Pursuit of the Whole

XXXIII. No Value

I know that the longer I drag things out, the worse it'll get.

Marcelo came today not only to fake pick up Kai but to tell me he had collected enough evidence against Kai's guardians.

Unfortunately, since Kai is under the jurisdiction of Blood Moon, Marcelo's hands are tied after the court case.

Blood Moon gets to decide what happens to Kai.

That is if they can grab him before the human government does.

Kai falls underneath Blood Moon, but he is in human territory.

It's a complicated case.

"Don't look so down," Marcelo says. He opened the back door and brought out a gift bag.

"Is that for me?" I ask.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"It's Christmas. You give gifts on Christmas," he said slowly.

"I didn't get you anything."

He smiles, "As expected." He nudges the bag closer to me.

"I thought we established the fact that we're fuck buddies."

"Has anyone ever told you? You're a real romantic person?"

"No. Never."

"Again. As expected." He moves the bag.

Hesitantly, I grab it and look inside. Then, I looked at him, "It's wrapped."

"Great observation."

"Sarcastic tone. I don't need that at the beginning of the year."

"You sound real appreciative towards the person who didn't have to get you a gift."

I smile, "I didn't ask for it."

"And I didn't ask for such a rude tone at the beginning of the year."

"You sound like my mom." I grab the wrapped box and tear it open before Marcelo gets the chance to take it back. I know his hands are itching to take it back after my many rude remarks.

My hands pause at the gift.

Immediately, I close the box and shove it back towards him.

"You don't like it?" He asks.

I glare at him, "What part of fuck buddies don't you understand?"

"The whole label. I mean, we only had sex once. I consider it more of a one-night-stand until we do it again."

I inhale a sharp breath, then exhale, "Call it as you wish. But, fuck buddies...one-night-stand...whatever this is. You don't give whatever this is between us a ring."

"Why not?"

"Rings are a gateway to commitment."

"You wear rings. What are you committed to?"

"Myself."

Marcelo's chest deflated, "Rings are a round piece of metals. They hold absolutely no value unless you put a value on them. The same can be said with any jewelry."

"What are you? A Wikipedia page?"

"You're making jokes because you're afraid of the value behind this gift."

I'm sweating again.

He laid out the box, "It has no value."

"Then, why did you get that for me?"