𝑰dentity v || Oneshots

◇ Of Tales And Innocence | Murro

Requested by: @Siniora-Chan
(Wildling x Child Reader [Platonic])

For every fairy tale you've read, there was always some kind of hero to rely on. Whether from monsters to hellish beasts, a knight in shining armour was there to rescue the unfortunate. Those stories were imprinted in your mind, a kind picture of a man riding a horse to rescue all kinds of people in need.

Perhaps that was why you've always been found around the wildling, seeking comfort in this neverending game of escaping. He was not really the kind of knight people would think of, with no armour at all and instead rides a small but sturdy boar. He also doesn't look of someone brave, having to be middle aged and clothes all dirty and messy from the wilderness. But to you, he was perfect. In your eyes, he didn't need anything fancy, nor need anything knightly to look the part. Murro had helped you just enough to be called your knight.

"Why are the scary hunters so mean?" You had asked, clutching onto the tanned pants of the older man. Still innocent and naive, you were sucked into the game with your curiosity, a trait that had gotten you into too much trouble. But being said, you were a child, a little girl full with wandering thoughts and neglected questions. You could never be left alone.

"I don't know. But perhaps it's because it's part of the game," Murro carefully selected his words, scared to inflict any fear onto the child of innocence. He fully knows what your curiosity could do, and he wasn't pleased with the thoughts of you finding out yourself.

It had always occurred to him that you were the only child in this game ran by a wicked man. It wasn't a normal game to win some large amount of money, but a death trap with no escape. So it was a shock to him why would such a young girl like you would be able to stay in this place for so long? Truthfully, he wasn't pleased by this.

Murro didn't hesitate to take you under his wing, despite the past betrayals he had to overcome. Trust was a rare thing he would give out, yet, you reminded him so much of his own children he never had time take care of. It was a past he had never thought so much of until now. How much had he missed? Were those days of life with people just fragments of a man who was nothing but a tool for someone else's gain?

Questions that were left unanswered were not meant for him, but the child he oath to take care of.

"Come on, Y/N, we have to go to our next match," Murro was never used to saying those lines, afraid that it would be the last time he would be able to say anything to you. It had made his stomach churn, tumbling around in neverending regrets to fully give in the commands of letting a kid play this sick game. It had made things worse when you had seen him as a knight in those foolish fairy tales when in fact, he was just stalling death.

A few minutes flew by, and yet no sign of the hunter around. Messing with the cypher, did he only think of the bad things that could happen in this single match. How were you able to play this game with a cheery smile? Emit laughter without a trace of fear? What had driven your curiosity so much as for you to stumble in hell's game?

"Mr. Murro! I found a nice smelling perfume!" You waved at the older man, almost stumbling over your feet as you made it to his cypher. It was like as if your job was to lure the hunter in, because you definitely did bring one closer.

You waved your hands around, oblivious to the giant red clown. Even with the heavily beating heart of yours turned purple, not a hint of worry circled your face. It was if nothing ever mattered, except for the fact that you were definitely not stupid enough to realize what you had gotten into. In truth, you knew well that this was no normal mansion that homed random people. But as far as that goes, you were clearly still far too young to understand anything else. Was there an option to go home? What will happen in the end of this game? Will you be able to go back to your beloved parents?

...Will your shining knight riding on a brave boar see you again?

"Y/N! Run!" Murro had already caught your arm, pulling in anticipation to feeling the raw pain of getting hit from the back. But even with the big bruise that had lathered behind, he didn't stop shielding your tiny form.

The last cypher was already primed, and he had already planned out your escape. Without a moment too soon, he whistled towards his trusty boar. You were lifted onto its back, hands gave a firm grip and released you with a push. Just like that, the doors were open, and you were riding straight out. It was so quick that only when you came back to the mansion, did you realize what had happened.

...Murro wasn't on the boar with you.

With a fright, you screamed in worry, tiny legs and tiny arms shaking about in a troublesome tantrum. You were utterly devastated, a look of fear appeared before your eyes. He truly was your knight and shining armour—but it had costed his safety to differ from your own. He risked himself for you, and it had made you feel guilty. You knew he wasn't able to take multiple hits, his body slowly aching as time began to eat his flesh and bones.

"Why are you making such a fuss now?"

You stopped mid way through your session of long and wheezing screams, turning to see the appearance of worn clothes and purple bruises of the man you had worried so much over. Coming face to face with your hero, did your arms reach for an embrace, a warm tender hug replaced the solemn feeling of abandonment. As tears slowly trickled down your cheeks, his hands slowly combed through your hair, brushing past tangles and giving the comfort you desperately needed.

"Please...don't leave!" You whined, in fear of losing someone you cared about once more. It had taken a toll on you, and the way he had accepted this burden was nothing but bittersweet. You were a child, and there was nothing more than someone to lean on to save this innocence you were with.

Although there was no sure of an actual escape from this game, Murro had kept his promise to protect you. He wasn't able to let go, also afraid that either one slip of a figure, you would disappear in fragments of distant memories. In this hellish game, for once he had an actual purpose—that was to be your Shining Knight in an endless fairy tale of death...

A/N: Not sure if I did this right since it's my first time taking requests, but I hope I didn't disappoint!