He hadn't been able to sleep properly since that day. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see the dimly-lit interior of the laboratory, and hear the slow, methodical voice and footsteps of that man. The words haunted him, coming back to echo in his ears, reminding him of the childhood he'd tried so hard to forget. Of being shunted back and forth between various maids and nurses, never catching sight of his parents. Of being sent off to boarding school at an early age so his father would never have to see him. Of the day he met him. All of this circled around in his mind, taunting him, bringing back the old feelings of inadequacy and loneliness.

He stared into the darkness, blue eyes open but unseeing, strong hands curled around the bedsheets. He couldn't sleep, even though he was exhausted, and had thought about getting up to walk around. But he was being held back by warm arms, the bare skin of his back being tickled by gentle breaths. If he got up now, he'd disturb her..wake her.

He sighed.

"You want to talk about it?" The soft voice startled him...he'd thought she was sleeping. After a moment, he turned to face her. She looked tired, chestnut hair rumpled, face pale. But her dark gold eyes shone with compassion and understanding. Reaching out, she trailed a thin hand down his cheek. He smiled a little, but the expression was hollow, and he knew she'd be able to tell. "How come you're still awake?" he asked. Murrue sighed, her fingers moving to twine in his blonde hair. "Because I'm worried about you," she replied. "It's only been a few days since you were let out of sickbay...and I know you haven't been sleeping. I know it must be because of what happened at Mendel..." Closing her eyes, she hugged him tightly. "If you don't want to talk about it, I understand..it must be painful. But just remember...that I'm here, okay?"

Mwu returned her embrace just as tightly, his own eyes also closed. His lover's warmth was soothing, causing some of the pain in his heart to fade away. If I didn't have her... "I'll tell you.." he muttered into her hair. "Everything, if you want to hear it.." He'd never told anyone about his past before, the suppressed memories painful to relive. But for her, he'd do it. He'd tell her everything.

Taking a deep breath, he began. His voice was quiet, halting, but he didn't stop until his tale had ended.

"There isn't much to tell, really. Compared to most other kids, my childhood must have seemed like a dream. A big house, huge garden. Everything I could have asked for - in terms of material possessions. But when it came to other things...my life wasn't exactly a happy one..." His gaze flicked to the woman in his arms. Murrue was watching him gently, but she didn't say anything, instead snuggling close to rest her head on his shoulder in silent support. Grateful, Mwu continued.

"To my parents..it was like I wasn't there. I was practically brought up by nurses and nannies, and when I ever did see my father, he would look at me as though he didn't even know me - as though I was beneath his attention. That was the biggest impression I got from my childhood...almost unending loneliness. I was actually grateful when I was packed off to boarding school...as it meant I would have friends for the first time in my life.

And it was great fun. Despite the fact that I'd been sent there to keep me as far away from my parents as possible, it was the biggest favour they ever did me. I learned, made friends..I'd had no clue before that what it was like to be somewhere...that people were accepted completely for who they were. And I began to wonder. Wonder why it was that my parents disliked me so much.

Then one day, when I was around ten, I found out. My father...he'd been fascinated with genetics ever since I could remember. Would talk loudly to whoever would listen about our great and illustrious family history, the line going back generations, and how it would continue for generations. And I learned one day that this 'line' didn't include me. Because I was - am - a Natural. He decided that his genes had been diluted by my mother...and I wasn't worthy of being his heir. So he...had himself cloned..."

He closed his eyes, remembering the day he'd first met his 'brother'. The other boy had been almost identical to him, but there was something different about him. Something...cold, in the eyes.

"And if my father had treated me with contempt before, now it was if I'd never even existed. All his attention was given to his clone, his genetically engineered 'perfect' son. I would hear him make plans for Raww's future, all the opportunities he would have.

But it's funny...how things work out..

One night, the house caught fire. No-one ever did find out how the fire started, but it spread so rapidly only myself and a few of the servants were able to get out in time. My parents..they were trapped inside." He laughed, the sound bitter. "And after all that had happened..I still cried. Because despite everything, they were still my mom and dad.."

Mwu sighed, eyes still closed. "Pathetic, isn't it? All I've done and seen since then, and nothing's changed. All I am still...is just a little kid with a father complex." Opening his eyes, he turned to Murrue. "Sorry for unloading all that on you..it's not fair.."

But far from the disdain he expected, his lover's expression was soft and sympathetic. "And this clone...he's Klueze? Seeing him, learning who he is..it brought everything back, didn't it?" she asked, and he nodded with a short laugh. "All of it."

"You had a hard time.." she murmured. "But it's okay now." Sitting up, she took him into her arms, resting his head on her chest. He blinked, surprised by this, but after a moment, he sighed, relaxing into her embrace. Murrue smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of his head, and stroked his blonde curls softly. "It's okay," she repeated.

He smiled a little, a genuine smile this time, and closed his eyes. Her warmth and scent surrounded him, and he knew that whatever had happened in his life, now he had one person who loved and accepted him completely.

Secure in that knowledge, now...he could sleep, protected in her arms from the nightmares and ghosts of his past.

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( Oh. Angst. :sighs: Sorry guys!

Please read and review anyway, okay? )