Author's Note: Just a bit of fluff. The plot bunny bit me as I was watching "The Message." Of course someone's hamster bit me too.
Thank you extra much, Kinkerbelle, for being an awesome beta!
Disclaimer: I don't own Firefly. Bummage.
Reach. Hit. Ow.
Surprise.
Lunge. Hit. Ow.
Frown.
Bop. Hit. Ow.
"My food is problematic," River Tam, the child prodigy, announced. She continued to unsuccessfully attempt to eat the frozen treat that dangled from a stick by a string. Gripping the stick in her hand harder, River this time slammed her whole body into the air trying to reach it, to no avail.
"Girl's a mind-readin' genius, can't even figure out how to eat an ice planet," Jayne Cobb, Serenity's swashbuckling mercenary, remarked. Annoyed, the very large, masculine man strode over to the very small, crazy girl.
"Give it 'ere, I'll show you how," he offered, albeit impatiently.
"No. I can do this myself," replied River, not wanting to resort to Jayne for help.
He tried to grab the rod that held the spherical, cold snack anyway. Of course, he was easily evaded. Not being able to help herself, River giggled. It was the frustration and seriousness of Jayne's expression.
"Feng le girl! You want to share what's so ruttin' funny?" he bellowed.
"The magician never tells her secrets!"
"Gimme that!"
This time Jayne grabbed the whole ball of ice. It stopped short, being linked to the stick. Baring his teeth and growling, he pulled out one of his knives threateningly. The girl only smirked, daring him on. Before she could anticipate, the blade swung out and hacked the line connecting it in half.
Supporting a huge grin of triumph, the merc brought the aborted ice planet to his mouth and took a whale of a bite.
River was shocked as she stood unbelieving.
"Hey!" she lamely shouted when she regained the ability to talk.
"Ya didn't see that coming!" Smug, Jayne leaned in to take another mouthful.
Without warning the gorram girl flung herself on him. She ended up on his side, more or less enveloping him, limbs everywhere. River was going to have her ice planet, and a bit of Jayne was not going to get in her way, dammit. Clomping down her jaws, they fell next to Jayne's and their faces met. The mercenary let go of the quickly melting ball like it was on fire, though in actuality his fingers were frigid. Horrified, Jayne whipped his head to the side to meet River, whose mouth was seeping with sugary melted ice. She gulped it down and then smiled brightly. Holding the solid man tight, she promptly landed a sticky, wet kiss on his prickly cheek.
River jumped down as quickly as she ascended. Without any shame, she said, "Thank you for showing me how to eat an ice planet," and ran off.
Stupefied, Jayne slowly replied the empty air, "Don't... Mention it."