Page 25 of Space for More

My parents’ warm smiles spread their tender affection to me even through the barrier of technology, but it’s unable to rid me of the guilt clenching inside me.

Mom pats Dad’s hand. “We’ve talked about it already. Your dad found a closer vacation planet that’s half the cost to visit, so we wouldn’t have to cancel our trip entirely.”

“But you’ve wanted to go there for years and?—”

Dad holds up a hand, cutting me off. “Edi-chan, the gold sand beaches of Frellsia would be wonderful to visit, but you know what they can never compare to?You. You’re our miracle. We’ve spent far too long keeping you close because you’re the greatest joy we could ever hope to experience. But the rest of the galaxy needs a chance to experience you, too.”

“Dad…” Tears stream down my face at his unexpected words, and looking at Mom I see she’s also crying. My dad is a reserved, contemplative man. He doesn’t usually express affection so strongly, though I know he loves me.

Hearing the depth of his love and emotion, it takes me a minute to respond. Their offer is overwhelmingly generous. Another week on Spire would give me time to enjoy my trip after the mission with Mezli is over. Though, the thought of exploring the station on my own doesn’t sound as appealing as it originally did now that I’ve met her and Phelix.

But I can’t take it. I’d never get over the guilt of ruining their trip for an extra week of selfish sightseeing. I shake my head. “I… It’s too much, I?—”

A loud chime from the door to my hotel room interrupts me, and I startle, looking back over my shoulder at the door in confusion.

“Just consider it, sweetie,” Mom says, wiping away more tears. “We’ll let you go so you can get that. Don’t worry about your old parents, and have some fun for us, okay?”

“I… I will.” I don’t want to end the call, but the chime sounds again. “I love you both so much.”

“We love you, too,” Mom replies, and Dad nods in agreement.

I end the comm and hurriedly swipe away the tears and snot from blubbering a moment ago, then head to open the door. It chimes a third time right before I reach it, followed by loud thuds against the metal.

“Open up! Station security!”

Fuck me, as if this day could get any worse. What the hell is going on now? I open the door, mind racing with possible scenarios for why station security is here, but they all fall away when I see who’s standing in the corridor.

“Hah, you should’ve seen your face!” Mezli grins at me, her black eyes sparkling with delight.

I frown at her. “Mezli? What’s going on? Did something happen?”

She places her upper hands on my shoulders. “Breathe, babe.” Her smile fades as she takes in my reddened face and wet eyes. “Oh shit, did something happen to you?”

“No, just my parents?—”

“Ugh, say no more.” She pulls me into a tight hug, her lower arms wrapping around my waist while her upper ones clutch my upper back. “My mothers are a nightmare. Well, it’s probably more accurate to say that I’m their nightmare child that didn’t fit their perfect plan for the next scion of House Frye. But I get how awful parents can be.”

I melt into her touch, forgetting for a moment what we were talking about as little jolts of excitement dance across my skin at her nearness. “Thanks,” I sigh. “Uh, my parents are wonderful. They didn’t do anything to make me cry—I just miss them more than I realized.”

“Oh! If you’re not dealing with parental drama, do you want me to stop hugging you?”

“No!” I say far too eagerly, and she chuckles.

“Mmm, good.” She nestles in even closer, and suddenly it’s far too hard to breathe normally. Not with her pressed up against me and her unique scent filling my nostrils. I can’t quite place what it reminds me of, but a sense of rightness washes over me.

“Damn, you’re even nicer to hug than Fina,” she murmurs against my shoulder.

I push down a shiver of pleasure as her breath dances across my skin. “That’s your human friend, right?” I ask.

“Yep! She’s fun to hug because of her squishy boobs, but your tits are even better. So full and soft.”

“What?!” I squeak and pull away, my face flaming.

“Whoops, sorry, I probably shouldn’t have said that out loud. I forgot how shy you humans can be.”

“I’m not shy!” I protest, but I know I’m turning a deeper pink than her skin. “That’s just not something people normally say to a…” I’m not sure how to finish that statement. I want to say friend, but we’ve only known each other for a few cycles.

“To what?” Mezli cocks a brow at me. “To someone they find attractive? Again, humans are far too prudish for their own good. Why can’t I tell a beautiful woman that she’s got amazing tits and I love feeling them against me?”

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