"Unless you're a parent, you don't understand the impulse to do whatever it takes to protect your children. There is no stopping a mother or father from doing what they see is best for their kids."
-Beatrice Blume

TEMPEST

The observation room is at the head of the ship, directly above the cockpit or whatever it's called on a ship like this, and the entire room is made of glass. I can see the entire universe expand in front of me, and even from here, I can see the speck of land floating in the cosmos where we will one day land. Thirteen light years away doesn't look as long as it is in reality, but hopefully the proposed FTL drives will help that. And help Esther get here too.

The sky around me—because out here everything is sky—is a swirled water color painting of dark blues, purples, pinks, and specks of glitter glimmering in and out of splendor. It's gorgeous and romantic, which gives this meeting a very clear Yuri feel. Of the two guys in my life, Yuri is the one who is all about romance. Neo is all about the application, but that's stopping. Yuri has to be the only guy in my life from now on, what with explosives in our DNA and all.

"You're early," a voice says from behind me, and I spin around, caught off guard. It doesn't sound like Yuri or Neo, and when I turn, I see who actually summoned me into this romantic spot. Suddenly, it's not so romantic.

"Emperor Oshiro," I reply to greet him. I bow, which sends wrinkles over his aged face as he smiles.

"It is lovely to finally meet you, Tempest."

He and I had always been at the same parties where I'd seen Yuri, of course, but he's right—until now, we'd never officially met.

"You too, sir."

He moves to sit on one of the cushioned seats in front of the observatory windows, in front of the galaxy, and allows himself to rest a moment before getting straight to business. "My son Yuri is quite infatuated with you."

"Yes, sir. I enjoy his company as well."

"Not as much as Yuri would like," he responds.

"I'm sorry?"

He sighs. "Yuri is aware that you were hesitant about joining this voyage."

"I know. He gave me the option to leave."

"Kind soul. However, he does not know that you've been fraternizing with the staff."

My whole body goes cold, as it feels like all the blood rushes to my cheeks. "What?"

"Neo Sanders will be reassigned from your care, but Yuri is never to know the reason. Neo has special interests in physics, so he will be working as an engineer from now on. You are not to see Neo after this conversation, nor are you to engage in any form of contact with him. Yuri is to be your sole focus. You need not apologize to Mr. Sanders, as he has been promoted and will be much happier in this position. You need not discuss this with Yuri, as he has been given the official story, and as far as he is concerned, Neo was and always will be a simple servant to you."

All of the universe behind the emperor seems to close in on me, and all I can say is a strained, "Sorry."

He nods. "As is evident from your phone conversation with your cousin on Earth, you are aware of the imperfections in the DNA of your generation. Yuri is not an exempt from this, not like you."

"I don't have the explosives? How do you know?"

He smiles again. "As I said, Tempest: I know everything. It is my job to know everything."

"Why would you allow your son on the ship if he could explode at any time?"

"He won't. My job is to make sure he is happy, but now that is your job. He is not to know about the explosives, nor about this conversation. Suffice it to say, I am not pleased with your performance so far. You were asked here to be a comfort to him, and you have yet to fulfill your duty."

"A comfort?" I ask, allowing myself to become a little offended by the choice of words now that I know nothing but a slap on the wrist will come of it. "Isn't that a little Roberts and Cooper of you? This isn't Cooper's Estate."

"A true citizen of the world, I see. But my son is my world, Tempest, and we are no longer on Earth. Now Yuri is your world as well."

"Yuri must have learned his kindness from someone else. He certainly did not from you."

"This is true," the emperor agrees, which throws me off. "His mother was a shining star in our lives. Her death was tragic for us all. Now you must be that star for Yuri."

He braces himself to stand, and finally pushes himself up. I probably should have helped him, but not after this conversation.

"Tell me this: Was it your mandate or Yuri's that I be on this ship?"

"Yuri has always had an affection for you. Girls have come and gone, but you have been a constant interest for him. And I approved of your humanitarian efforts on Earth, as well. You seemed to be a good woman for him to spend his life with. Do not make me take drastic measures."

"What does that mean?"

"If Yuri explodes, we will all die. Your job is to make sure he does not. If you cannot perform this task, you will no longer be welcome."

"On the ship, or?"

He starts to walk away. "There is an entire galaxy of planets out there, Tempest. Either Yuri is your world, or you can pick a new one."

I freeze with fear and anger as the emperor leaves, and when I am finally sure he's gone, I allow my muscles to melt beneath me. I collapse to the floor and sit there, watching the stars float around me. An entire universe, and my path has been carved so specifically that if I drift from it at all, I'll be threatened. My life will be threatened.

I'm not sure how much time has passed when someone finally finds me, but it's enough for me to be pretty sure the party has ended. That, plus the fact that sounds crescendoed and waned from the halls behind me, and now the gentle steps of dress shoes and the light crinkles of expensive fabric moving come to greet me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Yuri take a seat on the floor beside me.

"You're going to get dirt on your suit," I say blankly. It's all I can do to act normal.

"Then you and I will get dirty together. Not like that, though," he jokes.

I can't help but smile at that. My humor has always been a bit immature, and I have to admit, it feels good to smile. "Sure, pervert," I joke back.

"Did you just call me a pervert?"

I laugh. "Yes, I did. What are you going to do, tough guy?"

For a moment, he doesn't respond at all and I worry that I perhaps acted too comfortable, too much like how I would with Neo. But then Yuri gets back to the romantic at his core, and takes advantage of the beauty in this now terrifying universe. Yuri leans over, taking my face in his hand, and kisses me. It's a full, passionate, breath-taking kiss, and in this moment, all the walls of the ship are stripped away and we float in the gentle infinity of the sky.

When we break away, and I'm transported back to the observation room, I catch my breath, and Yuri says, "Thank you for staying."

I could respond by revealing why I'm really here and who really orchestrated this little rendezvous. But I like Yuri. I like Neo too, but... being with Yuri is definitely not the worst thing to ever happen to me. I don't like that I have no choice in the matter, but Yuri was always the guy who I came back to too. Maybe it's supposed to be just me and Yuri at the end of the universe.

So I lie. Well, I omit the truth.

"My pleasure," I say, and Yuri smiles a comforted grin.