Title/theme: VISIT
Genre: general/fluff
Approx time line: Phase 46-7 of GS
Summary: "I wish you'd come visit me more often. It's so boring here by myself."

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Mwu la Flaga stared at the white tiles of the ceiling and sighed. He was bored out of his mind. He lifted his right arm to scratch his face, forgetting the needle still stuck in it. He winced and groaned in frustration. The past couple days had not been fun for him.

He exhaled again, debating whether he should go back to sleep.

But I just slept for 3 hours…

He glanced at the book lying on his pillow. Maybe he should read some more? He looked at the cover and immediately decided against it; reading just made his head spin.

Before he could decide on anything else, the sound of the opening door caught his attention. He turned, and smiled as the Archangel captain stepped into the room, carrying a tray.

"Hey," she sat down on the edge of his bed, facing him. "Did I wake you?"

He shook his head, smiling as her scent tumbled down towards him.

"That good." She held out the tray, "I've brought you lunch."

"Thanks," he replied, "I am getting a bit hungry."

As he tried to push himself to a sitting position, he winced as his stomach wound protested against the sudden movement.

"I'm okay," he assured her as she moved as if to help him, looking worried, "Just a bit sore," he smiled weakly.

"If you say so. Here," Murrue placed the tray onto his lap when he managed to sit upright.

"Thanks." He moved to take the fork, but stopped and turned to her with a mischievous grin. "I can't use my arm. Will you feed me?"

She just stared back at him, eyebrow raised. "You can use your left arm, can't you?"

With a defeated sigh, he nodded, "Yeah…I guess…"

"I think you're old enough to eat by yourself," she commented as she watched him pick up the fork, ignoring the grumbles coming from him.

Her gaze absentmindedly found his right arm, where a scar was starting to form, and wrinkled her nose. But he chose that moment to look at her and saw her expression. Putting down the fork, he poked her right shoulder gently.

"Now we match."

She stared at him, confused. "What?"

"Now we match," he repeated, pointing to his new scar. "You have one on your right shoulder too, right?" He was referring to the wound she'd received at Heliopolis. That seemed like so long ago now.

She laughed at his strange observation. "You're weird Mwu."

"Yeah, I know," he replied matter-of-factly, grinning.

She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Eat your lunch," she instructed.

"Yes ma'am."

Murrue laughed again. It was so weird to hear him call her that. But he was joking and laughing, which meant he must be feeling better.

Unlike last time I was in here…

Last time, he was depressed and angry as he told her the story of his childhood, and his relationship with his father. It was the first time she had seen him like that, and frankly, it scared her. For the past months, he had always managed to keep a calm front, and that had helped sooth her nerves. But now… even he was injured. She was starting to wonder if they were going to be okay.

"Hey, are you okay?" A gentle, calloused hand brushed her hair back, snapping her back to reality. She hadn't realised that she was staring at the floor.

"Who me?" She turned her attention to him.

He let out an exaggerated sigh, "Well, I don't see anyone else I could've been talking to."

"Why wouldn't I be," she replied softly, looking away. "You're the one who's injured."

He sighed. "Murrue, you know you can tell me right?"

She heaved a sigh. She knew she'd never hear the end of it until she told him.

"I was just thinking if we'll be all right. I mean, even you ended up like that…and I," she bit her lip, "What would happen if you…" she trailed off, unwilling to say the words.

He sighed, put his fork down and cupped her face with his hand, forcing her to look at him in the eyes.

"First of all," he lectured, "What makes you think that I'd get myself killed? I wasn't properly prepared last time, I didn't have the right equipment. And secondly," he released her and let his hand fall back. "Even if I," he cut himself off, thought for a moment and sighed. "Murrue, the world doesn't stop for anyone. No matter who dies," he looked at her sharply, hoping she'd understand what he was trying to say, "The Earth will continue to turn."

"Assuming that there is an Earth left to spin," she mumbled under her breath.

"Since when did you become the pessimist?" he chided.

She didn't answer, and he scowled. As far as he could remember, she had always been pretty optimistic, from when they were running from Heliopolis to the battle of Orb, she had always tried to look at the bright side, determined to try and make things work out. Now, seeing her so discouraged, he wasn't sure whether to be worried or scared.

"You know, if the captain loses spirit, the crew would be disheartened too."

"Yes, I know that!" she snapped, and he recoiled, realizing she probably didn't need to be reminded of her responsibilities.

"Sorry," she mumbled, not looking at him.

"Is this about the Dominion?" he asked gently.

She sighed. "When I told her that I hoped to meet her again, this isn't exactly what I had in mind…" She had known Natarle since they were assigned to the 8th fleet. While they weren't exactly best friends, they had always held a certain respect for one another.

"So that's where they've placed her," he mused aloud. "Makes me wonder where I would've ended up if I had gotten on that submarine…"

"Hmm," was all she said. She wanted to say that if he had gotten on that submarine back at JOSH-A, they wouldn't be here right now.

"I never thought I had to fight against someone I know so well," she exhaled again, "I guess now I know how Kira-kun must have felt."

He didn't say anything, just rubbed her shoulders gently.

"But," she continued, sounding determined, "I won't hesitate." Then she looked at him, seeking confirmation, "We do what we have to, right?"

"Right." He leaned forward, ignoring the protests of his stomach, and kissed her gently.

When he pulled away, she blushed and smiled to herself. Not sure of how to reply, she picked up the book on his pillow and flipped through it absentmindedly

"You know," he stroked her dark waves, "I wish you'd come visit me more often. It's so boring here by myself. All I do is eat and sleep, I feel so useless."

She smiled sympathetically and patted his hand. "I know, but the more you rest, the faster you'll heal. Besides," she put the book back on the pillow, "I see that you're reading too."

He made a face and gestured to the book. "Yeah, the Strike's manual. Not exactly the most interesting reading material."

She laughed, "Well, at least you're making good use of your time."

"Yeah…but I still wish you'd come more often…"

Murrue smiled at his pleading face. "All right, I'll try to come whenever I have time."

She suddenly found herself being pulled into his embrace. She rested her head in the crook of his neck and sighed.

"Rest and get better soon Mwu, okay."

He smiled. "Of course. I'd rather stay in your room than here anyway."

She laughed at his comment. "Yeah…I knew you'd say that."

"Well, it's true," he yawned.

She giggled at that gesture. Noticing the empty tray, she grabbed it and untangled herself from him.

"I think it's time you go back to sleep," she observed as he stifled another yawn.

"No, not yet," he protested, because he knew that meant she'd be leaving soon.

"Go to sleep Commander."

He scowled. She only called him Commander now when she wanted to remind him who was the boss.

"Oh fine." He lied back down, making a show of grumbling all the way. She just rolled her eyes and ignored his theatrics.

As she moved to stand up, he grabbed her wrist. She looked back, expectant.

"Murrue, could you stay with me until I've fallen asleep?" he requested softly.

Her face softened at his boyish expression. "All right Mwu, I'll stay for a while longer."

As she watched the gentle rise and fall of his chest, she thought back to what he said. While it was true that the Earth will continue to turn no matter who is here and who isn't, she was glad that they were both here now.

AN: wow, look at that, I'm still alive! Anyway, more fluffiness... I feel kinda rusty writing seriousness... I have a couple of chapter ideas lying around that should be finished... but can't find how... issues with writing angst still...

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Anyway, for all of you Mwurrue fans out there, I've created a Mwurrue shrine. It's still largely unfinished, but I've finished putting up the graphics and finished the fanart and fanfic sections. Since takes out any links I put here, I've put the link up in my profile. So go check it out!

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