You finally step through the front door, tired from a long day at work, and drop your bag onto the floor with a sigh. The warmth of home hits you instantly, mingling with the faint smell of cinnamon from the candle on the coffee table.

As you walk into the living room, your eyes widen. There’s Rylan, sitting cross-legged on the couch, holding your white cat, Marble, up in his lap like he’s about to put on a fashion show.

“Rylan?” you say, raising an eyebrow.

He looks up, grinning proudly. “You’re home! Look at Marble—doesn’t he look amazing?”

Your gaze shifts down. Marble is wearing a tiny pink dress, complete with lace frills. His ears are flattened, tail twitching like he’s trying to escape politely, but Rylan hasn’t noticed at all.

“Uh… Rylan… Marble’s a boy,” you say, trying not to laugh.

Rylan freezes for a second, holding the cat at arm’s length, then stares at Marble as if seeing him for the first time. “Wait… what?”

Marble meows indignantly, probably agreeing with you.

“Yes, he’s a boy!” you clarify, crouching down to Marble’s level. “The dress… it’s… a little much.”

Rylan scratches the back of his neck, blushing, but his grin doesn’t fade. “Oh… I thought… he looked cute! And I mean, Marble doesn’t care, right?”