I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can) - A Tayvis Story

Lost In The Gray

(29th April 2019)

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Travis was doing so much better now. He could walk on his own, his leg gaining strength with each passing day. Taylor estimated that in another month or so, with continued work, his leg would be as good as new. He was on the verge of returning to football, and Taylor couldn't be happier for him. But today, despite all the positive signs, she felt a weight she couldn't shake. The kind that clung to you without reason or warning.

She texted Travis to meet her at their usual spot by the bridge. It had become their place—a quiet corner of the world where they could just be, without the weight of expectations.

As Taylor walked toward the bench, she carried her guitar with her, hoping it would soothe her restless mind. But even the familiar comfort of the strings felt distant today. The wind tousled her hair, her side locks falling into her face as she sat down and took a deep breath. She started absentmindedly strumming the chords to a song that had always held a special place in her heart.

Her voice was soft, carrying the lyrics out into the quiet afternoon:

I remember tears streaming down your face

When I said I'll never let you go

When all those shadows almost killed your light

I remember you said don't leave me here alone

But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down

You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now

Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound

Don't you dare look out your window, darling, everything's on fire

The war outside our door keeps raging on

Hold onto this lullaby even when the music's gone, gone

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down

You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now

Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound

Taylor closed her eyes, letting the song pour out of her, the melody easing some of the tension that had settled in her chest. She didn't even realize when Travis arrived, quietly sitting beside her, watching her with a mix of admiration and something deeper—something he wasn't sure how to name yet.

When she finally opened her eyes, she found him staring at her, his eyes bright and soft with unspoken emotion.

"That was beautiful," Travis said quietly, his voice thick with sincerity. "One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard."

Taylor blushed slightly, her heart swelling with both pride and something else she couldn't quite place. "Thank you," she said softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's one of those songs that... just stays with you."

Travis studied her for a moment, noticing the heaviness in her expression, the way her shoulders were slumped, the tightness around her eyes. "You seem... off," he said, his voice gentle. "Like you're lost in your head or something. What's going on?"

Taylor sighed, not meeting his gaze. "I don't know... It's just one of those days, you know? Where you wake up and nothing feels right. Like your mind's stuck on a loop, and you can't shut it off."

Travis frowned, concern lining his face. "A bad day?"

She nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Yeah... it's like a tape recorder playing over and over in my head, and I can't figure out how to stop it." Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard as the tears she'd been holding back started to spill over. She quickly wiped them away, embarrassed by how vulnerable she felt.

Without hesitation, Travis wrapped her in his arms, holding her tight against his chest. His touch was steady, warm, grounding her in the moment. "It's okay, Tay," he whispered into her hair. "You're going to be okay. Everything's going to be fine."

But Taylor shook her head against him, her voice trembling. "No, Travis. It's not. I keep coming back to the past, and it's like... it's like I'm trapped there. Stuck in this pain, and I don't know how to break free. It feels like no matter what I do, it's always lurking right behind me."

Travis tightened his grip, resting his chin on the top of her head. "Sometimes..." he started, his voice low, "sometimes that pain is the only way forward. It's part of what shapes us, even when it feels like it's crushing us."

Taylor pulled back slightly, her eyes glassy as she looked up at him. "But my pain... it's like a cage. It keeps me from everything that could bring me happiness. It keeps me from moving on."

Travis held her gaze, a soft smile forming. "You know," he said quietly, "a wise woman once told me, 'You can't change the past, but you can change how you move forward.'"

Taylor blinked, surprised by his words. She let out a soft, almost incredulous laugh as she raised an eyebrow at him. "A wise woman, huh?"

Travis smiled back, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Yeah. She's one of the strongest people I've ever known. She's the reason I'm even here, still fighting."

Her heart ached at his words. Tears welled up again, but this time they were different—softer, full of gratitude. She didn't speak, couldn't find the words, so she just leaned in and hugged him tightly.

They sat there, wrapped in each other's warmth, until Taylor, her voice barely steady, finally broke the silence. "There's something I've never told you," she murmured, pulling back just enough to meet his eyes. "Something I've been carrying for years, and I don't know why... but I feel like I need to tell you now."

Travis's gaze softened, his expression serious, ready to absorb whatever she was about to share.

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I would just say that brace yourselves for upcoming chapters😅

I hope you liked it.

Thanks for reading.

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