Work Text:
Honestly.. After getting back after that big fight with ‘Phantylia’ on the ‘Xianzhou Luofu’, no doubt everyone is drained. So trudging back to their room, (Reader) makes an exhausted trek over to the car door. Himeko is going back to creating her 5th coffee, and Welt is just going to take a much needed break. March 7th is going to do some mild stress-shopping online. No worries.
But Dan Heng? Well, is it ‘Imbibitor Lunae’ now? Dan… Feng??? Even just asking themselves that question makes (Reader) more tired. Though, they do feel pity for the Express’ cloud-piercer-turned-back-into-Vidyadhara (???). He really had gotten a lot of pressure from the sudden reveal and (Reader) couldn't imagine how he felt. So for now, they just wanted to go to their room and take the fattest nap they could, leaving Dan Heng to relax and rejuvenate himself.
Arriving and flopping on their bed, (Reader) turns and lays on their back to stare at the ceiling. You'd think that they would be passing out right away, but they aren't. There is just too much to think about.
“..Damn..” (Reader) gruffed to themselves, body feeling achy, yet mind awake. “..Dan Heng…”
Pause.
“..Really did look even more attractive with horns and a tail.” (Reader) has come to that embarrassing conclusion purely on intrusive thoughts and thinking out loud. Which they quickly realized and groaned into their hands. “..Oh cmon (Reader).. He could be insanely hurt mentally and emotionally and all you could think about is how attractive he is…!!”
Of course Dan Heng would be affected emotionally. He somehow gained the form of… Some guys past body!! If anything, that body isn't even Dan Hengs! Yet.. At the same time it is. It should be. It was his past life?? The concept of what happened with the big reveal and identity crisis Dan Heng is having was kind of complicated and a lot to take in after a crazed battle.
Internally berating themselves, (Reader) should be leaving poor Dan Heng alone. And yet here they are, gushing and tweaking out over the pure adrenaline of seeing a new side of the normally stoic and quiet member of the Express. To ease their now rioting mind, (Reader) closes their eyes in an attempt to sleep. But of course, that does not help. And instead, pictures and moments from the fight with ‘Phantylia’ kept playing over and over again. Fortunately, it wasn't all just frames of Dan Heng in his dragon form, but from how admirable he is for continuing to fight even though he could easily be exerting himself.
And that's one of the things that made (Reader) feel so fond of Dan Heng; For his constant determination and passion to protect everybody is just admirable, even if he gets hurt in the process.
..Which is why (Reader) suddenly feels the need to check-up on Dan Heng and make sure he’s okay. Filled with an abrupt injection of energy, (Reader) springs out of bed and makes a quick trot down to Dan Heng’s room, filled with good intentions.
And yet they pause in front of his door, about to knock. They stop because… What if Dan Heng wanted to be alone? To think about all of the sins that he had to inherit from the previous ‘Imbibitor Lunae’? All of a sudden, (Reader)’s head gets heavy with guilt for lack of consideration on that part.
But to make themselves feel better, instead of making this an energetic pick-me-up for Dan Heng, (Reader) decides to just gently ask if Dan Heng needed anything. And so they knock.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
There was silence on the other side, but a small, tired ‘Come in’ was heard. (Reader), being ecstatic that Dan Heng seemed willing enough to let them in, quietly opened the door and peeked their head inside.
“Dan… Heng?” (Reader) starts off with a mellow voice. “You doing…” Their eyes glaze over Dan Heng, who is still in his Vidyadhara form for a few seconds. Those beautiful turquoise horns on the dark shade of his hair.. And that long mystical tail that curled around his body as he sat on the floor was just adorable and serene.
Shaking their head, (Reader) clears their throat softly. “..Al..right?” They finally finished as Dan Heng turned his head around.
And so, that's where his fatigue is clear. His face was a little gloomier than his normal gloomy, the visible clues of him being very exhausted. Those greenish-blueish eyes were also glazed with overwhelming swirls of both energy and maybe of (Reader) hallucinating movement and life in those eyes. This poor man looked so stressed and tired. Truly an unfortunate combo for all.
Blinking and sighing, Dan Heng looked down at his crossed legs. “..I’m.. fine. Thank you for asking (Reader).” He responds, but just has that kind of vibe that he is clearly trying to make himself feel better and not have (Reader) worry about him. Maybe gaslight himself thinking that everything is okay and that everything isn't overwhelming and just a chore to move.
Sensing absolute BS, (Reader) tilted their head as they ended up walking inside and closing his door behind them. “You sure? Cause it looks like you could drink some of Himeko’s coffee..” They joked, but quickly regretted it as it didn't seem like the right time to say that. Or, maybe it was. Either way Dan Heng didn't look as amused as (Reader) hoped.
In response to that, Dan Heng only ‘Hmm'd' and didn't comment on (Reader) entering his room without explicit permission, which (Reader) subconsciously thanked. It’s not that they meant to intrude, it was just a moment of awkwardness.
The silence being so damn loud, (Reader) tries to then find some things to say or do that would lift Dan Heng’s spirits. “..So…” (Reader) says a bit awkwardly. “..Do you need anything?”
“No thank you. Not at the moment.” Dan Heng responds with a firm tone that quickly falters to being a lazy and muttered response at the end.
“..Ah.” (Reader) nodded slowly. At this point, they're just mentalling kicking themselves at how poorly planned out this little thing is becoming. Or well, didn't become since it’s been a literal wreck since (Reader) put their idea in motion.
“..I was just going to go back to meditating; Thinking about all of my newly shouldered responsibilities and stuff..” Dan Hend uttered as he sighed, staring back down on the floor.
Clearly he has been meditating for a long time, not physically sleeping or resting his sore body. (Reader) could very well see that. Their butt was just getting cramps thinking about it.
“Okay well.. Couldn't you take a break from meditating for a little?” They suggest. “Maybe even catch some needed sleep..” (Reader) adds. “You don’t really look so good, and resting can always help make you feel better.” They stop at that because it just sounds like they're bossing Dan Heng around with backhand comments. Why would they even tell him that he doesnt look good??
However, the dragon didn't seem to think so and looked up at (Reader) from the ground. “..Maybe you're right… But still. I have a lot on my mind and can't seem to relax.” He admits. “There are a lot of things that happened and are complicated. I’m having trouble trying to organize them on my own and in my head with how heavy they are..”
(Reader)’s heart pangs from feeling the heartfelt vulnerability coming from Dan Heng, as he really does try to handle things the best he could. Everyone on the express could say that Dan Heng works very hard. So (Reader) walks over and sits next to Dan Heng, also crossing their legs in that same kind of meditating position. Except they shifted their ankles a little bit because for some reason their legs couldn't seem to cooperate at that moment and were cramping.
“Well, since you're tired.. Why don't I read whatever you need to you?” (Reader) offers with pure intentions. “That way you don't have to strain yourself to cram more information into your brain!!”
Dan Heng’s face brightened up at the kind offer. “..How nice of you (Reader)..” He nodded appreciatively. Then shifted around and leaned back towards his small collection of books.
Tail moving out of his way, Dan Heng grabs a book about further research and notes on ‘Mara-struck’ or something. Handing (Reader) the book, Dan Heng leaned and relaxed on the floor. “There is still a lot we have to know about ‘mara’. Now that the Stellaron Hunters are closely affected by it..” He mumbled towards the end.
(Reader) holds the book and shifts over to Dan Heng, but not too close. “A book on being ‘Mara-struck’ huh..” They murmured in some amusement, then just opened up to a random page. “..Uhhh… being ‘Mara-struck’ is a phenomenon where…”
And so for the next 10 minutes, (Reader) and Dan Heng both chill on the floor as they educate and evaluate more about being mara-struck. (Reader) is much more energetic than the dragon, as the latter was just sitting there, listening along in silence as the tip of his tail flicked occasionally. But of course, things were getting repetitive and lengthy; that was clear when (Reader) started to read with less energy and the same enthusiasm before. Even Dan Heng was nodding off to all of the ‘super intellectual information’ on the mara-struck. Taking this as the cue to stop, (Reader) closes the book softly and sets it aside. Thank goodness.
Sighing, (Reader) scoots up against the wall and rested their heavy on the shelf behind them. “Hah.. Sorry Dan Heng. But If I have to read notes on being ‘Mara-struck’ again I might knock myself out.” They apologized, looking at the horns on Dan Heng’s head first then at his tired face.
Dan Heng on the other hand, also followed in (Reader)’s lead, moving up and leaned against the shelf. “..It’s alright.”
“..So.. Do you feel more relaxed or..” (Reader) asks quietly, a yawn suddenly comes over them, so they just yawn into their hand. “..Cause I’m feeling tired again..”
At the question, Dan Heng’s tail sways back and forth on his floor, making no sound. “..I do feel.. Better, actually. Maybe I can actually sleep.” He sighs, feeling a little relieved and grateful for (Reader)’s help.
Smiling, (Reader) nodded and thought for a few seconds. They had an idea. A stupidly personal idea. But an idea. “..Yeah? Well uh,” They patted their lap with uncertainty. “...Maybe… A… HEAD MASSAGE would get you to fully relax??? You said before that you had a lot on your mind so why don't I smooth out those overwhelming feelings and thoughts?” (Reader) babbled.
Dan Heng stared blankly at the suggestion. Then sighed. “...Would that even work…?” He asks skeptically. “That sounds more like a headache than anything relaxing. But I appreciate your kind idea.
“..I don't know.” (Reader) admits sheepishly. And they definitely know they should stop talking before they keep talking stupid. “...And maybe you're right.”
“Then it would be best to not try it. It might make my head hurt more.” Dan Heng said. Then looked away. He takes a deep sigh, seeming to calm his breathing.
Feeling a little embarrassed, (Reader) also looks away and at the lamp near his bed. “..Maybe you can't sleep because the light is on.” They say, reaching over then turned the lamp off. Oh yes what a great idea!! The lights!! Bravo! Definitely could help him relax.
Click.
The lights are off, and Dan Heng’s room suddenly turns dim. The only light source is coming from the radiating light from the nearby technology in the room. Dan Heng makes no comments. And instead just sat there in silent brooding with a calm exterior that has underlying rough waters of conflicting thoughts.
Silence returns once more.
(Reader) thinks again and looks at Dan Heng once again in a side-glance. “..So.. How does having horns and a long tail feel?” They ask quietly. It was a genuine question now. Regardless, (Reader) was just trying to think of things to converse about.
Dan Heng looked over and looked away again. “It feels the same. Think of it as an extra limb of sorts. The tail, I mean.”
“Ah..” (Reader) slowly nods. Quite interesting. As cool as that sounds, they might rather stay a humanoid being than have horns and a tail. The feeling of having an extra limb seems a bit too…. Other… Worldly? Not even the right description that poorly expresses the thought of having feeling in an extension of your body.
Awkward silence again.
“...So.. Were you always part of the Vidyadhara? Or did you just reconnect with…” (Reader) makes a confused hand gesture. Then dropped them, waving a hand. “..Nevermind.” They muttered at their dumb question.
“..It’s a part of my heritage.” However, Dan Heng paid no mind to it and still answered anyway, and went back to focusing on clearing his head. Or, that's something that we can only assume he’s doing.
At this point, a few minutes pass with the heavy silence. And maybe from too many awkward moments, (Reader) starts dozing off. Or well, their head is going up and down repeatedly. Glancing over once again, Dan Heng looked up and down (Reader) and made a few shifts over. Their knees make contact and (Reader) jolted up and awake, only to be met with sudden weight on their lap; A pair of light blue eyes meet up and gaze at their own from their lap, and blinked tiredly, only to look off to the side.
(Reader) doesn't say anything at first, and just sits there stunned. And only did their attention hone in as one of Dan Heng’s horn things ghosted against their shirt. They stare and stare, Dan Heng stares and stares off to the side in return. Kind of an awkward action, but (Reader) makes do with it and slowly brings a hand to pat the top of Dan Heng’s head.
His hair is soft. It was visually longer, and more… Luscious?? Voluminous? Whatever it is, it’s satisfying to the touch, quickly making (Reader) addicted to petting it as weird as it sounds. Dan Heng just closed his eyes at the sensation, and does not reject or fuss about it. So (Reader) continued for a few more strokes and moved down to Dan Heng’s face.
Testing the waters, (Reader) makes a few pokes at his cheeks. Dan Heng makes a surprised grunt at first, but does not react any further. Instead he continued relaxing as if he were at a relaxing spa.
So.. progress..? Progress for what who knows. (Reader) stops poking and moves down to his chin, cupping the soft V-shape with their fingers, thumb rubbing up against his cheek. Dan Heng’s eyes remained closed, but slightly tensed at the newfound touch, but he ultimately leaned into (Reader)’s hand and made a shallow, relaxing sigh. But that ‘sigh’ comes out as some kind of… Purring noise.? Or the small, cute and soft ones that a cat would make.
(Reader) freezes. What the heck?? But couldn't help but resume again. Who knew dragons could make such noises! Every few strokes and rubs on his cheeks produced similar meowlings, and caused some reaction in his tail - which swayed back and forth in a gradual pace, much like a feline.
Not sure how much time passed, (Reader) figured that this would be a good time to have Dan Heng take a nap and rest his body finally. Only to look down and find the Vidyadhara-being already dozing away, still leaning into their warm, soft touch with his smooth skin. (Reader) smiled to themselves, happy that they could finally have Dan Heng rest and get the sleep he deserved.
Dan Heng made another faint purring noise as he slept, and (Reader) tried to hold their composure. It was fascinating how a majestic yet imposing Vidyadhara could make such adorable noises while being comforted and sleeping soundly. Honestly, it was quite cute. And who wouldn't want to just make a face at something so out of the ordinary yet comforting?
Dragons are powerful and demand respect and acknowledgement. But so do cats. They are powerful in their own right and also deserve care and affection.