Fires and Fears
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Mal tells a hilarious story about his boyhood and Inara tries to break down some walls in their relationship. Lots of fluff at the forefront. Major angst at the end. Post-BDM. A continuation of the <a href="http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=16631""Sneaking Into the Captain's Bunk"</a> series.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3898 RATING: 9.0 (G) SERIES: FIREFLY
A.N. By request of PhyreLight and using the plot bunny from TamSibling, a continuation of the “Sneaking Into…” series coming just after "Not Today".
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“Of course not, I love you.”
Mal’s eyes locked on hers as soon as she said it, knowing in the lilt of her voice that it was real. No teasing. No forcing. No nothing. It just welled up and overflowed right out of her heart. And he wanted to hear her say it again and again.
“You love me?”
“I love you.”
Such surety. Such peace. Would he have received this blessing if they’d made love when she asked just ten minutes ago? Would he stop himself if she asked again? He didn’t care to be philosophical now. Not with the showering of love pouring out of her.
“Say it again,” he smiled.
“You first.”
“I love you, ‘Nara.”
“I love you too, Mal.”
“Mmmmm,” he groaned, purred, and laughed in a single sound, feeling his chest vibrate against hers as she leaned in, closing her lips around his.
“Tell me again,” she whispered.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Inara grinned and giggled, sliding underneath Mal as he kissed her long and deep, not parting until they were both gasping for air. Her fingers kneaded the pillowcase, and he knew she was holding back from touching him. Holding back from ripping his shirt open and sending the buttons flying. He let his weight fall on her, just to free his hands, but it resulted in a sensuous moan as she molded to him. Freeing her fingers from the pillowcase, he guided her hands up until she raked across his shoulders, her lips locked on his. He could feel her heart pounding, they were pressed so tightly together. Did he have too much weight on her?
Mal lifted off, checking to see if she could breathe okay, and was rewarded with a swift push that toppled him to the floor. Devilishly, Inara rolled flat on her stomach, resting her chin on the backs of her hands, raising a mocking eyebrow at him for his klutziness. Humpty Dumpty was pushed … by a woman!
“Ok, Mr. I’m-On-Watch-Tonight. Talk to me.”
“What?” h
I suppose my guess as to where it's heading is that Mal was obviously burned by a woman before. That seems a little obvious and maybe too easy, but it's about all I can think of that would make him push Inara away. It doesn't seem to be her career that's bothering him, so I would guess it's something from his past that's making him hesitate. Still, it's perfect. I love Mal's realization that Inara, just by being herself, can walk through those carefully constructed walls. The power of love ...
You can't take the sky from me
Please, valeriebean, may I 'ave some more?
And, Katesfriend is right: Mal has lost that sense of home and love in the past, and he fears feeling that again to avoid the pain of loss again. And, as you have written, Inara has the ability to break down that barrier and invite him out into the open, but Mal has to choose to step out for himself.
Still...definitely was shocked but really not surprised that Mal was the one to back off here. Like Katesfriend mentioned, Shadow presumably got bombed back to black rock during the war, so the capture is one of the few pieces of his past he has left. Sharing that with Inara represents a step that he's just not quite ready yet to share:(
BEB
It warms my hear that Mal's willing to start sharing these tidbits about his past with Inara, especially since in the entire show, we heard next to nothing about his early years.
Love that they're expressing their feelings for each other so vocally in this installment - like they're making up for lost time. And the way Inara calls Mal her 'love'... ah, the warm fuzzies abound!
But oh, the heartbreak! Mal's insecurites and feelings that he's unworthy of Inara... possibly the best kind of angst there is, in my opinion. Gah.
I'm going to second EmpireX's request for more... It's just too good to stop here!
The chicken story was adorable and wonderfully told. And you really let them bask in that sweetness and belly-tickling exhilaration of being in love, without drifting off into being just saccharine of cliches. A treat!
And the pain that keeps sneaking up really hurts in contrast to the joy. Can't wait for the next part!
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