[In the previous Mature episode, Patience and Valon get intimate but are interrupted by the onset of another episode of tremors]

Alarmed, Patience reeled back to see the onset of a barrage of tremors. Valon arched into the stack of pillows, his neck stiff and rigid. He gritted his teeth as his limbs seized and shook. The bedding crumpled under his quaking form. In a rush of emotion, Patience threw herself on Valon. She hugged him tightly against the bed until the episode passed.

Heavy, tired breaths left his mouth as the man’s body finally relaxed. Patience settled beside him, gingerly stroking his arm experiencing its last shudders. She watched his fluttering eyelids. The bob of the knot in his throat reaching his snow-white scruff before fleeing again as he swallowed. His sculpted chest rising and falling. They lay there in silence for a sacred few minutes.

“Do you pity me?” croaked Valon, gaze fixed on the ceiling.

“I—” stuttered Patience, “I do feel sorry about your condition.”

“Is that why you give yourself to me?”

“Well—I said I did want to help you in any way I can. If letting you have my body counts, then I’ll allow it.”

Valon ground his teeth.

“But I am genuinely attracted to you,” Patience affirmed. “Even in your current state, I cannot deny my lust.”

The man rolled his head over to lock eyes with her. The grim frown he wore mellowed into a tight, thin line. “I appreciate your honesty.”

“And me? Do you pity me? Disfigured and wrangled into the claws of a beast,” whispered Patience.

“No,” he answered, “I like your mettle.” His thick fingers wrapped around her wrist. “And you feel quite nice.”

A blush spread over Patience’s nose. She leaned in to kiss him. To her surprise, he did not refuse her.

He brought his arm around to pull her atop him once more. “Now where were we?”

She breathed, “Are you sure?”

“You tell me,” he rumbled.

[Next update will be Mature as they continue]