[ it's a vulnerable confession, and Dan Heng understands. there are times that he hates everyone too, but it came in fleeting waves, rather than anything that sunk deeply into his soul. as soon as someone needs help, Caelus will be there, like turning a switch in his mind. he feels deeply, especially for others, and it's moving in its own way, though occasionally he wishes that he could pull Caelus to the surface so he wouldn't harm himself in the depth of his own emotions.

the people who hated Dan Feng had reason to. it wasn't as if Dan Feng hadn't wrought them in the consequences of his experimentation, deliberate or not. if he sat in all of those he could hate, it would eat him away, bit by bit. however, Caelus' intensity toward the subject is ... comforting. ]

I have you, and I have the Express. [ he says it as if he's trying to comfort Caelus rather than himself. his voice is steady, but gentle. ] That's all I need. Besides, I have my own freedom now.

[ though he wonders if Jingliu and Blade will ever be relieved of their own personal hatreds – it had been a long time for them, and they've stood steady against it. they'll both live forever, after all. he doesn't want to think about that. after all, to feel great joy is to feel deep wounds.

Dan Heng shakes his head, as if clearing his thoughts; in the same motion, he reaches down to path one of Caelus' hands around his waist.

he changes the subject. ]

Didn't you have something to add to the data bank?

[ he's looking at the entry for the arctic bear cub, updating it with a picture March took last time they were in Belobog. it's cute, and the bear is making a cute yawning motion. maybe looking at cute things makes him feel better. ]