"I...yes. I was your Secret Santa," Alastor said softly. "I wasn't really shopping for one of the ladies. Besides, I've known Niffty for decades. Do you honestly think I'm so narcissistic that I wouldn't have at least some inkling of what she might like?"

He gave a wry chuckle at that.

"The shopping trip was actually to see what caught your eye. You and I are so different from one another that I was utterly lost on what you might want. If I have to do something, I prefer to do it right."

Angel had given him a token that held so much meaning to him, and what had Alastor done? He'd gotten him a record player.

"I know you said it isn't a contest, but...you really don't know how much this pocket watch means to me." He chuckled. "I made my living off of almost nonstop chatter, and I now find myself utterly lost for words."

He finally looked up at Angel from his seat on the floor. It was a good thing his eyes were already multiple shades of red so it made moisture harder to see in them.

"But thank you."