useofaswhat | 015 ✫ Video

[Switch on, focus on Mal Reynolds. He looks tired, frustrated, and the half-smile he gives in greeting doesn't reach his eyes.]

Ain't much for goodbyes, but I ain't much for stayin' around in a hellhole ship seems designed to turn everyone on board crazy. I get enough of that back home an' at least there I got work to do.

[Warden filter]
Headin' off tonight, 'cause treatment like this don't work with POWs and it won't work for rehab. Now I know I look like a rat jumpin' ship, and maybe that's what I am. But I ain't enough of a rat to block the way.

You got any way to do it, you get yourself an' your inmate off this ship. If the Admiral lets me I'll take up to five more passengers on board Serenity and fly 'em to a world. [He figures he owes at least that much.]

[Private to Dean]
Didn't rack up any debt with anyone on board, so don't even think about offerin' to pay 'em off. You ever want a ride on a real ship, you look me up.

[Private to Chris]
You're gonna hold in there. [It's an order.]

[Private to Zev]
You... you feel up for one more walk?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

mistconduct

Shit.

...It's probably for the best, I mean. Whatever. Ship's going to hell anyway. Better some people get off than all of us die together.

From:

useofaswhat

You ain't going to die if you keep your head. Someone tries to change that, you get to 'em first.

From:

mistconduct

No, I'm pretty sure everyone here's going to die, but thanks.

Just. God, just go, get out. Seriously, I'm glad someone I like gets to go home.

From:

useofaswhat

Chris, what room're you in?

From:

mistconduct

I'm on level Go Home Already, Jackass, in room number You're Not Coming In.

From:

useofaswhat

Drop the hùnzhàng and tell me where you are. You don't want to see me? That ain't the point. I'm still gonna talk to you. [And there IS a point, Chris, and he is pointedly trying to get a chance to say something away from your warden's prying eyes.]

From:

mistconduct

..8-7.

From:

useofaswhat

[He's outside 8-7 in a matter of minutes, coat bundled tight around him and knocking at the door.] Now was that so hard?

From:

mistconduct

You know, you could have left five minutes ago, jackass.

[Chris opens the door, exasperated. It's not that he wants Mal to go - he absolutely doesn't - but he knows why he is, and he doesn't want to talk it out because it's upsetting, seeing a friend leave]

What.

From:

useofaswhat

Yeah, but then I wouldn't get to give you this.

[He sweeps aside the tail of his coat to show the pistol holstered at his hip, which he picks up and holds out to Chris, grip first. He's going, and that isn't fair. But it'd be less fair to leave a kid like Chris, young and angry and definitely confused, alone without even a way to defend himself.]

You got five bullets loaded in there and I got a box of ammo you can have. Don't shoot anyone 'less they're trying to hurt you, and don't shoot if you ain't sure you can make the shot.

From:

mistconduct

[He's stunned. It's not as if Chris hadn't been surrounded by guns all his life - he'd carried one as a 'superhero', after all - but to be offered one out of the blue as a going away present..Man. He immediately deflates the tough guy act, dropping his shoulders and looking both touched and depressed. Mal really is leaving, isn't he?]

...My warden would freak. I'm pretty sure he searches my room.

From:

useofaswhat

So don't let him find it.

[If Mal admits it to himself, the months he's spent on board after Natasha disappeared haven't been productive. He's no closer to getting his deal (Simon's deal), and the folly of the whole thing is catching up to him – even if he did graduate an inmate, the Admiral could easily refuse to help River.

The way he's acting lately, he could easily make her worse.]

You gotta know someone who won't mind if you stash it in their stuff. You need this more'n your warden needs to keep an eye on you.

Edited Date: 2013-03-28 03:36 am (UTC)

From:

mistconduct

Yeah. Yeah, I know a few places.

...I can't believe you're giving me your gun, man. Won't you need it?

From:

useofaswhat

We got more guns on Serenity than there probably are on this entire heap. It ain't the only one I got, either.

From:

mistconduct

[And reluctantly, with a heavy heart in knowing that Mal really is leaving, Chris takes the gun. He weighs it in his hand, frowning down at it. It feels good, being armed again, but at the same time he's a little terrified about being found out. Rorschach has a way of putting the fear of god into him]

[Fuck. No, no he can't hold it in any longer. His gun-holding arm drops safely to the side and with the other he suddenly hugs Mal tight, burying his face into the man's chest]

From:

useofaswhat

[That was not what he expected. He knew Chris was a kid underneath all that posturing but he didn't realize he'd be willing to admit it, even silently. Still, he wraps one arm around the boy's shoulders reassuringly, the way he'd hug Kaylee when she's feeling clingy.]

From:

mistconduct

[His family has always been very physical; hugs, kisses, hand-holding is all usual and common, but this is the first time that Chris has ever initiated or received a hug since his father died. His forehead bumps against Mal's chest and at one point his shoulders noticeably shake, but he manages to rein in the worst of it.

Damn it. At least somebody gets to go home.]

From:

useofaswhat

[If it's what Chris needs it's what he needs, and Mal isn't opposed to hugging him. He even rubs Chris's shoulder soothingly – little circles, the way his ma did when he ran to her for comfort.]

...You need a minute?

From:

mistconduct

[Shit. No. He's a grown man, he doesn't need to be crying all over Mal when he's trying to go home. Chris pulls back suddenly, a little pale but otherwise dry-eyed]

No. No, I'm fine. Sorry.

From:

useofaswhat

[No you ain't, Chris. That's plain to see.]

You sure about that?

From:

mistconduct

Yeah. Yeah, I just. It wasn't what I was expecting.

[understatement of the year]

From:

useofaswhat

No kidding.

Look – [Reaching into a pocket, he takes out a leather holster (the one he got for Christmas last year) with a small box of ammunition stuffed into it, and holds it out] I may be leavin', but I ain't givin' up any chance of checking in. Next time the Admiral opens up the lines I'll send you a wave.

So if I tune in and find out you used that on yourself, I'm never giving you anything again.

From:

mistconduct

You can do that? The Admiral just doesn't boot you off and say sayonara?

[Chris takes the holster and ammo in hand, looking it all over. It's a pretty impressive load and he's obviously awed by it]

I don't know what you've heard but I'm not suicidal, man.