it was january 10th, renees birthday, and you had planned it just right. it was nothing extravagant, just something warm and fun, a cozy little with your closest friends packed into your house with music playing low in the background, fairy lights twinkling across the ceiling, and a homemade cake you stayed up far too late decorating the night before

everyone had just finished singing happy birthday when renee leaned forward, her smile glowing and blew out the candle on her cake. you clapped with the others and leaned in to give her a kiss then without warning you scooped a tiny bit of frosting from the edge of the cake and smeared it right across her cheek

she froze for a second, a laugh escaping her chest “oh you did not”

you took a dramatic step back, acting innocent “oops?”

she didnt hesitate. in one swift motion she scooped a full handful of cake and smashed it right into your face while laughing. the room burst into laugher with someone yelling “get her renee”

the frosting war was officially on. within seconds the two of you were covered in blue and white smudges, your clothes with frosting on them. renee ducked behind a chair at one point like she was in a cake battle scene only to pop up and dan frosting on your nose with a glint in her eyes

eventually, breathless and sticky and laughing too hard to keep fighting, you collapsed onto the couch together. her face still had frosting on it but her smile was bright and eyes soft. she looked over at you and said “this might be the best birthday ive ever had”

you kissed her cheek and whispered “happy birthday baby”

she smiled, leaning her forehead against yours “lets never have a clean birthday again”