No, more than that. She wanted Lauren to claim her own space in the world anddefendthat space.
And if Sionna was correct, maybe that prickle Lauren felt wasn’t entirely discomfort. Maybe it was excitement too. Maybe it waslife.
Swallowing hard, she looked down at the threadbare edge of the couch cushion.
Either way, it was temporary. OnceGods of the Gatesaired its final episode, she’d never see Alex again. Better not to dwell on her rioting thoughts, her rioting emotions.
Her rioting body.
Screw it. It was after noonsomewhere.
Lauren got up from the couch and went looking for a corkscrew. “I’ll drink to that.”
APPROXIMATELY TWELVE HOURSlater, the two of them were still ensconced on Lauren’s couch, swaddled in blankets and facing her television.
“I’m so horny,” Sionna groaned, and tossed another handful of caramel popcorn toward her mouth with only middling accuracy. “Why does this show have so many sexy actors? Fuck, it’s a fucking hotnesscornucopia.”
She thought for a moment. “Not Jupiter, though. It looks like he has tiny biceps on top of his actual biceps, which freaks me out.”
Lauren snorted in agreement and continued gnawing on her Twizzler.
She’d intended to suggest a different show, but when her friend had proposed taking another stab atGods of the Gatesfor their usual Bottom-Top-Switch debate, she hadn’t argued.
Her chest still ached a bit. Watching Alex on-screen helped, at least in the moment.
The scene switched to one involving Venus and Jupiter and Cupid, and Lauren chewed fast, swallowed her Twizzler, and paused the show.
“Tiny biceps!” Sionna wailed, flinging a hand over her eyes. “Oh, shit, you paused on a shot showing his tiny-biceps-on-his-biceps!”
“Forget about the tiny-biceps-on-biceps for a second, Sionna.” Sitting up straight, Lauren poked her friend. “Since you’ve actually watched this show in its entirety, unlike me, I want your opinion on something.”
Her hair standing up in clumps, Sionna emerged from her blanket burrito. “I am here to tender a professional verdict, as needed. Despite the trauma induced by your screenshot.” She pointed at Alex. “Cupid might be a bottom but might also be a switch. I think we’d need to watch his sex scenes with Psyche again to be absolutely sure. Several times, preferably.”
That … was probably not a good idea. And also—
“That’s not the opinion I wanted.” Lauren waved a hand at the screen. “I need you to watch this scene and tell me whether Cupid’s relationship with Venus and Jupiter is abusive. Because I have my own opinion, but maybe I’m missing some necessary context.”
Once she unpaused the second-season episode, they watched the scene in silence.
“Well, Venus and Jupiter are horrible to everyone, but …” Sionna frowned. “This is different. More intimate. Cupid is her son and Jupiter’s grandson.”
Lauren nodded.
“They manipulate and control him, and tell him they love him, even as they use him for their own ends. They order him to do things that make him miserable, like separating Dido from Aeneas.” Sionna drummed her fingers against the sofa cushion. “I don’t think we’ve ever seen that particular episode together, but when Cupid tells them he loves Psyche, Venus slaps him across the face.”
Lauren winced.
“I don’t think there’s any question, really. It’s abuse.” Sionna turned to face her. “When he broke free to be with Psyche, I considered that a huge step forward for his character.”
On the way to the airport, Alex had told Lauren entirely too much about the final season, but she didn’t want to spoil her friend’s future viewing experience.
“So …” she said carefully, “if, for instance, the final season showed Cupid abandoning Psyche and assisting his mother and grandfather instead—”
“It would send a definite message that survivors of abuse can’t ever truly escape their abusers or form new, healthy relationships.” Sionna’s scowl pinched her round face. “Plus, it would just be fucking terrible storytelling. I mean, what would be the point of all those years of character development, then? What would be the point of his relationship with Psyche? Why would they show him breaking free, only to put him right back where he started?”
Knowing Ron, Lauren could guess.
“Cynicism about human nature. Shock value. It’s possible the writers might not even see the relationship as abusive.” Clearing her throat, she added, “Um, if that were to happen in the last season.”
