zairaa

For the awesome, talented, inspiring altocello. Happy Birthday, bb!

Many thanks to k_nightfox for the quick beta.

~*~

There is someone ringing the bell. There is someone ringing the bell quite insistently. The bell never before managed to sound so annoyed, almost as if it was scowling.

There are two men on the doorstep. One blond, one dark. The blond one is wearing a shit eating-grin. The dark one is wearing a very nice blue, knee-length skirt with white polka dots. There is also a birthday cake.

''I know, you don't know us,'' the blond man says. ''But this is for you.''

He shoves the cake forward. It's chocolate. ''Oh, uhm... Happy Birthday!''

The dark haired man – the one in a skirt – scowls. Well, he was scowling before but now he is positively glaring.

'''Oh,uhm Happy Birthday', Arthur? Really?''

''What?'' the blond man – Arthur, apparently – asks. ''I did what she asked, didn't I? I gave her friend the cake.''

''You didn't give it to her, you shoved it at her.''

''Oh, shut up, Merlin.'' Arthur turns back towards the door. ''You must excuse him,'' he says, pointing his thumb at his companion. ''He's a bit grumpy because he lost at Truth or Dare.''

''You can't lose at Truth or Dare, Arthur. Not if you actually comply with the dare, which – I hope I don't have to point out – I did.''

''Pfft. Sure you can lose if you comply with that kind of grace, Merlin. Come on, don't be a spoil sport. Just because you erroneously thought I’d have more of a problem asking a total stranger if I could do them a favour, it doesn’t mean you have to be a sore loser about it. You could still give this nice lady a smile on her birthday. You look especially fetching in that skirt, if I may say so.''

Merlin looks down at where his long legs stick out of the sea of polka dots, feet clad in a pair of Doc Martins. The glare he sends at Arthur after that should have dropped the blond, but Arthur's grin only broadens.

Suddenly there is a malicious little smile on Merlin's face. ''Well, Arthur, if I remember correctly, you haven't fulfilled the whole favour yet, have you?''

The other man pales. He looks at his companion disbelievingly. ''I hate you.''

''Oh, come on, Arthur. You don't want to spoil this nice lady's birthday, do you?''

Arthur's smile is pained. He opens his mouth. He closes it again. Merlin nudges him in the rips.

Closing his eyes in mortification, Arthur takes a deep breath. Then he starts to sing.

''Happy Birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear altocello. Happy birthday to youuuu!''