A Snug Velvet Pocket

My tired feet brought me back across the quiet living room rug after my walk past the bakery. Over beside the reading armchair, a thick velvet hot water bottle pouch lay slumped against the floorboards, its quilted mouth yawning softly open. I paused, tilting my head to inspect the warm, fleece-lined hollow inside. Waddling closer, I used the edge of my flipper to nudge a dangling ribbon flat against the hem so it would lie straight. Then, ducking low, I wiggled my tummy and feet right into the padded fabric pocket until only my beak peeked out. The dim lamplight softened around me, and everything felt completely safe.