heng_like_a_dragon

Yeah. They liked playing together.

[At least talking about Blade's partner Pokemon helps. It's something positive to give him.

Dan Heng follows Blade inside and slips off his shoes. He takes off his jacket, though he pauses when he hears the other man groan. He thinks it might be because of pain, but Blade's follow up statement dispels that notion quickly.]

Mm. Would you like me to make anything for you while you're washing up?

[Even if it's something light, like a salad or fruit salad, Dan Heng doesn't mind. It'll give him something else to do that can help Blade.

When he meets Blade's eyes, his expression seems to soften. His voice is gentler when he replies with a promise:]

I'll be out here when you're done.

[It'd be something to smile about if he was able to smile. Still... it does make his heart feel a little lighter. In a way, their Pokemon are a reflection of Blade and Dan Heng themselves. It's very important that they get along.]

... Something light would be best. I don't think I can survive a big breakfast after all the expired food I've eaten.

[Blade, what the fuck does that mean?

He's surprised, and a little touched, to find Dan Heng meeting his eyes and swearing something with his whole heart... even something as small as this. It grounds him in the moment.

And so, Blade's expression softens a little, too. As if to say—I trust you.]

I know.

[He disappears into the bedroom, then, and works on getting a spare outfit. Nothing too fancy this time: a thin black shirt, black joggers, and matching socks. He emerges from the master bathroom after about twenty minutes, his hair freshly toweled and combed, though he got frustrated with how to wear it so he's just. Left it down this time. He isn't wearing any bandages anywhere, so the scars are visible on his wrists, at least until they disappear beneath his sleeves.

He looks a little more alive, at least, and glances around to take stock of the condo situation.]

[That earns Blade quite a look from Dan Heng.]

I'll question you on that later.

[Honestly, he worries for this stupid man's health sometimes.

Anyway, Dan Heng heads into the kitchen and takes a look through the food that's available to prepare. He goes with a simple fruit salad, since that seems to be in abundance at the moment. He slices up a couple of apples, strawberries, and oranges to toss with the grapes and blueberries. With just a light drizzling of honey over it, it's done in a matter of minutes. Even if Blade can't eat all of it, their Pokémon can enjoy it as a treat.

He comes out to the living room with the bowls and forks in his hands right as Blade steps out. The place is clean, as Dan Heng has also been dropping by to make sure some of the chores got done while the man was gone. Though he hasn't touched any of the figures in Blade's office, he still kept that clean, too. Dan Heng sits down at the couch, putting the bowls of fruit salad down on the coffee table.]

It'll keep until tomorrow if we put it in the fridge, or you can give any leftovers to our Pokémon as a treat.

[Dan Heng glances over at Blade as he talks, and is trying very hard to keep his eyes on the man's face instead of... elsewhere.]

[Blade perks up in his own quiet way when he sees Dan Heng standing there, and also that he's made some fruit salad.

... And there are the ears again, along with a tail that is just insistent on wagging. He tries to ignore it.]

Thanks. [He sits on the couch, careful not to invade Dan Heng's space too much, and carefully pops a bite of fruit salad into his mouth.

His eyes widen. He chews and swallows slowly like it's the first bite of real food he's had in a while, which is true. He can't even remember what he ate on the day he died.]

... It's good. [A pause.] Can't remember the last time I ate something like this. [So simple in preparation, but the love is palpable. His heart aches, he realizes, and he swallows another bite with difficulty before putting the bowl down.]

I... don't know where to start.

[He turns in his seat slightly so he's facing Dan Heng. He wants to hold the other man's hand desperately, but he balls his fingers into fists on his thighs instead, not wanting to force anything.]

A bunch of us were taken to some cabin in the middle of nowhere—a world all its own. We were trapped inside a barrier. Someone was sent to contact us... a survivor. He said that we were supposed to be sacrificed to appease some evil gods.

[Blade shakes his head, and falls silent again, not making eye contact.]

[It's... absurdly adorable that Blade's tail wags when he sees Dan Heng. He's trying to ignore what that means, that the taller man is really happy just to see him, but his heart betrays him a little in this regard. It's... nice... to know that just his presence can make someone else happy.

Dan Heng manages a couple bites himself, but as his friend starts talking about what happened, he sets his bowl down. He turns his attention fully onto Blade. His heart clenches both in pain and in something hotter. Angrier. His more draconic instincts, muted as they are, want to growl and curl protectively around his friend. The storm that thrums through his blood responds to that emotion, and it takes a lot for Dan Heng to keep himself under control.

He reaches out to take one of Blade's hands in both of his, and... moves a little closer to him. Dan Heng isn't one for physical affection very much, but he thinks that the other man needs it and he's willing to grant at least some of that wish. That's why he's here.]

You can stop when it's too much, Blade.

[Dan Heng keeps his voice soft and without any of the rage he feels towards these 'gods.' This world that wanted blood and took it from Blade, perhaps even from others trapped there. That this world messed with his memories, making him believe that the missing people were safe just unavailable.]

[Blade makes a little noise of surprise when Dan Heng takes his hand, but he doesn't resist. If anything, his fists relax immediately, and he turns his hand so he can clasp Dan Heng's fingers in return. He'll happily twine them too, if asked, but this... this is enough. More than enough.

(His tail swishes furiously against the couch cushion, giving him away.)]

We didn't have any real weapons on us, and none of our abilities worked. When night fell... That was when all hell broke loose.

There were monsters. Hundreds of them. They tore at the cabin to get to us, and they were stronger than anything I've ever seen. [He grits his teeth for a moment.] I hacked at one with a machete maybe ten or fifteen times, and I couldn't even draw blood. All we could do was run.

And they were hungry. [His red eyes peer up at Dan Heng through his bangs.] ... Like the borisin.

There was something else. Something making us act strangely. Even the beast couldn't overcome it.

I tried to hold the monsters off with fire and buy some time for the others to hide... That was how they got to me.

[He takes in a deep breath, closes his eyes.]

I remembered how he died, the first time. [His voice drops to a whisper.] I felt it all. His anguish. His peace. His... love.

[The last thing he thought of, after all, was...]

Edited 2023-10-05 19:42 (UTC)

[For now, Dan Heng doesn't twine their fingers. This is enough.

He listens silently, patiently, and tries to keep his calm as Blade tells his story. The former High Elder is reminded of the borisin by the description of the creatures, and he gives a solemn nod when his friend confirms it. It's when Blade describes how he remembered how Yingxing died, his final thoughts, that breaks him for a moment.

Love, huh....]

... Out here, we simply thought you all were out of town or had gotten busy and were unavailable. I even distinctly recall talking to you before your disappearance about taking care of things while you were gone, but... it wasn't until before you texted me that I realized that it was a fabrication. None of that actually happened.

[It's highly disconcerting and it only makes his inner dragon rage even more at this particular, vile Realm, but he keeps it in check for now. Later, Dan Heng is going to need to find an outlet for these emotions and instincts. Right now, though.... He lets go of Blade's hand and opens his arms. A very faint dusting of pink might be seen on his cheeks.]

Come here. You can listen to my heartbeat.

[He's not getting into bed with Blade tonight. That feels too close to taking advantage of the other man's current emotional state. However... he thinks it might be okay if they're out here on the couch, just holding each other. Maybe his presence can chase away the nightmares for tonight.]

[Blade stares as Dan Heng explains.]

You... didn't even know what was happening...

[They fabricated memories. These bastards really just... took them away from their loved ones, and then made it all up. Blade feels something so cold it's red-hot cut slip through his bloodstream, but then he remembers Dan Heng's hands around his own and it reminds him that he's not alone.

... He mourns the loss of that contact inwardly, even as he tries to understand what's being offered to him. A... hug? No, it's—

Oh. Oh.

Blade's cheeks pinken, too, and his ears lower. He can't deny he wants the contact. He doesn't want to be alone, most of all. And even if he were to deny it, his tail is going full speed on the seat cushion behind him.]

If you're sure.

[He moves slowly, carefully, until he can lean in and put his arms around Dan Heng's middle. He rests his head against his shoulder. As promised, he can hear that heartbeat—steady and strong, unyielding, the passionate heart of a dragon. It's warm here, and most of all... it's familiar.

He closes his eyes. He catches glimpses of red maples in the darkness, and ignores them.]

... missed you, [comes the quiet confession.]

[He shakes his head, a bit of that worry and anger slipping through his calm facade.

At least he's helping, though. Blade's tail has been a fantastic indicator of that. When the other man asks for confirmation, Dan Heng simply nods and opens his arms.

The embrace is familiar, somehow. Perhaps he's held Blade or Yingxing like this before. Not that it matters, really. Dan Heng puts an arm around the other man. With his free hand, he starts running his fingers through long, dark hair. Occasionally, he gently rubs Blade's fluffy ears.

His admission of missing the former High Elder is like a small knife in his heart, but he endures.]

... I missed you, too.

[And he has. Even though those memories aren't real, the longing is.]

I'll still be here in the morning, Blade. I promise.

[Blade isn't expecting... a lot of this. The embrace, or how familiar it feels, or how easily he feels himself slipping into slumber. Dan Heng carding his fingers through his hair and rubbing his ears is what does him in.]

I believe you.

... I trust you.

[Just laying here would have been fine, but he relaxes bit by bit, every breath slower and deeper, until he's stretched out along the couch (still clinging, naturally). Every stroke bids him to come undone. Eventually the wagging of his tail slows, and he finally falls asleep.

They can deal with their troubles after the sun rises.]

[As Blade starts to fall asleep, Dan Heng starts to lower himself back onto the couch so that he's also lying down. It'll be more comfortable this way. He tries not to think about what it means to have this trust and belief from the other man, but his heart has always been his biggest traitor.

He sighs softly and closes his eyes as well. Now that the danger has past and the man he has so many tangled feelings for is safe, Dan Heng lets himself relax. Blade, solid and warm in his arms, does a lot to help him welcome the oblivion of sleep quickly, and none of his nightmares bother him, either.

Instead, he can dream of a night that he shares with a man of middle age, silently enjoying each other's company as they drink and gaze at the full moon.]

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