Archive of Our Own

The sky stretched endlessly above them, a deep and brilliant blue so clear it looked as though it had been painted by the hands of ancient witches. Massive white clouds hung low along the horizon, forming a soft wall that separated their world from whatever unknown lands lay beyond.

Beneath that vast sky spread a sea of wildflowers. Pink, white, purple, and yellow blossoms swayed gently beneath the summer breeze, creating waves of color that stretched as far as the eye could see. In the middle of that endless field stood a small cottage. Pale stone walls had been overtaken by creeping vines, while the reddish roof tiles looked fragile from years of weather and neglect. Its wooden door hung half-open, and there was no path leading to it.

There were no other houses nearby.

Only that old cottage, standing alone amidst the flowers like a marker left behind for someone to find.

Olruggio slowed to a stop, his black cloak fluttering lightly in the wind. His brows knit together as he studied the building with suspicion.

"So that's our destination?"

Beside him, Qifrey nodded. The two continued toward it without another word. A few days earlier, villagers had visited Qifrey's atelier seeking help. Strange things had been happening near the road that passed alongside the flower field. Wagon wheels would suddenly break. Travelers reported hearing suspicious noises coming from the cottage. Some even swore they had seen figures entering and leaving the abandoned building.

This time, it was only the two of them, after the Second Examination of the Pentagram Test, Qifrey had decided to give their apprentices a well-earned break. Coco, Agott, Tetia, and Richeh had all been caught up in the conflict with the Brimmed Hats. The ordeal had exhausted them, and they deserved a few days of rest.

When they finally arrived, they circled the cottage once. "Hm, nothing seems out of place," Qifrey murmured.

"Let's check inside," Olruggio suggested.

He pushed open the old wooden door. The moment they stepped inside, silence settled around them. The room was old and neglected. The wooden floorboards had begun to rot, loose planks lay scattered in the corners, and cracks ran across the brick walls. Dust and cobwebs covered nearly every surface, clear signs that nobody had lived there for years.

A shaft of sunlight filtered through a small window near the roof, cutting through the darkness and illuminating countless dust particles drifting lazily through the air.

Olruggio moved deeper into the cottage with light, careful steps. At this point, he wasn't particularly concerned anymore.

"I think the villagers were just hearing the wind." It was a reasonable conclusion. The flower field outside was wide open, and strong winds swept across it almost constantly.

"But they seemed convinced that something was here."

Meanwhile, Qifrey began sorting through piles of wood and forgotten junk.

Crash!

A pile of dried hay suddenly collapsed on the far side of the room. Olruggio and Qifrey exchanged a glance, the dark-haired alpha gestured for Qifrey to stay back. The spell ring on his finger was already prepared as he cautiously approached the fallen hay and pushed it aside, nothing.

Olruggio released a quiet breath, Qifrey seemed to relax as well. Perhaps the hay had simply fallen because they had disturbed too many things in the cramped room.

Then Qifrey's body suddenly lurched forward, his eyes widened as he lost his balance.

"Qifrey!" Before he could hit the floor, Olruggio caught him.

Grrraaagh!

Something black shot past behind them, asmall creature, it had just kicked Qifrey squarely in the back. While Qifrey was still in his arms, Olruggio immediately brought his fingers together, activating the spell he had prepared.

Black smoke burst from the magic circle. The smoke twisted like a living thing, stretching outward before transforming into grasping hands that lunged after the creature.

The problem was that the thing was absurdly fast, in the blink of an eye, its body turned transparent. To anyone else, it would have looked as though it had vanished completely, but Olruggio could still see the faint distortion it left behind in the air. He isn't the Watchful Eye for nothing.

"It's over there!" Qifrey called, pointing toward the window.

The creature darted through a beam of sunlight. For the briefest moment, its outline became visible, that was enough! Olruggio's smoke shot forward and wrapped around the creature before it could disappear again

"Are you alright, Qifrey?"

Only then did Olruggio realize their position, the two of them were still sitting on the floor. Most of Qifrey's weight rested against him, his body half-sprawled across Olruggio's lap. Qifrey's head was tucked just beneath his chin. His pointed hat had fallen off during the commotion, allowing strands of white hair to slip free.

From this close, Olruggio could smell the familiar scent that always lingered around him. Just a hint of qildflowers and grass warmed beneath the summer sun, Qifrey's scent is so light and sometimes their enviroment will take over his scent, but still Olruggio know his natural scent.

Olruggio swallowed Qifrey is beautiful, beautiful enough to make his chest ache.

Even in a cramped cottage filled with dust, rotting wood, and broken furniture, Qifrey looked completely out of place, he belonged somewhere brighter. Somewhere softer, standing atop a mountain of flowers and jewels rather than sitting in the dirt of an abandoned cottage.

Olruggio blinked several times, Qifrey's warm breath brushed lightly against his neck. A simple thing, yet it was enough to send a shiver racing down his spine.

They had worked together for years, he should have grown accustomed to things like this by now. Qifrey's presence guwarmth, or his light scent but he hadn't.

"Nggrraaannggh!" The irritated growl snapped him out of his thoughts.

Qifrey immediately pushed himself upright, "Ah, sorry for dragging you down with me, Olruggio."

Olruggio cleared his throat for some reason, it suddenly felt dry.

"It's fine."

The two of them stood and dusted off their robes. Olruggio's black smoke returned to its master, while Qifrey carefully gathered the captured creature into both hands.

"Let's go outside, I can't see it properly in here."

Olruggio nodded, together they stepped out into the flower field once more. Beneath the gentle sunlight, occasionally hidden behind drifting clouds, the creature's appearance finally became clear.

"Oh!" Qifrey lifted it slightly higher, "It's a Night Mist Cat!"

Just as Qifrey said, the creature's transparent body gradually darkened beneath the sunlight until it became a deep, solid black. Its fur looked like a fragment of the night sky itself, swallowing every trace of light.

No wonder it had been so difficult to catch, Night Mist Cats were famous for their ability to vanish and move with incredible speed.

"Why is it here?" Olruggio asked. "Don't they usually live in dense forests?"

"I think it got separated from its group during migration." Qifrey rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Last month was migration season, their route passes through this flower field."

"Oh."

That explanation made sense but Olruggio's attention was quickly stolen by something else, Qifrey was already pulling a small pouch of treats from inside his robe. of course he is, Qifrey always carried food for animals, the white-haired witch offered the creature a strip of dried meat. The cat, which had been struggling only moments ago, immediately settled in his arms.

Qifrey stroked its dark fur gently, once again, Olruggio felt his heart stumble.

A spring breeze swept across the flower field, lifting strands of white hair into the air, Qifrey's blue eyes narrowed with a smile as he looked down at the cat in his arms, they reminded Olruggio of a cloudless summer sky. With his white mantle fluttering in the wind, his tall hat sitting slightly askew, and that soft smile on his face as he cradled a forest cat against his chest, Qifrey looked like he belonged to the landscape itself. As though he had stepped out of a painting, far too beautiful.

The sort of beauty that made people state long enough to make their heart fell to their stomach. Olruggio let out a long breath and turned his head away, because after all these years at Qifrey's side, he still hadn't found a spell capable of protecting him from the feeling lodged deep inside his chest.

That was a problem because Olruggio is an alpha.

And Qifrey is an alpha too.

Afterward, they returned to the villagers waiting by the roadside.

Qifrey and Olruggio explained that the problem had been resolved and that they had managed to catch the culprit—a lost Night Mist Cat. Apparently, the creature had been trapped alone inside the old cottage in the middle of the flower field. Hungry and unable to find its way back to its group, it had been sneaking out to steal food from passing supply wagons before returning to hide inside the cottage.

Considering its ability to turn transparent and move at incredible speed, it was no surprise the villagers had believed something mysterious was haunting the area. Once they had reassured everyone that the road was safe again, Qifrey and Olruggio made their way back to the atelier.

When they arrived, Coco and Tetia were already in the kitchen, warming a large pot of food over one of their fire spells.

Coco's eyes immediately lit up when she spotted them, "Sensei, welcome back! Thank you for your hard work!"

Tired from the day's events, Qifrey promptly dropped himself into a chair without bothering to remove his witch's robe or hat. it's bad example for his student honestly, he couldn't bring himself to care. Just this once, Qifrey wanted to be lazy.

He set his hat and robe beside the chair and slumped back with a sigh. Now he wore only his black cuffs and his favorite white tunic. He had barely been seated for a minute when someone picked up the robe and hat without a word.

"Eh?" Qifrey turned around.

"You should eat first, I'll take care of these. I know you're tired."

Olruggio appeared behind him and walked off, the dark-haired alpha had already changed into a loose white shirt very fast. He neatly folded Qifrey's robe and hat before placing them on the low storage table near the staircase leading to Qifrey's room. Afterward, he continued moving around the atelier, putting away the items they had brought back from the mission.

Qifrey's stomach felt pleasantly full, his chest felt warm, too. He couldn't stop the smile tugging at his lips. He was being taken care of by an alpha, and that alpha was Olruggio.

Heat crept into his face, he could practically feel blood rushing to his cheeks. His hands folded together in his lap, index fingers tapping awkwardly against one another as nervous excitement fluttered through him.

"Sensei, eat this!" Tetia suddenly appeared beside the table, offering him a steaming bowl. "It's potato and mushroom soup."

"Ah! thank you, Tetia." Qifrey gently patted her head.

At moments like this, he almost wanted to cry. His students were far too sweet, they knew he was exhausted, and they were taking such good care of him. Not long afterward, Richeh came downstairs, while Agott appeared looking thoroughly displeased after being dragged into the room by Coco.

Eventually, they all shared dinner together in the warmth of the atelier kitchen.

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

The sun had long since stepped down from its throne, leaving the sky to the moon hanging peacefully among a sea of stars.

Qifrey returned to his room after spending the evening cleaning the atelier alongside his students. His body felt warm, his stomach was full, and his heart carried the sort of quiet contentment he rarely allowed himself to enjoy.

The atelier was clean, his students had all returned to their rooms. Perhaps they were asleep by now or perhaps not. Maybe Tetia was still awake, imagining a magical hat with two towering pointed ends. Maybe Richeh was thinking about one of the glowing ribbons she had seen in the market. Or perhaps one of them was secretly studying beneath candlelight, determined to finish their notes before sleep finally claimed them.

The thought brought a smile to Qifrey's lips, those children truly filled this place with life.

He removed his outer layers one by one before changing into a cream-colored nightgown far more comfortable than his usual clothes. Afterward, he collapsed onto his bed.

Or more specifically—into his nest.

A long sigh escaped him, finally. His fingers rose to his neck, brushing against the edge of the patches hidden beneath his collar.

"Ah...." A sting of discomfort made him wince as he slowly peeled one away, then another.

The pheromone patches covering the glands on his neck and wrists gradually came loose. Their surfaces were damp from a day's worth of sweat and trapped scent, the cool night air felt lighter against his skin the moment he was finally free of them. Very few people knew why Qifrey always wore black cuffs and high collars. No one knew that beneath the fabric and adhesive patches, he was hiding something capable of changing the way people looked at him.

Qifrey is an omega.

He had never hated that fact, what he hated was the way people changed after learning it. The Assembly still questioned whether an omega could truly lead an atelier, teach apprentices, or stand as an equal among other witches. That was why Qifrey remained silent, he had hidden this secret since the day of his presentation years ago. So far, no one had ever discovered the truth.

"Haaah...."

Qifrey let out a long sigh as he sank deeper into his mattress. The soft cushions of his nest surrounded him comfortably, cradling every part of his body. Today had been exhausting, very exhausting.

His omega nest was far too comfortable, allowing him to finally stretch out and relax after a long day. As he shifted beneath the blankets, his gaze drifted to the side. There, folded neatly atop his robe was Olruggio's shirt. Qifrey bit the inside of his cheek, hesitating, he really wanted to do it.

"Ah, whatever. I'll wash it later" The words slipped from his lips in a quiet mutter.

Truthfully, ever since they had fallen together inside that cottage in the flower field earlier that day, his omega instincts had been restless. Demanding attention from the alpha his heart had chosen long ago, Olruggio.

Of course, Qifrey could never act on those feelings. He is the head of an atelier, Olruggio was his colleague. Besides, everyone believed Qifrey was an alpha and more importantly, Olruggio had no idea. No idea about the feelings Qifrey had been carrying all these years, the feelings he had quietly nurtured for his best friend.

"I'll only smell it once." Just once.

Qifrey pushed himself up from the bed and reached for the white shirt. It seemed Olruggio had forgotten to take it back after folding Qifrey's robe earlier. Holding the fabric carefully, he brought it up to his face and took a deep breath.

The effect was immediate, "Oh-"

His fingers tightened around the shirt, Qifrey clutched it against his chest as he fell backward onto the mattress once more, too warm. Heat rushed across his skin, spreading from his cheeks all the way to the tips of his ears. Olruggio's scent still lingered on the fabric, it's smells like ink and burnt cinnamon with faint trace of smoke. Olruggio's pheromones has such a sweet tastes, with comforting feelings for his omega, so undeniably Olruggio.

"Hngh..."

His eyes stung slightly. His omega instincts reacted pitifully to the scent, try to reaching for alpha and yearning for his love. And out of every alpha in the world, there was only one he wanted. Olruggio, his best friend.

The alpha who could still make his heart race, even after all these years.

Qifrey lifted his nightgown to his thighs and spread his legs slightly, his finger sliding down to his hole. It already felt very wet there. In fact, since the flower meadow cottage, his omega had not only been begging for the alpha's presence but had also been moaning to be mated right then and there.

Qifrey bit his lip to hold back a moan, his dainty finger slowly entering his own hole.

"Haahhh olruu!" Olruggio's shirt was still in his arms.

Olruggio's scent clinging to it made him sweat and squirm in desire for the alpha's presence. He twisted his body so his butt was in the air and his chest was supporting on the mattress. Olruggio's shirt was in Qifrey's face, his body trembling once again as he was finally surrounded by the alpha's scent.

Now two fingers were in his hole, easily sliding in and out as his slick melted out and down his thighs.

in out in out in out!

Since two fingers weren't enough, he added another. He imagined Olruggio teasing his hole with his lazy smile. Qifrey's thighs clenched at thought, and the even more pleasurable sensation came from his own fingers. He quickly penetrated his hole again, hoping it was Olruggio. Oh, Qifrey felt the sensation he was chasing coming, so he quickened his pace and continued to thrust into his sensitive part.