Prompt: Mike is a super successful CEO of a major, charitable non profit and he's super happy and he falls in love with Stan when he comes in to volunteer.
Hey look I wrote this! It’s for @it-25-days-of-christmas Work Christmas Party (which is tomorrow’s prompt but I won’t be online)
A Christmas Gift
Read here on AO3
Stan looked around the room, nervously tugging on the sleeves of his sweater. He had bought it especially for this party, with help from Richie. It was a baby blue with a menorah on it- Richie had tried to convince him to get the one that read ‘Let’s get lit’ with a beer bottles making up the menorah but he refused. Besides, he thought this one looked better on him. The blue brought out his eyes. He just hoped that Mike liked blue eyes.
Shaking his head, he looked around, trying to push down his stupid crush. He shouldn’t care if Mike liked what he was wearing - even if he was only there for him. He was only a volunteer, it felt like he was crashing this work holiday party, even though they had been expressly invited. Stan groaned inwardly, annoying with himself for how smitten he was.
Without meaning to, his eyes fell to the man in question, who was talking to one of his employees. To Stan’s relief, he was wearing a dumb sweater too. It had a dog on the front, wearing a santa hat with a fluffy ball at the end. Of course, he still looked amazing. Especially when he laughed at something someone said. Stan couldn’t hear him from here but he knew what Mike’s laugh sounded like, earnest, from the heart. An irrational wave of jealous passed through him, wishing that it was Stan who had made him laugh.
Forcing himself to look away Stan moved to get a drink. He was being an idiot, there was no way that Mike felt the same way about him. Stan had been half in love with the man since volunteer orientation. Mike had come in and given a speech about how important they were and how much the company appreciated them coming in to help. Stan’s mouth had dropped open as the man spoke. Mike wandered the stage, telling the small group about how he started the program, wanting to get more books in intercity schools. He had seen how pitiful the libraries were there and wanted the kids to have more so he had started his non-profit 10 years ago. It had grown into well known non profit, a least locally.
Mike had spoken with such passion and excitement that Stan was sure everyone was a little in love with him by the end. It didn’t hurt that he was also broad shouldered and gorgeous, along with being kind and funny. There was nothing about him that Stan didn’t like.
Then, for Stan’s first shift, checking the books and sorting them, Mike had come and helped him, chatting with him as they worked. At first, Stan hadn’t been able to speak, he’d been a stuttering mess next to the walking Adonis. But Mike had a way of putting people at ease and soon Stan was telling him about why he was there (honestly, it was because he had volunteer hours to use up at work but he loved the concept of this nonprofit) and about his favorite childhood books (All about Birds had been well loved and he kept it until it was tattered and missing pages). Mike had seemed genuinely interested and had laughed at Stan’s self deprecating jokes, while telling him that he thought none of it was true.
After that, Stan didn’t stand a chance. Every time he showed up for a shift he hoped that Mike would there and tried to quell his disappoint if he wasn’t. When Mike was there he always made time to come and say hi to Stan, to ask how he was doing. It might have been Stan’s imagination but he swore that Mike spent more time with him, lingering near Stan’s station and finding reasons to stay and chat. But he never asked Stan out, and Stan wasn’t about to ask out a CEO so they remained in a strange flirting purgatory.
Now, Stan was at the Christmas party, even though he didn’t celebrate the holiday. He was hoping to talk to Mike in a less formal setting and maybe finally figure out if he felt the same. He watched as Mike moved around the room, stopping briefly to speak to everyone. Stan stayed near the wall, trying not to look like he was watching Mike.
Eventually, he ended up getting a plate of food and chatting with some of the volunteers. He liked them and it was less weird than leaning against a wall alone. He had grown surprisingly close to them over the last few months and now their rotation was ending. He was out of volunteer hours so he wouldn’t be back after this. The thought made him surprisingly sad. He liked being here, sorting books was calming and easy, and he liked feeling like he was helping other people, even in a small way.
Finally Mike stopped by their table, warmly greeting everyone and chatting with them. Stan got to admire his permanent five o’clock shadow and how it made his jaw look even more chiseled. It was unreal.
“Stan,” Mike was waving a hand in front of his face and smiling at him. Stan flushed as he realized that Mike had been trying to get his attention.
“Yes?”
“I have a small present for you, in my office. Do you have a minute?” It was the first time that Stan had seen Mike look nervous. The other volunteers gave Stan the side eye, smiling at him. Maybe his crush wasn’t as well hidden as he thought.
He flushed even darker shade of red and nodded, following Mike out of the party and into the dark office. He’d never been in here as there was no reason for the volunteers to go there.
“Dark in here,” Stan remarked as they walked, trying not to give into the awkward silence that was settling in.
“I can turn on the lights?” Mike offered, turning to look at Stan. Even in the darkness Stan could see Mike’s eyes falling on him, checking if he was okay.
Stan shook his head. “No, I’m fine. Just don’t abandon me in cube land.”
“Never.” Mike promised, grabbing Stan’s hand and lacing their fingers. “So I don’t lose you.” Mike said as an explanation before turning again. A shock went through his body at the contact. Mike didn’t seem to notice, gently pulling him along.
They reached Mike’s office and Mike let go of his hand, grabbing an electronic key card from his waist and beeping them in. He walked in, flipping on a light as he did.
Stan stood at the threshold of the office, looking in. His office was clean, tidy. Most of it was taken up by a large cube but the walls were lined with books of all kinds. Picture books, graphic novels, long thick chaptered books. Stan craned his neck to read some of the titles.
Mike noticed him staring and smiled. “I know, I should send all these to schools instead of keeping them but sometimes the kids come to visit so I can justify this.” He looked at the books. “And I love them, I like being surrounded by books. It’s very comforting.”
“I think it’s great.” Stan said, enjoying as Mike’s smile grew slightly.
“Well, here, this is the gift.” Mike handed him a small, wrapped package.
“I didn’t get you anything.” Stan said, accepting it. letting their fingers brush as he did. He realized that this was the first time that they had really been alone. Mike was standing close enough that he could smell his cologne and the hot cocoa he’d been drinking.
Mike shrugged. “It’s not much of a gift.” Stan’s expression must have been quizzical because he added, “Just open it.”
Tearing his eyes from Mike Stan looked at the gift, wrapped in simple green paper. He opened it slowly, not tearing the paper. He quickly realized it was a book and a second later realized what book. Smiling he held it up, “All about birds huh?”
“I heard it was your favorite. I rescued from a preschool pile.”
Stan flipped through the book. He remembered all the pictures and descriptions fondly. Seeing them again reminded him of being a kid, crawling in his mom’s lap and asking that she read it to him over and over. “Thank you. But-” He faltered, looking into Mike’s warm eyes. “Why?”
He wasn’t sure but he thought that Mike blushed. “I knew you’d like it.”
“Do you get all the volunteers gifts?” He teased.
Mike shook his head. “Just the special ones.”
Stan knew his choked noise didn’t count as a reply. He looked up, trying to think of anything to say but that was worse. There was mistletoe hanging on the doorframe. Mike’s eyes followed his and he frowned. “My assistant is trying to help.”
“By starting a lawsuit?”
Mike laughed. “I guess. She said one of our new interns has a crush on me.”
“Do you like them?” Stan asked, trying to sound disinterested but probably failing.
“No, too young for me.”
“Do you, do you like someone else?” Stan asked, trying to be bolder than he felt. Normally he wouldn’t push like this but the book was solid in his hands and Mike had left his own company party to give it to him. That had to mean something.
Mike nodded. ‘Who?” Stan pressed.
“This cute curly haired boy who’s standing under the mistletoe.”
Stan didn’t hesitate then, leaning in and kissing Mike softly. Before he could draw back Mike’s hand wrapped in his curls, pulling him in. Stan stumbled, his hands falling to Mike’s chest as they pressed closer. Mike’s other arm wrapped around his waist and Stan let himself relax in his arms.
When they finally broke apart both were smiling. “Guess you liked the book then?” Mike asked.
Stan laughed and nodded. “I really did.”
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