heng_like_a_dragon

Good to know.

[ he considers, for a moment, teleporting into the living room instead of walking but ultimately decides against it. Mimi is used to it by now, certainly, but he would feel bad if his sudden appearance were to the spook the catcakes.

instead Jing Yuan walks back inside like a normal person, bidding farewell to his favorite napping location and white lion pokemon still inhabiting it. his path is quick to take him to the living room and his cat covered partner. ]

The reinforcements have arrived.

[And by the gods is Dan Heng covered in cats. Mimi has been brushed to soft perfection, and is currently curled up next to his leg. Her paw is covering her face as she purrs while clearly napping. Sesame has decided to have his hind legs on Dan Heng's shoulder while draping his upper body along said man's head. The catcake that looks suspiciously like Jing Yuan has decided to wedge himself between Dan Heng's back and the couch. Finally, Dumpling is being perfectly polite in his lap while he's being brushed. All of the cats are purring. Despite his terminal resting bitch face, Jing Yuan can see a bit of softness in his eyes.

Dan Heng looks up when he hears his partner arrive, though he's careful not to dislodge Sesame.]

My hero. I'm almost done with Rice Dumpling.

[Somehow. At least Dumpling is a small cat compared to the other three giant cats they have.]

Edited 2024-08-02 11:00 (UTC)

[ the sight brings a smile to the general's lips, easing some of the anxiety he had awoken from his nap. tension bleeds from his shoulders as he waltzes over, reaching down to give Mimi a short scratch, settling down the side of Dan Heng that wasn't consumed by cats. ]

They are quite taken with you. [ he has to shift a little then, reaching up to give Sesame a similar scratch while making sure not to dislodge him. ] I cannot help but feel bad for stealing your attention from them.

[Dan Heng smiles a little at that.]

I'm not entirely certain why, but it's better than being scared of me.

[He finishes brushing Dumpling and sets the brush aside. Gently, the former High Elder gets Sesame off of his head and onto the floor.]

Okay, I'll brush the rest of you later, I promise.

[Slowly, reluctantly, the cats eventually leave. Mimi is the last to go, stretching and yawning before gracefully jumping down to go play with the other three cats. Dan Heng sighs softly before leaning a little against Jing Yuan's side.]

You're not stealing my attention. I'm giving it to you, freely and gladly. [He looks up at him, studying his partner for a moment.] Is something wrong?

[ there is a part of him that is almost sad to see the cats go but another that is glad for it. Dan Heng's weight rests against him and instinctually Jing Yuan wraps an arm around him, holding the other man close. ]

No, nothing is wrong. [ has he truly become so easily read? this life free of the chains of command have softened him. ] Just old memories bubbling up to the surface.

[ the Shackling Prison, the Borisin, Dan Heng's retreating form as he waited for the axe to finally fall. ]

[Having Jing Yuan's arm around him has Dan Heng instinctively curling up against his side more fully. He can never help himself, and he's given up resisting those urges in private.]

Mm... We have a lot of those, don't we?

[Perhaps too many. He reaches up to brush his fingers through long, white hair.]

Which ones have surfaced for you?

More than one lifetimes worth.

[ Jing Yuan leans into the fingers in his hair, his grip on Dan Heng tightening just so. he has never worried about the other's capability of taking care of himself and he is certain things would work out for the better in the end yet─

he had hoped Dan Heng would never have to step foot back there. ]

The Wardance. [ if he closes his eyes Jing Yuan knows faces will flash before his vision and familiar voices will fill his ears. ] Glimpses came to me while I was taking a nap.

[Who knew such a simple word could bring a medley of emotions within his heart? Dan Heng remembers seeing right through Jing Yuan back then. The politics going on behind the scenes, as clear as water in his old-young eyes. He remembers wanting to defend Jing Yuan, but couldn't make that obvious. He knows the dance even if he's never participated himself.

Yet what taints those memories is the cold shadow of the Shackling Prison. He's been haunted by that dark, cold, lonely place ever since awakening to his memories. They hound him, circle him like a predator waiting to pounce. It's why he has trouble with so much as stepping foot inside the Fortress.

Unconsciously, Dan Heng rubs at his wrist where the nails had been embedded into his flesh.]

Mm... I remember genuinely looking forward to it, and properly introducing March and Caelus to an important part of our culture. ... As well as seeing you again, despite the circumstances.

[He pauses.]

That was also the first time I got to meet General Huaiyan as Dan Heng, I believe.

[Yet that wouldn't cause so much anxiety in his boyfriend. He closes his eyes for a moment before looking up at the taller man.]

It will not hurt me to talk about it, àirén, if that is what you need.

[His voice is low and gentle. He can talk about it, even if Dan Heng would normally prefer not to.]

[ he feels guilty for even mentioning it, for summoning the image of the Shackling Prison from the depths of his lover's mind. after all he suffered it would be best if those memories stayed buried in those depths, if they never again haunted him again. it is a vain wish, one that could be fulfilled no matter how hard the general desires it.

those memories always finds a way of haunting them, no matter the lifetime.

absently, Jing Yuan reaches for the other's wrist gently gliding his fingers over until he laces their fingers together. ]

I was glad to see you all again, politics aside. I had... missed your presence.

[ of course Dan Heng singles in on the source of his anxiety without fail, those beautiful eyes seeing through him as though he were made of nothing but glass. he exhales and meets the other's gaze. ]

No, it isn't. [ he leans down enough to rest his forehead against Dan Heng's. ] I have what I need right here, you safe and warm in my arms. I could apologize until the end of time for asking you to go back there, but it would not change the events that transpired.

[Dan Heng looks a little surprised to have Jing Yuan resting his forehead against the Vidyadhara's own. However, there's also a quiet delight and affection in his blue eyes to have it all the same. All he needs is just a little bit of Jing Yuan and Blade's affection and attention. He's always given so much more than that, especially during moments when he feels that he least deserves it.]

I chose to go back.

[He reaches up to gently caress his partner's cheek. His blue eyes don't leave Jing Yuan's golden ones, still as bright and warm as a sun.]

If it meant protecting you, I'd go back and stay.

[Dan Heng hesitates before quietly admitting:]

Truth be told... the Shackling Prison was one of the first memories I had when I awakened to my past life. Back in college, I... had a stalker that tried to take advantage of me walking home alone at night. He stabbed me, which awakened my first memory, and I panicked. I became a dragon and killed him on accident. It led to the police detaining me in a holding cell, which was... how I had those memories resurface.

...What I'm trying to say rather clumsily is that it's not your fault, A-Yuan. I never blamed you. Not then, not now, and the same was true for Dan Feng.

[ he knows deep inside himself that there was very little Dan Heng would not do for those he cares about, but there is something different about hearing it from the Vidyadhara's own mouth. there is assurance in his words that washes over the Arbiter-General like wave of cool water, soothing festering fears. ]

I would never allow it.

[ Jing Yuan's leans into Dan Heng's touch. he expression only hardening as the other man describes his awakening. a storm starts to flicker in those golden eyes for a brief moment, only to fizzle as quickly as it began. ]

I know. Even if I had been at fault you would not have blamed me. [ it will take a long time for Jing Yuan not to blame himself in some capacity, but he is trying. one day he will accept that his inability to act is not cause for blame. ] You would have taken all the fault on yourself to spare those you love.

[He gives Jing Yuan a small, warm smile at that.]

Then there is nothing to fear.

[Dan Heng sees the storm that flickers within his golden eyes and feels Vritra's discontent. His passenger doesn't like Jing Yuan and his Lightning Lord. The dragon gets the sense that eventually that dislike will cause friction or turn to hatred, but there's nothing he can do about that. Indra had left his mark.

But he puts that aside in favor of giving his full attention to Jing Yuan and their conversation.]

...A fatal flaw of mine that seems to span lifetimes. [He bumps his nose gently against Jing Yuan's in a "bunny" kiss.] I'd been lonely for many, many lives, but then the High-Cloud Quintet changed that forever. I can't help seeing you as priceless treasures to protect.

[His love runs deep. Whether it's friendship or romance.]

[ it would be funny if Jing Yuan knew, knowing that his Lightning Lord cares little for the passenger responsible for bringing Dan Heng back to them. many times has his possessor's gaze settled on Vritra without being marked for a Hunt, each time bringing nothing but relief to Jing Yuan's heart. the last thing he wants is to raise his blade at him and strike him down, for the being possessing his partner to become as dangerous as that demon that had it's claws into Blade.

but he refuses to entertain that line of thinking, focusing entirely on the man in his arms. ]

We all share that flaw I fear. [ he smiles widely, bumping Dan Heng's noise back. ] You are just as precious a treasure, àirén. One that changed the trajectory of our lives just as much as we changed yours.

[After a long and arduous fight against the Steel Maiden, Blade makes his way home. He's tired as hell and covered in blood (his own, mostly) but he's been healed by at least one wind spirit and a pushy white mage, so he's not doing too badly. He needs a bath, though, and maybe a cotton ball and some rubbing alcohol for the remaining scratches and bumps he'll feel for the next week.

Or he could wait for his regeneration, but everyone else vetoed that already.

He pushes the door open after somehow managing to unlock it, and then nearly trips over the chonky Sesame Cake loafed in the foyer. Blade looks like hell: his hair is in a messy half-up, half-down state, he's sticky and bloody, his bandages are coming off his left hand, and he's very unamused. He stares Sesame down. Sesame stares back.]

Move or else we're putting you on a diet.

[Okay, that gets Sesame to scoot.]

Tiánxīn? Yuan'er? I'm back.

[Blade gets about five steps in, and then he just lays down on the floor.]

Yingxing?

[ Snomwoon's insistence is what pulled him from his vigil, the pokemon refusing to let Jing Yuan continue until he found out what the sound and smell coming from the front of the house is. if they are lucky Blade would return to them unharmed, if not─

the smell of copper greets him before his gaze has even a chance to fall on the other man, golden eyes wide as he kneels down beside Blade. old Cloud Knight habits kick in before he even realizes it, hands and eyes checking over every inch of him in search of wounds. the amount of blood coating Blade is worrying, but the rise and fall of his chest is not erratic enough to indicate any danger.

still... ]

This is not a very sensible place to rest, A-Xing. [ there is tinge of worry coloring his calm tone and written all over his face. ] Do you mean to give A-Heng a heart attack?

[Dan Heng hears Blade calling out to them. After preparing their first aid kit, he's been busying himself with warming up water and finding a rag he doesn't mind getting blood on. And when that's done, he moves on to general maintenance on Cloud-Piercer. He's just finished, in fact, when Blade calls out.

Jing Yuan can definitely hear the Vidyadhara's footsteps being slow yet somehow hurried. Until Blade, face down on the floor, comes into his field of vision. Dan Heng grabs the first aid kit immediately before rushing over. He looks over him like Jing Yuan did, and meets the General's eyes for a moment.]

A-Xing is particularly adept at giving me heart attacks.

[He shakes his head and carefully turns Blade over.]

A-Yuan, could you start a bath for him? We'll need to clean him up before I can start on wound care.

[Fortunately, Yue the now Gardevoir takes the first aid kit out of Dan Heng's hands. He picks Blade up in a princess carry with the same effort he would a pillow. He blinks in mild surprise, but now's not the time to analyze that. Instead, the Vidyadhara will head towards the bathroom.]

[Nothing about Blade's breathing is labored, at least.]

I'm tired. The floor's nice.

[Well, okay.

He lets them flip him over without so much as a protest.]

Venti and Rose healed me, so I'm fine. The blood is old.

[... Then he's picked up in a princess carry. Blade's eyes pop open.]

I said I'm fine—

[... He's still not struggling all that hard, though.]

[ Jing Yuan nods, content to leave Blade to Dan Heng as he goes to the bathroom with Mimi (who had grown curious about the commotion) trailing at his heel's. the cat watches his master impassively as the General quickly gets a bath running and fetches a couple of towels from their storage space.

with the bath drawn Jing Yuan intended to go back and help Dan Heng move Blade to the bathroom, only that plan goes up in utter smoke the moment he pokes his head out the bathroom door.

oh. ]

I would stop arguing if I were you, Yingxing. You know he isn't going to listen.

[ get cared for idiot. ]

[Don't worry, Jing Yuan, you'll be princess carried in the near future by your dragon wife, too.

Dan Heng glances down imperially at Blade for a brief moment.]

Funny, I seem to recall you liking when I carried you like this in the past. ... You weigh practically nothing. Have you been eating lately?

[He's been trying to make sure Blade eats three square meals a day, and he's pretty sure he's succeeded more often than he's failed. Maybe he's remembering incorrectly, though. Anyway, Dan Heng carries their favorite blacksmith to the bathroom and sits him on the edge of the tub, keeping a hand on his shoulder to help steady him. And... then he just starts stripping Blade without so much as a by-your-leave. Yue stands outside the door dutifully with the first aid kit.]

I suppose we should pamper our princess, even if he did get himself hurt. A-Yuan, you can take his back and I'll tackle his hair when you're done. I can see blood matted it in places.

[And then he gives them both a warning look.]

If you splash each other, I'm going to dump cold water on both of you and damn my contract price.

[He covers his face with an arm.]

I don't not like it, I just hate troubling you. ... Though you're hardly struggling at all.

I've been eating... as far as I can remember. [It's been a long day, okay.

Aside from staying upright, he doesn't struggle or really even fight the forced stripping. Even Blade realizes how disgusting he is when his tight shirt has to be peeled off his skin.]

I'm too sleepy for that.

[He bows his head.]

... Get my revenge later.

[ without being told Jing Yuan is quick to help Dan Heng in the removal of clothing, tossing them to a corner to be dealt with after their own has been cleaned and dried. he only pauses when his partner gives them both a warning look and smiles a light laugh bubbling past his lips. ]

Now, now, there is no need for that.

[ only because it is clear Blade hasn't the energy for it, were the other man less tired he would happily throw caution to the wind and invite the dragon's wrath.

with another quiet laugh he helps lower Blade into the water, positioning himself in such a way as to be easily leaned on should it be needed. he is sure to get his own clothes soaked, but that is a price he is willing to pay in order to pamper their princess, as Dan Heng put it. ]

I am sure you will, gege.

I had no trouble with it before. I don't have trouble with it now. And I highly doubt I'll have trouble with it in the future.

[Sometimes Blade deserves to be treated like a princess, which includes carrying him like one. Still, Dan Heng hums thoughtfully at that. He really does feel like he could even lift Jing Yuan at the same time with little effort. Though, the Vidyadhara isn't sure how he feels about the mental image of having one sitting on each shoulder.]

Whatever you say, baobei. Close your eyes, I'm about to dump water on your head.

[Given how thick Blade's hair is, he decides to use Cloudhymn to pour the warm bathwater over the blacksmith's head. Dan Heng manipulates it in such a way that it doesn't even splash onto Jing Yuan. His facial expression doesn't change when he sees that the water comes away a gross color after that.]

Hm... I'm going to need to shampoo it twice. Let me know if it hurts.

[He grabs the bottle of shampoo, considers, and then just directly puts some onto Blade's head. Setting the bottle aside, Dan Heng gently starts to scrub at the craftsman's hair and scalp, but the bubbles definitely look grimy already.]

A-Yuan, you... [He scrunches up his nose, knowing he's bright red, and looks away sharply. He's so flustered he even used the other form. Fffff.]

... If that ever changes, tell me.

[Since he's out of danger and relatively comfortable with his partners, Blade doesn't really resist. He follows the instructions given to him dutifully, though there's no denying the way his ears turn fluffy and pin against his hair... Even like this, his tail is still wagging, and he's blushing, a funny sight compared to the nasty water.

He breathes in deeply as Dan Heng starts in on the shampooing. The way his head starts to droop indicates he's more tired than he's letting on, and he might just fall asleep mid-bath.]

Ah, this is Dan Heng, isn't it?

I'm sure I don't need to explain much about myself, but- my name is Noah Haas. In our past lives, you knew me as Sunday. [A damning name, honestly, considering what Sunday has done.] I wanted to speak with you, if possible, and-

...sorry, this sounded far more coherent in my head before I spoke. [A beat, and he exhales.] I should have contacted you sooner, as well as Caleb, but I... receiving my memories as Sunday has been a somewhat traumatic experience. As far as I was concerned, no one should want anything to do with me, especially those from the Astral Express.

[Dan Heng sits with this for a moment as the memories of his past life flow into conscious memory. He closes his eyes, letting the past Dan Heng's feelings and thoughts wash over him like waves. Some of them bring the scouring sensation of sand, but mostly it feels like clean saltwater.

Even sweet dreams can be painfully cruel.

He sighs softly and picks up his phone.]

Hello, Noah. I understand quite well how such memories can be traumatizing, and make it difficult to reach out as a result. You do not need to apologize for trying to process what was happening.

What did you wish to talk about?

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after the arianrhod fight;

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voice; un: fourseasons

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