Chapter 22: If You Like Me, Give Me a Kiss

The golden-brown little dragon transformed into a flame-like orange-red. Upon closer inspection, the glow emanated from the gaps between its scales, particularly bright at its heart, as if a ball of fire were burning within.

Balu used his spiritual beast as a heater; after the little fire dragon swam a lap in the water, the tub reached a comfortable temperature. Huo Lin removed Yu Xia’s outer garments and, with reddened ears, placed her into the tub.

Submerged in the water, Yu Xia let out a sigh of comfort, flicking her fish tail as she sank toward the bottom. Seeing that she had not yet regained full consciousness, Huo Lin felt uneasy leaving her alone in the bathroom. He glanced at the fire dragon, which was quietly blowing bubbles in the tub, and felt even more concerned.

Nyx leaned against the wall with a cigarette in his mouth and said, "I'll keep watch over her here. You go handle those mecha data files so we can get out of here sooner."

Huo Lin lingered for a short while longer before lifting Yu Xia from the water and propping her upper body against the rim of the tub. He brushed the damp hair from her face, stared at her steadily for a moment, and then stood up to head toward the door.

"Don't smoke in front of her," Huo Lin said, plucking the cigarette from Nyx’s mouth and pushing Balu out as well.

"I hadn't even lit it yet," Nyx clicked his tongue. He walked over to Yu Xia and crouched down. Seeing her starting to sink again, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back up.

Dazed, Yu Xia felt someone tugging at her and flicked her tail in annoyance, splashing water all over Nyx.

Nyx wiped the water from his face, thinking that the tub was too small and he would need to get her a bigger one later. He would also install a swimming pool at home for her. His own house had a pool, but it felt a bit small.

Nyx calculated in his mind how to arrange things after taking Yu Xia out of the Contaminated Zone. Once safe, he would certainly have to report her to the Federation and send her to the White Tower; after that, he could apply to become her legal guardian.

*No, I need to get reinstated quickly once we return, otherwise how can I be worthy of her? With my current assets, I have nothing to offer.*

At that moment, the little fire dragon swam quietly up to Yu Xia and perched on her shoulder. Yu Xia, enjoying the warmth, tilted her head and unconsciously rubbed her cheek against it. The little dragon was so excited it nearly spat a puff of fire.

The next moment, Nyx grabbed it by the neck and tossed it to the far end of the tub.

"Behave," Nyx commanded.

The little fire dragon took a mouthful of water and sprayed it at Nyx: *You’re the one who isn't behaving, Boss! Don't tell me to be good!*

The snow wolf that had been guarding Ogg had sneaked into the bathroom at some point, its size diminished to be roughly that of the little fire dragon. It crawled into the crook of Yu Xia’s neck, hugging her and nuzzling repeatedly. Then, unable to help itself, the little snow wolf licked Yu Xia’s neck.

*So sweet. Just one more lick.*

*Ah, the little dolphin is so sweet.* Nyx looked on with satisfaction.

***

In the living room, Huo Lin gripped the mecha parts, took a deep breath, and said with a rigid expression toward the bathroom, "Captain Nyx! Don't tell me you intend to spend your mating heat in there!"

Nyx’s pheromones were practically overflowing from the room! He could at least try to hide them!

"Don't worry, she can't smell a thing," Nyx’s voice drifted out from the bathroom. "I’m a sentinel, not a neutered pup. A Guide is right in front of me; can you show some respect for my physiological reactions?"

Nyx spoke with righteous indignation. If he could suppress his pheromones in front of the Guide he liked, that would be unnatural. A sentinel’s affection for a Guide is the most direct thing in the world; they cannot help but emit pheromones in the presence of someone they love.

It was just a pity that Yu Xia could not smell them.

After hearing Nyx’s words, Huo Lin had no choice but to endure it for now, quickly processing the pile of parts on the table. He wouldn't feel comfortable letting any other sentinel guard Yu Xia; only Nyx possessed even a shred of self-control.

Yu Xia soaked in the tub for an hour before her consciousness gradually returned. She hadn't entered her mental landscape as Huo Lin and the others had expected; instead, her consciousness had remained in a dark void. She rested in that space; although there was nothing there, it kept her mind from suffering any damage.

She opened her eyes hazily and saw a blurry silhouette before her, subconsciously whispering, "Huo Lin..."

"I'm not Huo Lin."

Yu Xia’s eyes widened slightly as she saw a handsome face leaning in close. "I'm Nyx, little dolphin. Don't mistake me for someone else."

"Nyx... Captain."

"Just call me Nyx. Don't be so formal."

Nyx was very close to her, his damp hair dripping water, his own clothes nearly soaked through. A drop of water fell from his hair onto Yu Xia’s cheek, causing her to shiver and snap into clarity. She reached out to push his face away.

Nyx seized her hand and took the opportunity to lick it.

Yu Xia recoiled instantly, pulling back. Why did they all like licking people so much!

"Sorry," Nyx said, smacking his lips. "Don't be afraid. Guarding you isn't an easy task. I need to take it slow, otherwise, you'll trigger my mating heat."

Yu Xia did not understand what he meant.

"Awoo~"

Yu Xia heard the sound and looked down to see a small grey-and-white puppy paddling in front of her, tongue lolling out as it looked at her.

"!!!" Such a cute puppy!

Yu Xia petted the dog’s head twice, suddenly feeling that it looked somewhat familiar.

Nyx asked, "Do you like it?"

***

Yu Xia hugged the puppy and nodded. Back at the base, they used to keep many dogs; they weren't just pets, but trusted partners. Bringing them along on missions made one feel much more secure.

Nyx leaned in happily, "If you like it, give me a kiss, little dolphin."

Yu Xia: "?"

Nyx leaned in even closer. "Didn't you say you liked me?" *Hurry up and kiss me! Otherwise, that jealous cat will come barging in.*

Yu Xia looked down at the cute "puppy," then back up at the rugged, bandit-like man, and let out a soft, "Ah." "It’s your spiritual beast. Why is it so small?"

Nyx replied, "It'll get bigger if you kiss it."

The other sentinels outside: "..."

*Captain!!!!! What are you doing in there?!!!!!!*

Huo Lin could take it no longer. He slammed his hammer onto the table, stood up, and strode into the bathroom.

Outside, Balu was clinging to the door, about to peek inside, when Huo Lin grabbed him by the back of his collar and tossed him aside. Nyx was also dragged out of the bathroom by Huo Lin.

Huo Lin said to Yu Xia, "Keep soaking, come out when you feel better. I'll be right outside." With that, he gently closed the bathroom door and shoved Nyx away forcefully.

"Such a temper. It's just the little dolphin saying she likes me. You can't control who she likes." Nyx used one hand to undo his sodden outer coat. The internal heat made him want to light a Guide-pheromone cigarette to soothe himself, but his pockets were empty.

Huo Lin grabbed the back of the little snow wolf’s neck and tossed it toward Nyx with a blank expression. "Have some shame. Don't try to seduce her."

The little snow wolf landed steadily, returned to its normal size, shook the water from its fur, and lay down at the bathroom door.

Nyx said, "How is this seduction? Don't stop me from pursuing her normally just because you haven't secured your own status."

Huo Lin replied, "She doesn't understand yet."

Nyx laughed. "True, she doesn't understand. Why haven't you told her? Are you afraid?"

Huo Lin sat back down at the table. "I will tell her. Now just isn't the right time."

Nyx’s tongue was as sharp as ever. "Afraid she won't want you, so you don't dare say it?"

If not for the fact that they were currently on the same side, Huo Lin would have fought Nyx right then and there. How infuriating!

"Damn Federation sentinel, shameless!" Ogg, having managed to spit out the rag in his mouth at some point, began cursing at Nyx.

Nyx, looking for a place to vent his frustration, walked over and kicked him. "You little brat, do you have any shame yourself?"