#she/her apprentice

[shadow--writer]

hi! could you maybe write something for muriel where the mc hears him talking to asra about how he doesn’t like the mc’s constant touching and how she talks too much, so the mc completely stops touching him and only speaks when spoken to? and maybe the main six realising more and more that the mc is keeping to herself and trying to find out what’s wrong, but she’s deeply hurt and embarrassed? sorry if that is too specific, it’s a dream i’ve had x

I’m gonna take it you want a she/her apprentice for this one? There aren’t any names here but there are gonna be she/her pronouns! Heads up here!

I wrote a little fic for it. First person since I’m still trying to get a hang of second it’s a work in progress XDD.

This is very angsty with Muriel and Apprentice (kinda ooc Muriel? Idk think of this as towards the start of his route. I love him so much this hurt to write)

Also sorry this didn’t go over everything you asked lol this got a little long but maybe I’ll add more later if y’all want ^^!

Requests are open! Fic and headcanon requests open still check out my pinned post for info! 

I hope I did this ask justice XDD lol have fun with the angst! 

TW: None.

Tags: Angst, tears, hurt/comfort, good friend Asra, great friend Faust. Lot’s and lot’s of angst. 

~~~~

My day started like any other. 

Woke up to Asra’s soft snoring and Faust’s little tongue blepping out as they snuggled together on their half of the bed. I was a bit groggy and my body ached, but I got up and ready for the day. 

Making breakfast I thought about what I would for the day. Nadia and Portia were out. Julian was making housecalls all day, I didn’t know what Asra was going to do but judging by his snores he would be asleep for a while. 

A grin broke it’s way across my face as I thought about visiting Muriel. I’ve been meaning to say hi again to the ladies (the chickens) and give Inanna a gift I had made for her a bit ago. 

I finished up breakfast and hurried to get my things together. Surprised, I found no Asra in our bed. He must’ve left while I was eating. 

It was no matter, I had a mountain man to see! My heart fluttered a little as I thought about him, he just...he made me so happy. 

His little blushes, when he actually smiled. Oh that soft smile was killer. I couldn’t be mad or sad when he gave me that soft little smile. 

My skin buzzed as I thought about touching him. Running my hands along his arm as we talked (me talking more, chattering on about what was going on in the shop and what everyone was doing while he listened, nodding along).

I seemed to skip on my way to his house, humming a happy song I heard a while back from Julian. 

“Hi little Apprentice! How are you?” Selasi called, smiling at me. I waved vigorously, grinning back at him.

“I’m doing great Selasi! Going to see a friend!”

“Would you like some pumpkin bread for the lucky person? New batch is coming out of the oven now!”

I pursed my lips, fighting back another large grin. “Okay! I brought enough for it anyways!”

“Ohh dear you don’t need to pay I’ll make it special for you!”

“Selasi this is a very poor business you’re running,” I chided with a laugh. “Let me pay for it, please.”

He sighed before laughing. “Stubborn as ever, fine. But it’s half off. Just for you.” He winked, making me roll my eyes. I would not win this fight.  

I paid for the bread, Selasi handing it to me in a small bundle. The spices wafted up to my face, making me sigh with happiness. 

Selasi laughed, waving me off as I headed back to the forest. “Have fun up there apprentice!”

I waved back with a large smile. “I will!”

It didn’t take long for me to get to the forest and begin my trek through it. My cloak got caught on a few branches but it didn’t do anything to sway my mood. I was determined to stay happy today.

Today was going to be a good day. 

Turning against the now beaten path, I spotted Muriel’s hut. I picked up my cloak and started to run, the chickens running around my feet, cooing at me. I bent over to run my hands along their backs. Their feathers were so soft, almost like silk. 

I wondered if he used a charm when bathing them, or maybe they just were taken care of so well their feathers reflected it.

“Hey ladies, can you point me in the direction of Muriel?” I asked, one of the chickens squawking like a reply. 

I nodded, pretending to understand. “Oh! He’s inside his hut? Thank you darling I’ll head there right away.” Another squawk. “And bring food out. Don’t worry.”

Tucking the bread into my side, I made my way to his door. I wanted to surprise him with the pumpkin bread, he seemed to like it a lot. Even asked Selasi for the recipe (the former replying with a wink saying ‘that’s a family secret’)

I could hear muffled voices when I got to the door. The door was cracked open. I tensed, magic sparking at my fingertips. 

Then I heard Asra’s voice and relaxed. I smiled again. He was here! Great! He would be ecstatic over the pumpkin bread I brought.

I snuck closer, listening to their conversation. It sounded heated. I stopped moving. “-I just hate how touchy she is!” Muriel’s voice. 

I froze. 

Was...was he talking about me? I was the only person to touch him as often as I did but...

“Muriel she doesn’t mean any harm by it! She’s just friendly!”

“Yes but I don’t like it when she gets so close to me like that. Like she’s always got to be touching me or she’ll die.”

I froze. 

When Asra dropped my name my blood ran cold in my veins. 

“Muriel she’s just being friendly. She loves you and she loves being around you. Touch is how she communicates that!”

“Yes but she talks so much and I never can get away. She always so touchy and always talking. It makes my head hurt. What if I want to be alone?!”

Asra let out a small sigh. “I understand. I know what you’re feeling but Muriel please understand she loves touch and she loves having conversations with you.”

“She just talks too much. Touches too much. It’s all too much.”

Each word was a knife to my heart. 

I did talk too much. I did touch him too much. And he hated me for it. Of course he hated me for it. 

Tears sprung up in my eyes. I didn’t know any of this. He never told me any of this.

I thought he was fine with it, used to it!

It just hurt so badly. 

Swiping at my eyes I turned and started to run. I dropped the pumpkin bread along the way but I didn’t care. I just needed to get away from them. Away from Muriel especially.

I let out a choked sob, tree branches scratching my arms and my cheeks. My tears fell faster and faster, my stomach curdling. All hopes for a good day were dashed. 

Tripping on a branch I went sprawling, my cries getting stuck in my throat as I pushed myself to sit upright. My hands were scratched up and they stung but I didn’t care. My cries were silent, my chest heaved and my body trembled. 

There was a cracking of twigs to my left. I tensed, but it was only Faust.

Friend?

I sniffed. “I’m fine Faust. Go back to Asra.” She flicked her tongue at me.

Friend hurt!

“Faust I’m fine.” I snapped. She blinked, and she stopped swaying. I wanted to bite back my words. Just because I was hurt and upset didn’t mean I could make her feel like that. “Faust I’m...sorry. I just...”

Muriel? Touch? Friend sad.

I nodded. “Nailed it right on the head.” She slithered closer, curling onto my lap. I ran my hand along her head and down the coil of her body.

Faust help.

“I don’t know if you can help...Muriel hates me. I’m so stupid!” My hands shook. My head was starting to hurt. Dizziness would soon set in. My hands, arms and face were still bleeding. 

Friend not stupid! Friend smart!

“Friend hurt another friend by not picking up body language clues.” Faust looked down at my bloodied palms.

Friend needs help.

I smiled, tears rolling down my cheeks. “Yeah. Yeah. I’ll just go home. A-And sleep.” My voice cracked as I spoke. “I want this all to be a dream,” I whispered to the snake on my lap.

The day had just started and I already wanted it to be over.

Faust curled around my arm. Faust come with friend.

I got to my feet, my legs shaking under me. I’d go home, clean up, sleep...and then....figure something out from there. 

“Thank you Faust,” I said softly making my way home.

~~

The days after that moved slow and sluggish. Asra watched me, concerned with my wellbeing. I didn’t eat much. And I was sleeping more. 

I knew he knew. When he brought back the cheesecloth the bread was in I knew he knew. 

He didn’t mention it. We only went about our days. 

Me only talking to Faust in fractured sentences. Whenever I saw Muriel I kept silent unless he spoke first. 

I never touched anyone, keeping my hands curling into my sides, tucked into my arms. 

Just not touching him.

He seemed to notice my behaviour with a wrinkle in his brow and a small huff. 

I didn’t care. I didn’t care.

I didn’t care about how my skin ached without touch. I didn’t care about how I wanted to cry every time to open my mouth to give a short answer to a question or conversation. 

I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. I didn’t want him to hate me.

So I swallowed into myself. 

And

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