Even Roses Have Thorns, chapter twelve
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Kaylee thinks, Simon doesn't, Mal and Inara talk, and Zoe and River bond. PG13, for swearing. Postive feedback perfered.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 2989 RATING: 9.0 (PG13) SERIES: FIREFLY
Even Roses Have Thorns
Chapter Twelve: Si vis amari, ama (if you wish to be loved, love)
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, *** *** *** Jayne had broken the tension by laughing hard at Simon’s stupid sarcastic joke; possibly he was just laughing at the two foolish lovers but Kaylee didn’t really want to think about that too much. Kaylee curled in her bunk, thinking on what Simon had said – and what Inara had said. It was true that most of Simon’s slights – the worst of them, at least – were largely products of Kaylee’s imagination. She was unreasonably sensitive to his thoughts and opinions. Inara’s finery and fanciness were exotic, but unthreatening. Simon’s austerity and propriety seemed somehow more – well, judgemental. But was he? Or was she simply judging herself based on what she thought that he must want? Finally, after another few rounds of point for point in her head, she tired of her racing mind and padded up the ladder and out of her bunk. Kaylee made her way to Simon’s bunk and let herself in. She gently shoved him toward the wall, but he woke up. “River, Mei-mei, so help me…” he began wearily but when he opened his eyes, instinct took over and he sat bolt upright. “Ah, hi Kaylee.” He was puzzled, but didn’t voice his annoyance at her not knocking. He’d scolded her enough for one night. “Shove in, Simon.” Kaylee stated it plainly, clearly assuming that he would do as he was told. “Ah…,” he groped for words in his sleepy state. Eventually one came. “Why?” “’Cause I said so, Simon.” Kaylee’s tone made it clear that she thought that it was obvious. “Ya said it was okay if I wanted us ta be friends with benefits. Just wan’ ta snuggle, can’t sleep.” “I did say that.” He muttered it more to himself, but he shoved in toward the wall and pulled the blankets down for her, before he lay back down and closed his eyes.
Thank you to all who have read and commented (it means a lot more than I would have ever expected, to be honest).
I'm happier with this chapter than the previous one; I hope you are too.
Durran Haymer knows Inara was with the random guy who stole his gun? That's just not good on any level.
I have to give Simon demerits here. Friends with benefits *never* works if one friend is looking for more. Nipping the sleepovers in the bud until they actually have a real conversation somewhere would be the better idea.
But poor Kaylee. I actually felt sorry for her. She's really starting to try, but it might not be enough in the end. It's sad.
Simon, like all characters (and people), has faults, and if I don't portray them, then I'm not really portraying him, just some Mary Sue version. But I think, especially in Simon's case, it can be more subtle errors of judgement than is sometimes done.
Anyway, that's just my logic on that.
I do like Kaylee ticking off the points in her head and coming to realize maybe she was being just a bit overreactive to Simon's comments and actions. Which she always has been with regards to him.
They've both got to grow up a bit if they want a relationship to work.
I'm looking forward to reading how you have them grow.
I cannot wait to see how you have Simon and Kaylee grow apart and then together.
And poor Zoe - none of her clothes fit ... pregnant lady blues!
And I love how River's taken up looking after Zoe...but I gotta wonder if her dresses would actually fit. Pretty much been established (though without direct canonical reference) that River's clothes come from Kaylee and Inara's cast-off pile. Neither woman is all that tall, and their body types are tad more openly curvy than the thinner and taller Zoe;D
BEB
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