The Great Blanket Battle
Later that evening, Sammi and Eriko returned to their apartment, cheeks flushed from the crisp autumn air and their afternoon walk. Sammi was still clutching the vibrant maple leaf she’d caught mid-air, waving it around like a trophy as Eriko locked the door behind them.
“You’re going to press that in a book like it’s some grand achievement, aren’t you?” Eriko teased, arching an eyebrow.
“Excuse you!” Sammi said, dramatically placing the leaf on the counter. “This is a moment of victory. You should be proud of me!”
Eriko smirked. “Oh, I’m proud of you. But I’m prouder of how easily I’ll take control of the blanket tonight.”
Sammi gasped, clutching the scarf still around her neck. “The blanket? Oh no, Eriko, we talked about this. Shared custody.”
“Shared? Funny,” Eriko replied, pulling off her boots. “Because last I checked, you’re a blanket hog. It’s every woman for herself tonight.”
The Setup
As they got ready for bed, Sammi tried to play it cool. She brushed her teeth extra fast, darting into the bedroom ahead of Eriko and diving under the covers. She stretched out like a starfish, the blanket wrapped tightly around her like a cocoon.
Eriko appeared in the doorway, hands on her hips. “Oh, really?”
Sammi grinned innocently. “What? I’m cold.”
Eriko raised an eyebrow. “You know what happens when you try to pull this, right?”
Sammi gulped, knowing exactly what was coming. “No fair, Eriko, we can talk about this—”
But Eriko was already moving, stepping into the room with that calm, confident air Sammi couldn’t resist.
The “Negotiation”
Eriko leaned over the bed, her black hair falling like a curtain as she gazed down at Sammi. “You have two choices,” she said, her voice teasingly firm. “One, you share the blanket like a reasonable person. Or two, I take it all for myself.”
Sammi narrowed her eyes, trying to hold her ground. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Eriko smirked. “Wouldn’t I?” With a swift motion, she grabbed the edge of the blanket and tugged.
“Hey!” Sammi yelped, clutching the fabric with all her might. “This is mine!”
Eriko laughed, effortlessly pulling the blanket halfway off the bed. Sammi, refusing to give up, clung to it like her life depended on it. But it was no use—Eriko was stronger and, to Sammi’s secret delight, always won these little power struggles.
“Fine, take it!” Sammi huffed, letting go and flopping onto the mattress.
Eriko laughed again, draping the blanket back over both of them. “Oh, Sammi, you’re so dramatic.” She slipped under the covers, pulling Sammi into her arms.
The Aftermath
As they settled in, Sammi rested her head on Eriko’s shoulder, grumbling softly. “You always win.”
Eriko kissed the top of her head, her voice warm with affection. “Of course I do. But you love it.”
Sammi sighed, the smile tugging at her lips betraying her. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t let your feet touch me—they’re freezing.”
Eriko chuckled. “Deal. But only if you stop hogging the pillow.”
They fell asleep like that, tangled together under their shared blanket—Sammi softly grumbling, Eriko quietly victorious, and both utterly content in the unspoken balance of their love.
