Random shit

When you met him, you were having a day off when you had heard him swearing under his breath, clearly stressed over work. You look over and see a man, clearly someone who was a part of the witch community. He was looking urgently for a piece of paper he had dropped, the paper wafting towards you. You grab it before it can go any further, but because of how fast he was running, he lands up crashing into you.

"Sorry!" The man winces, feeling you under him. "Just an important commission."

"Don't worry, I get it." You reply, gesturing for him to sit up. "You look really stressed, are you alright?"

"Just part of being a grown man, nothing special." The man spits out, sounding like an insult to you for even bothering to ask him.

"Sit here with me for 5 minutes." You request.

"Or what?" The man growls.

"I won't give you this important paper back to you unless you sit here with me for 5 minutes.

The man pouts, but complies as he sits down next to you. You notice how tense he is, so you offer him a neck massage. He accepts, but asking for you to stop if he waves his right hand up.

"I'm a doctor, don't worry." You reassure him. "I never continue if a patient withdraws consent - even if it's after the procedure has started."

"A doctor, eh?" The man hums out, feeling you hands start to massage as he moans out of relief. "That's pretty impressive. Where do you work?"

When you disclose the place, he nods in approval.

"You must be pretty-oooh- pretty good." The man lets out another moan, blushing violently when he realises the indecent sounds.

"I think so - I've been there for a few years now." You smile.

"That's funny, I think I would know you." The man tilts his head.

"Ah, that's probably because I get handed the patients nobody else wants to waste their time on." You admit. "I'm glad I get them though - they're always so grateful for me being there."

"You must be a really good doctor if you're still there." The man smiles.

"I get that a lot from my regulars." You smile, before realising you have to head back to tend to someones gnarly wound. "Ah, I'll need to go. Here's your paper, by the way."

Before he can introduce himself to you, and ask to meet you again, you're already collecting dust as you sprint off to work in a panic.

--

"You're late." Your boss screams, no shame as the patients in the waiting room watch on. "What's your excuse this time?"

"I just lost track of time." You admit.

"Just take your elderly patient to your room." She shakes her head, before leaning in to whisper into your ear. "You don't belong here, and you know it."

What was that about? Sure, she told you many times she thought lesser of you because of the fact you were an outsider in her eyes, a term you didn't know of at first until someone else was kind enough to tell you - coincidentally, the elderly lady you were tending to.

"You don't belong here, you know." The elderly lady agrees with the whispered statement. "You belong somewhere that an entire community will see how wonderful you are." She smiles, watching you treat her without wincing at the less pleasant aspects of caring for people.

"Well, I can't complain when I have patients as pleasant as yourself!" You smile warmly at your patient, wishing she could find somewhere who would take you without a reference.

You knew that as disliked as you were by your colleagues, they would intentionally give bad references so you had to stay at their place to treat the patients they didn't like to treat.

Basically, anyone what they profiled as difficult.

"I'm moving to a town a few miles away from here, and they're looking for a doctor. I have ties to them, and you would be a perfect fit." She nods. "You in?"

"Do they need a reference?" You ask, skeptical of how convenient this was.

"Oh, if they need a reference, I'll tell them you're the only reason I'd be coming into this place." She chuckles.

"Well, I would be glad to take you up on the offer." You nod, the old lady lighting up as you accept.

"Wonderful! I will get the ball rolling, give me your address and watch for a letter." She concludes.

--

Five days later, you hear a man's gruff voice come through as you're just about to leave your office to get your next assignment. You knew you'd be getting someone soon, so you may as well get yourself mentally prepared.

"Hey babe!" You hear your boss sing out, to a man who had entered the establishment.

"I'm not y'er babe." The man tuts. "I'm asking about someone who works here, about this tall, really unassuming."

"Oh, but why are you looking for that?" Your boss giggles.

"Because I want to see them again." The man replies, not buying into the whole 'babe' act. "I thought they could give me some insight into some sig-"

"Oh, honey." Your boss pities the man.

"What, they're not an outsider or anything, so what's the problem?" The man protests, voice raised slightly.

"You don't know?" The boss cackles. "She is an outsider. Why do you think we give them only the difficult patients?"

"I wouldn't call myself an easy patient." The man protests. "I'll be back in a few days - book me in a personal appointment with them. "

You hear the man leaving, and a few minutes later your boss is stomping to your office. Slamming the door open, she doesn't give you the chance to ask about what happened.

"You're out." She spits. "Get out. We don't need your kind here?"

"I don't care about your rela-"

"Get out!" She screeches, stomping her foot and pointing her finger to the exit before storming to the staff room to cry.

--

Monday comes, and you finally get that offer letter. Immediate start date, a cottage will be provided to you, a good salary and a decent holiday package.

It was perfect for you.

You don't even think, heading out the moment you get the letter with your packed bags.

Thinking back on hearing that man you met talking to your former boss, it was clear he wouldn't have been interested in getting to know you as a person. He referred to you as an outsider - you understood that has been practically hammered into the witching community, but it still stung to hear him use the term outsider when talking about you.

Taking a deep breath, you make your way to your next job, a new found hope that came in the hands of one of your patients. You would have had to think of your other patients before handing your notice, but your boss fired you before you had to worry about that.

--

That same morning, Olruggio had entered your former workplace, looking forward to finally introducing himself to you. He had ranted to Qifrey about how he was taken aback when he found out you were not a witch, to which Qifrey was the anchor.

"Olruggio, remember when I had brought Coco here?" He asks. "You used some harsh words to describe her lack of magic background. And she did not hold that against you. I'm sure if you go in to meet this doctor on Monday, they will be more than understanding if you explain to them properly what you meant."

"But they might not be as open as Coco." Olruggio doubts, Qifrey, rolling his eye.

"Give them a chance to prove you right at least." Qifrey pleads, Olruggio nodding in agreement.

When Olruggio had entered the facility, the first thing he notices is a lot of angry patients, who had found out you were no longer there.

"Oh, please." Your boss tuts. "You're lucky you had them for as long as you did. We don't need to waste our precious time on patients who will just be a waste of resources. We need cases that have promise, they didn't fit our ethos."

The patients leave the place, furious over the only decent doctor leaving. Olruggio walks to the doctor, who puts on a kicked puppy act.

"Oh, they-"

"You fired them, didn't you?" Oluggio grumbles.

"Fine, I did." Your boss confesses. "You know, she just wasn't a right fit. I can see you for a... personal appointment."

--

You were told to go to bed the moment you got back to the atelier by Olruggio, after you wash and eat something. You nod, taking a towel before heading off to the shower.

Olruggio and Qifrey sit across from each other, the girls having been sent to their rooms for 'sneaking out' (despite the fact they gave a hand to those in need).

"So, you and _ are very comfortable." Qifrey pouts, crossed arms as he look across at his friend.

"Out with it, Qifrey." Olruggio shakes his head disapprovingly. "You weren't comfortable with how close she was to me, right?"

"Well done, Ruggio!" Qifrey claps condescendingly. "I didn't even have the chance to speak to her, and here you are wrapping your arms around her as if she's yours."

"...You're the one who broke off anything with them, remember?" Olruggio. "Because you 'want to protect them', despite me telling you it was a stupid plan."

Qifrey pouts to himself, knowing his friend was correct.

Olruggio was blunt, but honest. The kind of man who wouldn't beat around the bush - he would have told you upright why he wouldn't continue if he had been in Qifrey's potition.

But Qifrey was not Olruggio, he was his own person. He was polite most of the time, not wanting to have uncomfortable conversations unless it had to be done.

"I hope the baby's okay." Qifrey thinks out loud. "Ruggio, what am I going to do?"

"Do you still have feelings for her?" Olruggio asks.

"...As much as I do for you." Qifrey sighs. "Ruggio, I don't know what to do. I care for the both of you in a way I haven't indulged in often."

"That's obvious." Olruggio shakes his head. "Well, her feelings are also important. It'll take a lot of building trust to get things back to normal."

"You're right." Qifrey admits, hearing your footsteps heading down the stairs.

"Olruggio, I'm not comfortable sleeping by myself." You sheepishly admit, not wanting to look at Qifrey out of shame. "Can I sleep with you tonight? If you aren't comfortable with it, I get it, but-"

"Alright." Olruggio nods, Qifrey's eye twitching out of jealousy for both you and Olruggio. "Sit down, have some stew."

You sit down, eyes locked on the table as Qifrey stands up, heading over to the pot to fix you a generous portion - with your favourite parts.

"So, How did you know that guy who knew about sigils?" Olruggio asks, Qifrey freezing up momentarily as he hears of another man.

"Oh, that was someone who gave me a hand with some really heavy loads. He noticed me struggling and gave me help."

"Here, eat up." Qifrey slides the bowl over to you. "I'm really happy you're okay, but that was reckless."

"We can talk about that tomorrow, Qifrey." Olruggio chastises. "_'s been through a lot today."

You eat the stew, eyes fluttering shut as a stray tear rolls down your cheek.

It's then that you really get to process what happened, and process what torture that poor child went through. No windows, no washing, no food and limited water.

Olruggio pulls you in as you start to cry uncontrollably.

"There, there." Olruggio soothes.

Qifrey finds himself feeling like a third wheel, and he makes a move.

Not a very bold one, but one that he hopes will show he cares about you very deeply.

He rests a hand on your shoulder, lightly rubbing it.

"You saved them, _. Remember that." Qifrey reassures you, relieved you didn't swat his hand away.

--

Sleeping in the same room as Olruggio was something you hadn't done before, and now here you were sleeping with his arm around you. Honestly, you found being with him was comforting in a way you didn't think was purely platonic.

The next morning you confess that you feel something that isn't exactly platonic with him. To your surprise, he admits he feels the same.

With little fanfare, you both start to date. Qifrey's happy for you both, but jealousy eats at him once again. He know's what this is about - he wants in on this relationship.

He knows Olruggio would be open to it, but he knows he hurt you deeply by abandoning you without knowing you were pregnant. Looking back, it was so obvious.

Seeing how often you'd be sick, or how sickly you looked. He thought it was you wallowing in your misery - which wasn't exactly wrong, but the pregnancy wouldn't help.

The girls were relieved to see you returned, with Agott giving you an approving nod before heading back to her room to study. The other girls were just happy you were back, not aware of the reason why you walked that evening.

Olruggio notices Qifrey looking over like a kicked puppy, watching you flinch whenever he tried to interact with you. Nobody else was getting that reaction form you, which made sense considering what happened before.

Truthfully, Qifrey could have killed your captor. The man didn't deserve to live after scaring you like that, and he certainly didn't deserve to live after carrying out such cruel methods of torture against the vulnerable and weak.

But the authorities came along, and Qifrey knew they could torture him in ways that would hurt him more than a painful death.

So, he lets him go.

That evening, Qifrey asks to speak to you alone.

"Why did you leave that evening? You should have spoken to me." Qifrey asks delicately, reaching out to hold your hand.

"I thought you would ask me to leave the Atelier, or get rid of the child." You sheepishly admit, watching Qifrey's face fall out of shock.

"Why could I do that?" Qifrey gasps. "I lo- really care about you."

"You said that night we slept together was a mistake." You reply, placing your free hand over his. "You're a busy guy, and I understand it was a mistake."

It being that one evening that resulted in your pregnancy taking place.

"I... I'll admit, I panicked after that evening. I got surprised by how I felt about it, and I pushed you away out of fear." Qifrey sighs. "I do feel romantic feelings for you, I just didn't know how to keep you safe."

"...But we had sex, Qifrey. That isn't exactly keeping me safe, is it?" You tut, Qifrey flinching at your response.

"Oi, you need your sleep. Both of you." Olruggio interrupts the conversation. "You can have yout lovers quarrell tomorrow."

"Lovers quarrel?" Qifrey gasps, Olruggio looking at your hands touching intimately.

"Well, those feelings won't magically disappear, will they?" Olruggio rolls his eyes. "You still need to let the both of us in, you stupid oaf."

"Yes, Ruggio." Qifrey acknowledges, pouting to himself.

"So, what are we as a trio?" You ask. "I'd be open for us to be a couple together, but I wouldn't br comfortable with cheating."

"Well, I'm also open to Qifrey joining us." Olruggio adds, sitting next to you. "Of coursez I will have my hands full with two lovable idiots. I wouldn't dream of cheating, not when I have the two of you here."

"I...I think..." Qifrey finds himswlf blushing furiously, the realisation he could be a part of your life again as well as entering a relationship with two people he cares about.

"We'll give you time to think. I understand." You smile, pulling your hands back delicately before getting up, Olruggio supporting you by the small of your back as you head to his room.

Qifrey lets out a sigh of relief, the realisation fully crashing down on him that you hadn't given up on him. Hands reaching his face, he cries into his hands silently.

--

30 minutes pass, and Qifrey finds himself unable to fall asleep. He couldn't stop thinking of what you and Olruggio were doing just noe, and he wanted to be wrapped up in Olruggios arms, you comfortably sandwiched between the two of them.

Gaining courage, he decides to tell the both of you his answer that evening, and to ask to join you. Knocking on the door, he hears rustling behind the door before it opens, revealing a shirtless Olruggio.

"Wise choice." Olruggio nods, gesturing for Qifrey to come in.

You were restless yourself, unable to stop imagining every possible response Qifrey would give you. When you see Qifrey heading to your shared bef with Olruggio, you can't stop yourself from smiling warmly as he pulls you in for a hug.

"Get those clothes off." Olruggio demands.

"Oooh, you're being forward toni-" Qifrey begins to tease, only to be cut off by Olruggio stomping on his foot.

"You shouldn't wear outdoor clothes in bed." Olruggio explains.

In record tike, Qifrey strips down before heading back over to you and Olruggio, who were already snuggled up. Qifrey joins, enveloping you delicately and kissing your neck once softly.

-

Walking in the middle of the night by yourself gave you the chance to think about last nights events.

Why on earth did you let Qifrey sleep with you that one evening? Why did you trust the pull out method? Why didn't you just tell Qifrey you were pregnant like a god damn adult?

In the middle of your thoughts, you bump into a man. A stranger who just to happened to be walking the same area you were. He invites you to come along to his home, using magic to reveal his house. He promises you a bed, a warm meal, a change of clothes. You don't think far ahead, knowing you had to start somewhere. Maybe this man could use your help and give you a job working with him.

It's only after you enter the house that you realise the vibe is completely off. You turn to ask him what he does for work, hoping to get a good first impression on him as a person, only for him to turn you back around somewhat violently, shoving you through the house into the basement.

Turns out, this man would grab wanderers who looked hopeless, lure them in with a promise of food and a roof over their head, and bring them into the basement to have them starve to death. The people already in the basement looked shattered, life hanging by a thread and conserving energy by sleeping.

"Why?" You ask the man. He was using magic, so why was he using it for bad?

"The weak are useless in society. This is my way of cleansing society." The man explains. "You don't deserve food."

"You don't know who I am, and why are you passing judgement on people you don't know?" You ask, looking at the faces of the people in front of you.

Some of them you recognise, a man who you had met a while ago. He gave you a hand carrying heavy baggage, he had potential to be a real good worker. A child who hadn't even had the chance to do much with their lives, and who you're assuming is the child's mother.

None of them looked like they would be burdens in your eyes, and it was so fucked up that they were being starved. That child needs food, they all need food.

You're sat on the ground, and when the man leaves, you look down at your hands. You should have told the man to get stuffed, but what about the rest of these people? A part of you was glad you unearthed this discovery, having your trusty emergency pen, ink and paper to write emergency spells.

The man was probably going to realise you're the one drawing sigils, but what else could you do? You ask the people there what time he goes to sleep, and according to them, he goes to sleep after giving them water.

"Why waste water on us if he wants us to die?" You whisper to the man you knew.

"Because he wants us to suffer as a consequence of being a leech on society, apparently." The man whispers in response, voice croaky as it comes out.

That explains how the people in front of you were still alive despite being starved for what feels like a few days. You didn't have much time to act, so you mentally plan to send out an SOS signal - a sigil that Olruggio had been experimenting with. He wasn't able to test it, however, but you figure this will at least get someone who can help out.

--

"Here's your water, you filthy maggots." The man growls, throwing a bucket of water down the stairs. the bucket topples over slightly, and you go to stabilise it with your foot.

The man turns around and locks the door, walking up the stairs and going into a different room. You wait a few minutes, hoping you were correct with your timing as you begin to pull out your ink, pen and paper from your pocket.

"What are you doing, lass?" The man you knew whispers. "If you alert him, he's going to punish us."

Looking at the other people around you, you look at the bucket of water. You knew you'd survive a day, but the rest of them? You didn't know how long they'd last, and you had a maternal feeling about protecting the child in the room as well as your growing child.

"Drink up." You order. "Once you guys get your fill, I'm going to send out a signal."

"Good thinking." The man across from you nods.

The bucket is passed around, everyone taking cautious sips before going for a full gulp of water, and you get the nod from them all before you dip your wand in your ink, taking a deep breath before starting to draw.

-

Olruggio had been staring out of the window, thinking hard about how you were going to handle being pregnant without Qifrey, himself or the girls. You were going to be lonely, and he was worried that someone would be taking advantage of you.

He yawns, thinking of going to bed before he spots a familiar signal that he had been experimenting with. He wasn't allowed to test it, as there was a fear he would take away help that was urgently needed elsewhere while he was safe.

Now, he's spotting it in action, the flash of light radiating from seemingly nowhere, no building closely located in the direction he was looking at.

You were in danger.

He runs out of his room, yelling for Qifrey to come urgently. Qifrey follows suit, unaware the girls had also been awoken and wanted to follow.

"That SOS signal there. We need to get there."

--

You wait for each SOS signal to fully complete before waiting 10 seconds and sending another one. You knew that the sigil wouldn't work continuously, so you prepare each sigil without completing the circle. You have enough for 5, which isn't very promising, but you figure it's your best shot for getting someone to you.

After completing the second circle, you hear someone groaning upstairs. You can hear them stomping around the room upstairs, clearly getting their clothes on, and you know he's noticed the beam of light.

"Keep going, lass." The man next to you reassures. "This is the most promising escape plan we've had. With luck, someone else will be able to break in to get us rescued."

You hear the mother soothing her child, who had started whimpering out of fear. You take a deep breath, looking at the next sigil and starting to close the circle as you hear a growl upstairs.

You could only hope that someone will be here on time.

Watching with anticipation, the third sigil completing it's round, you go to grab the fourth one. You manage to complete the fourth circle, causing the spell to work, and the door slams open. You don't have to turn around to know the man at the top of the basement was furious.

"What's been disturbing my sleep, eh?" The man scowls, walking down the stairs with calculated anger. "Oh, it's you, isn't it? You just couldn't be obedient and die peacefully."

"What do you mean?" You plead ignorance. "I was just drawing things."

"What were you drawing?" The man tuts.

The fourth sigil has played out, and your pen is within reach of the fifth one.

You could either not draw the sigil, to play along with your idea of tricking the man into thinking you just so happened to draw a sigil on accident.

Or, you could complete the fifth sigil, a final signal, to send one last message out. You hear the child crying softly into their mother's side, and you act without thinking further.

You complete the sigil.

"You little bitch." The man yells, rushing towards you. You can feel the man you knew start to reach out to grab you, but his strength was limited. You close your eyes, knowing you were in for a punishment for wanting to rescue those in the basement.

"You earned this." The man warns, a hand reeling back to hit you.

But it doesn't come.

You feel a second presence suddenly enter the room, a familiar one. Opening your eyes, you confirm it's Qifrey. He's caught the man's hand, and the look in his eye is terrifying. The man turns around to yell, but he freezes up in fear when he makes eye contact with a furious blue eye.

You don't hear exactly what Qifrey is saying, hearing the girls yelling for you as Olruggio runs down the stairs.

Olruggio is relieved to see you, but he's not happy to see the situation you landed yourself in. You should have just come to him, he would have been willing to become a father figure for your child.

But seeing those in the basement who looked malnourished, unwashed, scared. Olruggio hear the girls running down the stairs, yelling relief of you being alright before they realise the situation.

They follow Olruggio's instruction to get them fed gently, giving them a liquid diet to administer as well as patching up any wounds.

Once they're all occupied, Olruggio goes to you.

He doesn't actually know what he wants to say. Yes, you were an idiot for running off like this, as you got captured. But these people were not doing well, and if you hadn't been captured, these people would have likely died.

Does he confront you on why you were being illogical, or does he thank you for helping him with his sigil?

"Your sigil worked." You whisper.

"Work of art, that sigil was." The man sitting across form you states. "We're lucky she got lured here."

"Wait, you know about sigils?" Olruggio asks the man, concerned this man had to have his memory wiped.

"Well, I've worked with many witches. Plus, that bastard is also a witch. I've seen him use a lot more sigils than _ has." The man explains.

A few more folk enter the room, who had also happened to see the SOS sign.

Before you know it, all of the people in that basement were assigned emergency relocation packages. You head back with Olruggio, who insisted that you needed to come back.

"You need to have a proper chat with Qifrey." Olruggio states. "He's been worried sick."

"You told him I'm pregnant? I asked you not to!" You protest.

"I don't care. You were being incredibly stupid." Olruggio tuts. "...I'm really glad you're alright."

--

"I'm sorry, I should have held back." Qifrey confesses. "I didn't mean for it to go this far. I cherish you as a friend, please don't take this as an insult."

Qifrey gets up, beginning to get himself dressed while you process the evening before. You seeing a side to him you could only wish to see, a side you were aware wasn't going to happen. A side you felt blessed to have seen.

It turned out to be a mistake on Qifrey's part. Of course it was, you were just a friend of his. He had more going on with other people, you just happened to be there in a moment of weakness.

Things go back to normal, him treating you like his friend and nothing more and you shaking off the awkwardness that came from the scenario. Olruggio could see exactly what happened, and he found it weird.

It was a few months afterwards that you started showing signs. The morning sickness, losing the ability to keep food down, heightened sense of smell. Taking the pregnancy test confirms your fears. You stare at the results, knowing exactly who the dad was, and you didn't know what to do.

You knew Qifrey didn't want children - certainly not with you, a cherished friend of his. He told you he didn't mean for that night to happen, and now here you are with his child growing in your womb. You didn't want to get rid of the child, however, feeling like you wanted to cherish this life growing inside of you.

So, you plan to head out, never to return back to the house. Qifrey was not able to pick up on the signs, but there were two other people who could tell exactly what you were going through. One of them being Olruggio, who had been concerned when you stopped eating as much.

And it just so happened to fall a few months after the awkwardness started.

The other person was Agott. She was really smart for her age, hitting the books, and she knew from the symptoms she heard of that you were pregnant.

You wait until everyone is asleep, or so you think, and you put on your cloak, a few changes of clothes, some savings. All the essentials you needed to survive.

Creeping out, you feel a heavy feeling in your chest as you sneak out into the night. A part of you hoped that Qifrey realised your dilemma, and confessed he did want children.

But you knew that was never going to happen, and since Qifrey was asleep, you wouldn't have to worry about explaining your situation to him. You don't walk past anyone on the way out, surprising you, but you decide to push forward. There was no use hoping someone would care enough to convince you to come back.

"Running away?" Agott asks, catching you off-guar. You didn't expect any of the apprentices to be awake.

"Agott, you have to head back." You plead. "Qifrey will be worried sick when he realises you're gone."

"...So why are you running away?" Agott asks, looking at you as if she knew why you were running.

"..." What the hell were you supposed to respond with? This was a child in front of you - a brainy one, but still a child. You couldn't explain you were running away because Qifrey didn't want biological children with you, or even that you were with child.

"How far along are you?" Agott rewords her query. "Stop hiding it, I'm sure Master will be understanding."

"That's right." Another voice chimes in. Olruggio steps into the light. "He's going to be worried sick when he realises you've left without so much as a last word with him."

"I don't want to burden him." You state. "Agott, please head back. You're still growing, you need rest."

"You need rest as well." Olruggio grumbles. "You're pregnant, you stupid fool."

"I'll rest when I find a place to stay." You walk away, before you ask Olruggio one last thing.

"...Can you tell Qifrey that I just...went for a walk, and you haven't seen me since? It wouldn't be a lie." You request. Olruggio doesn't answer, sucking in a breath through clenched teeth as you smile warmly at him.

"And Agott, please look after yourself. You are still young." Agott sneers at you saying this, but you found you wanted her to know she needed to relax even a little bit.

--

Olruggio returns with Agott, who's holding back tears out of frustration, and he looks up to see Qifrey standing at the entrance. He slumps out of relief momentarily, before noticing you haven't also returned. Agott runs past Qifrey, not bothering to speak in this moment as Olruggio approaches.

"What on earth has happened? Why was Agott outside? Where is _? Why were you walking at this time of night?" Qifrey asks, concern in his eyes as he's still looking for you.

"Let's go inside. We need to talk, urgently." Olruggio spits, Qifrey nodding as he follows his friend.

"Agott and I were looking to speak to _ tonight." Olruggio states. "We both noticed something serious about her, and tonight confirmed as much."

"What? That she's upset I wasn't interested in continuing the acts we engaged in that one evening?" Qifrey asks, seemingly still not connecting the dots.

"The lass is pregnant, you oaf." Olruggio tuts. "She's running off because you didn't want children. She asked me not to tell you, but she's vulnerable."

Qifrey's jaw falls. He wasn't ready to have children, what the hell was happening? It was one night!

"And you let her go?" Qifrey shakes his head.

"It was clear to myself she was ready to head out by herself." Olruggio states. "That being said, I don't think she even approached you about the situation."

"...She didn't." Qifrey shakily lets out. "Why did I not see that sooner? I should have been careful."

--

When you were a student starting your first year, you were a delivery driver. Because of this, you had heavy footwear to help with driving the van, and to stop creeps from thinking of making moves on you. It wasn't exactly glamorous, but you found the money made it more than worthwhile.

It wasn't like you were planning on staying in that job - you were wanting to get a degree, and get yourself a job that paid even better than a driver. You go into Mathematics for that very reason.

The first week, you figured you may as well go to one of the fresher's events. Booze all around you, you knew you thought correctly to not take an extra shift the following morning. That being said, there were a lot of guys who weren't giving you many good signs. Sure, some were lookers, but they kept preaching about being providers and you knew to stay away.

Naoya Zenin was smart enough to know that you don't soften a women by talking about being a provider - although that was from his experience of speaking to the women he actually wanted to bang, and his epic fail to pick them up by flaunting his future.

He doesn't give away much, but when you tell him about your hopes he thinks you'll be easy enough to bend into the woman he would want. Of course, he acts gentlemanly in front of you, but he has nefarious thoughts on how to improve you.

--

You talk back and forth, and you get a few women contacting you - warning you not to stay with the man, he was a misogynist who was talking to them about all the surgeries he would get you booked in for after he convinces you to leave university, how you serve no value as a woman presently.

You think they're perhaps disgruntled exes, and you stupidly keep going with Naoya. You go on more dates, he keeps being kind, but he starts trickling what he wants in a wife.

You assume he's just joking about it all.

When he asks you to meet his frat brothers, you go along. It was just after a delivery shift when Naoya picks you up, and he tells you off for wearing such manly attire. How could you not try to be dressed well in front of his fraternity?

Entering the house, you hear some oinks echoing from a room. You assume it's some weird frat thing where they have to do pig impressions. They were pretty good at it, if you'd say so yourself!

It's only after Naoya opens the door, a disgusting grin on his face, that you finally see his true colours.

"Guys, here's my pig!" He exclaims, grabbing you by the arm and pulling you in.

Silence takes place afterwards, replacing the giggles of the frat bros who were excitedly dressing up their piglets. You look around you, feeling Naoya begin to place a bow on your neck as you make eye contact with all of them.

There's a pink haired guy, tattoos all over his face looking at you like he wanted to devour you. The other 4 guys were looking at you in shock, not sure what to say or do.

The clarification hits you like a truck. This man thought you looked like some ugly pig! You should have listened to those girls warning you - you considered them more attractive, and they were nice enough to warn you repeatedly of his gross conversations with them.

Naoya's laughing confidently, thinking the rest of the frat bros will be laughing with him, and the final thread snaps. You turn around to face Naoya, not giving him sufficient time to react as you reel your leg back and deliver a swift kick to his nuts. He crumples over, crying out in a high pitched tone as you run out of the room in tears, hearing cackles from the rest of the frat guys.

You bump into someone else on your way out, who catches you.

The man is nice enough to walk you back home, with how dark it was.

"So, what brings you to the frat house?" The man yawns. "There was an initiation, but that didn't involve any women."

"Well, my now ex thought i would be a worthy offer." You sniffle, shaking your head. "I get I'm not a looker, but that's just harsh."

"Naoya?" The man asks, trying not to laugh too hard at the video he was sent by Sukuna. "You could do a hell of a lot better than him, doll."

"I...I think I won't be anyone's type." You sigh out.

Toji wants to say something, but he doesn't know how you would react to him complimenting you. He wasn't exactly an A student, but he knew better than to compliment a woman to cheer them up right after an incident.

"Thanks for walking me back. Can I get your name, just so I know who you are if we cross each other again?" You ask. "Normally, I'd invite you in for a drink, but I'm not in the best state of mind."

--

The next morning, you wake to a note on your side table, and a uniform of sorts. The note details that you'll be doing training as a sorcerer - not only as a healer, but also as a fighter. Stretching, you put on the uniform and head downstairs, where the witch lady awaits your arrival.

"Morning, dear." She smiles, a cup of tea in her hand. "We have a few things to discuss. Please, take a seat."

Nodding, you sit across from her, and she slides you over a cup. A silent invite to help yourself to tea or coffee.

"So, being my apprentice, do you agree?" The witch across form you asks. "I can show you a lot of fun stuff you can do!"

"...I think I know how to navigate kinks." You tilt your head, wondering what being an apprentice could possibly give you. You were a healer, the only other thing you could think of was being a part of the brothel where you'd take customers.

You didn't want to have to just have intercourse with anyone. You wanted to choose who you got with, you didn't want to get desperate. You didn't want some creep to lay hands on you and justify it by saying they need to charge you up.

"Nope. This isn't about your healing ability." The witch smirks. "It's about your potential as a sorcerer. See, I'm getting up there with my age."

"Witch lady, you look like you're in your 30's." You laugh. "There's no way-"

"Believe it or not, I've been alive for 10,000 years, dear." The witch giggles at your face cracking in shock. "I've survived a few...scary eras. I've done so with techniques to protect myself."

"...Both of my biological parents are human, though. It's not like I'm a curse who can live that long." You rebute. "Chances are, you'll outlive me. It's not like you could retire and have me pass the torch down."

"That's where you're wrong." She shrugs. "Your parent's didn't care to read the contract they signed that well. By signing the contract, you were separated from your parents. As a result of your technique, your life expectancy goes up with it."

"And I won't age the way a normal human would?" You ask. "I don't think there's a niche for a wrinkly, bony, frail person - not enough for me to get the energy needed."

"Well, you won't age as normal. Look at me, for example, a man signed me onto the same contract." Witch lady explains. "If you reject it, I can prepare a contract to reverse the skill given to you - but you would also have to start being a concubine at the brothel."

"I don't want to be a concubine. I don't think I'm built for that kind of thing." You protest, the witch across from you giggling.

"Then it's settled - I will start training you."

--

Over the week, your teacher gets you familiar with combat. At first, it's the normal, anyone worthy combat - the basics to parry an opponent's hits. She explains it's to get you familiar with physical attacks before she shows you how to manipulate your surroundings.

After the first few days, she pushes you into the sex-specific attacks. You were sure you needed more time, but she brushes you off and calls you a pussy. She shows you how to sense objects around you, manipulate your surroundings to parry attacks.

And then, she shows you an attack she took 200 years to perfect.

An attack that eats up 80% of your energy, but ensures anyone who attempts to engage in sexual assault against you has no chance of surviving. They'll blow up, no mercy, but in exchange you will need to engage in consensual sexual activity with another individual within 2 hours, or you'll become immobile as to give your body a chance to physically recover from using your energy.

"How often will this kind of event happen, Witch?" You ask, looking at the mannequins you blew to smithereens. Although you used the technique, you wouldn't have to replenish your energy as these were inanimate objects. It was going to be a quick painless death for the person in question if you ever had to use it, but surely this would be difficult to explain away.

"...I have to be frank with you. Where you'll be transported in a weeks time, you'll need it often." The witch lady explains. "You'll be signed up to a game you can't reject."

"What?" You ask, still wondering what would possibly happen in a week.

"Over the last few thousand years, I've had encounters with unsavoury people." She sighs. "One person had stitches on his head. The man was good in bed, believe me, but it doesn't change that he's dangerous. I only learned of that the next morning, to which I requested a contract to be written up, preventing me or any of my concubines from being harmed by him or any of his actions."

"And he agreed?" You ask.

"Well, I am also very good in bed." She pouts playfully, before continuing. "Unfortunately, this contract had a clause. Only one. To have an apprentice represent me, and enter the Culling Games. At the time I didn't know exactly what it was, but I didn't think much of it." You look at her, waiting for a 'just kidding'.

A just kidding that doesn't come.

"If you don't want to do this, I can go in myself, but-" You cut her off before she finishes the sentence.

"I'll do it." You blurt out. "You've been a better parental figure to me than my actual parents. We still have a week to train, right?"

"That's the spirit!"

---

Another week passes quicker, and you get to train yourself a bit more under the mentoring of the witch lady.

The evening before you're teleported, Naoya visits your place.

"Honey, Naoya's here to see you." Witch lady quietly reveals. "Do you want to use him for energy?"

"Why not? Might as well use him once." You shrug.

"You'll be able to explore what makes your energy increase by a wide margin, and what doesn't work as well for you." Witch lady yawns. "I personally like soft stuff, but I've met people who regain energy with really rough stuff."

"Maybe if he's in the game, I'll be able to find him and use him more." You suggest, only to see your mentor shaking her head violently.

"Whatever you do, do not get wrapped up in the Zenins. They don't view female pleasure as important, they're terrible lovers and you'd likely be locked away just to be a healer." Witch lady objects.

"Okay, I'll stay away from the Zenin name." You nod, thinking to yourself that you already wouldn't want to marry into the Zenin clan with Ranta showing what he was like.

"Well, do you want me to send Naoya up to your room?" Your mentor asks.

"Go ahead." You nod. "And could you watch for me, in case he does something I don't consent to? I'd rather not use my technique to kill a Zenin."

--

Naoya wasn't an affectionate lover, but you were desperate to keep your family from being massacred by the clan.

See, your father was in serious debt to the Zenin clan, and it didn't help when your father made a drunken accusation of Naoya's sexuality. It wasn't anyones business, but he decided it was a good time to make fun of Naobito's favourite son.

Safe to say, a few of the Zenins wanted to kill your dad. Sobered up, he writes a proposal for you to be lent to Naoya - his only daughter - without asking you for consent.

Of course he wouldn't - who would fall itno debt with the Zenins of all people?

Naobito agrees to the contract, and the whole thing is resolved behind closed doors.

His freedom in exchange for yours.

Naoya had been away for a mission more often than not, and you only had intercourse with him once. That time, nothing took. Naoya didn't seem to be into you - probably seeing your dad whenever he looked at you.

It comes down to the doctor sitting you in a meeting with Naoya, Naobito and a few of the other higher ups.

You knew they were going to be discussing your failed contract.

"_ Zenin is yet to bare children. As of this date, it is the first year anniversary for the couple." The doctor blankly states, the candlelight flickering menacingly in the room.

"So... how was your medical report regarding the woman?" Naoya tuts. "Bet her eggs are all dried up like her dad's fucked up liver."

"...she is a healthy woman, capable of having children according to my assessment." The doctor responds.

"...so what do we do?" Naoya asks. "I don't need a deadbeat fathers useless whore of a daughter." Naoya crosses his arms, uncrossing them after Naobito nudges his arm.

"...I have an idea." A voice cuts through, the candle getting a second life to it. "I'd be happy to try."

"Ranta, you can't fuck my wife and claim my child as yours." Naoya spits out.

"Then i'll wait for 9 months, just to reassure you that she isn't pregnant." Ranta responds, eager to take you.

"...get the paperwork ready." Naobito shrugs. "And _, you will not be returning home. Your father as officially taken your name out of hia clan name."

"If I may speak," you start, Naobito urging you to continue. "What will happen if i don't bear a child at all?"

"Simple - exile." Naobito states. He dtands up, clapping his hands together before leaving. Everyone else trickles out, bwfore it's just you in the room.

You look at your knees, thinking of where you went wrong. Maybe you should have been even more clingy with Naoya, but that didn't work with him as he would shove you off him. Maybe you should have smiled more? Nah, that creeped him out.

Maybe you should have made a run foe it the moment the car door opened.

--

Ranta was really kind to you. He was likely just being nice to you, probably seeing how desperate you were to succeed. It was only a matter of time before you get kicked out, he was buying you time.

On month 2, people knew about your situation. The Zenins made it known to everyone you were now Ranta's wife. You were assigned to work at Ranta's section of the estate, which partially involved serving lunch after they trained in the morning.

One scrawny man had been trying really hard, and you niavely thought he just needed a drink of water. Turns out, he was distracted looking at the infamous wife who failed to get impregnated. You give him the water you poured, and that's when you see your mistake.

Up close, you see a hint of lust in his eyes. Eyes widening, you run out of the fear of being claimed by anyone other than Ranta or Naoya. This was not in your contract, and you were not about to find out the consequence of adultery.

"Come back, bitch. Can't you see my friend needs you?" The man asks, you didn't need a degree to know he was talking about his penis.

Disgusting.

You run past Ranta, who waved warmly at you before showing concern upon seeing you running away from one of his trainees.

You keep running, and you hear a thud behind you before an agonizing scream comes from behind you. You stop in your tracks, recognising it was from the man chasing you with his dick in his hand.

"Stop - i-i did, wait don't-" the scrawny guy stutters out pathetically.

"Dear, please keep your eys away from what I'm about to do." Ranta requests.

You don't have to ask for clarification.

Not when you can somewhat tell from the noises of struggle going on behind you, and the existing idea that the man chasing you was readying his cock.

The man's heaving from the pain, Ranta only going further in a fit of rage. It sounds like he's squeezing the life out of the poor bastards member.

"Uh..Ranta, isn't this too far?" You ask, itching to turn around to snap Ranta out of his fury.

"Hear that? My lovely wife is asking you for mercy." Ranta spits, releasing his grip that was uncomfortably holding a testicle, part of the shaft and the tip. There was no doubt there was going to be damage.

The man gets onto his feet, spattering out pathetic thank yous to you before Ranta kicks him in the nuts one last time. The man keels over, throwing up at the impact in combination with the prior incident.

--

"Ranta, you're going to get in trouble." You whisper. "I just needed to run for long enough to-"

"You're my wife. People should know you're off limits." Ranta sighs, gesturing for you to join him in his quarters.

"W-wait, i thought we had to wait until month 9." You whisper, walking into the entrance of his room as he closes the door behind you.

"That's only for breeding." Ranta states. "Its specifically outlined in the contract as impregnation."

Ranta turns to you, a glimmer in his eye.

"But that doesn't mean we can't do other things to keep ourselves occupied."

"But what if I don't show signs after the end of the year contract?" You ask, causing Ranta to laugh.