The Arcana (one shots)

Rain [Muriel x Reader]

The sky was starting to turn dark. The rain didn't help either. You had been searching for some special herbs that Asra asked for in the forest, just outside of Vesuvia. You hadn't even found the first herb you needed, when you felt a single rain drop on your cheek, soon followed by a downpour.

Suddenly you remembered that Muriel, Asra's friend, quick to become yours too, lived nearby. You knew the path to his hut well enough, being that you've been there a good handful of times. You started to sprint, careful not to slip in the rain, toward your destination. In only a few minutes his hut came to view, relief flooding your mind at the sight of it. The rain wasn't going to let down any time soon.

When you arrived in front of the door, dawning many locks and protection spells on it, you briskly knocked. A large figure peered from inside, when he saw it was you he quickly opened the door and let you in.

"Hey, Muriel... sorry to intrude on you like this. I wasn't expecting it to rain." You sighed, slightly out of breath from running. Muriel looked at you sheepishly.

"What were you doing out here anyways? You're soaking wet.. "

Muriel averted his eyes, a slight blush on his face. He was indeed right, you were soaking wet. You looked down at yourself, realising you could see through your own clothes as they were sticking to your skin.

"I was looking for some herbs that Asra needed... and I guess you're right. I should probably change. Would you happen to have any spare clothes..? Not that they would fit me anyway. "

You chuckled, then said, "But at least I'd have something to wear."

Muriel lit up an intense crimson, as he looked away, flustered.

"O-of course. I have a cloak you can wear..."

He awkwardly shuffes to the other side of his hut, where a large, black, cloak lay neatly on a small, wooden, table. He walks toward you, arm outstretched, cloak in hand. All while averting his gaze away from you. You kindly take it and set it down next to you.

Muriel was always shy, but overtime you became really close and he was always pretty comfortable with you. Why was he so shy all of a sudden? You look up at him and ask, curiously,

"Muriel, is something wrong? I didn't mean to make you nervous by coming here... I know it was out of the blue."

"N-no, I'm fine. It's not like I could've left you out in the rain like that. I just wasn't expecting you to come, right now." Muriel looks at you softly.

"I mean, well, you could've left me out there." You say out loud without thinking.

Muriel snorts.

"You know I wouldn't do that, y/n." he says.

"Not to you." He adds on. The words linger in the air for a bit.

After some silence had passed, you suddenly remember how soaking wet you are, when you let out a sneeze.

"Sorry, it's cold in these." You gesture to your clothes.

"Can you... look away? While I change out of my clothes." You say politely.

Muriel suddenly tenses up a bit and quickly says,

"Y-yes, ofcourse."

He's blushing profusely. He turns the other way and stands awkwardly, looking at the wall.

You start to take off your clothes, feeling a little vulnerable. You know Muriel would never try anything, not that you would mind, even if he did. But it still had your mind racing.

After you'd stripped everything but your underwear, you picked up the cloak, examining it. It was obviously way too big for you, the fabric dragging on to the floor. You wrapped it around yourself, making sure to cover your body properly.

"Muriel, I'm done." You say softly.

Muriel turns back around, still blushing quite profusely. You walk to sit by the fire, still feeling cold, you start to shiver. You didnt realise what you were saying, until the words were already out of your mouth.

"Can you warm me up?"

Muriel looks at you, something akin to bewilderment, plastered on his face. It takes him a second to process what you just said, as a blush creeps to his face.

"W-warm you up? I-I mean if you're that cold, I g-guess I can..."

Muriel was a flustered mess. You felt a bit bad afterwards realising you put him on the spot. Nonetheless, you were happy he said yes.

You two layed by the fireplace, wrapped in furs. Muriel pulled you flush to his body, facing his chest. When you peered up at his face, it was bright red. You stared at him in awe, he looked really cute. When Muriel noticed you staring at him, he sputtered,

"W-why are you looking at me like that?"

You didn't think it was possible for him to get any redder. You blushed a little, as he met your gaze.

"You look cute." You simply said.

Muriel looked a little confused, while looking away and mumbling,

"Me? How do I look cute? You're the cute one..."

If you hadn't been listening carefully, you would've missed the last part of what he said. You were surprised. Did Muriel just call you cute? You tilted your head up at him, face close to his, asking tentatively,

"Can I kiss you?"

Muriel blushes, his eyes widening, as he looks back at you.

"K-kiss me?"

You don't say a word, continuing to look up at him, never breaking eye contact. He blinks, saying quietly,

"Yes, you can kiss me."

Hearing this, you bring your face closer to his, until your lips touch. The kiss is soft, as you lean into Muriels touch. He holds you in his arms, letting you take the lead. You deepen the kiss, feeling Muriel tense slightly at this, before relaxing into it again.

Eventually you pull away for a breather, your face hot. Muriel looks at you, dazed. Suddenly you feel your eyelids become heavy. You haven't been able to sleep well the past few days, having to stay up to study your magic. Muriel realises this and whispers,

"Do you want to sleep? I'll be here when you wake up, y/n."

You look at him appreciatively, and respond,

"Yes, I haven't been getting enough sleep these days. I'm trying to develop my magic."

Muriel looks at you with concern.

"I know your magic is important to you, but you should really get proper rest and take care of yourself. I don't want you to get hurt."

He rubs your shoulder, lovingly.
You smile and say,

"I know, thank you Muriel."

He smiles, as he pulls you close to him. Within minutes your mind drifts away, with the sound of rain and Muriel's breathing lulling you to sleep.

a/n - this is the first time ive written fan fiction. id originally written this for myself as comfort, but i thought why not share it since there arent a lot of Muriel fanfics...