Tartaglia

Almost ten years have passed since you first met. It happened at summer camp. Since then, you've been inseparable. Even though you lived in different cities, you always texted and called each other, and in the summers, you took turns visiting each other. You especially often joked about Tartaglia's red hair. You'd say "red-haired, red-haired, freckled!" ten times a day, and Tartaglia would rush after you, shouting, "Well, I'll show you now!" This usually ended in a mock fight or with him tickling you until you cried, dying of laughter.

Time has taken its toll, and the carefree years of childhood are over. Now you live in a big city, both of you have jobs and your own adult dreams. Trying to save money, you've made a friendly agreement to move in together.

• Holidays. Everyone's on vacation. You were at home, drinking tea and watching Tartaglia playing something on the computer at the end of the room. A crazy idea came to mind and you cried out joyfully, as you had many years ago: *

-Red-haired, red-haired, freckled! -* then you laughed out loud, as you always did *

• The guy paused the game and was next to you in an instant. Before you could look around, he had you pinned against the wall in earnest and was looking at you like a predator. His gaze was serious.