I’m gonna go with NC-17 on this one. Twice warned, no complaining. Thanks to AgentOmega for the beta.

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Inara washed her face, considering herself in the mirror, running her finger across the apple of her cheek. She was amused to catch herself counting her freckles, the way Mal had the first time he’d seen them. He loved them and she loved that he loved them, though she still kept them covered on a daily basis. Inara bit her lip, stopping the silly counting, and reached for the compact of concealer. She looked at the beige powder, then back at her husband. Just back from a job, he’d been so exhausted, he’d fallen asleep fully clothed, and was still sprawled on top of the covers. He looked so rugged and handsome in that blue, button-down shirt, which would have captured and enhanced the color of his eyes had they been open.

Instinctively, she touched her silk-clad skin, remembering the feel of the soft cotton the morning she’d put on his shirt. She’d promised him at the time that she’d put it on again when he had healed. A few times since, she had remembered the promise and tried pulling on the shirt, but each time he had stopped her, saying only ‘no pretending.’ And though she’d never promised that she’d let him see the freckles again, now as she looked, it seemed unnatural to wear the shirt any other way.

Setting the compact on the vanity unused, she determined that today was the day she’d feel that soft cotton on her skin again, embracing her shoulders. As gentle as the breeze, she glided to the bed, feeling free and wickedly playful. Climbing delicately over him, she began unbuttoning the shirt slowly, enjoying the contented moan that fell out of Mal even as he slept. His body lifted instinctively as she tugged the bottom of the shirt where it had been tucked in. After so many years, he’d grown accustomed to her redressing him in his sleep, and he just kept his eyes closed and enjoyed being pampered. She hoped he didn’t change today, as she wanted this to be a surprise. Pressing his face t