasn’t too new; up until middle school, the two of them werealways seen hand-in-hand. And their goodbye pecks on cheeks came naturally,there wasn’t much of an awkward shuffle about it; but he’d admit, thefluttering feeling of happiness when she did take his hand or press a quickkiss to his cheek before running off to catch her bus was an added bonus now.

But theirparents or families didn’t bat an eye, there was a sense of finallycoming from their friends—or utter casual ‘ew’, counting Ivy in the reactions.

“Well, do youwant to feel something different?” Vylad asked him, looking up from his laptopwith a brow raised.

Travis sighed,a tad bit dramatically as he buried his face in his hands, then whined, “That’sthe thing! I’m not sure if I’m suppose to feel differently. I alwaysthought she was pretty. Cool, y’know. I always loved her as a best friend…” hishands dragged down his face, voice more muffled as he lowered his eyes, “a-andI’m pretty sure I love her as the other love too.”

“I don’t seethe problem then…” Vylad returned to his screen, musing, “It’s quite lucky foryou to find that sort of love so young.”

“You’re notbeing really helpful,” Travis huffed.

Vyladshrugged. “You’re the only one who knows how you feel, Travis,” he glanced upagain, the corners of his lips curling into a small smile, “But take it easy.Love is messy and confusing—it wouldn’t matter if it wasn’t. You don’t need tofigure out right away.”

And hisfather, Vylad, did offer sound advice. Because what he felt wasn’t weirdnessabout their relationship but the fact it felt almost too simple.

But it wasn’t quiteeasy—he wasn’t the type of person to make anything easy for himself,considering his run around before confessing to her.

He never knewwhen it was a date and when it was just them hanging out; between their extracurricularactivities, jobs and responsibilities, when they find time, it was late nightwith a greasy pizza and streaming some show to binge into unhealthy hours.

His otherdad listened to his dilemma… but like Vylad, he seemed amused by theself-inflicted predicament.

Laurancehummed, switching off the running water as he looked over his shoulder inTravis’s direction. “Has she said that you are her boyfriend?” Travis nodded. “Andyou call her your girlfriend?” Again, he nodded. “Then I don’t see what’seating you up.”

Travis slumpedin his chair, letting out a loud groan. “That’s the problem—I don’t see iteither! I feel… no different. Well, a little happier but I’m not sure if it’sbecause I got my best friend back or because she’s my girlfriend or…”

His fatherturned to him, drying his hand on his shirt as he had a considering expression.“Have you talked to her about it?”

Travis paused.“…no. I kind of forget to?”

Laurancenodded. “And have you ever told her, when out together, that you want this tobe a date? An actual date.”

Travis shrunka little, his voice getting softer. “…no.”

Laurance noddedagain, before he paused. Strangely, his expression flickered, averting his eyesfor a moment. “Um, this would be a little awkward to ask but… have you.. um,you know?” He makes a gesture with his hands. Travis squinted at him. Hisfather laughed awkwardly, “Well, kissed. It’s none of my business, I know butmaybe your frustration is… lack of—“

“Dad you can stop,”Travis interrupted, his hands on his face again.

“Thank you,”his father breathed, before turning away, “But I guess your problem still isyou… don’t communicate. Tried that.”

“I.. um… Iwill.”

And he did.

Well, actuallyhe did more just talk. His legs wouldn’t stop their fidgeting, arms crossed ashe leaned against the wall of Katelyn’s gated school. If he’s going on thewhole relationship deal blind, grand gestures worked for him so far. Was theflower too much? He snuck some from his school’s gardening club and really itwas a simple rose—basic but reliable romantic flower.

Safe to say,it surprised Katelyn.

She curiouslylooked at him, brows furrowed as Ivy gave him a cautious look and Teony nudgedher when she muttered “Great. Why is he here?”

Travis’s smilefaltered a moment, taking Katelyn’s hand and placing the flower in her hand. “Ilike to ask you out. L-Like on a date.”

When she gavehim a bemused expression, he illustrated it more. “We… haven’t had a properdate yet. And we need to fix that. I have forty bucks in my pocket, my bike andthere’s a nice diner about a few blocks away,” he held out his hand, “So, wouldyou do me the honor?”

She laughed, affectionatelyso and asked, “Why are you like this?” but… she still took his hand.

Like how theydid middle school, Katelyn carefully took spot on the seat, placing a hand hisshoulder while the other waved to her friends and wishing them a nice weekend.

True, he sort’veunderestimated they weren’t preteens anymore but between her worrying glancesand his ego, he didn’t let up. Arriving at the diner out of breath butprideful, he decided her soft smile was worth all this trouble.

***  

Safe to say,though, riding back home was out of the question. It felt a little lame but asthey found a park to wait in while Katelyn dialed for her father to come pickthem up, he was thankful that she spoke up when she did.

The park wasempty, but considering it was already past sunset, that was understandable.They sat side by side on the swings, idle chatter as they looked up at thestars.

“Thank you,”Katelyn said after a moment of silence. Travis turned his head towards her,finding her looking right back, eyes soft and smile genuine. In the lowlight,he couldn’t tell if she was blushing or not, but by tone of voice, he couldtell she was a little flustered. She stuck her hand out for him to take,squeezing his hand when he did. “This was… nice. I know I said you shouldn’tmake a habit of surprising me but…”

“Everybodylikes to be wooed now and again, Katie. You’re still human.”

She laughed,letting go of his hand and instead starts to swing, “Well, I’m a lot of things.I guess it’s nice to be reminded of that too.”

“I’d be happyto remind you of that any time, babe,” he turning his eyes to the stars,“I’m happy we finally went on a date.”

“I know,” shesaid, “I still prefer comfy time with Netflix but this was nice. Next time, I’llpay though.”

Travis rolledhis eyes, “You won’t let me have this?”

“Nah. Beside,remember?” she came to stop, now smirking, “I make more money than you. Plus Iquite a bit saved up. Named the place and I’ll take you there.”

“Aw shucks,”he pursed his lips, cupping his chin in a thoughtful, “Actually, it would benice if we switch out every now and again. It doesn’t have to be often, though.Could be a monthly thing.”

“What aboutbi-monthly?”

“That worksfor me.”

Katelyngrinned, “Does this mean I get to show up at your school? I seen your plays, Ican do a mean dramatic monologue about how I wish for your hand to take minesand blah blah blah.”

They both thenlaughed, hearty and Katelyn’s snorts making him laugh even harder.

Really, thiswas perfect. Laying his heart bare over some of burgers, fries and shakes abouthis insecurities—and finding Katelyn wondering the same thing left him feelinglighter. Though Laurance’s sound advice and Vylad’s amused vagueness pushed himalong the right direction… it really did fall on them to figure it out.

But… there wasone thing left to do.

Katelynnoticed his shift, but she didn’t call it out, nor asked why he got up, pullingher out of her seat as well. Travis felt the familiar nervousness of when hefirst confessed to her, that night a couple of weeks ago. “You know, we forgotto do one last thing,” Travis murmured, touching her cheek and brushing her hairaside. Understanding lit her eyes, and she placed a hand on his chest, slidingup to his shoulder, as she smiled.

“And that is…?”

“Well,” hestarted to lean closer, and she slowly closed her eyes as he whispered, “A veryimportant thing. A first kiss.”

And with that,he confirmed one thing he always thought: yes, her lips were as soft asthey looked.

[undercovermcdfan]

16 travlyn

“Just shut up and kiss me”

title: strawberrychampagne

a/n: tbh youwanna know my aesthetic for Travis and Katelyn? Them loving each other. That’swhat I’m about. This fic was a little self-indulgent and it takes place in theHatch Marks Universe. Also, thisis also highkey inspired by this drawing @crybabytime made forevergo of Travis, don’t judge me okay. I’m weak for the sonshine in suits.

song inspo: That’s what I like, Bruno Mars

warning(s): fluff,kisses, Travis being the Mosttm

Cadenza clapped her hands in excitement, as she appraisedTravis’s outfit. “This is it! You andthis outfit was meant to be,” she announced, stepping aside with armsoutstretched as she struck a pose, “Everybody, I present you, our beloved Travis.” 

The others— by others, he means Laurance and Dante— looked up simultaneously;he gave a sheepish grin, striking pose and watched the matching grins appear onboth of his friend’s faces.

“Is that really you, Travis?” Laurance straightens, standingat full height as he walked over with hand on chin as he looked him up anddown, “I can barely recognize you.” Dusting off invisible dust from hisshoulders, Laurance then patted his cheek, “Cadenza, what have you done to my assistant?”

Dante laughed, joining them as he clapped Travis’s back and proclaimed,“Cadenza, the miracle worker, strikes again!”

“Thank you, I tried my best,” she giggled, brushing her hairback, “And I’ll admit—I outdid myself this time.”

“You have,” Laurance agreed and Dante nodded.

Travis rolled his eyes, smoothing down the front of hissuit. He huffed, “You make it sound like I don’t look this fine often,” he thenpaused. Taking a step away from the group that huddled around him, all lookingon with pleased expressions and he ignored their excited whispering as he tookbetter look at himself in the mirror. The dark purple coat lined with gold, acombination Cadenza insisted over the classic black he almost went with; hefidgeted with the white gloves she handed to him, his shoes shined toperfection and hair slicked back. He wondered out loud, “I can’t believe I’mgoing to do this.”

Cadenza leaned up, resting her chin on his shoulder, a blindingsmile on her colored lips. She squeezed his arm, her eyes meeting his in themirror, “Don’t worry. She’s going to say yes, kid.”

“Cadenza, we’re the same age—you can’t call me a kid.” He thensmiled softly, taking in a deep breath, “But… I trust you. Can’t chicken outnow. I flew out my mother and everything for this.”

“Just butterflies, Travis. Don’t focus too much on them,”Laurance beamed, stuffing his hands in pockets, “Now did you remember the ring?”

“Ye—wait,” he started patting his pocket, Travis’s eyeswidening in panic. He perked when he heard Dante and Laurance’s laughs, and hewhirled around, seeing Dante holding the black felt box. He flustered, onlythen remembering he handed it to the blue haired man for safe keeping.

Dante tossed the box at him, and turning on his heels, hecalled out over his shoulder as he walks towards the door, “Take it from me andLaurance—you’re overthinking it, Travis. Katelyn might be stubborn but you knowher best and the way she looks at you? Soulmates~”Then ducks through the doorway.

Laurance followed, backing towards it slowly while makingfinger gun motion and winked, “Just worry about the proposal. Leave the rest tous, okay?” Then his boss turned and disappeared into the doorway, he could hearLaurance’s shout at Dante to “Give up the car keys, you snake. Don’t you dare run.”

Cadenza slipped arm around his, smiling brightly as shetugged him along, “Well come along. You know how anxious Isabel gets if thingsaren’t on track.”

“I do. I get the feeling she’s already leaving long windedvoice messages as we speak.”

“Already gotten five texts from her,” Cadenza laughed, “Butshe knows I don’t rush perfection. And you? You really do look nice, Travis.”She pats his arm, giving him an assuring look, “She’s going to have her breathstolen when she takes one look at you. And when you look at her…”

He catches her mischievous glint and raised an eyebrowquestioningly, but the fiery-haired woman waved him off, “No, I’m not tellingyou what dress I picked out for her. Lucinda sent me some pictures and we bothagreed— you’re going to marry a goddess.”

“Cadenza, she hasn’t even said yes yet— “

“Oh, she’s going to say yes. And… hmm…,” she cradled herchin, giving a thoughtful look, “If she looks this good now for a surpriseproposal— Katelyn in a wedding dress would be...” She trailed over, grinning toherself and started to mumble. Travis rolled his eyes.

But he honestly, truly, hope everybody’s confidence andsupport rubbed off on him.

Rubbing his thumb against the soft felt of the ring box, agentle smile appears on his lips as his heart beats in excitement. It’s beenfour years—unusual for most soulmated couples to wait but honestly, the draggedwait was something he didn’t regret.

As the elevator descended into the garage level, Traviswondered: Hope she won’t mind making abig show out of this all.

Kawaii-chan greeted them at the door, her bright pink hairbraided into a long braid and dressed in simple black dress that reached to theground; beside her, a disinterested black-haired chef with a sharp, green-blueeyes and lips in a tight line, hands clasped behind her back—Lily, the scaryhead chef of KC’s restaurant and with serious tone, she greeted him and thegroup. Laurance gave her a friendly wave and for a moment, he sees herseriousness crack for moment as a smile twitched on her lips.

“Thank you for choosing us to provide for food this evening.I hope you enjoy your night and in advance, congratulations Mr. Travis.” Lilyfinished up, giving a small bow. Travis chuckled at her formality, giving anawkward nod, “Travis is fine. And thank you—I look forward to the meals youmake, Miss Lily.”

KC took up Dante’s arm, beaming at the chef and Travis, “Lilystop being so stuffy. We’re all friends here.”

“Well, you are right. Sorry, just kicking into professionalmode.” Lily paused and glanced at Laurance, before squinting at him, “It’s asurprise to see the newlywed from his husband.”

Laurance laughed, looking ahead, “Vylad insisted on helpingIsabel out while I stayed with Travis. Did you see him?”

“Last time, he was with Zenix and lecturing him aboutopening the good wines,” Lily reported, before pointing her thumb backwards,towards the kitchen door, “They’re near the back. Also, if any of you see Sasha—tellher what Vylad told me: ‘you’re next.’”

Everybody laughed, even Lily chuckling; Laurance broke awayfrom the group, giving a small salute to Travis and a pat, “Remember the plan.I’m going to calm Vylad down before he decides to put Zenix and Sasha in timeout again.”

Cadenza called out, “Does he forget they’re well into theirtwenties?”

“Well, they forgetthey are. But everybody needs to be in places before Katelyn showed up,”Laurance said back, before disappearing behind the kitchen door.

Cadenza sighed, rolling her eyes and looked up at Travis, “Okay.We have a half hour before Katelyn arrives. You go find your mother—I’m goingto check in with Aphmau and Aaron.”

Travis nodded, albeit nervously as the other Zvahl siblingparts and with the click click click ofher heels, she moves across the room to the couple chatting by the window.Dante takes his arm and Kawaii-chan takes his other, both smiling up at him andthen laugh when he gave a confused look.

“Before you find Ms. Valkrum, there’s two special people whowant to talk to you,” KC said cryptically. Dante gave him an apologetic look,and Travis found himself taken forward, towards the back of the restaurant.

He saw her and her red hair before Ivy or Teony spotted him.The two girls were whispering to each other— Teony in a sweeping yellow dressand her puffy dark hair shorter than the last time Travis seen her, simplesilver jewelry around her neck and blue studs pierced her ears, her round andkind eyes spotting him first as a smile bloomed on her face; beside her, afidgeting red head with her head lowered and in a strapless pastel green dress,short and frilled, and unlike Teony, who met him half way for a hug, didn’tbudge.

Dante and KC excused themselves, giving the three privacywhile Travis grinned wildly, genuinely excited to see the two. “I thought yousaid you two couldn’t make it—did you schedule clear?”

Teony smiled, pinching his cheek as she shook her head, “Forme, it did. Ivy was too shy to come alone, but… well, I’ll let her explain herself.”Teony stepped aside, and Travis tilted his head, glancing at Ivy who finallyturned to face them.

He stuck out his hand, uncertain if the red head would takewith the complicated expression on her face—their history always been… a bitdodgy. Katelyn was, after all, in a relationship with all of them; though herdays with Teony and Ivy were far and few in between since the two lived in adifferent city, Katelyn always expressed equal love for all three. Teony easilyaccepted him from the get go; even though Teony, like Ivy, had no interest inmen, she was a comforting and warm person to befriend. Ivy always intimidatedhim as much as respected in a strange way; for the first year of his relationshipwith Katelyn, she made no strives with wanting to befriend him, voicing herdislike. Soon, the dislike because mild annoyance, and recently became newfound friendship; she gave her reason for her hostility in the past, it was dueto aversion of change and Travis couldn’t fault her for feeling a littleput-off with Katelyn finding her soulmate, afraid Katelyn would end her otherrelationships as a result (even though Teony, Katelyn and Travis assured it wouldn’t happen).

Ivy didn’t accept his hand, but pushed a small box into hishands and gave a rushed, “This is for you.”

He blinked, surprised by the object and Ivy made an annoyedexpression, gesturing for him to open it. Inside, there inlaid two gold coloredstar-shaped cufflinks. He paused, glancing from it to Ivy’s nervous and Teony’sexcited expressions, before back.

“Uh, this… is my sort of congratulations gift to you from us—“Teony coughed. “From me. I picked them out and… I know they look kinda dumb butKatelyn mentioned you liked stars and you mentioned needing some last time wewere in town. So,” Ivy looked down, he could see her ears burning almost as redas her hair as fidget with her hands, “I hope you like them.”

A slow but brilliant smile appeared on him lips, as he takesout the cufflinks and put them on, admiring how they shined. “Ivy? Would it bealright if I hugged you?”

Ivy nodded, whispering, “A small one would be fine.”

It was a brief squeeze, and he laughed along with Teony atIvy’s embarrassed expression. “I’m so happy you two showed up—I know you twogave your blessings already but… thank you.”

Teony squeezed his shoulder, chuckling, “If it makes herhappy, we’re here for you. You’re a good man Travis.”

“You take care of her,” Ivy added.

Travis nodded, beaming, “I will. As long as you two come andvisit for a date night. She loves you just as much. And Ivy, no more shyingaway; you made the pact now—we’re good friends after this.”

They laughed again, Ivy rolling her as she batted at him, “Don’tmake me take that gift back.”

“Too late. I love them—you won’t steal from your friend,would you?”

“On your fast track way back to distant ones if you’re goingto keep this up.”

He found his mother talking to Katelyn’s father, the two inspirited debate as he stepped up.

“No, no—they should get married in the summer!” his motherargued, lifting her pointer finger off her glass as she continued to assertherself, “Clear skies, good weather; I know it’s more expensive but everybodywants a wedding when there’s good weather!”

“I’m not saying you’re wrong,” the larger, soft-speaking mansaid, putting up a defensive hand, “butI know this wonderful lodge they could host it in. I heard winter-time weddingare becoming more popular from that Laurance boy, and—Oh! Travis!”

Both adults immediately lit up, his mother turning towardshim and cupping his face while Erik clasped his shoulder, a wide grin on hisface.

“You look so handsome, sweetie,” she said, and Travis letsout a ticklish laugh at her kiss on his cheek before pulling her into her ahug, then hugging Katelyn’s father.

Travis said, “I see you two were having a lively debate; Ihope I wasn’t interruptin—“

“Nonsense!”

“Son, you’re always welcomed here,” Erik reached up toruffled his hair but then paused, seeing it’s state. He gave him an apologeticlook before, giving an helpless shrug. “Cadenza’s idea. You haven’t met her but…well, she’s the one picked out my outfit and everything nice I’m wearing.”

“Is she the pretty girl with the red hair and green eyes—she’sa sweetheart.”

“Mom, you say that about every one of my friends.”

Freya shrugged, smiling, “I hardly see how that’s a problem.”

The birthday party, for intents and purposes, went offwithout a hitch.

Though Katelyn was aware of it being a birthday party forher—the hidden agenda still a secret—, Katelyn still had the decency to besurprised by it all. Her smiles were genuine as she glanced around the room,greeting everybody who approached.

And Cadenza was right—she did take his breath away themoment his eyes landed on her. Her dress had elegance to it, the top of itwhite as it fades into a deep blue towards the bottom, it clinging and only doingfavors to her body shape while her straighten hair bounced freely, her bangspulled away from her face and pinned back by a pretty hair decoration.  According to the plan, she wasn’t supposed tosee him yet but…. curiosity did kill the cat.

She grasps his hands the moment she spotted him, her smileonly growing wider as made a show to look him up and down. “Travis?” she saidin disbelief, her cheeks warmed and pulled away from her hug.

He posed, cocking an eyebrow before giving a playful wiggle.“Oh? Beautiful woman who looks exactly as my girlfriend— do you know me?”

She laughed, hitting his shoulder gently as she placed herhand on her hip, “I don’t know. Have you seen my boyfriend? Looks quite likeyou, though less—Wait, is that Ivy? Teony!” Travis stepped aside, watching thegirls group up and share a hug. Ivy shot him a Go, while I have her distracted look and he took the signal,disappearing into the crowd that surrounded the birthday girl.

She didn’t see him approach. Her back turned to the crowd offamily, friends and her girlfriends, Laurance gave him the thumbs up, a signfor him to slowly approach behind her.

“—happy birthday—“ Katelyn started to turn, lowering herstrawberry champagne from her lips, and Travis sinks to one knee, “to” hepulled out the box, opening the ring as Katelyn’s eyes widens and she gaspedsoftly, “you.”

The crowd around them erupts in cheers and applause, Katelynlooked around as she covered her face with her hand, mumbling “I knew you were planning something.”

As the crowd died down, Travis spoke up, his heart beatingloudly in ears as held up the ring with a sly smirk on his lips, “We met bychance. We’re soulmates by destiny—but Katelyn, as I kneel her before you, Iwant you to know… being your best friend was the best choice I could ever make.I love you, as a friend, as your boyfriend, and…” he took in a deep breath,licking his lips nervously before he slowly released his breath, “I want tospend the rest of my life with you. I want to spoil you. And I promise you I’llalways look for a reason for you smile. Will you do me the honor of being mywife?”

She slowly lowered her hand, her eyes swimming with swell ofemotions. Everybody, including himself, waited with baited breath for heranswer—and naturally, it would be a Katelyn move to surprise them all. Shedropped to her knees, putting her glass on the ground and wrapping her armsaround him in a tight hug.

“Of course,” shewhispered into his ear, her voice choked with feelings as she pulled away andletting him nervously slip the ring onto her finger, fumbled for a moment andthey both laughed as he did. The crowd around them then exploded, for a secondtime, even louder cheers and applause—party poppers and confetti descended fromall around them, Travis looking around with a proud grin until Katelyn’s handtouched his cheek.

“You’re forgetting one last thing, Travis,” she mused.

“Wha—what did I forget? Everything went exactly as planned!”

“You…” she sighed, pinching his chin as she raised a brow, “willyou just kiss me already?”

Her kiss tasted sweet, strawberries and alcohol. And luckyfor him, that what he liked.

[undercovermcdfan]

2 Travlyn

2. “I know it’s 3 in the morning, but I can’t find my cat”

title: Cat got your tongue 

a/n: sweet drabble about travis, his cute neighbor katelyn and a pesky cat Travis’ssitting for his roommate while his roomie is outta town.

warning(s): runnaway pets!!!

Typically, having the apartment to himself should’ve beensomething he looked forward to. He’d remember the high school years spentcelebrating long weekends where his father simply left him with a sum of moneyand a fair warning not to break anything in the house. But Travis suppose whenyou liked the people that shared your living space with, a weekend alone wasmore so boredom until he got dressed up and got out.

As much as he liked to party, the effort putting in gettingdressed, going out… while the looming deadline of work left him being chainedto home, it was impossible to enjoy himself only know he could stay out for alittle bit before rushing home and finishing his work. And don’t get him wrong—heloved his work, as stressful as it was and underpaying or unreliable as itsometimes could be.

The irony wasn’t lost on him; for somebody who lovedsocializing as much as he did, he tied himself down to a job that required tostare at a computer screen until the late hours and sleep with an irregularschedule.

Maybe that’s why Vylad trusted Travis to watch over hisneedy cat, Oka while he went off to have a weekend with his boyfriend.

He grumbled, pushing away from his computer screen andstretched. To be honest, where is thatdamn cat? Travis glanced around his room—and no familiar black-and-whiteball of fur curled up anywhere. Actually, glancing at the time, the cat hasn’tbothered him in hours. Maybe she’shiding.

Was the cat in Vylad’s room? No.

Was she in the living room, under the couches? Nope.

Bathroom? Kitchen? Nada.

Their apartment wasn’t the biggest, so by the time Travisfound himself standing in the middle of the living room, scratching his headwhere that crybaby kitty could be, he felt a cold sweat break out.

Don’t tell me shesnuck out.

Katelyn whined, slowly pulling herself out of bed. At herfeet, a white fuzzball yipped and nipped, pawing the ground.

Pros of having a dog friendly apartment building: actualdogs being allowed.

Cons? Not really one but her deciding to get a puppy andrealizing the responsibility it entitled. She loved her little mutt, he was herbaby boy, but… these middle of nights bathroom trips would be the death of her.

“Shh, shh, I’m up, I’m up,” she yawned, stretching andblindly grasping for her phone. 3 am?She glanced at her dog, who long since lost interest in bothering her andinstead started sniffing around the room. Grabbing a pullover she thrown on hercoat rack and leaving her room, Mookie happily followed behind.

Good news: he kind of found Vylad’s cat.

Bad news: the cat bolted the moment Travis appeared, whichwas mostly on him for startling it. With grumbling, as he immediately begun thechase for the spooked animal down the hall, he already making up his mind thathe’ll send a strongly worded text to his roommate about this.

Turning the corner, he’s stopped by a sudden bark and a “Woah, watch out!” before finding himselftripping over something and landing ungracefully onto the ground.

So, 3 am chases weren’t his strong suit and probably not thedoctor’s sort of recommended activity to have. And he here laid, on the ground,embarrassed and cat-less and honestly, hindsight kicking his ass.

“Are you alright?” Oh yeah. He had a person also witnessinghis fumbled.

Lifting his head, and taking the offered hand while the dogcontinued to tiny barks, Travis could feel his heart sinking as his eyesconnected with Katelyn’s.

As in Katelyn, the neighbor he may or may not have a crushon since she moved in two months ago. She looked mildly concern, maybe for hisslowness of answering as the words were pretty much sucked out of him or thefact the fall was a particularly embarrassing one—did he honestly trip over herdog’s leash?

“Um,” she cleared her throat, and Travis blinked, his faceburning now out of embarrassment, “I said—“

“I’m f-fine, just… uh, thanks.” He dusted off invisible dirtfrom his sweatpants, and gave a glance to the small round puff of white at herside, looking curious as the dog sniffed at him.

Katelyn gave a relieved smile, waving her hand in a flippantgesture, “Sorry about that. I didn’t know anybody else would be awake at thistime… um, though, I’m guessing by the fact I saw something run by—I’m assumingyou were chasing that?”

Travis nodded, rubbing the back of his head, “Yeah. Myroommate’s cat. Stubborn little thing.”

“I’m guessing she’s not a fan of you?”

“Pretty much. Which is a shame, because I like cats,” heglanced down the hall in the direction the kitty ran off in, “Just not thisone.”

Katelyn nodded. Then she paused, squinting at him. “Wait,what’s your apartment number?”

“Huh? Uh, 230”

“Oh. Your roommateis Vylad,” Katelyn nodded again, this time her smile grew wider, “So you’re hisrecluse roommate I always hear about.”

“R-recluse—I am not arecluse! My work requires me—y’know what, I need to have a talk to Vyladabout what he says about me,” Travis ran his fingers through his hair, thenshook his head, “And how do you know him?”

“Well, I know his boyfriend Laurance, and—“ “Laurance knows everybody,yeah, yeah. I heard.” “It’s a small world.”

Travis agreed before… he shifted from foot to foot, coughingslight as he asked, “So I hope you heard good things.”

“Pardon?”

“You said you heard things about me,” his face continued towarm, he awkwardly scratched the back of his head again, “I hope it was goodthings?”

There’s a pause. Katelyn raised a brow, an amused expressionon her face as she glanced at him up and down, “…Maybe.”

Travis chuckled. “Well I promise you, everything negativeVylad said about me—false, it’s false.” Andeither way, I need to have a long… chat with him. Devious little man.

Katelyn hummed, stooping down to scoop up her puppy andshrugged, “Is that so? Well he hasn’t yet—is there anything I should know?Beside your bad track record of watching your friend’s pets.”

“Hey—Oka is a slippery beast!”

“Do you want help finding this said slippery beast?”

Travis paused, blinking. And with her expectant look, hestarted to grin, tilting his head slightly, “Are you sure? It’s pretty late andI’d hate to keep you up.”

“It’s no problem,” she shrugged, scratching the dog’s ear, “Okaknows me and having Vylad owe me one is a nice boon to have.”

“Devious.” Travis reached over to her dog, but then stopped—thedog sniffed his hand while he asked, “Could I pet…?”

“Mookie. And sure. Spoil him, he loves a good scratch.”

Travis laughed, petting the dog as Mookie panted happily,looking back and forth at the two while they shared a smile.

[undercovermcdfan]

moonlight | travis-centric

title: moonlight

prompt: Travis-focused vent fic, travlyn hint

a/n: this is just a self-indulgent fic of me breaking down Travis’s character—I know we all love the happy-go-lucky doof but a lot of people ignore his hardships. This is also heavily inspired by @crybabytime‘s art piece that… really invoked a lot of feelings for him.

.

.

.

.

.

“Why so blue, my son?” His mother would always say with a laugh.

She said he’d always looked blue under a full moon.

And it was no different tonight.

He stood just beyond where the tide reached, the ocean an inky blue as the moon hung low on the horizon. The waters were calm tonight, almost unnaturally so; the air thick with salt of the sea, a cold breeze rolled off it, but he continued to stand there.

In that blue light, the tears rolling hotly down his cheek, because it wasn’t until that moment, he wanted nothing more than her to ask him: Why so blue?

He learned at a young age, he must hide what he really was.

Humans didn’t have sharp teeth.

Humans didn’t have horns growing out their heads, nor sharp, claw-like hands.

Humans most certainly did not have tails either.

But when he told his mother— with a deciding look and confidence in his voice— “I want to look like you”, her eyes ached for a moment and she shooed him away from the mirror. She touched his face, then ruffled his hair with a sad, motherly smile and held him close.

“Why look like me when you’re the cutest child I ever come across?” she cooed, kissing his forehead, “I would much rather I looked like you, sunshine.” He giggled as she continued to attack him with kisses and wrap her arms around his small body, but even at that age, he dismissed her words.

Life would be easier if he was human, like her.

“You’re not allowed here.”

He long since learned how to control his physical reactions but it still stung the same. Instead, he put on an easy-going smile. “Hey, all I want is to trade in this quality hide for some of those berries! You been picking them clean and it’s been a hassle replanting— “

“I said,” the merchant standing up to his full height and staring menacingly at him, coldly continuing, “You’re not allowed, half-spawn.”

His face burned in embarrassment. Five years after her death yet nothing has changed.

“Thanks to your last stunt, you angered the warlock,” the merchant all but spat out, “The last imp raid left a good chunk of our supplies ravaged.”

“I was only help— “

“Leave.”

“I just— “

“Leave before I call the village leader. Go.”

“Darling son,” the hazy apparition appeared before him, and even though he knew it was a fake, Travis tensed. It’s been years since her sacrifice and the lovely bastard known as his… father kept up with this nasty trick. The apparition pulled back it’s cloak, long, luxurious hair tumbling out and the calm face of his mother standing before him with a sword in hand. “Travis, I’ve missed you.”

His hands tightened around his sword. “Stop with the games. You’re not her.”

“That’s no way to talk to your mother, my sunshine,” a hand reached out to touch his cheek.

He blinked the tears gathering at the corners of his eyes, his vision blurred slightly. He backed away. She stepped forward.

Back, and back, and his back bumped into a tree, which he leaned against before sliding down to the ground. He could hear her voice, he wanted to believe it’s her, but his mother’s face only twisted into a harsh grin as she lifted her blade.

“Just join me, my son,” she cackled, bringing it down the sword, “You wouldn’t look so blue then.”

He gasped.

In the darken cabin, he knew he was alone. His father couldn’t reach him physically with the spells his mother put up, but when it came to his own dreams?

Travis couldn’t stop the sob that crawled up his throat, throwing an arm over his eyes.

Sometimes he wished he could just… leave.

Watching from the hill top, as the villagers celebrate a new year, he nibbled on the sandwich he brought, waiting for the fireworks show to begin.

Who’d accept a half-breed like me.

Nobody, another part of him whispered but he ignored it. The world couldn’t be like this tiny island.

It couldn’t.

He hoped it wasn’t.

He shouldn’t be so eager.

But new faces were new faces. Welcoming faces.

…Okay maybe not all, but still—he glanced excitedly at Aphmau. Selfishly, he wondered if this was his ticket out.

“Travis, I…” Katelyn seemed a little ruffled, catching his wide grin.

He wiggled a brow. “You have my attention, beautiful.” She bristled more, and he watched her face cutely flustered as she looked away, out towards the water.

“I wanted to apologize for… hitting you earlier,” she said, refusing to look at him but her hands gripped the railing of the balcony, “You were a stranger and I was disoriented. Aphmau explained how you helped carry me and to safety and… I… uh, thank you. And I’m sorry.”

He smiled. He saddled up beside her, chin propped up against his hand as he leaned on the railing, as he raised a brow, “Hm… well, I guess I could accept your apology.”

“W-what? You guess? Either take it or don’t,” she glanced at him, squinting at his devious expression.

“I would accept it even more if a certain pretty girl kissed my cheek!”

“K-Kis—Are you serious?”

He nodded.

Katelyn scoffed. But, surprisingly him, let out a laugh and shook her head. He couldn’t help thinking he liked the sound of her laugh a lot. “Careful,” she pushed off from the railing, turning her back and he quickly turned too, watching her approach the door, “the cockiness ruins it. I’ll take a hard pass on it.”

“Wait. Ruins what? What am I doing wrong?”

She smirked, looking over her shoulder, “You’re not bad looking. But you’re not a lady killer, Travis.” The door shuts behind her. He left there, alone, on the balcony. Him, alone, in the moonlight.

A slow, disbelieving smile forms. “She thinks I’m not bad looking. Holy shit.”

“Why so blue, love?” He said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his nose against the crook of her neck.

She hummed, her eyes focused on the sea as she watched the pushing and pulling tides lap at her feet. The moonlight bathed both in soft light, and though she didn’t answer him right away, her shoulders relaxed in his arms and she gave a content sigh.

“Everything. Nothing. I was hoping a quiet walk would clear my mind,” she said, her hand sliding over his arm, then hand, before tangling their fingers, “It’s beautiful tonight, right?”

He nodded, and she leaned her head against his chest, glancing up at him. Silence befall them for a moment, listening to the gentle waves and appreciating the cool breeze on their skin. “What about you?”

“Hm?”

“Why are you blue, then, love?” she asked in a light, teasing tone, and he laughed.

“I’m never with you. You know that.”

“Do I really?” she turned around his arms, her hands resting on his cheeks as her eyes narrowed.

He smiled, raising a brow as he leaned down, his lips brushing hers as he whispered, “Do you need convincing?” Then she laughed, into the kiss as they pressed their lips together.

He was honest. Even if he looked blue still in moonlight, this moment, he anything but.