“I must go,” they said, staring down at their boarding pass. “My plane boards in less than an hour.”
“Okay.”
Bryce released their hand with one last squeeze, but instead of heading to security, they stepped toward him until they were toe barb-to-toe. “I will miss you,” they said sincerely, and his chest crackled with warm affection.
“I’m gonna miss you too.”
“It is a bit silly because I will see you in a week.” They smiled sheepishly as they placed their top hands on his shoulders. “But I will still be sad.”
“Me too,” he agreed as he swiped a thumb over their chin. “I’ve gotten used to having you around.”
With a happy chirp, they hugged him, and his whole body lit up as he pulled them close. He nuzzled their neck as they pet the back of his head, and he breathed them in, memorizing their scent of tea leaves and homemade soap and home. They smelled like home now, not only because they had spent the last two weeks in his parents’ house but becausetheyhad become home to him.
His eyes burned, but he blinked away the sudden onset of tears. It was only a week, and then he’d head back to the Pentagram. Only a week, but his heart still hurt. Long-distance was going to suck so much, but for moments like this one, when Zef melted into his arms, it would be worth it.
“Good practice,” they said, like they were on the same mental wavelength.
“Saying goodbye?”
“It is not a goodbye,” they said as they pulled back enough to meet his glossy stare. “It is a see-you-later.”
Nodding, he tucked a chunk of hair that had escaped their ponytail behind their ear. “See you later.”
Their throat bobbed. “See you later.”
Tentatively, they leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek above his beard. He wanted to turn and meet their lips with his, but he fought it. Instead, he captured their chin between his thumb and forefinger before they could retreat too far and returned the gift, kissing them as close to the corner of their mouth as he dared.
Their wings, trapped between their back and the backpack, fluttered, and they thrummed deep in their throat. Heck, he loved that sound. It sent his heart into outer orbit. And sure, it turned him on, but that was easy to ignore.
“Let me know when you land,” he said, painting their cheek with his words.
“I—I shall,” they said in a wobbly voice, and he smiled. He loved witnessing the effect he had on them; flustering them was becoming his new favorite pastime.
“I’ll see you in a week.”
“Yes.” They stepped back, cheeks flushed dark green. “Give Shula a pat between the eyes for me.”
Trinket’s foal, which Zef had named Shula, was a lively little filly, even at two days old. Since Zef had been there during her birth, she never showed signs of being afraid of them, and Bryce had teared up watching her nuzzle into Zef’s hand.
“I’ll give her extra love and attention on your behalf,” he promised, and they smiled at him.
Reaching out, they grazed their knuckles down the side of his face before they turned and strode confidently toward the security line. He waiteduntil they were through, waving to be seen above the crowd separating them as they headed deeper into the airport. They waved back as they disappeared into the masses, but Bryce didn’t move until they were completely out of sight.
Back home, he texted Oliver and Toni, letting them know Zef was on the plane and reminding them both of their arrival time in Chicago. He knew Zef could have navigated themself back to the Pentagram, but since this would be their first time traveling in the human dimension alone, he’d asked for back-up and both Oliver and Toni answered the call.
He got a text from Zef later that day, a picture of them with Oliver and Toni at the airport.
I do not need babysitters. But thank you for your thoughtfulness. I am relieved to have them with me.
You’re welcome. How was the flight?
I was anxious, but the headphones helped. I am tired but feeling otherwise good.
Good. Miss you already.
Zef didn’t immediately respond, but eventually their text pinged on his screen.
And I, you.
