"Your actions speak plenty," he assured. "You are endlessly considerate- and much too forgiving."

Newton didn't mean it that way, but his husband's willingness to accept any scrap of love and affection no matter how small distressed him. In hindsight, it almost felt like precisely what he was doing- meting out doses of love and affection as the mood struck. Newton deserved so much more than it felt he could offer at times. Someone that didn't need to give him a flattering mug to make up for his verbal shortcomings.

The gift suddenly felt contrived and insincere. He'd buy him something better tomorrow.

"..Well, do let me know if there's anything you'd like me to improve on."