slicings | band au;

band au;

[ yingxing exhales hard.

his ears still ring with the music, his blood thrumming with excitement. for all the years that highcloud has been together now, he never really tires of this work. he loves what he does, loves his bandmates no matter how often they butt heads, loves everything about their music. it's hard work, exhausting even at the best of times, and there are certainly many downsides to fame and celebrity status, but this.. playing together, making music, performing, he's passionate about it. the riches and fame are secondary to doing what he loves.

they're halfway through their rehearsal now, splitting up to take a break and rehydrate, and it's as he's guzzling down some water from a bottle that yingxing spots dan heng, dan feng's quiet, elusive little brother.

they've met before, but only briefly, only in passing. while dan heng is supportive of his brother and the band, he's a bit of a recluse, and he's never really gone out of his way to interact with any of them beyond dan feng - so what's he doing here right now? yingxing can't resist the urge to pester him, not when he knows he might not get the chance to again for some time now.

so, wiping sweat from his brow, yingxing wanders toward the table where dan heng has set up shop, surrounded by books and papers, lit by the glow of his laptop and tablet. ]

Long time no see.

[ entirely uninvited, yingxing pulls up a seat across from dan heng, straddling it backwards, leaning his forearms on the back of the steel chair. his hair is wild and his skin is flushed and dewy with sweat, adrenaline still pumping, his grin broad and easy. ]

Surprised you can concentrate with all this noise.

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[ Dan Heng is trying to work out if he should say anything, to try to ease the situation for Yingxing somehow... but then the other man handles it for himself, answering smoothly in a way that the girl seems to accept, smiling as she gathers her things back together. ]

Ah...! Really? Then... I'll look forward to it! Remember me, okay? My name's Sushang... don't forget!

[ And with a brilliant, victorious smile in Dan Heng's direction, she darts off again, leaving the two of them standing there in silence for a moment. ]

I... wow. We should... we should get inside, huh. So that that doesn't happen again...

[ It's not that he minds being seen with Yingxing, but he doesn't want to cause him any trouble... ]

[ whew, crisis avoided. hopefully dan heng isn't too irritated.. ]

Yeah.. let's go.

[ he says, sliding his hand down to the small of dan heng's back so he can lead him toward the aquarium's front doors, where security leads them inside. the lights are a little low, and it's very quiet, save for the hum of a hundred powerful filters, but it's nice. the atmosphere is peaceful.

with a smile, yingxing leaves his bag at the security station up front, assuring dan heng that he can do the same - that they'll be back for them after they tour the place. and then.. ]

Well, ready to go see everyone?

[ the animals, they're everyone. ]

[ Yingxing will quickly see Dan Heng isn't irritated—just worried. In fact, as they move into the aquarium and through the front doors, he finds himself leaning into the circle of the other man's arm, content to tuck into his side as they drop off their bags.

It's beautiful, here. Quiet. He's happy to be here with Yingxing, to explore the place together, now that they're alone.

And so to the other's question, he inclines his head. Nods. ]

It hasn't even really started yet and I already know how perfect this date is going to be. [ He smiles. ] I'm ready.

[ yingxing smiles. ]

Yeah, it is.

[ it was a pretty good idea, he thinks, if he does say so himself. he'll have to work hard to make sure the next date is just as good. leaning his head down, yingxing touches their brows together with a hum. ]

Lead the way, then.

[ this is more dan heng's wheelhouse than his own, after all. ]

We've got all night to see anything you want to see.

[ All night, Yingxing says, but how can the time pass so quickly? Even just wandering around the aquarium together is a level of fun that they shouldn't be able to have doing something so simple, Dan Heng talking about the various wildlife they see and even sharing things that the passages written onto the walls don't have to say... and yet, every time he looks at the other, he seems to be holding on to every single word Dan Heng has to say.

It's wonderful.

It hardly seems like any time at all—and yet, when he looks at his watch, it's been at least a few hours—before they reach the main tank, wall-to-wall glass in front of a small auditorium-like area, lit in dim blues from the water and nothing else. He makes his way to the center of the floor, where, thankfully, the staff have come to bring his bag over, letting him take out the things he needs for the picnic: sandwiches, bottled drinks, pasta salads and potato salads in bowls, a few other similar things. He lays the spread out and takes a seat, offering Yingxing a smile. ]

Look good?

[ yingxing is, in fact, hanging on to every single word, enraptured by dan heng's excitement and the information both. though he doesn't have the same interest in scholastic pursuits as dan heng does, everyone can enjoy an aquarium, and without the noise of the usual crowds, the experience is almost surreal. watching the wildlife move through the water.. it's beautiful.

watching dan heng's face light up as he speaks is even more beautiful.

but soon enough their stomachs are growling, so they make their way to the main tank, where their bags are waiting for them. dan heng sets out the spread, and yingxing grins. ]

Looks great. You outdid yourself. [ he snags a sandwich for himself, and a bowl of pasta salad. ] Thanks for making all of this for us.

[ Seeing the look on Yingxing's face when he sets the food out is enough to make it all worth it. Dan Heng smiles, sitting down amidst the spread and getting food for himself too while he watches the wall, the creatures swimming through the generated waves for them to enjoy. ]

I don't know how long they'll let us stay, but I wouldn't mind sitting here for a while and watching them swim. [ He smiles up at the other man. ] Would that be okay with you? This date is for both of us, so I don't want to.... [ He bites his lip. ] You've been really patient with me. I want to make sure you're enjoying yourself too.

[ Because as for him, Yingxing couldn't have picked a better place for them to enjoy. ]

[ digging into his meal without further preamble, yingxing swallows a mouthful and looks at dan heng, smiling. ]

I've been enjoying every moment. I'm not trying to be patient, I'm just enjoying my time here with you, that's all. This might be more your scene than mine, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it. Who doesn't like aquariums?

[ he gestures to the glass, to the numerous beautiful fish darting through the water, a large, speckled ray, the colorful corals.. ]

Oh, and - right, the surprise. [ he grins. ] We're staying as long as we like. Well, until morning, at least.

[ Dan Heng finds himself smiling in response to Yingxing's answer, and he's about to follow up on it, but...

Wait. A surprise? His head tilts, and then in the next moment his eyes widen. Staying until morning? He brought night clothes with him but... ]

Where will we sleep?

[ He blinks, realizing too late how that sounded. ]

Ah, I mean. I'm excited, I am. This is really wonderful, Yingxing... Honestly, I kind of... We could sleep here, it's beautiful.

Right here.

[ he pats the space beside him, then gestures to the pack he brought with him, and the second, too, that had been brought in by security - one that yingxing dropped off earlier. a large bag, full of something that looks soft. ]

I thought you might like to fall asleep watching the tank.

[ he smiles, finishing off his sandwich and washing it down with some water. ]

Sound good? We can go back to mine or yours instead, if you prefer.

[ Once again, Dan Heng is left to blink, to sit and look at Yingxing in stunned silence for a moment. His eyes travel, looking at the packs that the other brought, and then back to the older man, and he shakes his head wordlessly. Only once the other finishes his sandwich does he lean forward, sating his lips on the other man's, a brief kiss, but sweet, alight with all the affection he deserves after doing something so thoughtful. ]

It sounds perfect. I can't... you thought of everything.

[ He settles back, and the soft smile on his lips is genuine, for Yingxing's eyes only. ]

This is an amazing first date. I'm... I don't even know what to say.

[ dan heng's soft kiss, his smile - they make yingxing's chest tighten up with warmth and genuine affection. ]

You don't have to say anything. I'm just glad you're enjoying it.

[ he says, his smile fond and lopsided, one hand lifting to sift through dan heng's hair, callused thumb smoothing over the warm apple of his cheek. he's so cute, so beautiful, like this, or in his other skin - yingxing enjoys both, likes both, likes dan heng. ]

I just wanted you to have a good time.

You've done an amazing job of making sure that happens.

[ It's breathed back in response, Dan Heng's head tilting into the softness of those touches, a soft smile on his lips. He wonders how he'll ever be able to think of dates anywhere near as good as this, or how he can...

He pauses, thoughts interrupted by a wandering thought, and he bites his lip. ]

Was it difficult, before? With that girl? I don't want to put you in an awkward position with your fans. I.. I know how much they look up to you.

Good.

[ that's what he wanted to hear. the way dan heng tilts his head into yingxing's touch is warming, and he hums, gently tapping the end of dan heng's nose before he pulls away to begin attending to their dinner again. ]

Hm? Ah, no, you didn't do anything wrong.

[ yingxing is quick to shake his head. ]

It's.. I'm just sorry it happened. Poor timing. Unfortunately it's something you might have to get used to.

[ Dan Heng offers a small smile as he listens, shaking his own head when Yingxing mentions it's something he might have to get used to. ]

I don't mind it. I knew this would be part of it. I just... don't want you to feel as if you're in a difficult position, that's all. With me being there.

[ His nose wrinkles. He knows what he's trying to say, but he worries he's being assumptive, too. Or that it will sound like he's asking for more than he is. Or... ]

I know you have a reputation to worry about.

Nah, it wasn't difficult. I mostly just.. didn't want you to feel overlooked, tonight is supposed to be about us, right? But -

[ yingxing's brow creases. ]

What about my reputation?

[ what does that mean? because of dan heng's age, maybe? ]

[ Damnit. He couldn't get away with saying it without saying it. He doesn't want t put the words out there himself, doesn't want Yingxing to think he's angling for more than he's been given, especially so soon, but at the same time...

A breath. Yingxing hadn't seemed uncomfortable putting a hand on Dan Heng's back before, but... ]

A place like this, at the time we were arriving.. I think it would be obvious to a lot of people that it's a date. And I know it's not the first time you've publically taken someone on a date, but... I'm a guy.

[ yingxing looks mystified, his brow creased, but dan heng's meaning soon becomes obvious, and he can't help but laugh lightly, shaking his head. ]

So what? I'm not worried about that. I've been with guys before, though.. I guess it's been awhile.

[ most of his bigger, more notable relationships have been with women, after all, most of them other celebrities. not enough men are "out" in the business for it to have been easy for him to date any of them - casual hookups were the most that happened, and many preferred that it not get out to their fans. but yingxing hardly cares. ]

Honestly, I don't give a fuck what people think. So long as you're comfortable with it, I didn't intend to keep it a secret. That said.. it's a lot, you know. Being known for dating a celebrity. It'll pull you into the spotlight more than you might want.

[ Dan Heng looks at Yingxing in silence for a moment; as he does, his short hair gives way for long, his ears lengthen, his eyes glow in the dim room; not to mention the appearance of his horns and tail as he lets his illusion magic fade, revealing himself once more as he truly is to the other man.

He shakes his head. ]

In case you forgot, I'm kind of used to having to deal with the spotlight to a certain extent. I learned to hide from it in this case because people keep thinking I am my brother. But... I have no reason to hide from you. I just... wanted to make sure it wasn't something that could cause you any problems.

[ dan heng's appearance melts away to the one so like his brother's that it makes him smile. not that dan heng isn't cute no matter what, of course he is, but his resemblance to dan feng is kind of adorable, honestly. there's certainly no doubting that the two of them are blood brothers, through and through. ]

For what it's worth, I never saw it as you hiding from me. Looking like someone as popular as your brother isn't easy, when you're just trying to live your life and get through school.

[ he reaches out, playing with dan heng's fringe, nudging the tip of his nose with the pad of his thumb. ]

But you don't need to worry. Nothing about you is going to cause me any problems.

[ He smiles slightly, tilting his head into the other's touch, eyes closing in fondness. ]

Mm, I didn't quite mean that. I think after my heat, there was never going to be hiding from you anyway. What I meant is...

[ He frowns. How to say it? ]

I don't feel the need to hide from... from this. [ From what they are. ] Even if it means I have to be in the spotlight a little more than I usually like, I...

You make it worth it, Yingxing.

[ And he leans in, brushing a soft kiss against the corner of the other's mouth. ]

[ dan heng leans in, taking the initiative to kiss him, and yingxing hums softly, grateful to accept it. turning his head to meet dan heng's mouth with his own, he closes his eyes and presses into it a little harder, making of it a good and proper kiss, firm, warm. ]

Mm.. well.

[ he murmurs, still staying close, cupping dan heng's cheek with the hand that had been near it. ]

We'll figure it out together then, hmm?

[ another kiss, slow and soft. ]

I really like you, Dan Heng. I don't want anything to get in the way of it.

[ He sighs in content when Yingxing's mouth presses more firmly into his, when he stays close to him, offers to figure it out together. It makes him smile yet more fondly, his own hands coming up to rest against the older man's chest, fingers splaying over the front of his shirt. ]

Figure it out together, huh? I like the sound of that.

[ He hums into the kiss, pulls back to rest his forehead against Yingxing's. ]

I really like you too. I know we started things a little strangely, but... this is a perfect first date. [ A soft chuckle. ] I think I said that already.

[ yingxing's chuckle rumbles in his chest. ]

We're being really gross.

[ but it isn't a complaint. he doesn't mind it, doesn't mind it at all. he likes it. he might be a rock star, who has spent more than his fair share of time indulging in the lifestyle, but.. in truth, he's a bit of a sap sometimes, when it comes to the people that he cares about. ]

And I want to keep kissing you, so you should probably eat your dinner so I can do that, hmm?

[ Dan Heng laughs at that, another warm chuckle of his own. It's funny, because he's never imagined himself as the "gross" type, and yet here he is, curled up on a picnic blanket, all smiles, wanting to just kiss and kiss and kiss Yingxing until neither of them can think anymore...

Biting his lip, he leans back—but not before stealing another quick kiss from the corner of the older man's mouth—and then reaches for some of the food. ]

I brought dessert too, if you want that. Or we can save that for later.

[ he says, before popping some of his meal into his mouth. ]

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