always come ( back )

[cockhops]

ALWAYS COME BACK meme; They may be a rambler, a gambler, always on the run, a wanted criminal, someone with a higher calling, or just not the type to spend time with you (which may be fine by you), yet somehow, they'll always find their way back to your door. And they'll, again and again, find themselves wanting you, for support, for healing, for feeling alive, for venting frustration and anger, for anything and everything at all. You'll welcome them with open arms...and an open bed, because you want them, too. Comment: prefs, info, preferred role, etc. Reply: to others. Thread: with them.

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[gotnorudder]

Mal smiled. One hand reached up and he cupped her cheek, fingers toying with her soft hair. His eyes fluttered closed as she closed the distance between them. "Maybe I should go lay down," he said softly.

He pictured them both, laying together in his bunk. He knew she would see it.

"I'm sorry, little one. I didn't mean to put myself in danger. If I had to choose, I want you to live. Not me. I've lived a good life. You have more years ahead."

[inthebrainpan]

She released his face and took his large hand into hers. Simon would be busy in the engine room a while. Good, he needed to be happy now, free now. Just as River could be free. Both of them forged lives on this ship, leaving the Alliance and all that they had come from far and behind them.

She led Mal away and down the hallways, knowing the ship, familiar with it now, and opened the hatch for Mal's bunk.

[gotnorudder]

Mal nodded his head, slowly pulling himself off the table. Taking her hand in his, he let her lead him out of the infirmary and towards his bunk. When it was open, he waited for her to climb down, following her into the bunk and shutting the hatch.

He moved slowly, his whole body hurting. A shiver ran through him as he moved over to the bed. "Don't know what I'd do without you, little one." A shiver ran through him and he laid down on the bed. He had no shirt on, just the bandages, but he was dressed from the waist down. "Never runs smoothly, does it?"

[inthebrainpan]

She sunk down into his bunk and led him down. River helped lay him out on his bed. Any other time, she would be excitable to see him without his shirt. But in this case...she ran her fingers delicately over the wounds, as if she could simply smooth the hurt and pain away.

"Your plans tend to not," she agreed. "But we have faith in you. We go anyway."

[gotnorudder]

"And I'm a might glad ya do. Not really sure why ya do," he teased. Mal sighed, looking over at her, reaching up to thread their fingers together. "Why, little one? Why do you have such faith in me. I'm a bad man."

He didn't believe it, not really. Still, he needed to hear her say it. Gently, he pulled her fingers up to his lips, kissing them.

[inthebrainpan]

She sat beside him so that he wouldn't strain so much when kissing her fingers. His thoughts slamming into her mind hard.

"Because you're a good man. One that cares about his crew without question," she replied easily. River leaned down to touch her forehead to his, letting her dark hair curtain around them.

[gotnorudder]

"River..."

Mal smiled and closed his eyes, a small sigh slipping out as her skin touched his. One hand moved up to cup her cheek, letting his thumb brush against her cheekbone as he reveled in her touch. It was an intimate gesture, one he would never share or do with anyone else on the ship. He'd grown close to her, much closer than he should have. She had wormed her way into his heart and it was too late for him to turn back now. He hated what had happened, but he needed to know she would be okay and she would live on.

Even if that meant living without him.

"Care about them," he whispered. "Care about you."

[inthebrainpan]

"Care about you," she echoed.

River curled up against his side, resting her head over his heart, hearing it beat, alive, beneath her.

"Come back to me?" she asked softly. "Always.. Here." She placed her hand over his heart, and then reached up to tap at his forehead. "And here." Then she moved her hand down along him until she could rest it against his belly. "And here."