The Age of Love (Book #1)

Bonus (at the airport)

A/N
Today he gave an interview, and I swear, everytime I see that man, it's like the first time we met.

"This is the final calling for the passengers of flight E6802 to Dubai, please go to gate B-6 now, as all passengers should be on board by 11:30."

"This is it."

"Are you going to be okay?" Hiro asks once more.

I hug him. "Thank you for everything."

[...]

Rewind ↩

I woke up the next morning and Theodore was already up, holding his coffee mug, still wearing yesterday's clothes. I doubt he had any sleep last night, he looked terribly exhausted.

I thought I knew him — foolish me — Last night I finally realized how our lives and priorities were different. I valued the little memories like walking down a funky street, rather than a 5 star Sky Scrapper... And Theo made it clear. He wasn't willing to change himself. He was a business titan, he would always be but he'd also be a permanently lonely person.

Hiro on the other hand, by faith or by luck, was there every single moment, helping me and being a great friend. In the end of this trip, all I can think about is the lover I lost and the stranger I found.

"This is it, I guess." I press my lips in a thin line.

"I guess so." He looks at me.

Say something please.

"Do you..." Theodore begins.

"What?"

"Do you.. Do you need any financial help to..."

"I don't need your money." I cut him off, I needed desperately, but I didn't want to owe him more than I already did.

Before Theodore could respond, his phone started ringing incessantly. He looked and shoved it back in his pocket, nervously avoiding the call. After a few seconds it stops.

"Do you need a ride? Or..." Theodore is interrupted mid-sentence again by the ringtone and I can see he is eager to answer it.

"Just take it, it's business, you might lose a deal."

Theo sighs, and I wait another minute, hoping for a plot twist. But he says nothing, he stands there looking at me and says nothing. I say goodbye and walk out.

I broke down as soon as the elevator doors closed, the dream was over.

[...]

I arrived too soon at the airport, looking to get away from Theo, I had enough time to redo my makeup and walk around Haneda. The gigantic shopping mall-airport was like a small portion of Tokyo for those who might missed something, there were stores, bars, food markets and entertainment shops.

But I was going to the check-in first.

My heart jumped to the sight of who was standing looking lost in the check-in zone. Hiro.

Our eyes met and he came to hug me, a real warm british greeting in the middle of No-PDA Land, felt nice.

"Hiro, what the heck?" I chuckled.

"Really thought you'd leave without saying goodbye to your low budget guide?" He grinned.

"I'm so glad you're here, now let go of me or else the japanese will think we're engaging in some sort of sexual performance."

He laughed gorgeously. "I wouldn't dare cross the friendzone line."

And we parted our embrace as curious heads started looking our direction. We made our way upstairs to the food market to get some breakfast, even though I wasn't actually hungry. Hiro ordered a coffee and a veggie burger, my mind instantly takes me back to the awkward lunch at Theo's parents, when Grayson was dying for a burger. I found myself chuckling lightly, like a little maniac.

"So you and Theo?"

I shook my head. "As you can see, it's just me. We're over."

"I'm sorry."

"Forget about it... I have enough shit to deal with back home, I don't want to spend my last minutes reminiscing bad memories." I tap on his hand, offering him a smile and he smiles back.

"Take my card."

He surprises me, moving himself away from me to dig in his jacket, writing something on the piece of paper and placing it on my hand.

"Whatever you need, anytime you need."

"Fancy editing skills." I grimaced, pointing to Hiro's iconic handwriting on the minimalistic business card, reading "Hancock Road, Bromley by Bow, London."

I hold it close to my heart, keeping it safe.

"Now you have no excuse to not come visit me in London, we'll go for a stroll in Camden Town, Leadenhall Market, the Sky Garden... Let me show you a good time in the UK."

Hiro's taking a piss on my bank account.

"Sure. In another lifetime maybe." I roll my eyes, laughing.

"Ok then, when you hit the market hit me up, and I'll hook you up, like a proper wingman." He draws a smile playfully, winking at me and I kick him under the table.

"Ouch." Hiro nearly drops his coffee, making us laugh hard.

"I broke up about 2hrs ago, give me a break you bloody homewrecker!"

"All in good nature Banter, my love." Hiro always smiled with his eyes, always intense and I loved that about him.

"Why do the British have the annoying habit of calling everyone adorable pet names?"

"Such lies." He's grinning.

I lift a suspicious eyebrow. Hiro knocks me under the table with his leg.

"All right, let's get you to the check-in you naughty little possum."