Chapter Text
With open doors and dusty shelves, the Atelier welcomed back its tenants. But by the very next morning, It was Absent one witch- Coco.
”Deep down my dear child of hope, I think you know very well weak solutions give weak results. Let me teach you and we can save your mother. Together.” The familiar brimmed cap said to Coco as they stood behind her with an outstretched hand.
”Master Quifiry… Can I do the same for him too?” Come muttered, pulling her knees to her chest, her expression blank.
The brimmed cap stayed silent before speaking in a low tone to her. “We can save everyone. Everyone you love can be protected, safe, and saved, you just need to learn.”
The brimmed cap took a step closer before Coco stood up and turned to the brimmed cap slipping off the ring and with blank determined eyes she replied.
”Show me.”
When Quifry arrived he was confident everything would be the same the giant ice like shards covering Coco home.
Instead when he landed arrived he froze his body locking up at seeing the house, all neat almost like it had no trace of forbidden magic on it.
“Impossible.” Muttered Quifty before he could rush inside checking on Coco he heard a object cutting through the air he wasn’t given a moment to react before he hit grass beneath him and a glimpse of a familiar brimmed cap.
“What have you done…” Was the last words Quifty could muster before unconsciousness took him under.
He heard muffled nervous voices, and soon he could feel a warm weight on his chest.
By the time Quifrey woke up he saw a familiar face with black hair and a matching hat on his chest.
He groaned slightly, shifting wondering where this headache was coming from.
This felt too familiar.
Suddenly the white haired witch sprung awake immediately jolting the watchful eye of the Atelier awake.
”Quifrey…” Said Olruggio in a relieved tone.
Quifrey looked up at the very much tried black haired witch who seemed to have not gotten an ounce of sleep.
“My…” Quifrey muttered, raising a hand to Olruggio before speaking up again. “Have you not?—“
”You bloody idiot!” Olruggio said, harshly grabbing Quifrey's wrist. “I can’t let you leave my sight for a single moment before… you do something so terribly reckless.” Olruggio's voice slowly began to soften showing a bit of worry though his grip didn’t loosen. “I cannot lose you Quifrey… Please. Why must you be like this? You have always been this way…”
”Oh dear Olly. I didn’t intend for any trouble… truly. You know I couldn’t ever bear leaving you. The brimmed hats would have to take me away and even then I would rush back to you as long as my heart beats and my hand can draw.” The white haired witch spoke in a soft tone. Olruggio scoffed but there was no heat in it, he almost seemed relieved.
“I… sincerely…” Quifrey began to say as the distance between him and Olruggio began to shorten as Olruggio held on to Quifrey to rest more gently and moved up his other hand behind Quifrey's head.
“Apologize… My dear olly.” Quifrey whispered softly as his thumb traced his Olruggio cheek, his other hand sliding up to his shoulder.
Before their lips could connect like the circle closing on a spell the door opened and both the black and white haired witches pulled away.
”MASTER QUIFREY!” Whined Tetia basically leaping to Quifrey's side with tears brimming her eyes.
”You truly worried Richeh, Master Quifrey.” Richeh said in her usual soft tone though her brows quivered a bit showing her worry.
”And here I thought Coco was the reckless one of the Atelier, though welcome back master… We were truly concerned.” Agott muttered under her breath.
Olruggio bumped into the wall though tried to get the apprentices to calm down.
Quifrey had a small smile on his lips as he held Tetia who was now crying.
though when the white haired witch heard Agott words, his blood turned to ice. He immediately looked up quickly looking at his apprentices and watchful eye before a short, barely heard concerned voice slipped from his lips.
”Where’s Coco?”