Chapter Text
He was on the Luofu again. The purpose of his visit wasn't much of a secret. It was obvious, considering his choice of not hiding his true form — excluding his tail, of course. Although he was fairly willing to show his tail, so long as he was in a private place with someone he cared about.
“I did not expect you to accompany me.” He glances at Luocha, who is happily tagging along with him. Admittedly, he was happy with the company, but still fairly hesitant to let Luocha follow along with him. “I understand that March and Stelle promised to catch up with me but…”
“Don't mind me.” Luocha insists, “I am here at the request of Miss Himeko, actually.”
“What?”
“Apparently, she's aware of me being your therapist friend .”
“Therapist friends don't call themselves that.”
“I do.” Luocha grins, “But regarding that, Miss Himeko requested for me to accompany you during your visit to the dragon lady. She expected Miss March 7th and Miss Stelle to wander around whilst you proceeded to the Alchemy commission.”
“True… but—”
“Really now. Don't mind me. I have ulterior motives for this visit.”
Dan Heng raised a brow, clearly perplexed by Luocha's confession. He didn't sense anything malicious from the man, even though his smile looked fairly creepy. “What would that be?”
Luocha chuckled as they pushed through the doors of the artisan commission and into the alchemy commission. Dan Heng easily summoned his weapon while Luocha took out his sword. “If I told you I wanted to see Sushang, would you believe me?”
“Depends,” Dan Heng encases a golden hound with water, hurtling it towards a wooden lupus, resulting in both Abundance sprites being slammed to a wall. He summoned cloud piercer, thrusting his spear into the chest of another golden hound. “Are you telling the truth?”
“Hmm… well… I do want to see her again.” Luocha performs a swift slash of his sword towards an ingenium, humming as he glances at Dan Heng. “Aren:t you here to visit someone as well?”
Dan Heng stays silent. He nods quietly, continuing to pummel enemies with his water and spear, clearing a way for them. Luocha was just happily tagging along, taking out his phone at some point to text whoever he was texting. The healer's market was not as bustling as last time, but Dan Heng could clearly see the person he had intended to visit. A small smile graces his lips, almost forgetting Luocha and his mysterious words.
Bailu — the sweet girl — was tending to another Vidyadhara, one that was clearly in their teenage years. The healer was fussing and scolding them, looking quite upset as she healed the Vidyadhara's bleeding hands. She looked perturbed before she sighed and wrapped their hands in bandages.
Dan Heng hummed, ignoring the few scathing looks he received from other Vidyadhara's, whilst Luocha followed him. Azure eyes met with teal and yellow eyes. As if the world stopped, Bailu and Dan Heng just stared at each other, not knowing what to say…
That is until Bailu paused her healing and ran straight into Dan Heng's arms. “You're back!” Bailu giggles, snuggling into Dan Heng's arms.
Dan Heng hums, effortlessly carrying Bailu as he walks away from the bustling crowds and to a more secluded and peaceful place in the market. He listened intently to Bailu's rambling, telling him of her day and what has been going on for the time he'd been gone.
“I hope the preceptors haven't been bothering you lately… since the issue with your previous maid…” Dan Heng murmurs, adjusting himself as Bailu sits on his arm.
“Don't worry! The general's been very nice to me and let me hide in his office.” Bailu explains, humming as she gazes at the vast sea before them.
“Is that so…”
“Yeah! Oh! Who's he?” Bailu asked, pointing towards Luocha, who had actually followed them.
“You're still here. Sushang isn't around?” Dan Heng spoke as if he wasn't protectively holding a child as if she was his own. Bailu wrapped her arms around his neck, staring at Luocha with interest.
“This is Luocha. He's a friend of mine. A merchant and occasionally a healer.” He gestures to the strange man, who smiles pleasantly at them. Luocha closes some distance between them.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Dragon Lady.”
“Bailu!” she insists, “Call me Bailu. You're referring to my predecessor here by his name, so it's only right if you call me by my name as well.”
“Well then, Bailu, I go by Luocha.”
The two briefly shook hands. Dan Heng watches in apprehension as Bailu stared and observed Luocha. He didn't know how she would react to him, neither did he know if she will react badly or not. It was preferable that the two would be civil with each other… thankfully, she did not react badly.
Quite the opposite.
“You're a healer too? What methods do you use? How do you heal people? What kind of prescriptions do you give to your patients?'' She went on with a series of questions, hurling one after another towards Luocha — the poor man also didn't seem to expect her enthusiasm. She was practically leaning out of Dan Heng's arms, and the older Vidyadhara had to steady her, lest she fell.
Luocha entertained her, answering her questions — had he not, Dan Heng might have given him a scathing look for not indulging Bailu. The three were peacefully chatting; Dan Heng making sure to steady Bailu, Bailu excitedly asking Luocha questions and Luocha giving Dan Heng amused looks for Bailu's behavior. The sight was adorable really.
So it wasn't surprising that March 7th couldn't resist snapping the scene.
Dan Heng blinked, snapping his gaze towards his friends — March excitedly gushing about their adorable interactions. The attention seemed to cause some conflict in Bailu, before she recognized the duo and simply smiled. Her little smile turned into a toothy grin as she hugged Dan Heng, showing a peace sign. Her excitement caused both Dan Heng and Luocha to pose for a bit, before March squealed and ran to them.
“You look like a family!” March snickers, smirking as she showed them the candid photo she had taken of them. “I'm gonna send this to them.”
“Please don't.”
“It'll help you! I promise!” March insists, “The jealousy might be able to bring out their feelings.”
“Or they'll simply congratulate me on an assumed relationship and leave me heartbroken and miserable.” Dan Heng frowns, feeling Bailu shift. His gaze moves to her, meeting her curious and bright eyes. “Don't worry about it…” He murmurs, sighing as he pats her head.
“Are you two dating?” Bailu asks, gesturing to the two of them.
“Rest assured, Dan Heng and I are merely friends. We're helping him with his feelings at the moment… with different methods.” Luocha smiles, glancing towards March who was still taking pictures of Dan Heng and Bailu.
“Hmm… you like someone?” Bailu asks, and Dan Heng awkwardly nods. “That's okay! I'm fine with you being with anyone, so long as you still have some time for me.” She buffs, snuggling into his arms.
“Awww…” Stelle and March consecutively cooed at the absolute adorableness of the high elder. Bailu continued to cling to him, as if he were her lifeline.
“HengHeng! Can we keep her? Can we adopt her?” March gasped, squealing at how cute Bailu was towards Dan Heng. “Himeko wouldn't mind if you say she's your daughter. Besides, I don't think little Bailu over here wants to be stuck here.”
“March,” Dan Heng speaks in a warning tone, holding Bailu tight. “Don't say such things—”
“DAN HENG! LUOCHA!”
The group turned towards an energetic brunette. Hee pigtails swinging in the air as she dashed across the healer's market and right into Luocha's arms. She has this bright grin on her face that made it seem like she was given a huge gift.
“I missed you guys!” She smiles — and may the aeons bless her, she immediately pouted and started to complain about Luocha's little visit to the astral express while she hadn't even been informed by Luocha visit Dan Heng.
March keeps snapping pictures.
March:
@Yanqing
[Image attachment: Healers and Knights family.jpg]
@Yanqing
Bet you wish you were Sushang
Stelle:
Lololololol
[Image attachment: 783957.jpg]
Dan Heng looks like Bailu's mom
Sushang:
Is Dan Heng aware you are sending these pictures to people?
-Luocha
Yanqing:
NOOOO!
DAN HENG!!!
INTRUDER! @SUSHANG WHY DID YOU GIVE HIM YOUR PHONE?????
AJJSJSKWKSKSKKD
Bailu:
Heng-ge will be angry at you for sending that!
Sushang:
@DanHeng
@DanHeng
March:
@DanHeng
@DanHeng
Stelle:
@DanHeng
March:
@DanHeng
Mama Hengggggg!!!!!
@Bailu call him mama
Lolllllll
Bailu:
Heng-ge said to stop spamming him
He turned of his phone
[Image attachment: 3994492.jpg]
—@DanHeng mama
[Message was unsent]
Stelle:
LMWO
HE LOOKS SO ANGRY
BAILUUUUUUUU
Jing Yuan stares at the photos again. Why this group chat hasn't seen that he's currently online is baffling but also amusing. He smiles fondly at the picture of Dan Heng holding Bailu ever so tenderly, like a parent to their child. March 7th and Stelle continues to send pictures — admittedly, Jing Yuan is irked by some.
Specifically of the pictures that contain Luocha.
Specifically, pictures that make Luocha, Dan Heng, and Bailu look like a happy family.
It was… irritating.
In his mind, he and someone else should be in Luocha's place. The mere thought of being able to play family with Dan Heng made him feel euphoric. Images of himself, Ren, Dan Heng, Yanqing, and little Bailu manifested in his mind. His imagination went wild, thinking up a life where the five of them were a bright and happy family. It was…
Fantasy.
“He's been hanging around that man for a while… don't you think?” He smiles ruefully, golden eyes landing upon the dark figure that lurked in the shadows.
Blade—Ren stepped out of the shadows, glaring at him before he scowled at his phone. Jing Yuan showed the Stellaron every single picture that was sent in the group chat. Every single picture contained Dan Heng, Bailu, and Luocha.
“What do you think?” Jing Yuan hums.
“That I should grab him and lock him up.” Ren grits his teeth, glaring at the pictures as he crosses his arms.
“Now, now… Don't do that, lest he starts running from you again.” Jing Yuan sighs, shaking his head as he leans back and stares at his ceiling. But truthfully, he wants to do the same—grab Dan Heng and lock him up so that he may be only for them… but he wouldn't. If he did, Dan Heng will loose trust in him.
“He hasn't even come to visit me yet… understandable, since he went to Bailu first but… to think he'd let that man accompany him and allow such pictures to be taken.” Jing Yuan scoffs, “Is he doing this on purpose?”
“Unlikely.” Ren clicks his tongue, leaning against Jing Yuan's desk. “He doesn't have a complete grasp on his emotions.”
“Speak for yourself.” Jing Yuan chuckles, although he begins to zone off again to stare at the wonderful picture of their darling Dan Heng mothering his successor.
The fondness in those emerald-blue eyes was indescribable as Dan Heng cradled Bailu. The younger Vidyadhara was snuggled into Dan Heng’s arms—and from what Jing Yuan could observe, she was rambling on about something. It had been long since Dan Heng returned to the Luofu, long since Bailu had seen Dan Heng, long since Jing Yuan had seen Dan Heng in person.
He glances at Ren, who was blankly staring at a wall. He didn’t doubt that the other man had followed Dan Heng around and caught multiple glimpses of the beautiful man. It has always been a wonderful sight to see Dan Heng in his true form. Unbridaled, unshackled — he was free and Jing Yuan felt pure absolute joy whenever the former high elder grew comfortable enough to drop his cloudhymn and reveal his true self.
“Perhaps…” He trails off, smirking. “We should have him meet us. ” He emphasizes, turning to Ren with an almost mischievous look.
The Stellaron Hunter regards him with a blank stare, scoffing before he nods.
Jing Yuan chuckles, gaze lingering upon another picture of a motherly Dan Heng before he opens his contacts.
Beloved
“You have him as Beloved in your contacts?” Ren raises a brow, silently scrutinizing Jing Yuan as if he doesn’t have Dan Heng as destiny on his phone. He has the audacity to look judgemental, to which Jing Yuan rolls his eyes and simply texts Dan Heng. “Even the picture—”
—Said picture being Dan Heng smiling ever so angelically.
Jing Yuan:
A-Heng, are you available?
I heard you were back on the Luofu.
It takes Dan Heng a moment to reply…
Beloved:
I’m with Bailu and the others at the moment.
But I’ll be free soon.
Where do you want to meet?
Jing Yuan:
Same place. My office.
Beloved:
Is Ren with you already?
Jing Yuan raises a brow again, before showing Ren the question Dan Heng sent. A small smirk befalls the Stellaron Hunter’s lips, satisfied with Dan Heng ever so eager to see him.
Beloved:
It might take a while.
I promised Luocha and Bailu we’d go to Aurum Alley.
Jing Yuan:
Luocha?
The merchant…
You say you promised to go with Bailu and that man?
Beloved:
Yeah
Bailu really wants to get to know him.
Since they’re both healers and all.
She asked me to come since I couldn’t last time.
His eye twitched. Luocha again . At the very least, Bailu would be with them. But then they'd be mistaken as a family — just as March 7th stated. He didn't know what was worse: Dan Heng going out with Luocha, or Dan Heng and Luocha being mistaken for Bailu's parents.
He grits his teeth, eye twitching again. It hasn't been long since he started a heavy investigation on Luocha. The only reason why he wasn't banned from the Luofu was due to the merchant's connections and some medicinal supplies and information that he has provided to both the alchemy commission and perhaps even the Sky-faring commission. He couldn't just blatantly banish Luocha from the Luofu without concrete evidence of the man's misdeeds.
Which was hypocritical of him considering he let Ren and Dan Heng on the Luofu.
“He'll take a while…” Jing Yuan sighed, running a hand through his hair. He was about to speak again, until Yanqing sent him another message.
Yanqing:
General
General
Jing Yuan:
Yes?
Yanqing:
[Image attachment: Dan Heng's kids.jpg]
Dan Heng said he'll meet you l8r
[Image attachment: BaiYanShang.jpg]
[Image attachment: DH188483.jpg]
Jing Yuan:
Who's face did you scribble on?
Yanqing:
Creepy blond man
Jing Yuan snickered.
Jing Yuan:
Tell Dan Heng I'll be waiting for him at the seat of divine foresight.
Ren is impatient. He's not the type to share — with some exceptions, of course. But that man, Luocha —he thinks of that man's name with an intense jealousy and an undertone of venom—is not one of the exceptions. Once again, he finds himself waiting in the divine foresight with Jing Yuan, whilst Silver Wolf mockingly sends him more and more pictures she got from hacking March 7th's phone.
He would have been able to deal with all of this until a new group chat was suddenly made.
DH's love life
[SW created this group]
[SW added Blade]
[SW added Jing Yuan]
[SW added March 7th]
[SW added Stelle]
[SW added….]
“Pray tell what is your colleague doing by making this group chat?” Jing Yuan raises a brow.
Ren can understand his confusion. First of all, Silver Wolf often did things on a whim, but this was just… DH's love life? DH…
Dan Heng.
What was that supposed to mean?
He doesn't even text anything. He just stares at the chat and read all the messages. Mostly Silver Wolf aggressively spamming things until someone—March 7th—responds. And that was when chaos finally ensued.
“My, my…” Jing Yuan hums, leaning against his seat as Ren narrowed his eyes at the numerous pictures being sent.
March 7th did not hesitate to brag about her HengHeng —it sounded ridiculous (cute). She continued to brag in the chat by sending various of Dan Heng in different settings. Consistently stating things about his appearance, his good looks, and amazing skills. She doesn't hesitate and soon, the Stellaron child joins in by sending a picture of the trio together.
Of course, Ren stares and saves some of them. He hopes Silver Wolf won't find out but he wouldn't care much if she did.
It isn't until March 7th proceeds to call Dan Heng 'Mama' that Ren stops.
He knows Vidyadhara cannot reproduce… sometimes he wish they could. Perhaps he could have succeeded. Not as his mortal self—his sperm might not have been strong enough to impregnate a Vidyadhara—but his immortal self might succeed. What a shame that it cannot be done.
March 7th:
[Image attachment: DH and Sampard.jpg]
HengHeng (ᗒᗩᗕ)
He's so good-looking that I wouldn't be surprised if he gets two boyfriends
¯\_( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)_/¯
Himeko:
Please stop sending pictures of Dan Heng.
Although you are correct
Welt:
Is Dan Heng aware that you are doing this?
Stelle:
Nope.
SW:
DH and his unspoken RIZZ
Stelle:
Lol
@March7th
[Image attachment: DH and Geppie.jpg]
In that picture was none other than Dan Heng in the arms of an armored blond man. Ren stares, and stares, and almost destroys his phone as he continues to stare. The blond man had his arms wrapped around Dan Heng, carrying him princess-style for some reason. The hand placement was…
Maybe Dan Heng was doing this on purpose because so many men were close to him.
“We're gonna lock him up.” Ren decides.
He's satisfied when Jing Yuan nods in agreement.