<🎧 Song Recommendation: All Star by Smash Mouth>
...
A light spilled out across the floor, accompanied by the gentle sizzle of a pan and the soft sound of humming.
Von slowed his steps, curious.
He peeked around the archway into the kitchen.
Emily was standing at the stove with her sleeves pushed up and her hair tied back with a rubber band.
She was cooking something that smelled ridiculously good.
It was a late-night batch of garlic butter steak bites and toasted sourdough bread, one of Von's absolute favorite late-night meals.
But what caught Von's attention wasn't just the food.
Sitting right on the edge of the kitchen island, looking absurdly cultured, was Loki.
The small black cat was sitting completely upright, her furry body was motionless except for her head, which followed Emily's every move.
She looked less like a pet and more like a serious sous-chef assisting with a high-end service.
