The Blanket Baby

Chapter 6 - Athena

Athena knocked on Derrick's door. She clocked out of work early to have a little conversation with him. Other than the little ember that happened on her couch, the picture she found in Adelia's sweater was nagging at her for the whole night. She can't see the face but she feels as if she's seen the person before. In order to know, the only person she could think of was Derrick. If she could remember correctly, he works security, right? It's most likely given he works nights. the seconds felt like minutes before he opened the door taking up the space between the frame.

"Oh good, you're still home." She pushed her way inside enjoying the little contact between her hand and his forearm.

"Well hello to you too."

"Where's Ali?"

"'She's in my room watching TV."

"Good. I need to talk to you." She planted herself on his couch like if she owned the place, "if I remember correctly, you work at some hotshot security firm, right?"

She sees him hesitate a bit but gave her an answer nonetheless, "that's my main source of income, yeah..."

she patted the seat next to her. "Come closer, I don't want Adelia overhearing this." He, however, quickly managed to sit in her breathing space. If it was a different type of day, he would've gotten the mouthful of the century. "Yesterday, while doing the laundry, I found this in Ali's clothes." she pulled out the picture from her bag. "It's in a horrible state but I was wondering if..." she paused for a second. "...if you could fix it up a bit."

"Athena, this picture is shot to shit."

"I know but please try. Something is bothering me about it and I won't feel good unless I figure it out."

The ever increasing lines on his face meant that he was agitated but after a few minutes, he let out an exasperated sigh, "Give me before I change my mind."

"Oh thank you thank you thank you!" She quickly brought him down into a hug and did her best to squeeze some life out of him. After a minute, his fingers tentatively wrapped themselves around her sides before engulfing her whole waist and gently pushing her away from his body. Athena wanted to pout but thought better of it.

"Did Satan open the gates of hell himself?"

Athena squinted at him. Something annoying is going to fly out of his mouth if she responds but she is curious as to what snarky remark he will come up with. "Not that I've heard; why do you ask?"

"Because you hugged me Athena..." Instant soakage of her panties just by him calling her name. "Willingly too. The world is starting to burn somewhere."

"It's called appreciation. I do show it, you know; something I doubt you're privy of. So be happy and frame those clothes because it might be a long time before you even get another one."

"Appreciation, huh..." He began backing her into a corner, "then show me more so I never get shocked like that again." A hand wrapped around the side of her neck, his thumb holding her chin up so she has no choice but to look at him. "I could frame these clothes now since this is a special occasion but you'll have to do it yourself since you suggested it and will have to suffer seeing me naked since this is my place."

Her cheeks heated. Many times she's seen Derrick half naked and many times she has pictured him naked in her dreams but to see the real thing? She just might faint. Closing her eyes to catch herself, she prepared to give one of the biggest retorts of century, "If you couldn't stand my hug then burn them and scrub your skin raw so I don't 'infect' you. And I'd rather watch a blade of grass grow than subject my eyes to bleeding profusely upon sight of your naked ass."

Derrick let out a loud laugh before facing Athena again. "Don't test me Athena; fact-finding is in my blood and I love a good hypothesis given that I get to dictate the method of operations."

"Derrick, I'm hu - what are you doing?"

Saved by the bell. Adelia came in the room with her purple striped onesie and dragging her now clean blanket across the floor behind her. Using the opportunity, Athena was quick to respond and manoeuvred herself out of Derrick's grasp, "Well, I was about to kick him between the legs for invading my personal space but you saved him."

"Oh. That's good."

"Good indeed. I feel like pizza today; how about we eat that for dinner tonight?"

"Yay! Pizza!"

Athena chuckled before looking back at Derrick. "See you around." Mixed emotions littered her thoughts: she was blessed that Adelia came out when she did to stop the madness but was kind of curious as to what Derrick was on about hoping it meant exploring the Kamasutra.

Athena sighed. Wine is going to be her friend tonight.

______________________

I'll write for you soon _(:3」∠)_

~Kimmie~