( Smut part three! Neo needs more love :3 )
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"I'm serious. Where are we going?"
As she'd expected, he didn't answer, just continued to tug her along behind him, her hand held firmly in his. She could clearly see the grin he was doing a very bad job of hiding, the blue eyes twinkling with mischief - he'd changed so much in just a matter of weeks it was amazing. He'd just burst into her office and took her hand, announcing that there was somewhere he wanted her to go with him, and no amount of protest had discouraged her. "You've been working all day. Don't you think you need a break?" Knowing he was right she'd just sighed and gone along with it, not quite able to hide the little smile at the thought of spending more time with him. He'd become her best friend in the weeks since he'd become part of the crew, always by her side, and she'd grown to depend on him a great deal.
Just like Mwu.
Now there's a can of worms.. When he'd first been brought here she'd been able to convince herself he wasn't Mwu - though physically they were identical, that man's bitterness and caustic words couldn't have been more at odds with the person she'd known. But now....now he was different. As though he knew she was thinking about it he turned and smiled at her, the gentle expression so familiar it made her heart skip a beat. Kira-kun is convinced he's Mwu, and right now I'm having real trouble persuading myself he's wrong.. Rather shyly she smiled back, knowing she was blushing, and he chuckled softly, bringing her closer to wrap an arm around her waist. "You okay?" She nodded and he smiled again, brushing a kiss to her hair. "We're almost there.."
"A-almost where?"
He pointed and she sighed, shaking her head with a wry smile. She should have guessed. "Colonel.."
"What? I'll behave myself. Cross my heart."
"I'll hold you to that."
The blonde man held his hand to his chest, attempting to look hurt. "Don't you trust me?"
Murrue smiled, resisting the temptation to ruffle his hair. "Yes, I trust you. Let's go."
The room was dimly-lit, the stillness only broken by the faint sound of dripping water, and as she turned to look up at her companion she felt the shyness coming back. Cheeks feeling hot she stared at her feet, only looking back up when he squeezed her hand. "It's all right," he reassured her. "Just like last time. So you can relax.." He'd been the perfect gentleman last time, even closing his eyes before she got in the water to spare her embarrassment, and sitting at the opposite end of the bath - she knew it would be all right.
"Okay.."
He peeked.
He hadn't meant to, knowing how nervous she was, but he just wanted to see what she looked like out of uniform. Last time he'd just seen head and shoulders above the water...So, one eye cracked open ever so slightly, he watched her tiptoe out from the shower. And he stared. Like before, her hair was bundled up under a towel, neck and shoulders bare, and she was clad in just a towel that covered only what it had to, giving him a perfect view of long slender legs usually covered by skirt and stockings. As he (secretly) watched she bent to pick up her locker key and he had to bite his lip to suppress a groan. Now that's backfired. I thought seeing her in a towel would be enough....but it isn't... Closing his eyes again as she slipped in the water he did his best to get his mind out of the gutter.
He'd been attracted to her, drawn to her, from the moment he'd woken up in the ship's hospital - she was so beautiful it was impossible not to be. At first he'd been angry at himself for feeling that way, and had taken it out on her, which he'd been trying to make up for ever since. I know it's not my fault I'm not her Mwu, but it isn't hers either. Can I blame her for thinking I was him? For having hope? He had hope himself.....that one day people would look at him and see him, not the man he looked like. Especially her.
"Feel better?"
"Mmm-hmm.." He heard the splash of water echoing in the little room - then felt some hit him in the face. Eyes shooting wide open he spluttered and coughed, hearing peals of giggles. "Now that's better. You looked so serious..."
"I was thinking," he admitted, peering through the steam to see her sitting quite close. She nodded and smiled, eyes full of a laughter and mischief he hadn't seen from her before. She was teasing him. Understanding he smiled himself - and splashed her full in the face. The captain actually squeaked, golden-orange eyes wide, before rubbing the water from her face with a rueful grin.
"Should have expected that.." Then she splashed him again.
And that was it.
The rest of their time in the bath was taken up by an impromptu water fight, the two of them continuing to splash each other till they were soaked through. The captain looked to really be enjoying herself, face lit up with a stunning smile, and stood up in an attempt to kick more water at him. And lost her footing, toppling over to land back in the water with a deafening splash, disappearing under the surface.
"Hey! Are you all right?" Alarmed Neo moved to try and help her, only for her to break the surface with a gasp, coughing until her cheeks turned red. Her hair was loose and hanging in her face...in short she looked rather bedraggled. He slipped an arm around her shoulders and helped her to sit up, brushing the wet hair from her face. "There we go. Get your breath back."
"Thank you.." She coughed a little more then sighed, leaning against him. "Sorry.."
"For what?"
"Being childish.." She looked rather sheepish, face still reddened in what he suspected had more to do with embarrassment than breathlessness, and he grinned, pecking a kiss to the crown of her hair. Childishness wasn't something he usually indulged in either, but it sure was fun sometimes. He'd never heard her laugh before....she was usually so composed, and he wondered how long it had been since she'd let herself cut loose.
"Sometimes you have to be. Plus you have a cute laugh." To his delight the captain blushed, hiding her face behind a curtain of still-wet hair. "I'm serious."
"You sure know how to embarrass someone."
Neo chuckled, wondering why it was he felt more at ease around her than anyone else. "You shouldn't get embarrassed at the truth." She grumbled softly but didn't offer any further protest, just reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear - then winced. He was confused at first then caught sight of her hand, catching it in his own before she could hide it back underwater. "Why didn't you say something?"
"It's not bad.."
"It's bad enough." She must have caught her hand on something sharp when she'd fallen....there was a nasty scrape to the side of one hand which was bleeding. Before she could protest he lifted her up to sit her on his lap, tearing off a strip of a dry towel beside the bath and binding up her hand. "That should do for now, but you need to get it looked at later."
She nodded and smiled a little shyly. "Thank you again."
"No problem." Still holding her hand he kissed the fingers, smiling up at her. She was still blushing but didn't look at all worried, her lips curved in a tiny smile. How long had it been since someone had cared for her like this? What she needs is someone to love her. To be the most important person in the world to that someone. I don't doubt that she was to that Mwu, but how would she react knowing that she is to me too?
"You're very lonely, aren't you?"
The captain shrugged a little. "I have my friends."
Neo nodded, brushing his hand up through her hair. "But you're still lonely.." Her eyes fluttered closed at the gentle touch, and seemingly without her realising she leaned into his hand. His fingers wandered downwards, caressing her cheek then neck before wisping over the tiny bullet scar on her shoulder. She smiled, opening her eyes just a little when he kissed the scar.
"Is this to make me less lonely?"
"It might be. Is it helping?"
She nodded, murmuring softly when he began pressing little kisses to her neck and shoulders, and when his lips brushed hers to his delight she accepted, even giggling a little when he pulled her closer. I was right. You just want to be loved by someone. And who deserves it more than you? When they broke for air she blinked rather dazedly at him before settling into his arms with a little sigh.
This hadn't been exactly what she'd had in mind. Logically she should have pulled away as soon as he'd kissed her hand, but she hadn't been able to move. Instead she'd let him in, accepted his advances - and she'd been happy about it. It was very difficult to think of it as disloyalty to Mwu when he was so like him and besides...hadn't Mwu said he'd want her to be happy if anything ever happened to him? It sounds like I'm making excuses, and perhaps I am, but he wasn't wrong when he said I was lonely. If he was here.....if he loved me, then I think that would be all right.
"You have a lot of scars.."
The Colonel laughed softly, stroking her hair. "I do, don't I? Frankenstein's monster."
"Don't say that. There's nothing wrong with them."
"You think so?"
Murrue nodded, moving to sit so she was facing him. Without a word she ran a finger over the scar on his nose, smiling when his eyes slowly closed. He thought of the injuries as ugly, but to her they were anything but.
"That feels nice..."
"Does it?"
"No-one ever touched them like that before. Until I came here, no-one else had ever even seen them. It feels like someone cares.."
She leaned forward and kissed the scar. "Someone does." She made as though to trace the ones on his chest but he caught her hand and squeezed gently.
"Why though? I'm not him.."
"And that's okay."
"Is it?"
She smiled and kissed him. "It is." Carefully she began to run her fingers over the livid scars, stifling giggles when he shivered and leaned back against the stone surround of the bath. He clearly liked the touch, as was evident when she moved to settle close again. "You're spoiling the mood."
He managed a strangled sort of laugh. "Can't help that, I'm afraid. You're driving me crazy.." And before she could say anything else he wound an arm around her waist, his other hand reaching under her towel. "Let's see how you like it."
"I did not touch you there..." Not that she minded. As his fingers continued to wander she leaned into the caresses, eyes closing involuntarily. She wasn't able to help her reactions to him, the feelings so intense she forgot where she was, caring only about what was happening until inevitably it all became too much. Clutching at his arms she cried out softly, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry.."
"N-no..." Slowly coming back down to earth she smiled rather hazily, reaching up to wipe the tears away. "It's all right.." It's just been a while since anyone made me feel that way... Understanding what he wanted she leaned forward and kissed him. "It's all right.."
The blonde man nodded and brought her closer, very gently pushing up into her. He groaned quietly, eyes squeezed tightly shut as she moved. If it had been a long time for her, it had likely been as long for him if not longer....it didn't seem as though he would last long. It's not as though I will though... The sensations were driving her ever closer to the edge of reason, especially when he undid her towel to touch more of her.
"You're beautiful.."
"Thank you.." It was all becoming too much. The hot water, the kisses, the feel of him....she couldn't hold on much longer, and he seemed to realise that.
"It's okay. Let go.."
"What....about you?"
He chuckled breathlessly. "Sweetheart, I won't be far behind. Don't worry.." She laughed herself but it was cut off in the middle, becoming a shuddering gasp as the sudden wave of bliss took her by surprise. Hand clutching his she rode it out, collapsing into his arms when it was over, only managing a hazy smile when he tensed, hissing something she couldn't make out before sinking back against the side of the bath.
"You're amazing.."
The captain smiled playfully, amber eyes twinkling with real affection. "Thank you."
"You don't have to be lonely anymore. I'll take care of you."
The smile became tender, and she leaned close to kiss him. "Only if it means you'll be less lonely too."
"How could I ever be lonely if I had you with me? C'mere.." Holding out his arms he grinned as she cuddled into them with no hesitation, resting her head on his shoulder. God, he must have loved her. If he felt anything like I do, she must have been everything to him. She's the last thing I deserve, but I won't ever let her go... The possessiveness surprised him slightly, but it felt kinda nice. She's mine now, and I have no doubt that I'm hers. Now I know why I stayed on this ship...
"We're going to be prunes," she remarked mildly after a while and he chuckled, burying his face in her hair.
"Happy prunes?"
"Very happy."
"Then that's all that matters."
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( OMG smuts XD. Yes, I was going to add an earwigging Kira, but the way it turned out it wouldn't have worked. C'est la vie.
please read and review! )
