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It was again, another one of those nights for Dan Heng.
A chest tightening, gut wrenching, brutal imagery would appear before him, flashing in his mind repeatedly as to try and get a rise from him. Swords, screaming masses, bodies of unknown origins, the latter.
It would always end the same— scaring him with such a small but effective dialogue— "You are one of them." The familiar figure within these dreams would say the same thing yet still, it affected him greatly, causing him to wake up, his chest tightened up by the feeling of being scared awake.
It was an indefinite routine. These dreams would only occur on some days. When Dan Heng would believe that everything was turning out fine, it would come back to him once the night fell. Although, it would also leave him be on some days, though, would have him on edge, anticipating the dream to come back to him as night would arrive on the express.
This time, it was different.
Still separated from his companions, Dan Heng had decided to stay in a nearby inn as per Sushang's orders. It was quite dangerous to go out during this time already. The reason would echo in his head as he stared right at the ceiling of the room he was staying in. Compared to Belobog's hotel, this inn was quite small, though, who was he to complain anyways?
His chest was still tightened up in fear at the dream he had. Even if he was on a different planet— it still haunted him, lingering in the back of his mind every single day, pushing him on edge.
He hated it.
He wondered if the people staying beside his room had heard him jolt up in terror. Although, now that he thought about it, the humiliation adding up to his anxiety just made it worse.
Well, whatever. There was no use in trying to figure out the reoccurring nightmare or its effects. If anything, it might even land him in a worse condition than when he wakes up after dreaming about it.
To clear his mind from thinking about it, Dan Heng gets up from the soft mattress, stretching a bit before completely getting up from the bed. Perhaps a walk would be a good way to distract myself. He'd conclude, turning the knob to his room's door to leave immediately.
–
Leaving the inn, the cold breeze of Xianzhou Luofu feels pleasant on Dan Heng's skin, causing him to sigh in relief. It felt better to stroll at night than during the day, since the streets are less busy during these times. He'd mentally note to himself as he begins walking, the Sanctum Plaza's residents' voices acting as music to his ears. This was better than the confining silence from the inn, far better.
Dan Heng continues walking, observing the small shops' lights slowly dimming as people walk along home, clearly exhausted, yet satisfied with their sales and purchases aplenty. He tunes out their enthusiastic and loud comments, continuing on his stroll. He'll just worry about coming back to the inn later. Sleep wasn't really vital for him as he always gets woken up by the same horrifying dream anyways.
Just as the relaxing and comforting atmosphere was enough to have Dan Heng deep in, he stops in his tracks once he notices a certain blonde by the balcony of the Plaza area, overseeing the sea of clouds below him.
…..?
What was he doing here?
Dan Heng could only wonder, watching how perfectly still the man was, the only thing moving within the wind being his long blonde hair, along with some parts of his clothing. He really looked foreign the more Dan Heng looked at him.
…
Perhaps he should go now, it's weird to stare.
Though, before he could leave, a strong gust of wind flies through, causing something to land on Dan Heng's clothing— a single white lily.
In confusion, Dan Heng holds it in his hands, delicately handling it as he observes what it was. And he was right, it was a lily. Although, where could it have come from?
"We meet again." A deep, although welcoming voice greets the dark haired male, causing Dan Heng to look up at who it was.
… It was him.
".... Luo Cha, was it?" Dan Heng responds to the greeting, still not ceasing his hold on the lily. "We meet again, indeed." He couldn't help but feel rather relieved that they did. Though, he didn't really know why.
Luo Cha takes a minute to observe Dan Heng's state, looking at him from head to toe. Once he finishes, he gives a slight smile, although, contrasting to his welcoming voice. "You're up quite late, I thought Miss Sushang had told you to rest up for tomorrow?"
Dan Heng averts his gaze at the mention of Sushang. "Well, I didn't feel like it. Again, I do have to stay aware of where my companions are, remember?" That was a blatant lie, though, he didn't need to prove anything else to an acquaintance, did he? "So, what about you? Didn't she also tell you to rest up too?'
Luo Cha chuckled heartily at that response. "Like you, I didn't quite feel like resting. It's quite difficult to do so, with Xianzhou's state." He brings a hand up to his chin, thinking to himself. "And, I also have some unfinished business to work on." The way his expression changes from enthusiastic to uninterested in mere seconds impresses Dan Heng, wondering if this man had any other expression aside from those two alone. (not like he was any different)
"I see." Dan Heng responds blankly, should he leave, then? He didn't really want to bother anyone right now, but he sort of felt like he needed to at least tell someone about his dream.
Wait, what was he talking about? He shouldn't be thinking about that. He snaps back to his senses in mere minutes, realizing just what he had thought about. That would just burden people around him anyways, and it was sort of a personal problem— venting to a stranger about that sort of thing would be really weird.
The silence between the two stays nonetheless.
Dan Heng finds it hard to read through Luo Cha's expression, averting his gaze away from the blonde as he thinks of something to say, although, is unable to. It was difficult when you have something haunting your mind.
Though, however long he thinks of a response, Luo Cha doesn't bring it up, patiently waiting for a response. Can he tell something was wrong? Dan Heng can't help but wonder, grip slightly tightening over the poor lily.
…
….
…..
"Would you like to sit somewhere?" Luo Cha finally offers, breaking the silence between them. "Even if we have plenty of time to talk, I don't think we should waste such precious time over staring at each other."
Dan Heng nods at the offer immediately, clearing his throat due to the lack of words being said. "Didn't you say you had unfinished business, though?" He would question though, already following Luo Cha to where they would sit.
"That can wait until the morning, right now, I would like to talk with you a little more. I do wish to get to know you more, young master."
With that response, Dan Heng couldn't help but feel a small sense of security creeping up his back, slowly coming to terms with it the more he spends time with Luo Cha.
Perhaps he can know some things about him, just a bit.
Though, before Dan Heng could open his mouth to speak, Luo Cha reached out, grabbing something from the shorter male's hair, causing Dan Heng to tense up at the sudden action, eyes widened slightly.
"!!! What are you doing—?"
"Oh, sorry, did I startle you?" Luo Cha calmly responded just after that surprising gesture. "I couldn't help but notice a petal on your hair, it's been distracting me for a while." He gives the petal to Dan Heng, who looks at it in sheer dumbfoundedness. ".... I see." The dark haired male could only reply, averting his gaze slightly, feeling his heart pound a bit more than usual. Though, it wasn't from fear this time.
".. Well then, shall we continue our talks by that bench over there?" Luo Cha would gesture over to the bench by the balcony. "The night is still so young, you know?"
And Dan Heng would not oppose that offer at all, clutching at the lily in his hand before following Luo Cha over to the bench.
Yes, let's.
He would think to himself, staring over at the blonde's broad back with sheer interest.
There's plenty of time to disregard the future.
The dark haired male muses to himself, excitement replacing anxious feelings for now.