Disoriented
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
PG-13. Post-Series, Pre-BDM. River has an episode that shakes Simon to the core. He finds comfort in the most unexpected place. M/S
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 2983 RATING: 9.0 (PG13) SERIES: FIREFLY
A/N: Yes, I know – ‘a one-shot from TamSibling? Is she feeling all right?’
In truth, this idea came to me in December after I finished watching the R. Tam Sessions in their entirety. I very rarely (READ: never) right mid-series, but this story only works in that timeframe. Truthfully though, this is probably right after the series, maybe in the time directly before Those Left Behind - Inara and book are still on the ship at any rate.
Now, as for the ending … I have no excuse, I don’t know where it came from. I blame Kaynara, well … because I can – but it’s really me. If you’d like further explanation on this odd pairing I’ve written about, check out my newest blog, where I explain myself. That said, if you don't like even the vaguest hint of slash, don't read it.
Oh, and here’s a crazy idea – to let me know that you did like it – COMMENT! We all know I’m not above begging and we also know it ain’t pretty! And while I love comments, if you don’t like Mal/Simon as a pairing or anything slashy, don’t read this. It is NOT graphic at all, but I know some can be offended by the mere idea. You have been warned twice. No whining if you read it now – I wash my hands of you.
Thanks to Kaynara for the beta.
Sleeping was a necessary state, but not one a warrior often succumbed to. She found it annoying that she was deep in her dreamscape, her consciousness trying to fight through thickets of conjured bogeyman and imagined horrors.
Sleep brought disorientation which begot confusion which in turn caused defenselessness which then rained down weakness which almost always led to failure.
Pushing and shoving her way past cold, dark rooms with trays of needles and faceless, blue-handed men, River Tam awoke, staring at a non-descript ceiling. Her neck ached from the hard surface she was sleeping on, while her arms felt heavy, too weighty to move with any fluidity. Taki
About the Mal/Simon thing -- I can't believe the characters' thoughts would go in that direction, but then that's just my opinion. I do like the fact that Mal would physically comfort Simon, but I can only see the thoughts and dialogue in the usual abrupt, stand-offish way they dealt with each other at the end of the pilot. Although...if Simon had such an uncomfortable attraction for Mal it would explain why he got so bent out of shape in the BDM movie -- concern River's safety, yes, but also because of the underlying sexual tension!
Anyway...back to the quality of the writing. You've really got some great stuff in here like:
"It was this unwavering conviction that allowed him to ignore the sharp pounding of his heart against his rib cage, the roiling of his gut, the tremor in his hands. He would not give in to the fear her felt, the unyielding knowledge that not only had he failed his sister once, by letting her go to that Academy, but that he was more than likely failing her again by not finding a cure."
Nice!
Slash? Slash-light, maybe. As I said in my response to your log, I hope men continue to evolve (althought they show little sign of it at the moment ... at least away from these pages!) and at some future point are able to show their solidarity with other men without any kind of label being attached to them.
AU? Yes. Doesn't matter. You still made it work.
Yeah, the relatioship is non- canon. but this was still a wonderful story in it's own right. And I loved the River section - the confusion about being at the Accademy was so heartbreaking. And you did make Mal/Simon believable.
So, well done. Although, if you wanna go back to S/K you wont find me complainin! :D:D
tententen!
p.s I have nothing against slash at sll, I just generally like canon relationships. xxx
You can't take the sky from me
And she's writing slash. Didn't we all see this coming, folks? J/K. No worries, TamSibling, slashy-ness is next to godliness. Or something. But anyway, I like the notion of these two comforting each other, as I may have mentioned a time or two. ;) Mal is in a very vulnerable place with Inara leaving, and Simon is bereft over his inability to help River in any meaningful way. He's also incapable of being with Kaylee because of the emotional entanglements--at least by his way of thinking. I can see our captain and medic taking comfort in each other for an AU moment or so. Nice work, darlin'. -A
As Kaynara notes above, Mal and Simon are both in a really bad place in their lives because of issues involving the women they love. Mal really ain't handling having Inara all ready to leave for the Training House, and Simon is at wit's end after months of fighting to find something to help River have a pronounced period of lucidity...that and his issues with Kaylee. I too would like to think that by the second decade of the 26th century, the average guy is a bit more willing to get what is currently classified as "touchy-feely" with another guy without needing to be gay.
And ya know? I think this (and any future sequels you craft) would represent a plausible explanation about why Mal and Simon are basically inches from wanting to kill each other in the opening long shot of the BDM. They have found comfort from each other's daemons for a little while...but they couldn't run from them completely. River doesn't improve until shortly before the climax of the BDM and Inara's relationship with Mal is generally still up in the air when the credits roll. So...them having a mutual cuddle party to help them deal? Bring on the sensitive male bonding:D
BEB
Great work! different! and I like people
who think outside the box!
More please!!!
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