Chapter Text
It was a routine working day for Captain Gaspard Augé. He was scheduled to fly from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle to Toronto, but his plans changed unexpectedly when he was called in to fly to Tokyo instead. It was usually a Boeing 777-300ER route for Air France, but the scheduled aircraft had an urgent issue with water and waste systems, something that couldn’t have been fixed in an hour until the boarding, and the replacement aircraft decided to be the Airbus A350-900. The plane that Gaspard was mainly flying these days.
Gaspard didn’t mind the sudden change that much. After all, that’s just how his life was these days. Flying to a seemingly random location, then flying back to Paris, rinse and repeat. If he was completely honest with himself – and he was having more and more of those moments lately, especially when he found himself in yet another empty, generic hotel room with a bed that was far too big for one person – he was living on autopilot. His life outside of work was, at best, very plain and, at worst, non-existent. So, yes, he simply didn’t care if he flew to Toronto or Tokyo. Though he certainly preferred Japanese food.
However, the only change he cared about was the replacement of his co-pilot. He was supposed to fly with Victor, an experienced first officer he had flown with many times before and was good buddies with, but that had also changed. According to the computer system, he was now due to fly with Monsieur de Rosnay. A name he’d never heard before. But then again, that happened quite often overall. Many such cases where he spent a long-haul flight with someone he’d never seen before and would never see again. After all, Air France has around four thousand pilots. You just can’t know everyone.
Thankfully, pre-flight briefings existed to ensure that the crew discussed everything before the flight, but also so the pilots could become more familiar with each other. This was just about to happen as Gaspard entered the briefing room, where most of the crew were already present. His eyes quickly scanned the room, which was mostly filled with flight attendants. A few of them were smiling and chuckling in response to something that the second pilot had just said, and it must have been something utterly captivating because the crew were so engrossed that they almost didn’t notice Gaspard enter the room. That’s it until the aforementioned officer looked up at Gaspard, and Gaspard suddenly might’ve gotten an idea why some part of the crew could be so captivated with the pilot...
“Captain!” The first officer exclaimed, immediately standing up to reveal his shorter yet still confident and fit figure in a uniform matching Gaspard’s. “I’m Officer Xavier de Rosnay and I’ll be flying with you to Tokyo today.” He added with a charming smile, reaching out his hand for a handshake. Gaspard accepted it and suddenly all he could do was to let his eyes run over the man’s refined features, topped with big dark eyes and slightly longish black hair that Gaspard couldn’t describe as anything other than a lovely shade… He cleared his throat.
“Gaspard Augé… Nice to meet you.” Gaspard introduced himself with a nod while shaking his co-pilot’s hand that was big and had a pretty strong grip for such a lean guy… The man looked at him with that charming and confident look the entire time, his eyes seeming to almost observe him with a curious glint.
Gaspard couldn’t help but suddenly feel pretty hot at Xavier’s attention, which frankly, was quite a nonsensical reaction. Like, come on, he met countless people everyday, and Xavier was simply looking at him with those albeit pretty eyes, but still, they were just eyes… But then, the senior flight attendant began speaking and their hands simply parted, releasing the brief tension. He sighed and joined the table, sitting down right next to Xavier.
Thankfully, the briefing continued, enabling Gaspard to focus entirely on professional matters rather than his, let’s be honest, attractive first officer... Wait, what? Did you just admit to yourself that Xavier is actually attractive?! Well, yes... But there was no point lying to himself about the obvious. One look at his defined jaw, model-like cheekbones and full lips was enough to simply know it. See, Gaspard’s romantic life may be non-existent, but it didn’t prevent him from having eyes. On the contrary, sometimes it made him too easy, especially since it’d been so long since… But mind you, Gaspard wasn’t going to let himself be distracted. Thank goodness for the subjects of turbulence and fuel calculations, which were as far from seductive as possible...
“...According to weather reports, there are currently pretty harsh conditions above Austria and Slovenia, which may cause some turbulence. Nothing too severe, I’d say, but you should still delay the in-flight service until after that…” Gaspard remarked while looking at the live weather map on the tablet with the crew nodding and making notes.
Xavier hummed under his breath and turned with his office chair towards Gaspard, his gaze completely focused on the captain as he continued explaining and this… This, again, made Gaspard very aware of Xavier’s presence, and of the fact that he had been watching him speak the entire time. Honestly, it wasn’t helping…
“Otherwise, uh, the wind. Well, uh, it looks pretty decent in Eastern Europe. We may even catch some tailwind above the Black Sea and, and, Turkey, I-I think.” He added, scratching his head and gulping. What the hell was that? He thought his stuttering days were long gone. After all, he was an experienced captain, not a silly, nerdy teenager anymore! But he turned his head to look at Xavier and somehow he couldn’t even blame himself as such… Not with such a sight at hand.
“It looks like there are also strong tailwinds above Kazakhstan today, Captain. In that case, we could avoid the route through Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It would waste too much fuel.” Xavier pointed out with a velvety voice and a slight note of amusement. All that while looking very comfortable in his office chair with his body turned towards Gaspard and his long legs in black slacks spread slightly apart. Gaspard sighed, suddenly feeling pretty hot, and Xavier definitely knew that as a playful grin appeared on his handsome face as they stared at one another.
“For sure, Officer…” Gaspard agreed with a murmur, feeling even more flustered. However, he decided to finally look properly into Xavier’s eyes and what he saw actually eased him off. He’d expected Xavier to look amused at the sight of his blushing and stuttering captain, but instead, Xavier’s smile and eyes seemed intrigued and almost… flirtatious. This realization brought another hot wave across Gaspard’s body, but it also restored some of his confidence.
“Well, looks like we’re pretty much done here. Is that right, Captain?” Xavier asked with a raised brow, his voice soft. Gaspard cleared his throat and nodded, trying to shake himself off. Whether his co-pilot was handsome or not, he had a damn job to do and that’s what mattered the most…
“Uh yeah, everything is clear to me. Is it also for you?” Gaspard asked the rest of the crew, who nodded. “Alright then. Time to head to the plane. We’ll finish reviewing the aircraft and fuel status in the cockpit, Officer.” He added and stood up. Everyone else followed suit, grabbing their luggage to go to the plane.
“Gladly, Captain.” Xavier replied, as he stood in front of Gaspard, their eyes briefly meeting and running over each other’s faces. Gaspard couldn’t help but lick his lips lightly as he looked at Xavier's face, which undeniably looked even more attractive from up so close, and Xavier’s eyes suddenly dropped down dangerously close to something that could be indeed his lips... Gaspard’s mouth went slightly agape, because fuck, he sure was projecting things, no? But Xavier only smirked as he put on his pilot hat with a final nod, and then headed out of the room. Gaspard sighed. Fuck, who the hell was that guy… He had no fucking idea, but he had a gut feeling that the flight was going to feel longer than it already was…
Everything went actually smoothly and professionally as soon as they entered the cockpit. Fortunately, Xavier turned out to be highly experienced and knowledgeable when it came to the meticulous procedures and reports. They finished them in no time, and things in the passenger cabin seemed to be going pretty well too, with hardly any delay. Though Gaspard felt slightly distracted only once, when Xavier took off his black officer jacket to reveal a pristine white short sleeved shirt, which showed off his tattooed arms. Gaspard felt quite silly for being distracted at all because he was literally wearing the same uniform and he was also already jacketless here. Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but notice how good Xavier looked in white, not to mention those tattoos again... Gaspard suddenly felt the need to loosen his tie.
The remedy for those intrusive thoughts was prompt consent from ground control to taxi. Before he knew it, they were seated with seatbelts on, both engines were turned on and the full focus was only on his job. They finished the final takeoff check list and the runway was clear.
“AF286 ready now?” The air traffic control spoke through the radio. Both pilots looked at each other, sharing a look of confirmation. Xavier lightly smiled and nodded.
“AF286, yes, we’re ready.” Gaspard responded with a steady voice, his hand already on the throttle that controlled the thrust output of the aircraft’s engines by controlling the fuel flow.
“AF286 cleared for takeoff.” The air traffic control confirmed and Xavier pressed onto the rudder pedals to maintain the runway centerline.
“Takeoff.” Gaspard announced, finally pushing forward the throttle and steadily increasing the speed and fuel flow as the plane began to move down the runway.
“Flex 46, SRS runway. Auto thrust blue.” Xavier reported takeoff modes, watchfully monitoring all steps as intended. However, the words that Gaspard used every day as a pilot suddenly made his stupid brain wander. Thrust… huh? I’d sure love to thrust in– Wait, what? No!
What the fuck was that… Gaspard scolded himself for his immature thoughts at the worst possible moment. He swallowed hard, trying his best to ignore the blood rushing to his cheeks. Focus!
“Thrust... set.” He responded with a tight throat, a moment later than he should have done. Xavier briefly furrowed his brows, but fortunately, Gaspard's hands remained steady and did everything as intended.
“One hundred knots.” Xavier noted the speed loud, and Gaspard cleared his throat.
“Checked.” He answered with a firmer voice, pressing another button as he regained his composure.
“V1” The computer system announced the maximum speed at which a pilot could safely abort and stop the plane on the remaining runway. Beyond this point, there was simply no turning back. He just had to continue the takeoff, even if the engine suddenly failed.
“Rotate.” Xavier commanded the critical takeoff maneuver and Gaspard immediately pulled the sidestick to lift the nose wheel off the runway. Gaspard sighed as they were pushed slightly into the seats, and the aircraft steadily got off the ground, finally doing what the engineering marvel was made for: flying high.
“Positive climb.” Gaspard announced, a light smile of pride appearing on his face. He just couldn’t help it. No matter how many times he did it, takeoffs were always special to him. The mighty speed, the manual aspect that autopilots still couldn’t replace, and the sheer sensation of getting off the ground and climbing higher and higher into the sky to eventually fly above clouds... He loved Paris, but it could be quite cloudy. And this here? As long as it was a daytime flight, it was always beautifully sunny above the clouds.
“Gear up.” Gaspard commanded, and Xavier flicked the switch to retract the landing gear as the plane soared higher and higher.
“Flaps zero. Speed checked.” Xavier noted, switching more flicks. Gaspard hummed under his breath in satisfaction. Despite his earlier embarrassment, he was enjoying how smoothly they were working together so far. There was no doubt that Xavier was good at his job, and it was always a pleasure to work with this kind of person. Especially when they’re so handsome, huh?
“Ten thousand. Altitude set on autopilot.” Gaspard announced, starting to switch things to autopilot. “Autopilot one engaged and FL140 set.” He added and that was the moment when he could freely take his hands off the control stick and throttle. He ran a hand over his face with a sigh and took off his headset as one of the critical phases of the flight had just passed. Xavier followed suit and Gaspard put on his sunglasses as a brief silence took over them until Xavier spoke up.
“Should we dare to do it, Captain?” Xavier asked, tilting his head as he looked at Gaspard with a note of cheekiness. Gaspard’s mouth went slightly agape as his mind suddenly became blank, dozens of absurd scenarios appearing in his imagination at the question that sounded pretty ambiguous… Do what? Kiss your pretty face?
“Uh, do what…?” Gaspard asked hesitantly, slightly leaning towards Xavier over the control panel that divided the pilots. Xavier raised his brows, some confusion mixed with amusement appearing in his eyes that wandered over Gaspard’s face.
“Seatbelts off.” Xavier answered as he pointed at one of the dozens switches above them. Gaspard swallowed hard, mentally slapping himself again. Fucking hell, his brain was really not working today, huh? Obviously it was about something as clear… Disappointing, eh?
“Ah yeah… Of course, Officer.” He agreed with a nod and Xavier immediately switched the flick, letting the crew and passengers know that it was safe to leave their seats. The pilots also unfastened their seatbelts and Xavier returned his gaze to Gaspard, the cheekiness somewhat back in his eyes.
“Let’s skip the formalities. Just call me Xavier.” Xavier offered with a smirk and Gaspard needed a moment to comprehend his words. Was it only because of the fact that Xavier wanted to cut any formality and titles between them, or was it because he was eyeing up that pretty face again? Maybe just both.
“Oh… Alright. Don’t bother with the captain then. I’m Gaspard.” He answered without much thought. He wasn’t usually so informal with co-pilots he had just met, but why not... Xavier smirked, his eyes wandering over Gaspard.
“Gaspard…” Xavier mused, as if testing the sound of the name on his tongue. And God, it sounded so nice spoken by that velvety voice... “It suits you.” He added with a smile that seemed to contain a note of playfulness. Gaspard suddenly felt hotter again.
“Ah thanks…” He murmured as he briefly rubbed the back of his neck, not really knowing what else to add. All that while Xavier continued to watch him with a gaze that seemed almost intrigued… But surely it wasn’t, right? After all, nothing to be interested in here…
Still, Gaspard couldn’t help but feel the need to somehow fill in the silence that felt almost heavy and tense. Not in a particularly bad way, but it seemed as if something needed to be said… Xavier examined their flight trajectory on the tablet and Gaspard couldn’t help but gaze some more at his tattooed arms and those big hands that held the device… He sighed and cursed the fact that he sucked at talking so much, but fuck it. He had to try. Gaspard cleared his throat.
“Um, how have you found flying on the A350 so far? You started flying them not so long ago…” He asked the first thing that came into his head. It was also the most neutral thing he could think of, although it was kind of nerdy. But, truly, you had to be a nerd at heart to do this profession, even if some pilots tried hard to seem like the coolest fuckers ever. This turned out to be true when Xavier suddenly looked up at him with a grin. Maybe it was just because he had been asked about the aircraft, or maybe it was because Gaspard had asked him anything at all, but either way, it was quite a lovely sight…
“Pretty excellent, I must say. I’ve flown on an A330-200 before, which is decent as well. But you can see it’s aging, you know? Meanwhile here.... It’s so fresh and comfortable that it almost makes you feel privileged to fly it. I can almost imagine how pilots felt flying the 747 in the ‘70s. There are so many cool features that are just the peak of today’s technology. Definitely an upgrade.” Xavier explained with sudden enthusiasm, allowing Gaspard to breathe a sigh of relief at the fact that Xavier hadn’t found this basic question too boring. Moreover, he couldn’t help but actually even smile a little, because he quite agreed and it was simply nice to hear Xavier talk as well. He had a nice voice… “What about you, Gaspard? I heard that you were one of the first pilots to fly the A350 when AF first got them.” Xavier asked, tilting his head in curiosity. Gaspard raised his brow in surprise. They had talked a little about their experiences during the briefing, but Gaspard didn’t remember mentioning that he was one of the first pilots to fly that particular aircraft. You’ve heard about me?
“Ah, it’s true. I first flew it in 2019 when it was fresh off the production line. Pretty incredible feeling… Even though at the time I dreamed more of flying the A380.” Gaspard answered with a shrug, lightly scratching his head. He didn’t complain about his current aircraft, though. In fact, it was an amazing machine to fly. However, it was true that at the time, he had been trying to get a certificate for a much bigger A380, which had legendary status in the world of aviation, but which Air France had already phased out. Xavier raised his brows.
“A380?! Can’t blame you… They’re still magnificent. I flew them as a passenger a few times and it was always much more comfortable than any other typical widebody aircraft. Of course, I understand from an economic standpoint why so many airlines, including ours, ditched it. But it's truly a legend. At least you can still see them on some Asian routes and on flights to Australia. Well, except for a few odd routes of Lufthansa to America, but I doubt they’ll continue it for much longer.” Xavier contemplated, still engaged in the discussion, and Gaspard liked it. He liked how passionate Xavier was. He liked how his eyes sparkled with interest and how attentive he was towards him, their eyes meeting as they smiled at each other in something akin to mutual connection.
“True...” Gaspard murmured, nodding. His mind suddenly focused more on Xavier and his beauty than on his words, and that was the part he didn’t like. Not the part of him appreciating Xavier here and there, but the part of how it made his mind completely blank. His mouth just shut down and, for fuck’s sake, he just couldn’t find any words. Xavier still continued to gaze at him, almost as if something was on the tip of his tongue, and fucking hell, no, he couldn’t take it… “Uh um, I’m going to the lavatory and then I’ll get some coffee. Keep your eye on things.” The words suddenly rushed out of Gaspard’s mouth before he could even force himself to think logically. Xavier raised a brow, but Gaspard simply left the cockpit before he could even respond.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. You’re so stupid! These thoughts raced through his mind as he made his way to the toilet. He told the first member of the cabin crew he encountered to accompany Xavier while he was away to enforce the 'two-person' rule in the cockpit, as a single pilot should never be left alone in there. He passed two more flight attendants, each smiling at him with ‘captain’ on their lips. He only nodded in acknowledgement, putting on his stoic mask, which suited his respectable captain persona perfectly. That’s it until he finally closed the lavatory door behind with a loud thud.
The first thing he did when he entered the lavatory was splash water on his face. The second thing he did was curse himself for being such an embarrassing, tongue tied fucker, because what on earth had just happened?! He already knew that Xavier’s presence was striking. But why? Alright, he was extremely handsome, but it’s not like he had never met attractive people before. Yet Xavier’s presence seemed different. Strong, charismatic, yet warm. Magnetic, understanding, and attentive. A wild combination that made Gaspard, who was naturally introverted, become even more flustered because this beauty of a man suddenly started paying him attention, and Gaspard unconsciously craved it. He didn’t want to fuck up, but instead he was just overthinking it, which only led to his mind giving an error 404. It was a terrible fucking process.
Gaspard sighed deeply as he leaned over the lavatory sink. His not-so-stoic eyes stared back at him from the small mirror, and he couldn't help but have a sudden moment of sincerity with himself. Frankly, he’d been on autopilot for so long that he’d forgotten what it felt like to need anything. Beneath the mask of the busy stoic lay a layer of apathy that was hiding loneliness and the fact that he was desperately needy. Now, suddenly, he’d met a nice, flirty guy who was fun to talk to, and he just panicked because he hadn’t felt that thirsty in so fucking long…
What was the solution? Xavier might have appeared quite flirty at times, but Gaspard still wasn’t sure if he was gay, and he didn’t really feel like asking him that directly. The last thing he wanted was to make things awkward when they still had several hours to spend together in the cockpit. Asking Xavier out was also out of the question, since Gaspard was his superior and that would definitely not be appropriate. He’d hate to make Xavier feel pressured and uncomfortable because his captain had asked him out on a date out of nowhere... No, no. Gaspard felt bad at the mere thought.
So, conclusion? There was no fucking conclusion, and certainly nothing could be thought up in a small lavatory in a few moments. That was all he had. After all, spending a long time in the lavatory would look suspicious, and the cabin crew and Xavier might even get worried that something was wrong. So that was it. He simply had to get busy with work and pull himself together. Just like always in his life anyway. He splashed his face one more time and finally left the toilet with a stoic mask back in place.
As soon as he returned to the cockpit and the flight attendant left it, Xavier asked him if everything was okay. Gaspard was briefly touched that Xavier cared enough to ask, but he quickly composed himself and answered yes, resolving to remain as neutral as possible for the rest of the flight. For a few hours, this seemed to even work. There was still some tension between them, but both pilots focused completely on the flight and only exchanged words about necessary matters. That’s it until at some point Xavier sighed deeply and pointed his gaze directly at Gaspard.
“So, Gaspard. How about getting the basics out of the way… Age? City? Who’s lucky enough to run their hands through those curls?” Xavier asked with a smirk, his voice low and containing a note of playfulness. Gaspard’s mouth fell open at the sudden forwardness, especially at the last question… He scratched his head.
“Really cutting to the chase, huh?” He murmured, swallowing hard, and his plan had just got fucked… Xavier shrugged and took a look at his golden watch.
“Well, we still have about four hours left together, so we might as well make the most of that time. Mind you, though, spending time with such a handsome captain is never unpleasant.” Xavier pointed out with a wink and Gaspard didn’t know which was more shocking. The fact that Xavier had just fucking winked at him, or the fact that he had called him handsome. No way he’s serious…
“Fair enough…” Gaspard answered with a tight throat and took off his sunglasses since the sun had already set down. He rubbed his eyes and suddenly he realised how tired he was getting. Paradoxically, this made his tongue loosen up a bit. There was no harm in having a bit of a chitchat, right? It happened on every flight anyway… “Well, I’m 46 and from Paris. Uh um, I’m single.” He revealed with a shrug, rubbing the back of his neck. That surely had to end the discussion soon, right? Nothing interesting to talk about here… Xavier raised a brow.
“Single? That’s surprising…” He mused with a hum and Gaspard briefly frowned. What was that supposed to mean? “But we’re pretty much peers. I’m 43 and I also live in Paris.” Xavier continued with a grin, his eyes running over Gaspard’s figure. Gaspard could feel his skin warming up again, both at Xavier’s pretty smile and at the way his gaze continued to wander over him.
“Oh, nice… Family, kids?” Gaspard asked, trying to keep it ordinary, and it was a very ordinary question, right? He’d been asked that countless times before. Xavier shook his head.
“No. No family, kids or a partner. My last boyfriend hated how rarely I was at home, which is understandable, I guess. But he knew well that I'm a pilot.” He shared with a sigh. Gaspard tried his best not to show his surprise at the important detail that had been so nonchalantly revealed. Oh God, so Xavier actually liked men… Is it really that surprising, though? Just take a look at the man! You were just trying to look for excuses earlier.
“Oh, right…” Gaspard whispered with a tight throat as he struggled to find the words, his mind racing with intense thoughts again.
“So yeah, it's been a while since I've had any luck in this regard. Sometimes I've even thought about trying things with someone from our field. Maybe they’d understand my situation better. But I don't know...” Xavier trailed off with a shrug as his eyes moved away from Gaspard and focused on one of the cockpit’s screens, his features suddenly more serious.
Gaspard couldn’t help feeling flustered at the realization that they were both literally pilots. If Xavier thought that was favourable, then maybe... But he was also intrigued by the sudden look on Xavier’s face, which seemed to express genuine emotion, and even some momentary wistfulness. It reminded Gaspard that beneath the mask of a flirtatious and attractive man, there was still a man, just like him, experiencing everything that life had to offer, the good and the bad. Suddenly, it felt somewhat easier to talk. Gaspard cleared his throat.
“Well, flight attendants were certainly making eyes at you in the briefing room earlier.” He teased with a light chuckle. It was his way of keeping things light, but also a way to find out more about Xavier’s preferences. He’d admitted he was into guys, but he could still be bisexual like him. Gaspard was just curious, that’s all… Xavier raised a brow.
“Really? Too bad for them I’m gay.” Xavier responded with a light snort, the spark of humour returning to his eyes. “But they still have such handsome captains like you to ogle, so.” He added with a playful grin, his eyes full back on the captain. Gaspard swallowed hard, another hot wave running over him as everything seemed to be obvious now. Xavier had admitted to being gay and it was yet another time he’d called him handsome… So it certainly seemed that Xavier wouldn’t mind if Gaspard became even more talkative.
“I guess. I swing both ways so… But I prefer men these days.” Gaspard admitted with a light smirk, trying to hide the fact that his heart had just skipped a beat or two. He had never particularly hidden his preferences, but it had been so long since he had been involved with anyone that he simply hadn’t had the opportunity to talk to anyone about his sexuality. It felt freeing, but also exciting because he was just admitting it to a man with a face, and probably body too, that looked like a piece of an art… Xavier raised his brows, a clear satisfaction appearing in his expressive eyes.
“Oh yeah?” Xavier asked, tilting his head in curiosity. Gaspard nodded, realizing that soon there would be no turn back… Fuck it, talk to him.
“Yes… I'm not really active in the romantic sphere these days. But there are still times when a particular man catches my eye and it reminds me how sensitive I am to male beauty.” He admitted, thinking of one certain man. His tongue briefly slipped out to lick his lips delicately, and Xavier’s eyes immediately dropped somewhere nearby.
“Really? Lucky that guy…” He murmured with a low voice, leaning towards Gaspard. Fuck, Gaspard just cursed the fact that they were in the cockpit, all that equipment still between them.
“You really think so?” Gaspard asked quietly, a note of disbelief still there in his eyes and voice. After all, he still couldn’t believe that his co-pilot had been so blatantly flirting with him in the cockpit. Could he become any bolder? Xavier huffed.
“Well, have you looked in the mirror recently?” He asked, shaking his head as if the matter was just obvious. Gaspard scratched his head.
“Uh yeah?” He murmured in confusion, feeling flustered again. Xavier shook his head again, chuckling under his breath.
“You’re cute when you’re so oblivious. But can I be honest?” He asked, his expression softening as he looked Gaspard right in the eyes. Gaspard swallowed hard, feeling his cheeks warm up slightly. He nodded. “In less professional circumstances, I’d make a move on you, Gaspard. You’re my type.” Xavier admitted, smiling softly yet looking confidently at Gaspard. It was a look and a set of words that made Gaspard’s cheeks burn to an almost embarrassing degree. What the fuck was going on…
Gaspard sighed deeply and looked away briefly as he focused on one of the screens to check the flight parameters. He flicked a few necessary switches, trying to buy himself some time to process what had just been said. No fucking way... Had Xavier really just admitted to being into him? But why? What could a man like Xavier possibly see in an eternal bachelor with no private life?! He really had no clue, but if Xavier really meant it, then he cursed that they had to run into each other at goddamn work. But still, as soon as they finish the flight, then maybe…
“What about me is your type?” He suddenly asked, unable to quench his curiosity. He just had to know… Xavier smirked and ran his playful gaze across Gaspard’s body.
“Well, you’re tall with broad shoulders, and your beard complements your handsome face nicely. I've become quite blind to pilot uniforms by now, but you look great in one. And those curls... It’s hard not to want to touch them. They look so soft.” Xavier admitted with a low voice, the words flowing effortlessly from his mouth as if it were all obvious, as if Xavier had needed just one look at Gaspard to notice it all.
Gaspard lightly bit his lip, his breath deepening briefly as he couldn’t contain his intense emotions: surprise, excitement, and a sense of being appreciated. After all, it had been so long since anyone had made him feel attractive, and yet here was Xavier, simply gazing at him with those beautiful dark eyes and saying a few words. Gaspard felt like he was on fire...
“And you’re just nice to talk to. Obviously we don’t really know each other yet. But I come across a lot of assholes with big egos in cockpits. I haven’t got this impression from you at all so far.” Xavier continued with a softer look on his face. Gaspard could quite relate, he knew jerks weren't lacking in this world, no matter the field. Thankfully, Xavier didn't seem to be one of them either. But most of all, Gaspard was just relieved that he hadn’t come across as a stuck-up asshole, despite his lack of verbosity.
“I-I wouldn’t mind if you made a move on me.” Gaspard suddenly admitted before he could even think twice of what he should say or not. But fuck it. He didn’t know if he would run into Xavier again, and Xavier had admitted so much... It’d be just utterly stupid to waste such a chance, even though he could feel his skin burning. Xavier’s gaze wandered all over his face, and a spark of apparent satisfaction appeared in his eyes. He lightly licked his lips and grinned playfully.
“I’ll keep that in mind, handsome.” Xavier concluded with a low voice that Gaspard already adored. The voice he couldn’t help but wish to hear whispered against his ear and skin in a much steamier scenario…
Gaspard sighed, his skin still as warm as ever as his mind continued to wander to certain places… He checked another set of parameters because, no matter the outcome of this conversation, he still had to do his job. This also allowed him to kind of calm down, and God knows, he really needed it… But just as Gaspard pushed the buttons next to the throttle to adjust the fuel efficiency, Xavier suddenly put his hand on top of Gaspard’s, and Gaspard’s heart might as well have jumped out of his chest.
“You don’t mind this either?” Xavier asked, his voice betraying a hint of apprehension. Gaspard let out a shaky breath as he was experiencing one shock after another. However, before he could even form words, he gently took Xavier’s hand in his own. It suddenly felt like the most natural thing to do.
“I’d gladly ask for more if we weren’t here.” He whispered, his throat tight and his eyes brimming with need and desperation. Yes, he was indeed desperate. Desperate for the soft touch and intimacy that, even in this small amount, felt so delightful. Xavier sighed as if in bliss, his thumb gently caressing Gaspard’s skin as their fingers interlaced. Gaspard swore he was just moments away from doing something utterly questionable when he saw Xavier looking at him with that soft gaze and pretty smile while touching and holding his hand so gently... Suddenly, however, the air traffic control broke their bliss.
“Air France 286, direct TOPPS. According to the flight plans.” The radio spoke loudly and clearly to inform them that everything was as planned, but it startled Gaspard quite a bit. He quickly took his hand away from Xavier, who sighed deeply. However, perhaps some distraction was welcome after all. Much as he would have liked to hold that lovely hand for a little while longer, this really wasn't the place for it.
“Air France 286. Thank you, direct TOPPS.” Xavier responded with a confirmation. Gaspard was thankful that Xavier had answered immediately, as he definitely didn’t trust his voice much at the moment. However, Xavier looked at him with a reassuring smile and things suddenly felt better again…
Fortunately, he managed to relax even more as time passed. Xavier probably came to the same conclusion, deciding that they would be better off focusing completely on their tasks. After all, they still had a lot to discuss about the approaching arrival and he didn’t try to flirt anymore. That said, it didn’t mean that a strict mood took over the cockpit. On the contrary, things felt even easier than before. Jokes were exchanged effortlessly and smiles and looks of appreciation simply became part of their work.
“Tokyo Haneda Tower, hello, this is AF286. Runway 22.” Before Gaspard knew it, he was asking Tokyo tower for confirmation of the runway and landing. That’s it, long hours had just passed and the final task was all that they had to focus on and put their everything into.
“AF286, Tokyo Haneda Tower, good morning. One mile final, wind 200 for 13 knots. RWY22. Cleared to land, traffic will hold in position on a crossing runway.” The tower immediately confirmed, and Xavier’s hands were already on the throttle and sidestick. Since Gaspard had taken off hours ago as the pilot operating, they had decided to swap roles for the landing. Gaspard was monitoring this time.
“Gear down.” Xavier commanded and Gaspard switched the necessary flicks to activate the aircraft landing gear.
“Gear down. Flaps three. Speed checked.” Gaspard reported, pushing the next buttons as he monitored the parameters carefully.
“Manual thrust and manual flight. Autopilot off.” Xavier declared as he pushed the autopilot disengage button, while steadily decreasing the fuel flow and, consequently, the speed. From now on, everything was manual. Every manoeuvre of the aircraft depended on his hands.
“Approach one. Runway straight ahead in sight.” Gaspard noted, the airport and the city clearly visible.
“200 feet, minimum.” The computer system announced the final moment at which they could abort the approach as the aircraft steadily lowered itself.
“Continue. Glide is okay, power high.” Xavier confirmed confidently and Gaspard hummed under his breath in approval.
“100… 50, 40, 30, 20, 10.” The computer continued to note the height until the wheels finally touched the ground smoothly, the aircraft rolling down the runway as they applied the brakes.
“Spoilers. Reverse green. Decelerating.” Gaspard reported, quickly turning the wing spoilers and causing the aircraft to slow down steadily. Xavier just grinned in satisfaction, and Gaspard couldn’t help but also smile as he watched his co-pilot maneuver the aircraft in search of a taxiway after a very smooth landing.
“AF286. Turn left, taxiway Sierra four.” The ground control guided them onto the correct route and they headed in that direction for a few more minutes until they finally reached their gate.
“The parking brake is set.” Gaspard stated after completing the shutdown checklist and finally positioning the aircraft at the gate. That’s it. The flight was officially over, only the reports remained, and then they could head to the hotel. “That was a beautiful landing, Xavier. Very smooth.” He added with a soft smile, genuinely meaning his words, as the landing had gone flawlessly. Not to mention that it was quite a great sight to watch Xavier so focused and confident…
“It wouldn’t have happened without the watchful eye of such an experienced captain like you.” Xavier responded with a grin as they unfastened their seatbelts.
Gaspard chuckled quietly at the playful response, but he still couldn’t shake off a sense of slight restlessness. He rubbed the back of his neck briefly, having some words on the tip of his tongue, as the silence took over for a few moments, during which Xavier continued to gaze at him. Gaspard couldn’t help but just remember their earlier conversation, and think how he wanted to return to it and maybe even ask Xavier to see him again. But God, he still really shouldn’t. After all, he was his superior, and he could feel his cheeks warm up at the mere thought… However, Xavier soon spoke up again.
“So, I assume you're just going to go straight to the hotel and get some sleep?” Xavier asked, just as Gaspard was about to start overthinking again. Gaspard swallowed hard, but the soft look on Xavier’s face and in his eyes quite grounded him. He nodded.
“Oh yeah, definitely. I’m tired as hell and it’s some weird hour here. I just want to fall asleep and not think.” He answered with a shrug and a deep sigh. After all, it was true. No matter what he wanted, he was still jetlagged and exhausted after several hours of flying. What he needed most was rest.
“Understandable, it’s almost midnight in Paris. Meanwhile here it’s 7 in the damn morning…” Xavier agreed with a sigh, taking a quick look at his watch. “But what about tomorrow? Or well, later today, I guess. Any plans?” He asked curiously, and Gaspard furrowed his brows as he tried to think of any plans he might have. At that point, his plans were always pretty much non-existent. He'd probably just go out for a meal and have a drink or two, but that was it.
“Uh no, I don’t think so.” Gaspard responded with a shrug, scratching his head as he tried not to think about how dull his answer might have sounded. However, contrary to Gaspard, Xavier seemed to look almost… hopeful about his answer. His expression softened suddenly, and he smiled in a gentle manner as he looked down briefly, his long fingers fidgeting with the bracelet of his watch.
“Well, Gaspard… How about going out with me this evening? I know some great gyoza places here in Tokyo that I always visit when I’m in town.” He finally asked, his attention fully returning to Gaspard, whose mouth immediately fell agape. After all, how else could he react when he’d almost lost hope of anything more, and yet Xavier had surprised him like that?! But wait, it still didn’t have to mean anything, right? What did he even mea– “And yes… It’s a date and it’s on me.” Xavier added before Gaspard could even finish his thought, his voice soft and eyes gentle and hopeful. Gaspard let out a breath and his heart raced for a few moments straight.
“I’d love to.” He answered immediately, without a second thought. After all, how could he possibly say no? He’d spent the entire flight thirsting after the guy! So, no matter how things would go, he still wanted to give it a chance, especially since Xavier had gone out of his way to invite him. Xavier grinned and he did so in a way that made Gaspard just wish he could see more of it. God, he’s truly so pretty…
“It’s a date then.” Xavier concluded, briefly touching Gaspard’s arm as he stood up. Gaspard closed his eyes for a moment, relishing the soft caress, and he could feel only one thing. Longing for more.