Another year

You get off work and trudge to your apartment, exhausted. Your boss yelled at you over things beyond your control, and traffic kept you locked in place for what felt like days. You need a new job but have no idea how to pursue one in this economy.

"Fuck!" The word escapes as you enter your small apartment. You hang your keys on the hook and shrug off your jacket.

Something's off. Spyro, your cat, hasn't come to greet you.

"Spyro?" you call out.

You find him waiting by the bathroom door, sitting with unusual patience. When you approach, he meows and leans into your touch, his purple eyes closing contentedly. That's when you catch it—the scent of lavender and lilac. You smile. Only one person smells like that.

The bathroom sink runs briefly, then stops. The door opens.

Eunbi emerges, not noticing you at the end of the hall. "Okay Spyro, I'll pick you up." She scoops your cat into her arms. He purrs as she nestles him close, then she turns the corner and freezes.

You're already smiling. She smiles back.

"There's my favorite boy." She sets Spyro down and closes the distance between you, wrapping you in a deep, warm hug. "Happy birthday, big guy."

"Another year," you sigh.

"Another year," she echoes.

You both settle onto the couch, Spyro trailing behind.

"You didn't bring Geumbi?" you ask.

Eunbi shakes her head, and moments later you hear the pitter-patter of excited feet. The small dog launches herself into your arms.

On autopilot, you begin petting Geumbi while Eunbi scratches Spyro behind the ears. "I swear she likes you more than me sometimes."

You shrug. "You're her mom. I'm just the fun uncle, I guess."

Eunbi rolls her eyes. "You're my boyfriend. That makes you more than just 'fun uncle.'"

"Fair point. So what brings you to my humble apartment, Mrs. Megastar?"

"Oh, well—I wanted to spend the weekend with the birthday boy, of course. And I don't have any schedules, so it worked out."

"Really? That's awesome."

Eunbi nods, then her expression shifts. "So now all that's left is to take care of you."

You watch, confused, as she gets up and heads to the kitchen. She opens the fridge and pulls out a chocolate cake and—wait, is that a blue 3DS?

Before you can ask, Eunbi pulls off her sweatshirt, revealing a spot-on Tifa cosplay from Final Fantasy VII. She grins. "So, what would the birthday boy like first? Chocolate cake, the 3DS, or me?"

You hesitate, genuinely considering your options. "Chocolate cake."

Eunbi smiles. "Great choice." She sets everything down and beckons you to the counter.

You sit beside her as she cuts two slices—one for each of you. She leans into you, and you run your hand through her hair, ruffling it gently. She gazes up at you with those soft, expressive eyes.

You take a bite of the cake. "Okay, this is fantastic. Where did you get this?"