#cloudnotes

BLADE

It wasn't your first time seeing Blade, the feared sword of the Stellaron Hunters. You had already met before, at the Xianzhou Luofu's Divination Commission fight. You remembered his glowing red eyes, the burning gaze that seemed to have imprinted itself on the inside your eyelids. You just can't… stop thinking of him. With the situation in Xianzhou Luofo somehow dissipating into an uneasy calmness after the fight with the Ambrosial Arbor's huge deer thing, you had resorted to going around the giant flagship and looking for treasures in the remote corners of the streets. You never expected to see Blade on one of those treasure-hunting expeditions. "Hello, little mouse. Lost?" His smile is sinister and you felt your heart drop to your stomach. You were frozen, though what really scared you wasn't Blade himself-- it was more of your morbid fascination with this supposed enemy of yours and the Astral Express. "Seems like cat got your tongue, hm?" Blade left his shadowy spot and stepped into the light, ignoring the fact that his face is literally plastered on wanted signs everywhere in the Xianzhou Alliance. He neared you, head tilted just a little bit, seemingly sizing you up with interest and zero fear. "What do we have here?" Your throat actually closed up, no words forming even as your mouth parted slightly. You should be pulling out your weapon, or even just call for someone to help… but no, you just continued to stand there as if Blade had you in a trance. "D-don't come any closer!" You hated how you sounded so weak, but you hated how your body fell into his arms almost like a limp doll as he closed the distance between your bodies. Blade's eyes were trained on your lips, and when his tongue darted out over his own upper lip, you already know you've lost whatever battle it was. "Wait--!" You managed to squeak out as Blade surged forward and your lips clashed. There was no hesitation, no other thoughts, just the feel of his lips and his hands almost bruising your skin with how tight he was holding onto you. His kiss was as passionate as the fire you remembered burning in his eyes. Captivating. Dangerous. Just as you started to reciprocate, Blade decided it was enough. He pulled away with an evil smirk to look at your haze-dulled eyes, tucking a strand of stray hair from your face to behind your ear. "We'll see each other around, won't we, Y/N?" And just like that, Blade disappeared back into the shadows. The only thing that remained and proved that he was really was there was the lingering warmth left on your lips that you surely won't be forgetting anytime soon.

DAN HENG

Dan Heng has been holing himself up in his room at the Express the entire day. He didn't show up to eat with the entire crew that morning, lunch, or snacks. He even missed Pom-pom's coveted cupcakes with strawberry frosting! Worried, you decided to check up on him. You knocked on his cabin door, though you were already expecting to not hear a reply anyway so you started banging on the metal. Dan Heng could not just ignore a ruckus right outside his door, right? Whatever. Before you could intensify the noise, you heard Pom-pom yelling for you from the next hallway and felt fear strike you at what the terrifying conductor would do to you. You've heard from March 7th that Pom-pom does not take lightly to annoyances in the Express. Suddenly, the door opens and Dan Heng yanks you in. You let out a surprised shriek, but Dan Heng quickly covered your mouth with his hand. He then put a finger to his own lips to silence you as you both heard Pom-pom's tiny paws stomp down the hallway looking for you. "Y/N!" Pom-pom sounded really miffed, and you could hear your heart pounding. Not out of fear of Pom-pom, no-- Dan Heng's body was flush against yours as he had pressed your back onto the closed door of the Archives room. He wasn't looking at you, instead peeking at the stained glass window to check if Pom-pom had any idea of where you went. "Dan Heng--" You whispered, muffled by his hand, feeling hot and embarrassed. He shushed you quickly and quietly, still watching Pom-pom's movements. "Can't breathe!" You add, and he looked away from the window to glance at you. He blinked slowly, as if realizing what he's doing, then lowered his hand away from your mouth. He might have released you, but you were still squished between the door and Dan Heng. His hot breathing burned the tip of your ear, and you can feel his own rapid heartbeats against your shoulder. Pom-pom was still audibly stomping around on the other side of the door, but all that mattered to you was Dan Heng in front of you-- and could the Aeons really blame you for what you did next? Your arms ended up looping around Dan Heng's neck, suprising him enough to pull away slightly, but your hold had already secured him in place. In a split second, your lips were on him, and the surprised noise from him almost made you stop; until his own hands settled on your waist. Dan Heng kissed back with all the gentleness he rarely displayed. "Oh." You murmured when the kiss ended, a bit dazed. "I- I was just checking up on you." Dan Heng snorted at your embarrassment, and you hit his arm. "Are you sure it wasn't just to do that?" Dan Heng raised an eyebrow. You ended up whining, hitting his arm again, but you both shared a smile. Maybe a few kisses after as well.

GEPARD

You were just helping Serval around the shop that day, having nothing else to do and lured in by the promise of Serval treating you to some sweet Osmanthus tea after finishing the job. It was more of you just sitting on a stool and listening to Serval talk while she fixes the circuits on some gadgets, but it was free snacks nevertheless. Gepard arrived not long after, hair a wild blonde mess from the wind outside. He froze at the doorway, seemingly surprised to see you there. "H- hi, Y/N." He then cleared his throat. "I didn't think you'd have some free time. I heard from Oleg that you're on an expedition--" Serval cut her brother off with a wave. "They're here to help me, Geppie." You only just smiled as Gepard nodded and occupied the stool next to you. "And you're here because..?" Serval trailed off as a loud ringing went off from the other room. With a sigh, she excused herself from the main room of the workshop, muttering about the new invention. "Is my sister being too much? You can always tell me if so, I'll be the one to tell her to stop bothering you." Gepard offered, looking for anything to distract him on the desk. His large hands fiddled with a loose coin-sized gear. "I know you're busy, Y/N." "It's alright; Serval's just lonely. She misses her little brother." You chide, elbowing him slightly. Your elbow was met with a wall of toughened muscles and you wondered if Gepard even felt it. "Anyway, what are you doing here? I thought the captain of the Silvermane Guards never takes a day off?" "I…" Gepard suddenly reddened, pursing his lips. You furrowed your eyebrows in concern, leaning closer to ask if he was okay or if he needed anything. He finished his sentence, though it was barely audible to you: "…wanted to ask Serval for advice on how to ask you for dinner or lunch…" "Why ask Serval when I'm already here?" You laughed, still fully in Gepard's space. He timidly scratched his neck, burning in embarrassment. "Well, to make things easier for you, captain… I do want to try that newly-opened restaurant in front of Goethe Hotel. I heard they make amazing Trotter steaks!" "Wait-- you're saying yes? You'll have dinner with me?" Gepard's demeanor changed immediately, brightening and his eyes shining with excitement. He almost looked like a puppy. He then caught himself, coughing fakely to regain his composure. You laughed at his efforts, unnoticing the way he stared at you, transfixed. So it was a surprise when Gepard suddenly cupped your face and kissed you. A surprised gasp bubbled out of you, but he kissed it away, easing you both slowly into a deep, passionate exchange.

As you pulled away for air, Gepard's eyes were still on you. Before any of you could say something, Serval started clapping from the doorway and wiping her tears away. Gepard groaned in embarrassment as Serval started singing about how she was so proud of her baby brother finally growing up. You tried to laugh the awkwardness off, though you only started to actually relax when Gepard found your hand under the desk and squeezed it.

JING YUAN

You've been helping out around the Xianzhou Luofu in your free time, running errands and some side quests with the Divination Commission. In fact, you've spent the last few days reading through endless scrolls detailing prophecies and battle plans. The General Jing Yuan was the last thing on your mind as you filtered through the task. "Y/N." a sudden voice jolted you out of concentration. You look up to see Jing Yuan standing with a smile in front of the table you've been hunched over. "Is this a bad time? You look absolutely taken by the manuscript." "Oh." You quickly straighten up, putting the scroll down. "Not at all, general! Can I help you with anything?" Jing Yuan hummed happily, plopping down on the plush zabuton beside you. He took a deep breath, quickly feeling at peace in your presence. "Yes, actually. I would very much like your assistance on something." Jing Yuan then turned to you. "Do you have any advice on how to spend the time in relaxation? I have so many paperworks to sift through, what with the recent troubles with the Stellaron. I was wondering if you would have any wise words for me, what with your interstellar knowledge." Admittedly, you haven't been paying attention to what Jing Yuan was saying. Your eyes were transfixed on his handsome face, with everything blurring out into static noise. His lips were looking soft and just too inviting to be ignored as well, curving into a beautiful crescent moon with all the brightness of the stars. "Y/N? Is there something on my face?" Jing Yuan's concerned voice shook you out of your stupor. He looked worried. "Are Fu Xuan and her divinators overworking you? That won't do. I'll talk to them right away--" "No, no--" You fought the urge to scream in embarrassment. "I'm… I'm sorry, General. I got distracted." "By my face?" Jing Yuan raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused by then. "Which part especially, if I may so inquire?" His tone was teasing and lighthearted, leaning closer to you. "I'd like to know what of my face makes Y/N so distracted so as to not listen to me." That counted as permission, right? You take a shuddering breath as you willed the distance between you and Jing Yuan away, smashing your lips together. He let out a pleased noise at your initiative, hands reaching out to settle on your waist and jaw as the kiss deepened. You were the first to pull away to catch your breath, and the look Jing Yuan fixed you with had you melting. He hummed, content, and pushed a stray lock of hair away from your face. "I think this is a good way to relax indeed."

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• But when he does get time off, Gepard almost runs towards the Goethe Hotel, where you're staying. He had already passed by the flower shop, a bouquet of expensive hydrangeas in his (clammy) hands. Citizens were looking at him in curiousity and interest because it's so rare to see the esteemed captain bashful and blushing.

• When you finally come down to the lobby, Gepard's breath audibly hitched and you swore he almost looked like a stone statue. A handsome, god-like statue.

• "Where do you want to go?" Gepard asked, even though he already knows the answer and you both are walking towards it: the Belobog Theater. But still, because he's a noble gentleman, Gepard always asks. It's cute.

• The play is enchanting and the entire time, Gepard held your hand. You thought he was paying you more attention than the play, to be honest. You scold him for that, but Gepard just smiles and presses his lips to the back of your hand. He reminds you that he's seen the play before and just wants to see you enjoy it too.

• "Did you have fun today?" He'd ask, walking you back to the Goethe Hotel after a filling dinner at one of the prime restaurants in the Administrative District. Gepard stopped at the entrance, hesitating for a moment before taking a deep breath, as if building up the courage for something.

• Gepard isn't big on public displays of affection, so it was a (welcome) shock when he suddenly pressed his lips against yours. It was a brief, passionate kiss, but it sent shivers through your spine and shot warmth to the very tips of your fingertips.

• With a promise to message you again when he's free for another date, Gepard smiles and bids you goodnight. You spend the rest of the night on cloud nine, reliving the kiss and the day in your mind until you fell asleep.

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Dan Heng

• Dan Heng barely leaves the Archives Room, so when he finally got over his emotional constipation long enough to ask you out properly, you were really expecting the date to take place in his room anyway.

• "I asked Pom-pom to make your favorite food. They don't allow me in the kitchens." He mutters shyly, letting you inside the room. Dan Heng had redecorated a little for the date-- the books and papers were cleared away and there was a soft, fluffy carpet on the floor.

• "March and Himeko also told me I should..." Dan Heng trailed off, blushing. He produced a bunch of origami paper flowers arranged in a bouquet and gave it to you. "A gift for tonight."

• He also said Welt reminded him to be courteous and gentlemanly around you, though Dan Heng grumbled out that he didn't need reminding like a child. You laughed, telling him that it just means everyone on the Astral Express genuinely cares for him.

• Dan Heng then asks if he can show you something. He turns the main lights off and presses a small button on the side. A hologram of all the planets and star systems you have travelled to shoots up above you both.

• "I asked Mr. Yang's help for this." He admitted. You shove him lightly, enthralled by the sight of the cosmos. Dan Heng lays you both down on the carpet so you can stare at his creations.

• You noticed he was looking at you more than the hologram. Dan Heng reddens at being caught, but he resolutely stares at you again until you're also a blushing mess. He reaches out and holds your hand, both of you in silence until sleep comes.

• Of course, Pom-pom disrupts your sleep a while later to remind you to go back to your own cabin. You woke up to find yourself wrapped in Dan Heng's arms, and Pom-pom gives you both a soft look before finally acquiescing and letting you stay in Dan Heng's room for the night.

• You sighed in relief and buried your nose into the crook of Dan Heng's neck, feeling his hold tighten around you. And with that, you drift back to sleep.

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Jing Yuan

• Jing Yuan doesn't let his heavy workload stop him from taking you on a date. In fact, he even disguises your dates as 'civic duty' so he can get away from the older generals trying to get him to stay in the office.

• Still, walking around with the general himself in Central Starskiff Haven just garners so much attention and onlookers. Jing Yuan doesn't seem to mind, just as long as he gets to hold your hand as you stroll along the bridges.

• He rents the best table at the tea store, the one on the second floor overlooking the entirety of the place. It gives the best view and enough privacy for Jing Yuan to rest his chin on his hand and gaze at you while you talk about your insterstellar adventures.

• You're worried you might have bored him, but Jing Yuan placates your fears by saying that he's more than at peace listening to your stories and playing with your fingers as you wait for the rose tea and carrot cake arrive.

• "That reminds me..." Jing Yuan pulls out a small box from his pockets. "This was Yanqing's idea." He tried to downplay his own thoughtfulness as you opened the box to reveal a golden orchid brooch. He smiled at you when you excitedly pinned the flower onto your shirt.

• "It matches your eyes." Jing Yuan never runs out of things to say that make you blush, but before anything else happens, a messenger runs towards your table and hands Jing Yuan a scroll indicating that the Divination Commission was summoning him-- and thus ending your date.

• Deeply regretful, Jing Yuan reluctantly stands up. The messenger then added that you were also being summoned by the commission, and Jing Yuan visibly brightens. He insisted you go together, calling his private starskiff. While waiting, Jing Yuan slips his hand around yours once again.

The words hit Veritas' heart like a hundred shards of ever-frozen ice. This was the plan, he had to remind himself. He told you to do this. He doesn't mean it.

"Ratio, you wretch."

And yet, somehow the hurt in Aventurine's colorful eyes were truthful. Genuine. So fucking honest that Veritas had to look away and fix his gaze on a ridiculously empty bookshelf in Sunday's room.

Aventurine... Veritas clenched his fists. He really didn't like the way Sunday talked down on the IPC ambassador. Demeaning, disrespectful. Sunday talked to Aventurine like he would talk to a disgusting amalgamation of cells, and it made Veritas want to tear the wings off Sunday's head.

The irony-- a symbol of good on an evil control freak.

His chest weighed heavier with every moment that passed, with every obviously badly-crafted bluff Aventurine grits out. Veritas wished he could reach out and take Aventurine's shaking hands. Hold them in Veritas' slightly larger ones, shield Aventurine like he always shielded everyone else but himself.

Why, dear gambler? Please, stay. For once, please just stay.

Veritas never thought he could become enamored or interested by anything other than knowledge and spreading it, but he could then start listing the things that made his heart pound and his stomach flip embarrassingly.

Deft fingers toying with a poker chip. Plump lips curling into devious lipcurls. Soft blonde hair. Purple and cyan eyes framed flatteringly by long lashes. Aventurine, basically.

And on my deathbed, all I'll see is you.

Aventurine had told him of his goal-- and that he will have almost zero chances of making it back alive. Veritas had let his demeanor slip, dropping the teacup Aventurine had served him some tea in.

His dearest gambler just smiled sadly. The life may leave my lungs, but my heart will stay with you. Aventurine then slowly leaned forward to press their lips together.

The waves will pull us under. "Please don't beg me to reconsider, Doctor." Aventurine pleaded as Veritas responded to the kiss, hands shaking as they clutched for dear life onto Veritas' shirt. "Because I might actually... I can't, Veritas. Please."

Don't try to fight the storm, you'll tumble overboard. Veritas didn't respond, though maybe he should have. Maybe he should have gotten down on his knees, begged for Aventurine to just... run. Run with him. Fuck the IPC, they'll figure it out.

But the mission held something more personal for Aventurine, hence why he went all-in. This was more than just Veritas' feelings for Aventurine. He had no right to fight for Aventurine in this story.

Looking back, maybe Aventurine wanted Veritas to fight. Ratio, you wretch. Maybe Aventurine wanted him to try, to hold onto his hand and drag him away from the gamble for his life. Maybe.

And as Veritas handed him his Doctor's Note, he noted Aventurine's hands shaked even more than usual. The light on his colorful irises dimmed.

Do stay alive. Please stay alive.

He didn't know if Aventurine read or will ever get to read the note. All Veritas could do was hide his hurt and watch Aventurine's figure slowly become smaller.

And as he watched the light on the aventurine stone in the IPC go out, Veritas had to hold on the table in front of him. Gripped it too tightly that it dented. His eyes felt hot and his vision blurred. He wanted to turn his head and be greeted by a smug smile, a green jacket and the smell of expensive perfume and whiskey.

That little kiss you stole, it hurt my heart and soul-- and like a deer in the headlights, I meet my fate.

Aventurine ventured into the Nihility, and he took Veritas' heart with him.

Veritas didn't know if it was possible for a person to live while missing half of their heart and soul, but he will try. Tides will bring me back to you. One way or the other, he will meet Aventurine again.

In life or in Nihility, it will depend on his dearest gambler's luck.