![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
There is No Such Place by sophie (R)
Fandom: FIREFLY
Pairing: Mal/Inara, Simon/Kaylee
Length: 2,704 words
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
flash_indie
Author Website: her DeviantArt account
Why this must be read: Post-BDM, Mal and Inara start changing the steps of their dance---but not completely. I like that Mal and Inara's relationship is not a simple thing here. Realistically, I don't think it should be easy between them, not with all their issues and sharp tongues, and I can't imagine buying into a story in which everything between them ran to sweetness and light from the very beginning. I find the sometimes awkward and often uncertain way they fit together here to be more satisfyingly plausible. I also like the way sophie deals with Inara's place on Serenity, and her relationships with and observations of the crew. On top of that, the characterizations are all nice and sharp, the style is subtle and more powerful for that restraint, and the dialogue---especially River's insightful and strangely lovely contributions---is strong.
Mal is not a client.
Inara’s clients touch her like she’s breakable, like she’s some old religious idol for them to worship, make love to. Like being with her means counting blessings and waiting for miracles. The water on the tabletop will turn to wine and Inara will start bleeding from the palms of her hands, until it pools between them, stains their bodies. Like they’ve touched something worthwhile.
Inara is a religious experience.
Mal is not a client. Mal has no grand delusions and he fucks her like she’s a woman, like she’s his, but only for now, only whilst he’s able to work his way inside of her, until she’s done gasping and he’s finished fuckingkissingtouchingwanting. Afterwards, Inara doesn’t ask what he’d like for breakfast, and Mal doesn’t ask her to stay.
They don’t belong to each other.
There is No Such Place
Pairing: Mal/Inara, Simon/Kaylee
Length: 2,704 words
Author on LJ:
flash_indieAuthor Website: her DeviantArt account
Why this must be read: Post-BDM, Mal and Inara start changing the steps of their dance---but not completely. I like that Mal and Inara's relationship is not a simple thing here. Realistically, I don't think it should be easy between them, not with all their issues and sharp tongues, and I can't imagine buying into a story in which everything between them ran to sweetness and light from the very beginning. I find the sometimes awkward and often uncertain way they fit together here to be more satisfyingly plausible. I also like the way sophie deals with Inara's place on Serenity, and her relationships with and observations of the crew. On top of that, the characterizations are all nice and sharp, the style is subtle and more powerful for that restraint, and the dialogue---especially River's insightful and strangely lovely contributions---is strong.
Mal is not a client.
Inara’s clients touch her like she’s breakable, like she’s some old religious idol for them to worship, make love to. Like being with her means counting blessings and waiting for miracles. The water on the tabletop will turn to wine and Inara will start bleeding from the palms of her hands, until it pools between them, stains their bodies. Like they’ve touched something worthwhile.
Inara is a religious experience.
Mal is not a client. Mal has no grand delusions and he fucks her like she’s a woman, like she’s his, but only for now, only whilst he’s able to work his way inside of her, until she’s done gasping and he’s finished fuckingkissingtouchingwanting. Afterwards, Inara doesn’t ask what he’d like for breakfast, and Mal doesn’t ask her to stay.
They don’t belong to each other.
There is No Such Place