SS NYM Ch 10

Athena sits at the table with a glass of wine, watching Meri and Colby busily take care of the dishes and clean up.

“I take it you planned the dessert menu,” she says. A little wine and rest after her long day have perked Athena up. There’s less of the downtrodden intern and more of the former goddess of CCL in her smile now.

Meri takes off her apron and approaches the table, clasping her hands demurely.

“Dessert is whatever you want, Onee-sama,” she says.

“I want to know what your plan was,” Athena replies. She knows that playing hard to get drives Meri completely wild.

“Of course. Entertainment is planned,” Meri says, gesturing gracefully toward the sofa. Athena had made the mistake of mentioning certain things to Meri in the years prior, and when it came to Athena, Meri forgot nothing.

A few minutes later, snuggled on the sofa between the two gift-wrapped girls, Athena stares at the TV screen, which is the only light in the apartment. They’re cozy under a blanket.

“What the hell is this?” she asks.

“The greatest film ever made,” Colby replies.

On the screen, several little boys have just broken the penis off a statue. A moment ago there was a car chase. And a zipline. It’s a lot. Athena doesn’t know what’s happening. “Is that Josh Brolin?” she asks.

“You said you’d never seen it,” Meri says. She is the picture of contentment and Athena is trying not to look at her.

“When did I say that?” Athena asks absently, still trying to understand what she’s watching.

“After the volleyball game. You know. At the Shark Center.”

“You remember that?”

“Of course,” Meri replies.

When the end credits roll, Athena looks only slightly less dazed. She got into it once they found the treasure map. She comes to her senses to find Meri looking at her from one side and Colby on the other.

“Something wrong?” Athena asks slowly.

“This is the part where you unwrap your presents,” Meri tells her.

Athena holds her gaze, then looks at Colby. Then back to Meri.

“You’re giving me your fiancé as a present? Seems problematic,” Athena tells her.

“Not problematic. Naughty,” Meri corrects.

“You want to be punished? Is that what you’re fishing for?” Athena asks with a laugh.

“I want whatever you want,” Meri says.

Athena turns back to Colby and leans in close, making the younger girl blush. “I always was a little jealous that Meri was with such a cutie,” she says, knowing exactly how this kind of behavior just palm-slams every button between a young woman’s legs.

Colby swallows nervously and fidgets.

Athena goes in even closer to whisper in her ear, so softly that Meri can’t hear. Meri is so thrilled to see Colby and Athena getting in the mood that she doesn’t wonder what they’re saying. Athena comes back up.

“I accept,” she says. She pushes the blanket off, grabs both ribbons, and pulls.