Work Text:
Just like every year of the mission, Eva Stratt had no time for celebrations of any sort. Any party the crew might have had? She would never be spotted anywhere close.
Stratt’s birthday had been just around the corner, and she had no time to celebrate. The whole week was full of meetings back to back, mountains of paperwork piling up at her desk. By the time her birthday finally arrived, she was already more exhausted than she usually was.
It was night, she didn’t even know the time. Just knew it was night. Nobody had came in, which gave her a small hint of relief away from her everyday responsibilities.
Knock knock. Who could that possibly be? Grace’s birthday presents of an addition to the already existing pile of paperwork?
She keeps her eyes locked to the work in front of her, announcing to the other side of the door, “Come in.”
“What do you need me to sign?” He pauses and shakes it off.
“No! No. Nothing to sign here…!” Confusion settles within her. She looks up towards him. Why would’ve Grace come to meet her? “I kinda just felt like it was your birthday, or somewhere around that… and I got you a present.”
She lets him open the door a little more, immediately hit by a very small bright yellow bag. The air in the room is awkward and unfamiliar. He stands there looking at her for a response.
”drop it on my desk. I’ll look at it later.” She doesn’t want to accidentally smile if the present is stupid enough. He looks a little disappointed in it, but walks away. Little bit of guilt creeps in, but she shoves it down and brings the yellow bag close to her. The bag is full of foil shred, the feeling of plastic upsetting her fingers. He must’ve done it on purpose.
Two fingers slip around a handle. Is he for real? A mug? It’s the thought circling through her head in the moment. She lifts it up to eye view and sighs.
One side says, ‘Favorite Employee Gave Me This Mug’ The other side being even worse, ‘World’s Best Boss’. Is this a joke? Stratt exhales through her nose, an accidental smile creeping upon her face.
—
After a couple days, Grace notices the mug sitting on her office desk, filled with coffee. Stratt… using the mug makes him start to wonder if she might’ve actually liked the present somehow.
Truth is— she hates it, it’s the worst gift she’d ever received.
…
He’s difficult to ignore… on occasion.