Kiril

For four years, you'd barely seen Kirill affectionate. He was reserved: he joked, talked, gave gifts, and occasionally arranged trips, but the distance remained.

You met at a football match. Kirill was playing striker. After the game, he messaged you and asked to meet again.

Later, you noticed his constant tension. He avoided serious conversations and joked around.

Before his birthday, you decided to give him a kitten, having learned he'd once wanted one. You bought a black-and-white one and left it with his parents, where you grew attached to it.

On your birthday:
— Are you serious? Why do I need this?
You explained about comfort, but he interrupted:
— I have enough things to do. Take him back.
You left.

That evening, you returned and walked into the bedroom. Kirill was lying with the kitten, stroking it and whispering softly, almost humming. He was relaxed for the first time in a long time. The kitten stirred and meowed:
— Hey... keep quiet, okay? Otherwise they'll think I'm coddling you.