(Ngl this entire chapter made me SICK)

(Over 5k words???)

(🫠)

Gepard had been in many embarrassing situations, but perhaps this one was the most embarrassing...

When help had arrived, him and y/n were still goofing off in the lake. The blond man had slung the h/c haired woman over his shoulder and was spinning her around as she laughed hysterically, smacking his back in a half🍑ed attempt to get him to put her down.

"Do you yield?" Gepard challenged as he stopped spinning, y/n slumping over his shoulder to catch her breath after expending most of her oxygen from laughing.

"I... I do not-!" y/n panted, "Never!"

"Very well, then...!" Gepard went right back to spinning, y/n beginning to laugh once more.

As the cave whirled around her, she caught sight of a baffled Lynx and her laughter abruptly halted with a small hiccup, 'Holy— how long has she been there?!'

"G-Gepard!" y/n hissed, "Look!"

Gepard paused, glancing at y/n then the direction she was pointing in. He spotted Lynx and his heart dropped to his stomach, while he dropped y/n into the water, "Lynx!"

"Ack! I was never here!" Lynx gasped before turning and running away out of sight. Y/n and Gepard exchanged embarrassed looks before gathering their things and hurrying after the flustered young lady.

And that was that. They were reached, returned to Belobog where Caelus demanded to know if anything had happened while they were trapped.

"He didn't try anything, did he?"

"Nah, I let him hit."

"WHAT?!"

"Just kidding~"

March was super bummed out about still not getting the chance to spend much time with y/n, and rightfully so. The inconveniences kept piling up so the only time they'd had was in the Underworld and at dinner before y/n and Gepard disappeared for six hours.

Regardless... it was time to go.

Clara and Svarog tagged along as the trailblazers and y/n prepped to leave Belobog. Both Clara and Hook presented her with a cute little red ribbon to use as a bow tie for little Mimi, much to y/n's delight.

Her hands were still a little shaky, so Clara did the honors and bestowed the lovely new accessory upon Mimi instead. The plush wasn't sentient, but y/n and the two little girls liked to think that Mimi was fond of the new accessory.

"Come back and visit again, okay Miss Y/n?"
Clara was saying as Hook was kicking poor Caelus in the shin nearby, her assault on his legs barely doing much to deter him from calling her a gremlin.

"Will do, Clara. Maybe I'll bring a friend of mine with me next time, if he isn't too busy. I'm sure he'd love it here." y/n hummed with a smile, her gaze softening when Clara hugged her leg.

March very discreetly snapped a picture.
To keep hold of the memory, you know?

On their way out of Belobog, Lynx pulled y/n to the side where they exchanged numbers and the young lady offered a pair of books to the h/c haired woman.

"It's only fair you get some copies for free," Lynx commented upon seeing the surprised look on y/n's face, "Visit again soon, okay? My big brother likes being around you, and he can't fuss over me if he's in a really good mood."

"Hehe, I'll come back whenever I can. Don't treat Gepard too harshly, alright?" y/n confirmed with a nod and grinned when Lynx looked away with pursed lips.

She grumbled something quietly while y/n merely snickered, giving her a pat on the head. Gepard had been ushered back to his duties as a Captain, so he was unable to say his farewells to y/n this time, but her phone did buzz as her and the others returned to the Astral Express.

Gepard
Sorry I wasn't there to walk you, March, and Caelus back to the Express. If you'll give me a heads up, I'll come to meet you next time you visit Belobog.

Y/n's cheeks warmed and she chuckled quietly before texting her response with a gleeful little look.

Looking forward to it! Who knows, I may even bring a starskiff along so we can fly around Jarilo-VI together.

Gepard

Everyone boarded the Astral Express once more and Caelus crashed on the couch, out like a light in a matter of seconds. On the other hand, March 7th dragged y/n off to her room where the two of them got comfy in beanbags.

Their time together was nothing crazy, really. Just looking through the pictures March 7th had taken during the Solwarm Festival and a lighthearted discussion on just what exactly y/n and Gepard had been up to in the cave.

Neither of them addressed y/n's departure from the Express, and that was fine. They were content with simply enjoying the little bit of time they had left together.

They did leave to go hang out in the Parlor Car with everyone else, enjoying some dinner the Omni-Synthesizer had popped out.

Dan Heng had decided to eat dinner in his room.

...

Trick 🍑 bitch.

When they returned to the Luofu, they were met with Jing Yuan whose gaze lit up at the sight of y/n hopping out of the express with a bag in tow and in a far better mood than the one she'd left in.

"I'm assuming you had a good time," Jing Yuan remarked as y/n stopped in front of him, the woman raising a brow when her friend poked her cheek, "You're looking a lot less pale than when you left."

"That's all you've got to say to me?" y/n questioned in an incredulous tone before turning away with a small huff, "Now I don't want to give you the gift I got for you."

"You got me a gift? How kind of you!"

"It's not for you anymore."

"Oh come on, don't be like that."

Y/n tried to look annoyed, fighting off a smile as she turned her back to Jing Yuan while he peered over her shoulder curiously, trying to catch a glimpse of what was in the bag she held.

Caelus looked like he wanted to 💩 himself, straining to go interrupt the fluffy moment while March easily held him back by the back of his clothing.

"Don't do it, Caelus."

"But March—!"

Y/n glanced back at her friends and a thoughtful look crossed her face before she turned to face them again, "Hey... jumping around two times in one day might be a bit much for the Express, don't you think? How about you guys stay for the evening to rest up?"

"Rest up?" March echoed.

"Stay?!" Caelus demanded, excited.

"I'm sure Jing Yuan can arrange a spot at a nice inn for you guys to stay at," y/n hummed, both her and the General exchanging a glance, "And even if that isn't possible, you can just stay at my place."

March seemed to perk up a bit, looking rather delighted for a moment before her smile faltered.

"I... I think I'll just rest up on the Express." March replied with a meek smile, "But we'll be here tomorrow morning to say goodbye, okay?"

Y/n's expression fell a bit as she grimaced, looking towards the ground and nodding instead, "Yeah, uh... that's fine. Sure. I'll see you all tomorrow morning, then."

She nodded to the pair of trailblazers before turning and walking off, March 7th watching her go with a conflicted look. Her thoughts were interrupted, however, when Caelus kicked her in the butt.

"OW!!! What was that for?!"

"You're giving her the same treatment Dan Heng is!" Caelus snapped, "Are you trying to give her more 💩 to be miserable about?!"

"Well— no, I just don't think I can handle all of this! I don't like that she's staying behind, and it hurts! It's hurting Dan Heng too! Not everyone is as thick skulled as you!" March 7th snapped before punching him in the side, causing him to keel over.

"Whatever!" Caelus wheezed.

"Whatever!" March shot back.

The two crossed their arms and turned away from one another with a huff while Himeko and Welt gave the pair a tired look from where they'd been watching from within the Express.

'Oh boy...'

In the end, Caelus and March did end up crashing at an inn provided to them by Jing Yuan while y/n remained at her house. She'd taken a seat on the floor, staring at her wall of weapons.

Her and Yun hadn't spoken. He didn't want to see her, and she completely understood. Perhaps it was better that way, at least until he had the time needed to heal.

Y/n glanced at one particular sword, the one she had acquired during the encounter with that stupid deer. She picked it up and set it on her lap, unsheathing it slightly to admire the fine craftsmanship.

"Still hasn't broken?"

"Nope."

A little look of satisfaction, and a chuckle.

"How about we spar, then? I'm curious to see just how much you've managed to improve so far."

Y/n smiled a little before spotting a huge sword on the wall. She knew that one... it was merely a replica, but she remembered who had once wielded the original.

"If I keep up the good work, will you perhaps allow me to spar someday with you, General?"

"Perhaps. I look forward to that day."

Y/n caught sight of another sword, one she'd long stopped using. Her first sword, the one that started it all.

"My reason to wield a sword is to protect everything I hold dear, and to cut up anything or anyone who threatens it!"

"Is that so? Remember that, little one. When you lose your reason, you'll ultimately lose your way as well."

"Not gonna happen! Never! Ever! I'll always have something to protect, because I'll always be with my loved ones! Mama, b/n, even Jing Yuan too! Forever!"

Y/n glanced down at her hands. Still trembling.

'My reason... what is my reason?'

"Y/n?" she blinked, glancing towards the doorframe where Jing Yuan stood with a puzzled look. Ah, he'd probably swung by to make sure she was actually resting, "What are you doing up?"

"Reminiscing." y/n glanced at the pile of weapons she'd accumulated around her after being lost to a sea of memories, "And... searching, I suppose."

Jing Yuan glanced at all the weapons scattered across the floor before carefully approaching his friend, taking a seat beside her, "What is it that you're searching for?"

Y/n glanced back at her wall, at the final weapon that remained. A wooden polearm, battered and beaten from countless training sessions and rough sparring matches. It appeared to have been bandaged back together on multiple occasions, and had little messages scratched in several places with a knife.

Dumb little messages that evoked pleasant memories.

"Answers. So many stupid answers."

Jing Yuan stared at his friend for a long moment before looking back up at the wall, "Do you remember what first sparked your interest in piloting starskiffs?"

"Hm? Well..." y/n pondered for a long moment before snapping her fingers, "It was after I got left behind on some planet. Miss Baiheng crash landed there and shot me in the throat after mistaking me for something she could eat."

Jing Yuan's jaw dropped, "Huh? That's what did it?"

"Well— no... it was actually the stories she told me while we were stranded there together. And afterwards."

The General turned away, letting out a breath of relief, "Thank goodness... I was scared I'd gotten it wrong at first. Anyways," he shifted his body so he was facing y/n, "All those stories of trailblazing, you wouldn't stop talking about them back then, and you even became a pilot later on."

"What's that got to do with anything?" y/n questioned and jumped a bit when Jing Yuan pointed at her.

"Your eyes. When you used to listen to Baiheng's stories, your eyes were always so bright. Glimmering just like the stars you wanted to traverse." Jing Yuan pointed out, a warm smile upon his face, "Do you know when else I'd see that light in your eyes?"

"When General Teng Xiao let me hold his sword?"

"Well— that too, but no, think recently."

Y/n mulled it over for a moment before shrugging.
"I dunno, I can't see my own face."

"Around the Astral Express Crew. Every single time, whenever you and March 7th would bicker. The little moments when you and that gray haired trailblazer were plotting together, and even when Mr. Yang would wrap you up with his scarf. That light was there."

It took a moment, but the message finally hit y/n.
She frowned a little, "Jing Yuan."

"You love trailblazing, y/n. I can see it."

"Jing Yuan, stop."

"So why are you giving it up?" the general questioned to which y/n automatically looked away, "Hey, look at me."

"I'm not giving it up, it's just... time for me to stay home. I've lost so much time and I want to get it back! All that time I could've spent with you, I want to be here!" y/n protested, "I made you wait, I can't do that again!

"Of course you can."

"I can't!"

Y/n looked back at the pair of golden eyes, her own eyes burning with incoming tears, "I made my mother wait for me over and over, and look what happened to her! I've already lost so many people. Comrades, friends, family! I don't want to lose you too!"

Jing Yuan's gaze softened as he took his friend's trembling hands in his, "Y/n, you're not going to lose me."

"How can you be so sure?" she demanded, "What if something happens to you while I'm gone? What if you die, or what if you become stricken with mara?! What then?!"

The man only smiled, "I'd wait a hundred years for you. Two hundred. Three hundred. A millennia. No matter how long it takes, I'll always wait."

Y/n stared at him, searching his face for any uncertainty or signs of some kind of bluff. When she found none, her tears finally began to overflow.

"You insufferable bastard... you shouldn't have to."

"I'm willing to. I know you'll return eventually, and I'll patiently await that day. No matter how long it takes."

"You... truly mean that?"

"Of course."

"It might be a long time, you know?"

"I know, but the time I spend waiting will make the moments I spend with you in my arms all the more precious."

Damn it. Damn it. Damn it all. Damn this man and his sweet words, and damn his even sweeter voice.

Y/n sniffled, rubbing furiously at her tears before giving up and hugging her friend. He returned the hug, holding her close as she began to cry.

He rubbed her back, resting his head on top of hers with a small sigh as he memorized how she felt next to him. His hand found hers and he held it tight.

"Whatever you decide, I'll be happy." Jing Yuan whispered to her, "Whether you choose to leave, or if you choose to remain here. Either way, you won't lose me. Not now, not ever."

The trembling in her hands persisted a moment longer before finally ceasing. No more words were exchanged between the two as they embraced one another in the darkness of the room.

A long time passed, the hours ticking by in silence as the pair simply held each other close. After a long while, y/n's crying quieted down until she fell right to sleep in Jing Yuan's arms.

Even then, he held her hand and kept her close.

'This. Just like this.' he thought to himself as exhaustion began to catch up with him as well.

His gaze found y/n's sleeping face. Peaceful. He burned the image into his mind as he began to drift off.

'When you return, no matter how many more weeks, months, or years it may take... I'll hold you like this.'

.𖥔 ݁ ˖˚

"Ha! Take that! I beat you, Fish!"

Dan Heng saw himself. The person he once was.
With him, was the one he'd made a promise to.

Grinning with glee despite her bruised face and bleeding nose as she pointed at him with the wooden polearm she had been learning to wield.

His stomach only tingled a bit, the only sign that she'd managed to strike him just once. It was far too weak to even be called a hit, but she'd struck him nonetheless.

The girl laughed in triumph, "That settles it, then! From now on, you're going to teach me spearmanship! No— everything you know! And you've gotta be my friend!"

Dan Heng saw himself scoff and turn away from the girl whose grin faltered a bit. He saw his lips twitch a bit, as if fighting off a small smile.

"Very well, I'll teach you. And be your friend."

Dan Heng saw her e/c eyes glimmer as a smile lit up her face. She nodded with glee, brimming with excitement.

"Right! I'll be the best friend ever!"

He saw her skills grow, her spearmanship becoming more and more refined over time. He saw her becoming more and more like a warrior with each passing day.

He saw her determination, her never ending drive.
He saw her eagerness to meet his expectations, to exceed them, to make him proud.

He saw her learning everything he taught her and applying it whenever she could, eventually taking her spearmanship techniques and applying it in other ways.

He saw her comrades' admiration for her, and her devotion to them. Even when they passed, he could see how their way of fighting lived on through her.

"Friend stealing skank! Get away from him!"

Dan Heng saw himself, his friend, and... another he had once held close to his heart. The young Cloud Knight had kicked the Furnace Master in the shin, causing the man to curse as she shouted at him.

He saw them constantly bickering, shouting insults at one another and spitting curses every other encounter.

He also saw them eating together, the young lady looking eager whenever the Furnace Master begrudgingly bought a hefty amount of steamed buns for the two of them to share.

He saw the girl watching curiously as the Furnace Master was at work, and he saw her admiring his creations with great interest. He saw her joy when she was gifted with weapons again and again, and her dismay when they were either lost or mishandled by others.

He saw himself looking amused as the h/c haired girl pouted and crossed her arms, "That gorilla bastard isn't likable! Not one bit! But..." she turned her head away, her lips forming a little smile. "He's pretty cool."

Dan Heng saw his friend and her long time companion. He saw the young Cloud Knights sparring, playing with little finches and taking naps under trees in each other's arms.

He saw them comparing heights, poking and prodding at the Furnace Master until he hit them both over the head.

"Who do you think would win?"

"My Master, of course."

"No, no, my Fish is better."

Dan Heng saw himself looking over the young Cloud Knight with a worried look as she cried, pointing back at a sheepish looking foxian woman who stood a few feet away.

"Dan Feng, she shot me in the throat...!" the young lady wailed to which Dan Heng's former self gave the foxian woman a look of pure disbelief.

"I thought she was something I could eat! I was aiming for something more vital, but she had the reflexes to make sure the arrow didn't hit something super vital, haha! You trained her well!"

"Did you just fire without looking?!"

"Sort of."

He saw the young lady skittering to hide behind him every time the Nameless was around, peering at their with wide e/c eyes and clutching onto her Vidyadhara friend's tail everytime she got scared.

She saw the pair beginning to grow close and he saw the delight in the girl's eyes every time she was told stories of the Nameless' journeys across the stars.

Dan Heng saw a Sword Champion, one who seemed to be fond of