Paz stared at my lower half until Levi elbowed him in the side.
“Sorry,” Paz said. “It’s just super weird seeing younotdressed up and like... professional.”
“I’m branching out,” I deadpanned.
Linn’ar chimed in, saving me from the agony of embarrassment. “Hello, humans Levi and Paz! What brings you to Jaeyoung’s den?”
Instead of staring at my groin, they now stared at Linn’ar.
I cursed mentally. I practically saw the gears grinding in their minds. I was naked and Linn’ar exited the den with me. The implication wrote itself.
It wasn’t that I was ashamed of my budding relationship—god, it felt weird to even call it that—with Linn’ar. Rather, I wasn’t used to opening up to anybody. Linn’ar was the only person I truly felt comfortable confiding in. Running into my fellow humans in this state felt vulnerable, and not just because I was naked.
“I wanted to drop in and see what’s up,” Levi explained, then turned to me. “We talked yesterday, but I haven’t seen you since then.” A wry grin pulled at the corner of his mouth. “How’s your experiment going?”
“What experiment?” Paz butted in.
I bit my tongue. My initial reaction was to snap that it was none of his business... but I was trying this new thing where I didn’t hide behind sarcasm all the time. Linn’ar’s wholesome genuineness and honesty was rubbing off on me.
“It’s going well.” I cleared my throat. “We’ve made... decent progress.”
“What’re you guys talking about?” Paz demanded.
Levi’s brow furrowed as he glanced between Paz and me, making a “what, you didn’t tell him?”expression.
I sighed, then explained in a single breath, “I’m researching human-Maeleon fertilization, Maeleon physiology, the new discovery of a nictitating membrane and the visibility of filum particles, all of that.”
Paz blinked rapidly. “Okay, barely understood a word you just said, but cool.” The realization hit him a second later. “Wait, did you say fertilization? Are you and Linn’ar—?”
“Yes, we’re engaging in intercourse, if that’s what you’re asking,” I stated.
Linn’ar puffed up proudly beside me. He seemed happy that I was honest about it, which filled my chest with warm fuzziness. His authenticity was endearing.
Paz grinned. “Well, well, how the tables have turned. I remember how pissed you were the night of the feast, when you were crazy horny but wouldn’t let Linn’ar help you.”
“As I recall,youdidn’t allow a Maeleon to help you, either,” I countered.
“True.”
Linn’ar gazed fondly at me. “Jaeyoung was not ready that night. We are taking things at his pace.”
I shot him an appreciative look. I liked that he stood up for me.
“Well, I’m happy for you,” Levi said with a smile. “It’s about time you took a break from working all the time and focused on yourself.”
“It’s been difficult,” I admitted. “But Linn’ar is helping me see life in a new light.” An idea floated into my mind. “By the way, Levi...”
“Hm? What’s up?”
“If you and Zat’tor want a day to yourselves, we could babysit Dai’zee for you,” I offered.
Levi paused for a beat. “Really?” He broke into a knowing grin. “Sure, that would be great. How’s tomorrow?”
I glanced at Linn’ar. “What do you think?”
“Oh, that would be wonderful!” Linn’ar said, clasping his claws together. Excited flashes of bright color pulsed along his feelers.
“Tomorrow it is,” I told Levi. “Drop her off at any time.”
