(no subject)

[gonna_live]

It's getting on past Kaylee's bedtime -- well after most of the rest of the crew's in bed. She's in the kitchen, damp-haired and in pajamas: long night on the ship in the garage equals a long hot shower before coming home and collapsing next to Simon for a few hours.

But. Tea first.

She stands in front of the range, leaning back against the counter opposite, and watches water boil. It's about as enthralling as it sounds.

Comments

[makesmeatease]

"Don't apologize." Inara whispers, fiercely. "Don't. It's okay to cry, I promise."

She pulls back, just a little, to wipe her own tears, to take a shaky, hesitant breath. "Do you want to sit?"

[gonna_live]

She shakes her head. "No, I -- " And makes herself breathe.

"No."

Stop it. Stop crying.

[makesmeatease]

"Okay."

She swipes her fingers below Kaylee's eyes, wiping away tears and hands her the tea cup.

[gonna_live]

She crooks her fingers around it, letting only the tips rest on the ceramic.

"I'm fine," she says, low.

[makesmeatease]

"You will be." Inara whispers, half-agreeing. "Things will work out, Kaylee. And you can always call or write if you need anything. We are still your family."

[gonna_live]

Kaylee nods, tired, and doesn't bother to voice any doubts about that.

(And Simon just swallowed the excuse about there being too much work to do for her to spend every night on Serenity proper.)

[makesmeatease]

"I mean it. I hold a lot of sway with our dear captain, being his wife." She smiles, softly. "I'll lock him in a closet if I need to."

[gonna_live]

"He'll just complain too much for you to want to keep him in there for long." She doesn't put much energy in sounding wry.

[makesmeatease]

"I invested in earplugs the last time we were planetside."

[gonna_live]

She's supposed to laugh at that, she knows.

Kaylee manages a faint-sounding "oh".