Work Text:
A handmade present for 99
“Um… this is for you…”
The Kid was holding something in his hands, gripping onto it tightly, not really sure whether to release it or not. It was something wrapped up in a colourful paper and well, held together by some kind of string the kid had found in arts class.
It looked like the Kid had really made a huge effort to put it all together despite the obvious home made looks of it. But 99 could not help but smile, his heart touched by the gesture.
“For me?”
“Yeah, cause, ya know, for everything.”
The Kid was trying to explain the reasoning behind the present. Not that he really needed to as 99 took care of all the clones. The kids, tubies, cadets, even older troopers alike in his own unique way. Whenever there was a problem, they knew they could always go to 99 for support and comfort.
A true big brother for them all.
“Everything?”
“Yeah. Yer always there for us, ya know, kids and all. So I made this. Just for you, 99.”
The Kid was suddenly going all shy. The effort he had put to the packaging alone was, well, very showing and clearly, there had been some thought to the gift itself as well.
“Here, take it.”
“Thanks, Kid!”
99 looked at the small present, holding it gently in his hands, fighting back the tears trying to fall of the sudden emotions taking over.
“Open it, okay.”
“Sure, Kid.”
Surely and carefully 99 did open the present. Uncovering a rather crafty looking model of a ship made from solid wood. Very detailed and perfectly made too.
“You did this? All by yourself?”
“Yeah, I… well, I had some help. But mostly, it was me. You… don’t like it?” The Kid becoming conscious suddenly, of perhaps having miscalculated his idea.
“No, I do! It’s… it's gorgeous!”
99 bent to the Kid’s level, his hand placed on the Kid’s shoulder.
“Thank you so much. This is what I have always wanted. And it’s very well done!”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, Kid. It really is.”
The Kid smiled and then took off in a spurt. Wanting to tell his brothers 99 had loved his present.
99 stood there for a long spell, cradling the gift in his arms.
This wasn’t the first he had gotten and most likely not the last of them either. But 99 loved them all equally just the same. The kids and their gifts.