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Dan Heng shifted uncomfortably. The atmosphere was so thick, he felt as though he were suffocating.
The reunion of the High Cloud Quintet had finally come to pass, much to his dismay. Jingliu, Jing Yuan, and Blade stood near him, as Jingliu begun to explain their past.
I’m not Dan Feng. Dan Heng mentally reminded himself. No matter how much they want me to be. He struggled to convince himself.
He didn’t want to be here. They continued to tell him over and over again how Dan Feng’s sins were his, Dan Feng’s burdens were his, that he was always going to be Dan Feng. The crimes belonged to Dan Feng, so why did Dan Heng have to suffer?
As they continued to discuss the past, a whirring started to sound in the distance, increasing in volume as the source presumably drew closer. All four of them looked up to see a starskiff soaring shakily through the sky, before beginning to plummet into the ground where they had currently stood.
The four quickly moved back as the starskiff crashed into the floor in front of them. Dan Heng looked on inquisitively as the smoke begun to clear.
“This presence….you are not human.” Jingliu stated, as a figure slowly emerged from the fog.
“Ye’re not wrong there, miss.”
A metal hand waved the clouds out of the way, his frown becoming a smile as his eyes set on Dan Heng. “Hey, friend!”
Dan Heng felt himself immediately relax. He was grateful for Boothill’s presence, however strange his entrance was.
“Boothill…What are you doing here?” Dan Heng asked quietly.
Boothill noticed Dan Heng’s slight fidget and the tremble in his voice almost immediately, his face falling as he looked at the other three people. “I ‘eard from the Trailblazer that you might be surrounding yourself with people who don’t know how ta treat ya.” He said in a low voice, glaring at the others. “Y’all know what happens when ya mess with what I hold dear, dontcha?”
“Haha…Uhm, Mr. Boothill, was it? I assure you, nothing of the sort is happening.” Jing Yuan stated defensively. Boothill’s eyes narrowed even further, before turning back to Dan Heng.
He walked closer to him, taking his hands in his own. “Do ya wanna leave?” Boothill asked gently.
Dan Heng started to mumble, tears flowing quietly from his eyes. “But, Dan Feng….”
While knowing Boothill, they had slowly grown closer over time, and Dan Heng had given him the rundown on his past. Boothill was well aware of what the words ‘Dan Feng’ meant to Dan Heng.
“Aight. Listen ‘ere fools.” Boothill turned to the others, gripping onto Dan Heng’s hands tighter. “I dunno what business y’all have with Dan Feng, but y’all need to leave Dan Heng outta it.” He sneered.
“Robotic man, I fear you have misunderstood. That man-“ Jingliu gestured to Dan Heng. “Is Dan Feng. At the core, he will always be him.” She stated coldly.
Boothill let out a hearty laugh, letting go of Dan Heng’s hands and turning toward Jingliu. “And who said that? You?”
Dan Heng couldn’t help but stare agape at Boothill, who was so vehemently opposing the concept that had haunted him since his birth.
Jingliu glared at him silently while Boothill glanced at the rest, cocking his shoulder. “If we’re done ‘ere, I’ll be taking Dan Heng back to the Express.” He grinned. “Where he belongs.”
Blade grunted before rushing up to Boothill, his hand gripped tightly around his sword. Boothill wrapped an arm around Dan Heng’s waist as he moved them both out of his reach. “Woah there, pal. Ain’t that a bit harsh?” He smirked.
Blade slowly looked up towards Boothill. “Unhand him. We aren’t done.” He responded coldly.
Boothill only tightened his grip on Dan Heng’s waist, tilting his head. “And if I tell ya to get lost? Then what?” His eyes drilled into Blade’s.
Blade lifted his sword, pointing it at Boothill. “I’ll have to get you out of the way.”
“Oho, look who’s talkin’ big!” Boothill laughed. “Fine then. If ya wanna fight…” Boothill pulled out his revolver with his free hand. “Then by all means. Do your worst.”
The two glared at each other, weapons pointed towards the other, before Jing Yuan interfered. “Alright everyone, that’s enough.” He stated calmly. “We’ve already reconciled. Mr. Boothill can leave with him.” He turned to look at Dan Heng.
“I’m glad you found someone who understands you, Dan Heng.” Jing Yuan added softly. Dan Heng felt his heart beat through his ears.
“Boothill…” Dan Heng asked, turning to look at him.
Boothill, arm still around his waist, took his eyes off Blade to meet Dan Heng’s gaze. “Mm?”
“Thank you.” He felt his cheeks turn hot. “For…not wishing that I was someone else.”
Boothill’s eyes widened as he pulled Dan Heng closer. “O’course. I don’t want anyone else. I only want you.” He stated simply.
Dan Heng felt himself blush at the increasingly close proximity and Boothill’s blunt wording. The way Boothill was looking at him, he couldn’t help but inch closer, before-
“Ahem!” Jing Yuan interrupted. “Whatever you two plan to do, do it on the Express.” He said, subtly gesturing to Blade and Jingliu, who were both fuming.
Blade slowly lowered his weapon, and Jingliu turned away. It seems they had accepted Jing Yuan’s judgement, although begrudgingly.
“I’ll be back for you.” Blade muttered.
“And Dan Feng will always live on. Don’t forget your past sins.” Jingliu asserted.
Boothill opened his mouth to argue, but Dan Heng gripped his arm tightly. Boothill sighed, relaxing his shoulders.
“Thank you, Jing Yuan.” Dan Heng whispered. Jing Yuan simply nodded in response.
“We’ll get you a starskiff back to the Express. Just head to the port.”
Dan Heng nodded and grabbed Boothill’s arm, walking past the three of them towards the direction of the port.
Dan Heng’s chest felt heavy as they continued forward. Should I have stayed? Maybe I should just go back-
“Don’t look behind you.” Boothill interrupted, as if reading his thoughts. “Ya can convince yourself as much as you want that the Dan Feng guy is you, but you know deep down that he’s long gone.” He reached down and gripped onto Dan Heng’s hand.
“Don’t run from your past,” Boothill began. “But don’t chase a past that ain’t yours to begin with.”
Dan Heng looked at Boothill, his eyes wide. “Boothill…” He said, softly.
“Ahhh, you know…” Boothill rubbed his neck awkwardly. “I think whatcha got in the present is way nicer than anythin’ they’re talkin’ about, right?” He grinned.
Dan Heng smiled. “True. I have the Express…” He gripped onto Boothill’s hand tighter. “And you.”
Boothill blushed, turning away. “I didn’t do nothin’.”
“That starskiff hole in the ground there tells a different story, I’m afraid.” Dan Heng chuckled softly. “But…thank you.” He continued. “For coming for me.”
Boothill stopped in his tracks, grabbing Dan Heng’s arm and turning him so they were face to face.
“Boothill?” Dan Heng exclaimed at his sudden motion.
“Can I…kiss you?” He asked quietly, barely above a whisper. “I wanted to since I first saw ya, Dan Heng.” He pleaded.
Dan Heng felt his heartbeat speed up, as he nodded slightly.
Boothill cupped his face in his hand, before gently placing a kiss on his lips, his other hand around Dan Heng’s waist.
Dan Heng reciprocated, feeling warmth spread throughout his body while Boothill kissed him.
After a moment, Boothill slowly pulled away. “Dan Heng…” He whispered. “Don’t go runnin’ anywhere without me, please?”
Dan Heng felt his breath catch in his throat. All he could do was nod.
“If they call ya again…I wanna be there if you decide to go.” He stated gently. “You don’t gotta suffer by yourself.”
Dan Heng smiled, a burden being lifted off his shoulders. “Yes. Of course.”
Boothill smiled back at him, as he gestured forward. “We needa keep heading forward if we wanna make it back to the Express.”
“Right.” Dan Heng said, turning to face the path ahead.
“Let’s head home.”