> 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄. • 𝗁𝖾 𝗑𝗂𝗇𝗅𝗈𝗇𝗀

𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

as my palms sweat and my breathing becomes shaky, we make our way out of the gate area, and to where xinlong told me to meet him... which is when i really become nervous looking for him in the bit of people...

and then my eyes land on the familiar figures, who's mask is slightly pulled down by his hand as he makes eye contact with me. as i come to realization that it is him, i feel my eyes immediately tear up as i start walking towards him. then him doing the same, i let go of my suitcase and hug him so tightly right as we are close enough to with my arms holding him around his neck.

hugging me back just as tight, i hear him crying close to my ear, making me just want to hold him even tighter.

"i missed you." i say, almost in a whiny tone.
"i missed you too." he responds. after a minute or so, he lets go of me, then cupping my face in his hands to take a better look at me. "you're here."
"mhm." i say, a smile on my lips, then letting out a slight laugh at how much we are crying. he goes he same, before hugging my once more, placing one of his hands on the back of my head.

as he does this, a thought passed through my mind. say it, it tells me. just hugging him tighter, more thoughts jump around in my head before then just letting the words flow out.

"i love you." i tell him. after saying this, i almost am scared for what would happen next. not because he wouldn't say it, back... but for a reason i'm not even sure of. then hearing almost a slight laugh and a sniffle, a heartwarming response is heard.

"i love you too..."

—✖️—

— 𝐗𝐈𝐍𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆'𝐒 𝐏.𝐎.𝐕.

she said it. she said it to me. and i said it back. and she's here. she's here in front of me. she's here in my arms.

i'm also crying way more than i had thought i would... tears flooded my vision before, but now as the crying between the both of us stop, i wipe my eyes, before then looking at her.

i then let out almost a breathy groan, and having to almost tilt my head up to stop fully crying. but when i look back down, our eyes meeting, it just makes this almost nice pain feeling turn into a warm happiness, especially as a smile is set upon her lips.

"you're here. holy shit." i then state, placing my hands on her shoulders. she lets out a laugh at my strange use of language.

then as i bring my hands down, just using one to hold onto her hand, she ends up introducing me properly to her mother... whom i sort of have a difficult time communicating with, since her mother doesn't speak the same language as me. but, (y/n) just uses the basics for the introduction.

her mother seems super nice, just like she had described her to be. i mean, i've met her mom over facetime calls briefly, but this is honestly the true first time meeting her... which i was a little bit nervous about before coming.

as we then decide just to get out of this crowded airport, we make our way to the exit, and then in the parking garage where my hand still holds hers while we slowly walk in the strangely calm atmosphere, dragging behind her mother.

then looking over to her, i speak.
"it feels weird having you in my presence again, but... i love it... i just... i love you." i state, my heart pounding with the last three words spoken.
"i love you too, xinlong..." she says, in a sad yet happy way, before repeating the same sentence.

"i love you too..."

—✖️—

the end of book one.