I followed Theseus up some steps to one of the love seats.
This was so cool!
I flopped down into the seat. The bottom part was wide enough for me to spread my legs out and the cushion was a soft leather. I had heard about seats like this before, but had never seen one myself. With how nice they were, I wondered if the tickets were expensive.
Theseus settled down next to me and surprised me when he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in close to him. The warm and fuzzy feeling that burst to life in my chest fizzled out when he had to put those clunky glasses on. I wondered if there was something I could do to help him.
I pondered on this while the movie began. I didn’t actually know what we were even seeing, but when the Marvel logo flashed across the screen, I shouldn’t have been surprised. I couldn’t help but smile as I settled in and rested my head against Theseus’s shoulder.
The movie itself was rather boring. Visually entertaining, yes, but way too easy to predict. Glancing over at Theseus and his big clunky glasses, he looked so absorbed in the movie. His face lit up like an excited little boy when one of the characters did a sick flip over a car.
I chuckled and settled into him. This was nice.
About halfway through the movie, I noticed the shadow of someone walking into the theater. I tensed as the form moved swiftly up the steps and towards where Theseus and I were sitting.
I felt Theseus shift and look down at me. “What’s wrong?”
My eyes quickly flicked to meet Theseus’s and then to the form that was now only so many feet away. He tensed alongside me for a split second before he sighed.
“Jason, the movie’s not over yet.”
I frowned and studied the form more closely. It was familiar. Jason crouched down in front of our seat.
“I’ve come to get you, my princess.”
“What? But the movie…”
“Jason, it’s not your turn yet!” Theseus hissed loudly.
There were mutters and half hearted complaints to be quiet. I bit my lip and turned to Theseus, gesturing for him to lower his voice. He wasn’t paying any attention to me, though. He was pouting at Jason, his eyes glowing.
“Just a few more minutes, man.”
“You’ve had her all morning, Theseus. Sharing is caring.”
“But the movie’s almost over,” Theseus whined back.
“Then you wouldn’t mind if I come sit with you, would you?”
“Um, well…”
“Great, scoot over.” Jason patted my leg and squeezed himself into the seat on the other side.
I covered my mouth to muffle my snort when I heard Theseus groan. We scooted over to make room for him, Theseus grumbling next to me, making me snicker harder.
“It’s nice to hear your laughter,” Jason whispered in my ear.
“Isn’t it a bit rude to interrupt a date?” I asked, my smile wide.
I felt him shrug. “It’s not like I’m cock-blocking him or anything.”
“Will you shut the fuck up!” someone in the theater shouted.
“Sorry,” I stage whispered back and sunk into my seat.
I felt Jason chuckle beside me. Scowling, I poked him in the side. It was his fault we got yelled at. How did he know we were here, anyway? And what did Theseus mean when—
Oh, my, God! THE BASTARD POKED ME BACK!
I gasped and pulled my eyes from the screen to glare at Jason. I could see he was grinning like a fool.
This meant war.
I took my time, not reacting at all to his attack. Waiting for him to settle and lose his focus to the movie before I struck, poking him right in the stomach. His retaliation was quick as he poked me right back in the side. And on our battle went! The strikes were fast and lethal, but I was surviving. Until I was betrayed!
“What are you two doing?” Theseus whispered rather poorly.
I had just finished my retaliation on Jason and in all of the excitement I twisted around and poked Theseus right on the cheek.
He blinked, his eyes going wide behind the glasses. “Did you just…?”
I clasped my hand over my mouth trying to stifle my giggles and gasped when Theseus poked my arm.
The two of them began double teaming me from both sides until it was no longer just poking, but full on tickling. Completely aware of our surroundings, I tried really hard to contain my fits of laughter, but clearly I didn’t do well enough because the next thing I knew, an attendant came up next to us.
“Excuse me. There have been complaints about noise. I’m going to have to ask you to either quiet down or leave,” The young man whispered sternly.
I was too busy laughing to answer but Jason stood up abruptly. “My apologies, my man. I’ll fix the problem right away.”
The attended look so confused until Jason leaned down, scooped me up and slung me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“Jason!” I squeaked.
“Time to go, Princess. Bye, Theseus!” And Jason booked it out of the theater with me over his shoulder.
I could see Theseus palming his face and turning to apologize to the attendant before we turned the corner and out the doors.
I couldn’t believe what was happening. Jason jogged all the way out of the building with me over his shoulder, laughing like a maniac.
When we finally reached his car, Jason put me down and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Hello, Atalanta. I like your new hair cut.”
I smiled up into those deep green eyes. “Hello, Jason. Thank you.”
“I have something for you,” he opened the back door and rummaged for something. “Since it is Valentine’s Day, I thought it only appropriate to give into to the trend and get you the cliche stuff. Give you the full experience.”
He reappeared in front of me holding a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, and… “Is that an elephant?”
“You’re too special for a teddy bear, and he looked cute. Happy Valentine’s day, Atalanta.”
“He is cute.” I took the bouquet. “And these are beautiful, Jason. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Princess. Now let’s get to pampering you.”
“Ugh, there’s more?”
He chuckled and gave me a kiss. “There’s always more.”
Chapter Thirteen
Atalanta
As it turned out, Jason’s idea of pampering came right out of a movie. He brought us back to Ajax’s cabin, where he had set up a spa in the living room. Soft pillows spread across the floor like a bed were surrounded by candlelight. Jason gave me a back massage and a manicure. He even pulled out his phone and played relaxing piano music.
“Now, time for a pedicure,” Jason said after he finished painting my fingers a bright blue.
“Don’t I get the chance to pamper you?”
He smirked and tilted his head. “What, like give me a manicure?”
“Yeah, why not?”
Jason shrugged then looked around at the little pile of stuff he had accumulated next to him, including several different nail polish bottles he had bought. Picking up a purple one, he held it out to me.
“You want purple nails?”
“I mean, if I’m going to do it, I should do it right.”
“If that’s your plan, then shouldn’t they be pink?”
He held up his hand. “But then they wouldn’t match my scales as well.”
I giggled. “Okay, fine. Hold out your hand and stay still.”
He held out his hand and I grabbed the clippers, beginning to shape his nails. “If you want them to match your scales, I can try to do a mix of the blue and purple.”