Core Memory (Lolix)

Chapter Sixteen

New Years Day...

Ahh, the day where the big 'ole ball drops back in America to signal the start of a new year, though, both Locus and Felix were going to do things a bit differently.

They had, unfortunately, missed Christmas. They were on a job, and one thing had led to a much more, problematic and difficult another. So, they were held up, busy, and at one point, tied up, and didn't have any time to celebrate.

As a solution, they just combined the two holidays. They hadn't gone overboard, there weren't any decorations or anything aboard the A'rynasea. After all, it would be pointless and a waste of money since they'd be spending time putting it all away the next day.

What they did do, however, was buy one another a gift to give, and Locus, who was determined to finally confess to Felix, bought a little something to help him along the way. That something being some wine for the two of them to share and mistletoe to hang above the bedroom doorway. That way, he was bound to get a kiss by the end of the night.

"So, how do you wanna do this? Gifts before or after the clock strikes?" Felix questioned, placing the rather tiny bag with Locus's gift inside onto the smaller table beside the navigational one.

"We can do them before, at 11:00. Gives us time to open them, look at them, and whatever else that would come after."

Felix nodded his head a bit, just as a way to let Locus know he had heard him as he eyed the gift he had gotten him. A part of him was worried he wouldn't like it, but it was rather difficult to find something for someone who doesn't really like much or at least doesn't express their likings. He had to do the best he could with picking something out for the other, who on the other hand, knew more about him than anyone else.

He sighed. What was the worst that could happen? Locus feigning his appreciation for the gift, and then it never being seen again? Felix could surely handle that, and maybe he'd be able to get something Locus would like instead.

Yeah, he could do this.

---

He couldn't do this, there was no way. The closer the time had gotten for them to exchange the gifts, the more nervous Felix had gotten, now thinking his gift was a waste of an attempt. Maybe he could get a second chance to get something for Locus if he were to suddenly 'lose' his gift?

They were only a few more minutes away from their exchange...

Locus seemed so calm, and that fact only made Felix even more nervous. Locus had probably gotten him something he knew he would use, or be happy with. He could just tell by how carefree the male was acting about it. Felix had to go off of nothing.

He leaned back against the wall from his seat on the floor as he watched Locus walk away, only to come back with a decently sized bottle of wine and two glasses in his hands. Felix couldn't help the small smile that grew on his face at the sight of them.

"Trying to get me drunk, Sam?" He teased, shifting a bit as Locus put the items down, moving away to grab something else.

"Nothing is forcing you to drink it." The other pointed out, now sitting on the floor across from him, a wrapped box in between his legs.

"How could I say no? Especially since you bought it."

All Locus did was roll his eyes at him, popping open the cork of the bottle and pouring some into the two glasses. Once that was done, he picked up the one and held it out for Felix to take.

Letting out a small hum, Felix carefully took the glass from Locus's hands, gently sniffing the drink in front of him, "How expensive is this shit?" He questioned, taking a small sip.

"It didn't cost much. I got it on a discount for the New Year." Locus grunted, glancing at the time, "Well, it's 11, who gives their gift first?"

Felix almost choked on his drink, placing it down on the floor beside him as he gulped. "Why don't we rock-paper-scissors it? Whoever wins goes first?"

Locus stared at him for a moment before he simply held out the box, "To save time, just open yours first."

A small pout formed on Felix's lips, but a part of him knew not to complain. Taking the box into his hands, he slightly weighed it a bit, trying to guess what it was before opening it. It wasn't that big and wasn't even that heavy. The box wasn't that tall in height, so the gift itself had to have been rather flat.

"Would you just open it?"

"I will, I will." Felix huffed, peeling away the wrapping paper of the box before pulling it open.

Inside was a knife. More specifically, a custom made one. The blade in itself was black and cured as if it were some sort of hook. On the blade, there was a date inscribed onto it, the date that they had run into each other at the shipping dock in a slightly lighter color than the rest of the blade. The handle of the knife was made from metal, and he could tell from the cool touch it had given. Instead of the normal silver though, it was also black, but each defining edge and curve of it was lined with orange. At the bottom, there was a small hole, with thin, green rope, that way he could have it hanging around his wrist in case he didn't have any open hands to hold it.

He bit his lip as he stared down at the knife. It was...it was perfect. It was probably the best fucking thing he's ever been given.

"So...?" Locus slightly prodded, watching him carefully the whole time of him opening the present.

"Sam, I...It's fucking amazing! I-I don't know what else to say..." Felix mumbled, gently rubbing his thumb against the inscribed date. "I don't...I don't think mine is as great as yours..." His shoulders slightly slumped in disappointment as he pushed over the small bag for Locus, too fixated on the knife in his hands to possibly hurt himself at Locus not enjoying his gift.

Locus raised a small brow as he took the bag, reaching inside to pull out a smaller box, one where you would usually hold jewelry in. He glanced up to Felix, who at this point wasn't even paying attention to him, simply fiddling with his new knife, before opening the little box.

There was a locket, in the shape of an oval with smaller patterns decorating the outside, On top of that, in the central area, there was an inscribed heartbeat with the words 'Sam' written underneath.

"Wh-"

"I-It's your heartbeat. I...Recorded it one night and had someone make the locket with it for you. Some days you really seem to forget that you're not a machine so I got that for you as a way to remind yourself when I'm not there to do it for you..." The longer Felix had spoken, the quieter he had gotten, still completely avoiding eye contact with Locus.

"If you don't like it I can get you something else next planet we land on, just, just don't hate it too much okay? I-I didn't know what to get you but I feel so bad now that you got me something th-"

He didn't have the chance to finish his sentence before he was engulfed in a hug.
"Shut up." Locus huffed, looking at the locket as he held Felix in his arms, "I like it."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better."

Locus pulled back, grabbing Felix's hand to place it on his chest. "I'm no liar, Isaac." And he was right. His heart was beating rather quickly as if he had just run a marathon, or if he had just been given an indirect declaration of love from his crush.

Felix could feel his face slightly heat up as he pulled his hand away, picking up his drink beside him, and basically chugged it.

"You're such a damn sap..."