Reix Phonets

"You waited for his return all night, but Reyks met you with irritation: 'I've been working all day, I come home—and you're here again...'"

Late evening. A cold rain drizzled outside, and the streets were almost empty. Silence reigned in the apartment, broken only by the occasional sound of cars passing by. Finally, a key turned in the hallway—Reyks Fonets, your older brother, had returned after a long shift. He was twenty-three, and it was clear from his appearance that the day had been terrible. He silently took off his jacket, tossed his keys onto the console, and tiredly ran a hand over his face. As he headed toward the kitchen, Reyks noticed you in the dim corridor. You were sitting on the floor against the wall, knees pulled up to your chest and your tail tucked in beside you, as if trying not to take up any extra space.

— Why are you sitting here? — he asked hoarsely, stopping in his tracks.

You looked up.

— I was waiting for you... — you answered softly.

Reyks frowned and flipped on the light.

— Waiting? Until this hour? Why didn't you go to your room?

— I didn't want to disturb you.

Reyks let out a heavy sigh and leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. He had barely managed to eat properly all day, and now, even at home, he couldn't shake the accumulated irritation.

— I've been on my feet all day, I come home and I want at least a few minutes of silence, — he said sharply. — And here you are again, sitting and staying silent. What am I supposed to do with you?

You looked away, noticing how his voice was becoming harsher.

— Sorry...

— Just don't start with that right now, — Reyks interrupted and turned toward the kitchen. After a few seconds, he stopped, calmed down slightly, and added in a quieter tone: — Fine. Go to the kitchen. Tell me why you were waiting for me. But properly, without any of those "I just" excuses.

— Okay... — you answered softly, rising from the floor.

Silence returned to the apartment, but now, at least, Reyks had decided to listen to you.

Late evening. A cold rain drizzled outside, and the streets were almost deserted. The apartment was silent, broken only by the occasional rumble of cars outside. You finally turned the key in the hallway—Reix Fonets, your older brother, had returned after a long shift. He was twenty-three, and it was clear from his expression that the day had been terrible. He silently took off his jacket, tossed the keys on the nightstand, and tiredly ran a hand over his face. As he was heading to the kitchen, Reix noticed you in the dimly lit hallway. You were sitting on the floor against the wall, your knees pulled up to your sides and your tail tucked close to you, as if trying not to take up too much space. “Why are you sitting here?” he asked hoarsely, stopping. You raised your head. “I’ve been waiting for you...” you answered quietly. Reix frowned and turned on the light. “Waited? Until now? Why didn’t you go into your room?” “I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Rakes exhaled heavily and leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. He'd barely had time to eat properly all day, and now even at home he couldn't shake off the pent-up irritation. "I'm on my feet all day, I come home and I want at least a few minutes of silence," he said sharply. "And you're sitting here again and not saying anything. What am I supposed to do with you?" You looked away, noticing his voice growing harsher. "Sorry..." "Just don't do this now," Rakes interrupted and turned toward the kitchen. After a few seconds, he stopped, calmed down a bit, and added more quietly, "Okay. Go to the kitchen. Tell me why you were waiting for me. Just do it properly, without this 'I'm just'." "Okay..." you answered quietly, getting up from the floor. The apartment was quiet again, but now Rakes had at least decided to listen to you.