He waited anxiously in the airport gatehouse, sitting on one seat in an empty row and fidgeting with a bag of fruit snacks. The past twenty-thirty minutes was nervewracking, as he tried to hard to act casual and normal, dodging the weird looks from people and praying he won't get stopped during security-check. And he was najorly proud of himself that he made it through without breaking down, despite it being such a difficult task.

But before he got on the plane, he had to face with one last thing: the woman sitting just across from him, wearing a white blouse, leather jacket and blue jeans, hair a chestnut color with blond highlights, makeup, is on her phone. He knew her, he knew who she was. She was the exact person he was looking forward to meet, and the person he's trying to hide from. His girlfriend.

Debby sat just across from him, and he didn't bring his freaking mask. He only did have a black hygienic mask on, bought from a Korean. He thanked God that he had his blue contact lenses in as well, and a long sleeve shirt to cover all his tattoos. This plan can't be busted now.

But Debby has brought Jim along. The doggo was an ESA after all (not to mention practically his and Debby's first son together), but at this point, he couldn't think of anything that is worse.

Lord, have mercy.

Jim got up onto four legs and went towards him, sniffing at his feet.

He felt his heart rate picking up, just as Debby pulled the leash and scolded. "Jimmy!" She then looked at him, while he was hurriedly tugging the hood of his jacket down to cover half of his face. "I'm so sorry, sir, he's very well-behaved, I swear."

Feared, he glanced at her and nodded, even though his heart was aching.

Jim gave a bark. A tiny one.

"Jimmy," Debby called out softly, and the puppy looked at her.

Before anything else could happen, he stood up and walked to the other side of the gatehouse, not being able to keep his guilt hidden.

-

It was time for boarding, the people lined up in front of the counter at the gate. He'd once again find himself close to Debby, standing just behind her in the line. And with the line getting longer by each second, and with all the people only now making their way into the gatehouse after probably spending their free time somewhere else in the goddamn airport, there was no way he could find another spot now.

"Sorry about before." He whispered, as lowly as possible. But it seemed that she heard, as she turned around and stared at him strangely. And her eyes didn't leave his until at least a minute later.

"It's not your fault." Debby smiled. "But... sorry for staring, you just... I just thought that I heard somebody I know."

Shit

He smiled at her, too.

Shitshitshit

-

He was completely aware of Debby having the seat just behind him.