#beldaruit x apprentice!reader

˗ˏˋ ★ ― QIFREY ‼

The whole day was gloomy and dark. It was pouring cats and dogs outside and the ugly cold from was seeping into the atelier. Of course, Master Qifrey made sure to light up the fireplace, the fire battling the distraught atmosphere that the weather brought on.

While no-one was outright upset in the atelier, everyone felt a bit down with the ongoing dark sky and heavy rain. Especially one apprentice, who was currently sitting at the living room table.

Qifrey, like a right master should, tried to bring some comfort to all of the inhabitants of the house. He made sure to brew a calming chamomile tea and bake some sweet cookies. Doing rounds around the atelier, carrying trays of cups of tea and some plates with the cookies to all the apprentices.

One plate and a cup even made its way to Olruggio's room, who, despite feeling grumpy about being interrupted, welcomed such a sweet treat. One last delivery remained, which was you.

Your dear master knew you were studying in the living room, right next to the cozy, warmth-bringing fire that soared in the hearth. You were a very studious apprentice, eager to learn new spells. And such hard work should be rewarded!

He decided that he would sit with you and share the cookies and tea. Sure, perhaps there was an ulterior motive of getting you to take a break, but who cares? As long as your tummy is filled with sweets and your mouth is smiling, all is good.

"There you are, darling! Still studying, hm?" his soothing, and quite enthusiastic, voice comes from behind you. He comes around you and crouches down.

He hummed as he pushed some of your papers to the side – naturally, he did it gently, to make sure he didn't ruin your work. Qifrey lays the tray onto the table and looks up at you.

He finally had the chance to take a good look at you. Your slightly furrowed eyebrows, your scrunched up nose and the everlasting bites you administered to your fingers. A small frown of his own came onto his face.

"Darling, won't you even look at me? You're studying way too hard," he offered a small smile, but a hint of worry could be heard in his voice. His face softened further once you did look up at him, all confused. "Hi, there. I brought some snacks. I thought we could share them together," he reaches out and pinches your cheek.

Finally broken out of your daze, you look at the plate of cookies. Oh. Sweets!

"Um, sure, I just... I need to...," you mumble as you look back onto your paper. One spell was giving you a hard time. Or perhaps, more like your hand was. Why was it so wobbly? You unconsciously bring your hand back to your mouth, biting away at your nails once again.

"Ah, ah! Don't do that, sweetie," Qifrey immediately reaches out and gently cups your hand with his, blocking it from your mouth, "Biting yourself like that... you will hurt yourself. I can't let you do that, now can I?"

Seeing your furrowed brows he softly chuckles, more out of worry than anything else. "You're biting your hand while you're anxious. It's quite common, don't you worry. But I cannot just let you damage your pretty hands like this!" he tried to ease the atmosphere a bit, just to make sure you don't feel scrutinized.

"Um- But... I...," you slowly look down at your hand. You did bite it quite a lot. Your nails were quite ruined and uneven. A little "oh" escapes your lips at the sight, but a cookie is quickly pushed into your hand.

"Here, eat up! Your Master knows just how to help you," Qifrey ruffles your hair and gets up, leaving you to munch on your cookie. And you do, eating the sweet treat. In the end, you did like them. You weren't so focused on studying anymore.

After a couple of minutes, as you're sipping on the tea, Master Qifrey comes back carrying a small trinket. You promptly look up at him as he sits down next to you.

"Look here, darling. It's a chewing toy. You can bite this instead of your fingers, okay? It will save your hand and your teeth as well," he proudly shows you the chewing toy. It was mostly flat, cut out into the shape of a bunny.

Qifrey looks at your face as you observe the toy, taking it up into your hand carefully, turning it around to inspect it.

"Go on, try it out," he encourages you. With a glance up at him, you bring the toy to your mouth and try biting into it. It wasn't bad at all. Soft enough to partially sink your teeth into it, but hard enough not to bite through it.

You hum before you completely get lost in the sensation. Biting and chewing on the toy.

Qifrey smiles at the sight. You were so cute. Quite like a teething puppy. With a kiss to your head, he leaves you to your ministrations, happily sitting next to you, enjoying his tea while you enjoy the new toy.

˗ˏˋ ★ ― OLRUGGIO ‼

It was no use. Olruggio was trying, he really was, but the sheer inability, of the man before him, to listen and actually understand what Olruggio was telling him, was driving Olruggio mad. He loved to help people, but sometimes, the Unknowing weren't quite understanding of the fact that Olruggio really couldn't bring them the stars from the sky.

"Listen, I understand what you want, sir. But I'm not able to just... magic such a thing out for you. I would be very happy to take on a commission for you, but I'm afraid that I just cannot do it today," Olruggio tried once more, hoping for a miracle.

He could feel your small hands gripping his cloak. Understandably so. The tall man in front of Olruggio was quite loud and a bit aggressive.

This wasn't what Olruggio planned. He wanted to take his apprentice out to the nearby villages for a field trip, to show you more hands on magic. And to also show his life out of the commissions he gets paid for. But quite a rich man – some noble of some sort, was very adamant about getting Olruggio to create an illusion of the night sky on the ceiling of his child, that he could just freely turn on and off for the night.

"Well, you're a witch, are you not? I know you're able to do it, so why don't you just go and do it?" the tall man basically growls at Olruggio, getting more and more agitated.

Olruggio sighs. He didn't want to subject you to more of the aggressive demeanour of the man. While he would like to prepare you for inappropriate and very pushy customers, so you were able to stand up for yourself, he knew this wasn't the right situation.

Your master glanced at you. He could feel your grip on his robes tightening, he could see the slight shiver to your stance and the way you were chewing at your coat.

"Right. Sir, I'm not able to do it today. It's too late. I must go take care of other things," Olruggio puts on a very unconvincing smile, "Here, take the card. You can write to me for a commission!"

He doesn't let the man repeat his demand. Olruggio simply picks you up and leaves. Very quickly. As he rushes through the streets, trying to find a quiet spot, he keeps on glancing at you. You were still chewing on your robes. What was that all about?

Soon enough, he finds a back alley with a bench. With a sigh of relief, he sits you down on it.

"Unbelievable! These mo-... These men are quite insane!" Olruggio groans as he rubs his eyes, crouching down in front of you.

You were still very anxious. That man was so mean. And as a result, you kept on chewing at the neckline of your cloak, trying to self-soothe. Olruggio looks up at you.

"Oi! Stop that. You're gonna ruin your cloak," his hand tugs the fabric out of your mouth. He watches, quite worried, as you seem to get even more nervous.

"...Uh... you alright, sweetheart? What's wrong?" Olly lets go of your cloak, and rather puts his hand onto your cheek, cupping it gently. "...you didn't like the guy, did ya?" he softly hums, his face turning bit solemn.

The shake of your head and your teary eyes stirs something in Olruggio's chest. You were his apprentice, he loved you dearly. And seeing you so distraught because of a man made him angry, upset and worried all at once.

"Com'ere, sweetheart," his voice drops down into a comforting murmur as he picks you back up, letting you bury in his neck, "Shh, it's quite alright. Master Olruggio won't let anything happen to ya."

Olruggio's body was naturally quite warm, and you could feel that even though his clothes. It was so comforting to hide yourself in him. But even so, you still felt scared and you couldn't stop yourself from chewing on his cloak.

Your master noticed that almost instantly, making him frown. What was up with you?

But as he keeps on watching you, he slowly starts to realise that this wasn't really a one off thing nor a new one. He did see you chew on various objects many times. It's probably a coping mechanism or something like that.

Olruggio wasn't sure what to make of it. He hasn't been around children much, other than Qifrey's apprentices and none of them had such a habit. But he was your master and he would take care of you. Always.

"Hey, dear, you keep on doing... that... bitin' stuff, I mean. Could you tell me why?" he asks, trying to see if he could just simply get the answer out of you.

"I... I don't know...," you mumble, letting go of his cloak and pushing your face back into his chest. It was dumb, wasn't it? He already told you to stop.

"Must be an unconscious thing then," Olruggio mumbles to himself, frowning a bit in thought, "Well... suppose it calms ya down, no? You like to bite stuff? Get like a... need to do it, sweetheart?"

A calm, quiet atmosphere of care settles around you two, easing your worries and making you nod.

"Ah... I see. How about this? Master Olly will make ya somethin'. Somethin'... soft, hm? So you can bite something else than your cloak. Otherwise you'll be out of cloaks. All of them will be bitten through!" he plants a tiny peck to your nose before he begins walking, "Don't worry now, sweetheart. It'll take ya home now. No use standing here, waiting for that pest to come find us."

˗ˏˋ ★ ― BELDARUIT !!

Beldaruit was an old man now, having to deal with many apprentices and many people over so many years But still, even after years of work, he could never stop being fond of seeing his apprentices focused on their work.

It was something so sweet and so adorable to him. How their brows creased a bit, how their eyes narrowed, how they seemed to be absolutely unaware of their surroundings. Really, the sight reminded him of a little kitten trying to focus hard on learning how to hunt.

Beldaruit was smiling ear to ear as he observed you. He meant to do a few other things, but seeing you curled up above your paper, trying to figure out a new spell was something dear to him.

As you racked your brain, attempting to create a very new spell, you brought the ending tip of your pen into your mouth. You wanted to impress Beldaruit, or at least gift him something he'd like. But you weren't quite sure what it could be. An illusion of a dragon? Or perhaps flowers made from pristine ice? Or...

Beldaruit's face softens into a look of exasperated love. He has seen you chew on your pen a lot. You do it... quite often.

He takes up his notebook and his pen, quickly scribbling a spell. A delicate bird of light comes to life, flying around the room. After a few turns, the bird flies towards you, straight into your nose, bursting into soft and tickling particles.

You jerk your head back at the unexpected, but not hurtful, assault by the bird. Your head turns to your master after a beat.

"There you are, sweetling," Beldaruit practically coos at you when he sees the light flush of your cheeks, "My, my. How cute you are... come closer, would you?"

"No way!" you immediately protest and plant your palms against your cheeks, "You're just gonna pinch me again!"

"Ah! Such hardships I face! My dearest little student doesn't even want my affections now! What will I do?" he dramatically sighs, but even in his flare, he couldn't stop the small chuckle bubbling out of him.

"Don't you worry, I won't pinch you if you do not wish me to, dearie. But even so, won't you come to me?" he beckons you closer with a soft smile.

Your hands slide off your cheeks, but with an indignant little huff you get up and walk to his horned chair. Beldaruit reached out to pet your head gently. What? He might not pinch you, but he couldn't just ignore such a cute baby like you!

His other hand comes to yours, tenderly taking your pen out of it and rotating it around. The bite marks were prominent on the wooden handle.

"Oh, my sweetling, have you been starving?" your master jokes as he turns the pen in his hand once more before looking at you. You blushed even more. He often teased you about this habit.

"Hm... are your teeth okay? Tell me, have you chipped any of them?" Beldaruit's soft hands cupped your cheeks. While he liked to joke around, there was a very real wordy in his heart for your health.

Your embarrassment slowly left your body as you see his kind expression. When he sees the shake of your head, a sigh full of concern leaves him. His lips set a kiss to your forehead.

"Your master has something better than wood for you!" he offers you a smile as he pulls out a wrapped candy for you. You don't wait even a second before you take the candy. Very happy to eat it.

Beldaruit couldn't help himself, he plants another kiss to your head before inspecting your pen one last time.

"My darling, Master Bel will have to take your pen for a while. I'll get the handle changed out," he says, his voice filled with fondness, "I think we can get you some teething guard on it too."

"I don't need a teething guard! I'm not a baby!" you instantly perk up, glaring at the old man. Such a view made Beldaruit chuckle. Weren't you just the cutest thing ever?

"Ah, I suppose no, not when we're talking about your age... but, sweetling, did you know? You're my baby!" he coos at you, his finger caressing your cheek, "And, my darling apprentice, you mustn't be so embarrassed. I didn't mean to offend you. I just thought that... well, since I, surely, won't get you to stop biting your pen, I might as well make sure it doesn't hurt you."

Another indignant huff leaves your mouth, which in turn makes Beldaruit smile widen.

"Ah. I get it. I won't force you to have it. I just thought it might ease the strain on your teeth, dearie," his hand finds your head once again, ruffling your hair, "Don't be mad at me, my sweet apprentice, I truly didn't mean to offend you."

"Well, I... I don't know! I'm not... I don't think about doing it," you mumble, tugging on your robes.

"That's fine. Truly, it is. I do not mean to chastise you, sweetling. Your biting habit is nothing to be embarrassed about. Forgive this old man, he teases you way too much," Beldaruit's face turns apologetic, "I won't do such a thing anymore. Come, show me your spells and I'll give you more candy. Would you like that?"

With a little puff to your cheeks, you give him a nod. Taking his hand you gently pull him towards your desk, and he gladly follows, giving your hand a comforting squeeze.

You gather your papers and hand it to him. A natural smile comes to Beldaruit's lips. Checking the work of his students was another activity he loved. Watching them grow and better themselves made his heart clench with pride.

As you master happily looked through your work, your eyes fall onto your pen on his chair.

"...Master Bel...? And... the- the teething guard, how would it look?" you whisper, your hands finding your robes again. Your head lowers, hiding from Beldaruit's eyes.

"Oh... probably just some soft material wrapped around the tip of your pen, that's all. Or perhaps just making the whole tip from a softer material. We can go to the pen maker together, how about that, sweetling?" his voice was a soothing sound to your ears.

Your sheepish nod earns you a firm kiss to your forehead.

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When one was underwater, it was hard to tell what the sky was up to. It didn't matter if it was storming or if there wasn't a cloud in the sky. When you were in the Great Hall, you hadn't a clue of it.

So far down, at the bottom of the sea, everyone was far too isolated from the free clouds above.

In the stone maze that the Great Hall was, the coldness of the water seeped into the walls. It clawed it's way deeper, even if most of the witches didn't notice.

Many of your books mentioned the weather. How it acts, how it changes, how it feels. Even how it affects the people living. Could it affect the witches here too? Could the rain above form the sadness in people's minds here?

Could it be raining now? Could it be that's why you're sad?

This perpetual sadness seemed to settle deep into your bones. It became an inseparable part of you. As if it was crawling through your veins, nestled in the pores of your spongy bone tissue.

It felt as if you were melting into your bed, laying there for so long. You thought of doing something. Your spells, work, reading... something. But you couldn't. Physically you could, but not mentally. Something was keeping you tied to your bed.

"Sweetling!" Beldaruit's joyful voice comes from behind your door, "Your dear master is here!"

You didn't even have to get up, the old man's sand illusion let itself in, opening the door and jumping inside.

"I was wondering if you want to come with me to the plaza. Master Bel would buy you some sweets in the cafeteria too!" he beams as his goat horned chair carries him closer.

Beldaruit often wanted to bring you out of your room. Lately, you wished he'd just leave you alone. What were you supposed to do at the plaza? Eat some sweets? You didn't want a cake.

"No... I... you can go without me," you mumble, bring your blankets closer to yourself.

"...hm. You don't want to go? But, sweetling, it will be fun!" the old man tries again, reaching his hand out to you. With his touch, he tries to soothe you and bring you out of your cocoon.

"No, I'm tired," you huff sharply, burying yourself deeper into the blankets. Of course, since your face was pushed into your pillow, you couldn't see the way Beldaruit's face fell. But you could hear the soft sigh he let out.

"...very well, my dear. If you're tired, get some rest. Please. You will feel better afterwards," that joyful voice of his came back, with a little quiver to it, "Master Bel will still buy you something, don't you worry!"

When you didn't reply, his illusion took a step towards your door.

"Sleep well, little one," he whispered as he left, the door closing after him.

Guilt swirled in your heart, annoyance in your mind. Your master sounded so upset. But why should you feel guilty? You just didn't want to go out today. How is that bad?

The grip on your blanket tightened. It's not fair. You were just tired. It's fine if you don't want to go to a stupid plaza!

It was almost pitch black when you opened your eyes, safe for the soft outlines of your bed. Right. You must've fallen asleep.

A creak forms as you sit up. Dehydration pulled at your senses. Overcome with dizziness, you whine softly.

What time is it?

No matter.

Hunger twisted your stomach, but even in your near starved state, you didn't feel like getting up. Sitting like this was exhausting already.

And thus, you lifelessly flop down into the mattress again.

This felt miserable. Why were you like this?

Your stomach hurt so bad.

Pushing your face into your pillow didn't help. It didn't ease the ache in your stomach nor the mess in your head.

What was up with you?

Why were you like this?

Why did it have to be you?

"Sweetling...?" a soft voice appears in the room, sending you into a jolt. You almost instantly sit up and look behind you. A soft glow from the opened door seeps into your room. A silhouette of a certain man on a goat chair before you.

"...my dear... ah, I...," Beldaruit's voice hitched. It was probably the first time you heard it do such a thing. Sometimes it lowered, halted, but it never was so heartbroken.

"I- Master- You're back...," you let out the first thing that comes to tongue, trying to ease the awkwardness.

"Not soon enough it seems...," he said almost imperceptibly, "Here, my little love, I brought you dinner. You didn't come down when the kitchen called you."

The old man came closer, the chair's hooves clicking against the floor before he stopped in front of your bed. He reaches out to your bedside table, turning on the magical lamp, letting in a source of low light.

"Eat, sweetling. You must be starving," the voice still comes so softly as Beldaruit hands you the plate. He doesn't wait for you to protest, to give him the plate back. His chair turns and comes back to the door, not to leave, but to close them.

Your gaze falls down onto the dinner. It was one of your favourites. You could manage this, no? So, you take the fork and try to eat, try to ease your master's mind.

Beldaruit came back to you, watching you eat. It soothed his senses some, but his heart was still full of worry. As he watched you, he felt it spread more and more. How could he let this happen?

"My sweetling, I... I know you... you do not fancy talking about your feelings, to put it simply. But... you see, my little love, I cannot let this go on," his soft voice stammers, "You see, I am your master. And hence, I must take care of you. I am here for you. I am here, for your ails of any kind. Be it bruises, or heartache. Let your master treat your hurts."

Your throat tightened and your jaw tensed. Your mind went blank as your eyes promptly locked onto the plate. You could hear the loud beating of your heart.

A tender touch lands onto your upper back. Beldaruit's hand rubs small circles into you.

"My dear," a painful sigh leaves him, "I know... I know you do not like it, but please... please, talk to me. Even the smallest crumb."

Perhaps your hold on the fork tightened, but not for long, as Beldaruit reached out with his free hand and eased the utensil out of your hand. He waits for a moment, seeing if you look at him.

"Breathe, sweetling. Just breathe. In and out," your master hums as he continues his rubbing, "It's fine. I'm not trying to attack you. You're safe. In your bed. You needn't talk right this second. Let's take it slowly, alright? Hm? My little love?"

Naturally, at the loss of your grip on the fork, your eyes followed it to Beldaruit's hand. And from there, they jump up onto Beldaruit's face. Just for a second. But it was enough to see his kind, and a really concerned, face.

"Please, eat some more. I was only worried you were shutting down, sweetling. Here," his palm opens up again, "Could you try to finish your dinner? Please, for this old man?"

Something in his sweet voice made your head cave a bit, nodding to his request. The fork was put back into your hand. As you began to eat again, you slowly eased into the moment.

Silence fills the room. Beldaruit doesn't urge you on nor does he ask you anything. He lets you be for the moment, just making sure you actually fill your stomach.

"I am sorry, my little love, I didn't bring you any tea. Ah, seems your old man is getting forgetful. Will you forgive him?" he gently jokes while you put the empty plate onto your bedside table.

"...'s fine."

"...are you fine, sweetling?

"... yeah..."

Beldaruit's sigh echoes in the room.

"I am sorry. I... I see that I have made a lapse in my judgement. I mustn't allow you to deflect this. Because," he takes a deep breath,"my little love, you aren't fine at all."

The world came crashing down. There was oppressive pressure on your heart, making it pound so wildly. No. No.

Why must he do this? Why can't he leave it be. Why.

"But that's okay. You cannot simply be fine all the time. Sometimes, you cannot be fine for a long time...," Beldaruit lowers his voice, "It must feel so lonely, right? So wrong. But, please know, your papa is here. And he-... I would never turn you away at this time."

His hands slowly loop around your waist, delicately tugging you closer. Despite his small coaxes into his lap, your heartbeat doesn't slow.

"Please. Let me be the support you need, sweetling. No more running away, okay? My poor heart can't take it anymore," his words turn into a whisper once he manages to settle you down into his lap.

His slender arms encircle you. The hold is tight and firm, but not suffocating.

You couldn't resist anymore. Your face went straight into the crook of his neck. And, without even knowing really when, tears roll down your cheeks, pooling against Beldaruit's neck.

"Oh, my little love... do not hold it in anymore. Cry. Cry as much as you need. I'm right here," he sweetly shushes you, "Oh... my little baby. Your papa is right here."

"I- I-...," you try, but a sob rips out of you.

"...yes? Do not worry, sweetling. I'm listening. There's no judgement here."

"I just- I don't know, M-... It- I-," you choke on your own sniffles, your breath hitching like crazy, "I- I am just- so... so tired and- and just... not- not good..."

Your words were jumbled, shaky and very simple. But that's all Beldaruit needed. He understood.

He understood just how much this must've been affecting you. Being so lost in your own feelings that you couldn't even properly identify. You must've been so lonely. Isolated, even from him.

"Ah, shh, shh. Breathe," he softly says, caressing your head, "I know. It's so tiring, isn't it? But, listen to me, my little love, it'll be okay. You know why? Because now, I am here. Your dear master. And I will never let you fall so far from me ever again."

The cries and sniffles made your body weak. You couldn't even hold onto him properly as your body rocked at the force of your sobs. Your breath often faltered. It was shallow and many times disrupted by you choking on your own saliva.

Beldaruit kept on holding you close. Impossibly close. His hold didn't ease, not even a fraction. The caress to your head never ceased either. It was a rhythmic reminder of his care.

"Shh, shh... breathe, sweetling. Breathe. Deep breaths. We can't have you passing out now," he murmured, pushing your head just a tad to the side, yet still delivering a little peck to your temple.

Thankfully, your breathing managed to even out somewhat. It was a slow transition from the hysterical and shallow hitches into deeper breaths. Still quite affected by your cries nonetheless.

"Hmm... it's okay. It'll be okay. I'll make sure of it. And, to start off! We must get you some warm tea and into a soft bed. Preferably, my bed. I can't leave such a little sweet thing like you all alone tonight, can I? That would be cruel," Beldaruit whispers, trying to bring you out of your sobs, "Shh, shh. Papa will make it better."

The chair suddenly moves, carrying your master and you out of the room. It trudges through the hallways straight to Beldaruit's quarters. The chair doesn't rush.

A lullaby follows you both as Beldaruit hums you a low tune. His hand is everlasting on your head, still caressing you.

"Here we are. Ah, no, no. Don't cry anymore, sweetling. Here... Let me clean up your cute little face," your master takes a napkin once he reaches his bed, leaning backwards to check your face. He brings the napkin to your face, soothing your crying even more as he wipes your tears.

"There... all better, hm? Did your heart lift? Even if just a little bit?"

"Mhmm..."

"Ah, yes? Ah... my sweetling...," Beldaruit is almost breathless, hearing your voice once again, outside of your sobs felt like a victory. It relieved his worries immensely.

"Good! That's how it ought to be. Now, go. Into my bed. You know this part very well. Get cozy, my little love," he ushers you off his lap, "Master will make you some nice lemon balm tea!"

Obediently following his commands, you crawl off his lap and lay on the bed, worming your body underneath Beldaruit's cover. You turn your head and watch as he pulls out his tea set and within seconds brews you a cup of tea.

As if on cue, you pull the cover back, allowing your master to shift himself out of his chair and onto the bed. After a few adjustments, mainly straightening out his legs on the bed, he leans his back into the horde of pillows. You promptly cover him.

"Oh! Aren't you just the sweetest? Thank you, taking care of me when you should be relaxing," he plants a kiss to your head before he hands you the cup of tea.

The soft "thank you", that you give him, makes him beam even more. His smile was widening more and more as you calm down.

"That's better. All better now. See? Master Bel would never turn you away. Never," he hums and kisses your head again. He can't help himself.

The lullaby comes back. Your master hums you the tune while you drink your tea.

Gosh, your eyes were so heavy.

Beldaruit felt the mounting pressure to his side. He knew you were losing your consciousness. But he waited a few moments more.

And when he saw the cup tilting, he took it and put it away. His arm brought you closer.

"Sleep now, my little love. Your papa is here. And he isn't leaving," the words echo in your head as you fall asleep. A tender kiss to your forehead is the last thing you feel.

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