ROMANTIC

Two Weeks LaterApril 2nd: 2025Taylor Swift's Point of ViewTravis and I weave through the swaying palm trees, the sand warm and powdery beneath our bare feet. The turquoise water stretches out before us, the horizon a shimmering line where it meets the endless blue sky. This secluded beach, accessible only through our luxury resort, is the epitome of paradise. A only a handful of people are scattered out, their presence more a comforting hum than a disruption. Our honeymoon.

Reaching the water's edge, I turn to Travis, a wide grin splitting my face. "This is absolutely perfect," I sigh, the sound swallowed by the gentle lapping of the waves.

He mirrors my smile, his eyes sparkling. "I know, right?" He reaches for my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine, sending a warm current through me.

"Let's go for a swim!" he declares, pulling me gently toward the water.

I squeal, "Wait! Should I put on my goggles? We can see all the fish!" My excitement bubbles over, and I dash back toward our beach bag, grabbing the snorkeling gear.

He throws his head back and laughs, the sound as rich and warm as the sunlight dappling his face. "You're such a child," he teases, though his eyes hold a fondness that makes my heart skip a beat.

I hand him his gear, the plastic cool against my skin, and adjust my mask with a practiced ease. Slipping on the snorkel, I take a deep breath and turn to Travis with a playful glint in my eyes. "How sexy do I look in this?" I tease, tilting my head to one side.

He takes a moment to admire me, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Beautiful as always," he finally replies, his voice husky with amusement. "But maybe a little less intimidating to the fish with that snorkel on."

A laugh escapes my lips, the sound bubbly and distorted through the mask. "Good point," I concede, splashing him playfully with a handful of water. He retaliates, sending a wave of cool water cascading down my back.

Together, we wade into the gentle surf, the water washing away the last remnants of sand from our feet. With a final shared grin, we submerge ourselves completely, the familiar rush of the ocean filling my ears. The world above blurs into a hazy reflection as we descend, ready to explore the vibrant coral reefs teeming with life just beneath the surface.

The moment we dip below the surface, the world transforms. Sunlight filters down through the water, casting dancing patterns on the vibrant coral reefs that sprawl beneath us. Schools of colorful fish dart in and out of the coral's intricate crevices, their scales shimmering like jewels. A bright yellow tang grazes lazily on algae, its fins trailing gracefully behind it. A clownfish peeks out from its anemone home, its orange and white stripes a stark contrast against the swaying tentacles.

Travis surfaces beside me, the corners of his eyes crinkled with delight. He points excitedly towards a nearby coral head, where a majestic angelfish glides past, its fins trailing behind it like flowing ribbons. We kick our fins gently, following its path through the underwater wonderland.

Suddenly, a flash of silver catches my eye. I nudge Travis and point towards a crevice in the reef. There, nestled amongst the coral, lies a shy octopus, its eight tentacles pulsating with a mesmerizing array of colors. It seems to sense our presence, its large, intelligent eyes blinking at us before it slowly retreats further into its hiding place.

The idyllic exploration screeches to a halt. My gaze drifts to a shadowy crevice in the coral, and a primal jolt of fear electrifies my body. There, nestled amongst the vibrant fans, sits a monstrosity from my nightmares - a sea urchin. Its dark body is a menacing blur, and the long, venomous spines gleam wickedly in the dappled sunlight.

My playful demeanor evaporates. Panic constricts my chest, making it hard to breathe. "Sea urchin!" I shriek, the word ripping from my throat. "There's a fucking sea urchin!"

Instinct takes over. I rip the mask from my face, the world above blurring into a mess of distorted light. Ignoring the sting of saltwater in my eyes, I propel myself towards Travis in a desperate lunge. My legs churn the water, propelling me forward with a frantic urgency.

Reaching him, I throw all decorum to the wind. With a strangled cry, I clamber onto his back, clinging to him like a terrified koala. "Save me!" I scream into his ear, my voice laced with panic.

But instead of the reassuring embrace I crave, a spluttering cough erupts from him. I've forgotten, caught up in my terror, that Travis isn't some mythical hero immune to water. He's being dragged down by my unexpected weight, the playful exploration forgotten in the face of my sudden descent.

Just then, his face contorts in pain. "Taylor, you're drowning me!" He coughs, desperately trying to stay afloat.

"There's a sea urchin! I'm going to lose my legs!" I remind him, the terror still clinging to the edges of my voice.

But before I can plead further, Travis does something unexpected. He collapses underwater, disappearing from sight for a terrifying moment. Then, with a powerful surge, he reappears, kicking his way towards a cluster of nearby rocks and coral. Relief washes over me, momentarily forgetting my own fear. He must be trying to find somewhere shallow to stand.

He reaches the rocks and lets out a sharp cry, a sound that cuts through my elation like a knife. My blood runs cold. He was just trying to escape the sea urchin but he'd stumbled into something far worse. The water around him turns a hazy red, and I see him stumble, almost losing his footing.

My forgotten terror returns, a cold dread settling in my stomach. We'd gone from one nightmare to another. With a sinking feeling, I realize what he's landed in – a patch of fire coral.

"Back to shore! Back to shore!" I scream, paddling frantically towards the beach. Panic makes my limbs feel heavy, the water a battlefield I desperately need to escape.  Thankfully, Travis seems to have recovered his wits. He kicks his legs powerfully, propelling himself through the water with newfound urgency.

I dart a glance back, my heart hammering against my ribs. The fire coral is a nightmarish tableau, the once vibrant colors now tinged with an angry red. I can only imagine the searing pain radiating up Travis' leg.

Reaching him, I grab his arm, offering what little support I can manage in my current state.  "Easy," I gasp, pushing him gently towards the shore.

Together, we make a clumsy retreat, a stark contrast to our graceful underwater ballet just moments before. Every touch of the seabed sends a fresh jolt of terror through me, and I weave frantically between the coral formations, the memory of the sea urchin a constant prickle of fear at the back of my mind.

Finally, our feet touch the blessed safety of sand.  Scrambling onto the beach, I collapse onto the warm surface, chest heaving.  Travis stumbles after me, his face etched with pain as he winces with each step.

Gingerly, I roll up his swim shorts, revealing a horrifying sight. A large, angry red rash blooms across his calf, the stark contrast to his healthy tan skin undeniable.  This wasn't a minor irritation – this was a full-blown fire coral attack.

Shame washes over me in a tidal wave, stronger even than the terror that had gripped me moments before. My childish fear had not only almost gotten me drowned, but it had also landed Travis in serious pain. Looking into his gritted teeth and wincing face, I know I have a lot more to make up for than just a misplaced apology.

My lungs are burning, my vision blurry. Panic makes my voice a squeak as I stammer, "Doctor? Should we go to a doctor? Or maybe... maybe I should pee on it?"

Travis looks at me like I've sprouted a second head. "Pee on it? Tay, what are you talking about?"

"Jellyfish stings! I read somewhere you pee on them! Maybe it works for fire coral too?" I blurt, desperately clinging to any solution.

He throws his head back and lets out a pained laugh. "Sweetheart, I love you, but a doctor sounds a lot better right now. You clearly don't think straight when things get hairy."

My cheeks burn hotter than the fire coral must be burning on his leg. "Hey! I'm trying to help!" I whine, even though I know I sound ridiculous.

"I know, I know," he says, his voice gentler now. "But let's leave the medical advice to the professionals. We need to get cleaned up and to a doctor, stat."

"Okay, okay," I mutter, feeling like a total goofball.

With a groan, Travis pushes himself to his feet, wincing as his weight puts pressure on his injured leg. The red rash looks even more pronounced now, angry and inflamed against his otherwise healthy skin. Shame twists in my gut again.

"Can you walk?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He takes a tentative step, then another, gritting his teeth with each one. "Yeah, slowly. Give me a hand?"

I scramble to my feet, sand clinging to my damp skin. We face the gauntlet of beach towels and discarded flip flops, the once idyllic scene now a taunting reminder of our carelessness.

"Can you grab your stuff?" I ask, gesturing towards his bag half-buried in the sand.

He winces again, shaking his head. "Nah, you get that. I need both hands for balance."

Swallowing my pride, I shuffle over, grabbing his bag and slinging it over my own shoulder. The weight feels insignificant compared to the burden of guilt I carry.

We start our slow trek back towards the parking lot, the midday sun beating down mercilessly. Every few steps, Travis lets out a hiss of pain, his normally carefree stride reduced to a limp. The silence between us is thick with tension, punctuated only by the rhythmic crash of the waves on the shore.

"Hey," I finally mumble, unable to bear the awkward silence any longer.

He glances at me, a flicker of pain and annoyance in his eyes. "Yeah?"

"I'm... I'm so sorry, Travis. This is all my fault."

He takes a deep breath, his expression softening slightly. "Look, the sea urchin thing was a freak out. It happens. But maybe next time, trust me a little more, okay?"

My throat tightens. "Okay," I whisper, the word heavy with remorse.  "And the doctor thing..."

"The doctor thing was hilarious," he says, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Relief washes over me, momentarily breaking the dam of unshed tears. "Oh, thank goodness. For a second there, I thought you were going to pass out."

He laughs, a short, pained sound. "Maybe later. But right now, I just want to get this leg looked at and get out of this damn swimsuit."

When we get to the hospital, the automatic doors whoosh open, blasting me with a wave of sterile disinfectant scent. Travis limps ahead, his earlier bravado replaced by a grimace with every step. I trail behind him, feeling like a shadow of guilt following him everywhere.

The receptionist, Brenda according to her loopy cursive nametag, offers a tired smile. "Can I help you two?"

"Fire coral sting," Travis explains, his voice tight. "Needs to be checked out."

Brenda's smile falters for a beat. "Alright, come on back. Have a seat and fill out these forms while I get the doctor prepped."

She hands us a mountain of paperwork and points to a row of plastic chairs that look like they haven't been updated since the invention of Formica. I fumble with a pen, the scratchy sound against the paper grating on my already frayed nerves.

Just as I finish the last question about Travis' allergies (thankfully, none), a door with a brass plate that reads "Dr. Thomas" swings open. A kind-faced woman with short, gray hair emerges.

"Mr. Kelce, I presume? Come on in."Dr. Thomas gestures towards the inner sanctum, her voice warm and welcoming.

Travis gives me a look that says, "See? Professionals," and hobbles in, using the wall for support. I follow close behind, the plastic chair groaning in protest as I stand.

The doctor's office is a stark contrast to the sterile waiting room. Framed diplomas adorn the walls, interspersed with colorful paintings of fish and coral reefs. An examination table with a paper sheet sits in the center, and a tray of gleaming medical instruments glints under the overhead light.

Travis lowers himself onto the table with a wince. Dr. Thomas approaches him, her gaze already scanning his leg. "Alright, Mr. Kelce, let's see what we're dealing with here."

My stomach churns as Dr. Thomas gently peels back his shorts. The fire coral rash is even more angry-looking up close, a raised, red welt that stretches across his entire calf.

"Ouch," Dr. Thomas murmurs, her brow furrowing slightly. "This looks like a nasty case. You must have been in it for a while."

Travis throws me a side glance, a silent accusation that speaks volumes. I shrink back, feeling a wave of heat creep up my neck.

"Don't worry," Dr. Thomas says kindly, apparently sensing the tension. "These can be pretty painful, but they usually heal up just fine." She explains the treatment plan – a topical steroid cream, pain medication, and keeping the area clean and dry.

"And try to avoid swimming with fire coral in the future," she adds with a smile, her gaze flickering between us.

Travis chuckles, a sheepish sound. "Noted, doc."

•                  •                  •

Travis stretches out on the bed, gingerly elevating his leg. I scoot in close, nuzzling against him despite the awkwardness. Even a fire coral encounter wasn't going to stop a little romance.

"There was a sea urchin..." I sigh, trailing off. The memory of my panicked scream still sends shivers down my spine.

He chuckles, a low sound that sends warmth fluttering through me. "Hey, it happens. We didn't exactly have a map of the local coral formations."

"But if I hadn't freaked out..." I begin, the guilt gnawing at me.

Travis cuts me off, his hand gently stroking my hair. "It's okay to have fears, Tay. Even the irrational ones. We all have them."

His words offer a sliver of comfort, but the weight of my actions still presses down on me.  "But yours ended up all swollen and angry," I murmur, poking his leg (carefully, well away from the rash) with a playful jab.

Travis winces, but a smile plays on his lips.  "Maybe a little less 'panic, flee the ocean' next time, though?"

I laugh, a genuine sound that chases away some of the tension. "Deal. Although, for the record, I did manage to get you back to shore in record time."

"True," he concedes, "you were like a human lifeguard buoy, minus the whistle and the red trunks."

The image makes me snort with laughter, and for a moment, the memory of the fire coral fades, replaced by the warmth of his presence and the familiar ease that settles between us.

"So," I say, tracing patterns on his chest, "how about we forget the whole underwater fiasco and order some room service?  Maybe something that doesn't sting?"

Travis raises an eyebrow. "Sounds like a plan.  Although, if you suggest anything involving jellyfish as an appetizer, we might have to revisit that whole 'rational fear' conversation."

I swat him playfully on the arm. "Fine, fine. No jellyfish. Just delicious, sting-free food and some much-needed relaxation."

He leans down, brushing a kiss against my forehead.  "Sounds perfect."

—————Author's Note:

Cuties. I had to bring in the sea urchins

I'm taking my drivers license test in a couple weeks! I'm so excited! I'm so hungry.