Chapter 683: All That Matters
For a ti that never seed to reach an end, we just sat there basking in the serenity the mont provided us. I was feeling a strange sort of buzz that had my head feeling light.
It almost felt as if I was levitating, and maybe it was just the leftover alcohol still making its departure through my system, only this felt better, nicer, like nothing I’ve ever felt before... and every ti I rolled her little swirly gift to between my fingers, that feeling just surges even stronger.
I kept fiddling with the necklace, admiring it from all possible angles... from one side it kind of resembled a tiny lava lamp, from another it looked more like a vial that contained the only cure to a deadly pandemic, and I’m sure I could have co up with a bunch more comparisons had I not suddenly been distracted by the fakest, and faintest of coughs.
“I’m glad you’ve taken a liking to it, frankly, more than I’ve even anticipated,” Irene chid in ever so discreetly. “But, um... I hope you’re not forgetting that Christmas is a two-way thing, yes?”
“Ah, yes, it’s my turn to give you your present now, isn’t it?” I smiled, letting the crimson essence in the cylinder sway and rest against my chest once more. “Bet a hundred you’ve been waiting for this exact mont all night, haven’t you?”
“Indeed, and what an agony it’s been, truly,” She rolled her eyes. “Just hurry up with it already.”
Well... not like she was denying it.
.....
My chair’s hind legs gave a squeak as I got out of my seat, shambling and stumbling through the aftermath of empty beer cans and plastic cups towards the still half-decorated tree, reaching around blindly for Irene’s gift and hoping with all my heart that so drunk bastard did not whimsical decide to make off with the free goodies just sitting here beneath so branches.
To my imnse relief, no alcoholic-Grinch decided to pay a visit tonight, and I retrieved the little heart-shaped box safely in my hands. Then replacing that relief, ca dread, as I shuffled my way back... and rapidly, I was starting to relate with that embarrassnt Irene felt that one mont.
If we’re going by tiers and rankings, then to , Irene and her gift were placed way up high on that pedestal. On the other hand, you got , you got what I have to offer... and really, it wasn’t even a contest at that point.
I thought a chocolate box was just perfect when I bought it, had myself reaffirming my decision when wrapping it up. But now having this dangling, swirling piece of perfection swinging around my neck... I’m really starting to think that maybe I should have chosen better.
Another squeak, and I was back in my seat. I took a page out of her book and tried to play it casual... only except I forgot that I seriously suck and I’m the literal worst and ended up with sothing not-as-casual.
“Here, the gift, yours, this is... well, you were there, you already know what it is, um... yeah, this... this is it.”
I then slid the gift over towards her side, sohow moving even more limp and awkward than I sounded, and I really just wanna crack open my skull right about now.
Know what? Maybe Irene had the right idea with the whole closing-the-eyes thing. I probably would have been a whole lot more smoother if I didn’t have her gaze constantly affixed to and throwing off with its... its gaziness.
“Oh, embarrassed?” She cocked a brow as she reached for the box. “Funny how the tables turn like that, hm? Lucky for you, I’m not cruel like you. You’re spared of any teasing, better be grateful.”
“Yeah, I’m in your debt,” I said, sighing, mildly surprised I wasn’t blowing smoke like a steam engine from how hot my face had beco. “Thank you for your rcy.”
All the sa though, hearing her rip and tear away at the wrapper was like Matriarch nails on a chalkboard, and my sense of inferiorly took over.
“Compared to yours, it’s not much,” I muttered. “But, um...”
“You’re forgetting this was my first choice for you too,” She interjected, setting aside the crumpled wrappings before slowly lifting away the red-gold cover. “So clearly, I thought it was good enough for you.”
“Yeah, but now you’ve gotten sothing better,” again, my fingers flew to the tiny cylinder against my chest. “Much, much better. And I guess I just wish...”
“That yours was better too?” She finished for , eting my eye with a faint smile that understood plenty. “Hey, whatever happened to the saying, ‘it’s the thought that counts’, huh?”
Irene plucked a piece of white chocolate from the selection, taking a sizable bite, and in her hazel eyes showed imnse satisfaction.
“And really, you were never gonna win in your position anyway,” She continued. “? Amanda? The Elf? And Divines’ know who else? Picking a single present is already hard enough. And you, the loving, loveable man that you are, decided to bite off more than you can chew.”
“True...”
“Right?” She took another bite, finishing the piece. “In any case, I’m just happy you did get sothing... I wouldn’t care what it was... as I said, it’s the thought that counts... and the best present I’ll ever receive is the knowledge that you were indeed thinking of all along.”
“Isn’t that just a given?” I said. “Thinking about you cos naturally, and I’m sure it goes both ways. It shouldn’t really be sothing you should be satisfied over... not especially when I can do much better for you.”
“I’m aware,” She replied, downing the piece with a small sip of wine. “But since when did I ever ntion that I’m at all a hard woman for you to satisfy?”
Gotta admit, there was so truth in that. Despite her elegance, her deanor, hell, the entirety of her in general being leagues way above mine, demand-wise, she was as lenient as they co. Aside from that one and only ti, she’s never made any demands, nor ultimatums, so unlike a certain other woman I know.
I know that, but still...
“So... you’re really okay with this?” I slowly asked her. “Just... just this?”
“Why do you ask?” She inquired, glancing up at with anticipation. “Why, do you have anything more hidden up your sleeve?”
“No, not really.”
“Then, yes, I’m okay with just this. More than okay, actually...” She plucked another piece from the box, dark brown this ti, plopping it whole into her mouth. “You did good. I actually really love chocolate.”
I nodded quitely, but deep inside, I still felt a sliver of discontent still lingering... a feeling I didn’t do a very good job of hiding all that well.
“Oh, just look at you anguishing in silence over there, wanting so badly to match the gift I gave you, simply unable to see that you already have,” Irene softly cooed, giggling. “You know, you also have your adorable monts too sotis.”
“Can’t help it...” I shrugged. “Y’know, I just...”
“I know, I know...” She flashed that sa understanding smile. “Still always trying to bite off more than you can chew...” and shook her head fondly at . “Maybe that’s why I’m so in love with you.”
Irene plucked another brown piece from the selection, but instead of imdiately chucking it into her lips, she leaned slightly forward off her chair, extending her hand out towards mine instead.
“Open wide,” She demanded. “Say ‘ahh’.”
“Oh wow,” I went cross-eyed, stricken by disbelief, shattered by this revelation, staring at the chocolate piece before my eyes unable to comprehend just what I was seeing. “You’re... you’re actually doing this kind of thing? This, I certainly expect from Amanda. But coming from you...”
“Oh, co on...” Her hand sagged down a little. “I’m allowed my romantic monts too, aren’t I? You seriously think I’m always the harsh detective with a stick up her ass?”
“Well...”
“Answer that wrong, I dare you,” She warned, before jabbing her hand out again. “Now, hurry up already. Ahh~”
I opened my lips just barely, and Irene practically shoved the entire chocolate piece down my throat, all the while wearing an expression of absolute contentnt on her face.
Almost like a giddy child, really. I kinda wish I was recording the whole thing... oh, just what her rainbow squad would have to say, seeing their refine and prudish detective smiling so goofily the way she was.
I’d probably be put in witness protection if she ever found out. Ah, but then again, this side of her, those eyes, that smile, and her words now... I think I much rather prefer to keep them all to myself.
“There you go,” She told , licking the chocolate stains from the tip of her fingers perhaps a little too lavishly. “Now you’ve officially made my Christmas.”
And really, I think that may be all for the best.
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