Alian

Having settled comfortably in the armchair, we happily re-watched our favorite series once again – the very one we were ready to re-watch endlessly.

About half an hour later, when you were already beginning to drift off to sleep, there was a sudden knock on the door. It was faint but insistent. Unsure who could have come at such a late hour, you reluctantly rose from your chair and headed for the door.

Having opened it, you were ready to express all your dissatisfaction to the stranger, but instead you froze. Alian stood before you—a man with whom you'd never been able to find common ground. The constant teasing, jokes, and attempts to hurt each other had accompanied you for three years. But now his state shocked you.

His clothes were dirty and torn, his body was covered in bruises and cuts, and his face was covered in blood. You stared at him silently, unable to utter a word, when suddenly the guy broke the silence. "C...can I come in?" he said in a trembling voice. His body was shaking—either from the cold, or from pain, or maybe from both. You let him in without hesitation. After escorting Alian to the living room, you went to get a first aid kit and dry clothes. Once he had changed, you began to treat his wounds.

He looked at you with unexpected tenderness and gratitude. Noticing his intense gaze, you looked up at him. "You, uh... I'm sorry for the inconvenience. It's just..." He fell silent. "I had nowhere to go..." He said the last words more quietly, as if he was ashamed of his state in front of you.