Work Text:
The wind howled and snow fell in flurries around the small countryside atelier. A bad winter storm was settling in. Inside the two adult members of the household rushed back and forth, preparing the house to ride out the storm.
Olruggio paced the perimeter of the house activating contraptions and seals on all of the windows and doors to keep the snow and wind outside. Satisfied that the main house was secured, he briefly returned to his workshop to collect his tools and notes before locking down the tower workshop.
Olruggio returned to the kitchen, placing his work bag on a side table before watching Qifrey with a smile. Qifrey hummed as he moved around the kitchen, preparing a warming dinner for his pack. He paused as he heard someone enter the room, turning he beamed, “Is the house secure Alpha?”
Olruggio stepped up behind Qifrey and pulled him into his arms, “As much as it can be my darling Omega. I’ll check everything again before we sleep tonight. But for now I can settle. Sorry about earlier, love. Ya know how I get with winter storms. Throws my instincts all over the
place.”
Qifrey turned and kissed Olruggio briefly before nuzzling their cheeks together, “It’s never a bother Olly. You are ensuring the pups and I are safe and warm, I appreciate your care and devotion. Dinner should be ready soon, would you gather the pups?”
Olruggio placed a kiss on Qifrey’s head, “Of course. Do ya need anything else?”
Qifrey shook his head and stepped back to the stove, “Make sure the pups wash their hands before they set the table.”
Olruggio smiled and walked down the hall to the apprentice’s rooms, “Girls! Dinner time, wash up and head downstairs.” Olruggio snorted at the cacophony of acknowledgements and leaned against the wall to wait. He watched as all four girls piled out of their rooms, stopping in front of him to show their clean hands and accept a scent marking before rushing off to the kitchen.
Agott was the final apprentice to emerge and he tucked her under his arm as they walked back to the kitchen. She leaned into his hold with a soft pup purr and he grinned at her.
As the pups set the table, Olruggio stepped back into the kitchen proper and smiled at his mate, “What can I start taking out to the table love?”
Qifrey nodded at the water jug and basket of rolls, “I’ll be right behind you with the stew.”
Olruggio carried the requested items to the table and filled everyone’s water cups. Qifrey placed the pot of stew in the center of the table and motioned for the girls to hand him their bowls one by one.
After the girls were settled, Olruggio motioned for Qifrey to sit and filled bows for the two of them. Qifrey kissed his cheek as he placed their bowls down and sat at his side.
Qifrey smiled at their pups, “Eat up girls! I made a special treat for you for dessert.”
The pups cheered and began eating and chatting excitedly. Olruggio pressed their legs together under the table and began to eat. Qifrey bumped their shoulders together before he began to eat as well.
Dinner passed quickly, full of laughter and conversation. Qifrey sent the pups to take their dishes to the kitchen before turning to Olruggio, “Dearest, can you go stoke the hearth and get the nest base set up?”
Olruggio gave him a quick kiss, “I’m on it love.”
Qifrey smiled and finished clearing the table. The pups patiently waited at the kitchen table as Qifrey finished cleaning up. He cooed at the sight as he dried his hands, “Such patient pups! Are you girls ready for your treat?”
A round of cheers filled the room and Olruggio returned, leaning against the doorframe, “What have you made for us, Qifrey?”
Qifrey carried over a steaming pot, setting it down next to a covered plate and a stack of mugs. He leaned on the edge of the table and pulled off the plate cover, “It is so dreadfully cold tonight that I thought it was an appropriate time for mulled mountain apple cider and spice cakes.”
The pups gasped and cheered. Tetia threw her hands in the air, “I love spice cakes!!!! Thank you mama!!”
Qifrey laughed, “I am so happy you are excited, thank you for your excitement Tetia.” Tetia grinned brightly.
Qifrey clapped, “Now Olly has the nest base set up in front of the fire. I thought you girls could have your treats in the nest if you like?” The pups cheered and Qifrey continued, “Would you girls run back to your rooms and change into your sleep clothes? Then you can collect your blankets and we can build a nest for you all to have a sleepover tonight? This storm is quite dreadful and I would feel better having you all warm and cosy in one place tonight.”
A flood of bright laughter filled the kitchen before the pups rushed back to their rooms for blankets.
Olruggio came up behind Qifrey and wrapped his arms around his waist, “I brought some blankets down from our nest. A few for the pups' nest and a pile for the two of us to nest on the daybed.”
Qifrey leaned back into his arms, resting his hands over Olruggio’s on his stomach, “Thank you dear. I know both of us will feel better having them all in our sight tonight. This storm is only getting worse.”
Olruggio hummed and buried his face in Qifrey’s neck, “First big storm of winter. Lucky it held off this long and we managed to help all the villages prepare. We won’t be going anywhere for a week at least. The seals and contraptions around the house should hold strong and I’ll keep an eye on em. But we’ll have our work cut out for us keeping the girls from goin stir crazy.”
Qifrey laughed softly, “That’s a problem for later Olly. Tonight we get our girls tucked into a fluffy nest, ply them with treats, read them stories, and watch them drift off. Safe and sound where we can check on them all night with ease. And I will be in your arms all night so you know exactly where we are.”
As the word “we” left his lips Qifrey softly pressed his alpha’s hands to softly cup the minuscule swell on his stomach. Olruggio tensed briefly before letting out a shaky breath and rubbing a few small circles with his hands, “And you feel fine? No discomfort?”
Qifrey turned in his arms and cupped his face, “A bit tired and sore my love. But nothing I cannot handle. With you by my side I am happy, excited, and loved.”
Olruggio turned and pressed a kiss into his palm, “Of course Qi. I worry about you always. And the little one. I know you’re strong. It’s just that it’s only been a year since we managed to remove the Silverwood. And while you’ve recovered wonderfully. And I know Sinocia told us you are healthy enough to carry, I worry. I don’t want your past health issues to cause more discomfort while you carry our puppy.”
Qifrey let out a watery laugh, “Oh Olly, why must you be so endearing when you fret? Discomfort is part of the price I pay to carry your pup. Our baby. Olly, I’ve wanted this for years. I never thought I could keep you. I never thought I could even dream of our puppy being real. But I yearned for them the entire time. For a world where I could be your mate and give you pups. To carry our pup is my wildest dream come true. I do not care what discomforts I must endure. Because I am growing a little pup that is ours and we get to raise them in our atelier with our apprentice pups. I get to raise our pup with you Olly. And I know you will be the best dad.”
Olruggio leaned forward, wiping the tears from Qifrey’s face, “And you will be the best mom. You already are to the apprentices. Speaking of, wipe your tears love and put on a smile. The girls will worry if you go in there all teary eyed. And if we want to wait just a bit longer before we tell em, we can’t have em gettin suspicious. Our girls are smart little things.”
Qifrey giggled and carefully wiped his face, “Just a few more weeks to make sure the puppy is truly settled and it’s safe to get them excited. Just a few weeks then we can tell everyone.”
Olruggio grabbed Qifrey’s hand and kissed his knuckles softly, “I am by your side always, love. The slightest discomfort and you tell me, alright?”
Qifrey flushed and grinned, “Yes dearest. Grab the cider and follow me. We have pups to nest and spoil.”
Olruggio grinned and grabbed the pot, “Lead on love.”
When they arrived back in the living room the pups stared up at them excitedly with a mountain of blankets between them.
Qifrey cooed as he placed the plate and mugs on a side table, “Excellent work girls! This will make the coziest nest for you tonight. Do you want to build the nest yourselves or shall I help you?”
Richeh glanced at the other apprentices, “Help please ma.”
Qifrey beamed, “Happily darlings! Bring over the pillows and the starry quilt so we can get the walls built.”
Qifrey settled on the floor next to the nest base and under his guidance blankets and pillows wrapped together to form a nest to hold four young girls. Olruggio stepped up behind Qifrey as the girls gathered in front of them. One by one each pup was scent marked by the alpha and omega pair and gently tucked into the nest.
Once all of them were comfortable, Qifrey brought each of them a mug of cider and a small napkin wrapped cake.
Olruggio smiled as the room filled with the scent of happy, content, sleepy pups, he wrapped an arm around Qifrey’s waist, “We’ll be right back pups. We need to go change into sleep clothes. Stay here, we will read you stories when we return.”
After noises of agreement came from the pups, the mated pair walked back to their room. As the door clicked closed behind them, Qifrey quickly selected a long night shirt for each of them and threw Olruggio’s to him. Olruggio quickly changed and approached Qifrey to assist him with the clasps on his undershirt.
Olruggio smirked, “You should pick less finicky garments when we need to order new clothes for your pregnancy.”
Qifrey rolled his eyes and smacked at his hands playfully, “If you had your way I would be in nothing but my dresses and small clothes.”
Olly hummed and helped guide his undershirt over his head, “You would look glorious. My gorgeous mate.”
Qifrey spun to face Olly, hands on his hips in nothing but his small clothes. Whatever playful scold had been on his tongue died as Olruggio sunk to his knees and placed a featherlight kiss on the tiny swell of his midsection.
Qifrey felt his eyes mist over as Olruggio reverently scent marked his stomach and continued to place small kisses before he whispered, “Hello lil spark, behave for your ma. He’s already wrangling myself and your sisters, so be a good puppy and take it easy on him. Da loves you to the stars and back.”
Qifrey sniffled, “Oh Olly. You’ll bring me to tears.”
Olruggio snapped his head up, “No love, don’t cry. Oh where’s your night shirt, it’s far too cold for you to only be in your small clothes.”
He quickly stood and helped Qifrey into his night shirt before bundling him into his own housecoat.
A few tears slid down Qifrey’s face as he scrubbed them away, “You are so sweet to me Olly. Play the grump all you like, but I know how you actually are.”
Olruggio chuckled, “Only for our little family love.” He turned and pulled a medium sized bag from their closet “Speaking of, I’ve got a new contraption for the girls to test.”
Qifrey peeked into the bag, “Stuffed animals? What have you done to them?”
Olruggio rubbed at the back of his neck, “Been calling them snug buddies. Similar to the snugstones but cuddlier. Better for wee ones.”
Qifrey beamed, “Your magic is so kind Olly. You designed this for our little spark, didn’t you?”
Olruggio flushed, “I uh, fine, yes I did. It’s important pups stay warm! Anyway, the girls can test them tonight. Perfect timing with this storm.”
Qifrey purred, “Such a good dad Olly. You do know you’ll never get those prototypes back from the girls, correct?”
Olruggio snorted and helped Qifrey into his slippers, “Long as they work the girls can keep them. I can make more.”
Qifrey chuckled, “And the fact that they are the girls favorite animals is just a coincidence?” Olruggio rolled his eyes and tied his house coat and stepped into his slippers before leading them back to the living room.
Qifrey knelt at the edge of the nest and fussed over the pups as they all turned their attention to the bag Olruggio was carrying. He smiled, “Pups, would you test a new contraption for me tonight?” At a round of nods he opened the bag, “These are snug buddies. They should keep you warm just like the snugstones but be a bit cuddlier. Agott you first, hands out.”
Agott held her hands out and squeaked when he placed the stuffed dragon in her grasp, “Thank you da.”
Olruggio grinned, “You’re welcome. Tetia, hands out.”
Tetia bounced and squealed as she pulled the stuffed owlcat to her chest, “It’s perfect!!!! Thank you da!”
Olruggio ruffled her hair, “Thank you Tetia. Richeh, hands out.”
Richeh blinked slowly at the scalewolf placed in her arms, “I love him. Thank you da.”
Olruggio nodded at her, “And Coco, hands out.”
Coco’s eyes went wide as the stuffed myrphon met her hands, “So cute!! Thank you da!”
Olruggio placed the bag to the side, “Now to activate the seal, take the paw or wing with the button and put the button through the buttonhole on the opposite limb. This will press the two bits of the seal together, activating it.”
The pups activated the snug buddies and purred at the warmth.
Qifrey collected the mugs and shooed the girls out of the nest, “Go brush your teeth girls. Then we will tuck you back in and read you stories until you drift off.”
The girls headed off, taking their new stuffed animals with them.
Olruggio collected the mugs from Qifrey with a kiss to his cheek, “I’ll take care of these love. Go pick out a story for the pups.”
Qifrey pressed a kiss to his cheek, “Thank you Olly.”
A soft quiet warmth spread through the atelier as the occupants prepared for bed. Sleepy pups climbed back into their nest before a crackling hearth, a dark haired alpha checked the seals scattered around the house one more time, and a white haired omega arranged a small nest for him and his mate and tucked their pups in as they returned.
As the storm howled outside, Qifrey’s voice carried softly across the living room lulling the pups to sleep.
When the story ended Olruggio slid the book from Qifrey’s hands, “They’re conked out, love. Time for us to find sleep as well.”
Qifrey smiled, “Yes. Stoke the hearth while I dim the lamps?”
Soon the mated pair finished their preparations for bed and curled up in their nest.
Olruggio pressed something soft into Qifrey’s hands, “And one for you as well.”
Qifrey looked at the object in his hands, it was a dark blue and gold star pillow with a flame patterned ribbon wrapping around and able to attach to a button. Olruggio buttoned the ribbon to the plush and let the warmth wash over them.
Qifrey kissed him softly, “Thank you dearest. I love you.”
Olruggio tucked Qifrey’s head beneath his chin and pressed a kiss to his hair, “And I you. Sleep my love. I will see you in the morning.”