Warm floorboards and steady ticks

A patch of golden morning light had settled across the wooden floor. I padded forward... slow and steady, until the warmth reached my paws. Golden specks of dust hovered in the air, drifting like sleepy sparks. Right beside a stack of old magazines, a small brass pocket watch rested open, ticking with a soft, even rhythm. I settled down quietly on my belly. I pressed one front paw against the smooth, sun-warmed floorboards... just watching the dust swirl and listening to the steady clicks.