Chapter Text
Race sat in the airport, hand gripped tightly in Albert’s to keep it from shaking, heartbeat too loud against his eardrums. It was just a month, a month spent programming and solving and building and doing everything his brain was wired to do. A month without Al. It would be a very long month, even with facetime and text messages and those stupid little snapchats he loved so much.
It’s like his boyfriend could feel the tension, the way he was coiled up like a spring. Albert pressed a kiss to his temple, and then the boarding announcement came over the loudspeaker for his flight. Race seemed to freeze, unable to move until Al was tugging him to his feet by his hand.
“I’ll text you as soon as I land, and facetime you when I won’t be bothering anyone else.” Race pecked Albert’s lips lightly, trying to keep his eyes dry. “I love you.”
“I’ll send you memes while you’re in the air so you have something to remind you when you land. I love you.”
Albert’s kiss was much less tame, a hard, long press to his lips, their eyes sliding closed in tandem, his warm hand splayed against Race’s back, curving his body towards him. Race set his hand on his boyfriend’s cheek, letting the kiss linger a moment longer before pulling away, resting his forehead against Albert’s, panting for breath.
“God, I’m gonna miss you. I’ll be back in a month, and then I’m going to be the most irritating, clingy boyfriend in history.” Race’s breathy laugh accompanied his dramatic words, air ghosting over Albert’s face.
“Bold of you to assume I won’t be worse. Now go.” Albert pecked his lips shortly again, squeezing his hand lightly before stepping back. Race was tempted to follow the step away, but he really did need to go.
“Ok. I’ll talk to you when I land. Don’t crash into anything on the way home.” Race laughed wetly, knowing he’s infinitely more likely to somehow manage to crash the plane than Albert is to even scratch his car.
“Fly safe. Don’t try to boss any pilots around. I love you.” Albert backed away slowly, millimeter by millimeter, but Race could feel his chest get heavier and heavier with each step.
“I love you too. I’ll be home soon.” His voice was barely audible now, Race trying to speak quietly enough it wouldn’t break in the middle and give away his emotions, but Albert could probably read him like a book.
Instead, Albert just nodded, a reassuring smile plastered on his face, and watched Race walk through the gate. It took until then for his expression to crumble, a sullen look taking its place, the only sign of just how hard it hit him being the pale red rimming his hazel eyes.
“Just come home to me, Racer. That’s all I ask.” The whisper was nearly silent, barely a wisp of breath past his lips, but his eyes glistened slightly as he turned and walked out of the terminal.