Title: While mortals sleep
Pairings: None (brief mentions of the canon pairings in passing)
Spoilers: All of the series, no movie spoilers.
Characters: Mal, crew
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Mal might not be able to muster the appropriate holiday spirit, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care. River understands this.
Archive: Just ask.
AN: Part of my challenge to write festive fluff in all my fandoms. So, be warned for fluff and festivity!

‘Nothing’s gonna fall into the engine, Captain, everything’s shiny.’

‘I can see that,’ he answered, nodding at the red foil paper suspended around the engine room. ‘Ain’t you got enough of this fei huà in your bunk?’

She looked hurt, and he was almost repentant. ‘I was just tryin’ to...’

‘Do you see me stopping you? But if we fall out of the sky, know whose door I’m gonna come knocking on.’

‘Surely,’ a cultured voice broke in, ‘if we fall out of the sky, no one will be in any position to knock on doors and blame anyone.’

‘Doctor,’ Mal said, ‘I see sneakin’ up on people runs in the family. Where is that sister of yours anyway?’

‘She’s with Inara in the shuttle. They’re making more decorations for Kaylee.’

‘More? Seems to me we got plenty already.’

‘Just a little more, Captain,’ Kaylee said. ‘We need some for round the table. Shepherd’s making something in there that...’ she smiled beatifically, imagining the feast.

Simon smiled at her. ‘And I’m sure the decorations you three have made will finish the table perfectly.’

‘Might not even notice we’re in a “floating rust-bucket” and not some fancy-dan core restaurant,’ Mal broke in snidely.

‘Rust-bucket?’ Kaylee asked quietly, giving Simon a wounded look.

‘Don’t mind the Captain.’ Inara walked out of her shuttle with River trailing behind. ‘He’s having a little difficulty mustering the appropriate holiday