Undying Love (Honkai Star Rail: Dan Heng x Fem! OC)

Chap. Seven: Bonding At the Beach

    "Man, I wasn't able to find souvenirs for Pom Pom and Mr. Yang because of that guy!" March pouted as we walked along the path back to the bay we came from. "He definitely won't find a girlfriend with that personality of his."

    I snorted, the irony of her statement curling the corners of my lips. He would lose the girlfriends he had once they found out the existence of the other.

    "That's no concern of ours," Dan Heng sighed, his expression unreadable. "We're leaving this planet shortly; Herta expects us back soon so that we can report back on our mission, and we still have two more planets we need to visit beforehand." Seeing my questioning look, he elaborated, "We were sent here to retrieve a relic, but were unable to. Herta won't exactly be happy, but there's no helping it if we couldn't find the object."

    "The Merfolk's ruler, Heinra, said that we just needed to show her whatever we had found... but we had only found you," March added, her finger resting on her lips as her brow scrunched up in confusion.

    They had "found" me? What in the Aeons did Heinra do to me while I was asleep? I wondered, my own brow furrowing. I debated asking them, but quickly abandoned the idea. They would probably tell me eventually, and I was too tired to go through a long conversation. All I wanted was a nap... and fast. At the thought, my mouth stretched wide open as a yawn escaped me, my jaw locking uncomfortably as I gently worked the bones back closed.

    "Sorry, I really dragged you around, huh? Himeko was right about you needing more rest... Sorry!" March said apologetically, her expression worried as she linked her arm with mine. "Here, you can lean on my shoulder and take a nap! I'll guide us back," she offered with an innocent smile.

    "I doubt that anyone can sleepwalk at will," Dan Heng deadpanned, sighing at March's silliness.

    "No way! I see Himeko sleepwalk to the coffee maker all the time!" March exclaimed, her eyes wide in disbelief.

    "How the hell- No, that actually makes sense. She does say that she feels like a zombie without a good cup of black coffee," Dan Heng mused thoughtfully.

    "She was awake??? Her eyes were always closed and she shuffled forward with her arms in front of her like some kind of horror film!" March shivered.

    "You..." Dan Heng sighed, exasperated, as I finally broke. My shoulders shook in silent mirth as my feet stilled, my shoulders hunched as I bent over breathless. Warm tears stung my eyes as I fought to catch my elusive breath, my sides aching from a lack of air.

    The salty ocean breeze seemed so comforting, the sun so warm in that moment, brushing over my skin with the caress of an old friend. The excited chatter of March as she marveled over my smile mixed with the break of the waves, the cries of the sea birds, and the rustle of surrounding tropical plants in a wild symphony, the music lifting my head up as I composed myself. A tiny smile ghosting over my lips, I pointed towards the bay, waving the two forward with my other hand.

    "Oh yeah, we can't not play in the ocean before leaving! It's practically paradise here!" March squealed, grasping my hand and pulling along as she jogged towards the pale tan sand. "Hurry up, Dan Heng! Stop being such a slog," she called out behind her, the young man shaking his head with amusement as he leisurely trailed behind us.

~~~

    "Hot- Hot- Hot- Hot-" March yelped as she danced over the sun-baked sand, her shoes abandoned on the banks. She sighed in relief when her feet sank into the cool water, wiggling her toes as she wormed her way into the soft sediments. "C'mon, Mirage, what're you waiting for? It feels great!" she shouted toward where I was squatting on the sand, gently patting a sand mound into shape. I shook my head, pointing towards my long slacks, and she pouted disappointedly. "I'll find lots of cute seashells for you, don't worry!" she promised, turning around to look into the water with a seagull's eye.