Breathing, 1/1
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
A stand alone, PC angst. Set 37ish years post-BDM. Serra at 27.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 2010 RATING: 8.0 (PG13) SERIES: FIREFLY
Title: Breathing
Rating: PG-13 for not so happy themes.
Characters: Mal, Inara, the PCs, Ari
Pairings: Serra/Ari
Summary: A stand alone, PC angst. Set 37ish years post-BDM. Serra at 27.
Disclaimer: Most of the characters (sans the PCs) aren't mine, but the situation is.
For newbies: New Leaf, Brother, Shadow, Mei-Mei, Mischief, Forty, Pirate Children, Mistletoe, Hell-Raising, Delinquent, Barriers, Tough, Echo, Civilized, Breathing
Author's Note: So no where near as fluffy as most PC fics. Rather short, very angsty. You've been warned. It's the most in the future we've seen the PCs, and yes it's a little confusing. But PC isn't posted in order for a reason.
Kacey Washburn, 35
Lolly Tam, 34
Abe Reynolds, 32
Serra Reynolds, 27
***
Serra has been crying for three days now, and it’s destroying Abe. She has every right cry, of course. The physical and emotional toll of…
But Serra doesn’t cry. His Mei-Mei has been shot, stabbed, tortured in her adult life and only a handful of times has she been brought to tears. And never by one of the above.
There’s nothing he can do to stop it either. No one to kill or maim.
He’s sat with her, rubbing her back or holding her close or coaxing her to drink. To stay alive.
And still she continues to sob.
So he comes to this moment, to keeping Ari, physically, out of the shuttle, shoving the younger man out of the way. Keeping him from the woman they both love above all else in this ‘verse.
“He was mine, too,” Ari shouts, recoiling, tears wetting his cheeks. “My child, too… My son…”
“She doesn’t want you in there. She wants you off the ship.”
“Abe, please,” Ari begs through wet eyes. “I love her. Our son… We both lost him. Let me mourn with her.”
“She said no,” Abe stands firm, though he’s near tears himself.
“And you always do as she says,” Ari sighs.
It’s not an accusation; it’s defeat.
He sinks to the ground, head against the bulkhead.
“She named… We named him Benjamin.”
“I know.”
“I only... I’ve dreamt for the past four
You can't take the sky from me
However, do not think I feel this tale is anything but gold, AWindsor. It is BECAUSE you have made Serra a complex and potentially unlikable character for her decision here that the tale really works. Having Ari remain by her side would the the good thing to do...the "smart" thing...but the "right" thing. I just hope that one of her loved ones manages to talk to her about what she has done...if only to have her reinforce her judgement call.
BEB
P.S. A sequel or follow-up to this would be wonderful, but not necessary less you thought it so.
I love how Inara relates to Serra. They are so dissimilar on the surface, and yet they have such a strong connection. As for the girl in question, I really really REALLY like the way you've developed her. She's dark and strong and capable (like her mama in that way). She's also a mess. That's all for the better, in my opinion, and I'm sure you will continue to show us what has made her the person she is in future stories.
She's a bit of a wild card, but I think it's logical, in her head at least, to shut Ari right now. Hopefully Abe and Lolly will talk (or slap) some sense into her. ;) Or maybe Mal should be the one to talk to her. He certainly knows a thing or two about shutting people out . . .
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