Every couple of months Dan Heng was forced to bring out Imbibitor Lunae.
It would no longer feel comfortable to conceal his draconic features. His tail and horns would practically force themselves out, aching and needing to be stretched out. His tail he could do with ease, only needing to move it this way and that. As long as he kept it out all was well.
But his horns? God his horns.
No matter how he massaged them, how he glided his fingers upon them, it just never felt right. He couldn’t tell where exactly the sore pain was coming from and it practically killed him.
That’s how you walked in on him. Sitting on his makeshift bed within the databank, hands moving this way and that, desperately trying to scratch and massage wherever he could reach. His face was practically twisted in despair at his own failure to soothe the aching sensation.
“Are you okay?” You asked, rushing over to his side. You sat beside him, hands raised to comfort him but pausing in the air. You didn’t know whether or not you should touch him, didn’t know what he needed at the moment. You knew of when he needed to stretch out in this form, but you didn’t know it could be this bad.
Dan Heng huffed. “Can’t…can’t reach. I can’t seem to figure out where this god forsaken itch is.” He hissed as he scratched at his horns harder, desperate for just a bit of relief.
“Hey, hey, you’re going to hurt yourself.” You grabbed at his hands and pulled them away from his head, preventing him from scratching any further. But in return you got a small whine that made you freeze. Was it really that torturous for him?
That’s when an idea popped into your head.
“Do you want me to massage them for you?” You quietly asked, sounding unsure of your own suggestion. You were close friends with the man, considering yourself to be his best actually with the years you had maintained such a close relationship. Even then, though, you knew his feelings toward his Vidyadhara lineage. He was still working on accepting it and all the cons it came with. Such as this very moment. “You can say no, of course. I don’t want to overstep any boundaries-”
“Please,” he hissed, though not with any vitriol. You paused, not expecting such an answer, and at your hesitation he gently grabbed your hand and raised it to his head. “Please.”
The second time was enough for you to snap out of your bewilderment, fingers slowly closing over one of his horns. You lightly scratched, brushing your nails up and down, searching for the spot that was causing him such distress. As each second passed without being able to locate it, Dan Heng continued to whine. His fists gripped on the blanket pile below him, and his head tilted into the palm of your hand in order to help.
It took a moment, but eventually you found the spot that made him practically sag in relief. A sweet sigh escaped his lips, and he practically fell into your lap as you gently massaged it. He did when you remembered his second horn and did the same to it, pressing deeper into it.
“Thank you,” he sighed. “Aeons thank you.”
Your cheeks warmed at the proximity, pointedly looking away and trying to focus anywhere else in the databank. The collection of books Dan Heng had, the latest reports he had printed sprawled on the floor, leftover dinner that he decided to eat in his room.
Anything and everything that would distract you from the practically purring dragon in your lap.
Minutes passed and eventually the horns ripped away from your hands. You finally looked forward once more and were greeted with the amusing sight of Dan Heng's cheeks absolutely bursting in red. “I apologize," he cleared his throat, scrambling off of you and practically molding himself onto the bookshelf behind him. “That was unbecoming of me and I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
Damn, you thought you were slick. “No, no,” you waved your hands in front of you. “You’re fine, I promise. I’m glad I was able to help. I assume you feel better?”
The red slowly gave way to pink, and slowly the pink faded into the pale white of his skin. “Yes, thank you. These times are always troubling when I can’t get rid of the ache in my…well, you know.”
“I can only imagine,” you sighed, fiddling your fingers as an awkward silence began to settle. Neither of you were looking at the other, and eventually it got to be too much. You shot to your feet. “Well, again, glad I could help. Let me know if you need anything else, yeah?”
You began heading over to the databank door, pausing as Dan Heng called out your name hesitantly. You turned around, attempting to make eye contact as the other looked to the floor to avoid your eyes. “Would you…would you be opposed to helping me if I need it again?”
For some reason, the request settled the turmoil within you. Knowing that he appreciated your touch, your proximity, it sent your heart racing. “Yeah! For sure!”
At your acceptance Dan Heng finally raised his head, sending a small smile your way. “Thank you,” he muttered, almost shyly.
God he was going to be the death of you.
