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“Well, guess that’s dealt with! Since we’re done, do you want to get a snack, Caelus?--”
March cut off mid sentence and stared at her fellow trailblazer, who was already waist-deep in a trash can. And they had just finished the latest mission! Her cheery expression dropped, and she stomped over to the raccoon-like person.
“Caelus!” She grabbed the back of his jacket and yanked him out of the trash can. He still managed, however, to bring a few things with him. A wide grin split his face, and in his hands were a half-used candle, some old and broken tech, and a small creature carved from wood.
“Sorry, March!” He did not in fact look sorry at all. He stuffed his treasures into various projects. “Yeah, I’m ready to go now.”
March let out an exaggerated sigh. “Not smelling and looking like that, you aren’t. Let’s go back to the express and go out shopping later. Consider it your real apology for me.” She smirked before skipping down the road.
They returned to the Astral Express only a few minutes later and were greeted by Welt and Pom-Pom.
“Back so early?” Welt asked.
“This one–” March aggressively pointed at Caelus “-- got into trash cans again. He’s taking me shopping later as an apology.” Welt chuckled, amused by this arrangement.
“Take Dan Heng with you when you do. He’s been shut in the archives all day researching who knows what.”
“Will do!”
March dragged Caelus by his sleeve to his room. “There. Now go take a bath then get new clothes on! I’ll get Dan Heng soon too.”
Caelus obliged, cleaning himself up despite thinking March was overexhaggerating the remnants of his trash digging. He also put away his new things: the weird tech things went in a drawer, and the candle was put on top of his dresser. He inspected the wooden carving for a few moments. It was some kind of scaled creature– a snake with legs, perhaps? No… what was it called… A dragon. Caelus smiled slightly and put the dragon carving on a shelf. For some reason, it reminded him of Dan Heng.
It had been only a few weeks since the events on the Xianzhou Luofu and since Caelus found out that Dan Heng was a Vidhadhra. He still had so many questions and was so curious about that side of his friend, but unfortunately, he was seeing less and less of the young man. Welt said he was just studying something in the archives, but Caelus wondered if he was avoiding his fellow crew members. Or perhaps just avoiding Caelus.
It was a thought that saddened him deeply.
Caelus had undoubtably been the closest with Dan Heng since boarding the Express. Their friendship clicked quickly, and Caelus spent lots of time in the archives, asking silly questions and learning about a world still new to him. Dan Heng never seemed to mind. Caelus was reluctant to admit something for a long time, but after seeing Dan Heng fight Phantylia in his dragon form and protect Caelus, he could deny no longer. His feelings for the fellow trailblazer surpassed just friendship. He felt a pull towards Dan Heng, one deep in his chest that he could not ignore. He always smiled around him, and was always calm. The latter was bizarre to him, since the Stellaron in Caelus’s chest made it hard to ever truly relax.
Finally, Caelus let go of the dragon carving and headed outside his room. His hair was still damp from his shower, but he had donned a new outfit. He certainly did not try to dress better knowing that Dan Heng would come– no, certainly not. His decision to wear a tight white shirt with a gold choker and black cargo pants was unrelated to his crush. He also definitely did not put on some concealer and eyeliner to accentuate his face.
After a minute or two of searching, Caelus found March in the main car. “Hey, I’m ready to go now. Where’s Dan Heng?”
March looked up from her place on the couch, her camera in hand. “Oh– hey. Dan Heng can’t come anymore.” She looked Caelus up and down, obviously noticing the outfit and makeup, and raised an eyebrow at him. “Someone got dressed up.”
Caelus walked over to her and sat down. “Why isn’t Dan Heng coming? I thought you were going to drag him out of his room? Also, nuh uh.” Caelus frowned slightly. He was afraid she would catch on, but who was he kidding, this was March.
“We’ll talk about your not-so-hidden smitten-ness later.” March waved her hand slightly. “As for Dan Heng, I went to check on him and he wouldn’t let me in his room. I asked Welt for help, and he talked to him. But then Welt didn’t tell me anything, only said Dan Heng wants to be alone!”
Uh oh, is this my fault? Caelus recalls when Dan Heng was in his Vidhadhra form after the battle. Caelus had annoyed him and asked to touch his horns– and was denied repeatedly. Did I make him uncomfortable? He was probably unsure about showing that form. What if he thinks I like him less now? Or I don’t like that form? I should apologize…
“Aw man.” Caelus looked down and fiddled with his hands. March was silent for a moment, then let out a sigh.
“I get it if you don’t want to go shopping; you seem down. We can go another time!”
Caelus lifted his head. “Are you sure? I know you were excited about it.”
“Yeah! Plus, I should go edit some of these photos anyways. And it’s getting late. Want to go tomorrow instead?”
Caelus nodded eagerly. “Yeah, that’ll be great, March. Thank you.”
March left for her room, leaving Caelus by himself in the parlor car. He took out his phone and tried to distract himself with a game, but that only worked for a few minutes. His mind inevitably went back to Dan Heng. Frustrated, Caelus put his phone back in his pocket and stood up. He glanced at the hallway before deciding to venture down it.
Dan Heng’s room was close to Caelus’s. It was a little ways down the hallway, but that gave Caelus time to think and script his apology. He stood frozen in front of the door for a long time before finally knocking.
“Hey, Dan Heng? It’s Caelus. I need to talk to you.”
For a few long seconds, there was only silence. Then, Caelus heard some shuffling around followed by a hoarse voice.
“Not now. Sorry.” Dan Heng sounded more tired than usual. Dread settled heavily onto Caelus’s shoulders.
“Please? I just…” He took in a breath to steady himself. “I want to say sorry. Things have been different since we got back from the Luofu. You showed us your Vidhadhra form for the first time, and I’m worried I made you uncomfortable. I want you to know I don’t… think of you less for this.”
Once again, there was only silence for a few moments. Then, Caelus heard a click on the other side of the door.
“You can come in. Just lock it behind you.”
Caelus’s smile returned and he eagerly opened the door, immediately doing as Dan Heng said: closing and locking the door. When he turned to face his friend, he was met with darkness. No lights were on in the room, and the only illumination came from the galaxy outside the round window.
“Woah, it’s dark in here.”
“Yeah, no shit,” Dan Heng responded lowly. Caelus could faintly see the other young man, and judging by his silhouette, he seemed to be putting on a shirt. Caelus felt warmth creep into his cheeks. “You can turn a light on now, if you want.”
Caelus fumbled with a lamp before successfully turning it on. The light revealed a messy room and a messier Dan Heng. His hair was ruffled, eye bags deeply purple, and most importantly, he was in his Vidhadhra form.
“Oh–”
“You wanted to talk? I also had somethings to talk about.” Dan Heng sat down on the edge of his bed and crossed his legs. His tail swayed behind him. “Sit wherever you want.”
Caelus found a spot on the floor across from Dan Heng, but before he could speak, Dan Heng began talking again.
“I haven’t been avoiding you because you made me uncomfortable.”
Caelus sighed in relief. “That’s good to hear.”
“I don’t regret showing you this. And… the reason I’m still in this form right now… is I’m having a problem. I… can’t get back to my normal form.”
Caelus tilted his head to the side. “Can you explain?”
“I’ve been… restless these last few days. My Vidhadhra has been asleep for so long, that now it wants to take over again. I have the urge to use my powers, but my body is also weak. I’m not used to this form and it’s taking a toll.”
“I see. You’re stuck like this, and this form is tiring you out.”
“Exactly.” Dan Heng nodded slightly. Now that there was light and he was closer, Caelus could see beads of sweat on the other man’s forehead. “And… there are some… urges that come with the Vidhadhra.” Dan Heng averted his gaze. Urges?
“Meaning…?”
Dan Heng’s teal eyes seemed to glow slightly. Caelus couldn’t tell if it was because his face was shadowed, or there was another reason. “Things like attacking others, protecting those close to me, using magic… but the one that worries me the most is…” The teal eyes met Caelus’s golden ones. “The instinct to claim a mate.”
Caelus’s eyes went wide. “A mate? Meaning–?”
“Vidhadhra are incapable of reproducing, if you remember from the Luofu, but we still have some urges. Especially since I have the powers of an elder Vidhadhra. There are even theories that the elders can reproduce. Most Vidhadhra have a mate that they bond to for the entirety of their lives. Being back in this form has brought back that urge to me tenfold.”
Caelus could only stare at his friend for a moment. A mate? He supposed that explained why Dan Heng had locked himself up in his room. If the urge to claim a mate had come back tenfold, he might not feel comfortable around others. That being said, Caelus wondered if Dan Heng meant a fellow Vidhadhra mate. Maybe having someone like that would help him, but the thought of someone else with Dan Heng made Caelus’s heart drop.
“I… think I understand.”
“Do you?” Dan Heng murmured.
“Your… your dragon form is telling you that you need a Vidhadhra mate?” Caelus held his knees tightly, knuckles going white.
Dan Heng stared. He looked surprised– at least as much as Dan Heng could look surprised– and was silent for a few moments. “Not exactly. I never said the mate had to be Vidhadhra.”
Caelus felt his heart pound a little faster.
“Oh. Okay.”
There was awkward silence, and Caelus avoided eye contact. He felt something tight in his chest, but he doubted it was the Stellaron.
“Caelus…” Dan heng leaned forward slightly, eyes more intense. “I… I need to tell you something else.” He bit his lip. Caelus saw the intensity in his eyes now, and the way he seemed to be holding himself still. Or perhaps holding himself back. “I understand if this isn’t reciprocated, and of course I would never force anything on you, even in this state. But I at least want you to know this… During the battle, I couldn’t stop looking for you. I was so worried that you would be injured or worse. I realized then, just how scared I am of losing you. I don’t want to lose you, ever.”
“Dan Heng…” Caelus’s face softened.
“Caelus. I want you– as more than a friend.”
Caelus wanted to reach out and touch him so badly. He wanted to kiss him until dawn.
“I want you as more, too,” Caelus whispered back. “I… I think… I really like you.”
Dan Heng’s control was hanging on by a thread. Caelus could hear his breathing, quick and barely controlled, and saw the way he leaned forward as if yearning for something.
“I really like you Dan Heng, but… are you saying you want me to be your mate?”
“Yes.”
Caelus hesitated. “Are you… are you sure? I thought you said Vidhadhra mate for life, and… and how do you know if I’m really suitable and right for you?”
“I am sure. More than anything, I am sure.” Dan Heng lifted his hands and cupped Caelus’s face between them. “You don’t have to say anything right now, but I am asking you to be my mate. Caelus, you’ve been a light in my world since you came into my life. I can’t stop thinking about you, your smile, your silly trash-diving… I don’t want to lose you; I want you by my side. I want to care for you.” Dan Heng exhaled shakily. “Caelus… I love you.”
The trailblazer gently put his hands over Dan Heng’s. A soft look appeared in his eyes. “Dan Heng, I love you too.”
Slowly, their lips came together in a gentle kiss. Dan heng’s hands were shaking, and he was trying not to hold on too tight or dig his nails into Caelus’s skin. Caelus noticed this and entwined their fingers, bringing their hands down beside them and squeezing them reassuringly. He removed his lips from Dan Heng’s and smiled gently.
“Dan Heng, I’m curious… what are the specifics of your urges to… claim a mate?” Before Dan Heng could answer, Caelus asked, with a huge grin on his face, “Do you want to have sex?” His eyes were lit up, but Dan Heng went red in response. He shoved his hands into Caelus’s face and playfully pushed him away.
“You’re insufferable. How can you just ask outright like that?”
“Want me to demonstrate and ask again?” Caelus took Dan Heng’s wrists in his hands, that wide smile still present. It made Dan Heng’s heart flutter. Dan Heng could barely stand looking at Caelus right then. The other man was just so beautiful– his hair was like starlight, silver and soft, and that smile…
“No, I heard perfectly the first time.”
“So what do you say? If you aren’t ready for that, I’m also good with a nice make out sesh.”
Dan Heng blushed even more somehow. He freed his wrists from Caelus’s grasps and smirked slightly. Then, much to Caelus’s surprise, he grabbed him by the waist and pushed him down onto the bed. His smooth, scaled tail wrapped around one of Caelus’s calves.
“How about we start with a kiss and see where that takes us?”
Caelus recovered from the shock, and his grin returned. “I’d love to.” He grabbed the front of Dan Heng’s shirt and pulled the man right to him, their lips crashing together eagerly. Contrasting their first, gentle kiss, this one was heated.
Dan Heng meant to take it slow, ease into it, he really did. But then Caelus’s hands started wandering his body, and the trailblazer’s legs readjusted so one of Dan Heng’s knees was in between them. Dan Heng lost it.
He slipped one hand into the strands of Caelus’s hair and tugged harshly; meanwhile, his lips forced Caelus’s apart, creating an opening for his tongue to slip in. Caelus let out a whine in surprise, but then matched Dan Heng’s eagerness perfectly. They explored each other’s mouths, barely leaving time to breathe. Dan Heng could hear the dragon in the back of his mind purring with pleasure at its needs finally being met.
My Caelus. My love. Mate- Need–
I can’t lose control yet.
Dan Heng pulled back slightly to catch his breath. He couldn’t let his instincts take over if it meant hurting Caelus. He would never forgive himself for that. He had to take it slow–
Caelus’s hand trailed up his tail suddenly, right to the small of his back. Dan Heng groaned.
“You’re testing my strength,” he murmured. Caelus chuckled.
“You’re strong. You can handle my teasing, right Dan Heng?” His words were so light hearted, yet the way he said Dan Heng’s name was sensual, and it went right to the already prominent tent in his pants.
“Aeons, you’re insane.”
Dan Heng leaned down for another kiss, this time letting his tongue slide deeper in, eliciting a moan from Caelus. The latter grabbed at the back of Dan Heng’s shirt, while Dan Heng held Caelus’s shoulder in one hand and his hip in the other.
Caelus began pulling at Dan Heng’s shirt greedily. Without a word, Dan Heng pulled back just enough to let the other man pull his shirt off. He then took Caelus’s shirt off and ran a hand down his chest. “Gorgeous…”
“These too?” Caelus murmured, holding the rim of Dan Heng’s pants. After a half second of hesitation, Dan Heng nodded. Not even a minute later, all their clothes were discarded.
Caelus was absolutely enamored seeing Dan Heng nude in his Vidhadhra form. He was beautiful, sculpted, like something out of a movie. His horns glowed slightly, and his tail still wrapped around Caelus’s leg possessively. And then there was Dan Heng’s dick– Aeons! Caelus expected something large, but it still came as a surprise. Of course the elder Vidhadhra would have an impressive prize possession.
“You sure about this?”
Caelus looked up, surprised by the question. Just the sight of Dan Heng over him turned him on even more.“Of course.” He leaned up to whisper in the man’s ear. “I want you so fucking bad right now.”
Dan Heng let out a low growl.
Mate, breed–
Slowly now.
Dan Heng leaned down and slid his hands to Caelus’s back. They traveled lower and lower until they cupped his bottom. Caelus spread his legs a little wider, his breath getting more ragged. “Dan… Heng…” he murmured.
Dan Heng began painfully slowly, for both him and Caelus. His pointer finger traced Caelus’s hole before poking in. He slid it in slowly, moving it up and down rhythmically. His other hand was planted on Caelus’s inner thigh. Caelus gripped Dan Heng’s biceps to steady himself. Soon, Dan Heng had slipped another finger in, exploring deeper. Caelus began whimpering when Dan Heng found the sensitive spot inside him. His fingers quickened, and he began to kiss Caelus’s chest. Although, it would better be described by pressing his mouth and tongue against Caelus’s skin. He started at the collarbone, then licked briefly at Caelus’s nipple. Caelus twitched and held on tighter to Dan Heng’s arms.
Dan Heng left a trail of wet kisses and a few bite marks down Caelus’s stomach. Then, he let his mouth travel further. He removed his fingers from Caelus and held the undersides of both his thighs. Caelus seemed to understand and lifted his legs onto the other man’s shoulders. Suddenly, Dan Heng’s mouth found Caelus’s ass and the trailblazer’s head fell back. Dan Heng flicked his tongue into the opening, the bridge of his nose pressing against his balls.
“Ah– Dan h..heng–”
Dan Heng pressed further, letting out another animalistic growl. Like a dragon’s growl. His hands squeezed at the fat and muscle of Caelus’s thighs. Caelus felt a burning sensation rising in his lower torso. His dick was already hard, and Dan Heng was widening and wetting his hole. He needed more. He needed Dan Heng and he needed him now.
“Dan Heng, please–”
Dan Heng replaced his mouth with three fingers. “Please what?” he murmured. “Ask me for it.”
“Dan Hen– Guh!” The Vidhadhra’s fingers pressed harder and faster, teasing his sensitive spot. “Your fucking dick– I want you to fuck me, please— right now–!” He glanced down, his face contorted into a desperate expression. Dan Heng’s eyes were hungry.
“As you wish, love.” Dan Heng put spit on his fingers and rubbed them around Caelus’s hole, then prepared himself. He was breathing heavily, just as desperate as Caelus was, despite his teasing. He pressed his tip against Caelus and then thrust his hips. Caelus gasped loudly as Dan Heng entered him a few inches. Dan Heng continued to rock his hips back and forth, gripping Caelus’ waist.
“Ah– fuck–” Mate mate mate mate– “Fuck!”
Dan Heng gave in. The dragon in him growled and lit up every muscle in his body. He pressed harder and faster, and quickly his whole member was inside. But even then, he didn’t slow down. He was moving Caelus’s whole body back and forth. His own body was on fire. Caelus could barely get breaths in between panting and moaning. Each time Dan Heng hit that spot inside him, electricity coursed through him. He held onto Dan Heng desperately, moaning his name over and over.
“Agh!” Dan Heng knew he was close. He thrusted as hard as he could; he was fueled by the feel of Caelus around his dick, by his skin under his hands, by the sounds of his moans, by Caelus’s entire being.
Finally, he let himself come into Caelus, and at the same time felt Caelus’s release onto his chest. They both began to pant, regaining breath. Dan Heng lowered himself against Caelus and sighed. His dragon purred inside him. Mine. My love.
Yes, my love. Caelus…
“Dan Heng,” the trailblazer murmured. “That. Was amazing.” He opened his eyes and met Dan Heng’s gaze again. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Dan Heng kissed Caelus softly, and after a few minutes, removed himself from Caelus’s ass.
They held each other close, tired and satisfied. That was, satisfied until a little while later when Dan Heng’s dragon started acting up again.
“Can we do it again?” Dan Heng murmured. Caelus grinned.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Breakfast the next morning was very awkward. Dan Heng was still in his Vidhadhra form, unable to change back yet, and Caelus kept twitching when he walked. He was so fucking sore.
The crew around the table avoided the elephant in the room until everyone was done eating. March spoke up first.
“Sooo… you two had a good night?”
Dan Heng and Caelus froze at the same time. They glanced at each other, then March. Neither responded
“We are happy for you, but next time… try to keep the noise to a minimum,” Himeko said, smiling softly and then taking a sip of coffee.
“Yeah, and now BOTH of you owe me a shopping spree!”
Caelus couldn’t help his big smile. At that moment, he knew he had never felt so happy.