"Naux, hey, you know how you're into hard rock?" Oh no, he's smiling. Not that gentle smile, either, there's something vaguely evil about it. Scott, no, scott --- ah, it's too late. He's handing her a rock. The rock is, indeed, hard. No shame. None at all. "Happy birthday!" He commits to the bit for a longer beat, guaging for reaction and preparing himself for the possibility of getting smacked, before he finally presents his actual gift. "Now, I know nothing else is quite as extravagant as this very personalized gift, but I hope you'll accept this super unimportant secondary one. Y'know, because I definitely didn't spend three hours waiting in line with very concerning people for it." Onward is produced a medium box, the contents of which comprising solely of memorabilia and merchandise for a reality show they had binged together long enough ago. ( and now I die again happy bday naux !! )
Naux doesn't respond to his question with anything but a squint and a smile of her own. Devilish is a good look on him. Before he hands her his gift, she can already guess what's coming. Still, she pays the part dutifully: a heavy sigh, a roll of her eyes, a loving shove. She turns the rock round and round in her hands.
"You're a fiend, but...you're right. Shocking statement, I know. Don't make me say it again." A sigh. "I'll take my rock hard over soft any day. I imagine that wouldn't make as lovely a paperweight as this." Her eyes glitter. As over the top as her words are, she means each and every one. "I'll cherish it always."
The rock is carefully set down to make way for the next gift. She opens the box, pauses, looks at Scott, then back down at the box. Laughter. Crinkled corners of the eyes, mouth wide enough to split her face in two, laughter. She gasps with joy. "Oh, this is wonderful!" A hand flutters over her heart. "You waited so long, all for this...I'm touched, truly." As much as she loved the show, loved watching it with him, the gesture charms her more than the contents themselves. Time may be cheap for her, but she knows how valuable it is to others. One brow raises.
"I've not the faintest how I'll top this on your birthday." She reaches out to gently cup his cheek. "You're a dream, Scott Lang. Thank you."