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"Master Qifrey!!" The sound of Tetia's hands slamming onto the kitchen table along with her shriek resulted in an immediate turn from her Master, looking around frantically.
"What? What is it!? Is everyone alright?!" He spotted Tetia, his eye poorly looking her over and moving to check the other apprentices.
"How did you never mention Master Olly's birthday before now!" Tetia crossed her arms, clearly offended. "This is extremely important!"
A beat. Qifrey's shaky breath finally left his mouth, as his legs almost buckled. "I thought you four… Oh stars, I should've not mentioned it… Girls, Olly—"
"I know!" Coco spoke up first, causing a sudden fury of pink locks to turn animatedly to her direction. "We should prepare a surprise party for him! Everyone likes birthday parties and surprises!"
"Girls—"
"I agree." Agott nodded. "But we do not have enough time to think about what gift he may enjoy, and get to khaln to buy it in time."
Richeh's spoon momentarily escaped the greedy grip of her hand, an idea coming to her so suddenly she had to put it down to focus. "We could make handmade gifts for him."
"We'll assign roles! Two of us will make the decor, two others will make the cake, and we're all gather to brainstorm about our gift together!" Tetia's heart swelled with pride at her idea, a fist now placed on her chest.
"Girls, I really don't think— Hey, eat slowly or you'll choke! Don't—" Before Qifrey could finish his sentence, all of the four bowls of porridge had been inhaled in an instant, rendering him speechless as the four apprentices disappeared up the staircase, but not without Coco almost falling down from the commotion, had it not been for Tetia's help.
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Olruggio's birthday had never been a frequent topic of discussion between the two apprentice witches.
Curiously, when they were 16, Qifrey had asked him why they never celebrated Olruggio's birthday in contrast to how Beldaruit always seemed to treat Qifrey's like a grand celebration, no matter what little he understood about the cause of celebration.
Olruggio had gotten tense, choosing to mindlessly fumble with one of the blank pages of his palm quire, seemingly hesitant to give an answer.
"Not good memories of it I guess. Never got to celebrate happily after comin' here, in the Great Hall."
Though Beldaruit had never left Olruggio without a proper celebration at his atelier, accompanied with Qifrey, the white–haired boy had never understood why his childhood friend had always looked so uncomfortable by the concept of his birth's celebration.
Later, at his 20th birthday, after a few glasses of the celebratory wine Qifrey had popped open, Olruggio had drunkenly blurred out to Qifrey the reason why the date was so bitter in his mind.
"It's the day I was brought over with the other witches to Noz. My mother had said that it was a "gift" granted to me by the stars, a "divine surprise"". He gestured in air quotes. "I'd gone and gotten all excited for such a grand occasion that what ended up happenin' ruined the idea of birthday celebrations fer me."
Silence had stretched between them at that moment, only broken by Qifrey's quiet apologies and the sigh that left Olruggio's wine–tinged lips.
"'S not your fault. Just… I don't like big deals on my birthday, especially surprises. Used to dislike the day in its whole when I was a kid, as ya know, but I've kinda made peace with it now."
And Qifrey had nodded, the sorrow of the moment allowing him to grant a hug to his friend that ended with the other's tears.
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"Aaaand… Done!" Tetia beamed, holding a paper with various roles drafted under categories, sketches of birthday cakes and various notes. "What about these?? Aren't they extraordinary??"
A sigh left Agott's mouth, her eyes quickly inspecting the paper. "Chocolate? Do you truly believe Master Olly prefers chocolate?"
"We could always ask Master Qifrey about it," Richeh suggested front her corner at Tetia's desk. "He knows Master Olly better than any of us."
"But wouldn't that ruin the surprise…? He might snitch about our plans to Master Olly…" Coco timidly spoke up from where she had been drafting gift ideas together with Agott.
Agott, in turn spoke up. "Let's leave the cake–matter alone for just a moment. Here are the ideas Coco and I have come up with as of now." She handed her slip of paper over to where Tetia and Richeh had been sitting.
The two girls took only a moment of reading before they physically cringed at it. "They are… Lacking." Richeh blurted out.
"Hey!" Agott snapped back.
"Richeh's not wrong… Sorry you two…" Tetia had at least tried to sugar coat her words in front of Coco and Agott.
"Well," Richeh continue her speech, now holding up a string of very irregular party garlands, adorned with poorly drawn upside down pointed caps. "We tried."
"We won't get anywhere if we continue like this…" Agott sighed. "Still, I agree with Richeh. I think it's time we ask Master Qifrey for guidance."
First to disagree was Tetia. "It won't be original that way!"
"But it will be something he wants." Agott pinched the bridge of her nose, her headache only worsening.
"I agree with Agott on this." Richeh blurted out from where she pet brushbuddy.
"Wha—Richeh! Traitor!"
"It's the truth. We don't know as much about Master Olly as Master Qifrey does."
"Me too… I think Agott had the best idea these past few hours…" Coco embarrassingly confessed, before adding a little "Sorry Tetia…".
As the four apprentices trotted down the stairs in defeat, their Master was currently busying himself with stirring something in a kitchen pot, presumably lunch.
"Oh, girls," He smiled as the little flock of apprentices gathered around to try and take a look at what he was cooking. "Have you thought of anything for Olly's "Surprise birthday party"?".
"No… We're stumped." Coco confessed.
Agott took the lead of the conversation, looking timidly at her hands. After all, asking for help wasn't her strongest suit most of the time. "We were hoping you'd help up a little. We don't know Master Olruggio as well as you do."
A prompt silence washed over the room, along with the appearance of Qifrey's taken aback expression. "Oh girls…" With a flick of his hand, the cooking pot was taken off the fire and the pyreball was put off. "Thought Olly might wear his heart on his sleeve, and his kindness is never ending, he doesn't like talking nor boasting about himself."
Their Master stopped to sigh fondly. "Take this as a valuable piece of advice from his closest… Friend — He neither enjoys surprises nor big deals. So if you'd like to do something meaningful for him, you'll have to speak with me about it as well." The white–haired man chuckled, his voice carrying a gentler tone than his usual teacher's voice.
"So… No big surprises…" Tetia's shoulders slumped slightly.
"No big surprises. I, for one, was already planning on making something. How about you four help me, and I'll help you? A birthday party doesn't have to be a grand celebration!" He smiled.
Agott nodded pensively after a while, a hand now on her chin. "We were hoping you'd help by suggesting a gift idea he might like, that we can also craft at home."
"Hmm…" Qifrey began wracking his brain, trying to use every ounce of his brain juice for a good idea. "What have you four thought of up to now?"
Silence. Qifrey would've heard a pin drop from the eerie quiet.
"Great…" Qifrey sighed. "Not even scrapped ideas?"
"We… Did have some. But nothing seemed like Master Olly and mostly seemed like thing we'd want." Agott signed, getting increasingly more nervous. "We hoped you'd suggest something."
"Olly's taste in gifts is… Not within your capabilities, due to your age..." A hand now on his chin and lips, Qifrey began thinking about what alternative ideas he might have to give to his apprentices. Contraptions were something the girls would have to work on for hours and even days, something not possible with only a few hours on hand. Cards were always an option, but it wouldn't be something he could use and see over and over agai—
"Ah!" Coco suddenly blurted out, causing everyone's gazes to fall towards her. "I.. Might have an idea..! But it's difficult to explain…" She scratched the back of her head with a small hesitant smile.
Grabbing Agott's hand, she hurried up the stairs to discuss her ideas. Then, from behind the turn of the wall, she motioned for the other girl's to come along with her, leaving Qifrey suddenly stranded alone in his natural habitat.
Making peace with the fact that he had nothing better to be do, he ressumed his cooking, redrawing the pyreball spell and placing the cooking pot on top to cook once more.
And lo and behold, the man of the hour decided to join him, arms loosingly wrapped around Qifrey's middle, his chin resting on the snow–haired man's shoulder. "Mornin'..".
In turn, Qifrey turned his head with a smile, a small peck landing on Olruggio's temple. "Good morning, birthday boy."
"How many time have I told ya not to call me that…" Olruggio's cheeks reddened from his embarrassment. "What're ya makin'?"
"Soup."
"For my birthday?!"
"It's creamy mushroom soup."
"Oh." Olruggio scratched the back of his neck after he freed one of his hands. "Can't say no to that."
Which in turn earned a small giggle from Qifrey. "By the way, the girls now know that today is your birthday, Olly. Forgive me, the date left my mouth before I could stop it."
He could feel Olruggio tensing up behind him. "'S fine."
"But I know that it's not fine." He turned his body to grasp Olruggio's face in his hands. "Olly, dear, I don't want you feeling more akward and uncomfortable than usual today. I truly feel bad for this. How could I ever make it up to you…"
Now he had gone and done it, Qifrey the witch hate gotten the Olruggio of the Torch red and flustered, hot and bothered. "I said it's fin—" The raven–haired man paused. "A kiss or two might suffice."
"Kisses, hm? How can I refuse you?" A few pecks landed on Olruggio's face first, followed by an even warmer one square on his lips.
"Mmh," The black–haired man sighed into the kiss, unintentionally deepening it. "Thanks, love—"
"Master Qifrey!!!" Tetia's voice boomed through the comfortable silence created between the two lovers. At the sound of the apprentice's voice, the two were away from each other like they had been electrocuted.
"Master?" Tetia paused momentarily, confused as to why her Master's were so flustered. "Anyways… Master, where do you keep the spare fabric you use when our robes need patching?"
"Hm? What do you need them for? They're in the top left cabinet of the kitchen." Qifrey raised an eyebrow curiously.
And the girl had suddenly gotten a lot more excited. "It's Coco's who needs them! You see, she had this idea for Master Olly gi—" Tetia's voice trailed off when her eyes caught sight of Olruggio. "Master Olly, happy birthday!!"
Olruggio sighed. "Mornin' Tetia. And thank you."
Silence settled between the three, no longer prolonged as Tetia's words cut right through it. "I would comment on how bad you look but it's your birthday so I won't be rude for today."
"Oi!" Before Olruggio could speak further, Tetia had already gotten her sylph shoes together to gather every centimeter of fabric and made off with it gathered in her arms.
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Evening had rolled out the next time Olruggio paid a visit to the kitchen, deciding to munch on a snack as a reward for completing a horrifyingly long commission.
Walking down the stairs, the sight that greeted was unlike any other. The usual dim floatglow lamps now had taken on a plethora of different colors and shone brighter than ever before. Wonky handrawn garlands hung in a fragile manner from the upper kitchen cabinets, as well as some old balloons he had gotten a while back to cheer Tetia up when she was first an apprentice. And, in the middle of it all, the four apprentices of the atelier and their beautiful Master were sitting around the low table. Presumably waiting.
Waiting for Olruggio. Waiting to celebrate his birthday. All dolled up and wearing formal attire, for such a mundane date. Even brush buddy had been given a little party hat.
The first person that spotted him was Qifrey, whose eye almost sparkled at the sight of his friend. "Olly!" He called out, his attention solely on the man. Soon after the girls followed, rushing over and tackling him —With the most prominent jump onto him being Tetia's, — with hugs, giggles and happy birthday wishes.
There were gifts on the table. One of the apprentices was singing him the happy birthday song, the other three contributing shyly to it. His birthday cake in his favourite flavor, that only Qifrey knew of.
So he was in this too! Confirmation dawned on him all at once at the sight of his lover's guilty yet flustered look. Yet his eye remained warm while gazing in his.
How could his heart possibly take this?
"Oh Olly…" Qifrey made his way over to the other man, currently fussed over by their girls.
"Master Olly! Don't cry! Illegal cry too!!!" Tetia said, sobbing from where she was gripping his arm and tearing up.
Coco was next to speak. "Yes! You shouldn't be crying on your birthday, Master Olruggio!"
"Richeh thinks… Crying will result in a bad memory. " The blue haired apprentice mumbled.
Agott looked hesitant when she spoke, her tone much more quiet than before. "Was it really such a bad surprise..? I know Master Qifrey said to not do anything big, and that we still could do a small surprise, but…"
"I did say that, it is wholly my fault…" Qifrey, sighed, standing in front of Olly as his eye took on a more solemn look. "I'm sorry, Olrug—"
"Oh, for fuck's sake!" Olruggio sniffled. "Let a man cry in peace, will ya?! I'm happy! No need to look so down!"
Several gasps flooded the air all at once, quieted down by Qifrey's shushing. "Olly, what did I say about cussi—"
"It is my birthday, isnt it? I should be allowed to cuss." Curse this beautiful man for being sassy in front of Qifrey and their students.
Qifrey opened his mouth to interject, and promptly closed it with a snort. "I can't say no to that… But please, my friend,"
Qifrey leaned his head down and craddled Olruggio's face, followed by kiss at the edge of Olruggio's eyelids, right where a tear was about to slip. "Not in front of our girls." The whisper left his lips teasingly.
More gasps could be heard in the background, ones much more shocked than before. As well as Tetia's squealing while she crushed Coco in her embrace.
Olruggio clicked his tongue. "Yer one to talk here."
Qifrey's only response to that was a warm smile, before he pulled away. "Alright, time for cake."
And this time, triumphant cheers filled the kitchen.
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"Mashter Olly, Mashter Olly!" Tetia blurted from where she ate her slice of cake. "Ophen yaer gifs!"
Olruggio, from where he sat with a finished plate and a concerning amount of paper hats, snickered at the sight of Tetia persistently speaking with her mouth full of cake and the sound of Qifrey's scolding along the lines of "Don't speak with a full mouth, or you'll choke."
"Alright alright, I am opening them…" Olruggio examined the package of the largest gift out of the two, which he presumed was the girl's joint present, —The reason other than the size, was that the other gift was suspiciously alcohol—bottle shaped and had Qifrey's writting all over it, as well as on the card attached to the neck of the wrapped bottle.— squishing it and discovering that something soft was contained within.
Upon unwrapping the colorful bow and unfolding the paper wrapping, he found the atelier's residents and he inside… As little plushies!
"Did ya girls… Make these?" He held up a little Agott in astonishment, admiring the craftsmanship as the four students nodded. "They're incredible."
"Every one of us stitched their own mini self!" Coco said. "I showed Agott, Richeh and Tetia how they should sew them up and cut the patterns, but it is a gift made from the four of us together!"
"Master Qifrey insisted on making mini Master Qifrey and mini Master Olly on his own when we told him about it." Richeh added.
Olruggio hummed, his cheeks a bit red from all the thought and effort used in his gift. "If we all work together, we can also sell these... "
"Master Olly you will not turn us into marketable plushies!!" Tetia whined from her seat, but only after she had swallowed the chunk of black forrest cake in her mouth.
"Just kiddin' just kiddin'!" He chuckled. "Thank ya girls. I love'em."
The four girls all beamed at the praise, moving to hug Olruggio once more with Qifrey beaming at his girls's achievements from where he sat.
"Will you not open Master Qifrey's gift?" Agott asked curiously when they returned to their seats, watching richeh devour her second slice with newfound concern.
Olruggio glanced towards the bottle–shaped gift waiting for him on the table, resulting in a small smile forming on his lips. "I've a hunch on what it is already."
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And his hunch was spot on. His eyes darted over to his lover sitting besides him, sipping on his share of celebratory wine that had come to be a yearly tradition between the two.
"Yer so beautiful... Wearin' yer most wonderful robes fer me." Olruggio's hand found Qifrey's cheek, admiration pooling in his eyes, his face only a whisper away from Qifrey's.
Qifrey, in turn, giggled at Olruggio's words. "My, you'll make me red with embarrassment, my dear friend." His hand,in turn, clasped over Olruggio's, his gaze now intertwined with the man whose soul and his were one.
Olruggio's snickered, moving to peck Qifrey's scared and absent eye. "Ya play dirty, kissin' me in front of our girls. Do ya even understand how scandalous it might look in their eyes?"
"Pfft, I thought you showed you cared not for such trivial manners, when you went as far as to cuss in front of them." Qifrey's lips found Olruggio's palm when he turned his head towards the other man's hand.
"Qifrey…"
"Hm?"
"Wasn't so bad this year." Before he could take on a more serious expression, Qifrey had begun attacking his face with kisses. "Oi—!"
"Oh Olly!" Qifrey chuckled. "This is the true essence of a birthday in my eyes, or rather, my eye. To wake up to multiple voices filled with wishes, to be celebrated with loved ones as you blow the candles and get older, to share love with the one you hold dearest in your heart for a whole evening. It's a date meant to be filled with happiness."
"I… can't, rewrite the past," Qifrey paused. "But I am sure that the four bright witches living under our roof and I will always write the future with colorful pens."
"Thank you, Qifrey. Both to ya and the girls." Olruggio's voice was enveloped in sincerity, his words most truthful spoken from his heart.
Olruggio of the Torch was a kind man, a radiant star, a caring lover and a person who wore his heart on his sleeve. He deserved every ounce of love given to him by both his dearest and the four sweet apprentices of their home.
Comfortable silence settled over them, soon blurring into a haste of sweet pecks, wine-tinged clashes of lips and gentle words whispered for only them and the flickering light of the lit candles to bear witness to.
"But I do think," Olruggio added, smugly. "That i haven't experienced the last thing ya said I would. Aren't I the "birthday boy" as ya say?"
Qifrey paused for a moment, before divine intervention reminded him of his previous words. Needless to say his cheeks were now flushed pink while he snickered. "There is much wine to enjoy and a lot more kisses to be exchanged before that. The night is young, my friend."
Olruggio hummed, his wine chalice quickly abandoned next to Qifrey's on the table, his wine deemed sour at the sight of his sweet lover right in front of him.