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teaberrii · 1 year ago

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Chapter 11: Be Mine

You've been Cupid for as long as you can remember. You've brought countless soulmates together, yet you've never found love.

When you're assigned to bring two childhood friends back together, it should be simple until you unexpectedly catch feelings for the mysterious and cold Ph.D. student, Dan Heng, the man with a soulmate… the man with answers to your past.

Dan Heng/You

Chapter warnings: Smut

Notes:

Cross-posted on Ao3

Female reader

Chapter index at the end of chapter one

“This is your house?” Pom asks incredulously.

Dan Heng’s family home reminds you of something straight from the movies. A modern, three-story home with a large open balcony on the third floor. Large glass windows are on every floor; if they aren't tinted, you and Pom will have seen a black-ringed chandelier hanging in the spacious living room.

Dan Heng isn’t surprised at you and Pom’s reaction to his family home. While Dan Heng told you and Pom that the disease seemed to target people from wealthy families, he didn't mention that one of the victims had been his mother. He doesn't want to point fingers, especially when there are still missing pieces.

“Damn,” Pom continues. “You’re rich rich!”

It hasn’t always been like that though.

When Pom walks ahead, you glance at Dan Heng. “Is there a reason why you suddenly invited us to dinner?”

To impress you. To show you it’s not just Pom who can cook. As much as Dan Heng wants to make light of the situation, he does have a motive.

“My father invited Stelle and her father.”

You remember the bits and pieces of the conversation you’d overheard at the restaurant. Could this dinner be an excuse to talk about a potential marriage between Dan Heng and Stelle? The thought should excite you, yet you feel anxious and uncomfortable.

“He said he doesn’t have any motives,” Dan Heng continues. "But… I do have my doubts.”

You place a hand on your hip and wag a finger at him. “So, you’re using us to get out of being potentially betrothed.”

You swear you see him smirk, but it’s gone as quickly as it came. “That’s one way of looking at it.” His soft smile makes the butterflies come alive. “It’s also a way for me to introduce you to my father.”

It could’ve been a friendly statement, but the way he’s looking at you says otherwise. It’s something you’ve come to realize about Dan Heng’s borderline flirty advances. The serious look in his eyes has no room for doubt or jokes. For a moment, you entertain the possibility that he wants you. Likes you. Loves you. But you quickly shake the thought away.

“I don’t know how he’d take the news that his son is hanging out with a god.”

“He doesn’t have to know everything… yet.”

You almost chuckle. “I never thought you would have a rebellious side.”

“I have many more.”

Your breath gets caught in your throat when you see his gaze darkens. You hold his stare until Pom’s voice snaps you out of it.

“Stelle!”

You and Dan Heng look away from each other, and he quietly clears his throat. But then he looks over his shoulder and smiles. “Let’s go.”

You and Pom are the first to enter. Dan Heng is the last and closes the door behind him.

“I hope you don’t mind extra guests,” Dan Heng says to Stelle.

“Not at all. I just wasn’t expecting it.”

The interior of Dan Heng's house is just as extravagant as the outside. Clean, and bright, but what catches your eye is the white, gray, black, and beige colour scheme that's similar to Dan Heng's apartment.

When you enter the living room, you see two men sitting on adjacent couches. One of them strongly resembles Dan Heng, which you assume is his father. He looks just as tall as his son, but his gaze is sharp, almost as if he's judging you. His features still look quite refined for his age.

“Your friends?”

You turn to the other man, who you assume is Stelle's father. Does he know about his son's condition? Or is he also out of the loop like his daughter?

After Dan Heng introduces you and Pom, his father gestures for you and Pom to sit. As you and Pom sit on an empty couch, Dan Heng speaks up. “Has Agnes started cooking?“

“Of course.”

“I’ll go help her.”

His father looks at Dan Heng as if he’s grown a second head. “But… you don’t know how to cook.”

A soft laugh accidentally escapes you, and you quickly put a hand over your mouth, hoping to mask it with a quiet cough. But Dan Heng quickly catches on.

“Wait, wait,” Pom says, turning to Dan Heng. “Does this mean Gepard does all the cooking?”

“I think they get takeout more frequently than other people,” Stelle says.

"I've been learning," Dan Heng says. It’s the first time a slight desperation breaks through his usual calm voice.

His father waves Dan Heng off toward the kitchen. “Well, be careful not to burn the house down.”

“I won’t,” Dan Heng deadpans.

You watch Dan Heng walk away, not knowing that Dan Heng wants to cook something… anything for you. It’s not until you hear his father say your name that you turn away.

“How did you meet my son?”

Pom laughs softly. “Oh, well, if you want the full story, we stalked—”

You elbow Pom in the side and say, “At school. He’s my senior.”

"It's funny, actually," Stelle pops in. "Pom was part of my security team at my last fan meet."

“Interesting… and may I ask what your parents do?”

You and Pom glance at each other, but it’s Pom who says, “We… don’t know them.”

You hope you kept your poker face because you’re sweating buckets on the inside. Pom told the truth, but anything after that will become a web of lies, and you hope you and Pom can keep up.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Dan Heng’s father says, looking apologetic.

“Does this mean you grew up together?” Stelle’s father asks.

“That’s right,” you say. It’s not really a lie.

“This is my first time hearing about this,” Stelle says, visibly surprised.

Pom laughs awkwardly. “Ah, yes, well… you never asked.”

"It's been a while since my son brought home some new friends," Dan Heng's father says, crossing one leg over the other as it looks like he’s studying you and Pom. "He's usually too busy studying."

“Well, what can we say?” Pom says, hoping to lighten up the situation. “Cupid and I are special.”

“Cupid?”

You mentally facepalm as Pom forces a little smile. “It’s her nickname.”

“That’s an interesting nickname."

“You never shared the story of why people call you that,” Stelle adds. “I’m curious myself.”

A sudden short scream from the kitchen makes heads turn. You quickly stood and rush to the kitchen before everyone else. When you get there, you see a puff of smoke, a rolling pot lid on the stove, and Dan Heng holding his hand and looking as if in pain.

“What happened?” you ask, quickly walking over.

The surprise on his face is brief, and he quickly looks at the burn on his finger. “It’s nothing, I—”

You take his hand, and Dan Heng almost forgets about the pain. Then, without letting go, you open the tap and put his finger under the cold running water. You’re looking at his burn, but Dan Heng is looking at you.

“Oh, my!” The gasp makes you turn. “What happened?”

An older woman walks up, but before you can move away from him, he gently puts his other hand around your shoulder. “Everything’s fine, Agnes,” he says.

“He burned himself,” you say to the woman. “Do you have a gauze?”

“Yes! I’ll get them right away!”

Once the woman leaves, you suddenly hear Dan Heng’s low voice beside your ear. “How long are you going to keep holding my hand?”

Startled, you turn around, your lips almost brushing against his cheek. His eyes are on you, and you swallow, not knowing that he takes note of the slight bob of your throat and how you’re darting your eyes before finally focusing on him.

“Are you sure they’re just friends?”

You nor Dan Heng hear the question from Stelle’s father. The men along with Pom and Stelle are standing by the kitchen doorway, watching you and Dan Heng.

"They've, uh, gotten pretty close," Pom says, glancing at Dan Heng's father out of the corner of his eye. The man doesn't look amused, but Pom isn't certain. His poker face is as strong as his son's. There's no telling what's exactly on his mind.

“Dan Heng,” Stelle says, entering the kitchen.

You and Dan Heng move away from each other. That’s when you see everyone else at the kitchen doorway.

“Oh, excuse me!”

Pom and Stelle’s father steps aside for Agnes, the household maid, to bring what you’d asked for. Agnes puts them on the kitchen counter and says something, but it falls on deaf ears as you suddenly feel nervous. Perhaps it’s because of the intimidating way Dan Heng’s father is looking at the two of you as if you got caught doing something you aren’t supposed to be doing.

“Should I help with the gauze?” Stelle asks.

You awkwardly step back and let Stelle handle Dan Heng’s wound. Yet, when you look at him, his eyes also meet yours.

“There. All finished,” Stelle says, looking up at him. However, Dan Heng isn’t looking at her, and she looks over her shoulder and sees you’re helping Agnes clean up the kitchen. “Dan Heng?”

He looks down. “Thanks, Stelle.” Then, he pulls his hand away.

“Well, dinner is ready, everybody!” Agnes says cheerily.

At the dinner table, you and Dan Heng are sitting across from each other. Stelle, who looks at all the dishes on the table, smiles and asks, “Which dish is yours, Dan Heng?”

“Or did it not make it to the table?” you tease.

“I helped with all of them,” Dan Heng says, but you know he’s attempting to save some face.

Pom smiles. “Maybe I could give you some lessons!”

“Are we getting Teacher Pom?” Stelle asks.

“Ooh, Teacher Pom! I like the sound of that.” Pom grabs some food for his plate.

Chopsticks in hand, you and Dan Heng reach for the same dish. You're expecting him to grab some food for himself first, but he uses his chopsticks to put the food on your plate.

“I wouldn’t mind,” he says.

“Since when were you interested in cooking, Dan Heng?” his father asks.

Since he found out that Pom cooks for you, but Dan Heng says, “I’m going to have to learn eventually.”

Stelle grabs some food for herself. “So, what’s the real reason Dan Heng and I are here?” You never expect Stelle to ask such a blunt question. “Something’s up, right?”

Stelle’s father takes out his phone, gives it a few taps, and shows it to his daughter. “Looks like you you didn’t see this.”

When Stelle leans forward to take a look, Dan Heng’s father says, “You should also take a look, Dan Heng.”

And that’s when Stelle and Dan Heng see a tabloid article of a “rumoured couple” with the said couple being themselves. There are pictures of them together from the festival, including one of Stelle grabbing onto Dan Heng’s arm when they came out of the medieval castle.

“It’s everywhere on the Internet. I’m surprised you haven’t heard about it.”

Dan Heng frowns. “It’s not true."

“I told you I was going to the festival with friends,” Stelle adds. She looks at you and Pom. "They were there! It… wasn’t a date.”

“Don’t tell me you called us here just to confirm some groundless rumours,” Dan Heng says flatly.

“No,” Stelle’s father says calmly. “I want to ask you to continue it.”

“What?”

You and Pom almost join Stelle and Dan Heng’s simultaneous response.

“What are you saying?” Stelle asks.

"In a few days, the media will release an article… about The Withering." You and Pom almost drop your chopsticks. "Apparently, there's been another victim."

Looks like Caelus fed his father the same lies he fed his friends. What Dan Heng doesn’t understand is how the media got wind of this information. Caelus requested privacy. No one but a select few are supposed to know.

“What does that have to do with this?” Stelle asks.

“From what we know, there’s been no progress on finding a cure. Experts are speaking about the incompetence of the industry… and the government.”

You’re starting to see where Stelle’s father is going with this. If they can’t stop free speech, the government can attempt to divert people’s attention elsewhere, hoping the general public will forget about it.

“Does the media know the victim?” you ask reluctantly.

“No,” Stelle’s father answers. “Their name won’t be mentioned, but that’s not what’s important.”

Will he still be saying that if he knows it’s his son?

“I don’t know much about this disease myself," Stelle's father continues. "But it’s very rare. Is it not? Regardless, we don't want to frighten the public.”

Dan Heng looks at his father. If Dan Heng didn’t know what he knew, he would’ve said something. Isn’t his father curious? Is he not curious about the disease that claimed his mother’s life? Wouldn’t he want the government to do more?

“We’re not asking you to date,” Stelle’s father says. “Just continue the rumours for the interest of the public for a few months until this article blows over.”

You and Pom glance at each other. This feels so… surreal.

“Dan Heng.” Everyone turns to his father. “It’s just a small favour. It’s not like we’re asking you to marry each other.”

You look at Dan Heng; it doesn’t look like he’s going to change his mind. And, frankly… you don’t want him to, but you refuse to acknowledge the quiet voice that’s also been screaming at you that you are, in fact, attracted to Dan Heng. However, you think back to your assignment. What’s going to happen if you don’t complete it? Well, it’s not like you’re abandoning it. You’re just… prolonging it until you find out about your past.

Yeah, that’s it.

“Did you forget about the time he helped us? He got us out of a rough situation."

Dan Heng didn’t forget. There was a time when the world nearly fell into chaos over another mysterious disease. Except, this one was much more contagious, and left the hospitality and tourism industry in shambles. His father had just opened new hotels a year before and had yet to see a return on the investment. The pandemic had pulled them into a deeper rock bottom.

It was Stelle’s father who helped keep them afloat when things got really rough. While Dan Heng wasn’t aware of everything that was going on, he knew of their involvement in helping his father. Once things were looking up again, his father returned all the money Stelle’s father gave him during tough times.

“Think about it, Dan Heng,” Stelle’s father says.

Dan Heng doesn’t need to think about it. He doesn’t want to do it, but he knows better than to cause a public scene, especially in front of you.

The silence that settles drags on until Stelle begins to talk about her movie that's going to be released soon, which lightens up the mood.

Soon, Dan Heng heads to the kitchen to grab a drink. As soon as he closes the door of the fridge, he sees his father at the doorway out of the corner of his eye.

“Is there a reason why you’re so against this favour?”

It's a complete joke, Dan Heng wants to say. But, instead, he says, "I doubt the public has that much interest in Stelle's love life." He opens the bottle. "People will forget about it after a week."

“Are you sure it’s not because of your friend?” Then, his father says your name. Dan Heng stops and puts his hands on the counter. “I saw how she was treating your burn. You didn’t seem to mind.”

Are you dating? The unvoiced question lingers in the air.

Dan Heng doesn’t want to answer that question. So, instead, he asks, "Why would I mind?" He puts the drink back and walks away with his drink.

After dinner, Stelle and her father are the first to leave. Dan Heng is walking you and Pom to the station when Pom asks, “Are you… going to do it, Dan Heng?”

“No.”

But there’s something that’s bothering him.

“Do you think it’s Jing Yuan who leaked this to the media?” you ask.

Looks like you two are on the same page.

“Caelus wanted to keep this a secret,” Dan Heng says. “He requested this to remain private.”

“Is it likely he had a change of heart?” Pom asks.

“If he did, he never told me or showed any signs, and I’d assume he would tell those closest to him first. It’s difficult to say whether Jing Yuan is behind this or not, but I don’t see how he’d benefit. Unless…”

“There’s something we don’t know about yet,” you finish quietly.

Once you reach the station, Pom sighs. “So much for getting pampered.”

You gently nudge him. “It was a good dinner.”

“It was! But I was hoping for a relaxing evening without all the talk about the you-know-what.”

You can’t argue with that. Your lives are revolving around this god-forsaken disease, and you don’t like it at all.

“Well, before I become a third wheel again, I’ll let you two say your fare-thee-wells. Toodles!”

Pom walks off, leaving you and Dan Heng alone, though both of you have a slightly amused smile.

“There’s never a dull moment with Pom around, it seems.”

You laugh. “Never.”

Then, Dan Heng slightly looks away as he says, “There’s… a favour I’d like to ask.”

This is a surprise. “I’m listening.”

Dan Heng doesn't know whether his father will stop grilling him about his relationship with you. But why waste an opportunity?

“It’s true Stelle’s father helped us financially when things were rough,” Dan Heng says. “My father repaid him all the money when our situation improved. So… I don’t want to help him with this favour.” You nod in understanding. "But I don't know if my father will keep pestering me on this or not. I want him off my back if I'm being blunt. So…" Dan Heng walks toward you until he's at arm's length. Then, he looks you straight in the eyes and asks, "Can I say you're my girlfriend?"

◆◆◆

You madly opened drawers, looked under your covers, and dug around every nook and cranny of your room. Your heart sank into the pit of your stomach the longer your search continued. It was gone. The notebook you used to keep in touch with Young was officially gone.

“Looking for something, Love?”

You spun around at the slightly threatening-sounding voice. Jing Yuan stood at the door. His eyes were full of disappointment yet were still as sharp as a wolf.

“As a matter of fact, I am,” you answered cautiously.

Jing Yuan reached into his hanfu and pulled out the notebook. “Is this what you’re looking for?”

Your face went pale. How did Jing Yuan know about it? You had deliberately kept the notebook a secret, but it wasn’t because you and Young were exchanging secret messages no one should know about. The notebook was imbued with magic, its functionality something that surpassed how much humans knew about magic.

"Who gave this to you?"

“Give it back.” You walked toward him and reached for it, but he swiftly raised it higher. You didn't bother jumping for it. “That belongs to me, Jing Yuan.”

“Why are you being so secretive?” He grabbed your wrist and forced you to the wall. “What are you doing behind my back, hm?”

You couldn’t tell him about Young. Unlike you, Jing Yuan despised creatures like Young, as his parents were supposedly murdered by them many years ago.

"I'm not doing anything behind your back!"

Jing Yuan scoffed. "Do you take me for a fool? I know what this notebook does." He tightened the grip on your wrist, and you winced in pain. "I know you've been talking to Young."

The colour drained from your face. How did he come to that conclusion? Young had told you that no one could use the notebook but you.

“Let me go, Jing Yuan,” you said bitterly.

He slammed a hand beside your head, and you instantly stiffened. “How long has he been doing it?”

“What are you talking about?”

Jing Yuan smiled wryly. “How long has he been fucking you so you’ll become his pathetic human spy?”

Your face flared with anger. “You are disgusting."

You would’ve spat in his face if his lips suddenly claimed yours as if to prove a point. Your mind was screaming as you did everything in your power to reject his advances. This wasn’t the Jing Yuan you knew. This wasn’t the man you loved. Or… thought to have loved.

Jing Yuan eventually released you. Your clothes were in disarray, and you were clearly shaken, but you still mustered the courage to glare at him.

“Get out,” you seethed.

Jing Yuan tossed the notebook to your feet. “The maids found it while cleaning your room. If you’re going to cheat, at least try to hide it.”

You picked up the notebook just as Jing Yuan slammed the door.

Your marriage was over before it even began, but that was the least of your worries.

At first, you didn't understand why Jing Yuan didn't broadcast to the world that you were "secretly seeing" Young. But the psychological toll it was taking on you made you realize why. He enjoyed having you wrapped around his finger. He would threaten to expose your secret to your parents, everyone in the palace, and the public if you didn't do what you were told. To Jing Yuan, you were still going to be his wife. He'd dote on you, but it was all an act. If you broke off the marriage, everyone would question you. Not him.

You were the King's daughter, but in an era where men were considered more important than women, no one paid much attention to you. You were an accessory who received little praise for doing something right, but god forbid you did something "wrong."

At first, you tried to contact Young through the notebook, but when Young didn't reply for days, you knew Jing Yuan did something to it. As days went by, you felt more and more alone. Even your brother, who you thought you could confide in, had reprimanded you.

“I told you it was dangerous to keep in touch with him,” he said. “It’s your fault you got yourself into this mess.”

“Are you saying what Jing Yuan did was right?” you fired back. “I know he’s been seeing other women.”

It was just the other night you caught him drinking with a woman wearing a hanfu that barely covered her large breasts. His eyes had met yours, but you shut the door so fast that you didn't see his smirk. You'd thought to catch him in the act, but he was always one step ahead. He did something to the women he slept with and concealed it using magic. But it was magic you knew about as Young had told you about it before. In other words, Jing Yuan knew more than he should.

“That was after he found out you were having an affair with Young.”

“I was not!” You exhaled sharply. "J ing Yuan's dangerous. He—"

"That's enough, Sister." Your brother sighed, and your heart sank even further. "Your heart was never in the right place. You knew about the dangers, yet you were risking your life for what? Young? Think about it. You’re in love with him.”

You had been ignoring the small voice in your mind that you were in love with Young. Perhaps the more you denied it, the feeling would go away. You and Young could never happen. But hearing it said out loud was like you were hit with a ton of bricks. You had nowhere to run. You had to accept the truth, but you didn't want to think about this now.

He shook his head in disappointment. “I pity you, Sister.”

Then, he closed the door to your room, leaving you alone.

Unbeknownst to you, you stir in your sleep as the tears began to fall. You’re clutching your blanket tightly as another piece of your past comes back to you.

You had just finished bathing and returned to your room when you saw a white dove perched on one of the wooden frames. When you got closer, there was a note attached to its foot. You thought it would fly away, but it allowed you to untie the parchment.

May I come in?

You recognized the handwriting and the magic. When you quietly said, "Yes"," you sensed a comforting presence behind you. You heard Young say your name, and you turned, almost crying when he took you in his arms.

“I missed you.”

“I couldn’t get in touch with you,” you said quietly, taking comfort in hearing his heartbeat. “The notebook… Jing Yuan…”

"He did something to it, didn't he?" Young said bitterly.

You pulled away. “How did you know?"

"He threatened me."

Young told you about how Jing Yuan used the notebook to figure out who he was. Young had his suspicions that it wasn't you, but that couldn't be possible... unless someone had the knowledge and the magic to break the seal.

"He knows more than he lets on," Young continued.

“What did he want from you?”

You and Young were sitting next to each other on the bed.

It turned out Jing Yuan was threatening your life in exchange for information on dark magic.

“I’ll kill her,” Jing Yuan had said to Young.

“You’re supposed to love her,” Young said, glaring at the general.

"Love her?" Jing Yuan scoffed. "Don't make me laugh." Young clenched his fists. This was the man you were supposed to marry? "Not when she's in love with another man." Young's heart had almost skipped a beat. You? In love with another man? Could it be...? Jing Yuan glared at Young. "Do we have a deal?"

Jing Yuan? And dark magic? That was not a good combination. You clenched your fists, but Young put his hand over yours, and you naturally held his hand.

“You gave him what he wanted?” you asked quietly.

“He wasn’t sane. I could never risk losing you.”

You looked him in the eyes. “But—”

Young put a hand on your cheek and leaned in until his soft lips touched yours. Your eyes widened. It was just for a moment, but it ignited something within you.

“I love you,” Young said quietly. “...I love you with all my heart.”

You blinked once and the tears began to fall. Then, you quickly pulled him close and kissed him full on the mouth. His tongue slid into your mouth like a sword into its sheath. His hand finds its way around your head, gently pulling you closer until he was intimately kissing you with all that he had. He'd dreamt of this moment, but you tasted so much better than he could've ever imagined. The want. The love. The desire. It was conveyed in this one kiss that opened the skies and broke the heavens.

Your hands landed on his hard chest while Young's slowly slid down your thin robe. Coupled with how his tongue danced with yours, by God, you needed more. One of your hands slipped into his hanfu, feeling his taut muscles, and your kiss broke for a second for you to hear a quiet, low moan from his delicious mouth.

By the time you pulled away, your face was flushed and your pupils were dilating. Your desire for this man had been cut from its rusting chains, and you wanted him to—

“...Love me,” you said before you could stop yourself. You felt a little embarrassed, but Young's gaze only darkened with desire. You swallowed thickly. “...Please.”

You could feel his breath on your lips. He said your name in a low voice that almost made you shiver. In one swoop, Young had you on your back. His lips grazed your neck, and you heard him whisper, "Then, I won't hold back."

Young’s lips found yours again as his hands undid your robe. His fiery kisses continue again and again as the pad of his thumb massaged a nipple with a circular motion until it was hard and round as a delicate pearl. Young lowered his head and took one into his mouth, his tongue slow and measured as he worked to satisfy his carnal appetite for you. Yet, the more he tried, the more his desire grew.

“Ah…”

Your breathy moans spurred him on, and the animalistic desire to pleasure you soared to new heights. One of his hands slid lower, feeling the curves of your body he'd never thought he would touch. Your legs parted even more when you felt his hand dipping lower to your core. Sliding the fabric of your undergarments aside, he slowly slid two fingers inside. He raised his head, watching how your expressions change as he moved his fingers in a come-hither motion that worked to stimulate your G-spot and clit at the same time.

Your hips moved to the motion of his fingers as you reached for his heightened desire that was throbbing beneath his hanfu. Young’s fingers slid out at your short cry. He was on his knees, and as you watched him undress, the sight of his naked chest did nothing to calm the vertigo he had subjected you to when he kissed you. Your face flushed at the sight of his heavy sex that made your imagination ran wild.

His hands were on either side of your head; you curled your legs around him. When he slowly slid into you, you heard him curse, something you’ve never heard before in the many years you’ve known him. It was strangely erotic.

Your bodies began moving together. His steady but deep thrusts against the roll of your hips. Your arms were on his back, legs tightly around him, as Young began moving faster… stronger… until you could barely contain the moans and gasps he so easily elicited. But you weren't the only one. His breathing became erratic; he muttered another vulgarity, and he almost growled your name in pleasure beside your ear.

Your head was rolled back, eyes on the ceiling as you basked in the newfound pleasure. Suddenly, Young tilted your head down, and you felt his soft lips against yours, kissing you with a fiery intensity that got stronger with every thrust until…

You came simultaneously with a satisfied moan.

As both of you came down from the high, Young kissed your forehead and smiled at you. Then you heard him whisper, “I should’ve told you much sooner.” You put a hand on his cheek as he said, more loudly this time, “I should’ve asked you to be mine.”

Your eyes open, and you're staring at the ceiling of your bedroom. Your heart is beating rapidly, your breathing is uneven, and your face is flushed. You're clutching your blanket as you sit up, tears sliding down your cheeks.

You and Young had made love, but that would be the first and the last time. You bury your head in your hands as you knew that would be the last moment of bliss you'd share before everything crumbled.

Chapter 12

End Notes:

I was supposed to post this yesterday, but this chapter just kept going and going... and I didn't know where to stop LOL. By the time it was done, it was late, so I left editing until today. This is the longest chapter out of all my stories, but it's my favourite out of this story so far.

I feel kinda bad for making Jing Yuan the bad guy... 😭😭 I love him, honestly, which is why I have a separate story idea for him after this one. The guy is too sexy and lovable. But yeah, enjoy evil Jing Yuan for now LOL

Tag list: @suoshiii @lordbugs @seirenspinel @lxry-chxn @tanspostsblog @nqctre @theprinceofkhaos @lunavixia @akwardbiscuit @kplatzman @sunsethw4

#dan heng x y/n #dan heng x reader #dan heng x you #dan heng #danheng fluff #dan heng fluff #danheng x y/n #danheng x reader #danheng x you #dan heng honkai star rail #honkai star rail dan heng #honkai dan heng

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lowkeyren · 2 months ago

Text

—where hope begins with you!

in which : dan heng was never one to look forward to things. that is, until you entered his life and taught him how to hope once more.

pairing : dan heng x gn!reader

wc 1.3k, so much fluff it's sickening, bro is not nonchalant™, you killed his tough guy personality here, art by @/SP0I0ppp on x. reblogs n comments r much appreciated!!!

Dan Heng had never been one to anticipate things. Life had taught him not to —his past was filled with moments where people came and went, and life had a way of reminding him how fleeting those things could be. Though it wasn’t that he didn’t care about the future, it was just simpler to deal with what was in front of him.

So, he stopped expecting. Learning to take each day as it came, to live by the moment, anchored only by the need to keep moving forward, away from his past.

That was, until you came along.

The steady hum of the train is a sound familiar to Dan Heng, but lately, his mind has been occupied with thoughts that even the constant, low thrum cannot easily calm.

It’s strange how easily you came into his life, like a gentle breeze slipping through the cracks of a fortress. Even with his walls firmly in place, you never pushed his boundaries; instead, you moved around them with a gentle finesse that made him feel surprisingly at ease.

Your influence was undeniable, it awakened a sense of curiosity within him, a yearning to experience the world in ways he had long forgotten. And before he knew it, he found himself looking forward to things he never thought he would.

He looks forward to the way you say his name.

“Dan Heng—” It’s a soft murmur that rolls off your tongue like honey, lingering in the air and wrapping around him in a warm embrace.

“Dan Heng?” It’s the look in your eyes when those syllables escape your lips, a spark that sets his heart racing in a way he can’t ignore. The slight tilt of your head makes you look impossibly tender, paired with your soft gaze —it only peels away his defenses without you ever trying.

“Dan Heng!” It’s that sound, that singular way you say his name, that fills the quiet corners of his heart he didn’t even know were waiting for you. “Hello…?” He blinks, eyes darting back to you as you wave your hands in front of his face.

He coughs awkwardly into his fist, a feeble attempt to mask his embarrassment as he becomes acutely aware of how lost in thought he had been. A slight flush creeps onto his cheeks —oh god, he had been staring at you… without even realising it.

“Ahem, sorry about that,” he stammers, rubbing the back of his neck as he avoids your gaze. “I got a bit... distracted.” His heart races as he glances back at you, “What were you saying?”

You chuckle softly at his flustered reaction. “I was just wondering if you’d like to join me for lunch,” you say, your eyes sparkling with amusement. “I thought we could finally check out that new place March has been raving about.”

“Of course.” His reply comes out too quickly, a rush of eagerness that catches even him off guard. “Great!” your excitement evident as corners of your mouth lift into a grin, “I can’t wait, Dan Heng! Let’s go t—”

Oh… if only you knew; there’s a part of him that comes alive every time he hears his name on your lips.

He looks forward to the quiet moments you share in his room.

You sit across from Dan Heng, leaning against the bookshelf, with the gentle glow of the overhead lights casting soft shadows across your face. He’s attuned to every subtle change in your expression, every little crease of your brow when the narrative of the book in your hands takes an unexpected turn.

(Your expression is telling a story he’s far more interested in.)

Neither of you speaks; content to simply bask in the comfort of each other's presence.The air is tranquil, punctuated only by the soft rustle of pages turning and the occasional sigh of contemplation.

There's an undeniable intimacy in the shared silence, where nothing needs to be said for everything to be understood. Dan Heng also thinks you’re quite… mesmerising in moments like these. Perhaps there's something about the way your eyes skim the page, the way you bite your lip in anticipation, the way you turn to him with a gentle smile—

Ah… he’s staring again, and this time you’ve caught him in the act.

You catch his gaze and raise an eyebrow; your playful smirk deepens, a silent challenge lingering in the air as you maintain eye contact —and the corners of his mouth twitch as if he’s holding back a smile too.

The book resting in your lap is momentarily forgotten, the words on the page fading into oblivion. His eyes linger on you, studying every nuance of your expression, every flicker of light that dances in your gaze.

Even in silence, you manage to hold his attention effortlessly, drawing him in like a moth to a flame.

And for now, that’s enough to fill the space with something profoundly meaningful.

He looks forward to the tomorrows you share.

“I had fun today, thank you, Dan Heng.”

“Me too,” he stumbles out. A slight pause follows before his gaze shifts to avoid yours. “I mean, I had fun too.”

For a brief moment, he wonders if you can hear how fast his heart is beating, how it stumbles, quickens —each beat louder than the last. The pulse of it seems to echo in the space between you, an unspoken language you’ve become quite fluent in.

Just then, you lean forward slightly, placing your elbow on the table as you rest your chin on your hand. “You know,” you say, your tone laced with a teasing lilt, “If you keep getting all flustered like this, I might just think you’re really into me.”

His breath catches in his throat, and his cheeks flare with a heat that rivals the sun.

Your laughter dances in the air, and it sends a jolt of exhilaration through him. “Relax! I’m just ki—”

“No.”

His pulse quickens, and he can’t help but fidget in his seat. “You’re right. I’m into you.” His chest tightens as your eyes meet; for once, you’re the one blushing, a rosy hue creeping up your cheeks as surprise flickers across your face.

You blink, momentarily taken aback. “You… mean that?”

He swallows hard, “I do, I really like you, [name].”

You’re barely trying to contain the smile spreading across your lips. “I’m glad you said it,” you continue, your voice softening. “Because I really like you too, Dan Heng.”

His heart soars, and a breath he didn’t realise he was holding escapes his lips in a rush. “How can I not when you’re so cute?” You reach out to pinch his cheeks, and surprisingly, he lets you have your way.

“I’m not cute,” he mumbles, but his voice lacks conviction, and the way you’re looking at him makes it impossible to stay composed.

You chuckle softly, as you let go of his face. “Anyway, it’s getting late,” you continue, glancing at the clock nearby. “Let’s talk more about this tomorrow?”

“Yeah, sounds good.”

He tells himself he's looking forward to tomorrow, but maybe, it's really just the promise in your words he's waiting for.

“See you tomorrow, then!” You call out as you make your way to the door. He watches you leave, the gentle sound of your footsteps echoing softly before fading into the distance. Once the door clicks shut behind you, Dan Heng glances at the clock again, counting the minutes until he can see you once more.

With a soft sigh, he leans back in his chair, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “See you tomorrow,” he whispers to the empty room.

And for the first time in ages, he allows himself to hope again.

chronic yapper disease

MASTERLIST.

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sanemistar · 2 months ago

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୨୧ you see dan heng as imbibitor lunae for the first time

“look away… don’t look at me.” dan heng, with his back facing you, begs you to not look at him, not when he’s in this state. with his horns on his head and his tail, looking like a monster. the last thing he wants, and his worst fear, is to scare you off, which is why he’s been hiding this form from you this whole time.

it’s your first time seeing him in his imbibitor lunae form, and to be honest you’re a little taken aback by the sudden reveal. it feels like you’re with someone you’ve never met before. but you quickly snap out of it, and remind yourself once more that the man standing in front of you is none other than dan heng, your beloved boyfriend, nothing else has changed about him other than his appearance.

you slowly approach dan heng with steady steps and gently place a hand over his shoulder, forcing him to turn around and look you in the eyes.

“why are you hiding yourself from me? don’t you trust me?” you reach your other hand out and softly caress his cheek, the sudden touch makes his body slightly flinch but it slowly starts to relax as he leans into your touch.

“how you look like right now is a part of you that i’m willing to accept, and i want you to know that i’ll always love you no matter what you look like.” the reassurance in your tone washes away all of dan heng’s insecurities, and he pulls your body close to his as he rests his chin on the top of your head. his arms wrapped tightly around your waist as if you’re going to slip away from his grip at any moment, and you hug him tightly to reassure him that you’re not going anywhere, you’re here to stay.

dan heng is overwhelmed with a mix of strong emotions, but he finds solace in your words. he’s now made aware of the fact that there’s someone who fully accepts and unconditionally loves him, and it makes him hate himself a little less.

“thank you, y/n.. for accepting me, and for loving me. i love you more than you can imagine.”

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c0smiclatt3 · 5 months ago

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DAN HENG: "WOULD YOU STILL LOVE ME IF I WERE A WORM...?"

☾₊ ⊹ TAGS: x reader, established relationship, fluff, no warnings, dan heng is very clueless, march is here to save the day!

wc: 806

Dan Heng's answer is simple.

"That's a ridiculous question."

Maybe you didn't actually care at first, but hearing him say it like that just now did upset you, even if just a little. He said it so matter-of-factly, without even so much as lifting his head from the screen as he tinkered with the Express data bank, his expression impassive as he brushed your question off like dusting off his jacket.

You sit up from the couch you were lounging on and set your phone down. A frown crosses your face as you watch him hunched over his desk and you realized he assumed the conversation was already over.

It was a stupid conversation, yes. Some dumb question March said was an 'essential question' for couples as a 'test of love'. As with many internet buzzings March reported, you weren't terribly interested, but you decided to ask it anyway as an aside, maybe out of curiosity. You shouldn't be upset. But...

"... That's it?" You frown glumly. Judging from his relaxed expression, your disappointed tone does not register.

He speaks cooly. "The premise of the question is absurd. Worms do not communicate. Humans do not form love relationships with worms."

"But it would be me."

"No, it would not. It would be a worm."

Your frown pulls down further on your face, heat rushing to your cheeks. "Well that's not what you're supposed to say. You're supposed to say you would love me."

"So I'm supposed to lie?"

You are unable to contain your incredulous expression, reeling back just a little bit from the shock. His words felt like a slap to the face. You knew it was stupid, but you were a little offended. You shove your phone into your pocket and march toward the door, crossing his desk as you do. Your frustration only grows as he still does not lift his head, gloved fingers glued to his touchscreen. You let out an audible exasperated sigh to try to get the point across that you were leaving.

"Where are you going?" he says, looking up, but a blank expression on his face.

"Out."

"... Have I upset you?"

You decide not to answer his question and turn around, punching the button to open the door. You step out and shut it with a huff. Once in the hallway, you storm back to your room, bumping into March along the way, her phone keychains clinking against her candy shell-toned phone case as she lifts her head and notices the annoyance visible on your face. She stops and curiously watches you throw your room door open, flopping face first onto your bed with a groan, draping your arm over your eyes and squeezing them shut. You hear the rustle of her clothes as she pops her head in the door.

"March," you say gloomily, "what does the internet say about couples fighting?"

You hear her click her phone shut. "... It says they tend to fight about stupid stuff."

You nod. "... Sounds about right."

<<< 24 SYSTEM HOURS LATER >>>

Shortly after your conversation with March 24 system hours before, you heard her barge into the archives (much to the displeasure of Dan Heng), and give him an earful. You, on the other hand, jammed your headphones in and tried to cool off, counting the passing star systems to pass the time until you fell into a deep slumber.

Waking for breakfast you passed the archives room, the door uncharacteristically left wide open. Before you could pass through it you heard Dan Heng clear his throat, his way of getting your attention without having to outright say it. You slowly walk into the archives room, some residual frustration left over from previously, defensively crossing your arms. "You seem busy," you remark.

"... Entering new data. On - um - novel lifeforms." He nods to himself, as if affirming what he had just said, eyes focused on his screen.

"Really," though you sound rather unimpressed. It seemed his same old routine. Maybe he really never was going to acknowledge it.

"... Creatures from Melusthania. They are legless and armless creatures that burrow in the soil and feed off of decomposing fruit." You see his eyes flick over to yours for a moment, before they turn back down to his screen, feigning deep concentration and interest. He clears his throat. "I am... Um. Fond of them."

A beat as you process his words. Armless and legless... Burrowing in the ground... Feeds on decomposed green matter... A flicker of amusement crosses your face and you try not to laugh. "So worms. You are... Fond of... Worms."

He pauses, as if checking first in his head to see if he was saying the right thing. He turns to you, his expression looking as if he had never been more serious about anything else in his entire life.

"... Yes. Worms."

writing masterlist | bot masterlist

☾₊ ⊹ AN: thinking of writing an epilogue to this hehe

#writing by junie #c0smiclatt3 #hsr #hsr x reader #dan heng x reader #dan heng #danheng #danheng x reader #hsr fluff #hsr headcanons #hsr headcanon

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malewifeharem · 9 months ago

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celebrity!danheng IL

彡- ,, a collection of my brainrots about dating danheng as diff types of celebs!

cw ⁞ none unless ur allergic to hot rich dragon fluff. not proofread.

an ⁞ i put my whole badussy into this from 3 am till 8. i wasnt gonna write so much for my first post but ehe.

imagine dancer!danheng who lets you join him during dance practice. you sit quietly by the side while you keep your eyes on his sweaty, concentrated form. the song he chose blasts in the background and his sneakers squeak with each of his movements. he's dynamic, powerful, sexy and everything you could ever dream of.

sometimes he worries that you'll get bored (as if) so he glances at you occasionally to check on you. the way you flare up in embarrassment at his sharp gaze is just a bonus. you really question how you managed to woo a water dragon twice your age (dilf?) but you try not to think about it too much.

he mutters a breathy "thank you, treasure," as you hand him his bottle. he doesn't realize you smiling like an idiot as you watch him replenish himself, your eyes once again locking in on your boyfriend's ethereal features. his slick-backed hair falls across his face as he tips his head back, revealing his crystalline eyes — divine, tranquil and pure, just like a river — much like his love for you.

imagine author!danheng who dedicates all of his time writing about his one and only muse — you. in fact, he's been writing about you for lifetimes now — in every new lifetime you two share together, he vows to devote his time to only you. when he's writing, he reminisces about your past dates together and pieces his heart and memories together and masterfully fits it into a vessel. once he's done, he proudly sends it to the publisher and patiently awaits the day he can show the finished book to you.

"how do you like it?"

he asks as he curls into you closer while cuddling (aw im gonna eat him i swear), eager to hear your opinion. Although he knows you adore whatever he writes, he still wants to see the way your eyes crinkle as you shyly giggle at the parts you recognize from your own dates. he wants — no, needs — to engrave the sight and sound of you in his mind so he can write it in his next script.

god forbid if anything happens to you. after inviting you into his life, he finds himself unable to write any angsty or tragic stories — he wonders why.

imagine actor!danheng who invites you as an exclusive guest to the film set. he's currently filming for a romance drama which involves him and another actress acting out a couple of lovey-dovey scenes — nothing more than that. that's what you tell yourself as you cringe, your brain conjuring up an image of another woman kissing him outside of set. you push your seething jealousy aside till you're both back in the dressing room. he doesn't miss the way you refuse to look him in the eye as he casually discusses dinner plans with you.

"what's wrong, darling? if this is about my acting during filming, i'll reassure you once more: whatever happens on set, stays on set."

he gently tips your chin up so you're both looking eye-to-eye. he relishes in seeing you all pouty for him, he can't help but chuckle when he observes the slight glossy look of your eyes — they hold a possessive, feisty glint in them that pulls on his heartstrings in the perfect way. he sighs sweetly before pulling you in for a warm hug, his tail coiling itself around your figure — caressing your back and relieving whatever doubts and worries you held before.

"let's create our own scenes tonight, my love."

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sapphire240400 · 1 year ago

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Jealous Dragon 🐉 x clueless raccoon🦝 [end]

If it's not work, I fall sick. I'm still sick but I managed to finish this ;w; please enjoy.

Twitter | Commission info

#danstelle #danheng fluff #hsr dan heng #hsr stelle #hsr fanart #honkai fluff #honkai stelle #honkai dan heng #inhibitor lunae #dan heng x stelle #stelle x dan heng #stelle #dan heng #honkai star rail #hsr #honkai fanart

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2018-01-20 · 2 years ago

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for the longest time, ever since you first met dan heng, you have never been able to envision him with a lover.

you don’t even intend to think that in a negative way. you know that, underneath his (stupidly pretty) poker face and all of that grand seriousness, there is at least some love and passion in him. it’s more in a platonic sense, however—like the way he checks on tired astral express passengers by anonymously dropping off tea in their rooms, or how he gives backhanded compliments to march to make her huff and laugh at the same time. even the way he subtly looks at the trailblazer for any signs of exhaustion from all the work they put on their shoulders doesn’t go unnoticed by you.

you know that deep inside, dan heng really does care a lot for the people around him.

“what are you doing here?”

you let out a quiet hum as you slowly close the door to the archives behind you, turning your head to observe the bookshelves that decorate the walls. dan heng recognizes the tune you’re humming as your favorite song that plays often in the parlor car.

“do i need a reason to be here?” pulling your eyes away from the books around you, you tilt your head to him and match his questioning eyes with your playful ones. he eventually sighs, leaning his chair back as you attempt to hide the eagerness in the steps that you take in his direction. “i still can’t believe you like to sleep in this room every night. you’re already in here all day.”

you stand before him as he’s still seated comfortably beside his desk, and your face start to feel a little warm when you see the earphones of his that currently lay idly on his shoulders when they had previously been in his ears when you first entered the room. the way he holds your eye contact never fails to make your heart do flips in your chest. you swear you can go crazy just by looking at how beautiful he is just sitting in a chair, waiting for you to do something, anything.

“i missed you,” you finally whisper. and although he doesn’t say it back like you knew he wouldn’t, he does trail a hand to your jaw to gently cup your face as he pulls you in close. your lips meet his in no time.

there is something about dan heng that no one knows but you. and it’s that he doesn’t kiss like there are fireworks going off, or like there are sparks flying everywhere, or like it is the end of the universe—he kisses like he has reserved all of the time in the world just for you. he kisses like you are his favorite sweet. he kisses you slowly with both patience and expectancy.

he tilts his head to make it more comfortable for the both of you, his other hand hooking around your waist to slyly urge you onto his lap (which you of course do without protest). you don’t hesitate to place your hands onto his chest, and the approving hum he lets out against your lips has you going incredibly dizzy. minutes easily feel like hours when dan heng has you close in his hold.

you don’t even want to get started on the way he carefully takes his time, but also kisses you in a way that shows he craves absolutely nothing but you.

when you are finally, although reluctantly, pulling away, you are met with the sight of a slightly panting dan heng that looks at you without a worry on his mind. your head feels feverish as the hand on your hip moves to lightly hold the back your neck, and the next thing you know, you’re only centimeters away from him again.

“don’t stop,” he shamelesly breathes out, before moving towards you once more.

ever since you first met dan heng, he has stumped you in more ways than one. like the way you became the lover of his you never expected him to have, or the way he would rather show both his platonic and romantic love with his actions instead of his words.

but his kisses and touch are reserved only for you. the one he holds dear and close. the one he can truly love without holding back.

you.

#(elmo voice) read slowly for maximum enjoyment please :]]]]]#୨୧ — 📖 : boo’s novelties !#dan heng x reader #dan heng fluff #danheng x reader #danheng fluff #dan heng drabbles #hsr fluff #hsr x reader #honkai star rail x reader #honkai star rail fluff #kinda suggestive #?#cw suggestive

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tim-shii · 1 year ago

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bf!dan heng with an s/o who wears glasses

a/n: is this self indulgent? yes. yes it is. BUT IT JUST MAKES SENSE FOR HIM TO DATE A PERSON W GLASSES sniffles sniffles

bf!dan heng who stares at you, thinking how adorable you look with your specs on.

bf!dan heng who shields your glasses when you both have to run in the rain due to an unforeseen rainfall that day.

bf!dan heng who pushes your glasses up your nose unknowingly as he listens to you ramble about your day.

bf!dan heng who takes your glasses off and set it on a surface once he notices you've fallen asleep.

bf!dan heng who has a fiber cloth in his pocket or his bag that he brings everywhere because he knows you're lazy when it comes to cleaning your glasses. thus, he is cleaning your glasses for you.

bf!dan heng who allows himself to be persuaded with your pleas to get himself a pair of anti-radiation glasses so you two can wear matching lenses together.

bf!dan heng who miraculously always knows where you last placed your glasses. everytime you ask him, he just points it out to you without even looking up from his book.

bf!dan heng who goes with you when you're scheduled for an eye check up.

bf!dan heng who compliments your frames and silently gives himself a pat in the back when he sees you light up at his praises.

bf!dan heng who actually tags along and helps you pick a pretty frame for your glasses. he'll search up and familiarize himself with what frames would go along your features.

bf!dan heng who reads the menu at the fast food chain for you because you've left your glasses in the car.

bf!dan heng who smooths out the crease in your forehead once he sees you squinting your eyes at a distance.

bf!dan heng who knows you, sometimes find it difficult to perfect your eyeliner due to your poor eyesight, so he walks to you as you sit on the vanity and glides the liner at a perfect angle.

bf!dan heng who pushes your phone slightly away from you because you've been using it way too closely to your face. afterwards, he mutters scoldings about how bad it'll be for your eyesight.

bf!dan heng who kisses your eyelids goodnight before drifting off to sleep with you tucked safely and comfortably in his arms.

likes and reblogs are appreciated! masterlist

#tim writes.#honkai star rail danheng #honkai star rail #hsr x y/n #hsr x reader #danheng fluff #danheng x you #danheng x reader #dan heng fluff #hsr dan heng #dan heng x you #dan heng x reader #dan heng #danheng #honkai x reader #honkai star rail x reader #hsr x you #hsr danheng #honkai star rail dan heng

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almondest · 2 years ago

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—Homemade cake or Store bought cake? + bonus

ৎ᜔💗 ࣪୫ Birthday Special!

⨾ Blade ， Jing Yuan ， Dan Heng ， Sampo Koski ， Gepard Landau ，Welt Yang

Homemade Cake 🍰 ::

— Blade, Welt

— Will make you one, once they're left alone in the house.

— Welt would arrange a surprise for you with the astral express crew behind him as he holds the cake.

— Blade will wake you up at 12 in the midnight, walk towards your shared bed and whisper to you a birthday song to make you wake up.

Store Bought Cake 🍰 ::

—Sampo Koski

— Sampo is the type who sucks at cooking, and baking? Oh, he'd probably burned down your home at the very moment he starts to turn the oven at the highest possible temperature.

—knowing all too well he'd just anger you at the slightest attempt to bake you one, he just decided to buy you one of your favorite cakes at a bakery at the Administrative District.

Will Attempt to Make you one 🍰 ::

— Jing Yuan, Dan heng, Gepard

— They have the knowledge to actually successfully make one.

— Jing Yuan would probably get someone knowledgeable in baking cakes to help him make one for you. He could've actually just bought it, but he thinks that if he made it, it'll be more special.

—Dan heng would try to make a cake based on what he knows, like he'd probably be the type to know how but never baked one.

—Gepard would follow a recipe book and have Serval accompany him in case he does something wrong.

Note! It was actually intended to be posted yesterday since it was my birthday 😭 But I never got to finish it ajdjejsjsja also, this will probably be my last post for now before I go on a temporary hiatus, I've got about 3 ongoing research that needs to be finished, wish me luck ajskejsksk

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teaberrii · 1 year ago

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Chapter 13: Cat and Mouse

You've been Cupid for as long as you can remember. You've brought countless soulmates together, yet you've never found love.

Dan Heng/You

Notes:

Cross-posted on Ao3

Female reader

Chapter index at the end of chapter one

Jing Yuan isn’t expecting to meet you here out of all places.

He'd been gathering information about you as the conversation with Luocha can only take him so far. The more Jing Yuan found, the more curious he became. What’s a god doing posing as a chemistry student at Xianzhou University? Why are you suddenly researching The Withering now if you have something to do with it? How could you have escaped his radar all this time?

Your photo sparked something when he saw it for the first time.

There’s something familiar about you that he can’t put his finger on, but he knows he’s never seen you before. If he did, he would remember you. There’s an innocence about you that’s different from the vixens Jing Yuan has always been with.

Now, seeing you in person, the familiarity has grown stronger, and it’s eating away at him. He needs to know why, and Jing Yuan is a man who always gets his answers, whatever the cost.

As Jing Yuan walks towards you and Dan Heng, the great white shark encircles the area. “How do you know who I am, sweetheart?” The nickname almost makes you cringe, but your poker face doesn’t falter. “I think I’d remember a pretty face such as yourself. Or…” His predatory gaze land on Dan Heng. “Has the goody-two-shoes been gossiping about me?”

Did you forget? You’re my evil, soul-sucking, fake ex-fianceé who I want to rip apart and feed to the sharks. That’s what you want to say, but is that a little too intense for a first meeting in this time period? Yeah, probably. So, you opt for something more… subtle. Yet, it might give you some valuable information.

“We've met." Dan Heng looks back at you. Clearly, he's not expecting your answer either. "It's a given you don't remember me. Your reputation precedes you."

Jing Yuan narrows his eyes. So, you have met before. Sometime. Somewhere. But it doesn't look like you're going to tell him when or where. Jing Yuan has decided not to call you out as a god. It's obvious you aren't fond of him, not that he expected it, but he definitely isn't expecting the sassiness. He doesn't need to spark a train of thought that leads to you suspecting he's in cahoots with Luocha. At first, Jing Yuan plans to get close to you, but seeing as you somehow know him and whether that's because of Dan Heng or not, it's time for Plan B.

Jing Yuan stops a short distance away from you and Dan Heng. “Regardless if we’ve met in the past or not, it’s fate that brought us back together, is it not? So, let’s put the past behind us and start anew.”

Why is Jing Yuan so interested in you? He shouldn’t know who you are. Does he? Dan Heng glances at you; there’s also something odd about you. Your body language makes it very clear you don’t want him around. Dan Heng isn’t too surprised as you already know about Jing Yuan. But it somehow feels… personal.

“I'd rather not.”

Are you trying to test him? Probably. Is Jing Yuan going to take it? Definitely not. But he’s a man of class. At least that’s what he thinks.

“But I want to.” Jing Yuan steps toward you, but Dan Heng prevents him from getting any closer. Jing Yuan shoots him an unamused look. “I’m not going to hurt your pretty little girlfriend. Trust me.”

You know Jing Yuan as a master liar. If he's anything like his past self, you'd rather die than become his puppet again. This time... you will win.

“Let me be candid,” Jing Yuan says, looking back at you. “This is the first time I need to know where I’ve met someone before. I can't fathom why you think so badly of me." He leans closer to you much to Dan Heng’s very obvious dismay. “So, why don't you enlighten me over a coffee date, Princess?" Jing Yuan looks at Dan Heng out of the corner of his eye. “The boyfriend can tag along as a plus one.”

“Pass.”

Dan Heng almost smiles at the blunt, cold way you rejected Jing Yuan's invitation. He takes your hand and says, “Let’s go.”

You and Dan Heng are about halfway across the room until Jing Yuan says, “You still haven’t given me an answer, Dan Heng.” You feel his grip tighten around your hand. “If you leave with her, I’ll take your answer as a no.”

Dan Heng doesn’t turn around and continues walking. Jing Yuan sighs and looks up at the great white shark that's staring at him. When Jing Yuan got close to you, he saw you weren’t wearing the pendant he and Luocha were looking for.

“What's so special about a locket?” Jing Yuan asked, leaning back. One leg is crossed over the other as he stared at his companion from across the table.

“There should be only one in existence,” Luocha answered, and Jing Yuan raised a brow. “It was an artifact that belonged to my great-grandfather.”

“Ah, yes. The one who lost his mind.”

“The locket was passed down for generations until it went missing, and I haven’t seen it for many years. And now it reappeared around the neck of a woman who’s a god and someone who has something to do with The Withering.”

“Then, perhaps it never belonged to your grandfather. Perhaps it belonged to her. And… perhaps the locket also has something to do with the disease.” Jing Yuan had his hands together on his knees. “How did your great-grandfather get that locket in the first place? Did he make it?”

“No. He found it.”

Jing Yuan vaguely knew about Luocha’s great-grandfather and his descent into mental hell. Jing Yuan never knew the reason why behind the man's suffering… until now. Luocha's great-grandfather had found a locket during his earlier years as an archaeologist. Despite being warned not to take things that didn’t belong to him, he’d secretly kept the locket, thinking that he could make money from it as it was made of real gold.

“It was by accident that he found out it was imbued with magical properties.”

Jing Yuan’s eyes almost widened. “Magical properties?” he repeated as if unable to believe what his friend had just said. “Are you aware of what you just said?”

Luocha poured himself another drink. “Very much so.” He picked up his filled glass and slightly raised it. But when Jing Yuan didn't pick up his intentions, Luocha put his glass down. "Come now, Jing Yuan. It’s not like you to be so serious.”

“Get to the point,” Jing Yuan said flatly.

Luocha sighed but continued the story. “He was curious about what was inside. Yet, he couldn’t open it. He tried everything, but what was strange was that despite the efforts, the pendant remained undamaged. So, he tried burning it. What do you think happened next?”

Jing Yuan poured himself a drink. “Was the locket the cause of his mental anguish?”

It was. And by the time Luocha’s great-grandfather wanted to expose the locket to the world, it went missing.

“Well, I’m sure the man is rolling in his grave now that it reappeared around a god’s neck.” Jing Yuan put his empty glass down. “I wouldn't be surprised if magic exists.” He began spinning the large, metal ring on his finger. “The Withering is a prime example. But, now that the locket is in the possession of a woman who has something to do with this god-forsaken disease, can we assume that she and the locket hold the answers we need?”

The men held up their glasses and clinked them together. “A woman who started the curse and a possible... cure in the form of a locket. How interesting.”

“But we cannot act so rashly.” Jing Yuan took a long sip of his drink. “Even if we get the locket back, I doubt we can open it.”

“Does this mean you want to wait? Wait until they get it open?”

“The locket found her for a reason.” Jing Yuan’s gaze turned predatory. “I believe she is the key.”

Why aren’t you wearing the pendant? Does this mean it’s not in your possession anymore? Jing Yuan exhales sharply. He never thought warming up to you would be a walk in the park. You know Dan Heng who has his suspicions about him. Then, there’s Lan. God knows what he’s up to. Still, he never expected you to be this unwelcoming.

Jing Yuan had taken Dan Heng’s lack of response as a decline to his invitation to work together. Fine. Jing Yuan isn’t the type to beg, and he isn’t going to start now. Men or Women. People come to him for favours. You and Dan Heng will be no different. You, however, are under the suspicion of starting The Withering, and until Jing Yuan figures out the truth, he is not going to let you go.

Somewhere in the aquarium, Dan Heng is still holding your hand but you haven’t the slightest idea of where he’s taking you. He hasn’t spoken a word nor has he looked back. Is something wrong? Did Jing Yuan get under his skin? Because he sure as hell—

“Do you know him?” Dan Heng has stopped but he still hasn’t turned around.

“Jing Yuan? I—”

“Personally. Do you know him… personally?”

The question takes you off guard. But before you can say anything, Dan Heng turns around, half of his face hidden in shadow due to the lighting.

“He’s a person from my past,” you say, sounding a little defeated. “I had a dream about him yesterday night… I was once engaged to him.” For once, Dan Heng’s surprise is clear. He’s stunned at the revelation, and you don’t blame him. “But we never got married. At least, I don’t think we did.” After telling him about your dream, your voice drops. “I don’t know what happened after that night with Young.” Then, you look down. “Young was executed, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Jing Yuan was behind it.”

Dan Heng puts his hand around your head and pulls you close. You take comfort in hearing his heartbeat as you hug him. Dan Heng can’t tell if Jing Yuan remembers you or not. He narrows his eyes as he recalls the way Jing Yuan flirted with you. Does that mean he remembers you? Or does it have nothing to do with the past and everything to do with the present? Everyone is starting on a clean slate. Putting his jealousy aside, Dan Heng takes a small breath to think more rationally.

Does Jing Yuan know you have something to do with The Withering? But, that's not possible. Unless someone told him about you.

As if reading his mind, you say, “Luocha, Caelus’s new doctor… he was my brother. And I think he was working with Jing Yuan.” Dan Heng slowly lets you go; when he looks down at you, he can see the gears turning in your head. “I don’t have proof, but…”

“He was your brother,” Dan Heng says. “He should’ve been on your side.”

You sigh. “My thoughts exactly. Maybe Jing Yuan promised him something or gave him something in return."

“Regardless, we should be careful of both of them.” You nod. “And…” Dan Heng exhales sharply and says coldly, “We’re not working with Jing Yuan.”

You have no complaints. But, thinking rationally, while Jing Yuan is a douchebag, everyone is still after the same goal. Who started The Withering? Why? And… how do we get rid of it? You’re sure Dan Heng knows this, too.

Dan Heng looks towards the tank. His hand finds yours and gives it a tight squeeze. “Did you ever have feelings for him?” He isn't looking at you when he asks the question. But as if feeling your stare at him, he slowly meets your eyes.

“I thought I did,” you answer honestly. “I vaguely remember moments when he would keep me company. But he probably had ulterior motives even back then.”

So, you were fond of Jing Yuan once upon a time. It just happened he turned out to be a conniving bastard. Still, it makes Dan Heng wonder… if Jing Yuan wasn’t, would you have realized your feelings for Young?

At Dan Heng’s silence, you gently poke his cheek. “Hey, what are you thinking about?” Then, after a small chuckle. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”

“I am.”

Your eyes slightly widen, clearly not expecting the confession. Dan Heng wonders if Jing Yuan loved you but ruined it for himself. He knows it’s pointless and ridiculous to make assumptions now as you obviously have more important things to worry about. But in this time period, it’s a chance to start over.

Dan Heng puts a hand on your cheek and slightly leans in. Your face turns a slight pink which almost makes him smile.

“No matter where we are,” he says softly, “I won’t let him have you.”

His lips are inches from yours, and you see nothing but warmth when you look into his eyes. You blink once, and Dan Heng’s soft lips are on yours. Then, your lips part, allowing his tongue to meet yours in a dance that sends a wildfire of raging flames throughout your body. Dan Heng’s hand grazes the delicate line of your jaw, strands of your hair whispering against his fingers as he kisses you with an unparalleled urgency.

You taste like everything he thought you would... and more. Like berries bathed in the sun on a warm summer day. Dan Heng has never wanted anyone like this. Ever. The more he kisses you, the bigger his craving and the less he wants to stop.

If he is the moon, you are his sun, the one he longs to see, to touch, and to love.

You pull him closer as the world around you melts away. It’s your first time kissing Dan Heng, yet he knows exactly where and how to draw those quiet, breaths from your sweet lips that leave you fighting for more. He already has you mapped out; his fingers tease your curves as your skin burns with a desire that you want him to satisfy.

You’re rudely drawn back to reality when the kiss stops, leaving you at a literal loss for words. Your hearts are beating wildly as you look at each other, the fire evident in your eyes. You see his eyes land on your lips again, and you two lean in for another kiss. His hot mouth is on yours again, his tongue teasing your bottom lip before pulling away.

“Never thought you’d be such a tease,” you say breathlessly.

His lips curve into a small, sexy smirk.

You have to stop yourself from grabbing him in for another kiss as you hear rushed footsteps and children laughing and screaming. Dan Heng steps away from you, and you turn to see a large sea turtle swim by just as a few families enter the room.

You take his hand, having made up your mind. That kiss has answered all of your questions. You don’t want this man. You need him. And you’d be damned if you were to let him go. A god and a human? It’s never happened, not that you’re aware. But there’s a first for everything. You’ve played the role of fate for many people, bringing them together to find their happiness. But now it’s your turn. It’s time to find your happiness.

Dan Heng turns to you as he holds your hand. He can see the answer in your eyes but also something else: the beginning of so much more.

◆◆◆

Pom never thought he’d be hunched over at a desk reading about history. But here he is. Sitting in a public library with piles of books beside him. For the past couple of hours, he’s been trying to find out anything about the locket, magic, and… shapeshifters.

Pom was not supposed to exist. He was but a character in fairytales people told their children before bed. A mysterious shapeshifter who was a guardian of the woods. No one knew where the story came from as it was a tale passed from generation to generation. But most importantly, no one knew someone like Pom actually existed.

Occasionally, he ventured to the North, South, and even the Middle Kingdom in different forms. He was amused by the rivalry between humans and those that called themselves the human dragons, wondering who would get the last laugh. He wasn’t prepared to get tangled in their affairs.

Pom was sitting in his small cabin situated deep in the woods. It was where the fog was thick and surrounded by wetlands that would be impossible to traverse unless one had magic. Suddenly, he sensed a presence, and he immediately shut the book he was reading and stood. With a snap of his fingers, he teleported outside and to his alarm, he saw the silhouette of a figure in the fog walking effortlessly on the surface of the wetland. That was impossible; this person knew magic. Advanced magic.

When the figure finally came into view, Pom crossed his arms.

“The heir to the Middle Kingdom… What brings you here?”

Pom closes another book. While there’s a bunch of information about magic and shapeshifters in general, there’s nothing to tie them to the past or to Pom. But there must be a reason why he dreamt of being a shapeshifter and meeting Young.

There's a connection. Pom can feel it in his veins.

He's finally getting answers to his past, and his hunch has always been right. If Pom met Young, it's likely he also met you. How? When? In what form? For the first time in a long time, Pom feels like he's finally getting somewhere. And he'll see it to the end.

When he looks up, he’s surprised to see a familiar face. Luocha is walking towards him, eyes on an open book in his hands. Pom is about to get his attention, but before Luocha walks past the table, as if sensing someone’s looking at him, he turns and makes eye contact with Pom.

“Hiya.” Pom looks at the empty seat in front of him.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you here, Pom.” Luocha closes his book and sits across from him. He notices the many books about magic mythological creatures. “Are you interested in magic? If you are, we have something in common.”

“Really? I… never expected you to be curious about these types of things.”

Luocha scans the page. “Do you believe in magic?”

With the existence of gods and Pom's discovery that he used to be a shapeshifter, it would be almost criminal if magic didn't exist.

“Because I do.”

“You do?” Pom asks, surprised. "I wasn't expecting that."

“There’s a locket that I’m looking for.” Luocha closes the book and looks Pom in the eyes. “It looks exactly like the one your friend was wearing that day at the hospital.”

“Cupid's locket?” Pom takes it out of his breast pocket.

Luocha’s eyes slightly widen. “Yes. That’s the one. Mind if I see it?” Pom moves to give it to him, but Luocha catches his slight hesitation to which he asks, “Is something wrong?“

“Ah… well… It’s not exactly mine.”

Luocha chuckles. “I won’t run away with it.”

“Right. Of course not!”

After the locket is in his hand, Luocha carefully examines it.

“It can’t be opened,” Pom says. “At least, we haven’t figured out how.”

Still looking at the locket, Luocha asks, “Have you tried destroying it?”

“That’s… going a bit overboard.”

Luocha looks at Pom. “The locket I’m looking for can’t be destroyed.” Pom raises a brow. “That’s how I know it’s not an object of this world. It's why I believe in magic."

“How did you lose it?”

“It belonged to my great-grandfather. He was the one who found it and it was passed through my family for generations.”

“Um… how did he find it?”

“He was an archaeologist and found it on a dig.”

Pom looks at the pendant. “Maybe this one just happens to look like the one your great-grandfather had.”

“Perhaps… but the one he owned couldn’t be opened either.”

Pom immediately looks at him. “Really?”

“So, I’m curious how your friend… Cupid, was it? How she got ahold of it.”

Should Pom tell the truth? It's crazy enough that someone as rational and scientific like Luocha believes in something like magic. Perhaps telling him will get you and Pom a step closer to opening it. Before Pom can say anything, a gust of wind blows one of the books open. After the wind calms down, Pom is about to close the book when he sees the page the book flipped to.

Fire. Destruction. Black magic.

The words stood out to him as if they are bolded. While Pom wants to believe it's just a coincidence, his gut is telling him a different story. It's as if it's a warning.

"It was a gift," Pom finally says.

Pom almost starts sweating at the way Luocha is looking at him. It's as if he's examining him under a microscope. Then, Luocha goes back to examining the locket.

“Would you mind doing an experiment with me?”

“An… experiment?”

Luocha smiles. “As I said, the locket I’m looking for can’t be opened or destroyed. Should we test to see if it's really the same locket?”

Something tells Pom that Luocha already knows the answer.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to try to destroy it.”

“Of course not. But that doesn’t mean we can’t try to force it open.”

Again, Pom doesn’t know what it is, but he doesn’t have a good feeling about this. How is going to politely decline without sounding too suspicious? As he racks his brain for excuses, his phone buzzes, startling him. He quickly looks at the message on the screen and picks it up when he sees your name.

Cupid: Forgot to mention it earlier today… but we can’t trust Luocha.

Wow. Great timing.

“Is something wrong?”

Pom quickly looks up and sees Luocha staring at him. "No! Everything's fine."

Another message comes in.

Cupid: He might be working with Jing Yuan. I'll tell you more when I get back.

Pom's breath gets caught in his throat, knowing he doesn't have the time. Looks like it's time to bring out the big guns.

You and Dan Heng have just left the aquarium when you see Pom's message: SOS

Chapter 14

End notes: Will this turn into a possible love triangle...? HMMM...

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