Pale rays of early spring sunshine filtered through the kitchen window, illuminating the young woman who stood there. She smiled a little, stretching her arms as the kettle whistled merrily, boiling for coffee. Setting two cups on a tray, she gazed at the other items which lay there. Two bowls of cereal, and two plates of toast. Nothing very special there, right? But for someone who had lived alone since the age of nineteen, it still took a little bit of getting used to...sharing her life with another. And it's not just my life, is it? My life, my house...and since the storm a fortnight ago..my bed...But...She smiled again, pressing a hand to her chest. Yes, it took some getting used to. But she was happy, happier than she had been in a long time. Picking up the tray, she made her way upstairs, giggling softly at the sound of gentle snoring coming from the bedroom.

The tiny room was warm and cosy, despite the clutter that had inevitably built up. The pale blue comforter was crumpled up on the bed, the figure underneath hidden save for a mass of rumpled blonde curls. Setting the tray down on the dresser, Murrue carefully sat down on the edge of the bed, moving slowly so as not to wake the sleeping man, and pulled the covers back over herself. Sipping her coffee, she tugged aside the comforter. Mwu lay there, head pillowed on one arm. He looked so innocent when he was asleep, she thought, letting her fingertips drift across his handsome features. Like a child, almost. But then again, that's just the way you are. When I used to watch you on the train, you were always reading the newspaper. You looked so serious, studious...I used to imagine you were reading about shares...The truth couldn't have been more different. Murrue smiled, remembering her surprise when she had learned that far from perusing the business pages, the blonde man had actually been reading the cartoons...

The perfect man I saw on the train...turned out to be quite a bit less than perfect. He's childish sometimes, and very messy. But I love him, and I'm happy that he's here with me. He's handsome, and kind, and...Her cheeks reddened, and she buried her face in the mug of coffee she held. And he...well, in a way, he was perfect... I've known you...for four months now, but it feels as though it's been longer. Ever since that day...we've never looked back.

Setting down her coffee, she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the sleeping man's cheek. He smelt faintly of cologne, the scent mixing with that of sandalwood soap and warm skin. At the touch of her lips, he opened one blue eye, grinning as he saw her. "Morning.." he murmured, reaching up to let his fingers brush over her cheek and up through her dark hair. Murrue smiled. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?" Mwu chuckled. "Sure I did," At those words, his other arm snaked around her waist and tugged her back down to the bed. The young woman squeaked in surprise as she was suddenly brought close to him, then sighed. "You're impossible.." The blonde man leaned back against the pillows, her held tightly in his arms, and nuzzled his face into her hair. "What? We're not working today, are we?" he asked, voice muffled. "And don't tell me you don't like this.." His lips moved downwards to press tiny kisses to her cheek and neck, and despite everything, Murrue closed her eyes, leaning into his touch.

"How did this happen?" she asked softly, his warmth and attention making her drowsy. "From meeting the way we did, to this..."

Mwu smiled at her words, breathing in the scent of roses from her hair and smooth skin. "Who knows?" he replied, tugging the comforter up to cover them both. "But I'm glad it did.." Very glad. The day I met you, I fell in love, and being here with you like this is all I ever wanted. When my house flooded, you took me in without a moment's thought, telling me that I could stay here as long as I wanted. I haven't told you yet...but I want to stay forever. Here, with you... "I ought to go take a look at my house - see what I can do with it.." he mused aloud, and the woman in his arms stirred. "I thought the flood had wrecked it?"

"It did, mostly. But there might be something left I can salvage.." he replied, opening his eyes and looking around the tiny bedroom. The furniture was piled high with odds and ends, some of it hers, and some his, and some of his clothes littered the floor. Clothes he had bought to replace the ones lost in the wreck of his house hung in the wardrobe. I treat her house like my own... "I'm sorry.."

"For what?" she asked, managing to wriggle free of his embrace a little to retrieve her cooling coffee. Mwu sat up, accepting the cup she offered him. "For...imposing. This is your house, you're letting me stay here, but I haven't done anything in return. I..." He was cut off when Murrue placed a finger over his lips. "No need to apologise," she told him. "You're not imposing at all. For as long as you want it to be, this is your home as well as mine. And..." She blushed fiercely, staring into her mug. "you being here...m-makes me happy..." Her soft voice trailed off, and she peeked up at him nervously. Mwu had to smile. She had changed quite a bit from the painfully shy young woman he had met four months ago, but sometimes she would still blush and stutter, especially when he kissed her in public. It's fun to make her blush...she looks so cute... "Thanks.." he replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"So how come you're not working today?" she asked later, curled up in his arms. The empty cereal bowls and toast plates stood on the tray, but even though breakfast was over, the couple were happy to stay where they were. Mwu stretched out lazily, gazing up at the white-painted ceiling. "Nothing to test..." His job involved putting new cars and bikes through their paces. It was an exciting job, but often dangerous, and just this once, he was happy to take the day off. Especially since he could spend it with her... "You know...I told the guys at work I had a girlfriend..." Murrue's response was to blush again, hiding her face in his T-shirt. "You did?" she asked, her voice a barely audible murmur. Mwu grinned, stroking her hair gently. "Yep. But all I said is how beautiful you were. Nothing else, even though they all wanted the juicy details. I didn't even tell them your name..."

"My friends at work say they've noticed something different about me," she said quietly, a small smile on her lips. "That I'm not so shy, and that I seem happier. But...I won't tell them why..."

"Am I your little secret?" he teased, chuckling when she reddened again. "Maybe I should take you into work with me one day..to show you off a bit? You could watch the testing..." He was only half-serious, but her response surprised him. Murrue let go of him, turning away. "Murrue? What is it?" She didn't answer, instead slipping out of bed and leaving the room. Her pale face wore an expression of suppressed pain, which confused the blonde man. All I said was..she could come to work with me. Did I say something I shouldn't have? Getting out of bed himself, he went to find her.

She was standing a little way down the stairs, gazing at a photograph hanging on the wall. It showed a much younger Murrue, perhaps only a teenager, amber eyes sparkling with happiness. She was standing arm-in-arm with a boy her own age, his dark curly hair flopping into his eyes. The older Murrue reached up to caress the picture lightly, the pain clear to see on her face. Mwu watched for a moment, beginning to understand. "What happened?" he asked softly. She didn't appear to have heard him at first, her dark eyes closed.

"He always took so many risks..." she whispered. "Drove so fast..that sometimes I was afraid to be in the car with him. He told me I worried too much, that it would be just fine. But..." She pressed a hand to her heart, remembering the day she found out. "He...he took a corner too fast, and.." Her voice trailed off, a single tear rolling down her cheek. The man beside her didn't know what to say, simply reaching out and placing a hand on her shoulder. Murrue turned to look at him, eyes brimming with tears. Without another word, she hugged him tightly, nuzzling close. "That's why.." she murmured, and he nodded, stroking her hair. "It's okay, sweetheart..." Now I know why she never wants to hear about my day. Why she takes the train. I never thought..."I must remind you of all that. Why is it...that even though you know what I do for a living - you still..."

"Because I trust you," she replied. "I believe that you'll be careful..." Her thin fingers tightened on his T-shirt. "And, despite everything, I can't help the way I feel about you...Just promise me one thing..."

"Anything,"

She looked up at him, dark eyes softened with a loving smile. "Whatever happens, you have to stay safe. You have to come back to me. You promise?" Mwu nodded, embracing the one who had stolen his heart.

"I promise.."

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( Ah, the infamous promise. Lol.

Hope you enjoyed the (mostly) fluffy chapter. Please read and review! )