heng_like_a_dragon

[Dan Heng can't help laughing at the look Blade gives him, what he says, and grabbing his own tail to stop it from wagging furiously. It's perhaps the first time he hasn't been quiet about his laughter. He's still stifling his chuckles when his partner makes that very sweet suggestion.]

We have time, and I'd like to get the experience of dating you and being engaged with you before then anyway. Not to mention moving in with you in the future.

[His blue eyes are practically sparkling as he buries a kiss in Blade's hair.]

But I like that. Combining the characters of our names. We can take the time to workshop that until we both feel it's perfect for us.

[He lets go of his tail, but it returns to wagging a million miles an hour. It's worth being teased if he can make Dan Heng laugh. It's precious and rare, and he'll do anything to protect it.]

I... I want those things, too. And all the things denied us before... I'll make them ours.

[He feels bad wanting them considering what he's done, and what he needs to do. But that doesn't make him want his freedom any less. Sometimes, things happen that can't be explained. Bad things happen and those who live on have to deal with them.

... Still, he'll do his best to atone.

He reaches over and rubs at Dan Heng's knee.]

Will you stay with me? Even if I have to join the Black Order?

[Dan Heng understands the complex emotions going on as he's experiencing them himself. Even with Jun and Mikleo reassuring him that the deaths aren't his fault, he still feels responsible for them. Part of him feels guilty that he even has this happiness at the price of their lives. But... it's something they're going to have to work through together, and it'll take time to find their way to make peace with it all.]

You know I want those things, too.

[At that question, his eyes soften. Dan Heng's gotten the sense that abandonment is something that this Blade is afraid of going through. He's guessed at why and simply accepts it. He brings his arms around his boyfriend and holds him tightly.]

Nothing will keep me from your side. I promise. Whether it's The Order or something supernatural, I'll fight to stay with you.

[You will never... know freedom... Dan Heng.

Then he'll just have to fight for it if it keeps him from his star.]

[Blade makes a soft noise when he's hugged. After a second, he covers Dan Heng's arms with his own.]

I believe you. I trust you.

[He breathes in deeply, then lets it out. It's as if part of him deflates at the same time. If Dan Heng tugs, he'll almost certainly melt onto him.]

... Thank you for being here. For saving me. For staying until the end.

[He thinks about earlier...]

Also... I'm certain Mara must have ran his mouth. Everything he says is meant to manipulate and destroy, so don't pay it any mind.

[Knowing that Blade trusts him never fails to set his heart at ease and warm it at the same time. He closes his eyes and buries his face into his partner's hair.]

... Always, A-Xing.

[As far as Dan Heng's concerned, it's not the end yet. They still have the rest of their lives, after all.

The dragon is quiet for a moment. While he's reluctant to say more, Blade did bring it up and he does want to let his partner in on his thoughts.]

Mm... the last thing he said before leaving your body was that there were others with his name, and that I would never know freedom. [Dan Heng sighs softly.] Whether there's truth or falsehood in his words, I won't know until it happens... or I'll never know at all.

[Blade is quiet for a moment, too. He lets Dan Heng bury his face in his hair. Honestly, Blade could use a shower, and some toothpaste, but right now he's content to just be with someone else. He spent so much time as a prisoner in his own head.]

... He saw my memories. He knows you were imprisoned. But the truth is, you've been free for a long time.

The moment your past self stepped off the Luofu, you broke your chains. You fought not only me, but many other people to prove that you wouldn't be chained again.

It's the same now. The only difference is that in this life, you broke my chains, too.

Edited 2024-01-23 02:03 (UTC)

[Dan Heng listens as the other man gives his perspective on it. He can't deny that Blade's right. He remembers how his past life felt uncertain after being exiled. Although free, the past kept wanting to chain him down and drag him back into a darkness that threatened to destroy him in a never-ending cycle of rebirth and suffering. A silent, promised threat that his Preceptors had made to Dan Feng hidden from the public eye. A threat that he vaguely remembers Jingliu alluding to when she heard about Dan Feng's horns being spirited away.]

I'm glad I could do so. I couldn't in my last life, but... I feel like I've made that right in this one.

[He's quiet for a few moments before kissing Blade's cheek.]

Do you think you can get cleaned up on your own? I can stay to help if you need it.

You have. Over and over. I challenged you to show me how to live, and that's... what we're doing, isn't it?

[He leans into Dan Heng, even snuggling a little. The kiss to the cheek makes his tail start wagging again.]

I'll be fine. I can take a bath.

[He's not sure he can stand up for a long period after not walking for a week.]

... Brush my hair when you get back? You can tie it or braid it. Whatever you feel like.

[The intimacy might be good for both of them, and if he's being honest, his arms hurt too much to wield a hairbrush.]

[Dan Heng smiles at that.]

Heh... yes, we are.

[And now they can do so without the threat of Mara hanging over their heads.

Oh. The request has him smiling more warmly.]

I'd love to. Just make sure you don't fall asleep in the tub. I'll be back with your medicine. You'll probably want to take the painkiller.

[Dan Heng will at least help get Blade up out of bed. He gives him a last kiss to his cheek before leaving to put his shoes on, and then teleporting to the pharmacy. It takes him a little longer to get back than it would've. The reason becomes clear when he walks back into Blade's room with a spoon and a pint of coffee-flavored ice cream, along with the pill bottles. ...That's saying Blade hasn't fallen asleep while waiting for him to come home.]

All right.

[He is starting to feel the pain again, and while his tolerance is pretty good, his regeneration is absolutely shot after all of that. He thanks Dan Heng for the help, and watches a little forlornly as he leaves.

Blade manages to get through the bath, but it exhausts him. When Dan Heng returns, Blade is sitting up in bed with his hair wrapped in a towel. He managed to get dressed and grab the hairbrush, but he has drifted off with the thing in his hand, so it's obvious this was accidental. His fluffy ears ping under the towel but he doesn't wake up.]

[Dan Heng's eyes soften. He sets the pills down on the nightstand and goes to put the ice cream away in the freezer. Once he's back in the room, he takes the hairbrush and sets it aside. Then, the dragon starts to towel dry Blade's hair gently.]

A-Xing. A-Xing, you need to take your painkiller.

[As much as Dan Heng wants to let Blade sleep, he knows from experience that delaying the painkiller isn't worth it. If Blade still doesn't wake up, his lips will twitch and he'll say:]

...Who's a good boy?

Mmm...

[He is still not waking up, though he's very much leaning into Dan Heng.

But then those words happen, and his ears go right up. The tail follows.]

Nn? You're back. [He squints. He is so out of it.] Painkillers? [He might need some help with how sleepy he is.]

[... He's so cute. Dan Heng can't help kissing the tip of Blade's nose.]

I'm back.

[The dragon goes to pour some water for his boyfriend and takes out the pill. He'll hand both over to Blade when he's ready.]

You can go back to sleep after. [Dan Heng hesitates for a moment.] ... I can get into bed with you, if you want.

[He's not feeling sleepy himself, but he can read while he cuddles Blade.]

[... His tail wags faster. As sleepy as he is, he still smiles a little and leans into the kiss.]

I don't want knots. [He hands Dan Heng the hairbrush, then takes the pill and chases it with the water. He sets the empty cup aside after.] But... I'm more tired than I thought. I wouldn't mind if you crawled in.

[Falling asleep in Dan Heng's lap sounds perfect right now, honestly...]

Edited 2024-01-23 17:36 (UTC)

[He smiles at Blade. He can definitely understand that, having struggled with his own long hair before. Dan Heng takes the brush and then crawls into bed next to his partner.]

I'll be gentle.

[Putting his hair in a braid might be best, then. He'll wait for Blade to get comfortable, even if it's in his lap, and then starts brushing his hair. Dan Heng seems to have the confidence and movements of experience, smoothing out his hair with his free hand.]

Hm... I've always thought your hair was beautiful, but this is giving me more of an appreciation for it.

[Whether it's black or silver, it's absolutely gorgeous to him.]

You always are.

[Blade doesn't hesitate to lay in his lap. He visibly relaxes as the brushing starts, basically turning into putty in his boyfriend's hands.]

The inconvenience is worth it... for this.

[He is so sleepy.]

Yours is... gorgeous, in my eyes. No matter the length.

[It takes tremendous willpower for Dan Heng to hold back any cooing. Blade is objectively adorable when he's sleepy.]

Heh... thank you.

[He keeps brushing out his partner's hair gently. Any tangles are treated as painlessly as possible, and he even makes sure to brush out the fluffy ears. Then, he starts gathering up Blade's hair to loosely braid it. Once he's done, he puts the brush away. Then, Dan Heng starts to run his fingers over Blade's ear, caressing his face lightly and soothingly in the hopes of helping him sleep.]

[Blade is already sleeping soundly by the time Dan Heng finishes the braid. He's exhausted even a week after the confrontation, most of his energy having been spent on healing and recuperating from his ordeal. Sometimes his ears twitch, but overall he looks peaceful and quite content to simply be in his boyfriend's presence.

... If he's drooling a little, don't mention it to him later.]

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