Page 24 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol 2
He flushes in frustration but takes a deep breath and climbs in behind me.
I know he’s not scared—he and my brother fear nothing. But messing with him like this is just too fun.
I must’ve gained more confidence since his last visit—because I never would’ve dared speak to him like that before. Maybe this bold version of me will finally catch his attention.
As soon as he’s seated, I close the transparent cockpit and take off. I can feel the heat of his body against my back—solid, strong, overwhelming. It’s both comforting and highly distracting.
I bite my lip to keep from laughing when I realize he doesn’t know what to do with his hands.
There are no handles, no side rails, and the inner surface is smooth.
Mom always wraps her arms around my waist when I fly, but I’m guessing Ayden is currently holding his arms mid-air, unsure where to put them.
Feeling just a little wicked, I nudge the pod into a sharp right turn. He has no choice—he grabs me to steady himself.
I don’t say a word. I keep flying toward the Gekkari village, offering him the bumpiest ride possible.
Eventually, he gives in, wrapping his arms around me, pressing his powerful body against mine.
Suddenly, I’m not so smug anymore.
Being wrapped in his arms, even just for a ride, is more intense than I expected. His scent fills the pod—clean, earthy, warm. It’s intoxicating.
And then I feel it—something firm pressing low against my back.
His pistoblaster, maybe?
Except… I know he wears it on his right hip.
My cheeks burn. I’m still innocent, sure—but I’m not clueless.
Is he… reacting to me? He can call me “kiddo” all he wants after this, but I’m pretty sure his body says otherwise.
The ride to the village is the longest of my life. And yet… I never want it to end.
By the time we land, I feel like a completely different person. That flight awakened something in me—something I didn’t know was there. Every inch of my skin feels alive. His presence has scrambled all my senses.
I set the aeropod down, deactivate the protective shell, and hop out.
“This way,” I say, my voice not as steady as I’d like.
“Alright, I’m gonna go pee behind that tree,” he mutters, a little hoarse, before heading off.
It’s weird, but also a relief—it gives me a moment to gather myself.
I definitely wasn’t prepared for that level of… intensity.
As usual, it doesn’t take long for Mila to show up once we land.
“Zam!” she greets me, signing cheerfully. “Ah you ah-lone?”
“Hi Mila! No, I came without Mom this time,” I sign back. “But I brought Ayden—my brother Logan’s friend.”
Just then, Ayden steps out from behind the tree, watching Mila with curiosity and a certain respectful awe.
“Ah’den? He’lo! Mi’la!” the Gekkari woman says, introducing herself.
“Hi, I’m Ayden,” he replies. “Samantha offered to show me your village and introduce me to your people. I hope that’s okay?”
