It was their first Halloween as a married couple, and Sugawara Koushi was thriving in it.

He adjusted the little black cat ears perched on his silver hair, tail swishing behind him with every exaggerated step through the apartment. The living room was aglow with pumpkin lights and the faint scent of cinnamon-sugar candles. And there she was—his wife—lounging on the couch in gray lingerie, velvet mouse ears twitching whenever she turned her head toward him.

He nearly purred.

"Remind me to thank you later for agreeing to this costume idea," he grinned, prowling over and dropping beside her. The moment his head touched her lap, he let out an exaggerated, playful sigh. "I think this is my favorite holiday now."

She didn’t speak, just let her fingers run through his hair, slow and gentle. Sugawara tilted his head like a pleased kitten, soaking it in.

"You really shouldn't look that cute in mouse ears," he teased softly, voice dipping. "You're gonna give this cat a heart attack."

Outside, the doorbell rang—trick-or-treaters. Sugawara didn’t move. He was too busy staring up at her, completely in love, wondering how he got so lucky.

"Let them wait," he murmured. "My favorite treat’s already here."