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17th of November. That's the date of today. In about a week, it would be 24th of November. The date of Nick Hoult's birthday if Lynn is not mistaken. He had a week to prepare something for Nick. Logically, a week is certainly more than enough time to thoroughly think of a proper gift. So, why was Lynn still unsure if it was possible?
The problem started because of Nick Hoult. Since he had given such a phenomenal gift that suited Lynn's taste perfectly for his birthday a month ago, there was no way Lynn could just go to a general dollar store, buy the first thing that reminded him of Nick, and then call it a day.
Lynn believed in the moral of 'giving back what you received from others'. He didn't want to feel as if he was in debt to someone, Nick was of course no exception to this. Plus, being in debt to Nick Hoult sounds like a set up for disaster. It's too risky. You never know what to expect when you're dealing with demons. One in the apartment was already a headache.. then the second one just had to keep constantly coming to 'visit'. The ulterior motive was to steal Lynn's snacks and be an annoyance. Lynn had accepted it, he eventually prepared more snacks so there'd be enough for the both of them to eat.
"A birthday present for Nick, what exactly would a guy like that want?" Lynn quietly mumbled to himself as he wiped some dusty windows with a tablecloth. He started to ponder it. A gift.. Maybe something useful to Nick. What would that be though? He isn't like me in the slightest. He wouldn't need cleaning supplies and it wouldn't be the best gift. If I want to one up Nick then I have to consider his interests. Maybe he would like some kind of party? No, I don't know how to organize a party at all. I could ask Lily to do it but then it wouldn't really be a sincere gift from me. Lynn tightened his grip on the tablecloth and started wiping the windows aggressively.
He could slightly hear Ira's astonished voice going "Woah, those windows must be real dirty." Lynn partially ducked his head and stared at the floor as he thought about it more and realized he had no clue at all. He felt dreadfully thoughtless. He doesn't know too much about demons but how could he not know when Nick was able to get him such a perfect gift in contrast? He may have to ask other people for their opinion, but who would be a good choice? Lynn turned around with a deadpan look on his face and looked to see who was currently in the apartment.
There was Ira and Damao sitting on the couch together. They were having a conversation.
"Ira, did you try shaving my head last night? Damao asked while staring at Ira with an enraged look in his eyes.
"EH!? No...what makes you think that huh? You could just be balding." Ira replied.
"You left a razor in my room."
"That could belong to anyone."
Then they started bickering. That was enough for Lynn to tick them off his list. They were both unreliable in different ways. Ira wouldn't be able to keep a secret and would spill everything to Nick. Also he would make fun of Lynn or in a worst case scenario use it against him so he could get out of doing chores and paying rent. Damao wasn't that bad but his bad luck might rub off onto him. It would make trying to find a gift even harder. Who else was there? In the corner he could see Abu reading a book quietly. Abu is out of the question for this too. It doesn't feel right to bother him for something like this. Now what about the options of people that aren't in the apartment? Lily isn't an option to ask in the first place. Luis is out of town for acting, though I wouldn't have asked him for help anyway. It was down to two people he could think of, Neil, Nick's brother and Crystal, Nick's best friend. How would he go about asking them though? Should he be straightforward or indirect somehow? He could figure this out surely. He had to, for Nick.
Beep.
Speak of the devil. Nick sent a couple text messages to me. He's been doing this a lot lately.
'Lynn'
'Lynn'
'Lynnnn'
'Lynnnnnnn'
'what' I texted back.
'I wanna show you something cute'
'Don't tell me it's another Feifei that you thought was a stray cat'
'NO'
'what is it then'
'come and find out, I'll send you my location wink wink'
I have a bad feeling about this. But then again, this is convenient for me. I can find out from Nick himself about what he wants indirectly. It would be less of a hassle compared to trying to ask his brother that hates him or his best friend that's most likely out adventuring to who knows where.
'ok Nick'
Lynn headed to his room to get his notebook. He'll use this opportunity to jot down anything he needs to in it. He proceeds to walk to the door to leave the apartment, not before stating to everyone inside "Make sure to keep the apartment safe, I'm going out." "Roger that" Ira said with a grin and his hand up in a peace sign, Abu and Damao nodded in sync.
Lynn flew out to the location Nick had sent him to discover that it's a walmart. "What cute thing could possibly be here?' He landed in the parking area, it seemed Nick was somewhere around here for some reason.
"Lynn! Over here!" Lynn turned his head to see Nick inside of a pink hello kitty car. Lynn's eyes widened and his jaw almost dropped to the floor in shock from the sight. He was flabbergasted. Demons really are unpredictable. They always manage to catch Lynn off guard and do unpredictable things. Mostly Nick.
"Heh..whaddya think? A real beauty isn't it? come on say something, it's cute right?" Nick grinned and his tail wagged in excitement. His tail wagged like that on Lynn's birthday too. Lynn made a mental note of it.
"It looks ridiculous. Where did you even get something like this? Did you steal it?"
"HAH!? Come on Lynn you know I wouldn't do that. Don't ask where I actually got it from though."
Lynn glared at him.
Nick rubbed the back of his head, he looked directly into Lynn's eyes with a shine in his eyes. "Wanna ride this pretty thing with me?" he said it in a certain tone that Lynn couldn't quite pick up what kind of tone it was. It gave Lynn a funny feeling though. Strange.
"Sure" Lynn could only comply, he had his notebook ready in his pocket for this.
Lynn hopped in and put on his seatbelt. He made sure his wings were also tucked behind him so it wouldn't get in the way of Nick driving.
"ALRIGHT! Let's go" Nick enthusiastically said.
"Wait Nick."
"Huh? what?"
"You need to put on your seatbelt. It's against the law to not do that. You should know."
"Oh yeah, yeah, okay, I'll do it right now. Happy?"
"Yes."
Nick smiled softly, it was always nice to see him doing that when we aren't arguing. He gave a sheepish look to me and it almost looked like his cheeks had a tint of rose red "Thanks for coming by the way Lynn, Like how you're happy that I'm wearing a seatbelt, I'm happy you're even here and agreeing to ride this 'ridiculous' looking car with me heh. You were the first person I had in mind to drive this with when I got it."
What?
Why would I be the first person Nick thinks of for something like this? I don't understand that. Does he not have anyone else who would enjoy this kind of silly thing that isn't me? No, I'm sure he knows other people. He could have asked Crystal. They're two peas in a pod. Why would I be the first option, out of everyone? Now Lynn was left with more questions than answers. This wasn't helping him. He had to at least get what he came here for. Nick had started driving on the highway already, humming a tune while doing so. He turned to look at Nick, scanning him while he's driving. He seems to have noticed. He started sweating a bit too.
"What, Lynn? You got something on your mind?"
"Hm. I do have some thoughts."
"Like what?"
"I was thinking about you Nick"
'WHAT?" Nick let go of the wheel for a moment with his mouth agape looking at Lynn. "Ah!" The car started moving erratically, Nick quickly realized it and put his hands back onto the wheel and looked forward again, avoiding eye contact with Lynn.
"Nick! drive properly, don't ever let go of the wheel while driving and focus on the road you idiot" Lynn scolded strictly.
"Gah....Not my fault. Don't just...say stuff like that outta nowhere." Nick said with his face unusually red.
"Like what?'
"Forget it, what were you thinking exactly?"
Here's my chance. What can I say to get an answer that could help me in analyzing what he wants for his birthday? I need to make sure I get a precise answer without making my objective too obvious.
"I was thinking, Why do you like being around me?" Huh. Why in GREAT HEAVENS did I ask THAT instead of a rational question that could actually help me figure out what gift to get. Why did I blurt that out instead. Lynn you fool, I let curiosity and my feelings get the better of me. I need to do better. Nick's going to look at me weirdly I know it.
"Uhm.....why?' Nick looked like a deer in headlights as he muttered the words. " well uh...I never thought you would ask me that Lynn, we've already hung out often before so you know, it's pretty normal now."
"But why?"
"Why?... cause we're friends?"
"you ask to spend time with me the most compared to anyone else in the apartment."
"... Is that a problem?"
Lynn thought about it. "No. Maybe in the beginning yes, but as time passes I've come to really enjoy your company now Nick. The more i spend time with you, the more I think you're not so bad at all for a demon. I just don't know why you would enjoy my company. I get mad at you often yet you still always come to the apartment."
Nick came to a stop on the side of the road somewhere.
He looked at Lynn intently.
"That's true but...It's not just that with you. You willingly help me out when I really need it...and you listen to me even if it annoys you, you still listen to me when I talk. You're exactly what you are Lynn, an angel. And honestly... I even kind of started to like hearing you nag after a while...not just that, I like your kind, stern and straightforward personality. I like your soft fluttery wings and your pretty eyes. I just want to be with you... I like you, Lynn." Nick's face was the reddest Lynn has ever seen. Nick attempted to cover his face with his hands but the blush was still noticeable.
This was the most unexpected thing from Nick so far.
How did things turn out like this when he was just trying to find out what he wanted for his birthday?! Even Lynn was nervous now too, He was probably blushing as well, he could feel how warm his body was. He'd be lying if he said he didn't feel....those kinds of feelings for Nick. Feelings are uncontrollable. I've known that I...liked Nick despite how infuriating he could be sometimes, seeing the other side of him that is caring, kind and somewhat well rounded was enough for me to really come to the conclusion of these...'feelings'. I never had planned to profess my feelings though. It would be hypocritical of me. How can I be against Lily and Neil in a relationship if I myself got tempted by a demon? It's not right of me and yet....
"Nick..."
"No, no you don't have to say anything Lynn. I know you're not fond of 'demon and angel' relationships, you make it pretty obvious with Lily and Neil...I know, I'm sorry, forget about this please." There was a sniffle coming from Nick.
Oh God.
"No Nick, I don't have a prejudice against demon and angel relationships specifically, it's more I'm worried about Lily's well being. She's my sister you understand that right?"
"Yeah I get that... but even if you don't have a prejudice.. you don't feel the same do you?"
What do I say. What should I say. What's reasonable at this moment? God, why do I keep questioning everything. I need to say something. Anything. For Nick.
"But I do feel the same."
"yeah I thought so... wait, huh? you WHAT?"
"I like you too, Nick."
Nick grabbed Lynn's hands and clasped it with his own hands. It startled Lynn as he looked at Nick whose eyes were shining brighter than it was earlier before, face still red but so was Lynn's "Can we....start going out? Let me be yours please."
"Keep it a secret for now."
"Does that mean yes?" Nick smiled and wagged his tail side to side.
"Yes." I smiled back.
Lynn was a bit disappointed he didn't even need to bring his notebook so that was a waste. Things turned out way differently than expected but not in a bad way. He doesn't mind this outcome. Hold on.....he still didn't know what to get Nick for his birthday. Damn it, I'm going to lose.
I can't let that happen.
A week had passed. It was now Nick's birthday. Starting from that day a week ago, Nick and I have been dating. Though, we haven't actually done anything a couple does and we're keeping it a secret for now. I told him we should take things slow first, he seemed happy as long as we were in a relationship together...without the relationship stuff. We hung out a couple of times just chit chatting like usual, It reminded me of how I really feel at ease with Nick. Now that it's his birthday, I can finally give him a gift. I know now what to give to him.
'Nick I'm coming over to your place'
'ooh you're taking charge today? I like that'
Lynn gave his text a thumbs up instead of replying.
"Hello Nick. Happy birthday" Lynn stood in front of Nick who just opened the door for Lynn upon his arrival.
"That was fast, you got something special planned for my birthday today?" Nick had an eager look on his face.
"You could say that."
"Come on in Angel"
Lynn sat down on the couch of Nick's apartment just across from Lynn's. It was cozy but also a bit empty. It was an old man that offered him this apartment wasn't it? Yeah, I recall the time when I tried to find a place that was far away for Nick but that didn't happen. It's a good thing it didn't though.
Nick sat next to me.
"I can't wait to see what you got me, I stayed up last night thinking about it." Nick's tail waved around.
Lynn softly smiled. "It might not be much, surely not as great as the gift you got me."
"I don't care" Nick whipped back quickly. "I'm happy if it's from you."
"It's a bit funny hearing you say that. Before we were in a relationship I doubt you'd say that willingly with your ego." Lynn quipped.
"Hey!!...Well.. I should say the same thing to you, you got as much of an ego as me don't you."
Lynn didn't say a word as he brought something out of his bag.
"Here. I packed you this spicy curry I made for you."
"Awww Lynn! You know I love spicy food. Is that your gift for me?'
"That's not all"
"Hm? What else did you-"
Lynn cut him off with a kiss. He pulled Nick closer as he kissed him, He could hear Nick's muffled surprised noises at first, until Nick eventually kissed him back too. It was warm. It was a nice and sweet kiss. Nick's lips kind of tasted like a wet log. That makes it sound like it's bad. In reality, Lynn is enjoying the kiss a lot. He slightly ruffles up Nick's hair as he pulls away.
"What do you think?"
"Do that again."
"No please?"
"Please, Lynn."
In the end, Lynn was successful in getting a gift that Nick liked.