peter (tayvis shortfic)

promises oceans deep but never to keep

September, New York

It was a cold September afternoon, and Taylor's house was quiet. She was sitting on the couch, legs crossed, staring at her phone. It had been weeks since their routines had started to pull them apart. Travis was in the thick of the NFL season, traveling from city to city, while Taylor was consumed with the preparation of her new album, which was about to be released.

She didn't want to admit it, but something in her chest felt tight. Their conversations had become shorter, their meetings more sporadic. Time seemed to pass faster than she could keep up with, and what was supposed to be a period of growth now felt like a void.

Travis entered the door, wearing his team uniform, sweaty and exhausted, as usual. He gave a tired smile, but Taylor couldn't help but notice the distance between them. Something was wrong, but she didn't know how to fix it.

"Hey, Tay," he said, dropping his bag on the floor and walking toward her.

"Hey," she replied, trying to mask the sadness in her voice. "How was practice?"

"Intense. Like always." He sat next to her, but the tension in the air was palpable.

They sat in silence for a moment, Taylor's eyes fixed on the floor. She felt that it was time to talk, but the worry in her mind made her hesitate.

"Trav, I... need to talk to you about something." Her voice was soft, and he turned to look at her, noticing the seriousness in her tone.

"Of course, what happened?" He furrowed his brow, already wondering what she was about to say.

She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words. "I... I think we're growing apart. Our routine is taking over everything, and... I'm not sure we can keep going like this."

Travis looked at her with a pained expression, but also one of understanding. "I know. I've been feeling it too. But... we both know that our lives are chaotic right now, and... maybe we just need a little space."

"Yes, but... it's not just that." She looked at him, her eyes starting to well up. "I think we're too immature for this. We don't have the stability we need, and... maybe it's just not the right time, Travis. I'm scared we ruin everything. I'm scared we end up hating eachother"

Her words cut through the air, and Travis slowly stood up, walking over to the window. He seemed lost in his own thoughts. "So... what are you saying? That we should break up now?"

Taylor felt a pang in her chest, but she knew it was the right decision. She stood and walked over to him. "I think so, but in an friendly way, without any hard feelings, you know? I love you, Travis. But we can't keep going like this. Sometimes love is not enough. I want us to understand each other, to still be friends, without the pressure."

He turned to face her, and for a moment, their eyes met in silence. Then, Travis gave a sad smile and said, "Then I'll grow up and come back to you."

Taylor felt a lump in her throat but tried to smile, knowing that phrase carried so much weight. "I... I want to believe that. But right now, we need to go separate ways for a while."

He looked at her for a few more seconds, as if wanting to say more, but then he simply nodded, accepting her decision. "I understand. It'll be hard, but... if this is what you want..."

"It's what I need, Travis," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I'll always want the best for you, always."

They stood there in silence, as if the weight of the words they'd shared was enough to say everything they couldn't express otherwise.