Interstellar Fates | Dan Heng x Reader

002

➻✧❀✧➻

⚘❧ⅈℕ𝐓ℯℛ𝐒𝓉𝒞ℓℓ𝐀𝓇

𝓕𝕒𝓉ℰ𝒮~002❧⚘

➻✧❀✧➻

Xianzhou High was as lively as ever. Except... it was just a little too lively for me. I was feeling slightly overwhelmed and of course, it had to be the day that Sushang was at home sick. Of course, I was wishing her a speedy recovery, but I missed her terribly. She was my very best friend after all. For some reason, I was just completely out of it. I couldn't explain the burnout I was feeling, especially since I was only a freshman. I vaguely remember the details of that day...

"So why am I remembering it now...?" You muttered softly to yourself as you breathed out a sigh and picked up your vibrating jade abacus and answered the call. "Hello?" You asked softly, not recognizing the contact that came through the transmission feed. "Is this... Y/n?" A vaguely familiar voice called out and you raised an eyebrow, "Yes? Who is this?" You asked in response and slowly approached the floating bracelet. You were in the middle of packing your bag, preparing for your trip to the Belobog museum when your mind started drifting towards memories of freshman year. "Haha, you really don't recognize my voice? Shame, I was really hoping you would have missed me too, and not just Sushang." The speaker continued on and that's when it hit you who it could have been.

"Yanqing...? You sound... a little older than when I met you two years ago, haha!" You let out a soft laugh and he laughed in return, "Well, I'm not the little guy you first met. Hence why I am up so early; extra training to become the very best~!" He quipped with a laugh, his voice still as vibrant and warm, just like the Xianzhou breeze. "So I take it you're with Jing Yuan, then?" You asked hesitantly and he let out a soft hum, "The one and only! I should probably get going though. He claims that he doesn't mind waiting, but I know deep down he's keeping track of every second I spend late." Yanqing let out a soft groan and you laughed, "I won't keep you held up then. Good luck with training Yanqing." You prepared to end the transmission, but there was a small pause on his end so you hesitated, fingers hovering close to the jade abacus.

"Hey, Y/n? I miss you a lot. Just... don't be a stranger, okay? If I could go back and... undo all of how I made you feel, then I would in a heartbeat, you know?" His voice had suddenly gone softer as if the words he had to say were only meant for your ears, which they were. You weren't expecting the sudden apology though and your hand started to tremble, your lips quivering as well as your eyes growing slightly wider. You were at a loss for words, and it was apparently too evident that you didn't know what to say because he started talking again. "I should leave now... At least consider my words? I only want us to be the best of friends again." And with that, the transmission ended, and you was left befuddled once more.

➻✧❀✧➻

"Welcoooome~ to Belobog! Or what certain outworlders would call "Jarilo-VI." I will gladly be your tour guide–"

"So this is where you skip to, Sampo?" Stelle crossed her arms with a raised eyebrow. "Ack-! Well, Sampo Koski loves and respects his wonderful home of Belobog, so of course he would much rather spend his time guiding new guests around the newly furbished History and Culture Museum." Sampo held his hands up defensively as he left the guests he was originally tending to and came over to our group.

It was Stelle, March, Caelus, Dan Heng, and you, and you all were sent there to learn more about Belobog and its everlasting history. As much as you loved the idea though, you were only really interested in seeing Serval and spending time with her. To you, she was something of a mentor, especially after your big move.

"It seems as though you cause more trouble around here than not, so that's hard to believe." She continued to press him and he shook his head adamantly, "No no no, you have me mistaken friend! I pride myself on turning over a new leaf, and that is what I shall do, yes indeed!" Sampo placed a hand over where his heart was and gave a light-hearted laugh, "With the first order of business being that you all receive only the finest tour worthy of the Heroes of Belobog! Come now, dear friends." He chided you and started to lead the way through the gallery.

You took a step forward to follow behind March 7th as everyone else started to leave with the mischievous guy, but you felt a presence behind you that wasn't there before and turned around. "Dan Heng...? I thought you were ahead of me." You looked up just as he adverted his gaze simultaneously, leaving you feeling more anxious to be in his presence. "I had a feeling that you weren't too keen on going on this little tour. My mind has been clouded lately, so I doubt I could appreciate all there is to learn here in this state. Care to step out and do something else?" He offered passively, his voice never straying from its usual monotony and his face lacking any expression that would lead me to believe he was even interested in having me as his company.

"Sure." You were too self-conscious of how eager it would potentially sound had you simply said 'yes,' so you opted for a more casual response. His eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly as if he was reading your mind and you flinched in anticipation. Can he read my mind? Of course, the question arose, but when he turned around and opened the door for you, you realized that it was all a delusion manifested by your anxiety.

"Tell me something, would you?" He started speaking once more as a crisp wintery breeze rolled by and flung your hair back ever so slightly. "Hm?" You hummed in return, not daring to look at his figure as he let the door close behind you and started walking ahead of you, "How long were you on the Xianzhou?" He asked as he kept a small space between you both, respecting your clear struggles with anxiety and intimidation all caused by him. "My whole life... up until just last year. You?" You returned the question and looked up to see the corners of his mouth turn in such a way that would possibly promise a response, but you were mistaken.

"Did you enjoy your time on the Luofu...?"

"..."

"Did you have any friends there?"

"Dan Heng, is it that sensitive a topic–?"

"I-I don't... remember," He cut you off and stopped abruptly. You looked up with a small frown and watched as the muscles in his back tensed up before he turned towards you with a solemn expression, "My time on the Xianzhou Luofu... Any memories I have of that time are either vague or just... nonexistent. There's someone I'm running from, but I just can't figure out who... There's a reason I was there, yet I just can't figure out why... All I have to go off of is a distant memory. It passes through my mind from time to time and reminds me of my true goal. Like a cool summer breeze reminding you that there's clemency among the heat." He went on and for some reason, you felt a soft pang in your chest for him.

This boy who always seemed so distant and cold, who you had only gotten the chance to meet recently due to how reserved and introverted he was. He wasn't cold by nature, at least that's what it seemed. If anything, he seemed lost; in a constant daze due to the lack of belonging. In a way, you were one and the same.

You gently reached out to touch his shoulder and he eased into your small embrace, something you weren't expecting. "You feel the same way about being here, no?" He turned his head and glanced back at me over his shoulder. His eyes reflected a hint of sadness that was almost completely overshadowed by their much brighter gleam: an unusual look for him. You gave a small nod and stepped up closer to him, "If it helps any, then yeah, I did. I still do actually. I want nothing more than to be with my friends again." You confided in him and he gave a silent nod in understanding.

Though you seemed to be making some progress, you were still curious as to why he appeared in your dreams so frequently.

And what that distant memory of his was.