She used to watch him as he slept. Always a light sleeper, she'd awaken early in the morning at the bright sunlight streaming through the thin curtains, often smiling as she remembered where she was. It was still a little hard to believe...that she had all this, this house, this life..and him. His arms would always be wrapped tightly around her waist, his breaths tickling the back of her neck. And very carefully, she would wriggle around in his embrace to face him. To see that familiar handsome face wearing a seraphic smile as he slept, long hair sometimes trailing across that face. She would gently brush it aside, often trace the scar that wound across his nose.

Just like today.

As she studied his sleeping face, Murrue brushed her fingertips over the tanned skin of his cheek, suppressing a giggle as his nose twitched. You're really real, aren't you? I've accepted now that this isn't all a dream, that I won't suddenly wake up and have lost you again...

As her fingers moved up to skim through his hair, Mwu woke up. One azure eye cracked open, and his serene smile widened. "See something you like?" he asked sleepily, reaching to catch hold of her hand and press kisses to the palm. Murrue just smiled, stretching out lazily under the fluffy white duvet. "Maybe." she murmured, closing her eyes as she yawned. He chuckled softly, rolling over to face her again before kissing her. "Good morning.."

She smiled into the kiss, fingers winding in his hair. His warmth and familiar scent of sandalwood soap surrounded her, the feeling comforting. When they broke for air, Mwu kissed her brow, ruffling her dark locks. "How long have we been here again?" he asked, snuggling back down beside her. Murrue frowned, trying to remember. "Maybe...a month now?"

"That it?" he mumbled drowsily, face buried in her hair. "Feels like forever.." She nodded in agreement, sighing happily as he pulled her close again. "We have to get up sometime today," she reminded him, smiling at his incoherent mumble. "Mwu?" No reply this time. He was fast asleep again.

But it is pretty early. And we're not working today. I'll let him sleep.

Managing to untangle herself from his embrace, Murrue slipped out of bed, smoothing down her crumpled nightdress. The sleeping man never stirred, not even when she brushed aside his hair again. She watched him for a few moments, expression fond. Even if she wasn't really sure why, she loved him. Being with him made her happy. She'd waited patiently until the day she would see him again, and had been willing to wait forever.

He was rather less than perfect, however, being childish and overconfident sometimes. And he was stubborn. Murrue sighed, sitting down on the bed. Everyone remarked on seeing them together how well suited she and Mwu were for each other. How his cheerfulness and zest for life balanced her seriousness and tendency to worry too much. How he wanted to protect, and she (secretly) to be protected. But no-one ever mentioned the ways in which she and Mwu weren't suited.

We're both stubborn. He's kind of lazy, and scatters things right and left. I worry about everything, work too hard...are we really that well suited? Will this all work out?

But looking at him sleeping, at his innocent face, she already knew the answer. It would. Because she loved him, and he loved her. Even if their life together wouldn't be perfect, she would never swap it, and the thought of being without him was far too painful.

I found out two years ago what my life without Mwu would be like - and I never want to be that lonely again.

Murrue lay back down beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. Here was her reality. This house, this life, and him. All she needed in the whole world. Whatever happened, whether life and her loved one were perfect or not, she would hold onto this reality as tightly as she could - because the alternative was too painful.

"I love you.." she whispered, knowing that Mwu couldn't hear her. But as she closed her eyes, she felt him embrace her once more, soft kisses tickling her cheek and brow.

"Love you too..." he murmured.

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( More random fluff? Yep.

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