▪︎ author's recommendations ▪︎ these are the few favorites I enjoyed writing.
zhongli scenario ▪︎ sunlit — on a rainy day in liyue harbor, zhongli found her soaked to the bones, struggling to move along the nearly emptied streets with a feverish forehead; all just to submit a commissioned item.
xiao scenario ▪︎ his earnest heart — in this cruel world, two lonely souls found each other. love, lust, and passion amongst the strong bond they shared blossomed on a fateful night and gave them something they least expected. while it was a hard reality to swallow, xiao was ready to embrace her and the consequence they created.
childe scenario ▪︎ in his silence — an unfortunate encounter with a fatui agent on her way back to Liyue left a gash on her cheek. accustomed to receiving wounds in battles, she wasn't too concerned about it. however, the last person she had expected to bump into upon reaching the city had an entirely different opinion regarding the bloodied cut on her face.
zhongli scenario ▪︎ beloved — rex lapis has plenty of time on his hand ever since he stepped down from his former seat as the geo archon. currently as zhongli the mortal, it is not so rare for him to accompany her on her commissions now and then. over the time spent together, the feelings she harbored for the man were no longer as simple as one would hold for a good friend — it took one interesting commission for her to realize that. if only she knew she was not alone in this.
kazuha scenario ▪︎ first last kiss — the hardest thing about needing to flee from Inazuma was not giving up his home, but a future he had dreamt for them.
▪︎ latest releases ▪︎
diluc scenario ▪︎ midnight embers — on the last night of the Windblume Festival, Diluc found her at the corner of his tavern, very drunk. Carrying her up to a room in the tavern, putting her to bed was all he thought he would be doing.
zhongli headcanon ▪︎ what would Zhongli's offspring be like? (anon request)
▪︎ masterlist
▪︎ author's recommendations ▪︎ these are the few favorites I enjoyed writing.
luke pearce scenario ▪︎ i like you — she knew about the love letters Luke always receives, knew that girls in school swoon over him — but the one thing she doesn't know was that none of this matter to him, because all he ever wanted was her.
dan heng drabbles ▪︎ case study of the trailblazer — stelle
he wouldn't call himself a researcher, but when it comes to things that interest him, he would be reading and studying them up like one. This time, it was the newest member of the Astral Express — Stelle. Somehow in their journey across the universe on the Express, Dan Heng finds himself growing a little too emotionally invested in his secret case study about her than he should.
— This fic is going to be more like a collection of drabbles to show what he notices about her with romantic elements in them.
I have decided to update my DanStelle fic solely on Ao3.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
“No, no —” As if he was breaking out of a water surface, a loud gasp dropped from his lips as Dan Heng shot forward. “— Stelle !” now, sitting upright on the chair with a hand stretched out before him.
Jade blue eyes were wide and fearful while he sat there blinking at his outstretched arm in confusion and panic, his rapidly rising and falling chest puffing out agitated breaths.
Incoherent thoughts muddled by the mental fog caused in his restless sleep took a long second to clear up. Dan Heng then finally lowered his arm, letting it fall away in his understanding, realizing he was simply dreaming again.
The same dream that haunted him ever since they landed on Amphoreus.
Traces of emotional trauma still lingering from the dream followed in his eyes as he raised them, glancing over to the lounge chair next to his.
To the woman on it….
Dan Heng noted, tension in his gaze softened by relief.
…who laid on her side, snoring lightly against the sprawl of her long, gray hair messily tossed over her headrest.
Stelle is fine, Dan Heng told himself with a nod to himself as he placed a hand over his still racing heart. They are safe now.
Memory of his healing attempt using his imbibitor powers on the broken car they had left behind at the abandoned temple, the thought of the Stellaron within Stelle’s body and the fact that Stelle was snoring away on the chair beside his right now reassured him one thing.
Though he wasn’t the one who had hurt Stelle or the person responsible for the hostility that drunkard harboured, Dan Heng found himself unable to shake off the immense guilt towards Stelle, and resentment which he wasn’t sure was at himself or Dan Feng.
Dan Heng reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose with a disgruntled sigh, tasting the bitterness of these past memories in his mouth as they flooded his mind — the very same images behind his lids when he had tried to close his eyes in his futile attempts to abandon them for a night’s sleep the past two days.
He hated how he could only helplessly watch, feeling the blood in his veins run cold to the shock he felt and a ball of frustration coiling tightly in his chest at his own inadequacy. It was just like that day back on Jarilo-VI during the battle against Cocolia when he could do absolutely nothing but watch the other end of a blade get plunged into her.
He was Dan Feng’s reincarnation, holding half of the late Imbibitor Lunae’s power and yet, why all he could do was watch on helplessly in all these situations?
Why was he not fast enough to intervene? Why was it her who had to receive the blade?
Dan Heng closed his eyes in exasperation and remorse, teeth gritting and knuckles of his clenched, trembling fist around his pen turning white.
.
.
Read more on:
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Genre(s)/theme(s): fantasy, angst, slow-burn romance, mild comedy, Kaveh's POV, crush at first sight, love rivals
Summary: Kaveh saw an unfamiliar girl talking to Alhaitham while peeping behind a bookshelf...
Word count: 1.0k+
A/n: inspired by the aftermath scene of the Sumeru Archon quest, where Kaveh and Alhaitham met at the Akademiya library. This is the continued story of Kaveh | Love at first sight. Hope you all enjoy this fic! | Masterlist
Kindly help me reblog pls. Thank you :)
“Who was the guy you were talking to? Just a moment ago…” she tilted her head slightly to her left, blinking her curious gaze at him.
His light-turquoise eyes widened. Astonished that she managed to take a glance at Kaveh before he left.
“Just somebody who was an acquaintance of mine,” a corner of his lips curved up.
He has no intention to introduce him to her just yet. It was unnecessary, which was what he had thought in his mind.
“I see…” turning her gaze away from him and sighed, “that means I wouldn’t get to know who he is then,” she mumbled softly.
Vigilant to his surroundings as he always did, his ears caught those mumbling words that just came out from her lips.
His gaze darkened immediately.
“Are you…interested in him?”
After hearing his words, she turned her gaze back to him. Before she could respond, her hand was grabbed by a force. He pushed her backward, pinning her back against the bookshelf nearby. A few books fell onto the ground after the impact. She squeezed her eyes, sensing a pain tingling from her back.
‘WHATTT!!! THEY ARE COMING OVER HERE?!!!’
Kaveh panicky tried to hide his entire self behind the bookshelf after noticing them coming over.
His sweaty hands grabbed tightly onto the shelf plane as he slowly moved his head closer to the rear.
A loud impact hit onto the shelf.
His body trembled. Wiping away the droplets of cold sweat from his head with his white sleeves. He clutched his chest, trying to calm his struggling rapid-beating heart down.
He then glanced through the books from the rear of the shelf. Taking a deep breath and sighed softly. It was a relief that the bookshelves were able to block the views from both sides.
“Why are you interested in him?”
A low stern tone reached his ears. He quivered. Sensing a burning rage within his tone.
However, his question kept resounding repeatedly inside his head.
‘HUH?!!! WHO IS THE PERSON SHE INTERESTED IN?!!!’
Eventually, it blew up his mind.
His face immediately leaned closer to the rear of the shelf as his ears were craving to hear her reply.
She lifted her head, gazing at his light-turquoise eyes. Noticing anger and sadness were stirring in his gaze.
She then lowered her gaze.
Her cheeks blushed lightly. Her lungs tried to gasp for air. Beating sounds emitted from her chest were getting louder, and louder.
That masculine chest of his was just an inch in front of her sight!!!
Even the distance between them was nearly a footstep apart.
“I-I was just curious… b-because I have never seen him around before!” shutting her gaze tightly as she turned her head away.
She tried to use her arms to block his chest from getting nearer. But his strength was stronger. He pinned his body against hers. A sense of heat touched her skin. Her cheeks have become redder, and redder in every moment.
He lowered his head, drawing close to her ears.
“There isn’t a need to know everyone else,” hot breath emerged from his lips, brushing her flushed ears while he whispered.
Her body twitched as she squeezed her eyes.
“I am enough for you...”
He then moved away from her.
Thinking that he was probably no longer moving closer toward her, she opened her eyes a bit. Trying to take a peek at him.
Her eyes widened.
He was drawing his face closer, and closer to hers while gazing at her glittering amber eyes before shutting their eyes the next moment…
‘I wonder why it suddenly feels quiet…’ Kaveh tried to move his head even closer.
“OUCH!” he exclaimed.
Immediately, he covered his mouth with his hands after his head got knocked onto the shelf. A few drops of tears ran out of his eyes while enduring the pain that just exacerbated.
She opened her eyes.
That anonymous scream has awakened all of her senses. Her eyes widened. The rose coloured on her cheeks became deeper. Her skin was burning with heat.
His heated lips have touched hers lightly.
She pushed him away. Covering her lips with her hand. Fleeing from his arms as she rushed her way toward the direction of the main entrance, disappearing from his sight.
He stood still. Not moving a step while touching his lips with his fingers. Curving a corner of his lips, reminisced about that moment earlier.
“How long more do you intend to remain hidden?” he turned his gaze to the bookshelf, crossing his arms.
His red eyes widened. Unable to believe that he has been discovered by him, even after his struggling effort to conceal himself.
“Did you think I’m unaware of my surroundings?”
Biting his lower lip, he stomped out of his hideout. His cheeks flushed.
“IF YOU KNEW I AM HERE, WHY DIDN’T YOU CALL ME?!!!” pointing his finger at him.
He smirked.
“Didn’t you see that I was having a conversation with another?”
“Oh!” putting down his pointed finger, “Who is she? The one that you just had a conversation with…” his tone calmed down a little. His eyes glittered as he searched for her, who was no longer within his sight.
His light-turquoise eyes widened after noticing his glittering gaze, then narrowed his darkened gaze. This was not the kind of reaction that he was expecting. A feeling of dissatisfaction began to stir within him.
“If you would like to get to know her, you should have stepped out since the beginning,” he walked away.
He glared at him.
“JUST YOU WAIT!!! I’LL DEFINITELY FIND OUT ABOUT HER!!!” raising his voice as he watched him getting further, and further away. He then turned and walked in the opposite direction.
‘Look like I have another rival to fight for her…’
This was the thought that they had when they walked away from each other…
‘Did I forget about something…?’ furrowing his brows as he tried to search through his mind.
His red eyes widened. Kneeling on the ceramic floor and letting out a soundless scream.
‘I FORGOT TO TELL HIM THAT I DON’T WANT TO BE A SAGEEE!!!’
Her eyes shifted over to the soda dispenser generously placed at the counter for all to drink — introduced to be ‘free-flow’ to them by the owner himself.
From the corners of her eyes, she saw Dan Heng move to stand.
“Here,” Stelle felt the brush of his hand over hers as she turned to him. In that short moment of daze, she watched long fingers clamp over the paper cup, carefully placed to avoid the rim. “Let me.”
It was only when the paper cup was plucked out of her hand, she snapped out of it. “Wait, Dan Heng, it’s okay—”
“I want seconds too, Stelle.” was all Dan Heng said before he strolled off, manoeuvring his way over to the counter.
Seconds?
Stelle dropped her gaze to the crushed cup he left behind on their table.
Yeah right.
A snort of amusement escaped her as a grateful smile spread across her lips.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Look at this man, he is just *feral screeches*
He's kind, he's loving, he's caring... but on the other hand he can also be strict and principled I just- jksahdfkj
I've played around in genshin. Went over the latest Archon Quest and I have to say the Fontaine characters are so likeable especially Neuvillette and Wriothesley 💙💙 gosh goshhh
It's like the water dragon era for Hoyoverse eh? First, Dan Heng. Now, Neuvillette hahaha I'm VERY enamoured with this man ahem dragon💙
Not complaining though, seriously loving what we are being fed 🤩🤩✨️✨️
But I have to say I'm equally fascinated with Wriothesley too! Hehehe ideas are inspired as I played 4.1
He is a charming man; love his scars and those eyes oh mannnn
“Thank you for coming down to the Xianzhou for us.”
His blinking gaze was drawn back to hers. “I know it wasn’t an easy decision to make,” and in hers, fondness and gratitude glinted warmly. “And even after all that, Dan Heng…thank you for choosing us, still.
Dan Heng’s lips parted then pressed closed.
Shifting expressions flickered through his eyes as they dropped back to their hands once more. “I…” Intense yet hesitant.
“...Actually, it wasn’t a difficult choice to make. Luofu is as foreign a place to me as it was to you.”
A breath stuttered out of her; she wasn’t quite prepared for the tenderness in his reciprocating stare when Dan Heng raised his eyes again,
“The Express is my home. And so are all of you.” His voice in his declaration was soft but unyielding. “So don’t worry. No matter what happens, I will choose here over and over again.”
His fingers curled over hers. “...This is my promise to you, Stelle.”
Here's my shameless advertising of my latest chapter :3 ♥
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
I love hoyoverse for giving us more messages from Dan Heng. I'm getting texts from him daily and I loveeeeee it 🥺🥺🥺 especially this one (spoilers under cut)
The opening line before the conversation developed had me thinking: 'Dan Heng, are you subtly trying to ask us out on a date?'
Dan Heng, are you trying to fish out what Stelle (us) likes so that he could buy us/her back a treat?
"I guessed it'd be steamed puffergoat milk."
"I knew it."
To think he actually had given this some thoughts and analyse what we/she might like.
OMG DAN HENG why are you making me fall for you over and over again? I'm down bad for you already and you just had to say these things (pls continue tho I can't get enough of you 🥺)
And that last part:
"There's also a type of yogurt that looked very interesting. A pity it was sold out for now."
"It’s name is Puffergoat Belly Bliss."
"Let's come back and check again later."
Smooth, Dan Heng, reaaaaal smooth there. Potential date perhaps? 🥺😂😏
Hello, I'm not sure if the issue is just for me or if you've already addressed it, but the links for the masterlist say that there's nothing there
Hey there, I've checked the masterlist and no worries dear, it was not you, it was me HAHAH
Apparently after i changed my username to stellartales, the masterlist became useless. I've made the amendments though not all cause if I were to amend the entire masterlist, I would need to dig way too deep into this blog — that requires time. For now, I've amend the ones I specifically mentioned on my main m.list
If you can't assess the rest and want to read them soon, please head over to my Ao3 — i'm more up to date over there.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
If you weren't interested in Dan Heng before 1.2 Trailblazer quest, I bet you are now 🥺🥺
For me, I'm a big simp from the start of HSR and now I'm an even BIGGER simp.
With that said, I'm about to release a few more Dan Heng x Stelle content, lined up with our latest content on the game.
Ofc, you can take Stelle as you (cause well, we ARE the mc so you can consider these upcoming ones and even the two existing ones I have on this blog as a Dan Heng x reader if you wish ✌🏻)
Summary: Dan Heng wouldn't call himself a researcher. However, when it comes to things that interest him, he tends to study them like he is one. This time, it was the newest member of the Astral Crew — Stelle. But what started off as as a simple secret case study on her somehow complicates over time. As curiosity and an odd stir of his heart tempts, Dan Heng finds himself drawn closer to her and learning more about himself than her.
if you have not played the 1.2 Trailerblazer mission, turn around.
This chapter is a modification to the canon when Dan Heng was in contact with Stelle. This is semi-canon; I'd changed things and rearranged the script a little. I enjoyed writing this so far; it was fun. I hope you found this fun to read too! (I'm so sorry, i do not do beta-reading so if some weirdness is picked up, pls pardon me.)
03 when the Moon chases the Sun
Stellarons have always been mysterious entities throughout the vastness of the universe.
Often she finds herself wondering about the one she hosts in her body, especially when it comes to the strange heat of emotions.
The curious spurs of weird reactions whenever things have something to do with Dan Heng — set her chest ablaze, her heart thumping faster, the funny feeling in her stomach or how her mood just lifts at the sight of him…
A soft ‘pop’ notification sound urged Stelle to pull out her phone.
[Dan Heng] Something happened just now. I just arrived on the Xianzhou. Are you alright?
….or his text messages.
There it was again. There was that odd stutter in her chest.
But this time, she wasn’t sure it was due to her surprise that that man who was clearly not comfortable coming down to Xianzhou with them was actually in Xianzhou now or it was just the Stellaron again.
…maybe she should just check with Mr Yang about her Stellaron when they are safely back on the Express again.
Bringing her attention back to his text message again, a ridge of concern appeared between her brows.
…did something happen to the Express?
Her fingers flew across the screen.
[Stelle] What are you doing on the Xianzhou? Is the Express okay? What happened?
In less than a second, a bubbling line of dots was accompanied by Dan Heng is typing…under his status. She didn’t even realise she was holding her breath until a reply popped into the chat.
[Dan Heng] I’ll pretend you replied “I’m okay.”
At that, her lips quirked. It was so Dan Heng.
Then another text from him followed.
[Dan Heng] It’s a long story. I’m at CloudFord with a Cloud Knight. I’ll join you when I come out.
Then another.
[Dan Heng] By the way, the Express is fine. I came here by myself. I’ll tell you about it later.
The tension on her face melted, softened by relief.
[Stelle] I’m very interested. Tell me the details.
Stelle looked up from her phone with a silent sigh, somehow feeling…lighter and happier.
She thinks she understands now.
The times in Belobog had bonded them well and close enough for her to feel like home around March and him.
It had been a long, perilous adventure back on the frozen planet so she has gotten very used to going on a Trailblazer mission with both March and Dan Heng, albeit being her first with them.
It all makes sense. Of course, it’s no wonder she was ecstatic to know that he’s joining them in Xianzhou too!
Taut shoulders loosened as Dan Heng glanced up from his phone.
After he came to learn that that man could be in Xianzhou as well, he felt as if he had been holding onto this breath ever since he left the Express in a hurry.
Blade. Many people he accidentally got involved in the past lost their lives or were severely injured. That moment he knew Blade was in Xianzhou too, his blood ran cold and the dreadful chill down his spine.
He wasn’t fearing for himself, but them. As worried about March and Mr Yang, thoughts of the ashen-haired girl somehow flashed across his mind more often than they should.
Dan Heng had imagined the worst when he stumbled across shattered Cloud Knights’ armours upon getting off the Express. A clear telltale that a struggle has occurred.
He couldn’t shake off the feeling that something bad was definitely happening on the Luofu.
His phone has been in and out of his pocket nearly every five minutes, with him loitering around the chatrooms — hoping for a response.
The frustration holding his shoulders stiff grew even worse when there was no response from Mr Yang and March as well. He was aware of their combat abilities, especially the older man's but the quiet chats bugged him.
Even the group chat they shared was quiet then.
Jade blue eyes lingered on the little green dot by Stelle’s icon as another sigh left him quietly — feeling the anxiety in him softened enough to let him breathe more easily.
Noticing how much better he felt now, he was reminded of his secret case study on Stelle he had to put on hold due to this sudden visit to the Xianzhou Luofu — wondering about her possible innate ability to bring comfort to those around her.
But the curious thought was broken into by the curt vibration in his hand when another reply from her popped onto his screen.
[Stelle] I’m very interested. Tell me the details.
Dan Heng read the last text bubble with a quiet warmth in his eyes.
[Dan Heng] I’ll see you later.
There was a hint of a smile on his lips that one will have to lean in close enough to see, as his fingers hovered over the chat box for a second.
Stay safe, he finally added before sending it out, feeling the anticipation to unite with them in his chest arise.
Now knowing that the situation on the other end was fine, Dan Heng brought his attention back to the two strangers he met and fought alongside.
The glint of determination renewed in his eyes, unclouded this time as Dan Heng reached around his waist. Finally able to slip the device in his hand back into his pocket with a peace of mind.
Even though it has been years since he left Xianzhou Luofu, he still knew the place like it was the back of his hands.
Was it the doing of a Stellaron? was his first question when the famous, reliable navigation feature guiding the path of the starskiff under them suddenly slowed down and steered east instead of west.
…or was it…that man?
Dan Heng found himself worrying again. A nagging feeling urged him to reach out to his friends again prompted him to pull out his phone and so he did.
The blank screen lit up as Dan Heng opened the chat once again.
[Dan Heng] Stelle, did something happen?
But a Message failed to send came popping on his screen right after.
Dan Heng blinked at the notification, feeling uneasiness settle in the pit of his stomach. Jade blue eyes narrowed, the notification coiled a tense ball of frustration in his chest.
He tried again.
[Dan Heng] Are you alright?
—Message failed to send—
And again.
[Dan Heng] Stelle?
—Message failed to send—
His face blanked.
Something was definitely wrong.
The perturbing fear that Blade would find them first before he could, closed around his heart like an icy hand.
Dan Heng raised his head, jaw clenched as he watched the starskiff drift closer to a port. —of the wrong place, his growing impatience supplied unhelpfully as his hand curled tighter around his phone.
As much as he wanted to steer them back to the right course, it was too risky to do so or even point out that they were heading in the wrong direction.
He was afterall a wanted criminal here, posing as an Outworlder who has never been here and got lost, separated from his friends.
Worry pinched a furrow between Dan Heng’s brows as his eyes wandered up to the sky in a certain direction.
…That dream. No, that nightmare. He was not one to believe in dreams or nightmare in his case, but reality was starting to resemble that terrible dream.
His gaze filtered down to his phone for a wistful second.
The starskiff was getting close to the port, Dan Heng observed. Maybe he could try again.
“Oh?” Snapped out of his thoughts by the curious voice, Dan Heng found the Sushang girl peering at his screen from the seat beside him, “Is that your girlfriend?”
Dan Heng peered down at his phone and blinked.
Oh, she meant Stelle.
His stomach did a little flip.
But more irritated about her prying, the strange sensation her question invoked was ignored.
Dan Heng turned to stare at Sushang flatly.
“What?” The girl looked taken aback. “You’ve got something to say, oh Silent and Deadly one?” Sushang raised a brow at him.
Dan Heng raised a brow back at her. “I didn’t know it’s the duty of a Cloud Knight to be nosy.” She was starting to remind him a little of March.
“What? No, I was not!”
Putting up a hand as if she was about to take a pledge, Sushang tried to keep a stern face. “I swear on my role as a Cloud Knight that I just happened to look over and saw that name by accident!“
The pout she fought to keep off her demeanour still made it to her face in the end. “Cloud Knights don’t do disgraceful things like poking their nose into people’s businesses unless necessary!”
Dan Heng took one look at her and let out a snort. “Sure.” Was all he said — but clear enough to Sushang that he was not convinced.
Sushang’s mouth opened again.
“Miss Sushang, don’t you find the traffic here has been awfully quiet? What exactly has transpired here?”
Dan Heng turned his eyes to the blond long-haired man and his mysterious coffin sitting across them. Luocha, a travelling merchant, was what he introduced himself as.
“Not a single starskiff had passed us.” Despite the suspicious bleakness he had pointed out, the man had the calmest face for a simple merchant. “In all my trade visits, I’ve never seen Luofu in such a state.”
Indeed.
As the man had pointed out, Dan Heng glanced about to see nothing but the clouds and the approaching port in the distance. In the times he had been thinking about his friends, worrying about Blade getting to them, this detail has fallen past his observation.
Apparently, it did too for Sushang.
Sheepishness appeared on her face. “I, uh…I can’t comment on that. I was just ordered to rescue the civilians. Actually, I have no idea either.”
Sushang swung her eyes to the port and grew serious. “Anyway, trust me I’ll get you two to the Central. We’re reaching soon.”
Arriving at destination. Prepare to dock. The three fell into silence as a mechanical voice from the starskiff announced. Please exercise caution and do not leave your belongings behind.
The starskiff jerked slightly as it parked itself by the platform.
Sushang was the first one to stand, a foot planted on the steps, ready to disembark.
Filtered through the thin curtain covering the window, warmth of another morning in the Central Starskiff Haven spilled into the room.
Long, slender fingers lazily combed through ashen hair as citrine eyes full with thoughts stayed fixed on the ceiling above. Memories of yesterday just wouldn’t stop playing in her head.
The revival of Ambrosial Arbor. Kafka and that other Stellaron Hunter Blade who made her shudder for some reason, along with the revelation that the chain of events was all prophesised. The Mara-struck.
So much has happened.
And Dan Heng…somewhere on the ship the last they texted but uncontactable ever since the whole Ambrosial Arbor debacle disrupted the network.
It was noticeably odd not to have Dan Heng around. But she found out it was only her who felt it.
Mr Yang was a bit concerned but voiced his confidence in Dan Heng’s ability to keep himself safe.
Similarly, March waved her concerns away, agreeing with Mr Yang that Dan Heng would be fine, before ranting about the times Dan Heng ran off on his own to study something while they were in foreign places.
A long exhale sifted heavily through her lips.
The sheets rustled under her shifting weight as Stelle slowly turned, wanting to lie on her side. Only to pause, wincing as the aches as a result of the battles yesterday ripple across her body.
They weren’t as bad as the ones she received in Belobog but still...
Ignoring them the best she could, her cheek sank into the soft pillow under her head as eyes drifted down to her phone lying on the bed with her at arm’s length away.
Drowsiness was beginning to seep into her consciousness.
With all that happened and that was about to happen as per Kafka, taking a nap in between would probably be the last thing the generals would think about.
…Except for maybe General Jingyuan.
A snort of laughter, Stelle’s lips curled in amusement immediately at a ridiculous image in her head.
—of that supposedly handsome, ladies' man of a General snoring like a chainsaw on his desk, with a piece of his white mane-like hair stuck to the drool on the corner of his lips.
Another snort of laughter. The drowsy fog in her head was clearly making her a little delirious.
However, the silly imagination in her head was cut short when her phone suddenly lit up, sending a curt vibration across the bed.
Lazily plopping herself closer to her phone, she squinted groggily at the new text message that was nearly blinding her from the screen like the sun.
Stelle furrowed her brows in her confusion as her clouded brain tried to make out the sender’s name.
…Dan…
The furrow on her face deepened.
…Dan Heng?
Shocked into sitting up, the drowsiness lulling her to sleep instantly evaporated like a water puddle on a hot day as she eagerly picked up her phone, tucking her legs in to cross them.
Stelle rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn’t reading the sender’s name wrong.
It was indeed Dan Heng!
Right on time as if March could hear the notification as well, the bathroom door opened.
Even with her back facing the bathroom, the gush of moist air carrying the sweetness of March’s strawberry shampoo blasted right into the room and filled her nose.
The song the pink-haired girl has been spending the past thirty minutes singing under the running shower has finally quietened down into a hummed tune.
“Hey, isn’t Dan Heng taking a little too long to respond?” Faintly from somewhere behind, March’s question fell past her ears.
A breath Stelle didn’t know she was holding exhaled from her mouth as she now sat fully awake, feeling utterly relieved as her eyes scanned the new text from Dan Heng.
[Dan Heng] Our starskiff went off course. How’s the situation on your end? Are you okay?
Fingers moving up to tuck her ashen hair behind her ear, a reply was rapidly keyed into the chat bar as soon as her hand returned to her phone.
[Stelle] Your phone has signal again? Are you alright? Are you safe?
Almost as soon as her reply was sent out, March appeared beside her, peering over her shoulder at her screen.
“Hey, is that Dan Heng? Not fair, he hasn’t responded to me.”
Stelle turned to March to see her pouting.
As if Dan Heng heard her, March’s phone pinged loudly from the other side of the room.
Glancing across the room, Stelle laughed. ”I think that’s him.”
Stelle watched the pout on March’s face falter. “Oh, it’d better be!”
Her eyes followed March as the girl stride across the room to check her phone the second time. But only to be brought back to her phone when it vibrated again in her hand.
[Dan Heng] Yes, it seems like the network is back to normal.
Another text bubble popped onto her screen right after.
[Dan Heng] Would it hurt you to just reply ‘Yes, I’m okay?’ I’ll take it that you are all safe since March just spammed my inbox with five stickers.
Letting out a snort of laughter, Stelle knew exactly which sticker he was referring to.
Her citrine eyes bright with amusement lifted briefly to the other side of the room where March stood with her phone.
Stelle cracked a smile.
[Stelle] Five angry Pom-pom stickers?
Popped right after her text, Dan Heng humoured.
[Dan Heng] Yes, the one stomping its feet. You know, her usual.
She snickered.
[Dan Heng] Anyway, how is it going on your end?
The playful glint in her eyes faded as his question reminded her of the grave danger and complications the Luofu was in.
[Stelle] We caught Kafka, but it was too easy. It was kinda odd. We’ll be meeting the leader of the Divination Commission later to find out more.
Following right behind her response, his reply came fast.
[Dan Heng] What about Kafka’s companion? Did you see Blade?
As quickly as he asked, her response popped into the chatroom.
[Stelle] Yes, he was there. But he ran away. Dunno where he is.
Expecting a response as instant as his previous, Stelle stared curiously at the chat which stayed oddly quiet for a few lingering seconds.
Maybe he is replying March now on their own chat, she thought as her eyes were about to leave her phone to find out.
But a curt vibration stopped her before she could. Her eyes fell back to the screen.
[Dan Heng] Be careful. He is very dangerous.
Blinking at his message, Stelle recalled the bloodthirsty aura she sensed from that said man, remembering how the hairs on her arms stood.
Suddenly worried for Dan Heng, her fingers flew across the keyboard. [Stelle] Where are you? You should be more concerned for yourself, not me or the rest. We are safe in the Central.
Stelle nibbled on her lower lips nervously and watched a new text bubble appear on her screen. So engrossed in their conversation, Stelle did not realise that March had settled down beside her to read their chat.
[Dan Heng] I’m in a safe zone, don’t worry.
There was a brief pause before another appeared.
[Dan Heng] I’ll shake off the Cloud Knights and catch up to you. Talk to you later. I’m moving out now.
Sensing the finality in his latest message, Stelle hesitantly lowered her phone back into her lap and raised her head.
Only for her to be instantly met with March who was gleefully grinning from ear to ear at her for some weird reason.
“March!” Stelle flinched, nearly falling off the bed.
“Eheheh~” A teasing glint shone bright in March’s eyes. “Is Dan Heng usually that talkative with you?”
Stelle stared back in confusion. “Mostly only when we text.”
Indeed, she has always thought Dan Heng was more chatty on text than in person. Or at least that was what she had picked up about him. Was she mistaken all this while?
Confusion intensified when the teasing grin on March’s face widened. However, that emotion was not the only thing which intensified.
Stelle swallowed thickly. Her heart was suddenly beating faster in her chest too, and she didn’t know what to make of it.
“Uh.…but isn’t he more talkative on text with you, Mr Yang and Himeko as well? Even with Pom-pom too?”
March snickered with a playful smirk. “Nope~”
Stelle blinked once, twice at the giggling pink-haired girl who began typing something on her phone. Curious, she shifted forward in an attempt to peek at March’s screen when her own phone vibrated.
Her eyes widened, surprised to see that it was Dan Heng again.
[Dan Heng] March’s being weird. She just sent me three smirking Pom-Pom stickers for no reason.
