( Random fluffness time. Cause I want Sky-sis to smile 3 )

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The house was quiet, just like always. From where he lay, he could hear the faint sound of birdsong in the trees, and even fainter, the rush of waves upon the seashore. Smiling without opening his eyes, he stretched out under the fluffy comforter to search for his companion - who, just as he'd expected, wasn't there. Her warmth was still present in the sheets, however, as was the faint scent of roses that accompanied her wherever she went. Prying open azure eyes, he reached out to the bedside table for the alarm clock that gently ticked away the minutes.

8.30 AM. Running a hand over his face, he groaned. Practically the crack of dawn. If he knew her, (and he did, better than anyone) she would have been awake for at least an hour. Mouth widening in a colossal yawn, Mwu sat up in the bed, peering around drowsily for any sign of her.

Life with a skylark...

Down the steps in the main part of the bedroom, her desk was quiet. The surface of the wood was littered with papers, mysterious annotated diagrams and pages covered in her neat handwriting, but she wasn't there working, which he was pleased about. Climbing from the bed, he made his way down the steps, suppressing another yawn, and slumped on the blue sofa in the centre of the room. A gentle sea breeze swirled around him from the open french windows, the thin gauzy curtains billowing and making the wind chime tinkle. And mixing with the chimes...he could hear humming from outside.

Smiling, Mwu made his way to the window and walked out onto the balcony, relishing in the feel of the ocean breeze and warm sun on his skin. It had been almost two months since he'd come to live here in Orb, and gradually he was getting used to the change in lifestyle and weather the small country invited. And getting used to sharing that lifestyle with the one sitting in the garden.

She was there, curled up on the grass below him, still in her nightdress though she wore a broad-brimmed straw hat to protect her from the sun, which even at this early hour was strong. And just as he had expected, she was working on the garden.

It had been barely any time at all since they'd come to live together in this house...a matter of weeks, and in that short time the overgrown garden had become a stunning riot of colour - as if the flowers had just appeared overnight in response to her presence. The blooms covered every available space, in the hollows under trees, cracks in walls...they was beautiful.

Almost as beautiful as the one who cares for them. But not quite.

He watched her for a while, chin resting on his hands, a fond smile curving his lips as she continued to tend her flowers. She continued to hum softly to herself as she worked, giving no sign that she'd noticed him watching. She was in her own little world, happy and contented...and he wouldn't have it any other way. She deserves it, more than anyone.

The kitchen clock read 9.30. Only two hours? It felt like longer. Stretching out her arms above her head, Murrue sighed. Her nightdress and hands were stained with grass and soil, bare feet dirty, but she was happy. Placing her hat on the kitchen table, she set the kettle on to boil for coffee. The water was already warm, a few specks of granules on the worktop, and she smiled. Peeking around the doorway into the living room, she saw the familiar head of blonde curls visible above the back of the sofa.

"You're awake early," she remarked, leaning over the back of the sofa and draping an arm around his shoulder. He smiled, glancing up from where he was reading the newspaper and accepting her affectionate kiss on the cheek.

"I missed you," he replied softly, reaching up to tangle his fingers in her hair. "It's the weekend, you know...you could have slept in.."

Murrue gave him a rueful smile. It was the same every week. Often at the weekend she would get up early to work on her garden, or on the paperwork that always stacked up. Mwu never once complained or scolded however, just gently reminded her to take it easy.

But I never listen, do I?

"I'm not used to sleeping in yet," she reminded him. "We haven't had much chance until recently, have we?"

"Two months is long enough," was his next remark, him angling his head to meet her gaze. "You're just too used to being on the go all the time.." This statement was punctuated by a teasing kiss to the tip of her nose. The young woman pinked, looking away...not able to deny this.

"It's hard to let go," she admitted quietly, and Mwu nodded.

"I know," he replied, tugging her close for a kiss, which she readily accepted. When they broke for air, he smiled, brushing a fingertip down her cheek.

"Tell you what," he murmured, "why don't we go for a walk round the park later? Relax, get some ice-cream? I haven't seen you much since you started back at work..."

"I'm sorry," Murrue replied, glancing away, but he caught her chin and made her meet his gaze again.

"Don't be. It's okay. If your work and your garden make you happy, then I'm happy too."

She sighed at that, affectionately swiping the back of his head. "But I want you to be happy because you're happy..."

"I am," was his reply, wrapping an arm around her as she came to sit beside him on the sofa, coffee forgotten. "I am happy. Because I have you. I don't need anything else.."

Taken aback at the simple response, she blushed for no reason she could think of. Finally, she coughed and looked away.

"That's a pretty simple take on things.." she pointed out, and Mwu laughed.

"Probably it is," he admitted, leaning back against the sofa. "But it's the way I feel. Even if we were still at war, still fighting - even if I'd never gotten my memories back, if I could wake up and know you were there, then I'd be happy."

Murrue smiled, understanding what he was trying to say. However bad your life can be, whatever the world throws at you...if you know there's someone there who cares about you, then you're able to smile. Closing her eyes, she rested her head on his shoulder. Life may not be perfect...she may not be perfect, but he accepted and loved her regardless.

"Let's go," he said suddenly, and got to his feet. Blinking amber eyes in surprise, she just stared for a moment.

"Go where? The park? Like this?" she asked, gesturing to the night clothes they both still wore.

He grinned at that, leaning down to scoop her up into his arms. "Nah. Maybe later. Right now we're going to take a walk in your garden, and you can show me all the stuff you've been doing since we came to live here."

"Even though I spend so much time there?" she teased as he carried her out into the warm morning air. He nodded cheerfully. setting her down on the grass under a tree before he flopped down beside her and laid his head in her lap.

"Because you spend so much time here," he corrected her. "Because of all the work you've done, this place is beautiful. How can I get jealous or mad at something you love so much? Just as long as you don't love it more than me," he added with a grin. Murrue laughed, leaning down to kiss him on the forehead.

"No, I don't love it more than you,"

They never did make it to the park. The rest of their day was spent together in her garden, in that time Murrue teaching him how to recognise the various plants and flowers, and love them as she did. Mwu smiled at her obvious delight as she chattered happily about the place she had created, her dark eyes shining.

Let her have her work, even her overwork if she wants it. Because I still get to be with her whatever happens, and I get to see her smile. What else do I need?