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[chainlightning]

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[aintwejust]

I don't talk 'bout it much.

[ Ever. He doesn't talk about it ever, not with the Crew on Serenity, not with much of anyone that could look at him and the spear and go 'what the fuck did you do to survive that shit' because he still doesn't quite know.

Putting it together is too damn big for him so he just. Doesn't. Focuses instead on Merrill, on catching her hand in his to squeeze. It feels so damn small and fragile against his calloused palm but he's seen her throw lightening and roots and fire. She don't break easy. ]

And over a dozen little shits.

[chainlightning]

[ Sometimes you just survive, somehow. Merrill doesn't really know how she's survived everything, either. She does, however, know that Mal's hand is warm and steady around hers, and she squeezes back. ]

Named things like "Potato" and "Burp".

[ It makes "Barkley" look like a good name, in comparison. ]

I always wanted to see a baby griffon. I don't know if I ever thought it would actually happen, but I definitely didn't think I'd see that many and end up rescuing them.

[aintwejust]

And Butterball.

[ He rubs his thumb over her knuckles, glad to have wrung out a small smile. Sadness don't rightly suit her. Not at all. ]

See? You're a big damn hero's what you are. They're gonna sing songs and tell tales of you. Merrill, the Savior of Griffons. Slayer of Foes, Righter of Wrongs.

[chainlightning]

[ This time it's a little laugh, her head ducking. ]

They'll have to sing about us fighting that dragon, too. And Jayne trying to herd the hatchlings.

[aintwejust]

[ Mal hooks a foot around a nearbye stool to have a seat, setting aside both Chili and dignity while he taps out a little rhythm on his knee. Soon enough he's singing, soft and smirking. ]

Stand back everyone, nothing here to see
Just imminent danger, in the middle of it, she
Yes, Savior Merril's here, hair blowing in the breeze
And the day needs her saving expertise
An elf's gotta do what an elf’s gotta do
Seems destiny ends with her saving you
The only doom that’s looming is you loving her to death
So she’ll give you a sec to catch your breath

[chainlightning]

[ She's never going to stop blushing again. She's absolutely sure of it, delighted as she is by the song and his hand holding hers. ]

You know- I'm sure there have been songs about Hawke before, but not me.

[aintwejust]

That's cuz no one saw how awesome you were till me. Don't worry, I'll come up with a coupla more verses. Start sing'n it in the tavern.

[ He won't, but it's worth it for the blushing. ]

[chainlightning]

[ The blushing, for the record, is even harder now. ]

As long as you include the part about the dragon and Jayne's griffon chicks. And maybe about the fact that you clearly have amazing eyesight.

[aintwejust]

Don't gotta have good eyesight t'see what an amaz'n woman you are, Miss Merrill.

[ Not even a little. ]

[chainlightning]

Oh- [ a little fluster, paired with a wave from the hand that doesn't have his in it. ]

You are far too sweet, Mal.

[aintwejust]

Don't tell nobody. I got a reputation as a curmudgeon to uphold.

[chainlightning]

I hate to say it, but I think that reputation has already fallen apart.

[aintwejust]

How can you be so sure?

[ Brows lifted, lips quirked in a smirk around another bite of the fulsome, spicy chili, he is the picture of amused innocence.

Well. Kinda innocence. ]

[chainlightning]

Everyone on the trip did see you let me ride Sasha in the Anderfels, for starters.

[ Innocent =/= curmudgeon, Mal. ]

[aintwejust]

That was just polite. Can't make someone walk all the damn way up a mountain.

[chainlightning]

Are curmudgeons polite, now?

[aintwejust]

To pretty girls, sure!

[chainlightning]

That doesn't sound very curmugeonly to me.

[aintwejust]

Well it is. Kinda.



Sorta.


Eat your chili.