Archive of Our Own ^beta

After the incident of Bailu’s retainer Huanxi trying to eliminate her, Dan Heng started to secretly lookout for Bailu. It was odd, perhaps that’s how Himeko and Welt felt for him too? Regardless Dan Heng now often goes back to Luofu to teach Bailu more cloudhym magic. Although Bailu sees Dan Heng as a mentor, there’s a feeling in his gut that wants her to see him as something different. To see Dan Heng as parent figure or in general a family figure since he knows how lonely it could be without family, especially due to the fact Vidyadharas don’t necessarily have families.

Which brings him at Scalegorge Waterscape with three portions of smoked beef and milk tea, something was telling him to pack extra. Everything was all smooth until he sees a very familiar figure. He probably sensed Dan Heng as well, turning his body to look at the Vidyadhara. What was Blade doing here? The aura though is different, there is less killing intent. Just a little.

“Of five people, three must pay a price-“

Nevermind.

“I am here as a mentor today, I don’t wish to fight.” The vidyadhara interrupted, after his transformation one might say he became a little sassy and definitely bold.

The other man laughs, “It’s been years, yet you’re still running.” An uncomfortable silence is left between them.

Dan Heng finally decides to break the silence, “I am here to see the Healer lady, we can fight anywhere else. Just not here.” The last part emphasized, “And your Mara…”

“Worried for me? It seems after that stab to your chest really did something. Almost like you grew a heart suddenly.” Blade huffs, surprisingly not going insane, “I am feeling content today, so get out of my sight. Dan Feng.”

Dan Heng thought about correcting him but decided to let the stellaron hunter have the last word, and swiftly walks to the entrance. Only to be stopped by a cute mini vidyadhara.

“Dan Heng! What are you doing here?” Bailu asks curiously. Dan Heng just wants to steal Bailu from the preceptors and spoil her with all assortments of foods. She isn’t even a kid really but he wants to parent her, a more nurturing way than what the other caregivers must’ve done, shower her with affection like how any loving parent would. Protect her from all dangers in the world.

Dan Heng shows the bag of food, aroma strong, “You did want me to show you some cloudhym magic, and I also decided to bring some lunch for you Miss Bailu.”

It’s an understatement to say Bailu was excited, “Did I say you’re my favorite person Dan Heng!?” but then her mood changes, “I have to examine a patient right now though..”

Oh no, this isn’t good. His child is sulking and Dan Heng will not allow that. “Don’t worry Miss Bailu, I can wait for you.”

Her face brightens, Dan Heng is so happy to see that gleeful face. Bailu then motions for someone to walk forward, and who is it? Blade. So that’s why he was here. If anyone wasn’t supposed to be here it was Dan Heng, afterall he did not notify his presence. However Blade is dangerous, he must protect Bailu if Blade dares to do anything to harm her.

“Pleasure to see you again Miss Bailu.” Again?! Blade has been here more than once!? What’s worse Blade sends Dan Heng a smug glare and all the other could do was sigh and force a smile.

Bailu grabs both of their hands and leads the two into further depths, “You’re Mara is at bay today Blade! My amazing remedy worked hehe.” The purple head praises herself. Then they stopped at their destination.

“Indeed it did Miss Bailu. You’re very helpful to your faithful patient.” Blade gives a soft smile that Dan Heng felt himself grow a heart for it skip a beat. Then he turns to Dan Heng, glancing back at Bailu, “You’re not replacing me with him, Miss Bailu?”

“I can assure you, I won’t be able to replace Miss Bailu’s most faithful patient,” Dan Heng softly replies.

The rest is quiet except the chatter of Bailu during her inspection of Blade to find any noticeable side effects of the Mara remedy. Although it won’t reverse his Mara, it will slightly relinquish his depressive memories and allow him to remember more peaceful or loving ones.

Bailu proud of her work looks up at Blade, “The remedy is working well! You aren’t fully cured but you can function without going a little crazy.”

“I sincerely thank you Miss Bailu.” The stellaron hunter thanks with full gratitude.

Bailu points at Dan Heng, “Thank him too! He proved that my remedy work. Not to mention he helped me see through some healing magic.”

The two men just look at each other, “How did you know I’m the reason of him going…” the sentence trails off.

“A certain father complained about you both while I was healing his child.” Ah. General Jing Yuan most likely and that young kid, Dan Heng already forgot his name. “Well? Thank him too Blade!”

Blade stands straighter and stiffly thanks Dan Heng, a light blush dusted ever so slightly. Dan Heng doesn’t know what to do other than to smile softly at him. Even if he’s with the man that gives him nightmares 24/7 Dan Heng must be on his best behavior infront of Miss Bailu. Content silence is left between the three of them until Dan Heng decides to break it, “Ah. I’ve brought lunch, three portions actually. Would you like to eat lunch with us Blade?” He decides to use this chance to learn more about Blade because he’s full of mystery, more than Dan Heng himself.

Blade glares at Dan Heng but then his eyes shift to Bailu eyes softening like how a parent would, “I don’t see why not. Eating lunch with high authority Vidyadhara isn’t something I would expect to do again.” Again? Dan Heng couldn’t understand the last part because Bailu smiles so big it makes him want to melt. She’s truly like a little kid.

Dan Heng survived. He didn’t get into a (physical) fight with Blade. Instead they all ate in peace, sitting on the floor of a rather pretty view that is until a bird decides to land of Bailu’s head and make a mess. Poor girl’s hair got destroyed and she tried to fix it but the hair wouldn’t cooperate with her.

“Do you want me to re-braid your hair Miss Bailu?” Dan Heng offers. “But you’ve done a lot for me already Dan Heng how could I repay you,” Bailu argues. Blade chuckles at the sight of a hot headed mini vidyadhara.

Dan Heng smiles endearingly, “It’s okay, I’m doing all of these because I want to. You don’t need to repay me.”

The older vidyadhara cards through the younger one’s hair. Smoothing and braiding the smaller’s purple hair. Blade just stares at the scene. It looks like a mother caring for her baby. Blade looks away from the cuteness, realizing this whole thing looks like a family role-play that a little kid insisted on doing.

“Wow, you did it better than Huanxi did!” Huanxi. He hates that woman thank Aeons she’s gone now.

“Do you know how to make flower crowns Miss Bailu?” Blade asks. Bailu shakes her head no, “I’ll teach you but can you fetch me some flowers?” Bailu quickly stands up to start getting flowers and leaves the two older men alone.

Dan Heng looks at anything but Blade, “You looked like a mother taking care of her kid.” Seriously?! Just when things were going peaceful too!

“I don’t know what you mean.”

The stellaron hunter smiles drinking his milk tea, “You. You looked like a mother to Bailu. How do you vidyadharas do it?”

Blade has piqued his curiosity to the furthest, “Do what? You need to be more specific.”

Eyes locked on each other, “You guys live so long yet have no family to be with.”

All words left Dan Heng’s throat. He knows that he doesn’t have any family but nobody mentions it. “I’m sure I had family as Dan Feng, not through blood but as a promise.” Blade’s eyes open wide, ah he must’ve said something wrong.

“And now?”

“Now I am with the Astral Express. They’re my family.”

“And yet you’re here trying to be parent to Miss Bailu.” The other snears

Dan Heng is being possessed because why does he offer, “We can both try to be parent figures to her. She deserves to have more happiness around her.”

Bailu comes in with a bouquet of flowers. “I got the flowers, now teach me how to make the flower crowns.”

“Very straightforward, you’re nice to Dan Heng but not me?” Blade replies dejected and Dan Heng smiles quietly, stroking Bailu’s hair.

Bailu defends herself, “That’s because you’re mean to Dan Heng.” Blade looks like he saw a ghost and Dan Heng burst out laughing.

After the mood settles and before Blade could start his little lesson on making flower crowns, Bailu insists Dan Heng to make one too with them so he quietly follows. Blades gives a very easy lesson, with simple steps. After a couple of minutes three flower crowns were made and rested on each individuals’ head.

The three finish their meal, with a sleepy Bailu who rests her head on Dan Heng’s lap. Dan Heng caresses her hair, the whole scene is so domestic. Blade rests his head on Dan Heng’s shoulder since he also fell asleep. He loves this even if he’s left with someone who has a tendency to try and kill him. He feels like he’s found his family, of course the astral express is still his family but all of this is so much more intimate.

Dan Heng never got to see this calmer side of Blade, and he’s so glad he gets to witness Blade like this all thanks to Bailu’s little remedy. Suddenly he’s jealous of Kafka. So this is what she gets to witness with Blade. It should be him, Dan Heng bites his lips. Calm Blade is so cute and easy going. Though he still has his usual sass, it’s leveled down. He shifts his head to Blade’s .

Oh how he would pay millions to experience something like this again. Now he understands Dan Feng’s bizzare actions with his past lover. It so surreal to have this experience and who wouldn’t want to live in it for the rest of their life?

He doesn’t even know he’s crying until the tears drip down to Blade’s face making the other wake up. And in a quick motion Blade shoots up.

“That’s pathetic, why are you crying?” Worry hidden with sarcasm.

“What was your relationship with Dan Feng? You’re so crazy about him that you started to hunt me down” Dan Heng asks in a very quiet voice

The stellaron hunter is left there face blank, “We were..” Blade hasn’t really talked about his relationship with Dan Feng with anyone other than Kafka so his voice breaking a bit is no surprise, “I was his beloved as he were mine. Then.. other problems happened.”

Instead of asking further Dan Heng just simply nods, he’ll overthink when he gets back on the express.

“What? Aren’t you curious for more?” Blade asks in confusion

Dan Heng looks down at Bailu, “If you want to tell me sure, but I won’t press forward.” He looks back at Blade with a smile, a smile alike to Dan Feng’s, “You’re easier to talk with when the mara isn’t trying to kill me.”

The other man just rolls his eyes, “I don’t remember resting my head on your shoulder, did you move me there?”

Dan Heng shakes his head, “You mean sleeping? Your back looked like it was going to break so of course I positioned you to I suppose, a more comfortable position.” The vidyadhara continues carding through Bailu’s hair. “When was the last time you had a peaceful sleep?”

“Just now”

“Oh.”

“Other than that… I don’t remember.”

“I wish I could say sorry on the behalf of Dan Feng,” Dan Heng trails off, “but whatever he did to you, he would most likely do it again.”

Blade doesn’t respond, looking into nothing with a blank expression. He then sighs after a few seconds, “you say you’re not Dan Feng, yet here you are taking a burden to all of his sins.”

The other looks away. It’s not like he had much of a choice anyways, quite literally grew up in the shackling prison because of the previous high elder.

Tears start to appear on the vidyadhara’s face, “you didn’t deserve whatever happened to you. I should’ve helped you.. Yingxing.”

Dan Heng doesn’t even know who Yingxing is it just slipped through his lips. Blade however seems to know Yingxing, looking Dan Heng wide eyed. “What did you call me?” The stellaron hunter threatens at first, softening his voice “at least don’t show me your tears, Miss Bailu is still sleeping.” Blade brushes the tears off of Dan Heng’s cheeks. Cupping his face to stare into the bright vermillion eyes a little bit glossy from the waterworks. Letting go of Dan Heng’s face and rests his head on the shoulder, he lets out a long peaceful sigh. Slightly chuckling, “When you said we can both try to be parent figures to Miss Bailu that was rather bold of you.”

“I said that in the heat of the moment!” Dan Heng retorts blushing slightly from embarrassment. “If you’re ok with it though, I wouldn’t mind.” the vidyadhara says in practically a whisper

But Blade heard him just well.

“Elio promised me death.”

Silence

“But I don’t wanna die. Not yet. Today felt pathetic like a family role-play.”

“You agreed to stay here and you seemed to enjoy yourself.”

“It was cute though. I wasn’t lying when I said you looked like a mother caring for their child.”

With an exasperated sigh, “why am I the mother?”

“Because,” looking up into Dan Heng’s eyes, “you’re beautiful, and so loving.”

Ears are burning red, looking away, “well what does that make you?”

“Her uncle? Friend?” Blade then smirks, “father?”

Dan Heng was about to shoot up and stab Blade with cloud peircer but repressed it because Bailu is still asleep. Instead he pushes Blade off his shoulder and promptly picks up Bailu, hugging her like a todler.

“I’d feel sorry for Miss Bailu if you were her father,” Dan Heng starts to walk away leaving Blade alone.

“Are you running away from me again?” The sitting man asks. Dan Heng stops and looks back, “I’m walking not running. Are you not going to chase after me like how you usually do?”

Blade quickly stands up and briskly walks over to a waiting vidyadhara. They walk out of Scalegorge Waterscape in unison. Sun setting into a purple sky.

“It matches Miss Bailu’s hair, the sky.” Blade points out

“How enchanting”

Before dropping Bailu off at the Alchemy Commission Blade wakes her up ruffling her hair, leaving Dan Heng to laugh at the scene. Blade places the flower crown on Bailu’s head and the three all walk to the Alchemy Commission hand in hand to drop the Healer Lady off.

“Bye Miss Bailu, try not to run away from the preceptors okay?” Dan Heng kneels down to head level with Bailu, placing a soft kiss on her head.

“You were meant to show me some cloudhym magic Dan Heng!” Bailu exclaims, she doesn’t wanna go back.

“You fell asleep Miss Bailu we couldn’t wake you up to suffer your wrath.” Blade chimes in

After some banter Bailu begrudgingly goes back, waving at Dan Heng and Blade in their departure.

While walking away, far away from anyone to see the pair Dan Heng abruptly stops to face Blade. “Should I give you my number now?” Dan Heng suggests

“Very confident you’re going to get my number are you Dan Heng?” Blade tease but he sees Dan Heng’s face drop just slightly quickly adding, “it would be an honor to have your number I believe.”

The two exchange numbers. “If you get random texts those are from Silver Wolf” Blade starts, “she has a tendency to text using my phone I don’t know why.”

Dan Heng then wakes up.

He’s in the archives, his new home the Astral Express. He starts to sulk, that dream was so peaceful and his heart aches horribly now.

His heartache is then cured when for the first time, he feels his bracer heat up. Eyes lighting up he then checks his phone to see if this is real.

Blade: Did you sleep well?
Blade: [Finger Heart PomPom Emoji]
Blade: I also brought your flower crown.
Blade: [Coming Blade Emoji]

Dan Heng and glances at his desk, he smiles so wide. The vidyadhara then starts to laugh, grateful that he doesn’t need to be on full guard 24/7 around the man.

If anyone noticed Dan Heng’s happier mood nobody mentioned. Nobody but March.

Extra:
As Bailu is walking to her post she sees the General standing there and freaks out

“General what are you doing here?!” Bailu exclaims

“People call you’re a renowned Healer Lady which I agree with no doubt,” Jung Yuan starts “I believe you’re so great at your work you managed to heal a broken relationship.”

Bailu just stares at Jing Yuan in confusion

“Can I go nap?”

“Of course, of course, I do not wish to bother the Healer Lady.”