[Francis hands Julio this present- with a card tucked and taped underneath the bow.
The card says the other’s name in flawless cursive writing, and the words inside are written in an italic, fancy, regular script. It reads:]
Your gift was one of the hardest for me to think of, but I do hope that you can find good use of them- especially with all of your seafood. It is the same brand that I use, so I can attest to their quality. xx
Despite our differences, we are two old men who have been through a lot both together and apart. I look forward to many more years of bickering. xx
[Inside the box is a stainless steel chef’s knife set. And, underneath it is an envelope with a sketch inside, and a note of its own. The sketch is an intricate coloured pencil sketch of Julio’s eye as if it were the sun setting on the sea, bringing green light to the waters and the nearby picturesque Portuguese shoreline. The note reads, in fancy cursive writing:]
Do you remember this at all? I was looking through my old sketch books for inspiration and came across a rough sketch of your eye. I remember that day well.
I decided to finish it, and I thought it was the best representation of both you, and who us nations are as people. The sea has always been a part of you, and I like to think that you are part of it now as well. That, and we are constantly looking upon what we love and what is a part of us- our countries, and keeping an eye on them, pun intended. Our breed is both ethereal and mortal, both present in this body and omnipresent in our countries. Not only that, but when I think of you, I think of the light, just like the sun.
