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If one more old woman spoke to Julia thinking she worked in this shop, she might just blow a gasket. She wasn't able to go to her usual clothing shops; frankly, MK had a shitty clothing style, and she wanted to get something that wouldn't be worn once by the other girl and then never again.
Six is a pretty big number, after all. She had to make it count. Julia knew her girlfriend disliked the feeling of jewellery despite them having matching bracelets, so she wouldn't waste her money on some expensive diamond ring. That ruled another gift idea out.
Moping in the middle of a shop really wasn't a good look for her, so Julia decided to take a trip to her local coffee shop while thinking about her ideas for a gift. Taking her expensive and complicated order, she sat down, and promptly buried her face into her hands to let out a groan.
Every single year, MK had managed to get a better gift than her. On their first anniversary, Julia showed up with a merely different coloured toque, while her girlfriend had set up a whole entire sponsorship for Julia and her favourite brand ever. Seriously, how was she meant to beat that? On their second anniversary, she bought MK a new gaming set, while Julia was given the IKEA alien plushie that she'd been wanting ever since she was a wee child. She'd never even brought it up before!
The list goes on; no matter what Julia tried to buy, MK always had a better gift in return. So, yes, it's very normal for her to want to finally beat her.
Sipping her midnight raspberry mocha frappuccino with a splash of caramel, extra foam, half-sweetened, soy milk, no whip, light ice, and a drizzle of hazelnut syrup, served in a chilled glass with a cinnamon stick stirrer, she considered her options. On one hand, she could stick to her usual routine of getting something she knew MK wanted - whether it be from her simply asking for it, or slight hints. However... she could try even more.
Making sure MK was out of the house, Julia pulled out her collection of gifts she had been hiding. She'd gone all out; working extra shifts to pay for it, and god forbid, talking to shitty marketers to get this stuff. Gaming merch was surprisingly hard to get nowadays...
On the table lied an assortment of objects, including but not limited to a poster signed by the developer of MK's favourite game (or at least Julia hoped that playing it into the wee hours of the day counted as being a favourite), plushies of her most liked character, and best of all, a handwritten note from the creator of said game stating that her (not well-hidden) OC would become a real character. I mean, how could she possibly top that?
Julia grinned to herself before taking out a roll of wrapping paper. All she had was Christmas wrapping paper, but whatever. It wasn't that obvious.
Her shift had finally finished, and it was the day of her and MK's anniversary, finally. Julia unlocked their shared apartment door and swung it open with an uncharacteristic vigor. As soon as she did so, she heard quiet footsteps, and MK's head peered round the entrance hallway.
"Julia! You took ages." She crossed her arms, shaking her head but obviously smiling.
Julia indignantly rolled her eyes and hung her coat up on the wall hanger beside her, stepping further into the house towards MK. "Psh, totally not my fault. The bus was late again!" God, it was great to be able to complain about her day to someone who would actually listen. They walked towards the main living area together, hands brushing together. "You'll actually love my present. Mostly because it was from me, but it's also, like, really good? Like most things I make, I know." Julia boasted, mostly reassuring herself at this point. She nodded along to what she was saying.
"Mhmmm." Was all she got in response, and when she glanced across to MK, she saw an expression that was unfamiliar; one she couldn't quite put her finger on. Perhaps she was nervous, too. After all - gift giving was essentially the only celebration they partook in for their anniversaries.
Stepping into the living room of their apartment, Julia took a breath, glancing towards the haphazardly closed cupboard she had shoved the gifts in. Was it just her, or was the atmosphere a little awkward?
"Right, I guess I'll give my gift and stuff first." She moved to open the cupboard door, a small wrapped parcel falling out and near landing on her foot. Shuffles were heard behind her as she rooted around the space, trying to find what she would give first. Eventually, her fingers touched a thin sheet, and she pulled it out, the mini Santas on the paper staring at her.
"...Psst. I'll give mine first." Julia paused, confused. She shrugged, putting the parcel back.
"Okay, sure." She turned around and promptly gasped. MK was on one knee, making her even shorter than usual. Her hand was extended up, a small box open in her palm. "My bad, I don't have a shitty poem to recite for this... But, uh... will you marry me?" The proposal was awkward, and clumsy, but just so MK that Julia felt her eyes becoming wet.
"A-absolutely. Oh my God." Her hands moved almost by themselves, leaning down to cup MK's cheeks and bringing her face closer to the other. Purple eyes met dark blue, blush on both of their faces.
Julia knew she had been one-upped in gifts for yet another year, but she couldn't find it in herself to be angry.