This takes place pre-game and has been on my mind for a while sorry if its rushed its late and I need to sleep. Enjoy!!
The scourge is escorted back to his chambers. Bloody, tired, hungry, and upset.
His opponent today was a middle aged man charged with theft assault and resisting arrest. He doesnt know all the details, but from what he knows the man stole food and money from a merchant in the market and they got into a verbal argument when he was caught. It escalated and they started to fight then were both apprehended. The man decided to try to run hit the guard and tried to make a run for it, but didn't make it far.
Muriel kept thinking why that man even did something like that. Was his family in danger? Did he need the money to pay off someone? Was he in need of it more than the merchant?
This always happened after a match he would wonder what happened with that person. He would wonder why that person had to be killed. Sometimes for petty crimes, for things that were serious, and crimes that don't warrant death most likely just for the counts entertainment.
By the time they get to his cell he is done overthinking everything and just feels heavy. Yeah he is a big man, but he feels like he has 5 weights tied to his ankles.
He sits in a corner in his cell while suffering in silence. Cuts and bruises feeling like he is being burned from all angles.
"Aww, Scourge don't be like that. Hey, I actually have someone for you to meet." The counts annoyingly snarky voice rings out over the silence.
Muriel just groans in response subconsciously thinking, 'Great, another person to be bothered with. Another person to judge me even if they don't look like they are.'
Cutting into his subconscious jeers he hears a kinder unknown voice, "Hi Mister Scourge, From now on ill be you caretaker, nurse, healer whatever you want to call it."
He looks up to see someone that doesn't seem to want to hurt him, but he still doesn't trust them. He has been betrayed before.
They slowly walk over noticing his slight fear and crouch down a bit so they don't look so menacing to him.
"Well ill be leaving you too alone. (Y/N) when you are done with him tell this guard to bring his food." The count says leaving a guard at the door then leaving.
"Okay its just us....do you want me to show you my things so you can trust me more?"
Muriel gives them an unknowing look, but nods to give them an okay.
They start to unpack their supplies. He scans them and sees somethings that can be used as weapons, but they are normal things that they would have so he is slightly more at ease.
"I should tell you what my job is with you because its gonna get kinda...personal if you get what I mean."
He might not talk to many people, but he gets what that is supposed to mean. He doesn't like it. He gives a knowing slightly disgusted look.
"I think you get what I'm going to say, but im going to explain anyway." They say while checking his wounds. "Okay so I'm going to be healing you after fights, making sure you eat, checking on you every night before I head home, and...um...uh....I have to bathe you."
That last one make him flinch kind of violently. His face gets really hot just at the thought.
"Okay compromise though i spent some money on a tub that you can fit in so you won't have to feel that uncomfortable. You can get undressed while I'm not looking. It doesn't come in until tomorrow though."
'They thought about me...well...that was nice of them. I guess they are trustworthy.'
They were together getting slightly closer everyday. Finding out they have a common friend in Asra. Telling each other things they wouldn't tell anyone. They even started to sneak food into his room because they didn't feed him right. They had a strong bond.
Then one day (Y/N) comes in looking pissed off and heated. Muriel notices the difference and asked whats wrong. He didn't have a match that week, so he felt well enough to get up and ask.
"Hey whats wrong....did something happen?"
They sigh and answer back, "Yes, something did happen. Asra happened."
He mentally rolls his eyes, but doesn't want to be rude so he asks, "What did they do?"
"They said I couldn't go and help the plague victims in the Lazeret. Yes, I know its dangerous, but I can handle it. He keeps trying to shelter me, but I can do things for myself."
He didn't know how to respond to that. Yes it is extremely dangerous, but they are a strong person with a kind heart. He's torn between telling them to go and telling them to stay.
"Make sure you come back safe. Okay?"
They raise their head and look with a happy smile.
"I promise, but I will be gone for a while, so tonight ill teach you how to properly clean your wounds since I can't heal them myself."
They spent the night going over everything until the moment they had to leave him.
"Welp I guess thats everything." They say while grabbing their stuff and their extra bag they were taking with them.
Muriel stared at them with a sad look on his face. They noticed and went next to him grabbed his chin and made him look up at them.
"Hey don't worry about me okay I'll be fine I promise."
"Are you sure you will be back?"
"Come on you sound like Asra right now. Yes ill be okay."
They hold their arms out to hug him and he accepts the embrace hoping to hold onto them for a little while longer before they are gone possibly for good.
They stay like that for a about a minute before (Y/N) notices their shirt is a bit....wet.
Muriel didn't realize how much he loved their presence and how lonely his cell was until he finally has to go back to that quiet and melancholy feeling. He couldn't control it. All of these feelings were bottled up and it finally just came out.
They stroked his head to calm him feeling his hands and arms trembling slightly against their back.
Once he finally stopped he looked awful. His face was wet, his eyes were red, face was flushed, and his nose was running.
They were quiet for a while waiting for Muriel to clean his face. When he was done he asked once again.
"Please come back....I'll miss you."
They locked up thinking of him while they walked out.
Muriel stared at the tub they bought him when they first came and the promise they made together as he slowly went to sleep.
But not all promises are made to be kept.
