#muriel fanfic

[madllamamomma]

The Visitor~ Part 8!!!!

Chapter 8~

The King of Pentacles~

[WARNING: Major trigger warning! Scenes contain physical and mental abuse. My content is also for more mature audience, 18+ please!]

As the arrogant Sir R. Martin Alarie III strolls towards his daughter’s magic shop, Beatrix his familiar, lazily drapes around his neck. With his eyes unable to resist the glimpse around him, he can’t help but continuously be disguised and repulsed by the streets of Vesuvia, despite them being the best they have ever been and the people being as kind as they ever were.

Continuing his walk, the cogwheels instantly turn and tick in his head. With just a day before he was expecting to return to his ship, time was running out. Now, more than ever he felt now that his plans must be in full swing by this evening.

“... Taking Pigeon home tomorrow, Master?” Beatrix murmurs in her master’s ears as she wakes up from her short nap.

Still continuing his proud wide stride, and his nose straight up, the Archamagister quietly replies under his breath. “... Perhaps. The child has been rather stubborn about staying here with these filthy lowlives… But we will persuade her one way or another.” 

The creature shifts her weight uncomfortably in his shoulders, knowing full well about this man's temper when things didn’t go his way. “... Master won’t hurt her… will he?”

“.... I do not plan to, Bea… perish the thought.” He answers, slightly shaking his head. 

Beatrix relaxes her little head feeling slightly relieved. 

“...But then again, we shall see what she makes me do after tonight…” He continues with a small shrug.

The badger glances her blue eyes up towards her master’s face. Feeling uneasy, her fur raised on end. “But Pigeon is nice now… didn’t try to burn Bea’s tail like before…”

“..Yes… well, ‘Pigeon’ doesn’t realize what she’s throwing away… You know that.”

“...B-... But Pigeon’s grown up now…” 

“She is going to have something I never had at her age…. A father to guide her to the right path…she’s still a valuable asset in Charlès. She’ll see that when she is back home.”

Without a second thought, the beast blurts out, “.... Pigeon seems happy here, and Master shouldn’t–”

The archmagister stops dead in his tracks with a cross look on his face as he beams into his familiar’s blue eyes. Beatrix slowly shrinks into herself, getting as small as she can. She couldn’t believe what she had just said, she never questioned him like that, what had gotten into her??

With a sharp annoyed sigh, he softens his gaze and takes a look at his pocket watch before stuffing it back into his silk pocket. “It’s getting rather late... How about you go off to find dinner for yourself, eh, Beatrix?” 

Poor Beatrix's hungry stomach grumbles as she innocently stares at her master. “.... Don’t make me repeat myself.” He quietly grumbles.

Slowly and reluctantly, she climbs down his arm and hops to the ground whimpering sadly, hoping he’s changed his mind. 

But instead he picks up his cane and starts to walk along down the street again without an ounce of remorse. “...Why don’t you go find some rats to eat instead…” He shouts over his shoulder. 

The poor badger whimpers a little more, having a bad feeling in the pit of her little stomach. 

“...You should know better than anyone I don’t need anyone holding me back…” Martin mutters under his breath as he slicks back his hair.

______________________

The shop never felt more apprehensive before. As closing time came, Rhemi swiftly blew out the lantern and preparations immediately got to work on a grand homemade dinner. 

Asra being the ever supported friend, even though hating every second if it, makes his special seafood curry. He cooked it to a mild spice level just in case the old man wasn’t up for the heat, yet it never lost any of its tangy flavor. 

Muriel made fried bread, a special recipe he learned from his cousins back in the south, simple enough to make, but the results were always extraordinary. He was half terrified it wouldn't come out right, but part of him felt like he had been doing it all his life. 

Of course Rhemi was in charge  of the dessert. Her loving Muriel, despite completely hating the idea of having to be in the same room as her father, brought fresh apples from the forest to make an apple pie. Usually she liked to buy her pastries from the bakery, but something about homemade pie sounded good. Luckily Portia and Argippa taught her an amazing recipe which was perfect for the occasion.

After a few hours, dinner was done and set on a simmer and everything smelt amazing. The pie looked absolutely delicious and was ready to be put into the oven, and the fried bread was crispy yet light and fluffy at the same time, the curry was slightly sweet and very savory, probably one of Asra’s best batches yet. Everything was perfect.

Almost exactly on the dot, a knock was at the door, and dread hit Asra and Muriel instantly.

As she hears the much anticipated knock on the door, Rhemi quickly uses her magic to evaporate from the kitchen to the door in seconds before anyone else could answer. “I got it!” She shouts as the sparkles still loom over her while unlocked the door and she tries to fan them away.

“Père!” She overenthusiastically greets as she sees his almost grim face. “Welcome…. A- again…” 

Martin steps into the shop with a polite grin, happy to see his daughter, but also attempting to hide his disinterest about tonight’s dinner.

Muriel and Asra drag themselves towards the door and try their best to be somewhat polite (or at least Asra is successful–The hermit, not so much). 

“Sir Martin, what a pleasure to see you again.” Asra says lying through his teeth with a fake smile.

The old magician bats his eyelashes in a bit of surprise. “Oh, yes…. More of Rhemiela’s… friends…” 

“....Fiance….” Muriel grumples under his breath. 

“Hmmm… So you two will be joining us as well then?” Martin asks, almost annoyed before looking back at his daughter. 

Despite the obvious tension already before the evening got started, Rhemi continued to smile and giggled sweetly, “Of course they are! Why, they both help make dinner!”

As they all feared. Dinner was awkward and slightly dull conversation wise. Luckily, Asra’s curry was the best batch he ever made, and Muriel’s fried bread went with it so well. Unfortunately, Martin barely touched his food, always looking at it suspiciously. He did however seem to like the wine, nearly finishing off the entire bottle himself. 

Stopping before any of them were too full, they all made their way to the velvet couch area as Muriel placed the pie in the oven and Rhemi made a pot of tea, leaving Asra and Martin alone for a moment.

“So…” Asra says to break the awkward silence. “How was your stay so far in Vesuvia, Sir Martin?” He politely asks. 

The archmagister slowly blinks, “As well as one could have expected… Other than finding Rhemielia here, this trip was dull and tedious as ever… The streets stink of low tide and oysters and the palace reeks of incense.”

 As Asra and Martin lock eyes and stare at each other loathingly. Every time this man speaks, Asra continues to just despise him even more. Just before Asra finally gives him a piece of his mind, Rhemi returns with a pot of tea and cups. 

Happy to see the tea, the old man smirks as he reaches down and takes a cup of tea his daughter poured for him“... Good thing we’re leaving tomorrow…” Martin scoffs as he takes a sip.

Seeing a segue, Rhemi decided now was as good a time as ever to ask her father about walking her down the aisle. “... Actually, Père, there is something I wanted to ask of you–”

BANG! – “Owww!” Shout the poor mountain man from the back. 

The three of them nearly leap out of their seats as they hear the poor hermit cry out from pain. Finally ending the staring contest with the old magician, Asra places his cup down to the coffee table and smiles fakely, “Ummm, sorry… Hold that thought, Rem…” 

He stands to his feet and peers over the corner to see his tall friend clutching his foot. “Muriel? You okay?”

“The hell is this chest doing in the middle of the hallway??” Muriel grumbles, shaking out his stubbed big toe.

“OH! I almost forgot!” Asra suddenly shouts out as he sprints towards the back hallway. He opens the once very enchanted and locked chest. “Hey, Rhemi, remember that chest?”

“The one that was enchanted shut?... And the one that my poor Muri apparently stubbed his toe on?” She shouts back to him.

“Yep!” He replies with a laugh. “—That's the one! I was trying it again today and realized that it finally unlocked!”

“You mean you somehow got it opened?”

“No! I mean, for some reason the lock was just unlatched yesterday afternoon!”

“Huh….” Rhemi’s eyes flutter and she shakes her head curiously. “That's… odd….”

“Anyways…. I was going through it and looking at what happened to stumble upon!” When he returns with Muriel tailing behind him, with a picture frame in his hands. With a large smile, he hands Rhemi a small glass frame about the size of a large book, with a delicate watercolor painted portrait inside. There were two women, both holding each other close and wearing beautifully embroidered clothing. One on the right who looked a lot like Rhemi, the one on the left was taller and had darker skin. Even though their faces were new to her, the apprentice knew exactly who they were.

“Is… is this..?” Rhemi stubbles over her words.

Asra smiles cheerily and points, the tall woman first, “That’s Athena,” he then moves to the other woman, “..and I am pretty sure that's your mother, Rhemi.”

Her mother was so beautiful, her hair was a dirty blonde, her eyes a deep hazel brown. Her frame was a bit skinnier and frailer than Rhemi’s but she did have a nice shape. She looked so kind, so loving, someone you would want to just hold you and sing you to sleep. 

Muriel comes from behind and wraps his arm around Rhemi’s waist with a warm grin. She looks up with her eyes slightly watery and feeling so happy. “My mother….”

“...You were right, you are a lot like her, Rhemi.” He kisses the top of her head and she buries her face into his forearm. “...Even down to her smile.”

Martin just stares blankly at the three of them, feeling somewhat a whirlwind of emotions himself, the only portrait he had of his wife was back in his home in Charlès, and those were nearly two decades old. 

Rhemi untangles herself from Muriel and cheerfully walks over to her father with the portrait, carefully handing it to him. Slowly he takes the portrait in his hands and he carefully studies the painting, nearly holding his breath as he takes in the painted images in front of him.

He seemed to take a long time to say anything, either it was the wine or he was in shock, but either way his disposition seemed to have rather shifted. A sense of vulnerability surrounding the man. Happy to finally have an opportunity to talk about her mother with him, she smiles and points to the woman in the painting and he takes a large hard swallow. “Look, Père! It’s Mum and—“

“—Phara…” Martin mutters under his breath behind his gritting teeth before his daughter could finish what she was saying. 

Rhemi then notices that he’s starting to tremble the longer he looks at the picture, slowly baring more and more of his teeth. His icy teal eyes are now somehow colder and filled with malice and it sends a shiver down Rhemi’s spine.

“P—Phara?...” She scoffs tilting her head in confusion and shakes her head. “What? No! Father, that’s not not her, Phara was an evil witch!”  Rhemi couldn't help but defend her poor deceased teacher, and she points to the tall woman with such confidence, tapping on the glass that protected the portrait. “That woman standing right there is—”

Quickly, her words start to die in her throat as she is suddenly overwhelmed with memories—Seeing Athena’s face for the first time in the hallways of the mansion in her nightmares. But she doesn't look like how she remembered her. Without her iconic long locks and traditional colorful clothes—no, instead she wore a bright scarf over her then short curly hair, and a rather plain looking Charlèsian outfit and large ornate earrings.

“....Rhemielia, my sweet dear.” Her mother’s soft voice rings in her ears, and sprouts pain to her temples. “...I want you to meet an old friend of mine… she will be your tutor from now on.”

Rhemi’s then acquaintance kneels down to her level with her sweet patient smile and tilts her head slightly. The woman’s golden yellow eyes stare into her own and extend her hand out to shake it. “Hello, my dear. My name is Phara. It’s lovely to meet you.” Her voice was deeper than most women, and she had a slight accent that she didn’t recognize. But her voice was the kind you wouldn’t mind listening to it all day. 

Rhemi could feel her lips curling up into a shy smile as she reached her small hand to shake this beautiful woman’s hand. “Hello..”     

“Rhemi??” Asra's voice mutter’s through the static.

By the time Rhemi realizes that she was staring off into nothing, it’s been nearly half a minute. 

“....Athena…..” She quietly mutters her hand slowly drawing back to her body, feeling her breath become shallower by the moment.

Martin takes a few steps forwards clutching the picture in his hands, making the leather gloves squeak from his grip and his eyes glued to the frame. “You said…. You said that you didn’t know anyone else other than your mother….” 

 “I…. I…” A pit hits Rhemi’s stomach as if she was thrown off a steep cliff. Seeing the anger in her father’s face sends her absolute dread. 

Muriel and Asra glance at each other, bewildered by these two's sudden change in emotions.

The trembling in Martin’s hands increased, the angrier he seemed to get. “... After all these years….. I scoured over half the world… Offered most of my fortune for her safe return….. I even prayed to the gods that I don’t even believe in to hope she’d return to me…. And what did I get in return?” Martin’s eyes gazed back to his daughter’s striking fear into her heart. “.... She fucking married the stupid frigid cunt of a captor!—”

——CRASSSSH!! 

Without warning Martin hastily slams the picture frame to the ground, shattering the glass on the wooden floorboard. With a quick snap of his fingers the edges of the small watercolor portrait burst into flames. Asra gasps and Rhemi clasps her hands over her mouth in horror.

“—HEY!!” Muriel quickly lunges at him, but Rhemi throws up her hand and stops him.

“NO!” She waves her arm and closes her hand, extinguishing the flames before it destroys the portrait. “Wha—What the hell are you doing?!” She yells still keeping herself in between her father and her fiancè and Asra swiftfully snaches the painting from the ground. Clutching it to his breast for safety and he keeps his eyes peeled to the man as he slips the unprotected watercolor back into the safety of the large chest, and hasility placing a binding spell back onto the box so her father couldn’t destroy it or anything else in there for that matter. 

Martin's eyes are still cold as he just stands there fuming with wrath and hate, starting into nothingness at the wall with his nostrils flared and breathing shallowly. “....I hope those stupid bitches rots in the hottest depts of hell…” he utter to himself, complete resentment painted across his his face.

Rhemi feels so confused and her heart starts to feel heavy filled with so many emotions and she grabs the sleeve of his long silk shirt. “—What?! That's the only portrait I have of my mother and Athena!! You told me this Phara person was evil…. But… if she was Athena– she… she never–... I.. she always was…. But you– …. And why the hell would you—” 

Finally her father whips his head violently towards his daughter. “—You fucking knew about this, didn’t you?? You lied about forgetting things didn’t you?!” Her father raspily accusations just above a whisper, aggressively pointing his finger at her.

His rage is eerily similar to the man in Rhemi’s dream from before back in the south with Ezavior. For a moment Rhemi also seems to recall hearing that tone in his voice before. It’s so abrupt, and violent, and it feels toxic, dark, and resentful… 

“You knew what that witch was doing behind my back, didn’t you?! What did that bitch tell you about me, HUH?? WHAT LIES DID SHE SAY ABOUT ME?!?” He continues to accuse her.

“Père, I never lied–”

—Smmmmack!!!

Dead silence engulfs all the shop for a few seconds, making the noise ring in everyone’s ears. 

Rhemi’s cheek starts to dreadfully sting.

The archmagister slapped his daughter’s right side of her face so hard with the back of his hand, it nearly knocked her over. The uter smoothness of his actions rather sickening, as if it was almost a reflex. What was worse, he was so quick and unfazed by his terrible action.

Shocked and appalled, she stumbles backwards and lightly brushes her fingers on her stinging cheek, completely shocked and breathless. Why do I know this feeling of my cheek burning like this….. she thought to herself.

“RHEMI!” Asra and Muriel shout simultaneously.

Muriel’s eyes widen then he lunges forward to him again, intent on following through this time, but Rhemi quickly grabs his wrist with both hands, “—MUR, NO!!”

“WHY?!” He barks looking like he wants to rip the man in two. 

“I-I have to know what’s going on!!!!” She desperately shouts back, tugging his arm harder. He stops reluctantly, fist clenched, putting himself in front of her, his arm blocking her body, but allows her to speak with him safely.

“What did Aunt Athena have to do with any of this?” Asra interjects standing tall next to Muriel and in front of Rhemi and just as furious as he. Athena was once his teacher too. She took him in from the streets, clothed him, educated him. He cared about her just as much as Rhemi did and wouldn’t stand for anyone trying to soil her memory. She was such a kind woman. A good woman.

Martin sneers at Asra, and just glares in disbelief. “…Athena?.....Aunt Athena?!?” A bone chilling laugh erupts from his lungs as with a matching crazed expression as he shakes his head. “This entire time… She was actually under my nose. So that’s what the bitch called herself all these years?? Of course she changed her name. But the ancient Augustan goddess of goddamn wisdom?? What a fuckin’ cunt you were, Phara....” 

“No… No Athena was Rhemi’s Aunt! Not this Phara person!”

The confused expressions on all of their faces just infuriates Martin even more and his anger grows. “...Is that really what they told you, Ass-rat? That she was Rhemielia’s Aunt?” He laughs, despicably throwing back his head, strangely entertained by this. “Oh…. My! Is that rich!! I’ll tell you tha’! That is goddman FUCKING rich!!” He slicks back his hair with his hand. Traces of an arrogant, shrewd, high and mighty nobleman melt away. Exposing this angry, yet hurt and vulnerabile and even almost fear mix with his sadistic and toxic ego. It is off putting to see this side to the man, but he now felt more dangerous than ever.

“HEY! Don’t insult him!” Muriel growls, leaning his upper body over Rhemi’s shoulder.

Her father finally stops laughing, but keeps the same malicious grin as he looks at her. “.... My little pigeon... You really don’t remember anything at all. Do you??”

Rhemi squints her eyes and shakes her head slightly, unsure of what he is inferring to. But the way he says that, she’s almost afraid to know. “What—What am I supposed to remember exactly?..” She clutches onto Muriel’s forearm that’s blocking her from him.

Martin’s grin falls as he tilts his head sadistically beaming at her. “... Don’t you remember that your mother was a damn unfaithful slut?!” He mutters in a low vicious tone.

“W-What?!” Her face twists, not believing his disgusting insult. Muriel growls through his gritted teeth holding back the urge to pick him up, and throw him out the door. “How….. —How dare you call my mother th—”

“—Don’t you get it you stupid girl?? That fucking woman you for some reason or another, called your ‘Aunt’ was the witch who stole you and your mother away from me!”   

“B-but….. A…. Athena was never evil…. She was kind…and…. She… She taught me magic–”

“–She’s the one who taught you what women should never learn! I told that bitch to help you control your magic! NOT TEACH YOU MORE! Magic is no place for a noblewoman in Charlès!! It would have absolutely destroyed our standing in the court! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO TO PEOPLE LIKE US?”

“... What?!”

Silence chokes the shop once again, but the air now feels even heavier somehow. 

Rhemi just stares at Martin’s face and an ice cold shiver runs down her spine once again. 

Suddenly, she remembers his expression. “...Wha—?....”, she mutters as another flash of memory creeps in. 

Her father is looking down at her the same exact way he is right now, but he’s much taller and only purple in his hair. She’s looking up, laying on the ground, blood trickling from her nose and forehead. Rhemi’s mother is trying her best to breathe. And Athena….. or was she Phara then…?? She’s fighting Martin with her magic... it’s all coming back so quickly— too quickly—It’s just.. too much! Make it stop!!!

A sharp pain hits Rhemi’s temples and spreads all the way over her forehead. This migraine…. it’s happened before, many times in fact, but not since Asra last told her about coming back to life. He’s always erased her memory to make this pain stop. She holds her head with both hands lightly, staring at the floor feeling more confused and disoriented by the second.

Martin trembles with fury as he continues ranting. “...Why do you think we haven’t seen each other since you were a damn child?! Why do you think you are called by a different name than the one you were given??”

A flood of emotions and memories pour inside her head all at once, the pain is just agonizing. She braces her temples harder, desperately wanting the pain to just stop. Her vision starts to even become hazy; In the corner of her eyes, for a brief moment, she can see her past self before she died, with her sick pale skin and blood red eyes just glaring so angry at her father. Her mouth is moving like she's giving him a piece of her mind, but she can’t hear anything coming out.

As Rhemi drops to her knees with a hard Thud, the old Rhemilia is gone. Muriel and Asra now turn their attention to the sound. “RHEMI !!” Muriel falls to the ground behind her and clutches her shoulders. “Rem!!! What’s wrong?!”

“It…. hurts….” She whimpers gritting through her teeth, eyes tightly closed shut, the light someone making it even worse. “It—it hurts so much!..... Muri-.....  A-Asra!..... Fuck!!” tears overwhelm her eyes. “IT FUCKING HURTS!!!! Pleaaaase!…. Make it stop!!!!”

Muriel cradles her in his warm arms trying the best he can to comfort her. “.....I’m here, Rhemi.” He utters to her, fighting back his own tears. He’s never seen her in this much agonizing pain before in this realm. This is even worse than the dream with Ezavior back in the Steppe before the winter solstice. It's so hard for him to watch her be in misery like this, he just wants to take the pain away, but is left helpless as well. 

But Martin just presses on and on, not even caring about his child’s obvious suffering. “Ugh! You blubber and complain just like your mother did…. I have had enough of this!!! We are leaving this godforsaken shit hole!”

“Stay away from her!!” Muriel growls.

Asra squints his eyes suspiciously towards her father and shakes his head. “Can’t you see she’s in pain?”

“I know my own daughter! She’s fine–” With a quick flick of his wrist his cane is suddenly in his hand. “Get up this instant, Rhemielia! We are going home.” 

Muriel’s brow furrows even more as he stares a hole in his face. “What are you talking about?”

Martin’s nostrils flare as he glances back to his daughter and he presses his lips together angrily. “... Oh, so you mean you didn't tell them, Mielia? Why am I not that surprised.”

“... Tell us what??” Asra asks, staring at Rhemi with his purple eyes with hurt behind them. 

“I….. I…” Rhemi’s bottom lip trembles, unsure what to say, she lied to them. All of them for the past few days hoping that she’d fix it. “I was gonna fix it, I swear–”

“–She’s coming home with me!” Martin finally says, cocking his head to the side. “Back home to Charlès where she belongs.”

“No…..” She whimpers through the pain and grasps her fiance’s arm. She could tell he was furious, she could only hope it wasn’t at her. “Muri… Muri I never…I tried to tell him–”

Feeling her tremble, he glances back towards her and takes her off guard to see his surprisingly understanding face. “Rhemi… It’s ok…” He gently strokes her hair, trying his best to soothe her through this terrible situation. She nearly collapses into his arm, wishing she was just honest with him to begin with. What was she really afraid of before??  

“Oh for fuck sake—This game has gone on long enough, Rhemielia!!” Martin's angry voice interrupts, making her tremble all over again. “...So far, I was willing to play along, but I have now lost all of my goddamn patients!! Now get up, we are leaving!!!”

“.... LIKE FUCKING HELL!” Muriel aggressively grunts as he wraps his arms around Rhemi's, determined to never let her go. He still didn’t understand why she lied, but then again, this man was crazy… Deep down, she must have been terrified of him. 

Asra stands in a wide stance, hand up and ready to do whatever he has to keep Muriel and Rhemi safe. “I believe you’ve overstayed your welcome, Sir Martin. Don’t you see that she doesn't want to go with you?...”

Unable to respond to a single person, she continues to wriggle around in pain clutching her head. It feels like hundreds of hot needles are pricking her eyeballs while simultaneously being hit with cold hammers in her temples as if she were a bell. The pain was absolutely agonizing. 

But her father wasn’t apparently convinced as he started to hiss and spit with each word that came out of his mouth. “What little pigeon? Does the truth hurt? WELL HOW DO YOU THINK IT FELT FOR ME?!!—My family was ripped apart because of some FUCKING WITCH WHORE BRAINWASHED YOU AND YOUR MOTHER! And you and your mother was stupid enough to believe her! Then that STUPID BITCH TURNED YOU BOTH AGAINST ME!!! SHE EVEN ATTACKED ME!!” 

Pulling up his right sleeve, he shows to everyone the terrible old burn marks across his entire forearm. “—THAT WITCH SET OUR HOME ABLAZE!!–EVERYTHING I WORKED FOR!! EVERYTHING I DID, BURNED DOWN ALL AROUND ME!! ALL OF IT WAS FOR YOU AND YOUR UNGRATEFUL MOTHER!!! Do you have any idea what I had done to get in the position I’m in, Pigeon?! HMMM??? What I had to do to secure your future?? And then your mother and that cunt threw it all the fuck away! AND FOR WHAT?! To live in a piece of shit like this??” He shouts guestering to the shop with his left hand. 

“... I GAVE HER DIAMONDS! I GAVE HER SILKS! A MANSION! STATUS! EVERYTHING SHE EVER WANTED!!!!”

Asra eyes widen and he starts to panic as he watches Rhemi slump over in agony on the floor. “R-Rhemi!!” Confronting the Archmagister, he summoned magic into his hands about to strike. “You need to leave! NOW!!! You're no longer welcome here—”

“—STAY OUT OF THIS, YOU QUEER SACK OF SHIT!!” Martin shouted, holding up his cane pointing it at the white haired magician.

 But Asra refuses to back down and starts to make a whip from the water in the air. “I said…. Leave. GET. OUT!” Asra shouts back, threatening him with his weapons. “Don’t make me hurt you in front of your own daughter!”

Martin looks him up and down with a sneer. “Do you really think an Archmagister fears water, you goddamn idiot?”

“She SAID, she doesn’t want to go with you, Martin!!!” 

“... And I was not asking…” Martin hisses as the jewel in his cane starts to illuminate, his dark metallic magic quickly summoning to his fingertips.

In one swiftful move, Martin throws up his walking stick, the strange stone brightly illuminating, green and purple magic pours out of the stone handle, opening a barrier spell around him just as Asra conjures sharp ice sickles a half second too late. This barrier was the kind that would get stronger the harder someone from outside would hit it and the sharp sickles break instantly after impact.

With a smug look on his face, Martin starts to take a few steps closer toward walking past the magician no matter what he did. Now standing over Rhemi and Muriel, the barrier shielding just himself. “.... Get your disgusting monstrous hands off my daughter and give her back to me, you bloody creten.”

“Over my dead body.” Muriel grunted, holding his lover even tighter in his arms, refusing to let her go. “LEAVE HER ALONE!!” Muriel glances up at him hatefully and growls as he protectively tucks Rhemi closer to his chest and covers her body with his arms. “—GET. THE. FUCK. OUT!!” He shouts with his booming voice loudly cracks like thunder. 

“What?... Are you gonna kill me? Indeed you were rather good at killing back in the colosseum, weren’t you, Scourge of the South?” Martin smirks once again. “....Are you going to cut me down with your ax?”

His sharp words make Muriel shudder, shaking him from his core. It’s been over a year since he has heard that name—no one dares to call him that after everything he’s done for this city.

Suddenly, Muriel can feel himself being ripped away from Rhemi like a powerful wave of dense, heavy water. Despite his strength, and tried as he might, he could feel himself being whisked away. “No! RHEMI!” It’s no use as he is overwhelmed with the force and is thrown towards the staircase. 

“Muriel!!” Rhemi weakly cries out as she falls face first to the floor, her hand outstretched for her lover, tears streaming down.

SMASH!!! The poor hermit’s grunts out a heave of pain as he crashes into the staircase, breaking some of the wooden steps underneath him and ripping up the back of his shirt. His forehead is trickling blood slightly from the cuts. It takes a moment to get up, but he recovers himself, realizing that Martin expanded the small barrier, and pushed him out, leaving Rhemi alone with her father unprotected on the inside. 

“R-...RHEMI!!” Muriel cries out, chest filled with dread as he scrambles to his feet, ignoring the pain that he’s in. “NOOO!!!” He yells, ramming his large right shoulder into the barrier as hard as he can, but it just makes a Thoom sound as he makes contact with it.

Now seemingly getting his way, her father seems to have slipped back into his prim and proper self as if he did just lose his temper. He clears his throat as he slicks back his slightly disheveled hair as he strolls over to where poor Muriel is struggling to break down the barrier with his bare hands. Somehow Martin looks down his nose at Muriel, despite him being much taller, sneering. “.... I thought I recognized your ugly botched-up mug, you bloody bastard…” 

Muriel gnashes his teeth, so angry and terrified at the same time. 

Martin glances down to his gloves to adjust them as he continues to speak, almost insanely calm, considering the situation. “.... Back in the day…. His Majesty liked to come here to this shit hole of a city for the tournaments and I would frequently accompany him… He and I won a lot of bets on you when you killed for a living in the colosseum….. I am right about that, aren’t I, Scourge of the South?” 

The hermit could feel his jaw clenching as he slams both fists on the barrier like a gorilla, getting angrier and angrier by the moment and nearly only seeing red. But all his effort was no use as he was constantly being pushed back by the barrier. If he got his hands on this man right at this moment, he'd most certainly tear him to ribbons.

The Archmagister’s viscous smirk curls up wider. “Judging from your reactions, I am….. And to think…..  someone like you believed they were going to marry my daughter…” 

“FUCK. YOU!!!” Shouts Asra as he does his best to try and open the barrier with his own magic.

 Muriel just stands there silent, showing his bare teeth before starting to pound on the barrier harder and harder. 

“M-Muriel… Asra..” Rhemi whimpers as she opens one eye and still clutches her head, unable to think straight from all the pain. She tries to stand, but stumbles right back down again. Out of the corner of her eye she can see her sweet Muriel’s head trickling with blood. Quickly, anger swells in her chest, making her heartbeat ring hard in her ears. No one hurts my Muri. No one calls my Muri the Scourge. “...Get…. out…. of my house...” she mutters furiously. “L-... Leave…. us… alone…” 

Martin turns himself back around to see the sight of his pathetic looking daughter on the floor. In just a few steps is standing over in front of her. “.... I don’t think you understand, child... You and I are leaving this place. You no longer live here. You and I are getting on that ship and we are never coming back here!”

“No… No I am not!” She hisses, trying to get through the pain. But then a sharp tugging sensation on her scalp makes her shrek yet again.

Suddenly, he snatches the hair on the back of her head and jerks her up to her feet. She cries out painfully, trying to hold his wrist as he peers down with such deep loathing into her eyes. “Look at what you are making me do, Rhemielia. I don’t want to hurt you, child, but you leave me no choice! You will get on that ship! Even if I have to drag you all the way there!” 

“—Let me go!” She squeals pitifully.

“GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER!!!——LEAVE HER THE FUCK ALONE!!!” Muriel keeps punching, kicking, and ramming himself into the barrier repeatedly to no avail. His poor arms start to bruise under his shirt and his knuckles and elbows even start to bleed.

Asra cries out, “RHEMI! HANG ON!!!” As he desperately tries various spells to try and break it, but nothing is working. This is no ordinary magic… Asra inner thoughts scream in panic, completely confused at how this barrier was so strong for a simple spell. Soon, his fingers start to bleed him trying to claw the barrier open, but it's still no use.

Completely disinterested in Muriel or Asra, Martin leans his face into hers as she grimaces and bares her teeth in pain as he gruffly mutters. “I will never let you out of my sight ever again... You are my daughter and you will obey me! Now… We. Are. Leaving. Now—HOOOOF!!!!” 

Finally, Rhemi musters up the energy into her right knee and shoves it into him with all her might. Just nearly misses his groin, she knocks all the wind out of his lungs and makes him release her, but the barrier still is holding strong. 

She stands to her feet taking a wide stance, tightening her hands into fist by her side. “I said…. get out… of my shop!” She says through her gritted teeth, somehow now bearing the pain and fluid by pure fury. 

Martin regains himself and starts to lurch forwards towards her angrily, about doing something drastic and violent. But she picks up her head, eyes wide and wild, revealing that irises have brightened to a fiery orangey-red and her body starts to steam with searing heat. Her father hesitates, sensing her power quickly building and Rhemi feels her magic suddenly stick in her throat. 

“Père……. Get… the fuck….. OOOOUUUUUT!!!!!” Her voice amplified, making a god awful loud shriek like a banshee from her lungs as she continued to scream.

Suddenly, the unnatural screech shatters the barrier from the inside, breaking apart along with all the glass in the front of the shop that bursts into thousands of shards across the ground. Forcing Martin backwards slamming him against the front door. He holds his stomach as he tries to get to his feet.

 Muriel and Asra are forced to cover their ears with their hands, and Faust covers her little head with all of her snake body. It’s so loud, feeling their eardrums wanting to rupture as their ears as they continue to ring loudly. The awful sound even disrupts all of their equilibrium, making them feel off balance as they attempt to stand.

Finally, she stops her awful howling, and sharply takes in a breath of air as if she came up for air in the middle of the ocean.

Martin coughs hard and it turns into a cackle, somehow amused by all the pain, or perhaps he’s still a little drunk. “That witch really was a piece of work teaching you that kind of shit magic…” He mutters trying to get himself off the floor.

Rhemi breathes shallowly trembling head to toe as she glares at him. “...You hurt my mum…... ” She mumbles to herself. Asra and Muriel finally regain their balance and they rush over stepping in front of Rhemi once again. “You tried to kill her…”

Martin barks a laugh and a little blood oozes from his head. “Phara made you think that didn’t she?! I never tried to kill her—”

The poor girl’s lip trembles as tears stream down but her forehead narrows so angrily. “—I… I never want to see you again.” 

Martin pauses for a moment, his face stricken with pain. Not from the injuries, but what she had just said. “.... I want you to leave… and never…. EVER come back!!!” 

His eyes seem to water for a moment, but then he shakes his head and pushes aside the sadness with a sadistic smile. “ Nooo…. No, no no.... You really don’t get it do you, Pigeon? I’m here to stay, whether you like it or not!! You are my daughter!!... YOU ARE MY CHILD!! Now that I have found you—I refuse you to end up like those lowlifes that stole you away from me!!!” He sticks his thumb into his chest hard. 

Asra conjures a whip out of water finally getting to his feet with a ferocious wrathful expression. “Rhemi told you—you're no longer welcome here, Martin!!!” Quickly, he cracks it at him, breaking down the front door. He stops the blow by forming a small shield with his walking stick, but he’s still forced outside, shattering the wooden door from its hinges onto the cobble street. “... SO, GET OUT AND STAY OUT!!!!” 

He stumbles to his knees, still laughing in amusement. “Interesting… You really are just like your fucking mother, Pigeon… she always had to run and hide behind people who are stronger too.” 

Muriel and Asra stand their ground as Rhemi becomes breathless and suddenly feels so weak. Realizing that she was just hiding behind them. She’s never done anything by herself, ever. She had help with the courtiers, the battle with the devil, and even now. She’s always had help. So… what can I do?....

Martin slicks back his hair with his head, and wipes away the blood oozing from his head, slowly realizing that he is no match for two magicians and a nearly seven foot tall ex-gladiator. 

He finally stands to his feet and brushes off the dirt from his clothes and straightens his neck tie, and summons his cloak and hat and dramatically bursts the door wide open. “I’ll be back.” He shouts before turning walking away down the street. 

“WE’LL BE READY!” Muriel retaliates hitting the door frame with the side of his tight fist wishing it was the man’s face. He and his best friend watch as the man disappears into the night and onlookers just stare at the drama unfolding. 

As soon as the tension calms down, and his anger subsides, Asra hastily fixes the now bellowed door back straight with his magic and places the locking spell on the door. 

Muriel swiftly turns himself back around his beloved. Rhemi is just standing in the shivering, on the verge of hyperventilating and tightly digging her fingers into her scalp. Muriel rushes over to her and gently places his hand over her’s, letting her know that he is there. “.... Rhemi?”

“.... I—I let...him in my home—I-In our lives!… I let that bastard in here, Muri...” She whimpers through her tears.

She grabs his shirt with her trembling right hand and he pulls her into his chest. He winces slightly, her skin is hot to the touch—Not like a fever, but like a hot kettle under a fire. Despite this, he brings her close, and she goes willingly, immediately her skin cools down to normal. 

“This is my fault...” Feeling something wet, she glances through her tears and sees the blood on his head and arms. “My god, Muriel, honey! Y-you—y- you’re b-b-bleeding!….”

“T-They’re just scratches—I’m fine.” 

Burying herself in his chest, she cries even harder. “T-...t-this is all my f-f-fault… You tried to tell me…”

“Rhemi….it’s alright. He’s gone.. and he won’t ever lay another finger on you again… Not if I have anything to say about it.” Muriel mumbles looking furious and heartbroken at the same time.

“T-this is all my fault… this is all my fucking fault…..” She keeps repeating over and over again. 

“What?? No! Rem—This isn’t your fault!!”

“—I let that—that— monster in here!!..... That’s what—what she’s—trying to tell me!!!—She was warning me!! Everyone tried to tell me—-but I didn’t—I didn’t listen….”

“What?? Who?—”

“That….. other me!! The o-o-ne in my dreams!!—AHHH!” She shuts her eyes tightly as a huge wave of pain hits her temples and travels down her neck and she can feel her heartbeat throbbing with the pain.

“...Y-....you couldn’t remember, that's not your fault, Rem!”

“I-I-I-I can’t handle this. This fucking hurts so fucking much!”

“I—It’ll be ok. You-…. You just need to breathe—”

“—Muri, I— I can’t…do this…...I-I-I—I can’t—I…. I—” Out of nowhere, a high pitch ringing in her ears takes over and her vision starts to fade into a dark gray nothing. 

“.... I-... I...can’t….” She utters one last time. Without warning, her body collapses into Muriel’s chest, complexly boneless. 

“Rh—Rhemi??” Muriel catches her before she sinks down all the way to the floor and his heart sinks sickenly. Gently, he shakes her, but she doesn’t respond in the slightest; She’s like a little ragdoll in his arms, and he soon realizes that she’s no longer conscious, her eyes half shut, and her pupils blown. 

“Rhemi…… Rhemi???—RHEMI!!!!!!” His voice echoes farther and farther away like she’s being aimlessly transported into the darkness. 

Tar-like hands reach out for her and pull her down into the mucky sickness, before she could cry out, her mouth is covered with black oozing hands as she is sucked into the darkness. 

✨To be continued…

[WOW. Just.... fucking wow....

It's been more than a fucking year since I have posted. I am so sorry! I have had an incredibly tough year, between my own medical issues, selling a house, and moving, life has been getting away from me. I also know I'm kinda beating a dead horse here since the fandom has kinda died and I have no idea what even happening in the fandom lately. But whatever! Here this is! I still really for some stupid reason really want to tell this story, no matter how cringe or hyper-fixated it is. I really want to tell this story *shrugs*

Anyways! Thank you for all the lovely trash pandas that are still here <3. As always, enjoy my hot garbage!]

#the arcana #muriel x apprentice #muriel the hermit #Muriel fanfic #fanfic #the arcana fanfic #the visitor~ #part 8~ #the arcana game #madllamamomma #my hot trash #enjoy my hot garbage #rhemi the apprentice #the arcana muriel #arcana #asra x julian #martin #Martin Alarie #my oc's #find also on ao3

[gleafer]

I have decided to unleash The Day Muriel Had Enough comic unto my wonderful Tumblr Followers!

Thank you for the support and hilarious comments! It means so much to me and makes it easy to keep at it!

Happy holidays with all my love and nonsense!

#illustrator #illustration #digital artist #artist on tumblr #crowley #good omens #good omens art #aziraphale #good omens aziraphale #gleafer art #ineffable breakup #ineffable heartbreak #ineffable idiots #muriel #goodomens fanfic #good omens comic #comic artist #patreon artist #gaimanverse #metatrash #metatron #bamf #DONT MESS WITH THE QUIET ONES

[bomber-grl]

Muriel dating headcanons♡

Pairing(s): Muriel x Gn!reader (no pronouns used)

Honestly such a sweetheart

It’s given that he’s very awkward and doesn’t know how to initiate or show he wants affection

However, he is the sweetest man ever

He’s always doing stuff for you, going out of his way and always just wanting to protect you

Regardless of your height, he’s afraid of physically hurting you, he’s very gentle and most times he just allows you to go to him instead of the other way around

By the way, him being awkward and not knowing how to initiate physical affection does not mean he doesn’t want to hold you/be held by you

Oftentimes you’ll find him trying to initiate physical contact

However, with time, he becomes more open and affectionate

Instances like when he was comfortable to be comfortable enough to walk around the market together

He tried to hold your hand and although he hesitated in the beginning he gradually started being more affectionate

So we all know how confident he starts getting in the upright ending right?

Well he becomes super cuddly

He’s always hugging you and wanting to be held by you, always reaching out for your hand and just wanting to be with you at all times

A relationship with muriel would also include spending the majority of your time in the forest and with him in his hut with inana

Not that you mind

It’s always a new adventure with the two of them

And ofc you and Muriel are bound to get into disagreements however they’re short lasted as the two of you really don’t like being on bad terms

I’d honestly rate him as a 10/10

He’s always treating you well and he just really loves you.

Honestly, besides doing things needed for your survival he goes out of his way to make you/give you things

When the two of you were spending your day in the forest, doing whatever it was Muriel need to do, he surprised you from behind and he handed you a small but sweet bouquet he made on his way back to the hut.

Now continuing from how I previously stated that he does things for you, well it just levels up way more during winter time.

He’s always getting firewood, always tucking you in bed, and just anything really

However, once you tell him to stop and lie down with you he does

I know I already mentioned how confident and how he grew as a character in his upright ending

But, despite the fact, he’s still the big easily flustered man you knew

Especially when you tease in public

He always tells you to stop as he covers his strawberry tinted face

But that just spurs you on even more

He’s honestly just a cutie and I think we all already know that

#gn!reader #female reader #male reader #muriel #muriel x reader #muriel x mc #muriel x apprentice #the arcana x reader #the arcana #the arcana muriel #the arcana x mc #the arcana x male reader #the arcana fandom #the arcana fanfic #the arcana game #fanfic #fluff #gn reader #relationship headcanons #the arcana headcanons

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

Vesuvia Weekly: Things the M6 don't do anymore

~ my little creative drabble for the prompt "How Things Changed" (pre- vs post- plague) over on @vesuviaweekly! Hope you guys like this little hurt/comfort/fluffy train of thought :3 ~

Julian doesn't shout in his sleep anymore. He still gets nightmares, still tosses and turns and mumbles and wakes up with a start in a cold sweat - but his troubled murmurs don't turn into the terrified cries that they used to. He's still working on eating better and sleeping longer and it's taking time. But from the moment you first lay down next to him for the night, some part of his brain understood that the warm, safe weight of you meant he didn't need to scream to be heard anymore - or helped.

Asra rarely makes tea anymore. They still love to drink it - multiple times a day, if they can - but now you're the one who makes it. He never got over his childhood wariness of tea kettles in general after the mishap that involved his magic appearing. While you were recovering, it was one of many duties they happily shouldered to take care of you. Now that you're equal partners again, it's one of the many small ways he's begun letting you take care of him in turn. Besides, yours tastes better.

Nadia doesn't run away to her tower anymore. She still visits it frequently, to think, or nap, or clear her head, or give her introverted nature a break from the constant social pressures of being Countess. But she doesn't run away to it, to sit in the circular chamber and pretend (or hope) that the rest of the world had simply ... ceased to exist. She doesn't like the thought of losing a world that has you in it. Now, her visits range from serene to tumultuous, but they all carry hope and purpose within them.

Muriel doesn't forget to tend the fire anymore. It used to be an easy thing to go without. After Asra moved out, after his tormentor went up in flames, it was easy to watch the light in his hearth slowly dwindle and die. It was peaceful to sit in the dark quiet of a stone hut and slip into another long, deep, chilly sleep. But now you're here. And you deserve to be warm. You're worthy of a space filled with golden light and soft furs and beautiful tapestries and good food and warmth. And maybe ... he is too.

Portia has stopped hiding in the library. Don't get her wrong, she still sneaks into it all the time. (Seriously, what else was she going to do when she was handed one of the only two sets of keys???) The library was her space, with stories only she had read, where the skills she grew for herself hid among the bookshelves. Her achievements are much, much bigger now. They look back at her in your eyes, in Pepi's little voice, in a flourishing Vesuvia. She doesn't hide in the library anymore. She emerges from it.

Lucio refuses to eat breakfast by himself, ever again. As a soldier, it was a hurried affair around campfires - nothing like the fun of raucous dinners the night before - and as a Count, it was brought to him in his chambers. He'd sit and eat the pile of sugary goods and eye the mess of last night's debauchery and try not to feel cold and small and alone. After three years of hell, he's not alone anymore. Breakfast is campfire food, or inn amenities, and missing most of the sugar he loves - but it's portioned for two.

#vesuvia weekly #how things changed #the arcana #ask arcana brainrot #the arcana game #the arcana fanfic #the arcana headcanons #the arcana hc #asra the arcana #julian the arcana #nadia the arcana #muriel the arcana #portia the arcana #lucio the arcana #asra alnazar #julian devorak #nadia satrinava #muriel of the kokhuri #portia devorak #lucio morgasson

[phoen1xr0se]

The FINAL chapter of Don't Fall Away From Me is up on AO3!! (M)

Artist Credit: @mistysblueboxstuff

Chapter Summary: It ends, as it started, in a garden.

Author's Note: I have too much to say to leave it here, I am halfway across the country right now, travelling to Skokholm Island to spend almost a whole week with puffins and being totally off-grid and offline, so I will just dial it back to say that I am incredibly grateful for every bit of love, appreciation and every comment that has been given to me, they have pulled me through some incredibly dark times and I am beyond grateful for every single one of you. It has been more painful than I expected to finally let go of this story, of my Crowley and Aziraphale and especially my Muriel, but I hope you enjoy the ending to their story (although an ending for us, perhaps a beginning for them...)

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for everything. I adore you.

#don't fall away from me #dfafm #phoenixrose #phoenixrose314 #good omens #good omens fanfiction #go fanfic #go fanfiction #good omens fanfic #crowley #aziraphale #azicrow fic #aziracrow fic #ineffable husbands #good omens fandom #muriel #demon muriel #dont fall away from me #ao3 good omens

[laurashapiro-noreally]

Looking for something to read?

Oh look, it's another recs post! This time I'm featuring two stories per author. These are writers I always make time for, whose work stands out as unusually hot, clever, funny, or smart -- sometimes all of the above.

I'm gonna start you out strong with two by @werpiper: After Hours takes Aziraphale and Crowley to the baths after their oyster supper, and all sorts of interesting pleasures are there for our angel to sample. Piper's Crowley is one of my favorites: always evaluating the situation, not quite aware of what his own heart is doing but feeling it anyway.

Fitting In is a new story, still a WIP, but I am utterly tantalized by Muriel's first taste of love -- and tea. This is already rich in detail, soft and fragrant, and I can hardly wait for the action to get going in earnest. The pairing seems surprising but when you think about it for ten seconds of course it makes sense. Sex workers help the curious, the awkward, and the inexperienced every day, bless them.

If you enjoy these, check out @werpiper's back catalog -- they have done a ton of ineffables-through-the-ages, and their series Miracles and Heresy is worth many delightful hours of your time.

I love what @copperplatebeech has been doing lately:

He's Not My Friend is a T-rated story that explores Aziraphale's constant refusal to acknowledge his relationship with Crowley, and Crowley's mirror of that, and how things glacially shift over time. It is subtle and yet specific, it will make you ache and smile.

All Of The Above, also T-rated, is a warm and fuzzy alternative to that, a hilarious celebration of true friendship that made me laugh out loud and still got me right in the feels.

@copperplatebeech can do everything, from quiet, gentle, and romantic to devastating plotty AUs to extraordinarily horny established relationship to absolutely ridiculous humor. Do dive in if you haven't already.

Next up, @cumaeansibyl, master of kink:

better living through technology manages to shove everything I want in a dirty story into less than three thousand words: uptight Aziraphale reduced to sodden wreck, Crowley gleefully showing him what he's been missing, character-driven erotics, and exceptionally funny dialogue.

indulgentiam peccatorum nostrorum is somehow all that and more, turning the "I was wrong" dance into a kink (something I can't get enough of, recs welcome). This one is post-Bastille so it is extra-juicy. Mind the tags!

@cumaeansibyl has a gift for established relationship one-shots, which readers of mine will know are my entire jam. They also have a mind-meltingly hot inverse!omens AU that features different variations of angelic/demonic Crowleys and Aziraphales for our ineffables to play with.

A new-to-me author, Calico, has me hanging by a thread with their Ineffable Romans series. If you want to remember that your ineffables aren't human, that they are inordinately clever but very stupid, that the feelings they have for each other are truly beyond what anyone alive has ever felt, Calico may be the writer for you. This stuff is deep. Also hot af.

Sub Rosa reads like a nasty shag at Petronius', but there's so much more going on here. It is Extremely Queer, driven by power dynamics, and Crowley is fully demonic here and absolutely in control...or is he?

The Intemperance of Liber Pater continues on this theme, with dialogue-driven smut that reads less like a seduction than an inevitability. There's another story in this series, unfinished, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Last but not least: two short pieces by @ineffabildaddy. I stumbled on their stories just this week and I absolutely love their approach, which I've not seen done quite this way before.

take me as your wife has a tight first-person perspective as Crowley meets Aziraphale for a meal and imagines (or is it his imagination?) that Aziraphale is suggesting Certain Things about how they might occupy themselves later. Indeed, is he suggesting even more? Something about their relationship? Or is it all in Crowley's head?

Only in Dreams is kind of a companion piece, from Aziraphale's point of view -- though hundreds of years later. This one's set after the events of S2 and although just as romantic as take me as your wife, it also offers an ineffable take on the ol' glory hole concept. Just in case you thought I was getting soft. 😏

@ineffabildaddy has a whole series of poems and ficlets like these and I can't wait to explore them all.

#good omens #fic recs #good omens fic recs #ineffable husbands #ineffable partners #ineffable spouses #ineffable divorce #smut #fanfiction #fanfic #crowley #aziraphale #aziracrow #crowley x aziraphale #rare pair #muriel

[suzypfonne]

This is beautiful @klikandtuna

Why? Love.

-Neil Gaiman

#what is love? #good omens #aziraphale #crowley #Muriel's POV #rated E #ineffable husbands #good omens fanfiction #go fanfic

[l0vem41l]

heart for brains.

「 tws + notes: no tws, unedited, hurt/comfort-esque but not really, fluff (?) sensitive reader who loooves being tough, a few pet names are used (darling, lovely—) but sparingly because i can never take things seriously 」

「 gn!reader, can be platonic or romantic </3 」

↳ ft. asra alnazar, julian devorak, lucio morgasson, muriel of the kokhuri, nadia satrinava, portia devorak

author's note: less of the “One Bad Thing happened and it fucking destroyed me” type of sensitive even though that’s so real and valid and more of the "big emotions are slowly killing me always" type. sorry if they're slightly ooc! i'm playing the game again,,,, eventually :> need to get their dialogue right AWIOFJWRIHFW (┬┬﹏┬┬) more lighthearted in lucio’s part (cant stand this bitch!!!!! /affectionate), and unfortunately nadia’s and portia’s are criminally short (；′⌒`)........ i love them i just haven’t played their routes also also!!!! used some borders from @cafekitsune in this!! lmk if it makes things easier to read cuz i might keep it! (☆-ｖ-)

" life's hard when you're soft. "

▸ ASRA has grown the most familiar with your routine. you’re not quite fragile, as he’s come to discover— just that you tend to swallow your emotions down with a smile, only for them to rise back up at the slightest inconvenience. in a few moments— as predicted— the tears stinging in your eyes finally begin slipping.

he gently cups your face, even as you attempt to hide away and avert your gaze, drying your cheeks with his fingers. you swear to him, through mumbles and sobs that you’re trying to toughen up— you’re really trying— while insisting there’s no reason for you to be upset about your little predicament while you choke back the sob rising in your throat. they know you too well for those feeble attempts to convince them.

“shhh… it’s alright. it’s alright.” asra’s voice is understanding. patient. they wouldn’t care if you were crying over the smallest matter in the universe right now. all their focus is on calming you down.

while asra believes and insists that your capacity for strong emotions is a blessing and not a curse like you tend to think, he does wish that your tenderness would not be so abused by the world around you. at the end of the day, he reminds you that you’ve got his love— that he’ll always be there to wipe your tears away— but will always secretly wonder to himself about why you continue to be so recklessly kind.

even so, you’re never to blame for your big heart in their eyes. and slowly, everything they do to make the world a better place is in hope that one day, the world will be sweeter to you.

▸ JULIAN does quietly and internally freak out when he first sees you cry— not because he doesn’t know what to do, but rather because he hadn’t expected seeing you, out of all people, like this. you— the person who always seemed to find something to be happy about instead of dwelling on your misery. you— who frequently brushed off inconveniences and upsetting circumstances with little to no thought. you— who always bounced back, always saw it through.

oh, but he could never be upset with you for crying. not at all.

he knows he can’t just leave you sobbing your eyes out. so, with the sensibility that he has, he gently guides you to a quiet place for you and allows you to lean against him. he’ll attempt to talk you through it, even if you don’t feel like speaking, hoping that the one-sided conversation of his ramblings will at least distract you, if not soothe you.

your head to his chest, he takes one of your hands in his, while the other gently grips your hip. tells you how brave and strong you are— even if you don’t seem particularly inclined to believe him at the moment, shooting a small glare at him through watery eyes as he says these things.

“i wasn’t patronizing you,” he says, eyebrows raising slightly as your shoulders tense, “i mean it.”

you take a deep breath, gauging the sincerity of his words, before finally relaxing.

“‘m sorry… it’s stupid— i know it is. you shouldn’t have to do this.” you sniffle.

for a moment, julian only shakes his head in response, his thumb caressing the top of your hand as he squeezes it. “but darling, i want to.”

while he’s not as attuned with your emotions as asra, julian is good at getting you to calm down. will definitely do a few breathing exercises with you to help you ground yourself, in between his affirmations and reassurances.

▸ is it really all that surprising that LUCIO is completely clueless? in his eyes, everything was going completely fine for you two seconds ago— or so it seemed. here he was, just coming by to check on you, only to watch you crumple into yourself, hiding your face in your hands as you muttered a half-hearted “go away.”

he’s too stubborn to listen to that. besides, even he knows he’d be a massive asshole if he just left you like this. instead, lucio sits right next to you, shoulder pressed up to yours, and asks about what happened. perhaps pester is a better word.

while not intentionally rude, he’s slightly dismissive of the situation at first, wondering why in the world something so trivial would matter so much to you. it takes a second, but lucio backpedals on this immediately when he realizes you're not calming down, you're getting worse. your breathing grows quicker and more tears spill— you don’t even reply to him. oopsies. silent comfort it is.

he’s not completely useless. instead of using words, he’ll put an arm around your shoulder, pulling you into his side, allowing you to cry it out for as long as you need. part of you wants to question when he gained the capacity to shut up— but you don’t feel the need to be particularly snarky at the moment. he’s trying his best to be sweet to you.

will be more attentive for the days after, assuring you that you needn’t give into the urge to “toughen up” when he’s around.

“stay soft, i can fight.” he grins, giving you a wink that makes you roll your eyes at him almost instinctively.

still, the tiny laugh that escapes your lips ends up betraying any sort of exasperation you meant to convey as you playfully hit his bicep as you tell him to quit. was his tone light hearted? yes. was he kidding? of course not. 

▸ there’s a moment where your lip quivers and your eyes water up that makes MURIEL feel like he’s looking into a reflection of himself somehow. his heart sinks completely at the sight of you breaking down, as he searches for the right thing to say.

he’s flooded with relief when you make an attempt to speak first, even if it’s just you stumbling over your words to lie directly to his face.

you take in a shaky breath, awkwardly shrinking yourself away by crossing your arms. “it’s fine, it doesn’t matter—”

“it matters to me.” he replies softly.

muriel is much better at listening than he is at speaking in these situations, so he allows you to vent all you need as you cry. you feel these emotions so deeply, so strongly— he wonders how you managed for so long concealing these feelings.

“yeah… i get it.” he murmurs, nodding when you rant. to his horror, the tone comes out much more blunt than intended— almost sarcastic— but you know that he understands the minute you look into his eyes. he’s nothing but honest.

after a moment of silence, he asks what you need. you don’t verbalize, instead opting for awkwardly gesture with open arms, half expecting him to hesitate at your request. instead, much to your surprise and his he simply brings you close and sets you on his lap. holding you in his arms like he’s afraid you might break if he tightens the embrace any further, muriel hugs you like you’re the most precious thing in the universe.

leans more on acts of service as a form of comfort as well. will bring you water, blankets— will even brave the market to buy you your favorite snack. anything for you.

▸ NADIA’s first attempt is to deal with it logically. initially, she asks you a lot of questions, asks what she can do better— but ceases the minute you struggle to respond, only shaking your head while the words incoherently fall from your lips between sobs.

she sighs, realizing her short-comings. now isn’t the time for problem solving. you need comfort. “forgive me, lovely. i didn’t mean to upset you further.”

LUCIO TAKE FUCKING NOTES.

her embrace is loving. it almost feels like she’s trying to shield you from the world and it’s harshness towards you. nadia plants a kiss to your temple before allowing you to rest your head on her shoulder. as you stay in her arms, she rubs your back, promising that everything will be alright.

she’ll make sure of it too. will 100% throw a sharp glare at anyone who accidentally intrudes on this moment.

▸ it’s almost instinctual, the way PORTIA responds. you haven’t said a thing, yet she notes the way your hands begin trembling, eyes brimming with tears. she immediately gets protective, asking which idiot made you feel so upset with full intention to beat their ass if she ever crossed paths with them— but questions no further when you don’t reply.

physically affectionate as ever, with your permission, portia kisses your tears away, pressing her lips to your face sweetly as she cradles it in her hands.

will not baby you for being sensitive, but will grow more defensive of you. of course she knows you can handle yourself like you keep on reminding, but you’ve been doing it for so long. too long. shows you that she’s right there to support you no matter what, always on your side.

" you've got our love "

— reblogs always appreciated!

#the arcana #the arcana game #the arcana headcanons #the arcana fanfic #asra the arcana #julian the arcana #lucio the arcana #muriel the arcana #nadia the arcana #portia the arcana #asra alnazar #julian devorak #asra alnazar x reader #count lucio #lucio morgasson #portia devorak #nadia satrinava #asra alnazar x mc #julian devorak x reader #julian devorak x mc #count lucio x reader #count lucio x mc #lucio morgasson x reader #lucion morgasson x mc #muriel of the kokhuri #muriel of the kokhuri x reader #muriel of the kokhuri x mc #muriel x reader #muriel x mc #portia devorak x reader

[onceuponapuffin]

Fanatic Intervention Part 7!!!

Beginning|| Previous || Next

It will not surprise you at all, dear Reader, to learn that Aziraphale keeps very little in his kitchen cupboards. There is no stove or oven, and the only thing in the fridge is milk (for his tea no doubt). When you start opening cupboards, you find one pack of custard creams, and a second one of chocolate digestives. Well, it will have to do. You find yourself a small plate and fill it half and half before heading back into the shop just in time to say goodbye to Anathema and Newt.

As they leave, you turn to the supernatural entities in the room.

“So,” You say, “If we’re going to the States, then we have a few problems. First, I don’t have my passport or any ID at all, so airport security is going to be fun. Second, I have no money. Third, I’m gonna need a Walmart or something because I don’t even have a toothbrush, my dudes. Fourth, these,” You indicate the cookies, “are fine for a snack, but overall they’re not gonna cut it.”

“You just leave the airport security to us,” Aziraphale replies. You make a note that he glided right past ‘my dudes,’ they’re getting used to you already. Dammit. “As for the rest of it,” Aziraphale continues, “I suppose a trip to Tesco’s is in order.”

Crowley produces a shiny black credit card from nowhere and hands it to you. “We’ll take the Bentley,” he says. He starts to stand, but you shake your head.

“Nuh-uh, you both stay here,” You say. Crowley raises his eyebrow.

“You realize we can take care of ourselves,” he says, “We’ve been doing it for a few millennia.”

“I’m not talking about that,” You say, “Look, what we’re going into is really dangerous. And I know that your pattern is to just wait to talk about things until you’re in the clear, but that’s not a good idea anymore. I mean, I get that I’m not exactly an expert, but I read just as much as you do and I’ve heard a million stories by this point in my life, and in NONE of them do people ever say ‘I’m so glad I never told them how I feel’ - you know? It’s always ‘I wish I would have’ or ‘I should have told them every day.’ So Muriel and I will go ask Maggie to take us to Tesco, and you two need to talk. Please. While it’s safe, while you have the chance, before things get dangerous and possibly deadly.”

Crowley and Aziraphale are silent. You notice that they aren’t looking at each other. Well, you’ve done your best. Now you need to trust them.

At this point, dear Reader, you are probably thinking to yourself ‘well I would snoop and spy on them while they talk! I want to watch them make out!’ But here is the thing – in this world they are real people, not characters. It’s one thing to say that you would creep on them from the other side of this fiction, but when they’re very real and looking at you in person, things are a little different. For one thing, you realize that real people deserve things like boundaries and privacy, especially for sensitive conversations.

And so, you take Muriel over to Maggie’s shop, where you explain that Mr. Fell has sent the two of you on an errand and you need to stop for dinner somewhere and have no idea where anything is. You flash her the credit card and say ‘It’s all on me,’ and she conveniently agrees with a look on her face that says something like ‘least they could do after all that shit they put us through.’

So the three of you go for dinner at the nearest Weatherspoons, where you and Maggie eat while Muriel watches in morbid fascination. Then you all take the bus to Tesco where you buy yourself a small wardrobe, and manage to coax Muriel into some light blue jeans and an argyle jumper so they look a little less like the Beacon of Gondor. You quickly find out that Muriel has an adorable fascination with fuzzy socks, novelty mugs, and coloured pencils. Of course, you enable their fascinations with a happy heart, and as an afterthought, you grab them a small pot of orange daisies from the flower section. It will give them something alive to tend to while you’re gone. Muriel appreciates the thought. All in all, it’s a long but good time.

You don’t know about the talk, and you’re worried about asking when you get back.

THAT BEING SAID

You and I, dear Reader, not actually being in that world, are allowed certain privileges.

The bookshop is silent for a long time. Both of them are thinking, digesting, processing. Feelings are hard to feel, and harder to put into words. Especially when it has been made clear, twice now in the span of a number of hours, that you absolutely need to put them into words.

It isn’t until after Crowley notices you, Muriel, and Maggie heading down the street that he stands up and begins to pace. A few more minutes pass before he speaks.

“So...uhm...are you going to go first or should I?”

“Are we...are we actually going to do this? Have this talk I mean?” Aziraphale has been shelving books to try and take the edge off. Now he puts down the book in his hands and absent-mindedly fidgets with his ring.

“Well, I mean we don’t have to,” Crowley says, aiming for non-chalance and missing ever-so-slightly, “No one can actually make us.”

“Yes, except it feels very much like everyone is trying to.”

“Trying is the key word there.”

“That’s true enough I suppose.”

The silence returns and stretches. It is anything but comfortable. The air is full of words that they have been told they should say, words that perhaps they want to say, but words that have been dammed up with fear and uncertainty for so long now that they’ve become very hard to un-stick. After a while, Aziraphale clears his throat and speaks.

“I, erm, I suppose you had better go first.”

“Me, right, okay.” Crowley clears his throat now and stops his pacing near the desk. He looks down at the scattered papers and books, the pens and photos and newspaper clippings. The assorted clutter of Aziraphale’s life. Looking away makes it easier to start. He takes a breath. “Um..right...well...we’ve known each other a long time. We’ve been on this planet a long time – you and me, I mean. I’ve always been able to rely on you, and you’ve always relied on me,” another breath, “We’re a team, yeah? A group of the two of us. And...erm...we pretend that we aren’t. Always have. Safer that way I guess.” He looks up at Aziraphale. The angel isn’t looking at him, but he nods anyway to show that he’s listening. Crowley continues. “And I mean...I’ve tried not to think about it much before but...but it would be nice, I mean, UGH” He takes off his sunglasses and rubs a hand over his eyes as though he can massage the words and make them easier to say. “I mean, I would like to spend...mmm….I would like to spend the rest not pretending anymore. Be an us. I mean,” suddenly the dam breaks, and Crowley finds the words come tumbling out, “If Gabriel and Beelzebub can do it, we can. We don’t need Heaven or Hell, they’re both toxic. We can be an us, on our side. You and me. What do you say?” He looks at Aziraphale without reservation now. His angel looks back at him, eyes wide. When he does speak, it’s with a smile and a small nod of acknowledgment rather than agreement.

“That was very well done Crowley,” he says. This isn’t an answer.

“Nnyeah, thanks. Your turn though.”

“Right, I suppose it is.” Aziraphale takes a moment to gather himself. After hearing Crowley be so open about this, he feels more resolved himself to do this properly. He faces Crowley and folds his hands to keep himself grounded. “Crowley,” he begins, “I...I wish that this conversation were happening under better circumstances. Although it’s been pointed out that ideal circumstances aren’t a promise that we can wait around for. Well, the thing is that I would like the same thing. Very much in fact. My biggest concern by far is for your safety because, well, frankly I don’t see the point in saving the world again if you’re not around to enjoy it with me. An us, as you said. You and me.” He smiles. Crowley smiles.

“Guess we’d better save the world together then. And try not to die.”

“Yes, quite.”

“Aziraphale?”

“Yes, Crowley?”

“You’re my angel. No one else.”

“And you, my wiley serpent. No one else.”

The shop bell dings.

“We’re baaaaaack!” You sing as you waltz through the door, shopping bags in hand. Muriel follows after you, carefully carrying their daisies. “Did you miss us?”

When you eventually get the courage to ask them about their talk later, you get a “ngk” from Crowley, and a “We’ve said all that needs to be said, for now.” from Aziraphale. And that, you suppose, will have to do.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 🖤

Beginning|| Previous || Next

#good omens #crowley #aziraphale #ineffable husbands #aziracrow #good omens 2 #good omens fandom #aziraphale x crowley #aziracrow lasts forever #good omens fanfiction #good omens fanfic #tumblr fic #poll fic #choose your own adventure #self insert #let's write #we're all in this together #fanatic intervention #part 7 #muriel #maggie #tesco #mugs and fuzzy socks #muriel has an aesthetic #yes they talked #if they made out now you wouldn't have that to look forward to later #ineffable fandom #gomens #go2 #good omens s2

[feralbutfluffy]

One of the moodboards for Crowley's bedroom for TWTWP

#good omens #ineffable idiots #aziraphale x crowley #crowley and aziraphale #ineffable #crowley #good omens fanfic #good omens fanfiction #ineffable divorce #aziracrow #good omens crowley #crowley x aziraphale #muriel's makeover #chapter 59 #moody dark bedroom for the thin dark duke #good omens fic #texture

[madllamamomma]

✨Florence/Flora concept art and info no one asked for~

So if you haven’t read my the latest chapter of my overly long and complicated fanfic, The Visitor~, this lovely creature that I kept hinting at is Rhemi’s mother.

Flora (which is what she changed her name to after leaving Charlés with Athena & Rhemi) is designed around the ideal Disney Princess/damsel in distress and a mourning dove. I especially took inspiration of many angelic types of characters from Rose Quarts from Steven Universe, to Ponyo’s mother in Ponyo, Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty , and even Cinderella.

I wanted her to be a like a beautiful lady awaiting in her castle for her knight in shinning armor to come save her, like you’d find in most western story books. Essentially, a perfect feminine maiden (by some standards that is); pale, beautiful, frail, soft doe like eyes, quiet, and sweet calm demeanor—someone who did things that she was told and never makes a fuss. (Yes this is supposed to be somewhat fucked up). 😐 I hope my design mirrored that, but who knows, I’m also not the best at character deigns. 🤷‍♀️

Her tarot card is Temperance, her birthday is undecided at this moment.

Also, be kind to me, I haven’t drawn in over 8 or so months, 😅 so I’m sorry if I know this isn’t my best work. Lol.

✨Enjoy my hot garbage!!

#the arcana #the arcana game #madllamamomma #muriel x apprentice #Flora #Florence #Rhemi’s mom #muriel #my hot trash #the arcana muriel #muriel x mc #rhemi the apprentice #the visitor~ #my oc #muriel fanfic

[gleafer]

The (Apocalyptic) Hangover

#illustrator #illustration #digital artist #crowley #good omens #good omens art #artist on tumblr #good omens aziraphale #aziraphale #good omens crowley #goodomens fanfic #good omens fandom #good omens au #ineffable #apocalypse #good omens muriel #gleafer #gleafer art #the hangover #neil gaiman #gaimanverse #thee hangover movie

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

Brainrot Drabbles: Needy!M6

~ happy valentine's day :) ~

Needy!Julian who finally, finally has someone in his life who is able and willing to fill that gaping hole in his chest that needs to be loved. Asking you for the comfort of a hug, a kiss, a cuddle, a scrap of your attention, and surprised when you're more than happy to give it to him. Looking at you with wide open eyes filled with awe and asking in a hushed voice if he could have just a little bit more. A closer hug. A second kiss. Five more minutes of cuddles or conversation, simply because you're happy to give them to him and he needs that from you so desperately. Needy!Julian who can't stop himself from brokenly whispering "again, please -" between each gentle kiss you press to his face.

Needy!Asra who is terrified of needing anything at all, avoiding their desire to feel their love finally requited by teasing and flirting their way through the day. Halting with fear when he feels your bond with him resonating and sees the look on your face when you approach him. Freezing when you wrap your arms around them, their own expression working with all the intensity of finally being able to call you their home. Slowly exhaling as his head falls to your shoulder and he holds you close, close enough to lose himself in your heartbeat, close enough for all the walls between you to vanish. Needy!Asra who prolongs every intimate moment they have with you, finally learning the sweet fulfillment of receiving love after years of giving.

Needy!Nadia who finds it easier to hide her need underneath her boldness, pulling you into her lap as though to reassure you when it's really to feel the weight of you on her thighs. Suggesting you take a break, you look tired, when her heart is yearning for your grounding presence and the calm sound of your sleepy breathing. Struggling to hold up her cool facade when her need for you becomes too great, and she enters the rare state of mind when she wants to be held and cared for, for once. Needing first the outlet to pour all of her hidden, ferocious love onto you, and then the reassurance of lying cherished in your arms. Needy!Nadia who wants to bare herself to you, flaws and all, and feel you match her intensity.

Needy!Muriel who's so used to going without that he's forgotten how to ask for what he craves. From warmth, to shelter, to food, to safety, to connection - these are all things that you've heralded back into his life, and his slow acceptance of them does not keep up with his human need for them. Uneasy at the sudden bone-deep hunger for the next quiet moment he can share with you, the next tidbit of information he can learn about you, the next warm smile he can receive from you, the next safe touch that sweetly weakens him to you. Needy!Muriel whose sunrise happens when your eyes open, slowly sitting next to you with a heartbeat so strong you can see it, only meeting your eyes for a brief second of want.

Needy!Portia who keeps subconsciously expecting to be brushed off, being touchy and clingy and fussing over you only to stare at you wide eyed when you return the love. Expecting you to find something more interesting to look at any second, speaking a mile a minute while she still has your attention and faltering when you're still listening. Feeling the sweetest, heaviest ache in her chest when you don't break eye contact or change the conversation subject because where has this been all her life? Slowly crushing you closer in a disbelieving bear hug, telling herself over and over that she can take her time with you, you're staying with her. Needy!Portia who can't go more than five seconds without touching you, because you're there.

Needy!Lucio who never hesitates to take what he needs, and is surprised when you manage to meet them so easily. Snatching you around the waist when he's seized with unease, and then being caught off guard by just how quickly a simple hug from you makes him feel safe. Pulling you behind a tree to make out when he's starting to feel cold and alone and forgotten again, and stunned into silence when your first gentle peck is enough to warm him to his fingertips. Demanding that you pay attention to him for his next impressive trick, before realizing you were already watching him do nothing but walk. Needy!Lucio, tangling himself into your space only to watch you in wonder as he experiences satisfaction.

#the arcana #the arcana game #the arcana headcanons #the arcana hc #the arcana fanfic #asra the arcana #julian the arcana #nadia the arcana #muriel the arcana #portia the arcana #lucio the arcana #asra alnazar #julian devorak #nadia satrinava #muriel of the kokhuri #portia devorak #lucio morgasson #ask arcana brainrot

[phoen1xr0se]

Someone on a Facebook GO group made this meme and I kid you not, I howled with laughter 🤣

Not long to go now!

🖤🩶🤍🖤🩶🤍🖤🩶🤍🖤🩶🤍🖤🩶🤍🖤🩶🤍

[Please reblog for traffic 🥹🙏]

#don't fall away from me #dfafm #good omens fanfiction #good omens #crowley #aziraphale #muriel #go s3 #good omens wip #good omens writing #go fanfic #go fanfiction #good omens fanfic #ineffable husbands #aziracrow #good omens fandom #david tennant #michael sheen #neil gaiman #ao3 good omens #good omens angst #phoenixrose314 #phoenixrose #ao3 author #azicrow fanfic #demon muriel #memory loss #amnesia

[to-the-stars8]

A Conversation with Your Ghost

Asra x Reader AO3

Summary: Asra wakes up to you, and it breaks his heart.

When Asra opened his eyes, he saw you looking down at him, smiling. It had been so long since he had seen you, so he let his eyes drink their fill of your beauty. Like the first time he had met you, Asra could feel his heartbeat quicken as he followed your bright eyes. Even amongst precious silks and furs, there wasn’t enough coin in the world that could buy him the same comfort as your touch did. Leaning over him, you traced his body delicately, fingers feeling like you were tracing him with the petals of a flower. Gods, there weren’t words to describe just how in love with you he still was. 

“Is something wrong, my love,” You said. Your voice was soft, barely above a whisper. “I sense that you’re stressed.”

Asra sucked in a breath as your voice rang in his ears. He turned his head away, trying to ignore the ache in his chest, eyes staring into the flames of the fireplace across the room. After a moment, he looked back at you. “I am fine. You do not need to worry about me.”

You ‘tsked’, a sound Asra knew you made when not satisfied. “I believe we both know that is a lie. Now, if you tell me,” You paused, pressing a ghost of a kiss on his bare shoulder. “There will be a reward.”

He chuckled, hands turning into fists as he remembered your rewards and how it would get him to spill every secret he had. For once, Asra did not fall for it. “I promise you, it is no lie. I am most okay when you are here.”

He looked into your eyes and saw them soften at the affection he gave. There was nothing he would not do for you. You laid your hand against Asra’s chest, and he swore he could feel the warmth through his body. 

“You need a break, I can tell you have been working too hard,” You said cheerfully. Still, your voice was soft. “Maybe, we could take a trip to that one place you took me for my birthday…Theー Damn it all, I forget the name of it. The one where the stars shined the brightest.”

Asra could not recall the name of the place either but remembered the night well. The stars never seemed so bright than when he looked into your eyes. Gods, he thought, what were those damned stars worth if they could not be seen through your eyes? 

“Yes,” He said. “We should. Tomorrow, perhaps?”

You grinned. “Yes! We will go in the morning. I have some things to finish up here in the meantime.” Looking down at him again, you patted his chest. “For now, get some sleep, my love. I can see the exhaustion in your eyes.”

Asra did as you said, sparing his heart from the sight of you. It was for a moment before he yearned to see you again, but, just like that, he was alone. The room was dark, no fire had ever been lit and it was deathly quiet. Sitting up, Asra sobbed into his hands as he cursed himself for letting you go. He could not bear this quietness, nor the conversations with your ghost. 

#asra fluff #asra #asra x mc #asra x reader #asra alnazar #julian devorak #the arcana fanfic #nadia the arcana #lucio the arcana #the arcana apprentice #the arcana #romance #asra the magician #asra the arcana #muriel the arcana #portia the arcana #portia devorak #julian the arcana

[arcanarubinaito]

What are your thoughts on how an extroverted, confident, energetic MC would be with Muriel as an LI? (🪶)

Thank you for the ask, Feather Anon! I’ve been itching to do some creative writing outside of my story, so I hope you don’t mind that I’m writing this more like a short story/narrative style post.

Summary:

You command the room when you walk in, and everyone takes notice. He loves that about you; being riddled with constant social anxiety himself, it’s nothing short of a relief for Muriel to see that you don’t have to deal with it yourself. (Besides, it doesn’t hurt that it takes the attention off of him.)

He’s just worried that you’ll feel isolated and alone if you move in with him.

It’s exactly a month after the defeat of Lucio and The Devil, and everyone had gathered to celebrate together in the Rowdy Raven. He tries to stick to a corner in the back, but he is far too large and conspicuous to avoid the attention for long. Some people stare, others are braver and approach him to exchange a few words and express thanks. Muriel wants nothing more than to melt into a puddle. He appreciates not being looked at like he was still the Scourge, thankful that people weren’t afraid of him anymore. But the only reason he was here was to see you. You had been busy helping with repairs in the city while Muriel helped those still lingering in the camp outside his home, and hadn’t had much time to really talk or interact for the past week.

“You all didn’t start without me now, did you?” Your voice rings out as you stride in, and Muriel slumps back against the wall with relief. He watches some of the crowd clamor to get your attention as Julian passes you a beer stein, giving him room to breathe.

You look a little tired, he notices, but your face is practically glowing. Your eyes meet across the room and you light up even further, drawing a slight smile from Muriel’s otherwise stoic expression. He loves your smile. Immediately you chug your drink and begin pushing through the crowd, exchanging short words with a few other people before you finally reach him. He doesn’t even have the time to say ‘hello’ before you throw your arms around him in a tight hug that he quickly returns.

“God, I missed you so much.” You groan, tilting your head back to look up at him. Muriel lifts his hand, cradling your face gently in his large palm as he dips down to kiss your forehead—silently telling you he missed you just as much. “I didn’t have any time to visit this week and it was killing me, actually.” You stretch up on your toes and loop your arms around his neck, filling him in on all the little things he’d missed. Stuffy nobles complaining that they weren’t getting their homes repaired sooner, and Nadia putting them in their place. Helping Portia and the other kitchen staff with preparing food for all the displaced citizens. Julian and Asra, busy with healing and helping reunite separated families and friends.

He listens to you ramble on with a soft smile, and follows as you take his arm and lead him to the bar. “—but now I think I’ll have a lot of down time, which means I can spend more time with you.” Muriel’s smile widens a little more at that, and he can feel his face warm up when you shoot him a wink. Yeah, he knows what that means all too well. “Hey Lavinia, let’s get a round of black mead for everyone!” You call across the bar, knocking your hand against the wood loudly. “And put it on Jules’ tab!”

“Wait what—?”

A short laugh breaks past Muriel’s lips at Julian’s indignant squawk, and he catches a shit-eating grin plastered over your face as you settle onto one of the stools. Two mugs of the dark liquor slide across the bar towards you both, Muriel putting his hand out to gently stop them before they fall off and passing one to you. “What did he do to deserve that?” He asks, amused. You hide your smirk with your mug.

“Nothing.” You rest your chin in one hand. “I’ll pay it off myself, his reaction is just funny.”

“That’s a little mean.”

“It is a little mean, yeah.” You laugh, eyes glittering with mirth. The firelight reflects like spots of amber in your eyes, and he’s reminded of that first night. Your worried face and gentle hands cast in the soft glow of the fireplace, and the begrudging step he had taken to trust you just a little. The best decision he’s ever made, really. Muriel reaches forward to brush some stray hairs out of your eyes without thinking.

A few ‘awww’s scattered from the crowd made him flinch and quickly withdraw, his face hot with embarrassment. Muriel hides his burning face with a quick swig from the wooden mug in his hand and turns his back to the crowd quickly. He had been so swept up in the moment that he forgot you both weren’t alone, and many pairs of eyes were on you at any given moment.

Your hand touches the side of his face lightly, reassuring and gentle. Grounding him for a little longer and soothing that surge of anxiety and embarrassment. His eyes flicker in your direction again briefly before he roots his stare on the mug in his hands again. “You want to head back early?” You suggest softly. Muriel lowers his mug. He wants to say yes; he’s by far had his fill of socializing today and just wants to wind down somewhere quiet and familiar. But he hesitates. You only just got here, and he knows how much you enjoy these gatherings. You thrive off of social interactions, would it be selfish for him to ask you to leave so soon?

“We don’t have to.” Muriel finally says, begrudgingly, forcing himself to look back up at you. He can stick it out a little while longer for your sake, just as you’ve done for him before. It’s loud and crowded and his anxiety is already going haywire, and god his head is starting to hurt too. But he can suck it up.

“I really don’t mind going home if you need to.” You reply. He watches your eyes drift past him, your hand waving off someone behind him quickly before your gaze returns to meet his. “I know this isn’t exactly where you’re most comfortable.” That was an understatement if Muriel had ever heard one.

Wait. Go back. Did you say ‘home?’

Gently, you pull him away from the bar, guiding him through the swirling crowd towards the back door. He reaches out to push it open for you, his fingertips lingering on the wood for only a moment before you whisk him down the alleyway to a more secluded spot, away from prying eyes. His eyes widen a little, and he lifts his hand to curl it over the one you cup his cheek with. “You said ‘home.’” Muriel breathes out. Your face softens a little, a smile creeping up on your lips.

You’ve hidden yourselves among some crates stacked up between the buildings, a nearby street lamp casting your faces into wild shadows. “Yeah, I did.” You confirm, moving your hand so that your fingers are twined together now. You dip your head down, kissing the tops of his knuckles with a sweet brush of your lips that sends a jolt of electricity through Muriel’s body. “I’d like to move in with you—if you want, I mean.” You add on quickly.

Muriel’s heart hammers in his chest. “What about the shop?” He asks, his voice a little more breathless than he would’ve liked.

“The shop is a little bit crowded these days—” Right, Julian had moved in. Muriel tries (and fails) to resist the urge to make a face at the thought of the doctor living with Asra. “—and I’m not exactly selling anything right now either.” You continue, tilting your head to the side just a little. “And it’s so far from your place.”

“My place is also far from everything else.” He points out quietly. Muriel wants nothing more than for you to move in with him, to make that little hut feel more like a little home. But would it be too far from Vesuvia, and all your friends? Would you be happy, or would you start to feel isolated and alone?

“I know.” You guide him out of his thoughts with a soft voice and a gentle squeeze of his hand. “And I’m okay with that.” He searches your gaze, finding only love and warmth, and that gleam of pure conviction he knows so well. His shoulders relax just a little bit and his thumb rubs along the back of your hand idly while he listens. “It isn’t really all that long of a walk to get to the city. It just feels… It just feels too far from you.” You smile up at him and he practically melts, lips twitching up into a faint smile.

“I want you to be happy.” Muriel confesses softly. He brings his other hand up to envelope yours in his large and calloused palm.

“And I’m happy whenever I’m with you.” You stretch up on your toes, and he leans down just a little to meet you halfway, stealing a soft and sweet kiss—thankfully, without anyone around to see. Muriel sneaks a glance around just to double check before he wraps his arms around you and pulls you in closer, one steady hand at your waist and the fingers of his other twined gently through your hair. He can feel your hands rest against his chest for a moment before you reach up to hold his face in your ever-gentle hands.

He pulls away just slightly, your warm breath mingling with his against the cool night air. “I love you.” Muriel murmurs, and the corners of his eyes crinkle with a smile. He moves his hand to brush an errant lock of hair out of your eyes, studying them. Muriel wasn’t one for eye contact, but it was so easy for him to get lost in your eyes. They always reflected the light so beautifully, and tonight was no exception; the light of the street lamp mingled with the moonlight, casting your eyes in a contrast of gold and silver.

“I love you too.” You murmur. Your thumb lightly brushes along his cheek and traces along his scar tenderly, sending a soft shiver down his spine. Muriel shifts, his lips meeting the spot just between your eyebrows before he pulls away, his hands resting on your waist. You tilt your head back a little to look up at him, letting your hands settle back on his shoulders before sliding them down his arms and resting them against his biceps, just above his elbows.

“… yeah. I think I’d like to go home now.” He murmurs, finally answering your question from before. Your smile widens a little and you take hold of his hand as you both finally pull away from where you were hidden and start to walk down the street.

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