Author’s note: Thanks to Philomel for an out-of-this-world beta. She makes everything shinier.

Spoilers: Are we still doing these? Ariel and War Stories

Disclaimer: Firefly belongs to people not me. Intended for fun not profit.

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Quick and Dirty Chinglish:

ling ren exin : disgusting

Shangdi : God

xiongxian jiating funu : nasty housewife

***

Laid Bare

“If we was to actually end up on a naked beach, what would you do? You couldn’t lie out there.”

“Says who? I’m just as good a layer as anybody. It’s a well-known fact. In flight school, I minored in laying.”

Zoe pinched him for that joke

“You’re just,” she hesitated. “Just pasty is all.”

“Pasty? Pasty?” He let her giggle at his mock hurt.

She stroked his arm and favored him with a mildly reproachful look. He winced a little, sighed and rubbed the top of his head.

“Yeah, well, there would be some kind of laying.” He opened his eyes wide for emphasis, then grinned and enjoyed her laughter. “Look how well I’m laying here!” He was on a roll and he knew it. “Here, look at this.” He twisted away from her and lay flat on his back. “I can lay here plain like this. I can lie on my side, like this.” He turned away from her again. “I can lie on my other side, even on my belly.” And as he said it, the pillow muffled his voice.

Zoe watched his back shake lightly with laughter before tapping him on the shoulder. He turned his face toward hers.

“Yes, dear. You’re an excellent layer. It’s a damn shame we’re nowhere near a beach.”

“Thanks for saying.”

They smiled at one another for a moment before Zoe eventually rolled her neck and pulled her hair out from under her shoulders, while Wash continued to lie on his belly, watching her.

“What did you make of that airlock alarm this afternoon?” Wash’s voice was not quite sleep and a little too casual.

“Get the light, dear. I’m sleepy.