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Olruggio didn’t feel like he was someone people would find attractive. He told himself and others that he didn’t mind… until Qifrey turned up in his life.
Ever since they were apprentices together, Qifrey was everything Olruggio was not. Beautiful, fluid and powerful in a lucid way. He was angelic, even his voice drew Olruggio in. The way his hair would shine multicolored in the sun, the way his brows would pinch a wrinkle between them when he concentrated or was concerned, the way he was most comfortable in the kitchen, cooking for the girls he mentored. Everything Qifrey did was beautiful. And Olruggio craved it. Craved him .
But why would anyone ever look at Olruggio at the way he looked at Qifrey? He could never expect Qifrey to think the thought he had. Olruggio was quiet and grumpy. Qifrey probably wanted to be with someone just like himself; bright, cheerful, constantly smiling.
Olruggio was the moon; he shone from the sun, but without him he was cast in darkness. Qifrey was the sun; he didn’t need the moon in any way. All he needed was himself. Why would Olruggio, the moon, be needed?
Olruggio was in the kitchen one day, letting a pot of soup simmer. Last he knew, Qifrey was with the girls helping them out with spells.
Olruggio scoffed lightly to himself. Qifrey never taught them any history, besides the basics. He should probably do that himself. He added it to his mental list.
He groaned at the thought, pausing in stirring the soup to rub at his eyes. He had too much to do. He always had a commission to work on, school to teach, or anything else random. He knew becoming a witch wouldn’t be easy, but gods he needed a break. He was getting overwhelmed and stressed.
“Whatcha cookin’?” Qifrey’s voice suddenly sounded behind Olruggio, startling him.
“ACK!” Olruggio yelped, whirling around. Qifrey watched him curiously, unfazed by his reaction.
“Oh. Just some soup to save for the girls,” Olruggio said after a brief moment to recover and turned back around to the soup. “I wanted to try a new recipe.”
Qifrey hummed and opened a drawer to get a spoon, before coming over to steal a scoop of the soup. Olruggio didn’t complain; he couldn’t stop the other witch. He wouldn’t want to either way. Whatever Qifrey wanted from him, Olruggio would give it to him, whether the light haired one knew it or not.
Qifrey took a slow and steady sip so as to not burn his mouth. He tasted it, looking thoughtful before a grin spread across his face. “Delicious, what did you do?”
Olruggio forced himself to look away quickly. Seeing Qifrey light up in that way made his heart squeeze. He instead shrugged, keeping his eyes on the soup instead of looking at Qifrey’s beautiful blue eye that he wished he could drown himself in.
“I tried some new soup with Sword Carrots, smoked Quadryphon, and Chrysanthonions. I thought it would go nicely with some bread bowls,”
Qifrey didn’t respond right away. After a moment too long of silence, Olruggio glanced over his shoulder and startled again when Qifrey was standing right behind him. The other witch was leaning over his shoulder, reaching around him to steal another scoop. This time, Olruggio couldn’t pull his eyes away as he stared. Qifrey’s body ever so slightly brushed against his back. Olruggio could feel his breath on his cheek as he took the bite, humming in delight before his eyes turned to meet Olruggio’s.
The two stood still, mere inches from each other. Olruggio’s deep blue eyes, paired against Qifrey’s beautiful blue ones. They looked like glass paintings, like something an artist would draw. Olruggio briefly wondered if he could make a spell or paint of some sort that matched the color of Qifrey’s eyes.
“You have beautiful eyes, Olly,” Qifrey suddenly said, continuing to hold his gaze.
Olruggio let out a surprised sound, leaning away slightly. He suddenly felt intimidated by the closeness. “W-what are you talking about?” Olruggio said. He quickly turned back to the soup, fighting back the blush he knew was creeping up on his face. “My eyes are normal, they’re just blue. Yours, on the other hand….”
Qifrey hummed, frowning, that little wrinkle appearing between his brows. “What are you talking about? Your eyes are gorgeous, Olruggio.” Olruggio kept himself from looking at him, furious at the blush that he knew was burning on his face at this point. “They’re like the ocean, so deep and beautiful.” Then, to Olruggio’s surprise, Qifrey gently took his jaw in his hand and turned the other’s face towards him. He gazed softly at Olruggio, staring at his eyes. “Like a tide pool, or the sky right after the sun sets, and it’s that beautiful deep blue.” Then, Qifrey leaned even closer, eyes still locked on Olruggio’s.
Olruggio couldn’t help it. He jerked back. His back banged into the pot of soup, sending it off the fire and counter, splattering all over the counter and the two witches.
The two yelped in sync, before the pain of the heat set in and their yelps of surprise turned into yelps of pain. Qifrey quickly scribbled down a cooling spell. Because of his shaky and hurried hand, he drew something a bit too big, and suddenly the two were freezing and shaking with the chills.
Soup was laying around the floor, they were both covered in it, and they were shivering. It was all a mess.
“Olruggio, I’m so sorry!” Qifrey cried, guilt lacing his words. “I-I’ll clean it, we can remake it, I’m sorry!”
“It’s fine, Qifrey” Olruggio sighed, putting a hand on the other witch’s chest as he tried to go past him to start cleaning.
“What was that??” a child’s voice called from where their rooms are at; one of the girls.
“I just dropped something, go back to bed girls!” Qifrey quickly piped.
Olruggio was silent for a moment until he was sure the child went back to bed, before he said, “It’s my soup, I can clean it.”
“No, that’s not fair.” Qifrey stopped and stared Olruggio down. “I caused you to bump it and spill it, it’s my bad.” He stepped back, and pulled a chair out from the table nearby. “Sit down, let me clean.” When Olruggio hesitated, Qifrey huffed stubbornly. “I swear, Olruggio, if you don’t sit and let me clean the mess I made….”
Qifrey didn’t even have to finish his sentence. Olruggio sighed and moved over to the chair and sank into it. Whatever Qifrey asked, Olruggio would give. His heart was thudding painfully in his chest as he leaned his elbow on the table, placing his chin in his palm. He ignored the soft and gross feeling of soup on his body and clothes and grudgingly stared off.
What the hell was that?? Qifrey had started to move closer, probably just to look at his eyes. Sure, that was odd enough, but nothing really weird about it, at least Olruggio didn’t think it was. But then Olruggio pushed himself away. Qifrey didn’t deserve someone like him. Even if it were advances towards him, Qifrey deserved better. Olruggio’s heart was still beating fast but it sank at the thought and he had to fight back tears. He shouldn’t be tearing up over a stupid crush, he’s a grown man.
“Olly,” Qifrey said softly. The way his voice said Olruggio’s nickname made his heart jump and he quickly blinked the tears away. “I’m sorry.”
“No no, it’s… not your fault,” Olruggio said. “I pushed it off.”
Qifrey’s back was to him as he drew a spell to sweep and clean the mess up. “No, I shouldn’t have… moved towards you like that.”
Olruggio stayed silent. What was he supposed to say to that?
After a few silent moments once the mess was cleaned, Qifrey turned back towards him, eyes looking him up and down. He then reached his hand out and took Olruggio’s hand in his. Olruggio’s eyes caught on their hands held together. Both of them were stained with ink after being witches all their lives. Olruggio’s we’re bigger, stockier. Qifrey’s were long and thin, like a pianist's hands. Beautiful. Like all of him. Qifrey crouched down in front of Olruggio, holding both of their hands together as he stared up at the other man.
“Olly,” Qifrey whispered. His voice, so soft and pretty. Olruggio couldn’t help but look at him, unable to avoid him. “Why did you… move back like that?”
“What do you mean? You’re the one who… leaned in like that. What did you expect me to do?”
“What, were you expecting me to kiss you or something?” Qifrey joked. Olruggio turned his eyes away from his face down to their hands, clenching his jaw.
Just like that, right there. Qifrey was making a joke of what could be of them. What Olruggio craved for but wouldn’t ask for. And just like that, any hope he could have had vanished, leaving him with a sick, empty feeling.
Qifrey went still. Olruggio didn’t look at him but knew him well enough to know he looked shocked, eyes going wide. “Oh… oh Olly…”
“Don’t,” Olruggio said, hating the way his voice cracked. “Don’t say sorry. I… shouldn’t be like this. Shouldn’t feel like this.”
“Feel… what?”
Olruggio again was fighting back tears as he leaned forward, hiding his face by hunching over. He didn’t want Qifrey to see him like this. Weak and pathetic, crying over something that wasn’t even a thing.
“Feel… things for you. That.. I shouldn’t,” Olruggio said. His chest felt tight and he might be sick. He didn’t expect any confession to go like this, if there ever was going to be a true confession at all. “I… hate it. You don’t look at me like I look at you. You go about your day, looking so beautiful, and I hate it. I hate the way I feel about you, when I’m not beautiful enough to make you look at me .”
Qifrey was silent. The hand holding Olruggio’s was still, not even trembling. After a few moments, Olruggio couldn’t take it. He huffed and stood up, pulling himself away.
“Forget it, forget I said anything,” Olruggio said, turning to storm up the stairs.
“Olly wait!” Qifrey said, quickly dashing after him. He caught Olruggio’s wrist in his hand, stopping him. “Please… don’t want off. Talk to me.”
Olruggio glared ahead at the states that would take him to his room. He could push Qifrey away if he wanted to. He knew the other witch would let him if he was stubborn enough. But… maybe he should stay. Talk things out. Holding things back might be more stressful now that there was all this tension between them.
After a few moments, Qifrey must have realized Olruggio wasn’t leaving because he sighed in relief. His hand slipped down from his wrist to his hand, holding it gently. So gentle, too soft for someone who went through as much as he did.
“Come on, let’s get us cleaned up,” Qifrey said softly. He gently tugged Olruggio towards the bathroom, and after another moment of hesitation, Olruggio let himself be pulled that way.
Qifrey pulled him into the bathroom, shutting and locking the door behind him. He grabbed a few towels, turning on the water to start it up. He then stood up, and started to remove his robe, leaving him in his pants and that tight black shirt that showed off his body. Olruggio had to pull his eyes away. He always hated that stupidly tight shirt. It made him desire Qifrey even more.
Qifrey then took Olruggio’s hand in his. “Do you trust me?” he whispered.
“With my life,” Olruggio answered without hesitation.
There was a flash of emotion in Qifrey’s eyes at that, but that was something for another day. Instead, he smiled and helped Olruggio take off those outer layers that had soup splattered on them. Then, taking one of the towels, he soaked it in the water, then rang it out. He jumped up onto the counter, and pulled Olruggio closer. Olly stood between his knees as Qifrey reached up and started to gently wipe at any soul that was leftover.
“Please don’t shut down,” Qifrey said, his eyes meeting Olruggio’s. “Can we do that?” Olruggio slowly nodded. “Good. Can we… talk? About what was said in the kitchen.”
“Qifrey-“ Olruggio started, but the light haired witch cut him off.
“No, don’t ramble. Just say yes or no. If you don’t want to talk, just say no and I won’t bug you about it. Nothing will change between us, I promise. But if you want to, say yes, and we can talk.”
Olruggio stared up at the witch. His expression was soft, lips pressed firmly together. He wasn’t lying, he was being truthful. If Olruggio decided to not talk, then Qifrey wouldn’t pester him about it. Maybe things wouldn’t change on his side, but Olruggio knew everything would be different now for him, no matter what.
“Yes,” he whispered, trying to be brave.
Qifrey’s expression softened even more, a smile curling his lips upwards. “Okay. Talk to me then.”
“Where do I start,” Olruggio groaned. “I… have feelings for you. More than a friend. Gods, I sound like a high schooler saying that…”
“That’s okay, you can continue,” Qifrey laughed, and that sound lit up Olruggio’s entire world.
Olruggio leaned into his touch as the other witch continued to wipe anything else that was left. When he wiped at his cheek where some soup was smeared from Olruggio’s hand, he brushed his knuckles across his cheek. Olruggio’s breath caught at the touch.
“I've liked you since we were apprentices together,” he whispered softly. “You were so bright, so enthusiastic no matter what we were going through. Everything you did was beautiful. You are beautiful.” Olruggio caught Qifrey’s hand in his, and held it tightly as all of his feelings finally gushed out. The gates were opened, and he couldn’t cold himself back anymore. “Everything you are and do is beautiful. The way you laugh, your childlike attitude, everything. You’re sometimes an idiot and you annoy the shit out of me at times, but I feel so drawn to you.”
“Olly,” Qifrey whispered, eyes locked on him.
Olruggio shook his head, not wanting to be stopped. “You’re beautiful and energetic. You’re passionate about what you do, and you hold so much love for the children under your care. You shine so bright and I can’t, and haven’t ever been able to take my eyes off of you. Qifrey, I’m in love with you.”
He broke off, surprised that he even went that far. Qifrey’s eyebrows were raised high as he gazed at him, a faint blush starting to brighten his face.
“Olly,” Qifrey whispered again. He untangled his hand from Olruggio’s, but before the witch could complain, Qifrey placed his hands on both sides of his face. Olruggio flinched, feeling unsure, as if he were unworthy, scared of what’s to happen.
“Why do you do that?” Qifrey whispered. “You lean and flinch away like I’m hitting you, instead of simply touching you. Why do you shy away?”
“Because I am nothing compared to you,” Olruggio said, voice cracking. He sighed and leaned his face into Qifrey’s touch, closing his eyes and letting himself relax in the warmth. “You’re everything, and I’m just… me. I’m not pretty, I’m not as talented as you… you’re everything I am not.”
Qifrey’s expression saddened as he leaned closer. “You are enough and you are beautiful,” he whispered, his breath tickling Olruggio’s face as he opened his eyes back open. “I want to show you that you are. Can you please let me show you?”
“Qifrey-“ Olruggio said, heart thudding in his chest. He was scared, scared of what his heart would do if this continued. But he also couldn’t help but lean closer, eyes glancing towards Qifrey’s lips. “O-okay. Yes.”
Once Qifrey got consent, he leaned closer. His hands held Olruggio’s face gently, his eyes locked on Olruggio. There was a tense, still moment before he leaned down those final inches. His lips captured Olruggio’s lips, instantly melting into the kiss.
Olruggio’s heart and mind erupted in fireworks. He felt so many emotions, but he pushed all of them away so he could enjoy the moment. Qifrey tasted sweet, like cherries, and Olruggio wouldn’t be surprised if the other witch had some lip balm of some sort. He also tasted like the soup Olruggio had been making. Olruggio reached his arms up and wrapped them around Qifrey’s waist, holding himself close, not wanting to break this moment. It was everything he had dreamed of, and more. Qifrey, soft and sweet in his touch, gentle and loving. Their lips molded together as if they were sculpted to be pressed against each other. It was perfect.
Finally they broke the kiss, both feeling a little breathless. Olruggio felt a little lightheaded, and had to lean against the other witch on the counter so as to not stumble.
“That was…” Olruggio said, blushing furiously. He probably looked like a high schooler after their first kiss, too.
Qifrey laughed, leaning forward so his forehead pressed against Olruggio’s. “Olly, you have no idea how much I’ve wanted to do that for years.”
“Really??” Olruggio gasped, unsure if he could believe that or not.
“Mhm,” Qifrey hummed, smiling gently at the other witch. “I have liked you too, Olly. For years. I don’t know how you didn’t notice it.”
“I… don’t know. I didn’t realize,” Olruggio said. His heart ached at all the time they could have spent together but he pushed that away as he focused on Qifrey’s words.
“You are so beautiful, Olly,” Qifrey said. Olruggio was about to complain and argue, but Qifrey pressed a small kiss to the corner of his mouth and that managed to silence him. “You say you don’t feel like anything besides me, but that’s untrue. I wouldn’t be me without you. I love the way you look after you’ve accomplished a task, that little shine in your eye with your satisfaction. You are always so grumpy, but you look so cute when you mope around the house.”
“Qifrey…” Olruggio said softly, heart aching with emotions he couldn’t pinpoint as to what they are. Love? He thinks so.
“I want to show you how beautiful you really are,” Qifrey said. He pressed a few kisses across his face, to his cheek, his nose, his temple. “I want to kiss all of you, and tell you what I like about every part of you.”
“Oh?” Olruggio whispered, heat flaring across his cheeks at that romantic thought.
“I can start right now,” Qifrey said. He kissed Olruggio’s temple. “Your mind. You’re so smart, so clever, you can figure everything out in a moment's time.” He kissed the top of his head. “Your hair. It’s thick, dark, and soft. I have been wanting to run my hands through it for years.” He did just that to prove his point and smiled as he did so. He then kissed under his eyes. “Your eyes. They’re so beautiful, despite you thinking they’re normal. They are dark blue with hints of purple near the iris, and some green flecks near the edge.” He kissed his lips; first the corner or his mouth, then a full kiss, holding him gently so he could kiss him passionately. “And your lips,” he said. “So pretty, I’ve been wanting to kiss them for so long now…”
“Qifrey…” was all Olruggio could manage. He didn’t know what to say. He felt embarrassed by the showering of praise, but there was a little light glowing in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, Qifrey isn’t lying, and he truly does see all this beauty that Olruggio doesn’t see himself.
“I love you Olly,” Qifrey whispered. He leaned down and laid his head on the crook of his neck, pressing a gentle kiss there. “You’re gorgeous to me, whether you see it or not. I want to convince you that you are beautiful and worthy of love.”
“Qifrey,” Olruggio said, his voice strained with emotion. His arms were still around the other’s waist and he tightened his grip, fingertips dancing across the lean muscle he could feel under the shirt. “I love you. I love you so much.”
Qifrey’s grip tightened around him when he heard those words. He then moved off the counter, taking Olruggio’s hand in his. He unlocked and opened the bathroom door and drew him out. Olruggio had no choice but to follow him, but he wasn’t complaining. Qifrey took the other witch to his room and pulled him gently in.
“Qifrey, I-“ Olruggio said. He stood there in Qifrey’s room, both of them just in their under layers. His stomach was doing flip flops. He was scared. He was absolutely terrified. He didn’t want to ruin this.
Glancing back, Qifrey must have read his expression. His face softened and he took Olruggio’s hands in his and pulled him close, pressing a kiss to his jaw to relax him.
“Olly, I told you that I wanted to kiss you and tell you how much I loved you. I want to make you feel loved and beautiful. Can I do that?”
Olruggio knew if he wanted to back down, this would be his last chance. He could say no, and go to his room. He could say no and things would go back to ‘normal’. They would act the same, but feelings have been brought to the surface at this point.
“Yes,” Olruggio whispered, and he meant it.
Qifrey beamed at this, and Olruggio couldn’t help but scoff lightly. Of course Qifrey would look so joyful and innocent in such an intimate moment. Yet once Qifrey’s hands moved to his shirt, his scoff faded. He held still as Qifrey lifted his shirt off of him, pressing kisses to his neck, collar and shoulder. It was gentle, slow, and full of love. Olruggio’s heart ached with so much love for the other man that there wasn’t any room for embarrassment, or shyness. He took in each touch Qifrey caressed to his skin, fireworks shooting from each brush of his lips.
Qifrey brought him to the bed after the two were stripped from the rest of their clothing. Olruggio took him all in, eyes shamelessly looking at the other man. He truly was beautiful in every way, he couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.
A little squeeze to his hand made that jealousy vanish. This was Qifrey. He was beautiful but… he was going to show Olruggio he is also beautiful. He was going to let him.
Olruggio let Qifrey lay him on the bed, continuing to press kisses to his skin. Everywhere he touched, he whispered why he loved him. Olruggio couldn’t decipher half of his words, but knowing every one of them was sweet, adoring words, it comforted him. Qifrey’s hands caressed his skin, and when he kissed Olruggio where his body was most desperately craving, he held him tight. Olruggio took those hands in his and gripped them tightly. Olruggio melted into the touches, body shaking with his emotions and those touches.
“Beautiful, so beautiful,” Qifrey whispered.
“So beautiful,” Olruggio whispered back, the other witch’s eyes lighting up when he heard him. And when his body was shaking with pleasure, and his mouth fell open in quiet gasps, he believed it. He believed every word Qifrey spoke to him, all the compliments, all the words.
Once Olruggio calmed down, Qifrey rose back up and laid down on his chest, gazing up at him with a smile tugging at his lips.
“Qifrey, I don’t want you-“ Olruggio started, but Qifrey pressed his hand to Olruggio’s mouth to stop his words.
“No, it’s fine. This is for you, all about you. We can be open and honest with each other now. We will have plenty of time, plenty of other nights for me. Tonight, it’s you.”
Tears welled up in Olruggio’s eyes. This time, he let them fall. Qifrey kissed him as he cried from gratitude. He was held tightly in the other witch’s loving embrace and he believed him. He felt beautiful, and worthy of love.
The two tangled together, arms wrapped around each other. Chest to chest, skin to skin, mouth to mouth. It was messy, but it was lovely.
“I love you,” Olruggio whispered.
“I love you too, so much,” Qifrey replied, holding Olruggio’s face into the croon of his neck. He didn’t want to ever let go. He wasn’t ever going to let go, he never wanted to let this man go.
The two were together, full of love and passion.
Olruggio knew that Qifrey is still the sun, and he is the moon. He reflected off of his rays, but if the sun wasn’t there, people on earth wouldn’t be able to admire the moon’s beauty. Together, they were both beautiful when paired up. And Olruggio believed it.