Chaos Heir

Chapter 1251 Exciting

The whooshing noise of the metal door made Ilman glance at the clock on the control desk. His shift had yet to end, but his replacement seemed to have arrived earlier than usual, and he wasn't alone.

Ilman left the pilot's seat, turning toward the married couple who had just entered the bridge. Blue and white lights mixed with Ilman's red glow, but that radiance didn't hinder the alien's sight at all.

Khan was wearing one of the fake innocent faces that women seemed unable to resist. Ilman could hear what he was saying, but his tone was more important. It was relaxed, casual, and slightly idiotic, purposely meant to annoy his wife.

Meanwhile, Liiza wasn't having it. Her faint smile was almost brighter than her evident blush while she studied her husband's idiocy, clinging tightly to his hand. It was unclear whether she was actually listening to Khan, but she was obviously loving the moment.

Ilman smirked proudly. He couldn't think of a better match, and the happiness the couple radiated confirmed that idea. The alien boy who had corrected his way of love and the woman of his dreams had married, creating a union so perfect even time had failed to break.

Of course, the idea that Liiza could have belonged to Ilman had long since escaped his mind. He knew he loved her but had somehow become unable to imagine himself at her side after learning about Khan.

"[You are early]!" Ilman announced, laughing while nodding at Liiza to highlight her blush, "[And I know you didn't get tired of your quarters]."

"[Tamara had a bad dream and sneaked into our bed]," Liiza yawned, feeling no shame at the paleness of her cheeks. "[She is with Jenna now]."

"[We'll take over]," Khan added. "[Did you leave anything to drink for me? Ah, Zalpa made a new batch of potions a few hours ago]."

"[Of course I didn't]," Ilman exclaimed. "[I drank everything there was to drink]!"

"[It seems you'll have to suffer your wife without extra help today]," Liiza joked, only for Khan to lean toward her ear, whispering something Ilman couldn't hear.

Even if Ilman didn't know what Khan said, Liiza's reaction told him enough. She threw one of her fake glares at Khan, seemingly picking up the pace to reach the pilot's seat as soon as possible.

"[You are a true man, my friend]!" Ilman praised, slamming his hand onto the immovable boulder that was Khan's shoulder before moving away. He knew Liiza was glaring at him, but it was hard to take her seriously when her blush agreed with him.

Ilman almost hummed happily while heading for the bridge's exit. It had already been two weeks since the ship set off for Coravis with the Nele's escort, so a new routine had formed and had become dull. However, that last part strangely didn't apply to Ilman.

The Niqols didn't really understand why but felt more entertained and livelier than usual. Still, a possible explanation arrived when Ilman glanced at the pilot's seat while the metal door was about to close.

The seat's back tried to hide it, but Liiza's face peeked behind it, looking down at the man Ilman couldn't see. Her mouth moved to say something, but her expression soon grew lost and captivated, and her head dove down to do something Ilman could very well imagine.

Actually, Ilman didn't need to imagine it. He had seen the married couple kissing ten years ago, and that forced cohabitation had provided more examples of that. The Niqols had almost memorized those expressions by then.

Nevertheless, the metal door closed, partially reflecting Ilman's proud smirk. He truly couldn't feel happier about his married friends, so he left them alone, knowing that they would resume from where Tamara had interrupted them.

'[I should get the potion and see if Zalpa needs some help],' Ilman thought. He wasn't a Shaman, but Zalpa deserved the company of a Niqols on that alien ship. Her service to Nitis had earned her that much.

Yet, a familiar voice caught Ilman's ear when he reached the living quarters. The area was livelier now since Liiza and Zalpa had adjusted the potions to the new addition. The crew roamed freely through the ship, but the corridors grew emptier while Ilman instinctively headed toward the source of that melodious tone.

The ship had a small, narrow lounge next to the living quarters. The place didn't have any decent equipment, so the crew had long since turned it into an encumbered closet. However, the various boxes and litter created some makeshift seats.

Ilman saw two green figures sitting in that closet when he reached its entrance. Jenna sat on a metal box while Tamara was on the floor, following her instructions.

That scene had also become vaguely common in those two weeks. Tamara was still young, but the Nele were like the Niqols. They studied mana from an early age. Actually, their higher sensitivity to that energy gave them a significant advantage worth deepening.

Of course, the cumbersome ship and its synthetic symphony didn't allow a decent variety of workouts. However, Jenna still cared about Tamara's education and did her best to raise her as a proper Nele.

Ilman stood by the entrance, partially mesmerized by the scene but also doing his best not to disturb Tamara's training. He remained silent even when he noticed workouts that shared traits with the Niqols' ways. After all, Khan had told him he had taught the Nele something during his stay on Milia 222.

"That's enough," Jenna eventually said, using the human language since she had noticed Ilman's arrival. "Go rest now or keep Zalpa company."

"Can I sleep with Aunt Liiza and Uncle Khan again?" Tamara cutely asked.

Jenna glanced at the closet's entrance, and Ilman shook his head.

"Khan and Liiza are working now," Jenna said. "You can sleep with them once they get back to bed."

"I'll visit Aunt Zaza then," Tamara beamed, jumping on her feet and hurrying toward the exit, only for Ilman to block her way.

"Where is my hug?" Ilman scoffed, his arms already reaching for the little Nele.

"No, Uncle Ilman, no!" Tamara complained as Ilman lifted and hugged her, but laughs interrupted her playful cries. "You'll ruin Tamara's hair."

"Zalpa will be happy to do it again," Ilman chuckled, placing down the little Nele when he had his fill. "Now go to her. Zalpa is always happy when you are around."

"Everyone is always smiling when Tamara is around," Tamara exclaimed before some confusion reached her mind, "But Aunt Zaza told me not to trust humans, and the Nele have no friends."

Needless to say, those warnings were reasonable, but Tamara was experiencing a very sheltered life inside the ship. She wasn't only a cute kid. No one dared to think about mistreating her due to the two fearsome, overprotective adoptive parents who had rescued her.

Jenna had actually started to think that those habits could become a problem in the future. After all, a Nele always had to be watchful and careful. However, she eventually postponed those plans until after they arrived in Coravis.

Luckily, Ilman had learned enough about the Nele to keep his mouth shut and avoid his mindless outbursts. He limited himself to ruffling Tamara's hair before adding a last comment.

"This ship is special!" Ilman exclaimed, "But keep listening to Jenna and Zalpa."

"Sure, Uncle Ilman," Tamara nodded, hurrying away to escape Ilman's hand and disappear somewhere on the ship.

Both Ilman and Jenna followed the disappearing small figure before some movement brought the former's gaze back to the closet. Red light illuminated that narrow space, highlighting how Jenna had scooted aside to make more room on her makeshift seat.

"Were you looking for me?" Jenna asked, meeting the Niqols' gaze.

The enchanting Nele was another possible reason behind Ilman's livelier mood. He didn't know why, but he felt a connection with Jenna. Despite their short time together, Ilman also believed they understood each other. However, he had been wrong in the past.

"I heard your voice and ended up here," Ilman explained, unable to lie.

"Well, here I am," Jenna smiled. "Do you want to join me?"

The closet barely had any room, but Ilman didn't hesitate to agree. "I wish for nothing else."

Jenna moved a bit more aside, glancing at the space at her side, and Ilman accepted that silent invitation. He entered the closet and sat next to Jenna. The box was almost too small for the two of them, so parts of their bodies touched.

Ilman stiffened, dealing with the internal turmoil that Jenna's vicinity caused. His Niqols' education told him to try something, but his negative experiences with Liiza pointed in the opposite direction.

Those two weeks didn't help Ilman decide how to act with Jenna, so he stuck to the words of the man he trusted the most. Khan had told him to be himself, so that was what he would do.

Of course, Jenna wasn't someone easy to deal with. In many ways, she was Ilman's natural enemy during his confusing state since she had already deemed him trustworthy.

Ilman almost jumped to his feet when warmth spread from his hand. Jenna had placed a finger on it, tracing it over his dark blue skin to experience its texture.

"You are so strange to touch," Jenna muttered. "I know the Niqols are cold, but you are strange nonetheless."

"I'm unique even among the Niqols!" Ilman laughed, somewhat used to Jenna's superficial, innocent touch.

"You must be," Jenna chuckled, agreeing before some annoyance spread in her mind. For some reason, she didn't like that Ilman was starting to learn to remain calm at her touch.

Ilman stiffened when Jenna placed her whole palm on his hand, only for her to move it over his sleeveless arm. She basically caressed him, her fingers eventually reaching for his neck and face.

"Jenna!" Ilman gasped as warmth spread over his face, but Jenna seemed to have fallen prey to her curiosity.

"This is exciting," Jenna whispered, a trace of arousal joining her evident curiosity. "It would be even more exciting if you touched me, too."

"I couldn't possibly do it!" Ilman instantly refused. He had learned that the Nele constantly held back and wouldn't forgive himself if he pushed Jenna past the point of no return.

However, Jenna didn't listen to Ilman. One of her hands remained on Ilman's face while the other reached for his wrist, lifting it toward her.

Ilman halted the gesture before his hand could reach Jenna's face. Realistically, Jenna couldn't overpower him, so his arm remained in the air, hovering a few centimeters from that green cheek. Jenna's skin looked beyond appealing, but Ilman put her first, suppressing his desires.

"Please, Ilman," Jenna pleaded, the desire in her voice almost palpable. "Let me experience this."

"I can't do this to a Nele," Ilman refused, but his arm remained in its spot.

"You are just touching me," Jenna insisted. "I trust you won't do anything more."

Ilman truly wanted to avoid that development, but he also didn't. Besides, he was conflicted between respecting Jenna's species and her wishes. His mind was overheating, but his cold fingers eventually landed on her cheek.

Jenna abruptly gasped, slightly pushing away Ilman's hand and almost jumping on the spot.

"Are you okay?!" Ilman shouted, wanting to retract his arm, only for Jenna to squeeze his wrist and explode into a giggle.

"I'm sorry for worrying you," Jenna reassured. "It has been a long time since anyone touched me like that. I didn't remember the sensation to be so intense."

Ilman felt he could die happy at the sight of the beautiful smile that broadened on Jenna's face. Still, something even better followed since Jenna slowly pulled his hand back to her cheek.

Jenna half-yelped again but managed to control herself now. She didn't run away from the cold hand but embraced it, letting it stay on her cheek and immersing herself in the sensations it created.

"You are cozier than Liiza," Jenna commented, half-snuggling in that cold hand on her face.

"I'm not as cold as she is," Ilman explained. "My mutations didn't require that."

"It's not that," Jenna said, closing her eyes. "I can feel you are burning, but not like me. It's a bit unfair. I'm the only one who has to control herself since you have the potions."

"Ah, I forgot!" Ilman exclaimed. "I have to go to Zalpa to drink the new batch."

Jenna lingered in that cold a bit longer before her eyes suddenly went wide. Ilman's red glow illuminated her, trying to hide his captivated face, but her gaze eventually prompted him to express his cluelessness.

"What?" Ilman wondered. "Did I do something?"