Blind Carnival

Tell Him

He's watching the final showdown at the base on Demons Run, and she's studying him discreetly. Her poor head is narrating, about the noble profile, and the contrast between the coarseness of his beard, and the even tone of his skin, and how the shadows lie under his eyes from his surprisingly fluffy lashes. She decides to take this mental rambling under control. She shifts and presses her forehead to his shoulder. He's changed into a comfortable jumper, light grey, and very soft.

"John..."

He hums to show he's listening.

"Remember, how I was here the second time, and we had sex on your kitchen table?"

He looks at her from the corner of his eye. She's peeking at him with one eye as well. They're quite a pair.

"Quite distinctly," he answers with a straight face, and she snorts.

There's a smile hiding in the corners of his lips, she's learnt them well by now. She moves closer.

"And you said that if I ever want sex, I should just... ask."

He slowly gives her a drawn out 'uh-huh.'

She honestly thought she'd be able to smoothly get through the next sentence, but it comes out in a jumbled mumble of "I'd love some now."

He guffaws and finally turns to her. His eyes are amazing! She knows now what the first harlequin novelist to write his eyes were sparkling with laughter meant. They're Bleu de France, with little specs of International Klein blue dancing in them. He gently cups her jaw with his hand and smiles at her warmly.

"And I'm only happy to oblige, Liv..."

She's sensing a 'but' here.

"But?"

"Well, you've been very upset, and- Are you sure it'll be good for you?"

Awww, the lambkin is taking care of you, Olivia! He thinks you might be emotionally compromised, vulnerable, and make rash decisions in your state. At least that's her interpretation of his question.

She slides on his lap, facing him, and meets his eyes. She can feel his hard, warm thighs through two layers of denim.

"I'm a grown up woman, John, and very much aware of potential unhealthy sexual behaviours. Besides, did you know that the hormone DHEA, released every time a woman reaches orgasm, boosts the immune system, improves cognition, the skin tone, and even works as an antidepressant?"

"So, purely medical reasons then?" he chuckles.

"Yup. Consider this my self-care."

She slides her hands under the collar of his jumper, and onto his nape. All puns intended, it's gratifying. He's warm, the skin is even, she can feel his muscles underneath.

"Is there something specific that you want, John?"

It's surprisingly easy to ask. Maybe, she is emotionally compromised. She's clearly more open and much more attached. It's been quite a barney just now, and he helped her through it. Will she overanalyse it later? Of course. Will she stop now? No way.

She pushes her right hand up, into the soft curls at the back of his head, and kisses the corner of his lips. And then she trace the bottom one with the tip of her tongue.

"We're taking care of you here, Liv. It's all for you today."

When wasn't it? To think of it, if it weren't up to her sometimes, she'd be getting so much more than half of all pleasure in their encounters.