Fic: On Shores Below a Crumbling Sky (Firefly, River/Mal, PG-13)

[vialethe]

Title: On Shores Below a Crumbling Sky
Rating: PG-13
Words: 2940
Pairings: River/Mal (one-sided), canon pairings
Warnings: Talk of character death, somewhat angsty and dark
Summary: River and Simon get off the ship on New Melbourne, and she does not look back. River, the invisible ties that bind her to Serenity even when she's left, and the ways

Comments

[hereswith]

Is this the onesided story you mentioned before? Her face, covered in shadow, falls into stillness. “No, I don't believe I can.” Unrequited love is just painful in every way (to read about, watch or live through), but it does make for effective stories. And of course River can't stay, she's very right to think it would break her, considering what she would feel and sense. It would be bad enough for a person without her abilities. I too think it's a plausible scenario, though, and I feel for Simon here as well, caught in the middle: And he is tired; tired of this watery planet, of salt and fish, of these rooms, of living each day for and around River and River alone.

well, everyone but Jayne wanted her to stay... Just liked that detail. Liked River's job, also, and I hope they will all find some peace now, after this.

“No, Mal. I've come to fly you home.” Perfect ending!

PS. I haven't forgotten the longer story (or missed your comments to me), time has just not been on my side lately, but I'll get to it.

[vialethe]

Yes, this is the story I'd previously mentioned.
I was worried at first that it would seem petty for River to leave (and drag poor faithful Simon with her by accident) just for unrequited love, but you're right of course - it's bad enough to see someone you love with someone else when you can't read their emotions and thoughts with no effort.

I'm glad you appreciated the Jayne comment, I tend to get in little digs at him wherever I can, hee. He makes it so easy.

Thanks for the kind words. :)

(Don't worry about the other story, it's not as if it's going anywhere! I've still not gotten over being honored that you read my stuff at all, so.)

[hereswith]

I've still not gotten over being honored that you read my stuff at all, so. Well, I like your stuff, you know :-) I haven't read (or written) M/R in ages, and your stories makes me realise that I've missed them quite a lot.

[vialethe]

Well, I like your stuff, you know

I did think you were unlikely to continue reading otherwise, yes. ;) I recalled you saying you didn't often read River/Mal fic for various reasons though.

I've missed them quite a lot.

Dare I hope you might return to writing them in the future? A faint hope, I know, but I can always wish!

[dharkapparition]

Beautiful

[vialethe]

Thank you.

Question?!?

[hiddensoul1978]

I really love this story...and I so wish that there was a sequel to it. I would love to see what happens next.

She closes her eyes, her movement the fraction of a heartbeat as she takes his hand in hers. “No, Mal. I've come to fly you home.”

I would love to read how River helps Mal, I am sure it would be an awesome read.

Re: Question?!?

[vialethe]

I'm glad you liked it! Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I'll never write a sequel - grieving over the death of a spouse is so difficult, and would take so much time and be so painful for Mal - I just don't have the energy or mindset to write that, honestly.

I've told people before that it would basically be just like what happens in No Power in the 'Verse (which this is an AU of) anyhow, just stretched over a much longer period of time!

Re: Question?!?

[hiddensoul1978]

I won't say that I aint disappointed, but i can defiantely understand. I had this idea pop in my head before I read your story of writing one myself about mal and river getting together after something happened to Inara. Even though I have wrote a few fanfictions myself, I tend to be a mite apprehensive about writin about serenity and the gang for fear I can't make them sound right. Which comes as a shock, since Im a bonafide farm raised girl, with a fairly think country accent of my own. I sound more hick than Reba sometimes lol. Just not sure I could translate that to the story or do that crew any kinds of proper justice.

BTW...can you head me in the direction of some more mal/river stories?!? just curious

Re: Question?!?

[vialethe]

Some characters are harder to write than others, but it sounds like you'd have a fairly easy time with Kaylee, Jayne, and Mal, at least! If I'm not sure about a line, I try to see if I can hear it in the actor's voice...if so, then it's probably okay, if not, rewrite!

Oh gosh, you might be sorry you asked that! I've written a lot of Mal/River myself; it's all in my masterpost here.

Other authors:

My favorite is hereswith. She's written a lot of heartbreakingly beautiful Mal/River fic, the longest of which is Never Go Back. I also love Wicked Games, which is a more steamy story.

My other favorite is jedibuttercup, who's got the best Mal voice around. She has a masterpost at her journal where you can find all her stuff; I like Soon Enough best.

Other fics I've enjoyed:

Xin ai, thy name is Serenity by jazzfic
Dessert by femmenerd
Teach Me to Hear the Mermaids Singing by musefool (really, anything by musefool is good)
I Fall by Kass
We Are Rhythm and Rhyme, Partners and Crime by laurificus
Love and Other Unscientific Matters by natalexx