It was a crisp January morning, and Michael sat perched on the windowsill, his slender feline tail flicking in agitation. The small studio apartment he shared with Jeremy seemed unusually quiet, save for the occasional rustling of Jeremy's movements in the adjacent room. Michael glanced at the calendar on the wall, his sharp green eyes narrowing. The date was unmistakable: their anniversary.
"Unbelievable," Michael muttered under his breath. "How could he forget? I dropped enough hints to fill a novel."
He leapt gracefully from the windowsill to the sofa, landing with the regal air befitting his princely lineage. His amorphic form shimmered faintly in the morning light, a subtle reminder of his celestial origins. Though exiled to Earth, he still carried himself with an innate nobility, even when sulking.
Jeremy, meanwhile, was in the kitchen, humming a soft tune as he carefully arranged something on a tray. Unlike Michael, whose feline form was lithe and elegant, Jeremy's amorphic mongoose figure was compact and energetic, always darting about with a purpose. Today, however, his movements were unusually deliberate.
"Perfect," Jeremy whispered to himself as he added the finishing touches to his creation. He cast a quick glance toward the living room, where Michael was brooding on the sofa. A small smile played across Jeremy's lips as he suppressed a chuckle.
By the time afternoon rolled around, Michael's frustration had reached its peak. He prowled to the kitchen, where Jeremy was still preoccupied.
"Jeremy," Michael began, his tone pointed, "do you happen to know what today is?"
Jeremy turned, his dark eyes widening in feigned confusion. "Hmm, Tuesday?"
Michael's ears flattened against his head. "Our anniversary, Jeremy. The day we first met."
Jeremy blinked, his expression the picture of innocence. "Oh, was that today? Sorry, love, I've been so busy—"
Michael huffed and stormed back to the sofa, his princely demeanor slipping into outright sulking. Jeremy bit his lip to keep from laughing aloud.
As the sun began to set, Jeremy finally called out, "Michael, can you come here for a moment?"
Michael's tail flicked irritably, but he padded over to the kitchen nonetheless. When he rounded the corner, his breath caught.
The small table was transformed. Fairy lights were draped along the edges, casting a soft golden glow. A bouquet of Michael's favorite flowers—lavender and moon lilies—sat in the center, and two steaming plates of their favorite meal were artfully arranged. A small cake, decorated with elegant swirls of frosting, sat nearby.
"Jeremy," Michael whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Happy anniversary, Your Highness," Jeremy said with a grin, bowing with exaggerated flourish. "Did you really think I'd forget?"
Michael felt a pang of guilt for doubting him, but it was quickly replaced by warmth. "You had me fooled," he admitted, his tone softer now.
Jeremy stepped closer, placing a paw gently under Michael's chin. "You deserve the world, Michael. I might not be able to give you that, but I can make our little corner of Earth special for you."
Michael's lips curled into a smile, and for once, he didn't care about maintaining his regal composure. He leaned in, nuzzling Jeremy affectionately.
"You've outdone yourself," Michael murmured. "Thank you, Jeremy."
"Anything for you," Jeremy replied, wrapping his arms around Michael.
The two settled into their candlelit dinner, the warmth of their love making the evening unforgettable. For all his princely airs, Michael knew that with Jeremy, he had found a treasure far greater than any crown.