#cardinal throw blanket

[frankiecatphotography]

Male Cardinal Plush Fleece Throw Blanket - on SALE!!

[michelle-is-writing]

Concussions, Greg House

Word count: 1.7k~

Warnings: mentions of vomit, concussion, hospital rooms.

Arguing with your boss is one of the worst things you can do with your boss. For my boyfriend of almost a year, it was nothing new. Plus, in Greg's mind, there were worse things one could do with their time. Like argue with me, his girlfriend - that was much worse than arguing with his boss, according to him.

Still, that didn't mean that he could always get away with arguing with his boss. Especially around Christmas time when the hours were needed and he just so happened to be an asshole. Anyone could figure out why I was upset when he told me he was unable to get Christmas Day off. He just had to be rude to Cuddy the day before he asked, and because of it, we both have to suffer.

Despite him promising to call me almost every hour, I still felt lonely when it came to Christmas Day. I woke up without the love of my life beside me, and I'll be alone until he gets home around nine in the evening. When Cuddy told him she couldn't give up the hours, he was especially rude in response, therefore earning more hours to work that day.

Right now it's around eleven in the morning, and even though I've put on a Christmas movie and made myself hot cocoa, I still feel sad. I have no one to spend this great day with, and it sucks. Maybe a nice walk outside will help me feel better. It's cold and snowing, but I can always wear a heavy coat and boots - no biggie. Besides, I may even see a pair of cardinals flying through the white sky like a holiday card straight from the hallmark section, and it would make the weather all the worth it.

Slipping on my fuzzy black boots that Greg got me at the beginning of our relationship, I throw on my fleece coat before heading out front. The lights strung on everyone's apartment are lit up, and the people that have their Christmas trees in front of their windows have them lit up as well. The green and red bulbs are a nice contrast to the white snow that fills every window sill and yard, making it look almost like a floating blanket on all the little segments of grass. It's such a beautiful sight to see, but it makes me miss Greg even more. He's always pessimistic, but even he would be happy with the looks of everything.

Stepping off the steps and onto the pavement, I take a few steps forward, only to look up and see a pair of cardinals flying above me just like I wanted. I marvel at the beautiful red shade of the male next to the equally beautiful olive colored female floating next to it. When they find their mates, a pair of cardinals can never be separated as they are mated for life. The idea of such a thing makes you smile, but the idea of finding your own true mate? It feels nearly impossible.

I seem to find the cardinals very distracting as the next thing I see is the pure white sky above me as I feel myself slip, my arms and legs flailing to grab onto something as I fall backward. However, they don't, and I end up landing on my back with my head colliding against the ice I slipped on. Everything happens so fast that I barely recognize the pain rushing to my cranium or mine and Greg's elderly neighbor rushing toward me as concerned words flow out of her mouth. Despite wanting to respond, I can't, and instead, my eyes close as I feel myself slip into a vast sea on unconsciousness.

It isn't until I finally wake up once again that I register the pounding pain in the back of my head. It nearly makes my eyes roll back, but before I can even do that, I quickly lean over the edge of the surface I'm lying on and feel the contents of my stomach empty. I soon feel a pair of hands gently pull my hair back as I do so, my eyes clearing up enough to watch a nurse’s legs in purple scrubs quickly push a trash can in front of me to finish vomiting into. However, it doesn't take long before I’m done and I almost fall back onto the slightly stiff surface I'm on, a damp cloth wiping at my mouth once I do so. Flashing my eyes throughout the room, I recognize the bright fluorescent lights above me as ones used in a hospital room and the surface I'm on is one of the uncomfortable beds in a hospital room. Great.

Turning my eyes over to the source of the hand holding the wet cloth, I find it to be the man I've been wanting to see all morning, a worried look etched onto his face. I want to fling myself in his arms and hug him, but my almost drunken haze prohibits me from doing so. Instead, I languidly smile and tiredly reach a hand up toward him, to which he takes in his own hand with a small smile.

"How in the hell," he begins, his voice taking over the almost stuffy noise in my ears. Gently running his thumb against the back of my hand, he takes the damp rag away from my face before tossing it onto the lid of the biohazard bin a few feet away. "Did you get yourself a grade two concussion just by walking outside?"

"I didn't mean to," I defend myself, trying to sit up a little, despite the deep pounding in my head. Greg helps me, but not before pushing my head back against the pillows to angle my face upward. "I just wanted to go for a small walk, and see some cardinals maybe! I did, by the way, and man, were they beautiful."

"You seem to be doing better than I thought," Greg points out, hovering over me to look into my eyes with a flash light. "No confusion or seemingly dizziness," he lists off. "You just seem fatigued and dazed, which is to be expected. The good news is you don't have memory loss."

"Who are you again?" I quickly throw at him, earning a downcast face with a frown. I immediately laugh at his reaction while reaching up to take his face in my hands, but his hands catch mine before they're even halfway there. I really am tired.

"I would say you're also having some psychological disturbances, but it's nothing different from usual," Greg jokes back, making me laugh again. At this, he smiles, but continues on. "How bad is your head pain?"

"Compared to the constant headache you give me, it's nothing," I tell him, once again, earning an eye roll in response. I know he's wanting to throw playful insults back at me, but he's trying to keep the moment as serious as he can. Don't get me wrong, I understand how severe my situation is, but I just can't help but take the chance to banter with Greg like he usually does with me.

With a sigh, Greg sits back in the armchair beside my hospital bed before taking something out of his pocket. "You just had to hit your head so you could end up in the hospital with me today," Greg chides, holding the rectangular box in his hand as he stares at it. "I guess irony plays a huge part in life's never ending game of... slipping and falling on ice!"

With his sarcastic comment, Greg pushes the box toward me as I smile at him, my hand reaching out to take the box from him. "Open it," Greg tells me, scooting his chair beside me to be closer to my bed. Doing as he says, I shakily unwrap the green ribbon from the box before slightly struggling to open it, my hands trembling from being asleep for so long.

With the maroon velvet box now open, I gasp upon seeing the diamond tennis bracelet shining back at me with the bright hospital room lights causing each beautiful crystal to sparkle like a thousand pieces of glitter. "Oh my God, Greg," I mutter, my eyes flashing over to him beside me. "This is... beyond gorgeous."

Smiling, Greg lifts one of his hands to brush my hair away from my face before using the other to take the bracelet out of the box and secure it around my wrist. "Merry Christmas," He tells me, leaning over to kiss my cheek. "I thought you would like this."

"I-I love it, Greg," I tell him, looking over at him with a frown. "But I don't have my gift for you! They're at the apartment and-and I wanted to give it to you so bad-"

Greg cuts me off from my rambling, an almost flabbergasted expression washing over his face. "Are you kidding?" He sarcastically asks me, reaching over to take my now diamond covered hand in his. "You ending up in the hospital with me is possibly the best thing you could do today, as morbid as it sounds," Crinkling my face at him with amusement, I shake my head at his demented words as he continues on. "This means I don't have to do what Cuddy says and stay in here with you and watch I Love Lucy."

Just as he says this, Greg takes the remote from the side table and turns the TV on, flipping through the channels before finding the show mentioned seconds earlier. Glancing away from our intertwined hands, I smile at Greg as he turns to look back at me as well. "I love you, Greg," I tell him, receiving a smile back before he leans over once more and presses a kiss to my cheek.

Sitting back in his chair, Greg keeps my hand in his as we both look over to the TV and watch as Lucy banters with Ricky just as Greg and I did moments ago. At this, I smile and ignore the pain in my head as I enjoy the positives of today despite being in a hospital. My loving partner beside me, a beautiful diamond bracelet on my wrist, and I Love Lucy reruns on the TV in front of us. As long as I'm with Greg, it doesn't matter where I spend my Christmas - just as long as he's by my side, I'll be fine.

[harlowcomehome]

Wrapping your room:

A/N: I’ve been seeing this prank on tiktok where people wrap someone’s entire bedroom in wrapping paper. I thought it would be cute to do to Jack. Happy holidays! 🤭

You were sitting on the couch wrapping some of Jack's gifts when Hazel suddenly came running into the living room.

“Mommy, I have an idea!” She was holding her iPad close to her, hiding something from you with a giggle.

“Yeah?” You smirked as you continued to wrap the gift in front of you.

“Do we have more wrapping paper somewhere?” Hazel looked over your shoulder at the multiple rolls beside you.

“What are you up to little lady?” You looked up, finally giving her your full attention.

“I saw this video online” She handed you her iPad and you began watching.

The person in the video wrapped the entire room in wrapping paper as a prank. The person's bed, pillows, walls, and everything in the room was completely wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper.

“Daddy won’t be back until tomorrow so I was thinking we could do that to the bedroom” she giggled as you handed her the iPad back.

“We could do our bedroom, but I’d have to stay in the guest room until tomorrow” You laughed, knowing it would be a lot of work but funny nonetheless.

“Do you think he will think it’s funny or be upset?“ She was starting to second-guess her plan.

“Hell definitely think it’s funny. I’m sure your Uncle Clay would too, I can ask him to help!”

“ I don’t want you to have to sleep in the guestroom. We can do daddies studio?” Hazel suggested earning an “absolutely not” from you.

“You’re right, Daddy would probably be mad, and throw another man-trum” she laughed, slapping a hand over her mouth as she repeated something she had heard you say.

Jade shuffled into the living room, she had her blanket draped around her shoulders and stuffed cardinal in her hands.

“Sissy! Look!” Hazel showed her the video on her iPad, but Jade was too sleepy to care.

You opened up an app on your phone, motioning for the girls to sit beside you, as you lightly patted the couch cushion.

“Both of you pick four rolls each.” You knew you needed to buy some bows for the girls to stick on as well as make a mental note of it.

You finished wrapping Jack's gifts as the girls sat beside you giggling over the idea.

“So excited” Jade giggled as she mumbled to herself.

Once you had placed the order for the wrapping paper and bows you organized the bedroom before calling Clay and letting him know the plan.

“Hazel thought of this?” He laughed on the other line.

“Sure did.”

“This is definitely something Jack would’ve done to me as a kid. Now it’s karma!” he belly laughed before letting you know he’d be over soon.

When the order arrived with all the supplies, you sent a quick text to Clay. The girls were in the living room eager to start the prank.

The two of them followed you into the bedroom as you set everything down.

Hazel knew how to wrap gifts however Jade did not.

“Jadey baby, you’re on bow duty.” You handed her a bag of miscellaneous colored metallic bows.

“When mommy and I are done wrapping something you can put a bow on top!” Hazel continued and Jade nodded.

Clay showed up with lunch about thirty minutes after you had started, letting the girls have a break.

“Uncle Clay!” Hazel and Jade ran over to him practically knocking him down.

“Is that for us?” Hazel asked wide-eyed as she noticed her stomach starting to growl.

“Two personal pizzas for my little queens” he laughed handing the boxes to Hazel.

“Thank you Uncle” both girls giggled as they skipped off to the kitchen table.

“Thanks for that” you smiled, wiping the sweat from your forehead with your forearm.

“I got you something too” he handed you a bag. “Let me take over from here, go eat!”

You thanked him and went to sit with the girls at the kitchen table, smiling as the two of them giggled and got along.

Your phone began to ring, showing Jack's contact ID. You stood up from the table and walked into the bedroom to signal to Clay not to say anything.

“Hi, handsome!”

“Hi beautiful” he rasped, you could tell he was exhausted by his tone.

“How’s it going?”

“Good, good. I was calling to let you know we wrapped up early and I’ll be home tonight instead of tomorrow. I’m on my way to the airport now.”

You were silent, eyes wide as you started to panic.

“Sweetheart?”

“That’s great babe! Let me know when you’re boarding. I have to go, Jade got into something. I love you!” you felt bad for lying but shoved your phone into your jeans as you ran into the bedroom.

“We have to hurry, he’ll be home tonight as in… a few hours.”

“Fu- fudge” Clay smiled as his nieces stood in the doorway.

The four of you worked quickly to finish the other half of the bedroom, barely finishing as Jack had sent you his Uber details.

You softly shut the door making sure Olive was still in the living room and Lucky was asleep in his dog bed.

“Are you staying to watch Daddy's reaction?” Hazel giggled as her Uncle started to look for his car keys.

“Yeah! Stay” you smirked knowing Jack was already around the corner.

The door began to unlock and Jack immediately knew something was up by the look on Clay's face.

“Hi baby” You walked over to him and kissed him before the girls started to tug on him.

“Daddy. We got you a BIG present!” Jade giggled, earning a glare from her older sister.

Jack peered at you through narrowed eyes as you tried to hide a laugh, looking over to his brother as he shared the same expression.

Jack looked around the living room suspiciously, making everyone laugh.

“Lucky? What’s going on buddy?” He picked up the family dog and noticed your shared bedroom door was wrapped, looking over the pink gingerbread house design.

“Why is that wrapped?” He pointed as he walked forward and into the bedroom.

Clay was recording the entire thing behind you as he followed all of you into the room.

Jack placed Lucky on the ground, earning giggles from everyone behind him when he stood there in shock.

“What the- even the pillows?” He couldn’t control his laughter, doubling over as the girls ran over to him and tackled him the rest of the way to the ground.

“Do you like it? I did the bows!” Jade giggled as Jack sat down on the floor admiring the room.

“I love the bows bug” he reassured her.

“What about the room?” Hazel watched her dad’s expressions.

“Yeah Hazey! I love it. I’m loving the dedication that’s for sure” he shook his head looking over to you and Clay who continued to laugh in the corner, Clay still recording.

“Even my shoes?” Jack noticed his shoes that were at the end of the bed had been wrapped.

“Nice touch” you whispered to Clay.

“Now we have to unwrap it all!” Hazel ran over to the bed, ripping the paper dramatically as Jade mirrored her.

“That’s always the best part” Jack smirked as he stood up and started ripping paper off of things.

“Come on! You two have to help” he motioned for you and Clay to join in on the fun.

Jack tickled your side as you walked over to him, “I hope I get to unwrap you later” he whispered in a raspy tone.

“We do have a babysitter” You looked over to Clay who was distracted and helping the girls.

“That’s true. We do” he agreed with a smirk.

[silverofthunder]

☆ get well soon ☆

Cardinal Copia x GN Reader

summary: ”Don’t worry, I’ll survive.”

content: 800+ words, fluff, romance, mild hurt/comfort, SFW

Something short & sweet with Cardinal. This idea was supposed to be a part of another fic but then I decided to write a separate fic. A good excuse to write more about Cardi. 😊 Enjoy!

It was one of those unfortunate mornings when you woke up with a soar throat, stuffy nose and feeling hot and uncomfortable. With a groan you turned around, smiling tiredly as you see Cardinal still asleep beside you, mouth hanging slightly open, the other side of his face tightly pressed against the pillow. He looked cute and you couldn’t resist moving your hand to caress his jawline.

You had hoped he wouldn’t wake up but soon he stirred awake, blinking.

”G’morning, amore,” he mumbled, smiling.

”Morning,” you said, voice so gruff, and a frown formed on Cardinal’s face and his hand moved up to your forehead.

”You certainly have a fever,” he stated and you nod. Cardinal looked at you with a mix of worry and empathy.

”Don’t worry, I’ll survive,” you said, taking a hold of Cardinal’s hand. He gave you a small smile, squeezing your hand and leaning in to place a kiss on your forehead.

”Do you need anything?”

With a sigh, you rolled to lay on your bad, your whole body feeling so heavy. All you wanted was basically to just stay in bed but at the same time your mouth felt so dry and your stomach needed at least a tiny bit of food.

”Some tea would be nice. And maybe pancakes if there’s still left of those.”

”Coming right up,” Cardinal said, scrambling off the bed and pulling some clothes on. You watched his form, your tired mind taking all the pleasure it could from the sight before he left the bedroom, the door closing after him. You swallowed, your throat feeling like sandpaper, and you reached for the nightstand drawer to search for some tissues. When you found them, you lifted the package up on the nightstand and took a tissue out, bringing it to your nose and blowing to ease the stuffiness. It helped a little but you knew it would soon be stuffed again.

Reluctantly you threw the blankets off of you and rose up, slowly making your way to the bathroom to throw the used tissue away and wash your hands and face. By the time you returned to the bed, you felt even more exhausted, so you just laid down and pulled the blankets over you, enjoying their comfortable warmth.

When Cardinal finally returned, you were already dozing off but forced yourself to open your eyes and move into a sitting position.

”Here we go, tea and pancakes as you ordered, my love,” Cardinal said, carefully setting the tray in front of you. You smiled at him and took the tea cup, taking a small sip from the hot liquid. You didn’t taste much of it but at least it eased the soreness of you throat and you let out a content sigh.

Cardinal climbed back on bed, settling himself beside you as you put the tea cup on the tray and went for the pancakes. There was also added some maple leaf suryp which you happened to love and it made your mouth water. As you munched the pancake, you could feel Cardinal’s gaze on you, and you turned your head to look at him.

”What?” you asked, mouth full of pancake. Cardinal smiled, amused, reaching his hand out to poke your nose.

”You’re cute.”

You raised your brow, thinking for a moment before sticking out your tongue, and earned that way a light chuckle from Cardinal. If you had had more energy you would have continued the teasing but now you just shook your head, a small smile passing your lips as Cardinal gently caressed the side of your face. His eyes were full of empathy and it made you feel grateful, your heart swelling in your chest.

Silence fell between you soon and you took your time finishing the pancakes and tea, then setting the tray aside with Cardinal’s help as your arms felt so heavy you didn’t trust your grip to be strong enough. You waited when Cardinal had laid down on his back and used the opportunity to snuggle against him, resting your head on his chest, his other arm snaking around you.

”Feeling better?” Cardinal softly asked, placing kisses on top of your head, his mustache lightly tickling you and making you squirm a bit.

You hummed, eyes closing as the exhaustion was now properly kicking in.

”Yes, still tired, though,” you said quietly, slowly massaging the softness of Cardinal’s belly. Cardinal’s hold of you tightened for a brief moment and then he used his free hand to pull the blankets fully on top of you both, its warmth mingling with the warmth Cardinal’s body offered and you sighed in satisfaction. You knew that at some point it would probably get too hot but right now in your flu-haze you didn’t bother to care.

Cardinal whispered something in Italian and it and the steady sound of his heart beat were the last things you heard before you drifted into a sleep with a smile on your lips.

[ramblingoak]

A lil sneak peek...

of Chapter 11 of The Cardinal's Bride

Thought I'd post a lil snippet of the next chapter because I got a few asks wondering when it would be posted. I'm doing my best to get it finished up soon I promise!

This is just something nice and sweet between you and Copia 💙 Spoilers ahead!

“Wake up, Principessa.”

“Hm?”  You attempted to bury your face back under the warm blanket but Copia just pulled it away again.  “Hey.”

“Come on, I want to show you something.”

“It’s cold.”  He grinned, throwing his duster at you as he got up.  “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.  Hurry up now, before everyone else gets up.”

With a groan you escaped the warmth of the blanket, quickly shoving your arms into his duster.  Aether was sitting by the fire when you finished getting your boots on, smiling at you when you walked by.  Copia was finishing saddling Brizio when you made your way to his side.  The horse shoved past him to get to you and you laughed when Copia swore as he stumbled back a few steps.

“He likes me better I think.”

“First my Ghouls and now my horse.  What’s next?”

You wanted to say ‘hopefully his brothers’ but decided to keep that to yourself.  The imminent meeting between you and them was weighing on you.  Sleep had been evasive the night before as you worried over what would happen when you reached The Ministry.  You once more found yourself wishing you could travel around like this with Copia and the Ghouls forever.  Dancing by the fire every night in Copia’s arms…

It was a memory you wouldn’t soon forget.

“Should I get my horse ready?”

“No, you’ll ride with me.”  He winked as he held out his hand for you, grinning when you didn’t even argue.  “Up you go.”

Once you were both settled onto Brizio he directed the horse away from camp.  The sun was just barely peeking over the mountains in the distance, casting warm light over the land and warming the temperatures up.  You still found yourself burrowing into his duster and leaning back against Copia’s chest.  He held onto the reins in one hand and kept his other arm tight around your middle, securing you as close as possible.  You placed your hand over his where it rested on your side and smiled when he interlaced your fingers.

Another moment to keep with you as long as you could.

Copia didn’t stop until you were far away from camp, hidden in a clump of trees as the sun continued to warm everything around you.  After helping you down he let Brizio wander where he wanted to.  You both watched as the horse began to much on the sparse grass, unbothered by how heavy the air had become between the two humans with him.

“Copia?”  You reached out to touch his elbow, flinching when Copia jumped at the contact.  “What’s wrong?”

“Niente.  It’s nothing.”  He shoved a hand into his pants pocket and you could hear the clinking of stones and metal as he pulled out his grucifix.  Copia let it dangle from his fingers for a moment, watching the stones sparkle in the morning light before stepping right up into your space.  “I wanted to give you this.  Away from prying eyes.”

Your mouth fell open slightly as you watched his face.  His mismatched eyes were bright as they met yours before looking back down to the heirloom from his mother.

“I can’t…I can’t take this.”  You winced when his face fell a bit so your hands quickly covered his.  “This was your mother’s, you should keep it.”

“I want you to have it.  As a token, as a symbol of what you mean to me.”  He dropped his head and kissed the back of your hand before straightening up again.  “I want you to know.”

You held your breath as he stared at you, your hands shaking a little bit over his.

“Know what?”

He took a deep breath and pulled his hands away, shaking out the chain a bit to untangle it.  You stayed still when he lifted it up and placed it on you, being careful not to snag your hair in the metal.  When it was settled he took a moment to straighten it and then held the silver piece on the end in the palm of his hand.  You looked down at the symbol of his church, covering it with your hand to hold it between you after a moment.

“That I care about you, Principessa.  Far more than I should.”

My Masterlist ~ My Archive of our Own ~ My Ko-Fi Tip Jar

[rowdyhughesy]

The story of us - Cole Caufield

“ I knew the second I met you that there was something about you I needed. Turns out it wasn’t something about you at all. It was just you “

- anon

word count: 1.7K

I. The day you met

It's been months since you first got to UW, yet this is the first hockey game you've ever attended. You liked hockey but had decided at the beginning of the semester that you were going to focus on school -parties if you felt like it-  it had taken some convincing from your roommates but ultimately you had agreed.

Dressed in a Wisconsin sweater and hat to keep warm you trail along behind your friends. Their loud chatter disguising the sound of skates and sticks on ice, the cold air of the rink biting at your cheeks.

"Y/N come on our seats are over here." One of your friends grabs your hand tugging you forward as if you're in a rush when in reality warmups aren't even over yet.

Seated closest to ice in the student section you just take in the atmosphere. Pucks slamming against the boards, players dressed in cardinal red and white flying across the ice. Engrossed in a conversation with your best friend you don't even realise the boy that comes skating across the ice until his firm body hits the boards. The loud noise startling you. Looking over your shoulder you're met with big blue eyes staring back at you behind the cage of his helmet.

His eyes squinting from the smile forming on his lips as he gives you a wave. Cheeks flushed from the attention you stare at the boy with wide eyes before pointing a finger towards yourself as if asking him 'me?' The unknown boy laughs softly before nodding in confirmation. Sneaking a glance at your friends to see them focused on something else you raise from your seat.

Walking over to him you fiddle with the sleeves of your sweater over your hands, a nervous habit you've had since you were a kid.

"Hey, I'm Cole."

II. The first kiss

Your plan to focus on school had went out the window after you met Cole Caufield for the first time. Suddenly the lonely evenings in your bedroom became study dates or movie nights every Sunday he didn't have hockey.

He was your best friend but his smile still made you blush like it did the first time he directed it towards you. It was easy to let go off all your worries in his presence. Cole was easy going, never letting anything bother him for more than two minutes. It was something you admired about him, one of many things in fact.

Laying in the space between Cole's legs, back pressed to his chest you watch the tv series he'd picked out for tonight. Blanket draped across your lap and soft glow from the TV illuminating your faces. It's currently 1:30am but neither of you feel the need to wrap this Sundays movie night up just yet. Way too comfortable in each others embrace.

Cole shuffles in his seat, arms wrapping tighter around you, pulling you closer to his chest. You can feel his heartbeat. Thu-thump Thu-thump. You’re pulled out of your daze like state when you feel Cole’s nose nudge against your temple. Turning your head slightly you get eye contact, noses bumping together from your close proximity. His blue eyes look like they’re sparkling more than usual in the artificial light from the screen. Cole parts his lips, a silent question if he can kiss you hanging in the air around you. Deciding to throw caution to the wind you lean forward.

It’s slow open mouthed kisses and breaths mingling together. Smiles so big your teeth almost clash when you turn your body around so you’re chest to chest. Tangling your fingers in his hair and Cole grasping your cheek in his big palm. The soft fabric of his sweatshirt and the smell of his cologne. The taste of your chapstick on his lips lingering as you pull apart for air.

“I was wondering when you were gonna do that.”

III. The first I love you

It’s a tough loss in tonight’s hockey game. You can see it on Cole’s face as the final buzzer rings, the look of defeat and disappointment clear. Anyone else wouldn’t have picked up on it but you can read your boyfriend even when he tries to mask his emotions.

Grabbing your belongings you push your way through the crowd trying to get out of the stands. Mind spiralling with scenarios of how Cole’s going to act when you see him. All you can do is hope he won’t try to shut you out.

Rushing out a hello to the security guard you stand in the tunnel, picking at your sleeves while you wait for Cole to come out. The minutes feel like hours before the locker room door opens. Waving to his teammates as they file out one after the other. Counting in your head you come to the conclusion Cole is the only one left. Looking to see if the coast is clear you walk inside.

Your boyfriend is sitting in his stall, hunched over with his head resting in his hands. Hair still damp from the shower. Taking note of the jersey and helmet thrown across the room you know he’s in a bad mood. Cautious you step forward before you come to a halt in front of his sitting form. He doesn’t acknowledge your presence until you slowly peel his hands away from his head. Wrapping his arms around your legs he rests his hands on the back of your thighs, forehead resting against your stomach.

“Tell me what’s going on inside that brain of yours.” Cole exhales a shaky breath, grabbing your legs tighter in his palms.

“I could’ve done better, I let everyone down Y/N. I had so many goal chances that I screwed up.” His voice cracks and your heart along with it. Stepping out of his hold you squat so you come face to face with the hockey player.

“Don’t ever say that Cole Caufield. This is not on you, it’s a team sport. You did everything you could tonight and sure it didn’t play out the way you wanted but don’t ever doubt what you can do. Me along with so many others know how good of a hockey player you are. Fuck you’re going to the NHL soon and if that doesn’t tell you how good you really are I don’t know what does. It’s only one game, you can’t win them all but you can chose to learn from it.”

Cole leans his forehead against yours, a couple of happy tears slips out as he blinks. “I love you so much baby, thank you for always knowing what to say.” Now it’s your turn to start crying. Crying because it’s the first time either of you have said those words aloud and you can’t picture a more perfect moment even if it’s the result of something sad.

“I love you too Cols.”

IV. NHL debut

It feels like a fever dream standing inside the Bell centre. A Montreal Canadians jersey on your upper body and a smile so big your cheeks hurt. After a rocky start the day has finally came for Cole to take his first steps on the ice as an NHL player. Standing beside his family in the stands you grip his mothers hand in a death grip as they announce that Cole is about to make his rookie lap. Your heart feels like it might leap out of your chest as he comes flying out on the ice.

He sports probably the biggest smile you’ve ever seen on his face and you don’t even realise that you have started crying. Paul Caufield wraps one of his arms around your shoulders and squeeze you in a side hug as all of you watch Cole skate around with proud smiles.

As he skates by where you’re standing you raise your arms up and start hollering. Shouts of his name and whistling. Cole comes to a stop in front of you blowing a kiss as you mouth out an I love you which he responds with an I love you more.

You know he’s going to become something great in the hockey world and you’re so unbelievably proud that the whole universe is about to see it as well.

Smiling at his parents when he skates back to the tunnel you wipe the stray tear from your cheek.

“I’m so proud of him.”

V. The first apartment

You can feel the sweat dripping down your neck as you drop the last box on the floor. Ripping the thick sweater off your body you plop down on the nearest piece of furniture which happens to be the couch. Cole following shortly after. Both of you letting out a sigh of relief that the last moving boxes and furniture are inside.

If anyone had told you at eighteen that you would be moving into an apartment in Montreal with your boyfriend it would’ve felt so far away but it’s not. Not anymore. It’s actually happening.

Looking around you, you take in the high ceiling windows, dark wooden floors and light coloured walls and it’s unbelievable that this is your home. You and Cole’s home. As if sensing that you’re having a moment Cole intertwines your fingers giving your hand a small squeeze.

Looking over at him you see a goofy smile on his lips that match your own.

“This is real right? I’m not just hallucinating?” Cole barks out a laugh at your question before lifting you up and onto his lap. Resting his chin on your shoulder after pecking the skin behind your ear.

“As real as it can be babe, this is all ours.”

Later that night as you lay close together on your makeshift bed -a mattress on the floor- you run your fingertips on his chest. Eyes heavy with exhaustion from today you feel sleep sneaking up on you. Trying to blink sleep away for only a minute longer so you can relish in the moment that is the first night in your new home.

Cole is softly snoring beside you, having fallen asleep thirty minutes ago while you whispered about tomorrows plans of assembling furniture. There’s been so many huge milestones in your relationship with Cole. But this, moving in together and starting the rest of your lives beats them all by a landslide.

“Welcome home Cols.”

[earthry]

Comfort In You | Copia x Reader

Content / Warnings: cardinal copia x transmasc reader, established relationship, stuffed animals, sfw, 2k words, angst, hurt/comfort, fluff, tw panic/anxiety attack

Author’s Note: thank you to @dantesunbreaker for commissioning me!

commission info

Hiding in the library, you have a panic attack and try to hold it together. You're found by Copia and learn you don't have to be scared alone.

Soft light breaks through the window, dancing across the bookshelves lined against the wall. The library is quiet and untouched at this time of day as most of its occupants gather together at the mess hall for lunch. Usually you’d be amongst the clamor and noise, the mouthwatering aroma of that afternoon’s meal of choice wafting through the air. Mundane chatter drifting at all corners of the room, gossip and greetings as friends and family congregate.

Today however, the overlapping buzz of voices makes your skin crawl. Everything becomes a drumbeat in your head and when you look at the crowd you feel nauseated at the thought of having to mingle. 

And so, the library remains a place of solace for you. Quiet in all the ways it was supposed and meant to be and you find yourself tucked away in one of the alcoves by the window. Instead of a book in your hands however, Malakai stares up at you with his concerned little buttoned eyes illuminated in the sunlight– even the third one is glaring dubiously. 

“I’m okay,” you reassure your goat plushie and though he cannot emote, you can still feel his doubt. “Really— I’m okay.” As if to prove it, you hug him to your chest.

That’s not your heart pounding, not your breathing that’s stuttering when you inhale. No, it couldn’t be because you were okay. You just needed a little time to… to calm down. To let the hammering in your chest subside.

Thankfully the alcove you’d hidden in was a reading nook of some sort, with comfortable cushions and even a throw blanket folded up against the couch. You find yourself pawing at the blanket and you bury yourself in it, curling in on the couch with Malakai tucked tightly against your chest. Breathe in and out, in and out, you chant to yourself. You’ve done it this many times, why isn't it working now? Why isn’t it coming to a stop like how the world feels tipped against its axis. 

Each breath feels harder than the last.

Frustrated and anxious tears bubble up, you can feel the urge to sob crawling in the back of your throat. It’s an icky feeling, especially when you feel so exposed and vulnerable in the public like this. Stifling a sad whine, you press your nose against Malakai again and inhale his soft healing scent. He smells like citrus and spice. You try to let that ground you but as always your brain is ceaseless. 

It’s even worse when you hear footsteps and your entire body stiffens. You freeze, willing that whoever it is will just walk by or leave quickly. You have no such luck however and the steps get closer and closer. The tears fight at the corners of your eyes again when a voice speaks up and you feel your heart loosen.

“Ah, topolino– so this is where you have run off to, si? Taking a nap?” You peek your watery eyes over the top of the blanket and Copia’s  teasing expression immediately melts into one of concern. He’s with you and scooping you into his warm arms within seconds, soft murmurs of comfort hushing your tears as you are pulled against a firm chest. “Shhh, caro, shh. It’s okay, you’re okay. I’m right here.”

Another little sob escapes your lips before you bury your face into Copia’s neck, grabbing fistfuls of his robe in an attempt to cling to your boyfriend. He rocks you against him, sinking into the couch with you in his lap. As he navigates and moves you to rest against him more comfortably, Malakai tumbles onto the floor. Briefly forgotten. 

His little escapade is unnoticed by you and Copia and he sits there all alone on the floor. But it’s okay! His best friend is being comforted and getting what he needs. Malakai is more than happy to wait just a tiny bit for you to feel better. He wants you to be happy and safe– he is your protector after all, and you are his everything.

You’re letting out small wheezes of breaths as you try to regain your composure, but every inhale is met with a wobbly bottom lip as you fall into little bursts of stressed sobs. You whine with frustration and Copia rubs comforting circles against your back.

“Ah, ah– slow down, topo. You’re going to make yourself sick if you try to rush yourself like that.” He presses his lips against your temple before taking your hand in his and placing it over his sternum so you can feel his chest rise and fall. 

“Slowly, si? Follow me– in…” he inhales in and your hand rises as his diaphragm expands. He holds it for just a few seconds before gently exhaling and you can’t help the little giggle as your hand bounces down, “...and out.”

Your giggle is contagious and your boyfriend can’t hold back his responding chuckle. He kisses your temple again, whispering his adoration for you before instructing you to follow him in practicing breathing together again. 

It takes a lot longer than you’d be happy to admit to calm you down completely, but with enough patience and soft reassurances and murmurs of praise, you finally manage to put yourself together. You can’t help but feel a little embarrassed however, and you mumble apologies to Copia after a few beats of silence.

“No apologies needed, topolino.” He replies with a gentle and low voice, “I am simply glad I am able to help. You mean a lot to me, si? I always want you to be okay.”

Your cheeks flush a little, heating at such a shameless display of devotion. However, the thought is swept away by the sudden realization that Malakai is missing. You sit up against Copia’s chest, back straight as you let out a distressed noise. 

“Topo?” Copia’s brow is furrowed, eyes watching you keenly as you frantically look around. You finally spot Malakai patiently waiting on the floor and you let out another sound, this time it’s one of dismay.

How could you have not noticed that Malakai had fallen? Your poor friend had been sitting all alone on the floor while you got all the comfort! You try to make this up to him with little kisses all over his face, squeezing him tightly to your chest, before you freeze. 

Shit, your boyfriend was still present. It wasn’t as if he wasn’t aware that you owned plushies– you had quite a few to his knowledge. But perhaps it was the fact that you are attached to them and they were a big comfort to you. They would always be there for you no matter what, loving and protecting you. You couldn’t imagine a world without them.

But as an adult, you know it’s probably not the most… mature behavior. You definitely know a handful of people who would scorn or mock such a thing. You try not to make it a habit to bring them out with you often, but this morning you had just felt so off and couldn’t help but sneak him with you. You swallow hard and turn slowly to Copia, mouth opening to try to find a way to smooth this over. To either get him to understand or maybe make up an excuse. It dies in your throat however, because he’s immediately making little Copia cooing noises of sympathy. “Oh no, did this little one have a tumble?”

He leans over to give Malakai a little smooch too and you fall in love with him all over again. 

“Is this who was protecting you before I got here?” He asks you, eyes soft. You wordless nod, hugging Malakai to your chest. “Ah, then I should thank him, si? Thank you for being such a good protector and knight to my amore.” he acknowledges the goat plush and gives him a little salute and nod.

“You don’t think it’s childish…?” You hesitantly ask, to which Copia shakes his head.

“Of course not, topolino. Adults can have comfort objects just as much as children, it doesn’t make it childish. Sometimes they come in different forms, si? For some it can be a book, a phone, a necklace, all sorts of things. Yours just happens to be in stuffed form. A very cute one at that.” He bops Malakai’s nose and you giggle. You can just tell that Malakai is offended and you proceed to reassure him that he is a very scary protector, not cute at all. Very ferocious demon goat, very terrifying indeed. 

——————

The following weeks after, Copia would encourage you to bring Malakai with you if it made you feel better and you began to get into the habit. It made things a lot more comfortable to just be able to hold him in your hands and feel his soft fur against your skin. One day at dinner however, you accidentally spill your soup and with horror, you realize that it’s gotten all over Malakai. Copia is quick to sooth your distress– he helps you clean up quickly before taking Malakai from you with gentle hands. “I will take this to the laundry room, si? Everyone is done for tonight, but they will get to him first thing in the morning. I promise, topo.” 

Despite his reassurances, you spend the rest of your night guilty and anxious about Malakai spending the whole night alone. Even right before bed you find yourself pacing nervously until Copia pulls you into his arms.

“Amore, it’ll be okay. Malakai is a brave little goat, he will be okay by himself for one night. I’m sure he’ll have all sorts of adventures and tell us about it when we get him back tomorrow, si?” You worry your bottom lip but nod eventually the thrumming anxiety subsides. He kisses your forehead, “Now come to bed, I have something for you. I was trying to find the right time to give him to you, and now seems like a good one.”

You are immediately curious and you make grabby hands at Copia almost immediately. He laughs and walks over to his bedside table, “Okay, okay– give me a moment, I must fetch him.” He fishes into the drawer and pulls out a little package. Gingerly, you take it from him sit on the bed, placing the delicate little bundle in your lap.

“What is it?” You ask in wonder, and your boyfriend chuckles.

“Open it to find out, caro.” and so you do, gently lifting the folded tissue paper and uncovering a small stuffed rat. You gasp softly in delight and cup him into your hands. He’s a tiny little guy with plush dark fur and little button eyes. His little nose is round and cute and he seems to be very pleased to be there with you.

“A friend!” You exclaim, lifting the new plushie up to give him a little kiss on his nose. Copia grins and sits beside you, arms snaking around your waist to pull you into his lap.

“I figured you might have trouble sleeping tonight without Malakai by your side, so how about this little guy help guard you for a little while until Malakai comes back? And then maybe the two of them can take turns or be uh– buddy-buddy, si?” He explains, and you look back at him with so much love. You’re not sure how to thank him and it takes a moment but you decide on bombarding him with hugs and kisses will have to do. He gives a little shriek as you attack him with affection and you tumble onto the bed together with your new rat friend safely in your care. 

In the morning, you are reunited with Malakai who happily welcomes his new protector buddy– it becomes a daily routine for them to play rock paper scissors to decide who gets to go out with you for the day. It’s usually an even split and you can tell that neither of them have complaints. They love each other just as much as they love you– and that’s all that matters.

[undiscovered-element]

Okay, but have you ever imagined how the Ghouls would react to your y/n crying over Eddie Munson's death??

DEWDROP:

"May Lucifer give me patience, cry more than a child"

Yes, this fire ghoul tends to be inconvenient in sensitive moments, but he doesn't do it with malice, he just can't understand why y/n pulls out several tissues to dry his tears while watching something on television.

"Come on y/n he wasn't even that nice h-…wait don't wipe the tears on my shirt what happened to you?"

Gradually he starts to feel uncomfortable seeing you in this situation, he wraps himself around your waist and starts watching with you, you can hear it almost only in a whisper but yes, the previously insensitive ghoul is crying behind the mask.

"He died… I liked him, he was rock… I'm sad hug me or throw you out of bed"

And you were petting each other until you fell asleep. In fact fire ghouls will go from zero to a thousand very fast in these emotional situations.

SWISS:

Let's go… Swiss is certainly a big fan of the series. He didn't even wait for you to watch to tell you the news.

"WOOOOOW HE DIED GUYS EDDIE DIED!!!"

It pissed you off and you wanted to throw the guitar in his face. When Swiss went to his room all he saw was you wrapped in the blanket whimpering in the Hellfire shirt that Aether had previously bought you.

"Come on honey, I didn't mean it, I just got carried away"

-The whole abbey heard

"Well… true, but allow me to apologize better!

He knew hugs wouldn't do any good, so after a while he comes back with some custom character t-shirts and mugs, and a doll.

"I'm sorry honey, I didn't mean to leave you like this. I bought this for you, I hope it makes you better."

And indeed she did.

RAIN

You don't know who's crying more, if it's you or this water ghoul. He just doesn't understand why he's crying, he only does it when his y/n suffers from something.

"There's water coming out of my eyes, there's water in my eyes!!! CARDINAL HAS WATER IN MY EYES, I DON'T LIKE IT IT'S SAD"

Yes, a baby. Rain will try to give you lots of kisses on the face until you don't have "water in your eyes", will try to tickle you with his tail and will hug you like a teddy bear. If none of this helps, wait for the worst:

-Rain what did you do???

"I stole Dewdrop's chocolate for you and he punched me"

Oh heavens, as sweet as a child, he'll pamper you till you sleep.

AETHER:

Surely you must already know that this Ghoul is one of the most understanding among the ages:

"Tell me more about what you're feeling"

"I know it's sad honey, I'm here"

"Tell me more about this character, did you like him? A lot? Good, I also really like some things, like bananas!"

And you can be sure you'll have a basket of bananas on your bed to eat watching the episode.

If even if at that moment you reject the fruits and just want affection and attention, you can be sure that Aether will play a song for you and caress you all the time.

MOUNTAIN:

Like Aether, this ghoul does possess supernatural understanding. However, your form of communication is not in the words that come out of your lips or your touches, it is in his presence. Mountain believes that her presence there by his side at that moment might be enough. That's not to say that if you ask he'll withhold a hug or comforting words, but there's the "X of the question", he's available so that anything you want you should say to him. And from there, get ready for a strong and protective hug.

"Yes he seemed important to you… but now he's a pretty little star isn't he? Hell… I made her cry more, sorry I should have kept quiet"

You hug him back and both are still there, the feeling of comfort that the presence of this ghoul brings you is simply indescribable.

"How about… I draw it for you? It might not look good but if you leave it at the head of the bed, it will always be with it"

CIRRUS AND CUMULUS:

These two will definitely post about it, asking them to revive the character in the series because their sweet y/n won't stop shedding tears. They would be with you all the time and they would certainly be crying too, but one on each side hugging you.

"Can we do something to make you better honey? We don't want to see you like this any longer, it's sad!"

Get ready to be full of sweets and stuffed animals. They can even imitate Eddie scenes to make you laugh, as well as Aether will play something to cheer you up and after you sleep, they will have a conversation about how interesting the feelings humans have.

[scriveyner]

always summer #14

always summer #14: sex toys | bungou stray dogs |👿🐯 | #kinktober 🔞| ~1500 words

Dazai was sprawled out in the hot tub again, bandages half unwound and floating about on top of the water. Atsushi stood in the doorway and frowned, but Dazai didn’t even bother to open his eyes, contentedly boiling himself. “Dazai-san,” Atsushi said, exasperated. “Again?”

Continue on ao3 or:

“I can’t hear you over the water, Atsushi-kun,” Dazai hummed.

Atsushi rolled his eyes and closed the balcony doors and, after a moment, locked them. He went to the refrigerator to retrieve a drink, reconsidered, and unlocked the doors before wandering away.

Akutagawa had stuck his head in the bathroom while Atsushi was in the shower to let him know he was going with Chuuya on a grocery run, and an additional pass by the liquor store because Dazai and Chuuya drank like their blood was 120% proof. Which, undoubtedly, meant more drinking tonight as it had been drizzling all afternoon and they couldn’t sit around the fire again.

He climbed the stairs back up to the loft, drink in hand—and paused.

On the blanket folded at the end of the bed sat a large brown bag with handles that hadn’t been there earlier. He was reasonably sure it wasn’t there when he got out of the shower, but he’d gotten dressed in the bathroom and hadn’t really looked at the bed, so….

Immediately wary, he opened the bag to peek inside.

Easily a half dozen bundles of varying sizes, all wrapped in the same sort of brown packing paper that the bag was made from. Slightly disappointed, he plucked the first object from the top of the pile to be nosy about it, and as he unrolled it from the packing paper, he turned a very bright shade of red and dropped it onto the bed.

It was a dildo.

“Dazai-san,” Atsushi muttered angrily, immediately identifying the culprit. Belatedly, he saw a card tucked into the bag and flipped it open, to see written inside: “have fun, you two!” punctuated with a doodle of Dazai winking, tongue out, and throwing a peace sign. He flung the card back into the bag, stuffed the packing paper in as well—and then hesitated, hand open above the dildo lying as innocently as it could be on the blanket at the end of the bed.

Atsushi withdrew his hand and considered it.

It was long and thin, not nearly as girthy as even Akutagawa. There was a suction cup base, but several inches above that there was a larger, rounded bulge. “Huh,” he muttered to himself, rubbing his fingers over the tip, which wasn’t built like the head of a human cock at all. It looked like it would be so simple to work inside him, and he suddenly felt the urge to try.

He bit his lip.

After a quick check over the rail that Dazai was still contentedly working on his lobster impersonation, Atsushi relocated the bag from the bed but left the toy on the blanket. Shorts were immediately abandoned to the floor, and Atsushi committed the cardinal sin of rooting through Akutagawa’s bag, locating the lube. He sat on his knees beside the bed, he considered the thing.

Suction cup on the bottom—was it meant to stand upright? Or be put against a wall? Atsushi looked around the loft, there really wasn’t wall space for him to try such a thing…there was always the wall of windows, but it was broad fucking daylight outside and he was not even going to consider it.

Floor it was, then.

It was a bit of effort, contorting himself like he was, but he had to at least try to prepare himself. The lube was cool against his skin until it started to leech body heat, and Atsushi closed his eyes, face pressed to his arm on the mattress as he fingered himself as best he could. Akutagawa was so good at this, long, nimble fingers pressing up against a spot inside that Atsushi couldn’t seem to locate from this angle. He swallowed and shifted his weight on his knees, squelching the lube as he applied more.

He was a slick mess before too long; after a bit Atsushi dropped his hands, panting into the rucked sheets, cock twitching between his legs. He slowly backed off the edge of the bed, straddling the dildo sitting upright with a curve, and let out a soft sigh as he felt the head slip easily in.

Okay, that was simple enough. The head wasn’t that big, not compared to a real cock, and he leaned against the bed and raised his hips, letting the head of the toy slip in and out a few times, getting used to the foreign feel of its material before sinking down a little further. It gradually increased in girth the more he worked inside, and he moved slowly, lifting his hips and sinking down further every time, until he reached the much girthier bulge and stopped, surprised at the resistance and panting aloud.

Atsushi raised his hips nearly all the way off and then dropped them again, and a shiver ran up his spine. He curled his fingers into the covers, on his knees against the side of the bed, and proceeded to enthusiastically fuck himself on the dildo.

He lost track of time, his cock leaking steadily, every bound down the shaft pressing him against that bulge that stopped him from going any further. The dildo reached deep, deeper than Akutagawa’s fingers could get, deeper than his cock—Atsushi arched his back, mouth open, rocking himself closer and closer to an orgasm that was just out of reach.

When he opened his eyes, Akutagawa was standing at the top of the steps, both hands on the railing and staring at him across the bed. Atsushi was too far gone out of his head to even register the expression Akutagawa wore; he pushed his hand back through his sweat-soaked hair and raised the other hand toward Akutagawa, panting.

“Please,” he managed, and couldn’t remember the last time he saw Akutagawa move so fast unaided, crossing the room, shoving down his pants and grabbing Atsushi by the air. Atsushi’s mouth was already open, tongue flattened, ready for Akutagawa to shove his cock into the over of Atsushi’s mouth. He gripped Akutagawa’s hips with one hand as he sucked vigorously, Akutagawa’s scent immediately overwhelming him as he buried his nose in the wiry dark hair framing his cock.

“Weretiger,” Akutagawa choked, and Atsushi moaned around him, rocking still on the dildo he rode, eyes going back as his body finally succumbed to the incessant intrusion and he sank down further than he had yet, the bulge finally forcing its way inside. His cock spurted weakly against his thigh, and his jaw went slack, allowing Akutagawa to fuck his mouth plainly before he, too, went off.

He barely had enough time to close his eyes, Akutagawa’s cock spurting right beside his face. Akutagawa staggered the step or so back to the bed, sitting heavily on the edge of the mattress. He was breathing hoarsely and staring at Atsushi wild-eyed like he couldn’t quite believe what had just happened. Atsushi, for his part, was much more focused on the dildo still, rocking on it again and again, before he exhaled and slumped forward, chin hitting the covers piled up at the edge of the bed and passing out in place, wrung out and satisfied.

~*~

Dazai was wearing a towel and dragging soggy bandages behind him as he trailed Chuuya in the kitchen, complaining about something for the last ten minutes straight that Chuuya had tuned out almost immediately. They both looked up when Akutagawa descended the stairs heavily, face flushed red. He shuffled to the fridge and liberated several bottles of water.

Abruptly, he turned to Dazai, bowed jerkily, and said, “thank you, Dazai-san,” before turning and immediately retreating back up the stairs to the loft.

“Uh,” Chuuya said. “What was that about?”

“I think someone is enjoying the presents I left them,” Dazai said with a sharp grin.

“When did you get—no, wait,” Chuuya shook his head. “I don’t even want to know. I know I don’t want to know because it’s you.”

Dazai leaned in close. “I got you a present too,” he hummed.

“Did you.” Chuuya eyed him. “Only you could make that sound like a threat.”

“Don’t you want to know what it is?”

“If I walk into that bedroom and you turn around and say it’s you, I’m going to break your jaw.” Dazai waggled his eyebrows, and before Chuuya could respond they both heard a filthy moan echo from upstairs. “And maybe show me now, before we hear them start round two,” Chuuya said, putting his glass down on the counter and allowing Dazai to finally drag him to the door.

[demonicdames]

Second Vol in The Assistant series: Rated: E F/M Cardinal Copia x F!Reader Papa Emeritus IV x F!Reader The results of the poll!!! you can also read it on my Ao3 Here Previous Vol. : The Assistant Part 1

Chapter 2: Unplanned get away

You awoke to the sounds of birds tweeting and the wind blowing gently through the now open windows of Copia's Buick. You both were laying in the back seat snuggled together under the blanket that you had used for your little makeshift picnic.

Looking up at Copia's sleeping form, he looked so peaceful a smile on his lips rather than wake him up you snuggled down against him once more closing your eyes as sleep took you again. The next time you opened your eyes you felt fingers brush over your hair. "Mmnn.. that's nice," you mumbled as your eyes opened glancing up at your mismatched-eyed Cardinal. "Morning Bella." he greeted

"Morning handsome." you greeted him as he dipped down for a kiss, you could taste the faint remains of you on his lips especially when his tongue dipped into your mouth. "Mmph- Easy Copia we don't have any condoms and I don't know if I could hold myself back again" You winked at him watching his cheeks gain a soft hue of red.

"Sorella you have no idea how much I was holding myself back last night." "I did see a drug store a few ways back," you muttered trying to implant the thought in his head. "And a hotel." You gave your most innocent look as he stared down at you his face a darker shade of red, that is all it took in minutes he had everything packed back up then again there wasn't much, he had you tucked under his arm as you both left the little alcove, which you'd have to remember it for later. Copia looked like a man on a mission as he walked into the drug store his head held high. It only took a couple of minutes before your Cardinal exited the store and headed back to the car slipping into the driver's side and greeting you with a kiss while he held up the bag. "Condoms of destiny." that got a snort from you. "You dork!." You laughed watching as he dug around in the bag and passed you your favorite candies which he had picked up. "Aww thank you! now let's blow this pop stand." the Cardinal laughed as he started the car. "Okie Dokie bellezza." Taking off out of the driveway his hand searched for yours taking hold of it, bringing it up to his lips for a tender kiss against your knuckles making you giggle as his mustache tickled them, Copia then laced your fingers together, you stayed like that the entire ride to the hotel you had seen the night before.

When you got there both of you stepped out of the car the Cardinal holding the bag in one hand and your hand in the other, stopping at the front desk he got a one-night stay. Once you got your key cards you headed to the elevators, as soon as those doors closed Copia had you pressed against the wall kissing you as if your kisses were as necessary as the life-giving air he breathed. You could feel his clothed erection press against you. He smothered his face into your neck. "I could fuck you right here against the wall tesoro." Just to add fuel to the fire you moaned into his ear. "Fuck me Copi-aaaaaa." Your voice made his cock twitch in his pants. "You damn gorgeous she-devil." he panted against your neck he was desperate and his cock weeping with need. He was about to yank down his pants and do just that thankfully he was quite literally saved by the bell as the doors opened to your floor.

Walking hand in hand you headed to your room with the key card being slid through unlocking the door. Walking in Copia set the bag onto the shelf that housed a television and a small fridge just under it as you walked to the large comfy bed throwing yourself down onto it your arms above your head with a sigh. "Oh, this feels so comfortable." Soon you were even more comfortable as you felt the bed shift from Copia's weight as he crawled over you, laying on you his head resting on your breast. Your legs wrapping around him it was weird how right this felt, how right he felt as the Cardinal pressed his lips to yours letting it linger there for a few moments. "I want you so fucking bad tesoro." You could feel his hands going for the edge of your skirt pulling it up while he moved down along your body. Your legs instantly fell open for him giving him a good view of his prize, for Copia he was trying hard not to pinch himself fearing that this was all a pleasant dream and he'd wake up in bed alone dick in hand. Moving slowly wasn't an option after the heavy play the night before which was nice but it only relieved you both for so long, grabbing the box of condoms Copia opened it pulling the strip of foil wrappers free, pulling one free the man opened the foil square with shakey hands. Pushing his pants down below the swell of his ass allowing his cock to spring free, the condom was slipped down over himself making sure that it was on correctly before leaning over you once again.

Your lips connected in a sweet kiss as Copia took hold of the base of his cock lining up and guiding himself inside of you, as soon as you felt him spread your folds and rub along your slick walls your head fell back from the kiss with a moan. "O-Oh fuck C-Cardinal."

His face smothered into your neck showering it with kisses as he moved within you. one of your hands dug nails into his back while the other weaved itself into the hair on the back of his head while he fucked you down into the bed. Back at the ministry, the ghoul had pulled up to the building flinching as Secondo slammed the door hard enough to cause a small crack in the window, he wanted to say something to lighten the man's mood but for his safety, the ghoul remained silent while driving the car around the back of the huge building to park it. Secondo stormed into his room grabbing the clear bottle of whiskey the top being flicked off, with his head thrown back the burning liquid drained down his throat. Pulling it away a drop fell down the corner of his mouth the man panting to get a breath in when he finished it the glass bottle was thrown across the room shattering against the wall as he fell back onto his couch. Why did he have to open up to you? why did he have to tell you the truth all the damn time? why did he fall for you? Having stormed in Secondo had forgotten to close the door so the crash of the glass was heard in the hall, Emilia had heard it and came running.

"Papa Secondo?!." She yelled out as she jogged into the room stopping in front of him with a delicate hand reaching out to gently pat at his cheek. "Secondo?." "Em, leave me be." He spoke sounding lower than the dirt in the courtyard. "Papa- I can't leave you like this-." "WHAT PART OF LEAVE ME BE DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND BITCH?!." He shouted making the Latin student jump back her lip wobbling, Secondo stared at her for a moment when she took off his arm and stretched out his hand missing her. Taking his sunglasses off they were the next thing to be thrown, great now she probably wouldn't come back either he was going to end up alone, an old bitter man that couldn't control his temper. Secondo flopped his face into his hands giving a long-winded sigh. The Emeritus looked up as he swore he felt a hand on his shoulder, he did. "Emilia you came back-." The broken man spoke sounding shocked, She didn't say anything before hugging him his mismatched eyes wide. "It's gonna be okay Secondo." 'It's gonna be okay' Those are words that he liked to hear and rarely did he hear them, rather than pull away Secondo wrapped his arms around her hips his face buried against her as she stroked the back of his head. "I'm guessing you came for your lessons?." "No remember today is an off day Papa, I heard a crash and rushed to see if you were okay." "Grazie sorella." Emilia watched her Papa for a good few minutes before leaning him back against the couch. "I'm going to go make us some tea with honey okay?." Getting a nod from him she went to the kitchen to prepare two warm cups for the both of them, Secondo eased back into his place on the couch eyes closed for a few moments before getting up from his spot and moving to grab a few heavy books from the shelf that sat nearby along with some empty sheets of paper.

Emilia came back into the room holding the two steaming cups seeing Secondo set on the couch again, however, the coffee table had several books on it opened. "Papa?." She asked making her way over to the couch and taking a seat beside the man the cups set down. "Well, I figure if you are here there is no harm in a little extra credit eh?." A soft chuckle passed her plump painted lips as she nodded. "A little extra credit sounds good Papa." Perhaps she was taking advantage of the man while in this extremely rare 'low mood' but as long as she got a smile from him she was content with doing so especially if that meant she could scooch closer to his side.

Meanwhile, back at the hotel you and Copia had ordered takeout, Chinese. You were shocked at how good the Cardinal was with chopsticks then again, you knew he was good with his fingers. While he handled them like a pro you were struggling and trying to hide it. "Cara, do you need help? or would you like a fork instead?" "No, no I got it don't you wor-." As if to add insult to injury when you attempted to pick up a shrimp you somehow magically flicked it across the room and splattered it into the television where it stuck for a few seconds before slowly slipping down the screen, both your and Copia's eyes watched it slide down until it hit the floor with a small wet plop.

You looked at him, defeat written all over your face as he offered you a fork which you finally accepted. You both ate in silence for a few minutes giggling when Copia fought with a noodle before slurping it up the thing smacking him on the nose. "Cazzo-." He cursed as you grabbed a napkin and wiped the tip of his nose clean. "Dinner fighting back, huh?." You managed to say through the laugh. "Si sorella and I think it is winning." You both shared a laugh before you continued with your meal together as silence fell between you again, you could tell there was something on his mind, you were about to ask him if everything was alright but he spoke up before you could. "Why did you choose me?." "Excuse me?." "Eh… ah.. let me rephrase, you chose me over Secondo." "Yeah so?." "It, well it surprises me not that I'm complaining no no no I am eh.. like that cow from the storia per bambini." You arched a brow at him as he panicked for a moment setting his food down his hand moving with his words now. "You know the the the, that story the cow over the moon Si?…. I am over the moon that you chose me" He spoke his face flushed with embarrassment which only got redder as you laughed. "You are so fucking adorable." You managed to say through the laugh which got a lopsided grin from your Cardinal.

Wiping a tear that managed to escape from the laugh, with a sigh and a few giggles the laughter ended.

"Well, you were always so sweet and kind to me we've never fought, you always make me laugh and you tell me how you feel I'm not left in the dark trying to figure out if I should bring something up to you or not, you were there for me even at that late hour" Your words brought that red back to his face. "It is just hard to believe, between me and the others… I've… I've never been anyone's choice before." You watched as the Cardinal's eyes looked down at his gloved hands as he slowly rubbed them together you could see the pained look as memories crawled back to him.

"Each time I thought a sorella or fratello loved me, wanted to be with me they always chose Terzo or Secondo, and when that didn't work out they just…" He shrugged his shoulders. "Or they would as you say… eat the cake and have it too." Copia sighed looking deflated. "Copia…" You watched him for a few moments you never knew just how much pain was behind that cheerful smile when you met him in the halls of the Abbey. "So when you came back to me… I was all happy, scared, and shocked." You scooted over to sit beside him your head resting on his shoulder your hand taking his gloved one holding it tight.

The gesture put a smile on his face, a kiss on his cheek put that rosy red back on them. "You know dolcezza we are going to have to return home soon." "Yeah I know, but we do have all day and night so let's have fun before heading back, I mean they have a pool downstairs and a hot tub we should go and swim." "Un problema cara." He spoke holding up an index finger. "And that is?." "No swimwear." "Ah, damn you're right." Copia frowned seeing the disappointment in your face. "Unless we go to the store and buy some for this little ehh.. unplanned trip si?." Your face lit up not only because you were gonna be able to swim but you were going to swim with him and go shopping, it was almost hilarious how two mundane things brought such happiness to the both of you.

Finishing your food you both hopped up and headed out down to his car, both giddy with excitement Copia maybe even more than you. He was so excited, not only to be out of the Abbey for a little while but with his girlfriend… you were his girlfriend now, right? maybe? perhaps he'd ask you later the last thing he wanted to hear was 'no' so he'd stay quiet and just pretend that you were for now as you headed off to the store together. --To be continued--

Tag list: Remember if you wish to be tagged for the next chapter let me know! @thesoundresoundsecho, @xpapaemeritus

[birinboom]

I've taken up the old-person hobby of intently watching the birds outside (if the shoe fits ¯\_(ツ)_/¯) and it really helps me through the winter where everything just seems... dead.

We've put up about 6 bird feeders which are all pretty well visited by the local birds. And I'm getting obsessed with it. I once caught a flock of about 20 goldfinches spread out between the feeders. If my SO shouts from downstairs that there's a cardinal outside, I am throwing myself out of my chair to go stalk the windows to the point where I'm almost tripping on my blanket.

I saw a new bird today. And I'm not kidding when I say that I SCREECHED 😱 We now have purple finches. Well, one. A female. Which isn't purple. But I'm waiting with bated breath, they're so cute.

On another note, we also saw what I think is a vole today. Sadly, I think we'll have to exterminate it since it's made a burrow by our blueberry bushes and it'll most likely destroy them 🥺

[i-fondued]

Ghost | Sinners in Secret - Chapter 5

Chapter Five - The Sofa Incident

Pairing: Cardinal Copia x Reader/Sister of Sin x Papa “Terzo” Emeritus III

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Plot, smut, etc. See AO3 for full list of tags!

A/N: Early upload because I thought this was a good stopping point before we got to the actual plot that will be in the next chapter!

Chapter One - HERE

Chapter Two - HERE

Chapter Three - HERE

Chapter Four - HERE

AO3 Link - HERE

The sunshine was bright on my face when I woke up, eyes bleary as I rolled over and away from the sun. I rubbed at my eyes and stretched before I decided to face the day. I had somehow convinced myself the last twenty four hours were just a dream. Taking in the beautiful bedroom, the view from the large picture windows by my bed, I smiled to myself. The sound of soft snoring pulled my attention and I turned to the sound. 

Terzo was sound asleep. He was laying on his chest with his arms curled tightly around the pillow he rested his head on, a little trail of drool on his pillow. I sighed fondly as I pushed his hair away from his face, the dark strands tickling his eyelashes as he slept. He didn’t wear anything and I greedily took in the sight of his bare skin, blankets tangled around his waist and legs. But the best part of waking up to find Terzo was in my bed? He had washed his papal paints off at some point after I fell asleep and his face was bare. 

Terzo’s face was relaxed while he slept but there were faint lines around his mouth and eyes, lines that told a story of a joyful youth and of the mischievous Papa I’d grown to adore. His cheeks had a very light stubble and I smiled at the thought of him having to shave every morning before putting on his paints. I cuddled up to him, my thumb brushing over his eyebrows as he dreamed something that made him crinkle up his face. He relaxed slightly, sighing and throwing an arm around my waist and pulling me to him. I giggled as he sleepily pressed a kiss to my temple. 

“Sonno, Tesoro…” He grumbled, nuzzling my shoulder as he curled onto his side “Too early…” 

He fell back asleep quickly and I was able to begrudgingly slip from his arms and out of the bed. The fire that had been lit in the fireplace last night had long burned out, the room was cold and I shivered as I slipped from the bed. I quickly pulled on my robe that was laying across the bench at the foot of the bed and tip-toed into the bathroom, feet cold from the stone floor.

I took my time getting ready this morning, taking a nice long shower even though I was tempted to take a bath. I braided my hair before pulling on my standard sibling robes, Imperator had told me there was going to be a change to my wardrobe once I officially took the role of Prime Mover and part of me dreaded the idea of getting rid of something that had been so constant in my life for the last several years. It felt good to put on something that everyone around me wore, it had become my armor over the years. My habit like a battle worn helmet, loved and worn with care.

I crept quietly from my bedroom, Terzo now spread eagle in the middle, and started on making coffee. While that brewed I went and picked out a book from my bookshelf, finally settling on one of the books I had borrowed from the library the day before. Putting the book on the coffee table I went back to the kitchen and made myself my morning cup of coffee and curled up on the couch with my cup steaming between my hands. I made it a few chapters in before I felt someone’s hands rest on the back of the sofa behind me. I tilted my head back against the couch and looked up and saw Terzo, hair slightly damp and face freshly shaved. He didn’t have a shirt on but I could see the towel slung low on his hips.

“Buongiorno, Sorella.” He spoke happily as he leaned down to press a soft kiss to my lips. “You did not wake me when you got up. I would have liked to show you what the bench in the shower is for…”

“You looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake you.” I sighed as he rubbed my shoulders, my eyes sliding closed as I hummed in delight. 

“To see you naked and wet, Tesoro, I would wake happily.” He purred in my ear before standing and walking towards the door that separated our rooms, he flung them open and left them as he called back to me. “I must get ready, do not leave for colazione without me! I worked up quite a hunger last night.”

I laughed, cheeks flushing as I finished off my coffee, skimming more of the book before there was a soft knock on my door. 

“Come in!” I called, Copia stepped in and I smiled at the look on his face. He looked at me sitting on the couch with coffee in my hands, eyes soft as he came in wearing his black cassock today. “Ah, good morning Copia.”

“Good morning, Stellina.” He smiled softly back at me as he came to sit next to me on the couch, cupping my cheek as he tilted my head towards him to press a warm kiss to my lips. “I trust you slept well, si?”

“I did, there’s something to be said for a bed big enough for six.” I laughed as he took my legs and placed them in his lap, rubbing my calves and his leather clad fingers teased a sensitive spot by the inside of my knee. “At the very least the upgrade to my quarters has been the best part of all this.”

“Not the ability for us to spend time alone?” He teased, fingers drawing lazy circles on my inner thigh as I shuddered and my cheeks flushed softly. “Not the fact that the clergy is essentially giving you permission to spend your days fucking your little heart out?”

“I-I mean that is also a very delightful bonus…” I stuttered as his gloved fingers teased my thighs as they parted without me even thinking about it.

“We’ll see if you’ve earned it tonight, Sorella.” His voice deepened, mismatched eyes fiery with lust, and his hand gripped my thigh possessively. 

Gracelessly I tossed the old book I had been reading on the coffee table and slipped to straddle Copia’s lap. My arms wrapped around his neck and I knocked his biretta off his head to the empty seat on the couch. His hands came to hold my hips and pulled me to grind down against him, cock already hard so early in the day. I shuddered and pressed urgent kisses to Copia’s lips, suddenly needy for him. He chuckled against my lips, hand winding around my braid before tugging it so I’d have to bend away from him. I whined, grinding against him and panting, as my heart pumped painfully in my chest.

“Sto interrompendo qualcosa?” Terzo’s voice made me jump, but Copia held me in place. I squirmed under the hot gaze of the cardinal as Terzo came to stand behind the couch, leaning slightly against the back. “What ever did Sorella do?”

“She apparently is too eager for our evening together, fratello…” Copia purred, both men’s eyes on me making me pant at the feral expressions on their faces. “Did you not satisfy her needs last night?”

“I heard no complaints…” Terzo chucked, reaching out to cup my cheek before he ran the pad of his thumb across my bottom lip. “Il  Cardinale e un bastardo arrogante, eh Tesoro?”

Both of them glared at each other; smirking, throwing snide comments about prowess and scoffing, before Copia let go of my hair. I whimpered at the loss of contact and was about to just pounce on them till I heard the chime of the clock on the mantle. Breakfast was just beginning and we were going to be late.

After some coaxing from me, I was able to separate the pair of preening peacocks and we finally started down to breakfast. Copia had my hand tucked into the crook of his arm and Papa walked close on my left side. As we walked down the halls we received a good mix of looks; some were curious, some openly stared, and others were downright hostile in my direction. When we reached the dining room doors I paused, halting all three of us as Copia started to open the door. 

“Sorella..?” He spoke, voice suddenly soft and full of concern as they both looked at my face. 

“I-I’m okay. Just anxious.” I smiled, though it didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Copia pushed the doors open, Papa taking my arm and pulling me close to him as we stepped into the hall. There was a quiet hush that spread as we walked in, heading toward where I normally sat. Sister Imperator caught us before we could head any farther into the room, a polite smile on her face before she spoke. 

“In light of recent developments, Sister, we’d like you to dine with us at the head table.” She gestured to the three empty seats at the end of the table and I had to hold my groan in. “Please, sit.”

She wasn’t asking. 

Terzo lead me over to the table, Copia pulled out my chair and helped push it in as I sat down. Terzo and Copia both sat down almost at the same time and the three of us exchanged looks, feeling all the eyes of the room on us. I looked to my left and saw Primo giving me a small warm smile, Secondo was looking at me curiously and I couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking. His sharp features and narrowed eyes locked on me and I couldn’t help the shutter that ran through me, the man was intimidating on the best of days and downright frightening on bad ones. A clinking of silverware on glass pulled me from my thoughts as Sister Imperator called the attention of the siblings present. 

“I’d like to make an announcement on behalf of the Clergy and Papal seats.” She turned and bowed her head at Terzo and Copia before continuing. “Many of you have heard of the Prime Mover phenomenon, I’m happy to announce that we have found one in our mists. Sister…” She gestured to me and I felt my face drain of all blood. “She has been selected by Satan himself to become the next Prime Mover. Please extend her the same respect and reverence you do to Papa himself. She will become his right hand and his confidant, his paramore.”

At her words I felt Copia tense next to me, my hand drifting to rest on his thigh. She hadn’t mentioned him or his role in all this either which didn’t sit well with me. Hadn’t she been the one to push that what Secondo had seen meant I was to be with both Terzo and Copia? Was this her way of guiding me towards what they thought was best? My stomach filled with anger and anxiety, suddenly feeling like I was being manipulated in a game I didn’t know all the rules. My heart ached at the idea of losing him, he had been the first person here at the abbey who took the time to actually get to know me when I first joined. 

I felt Terzo’s hand squeeze my own on top of the table, looking over at him and giving him a small smile. He gave me a small nod towards Copia whose face was looking reddened with fury as he listened to the rest of the morning announcements before everyone around us began to dig into breakfast. I quietly ate my breakfast, avoiding all the looks from the other siblings and tried to subtly gain the attention of Copia who seemed determined to ignore everyone. 

“Co-Cardinal, are you free after breakfast?” I tried to ask him as casually as possible. 

“I actually have quite a few meetings, Sorella.” He answered simply, eyes still trained on his plate as he stabbed at a potato cube with more force than entirely necessary. “Mie scuse.”

Copia stood, pushing his chair away from the table and stormed from the dining room under a hush of whispers from the other tables. His breakfast had barely been touched, my heart clenching painfully, and I started to stand to follow him but Terzo’s hand gripped my thigh to my chair tightly.

“Give him some space, Tesoro…” He murmured to me, shaking his head softly. “Imperator has made a statement of what side of all this she is on and it is not his side.”

“But she was the one who brought up the vision, I don’t understand why she would change her mind.” I mumbled, poking around at my breakfast, no longer interested in the eggs and sausage. 

“Chissà cosa passa nella mente del vecchio pipistrello…” Terzo grumbled as he ate, sipping his espresso in between bites of toast. “Cardinale and I will understand however you choose, Tesoro. I think trying to communicate with His Darkness will help you with this decision.”

“But what will I do if what he says isn’t what I want to pick…” I whispered, eyes locked on his missmatched gaze. He smiled wryly, hand coming up to cup my cheek as he leaned to whisper in my ear. 

“Disobedience is the ultimate sin, Sorella. Why would Lucifer himself not support your lust for carnal delights?”

…

After breakfast, Terzo and I swore we would just stick to meals in my rooms. Several siblings came up to the table at points to offer praise or thanks to Papa, their glares in my direction not unmissed by me. A handful of them offered me praise as well, thanking me for continuing the sacred Emeritus line. I blushed and stammered out replies each time; I was completely unprepared for any of the attention but Terzo helped walk me through the whole interaction. He was in his element, taking the praise in stride and slyly chiding the siblings who aimed any scorn at me. When we finally left the dining room, Terzo walked me to the library doors. 

“I must leave you here Tesoro.” He sighed, taking my hand to press a soft kiss on my knuckles. “I had been pushing off papal paperwork and now with the Cardinale in a terribile mood I fear he will not help me this time…”

“You could always work on it here with me, I have a whole corner of the library to myself during the day.” I perked up, he still hadn’t let go of my hand and I could feel the heat of his hands through the silk gloves. 

“I feel I will not get much work done, Sorella.” He chuckled, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to my temple. “I will see you later for lunch, si?”

“Of course, Papa.” I smiled, leaning into his kiss before we parted. 

I watched him walk away, hands together behind his back and when he turned the corner he looked back and winked at me. I blushed before slipping into the library, his chuckles echoing in the hallway. Using the back staircase I made my way up to my unofficial office, which was really an old abandoned corner of the library with the oldest scrolls kept in bookshelves with glass doors. There was a large standing table where all my work was spread out haphazardly, though I knew what everything was and where I had left it. 

Against the back wall of the corner were several cabinets that had all of my more important and secretive translations locked away for future use, most dark rituals only to be used in emergencies or information that the Clergy didn’t want just any sibling to have access too. The other wall had a large set of windows that let all the morning light into the space, the sofa Copia had brought for me sitting under the window. 

I started on my work, habit pulled off and tossed to the side as I tucked a pen in my hair and jotted down notes and worked through the large stack that had been left out from the other day. Quietly I moved around the space, humming to myself as I moved things around and tucked papers away in their proper places. I had just finished up a few folders worth of translations and scroll summaries for Copia when I felt a pair of arms snake around my waist. The scent of sandalwood and incense overwhelmed my senses as I felt him rest his chin on my shoulder, cheek pressed against my face. 

“I’m sorry about breakfast, I should not have left like that.” Copia sighed in my ear. 

It was rare for him to act so openly tender with me, he was always wound so tight in public that he was normally distant. Tender words and soft caresses had always been savored in the privacy of his office or my room. My heart thrummed in my chest as I leaned back against him, work temporarily put to the side. 

“It’s okay…this whole thing…it's a lot,” I mumbled as we rocked slightly, Copia pressing soft kisses against my neck. My eyes closed as I sighed happily. “I don’t want you to think that I am forgetting about you, about us.”

“I know, Stellina.” 

I felt like purring under his lips, his mustache tickling my sensitive neck, and I leaned back against him. He pulled away and turned me in his arms. Copia backed me up against the table behind me and pressed a tender kiss to my lips. I sighed happily, wrapping my arms around his neck as his hands rested on either side of my hips on the table. Our kiss grew from something tender to heated. His tongue brushed against my bottom lip and I parted my lips to allow him to slip into my mouth, head tilting to give him more access. 

“Copia…” I moaned into his mouth, my hands moving to push at his cassock greedily. His hands gripped my hips and rolled them against his, already hard against my hip, his breath mingling with mine as he groaned.

“Sorella.” He groaned, hands tugging at my skirts needling. “Per favore…”

It had been a long time since I had heard him beg for me, my pulse thundering, as I helped him push my skirts up and tugged my underwear down. I reached forward and helped him unbutton his cassock to be able to get to his trousers. My hands tugged at his buttons and caressed the bulge as he kissed me, soft groans mingled in between us. My head fell to the side as Copia’s fingers brushed against my soaked slit, my hips jumping forward in search of more friction, and I looked towards the arch leading into my little space and saw Terzo.

He was leaning against the wood, arms crossed across his chest, and his eyes were fixated on us. His breath was coming in short pants as our eyes locked, his trousers doing nothing to hide his obvious arousal at finding us. My face blushed deep red before I reached towards him, Copia finally noticing my squirming and turning to see Terzo. He smirked at Papa, pushing my legs open so he would be able to see Copia’s fingers as they lazily caressed my core. I bit my lip to muffle the moan that threatened to draw someone our way.

“Aspetto Papa, guarda quanto la sorella chiede di essere liberata.” Copia purred his free hand coming to turn my face to watch Terzo. “Keep your eyes on Papa, Stellina. Show him what a good girl you can be…”

I was panting, my legs shaking, as he teased me. Copia’s fingers slipped inside me and I threw my head back, covering my mouth with my hand to muffle the moan. The Cardinal’s hand tangled in my braid and tugged sharply so I couldn’t look away from Terzo. He took a few steps towards me before Copia spoke again, voice firm and low. 

“Guarda ma non toccare, Papa.” Copia eyes locked on me but I could see Terzo’s eyes flutter between my squirming body and Copia’s tightly controlled form. “You may sit on the sofa.”

I’d never seen Terzo go from his cocky self assured self to this obedient and subdued man that walked slowly to sit on the sofa. Copia continued to ignore the other person in the room as he teased me, his fingers lazily thrusting slowly as he whispered filth in my ear. My hands reached for his cock, needing to touch him and he snatched my wrist before pinning it to the table. 

“Cardinale…” Terzo whined, I watched as he squirmed on the couch behind us. “I cannot see Sorella…”

Copia’s face darkened before he smirked, I shivered at the look in his eye. He stepped back, taking my hand and pulling me along to the arm of the couch. Terzo slid back to rest against the arm on the opposite and his hand slipped to caress his obviously hard cock over his trousers. I watched, transfixed as he squirmed and Copia kissed my neck softly before he pushed on my shoulder and had me bend over the armrest. My hands settled on the couch cushion, the wood of the arm of the couch bit into my hips but I couldn’t care less. 

“Scusami, Stellina.” Copia purred in my ear as he pulled my skirts up and over my hips, kicking my feet apart as his fingers gently caressed my clit. I hissed a breath between my teeth and my fingers dug into the cushion. “Tranquillo in biblioteca, Si?”

“Yes, Cardinal.” I mumbled, squirming as he ran the head of his cock up and down my dripping cunt. “Please…”

“Ah, Sorella. Do not tell me you wish to rush our performance?” He teased, one hand coming up to grip my shoulder tightly as he pressed forward at a burningly slow pace. “We have a special guest after all.”

I squirmed under him, pinned down with a surprising strength as I attempted to roll my hips back against him. Copia’s hand came to grip my hip in place as he pushed to sink fully into me. I let out a groan louder than I meant too and Terzo surged forward, pressing his hand against my mouth. My eyes locked on his own mismatched gaze, my cheeks flushed and he was panting. I could see his cock straining against his trousers and I itched to reach for him. 

“You may kiss her, Papa. If only to keep her quiet.” Copia grunted as he began to thrust with more earnestness, I squirmed back against him to try and get as much friction as possible. 

Terzo didn’t need to be told twice, his hand moving to cup my cheek as he kissed me fiercely. I groaned into the kisses arms feeling weak as the heat pooled in my belly, Copia’s iron like grip was the only thing keeping me in place as he pounded into me. Terzo’s tongue massaged and coaxed mine into his mouth as he swallowed my moans and whimpers. The sound of wet skin smacking together felt obscene in the secluded space. I could feel Terzo fisting himself earnestly as he watched us. He murmured filthy things against my lips as my back arched against Copia. 

“You may touch her, Papa.” Copia hissed quietly through his teeth, his hand gripping my hip pulling me back to make room for Terzo to slide an arm between us. “Make her come before I do and I am sure Sorella will reward you.”

I moaned into Terzo’s mouth as I felt his bare fingers gently circle my clit. My head falling to rest on his shoulder as he teased me, my orgasam building quickly as Copia began to pound into me fiercely, his own orgasm approaching quickly. I begged for Terzo to not stop and he quickly rubbed at the little bundle of nerves as I panted against him. My hands settled on his thighs and I dug my nails into his pants and skin as I felt the thread of my lust pulled tight behind my navel. 

“Now, Tesoro.” Terzo purred in my ear as he sunk his teeth into the sensitive flesh of my neck. 

The thread snapped, my arms finally gave out and I practically fell into Terzo’s lap as his other hand came up to cover my mouth as I cried out, muffling it at the last minute. I felt my cunt clenching Copia’s cock as I rode out the aftershocks and after a few more sharp thrusts I felt him curl around me, teeth digging into my throat as he bit down on me to muffle his groan as his cock twitched and spilled his seed inside me. I felt like I was floating as both men kissed my neck, face and cheeks; whispering sweet things in Italian as I came down from the high of my orgasm.

“Che brava ragazza, Sorella.” Copia murmured into my skin as he pulled out of me, helping to adjust my skirts and stand up. He leaned to whisper in my ear from behind, a shiver running up my spine. “Do you wish to reward Papa for being so patient with us?”

My eyes took in the ragged sight of Terzo; he was sitting on the couch, legs opened wide, chest heaving, and his eyes couldn’t seem to look away from Copia and I. My chest warmed at the sight of him, his paints slightly messy from our frantic kisses, and I nodded quickly. Copia chucked and gave me a pat on the ass, a gentle push toward Terzo. “Do a good job, Stellina.”

I blushed furiously as I sank to my knees between Terzo’s legs, my hands coming to rest on top of his thighs. His breath hitched as my fingers tugged open his trousers and slipped his leaking cock free. His head fell back but his eyes were locked on mine as I ran my hand up and down his length, squeezing gently as he rolled his hips to thrust weakly into my hand. 

I let my thumb run over the head of his cock, smearing the precum over the tip, before I leaned forward and ran my tongue against the underside. Terzo shoved his fist in between his teeth to hold back the groan rumbling in his chest as he watched me take his length into my warm mouth. My tongue circled around the head as I bobbed up and down, sucking him and hollowing out my cheeks as I tried to take him as deeply as I could. Terzo’s cock wasn’t as long as Copia’s but he had more girth and my jaw began to ache as I worked him furiously. I squirmed on my knees, rubbing my thighs together to bring some sort of friction to my core as I felt my lust pool between my legs again. I moaned around his cock and Terzo’s hips jumped up to thrust into my mouth. I felt hands on my head, tangling with my hair and I looked to the side and saw the smirk on Copia’s face as he cupped my jaw. 

“Deeper, Stellina.” He murmured before pushing me forward, I gagged slightly but groaned. Terzo’s hand came to rest on the top of my head and I worked him as deep as I could. “Good girl.”

Terzo began to fuck my throat and I knew he was close by the disjointed noises coming from his mouth, he was getting a little louder and I was worried someone was going to catch us. I was panting as I watched Copia’s leather clad hand come up to cover Terzo’s mouth. My eyes widened and I whimpered at the look of shock on the other man’s face as Copia smirked darkly. 

“Devi anche stare zitto, fratello, non vogliamo farci beccare così, giusto?” Copia’ purred leaning closer to Terzo, who was panting. I felt his cock twitch as Copia pressed his lips against the back of the hand against Papa’s mouth. “Sii un bravo ragazzo per me, sì?”

Terzo groaned into Copia’s palm and I felt his hips rocking into my mouth before his cock twitched and he shot his hot seed down my throat. 

“Swallow it all, Sorella.” Copia murmured in my ear and I moaned as I did as I was told. 

The Cardinal leaned back and smirked at us, Terzo absolutely boneless on the sofa and myself panting as I tried to steady myself on the floor. I felt Copia’s gentle hand brush the hair away from my face and I rested my cheek on Terzo’s thigh and smiled up at them. 

“Perfezione assoluta, Stellina.” He sighed before Terzo’s hand caressed my cheek as well, his free hand tucking his softened cock back in his trousers.

“Si, Tesoro. You have been such a good girl.” His voice breathless as all three of us basked in the company of each other. 

I felt both men pull me from the floor onto the couch with them. My head rested on Copia’s chest while Terzo rubbed at my numb knees and calves. Copia’s arms wrapped around me and rubbed my arms soothingly. I hummed under their attention as they massaged all the sore muscles and spoke to each other softly in italian. My eyes felt heavy, exhausted from the last few days of excitement. As I felt myself drifting off, someone cleared their throat. I jumped and sat up from Copia’s arms, legs coming from Terzo’s lap to curl under me. 

Standing in the doorway, arms crossed and eyebrows arched sharply was Secondo. He wasn’t wearing his paints or his robes today, instead he wore a simple white button up and black dress pants. He looked between the three of us suspiciously before Terzo spoke.

“Fratello, what are you doing here? I did not think you read.” Terzo teased, standing and attempting to put his brother in a headlock. Secondo shoved him in the stomach, Terzo letting out a groan before he slunk back to sit on the couch. 

“I was looking for Sorella.” Secondo’s gruff voice spoke, his eyes locked on mine. “After lunch, come to my rooms so we can work on the ritual. You do not have much experience with rituals do you?”

“No Sir.” I replied truthfully, a slight blush on my cheeks. A majority of the rituals involved blood and I was slightly squeamish so I had always shied away from them. 

“At least we don’t have to work on your Latin skills…” He muttered, sighing before turning to leave the room. He paused, turning back and smirking at me again. “You all may want to find a mirror, you’ve all got grease paints all over you.”

My face was instantly bright red, hand coming to rub at my lips and cheeks. Sure enough, there was black paint on my fingers. Copia smacked his face into his hands, Terzo looked far too proud of himself. 

“T-thank you, Secondo!” I called after him, hearing his muttering about what he had gotten involved in.

[cynicalone94]

Suffering In Silence

Read on AO3 here.

His stomach hurts.

And he really, really wants his mom to make it all better but she’s been throwing up for the last two days so he’s pretty sure whatever is going on with her stomach trumps his problems.

So instead he curls up on the couch next to Will, tucking his knees up to his chest and tries to figure out who’s playing.

“Cardinals are playing the Jets.” Will says without looking up.

He nods, whispering his thanks and focuses on the game.

He wakes up in his own bed, disoriented for a moment before he realizes that he must have fallen asleep during the game and his dad had carried him upstairs instead of waking him up.

It’s pretty late, the flashing clock between he and Will’s bed proclaiming just before three in the morning and he slides out of bed, stumbling to the bathroom.

He quickly finishes his business and then hurries back to bed. But the sleep doesn’t want to come back once he’s settled back under the blankets and he lies there in the dark, listening to Will snore and wondering why his stomach feels so bad.

Dad says that stomach aches usually happen when you’ve had too much candy and he hadn’t had any today. He also definitely didn’t go to the doctor like his mom so he hadn’t been given any of the medicine that makes her so sick.

He doesn’t really understand how medicine makes her sick and why she’s still taking it if it does.

But he hasn’t taken any so that’s not what’s wrong with him.

He must eventually fall asleep because he wakes up to his mom shaking him gently.

“Time to get up.” she says. “You don’t want to be late for school.”

Says who?

But he doesn’t want to upset his mom so he throws back the covers and climbs out of bed, gasping when his feet make contact with the cold floor.

His mom laughs softly.

“Why don’t you get your socks on first?” she suggests. “Keep those cute little feet of yours warm.”

“Mo-om.” he whines but she just kisses the top of his head.

“Breakfast is almost ready.”

His stomach starts hurting again just before lunch and he sits at the table, distractedly listening to his friends while he pushes his food around his plate.

By the time he gets home he just wants to curl up on the couch again but his mom insists that he has to do his homework before he can watch tv so he sits at the kitchen table, drumming his pencil against the table.

Will finishes most all of his homework by the time Jay has finished his math worksheets and offers to quiz him on his spelling words.

But he struggles to remember how to spell any of them and the usual teasing from his big brother brings tears to his eyes.

He slams his head against the table top in frustration, using it to hide his face while he quickly scrubs at his eyes.

“Sorry Jay.” Will says quickly. “I know its frustrating but you’ll get it. Mrs. Eisenbrown taught me a really cool trick for remembering how to spell close. You want me to teach you?”

He sniffles, wiping his eyes one more time before forcing himself to lift his head, nodding.

Will starts talking again and he latches onto his words, wanting to focus on anything other than the pain in his stomach.

He reads to his mom after dinner, stumbling over a few words but she seems pleased.

“Good job.” she says as he puts the book away. “You’re doing a lot better, sweetheart.”

He just nods, scooting closer and curling into her side.

“Are you feeling okay?” she asks, stroking her fingers through his hair.

He nods again.

“I hate spelling.” he mutters. “Why is it so hard?”

“Sometimes things in life have to be hard so that we know how strong we are.” she says, kissing the top of his head.

“Even you?” he whispers.

“Even me, baby.” she says. “Now why don’t you go watch some tv with your brother until it’s time to get ready for bed?”

“Can I just sit here with you?” he asks.

“Of course you can.” she promises. “I love you so much, sweetheart.”

“Love you too.”

School the next day is pretty awful.

He doesn’t understand why his stomach won’t stop hurting and its making it hard to focus in class.

Mrs. Laramie is definitely getting annoyed with him and he feels bad but the pages of the worksheet he’s supposed to be doing have started swimming every couple of minutes.

He’s tired, dizzy and thinks that he might throw up. But he can’t do that because if he does they’ll call his mom to come pick him up and he doesn’t want to worry her.

He sneaks out of the cafeteria at lunch because the smells are too strong and make his stomach twist and turn even more violently.

He manages to make it to the bathroom before throwing up and is sitting on the floor, resting his head against the cool metal of the stall when the five minute bell rings.

Hastily scrambling to his feet, he flushes the toilet and then hurries out to wash his hands and rinse his mouth before racing for the playground.

He stumbles into line with the other kids just as Mrs. Laramie arrives to bring them back into the classroom and ducks his head, avoiding the stern look that she gives him.

The rest of the day passes in a similar blur and before he knows it, he’s walking into his mom’s arms in front of the school.

“What’s the matter, baby?” she asks quietly, kneeling in front of him and pressing her hand to his forehead. “You’re warm.”

“My stomach hurts.” he whimpers.

“Why didn’t you have them call me?” she asks. “How long have you been feeling bad?”

He shrugs, not wanting to lie to her but also not wanting to worry her anymore.

“I didn’t want them to bother you.” he says.

“You are never a bother.” she says, kissing his forehead. “Will, would you mind carrying his backpack?”

“Sure mom.” his brother says and Jay absently notes that he sounds worried before the world is spinning as his mom lifts him into her arms.

He swallows hard, breathing through his nose as he fights down the nausea and buries his head in her shoulder.

Normally, he would be horrified that everyone at school is seeing his mom carry him like a little baby but right now he just wants her to make this go away.

He’s almost asleep by the time they get home, soothed by the familiar scent of his mother’s shampoo.

She carries him up the stairs, helping him into pajamas before tucking him into bed.

“Do you think you might be sick?” she asks gently.

He just shrugs again and she sighs.

“I’ll get you a bucket.”

He falls asleep before she comes back and wakes to his parents talking outside the bedroom door.

“He looks awful.” his mother is saying. “I hate that he didn’t want to bother me but I can’t believe that his teacher didn’t notice that something was wrong.”

“She’s got thirty other kids to keep track of.” his dad answers.

“Maybe.” his mom says, not sounding convinced.

“He’ll be okay.” his dad tells her. “It’s probably just a stomach bug.”

He doesn’t feel very okay but he’s so tired and his mom and dad won’t let anything bad happen to him so he closes his eyes and drifts back to sleep.

He wakes up screaming.

Will is there in seconds, scrambling across the room and taking hold of his hand.

“Jay?” he says. “Jay, what’s the matter, buddy?”

“It hurts.” he cries. “I want mom. Where’s mom?”

“I’m here, sweetie.” she says, running into the room. “What’s the matter?”

“My stomach.” he sobs. “It hurts. Mom, please.”

“I’m here.” she soothes, her hand touching his head as if to stroke soothingly over his head before jumping back. “You’re burning up! Patrick!”

Another set of footsteps enter the room and then he hears heavy footsteps racing away from them.

His mom lifts him into her arms again and he curls into her, sobbing. He just wants it to stop, why won’t it stop?

Will is following them as his mom runs down the stairs and the jostling as she does causes him to scream again.

“It’s okay, sweetheart.” she soothes. “It’s okay. Momma is here. I’ll make this better.”

“Momma.” he sobs.

“I know baby, I know.” she soothes.

Will is talking, his voice frantic but Jay can’t make out any words.

There’s a jolt when the car starts moving and his stomach somersaults, violently ejecting its meager contents all over his mom and it just makes him cry harder.

The drive seems to take an eternity as he lays there, shaking and sobbing but finally the car screeches to a halt and he’s being pulled out of the backseat, away from his mom.

“Momma!” he cries, reaching for her.

Something stabs into his arm and he cries out again, screaming for her. Where’s his mom? He wants his mom.

And then a cold heaviness is settling over him and he feels himself drifting into the darkness.

When he wakes up again it doesn’t hurt anymore.

His whole body feels weird. Kind of… floaty.

He doesn’t really like it but it’s better than the all consuming pain that had felt like it was ripping him in half.

He opens his eyes, looking around.

“Jay?”

“Momma?” he asks, following the sound of her voice until he finally sees her face.

“How do you feel?” she asks, her hand coming up to stroke through his hair.

“Floaty.” he whispers. “Wa – happened?”

“Your appendix ruptured.” she says, and it hurts to see tears running down her cheeks. “Honey, how long was your stomach hurting?”

“A couple days.” he admits, looking down.

“Sweetheart, why didn’t you say something?” she asks.

“I didn’t wanna worry you.”

“I’m your mom.” she says, stroking his hair. “It’s my job to worry about you.”

“I’m sorry.” he whispers, tears running down his cheeks. “I didn’t want to make you sad. I didn’t mean to.”

“Hey.” she soothes. “You’re okay. I’m not mad at you, baby. I’m just glad you’re going to be okay.”

“It was scary.” he says. “And it hurt. A lot.”

“I know.” she says. “It scared me too. But you aren’t hurting now?”

He shakes his head.

“Good.” she says, offering him a teary smile. “I love you so much, sweetheart. Next time you don’t feel good, please just tell me.”

“I will.” he promises. “I love you too.”

[theratboyking]

Softly Into The Night

Chapter Three: The Shine and The Sham Entangled

Author's Note: This is lowkey a bit of filler, but there is lore and like info for the story later. I had other ideas for this, and the direction it was going, which didn't fit into this chapter. This is also the shortest chapter so far. BUT! I still have them, and I will make them stand-alone one-shots. They can be read either as stand-alone one-shots but still will still be a part of this universe and affect the story moving forward. Anyways without further ado, here's chapter 3 :) p.s. I wanted to give you guys a chapter this weekend. Still hope everyone enjoyed and as always, I would love to hear what you guys think :) (UPDATE: I think everything has been fixed, but if there's anything I didn't fix I'm sorry :'))

Pairing: Cardinal Copia/Reader/Papa Emeritus iii (this will also have eventual Copia/Terzo but that won't be for a while)(This is also a slow burn so it's gonna be a while until we even get here)

Word Count: 6.1k

Summary: Demons are real, angels exist, and my father is the Prince of Darkness. A dream I can’t seem to wake up from. And two mysterious strangers that seem to have a connection to me. What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Summary: Is this just going to get stronger? I have been practically buzzing since this morning; everything has a newfound edge. It had only been getting intense, if anything. Was it ever going to be manageable? This doesn't come with a handbook. Secondo said, there hasn't been someone like me for nearly 2000 years. There was only so much that he knew.

Chapter Summary: Is this just going to get stronger? I have been practically buzzing since this morning; everything has a newfound edge. It had only been getting intense, if anything. Was it ever going to be manageable? This doesn't come with a handbook. Secondo said, there hasn't been someone like me for nearly 2000 years. There was only so much that he knew. 

Warnings: 18+ (this is going to get be a wild ride folks,) Slow burn, Idiots in love, kinda soulmates? poorly translated Italian (I am sorry to all the Italians out there) fluff, angst, this is a ghost fic so you know religious trauma, some chapters will like get kinda deep in the religious philosophy but maybe not depending on the direction this goes, eventual smut (Chapter will be labeled)

AO3 link

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The knock on the door bounced off the walls - Disturbing me from my restless sleep. Blinking several times -  My eyes barely adjusted to the dark room around me. Taking a deep breath in, the streaks of silver that lined the canopy sparkling in the morning light. The fire that was roaring the night before was nothing but embers. My head fell to the side, looking out the balcony window; the sun had yet to rise. The warmth of the bed is begging me to stay. I put my pillow over my head, hoping to drown out the noise my unwelcome guest made. 

Peaking at the clock resting on the bedside table - It was barely five in the morning. Who could want me this early?

The knocking continued. Throwing the pillow to the side, I groan. There was no escaping this; I probably wouldn’t fall asleep even if it stopped. I rip the blanket off of me. 

“Your highness.” 

Slumping my head against the door, closing my eyes. “Nova… It’s five in the morning. What do you want.” 

“It’s Monday.”  

“It’s Monday?”  I questioned, still practically asleep where I stood.

“You have lessons… This morning… Papa asked that I made sure you were up on time.” 

“Fuck, it’s Monday!” With everything else going on, I had completely forgotten about this morning. 

Now wide awake, I jump around, rushing to the bedroom, shuffling through the clothes in the closet to try and find something suitable. It had been such a lovely past couple of days, most of it spent with Terzo and Copia. Today would be the first full day I would go without being with at least one of them by my side. A feeling of dread filled my stomach. I was terrified, if I was being honest. Fuck. I have no idea what to expect, if I’m being honest. Despite their reassurance, it was tough to believe it at the moment. 

Knocking came from the other side of the door. 

“Coming!”

Ok, ‘You got this’ - I threw my hair out of my face, glancing at myself. I take a deep breath. Or whatever was out there that wanted me dead... Suddenly the latter was looking more appealing. I could jump out the window and make a run for it.

Another knock broke me from my thoughts; this time, it was more impatient.  “Are you almost done?” 

“Yeah! Just a second.” Well, there goes that idea. Let’s get this over with.

Nova had let himself in -  His arms crossed over his chest as he stood in the living room, looking around the room.  He looked the same as he did the day I kicked him out. Save for a new shirt. Walking past him, I make my way to the kitchen. Finally, deciding that today was the day I would try out the coffee machine Copia had left with me a couple of days ago. 

“Good morning.” Trying to at least be civil since our last meeting. 

Nova, however, had other plans. “We have a bit of a walk to the other side of the abbey. We should get going.” He goes to leave the room.

 Leaving the door open for me to follow - Now I don’t even get coffee, great. I groan, following Nova out. 

It didn’t look like the candles were awake yet; none of the lights were turned on either. Was there anyone even awake yet? The dawn was just beginning to rise, casting a faint light among the halls. Nova walked in front, leading the way. Neither of us had yet broken the silence between us. I was still annoyed from our last meeting, and I think he is too. 

 But if he wasn’t going anywhere, maybe I should try to get along. 

“I think we got off on the wrong foot….” deciding to break the ice, “I’m sorry for losing my temper the other day.” 

He kept walking -  For a brief moment, I wasn’t even sure he heard me. “I’m sorry as well.” A light pink overtook his aura but vanished just as quickly. “Omega informed me that I was being insensitive.” 

He paused momentarily before continuing, “It’s been a very, very long time since I’ve actively been around humans.” 

“How long is long exactly here?”

“I haven’t been in the humans’ realm since the Black Death.” 

“Why’s that?” 

“Got imprisoned for a couple of hundred years, and then I just never had a reason to leave again.”

“What did you get imprisoned for?”

“You really do as a lot of questions.” 

“It’s part of my charm” I flash him a smile. 

He sighed, “It’s a really long story… Let’s just say that this is the first time I’ve been in this realm for a long time, and when a literal king of hell tells you to do something, you can’t tell him no. Especially when it comes to protecting his child… I didn’t even know he had a kid.”

“I didn’t exactly know I was his kid either.” 

“You didn’t!?” 

“No, I found out about two weeks ago, I think.”

I could feel him looking at me - he relaxed slightly, “Well… It looks like we're both fish out of the water. I believe is the right expression.” 

I laugh slightly at him, “Yeah. I guess we are.”  

The first chime of the bells rang throughout the Abbey. Nova picked up his pace and rounded the corner. A heavy population of clergy members walks to wherever they need to go. Several doors were open, and the siblings poured in and out of the many rooms. I could feel the stares of the siblings around me - whispering erupting around me. I only kept my head up high - following Nova to wherever the hell it was that we were going. 

Nova only stiffened the further down we went. An ominous door was sticking out towards the end of the hallway. The bells rang heavily, punctuating each step I took. Dread fills me the closer I get to Secondo’s study. There really was no going back after this; taking a deep breath, holding my head high. 

‘I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.’ repeating it like a mantra until we come to a stop in front of the door. The bells had stopped ringing - Nova and I stood before the door. Deciding who the brave soul should be to knock on the door. He nudged my shoulder, clearing his throat. 

Mr. “Here to protect me” my ass. Hesitantly I knocked on the door, waiting for any sign that someone was actually in there. 

“Enter.” A command exited the room, muffled by the door. 

Sharing a look, we enter the room. The sound of the door closing echoed around us. The room was dark, the primary source of light coming from the window that stood at the other end of the room. Bookshelves lined the walls and were overflowing with different books. That was the theme of the room; there were books everywhere. Whatever couldn’t fit on the shelves was on the floor. A black staff stood nestled between one of the bookshelves. Black candles were everywhere, some lit, casting a glow around the room. A substantial white circle was in the vast center of the room on the floor. Various symbols I’ve never seen surrounded the Latin that made up the circle. 

 Secondo sat at his desk, glass hanging low on his face as he filled out paperwork. He still had the face paint he wore when I first met him. He had yet to look up from his paperwork. 

“You’re late.” Snapping my gaze to him, standing impossibly still at his comment - His voice was just as chilling as I remembered it. 

“I’m sorry? You said to be here before the bells stopped. I was here before the bells stopped ringing.” 

“I said to be in my study before the bells stopped ringing. The hallway is not my study now; is it piccolo?” 

He was daring me to continue. I may continue, but these were not normal circumstances. 

“Good, I don’t like it when people are late.” He dropped the pen he held in his hand. Then, pushing himself out of his chair, he slowly made his way to the middle of the room. He stopped right outside the symbols on the floor. 

“That will be all ghoul.” He looked to Nova. 

“But…” He quickly stares at Nova, shutting Nova up before he can argue. “Yes, sir.” 

He turned to leave, gripping my shoulder slightly, “I’m sorry.” 

“Traitor” 

The door closing echoed in my ears; I was now alone with him. He remained silent, looking me up and down. 

“Before we start, I will give you one last chance to walk away. Just one. Do you understand?” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Good.” He finally moves, walking around the room, “ In almost every religion and culture around the world, there are legends, prophecies, a child of a god will come to either deliver us or destroy us.” 

He stalked through the room, gauging my reaction. “There has only ever been one other instance of a king of hell having a child with a human. A child of Asmodus, according to legend, he leveled a town when he was crucified.” 

He paused momentarily in front of one of the bookshelves - Picking up the staff before he turned to look at me directly. He was terrifying, but he was so captivating. It must be genetic. 

“Not much is known outside of that; in fact, there’s not much known at all about your kind. However, there is one key difference between you and the others. You are the antichrist. You will bring balance to the world or destroy it….”

 I gulped. Secondo stopped in front of me, towering above me. He felt like he was the only one being honest with me.   

“Do you understand? Going back is to seal not just your death but possibly every single living thing on the planet. But to stay would mean you are embracing whatever it is faith has laid out for you. So once we begin, there will be no going back.” 

“I understand.” 

He smirked at me; he looked a little impressed. “Let’s begin, shall we?”

He lifts the staff he was holding - Hitting the floor. The curtain from the window fell, leaving the room in darkness. The bang of his staff hanging heavy in the air. Secondo turns his back to me as he walks to the circle in the middle of the room. Stopping right in front of it 

“Fiat lux.” The heavy bang of his staff once again hung heavy in the air - For a second, nothing happened. Then, suddenly the candles around the room sprang to life, the circle illuminating the room in a soft glow. 

Secondo goes to look at me, “This is a Circle of Concealing. Once you step inside, whatever you do in the circle will stay in the circle. It will help to channel the power in you until you can do it on your own. Nothing can harm you while you're in protection. Porbably…” I barely catch the last part; my eyes wide, I look at him. 

He steps to the side, gesturing for me to go in. I hesitate. Was this a trick? I don’t think it is. There were countless other instances where they could have locked me up or even kicked me out. My throat is dry;  I saunter into the circle. 

It glows brighter once I pass the threshold. A serger of power goes through me. I feel stronger. No longer scared. Standing tall, a wave of confidence falls over me. This may be easier than I thought it would be. I was practically buzzing from the feeling.

“How do you feel?” He asked, still standing in front of me. Ready to pull me out if need be. 

“Surprisingly good.” I laugh, trying to calm down. 

Secondo smirks - Looking impressed, “Now we’re going to start with something simple… I want you to light this candle.” He points to the unlit candle to his left. 

Well, that’s really specific. My eyes drift down to the candle. How hard can it be? Taking a deep breath, I stare down at the candle. Come on… I lift my hand, still staring down - All my considerations on trying to get it to light. It started to shake slowly. 

“Focus… Focus!” He urged. 

I could feel the tips of my fingers start to burn slightly. My brow frowned deeper as I stared down my arm, willing the candle to burst into flames.  

“Good!” He raised his first in encouragement, “Again.” 

It was going to be a long day… But maybe he wasn’t as bad as I thought he was. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My head was planted in my hand, trying to soothe the headache. The chattering of the other siblings thundered around me. I was the current topic of conversation, but I couldn’t care. My body ached, and I looked like a mess - My hair falling in all directions and my clothes bunched up. A newly acquired pile of books was placed next to me on the table, and my coat draped off the side of them. Secondo was relentless in his teaching style. My hands still burned. 

My eyes drifted around, taking it all in for the first time. The hall was modest, and the siblings who stayed for dinner were scattered around the room. At the head of the room was a long table that looked like the head clergy sat. Two empty seats caught my eye; Copia and Terzo were nowhere in sight. The icy cold stare of Sister Imperator felt like it would never leave me. 

 I was alone in the sea of unknown faces, and it felt like the eyes of everyone in the room were on me. Half in awe, the other half in disbelief. The whole room was drenched in the energies of all the siblings–a building pressure of every feeling each member was feeling, all crashing onto me. The pressure made it almost impossible to breathe.   

I stare down at the plate in front of me. I knew I should eat something, but my thoughts were running ramped. The rising energy of everyone around. I could practically feel the other members' questions hitting me in waves. I could feel everything they were…I shiver. 

I glance at my hand– my fingertips were slightly brunt from my earlier activities. A dull ache settling, but not overly painful.  It still didn’t feel real. Making fire appear out of thin air wasn't exactly on my list of things I could do until recently. There was a whole laundry list of things I didn’t know I could do and just can now; it was only growing too.  

 Is this just going to get stronger? I have been practically buzzing since this morning; everything has a newfound edge. It had only been getting intense, if anything. Was it ever going to be manageable? This doesn't come with a handbook. Secondo said, there hasn't been someone like me for nearly 2000 years. There was only so much that he knew. 

“Is this seat taken?” a silky voice knocked me out of my daze. 

A smile made its way to my face as I turned to face my guest. He looked back at me with a similar smile. Terzo looked like he was also having a long day. The chatter around us only grew louder with his arrival. However, the relief that came with his presence quickly got rid of any dreed that came with the commotion. 

The hushed whispers of the head table reached my ears. Imperator was the loudest. Saying to Nihil something about how unprofessional this was. Still, Terzo stood there with a plate in hand as if this was a normal thing, waiting patiently for me to answer.

“Oh, please.” I chuckle, gesturing to the seat in front of me. “You’re probably the only one bold enough to actually sit with me.”

“Are the other siblings giving you a hard time? I can say something about it during mass.”  He quickly offered his aid, taking a seat in front of me. 

Waving him off, not wanting any more attention on me than there already was. ”It's honestly not that big of a deal. I’m ok being by myself it’s just a lot of energy flying around, if that makes any sense.” I pause, taking a deep breath and sighing. “Besides just means, I get you all to myself.”  

“You can have me whenever you want me piccola.” Winking in my direction. 

A light pink dusting my checks, but I can’t seem to look away. He looked just as tired as I did. His jacket had been thrown on the back of the chair, and his shirt was rolled up to his elbows. His hair was messy and falling into his face—the paint I was getting used to was smudged in a few places. 

“Long day?”

He let out a dramatic sigh “Sí. preparing for the next tour and making new music. Plus, all the commotion happening around the abbey and with Primo in Italy. Don’t worry about me bella. I’ll be ok; nothing I can’t handle.” he rubbed his head slightly in his hands. “Besides, I could say the same for you. Looks like my brother showed no mercy.”

I laugh slightly, lifting my hand to show him the slight burns that had formed from today. “You’re brother is terrifying.’

He grabs my hands, bringing them close to his face. Worry flashing in his eyes slightly, “Dovrei dargli un pezzo della mia mente per aver permesso che ti facessi del male.” I really need to start learning Italian. 

 “Mio fratello be a little rough around the edges.” he kisses the tip of my fingers. My figures buzzed where his lips touched—leaving me craving more.  

“I will say, this wasn’t exactly what I thought The Santanic Church would be like.” my free hand gestured to the room around us. 

He chucked at my comment. “What exactly were you expecting?” 

“Well, I was expecting a mote or maybe a dungeon, for starters.” 

“If a dungeon is what you’re looking for cara, I’m sure that could be arranged.” His grip tightens. My face only grew darker at his comment. 

“I can’t say I would expect any less from you, Terzo. A man after my own heart.” 

“Any man would be lucky to have it.” It was low. A blink, and you'll miss it, comment. “Did you leave someone, bella?” It was an innocent question, but his voice had a blunt sharpness. Not quote pushing but desperate for an answer.

“No…” I pause for a second - this was the first time in the week I had been up and moving I really thought about the life I had all but vanished from. Was anyone looking for me? It’s been about two weeks since I went missing. They probably just think I finally left town. The antisocial workaholic who finally needed a change, I can practically see it now. Even if someone was looking for me, I doubt I would hear about it out here. But what about mom? Does she know where I am? 

“No, just my mom, honestly.” I laugh, looking down at the plate, moving food from one end to another. 

I could feel his eyes on me. He lets out the breath he was holding, “But this is complicated, no?” 

“Yeah, that’s one way to put it.  She was all I had growing up, you know? We fight, we make up; it’s how it has always been. She hardly ever let me out of her sight growing up, and now here I am. She’s probably freaking out right now.” my shoulders shake at the laugh I let out, finally looking up at Terzo.

“I suppose I understand… Mio padre and I have a very… strained relationship, to say the least. Mio madre though, we were as thick as thieves. As I grew up, we fought more… She wanted me to find my place; I wanted the approval of mio padre. It wasn’t until I lost her that I realized how much she looked out for me, even as a grown man. ” 

“I’m sorry about your loss.” I squeeze his hand. 

“It was a long time ago cara. There’s nothing I can do to change what happened, but I can live the way she would have wanted me to. I’m sure your mother would want the same for you.” 

It was strange to be hearing this from him. I’d only seen him this serious one other time before; this time, there was no venom to the words he spoke. Only reassurance. Terzo had relaxed significantly despite the topic at hand. I like him better like this. The smirk he always seemed to have on his face morphed into a softer, more genuine smile. Even the mischief that clouded his eyes when others were around disappeared; there was only warmth. It was easy to feel safe around him–to forget everything else going on. 

By now, the population of the dining hall was starting to thin out. The chatter had long since drowned out, my headache going with it. Finally picking at the food on my plate, our conversation continued. Jokes flew between us like it was second nature, the light flirting we had been doing for the past week breaking through our conversation. He was so animated when he talked it was easy to get lost in it. 

“I’m sorry I’m late. Paperwork kept me longer than I was expecting.” Another voice that I was all too happy to hear called out. Copia came closer to the table Terzo and I had taken residence at. He looked just as tired as Terzo and I. His eye makeup faded significantly, showing the bags under his eye.  He held his zucchetto in his hand–hair slightly messy. 

 With a plate in his hand, he sits next to me. The warmth of his body mixed with the smell of his cologne hitting me like a truck. Relaxing further into the chair. I hum, taking a bite of my food. The overwhelming feeling was finally gone; I was lost in their presence, and I didn’t want to be found. 

“?”

“Long to say the least, 

“Maybe if someone did their own paperwork, I wouldn’t be late.” Cpoia points his fork at him, his words not matching his tone. A soft smile is present as he looks between us. 

 “He so rude, is he not cara. First, he leaves us waiting, and now he makes false accusations about me. I’ve hurt caro, truly.” Terzo grabs at his heart, mock hurt painting his face. 

“Oh yes. So rude. But if I remember correctly, you also made me wait.” I teased back 

“Not you too!”

A bubbly laugh leaves Copia, “Pay him no mind bella. Il nostro amico has always had a flare for the dramatic.”  

“You would have me no other way Cardinal.” There that smile was again.   

They still argued like they were an old married couple.  I couldn't help but smile as he fell into our conversation like he was there the whole time. Out of everything that had happened in the past couple of weeks, they felt the most normal. Would I be asking too much if I asked them to stay? To actually expect it from them? It was odd I had only known them for close to a week, and yet it felt like I had known them for a lifetime. 

My mind drifted back to my dream before I woke up here. Despite how hazy most of it is now, I kept thinking about the men in the dream. The voices I heard, the tug in my chest, I was feeling… There were so many questions, and yet I couldn’t find it in myself to question them. I was sacred to ruin whatever it was we had going on. The possibility that I would lose them before anything could happen.  

“I think it’s time for a bottle of wine; wouldn’t you agree, mio amico?” 

“I couldn’t agree more.” 

They both start to gather their things.  

“Are you coming tesoro?” Terzo looked back, both men coming to a stop. 

“Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.” I was hesitant to look up, with everything on my mind I didn’t want to drag them down.

“Nonsense, you would be honoring us with your presence.”  There was the tiniest of fires in Copia’s eyes. His outstretched hand beconding me to take it. 

“Ok.” It was all I could say. I beam up at them, quickly gathering my things. Taking his hand in my. 

Even as we left all eyes were on us. I’m not sure if they even noticed or if they did if they even cared. As we walked down the halls of the abbey to Terzo's room. I couldn't help but think I always wanted it to be this way. Even if I could never have them in the way I find myself loning to have them. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tap. Tap. Tap. 

It was persistent, not letting up in the slightest. The tapping had been happening for nearly half an hour and showed no sign of stopping soon. It’s been going on since  Copia and Terzo had dropped me off at my room. It was relativily late and I had to get up pretty early again tomorrow or face Secondo’s wrath if I was late again. 

Tap. Tap. Tap…

I throw my pillow over my head, trying to drown out the noise. Anything for it to just let me go back to sleep. 

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

“Oh, for fucks sake.” Throwing myself out of bed, I stomp over to the balcony door, throwing it open. 

A flash of black comes barreling into the room–causing me to jump back from the shock. The sound of wings flapping and an obnoxious cawing filled the room–before landing on the fireplace mantle. The familiar eyes of Jasper looking back at me. This was the first time I had seen him in close to a week, and now he had made himself home in my room.

“Do you have any idea what time it is!?” I half shouted at my guest as if he could even understand a word I was saying. He only looked at me, unbothered by my outburst. 

“Caw!” Flapping his wings again in my direction. Cocking his head to the side–jumping side to side before flying towards the bedroom door. 

Tap. Tap. Tap. He was more forceful this time–like he was making a point. 

“Jasper, come on, it's really late, and I have to be up early in the morning.” dragging my feet to the door, trying to get him out of the room.  

He was done being patient. Jumping off the fireplace, flying in towards me, stopping just short of my face. “CAW!” 

There was a bit of urgency in his calls. He was on a mission, and he was determined to get me to follow him wherever he deemed it important. “Ok. Ok. Jeez, you win.” Throwing my hands up in defeat. Jasper darts to the door, hovering in wait. I sigh, opening the door. He darts out, going to the hallway; all I can do is drag my feet and follow. Opening the door into the dark hallway.

I thought this place was creepy during the day it was a whole nother beast at night. The trees from outside casted shadows onto the walls and floor. It felt like the eyes of the paintings followed me as I timidly followed Jasper. The faint glow of the candles provides little light as we descend. 

 The time passed agonizingly slowly–a pit began forming in my stomach.  I was scared to look up. Terrified, the shadows would devour me whole. This is insane, but what hasn't been as of late. Maybe I should have stayed in bed; maybe he would have just gone away. I didn’t even notice that Jasper had finally come to a stop in front of a huge entryway that I had not seen before.

Resting on the floor, he let out one final cry jumping once more. Looking up at me impatiently, waiting for me to lead the way into the room. 

“We really need to work on your manners…” 

I swallowed what little saliva I had in my mouth, trying to stop my mouth from being so dry. Closing my eyes, bracing myself for whatever was on the other side of the doors–straining to do so, they felt like they were made out of bricks. 

I couldn't help but gasp. The air in my lungs gets trapped. Was this the chapel? Despite how dark it was, the room was beautiful. Pews lined both sides of the aisle. The stained glass that lined the walls looked like it told a story, one that I didn’t know. An Organ took up most of the back wall. The altar itself was rather large. There were several statues of varying sizes by the altar. Six statutes lined the way up the stairs, and a seventh, the largest, stood behind the altar. It looked like it, whatever it was, was watching me no matter where I looked, but I couldn't look away. 

There was nothing out of the ordinary, well, the ordinary for here. What was so important that I had to get up in the middle of the night to see it? I sigh, finally breaking eye contact with the statue, turning to leave. Stopping dead in my tracks, a gasp escaped me. 

Sitting in one of the pews was Lucifer. Had he been there the whole time? He looked exactly how he left me. His lanky figure was draped over the pews like he owned the place. In a way, he did. The light blue flames where his eyes should be stared into my soul. 

“Aw, good to see you made it, my starlight.”

“Do you always have to be so fucking creepy?” Letting out the brath I didn’t realze I was holding in. 

“Language.”

“You left me to figure all of this my own. So I think I’m entitled to a few curse words.” My hands resting on my hips, my irritation on full display. My attention drifted to jasper, “So he works for you.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“No, nothing like that. Ravens just so happen to take a very strong liking to me, courtesy of my father. He’s rather fond of you, my dear.” He stands, beginning to walk towards me. Out of instinct, I took several steps back. He stops, letting out a deep sigh, “My apologies, starlight. I tried to visit sooner, but it’s hard to leave hell than you may think.”  

He didn’t look toward me, looking at the stained glass of the goat. There was a look of sadness on his face, like he meant what he was saying, but he couldn’t bring himself to look at me. 

I wasn’t even sure where to begin or if I should say anything. I must have looked like a fish gasping for oxygen with the number of times my mouth opened and closed. There were so many questions, and I had no idea where to start. 

“What’s happening to me?” 

Finally, he chuckles, looking towards me, “You have your mother’s spirit. Always looking for the answers even when you might not like what you find.”  He starts to make a few more steps toward me, but this time, I don’t move. “As to what’s happening to you, well, nothing really. It’s merely you that’s been hiding underneath all of the wards and seals that have been placed on you. This is the real you, if you will. Only a fragment of what you’re capable of.” 

“So I really am not dreaming, am I?”  He was practically in my space now, stopping just short of it.

“I’m afraid not.” He offers me his hand. I was hesitant to take it, but if he was going to hurt me, I’m sure he would have done it way before now. 

Pulling me into him, he holds me for a second. Tears fall from my eyes. I was surprised to see red falling to the floor, staging the wood. It felt like I couldn’t breathe; I wouldn’t wake up like this was a dream. Lucifer…the church… Copia and Terzo… It was all real, and there was no escaping it. 

“What am I supposed to do?” I sound broken, really unsure of what else I could say at the moment.  

He only holds me tighter, “I’m afraid I can’t tell you that, for even I don’t truly know. There are many things I learned from God– many things I stole, but your purpose I  never could figure out. In my younger years, I would have told you it was to destroy what your grandfather loved more than he did me. But as I’ve grown older, it’s your freedom to decide–what I fell for, that I value more than my pride.” 

I pull away from him, taking a few steps back “Why is everyone so fucking cryptic? This is my life. Not some game that you and God have had going on for years.”

“This isn’t a game, far from it. The fate of very world lies on your shoulders. You must understand that. There has never been someone like you, and never will be again.” He takes a breath, lowing his voice, “I want to give you the chance of having a choice rather than allow you to suffer the fate that many believe is laid about for you.” his eyes burned into me, leaving 

“Is there really nothing you can do to help or guide me. I’m flying build here. Everyone is…” 

“There is one thing I can do, but I will warn you, it won't be painless. However, it might be able to guide you, help you find your way when no one else can.” 

“Please. I just need answers.” 

“Very well, little lamb.” He snaps his fingers.

At first, nothing happened, but then the pain hit me like a truck. A burning sensation rode up my back. It felt like my skin was being pulled off and burned all at the same time. It was only spreading to the front of my chest. It took everything in me to not fall to the ground from the pain.

“This will help. They will glow brighter the closer you get to what you’re meant to do. I truly wish there was more I could do, starlight.”

The burning didn’t stop, only dulled slightly as I stood up straight really to spit out my next question. 

The bells ring out–light filling the room with each passing minute. No 

Lucifer looks back at the windows, “I’m afraid my time is up, little lamb.” 

“Wait, no…” 

The ringing was only getting louder with every chime. Bouncing off the walls and rattling my very core. The room around me felt like it was spinning, like if I didn’t grab onto something, I would fall through the floor. No, I need more time. So many questions that needed answering, and he was the only one who had any of the answers. 

“No, please… Please, I have so many questions. Please don’t go.” My pleads fall on deaf ears. My vision was getting fuzzy, and it was getting harder to stay awake.  

“Don’t worry. This won't be the last you see of me, my starlight.” He snaps his fingers, the sun almost taking over the whole room. 

I gasp. Looking around the room. Trying to regain my bearings. This wasn't the Chapel… The canopy of my bed stretches around the room, keeping the light out. Was it all a dream? No, it couldn't have been, I grasp at my back.

Getting up, I rush to the bathroom. Lifting up my shirt, scared to see what would be there. The air leaves my lungs. The twin snakes now twisting their way up my side to my middle. One was a vibrant white, with one green and one brown eye looking back into mine. The other was black with white eyes, looking as if it was staring into my soul. I couldn't bring myself to look away.  

“Your highness, are you up? You’re late.” A knock sounded off from the other side of the bathroom door. 

Fuck…

Translations (Italian): 

Piccolo- little one

Piccola- babe

Dovrei dargli un pezzo della mia mente per aver permesso che ti facessi del male.- I should give him a piece of my mind for allowing you to get hurt. 

Mio fratello- My brother

Mio padre- my father 

Mia madre ed io- My mother and I

il nostro amico- our friend

Mio amico- My friend 

Tesoro- treasure 

Translations (Latin):

Fiat lux- let there be light

[danpuff-ao3]

hiii, i love you! what's your take on my astrology?

sun - virgo rising - libra moon - virgo venus - libra

Omg hello!!!! I love YOU. And I'm so glad you're down for this, cuz I love it.

EDIT: as I wrap up I realized you didn't ask to be sorted specifically LOL. But I did anyway. Even if you weren't looking for that, I still gave you plenty of thoughts about each placement anyway so I hope you find what you were looking for here!! <3

Sun - Virgo - earth - Hufflepuff

Moon - Virgo - earth - Hufflepuff

Rising - Libra (of course, this explains so much) - air - Ravenclaw

Venus - Libra - air - Ravenclaw

So let's start withhh...Libra, you gorgeous thing you. (Always gotta remind you how hot and badass you are!)

Also this is...Weirdly evenly split? I generally think of Virgo as being very Hufflepuff with Ravenclaw leanings, and Libra as Ravenclaw with Hufflepuff leanings.

Virgo is the mutable (changeable, adaptable) earth sign (stability, security.) Virgo is the Maiden, and is ruled by Mercury (information.) Virgo is service-oriented. Very perfectionistic, critical, capable, adaptable, meticulous, analytical, practical, and reliable. Earth is very based in the physical and material world. Very routine and organization. Very checklist. Very tidying, cleaning, straightening, correcting, etc. Earth's need is security, and for Virgo this shows in a need for things to be "right." If things are "right", they will be safe. If things are "right", they are good, and okay. It's this idea of control, in a sense. "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." A sense of being the one to make sure things are up to par. But Virgo is also adaptable. Virgo doesn't necessarily like change, but it is more than capable of handling it. Virgo rolls with the punches. They're smart. They're prepared. Anything you throw Virgo's way, Virgo is going to catch and perfect it.

There is a grounded aura to Virgo that is very Hufflepuff, particularly with it's hardworking nature. Very reliable, doing what it must. But there's also a Ravenclaw sense there. Virgo is smart. Virgo is about knowing for the sake of perfection and correctness. Virgo can't make things right, if Virgo doesn't know what is right.

So we see this Virgoan nature in the core self (sun) and the inner world (moon.) This drive for stability and structure and security. This need to help others (service.) Also quite sensual in nature (earth's connection to the body, senses, physical, material.) And in Virgo it's this sense of doing/making that lends itself to arts, crafts, or otherwise making what they can enjoy. (Even, say, cooking.) (Cooking is useful, because you gotta eat; cooking is pleasurable, because food tastes good; and food is created by the hand, and can even be shared with others.)

So very clear in the core energy, but also in the emotional state. This deep, inner need for security. The moon also represents what nurtures us and in Virgo this might be active (Virgo always on the go!) (re: earth as physical), or physical comfort (warm blankets, cozy pillows) (re: earth as senses, and material), and self-care (massages, spas, haircare, facials) (re: earth as the body.) Perhaps an inner peace found in the outdoors, or animals, or greenery. (Back to the earth.) And with Virgo being ruled by Mercury, this sense of processing and expressing emotions via writing. Talking it out, too, as Mercury also rules communication, but Virgo's reserved nature makes writing (be it creative writing, journaling, letter-writing) more prominent here to me.

Then we have Libra: the cardinal (forward moving) air sign (intellect, sociability.) Libra is the Scales (balance) and is ruled by Venus (harmony.) Libra is...charming. Socially-aware, socially-smart. Probably cares about subjects and issues that affect people. Libra values peace, fairness, and justice. A sense of harmony and balance that can be found in style and aesthetic, but also in their rapport with others, and a desire to have balance in all things. Within and without. Libra is the peacekeeper, the diplomat, the devil's advocate. Often known as indecisive, but only because it cares so much about knowing and understanding all sides.

So with both Virgo and Libra I get their Ravenclaw vibes from a less traditional sense. It's less knowledge for its own sake and own value, and more knowledge for purpose. For Virgo, the purpose of knowledge is for wellbeing, for resourcefulness, to make correct and perfect, to make neat and organized, to make safe. For Libra, knowledge is for the sake of harmony and justice. Libra is knowing for the sake of understanding and accepting others. Knowing for the sake of connecting to others, helping others, making others feel good. To make serene. How to use knowledge to make things better. Not as selfishly pleasurable as Gemini views information, nor as broad and cold as Aquarius sees it, but this balance of enjoyment and purpose. For both Libra and Virgo, at least to me that's how they seem.

So for the ascendant, which is how you react to the world, and how the world perceives you, it is with a Libran vibe. Libra Rising is a sense of grace and beauty, but also balance and fairness and harmony. A sense of justice and/or peace.

We also see this energy in Venus, the planet of love. Love for others (romance, friendships) and love for the self (hobbies, interests.) Venus is domicile in Libra, so we see a boost here. And another boost since Venus is the chart ruler. So it is Libran ideals that attracts you to people (those who are fair, who bring you peace, etc.) and you give a Libran energy to those relationships (connection, fairness, harmony, acceptance.) There is also a strong value of beauty here, but beauty found in the air realm.

Venus also rules Taurus (and I'm a Taurus Sun-Venus!) I've had opportunities to compare other dual rulerships, but this is my first chance to explore Venus, and by golly I'm GONNA.) (I could have elsewhere actually but you're my friend so I feel freer to bore you LOL.) So Taurus, being an earth sign, we see that indulgence of beauty on the physical, material realm. Flowers, trees, crystals, birds, etc. Very material based beauty and comfort. Whereas for Libra it's more of the mind and bearing.

Libra is often thought to be beautiful and stylish, which seems of the material world, when really...it's style and art for the air it gives. For the reflection of the mind and the self's idea of beauty. So stylish for what style does, more so than fashion for the sake of fashion. And this also lends to...beautiful thoughts. Beautiful conversation. Writing, even (and reading, of course.) Beautiful words. Intellect and sociability, remember? And Libra gets the sense of wanting mental stimulation from others, but not necessarily in hard facts, but what is beautiful and brings a sense of harmony and beauty. What feels good.

So both are very Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw in their way. And the points sort of balance out. I will tentataively give the win to...

HUFFLEPUFF

(like meeee! <3)

but with a strong case for Ravenclaw, both in Virgo's 'claw leanings, but also the fact that Rising is also in the big 3 and we also see that energy in the chart ruler. This does, however, make me curious about where Mercury is. With Virgo as the sun and moon, Mercury would be the dispositor of both luminaries. If it's Virgo, it's domicile in Mercury. Libra Mercury might make more of a case for Ravenclaw. Leo Mercury (while Gryffindor) tends to lean Hufflepuff, so might make a stronger case there. And while it's not as important I can't help but be curious about Mars, too! If you wanna share more I can add more thoughts, but if not that's okay, I hope this resonates at least a little with you!

Also, if no one's told you today, you're stunning, and also I adore you.

[scribblingwhalegirl]

Musings on a Cardinal

I’ve often wondered what possesses a person to write a love song in a minor key,

to watch himself sprint along the edge of a sheet ripped from a diary

and dance around the jagged tips of hearts scrawled in glitter gel pen.

There’s a certain romance to fragility. It’s lovely and backwards,

at odds with the very idea and yet somehow more intimate.

Perhaps the meaning lies in the danger.

Perhaps compartmentalized fury is a sort of clumsy chekhov’s gun,

and it’s true that it’s sheer will, not physics, that asphyxiates a man.

I think back to feeling the wind in my not-yet-there hair

and my hand gently throwing a hatchback that wasn’t yet mine

into third, fourth, fifth, and being too numb to entertain that thought.

You know the one.

I think of reaching out and learning to read the maps myself

had written for me. That boy had a lot of ideas and the longer he

spends in his blanket fort the more of his universe I want to see.

I don’t want to see it alone, and I’m thankful.

But while I’m happier, it’s not easier. The colours are brighter, richer,

hues I could never have imagined and it’s beautiful and

astounding and overwhelming and I’d never go back.

I’m not drowning anymore because it’s hard to drown when you’re weightless,

but I’m racing through the water to the top of the tower and back,

high and insane and free and filled with wanderlust and pre-packed sandwiches.

Are things better? Who knows, or cares? They’re mine.

They’re ours, I swear, as I look to my side with care.

Not to fix myself, not for her in particular,

but the care to write down a note in real chicken scratch

with a two-inch pencil in a notebook that belonged to physics before it belonged to calculus.

One of us should make a joke about that, but we’ll probably miss the chance.

There will be more chances.

I start to sing along softly to a love song in a minor key,

and while an aging guitar sighs in sleepless unease,

for now I will be content.