They were redecorating. Mwu didn't see the point in it at all, after all, there was nothing wrong with the house as it was, but Murrue had put her foot down. She said that because it was exactly the same as it had been when the last family had lived in it, it felt like they were still strangers here, or lodgers, or something.
Mwu had done his best to try and talk her out of it, but to no avail. She had made her mind up, and that was it.
And she had known perfectly well that he wouldn't be able to refuse her.
She's had me wrapped round her little finger from the moment we moved in together..I should be mad about letting that happen, but...instead, it makes me happy.
So that morning had been all about moving furniture, and covering it in dust cloths, and now it had come to the painting. Tester pots sat here and there, with little dabs of paint on the wall to see what the colour would look like. Mwu couldn't help grinning. She had planned all this out before she had ever mentioned the idea of redecoration to him.
In the sitting room, Murrue was painting the ceiling with a roller on a long pole. Her dark auburn hair was tied up out of the way, and covered in a headscarf. She looked so funny, he had to laugh, which made her turn around.
"What?"
"What's that on your head?" Mwu asked, still chuckling.
"I didn't want to get paint in my hair, that's all.." she replied, continuing with her work. But it was clear she was having trouble, struggling with the heavy pole.
"Are your arms hurting?"
She shook her head, a lock of hair falling into her eyes. "No, I'm okay"
Mwu knew that even if Murrue's arms were killing her, she wouldn't give up and let him do it, she was far too stubborn for that. So instead of taking the roller from her, he walked over and lifted her up slightly, so her arms wouldn't be so stretched.
"Is that better?"
She huffed, but smiled. "I said that I was okay"
"Yeah, but you always say that. Even when you aren't. Where do you want to paint next?"
She pointed over to the far corner. "That's the only place I haven't done yet"
Mwu carried her over to the unpainted spot, but tripped over the paint tray which lay on the floor, and fell backwards, Murrue landing on top of him.
"Oof!"
He looked up to see her staring down at him, her face inches from his own, her marigold eyes focused on his blue ones.
"Are you hurt? You're so clumsy!"
"Nah, I'm fine."
She saw he had a smudge of paint on the end of his nose, and began giggling.
"Hey, what are you laughing at?" She didn't answer, just buried her face in his chest, shaking with her laughter.
"All right, missy, I'll give you something to laugh about!" Mwu grabbed Murrue's waist, and began tickling her sides. She squealed and tried to escape, laughing, and attacking him with the paint roller, until they were both covered in cream paint.
"Aww, now look what you did..." she fussed, getting up off the floor.
"Me? You started it!"
"I'm going to go wash this.." she said, brandishing the roller, "and then myself.."
"But you didn't finish!" he yelled after her as she walked away.
After she had walked off, Mwu lay there on the sitting room floor, thinking about how much Murrue had changed.
She's so affectionate now...Well, she always was before with me, when we were together, but only when it was just the two of us alone. Now she doesn't hide her emotions away, and I'm finally getting to see the true Murrue Ramius.
Of course, she still acted reserved around people she didn't know, but everyone did that, didn't they?
And she still went into 'Captain Ramius' mode when she was really angry. Mwu had never been able to win an argument with her yet because of that.
And I don't think I ever will...
A few moments later, Mwu went to find her. He hadn't heard the sound of water running, so she hadn't gone to clean out the roller as she said.
"Murrue? Where are you?"
When she didn't answer, he checked every room upstairs until he found her.
She was standing in one of the other bedrooms in the house, just staring into space. This room had belonged to a child of the previous family to live here, seemingly only a baby.
The room was still decorated in pastel shades, with characters from nursery rhymes painted on the walls. A chart with the alphabet on still hung on the door, and a tiny cradle covered by a sheet stood in the corner.
"Murrue? Are you okay, honey?"
She remained silent, and Mwu wasn't convinced she had even heard him. Walking up to her, he embraced her from behind, kissing her cheek.
"Hey, princess, what's wrong?"
She turned to face him, and he was surprised to see a wistful, faraway look on her beautiful face.
"This room.." she said quietly, sounding almost dreamy, "do we have to change it? Can't we leave it like this?"
She buried her face in his chest, and Mwu had to strain to hear her next sentence.
" After all, we...we...might need it one day..."
Murrue couldn't believe she'd said something like that. They'd only been living together for a month or so, far too soon for them to discuss their future.
I want to stay with Mwu for always, and I'm pretty sure he feels the same way. But I...I shouldn't have mentioned something like this so early...what must he think?
"I - I mean...I..." she stuttered, looking up at him. She was rather afraid of what Mwu's reaction would be to her outburst, but instead of frowning, or looking surprised, his handsome features wore a smile of pure delight.
"I'm glad you feel that way..." he said, pulling her closer into his embrace.
Murrue's mind was spinning. Did this mean that Mwu wanted children one day? It certainly sounded like it.
"Do you mean you..." she mumbled, not able to finish the sentence.
"Sure. I'd love a kid of my own some day. I was just worried about what you would think, after all, we haven't been living together very long"
Murrue almost laughed. So he had been thinking the same thing? Looking up at her lover, she smiled cheerfully.
"One day then, huh? When you've grown up a bit"
Mwu pretended to be mad, but he couldn't hide the boyish grin on his face.
"What do you mean, when I've grown up?"
Later that day, Murrue wandered downstairs, stretching out her arms. She ached all over from where she and Mwu had been moving furniture around, rearranging sofas and cupboards. She also felt guilty about making him move so much stuff, as she had kept changing her mind about where she wanted things to go.
I'll make him something nice for dinner, he deserves it for putting up with me and not complaining once.
"Mwu? Where did you go?"
She couldn't understand why she couldn't find him, after all, it's not like he was hard to spot or anything.
"Mwu?"
A faint snore reached her ears from behind a mass of furniture, and she peeked around to see him sprawled out on the sitting room sofa (which was hidden behind the cupboards) fast asleep.
His long golden hair had fallen across his face, and the paint smudge was still on his nose. He had a smile on his face, and it seemed as if his dream was a happy one.
Murrue grinned, and leaning forward, gently brushed the hair from his eyes.
Even though he must have seen and done some awful things in the last two years, which he still won't tell me about, he's hardly changed at all. Of course, Neo will always be a part of him, but it seems as though Neo protected Mwu in some way, keeping his heart safe. Whatever happened to him while he was gone, he's still as innocent and happy as he ever was.
The same man I fell in love with...
Climbing over a set of dresser drawers, she settled down on the sofa beside him.
I must have tired him out. I made him do so much work today...he deserves this rest.
Very gently, Murrue pressed her lips to his in a soft kiss, stifling a giggle when his smile grew in his slumber.
She snuggled close to him and laid her head on his chest, closing her eyes as she felt the steady thump of his heartbeat, and the rise and fall of his breathing.
He's so warm...I wish we could stay like this forever. When it all feels like a dream, this is all I need,
the feel and sound of his heartbeat and breath, to know that he's really here, that he's with me, and he won't ever have to leave me again.
Worn out from the day's work, and lulled by the rhythm of her beloved's heart, Murrue fell asleep beside him, a smile of pure happiness on her face.
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( One day, I will write something more serious, I promise. But until then, it just be teh fluff XD Please read and review! )
