Work Text:
Suppose even a couple does argue from time to time, despite how well they get along.
Sunday has apologized for having angered Dan Heng, though Dan Heng needed time and has even begun to give Sunday the silent treatment.
No matter how many times Sunday attempts to initiate a conversation with Dan Heng, he only goes unignored by him in response. He believes Dan Heng needs space from him.
At one point, Sunday feels as though his presence at the Express is no more than a burden. Dan Heng most probably doesn’t wish to see him. Hence, he has made a decision once and for all to leave the Express.
It wasn’t an easy decision, of course. But Sunday figured it ought to be done. He enjoyed his time with everyone, he meant it. The Conductor has been very kind, Mr. Yang, too, Miss Himeko, as well… Trailblazer and March have practically become his best friends and Dan Heng… Sunday is truly in love with Dan Heng. Though nothing lasts forever, it’s time for him to part ways.
“Eh? Am I hearing that right?” the Conductor starts.
“You’re leaving the Express?!” both Trailblazer and March exclaim.
Sunday curtly nods.
“Why? You’re just leaving us? Just like that?! You don’t love us?! Do we mean nothing to you?! Even though you mean everything to us?! Sunny, I never thought… I never thought you could be this cruel! How could you do this to us, Sunny?!” Trailblazer sobs, wiping their tears with the sleeves of their shirt.
“Yeah, but why Sunday? Are you unhappy at the Express? I thought you liked it here,” Mr. Yang says.
“Did we do something wrong to offend you? If there’s anything you’re not happy about, you can tell us. Let’s find a solution to fix it together. You know, to us, you are already part of our family. Well, but of course if you truly do wish to leave the Express, we can’t force you to stay. I just thought you wanted to be here, too. You always had that kind of look on your face, but maybe I’ve got it wrong. It’s just so sudden. What is the reason? Do you at least have a destination in mind to go after this?” Miss Himeko wonders.
“I’ll figure it out,” Sunday replies. Truth be told, he wishes to say more but he wouldn’t want everyone to worry.
“I knew it. It’s Dan Heng, isn’t it?!” March immediately assumes.
“Hey!” Dan Heng speaks up; that’s the first time he talked ever since Sunday announced he’s leaving the Express. He’s been silent the entire time with a rather sad expression on his face when he looked at Sunday.
“Yeah, it’s definitely Dan Heng,” Trailblazer agrees.
Dan Heng narrows his eyes. “Not you, too…”
“Go apologize, Dan Heng!” March orders.
“Go apologize, Dan Heng!” Trailblazer joins.
“Uh…” Dan Heng sweats.
Sunday gives a weak smile. Deep down, he really doesn’t want to leave. Take a look at how precious the scene before his eyes… “No, it’s my decision. I’m glad to have met you guys. Thank you for welcoming me when I had nowhere to go and for giving me the opportunities to travel with you all. I’ve experienced and learnt so much from our journeys, I’ll never forget the memories we’ve shared together. Goodbye. And thank you, once again. I wish everyone the best of luck.”
They frown at Sunday, but they don’t say anything, respecting his decision.
As Sunday turns his back on everyone and begins to walk away, someone grabs his hand, stopping him from going.
“Wait,” comes a familiar voice, Dan Heng.
Sunday would be lying if he said he didn’t wish for Dan Heng to stop him. It doesn’t take more than three seconds for him to turn around to look at Dan Heng, feeling himself about to tear up but Dan Heng kneeling down and clutching onto his leg with desperation out of nowhere sure catches him off guard, he forgot that he originally even wanted to cry in the first place.
The Conductor, Trailblazer, March, Mr. Yang, and Miss Himeko blink their eyes. They seem surprised themselves. No one expected Dan Heng would do this, not even Sunday. He’s not one to do embarrassing stuff, after all. Every time Trailblazer and March drive him to do something ridiculous like doing karaoke or dancing, he would refuse merely because it’s embarrassing. Now he’s kneeling down to Sunday and clutching onto his leg like a… fool. The Astral Express influences caught up to him, just like it did to Sunday.
“I’m sorry, don’t leave,” Dan Heng apologizes, a panicked look on his face as though he’s terrified of Sunday leaving.
This is rather… awkward. Not to mention Dan Heng is being like this in front of everyone. Sunday, too, is honestly a shy person as Dan Heng. They have always had a lot in common. From their past, their personalities, even reading as their hobbies. That’s most likely why they’re very drawn to each other.
“Please stay,” Dan Heng begs. “I don’t want you to go.”
Sunday takes a look at the rest again. They seem weirded out. Yes, who wouldn’t get weirded out? He feels the blush of embarrassment coming up right to his cheeks and he bends his fingers towards the palm before bringing his hand to his mouth just like when he’s about to cough only to clear his throat, closing his eyes, unable to witness the scene any longer. “Dan Heng, please get up.”
“I won’t, not until you forgive me and change your mind to stay with the Express,” Dan Heng refuses, tightening his grip on Sunday. Ah… He’s not even letting go as though if he does, Sunday would leave.
“It’s not your fault, you don’t need to apologize, and I’ll… stay with the Express…” Sunday surrenders as he looks down at Dan Heng with concern.
Dan Heng stands up right away and pulls Sunday to his embrace.
“You’ve been avoiding me, I was thinking that my presence might be a bother to you so I have decided to leave the Express for good… The truth is, I didn’t want to leave any of you…” This time, Sunday is unable to help his tears from falling. He wishes he wasn’t such a crybaby.
“Silly, that’s not true at all.” Dan Heng reaches one hand to caress his fingers through Sunday’s hair, attempting to soothe him.
“See?! So it’s true! I knew it, it really is because of Dan Heng! Look at that, how awful! You made him cry!” March interrupts.
Dan Heng remains silent, but the guilt coming from him is loud.
“Why were you two fighting to begin with?” Trailblazer asks.
“He was jealous of Aventurine,” Sunday tells, still being embraced by Dan Heng.
“What the hell? Such a kid!” March remarks.
“Yeah, yeah, such a kid.” Trailblazer nods their head twice with hands on their waist.
“Shut up,” Dan Heng murmurs.
“Glad to know you two have made up now, fighting is not good.” Mr. Yang reminds.
Miss Himeko sighs in relief. “Really have us worried.”
“Sorry again,” Dan Heng whispers, tightening his embrace.
Sunday wraps his arms around Dan Heng’s back, finally reciprocating the embrace.
Suddenly, Dan Heng cups Sunday’s cheeks. Their eyes lock, both wanting the same thing. “That”.
“Dan Heng…” Sunday pleads with his eyes. He’s feeling needy.
“Come.” Dan Heng grabs Sunday’s wrist, walking him towards the Archives. “We’re taking it to the bed.”
March grimaces, knowing what Dan Heng meant by that. “Ew, gross.”
“Don’t… Don’t do inappropriate things at the Express!” the Conductor scolds, their face visibly red, both from anger and embarrassment.
But who’s gonna stop them? It’s not the first time, anyway.