The Pilot's Lover • Collins (Dunkirk)

Fifteen.

departure
dɪˈpɑːtʃə/Submit

noun;

noun: departure; plural noun: departures
the action of leaving, especially to start a journey.

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*Song suggestion:
What makes a man? - City And Colour.

(Betty's POV)

"Train one hundred and eight, travelling north, will be leaving the platform in ten minutes. Passengers boarding, please get ready to leave. "

A voice boomed from the post beside us.
I turned to Collins, part of me hoped that this wasn't his train;
but by the look on his own face, I could tell it was.

"That's my train"
My heart shattered into one million peaces as the words drew from his lips.

I let out a forced smile, forcing myself to be happy for him.
'Don't be selfish Betty, he deserves to go home; to see his family'
I told myself.

We pushed through the crowds of soldiers towards the train.
With every step passing, the more the tears welled up.
Until finally we reached the train.

We stopped.
And so did time.
I couldn't look him in the eyes, I didn't want to break.

He lifted my chin up with his finger.

"You see all these stars?"
He questioned. His voice was soft, almost at a whisper.

Millions of stars scattered across the sky. All bright, standing together to light the night sky.

"Mhm"
I hummed, not wanting to speak in case I let out a slight sign of sorrow.

"They remind me of you"
He stated.
"They shine so bright. They're so beautiful, they seem to light up the world when in it's darkest times"

I took a deep breath and looked him in the eye.

"You do the exact same thing, you light up my world, you guide the way when it's too dark for me to see. Even though they're so far away, they still seem to be there when I'm all alone"
His words somehow hurt me, even though they weren't intended to be taken negatively.

A tear escaped my eye and fell down my cheek, a whole waterfall followed.

"Shhh, my love. Don't you cry, you'll set me off!"
He joked, pulling me into a warm embrace.

"I love you so much, Collins"
I cried into his chest.

"And I love you, Betty"

It felt like I was hanging onto him like my life depended on it. I never wanted to let go.

"Train one hundred and eight, heading north to leave in five minutes, passengers please board and prepare to leave"
The monotonous voice announced.

"Here"
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards to a table filled with paper and clipboards.
I watched as he ripped a small piece off paper off some kind of document and scribbled something down