When Worlds Collide (MxM)?

Over the next week, the weather began stabilizing. But King Nyx didn't want to call his people back yet. He feared it was too soon to confirm that it was safe.

Kade knew it would be a long time before another portal disrupted their world. Plus, if a new one was made, it would likely open someplace new. Much like how the first one deposited Kade in the middle of a field instead of the jungle.

Aino acted extremely clingy since he returned. Kade now had the inventor walking him everywhere, and rarely left the human any alone time.

One of the few moments he had alone, Kade decided to visit Nyx's Consorts. Since the humans and Terrans were on standby, he had time to catch up with them.

King Nyx had insisted his consorts evacuate with the rest of the citizens, but they had refused to abandon their king. Luckily Nyx had an escape measure planned out for them in case things escalated further with the humans.

Pelo, the eldest consort, was still in charge of the bunch. However, Sep and Oyu looked like they were less ostracized. This put Kade's mind at ease. The last time he was here, he feared worsening the divide between them.

Some of the carnivore nobles would turn their noses up at the human's presence. Aino would glare in his defense, and Kade would insist the inventor not start any unnecessary arguments.

As for the new royal inventors, they more than welcomed Kade. All of them had been admiring Aino's work long before getting hired, and after hearing about his relationship with Kade, they mourned his supposed death. Now that the human was back, Aino's mood had visibly lifted according to them.

As they waited for the humans to confirm Kade's news, Kade shared a room with Aino. They didn't do much more than snuggling. Since the Terran was out of season, he rarely made a move aside from re-marking Kade's neck. Kade meanwhile didn't want to push for intimacy in the middle of such a critical time.

The nights he spent cuddled up next to Aino reassured Kade that he was safe. Sometimes he'd think back to his family and become disheartened all over again. He started talking more openly about his life on earth, and all the other technologies he'd yet to introduce to Terran culture.

Aino would listen in quiet fascination, and then they'd discuss how they could bring some of the more useful inventions, like plumbing, to Terra.

Eventually, the week was up, and Kade had to get ready to depart for the human camp again.

This time, both Toca and Nyx accompanied him and Aino to the gates.

"Kade." Aino grabbed his shoulder, drawing his attention. "Come back safe."

"Don't worry." Kade kissed the back of his hand. "This won't take long."

"You're underestimating how much more dangerous this meeting will be," Aino argued. "They'll have confirmed that they are cornered now. They might act irrationally."

"They might...But if they do, we'll have to fight back." Kade saw something flash in his eyes, as well as Nyx and Toca's. "Is there something I need to know about?"

"No," Toca answered when Aino hesitated. Kade didn't like that.

"Aino. What is it?"

"He can't tell you." King Nyx stepped between them. "You will need to trust us, just as we trusted you. If all goes well, this information will be irrelevant anyway."

The human felt his stomach drop. They were acting just as secretive as the facility.

Did Aino develop some secret weapon and keep it from Kade? Were the kings keeping it hidden because Kade was also human, and thus they didn't fully trust him anymore?