What do you give the girl who has everything? That question was on Rob’s mind as he desperately tried to find an answer. Never before had the Mobian had faced such a difficult task, even the placement tests for the STR were easier than this! Average store bought gifts weren’t gonna cut it, and even if he could find a seamstress that would work in Ava’s sizes, Rob was sure none of them could produce anything near the fabulous dresses the hippo already had in her possession.

Why was he so concerned about this? To answer shortly, his girlfriend’s birthday was coming up rather quickly, and he felt he was taking more than he was giving. In the time they’ve known each other, Ava has done nothing but spoil Rob with the most lavish of luxuries. Five star hotels and diners, upgrading his own wardrobe, even surprising him with random presents when the two couldn’t be in person. As much as the hippo insisted he do nothing in return, Rob simply couldn’t have it be like that. A sigh escapes the Mobian as he paces around the room, unsure of what to do. If he couldn’t do something as simple as give a gift to his girlfriend on her birthday, did he really deserve her?

Plopping himself down on his bed, Rob refused to admit defeat, there had to be something he could gift Ava, something that wouldn’t just fade into irrelevancy compared to the lavishness of Ava’s home. He could always ask some of his friends for help…Perhaps Candice or Kenji could help teach him how to make a stunning home cooked meal. Then again, after the “incident”, Rob didn’t think he could legally be allowed near any stove or oven for a while.
If not a meal, then maybe he could bug Jeffrey enough to convince the beagle to make something cool and sciencey: something along the lines of a small robot to help Ava out, or even better, a miniature version of himself! Because after all, who wouldn’t want a nonstop 24/7 dose of his handsome likeness? The more Rob thought into it, the more he realized it wouldn’t pan out: even if he did somehow manage to convince Jeff to make something, it would take a while for it to be completed, and time was not on Rob’s side.

As soon as he thought about Robb Rob dismissed the idea, while the thought of making a song for Ava was tempting, he was sure Robb would refuse to help, especially after what the dog did to his weight sets…re-racking the weights was the least of his concerns nowadays. The only idea Rob had left was taking Ava to a journey through the stars on the Venture. She had always gushed to him about how jealous she was that he got to see such marvelous views daily, and it seemed like the perfect gift idea. However, after Ava and his captain Tulip met for a publicity piece, something told him that the captain wouldn’t want her aboard for a while. Despite them not being enemies, the two certainly had a tentative truce for now, and Rob did not want to be the reason for it breaking.

Groaning in frustration Rob rolls around in his bed, frustrated that he still didn’t have any answers. As he finished rolling around at quite not the speed of sound, the Mobian found himself facing his nightstand, decorated with pictures of his friends he met both here on the ship and on his travels. Another sigh escapes him, why couldn’t finding a gift for Ava be as easy as gifting them? Suddenly, a faint memory itches at the back of his mind, refusing to let it go, Rob stayed motionless. After a few moments the memory came back to him: the first-time seeing Ava’s apartment he was astounded to say the least. Everything at her place certainly costing more than what he made in a year, it was hard for Rob not to be astounded as the hippo couldn’t keep in a giggle. But there was one detail that didn’t make sense to him.

In nearly every house he’d been to, there was always a constant: framed pictures of people. Be it friends, family, there was guaranteed pictures at every home, all but Ava’s apparently. Throughout her whole not so humble abode, not a picture was in sight. When asked about this, Ava gave a nervous chuckle, usually she was good at hiding her emotions, but this seemed to be a soft spot of hers. The hippo simply replied that she never got around to displaying pictures. Being busy all the time meant she never really got to spend more than a day here. When Rob asked about the absence of photos of her family, Ava looked down, for a split second her emotions betrayed her, the dog able to see sadness on her face for a fraction of a moment. She replied that she didn’t carry any photos of her parents with her, and then quickly changed the subject, a smile replacing the small frown on her.

Ava was too good at that, whenever someone hit too close to home on a subject, she was quick to change it. The hippo was so good that more often than not people tended to forget what made her break in the first place. Whatever issues she had with her parents he would help her with another time, for now his mission was to make her happy, and now he might have an idea on how to do so. Taking out his holopad, Rob began to scroll through his list giving a small fist pump as he found his target. An image shot out from the holopad, giving Rob memories from just a short while ago.

It was Ava and Rob’s first date, and while it didn’t necessarily go to plan, it wasn’t a complete bust! The image showed the two at a retro fast food joint, the couple completely overdressed for the occasion. Still, Ava and Rob were cheerful in this picture, it was on that day that he felt truly that they were in a relationship, and although in the picture he looked totally nervous, Ava still beamed a smile of warmth and affection. This was it, a plan was coming together in the admittedly underused brain of the Mobian, and if all went according to plan this could be a new beginning. And while he had a photo in mind already, another one wouldn’t hurt. Getting his holopad into camera mode, Rob began to think of the most debonair pose he could muster…

***

Rob felt dressed to the nines, sporting a bright red polo with black dress pants. It was an outfit recommended by Ava from a brand he didn’t even knew existed. In her own words it made Rob more machismo, a word which ever since Rob taught her about she used nonstop to describe him. Partly because she knew it would leave the Mobian flustered.

Though whatever feelings of handsomeness Rob had were immediately tossed out the window when he saw Ava. The hippo was dressed in a black dress that seemed to have gold shimmering off her top. The fabric did nothing to hide her figure, in fact it seemed to exemplify it, leaving nothing to the imagination. She had styled her hair to part on the sides, gentle curls caressing her face, and with the bright red lipstick on her lips, she looked like a cabaret singer ready to serenade Rob.

At this point Rob was questioning whether or not they were celebrating his or her birthday! Her look was so jaw-dropping that Rob nearly dropped the cake he brought, (store bought of course) earning a giggle from his girlfriend.

“I take it you like the dress?” Ava cooed.

Rob could only nod yes as she invited him into her place.

Ava’s birthday was here, and the celebration was rather simple for the hippo’s taste. Vinyls playing on the record, a nice meal delivered, and conversation with drink. The happy couple resigned to Ava’s couch, the furniture big enough for the both of them to rest comfortably as conversation mixed with the music.

“You been enjoying your special day so far Ava?” Rob asked, getting himself comfy on her couch, being careful not to get too comfy and fall asleep like last time. To this day he still hasn’t forgiven himself for missing out on Ava’s plans for that night…all that whipped cream wasted.

“Of course dear, any time spent with you is a special day for me.” Ava responds, the gaze given to him by her melting his heart. This was the perfect time to give Ava her present, Rob wouldn’t forgive himself if he forgot.

“Well how about I make it even more special? I got something for ya!”

The hippo immediately goes on the defense, something Rob expected and was prepared for.

“Hey now, I said you didn’t have to get me anything Rob, you being here is already a present enough for me.”

“Now now I don’t want any of that! You’re getting a present whether you like it or not missy!”

“Ooh, getting a bit bossy are we?”

“I just want you to hear me out for a sec Ava.”

“Gonna teach me to listen and be a good girl?” The hippo teased right back, biting her lip as crimson flooded Rob’s face. Dammit she was too good at this, but she was not going to make him forget to give his present to her, even if the alternative was extremely tempting!

Harnessing the will of a thousand warriors, Rob turned away from the hippo’s advances, and produced a small package

“I know this isn’t much, but I think this can be the start of something new for you, something that you haven’t been able to have for yourself. My job as your boyfriend is to make sure that you’re never sad, and well…here’s hoping that this is a start.”

Giving a small sigh then a smile, Ava admitted defeat, taking the present from Rob and beginning to delicately unwrap the packing that Rob totally did by himself and did not ask anyone to do for him. With the wrapping gone Ava finally saw what Rob got for her: it was a framed picture of the two of them on their first date, physical proof that this wasn’t just a dream and that this was actually happening.

“Rob I…I don’t know what to say.” Ava fumbled her words, the hippo once more showing herself at her most vulnerable. Rob didn’t know what to do next, simply acting on his instincts, praying that he wouldn’t mess up this moment as he took Ava’s hand, the two looking at each other eye to eye.

“You don’t have to say anything, I’ll do the talking for the both of us.”

Not even realizing what he was doing, he pulled Ava closer to him, and as the music from the record player reached a crescendo the two kissed, passionate and full of love. Ava nearly dropped the photo from pure surprise, but as the kiss continued she wrapped her arms around Rob and embraced him, continuing the kiss for who knows how long. Rob for one wasn’t keeping track of time.

As the kiss ended, Rob only had one thought on his mind: how on earth did he not screw that moment up?! That was straight from a romance movie! Judging from the look on Ava’s face, she was thinking just the same. Such a good kiss that was Rob almost forgot his second gift!

“Oh right Ava! Got something else for ya! Give me a sec!”

Ava blinked rapidly, confused on how he could shift from Casanova to a lovable dork so quickly. Getting a smaller sixed present out, Ava opened it and immediately burst into a fit of giggles seeing the other photograph: Rob laying horizontally near a fireplace, wearing his pajamas with a rose on his mouth, one arm supporting his head while one leg was bent slightly. As Ava looked from the picture to her boyfriend Rob used the time to get the same rose and hold it between his teeth, giving a growl while raising his eyebrows up and down.

As Ava’s giggles turned into full blown laugher, Rob pointed out a particular detail on this new photograph, taking the rose off his teeth.

“As you can see on the bottom corner there, it’s autographed by yours truly, that way when I get super famous, you can sell it for loads of cash!”

Calming down from her laughter fit, Ava takes the rose and gives it a light smell.

“You really did think of everything didn’t you Rob? You know I’m gonna get you back for this.”

“And then I’ll have to find a way to top whatever you do next then.”

“I won’t make it easy.”

“A hero never backs down from a challenge!”

It seemed it was Ava’s turn to tease now, as she took the rose and placed it between her teeth, growling and raising her eyebrows much like Rob did, however Ava’s attempt was much more seductive than silly, causing Rob to blush at the sight.

“You know, although it’s my birthday, I might have a surprise for you Robbie,” Ava says as she gets up from the couch, beginning to slowly unbutton her dress. The black and gold theme seemingly carrying onto the short glances of the lingerie Ava let Rob see on her.

She says not another word, rather relying on body language to get her point across, with each step her wide hips swung as more and more of her dress was unveiled before Rob’s eyes. Before the garment was completely off, Ava reached the doorway to her bedroom, entering but not before beckoning her boyfriend to come with a wag of her finger.

Not even his rocket boots could have made Rob move any faster, for the night was still young, and there was plenty of celebrating to still do.

***

This is an absolutely amazing gift that I got from  Robthehoopedchipmunk for my birthday, and I have to say that I'm in love! Everything about this pic is perfect, and I can't thank him enough for it! ;)

Please do check him out if you have the chance!