He watched her with a smile.

She was standing there in the hangar bay, clipboard in hand, pen stuck behind her ear, looking every inch the professional captain. As he watched, she made notes, checked off items on lists, signed papers that others brought her, doing all that was expected of her in the aftermath of battle and war. But she also found time to talk with each member of her crew she came across, rewarding each one with a smile and soft words. The crew responded to her kindness, chatting with her, even laughing and joking with her. And, far above, leaning out of Akatsuki's cockpit, the one who loved her watched with a fond smile, chin resting on hands.

And she was worried she wouldn't make a good captain. She's an excellent one...because she's able to be friends with her crew.

As he watched, a young technician, perhaps only the kid's age or a little older, approached his captain with yet another clipboard for her to sign. She turned to face him, and smiled. The kid stared dumbfounded for a moment, blushing like an autumn sunrise, and handed the board to the captain without a word. High above, Mwu chuckled. He knew all too well what it was like to have the full radiance of a smile like that directed at you. It was...like sunlight.

As she handed the clipboard back, the kid nervously scuffed his toe on the floor, and mumbled something quietly, still blushing. The dark-haired woman blinked in surprise, and her cheeks pinked suddenly. As the kid scuttled off, she pressed a hand to her chest...and smiled a little. Settling her papers under her arm, she kicked off from the deck and left the hangar. Mwu frowned. What did he say to her?

Floating down from the mobile suit, he left the hangar to find her. She was standing a little way down the corridor, still flushed. He leaned against the wall, watching her. "You made a new friend?" he asked mildly, and Murrue turned to him, startled. "Oh.." she murmured, looking flustered. "No...I.." Then she sighed. Mwu regarded her for a moment. "What did he say to you?"

"That I was...pretty..." she replied, smiling a little. "Poor thing, he was so shy, maybe only around Kira-kun's age. But it's always nice to be complimented. To know that other people think...well, it's flattering..." He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He had noticed all too often others staring at her...and he didn't find it flattering at all...

Murrue noticed his annoyance, and raised her own eyebrows. "What? Is that so hard to believe? After all, you say things like that to me all the time - that I'm beautiful.." She pinked again as she said it, and looked away. "You are." he replied softly. She glanced up at him again at that. "But? There's a 'but', isn't there? Are you the only person who gets to compliment me, to notice me?" Mwu opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. "I...sorry..." he mumbled.

"You're jealous.." she realised, tawny eyes wide. His own eyes widened in response, and he coughed. "Uh..." She giggled at his discomfort, reaching up to ruffle his hair. "You are!" Mwu grinned sheepishly, apologetically. "I guess.." he murmured. "Sorry..."

She pressed a finger to her chin, pink lips curved in an impish smile. "So, you don't like other guys looking at me?" she asked, looking up at him through her eyelashes. He swallowed, throat suddenly dry. Her soft voice had become almost a purr, and her eyes were shining. He'd never seen her like this before, being...almost seductive...

"I...er..." he stuttered, and Murrue giggled again, dropping the flirty manner and becoming her usual self again. "You don't, huh?" Mwu shook his head mutely. I've seen the way other guys look at her...seen their reaction when she smiles at them... Her smile was hard to resist, the way it lit up her face and made her that much more beautiful. When she smiled at him...he melted inside. Just like now.

"Well," she said quietly, standing on her tiptoes until her voice tickled his ear. "You don't have to worry.." She kissed him gently, wrapping slender arms around his neck. He grinned as they broke for air, bringing her close in a hug. "Sorry for being dumb.." he said apologetically. "It's just that..you're all I've got. Can you blame me for wanting you all to myself?"

Murrue frowned. "All you've got?"

Mwu nodded, cuddling her close. "Yep. Well, I don't have any family, and back when I didn't have my memories either, that one image I had of you...was everything." He smiled. "You're my whole world, you know?"

The young woman flushed vivid scarlet, hiding her face in his uniform. But what he could see of her...she was smiling.

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( Well, Sky suggested this XD. It might not be exactly what she had in mind, but it was fun to write. As for Murrue-san's seductive behaviour...I have absolutely no excuse for it. But...lol.

Please read and review! )