#Nihil fluff

[ghulehunknown]

Waking up with Papa Headcanons 💤

The below contains Safe For Work headcanons! Gender neutral reader

This morning I woke up daydreaming about having a Papa in my bed and all the cute cuddling and pillow talk we’d do 🥹

Primo

He’s already awake and brushing his teeth by the time you wake up

He’s made you a cup of tea, waiting for you on the bedside table

Kisses you sweetly on the forehead and hugs you before he leaves for the day

Says you are welcome to stay in his bed as long as you want

Secondo

You wake up to his arms protectively wrapped around your body

He already woke up long before you did, but wants to spend as much time with you as possible and didn’t want to leave yet

Has time for a quick cup of coffee and light conversation while he gets ready

Kisses you before leaving

Terzo

You wake up to him planting kisses on your neck and face

Your limbs are all tangled together because he’s wrapped himself tight around you in the night

He can’t get close enough to you and agonizes about leaving because all he wants to do is lay in bed with you all day and do nothing but watch TV and talk

You’re the first one to leave bed; he keeps pulling you back for more kisses, no matter how much you protest that you’re running late (and so is he)

Copia

He’s still snoring but is sleeping on his side, cuddling you with his hand on your waist, drool coming out of his mouth

Smiles when he wakes up and sees you next to him

Spends most of the free time staring into your eyes and talking with you before getting ready

Pulls you in tighter when you get up, and lets out an exasperated groan. “So soon, tesoro?”

Nihil

Laying flat on his back snoring with his mouth wide open

It takes a while to wake him up

Complains about what terrible sleep he got while you lay on his chest as he rubs your back soothingly before getting up for the day

He’s very slow to move or get ready at all, unless he has an important meeting

[ghulehunknown]

Clergy Headcanons - Proposals!

Rated G - Purely fluff! Gender neutral reader

How I think the head members of the Clergy would propose to you 😌

(inspired by Älva’s Papa engagement ring post!)

Primo

Very romantic

He asked a parental figure/someone important in your life for your hand (well, at least told your loved one(s) beforehand to give a semblance of traditionality)

Plans a picnic with all your favorite foods, and he brought your favorite roses and other pretty flowers from his garden. He actually secretly grew a special engagement bouquet just for you!

He doesn’t get down on one knee because of his arthritis, but proposes while you’re both sitting down

The ring is very traditional and likely passed down for generations in his family. He’s been waiting a whole lifetime to give it to you 🥺

Secondo

Whatever he has planned, it’s completely with your personality in mind - whether you are more inclined for something quiet or a something with a little more opulence

But it’s probably something a little more lowkey, like after a lovely dinner that he cooks for you. He may not be one for grand gestures but he does know how to make you feel very special

He has a very romantic, although not super long, speech before he gets down on one knee and hands you the most wonderful ring you’ve ever seen

The ring is beautiful, but dark - much like him. It’s probably got some black star sapphires in it or something, and the band is made from tungsten or titanium because it’s durable and lasting like his love for you

Terzo

He…may or may not have proposed impulsively one evening after a date because he got excited…then remembered he’s Terzo and vows to do better with a surprise later. (Eloping isn’t out of the question for him)

He plans a grand day out doing all your favorite activities before coming back to the Ministry which is decorated to the max and all your loved ones are there in attendance

He gets down on one knee and gives an elaborate, moving speech and promises you the world

The ring is GORGEOUS and extravagant and must’ve cost a fortune. But your love is priceless, so a silly little price tag doesn’t stop him (don’t worry, he paid full price and didn’t use the Papa discount; he makes sure you know that)

He definitely planned a flashmob for you with Siblings and Ghouls dressed in tuxedos and wedding dresses, but waves them off after he sees how overcome with emotion you are

Can’t wait for you to see the second part…alone in his room, because you have to “christen the engagement”

Copia

Oh god he’s nervous AF, he’s sweating and stumbling. He doesn’t want to mess this up because he’s been planning it for a long time. He knew you were the one the day he met you

He takes you back to the spot you had your first date. You can tell something is up because he’s acting a little funny

He definitely messes up his little speech he has prepared but he says something like: “You will never walk alone”

He’s so, so sweet and everything is perfect no matter how nervous you both are 🥺

He gets down on one knee and everything and you feel like the most special person in the world, because to him you are

He gives you a traditional, but absolutely beautiful ring. It’s probably got diamonds or your birthstone in it. He’s not a fully traditional man, but for things as important as this he doesn’t want to miss a beat

He’s ready to start planning the wedding!

Nihil

“Here,” and hands you the ring

He probably proposes immediately after you have an argument in attempt to makeup and show you he still wants you

The ring is simple, but durable. It’s probably solid gold, because to him you’re golden

Afterwards he takes you out to your favorite restaurant then a drive in movie (it reminds him of the good ol’ days)

Sister Imperator (bonus round!)

Very methodical and planned to a T

Lots of beautiful decorations

The speech is simple and to the point, as she often is, so there’s really no way to get lost in flowery language. You know what she wants, and it’s you and her forever

“We would be good together, don’t you think?” she’d say with her all-knowing smirk

She hands you a sturdy stainless steel ring and got herself one to match

[anamelessfool]

A Young Nihil & Jocasta & Kid Terzo Drabble (wc 1900)

Nihil returns from a tour with an even colder reception than usual. But he's not one to worry. He gets by with a little help from his friends. Tags: Domestic Fluff, Found Family, Platonic Bonds, No Plot Really Just Me Sorta Waffling Around, The Most Basic German You'll Ever Read In Your Life, If You Read The Most Recent Violence and Gentleness Chapter This Hits Harder, Our Loveable Fuckup

I keep thinking my latest work is the most self-indulgent thing I ever make, and then this happens. Dedicated to @saintbowie who asked me "What was the worst gift Jocasta has ever received?" and I thought about it for a long while. Also @historian-crown who said "Yes, this is exactly what I'd say if I got a gift that bad" and helped me out. Thanks. @ghuleh-recs thanks for catching up on your reading too haha

1971

Ministry HQ

It felt like there were less and less Siblings out on the Ministry portico every time Nihil came back from a gig. He liked to assume the best and so he decided life around HQ was oftentimes too busy for an official welcome of the Head of the Satanic Church of the Void. For one thing, he knew Secondo’s mother Rebecca would not be out there. At this point in their relationship they communicated solely through written memos on formal letterhead. Sister Imperator, the Dark Mother, would oftentimes scowl out the window at him from her office but even she hadn't bothered this time.

Nihil’s ghouls exchanged shrugs while they stood alone on the gravel drive, then marched in near unison through the front door. At least somebody left it unlocked.

The ghouls filed into the empty foyer, and quickly lined the perimeter with trunks and instrument cases. A certain restlessness came over Nihil as he watched them wordlessly stack their things around him, building up the walls. If they were summoned by him, if they were his servitors and constructs then they had an attunement to his emotions. He had a swell time this tour circut. So why were they making themselves so busy? Why with every trunk that rolled in did he feel the ties that bound them to his Will go slack?

Jet lag, obviously.

“You uh…wanna play some records up in my rooms? Wonder if my Ethio Jazz record I wanted came in…”

Rigor Ghoul, Papa’s head ghoul and keyboardist, crossed his huge arms. He was kind, but honest. Sometimes a bit too honest for his summoner’s liking. NO. WE CAN'T. GHOUL BUSINESS.

“Right,” chuckled Nihil. “Well, enjoy.”

Rigor gave him a noble nod, a polite clap on the shoulder, then led the rest of the ghouls up the stairs to their Roost. Nihil decided to abandon the towers of luggage in search for some sort of interaction, but the halls rang impressively hollow as his Chelsea boots clicked along the marble.

At last one of his flock emerged from a side hallway, balancing a basket of laundry in her arms and shuffling with determination over to the washer. Nihil grinned expectantly, and the sibling did a quick bob of her head over the pile of linens before sidestepping and scuttling away. Papa Nihil rubbed his jaw, considering.

Damn man, when Sister Imperator said you were down you really were down.

There was some friendly chatter from the common room, at least. It was two voices he recognized, two people he actually looked forward to seeing. By the empty fireplace, posed amidst a chaos of creativity, was his Protégée Papessa-Elect Jocasta and his youngest son Terzo. Two beings that didn’t hastily find something to be busy with when he approached.

“Oh, welcome! Welcome back Papa!” Jocasta waved from her place on the carpet. Terzo lounged beside her, legs twisted in an impossible sitting position as he picked colored pencils from a tin. The whole floor was scattered with old birthday cards and magazine cuttings. A glue brush planted across its pot dripped glue on the carpet in slow syrupy strands.

“A yellow dress would look good for this one,” she suggested to Terzo. She herself wore a pretty polyester suit of bright orange with a matching scarf to hold up her golden hair. Terzo was working on an obvious recreation of her look for one of the paper dolls in his collection.

“You're a sight for sore eyes, doll,” Nihil leered. Jocasta threw him a wry wink, the whitened Infernal Eye in her skull a weird comfort for him to see after a few weeks on the road.

What he first thought could be a possible fling with an exotic woman in a bar became something completely different, something more. She wandered over to the stage and said she was inspired. He had inspired her. His work. His art.

For once the devil in Nihil didn't raise its head and sniff the air. He couldn't switch on that flirty little part of himself as he looked at her in that half dark New York club. Staring down at her from the stage, a foot and a half above her so she had to strain her neck to really look in his eyes when she confessed. He couldn't touch her. Not when she was that small below him. Not when her red eyes wept black smears.

“It's my first night here,” she had said, and more tears washed the black down her cheeks. Her voice was dark, thick with an accent that she struggled to suppress. “It's my first night here and want to follow you.”

What could he possibly say to that? His mouth stretched into a dopey smile as he brought out a hand to her. She took it. “Just say yes, babe.”

He brought his attention back to the present. Jocasta smiled at him. After a day's travel with masked silent ghouls it was the first smile he'd seen. “And how was the flight?”

“Oh not too bad, gonna sleep it off later,” he said. “You cats having fun?”

Jocasta was his odd daughter, his right hand. She knew so much already but was always eager for more. Always striving in a way that scared him a little. He had a tough time on the road before joining the Church, and he could sense that hungry drive from anywhere. But he had buried it deep long ago.

And then Sister had chosen her. Chosen her for his Protegee. Or, the Void did, in all the strange and unearthly ways it whispered to the Dark Mother. Nihil had watched her endure the Rite of Construct that he himself had blotted from his mind except for the occasional nightmare. They've suffered. They've fucked up. They survived. So whenever he looked at the dead-alive eye in her skull above her smirking lips a protective feeling came over him, a tide of true responsibility. It was a feeling that brought up memories of Primo. Primo, a few seconds old, in his arms.

Primo…wherever you are…

“Where's Secondo, now?” Nihil asked.

“He did not want to play paper dolls with us,” said Jo, exchanging a nod with Terzo.

Secondo had been cold and bitter about Terzo ever since the lad’s unexpected arrival. “I was on tour of Europe..what's a few souvenirs?” Nihil had joked, once and only once and never ever again, to Secondo’s mother.

No matter, Secondo had been adjusting to his new role…for almost two years. He'd come around. Brothers always do, right? And like all of Nihil’s dark concerning considerations, it passed over him as quickly as a brisk summertime cloud. His mouth creaked back into a smile. “Right on,” he said, and sat cross-legged on the ground with as much grace as his bandy legs would allow.

“Oh, hi,” said Terzo. He was cutting out a pre-printed red dress for the dolls propped in their cigar box; a two-dimensional hot tub party. He bit his lip, his big green eyes blazing with intensity. He constantly tripped over himself but if there was a challenge he'd give it his all. Every little nuanced divot of the paper dress's puffed sleeves needed to be freed with the most precision a six year old with safety scissors could obtain.

“I got you a present here, my boy.” Nihil waggled his eyebrows at his son. “In Canada they got all different types of candy, yanno. I heard this one was the best.”

Terzo took the brightly colored candy bar from his father’s hands, but frowned as he bent it in a way that shouldn't be possible. Right. Nihil winced.

“Er…must have got too hot— Just throw that in the fridge, it’ll be fine,” suggested Nihil. Terzo continued to squish the melted remains trapped in the wrapper, mesmerized.

Jo laughed and for a moment everything was groovy until a realization hit him like a freight train. Gifts. He forgot one for her. His very own protégée. His long fingers drummed on his knees as he added, “Oh, and uh— I got something for you too of course, uh—” He launched himself into a scour of his sport coat, his face getting hot with shame. Luckily he never really thought to ever clear out his pockets, which meant that there was a dragon’s hoard of hotel matchbooks, used saxophone reeds and phone numbers scribbled onto bar napkins. And a gift for Jocasta, if he tried and wished hard enough.

“Jesas— no, no you did not have to get me anything, please don't worry, I'm perfectly fine!” No, it wasn’t fine at all.

Shit. “Haha no I had to, yanno— you're like uh…like uh…” The only person other than Terzo that smiles at me anymore. “Gimmie a minute, it's in here somewhere!”

His fingers closed around their prize. Something in the pocket close to his heart. Of course. He always came out on top. The power of keeping it cool triumphs once again. He drew it from his sport coat in a theatrical sweep, presenting it to his ward with a rubbery open-mouthed smile of victory.

It was a pen he got from some businessman sitting next to him on the PanAm flight that liked his style. A photo of a blonde with big hair and sultry eyes leered from the side of it. The pen when turned downward dropped the woman’s black dress and left nothing to the imagination. Jocasta let out a little squeak through her nose that Nihil decided came from a place of amused approval. Terzo silently considered the pen and then his own paper doll collection.

“Oh, it’s…” Jocasta’s mouth cracked into a fiendish grin as she played with the pen in her hands, muttering something under her breath.

“Deppatta,” Terzo parroted.

Jocasta’s eyes widened, the smile fading in mock solemnity. She leaned close, squinting. “No no it's not that— now listen… Du. De-pehr-ter. Faster. Du Depperter.”

“Du Depperter.”

Jocasta clapped her hands and Terzo brightened. “Yes, that’s it!”

“Du Depperter! Du Depperter!” The two of them began a spirited chant. Terzo choked and howled and doubled over, laughing. Jocasta joined in, wiping her eye.

“Yeah, exactly, right on,” Nihil chuckled, albeit a bit bashfully. I really should learn German, he thought to himself. Maybe tomorrow. Got plenty of time now. Until the next gig.

Jocasta wrapped an arm around him, giving him a quick peck across the cheek. “I love it though, I really do love it. Thank you.”

“Oh, good!” And he didn't have to worry about anything ever again, until there was something else to worry about. Nihil craned over Terzo’s project. “And what we making today, sport?”

Terzo presented a homemade paper doll from the cigar box. She had a red-lipped smirk and raven hair. Green eyes to match his own. Nihil remembered vaguely this particular one was his son’s favorite. “She needs roller skates.”

“Course she does, all the cool chicks need skates,” said Nihil, gesturing for some supplies. Terzo dropped some crayons and a scrap of old birthday card in his father’s hands. “I saw some real hot ones on a girl in Venice Beach once.”

Jo gave him a nudge and a wink. “Let me know if you need a pen.”

My Fic List | Other Nihil HC Stuff (AO3)

Du Depperter: "You idiot" (affectionate)

[luciferscowgirl]

— “Never to Return” —

60 chapter smutty slow burn

-

Catholic virgin x Cardinal Copia

Hello guys!

I can finally say that I have successfully finished writing my 200.000 words slow burn “Never to Return”, where a young Woman of God escapes the restraints of her Catholic upbringing with the help of our beloved Cardinal Copia. Throughout the story, unexpected things happen, and we will learn more about the characters’ pasts. Things turn sinful…, in every way.

Read it here (AO3) or click the link in the title. It is 18+, so MDNI, please!

Thank you all! 💓

[ask-the-clergy-bc]

sorry if you’ve done anything similar to this, but what about HCs for getting wine drunk with the papas? could be spicy or silly! ty ty ilysm!

I need a little silly in my life, so I did some wine drunk shenanigans! Hope you enjoy! <3

Minor Tag Warning for Alcohol and Drunkeness

Reader Getting Wine Drunk with the Papas!! (Ambiguous relationship)

Papa Nihil: Nihil isn't a big wine drinker, but he won't say no to wine with dinner or a good movie. The easiest way to get him to want a wine is watching a movie while you eat some good old authentic italian pasta. Nihil claims he can't eat pasta without it! It's always a red wine and an older horror movie. You can't beat the classics! But you have a good time every time you get wine drunk. The wine turns you both in Mystery Science Theatre, and you do nothing but laugh and comment on any and everything about the movie! Sometimes the wine makes you do something crazy, like try to play a board game! But the night always ends the same. All the food and drinks gone and you both just chatting until you fall asleep. It's always safe and cozy, even when you wake up hung over. Though the wine is always blamed for when suddenly Nihil is getting billed for several new movie streaming services he can't remember signing up for.

Papa I: Neither of you were TRYING to become drunk. It started innocently enough! There had been too many complaints about the Unholy Communion wines tasting awful. The Siblings of Sin were not shy in requesting something more decadent and easier to stomach. You and Papa, on your insistence, decided to find something to start using Clergy wide. In your mind it was a fun time to try all the fancy drinks with your favorite person! Papa was more happy to indulge you and just wanted to solve this as quickly as possible. But you are a bad influence. Convincing him it was a waste to do a traditional wine tasting! So after many glasses neither of you found the perfect communion wine... instead you found yourselves laughing on his couch. Trying to have unserious philosophical discussions through slurred speech. Papa admits it's the type of fun he needs outside of his brooding and serious ministry duties. Imagine your surprise when he invites you over again. This time to share a bottle just for you two!

Papa II: You were never a big wine drinker until you became close to the second Emeritus. Papa has the most well stocked wine cellar you have ever seen! Many people forget that under his classy and collected exterior is a man who loves to party! Or at least unwind and let go. So every once in a while he will ask you to pick something for dinner, or if you just want to sit and drink with him. Most of the time it's in his music room where you put in vinyls and just sink into the expensive sofa. You find he's much more talkative when properly drunk, and more willing to have fun. There have been many times Papa has decided that being drunk is the perfect time to teach you how to dance! You've fallen a few times, but both of you always laugh it off and go back to finding a good song to listen to! You always enjoy the looser side of Papa! The man who drunkingly explains the rise and fall of the Beatles in the music industry. Or he enjoys the way you cried once because you found your favorite song on one of his albums, and insisted he put it on repeat.

Papa III: Now THIS is when you both get the best gossiping time! It's actually a biweekly ritual you two share when you both have the time! Wine bottles out, the charcuterie boards full, and both of you ready to blow off steam! Life is so stressful, so why not find time to have a good wine with the best company? It always starts the same. One of you raging about the current annoyance in your life, and the other popping open a cork and pouring your glasses full. It usually starts with both of you venting, to both of you chatting, to both of you laughing your asses off about nothing. Sometimes you get drunken ideas, like rearranging the furniture that neither of you can move! Other times you decide you need a late night take out run (DRIVEN BY A GHOUL OF COURSE) and come back with bags full of fast food. This last time you both woke up to Papa's closet sloppily 'organized'. the only clue being a Marie Kondo video on your phone, and all of his socks in a basket. It's always in good fun!

Papa IV/Cardinal Copia: When it comes to wine, you and Copia always promise yourselves 'one glass'. But sometimes, you just need a whole bottle or two. You both agreed it's not that you NEED wine to unwind; but it's nice to indulge once in a while. So the times you do get drunk off of wine, it's planned and thought out. Copia will select the best bottles he can for the night, and you get the best dinner or snacks to pair with it. You always do a quick glass cheers to each other and have at it! Like with Terzo, sometimes you just need to gossip or vent. Other times it's to unwind and NOT think about the day. Others it's to celebrate and find something fun to do! You've both woken up from your two person party wearing expensive lamp shades! This is one of the few times you both get into mischief together! Terrorizing the gardens at night, or finding your way into Copia's office to fuck around with his paper work. Anything to keep you two occupied! Your favorite time so far had been turning his office into a miniature club with strobe lights and his lava lamp collection. You were both pretty bewildered when you saw the mess you made the next day!

[thewitcheswitch89]

The Nightmare (?)

(I don't know how this has taken such a turn….but I kind of like it … let's see where it goes from here...)

you can also read on:

Min Heyoka (@TheWitcheswitch89) - Wattpad

„Precognitive Dreams Precognitive dreams are experiences where an individual has dreams that predict future events. These are not vague sensations but specific episodes in which the dream content aligns with events that later occur in reality.“https://zenorzen.com/dreams/types/precognitive-dreams/#:~:text=Precognitive%20dreams%20are%20experiences%20where%20an%20individual%20has,aligns%20with%20events%20that%20later%20occur%20in%20reality

You awoke from a nightmare in your room, sitting up in your bed and panting heavily.

You looked around, taking in your familiar surroundings. It was all just a dream, you told yourself, and you laid back down. But the shadows seemed to come closer. You couldn't stand it anymore. You needed comfort. You needed him. Without thinking twice, you got out of bed, slipped on your slippers, and walked out of your room into the dark hallway of the Ministry. You made your way to his apartment, his keys in your hand. You opened his door and closed it behind you with a silent click. You locked it from the inside. You kicked off your slippers and tiptoed through his living room to his bedroom.

Copia was asleep in his bed, blissfully unaware. A blanket covered most of his body except for his head. He slept on his side facing the door. His chest rose and fell gently with each inhale and exhale.

Your heart swelled with emotion as you watched him sleep. You slipped into the room and closed the door behind you before tiptoeing over to his bed and carefully crawling into it and under his blanket.

Copia's breathing remained steady as you slid into the bed. The only sign that he noticed your presence was when he instinctively put an arm around you, pulling you closer to him without waking him.

You gasped. and your body went stiff. Did you wake him up?

Copia let out a small yawn. His eyes remained closed and he pulled you a little closer to him. His hand now rested on the small of your back. He hadn't woken up.

But he seemed to feel your presence. You looked at him for a while, making sure he was still deep in sleep, before turning to face him, shifting your position, letting your head rest on his pillow. Even though the bed was big enough, you needed his closeness now.

Copia's arm, still wrapped around your waist, felt you turn over. His other arm wrapped around your torso, pulling you closer so that you rested against his chest with your head on his shoulder. His hands lightly touched your back through your top.

You looked at him. "Are you awake?" you whispered, hoping he was.

Copia was awake now. "Mmh... barely." He murmured in a hoarse voice. "What are you doing in my bed, mia cara?" He asked, still sounding sleepy.

"Sorry, I didn't want to wake you!" you whispered. "But... I had a nightmare..."

Copia shifted to a more comfortable position. "Come here." He murmured as he pulled you even closer. One of his hands began to stroke your back.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked softly.

You sighed and played with his shirt. "It was just stupid, actually...I was dreaming about Terzo...they...dragged him off the stage and killed him..."

Copia pulled you closer until you were almost on top of him, your legs intertwined with his. "It was just a nightmare, mia cara. Terzo is fine." He reassured you as he continued to stroke your back gently with one of his hands.

"I dont know...it was so real...he is Papa now...but they dragged him off the stage and killed him...then there was you...and you were Papa Emeritus IV!" you said, remembering every detail of the dream, it made you shiver.

Copia tightened his grip on you as he felt you tremble. One of his hands moved to the back of your head to gently stroke your hair. "But I'm still me. I'm still Copia," he said, pulling you up a bit so that you were chest to chest with him.

"But in my dream you were Papa!", you insisted..." And that is what you will be... one day, right?"

Copia shifted under you so that he was lying on his back with you on top of him. He had his arms wrapped around you so that you remained on top of him.

 "You know I don't like to think about that, mia cara." He murmured as his hands continued to gently stroke your back.

"But it's true, isn't it?" your voice trembled.

He let out a sigh. "It is." He agreed as he looked up at you. "But it doesn't matter. I will still be me." He said as one of his hands moved to gently run his fingers through your hair.

"But they killed Terzo for it!" you said, feeling your tears well up.

Copia's heart ached when he saw the tears in your eyes. He shifted so that you slipped to the side, next to him. He quickly shifted so that he was holding you in his arms, his body pressed against your back. He held you in a comforting position as his hands continued to gently stroke your body. "Sshh, it's okay, mia cara." He murmured, planting a soft kiss on the back of your head.

"I saw Sister and Nihil...and one of the ghouls...and they killed him!" your tears ran down your cheeks.

Copia felt a pang in his heart. His hand that had been stroking your back suddenly stopped. He hated to see you so upset. He pulled you closer as he tried to comfort you.

 "It was only a dream, mia cara. None of this will happen, I promise." He whispered into your ear.

You sighed and looked at him through the darkness. "What if you become Papa... and they do the same to you after they no longer need you?“

Copia was silent for a moment, just holding you in his arms. He still hadn't fully come to terms with the fact that he would eventually succeed Papa Nihil as Papa Emeritus IV. He feared that the same fate as his predecessors might await him. But he didn't want to worry you with his own fears and doubts, all you had was a dream, right?  So instead of answering, he just tightened his grip on you. "Everything will be fine, mia cara." He told you softly.

You nodded. But there was still a strange feeling in your stomach. "It was just a nightmare...just a nightmare....Terzo is still alive and he is still Papa Emeritus III right? Alive and not dead....?"

Copia's heart ached again when he heard the doubt in your voice. One of his hands started moving slowly up and down your back again. "Yes, mia cara. Terzo is alive. He is still Papa Emeritus III. And he is perfectly well." He reassured you.

You took a deep, shuddering breath and laid your head on his chest.

Copia hugged you even tighter. He kissed the top of your head gently. He could still feel that you were tense. He continued to slowly rub your back with one of his hands while he thought for a moment about how best to comfort you.

He moved a little so that his body was pressed against you, surrounding you with his warmth. He used one of his legs to gently push yours apart so that he could slip his leg between them, pulling you even closer.

He continued to hold you in his arms, whispering soothing words into your ear from time to time as his hand slowly moved up and down your back.

Copia's mind was racing. As he lay there holding you in his arms, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He tried to push the feeling away, telling himself that it was just an overreaction to your nightmare. But the feeling remained.

He pulled you a little closer to him, desperately trying to calm himself as his hand continued to slowly rub your back.

He could feel your heart beating against his chest. It was still slightly elevated from the remnants of your nightmare. As he felt your heart begin to slow, he began to relax a little. He concentrated on the feel of your body against his and your steady breathing.

But even as he lay there with you in his arms, the feeling of unease still lingered in his mind.

"I love you," you whispered against his neck.

Copia's heart skipped a beat when he suddenly heard you speak. The words you had said made his heart ache. A wave of emotions washed over him.

He held you closer and buried his face in your hair. "I love you too, mia cara." He murmured against your skin.

He held you close in his embrace, feeling the warmth of your body against his and the steady rhythm of your heart beating against his chest. But even as he held you in his arms, that nagging feeling of unease still hadn't completely left him.

"It was just a nightmare," you whispered. "Just...a nightmare!"

Copia nodded. "Yes, it was just a nightmare." He agreed with a quiet voice. He knew you were trying to reassure yourself as much as he was.

But even as he said the words, he couldn't shake the feeling in his gut. He knew deep inside that something was wrong.

That something was about to happen.

Copia felt his heart sink as the feeling of unease intensified. He tried to push it aside, telling himself that it was just his mind playing tricks on him. But deep inside he knew that something was wrong.

He held you tighter as if to protect you from any possible danger. His mind was racing with worst-case scenarios.

Copia's grip on you tightened almost involuntarily. "Don't worry, mia cara." He murmured into your hair. His voice was soft and reassuring, but there was an undercurrent of concern. "It was just a nightmare." He repeated.

But even as he said the words, he knew he was partly lying. His intuition told him that something was about to go terribly wrong.

[erin-writes-ghost-fluff]

Actual pic of myself ignoring canon and building my own AU. Sorry Tobias dgdggdhfhf

[skelly-b0nez]

Little Sunshine - Chapter Five

Words: 1.9k

Summary: As Lili grows older, Copia's worries increase. However, the growing girl seems to be doing well for herself, getting her education with her best friend by her side.

Tags: the band ghost, dad!copia, oc, mama emeritus oc, nameless ghoulette, papa emeritus iii, terzo, papa emeritus ii, secondo, papa emeritus i, primo, cardinal copia, papa emeritus nihil, sister imperator, fluff-ish

Warnings: mild swearing

Copia could always rely on Terzo.

The two men sat on each end on the small, rounded table, Copia absent-mindedly stirring his tea while Terzo openly discussed his latest fling, not noticing that his guest wasn’t paying attention. It was roughly mid afternoon, although Copia didn’t know exactly what time it was. The afternoon light poured in, filling the elegant walls with its rays of light. Terzo’s bedroom was remarkably the biggest, fit for a flamboyant, glitzy man like him. The shelves filled to the brim with books, most of them being romantic novels. However, Copia wasn’t near the bookshelves to actually look at them.

They sat out on Terzo’s balcony, a space where the future-Papa held his meetings, often over a cup of tea, much like this occasion. The view was spectacular; a perfect view over the Abbey gardens. Copia smiled only to himself, remembering the countless times he used to get lost as a child. Even his daughter had better navigation over the garden than he did.

Copia was brought back to reality at the sudden snapping of Terzo’s fingers, his eyes furrowed. “Ehi, fratello!” Terzo relaxed back into his seat. “I was asking you a question.”

“Ah, si, sorry.” He awkwardly adjusted himself. “What is it?”

“I was asking how mia nipote enjoyed her time in the garden yesterday.”

“Ah,” Copia cleared his throat. “She enjoyed her time very much; she even made a new friend.”

“And that is…?”

“A little ghoulette she found in the graveyard; she named her Petal.” Copia took a sip of his tea, perhaps he had waited a little too long though, it was lukewarm. Terzo cocked an eyebrow, “Petal? That’s a little…tame? Especially for a ghoul.”

“She’s four, Terzo.”

“Ah yes, of course.” Terzo coughed. “And how did Papa take it? I bet he threw a fit.”

“He did,” Copia sighed, “He went on about ‘taking in strays’ or some bullshit. It was Sister who allowed her to stay.” He rolled his eyes; he held so much disdain for Papa Nihil it was comical. The old man has never been on Copia’s side, not since day one. Even getting employee of the month wasn’t enough to please Nihil. Perhaps nothing ever would.

He let out a long sigh. “I’m just happy she made a friend. People were talking about her, Terzo.” Copia leaned back in his chair. “Looking down on her, keeping the other children away. Just because she doesn’t have a fucking mother.” He snorted, “How stupid is that?”

“Have you tried talking to the new guy?”

“Ehh.. Secondo didn’t really say much, only that he’d handle it.”

“He won’t do shit” Terzo rolled his eyes, “You know how he is.”

“I’m just worried about Lili, she hasn’t fit in well, not just because of the one parent thing.” Copia huffed, almost slamming his cup back down. “None of the other kids want to play with her, and before Petal she was stuck with me almost all the time and it’s just…” He paused. “Devastating.”

“Oh, Mio Satana.. She will be fine! She’s confident, outgoing, and friendly, those who ignore her don’t know what they are missing.” Terzo laughed to the displeasure of his guest. “She reminds me of you when you were a boy.”

“Yeah, you were the only one I clung to, the only one who was actually nice to me.”

“And here we are now!” The older man extended his arms to each side, an optimistic smile on his usually somber face. “We are here, alive and well! Lili will do just fine for herself, regardless of her place.”

Copia could only hope that he was right. He never noticed it, but Lili is just like him; naive, whimsical, affectionate. How did he go four years without realizing? That prospect was the only thing giving him any comfort. No matter where she went in life, she’d make a name for herself. Perhaps one day the heavens would finally hear her name. It was only a matter of time.

And just like that, five years had gone by. The freshly turned 9-year-old stared at herself in the mirror. Nothing much had changed, perhaps longer hair, and the fact that she had finally grown out of the altar gown she always tripped on. The gown is now replaced with comfortable black leggings and sneakers, her white vestment slightly longer.

“You know...” She heard Petal speak from behind her, “I’ve always wondered, what’s with your eye?” The ghoul pointed in the direction of Lili’s single white eye.

“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “My dad has it too, and my uncles. I never thought to ask.” Lili had been curious about the eye as well, especially since she had seen no other girl with it. She always thought of it as one strange birthmark. Petal, who had been standing by the door, came up behind her. “Does that mean you’ll be Papa?”

“Oh no, not at all!” Lili laughed, “girls can’t become Papa… or would it be Mama?” Suddenly her eyes went to the tri-fold pamphlet on her little vanity. “But I do want to be a Sister of Sin!” She giggled, holding up the pamphlet to show her friend. “Dad says I’m too young, but I’ll be old enough in a few years!”

“13? That’s…Young” Petal winced as she read.

Lili grabbed her comb, brushing it as she responded, “They have a junior division, in a different part of the ministry, the Sisters of Sin you’ve seen are all grown-ups.” Even with that Petal still felt uneasy. But what was she supposed to do? She watched as her “sister” tied her hair up into a small ponytail.

“So, what are you doing today?” Petal set down the pamphlet and helped Lili straighten the messy ponytail. “I’ve got Italian classes with Uncle Primo today, and then Latin with Papa Secondo this afternoon.”

"Ooh, have you learned anything?” Petal chirped, her tail wagging with excitement.

“I can say a few things in Italian, but I’m still struggling with Latin.” Lili smiled. It was nice to be able to spend more time with her uncle Primo, now that he was no longer Papa. She missed how, when she was smaller, used to be propped up on his knee, being told stories about the bloodline, her ancestors. And now, she is learning the language of her family. Soon enough she would start doing clergy work.

“What is it that you can say?” Petal asked as she set the brush back down on the vanity. Lili had to take a moment to remind herself what she had learned from her previous lesson. “Just simple greetings right now, ‘Ciao,’ ‘Come stai,’ Buona giornata.'" She stumbled a little on the pronunciation, but recited them almost correctly. “But I’ll get better! One day I’ll be able to hold a conversation!” Lili laughed boisterously. Meanwhile Petal opened up a small box, gently lifting up a necklace. She held it up to the light, allowing the grucifix to dangle amongst the light, illuminating the metals the necklace was crafted from. Instead of applauding Lili on her Italian, a question had popped into her mind.

“Do you think your dad is going to be Papa?” She asked. “He may not be part of the bloodline, but he has the eye too.” She wrapped the necklace around the young Emeritus’ neck, closing it in the process. “I think so? I don’t know if he wants to be Papa, he’s pretty happy as Archbishop.”

“He’ll have to do it one day.”

“Papa Nihil won’t let him; he won't let anyone break the bloodline.”

“Well, what will he do when the other three finish their cycle?” Petal protested. “Somebody would have to take over!”

“He’d have to make more babies.” Lili flatly replied, adjusting her necklace so that it was perfectly centered. A gentle knock came from her bedroom door. “Dolcezza?” Her father’s voice came from the other side. “It’s almost time for your Italian lesson, are you ready?” Lili made one final adjustment to her vestment and headed towards her bedroom door. Her father stood on the other side, his new dark robes on full display. Copia insisted on taking Lili to her lessons, even if it meant missing out on meetings or being late to sermons. Being surrounded by Sisters of Sin all his life, without any parent figure, he needed to ensure that he would always be there for his daughter.

“I’m ready, daddy!” Lili chirped as the three of them started for the library. Copia’s calculated steps contrasted with the child’s confident struts, Petal only trailing a foot behind. “Guess what?” Copia asked, tilting his head down towards the nine year old. “I was talking to Papa Nihil and Sister today, they want to make me Cardinal.”

“So soon?” Petal piped up. Copia nodded, “I was surprised as well, but Sister told me I was doing good and wanted to promote me early.” As excited as he was, he knew that being Cardinal would take more time and work. “She’ll bring it up with the clergy at the next meeting.”

The idea of her father having less time on his hands saddened Lili’s mood, slowly having to rely more on Sisters of Sin and ghouls to take care of her. But she had to be proud at the same time, moving up the ranks meant that he would have to make sacrifices, whether she liked it or not. “When will I start doing clergy work?”

“I..uh..” Copia stammered. “I think the earliest would be 12, luce del sole, children around that age go down to the neighborhoods and try to recruit new members.” Lili’s face fell, another three years before she could actually do anything. At nine years old she was beginning to grow weary of being babied. Copia noticed this and plastered on a semi-optimistic grin. “But I’ll talk to Sister about you starting early, how does that sound?”

The girl’s face perked up. “I would love that, thank you.”

Lili had been dreading Latin from the moment she stepped out of the library, the Italian-English dictionary held under her arm. Papa Secondo was…to say the least, a perfectionist. Even when his brothers tried telling him to be more patient, especially with a nine-year-old, he still wanted things to be right. In the five years since becoming Papa, he’s grown more bitter, loathing, and from what Lili has heard through passing whispers, he’s been spending a lot of the Ministry’s money.

Terzo actually stopped by the library as she and Primo were finishing their lesson. His right arm pressed on the center of the table, half-blocking Lili’s view of her teacher. A confident smile playing on his lips. “Buongiorno, nipotina!” He sang in almost a singsong tune, although stifled by his rich, sultry voice. Lili, elated to see her favorite uncle, sang back. “Buongiorno, zio Terzo!”

“I see your lessons have been paying off!” Terzo laughed. “You have Latin today too, no?”

“This afternoon…” Lili sighed. Terzo gave her a reassuring pat on the back. “Ah, si, Mio Fratello can be a bit of a jerk, yeah? Don’t let his hardass bother you.”

“Terzo!” Primo hissed. Terzo, suddenly remembering that his older brother was there, turned to look at him. “Oh come now, it won’t kill her to hear a little cuss word.” His firm back pat moved up to a gentle ruffling of the girl’s hair. “Come now, I can walk you to your zio’s study.” Terzo smirked, as he only wanted to go to further annoy his second eldest brother. Lili took her uncle’s hand as he led her out the door.

Lili groaned. She hated Latin. She hated growing up.

Little Sunshine - Chapter 5 - SkullznBonez - Ghost (Sweden Band) [Archive of Our Own]

[ghulehunknown]

Papa Headcanons - Valentine’s Day 💕

Rated PG-13 for implied adult themes!

Oh my goodness, it’s Valentine’s Day! How will your beloved celebrate with you?

~💘💝💘~

Primo

Gives you a beautiful bouquet of roses grown in his garden

Surprises you with herbal tea in bed while he makes you breakfast

He arranges for everyone in the Ministry to send a secret valentine to an assigned person, so you all get a cute card or treat

He’s surprisingly very into theming so he wears a red robe and mitre that day, and eats lots of pink foods

He gives everyone a single flower, even his least favorite ghoul

Says he has a nice surprise for you later; lit candles everywhere, your favorite snacks, a bubble bath, and some lingerie for…certain activities after you relax 🛁

Secondo

Also surprises you with breakfast in bed, complete with one of those silver covers that he flourishes as if you just got fancy room service

Packs your lunch for you that day with a cute little note which you proceed to keep in your wallet for a long time

He relieves you of your Sibling job duties a few hours early and arranges for you to have a massage done by the Ministry’s massage therapist

He arranges Valentines karaoke for the ghouls and siblings, the setlist being rock’s greatest love ballads and also some Celine Dion mixed in

Bakes you a cake (or whatever your fave dessert is) and decorates it with pink heart sprinkles

His final gift of the day is flowers with some very nice jewelry…and also a new lingerie set. He wants to see you in the set wearing the new jewelry he got you, saying it’s a gift for him too and he wants to admire it

Terzo

His penis. He gives you…his penis, wrapped in a bow. “Breakfast in bed, mm?” he’d say (don’t worry, he offers to go down on you too)

Okay, okay, he actually comes back with coffee, cigarettes, and Pop-Tarts

Has flowers sent to you while you’re both at work so you’ll think of him all day (so all your coworkers/the other Siblings see what an amazing boyfriend you have)

Encourages everyone to leave work early that day so “you can all go fuck each other!”

Orders sushi takeout (or whatever you want if you don’t like sushi but author happens to love it) and has made a whole setup of pillows and blankets on the floor for you to watch cute movies while you eat dinner and snacks

Gives you naughty conversation hearts and says you have to do whatever it tells you to…they’re instructions for bedding you later

Scatters rose petals all over the bedroom, lights candles so the room looks very romantic and promises to make love to you like never before

Copia

You wake up to utter chaos - a burning smell from the kitchen and rats running all over the place. “Eh, it was supposed to be a surprise…we’ll get takeout.”

But you’ve already DoorDashed pancakes for the pair of you, because somehow you knew he’d be too stressed to handle everything

He’s genuinely very excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day so he can go all out to show you just how much he cares about you

He decorates his office and room the day before - all pinks, reds, and purples with hearts everywhere

He gifts everyone in the Ministry a cute little paper valentine, like the kind you used to pass out in elementary school

Says cheesy but sweet things all day, like asking you to be his valentine, making puns like “bee mine buzzzzzz,” etc.

Smothers you in hugs and kisses

Wants to watch rom coms with you before going to bed that night, complete with themed snacks

He bought you matching V-Day underwear

Nihil

Gets you one of those generic heart shaped chocolate boxes from the drug store

He also leaves a very mushy, sentimental hallmark card on your nightstand

“Why do we need a special day? I love you everyday!”

He doesn’t arrange anything for the Ministry as a whole but he does make sure to do the bare minimum for his partner

[copiasghoulfriend]

Sinfully Yours,

Summary: In this enigmatic tale, Nurse Penelope (Penny) awakens next to the alluring Terzo in an unfamiliar room, leading to confusion and intrigue. Amidst her nursing duties, Penny grapples with her attraction to Terzo and her commitment to her distant boyfriend, Mary. Mysterious gestures from an anonymous admirer and Terzo himself further complicate her emotions. While Penny navigates the complexities of her feelings and her role in the intriguing Emeritus family, she remains torn between the allure of the unknown and her unwavering connection with Mary, resulting in a captivating blend of romance, mystery, and personal growth.

Rating: Mature, Explicit, Eventually 18+ MDNI

Mary Goore / Emeritus Family / Copia

Warnings: Sexual Themes, Infidelity, Emotional Turmoil, Mature Language, Suggestive Imagery, Alcohol Use, Romantic Tension, Implied Nudity, Intrigue and Mystery, Personal Struggles

AO3 Chapter One Chapter Two

2.8K Words

Chapter Three: Under the New Moon's Spell

Tension hung in the air like a thick fog, suffocating the room. Mary's confrontation with the Emeritus Family had escalated rapidly, and I felt a growing sense of dread as I stood beside him.

Secondo's voice was measured but filled with authority as he addressed Mary. "Young man, that is NOT how you treat a woman. Especially one of our own. I haven't seen you around before. You are?"

My heart raced as all eyes turned to us. Mary's grip on my arm tightened, and I knew he was struggling to contain his anger. He forced his way through the crowd of sisters, determined to make his point.

"My name is Mary Goore. I'm Penny's boyfriend," he declared, his voice carrying a threat that hung in the air like an unspoken challenge. "I can see why the mishap started with her having sex with one of you. If I find out exactly who it was, you're dead meat."

His words reverberated through the hall, and I couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Mary's confrontation was bold, but it was also reckless.

Secondo, seated but exuding authority, responded with a mixture of reprimand and understanding. "Mary, that's not how you approach one of us. I don't like your attitude. This here is a congregation of Satan. You will respect us and him. I am, however, sorry for what had happened at the party."

Terzo's gaze remained locked on me, and I could see a storm of emotions raging within him. His fists clenched tightly, and his eyes seemed to pierce through me. The tension between Mary and the Emeritus Family had reached a dangerous precipice, and I feared the consequences that would follow.

"Secondo, we can't allow this disrespectful behavior to tarnish our family's reputation. It's clear he's trouble and not the right fit for Penny. Speaking of which, Mary, it seems Penny excels in more ways than one." Terzo's words dripped with sly innuendo as he spoke, his gaze locking onto Mary's before he turned and departed through the ministry's private entrance.

Terzo's words cut through the already tense atmosphere like a sharp blade, leaving a heavy silence in their wake. Mary's face twisted with anger, his fists clenching as he shot daggers at Terzo's retreating figure. It was clear that those words had hit a nerve, but there was also an underlying current of pain in Mary's eyes.

Secondo, always the voice of reason, let out a weary sigh. "This is hardly the appropriate place for such confrontations. We shall address this matter privately. Mary, you must grasp the intricacies of our community. Penny is now one of us. You must respect that."

Despite his composed demeanor, there was a touch of resignation in Secondo's tone. He gestured toward the exit, a signal for Mary and me to depart the hall. The tension in the room lingered, and as we made our way out, I couldn't help but ponder what the future held for us within the ministry and the intricate web of relationships that seemed to ensnare us all.

The overwhelming sense of sorrow washed over me as Mary and I were escorted out of the hall  by Secondo. It was a tumultuous and emotional ordeal that I hadn't anticipated. I had hoped for change in Mary, believing he had transformed, and now I grappled with the reality of his unchanged self. My own regret for letting myself go at the workplace party gnawed at me. Terzo's presence was a tantalizing contrast to the chaos, his charm and ease of conversation leaving an impression.

But then, amidst the confusion and mounting frustration, Mary's voice erupted like a volcanic eruption. His accusations, laced with anger and jealousy, pierced the air. Without a word, I turned away from him and headed towards my room, my sanctuary in this tumultuous moment. I paused in front of my door and faced Mary, my voice a hushed plea, tinged with fear of his reaction.

"Mary," I whispered, "I need you to leave, right now." My words hung in the air, a quiet yet resolute plea for him to respect my boundaries. Mary, however, was far from compliant; his fury ignited anew as he seized me, pinning me against the door with a heavy thud. His hands, once tender and loving, now slammed against the wooden frame, reverberating with anger.

"I'm not leaving," he hissed vehemently, his breath hot on my face, "not until you come with me." His words dripped with possessiveness, as if he could simply claim me, as if my choices were irrelevant.

I summoned my courage, my voice quaking but steady. "Mary, I work here," I emphasized, my tone underscoring the importance of my commitment to my career. "I went to college, earned my certifications to be here. What do you do? You're in a band, wasting your life away, drowning in alcohol. You've become an abusive alcoholic."

My words struck home, and for a moment, Mary's rage faltered. His face contorted with a mix of anger, pain, and self-awareness. It was a brief, fragile moment of clarity in the storm of emotions that had consumed us both.

"You know what, Penny? We're through. You can have these oddballs. You... you were a fantastic girlfriend. But I can find someone better," Mary's voice wavered, a cocktail of anger and heartbreak lacing his parting words. He stormed away, leaving me standing there, emotions swirling in a turbulent mix.

With a heavy heart, I turned around and leaned my forehead against the cool surface of my room's door, letting the tears flow freely. Time became a blur, and I had no grasp of how long I'd been standing there when I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Please... just leave," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. The hand continued its soothing back rub, offering solace.

I raised my tear-streaked face from the door, and to my surprise, Secondo stood beside me. His demeanor had shifted from the stern authority he'd displayed earlier to one of unexpected kindness.

"Piccolina, this might be for the best," he said softly, his eyes conveying understanding and warmth. I struggled to find my voice, to respond to this unexpected compassion.

"I don't know if he'll return, but my brother and the cardinal will be pleased," Secondo continued, his words cloaked in mystery. I furrowed my brow, intrigued by the cryptic message.

"W-What do you mean, Secondo?" I managed to inquire, my voice quivering. He paused for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully.

"The other two... they care for you more than you realize," he began, casting a cautious glance around to ensure our privacy. "I can't reveal who's behind the roses. But it was my suggestion. You're something out of my wildest dreams, Penny. Yet, I'm too old for you. Consider my words. Whoever you choose, you'll find happiness either way."

With these enigmatic words, Secondo placed a tender kiss on my forehead and departed, leaving me to ponder the enigmatic situation I now found myself in.

I decided that tonight I was going to chaperone the Sisters and Brothers New Moon party. It was a way to get out of the house for a few hours, perhaps to mingle with Terzo and Copia while sober. After a warm shower, I set out to get myself ready. My hair took a while to dry, but I styled it differently than usual. A smoky eye makeup look added a touch of mystery to my appearance. I selected a silver mini dress from my closet that showcased my assets.

Feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, I remembered that I had two shots in the fridge. I downed them quickly for a bit of liquid courage. Afterward, I approached the mirror by the door, critiquing myself more harshly than I should. Shaking off my self-doubt, I grabbed my keys and opened the door, only to find Terzo standing there, looking dashing in a dark purple suit.

"Buonasera, Penny," he greeted me, his eyes locking onto mine with an undeniable charm.

"Evening, Terzo, um... Papa," I replied, shifting my gaze away from his penetrating stare. He gently grasped my hands and planted tender kisses on the tops of them. "You know well enough that you can call me Terzo," he insisted, his touch encouraging me to meet his gaze. There was something different about him tonight.

"Penny, actually... I'm here to apologize for earlier. Mary was getting on my nerves, and I may have said some... things I shouldn't have," he confessed, using his hand to gently lift my chin, so I looked at him. His eyes held a genuine sincerity that sent a pleasant shiver down my spine. I blushed at his words.

"Terzo... there's no need to apologize. I knew Mary went too far. I have the bruises to prove it, thanks to him. You were just trying to protect me, much like Secondo. I understand," I responded, offering a warm smile that seemed to light up his face.

"So, you're already a bit tipsy? I'm relatively sober. There's no harm in just having a chat. I promise I won't end up in your bed again," I added playfully, causing his smile to broaden as he appeared more comfortable in my presence.

Terzo flashed a mischievous smile as he playfully asked, "Hey! How do you know I'm Tipsy, Penny?"

I couldn't help but chuckle softly, feeling a sense of ease wash over me in Terzo's lighthearted presence. "Well, your slightly flushed cheeks and that Cheshire cat grin might be a giveaway," I teased, gesturing toward his beaming face.

Terzo's laughter resonated through the hallway. "Alright, fair point," he conceded with a grin of his own. "But hey, I'm a much more entertaining Terzo when I've had a couple of drinks."

I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be skeptical. "Oh, really? You weren't exactly dull before, you know."

With a wink, he leaned in slightly closer, his voice laced with a flirtatious tone. "Trust me, Penny, there's a lot more to me that you haven't seen yet."

Terzo's remark sent a warm shiver down my spine, and I felt my cheeks flush even more. We stood there, locked in a playful moment, before he changed the subject.

"So, are you ready for the party tonight?" Terzo asked, stepping back slightly and adjusting his suit jacket.

I nodded, regaining some composure. "Yeah, I am. It'll be a good opportunity to unwind and forget about everything that's been going on."

Terzo nodded sympathetically, his eyes showing a hint of concern. "I'm here for you, Penny, if you ever need someone to talk to. You don't have to carry your burdens alone."

I appreciated his genuine offer of support. "Thanks, Terzo. That means a lot to me."

With a warm smile, he offered his arm. "Shall we, Penny?"

I looped my arm through his, feeling a sense of comfort in his presence that I hadn't anticipated. "Lead the way, Terzo." Together, we made our way into the heart of the New Moon party, leaving the worries of the day behind, at least for a little while.

The New Moon party was in full swing in the enchanting garden. Twinkling fairy lights illuminated the pathways, and the night air was fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers. The soft melodies played by the Ghouls created a magical atmosphere. Sisters and Brothers, dressed in a mix of elegant and casual attire, mingled, danced, and reveled in the electric atmosphere.

Terzo guided me to the bar, where Cardinal Copia was engaged in lively conversation with Sister Imperator. Copia noticed us and greeted us with a warm smile. "Ah, Penny, Terzo, you both look splendid tonight. Join us for a drink?"

Although I was a bit starstruck in Copia's presence, I managed to nod and offer a polite greeting. "Thank you, Cardinal. We'd love to."

As Copia ordered our drinks, Terzo leaned in and whispered, "You're doing great, Penny. Just relax and enjoy yourself."

His words were reassuring, and I felt a growing ease settle within me. Copia handed us our drinks, and we continued chatting with him and Sister Imperator. The Cardinal's charm and humor made it easy to understand why so many were drawn to him.

As the night progressed, Terzo and I ventured onto the dance floor, carried away by the infectious music. We danced and laughed, letting go of the troubles that had weighed on us earlier. For a few hours, all that mattered was the joy of the present moment.

Eventually, we found ourselves in a quieter corner of the garden, away from the pulsating music. Terzo's expression turned more serious as he gazed into my eyes. "Penny, I want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what happens. You're a remarkable person, and you deserve all the happiness in the world."

His words touched my heart, and I felt a deep connection with him. "Thank you, Terzo. I truly appreciate your support."

He smiled warmly, and before I knew it, he leaned in, and our lips met in a gentle, lingering kiss. It was a moment filled with both longing and comfort, leaving me breathless.

As we pulled away, Terzo whispered, "Let's make tonight about us, Penny. Just us."

I nodded, feeling grateful for this unexpected connection and the chance to find solace in his presence. Tonight, surrounded by the Sister and Brothers of the ministry, I allowed myself to forget the troubles that had weighed me down and simply enjoyed the magic of the New Moon party. Terzo turned to me, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "You know, Penny, this garden holds a few secrets of its own. It's a place where wishes come true under the moonlight."

I chuckled, enchanted by his words. "Is that so? What's your wish, Terzo?"

He looked at me intently, his voice soft. "My wish, Penny, is to see you smile. To see you happy."

His words warmed my heart, and in that moment, I felt a deep connection with him. Without another word, he took my hand, and we began to dance beneath the starry sky. It was a slow, dreamy dance, and I couldn't help but feel like I was in a fairy tale.

As the night continued, we shared stories and laughter, finding solace in each other's company. The troubles that had plagued us earlier seemed to vanish, and all that mattered was the present moment.

Under the enchanting spell of the New Moon and the magic of the garden, I realized that sometimes unexpected connections could provide the comfort and happiness we needed most.

As the New Moon party gradually wound down, and the first rays of dawn began to break over the horizon, Terzo and I found ourselves standing at the edge of the garden. The once lively atmosphere had mellowed into a serene and peaceful morning.

Terzo gently brushed a strand of hair from my face, his eyes reflecting the soft, golden hues of the sunrise. "Penny, it's getting late, or rather early. I should probably walk you back to your room."

I nodded, feeling a mix of reluctance and contentment. The night had been a surprising and delightful escape from reality, and I didn't want it to end. As we made our way through the quiet halls of the ministry, the weight of our individual struggles and responsibilities began to creep back into our thoughts.

Reaching my door, I turned to face Terzo, my heart heavy with the uncertainty of what the future held. "Terzo, tonight has been... incredible. You've been an unexpected source of comfort and happiness for me."

He smiled warmly, his fingers gently tracing a path along my cheek. "Penny, you deserve all the happiness in the world."

Our lips met in a tender, lingering kiss, a silent promise of the connection we had forged amidst the chaos of our lives. As we pulled away, I whispered, "Goodnight, Terzo."

"Goodnight, Penny," he replied softly before disappearing down the hallway.

I entered my room, the memories of the night still fresh in my mind. It had been a night of laughter, dancing, and a connection that had surprised us both. The troubles and complications of our lives hadn't disappeared, but for a few precious hours, we had found solace in each other's presence.

As I slipped into bed, I couldn't help but smile, feeling a glimmer of hope and warmth in my heart. The unexpected friendship—or perhaps something more—that had blossomed between Terzo and me was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, moments of light and connection were still possible.

As she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, the image of Terzo's mischievous twinkle and his whispered words played in her mind. She couldn't deny the attraction and the comfort she felt in his presence. But she also knew that her journey was far from over, and the choices she would make in the days to come would shape her future.

With a sigh, Penny allowed herself to surrender to sleep, her dreams filled with the echoes of the New Moon Party and the unexpected connection that had ignited amidst the moonlight and magic of the night.

[inkrabbit]

Preening

Just short fluff because I haven't shown these idiots some love in a while

"Master?"

Papa Nihil looks up from his typewriter, gray eyes glowing in the dimly lit hall outside of the office. Of course it was Notus. Who else would be up so early in the morning if not him or Sister Imperator?

"What is it, early bird?" He raises a wrinkly hand, beckoning his air ghoul closer. Obediently, the ghoul steps inside, silently shutting the office door behind him. His shirt is gone, exposing his white and black-spotted wings.

"Do you have a moment?" Notus asks softly, taking a few steps towards the desk. Even with his failing eyesight, Nihil could see the fresh pin feathers. A smile forms across his face as he pushes away from his desk.

"Come here, figlio," He waits patiently, watching as Notus quickly makes his way over to Nihil, turning his back to him and kneeling in front of him. Nihil reaches forward when Notus's right wing extends, old but nimble fingers gently pinching the keratin casing, hearing the soft crunch as he works the feather loose, slipping the casing away.

"The others aren't awake yet?" Nihil asks softly as he moves on to another feather. A soft grunt comes from Notus.

"Silvanus was drinking last night, so he's not up yet," Notus explains. Nihil vaguely remembers watching the earth ghoul mix drinks the previous night but he wasn't sure if the drinking binge continued after he had gone to bed. With Silvanus's high tolerance, Nihil assumed his beloved earth ghoul overdid it.

"He got into the alcohol again?" he asks, just for confirmation.

"Him and Ares," Notus tells him, giving a small shake of the head. Another pin feather is removed and Nihil watches as Notus flutters and stretches his wing.

"They haven't changed, I'm assuming?" With everything that was happening recently, Nihil hadn't been able to spend time with his own ghouls. Sister Imperator had been grabbing him for different meetings and plans that he could barely keep up with in his old age. He didn't know how she did it.

"You'd know if you'd take the time to visit the dens," Notus's reply is sharp and quick, and Nihil feels like he's just been punched in the gut.

"Mi dispiace, figlio mio," he sighs, moving on to Notus's left wing. "The abbey has become very busy lately. You know how it is."

A soft hum of acknowledgement comes from Notus. "Cardinale?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Nihil grumbles. Though the mere mention of the Cardinal makes him want to strangle someone, Nihil continues to maintain a gentle touch as he rids Notus's wing of more pin feathers towards the base. "Sister is so adamant about having him become Papa."

"Can't be worse than Terzo, right?" The question makes Nihil scoff, if even he does consider it. Would Copia be better than Terzo? The little troublemaker did win that Grammy, and he had been bringing in a lot of new members, even if Nihil's ghouls were apprehensive about that fact.

"I guess we'll see," he sighs, finishing up with Notus's wing. He watches as the wings flutter a few times and stretch out again.

"Danke, Master," Notus stands up, his wings folding as he turns to stare down at him. Nihil returns his gaze. Even after all of these years, his ghouls still kept him in a state of awe. Their power and presence would always fascinate him.

"Maybe I'll drop by the dens this evening?" Nihil offers softly. He sees Notus's tail flick, his feathers just barely grazing the ground. "You're right. I haven't visited in a while."

"You know Neptune will come find you if you don't come willingly," Notus teases as a grin spreads across his face, the tips of his fangs just barely showing.

"I wouldn't expect anything else."

[verinarin]

The mission and how it teaches him the slight difference between protectiveness and possessiveness

(Dr. Ratio x Partner Fem! Reader)

Part One (￣^￣)ゞ - Part Three ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡

This would be a trilogy so expect one more part

This is mainly spicy fluff as I like to call it (fluff with sexual tension ψ(｀∇´)ψ) The sum of this fic is… let’s watch Ratio lose his marbles over Reader gambling her life yet again !

comment what do you think about this part, it sorta motivates me lolololol (*⁰▿⁰*)

Support me on Ko-fi ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡

If someone could be an embodiment of both the path of erudition and nihility it would be you, because he couldn’t fathom how a person could be so strategic yet so careless at the same time

Your eyes glimmers with vexatious enthusiasm as the dealer distributes the cards, he shouldn’t have agreed to meet with the potential client in a casino of all places

“Don’t fool yourself, think before anything else,” he leans beside your ear, trying to at least guide you to not do anything heedless

“Veritas Ratio, don’t you worry we’re not here to gamble,” you smile as you glance at your cards

He audibly sighs as he leans back, his arms folded as he see your opponent in front of you, a well known casino owner in Penacony someone so powerful that the IPC would want in their pocket

You’re tasked to invest in said casino, no matter what choices you have to make in the future, you need to report back with satisfactory results

That’s something you never cease to succeed in, doubling the profits. While he is here to assure your safety while doing so and the legality of your methods, while the casino owner over there ogles all over your body, how disgusting…

“I’m here to extend my sincerest gratitude for setting the meeting for today,” you extend your hand for a handshake towards the man seating before you, which is reciprocated but you can’t help but to feel a little bit distraught over the firm handshake

“Now now it’s not a big deal really, so what does the IPC wants from me hmm?,” the man chuckles, his eyes glaring at you, like a predator stalking its prey

Ratio took notice of this, the man exudes a strange aura that he can’t seem to pinpoint, leering at you while seemingly unaware of him currently seating beside you

“Ah a man that gets right to the point, I like that ! Ratio if you don’t mind,” with that he nods as he took a briefcase filled with a hefty amount of credits

“We’re here to invest in your casino sir, to further aid us in widening our connections and intel pool,” Ratio opens the briefcase to reveal its contents for the casino owner to see and he doesn’t seem to be interested at the slightest

You study his micro-expressions and quickly state that everything is negotiable if credits doesn’t suit his taste, he smiles before revealing his true desire

“Well now I’m a casino owner and I have plenty of investments under my name, I need no more credits in my life, but well what I do need is a beauty like you,” hearing this a gear starts to move on your head, your eyes glints underneath the yellow light

Ratio on the other hand can’t believe in such fool existing, worse yet breathing in front of him with such mediocre want, if his sharp gaze could be considered blades, then this man already have his neck severed seconds ago

“A lady like me have a high price tag y’know ?,” you let out a small snicker as you fold your arms, a sudden soreness blooms on your thigh you struggle to keep your smile as you glance down to see Ratio’s hand digging itself into your thigh

You glance up to see his expression, it’s screaming ‘foolish girl are you seriously going to do what I think you’re going to do’

You forgot that Mr. Veritas Ratio over here also has a PhD in reading you, he knows very well you’re going to gamble away your life yet again

The casino owner notice quickly of the tension between you both and so he cuts straight towards his price “I’m willing to let you invest in my casino for 40% profit if you win sweetheart, but if you lose then you’re going to stay and be my personal doll,”

Before Ratio could even open his mouth to disapprove these moronic terms, you’re quick to give your own terms

“Now now as I say before I’m quite the expensive asset, if you want me to be your pretty little doll then I’m afraid you’re going to gamble more,” you pout your soft lips at the casino owner, successfully riling up both him and Ratio at the same time

“With a cute face like that, you’re making me want to gamble my life away,” he boisterously laugh

“Then please do !, if you win you’ll have me but if you lose you’re going to sell this casino of yours and the payment would be the amount of credits that’s inside that briefcase,” you quickly reply

The man scoffs before dimming the cigarette he was smoking “What makes a pretty little thing like you so confident about winning ?,”

“Let’s just say I have a winning streak these past days, now what do you say sir ?,” well that’s true to some extent Ratio needs to applaud your constant stream of luck but that doesn’t justify whatever this is

“I love that feisty attitude of yours, so let’s gamble !,” the casino owner seemed to be riled up by your confident nature

While Ratio is currently questioning how does his life leads to being stuck in here between two gambling maniacs with questionable intellect, his cover his face back with his alabaster head, not wanting to interact with this monstrosity of a situation

“Great !, Ratio please draft us a contract immediately, I can’t wait to start,” you turn your head to the side to reveal Ratio glaring at you, with that look of disapproval emanating from his person, well you can’t see his expression but you definitely feel it, like mentally and physically feel his disappointment…

“Of course excuse us sir, while we compose a fair contract,” Ratio took off his alabaster head before excusing himself outside the private room, dragging you with him

Before you could protest however, he shoves you towards the wall and pins you in place with his arms caging you in, holding you captive for as long as he deems fit to scold you

With one of his arm on top of your head and the other holding you in place by your waist you could hear his uneven breathing pattern accompanied by his rather intoxicating scent “Did I not make myself clear earlier, think before executing your task !,” he whispers beside your ear, his tone deep and demanding

At this point you wish for him to yell at you instead as per usual because being close to him like this makes your brain melt, especially after that incident an hour ago.

‘What’s with the sexual tension !!!?!’, you silently scream as you try to come out with an excuse, but your brain has failed to do so because it’s currently overheating

He’s grown impatient with the silence you gave, he uses his hand to gently force your face to look at him, forcing you to stop ignoring him. “I-i umm if I win this gamble y’know how profitable it’ll be right ahahaha,” you nervously mumble, your sentence was a bit jumbled because of him unnecessarily squeezing your whole face

His eyes stares dead into yours before asking one more question with that deep silky smooth voice he used earlier, “What if you fail to win ?, it’ll be a tremendous lost for the IPC and you’ll be gifting away yourself in a silver platter to a fool who doesn’t deserve you, not even worth your time,”

‘ASDHDJFHKSK,’ is the inaudible sound that internally plays inside your brain as you feel his thumb caressing your bottom lip. I mean sure the IPC would suffer quite the loss for losing one of its high rank employee but not tremendous loss and what’s with the last statement?!?, you feel like Ratio is threading on a thin line between being protective and possessive

“I live by ‘audaces fortuna iuvat’ and I’ll stick with it till the rest of my life Ratio, so please believe in my ability to win or at least try to be supportive of me,” you sternly reply

There it is, the fiery passion reflecting in your eyes that he oddly founds to be attractive

Well this whole ordeal goes against his way to conduct negotiations and he doesn’t like to admit that the stakes are pretty tolerable considering the reward. As much as he hates to admit it, you do have an unparalleled ability to gamble your way out of situations; scarily reminds him of a peculiar person back at the office

“It seems that you’re certain with your decision, once I draft this contract and send it to headquarters there’s no turning back and I can’t assist you in anyway,” he sighs as he puts both of his hand on your shoulder, insinuating the high pressure of this gamble

You already feel the pressure by his mere presence, but you won’t back down not when you already manage to lure that casino owner into a shitty gamble

“Draft the contract, I assure you by the end of this I’ll be taking the Casino’s land certificate,” you smile, with that he can’t help but to take a deep breath and sigh, that’s it there’s no going back now

“You can’t afford to lose, this is your freedom we’re talking about and you’re not a damn trophy he could flaunt,” he huffs as he now retracts his hands away

“Relax, if I don’t know you any better I might mistake this as you feeling a little bit too possessive over me,” you jokingly punch his arm

However his reply is no joke at all “Maybe I am, who knows it’s open to interpretation, but do note that I can’t afford to lose you too,”

“W-what for what possible reason?!?,” this man has a tendency to really keep you on your edge doesn’t he ?

“I have my own reasons and agenda, that I will not disclose at least not when you’re gambling your freedom away,” he sighs as he massage his temples

“Fine have it your way mister I’m soo morally ambiguous!,” you huff as you walk back towards the door, however he grabs your wrist and pulls you back towards his embrace,

“May fortune bless the bold,” he mumbles against the crown of your hair, his arm loops around your shoulder as, holding you close against his chest as he inhales your calming scent for the last time, you took this weirdly affectionate Ratio as a good sign of luck !

Since he usually hit your head with that ridiculously heavy codex instead-

“Stop worrying about this, you know that the chances of me winning is higher than that guy !,” you mutter against his broad chest before pushing him away and turn your heels toward the door

With a huge smile on your face you open the door to reveal decks of cards and poker chips waiting for you “Let’s gamble shall we ?,”

[frodolives]

I think the reason The Lord of the Rings’s popularity endures is because it’s the perfect story for hard times in the world. It’s escapism to a more simplistic world with idealized characters, but it also portrays the struggles of enduring hardships with sincere honesty and empathetic care. This just makes its overall optimistic message about hope and the power of love prevailing even more profound. I notice a lot of other stories have a difficult time striking a balance: they either try to be overly realistic to the point of aimless nihilism OR just completely unrealistic fluff made from a place removed of earnestness - both can leave people feeling empty. The Lord of the Rings manages to perfectly hit the sweet spot between escapism and realism for a story so beautifully from the heart and truly cathartic as a result. It doesn’t simply leave you with quickly fleeting emotions of sadness or happiness, but rather an enduring feeling of wholeness.

[cagedbirdsinger]

nobody can hear you, nothing you do makes a difference. you fall in the woods and there is no sound

nihility and death really aren’t all that different, when i think about it

[ask-the-clergy-bc]

What would the Emeritus brothers be like with a bilingual s/o? Specifically, one whose mother tongue they don’t speak? Like Spanish, Portuguese, or Mandarin, to name a few examples.

Thanks for opening up requests! Love your blog! 🖤

Thank you so much!! <3 I hope you enjoy!! <3 

Papas with a Bilingual S/O 

You did ask for an S/O with a mother tongue the Papas did not speak, so I’m going to follow that guideline. But I DID just want to add a fun fact in there as well! 

The Papas are actually all polyglots, meaning they can all speak multiple languages! Some more than others for one reason or another. When it comes to being a demonic pope with legions in so many parts of the world, you HAVE to speak so many different ones! However, this doesn’t mean they all speak every language to exist (except maybe Primo.) 

I also kept the reader’s native tongue vague so you can apply whichever you’d like! :)

-

Papa Nihil: He might speak several languages, but he’s not exactly the best at picking up new ones these days. Sometimes you can’t teach an old dog new tricks… but that doesn’t mean he won’t try! Whether he learns your native tongue or not, Nihil is happy to listen to you speak. Nihil adores when you playfully teach him new words or phrases. He is happy to use the best ones on you! Nihil is happy to know enough of your first language to convey his feelings or know yours. So expect him to at least know how to tell you he loves you, or that he wants you to have a good day. Truthfully, when it comes to his love of horror movies he might ask you to translate certain iconic scenes into your native tongue! And best of all? He will be putty in your hands when you flirt in your native language! Daily you get a lot of, “Amore, how do you say *insert random mundane word* in-?” Random words he has asked about so far; TV, blanket, carrot, window, Ghoul, screw driver, and swimming.

Papa I: You would be hard pressed to find a language Papa couldn’t speak, or at the very least understand everything you were saying. Papa is a legendary linguist within the Ministry, and has led many apprentices in keeping dead languages alive. But that doesn’t mean his verbal speaking is perfect in every tongue! So he was delighted when you were open to letting him learn more from you with your first language. These impromptu lessons are actually what caused you both to become close friends and eventually a couple! Papa appreciates all your efforts in teaching him, and he is a fast learner. He has even gone so far as to encourage you to teach lessons to the siblings of sin, if you were so inclined! In your daily lives he will always speak to you or leave you thoughtful notes in your first language. The only difficulty he has is learning slang and common sayings… but you find it both hilarious and a bit adorable when he tries!  

Papa II: Funnily enough, you both don’t know each other’s first language. Most of your communication has been through English! So it was a fun time for you both when you became closer to deciphering each other’s native tongue. You mutually wanted to be able to understand each other in all three languages; Your first language, his Italian, and English! So it was a lot of work and fun together. Papa absolutely loves teaching you Italian every chance he can. Claiming that it just sounds so much better rolling off of your tongue. And in turn, he cherishes every time you sit in his lap to teach him more of your language. Papa picks it up rather fast, even if it’s not entirely perfect. You both eventually know enough to hold a conversation in each other’s mother tongue! Though Papa prefers letting you get to speak, no matter what the language is. He just finds your voice soothing overall. He also happily teaches you how to curse someone out so you can use it in the ministry! You laughed at the generous offer! 

Papa III: Ever the romantic, Papa finds it incredibly charming when you flaunt your linguistic skill around him! Language is such a beautiful and fascinating subject! There is nothing more interesting to him than learning how each different language communicates- especially when it comes to poetry and music. He is wrapped around your finger each time you use your first language to flirt with him. Papa will constantly encourage you to try and seduce him with your words (even if you only pretend. He’ll never know what you’re ACTUALLY saying if you say it with enough flirty tones!) While proficient in the languages he uses regularly for his Papal duties, it takes him a little longer than his eldest brother to pick up your first language. But that doesn’t stop him from trying! Papa will go out of his way to make sure he knows the basics so he can always tell you the most important phrases of your mother tongue! Such as ‘Good Morning/Night’, ‘Thank you’, all the pick up lines, and eventually ‘I love you.’ Though the majority of the time, he uses it to flirt with you or gossip. 

Papa IV/Cardinal Copia: One of the original reasons you fell for Copia was that he went out of his way to learn your native tongue when you first became friends. According to him, you always exclusively used Italian when speaking with him. It was only fair that he learned your first language too! Copia was a hobbyist linguist on top of being an official tome translator for the ministry at one point. So he was happy to learn a new language to converse with you! As a couple, this is one of his favorite ways to bond with you. He sees it as a chance to grow closer to you while perfecting his grammar and pronunciations! Typically, Copia will switch to your native tongue when you are alone or at home. But he’s also not above utilizing it in public when he doesn’t want others to eavesdrop… or just shit talk someone in the room he can’t stand.

[nihildenial]

On the Nose by nihil-denial (wc: 1,465)

Pairings: Special Ghoul & Copia's Rats

Rating: Gen

Tags: Fluff, No hurt, Animal love, Copia's rats, Rigatoni the Rat

Summary: Special Ghoul believes he won't enjoy pet-sitting Papa Emeritus IV's twelve pet rats. Perhaps he shouldn't make assumptions that quickly.

It’s difficult to continue daily tasks in a quiet Ministry. Special Ghoul’s routine of sweeping, paperwork, and media management was typically easy because of the flurry of activity that kept distracting him. However, with Papa Emeritus IV, the Ghouls, and Papa Nihil out on tour, Phil was left in charge of most of the ghoul’s daily chores. The Siblings stepped up for a lot of it, much to his relief. 

So, that meant he could keep his normal schedule of document reviewing, instgram and email wrangling, sweeping…and now, rat babysitting. He wasn’t looking forward to starting that task today. Rats were considered pests in New York City, only an hour’s drive from the Ministry. Sure, the Rats song was fun to shoot and the cartoon stickers Copia handed out were cute, but the real animals were probably a mess of dirty vermin that the man has managed to look past to find something adorable in.

He probably would get dirt all in his tunic. 

Special Ghoul straightened his belt and hung his mask by his fascia as he neared Papa Copia’s room. He closed his deep amber eyes and took a deep, settling breath before he pushed through the heavy velvet curtains. 

He feels for the light switch, jumping when it triggers the large lava lamp on the side table. “Fucking hell,” he mutters and continues through the small living area to the bedroom. He switches on the overhead lights and sighs at the large metal structure taking up the entirety of the right wall. 

Special stares at it then looks to where he presumes the Anti-Pope sleeps. It’s a twin mattress on the floor, pushed up against the middle wall. The fire Ghoul knows that the man’s coffers are more than full enough for a nice bedroom set. They’re satan worshippers for fuck’s sake; Special needs to convince the man to put his selfish wants first for once. 

Special sets the several bags of things on the neatly tucked bed. A packet of paper is sitting innocently on the Star Wars pillow. 

He then walks to the floor-to-ceiling cage and comes eye-to-eye with the rodents Copia so dearly loves. Special flips to the first page (it’s a motherfucking table of contents) and then the next, which has a picture and description of each of the twelve pet rats. 

Alfredo

Allegro

Buccatini

Crescendo

Farfalle

Gemelli

Gemini

Legato

Minestra

Opus

Rigatoni

Toccata

A star sticker was placed next to Rigatoni’s picture, designating him as Copia’s ‘heart rat’ or whatever that meant. Phil closes the packet and sets it aside. He toes off his shoes outside of the baby crates that surround the cage and carefully steps inside, trying not to step on any of the toys. 

Squeaks of all pitches meet his ears. He finally looks up to meet the excited gazes of the rats. They’re squirming, jumping, wrestling and going between the many different levels of the cage. A bunch of them gather on the floor nearest his face. There’s little dirt or visible poop on the colorful blankets and dig box. In fact, the longer he stands there, he notices how they use their tiny arms to lick and wash their faces and bodies.

“Why are you all actually cute?” He asks quietly as a pink nose pushes between the thin bars of the enclosure. He boops it gently. “I can’t let Papa know he was right.”

The black and white rodent jumps away from the bars, scurries up onto one of the hanging hammocks, then bounces back to press against the bars. It repeats it when Special touches the pink nose again.

Oh, it wants to play. 

“Okay, okay, let me make sure this is secure before I let all of you out.” He checks the corners of the playpen, fills the thin bowl with water and most of the frozen peas and carrots, then steps back up to the cage. The latch on the bottom area is simple. 

As soon as the doors are open, the rats are eagerly scurrying down the short ramp to the cushioned floor. Copia’s instructions say he can let them go by themselves for a bit, so he steps out to observe them.

Special watches their fuzzy, avocado-shaped bodies move with such a feeling of excitement that he finds himself smiling down at them. Geez, he’s turning soft. 

A large, golden rat pauses in its place at the platter of peas and pellets to stare up at him. It crawls around its packmates and tries to jump onto the playgate. Surprisingly it makes it almost to the top. Special falls to his knees and grabs the rodent to keep it from escaping. 

The animal is squishy, warm, and wiggly. It calms as it relaxes in the radiant warmth of his palm, closing its beady but cute black eyes. According to the papers, this is Rigatoni, a special rat. 

Special ghoul carefully pets the rat’s head with a finger. When the rat relaxes more, he caresses the animal’s pudgy body. 

It’s calming. Special is holding a tiny life in his hands, and is being trusted unconditionally . He’s a scrappy fire ghoul meant to fight in the pits of Hell and this little creature finds something good enough in him to relax. He has to wipe the hot tears from his eyes with the sleeve of his tunic. 

“Hello, Rigatoni,” he croaks. 

The rat opens its eyes and stretches its delicate pink arms and legs, climbing up his arm to sit on his shoulder. 

Special has seen Copia walking around with a few of the rodents like this. Sometimes he even puts a basket on his stupid tricycle for several rats to ride around in. 

More of the rats have finished fishing for peas to hop at the gate to gain his attention. He reaches down and picks up one of the docile black and white ones. Allegro paws at the embroidered ghoul symbols. 

“Yes, I’m a ghoul,” he answers the rat.

He has to put the rat back down when it tries chewing off the patch. “No, no. No nibbling off my patches. I know it was a few of you little shits that did that to Papa’s favorite pants.”

He tries to look at them sternly, but their tiny, curious faces make it extremely difficult. Special reads a few more pages of Copia’s instructions. 

“You guys want some treats?” He says and laughs at the eager frenzy that causes. He presses the rectangular bits of sweet potato, peas, and walnut pieces in the different balls, snuffle mats, and hammocks. 

Rigatoni crawls down his arm to hop back into the playpen to join the search for treats. When he tries to take one of the balls to put more treats in, Toccata grabs it and starts an impromptu tug-of-war. When Phil carefully tosses it in, the grey rat pushes it around with it’s pink nose like a dog. 

-

“Have you seen Special Ghoul?” Sister Gwenyth pokes her head into the Siblings’ communal kitchen.

Brother Ezra shakes his head from where he’s stirring in a large pot. “Not since this morning. He said he was going to feed Papa’s rats.”

She purses her lips and looks to the few other Siblings in the kitchen. All of them give her equally unhelpful answers. She turns and heads back out into the cloister, checking the empty Ghoul crypt once more. She goes back upstairs to the main level and heads towards the papal wing. 

She tries not to think too hard about the empty bedrooms as she passes them. She stops outside the curtain, a line of light spilling from under the doorway. “Phil?” She calls.

When she gets no answer, she cautiously steps inside. The living room is empty, so she moves on.

The bed is filled with the Ghoul’s duffel bag and discarded silver mask. She looks over the edge of the playpen by the open rat cage (not seeing any rats or squeaks, which makes her panic) and sees the most adorable sight.

Special Ghoul, asleep in the middle of the large space, with twelve rats snuggling in the junctions of his neck and on top of his chest. He looks so peaceful, his sharp, charcoal grey features relaxed. The rats on his chest are snuggling under one of his hands, their tails sticking out from his fingers. In the crook of his neck is a bunch of curled up rodent noses pressed against each other and moving with their breaths. 

She has to physically restrain herself from making noise. Gwenyth frantically captures the moment with her phone and sends it to Copia. She checks that all of them are indeed breathing and snaps another picture before leaving them alone. The tax documents can wait until tomorrow.