It was a cold Saturday morning, when the alarm on his phone goes off, he turns over to feel for warmth on the other side of the bed. He leans over to stretch his arms out next to him only to be greeted by a cold pillow and an unusual empty space. He grunted, dissapointed.

She’d been away too long.

They had a late night video call the night before. Something that became somewhat of a habit the past few weeks while she was 16352 miles away across the ocean. She had promised to be back before the 6th of January so that they could spend his birthday together but alas, she had to extend her stay due to some unforeseen ‘presentation’ for the boss. As bummed out as he was then when she broke the news, he knew this was what she’d wanted to do for so long. All those job applications and waiting, for months long, had paid off finally. He wasn’t gonna get in the way of her enjoying the ride. So he decided to be a man and just it up.

I should just call mom and dad and see what they’re doing.

He grumbled, as his adult self tried to reason with his birthday-boy tantrum; stopping the kid in him from taking over altogether. He reached out for his phone to check the time and cursed at himself for not turning off his alarm notification the night before.

It’s my birthday damnit, why didn’t I switch this damn thing off. er, can’t even get it right.

Jaebeom sits himself up and scrolls through his messages to find a ton coming through his phone. It was 8.30am. He glances over next to him only to sigh to himself for not having the most important person here with him now. He scrolls through his messages (not opening them to ‘read’ yet) and only clicks on his mother’s message.

Happy Birthday, son! Your dad and I love you! Come over tonight for dinner when you’re ready. Don’t forget to take G along; I’ve not seen her for so long. Text me back when you get this.

He smiled to himself as he read the message. He was close to his parents and he made sure to keep in touch. He replied his mom’s message and told her he’d call her later with plans about dinner that night. He had spoken to his parents earlier in the week about some future arrangements and they agreed that they’d meet again on his birthday to finalize the finer details.

He scrolled down further and saw a message from G, presumably sent before she slept. He checked the time sent - 3:30AM.

As soon as he opened the message, he couldn’t help but smile. Then he kissed his phone screen, the longing feeling of having her next to him gushes all over, making him miss her more. Feeling energized all of a sudden, he gets up and takes a shower. He hums while he’s in the shower, smiling to himself occasionally remembering his video call with her the night before. They were not the typical lovey-dovey PDA-flashing kind of couple, but as a birthday wish he had asked her to blow him cutesy kisses and sing him random songs while they were on the call. Very uncharacteristic of G to oblige but it was his birthday wish so she obligingly gave in.

He got out of the shower and grabbed his favourite Tupac t-shirt and a pair of blue-black camo pants. While drying up, he heard music being played from the living room. His ears perked and his heart started to beat erratically. He reached for the baseball bat leaning against his dresser and crept slowly out of the room with the baseball bat ready to be swung. Hair still damp, not fully dried, he made his way slowly out of his room, with only his pants on and his shirt hung over his shoulder.

, did someone break in?

He slowly opened the door and looked around the apartment and heard someone playing the guitar. He opened the door wider and saw a slender familiar figure sitting at the couch, singing with a guitar. As soon as he recognized her, he leaned the baseball bat against the wall. Hunched shoulders now straight up squared, he smiled widely, letting out a sigh of relief. He couldn’t help but chuckle happily when he saw her sitting there.

“You’re here.” He sai beaming his to-kill smile.

“I am.” She smiled brightly. She laid the guitar down and ran to him. “Happy Birthday, Bae! Are you surprised?” She held onto his neck so tight, she heard him coughing.

He responded with a hug just as tight. “I’ve missed you so much. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home? I would’ve picked you up from the airport.” He trailed kisses all over her face and neck.

She giggled senselessly. “That tickles!”

He took in all of her. He missed her scent, her giggles, her hair, her silly jokes and her spontaneous demeanour. He held onto her with his face in her neck, longer than he should have.

“Sweetie… are you ok? You’re not crying are you?” G tried to pull away.

“Crying?” He clears his throat. “No…” He blinks and cups her face. “I’ve just missed you… a…. lot.”

“Aawww… I’ve missed you too, Bae!” She reaches up to kiss his nose. She pulls away and holds both his hands. “I’ve got the best birthday present for you, ever. Close your eyes.” She moves his hands up to his face to cover his eyes. “No peeking!”

Giselle runs to the kitchen and carries a carrier basket covered with a towel. She whispered “Shhhh” as if telling the gift to keep quiet.

She sets the cage down on the coffee table. “Ok babe, open your eyes.” She smiled happily, suppressing her excitement.

Jaebeom opens his eyes and sees a towel-covered square shaped box of sorts infront of him. He kneeled down and takes the towel off. He sees a pet carrier cage and cat inside.

He opened the cage door and carries an ash-grey cat out and cuddles it in his arms.

“You will now have company while I’m away.” G smiled, the cat's soft fur, while hearing it purr at every . She was happy that Jaebeom looked so comfortable cuddling a cat. “But remember, she doesn’t get to share our bed, ok?” G giggles, attempting a joke.

Jaebeom looked distracted and absolutely entranced by his gift.

“I’m gonna call her Nora.” He said finally while Nora’s fur. He looked up and smiled back at her. “Thanks, Bae. How’d you know tho? What if I was allergic to cats?”

“Your mom said you’ve always loved cats. So I figured I’d adopt one for us. I checked with the landlord. Cats are ok to keep. Unless you want a puppy instead?”

“No no…” Jaebeom continued Nora’s soft fur. “Nora’s perfect. This one’s a keeper.” He leans over and plants a kiss on Giselle’s forehead.

“You haven’t made plans for today, have you? Now that I’ve surprised you with Nora…” Giselle couldn’t take his attention away from Nora.

“Hhhmmm?” Jaebeom snuggles Nora against his cheeks. “She’s so soft…”

“Dude… earth to Jaebeom, I know you love your new gift. But your girlfriend is here… “ Giselle snaps her fingers in front of his face. “Here…” She takes Nora from him and sets her back into her carrier. “She’ll be comfortable in there for awhile, until we get her a pretty basket.” Giselle takes Nora’s carrier to the kitchen while Jaebeom sulked for having his birthday present taken away from him.

“You’re mean. It’s my birthday. Shouldn’t I get to decide what I want to do?” Jaebeom pulls Giselle into his arms as she walks back to him in the living room.

“Well… you do… have you made plans for today? I know you’re having dinner with mom and dad….” Giselle clears . “I mean… your parents. But it’s still early, what ever… shall… we do… till… then….” She pretends to look side ways, thinking hard of ‘things’ to do to kill the time till dinner.

Jaebeom laughed mischievously and leaned in to kiss her, when the doorbell buzzer rang. “Such timing, really!” He curses under his breath and continued trailing kisses on G’s neck. The buzzer rang again. “Ignore it!” He chuckled into her ear, lips not leaving her neck and collar bone. Giselle's giggles couldn't be held in as she tried to pretend to free herself from Jaebeom playfully.

Muffled noises could be heard at the door. “We can hear you!” A male voice called out from behind the front door. “We’d key in the door code but y’know… we don’t know if you’re decently dressed!” It sounded like Mark’s voice.

“Hold on!” G pulls away from Jaebeom, giggling senselessly while being held hostage. “I’ll be right there! JB Stahp! They came all the way here!” G laughed and falls over the couch.

“Let’s just open the door already!” A female voice called out from behind the door this time.

“Ok ok… I give up!” Jaebeom laughed uncontrollably and helps G up from the floor. He ran to the front door to let his friends in.

“SURPRISSSEEEEEE!!!” They all yelled as Jaebeom opened the door. He was glad to see Mark, Jinyoung, Angie, Tara and Jackson. The group barged into the apartment bringing food and cake. One by one they hugged Jaebeom and wished him happy birthday individually.

Giselle greeted everyone from the kitchen while preparing cutlery for everyone. “Where’s Syd?” She asked Tara.

“As usual, overseas… handling some contract. She said sent JB a birthday wish via text.” Tara said while unpacking brunch.

The group had a raucous brunch, laughing and retelling old stories about how Jaebeom was before the ball and chain got to him. Jinyoung shared some old anecdotes of them checking out university students that walked past them while waiting for Giselle and Sydney outside their dorm. Jaebeom couldn’t hide his face and shot Giselle and apologetic look, seemingly begging t