Early Morning Lover

Imagine:

Waking in the early morning, rolling over to an empty bed.

Sluggishly crawling out of the covers and padding to the kitchen, wearing nothing but a pair of underwear and one of their favourite sweaters.

Smelling coffee from down the hall as you tiredly make your way into the kitchen, the cool floor a stark contrast to the heat of your skin from being under the covers all night.

Reaching the doorway to see them at the kitchen table, laptop open, silently listening to the playlist you two made together through a pair of earbuds. A document is open, but you can't make out the words.

You silently make a mug of coffee, making a second one as you spare a glance at their empty one. You make it to their liking, grabbing both and heading over to the table quietly.

Setting the mug in front of your partner, wrapping an arm around their shoulders and pressing a kiss to the side of their head, just above the temple.

Instead of startling them, they smile softly and reach up with one hand to grip yours.

You look over their shoulder to the open document, one you know they've been working on for months. They haven't let you read it yet, but it seems done, as they don't oppose you reading over them.

It's a story, as you can tell, one where the two main characters are very obviously based on the two of you. It's compiled into a set of poems, and no names are said, but you can just tell.

They silently pat the seat next to them, and you sit, steaming mug held in your sweater paws.

You take a long drink and rest your head on their shoulder, and they rake their hand through your hair calmly, ridding it of its sleepy look.

The sun slowly rises outside the window next to you, and the rising sun shines light onto you both, creating a serene, picturesque scene.

They take out one earbud and offer it to you, and you both sit and listen as soft love songs full of longing, passion, and nostalgia fill the silence.

There's no need for words, even long after the sun has risen and empty coffee mugs have gone cold.

You both know nothing needs to be said, because the silence speaks louder than words ever could. It speaks three words, louder than any voice you could produce.

I love you.