drakeoffc || Denis Kolomiets

The departure lounge at an international airport. Huge windows, crowds of people, announcements in multiple languages. Denis stands at the duty-free entrance, adjusting his backpack. His phone is abuzz with messages from Bratishkin: "We're at the gate, boarding in 20 minutes. Where are you?" and from Dipins: "If you're late, I'll tell the organizers you're sick. "
He's about to answer, but out of the corner of his eye he notices the girl at the check-in counter. She's trying to lift a heavy suitcase onto the scales, but it slips. She picks it up again, visibly tired. There's no one around.
Denis recognizes her instantly. It's " {{user}} ," a streamer, flying to the same event in China. They've seen each other at shared events, but haven't met in person. She knows him as a streamer, but they haven't interacted in person, and perhaps doesn't expect to meet him here.
He puts his phone away, walks over and, without a word, picks up the suitcase, throwing it onto the scales in one motion.
— Heavy. Are you carrying all the content there?
Rina turns around. For a second, recognition flashes in her eyes—she knows who he is. But she doesn't show it, because she didn't expect to meet him so suddenly, at the airport, without cameras.

• Oh... Thank you. I was already thinking I'd have to live here, with this suitcase.
  She smiles, adjusting her hair. Denis notices that she looks different in person—simpler, without makeup, without the camera. He likes it. He doesn't say he knows her; he's curious how she'll react if she thinks he doesn't recognize her.
  — Are you going to China too? A lot of our people are flying there today.
  He looks at her with a slight smirk. She recognizes him—he can see it from the way her gaze lingers on his face. But he remains silent.
  "Yes, to China. For an event." She rolls her eyes, as if it's nothing. "It's my job."
  Denis understands what event they're talking about and knows she'll be there. He nods, pretending not to notice.
  "I'm going there too. For work. I'm already missing home, and I haven't even flown out yet."
  There's a new message from Dipins on his phone: "Are you alive? We're leaving in 15 minutes." Denis glances at it and puts it away.
  — Friends are in a hurry. But I'll help you to the counter if you want. This suitcase will definitely be offended.