*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
(M/N)'s POV
After bidding JingYuan goodbye, we left the Seat of Divine Foresight and gathered by a bench at Exalting Sanctum to discuss our plans.
"Awh~ Now that our affairs are over. We need to prepare ourselves and say goodbye to our new friends..." March said in a dejected tone as her shoulders slumped in sadness.
"It's not necessarily farewell when we'll definitely come back soon," Welt chuckled at the pink haired state.
"Hm... Yeah! We'll definitely come back to visit! Gotta prepare my camera for new pictures!" March's bright personality came back in a whim.
"So, has any of you some affairs to take care of? If not, we'll have to prepare for the warp," Welt then announced with a serious look.
"I still need to meet with the current Luofu High Elder. It will probably take around a day to take care of that," Dan Heng said.
"I want to speak with the Master Diviner about something," March added.
"I want to tell our new friends about our departure," Caelus raised his hand.
"Hm... I see. Well, we have a few days left. In that case, do what you have to do. Oh! Dan Heng," Welt's gaze went to the raven haired, "Himeko asked me to tell you her how you are doing now that your affairs here are over, seeing you've left the Express rather abruptly," the brunette pushed his glasses up, "Best to quell her worry by telling her personally that you're doing fine."
"Ah... Yeah, understood."
"(M/N)?"
"Yes?" I lifted my head as brown eyes met gold. "Why don't you join him? You can get acquainted with Himeko and PomPom in the meantime. After all, my invitation towards you in joining the Crew still stands."
"Sure..."
"Alright then! Let's split up then! See you all later!" March then dismissed the meeting, earning an exasperated sigh from the senior trailblazer.
"Let's go, (M/N)?" Dan Heng held my hand as he nudged me to follow him.
"Yeah, let's go."
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
We stood in front of a giant black train - the Astral Express.
'So, this is it. I'm officially going to meet the Navigator and the conductor of the Crew!' I clenched my chest nervously. For some reason, I'm really anxious about meeting them...
"You're going to be fine, (M/N)," Dan Heng, who seemed to have noticed my anxiousness, squeezed my hand softly in reassurance. "They're both really nice. Well, PomPom might nag a lot, but he means well."
A harsh sizzling sound erupted from the door, creating a mist. I slightly flinched in surprise while the raven haired kept his cool. We heard a click and the door then slowly opened by itself.
"Let's go. Both of them are waiting for us," Dan Heng tugged me along to the Parlour Car, where a red haired woman and a bunny in conductor clothes were awaiting us.
'Ah! They're really here...'
The red haired stepped in first to give Dan Heng a hug. "Dan Heng! I'm glad you're safe! You're not injured, right? Are Caelus and March also safe?"
"Hi Himeko, I'm alright and so are the rest. I'm sorry for leaving the Express so abruptly," Dan Heng hugged Miss Himeko back.
Himeko pulled back and patted Dan Heng's cheeks softly. "Well, at least you're safe!"
"Dan Heng! Welcome back!" the bunny hugged Dan Heng's leg tightly, earning a smile and a pet on its head from the vidyadhara. "I'm back, Pom."
The red haired's gaze went to me and she let go of Dan Heng to give me a polite smile. "Who might this be, Dan Heng?"
"Hello, I'm (M/N) and I'm a close friend of Dan Heng's. I am originally here by Welt's invitation," I formally introduced myself with a light bow.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Himeko, the Navigator of the Astral Express. I've indeed heard about you from Welt. Should you want to join the Crew, we'll welcome you with open arms!"
'Miss Himeko sounded very thrilled about me joining them...'
I nodded with a smile before my gaze went to the bunny. It gave me a big wave as he introduced himself. "Hello there! I'm PomPom, the conductor of the Astral Express! Nice to meet you!"
"Nice to meet you too," my smile remained.
"Himeko, I'm only here to report you about my safety. I have to go back down again soon for some affairs I need to take care of," Dan Heng told Himeko, earning a nod and a "Alright. Do be careful in your journey and come back as soon as you can."
The vidyadhara nodded in return before turning to me with a soft look. "Come with me?"
"Sure."
Dan Heng clasped our hands, which went not unnoticed by the Navigator, and led me to the Passenger's Cabin. He led me to the first room we came across to and entered that room.
'Ah! It's the Archives!'
Dan Heng let go of my hand and quickly went to a corner where his bed laid to tidy his messy futon while I was looking around the public room, in awe about how big it was.
'Wow! It looks bigger than when I enter it with the perspective of the Trailblazer's...'
A cough from the raven haired made me snap out of my thoughts. Golden orbs met dark teal ones. I tilted my head to the side, looking at Dan Heng with a curious look.
"(M/N)... Euh... Welcome to the Archives?"
A furious blush spread through Dan Heng's cheeks and he quickly looked away in embarrassment, cursing in silence which was inaudible for me to hear.
"Heheh! Thank you, Dan Heng. It looks really nice here!" I beamed and quickly scanned through the Data Bank. "I can see you're really working hard to have every single bit of knowledge as organised as possible.
"Yeah... It's my duty as the archiver. If you need anything from the Archives, feel free to come here. This is a public space, so people can come in whenever they wish."
I hummed and shut off the Data Bank to sit on his matras. Dan Heng sat next to me and kept quiet. It was so silent for the next five minutes we could hear the sounds of a crow, as if mocking us to break the ice.
"Hey, (M/N)?" Dan Heng called my name.
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Do you... want to join the Express Crew?" Dan Heng's gaze had a hint of anticipation and hope while his hand grasped mine gently. My gaze went pensive. "I... still don't know, Dan Heng..."
"What's holding you back? You can tell me anything," Dan Heng's eyes were determined while both of his hands now held one of mine.
"Do you... want me to join?"
"Of course, I want you to join us," and then with a whisper he added a "Stay with me..." making my breath hitch.
'Dan Heng... wants me to stay?'
"He's showing discreet and obvious signs of love towards you."
'So, my former incarnation was right...?'
"(M/N)? Are you with me? Please, say something..." the raven haired's face was leaning closer to mine, making me blush. "D-Dan Heng, I..."
*Ding!*
Our attention went to Dan Heng's phone, which interrupted our moment. With an irritated sigh, Dan Heng stood up and grabbed his phone. His frown immediately turned neutral when he read the message. "Miss Huanxi, a maid of Miss Bailu, sent me a message. We can meet up with Miss Bailu as soon as we can," Dan Heng announced with a flat tone.
"You want to go now?"
"The sooner I have taken care of this, the better. Do you... still wish to keep me company?" Dan Heng's tone went unsure.
'While I have already told him I would accompany him...'
"Of course, Heng. Please, don't be anxious," I stood up from his bed and walked towards the raven mane. Gently, I put my hand on his cheek, making him lean towards it with a soft sigh through his nose. "I've already promised I would keep you company. That hasn't changed at all."
"Okay... Thank you, (M/N)."
I nodded lightly. "Are you ready?"
"Mhm... Let me change into my true form first," and the teen turned around, facing away from me. Water then started surrounding Dan Heng, engulfing him entirely in a blue ball until it exploded softly, revealing the vidyadhara in his Imbibitor Lunae form.
I couldn't help but be in awe. He's truly a beautiful character... If Dan Heng truly existed in my world, I would have no doubt become attracted to him...
"(M/N), please don't look. It's embarrassing," Dan Heng's cheeks and now pointed ears turned pink by my gawking, making me walk closer to him until I could cup his cheeks and put my forehead against his. I felt his breath hitch by our close proximity.
"Don't say that, Hengie. You're so gorgeous," I whispered with my eyes closed. Even though I couldn't see it, his face turned redder by my bold statement. His hands held my wrists with a gentle grip. We were basking in this moment, neither of us wanting to let go yet. But we have to go, so I pulled away to create some distance. "Shall we go then?"
Dan Heng clasped our hands and nodded. "Yeah, let's go."
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
Dan Heng's POV
'His hands... They're so warm... I don't want to let them go...' I thought as (M/N) and I made our way to Synwood Pavilion in Exalting Sanctum to meet with Miss Huanxi. Our walk was quiet, none of us mentioned a single word nor talked about our intimate moment in the Archives and I was glad he didn't or I wouldn't be able to stay composed...
'(M/N)...'
My eyes would sometimes shift to the golden-eyed male. He seemed to be in his own world, but his hand in mine was physical proof that he was still here, next to me, by my side
'I hope he will stay by my side until death do us apart...'
Despite my inability to show emotions, I became concerned the moment his behaviour has changed a little since Welt's invitation to join the Crew. I didn't want to pry, because it seemed to be a personal problem of his. And yet, I couldn't help but feel helpless and useless unless I could do something to lift his burdens, even if it was just a little...
My heart squeezed in pain seeing (M/N) suffer but not seek for help. I want to help him... I want to support him... I want to tell him he could always count on me...
'Even if we haven't known each other for so long, I want to tell him how much he means to me... I want him to stay with me in the Express... I want him to... love me...'
Love...
*Thump!* *Thump!* *Thump!*
My hand covered my mouth while a deep blush spread across my cheeks.
'Ah... I really love (M/N)... I truly can't deny it...'
"Dan Heng? We're here," (M/N)'s voice rang in my ears and I snapped out of my thoughts. I took a look at my surroundings - We have indeed arrived at Synwood Pavilion.
"Your face is red. Are you alright?" (M/N) asked as he put his forehead against mine. I froze by how close he was, not daring to move an inch.
"(M-M/N)..."
"Mhm... You don't seem to have a fever and yet you're warm. Do you need to cool down?" golden orbs looked at me with concern.
"N-No, I'm fine..." I managed to say, making the raven haired pull away from me. His warmth hasn't disappeared yet and I made sure to grab hold of it as long as it lasted.
"Alright, let's go then?"
"Yeah..." I said and (M/N) turned around. Just when he was about to take a step, I grabbed his forearm. "Wait! (M/N)!"
"Hm?" the golden eyed man turned around with a friendly smile. "What is it, Dan Heng? This is quite not like you, did you know?"
"I-I'm aware..." I gulped, "But there's something... There's just something I have to tell you."
'I have to tell him...'
"What is it, Hengie?" (M/N)'s gaze turned curious, but there's a hint of concern behind that curiosity. My cheeks turned redder and redder just by looking at his handsome face.
"I..."
No sound came from me after that...
'How do I tell him? How do I tell someone "I love you" when I, as Dan Heng, have never said it before...?"
"I...!"
'I want to tell him!'
"You...?" the raven haired tilted head, making me desperate to spill the beans out. "(M/N), I..."
'Goddammit, just tell him!'
I shut my eyes tightly. "(M/N), I lo-"
"Dan Heng."
"Huh?" my eyes met his properly.
"Calm down... You're clutching my arm too tightly, it's starting to hurt..." (M/N) laughed wryly.
"Oh? I'm... I'm sorry..." I let go of his arm, leaving red imprints of my hand on his flesh. "I... I didn't mean to..."
"It's okay. You don't need to apologise. I was getting worried because you were having quite a meltdown for the past few minutes," (M/N) said while I felt a hand on my cheek. "You are okay, right?"
"Yes... I just... wanted to tell you something, but my body doesn't want to work along..." I pouted, disappointed in my inability to be honest when it comes to my feelings.
"Hey, it's alright, Hengie," (M/N) cupped my face with both of his hands, making me look up at him. "Don't force yourself. I will wait for you, so take your time. Right now, we have a meeting to attend, and then we can talk. Just the two of us. Alright?"
'(M/N), you're too sweet. It's unfair. You're making me fall in love with you harder...'
"Okay... I'm sorry, (M/N)."
"Don't be, Hengie... If anything, I should be saying that..." (M/N)'s eyes became sad, making me confused and worry slightly. "Why? You haven't done anything wrong. At least, to me you haven't, right?"
I held his hands gently, The golden eyed man closed his eyes before reopening them. Along came a sad smile, but quickly it turned neutral, as if what I just saw was just a delusion.
"We shouldn't let Miss Huanxi wait. Let's go?"
Too stunned by his change of behaviour, I could only nod as (M/N) and I resumed our way to miss Bailu's maid. Even though the proximity of our bodies was close, even though we were holding hands, I couldn't help but feel that the (M/N) just now, felt so unreachable for me. It was as though he was going to leave... leave me behind... As soon as that thought intruded my mind, a feeling of dread coursed through my body as I looked at (M/N)'s back of his head.
'(M/N)... You're not going to leave me... right?'
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
End of chapter 20...