(no subject)

[river_meimei]

Earlier today, River went to Milliways and spent half the afternoon meandering out by the lake in the early-autumn sunshine.

Now, it's a different kind of outdoors she's looking at: curled up on the ship's bridge, head tipped back and coattails spreading around her, she's watching the stars through Serenity's wide front windows.

Comments

[river_meimei]

River glances up; hair falls across her face, but not enough to obscure her expression when she's looking right at him.

"You do."

[badinlatin]

The direct gaze catches Mal's own, and the eye contact lingers before a smirk lets Mal get out of it.

"At least I got a way."
Sure as ruttin' hell ain't ever got a plan
Mal rights himself again, adjusting; probably headed back out off the bridge. "Think we got a game still goin' somewhere, 'less Jayne messed with the board."

[river_meimei]

"He's meddlesome," River agrees solemnly, following the subject shift.

[badinlatin]

Think we're all gettin' that way.

A hand hesitantly lifts and drops again onto River's shoulder, not even linger long enough for heat transfer before Mal pulls back.

"Come find me later; Inara won't play fair."

[river_meimei]

River's eyes flick to the air where Mal's hand was, a second too late, and then back up to his face.

The smile's smaller, this time, but the affection's clearer. "It's a deal."