It all started about a month ago.
Torven's estate, once a quiet, orderly place nestled between the woods and the river, had slowly begun to fill with the smallest creatures imaginable. It started with a single stray dog Nox had found limping along the roadside, a white puppy named Bibi, who followed Nox like a guardian angel with a wagging tail.
Then came a cat, soaked and shivering in a storm. After that, the animals seemed to multiply. Abandoned dogs, curious cats, a pair of hedgehogs, and one-eyed sheep named Muffin.
Everywhere Torven looked, there were animals. They occupied every corner of the house and grounds, from the pantry (which a raccoon had claimed) to the bathroom (loved by a family of ducks).
On one hand, Torven was happy. He loved Nox deeply, and it warmed his heart to see his partner so alive, so invested. Nox had always been full of restless energy, but now he poured it into caring for his growing menagerie with tender determination. There was something radiant in the way he spoke to them as though they were old friends who'd finally come home. And maybe they were.
But everything has its limits.
The house had become more chaotic by the day. Feathers and fur floated in the air like an eternal snowstorm. Chickens strutted boldly through the hallways. And the surface never stayed clean for long.
Eventually, Torven had had enough. He knew he had to talk to Nox.
He paced the living room, trying to think of the right words. He had to be gentle, but firm. Nox was sensitive, especially when it came to things he loved. And Torven didn't want to hurt him. He just wanted their house back. Or at least the ability to sit down without checking the cushions first.
Lost in thought, he stepped backward and onto a cat's tail. The cat let out a screech and dug its claws into Torven's thigh before vanishing under the couch.
Torven wiped a hand over his face with a groan. Enough was enough.
He went to find Nox. After searching the house (carefully avoiding anything that might be alive), he spotted him outside, asleep beneath the old oak tree near the edge of the garden. The sun was high, but the branches cast a gentle shade over him. Bibi lay curled protectively at Nox's back, her eyes on Torven, her tiny tail wagging. A kitten the size of a teacup was nestled against Nox's chest, purring in its sleep.
Torven stopped in his tracks.
Nox looked peaceful, his hair tangled from the wind, one hand resting over the kitten.. There was no way Torven could wake him. Let alone scold him. This wasn't the right moment.
So, Torven turned and quietly made his way back to the house, stepping over a chicken perched on the doorstep.
That evening, he settled into his favorite chair by the fireplace with a book on oil painting, more for the routine than the reading. Nox was taking longer than usual to return, no doubt caught up with his ever-growing zoo. Torven didn't even look up when the door opened.
But then, without warning, Nox launched himself onto Torven's lap with a delighted grin and curled up like a contented cat.
"Everything alright?" Torven asked, trying to hold onto his irritation.
Nox beamed. "You won't believe this, Torven! I'm so excited! I think the rabbits might be expecting babies! Isn't that wonderful?"
"Yes," Torven said, forcing a smile. "Wonderful."
Nox chattered on about his day, how one of the cats had gotten stuck in their apple tree and he'd had to climb it, barefoot, with a broom. He nuzzled into Torven's shoulder, affectionate and warm.
Torven narrowed his eyes slightly. "I see what you're doing. What is it this time? Another horse? A cow?"
Nox gave him an exaggerated sigh. "You know me too well... A snake. Just a teeny tiny one."
Torven groaned. "Nox..."
"It's harmless! I checked! And it was so cold and it looked so scared and..."
"Okay," Torven said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I hope that's the last surprise."
Later that night, as they lay in bed, Torven decided he'd talk to Nox tomorrow. He kissed the top of his head, turned off the lamp, and began drifting into sleep.
And then something brushed against his leg.
He bolted upright, threw off the blanket, and there it was. The snake. Or, as Nox had called it, a "teeny tiny snake." It was at least two meters long.
He bolted upright. "Nox!"
Nox opened one eye sleepily. "Mmm? What's going on?"
"I. Am. Done." Torven said, voice trembling not with fear, but fury. "Nox, I'm really happy you've found your love for animals. I truly am. But this...this istoo much!We cannot live like this anymore. I need you to find homes for at least some of them!"
Nox blinked at him, stunned. Then, after a long silence, his expression shifted from surprise to sorrow. He sat up slowly, brushing his hair from his eyes. "I understand," he said quietly. "Why didn't you say anything before?"
"I'm saying it now!" Torven shouted, but stopped as his voice cracked, the heat behind it faltering in the face of Nox's silence.
That night, he lay awake, guilt settling over him like a second blanket. Had he been too harsh? The look on Nox's face haunted him. He reached out once in the dark but stopped short of touching him. Nox was curled away from him, quiet.
The next morning, Nox woke to an empty bed. He padded to the kitchen, rubbing his eyes, and found Torven at the table, carefully bandaging a cat's paw.
"Good morning," Nox said softly.
"Good morning, she got hurt, I'm almost finished here," Torven replied with equal gentleness.
"I will do what you asked," Nox said. "I'll find new homes for them. But... I hope I can keep a few?"
"Of course," Torven said, smiling gently. "We'll figure it out together."
That very same day, Torven began building something beside his painting studio. A curious Nox peeked out from the window, puzzled. Over the next few days, he brought drinks, asked questions.
"Can I help?"
But Torven always replied with a calm shake of his head. "I want to do this myself."
For a month, he sawed, hammered, and painted. Nox didn't press him, though Bibi occasionally snuck off to "supervise."
Finally, one morning, Torven stood at the door, covered in sawdust but smiling.
"I'm glad you'll finally have more space for your paintings," Nox said, genuinely happy for him.
Torven chuckled. "It's not for me. Come, let me show you."
They walked side by side, Bibi trotting between them. Torven pushed open the door, and Nox stepped into an animal sanctuary.
It was perfect. A wooden shelter with pens for larger animals, cages for the smaller ones, soft nooks for the cats, and a chicken run in the corner. There was even a cozy spot for the snake. Everything had a place. Everything was clean. Organized. Thoughtful.
Nox turned to Torven, eyes shimmering. "This is beautiful."
"I'm glad you like it," Torven replied. "Now they'll have space. And so will we."
Nox didn't say anything at first. He just threw his arms around Torven and held on tight. Bibi barked once, approvingly.
And slowly, peace found its way back into both their hearts and their home.