Chapter 90

Chapter 90

Click.

Amidst the chaos, there seemed to be the sound of a door closing, followed by faint whispers. But it was all too indistinct before consciousness sank back into the depths of a dark dream.

An excessively long journey could erode one's soul, but thankfully, the time-space traveler eventually arrived safely at their destination.

After several rounds of nurturing with regenerative fluids, Yale's mental strength finally returned to its original level, quietly brewing an unknown undercurrent.

At dawn.

A gentle breeze blew in through the window, billowing the curtains, while soft sunlight poured in, casting a watery glow on the floor.

"…This… I seem to have forgotten…"

A familiar voice echoed in his ears, followed by the sound of wheels receding. Yale's eyelashes quivered, and he opened his eyes in the warm comfort.

He blinked, staring at the ceiling for a moment, before slowly realizing that he was indeed in the master bedroom.

Already back in the insectoid territory.

"Xi Ze?"

Yale stirred his slightly numb body, instinctively calling out, but he had forgotten that he hadn't spoken in a long time, and his throat was hoarse.

After struggling for a while, he managed to sit up and looked around.

... It was early morning now. The female should already be at work, and 015 might have just stepped out, leaving the room deserted.

There was something off, as if there was a temporal discrepancy.

Yale pinched the space between his brows, momentarily unable to discern the current time. Based on his experience, the flow of time in the insectoid civilization was indeed faster.

Yet, he had only been away for three or four days, which should amount to roughly a week here.

"Xi Ze? 015?"

Clearing his throat, he made a few ah sounds to ensure that he could speak before calling out their names again, this time louder.

Odd, there was still no response.

Despite the good care this body had received, prolonged lying down inevitably resulted in soreness and weakness. With some effort, Yale managed to lift the covers slightly and placed his right foot on the floor.

Click.

The sound of a door opening startled him, and he instinctively lifted his gaze, meeting the eyes of the female insect at the entrance—

"Good morning?"

Yale's voice was somewhat hoarse. He pursed his lips and offered a smile.

The female insect at the door was dressed in neat military attire, looking dazed. Unconsciously, she closed the room door with her backhand.

Those molten gold eyes stared unblinkingly at him, but something seemed off. There was an eerie emptiness in her expression, as if she were in a dream.

Yale watched as Xi Ze approached him step by step, then sat at the end of the bed, continuing to gaze at him intently, studying him from head to toe.

"Xi Ze?"

A hint of confusion clouded his expression as he ventured cautiously, "What's wrong?"

This didn't resemble the joy one would expect upon seeing him wake up. Could it be that his assumption was utterly incorrect, and decades had actually passed?

As if roused by the voice, Xi Ze's somewhat distant gaze finally focused. However, the peculiar sensation lingered and intensified.

"Good morning. You're awake."

His voice was soft, as if he were afraid of dispersing some delicate entity.

Yale nodded, still unsure of the current situation. "Yes, I'm awake. Aren't you happy?"

"How long was I unconscious? Everything feels off, including you."

He placed both feet on the ground, which was covered with a plush carpet, not too cold but somewhat lacking in support.

The male insect's brows were slightly furrowed, revealing a hint of distress, making him appear more vivid and alive than before. The morning light illuminated his profile, highlighting the delicate flutter of his jet-black eyelashes.

Xi Ze's rigid expression softened slightly. He moved his lips soundlessly, his voice low and husky, "…It's good."

?

Yale turned his head upon sensing the movement, looking at the male insect from a distance of two or three meters. It was merely the foot and head of the bed, but it felt like an insurmountable barrier.

Their eyes met, and Xi Ze blinked slowly, confusion flickering across his face as he saw the somewhat helpless black gaze.

"Why is this time so prolonged, with such vivid expressions? Normally, they should vanish in an instant..."

"Do you think I'm just your illusion?"

Understanding dawned on Yale's face.

This time, he didn't tease the male insect. Instead, he moved closer to bridge the gap and reached out to press against the side of the male insect's face, rubbing it gently.

"Can you feel it? I haven't disappeared. My hand is warm, touching your face right now."

The male insect was utterly frozen, its glassy eyes unblinking, as if trapped in an unawakening dream.

Before his consciousness thawed, tears began sliding down from the corners of his eyes.

Xi Ze was still staring at him, his breath suspended. His pale lips moved, but his throat seemed to be choked, rendering him voiceless.

His hand trembled, hesitantly reaching out to touch the hand Yale had placed on his cheek, yet it hung in mid-air, never daring to confirm the reality.

Yale leaned closer, planting a kiss on Xi Ze's damp eyelashes. His gentle breath brushed against the male's face, evoking an uncontrollable shiver.

"Do you still think I'm an illusion?"

Finally, Xi Ze's hand touched Yale's, tentatively covering it. As he shook his head slowly, their fingers intertwined, he whispered in disbelief, "...Male Sovereign?"

"It's me. I'm back," Yale promptly replied. Seeing the astonishment and disbelief on the male's face, his heart swelled with a tender ache, causing his eyes to well up with emotion.

"Yale?"

"I'm really awake, not just your hallucination," Yale assured, his tone filled with sincerity.

Xi Ze blinked rapidly, the dazed expression finally fading away. His breathing quickened as he reached out to press on the male's shoulder.

The spot where he was touched hurt a bit, but Yale willingly opened his arms, smiling with creased eyes.

"Can I hug you?"

In the next second, he was abruptly pulled into a tight embrace, their bodies fitting together without any gaps.

"Ugh...!"

Yale almost had his breath taken away. Fortunately, his face didn't collide with the buttons of the male's military uniform, or they would both end up crying in each other's arms, which would have been quite a comical scene.

The arms around his back were incredibly strong yet trembled uncontrollably. After the initial restraint, they began to search eagerly and clumsily, as if repeatedly confirming his presence.

"Male Sovereign..."

"Male Sovereign, Male Sovereign...!"

"Yale."

Xi Ze called his name repeatedly, feeling Yale's entire body through their embrace, his hands almost losing control with the intensity of his touch.

Like a dragon holding onto its regained treasure, his excitement narrowed his pupils as he verified Yale's existence and authenticity, yearning to hold him close, never to lose or separate from this flesh and blood again.

"Yes, yes, I'm here."

"It's really me. You didn't imagine it."

"Speaking of which, did I sleep for too long? You… had hallucinations?"

Nodding endlessly in response and soothing the agitated female insect, Yale couldn't help but probe with a question, but all he could hear was a suppressed shudder.

"Ahh!"

The door opened again, and a familiar voice sounded by his side. With some effort, Yale turned his face and saw the astonished 015.

"You're awake!"

Electronic fireworks exploded on 015's small screen, clearly indicating the droid's happiness. It was about to rush over with its mechanical limbs when footsteps sounded from outside the door once more.

"What did you say? Why hasn't the Marshal come out yet?"

The voice drew closer to the door, and 015 snapped back to reality, rushing out and slamming the door shut as it blocked Bai Lang's advancing steps. "N-No, you can't go in!"

Bai Lang was filled with confusion, clearly unsure why it would take the Marshal so long to retrieve something from the room and what was happening now that even the butler robot had become sentient.

"The primary drone has awoken! Xi Ze won't be accompanying you to work; you'll have to drive yourself to the military headquarters."

With its hands on its hips, 015 issued its eviction notice with unwavering authority.

"How dare you address the Marshal by his nickname?"

Bai Lang instinctively retorted before realizing the implications of the robot's words. His expression froze, and it took him a while to regain his composure. "Huh? Huh?!"

M-Marshal? No, who did it say... woke up?!

He spent a long time processing this information before leaving, glancing back repeatedly as he went.

"Then I'll be off. Please inform the Marshal later that I have an important matter to discuss via email... And extend my regards to His Excellency."

The sounds outside the door had finally faded away.

All the longing from their long separation melted in Yale's embrace as he closed his eyes, savoring the scent of the male insect. His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally found solace, filled with unparalleled peace and joy.

But the male insect in his arms was still trembling uncontrollably, like a beast that, having been hurt once, could no longer trust humans wholeheartedly, gripped by intense fear and restlessness.

"..."

Xi Ze heard his own silent gasps, along with the deafening roar resonating in his eardrums.

His heart ached as if it were being torn apart, barely able to contain the surging emotions. It was more than just longing and love; there were also indescribable, inexplicable desires that begged for release.

Those fiery sensations seared inch by inch until they reached the corners of his eyes, leaving him unable to find satisfaction in merely holding onto the male insect. He yearned for something deeper, a fusion of their beings.

"Is it okay?"

Yale was momentarily taken aback by the abrupt question. Before he could ask "What?", he was suddenly pushed down onto the soft bed.

"!"

His eyes widened slightly as his hands were pressed against the sides of his ears, watching the male insect straddle his waist.

The soft morning light illuminated Xi Ze, making him resemble a wild beast that had been ambushed, arching its back in defense. The military uniform stretched taut across his body, accentuating his athletic and handsome contours.

In the next moment, he released Yale's hands, grabbed the hem of his shirt with both hands, and swiftly peeled it off, tossing it aside.

"…Is this okay?"

Xi Ze lowered his gaze to look at him, his eyes rimmed with redness. The trails of moisture on his face were still visible, and his uneven breathing was still tinged with suppressed tremors.

It was oddly endearing yet incredibly alluring.

Yale shivered instinctively, feeling his heart throb fiercely and silently.

Between closing his eyes to deepen the kiss, he barely whispered with his lids half-lowered, "Of course."

From then on, everything became uncontrollable.

Before Yale could react further, his thin sleepwear was reduced to tattered remains, discarded haphazardly on the floor in a few swift movements.

The tension was so palpable that there was no time for foreplay, not even a few more words exchanged before they tumbled into a passionate embrace on the bed, never to part again.

"Wait... Are you alright?"

Yale's brow furrowed at the stiffness, but it did little to deter the actions of the male. Clearly, there was some discomfort involved.

He tried to bend one leg, attempting to push Xi Ze away, but his wrist was promptly restrained once more the next second.

"Don't move."

Xi Ze gazed deeply into his eyes, an inexplicable intensity bordering on aggression. It was as if he wanted to do something, yet was hesitant, so he continued descending with a casual air.

The pain jolted Yale back to awareness, prompting him to reach out and gently caress Yale's face, burying the remnants of his aggressive desires deep within, ensuring they wouldn't frighten the male.

"It's not enough." His gaze darkened, almost trembling as he spoke, "It's... not deep enough yet."

Feeling the constraint on his wrist loosen, Yale blinked, still unsure of the male's intentions, but aware that now was not the time to inquire.

Lowering his head, he bit the male lightly, neither too softly nor too harshly.

Silence reigned within the room.

Perhaps because words were insufficient to convey their intense emotions, or because there was no time for leisurely conversation, only the raw sounds of panting and flesh colliding remained, primal and unadulterated.

As if urgently seeking confirmation of Yale's presence, the female's thighs remained clamped tightly around him, ensuring that despite the fierce movements, their skin remained intertwined.

Trembling with heat, their bodies rubbed against each other rapidly, like molten lava yearning to flow from one volcanic vent into another.

Through this intimate act, all the pent-up emotions, worn down by endless waiting, were conveyed earnestly to the other.

"Male Sovereign..."

Xi Ze's voice was raspy as he bent down to embrace Yale again. His face held a mix of restraint and daze, yet he never ceased his eager response to the male.

His arms constricted relentlessly until their flesh seemed to meld together, inseparable, before he allowed himself a momentary respite. But in the next instant, he was pushed to the brink of suffocation.

"Male Sovereign, Yale... No, ah, Yale..."

Yale's ears were assaulted by Xi Ze's hurried breaths. Sweaty from the embrace, he couldn't force the male to still his restless hands, so he could only respond silently by increasing his intensity.

Though he was unaware of how long Xi Ze had been waiting for him, it must have been so prolonged that it induced hallucinations. Clearly, Xi Ze lived under immense mental stress daily, teetering on the edge of breakdown.

He'd been ill before, and knew what that felt like.

All words pale in comparison, leaving only the most primal and direct method to convey to the male -

He has truly returned, not as a fleeting illusion.

"..."

Filling and refilling him, the emptiness in his heart that bled seemed to be stuffed with sweet, caramel-flavored cotton candy, fluffy and soft, soothing the lingering fear and unease.

Again and again, gentle yet forceful, deep and shallow, scorchingly wet as if their flesh had truly intertwined, never to part.

"Ahh... Dominant..."

Xi Ze, with his eyes tightly shut, was utterly absorbed in inhaling the scent from the Dominant's neck, along with the intertwining pheromones in the air.

But in the brief interval between the first and second round, he lifted his face, intending to change positions, only to involuntarily narrow his eyes in surprise.

Upon the smooth expanse of the male's jade-like back, two long, closed seams suddenly appeared on the underside of his beautifully shaped scapulae, their edges tinged with a healthy pink.

He had bathed Yale so many times that he would never overlook such marks. The only explanation was that these two lines had grown on the male's back after he had awakened.

"Male Sovereign... Ugh!"

Just as Xi Ze was about to speak, he was caught off guard by a sudden penetration, causing his body to convulse in pleasure. His mind went blank for a moment, and he nearly bit his tongue.

Only after catching the limp form of the female did Yale regain his senses from his daze.

Noticing that the sound just now seemed unusual, he hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"

Due to the intense emotions earlier, his adrenaline had surged, drawing him into an intense bout of activity. However, his body, which had lain idle for a while, eventually became somewhat weak. It was only during this brief respite that he felt a hint of discomfort.

... His lower back was aching.

Yale took a few deep breaths to replenish his oxygen and reached out to touch the face of the female. His hand was immediately covered in moisture, the creature too wet both above and below.

"Male Sovereign, your back."

Xi Ze finally caught his breath, but his raspy words left Yale in a daze. "What's wrong with my back?"

He tried to reach behind him but only felt moisture without touching anything substantial. As he furrowed his brows, his finger was guided by the female insect to touch a tightly sealed slit.

"What is this?"

Yale was perplexed.

It seemed like a healed scar from an injury, covered by a soft membrane. The sensation was strangely peculiar, not at all like a normal wound.

Moreover, he clearly remembered that there hadn't been anything like this on his back before.

Did another crossing cause some change in his body?

However, before he could indulge in wild speculation, the torrent of pheromones in the room surged once more, unwilling to be outdone.

The heat that had somewhat cooled down rose again, even more viscous than before.

"Sigh, let's ignore it for now…"

Yale didn't have time for further conversation before he was scooped off the bed by the male insect, his senses still foggy.

"!"

His lower back met the chilled bathroom countertop, sending a shiver through him and instantly rousing him from his daze. Just as he was about to inquire about Xi Ze's sudden action, a warm hand cushioned the icy spot.

Then, his chin was gently held down, and his head was turned by the male insect's guiding touch.

In the pristine, dust-free mirror, the outline of his back was vividly reflected, its muscular contours strong and beautiful like a masterpiece.

Yet, Yale's first gaze didn't fall on any irregularities in his body.

The soft white of his skin contrasted starkly with the honey-brown hue of the male insect's appendages, creating an intense visual disparity. The firm arm wrapped around his waist accentuated a wild, vibrant energy that was uniquely alien.

"…Look here."

Noticing the direction of the male's gaze, Xi Ze pursed his lips, a faint blush blooming on his ear tips. He softly prompted Yale to look at the inner side of his shoulder blades.

"Generally, this is an external anomalous transformation unique to the insectoid species. Not just the antennae, but also wings and other parts of the body."

Those slender fingers traced the curve of his waist, gently caressing the edges of the two slits.

"This spot, it should be where wings would be attached."

Feeling a tickling sensation there, Yale shrunk his shoulders instinctively and asked, "Aren't wings only a feature of female insects?"

Xi Ze's expression was contemplative as he lowered his gaze to study the male's face, trying to discern any hidden clues.

"No, we need to consider the original form. What... would the male's original form be?"

Yale, however, didn't have any particular sensations. He was no longer the same person who had once been terrified of growing antennae and fiercely opposed to the insectoid race.

Moreover, there was clearly a more pressing matter at hand—

"Are you sure you want to talk about this now?"

Their bodies were still connected.

For a brief moment, Xi Ze's expression froze. Amidst his flushed cheeks, his already reddened eyes seemed less prominent, almost like an innocent tease.

Yale reached out to embrace the slender waist of the male insect, gently pulling him aside and pressing him against a large floor-to-ceiling mirror. He relished in the shivers and contraction of the male's body from the cold.

"Mmm...!"

He inwardly reproached himself for being utterly wicked. Despite the fact that the male had just shielded him, he now couldn't resist turning the tables, using this opportunity to tease the male further.

The bathroom was brightly lit, and the vast mirror reflected the scene before them with striking clarity.

Xi Ze's face flushed red, and he tried to avert his gaze in embarrassment. However, the hand behind him held tight around his neck, forcing him to continue looking at his reflection in the mirror.

"Shall I proceed then?"

Yale asked politely, but it was a mere formality as he resumed his actions before the other could respond, leaving the drone's reply hanging in the air.

Soon, the bathroom was filled with steam, and the splashing of water echoed, drowning out the multitude of hurried and erratic breaths.

*

By the time all activities ceased, the sky outside the window had tilted towards dusk, yet still bathed in a warm glow.

Considering Yale had just woken up and his bodily functions were yet to fully recover, the drone restrained himself after two instances, gently pressing Yale back into the blankets.

"I'll examine the anomaly on your back for you."

Xi Ze insisted on checking Yale's back, leaving Yale no choice but to turn over and face away from him.

Then, he distinctly felt a hot breath brush against that area, evoking a faint tingling sensation.

His Adam's apple moved slightly, but he held back, trying to shift the focus by speaking. However, his words were interrupted by the female insect.

"Will the Male Sovereign return after this visit?"

Their reunion had been too emotional, and they hadn't properly discussed his return. Clearing his throat, Yale was about to clarify the matter when he was interrupted once again.

"If you're planning to go back..."

Xi Ze's arms around him tightened, as if he were curling into a ball, burying his face in the crook of Yale's shoulder blade. His breaths were tense and quivering.

It seemed he was both terrified of hearing the answer and unable to resist asking. Asking but not allowing Yale to respond, it was quite a paradox.

"If I were to go back?"

Yale repeated himself, and the breath of the male behind him grew heavier for a moment, yet he still remained silent.

It wasn't until Yale was about to turn over that the male whispered, "If you have to leave, could it be on Wednesday?"

Yale was taken aback. "Wednesday? Why?"

Behind him, Xi Ze didn't respond, only continuously rubbing his face against Yale's back, the tip of his nose lightly tracing the soft grooves.

After Yale prodded out of curiosity several times, the male finally murmured, "Wednesday is when I'm the busiest at work. I'll likely have to stay late..."

But even so, the male's voice held reluctance, like a dragon unwilling to part with its wealth, hesitating for a long time before reluctantly conceding a small piece.

"Even if it's on Wednesday, can you not spend the night? I'll probably return in the wee hours of the night and sleep with my Lord... I won't be able to sleep without seeing you."

After much deliberation, Xi Ze added softly, trying to reclaim the treasure he had pushed away, even going as far as to lower himself and display vulnerability.

"…Pfft."

Yale held back for a while but eventually burst into laughter, unsure what to say about him.

His laughter was so uncontrollable that his shoulders trembled slightly, while the female behind him stubbornly remained silent, seemingly determined to play along with the act.

Compared to the existence of a male, one's pride was insignificant.

After a long while, Yale finally managed to subside his laughter, but he had no intention of teasing Xi Ze any further.

"I'm not going back."

He turned in Xi Ze's embrace, looking into the male's eyes and enunciating each word carefully.

"The passage back is closed. I'll stay here from now on. I won't slip into unconsciousness or suddenly vanish again."

Xi Ze's eyes widened gradually, his expression a mix of disbelief and bewilderment. Then, a surge of palpitations and tremors took over.

All those complicated emotions intertwined on his face, ultimately forming a strange, indecipherable expression between wanting to cry and laugh, clearly indicating he had reached his limit.

Gently wiping away the moisture at the corner of the female's eyes, Yale leaned in to press their foreheads together, gazing unflinchingly into those bottomless eyes, his voice soft.

"You seem to be unwell, but it's alright. I'm back now, and I won't leave you again."

"Really... not leaving?"

Xi Ze gripped his wrist tightly, his voice hoarse as he repeatedly sought reassurance of the vow just made.

"Are you really not leaving?"

"Is that true...?"

Yale took a deep breath, blinked rapidly to hold back the stinging tears welling up in his eyes.

At least one of them should remain composed; they couldn't very well collapse into each other's arms and weep like children.

Yet, when he spoke again, his voice couldn't help but tremble.

"It's true. When have I ever lied to you?"

Yale smiled warmly, his brows and eyes curved in a sincere promise. In time, he would prove that he wouldn't break his word—

"I'm never leaving again."

Author's Note:

Unreliable Side Story:

Yeye (in a deep sleep): .zZ

General (at maximum darkness mode)!:

Yeye (suddenly awakens): ouo Let's cuddle!

General (darkness level reset): Cuddle.

Yeye (abruptly departs): I think I left something behind...

General (at maximum darkness mode again)!:

Yeye (returns): Got it! I'm back ovo!

General (darkness level reset): Cuddle.

——·Infinity Loop·——

Yeye saves the world!