matilda oneshots i had to get out of my head

for she's a jolly good fellow

hello everyone!! i hope you're having an amazing day!!

this is for masterajoy314 on tumblr who requested a first holiday fic! i kinda wiggled it into a birthday thing bc. i wanted to. so. tada!!

tw for
mentioned child abuse
and as always if i need to add one please let me know!

enjoy!!

—————

The sixth of July begins like any other day.

Matilda tries to stamp down her disappointment at this fact. It's not as if this day has been much cause for celebration in the past.

But it is still her birthday.

She'd hoped for at least some acknowledgement of the fact now that she lives with Miss Honey. Maybe forgetting birthdays is just something adults do.

"Matilda! Breakfast!" Miss Honey calls from downstairs. Matilda hauls herself out of bed, pausing to look in the mirror in the hallway. She doesn't look much older.

She pads morosely down the stairs and towards the kitchen.

Matilda gasps when she sees it all done up with gold and blue streamers, balloons, and confetti; complete with Miss Honey standing by the table with a huge, delicious looking waffle with a candle in the middle.

"Happy birthday, darling," she greets with one of those so-gentle smiles that just warms Matilda to her very core. "Come on, make a wish!"

Matilda knows she doesn't need to. This is above and beyond anything she could've wished for. Miss Honey gasps as she runs up and throws her arms around her waist. "Thank you."

Miss Honey puts her breakfast down and gently holds her closer. Her hands are soft as they rest on the back of Matilda's head and massage her shoulders with the gentlest of touches. "Of course, love. Happy birthday."

There's a few presents for Matilda waiting to be opened with breakfast. She happily blows out the candle on her waffle and digs in after piling it with strawberries and deliciously sweet syrup.

"How would you like to celebrate?" Miss Honey asks as she starts eating her own breakfast. "I didn't make any plans, I wasn't sure what you'd like to do today."

"I dunno," Matilda responds.

"We could have your friends over for a while," Miss Honey suggests to get the inspiration flowing. "You could invite them 'round for dinner and a few games after school. Or we could go out, just you and I. Or stay home. It's your day, whatever you'd like to do."

"I could have people over?" Matilda questions. "You... would you be upset?"

"Of course not, darling, why would you think that?" Miss Honey admonishes. "We'll need to pop by the shops on our way home to buy a few things if you'd like to invite your friends, but I wouldn't have suggested it if I'd be upset by it, firefly."

"I just... I do love when we get evenings together," Matilda explains hesitantly.

"Today's a special day. You ask whoever you want while you're at school today and let me know on the way home, alright?"

Matilda nods with a, "Thank you."

"Of course, love," Miss Honey says, taking another bite. "Now, come on, open your gifts!"

Matilda smiles widely and grabs the nearest package. She's never gotten a gift before. Well, obviously her life here with her former teacher is the best gift she could've gotten. But a physical, real present she can open!