HD ▽ W-W-Wh... ▽
HD ▽ Why are you saying it like that? ▽
If Heidi was blushing before, she's practically radiating heat now.
HD ▽ Heidi loves gift-giving! There's nothing like it! ▽
Y/N But today, of all days?
HD ▽ It's a co-inky-dink! Obviously! ▽
HD ▽ Why are you shopping, then? ▽
HD ▽ Why are you here, buying something in this silly aisle? ▽
Y/N Because...
Y/N Because I'm getting a gift, too!
You hesitantly hold out the lovebirds to her. Her eyes widen.
HD ▽ No way... you have a special sweetheart? ▽
HD ▽ That's great! ▽
HD ▽ And it's such a cute stuffie, too!! ▽
HD ▽ I'm sure they'll love it. :oD ▽
Y/N Thanks...
You had considered giving it to Heidi, truth be told. But seeing what she's doing has put a pause on your plans. You're more curious about what she intends to do today rather than making a grand gesture towards her.
Y/N If you were looking over here, were you thinking on getting a stuffed animal too?
HD ▽ A teensy-weensy bit. ▽
HD ▽ To tell you the truth... ▽
She looks around conspiratorially. Then she lowers her head and puts a hand next to her face as if speaking in secret.
HD ▽ (I have someone special in mind, too.) ▽
Y/N No.
HD ▽ Yupperino! ▽
HD ▽ Sorry for being all sneaky earlier. That kind of pretend doesn't feel too good. :o( ▽
HD ▽ It's just... a lot. Does that make sense? ▽
HD ▽ Heidi's taking a big bounce outside of her comfort zone with all this! ▽
HD ▽ But for some reason, she felt like she had to do this. ▽
HD ▽ Even if it was like riding a roller coaster that she's never ridden before! ▽
You nod. You prepared for this day for a while, after all. You understand more than anyone the kind of stress and internal pressure you'd feel.
Y/N They must be very special.
Heidi smiles warmly.
HD ▽ Heidi's lucky to have a very special life. ▽
HD ▽ And that includes having them in it. ▽
When you think about the entertainer's social circle, you imagine a wide breadth of people. There are regular visitors, coworkers, old friends... the intricate details of her life have always been kept private from the public. That was Mimiland policy. You'd sympathize, but you feel like Heidi appreciates the privacy as well.
Y/N If you don't mind, what is it?
She hesitates. Then, she opens her palms.
Y/N That's a lot smaller than I thought it would be.
HD ▽ Don't be mean!! :o( ▽
Y/N No, it's nice!
Y/N I'm sure they'll like it. They must like music a lot.
HD ▽ They do. :o) ▽
HD ▽ Heidi doesn't get the appeal of keeping music all to yourself. ▽
HD ▽ But their headphones are old, and, well, it's hard to get something pricey... ▽
HD ▽ You don't think this is too cheap, right? ▽
Y/N How much was it?
HD ▽ Umm... 10 dollars? ▽
Y/N Aren't they usually cheaper?
Y/N I've gotten them for around half that price.
HD ▽ Heidi chose the nicest and most expensive ones on the rack. :o) ▽
Y/N That's... thoughtful of you.
There's no receipt or bag in her possessions. So her shopping trip is still underway.
Y/N Maybe you don't have to get them one thing.
Y/N Maybe you can get them multiple things. Put it all in a bag or something.
HD ▽ Wait... ▽
HD ▽ Y/N. That's genius! ▽
She grabs your hands, her eyes shimmering with excitement.
HD ▽ Like a goodie bag! Like the bags given away during parties! ▽
HD ▽ That's perfect! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! ▽
HD ▽ Oooh, I love picking out gift bags! They always have the most fun designs! ▽
She's bouncing while holding your hands now, which makes your vision blurry. You try to smile encouragingly through it.
Y/N Y-you're welcome...
You end up accompanying her throughout the store, following her from aisle to aisle. First, she picks out a nice, large polka-dot bag. Then, she picks out things that range from practical (like hand lotion, pastry-scented hand sanitizer, a nice umbrella) to the strange (footbags, mini portable games, a sticker sheet with exclusively sea lions on it). Eventually, the two of you manage to circle back to the exact same stuffed animal section you had encountered each other.
Y/N Didn't you say that you have a small budget?
Y/N This is a clown car's worth of gifts.
HD ▽ That was when I thought of getting one big important thing! ▽
HD ▽ Now that I'm getting them lots of little important things, I have to go all out! ▽
HD ▽ And there's one more thing... ▽
She squints and glances from rack to rack. Finally, she picks a little bug plushie. Not a love-themed one, but a plain, relaxed-looking one.
Y/N You're not going for the lovebugs?
HD ▽ It was considered. But! ▽
HD ▽ When you think about it, giving someone a holiday-themed gift isn't that practical. ▽
HD ▽ Especially if the person getting it isn't a lovey-dovey guy. ▽
HD ▽ So, even if it's a bit plain, it's perfect! ▽
She tucks it into the bag, which is now filled to the brim. Seeming satisfied with her work, she looks back at you with appreciation glittering in her eyes.
HD ▽ Thanks a million-billion-gazillion, Y/N. ▽
She starts skipping to the check-out area. You step beside her in tandem.
HD ▽ I may have given them stuff before, but this'll knock their stockings off! ▽
Y/N I'm happy to help.
Y/N I hope they get you something, too.
The skips slow a bit. You search her face, but she looks away.
HD ▽ Getting gifts is nice, but giving's all about expecting nothing in return. ▽
HD ▽ And if it turns out to be nothing, that's fine. ▽
HD ▽ Everything will be fine. ▽
Y/N ...
Y/N You've gone out of your way to do all this. I thought you'd be more...
HD ▽ Happy? I am! ▽
HD ▽ I'm super-duper happy! That hasn't changed at all, sillypants. ▽
Y/N No, that's not what I mean.
Y/N It's good that you're prepared for... something like that.
Y/N But aren't you at least a little hopeful?
HD ▽ Hopeful... ▽
Heidi's expression turns contemplative.
HD ▽ It's good to be hopeful for good things. ▽
HD ▽ And if Heidi were to keep good friends in her good life... ▽
HD ▽ Then that would be a good thing. ▽
You can't quite keep up with Heidi's logic sometimes. But you don't miss that tinge of melancholy in her voice.
Y/N Is that what you really want?
HD ▽ Yes! That's what Heidi is all about! ▽
HD ▽ It's like... you can put frosting and fruit and sprinkles on a yummy cake. ▽
HD ▽ But if you put too much, the whole thing falls over and makes a mess. ▽
HD ▽ That's why it's good to put just enough and appreciate what you have. ▽
HD ▽ Otherwise, they might take away your cake entirely! ▽
HD ▽ And then what's left? ▽
HD ▽ An empty plate, just like before. ▽
HD ▽ Going from a cake to scraps? That's the saddest ending of all. ▽
Y/N ...
Something tells you that there's no talking her out of this.
Y/N Well, I'd hope whoever Heidi likes has the good sense to like her just as much.
Y/N Because you must like them a lot.
HD ▽ Oh, I do! ▽
HD ▽ Abso-posi-lutely, I do! :oD ▽
HD ▽ Enough to make your heart do a hop skip and a dance! ▽
Y/N What makes them special, to you?
HD ▽ Hmm... ▽
HD ▽ I guess it's how different we are! ▽
Y/N Your taste is... people opposite of you?
HD ▽ Heidi's taste is very broad, I'll have you know. ▽
HD ▽ But getting to know someone with so little in common with her... ▽
HD ▽ It opens up your eyes to a lot of new things. ▽
HD ▽ New ways to perform, new ways to make people laugh... ▽
HD ▽ New ways to feel. ▽
HD ▽ This person... they feel things so differently. ▽
HD ▽ Sometimes stronger than Heidi. Sometimes not at all. ▽
HD ▽ Very confusing. Mysterious. ▽
Y/N But you love riddles.
HD ▽ But I love riddles! :o) ▽
HD ▽ That's why it's important to figure all of this out. ▽
HD ▽ About them, and about how I feel. ▽
Heidi wouldn't call this 'love'. Love stories are too 'serious' for someone like her. Nevertheless, you pat her on the shoulder.
Y/N Good luck, Heidi.
She gives you a strange look; then, she smiles and nods.
HD ▽ You too, Y/N! ▽
THE END
(Ending 2/20: Something In Return)
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡