“Weren‘t wrong.”

Jayne startled where he stood in the kitchen, the knife he was using to cut the protein for the evening meal slicing into his thumb. “Gorramit girl! Can’t go on sneaking up on a fella!” He stuck his thumb in his mouth, sucking away the blood, glaring at her the entire time.

“Always thought you looked better in red,” she smiled prettily, gliding silently closer.

His grip on the knife tightened slightly, and he took a step back. “Ain’t wise, little girl.”

Tilting her head, her playful smile slipped into a confused frown as she stared him, and Jayne felt like she was slicing him down the middle and leaving him wide open. Probably was.

“Scared.”

“I ain’t scared ‘o nothing.,” he pointed with the knife.

“Scared of Reavers.”

She reached out, touched the tip of the knife with her finger and he jerked it away, fixing her with another glare. “Aint many of ‘em left once you were done.”

“Scared for Alia.”

He froze, anger lighting his eyes, “Where’d you hear that name?”

Smiling again, she tapped his chest, “Lives here. I like her. ”

“Ya don’t know her,” he growled, his fingers itching to push her away. “An’ I don’t like you gettin’ inside me!”

“Know her like you do. Thick, dark hair you used to wrap around your fist. Tasted like chocolate on your tongue. Her body made you whole. Stopped kissing after.”

“You stop that right now, girl. Or I swear I’ll--”

“She’s safe. Happy,” she pet his arm soothingly. “Don’t fear anymore.”

“I told ya, I ain’t scared. Now git, if you plan on eatin‘ tonight.” He shrugged out from under her touch, going back to the meal.

“Scared of Mal.”

She wasn’t even looking at him anymore, and somehow that was even worse. “Got no reason t’ be scared of the Captain. I could take ‘im in a fair fight.”

“Not scared of fighting. Scared of losing.” She shook her head, smiling faintly again, a wisp of hair drifting gracefully across her face.

“Told ya, I wouldn’t lose.” He growled, hating it when she talked in circles.

“Already