the night was cold and dull, the window was left slightly open with wind blowing harshly into the room and shota’s side of the bed was empty, again.

a small light creeped out from the hallway, shota was in his office grading papers. the grandfather clock ticked and ticked until, the hand pointed to two am.

he hears the light sound of feet and then a creak of the door opening. he turned to look at the noise, a small smile forming on his lips.

“hi, my dear, why are you still awake? it’s late.”