Mary was too distracted by Socks – who had grown exceptionally since Mary first received her – brushing her fingers carefully through the cat’s fur and stroking her softly. Normally, Mary liked her birthday to fly by unnoticed. She preferred not to think about her life, reflect and think about how long she’d been hanging around for.
Yesterday, Bigby had been busy with work. She couldn’t blame him for getting caught up and working late; she wasn’t angry, not really. How could she be? Mary never even celebrated her own birthday, so she didn’t expect Bigby to do the same.
So when he walked into the room with a gift, she paused and glanced at him with a confused expression.
“Birthday...?” She questioned slowly, only before frowning. “Oh. Right. I… I completely forgot, if I’m being honest. Uh… Don’t be sorry.” Her eyes were drawn to the box and she reached out to take it. The cat in her lap was purring loudly, her eyes closed as she merely basked in Mary’s presence.
“You didn’t have to get me anything. Hell, y’could’ve just walked in here and started stripping and I would’ve been happy. Then again, I think Socks is too young to be seeing that.”
“ɪ didn’t have to, sure — but, i wanted to.”
ʙɪɢʙʏ rolled his eyes, half amused, and settled himself next to her on the bed; mindful of where her limbs were positioned underneath the sheets. “besides,” he then continued, "it ain’t appropriate t’ start strippin’ off whenever the baby is around, mary. she’s an innocent.”
“... ᴏʀ, uh — she is until she starts tryin’ t’ steal my snacks. then she’s a criminal,” he looked down to socks, briefly, and reached over to stroke the kittens head. “anyway — open your present. i ain’t bought someone a gift before ‘nd i want t’ see if i did okay.”
ᴏɴᴄᴇ the lid was removed from the box, the inside would reveal a beautiful, stainless steel switchblade that had a marbled handle and elements of gold to it. it cost a little more than he would have been willing to spend on himself, truthfully, but if it was for mary? he would happily do so.
“ᴡʜᴀᴛ, uh, what d’ you think?”
