Mother Invasion

“I’m sorry!” Aurelia cried, bowing her head repeatedly, her golden hair falling into her flushed face.

Alex crossed his arms, his sharp blue eyes wide with disbelief. “You what?”

“I didn’t mean to!” she protested, clutching at the hem of her oversized shirt—one of his. “Mother tricked me into inviting her and your mother aboard!”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath. “Our mothers. Here. On my ship.”

She shuffled awkwardly, her fluffy socks scuffing the floor. “I didn’t think they’d actually show up!”

Alex threw up his hands. “And yet, here we are—hosting the Empress herself and your mother for an entire week.” He let out a long, weary sigh. “This is going to be a disaster.”

“Maybe it won’t be so bad,” she offered meekly.

Won’t be so bad?” Alex shot her a pointed look. “Have you met our mothers? Thanks to all the ‘charitable donations’ you keep handing out, we're barely scraping by as it is! And don’t even get me started on you dragging me into fights with mercenaries and slavers like you’ve got a death wish!”

She bristled, her hands going to her hips. “Those people needed our help, Alex! What was I supposed to do, just walk away? And for the record, our mothers aren’t that bad!” She hesitated, then added sheepishly, “Okay, maybe a little, but they’re here now, and we’ll just have to deal with it. Together.”

“Yes!” Alex shot back, exasperated. “We can’t pick up every stray kitten, we can’t solve every problem… And we definitely can’t solve the mother issue!”

“Well, maybe if you smiled more and stopped calling them harpies, they’d lighten up,” she quipped, crossing her arms.

Alex groaned, pulling a small hip flask from his jacket. He unscrewed the cap, took a measured swig, and stared at it thoughtfully. “I’m gonna need more,” he muttered, shaking his head.

She blinked at him, her lips twitching as she tried not to laugh. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re relentless,” Alex said, tucking the flask away after another long sip. He let out a breath and looked at her, his tone lighter but still weary. “For the sake of my mental sanity, could you at least tone it down with the charity work? Just a little?”

Her defiance faltered. “I... I guess I could try. But—”

“No buts,” Alex interrupted, pointing a finger at her with mock seriousness. “If you want me alive and sane, you’ve got to give me some breaks between saving the galaxy.”

“Well, someone has to do the right thing!” she retorted, lifting her chin stubbornly.

Alex sighed, the exasperation in his eyes giving way to something warmer. “And I love you for it,” he said quietly, “but you’re still going to drive me insane.”

Before she could reply, the comms crackled, and a familiar voice interrupted. “Alex, Aurelia, can you let us in? Don’t leave us standing out here!”

Alex groaned like a man condemned, shooting her a withering glare before slumping into the pilot’s chair. “If I don’t come out of this week an alcoholic or a murderer, it’ll be a miracle.” With a resigned sigh, he hit the airlock controls to allow the mothers aboard. “Wait—what did you tell them about us?”

Aurelia felt herself pale. “Erm...”

Before she could answer, the airlock hissed open, and their mothers swept onto the bridge like twin storms.

“Well, well, well,” her Mother drawled, her sapphire-blue eyes gleaming as they landed on Aurelia. “Comfortable, are we, dear? A new wardrobe, I see.”

Startled, Aurelia glanced down to realise all she was wearing was one of Alex’s oversized shirts and her fluffy socks. Her face burned crimson.

“Why didn’t you tell me?!” she wailed, spinning to glare at Alex.

“Excuse me!” Alex shot back, throwing his hands up. “I was ambushed by their arrival! You’ve got no one to blame but yourself! As if I want these harpies here!”

“Is that any way to speak about your mother, Alexander?” a smooth voice drawled from behind her Mother.

Aurelia froze as the imperial Empress stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with regal authority.

“It is when you decide to invite yourself onto my ship without prior warning!” Alex snarked.

“If you visited more often, we wouldn’t have to check up on you,” Melissa said, her tone cutting. “Anyway, Aurelia kindly invited us aboard.

“This is the first time you’ve come to us,” Alex said tightly.

“Well, we’ve not seen our children in two years,” Melissa countered smoothly. “Can you blame us?”

Melissa stepped into the cockpit, inspecting every detail like she was judging their choices.

“I’m certainly not returning to the palace,” Alex muttered. “Is his royal painship still sulking because I defied his authority?”

The Empress sighed, brushing a strand of her silver-streaked hair. “Your father cares for you... If he is overbearing.”

“Overbearing?!” Alex scoffed, standing abruptly. “That’s putting it mildly. He just wants a pawn to use. Sorry-not-sorry, I refuse. I’m my own man and technically still fulfilling my princely duties.”

Aurelia bit her lip, fighting the urge to defend him. Embarrassment rose again as Melissa’s gaze flicked to her oversized shirt.

Melissa folded her arms. “Exploring independence is one thing, Alex, but terrorising pirates, hunting slavers, and the Kestrel Syndicate? You’re putting Aurelia at risk. Do you know some pirates have even put a bounty on your head?”

Alex perked up. “Wait, I’ve got a bounty? That’s brilliant. How much?” he pressed, leaning forward eagerly. “Come on, I need to know how much I’m worth to the galaxy’s finest scum.”

“Two million credits,” Melissa snapped, her tone icy.

Alex whistled, leaning back with a smug grin. “Not bad. No ten million, but it’s a start.”

Melissa’s lips tightened into a thin line. “This is not something to celebrate, Alexander.”

“Oh, come on, Mother. It just proves I’m doing something right.”

Aurelia groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Alex…”

“This isn’t a joke,” Melissa barked, her composure slipping. “Do you understand what this means? They’ll be coming after you!”

“They already are,” Aurelia cut in firmly, crossing her arms. “We’ve been dealing with pirates for months, and we always come out on top.”

“That’s not the point,” Melissa said sharply, turning to her. “You might have been lucky so far, but luck runs out. If you keep following Alex into these situations—”

“Excuse me!” Alex interrupted, his grin fading into mock offence as he gestured to Aurelia. “If anything, she’s the one picking fights with every two-bit criminal we meet! I just clean up the mess.”

Aurelia shot him a glare. “I pick fights with bad people, Alex. Someone has to stand up to them.”

“And I love that about you,” Alex replied dryly, “but do you know what standing up to them gets you? A pirate bounty on your boyfriend, that’s what.”

Melissa’s gaze swept between them, unreadable. “This isn’t a game Alexander. You’ve made yourselves targets. The more you stir up trouble, the more dangerous it becomes—for you, and everyone who depends on you.”

Alex scoffed, leaning back. His tone dripping with sarcasm “Then what do you suggest Mother? Should I send an apology gift basket to the pirates?”

Melissa arched an eyebrow, her tone cool as ever “That might be the first sensible thing you’ve said. Honestly, I should be thanking Aurelia for keeping you alive this long, if this is how you act!”

“It’s nothing, your grace,” Aurelia squealed. “Alex and I keep each other alive…”

“Oh, I think we’re well beyond titles, dear,” Melissa said smoothly. “Just call me Melissa. You’ll be my daughter-in-law soon anyway.”

Aurelia’s brain froze. “Erm… just what?” she floundered.

“You’ve been dating for five years now,” Melissa continued breezily. “When are you going to make it official?”

“I… er… We…” Aurelia stammered.

Alex wrapped an arm around Aurelia, pulling her close. “We don’t need fancy paperwork to prove we love each other, Mother. Or is this really about planning one of your grand balls?” His tone turned suspicious.

“My, my, he is bold,” Her mother replied, smirking. “We’re just here to check on our children, nothing more. We want to see how you’re living alone together on a ship like this.”

“Fine.” Alex sighed, releasing her. “Show them around. I’ve got an engine to recalibrate... It’s your fault they’re here anyway.” He stormed off toward the engine room, leaving her alone with the mothers.

“No, wait... please…” Aurelia squeaked, her voice trailing off.

Both women smiled like predators who’d cornered their prey. “Well, Aurelia, please begin the tour,” Melissa said.

Regretting her foolishness, Aurelia led them through the ship, rushing as much as she could.

“My, my, the exterior was impressive, but the interior is something else,” Melissa said, running her fingers along the sleek walls. “This feels more like a luxury cruiser than a warship. It’s fancier than my own.”

“Yes,” Aurelia said, finding her confidence as she spoke about the ship. “It’s one of a kind. A gift from the Kersark shipyards after we saved them from the Crimson Death. Other colonies contributed, adding their best technology. There’s nothing like it in the galaxy!”

“Impressive. You’ll have to share the stories over dinner,” Melissa said, stopping in front of a door. “So, Aurelia, where do you sleep?”

“I... uh... sleep on the couch!” Aurelia blurted out without thinking, her face flushing.

“On the couch?” Her mother teased, her brows rising. “Even with a perfectly good spare room right here?” She gestured to a storage room outfitted with a bed.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Aurelia stammered, stepping in front of the door to her and Alex’s bedroom.

Her mother smirked and pushed past her with ease. “Now this is cosy.” She picked up a pillow and grinned. “Oh, Aurelia, why is your side so messy compared to Alex’s?”

“Get out of our room!” Aurelia yelled, her patience snapping.

“Did you hear that, Melissa?” Her mother said, her smirk widening. “She finally admitted to sharing a room.”

“That she did, Zerena,” Melissa said, smiling like a cat who’d caught the cream.

“I want to die,” Aurelia groaned, covering her face and squatting down, wanting to die from the sheer embarrassment of her mother going through her private space.

“Get out!” she yelled again, her voice finally regaining some force.

“We’re leaving, we’re leaving,” the two mothers chorused, grinning as they strolled out. “Now come on, Aurelia, we want details!”

“Alex, save me!” Aurelia wailed.

Five hours later, Alex and Aurelia lay sprawled on their shared bed, utterly drained. The room was dim, lit only by the faint glow of the ship’s console lights.

“When do they leave again?” Aurelia mumbled, her voice muffled by the pillow she clutched against her face.

Alex groaned, his hand draped dramatically over his eyes. “Well… it’s still only the first day.”

Aurelia turned her head to look at him, horrified. “The first day?”

“The very first,” he confirmed, his tone heavy with resignation.

“I’m so sorry,” she squeaked, burying her face deeper into the pillow.

Alex chuckled weakly, nudging her arm. “You know, throwing them in the airlock is looking awfully tempting right about now.”

“Alex!” Aurelia gasped, though her muffled giggle betrayed her.

“I’m serious!” he said, his voice mock-convicted. “Just a little nudge into zero gravity. No harm, no foul.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” she said, giggling harder now.

“You’re right, I wouldn’t,” Alex replied with a smirk. “Mostly because I know they’d find a way back just to haunt me.”

Aurelia groaned, laughing into her pillow. “You’re the worst.”

“I’m surviving, aren’t I?” Alex muttered. “Barely.”

Before either of them could drift off, a sharp knock echoed from the door.

“Aurelia! Alex!” Melissa’s voice rang out, far too cheerful for the hour.

Aurelia shot upright, panic flashing across her face. “Oh no.”

Alex sighed, running his hand through his hair. “I’m starting to regret not pressing that airlock button.” He took out his flask, inspecting it. “Yep, I’m gonna need more.”