Chapter Text
“Sorry for making you wait!” Caelus managed to say slumping forward, hands falling onto his knees in an attempt to catch his breath.
“Did you run all the way?” a dumb question and Dan Heng knew that. It was obvious; the grey hair being more ruffled than usual, wanting to fix it but refrained from doing so.
His heart made a flip as he noticed the goofy grin Caelus had as he came to a stand before replying; “Yeah, but it seems like I’m late anyway…”
Dan Heng subtly averted his gaze, pulling up the scarf to cover his nose. “Don't read too much into it…” he thought, trying to hide his red ears.
At first, Dan Heng had mainly hoped that meeting up like this would allow them to get to know each other better. However, ever since March showed him that photo his hopes had increased greatly. Even so there was a sense of distance between them, something Dan Heng couldn't comprehend.
“You could have sent a message or even called,” Dan Heng said calmly.
“Well,” Caelus started while scratching his cheek. “You asked me out so… I didn’t want to run late”
Dan Heng froze for a moment, not missing that quick glance Caelus did before continuing his sentence. “It’s–”
“I didn’t mean it like that! It came out weird!” Caelus quickly added, waving his hand before rubbing his neck while looking to the side, cheeks flushed red now more so than the cold affecting them.
“...It’s okay,” Dan Heng reluctantly replied; still covering his mouth behind the scarf. He watched Caelus closely, trying to maintain a neutral expression and biting back words that wanted to spill out. “How have you been? We haven’t seen each other since…then”
“I–... well at least I didn’t get sick like you did,” Caelus commented, “I told you that you would…”
“I prefer that.”
“What?”
Perhaps that wasn't an answer Caelus had expected but Dan Heng stayed silent for a beat. “I wanted to meet you instead of only texting,” he started and observed the way Caelus shifted a bit. A smile tugged at the corner of Dan Heng's lips, resisting the urge inside of him, pocketing his hands before continuing; “it would be nice if we could talk in person once in a while.”
Caelus laughed nervously; “you got a point there”
Although that being said, they still walked side by side in silence. Painfully clear that neither of them were good at small talk didn't make things less stiff. Dan Heng wanted to ask questions but instead they both caught each other glancing at one another, a peculiar atmosphere.
“Can I ask you something?” Caelus asked, breaking the silence.
Watching how Caelus took a few quick steps ahead of him, turning on his heel to face him. Dan Heng automatically slowed down, coming to a halt. The amber gaze locked onto his, casting it down quickly and then back up. A bit confused over Caelus' sudden change in behaviour he gave a small nod.
“I was wondering,” Caelus hesitated. “Back at the library… you called me ‘Cae’”
Quickly looking away, “I didn't expect him to remember that,” unsure how to respond to what Caelus just brought up. At that moment, Dan Heng had been focusing solely on the message he had received, ignoring the fact he was mid class at that point. Even if he had wanted to pull the other into a hug, he had restrained himself.
“I–”, Dan Heng was at a loss for words. “I used it without asking, I'll apologise for that,” he explained although knowing that he had been wanting to use that nickname for a while. Looking back at Caelus whose expression slowly turned into a frown.
“You never used it again,” Caelus muttered.
“I should’ve asked–”
“I didn’t mind it,” He said timidly while turning around and started walking again. “Actually… It made me kind of happy.”
Subconsciously Dan Heng touched his own mark, trying to process what Caelus had come forward with. Remembering that short moment they had shared, how Caelus had reached out and touched his mark. Rooted in place, watching him walk ahead and finally turning around looking confused. A sense of dejavú washed over him.
“Are you coming?” Caelus called out. “You seem to be lost in thought?”
Dan Heng had felt that sensation before, the question was when. “It's nothing.”
Caelus hummed and looked up. “No rain…at least”
“You sound disappointed,” Dan Heng pointed out and glanced over at Caelus the moment he caught up only to see the other avert his gaze immediately. “Did you want it to rain instead of snowing?”
“No-! I–... I–” he stuttered before clearing his throat. “We’re going to the café right?”
“That’s the plan, yes” Dan Heng confirmed, noting that topic change.
“It just made me remember… certain stuff,” Caelus mumbled.
Dan Heng studied him for a moment, deciding to ask; “‘certain stuff’?”
“Ignore it!” Caelus blurted out and walked up to the café with long strides.
A bit curious about the sudden change in behaviour the raven chose to not pry any further but made sure to remember it. Following the other’s footstep into the café that was bustling.
“Look what Christmas brought in!” A female voice exclaimed. “Haven’t seen you since summer!”
Not a moment slipped by from the comment before a pair of arms tightly wrapped around Dan Heng's torso, squeezing tightly. Taken by surprise he tried to pry the blonde off him, noticing the blue highlights he finally knew who it was. “Serval?”
“Who else?” Serval laughed, releasing him only to give him a slap on the arm. “Oh? And who is this?” She asked while leaning in to study Caelus, who in turn took a step back. “Damn he’s cute.”
“I–” Caelus stammered and looked over to him with a confused expression before turning back to her. “I’m his junior at University…”
“A close friend,” Dan Heng added, glancing over to Caelus who looked surprised. “Gepard mentioned that in all likelihood you wouldn’t make it this time?”
“I got lucky,” Serval sighed. “The borders may have opened up 5 years ago but it’s still a wintery mess, I’m trying to get a job transfer so I won’t have to go back… it’s too isolated you know?”
“I see…”
“Anyway! Let’s not make the mood all gloomy shall we? What can I get you?” She asked while walking back around to the till. “Oh right! Never asked for the cutie’s name!”
Glancing at Caelus who was clearly blanked out or lost in his own world, Dan Heng gave him a quick nudge.
“I– …I’m Caelus, nice to meet you,” he stuttered, clearly bewildered.
“Nice to meet you too!” Serval chuckled. “I’m Serval! Geppie’s older sister.”
Dan Heng let his gaze linger, taking in Caelus’ bashful expression, not missing the small step the other took towards him. As he kept observing, it started to remind him of when they first met, although different, it was still rather similar. “His eyes are different…” he thought, body language was the same, yet Caelus’ eyes didn’t carry that curiosity they had back then.
“Let’s order and find somewhere to sit?” Dan Heng suggested while nudging Caelus once more.
“R-right,” he responded, albeit appearing to be a bit stumped.
Withholding a chuckle that threatened to slip out, Dan Heng let Caelus awkwardly place his order before adding his own. Explaining how Serval isn’t one to mince her words and is rather straightforward, which the raven had learned first hand when Gepard introduced him to her. Evidently Caelus wasn’t prepared for her to be this candid. However, if Dan Heng had known she would be here he would have warned him beforehand.
“Do you always wear turtle necks when you are out?” Caelus asked once they were seated.
The sudden question caught him off guard, subconsciously adjusting his clothes Dan Heng answered; “Preference I would say.”
“That sounded more like a question than an answer,” Caelus highlighted, resting his head against his hand. “Just curious since I’ve only seen you without one like twice?”
“Likewise, I’ve only seen you dressed up once,” Dan Heng countered, crossing his arms on the table. Watching how those amber eyes widened along with red tinting his cheeks.
“Don’t remind me please…”
With a light chuckle Dan Heng leaned in, studying how Caelus looked to the side, glancing back only to look away once more. “I've noticed that when you write and how you behave in person is rather different,” Dan Heng remarked. It had caught his attention and had been wondering about it for quite some time.
“I-is that so?” Caelus replied.
“It is.”
There was a long moment of silence, only for it to be broken by their food to arrive by one of the part-timers that worked at the café. Giving a quick nod as thanks before glancing back at Caelus who was still silent.
“That was insensitive–”
“No, I… I don’t know how to explain it,” Caelus said hurriedly. “You are my first proper friend afterall.”
The emphasis on ‘friend’ made Dan Heng’s chest feel tight, that word suddenly left a bitter taste in his mouth. Several questions popped up in his mind, but left with one; did Caelus only see him as a friend? Taking a sip from his drink and looking up at Caelus who took a small bite of the sandwich he had ordered.
“I like your carefree side” Dan Heng said candidly while putting down his cup, staring at it as he realised that he had said it out loud. Clearing his throat before continuing; “what about that guy Sampo?”
“That obnoxious fox?” Caelus said with distaste. “No way in hell!”
Lifting an eyebrow Dan Heng glanced back up, “he seems to know you two pretty well?”
“He was a senior during my high school years,” Caelus sighed and slouched into the chair. “However he repeated two years which made no sense? He had good grades and all,” he grimaced. “And then he started to constantly hover around me and Stelle… it was really creepy”
“That explains a few things,” Dan Heng responded thoughtfully.
“Well, my high school memories weren't exactly… good either”
“May I ask why?” He asked slowly and took note of how Caelus looked straight at him, appearing to be searching for something.
Caelus put his sandwich down and started to fidget with his hands, glancing to the side while chewing his lower lip. It was abundantly clear that this was an uncomfortable topic for him. “A rumor about me started to circulate in my freshman year… and then the bullying started, that’s about it,” Caelus explained in a low voice. “That’s why you are my first proper friend I’ve made.”
“My apologies, I shouldn’t have asked about that” Dan Heng said immediately, guilt settling in his stomach.
“It’s okay, really!” Caelus said, proceeding to change the topic. “By the way, Stelle asked me to invite you over for new years.”
“New years?”
“Yeah, me and Stelle are going to celebrate our birthday with a childhood friend of ours,” Caelus said a bit nervously. “Since March is coming, she suggested to invite you as well”
“Sure”
“It’s fine if you don’t want to–... What?” he said in shock.
“I’ll go,” Dan Heng repeated. “Was just a bit surprised that your birthday is on new year’s”
“Well, new year’s eve to be exact… we decided that the 31st of December would be good since it’s the last day of the year,” Caelus said.
“Hold on,” Dan Heng was completely stunned. “Decided?”
“Yeah,” Caelus confirmed, rubbing the back of his neck. “We’re orphans and got adopted, but there were no papers about us so we just decided on the 31st since then our birthday should have passed at least.”
How Caelus dropped that like a daily conversation left Dan Heng utterly speechless. March had never mentioned anything about the twins being orphans, on the other hand, did she even know? Had Stelle mentioned anything or is it that Caelus just trusts him enough to talk about this?
“I–...” Dan Heng started, but couldn’t find any words.
“S-sorry, didn’t mean to suddenly drop that on you” Caelus started, “I just felt that I could tell you…”
“No, it’s alright.”
“So… Do you have any secrets?” Caelus asked while leaning forward.
Dan Heng noticed the curiosity sparkling in those bright eyes, however, the secrets he had were most likely on the same level as the one Caelus carried. A secret he couldn’t tell anyone. Unsure how to answer the question since the other had told him one that wasn’t too big but most certainly sensitive. Gently tightening his hold on the cup in his hands, casting his gaze down as he gave a small nod.
A brief moment of fragmented silence, causing Dan Heng to look up only to notice Caelus watching him with what seemed like a level of understanding.
“That childhood friend of yours,” Dan Heng started. “Do they know?”
Caelus went awfully quiet which the raven completely understood as to why, it was a secret that was never told, but partially confirmed by Stelle that his speculation was on the right track. However to what extent he didn’t know and the fact that said childhood friend might know about it left a twisting feeling inside.
“We share the same guardian is all I can say…”
It was a shocking answer and considering that Caelus referred to his adoptive parent as guardian instead which in itself was odd. On the other hand, his question wasn’t open-ended but a simple yes or no question and yet Caelus gave an open-ended, vague answer.
“This ‘guardian’ he speaks of… would that mean he doesn't see them as a parent? Which also means there is more to it?” Dan Heng thought while looking back down, knowing that there is a difference between the two terms but overall have the same responsibility. Even so, Caelus still uses the word guardian over parent.
“If,” Dan Heng said hesitantly. “If a day comes where I can tell you my secret, will you tell me yours?”
A moment passed, a second one passed.
The sudden lack of response made Dan Heng look up. Caelus was looking to the left hand side with wide eyes. It wasn't that of shock or surprise, it looked like pure fear. The raven followed Caelus’ line of sight, trying to figure out what or whom he was staring at. A lone blond male reading the newspaper seemed most likely and the moment a sudden crash echoed out the blond turned his head towards the sound.
“Why…” Caelus whispered. “Why is he here?”
A bit confused over why Caelus was reacting this strongly and how he immediately looked away the instant the other guy turned his head was overly suspicious.
“Do you know that guy?”
“I–,” he stammered, voice laced with panic. “I met him at… work”
“Work?”
Caelus was biting on his lip, facing away from him and with a weak voice he pleaded; “Please, pretend you didn’t hear that”