LOVE BITES: CUPID & COVID

Valentine’s Day 2021 was like no other. Clearly, we didn't get to dress up and eat a candle-lit dinner with our lover… but that doesn’t mean that we didn’t keep things sexy (yes, even amongst a global pandemic). Here, students from the Brown/RISD community respond to a prompt asking for the juicy details of this seductive holiday. 

Social-distanced sex 

“To us. I love you,” she said and we raised our glasses to the screen. The connection was poor and Zoom was lagging, but neither of us minded. I felt the bubbles of the champagne dance on my lips, warming my body as it traveled down my throat. We talked about how our bodies longed for one another and she told me to show her how much I missed her. I let the straps of my dress fall off of my shoulders. The silk gently tickled my nipples as it slid down, reminding me of her touch. “Show me where you want me to touch you,” She whispered. I lowered the camera on my laptop slowly, following my hand as it traveled down. I closed my eyes and for a moment, I swore I could feel her here with me. 

-Anonymous 

Something more?  

On Valentine’s Day, we had a candlelit dinner with red wine. It wasn’t meant to be romantic—you lit the candles because the power went out, and I opened the wine because Austin's tap water treatment system had failed, and we didn’t have anything else to drink.

After dinner, we held each other in bed; the fire had died, and it was cold. I massaged your shoulder, since you’d strained it while gathering firewood, and the physical therapy office would be closed all week because of the weather.

The handcuffs and the blindfold came next. What was our excuse for that?

It wasn’t meant to be a relationship–we were only exclusive because of COVID. But then why did you come over that night, and why do you keep calling?

-Anonymous

Longing 

I asked my partner to tie my wrists together to the bed frame above my head, knotting my scarf that he likes to see me wear. He removed one of his pillowcases and blindfolded me. Unable to see him, the surprise of his mouth on mine made me melt into the mattress, making me increasingly wet. Facing the other way from me, he took off his underwear and gently held his penis near my searching mouth, groaning as I raised my head to take him in deeper. I felt him place the top of his head on the lower part of my stomach, watching me, blindfolded, arms tied, trying desperately to swallow him.

-Deeply Bound 

Tongues attached to hearts

I’m thinking back to a few years ago

(god, when did it get to be that long?

it feels like all I have is time these days).

I don’t want to talk about it.

Seeing you again.

What we spoke about (how good it felt).

I didn’t know tongues were attached to hearts and

How much I became attached to you.

I can guess she’s made you fall in love,

Her smile can do that.

The way her blonde hair curls at the bottom,

Like honey falling into your mother’s chamomile tea.

That New England, good Christian girl

I knew you’d want.

Do you still think about me?

(I know I’m probably just a memory)

I will never know.

No longer mine.

No longer us.

-Emma Rosenkranz 

Would you pick up? 

This year I spent Valentine’s Day with my podmates. We sat on the twin-sized mattress with pillows bracing our backs against the hard cement brick wall, passing a cheap bottle of red wine and chocolates in a circle. The wine was bitter; it reminded me of the taste of sadness, longing and regret. It reminded me of the taste of you. It only took one glass before you were on my mind, and by the end of the bottle there was nothing more I wanted than to hear the sound of your voice. If I called, would you pick up? For now, I am too afraid to confront that truth, but maybe I won’t always be... 

-Missing You 

Just friends 

we’re just friends. 

But when you spilled your drink, I couldn’t help but stare in awe as vodka fell from your red-lined lips and traveled down your chest. I felt envy for your oversized tee-shirt as it clung tightly to your body. 

we’re definitely just friends 

So tell me why I felt my heart skip a beat when you called me to say your Tinder date canceled plans last minute. I invited you over before you could finish your sentence. We ate Jo's under candlelight. You taught me to make those god-awful chocolate chip cookies better by heating them in the microwave.

we’re just friends

I haven’t stopped thinking about you and the way your curls frame your face since Valentine’s Day. I can still smell your perfume on my bed sheets where we made fun of rom-coms all night. 

Are we just friends? 

-Anonymous  

EDITOR: Liz Kaplan is a junior at Brown. You can find her taking her cat on walks or somewhere surrounded by plants!!

ARTIST: Lucid Clairvoyant