Title: When Hands Meet
By: Bridget McKennitt
Pairing: Kaylee/Inara
Rating: G
Word Count: 521
Summary: Inara's hands were so much more in Kaylee's eyes.
Prompt: Firefly, Kaylee/Inara, hands
Contains: No warnings in as far I know that can't be extrapolated from the header itself.
Disclaimer: Firefly is owned by other companies. They are used here without permission, and for entertainment purposes only. No challenge or infringement upon the copyright is intended, nor should any be inferred.
Kaylee loved Inara's hands. Her own hands were greasy and calloused from working on Serenity's engine constantly. Inara's hands, however, were completely different from hers. Inara's hands were soft and smooth, the undeniable truth that Inara hailed from a different life.
Kaylee loved watching Inara at work, smoothing away the worries and troubles from her guests, both with her words and her touch. Sometimes she thought it was a lot more fun than keeping Serenity running (though Kaylee would never admit that out loud and hurt Serenity's feelings). Sometimes she just wanted to dress up and feel pretty.
Inara was pretty.
Kaylee wiped her hands clean of grease and tossed the rag aside as she stepped into the food quarter. Inara was already there, pouring tea into a cup. She looked up and smiled at Kaylee, her hair and makeup done elegantly though they were traveling through space and nowhere near a planet.
"Hello, Kaylee. Would you like some tea?"
"Sure!" Kaylee pulled out a chair and sat down as Inara placed a cup in front of her. She held the cup close as Inara sat across from her. "Thank you."
"A pleasure." She pressed the rim of her cup against her lower lip. "I hope Mal has not been working you too hard with the repairs to Serenity."
"No, not really. It's not hard work at all. I love Serenity." Kaylee rested her arm on the table and leaned forward. "What about you though? We haven't been near a good planet in ages for you to line up work."
"Mm, well, I can handle that. Just because a door seems closed does not mean there isn't an opened window nearby." Inara sipped her tea before putting down her cup. "Frankly, I am not in the right state of mind to entertain anyone." She chuckled lightly. "Though I suspect the same can be said of most people in the Verse right now, after knowing about the origins of Reavers."
The mention of the Reavers and, indirectly, the consequences of the battle that took place quieted both ladies. The loss of their friends still hurt after all this time.
Finally, Inara reached across the table and placed her hand over Kaylee's. "Perhaps you would like to join me in my ship for tonight? I could use the companionship and I think you could as well."
"Shiny!" Kaylee flushed at her quick reaction. Inara laughed and pulled Kaylee's hand to her lips, kissing it.
"I'm pleased you're so excited. It would be good for the both of us, to get a little closer."
Kaylee imagined Inara's hands brushing her hair until it was knot free with her wooden brush carved with fancy designs. She imagined Inara's hands, covered in oil, rubbing her aching muscles until her skin glistened. She imagined Inara embracing her, holding her close as Kaylee fell asleep to the smell of incense and the sounds of Inara deep breathing.
"I agree." Kaylee flashed Inara a shy smile before ducking her head to stare into her tea cup. Space got awfully lonely, but at least Inara was there to comfort her.
