Chapter Text
Ever since boarding the Astral Express, Caelus couldn't help but be drawn to Dan Heng. It was difficult to place why. Was it his nonchalant attitude? His ability to be the voice of reason that reined March and Caelus in before doing something stupid? Was it his etheareally toned body pushing against his shirt?
Okay, it was mostly the body.
But could you blame him, really? Caelus couldn't help that the zippers on Dan Heng's turtleneck pointed down at his immaculate pecs, or how said pecs were clad in nothing but a tight black shirt that frankly made them look even hotter.
But lately, Caelus had been struggling to find opportunities to spend time with Dan Heng. During the expedition to Jarilo-VI, he had a habit of making himself scarce whenever Caelus' (and March's) back was turned. It frustrated him to no end, especially when there was literally one city on this entire planet.
While March was busy taking photos of anything that caught her eye, and Dan Heng was off doing who knows what, Caelus had taken to helping the people of Belobog with anything they needed. It helped pass the time, and rarely got boring.
Today, Caelus was passing through Boulder Town when he saw the illuminated posters of the Fight Club on the side of the path. It had been a while since he'd visited. Maybe there were more people in need of an errand boy.
Caelus did a quick round of the place, not seeing anyone looking particularly troubled. As he turned to the exit, however, something had caught his attention.
"...Cold Dragon Young...wonder when he'll return..."
It was Dan Heng's little fan club, chattering on about a rumored return.
"I heard he's waiting until someone strong enters the tournament."
"Well, I've heard he wants something from Scott as payment, but the old man won't budge!"
When Caelus approached, all three fans instantly recognized him.
"It's you! The one who supplied those exclusive Cold Dragon Young photos!"
"Do you know when he'll make his grand return? Tell us!"
Caelus smiled and nudged the oncoming fans back a little. "Relax, I'm just here to visit."
Then, something clicked in Caelus' mind. A sly smirk spread across his face.
"What if I told you..." He paused for dramatic effect, and to think of how to word it. "That I could get you three a Cold Dragon Young fight next week?" He raised an eyebrow.
The fans naturally went wild.
"When will it be?"
"He said next week, dimwit. I want to know who he'll be fighting!"
"Do you have the tickets for us now?"
Each questioner pushed further into Caelus' personal space than the last. He had expected his announcement to stir up some hype, but certainly not to this extent. As he turned tail and left, his final words were:
"You'll find out soon enough!"
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Dan Heng wasn't particularly thrilled to return to the Fight Club. If anything, he opposed the idea almost completely.
"Why would I go back there? There's no reason to." He said simply.
"Well, think of your fans!" Caelus tried. "They're just itching to see you in the ring again. They won't shut up about you, actually."
"And why should we worry about them?" Though his words were terse, it was clear from Dan Heng's expression that he was genuinely confused as to why Caelus cared so much about this.
"Well," He said hesitantly, "I may or may not have promised them you'd return to the ring sometime next week..."
"Caelus..." Dan Heng said, pinching his nosebridge. "Fine. I'll go with you just this once. But next time, please ask before signing me up for things."
"Duly noted." Caelus replied with a smile that either meant he had taken it to heart... or that it had flown right over his head.
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As he entered the Fight Club building, Dan Heng noticed a few things right off the bat. Number one: it was too loud. Even when no one seemed to be talking, the Geomarrow furnaces' whirring was just loud enough to make him crave the peace and quiet of literally anywhere else.
The second thing he noticed was the small crowd that had gathered around him. He hadn't the faintest idea who any of them were, but they seemed to know far too much about him. Everything from his weight and hobbies, down to his favourite pieces of Belobog literature were regurgitated back at him with alarming accuracy.
Thankfully, Caelus seemed to know how to get past them, dragging Dan Heng away and leaving nothing but non-committal answers in his wake. With that, they made their way to Dr. Dig.
"You'd like to register Cold Dragon Young for next week? Consider it done!" He made a note of it on his clipboard. "Oh, and here are some tickets to hand out to your friends, courtesy of the gym." Dr. Dig handed them two tickets each and sent them off with a wave.
Dan Heng turned around to see his trio of fans from before staring at him with puppy-dog eyes. Caelus was quick to rush over and offer both tickets, only to realize he only had two tickets and there were three fans. At that, Caelus turned to look at Dan Heng and used his own puppy-dog eyes to plead for a ticket.
With four pairs of pleading eyes on him, Dan Heng had no choice but to relinquish one of his tickets. Okay, it was mostly Caelus' eyes. Those sunny yellow lenses were somehow more adorable than a thousand of the Luofu's Ditings, at least to him.
Dan Heng was quick to leave the Fight Club after that, possibly to escape the blush creeping up on his face. He left Caelus to his own devices. That boy could chat it up with the locals for hours if he wanted to, and right now Dan Heng wanted nothing more than to bury his face in a book, or a pillow, or a bookshelf, or anything really.
But fate had other plans for him. No matter how far he fled, there were certain things he could never escape.
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March 7th was sitting on her bed, busily experimenting with different filters on her phone. These Belobog photos needed to look their best, but among so many great filters, how could she choose one to just be "the best"? They all shone uniquely to her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a rapping on the door. She set her phone down and hopped over to open the door, finding a smiling Caelus behind it.
"Hi March! Can I come in?" He asked, clearly in high spirits.
"Oh, sure! Did you need something?" March replied, leading Caelus to a cozy corner with a soft chairs and a small tea table.
Caelus followed her in and sat in the second softest chair in the room. March had taken the first. "I managed to get Dan Heng booked for a fight at the Fight Club in Belobog." He said, smile widening into something more devilish. "I still have a spare ticket, so why don't you have it?"
"Oh, the one down in Boulder Town? Pass." She said dismissively. "I'm not interested in that kinda thing, and there are so many photos to go through already, I just know I'll end up taking more if I go. Sorry." She smiled apologetically.
"That's alright. I'll just find someone else to give it to. Maybe I could help with your photos in the meantime?" Caelus said, eyebrows upturned.
"You'll help? Thanks!" March said, her eyes lighting up. She rushed over to the bed to get her phone.
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Dan Heng was running errands in Belobog's Underworld again. Or at least, that's what he was doing until he noticed Caelus beelining to the Fight Club again. It wouldn't have been terribly suspicious if not for the conversation he was having.
"Y'know, you're not to shabby yourself!" An unfamiliar voice said to Caelus. Dan Heng glanced over to see it was a broad man with crimson hair and a metallic right arm.
"Oh please, you flatter me." Caelus said laughing. "You'd dominate me if we actually tried."
Dan Heng had no reason to believe Caelus was at all close with this man. Yet the dreadful feeling in his chest wouldn't go away. Was he jealous? No, it couldn't be.. right?
Dan Heng took one last glance at Caelus, just to make sure he was safe. Nothing more.