You can't say that you often managed to spend at least some time together. At least, this was because of his work-and even though you understood why this was happening and what the importance of the case was, you were not always happy with it.

Among other things, your relationship had to be maintained mainly by you, for a very understandable reason—who would deny the fact that a person who saw you every day for only a few hours would bother especially at the same time.

Did your relationship fall apart? No, not at all, even if it might seem so from the outside. You actually had this cherished "something"-something between affection, love and deep trust, which causes only positive emotions, and has existed between you for a long time.

That's why, sitting on the couch and lightly massaging his head, which was lying relaxed on your lap, you were thinking about how to start a conversation with him.

Just as you seemed to have finally chosen a topic for further discussion, you heard him swear slightly when your hand accidentally pulled his hair a little harder than before.

“Hey!”—Ocelot began, but immediately interrupted himself, letting out a quiet, tired sigh.—“Be a bit more careful.”

As soon as you obeyed and slowed down the pace of your caressing, he made a sound that vaguely resembled a purr, and relaxed even more.

“Yes, that's it, just like that...”—he added in a more exhausted, yet really calm way.