Title: About Time

Summary: Post BDM Mal’s tired of dancing around and hiding out. Mal/Inara

Prompt: Commitment for <lj user=stagesoflove>

Author: Bashipforever

 

 

The knock sounded on her shuttle door just as she put the last pin in her hair. “Come in,” she said, turning away from the mirror and toward the expectant guest. A smile slipped across her lips when Mal stepped inside her shuttle. He was becoming more and more a fixture here.

 

He greeted her with a kiss, one hand cradling her cheek. She couldn’t help but think how Mal’s kisses were a reflection of him, rough and raw at first, growing gentle and soft as he pulled away from her.

 

“Mmmm, to what do I owe the pleasure?” she asked, grasping a handful of his shirt to keep him close.

 

“Goin nye on four or five hours since I last saw you,” he explained as he reached up and pulled pins out of her hair, wiping away the time she’d spent on her hair. He liked her mussed a little. It reminded him that she was his, something he still found impossible to believe.

 

“Mal…you’re ruining my hair,” Inara complained, one hand going to her hair.

 

“Not ruining anything, Xin gan,” he assured her. His eyes were dark with want and need when he looked at her. It was a look that never failed to make her breath hitch. “Thought I’d walk you down to the galley for dinner.”

 

“If I put my hair back up, you’re just going to make a mess of it again aren’t you?” Inara asked with a teasing twinkle in her eyes.

 

“Probably,” he confirmed as he held his arm out for her.

 

Inara gave him an annoyed look before taking his arm and allowing him to lead her down the stairs toward the galley. He stopped just outside the door, sliding his hand down her arm to entwine his fingers with hers. She hesitated, resisting for a moment.

 

“You realize if we walk in like this…everyone is going to know,” she half whispered.

 

“Think it’s ‘bout time, don’t you?” Mal said as he pulled her in for another kiss.