Title: Morning-After Memories
Author: Secret-Agent-Omega
Genre: Romance.
Rating: T.
Pairings: Mal/Inara.
Location on Firefly Universe Timeline: Sometime after the events of the BDM.
Spoilers: None.
Summary: Mal remembers the events of the night before, when he and Inara finally gave in to their feelings.
Disclaimer: The people, places, and plentiful paraphernalia you know and love/hate are the property of their respective owners, namely Joss Whedon, his associates, and any groups which control or are controlled by said individuals. No profit is made by the author of this work of fiction from the creation or distribution of said work, nor is any infringement intended. Plagiarism is considered a serious criminal offense, and punishable by law. Please ask before redistributing this work.
Length without header: 2 page(s) at 12-point Times New Roman font; 268 words; 1,422 characters including spaces.
Feedback: Some authors don't care about feedback. I am not one of those authors. Giving feedback tells me that you took the time to read it and cared enough to comment on it. Receiving feedback is a wonderful thing, and every author should experience it.
Notes: Well folks, it's been over six months, but I finally managed to write another ficlet. Hopefully this is a sign that the Muse is returning. For those who are still holding out hope that I'll get back to "TOC: Operation Perseus" and the currently-unnamed arc started by "Simple Words" ... I'm still working on them, and I appreciate your patience.
Morning-After Memories
By Secret-Agent-Omega
In the early-morning hours, when night still holds dominion over ship and crew but not captain, the memories come flooding back.
He remembers the argument. She had wanted to leave again, he had wanted her to stay; she had wanted to be back where she belonged, he had wanted her to see that she already was.
He remembers the way her eyes shone as she had asked him one last time for a reason to stay; the way they had gone dark as he fought with himself to tell her the truth and she had turned away, mistaking his silence for apathy.
He remembers pulling her into his arms and kissing her, because he had no more reasons to offer her save the one from his heart, and somehow he could never find the right words around her.
He remembers clothes falling to the floor as one kiss had turned to many; as seeking mouths had encouraged seeking hands.
He remembers the way her eyes glowed in the lamplight as he whispered against her lips: Is this what you want? The way her voice trembled as she nuzzled into the curve of his neck: This is what I've always wanted.
He remembers making love to her; fast and desperate at first, each of them lost to their need for the other; slow and gentle later, as their desire found balance, until at last they surrendered to dreamless sleep in each other's arms.
He remembers all this, and as her brown eyes flutter open to meet his gaze, he finally finds the right words.
Stay because I love you.