The long corridor was an uncomfortable place for Ivan to say the least. He could tell that several families habitated there, apart from the shared elevator ride with children, the people inside the apartment were noisy, tv programs could be heard even when all the doors were closed, there was a dog barking somewhere and the place had been built without consideration for tall people, he had to take care not to hit his head with the lamps and the fact that his head surpassed the door frames made him think he was a gigant.
Knocking on the door, Ivan waited until some steps were heard.
A small blonde opened the door, his green eyes scanned Ivan disinterestedly.
Ivan shifted uncomfortably, looking down at his phone. "I'm sorry, I think I got the wrong address"
The blonde, smirked. "No, you are Ivan aren't you? yeah, you totally look like an Ivan."
The russian nodded, frowning slightly, there was no doubt that this was the guy he'd seen with Tolys yesterday.
"My name is Feliks and you should be ashamed."
Ivan knitted his eyebrows together."Pardon me?"
The blonde waved a hand and laughed. "Yeah, your cat is getting fat, you have to be careful with that.-Feliks paused, examining him again- Though, I can tell that it might be Tolys' fault. You don't seem to be easily manipulated by that fluffy demon. Wait."
Ivan was left alone in the corridor, this Feliks guy had just closed the door in his face and called his cat "fat", how dare he? Boris was just fluffy and big, he wasn't fat..
The door was opened again and before Ivan could contradict Feliks accusations, he was faced with green gentle eyes.
Tolys was looking as usual except for the strange half-done ponytail he had.
Noticing Ivan's stare he quickly took off the elastic holding his hair. "I'm sorry, uhh… Ivan do you want to come in?"
Ivan sighed. "Tolys, I just want my cat back. Natalya told me about the calls."
He didn't want to be mean but he wasn't here to have a chat with Tolys, the situation was awkward enough.
The brunette nodded and smiled tightly. "Right, uhh, I'm sorry, just let me get him."
Tolys left the door open, Ivan could see the interior of the apartmen. It was too colorful for his liking or perhaps too bright, he wasn't sure but there was something in the way everything was arranged that irked him.
Soon the mewling of Boris and Tolys steps were heard, the brunette was holding the cat with difficulty as it trashed and complained noisily.
Tolys handed him the cat."Here he is, uhh Ivan, it wasn't on purpose, I don't want a misunderstanding."
Ivan took it easily, glancing at Boris,the cat had stopped being noisy. "Sure."
The brunette fidgeted with his hands. "Your sister was quite scary."
Ivan stepped back and chuckled. "I Know."
"Ivan, I'm sorry."
Tolys voice was soft and Ivan refused to meet his eyes. "Tolys I already talked with Natalya, it's fine."
The brunette shook his head,."Uh.. I was referring to your other sister but it's ok, she apologized after I explained,"-Taking some hesitant steps towards him he added- "What I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry, I should have talked to you at home, I mean, in the apartment and not at work. And well, it doesn't make it any better but I'm sorry for not acting maturely and blaming you for everything and I'm sorry for-"
"I accept your apology." Ivan interrupted.
Feliks' head peered at the door His voice made Ivan frown. "Wow, he seriously is as stoic as you said, like really, a man of few words, I don't get why you'd like him Tolys."
Tolys turned back, flustered."Feliks!"the blonde's laugh was heard, the brunette looked back at Ivan. "I'm sorry-"
Ivan turned quickly. "Yeah, Goodbye Tolys. I'll see you when I get back to work"
The ride home was supposed to be peaceful, he had Boris back but he still felt an emptiness lingering. Feliks words echoed in his mind, even when his impression of the blonde wasn't favorable, it still hurt.
When he arrived home, Boris went on his usual business, laying next to the window and glaring at the people outside. Ivan laughed, Boris was his usual grumpy self, he wasn't judging him because Boris didn't care.
It stung his heart to think that Tolys would say something like that about him, but what hurt the most was that this Feliks guy, didn't know him at all and still confirmed Tolys' complains just after a small exchange of words.
Ivan placed a chair next to his cat and mimicking him, he glanced outside. There were a few pedestrians crossing the street, the store by the corner was open, he imagined that Feliciano was there, talking excitedly with an amused client.
A red car passed in front of the store, he followed the automobile until it was out of his sight, perhaps it was Matthew's car, maybe Alfred was inside it, laughing lightly and exchanging jokes with his brother.
Just then, Ivan realized that the emptiness he was feeling was just loneliness. He was tired, not physically but perhaps emotionally. He knew Alfred was his friend, that his sisters loved him, but they all had lives apart from him. As egotistical as it sounded, all he wanted right now was to have someone unconditionally there with him.
Boris purred and Ivan looked down at him. How unfair of him to forget about Boris. He was there, right beside him. Smiling, Ivan reached for his cat and placed it on his lap. "Boris, I think it's time for us to go on vacation."