Christmas Gifts

Since Oliver started living with Miles, he had taken all his art supplies with him - a couple of sketchbooks, pencils, watercolors, stuff he could keep from minimal damage. It looked like Miles could care less how spread-out Oliver's things were in the living room. It was almost as if he welcomed it so long as it wasn't harmful to the animals he would bring down to watch Oliver.

At Oliver's request, Miles brought down one of his birds on a perch for Oliver to practice sketching birds.

"What do you get a girl for Christmas?"

Oliver looked up, seeing Miles' panicked face and phone in hand, ready to type in suggestions.

"I usually do art gifts. Takes longer, but people seem to like it."

Miles groaned, dragging himself over to where his bird was perched. He took it off the stand and placed it on his head before sitting down on the sofa opposite Oliver.

"Inspire me, Ness," he commanded. The bird looking around a little before it began pulling at the wet locks of hair.

"Is this for a girl at school?" asked Oliver, confused by Miles’ conundrum.

"Ramona," he mumbled, slumping in his seat.

"Isn't Christmas a romantic holiday?"

"Yes. But we're not like that," clarified Miles.

"Sounds like you're like that if you are panicking this much over it."

"I'm not… It's not. We aren't like that. I want to say thank you for inviting me to spend Christmas with her family. That's all."

Oliver slowly nodded his head as he began to understand, and then smiled.

"You keeping telling yourself that."

"I will because it's the truth."

"After catching her so many times, everyone was wondering when you will fall," he teased. Miles looked away, but his cheeks got pinker.

"Not like that."

"Sure, sure," responded Oliver before going back to what he was doing.

Miles continued to slump in his seat. The bird climbed off his head and onto the back of the sofa. He picked up the bird, putting it back on its perch before turning on his phone and resuming his typing.

"Take her to an art museum," Oliver commented, glancing up at the bird before continuing his sketch.

"I don't know if Ramona will appreciate an art museum.

"She appreciates my murals at Tormino's."

Miles frowned, typing something into his phone.

"Ice skating would be too difficult, huh?"

Oliver glanced up, watching as Miles' face contorted into various expressions as he looked for something. He remembered the current mural had the Tormino's staff at an ice rink.

"Probably. Ramona's not known for her grace."

Miles nodded and then went back to his phone.

"Try asking one of the girls," offered Oliver as he flipped the page of his sketchbook. Switching subjects, he began to draw Miles' face as he scanned the internet for options. Miles paused, shaking his head as he weighed them.

"Anita would know better."

"Probably. Sierra would suggest musical instruments."

"Because suggesting art supplies is weird enough," quipped Miles as he put the phone to his ear.

"Hey Anita, it's Miles." Miles stood as he talked, wandering through the room.

"Hi Miles, everything alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I have a question. Do you know what Ramona would like as a present for Christmas?"

"Oh! Are you taking her on a date?"

"No, we aren't like that. Ramona invited me to Christmas morning with her family."

"Aww, we are all certain that you liked her since you catch her all the time."

"No, she's just a good friend."

"Ok, then maybe get something for her whole family?"

"But I don't know them. And it was Ramona who asked me."

"Right."

The air went silent for a bit; Miles picked up his bird to ruffle the feathers around its neck. Oliver continued to sketch Miles in various poses as he walked around.

"Why not get her jewelry?"

"Jewelry? Isn't that a little too intimate?"

"I would love a ring from my soulmate. Or even a necklace with a heart."

"Like I said, a little too intimate."

"Well, a charm bracelet or a cute necklace is casual enough. A necklace might be better so Ramona could wear it at work."

"Ok. I can try that, thanks, Anita."

"Happy to help."

Miles hung up the call, going back to looking at his phone. While still looking at it, he began heading upstairs.

"Thanks for the suggestions."

Oliver sighed, looking at his quick sketches before flipping the page back to the bird, only to realize that Miles had taken the bird with him.