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Initially, Dan Heng had planned to accompany Caelus to Amphoreus alongside March 7th. Warp jump went off without a hitch despite low fuel supply. Those plans, however, were quickly thrown out the Express’s windows. Because nothing is ever allowed to go smoothly.
A strange sickness rapidly began to overtake March 7th. A little bit of disorientation was to be expected after a jump especially to those not accustomed to such heavily traveling (Sunday), but many system hours had passed and March’s condition only worsened. It had worsened in such a rapid fashion that resulted in her absence from a team meeting, behavior most unusual for her. It was even more unusual for her to show absolutely no interest in stepping foot upon Amphoreus to take photos for her album.
Upon realizing the severity of her condition, it was suggested that she stay behind for the duration of the trip, and it would simply be Dan Heng and Caelus’s mission this time around. Though, Dan Heng has absolutely no desire to land. He couldn’t hide his apathy for Amphoreus all that well, either.
"You are concerned about Miss March, are you?" Sunday said, taking notice of his nervous foot tapping.
"Of course I’m concerned about her. She’s my friend."
"You do not have to hide from me the fact that you two care very deeply about each other. It has been obvious to me long before I joined the Astral Express crew."
Dan Heng said absolutely nothing.
"If it would bring you peace of mind, I can travel alongside Caelus in your place."
"Are you sure you can handle such a place? You’re so... dainty."
Sunday’s wings twitched in irritation, but he did not refute his statement.
"I insist,” Sunday said.
"Let me go instead," Himeko interjected. "Dan Heng, you stay behind and keep an eye on March."
"If it’s too much trouble, I’ll accompany Caelus to Amphoreus anyways," he said.
"You’ll be at your worst if you’re on edge the entire time. Besides, I trust you far more around her than Black Swan anyways."
"I can still go in his place, Miss Himeko-" Sunday said, before he was cut off by Welt putting his hand on his shoulder.
"You’re coming with me, boy," Welt said.
Himeko nodded her head. "She should be your priority. Don’t worry about watching the rest of the Express, either. Thats why we have Pom Pom."
He knew that the next trailblaze destination was of top priority, but even with the entire rest of the crew in favor of him staying with her, he still felt as if he were abandoning his duty for selfish reasons. It’s not like he could do anything to help March. He wasn’t trained in any sort of medicine, and he was already beyond hopeless if not even Black Swan or Sunday could pinpoint what ailed her. But he would feel more at ease if he could stay by her side, though he wouldn’t be able to shake the lingering feeling of guilt for being so helpless.
With all eyes on him, he admitted defeat, and put his trust in the others to tackle their next destination safely. Without another word, he went into the passenger car and down the hallway and knocked on March’s door, afraid of hearing nothing more than a bitter cold silence. Much to his relief, she managed to mutter out a muffled response.
"Who is it?" March said, sounding barely awake.
"It’s me. Dan Heng. I’ve... come to check on you."
"Come in."
He opened the door to see her sitting at the edge of her bed. March was trying to remain up, but it was clear that she was struggling to support her own body weight. Dan Heng sat down beside her and wrapped his arm around her, nudging her against his shoulder.
She felt cold. Not the kind of cold one would expect from an Ice elemental, but rather, a coldness only felt on those long deceased.
"Is there... anything that I can get for you?" Dan Heng asked, unsure of what to do.
"Mmh... no. Just stay here," she responded sleepily. "Warm... Cold Dragon Young... you aren’t...."
Dan Heng's body naturally ran a little on the cold side being a Vidyadhara. March, of all people, found him warm. Now he was worried that should he move an inch, she would freeze to death.
Leaving her side was something he couldn’t bear to consider. He tightly held her close to his body. The silence from March was unsettling, even for an aloof man like himself. On every occasion that he came to hang out with her, she would talk for countless system hours nonstop about whatever nonsense occupied her mind that day. Other than a few words here and there, he was rather content with simply listening. Now, she hardly uttered a singular word, but Dan Heng knew better than to attempt to strike a conversation considering her current state.
Her head slumped, and she felt cold enough for ice to form on her body. Dan Heng’s cold blood would hardly be any help to her at this rate.
"...Would you like to lay down?" Dan Heng asked. "Rest is what you need most right now."
"Only if you move me... too… comfy..."
Dan Heng scooped up her little body in her arms and gently slid her under her blankets. He pulled up the covers and gathered her pillows and stuffed animals around her in an attempt to provide as much comfort to her as possible.
Her eyes were half closed and barely focused. With what little strength she still had left, she used it to watch Dan Heng.
"...I don’t think there’s anything in the archives on your sickness. I’m sorry. I can go look again if you’d like."
"Stay...here..."
Dan Heng couldn’t leave her after a request like that, though he couldn’t fit under the blankets with how snugly March was nestled in. He had to resort to simply sitting next to her bed. She was fighting sleep, thankfully still appearing to have life in her eyes, but Dan Heng couldn’t help but feel worried for her nonetheless.
"Can... I ask you for something?"
"Mm?"
"Can you turn into your Lunae form?"
"Is something bothering you?"
"No... I just think you’re pretty."
It was somewhat of a relief to know that March was still the same, in a way. Dan Heng listened to her request and sat back down beside her bed, wagging his tail in an attempt to get her to smile. Traces of such were faint, but she showed an ever so slight amount of joy.
"Don’t you have to leave with the others?" she asked.
Dan Heng shook his head. "They don’t need me. I’m here to stay with you."
"…I…I don’t want you to leave."
"I don’t plan on it," he said, reaching out and gently grabbing March’s hand, holding on as tightly as he could without his claws injuring her.
"Don’t fight sleep any longer. I’ll stay here. Promise."
"Mm..."
March surrendered to her exhaustion and fell into a deep sleep. Dan Heng noticed that around her, ice was beginning to crystalize on the bed and in her room. A cold mist had settled around them, which he had only noticed once it tinged him in his exposed chest.
Slowly, the stalagmites only grew larger in side. At this rate, the ice was going to completely freeze her once again, consuming Dan Heng with it. Despite this threat, he refused to go back on his word.
Dozing off for a period of time and waking up at least a few system hours later, he saw that the ice crystals began to bound him to March's hand. He refused to let her go.
He only held on tighter.