Arthur Pendragon and Guinevere Leodegrance have the same birthday. It's one of the few things they have in common, yet this one shared day served as the basis for a friendship that has lasted since their first year of college.
They celebrate together every year, just the two of them. Merlin always tries to horn in on their birthday date. He never succeeds, Arthur generally rebuffing him with a, "Piss off, it's not your birthday," while Guinevere gently promises to do something with him the next day.
On their 21st birthday, they got drunk together in Arthur's apartment and shared a rather sloppy makeout session that lead to nothing apart from them passing out on his bed, Guinevere's shirt unbuttoned and Arthur's trousers open but still on.
Arthur tried not to be too disappointed when he woke up the morning after and found that she had left. He simply texted her later that morning asking how her head felt (his was pounding) and was relieved – and a little disappointed – when she acted as if he had not gotten to over-the-bra second base with her the previous night.
He understood though. As different as they are, they understand each other.
So they don't talk about their 21st birthday. Not because the kissing wasn't enjoyable or they regret doing it, but because they're both so embarrassed by their drunken behavior that night.
As a result, Guinevere imposed a strict two-drink limit for herself from which she refuses to budge, even on New Year's Eve.
And Arthur generally stopped letting himself drink to excess after that as well. If he does, it's when he's in the company of just the lads. Or at least not Guinevere.
When they graduated from college, it got more difficult to see one another, but they still made sure to keep their annual birthday date. Arthur went to work for his father's business as expected. Guinevere took two more years and earned her master's in botany.
As they approached 25, people started asking Questions. Making Remarks.
"Now that you're done with school, don't you think it's time to settle down? Find a nice man?"
"Arthur, I would like to live to see my grandchildren."
Never mind that Elyan has done just that – found a nice man and settled down. Guinevere finds it highly amusing to respond to her father's query with that bit of information.
And never mind that Morgana and Alvarr just had their second gorgeous, dark haired cherub. Uther merely humphs when Arthur points this out, claiming, "That's not what I mean and you know it."
It's not just their fathers. It's anyone who thinks their opinion should matter. Relatives, friends, even nosy old ladies at church.
Guinevere and Arthur are both growing very tired of the Questions.
A/N: Since Angel's birthday is August 30 and Bradley's is October 11, I have picked September 17th as their shared birthday for this fic.