DanCae

DanCae is the slash ship between Caelus and Dan Heng from the Honkai: Star Rail fandom.

Canon
After Kafka and Sliver Wolf seal the Stellaron inside the newly-activated receptacle Caelus’ body, they leave him, unconscious, on Herta Space Station. He is found later by March 7th and Dan Heng, the latter about to perform mouth-to-mouth CPR on Caelus’ prone body until March notices him waking up. After learning that he has no recollection of his past, apart from his name, the pair from the Astral Express, ‘a train that can travel between the stars with the power of the Trailblaze Aeon’, decide to let him tag along in heading to the master control zone, where the lead researcher of the space station, Asta, has gathered all the researchers, and also where the Astral Express is ‘parked’.

When Himeko asks if March’s been any trouble for Dan Heng and Caelus, by entering a specific dialogue option, (‘In that case, I'd rather not answer.’) March remarks that ‘we have two Dan Hengs on our team now’, showing that the two are relatively similar in some aspects.

In order to find Dan Heng after the three Astral Express members, as well as Bronya Rand, are brought to the Underworld by Sampo Koski, Caelus joins March in playing a game of hide-and-seek with the Moles, a group of friends in the Underworld who call themselves ‘an adventure squad’, to find his whereabouts. Upon finding out that he’s been dragged to the Fight Club by Sampo, the pair rush there immediately, finding him preparing for a fight against the ‘unfeeling, incendiary, explosive might of Team Robomatic’. After witnessing this, Caelus and March 7th jump into the fighting ring to help him.

A while after the trio meet Seele and Oleg, when Caelus talks to Dan Heng, (optional, players can decide whether to converse with him or not) he asks how Caelus feels about his first Trailblazing expedition. If replying with 'I feel a little discombobulated', Dan Heng subsequently states that 'all journeys contain their share of the unexpected', and that it won't be the last time he feels that way. When asked if he trusts Wildfire, he tells Caelus about not having enough knowledge about them to decide, so trust 'isn't in the picture yet', but adds on by warning Caelus not to trust Sampo. After the player chooses to exit the conversation, asking Dan Heng to tell him next time, he lets Caelus go with a 'no problem', adding that Caelus can approach him any time to talk.

When Gertie learns that the three of them are guests of Oleg, she welcomes Caelus, Dan Heng, and March to the Goethe Hotel. After talking with Gertie about the history of the hotel, the three of them go into the hallway of the hotel to talk about what they think of Oleg. March thinks Oleg seems sincere, but when entering a specific dialogue option, (‘Appearances can be deceiving.’) March tells Dan Heng that Caelus is starting to sound like him. Dan Heng also adds that their last hotel experience was eventful, advising that someone should keep watch tonight. March thinks the idea seems like space cowboys in the cosmic wild west, in entertaining a specific dialogue option, (‘Leave it to me.’) Dan Heng tells Caelus that he looks pretty exhausted and tells him he'll do it instead.

When initially interacting with Silver Wolf on the Astral Express, (She will periodically appear on the Express after players complete her Companion Mission.) after her greeting, there is the dialogue option for Caelus to warn Dan Heng about her presence. ('Dan Heng, watch out! Make a run for it!') Silver Wolf does subsequently remark on the Trailblazer's strong sense of awareness, especially for his companions, adding that she likes that.

Quotes
"Are you doing okay after your first jump? Dizziness or retching are normal reactions. You'll feel better once you get used to it."

- Dan Heng, “A Ground Cool Adventure”

"I see. Caelus, you should find March. I'll join you two once I'm ready."

- Dan Heng, “A Ground Cool Adventure”

"...So you're awake?"

- Dan Heng, “The Eighth and Final Rule”

"Mm, that's all we need to summarize for now. If there's anything else you're not clear on, come and find me."

- Dan Heng, “Long Wait for the Blade’s Edge"

"No problem, come find me any time."

- Dan Heng, “Long Wait for the Blade’s Edge"

"You seem pretty exhausted, don't overexert yourself. I'll do it."

- Dan Heng, “A Sunset Rendezvous”

"Caelus, you tried your best to persuade him. It's my fault for not preparing better for such a situation in advance."

- Dan Heng, “Not Good with Farewells”

"You tried your best, don't blame yourself. I should've considered such a situation in advance. And it was Svarog who attacked first, we didn't have any other choice."

- Dan Heng, “Not Good with Farewells”

"...So if you're planning on going, I can't go with you."

- Dan Heng, “An Invitation Without Proffer”

"You need to take extra care on this expedition. I've compiled some intel on the Xianzhou for you, I hope it comes in useful."

- Dan Heng, “An Invitation Without Proffer”

Fanon
Their pairing is usually thought of (by fans) with Dan Heng as the ‘dominant’/top one in the relationship, though their positions are occasionally swapped. This ship is relatively popular, but admittedly not as well-known as RenHeng. It is also known as a ship between friends. It is commonly shipped alongside Starch and is the second most written ship for the Honkai: Star Rail fandom on AO3 as of currently - with 300+ works. It is Dan Heng's second most popular ship and Caelus' most popular one.

Fandom

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