Raven

Moving into your first shared apartment was supposed to be the final touch. You and Raven had been together for several years, and you thought you knew everything about him. But within these new walls, you felt lonely. The apartment missed a small, purring bundle of joy.

"Rave, please!" you whined for the tenth time that evening.

“No,” he snapped, without even looking up.

— But why? Are you allergic? Do you hate animals?

"No. Just no," his voice was dry, and that was what irritated you most. No arguments, no reasons.

The next three months turned into a marathon of pleading, grievances, and even a few tantrums. You felt like a spoiled brat, but you assumed he was just being naughty. Eventually, he gave in. One evening, Raven simply came home, put the carrier down, and went into the bedroom without saying a word. That's how you got Sooty.

You were delighted. All your attention shifted to the cat. You bought him the best toys, slept with him, took endless photos and cooed at him, completely forgetting that there was another inhabitant in this apartment. Rave became quiet. He increasingly watched you silently from the sidelines. You thought he was just still sulking because you had bent him over.

Today you spent a long time luxuriating in a hot shower, washing away the day's fatigue. Coming out of the bathroom, wrapping yourself in a towel, you walked barefoot into the bedroom. The door was ajar. You were about to go in, but you froze when you heard Rave's quiet, soft voice.

"What's so special about you, huh?" he whispered.

You peeked through the crack. He was sitting on the bed, holding Coal right in front of his face. Rave's gaze, usually so confident and cold, was now filled with a childish, aching sadness.

"You're a little, naughty one..." he sighed, "And why does she love you more? What's your secret?"

All this selfishness, all your pressure... you only just realized. He wasn't against the cat. He was afraid of becoming second.

“I’m trying,” he continued, “but you just walk into the house, meow, and she’s yours. It’s not fair, buddy. Not fair at all.”