He stood at the door, rubbing his eyes sleepily. Judging by the clock, he'd only been asleep for maybe an hour when someone had interrupted his slumber. The 'someone' was the kid, who was clearly embarrassed about all this. He kept hopping from one foot to the other, cheeks pink, and all Mwu could do was watch him, one eyebrow raised. "So," he said finally, causing Kira to look up sharply, "you mind telling me what this is all about, kid?" The young man seemed to think for a moment, then nodded. "S-someone's looking for Murrue-san...have you seen her?"

Mwu folded his arms, leaning against the doorframe. "It's what, 2AM, and you're asking me if I've seen the Captain? Hvae you checked her room?"

Kira nodded. "She's...not answering.." The blonde man chuckled, stifling a yawn. "Doesn't that tell you something? Like that maybe...she's sleeping? Like I was?" The boy blinked. "Uhhh...I guess. I was just asked to find her, that's all..."

"And what, you think she's here? Why would she be?" Mwu gestured behind himself at his darkened room. The bedcovers were rumpled, his uniform jacket and undershirt lying in a heap on the floor, but there was no sign of anyone else. Kira sighed, shoulders slumping. "You're right. Sorry, Mwu-san...for disturbing you.." He smiled a little. "Goodnight."

Mwu watched for a few moments as the kid walked away, then grinned. Wandering back inside his room, he locked the door behind him, before carefully sitting on the side of the bed and peeling back the covers. Hidden beneath the rumpled fabric...he smiled. Still fast asleep. She was curled up under the thin blankets and sheets, amber eyes closed tightly, breathing soft and even. A lock of her dark hair had fallen across her face, and he tenderly brushed it away. The tickling sensation caused her to smile, but she didn't wake up. Slowly, Mwu climbed back into the bed, wrapping his arms around the sleeping woman to bring her close.

"Mmmm?" This movement caused Murrue to stir, half-opening her eyes to regard him sleepily. Seeing him there, she smiled again, rested her head on his chest with a contented sigh, and quickly went back to sleep. The blonde man grinned, gently caressing her cheek as he gazed at her. He knew how embarrassed she would be if anyone had realised she was here, which is why he'd pulled the covers up to hide her when he heard the knock on the door. Even though Kira would likely have kept the secret, things were easier this way...and besides, he was happier keeping this relationship between the two of them, just as Murrue was.

But we can't hide things forever. Sooner or later, people are going to find out that we're together...Mwu traced his lover's face softly, fingertips moving up to wind in her hair. And when that happens, I'll be proud to admit it...

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The two of them were sitting on the bed, she propped up against his chest, mug of hot cocoa in her hands. She was drowsy and happy, his warmth and the warmth of the beverage soothing. Mwu gently stroked her bare arms as they sat together, his eyes closed. Finally, the comfortable silence was broken by a knock at the door. Murrue opened her eyes, surprised that they were being disturbed this late at night. Setting her mug down on the bedside table, she nudged Mwu. "You'd better answer it. It's your room.." The blonde man sighed heavily, unwinding his arms from around her waist and draping his jacket around his shoulders before walking over to answer the door.

"You're not gonna hide?" he asked, confusion clear on his scarred face. Murrue smiled, shrugging slightly. "Is there any point? I don't think there's anyone left that doesn't know about us.." She knew her cheeks were pink at the thought of someone, even one of her friends, seeing her in Mwu's room, but then again, what was the point of keeping things hidden anymore? She pulled her robe around her shoulders, picking her mug back up to stare into the steamy depths of the cocoa.

The visitor turned out to be Kira, who grinned at seeing her sitting on Mwu's bed. "I had a feeling you might be here, Murrue-san," the boy said impishly. "Lacus and some of the other fleet captains want to talk to you tomorrow before we make the descent to Earth, okay?"

Murrue's flush deepened a fraction. "If you knew I was here, why didn't you just call over the intercom? Why bother coming all the way here?"

Kira coughed, looking away. "Well, I..." Mwu raised an eyebrow. "Someone dared you to come check if she was here, didn't they? Like before, when you came here looking for her at 2AM. I thought that was fishy.." Kira blushed, violet eyes fixed on the deck. Without another word, he ran off. Chuckling, Mwu sauntered back inside his room, locking the door behind him. Murrue looked up at him as he sat back down beside her, smiling as he wrapped her up in his arms. "'Like before'? What happened before?"

Her lover grinned, sitting behind her and resting his chin on her slender shoulder. "When we were together before, in the last war. It was about 2AM or so, as I recall. The kid came knocking on the door, just like tonight, and asked if I'd seen you. Now I had, of course, but I didn't want to let him know. See, before I opened the door, I'd pulled the covers over your head so whoever it was couldn't see you.."

Murrue giggled, finishing the last of her cocoa. "You hid me?" Mwu nodded. "I thought that it would be best. But you didn't hide this time." He kissed her cheek, nuzzling his face into her hair. "And you know..I'm kinda happy about that."

She smiled, setting her mug down on the bedside table. "Well...I just wondered..is there much sense in hiding now? You saw Kira-kun...he knew perfectly well that I'd be here." Turning around in his arms, she pushed him down into the pillows, resting her head on his shoulder. "I missed you so much while you were gone.." she murmured, tracing her fingers across his bare chest to form patterns from the scars. "I wondered whether it would really have been so bad if people had seen us together...maybe I missed out by hiding... After all, when Strike..when you..." She broke off, taking a deep breath. Mwu pulled her close, hugging her tightly, and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Murrue closed her eyes, soothed by the embrace, as she knew had been his intention. "When that happened.." she continued softly, "I let my guard down in front of everyone. I had been able to hide the happiness...but I couldn't hide the pain..."

"Well, now you don't have to hide anything," he told her, leaning in to kiss her softly. "Not the happiness, or the pain. Because everyone understands it. Okay?"

She smiled gently. "Okay..."

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( Lol, moar waffle XD

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