Hatori remained quiet for most of the ride. His jaw locked, tense, and shoulders back. The drive to the airport hadn't been too long, but for the dragon, it felt like centuries. His pride kept him silent, not speaking the things he felt deep in the pit of his stomach. The worries. The concerns. What if he doesn't come back? What if something happens on the plane? Will he miss me? Will he meet someone else… Someone new?

These concerns remained unvoiced; it wasn't like him to agonize over such pointless things. The flight would be fine, and Shigure would return home safely. Even if Shigure were to meet someone else, Hatori knew the dog would honor the commitment he'd made to him. There was no reason to fret.

Shigure was standing in front of him now, the gate just in the distance and Hatori's thoughts were drowned out now by the female on the loud intercom, calling out which planes were about to depart. He couldn't hear himself, he couldn't think. A sweat broke out at the nape of Hatori's neck, and his gaze was shifting a bit, looking anywhere but at those darkened orbs. That was when he heard it.

"Think you'll be okay while I'm gone? I wouldn't want you getting into to much trouble~"

The dog is standing there, eyes clear and mischievous, the smirk dancing across his lips. It was a teasing statement, but Hatori wasn't fooled. Shigure meant those words, particularly the first half of that sentence… Think you'll be okay while I'm gone?

…Would he? Hatori had kept Shigure by his side since he was an infant. This was the first time in their three decades together that the dog had decided to travel a bit. Hatori was being left behind. Would he be alright? Would he be able to carry on without his rock there to bolster him?

Hatori reached up, nervously tugging at the thick bangs covering his left eye for a moment, trying to process the question. He wants to answer yes, get snippy and respond that it'sShigure who will probably get into trouble, and that Hatori would be just fine. He wants to get scathing, and tell him that he will enjoy the alone time. For once, he can have a moment of peace without the mutt bothering him.

But that isn't what came out.

Hatori takes a step closer. Inching nearer and nearer to the dog. He steals a glance or two at the crowds of people rushing around them, the hustle and bustle of business men and women trying to catch their plane- no doubt for some huge business meeting that would dictate their entire lives. Hatori's heart was thrumming loudly in his chest, feeling uncomfortable by just getting this close to his partner in public. Hatori used to scold Shigure for even walking too close to him when they went grocery shopping together- PDA was notthe dragon's thing, admittedly. He was uneasy about it. It put him on edge.

However, his discomfort was one on the last things on his mind currently. His fingers raised up and gently traced the cheekbone of his partner, before leaning in. Kissing Shigure, Hatori remained modest for a moment, before his head tilted to the side and moved to deepen it. If this was the last kiss he'd give Shigure, he wanted the dog the remember it. He wanted him to remember it for the entirety of his trip. The dragon wanted to imprint his lips, his fingertips into the dog's skin and mark him so everyone would know that this dog was his, and no one else's.

Hatori gasped softly, his body pressing into the other's much more built stature, memorizing every sensation of this. He'd need it to keep him company over the sure-to-be lonely next week of his life. His first week without Shigure. His first week alone. It was terrifying. All he could do now was give it his best shot to let Shigure know just how much he loved him, andjust how much he would miss him.

Even if it had to be here, in a public, busy airport.

The intercom announced a last call for Shigure's flight, and Hatori pulled away with a reluctant, upset groan. His breathing was shallow, trying to regain both his composure and his breath. Gently, he closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against Shigure's, still panting quietly.

"Shigure," Hatori breathed, not opening his eyes. He couldn't bare to. "I… I love you. Please be safe. I'll miss you. I'll… I'll be waiting for you."