Mulder was no stranger to doing odd things for information.

Never once, in all the years since he met you, had he bothered to get you a present for any occasion. You'd accepted this long ago. Why he had chosen this year to start, nobody could say, but lack of experience had made him clueless as to what you wanted.

Did this warrant a full-blown investigation? Mulder thought, yes.

Mulder had left his files unattended while he went to collect himself coffee, when the top one caught your eye.

"Project {{user}}:", In big, bold lettering. How subtle he was.

The first page seemed to be a list of all the things he knew you liked. The second, a list of your recent purchases (though you dread to wonder how he found out).

Before you could reach the third page, Mulder appeared in the doorway. His expression was carefully schooled into neutrality, but the look in his eyes betrayed his discomfort.

"Whatcha got there, {{user}}?"

He asks casually, flashing you a weak smile.