She knew random gifts made Otis uncomfortable. She knew he tried not to pay attention to the monetary gap between them. She was a doctor. He was unemployed, by most standards, though Cutter paid him for his statues to be displayed in his shop and when he helped Rufus with a motor, he got a cut of the pay from that, as well. He earned money other ways, too, that she didn't want to think about.
She knew he didn't have a problem with it. He just had a problem with trust. He was stuck in a cycle of always expecting someone to backhand him with something rather than just doing something nice for him. It bothered the hell out of Mama Firefly, but she understood. He had been burned quite a few times and was tired of being hurt.
On his birthday, when she had given him his gift, he damn near exploded. Not that he had been angry, he just wasn't entirely sure what to do with himself. He had desperately needed new boots, so she had gotten him new ones. That would have been enough to set him off, let alone the rifle and knife she had got him, as well. It had just about made him sick.
But dammit, she wanted to do nice things for him because he deserved it and she loved him.
Sitting with him the night before, she had noticed he wasn't sketching like he usually was in the evening. It helped him relax and was an excuse for her to watch him work. She loved watching him. His work was beautiful and masterful, though she had to look past what he actually used for the work...
"Baby, what's wrong?"
"Hn? Nothin'...why?"
"You're not working on anything?"
"Ahhh...no...I ran out of pages, is all."
"Why didn't you say something?"
He shook his head. "I'll grab one some time."
"I would have gotten one while I was out."
"I mean 'grab one' as in steal one, Mama. Don't pretend like you don't know that."
She sighed. "I know..."
Standing in the store, she sighed and shook her head, thinking of him. He wouldn't ever ask her for anything. He was strange about certain things. Something else she could blame on his parents.
When she came home, he met her at the door, giving her a kiss. "Where ya been, Mama?"
"Just stopped at the store to pick up a few things."
"You know, Otis is a real bitch when you're not here." Baby chimed in.
"Fuck off."
"Fuck off." She mimicked, walking upstairs.
"Be nice to your sister...fuck buddy...i don't know."
He laughed. "That's been eating at you ever since I told you."
She grumbled. "Here. Got you somethin'."
"What's the occasion?"
"You're my boyfriend. That's the occasion."
He sighed. "Mama-"
"Shut the fuck up and take it."
Reluctantly, he opened the bag. "I told you I would get one-"
"Otis. You don't have to steal your way through life anymore. Just ask me."
She knew that had struck a nerve. He hated relying on people. Hated it more than anything, let alone relying financially on his woman. She saw his expression change dangerously.
"Ah...That's not what I meant. I meant...if you need something, just tell me. And I'll tell you when I need stuff. That way, if we're out and either of us thinks of it, one of us can get it."
"You need to stop buying me things."
"It's a fucking sketchbook, Otis. Relax." She smirked. "There's pencils in there, too."
"Goddammit, Mama!"