AB Chapter 5: Pinching Your Little Antennae
When Michel woke up, his whole head felt like it was being blasted with cool air.
It was a feeling hard to describe.
Like he’d just used mint shampoo on greasy hair.
Or like eating an ice-cold popsicle in the blazing summer heat that hit right to the brain.
The refreshingly cool sensation penetrated his mind, soothing and pleasant. Like a fire extinguisher, it put out his headache and "delusional syndrome," calming his tense nerves.
Hoo~
Honestly, it felt amazing.
How long had it been since I felt this clear-headed?
It was like coming back to life.
Feeling well-rested, Michel murmured to himself. He opened his eyes, yawned with energy, and, forgetting where he was, reached out toward the side of the bed to feel for his phone.
When his hand grabbed something, Michel’s lazy movements froze.
Hmm?
Why does my phone feel so weird?
He felt it again, rubbing it between his fingers… It was slippery, a bit rubbery. Definitely not his phone.
But what was it? Kinda nice to touch.
Curiosity made him open his eyes a bit wider, his black and white pupils exposed to the light and sound that suddenly rushed into his world—
“You’re saying what?! How could Michel not be human! I raised him, do you understand?!”
“I know, I know, Jasmine. But Mr. Simon from Planet Peipeijia isn’t lying. We’ve verified it with the Interstellar Federation Police records. He—Jasmine, it’s all true.”
“…Fine, fine. But I can’t just let go of my Michel and let him go off to some unfamiliar planet with an alien killer bee. I can’t! I’m applying for custody; I won’t give up!”
“Calm down and listen. Fighting for custody of a plant-type against a male bee from Peipeijia is a fantasy. This is exactly what NY does. We all know their planetary data by heart. Don’t you understand how important plant-types are to them? Custody? They’d go to war with us over just one plant-type!”
“…”
“The M-nation embassy of Peipeijia already sent people over, and there are reporters—recovering a lost plant-type is a big deal to both them and us.”
“The director’s already written a commendation speech praising your contribution to interstellar friendship. Our whole agency’s going to get recognized for this.”
“But he’s my child!”
“Yes, yes, he is. He can be your child and that male bee’s mate. The two things don’t conflict.”
“…”
“They’re not trying to be Michel’s dad! You’re not two parents fighting for a child’s custody!”
“…”
“Jasmine, try to think it through.”
“…”
Half-asleep, Michel heard Jasmine’s voice, shrill and fierce, arguing with someone.
Her partner, Old Bob, was trying his best to quietly calm her down, sighing helplessly.
Then, Jasmine went silent.
They fell into a long, suffocating silence.
She had found out.
Oh, God!
Michel realized this and immediately wanted to get up and comfort her. But then, what he saw and slowly understood told him that his situation wasn’t quite what he thought.
For example: there wasn’t a bed at all—he was being held in someone’s arms.
For example: the “phone” he had grabbed and found oddly satisfying to touch… was actually the antenna on someone’s head.
Michel: “…”
A massive yellow bee was huddled in the corner of a square-shaped room, his steel-armor-like back hunched protectively. Facing the wall and with his back to the outside, he’d wrapped Michel in a blanket and curled around him protectively.
Even though Michel was tall, he was slender. Simon was so enormous that Michel fit perfectly in his arms like a nesting doll.
No matter how much noise came from outside—
The stubborn curve of the bee’s back practically shouted:
“I know you’re all here to steal my little flower.”
“Well, I’m staying in this corner with him, and nobody is getting him out of my arms!”
“Nope—not even a piece of him!” (hugs tighter)
…Um.
Michel awkwardly released the antennae he’d been playing with. But before letting go, he paused, glanced at the cute little antenna stubs, and… couldn’t resist. He sneakily pinched them again.
Michel: Ahem, they really feel great.
Antennae are vital and very sensitive organs for male bees of the carnivorous variety.
Throughout their lives, they only allow their beloved plant-type to touch them—because when plant-types are young, they really love playing with them.
So even single male bees go through mandatory training courses on caring for their antennae, conditioning them and practicing how to use them to please their future mate (basically like pacifiers).
Simon had his eyes closed, alert and wary of Earthlings trying to steal back the flower he had finally found.
When his antennae were touched, he didn’t react. Not surprising.
His flower hadn’t experienced a proper childhood—displays of dependence or "regressive behavior" were a sign of emotional health, something Simon was very happy about. He even lowered his head to Michel’s shoulder so he could reach more easily.
Though doing so made his already hunched spine ache terribly, he was more than willing to bear it!
Noticing the little one had stopped playing, Simon felt a bit disappointed.
He thought: So much for this rare bonding moment. Beautiful times always pass so quickly… what a pity…
The big bee hadn’t noticed Michel had woken up.
Given the awkward situation of being held in another man’s arms, Michel didn’t intend to make a fuss.
He just wanted to stretch out his leg a bit and casually signal Simon to let go. Win-win for everyone.
He cautiously extended a foot. Simon moved instantly. Michel sighed in relief, thinking he got the message—but then, Simon caught his foot and tucked it right back under the blanket.
Michel: “…”
He tried again, and once again, his foot was caught and tucked back in.
Michel: “…Forget it.”
He nudged the big head resting on his shoulder. “Uh, Mr. Simon, could you let me go? I’m awake now.”
“Baby!”
Simon jolted awake like he’d been powered on, immediately lifting him up with glowing eyes and checking the flower on Michel’s head.
“How are you feeling?”
“Um… not bad.”
Michel knew he’d probably fainted from a headache again. Feeling so light and refreshed now must be thanks to this big guy in front of him.
Thinking that, he gently patted Simon’s shoulder and softened his voice: “I can stand by myself. Thank you for helping me.”
“No need to thank me. Doing things for you… is what I should do.”
He carefully set Michel down and made sure to tuck the blanket properly around his shoulders.
“It’s cold. You might catch a cold.”
He smiled, speaking clumsily as he tried to comfort him.
Michel gripped the edge of the blanket, staring up into the gentle brown eyes of this giant, while Simon stared right back—unblinking.
“Ahem—”
A few seconds later, Michel looked away like he’d been burned, rubbing the back of his neck and slipping out through the narrow gap between Simon and the wall.
Because the gap was small, Michel’s chest and stomach ended up rubbing tightly against Simon’s arm as he squeezed past.
Whoosh.
The cute youth scurried away.
The little flower on his head bounced under Simon’s gaze, shaking gently.
He looked exactly like a little white rabbit cornered by a big bad wolf—radiating panic and escape.
Simon silently admired the view from behind.
After a while, he lifted his arm to his nose and sniffed gently, his nose twitching.
The familiar scent entered his brain, and Simon’s cold, firm face suddenly lit up as both corners of his lips curved upward.
When Jasmine saw Michel, her face—clouded with sorrow—lit up with joy. But it quickly faded. She frowned slightly, hesitating.
“Michel—”
“I already know, Aunt Jasmine.” Michel gave a bitter smile. “Honestly, I don’t know if I’ll be allowed to stay on Earth. But I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to be apart from you and Benny. Wherever you two are is home to me.”
“Good boy!” Aunt Jasmine’s eyes welled up. She shook off her partner Old Bob and rushed forward to hug Michel. “Don’t worry. Auntie will do everything she can to protect you.”
“Mm.”
Michel gently patted her back, trying to offer some comfort and strength.
But their embrace didn’t last long before a group of alien residents—who looked like Simon—entered the room, breaking the tender moment.
Their eyes quickly locked onto Michel. After a few excited words in a foreign language, they rushed in, pushed Aunt Jasmine aside, and surrounded him.
Jasmine shouted and tried to push in, but their lawyer and Old Bob stopped her, explaining she didn’t need to worry. These were people from Planet Peipeijia. They brought doctors and would help with Michel’s medical checkup, paperwork, household registration, and so on.
Even so.
Michel stood trembling in the middle of the big aliens, overwhelmed by their excited stares. He clutched his blanket tightly, legs weak.
Thankfully, Simon arrived just in time. He barked at his kin in their language, rudely pushed them aside, and carried Michel away, growling fiercely at the others.
Buzzing.
Michel again heard the warning-like sound of wings rubbing behind Simon’s back.
The Peipeijia aliens weren’t angry. Instead, they smiled and gestured, pointing to a doctor-like bee nearby.
Simon’s tense muscles relaxed slightly. He frowned and answered in their native tongue.
The group became even more excited. After a short exchange, the doctor trotted over.
While Michel watched in confusion, Simon carried him like a child to a clean room. The doctor followed, with NY officers even guiding the way.
Once alone, Simon pulled over a chair and set Michel on it. Then he stood behind him, hands on Michel’s shoulders.
“Don’t be afraid.”
“What are you going to do? I don’t want to leave my home!”
He struggled a bit but couldn’t break free from Simon’s grip.
Simon explained, “This is a doctor from our home planet. He’ll examine you… Even if you don’t want to leave, you still need to live healthily.”
Michel: “…”
Fine.
Damn it.
Michel suppressed his anxiety and watched as the doctor opened a strange-looking case and took out numerous sealed instruments, applying them one by one.
Blood drawing came last, and Michel didn’t feel a thing.
Maybe while waiting for the results, the doctor smiled kindly and spoke to Simon, handing Michel a candy in odd packaging. Michel, of course, didn’t dare eat it, and discreetly slipped it into his jeans pocket.
Beep!
A device on the table lit up.
The doctor paused. Then, picking it up, his face gradually turned grave.
Michel watched in confusion as the doctor muttered something to Simon.
And this time, even Simon’s face… turned completely grim.
[Author’s Note]:
As babies, they have to hold something while sleeping to feel secure.
Cough cough.
Whether it’s a bottle, a finger, or a pacifier…
They’re so dependent. So affectionate.
And honestly, pretty adorable.
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