Mika gnawed on his lip, his eyes scanning the countless bags as they trundled across the conveyor. He fiddled with his cross-body bag, stepping to and fro. It was hard enough to find a spot to see through the throng of people bustling beside him, let alone one that gave him quick access. He wanted to hang back and avoid the crowds and anxiety they brought, but he didn’t have the patience he usually did. He had someone waiting for him, after all. Someone that he had missed more than anything over the seventeen days he’d been gone. 

His fingers slid across the smooth metal of his keychain, his lips quirking up a little. It was a small metal heart engraved with an A and M. He ran his thumb across the grooves, taking a deep breath and turning his attention back to the bags. 

There were too many, really. And none with the purple and yellow ribbon tied on by a certain someone (who had protested that even if the fancy bow she did came undone, it would still be worth it to be pretty for a while). 

Someone bumped into him, making him jolt and stutter out apologies. He had barely slept on the plane, so it was probably his fault for being quite unaware of his surroundings. He was lucky that his wonderful girlfriend had agreed to wake up and pick him up at such an early time. 

After what felt like an eternity, Mika’s bag finally slid out of the belt, tumbling onto the conveyor. He brightened and squeezed his way to the front, picking up the bag and carrying it to a less crowded area to wheel it. He pouted a little when he saw the ribbons unfurled ends, walking towards the final check and pausing on the side of the walkway to try and fix it. He wasn’t exactly sure how she did such a large, beautiful bow, and he cursed quietly at how much his attempt paled in comparison. He didn’t want her to think that he hadn’t appreciated her work, even if she said she didn’t mind. 

He walked towards the last hurdle between him and the exit, luckily being allowed through a streamlined line for citizens. He felt a giddiness rise up in him with every step closer to the doors, biting back a grin and almost tripping over his feet in his eagerness. 

The second the doors opened, Mika was scanning the crowd with bated breath. He was towards the latter half of the group, not wanting to be overwhelmed but too excited to wait until the crowds had thinned completely. He walked out and across the roped off exit, glancing at countless expectant faces. 

The grin on Mika’s face hurt his cheeks the second he saw Arashi again. They rushed towards each other, Mika stumbling again and almost losing his suitcase as he barrelled into her arms. She let out a squeak, then laughed and held him just as tightly. Mika felt like he could cry at feeling the comfort of her arms again. He buried his face in her shoulder, the stress and exhaustion of the past few weeks soothed by just being with her. 

“Mika-chan,” Arashi breathed out, her hand sliding up to stroke his hair. Mika could hear her smile, he still had the same matching one. He tilted his head back, cupping her cheeks and just looking at her. After a few moments, her smile turned a little bashful, so she leaned forward and kissed him. 

It was just a peck, but Mika instantly felt as if they were the only people in the whole airport. Arashi’s attention, her affection, had a way of calming him that nothing else could. When he pressed their lips together again, the kiss got cut short by their smiles, which sent both of them giggling. 

“Naru-chan,” Mika murmured, pressing their foreheads together for a moment. He was aware that seventeen days was hardly long enough to be acting like this, but he didn’t care. Their lives had become so intertwined that not having Arashi to come home to every night had felt like he was missing a limb. 

Arashi pulled him out of his stupor by taking his suitcase, kissing his cheek and taking his hand. Mika was already cured of his airport stress, almost floating towards the exit. 

“How was your flight?” she asked, pulling her jacket a little tighter as the night chill of the air settled in. Mika hummed, moving closer to her. 

“‘s alright,” he said. “I had a middle seat, but th’ flight was a lil’ empty, so I jus’ swapped.”

“Ooh, so lucky~,” Arashi hummed, bumping their shoulders. “Did you get any photos for me?” Mika smiled and nodded as they crossed into the carpark. 

“Yea, I got plenty that I haven’t shown ya yet,” he giggled at her pout. “Nnh, ya can’t expect me to send ya everythin’ I took~.”

“Yes I can! I’m your girlfriend, so I should receive prompt updates on my love’s overseas trips. How mean…” She sighed out dramatically, something that Mika was sure would have been accompanied by a hand to her heart if her hands weren’t preoccupied. 

“Nyehe, Naru-chan,” Mika squeezed her hand as he spotted her car. “Ya still get priority, don’t worry yer pretty head.” Arashi smiled at him, unable to keep up her fake pout for long. 

“I better,” she said, opening the boot and putting Mika’s suitcase in. She paused, her fingers brushing Mika’s messy bow. “Did you redo it?”

“Sorry,” Mika deflated a little. “It came undone, so I tried ta make it as pretty as ya, but I’m no good.” Arashi just smiled, patting the bow and closing the boot. 

“I think it’s perfect,” she said, her flattery making him flush a little. Now that they were in a much more private area with their hands free, she softened and wrapped her arms around him. “I missed you so much, Mika-chan.” Her admission was quiet, and Mika hummed softly. He’d seen it in their texts, and even heard it over the phone, but hearing her say it right in front of him hit his heart in a different way. 

“I missed ya more,” he replied, smiling when she grumbled. Her face pressed into Mika’s neck, and he sighed. 

“Home is way too quiet without you.” Mika felt his chest clench at her words. He held her tighter. 

“I’m here now,” he said, kissing her hair. “I’ll annoy ya until ya want me to leave again.” She puffed out a laugh.