Flight

"You can always toss me out if I get too annoying." Izumi forced a smile and reached for another cracker mostly because it gave him something to do with his hands.

Naoya was silent while he warmed Izumi's tea and then his own. He knew Izumi would tell him what was wrong as soon as Izumi was ready - or able - to explain the matter. He suspected he already knew the cause of his friend's discontent; Takamiya had been gone for three weeks and this was the third Saturday that Izumi had spent sitting in that chair pretending he wasn't miserable.

The awkwardness hung between them, stretching into tension until Izumi abruptly turned his face away from his friend's sympathetic gaze. He felt stupid and awkward and he didn't want to talk about it so he pushed himself out of the chair and took up his customary brooding spot at the corner of the window, his body wedged against wall and furniture.

Naoya watched his friend for a long moment, then quietly began to clear away the tea.

"You don't have to do that," Izumi told him quietly, still looking out the window. "I'm not going to hibernate here."

"I thought you might like to go out."

"I'm not exactly feeling sociable."

"So you came to see me. Thanks." Naoya said it with a smile and he knew Izumi wouldn't take offense. He wasn't nearly as prickly as when they first met.  Time and Takamiya had mellowed Izumi considerably, just as Reiji had tempered Naoya. The teasing smile softened.

"You're thinking about him just to torment me, aren't you?" Izumi demanded, his back still to the room, but his body a bit less tense. His voice held just a hint of the old Izumi bluster. Naoya tossed a throw pillow at him.

"If I'm tormenting you, it's because you deserve it.  Takamiya's on a tour in Europe promoting his new book. He invited you to go. You said you had too much to do. Either stay here and do all your very important things or grow a spine, make your apologies, then get on a plane. Idiot."

"What did you call me?" Izumi turned slowly, fighting to conceal a tiny smile. He had a fairly large circle of acquaintances from college as well as those he'd met through Takamiya; there was a much smaller group he called friends. Naoya was one of the rare few he trusted to call him an idiot when it was deserved.

"You own a mirror. Use it once in a while.  You'll learn to recognize an idiot when you are one." Naoya reached over and picked up the cell phone.

"And here. Press star-five and put us all out of our misery." He tossed the phone at Izumi, not very gently.

"Living with Aoe has turned you nasty," Izumi teased as he ducked and barely caught the phone. He remembered how stiff and formal his friend used to be and was glad to see him so much more relaxed and comfortable now. Being with Aoe had done wonders for Naoya. Still, it was fun to annoy him. "So you want pepperoni or anchovy?"

"You being dense makes me nasty. Takamiya is star-five. Dial or I'll do it for you." Naoya advanced on Izumi brandishing another throw pillow threateningly until Izumi held his hand up in mock surrender.

"You win, already." He hesitated, just before dialing. "My professors are going to kill me."

"You're a communications major. You want me to believe that brain of yours can't find some way to spin this to your advantage?"

Izumi looked sheepish and dialed.

Naoya retreated discreetly to the kitchen where Reiji was hiding. He was sneaking cookies from Naoya's stash and eavesdropping while pretending to read the paper.

"The brat planning on leaving soon?" he asked after Naoya gave him a kiss.

"We're at the 'making travel arrangements' stage.  He's talking to Takamiya now." Naoya informed him "Which you already know since you've been listening to the whole thing for however long you've been hiding out here eating my cookies." He snatched the tin away and closed it, shoving it into a cupboard. "I made those for when Sensei 's visit tomorrow."

"Kiichi doesn't need the sugar. He's bad enough without it. And when are you going to stop calling him 'sensei'?"

"It's a sign of respect."

"I know. You'd still be calling me Aoe-san if I hadn't threatened to kick you out of bed if you didn't stop." Aoe smiled gently and reached for Naoya, drawing him close just as Izumi burst into the room waving the phone.

"Takamiya wants to talk to you. Oh!" He stopped abruptly and almost managed to keep from making a face at seeing Aoe in the room. Old habits were hard to break. He shifted, angling the phone in Aoe's direction. "I didn't know you were here. I guess you should talk to him."

Izumi half-dragged Naoya out of the kitchen. "What's he doing here?"

Naoya just looked at Izumi and waited.

"Okay, stupid question. It's his house. Anyway, Takamiya is setting it all up - well, his assistant is. I've got to get home and pack and make arrangements and call professors and all that. I was going to ask if you'd help but," he gestured towards the kitchen. "I don't want to ruin your whole day and I already took up most of it, so...."

"Do I need to say it again?" Naoya prodded him gently in the side.

Izumi squirmed away, grinning like a little kid.  "I'm being an idiot again?"

"Working towards it, at the very least."

Izumi nodded.

"Is he going to mind?"

"I'm sure Aoe-san can live without me for a few hours." Naoya said dryly.

"I heard that," Aoe said as he joined the pair. He wrapped his arms around Naoya, leaning a little on the younger man. "You learning to speak 'brat'?"

"No, he's been translating 'idiot' all day." Izumi replied. He suddenly felt tired and a bit overwhelmed by everything he had to do. "I have to go."

"I'll drive." Aoe offered. "We'll pick up food on the way. While we were on the phone Takamiya's assistant told him she thought she could get you on a late flight this evening."

"But my professors...."

"Email them. Now get moving."

Izumi hesitated, casting a longing glance at the window where he'd stood brooding a short time ago.  Naoya had teasingly suggested that they put up a plaque designating it as Izumi's spot since he spent so much time pressed into that space staring out into the world.

One of the few things Izumi had never shared with Naoya was the secret of that window. He chose that spot not just because of the view out, but because of the reflection of the inside as well. Much of the main living area could be seen reflected in the glass, and when Izumi brooded, he also watched. He was happy and a little envious of his friend - Naoya and Aoe seemed so calm and solid while Takamiya was the most beautiful, loving, frustrating man alive. Izumi knew that no one would ever love him more than Takamiya; he never doubted that.  Izumi just didn't know if he could ever be good enough for Takamiya in return.

"Izumi?" Naoya's hand on his arm startled him and Izumi flinched. "We're here."

He'd been too caught up in memory to notice the journey between Aoe's apartment and home, but here they were and he was fumbling in his pocket for the keys while Aoe waited impatiently, bags of take-out shifting noisily in his hands until Naoya took them away. Finally, the key slid home and the door opened. Aoe brushed past, then Naoya, who offered an apologetic smile. Izumi worked the key loose from the door and followed, his mind switching tracks reluctantly as he worked out what to pack.

Supper was a planning session, with Naoya making to-do lists. Aoe was sent off to rifle Takamiya's DVD collection early on because his contributions to the list were mostly unhelpful comments and a series of muffled sounds that irritated even Naoya.

"I'll clean up, you pack." Naoya insisted, shoving Izumi towards the bedroom. Takamiya's assistant had called back to confirm Izumi had a seat on a 10:40pm flight. They had a little over three hours to get everything done before they had to leave for the airport.

Naoya made himself busy working through the list - cleaning out the refrigerator (which was mostly empty anyway since Takamiya was gone and Izumi was a terrible cook) - tidying the apartment (much to Aoe's annoyance) - and leaving notes to stop paper and mail delivery temporarily.

By the time he was finished, Izumi had showered, packed and dressed in his favorite travel clothes.

"Time to spare, brat. You're improving. Leave any room in the suitcase for souvenirs?" Aoe demanded.

"A little," Izumi snapped back. He was getting a headache and starting to dread the thought of the long plane flight without Takamiya to distract him.

"You have gum in your carry-on? Something for headaches? Passport?" Aoe went down the list and Izumi nodded, the urge to bark back draining out of him. He'd give anything to have Takamiya's arms around him right now.

"Izumi, we should go." Naoya touched Izumi's arm lightly and offered a smile.

It was a long ride and Izumi was very grateful for Aoe's willingness to transport him to the airport, especially on his night off. The mere thought of facing public transport on top of everything else was more than Izumi wanted to deal with. He had no idea what was wrong with him these days; he had no reason to be so melancholy. He just couldn't seem to help himself. Graduation was getting closer and instead of being excited he just felt more confused and uncertain about everything.

"Why don't you lay your head on my shoulder and rest?" Naoya offered quietly. "You have a long night ahead."

Izumi offered no resistance, settling in and falling asleep almost immediately, exhausted from the many restless, lonely nights since Takamiya left and from the confusion of chasing his own thoughts. He slept through the one stop they made, and remained asleep until Naoya shook him gently awake as they neared the airport.

"Here already?" he asked around a yawn.

"We made good time." Naoya assured him.

"We'll lose it all if you don't get moving." Aoe prodded them along.

Izumi stumbled out of the car, the cool evening air helping to wake him. The noise and smell of the airport made him miss Takamiya more; the last time they'd been together was when Izumi had accompanied him to the airport to see him off on his book tour.

"Here's your suitcase." Aoe dropped the thing next to Izumi's feet. "Follow me."

Izumi had never been to this section of the airport before. He wondered if he'd be taking a different airline or something, but when they arrived at the plain black doorway with the discreet silver sign he almost refused to enter.

"I'm doing this as a favor to Takamiya," Aoe assured him. "I told him you should travel as cargo."

Izumi managed a smile at that one and realized how Aoe's familiar gruffness brought him comfort in the uncomfortable opulence of the private waiting area.  Fortunately there were only a few other passengers in the large room so they were able to keep to themselves until it was time for Izumi to board.

Unable to conceal his nervousness, Izumi worked on not shaking his leg or shredding his cocktail napkin or irritating Aoe more than absolutely necessary.  Finally it was time and he stood, clutching his carry-on, hoping he wasn't as pale as he felt.

"Give our best to Takamiya," Naoya instructed, drawing Izumi in for a tight hug.

"I will. Do well on your exams, Naoya."

"Thank you, Izumi."

"Hey, Naoya?" Izumi bit his lip, feeling a little shy. "Um. Thanks."

Naoya bowed his head.

"Aoe, thank you." Izumi offered awkwardly.

"Here, brat," Aoe reached for the small parcel that he'd carried into the airport with him. "Naoya thought you might get bored on the plane. The wrapped one's from me for Takamiya so don't go snooping."  He handed it over and scowled as Izumi peered into the package as if it might contain a bomb.

"DVDs? The new action spy movie? But this isn't supposed to be out until next week!"

"Well, don't go telling half the airport. Takamiya went to a lot of trouble to get that for you. I had Naoya put in a few of your favorites from your apartment in the bag too. You brought your extra laptop battery, right?"

"Right. This is so great! Thank you!"

"Yeah, well, you're gonna miss your plane, so get out of here."

Izumi gave Naoya a another hug and then dashed for the plane, much more the old Izumi than forlorn specter who had been haunting their apartment earlier that day.

Naoya looked up at Aoe with a smile. "Did Takamiya really suggest that DVD or did you think of it yourself?"

"You're not going to be one of those jealous lovers are you? Demanding to know all my secrets?"

"Not all of them. Only the important ones."

"You already know those."

Naoya smiled and leaned against him. "I suppose I do."

In the distance they heard the roar of a jet plane taking off.

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