Dreaming of a Mantis General [Insectoid]

A nap in class gave Lin You's dream lover a physical form. He was strong yet restrained, handsome yet disheveled, fierce yet fragile. Every muffled groan and every glance stirred Lin You's heartstrings.

At the end of the dream, the tormented man suddenly grew in size, transforming into a giant mantis with blue armor and red blades. When its inhuman compound eyes fixed on him, he should have been afraid, but somehow he saw a forlorn wish for him to stay.

A few weeks later, a little mantis exactly like the one in his dream appeared in the real world. The well-behaved little insect crawled over the boy's hand, not daring to resist even when he teased it.

Much later, His Highness Loren Alva stood atop a high platform. Golden mental energy spread out like an enormous net, blotting out the sky, as he spoke with resounding conviction.

All the insects said that Prince Loren was the incarnation of a heroic spirit, the Alva Dynasty's final hope. But only Lin You knew that the mantis general standing behind him, as imposing as a mountain and as profound as a deep pool, was a beacon for a lost heroic spirit, showing him the way home.

A short excerpt:

"Why would you like a mantis? The mantis race's true forms are so frightening. Aren't you scared when he loses control and transforms?"

"What's frightening about them? Big eyes, a little face, a slim waist, long legs, and even a perky butt when they're nymphs. They're gorgeous bugs!"

The little mantis was perched in the pocket over Lin You's chest, listening thoughtfully.

That night, Meng Dun hid in the bathroom, lifted his shirt, and revealed clearly defined abs.

After measuring his waist, the military male general looked troubled.

A few days later, after the banquet, Lin You pressed a hand to Meng Dun's chest and praised him sincerely. "Darling, you look so handsome in that outfit today! It really shows off your figure!"

Uncharacteristically, Meng Dun didn't blush. Instead, he apologized nervously. "I-I'm sorry."

"?"

The mantis general's long lashes trembled as he slowly took off his jacket, then undid the buttons of his white shirt, revealing his well-built physique and black leather waist cincher.

"I heard you like slim waists, so..."

Notes:

1. One-on-one happy ending, gong lead. A refined, scheming male insect gong x a shy, loyal, fierce female insect shou. They dote on each other, though the shou's affection is stronger.

2. Traditional insectoid setting: there are few males and many females, with males respected and females subordinate. Includes some personal worldbuilding. If you're unfamiliar with the genre, you can look it up online to check for content that might bother you.

Theme: Heroic spirits never die