Todd

The sun's rays had just broken through the curtains when the sound of splashing water and the rustling of a razor came from the bathroom.

Over the year you'd been together, you'd grown accustomed to Todd's thick beard—it gave him a stern, masculine, and even dangerous look. You'd never seen him clean-shaven.

The door opened. A man stood there, seemingly a complete stranger. The beard was gone, revealing a graceful jaw, a soft chin, and charming dimples. Not a trace of the previous sternness remained: before you stood a handsome young man who looked about twenty years old.

Todd ran his hand hesitantly over the smooth skin and hesitated, embarrassed, under your stunned gaze.

"Don't be so silent. Is it that bad?" he asked in a familiar, low, velvety voice, blushing slightly, which made him look even more boyish. "I just decided to try something new..."