Listen up, folks, it's my birthday this weekend.

[icarus]

Okay everyone, listen up.

It's my birthday this weekend and I'm turning 40.

This is not depressing because I'm forty, but I look 28 -- ha! Also, I've been telling people, "I'm almost 40" for the last year and a half. Partially to get ready for it, and partially because the disbelief and shock is so gratifying, it makes me feel not-forty.

So here's the deal. wildernessguru gives excellent presents... of the socks and socket wrench variety. He's great with the romantic gestures (bedroom filled with balloons, anyone?) but has a dismal practical streak a mile wide. I, on the other hand, am not practical at all. (I'm taking Sanskrit for Pete's sake. I drove across country in the winter, with a smile, $750 to my name, and no spare tire.)

In all likelihood my pleas for a sexy neglige for my birthday will go unheard and he will buy me a rainhat -- that will quickly become essential and I'll end up using every day, but still, not a neglige.

This makes for a worthy challenge, for a worthy cause: A birthday challenge!

Stargate fans: You can make up for the soon-to-materialize rainhat by writing comment fic about what John and Rodney give for each other's birthdays (intentionally or unintentionally) (sexual item, act, or physical object). Or what Sam gives Rodney. Or what Lorne does for Sheppard's birthday. Or what Sheppard does to avoid turning 40 (because yes, Joe Flanigan and I are the same age) and what his men do for him (or to him). Gen, Slash, Het, any rating, anything you like.

Supernatural fans: Which of the boys gives the practical presents? Which gives the practical joke gifts? What was the most thoughtful gift, and what happens when one or the other forgets each other's birthday (or at least pretends to)?

Harry Potter fans: Go for broke. No doubt Snape is also one of those "practical" gift givers as well.

The challenge will last between now and midnight, PST, November 18th.

Yes, I am shaking you down for presents. But 40. That's doesn't happen every year.

ETA: And now for the fics (I wasn't really sure anyone would write me one, and I was cool with that) but oh, come play with my pressies:

SGA: Practical and Physical Gift Giving (NC17, John/Rodney) by jade_1459 (Whoa, sweet and hot.)

An SPN Birthday (PG-13, Sam, Dean) by terrie01 (LOL! Dean tops the boyfriend by a mile.)

SGA: Five Stages of Grief (R-ish, Lorne/Sheppard) by slybrarian (Too funny. I can't decide which stage I love the best.)

SGA: It all started as a simple game of one-upmanship (PG, Lorne, Sheppard) by lunasky (Love the relationship between John and Lorne here.)

SGA: John discovered that the best presents are the ones he got for himself (PG-13, John/Rodney) by lavvyan (Yes, John does go for the high-end birthday presents.)

SGA: Unwrapping Presents (R, John/Rodney) emeraldsword (Let's hope the second one is for luck, eh?)

HP: Underpants (NC-17, Harry/Snape) (Now that's a practical birthday present.)

ETA: Forgot one! (Eeep. Sorry, Cheshyre.)

The Bond Of Brothers (PG, Percy, George) by cheshyre (This is awwwww... soft and warm and snuggly.)

Comments

Pointless, but happy birthday!

[lavvyan.livejournal.com]

For his 40th birthday, John got himself an astrophysicist.

He'd discovered years ago that the best presents were usually the ones you got for yourself, and this one was no exception. That particular model had been right on top of his wish-list for quite some time, and he thought that a birthday – a round one, even – was the perfect opportunity to indulge.

It turned out – not that anyone would be surprised by this – that astrophysicists were kind of expensive. It figured, John thought, once again counting his Lindt chocolate bars to make sure he had enough. After all, he wasn't just getting any old astrophysicist. He was getting the best.

Rodney was working in the lab, which was actually a bit insulting because, hello? Didn't he know it was John's birthday? Then again, why would he? It wasn't like anyone ever celebrated, and if they did, they kept it low profile. John in particular had never shown any interest in his own birthday before, so he guessed it was a little late to start now.

Anyway, Rodney was working, bent over his laptop, so John sneaked up on him from behind and reached around him to spread his offering out on the keyboard, enjoying the way Rodney bumped into him as he started.

"Sheppard, what?"

"Brought you some chocolate," John murmured, leaning forward to inhale Rodney's scent, resisiting the urge to nose the fine hair in the nape of Rodney's neck. For now.

"Really? Oh, hey, is this Lindt?" The delight was evident in Rodney's voice as he picked up the bars. "Hmm, Petits Desserts Truffle Cake Bar," he read. "Oh, and Excellence Toffee Crunch, that's one of my... oh, oooh!"

Rodney ripped a bar open and moments later started to moan and smack his lips and generally enjoy his chocolate. John allowed him a few seconds, then he licked his lips and turned Rodney around. Rodney's cheeks were flushed and his eyes were bright and he was clearly happy, so John leaned in and kissed him, swallowing Rodney's startled gasp. There was a brief moment when Rodney just stood there, but then he made an eager little sound and simply... melted against John, who took the opportunity to tease his mouth open. He tasted crème brulee and cheap coffe and Rodney, and allowed himself a brief triumphant smile.

Happy birthday to me.

Re: Pointless, but happy birthday!

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

He'd discovered years ago that the best presents were usually the ones you got for yourself

Oh, isn't that the truth?

And isn't Rodney easy there? I mean, yeah, expensive but -- mmmmm. Easy to make him happy, and easy to collect.

Good choice, John.

Thank you. I also picked out my own birthday present: figure skating tickets. WG is feeling secure in the knowledge that the birthday is covered, big time.

Re: Pointless, but happy birthday!

[lavvyan.livejournal.com]

I guess Rodney figures it's his birthday, not John's. Though he's totally an integral part of the Surprise Birthday Party Conspiracy.

You're welcome. And yay for figure skating. :)

Re: Pointless, but happy birthday!

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

I love it! :-)