“Okay, Caleb,” Mark said, staring into what felt like Caleb’s soul. “Would you mind if I wrap your gift in Christmas wrapping paper, or would you prefer it in a gift bag?” 

Caleb stared blankly for a moment, uncomprehending, until he finally forced out “Why would you wrap it in Christmas wrapping paper?” Mark smiled slyly. 

“Oh, just because I tend to only wrap gifts around Christmas, so that’s the only wrapping paper I own, and no offense, but no matter how much I like you, I’m not buying a whole new roll of wrapping paper to wrap one gift for you.” 

“O-o-okay,” Caleb managed to stammer out. “Okay what?” Mark tilted his head to the side, curious. “Oh, um, I just mean, you can do whatever you want, it doesn’t matter to me.” Caleb fidgeted nervously. 

“Are you sure?” Mark asked, brow furrowed. “Yeah.” Caleb pronounced the word with as much confidence as he could muster. “Alright then, wrapping paper it is. And don’t worry, I may only have Christmas wrapping paper, but that doesn’t mean I can’t skillfully wrap a gift! Or unwrap it with just as much skill.” Mark winked. 

Caleb began to internally freak out. Had Mark just made a sexual innuendo? Had Mark just flirted with him?!? No, it couldn’t be, Caleb was just bad at reading signals. After all, why would Mark flirt with him? 

Caleb brushed away the thought peeking into the corners of his brain, and instead said “I’m sure you are. I mean, not like I would know! It’s just that you’re really good at everything! Again, I don’t mean everything, because I haven’t done everything with you. And by that I mean I haven’t done anything with you except talk to you with completely pure intentions and innocent thoughts!” 

Mark grinned. “I’m sure.” He winked again. Caleb attempted to wink back, but ended up just awkwardly blinking at Mark. 

Utterly and completely embarrassed, Caleb shouted "Alright, well, you told me what you wanted to tell me, and I made a complete fool of myself, so I'm leaving now to go hide in some desolate place where you'll never find me! Goodbye!" and started to run off. 

"Caleb wait!" Mark grasped Caleb's arm. "What is it?" Caleb refused to make eye contact with Mark. 

"I need to give you an early birthday present before you go!" And before Caleb could respond, Mark had grabbed Caleb's cheek and planted a delicate kiss on it. 

"Alright, now you can go." Mark smiled faintly. 

Not knowing how to react, Caleb ran into the woods and immediately started freaking out about what had just happened.