Where is he?
The slope was empty, snow untouched save for the footprints of wild animals...no sign of the one she wanted to see. Normally he'd be waiting at the door for her, or come swooping down the slope as effortlessly as he'd promised to teach her and wrap her up in a huge bearhug when he saw her. Every day he'd been here, every day they'd spent together, and she'd thought today would be no different. Rather forlornly she gazed at the skis she'd hired. He'd promised that he'd take her out on the intermediate slope today, since she'd fairly conquered the nursery (and found it too slow). He said I was fearless, which may not be entirely true, but it was a nice compliment.. Not that it was the only compliment he paid her. Last night she'd been brushing her hair before bed and he'd come up behind her, blue eyes and mischievous smile reflected in the mirror. He told me I was beautiful...it's been a long time since anyone told me that..
Murrue sighed, flopping backwards onto the sofa and staring at the wood-panelled ceiling. In theory she understood why he wasn't here. He'd made some grumbled comments about how he wasn't really free, about how his time was carefully regulated, each day mapped out by a succession of engagements and duties. He made being famous sound boring, which she supposed it would be if you never had any freedom. "Here I'm nothing special," he'd told her one afternoon, settled comfortably on the sofa with her. "I can just be me."
"Why don't you just retire or something? Not stop snowboarding," she'd hastily added at his horrified expression, "just stop doing it professionally.."
"And you told me you'd think about it," she murmured. But today it seemed as though his 'work' had caught up to him, and she'd have to make do with her own company. So she would. She'd make stew, eat as much ice-cream as she wanted, and read every book in the house. Setting down the skis she shrugged out of her puffa jacket and got the stew pan from the cupboard, beginning to chop vegetables. Today would be pretty quiet without him, but it might be nice for a change.
Right?
"Will you quit sulking? I know you hate photoshoots, but you've put it off long enough."
He just scowled, hands stuffed in his pockets. He'd practically been dragged here by Kira that morning without even having a chance to call Murrue and let her know he wouldn't be there. He'd promised to take her skiing again today, up to the intermediate slopes to see what she could do, and he'd been looking forward to it. So why wouldn't he sulk? Hearing the bustle of the photographers in the next room he glowered out of the window. Kira just sighed. "At least you're behaving for them."
"Why wouldn't I? Sooner I get done the sooner I'll be out of here."
"I don't think that's the motivation they had in mind.."
Mwu just shrugged. He didn't know if she was waiting for him or whether she'd given up. She in turn had made a promise - to make her vegetable stew for them both when their morning of skiing was over. She was an excellent cook, and the prospect of that stew he'd looked forward to almost more than the skiing. The stuff here was fancy and overpriced, tiny portions you had to eat at least three or four of to get halfway full, and always tasted too much of garlic or salt. Simplicity was much better. The food, the lifestyle...perhaps that was why he was so fond of Murrue. Not that she was simple, far from it, but... He grinned and shook his head. The way she looks at me is different from the way everyone else does. Other people stare. Murrue just smiles...and what a smile it is.
"What are you smiling at?"
"Am I not allowed to smile?"
Kira rolled his eyes. "You've been so spacy recently. Your fans are getting worried."
This time it was Mwu's turn to roll his eyes. They still followed him, the gaggle of whispering girls, waiting in the lobby of the hotel every morning and squealing loud enough to wake the dead when they caught sight of him. Some mornings he barely managed to escape. If it was as simple as just telling them he had a girlfriend, he'd have done it already. But that would create more problems than it solved, both for him and for Murrue. I can't do that to her. It's not fair. "Is that right.."
The kid just sighed and steered him in the direction of the waiting photographers. "Two more rolls and you're done.."
"As long as they don't take all day with them.."
Early in the afternoon her cellphone rang and her heart leapt. Almost dropping her book she scrambled for the tiny metallic object...and sighed. Not him. She slumped back into the armchair and clicked the button to pick up the call. "Hey Erica.."
"Hey there sweetie. You sound better. How's the snow?"
"It's beautiful. I don't think I've ever been anywhere so quiet. The air's really clear."
"Sounds like it's done you some good. Been taking the medicine?"
"Course I have. How's everything back there?"
"It's been raining non-stop. You took the weather with you. What have you been up to?"
"I learned how to ski."
"Oh? Didn't I tell you not to push it?" Her friend sighed. "Who's been teaching you? Are they cute?"
Murrue grinned, thankful Erica couldn't see her. "Very."
"Details, please."
"Tall, blonde and blue-eyed with a gorgeous smile." That was as far as she was prepared to go. Erica was sports-mad, and no doubt knew who Mwu was and what he did, but she was also terrible at keeping secrets. If she let slip she was dating (was she dating him?) someone so famous it would be all over the office ten minutes after the call had ended. As it was, Erica whistled, clearly impressed.
"You lucky thing! You like him?"
"Very much." She sighed, the content sound clearly audible to the older woman going by the cackle. "Oh shush."
"Kissed him yet?"
"Mmmm-hmmm. And to answer your next question, yes, he's very good at it."
"I'm glad for you. You deserved to find someone nice. Is he around right now?"
"Not right now. He's busy sometimes. I know where he most likely is, but.."
"Then why don't you go see him? I bet he'd like a visit. I know you're shy sometimes, but if you like this guy, and he likes you, you should take the plunge.."
"I guess.."
"Go on. Show him he matters if you like him so much. Go on and see him."
And, feeling like an idiot, she did. Trying not to draw too much attention to herself she peeked in the lobby of the hotel. The space was filled with shiny wooden desks, plush sofas and marble, and was bigger than her cabin. People were milling about everywhere, most with expensive skisuits and mahogany tans...she thought of how he compared to these people and grinned. He'd stick out like a sore thumb. Grouped around the lift door was a small throng of girls, all whispering and giggling. At first she was confused...then hid another smile. He'd told her about it.
"They wait for me.." he'd admitted bashfully, a trace of pink colouring his cheeks. "I don't know why.." Murrue thought she understood though. If she'd been ten years younger, perhaps she'd have been one of these girls...he was very handsome. She'd pointed that out and had been highly amused when his blush had deepened. He'd murmured something about embarrassing him, but he had looked pleased. On a whim she slipped into the lobby and settled herself on one of the sofas, picking up a newspaper and flicking through it idly. Just to see who he'd show more interest in when he finally did show up.
But being typical Mwu, when he did it wasn't exactly in the way she'd expected. As she set down the newspaper her gaze flicked to the outside...and she blinked in surprise. He was right there at the window, ski hat pulled low over blonde curls, and he furtively beckoned to her. Without drawing attention to herself she got up and brushed down her jacket before leaving the lobby, only smiling when he caught her hand and ran up the slope with her. Once in a quiet place she got the bearhug she'd been hoping for.
"You were waiting for me?"
Barely able to breathe but happy anyway, she nodded, snuggling into the warmth of his coat. He chuckled and kissed her forehead. "Thanks. I needed rescuing."
"I saw your fans.."
He pouted. "And?"
She pretended to think, tapping her chin. "They're very pretty.." Mwu actually pouted, blue eyes downcast until she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him gently. He returned the kiss immediately, gloved fingers tangling in her hair, and when they broke she touched her nose to his. "But I think I'll hang onto you a while longer.." He grinned and swung her up into the air, spinning around with her until he lost his footing and collapsed into the snow, the two of them laughing.
The snow was cold, but he didn't much care right now. She'd come to find him. He'd sneaked down the back stairs to avoid the noisy girls, only risking a peek into the lobby to see if the coast was clear. And there, amongst the hotel staff and valley girls, he'd seen her reading. To the others she'd been ordinary, but to him she'd stood out. What she had was more than just beauty. As he brushed a lock of hair from her face she pinked, leaning down to peck a kiss to his cheek. "C'mon now. We'd better get up or we'll catch cold.."
"Probably," Taking her hand he helped her to her feet, the two of them beginning their walk back to her cabin. Neither spoke much...neither needed to. They just walked hand-in-hand.
"Have you eaten?"
"Not really.."
"Good." At his surprise she smiled and squeezed his hand. "I promised you stew, didn't I?" Mwu beamed, delighted.
"Race you!" he announced suddenly, letting go of her hand and charging down the slope with a shout. Murrue stood frozen in shock for a moment before chasing him, running so fast she almost tripped over her own feet. Halfway down he scooped her up and ran with her in his arms, enjoying her squeals of delight. They'd only been apart a few hours but he'd missed her terribly...he didn't want to be apart from her any longer than he had to be. And it seemed as though she felt the same. When they reached her little cabin he was all for getting stuck into the stew but she shook her head, pushing him in the direction of the bathroom.
"You're freezing. Go take a shower and I'll dry off your clothes, then you can have some stew."
"What will I wear?"
She pinked slightly but smiled. "I'll find you something."
After his shower (which had been welcome) he peeked out of the steamy room, a fluffy white towel around his waist. "What do I wear?"
His girlfriend glanced out of the kitchen at him, and to his delight she blushed, rubbing her nose to hide her embarrassment. "R-right..On the back of the sofa.." Draped over the cushions was a patchwork blanket in various shades of pink and he huffed.
"Pink? I have to wear pink?" Sure, the comforter looked warm, but the colour... Hands on hips he aimed a mock scowl at Murrue - but forgot the towel. Without him holding it gravity won, the loose knot quickly unravelling and the material falling to the floor. Both stood there dumbfounded for about five seconds before she turned a brilliant scarlet, squeaked, and ran back into the kitchen. Muttering several curses he readjusted the towel, threw the blanket over his shoulders and slumped onto the sofa. Well, that was just great. I hope she knows it was an accident and doesn't think I'm a total pervert... He wanted to apologise but hadn't the faintest idea of how to go about it so settled instead for glowering out of the window, only looking up when she peeked timidly out of the kitchen.
"It's okay, I'm decent.."
"So I see." She smiled a little and made her way over to him, perching on the arm of the chair and ruffling his hair. "Next time keep a hold on the towel."
"So you believe me when I say it was an accident?"
"Of course."
Relieved he wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her onto his lap, nuzzling kisses to her neck to make her laugh. "Thanks." Unable to resist he waggled his eyebrows. "Did you like what you saw?"
His answer was a whack to the back of the head.
( fufufu. No, no excuse sadly, unless being a fangirl counts.
please read and review! )