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you-know-honey · 6 months

Note

Idk if you write for copia it if ur requests are open but could u write copia x fém!reader where they go ta a bar and they get into an argument or something and reader ses copia kissing some girl or some and reader gets really mad? I hope u get what I mean idk how to explain it

Oh, I think I understand what you're saying, I usually don't write dramas because they get out of hand, but I love tea, so let's spill some on the carpet ;) (I hope you like it even with the slight change, sorry for the delay)

Tower of Cups

Copia x Fém!reader

Resumen: Even nice guys turn into jerks with the right amount of ego.

Word Acount: 5589

Warning: This might hurt your heart, reader.

The lights in your study were the only ones on in that part of the abbey, your index fingers and thumb were red from so many wounds with the needle and you had bled more than once. The moonlight crossed the huge window behind you and distorted your shadow, you sighed tiredly and passed the needle over the beautiful light blue fabric again, you raised your gaze to the photo on the desk and smiled, gaining strength again.

The candle next to the painting showed Copia smiling goofily with a small rat on his shoulder and you giving him a kiss on the cheek, something that made Copia blush, absolutely happy. That motivated you to continue embroidering each of the details by hand, you wanted it to be perfect for your beloved now Papa.

For weeks you had been finishing Copia's second papal suit, every detail counted and you wanted it to be perfect, as he deserved.

You hadn't been able to be present the night he was promoted to Pope, something you clearly regretted. Since that night they had barely seen each other, he spent all his time busy and away from the Minister. That made you sad, you knew that with the new position would come new responsibilities but were there so many that he couldn't stop for even a second?

Several nights you waited for him in his room but he did not arrive, you even baked a cake to celebrate but when it began to dawn you knew that he would not arrive and the rats simply took advantage of it more, they were thin and dirty as if Copia had not fed them for some time . Something strange about him, you wanted to ask him for explanations but the opportunity was never given due to his absence.

That whole situation was breaking your heart, you missed walking through the abbey holding his hand, seeing him try on his suits and looking at him excitedly, playing video games together or simply listening to him practice songs. You missed that sweet man, now you only looked at him through photos and he looked intimidating, like Cardinal he was sweet and tender but like Papa it was as if his sweetness had evaporated. You didn't want to think about everything that had changed but every day it became more obvious the abyss that was beginning to form between the two of you.

You glanced at your phone, 2:15 AM and no message from Copia.

You gave in to fatigue and left the palia on the table with the needle still embedded in the fabric, you grimaced when you saw the damage on your hands, they stung like an open wound. You didn't like this strange silent treatment on Copia's part, the loneliness in the abbey was eating you alive. You were tired of having to wait for him to approach you again, his silly silent treatment had you fed up, if he wanted to avoid you he wasn't going to succeed.

"Because..?" You murmured to the darkness as if it were going to give you the answer. And maybe he did.

The white light and the roar of a car engine cut the raw silence. You knocked over the small wooden bench as you stood up and rushed against the window, a 1933 Bentley parked in the driveway, a ghoul got out of the driver's seat to open the door. You held your breath in your lungs as you grabbed your coat and ran out of your study, jumping the steps three at a time until you reached the first floor and rushed to the door. You exhaled the air, and waited anxiously like a puppy for the door to open.

"Y/N? What are you doing here?" Asked Sister Imperator, who appeared at the door, she looking really tired.

"Oh I…I thought…it was someone else.." You responded disappointed, you really wanted to see Copia walk through that door but once again he wasn't there. You gave Sister a small bow and stepped aside so she could pass.

The woman walked and she stopped in front of you, letting the cold sneak in a little and chill the inside of your lungs. Looking outside you could see Mountain taking Sister's belongings down and passing them by to take them to the main office and Sodo waiting leaning against the car.

"Were you expecting someone else?" I ask you, with that insightful look.

"Yes…" You sighed, taking some courage from your gut to look the woman in the eyes. "I thought Papa Emeritus IV had arrived. He must be very busy, right?"

"Oh" he laughed a little "Of course, the Clergy has him very busy" you felt like he was laughing at you for your innocence of something you didn't know about. "Well, good night."

Sister placed her hand on your shoulder and gave a light squeeze, then retreated, until all that was left was the echo of her footsteps on the stairs.

You looked back at the car, Sodo was getting into it again, maybe to leave it in the garage. You bit your lower lip indecisively, normally it was necessary to notify each time someone left, you will receive a reprimand for leaving like that but…

"Fuck everything" you clutched your coat to your chest and closed the Minister's doors behind you, hurrying down the small steps to get to the car that was restarting its engine "Sodo!" You knock lightly on the window.

The engine turned off again and the window rolled down, the ghoul had a clear grimace of displeasure. "What?" I ask annoyed.

"Do you know where Copia is?" He sighed and nodded "Would you take me with him?" I asked him in the best tone you could muster in the face of his sour attitude.

"Ha!" He mocked, baring his fangs in a grim smile. "What makes you think I'll take 'overtime' for you?"

"It could be your good deed of the year" his face said it all, it didn't seem like a big deal to him, you cleared your throat you didn't like using blackmail but you really needed to know where he was "If you don't take me to Copia I'll tell him to Sister Imperator about your loving relationship with a certain ghoul" You threatened firmly.

Sodo's back straightened and her mouth fell silent with little "You wouldn't be able to," she spat the words in your face. Baring his fangs just like a predator.

"Try me," you murmured, moving closer to his mask. You kept your gaze steady and as strong as you could.

"Ahg" he complained angrily and hit the steering wheel "Get in at once"

Smiling, you crossed in front of the car and opened the passenger door. "No, no," Sodo said mockingly, your brow furrowed "Your game, my rules," he pointed to the back seats.

"Whatever" you rolled your eyes and pulled the passenger door to open the back one, you sat down and closed the door.

Sodo started the engine again and abruptly turned around and left the Ministry roundabout driving like a maniac, on purpose. He would take you to the place, if you arrived unharmed it was not his problem, plus he was not at all happy to follow orders from someone as low-ranking as you, a simple dressmaker. You hit your head a couple of times against the glass and your face slammed into the seat in front of you. In your mind you couldn't stop cursing Sodo.

Thinking that the place where Copia met with the Clergy must be quite serious, something simple but denoting some importance. But that wasn't what greeted you when Sodo slammed on the brakes.

"You've got to be kidding me…" you mumbled as you looked out the window.

In front of you stood a huge building, the loud music made the windows of the first floor resonate, from the windows of the other floors that you could see, you could see flickering lights and dancing silhouettes, there was a huge line of people waiting to enter, girls with short satin dresses and heels of at least 13 cm. You got out of the car with your mouth open, this was not at all what you expected, a part of you felt anger ¿meetings? yes of course…

Sodo closed the door on his way out and stopped next to you.

"You weren't expecting this, were you?" He asked, the situation made him laugh.

"Not at all," you pressed your jacket closer to your body, feeling the judgmental gaze of some of the girls.

"Do you still want to come in?" Sodo ask you.

"Yes" you had many questions that had to be answered that same night or you would go crazy.

"Good"

Sodo took your wrist and made his way with surprising agility through the people, some were clearly complaining but no one stopped them, they reached the door and the security guard quickly recognized the demon.

"And her?" I ask as I see you become symbolically small after Sodo.

"She is a guest of Pope Emeritus IV." Sodo clarified, the guard hesitated for a few seconds but finally opened the door for them.

You wouldn't be lying if you said that you almost vomited upon entering, the air was intoxicated with cigarette smoke and marijuana, the music didn't let you hear your own thoughts, many bodies out of nowhere were rubbing against you and the flashes of light hurt your eyes too much. Sodo held her grip on your wrist as he walked through the horny crowd.

You didn't understand why Copia, your dear Copia would be in a place like that, he hated parties, he was a man of movies and blankets, who preferred to play with his tricycle before having a fairly formal dinner. This was not a place where the Copia you knew would want to spend his nights. What about his rats? From walks through the abbey? What about you, did he leave you because of all this?

Sodo takes you to the elevator, where there is a suspicious puddle of 'water' and some red panties, both of you avoid the puddle and personally avoid touching any part of the elevator.

"What is he doing here…" a bad feeling begins to bite your heart.

"I don't know, since he became Pope he's been here" Sodo responds, you hadn't asked expecting an answer but that only fueled your uncertainty.

Sodo marked the last floor, the doors closed and the music finally stopped being so loud, that was like a respite for you, as you passed through each floor you could hear different types of music and quite private sounds. You were absolutely uncomfortable with the whole situation but you still couldn't stop thinking about Copia, would he be as uncomfortable as you here?

On the top floor there was nothing but soft music and the murmur of many people, when the doors opened and all eyes fell on you and your outfit, so inelegant and in keeping with the situation, you stood out and not in a good way. The men in suits looked you up and down with disgust and the girls in tiny scraps of clothing that left nothing to the imagination whispered about you shamelessly.

No one asked questions, since I was accompanied by a ghoul, everyone thought that even though you were dressed terribly, you knew what was happening. Clear mistake.

"Okay, I'll leave you here" Sodo responded pushing you out of the elevator. "I'll wait for you in the car."

"No! Wait-" You turned quickly but it was too late, the doors had already closed and the screen above them indicated that it had started to go down. You turned around again, facing the situation, everyone had continued with their thing.

You took a long breath and began the search, shyly you made your way through the people, you felt some hands touch your butt and even squeeze it, you held back a scream so as not to make a fuss, reminding yourself that you were there for one reason only. The mixture of perfumes was beginning to overwhelm you, some strong, others sweet, you looked at a dark area, few people were there, there were tables with small desserts and a tower of wine glasses, you mixed with the people again and you arrived. You sighed, the search was resulting in failure but you didn't want to stop.

"Oh…dolcezza…" You heard someone sigh, you knew that voice, it was unmistakable in your head and that nickname…Copia used to call you that, but now you heard it in a dirty and erotic way.

You turned instinctively, between the small space that there was between one glass on the other you saw him, the most unmistakable man, his arms, his hair, his legs, his voice… You simply drowned out the worst scream of your life, your lips showed a grimace of pain and disappointment, the bad feeling was true and tore off a piece of your heart, mocking your foolish innocence, the air was beginning to run out of your lungs, your hands began to sweat and tremble. You wanted to become as small as an atom and simply disappear, but a first glance was not enough, your mind denied that that man was Copia.

Behind the wine glasses were small 'privates', rooms with comfortable velvet seats, dim lights and translucent curtains. Sitting in those comfortable seats was Copia, with his legs extended and his white silk shirt open, his chest stained with kiss marks from red lipstick, taking a little from the wine glass in his hand…as if he were the damned boss of the place. Your gaze went up to her face and the image broke your heart, you had to put your hand to your chest to make sure you were alive.

Copia's hair was messy, the makeup on his face was stained with red lipstick, including his lips as well. Oh sure, let's not forget about them, the same lips that had whispered romantic poems to you at night were now literally devoured in a fierce and passionate kiss with a half-naked girl who grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, surely to take him to more intimate terrain, he didn't seem upset or surprised or disgusted, he wanted her too, you could see the same carnal desire in his eyes as in hers.

Your stomach turned, determined to get out everything it had in it, your mind was broken looking for excuses for what you saw and your heart just kept bleeding in front of everyone. You ran a hand through your hair, that whole situation was too much for you, it drowned you like a stormy sea, the tears came out of your eyes without stopping and cut your cheeks like razors, then something saved you, the only feeling that can help a person broken heart, the only feeling that is stronger than love. The wrath.

Your face changed completely, it hardened, you wanted to see how much of a 'boss' he was in front of you. You raised your leg and pushed the table on which the wine glasses rested, as was logical the table overturned and each of the glasses crashed on the floor, shattering and spilling their contents on your targets.

The noise caught the attention of everyone who turned to look at you, not understanding what the hell was happening. The girl on Copia's lips walked away exalted and screamed in surprise, both were covered in wine and this did not please Pope IV at all.

"Who the fuck did this?!" He exclaimed, standing up annoyed, you laughed, as if he could hurt anyone.

"I did it, cause any problems Papa Emeritus IV ?" you uttered with complete confidence, arms crossed.

“Y-Y/N” he stuttered, your name in his mouth sounded like an insult, it was no longer worth saying. He froze in her place, completely pale, the same color as the white of her makeup, you saw his Adam's apple rise. He looked like a child who had been caught in a mischief. With the difference that he was a man and his 'mischief' had a name and maybe 20 years younger than him. "Wha-what are you doing here?" He tried to get closer but the step back you took made it clear that you didn't want him close.

You held your tears in your chest, if anyone was going to be ridiculed it wouldn't be you "I just wanted to know where you were spending your 'busy' nights. I guess you were having a great time with the paperwork" you looked at the girl behind him, your anger not it was with her, but you couldn't help but feel some resentment.

"You shouldn't be here, this isn't a place for girls like you." Copia tried to get closer but the disgust and disappointment in your gaze froze him.

You had never looked at him that way, from below, with that distance in your gaze. He had opened a chasm between them now.

You were amazed by the coldness with which he said those words, as if you were his subordinate. "You're right, I shouldn't be here. I've already seen everything I had to see… Have fun." All the eyes on you were beginning to bother you and as you watched the scene your strength began to diminish.

You turned on your feet without saying anything hugging yourself, the crowd made way for you towards the elevator. You didn't feel yourself, as if this were just a cruel scene from a movie, as if nothing were real, but the image of Copia's lips on that girl's made fun of all the beautiful moments they had had together and buried the razor of deepest pain in your chest. The doors and the splash under your shoes brought you back to reality, it was then, in the semi-solitude of that elevator that you overflowed, the tears continued to come and moans of pain pushed your lips, you shook your head, you wished everything was false.

He could hear the blood circulating through his body, frozen in place, he felt unable to look up, his nails were digging into the palms of his hands.

The night had started well. He felt like he had the world at his feet, he had seen Primo, Secondo and Terzo come to this place and be praised like gods, respected like true eminences. He had seen a pretty girl and felt all the security in the world to approach and ask to spend the night with her, he wasn't going to go beyond kissing, it's not like he had experience in the most private sphere, he had been flirting with girls all these days and he felt like he was on top of everyone in that place.

But seeing you there… seeing your face of disappointment, of horror… he felt dirty, like a really disgusting object, just another ordinary man, one of the same men you complained about when watching movies together. The kind of man he promised not to become.

"I wish there were more men like your Copia" he remembered that you told him "sweet and really good. Totally my type" at that moment you kissed him, it was technically his first serious kiss, he remembered your look, full of love and sweetness, as if you were looking an angel or the most beautiful being on earth.

But tonight he had ruined everything, he had become an idiot that you used to complain about and that you used to hate… Did you hate him now? What a fool. Of course you hated him now!

He came back to reality, the girl he was with was gone and people were just looking at him like he was crazy. He closed his shirt as if he had some modesty, it was sticky and completely ruined from the wine.

He wanted to excuse himself, to tell you some lie, something that would make you not look at him like you did, not talk to him like you did, he wanted everything to go back to normal, when you both spent time together and he received nothing from you other than affectionate kisses, smiles and charming looks. If I hadn't been avoiding you for being so immersed in those silly and pathetic power fantasy this would never have happened and I knew it. I didn't want to lose you. He knew that no one in the world apart from you would be able to truly love him, the universe had made it known to him millions of times.

He ran to the elevator but it had been called on another floor.

"Merda!" He said frustrated and ran towards the emergency stairs.

You made your way through the crowd, concentrating on one thing: getting out of that place as quickly as you could. When you opened the door, a pouring rain greeted you, Sodo was inside the car, he smiled at you but that didn't last long when he saw your distressed appearance, he quickly got out and approached you, you were pale and cold the touch as if you had received a stab.

"Damn, what happened?" He covered you with her jacket as they ran to the car, opened the passenger door and watched you get in, when he closed the door the tears came harder.

“Let's go home,” your tone was clearly distressed and brittle.

"By Satan, what did you see, girl?" She asked, he had never seen you in such a sorry state, your aura was crazy and it disturbed him. Someone had caused you extreme harm, to the point of hurting your soul.

"Sodo, I saw everything had to see." your voice wavered and you gripped the head of the seat in front of you, your body writhing in spasms, similar to physical pain. "Damn it, just drive!"

Sodo remained silent, you had never yelled at him, not even when you were upset, nothing compared to your current state. He recognized and started the engine, if you had a seizure he didn't want it to happen in the car. Unlike when he took you to the place, now he was driving carefully, fast, but at least this time your head didn't hit the glass. When you arrived at the Ministry, he couldn't even open the door, you did it yourself and ran in, your tears mixing with the thick raindrops.

He wanted to go after you, make sure you were okay, but at the end of the day he was a demon and helping you shouldn't be any of his business. Somewhat annoyed, Sodo took the car to the garage.

You closed the door tightly behind you, you thought about going to your room and crying and suffering covered with your blanket, but if Copia arrived it would be the first place he would look for you, if he did, you wanted him to do it. Then you hid in your study, it was the same as when you left it. The moon illuminated the mannequin with the suit that you had made with so much love and care for Copia, you walked towards the mannequin and simply collapsed on the floor, dragging with you the canopy that you had embroidered, you pressed it against your chest without worrying if the needle would break embedded in you, you simply cried as if your limbs were torn off part by part, you screamed as if your soul was tortured in heaven, you begged to wake up from that bad dream.

Because that man, the man you saw kissing another woman, the man who had cheated on you, that couldn't be Copia. You couldn't have fallen so deeply in love with someone like that, no, you refused to believe it.

But at the same time the evidence was there, you had seen it yourself, your dignity mocked you, on the ground and totally destroyed by a man. The one you thought would be the love of your life.

You stood up, dizzy and catching your breath. Your tears had stained the palia, you threw it as if it burned your hands, you looked at the mannequin, as if Copia was in front of you, you couldn't handle that, your studio was full of photos together, the mirror, your laptop, shit in damn wallpaper on your phone, you pulled the papal suit off the mannequin and crumpled it in your hand, instinctively grabbing a pair of scissors and bringing them closer to the suit.

"Shit!" You stopped. Even with what he had done you couldn't help but worry about him, your heart was still touched by the memory of how excited you knew he would have been when he saw the suit…now that beautiful feeling made you sick and you denied it. this at all costs. You threw the scissors on the ground, you hated yourself because deep down you loved him, the wound was recent but you still couldn't, you didn't feel capable of harming the things he loved, just as he hurt you, who he always said he loved.

"I can't stand this…" more tears flowed down your face, you walked over to the desk and grabbed a piece of paper, you traced word after word "I can't stay here" You continued writing as you cradled the suit he would once wear against your chest. The now worst love of your life.

He came running to the Ministry, completely soaked, his makeup disgustingly smeared all over his face, scared and agitated.

He climbed the stairs as fast as he could, one after the other and opened the door to your room, empty. The room was as always.

"Fuck!" He slammed the door shut “Y/N!” scream with despair "Y/N! Where are you? I promise, please listen to me!" I beg loudly through the hallway. His eyes looked everywhere nervously in search of the slightest sign of your presence. Then he remembered your study, the place where you both hid when your responsibilities overwhelmed you and you wanted to relax.

You heard the desperate running of shoes in the hallway behind your door, a chill ran through you completely. It was him, you were sure. You felt like easy prey for a slasher. You signed on the paper and folded it clumsily, turning in time to watch your door open violently and him, breathing hard, still holding the door with his hand, water dripping onto the floor and the black from his eyes sliding down his face.

"Y/N" he mentioned, catching his breath.

In other circumstances, seeing him like this, you would rush to help him, look for a dry towel, clean clothes, tea and makeup remover, you still wanted to do that. But the pain of betrayal numbed that affection.

You took the letter and stood up and walked slowly, he seemed amazed to now be you the one to approach him, Copia expected anything, screams, hits, something that she knew she deserved but that never came. He hated herself for having hurt you that way, your eyes were swollen and redder than ever, were glassy and your lips trembled in a sad grimace.

You shoved the papal suit and the letter against his chest, some resentment in the action. Your face hardened and you passed him by, you really felt faint but you didn't want him to know that he had hurt you so much.

"What..?" Copia uttered to himself.

"It was for you, both things are for you" you said turning your back to him, taking short, weak steps far away from him.

He quickly looked at the bundle of fabric and found a beautiful papal suit, his favorite colors were there, the embroidery was half finished but it promised a lot.

"You made it for me?" He asked, he felt even more of an idiot now than before, you working late on a suit for him and him, being rubbish around others.

"It was going to be your gift for becoming Papa. Congratulations by the way." You said bitterly and quickened your pace.

Copia quickly walked behind you as he opened the letter, then he saw the huge title that said 'Resignation' his legs gave out in surprise and he fell to his knees to the ground. The noise scared you so you turned to see the scene.

"No no no!" He shouted as he crawled towards you, stumbling sometimes over the papal cloth out of desperation, his voice was a plea "Don't leave me, don't do it. For Satan's sake, don't leave me alone, no, no, no" you were surprised, you had never done that before.He took advantage of the fact that you were stunned and took your hands in his that were trembling and were cold, he let his forehead fall on your hands "Hit me. Do it, hit me! Scream at me, do whatever you want with me but don't leave me, don't go. …I love you! I love you…" he told you between scandalous cries, opening his arms ready to receive a blow.

For a second you thought, he would have deserved it, but you wouldn't, you couldn't, you could never hurt him, not even when he did it first.

"Copia-" he didn't let you continue.

"Punish me, humiliate me if that's what you want. Please do something! Hate me, torture me with your resentment for the rest of my life! But don't leave her, I beg you, I beg you… don't leave me" he bowed in a full bow, placing his lips on the toes of your dirty shoes.

You didn't expect to see him like that, for he to act like that, under that desperation.

"I ruined everything, I know! Let me fix it. I'm not like the men you hate, I'll change, I'll do what you tell me to go back to being like before…happy"

You stopped him there, you couldn't see him humiliating himself before you like that, no matter how much he deserved it. You knew your heart, you would never be happy like before, because it doesn't matter if you fix a broken mirror, every time you look at your reflection you will see that the wounds are still there.

"Enough…" He can't hear you "Copia stop!" You shouted, grabbing and lifting his face with your hands. "Nothing will ever be the same again." You made it clear "You broke my heart! You cheated on me with every girl you ever crossed paths with, why?" you reproached him.

"I don't know…" huge tears fell from his cheeks, you hated seeing him cry but he deserved it.

"You don't know? I do know," you pushed him with your index finger. "Because you wanted to feel powerful, right? Like Secondo or Terzo. You ascend and then one woman wasn't enough for you."

"I… I'm sorry…" he murmured in a low voice before breaking down into more tears and clung to your torso "I change, I swear…"

"I don't believe you. That's the problem… I DON'T BELIEVE YOU ANYMORE" you took a step back, hugging yourself, you couldn't give in, although her touch and attitude made you doubt, the decision was made. "You're a fucking liar! Just like everyone else! An idiot, I'm not going to forgive you, I never would, you took my heart and my love for you and used it to enhance your stupid ego. Just like Terzo, Secondo and Primo. Just like Your father, you are just like him… A DAMN TRAITOR" Your words pierced him like daggers, wounding him to death, he remembered how his mother (Sister Imperator) cried every night next to his bed for his father. He had sworn never to be like that and now… he had hurt the woman he loved, the only person who had looked at him with pure love, knew that you were not like his mother, you would not stay.

"No…please…Y/N…please…" his voice was broken and you couldn't do anything but cry, he begged you, crawling close to you but you walked away as if it were a dog. "Forgive me."

"No, Copia I can't anymore…" you told him and you started crying again, you wanted to hug him, stay and just forget. But your heart would never do it. Someone would love him more than you, make him smile more than you and he would be the perfect man, but that was not your place. Not when he had ripped out your heart and trampled on your trust. "I'll leave tomorrow…Goodbye Copia"

"No no! I beg you…"you just couldn't stand it and you started running, away from him you heard his screams, his pleas for you to come back, his heartbreaking cries and what he called for you, broken.

He was alone in the hallway, clinging to the last thing he had from you, a suit and a letter. A photo slipped out of it that he had not seen when he opened it and seeing it destroyed him even more. It was when he was a Cardinal, with a rat on his shoulder and you giving him a kiss on his cheek, you had written some words back then.

'First photo with the love of my life. I love you C' and the date two years before, when the beautiful story had begun.

He pressed her against her chest until she wrinkled and covered her with tears. "I love you…"

...The End...

I hope you liked it, especially you, girl who requested it. I think it's obvious that the drama got out of hand, mercy please. This is my first time fulfilling a request.

#sodomizer ghoul #the band ghost #sodo ghoul #copia #cardinal copia #papa emeritus iv #copia x reader #ghost copia #ghost band #dewdrop ghost #copia emeritus #papa copia #angst #sad things #cry #copia ANGST #just pain #no happy endings

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bloodyyconverse · 10 months

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So like I personally believe Copia was horrified that his brothers died and he didn't want any part of it, nor was he approached about it, but like I've been considering the interpretation of the magazine photo where Copia himself beheaded Terzo.

(For context, Imperator is a full antagonist in our timeline because we love a spiteful bitch)

Copia has to do it and he's looking at his big brother, his closest friend, kneeling there before him and he feels the blade in his hands and he keeps making eye contact with Terzo and he can't.

If he does, he wakes up every single night in a cold sweat, if not just fucking screaming. Once during a ritual, years down the line, he can feel the warm blood soaking his sleeves and he almost passes out on stage. The ghouls recognize that distant look, the way his voice starts shaking and he glances toward his water and quintessence ghouls in a silent plea through cloudy eyes. It was in the middle of Mummy Dust this time. He could smell Terzo's blood again.

If he doesn't, he is intensely scolded by Imperator and she kills Terzo herself. She never lets C live it down, and he still has to live with the visual and the nightmares.

He can't ever get over Terzo quietly muttering that it isnt your fault, Copia, I dont blame you, you're not a bad person, we love you, Cardinal, I'm so sorry, as if he werent the one on death's doorstep.

Rain has found Copia sobbing at 2 am before because he dreamt of Terzo comforting him again.

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whenthehammerissquare · 8 months

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Thinking about how all Copia wanted as a Cardinal was to be respected. He told himself that if he was in power, he wouldn't let others be belittled for their eccentricities and encourage everyone to be as genuine as possible. Even after he became Terzo's replacement, he stayed true to himself, hoping this would be the first step to reforming that harmful mindset. But as Nihil's health declined and Sister Imperator insinuated that he could be the next to ascend to papacy, Copia changed little bits about himself to be a more desirable candidate. He wanted that power to do good and figured a little bit of change wouldn't hurt if that meant he could help others.

After he became Papa, however, the pressure of adhering to the precedent his predecessors set was far more powerful than he could have imagined. Primo had and unmatched pious devotion to the Clergy and the Ghost project in general. Secondo had an intimidating stage presence that could suck the air out of the room with a single glance. Terzo was an expert at engaging the crowd, drawing in an audience like no Papa ever had before. Copia felt as if he was lacking. Many saw him as a great performer, yes, but under qualified, with no niche other than being the "weird" one. He was the first Papa to not be of the Emeritus bloodline, according to Nihil anyway. Nearly everyone else knew that Copia was a bastard. A son whose father never accepted him, because doing so would mean accepting his failures as a partner. Once Nihil was dead, however, Copia (endorsed by Sister, of course) had no issue airing out Nihil's dirty laundry. He embraced being an Emeritus, but as he did so, he felt aspects of himself fall away.

A new name. A new wardrobe. A new face.

What happened to the Cardinal? What happened to the self-made man who managed to ascend the ranks of the Ministry without any blood ties? What happened to the man that could prove that even someone as awkward as he was could have a measure of authority? Was he even himself anymore? Was this new power he wielded making him forget why he even wanted it in the first place? Was his goal of acceptance being consumed by blind ambition?

This realization made him desperately cling to anything that connected him to his past. Juice boxes. Video games. Tricycle rides around the Ministry. Anything he could do that would have gotten him criticized for being childish. He was still the same Copia, right?

#the band ghost #ghost headcanons #he is my little meow meow im sorry #totally not projecting here nope #anyway im sort of writing a fic about this #cardinal copia #papa emeritus iv #ghost band #headcanon #copia #angst #copia angst

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terzosboyfriend · 1 year

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Fic is linked in my Caard!!!

#the band ghost #ghost bc #ghost band #papa emeritus iv #papa emeritus #cardinal copia #papa 4 #terzo is my boyfriend #papa emeritus 4 #chapter 16 #copia x oc #papa copia #copia #popia copia #copia is my husband #copia fanfiction #copia smut #copia angst

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leviathan-ghoul · 1 year

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currently writing a ghost fic involving a set of OCs from my friends and I.

it will involve the current and previous ghouls, along with a new lineup, but no new papa yet. Popia still holds his crown years into the future (in spite of how literally impossible that is… but let’s not think about that)

The prologue will help give some background—

the fic will be titled Living Within You, and I’m not sure how many chapters it will have.

There will be a lot of angst. Triggering topics will also be included— though I should remember to include those in a note before the fic itself.

You have been warned.

#nameless ghouls #the band ghost #aether ghoul #papa emeritus 4 #ghost sodo #sodo ghoul #OC fic #popia #cardinal copia #copia angst #ghost angst #angst

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ravenssilver · 5 months

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Maybe something with Phantom getting left out of dinner in the beginning? Started with someone intentionally or accidentally leaving his plate off, and he's too nervous to ask why he doesn't get one when Aurora does. He eventually stops coming to dinner, and someone starts to notice just how sickly, and dizzy the smaller ghoul looks because he's too afraid to ask for any food or take any yet

unfortunately this is is part one of two :( i got super caught up in writing a whole mini story, and i felt bad for taking so long, so here this is!

1.4k words of phantom being neglected because i can’t get enough of the heartbreak

cw: mention of body issues, phantom is nervous about being around the pack, small scene of phantom vomiting, i guess some of this could be seen as an ed? the ask is a good wrap of cws!

also, ‘quint’ is used in this instead phantom or aeon, and will likely be that way in the next part :)

under the cut, if you please<3

He didn’t have a name. At least, he hadn’t come up with one.

The others referred to him as Quint, just to get names straight among him and his summon buddy, Aurora.

He stared at the ceiling as he laid in bed, his eyebrows furrowed.

Aurora had a name. Did she pick it out? Or was it Cirrus and Cumulus? Why didn’t the others pick out a name for him?

He sat up with a sigh, feeling hungry.

He glamoured himself as best he could, only having enough of a grasp on the ability to hide the different color splotches in his skin.

As he walked out of his room and to the common area, he stared down at his arm which was buzzing with his quintessence induced glamor.

Aurora’s markings were beautiful. The subtle yet bright flows of pinks and purples and blues blended perfectly with her skin. The small swipes of green made her look like a perfect painting that had hours of detailed brush strokes put into it.

His markings just looked like splotches. Random globs of paint flicked at a canvas in a half-assed attempt to make art.

He wondered if Aurora ever tried to glamor away the markings of her skin. Surely not, as she was gorgeous. The colors of her skin showed her personality and her connection with confidence and self love. Her mental state flowed healthily through her skin, the beauty of security blending in with her vessel.

He sighed and dropped his arm back down to his side, trying to focus on his pack’s laughter just around the corner and the scraping of forks against plates.

His steps slowed for a moment.

Dinner had started?

Confused, the newly summoned ghoul sped up only to slow down again. He peaked around a corner, seeing his pack at the dining room table. All the chairs were full, all plates had someone behind them and were stacked with the delicious cooking of Swiss and Mountain.

Every chair was full. Every plate was stacked.

There was no space for him.

A little ball of anxiety formed in his stomach, making his quintessence spark. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion and he stepped around the corner and shuffled to the kitchen to fix himself a plate.

Though, he was quick to realize all the food prepared was on the table.

Mountain and Swiss had prepared a feast in celebration for the pack’s first dinner together. Dew and Rain had just returned from a small trip away with Copia for business, of course everyone would want to celebrate.

He looked at Dewdrop and Rain. He took in their appearances, memorizing his first in person encounter with them as he was simply used to seeing them over FaceTime.

His eyes traveled to Swiss and Mountain as he set his plate back in the cupboard.

Maybe they were just swept up in the joy of being reunited with their partners and that’s why they forgot to prepare a plate for him.

He nodded to himself and snuck out of the dining room.

That’s okay. He can eat leftovers tonight and he’ll have a plate tomorrow.

He sighed as he brought his fifth night of leftovers to his room. It was long after dinner, and it was long since the others had retreated to their rooms.

Tomorrow, he told himself, I’ll have a plate tomorrow.

He knew, deep down, that he had been forgotten. Of course he knew. Twice was an accident, a coincidence, maybe. Three times, if you had self respect, was a pattern.

But for the young quint, it was an accident.

It was an accident just like the fourth time, and now, this time.

He slowly ate his potatoes, his churning stomach fighting against every bite he took. He was lost in his thoughts, off in his own world of anxiety and the pain of knowing he was being left out of his own pack.

He hadn’t been able to keep food down when he realized that he had been forgotten. Every night he would eat a meal long after dinner, only to be bent over a toilet not long after.

He celebrated every bite he took and could swallow, having not been able to get this far the night before.

Though, his food was quick to come right back up when he heard Rain’s laughter in the next room over. He tossed his plate down and rushed to his bathroom, which wasn’t helpful since it was right next to Swiss’ room, which Rain was in.

He hurled into the toilet as Rain’s laughter continued, now accompanied by Dew and Swiss’. And once his stomach had no more food to send back up, it sent its own acid instead.

He felt like he was dying. He was light headed, his body was trembling, and his throat burned and felt like it was closing up. He sobbed as he flushed the toilet, struggling to close the lid due to how shaky he was.

He knew Swiss, Dew, and Rain couldn’t hear him over the sounds of their laughter and Swiss’ record player. He knew that he hadn’t bonded enough with Aurora, Cirrus, Cumulus, or Mountain for them to feel his strife.

That just made him even more sick.

He gave up on even going to dinner a week ago.

He also gave up on leftovers after Swiss and Mountain started cooking smaller portions after having a conversation about how they always had “too much leftovers.”

He sighed as he pulled on a shirt that was too big for him. He thought it was the shirt Swiss had given him when he was summoned, but after staring down at it for a few moments he realized that it was his shirt.

A shirt he had bought with his own allowance money from Copia.

Why is it so big? Did the dryer stretch it? He asked himself, messing with fabric for a few more moments before he left it alone, opening his door and leaving his room for practice.

He sighed to himself as he walked into the practice room early, seeing Copia sitting in a chair as he waited for the ghouls.

“Ah, hello, Quint.” Copia smiled at him as he looked up. “Hello…” He choked out, not realizing his voice was so hoarse. Copia’s eyebrows furrowed and he stood, watching as the new ghoul struggled more than usual to pick up the Fantomen.

“Are you alright…? You look, how shall I say… pale? Worn out?” Copia asked, looking concerned for his ghoul.

The quintessence ghoul looked up, apparently a bit too fast for his body’s liking. His head spun and he stumbled back slightly, eliciting a slight exclamation of surprise from Copia. The ghoul stumbled back into a chair and sat ridged for a moment before sloppily acting like he had meant to fall.

“I’m fine.” He stated, his shaky fingers doing a run up the A string.

Copia stared at him for a moment, a bad feeling swirling around in his stomach.

“You will tell me if you are not, yes?” Copia asked, worried about his ghoul. “Yes, Papa,” the small quint nodded, shaking out his hands to try and make his trembling go away.

Copia’s frowned deepened as he went to say more, only to be cut off by the loud clamor of the rest of his ghouls crowding into the practice room.

Copia sighed, knowing the conversation would have to be put up on a shelf for the time being.

“Dewdrop.”

The fire ghoul turned around as Copia called his name. He watched his pack slow down for a moment, only to be reassured with a soft smile from their Papa that Dew hadn’t done anything wrong.

Dew watched as the pack nodded and walked out of the practice room, Quint following behind and slipping out of the room just before Copia called for him.

The fourth Papa sighed deeply, his eyebrows furrowed.

“Is everything alright, Papa?” Dew asked, sensing Copia’s worry. And though it wasn’t far off from the man’s usual demeanor, Dew could tell this was different.

“No.” Copia sighed, knowing he had to be blunt. “I am worried for our young Quintessence. Have you noticed anything off about him?” Copia asked.

Dew’s eyebrows furrowed and he shook his head, going to say something, only to realize just how much of a ghost the new quintessence had been.

“I… I haven’t seen much of him at all, actually. He’s never shown up for dinner and he stays in his room all the time.” Dew responded, now realizing where Copia’s worry was coming from.

“Keep an eye on him, yes?” Copia requested. Dew gave a curt nod and walked out of the practice room, quick to catch up with his pack.

#i’m sorry i can’t stop writing this kind of aeon angst #ghost band fic #the band ghost #ghost band #ghost the band #aeon ghoul #phantom ghoul #nameless ghouls #dew ghoul #papa copia #ravenssilver writes

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autumnblooms · 8 months

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“I’m here, I won’t let you go”

#come get some angst y’all #mountain’s eyes were fun I might do more feral ghoul stuff #I’m already mentally moving on to some copia stuff though so I needed to finish this #the band ghost #my art #dewdrop ghoul #mountain ghoul #nameless ghouls #ghost band

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thatfuckinjester · 4 months

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more thoughts about phantom believing thag after the tour he's going to be sent back to the oit because what if after the tour phantom locked himself in his room until ine night he finally went out? what if everything he owned was packed and clean? what if his room was cleaner then it was when he got it? what if all he did that night was sit outside and look at the stars? what if he didn't respond to anyone who tried to talk to him since the first ghoul (dew) woke up until copia sat next to him? what if copia started to ask him something but phantom cut him off in the middle of his sentence and asked him if he can promise that being sent back won't hurt as much as being pulled from the pit was?

#ghost #the band ghost #nameless ghouls #phantom #phantom ghoul #phantom ghost #copia #papa copia #angst #i love this idea of phantom believing he's going to be sent back #phantom believing that he's being sent back to the pit

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portaltothevoid · 8 months

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you're losing me part ii -- copia x reader

a/n: i was giggling and kicking my feet at the interest in part one so i hope you all enjoy part two of this lovely little angsty break-up scenario. many many thanks to everyone who read part one!

song inspiration: you're losing me & it's time to go by taylor swift

warnings: some angst, some fluff, a breakdown, hurt with comfort, inferred cheating, flashback

word count: 3.8k

read part one here

There was something about the spotlight you used to love. Maybe it was sharing it with your equal, your partner. The changing of the seasons meant lavish parties at your Ministry. You used to be filled with excitement to plan, to see the decorations change, to set intentions, even to socialize. Now, these celebrations filled you with nothing but dread and misery.

The Mabon Ball was arguably one of your favorites and you vowed you would at least try to get back to your old self. Maybe you used it as an excuse to distract yourself from everything going wrong in your relationship. Maybe you were using it as a way to help its smoldering embers reignite.

There were moments leading up to the ball that were reminiscent of the beginning, when you knew Terzo was so smitten with you. And only you. It was enough to fool yourself into thinking things could work and everything would be okay again, as it once was. When Mabon finally came, as you both were getting ready, he even commented on your shift in demeanor, how you had softened. You only glared at him because of loving annoyance at his antics and teasing. He liked this side of you. Of course, this all happened in the privacy of your living space. Your attitude blazed like hellfire every time you saw his touchy flirting with another. The storms in your eyes returned as you glared at him.

No matter what happened tonight, you braced yourself. You wanted to talk to him. You wanted to bare your feelings. Every instinct told you to wait until after Mabon. Your offering would be to reveal why you would had been lashing out and then distancing yourself. There was nothing you hated more than confrontation, no matter how civil it was. Well, maybe except for being lied to.

The feast had your hopes up high. You both talked to those around you as a unit. You were included in the conversations. There was laughter, there were shared looks and smiles between the two of you.

The butterflies in your stomach whispered to you that there was hope. You wanted to believe the glisten in his distinctive eyes was for you. It wasn’t just from the wine or because of the stolen glances he took of certain others near him… repetitively. No. Things had been going so well. This old, familiar ache in your body was left over from unaddressed past wounds. It wasn’t from when you had felt your heart and soul break before. They couldn’t be calling out to you now, warning you, whispering to you the pulse had faded. No. This was to be a wonderful night, a joyous celebration.

Digging your nails into this delusion, you savored every moment of the first dance of the evening. The one he always saved for you. The first dance, arguably the most important one, was customary for Papa and his beloved. Just the two of you on the dance floor. His contrasting eyes never strayed from you, never faltered. You saw how they shined with love and affection. At least, that was the first half of the dance. During the second part higher members of The Clergy were invited to dance with you both. Even then, he never took his eyes off you.

He wasn’t putting on a show. That smoldering gaze wasn’t just for the tradition of the evening’s starting dance. He would make his way back to you. Now that you both were to go off and mingle amongst your Brothers and Sisters, he would make his way back home to you. He would find you. Wouldn’t he?

As he bowed to you and moved throughout the crowd, you watched him for as long as you could. You felt yourself start to slip off the precipice of this delusion.

You mingled. You smiled. You laughed. Almost every person in attendance could never have guessed that your soul, your heart, was breaking as you looked to the outskirts of the room. Time slowed when you caught sight of him. You saw his telltale smirk, his hand wandering down a fellow Sister’s back. You knew exactly what that meant. As you turned back to your conversation you ignored the snaps from the breaks, from the wounds, that were calling out to you. No. It wasn’t time to go, not yet. The pulse grew even quieter, but it was still there.

But even so, it happened again. You saw that same smirk from across the room. This time, a gloved finger traveled sensually across another Sister’s shoulders then trailed down her arm, until he grabbed her hand to pull her through a different side door. That smirk turned into a devilish grin. One you knew all too well.

You felt the breaking of your soul. The snaps, so much louder this time. Your face faltered. Whoever you were listening to drone on about something frivolous, missed it. They didn’t know you, not the real you. Unbeknownst to you, there was someone who saw, who also heard the snapping sound. The only other person in the room who you had let in, who truly knew you.

Excusing yourself, you left. You went to catch your breath in the restroom, which praise be to Satan, was empty. The person you saw staring back at you, this current version of yourself, was so unfamiliar. It was as if you could see the breaks, the wounds that had been torn open. They covered you. They were beyond repair. You shook your head, trying to rid the thoughts from your mind.

No. It wasn’t time to go. Not yet. You held your head high as you went to return to the party. You dug your nails so deep as you clung to the edge of your delusion, you could have sworn they were bleeding.

You scanned the crowd, in search of him. A light tap on your shoulder stopped you. You never found him.

“May I have this dance, Sorella?” Your face softened when you saw who vied for your attention.

“Certo, Cardinale,” you nodded, smiling tenderly as you took the hand he held out to you. You would never know how storms erupted in Terzo’s eyes when he stopped in his tracks on his way back to you. You would never know how he knew exactly what it meant as your face relaxed into a wistful bliss as you looked in the eyes of someone else. He couldn’t remember the last time he had seen that look on your face. It made his heart ache.

As the Cardinal held you as you danced, you were barely hanging on to the edge of your delusion. You fought not to let go being this close to him, intensely aware of every centimeter of his touch. Letting go, falling into the arms of the Cardinal, felt like the right thing to do, but no. You couldn’t. It wasn’t time yet. There was a chance after tonight, you could save what you once had with Terzo. The pulse may be faint, but it was still there. Wasn’t it?

“Is everything alright, tesoro?” he asked softly.

You smiled, but it didn’t reach your eyes. “Why wouldn’t it be?” you laughed. You didn’t mean for it to come out as cold as it did.

He sighed. “Must you always hide the truth under lock and key?” This was the one person you couldn’t lie to. Hiding your emotions here was nothing but a fruitless endeavor.

“I have to…” you told him, letting the pain flash on your face for just a moment before you stuffed it away as you averted your eyes from his and turned in time with the music.

His only response was to pull you closer to him. You knew exactly what he was telling you. It’s okay. I’m here, I’ve got you. A sad smile perched on your lips. You held him tighter to let him know that you heard his actions, loud and clear.

You turned once more. A good amount of guests had left the party, so it was even easier for movement along the perimeter of the banquet hall to catch your eye. A door opened and of course you just had to look as you saw him. He was pulling a ghoul by their belt loops into this room of secrets. You had a sudden, sharp intake of breath. You swore you saw his white eye lock with yours. A challenging look dawned on his face, but he slyly directed it up at the ghoul in front of him.

The Cardinal turned you away from the scene as soon as he saw the look on your face. His face darkened when his similarly mismatched eyes saw what you had. That was the moment that you let go. You couldn’t hear the pulse anymore; it was gone. That final blow crushed any glimmer of hope, any chance you thought you had at saving your relationship with Terzo. That was when you knew. Yes. It was time to go.

~~~~~

Furiously you wiped the tears away from your face. You had to stay strong for just a little bit longer. If you started crying now, you feared you wouldn’t stop and the last thing you needed was to crumple in the middle of the hallway where the seniors members of the church lived.

The Cardinal only lived one floor down from you, but the walk to the elevator alone felt excruciatingly drawn out. The whole time, a part of you hoped you’d hear someone running behind you shouting your name. This had been a long time coming. You had been searching for a pulse for far too long in that relationship. Your heart had been torn out and shredded too many times to count. You gave him everything you had, while he gave you nothing.

Still fighting back tears, you bit your lip as you raised your hand to knock on the door. You paused to hear the commotion coming from inside.

“Ow! Questo è il mio dito, non un giocattolo di masticare!” he yelped. “Basta! Torna nella tua gabbia. Ow! Cannoli! Brutto topo!” (That’s my finger, not a chew toy! That’s it! Back in your cage… bad rat!)

You shook your head as you lightly chuckled. Somehow he could always make you laugh. Finally you knocked on the door.

“Sei fortunato ad essere carino, eh?” you heard him mumble as he made his way to the door. (You’re lucky you’re cute.)

When he opened the door to find you standing there, his eyes lit up. As he took the sight of you, your eyes brimming with tears, your lip quivering from trying to hold back sobs, the bag over your shoulder, concern flooded his features. Without a moment’s hesitation he ushered you into his room.

Gently, he grabbed you by the wrist to pull you inside, guiding you with a strong hand on your shoulder. Just as the door clicked shut, you let your bag slide off your shoulder, hitting the ground with a thud. He placed both hands on your shoulders now, looking for a sign of what exactly happened, if there was any physical damage. You could only look up at him through your watery eyes. “I-it’s over. It’s o-over,” you managed to get out before sobs wracked your entire body. This… this was the moment when the floodgates truly opened.

Months and months worth of tears you had held back started to pour down your face. All you could do was reach your arms around his waist and hold on to him tightly, like he was your only lifeline, the only thing left tethering you to this world. Burying your face in his chest, you finally, finally allowed yourself to drown in the waves that had been threatening to take you down.

Guilt. Betrayal. Remorse. Regret. Fear. Pain. Loss. One after the other, crashing down on you like you were in the eyewall of a hurricane.

“How could he do this to me? Why did I ever love him? Why didn’t he ever just choose me? Why did I let it go on for so long?” you lamented brokenly through your breakdown.

He gave you time to feel, to let out as much as you could. He knew how much you bottled up everything inside. The only thing he could do for you at that moment was hold you tightly and tenderly stroke your hair while choking back tears of his own.

You would never, ever let anyone see you cry. Displaying this level of emotion in front of anyone was unknown to you. The only time you ever did it was when you were alone. Terzo had never seen you cry like this and you had been with him for a few years at this point. Granted, the only times you ever cried this much recently was because of him.

Even when you had first found him with someone else, you managed to pull yourself together when the Cardinal… when Copia had offered you a safe haven for the first time. In front of him you immediately transmuted your sorrow into rage. But here? Now? Sorrow took center stage.

You couldn’t do this alone anymore. You couldn’t fight your battles without anyone by your side. You couldn’t fight for anyone else. You needed someone to fight for you. You just needed someone to hold you, someone that loved you, truly loved you.

After every fight, after everything you had gone through, you rose from the ashes. You were exhausted. All you wanted was to lay here in the ruin of what once was so you could process what happened, so you could mourn. You were finally ready to let someone else in, to let someone else take care of you.

Eventually, he stepped in when you were sobbing so much you couldn’t catch your breath. He adjusted you so you were looking at him. His hands moved to cup your face. “Breathe, cara. You need to breathe. Breathe with me,” he instructed as he over exaggerated his breathing in order for you to mimic it. Soon enough, you had calmed down. Wiping your tears away with his thumbs, he nodded. “There, that’s better. We sit now, si?”

Sniffling, you brought your hand up to cover his, leaned into his touch, and nodded. He led you to the couch. You took a seat on one end, your back up against its arm as you hugged your knees up to your chest. He motioned he would be right back while your eyes drifted around his small apartment. They landed on Cannoli’s cage. You swore the little rat was staring at you, it’s little paw holding the bars as if he also wanted to make sure you were okay. You couldn’t help but crack the slightest smile.

Copia rushed back into the room, juggling a bottle of wine in one arm, a box of tissues in the other, a glass of water in one hand, and two wine glasses in the other. You let out a breathy laugh through your nose at the sight of him. Reaching up, you took the glasses from his hands, placing them on the coffee table in front of you, keeping the glass of water as you chugged half of it. Then you grabbed a tissue, not realizing how badly you needed to blow your nose.

After pouring the wine, he placed himself right next to you. You sighed as he handed you your glass. Once you downed half of it, you set it in front of you. Already, it had felt like a massive weight had been lifted off your shoulders. You curled up into his side, swinging your legs into his lap and nuzzled your head into him. He wrapped his arm around you. The two of you stayed like that for a few moments just listening to the sounds of each other's breathing and the chirping crickets coming through the open window behind you.

“Do you, uh, want to talk about what happened?” he asked quietly, breaking the silence.

You hesitated for a second. “I… I’m sorry for what I said when I was, um, wailing. I didn’t mean to–”

He shifted to look at you. “Sorry? Sorry for what?! There is nothing you have to be sorry for,” he scolded. He sounded more taken aback that you even felt it was a necessary thing to say.

“I just… didn’t know if that put you in an awkward position… You know, me sobbing over my now ex to you even though we have this thing…”

“Dolcezza, we’ve had this talk before. You’re allowed to feel what you feel. I… I’ve been here the whole time. Waiting for you, yes. But… you had to reach this point on your own. You knew I’d be here waiting for you when you did, hm?” he said adoringly as he brushed stray hairs away from your eyes. You nodded as you wrapped your arms around him as you nestled your head against him. “So now will you tell me what happened after the party?” he whispered affectionately as he traced the tattoos covering your forearm.

“He acted like nothing had happened. He asked about how great the party was. Completely casual. Just the sight of him alone, never mind him trying to hold my waist, was just… revolting. So. I was a sarcastic bitch to him,” you paused and let out a dry chuckle. “And then he had the nerve to ask me why I was being like that. So I snapped. I told him everything. How the spotlight changed him,” Copia couldn’t help but scoff at that, “how I went on the backburner… How I just wanted him to see me...”

“Does he know about… about us?” he questioned cautiously.

“He threw it in my face that he knew why I didn’t go home some nights. I told him I went where I actually felt wanted and loved. And I made sure to point out how you’ve kept everyone’s secrets.”

“So you… told him it was me you were with?” His question sounded more like a statement.

You held back a wince as you felt his body tense. You nodded. “When we were dancing… and we saw him go– I know he saw me… saw us… He already had his suspicions.”

“And now he has confirmation. You know more than anyone else that he can't be trusted!” he spoke harshly.

You moved so you could look at him. You placed your hand on his cheek as you made him look at you. “And we have the upper hand. We know he knows. There’s no way he can bring us down without bringing himself down too.”

He knitted his eyebrows with worry as he took your hand away from his face, but he never let go of it. Silence fell between you both once more. You couldn’t stop replaying the memories in your head. The flash of jealousy in his face when he saw you dancing with Copia. The broken look on his face as you confessed everything. Tears started to pool in your eyes again. He did love you. He still did. He was just incapable of showing it. Then you remembered how you looked in the mirror of the bathroom during the party. When you saw yourself in the closet mirror before you left. A shell of your former self. He turned you into something you didn’t even recognize. There was no use holding back the tears.

Your sniffles got Copia’s attention. “Cara? Oh, non, non, I’m not upset with you! We will figure–”

“I just miss who I used to be. I miss being… happy,” you said, your voice cracking. “How could I have l-loved someone who– who turned me into… into a monster?” you asked, your voice dropping into a whisper of disbelief.

“A monster?! Cara mia, how can you think that?” Copia was appalled that you would even dare think something like that of yourself. If he didn’t see red before, he was now.

“Because I’m just like him! I cheated on him too! Not even Lucifer would pardon–”

Copia shot up and turned you to him. Your tear stained face broke his heart. “Listen to me. Lucifer would celebrate what you did. You didn’t do it out of malice. You didn’t do it because you couldn’t help yourself. Your relationship had ended long before we were together. And you accepted that tonight. You stood up for yourself. You even said it yourself, you needed what he stopped giving you. You are no monster. He’s the monster for making you think these things about yourself. And I will do whatever it takes to make sure that… that dickhead knows it.”

You looked up at him as he defended you. As he spoke the truth you needed to hear. This was the love you not only needed, but deserved.

You reached your arms up around his neck and pulled yourself into his lap. You held his head between your hands and you leaned down to kiss him with nothing but passion and love. As the kiss deepened, you realized this was exactly where you meant to be. Everything that had happened led to this point. Every moment with Copia was one you would cherish. You would do anything for him as he would do anything for you.

When you parted to catch your breath, you leaned your forehead on his. You stared into his two-toned eyes. “I love you,” you said softly. For a brief second, Copia looked shocked at your sudden confession, but he knew you meant it with every fiber of your being. “Sei la miglior cosa che mi sia capitata,” you added breathlessly. (You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.) And without another word, he whisked you away to his bed.

It wasn’t long after you arguably had the best sex of your life, that you had drifted off into a blissful and peaceful slumber. Copia’s mind, on the other hand, was reeling. He reached for his phone on the nightstand beside him, careful not to wake you. He went to his messages and found Sister Imperator.

It is time we take care of the Terzo problem. Immediatamente. He typed and hit send.

He put his phone back and watched you sleep, softly stroking your hair. You stirred, but only to snuggle closer to him. He was going to give you the world. And he was going to stop at nothing to avenge you.

tag list: @ivycasket @da-rulah @water-ghoulette @fishwithtitz

part i | part iii

#the band ghost #ghost the band #terzo x reader #papa emeritus iii #papa emeritus iii x reader #cardinal copia #cardinal copia x reader #copia x female reader #cardinal copia x female reader #terzo x female reader #papa emeritus iii x female reader #terzo angst #copia fluff #copia angst #you’re losing me

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bupia · 7 months

Text

Bloodlust: Chapter 6 - Dracopia x Fem!Reader

Summary: The following morning has finally arrived, marking Copia's highly anticipated reunion with his long-lost siblings after years of separation. Driven by his quest to uncover the truth about his mysterious past, Copia isn't quite prepared for what his siblings have to share. However, as secrets are unveiled, new layers of Copia's story are revealed, plunging him deeper into his enigmatic past.

Words: 14.222

Warnings: Angst (blood; mortality; dead body; blood drink; mentions of mortality; bite) | SMUT! (dirty talk; oral sex, m-f; fingering; teasing; overstimulate; oral sex, f-m; bites during sex; penetration: p in v; unprotected sex; breeding) | Swearing | Italian swearing

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5

Available on AO3

Final chapter.

Tag list: @copiasslut @copiasprincipessa @haelithra @new-age-space-age @the-did-i-ask @sodoswitchimage @thesoundresoundsecho @fishwithtitz @nimbusghoul @enchantedbunny

A delicate tickle graced your cheek, swiftly followed by a soft, affectionate kiss. It roused you from your slumber, with the softest of giggles. Slowly, your eyelids fluttered open, revealing Copia's hand tenderly cradling your face. He drew you nearer, gracing your cheek with a cascade of affectionate kisses, each one warmer than the last.

With your eyes half-lidded, you turned your face toward him, glimpsing a faint smile adorning his lips. He leaned in closer, gently bestowing a tender peck upon your lips.

"Buongiorno, dormigliona," he murmured softly.

"Good morning, Copia," you replied, your voice carrying a trace of morning warmth.

With a gentle motion, you shifted your body towards him, nestling your forehead against his chest. Inhaling deeply, you allowed his comforting presence to wash over you. Your hand found its place on his chest, fingers tracing tender patterns through the fabric of his shirt, while you nuzzled your face against him.

"How did you sleep, cara?" he inquired softly.

"I had a good night, what about you?" you replied.

"I... I didn't sleep at all," he admitted with a hint of unease in his voice.

"Why?" you asked, your words barely more than a murmur.

"I spent the whole night trying to remember something about my past, about that day, about her. But all I can remember are flashbacks of the church in ruins and me killing those people," Copia confessed, his voice weighed down by the weight of his memories.

"Copia," you began gently, "you had a traumatic event in your life. You lost your home, your brothers, and someone you loved. It's not easy to cope with such loss, and it's not your fault for struggling to remember. Your brain is simply processing it the best way it can."

"I just wish I could at least remember something, feel something," Copia lamented.

"And you do, Copia, not all of it, but you do have some memories inside of you," you reassured him gently. "I don't know how it feels to carry that burden, how you must be feeling right now," you took a deep breath, "but trust me, everything is going to be alright."

Copia locked his gaze with yours and enveloped you in a tight embrace. You reciprocated, drawing him close as you took a deep, calming breath. His lips found the top of your head, leaving a gentle kiss in their wake, prompting you to turn your face to meet his, your eyes connecting.

However, something caught your attention, causing your eyebrows to furrow. Your hand instinctively moved to Copia's lips, and your thumb brushed against his thin mustache, wiping something away. As you turned your thumb in your direction, realization struck you like a bolt, and your eyes widened. The red spot on your thumb took you by surprise, and you turned your gaze to Copia, where you could see the embarrassment in his eyes.

"Copia... Is this...?"

Copia took your hand in his, bringing your thumb to his lips, and with a gentle suck, he cleaned it. "Mi dispiace, amore, I... felt a little hungry," he admitted with a hint of sheepishness.

You withdrew your hand from his and brought it up to your neck, a look of concern on your face as you sat up abruptly on the bed. Copia's eyes widened, and he followed suit, holding your face with both of his hands.

"No, no, no, no, amore," Copia reassured you, shaking his head earnestly. "It's not from you, I promise."

You nodded, removing your hand from your neck but still watching him closely, though his expression turned melancholy. He let go of your face, turning his head away.

"Copia..." you murmured, calling for him.

"Do you really think I would do it to you, cara?" he asked, his voice heavy with disappointment.

"No, Copia... I'm sorry," you apologized, reaching for his hands and holding them tightly. "It was an involuntary reaction. I'm deeply sorry, Copia. I know you wouldn't hurt me."

Copia turned his face back to meet yours, and you gave him a gentle smile. Leaning in, you pressed a tender kiss on his lips and let out a heavy sigh.

"I know you wouldn't hurt me. You promised to take care of me, and I believe you will," you whispered against his lips, reaffirming your trust in him.

Copia's eyes softened as he heard your words, and he held your hands with a reassuring grip. "I would never want to hurt you," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.

"Yes, I know, I'm sorry," you expressed with regret.

Copia smiled warmly and reassured you, "It's okie dokie, cara mia."

"You promise me?"

"Sì," Copia affirmed. "I do understand your fear." He leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on your cheek.

"I'm not afraid of you..." you started to say, but before you could finish, Copia took the initiative. He grabbed your waist and laid you down, crawling his body on top of yours.

"Aren't you, amore?" his face hovered just inches away from yours, and a playful smile danced on his lips as he asked.

You shook your head, denying any fear, and your hands found their way to his face. With a sense of longing and desire, you closed the gap between you two, capturing his lips with your own. Your hands roamed his face, and you wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him closer to you, pressing his body against yours. Copia adjusted his position, his hand moving to your thighs, gently parting them to settle himself more comfortably between them.

You moved one of your legs closer to his hips, exerting a gentle yet purposeful pressure to anchor him in position. His hands caressed your thighs before gliding up to your hips, securing their grip with firmness. As your chest pressed against his, your hands began to wander over his back. His fingers traced intricate patterns along your sides, evoking a sharp intake of breath from you.

"I think I need some more time in bed with you," a mischievous glint sparkled in Copia's eyes as he whispered, his warm breath brushing against your lips.

"Yeah? Why?" you asked, tilting your head.

Copia gazed into your eyes with a playful glint, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Because," he whispered huskily, his voice laced with desire, "I can't think of a better way to start the morning than in the warmth of your arms."

With a playful smile, you leaned in, your lips meeting his in a tender kiss. The kiss was soft at first, but soon became more passionate, with tongues intertwining and hands roaming over each other's bodies. Your heart beat rapidly in your chest as you felt yourself getting aroused. He responded by wrapping his arms around you and pulling you close to him. You felt the heat of his body through his shirt as he pressed against you.

Your hands wandered down his back, exploring every inch of him as you continued to kiss him passionately. Copia moaned into your mouth, his hands running up and down your sides. His lips were hot on yours, and you could feel a heat emanating from them. The kiss were becoming more demanding his tongue sliding deeper inside your mouth, tasting you.

You broke away from the kiss, your breath ragged as you gazed deeply into Copia's eyes. His gaze intensified, his eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint, and a playful grin played upon his lips.

"Should we get up now? To meet your brothers," you asked, your breath still heavy.

"Oh no," Copia replied, "We're going to stay here for a while longer."

You smiled at his response, nodding in agreement. Perhaps his brothers could wait a little longer as you and Copia savored the present moment. However, your heart raced as you felt his hand slide under your shirt.

"W-What are you doing, Copia?" you stammered, your voice quivering with surprise.

"Let me compensate for yesterday, amore," he murmured softly, his eyes filled with desire and tenderness.

Your breath quickened even further as his hand slowly moved down between your legs, making their way towards your ache core. You let out a soft gasp as his fingers touched your core, your hips bucking involuntarily. You bit your lip, and Copia grinned at your reaction, his fingers gently rubbing your sensitive flesh over your panties.

"A-Are you sure about it, Copia? We don't need to do it now," you hesitated, seeking confirmation.

"You don't want to do it?" he inquired.

"I... I want," you admitted, your desire matching his.

"So let me do it for you, cara," he whispered

You moaned softly, your hands finding their way to his hair, gently tugging on it as his fingers made their way to your clit. Copia gazed into your eyes with a wicked grin on his face.

"You like it like this, amore?" he asked.

You nodded your head in response, your agreement silently conveyed. However, before you could utter a word or share another breath, your mind went blank as Copia's fingers slip inside your panties finding your clit. Your hips bucked upward as he began rubbing it gently, causing you to whimper.

"Yes... Copia... please," you whispered. "More..."

Copia met your plea with a knowing smile, ready to fulfill your every desire. Your legs shook as he caressed your clit gently between his fingers. You closed your eyes, your whole body shaking as you arched your back, grinding your core against his fingers.

"So wet," he murmured, his fingers sliding along your slit. "I'm very satisfied to feel how wet you are for me, amore," he said, rubbing your clit harder.

He withdrew his hand from inside your panties going with it to the waistbands, slowly pulling them down your legs. He lowered his body, leaving his hand between your legs, still caressing your core. You opened your eyes, widening in surprise as you felt him kissing your inner thighs. A soft moan escaped your lips as your fingers tangled in his hair.

"I can't wait to taste you here, amore," Copia whispered.

"C-Oh! Copia..." you moaned, your hips moving up and down. "Please... I need you."

"Do you?" he asked, his voice filled with desire.

"Y-Yes... P-please..."

His tongue darted out to taste you. One of your hands rested on the edge of the bed, your eyes closed again as you enjoyed the feeling of Copia's tongue lapping at your flesh. As he opened his mouth wider, you could feel something sharp brushing against the sensitive skin of your core. You opened your eyes to see him staring up at you, his head moving slowly, his tongue gliding over your wetness. Your eyes closed once again, your breathing coming in short pants.

His tongue swirled around your clit, making you squirm. Copia spread your legs wider, his hands resting on your thighs as he licked you. His tongue circled your clit, teasing it. You cried out, your body shaking as his tongue made its way down your slit, plunging deep inside you.

"Oh yes! That feels so good," you sighed, your fingers digging into the bed.

Your body writhing as Copia's tongue explored your entrance. The fingers your had on his head, ran though his hair, holding onto him tightly. His hand found its way to your clit, rubbing it. Your juices flowing freely, coating his fingers. He pushed his head closer to your core, his tongue plunging deeper, thrusting you with it.

You wrapped your legs around his head, pulling him deeper, wanting more. Copia moaned against your core, the vibrations sending chills through you. You moaned loud and your head rolled from side to side, the sound of his mouth sucking and licking your wetness sent shivers down your spine. His fingers stroking faster, your hips bucking against his face.

"Oh... Copia, Copi-Ah! Yes, just like that, don't stop," you cried out.

You grabbed a hold of his hair, puling him into you harder. Your nails digging into his scalp, he lets go of your clit, and reaches up to grab both of your breasts under your shirt. Pushing them together, his mouth still working over your core. He squeezed your breasts hard, pinching your nipples between his fingers. His tongue went again to your clit, flicking it over then dipping lower to taste your wetness.

"Oh!" you gasped. "Fuck! Copia... Please... Ah! How can you be so good at this?"

He lowered one of his hands, moving it back to between your legs, going with it inside of you, pumping in and out slowly. You bit your lip, feeling his fingers sliding in and out of you. He added another finger, pumping them faster, matching the speed of his tongue.

"Copi-Ah! I can't, this is too much, oh fuck," you moaned loud.

"Is it? Do you want to cum?" he asked, his voice husky.

"Yes! yes! yes! yes!"

"Molto bene," he cooed. "Just wait a little longer for me, amore, sì? Just a little bit longer."

You nod and he kept the peace of his moves inside you, working on your spot. His tongue flicked around your clit again, then went to your entrance. Faster now, he sucked on your clit, his fingers thrusting harder. His other hand still playing with your nipple, pinching and tugging at them. You can feel your orgasm building deep within you, your muscles tightening around his finger.

"Copia... I'm going to..." you whimpered.

"Not yet, amore," he said, pushing his fingers deeper inside of you.

"I can't take it anymore, please," you begged, trying to pull away from his mouth. "I want to cum, I need to cum."

He withdrew his hand from your breast and wrapped his arms around your leg, pushing you further onto his face, burring his face deeper on your wetness. You arched your back, grinding your core against his face. Your breath quickening as you tried to fight the urge to come.

"Please... please..." you cried out, your eyes rolling to the back of your head.

He pulled his fingers out of you, and went with his tongue to your entrance, plugging deep inside of you, tasting your juices, moaning into your core. You were almost there, you could feel it coming. And then, just when you thought you couldn't take anymore, he stopped.

"Now, amore, now!" he growled, taking your clit between his lips.

He sucked hard on it, and you screamed out feeling your orgasm building inside of you. Your breathing rapid, your chest heaving as he sucked your clit. You screamed loud, your back arching and your body convulsing. Your hand gripping the sheets as he sucked on your clit, pushing you over the edge.

"Yes, Copia, I'm going... I'm go... I... I..."

You felt your orgasm rushing through your body, your walls contracting, your body shaking uncontrollably. You screamed as you came, your juices pouring out of you, covering his face. He lapped up every drop, savoring your taste, swallowing them greedily.

You looked down at him, your eyes glowing with your orgasm, and smiled. He looked up at you, giving you a soft kiss on your clit. He removed his face from between your legs, crawling back to the top of you.

"That was amazing," you whispered, breathless, your fingers gently tracing patterns on his skin.

"Was it?" he asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"Yes... it was very good, Copia," you reassured him.

"I'm glad I was able to give pleasure to you, cara mia," he said with a satisfied smile on his lips.

You giggled slightly, your affection for him shining brightly. You cupped his face with both of your hands and leaned in with a tender, passionate kiss. You felt his body relax on top of yours. The kiss deepened, and you could taste yourself on his lips.

"Now I think it's my time to give you something," you whispered, your hand gently trailing down his chest, your intentions clear as your desire for him continued to burn brightly.

But before you could reach for him, he gently grabbed your hand, stopping you. "Amore, it's not necessary," he said with a warm smile.

"But, Copia, I want to do it for you," you insisted, your desire to please him evident in your eyes.

"I know, amore, but I think we don't have enough time," he explained. "I should be going to meet miei fratelli."

"Are you sure?" you asked, your lower lip pouting slightly.

He nodded and pressed a gentle peck on your lips. "I want to ask you to come with me because I don't want to face miei fratelli alone, but I'm too afraid to bring you there. I know they wouldn't hurt you, but I don't know how much they've changed," Copia admitted, his vulnerability showing as he shared his concerns with you.

"Copia, I can go with you. I'm not afraid of them at all, because I know they will not hurt me," you assured him, punctuating your words with a tender kiss on his lips. "I have you by my side, and you promised me you won't let anything happen to me, and I trust you."

"Would you really do it for me?" Copia asked, his eyes searching yours for confirmation.

"Copia, I would do anything for you," you replied with sincerity. "Do you want to go to meet them now?"

"Can you get up?" Copia arched a playful brow, his eyes filled with amusement.

You looked at him, blushing hard. "I- I... I'm afraid I can't," you admitted shyly.

He chuckled, biting his lower lip. "Then we can stay like this for some more minutes."

Copia lay down next to you, pulling you closer to him, wrapping his arms around you in a warm embrace. You rested your face on his chest, closing your eyes, allowing your body to relax. As you shifted your leg, you bumped into something. Curiosity piqued, you opened your eyes and widened them in surprise as you saw the bulge on his pants.

"Copia..." you began.

"Leave it, amore, it's fine," he said, blushing even deeper.

You couldn't help but giggle at his embarrassment, finding his reaction endearing. Closing your eyes again, you wrapped an arm around him, holding him close. Copia pulled the sheets to cover both of you, enveloping you in a cozy warmth.

After a few minutes of peaceful intimacy in bed, he pressed a loving kiss on the top of your head. You opened your eyes and looked at him, giving him a gentle smile in response. You slowly sat up on the bed, yawning softly before getting up and heading to your wardrobe. You selected some clothes and turned to Copia, who remained on your bed.

"I'm going to take a shower, and I'll be right back," you informed him, seeing him nod in agreement.

With that, you left the bedroom and made your way to the bathroom, preparing for a refreshing shower to start your day. The water embraced you in its gentle warmth, and you closed your eyes, letting the tranquility of the moment wash over you. As you sank deeper into the water, your mind briefly wandered to the incredible moments you had shared with Copia. It was indeed amazing how he made you feel, and the connection between you was undeniable.

However, you realized that lingering on those memories would needlessly extend your time in the bath. With a serene smile, you chose to set aside those thoughts for now and direct your attention to the current moment. Exiting the comforting bathwater, you reached for a towel and proceeded to get dressed. Once you were dressed, you left the bathroom, returning to your bedroom to find Copia already wearing his attire.

You rested against the doorframe, your gaze fixated on him with unwavering attention. Your eyes followed every curve and line of his form as he stood before the mirror, meticulously perfecting his outfit. He turned his face towards his shoulder, as he caught your reflection in the mirror. Copia's gentle smile graced his lips as he took a few steps toward you, cradling your face with both of his hands and planting a tender kiss on your forehead.

"Should we be going now?" you inquired.

"Sì, we should," he replied.

"Are you nervous, Copia?" you asked.

"A little, but it's going to be alright, with you by my side," he reassured you.

You nodded, and he released his hold on your face, taking your hand in his. Together, you walked to the living room and left the house. As you strolled down the street side by side, heading toward the location where the ball had taken place a few weeks ago, you could feel the tension in Copia's grip on your hand. You were nervous too, but you needed to remain composed to support Copia through this.

Upon arriving at the old house where the ball was held, Copia suddenly stopped in his tracks, gazing at it intently. You took a small step in front of him, offering a reassuring smile. You gently tugged on his hand, guiding him toward the old house. The two of you stood before the front door, and you knocked. Copia's grip on your hand remained firm as the door swung open, revealing Terzo.

"Fratello! Sei venuto!" Terzo averted his gaze from Copia and looked at you. "And, as it seems, you've brought a guest."

"Sì, I asked her to join me," Copia replied, his body still tense as he released a heavy sigh.

"Well, I don't see any issue with that, given we weren't entirely certain you'd honor our little reunion with your presence," Terzo said with a wide smile as he wrapped his arms around Copia, embracing him tightly.

"Cosa sto facendo qui, Terzo?" Copia inquired, his expression unreadable, not moving a muscle.

"Da quando sei diventato così brontolone?" Terzo chuckled, releasing Copia from the hug and giving him an affectionate pat on the back. "Non preoccuparti, fratello," Terzo sighed, a warm smile gracing his lips. "Ti abbiamo appena sentito mancare."

"Maybe we should go inside now, right?" you suggested, reaching for Copia's hand with a warm smile on your lips.

"Piccolina is right," Terzo agreed, turning his back and starting to lead the way back inside the old house. "Inside awaits i nostri fratelli and," he paused, looking at you over his shoulder with a mischievous grin, "food."

With a smirk, Terzo took the lead, and you followed closely behind Copia. While you weren't scared, you couldn't help but feel a touch of nervousness about meeting Copia's brothers and how he would react to the reunion.

As the three of you entered a room, the air was filled with the scent of fresh blood. Your gaze scanned the room and landed on a man holding a woman in his arms. Copia's eyes fixed on him as he fed on the woman, his fangs gleaming as he satisfied his thirst. Your expression tightened at the sight, fascination and trepidation swirling within you. Your grip on Copia's hand tightened, and he turned his face to you.

"Don't worry, cara," he whispered softly.

Terzo observed the two of you and cleared his throat, prompting the man to release the woman he had been feeding on, her lifeless body falling to the floor. He quickly wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and greeted Copia with a wide, friendly smile.

"Copia!" He exclaimed, his arms wide open as he approached Copia with genuine delight. "Non posso credere che tu sia veramente qui," he said, carefully stepping over the woman's lifeless body on the floor. Then, his gaze turned toward you with a hunger in his eyes, and he licked his lips slowly. "E hai portato uno spuntino con te."

Your discomfort grew as you felt his hungry gaze on you, and Copia's grip on your hand tightened. Your hand found its way to his back, with a firm grip you hold his shirt. Copia hesitated for a moment, his gaze shifting between the man outstretched arms and the lifeless woman at their feet.

"Lei non è uno spuntino, Secondo," Copia said firmly, his protective instinct evident as he pulled you closer to him.

"For now," Secondo conceded, wrapping his arms around Copia in a show of brotherly affection. "But it's okay, fratello, we all need a bit of fun from time to time," he added with a wink. Secondo then patted Copia's back and released him, keeping his cheerful disposition intact. "But tonight, we celebrate our reunion!"

"I want to enjoy this moment as well, but I think we have things to discuss, sì?" Copia said, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness.

Secondo let out a thoughtful hum and then turned his attention to Terzo. "Go wake up Primo, Terzo," Secondo ordered.

"Why don't you do it, cretino?" Terzo shot back.

"Because I'm the older one here," Secondo replied with a smirk.

"Three months is not old enough to think you can tell me what to do, cretino," Terzo retorted, a playful glint in his eye.

Just then, a voice resonated from the hallway before a man entered the room. "Can't we learn how to behave?" he quipped.

You turned your face toward the voice behind you, your gaze falling upon a man with an ancient appearance as he entered the room. You observed Copia's reaction, noticing him shaking his head slightly before turning his attention to the newcomer.

"Copia," the man said, his eyes fixed on him. "Mio fratello, sei davvero venuto."

"Primo," Copia said, his smile widening as he let go of your hand and walked towards the man. "I can't believe you three are alive."

"I must admit we didn't believe Terzo when he said you were alive," Primo replied.

Secondo couldn't help but let out a chuckle, his grin unwavering as he crossed his arms and glanced at Terzo. Terzo, in turn, shot Secondo a threatening look.

Terzo's threatening expression toward Secondo softened into a grin as he turned to face Primo. "Well, it seems my word isn't taken seriously around here," Terzo quipped, his tone filled with playful reproach.

"It never was," Secondo said, his tone filled with nonchalance as he turned his back to Terzo and strolled back toward the woman on the floor.

You couldn't tear your eyes away from him as he roughly grabbed the woman's wrist and dragged her toward another room, the sight of it leaving you with a racing heart. The reality of being in the presence of four vampires, even if one of them was Copia, began to sink in, and a shiver of fear ran down your spine. The reassurance of Copia's presence did little to alleviate the unease you felt in this moment.

As you turned your face away, you suddenly found the old man who had just entered the room standing right in front of you, his gaze locked onto you. Startled, you instinctively took a step back, but you quickly bumped into Terzo's body behind you. You felt his firm grip on your arms, keeping you in place as he stood protectively between you and the mysterious newcomer. The atmosphere in the room grew even more charged with tension, and you couldn't help but wonder about the intentions of the brothers surrounding you.

"You don't need to be scared," Primo said softly as he extended his hand to gently cup your chin, his touch surprisingly gentle given the circumstances. "We won't cause you any harm," he reassured, his eyes meeting yours.

Although his words provided some comfort, your nerves still ran high, especially when Terzo's face drew closer to your neck. You could feel his breath against your skin, and his hand on your shoulders caressed you tenderly.

"As I can see the mark is still here," Terzo's warm breath tickled your ear.

Your gaze shot toward Copia, whose expression had shifted to annoyance and anger. In an instant, Copia swiftly made his way to your side, taking your arm in his hand and pulling you close to him. He wrapped his arms around you in a possessive and protective manner, burying your face in the crook of his neck.

"Basta!" Copia's voice rang out in a furious tone.

"As I can see, Terzo was right for the first time," Secondo commented casually as he passed by you and Copia.

Copia took a step back but kept you in his arms as he looked at his brothers. "What do you mean, Secondo?"

Secondo chuckled and shrugged. "That you are in love."

Time seemed to stand still as you froze in Copia's arms, your heart pounding in your chest. The word "love" echoed in your mind, and you felt a mix of emotions surge within you. Copia was in love with you? But, more importantly, were you in love with Copia? You turned your face upward to look at him, trying to find the words to express your thoughts, but your voice failed you in the face of this unexpected revelation.

"Don't worry," Terzo reassured, his voice firm. "We have no interest in her."

Copia turned his face downward to meet your gaze, his eyes locking with yours. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he began, "My feelings toward anyone here are up for discussion. I came here because I want some answers."

"Answers?" Primo inquired, his expression growing more serious. "Terzo, cosa hai fatto?"

Copia met Primo's gaze squarely. "He told me about what you three did to me," he replied with unwavering determination.

A heavy silence hung in the air as the three brothers exchanged glances. Copia, in the midst of his emotions, released you from his protective embrace and adjusted his gloves on his hands. Primo took a step forward.

"Secondo, could you take her to another room?" Primo requested.

Your heart quickened at the suggestion, and you turned to Secondo with a sense of unease. "Why?" you asked, your voice trembling slightly. "Why do I have to go to another room? I don't want to."

Your fear and discomfort were evident, and you were reluctant to leave Copia's side, especially after witnessing Secondo's unsettling actions earlier. You couldn't shake the feeling that your safety was in jeopardy if you were separated from him.

Secondo suddenly walked over to you, his grip on your arm causing you to stumble slightly. Fear flashed across your face as you looked at him, but his wide grin sent shivers down your spine. His other hand found its way to your lower back, steadying you.

"Fai attenzione, piccola angela," Secondo whispered in a husky tone, his words sending a chill through you.

"Secondo," Copia called out in a serious tone. "Lasciala andare."

"Primo said to take her to another room, fratello," Secondo replied defiantly.

"Non lo dirò di nuovo," Copia warned, his patience wearing thin.

Reluctantly, Secondo removed his hands from you, and you swiftly moved back to Copia, wrapping your arms around his neck tightly. The tension in the room remained palpable, but for now, you found refuge in Copia's protective embrace.

"Whatever you three have to tell me, she will stay here," Copia declared firmly, his hands resting on your waist as he pulled you closer. "No one will take her to another room, capito?"

"Qualsiasi cosa tu voglia, fratello," Secondo conceded, raising his hands in a placating manner.

"Copia, I didn't suggest it as a bad thing," Primo interjected, his tone more conciliatory. "I just thought it might be better for your lover not to hear about it."

"Why?" Copia turned his head in Terzo's direction. "Is there something more that I should know? More than the fact that you three practically got rid of me?"

"Copia, you..." Terzo began, but Primo raised his hand to silence him.

"Me? What about me?" Copia released your waist, pulling you behind him protectively.

"You died," Secondo stated bluntly.

The gravity of Secondo's words still hung heavily in the air, the revelation echoing through the room and leaving you stunned by the weight of it. But suddenly, you heard Copia starting to laugh, his laughter ringing out loudly and confusingly in the tense atmosphere. You looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Died?" Copia asked through his laughter. "I died? What are you saying, fratello?" His amusement seemed entirely at odds with the serious revelation.

Primo let out a weary sigh, and Copia took a determined step forward, closing the distance to Secondo. Terzo acted swiftly, moving to your side and pulling you away from the brewing confrontation. You watched from a safe distance as Primo positioned himself between Copia and Secondo.

Copia's eyes widened with rage, and he demanded in a voice that brooked no argument, "Explain yourself right now."

Primo reached out, holding Copia back and preventing the situation from escalating further. "Copia, per favore, listen to what we have to say."

"What more do you all have to tell me?" Copia demanded, his gaze now fixed on Primo. "For years, I thought you three were dead, that those people killed you. Then, I discover that Terzo was alive, and he tells me about what truly happened that day, that the two of you were also alive just like him. Then, he tells me I had a past lover, a woman that I can't even remember, and then, she is the one who died. And to top it all off, I discover that you three decided to get rid of me," Copia's voice quivered with a mix of rage and sadness. "And now," he choked back tears. "Now, I discover that I died. No one is giving me straight answers here; I have no idea what is happening."

Secondo reached for Primo's shoulders and gently moved him aside, creating a space between Primo and Copia. He then approached Copia, his hand finding Copia's shoulders, and he pulled him into a tight embrace. Copia responded by wrapping his arms around Secondo, tears flowing down his face as he held onto his brother.

You averted your gaze from the them, feeling somewhat like an outsider in the midst of their complex family dynamics. Terzo released his arms from around you, and you took a moment to adjust your clothes. As you watched, Terzo walked over to where Copia, Secondo, and Primo were standing. He reached for Primo's shirt, pulling him closer to Copia and Secondo, and the three of them embraced Copia simultaneously.

"Fratello," Secondo began in a murmur, his voice filled with remorse. "It's me who you have to forgive here, especially me."

The three brothers slowly released Copia from their embrace, giving him space to process their revelation. You remained where Terzo had positioned you, maintaining a respectful distance as you observed the unfolding conversation.

"Because it was me who killed you," Secondo confessed, his words hanging heavily in the air.

Copia's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. He looked around at Terzo and Primo, seeking confirmation from their solemn expressions. "What happened that day, Secondo?" Copia's voice trembled with emotion. "What truly happened? I just need to know what happened."

"On that day, Eleanora came to the church looking for you right after you left," Secondo began, his voice carrying the somber memories. "I happened to be wandering nearby when I saw her entering the church. I approached her and informed her that you had just left. She asked me if she could stay there, as she was adamant about meeting you before the mass. It was a day of mass, so she could remain there without disrupting anything," he continued, his hands clasped together in remorse. "So, we all left the church that day, and she stayed there waiting for you."

"And what did she want?" Copia asked, his voice filled with anxiety. "Did she tell you why she was there?"

Secondo shook his head in the negative, signaling that Eleonora's intentions that day had remained a mystery. Copia let out a heavy sigh, his hands coming up to cover his face as he took a deep, contemplative breath.

A heavy silence hung in the room as Secondo continued, his voice cracking with emotion. "After that, I don't know what happened. Terzo suddenly came to us, saying that the church was in flames and that the villagers were filled with anger. He insisted that we needed to get out of there, but we couldn't leave you behind. We went back to find you, and all we saw was you holding her in your arms. We watched helplessly, unable to do anything."

"Ci dispiace profondamente, Copia," Primo said, his voice filled with remorse as he rested a hand on Copia's shoulder. "There was nothing we could do. There was no way to save her, and you knew it. That was the moment you started with the killing."

"And that was the moment I had to stop you," Secondo explained solemnly. "That was the moment I came and... stopped you."

"You stopped me by killing me? That was your solution?" Copia's voice quivered with a mix of anger and sadness.

"Fratello, you know that I could never kill you for real," Secondo replied, his voice heavy with regret. "It was more like a... It was as if I had knocked you out. And then, as you fell into my arms. After that we had to decide what to do with you, and that was the moment me and Primo decided to send you away."

Copia's questions continued, his voice filled with a desperate need for answers. "And why? Why did you three do this to me? Why didn't you three come with me? Why leave me alone all this time?"

"We had no choice, Copia," Terzo said, his own voice tinged with sorrow. "I... We didn't want to do it, but Italy was not a safe place for us four, and we knew that the best option was to send you away."

"Because you three thought I was dead, so it was just better to get rid of me," Copia lamented.

"We didn't know if I really killed you or not, Copia," Secondo admitted. "We knew you might probably be alive, but we weren't sure. And because of it, we couldn't just leave your body there, so we put you on this boat, hoping it would sail away because in case you woke up, you would be safe in somewhere else."

"So the reason my memories are like that, confused, is because you decided that killing me was the best idea?" Copia's voice trembled with a mix of anger and hurt.

"I didn't kill you!" Secondo exclaimed desperately. "I didn't even want to kill you. It's just that when you fell into my arms, I realized what I had done, or what I thought I had done, because now you are right here in front of me! In front of us!"

Copia's emotions continued to pour out as he expressed the pain he had carried for centuries. "For years, I thought you three were dead. I felt lonely, scared, and sad. I didn't have a family; I didn't have a home. I was a stranger among strange people, left alone by the three of you. You never thought about looking for me before, and I wouldn't have known you three were alive if it weren't for Terzo."

"Copia, we didn't plan for things to be like that for you," Primo declared earnestly. "We didn't send you away because we thought you were dead. It was because of the possibility that you could come back to life that we did it. We wanted you to have a new life, a new home in a new place. Far from the accident, far from the pain."

Copia's frustration and anger were evident in his response. "And you three decided it for me? It should have been me deciding my life, but you three took it from me. You three decided it for me!"

Terzo stepped forward, his voice carrying a sense of regret. "Copia, we know it might not have been the right decision, and we understand your anger. But we did it out of love, out of the desire to protect you and keep you safe. We couldn't bear the thought of losing you."

Copia looked at his brothers, his emotions still raw and turbulent. "You may have done it out of love, but you robbed me of my choice, my identity. I lost everything that day."

"Fratello, per favore, forgive us," Secondo pleaded. "Forgive me."

"Copia, we didn't intend to abandon you," Terzo said. "Secondo wasn't certain if you had truly perished or not; we were uncertain. We suspected you might still be alive, yet we couldn't be certain. We simply wished for your safety."

Copia's emotional outpouring overwhelmed him, and he fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face as his hands covered his eyes. The depth of his sorrow was palpable, and you couldn't bear to see him in such pain. You hurriedly walked over to Copia and knelt down in front of him, wrapping your arms around him in a reassuring embrace. One of your hands gently cradled his head, allowing him to bury his face in your shoulder as he held onto you tightly.

"I'm here, it's okay," you whispered softly, your voice filled with tenderness and comfort. "I'm here, Copia. I'm here with you now."

"Fratello-" Terzo began to speak, but you shot him an angry glare over your shoulder, interrupting him with your stern expression. "I think we should leave them alone for now," Terzo stated firmly.

You turned your attention back to Copia, pressing a gentle kiss on his head as you felt his tears soak through your shirt. His attempts to speak were choked by his own emotions.

"It's okay," you whispered softly, your voice filled with empathy and patience. "We don't need to say anything now. Take your time, Copia."

Copia clung to you, his tears slowly subsiding as he held onto your comforting presence. The room was filled with the echoes of his pain, and you remained there, holding him close, providing a safe space for him to release the emotions he had kept buried for far too long.

After a while, Copia's grip on your shirt began to loosen, and he pulled back slightly, his tear-stained face looking into your eyes with a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability. His voice was soft and filled with sincerity as he finally found the words to speak.

"Grazie," Copia whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "Grazie for being here, for not leaving me alone."

You smiled gently, brushing a strand of hair away from his face. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

"Cara mia..." Copia began, his gaze locked with yours. "Ti amo così tanto, amore."

You furrowed your brow, gazing at him with curiosity. "What did you say?" you asked, not quite comprehending his words.

"He said he loves you," Primo said as he made his way inside of the room.

You widened your eyes and Copia's sudden change in demeanor caught your attention, and you followed his gaze as he turned to look at Primo, who was standing near the door where he had exited only a few minutes ago. Copia rose to his feet, gently bringing you up with him, and pulled you close against him in a protective embrace. Your eyes darted between Copia and Primo.

"I asked Secondo and Terzo to wait outside, but I had to come back to talk to you, fratello," Primo explained.

Copia took a step back, still holding you close, as Primo spoke. "What more do you want to tell me?" Copia asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Vieni con me, fratello," Primo said, motioning toward another door in the room.

Copia released you from his embrace and took your hand, following Primo's lead with you in tow. As you walked, your thoughts were in a whirlwind. Copia had just confessed his love for you, and you hadn't had the chance to respond, to tell him about your own feelings for him. The weight of unspoken emotions hung in the air.

Feeling a surge of warmth and affection, you tightened your grip on Copia's hand, prompting him to look at you. With a sincere smile, you conveyed your feelings without words, letting your eyes speak volumes. Copia's gaze met yours, and he couldn't help but return your smile with one of his own as he continued to walk alongside Primo, with you by his side.

Primo stopped in front of a door, opening it to reveal a bedroom. He entered first, holding the door open for both you and Copia to follow him inside. Primo watched as you both entered the room and then walked over to a nightstand, opening a drawer.

"When we sent you away," Primo began, "we kept some things you had. I know you think that we didn't care about you, but we did. We kept your things for years so we could still have memories of you."

Primo retrieved a box from inside the drawer and returned to where you and Copia stood. Copia released your hand and reached for the box, his curiosity piqued. He exchanged a glance with you before looking back at Primo, who nodded, signaling for him to open the box.

Copia carefully opened the box, revealing its contents. Inside, he found a collection of items that seemed to hold a piece of his forgotten past. Tears welled up in Copia's eyes as he picked up a small, weathered journal. He leafed through the pages filled with his own handwriting.

"This is your history, fratello," Primo said softly, his gaze filled with empathy. "We never wanted to erase your past. We wanted to protect you from the pain. Secondo thought he killed you that day, but, I knew you weren't dead. I kept these so that someday, when the time was right, you could reclaim what was lost if we found you again."

"Grazie," Copia's voice was choked with emotion as he looked up at Primo.

As Copia continued to leaf through the pages of the journal, a small piece of paper slipped from its confines and fell to the floor. You bent down to retrieve it and handed it to him. Copia took the paper from your hand, his curiosity piqued. He unfolded it slowly, his expression shifting from curiosity to something more profound.

In that moment, Copia let the box and the journal fall to the floor, his attention fully captured by the contents of the paper. His eyes moved, scanning the paper. Copia's gaze locked onto yours, his eyes filled with a mixture of emotions that were difficult to put into words. His lips parted as if he were about to speak, but he remained silent, as though struggling to find the right words. You reached for Copia's face, cupping his cheek delicately, concern etched across your features as you sensed his bewilderment.

Copia showed you the paper with a drawing, your eyes widened in shock and surprise. In that instant, an inexplicable shiver cascaded down your spine. The drawing depicted a woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to you. It was as if you were looking at a portrait of yourself, and the resemblance was so striking that it left you speechless.

"What is this?" you asked in disbelief, your gaze shifting from the drawing to Primo, who was approaching you both.

Primo examined the drawing in Copia's hands and then turned his gaze to you, his expression one of shock and realization. Without a word, he quickly left the room, leaving you and Copia alone in the bedroom.

Copia took a step closer to you, his eyes fixed on the drawing. "She... is you," he said softly. "But how... how can it be you?"

You were at a loss for words, unable to explain the inexplicable connection between you and the woman in the drawing. The mystery deepened, and the questions that lingered in the air remained unanswered, leaving both you and Copia with a sense of bewilderment and intrigue.

Your mind raced with questions, and you stammered, "I... I don't know, Copia. I have no idea."

"It's as if... as if I knew you," Copia whispered, his voice filled with awe and disbelief. "And I found you."

Copia's hands shifted from your waist, pulling you closer into a warm embrace, and his eyes welled up with tears, mingling with his contented smile. Your hands continued to tenderly stroke his shoulders, offering reassurance. His arms enveloped you tightly, and he rested his head gently on your shoulder.

Your hand gently found its way into Copia's hair, fingers entwining with the strands. Inhaling deeply, you held him close with your arms wrapped firmly around him. A whirlwind of thoughts swirled in your mind concerning your connection to him and the mysterious woman. Was it simply an uncanny coincidence? A drawing from years past seemed hardly conclusive evidence. You began to question the potential link between you and the woman from Copia's drawing. Nevertheless, he had drawn nearer to you, and everything with him always seemed so intense.

"Co-" you were abruptly interrupted as the three brothers entered the room, each of them wearing expressions of shock and apprehension.

"Is it really true?" Terzo was the first to speak. "Are you really her?"

"Her?" you echoed, puzzled.

"Eleanora," Secondo clarified.

Copia loosened his embrace slightly, allowing you to turn and face the three brothers who stood before you, their eyes filled with anticipation and uncertainty. You could sense the weight of their unspoken questions in the air.

You took a moment to collect your thoughts before responding. "I... I don't know," you admitted, your voice trembling with uncertainty. "I can't say for certain if I'm her or not. It's just a drawing, and resemblance alone doesn't prove anything."

Copia gently grasped your chin, turning your face toward him. "I know you're not her," he began, his voice a tender murmur. "I know she's gone, and I understand that. Please don't think I'm trying to replace her with you."

You met his gaze and replied, "I... I don't think you are."

But Terzo's question lingered in the air, casting a shadow of uncertainty. "But is she Eleanora or not?" he pressed.

Copia's response, however, was resolute and filled with emotion. "I don't care," he declared. "She can be her or not, I don't care."

You turned to face Copia, your eyes seeking an explanation for his unexpected reaction.

"I love you," he said with unwavering sincerity, his eyes reflecting deep emotion. "I don't care if you are a past lover of mine, I don't care if you are Eleanora. The only thing I care about is that I found you and you found me. Whether you are her or not, it doesn't matter because I fell in love with you long before I ever saw that drawing."

Tears welled up in your eyes as you whispered, "I... I love you too..."

Copia held your head gently, drawing his face close to yours, and captured your lips in a passionate kiss. You closed your eyes and clutched his shoulders tightly, savoring the intensity of the moment. His other hand caressed your lower back, and you willingly surrendered to the sensations coursing through you.

A sudden cough from one of the brothers interrupted your passionate moment, causing you and Copia to break the kiss abruptly. You turned your face towards the brothers, feeling your cheeks flush a deep shade of red. With a somewhat embarrassed smile, you gently pulled away from Copia, taking a moment to discreetly adjust your disheveled clothes, his hands still resting on your waist.

"I'm sorry," you apologized, your embarrassment evident in your tone and flushed cheeks.

Primo got closer to you and reached out and gently squeezed your hand to reassure you. "No need to apologize," he said with a soft smile.

As Secondo reached for your other hand and pressed a kiss on the back of it, you turned your face toward him, a hint of fear in your gaze. The tallest of the brothers had an imposing presence, and something about what you had observed upon entering the room had unsettled you.

Secondo noticed the unease in your eyes and quickly withdrew his hand, his demeanor softening. "I apologize if I startled you," he said with a more reassuring smile. "I can be a bit... intense sometimes, sì?"

"It's okay, I... I'm fine," you reassured them with a gentle smile.

Terzo grinned mischievously. "Good to know you're not afraid of us, especially after our little 'accident' together."

You responded with a serious tone, setting the record straight, "We didn't have any 'accident' together. It was just you thinking you could take advantage of me."

Secondo chuckled, giving Terzo an amused look. He released your hand and placed it on Terzo's shoulder, teasing, "It's the first time I've seen you fail in your prey, fratello."

"Shut up, cretino," Terzo retorted, brushing Secondo's hand off his shoulder with a playful scowl.

"Just one thing isn't quite clear," you began.

"What's on your mind, bella?" Primo inquired.

"Why are we here? I mean, this is the same place where the ball was held last week. What brings the three of you here? Also I didn't think this was a real house with bedrooms and everything."

"Oh, piccola," Terzo chimed in with a laugh. "That ball was ours."

"What!?"

"You see, it's our property, the three of us," Terzo explained further. "We occasionally need new places to reside, and we own properties around the world. This happens to be one of them. And what better opportunity to meet some... sustenance."

"For some reason, this modern age enjoys events like those," Primo added. "So we often host them to invite people into our homes, and then, well, we indulge."

"So I could have become dinner..." you remarked, a hint of playful unease in your voice.

"And what a delicious meal you would have been," Secondo replied with a mischievous grin, his words laced with dark humor.

Copia, who had been quietly observing the conversation, couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at Secondo's flirtatious remark. His grip around your waist tightened, and a possessive look flashed in his eyes.

"Secondo," Copia said, his tone tinged with a hint of jealousy, "Let's not make her uncomfortable with such talk."

Secondo chuckled lightly. "She's already aware of who we are; I don't think she's that uncomfortable with the vampire talk anymore."

Copia clarified with a meaningful look, "I'm not talking about the vampire talk, fratello."

Secondo's eyes widened in understanding, and he let out a knowing chuckle. "Ah, capisco cosa intendi ora," he said with a sly grin. "You're worried about me stealing your donna away?"

Copia's jealousy was palpable, but he attempted to maintain a composed facade. "Io apprezzo la tua autostima, Secondo."

Terzo's laughter erupted loudly, filling the room, and he playfully slapped Secondo's shoulder. Secondo, clearly irritated by his brother's antics, turned his face towards Terzo, his brows furrowing in annoyance. Copia couldn't suppress a knowing smirk, while Primo simply sighed, shaking his head in a resigned manner.

"We should leave the two of them alone now," Primo suggested, placing his hand on both Terzo and Secondo's shoulders.

"Does that mean we can go back to my home?" you inquired.

"No," Primo insisted, "I insist that both of you stay here, bella. It's been years since we've had the chance to see our fratello, so we'd like you to be our guests, and Copia, you should stay as well."

You nodded in understanding. "Ah, I see. That's... fine, I suppose."

"Perfetto!" Primo exclaimed with enthusiasm. "You two can have this room for the night."

You nodded with a gentle smile, your eyes following the three brothers as they turned their backs and began walking toward the door, signaling their departure. However, just as they were about to exit, Secondo abruptly stopped and turned back, fixing his gaze on Copia.

"Fratello," Secondo called out to him. "Do you forgive us?"

Copia sighed deeply, his emotions a tumultuous whirlwind. "I wish I could stay angry with you three, but I'm overjoyed to see you all alive. I admit that I need more time to process everything, but for now, my heart is filled with happiness knowing that I still have my family."

"We are relieved to know you are still among us," Primo said.

"I'm relieved to be around you three again," Copia remarked.

"I have just one more question, Copia," Secondo began.

"What is it, Secondo?" Copia inquired.

"A human? Again?" Secondo teased, crossing his arms with a knowing smile.

Copia nodded solemnly, not uttering a word.

"You know the consequences of it, sì?" Secondo continued, a hint of warning in his voice.

"What consequences?" you asked concerned.

"Bene," Secondo began, "first, you will not live forever. You are not eternal like us, even though we age very slowly. You are not like us. Also, he will always be fighting against the desire to taste your blood..."

Copia's gaze never wavered from Secondo. "Va bene," he assured. "It's worth it. This time, I'm going to do everything right."

"Questo non è il nostro problema, Secondo," Primo interjected, placing his hand on Secondo's shoulder and turning him away from you and Copia.

The three brothers exited the bedroom, with Terzo closing the door behind him, leaving you and Copia in a moment of intimate solitude. The silence that followed was charged with a palpable energy, the unspoken understanding of the weighty matters that had been alluded to.

Copia's hand cupped your face, his thumb gently stroking your cheek as you turned to him with a warm smile. "So you love me, eh?" Copia teased, his voice filled with affection.

You couldn't help but giggle in response. "Oh! Are you going to tease me about it now?"

Copia's expression softened as he pressed a gentle peck on your lips. "No, amore, I just didn't expect you would say it back," he admitted softly. "I thought... You didn't feel it the way I did."

"I thought you didn't feel this way about me..." you confessed, your voice carrying a note of relief as you saw Copia's gentle smile in response.

Copia leaned in to capture your lips in a kiss, but before the moment could fully unfold, a knock on the door interrupted your connection. Copia let out a frustrated hum and reluctantly took a step away from you, making his way toward the door. Copia reached the door and opened it to reveal Primo, who had returned, wearing a more serious expression than before.

"Perdona l'interruzione," Primo began, his tone shifting from urgency to a more casual one. "I came to ask if you would like to join us for a meal, fratello."

"A meal?" you asked innocently.

"Fratello, I think that now is not the best time for it," Copia responded, a sense of reluctance in his voice, withdrawing his hands from your face.

"Are you sure?" Primo pressed, a hint of concern in his tone.

"Sì, sì," Copia affirmed, his tone firm.

"Bene," Primo nodded. "I'll let you two rest for now."

As Primo left, you exchanged smiles. Once the door was closed, you turned your attention to Copia, who began removing his gloves. He moved gracefully towards the bed, leaving the gloves resting on the mattress.

You moved to the bed, sitting on its edge, your body turned towards Copia as you fixed your gaze upon him. "Copia, are you sure you don't need to eat?" you inquired, your concern evident.

"I'm pretty sure, cara," he assured you, turning his body towards you.

"It's okay for me if you do need to eat, I wouldn't mind at all," you said with sincerity.

"Cara, trust me, I'm fine," Copia reiterated, his tone gentle yet resolute.

"Okay then..." you replied, a hint of anticipation in your voice. "Well, I guess we will spend our evening here, then?"

"Sì, probably. Is it okay with you?" Copia asked.

"Yes, a house with vampires doesn't bother me anymore," you responded, your tone light.

"Oh, are you not afraid of the vampires anymore?" Copia teased, taking a step closer to you.

"If they all look like you, I'm not afraid of any of them," you retorted, a mischievous glint in your eyes as you bit your lower lip.

"Are you saying I'm not intimidating enough?" Copia teased back, running his hands through your thighs, taking his place between them.

You shook your head, watching him approach you slowly. "I don't think you are intimidating, not at all."

Copia closed the distance between you two, his hands firmly gripping your hips as he pulled you to him in a swift and powerful motion, causing your body to collide against his.

"So you're not afraid of what I could do to you?" he murmured, his voice low and suggestive.

"Should I be afraid of what you could do to me?" you responded, your own voice equally suggestive, as the tension between you both grew palpable.

"Perhaps you should, considering I am a vampire," he replied.

"Oh, and are you a formidable vampire, Copia?" you inquired, your hands gliding across your chest.

Copia's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as he moved closer, closing the distance between your faces.

"Cara mia," he purred, "I can be as dangerous as you think I can be," his voice took on a deeper, seductive tone.

You could feel the heat rising between you, your bodies nearly touching, and the room seemed to pulse with a magnetic energy that neither of you could resist. Copia's fingers traced a slow, teasing path along your thigh, sending shivers down your spine.

"Tell me," he continued in a sultry whisper, "how dangerous do you want me to be, cara?"

Your breath caught in your throat as desire coursed through your veins. Your hands moved to rest on his shoulders, and you leaned in, your lips dangerously close to his ear.

"As dangerous as you can be," you murmured, your voice dripping with desire.

"And how much enticing do you want me to be, cara?" he whispered, his voice husky.

You smiled wickedly, biting your lower lip. "As much as you want to be," you responded.

Copia's eyes widened slightly as you spoke, inhaling sharply, his hands moving up to grasp your waist, pulling you into his embrace. His lips met yours in a passionate kiss, his tongue sliding into your mouth, dancing with your, exploring every inch of it. The kiss was fiery and intense, he moaned softly and you pressed your body against his, grinding yourself against him. His hand slid down, cupping your ass, pulling you tighter against him.

You broke the kiss, breathing heavily as your fingers deftly unbuttoned his jacket. "I want you Copia, I really want you," you said, gasping for air.

"Do you, cara?" he asked, his voice low and dark.

"More than anything," you replied, your body trembling with desire.

"I really want you too," he murmured.

You blushed, your heart pounding in your chest. Your eyes were shining with desire as you gently reclined on the bed, watching him removing his jacket. Copia crawled on top of you, moving slowly, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.

"Wait," you said resting your hands on his shoulders. "What about your brothers?" you asked, concern evident in your voice.

"They are not here, cara," he replied, his voice low and husky. "So we don't have to worry about them. They are very busy, so is just you and me now."

You bit your lower lip, your hand slipping down to cup his crotch. "So let's make ourselves very busy now."

Copia's eyes darkened as you squeezed his hardness. "So eager, cara," he remarked with a chuckle.

He bent forward and kissed you softly, sucking your bottom lip into his mouth. His tongue flicked out and teased with the tip of it. You parted your lips allowing his tongue to slide inside your mouth, moaning softly, pressing your body against him. His hands slid up and down your body, until he slid his fingers under your pants. You gasped as they found your wetness.

You were already soaked, and he knew exactly where to touch you now. He stroke you through your panties, and you could feel your juices flowing freely. Your breath caught in your throat as his fingers stoked through your flesh, dipping into your heat, and pressing into your clit. Your legs shook, and you pushed against him, grinding yourself against his hand.

His lips left yours and traveled slowly down your neck, licking and sucking gently. He nipped at your neck, then sucked your earlobe between his sharp teeth.

"Oh... Copia," you whispered in a gasp. "Yes..."

"Yes? What is 'yes,' cara?" he asked, drawing closer to your ear.

"Yes, fuck me."

Copia felt a shiver racing down his spine at your words. He let out a low growl and moved his head to meet your gaze. His eyes sparkled with desire and lust as they bore into yours. He pulled away from you, and you whimpered, disappointed.

"Say it again," he urged.

"Fuck me, Copia," you said, leaning in, brushing your lips on his. "I can't wait any longer. Fuck me right here, right now."

"Amore," he said, his voice thick with desire. "I want to see every inch of you, per favore."

You nodded, and Copia smoothly moved from atop you to the bed, sitting with his back against the headboard. You then stood in front of him, anticipation coursing through your veins, quickly shedding your clothes. He watched you, his eyes devouring you. You could feel his gaze burning through you, and you trembled at the thought of how much he wanted you. It wasn't impossible to not feel like a goddess standing before him, and you love it. You approached the bed, and he gently grasped your hand. You climbed onto the bed, kneeling in front of him.

"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my entire..." he paused, his voice filled with a dark and mysterious allure. "Very long existence," with a slow, deliberate grace, he leaned in closer, his lips hovering just inches from your neck. "You make my centuries of existence worth every moment," he whispered, his breath cool against your skin.

Your heart raced as his words sent shivers down your spine. "You made the years of my existence worth every moment," you replied, your voice trembling slightly.

He chuckled softly, his fangs glistening in the dim light. "I've seen countless wonders in my time, but none compare to you."

With a newfound sense of desire and urgency, your hands moved to his chest, gently but firmly guiding him back towards the headboard of the bed. Your fingers danced along the buttons of his shirt, deftly undoing them one by one, revealing the contours of his body beneath. His shirt hung open on his body, your eyes roamed over his bare chest, taking in every sinuous line and the cool, smooth skin that seemed to beckon your touch. You couldn't help but bite your lower lip in anticipation.

You lowered yourself, gently placing kisses on his chest. His hand found its way to your head, fingers entwining in your hair. Your eyes closed as you lavished each inch of his chest with kisses. Continuing downward, your lips trailed to his stomach, leaving a trail of moist kisses in their wake. Your hands, meanwhile, explored his thighs with gentle caresses.

"Cara mia," he moaned softly.

"Hush," you whispered, placing a finger to his lips. "Allow me to compensate you for this morning, Copia."

He chuckled softly, and you continued your descent, placing a tender kiss along his happy trail, moving down to his bulge, where a gentle kiss left him whimpering in delight. You unzipped his pants, reaching inside. You wrapped your hand around his hardness and squeezed it gently, feeling it pulse in your hand. You looked at him, pulling his member out of his pants. His hardness sprang free and you gasped at its size.

"Mmm, amore," he purred. "It's been so long since someone touched me like this."

"Don't worry, Copia. We'll ensure the wait is well rewarded," you murmured, a sly grin playing on your lips.

You wrapped your lips around the tip, tasting him. He groaned, his eyes closing. You smiled at him, then wrapped your lips on the tip again, running the tongue over it. His hand tightened in your hair, and you moaned around him. You heard him groaning again, and you slipped his member deeper into your mouth. You bobbed up and down, sucking him hard. You crossed your legs and gently rubbed them together.

"Merda! Cara, per favore, have mercy of me," he growled. "Cazzo, amore, this is..." he was cut off by his own passionate moan.

You felt his body tense and head him grunting as he held you close. You increased your pace, bobbing your head up and down on his shaft, sucking hard. He tasted so good, and you moaned around him once again. He cried out, thrusting his hips upward. You continued to suck, but slowed your movements, going with your hand to hold his member, stroking it. His breathing became ragged, and you locked your gaze with his.

"Amore, if you continue like this... I... I won't be able... to control myself," he gasped, squeezing his eyes shut tightly.

You ignored his warn and continued to suck him, your hand stroking his length. You felt his member swell in your mouth, and you quickened your pace. He cried out, and you removed your mouth seeing his body shaking and his load shooting. He shuddered, finally opening his eyes, grinning at you. You lowered your head licking him clean, and then, pulled back, licking your lips.

"Mi... Mi dispiace... I didn't intend for it to happen so quickly," he gasped.

You chuckled softly, gently holding his face in your hands. "Don't worry, Copia. I'm happy it happened quickly; it means it was great, didn't it?"

"It was amazing, amore mio," he replied with a wicked smile. "Now come here."

He pushed you back and held your hips, guiding you onto your back. You spread your legs wide, eager for him. He moved between them, and you sighed as you felt his length sliding between your folds. He pressed himself into you, and you moaned. As you gazed into his eyes, recognizing the uncertainty in his eyes, you nodded and then looked down, watching him slide into you. You whimpered as he filled you completely, stretching you. He leaned over you, his hands on either side of your head.

"Cazzo, you're so tight," he said, his voice rough. "So hot."

He leaned in kissing you deeply, his tongue plunging into your mouth. He began moving slowly, and you wrapped your legs around his waist. He broke the kiss and looked into your eyes, his face contorted with pleasure.

"Are you ready?" he whispered.

You nodded and he began to move inside of you, slow and easy. You closed your eyes feeling him moving within you. You sighed happily as you felt yourself melting beneath him. You opened your eyes and watched him, reveling in the sight of him taking you. Your hands instinctively moved to his face, cradling it gently.

"Ah... Copia," you sighed. That feels so good, you feel so good, you can go... faster if you want."

"Merda, amore, you take my cock so well, you're so hot and wet," he groaned. "You feel so good, cazzo, you are amazing!"

Copia picked up speed, pounding into you. You arched your back and moaned. You reached up and grabbed his hips, pulling him into you harder. He growled and moved faster, his strokes becoming harder, slamming his hips against yours.

"Yes, yes, yes! Like th... Copi-Ah! Ah! Please, don't stop, fuck me," you moaned biting your lower lip.

He leaned down and kissed you, his tongue darting into your mouth. You wrapped your arms around him, pulling him down to kiss you harder. You moaned on his lips and he broke the kiss. He gazed down at you, but his demeanor had shifted noticeably. His eyes appeared darker, his lips slightly parted, as if he were in some kind of trance. His movements continued, but his hungry gaze focused solely on you, prompting you to furrow your brows with concern.

"C-Copia? What's wrong?" you asked, your worry evident.

Copia remained unresponsive, his thrust growing more intense. The intoxicating sensation was undeniable, but the apprehension about his expression gnawed at you. You gently released your arms from around his neck and reached for his face, leaning in to plant a tender kiss on his lips.

"Copia," you whispered softly. "What's happening?"

Suddenly, he stopped moving, and the intensity in his expression melted away. He shook his head and straightened up, withdrawing from you. He sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard panting heavily. You sat on the bed in front of him, tilting your head to the side as you regarded him with deep concern etched across your face.

"Copia..." you called out to him, your voice filled with concern.

"Your heat is overwhelming," he admitted, his breath ragged. "It's driving me wild, making me crave you more and more, and it's making me yearn to taste you."

"Then bite me," you implored, resting a hand on his thigh.

"No, cara, I can't bear to hurt you," he protested.

"Copia, you won't hurt me," you assured him. "You would never hurt me. Please, I can't stand to see you like this. If you want to bite me, just do it."

"Are you absolutely sure?" he asked, seeking confirmation.

"I am," you replied firmly. "Please, don't torture yourself any longer."

As Copia hesitated, his dark eyes locked onto yours, searching for any sign of doubt or fear. He leaned in closer, his lips grazing your neck as he whispered, "I promise, amore, I'll be gentle."

With those words, he bared his fangs and slowly sank them into your neck. A sharp gasp escaped your lips as a mixture of pleasure and pain coursed through your body. Copia's arms wrapped around you, pulling you closer to him as he drank from you, his movements careful and controlled. The sensation was unlike anything you had ever experienced before. Copia's instincts kicked in, and he drank just enough to satisfy his hunger without causing you any harm. As he continued, your world began to blur. Copia gently withdrew his fangs from your neck, his lips pressing a soft, lingering kiss on the puncture wounds.

"You're as sweet as your appearance," he whispered, his words barely audible. "Did I cause you any pain?"

He held you close, his cool skin pressing against yours, and the rhythm of his undead heart throbbed against your chest. Your hand found its way to his hair, your fingers gently caressing his scalp.

"Just a slight discomfort, but it's alright. It wasn't too painful," you whispered in response.

Copia's eyes softened as he continued to hold you close, his fingers tracing gentle patterns along your back. "Mi dispiace for any pain, amore," he murmured, his voice filled with remorse. "I tried to be as gentle as I could."

You leaned in and placed a tender kiss on his lips, reassuring him. "It's alright, Copia. I knew what I was getting into, and I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant helping you."

His grateful smile persisted, and he withdrew his fangs completely. Gently, he lowered you onto the bed, his body hovering above yours. "Did I ruin the mood?" he whispered, his voice filled with desire.

You shook your head with a soft chuckle. "Not at all, Copia, not even a little."

His longing eyes met yours, and he confessed, "I want to continue, but I'm afraid I'll get that urge to bite you again."

You ran your fingers through his hair, reassuring him with a passionate gaze. "If you ever feel that way, don't stop, Copia. Just bite me."

With a mischievous grin, Copia leaned in, his lips meeting yours in a passionate kiss. He crawled on top of you, straddling your hips. He reached down and guided himself into you once more. Your body arched beneath him. He reached down, and grabbed your ankles, lifting your legs up and spreading them wide. You moaned and arched your hips up, rocking your hips against him. Copia moved slowly, building up speed. You felt him grow harder inside of you, and you tightened around him.

He broke the kiss and growled. With forceful intensity, he thrust into you, increasing the tempo and pressure. His body descended, bringing his face closer to your neck. His teeth nipped at your neck, and you moaned, your nails digging into his back.

"Ah, Copia, it's ok, bite me," you moaned softly. "Bite me, take me as yours in every way."

This time, he didn't stop his movements. Copia grabbed your waist and opened his mouth wider. With a feral hunger, he bit your neck even harder. You could feel his sharp fangs eagerly sinking into your skin, his vampire nature fully unleashed. The sensation sent shivers down your spine as you realized the depth of his desire. His lips brushed against your skin, and you couldn't help but be both captivated and apprehensive.

"Oh! Oh! C-Oh! Copia..." you closed your eyes, as you cried out.

The initial sharp pain gradually transformed into a strange, euphoric pleasure that left you breathless. His lips and tongue worked in tandem, both soothing and electrifying the wound. You could sense the intoxication in his movements, the hunger and the power that coursed through his veins. His grip on your body tightened as he indulged in the life essence that flowed from your throat.

His grip on your waist tightened, and you felt his body tremble with a mixture of pleasure and restraint. He pulled his lips away from your neck, and his gaze met yours. You noticed that his mouth still bore traces of your blood. You extended your hand toward his lips, using your thumb to wipe away the stains. He responded with a smile and planted a gentle kiss on your thumb.

"Merda!" he exclaimed. "You're incredible in every aspect. Your blood is exquisite, your pussy is delicious, your lips are intoxicating, and the way you take my cock feels incredible."

His words sent shivers through your body, causing you to clench around him as a loud moan escaped your lips. You hastily covered your mouth with your hands. Copia couldn't help but chuckle as he withdrew from you, eliciting a sigh from your lips.

"We can make some noise, but let's not get too carried away, sì?" he remarked with a playful tone.

Gripping your waist firmly, he spun you around and positioned you on all fours, his member rubbing against your clit. He slid back into you, and you gasped. He began to move faster, slamming into you. He reached around and rubbed your clit, his other hand grabbing your hips.

"I-I'm sorry," you stammered in embarrassment. "I didn't mean to..."

"Don't worry, amore," he reassured you, his grin widening. "Your moans are like music to my ears, but I'd prefer to keep that symphony just for me," he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

He pumped into you faster, his length hitting deep inside of you, his fingers digging into your hips. He kept increasing his speed and you were about to come. The feeling of him inside you mixed with his fingers on your clit was to much to handle. He rubbed faste, and you screamed, your orgasm ripping through you. You came harder than you ever had before, your walls squeezing around his member.

"Fuck, Copia! A-Ah! I'm coming, I'm coming," you whined.

Copia slowed down his pace as you spammed around all his length. He slammed into you again, coming inside you, filling you up with shots of his loads. "Ah, cazzo, amore, sei così perfetta! You made me cum so good on your pussy," he grunted and you felt his hot seed fill you.

He removed his finger from your clit, bringing it to his mouth, licking it. Painting heavily, he slowly pulled out of you. You could feel his seed dripping out of you and you bit your bottom lip, closing your eyes. You collapsed onto the bed, your breath heavy and your body still tingling from the intensity.

Copia lay beside you, and you snuggled up against him, seeking his comforting presence. A contented sigh escaped your lips as he tenderly kissed your forehead. In the silence that followed, your fingers absentmindedly traced patterns on his chest, their gentle caresses a soothing distraction.

What had just transpired was undoubtedly the most incredible sexual experience of your life, and you felt an undeniable urge to continue, but a sudden weakness had washed over you. Perhaps it was because Copia had consumed your blood, which didn't trouble you in the slightest, but it did raise questions about the future. Would every encounter be like this? Would you always feel this drain afterward?

Secondo's words echoed in your mind once more, reminding you of the stark differences between you and Copia. He was immortal, and you were not. Your relationship with him had an expiration date, a fact you had been trying to push aside. It wasn't the time to dwell on such thoughts, not after experiencing one of the most extraordinary moments of your life, but these intrusive thoughts seemed impossible to escape.

"Amore?" he called for you, a furrow forming on his brow. "Is everything okie dokie?"

"Huh? Me? Yes, I'm okay, Copia," you replied, your fingers nervously tracing patterns on his chest.

"You seem distracted, was it not to your liking?" he inquired, his eyes searching your face for any sign of unease. "Are you feeling sick? weak?"

"No, I mean- Yes, it was incredible, Copia, don't worry," you chuckled softly, your gaze finally meeting his. "I'm fine, I'm not sick, I'm completely fine."

"So what is it?" He took a gentle step closer, his hand reaching out to caress your cheek. "Do you want to talk about something, cara mia?"

"I... There's something on my mind," you began, your voice laden with uncertainty.

Copia looked at you with a loving and patient expression. "What is on your mind, amore? Tell me."

You took a deep breath before continuing, "I was thinking about what Secondo said about us being different, how we are not... equal."

Copia's expression remained soft and understanding. "Oh, amore, this doesn't bother me at all."

"I know, but, Copia," you sighed, your voice heavy with emotion. "I'll grow old, and life will pass, and I'll die at a certain age, and... I... We will not be together forever, and you will always be around, but I'm not eternal."

Copia listened intently as you voiced your fears and concerns, his love for you evident in his eyes.

You continued, your voice trembling slightly, "I would be glad to spend your limited life by your side, but I can't deny that seeing you... watching you live on while I'm gone would hurt me. I don't... want to think about me leaving you," you confessed.

Copia's gaze never left yours as he spoke reassuringly, "But you wouldn't be leaving me, amore. That would be just the consequences of a human life."

"But what if I don't want to face the consequences of my human life?" you questioned, your voice barely above a whisper.

Copia leaned in closer, his eyes filled with love and understanding. "What do you mean, cara mia?"

You hesitated, struggling to find the words to express your deepest desires. "What if I want to have eternal life by your side, Copia? I just love you so much, I... I can't bear the thought of growing older every day, knowing that I won't be with you in the afterlife."

Copia's gaze held yours, and he spoke with a tenderness that left no room for doubt, "Amore, am I understanding what you are saying?"

"I'm not entirely sure yet, Copia," you replied, your uncertainty still evident. "Because, I don't know if I would be prepared for this lifestyle."

Copia reached out, gently caressing your cheek with his thumb, his eyes filled with love and devotion. "You wouldn't have to worry about it, cara," he assured you. "I would be by your side all the time. Taking care of you, being with you, loving you."

Your heart swelled at his words, and you felt a rush of emotions. "Would you?" you asked, seeking confirmation.

"Sì, amore mio, forever and ever," Copia affirmed, his voice filled with sincerity. He shifted his position, moving on top of you, his eyes locking onto yours with unwavering affection. "So what do you say, cara?" he asked tenderly. "Do you want the eternal life by my side?"

Grammar

Buongiorno, dormigliona - Good morning, sleepyhead.

Mi dispiace, amore - I'm sorry, love.

Sì - Yes.

Cara - Dear.

Molto bene - Very well.

Miei fratelli - My brothers.

Fratello! Sei venuto! - Brother! You came!

Cosa sto facendo qui - What am I doing here?

Da quando sei diventato così brontolone? - Since when did you become so grumpy?

Non preoccuparti, fratello - Don't worry, brother.

Ti abbiamo appena sentito mancare - We just missed you.

Piccolina - Little one.

I nostri fratelli - Our brothers.

Non posso credere che tu sia veramente qui - I can't believe you're really here.

E hai portato uno spuntino con te - And you brought a snack with you.

Lei non è uno spuntino - She is not a snack.

Cretino - Idiot.

Mio fratello, sei davvero venuto - My brother, you really came.

Cosa hai fatto? - What have you done?

Fai attenzione, piccola angela - Be careful, little angel.

Lasciala andare - Let her go.

Non lo dirò di nuovo - I won't say it again.

Capito - Got it.

Qualsiasi cosa tu voglia, fratello - Whatever you want, brother.

Per favore - Please.

Ci dispiace profondamente - We are deeply sorry.

Fratello - Brother.

Ti amo così tanto, amore - I love you so much, my love.

Vieni con me, fratello - Come with me, brother.

Capisco cosa intendi ora - I see what you mean now.

Donna - Woman.

Io apprezzo la tua autostima - I appreciate your self-esteem.

Bella - Beautiful.

Perfetto - Perfect.

Bene - Well.

Va bene - It's fine.

Questo non è il nostro problema - This is not our problem.

Perdona l'interruzione - Forgive the interruption.

Merda - Shit.

Cazzo - Fuck.

Mi dispiace - I'm sorry.

Sei così perfetta - You're so perfect.

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anonymouslymadebydesign · 2 months

Text

Hear me out

Phantom who's convinced he's gonna get sent back to the Pit once tour is over because that's what the bands been saying

Copia hearing of it once they get back home and asking Phantom if he'd actually want to be sent back

Phantom crying and clinging to his Papa because no he doesn't want to go back but he can't stay here with a "pack" who hates him

Copia arranging for Phantom to be transferred to their sister location and gets a fresh start over as Phantom and not "Aethers Replacement"

Copia telling Aurora what his plan is so she can have a proper goodbye but knows they'll still keep in contact, watching the two ghouls make sure they have each others phone numbers and promising one another to call or text at least once a day

Phantom disappearing from the Abbey because he's moved away without telling anyone so the pack thinks he's actually been sent back. Everyone thinks he was sent back except for Aurora, who stays quiet about it

Copia confronting them and tearing them all apart , dismissing Aurora from his onslaught because he knows how close she and the quint were

#van rambles #phantom ghoul angst #aeon ghoul angst #phantom/aeon ghoul #aurora ghoulette #papa copia #papa iv #nameless ghouls

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onedaughterofman · 1 year

Text

You, forever (Papa Emeritus IV x g/n reader)

Chapter I: Life eternal

Summary: The Clergy takes something from Copia, but he refuses to let go.

Tags: Rated T, Angst, a bit of horror I guess, emotional hurt. Implied character death, mentions of blood and murder. Copia is being obsessive, paranoid, and kind of losing his mind here. He's also unhinged.

Around 1.7K words.

A gentle hum resonates on the walls, rumbling harmoniously around the room. It’s such a cold, silent night and the wind howls outside the windows. The faint whistle is barely discernible through the glass and concrete, disappearing somewhere in the room before fully reaching your ears.

In the darkness, only illuminated by the flames of black candles, Copia’s finger traces your face. From up your brows to the curve of your nose, around the soft cheeks and down to the lips, his fingertip grazes your skin with care and devotion. He doesn’t need to look at you to recognize those factions he, by now, knows by memory.

His dark, blown pupils are lost somewhere on the wall, faint candle light reflecting on his eyes. Even when he’s deep in his mind, the embrace doesn’t falter. His arms are tight around your body, cradling you in his lap.

Oh, how much he loves to hold you close, to smell the perfume of your hair and bear the weight of your flesh on his. He’s lucky, so fortunate to have you by his side on the bed.

Gradually, the humming catches up in a melody. It’s something he used to sing, a long time ago, in front of hundreds if not thousands of people. Still, now it feels like this melody was written for the two of you, meant to be heard by lovers only.

And Copia, Copia loves you so much. It hurts. The love he experiences towards you impales him in the heart, filling his lungs with thick dread. It shouldn’t be like this. He knows it, but he’s afraid. So, so afraid. You’re his love, his one and only person in this harsh world, his light in the darkness and the fire in his guts.

Without you, he’s lost.

Without you, he’s nothing but that pathetic Cardinal no one but Imperator trusted on.

Finding you gave him courage, confidence and power. And now, Copia is not used to things going his way, no matter how hard he works. He’s inevitably a second option, nothing but a poorly made copy of the original. He doesn’t deserve such niceness in his life.

Consequently, he knows sooner or later someone will try to take you away from him. Arms tightening on your body, his humming halts only for a moment. He won’t allow it. Nothing will take you apart. No one will separate both of you. It doesn’t matter if the Clergy is planning something, or if everybody seems to be whispering behind his back, scheming, plotting.

Nothing matters, for as long as he secures you by his side.

Bare fingers tracing down your neck, Copia leans down to place a chaste kiss on your cheek. His warm breath tickles over your skin, just like his lashes do when he closes his eyes and presses his cheek on yours. His fingers curl on your neck, nails leaving red marks behind.

Oh, how bewitched he is by your beauty and kindness. No one had ever treated him like you did, no one had ever looked into his eyes with as much warmth as you did. Logically, a part of him whispers that everything must come to an end. Something inside his mind recognizes the moment of letting go will come, inevitably. Still, he’s sure he’ll call your name forever, hoping to evoke the memory of your voice in a reply.

In the darkness, through misery and contempt, he’ll search for you in every person, around the corners, yearning for you, praying for you. Not even death will take you apart.

Not even Hell.

Realizing he’s squeezing too tightly, his arms almost fall limp to his side. Rushed apologies escape his lips as your body plows on his lap, rigid. Copia quickly collects it, holding you closer, propping your head on his chest. Your hair tickles at his neck when he leans closer, shushing in your ear in an attempt to soothe you.

“You know,” he whispers. There’s certain playfulness behind his tone, but also some deep urgency. It’s like he’s disclosing an embarrassing secret, something only the two of you should know. “One time, you asked me if there was someone occupying a place in my heart.”

In the deep silence, the creak of the bed is loud as he slowly rocks his body, swaying yours with him. The movement offers some comfort, expands a faint warmth on his tired limbs. He doesn’t know when was the last time he laid down to sleep or closed his eyes for more than a few minutes. He has to be alert, to protect you.

People are plotting.

"I was young, dumb and didn't understand what you meant by that question. I couldn't even believe someone like you was talking to me, so I never answered." Copia’s pupils barely leave the wall when he continues, fingers absentmindedly tracing shapes over your abdomen and hips.“Truth is, before you I have been in love with no one, and I never shall. Unless it is with you.”

The tolling of the bells marks the time. It’s late, so late at night, but he has to stay awake a bit longer. The light of a new day won’t bring real safety, but it will represent another small victory. He has to survive this night and the others to come, for as long as you stay by his side.

When his shaky hands grip on your waist with too much strength, he apologizes again. This is not okay. He has to be strong, to keep himself calm. Copia doesn’t want to frighten you, to cause you to think he’ll let anybody harm you.

You have to know you’re safe in his arms. "Amore, don't worry.” He says, but there’s an undeniable trembling in his words. “I’ll take care of you. Since the first time we were together, I knew you and I are one. Love me or hate me for eternity, it's okay, but don't leave me. Never. Stay forever with me."

The mere idea of you walking away from him scares Copia to death. He’s been through it too many times. Since birth, nothing really has belonged to him. He was only another orphan, cared for by the Clergy, another face in the multitude. It never mattered if he was the best at his classes, or if he learnt how to perfect old rituals, he was always extremely awkward, too odd and useless.

Since the beginning, he was an outsider. Nice things don’t belong to outsiders, they belong to people like Nihil or Terzo, to people who were born for it. People like Terzo never had to prove themselves to be worthy of fame, power and love.

Him, on the contrary, had to fight. Aching heart and soul, going further than any other Papa before, he fought. Yet, it was never enough. Holding you close, Copia wonders if you endure a similar pain, if something inside you hurts and rumbles with dread.

If your heart is wounded, then his is bleeding profusely along with yours. He’ll offer you the world to make up for it.

Swaying your body, Copia places another gentle kiss on your head. His hand grabs your face, fingertips caressing over the cheekbone. Gradually, he places you back in the bed, setting you under the covers before standing up. The sun is coming up from behind the horizon, crimson rays serving as the omen of another bright day.

Today, he has to discuss details of the oncoming tours with Mr. Saltarian. Sadly, he’ll have to leave you alone for a moment or two. Leaning down to kiss the back of your hand, Copia walks the distance that separates him from the door and disappears outside of the room.

It’s almost noon when Imperator notices the dirt stains in Copia’s clothes. Following the trail of mud through the halls, she finds herself in front of that old, heavy wood door of the main quarters . Her hands tremble before reaching for the knob, turning it in slow motion.

The clicking of her heels on the marble floor is overly loud in her ears, but not as much as the wild beating of her heart when she finds you in the bed, dead eyes staring right at her soul.

The realization strikes her like a bus, like a bucket of freezing water being poured right on her exposed skin. She should have ordered to bury your body farther away. It seems the ghouls did a terrible job at keeping the location of your grave a secret.

It doesn’t matter how much she swallows, nothing loosens the knot in her throat. It’s challenging to breathe inside the room, and she rushes outside, chest heaving and back pressing on the cold concrete walls of the Ministry in a futile attempt to calm down.

This is not how it was supposed to go. With you dead and gone, Copia should be focusing on the Ghost project and the church. He should be investing his time and energy in honoring the Devil, not for the sake of the Clergy, but for himself.

If he doesn’t, he’s going to get killed and she can’t allow that to happen.

Taking you out of the equation was a logical thing to do. It was either you or him, and Imperator couldn’t let go of her little C.

“Sister?” the voice exalts her. There, standing in the hall, is him. Hair disheveled and eyes too wide on his face, he doesn't look like that poor Cardinal that stepped inside the Ministry all those years ago.“Is everything alright?”

Under the yellowish light of the building, the new stains on his cheeks, neck and clothes look almost black, like old coagulated blood. The scent of iron hits her nose, filling her mouth with an acidic taste. Standing upright, Imperator nods. Copia smiles, but the emotion never reaches his pupils.

“Let’s go, then. My dear is asleep and doesn’t want to be disturbed.”

On slow, shaky steps, Imperator follows. The smell of fresh blood worsens as she walks his way, clutching her hands near her body like in a prayer. She's in the presence of something unholy, profane... wicked.

Long time ago, a prophecy foretold the birth of the Antichrist, as a gift from Satan to a woman devoted to him. Now, standing right in front of Copia, Imperator thinks that maybe those weren’t just old, stupid tales to tell in the dark.

Her actions have awoken him. What an honor. How happy she is, and all, thanks to you.

PART II HERE

PD: Listen, Idk what to tell you about this. I wanted to write it for Halloween as some sort of horror special, but life got in the way. I don't know if I love or hate this fic.

I love babygirl Copia, but Totally Unhinged Batshit Crazy Papa Emeritus IV called to me in the middle of the night and held me against a wall until I agreed on writing this.

I listened to Life Eternal, Darkness at the Heart of my Love and Respite on the Spitalfields A LOT. Also, some quotes are inspired by the book Carmilla, written by Sheridan Le Fanu.

Asks are open if you want to say something <3

#ghost band fanfic #ghost band fanfiction #ghost fanfiction #papa emeritus iv #papa emeritus x reader #papa emeritus iv x reader #cardinal copia #cardinal copia x reader #ghost band angst #unhinged copia #evil copia #my writing #my fics

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revelisms · 1 month

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Antichrist Copia theory has overtaken me yall. I was not expecting to crank out a full thing on this, but, uh...if you're looking for one big indulgent braindump on Terzo trying to unpack his feelings on this while Copia gets possessed by a demon, look no further?

Quick context setting—I'm still working out these headcanons a bit, but what I'm generally tinkering with here:

Everyone tied to the Emeritus bloodline has some degree of magical abilities, which were formally "awakened" in an oath-taking ceremony at a point in the boys' childhood. This is the Sight mentioned here (i.e., whatever is up with the white eye), and each of the brothers have a slightly different angle for it: Primo can see into the minds of living things, Secondo can see into the past, Terzo can see into the future, and Copia can see into the realm that bridges life and death—and is somewhat a literal bridge, himself, between those planes of reality.

The Exaltation ceremony is a formal handoff from each Papa to the next heir, in which their Sight is tapped to its greatest potential in preparation for becoming head of the church. This typically involves a delivery of rites, a magical blessing, and an opening of the Gate between worlds (which, in this context, is technically Hell itself).

Basically: mayhem ensues.

here we lie

4k words | Rating: M | Terzo-Centric | Antichrist Copia | CWs: Ritual magic, dark imagery, near-death experience, blood, language, existentialism, doomed fate, whump, anger issues, dysfunctional family dynamics, hurt/comfort. Also on AO3

The exaltation ceremony goes wrong.

By all accounts, it shouldn't have.

As with any long-standing traditions of the church, the ritual had been perfected to the scrape of dust one was allowed to wear on their boots—and, as such, had been prepared with the expected flurry of pomp and circumstance.

The esteemed Monsignor Emeritus, firstborn, blessed with the Sight, had cleansed the air thrice with dishes of althea and frankincense and bistort: enhancements for protection and divination.

Sister Mariella, well-familiar with the customs, had laid down the sigils for the Gate flawlessly: shadowed by the slow-prowled growlings and page-turned rites of Secondo Emeritus, Archbishop of the Eternal Light.

The ceremony, as was custom, was set to be led by the head of the church: their Exalted, sheened in black from neck to toe, the points of his clawed gloves glinting in the lowlight—for whom the Sight of premonition had seemed both a blessing and a curse, and never more so than now.

He was distracted, perhaps. Dehydrated, maybe. Dreading the moment he would stand at the door to the realm beyond—a threshold of time and space untethered—that would soon devour the faceless flesh-form of a ghoul cast back to the shadow (his One, his All, his own); a door he himself, in time, would one day find himself crossing, with body and soul split, head and neck cleaved, heart and mind shattered.

From the moment he'd slopped a spoon through the breakfast his secretary had slid on his desk that morning, he'd known, instinctually, that this damned thing could turn so haywire, if only because he'd been the one shackled with it.

His jittery magic, his restless brain, and Copia—

Well.

Copia has been anything but normal, from the day Sister carted him up the chapel steps.

Terzo knew he had magic—the likes of which few could fathom, even from his sticky-fingered child days. The night the little rat had taken his oaths, the air had sung with it: a strange buzz of sensation that felt like the sun had tipped off-center.

And now—

Now, the Gate is laid open beneath Terzo's hands, the unseen ink of his spell-marks glowing a blood-lilac fuchsia, bright enough to glare violently through his clothes, and the void of Hell itself screaming in its glory—and Copia is not imbued with the Dark One's majesty, as he should be—is no man, is not living, has flames for eyes and claws for teeth and wings like the undead and is screaming—

"Close it," Secondo snarls at him, a blurred tower of shadow and piercing white—

—and Terzo knew this.

Knew this boy-man-beast-hellspawn of Christ-Shadow Beholden always was.

He'd looked him in the eye—kneeled there in the cat's cradle of a pentagram scraped in chalk, hands fidgeting at his cassock—and gave a crook of his head: murled, Ready? like a tease, though some part of him had meant it as, You'll be alright, eh?

But unblessed saints and demons below, Copia isn't.

What writhes before him now is a creature that terrifies him to the bone—one that may not abandon his brother completely, should he fail at this any farther than he already has.

"Terzo." Primo, now: an urgent hiss at his shoulder. "Close the gate—"

"I know." His magic burns at his fingertips, sears through his blood. "That—thing hasn't released him—"

A thing with claws cradling Copia's head like ceramic a hairline from shattering, spitting a pained growl through his teeth.

The sacrament in Mariella's hand shakes. "Papa, what's...?"

"I don't know." The flamelight flickers unnaturally against the domed walls: a great breath that lapses to darkness, sparks back again. "Shit, I—I don't know."

"Terzo—"

"Close the gate—"

"Hell Satan—will you all shut up?!"

There are horns in Copia's hair, slick-red-gold between his grappling fingers.

His stomach is in his head. His brain in his feet.

Mariella swallows. She's always been a strong soul—far more than him, now: level-headed in a storm, vibrant in a fog; a presence that guides as much as it grounds.

"How long can you hold it for?" she whispers, firm and calm.

He pulls dry air into his lungs. "As long as I need to."

He steps forward, spellwork singing in his veins, and lets his hands unfurl. The air whips at his vestments, wailing with the bone-deep unease of voices old as Creation straining to be heard.

Somewhere in there is Copia's own. He'll drag it out by hand, if he has to.

"You imbecile!" Secondo is shouting, muffled behind the blurred opalescence of the Veil: a wall that glows off the circle Terzo crosses, consumes him with the prickling unease of a limb losing its circulation. "You can't reason with it!"

The flames warp again. A shadow like death bends over the walls.

Terzo's no stranger to the taste. His dreams have been riddled with the stench of it, from the day the Sight was force-gifted upon him. And like he had, then—a child with battered elbows and bruised knees; a not-man with awkward limbs and disdain for the old orders of this world; a Cardinal with paint on his teeth and a straightjacket of woolen expectations—he repents.

"I call on the spirits of the Then and the Below." A twitch strings through his fingers: with it, a flare of violet light. "To the Beings of those Beyond, the Eternal, I speak now, and speak only—" The pitch of his voice mangles, ragged with the corded growl of a beast: the underbelly all their half-human souls peel clean, when drowned deep enough in this waste. "In my Blood, see my will. In my Sight, my path—"

"What is he saying?" Mariella asks, her voice muffled as though through glass.

Primo calls a sharp warning: "Don't cross it—"

The air whistles with a faint singing of metal—and splits. It grapples at his clothes, twisting his hair with a gravitational pull unseen.

He breathes in chalk dust, sighs out knives.

Beneath Copia's shivering limbs ripples the black expanse of the Gate: an aether so endless one couldn't capture its history in a millennia: a presence so indefinable that even Primo, with years of such history under his belt, can only stare through the blur, voiceless and rigid at the sight of it.

With twitching claws and lightless eyes and Hell beneath his feet, Terzo beckons.

"Bare yourself to me."

The room shivers. The walls shriek. The flames stagger, flutter, wheeze again—and snuff out, completely.

In the pitch, it is only the Eternal, and the glow within his veins, and the white of his eye, and Copia's beast-man-beast-man-fanged grin with a split lip—

A Being that takes the air of the room by the throat, and speaks in a voice that thunders.

"It is time."

Terzo feels its presence slithering up his legs. The weight of its All on his lungs.

He keeps his hands steady, his intent clear, even for the exertion that leaves his arms quivering.

"Not here," he grits back, a strange echo in the ringed light that encases them. "Not now."

A hand that is not Copia's, is scaled and rotted and red, slaps to the stones. "When?" The shriek hits his ears like a thunderstrike. A chill is crawling under his veins: a heaviness that isn't right, is this thing more than his own blood. "When?"

Primo's magic is wafting through the air—some swift-casted attempt at a ward around them, far too late now. The scent of it itches on Terzo's tongue: dragon's blood, rose-ash, frigid at his back. His own aura swats it off like a gnat, too distracted to let it in, to think.

Fuck, he needs to think.

A stage—

The Being wails.

His downfall—this one's own Ascension—

Ice knifes into his ankle.

A stage and heat and lights and purple-bleeding-black and blood on his throat—a syringe in his brother's own hands, a demon masqueraded—his Unnamed's voice gristling in his ear, Be still be still be still now—

Mariella squeezes a talisman in her palm, smoking sweetly with the taste of Secondo's own protection charm.

"Papa," she calls out: her voice a muddy, drowned thing.

His lashes flutter open, heavy as lead.

"Coward!" the Being retches. Hellfire blisters against its silhouette, a nebulic haze. "Tell them of your death. Of Our purpose. Where We were sewn. You know it—"

Mariella holds the stone out to him, guided through the surging current of Primo's ward. The air wrestles like a gale through her sleeve.

"You know it!"

His claws catch at her palm—not his gloves, but his own, thick and black as talons. The talisman burns a sunspot-bloom through his marrow, bright as a thousand stars.

"Thirteen months." His speech is one he doesn't recognize: child and entity and Bloodline infinite. "On a black dais, surrounded by your flock." The talisman melts like a balm into his skin: an unseen shield that ripples with half-lit iridescence. The chill biting into his skin flinches. "You will know it," Terzo grits on, "and now is not it."

He thinks he hears Copia's voice through the fray. He can't be sure.

"And then?" snarls the Being.

Not a being. Not a thing.

No—this is Lucifer-incarnate.

An orchestration.

"It won't be finished, then." The shell of magic around them snaps like embers in a flame, a jolt wrestling up his arm. So much time. So much weighed down—and he weighs it down, still, his breath shuddering. "You'll have years to go—"

"And then?"

Scraped nails, dead eyes, bloodied horns, Copia—

Secondo's gloved palm tears through the gleam, squeezes like a noose around his bicep. "I won't say it again, you fuck," he spits, the words warped and crackling. "You're going to get him killed—"

He can't shake him off quickly enough.

"Close it!"

Copia's eyes. Copia's soul, trapped in the All. Right there—

His magic flares like a supernova, spears through that gate and holds: a cosmic blast that shouts his throat raw, knocks Secondo nearly off his feet, leaves him lightheaded and with blood on his teeth—but he has him—

"Thirteen months' time," the Being roars, "and you'll be taken with it."

Terzo hisses, his claws scraping at his brother's skin.

"So is the Rule."

The Gate grapples at his silks.

Copia's gloved fingers shake, snatching desperately at his arms. His own voice breaks through the loom. "Terz—"

"I've got you," Terzo spats. Sweat sticks at his neck.

The fibers of his magic are fraying at the edges.

Red eyes glare up at him. "Do you accept it?"

The portal whines.

"To the day it is marked, you'll have it. As it is written." His claws slip on Copia's sleeve. "As it always was."

The Being grins. "And so it will be."

It spits his brother out.

His hold on the Gate snaps like a wire—and shatters the well of magic, with it. The howl torrents through the room with a cello's blare, and whips to a bee-winged nothingness.

With the loss of it, gravity lurches in his gut. He cracks to his knees, catches himself on the stones just enough—gloves still intact, not torn through, only clawed with gold—and heaves blood.

"Papa!"

And his brother. His damned demon brother: rubber-legged, staggering, Copia gasps like a man near-drowned.

Unscathed, somehow—Satan willing.

Primo is across the room, in an instant. "Copia. Unblessed beneath, are you alright?"

"Ye-Yes, yes, I—shit." Primo catches him, his gloves slipping at his sleeves. Unsteadily, he veers back on his feet. "What...what happened?"

It's too dark. Too quiet. Too loud.

Terzo swallows down bile; chokes on blood and phlegm. Mariella's habit swims in his vision.

"Papa," she hushes, clear as crystal now. "Papa, look at me."

Secondo, halfway between them: "Is it gone?"

Her fingers skim through the sweat-dripped mess of his paints: press cooly at his temple.

"Is it gone?"

"Yes," she breathes.

Hazily, lashes flicking, Terzo tips out of her touch. He chokes on his words, the first try; rasps them, the second. "Where's the rat?"

"He's here," Primo answers him. "He's fine."

There's a clumping of boots, a rustling of silks, Mariella scurrying from the floor.

"What in Hell's name were you thinking." Secondo's hand jerks at his sleeve, wrestles him half-blind back into his bones. "You could have doomed us all. We never—never—speak to the Unnamed without wards in place. You know that—"

"Brother," Copia croaks.

Secondo rips his head over his shoulder. "You shut your mouth. I haven't even gotten to you." With a firm grip, his hand slips under Terzo's arm, helps him slowly to his feet. "Get up," he huffs. "Come on. Are you alright?"

"I'm—fuck. Fine. I'm fine."

His elder brother scowls down at him. "Good. And you better stay that way, because I have half a goddamned mind to put a fist through your teeth—"

"Dino," Primo snarls, "This is helping nothing." Years of practice in such misguided events has left him rationed, calm: a quiet glance turned to the pale-faced attendant behind him, who stands shell-shocked, having seen unwantedly the darker veins of their Order—and ones their customs would soon have him forget. "Jean," Primo says, waiting for his eyes to drop. "We will need a medic. Say nothing to the All-Father."

Secondo scoffs. "Oh, yes—Nihil will have this one's ass, when he hears of this—"

"Saints—ignore him, young one. A medic, and Priestess Diana. Quick as you can."

The boy nods and takes off through the hall's doors, stumbling up the stairs in his haste.

In his absence, the room holds a collective breath, the eyes of the siblings still in attendance fixed like rabbits on the four men clustered in the center of the room.

"We're alright," Primo says to them all, in a tone that is more order than reassurance.

It couldn't be more of a reach.

Terzo wheezes a snarl, a laugh. "Alright." The stones sting beneath his feet: five paces that drive him out of Secondo's iron grip, steer him straight into the path of Copia's saucer-wide blinking: eyes blue and white and younger than they should ever seem, in a face that has grown so weathered, as all of them have.

And he knew.

He lifts a clawed finger, his breath too slow. "I knew."

Primo, sharp as steel: "Do not take this out on him—"

He couldn't give a shit.

He almost killed him.

The bastard wasn't living.

"What are you, mh?" Terzo licks his lips, tastes the bitter metal of blood. He lifts a shaky hand. "No, no—what did she make you?" He smears the leather against his mouth, the heat of his stare unwavering, a knife-edge sliced from shoes to frazzled fringe. "That—that Aether just within you, eh? Always that, under there?"

Copia shakes. "I didn't," he blunders.

"This is why she brought you, isn't it? Satan, of course—"

Secondo wrestles for his elbow, a steadying squeeze. "Terzo—"

"You saw it—!"

His brother's eyes simmer: one black in the lowlight, the other white as a moonbeam. "I saw you."

His bites his nails through his glove. Rattles in a breath.

"Calm down, the both of you," Primo says coldly, a hand still on Copia's shoulder. "It was reckless—but you managed. We are all still in one piece." He steps between them, pointedly, studying Terzo's face like a leech. "Your Sight will be strained for weeks, after that. You did not have the power to even attempt that on your own."

Terzo snuffs. "A good thing one of us sorry shits did."

Behind the sharp slope of Primo's shoulder, Copia shivers, eyes downturned. "I—"

"Don't." He drags a gloved hand through his hair. Shaking—still shaking? Outraged—always. Horrified, still. "You're good," he tells his brother, tells himself. "It is all good. You're alright. Okay."

Primo's eyes stare through him, see a bitten-lipped boy with a bandage on his cheek.

Terzo turns away. "Okay," he hushes again, and walks, past Secondo's stone-still glare, Mariella's worried frown, and walks, and walks, and walks—

"You are not running away, now—"

"Dino. Leave it. Copia, do not linger on that, alright? Don't listen to it. You know how he is. It is not your fault—"

"But what—what was that? What happened—?"

—up the gnarled stairwells, out the maze of lower halls, stumbling over the grasses, and sits like a stone on the side-entry's steps. Like a ghost.

Sits for an age.

He must—because, by then, the medics have come, and the stench of that room has been dragged open, and Mariella's whispers are drifting across the corridor's arches—after he's ripped off his gloves, dug his fingers through his hair, tried to breathe and not think—and he expects her.

He expects her fear, her pity.

Not Copia.

The fool's boots scuff on the stairs.

"Is it, eh..." His brother muddles over a breath. "Alright if I—?"

Terzo doesn't have the mind to fight it—not with sweat still cold at his back. He swats his palm, some attempt at allowance, kneading his other fingers over his brow.

Copia slumps down to the steps. Just stays there, in awkward, insufferable silence.

Finally: "Shit—it's chilly today, isn't it?"

Terzo leers through his fringe. "Going to talk about the birds, next?"

"I'm just saying."

"Just saying. Yes—and you'll be singing, after." He combs back the half-tamed waves of his hair, hangs his hand across his knee. "Old chamber smells like a cesspool."

Copia manages a smile, the thistles of his mustache wrinkling. "Bleh. Nasty place. I've always hated it, down there."

"All the more reason to, now, huh?" Terzo forces a sneer of his own, glaring away. He sniffs. Pits his tongue against his teeth.

For a beat, his brother says nothing. Then, his gloved fingers squeaking over each other: "I'm alright."

Terzo chuffs, furrowing his brows. "Barely."

He can feel the rat's eyes on him. It makes his skin crawl. "Primo...told me. What it—well." Copia frowns at his boots, at the graveled path beyond. "Did you mean it?" he hushes, lifting his eyes. "That you've...seen it, before?"

Terzo bites the inside of his lip. "Seen lots of things."

"But—that. It's—I've always thought...er...felt that, maybe, she'd..."

"Sister?"

"Mother, yes—"

"Your mother."

Copia's shoulders twitch.

"I—sorry," Terzo mumbles, shifting his fingers over his thumb. "I know it's not..."

His fault, his intention—his anything, right?

But it is. Isn't.

Should be.

He flexes his hand, pitters his fingertips together. Looks away. "Anyway."

A breeze rustles cooly through the shrubbery that flanks the stairs: a feathered hush along the pines that tower over the grounds.

"Anyway," Copia repeats, shifting his tongue around his mouth. "It's just...you, eh...you have seen it, before," he says again, watching the air ripple through the leaves, "haven't you?"

Terzo glances at him. Sister's sloped nose. A paintbrush-smattering of freckles. The white of his eye, fixed on the swaying branches. Lanky little thing, as he's always been. The mirror to his own placelessness, own purposelessness, own forced mantle he never asked to have thrown upon him—but craved, clawed for, claimed, nonetheless.

"Told you, little thing," he says, tipping his heel off the stones. "Seen lots of things."

"But I know. I've always...felt it, I just haven't—" Copia fumbles, lacing his fingers. "Had the words, I guess."

"Rare thing, for you."

"Shut up."

"Heh—even rarer for me, eh?"

"Ugh."

They breathe in unison, the air thick with it: hope, despair, magic, emptiness.

"When it...when that...thing took over me, did it...say anything to you?"

Terzo's mouth ticks.

Thirteen months. Poison in his neck. His body tossed through the gaping maws of the realm beyond.

He stares at the points of his boots, still speckled with his own spit and blood, and scuffs his thumb at it.

"Eh...not clearly. Hard to make out, in the muck of it."

"None of it came through?"

Terzo tilts his chin on his shoulder, fixing him with a narrowed look. "It wasn't you, Coppie," he says. "Just...forget what I said, before. Old temper of mine, rearing its shitting head again."

"But what if—"

"It wasn't." Terzo plants his palm on his brother's knee, chipped black on his nails, and squeezes. "It wasn't," he murmurs again.

Copia stutters. "Well, even if it wasn't—it—it felt like I was..."

"Delirious?" He perks one brow, fox-grinned in his usual reach for deflection, distraction. "Dead, even?"

"Whole."

The smile wanes.

For a breath, he tries to hunt for that beast beneath his brother's skin—the way he so often does in the steamed glass of his own mirrors, and so easily sees it in them: the spire-teeth, the winged limbs, the eyes half-living.

He finds only a quivery little boy, tucked in the cage of a man's body. The same one who spent years, against all odds—against his own stupid, spiteful jealousy—clinging like a barnacle to his side.

He slides his hand away. "The Sight does it to all of us, little rat. Strips away the Veil." He picks at his thumb, the gravel hazing to a fine blur, and swallows: white stone crisping to clarity, again. "Catch an Emeritus in the right light—even a clueless one can see the Fallen in them."

Copia frowns.

Maybe it's not a comfort. All the more proof that he isn't one of them, as he has so often feared.

The Other, above all else.

"But what if I am?" he says quietly. "Whatever that...thing was? Will, eh...will something happen, if that's true?"

Terzo lifts his eyes to the sky—grayish with cloud-cover, damp with the chilled humidity of a storm along the way, something to wash this whole mess clean—and lies through his teeth.

"Happen?" he snides. "What is this—Armageddon, itself? You worry worse than Nonna, Coppie." He wrinkles his brows at him, his smile thin, his paints half-smeared off his face. "And even if you were—would it be so bad? All of us are hardly human, eh? Perhaps you are just farther along the evolutionariness—the truest Creature of the Night, of us all." His eyes widen, teasingly. "I mean—psh! I will have my fangs, no? And the pincher, his wolf-pelt, and Primo will, eh...Hell, what would the old goat be?"

Copia rolls his eyes, leaning into the cradle of his elbows. "A zombie?"

"Feh—the Nihilist is the rotting corpse, surely."

His brother rolls into a snicker. "Sea creature?"

"Agh—not the lagoon man! We will insult the dear river's integrity, with such things—no, no." Terzo sniffs, feigns smearing away his paints instead of the heat itching at his eye, and smiles wryly again. "Let's be realistic, here—the old gardenia will be the enchanted plant that traps one's bones for the witches, yes?"

Copia wheezes on another laugh.

Saints, he hates that laugh. Godawful sound, a mimicry of his own: a snort and a tea kettle and a giggle all in one.

The brightest sunbeam of any.

"He has to be the, er—the witch, right?" Copia wonders, giving him a teasing glance.

Terzo flashes his teeth. "Now, if that is the category—I will rule above them all, no?"

And his brother laughs again.

Their little brother, little demon, little star. The highest heir of them all, doomed to a path he should have never been put on—as all of them are, in their own ways. Always have been; always will be.

Terzo ignores Primo's shadow in the corridor, flanked by Mariella's quiet eyes. Ignores the hawkish leer of Secondo's folded-armed scowling, waiting to deflect the plague that will no doubt burst into the halls, once news of it all has reached the ears of their Highest.

At least for this moment, he can pretend.

Flit away what is yet to come, like a bottle tossed to the sea—Nihil, Sister, this brother tressed in silks and jewels for a price he hadn't the slightest knowledge would be paid—and goad another laugh out of him, and another.

Relish in the denial that this is all that ever was. Ever could be.

Copia: blushing, teary-eyed but toothy, knocking his shoulder into his—unable to do anything but choke at the idiotic scenarios he conjures for the four of them, in all their monsterly glory. As distracted as he deserves to be, after that wretched thing. The memory of it all forgotten, if for a moment.

And that's enough, Terzo thinks, the cool tang of rain on the gales.

For now, maybe, that's enough.

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piaart · 1 year

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At the Mercy of Time(And Fragmented Memories of You)

Dracopia x gn reader

Summary: A short story about a vampire with pseudo immortality, his mortal lover, and how they handle falling in love amidst death and reincarnation.

Word count: 4.2k

A/N: What started out as a short sweet drabble about love that transcends lifetimes in a friend’s dms turned into angsty 4k word fic(with a happy ending) because my brain won’t give me a break.

This is about reincarnation so I do mention death a lot. Nothing graphic or tragic, it’s just a natural part of the cycle. Copia is referred to as the Count for the most part.

No dialogues, we operate on vibes alone.

Also on Ao3

——————

You met him at a galliard.

A night of socialization hosted by the count himself. You think yourself lucky to have been invited to one of the count’s events - the man holds a highly respected position among the high class and to be invited to one of his dances was an honor. You watch the people around you mingle and dance about the grand room, and among the sea of faces, you find him.

The Count was a charming fellow, quiet when he needed to be, but most times a goof and easy to be around with. Or so you've heard. He walked across the room in long, suave strides, clad in all black, a cape on his back. His chestnut hair was swept back neatly, his face framed by a mustache and neatly kept sideburns. His eyes, one piercing green and the other pale white, glimmers under the light. You were mesmerized, so fixated on his features that you failed to notice that he was walking towards your direction.

He introduces himself to you, and you give him your name, to which he regarded with such eloquence, kissing the back of your hand with grace. Little did you know, this moment would change your lives forever.

It started out with a conversation, followed by a series of back and forth letters, to evening visits to your estate. He starts courting you, and you fall in love before he even offers you the world. Nothing could ever change your feelings for this man, not even when he admitted to being a vampire to you.

It was a surprising discovery, but then again, that would explain his nocturnal lifestyle, why you only ever see him when the sun had gone down, why he never shows up uninvited, this explains the unlabeled bottles of wine he keeps around his manor.

He prepared himself for hostility, a slap, a scream. He expected rejection - for you to run away and never return, but it never comes. You remain by his side, and for that, he will be forever grateful. You married the count during winter.

He offers to turn you into a vampire one night, with the intention of living the rest of eternity with you, but for some odd reason, you refuse. His heart sinks at your answer, but he respected your wishes for now. He hopes you'd change your mind in the future.

Every few years, he would ask you again, and you would always decline. He tries not to let it get to him, but one night, he got irritated and you would find yourself in a screaming match with the Count. That evening, he stormed off into the night before he lost his control. He'd never forgive himself if he hurts you by accident. You cried yourself to sleep, waiting for his return.

He came home just before the sun rose and found you asleep on your shared bed. His first instinct was to join you, snaking his arms around your waist, pressing his nose against your hair. He whispered apologies to your ear, and peppered you with kisses until you stirred awake. His heart shatters when he sees how red your eyes are from crying and he breaks down, ending up a sobbing mess in your arms, begging you for forgiveness, pleading for you not to leave him.

And you don't. You forgave him, like you always do.

He thanks you again and again, but he doesn’t stop crying. The thought that one day he would watch you die and he cannot do anything about it lingers at the back of his mind. You know this too, but you don’t change your mind about turning.

You continue living your life. You grew old, wrinkly, your hair faded gray, and your bones ached all while the count’s youth remained pristine. You worry sometimes that he has stopped finding you attractive, that he would very much prefer the company of a younger mate, but he stops you every time you bring it up and assures you that you are still the most beautiful person he’s ever laid his eyes on. He does not fail to make you feel so. Even after all these years, he would still constantly shower you with gifts and affection. He never came short. He promises he will love you until your dying breath.

Oh, Satan, how you loved this man to bits.

The Count was playing you a melody he had written for you on the piano when your heart had faltered. The music stops as the count rushes to you, catching you just before you collapse in the middle of the drawing room.

The doctor came too late.

—

The funeral was quiet, consisting only of him and the very few servants he keeps around. Your death was no surprise to the residents of the manor. You were old, so close to the gates of the afterlife, but still, they mourned.

You were buried underneath the wisteria tree just across the parterre of the grounds. It was your favorite part of the garden. More often than not, the Count would find you sitting underneath the tree, nose buried on a book, sometimes painting pictures. He would watch you from the window, admiring from afar, careful not to let the light touch his skin. Some evenings, he would accompany you, and you'd both lie on the grass, hands intertwined, talking about the what ifs of life and what not. He learned then that perhaps if it were possible, you would have loved to start a family with him. He felt a little guilty, being unable to produce you with an heir but you assure him that you were already content with your life with him and you would not trade it for anything in the world. The count smiles solemnly before changing the subject. He asks you what you would be doing had you not met. You shrug and simply said you wished to be a painter.

He sniffs back tears as the memories unfold. He stands alone by the tree now, the servants had long gone inside to sleep. He tries to keep it together. For what? He didn't know. It doesn't matter either because he was already a sobbing mess. He places a shaky hand on top of your headstone for support as he calms himself down. If only you had let him turn you, then maybe he wouldn't be this distraught.

The count walks back inside as the first few rays of sunlight peeked from the horizon.

He tries not to worry for he has an eternity in front of him. He would soon forget the color of your eyes. For now, he prepares himself for a lifetime of trying to get used to waking up alone.

——

Decades later he finds himself in a different city, under a different name. The manor was long abandoned, haunted by the painful memories of a life he once shared with the love of his life. He needed to leave, besides, the townsfolk were getting suspicious about his lingering presence.

He was out for one of his evening hunts and he needed to feast. He stalks along the edge of the forest, waiting for anyone foolish enough to venture out on a blood moon. And in the distance, he finds someone, sitting by the clearing. The count grinned. Dinner is served.

As he approaches, he studies this victim's movements. He notices that they were surrounded by supplies... Was that an easel? He slows his strides as he watches them put up what seemed to be a canvas against it. He stops when they start mixing pigments, the count is curious now and decides that he would have dinner after the show.

They start painting the sky, the trees... They start painting the moon. The painter had their back facing the count, the easel was turned in a way that he could get a clear view of it. He thinks they were a lovely painter.

Unfortunately, he's hungry.

He can no longer wait and stalks towards them, fangs at the ready, but as the painter turns slightly as they grab a tube of oil, he catches a glimpse of their face and falters. He must've made a noise because the painter's head whipped sharply towards his direction.

Now, over the light of the painter's lone candle, he sees their face and it's so... Beautiful. So hauntingly familiar. The count no longer feels hungry, in fact, he felt sick. The primal urge to feed had left his body as he stared at the painter who had stood up from their seat and is now watching him carefully. The tables have turned. He felt like the prey in the situation, petrified under the eerily familiar gaze of his supposed meal.

The count does not flee, and neither did the painter. He just remains there in the open. He did not attack. Instead, his heart clenches, bile caught in his throat as the painter takes a step closer. He can see them clearly now.

This painter was roughly as old as the the years you were gone, and what's sick about is is that the painter had your face. His chest heaves as he stares, his heart almost stopping completely when he notices the color of their eyes; a shade he desperately tries to avoid. The painter takes another step closer, and the air shifts. It was nostalgic. It felt like... Home. He realizes something.

The painter didn't just have your face... They were you. Living another lifetime.

The count chuckles bitterly to himself. How funny was it that you had told him you wanted to become a painter and then decades later he finds you again doing just that.

You take another step closer and he mentally applauds you for your bravery for approaching a stranger at dead of night. Maybe it was stupidity. Or maybe you could sense it too…

The wind billows against the count’s cape as he stood still, eyes wide while your soft eyes studies his face, brows knotted in curiosity. For a moment, he thought he saw there was a hint of recognition. You stop just a few feet away and the fluttering feeling in his stomach increases and his mind starts to go hazy. He was excited to meet you again, but he stands frozen, unsure of what to say or do. He is scared and he doesn't understand why. His mind was racing. He was too hungry for this. His thoughts were cut short when your voice echoes in the night. You had asked him who he was.

He knows you do not know him yet. He was well aware you technically weren't the version of you that he knew. This other you lived an entirely different life, grew up with an entirely different family, a different culture. Perhaps he was being irrational, but the thought of you not remembering his name strained his heart.

He does not want to do this again.

He does not give you his name. Instead, he apologizes for his intrusion and storms off into the night, leaving you wondering about the pale man in the cloak. You start to frequent the clearing in hopes to see the man again.

He was well aware of why you were there, which was why he avoided the clearing like the plague. He changed his hunting route and made sure you do not cross paths again.

But you were relentless. You started venturing deeper within the woods. You wanted to see him again for reasons neither you or the count could understand. Something was pulling on that invisible string of fate and while he resists it, you let yourself be dragged into the void of uncertainty.

You did not fear the unknown, a trait that seemed to have passed on from your other life and he admires you for that, but he was a coward. So terrified of falling in love again, so terrified of heartbreak that he wouldn't even try to deny it. He was being unfair to you and he knows it.

But fate was strong and even he couldn't resist its call. Not when he sees your immaculate beauty under the moonlight.

Terrified as he was, he finds the courage to approach you. When your eyes met his, all his worries and doubts faded away and he knew right then that he was willing to walk through the burning sunlight just to have you back in his life. The count decides to court you again.

When he offers to turn you, you refuse, but that doesn't deter him. As painful as it would be to have to watch you die again, he knew he would be able to accompany you as you grow old and that was enough. Your short lifespan will not stop him because knew he would find you again.

And this is where the cycle starts.

Again.

And again.

He would find you in each of your lifetimes, and while the anxiety of introductions were still there, he manages to handle it better each time.

You kept refusing his offers to grant you immortality and pains him to watch you die over and over but he persists on courting you in each of your lifetimes because he could not bear to be parted from you.

Throughout the years, Copia finds that he still ages. It's just a lot slower than the way humans do. He learns that it would take them hundreds if not thousands of years, but they do eventually age and wither away too.

In each lifetime with you, he looks a little older. Not that you could tell, but he does. The count would only introduce himself when your age gets a little closer to his physical age. Ever the gentleman, he prefers to be seen with you appropriately.

In some lifetimes, you've had flings, lovers. None of which lasted long enough, but it was painful to watch you fall in and out of love with other people. Still, the count waits until the time is right to introduce himself again. He watches you through every heartbreak but each time, he would always be ready to piece you back together.

Things get harder for him as time goes by because each lifetime he spends with you means that he’s going to be with you for less years in the next. He hates how short human lives are, how quick you are to age, and he wishes nothing more than to share his pseudo immortality with you but you always fucking refused and he cannot fathom why.

You had started a list of things you wished to do before you died. A painful thought for him, but a fun adventure for you. There were lots of things you wanted to see and do before your time runs out and he chuckles. He reminds you again that there was another way of extending your life, that the offer still stands.

You look at him, heart heavy at the words you were about to say. It was difficult, for sure, to tell the love of your life that you cherished your mortality - for in a way, it was like telling him that you didn't wish to spend an eternity to love and cherish him. But it was far from that. It wasn't about him, it never was.

Mortality reminds you of how short life is, it pushes you to live it with a burning spirit and it helps you appreciate and treasure every moment you spend alive. It made you grateful about a lot of things and you believed that it gives you a sense of purpose.

At long last, he finally gets a clear answer to why you always refused. He admires your optimistic view of life and death, how you cherish every little mundane thing that happens. How you have no regrets no matter how bad things get, how you celebrated even the littlest of achievements. His heart swells when he learns that your mortality makes you appreciate and love him even more.

He appreciates you explaining this to him even though you both knew that it would bring the two of you into emotional turmoil, but he understands now. Or at least he understands enough in a way an immortal could.

At the back of his mind, he still wishes you said yes.

———

As several lifetimes pass, he starts to look too old for you to fall for, or at least that’s what he thinks. He didn't feel it was appropriate to keep courting so he just watches from afar, admiring... hurting. He watches you recreate the life you once lived over and over together with someone else. Have a huge family; kids, grandkids... you've found yourself a perfectly good soil to plant your roots and you flourished.

It was damning enough to have to watch you grow old and die over and over again but it was torture to watch you go through life without him by your side. It seems there was no winning in either situation because in the end, he would always end up alone and hurting.

It was hard seeing you happy, it was even harder when he finds you sad but he can't be with you this time, so he decides to stop visiting.

He tries so hard to stay away, and it works out for him in the most part, but he always somehow ends up finding you in your old age, sneaking in the hospital(sometimes in old homes) to accompany you in your last few days on earth in the lifetime you spent without him, and he would hold your hand each time. You may not know who he was, but you felt safe and you would always let him stay.

You'd tell him about the life you've lived, and even though he knew all about it(because Lucifer knows he just couldn't stay away for too long without checking up on you), he was always all ears.

He doesn't ask you if you wished to live longer, he stopped asking you several lifetimes ago.

He was there when you felt the soft embrace of death. He holds his breath, his cold hands tightening their hold on yours as you breathe in your last huff of air. He trembles as he watches your eyes close, and he shuts his eyes too, hoping to the infernals that you take him with you when you cross the bridge. But it doesn't happen.

It wasn't his time.

He doesn’t let your hand go when you flatline. He stayed until the color drains from your body, until your hands start to grow cold and he wonders if this was what it was like for you when you held his hand.

He did not attend your funeral.

The cycle of heartbreak starts again.

———

The count struggles between wanting to stay alive, and wishing for the sweet release of death.

He wants to die just so he can reincarnate with you but he knew that it would mean total reset. He was afraid of forgetting everything; the things he's done, what he achieved throughout the years. He was scared of losing himself, his identity, because for the longest time, this was all he knew. But most importantly, he didn't want to forget you.

He didn't want to forget your face, your smile, the way you'd crinkle your nose when you're confused, the way your hair falls over your face while you focused on your work. He doesn't want to forget the sound of your voice whenever you call his name, the whispers, the warmth of your skin that contrasts his cold fingers. How your face flushes red whenever he'd whisper something to your ear. He wants to remember every you in every lifetime, every declaration of love, the good, the bad, even the screaming matches you had when you had first refused to be turned. He wants to remember even the lifetimes you spent without him. Together or not, he cherishes it all.

He remembers the time when you felt a little disheartened by the fact that you couldn't complete your bucket list, and he would comfort you, tell you that it's alright. He remembers how he'd make sure you get to do what was left on said list on your next life. He did not want to forget all of the things he did for you. How excited he would get when he learns something new about you - every new thing you like, every quirk, every flaw.

Call him selfish all you want, but you were all he had. You were the one consistent presence in his life and he did not want to forget a single detail about you in all your marvelous, gut wrenching glory.

But in the end, he knows all this talk about remembering were nothing more than a tantalizing dream.

It takes him a while to notice he's slowly becoming senseless, how everything is starting to feel numb. He felt like his head was floating. It was as if he was losing blood - his body as heavy as the burden he carries on his heart, but at the same time, he feels so light. He was terrified, for he couldn't move. It was like he's forgotten how to even though he was certain it was possible a moment ago.

And then he realizes why. After a millennia and a half of watching the world burn and rebuild itself, he was finally dying.

Only now at the face of death did he realize how too much of a price he has paid in exchange for the immortality he once cherished. He carried so much burden and for what?

Looking back, he realizes how selfish he had been - to attempt to keep reliving old memories with every new you as if you were the same person as you were the first time you met. He had been stagnant, chasing the same high for countless years, only to feel so useless without it - without you.

Finally, he understands what humanity was like. He learned then how it was like to live your experience, he felt what you felt and he was grateful for it. If he was ever given another opportunity to live forever in the next life, he would turn it down. He would rather face death than live another lifetime away from your arms.

As his time draws near, he prays to the infernals, to Satan, to Lucifer, and to anyone who would listen to him wishing, pleading, that even if he forgets, your paths would still find a way to cross.

Little by little, he loses perception and the memories that come with it.

He recognizes the faint scent of freshly cut grass and the sweet aroma of the wisteria tree. As quickly as it comes, it was gone - gone with the memories he had long since hoarded.

And then, there was nothing.

It was as if there was no pain, worries, or regrets. He has found solace and comfort in the emptiness. He was finally free.

When he closes his eyes for the last time, he finally forgets the color of yours.

———

In his next life, his memory is wiped clean. He remembers nothing, not even the heartbreak.

He was no longer the Count who stalked the city streets at dead of night. No more did he hunt and prey on bastards on the streets and forests for blood. There were no more bloodlusts, no more burning under the sun.

All he is now is a human - A Cardinal, serving the satanic ministry and he busies himself with work to ignore the feeling of something missing. He's had lovers - some flings, some serious, but they never last. He'd given up on trying to find that missing piece on other people some years ago.

Until his eyes land on you, walking through the chapel doors - a fresh face that stood out amongst the sea of siblings and ghouls attending the mass he was about to lead. You were simply a curious visitor, he could tell. As you sat on the pews, he felt the need to make you want to keep coming back, so he pours his heart and soul out in his sermon. How fitting it was that the topic of the week was about love - within yourself, for the dark one, and for others. The words flow out of his mouth effortlessly. Never in his life had he felt so inspired, so moved, all because of you and he doesn't even know who you are.

He feels a sort of pride when you approach him after mass, telling him about how you've never heard such genuine passion in a sermon, how captivated you were as he spoke. You tell him how excited you were to come back next week.

The fates were tugging at the strings again and this time, he doesn't resist.

The Cardinal knows nothing about you but he is determined. He does not worry for he has the rest of his life to figure you out.

A/N: Big thanks to my friends for fanning the flames and giving me writing pointers and ideas. Your tears inspired me to keep writing lmfao ily. I hope this wasn’t too bad for a first published fic. :)

#my art #my writing #the band ghost #ghost bc #ghost the band #cardinal copia x reader #dracopia #ghost band fanfiction #angst with a hopeful ending #the band ghost x reader #cardinal copia #copia #papa emeritus iv

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