Ben Brainard + The Table x Reader

Texas x Reader (She/Her) - Angst - Twenty One Gun Salute

A/N: Thank you, @Shay201457 , for the request! Also, Dress Blues are military formal wear. I also am not entirely sure as to how this process works, and I don't really have time to research it, so we're making stuff up. Not gonna lie, I cried writing this

Texas' POV (Takes Place in 1945)

I finished setting the table, excited for Y/n to come home. Her flight was supposed to land this morning, and she was going to be coming by today since we hadn't seen each other in over a year. I would've gone to get her, but I was only fifteen in human years and I couldn't drive yet. Y/n was a nurse in the second world war, and her deployment was officially over now. I had bought a ring last week, I was proposing to her today. I couldn't wait to start our life together. As I went to go check on the food in the oven someone knocked, and I bolted for the door. I was grinning from ear to ear as I opened the door, but I was only left confused when I saw two men in Dress Blues. "Sir, we are looking for Texas United States, is he here?" The one on the left asked, and I nodded as I swallowed roughly. Dread began to fill me as I informed him it was me. The man on the right handed me a letter, apologizing as they turned on their heel and left me standing confused at my doorstep. I tore open the envelope, my heart pounding as I began to read it.

Dear Texas,

Y/n L/n had you as her emergency contact, so are hand delivering this letter to you. We deeply apologize, and regret to inform you that all medical personnel placed with the unit returning home today were ambushed on the way to the airport. No survivors were found, and no one was reported Missing in Action. A military funeral will be held for her as soon as you select a date and place of burial. At the top of the letter is the contact information you will need to inform us of this decision. We apologize for your loss.

United States Military Services, Medical Branch

My world began to tilt and spin, tears welling up in my eyes. I dropped down on the front porch, unable to hold myself up as the world crashed down on top of me. "Texas?" Gov called out, but I just shook my head. "She's not comin' home now," I sobbed, my hat falling off my head as I tucked my head between my knees. "Who's not coming home?" he asks, picking up the letter I dropped. "Please tell me this is just a dream," I begged, this couldn't be real. "Oh, Texas," Gov sighs, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Don't tell me you told me so, or that you warned me, or whatever other bullshit. I don't wanna hear it right now," I snapped, jerking away from him. "Texas, that is not what I was going to say," Gov insisted gently, but I ignored him as my chest ached. I looked up at the sky, screaming at it like she was going to answer me, "Why'd you have you have to? What about that forever we talked about? Why'd you leave me? Huh?" I hung my head again, grabbing at my hair and pulling on it, "I'll never know what our family would've looked like, or what you would've worn on that special day. You didn't leave me anything behind, not even a picture. I can't breathe, Y/n."

I requested that she be buried in a wedding dress. Y/n had a pretty one pinned up on her wall in her room, and I got it for her. I got us matching rings so I had at least that. Y/n were wearing hers and I had on mine. I was standing over her, trying not to cry as the church choir sang the melody to what used to be the happiest song I'd ever heard. Now, it was the last song I wanted to hear. The wedding march had never been so dreary. "Today should've been our wedding day. I know we ain't married, but I'll never take this ring off," I whispered to Y/n, stepping away so they could lower her into her final resting place. The choir stopped singing as two men in Dress Blues stepped over to her casket and removed the flag to fold it. Tears began to fall as I watched the triangle form and get tucked properly. My heart absolutely shattered as they approached me. How is this for me? She was too young to go. She should still be here. This should've been way into the future, I thought to myself as I had to accept the flag. As they saluted and walked away I closed my eyes, struggling to hold up the flag. It felt like I was carrying dead weight. My body shook as the twenty one gun salute began. When the guns rang that last shot, it felt like a bullet in my heart. You really were gone, and this was not just some horrible dream.