River-Mal, pre-ZoeMal.

[bad_in_latin]

Mal is hiding in Shuttle Two. Nothing in there besides an extra comm for when Inara's shorts, and boxes from various jobs.

The job.

Today started out so gorram happy.

Now? Mal is sitting crosslegged on the floor in the shuttle, hoping like hell no one realizes he's in here.

Comments

[river_meimei]

The only sound is the hum of the engine, Serenity's beating heart thrumming through her metal body.

And then -- still silent -- there's motion by the shuttle door. Then a tangle-haired head, leaning around the doorframe.

[bad_in_latin]

"Can I help you?"

Mal swallows to keep his voice steady, so the question doesn't sound like an attack.

[river_meimei]

"I'm following the flowers," River informs him.

It's absent, and she doesn't move. Her eyes are still on him.

[bad_in_latin]

A ghost of a smile at 'flowers', and it fades.

"This flower is off-duty."

[river_meimei]

River regards him a moment more.

Then she steps into the shuttle -- one foot placed carefully, toes spreading against the floor, then the second foot -- and settles down on the steps just inside. She wraps her arms loosely around her shins, still in silence.

She's wearing Roland's brown coat today, the one that's a near match for Mal's, and a fluttery sundress beneath.

[bad_in_latin]

Mal sees Roland's -- no, River's, it's been hers for a long while now -- brown coat in his periphery, and he flinches without really meaning to.

"Got paid today."

[river_meimei]

"Pay's healthsome."

River's voice is soft.

"That's what you say."

[bad_in_latin]

"Yeah," Mal stares at his hands. "What I say goes."

His tone seems to indicate he does not really believe this.

[river_meimei]

River has a habit of leaving silent spaces in a conversation. Sometimes they're companionable; sometimes they beg to be filled.

This one's more the latter. She doesn't say anything, though. Just waits, and watches the air just to Mal's left, while the engine hums.

[bad_in_latin]

Almost painfully, as though he were finishing a conversation on a topic he'd hoped to leave behind him: "I wouldn't've put you on the papers if you weren't crew. Or family."

[river_meimei]

River's head slowly tilts sideways.

Softly, "It's a signifier. Dot the line for the thumbprint scanner."

Beat.

Softer, "What it means."

[bad_in_latin]

Mal looks at River then, still hunched over himself, crosslegged on the floor. He has to crane his neck a few degrees upward to see her straight on from her perch on the steps. Mal looks like he needs a nap.

Mostly, he just looks old.

"I need a drink."

[river_meimei]

"I forgot the milkshakes," River says, sounding genuinely apologetic.

[bad_in_latin]

"Weren't aware milkshakes came in beer flavor."

[river_meimei]

River considers that notion.

Ewww, says her face.

[bad_in_latin]

Mal lets out a laugh, sounding more like a cough
Thalan's cough a dead man
than anything else.

"So," Mal tries to change the subject, "You check on Tequila at all when you go out to see Boukephalos?"