Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mydei.

Mydei, that damn bastard was all that had been on Phainon’s ever since he had become a demi-god. To anyone else Mydei probably looked no different before he became the demi-god of strike; but Phainon, was a different story.

Mydei seemed to shine even brighter than he had before, the tone of which he spoke in was ever so slightly more mature, his pupils had grown sharper, everything about him had become even more perfect than it already was.

It's not like Phainon was oblivious to the fact that he was very, very into Mydei; more like he was scared to come to terms with it. Both of them were chrysos heirs, one of which had already ascended to divinity. Phainon was pretty sure Mydei was also into him on some level but the two of them developing anything more than a situationship was out of the question. They both had roles to fill and becoming a thing would get in the way.

Besides, Mydei had already departed from Okahem and was headed towards Castrum Kermnos, it was very unlikely the two of them would ever see each other again. They had their final conversation with each other, and promised to meet each other in the next life in Mydei’s library.

~~~

It was night, or sort of; since Okahem was stuck in eternal day it was just the time of day where most people went to sleep. No one else was in the bathhouse, just Phainon, not that it was uncommon. Usually he was the only one who came to the bathhouse at this time.

Phainon sat alone in the bath, mind wandering all over the place, it had been a week since Mydei had left and he was struggling. Gods he missed him. The other chrysos heirs had definitely noticed, especially Aglaea; not surprising considering she was the demi-god of romance. Still irritating nonetheless.

The bath water was warm, and with no one in sight Phainon began paddling around. It was nice, with the bathhouse so full during the “day” Phainon was rarely able to use the bigger bath, instead having to use the one reversed for the chrysos heirs.

A teal glow faintly flickering from across the bath; located in the darkest area of the entire bathhouse.

That was strange, no one else was supposed to be here- well it's not that other people couldnt be there, it's just Phainon had never seen another person in the bath at this hour.

“Hello?” Phainon yelled from where he was, still unsure if the teal glow was coming from another person or something else.

Phainon heard as the water suddenly moved from that area; so it was another person. That didn't explain the teal glow though.

Suddenly the glow disappeared, just as it stopped Phainon saw a figure slowly approaching him; It was Dan Heng, one of the outlanders visiting Amorphous.

Phainon watched as Dan Heng got closer to him, he was wearing the same clothes he always wore which was odd to see since almost everyone in Amorphous had a separate set of clothing to wear to the bathhouse so their main clothes wouldn't get wet. Although, Dan Heng was not from Amorphous so maybe that wasn't something they did everywhere he was from.

“Phainon?” Dan Heng asked, bringing Phainon back to reality after zoning out, “What are you doing here? Aren't most people asleep at this hour?” “I- well yes but I like to come to the bathhouse while everyone else is asleep. What about you? Aren't you tired from exploring Amorphous?”

Dan Heng seemed different than he normally did despite wearing the clothes he always did; his eyes seemed to have sharper pupils, there was a tealish tint to his skin and he seemed slightly larger than normal.

“Well- I don't get tired as easily as the average person does and besides- I wanted to experience the bathhouse without all the people- it's bothersome.”

“Ah, well if that's the case would you like to join me? The two of us haven't talked that much thus far and it’d be nice to get to know you!” Phainon said, it would be nice to have someone to talk to to keep his mind from thinking about- Mydei.

Dan Heng hesitated for a second before nodding and started to follow Phainon back to his spot. The way Dan Heng moved through the water caught Phainon’s attention; it made every step look so graceful, the water around him even seemed to slightly glow too; that was probably just Phainon’s imagination though.

Once the two of them had made it back to the spot where Phainon usually spent most of his “nighttime” bath soaks Dan Heng quickly sat down in the bath; the water coming all the way up to his shoulders.

🐉

Dan Heng hadn't expected to see anyone else at the bathhouse at this hour and was caught off guard by Phainon. He had come to the bathhouse specifically at this hour so he could bathe in his true form without anyone noticing. The sudden calling out of the word “Hello” from Phainon had startled him, causing him to quickly put his disguise back on, albeit; rather quickly and not with the precision he normally would. Hopefully Phainon wouldn't notice the things he didn't have time to hide.

“How are you enjoying Amorphous thus far?” Phainon asked while he stared at Dan Heng in the water, Dan Heng could only hope he hadn’t noticed that the water around him was faintly glowing.

“It’s been interesting, the way your world works is so vastly different from the rest of the universe. The titans are by far the most interesting; other planets I’ve visited have had god-like beings but nothing like the titans.” Dan Heng purposely left out the part that he was one such god-like being.

“Oh really? That’s interesting”, Phainon paused, “sorry if this is too upfront or an invasive question but I couldn’t help but notice you’re in your regular clothes. Here it’s typical to have another outfit to wear to the public baths, would you like me to get you one?” Phainon asked as he gestured towards his own body and the simple outfit he was wearing compared to his usual armor.

“I!- uh no thank you I’m fine with bathing in my normal attire.” Dan Heng replied quickly, wearing an outfit similar to the one Phainon was currently wearing was sure to show the teal scales that were scattered around Dan Heng’s body.

“You sure? When you get out you’ll be all wet and soggy.” That was also not a concern for Dan Heng, he could simply dry himself off completely that second he got out of the water.

“It's fine- I have my methods of dealing with that.” Dan Heng murmured.

That answer didn’t seem to satisfy Phainon.

Phainon sighed, “ look- I’m trying to be kind about this but from the second you and Stelle got here I could tell there was something off about you. The way you created a copy of your spear out of green mist after I broke it, you being freakishly calm during battle and not even breaking a sweat during them; hell I’m wondering if you’re even human at this point. Sure the humans here in Amorphous are a bit odd but- I don’t know man..” Phainon trailed off.

Could it hurt to tell Phainon about who he really was? He wouldn’t know the sins of his previous self and judge him for it. Maybe telling him this now would come in handy if Dan Heng had to use his full power at some points.

“Well I- I’m not human…” Dan Heng muttered under his breath.

Phainon jerked up in the bath; “I- I was right?!?!”

“You seem surprised by that.”

“Uh maybe, I just thought I was going crazy or something- I’ve been feeling like that recently. Ever since Mydei left…” Phainon trailed off.

Mydei. Dan Heng hadn’t interacted with him ton but from what he knew of the man he was awfully similar to someone Dan Heng knew all too well;

Blade.

Both immortal; Blade more so than Mydei but close enough, both fearsome warriors, their pupils were similar to one another, the personalities- If Dan Heng hadn’t known better he might have thought the two were related.

“-Heng, Dan Heng? You with me?” Phainon said, suddenly much closer to Dan Heng.

“Ah my apologies, I was just- thinking of the similarities between Mydei and someone I know. Must have gotten lost in thought.”

“That’s fine, the same thing happens to me. Anyways where were we? If you aren’t human what ARE you?”

Now it just felt like Phainon was interrogating him.

“I think- it’d just be easier for me to show you; please back up.”

Phainon did as he was told, backing up a good three feet.

The waters around Dan Heng became encasing him as the teal glow grew stronger, Dan Heng watched as Phainon looked at him with amazement.

Dan Heng felt as his hair grew to its full length, the weight of his horns and tails now on his body.

The waters around fell back into the bath; revealing Dan Heng in his High Elder appearance.

Phainon gaped at him before moving closer. “ I- wow. Are you like a dragon of some sorts?”

“ In simplest terms; yes. This is my true form. My other appearance is simply me concealing my- unique traits with my Cloudhymn magic.”

“That’s so cool!!! You kinda remind me of Castorice when you look like this, the long pointy ears and such.”

“That’s- cool I guess. I don’t really like appearing like this since it attracts more attention, especially on other planets where people might understand the significance of the horns and such.” Dan Heng muttered as he moved closer to Phainon in the bath.

“That’s- weirdly relatable. I’m kinda hiding my true self from the rest of Amphrous in a way.” Phainon had said the last part much quieter than he usually spoke which got Dan Heng’s attention.

“Mind explaining?” Dan Heng asked with caution which caused Phainon to tense up.

⚔️

Would it be wise to reveal more about himself to Dan Heng? It would be fair- Dan Heng had just revealed that he was a dragon to Phainon. Phainon didn’t have as clear an answer to give to Dan Heng as to why he was hiding though.

Phainon knew subconsciously that there was another part of him, another entity entirely. What that entity though, Phainon couldn’t answer. He also subconsciously felt like he had done this before, the flame- chase that is.

Phainon knew that he wasn’t his true self and hadn’t been for a very very long time but beyond that- he didn’t know much.

“ I- I don’t entirely know myself, I just feel like I’ve lived all this before this moment. Sometimes I’ll have dreams where I’m still me but things are slightly different. Other Heirs obtain their Coreflames in different ways than in reality. I just haven’t felt like I’ve been my real self in a very long time.”

Dan Heng just stared at him for a moment before speaking, “ you feel like you’ve lived past lives perhaps..?”

“Maybe, I’m not so sure myself.” Phainon sighed, “that’s one part at least , the other; I could have done something about it but that opportunity is gone now.”

Dan Heng gave him a knowing look, it was like he knew exactly what he was referring to. “I’m guessing that opportunity was related to Mydei?”

“Ah read me like a book, yeah it was about Mydei. I’ve liked him in a more than friends way nearly since we met. Being around him just felt so- natural. I never said anything since if I did the flame-chase would be at risk. Risking the entire fate of this world for love wouldn’t be worth it.”

🐉

“ Risking the entire fate of this world for love wouldn’t be worth it.” Hit Dan Heng deep in his chest. Since- he had done that exact thing. Hundreds of years ago, he had risked the fate and security of the Lofou for love.

Dan Heng had slowly been recovering more memories from that time. He now knew that Dan Feng had gone against the wish of the preceptors by falling in love and marrying Blade- or rather Yingxing.

Not willing to let his beloved die and trying to revive him he had created two monsters; himself who failed to reincarnate properly and suffered even more as a result and Blade, the man who he still loved despite hundreds years of playing a deadly game of cat and mouse.

It was logical for Phainon to not make a move for the security of Amphrous, both him and Mydei were Important powerful figures much like Yinxing and Dan Feng had been.

Maybe it was due to having done the exact opposite of what Phainon had decided to do but Dan Heng couldn’t help but feeling like Phainon should have done something more. Sure the path he chose was selfish but Dan Heng can vaguely remember how miserable it was before Yingxing and Phainon seems to be going through that exact misery right now.

“ I did the opposite of you, a long time ago; I chose love instead of the safety of what was my home at the time.”

“How- how did it end up?” Phainon asked.

“Not well, my choices threw the entire planet into disrepair when I refused to let my beloved die. The result was both myself and my beloved becoming monsters.”

“What’s- exactly what I’ve feared all this time. I know I’d refuse to let him die; even if he may be immortal there is a way to kill him and I- I’m the only one who knows the way…” Phainon paused as his breath hitched, “ I’ve watched him die countless times and it hurts so much every time but he always comes back but knowing there will be a day where I witness him actually die and not come back…. I don’t know what I’d do with myself.”

“ I guess it was the reverse for me, he wasn’t immoral in fact he was even more mortal than myself, only possessing a typical human lifespan. Watching him die for the first time broke me- I tried to revive him and it worked too well I guess. Accidentally made him immortal, even more so than Mydei; there’s no way to kill him. I’ve watched him die countless times since then- many of them were my own doing…”

Phainon looked at him with pure horror in his eyes. “ You- you’ve killed him countless times..?”

“More than I can count, the whole story is- rather complex.”

“Would you mind telling it to me..?” Phainon asked with caution.

~~~

And so, Dan Heng told Phainon the story of the High Elder Dan Feng and the mortal craftsman Yingxing. From their meeting, falling in love, the story of the High Cloud Quitent, how Dan Feng gave Yingxing his own dragon heart to revive him led to Blade becoming immortal and Dan Feng being imprisoned. Why Dan Heng still bore the powers of the High Elder and was still Dan Feng in a way, how Blade’s memories has mostly been wiped and he began to hate him so much that he chased Dan Heng across the universe for hundreds of years in hopes of killing Dan Heng only to end up being killed by Dan Heng instead.

“After- after all that, do you still love him?” Was all Phainon had to ask after hearing the whole story.

“Undoubtedly, yes. I still love him. Even if it’s wrong after all the nightmares he’s caused me, I can’t find it in my heart to hate him; maybe I resent him sometimes but I’ve never hated him. Even before I knew who he really was.”

Phainon was quiet for a long moment after Dan Heng had answered his question. When he finally spoke he said, “ Then, that’s all I need to hear then. I know no matter what happens I’ll always love Mydei. No matter how much I’ve already put him through.”

“ The two of them are similar in a way, both immortal, among other things.” Dan Heng replied.

“ Yeah I guess so, if your love was strong enough to transcend lifetimes I have reason to believe that ours is too. He told me to find him in his library in the next life.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll find yourself in his library when the time comes.”

—

What neither Phainon or Dan Heng knew was that- the love between Phainon and Mydei didn’t transcend lifetimes, it transcended over 33 million cycles. In which, Phainon or rather the other part of him, the Flame Reaver has killed Mydei for good in each and every one of those cycles.

Every time, a battle between the two lovers would come before the end result of Phainon killing him. Each time, it broke Phainon a bit more. Each time it pained him, it never ever got easier.

__

“Mydei... your name for me has never changed.”

“Why do you sound so pleased? It's a derogatory name.”

“Yeah... I know all too well: you only meant it sincerely in the first cycle.”
“After that one and only time we walked side by side, every time since, it always ends up like this…”
“Dawnmaker will stab you through your tenth thoracic vertebra. That's your weak spot and the only way to kill you.”

“Interesting. Tell me, when the Mydeimoses of the past faced you, did they ever retreat?”

“Never.”

“Then they died honorably, worthy of the name of Strife.”
“But there's still tenderness in your eyes. How pathetic.”

“I... have to remember how this feels.”
“Remember that I was once human, or else the Destruction will completely consume me.”

“…”
“If you win, tell the Mydeimos of the next life: This person is a worthy opponent, so always remember to give it your all and never slack off.”

“I'll keep that in mind.. as always.”

__

“It’s a date, Mydeimos.”

Chapter Text

It was over.

They won.

Irontomb was gone; Phainon survived being its vessel.

Phainon had thought that- that was the end, after Stelle and the others had to fight him he was sure that his concussions would fade from the universe; his life being remembered as nothing more than a vessel of destruction and hatred.

But here he was, with all the other heirs on the express. They all had found out the truth of Flame Reaver’s identity; him.

None of them were mad at him- somehow. He had killed all of them at least a million times; most of them far far more than that.

And Mydei, the one he had to kill in each and every cycle.

The one who he cared about the most, the one who he loved despite being born for pure hatred, and the one Phainon had assumed would resent him the most. Afterall in all of the 33 millions cycles Phainon was the one to kill him.

And yet- Mydei forgave him the most.

~~~

Phainon along with all the other heirs had been on the express for a little while now; Stelle was still passed out.

One by one the other heirs had come up to him to thank him for everything he had done and formally forgive him for their deaths that he had caused.

He was grateful of course, glad that his friends didn't hate him for having to murder them millions of times.

Mydei was the last one to find him alone in the parlor car, not that Phainon was that surprised.

Mydei sighed as he sat down next to Phainon at the bar. “Hey.” Phainon said after a moment of silence. “Phainon,” Mydei began as he rested his arms on the counter next to Phainon’s, “ it’s been a while, huh?”

“ I guess you could say that…” Neither of them made eye contact yet. “ I think- its been a lot longer for you than it has for me.” Mydei replied, putting his hand on top of Phainons; his typically gold gauntlets were missing.

“Mydei I-” “Shut up would you? You don't have to apologize, you should know that after all this time, all those cycles that I could never hate you for anything.” He finally looked Phainon in the eyes, “ It’s over now. It’s ok.”

Phainon broke their eye contact, “But you surely have at least some of the memories of me- killing you over and over.” Mydei grabbed his face with his other hand; making him look at him directly in the eyes, “ None of that, your’s are far worse. I only have some memories of my deaths; you have all of mine and the deaths of everyone else as well.”

“I- yeah ok whatever you're right..” Phainon grumbled. “ Ha, of course I am. Now please indulge me at least this one time, dearest Deliverer.” “Mydei what are you-” Phainon didn't get the chance to finish that sentence.

Because oh- Mydei was kissing him. It was hard to remember if this had happened in any of the 33 million cycles. It probably had; at least once, it was an open secret between the two of them (the whole of Okhema really) that were into each other.

It felt so right, this alone made everything he had gone through worth it for Phainon. Mydei’s lips on his, his lips on Mydei’s.

The two finally broke apart, both panting heavily as a string of spit connected their mouths. “ That doesn't have to be a one time thing you know?” Phainon chuckled.

Mydei grinned back at him, “Oh really now?” He was clearly teasing Phainon but he went along with it, “Yeah I kinda liked it actually.” He was practically breathing down Mydei’s neck. “ And what if I said I liked it too?”

The two of them weren't seen again for the day.

~~~

A chuckle.

Then another.

Then a third.

Phainon finally opened his eyes slowly after- that all night; Mydei was currently a mess beside him in bed with his arms wrapped around Phainon’s waist.

The two of them had crashed in a spare bedroom in the passenger cart, probably the one that was meant for Dan Heng before he ended up living in the Archives.

“Who’s there..?” Phainon asked, he didn't see anyone but he was just waking up after that was probably the best night of his life where there was actually very little sleep to be had.

Two little tufts of hair peeked out from behind the bed frame, one light gray with cat ears and the other purple with a flower crown.

He sighed, "Cipher Cas; what is it?” The two girls revealed themselves at last; both giggling. “Ohh~ little old us? We were just snooping on our new favorite couple~” Cipher chuckled and Castorice soon followed.

“Ok? And?” He stated blankly. There was no surprise that the two of them were the two snooping on them, Cipher just wanted dirt on anyone and Castorice had been shipping him and Mydei together since the very first cycle.

“ It’s very cute to see you and Mydei finally get to be together.” Castorice stated. Not like she was wrong, finally the two of them could just be- them. No more Chryso Heir duties or Black tide; just them.

“ I- thanks Cas… I’m happy too.” He said while glancing over to Mydei, still asleep and clinging on to him like Phainon was his stuffed animal.

The two girls soon left to get breakfast, Mydei was still passed out and Phainon had no intention of waking him up. Maybe he had been too rough on him…

After admiring Mydei’s sleeping form for a moment Phainon remembered something; the conversation he had with Dan Heng in the baths.

Grabbing his phone from the night stand Phainon quickly opened up Dan Heng’s contact,

You: Dan Heng.

The reply didn't take long, Phainon knew Dan Heng didn't sleep well and had probably already been awake for hours.

Dan Heng: Yeah?

You: Remember that conversation we had in the baths before everything happened?

Dan Heng: Hard to forget

You: Well- Mydei and I- yeah happened finally.

Dan Heng: Oh I heard, that room has seen so much…

You: I– I’m going to ignore the fact that you heard us WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE ROOM HAS SEEN ALOT!?!?!

Dan Heng: Interpret that how you wish

Dan Heng: I’m happy for you guys though. Waited until your planet was saved to do anything; smart.

Phainon remembered what Dan Heng had told him about his past, the man; Phainon thinks his name was Yingxing and how the two of them went down the opposite path of him and Mydei. It was sad, really.

You: Hey, just because that's how it ended up for us doesn't mean that it was wrong that's not how it ended up for you and your man.

Dan Heng: Ha, whatever you say.

You: You should introduce him to Mydei and I one day! You said he and Mydei had a lot in common right?

You: Ah well- I don’t exactly see him alot and he also hates most people and would never agree to come on the express when there's this many people on it.

🐉

It had been a couple weeks since defeating Irontomb, all the Chyros Heirs were still onboard the express. Exploring the space station, and the Loufo as they pleased.

Unsurprisingly, Dan Heng had spent most of that time with Phainon and Mydei. When the two of them weren't making out or fucking they were with Dan Heng. Phainon had especially been bothering him about going to visit the Loufo with him since that was where he was from.

Phainon had also been very adamant about meeting Blade- why anyone would actively want to meet that man was beyond Dan Heng.

He had claimed that it would be a cute double date situation despite Dan Heng saying that 1- Blade was a wanted criminal around the galaxy and 2- hated people; including Dan Heng some days. Depending on how much the Mara was affecting him.

~~~

The door to the Archives slid open just after lunch. Dan Heng was currently calling Blade but quickly muted him once he realized who was walking into his room; Phainon.

“What do you want, Phainon?” Dan Heng said a little too snappy as Phainon looked at him shocked.

“Dan Heng being snappy? That’s new. I came here to ask if you had any cookbooks for Mydei; he wants to try making something from a place other than well- Ampherous.”

He sighed, “I probably do but I’m kinda busy right now; I can help you in like half an hour.” Phainon scrunched his face; confused by what he could be busy by.

“I’m on the phone, now leave.” Dan Heng stated flatly, letting his eyes do their weird menacing glowy thing.

“Wait- are you on the phone with-!?” Phainon said as he got very excited. Dan Heng blushed, “yes now LEAVE!” Phainon left the room snickering.

“Sorry about that…” He said to Blade over the phone.

“Hmph, was that the one you were talking about? The one who wants to meet me? Sounded like an overexcited puppy.”

Dan Heng laughed, the puppy comparison was pretty accurate. “Yeah that’s him, Phainon. I’m just glad he can still even be an overexcited puppy.”

“He sounds interesting- why does he want to meet me again..?”

Begrudgingly, Dan Heng told Blade the whole story again. He knew his memory was bad, being eaten away at by the Mara so he understood but it was still annoying to have to retell the long and honestly embarrassing story all over again.

“So you told him about our past to comfort him- now that he's actually a couple with this other guy he wants to meet me since you said the two of us have things in common…?”

“Uh yeah…! I told him it’s not like you can just walk around anywhere really and that you don’t like people and there’s too many on the express right now. He’s really stubborn though..”

“Hmph, I’ll amuse him; for you of course~”

His face went even brighter red, “I-! Blade!”

~~~

Phainon had been practically jumping off the walls when Dan Heng told him that Blade agreed to come on the express.

That was a week ago; now Blade would be arriving any minute.

“You excited hehe” Phainon teased, “you’re more excited about seeing him than I am…” Dan Heng grumbled, but he couldn’t lie he was excited to see Blade again for the first time since the whole saga with Ampherous had begun.

He really wanted to show Blade his new form so the other man could stop making fun of his height.

Phainon and Mydei sat next to him on the couch; hand in hand. Mydei had no opinion on meeting Blade even after Phainon had retold the whole story of how this came to be to him.

If anything he probably wanted to spar with Blade.

There's a sudden wizz of electricity and signals in the air one moment and then the next, Blade is in the Express.

Phainon and Mydei look over at him in shock, confused by how he basically just teleported into the express. “How- did he do that?” Mydei asked.

Blade looks over to glare at Mydei, but doesn't say anything clearly wanting Dan Heng to do the introductions and explanations for him.

“Phainon, Mydei this is Blade; my-” Well they were technically still married but hundreds of years of separating and killing surely counted as a divorce. Boyfriends then? “Boyfriend, Blade, Phainon Mydei, two of the people from Ampherous.

Blade continued to glare at the other two men even as Dan Heng introduced them and walked over to stand with him. “ He uh- his friend is a really good hacker and can just hack him into the express, I’m not really sure how it works to be honest.”

“Nice to meet you!” Phainon eagerly greeted Blade. “Hmph, Hello to you two as well…” Blade finally spoke.

~~~

The next half an hour or so was pure torture for Dan Heng, Phainon constantly asking questions; very few of which that Blade actually responded to. Leaving Dan Heng to do all the answering of the questions. Mydei had been just observing the whole situation play out.

After too long of torture Blade finally asked Phainon and Mydei a question, “ Say, why do I sense just a strong aura of The Descrution from you two, especially him.” Blade asked, glaring at Phainon when he said the last part.

“ We fought Irontomb; the Lord Ravager.” Mydei stated frankly. Both he and Blade were men of few words. “ You too?” Blade asked, turning to face Dan Heng.

“Yeah, the second Lord Ravager fought for me… much worse than the last.” Dan Heng admitted. “You’ve fought another one before Irontomb!?!!” Phainon blurted out, shocked.

Dan Heng sighed, “Yes long story short but another Lord Ravanger, Phantlyia snuck into the Loufo and Blade was hired to basically kill me so I could fight her.”

Mydei looked at him like he was insane which, yeah he probably was.

“He killed you..? But you’re not immortal..?” Mydei said to which Blade laughed. “Ha, no he is; just in a different way.”

Dan Heng shoved his elbow into Blade’s side. It wasn't a secret that he was technically immortal but it was still a sensitive subject for him.

“ Ok so that makes everyone here but me immortal?” Phainon asked, seeming sad at that fact. Mydei stared him dead in the eyes, “ Phainon, you survived being Irontomb’s fucking vessel.”

“Oh..?” Blade said, hey at least he was actually speaking now. Phainon began to awkwardly laugh, “Haha yeah about that- I might have somehow absorbed some of its emanator powers..?”

All three of them turned to stare at Phainon,“You what.” All of them said in unison. “ I don't really know?!?!” He squeaked out.

Mydei sighed, “Phainon you fucking idiot..”

The two of them soon began bickering about stupid things like they always had and soon ran off to another room. What they were going to do- Dan Heng didn't want to know.

It was just him and Blade now.

Dan Heng leaned into his shoulder and grumbled. “ Hey, it's just us now.” Blade responded, his tone shifting to a much softer one. This was the side of Blade only Dan heng got to see. “Those two sure are a lot huh?” He attempted to joke.

“You tell me, I’ve heard them going at it nearly every night since they’ve been on the express.” Dan Heng mumbled into Blade’s shoulder.

A rare sound came from Blade, an actual laugh; “Ha. You said they only just formally got together right?” Dan Heng nodded into his shoulder, “let them be then. If you can remember it was the same for us- all those years ago.”

He wasn't wrong. A younger Jing Yuan had given them an earful about the very thing Dan Heng was now complaining about back in the day.

“ Yeah yeah whatever..”
Neither of them spoke for a long while; the two of them just watching the stars outside the express together.

At some point Dan Heng fell asleep, only for Blade to cradle him and fall asleep soon after.

Next thing Dan Heng knew when waking up was that Phainon had spam texted him at least twenty pictures of him and Blade cuddling while sleeping.