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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I'm making a habit of seeing you.

[ he says openly, easily, as he settles into the seat across from dan heng and leans his forearms against the table.

and then, as if he hadn't said anything unusual at all, he tilts his head and plows on. ]

How are those double majors of yours going? Still at the grind?

[ knowing what he knows of dan heng, the young man is more than likely still nose to the grindstone every day, admirably dedicated to his work. ]

[ Yingxing will be very quickly rewarded by a flush of pink along Dan Heng's skin. Making a habit of—what—His lips part, because really the other shouldn't say things like that, not to his friend-and-coworker's kid brother,

(not to a fan who so desperately wants them to be serious)

but before he can make any sort of protest, the other keeps talking, asks about his studies.

Dan Heng clears his throat, and nods. ]

Yeah. We're on holidays right now, so I'm not working quite as much. Just trying to keep up with my readings so I don't fall behind later.

[ no, he shouldn't be saying things like that, but he means it. there's something about dan heng that has him a little hooked, a combination of his gentle awkwardness and the fact that he's so vehemently attempting to deny that he's a fan. he's.. probably too young for yingxing, and he knows it, but it's hard to help himself. he wants to know more about dan heng. wants to see him more often.

ah, but their drinks are arriving now, the barista setting down the pot of coffee and cream, as well as two cups, and yingxing flashes her a smile with his thanks. after that, he pours for them both. ]

You're pretty studious, huh? I take it you get great marks.

[ he slides dan heng's cup toward him, then pops open a creamer to add to his own cup. ]

I did all right in school, but I'm more of a hands-on sort of person. Before the band took off, I was really into wood and metalworking.

[ The arrival of their drinks is a welcome interruption, Dan Heng thanking the server with a small nod, an expression much more reserved than the easy smile the guitarist flashes her. And, with his drink poured, he offers the same nod to his current companion, only hoping he looks more put together than he feels. Unlike Yingxing, he drinks his coffee plain, not adding any of the creamer, taking a sip before he answers the older man's question with a hint of a wry smile to his features. ]

My best friends would say I'm too studious. But it's not about the marks. This is something I'm passionate about—I want to learn as much as I can. So... studying hard seems like the right thing to do.

[ Another sip, and then Yingxing is talking about his own schooling days, mentioning wood and metalworking, and without a thought Dan Heng nods, allowing himself to join the conversation: ]

That's right. You were into ornamental sword-making for a time, if I recall correctly?

[ And just where did he get that information from—? Dan Heng doesn't even notice what he's said just yet, or what it implies. ]

[ oh. well. ]

Yeah, weaponwork in general. I enjoy it.

[ both ornamental and working steel, he'd even considered applying for that blacksmithing contest tv show, but then everything went down with the band and that went out the window. ]

I'd like to get back to it sometime, when I'm not so busy. It's hard work, but it relaxes me.

[ he stirs in his creamer, then takes a sip. the coffee here is pretty good. little hole in the wall places always have great coffee, in his experience. ]

I'm surprised you know that, I don't talk about it much.

[ Somehow, Dan Heng remains blissfully unaware of the mess he's created for himself until Yingxing, after replying so thoughtfully, admits that he's surprised that the younger man even knew such a thing.

Which...

Fuck.

Of course he doesn't talk about it much. He mentioned it in one, maybe two interviews, both a while ago now, both comments made in passing.

He clears his throat. ]

Oh, uh. My brother told me about it. [ After Dan Heng found a way to bring it up in conversation, of course..) ] I was researching metallurgical history at the time, and when I said something about it to him, he told me.

[ Had there been any reason to study metallurgical history other than those passing comments in interviews, though? No, but Dan Feng didn't need to know that, and neither does Yingxing.

Which is why the next question is asks is one that he doesn't actually need to, not really. It's just... he needs to give himself some protection, here.

He sips at his coffee. ]

Is that where the name "Blade" comes from, then?

[ oh what tangled webs we weave.. dan heng is clearly backpedaling, but once more, yingxing doesn't have the heart to call him out on it and embarrass him. it's so damned cute, the way he stammers as he tries to think up an excuse. a smile spreads across yingxing's features. ]

Yeah, he would know, I guess.

[ yingxing is close with the entire group, but he and dan feng were especially close - he's yingxing's best friend and confidant, so he knows pretty much his entire life story. nothing would stop him from telling dan heng about it all, should it come up in conversation.

he won't ask just why dan heng was researching metallurgy.. ]

But yeah, it is. I enjoyed making weapons, and I was young enough at the time to think that the name Blade was edgy and cool. Embarrassing, I know.

[ but it's what he's stuck with now, and he's fond of it. ]

[ It's... maybe a little obvious from the other's comment that "he would know, I guess" that Dan Heng's story hasn't been entirely bought. But despite that fact, Yingxing seems happy enough to move on with the conversation, and so for once in the whole encounter the younger man doesn't make himself panic enough to try to withdraw the comment earlier than necessary.

What he does do is listen to what the other has to say, a smile on his face—and a soft laugh when the older man calls the tastes of the him of ten years ago "edgy and cool". ]

Was that just a you thing? It seems almost generational. In my age group, everyone wants names like "Stardust" or "Glimmer", but ten years ago... hmm. Yeah, "Blade" fits the average young adult's mood reasonably well, I would say.

[ Historical data analyst go! ]

[ he barks an easy laugh. ]

It was absolutely a generational thing. I wasn't the only one trying to be edgy.

[ yingxing's smile slants, and he takes another sip of coffee. reminiscing about his cringe era is embarrassing, but funny, at least. he tries not to take himself too seriously. ]

Names like Glimmer or Stardust were absolutely associated with something else, when I was young.

[ an arched brow. ]

[ The comment actually earns a light chuckle for Dan Heng as he sips once more at his drink. He hadn't picked the names for that reason, but Yingxing is right in his comment, even if he is being a brat about it—

And Dan Heng knows that, despite himself, he's still blushing.

He wonders how far he can get with this nonchalant thing though, and so he looks up at the other, quirks an eyebrow in return. ]

Were they? And what might that be?

I think you know exactly what.

[ little brat. but sure, yingxing will indulge him, and go a bit further, besides. ]

Excellent stripper names. If you were gonna choose one, what would it be?

[ definitely conjuring images of dan heng pole dancing now, though honestly he'd probably be so endearingly awkward about it that it's hard to imagine it as sexy. ]

Shimmerscale? Glitter Draconia?

[ ...Okay, so maybe they weren't on quite the same page, but Dan Heng can see where Yingxing is coming from—for a moment, at least, until suddenly the guitarist is asking him what stripper name he would choose. His lips part to tell the other he wouldn't have one to begin with, but before he can, Yingxing starts offering suggestions, and the younger man very nearly loses his mouthful of coffee to the table.

Arbiter preserve him, his cheeks are practically generating heat.

He clears his throat. ]

I am... [ A small huff of breath through his nose. ] I'm not really the type.

[ now that's a good reaction. yingxing grins like the cat that got the cream, leaning onto his elbows. ]

No? You don't think so?

[ so sorry dan heng, now that this door has been opened there can be no closing it again, and yingxing is on him like a shark scenting blood. he tilts his head, feigning thoughtfulness, tapping his knuckles to his chin. ]

I don't know, you've got that innocent awkward nerd sort of cuteness about you, there's definitely a market for that.

[ poor dan heng is probably going to explode. ]

I think if I were going to choose one for myself, it's got to be Star, right?

[ Innocent awkward nerd sort of cuteness—

Dan Heng thinks he might be about to combust. He drops his gaze, despite the other's very clear focus on him, and clears his throat again. Is there some sort of Cloudhymn magic that can calm the rush of heat? Or perhaps just make him sink into the earth itself? Maybe if he texts Stelle, she can come and rescue him—

He coughs. Drinks some coffee. Coughs again.

It doesn't help. ]

Star... like your name.

[ If they were going off names, his own would be pretty boring, he thinks.) ]

But I...

[ Nope, it's too late. His brain is working overtime, imagining Yingxing on a stage in front of him, lip bitten and smile sly as he peels off a too-tight shirt to reveal the muscles underneath, and—

His fingers tighten on the edge of the table. ]

How did we end up on this discussion anyway...? [ An attempt at something sardonic, a roll of his eyes that feels and sounds weak. ]

[ oh how yingxing enjoys this game of cat and mouse, drawing it out by prickling dan heng's hackles up then drawing back long enough for him to calm down before pushing the envelope again. it might seem mean spirited to those who don't know him, but in truth yingxing's love language is teasing. it's how he shows affection, even if.. sometimes he can definitely go overboard.

his grin cuts across his face, and yingxing shrugs. ]

Names. Don't be mad at me, you're the one who brought up Stardust and Glimmer.

[ even if yingxing went running off with it like the little shit that he is. but they can change the subject. he pours them both fresh cups. ]

Anyway, yeah, Blade was a bit of a choice. People use Ren, too.

[ the xianxhou word for blade's edge. ]

[ "don't be mad at me," Yingxing says, and Dan Heng can't help the little face he makes in response, the huff of embarrassed irritation on his lips. Sure, he brought up those names, but he wasn't intending for the conversation to go like that—

He takes a slight breath, and once the fresh cup is poured, he takes a sip—and then, in an almost childish response, adds a little cream before sipping again.

(He never drinks his coffee with cream.)

He's grateful for the return in topic though, and so he nods. ]

I think I've heard that. Which do you prefer? Ren seems... affectionate, I suppose. It makes sense for your fans to choose something that sounds a little softer, even if the definition is practically the same...

Hmm..

[ a good question. he's never really considered this before. ]

I think it depends on the situation. Ren was given to me by the fans, so it's cute when they use it - it feels like a nice little connection, you know?

[ a bond between the fans and himself. it's sweet, that he has enough affectionate fans that they wanted to give him a communal nickname. smiling, yingxing reclines in his chair, crossing his ankles loosely beneath the table. ]

So I think from a fan, I'd prefer to be called Ren. It feels nice.

[ Of course, as a fan, Dan Heng quite likes knowing that Yingxing likes the nickname. He doesn't say as much though, instead just nodding in thought and taking another sip from his coffee.

He shouldn't have added the cream.

Or should he? Something rebellious pulls at him, makes a breath whisper over his lower lip before he looks up at the other again. His face is serious, but there's a hint of something affable in the way his eyes alight on Yingxing's.

If he added the cream, he can do this one other small thing, right?

He shifts the mug against the table. ]

What about from a friend?

[ rip in cream, dan heng.. ]

Oh?

[ a friend, hmm? he likes the sound of that. yingxing's smile brightens, and he tilts his head as he watches dan heng, regarding him curiously. he's teased the poor thing half to death these past weeks, but even still, dan heng wants to be friends?

well, far be it for yingxing to say no. he likes dan heng very much. ]

Well, a friend could just call me Yingxing, hmm?

[ Dan Heng watches the way that Yingxing's smile brightens, and he feels the heat returning to his cheeks. The other seems so pleased with the suggestion he makes, no matter how silly he feels about it in retrospect. (Because seriously, did he really just ask the man he's always known as Yingxing what he should call him...?)

The whole thing makes him a little awkward, and he folds his arms over his chest and coughs, more in self-protection than anything else. ]

Y-yes. I suppose that's true.

[ oh dan heng, you worry too much, babygirl. his smile is warm. ]

Does that make us friends?

[ he'll plow right on by dan heng's awkwardness. aeons know he needs it. so he softens his teasing and instead gives dan heng a fond look, eyes glimmering. ]

I thought you could barely stand me, so I'd take that as a win.

[ He blinks at that. His eyes widen. Perhaps, in all the time Yingxing has known him, this is the most concerned he'll have seen him look. He knows he's terrible at all this, and he knows he's been trying to keep some sort of distance because—well, the alternative is embarrassing, so embarrassing, but— ]

I'm sorry. I... didn't mean to give that impression.

[ He reaches up, scratches awkwardly behind an ear. He's not about to admit that sometimes he just really sucks at dealing with other people, much less those he's had a crush on for years, but also... ]

If you want to be friends, we're friends.

[ yingxing is quick to shake his head. ]

Nah, nothing to be sorry for. I know I can be a lot, I don't always get along with everyone.

[ but dan heng.. he likes dan heng. he wants to get along with dan heng, even if he can't help but to tease him a little bit - it's hard not to, when he's so cute and gets flustered so easily. ]

Friends, then.

Alright. Friends.

[ It's a quiet agreement, the barest, faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips as he does. The kind of expression usually reserved for March or Stelle—although, despite himself, perhaps just that iota fonder.

He sips at his coffee, and all of a sudden, the cream doesn't taste too bad.

Friends. He can do that. ]

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