The clock stared with large, iris-less orbs, as if a great black hole sucking in its surroundings. It was one am and the alarm was blaring so demandingly he felt like he was swimming in it. The siamese clicked desperately at his phone to mute the song he'd chosen once out of love and grown to hate over time. It was hard to love the thing that woke you up every day. Except this day. Early as it was, it was fresh, new, exciting; but most importantly, it was the day his lover came home. Just a little over eight days he'd spent home alone. He'd loved it at first. Who wouldn't? Eight days to be stupid, loud (or quiet), dirty... Eight whole days to indulge himself in anything he desired. He'd discovered on day three he desired his mate back and the feeling had lingered.
A soft blue, lace hemmed sleeve revealed itself to be his arm and hand, the little lace ending right after his elbows. He ran his fingers through thick, white locks, letting it fall messily across soft blue cheeks. Throwing off the blankets, he revealed his legs to share his arm's designs, lace ending right after his knees. The siamese stood, stretching lazily. His fluffy, long, two toned tail swayed behind him. He took his time getting to the bathroom for a shower, music playing loudly from his phone. Half an hour later he was out and drying himself off, his thick, fluffy fur holding water heavily. It took a while to dry entirely, but he managed to finish and dress right on schedule. He wore something comfortable. It was nearly 2 am after all, and his mate wouldn't mind. A soft t-shirt, a big comfy sweater, "aesthetic" sweatpants he wasn't sure counted as pajamas or day wear, and a hat to hold his hair in place because he couldn't be bothered.
Satisfied, he grabbed his keys and wallet and left, locking the door behind him. The drive felt liminal, as all late night drives usually went. The music didn't matter, not as long as you liked what you heard. It always played its loudest in a car, alone at night. He found himself staring out at the vast expanse of empty road, dark sky, bright stars. He felt like he could drive right into the stars and explore the constellations until car nor feet could propel him. Only the general sense of dread, to be navigating down an unfamiliar route to the usual pattern of daily life, kept him grounded in the here and now.
Soon he was pulling up and the moment had passed. He was firmly back in reality and feeling an excited jitter to finally see his mate again. He'd arrived early, a habit of anxiety, and busied himself by scrolling through his phone. He made sure to send a text to his mate:
"Let me know when you land. I can't wait to see you!"
Half an hour passed by the time his phone chimed. Just the sound alone was enough to know it was his mate; only she had that tone. Soft, pastel eyes scanned her text as a smile crept across his lips.
"Finally landed! Get your cute butt to the baggage claim!"
There was no need to ask him twice. He quickly made his way through the automatic doors, followed the millions of signs, and found himself at the proper baggage claim for her flight. There were a handful of others, milling about in plastic chairs that would never be comfortable, waiting on their own to return. He avoided eye contact and sat to a distance, keeping himself in view of the escalators that would eventually bring his mate to him. He didn't have to wait long. Soon a crowd was gathering at the top of the sinking stairs, all the unfamiliar faces looking bored or hurried. For a moment, he entirely zoned out on the mass of them, watching distantly as little blurs swayed and fell from view.
Then he blinked and there she was. Her creme coloured fur caught his eye first. Then he recognized her clothes, clothes she'd incidentally stolen from him. Soon his eyes focused on the whole picture once more and he could really see her. His mate. He smiled brightly, tail swaying as he stood. She seemed to have noticed him right from the start, smiling brightly right back at him. He found himself staring at that smile as she walked up to him and thinking he was the luckiest person on the planet.
His mate was shorter than him, with plump, full hips and thick thighs that curved perfectly with the rest of her. Powerful thighs, he thought, in the blink of an instance as his eyes took in the rest of her. Her ears were nearly as long as her curly, thick hair, which fell to her waist. They teased constantly that they weren't sure who had the longer hair. However, he was most assured in having the longer tail; hers was just a tiny, fluffy little thing. Yet so expressive... and sensitive, the back of his mind reminded him. Finally his eyes found hers. Hazel, though she called them "ugly, boring brown." He could pick out thirty different hues of gold, bronze, and copper, but all she saw was brown.
"Welcome home, Bunny," he told her, opening his arms.
