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“Dan Heng,” Blade calls.
Dan Heng peeks up from his book, eyeing the swordsman cautiously, noticing the arm hidden behind his back. “Yes?”
His eyes widen as Blade suddenly brings forth his arm, revealing clutched in his hand a wrecked, clearly handpicked collection of harebells, each missing a couple petals and some even seeming suspiciously withered.
“For you.”
Dan Heng glances at him questioningly, but, nontheless, holds out his hand and allows Blade to place the flowers in his palm. A few more petals detach and make their way to the floor, and Dan Heng purses his lips. “Where… did you get these?”
“I stole them.” Blade says plainly.
Dan Heng raises an eyebrow. “...What?”
“Someone walking down the street in front of me had a bouquet, and told her friend she got them from the florist on that planet you and the Astral Express went to, Jarilo-VI. I plucked a few from her bouquet.” He gestures casually toward the harebells. “The Trailblazer told me you like flowers, so I thought these would be a decent gift.”
“Caelus told you I like flowers? And you believed him?” Den Heng asks incredulously.
Blade shrugs. “You seem like you’d like plants.”
Dan Heng sighs.
“Well, thank you anyway. They’re pretty.” He holds one flower between his thumb and forefinger, to which it droops over sadly, petals shriveling in on themselves. “But also quite withered. I’m not sure I know how to revive withered flowers.”
“Nor do I,” Blade comments, “But they’re not dust yet, so isn’t it fine?”
Dan Heng stares blankly at him. “Ren… when was the last time you received flowers?”
Blade shuffles on his feet slightly. “Never. I wasn’t aware you could even give flowers as a gift until recently.”
Dan Heng’s heart stops for a moment.
Blade has never been given flowers. Didn’t know until a little while ago that flowers were even considered a gift. And now, he’s using that knowledge to give someone flowers. Give Dan Heng flowers.
Dan Heng shakes his head, chuckling softly. He stands up, book forgotten on the sofa, and grips the harebells in his fist before holding them out to Blade.
“For you.”
A confused noise escapes Blade’s throat. “But–”
“Nobody has ever given you flowers, so let me be the first who does.”
Dan Heng watches Blade bite his lip nervously, hand twitching as he struggles to decide whether to accept or not. He glances down at his feet before responding.
“...I don’t deserve flowers.”
“Yes, you do,” Dan Heng insists, shaking the harebells slightly. “Take them.”
“No,” Blade responds, pushing them back toward Dan Heng. “I got them for you–”
“I’ve received plenty of bouquets in my life and will continue to be gifted more, Ren. Please.” He shoves his arm out again, gaze on the verge of desperation. “I want you to have them. You deserve kindness, too.”
The swordsman huffs, ears reddening. Without meeting Dan Heng’s eyes, he allows the other man to place the flowers into his trembling hands. “...Thank you.”
Dan Heng smiles softly, noting the way Blade ever so subtly hugs the harebells closer to his chest.
Maybe he'll make flowers a regular gift for Blade now.