the moonlight shining through your window was what snapped you out of your work-induced exhaustion. face lain on the desk, hands resting under your chin, back aching from the uncomfortable position. you had taken on a commission that was much more work than you expected, keeping you awake much longer than you’d hoped.

qifrey tapping your shoulder, looking over you with a worried expression was what really woke you up. his face nearly met yours as his eyes burned into you with concern, squeezing your shoulder as you rise, miserable, from your nap.

“easy,” he coaxes as you rise urgently from your chair, your legs almost failing from the sudden movement. “you need to rest. it’ll still be here in the morning.” qifrey pushes, his hands holding yours tightly. “don’t overwork yourself.”

“i know, love,” you reply hastily, rubbing your eyes to shake the sleep out of them. “but i need to finish this.”

qifrey pauses, his lips pursing into a thin line. he watches your face, taking in the sunken skin of yours eyes complimented by a bruise-purple, the flush of your cheeks threatening sickness. “this isn’t about the work.”

you snort. “not really.” heaving a deep sigh, you try to sit back down; only for qifrey to pull you close to his chest to prevent you from reaching the chair. he plants a kiss on the crown of your head, muttering into your scalp.

“i know you don’t want my help,” qifrey digs, “but taking a moment to rest will only benefit you.”

‘that’s the problem,’ your brain counters, ‘if i rest now, i won’t accomplish anything. and i need to. i need to prove im not a worthless witch.’

“.. you wouldn’t understand,” your voice wavers slightly, your stern tone betrayed by the yawn that sneaks up on you, “.. i need to finish this.”

“you’re right. i don’t understand,” qifrey replies swiftly, and you yelp as he picks you up into a bridal carry. “but i understand that you need a certain amount of sleep to function.” your body doesn’t get the message, exhausted limbs seeping into qifrey’s hold despite your best wishes.

he carries you away from the desk and onto your shared bed, laying you gently on top of the covers. he gently undoes your robe, pausing as your skin is bared. “may i?”

you nod, head dipping as exhaustion teeters into your body. qifrey gently removes your clothes, letting them fall into a pile on the floor. for good measure, he picks you back up again and lifts the covers, letting them fall over you as your body treacherously relaxes onto the mattress.

“goodnight, my love,” qifrey whispers, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. he winks out the candles, undoing his own robes so he can climb into bed with you.

almost as an afterthought, qifrey teases; “if i feel you getting up to go work before the sun rises, i won’t make you tea for a week.”

“… you wouldn’t,” you reply with no real bite to it, the soft blanket and safety of being near qifrey making your eyelids heavy. he laughs, breathy, and lays his arms over your torso. “don’t underestimate my commitment.”