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Birthday Gift (397 words) by thesavagesabretooth
One his birthday, Apollo was surprised to find a large wrapped box waiting on his desk at Gavin Law offices.
“Sir! You didn’t have to get me anything!” he exclaimed, carefully opening the taped edges of the paper, and then the box.
Mr. Gavin smiled. “I wanted to.”
Apollo had no idea what kind of gift to expect, but even so he was surprised as he pulled out a soft furred plush rabbit with a cute face. He turned bright red, hugging it to his chest without thinking.
“Sir, um, ah, is this the right box?” he mumbled curiously. It was adorable, and he loved it. But he couldn’t believe that his boss would get something like this for him. Wasn’t it inappropriate? Had he caught Apollo looking at plushies on his computer, and this was his way of making it known that he had seen?
Was his boss embarrassed by him? Worse, was his lover embarrassed?
“Do you not like it?” Kristoph looked down at him under the ridges of his glasses, his angelic smile faltering for a moment into a pout.
“I-I like it a lot!” Apollo objected. “I just didn’t expect something like this from you. I expected something you know… more professional.”
Mr. Gavin’s smile brightened again, and Apollo felt badly for doubting his motivation. He reached out and put his hand on Apollo’s warm cheek.
“And if things were completely professional between us, I would have gotten you something else, my dear Mr. Justice. But I pride myself on knowing the wants of my lovers. Pardon me if I want to spoil you a little.”
Apollo grown up in foster care. And before that as the half feral child of a revolutionary in hiding. Apollo had not gotten a lot of toys as presents. Every now and then, now that he was an adult with a paycheck, he’d buy something for himself.
But getting one from Mr. Gavin for his birthday felt very special.
“No pardon needed.” Apollo flushed brighter still, and leaned into his hand, embarrassed. “I guess you have my number then, sir. I do love it. I’m sorry for getting weird about it…”
“I’m pleased then. Happy birthday, Mr. Justice.” Kristoph leaned in, and kissed his forehead, and then his lips. The rabbit toy was squeezed pleasantly between their chests as Apollo let his boss hold him.
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