#i just hope garrett is used to byan enough that he can read their gratitude and how much the gift means

[byanyan]

@gnarledbite sent:ㅤHe hands them a simple box wrapped in red paper. Inside is a new sharpening block, and a new butterfly knife. The handles are solid black, but the blade is a different story. It's iridescent, with markings carefully etched into the metal resembling some of the simpler tattoos adorning the teen's hands. “Tempering it so the metal turned those colors took… three tries? It's not paint or coating, so it won't chip or flake off.”

��they're already confused the moment the box is in their hands. it's christmastime, sure, but a gift? for them? from garrett, whom they've been little more than a nuisance for? the unexpectedness of it is plain as day in their features, caught too off guard to even attempt to conceal it as they stare down at the present. dark eyes flit momentarily up to the other kindred's face, as though to make certain that there isn't some mistake here, then return to the bright red paper.

with an air of caution, almost like they're sure this is some sort of trick and they're waiting for the twist, long fingers begin peeling the wrapping paper back to reveal the box beneath. it seems normal enough once they've pulled it free, so byan progresses to the next step and lifts the lid off too, only to draw to a pause at the sight of what lay inside.

it's... amazing. the blade of the knife alone is gorgeous, the colours shifting in the light as they turn the box slightly, but it's the markings that have been engraved into it that really catch their attention. images they'd recognize anywhere, ones they can see mirrored this very moment across their fingers and the backs of their hands, carved into the metal of a knife. for them. struck dumb as they are by the surprise, they almost miss garrett's words. part of them wishes that they did, because the realization that comes with them tugs their wide-eyed stare up to his face, alarmed

ㅤㅤ" you— "ㅤthey start, but their voice catches before they can get much more out. clearing their throat, their gaze quickly drops back to their hands as they take a moment to let things sink in a little more.ㅤ" ...you made this? "

having some of their tattoos engraved in the blade is already a lot, especially with how accurate they are. the ones chosen might be some of the simpler ones, but even that would have required to notice them, to pay attention to what are ultimately quite small details, in order to replicate them. him purchasing a knife and having those designs etched into it is already a large amount of thought and effort to put into a gift, but if he's actually made the entire thing himself? and it took three tries to get it right? that's just... that's too much. it's too much to waste on them, so much more than they're worth when all they've done is invade his home, steal his things, and cause him trouble.

ㅤㅤ" what the fuck. "ㅤfeeling that familiar tightness tucked just beneath their chin, that sensation which always foreshadows tears, the distinct urge to flee flares up. for a long moment, they consider acting on it, their fingers twitching as they come so close to shoving the box back into garrett's hands and turning to run off. for a long moment, they simply stand there in a silence that practically vibrates with their intense, conflicting emotions.

ㅤㅤ" this is so... —you shouldn't've... "ㅤtwo sentiments begin and die on their tongue, and byan pauses again to swallow thickly. they can feel it, that threatening sting in the corners of their eyes, and they know that if they let those tears fall, they'll be thick and red and even more mortifying than crying in front of someone has ever been before. it can't happen. they're already embarrassing themself enough as it is. clearing their throat again and giving a quick sniff, they draw a steady, if unnecessary, breath in and stand up taller as though to play off their entire reaction thus far.

ㅤㅤ" i, uh. i didn't know you could do that. that's really cool though, an' this— "ㅤa gesture to the knife and sharpening block, neither of which they have yet managed to pluck from the box,ㅤ" ...this is... i mean, i dunno what t' say, this is dope as hell. "