Chapter Text
Olruggio
There was a time when love was simple. We didn't need to force ourselves to pretend. No lies were seeding their way between us. No vile reasons to pretend that there wasn't something more. Because there wasn't one at that time. There never was. I remember you as you wandered the halls, endlessly lost. Wherever you walked, your shadows always seemed to follow. You looked so tired and lonely. Like you refused to admit that your secrets were too great even for you to handle. Isn’t it lonely? Aren’t you tired?
…When will you come home?
When will you see that I’ve been waiting for you?
There was a persistent cough that seemed persistent lately. Olruggio sat at the table in their kitchen drinking a bit of tea before bed. Today there was no one there, no one at all… There was a note stating that they would be gone for the day. While he was used to the vacancy of the Atelier a part of him felt a persistent pain that had been there for ages.
What about me?...Take me with you!
There was a small cough and a strange moment a simple petal appeared in the palm of his hand. Not thinking of it much, he simply figured that it drifted in from the observatory. He observed the petal, it was a strange white with silvery leaves. Sparling away when the sunlight hit it.
Somehow the color reminded him of Qifries Hair, he never said it out loud but he could swear his hair shimmered a pearlescent in the sunlight. White and vibrant… beautifully him. The ache in his heart grew as he yearned to run his fingers through it. Another cough, left him reaching for his tea. Swallowing it down, and placing the bowl on the table. He gets up from the table and brings the bowl over to the counter. Since the group had hours left before they returned. He simply chose to leave it. Not noticing the small silvery buds that were left behind.
In life there is always a cycle of death, birth and rebirth. That would always be the kindest yet most cruel lesson in life. When you told me about the tree the first time. My heart refused to believe it. Even as your roots sprouted right in front of me. I always thought it was too much of a burden for you to deal with it alone. I didn't want to see you suffer. I chose to allow you to erase my memories. I allowed you to think that it worked! But I remember everything. Every valiant actor, I chose to pretend that you were being so cruel. Intentionally hurting you. Because I didn't want you to leave! My love, my heart, my everything. If only you knew just how hard it was not to spill this secret of mine to you! Yet, doing so would kill you. This… living this way knowing that at any moment you would be taken away from me… haunts me. Why must fate be so cold?
In his life there was never a moment where he regretted his decision. Never once did Olruggio think that Qifreies actions were unforgivable. He knew…he knew. But he loved him so…so much. He would die for him. Yet… staying silent was just as cruel.
There was another cough… this time it continued. It was deeper and left his body trembling. There was a voice inside him that urged him to seek help. But he couldn't!... he was fine…
He leans against the counter attempting to gather his breath as the fit continues until something was coughed up. He looked down to seek the petals in his hand and a hint of blood. He tries to wipe the blood off, not wanting something so red to stain something so pure. All he thought was look Qifrey, I’m just like you…
Do you remember? When we were boys? We would sneak away from the grand hall. Just the two of us. We’d skip our lessons, just so that we could explore the open skies.. It was then that I discovered how much you loved the open sky. Whether it was due to your condition or because of the haunting reminders of your past. You never grew comfortable with being a witch. I always found you staring off into the sea. I wonder if you felt caged. Like a bird who lost its wings.
Do you remember? You looked at me with such sad eyes, as you erased my memories for the first time. But I couldn't see you that way. If my pretending that you erased my memories granted you a bit of peace. I was a willing sacrifice. Do it as many times as you need. I’ll be here… Too bad that you were always a terrible liar…
If only I knew, how much I know… and how much it kills me not to tell you so…
A sharp coughing fit raged throughout his body. Olruggio stumbled up the stairs to his Atelier as the pain in his chest grew significantly. He held a hand to his face hoping to catch whatever left his body not realizing the trail of petals and blood that followed behind him.
The door remained closed to his Atelier for the rest of the day. The others returned home and reckoned that Olruggio was simply working on the next contraption.
Yet, as Qifrey made his way towards the door. He noticed the trail of silvery leaves. His heart stopped and his heart pounded! He felt light headed as he hesitated to knock.
“Olly, are you there?” He asked a little more harshly than intended. After a moment of silence Qifrey opened the door only to stop in his tracks. On all the things that He could be met with. Seeing his dearly beloved. The one he would die for in such a way. His heart turned to ice inside him as the terror melted into his consciousness.
Qifrey
My love. Shall we continue to dance? Or is this finally over? I can not leave you alone. No matter where you go. I always want you by my side. If you only knew how much I loved you. Yet, we would never have time to deal with the consequences. I’m so scared to part but so trapped in this rhythm we play. You are like an echo to my heart. Calling out for me, yet I can’t bear to respond. Because doing so will leave the both of us with nothing.
Do you remember? How we were just boys? Going on adventures. Just the two of us. Do you remember? What it was like to finally have a moment together. I got too close. I went too far and just like the embers of a star. I burned. So long, I wished to touch you, so desperate to keep living. Neither one of us wants to let go! My love… How much time do I have before I must part ways of this dance? How long?