World Falls Away: Part One - Chapter Three
Title: World Falls Away - Part One, Chapter Three
Author: Nari
Pairing: Mal/Wash
Characters: Mal, Wash
Rating: this part really light R for like...one sentence at the end, overall R
Summary: The Alliance come to help out the farming community on Shadow.
Notes: The age timeline in this fic is very AU. We're starting off with the boys being around 18 for Wash and 20 for Mal.
Thanks: To lvs2read for the beta! And to wildannuette for the beta and the encouragement.
Part One - Chapter One, Chapter Two
Mal sets his own alarm for five, he's got a few chores to do before he and Wash can be heading off anywhere. True, he could hand them off to one of the ranch hands but he likes to get out in the morning air. Soft breeze and birds everywhere. The horses all nicker to him when he goes into the barn to feed them. They recognize him by sight and he can't help a little ego boost that maybe it's just him they're happy to see and not the hay.
By five thirty, the sun is already casting light everywhere. The ranch hands have been up since four but even Mal's not quite that committed. His ma won't be up 'til seven, so he just makes a quick breakfast for him and Wash. When Wash ain't up by ten after six, he goes around to bang on his door.
He hears a muffled something from inside and knocks again.
“Qù ni māde!”
Now that makes him grin. Mal's sure it's not very Alliance of Wash to be swearing at his hosts, but all that does is make Mal like him a bit more. Mal opens the door enough to stick his head in. Wash has the blinds drawn but light still manages to find its way between the cracks. He can make out Wash's wild hair poking out from under the blanket and grins a little more.
“Gotta get up if you want breakfast, Wash. Foods on the table an' I ain't plannin' on leaving it out. Get up, we've places to be today.”
He hears the loud sigh that says Wash is awake and, after a minute of patient waiting, Wash sits up, covers falling down to his waist. The first thing that crosses Mal's mind is that Wash is in better shape than he thought. He can see the clear definition of Wash's chest and maybe he's a little soft at the belly but there's still definite muscle there. The second thing Mal realizes is that Wash must sleep naked.
He rolls his eyes, having to force his gaze up to take in the drowsy confused look Wash is giving him. “I'll be in the kitchen,” he says and beats a retreat out to the hall.
He makes them coffee and sits to sip at his own. It's still another fifteen minutes before Wash stumbles out of his room and Mal greets him. “Must take quite a bit of effort to get that unkempt look just right, I'm guessin'.”
“You've no idea.” Wash's eyes fasten on the steaming pot like it's a homing beacon. “Is that coffee?”
Mal nods. “Help yourself. There's oatmeal in that pot as well, bowls are in the cupboard just above you.”
Mal notices that he seems to make himself at home pretty easily as Wash goes about getting together what he needs. Coffee and bowl of oatmeal in hand a moment later, he joins Mal at the table and looks like he might fall back asleep in his breakfast.
“You always get up so early?”
“You'll wake up once we get outside,” Mal guarantees.
Wash yawns, covering it by lifting the coffee mug and taking a sip once he's done. “They wake us up earlier for flight training. Four in the morning. I never did take to mornings too well, though.”
“You a pilot?” No wonder he'd rather fly them in and Mal can bet they have some small sleek craft stored away in the transport ship. Ain't no way, though, Mal prefers a horse. Real life thing that'll carry you out of danger if it likes you well enough.
Wash nods eagerly. Mal thinks it's the first time he's shown real enthusiasm towards anything Alliance or related to his dad. “Yeah. In training for it anyway. It’s still a few more years and I'll have my license. Take you for a spin some time if you want.” Mal shakes his head but Wash interrupts the protest with one of his own. “Ah ah, if I'm getting drug on a horse then you're doing this. Fair's fair.”
Mal laughs. “You're on, pilot.”
Wash finishes his breakfast a few minutes later and dumps his dishes in the sink. They talk for the few minutes it takes him, and Mal finds it more comfortable than he would have thought. It helps that Wash holds up the majority of the conversation on his own, but Mal doesn't normally find himself one for useless chatter. On the ranch there's always something to do, he doesn't often have the time to discuss nothing. Wash is good at it, though, and keeps it up as they shove boots on their feet and Mal leads him out to the barn.
The horses don't nicker this time, still busy with the morning feed. Mal grabs a halter off one of the hooks hanging inside the door and moves over to a black gelding, so old he's graying and the perfect sort of mount for a beginner. He usually saves Ben for kids to ride. Mal thinks he'll be even more perfect for Wash, who's looking at the animal like it might come over and bite him.
Mal motions him over. “Can't stand back there. C'mere. Hold your hand out, flat like this.” He shows Wash and, once Wash has copied, pours a little pile of oats onto his palm. The horse is eager to stretch his neck out and eat the treats from Wash's hand.
“Okay. Yeah, I can do this.” Wash even strokes Ben's nose once the oats are gone.
Mal is satisfied with that and opens the stall door to step inside. The halter is fastened around the horse's head, and Wash steps back as Mal leads the horse out. He shows Wash how to brush Ben and, by the end of that, Wash is looking considerably more comfortable. Mal is doubly amused when Wash starts talking to Ben while Mal fetches Sandy.
“You're not so tough. You're not so tough, I could take you. Like that, huh?” Wash is scratching at the horse's withers. “You're like a big dog.”
Mal comes over with the saddle. “Glad you two are getting along.”
Wash steps back, nodding. “Yeah. We go way back, actually.”
“Right, bet you used to have beers down at the tavern.” Mal throws the saddle over Ben's back and starts cinching up the girth.
“You have a tavern here?” Wash looks hopeful for a moment but Mal shoots it down with a grin.
“Which we're too young to even get into.”
Wash's face falls but only for a moment before he's shrugging. “Oh. Well... What's that?”
Mal goes through the motions of explaining the bridle to Wash. How to make the horse go, to turn, to stop. And don't worry Ben really is like a big dog, he wouldn't steer anyone wrong. Five year old kids ride this horse no problem.
The platitudes don't seem to mean much when he finally gets Wash on the horse and the kid won't let go of the saddle's horn. Mal's laughing at him again as he mounts Sandy and pulls her around to head towards the driveway, and after ten minutes they'll be out onto the road.
Mal keeps an eye on Wash as he sits rigidly on top of Ben. The horse does nothing more than plod along and, once Wash realizes this, he relaxes some with a long breath of air.
“Right. Big dog.”
“Nothing to worry about.”
It takes a minute but Wash seems to decide that Mal is right because he relaxes fully, even pries his fingers off the saddle horn and looks across at Mal. He nods a bit then looks around, taking in the scenery and Mal feels a bit of pride at how is eyes go a touch wider.
“Pretty, ain't it?”
“Yeah. Don't see scenery like this on Londinium, for sure. It's mostly...tall buildings. No mountains, at least not that I've ever seen. Not so much green, either.”
They ride on in silence, and Mal finds himself watching Wash a little more than the scenery he's seen a million times before.
*
The town isn't a huge one. There's a couple restaurants, a feed store, clothing and general store. There's the tavern and a small market place. The closest city is Blackie, a good three hour horse ride from here. Mal doesn't visit it too often and here has everything they generally need.
They tie their horses and dismount, Wash wincing as his feet hit the ground. “I think I pulled muscles I didn't know I had.”
Mal snorts. They're already turning a few heads of the locals. Rather, Wash is. He stands out as someone new, not to mention his shirt and pale skin. He's definitely an oddity in this town, but Mal reckons by now everyone knows that the Alliance have landed at the Reynolds' farm. News travels fast in a place where there's not a lot of it to occupy attention.
Wash is looking around, a little lost and a little amazed. Mal can't start to think on how different it must be. He's never been off Shadow but he's done his research. He knows what it looks like on a place like Londinium, and he knows he'd be feeling out of place if he were in Wash's shoes. He slips his arm around the kid's shoulders, making Wash jump, as he guides Wash off the beaten road and onto the wooden walkways. Boards on top of the dirt, mostly there to keep from getting feet muddy when the sky graces them with a bit of rain.
“I stick out a bit, don't I?”
“Yeah, you do.” Mal chuckles. “People will be spreading rumors all through the town now.”
“So long as they're good ones.”
Wash is easy to banter with, too. Pokes fun at his own self which Mal can appreciate. They walk along the line of buildings, Mal forgetting to think that he should be taking his arm away from Wash's shoulders. Feels kind of good and there is definitely strength to those shoulders he really wouldn't have expected. He can feel the muscles shift when Wash points out one thing or another, asking questions.
They go in a couple places. Mal drags Wash into the clothing store, telling him that if he's gonna be sticking around a few months with his dad then he really should look the part. Which means jeans and work shirt. Wash goes along, they're in no hurry to get back, and Mal is taking this as a sort of day off. Tomorrow, it'll be back to branding cattle.
He manages to talk Wash into buying a couple things, loose fitting jeans, less gaudy shirt, a pair of boots that will work better in the saddle's stirrups. They get it all bundled up to fit into the saddlebags on Wash's horse.
Further down and they hit the small market. Mostly produce, a few homemade things. There's one that sells chocolate, imported every so often and rare enough here that Mal can never afford the prices they're asking. Today, though, he's got Wash and the man buys a bit, happy to share with Mal.
Mal thinks he gets sugar maybe once a year, if even that. It's like a bit of heaven melting on his tongue, and he lets the whole chunk Wash gave him melt without biting into it. Savors it. Not like Wash who munches it up in a heartbeat. No, fine things need to be savored.
Wash is laughing at him. “Ever planning on swallowing that thing?”
Mal shakes his head, raising his eyebrows since his mouth is full.
“Maybe I oughta help with it a bit, then.”
Mal nearly chokes on the chocolate with what happens next. He's pulled up against Wash's body and his mind flashes back to seeing the kid's chest earlier. He can feel it against his now. More than that, he can feel Wash's breath on his lips and a second later, Wash's smart mouth on his. Wash's tongue slicking into his mouth, scooping up some of the melted chocolate that sits on Mal's tongue, while Mal is slack-jawed in shock.
Mal thinks it lasts about ten seconds. It feels a lot more like ten years. Time is relative, but Mal doesn't know how a small act can stretch out so long. As Wash pulls back, licking at his lips, Mal can't help but glance around, wondering if anyone saw that.
“No one's watching,” Wash reassures him. They're in behind one of the stalls and Mal realizes belatedly that he's still pressed up against Wash, that his hands have somehow splayed over Wash's chest. He pushes abruptly against Wash to get away, taking a stumbling step back.
“You...uh...”
Wash bites at his lip a bit, but he's still smiling and he doesn't look at all worried. “Sorry. I didn't think you'd mind.”
“Wha...” Mal tries, but he can't make the words work. He has no clue what he's trying to say and he doesn't know...what he should do now. Kiss Wash again? His lips seem to think that would be a good idea. He shakes his head, rubbing the taste of chocolate from his tongue against the roof of his mouth, before stepping carefully around Wash. “It's late. Best be getting back.”
Wash's fingers are hard around his elbow. “Mal. I didn't mean to freak you out. If I thought wrong...” Wash leaves it hanging for Mal to explain how he'd like. The only problem is he's not sure what he'd like.
He pauses then steps out of Wash's grip. “Gotta get the horses back. Dinner's soon.”
Wash lets him go this time and Mal's grateful. He doesn't look back as Wash trails along behind him and, when they get to the horses, they mount up and head off in silence.
*
He stays awake half the night thinking about it. It's not that it's the first time he's been kissed, never mind that it is only the second time he's been kissed. He's had ladies proposition him before, but he's always turned them down. He's too busy on the ranch, 'specially in these last few years, and he ain't got time for romancing.
He remembers one girl, Lucy Chauncer was her name, and she had planted one on him a lot like Wash had. Only he hadn't given her more than a second before stepping away. Sure not enough time to get her tongue in his mouth, and he wasn't gripping at her chest. He was politely explaining and turning her attentions off him. He wasn't stuttering and blank-minded like he had been with Wash. That had been his first kiss, the whole second of it that there was.
He decides it was just surprise. He'd been shocked into freezing but next time, if there is a next time, he'll be able to sidestep and tell Wash exactly why he isn't into that.
Why he isn’t at all into being pulled against a hard chest or kissed with chapped lips. He doesn't need to remember the taste of chocolate in his and Wash's mouths. Doesn't need to remember how sweet it was, how Wash's breath tangling with his own had smelled of that sweet. Now he thinks back, he can remember Wash's fingers curling around his biceps, a surprising amount of strength there, too. He supposes pilots have to have strong fingers, though, lots of work with the stick. They'd need good hands. Talented.
Tiān a. He looks down to where his boxers and the thin sheet covering him have tented. He groans in frustration and turns onto his side. Ignore it until it goes away, then the thoughts will fade as well and he can get to sleep. Forget whatever the hell it is he's thinking.
He falls asleep with his stomach tied in knots at the thought of having to see Wash again in the morning.
Part One - Chapter Four
Author: Nari
Pairing: Mal/Wash
Characters: Mal, Wash
Rating: this part really light R for like...one sentence at the end, overall R
Summary: The Alliance come to help out the farming community on Shadow.
Notes: The age timeline in this fic is very AU. We're starting off with the boys being around 18 for Wash and 20 for Mal.
Thanks: To lvs2read for the beta! And to wildannuette for the beta and the encouragement.
Part One - Chapter One, Chapter Two
Mal sets his own alarm for five, he's got a few chores to do before he and Wash can be heading off anywhere. True, he could hand them off to one of the ranch hands but he likes to get out in the morning air. Soft breeze and birds everywhere. The horses all nicker to him when he goes into the barn to feed them. They recognize him by sight and he can't help a little ego boost that maybe it's just him they're happy to see and not the hay.
By five thirty, the sun is already casting light everywhere. The ranch hands have been up since four but even Mal's not quite that committed. His ma won't be up 'til seven, so he just makes a quick breakfast for him and Wash. When Wash ain't up by ten after six, he goes around to bang on his door.
He hears a muffled something from inside and knocks again.
“Qù ni māde!”
Now that makes him grin. Mal's sure it's not very Alliance of Wash to be swearing at his hosts, but all that does is make Mal like him a bit more. Mal opens the door enough to stick his head in. Wash has the blinds drawn but light still manages to find its way between the cracks. He can make out Wash's wild hair poking out from under the blanket and grins a little more.
“Gotta get up if you want breakfast, Wash. Foods on the table an' I ain't plannin' on leaving it out. Get up, we've places to be today.”
He hears the loud sigh that says Wash is awake and, after a minute of patient waiting, Wash sits up, covers falling down to his waist. The first thing that crosses Mal's mind is that Wash is in better shape than he thought. He can see the clear definition of Wash's chest and maybe he's a little soft at the belly but there's still definite muscle there. The second thing Mal realizes is that Wash must sleep naked.
He rolls his eyes, having to force his gaze up to take in the drowsy confused look Wash is giving him. “I'll be in the kitchen,” he says and beats a retreat out to the hall.
He makes them coffee and sits to sip at his own. It's still another fifteen minutes before Wash stumbles out of his room and Mal greets him. “Must take quite a bit of effort to get that unkempt look just right, I'm guessin'.”
“You've no idea.” Wash's eyes fasten on the steaming pot like it's a homing beacon. “Is that coffee?”
Mal nods. “Help yourself. There's oatmeal in that pot as well, bowls are in the cupboard just above you.”
Mal notices that he seems to make himself at home pretty easily as Wash goes about getting together what he needs. Coffee and bowl of oatmeal in hand a moment later, he joins Mal at the table and looks like he might fall back asleep in his breakfast.
“You always get up so early?”
“You'll wake up once we get outside,” Mal guarantees.
Wash yawns, covering it by lifting the coffee mug and taking a sip once he's done. “They wake us up earlier for flight training. Four in the morning. I never did take to mornings too well, though.”
“You a pilot?” No wonder he'd rather fly them in and Mal can bet they have some small sleek craft stored away in the transport ship. Ain't no way, though, Mal prefers a horse. Real life thing that'll carry you out of danger if it likes you well enough.
Wash nods eagerly. Mal thinks it's the first time he's shown real enthusiasm towards anything Alliance or related to his dad. “Yeah. In training for it anyway. It’s still a few more years and I'll have my license. Take you for a spin some time if you want.” Mal shakes his head but Wash interrupts the protest with one of his own. “Ah ah, if I'm getting drug on a horse then you're doing this. Fair's fair.”
Mal laughs. “You're on, pilot.”
Wash finishes his breakfast a few minutes later and dumps his dishes in the sink. They talk for the few minutes it takes him, and Mal finds it more comfortable than he would have thought. It helps that Wash holds up the majority of the conversation on his own, but Mal doesn't normally find himself one for useless chatter. On the ranch there's always something to do, he doesn't often have the time to discuss nothing. Wash is good at it, though, and keeps it up as they shove boots on their feet and Mal leads him out to the barn.
The horses don't nicker this time, still busy with the morning feed. Mal grabs a halter off one of the hooks hanging inside the door and moves over to a black gelding, so old he's graying and the perfect sort of mount for a beginner. He usually saves Ben for kids to ride. Mal thinks he'll be even more perfect for Wash, who's looking at the animal like it might come over and bite him.
Mal motions him over. “Can't stand back there. C'mere. Hold your hand out, flat like this.” He shows Wash and, once Wash has copied, pours a little pile of oats onto his palm. The horse is eager to stretch his neck out and eat the treats from Wash's hand.
“Okay. Yeah, I can do this.” Wash even strokes Ben's nose once the oats are gone.
Mal is satisfied with that and opens the stall door to step inside. The halter is fastened around the horse's head, and Wash steps back as Mal leads the horse out. He shows Wash how to brush Ben and, by the end of that, Wash is looking considerably more comfortable. Mal is doubly amused when Wash starts talking to Ben while Mal fetches Sandy.
“You're not so tough. You're not so tough, I could take you. Like that, huh?” Wash is scratching at the horse's withers. “You're like a big dog.”
Mal comes over with the saddle. “Glad you two are getting along.”
Wash steps back, nodding. “Yeah. We go way back, actually.”
“Right, bet you used to have beers down at the tavern.” Mal throws the saddle over Ben's back and starts cinching up the girth.
“You have a tavern here?” Wash looks hopeful for a moment but Mal shoots it down with a grin.
“Which we're too young to even get into.”
Wash's face falls but only for a moment before he's shrugging. “Oh. Well... What's that?”
Mal goes through the motions of explaining the bridle to Wash. How to make the horse go, to turn, to stop. And don't worry Ben really is like a big dog, he wouldn't steer anyone wrong. Five year old kids ride this horse no problem.
The platitudes don't seem to mean much when he finally gets Wash on the horse and the kid won't let go of the saddle's horn. Mal's laughing at him again as he mounts Sandy and pulls her around to head towards the driveway, and after ten minutes they'll be out onto the road.
Mal keeps an eye on Wash as he sits rigidly on top of Ben. The horse does nothing more than plod along and, once Wash realizes this, he relaxes some with a long breath of air.
“Right. Big dog.”
“Nothing to worry about.”
It takes a minute but Wash seems to decide that Mal is right because he relaxes fully, even pries his fingers off the saddle horn and looks across at Mal. He nods a bit then looks around, taking in the scenery and Mal feels a bit of pride at how is eyes go a touch wider.
“Pretty, ain't it?”
“Yeah. Don't see scenery like this on Londinium, for sure. It's mostly...tall buildings. No mountains, at least not that I've ever seen. Not so much green, either.”
They ride on in silence, and Mal finds himself watching Wash a little more than the scenery he's seen a million times before.
*
The town isn't a huge one. There's a couple restaurants, a feed store, clothing and general store. There's the tavern and a small market place. The closest city is Blackie, a good three hour horse ride from here. Mal doesn't visit it too often and here has everything they generally need.
They tie their horses and dismount, Wash wincing as his feet hit the ground. “I think I pulled muscles I didn't know I had.”
Mal snorts. They're already turning a few heads of the locals. Rather, Wash is. He stands out as someone new, not to mention his shirt and pale skin. He's definitely an oddity in this town, but Mal reckons by now everyone knows that the Alliance have landed at the Reynolds' farm. News travels fast in a place where there's not a lot of it to occupy attention.
Wash is looking around, a little lost and a little amazed. Mal can't start to think on how different it must be. He's never been off Shadow but he's done his research. He knows what it looks like on a place like Londinium, and he knows he'd be feeling out of place if he were in Wash's shoes. He slips his arm around the kid's shoulders, making Wash jump, as he guides Wash off the beaten road and onto the wooden walkways. Boards on top of the dirt, mostly there to keep from getting feet muddy when the sky graces them with a bit of rain.
“I stick out a bit, don't I?”
“Yeah, you do.” Mal chuckles. “People will be spreading rumors all through the town now.”
“So long as they're good ones.”
Wash is easy to banter with, too. Pokes fun at his own self which Mal can appreciate. They walk along the line of buildings, Mal forgetting to think that he should be taking his arm away from Wash's shoulders. Feels kind of good and there is definitely strength to those shoulders he really wouldn't have expected. He can feel the muscles shift when Wash points out one thing or another, asking questions.
They go in a couple places. Mal drags Wash into the clothing store, telling him that if he's gonna be sticking around a few months with his dad then he really should look the part. Which means jeans and work shirt. Wash goes along, they're in no hurry to get back, and Mal is taking this as a sort of day off. Tomorrow, it'll be back to branding cattle.
He manages to talk Wash into buying a couple things, loose fitting jeans, less gaudy shirt, a pair of boots that will work better in the saddle's stirrups. They get it all bundled up to fit into the saddlebags on Wash's horse.
Further down and they hit the small market. Mostly produce, a few homemade things. There's one that sells chocolate, imported every so often and rare enough here that Mal can never afford the prices they're asking. Today, though, he's got Wash and the man buys a bit, happy to share with Mal.
Mal thinks he gets sugar maybe once a year, if even that. It's like a bit of heaven melting on his tongue, and he lets the whole chunk Wash gave him melt without biting into it. Savors it. Not like Wash who munches it up in a heartbeat. No, fine things need to be savored.
Wash is laughing at him. “Ever planning on swallowing that thing?”
Mal shakes his head, raising his eyebrows since his mouth is full.
“Maybe I oughta help with it a bit, then.”
Mal nearly chokes on the chocolate with what happens next. He's pulled up against Wash's body and his mind flashes back to seeing the kid's chest earlier. He can feel it against his now. More than that, he can feel Wash's breath on his lips and a second later, Wash's smart mouth on his. Wash's tongue slicking into his mouth, scooping up some of the melted chocolate that sits on Mal's tongue, while Mal is slack-jawed in shock.
Mal thinks it lasts about ten seconds. It feels a lot more like ten years. Time is relative, but Mal doesn't know how a small act can stretch out so long. As Wash pulls back, licking at his lips, Mal can't help but glance around, wondering if anyone saw that.
“No one's watching,” Wash reassures him. They're in behind one of the stalls and Mal realizes belatedly that he's still pressed up against Wash, that his hands have somehow splayed over Wash's chest. He pushes abruptly against Wash to get away, taking a stumbling step back.
“You...uh...”
Wash bites at his lip a bit, but he's still smiling and he doesn't look at all worried. “Sorry. I didn't think you'd mind.”
“Wha...” Mal tries, but he can't make the words work. He has no clue what he's trying to say and he doesn't know...what he should do now. Kiss Wash again? His lips seem to think that would be a good idea. He shakes his head, rubbing the taste of chocolate from his tongue against the roof of his mouth, before stepping carefully around Wash. “It's late. Best be getting back.”
Wash's fingers are hard around his elbow. “Mal. I didn't mean to freak you out. If I thought wrong...” Wash leaves it hanging for Mal to explain how he'd like. The only problem is he's not sure what he'd like.
He pauses then steps out of Wash's grip. “Gotta get the horses back. Dinner's soon.”
Wash lets him go this time and Mal's grateful. He doesn't look back as Wash trails along behind him and, when they get to the horses, they mount up and head off in silence.
*
He stays awake half the night thinking about it. It's not that it's the first time he's been kissed, never mind that it is only the second time he's been kissed. He's had ladies proposition him before, but he's always turned them down. He's too busy on the ranch, 'specially in these last few years, and he ain't got time for romancing.
He remembers one girl, Lucy Chauncer was her name, and she had planted one on him a lot like Wash had. Only he hadn't given her more than a second before stepping away. Sure not enough time to get her tongue in his mouth, and he wasn't gripping at her chest. He was politely explaining and turning her attentions off him. He wasn't stuttering and blank-minded like he had been with Wash. That had been his first kiss, the whole second of it that there was.
He decides it was just surprise. He'd been shocked into freezing but next time, if there is a next time, he'll be able to sidestep and tell Wash exactly why he isn't into that.
Why he isn’t at all into being pulled against a hard chest or kissed with chapped lips. He doesn't need to remember the taste of chocolate in his and Wash's mouths. Doesn't need to remember how sweet it was, how Wash's breath tangling with his own had smelled of that sweet. Now he thinks back, he can remember Wash's fingers curling around his biceps, a surprising amount of strength there, too. He supposes pilots have to have strong fingers, though, lots of work with the stick. They'd need good hands. Talented.
Tiān a. He looks down to where his boxers and the thin sheet covering him have tented. He groans in frustration and turns onto his side. Ignore it until it goes away, then the thoughts will fade as well and he can get to sleep. Forget whatever the hell it is he's thinking.
He falls asleep with his stomach tied in knots at the thought of having to see Wash again in the morning.
Part One - Chapter Four