Mal would have to have a sit-down with the lil’ albatross about sneakin’ into his bunk when he wasn’t around. Man’s space should be his private place.

Not that he was in his own bunk as much these days, since he and a certain Companion had taken the tumble.

Still, it wouldn’t be them without their king hell fights. Just last week, what had started out as a perfectly pleasant late cup of tea together had somehow escalated into a shouting match. Which from there, had rapidly progressed to not making it all the way to either his bed or hers before things got out of hand.

And climaxed at exactly the same time he did, when that troublesome L-word finally slipped out of his mouth. Hadn’t meant for it to quite yet, as he was still sorta stumbling around in the dark sometimes when it came to her. Meant it alright, but hadn’t wanted her to know that fact.

But somehow, her all mussed and riding him over the edge just pulled that word, unbidden, out of him. He couldn’t not say it, at that moment.

Yep, things were certainly in disarray for some part of his life.

But Mal drew the line at River deciding to poke around in his private space. Even Inara, when she came to see him late at night, would knock first. He’d learned to return the favor.

He caught River just out of the corner of his eye, sneakin’ around the corner away from the crew quarters. Even Zoe made more noise than his little bird.

Descending the ladder, he noticed a small, plainly wrapped package on the bed. No doubt some gift for him. Knowing River, it could be anything from a new pair of suspenders to a doll’s head with half the hair hacked off.

I sure could use a new set of suspenders.

Mal sat down on the bed and unwrapped the package.

It was a hand-knit sweater. In pale pink. In a size that would only have fit the aforementioned doll or possibly a newborn...

Huh.