heng_like_a_dragon

[This is not a man who thinks before he acts.]

I've known him for a long time, even before POKEGO. [Casually leaving it at that.] I noticed him princess carrying someone across the island so I asked him about it. Do you know his A-Xing too? [You better use that strat sooner rather than later, Dan Heng.]

[The moment Wuxian says he's known Jing Yuan for a long time, Dan Heng doesn't miss a beat as he dryly says:]

I feel sorry for him.

[...]

I should hope I know him, as he is my partner. Though, Wei Wuxian, should I be concerned that you are calling him A-Xing when he has not even introduced himself to you by that name?

[He's still a dragon at the end of the day, Wuxian! And he's maybe. A little protective of Blade not going by Yingxing in public. At least, not yet. His partner is still working through it and he's not about to let even friends get away with calling him by something Blade isn't ready for without express permission from the man.]

Hah... [So did Wei Wuxian, if they're being completely honest. He wouldn't have blamed Jing Yuan if he went no contact like everyone else he knew. It's not like he didn't deserve it.

But oh that is a chill up his spine. That is a CHILL. Sometimes he can read a room.]

No way! I don't know who he is, but that also means I don't know what to call him. All I have is what I heard on the wind. There's no cause for concern. What should I call your partner then? Just "Dan Heng's Partner"? [Calm thy inner dragon, Wei Wuxian pleads.]

[Unfortunately for Wei Wuxian, Dan Heng also knows how to read a person. He's not the best at being gentle, but... he still tries. It's unusual for Wei Wuxian to not clapback with something witty, so this must have hit a little too close.]

...On the other hand, despite how loud you are, you have proven to be a good friend. I don't think he could've asked for someone more loyal nor more caring. So, for that, I think I have to thank you for being there for him when I could not.

[There's a long pause that's mostly just there to make Wei Wuxian squirm a little before he answers.]

You can call him Blade. That's what he goes by with most people at the moment. If it changes, he'll let you know.

[The dragon is calmed successfully. Mostly because he likes Wuxian and figures that the loud dumbass just stepped on a mine unintentionally.]

[Wei Wuxian really thought that'd be enough for Dan Heng. But he's not exactly aware of his own very obvious tells. He is... caught off guard by that, actually. Enough that it actually got him to shut his hole for a moment. It's rare that he's given any praise.

How does one respond to it again?? In a rare moment of unfiltered earnesty.]

... He's been there for me, so I need to work hard to pay it forward. [He was happy to see Yuan'er again. Why else would he be so invested in reversing the man's self placed gaslight? Well, maybe he would be anyway. This was Wei Wuxian after all.

God, though, Dan Heng have mercy on him please you've already made him squirm with the compliment do not put the fear of God and donghua in him. For once he didn't actually mean to step on that mine.]

Blade? [He wondered mentally what A-Xing shortened from if he went by that. Renxing? Was it a screenname? Is this guy just a real fucking edgelord? Curious, but he's actually smart enough to not invoke the dragon's wrath. On this front alone.]

Okay, if Blade is what he goes by then even I can remember that.

[Dan Heng closes his eyes. He... understands that feeling. Countless lives spent alone and isolated from making close friends, only for it to change when he took the name Dan Feng. As much as Dan Feng wanted to pay it forward, to live in the warmth that those four provided and the love from his husband... it was all undone because he couldn't let go of that warmth. He had a taste of life beyond his duty and yet he failed to protect it in the end.]

Knowing Jing Yuan, he'll continue to be there for you. Working hard to pay it forward is noble, but remember that we care about you, too.

[There is no mercy for Wuxian. Otherwise, he won't have the fear of Long and donghua properly instilled within him.]

Good. Then, if that's all you had to say, I'm going to hang up.

[There'll be enough time for Wei Wuxian to stop him before he does that, of course. Dan Heng hasn't yet hit the immediate hang up stage.]

[What's already been done can't be changed. Nothing new brought about will ever replace what was lost. No evil dying will change that what's done is done. There's no mercy in that, only consequences and clean up what little is left. Finding the pieces of yourself and remaking a fragmented part of who you once were while new people add to the new you.

Wei Wuxian could never let anything go. That would be his downfall in any life, really.]

He's a good person. And so are you, Dan Heng. [It took a deflector to know a deflector.

But please sir he's been a good bunny today let him live.

As if knowing the exact timing Dan Heng's hand just barely brushed over that hang up button, Wei Wuxian just yeeted this at him in a parting shot fitting for one of his archery skill.]

SodoyoulikeYuan'ertoo?

[Both of them will forever live with the sin of being unable to let go. Yet... it can sometimes be a virtue should they learn to see it that way.

Dan Heng does not think so, but he doesn't want to argue, either. So he will simply not say anything to that. In this, they're similar.

...All that goodwill is immediately shattered upon that question Wuxian speedruns. Dan Heng doesn't even deign to respond. He just hangs up immediately.]

[To bear that weight, and to become better from it. To hold sin on one's back but to hold it and use the experience to never commit the same. Three heavy lives on the backs of two men who were mere researchers.

But far less alone than they were at the end first lives.

But you know Wuxian gonna Wuxian, guess who texts immediately after.]

that's not a nooooo (¯▿¯)

[....]

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