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mrpenguinpants · 8 months

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Turning Red

— He's always so serious that they can't help but wonder what kind of emotions he's hiding underneath. Good thing you're around.

— Dan Heng, Gepard, Blade + Jing Yuan

Slight spoilers for Xianzhou and Kafka's companion quest.

[Masterlist]

I've fallen into the Honkai train, but here we are. Also, I know Jing Yuan doesn't fit this prompt but I like him so who cares.

Dan Heng

"Dan Heng! We need one more person to play Celestial Jade!" March hollars down the hallway only to receive no response. It makes her pout, biting the inside of her cheek as she taps her foot restless against the floor, "If you don't come soon then I'll be the one in trouble you know!"

Again no response...

She's checked his room and the archives, and yet no sign of the man. The Express is only so big so surely he didn't wander off somewhere outside right? Maybe you know where he is? Dan Heng seems to talk to you more than he does with her, so maybe he gave you a heads-up that he was going somewhere? It's not a solid plan, but it's a plan nonetheless so she marches her way to your room.

"Hey, have you seen Dan Heng anywh-" March starts as she opens your door only to stop mid-sentence since the eyes of the very man she was looking for are staring right back at her. "Ah. Oops."

Her eyes slowly trail down from his and ah- she understands why he was missing. You're curled up around him, arms haphazardly laid across his waist while your head is cushioned by his chest. Dan Heng doesn't seem to find your sleeping position bothersome, if anything it looks like he's trying to slowly nudge you closer without waking you up. One hand is on his phone, probably typing away on the databank, while the other is curled around your waist. His chin rests on top of yours contentedly as his white and turquoise coat is used as a mock blanket, leaving him in the black turtle neck.

Dan Heng looks like he's about to say something but you shift and mumble something in your sleep and they both go still. Scared that they may have accidentally woken you up and the Express doesn't have enough space for March to run and hide from Dan Heng but thankfully, you seem to settle down and return to your dreams. Thus, March and Dan Heng are locked in a staring contest before she slowly reaches into her back pocket without breaking eye contact.

"Don't you dare," Dan Heng whispers as loud as he dares, although his pink cheeks don't do anything to make him look intimidating.

"Oh, I think I dare," she grins too widely as she raises her camera, making sure it's on silent before she starts to bombard her gallery with a pink Dan Heng because he can't stop her unless he gets up. The most he can do is turn his face away but it shows the world his red ears. Once she's satisfied, she's sticking her tongue out and darts out of the room. She expects that two things will happen. Dan Heng will hunt her down and make her delete the pictures, but not before she sends them all to him. As soon as the door closes and March walks down at the end of the hallway she let her mini explosion commence because Geez! That was so cute! Who knew Dan Heng could be so adorable! Why can't she have that with someone special, this isn't fair!!

Gepard

Gepard Landau. The prestigious young captain of the Silvermane Guards who belongs to the noble Landau family. A personality of righteousness, a good family background, and on top of that he sure has a pretty face. The absolute perfect man.

What a boring guy.

That's the only thought that runs through Sampo's mind as he observes the blond hair man talking to his subordinate from a distance. The two of you are supposed to be on break - he knows this because it makes the other Silvermane Guards more relaxed so it's easier for him to run around - and yet Gepard has his back straight and looks as if he's never heard of what a day-off is. What a shame that those pretty blues only have eyes for reports.

"This part here has been causing some issues for our intelligence team," he hears the subordinate say and Sampo's eyes shift to you. He's heard of you before although not as much as Gepard. A simple errand girl who frequently moves between the Silvermane Guards and the Neverwinter Workshop to deliver messages and supplies. Nothing incredibly remarkable but you're a kind person who keeps to themselves. Sampo thinks you and him could get along if you didn't hang around Gepard so often.

"Let me see..." Gepard mumbles and leans down closer to read the fine print before you turn your head to the side and plant a small kiss on his cheek. Despite the cute gesture, Gepard doesn't change or make any expression. He simply steps back into a polite distance, a hand coming up to loosen his collar as he clears his throat, before reprimanding you on workplace-appropriate jokes. You don't seem to take offense to his lack of response, just adorably hiding your smile behind your paper before waving goodbye to the Captain. Meanwhile, Sampo is coughing violently behind his fist because what the hell was that? So much build-up only for a lackluster ending? As a man of the dramatics, it's too much for him.

"Seriously, there's nothing fun about this guy," Sampo sighs, shrugging his shoulders as if to console himself. He's about to turn and leave but the rushed clinking of armor has him looking back at the Captain.

"Seriously..." Gepard mutters before hiding his face behind his hand. Even from this distance, Sampo can see how red the Captain's ears have gotten just from a simple cheek kiss.

Blade

Kafka thinks you're cute. Really cute.

Everyone in the Stellaron Hunters hides their true emotions behind multiple masks and it's refreshing to meet someone who wears their heart on their sleeve. Although it could also be because you're incredibly bad at hiding your feelings. Even if Kafka wasn't as skilled as she is with reading people, you do a piss poor job. Still, it's fun for her and that's the important part.

"Oh? Back so soon?" Kafka greets you as you step out of the alleyway. Even if your face isn't plastered across the Xianzhou like Kafka's and Blades, it wouldn't look good to be seen conversing with them. Plus you rather like being able to walk in broad daylight without the fear of the Cloud Knights chasing you down to slap some cuffs on you.

"Yes ma'am. We can depart when you're ready," you salute and she can't help but laugh at your cute mannerism. It makes you falter the slightest bit but you hold your pose.

"Good. Good. It must have been hard to pilot a ship so close to the Xianzhou without being detected. Especially given," she makes a gesture at Blade, "recent events."

You only nod at her hidden meaning before she's suddenly stepping into your personal space. You can only make a small noise before her arm is wrapped around your waist pulling you closer to her, and you pointedly ignore how her chest is pressed against yours, and her other hand raises your chin until your lips brush against hers. With her so close, she can see the pink in your cheeks growing and how tense your body is against hers. Your eyes dart from her down to her lip before catching yourself and instead looking behind her. It's cute.

"Would you like a reward?" she whispers next to your ear.

"Don't tease so much."

"Oh," Kafka blinks twice, turning her head to her companion as she lets go of your chin so she can press her fingertips against her mouth like one of those posh ladies when they find out about the latest gossip, "how out of character Bladie."

He doesn't dignify her with a response, just closes his eyes and goes back into his meditation. His face fell into that perfect stone that she could have imagined that he spoke. But those piercing eyes carving their way into her bones are unmistakable that even if they are closed, she still feels watched. But she relents and drops her arms around you before sending you off back to the ship. They'll join you soon.

"That's interesting," Kafka muses, she rolls her fingers as thin magenta strings appear before being flicked away with her wrist. Blade shouldn't be able to register anything but herself and yet, he seemed to notice you.

Jing Yuan

Yanqing has the sneaking suspicion that his General is sneaking off to slack off again. While he knows Jing Yuan is incredibly busy and he tends to do things discreetly, this getting far too strange. The General always has a complacent smile, but recently, it's been a tiny bit more genuine every time he waltzs in. For someone so tall, at least in Yanqing's opinion, he's able to slip past everyone and it's impossible to get in contact with him until he suddenly appears hours later. Yanqing would know, he's blasted the General's phone only to receive a cute emote and a "Surely my lieutenant is more than suitable for this, no?". Does it make Yanqing swell with so much pride that he forgets about Jing Yuan slacking off, maybe, but that's beside the point.

"General, what exactly are you doing in your... "off time"," Yanqing words slowly, unsure of what he was asking is considered a pry into Jing Yuan's personal life and if he will get upset with him.

"You're making it sound as if I'm doing something depraved during this "off time"," Jing Yuan chuckles at how fast Yanqing turns pink at his implications. Yanqing's hands quickly come up in a placating nature as he shakes his head so hard that his ponytail smacks against the wall.

"N-Not at all General! I was just curious- but you don't need to answer if it's something important!" Yanqing struggles through his words but luckily, Jing Yuan doesn't seem to take offense. If anything, he finds it amusing as he rubs Yanqing's head like an overactive puppy. It makes Yanqing huff and shoos away the offending hand before crossing his arms, expectantly waiting for an answer.

"It's not anything that needs to be kept as a secret. I'm simply taking a walk around Xianzhou to distress. You should take some time to do so as well, training every single day without a break will only lead to weary bones and stiff muscles," Jing Yuan advises which Yanqing nods carefully along to. Although Yanqing's eyes drift from the General's eyes to mouth, he seems more...softer around the edges? Even though he's the only one here, it looks like Jing Yuan is speaking to someone else through him.

"Are you sure you're not doing something indecent?" Yanqing deadpans to which the General laughs. He reaches over to ruffle his disciple's hair again before crossing them behind his back and walking ahead. Seriously, Yanqing thinks as he fixes his hair back into place, he can never get a good read on his General.

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akutasoda · 2 months

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The voices in my head fighting with each other to decide what live language each male character has;

Argenti: words of affirmation (no one is impressed)

I mean, this one is so obvious lmao 😭 that man will spend HOURS just complimenting you and saying how beautiful you are and stuff. He is your number-one fan and simp.

Jing Yuan: Physical touch (nobody saw that coming omg)

This guy is 24/7 glued to you. You two are walking? One arm wrapped around your waist or shoulder or he's holding your hand. Mid work? Good luck trying to! This man is probably hugging your back or nuzzling his face against you. At home? You are NOT leaving the bed, not when two giant cats are squishing you. (Mimi got jealous and joined)

Blade: I would say its either quality time or physical touch.

We all know Blade doesn't talk too much, neither does he know how to express his feelings well.

So, in my opinion, he enjoys spending time alone with you. No need to talk or something, he just wants to have your presence next to him.

Physical touch is more by the fact that when you two get REALLY close, he becomes more touch-starved. This man is in dire need of comfort in his life and I feel he would seek that by constantly having his hand touching you.

Gepard: (there was a war happening in my head to decide this one) Quality time, words of affirmation or acts of service.

Can we consider this man a malewife or he's still babygirl? (LMFOAOAOAO)

Gepard doesn't have much time to spend idly in his life, having to constantly deal with possible threats, guarding, or training recruits takes a lot of time and energy. So I feel like quality time and physical touch would go together for when he's finally free to spend time with you.

He finally has some time to spend with you and Gepard is not going to waste it. That man is following you around like a lost cat. He just wants to be around you for as long as he can.

While being rather shy, I think Gepard would like to constantly be touching you. Either be simple hand-holding or cuddling.

This man likes to help you around the house, helping you clean, cook, etc. Gepard wants to show you that he cares and is here to help you either inside with mundane things or outside by protecting you.

Dan Heng: IT'S QUALITY TIME YALL TRUST ME IM HOYOVERSE /j

This poor guy has been through way too much recently, please just let him stay near you for an undisclosed amount of time. Just the two of you alone while he reads for you (or you read for him), having a quiet tea moment as he just hears you yap about how your day was. He just needs to be near you. Please don't deny him this.

i can get behind all of these.

and i feel like gepard is definitely a malewife and a babygirl, he can only be both. i personally feel quality time is probably his biggest mainly because while he does do acts of service, he feels it's too much like his work and fears you'd only see that as him doing his duty as captain and not yout lover. words of affirmation are the same.

don't mind me adding some of my favs-

gallagher - similarly i feel gallagher would be like gepard in that sense. he is one hundred percent quality time as his job as security under the bloodhound family gives him very little time to be with you. and while he definitely gives you gifts often, he sometimes feels as though he's only doing it out of obligation and not genuine affection and so when he does give you gifts he makes sure you know how much he cares about you. he's also a classic romantic.

luocha - i feel he would only be quality time if you didn't travel with him. but otherwise he would be acts of service or maybe physical touch. travelling with him would mean he'd always keep an eye out for you and ensure your comfort and safety and so if you ever wanted to do something anywhere he'd make it happen. physical touch would be minimum but it's still something he'd want, and im mainly talking about how he'd just want to hold your hand. like constantly. he'd need that reassurance that your safe.

aventurine - i'd have to say he's physical touch and words of affirmation, perhaps quality time but i'd mainly go with the previous two. physical touch mainly because he needs it, after he's finally found someone he can trust and be himself around, he needs that reassurance that your here. that your real and in his arms, someone who can love him. which would also be where words of affirmation would come in, i would say he'd very much need it to be both ways. after all the struggles and hardships he's been through he needs those words of reassurance and a part of him would want to ensure you also have that same happiness in knowing how much he appreciates you.

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fuxuannie · 1 year

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Do you think you could write Jing yuan crushing on Trailblazer!reader? Like just some general headcanons and his reaction when they leave Xianzhou Luofu.

* pairing : jing yuan x gender neutral reader

* prompt : ♡

* authors note : working and clearing out requests! so there'll be a ton or atleast a handful coming out today before i reopen requests again ^_^ i'm definitely gonna need a small break after this (ﾉ_；)ヾ(´ ∀ ` )

* brief warning : spoilers ish for luofu arc!

ּ ִֶָ ࣪✦ JING YUAN thinks falling for a trailblazer is all fun and games till they leave.

— At your arrival, Jing Yuan's intentions with you and the Astral Express family that came with you were simply business related (aka having you run his errands)

— However, you caught his eye. The determination you had, the kindness you had for his people and the smile in your eyes. He found his attention constantly on you every time he saw you and the others.

— He found his teasing with you fun, because you'd jokingly flirt back as it was in your nature to match peoples energies. (Of course, with Welt being a little overprotective father and glaring at Jing Yuan sometimes)

— His advances were mostly for his own enjoyment, but he found himself slowly growing more and more enamored with you and your character

— "it's normal to think about them all the time?? right??" "general, why are you asking a 14 year old"

— He began to miss your presence, whenever you weren't around, a part of him felt a little sad or just wanted to be by your side. Not even needing to do anything, just time with you is enough

— Jing Yuan absolutely adores your strength, and will admit that it's very attractive that you're able to match his own skill set. His favorite excuse to be with you is claiming he wants to have sparring sessions with you and train. (daily.)

— But it's purely coincidental how he claims he's tired once you arrive, and asks you to talk about yourself and your travels. Then you have that really cheesy moment where Jing Yuan is looking at you with such loving eyes, his attention focusing on you and how the light makes you glow in such a way that makes you ethereal looking. Your beauty on par with an Aeon.

— Once the issue within the Xianzhou is solved, the realization that you must leave still hasn't set in until you tell him.

"I can't believe it's all over!" You stretched, absolutely exhausted with all the work and stress you went through in your visit to the Xianzhou. You're about to complain about how awful you felt currently, but Stelle elbows you to the stomach as Dan Heng is blankly staring at his hand after his dragon form was awakened. "..I'm just glad we'll get to go home."

That sentence catches the General's attention as he was speaking to Welt, he was thanking him for all his help but his heart began to sink as the reality of you returning to your expedition around the galaxy were to now return. And that meant you were leaving the Xianzhou, that you were leaving him.

Welt notices how he seems to be in a daze, and clears his throat. "If you want to spend one more day together, I can insist to them that we should stay a little longer before we return to the Express. I'm sure March has some places she wants to visit, and you have far too much you want to say."

Jing Yuan turns back to him with slightly widened eyes, "That's new. I thought you didn't like me?"

"I don't, but someone does. And I'd rather not let people live with regrets."

He thanks Welt for his kindness, watching him approach the four of you and supposedly propose the idea of staying for the rest of the day. In which you all agree, but a fond smile is on Jing Yuan's face when he sees the sparkle in your eyes as Welt suggested the thought.

As the group went their separate ways and agreed to meet in the hotel when the day was over, Jing Yuan approached you and placed a hand on your shoulder. "Oh! Hey, did you need something?" And he answers with a nod, pulling away from you and beginning to walk a certain direction. You tilt your head a bit in confusion from where you stand before letting out an 'Oh!' as you realized he wanted you to follow him.

You're right beside him, staring straight as he walks with long strides and his eyes were looking at you in a way that was unnoticeable. Jing Yuan likes how clueless you were, how you were smiling along the way and humming a tune as he brought you to wherever your destination was.

As the sun began to set, the sky turned to an orange hue as it slowly disappeared in the distance. And all the while you admired the sun, he was admiring you. You who was kind to people who you never knew. You who's heart was as pure as gold. You, all of you, there was so much for him to love and he wanted nothing more than to tell you that.

"How long do you think a human can wait?" Jing Yuan asked as you arrived to an open space with several beautiful trees surrounding you. There was a pause, before you look at him and smile. "Well, it depends on what they're waiting for, no? If it's something they really want deep in their hearts.. I think we are capable of waiting for the right time and however long it needs to grasp it and call it yours." You answered with your hands to your hips and your head raised up high, priding yourself with the excellent answer you gave.

The General laughed, patting your head and giving you a close eyed smile of his own. "You're right, that's a brilliant answer."

"And I suppose I'm willing to wait for that right time, the right time in the universe for when you're ready and come back to the Xianzhou. That will be the day I tell you, the day where you get to know my true feelings for you and how much you really meant to me."

#✹ ִֶָ ꐑꐑ entos paw prints #honkai star rail x reader #hsr x reader #jing yuan x reader #jing yuan hsr x reader

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cakeboxie · 7 months

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Mark me as yours

Kinktober day no. 4

“Are you okay..?” “Yes- well… No, but I don’t want you to feel obligated to help me.”

Pairing: Dan Heng il/cis fem sub reader

CWs: inhuman genitals, breeding, tiny amount of hurt/comfort (but mostly fluff)

AN: Reader is explicitly referred to as a girl, and I reference afab anatomy more than once, PLEASE keep this in mind. For @starrry-angel

Kinktober masterlist

Prior to the whole affair on the Luofu Dan Heng often swung between not needing affection and clinging to you like his life depended on it. He explained it as him occasionally realizing that he no longer has to just cope with his loneliness since he began dating you.

Since his return though, he’s been considerably more distant. For the first week or so you wrote it off as him recovering from an extremely stressful event. But as the days passed by and he became more and more distant, you found yourself worrying more.

That’s what led you to your current position, standing in front of the door to the archives. You speak softly as you start to open the door.

“… Dan Heng?”

The door to the archives was locked, and the light was off. Which was strange in its own right, as much as Dan Heng preferred people avoid hanging around in the archives; he never locked the door.

“Looking for Dan Heng? I saw him run off to his room a while back, his horns were all glowy too. It was really weird.”

Caelus’ voice knocked you out of your thoughts, only to confuse you even further.

“I didn’t know he had a room?”

“March said she’s only seen him go in there once since she’s been on the express. If you hear from him let me know he’s ok. I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m mad at him? It’s the end of the hall on the 3rd train car.”

Caelus sighed and continued to wherever he was originally headed. It was hard not to sprint down the halls of the express as you made your way to his room. Worry for his well being seeping into you.

It was strange, listening to him pace around the room through the door. Its a noise you’d gotten accustomed to hearing late at night after he’d called you to his room hoping for company following one of many nightmares.

You raise your hand to knock, but before you can he locks it.

“Leave… please.”

The intended strength behind the words comes across more as a painful admittance then a command.

“Not until you tell me what’s going on, we don’t have to talk about it right now but… I just need to know that you’re okay.”

There’s an agonizingly long pause before you hear him sigh and unlock the door. Hesitating for a moment before pulling it open. He’s in his vidyadhara form, his tail flicking anxiously behind him as he watches you, his moments stiff.

“I’m… sorry.”

His voice is uncharacteristically shaky as he steps to the side, his room is barren of any identifying features. He hesitates after closing the door.

“Can I lock the door?”

You nod slowly and he does as he asked. Standing stock still in front of the now locked door, stepping back into it as you approach him slowly.

“Are you okay..?”

“Yes- well… No, but I don’t want you to feel obligated to help me.”

He tries to sink further into the wall as you step closer

“Please, Dan Heng. I just want to know what’s going on, I’m worried about you.”

He sighs and seems to look through you for a moment, before attempting to collect himself, though his voice continues its uneven tone.

“I’m a vidyadhara, you know that at this point… Despite not being physically able to reproduce we still have a… heat cycle. Mine is inconsistent because of my distance from the Luofu but…”

He squirms in place and looks away from you.

“My instincts are convinced you’re my mate, and with my heat cycle starting I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable...”

“What if I want to be your mate?”

He looks nothing short of appalled, and you watch a series of micro expressions flicker across his face in quick succession before he’s clinging to you. Mumbling an apology into your chest as he picks you up.

You feel his chest rumble as you return the hug, piecing together that he was purring as he set you gingerly on his bed. Situation himself between your legs as he looks at you for any signs of resistance once more. The corners of his mouth pulling into a small smile when there is none.

The weight of his tail wrapping itself around your waist is a comforting pressure as he nuzzles into your neck. Purring as he bites your shoulder gently. His sharp canines digging into the soft flesh just enough to leave a mark.

“I’m sorry for my impatience I… I’ve missed you and I…”

He hesitates and buries his face back into your neck for a moment.

“I need to feel you. I’ve been waiting so long to claim you as mine and now that you’re here I can’t wait anymore.”

He shudders and kisses you as his movements become less restrained, quickly pulling off your loose shirt along with his own. Every action drips with desperation as he pulls you impossibly closer.

“Can I touch you..?”

Your voice seems to pull him out of his haze and he leans back far enough for you to be able to admire him. His lithe frame speckled with small scales.

Pulling his underwear down you were met with an interesting sight.

You hadn’t thought very hard about the draconic features of the Vidyadhara, and in hindsight you kinda wish you had. Watching the pair of slick, semi translucent dicks slide out of the scaled slit on Dan Heng’s body as he squirmed under your gaze was certainly an interesting experience.

He didn’t give you long to think about it though as he gently pushed you back down onto the bed. Moving your underwear to the side enough to push his fingers past your slick folds. His thumb toying with your clit as he worked you open for him.

After he decided you were prepared enough he pulled his fingers out of you, licking your slick off of his fingers with his long, forked tongue. As you watched him clean his digits your brain provided you with the lovely image that was said tongue licking eagerly at your drooling slit.

All coherent thought was pushed from your brain as Dan Heng pressed the tip of one of his cocks against your eager hole, purring into your shoulder as he sunk into you inch by inch. His other cock bumping your clit as he bottomed out, his entire body tense above you as he waited for you to adjust.

He groaned into your chest as he began to move, mumbling into soft flesh as he rolled his hips against yours.

“I can’t wait to fuck you full of my kin, you’ll be good and take it right?”

Taglist: @yarnnerdally • @yeonpm

Wanna be added? Send me an ask off anon and lmk if you want to be on the sfw only list!

#pvbbysmut #pvbbywrites #dan heng #dan heng smut #honkai dan heng #imbibitor lunae #imbibitor lunae smut #pvbbyevents { kinktober 2023 }

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ixiot-ghostrebel · 7 months

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Hello my stupid brain rot about yanquing twin sibling reader and about thier encounter with jing liu and how reader and yanquing remindes her of for explain jing Yuan and blade and I don't know why but post lofu I can see jing liu telling the general that she will take the reader as her new student but reader is like NO! I will not leave my bro alone and says how yanquing can't be left alone becose well after how yanquing left the reader to be beaten up by blade amd Dan henga they will never leave thier bro alone....NEVER!

I think I get what you're request, @zardas75 ! I'll try my best for this request :)

Ohohoho...It's Aboutta Go Down.

(Warning: Might be OOC! All Relationships are STRICTLY Platonic!)

The moment you and Yanqing saw Jingliu just stroll on in so chillaxed, you both brought out your swords and nearly launched.

Had it not been for Jing Yuan being present, and giving you the look that says "Not now," you both would've probably gotten straight into battle.

And the moment Jingliu opens her mouth and say she wants to take you for a disciple, you were two milliseconds away from sending out an entire paragraph filled with the verbal middle finger—which was very unprofessional, but hey, does it look like you care? Absolutely not!

Jing Yuan is glaring down at his former master and Yanqing is fuming. And honestly, you don't blame either of them. You and Yanqing had to constantly hold each other back by the absolute nonsense Jingliu was spewing out her throat.

"You are not taking one of my disciples...Master." Jing Yuan glares down at the former Sword Champion. "You are not taking them, regardless of their status as my retainer. I refuse to have my retainers separated."

He knew darn well the mayhem and bloodshed you both can cause if he agrees with this. And even looking over that part, he would never give you over to Jingliu. She was dangerous. She was mara-strucked and harsh. He would know—he's seen it all in his long life.

Yanqing is over and beyond furious that this woman is trying to take you—his twin sibling—away from him—your twin brother. And you share the same emotions so, what the hell, Jingliu!

"I'M NOT GOING WITH HER." You declare, seething and not afraid to show your hatred. "Why should I go with her anyway?! What's wrong with how I do things now, huh?"

"You have potential. Even more so than your fellow disciple." "Says who, you? Why should I listen?" "I can help you hone your skills. You can be the next greatest sword wielder of the Xianzhou Luofu." "I'll start listening to you when I start seeing rocks grow wings and fly, or mechanical cranes start laying eggs out of their non-existent a—" Yanqing covers your mouth.

Jingliu tilts her head. "Why are you so persistent in staying with them? Your fellow friend here has proved to need much improvement—" You both narrow your eyes at that comment. "—while it's clear that you have the means to go further than the level he is playing at. Do you truly not wish to exceed your swordsmanship further?"

Just as Jing Yuan was about to talk in his ever serious general voice, you pried off Yanqing's hand and say. "Why should I work with someone who likes to beat up my twin? Are you stupid?! At least have the manners to be apologetic about it, like that Dan Heng guy! You're just as bad as Blade at this point—"

Yanqing quickly covers your mouth again. You two made eye contact, remembering what you two swore not to speak of when in front of Jing Yuan—Don't talk about Dan Heng or Blade in front of the General. Looks like you got too caught up in your emotions, but you were still standing strong in your statement.

Jing Yuan sighs. He was aware of the entire situation, but he hadn't really expected for you to still hold a grudge for that Yanqing got beat by his old friends. Nevertheless, he looks over at Jingliu. "As you can see, Master, they are showing great reluctance to participate to train with you. I advise you leave, or we will have to...contain you, so to speak." You and Yanqing raise your swords, ready for the fight and the chase.

Yes, Jingliu escaped in the end. Girlie is fast fr.

Ghost Rebel Side Notes: N/A

✦ Check out The Ghost Rebel’s Blog Description & Info Page to See if Their Mailbox is Open! ✦

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razorblade180 · 3 months

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An Option

Stelle stumbles in with cuts and bruises all over her arms and face.

Caelus:Woah…what happened to you?

Stelle: Automatons and their mechanical koi contraptions. Ugh, I’m over those things. There has to be a better way to get materials.

Caelus:You’re bleeding.

Stelle:It’s fine.

Caelus: That’s the Destruction in you talking.

Stelle:Pfft, as you’re Mr. Preservation? My risks are just a little flashier than yours.

Caelus: Butt. Seat. Right now.

The girl groaned as she walked over to a chair while Caelus got up to get the first aid kit. Everyone bone felt like the abandoned door on a haunted house as Stelle tried to relax her body. Caelus came back quickly, brushing her tangled hair out of her face and gently putting a cotton ball doused with rubbing alcohol on a cheek cut that made her wince.

Steele: Hiss! That stings!

Caelus:I bet it does! Probably not as much as it was to get in the first place. Man, you really at shit.

Stelle:Thank you. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear after helping people all evening. Immaculate bed side manner.

Caelus:You’re extra feisty today. Credits for your troubles?

Stelle:I’m tired is all. I don’t know…maybe feeling the stress of everything?

Caelus:It pays to relax. You don’t have to face everything. I can swap jobs with you more often.

Stelle:I like my responsibilities. Plus not being active all the time doesn’t feel good.

Caelus:I’m active! I just don’t feel the need to go into the Simulated Universe every day! You need meaningful ways to spend hours.

Stelle:We don’t all have people inviting us for “personal encounters”

Caelus:…Ah, so that’s what the problem is about? You need to get laid.

The man witnessed the slowest head turn in history as Stelle’s jaw dropped from his audacity. Caelus didn’t even blink while putting another bandage on her arm.

Stelle:Do you think I’m not trying!? We all can’t be suffering from success like you!

Caelus:Like me!?

Stelle:Yes, you! You and Dan Heng in March’s room!

Caelus:I didn’t know what was happening!? She called us in there saying she needed help. I thought another spider entered her room. I wasn’t expecting her to the “I offer you a proposal” stance.

Stelle:She’s so dorky. It’s great.

Caelus:Surprisingly good negotiator. Regardless, not my fault and not a common occurrence.

Stelle:Siver Wolf.

Caelus: Barely here and a shot in the dark. I’m not saying I wasn’t interested but I didn’t expect things to be so…casual.

Stelle:Still counts. Topaz.

Caelus:I’ve never done anything with Topaz. I just think she’s beautiful.

Stelle:What? But you hangout sometimes.

Caelus:Yeah, and? We just like hanging around cute pets. That’s it. I don’t even think she likes me.

Stelle:Eh, her mind is a mystery. I’m sure she wouldn’t hate it.

Caelus:I don’t think that’s the point at all. Anyways, it’s not like you can’t get a date or a potential “buddy” to spend time with. You’re way more attractive than me.

Stelle:That’s not hard.

Caelus:You can do your own stitches.

Stelle:I’m sorry. Please don’t stop. It was a bitter joke!

Caelus:Stop crying. My hands are still moving aren’t they? So, pick someone you fancy.

Stelle:You’re forgetting my luck is atrocious. Bronya is taken.

Caelus:Correct.

Stelle:I don’t think Welt could bring himself to see me in that light.

Caelus:A trait that maybe you should consider with him.

Stelle:He’s handsome! I don’t have to look at him like a parent! He’s just an older guy! It would be no different than liking Jing Yuan or Blade!

Caelus:Those two have enough baggage to fill the train. Asta thinks you’re cute.

Stelle:The last thing Asta needs is more rumors and drama.

Caelus: Ruan Mei?

Stelle:Why would I like her? We’ve barely met…I think?

Caelus:Wait, I’m an idiot. Don’t you like Argenti? You seemed like a fan.

Stelle:Did you forget the part where that man told us goodbye to find the Aeon on Beauty as he jumped off the train!? I would love to have dinner with him but he’s a bit busy! I hope he crashes into us again.

Caelus:Or you know, dock normally? That’s an option. Didn’t you go to dinner with Gepard.

Stelle:He’s definitely a sweetie. However… *red* No, there’s no way I could feel comfortable sharing my needs with him without dying of embarrassment. Especially when I’m friends with Serval!

Caelus:I don’t think he’d judge you, but I could definitely see how awkward that could be.

Stelle:And let’s not forget the one person I wholeheartedly swooned over may not have been the person around for most of my conversations and got their neck snapped. My luck is probably why Nanook likes me. *deflates* Maybe I should phone it in and become a Celestial Jade enthusiast.

Caelus:…Am I an option?

That question hung in the air for a moment, slowly registering to Stelle’s brain. Her eyes then gradually widened as she turned her head to see him focusing in a leg injury. That did nothing to hide the growing red on his ears.

Stelle:…What?

Caelus:It’s a pretty straightforward question. If this situation is about being stressed, opportunity, and comfortability then…. it’s not that crazy.

Stelle:Are you saying you would say yes?

Caelus:No! I’m saying if I was an option for you that o could see it and it would make sense! It’s not like any good would come from you not at hundred percent.

Stelle: Caelus, so you would say yes?

Caelus:…I mean who would put up with you effortlessly?

Stelle:You’re in kicking distance.

Caelus:You’d pull your stitches. Anyways, it was just a random thought. Forget I said anything.

Stelle:….You’re not, not an option; I guess?

………..

Caelus:Neat…

He finally fishes the last of her main injuries. Caelus rises to his feet and closes the first aid kit with a satisfying case click that filled the awkward silence.

Stelle:Thanks for the pick-me-up.

Caelus:No biggie. Just doing what I can and all. Welp…time to put this back! See ya. *walks away*

Stelle looked down at his careful needle and gently bandaged wraps. Not even Welt or Himeko could do a better job. If anything, Caelus was good with his han-

Stelle:Fuuuuuuuk. Noooooo don’t think thaaaaat. *covers face* Damnit all. Why’d you have to ask that?

xxxxx

Caelus:(Why did I say that!?)

#honkai star rail #hsr stelle #hsr caelus #honkai stelle #honkai caelus

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sdfgderp · 3 months

Text

a/n: i personally believe dan heng is capable of not shutting up if he's talking about a special interest, like planes or stoichiometry or fuck even differential calculus, but i'm too dumb to write that basic calculus is already too much </3 i feel like he's the type to lecture his s/o or a friend about physics all of a sudden ANYWAY here's my take on that!!! i find these kind of dudes cute tbh

dan heng x gn! reader as always xoxo

cw: infodumping, sort of smart reader, reader is smitten, dan heng notices none of this, pining

—

"...so, this one goes here and you distribute this one, resulting in a balanced equation."

dan heng scribbles away in a sheet of paper, spinning the pencil he was holding. "but personally, i think this other way to balance this equation is better when you consider the materials available. this other one..."

dan heng's finger travels across the page, pointing at an equation written with a pencil. his words wrap around your head. he does make sense. yes he did, his explanation was something you knew about. in fact, you wrote the equation he was glazing over. you didn't have the heart to point that out, he was happily explaining his amazement.

"...imagine this equation considered in making this chemical. not only would it lessen the need for heat, we could use this substance as a catalyst instead."

"mhm."

dan heng pauses to look at you before going on into another ramble.

"speaking of which, earth aircrafts such as the..."

now you've lost him. this was a topic beyond you. did that stop you from listening? no. his voice kept you. you nodded every time he stopped, trying your best to comprehend what he rambled on about. dan heng wasn’t entirely boring, in fact, the topics he talks about are very interesting. usually, if welt had some stuff to do, he turned to you to ask for your opinions on a topic he’s interested in. aeons, a planet’s machinery, the calendar of a civilization on a planet near its star, anything he could tell welt fell on you.

“…see here. the plane’s front is similar to a creature in that planet known for its speed, which is similar to this train they have on this planet…”

in and out his words ran through your head. some words flew in, some facts flew right out as they entered. if it weren’t for how cute he looked despite his normally deadpan face, you wouldn’t have been distracted. if not for his face softening from his usual stare, the plane models he spewed out could’ve stuck to your head. curious, you wonder what he puts on his lips to be that smooth…

…

why are you distracted?

“hm? is there something on my mouth?”

you snap out of it and see dan heng’s eyes looking into yours. he looks… very different— his eyes look different. the usual bored teal eyes held enthusiasm, telling you how much he likes talking about whatever he’s talking about. nothing’s changed about his face, but whatever expression he showed with his eyes, it changed it tremendously. so much, your nails dug marks into your palm, containing the cuteness aggression you held for him at the moment. at this point, you wanted to tackle him down and bite his cheek.

“no, just curious,” you answer. “do you drink a lot of water?” now why did you just say that, you completely snitched on yourself you were looking at his lips…

“no, just the normal amount.” dan heng tilts his head a little, wondering why you asked that. he seemed to have caught on to your hint, although not in the way you wanted thought it to be. “i put on a thin layer of lip balm on my lips at night though, especially when we go to colder planets. why, do you want to have one? we could have bought more at penacony.”

“oh, no need, i have my own,” you assure him. dan heng stares at you, suspicious, before letting the topic go and going off with his explanation.

“…okay. so, as i was saying earlier, the design makes it easier to cut through wind resistance…”

you give yourself a pat on the back for dissolving the issue. you did like dan heng, yes. you liked dan heng that way too, yes. maybe it was cowardice, maybe it was the thought of making it awkward, you never showed it outright. hopefully it seems that way for him too. your affection lies hidden so he’d be able to grace paragraphs of his opinions on you whenever he felt like it. though you wish that someday, he’ll catch on to why you always hear him out. not because you’re curious (well you are curious on what he’ll say, he’s quite knowledgeable), but because seeing him look happy talking about a topic he likes stirs your heart. that because dan heng stirs your heart.

dan heng keeps talking about planes… i should give him the magazine i have from earth someday, you thought, your head already skipping months ahead while dan heng continues to talk your ear off.

“…which explains this physics formula…”

#honkai star rail #hsr dan heng #dan heng #dan heng x reader #honkai star rail x reader #dan heng x you

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lovelynim · 4 months

Text

Vidyadharas' Special Training

Honkai Star Rail - Yanqing & Dan Heng

A/N: Happy birthday @wertzunge!! It is your bday here in my timezone, so I will consider I managed to deliver it in time. I wasn't sure who you'd like to see in this fic, so I decided to go for your team's current DPS and the one you are aiming for, hehe ~

Summary: Yanqing hears about a secret training technique and decides to ask one of his master's friends - Dan Heng - for aid.

Word count: 1276 words

Dan Heng fell silent. He blinked once, twice, considering the possibility that he heard it wrong. Yes, that was probably the case. “S-sorry, I think I misheard you. Could you repeat it, Yanqing?”

“Ahm, can you show me the Vidyadharas’ Special Training? I-I totally understand if it’s something you are not supposed to pass down to outsiders, mr. Dan Heng, but-”

“No no, that’s not the problem…” Dan Heng interrupted, trying to ease the teen that looked always so tense around him - probably thanks to the nature of their previous encounters. Dan Heng looked away, as if pondering Yanqing’s requests, but, in reality, he was actually trying to figure out what the swordsman was talking about.

Vidyadharas’ Special Training..?

He had read a lot about the things Dan Feng was supposed to pass down to him - but didn’t - and that wording didn’t ring a bell at all. Could he have let something slip past him during his stay at the Xianzhou Luofu?

On the outside, it was almost as clear as water to Yanqing that there was something wrong. Could his request be that troublesome? “I thought about asking you about this training technique because you and mr. Caelus were talking about it the other day- ah, I-I mean, not that I eavesdropped on you two, just that-”

“Wait, the one I talked about with Caelus?” Dan Heng stopped, seeing a hint in those words. “You mean when we were heading to the Exalting Sanctum?”

“Yes, that one,” Yanqing nodded, not able to help but to let his expectation grow a little more. If he could understand the basics of that training, he would be able to improve his own skills and, after all, learning from the Vidyadharas’ High Elder didn’t sound bad at all.

However, the real meaning of that conversation was going in the opposite direction of Yanqing’s expectations. If Dan Heng recalled correctly, that was nothing but one of Caelus’s jokes. While practicing the cloudhymn magic, Dan Heng would often stress himself with failed attempts of performing some tricks and, to ease his anger, Caelus would try to distract him and make him smile again.

This, of course, also led to situations where Dan Heng would be trying to focus and Caelus would keep poking his sides and scribbling over the back window in his clothes, all under the allegations that it was part of some kind of “special training” he heard from other vidyadharas.

Now, this stupid joke had gone completely out of hand and Dan Heng needed to decide whether he was willing to expose such details of his relationship with Caelus to Yanqing or… if he was going to embrace it and play along the innocent little lie.

“Yanqing, I need to tell you something about this ‘special training’ thing,” Dan Heng sighed, taking a deep breath as he stirred the thoughts inside his head.

“What… is it?” Yanqing mumbled full of curiosity, not sure if he should expect a negative or positive answer to his request.

Dan Heng smiled softly, looking around the training grounds to make sure they were by themselves there and, much to their look, they were, indeed, by themselves. “This is something Caelus discovered when he was… helping me during these past days,” Dan Heng said, feeling a knot of his throat when he spoke about Caelus fooling around that way. “It’s actually a way to help you clear your mind, nothing of a big deal.”

“Oh, I see… a-and what is it?” Yanqing continued, imagining some kind of ancient meditation technique that would have him sitting under a waterfall or something like that. However, Dan Heng’s only instructions were to turn around and take a deep breath.

“Mhm, just like that,” Dan Heng couldn’t help but smile a little - even if he felt a little bad for taking advantage of Yanqing’s innocence. “Are you sure you want to go on with it?” He asked, giving the swordsman one last chance to deny it, but…

“Yes, I’m ready, mr. Dan Heng!” Yanqing boasted, placing his hands over his hips in a confident pose. Well, he asked for it, after all.

Dan Heng wasn’t sure why he decided to do this kind of mischief - maybe he was, indeed, spending too much time with Caelus - but since this seemed like an opportunity to improve his relation with the general’s lieutenant. With some extra care, Dan Heng’s hands slowly approached Yanqing and, soon, started kneading and prodding at his ribs.

“A-ah!” A sharp, surprised gasp escaped the teen’s lips. “M-Mr. Dan H-Heng, ahah… t-this feels a bihihit- eheh… f-funny…” Yanqing barely managed to voice his concern and giggles already threatened from pouring from his lips. The swordsman’s body trembled as he tried to hold his pose, but the urge of pressing down his arms was growing bigger and bigger.

“I agree with you, it does feel a little off,” Dan Heng chuckled softly, reminiscing the feeling of when he was on the receiving end of this special training - not to mention the embarrassment of having Caelus teasing as well. “But that’s a good sign, it seems it’s working.”

“W-wohohorking?” Yanqing giggled, pressing his eyes shut as he felt the corner of his lips curling up into a smile when Dan Heng started to poke his sides. “B-but- agh, hahah, mr. D-Dahahan Heng!”

“Is something wrong?” Dan Heng feigned ignorance as he lowered his right hand and pinched Yanqing’s hip, making the latter almost fall to his knees. “Tell me if it’s too much, you shouldn’t overdo it,” Dan Heng warned, keeping his calm and serious tone, but glad Yanqing wasn’t turning around and, therefore, wasn’t able to see the smirk on his face.

“It tihihickles! AhahAHaha, I c-cahahan’t!” Yanqing laughed, falling into Dan Heng’s touches as he struggled to keep himself standing in place. While the High Elder prevented the swordsman from falling, having Yanqing leaning into him like that certainly did make it easier for Dan Heng to tickle him.

“Huh? But you are doing it just fine,” Dan Heng continued, dragging his nails around Yanqing’s stomach and making the teen kick his legs in a fit of laughter. “You can’t focus on anything else right now, can you? Your mind is clear as a calm lake right now.”

“Y-yehehes, but- ahHAHAhah, w-wahahait!”

“However, if you are still troubled by needless thoughts, maybe I’m not doing it properly. I could request Caelus to-”

“NOHohoh! No neehehed to!” Yanqing laughed, grabbing Dan Heng’s wrists as he tried to push his hands away from his middle.

Dan Heng smiled, taking it as a sign that the lieutenant had enough and giving him the desired break. Taking a seat in the patch of grass by Yanqing’s side, Dan Heng gave him a couple of seconds to catch up his breath. He should, after all, tell him the truth.

“Sorry, I just-”

“Ahah, I g-get it now… heh,” Yanqing chuckled, crossing his legs one over the other. “I always thought the general was just messing with me when he tickled me during our training sessions.”

“W-what?” Dan Heng’s jaw dropped slightly as he didn’t have the chance to explain himself before Yanqing jumped into another conclusion.

“But I see now it was a way to help me regain my focus and clear my mind!” Yanqing beamed, already with his energy back at 101%. “Thanks, mr. Dan Heng!” He said, bowing politely before taking a leave from the training ground.

Barely seconds after Yanqing left, Dan Heng chuckled, shaking his head as he tried to recover from what had happened in a simple matter of seconds. “You owe me one, general, hah…”

#honkai star rail #honkai star rail tickling #yanqing #dan heng #lee!yanqing #ticklish!yanqing #ler!dan heng #there is a little mention of ler!caelus #but it's very subtle #tickle fic

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pix3lplays · 10 months

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HII ITS ME AGAIN SOO UHMM CAN THE PART 3 BE LIKE THEY ARE LIKE TAKING CARE OF THE KID OR LIKE ITS THE KIDS BDAY AND THEY WANT TO HAVE A LITTLE BROTHER OR SISTER?? so uhm idk what to be called so uhm idk just call me uhhhh (E) since my name starts with e idk what cus like yes so uhm yes

Heyyy (E), I hope you’ve been taking good care of yourself!

Ok part two to my parenting Hcs here!

And part three to this!

-Honkai Star Rail men, raising their child-

Dan Heng: Dan Heng as a parent turned out exactly as you expected. He’s a good dad, he really is, a little distant but not on purpose, it’s just his personality. He loves his kid, he really really does, and he does everything in his power to protect his little family.

He will probably train his kid to use Cloud-Piercer when they get old enough, an exciting day for sure.

One day his little kid asks him a question while they’re training. Asks if they’ll ever have a brother or sister in the future. It stops Dan Heng dead in his tracks, the usually steely man looks a little…flustered at the question. “I’ll consider it,” is what he says, which basically means he’s going to talk to you about it.

Idk, I can see the two of you having another kid, especially if your kid wants a sibling.

Jing Yuan: is just as level-headed and calm as a father. He’s very gentle and patient with his child, but firm when necessary, just very balanced and very good as a father.

When his child asks about getting a sibling, Jing Yuan smiles at the question, and looks at you expectantly.

“I think we could make that work,” is what he says, partly to fluster you, and partly to put a smile on his kid’s face. He’s serious though. He could easily see himself having another kid, or two or three or four more to be honest.

He was built for this parenting thing anyways.

Sampo Koski: Sampo Koski is a pretty bad father. Very distant, never home, always at ‘work’. It’s frustrating. Your kid needs their dad in their life, but he’s never around. Your poor kid misses their dad. They’re lonely without Dad around. So one day, your kid asks him when he finally gets home from a ‘business trip’.

“Dad? I want a sibling!”

And Sampo goes pale, looks a little annoyed at the suggestion. “No, no, we really can’t afford to have another,” is what he says to the kid, but it’s mostly addressed at you. He suspects you put the kid up to this. Too bad you end up accidentally getting pregnant again anyways.

Blade: Blade is a very distant, very intimidating, very quiet father. He never raises his voice, but his words are LAW, and you better believe his kid doesn’t step out of line. Not because he gives out harsh punishments or anything unusual and unhealthy like that. His kid just has a lot of respect for their dad, and they don’t want to make him unhappy. (And they might be just a little bit afraid of him)

When asked if they could have a sibling, Blade’s response is very blunt. “No, I think not.” Harsh, but that’s his decision. He might speak to you about it later that night though, and maybe, just maybe you can change his mind. He does actually genuinely like being a father. Maybe he could be a father to just one more kid, so your own child doesn’t get too lonely while you’re both away doing missions for Elio.

Luocha: after all this time, you still can’t tell how Luocha feels about being a father. He’s a pretty good dad, gentle and considerate, firm and strict when he needs to be, but there’s still that distance there, like he doesn’t quite like his child or something. It’s impossible to explain but you can feel it.

That’s why, at the dinner table you felt a shred of nervousness creep it’s way under your skin when your kid asked about having a sibling. Luocha gave them a gentle look, and shook his head. “I think one is plenty,” is what he said, and you could Sense more behind those words. (One is too many.)

You still ended up getting pregnant though, and you could tell he wasn’t quite so genuine when he was expressing how happy he was for the two of you.

Gepard Landau: a strict, but emotionally aware dad. He doesn’t want to push his kid away by being too strict and rigid and unfair, so he does his best to be open and honest with his kid. And they’re open and honest with him in turn. Such as when they asked about having a sibling.

Gepard nearly choked on air. He looked rather flustered when he turned to you. “Well…it depends on what you think?” And when you have it the green light, Gepard promised his kid a sibling.

Truthfully he was very very excited at the thought of having another kid. And you were happy to see him so happy.

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harley-sunday · 1 year

Text

Feels Like Home [04]

Summary: When an unexpected three-week break between Monza and Singapore finds Daniel back on his farm in Perth he’s desperate to use this time to clear his mind, figure out his future in Formula One, and find his way back. He didn’t expect a new neighbour, a sassy two-year old, and three alpacas would make him realise that sometimes, what you’re looking for is right in front of you.

Pairing: Daniel Ricciardo x reader (unnamed OFC)

Warnings: Language

Word count: 3.1k

AN: Another update? Yes. My bestie needs some cheering up today, so eL, babe, this one’s for you! ♥

Masterlist

“Dan?”

“Daniel?”

“Oi. Mate?”

“Fine, be a cunt and pretend not to hear me.”

Before Daniel has a chance to respond he’s hit in the back of his head with one of the juggling balls they used during one of their earlier exercises, “You absolute cunt.” Daniel turns around and raises his eyebrows at Michael, “The fuck did you do that for?”

“You weren’t listening,” Michael says with a shrug as if that explains the assault. And fine, maybe it does.

“I was a little distracted,” Daniel offers, rubbing the back of his head, thinking of feigning a concussion to get out of the remainder of his training session.

“You were off on another planet, mate,” Michael counters with a shake of his head. “What the hell is going on?”

He doesn’t like to lie to his best friend but he doesn’t want to tell him the real reason he’s distracted either, because if Michael finds out Daniel’s nervous about his dinner plans tomorrow he’ll never let him hear the end of it and Daniel’s not sure he’s up for that right now, and so he simply says, “I just hate that I still don’t know where I’m going to be next year, Mikey.”

Michael eyes him suspiciously, and for a moment Daniel’s worried he’ll get called out but then Michael does that thing he always does when he knows Daniel will tell him the truth eventually and says, “Do you want to talk about it? Or do you want to be distracted?”

“Whatever’s going to make you cut this workout short, mate,” Daniel counters with a cheeky grin.

Michael exaggerates a sigh and gives Daniel one of his death stares, “No.”

“Aren’t you supposed to watch out for my mental health too?” Daniel knows he’s pushing but Michael can take it. Or at least should be used to it by now. “I’m obviously in distress. And this workout ain’t helping.”

“That just earned you twenty push ups, mate,” Michael says with a wicked grin.

“You cunt,” Daniel whispers under his breath, using his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face because he’s still not fully recovered from the burpees Michael had him doing earlier.

“You want to cut this workout short-”

“Fuck yes.”

“-then tell me what’s really going on.” Michael looks at him with his arms crossed in front of his chest and that self-satisfied smile of his, because he knows whatever Daniel does - tell him the truth or finish the workout - it’s a win for Michael.

Daniel scoffs and shakes his head, because he’d rather do five more hours of bootcamp than tell Michael about her. He drops to his knees before he gets into position for his first pushup, “Twenty, you said?”

“I think I said thirty, mate,” Michael grins, squatting down in front of Daniel and throwing him a wink, “with a thirty-second plank after each tenth pushup.”

“I hate you.”

“Not enough to tell me the truth, apparently,” Michael counters. “So I’d say we’re still good.”

***

“Ok, so my number is on the pad next to the phone-”

“I have your number in my phone, why does she need your number?”

“-so if anything happens,” you continue, effectively ignoring your granddad, “just call, ok?”

“Will do,” Abby, Mrs Mackenzie’s sixteen-year old granddaughter, nods. Mrs Mackenzie was supposed to come over to watch Ellie and Granddad but she’s still not feeling too well and so she suggested you ask her granddaughter instead.

Daniel steps in then and hands Abby a twenty dollar note, “Here’s the down payment for tonight, Abigail. I’ll pay you the rest when we get back, ok? Wanna make sure you don’t burn down the house first-”

“Daniel-” You sigh and look at Abby, “Ignore him. I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

“What about my Lando autograph?” Abby counters with one eyebrow raised, looking at Daniel thoroughly unimpressed, the way only teenagers seem to be able to do.

You can’t help the laugh that escapes you and turn to Daniel, “Yeah. What about her Lando autograph?”

Daniel looks at you as if you’re siding with the enemy but then pulls up his phone anyway, fingers flying over the screen as he types a message, “Yeah, yeah, I promise to get you that as soon as possible, ok?” He waves his phone around as if to prove to Abigail he’s working on it, “It’s not like I have a bunch of his autographed driver cards lying around somewhere.”

“A cap.”

“What?” Daniel looks up from his screen.

“I would like an autographed cap,” Abby replies. Then, because she isn’t stupid, “Please?”

Daniel stares at her for a second but seems to realise that if he denies her request there’s not even going to be a date tonight and so he gives in with a resigned, “Fine.”

“Fine,” Abigail echoes. Her smile reappears then, “Thank you so much, Mr Ricciardo.”

“Ouch,” you whisper under your breath, trying your hardest not to laugh even though you give Abby a wink.

Daniel looks too stunned to speak and keeps shaking his head in disbelief.

“Come on,” you gently push him in the direction of the front door, “let’s go.” You turn towards your Granddad then, who’s in his chair, watching the evening news, “Try to behave? Let Abby watch some TV once the news is finished, ok?”

Granddad huffs but then says something that sounds like, “You kids have fun,” and really, that’s a win as far as you’re concerned. You follow Daniel outside and can’t help but gasp when you see his car, “Oh Jesus.”

“What?”

“That seems awfully fancy,” you say while you admire the Porsche that looks completely out of place here on the farm.

“It’s sort of a date,” he counters with a grin and a shrug. “Of course it’s going to be fancy.”

A warm feeling spreads inside of you when you hear him say the word ‘date’ and if you weren’t feeling like a nervous schoolgirl before, spending way too much time on picking an outfit and doing your hair and makeup, you sure feel like one now and so you quickly try to compose yourself, “It looks beautiful.”

“Just like you.”

“Oh, very smooth Ricciardo,” you shake your head, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks because you were never good at taking compliments.

“What? It’s true. You look absolutely gorgeous,” he says as he opens the door for you.

“Thank you,” you tell him, accepting the compliment. You sit down, admiring the interior as Daniel rounds the car and gets inside.

“You ready?”

“Ready,” you reply with a smile that grows even wider when the car purrs to life and he accelerates down the driveway.

***

Daniel hasn’t told her where they’re going, wanting to keep it a surprise, and so when he stops at the gate to Darlington Estate about thirty minutes later she looks at him in disbelief and Daniel can’t help but smile at her.

“How- This is impossible to get into,” she says, shaking her head. “They have a waitlist that’s at least-”

“It helps when you know the owner,” he replies with a shrug, as if it’s no big deal. Except it was, because even though he does know the owner it took him quite some pleading and a promise of two VIP tickets to the Melbourne Grand Prix next year to get them a table for tonight.

When he pulls up in front of the entrance not much later he gets out and hands his keys to the valet, before he walks over to her side and opens the door, offering his hand to help her out of the car.

“Thank you,” she whispers, not letting go once she’s outside.

Daniel feels- There’s a fleeting thought that he can just about grasp before it disappears again, something about how if something as simple as holding her hand already feels this good, he can’t wait to find out what it will feel like when he finally gets to kiss her.

Inside they’re greeted by the Maître D’ who leads them to a private table in the back of the restaurant and when they sit down she looks around in wonder, “It’s beautiful here.”

He’s only got eyes for her though and so he hums in reply. Part of him wants to get to date over with, wants to take her home and see where the night takes them. The other part wants to stay in this moment forever. Before he has time to figure out what that means the waiter comes over and hands them their menus and he busies himself with that instead.

Once they’ve made their choice and the waiter comes by with a glass of white wine for her and water for him - he’s still in the middle of a season after all - his phone buzzes to let him know he’s got a new notification and the only reason he checks it is because she’s busy talking to the waiter about their wine selection. He can feel his eyes widen when he sees it’s a iCal invite from Blake for a meeting with Christian next Wednesday

“Everything ok?”

She sounds worried and so he quickly looks up at her and tries his best reassuring smile when he sees she’s biting her lip in anticipation, “Yeah, I uh-” he shakes his head, “I just got an invitation to a meeting that I’ve sort of been waiting for.” He hates not telling her the entire truth, but the waiter’s still hanging around their table and Daniel’s been sufficiently media trained that he knows strangers are not to be trusted.

The waiter seems to take this as his cue to leave though and so Daniel leans forward, because he feels, especially after the way she was so honest and open with him about Ellie’s dad, he owes her one. Just to be sure he leans in and keeps his voice low, “It’s a meeting with Red Bull.”

He doesn’t know how much she knows about Formula One, doesn’t know if she cares about his career or the sport in general but then he sees her eyebrows knit together and she whispers back, “That’s your old team, isn’t it?”

“Yep.”

She does that thing then, that she sometimes does with Ellie as well, where she gives him two options, to make it easier for her to understand his thoughts, “And is this a good or a bad thing?”

He thinks about it for a while, thinks about the meeting he had with Christian and Helmut after the Dutch Grand Prix, where, when Christin had first mentioned the option of becoming third driver, it had felt more like a curse than a blessing to him. Now though, he’s not so sure.

He loves being a Formula One driver, really he does. Driving his car out on track is the best feeling in the world. Travelling the world and getting to see all these amazing places is a privilege he’s very aware only a few people get to have. And yet it still feels as if there’s something missing. He first noticed at Renault, when the team didn’t give him the car they promised him they would, but back then he ignored it and put it down to changing teams. When it only got worse at McLaren he thought maybe it wasn’t the sport that betrayed him. Maybe he betrayed himself.

Ever since the summer break there’s been a little voice in the back of his mind that tells him maybe it’s ok if he doesn’t get a seat in Formula One next year, maybe what he needs is some time away from it all, maybe that will help him find what he’s been looking for over the past four years, maybe what he’s been looking for has been right in front of him since-

“Daniel?”

Her voice interrupts his thoughts and when he finds her smiling at him with that kind smile she usually only reserves for Ellie he knows he zoned out for a minute. He shakes his head, “Sorry. I just-”

She seems to know something is bothering him because she leans forward and puts her hand on his arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze, “Do you want to talk about it?”

He hasn’t really spoken to anyone about this, Michael and Blake think they’re still fighting for a seat, heck, even his parents think he’ll do whatever it takes to stay in the sport next year but somehow he finds himself nodding, “Yeah. I think I do.”

***

All throughout the starter and the main course he talks and you listen and when he tells you about his time at Renault and McLaren your heart aches for him when you hear how the sport he used to love so deeply has taken so much from him.

“So yeah,” Daniel says as he fiddles with the salt shaker, both your plates now sitting empty between you, “a second meeting with Christian sounds pretty good.” He lets out a shaky laugh then, “Unless he’s going to tell me he wants to retract his offer. That would suck.”

“Daniel-”

“It’s ok,” he quickly reassures you, his smile genuine this time and waving his hand around. “I’ve known Christian for a while now, if he didn’t want this to go through he would have called already, not set up another meeting.” He lets out a heavy sigh then, “I just- It feels like I’m about to settle. But it also feels like this might be a good thing, you know? I don’t know. I wish I had a clear answer.”

He hasn’t asked for your advice and even if he had you wouldn’t have told him what you think he should do. It doesn’t matter. It’s his choice. And part of you already think he’s made up his mind and so you tell him, “Listen to your heart. I think you’ll find the answer right there.”

***

Daniel smiles and looks down at where he’s turning the salt shaker between his hands, “Yeah.”

She’s right, of course she is, because he knows what he wants to do.

He wants to go home.

***

When the waiter comes by to ask if he can get them anything else, both of you shake your head and Daniel asks for the check instead. You watch as he pays, tipping generously, and when he gets up and holds out his hand for you to take you do so without hesitating.

It’s raining when you get outside, the wind having picked up a lot since this afternoon, the promise of a late winter storm hanging heavy in the air, and so you rush to the car, you with your purse over your head and Daniel pulling you from left to right as he tries to avoid the puddles that are scattered across the road. Your giggles and Daniel’s laugh filling the air around you long after you make it inside the car.

The drive back is quiet but never uncomfortably so, Daniel quietly singing along to the songs on the radio and you staring at the raindrops that slide down the window, tracing their path with your eyes and sometimes your finger. You’re a little lost in thoughts, wondering how things will go from here, wondering what it is you and Daniel are. Friends, for sure, but is this turning into something more even a possibility? He leaves for Singapore on Tuesday and he’ll be gone for almost two more months after that, so would this even work? Does he even like you like that? Do you even like him that way?

You don't want to dive into this head first, after all you've got Ellie to worry about. Ellie, who seems to be as smitten with Daniel as you are. Who you’ve never seen trust someone so wholeheartedly right from the get go. You’re not sure if she’s old enough to remember Daniel if- You shake your head, not wanting to get ahead of things. If anything you like to see where this goes, not just now but also after, when he comes back once the season is over. You just hope Daniel feels the same way.

All too soon Daniel turns onto your driveway and when he pulls up to the house not much later he immediately turns the engine off, a hesitant smile when he looks at you, “Don’t want to wake Ellie up.”

You smile at him, your heart about to burst out of your chest with how, even now, he thinks of Ellie, "Thank you."

"So uhm," Daniel starts, turning towards you in his seat. "My parents are hosting a barbecue on Sunday, 'cause it's the last time I'll be home for a while, you know? Anyway, I was wondering-" he looks away and fiddles with his keys before he clears his throat, "I was wondering if maybe you and Ellie would like to come. And Oscar, if he's up for it. I know it’s super short notice so-"

"Daniel," you start, not sure what you want to say next.

"It's only a few people," he quickly adds. "My sister and her husband and kids, Blake, Michael- It's just-" he smiles and shrugs, "I told my mom about helping out here and she really would like to meet you." Daniel looks at you expectantly, "It starts at noon, so you would be back in time to take care of the girls. And it won't be too late of a bedtime for Ellie either."

You can't help but smile, endeared by the way he seems to have thought of everything. And even though the idea of meeting his family seems a little daunting, you try to tell yourself that maybe it's only fair if you do - after all, he's already met the most important person in your life as well - and so you nod, "I'd like that."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," you agree easily enough. "Text me the address and we'll be there."

"Mint," Daniel replies with a grin.

"I should probably head inside," you nod towards the house. "I told Abby we'd be back before midnight." You wait for him to do something, thinking maybe he would take the lead and kiss you, but when he doesn't move you lean over and press a kiss to his cheek instead, "Thank you for tonight, Daniel. I had a great time."

"So did I." He taps the steering wheel a few times before he looks back at you, "We should do this again sometime."

The promise of another date unleashes a herd of butterflies into your stomach but you try to play it cool, "We should." You unbuckle your seatbelt then and step outside, leaning back in as he starts the car, "See you tomorrow?"

"Yes, ma'am," he says, tipping his imaginary hat. "At your service."

You laugh, "Bye."

***

Fuck. He should have just kissed her.

***

You watch as he drives away and let out a heavy sigh, quietly berating yourself for not kissing him.

#Daniel Ricciardo #F1 Fanfic #Daniel Ricciardo x reader #F1 imagine #DR3 #Harley Sunday x Daniel Ricciardo #Feels Like Home

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teaberrii · 6 months

Text

Chapter 5: City Meets Country

After ending a five-year relationship, you pour all your energy into work. Your latest assignment? Staying at a popular bed-and-breakfast to gather information. It should be a piece of cake... If only the owner isn't the man you scolded on the street.

Jing Yuan/You

Notes:

Cross-posted on Ao3

Female reader

Chapter index at the end of chapter one

"...Pretending to date, you say?” The woman sitting across from the detective looked him in the eyes. “What a bold move you’re suggesting, Detective.”

“It’s just empty words that’ll get you an invitation. You want to prove your innocence, don’t you?”

“Is this your sense of justice talking, or…” There was a curious glint in her eyes. “...Are your personal feelings getting the best of you?”

The detective quietly scoffed. “I am here to do a job. They say you’re guilty, but you say you’re innocent. We need more evidence.”

“...Innocent until proven guilty, is that it?”

“It’s what I’d like to live by.”

A loud honk makes Welt stop. He quickly takes a step back upon seeing the red stoplight. He’d been so engrossed in thinking about his book’s latest scene that he almost walked onto a busy street. He didn’t know why, but since he saw you and Jing Yuan walk into the stone villa, Welt was hit with an idea. And, throughout his walk, he’s been fleshing out the details.

When Welt woke up this morning, Dan Heng was reading on the couch while Dan Feng was on the balcony, enjoying the fresh morning air. As soon as he stepped inside, Welt asked, “March still isn’t up?”

“She wasn’t in her room,” Dan Feng said. “Texted her a bunch of times, and she said she’s on her way back.” He looked at his watch. “She should be back in… 3… 2… 1…”

The door opened, and March walked inside. “You’ll never guess who I bumped into!”

As she said she’d met you and Jing Yuan at the pool, Welt's phone buzzed with a message.

Can you get it done in the next two months?

Welt’s shoulders fell upon reading the message from his editor.

“Welt?” Welt looked up and saw his friends looking at him. March glanced at his phone. “Something wrong?”

“No. Just some spam text,” he said, slipping his phone into his pocket.

The light turns green, and as he crosses the street, he thinks back to the text. It’s been a few years since he changed from writing non-fiction to fiction, and it’s been a bumpy adventure. While he’d built a reputation writing non-fiction, writing fiction proved to be a challenge. There's no right or wrong in creativity or imagination, something that Welt finds exciting and frustrating. And while his book sales have marginally improved since he first started, it still feels like he's looking into a dark tunnel, one where no one has a solid answer of where to go. They just push him for deadlines. Can he outdo his last book? Will he succeed? Maybe his creativity just doesn't resonate with the market as much as he'd like.

He walks past a train station and sees you talking with a few tourists. By the time he walks up to you, the tourists are already leaving, and he can see the gears turning in your head.

“Hey.” You look up, surprised. He looks at the foreign tourists and back at you. “Were they asking for directions?”

“Nah. I was doing some research.”

“Research? Does that involve talking to random people?"

“Kind of. Sort of. Not really.”

“Well, I’d be interested in hearing more.”

As you and Welt walk down the street together, you tell him about the reason you're here. But so far, you’re still coming up a little empty.

“Some tourists have been wishing for more hotels,” you say. “It’s strange.”

“It's a good question, and it’s something I noticed, too.”

“Sounds like you have insights to share.”

“Nothing that I think would be useful,” Welt says with a sheepish grin. “You know who you should talk to?” The little smile on his face gives you a hunch. “Jing Yuan.”

And you’re right.

“...Because he grew up here?”

“That’s right. There’s no one better to ask.”

Well, you might as well make the most of his fake boyfriend status. But…

“How long have you known Jing Yuan?” you ask.

“We met when he was still getting the B&B off the ground. So, it’s been about eight years? But, the funny thing is, we went to the same grad school, and we never knew.”

Grad school… Now, you’re curious. What did Jing Yuan study? Was he already thinking about opening a bed and breakfast? Was he already married?

“Both of us were there on a scholarship,” Welt continues. “I don’t know if you know but he was a corporate guy before he started this business. Director of Operations at an IT company.”

“...I don’t know if I should call him crazy for leaving a cushy job or…”

“...Or admire him for his courage?”

“I think both.”

“They say crazy people create history.”

You remember Jing Yuan’s bold move to kiss your cheek. “...He truly is a man full of surprises.”

Welt chuckles. “Sounds like someone’s fond of him now.”

“That’s—”

A loud sob interrupts you, and then, “Yanqing hit me!”

You and Welt stop and look at each other upon hearing the familiar name. To your left, there’s an elementary school. Without thinking, you and Welt enter the front courtyard, and you see a small group of kids gathering around Yanqing and a young girl about his age. Her long white hair is in a ponytail, and her reddish-pink eyes look anxious and scared. Yanqing is standing in front of her but he’s facing a larger boy who’s crying.

“What’s going on?” a woman walks towards the children and the larger boy runs to her.

“Yanqing hit me!” he cries.

“I…” When Yanqing looks off to the side, he gasps. “Auntie! Welt!”

The woman looks at you just as you and Welt come up beside Yanqing. "And you are...?"

Before you can answer, the boy frowns and glares at you. "Yanqing should apologize!"

Ignoring him, you put a hand on Yanqing's shoulder. "Do you want to tell us what happened?”

“...He was bullying Clara.”

“Is that true, Clara?” the woman asks, looking at the girl behind Yanqing.

“I didn’t say anything wrong!” the boy insists.

"You were making fun of her!" You hold Yanqing's hand, and his shoulders slowly fall when he looks at you. "...I'm not a bad person."

You affectionately pat his head while the woman says, “Let’s go inside, shall we?” Then, she looks at you. “Are you his aunt?”

You and Welt glance at each other. “Um, well—”

“Yes,” Yanqing answers, and you look at him. Then, quietly, “...I don’t want Dad to get called in when he’s so busy.”

The woman leads all of you inside the school and into the empty classroom, away from the prying eyes of the other kids.

“...Clara, do you want to tell us what happened?” the woman asks.

Clara is fidgeting when she looks down. “...Yanqing didn’t hit him.” You see the intimidating gaze of the boy. So, you stand in front of him, blocking her from seeing him. “...But, he did push him.”

“See!” The boy steps in front of you.

Welt frowns. “Let her finish.”

Clara looks at the boy and says, “But it was because he was bothering me.”

“What did he say?” the woman asks.

“I didn’t—”

You shoot him a look, and the boy crosses his arms.

Clara was building a sandcastle in the sandpit when she felt someone behind her. She turned and saw a larger boy who was looking at her with a curious but distasteful look.

“Is it true that you have two moms and no dad?” Feeling uncomfortable, Clara stood, but before she could walk away, he quickly blocked her path. “It’s just a question.”

“...Leave me alone.”

The boy frowned. “What? Are you embarrassed because it’s true?” Yanqing, who was walking by to play on the swings, overheard the question. “Who’s your dad?”

“I don’t have one,” Clara said quietly.

“What? I couldn’t hear you.”

Yanqing stopped, noticing how uncomfortable Clara looked. Then, he looked at the boy. “Stop bugging her.”

He glared at him. “It’s none of your business.”

Yanqing glared back. “She’s uncomfortable!”

“I was just asking her a question.”

Yanqing walked toward Clara and extended his hand. “Let’s go play on the swings.”

“Hey!” The boy rudely forced Yanqing to look at him, and Yanqing acted on instinct.

Soon, the boy was on the ground, his palm scratched by the concrete.

The woman sighs. “Apologize to Clara.”

“Why?” he challenges. “It’s not like I did anything wrong.”

“But you did,” you say, frowning. “You made her feel uncomfortable.”

“Who asked you, old woman?”

Before you can say anything, the woman sternly says the boy’s name. “Apologize. Or, I’m calling your parents.”

The boy mutters, “Sorry,” without looking at you or Clara.

Once that's over and done with, you and Welt strike up a conversation with the woman who you now know as Yanqing's teacher. Turns out Yanqing's taking summer classes at the same elementary school Jing Yuan once went to.

By the time you and Welt are ready to leave, a loud bell rings throughout the school, signalling the end of recess. The kids are filing in and heading toward their respective classrooms. You and Welt are standing outside the staff room with Yanqing and Clara.

The young girl shyly looks at Yanqing and says, “Um… Thank you for what you did.”

“We’re similar, so… I can kinda understand how you feel,” Yanqing says with a smile.

“Similar…? Ah…!” You can see the lightbulb in her head go off. “You’re the one with two dads…”

“It’s a good thing!” Yanqing has his fists clenched in front of him as if eager to communicate his point. Then, with a soft smile, he says, “It doesn’t matter as long as they care about you.”

“Yanqing! Clara! Time for class!”

Clara is the first to leave, though it looks like she wants to wait for Yanqing. But, he turns to you and Welt and makes a gesture for you to crouch.

“...Could you keep what happened today a secret?” he asks quietly. A sigh. “I know pushing is wrong…”

“You just don’t want Jing Yuan to lecture you,” Welt says.

“Maybe…”

“I don’t think you should keep it from him,” you say. "But… I know you feel uncomfortable. So, I’ll keep your secret.”

“Really?” Yanqing’s eyes are shining.

“He’ll find out either way,” Welt says. “Jing Yuan's quite perceptive.”

The boy’s shoulders fall, but before he can say anything else, you see the teacher peek out from the classroom.

“Go to class,” you say. "We won't say anything."

Yanqing pouts but gives you and Welt a quick hug, and then he runs off toward his classroom.

◆◆◆

“Yo.” Jing Yuan is on his lunch break in the restaurant downstairs of the stone villa when he hears a familiar voice. Dan Feng pulls out the chair in front of Jing Yuan and jokingly asks, “Seat taken?”

“You’re alone?”

“March ditched us. As for Dan Heng”—Dan Feng rolls his eyes—“he wants to relax and spend his time reading today.”

“And Welt?”

“Can’t reach him. He’s been gone for a while. But—”

The buzz of his phone interrupts him. Once he pulls it out of his pocket, Dan Feng chuckles. “Well, speak of the devil.”

Jing Yuan takes another bite of his noodles just as Dan Feng says your name, making Jing Yuan look up. “They’re together." Jing Yuan almost chokes and quickly leans back to compose himself. Dan Feng laughs. “They bumped into each other in town. That’s what I meant.”

A small cough. “I see.”

Dan Feng puts an elbow on the table and slightly leans closer. “What’s your relationship with her, anyway? What were you two talking about earlier today?”

“Someone’s curious,” Jing Yuan deadpans.

“Well, yeah! Is she a friend…? Or…?”

“Yes.” A small pause. “...And I’m helping her with some things.”

“...Some things? Like what?” When Jing Yuan goes back to eating, Dan Feng rolls his eyes. “What’s with the secrecy?”

Jing Yuan wipes his mouth with a napkin and puts it neatly to the side. Then, he puts his arms on the table. “Why are you so curious about her?”

“Because it looks like you’re interested in her, and it’s been a while since you showed interest in anyone. So, of course, I’m curious!” Dan Feng gently taps his phone on the table. “Plus, she’s kinda cute, too.”

Jing Yuan thinks back to when he first saw you protecting his cousin. He found you frustrating, even more so when you took his phone and demanded him to pay for the spoiled cake. But that was when he got a good look at you. Was it inappropriate that he found you physically attractive?

He never expected to meet you again at the restaurant that night.

The look on your face told him that something was weighing you down, which he later concluded was your ex. Jing Yuan thought about interfering when he saw your ex preventing you from closing the taxi door. But he weighed his options and decided to wait and see. Then, when he saw that look of exhaustion on your face in the taxi, it was like looking into a mirror.

He saw his old self.

“A bed and breakfast?”

Jing Yuan and his wife were sitting at the table for dinner that evening when he brought up the dream he’d had since graduate school. He’d never spoken about it to anyone, even his wife whom he’d known since college. This was his little secret, something personal that he didn’t want to share until he was sure he wanted to go through with it. And, after countless weeks of thinking, he didn’t want any regrets.

“Xianzhou’s been budding as a popular tourist destination,” Jing Yuan said. “...It would be great to go back and—”

“...But, there’s nothing there.” Jing Yuan–chopsticks in hand—was reaching for some food on a plate. But, he stopped and looked at his wife with mild confusion. “Don’t get me wrong, Jing Yuan. Xianzhou is beautiful, but… there’s really nothing there. No technological advancements. No flourishing economy… Why would you want to go back?”

Should Jing Yuan be surprised? Probably not. His wife had grown up in the city; she was a city girl who never showed any interest in the countryside besides a vacation to escape the busy city life. But living there? Out of the question. Jing Yuan should’ve known.

Jing Yuan put his chopsticks down. “I grew up there, and… I’ve always wanted to start a business.”

She put her hand on top of his. “...But, didn’t you promise me we’d be starting a family? Don’t tell me you’re going to run off and start your little business and leave me to take care of the baby.”

“No. Of course not. That’s not what—”

“You just got promoted too.” She sighed. “Let’s stick to what we planned.”

Jing Yuan knew his wife would be against the idea, but he’d been hoping for open communication. Instead, she wasn’t even looking at him anymore but at an article on her phone about preparing for your first baby.

And that was just the beginning.

“Hey.” Dan Feng taps the table. “You listening?”

Jing Yuan’s phone buzzes, and he quickly takes it out. After taking a glance at the work email, he slides it back into his pocket. Then, he looks at his friend and says, “It’s true I’m interested in her.”

Dan Feng lets out a low whistle. “Haven’t heard you been this direct in a while either. Kinda refreshing, if you ask me.”

“...But, we’ll see how things turn out.”

Dan Feng slowly nods as Jing Yuan finishes the rest of his food. “Keeping a level head as you pursue her, huh? A logical approach, as expected.”

Jing Yuan isn’t playing around, but he hasn't forgotten the pain of a broken heart. You’re a city girl, much like his ex-wife. Plus, he has Yanqing. That’s when it hits him. It’s been too long since he felt his heart race for somebody. He isn't thinking, and if not for this conversation with Dan Feng, he would not have realized that his head is off in the clouds.

“Oh, hey." Just as Jing Yuan neatly puts his chopsticks on top of his bowl, Dan Feng says, "Before you leave for your big boy meeting... We’re having a BBQ party tonight. If you’re not busy, come join us.” Then, with a little smile, he adds, “We’ll be sure to invite her, too.”

◆◆◆

You and Welt end up parting ways. With you looking to get more information, Welt had gone back to the bed and breakfast first.

“Hotels? Why would we want more of that here?”

That isn’t the response you’re expecting. You manage to strike up a conversation with some of the locals after ordering some food from a popular food stand. They are women in their forties or early fifties who run small businesses nearby.

“Seriously,” one of them says with an exasperated sigh. “All corporate people want to do is come in and control everything! If we let them in, they’ll be putting us out of business!”

“Right! Just like those punks a few years ago.”

Punks?

The women look at you. “Why are you asking such strange questions? Are you one of them?”

“Them? No, nothing like that,” you answer, even though you have no idea who they’re talking about. “I was just curious as it’s my first time here.”

A woman sighs. “We only need family businesses here. All of them corporate people and whatnot can stay the hell away.”

You know better than to generalize the opinion of just two locals, but the animosity is unexpectedly strong.

You’re mulling over the interesting thought when someone says, “Bar Girl?”

You recognize the voice. When you turn, Blade and Luocha are walking towards you.

“It’s not Bar Girl,” Blade corrects his friend as the men stop in front of you. “Jing Yuan calls her Corporal.”

“Corporal…? Huh… Thought he’d go with Sweetheart like he does everyone else.”

Everyone else…? It’s somewhat of a petty thought, but does Jing Yuan call every girl Sweetheart?

Luocha sticks out his hand. “I didn’t get a chance to properly introduce myself last time. I’m Luocha, and I’m a physician here.”

“You’re a local?” you ask, surprised.

A small chuckle. “Born and raised. What? Do I look more like a city boy to you?” He nods toward a street. “I run a clinic just at the end here.”

You take his hand. “I was just surprised, that’s all.”

“I hear you’re staying at Jing Yuan’s B&B,” he says with a small smile. “How’s that going?”

“Am I supposed to say I hate it?” you ask sarcastically.

“We can keep a secret.” Luocha nudges Blade. “Right?”

“This is Jing Yuan we’re talking about,” Blade says. “There’s no way he’ll provide anything less than excellence.”

“That’s quite a statement,” you say. “...But, so far… it is true.”

“Soundin’ a little glum, chum.”

“You’re thinking too much, Doc—ah!”

You almost stumble when someone pushes you while wrapping their arm around your shoulder. You aren't sure who to expect, but surely not March smiling at you.

“How’d you like the view this morning?” she asks.

“...View?”

She lightly pinches your cheek. “The view of a half-naked Jing Yuan.” Blade and Luocha glance at each other before looking at you as if looking for an explanation. March turns to them. “Jing Yuan graced us with his presence at the pool earlier today.”

“Sounds like a great time,” Luocha deadpans.

“You wish you were half the man he is.”

Luocha scoffs and puts a hand on his hip. “Someone sure is more talkative than usual.”

As March lets you go and continues bickering with Luocha, Blade sighs. “Here we go again.”

“Looks like all of you are close.”

“Close? I suppose that’s one way to put it.”

“My, I wasn’t expecting to see so many familiar faces.”

March and Luocha stop bickering at the sound of a woman’s voice. You look past them and see a tall, slender woman with pale hair and red eyes. There’s an elegance in the way that she walks that tells you she’s a no-nonsense woman.

Then, you hear Blade say a name, one that you don’t recognize. But it’s what he says after that takes you off guard.

“...That’s Jing Yuan’s mentor.”

Chapter 6

Tag list: @suoshiii @lordbugs @lxry-chxn @seirenspinel @immahuman @queencybow @grimreapersscythe @nqctre @winterpein

#jingyuan x reader #jing yuan x reader #jing yuan x you #jing yuan x y/n #hsr jing yuan #jing yuan #jingyuan x you

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zahri-melitor · 26 days

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I was reminded that I hadn't actually read Robin/Argent Double-Shot as it's only available on the site of incoming computer viruses, so I pulled it up and went through it.

First impression: was that a Greg Land costume redesign for Argent? That explains so much. Can’t believe this contained a worse idea than the Huntress bullet-wound ab window, but a hip cutout that’s open to the navel to show off the DANGLING CROSS belly button ring? Yeah. That’s got it beat.

Seriously. Toni comes to Tim to ask for training advice and all I could do was shriek ‘try wearing a costume that COVERS your body piercings rather than inviting them to be torn out!!’

Okay that aside. Argent adorably is scared of asking Nightwing for help (not for long! You’ll be getting the full experience shortly, Toni) so decides Robin is exactly the right level of experienced but non intimidating to ask for training as she wants to get more serious following Joto’s death. Tim’s a bit baffled, and protests he’s still a sophomore at this hero stuff (which tracks, he’s still 14 here, he’s into his second year as a hero), but agrees to let her tag along on his investigation/bust that she’s interrupted.

This is also one of those comics where Tim goes ‘oop’ a lot so if that’s your thing, go seek it out.

Tim talks down to Toni a bit through this but in his view she HAS just interrupted and ruined his investigation, to ask a favour. They do get along better after their initial spat (as Is Traditional for comics, of course)

Steph doesn’t get a lot to do in this story: she spots Tim with Another Female Hero and immediately gets jealous and catty (as she’s been following Tim around again to spy on him). Not an unusual plot for Steph honestly, though I will note Dan Jurgens wrote this one. After a fight where Steph drops in to rescue Tim after he ends up at gunpoint, Toni and Steph bicker (because girls can’t be friends they need to have conflict).

There’s actually an interesting discussion here as the whole situation is over a street level drug bust and tracking the supplier; Toni comments she’s used to dealing with costumed supervillains, not street criminals, and Steph acts tough as that’s MOST of what she deals with (that isn’t Arthur).

Tim does talk over Steph and say she’s not ready for a team yet here (though admittedly, at this point she IS still bopping around in a homemade costume with no training and a lot of bravado and not much else). They’re in that combative arguing stage still where Tim’s still dating Ari but Steph keeps flirting at Tim (like it’s only a few months since Ariana gets transferred to an all girls’ school after the couch incident).

Anyway, the crook gets away, Argent does confiscate the drugs, and we get more hints about how Bad News Toni’s dad is (surprise, if you don’t know anything about him, he’s a former senator, a drug smuggler and has implied mob connections).

#z canon read throughs

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chaotic-public-menace · 2 months

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VERY FUCKING IMPORTANT HOLY SHIT

I know this probably won't get to many people but I need to say something.

The Republican Party is gearing up for "Project 2025", which is a plan to "reshape" the US government into a maximalist version of the unitary executive theory, which is a theory that holds the idea that the President of the US possess the power to control the entire executive branch, which is a very bad thing.

Copied directly from this article: "Project 2025 envisions widespread changes across the entire government, particularly with regard to economic and social policy and the role of the federal government and federal agencies. The plan proposes slashing U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) funding, dismantling the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, gutting environmental and climate change regulations to favor fossil fuel production, and eliminating the cabinet Departments of Education and Commerce.[9] Citing an anonymous source, The Washington Post reported Project 2025 includes immediately invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy the military for domestic law enforcement and directing the DOJ to pursue Trump adversaries.[10] Project Director Paul Dans, a former Trump administration official, said in September 2023 that Project 2025 is 'systematically preparing to march into office and bring a new army, aligned, trained, and essentially weaponized conservatives ready to do battle against the deep state.'"

There's a whole website (don't visit it, I have the PDF links for you) with an entire book. I haven't been able to read it, but from what I've managed to gather, children will be FORCED to grow up in a mother-father household with MARRIED parents, talks of banning single non-married and non-heterosexual couples from adopting, comparing transgender people to groomers, pedophiles, and/or pornography, getting rid of (anti?) discrimination laws, getting rid of more government organizations like the FDA, banning abortion nationwide with NO exceptions (hypocrites), and more.

I cannot describe how bad this is. They're banking on Trump being elected into office, and if he wins, this shit will take affect as soon as the inauguration.

We need America to do what it did before. We need the people to rise up again, shout their voices louder than the conservatives, raise up their arms and vote against Trump. We the people cannot let this stand. We will lose our democracy entirely.

Here's the PDF links to the book, in sections, for you to read: Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Section 4

Section 5

Here's other articles about Project 2025:

pbs.org

news.yahoo

NBC News

politico.com

I'm hesitant to add these because they come from one of the big organizations backing the project (The Heritage Foundation), but I will anyways. Read these at your own discretion, be aware of manipulative wording designed to make you support it:

Article One

Article Two

I will not be tagging it with anything else in case of tag blacklists. I know that's not a good thing to do, but this is important. Fuck mental health, if this goes into action we won't have lives at all.

#2024 elections #election 2024 #us government #project 2025

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livannasalinger · 1 year

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Dc x Dp prompt 3

I was thinking lately that most of the prompts and fics that I see, they range from: focus on Danny, focus on Jazz, oneshots here and there with some different characters, maybe sam and tucker, but not much more than that. Of course, ultimately, the idea of Dc x Dp goes through the importance that Danny has to establish this connection (ghost king, meta laws, being a hero, classic black hair and blue eyes of the Waynes, etc etc) and focus more on relationships with DC characters (batfam, superman, Wonder Woman, etc) . At the same time, I've recently been thinking about how there are few fics that portray the rest of the Casper High as a functional group (not counting Everlasting trio). And then, there's this fic that I really like (see prompt 2) that talks about a different way that the incident with Spectra could have happened. With all this, I thought:

- what if, these incidents with the ghosts made the group more cohesive: I'm not talking about everyone being super friends, although that can be cool, but I'm talking about actually seeing them build a dynamic because they need to protect themselves from danger and they can't get help from anyone else - Justice League doesn't interfere/doesn't know/doesn't believe

- Anyway, X years pass, the events of DP (except Danny's revelation to the world) occur, but unlike canon, the children mature faster, and start to blossom like powerhouses - imagine Assassination classroom and how they became after graduation, that kind of thing.

- But that's when things start to get interesting, because "out of nowhere" a group of people with impressive skills and suspicious training in different areas begins to appear, young people trained in things they shouldn't. At first, the connection was not clear, as everyone is in different areas, but little by little a pattern starts to become clearer: maybe their presence, maybe some more ghostly physical characteristic.

I see two ways this starts to get noticed:

-- At a Justice League meeting, several superheroes start listing people of interest and justifying why. They might have noticed these people as possible future villains, or maybe they want to recruit them, or something like that. The point is: when one person starts talking, another hero starts remembering that he knows a similar person, a pattern starts to be observed, an investigation starts to be made.

-- An investigation is already under way, as there is a group of people who came from the same place, started to become influential in the field of choice, and nobody can prove, but many suspect that this group is responsible for the disappearance of a mysterious government organization called GIW

In any case, an investigation begins showing the different ways that the Amity Park group has grown to be BAMF including: Tucker Foley, Sam Manson, Jazz Fenton, Valerie Gray, Dash Baxter, Paulina, Kwan, Star, Wes weston.… maybe even Ellie and Dan.

The investigation proceeds, old photos of the group can be found and they notice the disappearance of only one person: Danny Fenton. Which makes no sense, as he is seen multiple times with all the suspects, but effectively there is no record of him anywhere: no college, no job, not even how he gets from one place to another, no plane ticket, nothing.

It would still be really cool if everyone in the group followed certain customs, derived from the lessons they received on how to deal with ghosts or because they are Liminal and that's why they behave a little differently and, even if they've been living with "normal people" for years , sometimes they just forget common sense and scare people without intending to.

The conclusions that the JL, villains and other groups, can come to are potentially hilarious: are they villains? what are their goals? Are they a secret cult with this Danny as their leader? Are they or are they not doing something illegal? Are they a threat? And if so, a threat to whom?

At the end of it all I can see Mr Lance showing up and thinking "how come this is supposedly the most powerful group of people in the world?!" and in 5 minutes solving any chaos or misunderstanding like:

"Pride and Prejudice, not even Mr. Weston was that bad" (looking at Red Robin's conspiracy board)

#dc x dp prompt #dc x dp #Bamf everyone #danny fenton #sam manson #tucker foley #Jazz is Bamf too #casper high as a group #casper high as a family?#if you mess with one from Amity Park you mess with them all #feral everyone #everyone is liminal

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