Short Stories

Morning Light

Waking up with Tao

    The light of the morning sun spilled through the window, the light bounced off the carving in the glass causing rainbow fractals to skim the floors and walls of the room. The light that covered the room began to slip up a blanket and shine on onyx fur that lay under it, Tao sighed as the light of the sun trailed up to his face, making his eyes open for a moment before he turned his back to the window to prevent the sunlight hurting his eyes. Tao looked at the other side of his bed, his eyes softened as he stared at the one he lay next to, he reached a hand over and placed it on your head. You were still soundly asleep as Tao stroked your hair doing his best not to wake you, he thought of getting out of bed to prepare breakfast for the both of you but he simply didn't wish to leave your side, so he just moved closer and held you close to his chest. A deep breath left him as he held the back of your head and moved his thumb to stroke your hair. Tao’s tail was touching the floor and flicking gently, he was content and happy like this. You had accepted him as he was, his scars, his fears, his weaknesses, you had accepted him and he loved you for it. As he was thinking about how you had accepted him he hadn't noticed that you had woken up, he only realized it when he felt your hands on his face, cupping his cheeks and gingerly running your thumbs along his scars, your eyes met his deep violet ones, they were staring back at you with the kindest expression they had nearly every morning. “Good morning Tao.” “Good morning, my love.” Tao shifted to sit up in the bed, the sheets moving off his chest so he could stretch, the morning light still peering through the window, illuminated Tao’s fur and chest, his scars exposed to the nearly empty bedroom. Tao’s arms were up, getting that good morning stretch before plopping back down onto the soft sheets of the bed and returning to your arms. “That was a big stretch there, I take it you slept well?” “Any night next to you is a perfect one.” You laughed at his early morning antics, you looked down at Tao, his face was settled in your lap, his hair was a mess but he didn't care, not one bit. “We should get out of bed now, start making breakfast soon?” A good idea but Tao hadn't thought of moving since your fingers were tangled in his hair. He was content, so getting out of bed was off the table. “Well yes, but, are you sure we have to move now? I think I'm pretty comfortable like this.” You laugh and offer a rebuttal “That’s because you're lying your head in my lap!” He smiled, a fang peeking over his lips, before sighing and taking your hand from the side of his face, kissing your palm and closing his eyes again. You chuckled a bit and let out a semi-defeated sigh. “Fine, we can stay for a little longer. But I have to go to work at eleven, okay?” Tao sat up to look at the clock hanging above the door, it read nine fifteen. He fell back into your lap and chuckled. “Of course, after all I don't mind staying in bed a little longer with you.”