White Collar Ficlet - Joy In The Morning

[elrhiarhodan]

I wrote this a few months ago for the lovely photoash , for her prompt "Late Morning."  The new title is shamelessly borrowed from Betty Smith's mid-century novel.

Joy In The Morning

Neal finds perfection in the morning light that streams into his apartment. It's a rare thing for Peter to sleep in, particularly here in his bed, but Elizabeth's visiting her sister and there's no reason for either of them to rush to get up. Except for the light.

It streams through the skylights, pouring across Peter's skin, turning him into a gilded, recumbent god of love and justice and Neal reaches for his sketchpad and a box of pastels.

Swiftly, before Peter wakes, Neal lays down lines of flowing color, capturing the dormant power of muscle and bone, the tight curve of ass and hips and waist, the formidable strength of Peter's broad shoulders and arms - all highlighted by the filtered light of the late morning sun.