Birthday Wish

A/N: The second of three requested snippets. This one is Kuzco/Malina. (I personally thought it was adorable, but whatever. )
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"Happy birthday," Malina said and presented Kuzco with a small, hand wrapped pink package with a blue bow fixed to the top. Kuzco eyed the package warily and scowled.

"That's it?" he exclaimed. "No fanfare? No big party celebrating my existence?"

Malina rolled her eyes. "You're not emperor again yet. I'm a peasant, not a miracle worker."

Kuzco pouted and she relented. "The party's coming later."

"Yay!" he said and clapped his hands. He reminded her so much of a small child that she laughed, brown eyes sparkling. Kuzco was a narcissistic, ego maniacal jerk, but when he was his unguarded self, she remembered why she had fallen for him.

"Just open the present, Kuzco."

"Is it a kiss?" he asked, grinning. He bounced back quick.

"If it was a kiss, I wouldn't need a box," she pointed out. She eyed him, however, and contemplated adding a kiss to the deal. She grinned to match his and his spread deeper. A blush built along her cheeks and she ducked her head so he missed it. Thankfully, he was too engrossed in discovering what she had given him. He was so happy that she brimmed over herself.

He ripped the wrapping paper off and she winced, remembering how long it had taken to wrap it. He unearthed the box and then stared at the box's contents. A little Malina twirled around and her hand brushed his when she cranked the music box. A sweet, simple melody perfumed the air and she waited, with bated breath, for his reaction.

"You gave me..." he trailed off and she smiled.

"Do you like it?"

He frowned, shaking it, and she placed her hand over his to prevent him from breaking it. She narrowed the space between them and pecked him on the lips. Adrenaline rushed through her and she cautioned herself against stealing another kiss. Kuzco gaped at her and she grinned at him.

"So?" she pressed.

Kuzco grinned back and raced along the hills with his present in his hands. Malina grinned, hands on her hips. The wrapping was forgotten and she shook her head with a chuckle. She knew Kuzco would never have noticed the little card on the wrapping. It wasn't his style. If he had, however, he would have more than one reason to be joyous.

To: Kuzco
With all my love, Malina.

She smiled and pocketed the card. Since he was nowhere within earshot, she whispered, "I love you, Kuzco."