#bag25

Rating: M 🛌🏼 Words: 750 🛌🏼 Tags: Just One Bed, Mutual Pining, Ted's got some internalized homophobia to figure out, Missing S3 scene, Canon Compliant in that you can't prove it didn't happen For @bag-bang (Be a Goldfish Microbang) Ao3 Place In Series: 1. Only One Bed 2. Accidental Baby

Ted shivered, staring at the ceiling of the run down motel their team bus was forced to stop at when the snow became too thick.

It was just Ted’s luck that the heater in the room refused to blow hot air and it felt like the large window was just letting the freezing temps right into the room.

Ted laid on his back, hands tucked to his chest to preserve heat. He peered to the side, trying to judge if his bed partner, the one and only Trent Crimm, Independent, was also still awake. From what he could see, Trent was also laying on his back, breathing deep and slow, face relaxed.

He was also very, very warm. Ted could feel his body heat under the blankets, but just out of reach of actually warming Ted. But maybe, if he moved really slow, he could roll over and just casually steal Trent’s heat, finally warming up. He’d be able to actually get a few hours of sleep.

Watching Trent’s chest rise and fall, Ted rolled slowly to his side, facing Trent. And then, as if he were asleep and unaware of his movements, he slide his knees forward, stopping when he felt warmth. He sighed, letting his eyes fall shut.

But it wasn’t enough.

He peered through his lashes, Trent hadn’t moved. What was a few more inches, but a smidge more heat? Trent would never know Ted was awake when he crossed the unspoken boundary set by the bro code.

He shifted his hips, using the leverage to slide his shoulders toward Trent. He tucked his hands between his chest and Trent’s arm. While he knew there was still space between them, he felt like a cat curling up against Trent’s side. If only.

After hours of shivering, Ted finally felt warm. He sighed out, accidentally humming a little in his contentedness, and let sleep start to take him.

“Ted”

He blood froze. His heart stopped. Every muscle seized. He couldn’t breath.

“Ted, your hands are freezing.” Trent’s voice, deep with sleep, flowed through Ted, alighting parts of him the bro code definitely didn’t allow. “Roll over.”

Shame flushed his cheeks, stealing the words from his throat, pricking at his eyelids. He rolled away from Trent. His side even more cold for his absence.

He pulled the blanket tight to his chest, curling his knees up. He’d just have to make it through the night and grab a couple hours of sleep on the bus. Probably after digging it out and helping shovel a path across the parking lot to the road. He sighed, it was going to be a long day.

A hand gripped his waist. He startled, freezing up again.

Trent’s knees pushed against his, fitting into the space behind them.

Trent’s chest pressed firm against his back.

Trent’s hand intertwined their fingers.

Trent’s heat enveloped him, his warmth suffusing into him, from his flushing cheeks to his tingling toes.

“Go to sleep, Ted.”

“Trent,” he breathed, shame and want closing up his throat. “You really don’t have to-”

“Do you really think I could sleep knowing you were next to me shivering, not getting a moment of sleep? You overestimate my restraint.” he pulled Ted back tighter against his chest. “Ted, I could never.”

“Thank you Trent, I sure do appreciate it.” Ted relaxed back into Trent’s body. “You’re like one of those plug in electric blankets, just turn it on and snuggle up whenever I’m cold.”

Trent hummed, the sound deep and vibrating against Ted’s back.

“You could,” he said, lips just brushing against his nape. “Just turn me on and snuggle up whenever you want, Ted. That’s an open invitation.”

Heat dripped from Ted’s belly to his cock. He’s sure Trent didn’t mean it like that. It was just that he was mimicking Ted, not coming on to him, though. He shifted his hips back. Oh.

“Yes, Ted. I meant it like that.”

“Oh.”

“Though, I won’t if you don’t-” Trent shifted his hips back and Ted’s hand flew back to grab his hip, keeping him pressed against his ass.

“Don’t. I-” he pulled in a breath. “I’ve never, you know, but I want- I like you, Trent and I want- I’ve thought about-” He growled in frustration.

Trent rubbed his hand across Ted’s chest, comforting. “Ted, it’s fine. We’ll talk more after the game. Let’s go to sleep.”

Ted brushed his fingers across the back of Trent’s hand. “Sweet dreams, Trent.”

“Goodnight, Ted.”

Rating: M 🍺 Words: 750 🍺 Tags: Emotional Hurt/No Comfort, Unresolved Romantic Tension, Trent's followed by an ex and Ted White Knights him Fandom: Ted Lasso 🍺 Pairing: Ted x Trent For @bag-bang Be a Goldfish MicroBang For @duckprintspress May Trope Mayhem Ao3 A series of Classic Trope inspired Tedependent vignettes Parts: 1. Just One Bed 2. Accidental Baby 3. Fake Date

The pub bustled around Ted. Everyone was out on the town for Friday night and May made some great grub and poured a fine pint. Ted had nowhere to be though, just a beer at the bar before he headed back to his flat.

Perhaps he should’ve taken Beard up on his offer of an adventure. Sure, cause I want to wake up in two days with a new tattoo and no memories of the weekend. No thanks, been there done that. No, quiet’s good, quiet’s-

“Ted! There you are!” Ted startled, nearly tipping his glass, and looked up just in time for Trent Crimm to wrap around his side, sliding a possessive hand around his back. “Thought we were meeting out front!”

He gulped, belly tightening as caterpillars began spinning cocoons. His night was immediately better.

“Well, hey there Trent. I’m sorry, I didn’t-” – he suddenly realized how tense Trent was against him and noticed a man by the door staring hard at them – “realize. Thought we were meeting at the bar as in this bar, right here.” He patted the solid wood of the bar top.

He remembered this game, having played fake boyfriend to a couple girl friends in college to get creeps to leave them alone. He shifted to wind his arm around Trent’s waist, pulling him closer. Ted’s breath hitched, feeling Trent’s hair brush his neck.

“You ok?” Ted asked, voice low just for Trent. Fuck, he smells good.

“Yeah. Thank you for this, Ted.” Trent’s voice was low as his hand landed on Ted’s thigh. Ted’s belly dipped as the caterpillars hunkered down tight in their cocoons. “He keeps calling and I noticed him following me a few blocks back. I knew you’d be here.”

“He an ex or something? He’s got a mean look about him.” Ted’s thumb swept across Trent’s jean jacket clad side. “I’m not gonna have to fight him, am I? Though, I would...for you. Trent.”

He didn’t mean to get so honest, honestly. But having Trent’s eyes and scent and warmth so close was doing something to Ted’s natural inclination towards prevarication.

“Ted.” Trent’s eyes flicked down to Ted’s mouth and those cocooned butterflies broke free, taking flight through Ted’s stomach. Ted leaned in, pulling Trent in closer, his eyes dipping closed.

“Oy, mate.” A hand shoved Ted hard into the edge of the bar.Ouch, asshole. “Trying to kiss my boyfriend? Don’t know how to keep your hands to yourself?”

Trent stepped between them, speaking hard and condescending. “We had one date. Months ago. And it was lackluster. Let it go.”

“Now sweetums, don’t be like that. Come on, we can talk this through outside. Let’s go.” He grabbed Trent’s arm to yank him toward the door and Ted saw red.

Ted stood, putting his shoulder between Trent and the asshole.

“Hey there, I’m gonna have to ask you to get your fucking hand off him,” he said, over accentuating his accent and trying to sound pleasant and not like he wanted to take the guy outside and knock his fucking teeth in.

“Yeah? And what’s it to you, yank?”

He’s mine. “Well, clearly the gentleman doesn’t want to go with you, so now you’re just being a right piece of shit.”

Baz and them oooh-ed.

“Get ‘em, Ted!”

Of course, they had an audience, Ted internally sighed.

“Thank you, Ted,” Trent said, laying a hand on his arm and stepping around him, “but, I think I’ll handle this.”

And before Ted’s very eyes, Trent pulled some sort of fancy move, twisting the guy’s hand and arm until he was shoved up against a booth, Trent flush against his back.

Mae swung around Ted. “You got him, Trent?”

“He’s well in hand, Mae, thank you. My apologies for the disturbance. He was just leaving.” Trent bodily shoved the guy out, the door swinging shut behind him. Ted stood there dumbfounded, Trent was so strong.

“Well, what’re’you waiting for, Ted?” Mae looked at him, one eyebrow raised. “Go after him.”

“Yep. Thanks, Mae.” He shoved some pounds at her and rushed out after Trent.

The door swung shut behind him as he cast his gaze around, looking for Trent. Wasn’t he just tossing the creep out and coming back? Ah.

Trent stood in the dark, hands in his jacket pockets, staring up at the nearly full moon.

Ted started forward. “Tren-”

Without a single backwards glance, Trent walked away down the moonlit sidewalk.

Ted’s butterflies froze in his stomach.

Rating: T 🍼 Words: 750 🍼 Tags: Pre-relationship, Domestic Fluff, A spot of angst as there is a baby left in the stands Fandom: Ted Lasso 🍼 Pairing: Ted x Trent For @bag-bang Be a Goldfish Microbang For @duckprintspress May Trope Mayhem Ao3 Part in Series: 1. Just One Bed 2. Accidental Baby 3. Fake Date

**Months after the motel situation that they did not speak about**

Ted stood on the sidelines of the pitch, watching the team run drills, Roy chasing after them yelling Whistle! It was the perfect day for training and the community members in the stands were certainly enjoying it; some brought their kids, a baby cried, an old man yelled encouragements while another yelled insults.

He glanced to the side, Trent was leaning against the partition with his notebook out. Ted smiled, oh, Trent of the glorious hair. Wonder if it’s soft?

The baby behind Ted continued crying up a fuss. Must be nap time. He twisted around, intending to send a little wave and smile to the tired parent.

No one was there.

He blinked, scouring the stands for anyone that might be with the whimpering baby.

“Hey, Beard-”

“Go.” Beard cut in, flicking his eyes toward the baby. Ted clapped him on the shoulder, heading toward the stairs.

Ted’s eyes met Trent’s as he approached; Trent looked up at where the adult-less baby was wailing up a storm, nodded, and followed Ted up the stairs and across the stands.

How could anyone just-

“Hey Trent, you notice who was up here?”

“I didn’t. Perhaps they needed to run to the loo?”

“Without their baby?”

“Hmm.” Trent frowned.

The baby was in a carrier, bundled in a pink minky blanket, with the sunshade pulled over. At least they left her protected.

He stepped over the carrier and knelt down, Trent crouching opposite him. He pushed back the sunshade to see the red faced, wailing infant. Ted sucked in a breath, she couldn’t be more than 4 months old, hot anger licked up his chest.

“There’s a bag tucked here. Diapers, bottle, formula, toys, a few outfits, hmmm, and a note.” Trent opened the envelope as Ted unbuckled and checked the baby. Diaper was a bit puffy, but not bad.

“What’s it say?” Ted scooped the baby out, cradling her to his shoulder, rubbing her back.

“’She’s yours.’”

“What-” he choked out.

“That’s literally what it says, Ted.” Trent points to the letter and reads aloud, “She’s yours. I wanted to tell you in person, but I just couldn’t bring myself to. There’s papers at the bottom of the bag giving you custody, your name’s on the birth certificate. I’ve given her your mom’s name, Celia. Take care of her, like I can’t.”

Trent looks up at Ted, horrified and sad, they look out at the pitch where the team’s jumping around Sam like over eager puppies.

Trent looks back at Ted, “Do we- How do you want to-”

Ted’s never seen Trent lost for words. He looks down at the baby suckling on her own hand.

“Let’s get her inside, cleaned up, fed. Rebecca’s office is nicer than a men’s locker room. Come on.”

Trent gathers the bag and carrier, Ted stands, tucking the baby more securely to his chest. Trent looks at him and the baby wistfully. Bet he’s good with babies, all caring and sure and funny.

They make the long walk through the facility up to Rebecca’s office, getting looks from everyone they passed.

“Knock knock! Mind if we take over your couch?”

“Of course.” Rebecca came through the door from her office. “Wait, what’s that?”

“A baby.” Trent replied dryly, little smirk letting her know he was joking.

She watched them work together, Ted laying the baby on the couch, Trent placing wipes, diaper, and onesie out, ready for Ted to use. Ted got her changed as Trent filled the bottle with warm water from the little sink.

“Did you two have a baby and forget to tell everyone?” – Ted’s belly flipped at the thought – “I would’ve thrown a shower if I’d known. Maybe get one of those changing tables so you’re not putting a soiled diaper on my- Alright, not important. Where’d she come from?”

“Welll, Rebecca, when a-”

“Nope!” she held up a hand to stop Ted’s bit, which he felt was a bit rude, but hey, maybe she wasn’t in the mood for a classic joke. She turned to Trent who was shaking the bottle. “Trent. The baby?”

“Well, Rebecca,” he drolled, eyes crinkled with amusement meeting Ted’s, as Rebecca sighed in resignation. He handed her the files, “when a footballer and a mystery woman have unprotected sex, sometimes that results in a baby left at Coach Lasso’s doorstep.”

“Well, won’t this be fun to deal with. You two good here?”

“Don’t worry, Rebecca,” Trent sat besides Ted, handing him the bottle, “we’re perfect.”