heng_like_a_dragon

[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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