She had been to the local shop for the small amount of groceries they needed, milk, bread, a package of cookies, as well as the daily newspaper. The walk had been pleasant, a cool sea breeze blowing through the trees lining the pavement, and she hummed a cheerful tune as she pushed open the gate to the large red-brick house. The door to the house stood open, letting the sunlight in to warm the yellow-painted kitchen, and the gate to the garden was also open. After setting the groceries down on the table, Murrue wandered out into the garden, smiling at the sight of the dozens of brightly-coloured flowers dancing in the breeze. Her boyfriend was nowhere to be seen, but their car was still in the driveway, parked at an odd angle. The young woman wandered over to feel the bonnet - it was cold. So wherever he was, he was close by. Murrue was about to call out to him, when she noticed something on the hand she had placed on the small red car. Her hand was filthy.

Taking another look at the car, she frowned. The normally bright red vehicle was covered in dirt and dried mud - how long had it been since it had been washed? Had it ever been washed?

"Mwu?" she called softly, amber eyes searching the garden for a sight of familiar blonde hair, or his tall figure...but there was nothing. Walking into the house, Murrue searched for the one who should have been there. A small plate covered in toast crumbs sat by the kitchen sink, as well as an empty coffee mug. She smiled at that, running her hand along the wooden worktop, and quietly made her way upstairs.

"Mwu?" He still didn't answer, but as she entered their bedroom, she immediately saw the reason why. Her boyfriend was stretched out on the blue sofa, bathed in warm sunlight...fast asleep. His scarred face wore a peaceful smile, and Murrue carefully tiptoed across to where he lay, sitting down on the sofa beside him. She lightly brushed away a stray lock of blonde hair from his face, causing the man to stir. "Hmmmm?" he mumbled, peering up at her with sleepy blue eyes. "Hey, beautiful. Did I fall asleep?" Rubbing his face, he sat up, leaning close to kiss her cheek. Murrue ruffled his hair affectionately. "You can sleep anywhere," she scolded, but his happy smile, and the way he hugged her close...it was impossible to stay mad at him.

"So why did you fall asleep?" she asked later, curled up on the grass outside reading the newspaper. Mwu grinned, taking a bite from his sandwich. "Not sure. I was waiting for you to get back, and the sun was really warm, and..." He laughed, stretching out on the warm grass. Murrue giggled. "You're so lazy sometimes," she told him, poking the end of his nose. "There's so much that needs to be done around here, like watering the garden, or fixing that loose shelf in the sitting room, or washing the car...and instead, you fall asleep." The blonde man pouted. "Slave driver.."

The woman chose not to reply to that, but she did smile. Folding up the newspaper, she got to her feet, walking back to the house. Mwu watched her with a gentle smile, seeing the way the breeze fluttered the hem of her white sundress and threaded it's way through her auburn hair. It had been almost four months since the end of the war..three of those since they had begun living together, and it had been everything he'd ever hoped it would be. Laughter, love, squabbles, dreams...everything.

And on the day we finally have peace...I'll ask her.

He was so lost in thought, he never noticed her come back. She wandered slowly towards him, carrying a bucket which looked rather heavy. "You going to help me?" she asked, setting the bucket down beside him. It was filled almost to the brim with hot soapy water. Mwu examined the water mildly. "What's this for?" he mused, looking up at his girlfriend. Murrue sighed, reaching down to grab his hand. "This is for washing the car," she replied. "It's filthy. And you're going to help me."

Which is how the two of them ended up busily scrubbing away at the encrusted dirt and mud on the small red car all afternoon. Bubbles rose from the bucket of hot water, bursting in the warm air, and the driveway was covered with dirty soap suds. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Mwu glanced up at his former captain. Her pale face was intent, dark eyes shining, and he couldn't help smiling. She still hadn't changed, always giving everything she had to the task at hand. "You having fun?"

Murrue looked up, and smiled gently. "Actually, I am. Are you?" Swiping her hand through the bucket, she blew on her hand, sending the soap suds drifting through the air towards him. Mwu grinned back, flicking water at her.

When the dirt had been washed off the car, he sent a jet of cold water from the hosepipe sailing over the vehicle, rinsing away the soap and making tiny rainbows. Then, with a wicked grin, he sprayed his girlfriend with the icy water. Murrue squealed, shrinking away, and threw some of the dirty water from the bucket at him.

That was all it took.

The rest of the warm afternoon was filled with laughing and shouting, water being thrown in every direction. As the sun slowly sank toward the horizon, the two lovers lay together on the grass, hands joined, both staring up into the twilight sky.

"That was fun, huh?" he said quietly, squeezing Murrue's hand. She smiled, reaching up to brush aside a lock of wet hair from his face. "It was," she replied. "Sometimes it's good to be childish..and the car's clean now as well.."

"A job well done?" he asked, turning his head to look at her. Her reply was to nod, gazing into his deep blue eyes. "What shall we do tomorrow?"

He grinned, moving forward to kiss her gently. "We could stay in bed..."

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