Kessie's Short Stories

[MMX/Z/ZX AU] You've got this, Mama.

Originally posted 2/9/2023

'Get a job you love,' they said.

'It won't feel like work when you love what you're doing,' they said.

Apparently, whoever came up with that innate saying never went into coding. Could coding be satisfying? Yes. Did it also take a lot more time than people gave credit for? Also yes. And that was something Aero's boss just didn't quite understand. The pay definitely wasn't worth it for this much crunch. As Aero scanned over code that was written by some developer 10 years before her, and knowing she couldn't change the syntax right away in the event it broke something bigger, the abysmal thought that she could be working a standard office job kept her going regardless.

Working from home had its challenges, of course. But at least she had a family that could tend to other matters while she sat in this corner office alone. The twins were generally cared for by X's older children, which meant enough activities to make the toddlers believe Aero wasn't home at all. X himself took pride in being able to make dinners on time and in line with everyone's preferences. The stay-at-home papa tidying and mending the rest of the house in the meantime. Sometimes it was out of guilt- but that was a discussion for another day.

The door to the bedroom creaked open at the same time as Aero's computer beeped, indicating that she had gotten a message from their project's leader. The little footsteps that came in after were also unregistered as Aero spent her focus trying not to read the message with migraine induced double vision.

"Mama?"

The tiny voice made Aero stifle back a curse. Such a small sound grating on her nerves, even if it meant no harm. It was definitely one of the twins, though, who were likely avoiding naptime. They were still too young for Aero to really make out which one it was offhand though.

"Not now, bug." she said without looking. "Mama's busy."

This, apparently, did not satisfy the toddler. Instead, they placed their hands at her leg and started to shake it.

"Mama," they insisted. "Mama!"

"What?" Aero snapped, a bit more forceful than she intended. She turned, finding that it was Vent, and saw him shrink a little from the outburst. Aero immediately felt terrible.

The little child then looked up at her with wide eyes, stretching his hands out to her.

"Ups please." he requested. His voice was small, like he expected to get yelled at again. It was unfortunately very adorable. Moments like this made it clear why the twins were wrapped around X's finger with every move. But Aero was their mom, it was her job to be the big, mean boss that Papa wasn't, right?

"I've got a lot to do, bug." Aero told him, purposely trying to keep her voice still and calm in the hopes Vent would realize he wasn't in trouble. "Can it wait until Mama's done?"

"Uuuu-up." Vent insisted. He even started to crawl on top of her anyway. The persistence of this tiny person was as impressive as it was obnoxious. Giving a roll of her eyes (and the tiniest hint of a grin), Aero helped Vent up into her lap.

"Comfy?" she asked.

"Hmm-mm." he affirmed with a nod.

"Well, good for you." Aero replied, amusement etching her voice before absently kissing her kid at the top of his head. "You gotta sit real still like a statue if you want to stay there, okay? Mama's got a lot of work and her boss thinks she's a slacker."

"Sacker." Ven repeated. He laughed a little at the word. It sounded silly, and it felt silly as he said it.

"Yep." Aero agreed. She used her right hand to keep sending messages to the team leader- this time even making sure they knew she was a mother working from home with a kid who liked being held. "A slacker is someone who doesn't work because they don't want to work. It can be very bad."