(no subject)

[simon_doctor]

It's late.

Simon's heading into the kitchen, to rinse out a mug; it's not his turn to do dishes tonight, but since he left this one in his room this morning, he's decided it wouldn't be fair to leave it for someone else.

Comments

[badinlatin]

"I have a good memory."

Not that Simon didn't already know that.

Or that Simon leaves him more or less alone on August 1st.

[simon_doctor]

It's as close as they've come to actually articulating the reason for the day off; for this particular day off.

Simon drops his gaze after a moment.

"I was going to make tea," he says. "Did you want any?"

[badinlatin]

"Sure. Lemme finish up."

He did indeed wash that chopstick before placing it with the other dishes; they can get towel-dried later.




Later, after Mal's positively polluted any semblance of tea in his own mug: "I debated asking what you both would do."

[simon_doctor]

Simon looks up from stirring honey into his own tea.

"With today, you mean."

[badinlatin]

"Shi a."

Of course, he didn't. And hasn't.

Except for how he just did.

[simon_doctor]

"I appreciate your discretion."

Which may mean he's not about to answer the unasked question, but is also sincerely meant.

[badinlatin]

"Is that something that's surprising?"

[simon_doctor]

He swallows the sip of tea he's just taken, and idly continues stirring, more for something to do with his hands than anything else.

"Not really."

A beat. "Is that surprising?"

[badinlatin]

More tic than smile.

"No."

Thank God.

[simon_doctor]

Simon takes a long breath, and lets it out slowly.

"I think we're okay," he says to his tea, very quietly.

[badinlatin]

"Good."

Don't matter if it's Simon, Kaylee, Simon and Kaylee, or Simon and Kaylee and the whole rutting crew.

Mal exhales strongly, like there's something to add but the time isn't right for it.

"Gettin' a little late," he throws out eventually.

[simon_doctor]

"Yes," he agrees. "I'm probably going to turn in once I've finished this."

[badinlatin]

"Same here, if I can get Inara to put down that damn novel she's been readin' lately. Even when she's reading in the cockpit, the light keeps me up."

It's prattle.
Y'ain't weak, I'll give you that.
But it is so much easier than other things that he doesn't think Simon will mind.

("...I was lookin' forward to playing uncle.")

[simon_doctor]

He doesn't mind. In a way it's obscurely comforting.

"I'll take care of the washing-up," he offers.

[badinlatin]

"Works for me."

That's the best part about being gracious enough to do the dirty work.

If you're lucky, someone helps you out in the end.