Word Count: 2741 approx.

Rating: G

Spoilers: Set after BDM. Vague allusions.

Pairing: Mal/Inara

Authors Note: A little fluff biscuit, just for fun. Originally written in an RP with the lovely anjulie.

Title: Not All Bad

By: 2x2 and anjulie

Mal sighed, running a hand through his hair in resignation. He’d put it off as long as he possibly could - a man couldn’t hide in his bunk forever.

Why this day always ended up fallin’ when they were in the Black, in the middle of nowhere, with a ship full of bored crew havin’ nothin’ better to do than poke their noses into matters that didn’t concern them was a mystery to him.

He’d made it crystal that he wanted no undue fuss made – wanted nothing done that would mark today as different from any other, he thought as he climbed the ladder out of his bunk. And he’d made his point well enough, Mal assured himself as he moved through the corridor and into the galley.

“Happy birthday, Cap’n!” Kaylee sang out, smiling broadly as she gestured to the cupcake they’d put at his place at the table.

‘Tamade!’ he cursed silently. ‘Didn’t nobody on this gorram boat ever listen to a word he said?'

Inara watched as Mal glanced from the tiny, crooked candle to the expectant, and somewhat nervous, faces around the table, then smiled to herself as he gave in and sat down grumpily, giving Zoë a significant look that promised retribution after the meal.

“We thought you’d want to keep the celebration quiet,” Inara remarked softly, drawing his glare from his first mate, “so we didn’t go for the usual cotillion and feast. We talked Kaylee out of making that three-layer chocolate and strawberry pound cake - the one with the dozen eggs?” She tilted her head and smiled teasingly. “So, it’s just the cupcake, the streamers, and the birthday hats,” Inara added innocently as he swung his disgruntled gaze to her. “And we kept the gifts to a minimum.” She placed a flat, nondescript package beside his plate with a q