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"Oh, Mr. Luocha." A velvety yet welcoming voice greets from afar, alarming both men as they turn around to meet the source of it— "Fancy seeing you around these areas."
There stood, in front of them, was the general, casually roaming the streets of the Luofu.
"I also see that you've brought in another visitor— who was it? Ah, Dan Heng, wasn't it?" Curiously, the general pried like a child, gazing over at the dark haired male, earning a rather soft chuckle from Luocha himself as he shook his head. "General, a pleasure to see you again, as well."
"How has your stay been? I've heard from a few that you became the talk of the town for a while, what was that all about?"
"Aha, you must be thinking of that little following of mine— they have such curious eyes, I had to avoid some streets to avoid being bombarded with questions. Is the Luofu usually this eager?"
"What can I say? We are very charismatic."
As the two chatted about, Dan Heng could only stare back and forth as the two continued on with talking about their day, feeling a little left out as he stood beside the blonde, who was currently entertaining the general with his colorful answers. They seemed like they've known each other for centuries, judging by how personal the topics ranged from and how the blonde answered with such certainty.
He noticed the amusement in the two's eyes as they continued talking, was the general becoming touchier, or was that just his mind fooling him? He didn't know anymore, but the more he eavesdropped on the conversation's topics, the more he seemed to view Luocha in a different light. He didn't even know if he wanted to cease listening or not.
Finally, after what seemed like hours of talking and bantering about, Luocha finally spoke— "Well, we must get going back to where we need to be, I heard there was going to be rain today." He gazed over at Dan Heng, who immediately looked right at him after looking down for so long. ".. It was nice catching up, General Jing Yuan." Despite the grueling conversation had, he posed a polite smile.
Jing Yuan gave a slight chuckle before nodding. "It was nice catching up as well too. Next time, you should also join us, Dan Heng. I'll treat you two to a Luofu cuisine the next time we come toe to toe." His tone is still welcoming and charming, completely offsetting Dan Heng. "... Ah, yes.." Was all the dark haired male could say, nodding at the offer.
And, off they went back to the inn as the rain started pouring onto the pavements. All Dan Heng could recall before they rushed back was the slight wave of farewell from the general as he saw him chuckle— although, it was a fleeting moment, maybe he remembered differently?
Well, he definitely remembered the conversation correctly.
And it definitely left him a bit bitter.
–
"Well," Luocha sighed, setting down his coat by the coat rack provided in their room. "It seems the rain will not be stopping anytime soon." Observing the continuous fall of rain by the window, he watched as the many droplets hit the glass. "I'm just glad it isn't causing such a flood, that'd be a hassle."
"What do you think, Dan Heng?"
"?!" Dan Heng tensed up, shutting the book in his hands and looking right back at Luocha in franticness before calming down. ".. You're right about that, the streets would be an irritance to walk through, if ever." Was his overthinking that obvious? He really needed to get better at hiding certain emotions, sometimes. He sighed internally at the feeling of blowing his cover. "I think it's safe that you stay here before going back to your business and whatnot."
Luocha smiled at that notion, before raising a brow. "Well, thank you for your hospitality, then." He hummed, setting down the teacups by the table. ".. I have to ask, though."
Oh, no.
Was he going to ask about earlier and how he stayed silent?
".... What is it?" Dan Heng fights through it, trying his very best to gaze up properly at the blonde, holding at his book defensively.
"Your coat, are you not going to take it off anytime soon?'
Oh.
That was probably better than what he had in mind.
"Ah, uh.. it's quite cold, I'm not very comfortable with the temperature, despite the heater and all." He tries to cover up the obvious fact he was lowkey overthinking how Jing Yuan touched Luocha earlier, sweatdropping profusely in his mind as he gazed back down to the title of his book. "Please don't mind me."
Luocha frowned a little, clearly confused, though, and ceased the expression within minutes. Clearly, he didn't want to make a huge deal out of how fake that sounded. "I see, I hope you're alright?"
Dan Heng nodded. "I am, don't worry."
But in his mind, he was trying not to imagine Luocha and the general being absolutely obscene— why was he even making a big deal out of this? Luocha never pries into his personal deal, so why does he have to worry about it…
Oh, right.
Maybe it was the sexual frustration that came with being with Luocha.
"I'm going to go wash up for a while, call me if you need anything."
"I.. I will, thanks." Dan Heng replied hastily, watching as Luocha's figure disappeared into the bathroom, hearing the door shut and click locked. Well, this was going to be an awkward time.
Back to what he was saying.
After getting together with Luocha, public display of affection was considered a nuisance between them— they shared some sentiments of it being a bit bothersome as people will look and judge all they want. So that wasn't really a problem they had.
In private, however, Luocha can be quite the charmer, knowing every single secret to making Dan Heng melt and flush against him with a single embrace or kiss. And Dan Heng adored it. Well, at first he was a bit unsettled by how gentle Luocha was, but as time went on, the assertiveness grew as comfortability did so. But, unfortunately, the more they became comfortable with being touchier, that would of course lead into a "more" controversial type of thing.
……. And that thing would be an issue.
The more they became touchier, something in the universe would align as it would be interrupted by something— a phone call, Sushang visiting, the list could go on.
So far, the only thing they've done was get half-undressed and absolutely disheveled from making out— well… that only ever applied to Dan Heng. Luocha was very neat.
But, that aside, the thing is, the sexual frustration that came from Luocha was the issue. And what would Dan Heng think, knowing that the general had a chance with him already, and had it so easily?
Naturally, he felt a bit jealous.
He sighed as he collapsed straight onto the soft mattress of their shared bed. Come to think of it, they've never even shared a bed, that's also another thing! Dan Heng could only groan the more he found out how disappointing their relationship was compared to previous ones.
But, who was he to even say that? I mean, he's never told Luocha his past or nightmares in full— probably because he didn't remember, but Luocha never budged when it came to his past and problems, so why is he the one making the big deal out of a small situation?
He couldn't help but feel guilty about it, sighing in frustration.
He could only hope the rain would stop soon, maybe that way, the stroll out would clear his mind off this.
–
"Sorry to have kept you waiting, you can use the bathroom now." The smell of lilies engulfed the room whole as Luocha stepped out of the bathroom, apologetically sighing. His hair was still slightly damp, but just dry enough to have resting on his person. ".. Dan Heng?"
There was no answer when he called out.
".. Dan Heng?" Again, he called, still no answer.
That was strange, where was the man? It was still raining, so there was no way he could've been outside.
As Luocha walks over to the bedroom area, his queries are answered as he sees Dan Heng lying down against the mattress, softly sighing in his sleep as he lays comfortably.
The sight almost makes Luocha laugh as he sits beside the man, interested in how deep Dan Heng's sleep was. It was cute, and absolutely amusing. He runs his hand through the sleeping man's hair, patting his head. "It seems I've kept you waiting for a while, my apologies."
Dan Heng snored, moved ahead, leaning into the headpat as he faced Luocha's direction. Oh? He must really like it. Luocha would think, shifting all his weight to lie down right beside the man, his freehand moving to embrace Dan Heng as he pulled him closer. Judging by how Dan Heng snuggles right into him, he seems to really like being hugged— was it really that cold?
"... How adorable you are, are you sure you don't want to get up to wash up?"
"Nnn… ?" Dan Heng mumbles in his sleep, yawning. "Don't want to get up, so warm.."
"Ah, it was just a request.. Don't worry, you may get up when you want."
"Nn… z z z z z…."
Luocha chuckles in amusement, planting a kiss right on the dark haired male's forehead. ".. Sweet dreams."
"...."
—
It's dark, but not the type of darkness that usually engulfed his brain.
It was more of a helpless version of it, a warm, yet unsettling feeling of darkness.
One he chooses to be stuck in for the night.
And by the time a hazy voice calls out, that's when he knows it's time to leave the strange darkness behind with his nightly terrors.
There was none for now, surprisingly.
"...?"
The bedroom was still dimly lit, was it perhaps late in the night? There wasn't any light shining through the curtains, so perhaps it was still dawn.
From beside him, called out. "You're awake at this time already?"
……
Eh?
As Dan Heng glanced over to the side of the bed— a seemingly attractive blonde man was right beside him, quite literally woken up from his slumber.
?!?!?!??!
Dan Heng shook his head, immediately sitting up. "Wh— When did we..?!"
"Relax… You fell asleep early, I decided to not wake you up as you seemed quite tired. I was going to sleep on the couch, but you were hugging so tightly, I couldn't leave you be."
Oh.
Well, that's not assuring at all. Nonetheless, Dan Heng sighed in relief. "... I see, sorry about that."
"Why are you apologizing?" Luocha's groggy voice was … kind of handsome, now that Dan Heng could hear him easier. "It's not your fault at all." He yawned, holding at Dan Heng's wrist. "Come back to bed."
"?! I don't really.." Was he seriously burning up over Luocha's voice? He didn't believe it. "I'm not really tired, it's fine."
Luocha pouted at the rejection. "You must sleep, come on, now."
Dan Heng would've.
He really would've.
Had he not been so affected by Jing Yuan and Luocha, he really would've taken the offer to sleep.
"I'll just prepare some tea, it's fine, please don't worry at all." Dan Heng immediately moves away from Luocha, standing up to where the cups were, his face was stupidly red as his mind was severely conflicted. His hands frantically move as they handle the tea, shaking, not from nervousness, but more of frustration and embarrassment.
Unfortunately for him, a sharp pain immediately lands on his finger as hot water scalds it, causing him to hiss due to how sudden it was.
Of course, this alerts Luocha, who immediately gets up from the bed, coming in to grab at Dan Heng's hand as he observes the minor burn on it. Sighing in slight relief, he gazes down at Dan Heng with seriousness in his eyes. ".. You're lucky it isn't anything serious, be more careful with how you handle things."
The rosary in his hand, (how'd that get there?) it immediately heals Dan Heng's burn as Luocha holds it, watching as the burn went away in a matter of moments. His brows furrowed as he looked back at Dan Heng with suspicious eyes.
"Seriously, what is going on with you? Is something bothering you to be having you act so clumsy and nervous?" As much as he tries to keep a patient tone, there was no denying he was becoming increasingly suspicious about Dan Heng, who was averting his gaze. He leaned in closer, cornering Dan Heng by pinning him against the wall. "Answer me."
…
There was no choice left but to come clean.
Dan Heng opened his mouth—
"The general." He begins his statement, humiliated already. "What went on between you two?"
"...."
"....."
"......."
"............"
"Nevermind, forget I asked." Dan Heng, clearly mortified and humiliated, sweeps the question under the rug, "It was a stupid question so—"
"Pfft— Aha—!" Luocha could barely hold in his laugh any longer, absolutely amused by the question. "Is that what this was all about?"
"Luocha please don't laugh, this is embarrassing!"
"Apologies, this is just absolutely amusing— Pfft– Ahahaahaha!"
"Luocha..!"
–
"He and I, it was all in the past." Luocha hummed as he gave Dan Heng an assuring pat on the back, enjoying how the blush on Dan Heng's pale face grew more. "You don't need to worry about it."
"I'm sorry I misunderstood everything. And how I pried into it." Dan Heng whispered apologetically as he still refused to look at Luocha in sheer embarrassment. "It's just been eating at me for a while now."
"The general is a curious case, I don't blame you." Luocha doesn't get mad at him for it and is gentle with him even then, pecking him on the cheek. "But I can assure you one thing— it's all in the past. I don't have plans on being more than that."
… Being needy and demanding was terrifying and embarrassing to go through.
Dan Heng, despite the assurance, felt absolutely guilty about it all.
"... That's.. Thank you, Luocha." He mumbled, still not satisfied with the outcome. Luocha could sense it, too, holding at his hand to provide more assurance.
"Is there something else that's bothering you? You can tell me."
".... No, it's just embarrassing."
"So what if it is? You still need to tell me, otherwise, you're going to be bothered by this whole ordeal, you know."
"...."
"So?"
".... There's another thing, I suppose."
The general finally set aside, there was one more issue left at hand.
Dan Heng just had to say it, now.