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He really shouldn't care. He really shouldn't. Loki is obviously going to receive gifts, especially after a good performance. It was only natural. Hell, it would've been more offensive if he got nothing but shallow words from unsuited teammates with nearly over brewing jealousy. So why was he upset? Because they didn't include him? He didn't particularly like or get along with any current teammates besides Julien. Plus, he wouldn't have wanted to be involved in getting such a low effort gift for his number one. He deserved much more than cleats. Cleats were good. But not only did he not need them this second, but they weren't even that good for running in particular. Surely there could've been more thought into it. And giving them to Loki while he was there with no previous notion of gift giving from his teammates had also "ruffled his feathers", like the coach called it. Hugo thought it was a entirely miscalculated action on his team's behalf from multiple perspectives and a multitude of reasons.
So now here was Hugo. At the front of one of the biggest mall in Paris. With far too much drive for something as simple as gift giving. He knew his number one better than anyone, definitely more so than his teammates, his gift has the potential of turning out about 6× better than theirs based on his calculations. He just had to face the right variables. That being checking any and all stores, items, or brands that Julien had mentioned liking, or has shown any interest in it, or simply something that looked like Loki would be interested in depending on the data he had collected over the span of multiple conversations and interactions, and his own observations, which consisted of squinting at Julien's stuff unprompted until Julien noticed and he glanced away like nothing happened.
°~•☆
His first destination was a watch store. He faintly remembered Julien mentioning needing a new one since Loki wanted a more fancy one than the ones he owed. So that lead him to looking at a case. Trying to decide between two Rollex's that had like one or two differences at most. Until setling on a silver one with a round watch. Satisfied he went to the register and payed. The lady there put it in a nice box. Asking if it was a gift to which Hugo nodded and she wrapped a gold ribbon that faintly reminded Hugo of Loki's molten eyes. Satisfied he left the store. Normally a normal person would leave it at that. An expensive watch was something that you most paired with a box of chocolates or a card. But Hugo is not someone to describe himself as normal. So he headed in multiple clothing stores to see if he could find anything. Getting a cream turtle neck before stopping at a rack with a cheetah print shirt. Julien liked cheetahs, that variable should mean he'd like it. But he probably wouldn't wear something like that. So Hugo decided to drop it.
"I could probably get him something different cheetah related" He thought to himself out loud, cheetahs were Julien's favorite animal, and surely he could find something in the sea of stores, he thought before paying and leaving to find another store.
The next destination was a a smaller shop in the big overwhelmingly mall. Mostly just a small humble place with some accessories and essentials. Hugo picked a thin silver chain, a few watch batteries for the watch he picked up. He payed the nice teenage girl, working her first job by the looks of it, and went back on his journey of finding the best gift for his number 1.
He stepped into a huge plush shop with numerous of stuffed animals lined up on animal, color and size. It made his brain tingle looking at it, and ended up picking a cheetah plush that had a tag telling a story that he made sure to proofread in order to make sure Julien would like it.
He went into another few shops, picking more clothing options, getting him a new pair of cleats that were far better than the ones his team gifted, a brand new duffel bag, a spa set he made sure wouldn't damage his hair or skin with the worker there, that helped him pick one that seemed like the best option.
The next store was a flower shop. He looked through everything. In truth, flowers were something that never came up in their conversations, Hugo should've probably brought it up. So he went based on the colors Loki liked in general and the colors that went well with those. Picking flowers that had nice but not overwhelming scents. In the end he picked a huge bouquet of orchids, roses, and a bunch of other flowers like narcissus, violets and lilies. Making sure to pick one with a warm color pallet.
°~•☆
When he got back, Julien was still on his usual run(he had multiple daily), he got everything out of the bags and arranged everything in the most synchronized way, based on his calculations based and on what he bought to arrangeeverythingto be pleasingon the eyes, evsn if it wouldn't stay there for long. Waiting patiently with his hands in his lap for Loki to be back.
°~•☆
The sight that greeted Julien was not one he was expecting after getting back from a run with the hopes of showering right after.
Hugo was sat on the floor next to a big mount of gifts arranged like they were made for an advertisement.
"Hugo?"
"You're back"
"What is this?"
"I bought you a gift"
"That looks a lot more than *a* gift"
"I don't understand what point you're trying to make. I'm gifting it all as one unit, therefore it's a gift"
"Is this why you didn't come to practice today?"
"I attended morning stretching"
"That doesn't count"
"It should"
"Why did you even get this?"
"You got a victory against Atlethico Madrid a few days ago"
"It wasn't even that impressive"
"Statistically, that's true"
"Then why did you do this?"
"Open it"
Julien went up to the shrine of gifts, sitting in front of it next to Hugo and begging to unpack.
"You got me a watch" Julien said, eyes softening the sharp eyes that usually pierced any spot on the field
"You said you wanted one" Hugo said deadpan, as if that justified this entire situation.
Loki continued to open the gifts, pooping Hugo's nose with the plushies' nose and laughing, Hugo wasn't entirely sure what was happened and just stared at him as he calmed down after a moment and continued opening the presents.
"...Why did you buy me cleats?"
"Because they're important and you can never have to much"
"The team bought me a pair two days ago"
"Mhm"
"You were literally there and saw it"
"I did"
"Those cleats are fine"
"And mine are better"
Julien just shook his head in amusement and ruffled his hair.
"You didn't have to, Vivi"
"I did. I didn't get to get you anything"
"It's not something worth a haul of presents"
"Everything you is worth a haul of presents and beyond that"
Julien smiled and simply kissed his cheek, Hugo leaning into the brief contact before Loki pulled away, his cocky smile a little softer at the edges than normal
"Thanks Viv"
"You're welcome"
"I'm gonna have to get you something nice too"
"You don't have to, Jules"
"Mh. I will. And you can't stop me"
"I never would actually" He said, his ears dusting the softest pink from Julien pressing kisses over his face and jaw.
"Mh.. I know you wouldn't"
"Then why point it out?"
"Just making sure you're aware. I know you hate being caught of guard"
"..."
"I do..."
"I know, Vivi"
...
"I like you like this, y'know"
"Lile what?"
"Acting and looking at me like I'm the center of the world"
"You are the most suited to be it's core piece"
Julien only chuckled and carded his fingers through his red locks
"Good you think that. Cus it's true"
Hugo wasn't fully accustomed with the soft side of Loki. He kind of liked it... Maybe he should get stuff more often, regardless of if there's an event for it or not.