Little Dipper Campfire [Wednesday Evening]

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

Earlier in the day, Ned had decided he'd spent entirely too long holed up in his alcove. Of course, it took him several hours after that initial realization before getting up and out of bed, changing and heading outside, Digby at his heels.

The dog was, possibly, happier than anyone that Ned had decided to get out of his stupid funk. He lit a fire as best he could and took a seat.

He started contemplating baking sweets over an open fire. He decided that would only lead to tears.

Comments

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Did you want to sit?" Ned offered, still holding tightly to his clock like it might run away or someone might take it.

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

Kaylee did take a seat, watching him with the clock. "It don't fly or nothin'," she pointed out, giggling at how he was holding onto it.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"No, it's not that," he said, looking down at the clock again. "It's. It's just been a long time since someone did something nice like that for me."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

She shrugged. "It weren't no bother, and I had fun," she promised. "You need anything else tinkered with, you bring it to me, okay?"

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"I will," he said, very carefully letting go of his clock so it rested against his outstretched legs. "How are you?"

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"Good!" she said cheerfully. "I finished those little cakes."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"All of them?" Ned asked, laughing quietly.

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

She nodded. "They're gonna have to find a good freight ship to send me home, at this rate."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Did you find a favorite?" Ned asked. "Or did you just like everything?"

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"Chocolate," she decided, nodding. "I need to try other kinds, though."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Everyone likes chocolate," he said, smiling. "There are a lot of flavors. You'll be trying new kinds for awhile. Could become a hobby."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"I could form a club," she mused.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"And be the President," he decided. "With a crown."

Wait.

"Wait, no, presidents don't get crowns. Queens get crowns. Presidents get...stuffy suits and a pile of debt. You could be Queen of the club."

But.

"But queens are old and stuff. Um. You could be...Cupcake Captain."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

Kaylee liked that. "Would I get a shiny hat, still?"

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"I'll get you one," he promised. "It'll be very outlandish."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"You can be my second," she promised, grinning.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"You're pretty brave, letting me in your club," he said. "I was always picked last."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"Why?" she asked, frowning.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"I didn't...don't make friends easily," he said, feeling safe enough to say that. "People didn't really like me."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"I like you," she said, completely honest.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"That's just the cupcakes talking," Ned said, blushing and ducking his head.

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"It ain't, those wore off ages ago," she said easily. "So people who don't like you are stupid an' you got to ignore them."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"I usually ignore everyone," he said quietly, peering over at the fire for a moment before looking back at her. "I like you too, you know."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

Kaylee smiled, blushing a little. "That's just the clock talkin'," she teased.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Clocks don't talk," he said, leaning a little closer to whisper that conspiratorially. "They tell time. And play music. And, on occasion, are good as emergency coasters."