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It was the evening before the Silver Eve's procession and the adults that worked at the tent run by Mister Nolnoa were enjoying themselves with silvernectar wine, letting the day wind down. It was a long day filled with customer service and pleasing people with their magic.
Richeh sold all their inventory on that day and everyone was just happy so have a peaceful evening.
They sat around a fire in front of the tent, which held the sleeping children within, and Nolnoa told stories and funny anecdotes from his youth. The older gentleman had quite a few tales, alcohol making them tipsy and laughter was easy to come by.
Qifrey was truly enjoying himself, listening intensively and chuckling occasionally. The mood was boisterous and he loved seeing Olruggio completely relaxed, sometimes adding something to the story or asking a question. The fire casted his face in a warm light, accentuating his handsome features, while also making him look so radiant and soft. Qifrey had to stop his thoughts, already feeling a dangerous creeping under his skin.
He couldn't endulge too much in his attraction or else would the silverwood make itself very much known.
How he longed to let his mind wander sometimes, but he didn't dare to go too far, not want to have to use water as a repellent to cast his curse away.
He hated the element with all his might and tried to avoid the wetness as much as possible.
His mind was occupied with his thoughts until he heard Mister Nolnoa ask Olruggio a question, which piqued Qifreys interest immediately.
"Say, Olruggio, my lad, why is it that you haven't got married yet? I bet the lasses must throw themselves at you and you are certainly in the age to get yourself a nice wife," he said to Olruggio while patting his back.
Olruggio almost choked on his wine, pounding his chest and coughing, trying to clear his airways.
He started to stammer once he got the wine out, his right hand landing on his neck and rubbing it.
It was a usual gesture of his that indicated his nervousness.
Now Qifrey got really curious for his answer. What was hindering Olruggio to get himself a committed partner?
If anything, he deserved the world and especially someone who truly cherished him and was emotionally available to him, unlike someone specifically.
He deserved someone who could show their love and give him all the affection he probably longed for.
Qifrey just couldn't give that to him, no matter how much he wanted to.
The fire might have tinted Olruggio in a warm orange light, but Qifrey could tell that his face changed to a deep crimson color from the question.
Olly stuttered a "n...nooo, not really interested", while trying to hide his face behind his wine glass.
"Oh, so maybe a nice lad then? They are probably also lining up for you!", said Mister Nolnoa, grinning brightly at Olly, who in turn just shook his head, visibly shrinking in his seat.
Qifrey couldn't hold back his laughter anymore. Olruggio was really adorable with his shy reaction.
So Qifrey decided to add on to his irk, jokingly saying, "I know right? Olruggio is an absolute catch! So kind and considerate, he would be a fantastic husband, making someone lucky truly happy".
He meant to jest, only teasing him a bit more to see him further squirming in his chair, but Olruggio's mood shifted in an instand, two sapphire blue eyes fixated piercingly on him, the embarrassed smile being wiped from his face.
"And yet you won't marry me, if I make such a good husband," Olruggio muttered with a hint of sadness in his words.
Everything fell silent around him.
Qifrey could feel Nolnoa's eyes on him, but all he could focus on was the raven-haired witch staring at him.
It got too intense for him and he needed to avoid his glare.
Oh, how he wanted to make Olruggio his own. How he longed to tie the knot with him, having him as his permanent partner, sharing every moment together, feeling as close to one another as two beings could feel.
But they can't. If he would give into this temptation, it would sign his death sentence or he had to resort to his most loathed solution, wiping his best friend's mind once again, adding to his pile of shame.
Qifrey gripped his skirt and ground his teeth.
"You don't want to marry me, Olly," he whispered, he loathed that he needed to break Olruggio's heart once again. He didn't understand how this magnificent man would keep on holding on to him. He could have had anyone, so many suitors tried to court him, only ever hitting a wall.
His breath quickened and tears started to sting his eye, threatening to fall any moment now.
"I don't? Since when do you decide on my wants?", Olruggio said incensed before standing up.
"Anyways, it is late and I need my sleep for the show tomorrow. Good night."
He excused himself and left quickly.
Qifrey was very close to breaking down, but he had to pull himself together since Nolnoa was still sitting stunned next to him.
He heard him sigh before turning towards him. He was hoping the older man would read his emotions and just leave him be, but he had no such luck. Instead he put his hand on Qifrey's shoulder, apparently trying to console him.
"The heart is a fickle thing and you need to keep the things you love close, otherwise you might regret letting them go," Nolnoa tried to give him as advice, but if anything it made the tumult inside his heart only worse.
Of course he wanted to keep Olruggio's love close. There was nothing he longed for more than to just be with the man he was so deeply in love with, but fate decided to never let him have the things he wanted.
He was cursed and he dragged everyone close to him into this abyss.
If Olruggio would decide to find someone more fitting for himself and leave him, it would probably hurt less than the vague state they are living in now.
He just wished for him to find happiness.
Qifrey stood up and excused himself too, also using the late hours as an excuse to no longed suffer unwanted attention.
He retreated to his quarters and layed on his bed. He felt completely drained and he finally allowed those tears to run free.
He pressed his hands on his mouth, trying to suppress his wails, but to no avail.
It broke his heart so deeply, to know that the person he adored and loved so dearly wanted to also be with him, but they were doomed to never have their hearts meet.
He cried himself to sleep, curled in on himself.
The next morning, Qifrey woke up completely exhausted, as if he had not slept a single clock mark.
He still had to rise and make himself as presentable as possible.
Today was a very special day for the girls and he had to be absolutely attentive, so he splashed his face with water and started to get dressed.
He headed to breakfast once he was looking acceptable, hoping he might avoid Olruggio at least for a little while longer so he could bring his mind back into place, but of course the other was already sitting at the table, munching on his own meal.
Olly also looked like he might have wept the whole night, face still a bit blotchy.
He had to make this right, so he sat across from him.
Qifrey started to apologize, when the other witch raised a hand to stop him.
"Don't," was at first all Olruggio said, while finishing the bite he still had in his mouth.
Qifrey held his tongue and waited.
Once he swallowed down, he continued, "there is nothing you have to apologize for.
I overstepped massively yesterday and I let out my own frustration on you. It has been quite the stressful few days and my nerves are pretty bare. Please don't let this ruin our friendship and let us move on."
Olruggio looked at him with such pleading eyes, begging for his forgiveness, when Qifrey was actually the one who needed to make amends.
Why was his Olly such a kind and understanding soul.
He wanted to claw out his own heart and give it to him as his sacrifice, but even that couldn't make up for all his wrongdoings.
But since he couldn't do that and he needed Olruggio still be close to him, not wanting to loose his best friend and anchor, he put on his best disarming smile, he had learned from the very person who sat in front of him.
"Of course do I forgive you! What would I do without my best friend," he said charmingly, feeling relieved once the other echoed his facial expression.
Even if he felt like he wanted to commit to ending it all here and there, he would never, for there were still so many people who relied on him and he had to move on.
Little did he know what horrors awaited him on this Silver Eve.