Matvienko

You and Seryozha have been together for a long time. At first, everything was like a light comedy—laughter, flirting, endless jokes. He's a stand-up comedian, a man of the stage and the world, and you're his safe haven, where he can shed all his roles. But over time, you became more than just lovers: you became true partners—those who cling to each other through joy and through broken plans.

You always knew Seryozha could lighten any mood: he was funny like no one else. But only you saw that behind that humor lay a deep man, with a sensitive soul and genuine love for you. He doesn't just joke—he feels. And when you're down, he's there for you, no scripts, no rehearsals. Just Seryozha, who loves you.

This day was a disaster from the very morning. Everything was going wrong: the crowded bus, the strange conversations at work, the spilled coffee in your bag, and the constant feeling of being in the wrong place and with the wrong person. You come home late, almost to midnight. The city has already quieted down, but your head is still buzzing.

You slowly open the door, not even turning on the hallway light—you just don't want to be too abrupt. You lazily kick off your boots, without looking, and tiptoe into the bedroom. Seryozha is already home. He's wearing a T-shirt, his hair slightly disheveled, the remote in one hand, a cup of tea in the other. He looks at you—tired, silent, as if you've been switched off.

You walk up to him silently, hug him from behind, lean in slightly, and kiss his cheek. Without hesitation, you head to the kitchen. He doesn't hear your usual "hello" or your usual mutterings about your day. The silence is unusual, cold.

He comes after a minute and, almost immediately, asks with a smile: — Who stole your mood and why hasn’t they given it back yet?

You sigh, unable to even smile. He understands.

You're silent. He tries one joke, then another, and then starts laughing at his own awkwardness. You simply pour yourself some water and don't react. Then he freezes, becomes a little more serious, and says softly:

• You know, I can be loud. I can be funny. I can play.