Chapter Text
It had been a little less than a year since they finished rebuilding the old cottage into an atelier, though many of the rooms still had yet to find their use. Otherwise, the atelier was starting to look like home, and though Olruggio protested being so far from the capital, he eventually found the serenity of the countryside to be soothing in comparison to the hustle and bustle of the Great Hall.
For once, he had an invigorating seven hours of sleep, more than what he’s been allowed for the past week. Olruggio marched down from his room and to the kitchen, expecting to see his partner already eating breakfast. Instead, a troubled Qifrey was what greeted him.
“Oh dear, everything’s not ready yet, we have too many rooms we have no use for— I’m not even sure if we have the right kind of food! What if she has allergies?!” Qifrey was just about losing his mind, pacing around in circles so much he’d probably wear down the wooden floor. It was early in the morning, and Olruggio already had enough of the panic.
“Settle down!” Olruggio grabbed the other witch by the shoulders, stopping him from moving any more. “Catastrophizing won’t help you, nor will it help the kid,” He squeezed his grip for a bit before looking Qifrey in the eyes, well, eye. “We can do this. So what if the atelier isn’t complete yet? We have all we need, that is more than enough.”
“This is a child, Olly,” Qifrey reached his hands to hold his partner’s arms, “A whole other person, a growing one at that. Everything has to be perfect.”
“Is this because she’s an Arklaum?” Olruggio asked, when Qifrey tried to turn away to fret over the things in their home, he steadied his grip and kept the silver-haired witch in place, “Qifrey, she chose you for a reason, you’ll be a wonderful professor!”
“It’s not about that,” Qifrey argued, exasperated as he tried to articulate himself in his frustration. “Because… because every child deserves the best we can give them, no matter their lineage or ability,” he looks down, whispering loud enough that only Olruggio could hear, “What if we’re not enough?”
“Yeah, well—” Olruggio shot back. “What if we are?”
“You’re being too easy-going,” Qifrey frowned, looking back at him, “We can be as well intentioned as we are, and we could still… hurt the child.” Finally, he looks Olruggio in the eyes, “You’re thinking too optimistically, Olly.”
“And you’re thinking too negatively, Qifrey.” Olruggio was being stubborn as he always was, like a star whose light refused to be dimmed, he wasn’t going to stop until Qifrey composed himself. “Enough with the thinking of the worst and start thinking of the best!” He finally let Qifrey go, saying, “If you’re not going to believe in yourself, at least believe in my belief for you.”
“You’re impossible,” Qifrey reluctantly sighed. He knew Olruggio was right. He turned away, as if it hurt to look at Olruggio, and muttered, “You know I would always believe you.”
Olruggio turned smug, grinning, “I know you would, because I believe in you.” He gives Qifrey’s shoulders a few more rough pats before saying, “Come on, let’s get breakfast cooking.”
“Don’t forget, we still have to finish child-proofing the atelier,” Qifrey reminded him, “We also have to—”
“I know, I know,” Olruggio pulled back a chair and guided Qifrey to sit, “Just sit tight and relax.”
Olruggio made his way to the kitchen, grabbing a nearby apron before putting it on. He checked over the items in the pantry. It was fully stocked— frankly, it was overstocked —even if the little Arklaum did have allergies, she wouldn't go hungry with this much food around. Olruggio was a simple man and enjoyed simple delights. Grabbing some cured bacon and eggs, he began cooking breakfast. As the meat sizzled and the food wafted into the air, Qifrey couldn't sit still and walked into the kitchen.
“You're not going to add vegetables?” Qifrey asked, a slight frown etching his features.
“There are green onions in the scrambled eggs, surely that's—”
“Olruggio.”
Olruggio paused, oh, it was never good when he stopped hearing his nickname, “Okay, okay! One order of sautéed greens coming right up.”
“We'll have a child in our care now, it's important that we lead by example,” Qifrey's stern voice continued, “Not just in magic, but in habits.”
“You're startin’ to sound like a certain someone we know…”
“Olruggio.”
“Yes, sir! Lead by example,” Olruggio quickly said, “Copy that.”
Qifrey reached for his own apron. In the few months they started living together, Olruggio learned that the other witch was very particular when it came to the kitchen. A long cry from the young boy who thought boiling food was enough to call it edible. While Olruggio finished cooking the protein, Qifrey began chopping the vegetables. Olruggio stepped back and let Qifrey take over the cooking, moving to the other side of the kitchen to grab the plates and utensils.
“Say,” Olruggio began as he opened the cupboard, “When’s the little one coming to our atelier?”
“Three o’clock,” Qifrey answered, tossing the vegetables in a heated pan, “So, only less than seven hours to get everything ready.”
“That’s more than enough time then!” The bearded witch says as he places the plates on their rounded wooden table, “We’ve spent the better part of this week preparing for this. Like I said, you’ll be fine.”
“Right,” Qifrey reluctantly muttered before asking, “But what if she doesn’t even like us?”
“Well, there’s nothing wrong with that,” Olruggio replied, “The child is free to choose her professor, and I’m sure we’ll find you another apprentice.”
After eating breakfast, the pair— well, actually just Qifrey —spent the time running around making sure everything was perfect.
“Olly, do you think the uniform is too… bright?” Qifrey asked, showing him the seafoam green uniform.
“Well, it’ll certainly be difficult to lose the little one that’s for sure,” Olruggio answered, “I mean, with colors like that— she’ll stick out in a crowd like a sore thumb.”
Qifrey sighed, “Well, I asked a tailor in the village at the southeast to help design it similar to my old uniform,” he continued as he neatly folded the cloak back into the box, “I also asked her to make it practical, something my apprentices can wear until they’re older.”
“Let me guess, you’re also worried if your new apprentice would like it or not,” Olruggio joked with a grin.
“I hope she will,” Qifrey looks at the little pointed hat in his hands.
“She will,” Olruggio reassured him once more before laughing, “She doesn’t really get a say in it anyway, so don’t fuss ‘bout it too much.”