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Chapter Text

Dan Heng was haunted by Dan Feng wherever he went. He wasn’t sure if the other was a ghost, a manifestation of his own psyche, or a part of Dan Feng that never died. Whatever the cause, Dan Feng was a constant presence in his life.

He dreamed of Dan Feng. Saw memories of a past long before his time. Felt foreign emotions twist inside of him, sometimes, that he didn’t understand.

Dan Heng tried so hard to shut Dan Feng out. He just wanted to be free. Wanted to be his own person with his own destiny.

Things changed when Dan Feng returned to the Luofu.

He couldn’t run from Dan Feng’s past anymore. He couldn’t run when Blade’s sword struck him in the chest, awakening powers that Dan Heng had long hidden away. He couldn’t run from Phantylia, or the general who sounded so sincere, for once, when he asked Dan Heng to watch his back then.

He couldn’t run from the hateful words of the Vidyadhara mirages. Or the living Vidyadhara that called him by a title that he’d never held.

Dan Heng wasn’t sure what exactly triggered it, but something in the Luofu made Dan Feng’s constant presence in his life something he could no longer ignore.

All too often, he felt emotions that weren’t his. Thoughts that weren’t his. Flickers of waking memories when he looked at Blade or Jing Yuan. Memories of them smiling… memories of being close to them, just a breath away.

Those thoughts refused to leave. And he couldn’t help remembering the way that Blade laughed joyfully when he transformed, welcoming him down with open arms like a long-lost lover.

Or the way that Jing Yuan had suggested that Dan Heng stay on the Luofu, eyes hopeful.

Even once he was back on the Express, he couldn't stop thinking about them.

Every night he dreamed so vividly that he couldn't tell what was real anymore. He dreamed of drinking with good friends. Of fighting in a gruesome war. He dreamed of an older man with hair like starlight looking down at him lovingly.

He dreamed of Blade's fiery eyes, that predatory smile, and what the other man's hands would feel like on his skin. He dreamed of what threats Blade would whisper against his throat. And he dreamed of struggling to break free underneath Blade while hoping he remained pinned–just to see what Blade would do with him.

Dreams like that spiraled to either violence or ecstasy. Half the time, Dan Heng woke up desperate and aroused. Half the time he woke up, heart pounding with terror.

Those carnal dreams weren't restricted to Blade alone, either. Jing Yuan's teasing words strayed to teasing touches, then the feeling of the general pressed up against him without a shred of clothing between them.

Punctuated between those sweet dreams of pleasure were grief-stricken nightmares–visions of bloodshed and heartbreak.

He thanked the stars when he dreamed of pleasure, instead. Still, he felt guilty for dreaming of such a situation with either Jing Yuan or Blade. The guilt doubled whenever he dreamed of both together.

“Why…?” he asked Blade, still dreaming as the dark-haired man stalked closer to him, stripping as he approached Dan Heng.

“What do you mean why ?” Blade growled, tossing his jacket to the side as he grabbed Dan Heng by the throat. “You’re the siren tempting me. Reacting this way–” His free hand slid between Dan Heng’s legs to press against where he was hard. “Even when we fight. How can I resist… when you tease me so?”

Blade pulled Dan Heng into a rough kiss, tongue slipping into his mouth.

It wasn’t the answer Dan Heng was looking for–to why these dreams were happening–but he melted into the kiss, arms wrapping around Blade’s shoulders.

Another voice answered him from behind, though. A voice that was all too familiar.

“These are the blessings of the Permanence. These instincts… they are your birthright.”

“What–?” Dan Heng turned, trying to catch a glimpse of Dan Feng, but he only caught sight of long, black hair and a knowing smile before he jolted awake in the archives.

Panting (and hard), he tried to understand what it meant. The blessings of the Permanence? The aeon that sired the Vidyadhara, among other races? The one that Dan Feng had been the manifestation of?

He had no idea what it meant or if it meant anything at all. Being hard didn’t help him think straight, though. Slipping his hand between his legs to take care of himself, Dan Heng’s cheeks burned red with shame and desire all at once.

***

Dan Heng’s dreams weren’t always pleasant. Sometimes, between the rough love with Blade and the teasing touch of Jing Yuan, other dreams invaded his mind. Darker dreams. Dreams full of bloodshed and loss.

The man with hair like starlight… Dan Heng cradled him close, hugging him tight. Dan Heng’s tears fell like rain, and the stranger reached up, eyes growing dimmer and dimmer as he cupped Dan Heng’s cheek. He spoke, but Dan Heng couldn’t understand him.

The light faded from the other man’s eyes. Lightning struck and the sky opened up, torrents howling around them as Dan Heng screamed in a voice that wasn’t quite his.

“ Yingxing …!”

Painful scenes flashed by. The death of a Starskiff pilot as she was consumed by a black void. Manic, agonized laughing from a woman with white hair as she raised her sword. Jing Yuan, on the verge of tears as he read aloud from a scroll.

Spears pierced into Dan Heng from all sides as chains suspended him. He cried, endlessly, voice lost from screaming.

Dan Heng jolted awake as something touched his shoulder. He recoiled immediately, backing against a wall. He’d gone to bed in human form, but his horns and long hair had returned with the dream, and his tail curled in front of him protectively.

Tears slipped down his cheeks, unending. Vision blurred, he struggled to recognize Mr. Yang. Then Caelus, March, Himeko, and behind them, Pom Pom.

He didn’t know what to say. Didn’t know how to excuse his reaction. “Sorry,” he whispered, voice hoarse.

“Dan Heng…” March looked pale. More than that, she looked worried. “Dan Heng, you were screaming…. Are you okay?”

Caelus frowned with concern. That concern was mirrored in the expression of the others, all eyes trained on Dan Heng.

“I’m fine,” Dan Heng lied, trying to sound convincing. “Just… a nightmare.”

“Dan Heng, your nightmares are getting worse,” Mr. Yang told him, sighing. “I know the Luofu must have brought back a lot of painful memories, but we’re worried about you. We’re already on our way to Herta Space Station to resupply. I think you should see a doctor there. Maybe they can help.”

“It’s not that serious,” Dan Heng told him, voice shaking. “I’m sure it will pass. A doctor isn’t necessary.” Dan Heng knew it was a lie. He knew it was getting worse. The others knew, too–it was written on their faces.

“I know this is hard, Dan Heng,” Himeko added. “But I really insist that you see a doctor. Everyone is worried. You… you aren’t sleeping. And when you do, half the time you have these awful nightmares. Please, it would make all of us feel more at ease if you just did a quick check-up.”

Everyone’s eyes were on Dan Heng. He knew there was no way he was getting out of this. And so, even knowing that the Space Station doctors would have no idea what to do with him, he nodded in resignation. “All right. If it will make you feel better.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Mr. Yang told him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “In the meantime, we’re here for you, all right? You can talk to us about anything.”

Dan Heng’s tail slowly lowered, relaxing as he looked up at Mr. Yang. He didn’t answer at first, not sure if he should. But finally, reluctantly, he told Mr. Yang, “some of it is the same as before. Memories and visions. Of Dan Feng’s past, I think. But… there have been other dreams, different dreams. And Dan Feng–he said that they had something to do with the blessings of the Permanence. I don’t know what that means, though.”

“Blessings of the Permanence?” Mr. Yang hummed in thought, quiet for a while. “I’ll see if there is anything I can find out. I have my suspicions but will have to run them by the doctors. We’ll be there soon, okay?”

“Yeah,” Dan Heng took a shaky breath, nodding. “Thank you. All of you.”

A hand slid into each of his. March squeezed one, Caelus squeezed the other. March gave him a brave smile. “If you’re ever scared or sad we can have a sleepover in my room, okay?”

Dan Heng dried his eyes with a sleeve. “Yeah. Thanks, March.”

Chapter Text

Dan Heng was surprised when the doctor wanted to check his bloodwork, vital signs, and do a physical on him–in both human form and Vidyadhara form. It was already uncomfortable to be poked and prodded in human form, stripped bare behind the curtain. It was even more uncomfortable in his natural Vidyadhara form.

Scratch that. Most Vidyadhara’s had somewhat similar anatomy to humans. Most Vidyadhara didn’t come with horns, a tail, and… a vent edged in delicate scales with two dicks hidden away inside.

To the doctor’s credit, if he was shocked he didn’t show it. Dan Heng prayed that the doctor had seen plenty of other alien species in his time. He really hoped that he wasn’t going to be the talk of the ward after they left.

Having Dan Heng sit down on the table, the doctor slipped a couple of gloved fingers into Dan Heng’s vent to get a look at him and, presumably, make sure nothing was wrong. Dan Heng was mortified when the doctor finally let him get dressed.

Fully clothed once more, he asked the doctor, “is… is all this really necessary for recurring nightmares?”

The doctor sat down in the chair across from Dan Heng. “Normally, no. You’re an unusual case, though. Not only do you descend from an aeon, like other Vidyadhara, but you were also the High Elder in the past. As I understand it, your past self was essentially a physical manifestation of that aeon–Long the Permanence. Judging by your physical characteristics, that has carried over into this lifetime, too.”

“I understand that I’m different,” Dan Heng sighed. “I guess I was just expecting sleeping medicine instead of… ah, such a thorough physical.”

“I know that this is a lot,” the doctor told him. “And maybe this is unnecessary. But it’s a good idea to do a full check-up. Especially after your serious injuries and sudden, intense use of draconic power. Plus, Mr. Yang mentioned that in one of your dreams ‘the blessings of The Permanance’ was mentioned. Is that true?”

“It is,” Dan Heng admitted, nervous.

“That may be useful information. We’ll check your test results with that in mind. Now… I know you’re anxious to get out of here. But there is one more thing I need you to do.”

The doctor’s next request had Dan Heng speechless. He’d barely managed a nod before excusing himself to the bathroom he’d been pointed to with a small cup.

He leaned against the wall, letting out a few curses under his breath. He had not signed up for this.

Nevertheless, he rubbed one out, still in Vidyadhara form. Trying his best to keep completely silent, Dan Heng bit his lower lip as he hit his climax, cum hitting the bottom of the cup as he squeezed both cocks together to aim for it.

He panted, trying to collect himself as he placed the cup in a metal shuttered slot. Washing his hands, he splashed cold water on his face and took a few deep breaths before zipping his pants back up.

All of this was humiliating. Despite the doctor’s professionalism, Dan Heng felt like an animal at the zoo.

His tail twitched nervously as he took a seat by March, Caelus, and Mr. Yang, awaiting the results. They looked worried but didn’t ask any questions. For that, he was grateful.

Before long, the doctor returned, brows furrowed in thought. “Dan Heng, we got your test results back.” He looked over at the others, as if not sure whether he should continue. “Do you prefer to discuss them in private, or…?”

Dan Heng didn’t answer for a moment. Whatever answer he picked would be the wrong one. If he talked to the doctor in private, the others would worry that he didn’t trust them and didn’t think he could count on them. On the other hand, if he talked to the doctor here, he might end up humiliated. Or he might scar March, Caelus, or Mr. Yang for life with the details of whatever was wrong with him.

“I’ll leave it up to you guys,” he told them, tense.

“Dan Heng… we’re here for you. And you don’t have anything to be embarrassed about!” March’s smile was so full of optimism, it relieved some of the fear gripping Dan Heng’s heart.

“You’re not alone,” Caelus told him with a gentle smile.

“March is right,” Mr. Yang agreed. “We’re here to support you, no matter what the doctor says.”

“...All right.” Dan Heng told the doctor, still worried.

The doctor took a seat. He didn’t speak at first, looking like he didn’t know how to break the news. Dan Heng wondered dismally if he really did have some kind of terrible disease.

“Pardon my bluntness. But Vidyadhara are typically infertile, correct?”

Dan Heng frowned. “That’s correct,” he told the doctor warily.

“That’s what I thought.” He paused. “I know the main reason you came here today was severe nightmares and other vivid dreams. But based on what you mentioned about the blessings of The Permanence, your unique characteristics, and the importance of what we found, I think that what we found is worth mentioning.”

“What is it?” Dan Heng’s heart beat faster, anxiety spiking inside of him.

“Well, to start with, you’re not infertile.”

“I’m… what?”

The doctor proceeded carefully. “Unlike other Vidyadharas, you are… exceptionally fertile. Both in giving and receiving.”

“Both in–what??”

The doctor turned a slight shade of pink. “You’re able to impregnate others. And you are able to get pregnant, also. Connected to your vent–you have a functional womb.”

Dan Heng turned dark red. Despite their reassurances, he felt March, Mr. Yang, and Caelus looking at him. He tried not to think about it, tried not to look at them, afraid of the expressions they might be making.

“I… I see.”

“It’s not just that, either.”

Oh.

“From what I can tell, you do, or will, go into heats: periods of significantly increased sex drive, increased fertility, and hypersensitivity. Based on everything you told me, I don’t think it’s happened yet, but I wanted to prepare you for that eventuality. As far as I can tell, this is related to what you said about the blessings of The Permanence.”

“What does this have to do with The Permanence?”

“Well… these unusual characteristics seem to be caused by your connection to The Permanence, both in this lifetime and in your former lifetimes. After all, The Permanence sired multiple races. Given that, I don’t believe that it’s strange for this, um, vitality and drive to be found in someone with his aeonic blood and power.”

Dan Heng frowned, trying to absorb the doctor’s words. Is that what Dan Feng meant when he’d said the dreams were blessings of The Permanence–and his birthright? “Okay. Thank you for telling me,” Dan Heng said, the tip of his tail thumping against the floor as he tried to collect his nerves.

“It’s hard to say what other manifestations of aeonic power and traits you might acquire, but I believe your injuries and the use of your draconic power so suddenly may be linked to these heightened dreams. Both good and bad.” The doctor gave him a knowing look, and Dan Heng realized exactly what this had to do with his dreams–both the nightmares and the more pleasurable ones.

“Not only that, it has also triggered an influx of memories from your past life. And there is potential psyche fracturing between your past and present self.”

“Psyche fracturing…?” Dan Heng’s heart dropped.

“Potentially. With so many memories flooding your system all at once, you’re at risk of either a dissociative breakdown or some other form of identity crisis. You’re in good hands, though. We have the best medical care this side of the galaxy and can help you work through this.”

“With counseling? Medicine?” Dan Heng’s voice shook. He blinked back tears, shocked at hearing that everything he was might crumble.

“I’ll prescribe something for sleep and anxiety. However, I think the best treatment for the bombardment of memories and power would be something more unorthodox. You’re under a lot of stress with all of this happening. It’s too much information all at once. Having a safe place to sort through it at your own pace may help tremendously. It is something that I will need Madam Herta’s authorization for, though, so–”

A ding interrupted the doctor. “Excuse me a moment,” he told them, checking his phone briefly before turning back to them. “Right on time. That was Madam Herta. She’s authorized you to use the Simulated Universe to help you sort through your memories. Under one stipulation….”

The Simulated Universe? “What is the stipulation?”

“She insists… that she be able to access the records from when you’re there. She understands that your past life memories may contain both trauma and, um, intimate moments, but nevertheless, she wants to go over it for research purposes. Especially since you’re descended from an aeon. She’ll also be able to disconnect you from the Simulated Universe if what you encounter is too much for you to handle.”

Dan Heng was silent for a bit. All of this was too much to take in at once. And the thought of Herta seeing everything he’d ever dreamed of–

He felt a squeeze to his hand and was surprised to see March’s hand resting there. Next to her, Caelus patted Dan Heng’s tail comfortingly.

“Do what feels right,” Mr. Yang told him gently. There was no judgment in his voice. It was kind and understanding, as it always had been whenever Dan Heng struggled.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Dan Heng replied to the doctor:

“I’ll do it.”

Chapter Text

When he first arrived at Herta’s office, she looked at Dan Heng differently. Before all this, she hadn’t paid him much attention, but now she watched him curiously.

“The addition I made to the Simulated Universe is different from the rest, just so you know. It should be easier to travel through,” she told him. “Every area has a regular interface to advance to the next area–and a separate, bright red interface to exit the Simulated Universe entirely. Sort of like a panic button, you know? In the event of an emergency, just put your hand against the bright red one to exit. If you have questions or get lost just message me. Got it?”

“Got it,” Dan Heng echoed, nervous.

Instinctively, Dan Heng reached into his pocket, fingers brushing over the familiar smooth jade of the abacus that Jing Yuan had given him. Not that Dan Heng would need it in the Simulated Universe, but knowing that Jing Yuan would back him up if he was ever in dire need brought him comfort nonetheless. Just having it with him brought Dan Heng peace of mind.

“Good.” Herta grinned. “Buckle up, and good luck.”

Herta and the rest of the space station faded away as everything shifted around Dan Heng. He found himself back in the Luofu in some kind of a courtyard. Blue flowers glowed under the light of the full moon, and a breeze shifted through the tree above.

He felt… different. He was still in Vidyadhara form, but he was dressed in layers of fine silk. Silver thread embroidered a crane among lotuses and a full moon upon the fabric. Over one of his black gloves, a single shining bracer was worn. He held a cup of some kind of alcohol in one hand.

An older man sitting beside him held a matching cup carved from the finest white jade. He wore an identical bracer, the other half of a single set, and moonlight glowed in his eyes like quicksilver.

Dan Heng instantly recognized him as the man with hair the color of starlight from his dreams. Yingxing. The name came to his mind unbidden. The same name he’d screamed in his dreams after the stranger had died.

“It’s you,” Dan Heng whispered. “Yingxing.”

That could only mean that this was one of Dan Feng’s memories.

“It’s me.” Yingxing chuckled, cup clinking against Dan Heng’s before he took a long sip. “And you, Imbibitor Lunae , have had too much to drink. Either that or you’re trying to flatter me. Looking at your own husband in such amazement?”

Dan Heng was instantly reminded of another person who had called him that. Imbibitor Lunae . His heart sped up instinctively as he studied Yingxing, confused. Was he just imagining it? It could be a coincidence. But the way he said it… and his appearance. Why did Yingxing remind him of Blade?

And… husband?

“Now I know you’ve had too much to drink. Can’t even think of a witty retort.” Yingxing laughed, taking both of their cups and setting them aside.

The older man picked Dan Heng up like he weighed nothing, carrying him bridal style across the courtyard. Dan Heng clung to him, startled, but slowly relaxed as Yingxing brought him inside. Something about the other man put him at ease in a way that he couldn’t explain.

As they stepped into a lavish bedroom, Dan Heng let himself reach up to cup Yingxing’s face in his. It felt… right. Yingxing paused, cheeks turning pink. He smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to Dan Heng’s forehead.

He set Dan Heng down on the bed with painstaking gentleness, fingers brushing through Dan Heng’s hair. “Sleep a bit, love. I’ll be right here.”

Emotions twisted inside of Dan Heng as he looked up at Yingxing. Confusion, longing, fondness, grief. It pained him to know that this moment was fleeting. He didn’t know what the next space would bring. Or if he would ever see Yingxing like this again.

“Rest with me?” He wasn’t ready to say goodbye. He needed time… needed a moment….

“If you insist.” Yingxing’s voice was playful, though.

He slipped into bed with Dan Heng, who relaxed at the closeness. It felt safe having Yingxing close. Felt like–

The image of Yingxing dead in his arms, a storm raging around them as he screamed in grief flashed before his eyes and he blinked back tears.

Strong arms wrapped around him, snapping Dan Heng out of it. Yingxing pulled him close. Dan Heng closed his eyes, slowly relaxing against Yingxing.

It wasn’t until he heard Yingxing’s breathing slow and deepen into sleep that Dan Heng reached out for the interface on the headboard of the bed. Shaking slightly with emotion, he hit the last button and the bedroom–and Yingxing–faded away.

***

When the world resolved itself around Dan Heng, birds chirped nearby, and the sky was bright and cheerful. A woman with long white hair and a sword at her side stood across from him with a kid at her side.

Jingliu. The woman’s name came to his mind unbidden, in a voice that was not quite his. And–

“Dan Feng. This is my apprentice, Jing Yuan.”

Even as a boy, Jing Yuan’s hair was also white. If Dan Heng hadn’t known better, he might’ve guessed that he was her son. The cold, serious nature with which she regarded young Jing Yuan proved otherwise.

“Well, don’t just stand there. Say something,” Jingliu told Jing Yuan with an impatient look.

Jing Yuan looked up at Dan Heng with bright, starry golden eyes. “You’re so pretty! You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.”

Heat rose to Dan Heng’s cheeks. “Thank you,” he told little Jing Yuan, smiling. “You’re very sweet.”

Jing Yuan ran up to him, only as tall as Dan Heng’s waist, and grabbed one of his hands. With a bright smile, he asked, “Mister Dan Feng, will you marry me?”

Dan Heng’s cheeks burned hotter from the question. It was adorable but unexpected. “I’m flattered,” he told young Jing Yuan, “but you’re a bit too young to get married, aren’t you?”

The tip of Dan Heng’s tail wagged, and he couldn’t help smiling.

Jing Yuan hummed in thought at that. “Okay,” he told Dan Heng. “Just you wait—when I’m older, I’ll make you my wife!”

“And how exactly do you expect to sweep the Vidyadhara High Elder off of his feet when you can’t even hold a sword correctly?” Jingliu scolded, arms crossing.

“High Elder –? You’re the High Elder?? ” Jing Yuan asked, eyes wide.

Before Dan Heng could answer, though, Jingliu retorted: “Of course he is. The dragon horns would have tipped you off if you were more observant. Let this be a lesson–”

But whatever she was going to say next was interrupted. “A dragon?? ” Jing Yuan’s eyes widened, and he looked at Dan Heng in pure, unbridled adoration. “Mister Dan Feng, are you really a dragon?”

“I am.” Dan Heng’s tail twitched, self-conscious as he admitted it. In these memories and dreamscapes, his draconic heritage and characteristics were unquestioned. But he was so used to blending in with humans, of keeping it a secret.

“Can you turn all of the way into a dragon, too?”

“I can.” Dan Heng was surprised at his own words. They’d come unbidden. In fact, he wasn’t sure they were his own words at all. The next ones that followed felt just as foreign, too. “Maybe sometime I’ll show you.”

Jing Yuan beamed with joy. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

Dan Heng smiled down at little Jing Yuan, touched by how genuinely happy it made him.

“Jing Yuan! You are a century too young to be flirting with the High Elder. Come on. Time for training.” This time, Jingliu’s command left no room for leeway. Jing Yuan seemed to know it, too.

Jing Yuan bowed to Dan Heng. “I hope to see you soon, Your Highness.” The words and the bow were sincere, too.

“I hope so, too.” The tip of Dan Heng’s tail wagged as Jing Yuan ran off. As they left, he could hear bits and pieces of Jing Yuan talking about him in the distance.

“Did you see how pretty he was?” and “I’m going to marry a dragon,” were just a couple of the words he caught.

Heart warm with fond contentment, Dan Heng reached out and pressed the button to head to the next space.

Chapter Text

When he came back to his senses, Dan Heng found himself panting for air, leaning heavily on Cloud Piercer for support. A scattering of bruises graced his arms and legs from training, and he felt sore all over. Nearby, Jingliu and Baiheng sparred, evenly matched.

Jing Yuan was older in this memory, a teenager. He pointed his glaive at Yingxing, excitement shining in his eyes. “Yingxing. Right here, right now. Duel me for the right to Dan Feng’s hand. Whoever wins gets to marry him.”

“Don’t I get any say in this?” Dan Heng asked, amused.

“Well, of course,” Jing Yuan told Dan Heng, looking sheepish. His cheeks reddened. “But either way, I’ll do everything in my power to win your heart.”

Yingxing looked younger in this memory, blue-gray eyes as bright as the sky. He drew his sword with ease and pointed it right at Jing Yuan. “Last I checked, you still couldn’t beat me in a fight. But… I know you. You’ll just keep asking until I accept. So, a duel it is.”

Jing Yuan grinned, practically glowing with excitement as he made the first move: a bold, direct strike. Yingxing blocked it with ease, each movement of the sword sure and deliberate. Dan Heng took a seat on a nearby stone, watching their supposed duel.

Jing Yuan and Yingxing were both incredibly skilled fighters. Even at his young age, Jing Yuan had progressed rapidly from a kid that Yingxing could beat with both arms tied behind his back to a teen who gave Yingxing a run for his money.

And he was doing so, now. The Devastator Glaive that Yingxing had built for Jing Yuan earned its name, carving mercilessly towards Yingxing with every strike.

The duel didn’t last long, though. After a few minutes, Yingxing had Jing Yuan on his back, sword pointed at the teen’s throat.

“I win,” Yingxing told him with a grin.

“No–I’m not finished–” Jing Yuan tried to duck under the sword and roll out from under it, but Yingxing put his foot down on Jing Yuan’s chest to pin him in place.

“Pretty sure that’s a win.”

“Best two of three!”

“That wasn’t the deal,” Yingxing retorted.

“Come on–best two of three gets to marry Dan Feng!”

Yingxing sighed. “All right. Let’s see what you got.” He let Jing Yuan up, and they were back at it, blades clashing.

Yingxing won again. The sun sank towards the horizon as the pair duked it out on their ‘best eighteen of thirty-five’ fight.

“I’m calling it,” Yingxing finally said, gasping for air as he sheathed his sword. Jing Yuan was lying on the ground, again. This time, from sheer exhaustion. “I win–again. And I’m heading home. It’s getting late. We’ll see you tomorrow, anyway.”

Dan Heng walked over to the two, feeling a little bad for Jing Yuan. Jing Yuan’s pure adoration was very sweet, even if it was just young puppy love. Still, the duel had been his idea, and he knew first-hand how formidable Yingxing was.

Yingxing ruffled Dan Heng’s hair, rubbing behind one of his horns. Dan Heng sighed, the tip of his tail wagging as he leaned into the other man’s touch. Instinctively, he pressed a kiss to Yingxing’s cheek, heat rising to his cheeks. As a consolation prize, he also knelt down to press a kiss to Jing Yuan’s forehead.

“Go get some rest,” Dan Heng told Jing Yuan with a smile. He offered a hand to him and helped Jing Yuan up.

Before he could say anything more, though, Yingxing picked Dan Heng up and tossed him over one of his shoulders like he weighed nothing.

“I can walk,” Dan Heng protested.

“I know.” Yingxing sounded pleased with himself. “But apparently I won you fair and square.”

“Very funny.” Dan Heng's cheeks burned, but he allowed Yingxing to carry him off. As they walked away, Dan Heng could hear Jingliu’s voice in the background as she scolded Jing Yuan.

Yingxing carried Dan Heng back to a modest home and into a simple bedroom. Notes and blueprints scattered over a desk nearby. Dan Heng was tossed playfully onto the bed and yelped as he righted himself. “For someone who spent the last few hours fighting, you sure have a lot of energy.” Slowly relaxing, he laid back on the bed. “Poor Jing Yuan’s probably heartbroken after being beaten so badly.”

“Nah. He’ll be back at it tomorrow, just you wait.”

Yingxing sat down on the bed beside Dan Heng. Leaning down, he cupped Dan Heng’s cheek with a smile.

Without thinking about it, Dan Heng reached up to pull Yingxing down for a kiss. The first one was gentle, sweet. The second was deeper, more lingering. “Congratulations on your victory,” Dan Heng whispered.

“Mm,” Yingxing stole another kiss, but he sounded exhausted. “The prize makes it all worthwhile,” he teased with a tired smile.

“You’re just as bad as Jing Yuan,” Dan Heng told him, voice fond. He brushed fingers through Yingxing’s hair as the other man nuzzled into his throat. Yingxing pressed a couple of kisses there, arms wrapping around Dan Heng. Yingxing's eyes closed and his breathing slowed as he relaxed against Dan Heng.

It felt so right to be in Yingxing's arms. It also stirred feelings inside of Dan Heng–both emotionally and physically. He tried not to let his mind wander, tried not to think too hard about Yingxing's strong arms around him Or about the feel of his lips against Dan Heng's neck.

The interface leading to the next memory glowed next to the bed once more, but Dan Heng ignored it for a while. He spent some time just like this, in Yingxing’s arms, savoring the sweet moment before reaching out to press the button once more.

Chapter Text

The first thing Dan Heng noticed was the sound of rushing water. The world around him focused into a grove of trees casting shade over a clear pool of water. A waterfall spilled down into the blue depths, filling the air with fresh mist.

He was surprised to see Dan Feng at the edge of the water. Rather than reliving the memory firsthand, this one played out like a movie before him.

Yingxing was there, too, smiling and leaning down to whisper something to Dan Feng that Dan Heng couldn’t quite make out.

Their clothing was tattered and stained red in a few spots. The cloth of Dan Feng’s usually pristine white jacket was smudged with dirt. A shallow cut marred Dan Feng’s shoulder. They’d been fighting. Not for practice, either. Sound flickered through Dan Heng’s mind for an instant like a distant dream–the sounds of monsters, the clash of metal against metal, the noise of battle.

Dan Feng moved, snapping Dan Heng back to the present. The High Elder’s tail curled around Yingxing for a moment. He stepped back with a less-than-innocent smile, tail brushing against Yingxing’s thighs as he stepped backward a few steps–right up to the edge of the water.

Dan Feng took his boots off, setting them aside. His jacket came off next, then his shirt–teasingly slowly as he arched his back before tossing it to the side. He stripped out of the rest of his clothes at the same painstakingly slow pace. Fabric slid to the ground, revealing bare skin as he leaned down, teasingly low, to slip out of his pants.

Yingxing’s gaze swept over him as he took in a sharp breath. Yingxing’s eyes darkened with arousal, and Dan Feng’s glowed like moonlight over the sea.

Dan Feng walked backward, wading waist-deep into the water. His tail swayed behind him, spreading gentle ripples over the pool’s surface. Grinning, he beckoned Yingxing closer with one finger.

Yingxing swallowed, taking in a deep breath before stripping down to nothing, too.

He stripped quicker and much less ceremoniously. His clothes were tossed by Dan Feng’s, and he walked into the water, towards Dan Feng.

Dan Heng’s heart quickened at the sight of them together like this. Heat coiled inside of him with rising arousal. He was only a spectator… but he was just as affected as Yingxing, who was half-hard.

“Tease,” Yingxing told Dan Feng. He sounded breathless.

“Can you blame me?” Dan Feng asked, arms wrapping loosely around Yingxing’s shoulders. He stole a lingering kiss, drawing Yingxing deeper into the water.

Their kiss deepened. Yingxing’s fingers tangled in Dan Feng’s hair, and he pulled him closer. Dan Feng arched up against him in return, gasping when Yingxing’s kisses shifted to his throat. One of Dan Feng’s hands slid between them, trailing down Yingxing’s chest to his stomach, then slipping between his legs.

Dan Heng’s breathing wavered at the sight, at the familiarity of the memory. He leaned back against a tree, trying to ignore how hard he’d gotten. He tried to resist the need to touch himself, feeling guilty for even having the urge. It was getting more and more difficult to hold back by the second, though.

A twig snapped just a few feet away from Dan Heng. He turned, shocked, to see Jing Yuan. Jing Yuan’s glaive slipped to the ground, forgotten as he stared at the scene before him.

Dan Heng froze for a moment, sure that Jing Yuan must see him. There was nowhere to hide, and yet… the general didn’t even glance his way. Dan Heng wasn’t sure the general could see him at all.

It was hard to say how much older Jing Yuan was than the last time, but as an adult, he towered over Dan Heng–the same way he did during Dan Heng’s visit to the Luofu. His shoulders were just as broad, and years of wielding the devastator glaive had built noticeable muscles and strength.

Perhaps Jing Yuan had stumbled upon Dan Feng and Yingxing’s tryst by accident. Perhaps he’d followed them, desperate to catch a glimpse or more. Dan Heng couldn’t tell.

However, from the pool, Dan Feng’s glowing eyes caught Dan Heng’s, then slid over to Jing Yuan’s. Dan Heng shivered, heart racing at the sudden eye contact between him and Dan Feng. Could Dan Feng see him? Was that even possible?

Dan Feng leaned up to whisper something into Yingxing’s ear. Thanks to Dan Feng’s touches and kisses, color had already risen to Yingxing’s cheeks and his breath was labored, eyes dark with need.

Dan Heng could barely make out the words.

“Yingxing,” Dan Feng whispered, drawing out the name slowly, teasingly, as he pressed a kiss to Yingxing’s neck. “It would appear we have company.” Dan Feng grinned, the tip of his tail sliding up Yingxing’s thigh.

Yingxing looked over at them, gaze hot as it swept over Dan Heng, then Jing Yuan. Like before, Dan Heng wasn’t sure if Yingxing had seen him…. But it felt like he had, felt like Yingxing’s eyes had raked over him, hungry for more.

Beside him, Jing Yuan froze, eyes wide and cheeks reddening as he was caught.

Dan Feng chuckled. “Should we invite him to join us?” He pressed a few more kisses to Yingxing’s throat, trailing over his collarbone.

Yingxing let out a pleased sigh. “If you’re sure, then it’s fine with me.”

Yingxing wasn’t satisfied with simply giving an answer, though. Apparently, he intended to rile Jing Yuan up, too. Yingxing stole a long, passionate kiss from Dan Feng before turning the dragon away from him. With Dan Feng held close against him, Yingxing’s cock pressed up against him from behind. One hand wrapped tight around Dan Feng’s waist, the other slid between his legs to wrap around both of Dan Feng’s cocks.

Dan Feng let out a surprised, pleased sound as he arched back against Yingxing. “Ah–Yingxing–”

Yingxing pressed kisses over the side of Dan Feng’s throat, leaving the High Elder trembling with pleasure.

It took Dan Feng a moment to remember how to speak. “Jing Yuan,” he called out–voice more like a moan than a request. “No need to be shy… come, join us.”

A small part of Dan Heng wished that they’d called out to him, too. He was flushed with heat, tail curling and wet with need as his cocks strained against his pants.

Jing Yuan turned dark red, speechless for a moment. His eyes swept over the sight of them like this–lingering for a moment between Dan Feng’s legs as arousal, curiosity, and confusion mixed in his expression. He clearly hadn’t expected the invitation but walked over to the edge of the water without a moment’s hesitation.

Jing Yuan stripped down in record time before wading over to them in the water.

[Dan Heng.] Dan Heng could hear Herta’s voice inside of his head. Not now , he thought, cursing the bad timing. [Start preparing to log out. You’ve been in for about as long as your mind can handle–if you stay longer, you’ll suffer the effects of planar disruption. Find a red exit soon.]

As if triggered by Herta’s interruption, the pool and the three in front of him flickered. The world grew dark around him as the memory blinked in and out a couple of times before disappearing entirely.

He couldn’t make out landmarks. The ground stretched out as far as he could see, disappearing into the shadows. If there was a sky or ceiling, it was lost in the darkness as well.

It was eerily quiet in this unfamiliar, liminal space.

There wasn’t an interface in sight. There wasn’t much of anything in sight.

“Dan Heng….”

A familiar voice behind him made the hair on the back of his neck rise. He'd recognize that voice anywhere. Dan Feng.

Chapter Text

“It’s all right,” Dan Feng soothed, tail wrapping around Dan Heng’s legs. One of his arms slipped around Dan Heng’s waist from behind, pulling him close. “You don’t have to hold back.”

“What–?” Dan Heng gasped, struggling until he was finally able to turn around in Dan Feng’s grasp.

Dan Feng studied Dan Heng, eyes luminous in the darkness. He cupped Dan Heng’s cheek in one hand. “You’ve tried so hard to cut yourself off from what you are… but these instincts are as natural to us as breathing. It’s okay to give in.”

“The… the blessings of the Permanence?” Dan Heng asked, leaning into Dan Feng’s touch. He struggled to breathe, skin burning hot. Feeling lightheaded, he fought against the ravenous need rising inside of him.

Dan Feng hummed in agreement. His fingers brushed through Dan Heng’s hair for a moment, then tightened in it. He gave Dan Heng’s hair a tug, exposing his neck. He nuzzled into it, and Dan Heng shivered, trying to focus on the other's words.

“Long the Permanence… father of the race of Vidyadhara. His virile blood runs hot inside of you. His insatiable aeonic power is woven into your soul. Into both our souls.”

“But I’m no High Elder,” Dan Heng told him, legs unsteady. He was still slick, still painfully hard, but he tried to ignore it in order to finally get some answers.

“No. But you are still an incarnation of Long. You’re still his manifestation, as I was. And even if you try to deny it–that fertile drive, that desperation for touch–you’ve inherited that legacy. You don’t have to deny these instincts…. They’re a part of you and will be for your whole life.”

Dizziness washed over Dan Heng, slick running down his thigh. He panted in Dan Feng’s arms, leaning against him for support.

“I just want my own life,” he whispered, voice broken.

Dan Feng sighed, stroking Dan Heng’s hair. “I did, too.” Pain and regret laced those words. “I craved freedom like a fish craves water. But… you’re free. Your life is your own. Even if this heat follows you wherever you go, it doesn’t have to be a burden. It’s natural–it isn’t something you need to fear. Just relax… do what feels right. You’re safe.”

The tension drained out of Dan Heng as he leaned against Dan Feng. He’d always feared and resented his past incarnation, but right here, right now, Dan Feng’s presence was strangely reassuring. He felt less alone. Less afraid of everything that made him different from others.

“All of this–it’s all so much,” he told Dan Feng, taking a shaky breath.

“I know,” Dan Feng soothed, rubbing behind one of Dan Heng’s horns. Dan Heng relaxed under the touch, slowly letting his guard down. “It’s going to be okay, though. You don’t have to hold back anymore.”

Dan Feng’s hand slid from Dan Heng’s waist down over his stomach. Dan Heng let out a shocked, pleased sound as Dan Feng’s hand slid beneath his clothes to wrap around both of his cocks.

[Da–]

[--an Heng… this is–]

Dan Feng nuzzled further into Dan Heng’s throat, pressing a soft kiss there. Dan Heng shivered as fangs brushed against his neck, then bit down gently. He covered his mouth to stifle a moan as Dan Feng’s tongue soothed over the spot.

[Disruption level–]

Herta’s voice cut in and out. The space around Dan Heng flickered. He couldn’t hear Dan Feng anymore, couldn’t think straight. The pool of water appeared around him in broken intervals like a damaged hologram.

[--ast warning]

[Red exit–]

Herta’s voice cut out completely. The grove of trees and pool of water appeared around Dan Heng, stabilized once more.

A second ago in that dark liminal space… Dan Feng had held him close, one hand wrapped around both of Dan Heng’s cocks as he kissed Dan Heng’s neck.

Now, he found himself sandwiched between Yingxing and Jing Yuan, waist-deep in water without a shred of clothes between them.Yingxing’s hand wrapped around his cocks where Dan Feng’s had just seconds ago, and Jing Yuan had nuzzled into his throat from behind just as Dan Feng had moments ago. Déjà vu sent a shiver down Dan Heng’s spine.

Yingxing pulled Dan Heng into a deep kiss. A moan escaped Dan Heng, and he kissed him back passionately. He rubbed his tongue against Yingxing’s, hips bucking into Yingxing’s touch. A small part of Dan Heng burned with shame, but it was drowned out by his desperation for more.

Jing Yuan pressed kisses over the side of his throat, one hand finding one of Dan Heng’s nipples to pinch and rub at it experimentally. Shocks of pleasure jolted through Dan Heng from that–and from Yingxing’s hand around him, and from their mouths warm against him. Jing Yuan’s cock pressed up against him from behind, hard and leaking precum where it rested against his ass.

Yingxing stroked Dan Heng’s cocks until they leaked precum. Self-consciousness forgotten, Dan Heng whispered, “please,” letting out a moan as his hips bucked into Yingxing’s touch. He needed more–his whole body burned with lust and pleasure.

Yingxing’s breath hitched in response to the plea. His hand shifted slightly, one finger slipping underneath Dan Feng’s cocks to press into his vent. Another finger joined it shortly after, pressing in deeper. Dan Heng let out a shameless moan, head tipping back against Jing Yuan’s chest. His legs trembled, overwhelmed with sensation. Jing Yuan steadied him with one arm wrapping around Dan Heng. The other slid down, a finger pressed up against Dan Heng’s entrance from the back.

Jing Yuan pressed a kiss to Dan Heng’s throat as he pushed the finger in slowly. Dan Heng leaned into Yingxing and Jing Yuan’s hands, desperate for more, needing more inside–and soon—

Jing Yuan added another finger, stretching Dan Heng with agonizing slowness. Both he and Yingxing added a third finger, thoroughly filling Dan Heng in both holes.

For only a second, Dan Heng wondered if they would fit. Fitting just one of them would be a miracle with the size difference between them. Fitting both at once… one in each hole… it seemed impossible. Dangerous, even, to try.

And yet, the thought sent a thrill of arousal through him. He wanted it–needed it–needed them. “Please–” he gasped, barely able to stay standing, “--inside–”

They seemed to understand. Both pulled their fingers out slowly. Yingxing grabbed Dan Heng by the waist, lifting him as if he weighed nothing.

Dan Heng wrapped his arms around Yingxing’s shoulder. His legs wrapped around Yingxing’s hips instinctively, and his tail curled in the water around them.

Yingxing’s grip shifted lower, moving to cup Dan Heng’s ass. Like this, Dan Heng could feel Yingxing’s cock pressed right up against his vent, right where he needed him most–

Yingxing lined himself up and pressed into Dan Heng’s vent–pushing in all the way to the hilt.

Dan Heng moaned, eyes rolling back with pleasure. Yingxing’s cock stretched him to his limits. It left him desperate–left him overwhelmed and needing more all at once. He squeezed around it, hips grinding against Yingxing as he clung to him for support.

“Y… Yingxing….”

This was all so much so quickly. But Dan Heng would be lying if he said he hadn’t fantasized about this. He’d dreamed of being with Yingxing and Jing Yuan like this. Not at the same time, but that made this entire experience all the sweeter.

He didn’t have any time to adjust to the stretch, though. As requested, Jing Yuan held Dan Heng’s waist to steady him and pressed his cock up against Dan Heng’s entrance from behind.

Dan Heng’s breath hitched, then caught in a strangled noise of pleasure as Jing Yuan pressed all of the way inside of him.

“Jing Yuan–” he called Jing Yuan’s name out, voice barely a broken whimper.

Jing Yuan was huge–like Yingxing. Dan Heng couldn’t even move for a moment. His vision blurred with the threat of tears from too much and not enough. With both Yingxing and Jing Yuan inside of him, he felt more full than he could have ever imagined.

Aeons, it felt so good. Even the slight pain of the stretch only enhanced the white-hot pleasure coursing through him. Soft, desperate moans escaped Dan Heng with each breath as he squeezed around both of them; Yingxing let out a moan in response.

“Love, try to relax,” Yingxing told him, panting.

Jing Yuan took in a sharp breath, hips grinding against Dan Heng’s.

Dan Heng slowly adjusted, slowly relaxed, but the feeling of both Yingxing and Jing Yuan inside of him at once–it was so much, too much, and not enough, all at once–

[Dan–]

[Dan Heng–]

Dan Heng couldn’t think straight. Herta’s voice was nothing but distant noise. He felt impossibly full, felt so, so good. “Ah… Yingxing, Jing Yuan,” he moaned, hips grinding down against them. 

Even Dan Heng’s most lewd dreams could not have prepared him for what came next, though. Slowly, Yingxing and Jing Yuan began to move inside of him. Yingxing pulled in a sharp breath, cheeks red and eyes hazy. He pulled back, then drove his cock into Dan Heng once more, filling him up. Again and again, speeding up with each thrust, he drove deep into Dan Heng.

Dan Heng’s cocks pressed between them, achingly hard and leaking precum from each tip. They twitched with each of Yingxing’s thrusts; it took all of Dan Heng’s effort not to cum just from how beautifully full he felt.

Jing Yuan didn’t waste time in joining Yingxing, either. Shortly after Yingxing had begun to move, Jing Yuan began to, as well. He started slow, too, but sped up faster. And faster. And faster.

It didn’t take long before both of them were thrusting hard into Dan Heng. Every single thrust left him arching, begging for more. Every thrust drove deeper inside of him than he’d ever thought possible. Each one stretched him nearly to the point of tears.

Even now, his lashes were wet from blinking tears back. He could feel a slight bulge in his stomach from where Yingxing drove into him, too, from the sheer size difference between them. He called Jing Yuan and Yingxing’s names over and over, barely able to speak between pleasured cries.

If he’d been anywhere else, he would worry who might hear him moaning and keening with pleasure, unable to hold back. But he was beyond caring. All that he could think of was how good this felt, how right it felt.

[ Dan H–]

He didn’t even hear Herta. He could barely register Yingxing pressing kisses to his temple, praising Dan Heng for doing so well.

Dan Heng was so overwhelmed that he could barely make sense of Jing Yuan murmuring breathless words of adoration against his neck between kisses and soft bites.

When Jing Yuan reached around, hesitant at first, and wrapped his hands around Dan Heng’s cocks, he couldn’t hold back anymore.

Dan Heng cried out, back arched and hips grinding against Jing Yuan and Yingxing’s. His eyes rolled back as he clung to them desperately. “I can’t hold back–” he moaned, tail wrapping tight around all three of them. The tip of it wagged, thumping against Yingxing’s thigh. “Yingxing–” Dan Heng squeezed around them. “J-Jing Yuan– please–”

“Dan Feng–” Yingxing moaned his name, thrusting deep inside, cum filling Dan Heng.

Jing Yuan came right after. “ Aeons, ” he moaned, “Dan Feng–” Jing Yuan’s cum filled him up, too. Jing Yuan’s hand tightened around Dan Heng’s cocks, pumping over them harder, more recklessly. The sensation of it combined with both of their cocks pressed deep inside of him with thick cum filling him to the brim–all of it it pushed Dan Heng over the edge.

With a sharp, pleasured cry, Dan Heng came, too, cum spilling from both of his cocks onto his stomach and Yingxing’s. A viscous mixture of slick, Yingxing’s cum, and Jing Yuan’s cum slid down Dan Heng’s legs in thick rivulets.

He rode out his climax, grinding his hips against Jing Yuan and Yingxing’s a few more times. Then, he was lost to the bliss of afterglow.

Dan Heng leaned back against Jing Yuan, feeling sore in the most wonderful way. His thoughts felt hazy as his eyes fluttered closed. The other two stayed buried deep inside of him as all three recovered. Dan Heng was grateful for that; he wanted to savor the feeling just a little longer.

He had no idea how much time passed when Jing Yuan eventually pulled out with an over-sensitive hiss. He stayed close, arms around Dan Heng to support him. Yingxing pulled out, too, breath catching.

Yingxing sat on a nearby boulder in the water, pulling Dan Heng with him to sit gingerly in his lap. Jing Yuan took a seat near them, too, sighing with relief at the chance to recover.

Once the three had returned to themselves and remembered how to breathe, they each took time to bathe and clean up in the pool.

Dan Heng was all too aware of the void inside of him that the other two had filled only moments ago. The pleasant soreness was heavenly, though. Letting out a content sigh, he slowly relaxed.

***

The world shifted around Dan Heng, and this time, he was unprepared. He was still hazy with afterglow, still sore. Reality came snapping back, and the space station appeared around him.

Everything spun around him, and his legs trembled before giving out entirely.

A handful of shocked, familiar voices sounded around him. He could hear them calling his name distantly. Someone caught Dan Heng, arms around him to prevent him from collapsing.

“What…?” Dan Heng tried to make sense of everything, struggling to think straight.

He was barely aware of Herta talking rapidly with Mr. Yang about planar disruption and manually logging him out of the Simulated Universe.

“Dan Heng… are you okay?”

Dan Heng looked up at March, dazed. “I–” It took him a second to find his voice. “I’m okay.”

March and Caelus both watched him with concern, clearly not believing him.

“I’m taking Dan Heng back to the Express.” Caelus called out to Mr. Yang, who looked beside himself with worry.

“Yes. That’s a good idea. I’ll be there shortly–will you three be okay until then?”

“We’ll be okay!” March told him with a brave smile.

Caelus nodded, then put an arm around Dan Heng’s waist to support him. “Easy does it,” he told Dan Heng gently.

It took every ounce of strength that Dan Heng had left to make it back to the Express with Caelus’ help. Luckily, with the Astral Express parked inside of the Space Station, they didn’t have to walk far.

“We’re back!” March called out as she opened the door of the parlor car. She stepped in, waiting for Dan Heng and Caelus to make it inside before closing it behind them.

Caelus guided Dan Heng over to one of the couches. Dan Heng eased himself down onto it with help, barely managing even that with his legs like jelly.

Feverish heat and chills washed over him in alternating waves. Heart pounding, he tried to remember how to breathe. Dan Heng’s eyes slid closed. He was barely conscious enough to catch pieces of the conversation around him.

“Himeko! Himeko!”

“Oh, March! You guys are back–” Dan Heng tried to listen to Himeko, tried not to succumb to exhaustion. “What happened? Are you three okay?”

“I’m okay,” Dan Heng whispered, struggling to open his eyes.

“Herta says he’ll be okay,” Caelus told her, though he sounded worried nonetheless. “He’s exhausted, though.”

March explained everything to Himeko. The doctor’s appointment, the unusual prescription for using the Simulated Universe, all the way up to Dan Heng being forcibly logged out of the Simulated Universe.

Dan Heng couldn’t stay awake any longer, though. What little strength he had left drained away. His eyes closed. The world faded around him as sleep washed over him.

Chapter Text

Dan Heng’s eyes opened, and he struggled to make out the parlor car in the dark. He didn’t know how he’d gotten here, but being back on the Express was a relief. It was one of the places he felt most safe.

He wasn’t alone, either. March was snuggled up against him on one side, and Caelus had cuddled close on the other, one arm draped over Dan Heng. A couple of thick blankets wrapped around all three of them. On the nearby table, a water bottle and a couple of nutrient bars had been set there along with a note.

Dan Heng was hungry, but couldn’t summon the strength to get up–especially with March and Caelus snuggled up comfortably against him. It wasn’t just that, though. He was lightheaded and dazed. He felt feverish–shivering from cold even as invasive warmth swept through him. He snuggled further under the blanket and closer to Caelus and March. Tail wrapping around all three of them, he closed his eyes once more.

Somehow, he did not dream. His sleep was peaceful and undisturbed. He only stirred when he felt his hair being stroked. A hand rubbed gently behind one horn; Dan Heng nuzzled closer, still exhausted. Even without opening his eyes, he recognized Caelus’ scent. His tail curled around Caelus’ leg contentedly as he leaned his head against the Trailblazer’s shoulder.

When he finally woke, it was light and hushed voices that pulled him from his slumber. Caelus and March weren’t snuggled up next to him still. He missed the feeling of them cuddled warm against him.

He sat up, putting a hand to his head. It ached; he felt lightheaded as his eyes adjusted to the parlor car and people around him.

“Dan Heng–” Caelus stepped over to him, frowning in concern. He took one of Dan Heng’s hands in his.

“Dan Heng, you’re awake!” March stopped mid-conversation with Welt to rush over. “How do you feel? Are you okay? Do you need more rest? What happened in the Simulated Universe?”

“March, Caelus, easy on the questions. He’s still recovering.” Welt walked over to them, taking a seat near Dan Heng. “It’s good to see you up, Dan Heng. We were all worried.”

“We were,” Himeko agreed as she walked into the room, carrying a tray full of food, plates, cups, and a couple of pitchers. Pom Pom was right beside her, apron still on, a tray of their own in hand.

“Yeah! Don’t scare us like that, Dan Heng! Here, have some breakfast. Pom Pom cooked a bit of everything, so eat up, okay?” Pom Pom puffed out their chest, proud as they set down one of the trays on a nearby table (struggling a bit to reach).

Himeko set her tray down, too, and poured herself a cup of coffee. She grabbed another mug, glancing over at Dan Heng. “Coffee? It’ll help.”

“Er,” Welt looked nervous at the suggestion. “Maybe he should stick with water. Caffeine might be a bit much for him after all the excitement yesterday.”

Tension drained out of Dan Heng’s shoulders at hearing that. He usually shared a cup with Himeko, out of solidarity and as a way to test his own limits. Right now, though, Dan Heng wasn’t even sure if he could handle breakfast. “Water sounds good to me. If I’m going back to the Simulated Universe today… I probably shouldn’t have any coffee just to be safe.”

Himeko poured him a glass of water, sliding it over to him with a smile. “Sure thing. Though… are you sure you want to do the Simulated Universe again today? Everyone told me what happened.” Her expression shifted as she hesitated. Dan Heng could tell, at a glance, that she’d been told everything . “You should take a break or rest if you need to. The Simulated Universe can wait.”

Dan Heng took a sip of water, staring down into his cup. “I’ll be okay,” he told them, trying to sound convincing. “It was just tiring, that’s all.”

March and Caelus exchanged a look that said a thousand words. Dan Heng could tell that he wasn’t convincing anyone–and that the others had noticed some of the other symptoms that had set in after yesterday’s round in the Simulated Universe.

Dan Heng wasn’t sure if it was related… but he felt warm, too warm, and cold all at once. He felt lightheaded and strangely sensitive–to everything. Touch, scent, taste. He picked up a muffin from one of the trays, taking a small bite.

“Even if it was a lot… I feel like I understand more,” Dan Heng told them. “And I slept well last night. No dreams, no nightmares.”

“...All right,” Himeko agreed reluctantly.

“Just be careful,” Welt added. “There’s no shame in ending a session early if you need to.”

“Yeah!” March piped up, adding, “don’t push yourself, okay?”

“There’s no rush,” Caelus added, giving Dan Heng a reassuring smile.

“Right,” Dan Heng agreed, sighing.

The others didn’t press him for answers as to what he had done and seen in the Simulated Universe. For that, Dan Heng was grateful.

He planned to talk to them about some of what he saw eventually, but it felt too early. There was so much that he still didn’t know.

Dan Heng ate as much breakfast as he could manage. That and the water revived him somewhat.

This time, Welt stayed back in the Express with Pom Pom. The Space Station was, generally, a safe place. But it was still an important precaution to have someone else onboard with Pom Pom at all times.

After saying goodbye to Welt, Dan Heng went with Himeko, March, and Caelus to Herta’s office.

“If it isn’t my Aeonic little experiment,” Herta greeted him cheerfully when he entered the office. “Well, you’re looking better than when you left yesterday, at least.”

“Hello, Herta.”

“You sure overdid it yesterday, huh?” Herta didn’t look angry, though. If anything, she looked curious. “Now look–I don’t mind if you overdo it. In fact, I got some really, really interesting data from it. Buuuut keep in mind that the longer you stay in the Simulated Universe past your limit, the more severe a toll it will take on you physically and mentally. And while that toll should only be temporary… well, it’s hard to predict how you’ll react since you’re different from anyone else who has been in there.”

“Right, I’ll keep that in mind,” Dan Heng told her, sighing.

“And–if you do stay past your limit,” Herta told him, sounding almost hopeful. “The planar disruption level will rise. Which provides some great information! Maybe for both of us. The Simulated Universe’s link to your past lives’ memories and your memories can become warped. Or, it could unlock deeper secrets. Plus your aeonic power starts to rear its pretty little head. But don’t fry your brain if you can help it, okay?”

“Got it,” Dan Heng told her. He couldn’t help remembering the strange interaction with Dan Feng yesterday. And the dark, liminal space without any interfaces that he’d found himself in temporarily.

“Good. Ready for round two?”

“Ready.”

***

A cool wind brushed past Dan Heng, the sunlight deceptively peaceful. This was… one of Dan Feng’s memories. Looking down at the black gloves on his hands and cropped jacket was enough to confirm that.

He stood outside of a modest building on the Luofu with a broken hairbrush in one hand. It had been beautiful, once. Pure palladium metal shone white in contrast to the dark green diopside inlaid into the back, carved into the image of a dragon. A mother-of-pearl lotus blossomed beneath the dragon.

The bristles were starsilver, but had been ripped out and bent. The dragon inlaid in the back was broken with whole chunks of diopside missing. One of the mother-of-pearl lotus petals was missing entirely. Another was cracked.

Glimpses of memory flashed through Dan Heng’s mind as he looked down at the brush. Memories of shouting with a handful of other Vidyadhara. Preceptors, Dan Feng’s voice whispered as if the other dragon were standing right next to him.

One of them took the brush and threw it down on the ground before stomping on it.

“You are spoiled and selfish! You have no respect for the Preceptors. No respect for the ways of the Vidyadhara. Sneaking out, mingling with other species. Skipping important meetings and studies. The Vidyadhara would be better off without a High Elder like you!”

When Dan Heng heard Dan Feng’s voice, it cracked with emotion. Sounded hurt, angry, broken. “I never asked for any of this!”

“Some solitude will do you good. Maybe you’ll come to your senses!”

A door slammed. Dan Heng heard the soft click of a lock.

Dan Heng snapped back to his senses. The door and windows of the building before him were wide open; heat radiated out of them. Rhythmic hammering filled the air as Dan Heng walked into the workshop, broken brush cradled close.

There was a young man inside, hammering out the beginning of a sword. His blue-gray eyes were fixed on the metal before him, and his long hair was tied back as he worked.

Yingxing. He was younger, but just as strikingly handsome as Dan Heng remembered from his dreams.

Yingxing didn’t look up from his work. Before Dan Heng could stay anything, Yingxing yelled at him: “get out of my shop before I throw this sword at you!”

Dan Heng’s eyebrows rose. “Excuse me?” He managed, stunned.

Yingxing dropped the hammer in surprise, looking up at Dan Heng. His cheeks were red, his blue-gray eyes wide. His gaze swept over Dan Heng, lingering in a way that made heat rise to Dan Heng’s face. Yingxing was practically staring, and looking… a lot like he liked what he saw.

His eyes lingered a little longer on Dan Heng’s tail and horns.

“...fuck.”

Dan Heng couldn’t tell if that simple exclamation was a direct reaction to what Yingxing saw as he stared. Or if it was regretting telling the High Elder to get out of his workshop.

“Sorry about that. I thought you were that accursed child that won’t leave me alone. Please, come in.”

“Accursed child?” Dan Heng asked, curious.

“Jing Yuan. That kid’s always hounding me, begging me to forge him a weapon.” Yingxing shook his head. “Please, let me start over. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness.”

Yingxing bowed, taking Dan Heng’s hand in his to press a kiss to the back of it.

Dan Heng’s cheeks reddened; he wasn’t sure if Yingxing was being sincere or flirtatious. Either way… it endeared him to Yingxing even more.

“Just call me Dan Feng,” Dan Heng said, the words leaving his mouth before he even realized what he was saying. His head ached for a moment; thoughts and emotions collided and clashed inside of him for a moment before the sensation passed. “And you must be Yingxing. I hear that you’re the best artisan on the Luofu.”

Yingxing’s smile was genuine. He released Dan Heng’s hand, straightening. “Is that right?” He asked, looking proud.

“I hope it is.” Dan Heng smiled back, heart skipping a beat. His smile wavered a little when he gave the broken hair brush to Yingxing. With a sigh, he asked, “...it’s no sword, but can you fix it?”

Yingxing looked the brush over, tongue clicking with disappointment at the condition. “Wow. Poor thing’s been through a lot of abuse.”

“I know,” Dan Heng agreed sadly.

Something about how he said it made Yingxing look at him more carefully. After a moment, he told Dan Heng without looking at the brush, “I can fix it.”

Dan Heng sighed in relief. “Thank you.”

Chapter Text

When he came face-to-face with the workshop once more, Dan Heng was struck by the unshakable feeling of déjà vu. This time the workshop was unusually quiet. There was no hammering, no clanking of metal on metal. And when he stepped inside, Yingxing was bent over his workbench, unexpectedly gentle as he threaded a new starsilver bristle into Dan Feng’s battered hairbrush.

Broken remnants of the green diopside dragon were carefully arranged next to a beautiful new stone dragon carved meticulously from a new diopside gem. The old, broken gem had been green, but the new one was different. It was a beautiful teal that glowed in the light.

Starsilver wire, large pieces of mother-of-pearl, and the broken bits of mother-of-pearl that had decorated it before were spread out along the workbench. Next to them sat a piece of rough, whitish stone that Dan Heng didn’t recognize.

Yingxing didn’t respond when Dan Heng walked in. He didn’t seem to even notice that he wasn’t alone anymore. He threaded another starsilver bristle into place, hands incredibly steady and blue-gray eyes fixed on the hairbrush.

He’d clearly been focused on the project for a while. Dark shadows had appeared under his eyes. He looked pale, too. Dan Heng guessed that Yingxing hadn’t slept in at least a couple of days. He probably hadn’t eaten, either.

“Chrome diopside… is that for Vidyadhara magic? It has to be. It’s supposed to boost creativity, vision, and learning. But why…? Isn’t it supposed to subdue aggression and stubbornness, too? To calm people? But–it enhances love….” Yingxing mumbled to himself, tracing the old petals over the new pieces of mother-of-pearl. “Mother-of-pearl… for decreasing stress, heightened intuition, expressing feelings of love….”

Dan Feng watched him, curious, as Yingxing continued to work--oblivious to Dan Heng’s presence.

“Palladium for ancient knowledge and protection…. Starsilver for–” Yingxing stopped mid-sentence. Dan Heng thought for a moment that he’d been noticed, but Yingxing continued on. “For fertility and love? That can’t be right. And...this brush is old, really old. Have all the High Elders been so stressed and stubborn? And why is love so involved? I should just be glad the palladium is intact… I would have starved for a year trying to afford to replace it.”

Hazy memories flashed through Dan Heng’s mind, leaving his head aching. A young Dan Feng, merely a child. He brushed his hair with the very brush that Yingxing worked so hard on now. Another Vidyadhara entered the hazy scene of young Dan Feng in his bedroom. Not one of the Preceptors. Someone who raised him, perhaps–

“Someone’s been sneaking around in places they shouldn’t be.”

A young Dan Feng hugged the brush to his chest protectively, turning red. “I know I’m not supposed to wander off alone… but–”

“It’s okay.” The other Vidyadhara sat down on a nearby chair. “It’s yours by right, anyway. Do you know the story behind it?”

Dan Feng looked down at the brush, frowning. “It… belonged to Yubie. My past life.”

“That’s right.” She looked sad as she smiled down at him. “Rumor has it that it was a gift to Yubie from a lover. He treasured it dearly, too. Perhaps it’s fate that you should be drawn to it, too.”

“...Which one?” Dan Feng stiffened, but his grip on the brush tightened despite his words.

“I don’t understand–”

“Which Yubie?” Dan Feng’s tail curled closer to him defensively.

“Ah… I’m not sure. But I know your most recent past life had it and used it. He was very attached to it.”

“I’m not him.” The tip of Dan Feng’s tail lashed back and forth irritably.

“I’ve heard that a thousand times,” she told him, sighing. “But it doesn’t change the fact that you are his reincarnation. He is a part of you, just as his past life was a part of him–"

The sound of Yingxing picking up more wire returned Dan Heng to his senses. Yingxing still hadn’t noticed him.

“Yingxing.” Dan Heng stepped closer, closing the distance between them. He couldn’t help recalling Yingxing’s touch from other memories, even though they’d barely met in this one. He felt drawn to him, his heart skipped a beat fondly.

Yingxing dropped his pliers and the wire in surprise. “Your Highness! The brush isn’t ready yet. Rest assured, I’m working around the clock to restore it. Delicate work like this takes time….”

“Please, you don’t have to be so formal,” Dan Heng told Yingxing. The tip of his tail twitched as he leaned closer, studying the dark circles and paler complexion. “Yingxing… when was the last time you ate? Or slept?”

Yingxing looked surprised by the questions. He straightened to look at Dan Heng properly. “Well, I…” He frowned, clearly struggling to remember when he had eaten or slept. “It doesn’t matter. I still have a lot left to do to fix this, and I don’t want to keep you waiting.”

Dan Heng raised an eyebrow. “I know it will take time to fix it. I don’t want you to go hungry or lose sleep–I can wait.”

Yingxing sighed. “Your Highness–”

“Dan Feng.” That name came unbidden again.

“Dan Feng. I’ll be fine. I’ll eat and sleep soon, but I really should finish this section first since I’ve already started it.”

“How long will that take?” Dan Heng’s tail drummed against the floor with frustration. Yingxing’s gaze shifted to his tail, looking surprised.

“It depends. It could take an hour or more.” It was clear that by more he meant the rest of the day.

Dan Heng frowned. He considered his options for a moment. “Yingxing, I’ll be back in a moment.”

“Sure,” Yingxing told him, sighing in relief. He was already working on threading another bristle through by the time Dan Heng left.

Dan Heng returned with food and drink within a few minutes: immortal’s delight, noodles, steamed buns, and a tuskir wrap. He brought them back to the workshop and set them down next to Yingxing and the brush–careful to avoid the materials and tools.

Yingxing looked up, confused.

“I do not want you starving,” Dan Heng told Yingxing more insistently.

“Your Highness–”

Dan Heng’s tail tapped irritably against the ground.

Yingxing tried again. “Dan Feng, don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay. How much do I owe you for the food?”

“Nothing. Just eat.”

A day later, Dan Heng returned to the workshop hoping that Yingxing would look better after a good meal and (hopefully) sleep. He was surprised to see the food and drink from yesterday sitting untouched on the workbench. Next to it, Yingxing carefully inlaid mother-of-pearl petals into the back of the brush.

His dark circles were worse, too. He looked paler, and although his hands were still very steady, they didn’t seem quite as steady as before.

“Yingxing.”

Yingxing looked up in surprise. “Oh, I didn’t think you would be back after just a few hours–”

Dan Heng’s tail drummed against the floor and he crossed his arms. “It’s been a whole day, Yingxing.”

“It has?” Yingxing looked alarmed. “I don’t have the brush ready yet, but–”

“I don’t expect the brush to be done yet,” Dan Heng sighed. “You need to rest though. And eat.” He looked pointedly at the untouched food from yesterday.

“Just a little longer and then I’ll take a break,” Yingxing told him, continuing to place another petal into the design of the brush as if Dan Heng wasn’t there at all.

Dan Heng thought for a moment, then asked: “Yingxing. Can I look at the brush, please? I know it’s not done yet, I just want to see your work.”

Yingxing straightened, a bit of light returning to his eyes. “Of course! There is still a lot left to do, though. Just keep that in mind.”

“Of course.”

Dan Heng held a hand out and accepted the brush. He looked over it carefully, admiring the work that Yingxing had already done. It was beginning to look like a brush again, rather than mangled pieces of metal and stone.

“You’re very talented,” he told Yingxing honestly. “I can see why you’re so widely praised.”

Yingxing smiled genuinely at the compliment. “Thank you. I take my work very seriously–I’m glad that you’re pleased with the repairs so far.”

“I’m very pleased,” Dan Heng told him, stepping closer. He set the brush down on the workbench, just out of Yingxing’s reach.

Yingxing tried to reach for it anyway, but Dan Heng took his hand in his, closing the distance between them completely–and standing between Yingxing and the brush. Yingxing’s cheeks reddened, eyes wide. Dan Heng’s heart raced, and his tail brushed against Yingxing’s leg.

“Why don’t I take you out to lunch?” Dan Heng offered, smiling.

“That’s very generous of you, Your Highness–”

Dan Heng raised an eyebrow.

“–Dan Feng. And I would love to, truly. But I still have a lot of work left to do on your brush and I’m not at a great point to take a break.”

Dan Heng’s spare hand reached up to rest on Yingxing’s chest. His tail wrapped loosely around them both. Yingxing let out a shaky breath, leaning closer. His cheeks reddened further, blue-gray eyes softening as he looked at Dan Heng–really looked at him.

“How long until you can take a break?” Dan Heng asked, looking up at Yingxing pleadingly.

It took a moment for Yingxing to remember how to speak. “Ah–maybe half an hour? But I wouldn’t want to trouble you. Please, don’t worry about me.”

Dan Heng’s tail tapped impatiently against Yingxing’s thigh. His hand traced up from Yingxing’s chest before cupping his face gently. “I’ll wait outside until you can take a break. Half an hour.”

Yingxing hesitated, then agreed. “If you insist on waiting–”

“I do.”

“Then I’ll work hard so that I can take a break soon.”

Despite Yingxing’s insistence that he would take a break soon, Dan Heng waited outside for half an hour. Then another half an hour. Before he knew it, a couple of hours had passed and the afternoon was fading into evening. He peeked into the workshop to see Yingxing just as absorbed in his work as he had been when Dan Heng first arrived.

Dan Heng cleared his throat. “Yingxing.”

“Just a little longer, Dan Feng. I’m almost at the point where I can take a break….”

Dan Heng walked right over to him. When Yingxing set the brush down and reached, instead, for the rough whitish stone, Dan Heng intercepted his hand. He squeezed himself between Yingxing and the bench–to the point where he was pressed flush against him–and took Yingxing’s hands in his.

His tail wrapped around Yingxing’s legs, squeezing slightly.

“It’s been more than two hours,” he told Yingxing, voice a low growl.

“I’m sorry–I tried to warn you that it would take a little while. Please, you don’t have to wait for me, Dan Feng.” Yingxing’s cheeks reddened, eyes growing dark from the long line of contact between them.

At this rate, Yingxing would starve to death or die from overworking himself. Dan Heng pulled away, but his tail wrapped around Yingxing’s arms and legs, pulling him along. Despite his raw strength, Yingxing only protested a little as Dan Heng dragged him out the door.

“You need to eat ,” Dan Heng told him, the tip of his tail twitching against Yingxing’s back. “Not in a few hours. Not tomorrow. Now. ”

“But–”

“No buts!” Dan Heng walked straight to the food stalls, Yingxing still wrapped in his tail in case he tried to escape.

Dan Heng ordered a veritable feast before finding a table and releasing Yingxing so they could both sit.

Yingxing looked lost in thought, though, mumbling to himself about various metals and gemstones and comparing different strategies for the repair job. He ignored the food in front of him until Dan Heng moved his chair closer to Yingxing’s.

“Here.” Dan Heng held a steamed bun up to Yingxing’s mouth with his chopsticks.

Yingxing looked surprised. He flushed, but opened his mouth and took a bite. Already he looked slightly revived.

Dan Heng didn’t pull away, though. He kept holding it up until Yingxing finished it off. He fed Yingxing another, then another. Finally, Yingxing gave in and picked his chopsticks up, pulling a bowl of noodles over.

Satisfied, Dan Heng ate a bit, too. Yingxing’s hunger must have caught up with him–he ate ravenously. He looked better and better with every bite, to Dan Heng’s relief.

They talked on the way back to the workshop. Rather, Yingxing talked about his work, excitement glowing in his eyes as he did so. Dan Heng smiled, happy to see Yingxing so passionate. He really loved what he did….

When they arrived back at the workshop, Dan Heng took Yingxing’s hand again and walked right past the workbench and over to a nearby door that he assumed led to an attached home.

“Dan Feng–I still have to finish smoothing the mother-of-pearl before I get started on inlaying the stone dragon–”

“It can wait,” Dan Heng told him. He was relieved to see that the door did lead to a modest home–including a nearby bedroom. He pulled Yingxing over to that. “You need rest. Now.”

Yingxing dug his feet in, refusing to get into bed as soon as he heard that. “Dan Feng, I really should–”

Dan Heng tugged on Yingxing’s hand with a soft, frustrated growl. Yingxing might as well have been made of stone. He didn’t budge. Just how strong was he?

Dan Heng barely managed to push Yingxing into the bed, struggling to do so. He sat down on Yingxing to keep him there, tail thumping as he did so. “ Rest .”

Instead of listening, Yingxing picked Dan Heng up and lifted him as if he weighed nothing. Dan Heng gasped as Yingxing stood up, carrying Dan Heng bridal style before setting him down gently. “I have work to do,” Yingxing soothed.

“You need rest, Yingxing! You haven’t slept in who knows how long–” Dan Heng tried and failed to push Yingxing back onto the bed. Changing tactics, he used magic to summon water that wrapped around Yingxing’s legs and waist. Dan Heng lifted Yingxing with the water. Yingxing yelped in surprise before he was dropped onto the bed from a safe height. To ensure that he stayed, Dan Heng sat down on the bed with his tail on top of Yingxing to weigh him down.

“ Sleep. Please.”

Yingxing sighed. After a moment, he finally relaxed. “Fine. But just for a few minutes.”

Dan Heng smiled, considering it a victory. He stayed just like that until Yingxing was deep asleep, expression peaceful.

Finally, he reached over to the nearby interface and pressed it to go to the next memory.

Chapter Text

When the workshop appeared in front of Dan Heng again, a sense o f déjà vu washed over him. It was unusually quiet, like last time. Dan Heng walked in, saw Yingxing hammering a red-hot piece of steel in the rough shape of a sword. His shirt was stripped off, and thrown onto the workbench; sweat clung to Yingxing’s skin from the heat of the forge. Thick, suede gloves guarded his hands, and his hair was tied back. A few strands of hair were on the verge of escaping.

As hot as the workshop was, a new kind of heat entirely pooled inside Dan Heng at the sight of Yingxing working. The way every drip of sweat clung to each curve of perfectly toned muscle. It’s no wonder he could lift Dan Heng so easily… Yingxing was practically chiseled from stone. Beautiful eyes focused on the sword before him, in a world of his own. His lips were parted just slightly, labored breaths escaping that were all too reminiscent of another act entirely.

Too tongue-tied to announce his presence, Dan Heng watched as Yingxing set his hammer aside and quenched the unfinished sword in a barrel of water. Steam hissed away from it, lending Yingxing’s skin a beautiful, wet sheen. Yingxing patted the dust from his gloves before turning to look at Dan Heng.

Heat rose to Dan Heng’s cheeks at being caught staring. He glanced away, tail twitching self-consciously.

“See something you like?” Yingxing put a hand on his hip, looking all too pleased.

“And if I do?” Dan Heng asked, glancing back up at Yingxing slightly as his heart hammered in his chest.

“Then I’ll be sure to give you a good deal on whatever Your Highness desires.” Yingxing had a knowing grin. He wasn’t referring to his wares. Not only that… but the way he said ‘Your Highness’ had an altogether different, teasing tone.

Dan Heng reddened further, but he couldn’t hide a small smile. “And if what I want isn’t for sale?” He walked over, breathless at the sight of Yingxing stripped bare from the waist up, glistening from the steam. He rested a hand over Yingxing’s heart, looking up at him hopefully.

“Then I’ll give it to you for free,” Yingxing told him, his grin softening to a genuine smile. He reached up to brush a stray strand of hair away from Dan Heng’s face. His hand strayed, running along the line of Dan Heng’s jaw before tipping his chin up.

Yingxing continued, “Before that, though, I have something for you.” And just like that, he turned around, and the tip of Dan Heng’s tail thumped against the ground in frustration at the loss of what could have been a kiss.

That frustration disappeared, however, when he saw what Yingxing had grabbed. Dan Feng’s hairbrush shone mirror-bright and flawless in his hands. “It’s all finished. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

He handed it to Dan Heng, who held it delicately, admiring the restored relic. The craftsmanship was exquisite, far surpassing Dan Heng’s wildest expectations. Starsilver bristles stood straight and proud, each one swelled to a gentle, rounded end. The palladium body of the brush had been straightened and polished so perfectly that Dan Heng could see his—no, Dan Feng’s—reflection looking back.

When Dan Heng turned the brush around, the true beauty of Yingxing’s work was revealed. The cracked mother-of-pearl lotus was whole once more, inlaid with new mother-of-pearl petals. The stone dragon in the back had been completely replaced. The new one was bluer diopside than the last, a beautiful teal. Every detail had been delicately carved by hand. Dan Heng ran his thumb over the carved dragon, amazed by the incredible detail put into every scale.

The brush hasn’t only been restored, though. It bore a new, gorgeous addition. A bright circle of translucent white stone shone blue whenever the light hit it: a moon, surrounded by stylized clouds that had been painstakingly carved into the palladium around it.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Yingxing’s words may have been arrogant, but his voice was soft and sincere, as was his smile.

“It is,” Dan Heng whispered, amazed. “It’s gorgeous. And this…” he ran his thumb over the stone moon; it flashed blue beneath his touch.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it. More than you could ever know.” Dan Heng teared up slightly looking down at it. Yingxing had worked tirelessly for days on end to fix this. To fix something precious to Dan Feng—something precious that had nearly been destroyed as a means to hurt the High Elder. He wasn't sure if the brush would ever be whole again. And yet, he'd been lucky enough to see the relic reborn as something even more beautiful in Yingxing’s capable hands. And in doing so, luck had favored Dan Feng again. After all, it had brought Yingxing into his life.

Yingxing smiled as he leaned back against his workbench. “It’s moonstone,” he told Dan Heng. And even as Dan Heng admired the brush, he could feel Yingxing’s eyes on him, instead. “For joy and love.”

“I can see why they call you the most skilled artisan on the Luofu,” Dan Heng told Yingxing, grateful. “Thank you. For fixing this, and for the new addition—it’s beautiful. How much do I owe you?”

Yingxing gave him a price that left Dan Heng shocked. It was far too low for such incredible quality of work. “No.”

“No?” Yingxing’s smile faded slightly. “Too much? Well… I did say I would give you a discount. How about half off?”

“Absolutely not,” Dan Heng told him, tail twitching with irritation. “That is way too low a price for work like this. You know how good your work is. It is worth far more than that.”

Yingxing’s cheeks reddened in a rare blush. “That’s very sweet,” he told Dan Heng. “But really, it’s okay.…”

Dan Heng reached for a pouch of strales that he’d brought to pay Yingxing. He set the pouch in front of Yingxing stubbornly.

Yingxing frowned and looked inside the pouch. He pulled back, alarmed. “Your Highness, this is way too much, I couldn’t possibly accept that much money in good faith—”

“Take it,” Dan Heng told him, not budging on the matter. The amount in the pouch was more than ten times what Yingxing had asked for initially.

“Dan Feng, this is too much, seriously—”

“It is not too much,” Dan Heng told him, the tip of his tail thumping against the ground. “Your work is worth far more than what you're charging. Take it. And I don’t want to hear about you charging prices that low again.”

Yingxing sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You’re really not going to take no for an answer, are you?”

“That’s right.”

Yingxing looked conflicted, but he stopped fighting Dan Heng on the matter. “...If you insist. Though I still think it’s too much. Still, thank you.”

“It is not too much for the best artisan on the Luofu,” Dan Heng told him honestly. He stepped closer to Yingxing, remembering his unexpectedly gentle touch from moments ago. “Everything in here is priceless.” Dan Heng found himself talking about more than just Yingxing’s incredible creations. The craftsman himself was just as precious.

Yingxing’s cheeks reddened; Dan Heng could just barely hear his breath catch. Yingxing cupped Dan Heng’s cheek in one hand, his eyes straying down to Dan Heng’s lips. Dan Heng’s heart skipped a beat as the artisan leaned down, capturing his mouth in a sweet, lingering kiss.

“That includes you, too, then,” Yingxing whispered. He rested his forehead against Dan Heng’s with a fond smile.

Dan Heng’s cheeks reddened as he realized that he’d set himself up for that unknowingly. “Flirt,” he teased breathlessly.

“You’re one to talk,” Yingxing told him, one arm slipping around Dan Heng’s waist, pulling them together. Dan Heng wrapped his arms around Yingxing in return. Absently, his tail curled around one of Yingxing’s legs. Yingxing stole another kiss; Dan Heng’s lips parted to invite him in, and Yingxing’s tongue slipped into his mouth, rubbing against Dan Heng’s until Dan Heng’s legs were so unsteady that he had to lean against Yingxing for support.

Yingxing pressed kisses over Dan Heng’s jaw and throat, his hand sliding up to tangle gently in Dan Heng’s hair. “After all,” he told Dan Heng, “you were the one looking at me like you wanted to devour me just a few moments ago.”

“I can’t help falling for you,” Dan Heng told him, sighing pleasantly as Yingxing continued to press kisses over his throat. He shifted, looping his arms gently around Yingxing’s shoulders, arching up into him.

“That’s my line,” Yingxing told him, voice soft, adoring. His hands slid to Dan Heng’s waist, grip firm as he lifted Dan Heng up to sit on an empty part of the workbench.

Dan Heng gasped, clinging to Yingxing until the craftsman’s kisses trailed teasingly low over his collarbone. One of Yingxing’s hands slid underneath his shirt; Dan Heng shivered and leaned into his touch as Yingxing pushed up his shirt. Yingxing’s eyes swept over him, gaze heated.

Suddenly the heat from the forge, the heat from Yingxing’s kisses was too much. Breathing quickening, Dan Heng slipped out of his jacket and pulled off his shirt. A soft, pleased sound escaped him when Yingxing’s kisses trailed over his chest, then caught in a stifled moan as the craftsman took one of Dan Heng’s nipples in his mouth, tongue rubbing over it as he sucked.

Dan Heng’s tail curled in delight; his head tipped back. “Yingxing…” he whispered the name adoringly, hand slipping down to tangle in Yingxing’s hair. Yingxing smiled against Dan Heng’s chest, kissing his way over to the other nipple and pulling it into his mouth to suck and lick and tease that one in turn. His teeth grazed over it, earning a moan. Dan Heng turned to putty beneath his touch. Dan Heng’s arms trembled, struggling to support him as Yingxing took him apart bit by bit. Heat pooled inside of him pleasantly as Yingxing’s kisses strayed lower and lower.

The craftsman kissed down over his stomach, all the way down to the waistline of Dan Heng’s pants. He gave a brief inquisitive look up at Dan Heng, who nodded slightly, happily giving Yingxing permission to do anything and everything he wished.

Yingxing pulled Dan Heng’s pants and underclothes down all at once, tugging Dan Heng’s boots off in the process. He set them aside on another part of the workbench. His hands slid up Dan Heng’s thighs, slow and reverent. He squeezed them, admiring the softness, and his kisses strayed lower and lower. Pushing Dan Heng’s thighs apart gently, Yingxing looked down at him, expression aroused and adoring and… a little bit puzzled.

Cheeks burning and suddenly incredibly self-conscious, Dan Heng tried to close his legs to hide. His draconic anatomy was different from anyone else on the Luofu. Yingxing included. And Yingxing probably felt overwhelmed at the sight of Dan Heng’s scale-adorned vent.

Yingxing stopped his legs from closing, though. He was gentle, but impossibly strong as he pulled Dan Heng’s thighs apart again. “Please. Don’t hide,” Yingxing told him, voice soft. “I want to see you.”

Dan Heng’s heart ached with fondness. And even though he worried that Yingxing would not like what he saw, he kept his legs spread. He averted his gaze as Yingxing kissed over one of his thighs, higher and higher until his kisses pressed against the outside of Dan Heng’s vent.

Dan Heng snuck a look, afraid that he’d see disgust or shock on Yingxing’s face. But… Yingxing’s expression was that of curiosity and admiration. He looked up at Dan Heng briefly, eyes darkened with arousal before he ran his tongue over the slit of Dan Heng’s vent. His tongue dipped into it, earning a breathy moan from Dan Heng.

Sweet pleasure coursed through Dan Heng, warming him. His legs spread further instinctively, fingers tightening in Yingxing’s hair. “Yingxing,” he whispered—an unspoken plea. With the sudden attention, with Yingxing’s tongue dipping into his vent, Dan Heng quickly ended up desperately hard. His cocks slipped out of his vent, wet with slick. Yingxing looked at them in surprise, but the surprise was short-lived. A moment of curious studying, then Yingxing pressed soft kisses over each of them. He wrapped his mouth around both of them, sinking lower and taking them into his mouth.

Dan Heng’s arms shook, and his breath hitched in a higher, more desperate moan. Precum leaked out of them into Yingxing’s mouth. Yingxing worked his mouth over Dan Heng’s cocks, tongue pressing against each of them in turn; he sucked around them until Dan Heng squirmed, letting out soft, desperate whimpers.

He was so worked up from Yingxing’s mouth, so hard and feeling so, so good that he didn’t expect what came next. Mouth still on Dan Heng’s cocks, Yingxing slipped a finger deep inside his vent. Followed by another. He rubbed Dan Heng until slick dripped down Dan Heng’s legs from desperate pleasure, he added another finger. Dan Heng moaned, legs spread wide and hand fisted in Yingxing’s hair as his hips rolled up into the other man’s mouth. “Please—” Dan Heng gasped, getting close to his limit.

But even as close as he was to his climax, Yingxing pulled back. He gave Dan Heng’s cocks one last long lick, fingers thrust deep inside of Dan Heng one last time, then released him. Dan Heng felt too empty, cocks twitching with need. “Yingxing, please ,” he begged, needing Yingxing’s touch.

Yingxing fumbled fumbled with the zipper on his pants, and when Dan Heng looked up at him he realized that he wasn’t the only one driven to desperation. Yingxing was flushed red, eyes dark with arousal, and breathing uneven. He pulled out his cock with one hand, aimed it toward Dan Heng’s vent, and braced his other hand on the workbench for support. He didn’t press in, though. Instead, his gaze met Dan Feng’s, hazy with need. “Is this okay…?” he asked breathlessly.

“Yes,” Dan Heng told him, pulling Yingxing closer with one hand on his craftsman’s hips. “I want this. I want you.” He pulled Yingxing closer until Yingxing’s cock pressed flush against Dan Heng’s slick vent. With his free hand, Dan Heng pulled Yingxing down into a passionate kiss. He could taste himself on Yingxing as their tongues intertwined.

Yingxing moved closer. His free hand shifted to Dan Heng’s hair, tangling gently in it. He deepened the kiss, and his hips pressed forward, cock sliding into Dan Heng’s vent.

Yingxing’s fingers had filled Dan Heng wonderfully, but it was nothing compared to this. Yingxing drove his cock into Dan Heng, slowly but surely sinking in all of the way to the hilt with a moan. Pleasure rolled through Dan Heng from the intoxicating stretch. He felt so perfectly full, could feel the pulse of Yingxing, hard inside of him. Arching against him, Dan Heng’s tail wrapped around Yingxing’s thigh.

A muffled moan escaped Dan Heng into the kiss. Yingxing’s tongue pressed into his mouth, rubbed against his, and Dan Heng returned the kiss just as passionately. He rolled his hips against Yingxing’s, and his cocks leaked precum. Yingxing drew back slightly, then thrust into him–firm but gentle. Dan Heng’s hips ground against Yingxing’s in return, and as if sensing the dragon’s growing desperation, Yingxing pulled back and thrust in harder. He started a rhythm, slow and gentle at first. Each thrust came faster, harder, though. Yingxing’s kisses trailed down Dan Heng’s throat–rough enough to leave marks. He pounded harder into Dan Heng, and Dan Heng arched into the thrusts, trembling with need. “Yingxing,” he moaned, tail tightening around the craftsman’s thigh. “Please—”

Pleasure coiled hot and merciless inside of him. He wouldn’t last much longer, and at the same time, he was desperate for more. His legs shook, spread wide for Yingxing, and he met every thrust with a roll of his own hips, trying to drive Yingxing as deep inside as possible. Yingxing panted and moaned, pleased sounds mixing with Dan Heng’s. The craftsman’s hand shifted, wrapped around Dan Heng’s cocks. With a gentle squeeze, his hands pumped over them, slippery with precum. Dan Heng cried out, pressed against Yingxing, and clung tightly to him. It was too much—it was not quite enough. He was so close—

“Dan Feng, I–I’m going to—” Yingxing couldn’t say it, moans punctuating each word. Every breath was ragged against Dan Heng’s throat, where Yingxing buried his face. And to Dan Heng’s surprise, Yingxing shifted as if to pull out first. Yingxing’s hand continued to pump mercilessly over Dan Heng’s cocks, but Dan Heng wanted more. He wanted Yingxing inside for as long as he could have him–wanted Yingxing to fill him up completely.

Dan Heng’s cheeks burned red at the admission, but he told Yingxing, “Please—don’t pull away, Yingxing–” One of his hands wrapped around Yingxing’s waist, pulling them flush together once more, driving Yingxing’s cock in to the hilt.

Yingxing nodded, groaning with pleasure as his thrusts grew irregular, desperate. Each and every one sent molten pleasure coursing through Dan Heng. Yingxing’s hand sped up, too, pumping Dan Heng’s cocks mercilessly. They pulsed and twitched in his hands, leaking precum. All at once, Dan Heng hit his limit. He arched up against Yingxing with a cry of pleasure, trembling and tense as he clenched around Yingxing’s cock. Dan Heng’s cum spilled over Yingxing’s hands and his own stomach. He clung to Yingxing, legs and tail shaking with every thrust.

A stifled moan escaped Yingxing as he came, too, filling Dan Heng with his hot seed. He finished with a few stuttered thrusts, emptying every drop of cum into the dragon as he moaned. “Dan Feng—”

Dan Heng shivered in delight at the sensation of being filled completely. Even as his climax slowed and settled into the sweet ecstasy of afterglow, he felt wonderful. He savored the feeling of Yingxing buried deep inside of him and pulled Yingxing down for a lingering kiss.

One of Yingxing’s hands came up, fingers brushing gently through Dan Heng’s hair. He returned the kiss, breathless but languid, before resting his forehead on Dan Heng’s. “If I’m dreaming, I don’t want to wake up,” he murmured, arms wrapping around Dan Heng to hold him close.

On the workbench next to him, Dan Heng noticed a light for the first time. A glowing interface, just a couple of inches away, to move to the next memory. “Me too,” he told Yingxing, wishing this memory could last longer. With a bittersweet feeling in his chest, he stole one more kiss, soft and sweet. Then, reluctantly, he touched the interface to move on to the next memory.