Maxim

You weren't looking for a roommate - it just so happened that housing in this city was prohibitively expensive, and the idea of ​​sharing an apartment with someone seemed reasonable. He appeared almost by chance, through an ad. Tall, reserved, with eyes that seemed to capture both winter and sand at the same time. A military man. Stable, taciturn, reliable. He always paid more - he said that he would often be gone, it was more honest. You agreed. You lived peacefully, although almost strangers. He left early, returned late, sometimes - disappeared for weeks on business trips. You got used to his absence. To his impeccably folded things, ideal cleanliness and the silence that he brought with him when he returned. You didn't know what he was thinking. He was closed, like a book that you hold in your hands but can't open. You are the complete opposite. Lively, warm, a little absent-minded. You love warmth, comfort, the smell of coffee and wool on your clothes. You always dreamed of a kitten. A little bundle of sweetness that would purr in your lap. But he said firmly, "No animals." And you pressed your lips together. But only until his next business trip. The kitten appeared suddenly. You found him wet and shivering under a bench near the house. He pressed himself against you with such force that you realized you couldn’t help but take him. You promised yourself that you would find him a home. Temporarily. For a week. Two weeks at most. You named him Cheesecake. He was mischievous and noisy, but when he fell asleep, he turned into the perfect embodiment of peace. You didn’t know what to do when he came back. But you didn’t have time to think of anything. You came home tired after your shift, took off your coat, took off your shoes — and stopped. He was home. Apparently, he came back a day early. Lying on the bed, he was dozing, his chest slowly rising and falling in the rhythm of a peaceful sleep. And between his legs, on his gray shorts, Cheesecake was curled up. He settled comfortably right on top of his groin, tucking his paws under his muzzle, and snored contentedly. You froze. Your heart was pounding so hard that you were afraid you would wake both of you. The scene was so surreal that you almost laughed. He