Welcome To The Media (Dylmas AU)

27. Home Is Where The Heartbreak Is

Thomas's pov

34 days remaining

"I'll see you in two weeks, okay?"

Dylan kept his head angled down, watching our intertwined hands like they were the most interesting thing in the world. Neck bent, eyelashes fluttering, and the laugh lines around his eyes rather pronounced, I watched him carefully, afraid to move or even breathe. I tilted my head, moving closer to him.

"It's just two weeks, Dyl," I reassured again. I leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.

Dylan sighed. Finally he glanced up, though he avoided my heavy gaze as he looked out the side window of the car we occupied. In order to avoid being swarmed by the paparazzi, Dylan and I had decided to say goodbye in the car, rather than outside for the whole world to watch. Unfortunately, the paparazzi had figured out that we were coming today anyway, and were now milling around everywhere looking for us. Dylan pursed his lips, unsuccessfully hiding his sorrow as he watched the press flit by unknowingly. After a few brief moments, I followed his gaze as he he let his eyes settle on a crying couple a few meters away from the car.

"I never liked airports," he muttered, eyes still locked on the couple. We watched as they shared a final kiss and then split, tears falling.

"Why not?" I questioned, pulling him closer.

Dylan shrugged. "I don't like goodbyes, I guess. They're too sad."

I smiled softly. Wrapping a second arm around him, he fell into my chest with a sigh. I pushed my lips next to his ear and I replied, "Well, I guess it's good we're not saying goodbye then, huh? I'll see you later, that's all."

Dylan nestled his head under my chin. "'See you later' is the cousin of goodbye that nobody likes either."

I closed my eyes, breathing deeply in. A strange calmness settled over the car, and I found that I didn't want to move yet. I wanted to stay here forever, in peaceful ignorance, with Dylan curled up around me like some sort of koala bear. I saturated in his scent and let his slow breaths draw out our last remaining moments. Here, with the thin brunet in my arms, nothing could ever go wrong.

But it could.

It was going wrong actually, no matter how much I craved to deny it. My eyes flew open and I let out a deep breath of air.

Each second that elapsed was another second I lost in trying to make my plane. Each beat of my heart was a wasted beat in the wrong place. Each calming breath was a lie, a traitorous exhale to the boy unknowingly resting near me.

I wasn't allowed to feel like this near Dylan. My plan didn't include cuddling with him and whispering sweet-nothings into his ear and giving heartfelt goodbyes. I wasn't allowed to feel like I was being drawn towards him like two opposite poles of magnets, only complete when we were together, touching. That wasn't how this was supposed to work.

I retracted my arms from around his waist. Dylan sat up, his eyes clouded over in a daze of confusion and for a brief flash of a second I twitched to hold him again. That would be unacceptable though. A brief flash of a second of losing control over myself is still a moment too long.

"I have to go now," I whispered, trying to seem as normal as possible. I grabbed my shoulder bag and reached for the handle of the door. Just as my fingers folded around the black latch, Dylan's hand pulled me back to face him.

"Wait!" he exclaimed. I raised an eyebrow as he paused, mouth floundering for words he couldn't quite form. Finally, after looking like a complete fool, he shyly muttered, "Sorry, I just didn't want you to leave yet."