Riley awoke from a dreamless sleep, the morning light creeping through the blinds and casting soft, slanted rays across his room. He sighed, still buzzing with excitement. Today was Autumn’s birthday, and he couldn’t wait to celebrate it with her.
Swinging his legs off the side of the bed, Riley stood and stretched. His wings fluttered slightly as he made his way to the bathroom, the cool tile floor sending a chill up his bare feet. He entered the shower, letting the hot water cascade over his black, fluffy feathers and the sharp curve of his beak. The warmth felt soothing against his tired body, a welcome contrast to the hustle and uncertainty of life outside his apartment.
Grabbing the strawberry-scented shampoo, he poured a generous amount into his palm and worked it through his feathers, careful not to tangle them. The sweet, fresh scent of strawberries filled the air, leaving him feeling light and refreshed. After a few minutes, he rinsed off the soap and turned off the water, stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel to dry himself.
Once he was finished grooming, Riley applied deodorant and reached for his clothes. A simple black sweater and khakis seemed appropriate for a birthday celebration, and he dressed quickly. On his way out, he grabbed the cheesecake he had prepared for Autumn—a rich, chocolatey creation that was sure to be a hit.
As Riley exited his apartment, he ran into his neighbor Sergey, a middle-aged Saurus with light green scales and a crocodilian snout. Sergey always wore a businesslike smile, sharp teeth visible as he nodded in greeting.
"Hey," Riley said, offering a friendly wave.
"Morning, boy," Sergey replied in his thick Russian accent, his eyes briefly meeting Riley's before he turned to leave for work, probably off to his job as a car dealer.
Riley watched him go before continuing on his way. The streets of New York were as bustling and chaotic as ever, but there was an edge of decay to the city now. He passed by refugees huddled on street corners, drug addicts mumbling to themselves, and federal troops patrolling the blocks with military-grade weapons. The once-thriving metropolis was in a slow, painful decline. Resources were scarce, even gasoline was a Luxury.
Riley kept walking, trying to push the dismal thoughts aside. He had more important things to focus on today—Autumn.
When he finally reached her apartment complex, the air felt warmer, the sounds of laughter and music spilling from the communal floor. He stepped inside and was immediately greeted by the unmistakable squeal of his girlfriend’s voice.
“RILEY, RILEY, MY BABY-BOO!” Autumn shrieked, tackling him in an excited hug. Her mouse tail swished furiously behind her, a clear sign of her joy. Autumn was always full of energy, her black fur and perky mouse ears adding to her charming, playful appearance.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“You came for my birthday!” she said, squeezing him tighter. Riley chuckled, lifting the cheesecake.
“Of course, dear. You’re my girlfriend after all.”
Autumn let go, her eyes lighting up when she saw the cake. “YOU EVEN HAVE MY FAVORITE CAKE!” she squealed again, this time peppering Riley’s neck with kisses—some of them a little rougher than he expected. Autumn had a tendency to show her affection in a bold, sometimes overwhelming way.
Riley couldn’t help but laugh softly, brushing his feathers out of his eyes. He looked around, spotting his friends gathered in a circle, chatting and laughing.
“Yo, Ray Ray!” Jack called out, waving.
Riley grinned. “Aye, if it isn’t Jacky!” he replied, walking over to his friend. Jack was a Canis, with bear-like fur and ears, his jovial nature matching his burly frame.
As Riley greeted the others—Harold the Felinus, Andrew the Corvus, and Hayden the albino Saurus—Autumn kept bouncing excitedly beside him, clearly thrilled to have everyone together for her special day. After a few minutes, Riley finally made his way to the table and began slicing the cheesecake.
He gave Autumn the largest slice, knowing she’d appreciate it, and handed out equal portions to the rest of the group. The party was in full swing now, the chatter and laughter rising in volume as everyone dug into the cake.
Riley turned to Autumn, who was happily taking a bite from her oversized slice. He leaned in, planting a big kiss on her lips.
"God, you’re beautiful for your birthday,” he said, his voice full of love and adoration. Autumn flushed a deep shade of red, clearly embarrassed by the public display of affection. Though she enjoyed it. Her beloved being here on her 24th birthday. Scratch that, it was always an enjoyable experience when he’s here, to her mind anyway.
“Stop it, baby-boo,” she muttered, though her eyes were still bright with joy. She wrapped her arms around him, pressing her chest to his. Riley could feel the warmth of her body against his, the feeling of comfort and belonging washing over him.
“Well, now that I’m here, let’s eat some cheesecake,” he said with a grin, picking up his own fork. He watched as Autumn took another bite, her enthusiasm contagious. The cake was rich and decadent, the dark chocolate mingling perfectly with the soft, fluffy texture of the cheesecake.
The evening wore on, and the party slowly began to wind down. Riley, still in high spirits, smirked when he noticed Autumn’s lips were smeared with chocolate frosting.
"Hey, babe, nice lipstick," he teased, leaning in to peck her on the lips. His own beak caught a bit of frosting, too, making her laugh.
"Thanks, bird boy," she shot back sarcastically, her tone playful. She grabbed his hand, leading him toward her apartment door.
“Let’s go to my apartment, babe,” she said, her voice filled with mischief. Riley let himself be tugged along, knowing the rest of the night would be just as memorable as the party itself.
As they left the laughter of their friends behind, Riley couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of contentment. Today was a celebration, yes—but more than that, it was a reminder of how lucky he was to have Autumn by his side.