She still wasn't done. Trying his best not to sigh, he leaned against the opposite wall. She'd been in the bathroom for almost an hour, and showed no signs of coming out. Raising an eyebrow, he glanced at Ruby. The little collie looked dejected, ears and tail drooping, and he imagined he himself didn't look much happier. He ran a hand through rumpled blonde hair and shook his head, moving to ruffle the dog's fur. "It's okay. I bet you she'll look even more beautiful when she comes out of there.." She'd been invited to a party by some of her friends, and she'd decided that he was going too. Mwu had a sneaking suspicion that he was going to be shown off, but he didn't mind much - in fact the opposite. She says her friends always ask about me, about when they'll get to meet me.. Grinning rather proudly, he glanced up as the door finally opened...and the grin froze on his face.

"What?" she huffed, but he couldn't find the words to answer. All he could do was stare. In place of the loose, comfortable clothes she usually wore for teaching, she wore a pale pink dress, the colour and style accentuating her figure. Her dark hair was piled on top of her head in an elegant braid - in short, despite her pout, she looked more beautiful than he'd ever seen her. Shaking his head to clear the fog, he beamed.

"You look amazing.."

Murrue blushed and smiled, forgetting her annoyance immediately. "Really?" Noting his avid gaze, she giggled, twirling on the spot before walking over to where he stood. "You don't look so bad yourself.." She adjusted the collar of his dark blue shirt, nodding at her handiwork. "This colour suits you." She'd bought him the shirt for Valentine's Day, pointing out rather ruefully that it couldn't measure up to the gifts he'd bought her. But Mwu had been delighted...no-one had ever bought him anything for Valentine's before.

"I'm still going to look boring next to you." he pointed out, brushing a kiss to her cheek and taking her arm. "Shall I escort milady anyway?" As the two walked toward the door, Ruby whined, realising she wasn't going with then, and padded across to lick his hand. He smiled, leaning down to fuss over the little dog. They'd left her toys and food, and in any case they wouldn't be gone long. Murrue smiled. "Be a good girl, okay? We'll be home soon.."

The evening was cold but pleasant, their breath forming clouds on the air as they walked. Shivering a little, she tugged the shawl she wore closely around her. Mwu chuckled, removing his jacket and settling it on her shoulders. "You should have worn a jacket yourself.."

"I know, I know.." Pretending to scowl, she pulled the garment around herself before taking his arm and snuggling close. They often walked together at night now his shift had been changed, letting Ruby run through the park while they discussed the day they'd had. They'd sit down on their favourite bench with a cup of hot coffee or chocolate and watch the stars if the night was clear, talking quietly. They talked now, discussing plans for the weekend (his mom had asked them over for dinner again) and for a trip they wanted to take together, as well as what the party may be like.

"Will that guy be there?"

Murrue sighed. "Probably.." A friend of hers from work, Andrew, had recently become interested in her, according to Erica, and although he'd been told she had a boyfriend now, it didn't stop him from watching her, or trying to flirt with her. The attention made her uncomfortable, and made Mwu rather cross (and very protective). Seeing his scowl, she moved to face him, poking his nose with a finger. "You behave yourself, okay? Don't go saying anything."

"But.." She silenced him with a kiss, brushing thin fingers up through his hair.

"Promise me," she murmured when they broke, "promise me you won't do anything. Even if he makes you angry, let it be."

Mwu managed a rueful smile. "All right, I promise..."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Murrue! Glad you could make it!" Giving her friend a hug, Erica eyed her blonde companion appreciatively. Mwu gulped, backing up a step under the scrutiny. He'd been warned to expect this - Murrue had told him how interested her friends were in him - but he hadn't been prepared for this much interest. Erica cackled. "He certainly is a handsome boy, isn't he?"

"Erica.." clucked the younger woman (obviously trying hard not to laugh), "you're scaring him.." Taking Mwu's arm, she tugged him through the group of people toward the drinks table, calling greetings to her friends and receiving them in return. She was aware of Andrew watching them both with barely-disguised irritation, but tried to ignore him. I knew if I brought Mwu here it would make some people angry, but I want my friends to meet him...

"How do you get to meet hunks like that? You always get them!" The question was hissed, one of the other teachers whispering in her ear. Murrue giggled, taking a sip of her wine.

"He found me. I was reading in the park one day last September - the next thing I knew this dog had jumped me. He'd lost hold of her lead...I looked up to see him standing there."

"Love at first sight?"

"Not really. I'm not sure I believe in that. But he certainly was handsome." It might not have been love at first sight...but it was close.. Erica noticed the younger woman's smile, and patted her shoulder affectionately.

"What happens now? Any plans?"

Murrue blushed. "N-not really. We're thinking of taking a trip somewhere soon, but as for any future plans...it's too soon to tell.."

"What about Andrew?" The young woman's smile faded, and she sighed, gazing into the ruby surface of her drink. It was clear to her friends that the thought troubled her. Andrew was kind and sincere...he would make a good catch for anyone. But he was also very persistent. Erica scowled. "I told him more than once that you already had someone. He doesn't know when to quit.."

"I just worry he's going to say something to Mwu. I made Mwu promise not to do anything...but.."

"He won't. He knows better than that.."

And for a while, it seemed as though Erica was right...until an almighty crash from the other room made the women start in shock. Angry yells and smashing sounds followed the first, the voices easily recognisable. Murrue groaned, setting down her drink and running from the kitchen. The sitting room was chaos, the drinks table having been knocked clean over to spill it's contents on the floor. In the midst of a sea of broken glass and alcohol were Mwu and Andrew, fighting like a pair of schoolboys. The blonde man sported a few choice bruises and a cut lip, but seemed to coming off the best in the fight. Andrew on the other hand had a black eye, and blood trickling from his nose...but neither appeared willing to back down.

"Mwu!" The sound of her voice broke the spell, at least for the moment, and he pulled away, though still glaring at his rival. She took his arm, helping him to his feet...then gave him such a glare his previous belligerence was all but forgotten. "What the hell do you think you're playing at?" He made some attempt to explain himself, but she shook her head. "Never mind. I don't want to know. Come on, we're going."

"But.."

"But nothing." Taking his arm again, she escorted him from the house, only pausing to pick up his jacket and send her friends an apologetic look. Mwu tried his best to explain, only to fall into miserable silence when she glared icily at him, and stayed that way all the way home.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I can't believe you did that."

He sighed but said nothing...he wasn't sure of the words to use. He'd never seen his normally gentle girlfriend so angry, and wasn't at all convinced he could placate her, so he chose to remain silent. Murrue watched him for a minute or two, then sighed herself. Leaving him with a rather frightened Ruby, she walked into the bedroom, returning a few moments later with his pillow and a blanket. He'd expected this, and didn't complain. She needed time to think, and perhaps he did too. "I am sorry, for what it's worth.."

"It's worth a lot," she replied softly. "But you promised me..."

"I know. And that's why I'm sorry." Getting up, he smiled before disappearing into the bathroom to clean his injuries. To his satisfaction, he'd come off the best in the fight. I can't believe he said something like that. To insult Murrue just because she chose me and not him...how could I let that go? I know I promised her, but..

When he finished up, the sitting room was in darkness. Ruby was nowhere in sight - no surprise, since she loved Murrue almost as much as he did. With a colossal sigh, he collapsed on the sofa. It would be hard to sleep without her...

Tick, tock. Tick, tock...

The steady sound of the minutes passing seemed to taunt him. He'd lost track of how long he'd been lying awake...he'd given up trying to sleep. Instead he lay tangled in the blanket, staring blankly at the ceiling, and wondered whether he'd lost her trust. If he had it would take some time to win it back, but he was determined he would - he loved her too much to let her go. Whatever happened, he wanted to keep her with him.

After what seemed like an eternity of darkness, Mwu began to doze, slipping in and out of dreams. In one of those dreams, he felt gentle fingers brushing his face, a comfortably familiar warmth and scent surrounding him. He smiled in his sleep, reaching out to bring that presence closer...not wanting to open his eyes and discover she wasn't there. "I'm sorry..." he mumbled again.

"I know.." In his dreams, she smiled, pulling the blanket around the two of them. "And so am I.." At the soft whisper he prised open his eyes, a smile of delight spreading over his sleepy face.

"What are you sorry for?" he asked, brushing calloused fingers over her hair. Murrue smiled back.

"I just am." With that, she brushed a sweet kiss to his lips and snuggled down beside him. And he felt his spirits soar. She'd forgiven him. He didn't know why, or how, but she had...and that was more than he deserved.

"I love you."

"Love you too. Even if you are an idiot.."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

( yay for randomness XD I couldn't see her being angry with him for long...

please read and review! )