He laughed lightly through his nose and dug his nails into his palms to keep him from wrapping his arms around him. “I hope its not just for your duty that you’ll return.”
With another laugh, one that wasn’t really convincing at all, Hakuba shook his head. “No, of course not… it’s just the most appropriate thing I can mention in public.” Yes, he’d meant it like that, but he hoped that no one else in the immediate area would realize it.
In an attempt to keep the tone a little lighter, he hoped, Hakuba shouldered the bag and reached for the carrier, smirking. “I suppose I ought to run, though… much as I’d like to miss the flight, my Mum’s retribution aside…”