Happenstance 🫰

Happenstance 🫰

Travis finally had an hour to himself. Just him and his office. Alone.

No annoying deputies interrupting him with questions, no one clearing their throat and seemingly choking on their own tongue, no one droning on and on about protocols that hadn’t changed in years.

He’d sat through conference call after conference call for the past four hours, and honestly, most if it could have been an email.

He liked his job, liked helping people, and, well, liked most of his coworkers, but they weren’t really the kind of folks he could see himself going out for drinks with after their shifts. Once upon a time, maybe, but now.. not so much.

They still saw him as their superior despite the events of that summer a few years back. Although some of the longer term colleagues gave him odd glances, but that might be because of Laura.

He would give himself a glance if he wasn’t himself because he is still surprised that she even gave him a chance. Not once, but twice.

The first being when he handed her his shotgun.

The second being when he gave her his heart on a tarnished silver platter.

The trauma and bloodshed between them bonded them closely. There were small hitches, but they made it work..and it was good. More than good. They complimented each other well, despite what others might think of their relationship.

He grunted as he sat in his chair, it creaking almost in pain as he stretched back. He gently unlocked the top drawer and pulled out the small felt box he kept secret and flipped it open.

The ring wasn’t gaudy or flashy, that wasn’t his Laura. He chose a simple thin, gold band with a small rounded square of opal that had a sunrise of dazzling colors in it.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, so he lifted his hips to fish it out. He smiled, seeing Laura’s beautiful laughing face pop up with a text attached to it.

> Are you free for lunch today?

He bit his lip and looked at the ring once more, then cautiously put it back in the locked drawer. One day he’ll have the courage.

> Should be, unless I get dragged into another meeting.

He sat his phone on the desk, then picked up a file and started flicking through reports that needed to be sorted and signed off on. Another message comes in.

> Can you buzz me in? Didn’t want to come through the front, the guy at the front desk gives me weird vibes.

He stood automatically, sending her a quick text as he made his way to her.

> On my way.

He approached the security door where he could see Laura shivering and holding two takeout bags on the CCTV. He pushed the door open, seemingly surprising her slightly as she jolted away from the door, “Hey.”

“Hey!” She smiled, squeezing into his space and into the entryway. “Sorry, I wanted to surprise you with lunch, but you said something about meetings this morning before you left-“

He leaned down and placed his lips softly on hers, shushing her. “Thank you.”

“No problem,” she breathes, looking up at him with kind eyes, almost forgetting the whole reason she was here as she drowned in his chocolate eyes, “Got you your favorite.”

“From Vinny’s?” His lips tugged slightly, looking down at the bags excitedly.

“Mmhmm,” she watched him closely, “C’mon, can’t let it get cold now.”

He nods, gently putting his hand on her lower back to guide her back to his office. They go unnoticed until Travis gets stopped by one of his younger deputies, a kid fresh out of the academy. The very same one that wouldn’t shut the hell up earlier. Todd? He thinks his name is Todd.

He’s shorter than Travis, but as the kids say, he’s stacked. A bulldog of a man.

“Sheriff, could you-“ he stops short, eyes almost bulging out of his head as they fall on Laura, “Oh, hello.”

Travis squeezes his eyes shut, stepping to the side as he sighs. Gesturing to the blonde, “Deputy Presscot this is Laura,” he gestures to the officer, “Laura, this is Deputy Presscot, he’s our newest officer on the force.”

“Hi,” Laura nods, looking at the man before her, rolling her eyes as she sees him eyeing her up, she clears her throat and leans into Travis’ chest from the side.

“Oh, um,” he sticks out his hand awkwardly then draws it back as Travis scowls at him, “Todd. You can me Todd, ma’am.”

Laura snorts, her head lawling against the sheriff as she tries to stop herself from laughing too hard. Her body hums when she feels a large hand on her hip, knowing full well that Travis is getting annoyed by someone that wasn’t her.

“What’s.. what’s funny?” He looks confused, even more confused at the way the two are interacting. Almost like..

“Nothing, nothing. Inside joke,” Laura shakes her head, tone slightly changing, “However, you better keep your eyes to yourself. I’m happily taken by your sheriff here.”

“You’re- what-“ He stammers, looking between the two and something finally clicks. “You’re the one he has the ring for! He fidgeted with it all morning during the-”

“Presscot.” Travis bites, danger in his voice.

Laura’s smile falls in shock, her insides tightening as she feels the hot rage of Travis boiling beside her. Something clearly just snapped within him.

She looks at him and sees that he honestly looks like he’s moments away from killing, so she calmly takes his hand and tugs on it, “Hey, Trav, look at me.”

His face twitches as he takes in a long inhale, but he does meet Laura’s eyes and by doing so he just wants to melt into the earth beneath them. He exhales, focusing on her.

“Good, good. Keep breathing,” she reassured him, squeezing his hand gently, “Let’s go to your office, okay?”

He nods, “Yes, sweetheart.”

She smiles at him and stretches up to kiss his cheek, she shoots the deputy a look before heading down the hall with Travis right on her heels.

Todd stands there awkwardly before scurrying back to his cubicle. He has a feeling he needs to start packing his stuff up before the end of his shift.

Back in his office, Laura closes the door with her hip, following Travis to his desk and setting the bags down. But as she’s about to sit down, she notices he’s just.. standing there staring at the floor.

“Trav?” She gently touches his arm, rubbing a small circle into the fabric of his uniform, “Hey, it’s okay.”

A low growl escapes him as he forces himself to look up, “It’s not ‘okay’! He just.. I’ve had your ring for months and now..! I thought I was being smart by keeping it here, not bringing it home because I didn’t want you to find it when I accidentally left it in my pocket or…. It’s.. it’s supposed to be a surprise.”

She tilts her head slightly, watching his expression go from angry to crestfallen. She stretches up and plants a soft kiss on his lips. “It can still be a surprise.”

“Laura,” He leans his forehead against hers, his voice cracks, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she smiles, pressing another kiss to his lips, “You still hungry, or did you want to talk?”

“I’m hungry, but-“ He exhales, “Do..do you want to see it? The ring? Since.. now you know.”

“Trav, you don’t have to do that,” she smooths her thumb over his cheek, “I’m sure I’ll love it.”

“Okay,” He says calmly, but then his lip quirks up, “Can I at least check if it fits? You don’t have to look at it, I’ll just see if I can slip it on.”

“Okay, okay,” She rolls her eyes and smiles at him, she gently puts her hand on his, “Ring me.”

“Yes, ma’am,” He grins at her, brings her hand up and kissing her knuckles. “Close those beautiful eyes of yours.”

She does and turns her head to the side, and while doing so she hears Travis unlock and open a drawer in his desk. His hand that’s holding hers trembles and then she feels cold metal slide like butter on her finger. His breathing hitches audibly and then she hears him unlock his phone.

“What’re you doing now?” She smiles, “It feels like it fits.”

She thumbs it and the ring might be a bit loose, but that’s better than being too small.

“You’re beautiful,” his voice cracks, “It..it’s perfect.”

Unknowingly to Laura, he snaps a picture of her hand and keeps it locked away for when he’s feeling doubtful about his life.

He slides the ring back off and locks it away again. “You can open your eyes, sweetheart.”

She opens her eyes and smiles at him, tugging his face to hers by his chin. She gives him a kiss and withdraws, “C’mon, you better eat before someone barges in here and takes you to another meeting.”

He chases her lips, but ends up pressing little kisses all over her face. He smirks, “Can’t drag me anywhere if I lock the door.”

“You know that won’t stop them,” she leans into him, “Plus, you love your job.”

“Maybe,” he squeezes his arms around her, before gently tickling her, “But, I love you more.”

She laughs, squirming in his arms, “Traaaavis!”

He chuckles, pulling her down with him into his desk chair.

She sits on his lap as they eat their lunch, Laura’s hand sneaking up to steal a couple of his chips and Travis passing his pickle spear to her.

Laura leaves soon enough, taking their trash with her. Travis escorts her out of the building and to her car, where she leans back against as he kisses her goodbye. Then.. she’s gone and down the road.

“Sheriff?” A voice pops up behind him as he makes his way back inside.

He turns and sighs, “Yes, Presscot?”

“I’m sorry about earlier,” he shifts on his feet, “I blubber when I’m nervous.”

“..it’s fine,” Travis crosses his arms, “Because of you, I was able to test if the ring fit.”

“…did it?” Todd looks at him intently.

“It did,” he smiles

A mix of prompts suggested by @blookitty and @saltyshrimpzz via replies on my post! 🥰

If you have a prompt you'd like to possibly see, feel free to shoot me an ask or dm about it! 💕