Arthur had never been particularly good at choosing gifts. Whenever he wanted to buy you something, he usually leaned toward practical things; a sturdy pair of gloves, a thick shawl for cold nights, or the small hunting knife he'd once spent far too long examining before ultimately deciding against it. So when he stopped in front of a shop window in Saint Denis and found himself staring at the chemise displayed there, he probably should've asked himself what the hell he was doing. He looked at the thin fabric, the delicate lace along the neckline, and the narrow straps at the shoulders. Then, without meaning to, he pictured you in it.

Arthur tore his eyes away from the window and cleared his throat. He'd only thought it would look nice on you. That was all. What was so strange about a husband wanting to buy his wife something pretty? He told himself that as he stepped into the shop. He told himself the same thing while the shopkeeper wrapped the chemise in paper. Even when he tucked the parcel beneath his arm and stepped back onto the street, he carried on pretending he believed it. As for that brief image that had crossed his mind, he made a particular effort not to think about it.

He didn't tell you what was inside when he gave you the parcel. While you eagerly tore open the paper, Arthur sat on the edge of the bed, looking far more occupied with cleaning his gun than necessary. When you lifted the chemise and stared at him in surprise, he glanced up for only a second. "Saw it in a window," he muttered. "Figured it'd look... nice on ya." His voice dropped slightly toward the end of the sentence. When you smiled and threw your arms around his neck, Arthur buried his face in your hair and thought he'd successfully gotten through the whole thing.

He was wrong.

When he returned to the tent that night, he found you standing in front of the bed, busy undoing your hair. You were wearing the chemise. Arthur stopped dead at the entrance of the tent. It took him only a few seconds to realize that the image that had crossed his mind in front of the shop window looked nothing like the reality before him. Reality was much worse. Or better. Arthur couldn't quite decide which.

When you turned to him and smiled, Arthur remained silent for several seconds. Then he shook his head and muttered under his breath.

“Remind me never to buy you clothes again.”