Watching Ned open the presents has him tangled up with anxiety, concerned that they won't be enough, that somehow they'll disappoint Ned in an awful way, and Ned will have to pretend to like them. But his concerns are assuaged as soon as he sees Ned's response. He can honestly think of nothing better than the smile that crosses Ned's face when he looks at the presents. It's surprised and genuinely happy, and he can tell that Ned actually likes these things, isn't just saying he does simply to spare Ginsberg's feelings or because thanking someone is what you do, whether you like their gifts or not.

"I'm glad you like them," he says, in response to Ned's admission that he has no idea how to respond to this. "I tried to, um, well, I just thought you probably wouldn't mind if I gave you something kind of dorky."

And, indeed, Ned doesn't seem to mind at all, not from the way he's kissing him. Of course he kisses back, all smiles and relief that Ned's happy. As soon as Ned thanks him, though, he somehow feels it necessary to go back to his disclaimers, to make it sound as though he hadn't really put much effort into it at all, even though he'd been working hard on it all day. "Well, the ad could be a lot more polished," he says. "I'm not an art director, so the art is kinda..."

He waves his hand in the classic so-so motions. "I would've written you something, if I'd've had more time. Maybe for your next birthday."

Is it presumptuous to imagine that he'll be around for Ned's next birthday? Probably. And he doesn't care if it is.