[What a sore loser. He'll spare Hector any biting commentary on his birthday... but more importantly, he'll spare him because no part of him is truly that aggrieved. He finds Hector's earnest reaction cute, if anything, but he knows better than to spoil the sullen man with a proper kiss. In another place, another time, perhaps he would have... but not here, not now, and not when Yael can only be so kind. It may be Hector's birthday, but Yael's given him enough special treatment as it is.]

I'm about to go celebrate with a cold bottle and a football game. Staring at a screen too long's gonna make you go blind, old man.

[Straightening up with a laugh, as jovial as it is self-satisfied, Yael will repeat the age-old mistake of leaving first and letting Hector watch him as he goes. At this point, it's tradition. Before he turns to leave, he shoots Hector a grin— a genuine, shiteating grin.]

See ya.

[🚶‍♂️🍑]