Work Text:
Dan Heng stood in the small kitchen area of the Astral Express, surrounded by an array of ingredients that would have made March 7th squeal with delight. Chocolate bars, cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and various molds were spread across the counter in organized chaos. He'd been working on this for hours, ever since the others had gone to bed, wanting privacy for his project.
The dim lighting cast soft shadows across his concentrated face as he carefully tempered the chocolate, watching the thermometer with the same intense focus he usually reserved for combat analysis. His long dark hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, a few strands escaping to frame his face. He'd forgone his usual formal attire for something more comfortable: a simple black shirt and loose pants that allowed him to move freely.
Making chocolate from scratch was harder than he'd anticipated. He'd consulted recipe databases, watched tutorials, even asked Himeko for advice (though he'd been deliberately vague about why he needed it). All because he wanted to make something special. Something meaningful.
For Blade.
Their relationship was complicated, to say the least. Once enemies, now something more, something Dan Heng still struggled to define. They circled each other like binary stars, caught in an orbit neither could escape. But recently, things had shifted. The hostility had transformed into something else, something heated and intense in an entirely different way.
It had started three months ago, during a mission on a remote planet. They'd been forced to work together, trapped in close quarters while waiting out a storm. Words had been exchanged, then touches, then kisses that tasted like desperation and longing. Since then, they'd fallen into a pattern, meeting in secret, stealing moments when they could.
Dan Heng had never been good with words, never been able to articulate the confusing tangle of emotions Blade inspired in him. But he could do this. He could make something with his own hands, pour his feelings into something tangible.
Tomorrow was Valentine's Day. He'd learned about the holiday from March 7th's enthusiastic explanations, her insistence that it was a day to show appreciation for the people you cared about. And despite everything, despite the complicated history, despite not fully understanding what they were to each other, Dan Heng cared about Blade.
He carefully poured the tempered chocolate into heart-shaped molds, his movements precise and controlled. Some he left plain dark chocolate. Others he filled with a cherry ganache he'd made earlier, the tartness meant to balance the sweetness. Blade had mentioned once, in an unguarded moment, that he preferred things less sweet. Dan Heng had filed that information away, as he did with everything about Blade.
As he worked, he didn't notice the door sliding open silently behind him. Didn't notice the figure watching from the shadows.
Caelus leaned against the doorframe, his trademark mischievous grin spreading across his face as he observed Dan Heng's careful chocolate-making process. The Trailblazer had been on his way to raid the kitchen for a midnight snack when he'd stumbled upon this unexpectedly domestic scene.
"Well, well, well," Caelus said, his voice cutting through the quiet. "What do we have here?"
Dan Heng startled, nearly dropping the chocolate mold he was holding. His head whipped around, eyes wide, and Caelus had to suppress a laugh at the rare sight of Dan Heng looking genuinely flustered.
"Caelus," Dan Heng said, his voice carefully neutral despite the faint color rising to his cheeks. "What are you doing awake?"
"Could ask you the same thing," Caelus replied, pushing off the doorframe and sauntering over to inspect Dan Heng's handiwork. "Making chocolates at," he checked his phone, "two in the morning? That's suspicious behavior, Dan Heng."
"It's not suspicious. I simply couldn't sleep."
"Uh-huh. And you decided to make elaborate homemade chocolates because...?"
Dan Heng turned back to his work, carefully avoiding eye contact. "Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I thought it would be nice to make something for everyone on the Express."
It wasn't entirely a lie. He had made extra to give to the crew. But the special ones, the ones he'd spent the most time on, those were for Blade.
Caelus picked up one of the finished chocolates, examining it with exaggerated scrutiny. "These are really well made. Heart-shaped too. Very romantic." He glanced at Dan Heng with a knowing look. "You sure these are for everyone?"
"Yes," Dan Heng said firmly, perhaps a bit too firmly.
"Even me?"
"Even you."
"Even Blade?"
Dan Heng's hands stilled for just a moment, but it was enough. Caelus's grin widened.
"I knew it! You're making these for Blade!"
"I said they're for everyone," Dan Heng repeated, his ears definitely red now. "Including Blade, yes. He's... part of the group now. It would be rude to exclude him."
"Part of the group. Right. Is that what we're calling it?" Caelus laughed, delighted by Dan Heng's obvious discomfort. "Dan Heng, I know you sneak off the Express sometimes. I'm not stupid. And I've seen the way you and Blade look at each other. Like you want to either kill each other or-"
"Caelus."
"What? I'm just saying, it's obvious you two have something going on."
Dan Heng sighed, setting down his tools. There was no point in denying it, not to Caelus, who somehow seemed to notice everything despite his chaotic demeanor. "It's complicated."
"Relationships usually are," Caelus said, his tone gentler now. He popped the chocolate he'd been holding into his mouth, eyes widening. "Holy shit, this is good. Blade's a lucky guy."
"It's not like that. We're not... we haven't defined what this is."
"But you want to."
Did he? Dan Heng wasn't sure. Part of him wanted to keep things as they were, simple and undefined. But another part, the part that had spent hours making chocolates in the middle of the night, wanted something more concrete. Something real.
"I don't know," Dan Heng admitted quietly.
Caelus clapped him on the shoulder. "Well, either way, these chocolates are definitely going to send a message. A very clear, very romantic message."
"That's not-"
"Dan Heng, you made heart-shaped chocolates. With filling. From scratch. That's about as romantic as it gets."
Before Dan Heng could respond, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, his expression shifting subtly when he saw the message.
Blade: Can't sleep. Are you awake?
Dan Heng's fingers hovered over the screen, torn between responding and focusing on finishing the chocolates. He wanted to see Blade, always wanted to see him, but he'd hoped to have the chocolates finished and packaged before their next meeting.
"Is that him?" Caelus asked, peering over Dan Heng's shoulder.
"Privacy, Caelus."
"That's a yes." Caelus grabbed a few more chocolates, ignoring Dan Heng's protest. "Go on, answer him. I'll finish cleaning up here."
"You don't need to-"
"Just go. But Dan Heng?" Caelus's expression turned uncharacteristically serious. "Make sure he knows these are for him. Specifically. Guys like Blade, they need things spelled out clearly. Trust me."
Dan Heng nodded slowly, appreciating the advice even if he wasn't sure he could follow it. Being direct about his feelings had never been his strong suit.
He typed out a response: Yes. Where are you?
The reply came almost immediately: Observation deck.
Dan Heng quickly finished packaging the special chocolates he'd made for Blade, placing them in a small red box he'd prepared earlier. His hands trembled slightly as he tied the ribbon, a rare show of nervousness.
"Good luck," Caelus called after him as he left, and Dan Heng couldn't tell if he was being sincere or setting up some future teasing.
The observation deck was empty at this hour, the simulated night sky displaying a sea of stars that stretched infinitely in all directions. Blade stood at the viewport, his back to the door, dark coat hanging loosely off his shoulders. He didn't turn when Dan Heng entered, but his posture shifted slightly in acknowledgment.
"You should be resting," Dan Heng said quietly, coming to stand beside him.
"So should you," Blade replied. His voice was rough, as always, but there was something softer underneath. "Couldn't sleep?"
"I was working on something."
"At two in the morning?"
Dan Heng didn't answer, instead letting the silence settle between them. It was comfortable, this quiet. They'd spent enough time together now that the silences no longer felt hostile, just peaceful.
Blade finally turned to look at him, red eyes catching the starlight. His gaze was intense, searching, and Dan Heng felt the familiar flutter in his chest that Blade always inspired. Even now, after everything, Blade could undo him with just a look.
"What were you working on?" Blade asked.
Dan Heng clutched the small red box tighter, hidden behind his back. He'd planned to give it to Blade tomorrow, had a whole scenario worked out in his head. But now, with Blade looking at him like that, in this quiet moment, the words stuck in his throat.
"Just... something for tomorrow," Dan Heng said vaguely.
Blade's eyes narrowed slightly. "Valentine's Day."
"Yes."
"I see."
There was something in Blade's tone that Dan Heng couldn't quite identify. Before he could analyze it further, Blade closed the distance between them, his hand coming up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind Dan Heng's ear. The gesture was surprisingly gentle, at odds with everything most people knew about Blade.
"You made something for someone," Blade said, and it wasn't quite a question.
Dan Heng's breath caught. "I…yes."
Blade's expression didn't change, but Dan Heng knew him well enough now to see the subtle tension in his jaw, the way his hand dropped back to his side. "I hope they appreciate it."
"Blade-"
"It's late. You should rest." Blade stepped back, creating distance, and Dan Heng felt the loss of his proximity like a physical thing.
Wait. Did Blade think the chocolates were for someone else?
"Blade," Dan Heng tried again, but the swordsman was already heading for the door.
"Goodnight, Dan Heng."
And then he was gone, leaving Dan Heng alone with the stars and a box of chocolates meant for someone who didn't know they were his.
The next day dawned bright and cheerful, or as bright and cheerful as a day on the Astral Express could be. March 7th had decorated the parlor car with pink and red hearts, much to everyone's amusement. Dan Heng had distributed the chocolates he'd made to the crew during breakfast, receiving enthusiastic thanks from March, a warm smile from Himeko, and an enthusiastic thumbs up from Caelus.
But Blade hadn't come to breakfast. Hadn't responded to Dan Heng's messages. And the small red box remained hidden in Dan Heng's room, unopened and ungiven.
Dan Heng tried not to let it bother him as he went about his day, cataloging new data in the archives, helping March with some maintenance tasks. But his mind kept drifting back to the observation deck, to the way Blade had looked at him, to the sudden distance in his voice.
It was late afternoon when things came to a head.
Dan Heng was in his room, attempting to focus on reading, when his door suddenly slid open. Blade stood in the doorway, and one look at his face told Dan Heng that something was very wrong.
"Blade? What-"
"Who is it?"
Dan Heng blinked. "What?"
Blade stepped into the room, the door sliding shut behind him. There was tension in every line of his body, a coiled energy that reminded Dan Heng of the dangerous fighter he'd once been enemies with. "Who did you make the chocolates for?"
"I made chocolates for everyone on the Express," Dan Heng said carefully, setting his book aside.
"Don't." Blade's voice was sharp. "Don't lie to me. Caelus told me. He said you spent hours making special chocolates. For someone specific."
Dan Heng was going to kill Caelus. Slowly. "He what?"
"He was very helpful, actually. Very chatty." Blade's laugh was bitter. "He seemed to think I should know. That it would be 'funny' to see my reaction."
That little shit. Dan Heng made a mental note to have a very serious conversation with Caelus about boundaries and meddling.
"So I'm asking you," Blade continued, taking another step closer. "Who did you make them for, Dan Heng?"
"Why does it matter?" Dan Heng stood up from his bed, meeting Blade's gaze steadily even as his heart raced.
"Why does it-" Blade laughed again, the sound harsh. "You really don't know?"
"Apparently not."
Blade closed the distance between them in two strides, backing Dan Heng against the wall. His hands came up to brace on either side of Dan Heng's head, caging him in. They were close enough that Dan Heng could see the swirl of mara in Blade's eyes, could feel his breath on his face.
"It matters," Blade said, his voice low and dangerous, "because I don't share."
Dan Heng's breath caught. "You don't…what?"
"Whatever this is between us, whatever you want to call it, I don't share. I thought you understood that."
"Blade, you're not making sense. I haven't-"
"Then who?" Blade demanded. "Who did you make them for? That doctor on the space station? That merchant we met on the last world? Someone on the Express?"
Understanding finally dawned, and with it came a surge of emotion Dan Heng couldn't quite name. Blade was jealous. Actually, genuinely jealous. The realization should have been absurd, given their complicated history, but instead it made something warm bloom in Dan Heng's chest.
"You're jealous," Dan Heng said, unable to keep the slight wonder from his voice.
"Of course I'm fucking jealous!" Blade's composure finally cracked. "You spend hours making chocolates for someone, on Valentine's Day, and you expect me to just, what? Be fine with it?"
"Blade." Dan Heng brought his hands up to rest on Blade's chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat. "You idiot."
"Excuse me?"
"They're for you."
Blade went very still. "What?"
"The chocolates. The special ones. They're for you." Dan Heng pushed gently at Blade's chest, creating enough space to reach over to his desk and grab the small red box. "I was working on these when you texted me last night. I was going to give them to you, but then you left before I could explain."
Blade stared at the box like it might explode. "For me?"
"Yes, for you. Who else would I spend hours making chocolates for?" Dan Heng opened the box, showing the carefully crafted chocolates inside. "You said you don't like things too sweet, so I made them with dark chocolate and cherry filling. And I... I wasn't sure how to tell you what this means to me, what you mean to me, so I thought I could show you instead."
Blade's hand came up, trembling slightly, to touch the ribbon on the box. "Dan Heng..."
"I'm not interested in anyone else," Dan Heng continued, the words coming easier now. "I haven't been for a while. There's only you, Blade. There's only ever been you."
Something in Blade's expression cracked, the dangerous edge giving way to something vulnerable and raw. "You should have said something."
"So should you. Instead of listening to Caelus's meddling."
"He told me you were making chocolates for your 'special someone.' Said I should ask you about it, that my reaction would be 'hilarious.'" Blade's jaw clenched. "I'm going to kill him."
"Get in line," Dan Heng muttered. Then, softer, "I'm sorry. I should have been clearer last night."
"I'm sorry for assuming." Blade's hand came up to cup Dan Heng's face, his thumb brushing over his cheekbone. "For doubting you."
"You care," Dan Heng said, and it wasn't a question. "About me. About this."
"Of course I care." Blade's voice was rough with emotion. "Did you really think I didn't?"
"I wasn't sure what we were. What this was."
"Then let me make it clear." Blade leaned in, his lips brushing against Dan Heng's ear. "You're mine, Dan Heng. And I'm yours. Is that clear enough?"
Dan Heng shivered at the possessiveness in Blade's voice, at the claim being staked. "Yes."
"Good."
Blade kissed him then, hard and demanding, and Dan Heng melted into it, his hands coming up to fist in Blade's coat. The chocolate box fell forgotten to the floor as Blade walked Dan Heng backwards until his legs hit the bed.
"Blade," Dan Heng gasped against his mouth. "Wait-"
"No more waiting." Blade's eyes were dark with desire and something deeper, something possessive and hungry. "I've spent enough time waiting. Watching you. Wanting you. No more."
He pushed Dan Heng down onto the bed, following him down, covering his body with his own. Dan Heng's breath caught at the weight of him, at the heat bleeding through their clothes.
"Tell me you want this," Blade demanded, his hand sliding under Dan Heng's shirt, fingers splaying across his stomach. "Tell me you want me."
"I do," Dan Heng breathed. "I want you. I've wanted you for so long."
"Then you'll have me." Blade's smile was sharp, dangerous, promising. "All of me."
Blade kissed Dan Heng again, slower this time but no less intense. His tongue swept into Dan Heng's mouth, tasting, claiming, and Dan Heng let him, surrendering to the sensation. Blade's hands were everywhere, pushing up his shirt, mapping the planes of his chest, his ribs, his stomach.
"You drive me insane," Blade murmured against Dan Heng's lips. "Do you know that? Walking around looking like that, being so composed, so controlled. I want to ruin that composure. Want to see you fall apart."
Dan Heng's breath hitched as Blade's hand slid lower, teasing at the waistband of his pants. "Blade..."
"Say my name again," Blade demanded, his teeth grazing Dan Heng's jaw. "I want to hear you say it."
"Blade," Dan Heng gasped as those skilled fingers popped the button of his pants. "Please."
"Please what?" Blade pulled back to look at him, his eyes gleaming with dark satisfaction. "What do you want, Dan Heng?"
Dan Heng felt his face heat. He'd never been good at asking for what he wanted, never been comfortable being vulnerable like this. But something about the way Blade looked at him, the hunger and possessiveness mixed with genuine care, made him brave.
"Touch me," Dan Heng said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I want you to touch me."
"Good," Blade purred, and his hand slid down into Dan Heng's pants.
Dan Heng gasped at the first touch, his back arching off the bed. Blade's fingers were warm and sure as they explored, finding him already wet and ready. Dan Heng had been born male in most ways, but his body had always been different, unique. He'd spent years being self-conscious about it, but Blade had never cared, had always touched him like he was precious, desired.
"So wet already," Blade murmured, circling Dan Heng's entrance with one finger. "Were you thinking about me? Is that why?"
"Yes," Dan Heng admitted, too far gone to be embarrassed. "Always thinking about you."
Blade made a pleased sound, rewarding Dan Heng's honesty by pushing one finger inside. Dan Heng's breath caught at the intrusion, at the stretch and fullness. It had been a few weeks since they'd last done this, both of them too busy with missions and travel.
"So tight," Blade said, working his finger in and out slowly. "I can feel you clenching around me. Your body knows who it belongs to, doesn't it?"
"Blade," Dan Heng whimpered, his hands fisting in the sheets.
"That's right. Say my name. Let everyone on this Express know who makes you feel this way."
Blade added a second finger, scissoring them to stretch Dan Heng wider. The sensation was overwhelming, pleasure mixed with a hint of pain that made Dan Heng's head spin. Blade knew exactly how to touch him, exactly where to press to make him see stars.
"Look at you," Blade said, his voice rough with arousal. "So beautiful like this. So perfect for me."
"Not perfect," Dan Heng managed to gasp out. "I'm…ah!"
Blade had curled his fingers just right, hitting that spot inside that made electricity shoot through Dan Heng's entire body. "You are perfect. My perfect Dan Heng. Mine."
The possessiveness in Blade's voice shouldn't have been as arousing as it was, but Dan Heng found himself clenching around Blade's fingers, wanting more, wanting everything.
"Say it," Blade demanded, adding a third finger. The stretch was intense now, almost too much. "Say you're mine."
"I'm yours," Dan Heng breathed. "I'm yours, Blade."
"Damn right you are." Blade pulled his fingers out suddenly, ignoring Dan Heng's whimper of protest. He made quick work of removing Dan Heng's pants completely, tossing them aside without care. "And I'm going to make sure you never forget it."
Dan Heng lay there, exposed and vulnerable, as Blade took a moment to just look at him. His gaze was intense, possessive, hungry, and Dan Heng felt himself flush under the scrutiny.
"Beautiful," Blade murmured again. Then his hand tangled in Dan Heng's long hair, the dark strands he'd always kept carefully maintained. "I want to see this spread out while I fuck you."
Before Dan Heng could respond, Blade pulled, tugging his head back and exposing the long line of his throat. The sharp pull sent a jolt of pleasure-pain through Dan Heng that went straight to his core.
"Blade!"
"You like that," Blade observed, satisfaction coloring his voice. "You like when I'm rough with you."
Dan Heng couldn't deny it. There was something about the way Blade handled him, the perfect mix of care and roughness, that drove him wild.
Blade leaned down, keeping his grip on Dan Heng's hair as he kissed and bit at his exposed throat. His other hand slid between Dan Heng's legs again, fingers finding his entrance and pushing back inside without ceremony.
"So wet," Blade murmured against his skin. "You're dripping for me, Dan Heng. Such a needy thing."
"Please," Dan Heng gasped, not even sure what he was begging for.
"Please what?" Blade pulled back to look at him, and the degrading smirk on his face should have made Dan Heng angry, but instead it made him clench around Blade's fingers. "Use your words. Tell me what you need."
"I need, " Dan Heng's voice broke as Blade's fingers hit that perfect spot again. "I need you inside me. Please, Blade."
"Not yet." Blade's smile turned sharp. "You're going to come on my fingers first. Going to fall apart for me before I give you my cock. Understand?"
Dan Heng whimpered but nodded, trusting Blade completely even as frustration built inside him.
"Good boy," Blade purred, and the praise made Dan Heng's whole body flush with heat.
Blade worked him expertly, three fingers pumping in and out, hitting that spot inside over and over while his thumb found Dan Heng's clit and circled it with maddening precision. The dual sensation was overwhelming, and Dan Heng could feel his climax building embarrassingly fast.
"That's it," Blade encouraged, his grip on Dan Heng's hair tightening. "I can feel you getting close. Your body's clenching so tight around my fingers. Are you going to come for me, Dan Heng?"
"Yes," Dan Heng gasped. "Yes, I'm close, I'm so close-"
"Then come. Show me how good I make you feel."
The command, combined with a particularly hard thrust of Blade's fingers, sent Dan Heng over the edge. He came with a cry of Blade's name, his body arching off the bed as pleasure crashed through him in waves. Blade worked him through it, fingers still moving, drawing out his orgasm until Dan Heng was trembling and oversensitive.
When the aftershocks finally subsided, Dan Heng collapsed back against the bed, breathing hard. Blade withdrew his fingers carefully, bringing them to his mouth and licking them clean while maintaining eye contact.
"Delicious," Blade said, his voice rough. "But I'm not done with you yet."
Dan Heng watched through heavy-lidded eyes as Blade finally started removing his own clothes. The coat came off first, revealing the black compression shirt underneath. Then that too was removed, exposing pale skin and lean muscle and the scars that told stories Blade rarely shared.
"Like what you see?" Blade asked, catching Dan Heng staring.
"Always," Dan Heng replied honestly.
Blade made short work of his pants, and then he was gloriously naked, his cock hard and flushed against his stomach. Dan Heng's mouth went dry at the sight. No matter how many times they did this, Blade always managed to take his breath away.
"Roll over," Blade commanded.
Dan Heng obeyed, turning onto his stomach. He heard Blade move, heard the sound of a drawer opening, and then Blade was back, settling between his legs.
"Up on your knees," Blade said, and Dan Heng complied, presenting himself to Blade in a position that made him feel utterly exposed and vulnerable.
Blade's hands gripped his hips, positioning him exactly how he wanted. "Perfect. So perfect for me."
Dan Heng heard the sound of a cap opening, felt the cool sensation of lube being applied. Then Blade was lining himself up, the blunt head of his cock pressing against Dan Heng's entrance.
"Ready?" Blade asked, and despite the roughness, despite the degradation, there was genuine care in his voice.
"Yes," Dan Heng breathed. "Please, Blade."
Blade pushed in slowly, giving Dan Heng time to adjust to the stretch. It was always intense at first, the feeling of being filled completely, but Dan Heng had come to crave it. To need it.
When Blade was fully seated, he paused, his breathing harsh. "Fuck, you feel good. So tight around me. Like you were made for my cock."
Dan Heng could only whimper in response, overwhelmed by the sensation of fullness.
"I'm going to fuck you now," Blade said, his voice low and dark. "Going to fuck you until you can't remember your own name. Until the only thing you know is that you're mine."
"Yes," Dan Heng gasped. "Yes, please…"
Blade didn't need more encouragement. He pulled out almost completely before slamming back in, setting a brutal pace that had Dan Heng crying out with each thrust. His hand found Dan Heng's hair again, pulling his head back as he pounded into him.
"That's it," Blade growled. "Take it. Take my cock like the good little slut you are."
The degrading words should have made Dan Heng angry, should have turned him off, but instead they sent heat spiraling through him. There was something about the way Blade said them, the mix of degradation and possession and dark affection, that made them feel like praise.
"Blade," Dan Heng moaned, his hands fisting in the sheets as Blade hit that perfect spot inside him over and over. "Blade, please-"
"Please what? You want it harder?" Blade's grip on his hair tightened, pulling until it almost hurt. "Want me to ruin you?"
"Yes!" The word was torn from Dan Heng's throat. "Yes, harder, please!"
Blade obliged, his hips snapping forward with bruising force. The sound of skin slapping against skin filled the room, along with Dan Heng's increasingly desperate cries and Blade's harsh breathing.
"Look at you," Blade said, his voice rough with exertion and arousal. "So desperate for it. So needy. You'd let me do anything to you, wouldn't you? Because you're mine."
"Yours," Dan Heng agreed breathlessly. "All yours."
"That's right. My Dan Heng. My perfect, beautiful Dan Heng who makes chocolates for me and lets me fuck him like this."
One of Blade's hands released Dan Heng's hair, sliding around to find his clit. He rubbed circles around it, applying just the right amount of pressure, and Dan Heng's whole body jerked.
"Too much," Dan Heng gasped. "It's too much, I can't-"
"You can," Blade insisted. "You're going to come on my cock like a good boy. Going to fall apart for me again."
The combination of Blade's cock hitting that perfect spot inside and his fingers on Dan Heng's clit was overwhelming. Dan Heng could feel his second orgasm building, faster and harder than the first.
"Blade," he warned. "I'm going to- I'm-"
"Come for me," Blade commanded. "Now."
Dan Heng shattered, his orgasm hitting him like a freight train. He came with a scream of Blade's name, his body clenching tight around Blade's cock. The sensation must have been too much for Blade too, because he cursed and thrust deep one final time, spilling inside Dan Heng with a groan.
They stayed like that for a moment, both trembling and breathing hard, before Blade carefully pulled out and guided Dan Heng to collapse onto the bed. Dan Heng was only dimly aware of Blade leaving, of water running, and then Blade was back with a warm cloth, gently cleaning him up.
"Shh," Blade murmured when Dan Heng tried to protest the attention. "Let me take care of you."
When Blade was satisfied that Dan Heng was clean, he tossed the cloth aside and climbed back into bed, pulling Dan Heng into his arms. Dan Heng went willingly, curling into Blade's warmth, feeling safe and cherished in a way he rarely allowed himself to feel.
"Are you alright?" Blade asked quietly, his hand running soothingly through Dan Heng's hair.
"Mmm," Dan Heng hummed contentedly. "Perfect."
"I wasn't too rough?"
"No. It was... it was exactly what I needed." Dan Heng tilted his head to look at Blade. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For caring. For being jealous, even though you had no reason to be. For making it clear what we are to each other."
Blade's expression softened. "I should have made it clear sooner. Should have told you how I felt instead of assuming you knew."
"We're both terrible at this," Dan Heng said with a small smile. "Communication has never been our strong suit."
"No," Blade agreed. "But we can work on it. Together."
"Together," Dan Heng echoed, liking the sound of that.
They lay in comfortable silence for a while, just holding each other. Eventually, Blade spoke again.
"The chocolates really were for me?"
"Yes. I already told you that."
"I know, but..." Blade trailed off, looking almost vulnerable. "No one's ever made something like that for me before. Something so thoughtful and personal."
Dan Heng's chest tightened at the admission. "Well, you'd better get used to it. I plan on making you things often."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. It's one of the ways I show I care. Since words are difficult."
Blade pulled him closer. "I like that. I like knowing you thought of me while making them. That you wanted to give me something special."
"You are special," Dan Heng said quietly. "To me. You're the most important person in my life, Blade."
"And you're mine." Blade pressed a kiss to the top of Dan Heng's head. "My Dan Heng."
They fell quiet again, content to just exist together in the aftermath. Eventually, Dan Heng's stomach growled, breaking the peaceful silence.
Blade laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "When's the last time you ate?"
"Breakfast, I think."
"Dan Heng." There was fond exasperation in Blade's voice. "You need to take better care of yourself."
"I was distracted," Dan Heng defended. "Someone made me think my Valentine's gift went unappreciated."
"Because someone meddled." Blade's expression darkened. "We still need to deal with Caelus."
"Later. Right now, I'm too comfortable to move."
"Fine. But after we eat, we're having a talk with him about boundaries."
Dan Heng made a noncommittal sound, already half-asleep against Blade's chest. The steady rhythm of Blade's heartbeat was soothing, lulling him into relaxation.
"Hey," Blade said softly. "Don't fall asleep yet. You need food."
"Five more minutes."
"Dan Heng."
"Blade."
Blade sighed but didn't push, his hand resuming its gentle path through Dan Heng's hair. "Fine. Five minutes. But then we're getting you fed."
"Okay," Dan Heng mumbled, already drifting off.
True to his word, Blade let him doze for exactly five minutes before gently shaking him awake. Dan Heng protested but allowed himself to be coaxed out of bed. They dressed in comfortable clothes, Dan Heng stealing one of Blade's shirts because he could, and made their way to the kitchen.
Where they found Caelus eating ramen and looking far too pleased with himself.
"Well, well, well," Caelus said, grinning at them over his bowl. "Look who finally emerged from Dan Heng's room. And looking thoroughly disheveled too. How was your Valentine's Day?"
Blade's eyes narrowed dangerously. "We need to talk."
"About what?" Caelus asked innocently, though his grin suggested he knew exactly what.
"About you meddling in our business," Dan Heng said, his voice calm but holding an edge. "About you telling Blade I made chocolates for someone else."
"Oh that." Caelus didn't look even remotely sorry. "In my defense, I never actually said they were for someone else. I just said you made chocolates for your 'special someone' and that he should ask you about it. Not my fault he jumped to conclusions."
"You knew exactly what you were doing," Blade said.
"Maybe," Caelus admitted. "But look at the results! You two finally had an actual conversation about your feelings. You're welcome."
"We don't need your help with our relationship," Dan Heng said firmly.
"Are you sure about that? Because you were planning to just give him chocolates without actually telling him how you felt. And Blade was planning to just pine silently without ever saying anything. You both needed a push."
Dan Heng wanted to argue, but Caelus had a point. As frustrating as his meddling had been, it had led to them finally being honest with each other.
"Still," Blade said, his voice holding a warning. "Stay out of our business from now on."
"Fine, fine," Caelus said, holding up his hands in surrender. "I'll butt out. Unless you need another push, in which case-"
"Caelus."
"Right, right. Butting out. Got it." He slurped his ramen loudly. "But for what it's worth, I'm happy for you two. You're good together."
Dan Heng felt his cheeks heat slightly. "Thank you."
"Just one question," Caelus said, his grin turning mischievous again. "Were the chocolates as good as the makeup sex?"
"Caelus!" Dan Heng's face went red.
Blade just smirked. "Better."
"Blade!"
"What? You asked if I wanted to try one. They were excellent. Very thoughtful. Though I have to say, I preferred the dessert that came after."
Dan Heng buried his face in his hands, mortified, while Caelus cackled with delight. This was going to be a long conversation.
But as Blade's hand found his under the table, squeezing gently, Dan Heng couldn't bring himself to be too annoyed. Even with Caelus's meddling, even with the embarrassment, he had Blade. Had the certainty of what they were to each other. And that made everything else worth it.
Epilogue
Later that night, after they'd eaten and endured more of Caelus's teasing, Dan Heng and Blade retreated back to Dan Heng's room. They lay tangled together in bed, the red box of chocolates now sitting on the nightstand, half-eaten.
"You know," Blade said thoughtfully, "I never properly thanked you for the chocolates."
"You thanked me multiple times," Dan Heng replied, thinking of the very thorough way Blade had shown his appreciation earlier.
"True. But I think I should thank you again. Properly."
Dan Heng felt Blade's hand sliding under his borrowed shirt, and he shivered. "Again? Already?"
"Did you think once would be enough?" Blade's voice was low and dark, full of promise. "I told you, Dan Heng. You're mine. And I plan to spend all night proving it."
"We should sleep," Dan Heng protested weakly, even as his body responded to Blade's touch.
"We can sleep later." Blade's mouth found his neck, teeth grazing sensitive skin. "Right now, I want you."
"Insatiable," Dan Heng gasped.
"Only for you."
And as Blade proceeded to show his appreciation once again, Dan Heng decided that maybe Valentine's Day wasn't such a commercial holiday after all. Not when it led to moments like this, wrapped up in the person he loved, feeling cherished and desired and completely, utterly his.
The chocolates could wait. This, them, was sweeter than anything Dan Heng could have made.