#zvahl siblings my beloved

[jurassiccraft]

Day 8: Scars

A battle-worn brother needs some clothes tailored

[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.