#myrr

Myrr tried to straighten up, but the weight of the bag causing her to tip. Never being the most coordinated or shore footed, she just braced for impact when she was unexpectedly caught by a pair of strong hands. “Careful.” Muriel mumbled, putting her back on her feet. Myrr flushed, smiling up at him, her glasses a little more crooked than normal. “Good morning, Muriel. I thought I’d come by and make some bread… I mean if you’re still interested that is.”  She shifted a little from foot to foot as she stood at the threshold. “Well come in… You’re already here…” Quickly he let her go once he realized he was still holding her shoulders.

He flushed, picking up the bag from her shoulder.  Coming inside, she waved for him to put it down by the table. He watched curiously as she unpacked her things. There were a few jars of jam she’d made that she put to the side. A little frown creased her forehead as she dug through her bag. “…. Honey bear…” She mumbled to herself, causing Muriel turned a deep crimson not realizing she was talking to herself. “…Y-Yes?” He stammered, causing her to blush furiously as she put the rest of the things on the table before turning with the little glass bear full of honey  in her hands. “ I umm… just got this for you. I thought, you’d like it.”

Muriel looked at the wall a second, realizing the mistake. Though, he did like the nickname, even if he wouldn’t ever say it. His gazed turned back to the little glass bear, really touched she’d thought of him.  “ Th-Thanks…  Did you make all this too?”  Myrr nodded, rolling the jar between her palms before putting the it down. “I enjoy it, and I wanted to share with you. Did you want to watch, or help? I’d enjoy the help if you like.” She added, her voice more timid at the end. After a few moments, he nodded a small smile on his lips. “I’d like to help. What do I need to do?”

His smile grew as her face lit up at the prospect of baking with him. She bounced a little on her heels, before a little blush crossed her face. “ I’ll pull you hair back first if you don’t mind, and mine as well. Just to keep it out of everything. I mean if you don’t mind.” She fidgeting, letting out a small breath he nodded.  

She had him sit on the floor as she perched herself on the bed. She was so short it was the only way she could do this comfortably for both of them. Gently she began to brush out his hair in long strokes. Absentmindedly Myrr started to hum a simple little tune that seemed to fill the hut with warmth, or maybe it was just Muriel’s heart that was being warmed. His eyes fluttered shut as he leaned back against her a little as she tenderly worked out the gnarls. He was completely at peace here with her.

Muriel was a little disappointed once she was finished braiding is hair back. Her hands were so gentle compared to Morga. Everything about her was so soft. He glanced up at her, a smile in his eyes as he watched her. She’d lain her glasses aside so she could brush her own hair back. Without them he could see her eyes clearly. He felt he could get lost in them, trying to follow the flecks of silver and blue in that soft green that eventually mingled with the brown surrounding her pupils.

The soft melody repeated as she started to braid her hair back.He did notice that her hands were not as nimble trying to get the front pieces of her hair back as they’d been with his own locks. He hesitated a moment, not really wanting to interrupt, before quietly asking, “Would you like some help? ” He wasn’t looking at directly at her, a light blush spreading across his face as he fiddled with his fingers. Myrr just smiled, leaning down to shyly kiss him on the temple. “I think this should work for now. It’s just a little messy.” Which was the true, little pieces sticking out of her braids where his were smooth and flat. She didn’t seem to mind.

Slipping off the bed, she offered him a hand up. That elicited a small chuckle from him as he got up on his own before taking her hand. She was so small compared to him, and he didn’t want to pull her over. They just stood there a moment like that in the comfortable silence. “Well need some firewood, and water. Let’s go.” They walked out into the woods in a companionable silence, Myrr with a bucket in one hand and Muriel collecting firewood in the other while they still held hands.  

It wasn’t long til they were back at the hut. While Muriel set a small fire for them as Myre lay out a few cups and bowls of different sizes. Muriel stood there awkwardly beside her, hand crossed in front of him. “You still want to help?” She asked, smiling up at him. “I need two cups of flour in big bowl please, just level it off with the back of the knife. I’m just going to get the yeast to bloom.”  Muriel already had on cup in the bowl after poking through to find the proper size. He curiously watched her, never having heard of it before. “Bloom?”  She’d put the water, a little sugar, and the yeast in a bowl and covered it as she smiled up at him. “Yup, got to get the yeast to start working so that the bread will be light and fluffy, well one thing. Kneading it is important too.”  

She continued to give instructions, kind and soft spoken as always. Muriel was finding he was enjoying himself, especial since she was so happy and at ease as she worked. He was careful and precise as ever, but he could help stealing glances at her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention. The flour on her cheeks and her crooked glasses just added to her charm. Without thinking, he pushed her glasses back up the bridge of her nose causing her to flush, which made him flush. “S-Sorry.” Myrr smiled broadly up at him, shaking her head. “ Don’t be sorry. I really appreciate it. Here.” She reached up and brushed some flour off his cheek.  “What would you like to do now? We need to wait a little while the dough rises.”

He shifted a little, not sure how to answer before quietly mumbling to her. “I could try and fix your hair. I mean if you like that.” He was staring at a point somewhere over her shoulder, his face beet red.  Though he looked back down at her as she took his hand. “I think that’d be nice. I can sit in your lap so you don’t have to stretch down so far.” If she thought his face was red before, it found a way to turn a darker shade of red, causing her to panic. She didn’t know what to do so she just tried reaching out and patting his arm. “You don’t have to! I’m sorry… It was just a suggestion.”

Muriel scrunched up his face as he looked away. He shifted a little uncomfortably almost causing her to step back, before he gently pulled her to sit in his lap  on the bed. Gingerly he pulled off her glasses, and started to undo her braids. A soft sigh came from her as he started to brush her chin length golden tresses. It was so soft, he couldn’t help running his fingers through it. It lightly smelled of lavender and chamomile. He was tempted to bury his face in it, and just let the calm wash over him. The thought made him blush as he paused a moment before continuing the long, gentle stroke that made her so content.