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When Himeko dismissed everyone to go back to their rooms after discussing their adventures on the Xianzhou Luofu, Caelus followed Dan Heng back to the Archives. He practically dropped himself onto Dan Heng’s bed — that was really just a futon — forgetting about how thin futons really are and how hard the floor was. He groaned as he rolled onto his back, exhausted. He laid down with his arms and legs out like a starfish, Dan Heng lying down beside him, although he was barely even beside Caelus from Caelus‘ own limbs being in the way. It was endearing in a way, seeing Caelus the way he was. Dan Heng’s lips couldn’t help but curl into a small smile
Ever since Caelus joined the Express, he’d been staying in Dan Heng’s room, waiting until Himeko and Pom-Pom cleared out one of the old storage rooms for the grey-head to stay in, although at first he was forced to sleep in the parlor car. It honestly wasn’t that bad, he could look out into star filled sky through the huge windows, staring into the night to fall asleep. It also had the phonograph so he could listen to music to knock himself out, and the couchs were actuall pretty comfy to sleep on. That was until Dan Heng suddenly offered Caelus to share the Archives and Caelus immediately agreed, most definitely not because he liked Dan Heng and was totally because his room was better than the parlor car was, although Caelus could admit that the couches were a bit nicer to sleep on than Dan Heng’s futon but that’s not the point. The point is, Caelus is so stupidly in love with Dan Heng. Is he even aware that the reason his palms start to sweat and his heart starts to pound near Dan Heng is because he’s in love with the black haired introvert? Of course not. He was just a vessel for the Stellaron. After all, he knew nothing about his past, let alone how loving someone worked. Although he did know he felt something for his usually closed off partner and little did he know, Dan Heng was just as head-over-heels for him too.
Dan Heng definitely knew about his feelings for Caelus, how his heart would start pounding and how he always found himself twirling his hair whenever the two were left alone, a sudden habit that started when the trash-fiend joined the Astral Express. He’d always been in denial, March 7th herself could tell just how in love the two were yet neither of them admitted it, either out of fear of rejection or obliviousness, she believed the latter. She had spoken to Caelus about it though, she couldn’t help herself. She’d rather have a awkward conversation with Caelus about feelings that didn’t even exist than assume wrongly. So she did, she spoke up.
The day after Caelus, Dan Heng and March 7th returned from Belobog, Caelus and March were talking together in March’s room when she brought up what had been on her mind about her other crew members.
“Y’know, Caelus,” March started, lying on her stomach in bed, fidgeting with her nails, “I just had a random thought, but… do you maybe like Dan Heng?”
Caelus’ body jerked and he paused, caught off guard by the pink haired girls sudden question, “Why?”
”You just seem really fond of him, how do I explain…” She pondered, sitting up crisscross now, looking at Caelus, “You always seem a bit fidgety around him. He always seems fidgety around you, too,” she pointed out.
“Oh,” Was all Caelus could say in response. Was he that obvious? Did he even like Dan Heng in whatever way March 7th had been implying? He stayed up that night thinking about it. Love. It’s an odd thing, really. Theres no definite way to love someone or guide on how to love another. To Caelus, the concept of love didn’t really make much sense at first. Loving is the same as just liking or being fond of someone, is it not? Until he realized his feelings for Dan Heng. It was… different. It was more than simply liking Dan Heng. It wasn’t just finding his presence nice and thinking he’s okay to talk with. Some nights, he’d hold both his hands together and secretly hoped it was Dan Heng’s, cold, slender hands intertwined with his, or hoping Dan Heng would accidentally cuddle with him in the middle of the night. The futon was fairly small for the two to share, after all. Ever since these odd thoughts and hopes began, he’s been sure he’s in love. He’s just never known when or how to say it. Until they came back from the Xianzhou.
Ever since they had gotten back from the Xianzhou, Caelus knew Dan Heng was going to tell him or he’d lose his mind keeping it to himself. Caelus wasn’t the best at keeping a secret, even if it was one of his own. So after lying down like a washed-up starfish for what felt like ages, Caelus mustered up the courage to do it.
The two were fairly silent in the Archives, aside from the quiet hum of all the electronics in the room and the engine of the Express. It was a comforting silence, although was eventually broken by Caelus speaking up. He took a deep breath, muttering, “…Dan Heng?”
“Yes, Caelus?” Dan Heng responded, sitting up and giving his undivided attention to the grey-head who also sat up. Caelus fidgeted with one a lose end of his belt on his jacket as he spoke, why was saying a few simple words so nerve-wracking?
“I— I have something I just wanna let you know.”
Dan Heng stayed silent, letting Caelus go on.
”I…” Caelus paused, avoiding eye contact with Dan Heng who’s mind was running 100 miles per hour with all sorts of thoughts. Does he hate me? What could he so important that has him this nervous? Caelus isn’t one to get nervous or scared easily… Is he going back to sleeping in the parlour car after seeing my Vidyadhara form? Dan Heng thought to himself as Caelus finally spit out the words that were stuck on his tongue, “…I think I’m in love with you. Scratch that— Dan Heng. I’m… In love with you,” the raccoon muttered with a red flushed face, hugging his knees and covering his reddening face with his hands, peeking at the black haired man’s face between his fingers.
Dan Heng’s eyes widened as he looked closely at Caelus, his own face reddening. The room fell deafeningly silent, Caelus felt like curling into a ball and disappearing, as if he wasn’t already turning into one from the way he sat. Meanwhile Dan Heng was simply baffled. Flabbergasted, if you will. Caelus really just said that.
Caelus really said it.
Dan Heng couldn’t even think of a reply, but what he did know was Caelus looked really hot and before he knew it, he pulled the other into a sudden, soft kiss.
Dan Heng shifted forward, prying Caelus’ hands away from his face and cupping the others with both hands, pulling Caelus close and pressing his dry lips against Caelus’, drawing a gasp out of him. Caelus’ body practically melted, he felt like he was about implode. His hands found solace in Dan Heng’s soft black hair, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. Their bodies were practically pressed together, so close Dan Heng could feel Caelus’ erratic heartbeat.
The two eventually pulled apart, catching their breaths, red faced.
“…I’ll assume you feel the same?” Caelus suddenly asked, drawing a smile out of the other.
“I love you, Caelus,” Dan Heng muttered, fixing a strand of hair in Caelus’ face, getting a better look at his reddening cheeks. Love felt… nice. It felt amazing, breathtaking.
“I love you, too,” The grey head muttered quietly.
“Even at my worst?” Dan Heng hesitantly muttered. He was a bit scared to indulge in these new feelings, Caelus was his first, after all. On top of his resurfaced guilt of being Dan Feng’s reincarnation after their visit to the Luofu.
”Even at your worst.”