"Hey buddy, you comin' out with us tonight?"
The man they addressed smiled, tugging off his helmet and gloves and stowing them in his locker. "Nah. I'm heading home after this.." The other men laughed and joked, poking him in the ribs. "You sure have gotten tame lately," one of them teased. "You won't take any more risks out on the track, and you never come out to go party. Your girlfriend's that hot?" The man chuckled, but didn't answer, running a hand through rumpled blonde hair. It was true. Up until half-a-year ago, he had been just like the others. Taking as much advantage as he could of the attraction of his job, and taking as many chances as he could out on the track. But then, he had met her. At first, it was simple attraction. She was definitely someone you'd want to take a second look at...But as time passed, the need became greater. Not to just look at her, but talk to her. To find out about her. And the day I was able to do that...was the day I fell in love.
His friends' teasing...Mwu didn't mind it. The life they had - partying, a different girl on their arm almost every night of the week...it was a lonely one. And the girls, well, they were just there for what they could get out of the situation. Scantily clad, always blonde and brassy...the girl he had fallen for couldn't be more different. She was shy, slightly clumsy, and quiet - but she was the most beautiful and kind person he'd ever met, and he adored her. Murrue had asked him to promise that he would keep himself safe, that he would be careful, and he had been happy to oblige. What his friends thought didn't matter.
For the last couple of months, I've been saving up. I give money to her, for groceries and stuff, but I wanted to buy her something special. As thanks for letting me live with her...and a way of showing her how much I've come to love her. And now, I think I know what it is I'm going to buy. I just hope she accepts it...
Instead of living for the moment, like his friends, Mwu had begun to live for the future, and he had Murrue to thank for that. And as payment...he was going to ask her to share that future with him. It made him nervous, certainly, as he wasn't sure the two of them had been together long enough for something like this...but he had to try. On his way home, he stopped at the jewellery store near the railway station, browsing the glass shelves for a long time until he found what he was looking for. Paying for the object, he smiled nervously at his friend Lucy, who crossed her fingers. She had been here when he had bought the angel pendant for Murrue, after all. "Good luck," she said softly, and he nodded, pocketing the box and making his way to the station.
She was in the kitchen when he got home. Work had finished early for her that day, so she had decided to have dinner ready for when he got in. The pan of pasta bubbled merrily on the stove, and she smiled, humming to herself as she added seasoning.
"Hey..." The familiar voice made her smile, and she turned around to see him standing in the doorway, a smile of his own lighting up his handsome face. "You're home early," he said, and she nodded, returning her attention to the cooking meal. Hanging his coat up, Mwu wandered up to her, his warm arms snaking around her waist. "You smell good today," he murmured, his breath tickling her. Murrue giggled, trying to fight off his advances. "Stop that!" she squeaked, managing to wriggle free. "Go sit down..it'll be ready soon.."
Whining slightly, the blonde man pulled away from her, and sat down heavily at the wooden kitchen table, which was already set ready for dinner. "I didn't even get a kiss.." he grumbled, tugging the newspaper from his bag. She raised an eyebrow at those words. "So, those kisses this morning didn't count?" she asked mildly, not turning around. When you kissed me goodbye at the station this morning, I thought you weren't going to let go. Sure, it was nice, and I enjoyed it...but dozens of people were watching... Mwu just chuckled at that, getting up and moving to take her in his arms again. "Oh, they did," he admitted, nuzzling his face into her neck. "But that was this morning..." As he spoke, his lips moved slowly up her neck, pressing kisses to the soft skin, before making their way up to her cheek. She tried to pull away, but his arms held her tightly. "M-Mwu..." she murmured faintly, her eyes fluttering closed. He chuckled softly, turning her around in his embrace. His kisses moved across her cheek to her lips. "I love you.." he said simply, before kissing her passionately.
Murrue tried to resist, she really did, but it was no use. Mwu deepened the kiss, leaning her back against the worktop, his body pressing close to hers. She moaned softly into his mouth, her heart racing wildly. "S-stop.." she managed to gasp once they broke for air. "The.." He just smiled, reaching to turn off the stove, then lifted her up to carry her into the living room and lay her down on the couch.
"What happened...to the kiss?" she managed to ask, quivering at his gentle caresses. "Didn't we just kiss?" he replied, gazing down at her. His blue eyes were filled with love and desire. "If that's all you want, just tell me, and I'll stop..."
Taking a deep breath, Murrue opened her mouth to ask him to stop (even though she really didn't want him to), but before she could get the words out, he moved against her slowly - and instead of speaking, she cried out quietly, pleasure flooding through her. Not able to fight the sensations anymore, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
"Mwu..."
A little while later, the two of them lay in each other's embrace, she more than a little drowsy, but happy. Her eyes were closed, a faint smile to her lips as Mwu stroked her arms gently. "You shouldn't have done that..." she remarked sleepily, shifting to a more comfortable position. Her lover chuckled. "Why not? We both enjoyed it, didn't we?"
"That's not the point," she replied, stretching out blissfully. "Dinner's going to be cold now..." But she couldn't deny that she had enjoyed it. A pleasurable ache still lingered deep within her, the sensation only heightened by his caresses. If it happened again, I wouldn't complain at all... Turning around in his arms, she snuggled her head onto his shoulder, pressing little kisses to his neck. "I love you, you know..." she whispered, closing her eyes. "With all my heart.." It's true. It's only been six months, but I can't imagine life without you now. I love you, and I always will...
"I love you too," he replied. "You know, being with you makes me happier than I ever remember being...and...and I want it to always be that way..." His tone was strained, worried, but oddly hopeful, and Murrue opened her eyes to gaze up at him. "What makes you think it won't be?" she asked, but he shook his head. "That..that's not what I mean," He sighed, running a hand across his face. "I want - I'd like us, to be together for always.." She tilted her head to the side, confused. What does he mean?
Then...she understood.
Flushing crimson, she buried her face in his T-shirt, heart skipping several beats. "Y-you...a-a-are you asking me t-t..." Mwu sighed, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "I've loved you since I met you.." he said softly, stroking her hair gently. "And I know that I want things to stay this way forever. But I won't ever force you..." Murrue closed her eyes, tears escaping from behind the lids. He...he wants me to marry him. I...is this what I want? Taking a deep breath, she tried to imagine what life might be like married to this man. Wouldn't things be the same as they are now? He fills my house and my life with love and laughter - would being married to him really change that? I...don't think it would. And he and I really could be together for always...
"Yes."
The blonde man blinked, mind not processing the word. "Huh?" Murrue lifted her head from his shoulder, a gentle smile on her beautiful face. "Yes," she repeated. "You asked me to marry you, right? Well, that's my answer. Yes." Her cheeks were flushed rose pink, and there were tears shining in her amber eyes, but she was smiling. He smiled back, still unable to believe it. "You really..." he whispered, and she nodded. Closing his eyes, he wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close in a loving hug. "God, Murrue..." Thank you so much...Reaching into the pocket of his trousers, he pulled out the tiny velvet box he had bought on his way home. "Here.." Opening the box, Mwu showed her the ring. It was silver, topped with a daisy made with diamonds and a tiny amber. Carefully, he took his new fiancee's left hand, sliding the ring onto the thin third finger. Murrue gazed at the jewellery in wonder, tears escaping to slide down her flushed cheeks. "It's so beautiful.."
Not as beautiful as you are...Taking her in his arms again, he kissed her. She closed her eyes, a muffled sigh of bliss escaping her as she returned the embrace, and wrapped her arms around his neck. When they broke for air, she gazed up at him. "So, what happens now?" she asked softly. For a reply, Mwu leaned down and growled his answer into his ear, making the young woman turn poppy red.
"Hey, La Fllaga! Can I talk to you a moment?"
Mwu looked up from where he was climbing out of the car he had just tested. The supervisor had just called him. "Sure. What about?" The supervisor beckoned him over. Removing the fireproof gloves he wore, he stuffed them in his pocket, pulling off the helmet as he walked over to the older man. "What is it?"
"One of the companies we test for are bringing out a new range of stuff...but they're not able to ship it all over here to be worked on. They need one of us to go over there for a while. And they want you." Mwu blinked at those words. "Me? Why me?" The supervisor smiled. "The others aren't the only ones who have noticed that you're taking less risks nowadays. That impressed them, as they're not looking for a stunt driver, but someone who'll put the cars through their paces without trying to be showy. So they want you down there for about six months to a year. It'll be a nice change of scenery...hey, what is it?" Mwu's face had fallen, the shock clear to see.
"I..I..." he said softly, looking down. "Can't one of the other guys go?"
The supervisor raised an eyebrow. "One of the others? This is a great opportunity..and you want one of the others to have it?" Mwu nodded, dejected. "I don't...I just got engaged a few days ago...I don't want to leave my fiancee so soon..." But the supervisor shook his head. "They want you. And it won't be for all that long. I'm sure your fiancee will wait for you..."
Mwu tried again. "But..." It was no use. "They've made their minds up, La Fllaga. And that company pours a lot of money into this place - we can't afford to turn them down. I'm sorry, but you have to go.."
Telling Murrue that night was the hardest thing he'd ever done. The young woman's amber eyes widened in shock, and she looked away, the pain on her face clear to see. "Oh.." she murmured. "I see. Well, it sounds important, and it's good that they want you to be the one to do it..." Mwu gazed at her for a moment, then pulled her into a tight hug, breathing in the rose scent from her dark hair. "Sweetheart, I..." Her thin arms reached up to return the embrace, her shoulders shaking. She's crying... he realised, kissing the top of her head. "Murrue.."
"It's okay," she reassured him, although her soft voice was shaky. "They need you - you have to go, right? Don't worry about me..." But she still held onto him tightly. "W-when do you have to go?" He closed his eyes, wishing he didn't have to say. "They want me down there as soon as possible. I...I have to take the train tomorrow..." Murrue gasped, the sound muffled by his shirt. "S-so soon? Oh..I..." Her brave facade wavered for a moment, then crumbled, the young woman not able to hide her sadness anymore. Her tears rapidly soaked through his clothes, her slender shoulders heaving with her sobs. Mwu could only hold onto her, wondering why it was this had to happen. We've been together for such a short time, and now, just when we have a chance at true happiness...I have to leave her...He held her tightly, breathing in the scent of the woman he loved so much, tears of his own beginning to fall.
The next morning dawned bright and clear, the railway station quiet and empty at such an early hour. Bag over his shoulders, Mwu stood on the platform, his fiancee beside him. The train approached, and he turned to her, his heart feeling like it was breaking. "Well, I..." he said softly, not knowing what else to say.
Murrue watched him, seeing her own sadness reflected in his deep blue eyes. "Take care of yourself," she told him, one small hand reaching up to caress his face. "You promised, remember? That you wouldn't take any risks? And...and you have to write, and call me too. Because I'll be waiting." Tears trickled down her cheeks, and she brushed them away impatiently. "And don't you go meeting any girls where you're going, either. Because you'll have to answer to me." Mwu nodded, smiling sadly, and drew her into an embrace. "I promise. I'll be careful, I'll write, and I'll stay away from other women. And when I get back, we can get married, okay?" She nodded, hugging him as tightly as she could. "I love you," she murmured. "Don't ever forget that.."
"I love you too," he replied, leaning down to kiss her passionately. "I'm so glad I met you.." Regretfully, he pulled away, stepping onto the train. She watched her fiance, the tears brimming, but she didn't want to cry in front of him..she had to stay strong. "G-goodbye.." she called, one hand clutching the angel pendant he had given her. Mwu opened the train window, smiling. "See you soon, Murrue.." With a jerk, the vehicle began to move out of the station, carrying him away from her. She waved for as long as she could, before he disappeared from sight, then, finally, let go. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, and she sank to her knees, the sobs echoing through the building.
Why does everyone I love have to leave me?
But it was just for one year. She could survive. And he would come back.
After all, he promised...
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( Damn, that was longer than I intended it to be. But I hope it's okay.
Please read and review! )