[Dan Heng sees how this practically melts Blade's brain a little bit and he can't fully hide the smug satisfaction. He'll pay for it later, but it's worth the price to fluster him.]
I asked you to bend over, as I recall. A-Yuan is taller than you are, anyway.
[He steps away and starts to head out. However, before he does, his tail materializes just long enough to swat at Blade's ass before disappearing again. Casual as can be at that.]
[ jing yuan laughs a sound bright and warm, watching with clear smug satisfaction as blade's brain melts a little bit. the satisfaction only grows the moment blade unveils that this was supposed to be his fate instead. ]
Planning on ambushing me, were you?
[ he grins as he turns, watching dan heng heading out to set up the 'usual spot' before looking back to blade. ]
[Is this how it's going to be from now on? Maybe it is. The other two look quite proud of themselves, and he... well, his heart is only full of affection, even if he's the one being laughed at right now. He rubs at his cheeks as if that might dispel the blush.
He pouts, but there's no real heat in it.]
... I didn't think you'd take it well.
[He huffs and takes off his apron, then tosses it over a bench. Shirtless lunch? Sure. As he catches up to Jing Yuan, he harmlessly bumps his shoulder.]
I could kiss you full on the mouth and you wouldn't believe a damn thing. Dan Heng is better with words than I am, anyway.
[Dan Heng would laugh at Blade's reaction if he didn't have an image to keep up. Yes, it's with two people he feels the most comfortable with, but... anyway.
He calls back over his shoulder:]
That is because I use my words and I don't pull on his tail like you do. The same can be said about you, A-Yuan.
[As entertaining as it can be, Dan Heng would rather talk about it before Blade's hair goes grey.]
I barely had any time to consider my next steps before they were taken for me.
[ there is no heat behind his words despite his tone, he is glad it has turned out like this but the point still stands. he nudges blade's shoulder lightly as they walk, lips curved into a gentle smile. ]
You should have just done it, settled the matter with decisive action even I could not have refuted.
[back to Jing Yuan] It's better this way. You and I have the same tendency to get trapped inside of our own mind.
[He's smiling too, and in fact, he isn't too shy to slip an arm around Jing Yuan's waist. He's not getting fresh or anything, he just wants to reassure him that he's wanted.]
[There's no difference between the two, Blade, and you know it.
Dan Heng leaves the two to their conversation for now. He spreads out the blanket, weighing it down with stones, and takes out the bento boxes and thermoses. The food is still warm, but each one is personalized. Blade's has his rice shaped and colored like a pomsky with cucumbers cut into spider lilies that have pickled red onion defining the petals. Jing Yuan's has rice colored and shaped like a male lion with cucumbers cut into simple rose shapes. Pickled red onion is artfully layered on top to add dimension to those petals, too. Lastly, Dan Heng's rice is shaped into a rabbit with cucumbers cut into the shape of lotuses. His is comparatively simpler in plating compared to Blade and Jing Yuan's.
The dragon sits down gracefully as he waits patiently for the other two to join him. He pretends he's not watching them out of the corner of his eyes in amusement.]
he can't exactly deny that blade is wrong, however. as much as he would like to say otherwise he knows he would have gotten stuck in his own head again, allowing his thoughts to entangle him until was unable to move. this way he didn't have to chance to get entangled in his own doubts, and as a result... well, things have worked out haven't they?
jing yuan inhales sharply as blade's arm slips around his waist, warm like a flame he has no other choice but to be drawn too. he leans against blade as they walk, chuckling lowly as he slips his own arm around blade's waist─ a return of the gesture. ]
Later, then. I will hold you to it.
[ jing yuan slips from blade's grasp the moment they reach the blanket, sitting down before the bento specifically personalized for him. he wonders, quietly, just for how long he has been a subject of their thoughts. just how long had they planned on encircling him like they had. it is clear to him now that his feelings weren't one sided, that this wasn't just all in his own head. how long would they have danced around each other before someone made a move?
well, it doesn't matter now. the move has been made and they have gotten their claws into him, holding him tight and fast. ]
And to think you claimed you had much to learn in the culinary arts, A-Heng.
[He tries and fails to contain his fangy grin. As a parting tease, he does grab a lock of Jing Yuan's hair—but rather than tugging on it, he kisses the silvery lock instead. He's all starlight and smiles despite his dark palette, only brightening more when his affection is returned.
It's short-lived as lunch is served, but there will be more. He settles down and picks up the bento.]
... Tiánxīn, you really outdid yourself this time.
[He picks up one of the little spider lily cucumbers with his chopsticks.]
[Dan Heng refuses to ask sarcastically if he should kiss it better since he's absolutely certain Jing Yuan would say yes. Suffer, lion man. ... At least, he wouldn't have said it, but then Blade makes that horrific pun. He wants a refund on his taste in men.]
...Do you need me to kiss it better, A-Yuan?
[He waits to see what their reactions will be first. A part of him is a little nervous, but clearly there's never been a reason to think they wouldn't enjoy it.]
I still have techniques and recipes to learn. As well as what ingredients would be best used to balance both flavors and how one feels at the end of the meal.
[There's a small smile on his face.]
Ah, A-Xing, let me know how the caramelized broccoli tastes. It's a new recipe I found.
[He will not say that he picked that particular vegetable because it's high in protein. Granted, Blade has probably figured out by now that he chooses ingredients for lunch based on how hard he works in the forge.]
Yes. [ he reaches up to take the lock blade had kissed between his fingers, looking between them both with that same dramatic pout. ] It is such a grievous wound, at this rate I will not survive the night.
[ he drops it when he shifts his attention to the food dan heng prepared, picking up one of the rose shaped cucumbers with his chopsticks and popping it immediately into his mouth. he hums and collects some of the rice with another slice of cucumber and onion, happily consuming them. ]
You will only get better from here on, I am excited to see what you will come up with in the future.
[Blade can't resist a laugh at that adorable pout Jing Yuan gives, but he does look away and try to pretend he didn't make a noise. For all the good it does.
At Dan Heng's suggestion, he tries some of the broccoli. He nods, pleased, and swallows before speaking.]
It's very good. I didn't realize you could caramelize broccoli. I thought that was only for onions. [His tail is still wagging. He ignores it.]
Yes, you've been working hard. It doesn't seem fair for me to eat the results and not help you in any way...
[Dan Heng gently clears his throat, hiding a smile. That said... he hesitates for a moment before moving closer to Jing Yuan, placing a hand on his shoulder, and kissing the side of his head. He's pretty sure it's not where Blade tugged on his hair, but it's... close enough... right???
He returns to his food after, feeling a little flustered. Don't mind him. Answering Blade is a better distraction.]
You can, but you do have to cook something alongside it like garlic in order to get the effect. It's a fascinating process... and I'm glad you both seem to like it so much.
[The dragon begins digging into his own food with the reassurance that both of his partners like the food. Dan Heng looks up with a slow blink at them.]
Mm... you help me a lot by doing the dishes after I cook. [Even though he cleans as he goes because that's how he works.] And... cooking has become a joy for me recently. It didn't used to be that way. I'm happy to cook for you both.
[ jing yuan's attention is so focused on blade and that obvious laugh he doesn't realize dan heng is moving over to him until the hand is placed on his shoulder and he kisses the side of his head. the general blinks a couple of times before his expression melts into a smile, turning to look at the dragon. ]
Ah, my savior. That is much better, thank you.
[ he goes back to happily digging into his food as dan heng answers blade's question, looking every bit the cat that caught the canary as he does so. truthfully he is surprised at how hungry he actually turned out to be. ]
Far be it for us to deprive you of it, although you will have to allow us to return the favor at some point. [ it is not that jing yuan cannot cook, he has taken care of himself fairly well over the last twelve years. it is that... well, he doesn't exactly have the same set of skills that dan heng has. his master provided him with recipes that did not consider flavor that much. ]
[This is a bright spot in the hell that the past couple months have been. Even as quiet as he is, there's something undoubtedly bright in his eyes. Dan Heng and Jing Yuan are... so cute. He's happy they can all be open with each other like this...]
Hahah, I'll try not to make a mess next time.
[He's already destroying this bento... He was hungrier than he thought.]
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4/4
No. He whirls around to look at Dan Heng.]
Th-that wasn't how it was supposed to go! You completely turned it around on me!
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I asked you to bend over, as I recall. A-Yuan is taller than you are, anyway.
[He steps away and starts to head out. However, before he does, his tail materializes just long enough to swat at Blade's ass before disappearing again. Casual as can be at that.]
I'll go set up lunch at our usual spot.
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Planning on ambushing me, were you?
[ he grins as he turns, watching dan heng heading out to set up the 'usual spot' before looking back to blade. ]
Perhaps you should have gotten to me first.
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[Is this how it's going to be from now on? Maybe it is. The other two look quite proud of themselves, and he... well, his heart is only full of affection, even if he's the one being laughed at right now. He rubs at his cheeks as if that might dispel the blush.
He pouts, but there's no real heat in it.]
... I didn't think you'd take it well.
[He huffs and takes off his apron, then tosses it over a bench. Shirtless lunch? Sure. As he catches up to Jing Yuan, he harmlessly bumps his shoulder.]
I could kiss you full on the mouth and you wouldn't believe a damn thing. Dan Heng is better with words than I am, anyway.
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He calls back over his shoulder:]
That is because I use my words and I don't pull on his tail like you do. The same can be said about you, A-Yuan.
[As entertaining as it can be, Dan Heng would rather talk about it before Blade's hair goes grey.]
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[ there is no heat behind his words despite his tone, he is glad it has turned out like this but the point still stands. he nudges blade's shoulder lightly as they walk, lips curved into a gentle smile. ]
You should have just done it, settled the matter with decisive action even I could not have refuted.
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[back to Jing Yuan] It's better this way. You and I have the same tendency to get trapped inside of our own mind.
[He's smiling too, and in fact, he isn't too shy to slip an arm around Jing Yuan's waist. He's not getting fresh or anything, he just wants to reassure him that he's wanted.]
I could still do that. Later, maybe.
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Dan Heng leaves the two to their conversation for now. He spreads out the blanket, weighing it down with stones, and takes out the bento boxes and thermoses. The food is still warm, but each one is personalized. Blade's has his rice shaped and colored like a pomsky with cucumbers cut into spider lilies that have pickled red onion defining the petals. Jing Yuan's has rice colored and shaped like a male lion with cucumbers cut into simple rose shapes. Pickled red onion is artfully layered on top to add dimension to those petals, too. Lastly, Dan Heng's rice is shaped into a rabbit with cucumbers cut into the shape of lotuses. His is comparatively simpler in plating compared to Blade and Jing Yuan's.
The dragon sits down gracefully as he waits patiently for the other two to join him. He pretends he's not watching them out of the corner of his eyes in amusement.]
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he can't exactly deny that blade is wrong, however. as much as he would like to say otherwise he knows he would have gotten stuck in his own head again, allowing his thoughts to entangle him until was unable to move. this way he didn't have to chance to get entangled in his own doubts, and as a result... well, things have worked out haven't they?
jing yuan inhales sharply as blade's arm slips around his waist, warm like a flame he has no other choice but to be drawn too. he leans against blade as they walk, chuckling lowly as he slips his own arm around blade's waist─ a return of the gesture. ]
Later, then. I will hold you to it.
[ jing yuan slips from blade's grasp the moment they reach the blanket, sitting down before the bento specifically personalized for him. he wonders, quietly, just for how long he has been a subject of their thoughts. just how long had they planned on encircling him like they had. it is clear to him now that his feelings weren't one sided, that this wasn't just all in his own head. how long would they have danced around each other before someone made a move?
well, it doesn't matter now. the move has been made and they have gotten their claws into him, holding him tight and fast. ]
And to think you claimed you had much to learn in the culinary arts, A-Heng.
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[He tries and fails to contain his fangy grin. As a parting tease, he does grab a lock of Jing Yuan's hair—but rather than tugging on it, he kisses the silvery lock instead. He's all starlight and smiles despite his dark palette, only brightening more when his affection is returned.
It's short-lived as lunch is served, but there will be more. He settles down and picks up the bento.]
... Tiánxīn, you really outdid yourself this time.
[He picks up one of the little spider lily cucumbers with his chopsticks.]
It's almost too beautiful to eat.
[He says this but pops it in his mouth anyway.]
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...Do you need me to kiss it better, A-Yuan?
[He waits to see what their reactions will be first. A part of him is a little nervous, but clearly there's never been a reason to think they wouldn't enjoy it.]
I still have techniques and recipes to learn. As well as what ingredients would be best used to balance both flavors and how one feels at the end of the meal.
[There's a small smile on his face.]
Ah, A-Xing, let me know how the caramelized broccoli tastes. It's a new recipe I found.
[He will not say that he picked that particular vegetable because it's high in protein. Granted, Blade has probably figured out by now that he chooses ingredients for lunch based on how hard he works in the forge.]
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[ he drops it when he shifts his attention to the food dan heng prepared, picking up one of the rose shaped cucumbers with his chopsticks and popping it immediately into his mouth. he hums and collects some of the rice with another slice of cucumber and onion, happily consuming them. ]
You will only get better from here on, I am excited to see what you will come up with in the future.
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At Dan Heng's suggestion, he tries some of the broccoli. He nods, pleased, and swallows before speaking.]
It's very good. I didn't realize you could caramelize broccoli. I thought that was only for onions. [His tail is still wagging. He ignores it.]
Yes, you've been working hard. It doesn't seem fair for me to eat the results and not help you in any way...
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He returns to his food after, feeling a little flustered. Don't mind him. Answering Blade is a better distraction.]
You can, but you do have to cook something alongside it like garlic in order to get the effect. It's a fascinating process... and I'm glad you both seem to like it so much.
[The dragon begins digging into his own food with the reassurance that both of his partners like the food. Dan Heng looks up with a slow blink at them.]
Mm... you help me a lot by doing the dishes after I cook. [Even though he cleans as he goes because that's how he works.] And... cooking has become a joy for me recently. It didn't used to be that way. I'm happy to cook for you both.
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Ah, my savior. That is much better, thank you.
[ he goes back to happily digging into his food as dan heng answers blade's question, looking every bit the cat that caught the canary as he does so. truthfully he is surprised at how hungry he actually turned out to be. ]
Far be it for us to deprive you of it, although you will have to allow us to return the favor at some point. [ it is not that jing yuan cannot cook, he has taken care of himself fairly well over the last twelve years. it is that... well, he doesn't exactly have the same set of skills that dan heng has. his master provided him with recipes that did not consider flavor that much. ]
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Hahah, I'll try not to make a mess next time.
[He's already destroying this bento... He was hungrier than he thought.]
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...A-Xing, the only time you haven't made a mess is in the forge.
[He debates with himself for a second. Then risks a glance to Jing Yuan.
...
Alright, fine, he'll let himself stoop a little to their level. Only this one time as a treat, though!!!]
Besides which, have I complained about your mess before? I seem to recall it working in your favor several times.
[He sips his tea serenely.]