heng_like_a_dragon

[Now he's being called 'cute.' There are only two people in the entire universe who can get away with calling Dan Heng that to his face, and one of them is Blade.]

Only to you.

[Which, honestly, Dan Heng is more than fine with. He's just not going to admit that!]

... I think a bracelet suits me best, at least for now. I'm afraid necklaces that are too long might get caught in something.

[It's also one other reason he prefers to keep his hair short when he's human. Lab safety and lower maintenance are his top compelling reasons.

Oh. That reasoning is really sweet, though. Dan Heng will have to keep that in mind. He reaches out to rest his fingers on Blade's cheek.]

I do want that. Honestly, it's nice to wear something that you made for me. I understand that you don't rest on your laurels and always strive to improve, but that's why your crafts have always been worthy of me. Whether it's the pinnacle of your work or not up to your standards, that will always be true.

You deserve to hear it more often.

[Dan Heng is a very beautiful man and Blade isn't afraid to remind him of this fact.]

Ah, yes... Necklaces are no good for hands-on work. [It doesn't stop him from wearing the occasional choker, but nothing longer than that, lest he lose it to the saw.

His lashes flutter at the touch to his cheek. As always, he stills, and listens.]

I can't think of anyone else I'd want to wear them, [he murmurs. His cheeks are rapidly heating up. He peers at Dan Heng through his dark bangs.] ... Perhaps one day I'll come up with something that I can wear that says I'm yours.

[He glances away shyly.]

I'll leave that to your judgment.

[Dan Heng nods at Blade's statement. At least his partner gets it, though he does quietly admire the fact that Blade keeps his hair long regardless.

It does amaze him that a light touch is enough to get the other man's full attention. A small part of him is a bit shy and self-conscious about that. Then, Dan Heng's smile widens just a tiny fraction.]

I look forward to that day. [The Vidyadhara takes his hand away.] Finish eating, and then we can move to the couch.

[Blade would let Dan Heng touch his face all day if he wanted. But they are eating and that is a bad idea. Still, the way that smile brightens a little... he could live off that, he thinks.]

I could always get another tattoo, [he says, chasing some rice around his plate.] Dabi does good work.

[The sword and spider lilies on his back are very intricate, and he very much likes them, even if he knows now that the sword was the one he was killed with... It's fine. He doesn't hate the sword.

Anyway, he's not going to idle after an offer of cuddles. Blade wastes no time making the rest of his food disappear.]

[Dan Heng hums softly at that.]

You have a tattoo? [He's not surprised; that seems like Blade's speed, after all, but he is curious.] ...Are you certain you want something of me that permanent?

[There's no judgment in his voice as he asks that last question. It's more like he's asking to make sure Blade's fine with that. Still, the High Elder finishes his food and takes their plates to the sink. As promised, Dan Heng won't wash them. He heads over to the couch in the living room. All things considered, they're probably going to fall asleep here, but that's a price worth paying.]

[Blade usually keeps his clothes on in Dan Heng's presence so he's not surprised he hasn't caught a glimpse of it before.]

I do. I can show you when we're done.

[BLADE DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT SOUND SO DIRTY.]

What kind of question is that? You have left a permanent mark on my heart. Why should my body be any different?

[He'll do dishes after the food settles. For now, he follows Dan Heng back into the living room, tail slowly wagging all the while. At first opportunity, he takes one of Dan Heng's hands and leans in to give him a gentle kiss.]

[Dan Heng raises an eyebrow at that. While it sounds dirty coming out of Blade's mouth, he doesn't get the sense that's what his technically-boyfriend means.]

I'd love to see it.

[He gives Blade a look.]

Because you have continued to give me the impression that you're impulsive and spontaneous in your decisions.

[Just saying. Regardless, Dan Heng will return the kiss with equal tenderness. It's nice to have this simple gesture of affection to reaffirm to each other that they're both okay. He reluctantly breaks it after a moment so that he can sit down comfortably on the couch. The Vidyadhara isn't about to drag Blade with him, though he keeps holding his partner's hand as he uses his free hand to make sure he doesn't sit on his hair.]

[He makes everything sound flirtatious, it's just how he is. He always wants to be near, always wants to be as close as he can get away with. It was something he resisted at first, but Blade has since wholeheartedly thrown himself into this new-old love.]

I can be impulsive and also correct.

[The arrogance. Honestly...

He follows Dan Heng in sitting on the couch, though he's a little less careful about his hair. Blade's used to it getting everywhere. He has much less volume than Dan Heng, so it just kind of flops everywhere unless he has it done up.]

When I first moved to Kaisou, I had the strangest dreams. I still have them sometimes, though they've grown clearer. I drew up a tattoo idea based on what I saw, and had the tattoo done because it felt very important to me.

[Blade lets go of Dan Heng so he can grasp the edges of his own shirt and pull it over his head. Then he moves his hair in front of his shoulder and shifts to give Dan Heng a view of his back. It's scarred to hell, there's no doubt. There are burn marks, shrapnel scars, and faded but still present lacerations... But on top of it all is a vibrant, striking picture of the Shard Sword (unbroken) entwined with red spider lilies and their long fingery petals, resting between his shoulder blades.]

If you say so, Yingxing.

[This is not a battle Dan Heng can ever win. Though, he's not about to bring up that he's been more right than Blade. It's fine. The only one keeping track is the other man anyway.

He's not surprised that this means Blade has to be shirtless, really. He's just glad that it's not the pants coming off. Still, this is the first time the former High Elder is getting a good look at him. His eyes look over the myriad scars that mar Blade's skin, telling quite the story of his life. This... puts much into context for him.

With a slight bit of hesitation, Dan Heng reaches out to gently touch one of the shrapnel scars. Silent, nonjudgmental, gentle. Reverent. He then moves his attention to the tattoo that adorns Blade's back. It's beautiful, and the unbroken sword brings to mind a flicker of memory. The Shard Sword, but... almost wrong. Dan Heng has to reflect for a moment before realizing that in Dan Feng's memories, this is correct. Yet the previous Dan Heng knows this to have been... broken. Shattered and reforged.

He trails his fingers over the long petals of the spider lilies.]

Beautiful.

[It's hard to say whether he's talking about the tattoo or Blade. Another second of hesitation, and then he presses a brief butterfly kiss to his partner's shoulder. When he speaks up again, his voice is quiet and gentle:]

... I'm glad you're here.

[If Dan Heng isn't right about something it's only because he doesn't know about it, or it's not his expertise. But Blade is fine with that.

Blade shouldn't have lived through the accident that changed the course of his life forever. That much is evident from the scars alone. He's not self conscious about them because he's ashamed, but rather because he knows that the obvious maiming of his body makes other people uncomfortable. He's seen others flinch and recoil in real time.

Dan Heng, however, has seen his arms. Perhaps he even left a few scars in his past life, though Blade has long since stopped counting. Blade trusts him without question or hesitation, though sitting like this with his hair pulled away from his neck feels so... vulnerable, and he's not entirely sure why.

He sucks in a soft breath at that first tender touch, his ears pinning against his hair. Oh. That's... more sensitive than he was expecting, but not in a bad way. Suddenly, Blade feels himself blushing all the way to his shoulders. This only gets worse at the compliment. He swallows hard, but the shiver is tangible.

It isn't often that Dan Heng makes him speechless, but here he is struggling anyway. He turns his head as if he could catch a glimpse of Dan Heng out of his peripheral vision, and reaches around to gently set a hand on his knee.]

I am, too. I would be lost without you.

[Dan Heng notes the impressive blush, but makes no comment on it. He can understand that this is quite vulnerable for Blade, and he wants to respect that. Maybe when they're more comfortable he'll make it more light hearted. For now, it's a little intense, but Dan Heng doesn't mind that.

His expression is a touch distant, but in a melancholic way. Yet, when Blade turns to try to glimpse his face, he brings his gaze to his partner's red eye. Dan Heng's quiet for a moment. Then, he rests his free hand on the other man's. This suddenly feels very intimate, but... he doesn't want to shy away from that right now. So, instead, he meets it by pressing his lips to the nape of Blade's neck while wrapping both of his arms around his waist. The Vidyadhara rests his forehead between his partner's broad shoulders.

He doesn't have words at the moment. Honestly, Dan Heng doesn't think there are any that he can possibly say right now. So he lets his actions and affection speak for him. That he's glad Blade lived. He's glad they have this third chance, that nothing hurt Blade so much that his heart got buried beneath the pain.]

[Blade's breathing slows, betraying him, even as his heartbeat quickens. Such is the paradox of being close to someone he loves. His heart can do all sorts of flips and jumps in his chest, but overall he's... content. Really, he could gaze into those eyes forever if Dan Heng let him.

The lips on the back of his neck earn a soft noise (don't call it a squeak). He leans into Dan Heng and covers the dragon's arms with his own.

... He could say something, but he doesn't want to ruin the moment. It's soft and sweet, and he understands what Dan Heng is trying to say even if he doesn't use words.

Every time Blade thinks he can't love this man more than he does, he finds a way.]

[As Blade leans into him, Dan Heng shifts so that they're both comfortable. He's content to hold the other man like this. A warmth is in the silence that falls over them. He takes a deep breath in before moving again. This time, he's leaning back to lie down with Blade on top of him. The Vidyadhara doesn't speak up until they've both gotten comfortable in this new position.]

... I hope you don't mind if I sleep here with you.

[Blade doesn't resist. He lets Dan Heng shift them around so they're laying down together. They've done that a lot on this couch, and it never fails to make Blade feel secure. He curls up a little despite being the taller one, his tail swishing contentedly over the couch cushion. It might be a little distracting. Sorry, Dan Heng.]

You say that like I don't want to spend every minute of my day with you.

[He finds a bit of Dan Heng's hair and brings it to his lips so he can kiss it.]

You will always be welcome here. No matter what the roommate thinks.

[It's a little distracting, but Dan Heng is used to it in a way. He likes Blade's dog tail. As his partner curls up more in his arms, the Vidyadhara holds him more securely and kisses his neck. He scoffs softly in amusement, though there's a blush across his cheeks at his hair being kissed.]

I can picture your ideal now. Working in your forge on a new project while I'm doing work on my laptop nearby.

[He would never make Blade choose between his love of being a craftsman and Dan Heng.]

Mm... then I will try to keep that in mind.

[Dan Heng doesn't want to overstay his welcome, even as a partner, but he recognizes that saying that to Blade will open up... quite a conversation. He doesn't have the emotional bandwidth for that at the moment, so he will let it go.]

Ah...

[It's hard to resist the warm arms and the kisses, not that he's done a very good job of that up until now anyway. His ears wriggle in a way that gives away how much he likes the affection.]

I don't have to be in the forge all the time. Sometimes it's nice to just lean on you while we both read. Even if I'm working on my next design, it's... nice.

[Ah, nerd love.]

I'm...

[He lets go of the hair he captured, and squeezes one of Dan Heng's hands instead.]

Thank you for being here.

[When Blade says thank you to Dan Heng, though, it usually means those three words instead.

He really does love this man.]

Edited 2023-11-15 09:38 (UTC)

[Dan Heng's warm chuckle is low and quiet. Whether it's at what Blade's said in objection or the wiggling ears, it's a bit hard to say.]

I enjoy watching you work. Whether it's designing your next project or in the forge itself.

[He does like it when they read together and have that quiet moment to themselves. He just also likes to watch Blade hammer away on his latest creation.

The Vidyadhara is a little surprised, but he squeezes Blade's hand in return.]

I'm happy to be here.

[His voice is soft and quiet. They aren't the words either of them want to say or hear, but it's good enough for now. They can feel it.]

[Now that earns quite the blush.]

You do?

[Oh... this is... something that might have carried over from their last incarnations, and he is just now realizing it.]

... Should come by more often, then. I don't mind.

[His tail's wagging is not slowing. If anything it's only increasing. Dan Heng's tone is so soft and warm, like a hug all on its own. Blade's heart feels full to bursting with affection.

He lifts Dan Heng's hand to his lips and kisses the back of his palm, and he says nothing more, but simply soaks in the love he's feeling.]

[Seeing that blush, Dan Heng can't help himself. He kisses Blade's cheek. The man is disarmingly cute.]

I do, and perhaps I should. Certainly I will after finals are done. You shine there as beautifully and brightly as a star.

[Blade's tail seems to be reaching warp speed, which is absolutely adorable. He does blush when his partner kisses the back of his hand, but only shifts a little bit more to make them both comfortable. Dan Heng's happy to fall silent, maybe even fall asleep. The Vidyadhara is content, happy, in this moment of open and warm affection.]

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