Archive of Our Own

1. Qifrey

Nightmares were nothing new for Qifrey.

If anything, nightmares were his oldest friend. Before he knew even his name he knew of nightmares. Had lived one long enough to know its taste in his mouth, its scratchy touch on his skin, its coldness seeping into his bones and freezing him in place.

No, what was new was the ability to reach out.

For once, he did not have to suffer alone. No longer poisoned by the Silverwood Tree, he could finally reach and touch and hold and rest without fear of disappearing entirely. So, on nights like these, when the wind was howling and the shadows of branches in the windows threatened to overwhelm him, he would get up, the soft patter of his feet barely making a sound on the wood floor, and go to the one place he could always find comfort.

Olruggio didn’t stir even as he slowly cracked his always-ajar door open and gently came inside. He was snoring lightly, mouth open and drool spilling on his pillow. His body was lax with sleep. Turned on his side, it almost looked like he was reaching out for something. For a moment, Qifrey thought of going back to his room. He hated to disturb the tired man, especially when he got so little sleep as it was.

But he’d been trying to get better at accepting help. So, he steeled himself, and gently tapped him on his warm shoulder.

“Olly,” Qifrey said softly.

“Qifrey?” he responded immediately, already moving over for him. “S’matter? Can’t sleep?” he asked groggily.

“Mm,” Qifrey confirmed. “I think a storm is rolling in,” he said.

“C’mere,” he said patting the newly created Qifrey-shaped space in his bed.

Qifrey came willingly, letting Olly sleepily manhandle him into the hammock.

It had taken Qifrey a long time to let someone comfort him like this. It’s why him and Olly still slept in separate beds most nights. Some days, all Qifrey wanted was to touch and hold and never let go. Other days, even the thought of a gentle touch sent him into a spiral so bad he needed to dunk himself in freezing water just to get out of it.

He was getting better, though. And Olly was right there with him, so patient and loving.

As soon as Qifrey was settled, the fire mage put the full weight of his sleep-warm body on top of Qifrey, snuggling into him like they had when they were kids. His prickly beard tickled Qifrey’s throat and collarbone pleasantly. Still half-asleep, he grabbed Qifrey’s hand and began rubbing soothing circles on the back of it with his thumb.

The warm weight on top of him grounded Qifrey like nothing else. The soft breaths at his collarbone calmed his beating heart. He couldn’t hear anything beyond the soft sleepy bubble Olly had created for him.

He was… at peace.

He never thought he could feel that without the tree stirring inside him. It was a strange phenomenon, finally allowing him to indulge in the love he’d always wanted to give to his Star. He let himself slowly unwind, relishing the presence of his lover, and curling further into him. He buried his nose into Olly’s soft hair, smelling the subtle lavender and mint soap Qifrey had made for the atelier. All the while Olly continued rubbing kind circles into his skin, like he was finishing off a spell that would grant Qifrey his heart’s desires. Occasionally, the rubbing would stop and Olly would stir again, gently nosing his neck before returning to the gentle ministrations.

It took Qifrey a moment to realize what he was doing.

“Sweet Olly,” Qifrey whispered into his temple. “You can go back to sleep now. I promise I’m alright.”

Olly shook his head sleepily, burying himself further into Qifrey’s neck.

“Don’ wanna leave you alone,” he mumbled into his skin.

The thought warmed Qifrey’s heart. But Olly was already on the verge of sleep as it was, and Qifrey was perfectly content here.

“I’m not alone, my love,” Qifrey said. “I’ve got you right here with me.” He tightened his hold on the sleepy form on top of him as he said it.

Olly was stubborn, but Qifrey knew all the spots to make him melt. He ran a comforting hand through his hair, gently rubbed at his temples, then made his way down his spine, repeating the soothing motion just how he knew Olly liked it.

It didn’t take long for Olly’s breathing to deepen. He gave one big sleepy sigh and then he was out. The rubbing on the back of his hand stopped, but the hold stayed secure. Qifrey took the moment to leave a kiss on his head, to hold him even closer.

He loved this man. More than anything he loved him. His stubbornness and his kindness and everything in between.

With his lover’s warmth atop him, it wasn’t long before Qifrey was yawning and blinking blearily. His Star’s quiet breaths and secure hold led him right to dreamland.

For once, the nightmares didn’t come.

2. Richeh

Richeh hadn’t meant to eavesdrop.

She had been coming into the bedroom to ask her teacher a question when she’d stumbled onto the scene.

Master Olly was on Master Qifrey’s bed, shirt rucked up to expose his stomach. His face was turned away, and he was gripping his skirt like his life depended on it. Qifrey was fumbling with the syringe, various cloths and a small basin of water surrounding them.

Ah, that’s right. Olly had come back from the doctors with his monthly dose of testosterone. Everyone at the atelier knew Olly was trans and knew he was on hormones, but she’d never seen him actually take the medicine before.

In Richeh’s defense, Master Qifrey shouldn’t have left his door open for her to stumble onto. But now that she was here, she couldn’t help but watch the scene unfold.

“Just be quick, okay?” Olly asked, straining his neck in his efforts to not look. “And tell me when you’re about to do it.”

“Alright,” Qifrey said.

“Actually, wait, don’t tell me,” Olly amended.

Qifrey chuckled lightly. “Alright,” he said kindly. “Anything else you need?”

“Hold my hand?” Olly mumbled after a beat of hesitation.

“Dearest, I need both hands to do this, you know,” Qifrey said. Still, he squeezed Olly’s hand which was still white-knuckling his poor skirt.

“Alright, love,” Qifrey said, “One… two…”

Olly gave a little yelp as Qifrey plunged the needle inside and administered his hormones. He managed to stay dutifully still even as freaked out as he was.

“Aaannnnndd all done!” Qifrey said. Richeh watched him dispose of the needle into the sharps box in the corner before coming back with a wet cloth to clean over the pinprick wound.

“Thank you,” Olly said bashfully as Qifrey cleaned the spot and then added an adhesive spell to the gauze.

“No need,” Qifrey said. Then he got up and made his way to the door. Richeh quickly moved out of the way of the two witches’ sightlines. She peeked up from behind the bench she’d chosen to hide behind.

“Now, it’s about time I get to making supper,” Qifrey said. “After that t-shot, I know you’ll be needing lots of food.”

Olly came with him, shirt properly tucked in his belt now. Qifrey reached for his hand and Olly threaded their fingers together without a second’s hesitation, heading downstairs hand-in-hand.

All the while Richeh continued to watch and ponder.

Later, after a big dinner, Richeh laid down pensively on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. Richeh wasn’t sure what this feeling was in her body, but it was niggling and pervasive. Much like her peers, she was already in the midst of puberty. And those changes were… not bad, per say, but not… right. It was like the world was looking at her differently. At her core, Richeh was Richeh, but to the world she was becoming something different. Signifiers that didn’t quite fit based on nothing but her growing body.

Richeh didn’t like it.

Richeh didn’t want it.

It was frustrating. And she didn’t know what to do about it. She didn’t know if she could do anything about it.

“Something on your mind?”

Richeh looked away from the ceiling and craned her neck to see Master Olly, study books from Master Qifrey’s earlier lessons stacked in his hands.

Richeh didn’t answer, but Olly didn’t let it deter him.

“You’ve got that Angricheh look on your face when you’re thinking about something really hard.”

Richeh’s face twisted more in displeasure against her will and Olly chuckled at her.

“I won’t pry it you don’t want to talk about it,” he said. “But you can talk to me if you want advice. And you know Master Qifrey is always willing to listen, too.”

He was just about to go down the stairs when Richeh picked up her courage.

“Master Olly,” she called. “How did you know you were a boy?”

Olly stopped in his tracks. Richeh couldn’t see his face, but she could feel his fluster. For a moment he just stood there contemplating, then he sighed, putting the books down and rubbing the back of his head.

“That’s… a complicated answer,” Olly said, turning around. “Scooch over and I’ll try to explain.”

Richeh picked her heavy head up and readjusted. He sat down with a grunt, bones creaking as he went. He had the same look in his eyes as when he was trying to figure out a rather complicated contraption. Richeh let him think, not wanting to distract him.

“I suppose I just always… knew,” he said eventually. “When I was a kid, I would always tell people I was a boy. The people back home just kind of humored me. When I went to the Great Hall, nobody knew me enough to correct me, so I lived like that up until I started hitting puberty. It was only then that my master started taking me seriously and helping me get proper care.”

He smiled a little ruefully. “It was a bit of an uphill battle, but eventually I was able to get meds that made me feel more like, well, me.”

Richeh nodded. She could understand that. People always tried to put Richeh in boxes, to force her into their mold. She was often fighting to stay Richeh in a world that wanted her to be something else.

Olly turned to her. “Do you… feel like a boy, Richeh?” he asked her cautiously.

Richeh thought about it. Boy was different than girl, but it still felt… restricting. Boy meant another set of rules, another set of expectations. Another set of signifiers she must meet. Richeh didn’t want that either.

Richeh shook her head.

“I see,” Olly said thoughtfully. He stroked his chin in contemplation.

“Richeh doesn’t feel like a girl either?” he asked.

Richeh thought about it more. Girl was what she’d been all her life. But it wasn’t… her. Girl wasn’t Richeh.

She tersely shook her head no. She wasn’t sure why she was nervous admitting it. She knew her teachers wouldn’t care. But it felt like a new step, an acknowledgment of something changing at her core. Or, maybe not changing, but revealing itself.

“Richeh just wants to be Richeh,” she said, finally.

Olly smiled at her. “I like Richeh as Richeh is, too,” he said. “But if there’s anything that can make Richeh feel more like Richeh, you can always ask us. We can get you anything you need. Or if you just want to try out things, we can do that too.”

Richeh nodded. That sounded… nice actually. Master Olly made it sound normal, small, doable.

“And, you know,” Olly continued, “I’ll bet if you told Qifrey, he’d be able to help. Qifrey isn’t a boy or a girl either.”

Richeh looked up at Olly surprised. The look on her face must have been amusing, for Olly gave a little chuckle. “Yeah, he doesn’t usually explain it to people. He’s not being secretive or anything, he just doesn’t care. And I bet he’d have a lot more good advice to give you as your teacher than I would.”

Richeh thought about it. She definitely should tell her teacher about it, if only so that he knew how to help her out.

But that would involve getting up, and it was late and the thought of having another conversation like this sounded exhausting.

So, instead, she let her head flop onto Olly’s lap and closed her eyes.

“Whoa!” Olly exclaimed. “Richeh? What are you doing?”

“Richeh is tired,” she said simply.

“Then go to your room?” Olly said. “Come on, you can’t just nap on me, I’ve got stuff to do. And you’ll hurt your neck like that.”

But Richeh didn’t move, and Olly didn’t try to push her off.

She fell asleep, head pillowed in her guardian’s warm lap, the fire crackling calmly in her ears.

She woke up later to Qifrey’s gentle hands draping a blanket over her. When she looked up, Master Olly was snoring softly, head laid back on the couch and mouth open.

Qifrey mimicked a shushing motion with his finger as he tucked them both in. Richeh let herself drift off, safe in the knowledge of her guardian’s acceptance and love.

3. Tetia

“We’re having a sleep over!” Tetia sing-songed.

Olruggio looked up from where he was hunched over his work. His bleary eyes attempted to focus on two twin buns and a bright-eyed smile.

“Tetia?” Olruggio asked. “Isn’t it late?”

Tetia nodded. “And that’s why we’re having a sleepover, Master Olly!”

Olruggio’s tired brain couldn’t comprehend the meaning of those words.

Tetia sighed. “Come on, keep up, Master Olly,” she began dragging him from his work.

“Tetia hold on,” Olruggio said, and wow she really had an iron grip. He found himself being led to the main atelier and into their spacious living room. The room was already set up with fluffy pillows, soft blankets, and a whole box of supplies.

“Come on, Master Olly,” she said. “You look absolutely dreadful! And when was the last time you gave yourself a pick-me-up? You need to take care of yourself. So we’re having a spa day sleepover to cure you of all your ills and ails!”

“Oi…” Olruggio protested weakly. He wasn’t sure if she was trying to be helpful or covertly insulting him. Probably both, knowing Tetia.

“And, besides, you and Master Qifrey are always staying up when you think we’re asleep, so I think it’s my turn to stay up, huh?”

“Oi!” Olruggio protested, but to no such luck.

It didn’t take long for her to get him sat down among the plush downy pillows, telling him not to move as she got all her supplies out. She puttered around the room, mumbling to herself as she emptied out her bag, spelled to be near-bottomless, and spread various jars and creams in front of him.

“Where’s the others?” Olruggio asked.

Tetia paused in her actions briefly, face turning to a frown. “They’re not joining us tonight.”

Olruggio put that information away for later. He’d have to ask her about it when she was ready to open up.

“But never mind that!” Tetia said, beaming smile back in place. Immediately she crowded into his space. “So, first let’s get this on you!” She shoved a rigid headband over his bangs. The ends of it clipped his ears and he tried not to cry out at the pain.

“Tetia, be careful,” Olruggio admonished, rubbing at his ear.

“Sorry,” she said, not sounding at all sorry. “Okay, now we start with a cleanser! Rub this all over your face.”

Olruggio let himself be splashed and scrubbed and exfoliated by the young witch, trying not to make a fuss even as she occasionally scrubbed too hard or got some type of product in his eye.

When Tetia was finally satisfied with all her primp and priming, she pulled out another container.

“This,” she gestured, “is an avocado scrub! You put it on your face and it’s supposed to help with aging and dark circles. And you could definitely use help with both.”

Olruggio stuck his tongue out at her childishly. “Hang on,” he said, “are those the avocados Qifrey picked up today? The ones that were going to be made for supper tomorrow?”

Tetia’s eyes went wide in realization. “Oh…” she said guiltily. “Well, it’s fine, he can go get more at the market later.”

Olruggio sighed. It was too late to fix it now, and he was sure Qifrey wouldn’t actually mind. Once again, he let her spread the cold and strange-feeling mixture on his face.

“Now, don’t move,” Tetia told him. “It’s gotta sit and rest for a little bit so you can get all those good benefits.

“Do I-”

“Don’t Move!” she admonished.

Olruggio shut his mouth to let her work. She proceeded to put cucumbers on his eyes, urging him to close them. With nothing to do but let Tetia hassle with him, Olruggio let himself relax into the soft pillows. He supposed this was nice. The strange mixture was warming on his face, and with his eyes closed he could feel the tiredness of the day creeping up on him. He could fall asleep like this, actually. Even as Tetia maneuvered his hands and started spreading polish on his nails.

He was halfway asleep when Tetia got his attention.

“Master Olly?” she whispered in the quiet.

“Hm?” Olruggio answered.

“…Am I too much?” Tetia said.

Immediately, Olruggio sat up, cucumber falling from his eye.

“Of course not,” he said. “Who told you that?”

“No one!” Tetia said quickly. Then she turned away. “Well… not with words anyway.” Her face had fallen. Gone was her bright smile replaced with something apprehensive and small and not at all fitting for someone as bubbly as Tetia.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Olruggio asked her.

Tetia sat there for a moment deciding.

“Sometimes I get the feeling that… everyone gets tired of me,” she said. “I just… I really love things and people and spreading joy, but I feel like it’s all too much for people. Agott and Richeh are quiet and don’t get in people’s way. Even Coco is more understated than me. And… I’m always in people’s space and always talking too much, and I never know when to stop, or how to turn myself down or make myself small. It’s like… I take up too much space.”

“Tetia,” Olruggio put a hand on her shoulder. Though she was growing by the day, she still felt small under his palm, “you are not too much,” he told her.

Tetia nodded, but she didn’t look at him.

“Your energy, your love, the way you express yourself, it’s all what makes you, you,” he said. “You don’t need to make yourself smaller to make the world feel better. You’re already part of the world. You already have a place here to be as big and as bold as you like, and that goes double here in the Atelier.”

He could see her eyes watering as he spoke. “Even though I tease you? And mess with you? And even though I made you come out here and humor my stupid spa sleepover thing?”

“You didn’t make me do anything, Tetia,” Olruggio said. “Besides, my ugly mug really could use your golden touch,” he joked.

That made her laugh just a little bit.

“Thank you, Olly,” she said. Then, suddenly, Olruggio had a lap full of Tetia in his arms. She hugged him tightly around his middle, and despite the strain on his ribs, he hugged her right back. “Don’t need to thank me,” Olruggio said. “You’re the one doing all the work.”

Later, Olruggio was awoken to the feeling of someone wiping off his face. He opened his bleary eyes to see Qifrey above him with a warm cloth.

“Q’frey?” Olruggio mumbled.

Qifrey gave a small shushing noise. It was then that Olruggio realized Tetia was still on top of him, eyes closed and breathing peacefully.

Qifrey looked at them fondly before his face turned to consternation.

“Olly, are these the avocados I was saving for tomorrow’s dinner?” Qifrey half-whispered.

Olruggio sighed. “Well, not anymore,” he said.

Qifrey sighed. “What am I gonna do with you two?” he asked fondly.

He ran a hand through Tetia’s pink hair and then did the same to Olruggio, sending his hairband askew.

“Guess you’re stuck with us, huh?” Olruggio asked.

He shook his head. “I chose you,” Qifrey said simply.

And that’s all there was to it.

4. Coco

Olruggio was a heavy sleeper. Had been since he’d hit adulthood and been burdened with responsibility and back pain. Qifrey, on the other hand, was a very light sleeper, born from years of never being able to rest, of never being able to settle, of always being on edge.

Sleeping with Olruggio had helped Qifrey rest significantly better, but them sleeping together was still sporadic, and always dependent on whether Qifrey could handle the soft touch. Olruggio always accepted it with grace. He never wanted to push Qifrey past what he could handle. So, even though he ached to always have Qifrey next to his heart, he always waited until Qifrey was ready.

Such was a night like this. Qifrey had allowed Olruggio into his bed and like always Olruggio had accepted immediately. Qifrey had fallen asleep near-instantly, tucked under Olruggio’s arm and breathing softly. Olruggio took a little longer to fall asleep, wanting to hold onto the feeling of Qifrey in his arms forever.

It wasn’t too surprising, then, that Olruggio had woken from his half-sleep to the sound of the door opening and the little ‘eep’ of a surprised voice.

“Coco?” Olruggio called quietly, still reticent of the sleeping witch by his side.

“S-sorry,” Coco said bashfully. “I-I didn’t realize…”

“It’s okay, Coco,” Olruggio said. His voice was gravelly with disuse. With care, he gently moved himself up and out from under Qifrey.

“Oh, no Master Olly you don’t have to-”

“It’s alright,” Olly interrupted her before she could protest. “What do you need?”

She bounced on the balls of her feet nervously. “It’s not that important. It’s just…” she trailed off.

Olruggio, unperturbed, patted the space beside him at the edge of the bed.

With small unsure steps, Coco came closer. Olruggio supposed since she’d come for Qifrey’s advice, of course she’d be apprehensive to talk to Olruggio. He knew Coco trusted Qifrey more than anyone aside from her own mother. And Olruggio knew he didn’t fill that same space. Still, he hoped he could help her with whatever was going on. And Qifrey was sleeping so peacefully, he’d hate to wake him.

“What’s wrong, Coco?” Olruggio asked her.

Her hands were bunched up into her nightclothes. She was doing her best not to fidget on the bed, hyperaware of the sleeping form behind them.

“It’s just,” she started. “I had a nightmare… a-about my mom a-and…” she stopped, tears welling up in her eyes. “A-and I know she’s fine now. I know I just saw her when she dropped me off but I…” she sucked in a breath, “I’m scared a-and whenever I got scared, I could just go to her. And she’d let me sleep in her bed. A-and I-I know I’m too old but I thought…”

“Coco…” Olruggio and Coco weren’t as close, didn’t have the same bond that she had with Qifrey. Even still, he found he loved her like she was his own.

Without thinking, he held out his arms. An invitation she could refuse if she wanted.

He was surprised when she came willingly and immediately, quietly sobbing into his night-shirt. Olruggio held her tighter as she trembled. This poor girl, barely a teenager now, had gone through so much in her life. Everyone in the Atelier had gone through so much loss, but it wasn’t fair to any of his girls. He wished he could shelter them all from the loss, to make a contraption perfect enough to soothe all their woes.

But he could only do so much with his two hands. And tonight, he used them to hold and comfort.

She didn’t let go even as her sobs tapered off into small hiccups, still gripping his nightshirt tightly even as her breathing evened.

“You know,” Olruggio said once she was calmer, “we can always go visit your mom anytime you need to see her.”

Coco pulled away to look at him, eyes red-rimmed from tears. “Oh I couldn’t possibly inconvenience you for me.”

“It’s not an inconvenience,” Olruggio said. “We have a gate window for a reason, after all.”

“B-but what about lessons a-and-”

“I’m sure Qifrey won’t mind,” Olruggio said. “Hell, he’ll probably turn it into a field trip for you girls.”

Coco thought it over before slowly nodding her head. “Okay,” she said quietly. “I think I’d like that.”

“Then we’ll pay her a visit tomorrow,” Olruggio said.

“Thank you, Master Olly,” she said, relief evident in her voice.

“Now,” Olruggio said, “Do you think you can go back to bed, or do you need to stay with us?”

Coco looked down, playing with her hands nervously. “I couldn’t impose,” she said. “A-and I’m too old anyway.”

“Nonsense,” Olruggio gently chided. “Qifrey won’t mind. Will you, Qifrey?”

“I don’t mind,” a sleepy voice said behind them.

Coco startled. “M-Master Qifrey I’m sorry! I tried so hard not to wake you!”

Qifrey sat up and shook his head. “You’re okay, Coco,” he said. “Now, come here.”

Olruggio made space for Coco to wedge herself between them.

With the comfort of both her masters, it didn’t take long for the young witch to fall asleep.

Olruggio looked down fondly at the two of them. “How long have you been awake?” he asked Qifrey.

Qifrey hummed. “I felt you move from the bed and then heard her come closer.”

“Figures,” Olruggio said. All his hard work to keep Qifrey sleeping had been for naught. “You could’ve jumped in, you know. It’s you who she wanted to talk to, after all.”

Qifrey shook his head, reached out a hand to cup Olruggio’s cheek. “I knew you had it handled,” he said. “You’re so kind. So good with them. And they trust you. I wasn’t worried for a second.”

Olruggio felt his face heat up at the unabashed praise. “You think too much of me,” he whispered, nuzzling his face into the offered hand.

“You think so little of yourself,” Qifrey countered.

Olruggio didn’t have an argument for that. “Go to bed before you wake the poor girl up,” Olruggio chided indignantly.

Qifrey chuckled quietly. Reaching over Coco, he made to grab Olruggio’s hand. Olruggio took it immediately, happy to have any piece of Qifrey he’d give.

They fell asleep just like that, Qifrey and Olruggio’s arms spread protectively over Coco as she slept peacefully.

5. Agott

Agott was trying to be as sneaky as possible, trying not to tip off her guardians to her nightly escapade to the kitchen.

Unfortunately for her, Master Olly was just as much a night owl as she.

He was already in the kitchen, hand halfway into the jar of cookies. They both looked at each other with startled expressions.

“Agott?” Olly said, swallowing down his cookie. “Shouldn’t you be asleep?”

“Shouldn’t you?” Agott deflected.

She hoped he couldn’t see her trembling with excess energy. Unfortunately for her, The Watchful Eye was extremely perceptive. He gave a tired sigh, and then stood up. “Come on, Agott. Help me with the tea,” he instructed her.

Agott didn’t question or argue with him. Just got to work. She heated the water with a spell as he got out the stand and marktea. Agott thought that being up late at night was hardly reason for marktea, but she could admit, shaken as she was, she could do with some warm wind-millers tea.

Once the tea was poured, Olly put a hand on her shoulder.

“Come, let’s eat on the bay window,” he said.

“You’re not worried about spillage?” Agott asked him.

Olly only shrugged. “It’s no problem. We can clean up after ourselves,” he said. “Besides, it’s a beautiful night tonight. I thought you might want to watch the stars.”

They sat down in the plush nook together, Olly handing her a saucer of warm tea and a cookie. He left the jar in between the two of them. Olly settled a warm blanket around himself and encouraged her to do the same. He observed her once more before turning his gaze to the outside.

The stars really were beautiful, Agott thought to herself. The sky winked at her from the window as she lightly munched on her cookie. It was quiet between them. Not even the wind howled outside. Agott could be at peace here if she wanted, cuddled up in a blanket with her tea and cookie, looking at the star-bathed night and just breathing in the nighttime air.

But her worries threatened to choke her. Not even the fresh mint of the wind-millers tea could keep out the chill of her emotions. The pit in her stomach grew the longer she sat until she finally had to say something.

“My mom wrote me a letter,” she said into the still air.

Olly looked at her. Agott kept her eyes firmly on the stars.

“Did she?” Olly asked carefully. “What for?”

Agott shrugged and swirled a spoon around her tea. “She said that she was… proud of me,” Agott nearly choked over the words. “She said that she’d been watching my progress, that she was proud to call me her daughter.” The words felt like ash on her tongue. She put her tea and empty plate on the table next to her, appetite waning.

“She’s right to be proud of you,” Olly said to her. “You’ve become a damn good witch.”

Agott tried not to be embarrassed by the praise. Olly wasn’t her teacher, technically, but he’d been crucial to her growth. His praise of her felt… more genuine. He’d been there, had watched her go from an angry child with something to prove to a confident witch-in-the-making.

Unlike her mother.

“She wants to see me,” Agott said. “Wants me to go back h-home.”

Olly hummed. “And what do you want? Do you want to go back home?”

Home. House Arklaum wasn’t a home. Home was ink-stained desks and messy textbooks. Home was annoying roommates and shared sylph shoes. Home was a warm hearth and a warm smile. It was late night cooking, and warm blankets and a window with a sky full of stars.

She shook her head. “I don’t want to see her,” Agott said. “Not yet, anyways.”

Olly nodded. “Then you don’t have to,” he said.

She looked up at him. “I don’t?” she asked.

He shook his head. “You get to make your own decisions, Agott,” he said. “Qifrey and I are here to support you in whatever you endeavor.”

Agott hummed. “Even if she’s family?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Olly said sternly. “If you never wanted to see her, that’s your right. You’re not obligated to be at her beck-and-call simply because she’s blood.”

Agott thought that over. “Thank you, Master Olly.”

He waved her off. “I didn’t do anything. It’s all you, and always has been.” He smiled at her warmly.

Agott let herself tip gently into his shoulder, letting herself seek comfort in the vulnerable light of night. Olly put a comforting arm around her back, letting her pull closer to him.

They stayed like that, watching the stars together until sleep pulled her eyes shut.

+1. Olruggio

My roots… they grow towards you.

Olruggio stood there paralyzed as the tree twisted and gnarled around Qifrey. The silver leaves felt like they were embedded in Olruggio’s throat as he tried to fight against the branches. He tried to climb through it, but his body was heavy. His best friend, his love, his everything was disappearing right before his eyes, and the branches were consuming Olruggio as well, twisting around his wrists, his legs, his waist. He tried to speak but all that came up was silver leaves stained with sap. He was crying. He was burning. He couldn’t burn fast enough to get to Qifrey. The last thing he saw was Qifrey’s pained smile before the Silverwood and the fire consumed them both.

Olruggio woke with a gasp. He doubled over, coughing and sputtering into his pillows. He was so hot. Way too hot. And for a moment, he feared when he looked down, he’d see the remnants of ashen leaves on his bedding.

Qifrey.

He needed to see Qifrey. He needed to hold, to touch, to know he was still here.

Before Olruggio knew it, he’d gone all the way from his atelier to Qifrey’s room.

He only came back to himself when he was at the foot of Qifrey’s bed, looking at his peacefully sleeping form.

What am I doing? Olruggio thought to himself.

He shouldn’t be here. Qifrey hadn’t invited him into his bed. He hadn’t asked to join Olruggio. He couldn’t bother him about this. Olruggio was freaking out over nothing. It was a bad dream. Nothing more.

And Qifrey looked so calm and content. Olruggio knew how hard it was for Qifrey to feel anything close to peace. He couldn’t take that away. He wouldn’t take his happiness from him. Not ever again.

He needed to leave. He needed to go. He needed to get out.

But his feet felt stuck to the floor. He needed. He needed. He needed…

Olruggio shook himself.

No.

He would not.

He turned around on shaky legs, his body begging him to stay, but he was adamant about not ruining his love’s contentment.

Unfortunately, that’s when Olruggio’s clumsy legs decided to trip over a wayward stone. He made a sputtering noise in the back of his noise as he tried to regain his balance. He didn’t fall, but the damage was already done.

Qifrey’s slow, methodical breathing stopped with a soft intake of air.

Olruggio watched in horror as he shifted on the bed and opened a bleary eye.

“Olly?” Qifrey asked groggily.

“S-sorry,” Olruggio said. He cringed at how wobbly his own voice sounded. “Just came here to check on you. Thought I heard a noise and wanted to make sure all was well,” he lied. “And… all is well, s-so I’m gonna uh…”

Qifrey frowned and sat up. “Olly…”

“Ah… sorry about the startle. Go back to bed. I’ll be outta here before you know it.”

“Olly, love,” Qifrey said. “Come here.”

Olruggio could never deny Qifrey anything. Slowly, he came towards the bed.

When Olruggio was close enough, Qifrey grabbed both his hands gently. Like always, they were much cooler than Olruggio’s overheated ones. So much softer and so much gentler than Olruggio could ever be. He tried not to grip onto them so tightly; tried not to melt into him immediately.

“You’re trembling,” Qifrey said.

Was he? Olruggio hadn’t noticed. It would make sense with the adrenaline rushing through him.

“It’s fine,” Olruggio said. “It’s just…” he couldn’t find an excuse sufficient enough to give him.

Qifrey tugged at him softly. “Come lay with me, my love,” he said.

Part of Olruggio wanted to ask if he was sure. If it was really okay. Olruggio had barged in and woken him up and he hadn’t been invited.

But a much bigger part of him, the part that was tired and scared and needy couldn’t help but let himself be led into the cool sheets. He went willingly into Qifrey’s offered arms, tucking himself into his chest. Qifrey enveloped him, pulling him so close and beginning to rub up and down his trembling back.

“You’re okay,” Qifrey whispered into his hair. “We’re all okay. The girls are all sleeping peacefully, Brushbuddy is with Coco, last I checked. I’m okay. I’m right here.”

Qifrey’s right here. Olruggio could hear his heart beating steadily from where he was pressed against him. He was right here. He’s here. He’s safe. He’s alive.

It all just made him tremble more. His eyes burned and he couldn’t stop himself from fisting his hands into Qifrey’s soft night shirt.

Qifrey was right here. He was right here.

So why did Olruggio still feel like he was falling apart?

He let out a shaky breath, tried to swallow around the lump in his throat as Qifrey held him gentle enough to break.

“It’s okay,” Qifrey said. “We’re safe.”

Safe.

That was all it took to lose what little composure he had left. He couldn’t stop the tears from flowing, couldn’t stop the sob that strangled him.

“Qifrey!” he sobbed, feeling his breath quicken.

“I know,” Qifrey said softly. He held him closer, smoothing a hand over his trembling shoulders. “It’s okay. Just let it all out.”

Olly sobbed like he’d never before. Qifrey was here. He was alive! Olruggio had put him through years and years of psychological torture, but he was here! The tree hadn’t taken him! He was right here!

It was like his brain had finally caught up with his reality. Qifrey was free of the curse but still here. He wasn’t going anywhere. Olruggio didn’t understand.

“I’m sorry,” he sobbed. “I’m so sorry!”

Qifrey shushed him so softly. “You’ve got nothing to apologize for. My hero.”

Olruggio could hear the way Qifrey’s own voice wobbled, and he felt bad about that, too. He hadn’t meant to make him cry. But he couldn’t stop the torrential downpour of emotions any more than he could stop himself from reaching, searching, needing Qifrey. He was selfish. He was so, so selfish. But Qifrey was right here! Reassuring him, holding him so close, whispering sweet nothings to him as he held on for dear life.

It felt like forever passed, but eventually so did the sobs until he was left hiccupping into Qifrey’s shirt, body trembling with the aftershocks of his emotions.

“Fuck,” Olruggio said as the last of the sobs left his body in a whoosh. “M’sorry.”

“None of that,” Qifrey softly chided, running a hand through his hair.

“I got your shirt all gross with my snot,” Olruggio said.

“I don’t mind,” Qifrey said. “It’s usually your drool.”

“Shut up,” Olruggio said petulantly.

Qifrey chuckled above him and Olruggio drank in the sound.

He still felt awful. He hadn’t meant to come crying into his love’s arm like this. It was incredibly embarrassing.

But the crying had left him with a fuzzy exhaustion, and Qifrey’s strong hands were still rubbing at his back in soothing motions. When Olruggio looked up, Qifrey was smiling down at him, all wobbly and heartfelt and completely his. Qifrey wiped Olruggio’s sweaty bangs from his face and kissed his forehead gently. That little bit of affection sent fresh tears to his eyes, but thankfully he was all sobbed-out.

He settled further against Qifrey, feeling the tug of sleep at his worn body.

“Sleep, my dear Olly,” Qifrey whispered into his scalp. “I’m right here. I promise.”

Promise.

It was a heavy thing, a promise, and one Olruggio knew Qifrey would keep to the bitter end.

He let himself fall completely into dreamlessness and warm, safe arms.

Olruggio woke to a raging headache and an empty bed.

He sat up in a panic, blearily trying to find any trace of Qifrey he could. Something had fallen from his forehead as he stood. The flowing water pack Coco had created. He held it in his hands in confusion. Blinking away the panic, he searched the room, finding a note on the bedside table.

Good morning, dearest. Don’t worry about getting up. You’ve got a nasty fever and I’m sure you’ve a nasty headache after last night. Please rest a little longer. I’ll have the girls bring breakfast for you soon!”

     -Qifrey 🩷

 

Olruggio stared at the message for a long while. Then, he promptly tried to get up. His legs were shaky and he almost fell fully to the ground. He used the table to stabilize himself and then continued on. He had barely made it to the door when it opened in front of him.

“Master Olly!” Tetia shouted in front of him. “What are you doing?”

“Master Olly’s not supposed to be out of bed,” Richeh said, much quieter.

“Master Olly, please don’t push yourself. You need to rest when you’re sick,” Coco said kindly.

Agott didn’t say anything, but she gave him a disapproving look as she held the food-topped tray in her arms.

“Girls…” Olruggio said. “I’m fine, I promise. It’s just a little headache.” Olruggio ignored the way his voice sounded like it’d been deep fried and battered. He was sure he was a sight to behold; all rough voice and shaky legs and bleary eyes.

The girls did not believe him at all, unsurprisingly, and promptly bullied him back to the bed.

Tetia and Richeh fluffed his pillows for him, Coco pulled the blanket back over him, and Agott sat the tray gently down. The tray was full of rich, wonderful food. Fluffy scrambled eggs, sweet-smelling pancakes, a warm hearty soup, and a glass of freshly squeezed juice greeted him.

“Did you… make all this?” Olruggio asked.

Coco nodded. “Master Qifrey told us you weren’t feeling well, so we all pitched in to make something tasty for you!”

Once again, Olruggio felt his eyes water. He turned his head away from them, covered his mouth with a hand.

“Thank you, all of you,” he said quietly.

“Alright, girls, don’t crowd him too much,” Qifrey came into the room, a warm saucer of tea in his hand. The sight of Qifrey smiling immediately stilled something in Olruggio’s heart. The sense of panic that had followed him since last night quieted, and Olruggio finally felt like he could breathe.

The girls all backed up. “Sorry, Master Olly,” Coco said. They all filed out with a “feel better soon!” as the door closed behind them.

“I see you got quite the special treatment,” Qifrey said.

“You sent them here for this specifically, you ass,” Olruggio said gruffly, but he couldn’t hide his true emotions. Not from Qifrey.

Qifrey chuckled. He put the saucer in Olruggio’s hands. “Drink this. It’ll help with the headache.”

Olruggio did, drinking down the hot tea in big gulps, recognizing the calming taste but not having a name for it.

“How are you feeling?” Qifrey said.

“Better,” Olruggio said. Better with you here.

Qifrey ran a hand through his bangs, leaning down to kiss his forehead, just like he did the night before. “Your fever’s gone down a little bit,” he said. “But you need to rest. Eat. Stay in bed. That means no overworking yourself like you did yesterday!” Qifrey scolded.

“Okay, okay, I understand, Mom!” Olruggio said. He toyed with the cup and the saucer. “Will you… stay with me?” He asked before he could stop himself. Olruggio tried not to ask for too much. He didn’t want to push, and he never wanted to make Qifrey uncomfortable.

But maybe it was the fever, or maybe it was the lingering nightmare-memory that still clawed at his back, but he the thought of Qifrey leaving, even for a moment, felt like rending his own soul in two.

“Oh, my Olly,” Qifrey said, already climbing back into bed. “Of course,” he said.

“Always.”

Qifrey wrapped his arms around him and Olruggio melted immediately. Qifrey was here. He was alive. He was safe.

Olruggio was home.