Something breakable and seemingly fragile, forged into something sharp and dangerous.
Just like her.
Her eyes water as she looks at her friend; not trusting her voice, she mouths athank you, holding the present against her chest.
I’ve spent years wondering if any of the mortals in this world were worth saving from the wickedness steadily growing around them. But I’ve wondered more than once if I just happen to be drawn to the parts of the world that the worst of mankind cling to. If the world outside belongs to those like Isla, like Charlie and Mike, likeBel, that’s a world I’d be happy to fight for.
I admit that I don’t notice any of the other presents she gave out. I can’t tear my eyes away from the beautiful girl in front of me crying over a necklace. All the empathy in the world, and I’m still taken by the depth at which she feels everything.
“Alright, pretty boy, here you go,” Isla tosses a small box my way, and I barely manage to catch it.
Within the box is a set of playing cards, a photograph of Cas, Bel, and me that I’ve never seen before on the back of them.
“Holy shit, those are so cool,” Bel gushes, squeezing my arm.
“You didn’t know about this?” I ask her, disbelief filling me.
“No way. I can’t keep a secret to save my life,” she laughs, and I’m inclined to agree.
After a moment of shock, I manage to squeak out, “These are amazing, Isla. Thank you.”
She nods, turning back to Mike and Charlie to continue discussing what she got them. I stare at the cards in front of me, unsure how to deal with such kindness. They’re amazing, and they’re waterproof, and they’re going to be perfect for some wicked games I have in mind for Caspian and Bel later.
The gifts I got seem so superfluous now in comparison to the things I’ve been given. The people in this room put so much thought into every single present, be it a small or extravagant one. All I did was spend a bunch of money I acquired in not super ethical ways.
Embarrassment begins to creep into my spine, urging me to flee, but before I can, Bel wraps a hand around the back of my neck, pulling me to face her.
“Where’d you go?” she asks, eyes wandering over my nervous expression. “What’s wrong?”
I glance around us, noting everyone else in conversation, but Bel’s attention doesn’t falter from me.
“I just… the stuff I got isn’t like… all this,” I gesture at the mess before us. “I’m not as thoughtful with presents as you guys. I got Caspian headphones for fucks sake.”
She chastely kisses my lips, “You are the reason we’re all here, silly. You made this possible. Presents don’t matter when you’ve already given us everything we could ever have dreamed of.”
I try to argue, but she shushes me with another kiss, “Hush. You gifted us an entire life here. What more could any of us ask for?”
“I would give you anything. Everything. All I have is yours,” My eyes briefly dip to my Bel’s gorgeous lips before raising to her eyes again.
Her grin grows, and she nods, pressing one last kiss to my lips that I try to chase before she pulls away with a laugh, “It’s your turn.”
Fuck.
Clearing my throat, I glance around again, feeling the pressure of being on display for all to see, their emotions overwhelming me without being able to push back and calm them at all. If not for Bel’s reassuring touch, I’d be drowning in this storm of uncertainty.
“Cas,” I state, casually tossing him the box containing his present. “I know you have a hard time concentrating when there’s too much noise so those will cancel it out way better than the ones you’ve got now.”
A grin splits his face as he tears the paper open, black and white shreds going everywhere, causing the room to fill with small chuckles.
Unable to wait and watch his reaction, I move along, “Mike. Charlie. I had no fucking clue what to get you guys. Truthfully, I almost just gave a bunch of money to Bel and let her deal with it.”
“Do not let him fool you. He did try, but she refused,” Caspian interjects, and I consider throttling him for a minute. He’d be fine; just take a little nap. And I’d sure feel better.
“Anyway,” I say very pointedly, “Instead, she gave me a crash course on everything Mike and Charlie. And then I remembered all the noticeably empty wall space in that sad apartment and realized you two must enjoy art, so I commissioned a piece from a local artist. It’s fucking massive so I don’t have it here, but it will be arriving next week to your home.”
Mike and Charlie smile at me, finally losing some of the leftover tension from our conversation last night. They both offer me genuine thanks, and Bel makes them promise to send photographs of its new home when it arrives.
“Bel, darling girl, the rest of your presents are to be opened in private,” I wink at her, “but you may have this one now since it’s the only one appropriate for present company.”
