AN: the "he" in italics refers to Murrue's first lover
Title/theme: DOUBT
Genre: slight angst :D
Approx time line: after Phase 38 of GS
Summary: "Her heart was not ready to accept him, not yet. But even if she was ready, was there room for him?"
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The pendant on the silver chain was shaped like a coffin. Engraved on it was a blood red rose. It was a symbol, a symbol of loss.
He'd seen her look at it often, a sad and longing expression on her face as she clutched it tightly to her heart. His heart would tighten, for he didn't like to see her in pain. He wanted to share her burden, to carry it for her so she wouldn't have to suffer alone.
"You know, I don't like Mobile Armour pilots…"
From that, Mwu La Flaga gathered that he was a mobile armour pilot like he'd once been. And knowing that, he understood her fear and reluctance to open up to him.
On many occasions, he found himself wondering what was inside that locket, curious as to know who he was, and what he was like. But he'd never asked her about it. It was not his place; he had no right to know.
But still, on those quiet and lonely nights, he'd wonder about him, the one who had come before, the man who had left an impression on her heart. He knew that she missed him and still loved him, and part of her heart would always belong to him. That was fine with him, for he would never ask her to forget him and her past.
She was still mourning, her heart not ready to accept him, not yet. But even if she was ready, was there room for him? He knew he could never replace him, but could he fill the void in her heart?
Sometimes, when she looked at him with those sad eyes, he could feel that she wasn't really looking at him; she was looking past him, at the ghost of someone long gone. He could see that those eyes, full of hope and longing, were not for him.
Mwu was not one who lived with doubts. He acted as if he was always confident, always so sure of himself. It seemed that nothing scared him, and nothing fazed him. He seemed determined to win her heart, or at least capture a piece of it.
However, he too was human. In the darkness of his heart, he was envious of him, envious that he'd left such an impression that she'd always remember him. Would she do the same for me?
Then there was fear. Fear that she would compare him to her lost lover, fear that he would lose, that he would disappoint her. He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to heal her, and gain her love and trust.
As he held her shaking body, trying to calm her nightmares, he wondered if he would ever truly win her heart.
"Mwu?" her soft voice brought him back to reality. He smiled at her, hiding his uncertainties behind his usual grin.
"Yes?"
She smiled up at him then. A genuine smile directed at him and only him, melting away the ice of doubt in his heart.
"Thank you," she brushed her lips lightly against his cheek, the caress like the touch of an angel.
He may not be able to take away all her pain, and she may not be willing to surrender her heart completely to him, but he would try. He would try for her smile.
AN: after those fluffy ones, I figured a more serious one is okay for a balance... Inspiration came from my Inuyasha Sango/Miroku (another great couple) one-shot, "Jealous Heart".
I've wondered if he's been curious about her past lover and what was inside the locket (I know I am). I think as confident and cocky as he is, Mwu probably does have his doubts, esp due to the fact that there was someone who came before him...