#i'm not so sure if it's cohesive enough to be understood!!! bcos my fingies couldn't help itselves!!!

[flower-yi]

dan heng's seen that face before. he remembers it flashing on the back of his eyelids, playing in his mind like a film roll burned into his brain.

where he's seen that face remains a mystery. memories of you are fragmented; split into pieces piercing through his skin and crimson leaks from his fingertips as he picks up the shattered pieces.

it is a bloody attempt to piece his memories of you back together.

(is it even his?)

the xianzhou luofu is a kaleidosope of people; most native, some foxes, few foreigners. feet stilling on the ground, his gaze immediately finds you in the bustling crowd of starskiff haven.

no matter the body, his soul sings at the sight of you. it is you, you, you, long before you turn and let dan heng see that face of a previous life time.

he cannot the help the parting of his lips and the breath leaving his lips.

dan heng's seen that face before. he remembers it being adorned with vermilion on your cheeks, on your lips, on your forehead where it gathers.

and drips.

drips.

drips.

until his bare hands (when had he shed his gloves?) struggle to wipe its brilliant shade away, the color in your face slowly fading; your body engulfed in his embrace with your head lolling to the side, cold.

he shuts his eyes.

this time, it is the darkness that greets him. no memories, no pain, no suffering. nothing.

the steadying breath he takes struggles to leave his lungs. those were memories and nothing more. echoes of the past would never disturb him. they would not shape his present and pave his future. not if he has the choice.

"you look familiar. have i seen you somewhere before?"

dan heng's seen that face before. he remembers its features being beautiful in the same way spring brings back the vitality of the trees from winter, in the same way the sun meets with the moon during each enight, in the same way ease settles in his rib cage and stays there.

"not that i recall."

the amusement in your smile is palpable. "really? it's not some pick up line, you know! you seem so familiar, it's…"

"…as if we've met before?" dan heng continues for you. "it's a possibility. but then again, i just may look like someone you know."

"no! i'm quite of sure of it…" you sigh. then, you let go of it. "look, i'm sorry for taking up your time… maybe my memory's catching up to me. how about a treat in aurum alley for my forgetfulness? that way, i can say with confidence that i've met you somewhere next time we see each other."

dan heng smiles. his reply is, "of course. lead the way."