(no subject)

[flybywash]

When he hasn't been sleeping or reading through the enormous stack of comics Tonks left for him, Wash has been practicing. Even with the crutches, he can't get too far from the bed before his good leg starts quivering from overexertion, and each attempt's been punctuated with a long, bone-tired nap.

At least he can keep his balance now, though.

Mostly.

Currently he's glancing at the crutches over the top of Martin Miggs the Mad Muggle #12, Petrie snoozing on the pillow next to him, and debating whether or not to give it one more try today.

Comments

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe finally lifts her head to look at him, drawing in a shaky breath.

"You--you're here. An' that's enough, even if--"

She can't say it.

[flybywash]

"Shhh."

Wash cups her face in both hands and touches his forehead to hers, kissing her, thumbs tracing small lines across her cheeks.

"I'm here. I'm fine. I didn't -- they found me. Raven and Lilly found me and brought me back here." A trembling smile. "I'm okay."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

"You--"

Zoe closes her eyes and draws in another slow breath, tension flowing out of her.

"You're okay? Really?"

One hand moves toward his chest with un-Zoe-like hesitance, as if touching where the harpoon hit might somehow undo whatever was done to save him.

[flybywash]

He takes her hand and guides it the last few inches, settling it against his chest.

There's a thick knot of scar tissue there, tangible through his shirt.

There's also a steady heartbeat.

"Wasn't, for a little while. But death's kinda boring. I like it better here."

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe can't help flinching a bit at the mention of death, and the hand on his chest clenches in his shirt.

But when she looks up a moment later, there's the beginnings of a small, wondering smile.

Alive.

"Good."

[flybywash]

"Yeah."

It's only been two days, but God, it's been a long two days. He leans to kiss her again.

Hesitant, almost afraid to ask: "How's everyone else?" And another thought strikes; he pulls back, wide-eyed. "Zāogāo -- how's the ship?"

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe's smile widens a bit.

"Everyone's okay. We all got pretty tore up, inclunding Serenity, but nothin' that couldn't be mended."

Except for him, of course--or so they'd thought. Until now.

[flybywash]

He sags in relief, leaning against her as his eyes slide shut.

"Hell of a landing."

But any one you walk away from....

Wash lifts his head and just looks at Zoe for a moment.

And then he's moving to kiss her again, firmer this time.

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe returns the kiss fiercely, her hand sliding up his chest to his shoulder.

There's not that much room betwen them as is, but she moves closer, almost desperately.

She's not so much inclined to be spending a lot of time on talking, right now.

[flybywash]

A tiny part of Wash's brain is tugging on his metaphorical sleeve and reminding him that he can't even walk yet, not to mention the bit with the giant hole in his chest forty-eight hours ago -- maybe this isn't the best time to -- ?

Shut up, the rest of him snaps, and he tugs at Zoe's shirt as he deepens the kiss.

The formerly giant hole in his chest is all the more reason why.

She's here. He's alive.

It's gonna be all right.