"Babe, do you think we can knock out another round?" Raven questions.

She's still on top of her lover, limbs entangled. Her soft, slender fingers rest around Garfield's ears and cheeks.

"Of course we can." He replies with a faint smile.

Nonetheless, Raven knows a lie when it's told.

The empath gazes into his tender, dark emerald eyes.

"No, we can't. You're not up to it."

Garfield sighs with a frown. He avoids eye contact with Raven.

"Yeah, you caught me."

"Don't I always? I know you too well to be tricked by reassuring words and a cute smile. I'm aware of you emotionally, physically, empathetically…"

"Cutely, too?"

"Well— sure, but—"

He smiles affectionately, peppering her face with damp kisses.

"Cutie."

"Hey," Raven fusses playfully. "I was talking."

"So, multitask."

Garfield's tickles to Raven's sides makes her laugh.

"You—Gar! Stop it! Can we do this after we talk?!"

"Listen to yourself, you're so angy-wangy, fussy-wussy. Can't I give you some fluuuuuuuff?"

"No."

"Oh, yeah?"

Garfield roughly (but in no way to hurt Raven) puts her on the bottom. His whimsical kisses grasp her neck, and his firm tickles to her stomach.

"You're so annoying." Raven's eyes spark, then a hex zaps Garfield.

"Ouch! That doesn't mean you have to choose violence." Garfield's delighted chuckles warms Raven's heart.

"Yes, it does," She pecks his neck. "We're used to my passive aggressive way of affection by now."

"Too used to it to not love it."

"Precisely. So, Mr. Man, we need to talk," Raven holds his cheeks, and makes him look her in the eyes.

"Why do you feel the need to lie to me?"

Garfield denies. "I wasn't..."

"Gar."

Her violet gaze is unyielding.

Garfield sighs.

"Okay, maybe I was lying about wanting another go. I just… I don't want to let you down, Rae."

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Let me down?"

"Like… disappoint you. I want you to enjoy yourself."

"Gar, you never disappoint me." Raven states.

"I knew you would say that."

"Hey, look at me,"

Garfield's eyes meet hers.

"I mean it. I enjoy myself when I'm with you all of the time. Inside of sex, outside of sex. When we talk, laugh, nuzzle noses, share food, listen to music, even when we cry. Don't ever think that I don't enjoy you, that is the last thing I would let myself do."

"I guess…"

Garfield is still insecure.

"I promise. Sex is supposed to be enjoyable mutually, and we always have that. What I don't want is for you to ignore your feelings. If you don't want sex, neither do I. Please, don't push your emotions aside for my sake. I want you to communicate with me, and trust me."

"I know, Raven. Sometimes it's just so hard to do it, you know?"

"I do know."

Garfield explains. "I trust you, I love you, and I want what's best for us. I'm so used to suppressing feelings, it can be hard to let go. On top of that, I'm aware that emotions aren't the kindest to you; so I hold back."

"That's what our love is for. To weigh things out, test scary waters. Like I said earlier, we both have similar creatures inside of us. They crave, they need care, attention, love, freedom, and even rest. We're the same… Do you realize that?"

"Yes. I gotta work on accepting it."

"And I respect that, that's okay. Take all the time you need, and remember that I'm here to help you through it,"

She kisses his marked knuckles like one time before.

"That thing, that demon inside of me. It loves your beast just as he is. All of the faults, doubts, and the wild nature attached. My demon, she's designed just for your beast. Got it?"

"Got it, we can do this. Thank you so much for understanding, Raven."

"No problem."

"You promise to let me know if anything's too much, or if you feel uncomfortable?"

"Always, and you do the same for me, please," Raven smiles, and Garfield smiles back.

"Now, we've gotta get to our aftercare routine."

"Yup. Shower?"

"Yes, Azarath knows we need one. We got nasty."

"Mhmmm, just how I like it."

Garfield gives Raven's bottom lip a slow, soft suck. She starts a kiss, satisfied with the brief, sweet seconds their lips shared.

"Alright, well, let me use the bathroom first. Then, we can shower, and maybe add another aftercare routine."

"While you do that, I need some space to think for a little." Garfield asserts.

"Take your time, Beast Babe."

After a while, Raven and Garfield concluded a warm, delicate shower together.

Raven lit up a lilac candle, and a lavender one. The floral, sweet fragrance from the candles wafted to each corner of the room.

Garfield made a cup of lemon balm tea, and a cup of peppermint for himself. Additionally, he brought a bowl of fresh strawberries. Garfield sits on the foot of the bed, and Raven sits near the head. They're both facing each other, silently enjoying their tea, and sharing their fruit.

Garfield breaks the silence.

"Raven, I've got a question, and it's okay if you don't want to answer."

"Ask away."

His tone is slightly nervous, but he questions.

"What was your favorite part?"

"Favorite part about…"

"Sex. Sex from tonight."

Raven hesitates before she responds.

"Everything, really. From start to finish, I had a good time. I have to say, there are some things that you do that have me all over the place."

A red blush stains her cheeks.

Garfield smirks. "Go on, tell me."

"Gaaaar," Raven whines. "This is so weird. Why are we talking about the do after we did it?"

"I dunno… I figured talking helps us express better, and that it would help us feel more comfortable. Most times we have sex, do after care, and that's it. I'm starting to think talking about what we do is just as important. It's healthier and gives us more emotional security with each other."

"You're totally right about that, I like how you're thinking. I'm sorry, I got jitters for some reason."

Garfield reassures. "So did I, it's alright. We have each other."

"Okay, okay. My favorite part was when you were a bottom, not gonna lie."

She's as blunt as ever, exactly like the first time they met. Never did Garfield think he'd make love with this woman, let alone talk about the love they created over tea and strawberries.

He smiles, lets out a light scoff.

"Gee, thanks."

"No problem," Raven teases. "I love when I get you so good, that you can't even talk. That had me."

"Yeah, ahehe. You did a number on me, I'll give you that."

"When you're in denial, but everything you're holding back comes out one way or another. And how you said my name… it felt so good to hear it that way. I don't know how you do it, but you make everything you do soft and hot at the same time. I love seeing you get loose, it makes me feel so comfortable with myself, as well as you. As for the first round, your praise kink drives me nuts. Everrry time. Also, when you tell me what to do… that… gets to me. Like telling me to sit down? Yeah, that was a killer for sure. I wanted to melt into the mattress,"

Raven laughs, and so does Garfield.

The simple joy of emotional comfort and each other's company.

"But, when I look down at you, and you're having the time of your life getting down. Your eyes say it all, you're pulling my hips in, and you're doing me so well. Amazing,"

Raven sips her tea, gesturing to her lover.

"Your turn."

"God, here we go. Raven,"

Garfield slides his tongue through his lips, then a shy smile grows on his face. With that precious smile, he pops a strawberry into his mouth.

"You're so good. I can't even get my head around it, I'm still trying to. The hip rocking… dude."

"I know that gets to your head."

"Damn right it does,"

He looks at her, and chuckles.

"You've gotta keep doing that. The sounds you make, Rae, Oh, my God. Most times you don't have to use your words to communicate your needs and desires, and I think that's so beautiful. You trust me to assess your body language and act accordingly. When you pull me closer when you want more, that— whew. This is the part I love, though. When you're on edge, and I'm your tipping point. I love the build up and release between the both of us. Every time we do it, it's better than the last. When you kissed my hand, held it, and went real slow. The icing on the cake, you're talking me through the whole thing… incredible."

"I'm so grateful that we can love the way we do." Raven says.

"I second that motion. I also love the soft kisses we have. The innocent intimacy is unrivaled." Garfield adds.

Raven agrees. "The soft kisses, the hair stroking."

"Kissing and touching everywhere."

"The nose kisses, and for me, the chakra kisses." She taps her red stone comically.

Garfield's fang sticks out when he gives a pleased expression.

"Yep. Sometimes we laugh over the most silly things while we have sex, and that makes it all the more meaningful."

"The random "I love you's" and tender whispers of reassurance… to die for."

"You ain't never lied."

"You never fall short, Gar. You're the one, and only one for me. Loving may not be perfect, but as long as we're doing it together, that's all that matters."

Strawberries, perfumed purple wax.

Fluffy phrases, emotional tuning.

Healing.

The smell of lavender and lilacs dancing in their souls. The raw love blooming, it never withered; even after their coitus. There were still so many conversations to visit, and new ways to love.

succulent strawberries.

lips colored in a sweet,

red hue.

red angels on their lips.

the bowl of strawberries become empty

but the bowls of their minds are well fedce

with love,

Dee.