When Gen and Mika woke up very early Sunday morning, both their heads were still fuzzy and their throats sore from all the fun they had the night before. They screamed, sang, jumped around, and had more fun than Gen ever thought he could at an ani-rave. While there were a lot of people who showed, it didn’t feel too crowded to him and he managed to have a great time with Mika and their friends.

There had been alcohol served but none of them touched a drop. Given what Mika had learned about what Gen had gone through in high school, he was secretly glad that Gen didn’t even glance at what Marcus termed the Booze Booth. They ate crap food, drank sodas, laughed loudly, and goofed around. Kelly and Mika nearly peed themselves when Riley and Gen attempted to imitate different moves from several anime and failed at many of them. Gen did pull off an amazing backflip off some steps while Riley slid down rails in his sneakers. Marcus, less athletically inclined than his friends, had fun showing off his dance skills, even trying to teach Gen a few. 

All in all, it had been a great end to the semester. Kelly, Riley, and Marcus all wished Gen safe travels, instructed him to take tons of pictures, and to bring back souvenirs from his family trip. Gen assured them it wouldn’t be that exciting but would send pics.

Mika had his head on Gen’s chest, his arm slung over his stomach, Gen’s arm around his shoulders as he moaned and groaned at having to wake up so early. Gen was just as annoyed when the alarm went off. First the one set on his phone, then the one at his door when Kana pounded on it, yelling at them to get their lazy asses out of bed.

“Fuck you,” they both muttered in response. They rolled over, Gen wrapping Mika even tighter in his arms.

“Genya, we really do need to get up,” Mika said, his voice groggy.

“No,” Gen mumbled. “I’ll just pretend I’m dead so I don’t have to go.”

“As much as I would love that, your dad would be pissed. And Kana would literally drag your ass onto the plane.”

“Let her try, I can take her.” Mika looked up at him, his face buried in Gen’s neck. Gen shrugged. “I could try.”

Mika nibbled on his neck and rolled out of Gen’s arms, to Gen’s great consternation. He pulled Mika back on top of him and held him down, Mika trying hard not to laugh at Gen’s temper tantrum.

“Genya, we need to get up,” he said again, this time a little more insistently.

“Nooooo!” Gen argued. “Because that would mean I really won’t see you again.”

“It’s a week, Gen,”

“One long goddamn week, hundreds of miles apart, with just a phone to keep us connected. What if something happens while I’m gone? How am I going to get to you?”

“Don’t start that again,” Mika said, flicking Gen’s nipple, straddling him. “I told you, seventeen times now. Everything…”

“Is going to be fine,” Gen said along with him, unenthusiastically. “I’m still going to worry, Mika, I have that right.”

“You’re the only one who does,” Mika agreed. “And don’t think for one second I won’t be missing and worrying about you, too. Now get your fine ass out of bed.” He rolled off of Gen with Gen’s growls of discontent getting him out of bed.

“Get up, lazy ass!” Kana’s voice shouted from the bottom of the stairs. 

“Suck pole, wench!” Gen replied.

Mika laughed as he got dressed, tossing a t-shirt in Gen’s face.

A few minutes later, they made their way downstairs, Gen’s suitcases already set up by the garage door, his backpack over his shoulder.

Don handed Gen a travel mug of coffee and took his bag from him. “Kana has breakfast ready. Eat.” 

Gen grunted and he and Mika headed to the kitchen, Gen’s arms around Mika, his chin on his shoulder. “Too fucking early for this shit,” he groused.

“Well if you hadn’t insisted on a second go ‘round, you wouldn’t be this tired, now would you?” 

“Didn’t hear you complaining,” Gen teased. 

“Not the point,” Mika said, handing him a plate. Gen stood up straight and loaded up with scrambled eggs, sausage links, and three big pancakes. Mika’s plate had about half the amount on his own plate. They were joined by Kana, dressed in a conservative tee and jeans, her blonde hair tied up in a long ponytail. 

She kissed Mika on the head and flicked her brother’s ear. “‘Bout damn time you got up.” 

“Fuck off,” Gen said, his mouth full of pancake.

Kana got her own plate and sat on the other side of Mika. “Your mom knows where to meet us, right?”

Mika nodded. “She said she’ll be there at six so she can spend some time with everyone before your plane leaves.”

“Cool deal,” Kana said. 

“So nice she gets to sleep in,” Gen complained. He was definitely not an early morning person, Mika noted.

Don joined them a minute later with a full plate and his own travel mug full of black coffee. Mika went back for a second cup of his own, sweetening it to taste. They chatted for a little bit longer, finishing their meal. Gen’s mood improved as the coffee kicked in and the big breakfast worked its magic. He even helped Kana clean up while Mika and Don went through the house making sure they grabbed everything they needed, including phone chargers and earbuds. Kana had forgotten to grab her Nezuko headphones and Mika grabbed them for her. 

Gen went back up to the loft to grab a wristband and a few bracelets, one of which Ana had made him in daycare. He also grabbed a new set of gauges and hoops for his ears, including a new barbell for his industrial piercing in his left ear that Mika had got him. It was an arrow with two hearts in the middle. He also replaced the piercings in his brow and lip with clear plastic ones. He had reluctantly agreed with his dad to remove his daith and conch piercings since he knew he was going to catch enough crap for the three extra lobe piercings he had received in the past year along with the industrial. When Don had asked him to leave behind the arrow, Gen fought him and won. If he couldn’t take Mika, he would take something that symbolized him and their relationship. Don relented.

Once everyone was satisfied they had everything they needed, they piled into the SUV and headed to the airport, Mika and Gen in the backseat, fingers entwined. It was an hour drive to their destination and it wasn’t long before the boys were asleep, Mika’s head on Gen’s shoulder.

The process getting to the departure gate went smoothly with no long lines or issues with security. Mika’s pass to join them was procured without incident, and they fell into the mildly uncomfortable airport seats, Gen sliding back so his legs were sticking out into the middle of the floor, his head leaning against the back of the seat, his hands folded on his stomach, eyes closed.

Kana kicked his feet, complaining he was in everyone’s way. He flipped her off. Mika tapped his arm and handed him one of the earbuds they shared so they could listen to some music. He pulled up Man With A Mission’s new album in the music app, making sure to Favorite it so it was permanently added to their personal playlists. 

Kana sat next to Gen, her own headphones on as she watched YouTube videos. Don stood over by the large window watching the planes come in and depart at regular intervals, occasionally checking his messages and work emails for any case updates.

For anyone else in the airport, this was a scene like any other. For Mika and Gen, it was a memory to hold them over for the next week while they were apart. They sat together, listening to music, reading manhwa and scrolling through social media, laughing quietly and talking about absolutely nothing. Gen had his arm around Mika’s shoulder, holding his hand, a favorite position for them when they were in public. 

They were startled when they heard voices call their names. They turned to see Ana and Ben running up to them, Jo trying in vain to get them to settle down. Mika and Gen scooped up the children and Gen gave Jo a side hug.

Don and Kana received their own hugs from Jo and the kids, but Ana refused to leave Gen’s arms. She wasn’t letting “her Genya” leave without reminding him who loved him best.

“Excited?” Jo asked them. 

Don shrugged. “Somewhat. Mom’s health hasn’t been great lately and Dad hasn’t learned what the word ‘retirement’ actually means.”

Jo chuckled. “Mika’s grandfather is the same way. At least, he was the last time we spoke. It’s been a while…” Her voice trailed off and she patted Mika’s head. “Anyway, how long is the flight supposed to take?”

They talked that way for a little while, all of them trying to avoid the inevitable goodbye’s that were on the way. Don was the only one listening for the call to board, and even he was trying to ignore it. He loved his folks, but he wasn’t looking forward to the grilling he usually got from his old man or the preaching he received from his mother.

And then it came…

“Attention all passengers, flight 1646 to…”

Don sighed. “Guess that’s us,” he said. He looked to Gen. “You might only have a couple minutes so…take advantage of it, kid.”

Gen nodded sadly. He put Ana down, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Be good for me, okay?”

“Okay,” she said in her small voice. 

Ben gave him a hug, promising the same. “Try not to have too much fun,” he said. “You have to come back.”

“Trust me, I’m not planning on ever staying away for long.”

He stood and gave Jo a hug. “Please take care of yourself, yeah?”

Jo nodded. “You, too, Genya.” She gave Kana a big hug. “Love you, girl.”

“Love you back,” Kana said before giving both kids one big hug. “Love you, babies. I’ll miss you!”

While Kana was gushing her goodbyes, Mika and Gen stepped away. Mika stepped into Gen’s arms, his own wrapped around Gen’s neck. 

They said nothing for long moments, just stood there holding each other. They didn’t want to make their parting real by speaking those dreadful words.

“This sucks,” Gen whispered in Mika’s ear, his voice breaking.

“Don’t do that,” Mika whispered in his shoulder, also trying not to cry.

“I can just put you in my suitcase,” Gen said, trying to make a joke.

“Gen…”

“Sorry…”

Mika’s hands slipped down Gen’s shoulders and he curled his fingers in the fabric of his hoodie. Gen heard his sniffles and felt his body shake with silent tears. He kissed his neck, his cheek, and then his mouth. They had agreed not to say goodbye but the moment still hurt without having to say anything.

“Mika? We need to get going,” Jo said softly.

“Okay, Mom,” Mika said, his voice thick. 

“I love you, Mika Torino.”

“I love you, Genya.” They stepped back, their eyes holding for a few more seconds, Mika’s full of tears, Gen’s full of sadness. He really did not want to go but he knew he had no choice. 

He turned and walked toward his family, his hand slowly slipping from Mika’s, his head down. Mika watched him walk away and then turned to join his mother and siblings as they headed out of the large departure area. He did not want to watch the plane take off, he already told Gen that.

The whole parting was painful as hell. He just didn’t realize how much until it happened. Yes, it was only a week. They had said it for days, trying to reassure themselves that it was a good thing for them and that they would both be too busy to miss each other too much anyway.

But it still hurt to watch Gen walk away like that. Still hurt to see Kana’s eyes as she waved goodbye to Mika and his family. Still hurt to feel that last fatherly squeeze on his shoulder from Don. They were as much his family as his own, if not more so, and he had no idea how to go about his days now without them, even if it was just for a short time.

“Mika!” 

He stopped, Gen’s voice calling to him from across the terminal shutting his brain down. He turned, seeing Gen run toward him. 

“Mika, wait!”

Mika didn’t think. He ran toward him, dodging a guy who almost walked right into him. His tears blurred his vision as Gen caught him in his arms, lifting him up, his mouth moving desperately with Mika’s. Neither of them cared where they were. All they cared about was each other. All Mika knew was Gen’s hand in his hair, his tongue in his mouth, his tears mingling with his. All he felt was Gen’s thick hair under his fingers, his arms around Gen’s neck, his toes barely touching the floor as Gen slowly set him back down.

Gen reluctantly released the kiss, his forehead to Mika’s. He put his hands on either side of Mika’s neck, his thumbs on his jaw. “Please stay safe,” he said, almost pleading. “Here…” He took off two of his corded bracelets and took one of Mika’s hands, slipping them onto his wrist. “I want these back when I get home.”

“No promises,” Mika said, smiling through his tears. 

“I love you.” Gen said with a sad smile as he backed away. “I’ll be home soon. Promise!” He slowly let Mika’s hand fall from his own as he trotted back to the terminal gate. He picked up his backpack from where it sat with his family, turned and waved one last time, before disappearing with them down the tunnel that led to the plane.

Mika watched him go, the kiss still fresh on his lips, the taste of Gen’s coffee on his tongue. He felt Jo put her arms around him from the side. She brushed his hair from his face and planted a kiss on his temple. 

“Come on, musuko. Let’s go home.” She took his hand and they turned away, not looking back, just as he had initially promised the night before.

Don’t look back when I leave, Mika. I don’t want you to see me go.

Another tear fell from his eye as Anabelle took his other hand. “I miss him, too.” she said. She looked up at her Oniichan and tried to smile. “Not as much as you, though.”

She didn’t know how right she was.

-*-