Lost in the Woods
Title: Lost in the Woods
Author: Romanceguru
Disclaimer: Joss is the boss of me.
Rating: PG
Characters/Paring: Simon/Inara
Prompt: Redux, “Forever” for
firefly100
Summary: Some things take time.
Notes: 400 words, unbetaed. Post BDM 3 years. Set up, Kaylee and Simon broke up a year earlier, and she’s now married to the new pilot. Mal’s still a frigid bitch found someone else?
Written for my little blackmail prompt exchange with
open_embrace. First time writing this pairing! Fun, fun.I have no idea if I got them right, but two points for trying?
Simon stood with his hands at his back, looking out into the vacuum of space, concepts of endlessness and forever weighing on his mind. It was odd how suffocating the vastness could be. As adapted as he was, this life would always belong to another person, the one he could never be.
He could hear someone enter behind him, feel the penetrating heat of being watched. Her scent was indubitable against the rusty dankness of a ship that hardly ever had a chance to breathe.
On cue, his whole body stiffened as it always did in her company. It had taken such a long while to realize why that was; part fear, part love. His entire existence waiting on bated breath.
Crossing the cabin, Inara placed her hand on the empty pilots chair. The air was thick with years of things unsaid. “Deep thoughts?” She posed lightly, coaxing the man from his stoic shell.
A rush of something propelled the longing buried, forcing it into words. “Do you ever think…” Simon began, but then everything was eaten up by cowardice as he turned and was assaulted by her luminous eyes.
Inara smiled and answered playfully, “I do. Quite often.”
Simon grinned sheepishly as he hung his head, rubbing the blush staining his neck.
Inara stepped closer, invading the doctor's space. “You know, I can’t read minds like your sister.” She prompted. Hoping.
The smile faded as Simon looked up, resigned to melt under the companion's penetrating stare. “I was just wondering about an alternate universe.”
“One where our lives aren’t so readily in danger?” Inara offered.
“There’s that. Although, I’ve grown accustom. Nothing like the constant fear of mortality to put things in perspective.”
“Well, at least you’re optimistic.”
They shared another smile.
The warmness of the moment and Inara’s proximity prompted Simon to try again. “Do you ever think…if things were different…if we had met under different circumstances…”
“No.” Inara blurted suddenly.
Simon tried to hide his disappointment. “I see.”
“I don’t think it would have mattered.” Inara quickly amended, trying to rescue the smile she loved. “Even though we saw one another, we didn’t know ourselves enough to make that choice.”
Perking up, Simon’s heart kick-started. “And now?”
Reaching forward, Inara found Simon’s hand and slid her fingers through his. It felt right, familiar, but also new and exhilarating. “Now, you no longer have to wonder what if.”
---
Author: Romanceguru
Disclaimer: Joss is the boss of me.
Rating: PG
Characters/Paring: Simon/Inara
Prompt: Redux, “Forever” for
firefly100
Summary: Some things take time.
Notes: 400 words, unbetaed. Post BDM 3 years. Set up, Kaylee and Simon broke up a year earlier, and she’s now married to the new pilot. Mal’s still a frigid bitch found someone else?
Written for my little blackmail prompt exchange with
open_embrace. First time writing this pairing! Fun, fun.I have no idea if I got them right, but two points for trying?
Simon stood with his hands at his back, looking out into the vacuum of space, concepts of endlessness and forever weighing on his mind. It was odd how suffocating the vastness could be. As adapted as he was, this life would always belong to another person, the one he could never be.
He could hear someone enter behind him, feel the penetrating heat of being watched. Her scent was indubitable against the rusty dankness of a ship that hardly ever had a chance to breathe.
On cue, his whole body stiffened as it always did in her company. It had taken such a long while to realize why that was; part fear, part love. His entire existence waiting on bated breath.
Crossing the cabin, Inara placed her hand on the empty pilots chair. The air was thick with years of things unsaid. “Deep thoughts?” She posed lightly, coaxing the man from his stoic shell.
A rush of something propelled the longing buried, forcing it into words. “Do you ever think…” Simon began, but then everything was eaten up by cowardice as he turned and was assaulted by her luminous eyes.
Inara smiled and answered playfully, “I do. Quite often.”
Simon grinned sheepishly as he hung his head, rubbing the blush staining his neck.
Inara stepped closer, invading the doctor's space. “You know, I can’t read minds like your sister.” She prompted. Hoping.
The smile faded as Simon looked up, resigned to melt under the companion's penetrating stare. “I was just wondering about an alternate universe.”
“One where our lives aren’t so readily in danger?” Inara offered.
“There’s that. Although, I’ve grown accustom. Nothing like the constant fear of mortality to put things in perspective.”
“Well, at least you’re optimistic.”
They shared another smile.
The warmness of the moment and Inara’s proximity prompted Simon to try again. “Do you ever think…if things were different…if we had met under different circumstances…”
“No.” Inara blurted suddenly.
Simon tried to hide his disappointment. “I see.”
“I don’t think it would have mattered.” Inara quickly amended, trying to rescue the smile she loved. “Even though we saw one another, we didn’t know ourselves enough to make that choice.”
Perking up, Simon’s heart kick-started. “And now?”
Reaching forward, Inara found Simon’s hand and slid her fingers through his. It felt right, familiar, but also new and exhilarating. “Now, you no longer have to wonder what if.”
---