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“Come on, Dan Heng! Just one pic?”
“Must you really beg like a child in front of all these people?”
Convincing Dan Heng to come to Penacony's Golden Hour was no easy task.
After the entire altercation between the Express, IPC and Oak Family, the last thing the Vidyadhara wanted to do was set foot on the Planet of Festivities again. And yet, since they wouldn't be departing for at least another day according to their Conductor, Caelus was dead set on showing his boyfriend the wonders that still lay in the Dreamscape.
Hence their current predicament, in which the Galactic Baseballer was urging Dan Heng to take a picture with him next to the large Clockie statue in the middle of the plaza.
They'd already visited most of the scenic routes Firefly had shown him when giving Caelus the tour before—from Aideen Park all the way to Oti Mall—purchasing goods to consume and souvenirs for Pom-Pom, all courtesy of the Family's generous monetary compensation for the Express’ troubles.
And even though he was good at hiding it, the gray haired man knew Dan Heng. He knew the other was enjoying himself, even if it was just a tiny bit, and that was more than enough of a win in his book.
“You can't say you've been to Golden Hour and not take a selfie with Clockie!” Caelus grinned from ear to ear as he aimed his camera to a position in which the duo would fit in the frame.
“And who exactly says that? You?” Dan Heng remained unimpressed as he stared into the lens with a raised eyebrow.
Caelus merely shook his head and sighed in exasperation as he lowered the phone. “So what if I do! You never complain when it's March asking for photos…”
At the comment, the corner of the Vidyadhara’s lips twitched into an amused smirk while turning toward his companion. He then proceeded to lift the bags they'd accumulated over the course of their trip. “Correction: I've learned that March will have her day ruined if she doesn't get evidence for her scrapbooks. Besides, it's not like she asks me to carry her loot around all day. Only you get that special treatment.”
A blush spread across Caelus’ cheeks at that as he swatted his companion on the shoulder. “H-Hey! Some of that stuff is yours too, ya know?”
Dan Heng let out a chuckle at the reaction, deep and full of joy, leaving the gray haired male in awe at just how lucky he'd gotten to score someone like this in his life, in more ways than one. It also spread a warmth in his chest that could only be described as relief.
Ever since their last stop on the Luofu, Dan Heng had kept to himself and didn't dare speak of what the whole experience had done to him. When asked, he'd brush the topic off and simply apologize for not telling everyone about his past sooner, followed by a reassurance that he was fine now—no need to worry about him.
But they all knew better.
Himeko and Mr. Yang had allegedly spoken to him in private about this, but the adults in the group didn't get much different out of him.
March showed her support by trying to show the raven the positives they'd experienced in the Xianzhou—the sights, their new friends, and everything the culture had to offer— all neatly organized in her photo album. She got a smile and a few anecdotes of his own out of the Vidyadhara, but otherwise nothing more.
So when the crew said their next destination would be Penacony—a place known for its dreamlike festivities—the fact that Dan Heng said he didn't want to join them broke Caelus’ heart.
Now that everything was resolved and things were finally looking up for them, he wanted to give his boyfriend the treat he deserved: a good time in a place where no one wanted him dead.
“Caelus?” The raven's voice brought the Trailblazer back to the present, eyeing him with concern written across his features.
Caelus laughed it off, hoping he didn't space out for too long. “S-Sorry! Guess I never realized how hard it'd be to get you into a picture voluntarily. But it's honestly not that surprising, haha!”
Dan Heng stared at him for a while, most definitely trying to figure out what was really going through his head. Eventually, he simply shook his head with a sigh and gave his partner a small smile. “If you really want one, I won't protest. I just don't need one, personally.”
“It's not about needing one! Just… couple selfies are a staple in making the perfect date!”
“This date is already perfect for me.”
That simple and clear statement was more than enough to leave Caelus at a loss for words. Dan Heng was looking at him in a way that just screamed he knew what the gray head was thinking.
‘I see what you're trying to do and I appreciate it. But you're doing more than enough.’ The raven expressed that in his eyes and it just warmed Caelus to the core.
With a smile spreading on his lips, the Trailblazer raised his phone once more and pointed at the structure behind them. “So… ready to give it another go?”
Dan Heng chuckled slightly and nodded while scooching closer to his boufriend's side. “Ready.”
With the golden lights of the city of dreams casting a glow in the background, all framing the duo and Clockie perfectly, the gray haired male tapped the button and let the flash envelope them.
And just like that, nothing else mattered around them.
Penacony still upheld the title of being able to make people's dreams come true, even if they weren't exactly one's own.