Gavin opened his eyes, still tired from the past couple of hours. He looked up at the small window. It was bright outside. They'd definitely be landing soon. No announcement had gone out, at least none that he knew of, but they had to be coming up on Paris. His chest dropped at the thought. He sighed as he shuffled back into Nines' warm embrace. It seemed he was still sleeping as he hummed and nuzzled closer, burying his face in his shirt. It was so rare for him to wake up like this. Usually, he'd be fucked into the mattress and then they'd leave. Or he'd leave. Or they were gone before he woke up. Sometimes they didn't come home at all. They'd just fuck him into the nearest semi-public surface and leave him there.

Nines was different. He was tender. Gentle. He'd taken the time to make him feel good. He'd taken care of him afterwards. He hadn't left. He was still there. Holding him. Nuzzling him. Treating him like he was worth a damn. It felt nice. Being held. It didn't happen often. Gavin reached down slowly and rested his hand on top of Nines'. His arm was loosely hooked over his waist, hand resting against his pelvis. Nines felt it on some level. Gavin's breath caught as Nines' fingers parted to capture his own between, holding his hand. No one held his hand.

Gavin bit his lip as sadness swelled in his chest. The flight would end within the hour. Nines wasn't getting on the next plane. He didn't live in Detroit anymore. He lived somewhere in Europe. This was a one-time deal. He was just a quick fuck he'd picked up at the airport. Nines had fucked countless other people like this. He wasn't special. This didn't mean anything to him. They'd part ways in Paris and he'd never see him again. Gavin held his breath as he felt his eyes tearing up. I'll never see him again after today...I'll never see him again...Phck...Gavin curled over as he felt his shoulders quivering. He didn't want to wake Nines up. He didn't want him to see.

He used his free hand to cover his mouth, stifling the silent sobs. He didn't want to breathe too loudly lest he wake Nines. He couldn't let him see him like this. It would be humiliating. I'm thirty-six! Why the phck am I crying like a phcking five-year-old? This wasn't the first one-night stand he'd had. Nines wasn't the only guy to give him good sex. He'd find someone else. Nines wasn't special. Just because he'd had dinner with him. Just because he'd listened. Just because he'd been attentive. Just because he'd taken it slow. Just because he'd cleaned him up afterwards. Just because he'd stayed. It didn't mean he was special.

That just made Gavin cry more. The thought of the flight ending, of Nines leaving, made the tears flow faster. His breaths were short and shuddering. The little gasps were getting louder. Phck! Don't-wake-up-don't-wake-up-don't-wake-up! The mantra was continuous as his body trembled. Trying to stay still seemed to make him quiver more. He kept his eyes tightly shut. Warm tears rolled down his cheeks. His throat was starting to ache from the silent sobs. He opened his mouth and took in a wet breath, sniffling pathetically. He still couldn't believe he was crying over not seeing Nines again. I only met the guy yesterday! He felt worse as the body behind him moved. That somehow made his crying worse.

It seemed Nines didn't understand what was happening at first. The hand on his pelvis tightened, pulling him closer. Gavin resisted the pull, knowing Nines would know once he felt him shaking. He held his breath, but couldn't stop the trembling of his shoulders as he sobbed. He felt a gentle sigh brush the back of his neck as Nines leaned closer. Lips caressed his neck with gentle kisses. The tenderness made him even more sad. He wouldn't feel it again after the plane landed. The thought made him quietly sob his breath out. Hot tears spilled down his cheeks. He swallowed and sniffled. His throat ached.

Nines stiffened. He knows! Gavin cringed and curled up even more, pressing his face into the pillow as he felt Nines' hand on his shoulder. He'd pushed himself up and leaned over to get a look at his face. Gavin leaned over even further as Nines tried to peel him away from the damp pillow. Gavin felt even worse as Nines settled over his back and started kissing his neck and shoulder, soothing his waist and hip with a gentle hand. Phcking great! Now Nines would think it was his fault. He'd think he'd done something wrong. That he'd made him cry. Gavin felt even more pathetic as he sobbed into the pillow.

"Gavin..." Nines whispered as he tried to peel him away again. Gavin sniffled as he allowed himself to be turned over. He couldn't look at Nines. He felt so bad. Pathetic. He knew he looked terrible. His skin would be flushed. His eyes were red rimmed. His nose was running. His cheeks were wet with tears. He bit his lip and tried to stifle the next sob. His green eyes opened as Nines tilted his chin up. Nines looked surprised as he took in the full extent of his misery. Then he looked sad. Gavin felt terrible as fresh tears trickled from his eyes. He felt even worse as Nines didn't say a word. He just pulled him closer and wrapped him in his arms.

Gavin went with the urging and greedily nuzzled into his clothed chest, accepting the offered comfort. It felt like Nines held him tighter after that. One hand remained around his lower waist as the other reached up across his back to caress the back of his head. It felt good as Nines' fingers ran through his hair. It felt even better as his lips pressed against the top of his head. Gavin sobbed into the cotton fabric. He didn't feel like he deserved it. He didn't deserve this comfort. It wasn't Nines' fault. He was just being stupid. He was just crying over nothing. Part of him didn't even know why Nines was bothering. He'd half expected him to click his tongue and leave. Why wouldn't he? He was a high-flying rich guy who regularly paid for sex at the airport. He probably had a dozen other partners dotted around. He was hot enough.

It was almost surreal. Gavin wasn't sure he'd ever cried like this. Not even when his dad left. He'd cried a little when his mum died, and maybe a handful of other times that he could remember. When he was a child. Not when he was a teen, and certainly not afterwards. This was the stupidest thing to ever happen, and likely the most embarrassing. Then there was Nines. Rather than scoffing at him, he'd stayed. He didn't know why he was crying, but he'd offered comfort. He continued to hold and hush him, never speaking or asking questions. He was just holding him. Soothing him. Kissing him.

It was working. Gavin's sobs slowed and his shaking calmed. He was still sniffly, but that didn't bother Nines as he moved the hand in his hair to caress his stubbled cheek. It was slow progress, but he finally managed to get Gavin to raise his head enough for him to see his face. He was gentle as he wiped his tears away and kissed his forehead. Gavin closed his eyes and leaned into the affection. The lips moved from his forehead to his temple, then lower across his cheek until he reached his lips. Gavin hummed softly as Nines kissed him, tilting his head obediently at Nines' bidding. He opened his mouth as he felt Nines' tongue tease his bottom lip. Nines didn't hesitate as he deepened the kiss and rolled their bodies. Gavin pulled him down, gripping his shirt as he whined into the contact.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. This is your Captain speaking. We're coasting along at approximately thirty-two thousand feet, just coming in over Paris now. The local time is ten fifteen for those of you who want to change your watches. We'll be landing within the next thirty minutes, so please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts for landing." Nines drew back regretfully as the announcement sounded. He seemed sad as he gave Gavin a tight-lipped smile, stroking his cheek as they listened. Gavin swallowed hard. This was it. Nines would leave. The plane would land. They'd disembark, and Nines would leave. It almost seemed as if Nines could see he was about to cry again. He swooped in and sealed his lips, pressing close and devouring him.

"I have to go back to my seat...Get dress and strap in. I'll see you once we've landed." Nines drew back as Gavin gave him a subdued nod of agreement, watching forlornly as he hurried to the door and stepped out. He looked back with a smile as he closed it. Gavin tried to force a small smile in return, but wasn't sure he'd managed it as he sighed and unbuttoned his pyjama shirt. His chest felt dull and empty as he dressed. Hajda turned up just as he finished, knocking politely before stepping inside with a smile to clear away his bed. Once she was done and the chair was back as it should be, he sat down and fastened his seatbelt.

He sighed sadly as he looked out the window. He could see the city coming into focus below, sprawling out in twisting sections. He couldn't really make out any landmarks, maybe because he didn't know any of them. There was supposed to be some sort of tower somewhere, but he wasn't sure what it looked like. He squinted against the light as the plane slowly turned to get into the right position. The seatbelt signs were on now, and he could feel the plane getting lower. His ears were dull and thick with the pressure. One of his ears was aching again, making him wince. He tried to pop his ears and rotated his jaw to ease the pressure. It didn't really work.

Nines would be strapped in and waiting to land. Just across from him. Should I call him? He wanted to hear his voice, but he didn't really have anything to say. Hearing him might just make him cry again anyway. He sank back in his seat with a cringe as he remembered all that had happened earlier. I'm such a phcking loser! He still couldn't help feeling sad that he wouldn't see him again. That their coupling had meant nothing. Maybe having dinner had been a stupid idea. Maybe if he hadn't come to like Nines, and he'd just taken a hard fucking, he wouldn't care so much. He's Eli's friend...Maybe I'll get to come out and see him again...That just meant another casual fucking. Isn't that enough? It's as much as I always get...

He barely noticed as the plane landed. It bumped a little as the wheels touched down, but it was really quite smooth. He waited sombrely as the plane rolled to a stop and the seatbelt sign turned off. The announcements went out that they would start disembarking, and Hajda arrived in his doorway to thank him for flying with them and let him know that the first class passengers were disembarking. He gave her a small smile and thanked her as he got to his feet and headed out. Nines was there. He was already waiting with his backpack. Gavin took it with thanks and followed as he led the way to the exit. There was a door up on their floor that led to a small tunnel into the airport.

"Thank you for flying with us!" Gavin nodded politely and said goodbye to the hosts at the door as he passed by. He stayed behind Nines, dragging his feet a little. He didn't want to get inside. Once they were inside, Nines would leave. He had to find his luggage and meet Cleo. Gavin hadn't seen her all flight, but he assumed she must be there somewhere. He couldn't help counting down the minutes in his head. Any time now, Nines would stop. Any time now, he'd turn to him with that small half-smile and suggest they part ways. Any time now-

"Let's get breakfast...You have time, don't you? When is your connection?" Nines asked as he stopped and looked back. Gavin felt his heart slam into overdrive at the suggestion. Nines wasn't in a hurry to leave him. He liked him enough to stick around for a while. Gavin nodded his agreement as he shrugged his bag off and rummaged for his ticket. He was pretty sure he had two or three hours. He checked the time and looked at his watch.

"Two and a half hours." It was enough time to find somewhere in the airport and sit for a while. Nines nodded thoughtfully as they headed deeper into the airport, turning towards the connections area rather than baggage claim. Gavin thought they'd have to go through security, but Nines pulled him to a stop at the first board they came to. They checked for his connection and Nines almost grinned as he saw that it was delayed. By an extra five hours. "Guess we should make that seven and a half..."

"Excellent! I'll have Cleo collect the car." Nines didn't even wait for an answer as he grabbed Gavin's hand and tugged him along. Gavin looked at their joined hands and glanced around warily. No one was looking. That was fucking weird. Things were a lot better than the early twenties, but he still got looks or snide remarks from older people sometimes. So far, there was nothing. People saw them and just glanced as they would at anyone else. They didn't act like it was weird or unusual. Gavin moved to link their fingers, letting Nines have his hand at the front as they walked. He was already on the phone with Cleo, bright and animated as he instructed her to bring the car round. It seemed she'd gone ahead for the luggage already. "The city is barely thirty minutes away. I can take you for breakfast and show you around a little, then drop you back here for your connection." It sounded good to Gavin, though thinking wasn't high on his list of priorities with Nines holding his hand. "Is there anything you'd like to see?"

"Oh! Isn't there that tower thingy? People usually see that in Paris, right?" Gavin exclaimed as they waited at the outer door for Cleo to bring the car. Nines' silvery eyes widened almost incredulously before he broke out into a warm smile. It was the sort of smile you'd give a naïve child. Gavin felt a little embarrassed that he'd clearly said something dumb. He looked uncertain, but Nines was accepting of his lack of knowledge.

"You mean the Eiffel Tower. I've been there many times...There's actually a little restaurant there with the most amazing view." That sounded good to Gavin. They could kill two birds with one stone. He leaned closer as Nines released his hand to slip his arm around his waist. He couldn't ignore the little flutters in his stomach. The tiny hope that perhaps Nines liked him more than all the others. He was just thinking about resting his head against his shoulder when there was a loud beep. They both turned their heads as Cleo rolled up in an expensive-looking car. Nines waved in greeting as he opened the rear door and ushered Gavin into the backseat. The back was large and comfortable, with a small table that could be pulled out between them. "Take us to Madame Brasserie."