Chapter Text
The sun hadn’t fully risen yet.
A pale light filtered through the curtains, gently bathing the room in a warm, golden glow.
LingLing had been awake for several minutes.
Or almost.
Awake enough to feel the familiar weight of Orm snuggled against her, and aware enough to let her fingers slide softly through her hair.
Not awake enough to want to leave the bed.
And certainly not reasonable enough to resist her wife.
Orm was still half-asleep.
At least in appearance.
Her face buried against LingLing’s shoulder, her arms lazily wrapped around her waist.
But LingLing knew that expression too well.
That little pout.
That slight, hidden smile.
The very particular way Orm pretended to be asleep whenever she wanted something.
— Teerak…
The whisper was barely audible.
Orm groaned softly without opening her eyes.
— Mhm…
LingLing pressed a kiss to her temple.
Then another.
And another.
The response was immediate.
An arm tightened around her waist.
— You’re awake…
— Maybe.
— Liar.
This time, Orm smiled properly.
Without opening her eyes.
— I was sleeping.
— Sure.
— Almost.
LingLing chuckled softly.
Because after all these years, she knew one thing:
Orm could be half-asleep.
Completely exhausted.
Even incapable of fully opening her eyes.
But when it came to receiving affection from her wife…
She never said no.
Never.
Their lips and bodies knew this little routine perfectly. Pajamas were quickly discarded onto the floor.
LingLing whispered softly:
— At least an hour ahead of us…
Orm didn’t reply, simply trying not to make a sound, her hands instinctively finding LingLing’s.
The sheets crumpled beneath them, shivers running over their skin as they embraced gently, their breaths mingling, hands moving with tenderness. LingLing pressed her face to Orm, rising slowly to place light, lingering kisses.
— You almost made me scream… murmured Orm, a smile in her voice.
Her body still trembled slightly, her breathing still a little unsteady.
— That was the point, my love… LingLing replied, gently capturing her lips in another kiss before intertwining their fingers.
The warmth of the moment enveloped them still, soft and familiar. Their breathing gradually returned to a calm rhythm as silence reclaimed the room. They simply savored these few quiet minutes before the day truly began.
Then, a small, insistent noise echoed down the hall: the soft pitter-patter of paws.
They exchanged a knowing glance. Orm looked at LingLing for ten suspended seconds, enjoying the weight of her wife against her.
Their door was never really closed. Liya—or their furry companions—always had free access to the bedroom.
Latte, the little dachshund, had slipped onto the bed at the worst possible moment. Her eyes shone with canine determination, and her tail wagged so fast her entire rear seemed to dance.
Proud of her find, she held Orm’s T-shirt in her mouth—the one she had left at the foot of the bed a few minutes earlier. She shook it vigorously, as if she had just completed a mission of utmost importance.
— Latte… Orm sighed with a half-guilty smile.
LingLing chuckled softly.
— Before I can kiss you, you’ll have to get dressed, she murmured, a playful smile on her lips.
Orm closed her eyes for a moment, sighing with amusement, while Latte trotted around the bed, clearly very satisfied with herself.
Gradually, they put on comfortable clothes for the morning.
A small, well-practiced routine began.
Brushing teeth for Orm.
Coffee for LingLing.
Latte was already running everywhere in the house with her precious trophy.
Then LingLing went to find Bao.
As always, she knew exactly where to find him.
For several months now, the young golden had taken on a mission he took extremely seriously: watching over Liya.
He could be found almost every morning in front of her door.
Sometimes in the doorway.
Sometimes at the foot of the bed.
Sometimes sprawled completely across the entrance like an exceptionally lazy guardian.
Today, Bao had accepted his fate with remarkable patience.
Little Liya was still fast asleep.
One hand slipped through the bars of her crib.
Her tiny fingers tangled in one of the golden’s ears.
And Bao, despite the obvious discomfort of the position, hadn’t moved an inch.
LingLing leaned gently against the doorframe, a tender smile spreading across her lips.
— I’ll free you now, she whispered to Bao.
The golden let out a soft woof, as if to confirm he had understood perfectly. LingLing leaned closer, gently stroking his back, feeling the reassuring warmth of his fur.
A few steps away, Liya slept soundly, her pacifier correctly in place in her little mouth and her Fufu plush clutched in her arms. Her fingers still held onto the blanket, unconscious but comforting.
LingLing whispered to Bao:
— Time for our walk.
The golden stared at her for a few seconds.
Then he got up with a deep sigh.
Like an employee begrudgingly starting their shift.
LingLing stifled a laugh.
At the other end of the hall, Orm had already clipped Latte’s leash.
The little dachshund bounced everywhere.
Around Orm’s legs.
Around Bao.
Then back around Orm again.
As if she had swallowed three espressos before sunrise.
Bao watched her dash past.
Then looked away with all the morning lethargy in the world.
Bao and Latte got along perfectly.
But in the morning…
Their personalities were polar opposites.
Latte was already overflowing with energy.
Bao, on the other hand, seemed to consider any activity before eight o’clock a personal attack.
A few minutes later, the little group left the house.
The fresh morning air floated through the streets.
LingLing began her usual jog.
At her side, Latte trotted with admirable determination, her little ears flying with every step.
Bao, however, moved at a leisurely pace.
At his own rhythm.
As always.
And despite all her energy, Latte never really strayed far from him.
As if, deep down, even the most turbulent dachshund needed her grumpy big brother to start the day properly.
Once the walk ended, their favorite part began:
Returning home.
As soon as the door opened, a small voice rang out in the hallway.
— Bao!
— Latte!
Both dogs immediately accelerated.
As much as an overexcited dachshund and a half-asleep golden retriever could accelerate.
Liya was already waiting for them.
Still in her pajamas.
Hair tousled.
Her Fufu plush tucked under one arm.
And in the other hand, two small biscuits.
— Sit.
Latte sat down instantly.
Bao took a few seconds longer.
Just enough time to contemplate existence.
Then he sat down too.
Very seriously.
— Good job!
Two biscuits disappeared.
Two tails wagged.
Mission accomplished.
Then came Bao’s true objective.
His bowl.
The moment the leashes came off, he followed Orm into the kitchen with absolute focus.
As if breakfast might disappear by magic.
Orm smiled.
— Yes, yes. I’m coming.
Two bowls were placed on the floor.
One for Latte.
One for Bao.
As always.
Latte began eating calmly.
Methodically.
Kibble by kibble.
Bao, however...
Quite literally inhaled his meal.
LingLing could have sworn she looked away for two seconds.
When she looked back, the bowl was empty.
Completely empty.
Bao lifted his head.
Then looked at Latte’s bowl.
Orm immediately pointed a finger at him.
— Don’t even think about it.
The golden retriever sighed.
Deeply.
As if life itself were terribly unfair.
LingLing burst out laughing.
— I think he’s convinced we’re starving him.
— I think he’d eat three more meals if we let him.
Bao wagged his tail.
Which was absolutely not an answer.
But somehow confirmed the theory anyway.
LingLing paused for a moment, taking in the kitchen.
Liya sitting in her chair.
Orm making her coffee.
Latte diligently licking her bowl clean.
Bao sitting right beside her, clearly hoping for a miracle.
The house was noisy.
Alive.
Full of fur.
Full of love.
And somewhere, LingLing was certain that Tofu would have approved.
🐾🤍