This day had been the longest she had remembered. And nothing had gone right from start to finish. First, she had been late for her shift, then she'd been practically buried under a mound of paperwork the rest of the day. She'd had no time for lunch, no time to even take a coffee break, and as a result, was fractious and tired. When this shift from hell finally ended, Murrue floated down the corridor to her room, wanting nothing more than a shower, food, and bed. But the closer she got to her room, the more she just wanted someone to talk to. All day, the only time she'd seen another person was when someone wanted her to sign something. She needed company.

I want someone...to fuss over me, to just give me a hug and help me relax. And I know just the person.

Moving across to the door diagonally opposite her own, Murrue tapped in the by-now familiar code, and stepped inside, without even knocking.

Mwu had been laying back on his bed, reading. His day had been pretty quiet, and rather boring. Just maintenance on Strike, helping out with supply reports, and that had been...well, it. He had heard through the grapevine that Murrue had been having a terrible day, and he had badly wanted to visit her, but he hadn't been able to get away. When his door opened, he was surprised, but smiled as he saw who his unexpected guest was. Unexpected, but always welcome. "Hi!"

Murrue didn't answer, just crossed the room to where he waited. She looked exhausted, her face pale. Without a word, she practically collapsed onto the bed beside him.

Mwu reached out and stroked her hair. "Hard day, huh?" She murmured something he couldn't make out, and snuggled up close to him, resting her head on his chest and closing her eyes. He chuckled, closing his own eyes as he ran his hands up and down her back, soothing her, his book long forgotten.

After a while, she looked up, dark eyes meeting his blue ones. "S-sorry about that" she muttered, cheeks pinking in embarrassment. Mwu smiled. "It's okay. I'm glad I could help. Do you feel better now?" Murrue nodded, and moved off the bed, straightening her uniform.

"Thank you. Sorry for coming in here like that. I have to..go take a shower now."

Mwu reached out and took her hand, rubbing her fingers gently. "Take one here. It's all right, you don't have to leave just yet. I'll even wash your back if you like."

She blushed again, smiling. "And do you promise that that's all you'll do?"

He looked at her in surprise, face innocent. "Why, did you have something else in mind, Captain?"

Murrue never answered, just disappeared into the tiny bathroom, his laughter echoing in her ears.

After her shower (where Mwu really did only wash her back, to her hidden disappointment), the couple sat together on his bed, Murrue sitting in between his legs, her head on his shoulder. His strong arms were wrapped tightly around her.

Murrue sighed happily, her fatigue and annoyance of earlier completely gone now. Mwu always had the ability to make her worries disappear, to make her feel better. He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Wanna stay here tonight?"

She smiled. "I'd like that very much. I wonder how it is that I always feel better being with you?"

Mwu laughed softly. "Well, if my presence with you makes you as happy as yours does with me, it's no wonder. 'Cause whenever I've had a tough day, all I need to know to feel more cheerful is that I can see you." He nuzzled into her neck, kissing the smooth skin. "And I've asked you a dozen times by now, to move into this room, to come and live here with me. I'm sure we'd be happy together, and that way we know that however bad a day we've had, the other will be here waiting."

Murrue flushed. "I said that I'd think about it, and I still am. I'm just worried...what people would say if we took that step...and everyone would find out about us..."

He kissed her again. "Everyone already knows about us. You thought we'd be able to keep something like this a secret for long? I'm not giving up..not until you agree. I'll have to persuade you. And.." he caught her chin gently in his hand, and brought her lips closer to his. "...I have very...unique..methods of persuasion.." His hand moved up, slipping underneath the camisole top she wore, and his bare feet caressed a slender leg. Murrue giggled as he bent and kissed her, falling backwards onto the bed.

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

"Did I persuade you yet?"

Murrue looked down at where her lover was lying, his hand playing with the ends of her dark auburn hair. "Maybe" she replied softly, a sly smile on her face. Wrapping the bedsheet more tightly around her, she kissed the tip of his nose.

Mwu grinned. "I'm getting closer..." He sighed. "I just thought how nice it could be if we could be together like this for always. That's what I'd like most when the war is over."

Murrue lay back beside him, looking up at the ceiling. "That does sound nice. But don't you think we'd get sick of each other eventually?"

He laughed. "Do you really think so?" Her giggle blended with his own boyish laughter, and he turned his head to gaze upon her beauty. How could I ever get sick of you?

"Don't you think," he asked quietly, "that if you loved someone with all your heart, you'd want to spend as much time with them as possible? Would you get sick of them?"

Murrue snuggled close, her head on his shoulder. "No..." she whispered.

Then her stomach rumbled.

The young woman's cheeks flushed brilliant crimson, and she hid her face under the bedsheets, mortified. Mwu tipped his head back and laughed till he was almost crying. "Talk about breaking the mood! Guess you didn't have time to eat, either?"

She shook her head, face not visible. Wiping the tears of mirth from his blue eyes, the blonde man rooted under his bed, until he found what he was looking for. He offered the package to Murrue. "Cookie?"

Gratefully, she reached out a delicate hand and took one of the double choc-chip treats. "Thanks. And..sorry."

He waved a hand. "Don't worry about it." Eating one of the cookies himself, he searched under the bed again, and fished out a black boxy object. "Sorry to spring this on you, but can I take your picture? I wanted to get one of us together, but I really want one of you.."

She blushed again, colouring a pretty pink. "W-wait! N-not like this!" She gestured to herself, indicating the fact that she wore only a bedsheet. Grabbing her uniform jacket from the floor, she quickly donned it and zipped it up.

"Why so shy? It's not like I'd show anyone else it anyway.." Aiming the camera, Mwu snapped a photograph. The image came out perfectly, her smile beautiful to see. And her eyes..they shone with such complete and pure love and happiness, it made Mwu's heart melt to see it.

She's smiling like that..at me. Just for me...

"There we are..a picture of an angel.." he said quietly, tucking the photo into a drawer. "Thanks, Murrue. It means a lot to me."

His lover had removed her jacket, and she had nestled into his shoulder, amber eyes closed. As they lay there together, drowsy, Mwu frowned. Rolling over, he instead laid his head on her shoulder. "Can't I snuggle up to you for a change? It's not fair.."

But it was rather uncomfortable. Murrue's shoulder was as slender as the rest of her, and didn't make a very good sleeping place.

She smiled, and stroked his cheek. "Not working out, huh?"

Grumbling, he moved downwards until his blonde head rested on her chest. He then sighed with happiness. "This is much better. Like a pillow. Can I sleep here?" Mwu felt her shaking with laughter, and a kiss on the top of his head. "Sure you can"

Her scent and warmth enveloped him, the sound of her heartbeat lulling him to sleep. "Can we stay like this forever?"

Murrue's hands gently stroked his golden hair. "We'd have to get up eventually..."

"You know what I mean.." he muttered, nuzzling closer.

"Yes, I know what you mean. And that would be nice."

"I still want you to move in with me.."

She laughed again, and he felt another soft kiss. "Goodnight, Mwu. Love you.."

He smiled, closing his eyes. "Love you too..."

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

( Hurray for teh random fluff!

Please read and review! )