Hello! So I've kind of fallen in love with your 'We Equal Three' AU (because most fandom arguments can be solved with polyamory) and I had a silly little scenario that I wanted to get your thoughts on. How would Qifrey and Olruggio react to their mutual s/o wanting cuddles and affection but being too nervous to ask for them?
Especially if that s/o is the type of person who focuses a lot on taking care of everyone else but not expecting anything back. Like they're super selfless towards both them and the apprentices, but struggle to voice their own needs. I'm really curious about what their reactions would be and you're easily one of my favorite Witch Hat Atelier blogs, so I figured that you're the one to ask! Take care 🫶
rahhhh okay finally getting to some of these older requests. ty for being patient.
Qifrey and Olruggio immediately notice when something is up. They're both very casual in their physical contact. Hands on shoulders as they slip past you, palm against your lower back to move you out of the way. Pat on the head for the girls. Gentle hugs, relaxed caresses. It's all very normal within the atelier and to them, another form of communication. So when you pull away from them, or actively show discomfort they pick it up instantly.
It's strange because cuddling and affection especially in the evenings and at night are a normalcy. You're going to bed with either one of them or both depending on any given day. Olruggio's hammock can only fit two of you but Qifrey's bed can surely fit you all.
I think the most...realistic? approach to this, is both Qifrey and Olruggio becoming so busy with their day-to-day that they are unintentionally neglecting you of physical affection. You don't realize you miss it, until it's actually gone. Qifrey has been staying up late to plan lessons for the girls, review their notes and spells for them, organize inks and papers. Olruggio is swamped with comissions, spending his time locked in his room or out field testing half of the time. Coming back too late, staying up all night and then sleeping most the day.
Needless to say, you don't want to sound needy, but you miss them both. You don't ask however, and decide to just help them as best you can in the hopes that'll they'll finish up faster and get back to routine.
It's late, you've made them dinner, cleaned and packed the lunches for tomorrow so Qifrey doesn't have to. You've finished the laundry so Olruggio didn't need to worry about monitoring the wash barrel. All while still helping the girls get ready for bed, and putting them to sleep with all the typical evening fuss.
You're lying in bed now, in Qifrey's room where the wood frame looms over you, shrouded by delicately scalloped silk and waving chiffon. The bed is usually full, the three of you curled around each other warmly, but it is empty and the drapery feels more like a prison than a cocoon.
You twiddle your thumbs as you watch the door, your back propped against one of Olruggios many pillows. Your eyes dart to the candle by the beside, another hour has past and it's well past midnight now, where are they?
You sigh and untuck from the sheets, pulling on a robe and stepping to the door. Your hand hovers over the knob. Should you? They're busy, most likely, they only ever do this when their is a million things on their plate and they can barely balance them. You shouldn't complain, they're both working so hard to keep you and the girls comfortable and happy.
But you miss them.
You miss Olruggio's laughter after a long day of work. Where you’re perched on his lap on the living room floor, leaning against him as Qifrey sits across for you and tells you about the girl's silly adventures.
You miss the way Qifrey sneaks up on you in the evening, playfully kissing you until Olruggio arrives and he pulls him into the fray.
You miss getting ready for bed with them, dressing down from the day and dressing comfortably for the night. Brushing out Qifrey's messy locks and trimming the few stray hairs from Olruggio's beard.
You miss them so much that you’re in their study now, completely unaware that you’d wandered their during your musings.
Both men are hunched over a project. They’re muttering to one another, trying to a solve a problem you didn't understand. They both look so focused. You can see the girls' spell working on the end of the table, marked carefully by Qifrey's hand.
Maybe you should just leave? You shouldn't disturb—
"Do you think if I move this line it will—what are you doin' up?" Olruggio asks. Your hand freezes on the doorknob, your plan to secretly exit and go back to bed thwarted.
"I uh—" you feel like a child that's just been caught in a lie. "nothing, I'll—”
"My love?" Qifrey tilts his head.
"WhenareyoucomingtobedImissyou." You blurt out. You silently curse yourself and you can feel the hot sensation of frustration simmer behind your eyes.
"What?" Olruggio sets down his pen and is leaning against the table. Both of them give you their full attention.
"I—" You sigh and pull your robe tighter around your body. "I miss you. Both of you. And I just wanted to know when you'll be coming to bed. It's been busy I know, I'm sorry—I just..." your voice trails. You feel like a fool, demanding something like this.
There’s a pause filled with silence. Your fingers twist the fabric of your robe. Olruggio speaks first.
"Shit. We did it again, Qifrey." He sighs and moves, closing his notebook and unsealing his spell.
"No, no! It's okay. I shouldn't have asked." You say quickly.
Qifrey's face twists when he looks at the taper candles. They're almost at the base of their wicks. He mimics Olruggio, collecting his things and storing them away. He blows out the light in the room just as Olruggio taps a lantern to life.
"Come, my love. Let's go to bed," Qifrey says as he gathers your hands. Olruggio places his on your back, firmly pressing his palm into you. You relax into their touch.
“We told yuh last time, if this ever happened again to yell at us.” Olruggio says as Qifrey navigates your little group to your bedroom.
“I can’t do that, Olruggio, you know that.” It wasn’t fair of you to take them away from their work just because you wanted a few extra kisses and to cuddle before bed.
“We know you struggle to rest peacefully when we aren’t there. We’re sorry for being so neglectful.” Qifrey says gently. You're back in your bedroom and both he and Olruggio swiftly change their clothes. Olruggio approaches you from behind and Qifrey in front. Qifrey skillfully unravels the belt of your robe, Olruggio pulls it down your shoulders, making sure to leave a solid kiss at the base of your neck. Qifrey leans in and kisses you on lips, the gesture filled with apologies.
“We’ll hold you all night tonight, how does that sound?”
Like heaven.
When Qifrey and Olruggio discover that all you want is a few extra physical reassurances and a good cuddle session they make sure to find times to seek you out. They’re well aware that you asking for yourself is a very difficult task.
I almost automatically tagged Idia HAHAHAH so, to change things up a bit, I drew Malleus!!! I was afraid I wouldn't do his facecard justice, but in the end it was SO MUCH fun to do this drawing!!! Honestly, it's kind of my favorite drawing! But I still love Idia, don't worry
IM FINALLY BACKKKK!!! Sorry for disappearing out of nowhere!! I needed a short break, so sorry for not being as active as before! Sorry for not replying to anyone… But here I am back with kittens!!
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