𝐉𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐲

The airport seemed too still, as if the whole world had paused just to watch them say goodbye. The faint hum of announcements over the speakers did nothing to ease the knot in everyone's chest.

Nani clung to Jimmy's arm like a child, refusing to let go, his tears dampening Jimmy's crisp shirt. His usually pristine eyeliner was smudged to the corners, and his designer scarf was half slipping off his shoulder, but for once, he didn't care.

"Don't go," Nani whispered, voice breaking, his fingers twisting into Jimmy's sleeve. "Who's going to listen to me complain about the world now? Who's going to buy me bubble tea at midnight?"

Jimmy let out a small laugh, though his eyes were shining too. He pressed a steadying hand to Nani's back. "I'll come for your graduation. I promised, didn't I? It's only a few months."

"Months?" Nani hiccupped, pulling back just enough to glare up at him with tear-bright eyes. "You might as well say years."

Pooh let out a wet laugh through his sniffles. "Please, you're not the one getting shipped off -you'll still have your boyfriend to boss around every day."

Nani turned just enough to glare at him, cheeks streaked with tears. "Shut up, P'Pooh. You cry louder than me."

"I do not," Pooh shot back, blowing his nose with a sound that made William wince.

William stood a step behind, his throat tight, blinking back the sting of tears. He hated goodbyes-they reminded him too much of his mother-but he forced a small smile for Jimmy's sake.Still, his hands itched to pull his brother into one more hug, to stop him from walking past those gates.

Sky, who had been standing with arms crossed, watching his siblings' chaos, finally let out a low chuckle. "You three are hopeless. People are staring."

"Let them stare," Nani snapped back, clinging to Jimmy's waist now as if that would stop the inevitable. "I'm grieving!"

Jimmy shook his head, affectionate exasperation softening his features. He bent and pressed a kiss to the crown of Nani's head. "You are dramatic. You know that?".

And you love me for it," Nani said between sniffles, his lower lip jutting out.

"Unfortunately," Jimmy teased, though his grip tightened.

The loudspeaker chimed, announcing final boarding for Jimmy's flight. Everyone's heart dropped a little.

"Phi," Pooh's voice cracked as he spoke up, his tissue crushed in his hand. "Don't forget to video call me, okay? I'll be mad if you don't."

Jimmy smiled faintly and reached out, ruffling Pooh's hair. "I'll call, I promise. Every time you whine."

William stepped forward finally, unable to resist anymore. He pulled Jimmy into a firm hug, his voice low and strained. "Take care of yourself. And come back to us in one piece."

Jimmy patted his back, voice just as tight. "Always."

Nani, of course, wasn't satisfied. He stomped a little as if stamping the moment into the ground. "If you dare forget me for even a second, P'Jimmy, I'll fly there myself and drag you back."

Jimmy laughed through the lump in his throat. "You wouldn't last the flight without crying."

Everyone chuckled, even through their tears, and for a fleeting second, the heaviness lifted.

Finally, with a deep breath, Jimmy gave them all one last look-his family, his anchor-before he slowly turned toward the departure gates. Nani reached after him, his voice wobbling.

"Don't you dare come back with a tan!"

Jimmy glanced over his shoulder with a smile that was equal parts fond and aching. "Yes, Your Highness."

And then he disappeared past the gates, leaving behind silence heavy enough to make even Sky's chest tighten.

The ride home was nothing like the usual. Normally, the car would be filled with laughter, bickering, or Pooh's endless chatter while Nani tried to out-dramatize him. But tonight, the silence weighed heavier than the city traffic outside.

Nani sat curled by the window, chin propped on his hand, eyes still red and glossy. He hadn't said a word since Jimmy disappeared behind the gates. Every now and then, he sniffled and adjusted his scarf as if wrapping himself tighter could fill the hole Jimmy left.

Beside him, Pooh wasn't much better. He'd tucked himself into the corner seat, arms crossed, the crumpled tissue still clutched in his fist. He looked like a sulking child, his usual spark dimmed. For once, there were no jokes, no teasing-just the sound of him dragging in long, uneven breaths.

William sat quietly, watching his younger brothers with an ache in his chest. It wasn't often he saw them this subdued, and it made him uneasy.

Sky's eyes flicked between them, then met William's over the heads of their sulking youngers. That one look said enough: They're both falling apart without Jimmy.

William exhaled softly leaning closer so only Sky could hear. "It feels....empty without him already"

Sky nodded, his tone low but steady. "They're used to him being here. He's been their constant since the beginning." His gaze lingered on Nani's hunched figure, the way his love's shoulders trembled slightly.

"Especially Nani."

William's lips pressed into a thin line. "And Pooh. He tries to hide it, but Jimmy... he was like glue for him. Kept him steady."

Sky glanced at Pooh, who was staring blankly at the floor mats, his usual restlessness nowhere to be seen. A faint sigh slipped from Sky's chest. "We'll have to hold them together now."

William gave a small nod, his eyes softening.

"It's our turn."

The silence pressed on until Sky finally couldn't take it anymore. He reached across the seat and gently tugged Nani away from the window, pulling him into his chest.

Nani resisted for a heartbeat, then melted against him, face buried in Sky's shirt. "It hurts," he mumbled, voice muffled. "I don't like it when people leave me..."

Sky's arms tightened around him, his hand stroking the back of Nani's head. "He's not leaving you, love. He's just across the ocean. You'll see him again before you can even blink."

Nani sniffled against his chest. "That's a long blink."

Sky huffed a quiet laugh, pressing his lips to Nani's hairline. "Then I'll keep your eyes closed until Jimmy comes back. Problem solved."

Nani tilted his head up, eyes glossy but a small pout tugging his lips. "You're so annoying."

Sky smirked, brushing his thumb across Nani's damp cheek. "And yet you're still clinging to me like I'm oxygen."

"Shut up," Nani muttered, but the faintest smile ghosted his face before he buried himself back in Sky's chest.

Across from them, William caught the scene in the corner of his eye and shook his head fondly. But instead of comenting, he leaned toward Pooh, who still sulked in his corner.

"So," William said casually, "about those new Al codes you were working on. Any chance you've finally created a robot that can do my laundry?"

Pooh blinked, caught off guard. "...Laundry?"

"Yeah. Folds socks, matches them up, preferably doesn't eat them like the washing machine does." William kept his face serious, though the corner of his mouth twitched.

Pooh gave him a side-eye. "I'm designing algorithms for autonomous drone navigation, not your dirty socks."

"Same difference," William replied smoothly.

"A drone that delivers socks still counts."

Despite himself, Pooh let out a quiet snort. "That's not how robotics works."

"Then make it work. Imagine-Sky and Nani could have their socks folded while they're busy... you know, inhaling each other's faces." William smirked, purposely loud enough for Nani to hear.

Nani's head shot up from Sky's chest, his cheeks instantly pink. "P'Will! Don't say things like that!"

Pooh actually chuckled, covering his mouth with his tissue, while Sky only smirked in satisfaction, one hand still curled firmly around Nani's waist.

"See?" William leaned back smugly. "I told you -robotics has real-life applications. It cheers people up."

Pooh shook his head, but the heaviness around him seemed to lift, even if just a little.

The tension finally began to ease. Pooh leaned back with his tissue, William still smirking, and Sky kept Nani tucked firmly against him like he had no intention of letting go.

"You three are hopeless," Nani muttered, though his watery eyes betrayed the smile tugging at his lips.

"Correction," William said, pointing between them, "they're hopeless. I'm the responsible one."

Pooh gave him a deadpan stare.

"Responsible? You just asked me to invent a sock-folding robot."

"Which would revolutionize households worldwide," William red smoothly. "You're welcome, future generations."

Sky chuckled low in his throat, tightening his hold on Nani. "Don't let him fool you, Pooh. He's only trying to get out of doing his own chores."

"Exactly," Nani added, his pout dissolving into the first small laugh since the airport.

William grinned at the sound. "Mission accomplished."

For the first time that day, all four brothers shared a laugh together, the heaviness lingering but not suffocating. And though Jimmy was gone, the bond left behind was strong enough to hold them steady until his return.