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As a close friend of Qifrey's, you were no stranger to the noise and bustle of his atelier- your visits often led to you being dragged into some chaotic adventure by his four students.
Usually it didn't bother you in the slightest. If anything, it made you happy to see the girls practice their magic, regardless of exactly how smoothly it went.
Unfortunately, fate chose to test you today with a pounding migraine and the sun showing no mercy with its light. You were relieved to step into the atelier that was at least slightly dimmer than its surroundings.
Everyone was in the main room currently, save for Olruggio. Qifrey stood and greeted you warmly the moment he saw you, Coco gave a wave and a smile, Agott nodded her acknowledgement and hummed, and Richeh gave a quiet hello before refocusing on whatever she was drawing at the moment. Olruggio was almost certainly still in his room, but where was-
“Mx. Y/N, can I show you something? Pretty pretty please? I've been practicing for a while and I think I figured out-”
Tetia was already dragging you towards the door as she spoke, towards that incessant radiance that sought to torment your skull. Where’d she even come from?
Normally you wouldn't have resisted beyond a half-hearted complaint, wouldn't have hesitated to let yourself be pulled along for whatever was asked of you.
And to anyone who didn't know your tells, didn't recognize the most miniscule hints in your body language, you didn't. The half-second of resistance in your stance went largely unnoticed; as did the slight dip in your smile that appeared for an even shorter duration, and the barely-there furrow in your brow.
“Actually, Tetia, if I could borrow them for just a moment first…? I may have something I'll need their assistance for.”
But Qifrey did. And thankfully, it seemed he was coming to your rescue.
“Well… Ok, but if it takes too long, they have to come back tomorrow!”
You gave the bubbly girl a smile and tousled her hair once she'd let go of your arm.
“I have a feeling it may be a while, depending on what he needs help with. I'll bring snacks tomorrow to make up for it, alright? Maybe take all of you on a walk, if that's alright with your teacher?”
You hummed, getting a nod from Qifrey in response to the suggestion.
If the pink haired child had any complaints about the snatched attention, she didn't mind setting them aside for the promise of snacks and a potential outing.
“Now then, Y/N, if you could follow me, please…”
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“I take it that something's bothering you today? You seemed a bit off earlier, for lack of a better word…”
Qifrey had led you to his room and was currently guiding you to sit at his desk, pushing aside a few scattered pages and pens.
“How did you even-”
“How long have we known each other?”
“...Fair enough.”
A sigh escaped your lips without your permission, earning a gentle smile from Qifrey as he waited for your answer.
“It's just a headache. A pretty rough one, I'll admit, but I'm fine.”
“You winced when you looked out the window earlier. And when Tetia spoke.”
“I did?”
He simply nodded, already grabbing what he needed to make a cold compress for your head. A more efficient -and less wobbly- version of Coco's Ever-flowing Ice pack from a previous incident.
“You just wait here for a moment, alright? Keep this on your head, it should help with the throbbing.”
He said gently, taking one of your hands and guiding it up to hold the ice pack against your head.
The ocean-eyed man left the room briefly, most likely heading off to tell Olruggio to look after the girls. Maybe 5 minutes later, he was back and made his way over to you once more.
“Alright, the girls are occupied for today- and Tetia has made her demand for that visit tomorrow. They've decided on cookies, by the way, though Agott requested muffins as well.”
You gave an amused breath -what else would you really expect them to ask for- and shook your head.
“Always the same pick…”
“I'd say that's because they know you'll bring extras anyways.”
“And how would- Never mind, I can't really think of a time where I didn't. It's a fair guess.”
If Qifrey hadn't already had a gentle smile on his face, it would've appeared then. He brought up a hand to gently rub your scalp in a soothing motion that you had to make a conscious effort not to melt against.
And an even stronger effort not to fall asleep from.
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“Morning, sunshine... Well, afternoon, I suppose.”
“You let me fall asleep at your desk?”
You paused for half a second, glancing at the comfortable mattress you were now sitting up on and the blankets that had been placed over you.
“And put me in your bed? And tucked me in?”
“Sleep can do wonders for migraines. And it would've been torture on your poor muscles if you fell asleep in a chair like that. Pardon me for wanting to ensure your comfort.”
He hummed with a smile from where he sat at his desk.
“I'd say it worked, by the looks of it. You seem to be doing significantly better now.”
“...You're sweet, you know that?”
“So you say.”
The atmosphere grew silently peaceful once more. Until, of course, you decided it'd be fun to get under his skin.
“There's a joke I can make here. About being in your bed.”
“...Must I suffer for my kindness?”
“I bet Alaira would love to hear you've-”
“Y/N.”
“Hm?”
“No gossip.”
“Yes gossip.”
“Next time you have a headache, I'm walking to the kitchen to bang as many pots and pans together as I can.”
“Mean.”