As they entered the airport, the busy energy around them made Jiang feel like the weight of the situation was finally hitting him full force. People bustled around, dragging luggage, checking flight information, and weaving through long lines. His nerves were buzzing.
"First things first," Jiang muttered, eyeing the nearest gift shop. "Let's get you something to wear before we head to security."
Aylin stayed silent, though Jiang felt her presence beside him as they approached the shop. He quickly scanned the shelves, grabbing a bright pink "I ♥ NY" sweater and a pair of sweatpants, the most low-key options he could find on such short notice.
He paid for the items, feeling a little awkward as the cashier handed him the bag with a raised eyebrow. "Tourist?" the cashier asked with a smirk.
"Uh, yeah. Something like that," Jiang mumbled, grabbing the bag and heading out of the store. As he moved toward a quieter corner of the terminal, he handed the bag into the air, where Aylin's unseen hand took it from him.
"Thanks," her voice whispered near his ear, the amusement in her tone clear. "I'll get dressed before we get to the gate."
"Yeah, good idea," Jiang replied, feeling a bit ridiculous as he talked to the empty air around him. "Just let me know when you're ready."
They headed toward the security line, the bustling crowd making it a little easier for Jiang to relax. He handed over his ID and ticket as casually as he could, his heart pounding in his chest.
The security officer glanced at his documents before scanning his ticket. "Alright, you're good to go. Just head on through."
Jiang let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, moving forward toward the baggage check area. As he stepped up to the conveyor belt to drop off his carry-on, he realized Aylin wasn't beside him anymore.
"Shit," he muttered under his breath, glancing around nervously. "Where did she go?"
The feeling of panic rose in his chest as he moved past the security line, scanning the terminal for any sign of her. Of course, she was invisible, so there was no way to actually see her, but he couldn't help but feel like he'd lost track of her.
Just as he was about to panic, he felt something—someone—brush against him. His hand instinctively reached out, and he accidentally grabbed onto what felt like... hips.
A familiar voice, low and teasing, whispered in his ear. "Took you long enough to get through. I've just been wandering around, looking at all the tasty food. Oh, and could you let go of my hips? I might get attached."
Jiang's face flushed instantly, realizing what he was doing. He quickly let go, muttering under his breath, "Sorry! Didn't know it was you."
Aylin chuckled softly, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Relax, I'm just teasing."
Jiang cleared his throat awkwardly and pulled the sweater from the bag. "Here, uh, you should probably put this on before someone notices."
He handed the sweater out into the air beside him, and a moment later, it vanished from his hand. Aylin's invisible form moved toward the nearest bathroom entrance. "I'll be right out," she said before slipping through the door.
Jiang stood outside, glancing around nervously, trying to keep himself calm. A few minutes later, Aylin reappeared, now fully dressed in the oversized pink "I ♥ NY" sweater and the sweatpants. She gave him a playful look, her lips curving into a small smirk.
"Well? How do I look?"
Jiang grinned, shaking his head. "Like a tourist, but at least now you don't stand out."
Aylin rolled her eyes, tugging at the sweater. "I suppose this will have to do."
Jiang smirked. "It's not a fashion show. Plus, we've got a couple of hours to kill before the flight. We can grab some food, explore a bit... just relax."
Aylin gave him a curious look. "Relax? Here? It seems... too calm for a place where people are trying to leave so quickly."
Jiang laughed. "Yeah, airports are weird like that. Everyone's in a rush, but they spend half the time waiting around. Come on, let's grab something to eat."
They walked through the terminal, weaving through the crowds of travelers rushing to their gates. Aylin's eyes darted from one place to the next, taking in the sights, smells, and sounds of the bustling airport. Every now and then, she paused to study the kiosks or the people walking by, clearly fascinated by the strange normality of it all.
"What's with the food in these glass boxes?" she asked, pointing to a refrigerated display of sandwiches and snacks.
"Prepackaged food," Jiang explained. "It's... okay, but we can do better. Let's find a place with something warm."
They eventually settled on a small airport diner that offered a variety of dishes. Jiang ordered a burger and fries, while Aylin looked at the menu with curiosity.
"Your world's food is so... diverse," she said, scanning the options. "We don't have all these choices back home."
Jiang raised an eyebrow. "No burgers or fries in your world, huh? What did you eat then?"
Aylin gave a small smile. "Simple things. Basic. Nothing like this."
"Well, get whatever you want," Jiang said, gesturing to the menu. "Might as well make the most of the experience."
After some hesitation, Aylin decided on a chicken sandwich, and they found a table near a large window that overlooked the runway. The planes outside looked almost like mechanical birds, something that clearly fascinated Aylin.