[He's silent as he listens to Blade. He's silent for a moment after, trying to think of his words... and he can't. So, Dan Heng sighs softly and glances over to him.]

That's not what I'm feeling in regards to you.

[What the fuck does he feel? It's a damn good question, but Dan Heng's certain that's not it. He doesn't hate Blade. Not even in their past lives did he hate the man. Scared of him? Absolutely. But hate has never been a factor.

Dan Heng looks back at the skyline.]

I never hated you. But you did terrify me.

[He can't and won't deny that. Maybe when Blade earns more of his trust, he'll more fully explain the depths of his terror, but right now? He can't. It's too fresh.

But....]

It's in the past, and we are not those people. Not fully. They're part of us, but we will never be completely who they were.

[Dan Heng glances at him, hesitating, and he thinks of what Theo would say. The stubborn man had always been better in these situations than Dan Heng could ever hope to be. He thinks... Theo would encourage him to take a chance and follow what his heart is thinking instead of his brain, for once. So—]

... We can start over, if that's what you want.

[—he follows his heart this time.]