badinlatin | Mal-Inara. "Is this a wedding or not?"

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Mal-Inara. "Is this a wedding or not?"

After the conversation he had with Kaylee, Mal's had a list of questions rolling around in his head.

This may be why he's knocking on the hatch to Inara's shuttle instead of walking straight in.

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"They're fine, just...it's somethin' to think on. I mean, this is all stuff you understand and all, and I don't got no frame o' reference for it all. So I'm gonna mull it over some.

"I suppose I should be happy I get to wear clothes."

The first really strong smile of the night.

Inara smiles back. "Oh, come now. I distinctly remember you being naked in public once and looking very comfortable doing it." She pauses, her finger to her lips, pretending to ponder. "However, it was the desert and fairly warm there..."

"Ha. Ha. Ha. And that weren't public. 'S just the crew."

Family ain't public.

She raises her eyebrows. "Are you sure about that? I thought I saw a few ships flying about. I think they were slowing down as well. Not that I can blame them." She winks at him.

Inara manages to rise a flush to Mal's face, but only slightly. He's getting better.

"So...do we gotta get these robes made, or what?"

She loves seeing him blush. It makes him look years younger.

"As soon as you decide what you want, I will call a lovely woman I know who will whip them up for you. Does that sound alright?"

"Sounds fine, baobei."

Admittedly, Mal is concerned on how much that will cost, but he doesn't say anything about it.

"Good. She's wonderful, very talented with a needle." She gives him a look - she knows him too well not to know what he's thinking. "And don't worry about the cost. It's the Companion's part to pay for her promised's clothing."

"Yes ma'am."

A thought occurs to him, leaving him a bit wide eyed.

"I should call Ma."

"Yes, I do think this is something she would want to hear about." She looks disconcerted for a moment. "Do you think she'll be happy about this? What is her opinion on Companions, exactly?"

Running a fist across his chin, scratching his neck, Mal shrugs.

"Honest, I don't know. I know she liked ya when we were there last." A small blink of amusement. "She'd be wantin' to hear that I'm tyin' myself to someone."

She wants grandkids. No ruttin' way.
for awhile?

...

"I can't call 'er."

"I'm glad. I liked her a lot too." She looks relieved.

"Why can't you call her? I thought you straightened everything out when we went there."

Mal levels his eyes at Inara.

"Denton."

Inara sucks in a breath. "Yes, Denton. I'd forgotten, I'm sorry."

She takes his hand again. "Would you like me to send her a wave? I guess I'm the next best person to tell her."

A quiet "Would ya?"

"I would be honored to. After all, we need to know each other better."

"lao po and muqin. Fantastic."

Note the sarcasm.

She smiles sweetly at him. "Oh come on, zhè bìng bù huài. We'll only discuss you as a baby, more embarrassing stories from your childhood, hopefully there will be pictures involved..."

"Nevermind then," before chuckling.

"You know," Mal calms, still with a tone that insinuates a proclamation, "You and me; we'll be fine."

Inara grips his hand tightly. "Yes, yes we are."

"I love you, Malcolm Reynolds. And that isn't going to change."

"Good."

Mal could revert to some pithy quote, or possibly some endearing commentary about how he doesn't need anything else to change in his life, so he's glad of Inara for this.

He can't really see how it's needed, though.

It's been a hard day and Inara needs some comfort, physically. She slowly leans in and kisses Mal gently on the lips, massaging his fingers with hers.

Mal returns the kiss, but doesn't press it. He's here for her, but his mind hasn't turned toward anything more than that.

"We're fine, Inara..."

"I know." She looks at him, not quite pleadingly, but close. "Will you stay here a while?"

"Shi a."

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