AN: Ack!! I'm a day late!! TT... sorry... This one's very much different from the one I wrote a while back (chapter 22), I guess I'm in a more fluffy mood :D

I originally planned this little storyline as a 2-page comic strip, but alas, I didn't finish it on time (it's still in the rough sketch stage)... then it occured to me last night that I could just write the story instead (heh it's much faster). So yeah, I'm a day late, so happy (belated) birthday Hawkie!!

Title/theme: BIRTHDAY II
Genre: fluff
Approx time line: AU after SEED or after Destiny
Summary: "Tomorrow would be Mwu's birthday"

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"Phew!" Murrue sighed as she dropped the pile of reports on her desk and slumped in her chair. She has been working practically non-stop to complete her latest project that was due at the end of the month. She glanced at her desk calendar and smiled. November 28th.

So yes, technically she did have one more day to work on her project, but tomorrow would be Mwu's birthday, and she didn't want to work through that. Of course she wanted to spend the day with the birthday boy.

She grinned to herself at that thought. "Birthday boy" eh. Even though he would be turning a year older, she still thought of him as a boy, with the way he acted most of the times.

Murrue stifled a yawn and glanced at the clock with sleepy eyes. She hadn't slept too much in the past few days in order to finish her work on time.

It's only 2 o'clock. I think I'll take a nap…

With that, she slumped over her desk and closed her eyes, thinking of what present to pick up for Mwu on the way home.

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Brriinnggg!!!

"Hmm?"

Murrue cracked open an eye at the foreign sound that woke her up from a wonderful dream.

"Ugh." She closed her eyes, deciding to ignore the sound.

But it was persistent, coming again and again. With a groan of annoyance, Murrue sat up and grabbed the phone that was on her desk.

"Hello?" she grumbled.

"Murrue-san?" asked the voice at the other end, somewhat intimidated by her response.

"Oh, Kira-kun," she smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, I just woke up."

"Oh. I'm sorry to wake you up," the boy replied. "But uh, it's 5:30, and we were wondering where you were, and we were getting worried."

"5:30?" Murrue replied numbly, glancing at the clock automatically. He was right, she did sleep for more than 3 hours. It probably was time that she should get going.

"…So uh, are you coming? We're all waiting for you, and Mwu-san's getting impatient as well as worried."

"Huh? Coming, where?" she asked, confused.

"Uh, to Mwu-san's party, don't you remember?"

"Of course," she replied, "For his birthday right? That's tomorrow."

A long pause at the other end of the line.

"Um, Murrue-san, it's today," Kira told her in a small voice.

"But…" Murrue was getting more confused. "It's on the 29th, right? So…"

"Yeah…" a pause "That's today."

Murrue's eyes widened as she looked at her desk calendar, which was clearly flipped to November 28th.

Thinking quick, she logged on her computer and checked the date.

November 29th.

She slowly sat back down in her chair, feeling numb.

"Murrue-san? Are you all right?" asked Kira, hearing the silence on the other side of the line.

"…Yeah, I'm fine," she managed to reply. "I, I'll be there soon."

She hung up the phone and slumped in her chair.

"Ah damn it!"

She had been working so hard that she'd forgotten to change the date on her desk calendar! And she'd been so confident that Mwu's birthday was tomorrow that she didn't even think to double-check.

She suddenly sat up straight. Oh no!

She was planning to get his present after work today! Looking at the clock, she almost cried. The little shop that she was going to buy Mwu's present from closed at five.

Now what!

She slowly got up and put on her coat. She couldn't believe how horrible she was, forgetting his birthday, and on top of that, she didn't even have a present for him.

I, I guess I'll have to make it up to him tonight then….

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"Murrue! You're here!"

He didn't give her a chance to move before wrapping her up in a tight hug.

"I've been waiting for ya."

"Sorry I'm late," she mumbled into her shirt, unable to keep the smile from forming on her lips.

"Come on and enjoy the party," he released her and took her by the hand, leading her into the house.

"Sure…"

"Hmm?" He turned around, noticing her lack of enthusiasm. "Something wrong?"

She couldn't meet him in the eye, standing there with her head bowed.

"Hey, are you all right?" he asked softly, reaching out to put a hand on her shoulder. But she backed up slightly before his hand could reach.

"I'm so sorry!" she blurted out, bowing to a surprised Mwu.

"Huh? What are you…"

"I'm sorry," she repeated, straightening up, still looking to the side, and he was surprised to see the buds of tears forming in her pretty eyes.

"I, I forgot…" she lowered her head, "I forgot your birthday Mwu… I thought it was tomorrow… and I… I didn't even get you anything. I'm sorry."

A tear threatened to fall, but just as it did, he caught it with his finger.

"Hey, don't feel bad," he assured softly and cupped her face and tilted it up.

"But I… I didn't even get to spend your birthday with you," she protested.

"It's still my birthday, isn't it? You have all night," he winked.

"Still…" her eyes cast down again.

"It's okay Murrue," he smiled softly. "I know you're busy, and that you're working hard. I'm just glad that you're able to be here right now.

Murrue looked up and blushed at the gentle look in his eyes. She couldn't help but start smiling as well.

"Even so, I didn't get you a present…" she sighed.

To her surprise, he suddenly pulled her into his arms, making her blush even deeper.

"It doesn't matter Murrue. I don't need any materialistic presents, you know that. All I ever wanted for my birthday is for you to be here with me. That's enough for me," he whispered in her ear.

She smiled softly and rested her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around him.

"Thanks. I promise that I'll spend tomorrow with you."

She closed her eyes and sighed in content.

"Happy birthday, Mwu."