( Okay. I decided to write a nice fluffy prequel to my last story. I wondered if perhaps Mwu himself would feel kinda guilty and selfish about his relationship with Murrue-san. Of course, we know he has nothing to worry about, but still... )

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The room was dark, the only illumination present a small reading lamp angled over the desk. The man sitting at the desk sighed softly, adding his signature to several reports and other documents. Maintenance on a mobile suit sometimes felt like a never-ending task, but he knew that as difficult as his job sometimes was, hers was much harder. Looking back over his shoulder, he smiled at the figure curled up under the sheets on the bed. She had stayed awake for a while after coming to visit him, sitting on the edge of the bed to talk with him for a time, before growing tired. He had invited her to spend the night, and she had readily accepted, settling under the blankets and sheets to sleep. He was happy for her to stay here, knowing that if anyone on this ship needed rest, but never got enough, it was his captain.

As he watched, she murmured slightly in her sleep, shifting under the covers, and he had to stifle a chuckle. She really was adorable when she was sleeping. And I'm the only one who ever sees this side of her...sees Murrue as she is without the responsibilities of being captain weighing her down... Mwu sometimes wondered what would have happened if he hadn't taken that chance that day at Morgenroete. If he hadn't taken matters into his own hands...hadn't kissed her. He'd been in love with her for a long time, but had never quite been able to work up the courage to let her know, and the aching sadness he had felt when he had been forced to leave had made him realise what he was giving up. So that day, when the opportunity had presented itself - he had kissed her. And much to his surprise, she had kissed him back.

But, although he had been happy...he had been worried and unhappy at the same time. He loved her. Loved her very much, in fact. But he had been concerned that his kiss had been a mistake. Murrue had so much else to think about..her role as captain, the pressures of war - was what he had done really the right thing? Not to mention that she had loved someone else before...a pilot like himself, who had died. Mwu knew he couldn't ever replace that man in her heart...and the last thing she probably needed was another relationship with another pilot. What if the same thing happened to him? One word above all else stood out. Selfish. He hadn't stopped to think about her feelings at all... But when he had mentioned all this to Murrue, she had laughed.

"You know..." she had said softly, giving him a gentle smile, "sometimes...it's okay to be selfish. I'm selfish too. Being with you is selfish of me, but...I don't care. Because I know that however bad my day is, whatever I have to cope with, I can get through it, because I know that you'll be here. Isn't that worth a little selfishness?" And Mwu had to agree. It was the same for him, after all. The two of them had found each other, discovered how they felt, and had found happiness in the midst of war. Selfish or not, it was what they had both needed. For as long as we can, we'll be together.

Finishing up his work, he flicked off the lamp, and carefully pulled back the covers to slip in beside the sleeping woman. His presence caused Murrue to stir, and she blinked up at him drowsily, amber eyes half-closed in sleep. Seeing him there, she smiled. "All finished?" she murmured, and he nodded, reaching out to brush a lock of dark hair from her face. "Yep.." In response, she snuggled close to him, pressed to his side with her head nestled on his shoulder. And, with a contented sigh, she fell asleep again. Mwu smiled, wrapping his own arms around her, and enjoying her warmth. Being selfish really isn't so bad... he thought, stroking her hair gently. Because I get to spend time with her, see the side of her that no-one else can...and the Murrue I know is very different to the one that the rest of the world sees. My Murrue is gentle and affectionate - and the most stubborn person I've ever met. But I love her. It's impossible not to...

A few nights later, she was the one working, clad in her nightdress and robe, sitting in the rather uncomfortable chair behind his desk. The paperwork waiting for her was mercifully much less than she usually got, the various sheets only requiring to be checked and signed before they could be filed away. But it was pretty late at night, and more than once, she found her vision blurring. Rubbing her eyes impatiently, she stretched out, mouth widening in a yawn. "Mmmmm..." A soft chuckle from behind her caught her attention, and she turned to frown playfully at the one on the bed. "What? Aren't I allowed to yawn?"

"Sure you are," Mwu replied mildly, sitting up to lean against the wall. His own mouth stretched in a wicked grin. "But it just sounds so darn cute, that's all..." Murrue flushed scarlet at those words, and turned back to her work, signing the papers furiously. He always does this! Just when I think I'm used to the things he says, he comes out with something I'm not expecting..and it makes me blush like a schoolgirl! He's so irritating!

Sighing, she reached out for the mug of coffee he had brought her and took a swig. But then again, she reasoned, glancing at the cup, he had made this for her. Presenting it to her with a kiss, no less. He was mischievous and a little hard to understand sometimes, but he was also gentle, kind and affectionate...and she couldn't help loving him. Looking back around, she smiled a little shyly at him, knowing how pink her cheeks must be. "I never did thank you for the coffee, did I?" she murmured, gaze dropping to the floor. "Sorry about that..." Mwu chuckled again, moving to stand behind her and wrap one arm around her slender shoulders. "You don't need to thank me, silly.." he replied, voice muffled by her hair. "It was the least I could do - you always look so tired.." As he spoke, he leaned further into her until his voice was by her ear. "You finished yet?"

Murrue shook her head, giggling a little as he began to press tiny kisses to her cheek and neck. "Not yet. You get some sleep, and I'll join you when I'm done, okay?" He whined a little, nuzzling further into her hair, the kisses tickling her skin. "Awww..."

She laughed gently at the ticklish sensation, and tried to wiggle free, but he held firm. "Stop that..."

"Nope," he replied cheerfully, slipping his other arm under her knees and lifting her from the chair, before carrying her over to the bed, where he sat with her in his lap. "Now," he asked, beginning to kiss her neck again, "isn't this better than paperwork?" Murrue smiled, amber eyes fluttering closed as she snuggled into his embrace. "You're so selfish..."

"Maybe I am," he muttered between kisses, "but isn't that how we ended up like this in the first place?" As he spoke, one hand skimmed down her bare leg, causing her to gasp, cheeks pinking. She sighed happily, loving the affection. That is, until his hand reached her foot...and started to tickle it. Murrue squealed with laughter, trying to wriggle out of his grasp, but he was too strong. Mwu kept up the tickling until her cheeks were bright red with laughter, her breathing heavy. Chuckling, he nestled close, breathing in the scent from her hair. "I love your laugh," he said gently. "I don't get to hear it enough..." Smiling, she rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes closed.

The way you treat me...like I'm the most important person in the world - I could very easily get used to that. I let myself love and be loved...when I thought I'd be happiest alone. I met you, and my life changed forever. Selfishness or not...I needed this, more than I was willing to admit at first. I needed this...needed you.

The time they spent together was precious...their secret life. A time they could let go of their responsibilities, and be together. Not as captain and commander of a battleship, but as two people who loved each other very much.

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( There you go. Fluffy prequel :smiles: Did I do okay?

Please read and review! )