Now it was Suzu’s turn to choke on the wine. 

There was no way that was true. It was Saku! Surely he’d had plenty of men fawning over him!

“T-That… there’s no way that could be true, Saku. I have a very hard time believing you’ve been single for nine years.”

Saku laughed again, “Darling, I never said I was single. I just said that you were the only one I’ve ever loved. I most certainly have not been lacking in the bedroom, I mean look at me.” 

Suzu rolled his eyes at the last comment; Saku’s vanity hadn’t changed, it may have even gotten worse. 

But it’s not like he had no basis to brag. 

“You have grown even more beautiful, Saku. The years have treated you well.”

“Careful Suzu-kun, flattery will get you everywhere.” 

Suzu felt his cheeks heat up. He shouldn’t have said that but when he looked at Saku, it was like all thought and reason disappeared. Nine years later and feelings he had thought were long gone were just there again. 

“Sorry I didn’t mean to imply anything, I just—”

Before he could finish the excuse that he didn’t have fully formed, an announcement interrupted him. 

“Attention, attention. Thank you for visiting New Chitose Airport for your travel needs. We regret to inform all travelers looking to travel to Tokyo that all current flights have been delayed once more due to high winds and dangerous weather conditions. We apologize for the inconvenience and encourage all travelers to speak with an agent for further assistance.”

It was almost funny how he and Saku groaned at the same time. 

“Fuck. Noah is going to be pissed.”

“I’m doomed to miss the wedding at this point.”

They both sighed and took a long drink before looking at each other and laughing. 

How could they still be so perfectly in sync after being apart for so long? It was as if nothing bad had ever happened, as if they could still be perfectly happy together. If only he hadn’t…

“So you’re in Tokyo now?”

“Oh, um yeah. You too?”

Saku nodded, “I mean, technically I’ve been abroad for a few years but I always return to Tokyo.” 

“Abroad?”

“Mmhmm, I’ve been doing an internship under a patisserie chef and just finished it up last week. I had planned to spend a day up here just to try out different restaurants, get some cheese tarts, but well, then the typhoon kept me here much longer than I anticipated.” 

“A patisserie chef? Does that mean,” Suzu hesitated for a moment, “you’re really following your dream? To become a chef?”

Saku’s cheeks changed to a soft pink, “Well you know, you always told me it was something I’d be good at.”

“Well of course. I always loved your cooking.”

The redhead looked down at the burgundy liquid in his hand, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. Was he actually acting shy right now?

“I, um…” He cleared his throat as if shaking off the vulnerability, “I managed to get into the right school, and well, things happened.”

“That’s wonderful, Saku. I’m happy for you.”

Saku shrugged and quickly drank from his glass, obviously trying to look anywhere but at Suzu. Maybe he had overdone the praise.

They weren’t dating after all…

But Suzu couldn’t help it. He was genuinely happy for and proud of Saku for getting so far with his dream. He remembered so many nights trying food that Saku had worked hard to make and to perfect. The bentos he would make for Suzu and how they would share them on the rooftop during lunch. 

His heart ached, missing those days so much.