river_meimei | (no subject)

(no subject)

River's in the hallway between her room and Simon (and Kaylee)'s, stretched out on her stomach. She's examining a physics magazine: from Milliways, apparently, to judge by the glossy pages and the fact that the crew hasn't seen a mail drop or market in a little while; usually, if River gets a magazine or book there, she devours it the same day.

Her only concession to being in the way of traffic is that she's settled up against her own wall, instead of lying right in the middle of the floor.

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Simon lets out a long breath, and rubs his forehead with one hand.

"She was angry," he says finally. "And I told her I'd talk to you."

"I know it."

Softer.

She hasn't looked back at her brother.

"I know you want to help. I know you're angry too."

He looks ... weary.

River is silent for several breaths.

Then, very low, "Everybody's hurting."

"You are."

"Yes."

Steady, with an effort.

"And I need you to not get involved, at this point."

River stiffens slightly.

And then she spins, abrupt enough for her hair to lift from her flushed cheeks. "Think she's not?" It's a question; it's a demand, and her eyes are hot and damp.

"Not about me."

"Who is it about, then?"

He has to stay calm.

He has to.

River's shoulders slump, slowly.

"Everybody," she says in the general direction of his knee.

"You're hurting. Simon. I know it. Every day."

"But trying to defend me ..."

He looks down at his hands, twining together.

"It isn't going to help." Quietly. "I'm sorry, meimei."

"I want to."

"I know."

"Can't help," she whispers, eyes closed now and head bowed.

"I try, and, and I can't."

And that cry goes right through him, a sharp ache that's

(know the kind of pain you're dealing with)

all too familiar.

"Not that way. I'm sorry."

River's face twists, half-hidden by unruly hair.

Slowly, slowly, and without looking up, she leans sideways against her brother.

He lifts his arm, settles it around her shoulders.

Neither of them says anything, for a moment.

"I'm sorry."

"It's all right."

And they're the wrong words, but they're the only ones there are.

It isn't. Not really.

But River doesn't say that.

Just turns her head a little more into her brother's shoulder, and breathes out slowly.

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