Sweet Nothings (One-Shots) | The Arcana

What is Meant For You (Muriel/Asra)

"I . . . I don't understand."

        Asra slowly looked up at the fox-headed Magician, eyes shining.

        "Why do I always . . . lose them?"

        His apprentice was lost to him again. They hardly came around to see him, and when they did, their gaze was distant . . . wistful. Someone else had swept them off their feet, he guessed. And somehow, that hurt even more.

        Asra closed his eyes, hanging his head in shame. Could he not compete with their lover? Was he not good enough?

        "The Universe never takes away what is meant for you."

        He raised his head at the silken voice, locking eyes with the Magician.

        "Are you suggesting . . . That we were never meant to be together?"

        "I am not suggesting anything." Despite the sombre tone of their voice, their eyes sparkled and their ears twitched forward curiously. "I can not answer your questions, Asra."

        "If they were meant for me, they would have stayed?"

        "Perhaps. Perhaps someone else is meant for you?"

        ". . . I don't understand."

        The Magician clasped their hands patiently. "Who has stayed with you from the beginning?"

        He lowered his eyes in thought. Who had. . .?

        He shook his head. "I can't think of anyone else."

        The fox-headed Arcana quirked an eyebrow. "No?"

        Their tone of voice made him feel like he had missed something. He wracked his brain of the people he knew.

        Ilya? No. Lucio? Definitely not. Muriel. . .?

        He bit his lip and the Magician leant forward. "Have you found what you're looking for?"

        "I . . . I'm not sure."

        "Have they been with you from the beginning?. . ."

        Yes.

        ". . . Do they care for you?. . ."

        Yes.

        ". . . And do you care for them?"

        Yes, of course.

        The Magician laughed, startling him. "I know that look." He tilted his head and smiled. "Maybe you haven't been looking at them properly."

        They swept from the simulated room, leaving Asra to think. He sat there for a long time.

*****

The sound of the creaking door cut through the room.

        Muriel whipped around, shoulders tensed and brow furrowed in apprehension. His expression softened when his gaze landed on the white-haired magician in the doorway.