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cloudishmagma · 18 days ago

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☆Minors/Ageless blogs DNI☆

Backrooms!Ghiaccio x You

TW: Depictions of Blood, Unsettling sounds & imagery

(｡T ω T｡) This one ended up taking so much more editing than the other ones and the idea I had was a little too long to fully animate so the rest of the story is under the cut! Also took so long to make Ghiaccio's voice and still have it sound right.~

Not sure whose backroom video I will do next, perhaps Formaggio or Prosciutto? I have vague ideas for them, but nothing fully formed yet...(„¬ᴗ¬„)

“You might want to sit down for this.”

He takes a smaller step back away from you, the air is still so freezing cold and you still eye him cautiously as stand up. He turns gesturing for you to follow him back down the stairs.

Your body shivers, it’s still so cold and the man before you seems wholly unaffected by it.

Once you both reach the bottom floor again, he turns into the ‘bedroom’ and you follow in. His hand fiddles with the switches turning on a light which dimly flickers, before staying on. He motions for you to sit on the bed.

The bed is firm beneath you as you sit on the edge. Your body is still tense as you watch the being before you, it’s hard to gauge him when you can’t make out the features of his face.

“My name’s Ghiaccio.” He finally decides to say first and you mumble back out your own name towards him and he nods. “I don’t know how long I’ve been here. I stopped keeping track of time a while ago.” He starts, “I was out on a drive, I didn’t have any particular direction I was heading in. I was just driving...to take my mind off things.” He paces as he talks.

“Then I wound up here, didn’t matter how far I tried to walk, didn’t matter if I drove or not. It’s just snow, woods, and occasionally little cabins like this one.” There’s a low growl of annoyance that enters his voice.“And all of them…” He spits out, “All of them are just stock full of fucking chicken parmesan. You know I used to like chicken parmesan, but it’s the only god damn fucking food to eat. I hate it. I hate it so much. Do you know how awful chicken parmesan-flavored water tastes like, it’s ass. I’d rather eat fucking drywall, and I have!” As he rants his arm suddenly pulls back and slams into the wall, creating another hole amongst the other ones.

He then looks back at you, like he’s forgotten you were even there. “Sorry...getting side-tracked… I just get so sick of eating that shit all the time.” He brushes off the dust from his fist. “Anyways, I don’t know if this place is cursed or some shit, or if this is like Hell or whatever, but you can’t leave.” He shrugs his shoulders, “Unless you want to freeze death or get eaten.” He ends with a mirthless laugh.

“Eaten?” You question.

“Yeah, there’s….things out there. Aside from the snow and trees, I don’t know how to really describe them, but I thought you were one of them before. My eye sight’s dog shit, lost my glasses awhile ago, but they can’t speak like normal people.” He explains, and as he does you remember the red framed glasses in your pocket. You pull them out handing it towards him. “Um, are these yours then?” You ask and he takes them, squinting before rubbing the dirt off of them with the edge of his shirt before placing them on his face.

He blinks a few times before looking at you adjusting the frames on his face. “...Thanks.” He mutters out.

It gets quiet between the both of you. You aren’t entirely sure if you believe this man but...he seems to be living proof enough that things around here aren’t exactly right.

He seems twitchy though his foot is tapping in place and his hands fiddle with his pockets, he couldn’t sit still to save his life.

You’ll keep to his good side for now, he can clearly overpower you if given the motivation. Your arms still feel sore from the bruising grip he had on you prior. You just needed to wait for the weather to get better, or hopefully if you get signal you can call the cops.

“I get the front door was locked, but did you really need to break two windows to get in here?” He suddenly asks and you look up at him confused.

“I only broke one, the upstairs window was already broken before I got here.” You explain and his eyes widen slightly, before narrowing. “Aw shit, you stay here, something might have gotten in.” He demands and starts heading for the bedroom door. “Don’t move I’m serious.”

With that he finally leaves closing the door, although his eyes linger on you before the door shuts. You’re left alone with the hum of the ceiling light as your fingers feel along the fabric of the bed.

You bring your fingers up to your hands to blow warm air of them, you’re still so cold. It’s better being inside of the house, but it’s clear that any kind of air conditioning no longer works. The air is stale and yet still carries that scent of blood and mold throughout the air.

Which is another thing, the state of the living room, you aren’t sure if you want to ask Ghiaccio about that, or about himself. Maybe he did look more human at some point, or maybe this is just how he’s always looked, either way maybe best not to comment on it.

A loud thud from upstairs makes you flinch and you hear some curse that sounds vaguely like Ghiaccio yell out.

You know he told you to stay put but can you honestly really even trust this guy? He’s clearly lost it. A part of you feels bad, but you need to put yourself first. Then again you can’t exactly just leave the house, you’ll die out there in the snow.

Maybe if you can find the keys to the car outside though it might have some gas left in it and you can drive out of here. You have some time, Ghiaccio is distracted with, whatever he’s yelling at upstairs.

You stand from the bed, and head towards the pile of junk in the room. You searched it once before, but you can try searching through it again.

You cautiously look through the pile, with the light in the room now you can see bits and pieces of things you didn’t before. Collected scraps of comics, old water damaged books, batteries, and little trinkets. No keys though.

You look towards the door, you can still here some kind of scuffle going on upstairs.

You carefully step out from the room peeking around to make sure the man’s not around before you close the door behind you and making your way to the living room. It’s hard not to gag when the smell hits you again. The way the crusted carpet crinkles when you step on it makes you cringe, but you continue forward.

The front door outside is still open from when Ghiaccio came running after you and you can see now the sun has fully set leaving only a dark frozen forest that fades into nothing. The static flickering light of TV the only source of light.

The cold breeze hits your face and makes you shiver, before you close the door and after thinking about it, you lock it as well.

Almost like some sense of morbid curiosity takes over you, you peek through one of the blinds to look outside again. You can’t really see anything though, it’s like nothing else exists, beyond the house aside from the snow.

You grab your phone from your back pocket.

Still no signal, not even any 4g, wifi, nothing. Calling 911 goes straight to static. You turn it off and pocket it again.

You back away from the window and move away from the living room, anything to get away from that smell, and head back to the kitchen.

You decide you might as well do what you can and fix up the window, you don’t need the cold seeping into this place.

Picking up the duct tape you dropped earlier, you grab one end of the car tarp shaking away the glass to the floor as you lean over to cover up the damage you’ve done.

Just as you get one part of car tarp secured to the edge of the window there’s a crash you hear upstairs, before you watch something be violently thrown from above the cabin and into the snow outside. The commotion making you jump and drop the duct tape.

The humanoid form twitches and you squint your eyes.

“Holy shit...G-ghiaccio? Ghiaccio? Are you okay?” You call out waiting for a reply.

The form shakily gets up, and you can see the whites of the eyes looking back up at you, but he doesn’t make a sound.

“Ghiaccio?” You try again, squinting your eyes as you try to get a better look at him.

Something snaps, and the being- the thing rushes forward on all fours, kicking up snow as it lunges it self through the window and you scream as you’re knocked to the ground.

Teeth gnash, and glass from the ground pricks your back as you struggle with whatever this horrible thing is. Your legs come up to try and kick it off of you, as it’s mouth gets around your forearm gnawing through clothes, skin, and flesh.

You cry, your hand scrambles for the wrench in your pocket. The rust scrapes against your palm as you death grip it and bring it up before using as much force as you can to bring the tool down on the ‘head’ of the creature.

It grunts and cries out between your arm in it’s maw as you try to make it release you, but it’s teeth only dig deeper trying to get a better grip on you.

The creature is suddenly thrown off of you and you push yourself away with you legs and you clutch your fingers around your injured arm to help staunch the flow of blood.

The air turns fridge cold as Ghiaccio lifts the creature up over and over bashing the head in against the counter top, until frost seems to over take it’s face and it shatters, finally going limp.

The sound of his heavy breathing, your ragged sobs, and the wind howling in from the broken window as your eyes stay wide and panicked looking at what’s left of the thing. “I thought I fucking told you to stay put.” Ghiaccio growls out as his eyes narrow down at you.

You meet his eyes looking up at him, sucking in fast breathes of cold air.

“I, I, ” You start, your lower lip trembles.“I didn’t believe you, I-I thought you were crazy, but…” You swallow thickly, sniffling down the snot and tears so you can speak. “Oh God, Oh God, I’m really stuck here aren’t I?” You ask looking from him down towards the tile of the kitchen floor, pieces of glass and your blood staining it now. “There’s nothing else out there except….” You mumble out.

Nothing but snow and woods. You were just wandering out there a few hours ago. You’re lucky one of these things didn’t attack you then, you didn’t stand a chance on your own.

And no wonder your phone doesn’t have signal, there’s nothing out there. No roads, no city lights, and your family. Your family isn’t out there, you’re alone.

“I was going to, I was going to see them…” You mutter out your hand coming up to wipe the tears from your face.

“Who?” Ghiaccio asks lowly, some of the anger is gone from his voice.

“My family...I was traveling, to see them and…” You trail off before looking back up at him,“I’m sorry.” You whisper.

“Just listen next time alight?” He says holding a hand out to help you up. “First person I’ve seen in probably years and you almost fucking die first day. Jesus Christ.” You take his hand, grunting as you do, a few small pieces of glass have dug into your back. “I’m sorry.” You whisper out again and he just shakes his head slightly, sighing. Although he doesn’t let go of your hand after he helps you up.

“It’s fine, come on. Let’s get you fixed up.”

As he guides you to the bathroom to clean your arm, he doesn’t let go of you for a moment.

#yandere jjba #this is so goated

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cloudishmagma · 24 days ago

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"oh how the tables have turned" ft. aventurine

what happens then, if the chaser becomes the chased? based on @iceunhie post! that fic speaks to me fr

common ratio w

taglist <33

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cloudishmagma · 24 days ago

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Oooo, I thought of something maybe slightly cute! What about a yan Jing Yuan x Reader, but the reader tends to be much more affectionate with other people, and tends to be pretty formal with Jing Yuan?

Like...reader will hug and ruffle the hair of Yanquing and Yunli (much to their chagrin), but tends to be much more stiff with affection toward Jing Yuan, if showing him any at all. Maybe the reader thinks being affectionate with Jing Yuan would be considered inappropriate, considering he is the general and 'The Divine Foresight.'

The perfect distance

Yandere!Jing Yuan x Reader

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the Seat of Divine Foresight as you stepped through the grand doors, a small satchel of medicine tucked under your arm. Jing Yuan sat at his desk, the usual stack of reports before him, though his gaze lifted the moment you entered.

"Good morning, General." you greeted with a polite bow.

"Ah, if it isn't my diligent healer." he mused, resting his chin on his palm. "Come to check on me again?"

"Of course. The healers at the Alchemy Commission insisted on a follow-up after your last mission." You approached, setting the satchel down neatly before stepping back, hands clasped behind you.

"Always so dutiful. You know, a little informality wouldn’t hurt."

"Respect is important, especially for someone of your standing."

He chuckled, but there was a weight to it. "Is that so?"

Before he could say more, the doors burst open, and Yanqing stumbled in, panting. "General! The—oh, Y/N! You're here!"

Your entire demeanor shifted instantly. A bright smile broke across your face, and before Yanqing could react, you reached out, ruffling his hair with a laugh. "Look at you! Did you run all the way here?"

"Hey—stop that!" Yanqing protested, though there was no real heat in his voice.

Jing Yuan's fingers twitched against his desk.

You only grinned, giving Yanqing’s cheek a playful pinch before turning back to the general—your expression smoothing back into polite professionalism. "My apologies for the interruption, General. I’ll ensure your medicine is properly prepared."

Jing Yuan hummed, his gaze lingering on you. "No need to apologize."

You were warm with everyone else—affectionate, even. But with him? Only proper distance.

-----

The Alchemy Commission was bustling as usual when you arrived, the scent of herbs and medicine thick in the air. Lingsha glanced up at you.

“Back again so soon?” she teased, setting down a mortar and pestle. “Don’t tell me the General’s been overworking himself again.”

You sighed, leaning against the counter. “You know how he is. I swear, if I didn’t bring him his medicine personally, he’d forget it entirely.”

Lingsha chuckled, but then her expression turned sly. “Speaking of the General… anything new with him?”

“New? Well, his recovery is progressing, though he still insists on working through fatigue. His blood circulation—”

She held up a hand, cutting you off. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then…?”

“I mean, anything interesting? You’re around him all the time, and yet you never have anything to say about him besides his health reports.”

You shrugged. “There’s nothing else to say.”

Lingsha gave you an incredulous look. “Nothing? You’re telling me that the man who half of the Luofu sighs over doesn’t warrant any personal commentary from you?”

You frowned, genuinely confused. “I don’t see why it matters. I’m just doing my job.”

“That’s exactly the problem! You treat us like family. But with him, you act like a soldier reporting to a superior.”

Unbeknownst to you both, a certain silver-haired general had paused just outside the doorway, having been on his way to greet you—until the conversation took an unexpected turn. Now, he stood just out of sight, arms crossed, listening with far too much interest.

You sighed. “It’s different with him. It would be improper to act casually.”

“He’s still a person, you know.”

Jing Yuan, still eavesdropping, nodded silently in agreement.

You shook your head. “It’s not that simple. I respect his position too much to overstep.”

“Is that so?”

You nearly jumped out of your skin as Jing Yuan stepped into view.

“G-General!” you stammered, immediately straightening your posture.

“Speak of the devil.”

“I had no idea my presence was so… intimidating.”

You swallowed hard. “Not intimidating! Just… respectable.”

“Respect is one thing. But treating me like a statue is another, don’t you think?”

You opened your mouth, then closed it, unsure how to respond.

“Even he thinks you’re too stiff.”

Jing Yuan hummed in agreement. “Indeed. I was just passing by, but it seems I’ve stumbled upon quite the enlightening conversation.”

Your face burned.

Oh, this was bad.

----

The streets of the Xianzhou Luofu were alive with celebration—lanterns glowed warmly against the dusk, the scent of spiced wine and roasted delicacies filled the air, and laughter echoed through the bustling plaza. It was one of many festivals the Luofu held, but this one was special: a gathering to mark the General’s full recovery.

You hadn’t expected such an event to be held in his honor, much less to be personally invited. But when the summons arrived, you couldn’t refuse.

Dressed in simple but elegant robes, you arrived early, intending to help with the preparations. Yet the moment you reached for a stray decoration to adjust it, a familiar voice stopped you.

“Now, now. Must you always be working?”

You turned to see Jing Yuan standing behind you.

You quickly bowed. “General. I just thought I’d assist—”

“You’ve done more than enough,” he interrupted smoothly. “Tonight, you should enjoy yourself.”

You hesitated, but nodded. “…Understood.”

Jing Yuan lingered for a moment, as if waiting for something more, but when you said nothing else, he chuckled and turned away, disappearing into the crowd to attend to his duties as host.

Left to your own devices, you did what came naturally—you kept busy.

You helped a group of children untangle their kite strings, laughing as they tugged at your sleeves, begging you to join their game. You chatted with the servers, exchanging jokes and lighthearted complaints about the hectic preparations. And when you spotted a young man struggling with a heavy tray of fruits, nearly tripping into a table, you immediately stepped in, steadying him before disaster could strike.

“Careful” you said, helping him adjust his grip.

He exhaled in relief. “Thank you! I swear, these trays are cursed.”

You grinned. “Just take it slow.”

He smiled back, grateful, and before long, the two of you found yourselves sitting at one of the long banquet tables, sharing a drink and easy conversation. He was a junior clerk from the Sky-Faring Commission, you learned, and his stories about bureaucratic mishaps had you laughing into your cup.

You didn’t notice the pair of golden eyes watching from across the plaza.

Jing Yuan stood near the edge of the festivities, a cup of wine untouched in his hand.

How effortlessly you showed warmth to others.

And yet, with him, you still kept that careful distance.

Then, with deliberate steps, he began making his way toward your table.

The clerk noticed first, nearly choking on his drink when he recognized the approaching figure. “G-General?!”

“Mind if I join you?”

You weren’t entirely sure how you ended up being whisked away from your conversation, but Lingsha had appeared out of nowhere, looping her arm through yours with a cheerful, "There you are! I need your help with something!" before dragging you off without another word.

"What’s the emergency?"

She huffed, adjusting the sleeve of her robe. "This sash won’t stay straight. Fix it for me?"

You sighed but obliged, fingers deftly retying the fabric. "You could’ve asked one of the attendants."

"And miss the chance to rescue you? Please. You had no idea what is going to happen next."

You paused. "…What?"

Lingsha waved a hand. "Never mind. Just—try not to look so approachable to random people tonight, okay?"

Before you could ask what she meant, she was already slipping back into the crowd, leaving you standing there, confused.

Shaking your head, you decided to find Yanqing and Yunli instead—familiar faces, easy company. You spotted Yanqing first, the young swordsman grumbling as he tried (and failed) to sneak a pastry from one of the dessert trays. You snuck up behind him and ruffled his hair.

"Hey—!" He whipped around, scowling, but the moment he saw it was you, his expression shifted to exasperated fondness. "Oh. It’s you."

"Miss me?"

He rolled his eyes but didn’t pull away when you playfully tugged at his ponytail.

Yunli, ever the composed one, merely raised an eyebrow as you approached. "Must you torment him?"

"Absolutely," you said, reaching up to adjust the slightly crooked pin in her hair. She sighed but allowed it, her lips twitching in amusement.

Meanwhile, across the plaza, Jing Yuan was surrounded.

People of all kind—all vying for his attention, some with thinly veiled flirtation. He smiled, nodded, gave polite replies, but his gaze kept drifting—past them, past the crowd, to where you were, laughing with his disciple as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The night had been a blur of laughter, music, and far too many cups of Xianzhou’s strongest liquor. You hadn’t meant to drink so much—truly, you hadn’t—but between Yanqing daring you to try the spiced wine and Lingsha cheerfully refilling your cup every time it emptied, you’d lost track.

By the time you realized you were swaying on your feet, it was too late.

The world spun pleasantly as you wandered away from the feast, the cool night air a welcome relief against your flushed skin. The lanterns blurred into golden streaks, the distant hum of voices fading as you found yourself near one of the Luofu’s tranquil ponds, the water shimmering under the moonlight.

You plopped down at the edge, legs dangling precariously over the water, and giggled to yourself.

Oops. Maybe too close.

You leaned forward—just a little—to peer at your reflection, but your balance betrayed you.

For a brief, dizzying moment, you felt yourself tipping—

Then strong arms caught you, pulling you back against a firm chest.

“Now, now,” a familiar voice murmured, “That would be a rather undignified way to end the night, don’t you think?”

You blinked up at him.

His silver hair glowed under the moonlight, his golden eyes crinkled in amusement. He looked unfairly handsome, and in your drunken state, you saw no reason not to say so.

“Wow,” you breathed, reaching up to poke his cheek. “You’re really pretty.”

His eyebrows shot up.

Then he laughed—a deep, rich sound that sent a pleasant shiver down your spine. “Is that so?”

You nodded sagely. “Mhm. Like a painting.”

His gaze softened. “And here I thought you only saw me as ‘The Divine Foresight.’”

You scrunched your nose. “That’s stupid.”

“Oh?”

“You’re Jing Yuan,” you declared, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “You laugh at bad jokes. You forget your medicine. You let Yanqing win sometimes even though he definitely doesn’t deserve it.”

“I see alcohol makes you rather… honest.”

You sighed dramatically, flopping back against him. “I’m always honest. You just never listen.”

He hummed, shifting to steady you. “Then perhaps you should tell me something else.”

“Like what?”

“Why,” he said, voice dropping to a murmur, “you treat everyone else with such ease… but with me, you keep your distance.”

You frowned, struggling to form a coherent thought through the haze of liquor. “Because… you’re important.”

“And that means I deserve less of your kindness?”

“No!” You huffed, frustrated. “It means I can’t mess up. If I’m too casual, if I say the wrong thing—what if you realize I’m not as put-together as I pretend to be?”

The confession tumbled out before you could stop it.

Jing Yuan went very still.

Then, slowly, he tilted your chin up, forcing you to meet his gaze. “That’s what you’ve been worried about?”

You pouted. “It’s a valid concern.”

He chuckled, thumb brushing lightly over your cheek. “Silly thing. Do you really think I don’t know you?”

“I’ve watched you scold Yanqing for skipping training,” he continued, amused. “I’ve seen you trip over your own feet in the halls. I know you sneak extra sweets when you think no one’s looking.”

Your face burned. “You—noticed that?”

“I notice everything,” he said, “Especially when it comes to you.”

Your drunken brain short-circuited.

Before you could respond, he sighed, shifting to lift you into his arms. “Come on. Let’s get you somewhere you won’t drown.”

You whined but didn’t protest, too busy marveling at how nice his chest felt to lean against.

Somewhere in the distance, Lingsha watched the scene unfold—then smirked and turned away, deciding some things were better left uninterrupted.

>The Morning After<

Your head pounded.

Groaning, you buried your face into the pillow, willing the world to stop spinning.

Wait.

Not your pillow.

Your eyes flew open.

This was not your room.

Oh no.

Fragmented memories flashed in your mind—Jing Yuan’s arms around you, his laughter, your embarrassingly honest rambling—

You sat bolt upright, then immediately regretted it as your skull throbbed in protest.

A cup of water and a small vial of medicine sat on the bedside table, along with a note:

"Drink this. We’ll talk later."

Your heart hammered in your chest as you scurried into the Alchemy Commission, still nursing the remnants of your hangover. The moment you arrived, you grabbed the nearest healer by the sleeve.

"Switch shifts with me. Please. I'll owe you forever."

They blinked at your desperate expression but shrugged. "Uh… sure?"

You nearly collapsed in relief. Perfect. Now you could hide behind the counter, avoid all human interaction, and—most importantly—never have to face him again.

-----

The General of the Luofu was distracted.

Reports lay unfinished on his desk, his usually sharp mind clouded with thoughts of you—your drunken confession, the way you'd curled against him, the way you'd finally spoken to him without that infuriating formality.

And then you'd vanished.

His fingers tightened around his brush.

Did you regret it?

Was it just the wine talking?

Or worse—had that clerk from the Sky-Faring Commission caught your interest instead?

The brush snapped in his hand.

"…I see."

He exhaled slowly, setting the pieces aside. He was Jing Yuan, the Divine Foresight. He did not lose composure over such things.

…Yet here he was, standing up, cloak already swinging over his shoulders as he strode out of his office.

Fine. If you wouldn’t come to him, he’d find you himself.

----

You were safe.

Hunched behind the counter, pretending to organize herbs, you let out a slow breath. Maybe if you stayed here long enough, he’d—

"Where is Y/N?"

Your blood turned to ice.

You ducked lower, praying that he wouldn’t see you.

"They, uh… switched shifts?" the other healer said nervously.

Footsteps. Moving away.

You nearly sobbed in relief.

…Until a shadow loomed over you.

"Hiding, are we?"

Slowly, painfully, you turned your head.

You swallowed.

"G-General! I—uh—was just—"

"Crawling away?" he supplied helpfully.

You winced.

Before you could react, his hand shot out, gripping the back of your collar like a misbehaving kitten. "Up."

You yelped as he hauled you to your feet.

You knelt before him in the empty side room, hands raised in surrender, face burning with shame.

"Explain."

You gulped. "I… may have acted inappropriately last night."

"Oh?" He tilted his head. "How so?"

"I—I drank too much. I said things I shouldn’t have. I embarrassed myself—and you—and then I ran away like a coward—"

"So you do remember."

You nodded miserably.

"And yet," he continued, voice dropping, "instead of facing me, you chose to hide?"

You flinched. "I thought… you’d be angry."

"Angry?" He laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound. "I was worried."

Your eyes widened.

"Now," he said, stepping closer, "come here."

You blinked. "Wh—?"

"I can’t hear you from there."

You hesitated, then shuffled forward on your knees until you were right in front of him.

He leaned down, his face inches from yours, his voice a low murmur.

"Now. Tell me again—why did you run?"

"I… was scared."

"Of?"

"Of… you realizing I’m not as composed as I pretend to be."

"I already told you—I know you."

You bit your lip.

"And," he added, fingers brushing under your chin, "I rather like the real you."

"So no more hiding," he murmured. "No more formality. Understood?"

You nodded weakly.

"Good." He straightened, offering you a hand. "Now get up. We have work to do."

You took it, your face still burning.

After The Incident (as you now referred to it in your head), things… changed.

Not drastically—you weren’t suddenly clinging to Jing Yuan’s arm or calling him by some ridiculous nickname—but the stiffness in your interactions had melted away.

You still bowed when necessary, still addressed him with respect, but now…When he made a terrible joke during strategy meetings, you rolled your eyes instead of forcing a polite laugh. When he "forgot" his medicine (again), you scolded him openly instead of couching your words in deference. And when he teased you—which was often—you gave as good as you got.

Jing Yuan, for his part, seemed delighted by this shift.

But there was something else, too.

A lingering glance when someone spoke to you a little too familiarly.

A casual step closer when a visiting diplomat eyed you with a little too much interest.

A look—one that had even Yanqing gulping and backing away when he tried to drag you into another ill-advised sparring match.

At first, you thought you were imagining it.

But then Lingsha smirked at you over her tea.

"You really don’t see it, do you?"

"See what?"

She just laughed.

Whispers spread through the Luofu.

"Did you hear? The General personally reprimanded that merchant for overcharging them."

"He reassigned three clerks just because they were rude to Y/N in passing."

"I heard he nearly leveled a training ground because someone accidentally knocked them over during drills."

(That last one was an exaggeration.…Probably.)

It hit you one evening, as you sat across from him in his study, reviewing supply reports.

He was leaning back in his chair, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly mussed from running a hand through it one too many times. He looked… relaxed.

And then it struck you—

He likes having you here.

Not as a subordinate.

Just… as you.

Jing Yuan noticed your stare and raised an eyebrow. "Something on my face?"

You shook your head, smiling slightly. "No. Just thinking."

"Dangerous habit" he teased.

You threw a crumpled piece of paper at him.

He caught it effortlessly, grinning.

No one dared to mistreat you.

No one dared to overstep.

And no one—absolutely no one—dared to flirt with you within Jing Yuan’s line of sight.

(You weren’t sure whether to be exasperated or touched.)

But when you mentioned it to him, he merely sipped his tea and said,

"I have no idea what you’re talking about."

You snorted.

Liar.

-----

I'm currently facing writer's blockkkkkkkkkkkkk.(╥﹏╥)

#yandere x reader #honkai star rail #hsr jing yuan #yandere jing yuan #this is so sweet it gave me cavities #ngl Im blind cuz I didnt see any red flags #sweet sweet lion man #yandere

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cloudishmagma · 29 days ago

Note

I vote for scara as we can try to get rid of the unlucky debuff (which was said to hinder us a lot in day 3). Scara seems like a more sadistic and possibly violent yan so its better to clear misunderstandings first

*gnawing on my nails for the final life* Please dont fuck it up dear fellow players, lets try to achieve a semi good ending with no death-

A/n: This 3rd life will no doubt put y’all to the test (๑╹ω╹๑ ).

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵

You’ve Chosen: ➪K̺͆i̺͆n̺͆d̺͆n̺͆e̺͆s̺͆s̺͆

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Congrats!

Your primary trait kindness has been selected! Future decisions shall be recalibrated!

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Ping‼️ Due to your primary trait being kindness. you are presented an opportunity to right the mistakes of your colorful past. That may have come back to haunt you.

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STCM!Scaramouche has a bad history with you not holding up to your word losing his trust in the process. Therefore you have received an unlucky debuff. GCL! Xiao was forsaken by you in his dire time of need. And thus you earned the spiteful debuff.

≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡

Objective no2: Make up or break up.

Tip: Choose carefully which debuff to cleanse first. The one you opt out of will become active after you make your decision.

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♧S̑̈c̑̈ȃ̈ȓ̈ȃ̈m̑̈ȏ̈ȗ̈c̑̈h̑̈ȇ̈♧︎ ☯︎︎X̑̈ȋ̈ȃ̈ȏ̈☯︎︎

≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡

Game Progression: The game will be paused till the prerequisites are satisfied.

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Tagged Reblog quota: 3/5 has not been met.

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Helpful inquiries~

#also xiao was a borderline sex offender💀💀💀#girl we have every right to avoid u #walking sex hazzard looking ahh #i have favorites

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cloudishmagma · 1 month ago

Text

Astralis Desires

Chapter 1: A Heart that Longs for the Stars

Various HSR men x reader

This is a normalised yandere AU. There will be multiple chapters including all the adult male characters in HSR (playable and future playable) with future smut. It will partially follow the canon plot line. There will be some heavy themes and each chapter will be tagged accordingly. This will mostly be a thriller with yandere themes. ‘Astralis Desires’ will also be published on AO3. (Authors note at the end)

Synopsis: You are a lowly worker on Herta’s Space Station (an assistant of an assistant) whose dream is to travel among the stars. When the Antimatter Legion invade the station, you get the opportunity to travel with the Astral Express. The road through the stars and freedom is dangerous, especially when you have suitors who will do anything in their power in order to make your heart theirs…

Masterlist

Warnings: yandere, murder, slight gore (nothing too extreme), violence, obsession, vomiting (only briefly and is skippable should it make you uncomfortable), Caelus is the trailblazer, female reader (not mentioned in this chapter)

Word count: 5318

The cries of the many monsters echoed through the hallways of the space station. They had left the control room in a havoc, with blood staining the walls. You had never seen a dead person before, and now a dead man laid two meters to your left. His eyes were open and hollow and his pupils a dark abyss leading down to the unknown. His neck was torn open and blood were still seeping through the rift. Torn tendons and arteries were fully on display, causing the bitter taste of bile pooling up in your mouth. You swallowed thickly as you could feel your lunch moving upwards. Your eyes were glossy as tears streamed down your face. You had never been so afraid as you were now. Your heart was beating so fast, that you were almost positive it would stop.

The stench of blood was unbearable and you covered your mouth with your hand. You let your eyes scan your surroundings and you let out a ragged breath when you realised the coast was clear. You slipped away from the box you were hiding behind and out towards the hallway as quietly as you possibly could. Your shoes left bloody footprints and the soles of your shoes made a sickening squeaky sound. Fear and adrenaline was pumping through your veins as your steps quickened. You weren’t hurt, thankfully.

You needed to find a guard or something, and inform them about the monsters you had encountered. The loud buzzing of your rushing blood made it difficult to pick up on any suspicious sounds, so you opted to follow your gut and sight.

After a few minutes of running through the long corridors, you hadn’t come across any other injured or murdered people. A faint glint of hope lit within your soul at the thought of the attack not being too serious. Hopefully the famed Astral Express that had made a small stop at the space station, would help and take the monsters down quickly.

From what you have heard, they appeared to be greatly capable and they possessed admirable powers. You had wanted to meet them and ask them about their many adventures in a hopeless curious manner, but it had always seemed too far fetched. You were not an adventurer nor were you a scientist. You were only an assistant of an assistant (who were probably an assistant of an assistant) and your tasks consisted of organising, making coffee and planning future meetings and whatnot. It may not have been the most exciting job, but you did not mind for whatever reason. Maybe it was the way you were so close to the stars or maybe it was that your pay weren’t too bad. You had gotten the job via a good friend of yours, Anna. She was working in the cafeteria and recommended you to someone. You were now living at the space station with Anna and some of the other employees. It was a simple life, but it wasn’t so bad (except that most of your colleagues were total assholes who had absolutely no respect for you).

It had seemed like a safe and stable job, but that was before this. That was before you had witnessed a man getting torn to shreds by a monster with razor sharp jaws and talons longer than your forearm. You would be in need of many therapy sessions, that was for sure.

As a so-called ‘Darling’, you had been safe at Herta’s Space Station. ‘Darlings’ were able to both work and live peacefully within the space station. ‘Lovesick’ people or ‘Yanderes’ (that was the official therm), also worked there, but they were no treat. Madam Herta had made it very clear that lovesick-behaviour was only going to be a distraction, and that it was something that belonged in ones spare-time and nothing else. Though her opinion on the matter was uncommon, no one dared to oppose her. Which was something you appreciated.

The sound of a gunshot rattled your eardrums as it echoed through the corridors. It was close, too close. You gritted your teeth as you were about to make a run for it down the corridor on your left, when the sound of footsteps sounded from the dark corridor on your right. Before you were able to react, a tall woman with purple hair emerged through the darkness. In her hand was a sleek black gun which she playfully spun around her finger. A smile was present on her lips as she eyed you up and down. She was beautiful, but something about her made your hair stand on end. The woman was by no doubt dangerous and your brain told you to run for your life, but your feet were as if they were frozen to the ground.

“My my, you sure look scared. Are you lost?” her voice was full of mirth as her smile widened into a sharp grin. “This is no place for the means like you. You should seek shelter” the woman’s tone turned more serious, but her smile was still ever so present.

“Who are you?” your voice was strong, but despite your act of faux courage, you could not hide its trembling.

The woman chuckled. “That’s not important. What is important, is that you don’t stand in my way” she stepped closer. “Can you do that? I really do hate to kill civilians…” her eyes glittered with mischief.

You nodded fast as you backed away. “Yes. Yes I will not be in your way. I promise” you held your hand to your heart as you swore.

The woman only hummed as she nodded before disappearing into the darkness where she had came from.

Your feet drummed against the plastic floor as you ran as fast as your legs could carry you. You were out of breath, but stopping was not an option. As you made a sharp turn, a claw gripped your arm and threw you against the wall. Your breath was knocked out of you and you heaved and hissed like a fish on land. The monster growled as it crept closer to you. It snarled and its fangs glistened in the light like razor sharp blades.

You gulped as you realised your end was a few seconds away. You stared intensely into the eyes of the beast as you waited for your inevitable death. Like hell you were going to close your eyes.

As it rose its arm ready to strike you down, a spear was flung into its right eye and through its skull with a loud squishy crack. Brain matter and other undefinable sludge splattered across the nearest wall, painting it in a green-purple colour. The sight was absolutely disgusting, but your relief was too big for you to care. You breathed out the breath you didn’t know you were holding, as you ran your hands shakily through your hair as a means to ground yourself. Your head snapped to your left which the spear had come from and were met with three strangers. One of them was a young woman with pink hair and big blue eyes, her pretty face was filled with concern. She seemed to be a little younger than you, but old enough to drink. The other was a grey haired man with yellow eyes that looked like honey underneath the bright lights. He bore an expression of confusion and curiosity. The last person was a black haired man with teal eyes that would not leave your form for even a second. He was handsome, but his gaze held a sharp edge to it. One which you could not place, no matter how hard you tried.

“Are you alright?!” the pink haired girl rushed to your side and gave you a quick look over.

You nodded. Save from your mental scaring you felt fine. “I’m fine” you forced a grateful smile “Thank you for saving me”.

“Oh, don’t thank me! It’s Dan Heng you should thank!” she gestured towards the black haired man. He was still staring at you with his unnerving gaze.

“Thank you, Dan Heng. I really owe you one” you said with earnest. You really were grateful to him.

Dan Heng nodded with a short movement. “You’re welcome. I only did my job” despite his nonchalant response, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. When he talked you could spot two sets of fangs. They seemed sharp and only made you more curious about the men. It was extremely rare to see humans with fangs, after all.

“We should get moving!” the girl said as she waved her hand at you to follow.

As you moved through the seemingly endless corridors, you learned the name of your new companions. March 7th was the pink haired girl (she said you could just call her March). Caelus was the grey haired man who for some reason had a baseball-bat as a weapon. You gave them your name and you could see from the corner of your eye, Dan Heng silently repeating it as if he was tasting it. On your way to safety, you encountered a young man, Arlan. You had seen him multiple times, but never properly spoken to him, save from a few polite greetings. He had gotten injured by the monsters as he had attempted to fight them of.

You stopped by a control room as Dan Heng tried to check the surveillance footage

“Oh, I forgot to ask you [Name]. Did you see anything suspicious before we came and rescued you?” March asked you as she leaned against the wall out of breath.

You nodded as you wiped sweat from your forehead with the back of your hand. “I did actually. I met a tall woman with dark pink hair. She was telling me to not get in her way”.

“Sounds like a Stellaron Hunter” Dan Heng said while he was typing away on the computer.

Cold sweat coated on your temples as a shiver ran down your spine. “A Stellaron Hunter…” the gravity of the situation finally dawned upon you. Oh shit.

“Sounds like you saw Kafka. So did Caelus” March replied.

The chair Dan Heng sat on suddenly sharped against the floor in a fast motion. His icy eyes found yours in a blink of an eye. “She didn’t do anything to you, right? She didn’t hurt you?” his voice was low and reminded you of a growl of a beast.

You instantly shook your head. “No, she didn’t. She left as a fast as she came”. Goosebumps raised on your arms as he stared at you.

March watched Dan Heng silently with a raised brow. When he met her gaze, he quickly turned back to the computer. A small smile played on the girl’s lips as she stifled her laugh.

Your feet drummed against the makeshift bridge as you made your way to the lift. A cloud of dark mist clouded your vision and a group of monsters appeared through it. The biggest of them reared like a horse and sat its sight on you. Your heart stopped for a second as it lunged for you. A strong hand pulled you back by your collar and you lost your footing. The world came to an halt as all you could see was the arrow that was fired your way. The same spear that had saved you when you first met the Trailblazers, blocked the arrow in a swift movement. Arms wrapped around you as they prevented your fall. They pulled you closer to him like a hungry boa and for a brief moment you wondered if the danger was the monster or the man behind you.

“Are you alright?” Dan Heng whispered against your ear. His usually stoic voice was breathy and brimming with a thick mixture of emotions.

Hot blush crept over your face as you nodded. How pathetic. “Yeah, thank you” you whispered back.

He gazed at you for a second, one that felt as if stretched out for eternity, before he snapped back to the monsters.

A mechanical buzzing shot down as a drone with razor-like propellers slashed through the beasts. Green blood splattered across the bridge and onto your face. In a blink of an eye Dan Heng had dragged you across the bridge and into the lift. As everyone made it inside you clutched your stomach, fighting against the vomit that threatened to flood out. The hot blood on your face and all the running had made you feel incredibly sick and it felt as if your intestines would explode.

Caelus looked at you with a concerned expression. “Are you good? You look pal-”

He got interrupted by the sound of you spilling out all your lunch on the floor. Tears clouded your vision as you gagged. The taste was awful and the smell was no better, but you felt less sick after throwing up. Luckily you hadn’t hit anyone, because if you had you wouldn’t know what to do with yourself. “I’m so sorry” you mumbled as you whipped your mouth.

“Never mind hehe…” Caelus scratched his neck awkwardly trying to think off what to do.

March rushed to your side and handed you a mint. “Thanks” you muttered weakly. Could this day be any worse?

The automatic door opened and the five of you stumble in. A red haired woman was closing a white briefcase containing the drone that just saved your lives when the door closed with a soft swoosh.

“Why does it always have to get so exciting?” she asked to seemingly no one in particular. She turned to you and smiled “Anyway, at least you’re back”.

She took a few steps forward and stopped in her tracks as she took in your disheveled appearances. Her beautiful face twisted into worry. “March, Dan Heng, you’ve been through a lot”.

“Whew, Himeko-! What took you so long?! That last wave of Antimatter Legion came at us like a swarm of locusts, have you ever tried shooting locusts with a bow?” March’s placed her hands on her hips as she scoffed. Her pink hair was a mess and it was stained with the green blood of the beasts she had ruthlessly killed with her bow.

“I wouldn’t have made a difference. My orbital cannon can deal with a whole bunch of enemies at once, but I couldn’t just blow up the space station with it- Herta would NOT like that…” the woman shook her head as if she was imagining Herta giving her an earful. “Are you alright, Arlan? Asta’s been worried about you” she faced the tan young man.

“I’m fine, a quick patching up will do. Thanks for asking” it was clear as day that the boy was uncomfortable with all the attention with the way he scratched his neck awkwardly. “I’ll report the situation to Lead Researcher Astra immediately. Bye” he turned on his heel and left as quickly as he could with his limping.

Himeko turned to you and Caelus with a friendly smile. “Hey, nice to meet you two. I’m Himeko, navigator of the Astral Express”.

“In other words, she’s in charge of where the Express goes” March explained to a slightly confused Caelus. You nodded at March’s words. You have heard about Himeko and her achievements. She was an admirable woman who many looked up to, both old and young.

You introduced yourself “Nice to meet you. I’m [Name]”.

She returned your smile “Match hasn’t been any trouble for you along the way, has she?”

“[Name], Caelus, think carefully about how you wanna reply to that” March mumbled.

“In that case, I’d rather not answer” Caelus shook his head with a sheepish smile, which earned a scoffed from the girl.

“Wise choice, don’t you agree Dan Heng?”

“I have the right to remain silent” the black haired man replied with an expressionless face.

Himeko laughed softly at your friendly banter “Look at you all, you’ve already gotten really close!”

“Come on, Astra has been worried about all of you”.

You all followed Himeko as she lead you to the young researcher. You had met Asta twice, both times had been with the assistant you were an assistant for. The young woman was kind and not as snobby as you would have thought. You have heard from your colleagues that Asta’s family had been the one who had founded The Interstellar Peace Corporation. Her family had money. Way more than what you could ever possibly phantom.

“Projectile radar tracking, normal. Telemetry signal frequency unusually high! Maintain at normal levels!” Asta spoke loudly into a microphone connected to a intercom that was connected to the whole space station. “Our measurements predict that the Leighton is about to unleash over the waves of continuous attacks. Everyone, brace yourselves!”

“Asta! We’re back!” March greeted the girl.

Asta let out a sigh as she spun on her feet. “I’m glad you’re all back safe. Arlan just told me about the situation at the storage zone- and about his injury… Thank you, for all your help”. “In Times of disaster, I realise more and more that the space station’s researchers are its most valuable assets…Alas, we were ill-prepared for such emergencies… We should have built up our security and combat departments”.

“But on the other hand, the entire crew of the Astral Express seems to be extraordinarily skilled” she smiled.

“What is the current situation on the space station?” Dan Heng asked with a serious tone. He had you standing beside him as if he was afraid you would slip away if he let you out of his sight. He hadn’t met your eyes on the way to Asta, but you had seen him staring at you from the corner of your eyes.

“The situation is under control for now. The damage to our security system was minor. The intruder only managed to alter a small amount of data, so it was easy to fix” Asta explained. “The real problem lies with the researchers… They trust Madam Herta wholeheartedly and never thought that the space station would be breached by the Legion. A broken spirit is far worse than a broken body” she sighed. What she said made perfectly sense as you knew for a fact that some researchers saw Madam Herta as a kind of goddess. It was beyond ridiculous, but there were no point arguing with them.

“Let’s us speak with the researchers. Right now, the space station can’t afford any more unexpected turns, especially from within. Have you tried contacting Herta?” Himeko asked. Despite the grave situation she appeared to be calm.

“I sent multiple letters, all met with silence. You know her, Himeko, the space station is but a mere warehouse for followers and rare items. She doesn’t really care about it” Asta sighed as she rubbed her temples. That was one of the reasons as to why you disliked Herta, her attitude towards the space station was tasteless.

“I knew it… No matter, I’ll also send a letter to Herta and tell her that we’ve brought the rare item she seeks. At least that might get her attention” Himeko chuckled.

You sighed. If only you had the balls to speak to Herat that way (not that you had ever spoken to her).

“Oh… That would be of great help” Asta’s blue eyes lit up at her suggestion.

March and Caelus left to talk to the researchers while you and Dan Heng remained. Himeko and Asta were busy talking to each other’s and left the two of you to your own devices. You had taken a seat at a bench and were twiddling your thumbs as you waited. Anxiety was gnawing at your insides like a gluttons beast. Dan Heng were standing to your left staring at you as he had done almost the whole time you had been together. After a good five minutes in silence, you decided to break it.

“So… Have you guys had any similar experiences?” you asked him. It was a silly question, no doubt, but you couldn’t bear any more awkward silence.

His eyes lit up for a millisecond before they returned to their normal self. “Yes. Though every journey is different” his word were few but his voice was soft.

You sighed internally. You should realised by now that he weren’t the biggest talker. You nodded “I can imagine. Must be both exciting and scary”.

“Perhaps, though you get used to it” he shrugged. He was silent for a few seconds before he spoke up. “Are you alright? No injuries or something? Even if they’re small you should tell me” a flash of worry distorted his handsome features.

“I am alright” you shook your head. After noticing his raised brow you added: “No really. I’m fine”. Your suspicion had been confirmed. He was indeed one of them. Though he did seem harmless enough, you would be a fool if you let your guard down completely. Your parents had warned you your whole life about them and they had tried to shield you from them as much as they could. Your parents were both considered normal and that you envied them. Not that you would ever admit it, of course.

He left it at that and adverted his gaze to the rest of the space station. You wished you could read his mind, but at the same time something told you it was best if you couldn’t.

A flurry red warning triangles lit up the various screens and holograms. The beeping was loud and pierced through your hear drums. You winced as your eyes snapped to Asta and the screens. On the biggest screen was a large beast with claws as long as grown person. It looked like something straight out of your nightmares.

Asta turned to you “Take the Express and leave. I’ll stay” she said with the determination of a war general.

“But…” March tried to reason with her.

“Let’s go” Himeko took hold of Caelus’s arm and dragged him with her.

The four of you had taken shelter in a empty supply room. Himeko had listened to Asta via a advice on her hand, but Asta’s voice had only gotten more unclear with every second that had passed.

“We have lost communications” the red-head sighed.

“Are you thinking of going back? Let me remind you, that’s the Doomsday Beast, the Legion’s planet destroyer” Dan Heng’s stern voice cut through the atmosphere like a sharp knife. The Doomsday Beast? Cold sweat formed at your forehead at the thought of the space station getting turned to oblivion. Countless people would die.

“The space station is Herta’s creation. As long as a Lord Ravager doesn’t intervene, there should be no problem.”

“B-but we can’t just run away like this, right…?” March exclaimed.

Dan Heng hummed “The Doomsday Beast can rip off the defence shield like tearing paper- and Herta’s not here. The station’s defences are too weak to stand against the Antimatter Legion”. “Either way, the Legion has the blessing f the Aeon, Nanook. They came prepared and everyone here is not.”

“That’s why we have to leave and take Caelus with us” the Navigator nodded towards the grey haired man.

“Caelus?” Dan Heng raised his dark eyebrow in confusion. “He’s… That important?”

“He’s the one who can help us turn the tides… Of course, I may be wrong “.

“If you say so. Alright, what should we do next?” Dan Heng looked at you and March.

“Don’t look at me. I’m as clueless as Caelus” you sighed.

“This is the supply zone where the maintenance crew works. There’s a path here that leads to the nearest railway platform. Let’s head over there and meet up with Welt” the woman points to the door behind her with her thumb.

“Mr. Yang? Mr. Yang’s here too? Didn’t he stay on the Express?” March 7th titled her head. You had heard about Mr. Yang. He was a respected man, though he was not as well known as Himeko on the space station. Either way, you were curious to meet a man of his calibre.

“The Astral Express tracks our coordinates in real time.. And with such a huge change in the space station’s movements, there’s no way Mr. Yang wouldn’t have noticed” icy blue eyes met yours as he explained.

“Mhm! I can almost guarantee that your Mr. Yang us already on his way” Himeko sent you a playful blink. “Right now, we might be able to handle things if it’s just the Doomsday Beast” she rubbed a manicured hand over her chin in a thoughtful manner “But, if the Destruction’s Emanator were to appear…”

“I still feel that things won’t be going as planned…” Caelus spoke for the first time in several minutes.

“Let’s hurry up and get out of here. I’ll explain later” the red haired lady waved him off.

“Wait March!” Dan Heng screamed as the bug dragon-like beast flew outside the platform. It’s wings were massive and powerful, March shrinking in comparison. March leaped backwards and into you. You stilled her movements with your hands, lest she would fall on top of you. She mumbled a fast “sorry” as she regained her footing.

“The Doomsday Beast…” Himeko muttered with widen eyes. “It’s really here”.

“Get down here!” March had already pulled out her blue bow and were aiming straight at the beast.

The beast quickened its flapping and landed only a few meters in front of your group in a uncaring manner.

Quicker than you could think, Dan Heng pulled you away and behind him. “Seek cover!” he barked like a drill sergeant with no room for arguments.

You didn’t waste any time as you ran as fast your legs could carry you and hid behind a vending machine.

The beast roared and the sound waves almost made you lose your footing. Your ears hurt, but you paid it no mind. Worry filled your senses as you watched the others readying their weapons.

As the sounds of fighting filled the railway platform, you closed your eyes as you made yourself smaller. You prayed to whatever Aeon that might listen that they would remain unharmed. You had only known them for a bit, but you already cared for them.

A deafening roar rattled your bones as if they were fragile porcelain. You stuck your head out form behind the vending machine and your eyes widened at the sight of the beast aiming a powerful blast of energy in March’s direction. The others called her name which snapped her out of her frozen state. A grey flash moved in front her and shielded her from the lethal blow. The purple energy that came from the Doomsday Beast mixed together with the yellow light that somehow emitted from Caelus. A powerful blast of energy surged from the man, resulting in a powerful shockwave which knocked you down on your feet. You partially shielded your eyes with your forearm as you carefully peaked up again at the man. He was floated up in the air as if a powerful magnet were pulling him. The yellow energy had gotten brighter and the air was thick and buzzing. His agonising screams were louder than the hiss of his power. Breathing had become difficult as you tried to force the thick air down your lungs.

You blinked and when you opened your eyes, a grey clad man was floating alongside Caelus with a cane in his hand. Even from your distance, you could feel a creation power sweeping from the staff. The enigmatic man was calm as he firmly tapped Caelus on the head which resulted in the younger man falling down unconscious. His yellow energy had completely vanished and the air became breathable again. The brown haired man nonchalantly pushed of his glasses as if it was an everyday occurrence for him. He elegantly landed on his feet as Caelus fell down in March’s awaiting hands.

“Mr. Yang! Is he…?” March’s voice was trembling from concern and fear.

“He is okay now” the man responded with a gentle voice. “Let’s talk somewhere else”.

So that was Mr. Yang? you thought. He sure lived up to your expectations.

March and Dan Heng carried (Dan Heng did the heavy lifting, while March talked his ear off) Caelus to a safe spot where he could regain his senses. Himeko and Welt, with the help of some of the space station staff, secured the Doomsday Beast. Its temper had completely changed and it was as docile as a sleepy kitten.

After a short while, Dan Heng got back to you with a granola bar in hand. You rose from your seat on the bench you had found, and took the bar from his outstretched hand. “Thank you. But I didn’t even do anything? Aren’t there anyone more deserving of this than me?” your face were twisted into an awkward expression. Being a freeloader was awfully embarrassing, especially when the others had literally saved the life of everyone on the station.

“No, don’t worry. I bought this for you. So please take it” he smiled slightly.

You nodded as you unwrapped the plastic and took bite. It tasted slightly sweet of honey and blueberries.

“And don’t worry about “not doing anything”. You are a civilian and we wouldn’t expect you to know how to fight. The same goes for Caelus and it was a surprise for all of us how good he actually is at fighting. I’m…. I’m just glad that you are safe” the last part was just a mere whisper, but your ear still picked it up.

“Again, thank you. Without you I would be long gone” you truly were grateful. You really owed them your life.

“Don’t think about it. It’s the least I could do” he smiled before he blushed and quickly adverted his gaze.

Welt was standing beside the Express when you and Dan Heng found him. The tall man’s face lit up at the sight of you and he smiled. “I’m Welt Yang. It’s nice to meet you” he reached out his hand.

“I’m [Name]. It’s nice to met you as well” you shook his hand. His grip was firm, but not too firm.

“I have spoken with Himeko and she invites you to stay on the Express. If you want to, naturally”.

Your eyes widened. Stay on the Express? It sounded like a dream come true. “Oh wow… I hadn’t expected that. Well- I would need to resign from my job and all that. And I would need to bring my stuff- if that’s okay of course” you rambled as various thoughts poured through your mind at the speed of lightening.

“We can help you” his deep brown eyes were so comforting, you just stared into them for a moment before you came to your senses and looked away.

“I would appreciate that” you smiled. It wasn’t like you to suddenly take such huge decisions on the whim, but you were sick and tired of the space station. Your friend was nice, but that couldn’t be said for most of the other workers. The were mostly mean and arrogant and acted as if they were above you. You would probably regret leaving with the Express, but you would most likely never ever going to get another opportunity like that. It would be foolish of you to turn it down. Even so, a small voice was echoing in the back of your mind warning you for possible dangers. Being what you were made you vulnerable, that much you knew, but you weren’t going to let that stop you from perusing your dream of travelling across the stars.

“Alright, then. I would like to join the Express” you could already imagine all the adventures you would experience and it made your heartbeat quicken with joy and excitement.

Authors note: This was really fun to write!<3 I have had this idea in mind for months and after a good while I finally got around and wrote it down. I tried to get the dialogue as accurate as possible. I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it:) I can’t wait to share the next chapter!

#yandere hsr #interested

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cloudishmagma · 2 months ago

Text

chapter one ── pest control. the spider’s sense: a spidercaleb series.

♥︎ spider-man!caleb 𝑥 fem!reader

synopsis. ┆ caleb’s life was perfect—until it wasn’t. a radioactive spider bite turned him into linkon’s friendly neighborhood spider-man, the daily bugle started hunting for the man behind the mask, and to top it all off, he was forced to partner up with you—his smart, competitive, and infuriatingly perfect classmate who threatened his spot as number one in the class rankings.

warnings. ┆ college/modern au, academic rivals to lovers, fluff, angst, eventual smut, gran isn’t evil in this LOL, the canon event, college parties, alcohol consumption, cliches, depictions of serious crime, references to the spider-man comics and movies

chapter summary. ┆ caleb's worst fear comes true when the two of you are assigned as lab partners, especially after your first experiment together goes horribly wrong in more ways than one.

series masterlist. ┆ next: soon!

Most days in Linkon City begin with sirens.

Loud, blaring, unmistakable screeches that cut through the early morning quiet like a blade, carving their way through alleyways and avenues alike. They seep into walls, curl beneath locked doors, and coil around the restless minds of those who have long since stopped flinching at their call.

To them, the inhabitants of this city, it is nothing more than background noise—a city’s heartbeat, rhythmic and ceaseless. But to you, it is a warning. A sign that the world beyond the window of your dorm room is a battlefield, and you, a stranger in its midst, are only beginning to understand the rules of this strange place.

Perhaps, in time, you will grow desensitized as they have. Learn to sleep through the wailing cries, to walk these streets without the ever-present weight of caution pressing against your ribs. In a way, they forbade you from venturing out, instilling a fear within you that if you did, you would be the individual these melodies chased—or worse, the victim they had been called for in the first place.

The entirety of the first semester has passed, and you haven’t even finished unpacking. Your suitcase remains half-full, a tangible reminder that you do not yet belong here. That you still have a choice—to do something before this place sinks its teeth into you, before you become just another soul who mistakes chaos for comfort.

But that choice is an illusion.

Here, people like you make no difference. You are not a hero, nor anything close to it. You are just a student who knows better, one who recognizes that the sirens will always be there, a requiem for the city’s unrest. And the crime will persist, as will the men in uniform who fail to stop it.

Somewhere beyond the blaring wails, beyond the tangled skyline and shadowed alleys, someone is fighting a battle you will never quite understand.

And for now, all you can do is listen.

Yet, in a way, you know that this was exactly where you wanted to be.

Despite its rapidly deteriorating surroundings, Linkon University remained a place of prestige. Young children dreamed of acceptance into its ranks, babbling to their parents about how they, too, would one day make these halls their stomping grounds. Maybe it was naivety that brought you here. Or maybe it was the last remnants of a dream that hadn’t yet died on your tongue.

Or perhaps, it was the medical journalism program—a rare gem, dwindling into obscurity at every other university.

You were lucky to be accepted. But humbly speaking, luck had very little to do with it. Your stats spoke for themselves: a 1540 SAT, a 4.98 weighted GPA, more extracurriculars than you could count on both hands. A smart cookie, as written in the shining letters of recommendation that paved your way here.

And yet, imposter syndrome festered like a quiet disease, creeping into the spaces between your confidence. You have spent your entire life at the top. Always number one.

Here? You were number two.

Number two to whom? You did not know. Not yet, anyway.

♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎

Caleb’s perfect life has unraveled in the span of a week and a half, but he positively swears it’s not his fault.

It’s yours.

Ten days ago, at precisely 12:57 PM, he endured the worst torment known to man: his seat in the lecture hall was stolen. A cruel move, truly. Class had been in session for four days, he’d claimed that seat twice—twice—and by the unspoken law of university students everywhere, that granted him full ownership. So why, then, were you sitting in his allotted property?

Looking back, Caleb sees only two possible explanations. The first: you had unknowingly taken the seat after enrolling just before the census date. The second: you were out to get him from the very start.

And personally? He’s convinced it’s the latter.

But alas, he hadn’t made a fuss about it then. It wasn’t like he’d just lost the single best seat in the entire hall—the one with perfect access to the exit, the projector, and the professor’s desk. But hey, he could be cool about this, right? Yeah… totally cool. So cool. The coolest.

Days passed, and everyone seemed to be settling into the spring semester just fine. The weather was getting warmer, flowers on the great lawn were blooming, and Caleb was thriving.

That was, until the unthinkable happened.

Time? 2:19 PM. Class? CHEM 001 AH. Location? The Grand Hall.

Caleb sat directly behind you, having resigned himself to the second best seat in the room, as the sound of pencils scratching against paper filled the otherwise quiet space.

Taking practice exams felt pointless. A waste of time, really. His efforts could be better spent elsewhere—like taking the real exam or absolutely demolishing his roommate Zayne in Apex Legends yet again. But instead, here he was, surrounded by classmates diligently scribbling away as the session inched closer to its eventual end.

And when it did, Caleb would have simply packed up and gone on his merry way—if not for the single most bone-chilling sentence he had ever heard in his entire academic career.

You were chatting with the girl beside you, talking about things he had zero interest in. Your shared biology class at 3 PM, your dorm building, plans to meet up at the dining hall later… blah blah blah. But then—an acronym. A single, horrific acronym triggered him like a sleeper agent.

“My GPA? Oh, it’s… 4.30. I think. To be honest, it’s been a while since I checked.”

His jaw went slack. His eyes widened. The color drained from his face.

A 4.30 GPA? No. No. That couldn’t be real. That could not be real.

But as his gaze flickered between the back of your head and your friend’s, he came to the most horrifying conclusion of all.

You weren’t lying. And if that were true… then that meant you had the same GPA he did.

Which meant that, depending on your course load and how well you performed, you could take his spot as number one in the class rank.

♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎

Caleb burst into his dorm room, slinging his backpack onto his mattress before face-planting into it with a sound somewhere between a groan and a hmph.

Across the room, Zayne didn’t even glance up from his desk, fingers tapping away at his mounted laptop. Click, clack. Click, clack. For a stretch of time, that was the only sound in the room—until he finally exhaled, the kind of quiet sigh that could only mean here we go again.

“Rough day?”

Caleb didn’t even hesitate. “The worst day.”

Zayne closed his eyes for a moment, like he was mentally preparing himself, before pushing away from his desk and turning his chair just enough to look at his roommate. “What happened?”

Still face-down on the bed, Caleb let out a long, exaggerated sigh—nowhere near as silent as Zayne’s. “I think I have to take trig next semester. Honors.”

That made Zayne pause. Brow quirked, he leaned back. “Why? Your counselor quite literally said you’re already on track to graduate with honors and as one of the top-ranked students in our year.”

That was the problem, though. Caleb wasn’t satisfied with being one of the best. He wanted to be the best—and now, that source of pride was under attack.

“Well, that was before I found out I’m sharing a GPA with some girl in my chem lecture,” he said, rolling onto his back to stare blankly at the ceiling. “Which means if I don’t get my shit together and pack on a few more honors courses, I’m cooked.”

Zayne laughed. Actually laughed. Shaking his head, he turned back to his desk, plucked his glasses off the mousepad, and slid them on. “You should hear yourself right now.”

Caleb’s head snapped to the side, eyebrows pinching together. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s just amusing, is all.” Zayne smirked. “I find it endearing that you, Mr. ‘I can skip the final and still pass with a 94%,’ Mr. ‘I think I might take astronomy honors for fun this semester,’—”

“All riiight, I get it,” Caleb cut in. “What’s your point?”

Zayne snickered, amused. “My point is that if you of all people feel threatened by a classmate you hardly know, maybe there’s a reason for that.”

Caleb hated that there was probably some truth to that. Not that he’d ever admit it. Being threatened by a classmate he barely knew? Please. He knew enough. (And yes, he had meticulously sifted through the entire roster of his chemistry class to stalk your Canvas profile. What? It’s… field research.)

“Y’know, you’re terrible at pep talks,” he muttered, folding his hands behind his head.

“I’m not trying to be,” Zayne replied easily. “But if you want my input—take the trig course next semester. Something tells me you’ll need it.”

Caleb rolled onto his side, fishing his laptop from his backpack as the weight of his evening workload settled in.

And maybe Zayne was right.

Maybe he would need all the help he could get.

♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎

It wasn’t until six days later—today—that Caleb knew for certain fate was no longer on his side.

The professor’s voice cut through the shuffle of students packing up their belongings, all of which were currently praying that their first lab of the semester wouldn’t be a complete and utter disaster. It was a well known fact that Dr. Rappaccini was quite the harsh critic, and an even harsher grader. Her score on Rate My Professors was a whopping 2.8/5 for crying out loud.

“Alright, it’s time for you all to receive your lab partners for the semester. Before heading to the lab next door, please check the list of pairings at the front.”

Luckily, Caleb had committed the syllabus to memory and knew that each person was scored individually no matter how their partner performed, but it was recommended that the pair conduct their experiments together to save time and... okay, maybe he hadn’t memorized it as well as he thought, but at least he knew the core details, right?

Scanning the list, his blood ran cold. He squinted, hoping that the prescription of his glasses had failed him, but of course, it was unmistakable. Your name was printed next to his. Emboldened, unignorable, in a perfectly neutral 12 pt Times New Roman font.

The walk to the laboratory was a quiet one, and you were walking a few feet ahead of him without a care in the world. Reaching for the door handle, he twisted the metallic lever and gestured for you to enter ahead of him with a single nod of his head. It was a force of habit. He may not care for you as an academic peer, but you didn't directly wrong him in any way. Not knowingly, that is.

With a curt nod of your own and a sliver of a smile, you entered the class with a quiet “thank you.”

And before he could follow in step behind you, the neverending line of your fellow classmates began to flood into the room, leaving him to stand idle while offering each of them a thin-lipped smile. It felt like an eternity before he was able to step inside of the laboratory too, and his first instinct was to map out the classroom to find the best possible seating arrangement.

To his surprise… you’d already claimed the most optimal lab station, and as he approached, you made the first move to speak.

“I hope you’re okay with sitting here,” you say, fishing out your sleek notebook and a bright blue pencil. “It’s the only lab station with equal access to the exit, the supplies cabinet, and the professor’s desk.”

Caleb raises an eyebrow, cocking his head to the side as bewilderment etches into his features. Were you inside of his brain? He clears his throat, shaking away his confusion as he nods. “Yeah, I’m alright with this spot. Good choice.”

Smiling, you nod too. “Cool.”

A beat of silence passes, and you smooth your hands over the black resin material of the table, a movement that his eyes instinctively follow. Then, your hand raises and extends out to him, forcing him to blink himself out of his state of daydreaming.

You say your name while tilting your head with a smile—this time, a smile with teeth—as you wait for his hand to take yours. “And you’re… Xia?”

Raising his eyebrows, he shakes his head while a chuckle slips through his carefully crafted exterior. “Caleb,” he corrects, his firm grasp enveloping your hand as he gives it a shake. “Caleb Xia.”

“Ah, got it,” you remark, an epiphany dawning on you as you slip your hand from his hold. “Well, I’m going to go get our safety goggles.”

But before leaving, you straightened, eyes glued to him—or rather, his head.

Huffing out a laugh through his nose, Caleb’s lip tugs up in the corner. “What are you doing?”

Tapping your chin, you sigh. “I’m trying to see if you have a big head. If you do, I’ll have to go fight tooth and nail for one of the ones with adjustable straps.”

Rubbing his eye with the heel of his palm, he rests his elbow on the edge of the table before leaning his cheek into his hand. “Well, lay it on me. What’s your diagnosis?”

Humming, you tilt your head back and forth before nodding your head a single time. “Big-head syndrome. I’m positive.”

Caleb’s eyes crinkle as he laughs. “I should take that as a compliment. Big head means big brain, you know.”

“Or a big ego,” you retort with a shrug, giving him a once-over with raised brows before whisking away towards the horde of students currently going to war over the remaining pick of the litter.

Yeah, that too, he thinks.

In your absence, he takes the liberty of prepping the lab for the both of you. Beakers? Check. Random substance that the two of you were going to be experimenting on? Check. Hydrochloric acid? Check. Sodium bicarbonate? Check—

“Safety goggles,” you state, plopping down on your stool and handing his pair to him.

Without missing a beat, he speaks. “Check.”

Drawing back slightly, you turn to look at him with an arched eyebrow. “Uh… yeah. Check.”

Faltering, Caleb slides the item onto his face as he stammers through his words. “I was just… never mind, let’s start.”

The class had settled into a low hum—the murmur of newly paired partners, the scribbling of notes, the soft hiss of chemicals reacting.

As the two of you began the experiment, an incredibly prominent conclusion dawned on him: Disliking you as a person wasn’t as easy as he’d hoped. As a competitor? You were treacherous. As a lab partner? You were… tolerable. Efficient. Annoyingly easy to work with.

It wasn’t the end result that he was hoping for, if he were to be entirely honest with himself. He wanted you to be difficult to be around, he wanted you to be stuck up, he wanted you to give him a genuine reason to dislike you apart from being the root of his newfound insecurity. But you weren’t, and that was a problem.

“Pass me the baking soda?” you ask.

“The sodium bicarbonate?”

“Yeah. The baking soda.”

Caleb tilts his head with a smile. “Also known as sodium bicarbonate.”

You glance his way, and your eyes met. “Congrats, big guy. You know big words. Now pass it.”

“Sure thing, boss.” Biting back a smile, he hands it over, only to retract it at the last second. “Wait. What’s it called again?”

Your force smile was all teeth. “Sodium bicarbonate.”

Finally relenting, Caleb places the bowl in your orbit with a triumphant grin.

He was smart enough to know that this was a bad idea. Despite how easily the two of you worked together, he knew that he couldn’t entertain this any further. You weren’t just his classmate, his peer—you were his competition. And while he’s heard the saying keep your friends close, but your enemies closer just as many times as the next person, he knows that mixing any ounce of developing friendship with his pursuit for greatness would be wrong.

It would work best that way. You can’t be friends, and that’s okay.

And for the first time in what felt like ages, fate seemed to agree with him.

“Hmm,” Caleb soon rumbles, squinting at the beaker. “This isn’t lookin’ too good. You said you added the sodium bicarbonate, yeah?”

You frown, glancing up from your notes. Your stomach twists at the sight of the clock—barely any time left before the lab ends. The professor would be making her rounds any second now.

“What? I didn’t add it. You said you added it.”

Caleb flits his gaze to the side of your face. “No, I added hydrochloric acid.”

Your head snaps toward him so fast he was surprised it didn’t snap right off. “No, I added hydrochloric acid.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“Yes, I did.”

“No, you didn’t.”

You exhale sharply, frustration creeping up your neck. “How are you gonna tell me what I did or didn’t do?”

Your pulse ticks up a bit faster than it naturally should, and your eyes rose up from the glass cylinder. Around the room, students were already wrapping up their conclusions while the two of you hadn’t even finished the experiment. You suck in a breath and push up from your stool.

“Fine. Fine. Can you just pass me the baking soda?”

Caleb nods, handing over the pre-measured bowl of sodium bicarbonate. While you worked to fix the mess, he jotted down a few quick notes. You added just enough of the powder to neutralize the acid—but not smother it completely.

And then? Silence. The two of you sat. Watching. Waiting. Hoping. Praying.

Then, miraculously, the beaker decided to behave and the fizzing subsided.

Like clockwork, you both exhaled, shoulders slumping as small, victorious smiles tugged at your mouths—

Until yours vanished entirely. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

Caleb falters, eyes narrowing. “I didn’t say thank you.”

“Well, you should have.”

“Why? If I hadn’t pointed out the weird reaction, we’d have been screwed.”

“Oh? If I hadn’t realized neither of us added the sodium bicarbonate—which was your responsibility, by the way—we would’ve actually been screwed.”

Tension thickened between you like a drawn bowstring. You clench your jaw and look away, scribbling down your final observations. Stupid man, you thought to yourself. And here you were, actually believing that this semester wouldn’t be a total shitshow, that maybe, just maybe, you’d gotten lucky.

Unfortunately not.

Then, your attention was caught by something out of the ordinary. Your gaze lands on his neck, and your breath hitched. Staring back at you was a small, multi-legged beady eyed monster. Sticking out your pointer finger, you still find yourself instinctively drawing back, as if it were out to get you next. “There’s a spider on—”

But before you could finish your sentence, Caleb winced, his veins tightening as he instinctively flicked the eight-legged menace off. You sucked your teeth, drumming your fingers on the table. So much for your timely warning.

Glancing his way, your brows elevate as you see the already forming bite mark on his neck. “Yikes. It got you good.”

“Did it?” he asks, raising a hand to rub over the mark with narrowed eyes. “Hm. Guess so, yeah.”

Reluctantly, you ask, “Are you okay?”

With a nod, he picks up his pencil once more and works on finishing the last of his lab report. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Sighing airily, you can’t help the smile that tugs on your mouth. “Poor spider, being flicked through the air like that.”

Like routine, Caleb shot a glare your way. “Funny.”

“Thanks.”

With that, you left for the washing station. Meanwhile, Dr. Rappaccini stood from her desk, making her rounds. It was in that moment that a shrill of panic shot up his spine—the stimulation foreign, unfamiliar, and… terrifying.

He could feel his heart rate shooting through the roof, a sweat break on his forehead, and his fingertips flex at his sides—all things that he wasn’t even conscious of. And before he knew it, he was glancing in your direction, noting that you were distracted. Good.

With a quick ease, he snatched up your notepad and erased a few numbers, replacing them with subtle, logicless mistakes. 34? Now a 26. 32 to the power of 5? Not anymore.

It wasn’t his proudest moment. Sabotaging his own lab partner’s work? Definitely not.

Ten seconds. That’s all it took to ruin you just enough. He slid the notepad back into place, brushing away the eraser shavings. Like clockwork, you returned, none the wiser.

Exhaling softly, you turned to him. “Look, I just wanted to say that—”

“Now, you two,” Dr. Rappaccini’s voice cut you off.

You both turned as she scanned and picked up Caleb’s report, making a few marks with her fine-pointed marker before sliding it back into place. You glanced over, making note of his grade. 94.

Then, she picked up yours. A moment later, she handed it back. Your professor held up a roll of stickers, tearing two off before setting them down on the table.

Despite the vibrant designs on the stickers, your stomach dropped. Your grade was big, bold, and unmistakable. 82.

“Wait—Dr. Rappaccini,” you call after her, staring at the page with widened eyes of shock. “I… I don’t understand. What did I do wrong?”

“Well, your experiment was solid—your observations were well-written, and your documentation was precise. But your math?” She sighs. “Completely off.” A beat of silence. Then, a smile. “Don’t feel discouraged. You’re a good student as you are—no need to compare your scores to others.”

The implication was clear. She thought you were smart—just not as smart as Caleb.

Huffing, you toss your notebook onto the table, fingers curling against the edge of it.

“You got cut off earlier,” he says casually, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. “What were you sayin’?”

Blinking, you tried to retrace your thoughts. “Oh, yeah… I was just saying that…”

Your voice trails, eyes drifting to your lab report. Caleb caught the flicker of realization dawning on you—and when you turned to him, his not-so-hidden grin said it all.

“I was just saying,” you snap, “that you’re an asshole whose handwriting looks like a drunk chicken clawed at my report.”

“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about,” he says with a shrug, peeling off his sticker to plaster it onto your shoulder. “Good luck on the exam tomorrow morning.”

And with that, he walks out of the lab.

“Yeah, you too,” you murmur, though he was already gone before he could hear the hissed “bitch” that followed.

Irritation pricks at your skin as you stuff—more like shove—your belongings into your backpack. Prick. So much for not knowing the single person you were beneath in the class ranks.

Guilt stirred in his chest as he walked towards his dorm building… but only a little.

♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎

By the time Caleb stumbled back to his dorm, he felt like he’d been hit by a freight train.

He barely managed to push the door open before kicking off his shoes, letting his backpack slump to the floor with a heavy thud. His head swam, his breath uneven as he widened his eyes in a feeble attempt to stay awake. Slapping himself on the cheek, he quickly realized it was no use. His neck stung worse than it had when the spider first bit him, the dull throb pulsing beneath his fingertips as he rubbed over the puncture point.

"Are you drunk?" Zayne’s voice drifts from across the room.

"No," Caleb mutters, face buried in his pillow. "Just… tired. Really tired."

He sank into the thin mattress like dead weight, the springs groaning beneath him. With sluggish hands, he pulled his glasses from his face and tossed them onto the bedside table, missing by an inch. His breathing grew heavier, his skin slick with cold sweat. His pupils—blown wide as saucers—fluttered shut as he barely mustered the strength to tug his shirt over his head and toss it aside.

And within seconds, he was out like a light.

♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎

The morning sun sliced through the blinds, painting golden stripes across Caleb’s bare back as he jolted awake.

His chest rose and fell in sharp, erratic breaths, but despite the abruptness of it all, he felt… alert. Fully awake in a way that didn’t exactly make sense.

Blinking rapidly, he reached for his glasses and slid them onto his face with a groggy groan. And then—he froze.

His vision was still blurry.

Frowning, he pulled his glasses off, breathed onto the lenses, and wiped them against his bedsheet. When he slid them back on—blurry again. He pulled them down. Clear. Glasses up. Blurry. Glasses down. Clear.

He stares at them in his hands. “...Weird.”

Setting the frames down, he threw his legs over the bed and staggered toward his closet—only to catch sight of his reflection in the mirror. His eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

Since when the hell did he have abs?

He flexed instinctively, stomach tensing under his own scrutiny. Then his gaze trailed up—to his arms. His biceps. His shoulders.

Turning, twisting, he inspected every angle of himself like a stranger in his own skin. He’d been in shape before, sure, but this? This was different. He would’ve noticed this.

Knuckles rapped against the door, making him flinch.

“Caleb? Are you awake? I forgot my key.” A pause. Then, “Are you feeling any better? You slept like a log last night—perhaps you’re catching a bug.”

"A bug?" Caleb echoes under his breath, flexing again just to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating. “Holy shit… Uh, yeah, man, I’m good. Just—gimme a sec.”

Turning back toward his desk, he reached for his chair, only meaning to push it aside—but the moment his palm touched the wood, it stuck.

His brows furrow.

He yanks once. Then again.

Nothing.

His heartbeat quickens as he curls his fingers, attempting to lift his hand—and instead, he lifts the entire chair clean off the ground.

“What the—” His stomach drops. He waved his hand. The chair waved with it. Up. Down. Side to side. Still stuck.

“Caleb?” Zayne calls from the other side of the door.

Caleb whips his head toward the sound, panic tightening in his throat. Shit. He bolted across the room—chair still attached to his palm—and somehow managed to unlock the door just as Zayne strode in.

Zayne, clearly in a rush, barely spared him a glance as he grabbed a stack of papers from his desk, clipped them together, and breezed back out with a nod.

The door clicked shut behind him.

Caleb exhaled sharply—only to realize his hand was still stuck… to the doorknob.

Huffing, he gave it a firm tug, expecting it to pop free. Instead, the entire knob wrenched out of the door, hinges snapping with a loud crack.

"Shit."

He barely had time to process before his body betrayed him once again—this time, with a sharp thwip.

A thick strand of silk shot from his wrist, attaching him to his bedpost.

His pulse stuttered.

"What. The. Fuck."

Another sharp tug. Another web. More panic. Before he knew it, his dorm room looked like a crime scene from some horror movie—threads of silk stretching from walls to furniture to the ceiling.

His gaze snapped to the clock on his desk. 12:56 PM.

"Alright," he mutters, inhaling deeply. "Exam starts in four minutes. I’m sticking to everything I touch. I’m half-naked. Cool, cool, cool."

But nothing about this was cool.

If anyone in the history of Linkon University could take an exam like this, it was going to be him.

series masterlist. ┆ next: soon!

a/n like & reblog if you enjoyed!! this was really fun to write :) also i should’ve mentioned it rly isnt specified how old reader is, just that she’s in college and just starting her second semester at linkon university :) she can be a transfer student (which is kinda what i had in mind), a first year, etc lol it doesn’t really matter bc i’m fine with that being a “plot hole”

i could not stop laughing while writing this at 4am bc i was just imagining caleb coming up with an elaborate ass internalized beef with reader and she’s just sitting in her chem lab like

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cloudishmagma · 3 months ago

Note

PLEASE IM BEGGING LIKE THE BIGGEST BEGGAR IN THE WORLD DO A DAN HENG LUCKY EGG FIC( Unless you don’t want to!)

LUCKY EGG

Yandere!Dan Heng x Reader

You didn’t expect much when you got the egg. Sure, it looked a little different compared to normal eggs people got, but that was normal, right?

For the next three days, you never let it out of your sight. And then, the feeling of being watched started. At first, you thought it was your imagination. By the third day, your unease had turned into a quiet, gnawing dread.

That night, as you walked home with the egg cradled against your chest, a shadow moved.

Before you could react, a figure lunged from the darkness. A hand snatched at the egg.

"Hand it over!"

Instinctively, you held it tighter. "No."

"Then I'll just have to take it myself."

A flash of silver—a weapon.

You barely had time to flinch before-

Crack

A burst of blinding teal light exploded from the egg, knocking the intruder back. The warmth in your arms vanished as something took its place.

A young man now stood before you. Dark, messy hair, his expression calm but unreadable. He stepped in front of you, placing himself between you and the attacker.

"Step away from them."

The assailant cursed under their breath before lunging again.

With startling speed, the man deflected the strike, the enemy barely had time to react before he countered, sending them stumbling back. Realizing the fight was unwinnable, they vanished into the night.

You clutched the empty eggshell, heart hammering, struggling to process what just happened.

The young man turned, his gaze scanning you carefully.

“Are you hurt?”

You shook your head slowly.

“…Good.”

But before you could even think of a response, a sudden force yanked at your chest.

A sharp, invisible pull tightened between you and Dan Heng-his name suddenly came to you, an unnatural bond snapping into place. You weren’t the only one who felt it, Dan Heng’s hand clenched into a fist, his brows furrowing as if testing something unseen.

“…It seems we are bound together.”

“What?”

Dan Heng’s words settled heavily between you.

You stared at him. “What do you mean… bound?”

Dan Heng’s expression was unreadable as he lifted his hand, fingers flexing slightly—as if testing the invisible force between you.

“I can feel it” he murmured. “A connection.” His sharp eyes flickered to you. “And so can you.”

Now that he mentioned it…

There was something tugging at your chest. A strange, lingering warmth linking you to him, like a thin, invisible thread pulling taut whenever you moved too far away.

“What the hell is this?” You instinctively took a step back.

Dan Heng didn’t stop you—he didn’t need to. The moment you moved too far, a dull ache formed at your core, forcing you to halt.

Dan Heng’s eyes narrowed. “It won’t let us separate.”

You swallowed hard, fighting the unease creeping up your spine. “Is this… because of the egg?”

“Most likely.” Dan Heng let out a slow exhale, his voice calm despite the situation. “Something unnatural happened when I hatched.”

No kidding.

You clenched the broken remnants of the egg in your hands, staring at the glowing fragments. This wasn’t normal. None of this was normal.

Dan Heng studied you carefully. “Does it hurt?”

You shook your head. “Not really… Just weird.”

He nodded. “Then we should find out how to undo it.”

Right. That made sense.

You didn’t know Dan Heng, and he didn’t know you. Staying attached like this wasn’t ideal for either of you.

But before you could say anything else, that feeling of being watched returned.

Your body tensed. “They’re still here.”

Dan Heng was already looking past you. He was silent for a moment before speaking again, voice lower this time.

“Come with me.”

You barely had time to react before he grabbed your wrist and pulled you along. The two of you disappeared into the night.

The inn was quiet, tucked away in an alley far from prying eyes. It wasn’t the most luxurious place, but it would do for the night.

Dan Heng took a seat on the small wooden chair in the corner, silent as he assessed the room. You, on the other hand, dropped onto the bed, exhausted from the night’s chaos.

“…I’ll bathe first” you muttered, rubbing your temples.

Dan Heng nodded, offering no objections. He was still tense, likely on alert in case your pursuer returned.

Steam curled from the bathroom as you let the hot water wash away the tension in your body. By the time you emerged, towel-drying your hair, you noticed something was different.

That strange, invisible pull? Gone.

You tested it cautiously, taking a few steps away from Dan Heng. No resistance. No ache. Nothing.

Dan Heng must have felt it too. He lifted a brow. “It’s gone.”

You nodded, unsure whether to feel relieved or concerned. Why had it disappeared so suddenly?

Dan Heng stood, “I’ll bathe next.”

You collapsed onto the bed. The momentary separation felt… odd. But you brushed it aside.

When Dan Heng returned, hair damp and sleeves rolled up as he towel-dried it, you caught sight of a faint scratch on his forearm.

“Did you get that earlier?” you asked.

He followed your gaze, barely sparing it a glance. “It’s nothing.”

“Still.” You grabbed a small first-aid kit from the bedside drawer. “Let me see.”

Dan Heng didn’t move, but he didn’t stop you either.

You carefully cleaned the scratch, applying a light bandage. “There. Should be fine now.”

Dan Heng watched your hands for a second before meeting your eyes. “…Thank you.”

You blinked. He was so stoic most of the time that the simple gratitude caught you off guard.

“Yeah, well.” You leaned back. “It’d be a pain if you got sick over something so small.”

Dan Heng huffed lightly, almost amused.

The atmosphere felt… more comfortable now.

For the first time since this night started, you didn’t feel like strangers.

The inn had only one bed. You figured Dan Heng wouldn’t mind sharing—after all, he had just saved your life.

But as expected, the moment you suggested it, he refused.

“I’ll sleep on the floor” he said simply, already grabbing a spare pillow.

You rolled your eyes. “You just fought someone, ran through half a forest, and got scratched up in the process. You need the bed.”

With an exasperated sigh, you grabbed his wrist and pulled him in.

Dan Heng stiffened at the sudden touch, but you didn’t let go. “Just sleep. I don’t mind.”

Ultimately, he relented, slipping under the blanket beside you—though he kept a noticeable distance.

You didn’t push it. Exhaustion weighed on you like a stone, and before you knew it, sleep took over.

A faint creak of the floor. The softest rustle of fabric.

Dan Heng’s eyes snapped open.

Intruders.

Before he could react, a hand clamped over his mouth, and a sharp pressure point strike numbed his limbs.

His vision blurred for a split second, but his focus remained sharp. They had waited until you were deep in sleep, ensuring you wouldn’t wake no matter what.

Dan Heng struggled, but his body refused to cooperate. He was lifted and carried away, the door closing behind them without a sound.

And you?

Still asleep, blissfully unaware.

You woke up to emptiness. The bed beside you was cold. The blanket was untouched, and Dan Heng was gone.

You knew something was wrong. You could feel it—not just instinctively, but physically. A sharp pull, like an invisible string tugging at your very core. It yanked you forward, as if guiding you somewhere.

Without hesitation, you threw on your shoes and bolted out of the inn.

Your feet led you through winding streets, across empty alleyways, and towards an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. The closer you got, the more intense the feeling became.

When you reached the entrance, muffled voices reached your ears.

“…We know you came from the egg.”

Then, a sharp sound—a syringe being pressed into skin.

Dan Heng let out a strained breath. His usual composed presence was cracking. You peered through a small opening. He was tied to a chair, his head lowered, his breath uneven. His body trembled, muscles twitching unnaturally. Whatever they had injected him with, it was forcing a reaction out of him.

One of the men stepped closer. "If you won't talk, we'll just—"

With the element of surprise on your side, you grabbed the nearest metal rod and slammed it into the first guy’s head. He crumpled instantly. The second turned, but you had already kicked him square in the ribs, knocking the wind out of him. You twisted the third man's arm back and sent him crashing into the interrogation table.

Three down.

Your chest heaved, adrenaline still buzzing in your veins. Then, you turned to Dan Heng.

His head was still lowered, his fingers curled tightly into fists. His breathing had grown heavier—not from exhaustion, but from something else.

You approached carefully. “Dan Heng…?”

A tremor ran through his body. Slowly, he lifted his head.

And his eyes— Not the calm, reserved gaze you knew.

The moment your eyes met, you knew this wasn’t Dan Heng.

His usually composed expression was gone, replaced by something feral. His chest heaved, his muscles tensed, and the eerie glow of his newly-formed horns cast an unnatural light against the dim room.

Then, he lunged. You barely managed to dodge in time. His fingers grazed your shoulder, sharp nails cutting through fabric. He wasn’t holding back.

"Dan Heng, snap out of it!" you shouted, ducking under his next strike.

But there was no response.

His attacks were relentless, each blow precise, deadly.

Your back hit the wall.

His hand shot out, aiming straight for your throat.

And in that moment, his body gave out.

Dan Heng collapsed right in front of you.

The tension in the air vanished. His breath came in sharp gasps, his body still trembling from whatever those men had done to him.

You didn’t waste time.

You dragged him home.

A day passed.

You sat beside his unconscious form, watching for any sign of change. The bond between you had flickered—then disappeared entirely.

And his body…

His features were different now.

His ears— sharper, more elongated. His horns— translucent green, curling back in the shape of a dragon’s. Whoever those men were, they must have known. They were after Dan Heng’s power.

When he finally woke up, his body tensed immediately. His gaze landed on you, and for a moment, you feared he’d attack again.

Then, slowly, his breathing steadied.

“…You are alive.” His voice was hoarse.

“Of course I did.” You frowned. “Though you almost killed me, you know that?”

“…I know.” His fingers curled into the sheets. “And yet, you didn’t leave.”

“You can explain later.”

You reached out carefully, brushing his bangs back to check for a fever. His new horns brushed against your wrist.

For now, you’d both deal with the consequences together.

Dan Heng sat on the edge of the bed, fingers lightly brushing against one of his newly-formed horns. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his shoulders was clear.

You crossed your arms, staring at him. "Why did you turn into...that?"

He glanced up at you, his sharp blue-green eyes filled with uncertainty. "I don’t know."

Most of his human form had returned, but some of the dragon-like features remained. His elongated ears, his translucent green horns… they were all still there.

He looked down at his own hands. "I shouldn’t have changed in the first place. I was… altered."

"Well, you came from the egg I got, so that makes you my responsibility."

"You say that so easily."

"Because it’s the truth," you shot back. "You’re new to life here, right? You don’t even know how things work. If I leave you alone, you might get kidnapped again."

He couldn’t argue with that.

"Come on. You need to learn how to live like a normal person."

“…You’re seriously taking this upon yourself?"

"Obviously. If I don’t, who will?" You raised an eyebrow. "Unless you'd rather run around in the open and get captured again?"

“…Very well. I’ll leave myself in your care.”

For now, you’d carry on.

At first, you didn’t think much of it.

Dan Heng adjusted quickly to life here, following your instructions without complaint. He wasn’t much of a talker, but he listened, observed, and adapted well.

And then… you started noticing something strange.

One morning, as he sat at the small dining table, sipping the tea you made, you caught something in your peripheral vision—his horns were fading.

You blinked. Was it a trick of the light?

But then later that day, after you dragged him to the market (much to his dismay), his horns reappeared. His sharp ears elongated again, and—most alarming of all—he briefly grew a tail.

You nearly choked on air when you saw it.

Luckily, it vanished quickly, but you had seen it.

"Dan Heng" you called, suspicious.

He looked at you, unfazed. "What?"

You squinted. "…Are you aware that you’re…changing?"

He froze for a fraction of a second, but that was enough confirmation.

You crossed your arms. "Your horns. Your ears. A tail, Dan Heng. What’s causing it?"

His eyes flickered downward. A thoughtful silence stretched between you before he finally admitted, "I don't know. But…" his gaze met yours again, "It only seems to happen when I feel… displeased."

You stared at him. "So you're telling me… the more annoyed you get, the more dragon-like you become?"

He nodded.

You groaned, rubbing your temples. "Great. So I just have to keep you happy or else you’ll start sprouting more parts?"

Dan Heng didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his expression shifted—just slightly. His usual calm mask gave way to something more… pleased.

And in that moment, his horns… faded.

Wait a damn minute.

Your eyes narrowed. "…You like hearing that, don’t you?"

Dan Heng tilted his head, feigning innocence

You had a feeling this was going to be a huge problem.

You weren’t one to leave things unexplored—especially not something this bizarre.

So naturally, you had to test it out.

Test #1: Jealousy

Dan Heng rarely reacted strongly to anything. He was composed, observant, and rarely raised his voice. But you needed to see if strong emotions—specifically negative ones—would bring his features back.

So, you made him jealous.

It was subtle at first. A passing remark about someone at the market being “pretty nice.” An offhand comment about how they “seemed dependable.”

Dan Heng didn’t react outwardly.

But when you jokingly mentioned that someone offered to “show you around sometime,” his sharp ears reappeared.

You almost dropped what you were holding.

Dan Heng noticed too. He frowned, touching his ear. “That’s—”

Gotcha.

“Relax," you waved a hand, feigning innocence. "I was just talking."

He narrowed his eyes slightly. But after a long, assessing look, his ears faded again.

Test #2: Comfort

Later that evening, after he bathed, you casually offered, "Want me to dry your hair?"

"That’s unnecessary—"

"Sit!" you ordered, grabbing a towel.

Dan Heng hesitated but complied.

You gently ruffled the towel through his damp hair, fingers lightly brushing his scalp. You expected him to tense—but to your surprise, he relaxed almost instantly.

And then, in real time, his horns disappeared.

"Something wrong?" he murmured, his voice oddly softer than usual.

You exhaled. "…No."

But internally, you were screaming.

Test #3: Annoyance

The next day, he accidentally broke your favorite dish.

It wasn’t his fault—it slipped from the counter. But you sighed dramatically and gave him a look of disappointment.

Dan Heng immediately grew a tail.

The absolute panic on his face made you bite back laughter. He glared at you, realizing what was happening.

"You’re doing this on purpose" he accused.

"Me?" You blinked innocently. "Never."

He narrowed his eyes. But his tail disappeared soon after.

Final Test: Sleeping Together

One night, as you prepared for bed, you hesitated before asking, “Is it okay if I hug you to sleep?”

Dan Heng didn’t answer right away. But after a long moment, he nodded.

You took it as permission and settled beside him, arms loosely wrapping around his waist. His body was warm—steady. For once, he wasn’t tense.

And then—

His dragon features faded entirely.

Dan Heng noticed immediately. “What?”

You pulled back slightly, staring at him. "You're… normal again."

His breath hitched slightly. He glanced down at himself—his hands, his reflection in the dim window. His horns, ears, tail—all gone.

Silence filled the room.

Then, in a low voice, he muttered, “…So I need you close to stay like this?”

That might be a problem. But you are still testing it out.

----

You’d caught Dan Heng using his water manipulation abilities more than once.

At first, it was small things—drying dishes without a towel, cooling his tea without ice, sneaking a splash into his bath without touching the faucet.

But then, he started abusing it.

One evening, you walked into the living room only to see the floor miraculously cleaning itself. A thin layer of water swept across the wooden panels, neatly gathering dust into a single puddle before disappearing entirely.

Dan Heng stood nearby, looking completely indifferent—as if he hadn’t just commanded the water like a personal cleaning tool.

You folded your arms. “Really?”

He didn’t even flinch. “It’s efficient.”

You squinted. “It’s lazy.”

He turned his head slightly, not denying it.

After that, he got sneakier. Whenever you weren’t looking, something would conveniently be cleaned, cooled, or wiped away.

You caught him again a few days later. This time, he vanished the evidence before you could properly scold him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about” he said flatly, even as the faintest ripple of water shimmered at his fingertips.

----

One day, you brought two friends home.

Caiyu—a friendly, outgoing woman with a sharp tongue, and Ren—a male friend who was, in your opinion, just a little too clingy.

Dan Heng immediately did not like him.

At first, he was quiet. Watching from the side. But every time Ren leaned in—too close, too casual—Dan Heng’s brows furrowed just a little deeper.

Then, one moment, Ren reached out, casually touching your shoulder. Not anything inappropriate—just a familiar gesture.

A chill ran through the air. Your tea, which had been warm seconds ago, suddenly turned ice cold.

You paused, frowning at the cup. “Huh…?”

Caiyu looked between you and Dan Heng, her eyes narrowing.

Ren, completely oblivious, continued talking.

Dan Heng didn’t say a word. But the next time Ren got too close, the humidity in the room mysteriously spiked.

Ren tugged at his collar. “Why is it so stuffy in here all of a sudden…?”

Caiyu, still watching, slowly smirked. “Oh, I think I know why.”

You, still oblivious, just nodded. “Yeah, weird weather today.”

Dan Heng, standing nearby, simply took a sip of his still-hot tea.

After Caiyu and Ren left, you finally turned your attention back to Dan Heng—only to pause.

The horns were back.

Sharp, translucent green, curling from his head like some majestic beast of legend. His ears had sharpened too, and there was something… tense about his posture.

“…You good?”

Dan Heng didn’t answer immediately.

“Do you always let others cling to you like that?”

“…Huh?”

“Ren.”

“What about him?”

Dan Heng exhaled slowly, as if holding something back.

You, still completely clueless, smirked. “What, are you jealous?”

That was meant to be a joke. But the way Dan Heng didn’t immediately deny it made your smirk waver.

…Wait.

Before you could press the topic further, a sudden movement caught your eye.

A cockroach.

Right there. On the floor. Near your foot.

“—GAH?!”

Panic shot through you instantly. Without thinking, you jumped onto Dan Heng, clinging to him with zero shame.

“GET RID OF IT!!!!!!” you yelped, burying your face into his shoulder.

You didn’t notice his reaction, too busy clutching onto him like your life depended on it. “Dan Heng, I swear to everything, if you let that thing crawl near me—”

He finally spoke. “…I will. On one condition.”

Your head snapped up. “What? What condition?”

Dan Heng’s gaze was unreadable, but his horns shimmered slightly under the light. His fingers ghosted over your back before settling at your waist.

“Stay like this a little longer.”

“…Excuse me?”

Dan Heng’s hold on you was firm but not forceful, his fingers pressing lightly at your waist like he was testing something. Meanwhile, the cockroach was still there.

“You heard me.” His voice was impossibly calm, but there was something else in it—something almost amused. “I’ll get rid of it. But you stay like this a little longer.”

You were about to argue, to call him out for using a life-threatening situation to his advantage—

Then the cockroach moved.

“…Fine.” You clung onto him harder, burying your face into his shoulder with zero dignity. “Just get rid of it already.”

Dan Heng exhaled, the sound low and satisfied. Then, with a simple flick of his fingers, a small stream of water shot toward the cockroach—blasting it out of sight.

You peeked out. “Did you drown it?”

“Something like that.”

“…Good enough.”

Now that the danger was gone, you relaxed—but for some reason, you didn’t pull away.

Dan Heng seemed to notice. “You’re still holding onto me.”

“…Shut up. I’m recovering.”

His chest rumbled with a quiet chuckle.

And that was when you finally realized the horns were gone. His dragon features had completely disappeared.

“…Wait.” You leaned back slightly, inspecting his now normal face. “Did they—disappear because of this?”

“Maybe.”

Something told you… he wouldn’t mind testing it out again.

---

The search for answers had been fruitless.

You had dragged Dan Heng to healers, scholars, and even underground doctors—yet not one of them could determine what that liquid was or why his dragon features kept appearing whenever he was displeased.

And so, when you heard whispers of a secret bidding event known to deal in rare, illicit goods, you knew it was your best shot.

Disguised in ordinary robes and masks, you and Dan Heng snuck into the venue—a dimly lit hall, buzzing with the low murmur of eager bidders. Items were displayed one by one on a grand stage, and men in luxurious garments raised their hands with absurdly high offers.

It was a strange, unsettling place.

And then—

You saw it. On the display, contained within a reinforced glass case, was a small vial. The liquid inside gleamed with an eerily familiar glow.

“That’s it!” you muttered. “That has to be what they injected into you.”

Dan Heng's gaze was locked onto the vial, his jaw tightening. You knew he recognized it too.

The auctioneer’s voice boomed through the hall.

"A special concoction from an unknown source. Its properties? A mystery! But I assure you, its effects are... fascinating. Let’s start the bidding!"

The first bid came instantly.

“300,000 credits!”

Your stomach dropped.

That was way too much.

Dan Heng turned to you, voice low. “How do you want to handle this?”

You already knew the answer.

You weren’t leaving without that vial.

There was no way you could win a bidding war against the wealthy elites here. The price was already skyrocketing, and you didn’t have that kind of money.

You turned to Dan Heng. “We’re stealing it.”

He nodded without hesitation. “I figured.”

The auction continued, the price climbing higher and higher, but you weren’t paying attention anymore. Instead, you were scanning the room, noting the positions of guards, escape routes, and blind spots.

One of you would create a distraction. The other would take the vial.

“Let me handle the distraction” Dan Heng murmured. “I can draw them away without getting caught.”

You weren’t sure about that.

He was strong, yes. But the whole reason you were here was to fix his condition—not make it worse.

“No” you decided. “I’ll do it. You grab the vial.”

Dan Heng’s brows furrowed, but before he could argue, the auctioneer slammed his gavel down.

“Sold for 850,000 credits!”

You inhaled sharply. It was time.

The moment the winner stepped forward to claim the vial, you moved. With a quick motion, you reached into your sleeve and tossed a smoke bomb onto the stage—

People shouted, some scrambling away while others drew their weapons. The guards rushed in, pushing through the panicked crowd

And in the cover of the smoke, Dan Heng struck.

By the time the haze began to clear, he was already at your side, the vial secured in his grip.

“We need to go.” He grabbed your wrist, pulling you toward the nearest exit.

Guards were closing in.

But you weren’t worried.

You had what you came for.

Now, you just had to get out alive.

---

Pain.

That was the first thing you felt when consciousness returned.

Your entire body ached, and every breath felt like it scraped against raw wounds. You groaned, trying to move—

Only to feel a strong grip on your wrist.

Dan Heng was at your bedside, his expression eerily blank. But his eyes—his eyes told another story.

Shock. Relief. Unfiltered rage.

For the first time, you saw green scales creeping across his face. They shimmered under the dim light, spreading like cracks in a fragile mask. His normally sharp features were even sharper, his dragon-like horns fully visible.

“I thought you were dead.”

You blinked, still disoriented. “How long was I out?”

“Five days.”

Something had happened while you were unconscious.

Your surroundings were unfamiliar, but the faint smell of blood and burnt metal lingered in the air. Your wounds were bandaged, but you could tell the medical supplies used were not from a standard clinic.

“…Dan Heng. What did you do?”

He didn’t answer immediately. His fingers tightened around your wrist, as if reassuring himself that you were still there.

“I lost control.”

You knew what that meant.

The people from the auction house—the guards, the bidders—none of them stood a chance.

You had seen glimpses of his power before. But this?

This was different.

You reached up, your fingers grazing the scales on his cheek. He stiffened under your touch, but didn’t pull away.

“…I’m still here” you said softly.

“I thought I lost you. You don’t understand—I would’ve destroyed everything. I would’ve—”

You pressed a hand over his, grounding him.

“You didn’t.”

Dan Heng’s grip loosened slightly. His features, still twisted with emotions, slowly softened.

For a long moment, he simply stared at you. Then, as if needing further confirmation that you were alive, he pulled you into his arms.

He buried his face into the crook of your neck, his body trembling ever so slightly.

“…Don’t scare me like that again.”

“I won’t.”

You shifted slightly in his embrace, trying to adjust to the strange sensation against your skin. His scales pressed against your cheek as he held you even tighter.

"Dan Heng" you muttered, half-jokingly, "your scales are poking me."

To your surprise, he tightened his grip. His arms caged you in, his warm breath fanning against your neck.

“…Then endure it.”

His voice was quiet, almost sulky.

You sighed, but didn't protest. And soon enough—the sensation disappeared.

You pulled back slightly, noticing his features softening. His scales had faded away, his horns receding as if they’d never been there.

You blinked. So it really was connected to his emotions.

Still, you needed answers.

Later that day, you took a small sample of his scales—without him noticing—and sent it to a trusted friend in the field of alchemy and medicine.

The response came quickly: an antidote was possible.

But when you brought it up to Dan Heng—

"I don’t want it."

"You don’t even know what it does."

His gaze was steady. "It doesn’t matter. Everything as it is… is fine."

You felt the weight in his words. He wasn’t just talking about the scales—he was talking about you, about this, about the bond you both shared.

And as if the universe had heard him, the bond reappeared.

A faint glow flickered between you both—unseen by your eyes, but deeply felt.

Dan Heng dragged you into the kitchen, his grip firm yet careful.

“You need a proper meal” he said, his voice carrying no room for argument.

You sighed but let him. Things were tricky now—you couldn't stray too far from each other. If you did, the bond would start pulling you back, an invisible force tethering you together.

---

A group of strangers approached you outside, eyes filled with intentions you didn’t like. Dan Heng acted before you could, sending them flying with a single strike.

And just like that—the bond disappeared again.

You didn’t know what to make of it, but Dan Heng did.

That night, when you were fast asleep, he moved silently.

In his hand was a small vial—one he had secretly extracted from himself. With quiet precision, he used it on you.

Would you become like him? Would you be changed as he was?

He needed to know.

Nothing happened.

At least, not immediately.

Dan Heng watched you carefully the next day, but you looked fine. No horns, no scales, no tail. You were just... you.

Maybe it was different because of his origin. Maybe his bloodline couldn’t fully transfer to you. Or maybe it needed more time.

But one thing did change. You recovered unnaturally fast. The injuries that should’ve taken weeks to heal were already fading. And there was a downside—your temper.

You found yourself easily irritated, snapping at things you wouldn’t normally care about. The effect wore off soon, but Dan Heng took note of it.

Then, you felt it.

The slightest change.

Your ears—it was faint, but they weren’t the same. They twitched, sharper than before, more sensitive to sound.

No horns, no scales, but... you were just like him now.

And, of course—you would never know it was his doing.

Dan Heng watched as you slept, your breathing steady, your body finally adjusting.

It had taken time. More than he expected. The first dose had only changed your ears, but that wasn’t enough.

He needed more.

So he spent weeks—studying, gathering, experimenting.

And finally, he succeeded.

The last vial, carefully prepared, had worked exactly as he intended.

Your body had accepted it. Your features had shifted—not just the ears this time.

Under the moonlight, faint scales shimmered on your skin. Not as prominent as his, but there. A part of you now.

And with that change, the bond solidified.

No longer a fragile link. No longer something that could fade.

It was permanent.

Dan Heng exhaled, letting the weight of it settle in his chest. This was what he wanted. For you to be the same.

For you to never be able to leave.

And when your eyes fluttered open, you felt it too.

The connection. Stronger than ever. Binding you to him in ways you couldn’t yet understand.

Dan Heng offered a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach his sharp, knowing gaze.

“Good morning.” he murmured.

You are his now.

#this is gold???#yandere x reader #yandere #yandere honkai star rail #hsr dan heng

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