(no subject)
Mal found the broken Firefly-class transport some time ago and Mal has continued to work as much as possible on its repair. The hardest part so far was definitely replacing the bridge window. Kaylee and Mal work in silence on that particular task; other things never get discussed here. Not here - this is a Job. Mal smiles more here too, lately.
Funny how cathartic building something can be.
The mechanic and captain finish work for the day, and Mal even jokes with Kaylee on their way back to Serenity, returning via Mal's door to Shuttle One. Inara smiles and gives Mal a kiss on the cheek when Kaylee disappears down the catwalk stairs, grimacing playfully when she gets a good look at him.
"What are you doing all the time that you come home so disgusting?" Inara asks lightly. The joking tone was not enough to hide the genuine curiosity behind it.
Mal beams at his wife. "Just a project, baobei." He shrugs off his shirt covered in dust and grime, dumping it in the corner of his room.
From that day forward, he takes showers at a spare room in the bar before coming back to the ship.
Inara is a smart woman, but more than that, she's observant. So though Mal is coming home at night without the cover of grease and dirt, he's coming home smelling of soap and with hints of grease still under his fingernails.
She lets it go for a while, because couples need their secrets and she knows Mal will tell her when he's ready. But the curiousity gets the better of her one night, so she decides to lay a little ground work.
"You seem happier lately," she comments a few minutes after Mal comes in to her shuttle, settled down on her couch and watching her puttering about.
Funny how cathartic building something can be.
The mechanic and captain finish work for the day, and Mal even jokes with Kaylee on their way back to Serenity, returning via Mal's door to Shuttle One. Inara smiles and gives Mal a kiss on the cheek when Kaylee disappears down the catwalk stairs, grimacing playfully when she gets a good look at him.
"What are you doing all the time that you come home so disgusting?" Inara asks lightly. The joking tone was not enough to hide the genuine curiosity behind it.
Mal beams at his wife. "Just a project, baobei." He shrugs off his shirt covered in dust and grime, dumping it in the corner of his room.
From that day forward, he takes showers at a spare room in the bar before coming back to the ship.
Inara is a smart woman, but more than that, she's observant. So though Mal is coming home at night without the cover of grease and dirt, he's coming home smelling of soap and with hints of grease still under his fingernails.
She lets it go for a while, because couples need their secrets and she knows Mal will tell her when he's ready. But the curiousity gets the better of her one night, so she decides to lay a little ground work.
"You seem happier lately," she comments a few minutes after Mal comes in to her shuttle, settled down on her couch and watching her puttering about.