Tender Love & Care - The Arcana Muriel x Apprentice Fanfiction

Tender Love & Care

It's warm, and quiet, aside from the white noise of the rain falling down to the hut's roof outside. Feeling Inanna's fur through my fingertips as she's curled up in front of the hearth is soothing. The only person missing is Muriel.

"He's still busy, I guess." I mutter to no one. I look to the door, hoping it wouldn't be long before he wouldn't have to be stuck in the rain. "Chores are chores, it seems."

Inanna raises her snout up to my open palm, leaving a wet patch on my hand. A low whimper arises from her throat.

"I guess we both miss him," I sigh.

Suddenly the door creaks open, heavy footsteps breaching the inside of the warm hut, leaving puddles under the soles. My heart relaxes a little when Muriel's hooded face emerges from the doorway, sopping wet. I smile when he lowers his hood, then notice his hair is just as wet.

"Did the chickens keep you out longer?" I ask, still focused on Muriel's wet hair and rags.

Muriel nods. "I... didn't want them to get cold."

I let out a quiet giggle. "Funny, that's how I feel about you."

Muriel raises his eyebrows at me. I assume he doesn't get what I mean. Not up for leaving him confused, I motion towards his wet hair and furs. "You don't think you'd catch a cold just standing over there like that?"

Muriel looks down at himself, then looks as if he had just realized that rain, in fact, makes you wet. He turns his head away from me, most likely to hide his embarrassment. "It's just rain," he finally murmurs. "I'm used to it."

I huff and shake my head. "Muri, we talked about this." I shuffle to make room in front of the hearth, then beckon him over. He hesitates, then opens his mouth to argue, then sighs. He knows I won't budge. He lumbers over and sits next to me.

"You don't have to be 'used to' anything," I smile and start with the furs wrapped around his waist, heavy with rainwater. Muriel stays still as I place them near enough to the fire to get warm and dry. I turn to Muriel as I hang them up. "Take off the belts, the wet leather can't feel good against your skin."

Muriel blushes as he unbuckles the belts around his torso, setting them aside. He looks at me as I sit back down, now with a warm, dry fur in my arms. As I wrap the fur around his neck, I can see Muriel soften at the sensation. A grin stretches across my face, knowing how wonderful the warmth can feel on his cold skin. I even see a little smile escape from his lips, partnered with a relaxed sigh.

I move the fur up to his dark hair, rubbing it gently to dry it. When I'm finished, I let out a giggle. "Looks like I overdid it."

Muriel put his hand on his head, a low chuckle rises from his throat. He can feel the hair sticking up from all sides. He wraps the dry side of the fur around his neck again.

"Here," I say, reaching into the brown handbag beside me. I rummage around a bit before I find it. A soft hairbrush, perfect. I turn to Muriel. He seems to understand what I'm planning, so he's not confused when I come up behind him. He then shifts down just enough to where my chin his above the top of his head.

As I run the brush through his hair I feel Muriel let out a long sigh, his hidden smile now wide enough for me to see clearly. I can't help but giggle as he relaxes against me. I take my time, brushing slowly through each section of hair. Some small leaves appear on the brush and I have to pick them out. When I finish, I take his head in my hands and place a kiss on his forehead. Then I grin, as I notice he's so relaxed he nearly looks asleep. I reach down and start twirling my fingers through his hair. Despite the rain and dirt (which I've mostly brushed out, by now) his hair is extremely soft. As I'm feeling his hair my fingers will accidentally brush the side of his face, and I can feel his scruffy beard and the curve of his smile. My heart can barely contain itself.

Soon Muriel turns and lifts himself up to meet my face. I'm a little surprised, unsure of what he's doing, then I freeze as he plants a kiss on my lips. My heart is jumping, now, and I can feel his grin against mine. I wrap my hands around his neck and kiss him back. His face is warm now.

Soon I can't hold back and I'm giggling, I can barely kiss right as my lips part to smile. It's not long before Muriel joins in, chuckling and brushing his fingers against my cheeks as we're no longer kissing, just laughing with our faces close enough to each other to feel our breath puff onto our faces. My heart swells as we pull each other into a close hug, Muriel nuzzling my neck. Inanna senses our excitement and comes closer to us, resting her head on Muriel's leg and wagging her tail.

Muriel pulls me up to where his chin rests on my head, and I'm laying across the top of his chest. I'm drawing invisible pictures on his chest with my fingers. It's a while before Muriel finally speaks. I can feel the low vibrations in his chest as I lean up against it.

"Thank you," he says. He runs his fingers through my hair, now.

I let out a loving sigh. "Anything for you, Muri."