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Throughout his life, Dan Heng’s experience with touch has been nothing but painful.
Whether it's from the guards who are grabbing him forcefully or tightening his chains, or from the other ships he worked in where they shove him rudely, or when his is fighting monsters or mobs where getting hurt is almost inevitable (not to mention that guy who hated his guts so much that he chases him around the universe…. His experience with him was Not The Best™)
And yet during his time going around from ship to ship, he saw that some people were capable of not inflicting pain when they came in contact with each other. It was… weird to see (he did have experiences where he didn't get hurt from someone’s touch. The general was gentle with him whenever he visited… but Dan Heng knew that this gentleness was not aimed at him)
And really, he was okay with that. He knew he did nothing to deserve it. Maybe he didn't deserve it at all.
He was lucky to be out of that prison, and he was even more lucky to find people who took him in despite the warnings he told her about himself (‘the Astral Express’ the woman said softly ‘we do need a guard after all’)
And so that's what he did. He journeyed with them across the stars and helped them when they needed it. He took the archives as to not take much space, and he guarded the express when needed (although he distantly wondered if the express needed guarding at all from time to time)
Today was a day like any other day, they just helped with a Stellaron on another planet and they went back on the express. He was just going to head back to update the data bank as usual when he heard Mr. Yang complain about something,
“I could have sworn I put it here,” Mr. Yang groaned, “I just can't seem to find it.” Hemiko was also standing there looking both amusedly at the other man.
It has only been a few weeks since he joined the express, yet he didn't want to risk any wrong moves. He was walking up to them slowly, still debating whether or not to ask what was wrong
Hemiko seemed to notice him first, “hello, Dan Heng,” she greeted him warmly, “Welt here seems to have misplaced a token we got from the planet just now.”
Ah well.
At least Dan Heng wouldn't have to worry about asking now.
Mr. Yang also turned to look at him and smiled, “ah, Dan Heng, excuse me for not noticing you earlier. It just that I remember leaving the book we were given here in the parlor car, but I can't seem to find,” Mr. Yang explained further,
Oh. That book. “Uhm… excuse me Mr. Yang, but the book you are talking about… I took it with me to the archives to update the data bank” Dan Heng replied tensely. Perhaps he should have asked before taking the book. “I deeply apologize for causing you worry,” he added quickly. They were nice people, but he still felt bad.
Hemiko chuckled at that while Mr. Yang merely shook his head and smiled, “none of that, Dan Heng. I was just looking for the book to give it to you for the data bank, but it seems you already got that covered” he said calmly and walked up to Dan Heng and-
And- patted his head?
Dan Heng froze for a moment. On one hand, he did not know how to react, but on the other hand, it would be rude to not return the gesture right?
Slowly, he saw Mr. Yang frown and drop his hand while Hemiko stared at both of them. Oh no. He should do something before he offends him further.
“Dan Heng I am-” Mr. Yang started but Dan Heng cut him off in his blind panic by raising his hand quickly-
-And patting Mr. Yang on the head back.
There. That should do it.
Hopefully.
But no, Mr. Yang just stared at him with wide eyes.
Dan Heng stared back.
Oh Aeons.
He messed up.
He heard a chuckle from his right, and he looked to see that it came from none other than Hemiko.
He definitely messed up.
Dam Heng felt his face heat up, and he prayed to the Aeons that the ground would swallow him whole right now.
Stupidstupidstupid- do something-
“Dan heng-” Mr. Yang started but Dan Heng cut him off again,
“Did- did I do it wrong?” He stuttered “I- I didn't mean to- I am so sorry if I offended you, sir- I just- I thought that-” he was definitely panicking at this point, and he had no idea what he was saying,
He couldn't talk or breathe and oh Aeons he just offended the people that were the kindest to him in the stupidest way possible-
This time Hemiko cut him off, “okay let's all calm down. Dan Heng, take a breath, you are not in trouble,” her tone was gentle but firm, “why don't we all sit down, and talk it out? I am sure Welt won't mind,” she turned to look at Mr. Yang who seems to have finally come out of his shock,
He cleared his throat and looked back at the raven-head , “Yes. Dan Heng I assure you, I am not upset at you in any way. I was simply just surprised, I promise you. Now come on, let's sit down.” he smiled gently and waited for the younger boy to go sit,
Honestly, Dan Heng was not really convinced but he can't really complain after- well- whatever that was,
So he sat next to the two of them and tried to calm himself down (he was failing at doing that, he knew it)
The red-head slowly cleared her throat and turned her attention at Dan Heng, “now, as I said you are not in trouble and you did nothing wrong as far as I am concerned,” she paused to let her words sink in, “but do you want to explain what that gesture meant to you just so that we are all in the same page?”
The raven-head slowly glanced at the man next to her to confirm what she was saying. The man nodded his head in a reassuring manner when he noticed that the attention was on him.
“Um- it's just- ” he wanted to forget this encounter ever happened, but their eyes were on him and they were waiting with more patience than Dan Heng ever deserved, “well… um, where I come from, we- I mean they- uh,” he didn't know what to do with his hands so he fidgeted with them, “… patting someone's head is usually a sign of… greeting?” He finished that sentence as a question instead,
“I- I mean that's what I know, it's just that I never- I mean- uh, no one ever… liked me enough to greet me I suppose, so I- I didn't really-” why did talking have to be so difficult, “I apologize if I offended you- I thought I just had to- uhm… y-yeah, sorry…” he finished quickly and looked down at his hands after realizing he was just saying nonsense,
He definitely messed up even more now-
He heard the older man clear his throat, “well I suppose there is a misunderstanding from my part as well,” Mr. Yang said so calmly, “where I come from, patting someone's head is a sign of affection, so I apologize for causing confusion as well,” the brunette paused to let his words sink in (this seemed to be a common thing they both did)
Dan Heng froze at that because what? That's- why would he do that? Out of everything he could have done this for, why would he- somehow, Dan Heng realized in the middle of his dilemma, he didn't find himself opposed to the action. It made him feel… warm in a good way he didn't even know was possible.
It was… nice.
Really nice.
But… he was seriously confused.
Mr. Yang noticed the way he tensed and continued, “once again, I am in no way, shape or form offended at what you did, and if you'd want me to not do it again I would gladly understand,” the older man finished,
“NO!” He exclaimed before he even thought about it, and-
-And it's back to awkward staring.
Awesome.
He definitely meant to do that.
Dan Heng knows for a fact that Aha is somewhere just laughing at his misery.
He quickly looked down again, “I mean- you don't really have to if you don't want to-”
“Dan Heng.”
He swiftly shut his mouth when he heard the firm tone in Hemiko’s voice.
“Dan Heng, would you please look at us.”
It sounded like a request, but he knew it was a demand.
He hesitantly looked up,
And was met by a similar pair of gentle yet firm eyes from both of them.
Uh…
“Please listen carefully to what I am going to say,” the the red head began slowly, “we are in this journey together so we are going to need to be honest with each other,”
“Do you actually want Welt to never do that again?”
What?
Where was that question going exactly?
“I… I don't care what Mr. Yang does or does not do,” he said carefully, “it’s not… bad. But I don't understand why…”
“Understand why what exactly?” This time it was Mr. Yang who spoke.
“Uhm- why you… would show me affection?” he whispered his question, because he was scared of what the answer may be.
They don't even know who he is or what he did and neither does he but it doesn't really matter right now.
They don't owe him anything, so why are they making a big deal out of this?
Maybe they would change their minds if they actually knew.
The two adults exchanged a look (seriously do they do that all the time or is it just around him?)
“Why wouldn't I show you affection exactly?” the brunette asked, “you are part of the crew now, and we look out for each other and take care of all members,”
Seriously, why do they think that everything is just that simple?
“But- but I didn't- do anything to deserve your affection,” truly he doesn't understand why he kept arguing.
Mr. Yang’s eyes widened slightly at that, and oh Aeons he said something wrong again-
“Dan Heng…” Hemiko said slowly, “there is no ‘deserving’ and ‘not deserving’ when it comes to affection,”
“We don't know who you were before and we won't pry, but you are a member of the express now, which means that both me and Welt care for you” she finished firmly,
“and showing affection is one of the ways we show our care,” Mr. Yang continued, “do you understand?”
He blinked at her.
Once.
Twice.
But their words seemed really sincere like they meant it.
A thought struck him that maybe they did mean it.
He nodded at both of them.
“Alright, let us ask you again,” the older man said, “would you truly be okay with physical affection?”
Dan Heng opened his mouth-
-And closed it again…
Would he be okay with it?
“Uhm… I- I don't… know?” He said quietly.
“And that is completely okay,” Hemiko answered immediately, “you did say head pats are a way of greeting where you come from, right?” He nodded at her, “Is it okay if we did it from time to time? You don't have to do it back if it makes you uncomfortable.” She smiled almost knowingly at him.
…He nodded again.
“Then it's settled,” Mr. Yang said, “you don't have to figure out everything now, but do know that we are willing to be patient with you,” he smiled comfortingly at him.
Oh.
Oh.
That's nice.
“ …okay.”
He doesn't know how long he will last on the express.
But he really hopes it will be longer than all the others.
Bonus scene:
Hemiko: he doesn't think he deserves affection.
Welt: yes.
Hemiko: he said no one even greeted him the way his people did where he came from.
Welt: yes.
Hemiko: Did you see the way he tried to redo the gesture on you? He was so endearingly awkward.
Welt: there is honestly so much to unpack with this one.
Welt: he said no one liked him enough to greet him at all.
Hemiko:...
Hemiko: honestly, it's a good thing we don't know where he is from.
Welt:...
Welt: don't tempt me.