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“You haven’t slept again last night,” Stelle states. She's holding her bat again and Dan Heng can feel a slight fear at that. His eyes are watching the bat warily.
“No, I haven’t,” he replies truthfully. He knows he will taste Galactic Baseballer's legendary damage if he lies.
Stelle sighs and slumps on the seat beside him. “Alright, spill.”
How can he tell Stelle that whenever he sleeps, he keeps dreaming of Yingxing between his legs, fucking him slowly and then gaining speed as they chase their orgasms? He will die before he ever tells her that. “I have… nightmares.”
“Nightmares?” Stelle raises her eyebrow, then she leans forward to look at Dan Heng closely and he knows that she sees the redness in his ears. “Ah, that kind of nightmare, huh?” She waggles her eyebrows with a shit-eating grin on her face.
“Shut up,” Dan Heng tries very hard not to pout but it seems that he fails judging by the cackling laugh Stelle lets out.
“Is it that guy again? That Stellaron Hunter?”
“No, different,” Dan Heng pauses. “Kind of.”
“So the supposed ‘nightmares’ are from before your divorce then,” Stelle summaries.
“I do not have a divorce!” Dan Heng replies hotly. “And I’m not married either.” Maybe, his mind supplies helpfully.
“Whatever you say,” Stelle shrugs.
“Please don't tell March,” Dan Heng begs. He will not hear the end of it if March hears. She's a romantic at heart and she ships Dan Heng with his previous husband.
Dan Heng pretends he doesn't understand what a ship means.
“I heard from Firefly they're not doing anything at the moment, you should give your guy a call and maybe you both can meet General Huaiyan together.” Stelle says and then she smirks, “Both of you then can renew your vow together again.”
“I’m going to sleep.” Dan Heng stands up.
“You sure will, Dan Heng,” Stelle cackles from the sofa.
Dan Heng walks faster until he arrives in his room, closes the door, and sits on the floor. His cheeks are still hot from the conversation but he also has more thoughts in his mind now.
It’s not a secret that Dan Heng is… kind of seeing Blade now. They communicate frequently and when they both have free time, they meet up somewhere and spend time together. They may not have sex yet because they’re not ready, but they do feel they have an actual relationship now.
It’s also not a secret that Dan Heng writes to General Huaiyan a lot now, sometimes they both talk about Yingxing and sometimes Dan Heng writes to him about Blade just so the old man feels assured about Blade’s wellbeing.
And the both of them, despite Dan Heng’s and General Huaiyan’s wishes, have not met for centuries.
He doesn’t know how to assure Blade that it’s fine to meet General Huaiyan. He knows that Blade still thinks of that old man as his father and he's ashamed of what's becoming of him.
Which is absurd, Blade is perfect the way he is, he just refuses to see it.
Dan Heng opens up his phone and sends messages to Blade.
So how are you today?
Mara doesn't flare up?
A reply comes quickly.
This is Silver Wolf, wait I’ll give the phone to Blade
Dan Heng waits for a moment and then a reply arrives again.
Fine. No mara today
Dan Heng bites his lips, he doesn't know how to approach this.
So, is Kafka there?
Yes. I won't like what you're going to say, is that right?
Maybe…
Okay fine, you won't like it
So what do you think about us meeting General Huaiyan?
Dan Heng waits for a response. Blade is typing, erases it, and then types again.
Fine
Dan Heng blinks. Does he read that right?
Seriously, you will meet him?
Yes. Or do you want me to take that back?
Of course not! I’ll send a message to General Huaiyan. I’m sure he will be happy to meet you
There's no reply this time but Dan Heng doesn't expect him to. Instead, he sends a message to General Huaiyan for a meeting to which he replies with an agreement with a lot of exclamations.
Still sitting on the floor, Dan Heng can’t help but look forward to the meeting.
————
Dan Heng is internally screaming.
They're in a private room that General Huaiyan has reserved for them in one of the restaurants in Aurum Alley. Blade is currently sitting stiffly and staring down at his lap. General Huaiyan however, is looking at Blade with such a fond smile that Dan Heng has no doubt even after centuries, he still loves Yingxing as a son.
“It’s good to see you well, Yingxing,” General Huaiyan finally says after a long time in silence.
“I’m not Yingxing anymore,” Blade gruffly denies. “Yingxing is dead.”
“Is he though?” General Huaiyan sips his tea. “Dan Heng told me a lot about you. Maybe you’re no longer able to be in the forge anymore, maybe you’ve lost too many of your memories, but deep inside you're still my son.”
Blade doesn't reply, he’s currently glaring at his lap so Dan Heng surreptitiously pinches his thigh. It gets him a glare from Blade but he finally raises his head to look at General Huaiyan directly. “I—” he pauses, as if words are caught in his throat.
Dan Heng slips his hand underneath Blade’s hand on his lap and gives it a reassuring squeeze.
Blade tightens his hold on Dan Heng’s hand. “I—still think you're a decrepit old man who meddles too much too,” and that’s definitely Yingxing talking.
Dan Heng lets out a giggle at those words. At the same time, General Huaiyan laughs uproariously until tears escape his eyes. It takes a long time for General Huaiyan to gain his composure but now his eyes are shining with emotions and his smile is more relaxed.
It’s as if the ice has been broken and now General Huaiyan and Blade banter easily. As if the centuries between them are no more.
Maybe it’s March possessing him, but he takes out his phone, opens the selfie mode, and calls General Huaiyan and Blade, “Cheers, everyone.”
Blade looks unimpressed, General Huaiyan is smiling widely, while Dan Heng has a straight face but his fingers sign peace.
It’s definitely one of the best pictures Dan Heng has ever taken.