Title: Bother
Author: Fyre Melody
Rating: K+
Genre: Romance
Feedback: I would love feedback!
Spoilers: Entire show and movie
Summary: Post-Serenity. Jayne couldn't be bothered to do a lot of things. Hints at an early JayneRiver.
Notes: Part two of my "ABC Series," which needs a better name and starts with "Affection." Please note that there is no continuity between the shorts. Thank you!
Bothered
Jayne Cobb could not be bothered to do many things.
He could not be bothered to hold his tongue in sensitive moments or on sensitive subjects. He could not be bothered to refrain from sharing what was on his mind no matter how offensive, because he was the sort to say what he felt. It was rare that his brain was connected to his mouth, as the words that came out were crude at best, because he was not the sort to learn tact. Jayne Cobb was a simple man: he spoke what he thought and never kept secrets from anyone. But he could not be bothered with charm.
He could not be bothered to cheer up a sorrowful crewmember. He could not be bothered to smile or joke in a way that was meant to help, not hurt. His jokes were, usually, only jokes to him an a nusance to others, which is one reason he missed the Shepherd so much -- a man of god he may have been, but he had known how to laugh. Jayne liked a bawdy song or story as much as the next guy, his raucous laughter often filling the bar. But that humor was never put forth when Kaylee was sad to see her smile, or when Mal was in one of his funks. He could not be bothered with empathy.
He could not be bothered with offering to help anyone else, even with those heavy engine pieces Kaylee lugged around. Jayne Cobb worked for himself (or the highest bidder), and the concept of volunteering was entirely foreign to him. If Mal ordered him, and he had nothing better to do, sure he would pitch in. But nothing short of a miracle would lead him to actually think of anyone else long enough to offer his services. He could not be bothered with anything other than himself, usually.
And yet, more and more often since Miranda, Jayne found he could not be bothered to look away when River laughed or smiled or danced or simply walked into the room. Because she had saved them, because she has survived, and because Jayne found he couldn't bother to wonder what life would be like without her.