The day was oppressively warm, the heat and humidity nearly unbearable. It was a midsummer day, and the large sun was shining brightly in the sky, peeking through some fluffy white clouds, mixed with a hint of grey, the threat of an evening thunderstorm building as the day wore on.
Many of the citizens of the tiny island nation of Orb had decided to seek solace in one of the largest shopping centers on all of Onogoro Island, thankful for the coolness its air conditioning offered. The mall was busy, people milling about the passageways, shopping bags in hand. Several sales were going on over the weekend, and shoppers found it impossible not to try and take advantage of them.
A couple strolled along the marble floor, the creamy tile with inflections of light grey shining brightly under the lights. Their hands were entwined as they made their way towards their next destination, bags of clothes held tightly in their free hands. They had arrived back in Orb a few short days ago, and had decided to spend the day at the mall, buying clothes and necessities for their new home, bought just yesterday.
"Are we almost done?" The tall blonde man whined as they walked to the next store. "We've been shopping for hours," he pouted childishly, holding his brunette companion's hand tightly.
The woman sighed, stopping just outside a clothing store. "Oh Mwu...you know we need clothes. Especially you. And a lot of my clothes were destroyed in that raid."
"I know...but why does this have to take so long?" he stood there, slumping his broad shoulders slightly. "Don't ya think we got enough?" He lifted up one of the large bags, stuffed full of shirts, shorts, and pants.
"We still have a few more things to get," Murrue reminded her boyfriend. "But it shouldn't take too much longer," she glanced at her left wrist, the pale blue face of her silver watch showing that it was indeed late afternoon.
"Can't we at least take a break?" Mwu looked at her, giving her his best puppy-dog eyes expression. His blue eyes caught sight of a small restaurant quietly tucked in a corner a few feet away. "Hey...let's go in there," he pulled the startled woman towards the restaurant, the sweet smell of cinnamon wafting throughout the bustling food court.
"Mwu...what...where?" Murrue looked up at the impetuous man, his face wearing a happy smile.
"Let's have one yeah," they stopped just outside the small restaurant, its walls decorated with shiny blue tile, its neon sign glowing bright pink and white.
"You know it's almost time for dinner," the auburn haired woman rolled her marigold eyes. "We really shouldn't..." she looked inside the little store, rows of sweet cinnamon rolls sitting on the shelves, the gooey treats topped with white icing.
"Aw...but...please," his azure eyes begged as the couple stood there on the marbled floor. "I'll still be able to eat dinner."
"I know. That's what I'm afraid of," she smirked, topaz eyes glistening under the mall's lights.
"Please...," He pulled her closer, gently stroking her creamy skin. "You know you want one too," he teased.
"You and your appetite...what am I going to do with you?" Murrue sighed, unable to resist his childish behavior. "Fine...but don't eat too much, okay?"
"Thanks, he wrapped his strong arms around her petite form. "I bet they're good," he pulled her inside the empty store. He bought them each a freshly baked sticky treat. They sat together in the mall's impressive food court, white tables and chairs dotting the large atrium.
"See...I knew you'd like it," Mwu smiled, cerulean eyes twinkling with mischief as he watched her finish off the warm pastry. "Didn't I?"
"But we still probably shouldn't have...," she took a sip of her cool soda, the tiny bubbles tickling her tongue. "But it was nice to take a break," she admitted, leaning back against the leather cushion.
"Never thought I'd hear you say that," the golden haired man chuckled, devouring the last bite of his delicious cinnamon roll, the icing sweet in his mouth. "Think we'll be done soon?" He looked across at her, hopeful that the long shopping trip would be over soon.
"I don't know...we should be able to get most of the clothes we'll need today. That shouldn't take too much longer. But we still need to get a lot of things for our house...but we can do that later. We still have some time before we can move in," Murrue looked around the spacious shopping complex, people still traversing the busy walkways. A round fountain sat in the middle of the food court, water spilling over the edges of the large black disc.
"Our house...that sounds nice, doesn't it?" Mwu grinned, taking her delicate hand into his. "I can't wait for it...for us to be together properly."
"Yes...I always dreamed of that...for us to be together like that. And now that it's actually happening...I can't believe that my dream came true," Murrue sighed happily, her gaze focused on his handsome, tanned face.
"My dream came true too, love," he leaned forward in his seat, catching her lips with his, the kiss brief as shoppers bustled around the newly reunited couple, chatter filling the air.
"Well, at least we got that part over with," the tall colonel set the large shopping bags in the trunk of their small blue car.
"Yes..that did take a lot longer than I thought it would," the auburn haired captain admitted, sitting down on the plush seat of the sedan. The sun was beginning to sink lower and lower in the horizon, the sky glowing bright orange as Mwu turned the key, starting the car's engine.
"So where should we go for dinner?" He asked casually, maneuvering the small vehicle through the full parking lot.
"Hm...," Murrue scanned the restaurants lining the parking area. "How about that place?" She pointed to a large grill and bar, its neon sign glowing brightly in the evening dusk.
"Sounds good to me," he drove the car up to the red-bricked building. "I'm starving," he pulled her out of the front seat, entwining his fingers with hers.
"I was right...what am I going to do with your appetite?" The slender brunette giggled as they entered the busy restaurant, diners sitting in the dim building, enjoying their meals and drinks.
The couple sat down in a quiet booth nestled in a corner. Large televisions lined the walls, an exciting soccer game playing out on the bright screens above the happy couple.
"Now who's the one with the big appetite," the blonde smirked devilishly when the young waiter sat a large drink glass down on the shiny wooden table.
"I do not have a big appetite," she pouted, she took a sip of the sweet drink, the frozen peach daiquiri smooth in her mouth.
"Yep...you sure do. Your appetite is just for something else...that's all," Mwu laughed, blue eyes dancing in the dim light. He took a gulp from his bottle of beer. The restaurant was not only famous for its food, but it had its own brewery, often winning awards at national beer competitions. "I was so shocked that night back in the desert...they way you downed that moonshine...that was just incredible."
"I...," the young woman blushed, her cheeks stained crimson. She took another sip of the ice cold beverage, welcoming its cooling effects.
"But you know I think it's cute," he winked playfully. "You can probably out drink me," he downed another sip of his beer, the golden liquid warm as it went down his throat.
"Yep," she grinned, setting the large clear glass down on the table.
"Oh, is that a challenge?" Mwu teased her, a roguish grin spread widely across his scarred face.
"I don't know...maybe," her tawny eyes were twinkling.
"Well..you're on. Tonight?" Mwu smirked slyly. "When we get back to the hotel?"
"Okay...but don't say I didn't warn you," she smiled sweetly at her boyfriend, dark orbs brimming mischievously as the waiter brought their steaming hot plates. The two sat there, enjoying the delicious food, talking of their plans for their new house.
The rest of the night flew by, the two nearly emptying the mini bar tucked below the large television screen. They laid together in the plush bed, the sheets rumpled.
"See...I warned you, didn't I?" Murrue rested her on his bare shoulder, intoxicated by his closeness and warmth.
"You sure did," he kissed her forehead, his hands lightly caressing the soft skin of her bare arms. "I think I learned my lesson...never to try and out drink you."
"Hope you did," she kissed the tip of his scarred nose, nestling her head back against his shoulder.
"And I bet tomorrow I'll have learned my lesson even better," he frowned at the likely headache he was going to have the next day.
"Guess we'll be staying home tomorrow," she sighed, snuggling closer against his muscular form.
"That's fine by me love," he smiled, her silky hair tickling his bare skin. He ran his fingers through the flowing locks, his touch causing her eyes to grow heavy. "Good night, sweetheart. Sleep well...," he whispered in her ear, closing his azure eyes, the effects of their recent activities impossible to fight.
A/N: Even more fluff...but it's so much fun to write. XD Hope everyone enjoyed, and please review.