"They are utterly accurate," Steven says, "and it's a damn shame I can't show you Home Alone. It came out when I was ten years old and I laughed so hard I started coughing."

But he's quiet while he watches Hythlodaeus survey his presents and his own smile is as tiny and as true.

"Not the entire store," he admits. "But I do like giving people presents. Because they'll owe me, of course, and debt is its own form of control--" And it was a relief to just be able to say things like this to Hythlodaeus, to not have to dissemble about his more self-serving qualities. "--but also because it just feels... mm, good, I guess? To give things to people. Especially if they're my people. And-- well. You're one of my people, Hythlo. With all the selfish possessiveness that implies--but then it's mutual, isn't it? I'm one of your people."

He chuckles softy. "Yes. I had a great time on my holiday. And I honestly hope you had a good time playing around with Dirk and Hades--word choice entirely deliberate."