"Yeah, but I wanna make it special. Anyone can buy someone a new tie or a... Christ, I don't even know what people buy each other for their birthdays. Anyway, I'm not gonna get you anything like that."

He turns to look at the clock, and sighs, taking another, larger sip of his coffee. "I've probably said this a million times before, but I wonder if they'd notice if I didn't show up at work. I probably wouldn't even need a plausible excuse."

And then a shrug. "I should go anyway, though. Go and work on your birthday present." He grins at Ned, liking that Ned seems pleased by the idea. He's suddenly full of energy, wanting to really impress him, especially if he hasn't had a present since he was nine.