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“Well, hello my dear companions! Isn’t it a lovely coincidence we’re all here right now?”
A loud, obnoxious voice rang out in the frigid air of the Underground. It was obvious who it belonged to, none other than the boisterous Sampo. His tendency to disappear in thin air whenever he deemed it suitable became a tendency that really got on Caelus’ nerves. The first time Sampo did that almost jeopardised his life, something he had yet to be forgiven for, though it wasn’t like he cared nonetheless.
As Sampo’s unmistakable blue hair approached the group, a strong urge to pull out his bat and hit him where it hurt was undeniable. If only he could get his hands on that disregarding mother-
“Woah, easy there Trailblazer, wipe that murderous look on your face. It’s making me nervous,” Sampo chuckled, his hands up in a mocking symbol of surrender.
Murderous? I’ll show you murderous-
“I don’t blame him. You disappear every time we’re in danger!” March crossed her arms, staring Sampo down. “And you treat him like he’s your silly errand boy!”
Using me to get back your mining equipment when you could’ve done it yourself, pathetic. Caelus glared at him, mimicking March’s actions.
“Look, your assistance was reciprocated, alright? And I thought we could have a nice, civil conversation?” A sheepish smile from Sampo caused the urge to flare up once again.
“Yeah? Like what, huh? You want us to take on an army of Silvermane guards while you sit back and watch?” March asked, tauntingly.
Caelus nodded somberly to March’s words, which had never been truer before. Dan Heng observed the situation unfold with his always expressionless face. It almost brought him back to the time he nearly attempted CPR…
“Hey! It’s two versus one, can we just relax? Besides, I got a little gift for all of you! Because you’re great friends, might I add. No interior motives.” Sampo pulled out a piece of paper that suspiciously looked like one of the treasure maps he had previously given Caelus. “Ta-da! Treasure! And wealth.” He pointedly glanced at Caelus as he finished his sentence.
What? You take me for a money-obsessed fool? Incredulous, all Caelus could do was stare blatantly at him. Does this bastard think of me as shallow and wealth-orientated?
“No, no, I’m just saying, who wouldn’t want a little extra treat?” Sampo grinned, arms outstretched. A wonderful offer it could’ve been had it not come from the devil himself.
A sudden bout of exhaustion overcame Caelus. Just the sight of Sampo sapped any energy he had left from fighting the Fragmentum. He sighed, having given up on rehabilitating Sampo since they first met. You guys do whatever, I’m taking a rest in the hotel. If you need me, please don’t.
—
“Was I too much?” March and Dan Heng’s silent stares told Sampo all he needed to know. He groaned loudly. “Man, I just wanted to hang out. He’s great company, you know?”
“...I’ll see that he gets to his room safely.” Dan Heng left without a second glance, leaving March and Sampo behind.
"So, March-"
“Oh, I forgot I had to play hide and seek with the Moles. See you never!” March waved goodbye, humming joyfully as she skipped away.
Sampo feigned a shattered look at everyone's seemingly busy schedule. “Ah…this just breaks my heart. Well, I don’t want to bore the audience any longer. Let’s see if Gepard's free.”
—
In the cheap, dingy hotel room, Caelus lay on the slightly uncomfortable bed, hands folded behind his head. Sampo overall wasn’t a bad guy, he just irked Caelus sometimes. His so-called loyalty, and his unruly personality, both of them together were an unformidable force in Caelus’ dislike of him. Yes, if he ignored the countless times Sampo had used him and his group for any dirty work he didn’t feel like doing, he could be tolerated. But no, he had to have gotten out of his way to vex Caelus no matter what.
A perfect trashcan may put him in a better mood but right now, maybe Dan Heng’s face will suffice. His emotionless eyes had always puzzled Caelus. Surely, underneath his mysterious, brooding facade, there would be a hint of sweetness, of the dim humanity within. Eyes were the window to the soul, he told himself, and he thought that he wasn’t at all inept at deciphering emotions. Yet when it came to Dan Heng, he felt…stuck, for lack of a better word. Caelus huffed and turned on his side, determined to rest his mind of such turbulent thoughts.
A quiet knock on the door announced his timely presence. Caelus wanted to get on his knees and thank the heavens for this single blessing if it weren’t for the embarrassment that it would later cause him. Perhaps it was meant to be that now was the time for them to get to know each other more. Rarely did they have time to be alone, with their group being inseparable and the whole saving the world escapade.
“Caelus? Are you awake? Ah, right. I’m coming in anyways,” Dan Heng’s monotone voice echoed through the wood. Instincts took over and he hid himself under the blanket.
“...”
A small silence. And then a sigh.
“I’ll leave you be, seeing as you got here fine.”
“Wait– please, um, don’t leave yet..” His words faltered when he saw the look on Dan Heng’s face. Shock. Right…
“Hm, I had always thought you were mute. You’re full of surprises.” Closing the door behind him, Dan Heng sat on a chair nearby.
“Talking's tiring sometimes,” Caelus muttered, unwilling to meet his eyes. Green eyes that were now boring in his head, asking too many questions at once. Your windows are wide open, Dan Heng, it will get cold if you don’t close them now.
“Talking’s tiring sometimes,” Caelus muttered, unwilling to meet his eyes. Green eyes that were now boring in his head, asking too many questions at once. Your windows are wide open, Dan Heng, it will get cold if you don’t close them now.
A pause. “I want to know more about you, Caelus,” Dan Heng stated.
“What are you trying to do, Dan Heng?” He didn’t mind opening up, but it felt as if Dan Heng was trying to make up for something he couldn’t quite place his finger on.
“I thought we could have a one-on-one conversation?” and then, “You should talk more often.”
His last remark left Caelus dumbstruck. There was no other way to describe his situation other than peculiar. Dan Heng wanted him to talk more? He must’ve interpreted his words wrong, because Dan Heng was a man who would never admit that March was his best friend, not even if it were a life or death situation.
“Are you saying..?”
“Yes, I do want you to talk more,” Dan Heng said, almost snappily.
Oh.
Forget what Caelus said about Dan Heng’s other remark. This one truly left him at a loss for words. Whatever response he was building up in his head crumbled the moment Dan Heng uttered those few words out of the mouth he really wanted to lock lips with.
“I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable speaking in front of me and March.” Dan Heng now was the one refusing eye contact, his speech quickening with every word. “You should’ve told us sooner. March would’ve understood. I would’ve understood.”
A small chuckle escaped Caelus. “I knew there was a soft spot somewhere.” He smiled at his concern for Caelus’ well-being because who would have ever thought there was a universe where Dan Heng did admit that he wanted something?
Dan Heng’s face reddened ever so slightly, yet it did not escape Caelus. He had been observing his facial expressions since he questioned Dan Heng’s humanity from day one. One change, no matter how slight, would never escape his keen eyes. And it was because of his eyes, did he realise that something had changed in Dan Heng’s own.
Ah…I didn’t realise how much vulnerability human eyes could hold. Caelus gently brushed his hand against Dan Heng’s face, his own heart betraying his brain. And he thought, maybe it was truly fate that brought them to this moment.
Dan Heng stiffened at Caelus’ words. Any trace of expression on his face vanished in an instant. He pushed him away without any ill intention, but rather, an act that somehow felt like an act of safety, of boundaries put up to warn others of dangers hidden within.
“You don’t know what you’re saying, Caelus.” A heavy sigh. “Go to bed. It’s been a long day.” He promptly left after their minute moment of intimacy and Caelus could only plead with his eyes, but Dan Heng’s face was already hidden from view.
I don’t care what you are, Dan Heng. Your eyes, they are no different to a human’s.
It didn’t matter. It was too late for any sort of connection to be restored and Dan Heng had long since left the hotel. He watched him walk past the grimy window, back unnaturally rigid and strides too quick to be casual.
Caelus fell against the bed, accepting defeat the way a tired soldier would surrender. Or the sorrowful way a lady would’ve fallen after hearing the news of her husband’s death, maids coming to her rescue, ensuring that she wouldn’t pass of a heart attack. Except he had no one to comfort him in this death-like rejection. Some god must’ve looked down in disdain and snipped their red threads, just like beheading traitors after a revolution. Perhaps, then, fate was against them both.