Tayvis One-Shots

come back to me

Taylor's POV

Winter, 1942

The train station was alive with movement and sound, yet it felt like the loneliest place in the world. Everywhere I looked, families clung to their sons, husbands, brothers, boys in crisp military uniforms preparing to board the train that would carry them off to fight in the war. The air was thick with steam from the engine, the metallic scent of the tracks mingling with the salty tang of tears.

Travis stood in front of me, his Army-issued duffle bag slung over one shoulder, his uniform neat and pressed. The patch on his sleeve, U.S. Army, was a brutal reminder of why he was here, of what was pulling him away from me.

"Taylor," he said softly, his deep voice steady despite the chaos around us.

I shook my head, gripping his hand tighter. "Don't say it. Don't say goodbye. If you say it, it's real."

His free hand came up to cradle my cheek, his touch warm against the icy chill of the December morning. "It is real, Tay. I'm being sent to Europe. I'm going to fight." His voice cracked on the last word, but he pushed through. "But I need you to know, I'll come back. No matter what happens, I'll find my way back to you."

"You don't know that," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Travis, you're going to a war. A war! How can you promise me that?"

His thumb brushed away a tear that had slipped down my cheek. "Because I love you, Taylor. You're my reason to fight. You're my reason to survive."

The train's whistle blared, loud and shrill, cutting through the bitter winter air. Around us, other soldiers were pulling away from their loved ones, climbing aboard. I felt the seconds slipping away, like sand falling through an hourglass I couldn't stop.

"I hate this," I said, my voice breaking as I clutched the front of his coat. "I hate that you have to go, that this stupid war is taking you from me."

"I hate it too," he admitted, his forehead resting against mine. "But you have to believe me when I say I'm doing this for you. For us. To make sure there's a future where we can live without fear. Where we can be together, without this hanging over our heads."

Tears streamed down my face, and I didn't care who saw. I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. "Travis, please..."

He kissed me then, a kiss so full of love and desperation that it felt like the world had stopped for a moment. His hands were gentle but firm, holding me close like he was trying to memorize the feel of me, to take me with him in every way he could.

When he pulled back, his eyes were glassy, the strong façade he'd been wearing threatening to crumble. "I'll be back," he said, his voice low but fierce. "I swear it, Taylor."

The whistle blew again, a conductor shouting the final boarding call.

Travis exhaled, his shoulders straightening as he picked up his duffle. He hesitated, his eyes scanning my face one last time. "Keep this for me," he said, pressing his dog tags into my hand.

I nodded, clutching the metal tightly, the cold edges biting into my palm.

"Promise me you'll wait for me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I promise," I said, though my voice trembled with the weight of it. "But you better keep your promise too, Travis Kelce. You better come back to me."

"I will," he said firmly, his lips brushing against my forehead in a final goodbye.