He hasn’t left yet. I can hear him singing loudly and slightly off-key as he showers in the next room. I envision him conducting the band with his loofah as he rinses, reaching for his towel and drying his back with a wiggle of his bum. With the towel wrapped loosely around his waist, he clears the steam from the mirror and inspects his profile, checking it from the corner of his eye. He picks up the razor, then switches it for the trimmer and touches up his beard. Grabbing his toothbrush, he applies the toothpaste with a flourish and polishes his teeth to a shark-like gleam. I hear the water splash as he rinses the residue from the sink since he knows that finding globs of blue paste in the bowl is one of my pet peeves.

He emerges from the bathroom and I admire him as he dresses, softly humming the chorus of the tune he began in the shower. He steps back into the bathroom to bring out his shaving kit, tucks it into his suitcase and slowly zips it closed. His movements slow, he turns to see me sitting there, cuddling his pillow that smells of him, dressed in his shirt, his socks and even his hat. With a wan smile he shrugs into his jacket, picks up his bag and crosses to me. Setting his luggage on the floor, he tips back the brim of my fedora and kisses me softly, holding me so closely I can feel the beating of his heart.

In that moment, even though I know he will only be away for a few days, I realise how much he means to me.

He hasn’t gone yet, but I miss him already.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Shirt: Enelya’s Creations %.:EC:. Tamara Shirt by Teslinne Quan
*Hat: JfL Hats JfL Trilby fedora V.2 felt sand by Johnfrancis Laville
Necklace: Maxi Gossamer MG Necklace – Patience – Heart Watch Pendant – Short – GOLD by Maxi Gossamer
Socks: Izzie’s – Maitreya Lara – Applier Tube Socks white by Izzie Button
Hair: Amacci Hair Nicky ~ Light Copper by Carina Larsen
Hairbase: Amacci Hairbase Tattoo – Light Copper by Carina Larsen
Skin: -Glam Affair – Amberly II skin – America 13 D by aida Ewing
Body, hands and feet: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V1.0 by Onyx LeShelle
Eyes: IKON Promise Eyes – Maldives by Ikon Innovia
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Pillow: flowey. instant nap pillow / bleached stripes by Flutter Memel (edited, pose not used)
Luggage: Vespertine luggage. by Amelie Knelstrom (gacha prize)
Clothes rack: junk. wooden garment rack. by Tab Tatham
Coat: Apple Fall AF Old Coat by Warehousefifteendesigns
Build: L2 Studio Dove Bay House by Lindini2 Lane

Pose: terra design – F_55 by Cutebaby Melody

Photo taken using the LumiPro HUD by Stefan Buscaylet