jedibuttercup: (serenity)
[personal profile] jedibuttercup
PG; gen; B:tVS/Firefly; 500 words. Tag for Mr. Pointy. Also for August 21 & a TTHFFA prompt.

Inara Serra made a long-buried part of Buffy Summers want to babble sisterly compliments and play dress-up in the woman's wardrobe.



Title: Sometimes It's The Simple Things
Author: Jedi Buttercup
Disclaimer: The words are mine; the worlds are not.
Rating: PG-ish
Spoilers: Post-series for B:tVS; Firefly
Summary: Inara Serra made a long-buried part of Buffy Summers want to babble sisterly compliments and play dress-up in the woman's wardrobe. 500 words.

Notes: Tag for one of my oldest Firefly crossovers, Mr. Pointy, for nostalgia's sake; also for a TTHFFA entry.



There was no mistake about it: Inara Serra was an elegant woman. Sitting at the ship's dining table in all her Companion glory-- artfully updone hair, patterned silk dress, matching jewelry, and makeup so well applied it almost wasn't noticeable-- and sipping from a dainty little teacup, she made a long-buried part of Buffy Summers want to babble sisterly compliments and play dress-up in the woman's wardrobe. It had been ages since she'd been able to indulge her inner Valley Girl.

The delicately up-arched brows and air of slightly disappointed reassessment chilling the room made that pretty much a non-starter, though. Shame. Buffy had chosen to take transport on Serenity partly because of Ms. Serra; knowing that a Companion lived aboard said positive things about the ability of the rest of the crew to take a woman seriously. She'd had it up to there with being patronized since she'd stumbled into their 'verse-- first from starchy uniformed types who found her fascinating and then from grubby Wild Westy guys when she finally managed to escape the Core.

"Is it the hair?" she asked, adopting an innocent expression as she lifted a hand to touch her dirty-blonde locks. "It's the hair, isn't it. I haven't had a chance to touch it up in months. And my clothes, too." Buffy made a mournful moue, looking down and tugging the hem of her salvaged shirt. "They should be in the rag heap. I just haven't had the creds for frivolous expenses, lately."

Ms. Serra's mouth twitched slightly in appreciation, and her expression thawed again. "I would not presume to critique your... taste," she said mildly, not even pretending not to understand her. A dip of the eyes to the holster at Buffy's hip completed the hint.

It couldn't be the gun she'd objected to, though, or the fact that a woman was wearing it. Buffy'd heard plenty of stories from Jayne when they'd compared their personal collections the night before, and had been envious of the bow he'd mentioned. She'd left her own crossbow behind somewhere on Earth-- which still was, whatever anybody else said about it; Willow would find her eventually. But in the meantime... it must be how she'd got it that was causing the issue.

The Companion was entitled to her opinion, of course. But Buffy had won the weapon-comparing contest with Jayne fair and square, and they'd even mostly made it to the bunk before things got, well, messy. He was fit and skilled and appreciative and more bark than bite, with pride in every facet of his work.

And best of all, he wasn't complicated: a significant benny for a woman on the run.

The same couldn't be said for certain other folks on board, apparently. Well, if Inara and her uptight Captain wanted to spend their free time staring at people instead of partaking, that was their business!

"Then let me return the favor," Buffy replied brightly, and went to scare up some breakfast of her own.



(x-posted to [livejournal.com profile] twistedshorts and at AO3)

Date: 2014-08-25 06:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sulien.livejournal.com
*sound of water droplets scorching on hot iron* And five points go up on the board in Buffy's column! *g*

Inarra may be good, but she'll never get over on Buffy. I don't care much for Jayne either (understatement), but there's no reason for the condescension and I'm glad Buffy didn't stand for it.

Date: 2014-08-26 08:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sulien.livejournal.com
The way I looked at it was that Buffy needed to cut loose (she really, truly does, no matter which timeline we're talking) and also needed a bit of human contact without strings attached and complications, being stranded in a strange new reality. I can't think of anyone better for that sort of thing than Jayne, big lunk or no. He does seem to have a week side for the ladies and he's good with weapons, so he could at least have her back and not be overly heartbroken when she finally leaves.

Date: 2014-09-04 12:53 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maevebran.livejournal.com
Buffy/Jayne is not a pairing I'd ever thought of before but he is sort of in her type - big, strong, and not especially bright. hee

January 2026

S M T W T F S
     12 3
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jan. 5th, 2026 01:56 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios