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Trent is aware of the multitude of responsibilities he has outside of his and Ted's bedroom. He finds himself often getting lost in his thoughts, filled with various concerns and obligations; he acknowledges that he needs to fulfill certain tasks, such as picking up Olivia from Joanna’s this afternoon, paying the water bill, and going grocery shopping to avoid starvation to their deaths because that’s how empty the house was— but the warmth of the man on top of him and the way his warm larger hands hold Trent’s narrow hips, his warm chest against his and God he’s so warm, is perhaps the only that’s going to break Trent from his trance.
He won’t even complain on the fact he’s getting a little too warm against Ted, still basking in the afterglow of morning sex. Trent can feel the sweat forming on his forehead, and in the past, and normally— normally being any way he’s lived a life before having Ted by his side his life which was practically the epitome of a melancholy and cheerless way of living when you’re alone and the type to have you contemplating late at night if you had any purpose whatsoever— he’d be bothered.
Ted was magic. The Lasso way had transformed Trent into someone who embraces carefree living and isn’t such a tight ass when taking everything into account, even the slightest tings. The little details that used to bother him, like a stray silver hair or a slightly loose tie knot, pens being out of order, etc., no longer hold significance. Trent now opts for looser clothing (often borrowing—no, stealing Ted's cozy jumpers and sweatpants that are a size or a few too big just the way Trent likes it) and he no longer feels the need to scrutinize himself in the mirror or worry about mismatched patterns and just fucking goes with whatever. Ted thinks everything looks good on him.
But it goes beyond mere materialism. Trent feels a renewed sense of youth and lightness. It is undeniable that this transformation is a result of the love he has been longing for. This love has allowed him to let go of the need to constantly fight, cry, and dismantle the walls he had erected around himself. Ted has been there every step of the way, patiently and gently dismantling those barriers. When Trent reached his breaking point, Ted embraced him, offering the comforting words that Trent so desperately craved. Trent grew weary of convincing himself that the small amount of self-appreciation he possessed was enough. His daughter's love was undoubtedly precious, and she brought immense joy to his world. However, he yearned for a deeper, more profound love—a love that some may consider cliché or childish. He cursed the world for making him such a hopeless romantic.
Then there was Ted. Ted, Ted, Trent’s Ted.
With Ted, Trent experiences genuine happiness. His laughter becomes more frequent, resulting in sore cheeks from the perpetual smile adorning his lips. He wholeheartedly embraces vulnerability, not only with Ted but also with his newfound comrades. He develops an appreciation for the simple pleasures that bring him solace, such as tending to his garden, leisurely strolls in the park, and immersing himself in a book without the burden of critical analysis. He discovers a penchant for sentimental love stories, and he cannot help but attribute this newfound joy to the presence of Ted.
Ted's kindness surpassed that of any other man Trent had encountered. It ignited within him a peculiar longing for the affection and approval he had yearned for from his father. Ted's kindness far exceeded that of his dad, and it was effortlessly genuine. It was an intrinsic part of Ted Lasso's character.
It's maddening, really, how unconventional Trent's love and admiration for Ted is. And normally Trent would be absolutely furious with the thought of it all. It's far from ordinary, characterized by its unpredictability and sporadic nature. Trent has long realized that he himself is not "normal," but he no longer views it as a negative attribute. Despite the uncertainties that lie ahead for both Trent and Ted, one thing remains certain: Ted has breathed new life into Trent's existence. What was once a mere fantasy found only in the pages of sentimental romance novels has become a tangible reality for Trent.
Initially, it instills a sense of fear within Trent, but he is unequivocally certain that he is experiencing sheer bliss. As time progresses, he becomes fully aware of the depth of his emotions and no longer feels the need to flee from them. There is no panic or tears shed in Ted's embrace; instead, he surrenders himself to the tranquility of being enveloped in Ted's arms, overwhelmed by a profound sense of love and allowing himself to truly feel. In this moment, Trent recognizes the authenticity of Ted's presence and the undeniable reality of their love.
That’s all there really was to it. Trent doesn't doubt or question his worthiness, nor does he ponder how much he deserves. Perhaps it's because, for the first time in his existence, Trent truly believes he is deserving of Ted's love. It's not about worthiness, but rather about his ability to bask in the radiance of Ted's affection.
They establish a familiar rhythm, akin to the natural cadence of two enamored souls. As time elapses, their stolen touches and delicate stares gradually find solace in the realm of public display. (Regrettably, Roy is repulsed by their affection and tells them to “get a fuckin’ room!”) In due course, Trent becomes the first person Ted searches for on the pitch, regardless of triumph or defeat. Ted is the first sight that graces Trent's waking hours, and their kitchen often transforms into a sanctuary for tender waltzes. They plan intimate dates when the kids are out for the night, and they indulge in the ecstasy of lovemaking at any available moment throughout the day, each table they encounter bears the smallest but indelible mark of their devotion, as they consistently reserve seats for one another.
They simply coexist in the presence of their beloved counterpart, an experience that defies the boundaries of ordinary existence. It is an awe-inspiring phenomenon, and Trent wholeheartedly commits to embracing and acclimating to this extraordinary love. It’s fucking incredible. And he could never fathom taking any aspect of it for granted, even if he attempted to do so.
Inevitably, Trent’s fallen completely in love with Ted and life again.
“Sweetheart?” Trent is captivated by the mellifluous timbre of Ted's morning voice, causing a delightful flurry of anticipation within his stomach. Thankfully, it being Saturday, they are blessed with the luxury of lingering in bed, where Trent wishes to surrender himself entirely to Ted's desires, if he wanted.
Trent emits a gentle hum, his gaze fixed upon Ted, and responds affectionately, "Yes, my love?"
“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” Ted asks in a gentle tone, extending his hand to tenderly caress Trent's curls. Trent emits a soft hum in response, his eyes fluttering shut as he endeavors to concentrate on a singular notion amidst the intoxicating sensation of Ted's touch.
However, such an endeavor proves to be rather impractical, given that Ted remains quite literally still buried inside of him and Trent feels everything warm about Ted in every aspect there is.
Trent responds with a gentle sigh, which transforms into a fervent moan as Ted ardently nips at his collarbone, leaving an indelible mark that he is certain has taken on a deep burgundy hue by now, “Everything.”
“Everything?”
“Everything you could possibly think of.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Ted tenderly plants an apologetic kiss upon the bruised flesh, working himself up until he’s aligned with Trent’s sight. The adjustment in their positions elicits a pleasurable pressure against the way he is around Ted, provoking a strained whimper to escape from the depths of his throat.
“No.” Trent's breath catches, but he maintains a smile, feeling flustered by the mischievous smirk adorning Ted's lips. Deep down, Trent knows that Ted is fully aware of the hold he has over him. In that moment, Trent's thoughts unexpectedly drift towards his father, evoking a sense of sentimentality rather than disturbance. His father had always presented love as a calculated strategy, dismissing the notion of soulmates and the certainty of finding one's perfect match. However, Trent firmly believes that he just knows Ted is the epitome of perfection in every way, and their love has transformed him for the better. He has an unwavering conviction that this love will last. “Not even close.”
“Ted?”
Trent softly utters his words while Ted lies beside him, his strong arms encircling Trent's torso. A shiver courses through Trent's body as he feels the coolness of the silver band on Ted's finger gently caress his rib. Additionally, Trent was absolutely certain, after their first encounter, that Ted was the man he yearned to spend the entirety of his life with. Trent has never been one to actively pursue his desires, often nodding to the belief that "good things come to those who wait." However, he knew that if he didn't seize the opportunity to be with Ted as soon as possible, he would be left at the mercy of the capricious universe that seemed to conspire against him. Thus, when Ted presented him with a golden wedding band, delicately tied to his finger with a crimson thread, Trent didn't even allow him to finish the sentence before enveloping him in a tight embrace, whispering "yes" repeatedly as if it were a language all its own.
“Trent?”
As Trent gazes into Ted's eyes, and he recalls the younger version of himself then, a little boy who felt unworthy of love and constantly sought validation. He had always known he was different and was afraid to express his love openly. In an effort to protect himself, he built walls around him and tore down others, hoping someone would understand what it was like to be in his shoes. Trent used to be alone, but now he basks in the love he knows he deserves and craves. These are the people who accept him for who he is, without any need for him to change or conform to some arbitrary notion of "normal." They love him for everything he has to offer, especially Ted.
“I love you. And thank you.”
“For?”
Trent playfully nuzzles his nose against Ted's and lets out a soft, gentle laugh, “Just…everything.”
“Everything is the word of the day, it appears,” Ted responds with a warm chuckle and plants a tender kiss on Trent's temple, gently brushing away a few damp strands of hair from his forehead. “And I love you more, honey. More than everything and anything.”
Everything. Everything was beautiful in Trent Crimm’s life and he let himself feel everything it had to offer him.