Comfortable
Extra fluffy Asra x MC x Muriel! Let this be your next comfort fic :)
Gender Neutral MC
(Disclaimer: AU? Not really based on any routes)
If there’s one thing all magicians have in common, its the mutual respect for energy.
There’s nothing more sacred to those who understand magic- your physical and mental energy are things not to be taken lightly, whether during your practices or throughout your everyday activities. It’s practically the essence of your soul- it’s your source of power. Ask anybody who values magic and they’ll tell you: there’s nothing more important than knowing your limits.
Every magician knew that. It was one of the first things Asra ever taught you. You’ve had that idea drilled into your head for years, now to the point where you start to feel irresponsible for tiring yourself out the way you do.
You usually tried to hide days like this away from the world. Maybe behind a book, a cup of tea or a bath that’s run cold hours before you step out.
It wasn’t really fair, you’d say to yourself. All you really do is run the shop and run errands around town. Someone has to find the right crystal vendors, collect freshwater and find the good fruit for breakfast- Asra’s been so busy with readings, and you don’t mind doing the small things.
Oh, and the garden. You always wake a little early to tend to your favorite herbs. Most days you’re down in the forest, too.
...Maybe you do overwork yourself at times. Is that irresponsible? It’s not like you’re out all night, burning yourself out with your magic hands.
It’s got to be something else. You’re not used to feeling so... drained.
“M/c.”
The sound of your name shakes you from your half-sleep. Where am I? Ah.
You barely recognize the hut until you shake yourself awake.
Oh yeah, Muriel invited you for a cup of tea when he found you harvesting toadstools. You probably should have headed home to bed, but when Muriel, of all people asks you to stay, you stay.
You lift your head up. You’re sprawled out across his bed, limbs tangled with a mix of blankets and pelts. Did he put you here? You could swear you were sitting at the table before you dozed off.
Oh, now he’s watching you. Maybe you should actually speak.
“Sorry,” you stifle a yawn. “Did I fall asleep on you?”
“...Not on me.” he mumbles.
Your tired giggle lights his face up with a blush. He gestures over to his table, pointing at three cups of tea.
Three?
“Hey, look who’s finally awake.”
Asra’s voice hits you before you see him. Your companions take their seats, eyes on you.
You try not to pay attention to Asra’s smirk when you struggle to move yourself. Gods, you were tired. Your bones are aching.
“Tired much?” He teases.
“Sorry,” you stumble through another apology.
“You don’t have to apologize,” Muriel says. “We should have let you sleep.”
For a moment, you want to agree. But then you’d miss out on this rare night. After all, being invited in for tea with Muriel was already a shock in itself, now Asra’s here? The stars must be aligned, you think.
“No... I’m glad I’m here. What were you guys talking about earlier?”
“Mostly you.” Asra hides his smile with a raise of his cup. “Don’t think we haven’t noticed. You’ve been falling asleep before sundown lately. That’s not like you.”
“It’s not a big deal,” Muriel adds on. “...but you work so hard.”
“That says a lot coming from you, Muriel.” You can’t help but tease; it’s easier to redirect the conversation. It’s a little embarrassing. He flushes, but just drinks from his own cup.
“Wait, is this some sort of intervention?” You ask.
Muriel just sips at his tea, but Asra chuckles boldly, like you’ve figured out the big secret. His eyes give away that mischievous grin he’s trying to keep from you- even when he and Muriel exchange glances.
“Hmm.. I wouldn’t quite say an intervention,” Asra grins. “Think of it more like... we’re checking in. Making sure you’re alright.”
Maybe it’s the exhaustion making you sentimental, but the idea of these two going out of their way for you like this... to think they even noticed how tired you’ve been- it means a lot. You glance down to your untouched cup, suddenly overwhelmed.
“You are okay... right?” Muriel’s voice isn’t as quiet as it used to be.
You nod, but sometimes you’re not sure how to answer that question. You know they’re genuinely asking.
Do you tell them everything? How the days often blend together? When you can’t find the flavor in your favorite meals, or when the world around you seems to feel gray?
At first, you figure you shouldn’t tell them. But the look on your face must give it away. It doesn’t help that you let the question hang in the air.
A brush of skin tickles your palm- and you look to see Muriel’s hand on yours. His fingers have been calloused from over the years, but right now it’s the softest thing you’ve ever felt. When you look up, you see the same expression in their eyes- and it’s like you hear their voices, calling out to you.
We know. It’s okay.
You don’t have to say anything- just savor your company. Feel Muriel’s warm hands tracing the lines on your palm. Listen to the dishes clatter when Asra clears the table, and the kiss he plants on your cheek when he circles back.
“I think we should get you back to bed. What do you say, Muriel?”
“I agree.”
-
You were so tired just minutes ago, you thought that you’d be out the moment you hit the bed.
...You can’t sleep now- and frankly, you don’t really want to. Not yet. You have to enjoy this first.
Asra to your left and Muriel to your right, wrapped in the same blanket, near the same fire, under the same wooden ceiling.
The three of you lie in bed in a tangle of limbs. Arms draped over each other, legs intertwined under the blankets... how you’ll get out of bed tomorrow, you couldn’t say. You’ve become part of a perfect puzzle.
The bed is miraculously big enough for the three of you, even if you’re mostly draped over Muriel’s chest. His heartbeat is steady, constant.. perfect. You’re playing little spoon to Asra meanwhile, admiring the occasional bursts of magic you feel through his touch.
It’s the setup for a perfect slumber, and yet your eyes just won’t close. You seem to feel everything at once.
Sadness, at first. Even in a perfect place like this.
Then, excitement. The two people you love more than anything in the world are by your side. They’d do anything for you, wouldn’t they? Because they love you...
Is that what you’re feeling so intensely? Love? That perfect ache that spreads from your chest to your stomach... the ache that’s keeping you awake when all you wanted was to rest?
“Hmm?” Asra mumbles something, muffled against your back. He teased you for being asleep earlier, but he knocked out the moment you pulled the blankets over him.
“Muriel?”
“...I’m awake.”
“Are you?” you trace your fingers over his chest, just waiting for your body to let you relax. “Or did I wake you?”
“I don’t want to sleep until I know you’re resting.” He admits.
You feel the ache in your chest again- and it makes you smile. For Muriel’s sake, you force your eyes shut.
Asra squeezes around you a little harder. You almost forgot how that feels. He always had to wrap himself around something when he slept, whether it was you, a pillow, or even Faust.
With your eyes closed, you rely on the sound of soft breathing to send you to sleep. All the anxieties seem to melt away, along with your senses.
This time, you won’t fall asleep worried about mundane tasks. All you have to do is sleep. You’ll wake up refreshed- and you’re going to get through the day. You’re going to survive.
But for now, close your eyes.
Tomorrow doesn’t matter just yet.
Let yourself rest.
Zzz...
