[Firefly][Fic] Stolen Peace (Inara/Zoe, NSFW, Nudity)

[wallwalker]

Title: Stolen Peace
Fandom: Firefly/Serenity
Characters: Inara/Zoe
Rating: NSFW (nudity, that's all)

Post-movie. Written for Femslash February. Inara helping Zoe find a little bit of peace.

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Zoe’s skin is still soft, between the scars. You wash her back as gently as you can manage, moving your fingertips carefully and avoiding the marks that will make her tense and pull away. She leans forward, her hair falling into her face, her eyes closed. You hear her breathe more gently, more deeply... sometimes you hear her sob, and you do not judge her for it. She hides her tears in front of the others, and everyone needs a moment to release their pain.

Her eyes are always dry by the time you stop, though. She is still reserved with you, and thanks you as formally as her rough demeanor allows. This, too, is something that you will not condemn. You know that the wounds are still fresh; if she wishes to speak more, you will listen. She has bought that favor in saving your life, and more.

But even if your debt were to be paid, this ritual has become something you look forward to, a thing that you savor. Zoe has lost many battles, and many people that she had loved. You are glad to be able to give something back to her, a moment of peace stolen back from the memories of war.