AB Chapter 29: Third Night Watch
After throwing each small box onto the bed, Michel closed the cabinet door, stood up, and turned to face Simon, who looked puzzled. The tips of his ears were slightly red.
"Try them on, see if there's a suitable size… cough, if there is, it'll be easier to buy next time. I—I’ll go to the bathroom for a bit. Call me when you're done."
Michel turned to leave, but behind him came Simon's deep, masculine voice.
"I don’t know how to use this."
He said awkwardly.
"I’ve never bought or used this kind of thing."
Michel: “…”
Uh, o-okay.
"Although I haven’t used it either, I… kind of know how it works. Turn off some of the lights, and I’ll show you..." Michel’s face was burning, and he stumbled over the words.
Simon responded with a low “Mm,” and turned off most of the lights in the room, leaving only a soft night lamp.
The two sat side by side on the edge of the bed.
Michel fiddled with his earlobe, grabbed a random box off the bed, and, with trembling fingers, opened it...
(No need to describe the process in detail.)
Anyway, after trying each one, the conclusion was clear—none of the hotel-provided options fit Simon.
Even the largest one was a bit tight.
Simon’s face had turned grim, and he did not look comfortable.
Maybe I’ll have to order extra-large ones online...
It’s all Simon’s fault.
His size is just too—
Standing at the bathroom sink, Michel stared at his reflection after washing his face, the blush still lingering. Frustrated by the images that had popped into his head, he slapped his cheeks.
What are you thinking?!
You’re a couple. A gay couple. This kind of thing should be totally normal!
He grabbed a towel to dry his face, took out his phone from his pants pocket, and got ready to order some online. While he was at it, maybe he’d buy a few other things… carrying a bit of a shy virgin’s mindset, he picked only classic styles.
Nothing too flashy.
When placing the order, he specifically selected the "discreet packaging" option that wouldn’t reveal the nature of the contents.
As he typed in the notes, muttering to himself, a flash of realization suddenly struck Michel.
Wait a second!
Why didn’t he just look up how to use it online?!
Why not?
Why!!!
"Ahhhh—!"
“Oh my god, how could I be so dumb!”
Michel squatted on the floor holding his head, pulling at his hair. The tiny red flower on his head was so flushed it looked like it was about to burst.
Outside the bathroom.
Simon lay on the bed. The earlier anger from having his whiskers metaphorically yanked was long gone. He glanced at the opened boxes on the nightstand, and at the desire still lingering in his body.
Pale, slender hands with visible blue veins, the youth’s red-tipped ears beneath his black hair…
One image after another played through his mind. Simon's lips curved up slightly, the usual coldness in his amber eyes softening.
A quiet, tidy room. A soft, cozy bed. A plant-type companion who wanted to sleep beside him… What a peaceful, bloodless world.
But staying on Earth too long was a bit stifling. After all, he was a combat-class hornet. To suddenly leave behind danger and adrenaline was hard to adjust to.
I’ll need to do something, or my exosuit’s going to rust.
Big Yellow Bee Mr. Simon listened to the sound of running water in the bathroom, arms behind his head, a handsome face relaxed into a smile as he stared at the ceiling.
His strong physique exuded mature male allure, saturated with pheromones—an overwhelming presence that attracted men and repelled women.
The former would blush, drawn to the same sex; the latter would recoil in instinctive caution.
Only when his adorable plant-type wasn’t around did Simon dare to let his real self show. At the beginning, this very appearance had frightened his little one terribly, so Simon had to play the fool, suppressing himself with half-truths.
"Once my baby’s asleep, I’ll sneak out for some fun..." the hornet murmured.
His friend Ace had given him a card for a private club where underground MMA (illegal fights) were held.
Ace loved that place—frequented it all the time.
All members were alien species, brutal and vicious, with fat prizes and plenty of blood and violence.
For Simon and Ace, it was the perfect place to earn pocket money and blow off steam.
Just as he was thinking, his ultra-sensitive ears picked up the sound of his flower opening the door. Instantly, Simon's casual grin vanished.
He sat up straight, the warmth returning to his amber eyes.
The scent of body wash, mixed with his plant-type’s natural floral fragrance, drifted through the air. Simon asked a few quiet, caring questions, then ran his hand through the black hair, checking it was dry before pulling the youth into his arms.
"Want to hold the little feelers?"
The strong-faced hornet smiled radiantly, exuding a calm that was incredibly reassuring.
“Mm,”
Michel was already used to sleeping while holding something. And truth be told, it did help him sleep better.
He settled into position, holding Mr. Hornet’s head, fingers gently squeezing the two soft, touch-sensitive feelers as he drifted off.
In the dark hotel room, time ticked by.
After a long, busy day, Michel fell into a deep, early sleep.
Once he confirmed that his flower wouldn’t wake up, the hornet opened his eyes…
Gently, he retrieved his feelers from his little one’s grip, climbed out of bed silently—and didn’t bother getting dressed. Instead, he transformed directly into his first form, covered head to toe in his insect armor.
For their half-mechanical species, this armor was their clothing.
Recalling the address Ace had given him, Simon was ready to head out.
Just then—
Buzz. Buzz.
The phone on the nightstand lit up with a message.
The sudden white light from the screen illuminated the bed, making the sleeping person turn over and mutter a few incoherent words.
Hesitating for a moment, Simon wasn’t sure whether the device would make more noise, so he quickly walked over, picked up the phone, and unlocked it.
Seeing the number and contents of the message, Simon’s expression turned icy.
That human again.
He was the bastard Simon had discovered while checking his baby’s phone in the hover car—the reason Michel had been in a bad mood.
This threatening message was short, but enough to send chills down one’s spine:
"You weren’t home today? That’s okay. I’ll come back during the day. 😊"
Anyone else might panic, glance at the window, and dread the unseen voyeur watching them.
But Simon? Heh.
Murderous intent slowly bubbled up as he considered a reply:
"Get cleaned up. Tonight, I’ll show you what real fear feels like, little bug."
Sent.
Staring at the screen that showed “Message Sent,” Simon powered off Michel’s phone, placed it back on the nightstand, and left the room.
In the hotel hallway, Simon used his personal communicator to dial Ace…
Originally, he’d just wanted to blow off some steam and return to Chicago later to deal with the human.
But now?
He didn’t mind using this guy for a warm-up.
"Hello? Simon, what are you doing this late?"
Ace’s grumbling, lazy voice drawled from the other end.
"I need a favor," Simon said.
Ace: "A favor? Hmm… sure, I’m free anyway. Earth is so peaceful. Ugh—once we’re done here, I’m going straight back to Planet Peipeijia. Okay, what kind of favor?"
Simon: "I need to go back to Chicago."
Ace: "Huh? Then go. Aren’t there tons of hovercars?"
Simon: "I need to go quietly… so the NY (Intergalactic Police) can’t track it."
There was a pause on the line.
Then came Ace’s excited, knowing tone.
"Ooooh~~~ Haha, can I come too?"
Simon: "No. Get lost."
"……"
Damn that married hornet. Starting trouble without me? So heartless!
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