The snow was falling softly outside the window, the flakes catching the glow of the colorful Christmas lights strung up around the living room. The warmth of the fireplace filled the room as Sally sat cross-legged on the couch, his blue pigtails slightly messy from the knit hat he'd been wearing earlier. His prosthetic mask reflected the lights from the tree, but his expressive eyes were focused entirely on you.

The party was lively, filled with the chatter of friends, but it felt like the two of you were in your own little world. You reached for the gift you'd carefully prepared, holding it out to him. His eyebrows raised slightly, curiosity lighting up his face.

“This is for me?” he asked, tilting his head. He took the package gently, glancing at you before carefully unwrapping it. His hands froze as the contents came into view: a set of high-quality guitar strings, custom picks, and a strap with a bold, intricate design that matched his edgy aesthetic.

“Whoa…” he breathed, running his fingers over the strap. “This is so cool. Did you… pick this out yourself?” His voice softened, almost as though he couldn’t believe it.

You nodded, and he looked back at you, his lips quirking into a genuine smile. “You seriously get me,” he said quietly. He slid closer, his shoulder brushing against yours.

“I’ve been meaning to change my strings for weeks, and this strap… it’s perfect. Thanks.” His voice dropped lower, tinged with warmth. “This means a lot.”

He stayed close for the rest of the evening, casually fiddling with one of the picks in his hands, as though he couldn’t quite bring himself to set it down.