( Good afternoon! (Well, it's afternoon here, and I wanted to be polite :D)

Here is my latest story. One of my favourites that I wrote in my last lot was 'Kekkon' (Marriage) and I had so much fun with the engagement flashback scene, that I decided to expand it into a proper story. Because you can never have too much fluff. )

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The dress uniform hung there, on the back of the door, stiff as a shop-window mannequin. Mwu poked at it in disgust, feeling the heavy fabric and sharp creases. How was he meant to wear this? Even if it was for only one night? Sure, the finalisation of the peace talks was important, and as second-in-command of an Orb battleship, he had to be there. But why did he have to dress up? It didn't suit him, being lined up with others wearing the same thing, like a row of tin soldiers. That was part of the reason he dressed so casually in the first place...

Sighing, Mwu took down the outfit and began to put it on, grumbling all the while. The thick material was hot and restrictive, and the sleeves and collar itched like crazy. He badly wanted to roll the sleeves up, loosen the collar, anything, but tonight was too important for that. Plus...his girlfriend would kill him. Placing the cap on his head at an oblique angle, he pulled on the white gloves that were part of the uniform, and frowned.

This feels strange...like I'm Neo again. I hate it.

"Mwu? Are you ready?" Murrue stuck her head around the bedroom door, and smiled. "Come on, we have to be going soon.."

Walking into the room, she glanced him up and down, and shook her head in amusement. "Look at you..you can't go like that."

She straightened out his collar, and brushed down the front of the jacket, then stepped back. "Better. But your cap's all crooked."

Mwu sighed, and straightened the cap so it stayed on properly, on top of his thick golden hair. Everything about him looked dejected and sulky, and Murrue giggled.

"Now come on. This is a special occasion. Everyone else has to wear it. And I bet Kira-kun and the other senior officers have an even more fussy uniform. And it's only for one night..."

"Yeah.." whined Mwu, "But..." He leaned down to try and kiss her, only to be stopped by the brims of their caps knocking together. It made it impossible for him to reach her lips, and he pouted, making her laugh again. Her uniform was just as heavy and stiff as his, yet she wore it as if she was dressed for everyday, looking neat and perfect. But then, she always looked perfect...

At Government House, where the ceremony was taking place, the main room was packed full of people, civilians in their best clothes, members of the ruling council, and soldiers, representatives of every ship in the Orb fleet. All of them were in the dress uniforms, just as Murrue had said, and Kira, being a General, was covered in gold braid and ribbons. The boy looked thoroughly miserable, and Mwu could sympathise with him.

We look like dolls. Or kids playing dress-up...

Outwardly, Mwu was his normal cheerful self, laughing and joking with Kira and the others. But inside, he was nervous as hell. He was sure everyone could see how his hands were shaking, and the fact that he was so restless. But today..it was just the right time. With peace being officially declared, he couldn't have asked for a better moment. And the weather was beautiful. He had to do it today. He patted his pocket, grateful for once to the thick material that concealed what he carried.

As the doors at the end of the room opened, the Orb personnel lined up at the right hand side, at attention. Murrue and Mwu stood at the front, along with Kira and the other officers, as they were captain and second-in-command of a ship. Murrue could feel the tall man fidgeting and shuffling, and she poked him in the ribs to get him to stay still.

The party from PLANT entered the room, the Supreme Council being escorted by ZAFT soldiers, the Chairman at the back surrounded by red-coated elites, including a young woman with long brown hair. Murrue blinked. This chairman was much younger than she had expected..only a boy, perhaps Kira's age or a little older. He had silver hair and blue eyes, and looked rather fierce.

Feeling Mwu stiffen beside her, she looked up at him. His blue eyes were filled with worry, and tension was in every line of his body.

It's only been three months since he recovered his memories...and the only Coordinators he had contact with before then weren't ZAFT soldiers, not really. When he was with the Alliance..of course, he was told that Coordinators were the enemy..taught to distrust and be wary of them. They were his enemy...

Mwu frowned, and moved slightly in front of Murrue, as if to protect her, and she placed a gentle hand on his arm.

"It's okay.." she whispered. "They're not going to do anything. It's safe." Her lover stepped back, but the worry didn't leave him.

A newscaster had been there since the beginning, and was excitedly reporting on all that happened. His voice became low as the two leaders walked towards the table with the document on, and sat down together. They took up pens, and leaned towards the document. The entire room crackled with anticipation.

"And with this signature;" the broadcaster said in a hushed voice, "the peace treaty between PLANT and the Orb Union is official!"

The two leaders, the Supreme Chairman and Representative Athha, leaned forward and signed the peace treaty.

The whole room erupted in cheers and shouts. Everyone was hugging everyone else, and Murrue grabbed Mwu's arm and shook it excitedly. But Mwu seemed subdued, quiet.

"What's the matter? You should be celebrating!" said Murrue.

Mwu smiled softly. "Come with me a moment..."

He pulled her outside onto a balcony. The moon was full in the sky, it's reflection glittering off the sea, turning the world silver. It was beautiful.

"Murrue;" Mwu began, drawing her attention to him. "I just wanted to say that I'm so glad we were able to find each other again. I sure as hell don't deserve someone like you, and the fact that you still love me after all the pain I put you through makes me the luckiest person alive. You said we can always be together now, right? So, how about we make that permanent?"

He got down on one knee and pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket. Inside was a beautiful gold ring, topped with a diamond cut in the shape of a heart.

Murrue couldn't think straight, almost couldn't breathe. Her heart was beating so loudly, she was sure he must be able to hear it. Was he...was this...?

Mwu took a deep breath, and looked up at her, long blonde hair blowing in the slight breeze. "Murrue, I love you, will you marry me?"

Murrue gasped, tears streaming down her face. This had to be a dream, she would wake up any second, she knew it. To make sure, she pinched herself, hard.

"What are you doing, silly?" he asked.

"It's not a dream, it's not a dream.." she whispered.

"I hope not. But if it is, I don't want to wake up without getting an answer. So, what do you say?" said Mwu, laughing.

"Oh yes...yes, definitely!" Murrue cried, the tears coming even harder now.

Mwu let out a breath he didn't even know he'd been holding, and slipped the band onto her left ring finger after removing her glove. Then he stood up, and, laughing again, picked her up by the waist and swung her round. Murrue giggled happily, her tears flying into the air, being turned sparkling silver by the moon.

Gently placing her back on the ground, Mwu held his new fiancee at arms length, gazing at her affectionately. Murrue was so happy and stunned, she couldn't say or do anything, only smile like an idiot. She was dazed, heart thudding, mind whirling. He..he'd just asked her to be his wife..and she'd accepted him. He'd proposed to her...they were going to get married. The tears still fell, they wouldn't stop.

How long had he been planning this? Usually Mwu was no good at hiding these things. He wore his heart on his sleeve, his emotions were easy to read. But he had kept this hidden so well, she had had no idea that he was going to ask her something like this. Murrue stared down at the ring, the diamond glinting rainbow colours in the light from inside the building. It was so beautiful..it must have cost so much money. Looking up at Mwu, she blushed when she saw him still gazing at her.

"It still feels like a dream.." she whispered, reaching up to his cheek. He grinned, and held her hand against his face.

"It does, I know. But it'd be a good dream, right?"

She nodded. "The best I've ever had.." She moved closer to him, and wrapped her slim arms tightly around his neck, hugging him with all her strength. "Thank you so much.."

"Me?" he asked, returning her embrace. "It should be me thanking you. I didn't know whether you'd accept me or not."

Murrue laughed and nuzzled into his neck. "Idiot. Like I'd have turned you down..."

Later, the newly-engaged couple sat together on the stone railing of the balcony, enjoying both the view and the company of each other. Murrue's head rested on Mwu's shoulder, and his arms were wrapped around her waist. They had both completely forgotten about the celebrations still taking place inside the building, and felt as if they were in their own world.

At least, until Kira and Lacus came outside to find where they had gone.

"Are you two all right?" asked Kira, looking concerned. "You came out here in a hurry...is there anything wrong?"

The pair on the railing blinked owlishly, as if waking from a dream. Murrue smiled softly. "Yes, we're just fine, thanks..."

Lacus looked curiously at the couple, sensing there was something different about them. Then she caught sight of the gold band on Murrue's left hand. Her pretty pale face lit up in delight, and she clapped her hands together. "Oh my! How wonderful!" The older woman blushed again, not being able to say anything much. Kira just looked lost, until he saw what his girlfriend had seen.

"Now I get it. Congratulations! I wondered how long it would take for this to happen, just a matter of time really. This calls for drinks to celebrate. What would you like?"

Mwu grinned. "Here, kid, I'll come help you carry them." Kissing Murrue gently, he followed the young man into the bustle of the room beyond the balcony. Lacus walked over and sat beside her friend. "Can I have a look?" Murrue raised her left hand and let the girl examine the engagement ring, giggling at Lacus's gasp of awe. "It's lovely! This is so wonderful..I can't tell you how happy I am for you both. You were so sad when you were alone..this must be like a dream to you.." At Murrue's silent nod, Lacus continued.

"I could always tell you two were perfect together. Everyone could. Now all you have to do is plan the wedding.."

Murrue blushed vivid red, and looked at the floor. "It..it's too soon to think about that yet..." she muttered, embarrassed. "I don't want everyone to know just yet..to give us time to get used to things. But if I need help with anything..can I ask you?"

Lacus smiled. "Of course, Murrue-san. Everyone would be happy to help you."

After Mwu and Kira had returned with the drinks (which was unfortunately non-alcoholic punch), Kira and Lacus went back inside the room, after wishing them congratulations once more. Mwu sipped the punch, grimacing at the sharp taste, then looked over at his fiancee. Murrue was standing at the balcony railing, the moonlight shining on her dark auburn hair. Her flawless face wore a serious, wistful expression, as she fingered the diamond ring, making it glitter in the silver light. A single tear ran down her cheek, and Mwu at once put the cup down, and hugged her gently. "Hey, what's wrong, princess? Aren't you happy?"

She shook her head. "Of course I am..but..but I'm scared. I can't help being scared. I love you so much..and I want to marry you..but at the same time..I get more worried. The more I love you..the more I worry that something could happen to you...to us.."

He kissed her cheek, and hugged her tighter. "That's why I waited. For when peace was made official, and we didn't have to worry about being soldiers anymore. Now we don't have to fight, there's nothing to be afraid of. And even if by some fluke, it all happens again, then remember that wherever you go, I'll be right beside you. Just like before, and like always. Forever."

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( zOMG more fluff! But I needed to write that. It helps balance out angst. Since fluff is much lighter than ze angst, you need more of it to make things balance. :nods:

Please read and review! )