heng_like_a_dragon

[Blade, somehow, says the sweetest things. His trust is something Dan Heng doesn't want to break, and he doesn't want to make Blade wait longer than necessary. He may be aloof and cold, but he's not cruel.]

And I can wait for you just as long.

[This is worth the time and patience.

He sips at his boba while his gaze moves to the water fowl in the duck pond. It's been a lot already, but it feels like they're able to move forward a little after today. Though, when Blade talks about how it's nice to have a normal problem, he can't help chuckling quietly.]

I hear that. Although, I thought you would be happier to have more swords.

[It's a gentle tease compared to Dan Heng's normal teasing.]

[Blade flushes hot and glances away again. Honestly... When Dan Heng says stuff like that, it's hard not to want to show him affection. And it's not as if they can't, but they both know trying to date is a bad idea when they have so much to sort out.

... Still. There is something within him that wants to be closer.]

So did I, but these are kind of cursed. There is a place to input a five letter word on the hilt, and it'll gain an aspect of that. You can write "flame" and get a fire sword, or... "ducks" and get a sword that quacks when it hits a target. Quaint, but less useful than a weapon ought to be.

[He slides his free hand forward... and turns his palm over, fingers closed, a silent offer to hold his hand if he wants. Blade is not making a big deal about it, though; he's just sipping his boba like the duck pond is the most interesting thing in the world right now. His ears, perked and turned toward Dan Heng, give him away.]

Enough about that. Tell me more about what you do for POKEGO. All of this is still new to me.

[Dan Heng blinks at that. Clearly, he's not expecting to hear that a sword can do that.]

... Interesting. That's certainly a... unique ability.

[That's a polite way to put it, for sure.

Dan Heng looks down as he sees movement in his periphery. Blade's got his hand resting in what's clearly an invitation. A glance at his ears shows that the other man isn't as casual about it like he's trying to play it off as. He looks back towards the pond, hiding his smile by sipping his boba, and casually rests his hand on Blade's.

The shorter man hums softly at the question. He should've expected it, honestly, given that he doesn't talk about himself often, if at all.]

At first, it was as an apprentice in the biology and archival sciences departments, and I would act as a guard for my colleagues if necessary. Once I got my Master's in archival sciences and biology, I started to divide my time equally between the archives and field research in various Spirit Realms. I primarily stayed on the East Coast, though, given that I was still in school to work on my PhD in Harvard. The team was very supportive, and I hope to repay that once I'm a full time researcher for them.

[He is pleasantly surprised to find Dan Heng's hand in his, and his ears pin back for a moment and then perk right back up again, this time with a wagging tail to match. His fingers curl gently around Dan Heng's own. And though he'll deny it if called out on it, he's...

Blade is smiling.]

Harvard is so unavoidably prestigious even this amnesiac knows about it. You're not the type to settle for second best in anything, so you worked hard to get in. Isn't that right?

[He chews thoughtfully on some tapioca pearls for a moment.]

All the travel between here and the Spirit Realm must be routine to you, considering how long you've been doing it.

... What is the most incredible thing you've ever seen in the Spirit Realm?

[Dan Heng glances over when he feels Blade's tail start wagging up a storm again, and then quickly looks away with a faint blush to his cheeks. Goddamn it. That's a smile he knows he'll be weak to. He's pointedly not thinking about how this simple gesture he did is the cause of Blade's smile, and how that totally not-a-thought makes him feel warm.

It's a very pretty smile, though. Just that is enough for him to realize why Dan Feng fell in love the way he did. Yingxing's, or Blade's, smile is one he'd do much to safeguard, as well as to see more often.]

I'm obligated to say that it has a better reputation than Yale. I did. Middle school and high school were dedicated to that goal of getting into Harvard, although MIT was my second choice and Stanford as my third. I wanted to stay in Massachusetts if I could. Though, if I wasn't studying, then the rest of my time was spent in figure skating training.

[That's an interesting question, though. Dan Heng chews on a pearl thoughtfully.]

... Once, in the first Spirit Realm I went into, I saw what I can only describe as a literal star shower. It was as if stardust was gently raining down from the sky, but it would melt into your skin, almost like snow, when it touched you. Even more incredible than the sight was the curious property it had of healing any wound it touched. However, when it made contact with water, it would turn to dirt.

[His eyes are a little far away in memory, but there's an undeniable spark in them. A kind of curiosity to something new and currently inexplainable, but desiring to try and find that explanation.]

We never saw it again, and we couldn't collect samples of the stardust, but that was the moment when I knew I truly wanted to be part of the team. I wanted to see more of these Realms and preserve as much knowledge as we could get in our research of them.

[He chuckles at that.]

It does. I have a vague recollection of applying to MIT, but I ended up staying with the University of Cincinnati. It might've been my grades. [His ears flick.] Figure skating? Like that anime?

[This isn't an Olympics year, ok? He doesn't have a frame of reference outside of Yuri! on Ice.

But he is very patient as he listens, and by the end of Dan Heng's story, he's no longer trying to act interested in the duck pond. His bright ember eyes are full of distant wonder at the mere description of what Dan Heng saw out there.]

A starshower you could touch... That sounds incredible.

[The thought reminds him of something, but he doesn't grasp at the memory. He's afraid of triggering something unpleasant. Gold eyes, and so much regret... No, he won't push.]

[Huh... interesting to think about that they might have met earlier if they'd both decided on MIT instead of where they went.]

That's still a good college. [Dan Heng's a little confused at first until he remembers what Blade's referring to.] Similar, yes. I only competed at the Regional level, though my coach did try to convince me to go to at least Nationals. It was tempting to make a real career out of it, honestly.

[Dan Heng turns his attention from the pond when he notices how interested Blade seems to be. It's a little embarrassing to have so much attention, but he can't say he minds it at all, either.]

I've scanned in all the sketches I've made on Realms I've been to as a backup. I can email them to you, if you're interested.

[It is. Might've changed the trajectory of both their lives, honestly.]

My degree got me a job here, so I can't argue that. I... don't remember a lot about the experience, obviously.

[His ears perk up when Dan Heng talks about almost going to nationals. From here, he can't really imagine what it must be like to compete in a sport like that... But in the brief glimpses of dream-memories he has, he remembers how graceful Imbibitor Lunae was. It seems Dan Heng must have inherited some of it in this lifetime, or maybe he was always graceful...]

It'll be ice skating season soon. If you pick it up again, I don't mind watching.

[Blade. Blade you're so obvious--]

Really? In that case, I'd like to see them. Inspiration can come from anywhere, so...

I don't have any exciting stories about being in college, but... I don't mind sharing them with you. Maybe some of them can remind you of something. [He tilts his head slightly.] Even if not, it's okay that you don't have stories to tell me. I like who you are now.

[And Dan Heng means that. He can easily see that Blade is... well, unhinged sometimes when he's in the mindset for blacksmithing, but overall a good man. The demon just... complicates things.

He hums at that, looking at Blade thoughtfully.]

You could watch... and I could teach you to ice skate, if you'd like.

[It's an offer, anyway. He doesn't mind being watched by the other man. On the contrary, he finds he wants to make sure he does his best if Blade's his audience.]

I'd be happy to. I hope you find some inspiration in them.

[Oh. Oh. He... forgets what he's about to say, because—

I like who you are now.

Blade knows he's unpleasant. This is on purpose to a degree, but only because of the demon. Underneath all the gruffness and violence lies a visionary who would shower his Person with love and devotion if given the chance. Just one chance... He'd written himself off a long time ago but Dan Heng just keeps telling him over and over that he's worth it, that he's worth saving, and it's hard for Blade to remain unaffected.

The tightness in his chest is unfamiliar, and there's something prickling at his eyes. He clears his throat with some difficulty. He's feeling a little overwhelmed, but he's happy, too...]

You just... say things, don't you?

[See, he was listening back then.]

... I might not be a good student. But for you, I'll try.

[Honestly, the things this man does to him.]

[Dan Heng can see that his words have affected Blade. Yet, on having his own thrown back at him, he simply squeezes the other man's hand briefly.]

... Sometimes, yes.

[He's well aware that he doesn't always say anything. Dan Heng prefers his silence, in a way. But, sometimes, silence isn't what someone needs.]

Then, we'll see when is a good time for that once Winter Break starts.

[He's looking forward to it, honestly.]

[He squeezes back. Words aren't their strong suit, either of them, but he hopes his feelings can be understood. If not, well, they can work on that... but the way he strokes Dan Heng's hand with his thumb says a lot.

Of course, the longer they sit like this, the more his tail misbehaves. The silence is broken by distant quacking and also... swishswishswishswishswish. Blade tries to keep a straight face, but he eventually ducks his gaze and mutters:]

Damn it.

[AJSKLAJSLFLFJDLDSf]

[Dan Heng hasn't even been paying attention to Blade's tail. He's a little more distracted by the thumb stroking his hand. This got intimate extremely quickly.

And then Blade ducks away to curse under his breath because of the tail wagging. Dan Heng can't help laughing quietly again. He reaches up to scratch the taller man behind his ear consolingly.]

It's cute.

[Yes, he's highly aware that he's only making it worse for Blade.]

[That laugh is worth the embarrassment and fluorescent blush, but it's the ear scritches that end him. Dan Heng could be stabbing him through the heart right now and he wouldn't notice. He closes his eyes and makes a soft, pathetic noise... and leans into it...

The tail is going full speed now.]

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