"You won't even miss me."

They embraced, knowing the words were a lie. They were a lie, but a comfort, however, and any comfort right then was greatly welcomed.

Aelita simply nodded, silenced by the lump in her throat and tears running down her cheeks.

Reluctantly, they broke apart from the already unnaturally long hug. "You'll have Shrew to keep you company," Jeremy offered. He was referring to the scruffy kitten they had found in the bushes around their apartment. After quick debate Jeremy took him to the vet and took him home; the little cat had adapted quite well. He had wanted to name him Schrodinger, but Aelita had immediately objected. That was no name for a cat, she said. So they shortened it to Shrew with her claiming that it was vaguely similar to Schrodinger in sound.

"His company is nothing compared to yours," she responded without a hint of a smile. Jeremy's own forced smile faltered.

"I could always cancel—"

"No," Aelita cut him off shortly. "You can't pass it up. We talked about this. End of story." She spoke in short, sharp bursts that discouraged further continuation of the topic.

Jeremy nodded, his smile disappearing completely. Aelita felt a momentary flare of guilt, knowing that he had just been trying to keep things as optimistic as possible. It was for her, if not for both of them. She couldn't bring herself to mutter out an apology. Instead, tears began to fill her eyes again.

"Hey, don't start now," Jeremy said softly, "You'll make me cry too."

Aelita quickly drew her sleeve over her eyes. The stricken undertone in his voice only made her want to cry more, but she somehow pushed the urge down. An uncomfortable silence settled over them.

Aelita wanted to break it, wanted to say something, to make the most of this last minute she had with him. He would be gone for years. Years with just videoconferences, calls, and texts to keep them linked.

Say something.

Nothing would come out. Internally, she screamed at herself.

Jeremy was the one to break silence. He'd left it several seconds too long, however. "Goodbye," he said simply, his voice cracking on the word. He kissed her as she stood frozen, not trusting herself to speak.

He turned and began to walk away, but he had only gone a few steps when he turned around again. "I love you."

She met his gaze, unwavering. She swallowed hard. "I love you too."

He turned around and walked again, gripping the handle of his luggage. Aelita watched him go, wanting to leave already, but also not wanting to waste any more glances at him. He was walking farther, walking to the plane that would take him too far away for comfort. The small crowd hid most of him, but Aelita strained, determined not to miss him.

He had turned around. She squinted and swore to herself that there was a tear on his cheek.

Then, over the crowd, he gave a minute wave.

It took every ounce of willpower Aelita had not to begin crying again. She felt a gaping ache split her chest as she waved back, chocking back a small sob. Tears blurred her vision.

When she wiped them away, he was gone.

I'm horrible