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Three hours left until sunrise and Olruggio, the master of time-management, had just begun preparing for his Valentine's day confections. Luckily, being his best friend of 20 years has gifted him the intimate knowledge of the few hours Qifrey is impossible to wake.
Sixty minutes before Qifrey woke up to go to the bathroom, eighty five minutes before he wandered into the kitchen for water, and one hundred and fifty three minutes before he started his day— with a little bit of wiggle room. Valentine's day used to be a day that only the two of them would share, until four disciples had become wonderfully integrated in their lives.
Given that Qifrey was often isolated from social circles, he tended to detest what the majority enjoyed and Valentine's day was no exception. Olruggio was a strong believer in cooties so he held the same stance.
Sharing their distaste for the holiday, they would sneak out of the Great Hall and have small escapades, giggling, gossiping, and being snotty and hateful together. Eventually, word spread of their antics and soon kids were chanting about them sitting in a tree.
Instead of dispelling the rumors, the two boys would play into them, jokingly participating in the romantic traditions and keeping the unspoken agreement to this day. They never cared for what the other kids thought, it was a bit for them and them alone. Freshly picked dandelions turned into pressed forget-me-nots, biscuits from luncheon became freshly baked sweets.
This year, Olruggio decided on chocolates. The chocolates were simple yet elegant, he originally planned on making three truffle flavors in total, but last minute decided to add one specifically for the girls.
Dark chocolate with raspberry filling, dark chocolate with white chocolate ganache, milk chocolate with walnuts, and milk chocolate with red rock candy sprinkles and white chocolate drizzle. Against his character, Olruggio decided to not go with any special flourishes (except the last one, the girls only deserve the best!).
Qifrey, on the other hand, was worse off. Most days Qifrey completed his offerings days in advance, but this year dealing with four little girls has proven to be not for the faint of heart.
Tetia was attempting a new cloud spell that ended with Qifrey having to carefully comb out and separate bubblegum from Coco and Richeh's hair. The task ended up consuming the entire day for the sake of forgoing scissors. Tetia had learned her lesson.
Sensing Qifrey's anxiety, Olruggio agreed post-gum incident to help with the itinerary and picnic arrangement, leaving Qifrey to prepare his cards, cookies, and sandwiches.
Unbeknownst to Olruggio, Qifrey was awake completing cards for the girls. Striving to maintain the title of 'the best master possible', he might've bit off more than he can chew.
Each card has a different design suited for each disciple, with a personalized valentine on how much growth the girls have gone through. Qifrey, being particular stubborn about the quality of his penmanship, has already disposed of six cards.
Against all odds, Qifrey finished just in time before the girls got out of their beds. While Olruggio got the four of them dressed, Qifrey hastily bakes his famous rock sugar shortbreads iced with pink hearts, and heart-shaped tea sandwiches. His vision tunnels fully into intricately decorating that he doesn't hear Olruggio sneaking behind him.
"The girls are dressed, did you need more time?"
"Oh goodness— we ought to put a bell on you," Qifrey catches his breath, "Would you mind taking them out early? I need a few more minutes."
"Of course," Olruggio wraps his arms around Qifrey's waist, "Don't worry that head of yours over this, Qifrey. You know I can always buy you more time," He nuzzles into the nape of Qifrey's neck.
Qifrey overlaps his arms with Olruggio's, "Thank you, my dear. I'm a teeny bit frantic at the moment, but I'm nearly done. Please don't wait for me, I promise to be out in a few moments."
"Understood, I'll keep them distracted," As Olruggio moves to leave the kitchen, he looks over his shoulder, "Y'think asking Tetia for another bubblegum cloud would suffice?" He teases.
"Oh— Olly, don't you dare." Qifrey says rushing to swat Olruggio with his baking mitt. Olruggio dodges, chuckling as he makes it through the hallway.
Fortunately, there were no bubblegum explosions to be seen. Everyone was in the middle of eating when the first squabble arose.
"Richeh, it's wasteful to just eat the prosciutto. You should eat the whole sandwich." Agott says, while dabbing her handkerchief at the corners of her mouth.
"Richeh doesn't like cucumber," Richeh separates the thinly sliced meat from the bread before plopping it into her mouth. She chews for a second, before picking food out, saliva connecting her fingers to her napkin. "Or chives."
Agott wrinkles her nose in disgust, to which Coco and Tetia giggle at the funny face she's making. Before Agott was able to speak up again, Qifrey cut in, "Agott, not everyone likes the foods we like. Richeh will learn to like vegetables in her own time. But I appreciate you looking out for waste." He takes Richeh's plate and puts the smashed bread slices on his own.
Not looking at her, Richeh blows a barely audible raspberry to which Agott, in turn, taunts her by pulling her eyelid.
After they finished eating, Tetia ushered the girls to play with her in the field leaving their masters to spectate. Richeh immediately grasps Tetia's hand to go dig for rolly pollies. Agott tries to inconspicuously pull Coco aside, which is immediately noticed by the observers.
The girls were far enough for the men to make out what they were saying, but it was very obvious in both of their body language what was going on. Agott's arms were outstretched with a slight tremble, with her card in both hands. A heart-shaped card was held behind Coco's back, with a very noticeable flush on her face.
Coco takes Agott's valentine and quickly thrust her own towards her. Both girls immediately turn around after receiving their cards.
Watching all of this unfold, Qifrey chuckles to himself. The warm sun dusting his cheeks as a small feeling of deja vu washes over him.
"What's so funny?" Olruggio asks with a knowing smile. Qifrey notices the crows feet slowly starting to develop on his face.
"Nothing, just… seeing them feels far too familiar to me," He lets out another small laugh, "How long has it been since we were rebellious tweens, Olly?"
"Oh, don't ask me, I am the worst judge of time," Olruggio slowly inches his hand closer to Qifrey's. "Those days are long gone. I don't miss it at all. So bratty and moody," He turns to look into his friend's eyes, "….you especially."
"Hush, you. Saying I had a lot going on would be an understatement," Qifrey lays his head onto Olruggio's shoulder, the both of them turned to supervise the girls. "Ooh look! My favorite show is on, Richeh and Tetia are about to exchange."
With the help of Olruggio's masterly planning, the rest of the day goes by smoothly. The girls, shocking both masters, didn't have the usual sticky fingers when window shopping. Although, Coco and Tetia did have pink frosting on their hands long after lunch.
Qifrey tucked the girls in, each with a kiss on the forehead, before winding down himself. On days like these, the two enjoy relaxing with a bottle of wine between them.
Qifrey places his leftover cookies down on the floor beside them. Somehow, they both always manage to be sitting on the floor when drinking. Olruggio is pouring him another glass before he nearly spills.
"I almost forgot, dealing with those rascals take up all the space in the noggin," Olruggio pulls out the box of chocolates he's been hiding, "For you. Don't give me that look… the girls ate all of theirs straightaway, you get some too." He gestures the box in front of Qifrey.
"Oh Olly… you truly are wonderful," He opens the box to the beautiful assortment. He's almost moved to tears, but if questioned would blame it on the wine. "I've prepared something for you too," As Qifrey pulls his box out, he quickly realizes the chocolates look a bit droopy. "They just had to have melted… I'm so sorry my friend. I feel so silly gifting you this after your gorgeous craftsmanship."
Olruggio pinches Qifrey's cheek. "Don't cry over this," Olruggio can't help but grin at his childish expression, "you never change, do you? Still the baby I know and love."
Olruggio quickly gets to work creating a small heat sigil, turning the slightly melted truffles into chocolate fondue. He takes a small piece of shortbread and dips it, putting the biscuit to Qifrey's mouth. "Nothing goes to waste, remember?"
As he bites down, his face fully lights up, thrusting the cookie into his friend's face. "Olly, try!" Qifrey gets so excited, Olruggio can't control the warm feeling in his stomach.
Night progresses on the living room floor. Multiple glasses of wine drunk, many giggles and shushes trying not to wake the kids. Qifrey looks fondly at him before Olruggio speaks up, "You have something…" He instinctively wipes at the chocolate at the corner of Qifrey's mouth.
"My, how forward of you my dearest friend," Qifrey's crooked grin rests against his wineglass, "You're so very sweet to me. How did I get ever so lucky to have such a smart, innovative, kind best friend?"
He rests his hand over Olruggio's, stroking ever so slightly. The sensation doesn't register to Olruggio, transfixed on the twinkle in his friend's eye, as well as the heat in his face.
Weird, it must be the wine.