Chapter Text
Olruggio shoots up in bed, sweating and breathing heavily. An intense feeling of dread makes his skin feel prickly. His eyes dart to every dark corner of his workshop searching for a danger still lingering in his mind. When his heart rate eventually settles and his breaths come slower he can finally hear the silence of his empty room. He can remember where he is. He’s not in the northern region, he isn’t back in his village. There’s no one to reach for, no one to pull from impending danger, and no one looking at him like the failure he is. He’s alone and the dread lingers.
Floorboards of the catwalk creek under his steps. He cringes at the noise hoping he won’t wake any of the girls. Then he steps out into the common area he notices it’s rather cold in the atelier. Maybe a warm fire will ease his nerves, brighten the room and push those eerie shadows back. It takes only a moment to get the fireplace going, the man rearranging some pillows to prop against as he just stares into it. His mind is still flicking back to unsavory memories but he’s trying at least to focus more on the dancing flames.
“Olruggio?” A voice calls in a whisper. Jolting the man turns fast to the sound, making you jump as well. You raise one hand in defense as the other grips your night robes tight to your chest. “Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.” You say in a more even tone, with how still he was you weren’t sure if he was awake. The man sighs and shakes his head.
“No need to apologize.” He grunts. “What are you doing awake at this hour?” He asks, trying his best to look unfazed. You step closer, taking a seat on the couch closer to the fire. He watches the light dance on your features while you watch the flames like he was doing just moments before.
“I can’t sleep.” You sigh, leaning forward to rest your arms on your knees. “What about you?” Eyes moving to look at him. Olruggio shifts under your gaze as if you’d be able to spot every insecurity and fear from just a glance.
“Odd dreams.” He gives, it’s not much but at least he’s being honest. You hum and lean back again. You look as if you’re mulling something over or trying to recall something from many years ago. With a snap of your fingers you grin at the man with a cheery expression.
“I know a trick for that.” Standing up you start heading toward the kitchen. Olly watches with a raised brow wondering what on earth you’d have up your sleeve to remedy ‘odd dreams’ as he put it. Following after you he steps into the kitchen, now also bathed in a gentle light of your fire magic. You’re using a spell to heat up a pot, apparently this remedy is food related. Stepping even closer he hovers and watches as you open cabinets overhead and gather all the things you need.
Stirring the simmering liquid you find your shoulders easing at the familiar task. It’s been a long time, it’s a good thing you still remember the recipe. “This is a milk tea my master used to make for me when I was an apprentice.” You turn to smile at Olruggio again. “They always said something warm in your stomach would make the bad dreams melt away. Make room for the cozy ones.” A soft laugh trails the memory as you continue stirring.
“Never said they were bad dreams.” Olly tries.
“You didn’t have to.” You say simply, causally adding a spice to the mixture.
When you finish you strike out your spell and gather two mugs for the milk tea. Passing one to Olruggio you lead the way back to the common area. You sit closer this time, stealing one of the pillows to prop against the couch and rest against. The dark haired man can feel his chest tighten a bit watching you. You’re doing him a favor by not prying but he finds himself wondering just how you read him so easily.
Finally after a moment he speaks again. “How could you tell?” His eyes watch your every move you take a drink from your cup, eyes watching the fire again. Your expression is calm, eyes watching a fizzling ember near that strayed too far.
“…Well I noticed…” you place your cup to the side and fold your hands in your lap. “… around this time of year you always get a little quieter.” You explain. “You look more tired, even when your work isn’t keeping you busy…You seem a bit jumpy too, like earlier.” You finally catch his eyes. There’s a couple other things. The way his shoulders don’t fully relax, the way his smile seems more forced, and the knit in his brows that stays anytime he’s staring off into space. “I’ve been told the stories, about up north.”
Olruggio shifts, looking you in the eyes. His expression is stoic but his eyes held a sadness that only comes from a weight carried for far too long. You’re sure this is the most tired you’d ever seen him. Slowly, without a word, you stand and make your way over to him. Settling down right by his side and leaning your shoulder on his. It’s a simple pressure, something to let him know you’re there but still give him the opportunity to pull away. He doesn’t.
“I’m sure the story has gained some exaggerations since.” He sighs, going back to watching the flames. He wonders if what you were told was even close to accurate, some did a great deal to cover up or minimize his failure and keep his reputation as a prodigy. “I can tell you the real story…” He mumbles.
“You don’t have to.” You interject.
“No, it's better coming from me than anyone else. I was actually there after all. I won’t sugar code the truth.” His voice holds a slight bitterness that you don’t comment on.
For the next couple of hours you sit by Olruggio’s side listening to him talk. He spares no detail from the smell of the morning air to the smell of copper that he can still so horribly recall. Your hand slowly slipped into his at some point when his shoulders slumped and shook. His voice cracked and words came watered down and weak. You end up pulling him into your arms and holding him to you as tightly as you can, his own arms clutching you like a child would their mother.
“You did everything you could have Olly, you were a kid. Would you expect any of the girls to be ready for that type of situation? Would you want them blaming themselves for it?” You wipe his tears away and cup his face gently in both hands. “You are a wonderful witch, Olruggio. A wonderful man. Don’t tear yourself apart for something that was out of your control.” You’re sure a part of him doesn’t believe your words, a part that will always blame himself. You just hope that another part will keep what you said and hold it with him every time his memory brings him back to this place.
~~~
You stir at the sound of whispers, light voices hushing each other and small feet shuffling softly. “Shhh! You’ll wake them up!” Even in your groggy state you recognize Tetia’s voice instantly. Your features scrunch as you eyes flutter open, met with a soft morning light peaking through the windows. Shifting in an attempt to sit up you notice a heavy weight on your stomach. Peaking down from your propped position on the pillows you notice messy dark locks laying across your stomach. Olruggio is curled up against you, his upper half draped over mid section, and arm curled over your lap.
That’s when you recall you’d stayed up talking with and comforting Olruggio and you don’t recall ever heading back to bed. You two must have fallen asleep at some point, too exhausted to notice. Judging by the slow rise and fall of Olruggio’s shoulder he’s still fast asleep.
“Girls, perhaps we should start on breakfast, let them sleep a bit longer.” You hear Qifrey’s voice, gentle and low, trying to stay quiet as well. You can hear their footsteps retreating to the kitchen and you breathe a sigh of relief that you didn’t have to explain why you two are cuddled up in front of the fireplace.
You should probably get up but it’s probably better to let Olruggio get these measly hours of sleep where he can. Your fingers trail into his hair again, slowly combing each little knot out. Pausing your fingers when he shifts a bit and sighs snuggling his face farther against you. A warmth spreads under the skin of your cheeks as you try not to let butterflies kick up in your stomach. They might just wake him.