kayakking | (no subject)

[Martin smiles, just a little.]

I'm really...glad. It's hard to know what to get you.

I-i don't mean to make that hard. Sorry.

[He carefully puts the lid back on the candies.

Martin's gift... Well now he feels a bit silly.]

[but Martin is positively glowing as he gently unwraps it.]

--Oh, you can start on the second biggest one.

[it's a genuine bobby whistle! on a lovely chain.]

[Cute...

Martin's gift though, a matching set of gloves and scarf and earmuffs, a soft light blue.]

I thought, since you get into so much trouble, you could just--

[he doesn't get to finish the thought, because the set slides out of the wrapping and into his lap. Martin's eyes get very big.]

Oh, Jon...

[He's watching, wary and concerned.]

I thought- You know, since it's cold and you're, you're always running a bit chillier these days.

[the set gets held to his chest. precious, indeed. Martin is positively glowing with gratitude and softness and color and warmth until the tips of his left hand's fingers.]

No, no, it's. It's perfect. I love it, I really do.

[it may be a typical, normal gift to many, but Martin knows the true thoughtfulness that's behind it, and it means the world.

he clears his throat, but it doesn't banish the thickness in his voice.]

Last one.

[a small jewelry box. inside is a bracelet. the beads are all cubes of sterling silver, with little bumps on them - Braille.]

[This one does confuse him a bit. He looks at each of the braille letters.]

I... I don't know braille.

[not yet, anyway.]

It's a, um. Anxiety bracelet. You're supposed to pull on it and snap it against your wrist any time you're feeling unsettled and it's supposed to bring you back to the present moment instead of you getting stuck in your head. And it says-

[stop choking up, Martin, get it together.]

It s-says. "Always with you."

[That's... So stupidly thoughtful. Martin is always like this? He's always been like this hasn't he? It's so much. He holds the little bracelet close, looking over each block carefully.]

Thank you...

I just thought-! In future [that unfortunate future], if you ever get in trouble, you can blow the whistle - you can wear it around your neck or attach it to your keys - even though I don't. I'm not going to leave your side, unless you tell me to. A-and the bracelet could be like...a signal to me if you're ever uncomfortable or something, and just a reminder, so you know... [the nervous rush stops, and Martin's voice gets very soft and uncertain.] I'm here. I'll always be here.

[What did he ever do to deserve this kind hearted, loving idiot next to him? Literally nothing. This is too thoughtful.]

I ... This is the nicest thing anyone has done for me.

It's not...too much?

No. It's just enough.

[He leans up to kiss Martin's cheek.]

If that's the nicest thing, then I'm going to have to outdo myself for your birthday.

You don't have to do that, Martin, I'm-

[He holds the little pile of thoughtfulness close to himself, like he's afraid it'll get taken.]

I'm happy with this.

That's...what I want. F-for you to be happy. So I'll figure something out. How to do it every time.

You do it so well already.

I do?

[Martin's everything is so soft.]

I. I hope so.

[a wistful sigh, and Martin's mirroring Jon in holding his set of warm things close.]

No one's ever said...anything that nice to me before. Or given me a gift this nice.

[but it's not about the gifts.]

And, you should know... You should know that- That if it wasn't for everything...else. I've never been....happier. Than these last few months. With you.

...I'm so glad, Martin. You deserve that. And to have people think of you.

So do you.

...Not sure about that when I'm a right prick a lot of the time. Then again, if I wasn't, what would you and Tim have to make fun of?

Like I'm not an easy target, sometimes.

Only that one time you were trying to mime an ostrich.

I-! Look! I was doing my best!