joint missions are rare, and ren already struggles to keep dan heng off his mind when they’re planets and warps apart. being in the same room as him is a whole new level of frustration. in some ways, it’s a relief not to be at each other’s throats, their usual exchange of sharp words absent for once. but at the same time, the silence feels unnatural — foreign in a way that unsettles him. himeko, the woman with the red hair, is the last to leave. ren has seen her before in passing, and much like kafka, she seems to be the one holding everything together. when the door swings shut, he’s left alone. alone with the lingering bitterness of freshly brewed coffee and a pair of familiar, clouded eyes sitting just two tables away. unease settles in his chest, his head pounding with the promise of an all-too-familiar headache. kafka can soothe the mara, make it more pliable — something ren can grasp, shape, and control. but she can’t erase it completely.
❝ here. it's the last one. ❞ a small plate wobbles as ren sets it down, perhaps a bit too forcefully, in front of dan heng, the obnoxiously cute heart-shaped cookie nearly sliding off. it’s 10 pm, and this impromptu meeting was called to go over some newly surfaced information while firefly and the trailblazer reviewed the details. ren barely paid attention, but he thinks he got the gist of it. the cookies ? a half-hearted apology for dragging everyone into a late-night discussion. too sweet for his taste. too cute, too. ❝ then go get some rest, you look disturbingly tired as of late. ❞
Between the long travels and his work, Dan Heng has little time to think about Ren. There are far more important things to focus on than the ghosts nipping at his heels. Yet the hunter never disappears from his mind. He lingers in the back of his mind like a stain that can never come off. Waiting quietly when he's at his most vulnerable before striking fear with his beastly eyes.
Nightmares are terrible, especially with the memories mixed in forfeiting any notions of sleep for the next few days.
Even when Ren has been cordial, there is still tension between them. The stiffness of Dan Heng posture, sitting straight and rigid in his seat. Sneaking glances at the hunter more than he would've liked. Too distracted to keep an eye Ren at all times whenever they're in the same room. There is no fear (lies), no paranoia (lies), behind his actions- only caution (half-truth). He was no different than a taut bow ready to snap at the slightest pressure.
But Dan Heng behaves, speaking when necessary, and stays in his corner attempting to read his book. The sooner this is over, the quicker he can retreat to the data bank.
Unfortunately, the hunter had to interrupt his plans with a peace-offering. A plate of cute heart shape cookies set down in front of him. He feels his teeth aching imagining how sweet it would be.
"...Thank you, but I'm sure March 7th or someone else will appreciate it more than me." Dan Heng said politely, initially planning to ignore Ren and avoid looking at him. Surely, the hunter would get the hint and leave him alone.
Yet it seems his tired mind can't help snap back at him, "I wonder whose fault that is my sleep schedule is hectic."
Childish? Yes, but Dan Heng didn't give a damn if Ren wanted to play this game of showing concern over him.
origamiaround
gummygunk
izzy806
blakekathryn
andulkaphoto
tangentwithtanner
discoholicmusic