Chapter 328: Stars

Words : 1164 Updated : Oct 5th, 2025

Chapter 328: Stars But while a certain plant enthusiast was this close to munching on cucumbers to relieve stress, one adjutant was just trying his best to fit and survive the real nightmare: Bedtime. He just wanted to sleep. That was all. Sleep. But since when did such a simple request become a complex, soul-draining quest? Maybe since this blinding starry blanket had influenced the bed sheets and even the upholstery. Everything twinkled like the galaxy had vomited on the interior design. And amidst this glow-in-the-dark aesthetic nightmare, Kyle found himself doing something...unspeakable. Helping the mop change into pajamas. You heard it right, and you heard it first. Ollie Mylor, self-proclaimed cutest mechanic and aspiring disaster, had decided that pajamas were essential tonight despite the looming threat of beast tides outside. "You’re...serious about this?" Kyle asked, clutching a pajama sleeve that somehow had star prints. "Absolutely," said Ollie with all the gravity of a man signing his will. Kyle tried to argue about this. He really did. But how could he stop him when he made a good point? Would the beast tides stop if he were in his exploration suit? No. Would they halt if he were in pajamas? Still No. Also, if he had to fight the monsters outside, didn’t that mean that they were dead anyway? Since the only way for Ollie to be the one fighting is if everyone else had died. And by that time, wouldn’t it be better for the mop just to accept his fate? But at least in his pajamas, he’d sleep or die peacefully. "Do you want me to die itchy and in straps?" Ollie asked, his voice tinged with the kind of dramatic sincerity that could shake mountains or at least wrinkle brows. "...No," Kyle muttered, defeated. And so, the adjutant helped the mop change in the cramped, twinkling confines of his mecha cockpit. The struggle was real. Every movement was a full-body flail. The skintight exploration suit refused to go quietly. Turns out, Ollie was ridiculously ticklish. Every tug ended in a yelp, and every exposed patch of skin made him giggle like a malfunctioning ancient kettle. Kyle was trying to remain professional. Truly. He was trying. But just as he was pulling the collar of Ollie’s suit down, arms wrapped around the mop who was awkwardly perched on his lap— The cockpit’s comm screen flickered to life. It was from the Captain. And it was on Auto-accept. Because Xavier only called when it was important, and even then, it was likely because he was going to deviate from plans that the two of them should know by instinct. Kyle froze. Ollie paused mid-giggle. What greeted them was not a briefing. It was Luca’s face. Stunned. Wide-eyed. Jaw slightly parted like a character witnessing something he had to hide from his parents. Because the scene on his screen? Ollie, half-undressed, seated on Kyle’s lap with his shoulders bare and Kyle’s hands on his shirt. "Oh." "Oh...Oh!" "!!!" Luca’s eyes went glassy. He hiccuped. Click. The call ended prematurely. Silence. "...Was that my brother?" Ollie blinked. "I was gonna ask if he wanted a matching set." Kyle didn’t respond. Because unlike the wiggling guy over here, he had seen the full call. Behind Luca, in the background of that small video window, was the Imperial Crown Prince who sported that expression. He could practically hear the silent judgment and was now wishing for the dungeon floor to open up and devour him whole. And yet here he was, still tugging at the damn clothes because Ollie was stuck. Just kill him now! Meanwhile, in the confines of Sid’s cockpit, a certain chipmunk was stunned silent. Luca stared at the blank comm screen. His hand hovered awkwardly over the panel, fingers trembling like he wasn’t sure if he’d accidentally touched something sacred or ruined his own brain chemistry. "...Was that—?" he began, trailing off. Xavier, who’d been silently watching the exchange from behind, leaned in closer. He’d seen it too. In too much detail. And now? He was watching his chipmunk go through what looked like an array of emotions. First: Shock. Then: Denial. And now, acceptance? The prince wasn’t sure, but to him it looked like Luca had reached acceptance. "I—I didn’t think they were that...bold," Luca mumbled, golden eyes wide and dazed. "But I guess it’s fine? Right? That’s normal? I mean, Papa said they were in a relationship, and people in relationships do that right...?" Xavier was pretty sure it wasn’t what this guy was thinking, not just yet, but at the same time, he wasn’t sure why he had to be the one to explain their mistake. Luca, on the other hand, was still stuck on the visual and what he thought it implied. He was visibly flustered, thinking that maybe that was how they looked earlier. But at the same time, the surprised guide felt a tad bit relieved. And the exasperated husband could only make a noise that was definitely not a cough. Luca was difficult to predict, but just by that expression alone, he was sure that something was going on in there. Dead sure. And true enough, for his little wife opened up with something to the likes of realizing that it was probably normal then. Just like them earlier. The prince stiffened. And not the same way he did earlier, but the kind that knew that his baby had just been corrupted. Xavier closed his eyes. Inhale. Exhale. This was penance, which part he wasn’t sure of, but it was likely added to today’s increasing list. But how was he supposed to explain this, and why would he be in charge of clearing their names when his name was out there crusted in mud? Because, sure, he knew it wasn’t like that between Kyle and Ollie. There was zero seduction in that pajama struggle: just confusion, unfortunate timing, and Ollie’s dangerous confidence in star-patterned nightwear. But now Luca was looking at him like a freshly soothed puppy, as if all his internal guilt had been wiped clean by someone else’s presumed scandal. And so the good husband didn’t have the heart to correct him. Also, by the looks of it, it was just a matter of time. Because he, for one, knew what it was like to ride on for the sake of peace, only to get there before the other. And look at him now? So really, all he could do was wonder when his adjutant would get there and if it would be a peaceful arrival considering how he was riding a full-blown tornado. At least Xavier’s got one that was relatively peaceful. He just happened to have volcanic parents. And an overactive imagination. So it should be fine like this. And should momentarily enjoy the perk of D-29 being a new mecha. For it was the only reason he was able to have his wife with him like this.

Chapter 328: Stars

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