Kaylee was in Simon’s bunk. It was pretty spare looking, everything neat and in its place. At first she would’ve said that it held no personality, but there were small touches that told her what he was all about. Simon had carefully pinned River’s sketches on his wall, including the ones she had drawn of Kaylee. They were his only decoration in the entire room.

“You afraid of feelin’, Simon?” Kaylee asked, touching the paper of the drawing. If Kaylee turned around, she was sure that Simon would likely have his hands in his pockets and look perplexed. It was all right; love was a plenty perplexing kind of thing.

Simon was shrugging. “No. But it’s just... My family wasn’t so demonstrative. Everything had to be proper, it had to be in its place. It had to be perfect.”

“Ain’t so such thing, you know.”

“I know,” Simon said, running a hand along Kaylee’s arm. “I’m learning it.”

She turned around and let herself be framed by Simon’s arms. “I think you’d like my Papa. I don’t remember my Mama much, she died when I was real little, and I don’t have any sisters. Papa had to raise me on his own. Easiest to watch me in the garage where he worked, and I just picked it up so quick.” Kaylee smiled and traced the curve of Simon’s jaw. “It’s not hard to be happy, if only you let yourself be.”

“So when did you get so wise?” Simon asked, dropping his head down toward hers.

“Living on the edge of the ‘verse teaches a girl a thing or two,” Kaylee replied with a grin.

Simon kissed her forehead. “Well, Miss Frye, I am very glad you will soon be Mrs. Tam. I could use a little of that kind of wisdom.” He took her earlobe between his teeth and gently tugged. His tongue flicked out, tracing the edge of her earlobe, then he moved down to her neck. She leaned into his touch. It gratified him to feel her arms around him, holding him tight. He pulled on the pins holding her bun up, and her hair came spilling down around them. Her arms tightened around his back, keeping him pressed tightly against her.

Simon was slowly backing her toward the bed. Oh good. Kaylee giggled as she fell backward onto his bed, nearly bumping her head on the wall. He had apologized to her the first time he had pushed her back, and she had only laughed. She hadn’t bumped her head, so no harm done. Real good sex was clumsy and messy and loud, not all prissy and clean. It was hard to have a good time when you were too busy worrying about cleanup afterward. Laughing with her, Simon had relaxed. And didn’t you know it, the sex that day had been messy and loud and not at all clumsy, but still really good.

“I’m thinking I’m pretty lucky to have found you,” Simon murmured, moving to kiss Kaylee on her mouth. She quickly undid his belt and pants, then moved her hand over his cock in reply, stroking gently. His breath caught, and then he kissed her fiercely. She rather liked that, making Simon lose control and be more passionate. Kaylee understood that plenty. One of his hands moved down to the junction of her thighs, and the hand around his cock tightened convulsively in response. She willed herself to relax, to keep up the slow rhythm of her motions. No use finishing things up too fast. Girls went for the long run, and boys just went bust way too quick.

Simon moved his hand up along her belly to cup a breast through her prettiest floral shirt. Kaylee didn’t tell him, but she had found his missing buttons in a corner of her bunk and saved them in her underwear drawer. She was a sentimental sap that way. He slid his hand across the front of the shirt, feeling her nipples begin to harden through the fabric. “Now, why can’t I feel any underclothes, Miss Kaywinnet?” he teased.

“Ain’t wearin’ none.” Kaylee grinned up at him shamelessly. “I thought I’d tempt you away from work for a while.”

He kissed her again, slow and languorous, his tongue sliding across her teeth. “I like how you think,” he murmured, kissing his way across her jaw.

“Mmm... I like this. I like how this feels... Why do I feel like I’d die without this?”

“Only because I do, too,” Simon murmured against her throat. Her pulse leapt up to meet his lips, and he licked the spot. He began unbuttoning her shirt, careful with each one. He knew Kaylee was squirming beneath him, impatient, but he took his time. All the little touches against her skin were driving her crazy, but they only made him smile. Then he touched her lush breasts, and her breath caught. She’d admitted once that he was too careful with her, too busy touching her everywhere else to get down to business. Simon had merely grinned and replied that he was learning her, and that he liked to learn things very thoroughly.

He liked what he knew of Kaylee, the soft sleepy scent of her when she woke from a nap, the carefree grins she flashed him when she was happy. He liked the weight of her curled on top of him after sex. He liked the way she kissed, the way she hummed when his cock was inside of her mouth, the way she would look up out of the tops of her eyes at him just before she would do something deliciously wicked with her mouth. He liked the rough feel of her hands on him, he liked the way her other skin was soft. He liked her lush curves, the way she curled in against him when she came. He liked the way she looked at him, as though he were special, as though he would always be cherished.

“Touch me everywhere,” Kaylee gasped as his fingers pinched a nipple. “I’m gettin’ all sticky.”

Laughing, Simon obliged by pushing aside the edges of her shirt and unbuttoning her pants as best as he could with one hand. “No zipper today?”

“Weren’t thinking about that, just that these are pretty.”

“You just like making me work for it.”

“That too,” Kaylee replied with a cheeky grin. Then off came her pants and panties, and Simon’s hand was between her legs. “You’re wearing too much clothes,” she added helpfully.

“Someone didn’t let me get undressed first,” Simon teased.

“Yeah, well, you fold it all up neat. This way I get you to be messy.”

Laughing, Simon pushed another finger into her wetness. Kaylee nearly leapt off of the bed with a wail. He took his other hand away from her breast and pushed off his own clothing. “I can’t wait,” he murmured.

“Then don’t.”

He removed his fingers and thrust into her, hard and swift. Simon lowered himself down to his forearms, altering the angle of penetration. Kaylee’s breath caught. He was hitting a pretty sweet spot, and it was all she could do to move along with him. She wrapped her legs around his waist, hooking her ankles together. Kaylee made little humming noises in the back of her throat, her back arching up. She could tell by Simon’s grunts that he was close, getting closer. His eyes scrunched up tight, and Kaylee would never say so, but he looked awful silly like that. But then, sex faces were always funny looking.

It was over much too quick for her liking, but there was always later today. She kissed him brightly, taking in his dazed look. Her shuai boy was just wonderful, more generous than she’d ever thought she’d find in the black. “You look pretty tuckered out.”

“I feel it, too. Good thing there’s no emergencies today.”

“We’ll be by Haven tomorrow to pick up Shepherd Book, then we’re off to Inara’s latest Training House. It’s awful nice of her to let us have a wedding there.”

He smiled at her, playing with a loose lock of hair. “They’re our friends. They should be there.”

Kaylee hadn’t told him so, but even Papa Frye and her three brothers were on their way to the wedding. She didn’t want to scare him yet.

“It’s gonna be real lovely.” Kaylee leaned into his touch at her cheek and smiled happily.

“Shepherd!”

Shepherd Book turned around at the sound of Kaylee’s exuberant voice and grinned. She gave him a tight hug, and there were the other Serenity crew members right behind her. “I see you’re doing well, Kaylee.” He took her arm and they walked back to the others. “How has everything been since I left?”

“Oh, so much to tell you. Not all good, but not all bad.”

“That sounds like the Kaylee I know,” Book replied with a smile. He kept the smile on his face for the others. “Captain. It sounds like I’ve missed a few tales.”

“We can all share ‘em before we go, make it a nice visit all around,” Mal said with a nod. He had his serious face on, but Book was used to it.

He noticed River Tam already running after the children at Haven, caught up in a game of tag with them. “Why don’t the rest of us just head on into the main hall of the Abbey? It should be a bit more quiet there.”

Book watched as Simon took Kaylee’s arm, and let her go off with him. That was proper, and he couldn’t help but see the love in each other’s gazes. He turned to Wash, who was trailing behind Zoe and Mal. “Nobody minding the ship?”

“I dunno, Shepherd, seems like she’s cleaner’n usual. And we got a more fuel-efficient gas for her, so less smoke for the village. Not much to mind.”

Book shook his head and laughed. “I’ve actually missed being aboard.”

“Always nice to have someone else get my jokes,” Wash said with a nod. He gestured toward Jayne. “Though the man-ape thing makes a great target.”

Laughing, they entered the Abbey. It was mostly empty, since there were many chores that needed to be done during the day. They had the entire main hall to themselves. The crew all pitched in to tell stories of some pretty close calls. Simon was carefully quiet during the story of Kaylee’s abduction, and said very little about why she was taken. He did perk up when Kaylee laughed and showed off her engagement ring. “We’d appreciate it if you could marry us,” he said, and Book nodded in reply. “It means a lot to us.”

“I’d be honored,” Book replied honestly. “I was always hoping you two would get together.”

Kaylee laughed as Simon flushed. Some things just never changed.

They didn’t see past the dancing or the playing. The night sky fell, the stars came out, tales were told ‘round the fireside. River danced away, skipping hard past the sharp thoughts skating beneath the surfaces. She needed the quiet and silence that was not complete silence but less than the shouts of a crowd. Out past the firelight was something less; it was nothing but blackness, swirling endless spots flickering and flying and shining brightly in the back of her eyes. It wasn’t right, being left behind this way, though she knew they couldn’t help it and didn’t mean it. Hurt, hurt, a sharp kind of ache and loss. She couldn’t close her mind enough to keep from drowning in deep darkness, in the clouds of confusion threatening to rise. It was difficult, but River could tumble into the wild, into the forest that existed only in her mind. Flip past it, skating into the dark and lonely. She couldn’t be the only one, but knew she was.

Except... leather and death. Sharp objects, dull mind.

Maybe there was a way out.

After the holiday in Haven, Serenity flew toward Inara’s latest locale. She had visited several different Training Houses, finally settling on one that was just past most peoples’ comfort zones. It was a bit of a journey from the Core, but they were desperately in need of a good Companion to teach the novices and serve as an example.

The crew was welcomed with open arms, and Kaylee gave Inara a squeeze and a squeal of delight. “I missed you! Lookit! All pretty and glamorous.”

Inara smiled at Kaylee fondly. “I’m so happy for you, Kaylee. I made all the arrangements for the wedding, and there’s surprises for everyone.”

“I’m sure there are,” Mal said, not meaning anything nasty by it. He realized after the fact just how petty his comment sounded.

Inara looked up, face freezing. “Mal. I see you’re the same.”

He nodded. “Not much else to be.”

“True enough,” Inara replied stiffly. She turned back to Kaylee’s grinning face. “Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. We’d better get started.”

“Tomorrow?” Simon choked. “I didn’t... I thought...”

“It’s all right, son,” Book said gently. “Everything will be taken care of.” He smiled fondly in the face of Simon’s panic. “Why don’t we all get a good start on it?”

“River...” Simon began, looking around for his sister.

“There are some novices that can show her around the visitor’s areas,” Inara said briskly. “They’ll know to keep her away from the more sensitive areas.”

Simon was whisked off by the men he had slowly begun to think of as family, and watched as Inara swept all of the women away. River seemed so sad, he thought, holding up a hand in farewell to him. He would have to find her later, see what the problem was.

And then he was swept up in the planning.

It wasn’t her. Kaylee looked in the mirror carefully, turning her head in either direction. The dress was red and gold, the traditional wedding colors, and the dress was tight enough to seem like a second skin. The Mandarin collar was closed with a gold frog button, and tiny hidden buttons kept the rest of the dress together. The side slits went up past her knees, and Kaylee felt awful naked in it. Inara had brushed out her hair and done her makeup, but this time it was different from when they spent time in the shuttle. This wasn’t play, this wasn’t a game of sorts. Kaylee looked... breathtaking, some pretty creature she didn’t think she could be. The headdress was put on, gold with her hair curled around it. Gold drop earrings and red slippers with gold embroidery completed the outfit.

“I don’t look like me,” Kaylee whispered to the mirror.

When Inara had offered up the Training House for the wedding, Kaylee had just been thinking that Inara would be there for the ceremony. She hadn’t thought about being gussied up and prettified, hadn’t thought she would wind up looking as pretty as a Companion. But here she was, and it was frightening and nerve wracking and wonderful at the same time. Aiya, how did she never know she could look like this?

“I’m pretty,” Kaylee murmured.

Inara smiled at her fondly. “Of course you are. You always were.”

River was sitting in the corner, bare feet splayed out in front of her. She had been outfitted in a burgundy dress, her hair pinned up with jeweled barrettes from Inara’s collection. There were matching slippers in River’s hands, and she was frowning at them. She had wanted a Mandarin dress like Kaylee’s, but had liked the burgundy silk well enough. Zoe was perched on a chair next to Kaylee, dressed in a slinky dark green satin dress. She was smiling at Kaylee. “Simon will love it. You never forget your wedding day.”

“How was yours, Zoe?” Kaylee asked nervously. She turned away from the mirror and looked at Zoe with wide eyes. “Was it good?”

“I wore a white and black striped dress. It was my one and only dress,” Zoe laughed and shook her head at the memory. “It was a horrible day, raining and turning this dustbowl town into a muddy mess. I thought everything was ruined.”

“Oh no...” Kaylee breathed.

“But it was wonderful,” Zoe corrected, shaking her head. “Didn’t matter what it was like outside at all. Once we got inside the church, and the preacher started talkin’, nothing else mattered. I had Wash, and that was all I needed.” Zoe smiled at Kaylee. “All you need to do is look at Simon when you start walking. That’s what you got to stay focused on. After the pretty stuff is gone, it’s the two of you from here on in.”

Kaylee nodded gratefully, brand new curls wobbling. “I will.”

“It’s okay to be nervous,” Inara said, tucking a curl behind Kaylee’s ears. “But this isn’t a show. It’s you and Simon vowing to spend the rest of your lives together.”

“He ain’t nothing but a man, too,” Zoe said helpfully. “He’ll be stupid and forgetful, he’ll say silly things and not know how to do lots of things you can. But he’ll do whatever he can to make you happy, and he’ll try. That’s a world of difference.”

Kaylee grinned at Zoe. “It is, isn’t it?” She grinned at her reflection in the mirror. “I think I’m ready now.”

At the same time, Simon was getting dressed in the traditional marriage suit. Mal, Jayne and Book were with him. Jayne was sneering at the outfit, at the silver embroidery on blue silk brocade, stating it was a girl’s dress. “Don’t start it,” Mal growled at him. “Ain’t nothing to mock here.”

Simon looked at the other men. “I’ll be all right. It’s Kaylee. No need to be nervous.”

“Son, it’s going to be all right,” Book began. “The Lord has been kind and allowed the two of you to find each other.”

Simon nodded and watched Book leave to go to the ceremony site. “Captain, are you going to go down soon, too?”

“Well, sure. You going to be all right? You look a little green in the gills.”

“I think I’m more nervous now than before my first surgery.”

“Then think of it as surgery,” Mal suggested with a rakish grin. “Your job is to cut through the go se and frippery until you get to the important part.”

“That doesn’t help,” Simon muttered. “But I’ll be fine.”

“Good. ‘Cause I don’t got much else to say. Now there’s a wedding downstairs, and you’re about to get hitched up good. Let’s not keep the womenfolk waiting.”

Later, Simon and Kaylee couldn’t remember everything. He was waiting for her near Book, with Mal at his side as best man. He had been surprised about that, but Mal had simply said there was a last minute switch. Simon remembered having the breath knocked out of him at the sight of Kaylee walking down the aisle. He saw the resemblance to her father right away, and held his breath as Papa Frye brought Kaylee to him. “You look fancy,” Papa Frye had said, eyeing Simon warily. “But hurt my girl and I got lots of guns to end you with.”

“Yessir,” Simon had replied dutifully. He watched as Kaylee kissed her father’s cheek and then held out her arm to Simon. He took it gently, and they turned toward Book. He remembered saying the appropriate words at the appropriate times, then sliding a plain gold band onto Kaylee’s finger. Book had kindly gotten them rings, and had refused to be repaid. His gift to them, he had said.

River held a bouquet of orchids and watched the wedding kiss with solemn eyes. Book had said that Simon was a good man to take in Kaylee’s child as his own, that they would be a good family together. She stood at Kaylee’s side and let everyone call her mei mei, she watched them be shocked when Inara told them there was a cottage next to the lake near the Training House that they could stay in for a week. Her gift to them, everything taken care of.

After the happy couple disappeared into their honeymoon, everyone else piled into the Training House to finish off the remnants of the banquet Inara had arranged for. River sat down next to Wash and Zoe, Book on her other side. Mal, Jayne and Inara were sitting on the other side of the table. Almost like old times, sitting around the kitchen table on Serenity. But River could feel the differences prickle, something haunting the back of her mind. She ducked away from the table for a moment and found a small throw pillow on one of the couches in the next room. She slid it under her dress and crept back to sit at the table. No one seemed to notice her changed body; she would have to announce it.

At a lull in the conversation, River looked up at everyone with a large smile on her face. “I have a secret to tell,” she announced proudly. “I’m pregnant, too.”

Stunned silence met her announcement. “What?” Mal finally sputtered. “With who?”

“I have to get married to Jayne now.”

Instead of the happy congratulations Kaylee had received, chaos erupted.

Jayne’s eyes goggled as he choked on his beer. Mal stood and angrily spat “Chùsheng xai-jiao de xiang huo! She’s still a little girl!”

Book was immediately up and out of his seat, talking about a special hell in store for Jayne. Inara had her hands over her mouth and looked at Jayne reproachfully.

“I ain’t touched her, she’s too skinny and little and crazy!” Jayne screeched. The others weren’t listening, and he was swearing in very creative Chinese as Mal shoved him.

“Second we break atmo, you’re out the airlock!” Mal yelled, face turning red. “I trusted you not to do nothing else!”

“You liu kuoshui de biaozi he houzi de ben erzi! I didn’t do nothing!” Jayne yelled. He pointed at River. “She’s crazy! Shingjingbing!”

Wash and Zoe were painfully still. Confused, River touched Wash on the shoulder, eyes beginning to water. “But we can be a family. It can be good. I’ll be good. Babies are good things. Why are they angry?”

Mal was shoving Jayne in response, and Jayne shoved him right back. “Gôu pì!” Mal yelled. “You’re a dirty sumbitch!”

Something tickled the back of Zoe’s mind, and she tuned out the shouting and protesting not five feet from her. “River, did he really touch you, or are you just tellin’ tales?”

She burst into tears, and Wash put an arm around her. Zoe hushed everyone, and the noise abruptly died. “I just wanted to be happy like them, I just wanted to be a family. I promise I’ll be good, I promise. I promise I’ll stop being bad, I’ll stop being lonely. I promise, I promise. But I want to be happy too, I wanted to not be alone anymore.”

“There’s no baby, is there?” Wash asked gently. River shook her head, burying her face in the crook of his arm. “But you’re not alone, River. You’ve got us.”

River shook her head and pulled back from Wash. “Simon has Kaylee. You have Zoe. Book has God. Captain has Inara. Jayne is alone, and I’m alone. Why can’t we be alone together? Then we won’t be alone anymore,” River sobbed. She wiped at her eyes hastily. “I don’t like the noise but I don’t like the silence either.”

“See? I tole ya I never touched her,” Jayne spat at Mal, shaking the other man off. “She’s just a feng le troublemaker.”

“Shut your mouth and sit down,” Zoe hissed. Jayne blinked, but did just that.

River looked at everyone with big wet eyes. “I didn’t want trouble. I was just lonely.”

Everyone seemed to settle down and sit at the table again. Mal and Inara were carefully not touching and not looking at each other.

“Well now,” Book began. Jayne glared at him, and Book settled his eyes uncomfortably somewhere else. “This is...”

“I just wanted a family. I thought Jayne did, too,” River pleaded. She looked at Jayne sadly. “Didn’t you?”

“I ain’t gonna sit here no more,” Jayne growled into the ensuing silence. “This is gôu pì.”

“I’m sorry,” River sobbed as Jayne stalked out of the room. “I’m sorry.”

Wash gave River a gentle hug. “You don’t have to be lonely, little River. We’re here for you.”

“Not the same. There’s still so much alone time.”

There was really nothing to say in response.

River found him later, looking out over the lake near the Training House. She was still in the burgundy dress and slippers, though she had taken the pillow out. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly, standing just outside arm’s reach. “I thought it was a good idea.”

“Well, it ain’t,” Jayne growled, not looking at her.

“I thought we could make a new family, and not have to be so lonely.”

Jayne watched River look at her fingers, twisting them in each other. He didn’t say anything for a moment, the began to patiently explain it to her. He wasn’t used to explaining anything, but this little feng le girl didn’t take to sense very well. “I ain’t lonesome. I got my guns and my girls and I’m just fine.”

“I’m not a good sister,” River said sadly, looking out over the water. She moved to stand beside the balcony’s railing.

Jayne looked over at River. Everything seemed to hang on her just a little bit off. “I had a sister once,” he said slowly. She looked at him, eyes large and shining, reflecting the dim starlight above them. “Married a feng le houdan man we tole her not to. Killt her while I was gone.” He almost reached out to touch her arm in half comfort, but stopped himself. That would be a very bad idea, and even he could see that. “But that don’t make her bad, see? Mistakes don’t make ‘em bad sisters.”

“You’re not a bad man,” River whispered.

“Sure I am, baddest in the ‘verse,” Jayne said proudly. “It’s why I’m on the boat, gotta help haul in loads and shoot who needs shootin’.”

“Is it that bad to think of me?” River asked. She was still refusing to look at him, and he frowned at her. “Am I bad?”

“You’re crazy. That’s different.” Jayne seemed almost uncomfortable, and took a half step back, away from her. He glanced over his shoulder at the Training House. “You go talk with them, okay? They’ll set you straight.”

“They have somebody.”

“I ain’t meant for nobody, dong ma? So no more crazy ideas.”

“I was hoping for truth made flesh,” River whispered. She was looking down at the stones, at the railing, at the water. Anywhere but at him, and that was just fine by Jayne. He didn’t want to look into those eyes and feel as if he was kicking a sick cat. “I wanted to see the lines straighten and the curves stop. But it’s not happening for me. I wanted the stars to stop spinning and coming into my head.”

“Don’t think I’m any kind of truth,” Jayne warned. “Just ask the rest o’ them.”

“Then who? Who can be my truth?”

“Don’t know. Man’s not me, though.”

River watched Jayne head back inside the Training House. She turned back to face the lakeside, and rested her arms on the balcony railing. Not so much to vault over it, twist into the darkness and take off running. Not so much to break it, to send stone dust dripping in a fountain from her hands. Not so much to cry, let a heart break to pieces.

Easier to fall, let the stones meet her shins. Easier to let her hair fall, cover her face. Easier to twist the pain and drop it, swallow down the pins of it. Easier to forget, say it was a crazy spell, say it wasn’t truth. Easier to pretend it away.

River tilted her head up to look at the stars. Each one seemed so very far away.

For Simon, it was like unwrapping a present. The red and gold dress was a delicious little wrapper, rather like a li xi envelope at New Year’s. He unbuttoned the top buttons of the Mandarin dress, then knelt down in front of her and looked up. Kaylee was grinning, hands out, waiting and wanting but ready to let him take his time and play a little. The adoring gaze was sweet, always fun. He traced the edge of her leg, skirting past the hem of the dress. He could feel the stockings and then her skin beneath his fingertips. It was a tease of what the rest of the night would be. He could already imagine what she would feel like, the weight of her breasts lying in his palm or the feel of her flush against him. “You’re so pretty,” Simon murmured, leaning against the side of her knee.

Forget this. He could worship her later. Kaylee scrambled down next to him, until they were eye level. “Simon, it ain’t never good to keep a girl waiting.”

He grinned at her. “It is if you make her come seven times first.”

Good lord, he had counted. Oh, but of course he did; he was Simon, after all, and it made sense that he’d count something like that. Kaylee laughed, and pushed him onto his back. She plucked at the buttons on his suit, moving aside the brocade. She would have to thank Inara later. For the moment, it was just in her way.

Once the fancy fabric was gone, Simon lay naked in front of her. Mmm. Nice. He’d been working out lately. Kaylee grinned at him, and then bent her head down over his bare body. She ran her tongue along the length of his cock, tasting the precome. She ran her lips around the ridges beneath the edge of the head, then the slit at its very tip. Simon couldn’t do much more than make an incoherent moan. Mmm... That was very interesting. Kaylee liked the sound of that, actually. Smiling at his cock, she took him into her mouth and began to bob up and down. His cock slid along her tongue, then into her cheeks, then in the hollow beneath her tongue. Simon was groaning, his hands tightening in her hair. At last, loss of control!

“Uh... I’m.... I’m gonna come... I’m gonna....”

Kaylee immediately stopped and leaned back. The top of her dress gaped open, exposing the smooth curve of skin where it sloped into breast. Simon gulped and closed his eyes tight. He reached out for her blindly and touched her knee. He shifted so that he could run his hand along her thigh, pushing the dress out of the way.

“Nuh uh, Simon. I get to torture you, too. We’re equal.”

“But I like doing that to you,” Simon protested weakly.

Kaylee leaned up on her knees and shimmied out of the top of the dress. It puddled around her, softly rustling. Simon opened his eyes and gaped at the sight of her. It never ceased to amaze him that she was with him, that she would smile at him, that she would want him. Somehow he had never quite gotten around the idea that he was only good at medicine.

“I like it when you look at me like that,” Kaylee whispered. “I like it a lot.”

“Like I love you? I’m always going to look at you like that, then.”

“Good answer!” Kaylee squeaked happily. She went down again, licking the tip of his cock with a swirling motion. He groaned in reply, and Kaylee sat back on her haunches again. “Hm... you think I’m doing that right?” she teased.

“God, yes,” Simon moaned. He tugged on the fabric at her knees and Kaylee obligingly stood up to step out of it. She plopped back down in place, kneeling by his side. “Kaylee...”

She twisted to lean on her elbows and take him into her mouth. She felt his hand reach up to touch her, tracing his way up her thigh. She smiled around his cock and gave it an experimental suck. Simon sucked in a breath, then reached around her leg to feel his way to her clit. His effort was greeted with a soft mewl. Kaylee lifted her head and pressed her face against his stomach, her breath unsteady. “Not fair.”

“Only fair to play with you, too,” Simon said with a grin.

Kaylee made a growling noise in reply, then blew a raspberry on his belly. Laughing, Kaylee leaned against his sprawled body. “We’re gonna have lots of fun.”

She kissed her way along his ribs and belly, occasionally licking at his rising erection. She nibbled at the skin of his thighs, and Simon forgot how to breathe as one of her hands stroked him. “Oh yeah, definitely,” Simon breathed.

“I do think I made you forget words.”

“S’okay. Don’t need ‘em.”

Kaylee giggled, then turned her attention back to his cock. She had to say, she didn’t think they were that pretty. But then, they didn’t have to be. Boys were angles and planes and knobby bits of bone. Girls were the ones that were curvy or pretty. Cocks were full of fun, though, and she didn’t even mind swallowing.

When she did, she curled up around Simon. She could hear his belly gurgle a bit under her ear, and she giggled a little. It was all so very, very silly. Bodies were silly things, full of gas and slime and mucky bits, hiding all the fun things you could do with them.

And then Simon’s hand found that secret spot between her legs, and thinking was a chore Kaylee didn’t feel like doing anymore.

Good thing was, she didn’t have to.