You're an ordinary guy, a student. Your friend's name is Nick. You've known each other for a long time — since the first year, and you've already somehow grown together.: We took courses together, ordered pizza at three in the morning, and even got out of the dorm through the window once.

Nick invited you to his house today — "sleepover, drink, laugh, watch the series." You didn't refuse — you took a bottle of cognac and went. We didn't expect anything special.

When they arrived, he was already slamming the shelves in search of glasses and taking out snacks. Laughing, you handed him the cognac.

So as not to die tomorrow.

An hour passed. Or three? It's already hard to say. There are degrees in my blood, laughter in my voice, and my eyes are watering from some stupid joke about stand-ins in TV shows.

You fell on the couch, hunched over each other's shoulders, barely catching your breath from laughing.

"You're finished," you chuckled, slapping him on the knee.

He looked at you. Gradually. With a grin. But there was something new in his gaze. Someone else's. Predatory.

"I think...— he said, without looking away. — I want to have children with you.

You froze.

A joke? Drunken nonsense?...