heng_like_a_dragon

[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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