Chapter Text
— That’s all, Qifrey. You’re finally free —he smiled with unflinching calm, letting those words slip out like a sigh of relief.
After a gruelling battle in which they’d been wounded badly enough to want a month’s rest, they’d managed to track down the Brimhats, and after years, they’d finally managed to reverse that situation which had weighed heavily on the white-haired man’s shoulders, preventing him from being who he wanted to be, doing what he wanted to do, and feeling.
— Thank you, master.
His words, though they came almost as a tear in his throat, showed just how happy he was, and although that happiness was expressed through his—now two—tear-filled eyes, he could, for the first time in years, allow himself to be happy.
He stepped out of that vast, cold atelier, fidgeting with his hands, eager for more emotions, eager to do something, eager to—
Olruggio
He opened his eyes and held his breath for a few seconds, because seeing Olly clearly was what he had to do first and foremost. His best friend was definitely the one who had made all those cursed years even worse, with everything that grew inside Qifrey every time they were together. He brought his feet together and set out to let the afternoon breeze guide him back to his own atelier, to his home, to his apprentices, to his best friend, to everything he needed to be happy.
Before knocking on the front door, he looked at the wood, feeling a little nervous. To the others, it meant nothing, as they had no idea of the curse which he could finally admit he was the bearer of. He swallowed hard and raised his hand, deciding it was best to open it himself –after all, it was his home- and so to check who was at home, as over the last few months his apprentices had been going out in the afternoons to practise near the atelier's grounds.
— I'm back.
He took off his pointed hat and set it aside so he could remove his cloak as well, leaving everything neatly arranged on a piece of furniture they kept specifically for storing his magical items in case of an emergency. It was all rather quiet, so he assumed the girls weren’t there, and a strange sensation ran through his whole body, as if he were anxious, nervous.
— Welcome back, my friend.
He heard Olruggio’s voice echoing off the walls of the atelier, and as he looked up, he saw him descending using his magic shoes, landing right in front of him. He took a moment to look into his eyes—those eyes he couldn’t have sworn anything by just a few hours ago, but right now, he could get down on one knee and promise that he would love those eyes for the rest of his life.
— Aren’t the girls here?
Qifrey smiled gently and made his way to the kitchen to place the teapot over a simple fire spell, intending to make fruit tea for both of them.
— They left a little while ago; they told me they were going to see the Northern Lights everyone in the village had been talking about.
Northern Lights? he thought, looking out of the kitchen window. The evening did indeed look magical, with the sun seeking refuge amongst the mountains, but… was it even possible for there to be Northern Lights in that place?
— So we’re on our own, then.
Qifrey didn’t say that with any ulterior motive, just to state the obvious, but the little chuckle Olly let out behind him made him shiver. How difficult, he thought.
— Here, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to have wine tonight.
He handed Olly a small cup of the warm drink and sat down beside him, noticing how the last rays of sunlight illuminated his best friend’s face. He sighed with a smile on his lips; he felt tense despite knowing that nothing could happen to him now.
The conversation they had was quite ordinary, just like all the others they’d shared throughout their lives, and once the girls had returned to the studio, the atmosphere in the house became charming and warm. Coco was trying to put into words how beautiful it was to see the colours blending in the sky as if it were a piece of silk fabric, and Tetia followed her with such enthusiasm that it made the two adults sitting together laugh.
Agott was the first to retire for the night, as she had more revision to do for her exams the following morning, followed by Richeh, who, with a yawn, complained that she and Brushbuddy needed to sleep after all their effort climbing the hills. Coco helped tidy the kitchen alongside Olruggio, whilst Tetia and Qifrey were experimenting with herbal mixtures to store in small jars, but soon both girls left the kitchen with broad smiles to go to bed.
Qifrey stretched and blew out the last remaining candle in the kitchen. The moonlight allowed them both to make out the furniture clearly enough to find their way to their respective bedrooms.
— Olly, do you mind if I walk you to your room?
The black-haired boy blinked several times, taken aback by the strange question.
— Ah, of course, no problem —he smiled, feeling an emotion he hadn’t felt since he was a child— I’ll bring some wine anyways.
Qifrey rolled his eyes and laughed, heading for the stairs so he could go ahead of his best friend, who was humming as he walked behind him, as if that question alone had been enough to brighten his whole life.
Qifrey couldn’t remember the last time he’d been in that room with Olruggio, because, of course, he’d sometimes go in whilst Olruggio was away, or whilst he was asleep, but he couldn’t bring himself to go in with him; he knew that the warmth of being in such an intimate space with his best friend would cause the roots of an inevitable love to take hold within him, silver flowers full of promises he couldn’t keep.
But now, he could.
Olruggio’s room, despite being closer to the sky and the night’s dew, was completely different from what readers might imagine. Everything in that place was warm, as if the walls were lined with snuggstones, and Qifrey was grateful for that with every step he took. He turned and noticed that Olly had left the door ajar, as always; for, ever the watchful eye, the sooner he could get out of his room, the better. Qifrey took advantage of the fact that the black-haired boy was arranging some blankets on the floor and casting fire spells to provide light, and closed the door completely, going to sit beside the boy and pouring a little of that aged wine into two glasses.
— It’s been a long time since you’ve been round, my friend —he smiled, taking a sip from his glass as he settled back into the pillows and blankets for extra warmth— What’s been going on? Do you need me to sort anything out for you in the morning? —he asked with genuine interest.
Olruggio couldn’t really remember when Qifrey had last spent time with him in his room, but he was grateful for the company.
Clearly for Qifrey, telling him, "Ah, yes, well, a few years ago the Wide-Brimmed Hats carried out an experiment on me and cursed me, and I had to erase your memory several times to stop myself from turning into a silver tree" wasn’t an option, because he couldn’t even explain either that it was the feeling of warmth, happiness or peace that caused tiny leaves to grow from his eye, until it was filled with branches.
Qifrey lowered his gaze and felt his cheeks grow slightly warm. He toyed with his wine glass and looked up, white eyelashes fluttering— I wanted to be with you.
The tension in the air was palpable just by looking at them, but between the two of them it was like a shiver running down their spines.
Qifrey didn’t want to waste any more time after all that, so he crawled until he was facing the dark-haired man, seeking the warmth he’d had to reject for so long in his arms. He wrapped his arms around Olruggio’s waist and rested his face against his chest, savouring that exquisite scent enveloping him. It didn’t take long for Olruggio to cradle him in his strong arms and stroke his back, letting out little giggles
— I didn’t know you were affectionate; I thought you were… you know, like a thorn.
Qifrey laughed at that and let himself be caressed, feeling electric shocks coursing through his body. This was new; it felt good, too good
— Sorry —he murmured against his chest, feeling uneasy at the thought of more contact— You’re so kind —he closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh, allowing his heart, somehow, on some non-earthly plane, to finally unite with Olruggio’s, as if both were escaping their cages to come together, just as fate had always intended.
It wasn’t long before Qifrey gave in and fell asleep in Olly’s arms; Olly tucked him in with blankets and, as best he could—trying not to let go of him— and built a little nest where they could both sleep without waking up the next day with a stiff neck or back. He settled the white-haired boy’s body onto the pillows and drew him close, daring to wrap his hands around his waist and admiring his relaxed face, as if he’d never seen him so peaceful in his life. Qifrey let out little sighs and kept his lips slightly parted; a truly tempting sight for the dark-haired man. He gazed at that face for a few more minutes until he, too, fell asleep, warm, happy, his heart finally whole, but his mind full of doubts, as if he had mental gaps to fill—but that would be a problem for the Olruggio of the future.