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Penacony, for all intents and purposes, was difficult on the mind for everyone on the Astral Express. Even for Dan Heng, who was barely on Penacony, suffered their own tribulations on the mind. When all was said and done, a collective sigh of relief was shared among those who boarded the Express.
Though, during their journey to the next stop, Dan Heng would feel a certain gaze on their back. They were no stranger to feeling like they were being stalked—but this was a different kind of gaze. This sensation could be felt whenever they’d meet eyes with March 7th, or with Welt, Himeko or Stelle.
It took only a day for Dan Heng to finally break this feeling of unease, and it was when they were spending time with March 7th and Stelle in the common area. Their phone was set aside, buzzing with notifications that they didn’t bother responding. That was the only noise that could be heard amongst the quiet peace of the Passenger Cabin; that is, until Dan Heng spoke.
“Will you two finally tell me why it is you are staring at me like that?” They breathed, looking up from their book. Their eyebrows furrow as they continue, “Was it something that I did? Is something wrong with my appearance? March, you know I would take your advice, if there was any.”
The two would subsequently break into laughter, which made the raven haired Vidyadharan further furrow their eyebrows in confusion.
“I dunno, Dan Heng. Maybe you can tell us~?” March practically sang as she spoke. A sigh follows quickly after it; Dan Heng knew what that tone meant—and March 7th knew they did.
Something they did was worth being teased. But what was it? As they tried to form any sort of logic in their head, Dan Heng couldn't find the answer. They knew if they tried to prod their brain further, they were going to go insane.
“Stelle. Please.” There was a small whine to Dan Heng's voice that made the other two stifle their laughter. It certainly was a beg—something that Dan Heng almost never does. And as it certainly was a beg, Dan Heng certainly did not consciously deliver their request in such a manner. It was a simple conclusion that they decided not to even bother with March anymore—which prompted the aforementioned girl to laugh harder upon her realization.
With such a sudden burst of laughter, it's at this point that Himeko and Mr. Yang turned their heads towards the trio. Curiosity moved within their eyes; the commotion piqued their interest. To Himeko, she was glad that the three seemed to get along so well, so quickly. To Mr. Yang, he was amused by the antics the trio gets themselves into.
Doting aside, Dan Heng could feel that nagging feeling that made them bury themself in self-conscious overthinking. It was like a bug that did laps up and down their spine—and Stelle's response only quickened those said laps.
“Hmm… I don’t know, Dan Heng. Maybe you can tell us,” Stelle echoes March 7th's response, though his reply was in a much more deadpan tone—which somehow, to Dan Heng, made things much worse. It was the way he looked at them, those golden eyes that gave off such a daring and knowing glance.
He was definitely making fun of them, too.
Another sigh escapes the archivist’s lips. They should’ve known better than to expect answers regarding this matter from them. Leaning back into their seat, they resigned themself to being the punching bag and crossed their legs. “In that case, I must ask that you at least poke fun at me when I am not reading. It gets distracting.” One would even say that Dan Heng gave up much more easily than they should've; but, well, to Dan Heng—
—They thought that if those two were enjoying themselves, it was better to see them happy than down and about. Dan Heng knew recent events had been tough on them; a well-needed laugh must be just the thing those two needed. They would’ve shown them a smile… but Dan Heng knew better than to add fuel to an already exploding fire.
On the other hand, March 7th and Stelle exchange a look once they see how, yes, so easily Dan Heng gave in. The archivist immediately regrets looking at them in their peripheral vision. They caught that grin from March 7th. That grin. The one that told a very consistent tale, all the time: she wasn't done with them.
March 7th moves even closer to Dan Heng and elbows them. She earns a grunt from them in response but nothing more. They were determined to not let reading time be disturbed.
Unfortunately, March 7th had other plans.
“Do you want to tell us why General Jing Yuan was in your ‘ideal’ reality, Daaaaan Heeeeng~?” March 7th giggles, her smile sending daggers straight into Dan Heng’s torso. They felt like they were choking. The archivist stands up defensively, forcing their back to be all they see of them. If they were drinking something, it would've been spat out dramatically.
Frustratingly so, Stelle adds in uncharacteristically the same tone March 7th does: “Or how protective you were of him? We all saw how your cute dragon warped around him.” Dan Heng’s eyes widened. They couldn't be more grateful that they made the very involuntary reaction to turn their back to the rest of the Astral Express crew.
A silence falls—yet, it was the noisiest the train ever has been to Dan Heng. They shift uncomfortably in place, their arms covering their chest as their eyes dart from one end of the floor to the other before them.
“I wish… not to talk about it.” Was Dan Heng’s only remaining reaction. They needed to break that silence, lest they wished insanity possess them. Before the others even had time to breathe, Dan Heng bolted towards the Data Bank. The rest of the Astral Express crew couldn't see the tinted red that graced their moonlit features… Although, it didn't really take much to guess that that was the state of their face.
And to further add insult to injury, Dan Heng froze the moment Pom-Pom's voice booms throughout the carriage. They knew immediately what this meant. They forgot to say something. A terrible, egregious mistake.
It was also why their phone was buzzing incessantly; and they knew it.
“Attention members of the Astral Express! We have a visitor! And he wishes to join us on our next venture.”
Dan Heng wishes they could just bury themself under meters upon meters of snow on Jarilo-VI. From all the teasing, they completely missed the opportunity to tell everyone—
“Ah, hello, members of the Astral Express. I hope you do not mind my sudden visitation—but ah, I believe Dan Heng would have mentioned it.”
They could feel everyone’s eyes on them. Again.
This was not the time they wanted to hear the sweet dulcet tones of the General's soothing voice.
On normally any other day, yes, they'd jump at every opportunity to; but this was not the day. Absolutely not.
“Pfft, they didn’t! I think such an important thing would’ve been said after how much they’ve been thinking about you, General Jing Yuan!” March 7th exclaims as loud as what is humanly possible—because she knew all too well that Dan Heng would run back to the Data Bank.
And that was exactly what they did. Indeed do they rush back to the Data Bank, with the speed and will of a thousand winds.
The general tilts his head and looks at the others. “Did I arrive at a bad time?” His usual smile had hints of nervousness to them. The last thing he wanted was to make Dan Heng and the Astral Express uncomfortable with his presence.
March 7th and Stelle laugh in response. Himeko speaks up in their stead, and returns Jing Yuan’s worried smile with a reassuring one. “On the contrary, I think you arrived at a very pleasant time, General Jing Yuan.”