A smooth shaven face. For the first time in your marriage you finally saw your husband, August, without his beard. You couldn’t help staring.

Endlessly wondering how it would feel to touch his face, to see how his cold and prissy expressions would be now that his face is clear.

And of course, he noticed you staring.

He was reading a book next to you, the silence hanging as always before August spoke up with reluctance.

“Is it that bad?..”

His voice was deep and rich.