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."