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Evan checks the time on his smartwatch. That simple move makes the humble flower bouquet tilt over and almost slip from his hand, direct the floor. He presses with more pressure in the base to secure it, and his heart jumps a little. There's already one rose missing from the initial bouquet, that was decapitated with the truck door after he got out in the airport parking lot.
The lobby is crowded. The plane arriving from Chicago has already landed, and the first passengers start to come out from the custom zone.
He's nervous. It's been almost one week since they saw each other. Of course, they are used to not matching schedules sometimes due to work but, again, one week is a lot. So, managing to fix his night shift and buying some nice flowers to wait for Tommy at the airport seems like a great idea.
There's a golden retriever over ten feet from him, seating quietly next to its owner, who is clearly also waiting for someone from the same flight. An old lady with a cane and a notorious limp walks back and forth along the waiting area. Evan remembers how painful it is for him when his bad leg decides it’s not in a good mood, and automatically understands why she needs to keep on moving. He can’t spot any near seat to rest.
“Why is he taking so long?” He thinks, after some eternal minutes, trying to peek every time the slide doors open for more people to come out, only to have the luck of spotting Tommy.
But there’s no signs of him.
Evan checks his watch again.
A sudden fear assaults him.
What if he got the flight number wrong? No, that’s not possible. They talked before the plane left Chicago. This is the right flight, the right time.
Still, seeing all those people hugging their loved ones and running to meet their friends makes him a little anxious.
Evan takes a few steps to a nearby column, where the flights information is shown on an LCD screen. He glances at the flowers. Still fresh, but already a little worn out, they start to reflect how tense he’s feeling right now.
A wild phone enters his visual field, when he’s lost in his thoughts.
“Excuse me, could you take a picture of us?”
Evan stares at the phone, processing the words.
“Excuse me?”
A young guy is standing next to him, a frank smile on his face, whiles he holds the phone in the air.
“Uh, y-yeah, of course.” Evan murmurs, taking it from his hand, and for a moment he’s not sure where to leave the flowers.
“Oh, I’m sorry, did I make it difficult to you?” He exclaims, seeing the struggle.
“No, no, no worries.” Evan smiles. The camera is already set, so when Evan’s skilled free hand points to the family group, he can recognize the golden retriever, posing in the middle. “Ok, everyone, ready? Say cheese!” He raises his voice, snapping several pictures.
“Thank you so much.” A young girl says, grabbing the phone.
“No problem.”
His smile fades once he’s alone, taking a deep breath as he sees how another rose has left the cute welcome team, ending on the floor. He picks it up and is about to toss it in the trash, but he can’t do that. He leaves it over the phone-charging point shelf.
The number of passengers is slimming, and the arrival lobby slowly becomes quieter. It's almost one hour since the plane landed; Tommy should have come out by now.
The gates open one more time. The long legs of a few flight attendants appear, tight uniforms and perfect smiley faces chatting vividly with each other.
The cabin crew are the last people to come out. Evan thinks, sighing.
Until he sees him. Black, shiny shoes, neat pants and jacket, with bright yellow stripes across the arms. A silver badge on the chest. Evan then looks up. Gorgeous pilot cap that frames the most beautiful face he knows too well. His heart skips fast.
There is no doubt that Tommy is always so handsome, but there is something Evan can’t explain when he’s in his pilot’s uniform. That’s the pilot in charge. His pilot.
“Evan?” He exclaims, at the distance, and a sudden smile enlarges.
“Hey.”
Tommy murmurs something to Henry, his co-pilot, and hurries his steps to close that distance between them. The hug is long and needy. It's only a week, but It’s the first time they’re apart that long. Normally, Tommy’s away for a couple of days, maybe three. Seven is a lot.
“How-- What are you doing here?” Tommy says once they separate, his hands on Evan’s cheeks.
“Surprise?” Evan snorts. “Look, I brought you these.”
Tommy glances at the surviving flowers and laughs.
“You’re unbelievable.” Tommy kisses him. After a week. His lips taste like home and peppermint chewing gum. “Flowers, Evan?”
“Or whatever’s left of them.” He smiles shyly. “These are true warriors, I must tell you.”
“I love them.” Tommy grabs the bouquet and takes a deep breath. “And you, Evan. Can’t believe you came to wait for me tonight.”
“Well, I did, just... don’t go away for a whole week again, alright? I can’t promise I won’t go after you next time.”
“Promised.” Tommy says solemn, raising his fingers. But he knows it’s not up to him. They both know. With every flight hour, with the gained experience, Tommy is told to cover longer distances, farther cities. “Let me say goodbye to the crew and we’re ready to go, ok?”
“Don’t take so long, I’m not done missing you.” Evan pouts, before sharing a small kiss.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. We have four full days to enjoy, since this moment.”
Tommy is leaving again to New York. He's gonna be away for three days, but none of them wants to think about that now. Tonight, they walk in silence toward the truck, hands around each other’s waist.
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