She was watching the sun rise. Standing at the kitchen door, thin hands wrapped around a mug of hot coffee, she smiled as the first rosy rays began to peek over the horizon. She'd often done this, especially in the early days after Jachin Due. Just stand and greet the dawn, relishing the peace and solitude the early hour brought her. And although the sadness that had accompanied her then had disappeared now, she still liked to watch the sunrise now and again. And today promised to be beautiful. Draining the last of her coffee, Murrue turned and walked back inside the house, setting her empty cup down in the sink before making her way upstairs. The large bedroom at the end of the hallway was filled with cool air and the sound of birdsong drifting through the open french windows, neither of which seemed to bother the one sleeping in the large bed. He lay on his back, almost hidden under the fluffy duvet, so fast asleep that Murrue doubted a hurricane would wake him.

It's been what...a fortnight or so now? Two weeks since we moved in here..since we began living together. It still doesn't feel quite real, but all I have to do when it becomes too hard to believe is to just look at him. When I see his face, feel his arms around me..then I know it really isn't just a dream...

Climbing the steps to where the bed rested, she very carefully climbed back in beside him, picked up the thick paperback book she always kept on the little table for when insomnia hit, curled up, and began to read. Mwu still slept soundly beside her, tufts of blonde hair just visible underneath the comforter. Gently, so as not to wake him, she tugged aside the covers to expose his face. He didn't stir, but there was a small twitch of his scarred nose, which made her smile. She knew from experience how difficult it was to wake up her lover in a morning...but now there was no need for that. All this, coming home, finding this place, sharing our lives...it's been readjustment for him. A chance to learn how to live a life of peace. And I only have to see his smile to know how happy he is..

For the time being, even though she had been offered the chance to go back to her old job, Murrue preferred to remain here. To get used to living here in this house, to begin planting the kind of garden she had always wanted...and to spend time with him, getting to know him again, and being able to have the opportunity to learn about each other - everything that they didn't know before. She was even teaching him how to cook...and he was getting better. For now, she was content to just be here with him, the two of them living their lives together in peace, just as they had always wanted. Mwu was a little quiet still, an oddly sad expression coming over his face sometimes, but that was to be expected. He hadn't had chance to experience peace before, and he still wouldn't tell her anything about the last two years he had spent with the Earth Alliance. All he would say was that it wasn't important, and wrap her in a warm hug. Murrue understood that it probably was important, but that he didn't want her to know about it. "It's okay.." she murmured, brushing aside a lock of his hair. "Whenever you want to talk about it, I'll be here to listen.."

Focusing on her book again, she continued to read until the morning brightened, the sky turning from the pale duck-egg blue it had been just after dawn, to a brilliant cobalt blue..the same colour as his eyes. And eventually, when the digital clock read 9.10AM, he woke up, those eyes fluttering open to focus themselves on her. "Murrue?" he mumbled, reaching up to rub one eye with a fist. "How come you're awake?" In reply, she just smiled, brushing a gentle hand across his cheek.

She looked tired, violet shadows underneath amber eyes...but she seemed happy, her loving smile the perfect thing to wake up to. Stretching out, Mwu sat up slowly, mouth widening in a large yawn. "I was dreaming," he announced, wrapping his arm around his girlfriend's slender waist and snuggling close. Murrue smiled, still trying to read her book. "Oh?" she murmured, clearly knowing that there was more to this conversation. He nodded, resting his head on her shoulder. "From back when I was at the academy. I remembered my best buddy, the guy I shared a room with. Me and him used to do everything together.." She looked up at that, setting down the thick paperback on the bedcovers. "What made you dream about that?" she asked softly. "Did something happen to him?"

"I don't know..." he replied thoughtfully. "I never saw him after we graduated..." Lying back down in the bed, pulling her with him, he gazed up at the ceiling. "I sometimes wonder what happened to him. But I was thinking about that...because even though my best friend is someone different now, things are still the same. My best friend knows everything about me, and we do everything together. But this time..my best friend is also the one I love.." Murrue blushed, but looked quietly happy, closing her eyes and snuggling close. He grinned, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "It's true," he replied softly. "You're my best friend. You were my best friend when I didn't have anyone...you were there for me, and I can never thank you enough for it.."

"You were there for me too.." she murmured. "I had friends..but I still felt alone. You helped me so much...so I didn't feel lonely anymore. So that makes you my best friend, huh?" Mwu kissed her again. "Thanks, sweetheart.." The two of them lay together for a while, she curled up in his arms, until something occurred to him. "How come you were awake, anyway?" Murrue smiled, her eyes still closed. "I got up to watch the sunrise.." she murmured. "I used to do that a lot. It's so peaceful at that time.."

"Oh?" he asked. "I haven't seen the sunrise in years - well, I have, but I've never really gotten up specifically to see it.." We watch the sunset together every evening...and the light and colour of the sky makes her twice as beautiful as normal. I wonder..if the sunrise will be the same? "Okay then," he decided. "One day, we'll get up to watch the sunrise together. Sound good?" Murrue giggled, lifting her head to gaze at him. "It does...but are you sure you'll be able to wake up that early?" Pretending to be scandalised, he reached over to tickle her, making the young woman giggle and squeal. "Okay, okay!" she laughed, trying to escape his grasp. "Stop it!"

He just smiled, stopping the tickling and nuzzling kisses into her neck until she leaned into him with a sigh. "Don't you think it'd be nice?" he murmured, breathing in the scent from her hair. "To sit together and watch the sunrise? We could even bring the comforter down.." When she didn't reply, he glanced down at her. Murrue's pale face wore a sweet smile, her eyes tightly closed..she was fast asleep, lulled by his warmth and kisses. He watched her for a little while, stroking her hair gently. She was so many things to him...lover, companion, best friend...and he was lucky enough to be able to share his life with her. "Stay with me forever, okay?" he whispered, wrapping the sleeping woman up tightly in his arms. "I love you so much..."

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( Lol, waffle.

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