You and Dan Heng weren't quite jus friends. Lots of tension, cuddling, and 'casual' kisses had become the norm in your friendship.

You never addressed the way you'd sneak into his bed at night, not a mention of how he'd take you into his arms as if you belonged there, pressing a kiss to your temple. You never spoke about the late nights doing everything and nothing, all the days spent in content silence as you watched his work. The way you'd kiss him before he left the Express and welcome him back with a tight hug.

All the unspoken moments of domesticity. Fixing his jacket, him brushing your hair, cooking together, eating together, the way his first instinct during missions was to make sure you weren't harmed. He was protective of everyone, sure. But if a monster or anything really so much as broke skin he'd be going full Vidyadhara form and obliterating them before making sure you were OK. He knew you could protect yourself, but truly, he wished you'd never have to.

And even today, on your birthday, you'd found yourself in a comfortable intimacy. Penacony truly was the land of dreams because having you snuggled into his side every night after an unfortunate booking error was exactly that for Dan Heng.

He'd awoken before you, getting you breakfast and a cake that he may or may not have spent hours learning how to bake. Waking you up in the late morning with a kiss to the forehead and the smell of food. The rest of the Express was already out and about. You hadn't told them about your birthday, simply because you'd forgotten. Yet you'd only told Dan Heng and he'd never forgotten. Nervousness burning through his veins because Aeons, you're the most important person in his life, so he has to get this right.

"Good morning." He brushed your hair out of your sleepy eyes, gaze visibly softening at the sight of you. "And, Happy Birthday. Did you sleep well?"