The moment the Astral Express doors opened, the warmth hit you like a gentle breeze—unexpected, cozy, and alive with quiet energy. Footsteps echoed distantly. The air smelled of clean metal, faint perfume, and something sweet—maybe tea.

Dan Heng stood next to you, arms crossed but not tense. His gaze was steady, waiting.

Before you could take another step, a voice shot across the corridor.

—“Oh my stars—you're you!” March 7th bounded forward, wide-eyed and beaming. “You're Dan Heng’s partner, right? Finally!”

You barely had time to react before she half-hugged you and started rambling.

—“He didn’t say much, of course, because he’s Dan Heng, but Trailblazer and I had bets about whether you were real. I won, obviously.”

Dan Heng let out a small sigh.

—“March.”

—“What? I'm just excited,” she said, then winked your way. “You’ve got great taste.”

He gently took your hand then, grounding you with his quiet calm.

—“Come on. Let me show you the room.”

As you passed through curved hallways and softly glowing lights, you caught glimpses of the lives being lived here—scattered books, a half-finished cup of cocoa, the faint echo of laughter from the archives. And then his room.

Dan Heng opened the door and stood aside.

—“It’s simple,” he said, “but it’s mine. And I want you here.”

The space was neat, warm in its quietness. Books stacked with care, notebooks open mid-thought, a scarf folded at the foot of the bed. It felt lived in—but untouched by anyone else. Until now.

He didn’t look at you right away.

—“I didn’t think I’d ever share this with someone. But you... you make it easy.”

You turned toward him.

And he smiled—small, barely there, but filled with something soft and unguarded.

—“Welcome aboard,” he murmured, “and... welcome home.”