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writingjourney · 9 months

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Heavens Away | Secondo x f!Reader

For a brief moment he feels like he’s standing in the chapel, gazing into the face of Lilith on the triptych, envying the serpent that is intimately wrapped around her body. He would worship you, he thinks, in much the same way.

Content: 2.8k words, f!reader, smut (breast play, dry humping, kissing, marking, praise, oral sex m receiving, p in v sex, soft dominance, couch sex, unprotected), some affectionate and loving Secondo smut ♡ – 18+, MDNI

Masterlist – Ao3 link

He watches you for a time-stopping moment – the frame is frozen, the video on pause, the clock ticking in a vacuum. He is the visitor in a museum of fine arts who stops in front of a painting to admire. The scene is simple. You sit by the window in nothing but a loose shirt, the evening sunlight illuminating your head like a halo – an angel dipped in liquid gold. The book you’re reading is one of his, a restored early edition of Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, and you handle it with the care of a mother cradling her child.

Perhaps you notice his attention. The frames start moving again as your head turns in his direction. And then you smile. He can’t bring himself to look away, even though he knows it will eventually disturb the view. If the sunlight is warm, it holds nothing to the warmth in your gaze.

As expected you close the book and delicately place it on the armchair as you rise. He watches your figure as it crosses the room, so familiar to his eyes and hands, yet never losing the charm of novelty. You stop where he has reclined comfortably on the sofa and his eyes are drawn upwards to meet yours, the scene changing into a new composition. For a brief moment he feels like he’s standing in the chapel, gazing into the face of Lilith on the triptych, envying the serpent that is intimately wrapped around her body. He would worship you, he thinks, in much the same way.

You reach out with cautious hands, cradling his head as softly as the book, like he is precious beyond any measurable worth. Secondo can’t resist the temptation any longer, wondering if you are the serpent after all. He pulls you down into his lap, face pressed against yours so firmly that you can feel the outline of his nose in your cheek. You wrap your arms around him for support, giggling slightly when he drags his lips over the sensitive spot below your ear. He inhales the sound like he inhales your scent, then exhales in warm huffs against your tender throat.

“You smell divine, my dove.” He nuzzles you again, slowly this time, then hums in delight. “My favorite scent.”

You move your hands back to his head, gently scratching and massaging his scalp. “You’re very affectionate today.”

His lips ghost over your jaw. “Is that so bad?”

Right when you open your mouth to answer he sucks on your skin and you gasp, squirming on his thighs to try and calm your growing need. His hands settle on your hips in a firm grip, keeping you steady as his wet lips trail further down. “N-No.”

“You taste divine too,” he mumbles, unimpressed by your reaction. “So good for me, so very good for your Papa.”

“Seco–”

You trail off when his lips attach to your neck, sucking roughly. You cling to his shoulder, his neck, anywhere you can reach, moaning as you feel lustful shivers running down your spine. For a while you get lost under his ministrations, all your love for him so very palpable when he touches you like this. His teeth nibble your skin, his tongue soothing over the spot before he sucks yet again, so hard you wonder if he’s trying to absorb you, suck you into him. Desperately aching for him, you attempt to move your hips against his, to feel more of him, but his grip is too firm. With his mouth so insistent, your skin soon starts to burn, then properly ache. Maybe he’s already broken it, licking up your blood without faltering.

“Papa, it h-hurts,” you whimper.

He breaks away slightly. “Does it?”

“Hm, lots.”

“Mi scusi, amore, I get a little… carried away. You forgive me, sì?”

“Mhm.”

You’d forgive him anything, you both know this, especially when he calls you amore. The corners of his mouth spread against your neck as they form a loving smile. His lips tenderly move over the abused spot, a featherlight kiss that sends goosebumps over your skin, leaving a wet mark that feels cool as he breaks away.

“Better, yes?”

You smile as you gaze into his shimmering mismatched eyes, then at his mouth that is all messy and blotched. “Yes, better.”

“Give your Papa a proper kiss now, hm?”

Your lips meet his in a silent gasp, remains of his make-up mixing with your spit and leaving a bitter taste on your tongue. His kisses are always deliberate, even in your daily life. He never kisses in passing but sacrifices a few precious seconds to linger, firm and intimate, until you know he does not take even a fraction of you for granted.

There lies a certain pain in knowing that someone wants your body but nothing more. That they love you enough to take your pleasure but not enough to help and carry the weight of your soul. This is not what being with Secondo feels like. He is slowly, carefully peeling the outer layers from your heart, reaching into the depths of your desires beyond just the carnal lust you both share. Every kiss and touch caress parts of you that you kept protected for so long that you forgot they existed. You think, you hope, that you are doing the same for him.

You break the kiss for a sigh when his hands push underneath the shirt that is draped over your body, unbuttoned and falling open as soon as his hands move upwards to cup your breasts – his shirt, really, that you wrapped around your shoulders earlier that evening. Your skin is soft as he feels the weight of them, gently kneading the supple flesh and circling your nipples with his thumbs. Secondo kisses you again when you arch into his touch, swallowing the whimpers and moans his deft fingers draw from you. You’re free to roll your hips now and you take advantage of your position. He can’t fight off a groan when he feels the outlines of your cunt grinding down on his cock, slicking your underwear as well as his pants.

“I want you in my mouth,” you whisper. “Please.”

He has never been able to deny you the pleasure of tasting him, no matter how fast it usually brings him to his release, seeing that you are always so eager to please him. When he looks into your eyes now, filled with need and devotion, he swallows against a dry throat.

“Ask me again,” he says. “Tell me how much you want it.”

“Please, let me taste you. Let me feel your weight on my tongue, Papa. I crave you.”

He gives a nod and you break away to settle between his legs on the floor, thighs tightly pressed together. His arms have spread over the back of the sofa and he shifts his hips forward to grant you better access, bracing you between his strong thighs. With the same deft, cautious fingers you open the buckle of his belt, feeling your own wetness on his crotch as you pull down the zipper of his slacks. He is beautifully hard and Secondo gives a relieved sigh when you pull his cock from its restraints. You immediately nuzzle it, pressing your cheek against his hot, leaking member.

“You are an infernal sight,” he comments. “A paragon of lust and devotion.”

You smile and rub your face against his cock, looking up to meet his intense gaze. His eyes are focused on you as he brings his hand to your other cheek, so tenderly that it draws a sigh from you. You lean in to kiss his abdomen, pressing more soft kisses around his cock, the tender skin where it meets his body, down his length, never losing sight of him. His skin tastes salty and his dark pubic hair tickles your nose as you kiss down to his balls. The hand on your cheek fully cups you now, his thumb pressing just below your eye, and you smile up at him.

“Are you teasing your Papa?” Secondo asks, swallowing hard in his visible strain.

“No,” you assure him with a kiss to the underside of his shaft. “I am loving my Papa.”

His lips part but before he can say anything, you close your lips around his tip and distort his words into a low groan. Instead of forcing you to go faster, he allows you to set a languid pace, breaking away to kiss his hooded tip every so often while his hand gently combs through your hair. You take your time, looking up at him with big, hopeful eyes, trying to show him exactly how much you appreciate him. You don’t need him to be strong and perfect all the time. You want him to let go of his social constraints and allow himself to just be when he’s with you – your partner, your lover, the Papa of your very own church.

His breathing becomes more erratic when you take him deeper, caressing him with your tongue and hollowing your cheeks. You can feel his thighs flexing at your sides and you wrap your hand around the base of his cock, never losing sight of him. His eyes stay on yours as well, even as his eyelids begin to flutter from the stimulation. His hand tightens in your hair but he doesn’t exert any force, just holds you, massaging your scalp encouragingly.

“Amore,” he warns when he’s getting close. “Come up here, per favore. I want to feel your skin on mine.”

You break away, leaving him wet and achingly hard as you climb back into his lap. He urges you out of your garments, then pushes his pants fully down while you work open the buttons on his own shirt. He’s meticulous and before long you have your hands on his solid chest, caressing the dark curly hair that runs all over his body.

“I want you, Papa,” you whisper, kissing him again with an eager, open mouth.

Secondo allows you to grind down on his cock, the wetness between your legs easing the movement as he glides between your folds. You moan into each other’s mouths at the sensation and he pulls you close, chest against chest, so perfectly intimate and warm.

When you break away from the kiss, he purrs. “You have pleased your Papa, I think it is time that he pleases you, hm?”

His hands firmly grip your hips again, denting the soft flesh as he moves you to lie flat on your back. The sofa gives a squeak when he settles between your legs, spreading them as wide as the narrow surface allows. This is not his ideal spot in your quarters, he prefers to have space, to take his time with you to give you the attention you deserve. Right now, however, he is too stunned by the sight of you sprawled out underneath him with the evening sun still dipping your curves into its orange light. He remembers his silent promise to worship you and so he lets his lips caress every inch of your body he can reach.

He begins at the bruising spot on your neck. Already you squirm, trying to guide his mouth further down, and so he gathers your hands to pin them over your head. He has taught you patience over the time you’ve been together but he can never quite tame your eagerness. Not that he earnestly wants to.

“Ssh,” he says. “It is my turn to love you now.”

The deep breath you take at his words vibrates under his mouth as he kisses your sternum. You shiver, goosebumps spreading underneath his lips. Secondo gives himself another few minutes, covering your chest in kisses, leaving a few deep red marks in the most prominent spots.

“Please,” you whisper, your wrists fighting against his strong grip.

He does not let go, instead he brings his lips back to yours, pushing his tongue inside the cavity of your mouth and delving as deep as you allow. Your hips buck and he presses you down with his full weight, plundering your mouth until your lips are swollen. His free hand moves between your bodies, ghosting over your mound until his fingers graze your clit. You gasp at the contact, closing your eyes as they lose their focus. He aligns his cock with your entrance, teasing you both by dragging his tip along your slit and lightly dipping inside.

“Oh, Papa.”

Secondo stills and circles your aching, swollen clit, drawing whimpers and deep lustful sounds from your throat with every rotation. Your moans are his favorite gospel, your breathy words the most devoted prayer he has ever heard. Again, your arms resist as you shift beneath his grasp, rolling your hips into his touch in your search for more.

“Papa,” you whisper, voice laced with complaint.

“You want to touch me, amore?” he asks, tightening his grip on your wrists.

“Yes.”

“Hmmmm, will you beg for me? You know how I love it when you do.”

“Papa,” you repeat, squirming impatiently in his hold. “Papa, please. I want to touch you.”

He doesn’t let go but looks down at you with a loving glimmer in his eyes that speaks more than any confession ever could. He looks vulnerable and for a drawn-out moment you just look at each other, no words necessary when your eyes meet. His lips part and the last traces of his resistance slowly melt away.

“Secondo,” you whisper now. “Please.”

He finally releases your wrists and then his whole face softens, the deep creases evening out until he’s smiling. You wrap your hands around his neck, refamiliarising yourself with the tenderness of his skin as your fingertips trace every single curve you can find. It’s the touch of a butterfly, tickling so softly that it takes his breath away.

“Amore, you have already touched me,” he says, a shimmer glossing over his eyes, tears or a trick of the light, you’re not quite certain, “in so many ways.”

With that he finally pushes inside, dragging his cock slowly along your walls until your hips are flush and he can’t go any deeper. He fills you so perfectly, molding you around him to match his shape. Every roll of his hips is a revelation, every moan a promise of his unending devotion to you. You pull him closer until his full weight is resting on you and you can feel his warm skin on yours. Even though his thrusts are more shallow now they seem to fill you even more thoroughly, spreading pleasure in your whole body. Soon you clench around him, your hands grasping him tightly, and he grinds into you with more fervor.

“Come for me, my dove,” he whispers, grunting when he feels the tightness in his own body that announces his impending release. His thumb goes back to drawing circles over your clit. “Come for your Papa.”

You shudder, then the heat in your belly spreads in rippling waves as you fall over the edge, wrapping your legs around him to keep him as close as possible. Secondo stills for a moment, inhaling sharply when he feels you tightening around him, revelling in the sounds you make, the sensation of your body trembling underneath him with the intensity of your pleasure. All of his senses are attuned to you.

“Hm, so good for me,” he says, trying to hold back for a little longer. “S-so good.”

When you begin to come down from your high he continues to move, extending your pleasure. You gently stroke his neck, his back, caressing him as he approaches his own release. He can feel the love in your soft touches and his chest clenches, his heart stuttering just like his hips when he finally comes. He groans and buries his face in your neck as he spills heavily inside of you. He gives you all that he has, a few more shallow thrust to prolong the sensation. When he is spent, he rolls you onto your sides, keeping you close.

In the shared space, your breaths mingle, and he can’t help but nuzzle your nose, placing another soft, lingering kiss to your mouth.

“I love you, Secondo,” you whisper, still caressing the back of his head.

“And I love you, my dove,” he replies.

You smile and close your eyes but he can’t bring himself to stop looking at your relaxed, angelic face. If he had any talent he would paint you just like this, capture you basking in such deep bliss and preserve the sight for all of eternity. Instead he leans in to press two featherlight kisses to your eyelids, another one to your nose, then your lips, and traps the picture deep inside of his heart.

Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed – kudos, comments, rbs etc are as always much appreciated ♡

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gravehags · 6 months

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your sin, your preacher

Pairing: Papa Emeritus II x F!Reader

Rating: Explicit, 18+ ONLY MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

Tags: jealousy, possessiveness, rough sex, tender love confessions

Words: 1,618

Summary: You really should be used to this kind of thing by now but watching him with others never fails to make your blood burn.

a/n: AHA REMEMBER ME have a horny secondo fic based on a dream i had several weeks ago that i can no longer remember any of the pertinent details to. anyway cheers i did not intend for this to get so sweet at the end but i can't help myself. tender bitch disease status: terminal.

divider by @ghuleh-recs

It wasn’t like it was the first time you’ve felt that pang of jealousy when the two of you were out but Sathanas did it sting.

The two of you are currently in Secondo’s bedroom both silently undressing after a Ministry event at a favored local club. All the upper clergy were present that night with only a handful of siblings - you being one of them. But you know you’re no ordinary sibling. Everyone knows you’re no ordinary sibling. Papa Secondo’s favorite. Papa Secondo’s mistress. Papa Secondo’s faithful little lap bitch. You’ve heard it all at this point and none of it really bothered you. What did however, despite internally chastising yourself every time it happened, was your reaction when you’d see others hanging all over your lover. And oh, did they hang. Painted lips close to his ear, promising him a night he’ll never forget as hands slide along his inner thigh. You had been speaking to Cardinal Copia that evening, the two of you complaining about your dislike of the music and the volume at which it was being blasted, when you saw a woman in a short dress, hanging on his side, her hand dangerously low on his belly. Secondo didn’t acknowledge her - instead electing to continue his conversation with Papa Terzo - but his disinterest didn’t stop her from continuing the path of her red-clawed hand. When she cupped your lover’s clothed cock, bile rose in your throat until the observant Cardinal took it upon himself to step in front of you and break your line of sight. You should be used to it by now, you chastised yourself, it’s part of the job. All part of the game he has to play.

Yeah well it didn’t mean you had to like it.

Having stripped yourself of your clothing and jewelry, you silently grab your nightgown - a short black silk sleep chemise gifted to you by the man watching you carefully from across the room - and head towards the bathroom, shutting the door quietly behind you. As you diligently remove your makeup you wonder if he could sense your irritation, feel the ugly green jealousy seeping off of you through the wall that divided the two of you. You wouldn’t be surprised, he’s always been startlingly good at seeing what you try your best to hide. Face washed, teeth brushed, you slip your nightgown over your head and loosen your hair with a sigh. With your hands on either side of the sink supporting you, you look up at your reflection.

He chose you.

You smile at yourself and push yourself off the porcelain and put your hands on your hips.

But it doesn’t hurt to remind him.

Turning around you shut the bathroom light off and open the door. He’s already in bed, mismatched eyes watching you like a hawk as you pad across the rug and fling back the luxurious sheets to climb in beside him. You don’t have to say anything as you lie on your back with your eyes shut and simply wait. He’s predictable like that. And before long, you feel a long, elegant hand slide across your belly and up to your breast. You pretend not to notice him even as dextrous fingers circle your nipple. When he pinches insistently, hard, at the bud you finally let your eyes fly open and as soon as you do, he’s upon you. He doesn’t kiss you but instead drags his crooked nose along your neck and inhales deep.

“Amore…” he breathes and you can smell the expensive whiskey he drinks on his breath mixed with the mint of his toothpaste. “You looked delicious tonight.”

“Did I?” you ask, attempting to sound disinterested even as heat and slick pools between your thighs. “Kind of you to notice.”

That makes him pause and you seize the opportunity to flip him onto his back and straddle his hips. He’s half hard between the two of you and you know he can feel your wetness as you pin his forearms above his head. There’s a fire in his eyes now and you grind down on him with a sigh.

“Diavoletta mia,” he growls, “you play a dangerous game.”

“Oh?” you idly lift your hips and grab his cock to tease the head at your soaked entrance. Your hands are no longer holding him down but he obediently stays in place, electing instead to watch you sink down on him with a groan.

“Fuck,” you breathe, eyes rolling back at the way he stretches you. Frantically your hands search for the hem of your nightgown and in a smooth motion you lift it over your head and fling it aside. When his eyes meet the sway of your breasts you can’t help but smile with pride. You’ve never seen him look at anyone else with that gaze. Slowly, your hips begin to undulate as you slide off of him then take him back in. When his hands twitch you have to laugh - you know all he wants is to place them on either side of your hips and guide you.

“Ah, ah–ah!” The chastisement loses its bite when on the last syllable, his hips thrust upwards to fuck into you. He’s smirking at you now and with your brows furrowed, you take your hand and wrap it around his throat.

“So dominant, agnellino mio,” he taunts, “tell me does it lessen the sting of seeing that woman with her hand on my cock tonight?”

Your jaw drops and your face flushes in anger as you squeeze on either side of his throat. Bastard. Ruthlessly you begin to ride him, watching even as his iron control slips with each clench of your cunt.

“You’re–lucky–” you pant, flinging your hair back, “almost went home with someone else tonight. That–Cardinal Copia–is such a sweet man. I’m sure he would treat me right. Might–might even be able to fill me better than this too.”

You knew you’d gone too far even as the words left your mouth. With a roar, Secondo flips you onto your back and with one large hand, effectively pins both of your wrists above your head. You’re about to throw a retort back at him when he slams inside of you with such force your head nearly grazes the headboard. All you can manage to is moan, higher and higher, as he pounds into you at a bruising rate.

“Never–forget–amore,” he snarls in between thrusts, “you are mine. You are mine and I am yours, capisci? This body–ah–this body is yours. This–ugh–soul is yours. This bed is ours and this cock is yours.”

Your lips form the words but no sound manages to come out - how could it at the rate he fucks the breath from your lungs? - so you nod frantically, tears sliding down your temples. The pleasure is bordering on pain but you don’t even care, how could you when you feel so deliciously used? When your spine begins to tighten and you feel your body bend off the mattress, you come with an exaltant scream of his name, cunt spasming around the thick length of him. If he was wild before, feeling and hearing your pleasure makes him positively feral, grunting and swearing profusely. When his previously precise thrusts become erratic, his hips stuttering, you know he’s close and so you end his suffering and sweetly clench around him once, twice, thrice and he comes with a hoarse shout, pumping rope after rope of seed into your cunt. When he finally relinquishes his grip on your wrists your hands immediately cup his cheeks and drag him down for a fierce kiss. He remains inside of you as his body sags and leans into your touch, momentarily breaking the kiss to pant into your mouth and nudge your nose with his.

“Amata mia, amata cara ragazza…do not ever doubt your Papa’s fidelity. I am yours, mi hai sentito? Only yours.”

With one final, uncharacteristically soft kiss he slips out of you and collapses to the side. You lament the loss of him inside you but your heart is so full to bursting tears begin sliding down your face once more.

“Secondo?”

"Sì, bellezza mia?”

“I love you.”

Those words were rare to pass between the two of you and always have been but you have never felt it more fiercely here, in this moment, as your body aches beautifully from his touch. You dare not look at him, instead choosing to stare at the coffered ceiling of the bedroom as tears continue to pour freely. There is a moment, then another, and you realize he’s staring at you so you finally turn to meet his gaze and oh, what you see there makes you gasp. Those mismatched eyes you love so dearly regard you with such raw feeling a hiccup bubbles in your chest. Gently, he reaches up and with two fingers, brushes the hair out of your eyes, followed by your tears.

“I do not know why the Unholy Father has seen to bless me in my old age but cara…you are my greatest treasure. Dolcezza mia. The words do not do how I feel justice but I will say them all the same. Ti amo.”

When you were watching siblings of sin grind on each other to the tacky thump of club music earlier that evening you had never anticipated this is how your night would end. You’ll pay for it tomorrow - you both will - your body bruised and used and his knees and back aching. No matter, you think as you curl your body into his, hand carding idly through the dark hair on his chest. Anything would be worth this.

#papa emeritus ii x reader #secondo x reader #secondo x female reader #papa emeritus ii x female reader #papa emeritus ii #secondo #secondo emeritus #papa secondo #the band ghost #the band ghost fic #rachel writes

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ramblingoak · 5 months

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Little Thief

Secondo x Female Reader

A little yeehaw!Secondo story for my dearest friendo @kissingghouls. Happy Birthday to my favorite haunted painting! I hope you have the most amazing day because you deserve only amazing things 💙 (special thank you to @tasty-ribz for the perfect Secondo art)

Warnings: gun violence, smut, nsfw 18+ only, mdni, 5,700 words, this does have a connection to The Cardinal's Bride universe but you can enjoy this just fine on its own! (thank you to @gothdaddyissues for the dividers!)

Coming here was a mistake.

You jumped over the bar as the bullets started flying, ducking down and throwing an arm over your head when the liquor bottles began shattering above you. The Ministry was a big mark, way bigger than you had ever hit before, and you knew, you knew that it was going to be risky. You just hadn’t expected this to happen. Although at least the gunfight wasn’t your fault.

This time.

A body crashed down next to you, lifeless and still. With a grunt you turned it over to search for their gun. It was still in its holster so you yanked it out, pausing to shove your hand into their back pocket and take their wallet too. It’s not like they were gonna need either anyway. You rolled onto your knees, carefully putting your hands at the edge of the bartop to take a peek over.

“Well, shit.”

Chaos was still reigning over the casino floor but fortunately now it was mostly fist fights. The Ghouls that worked here had made quick work of most of those that had started shooting. You could see a small pile of bodies forming already. The two big Ghouls that were working the door that night easily lugging the men around. They were distracted enough you glanced towards the door, knowing that you needed to get out of there soon. Especially before any deputies arrived.

Lowering yourself back down you started crawling towards the door, keeping behind the bar and trying to avoid the broken glass. Tonight had been such a damn waste. You should have just skipped the town altogether. This is what happened when you got cocky but damn, you had gotten tired of doing small jobs. Stealing from a big casino, from The Ministry of all places, would have been perfect. And it would have given you enough money to have a little breathing room before your next job.

Oh well, you had gotten a decent enough amount from cheating at cards. It was enough to get you a room in the next town over for a few weeks at least. You reached the end of the bar and started to pull yourself up for one last look. Unfortunately you weren’t met with a view of the casino floor like you expected. Instead you ended up face to face with the man that ran The Ministry, a man you had heard enough about to know you should avoid him at all costs.

“Going somewhere?” Secondo’s tone was bored, his eyes raking over you briefly before he turned his attention to the glass of whiskey in his hand. “That’s a shame, I was hoping you’d stay a little longer.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

You knew you should’ve just kept your mouth shut and made a run for the door. The Ghouls were still occupied enough sorting through who needed to be kicked or carried out that you doubted any of them would try to stop you. The chance of this man trying to stop you though had you frozen in place.

“I was curious how much more of my money you would steal.”

Fuck. You glanced towards the door but Secondo was smirking when you looked back so you stayed put. There was no way you’d make it now. He might be surrounded by his Ghouls but you’d heard enough stories about Papa Secondo to have a healthy amount of fear of him. Enough to realize you definitely shouldn’t have come here. You took a fortifying breath and squared your shoulders while you stared him down.

Time to see if you could talk yourself out of trouble.

“I didn’t steal anything.”

“Come now, I’m not an idiot.” He took a sip of his drink before continuing, “And despite you thinking you could get away with stealing from me I don’t think you’re one either.”

“A compliment from Papa? Sounds like something I should brag about.” When those odd eyes of his flashed to yours you reached out and grabbed the drink from his hands, knocking back a mouthful before setting it down. “Kind of like how I’d brag about stealing from you. You know, if I had done that.”

“Are you sure? Because I’ve been watching you most of the night.” His voice had dropped an octave and he’d turned to give you his full attention. “Ever since my associate Mist told me what you were up to.”

“Mist?”

“She’s at the end of the bar now. Watching.” You looked down to see a woman with piercing blue eyes leaning against the bar. When you turned back to Secondo he had leaned in close and his breath danced across your cheek with his next words. “She thinks you will do something stupid.”

“The only stupid thing I did tonight was come here.” He narrowed his eyes at your comment but you continued anyway, “Your games are terrible and this whiskey is mostly water.”

You weren’t sure what you had been expecting him to do at your insults. Threaten you maybe. At worst try to grab you and then who knows what. Mist certainly seemed the type to do whatever her boss told her to do. But all Secondo did was laugh, the sound drew the attention of some of the other Ghouls but they got back to cleaning quickly.

“Ma dài, bellezza? Sei una terribile bugiarda.”

“What did you call me?” Secondo’s only answer was to let his eyes wander over you again before taking another drink. “Answer me.”

“A terrible liar.” His smirk returned when he saw your face turning red. “But I suppose I could also call you a terrible thief.”

“A lot of words just to call me a liar.”

“Unfortunately the other ones will cost you.”

Secondo stepped around the end of the bar to stand beside you. To have him so close was…intoxicating was the only word you could think of. Despite the danger he posed you there was no denying that he was an extremely handsome man. His presence alone commanded attention, respect and a healthy dose of fear if you had wronged him. But your heart wasn’t racing just because you had a pocketful of money you’d stolen from him.

“I’m afraid I don’t have much to give you.” You teasingly patted the sides of your jacket, taking a moment to flash it open so he could see the gun holstered at your hip. “So how about we call it a night before anything else happens.”

“What could happen?” He reached over to one of the few unbroken bottles along the wall and poured himself another drink. “Would you continue to cheat at cards?”

“I didn’t fucking cheat.”

“Or perhaps there’s a pair of loaded dice hidden in a pocket somewhere.” Secondo took a step closer, pinning you against the bar. “Would you let me look, ladruncola?”

It irritated you how badly you wanted to say ‘yes’ but honestly the longer he looked at you like that the more you wanted him to. Up close he smelled so good, he looked good too. His clothes were immaculate, down to the green handkerchief peeking out of his vest pocket. There wasn’t any harm in enjoying his company for the evening, right?

Especially if it got you out of trouble.

“As long as you search me in your room and not at the bar.” You found yourself returning his pleased smile but a flash of something reflecting in the glass of the bottle behind him had your chest seizing. One hand went for your gun while your other grabbed ahold of Secondo’s vest and you shoved him to the side with all your might. “Get down!”

Secondo cursed as the bottle shattered and you ducked to the side as you turned with your gun raised. A few tables from the bar one of the men that started the fight was standing with his own gun pointed your way. Secondo’s way. He snarled and moved to point it at you but he was too late, you let out two shots that hit him in the chest and had his body jerking backwards. The nearest Ghoul kicked the gun out of his hand but you knew he wouldn’t be getting up from that.

“Well, well.” You turned to look down at Secondo, relieved to see him unhurt but also smirking at you. Even if it was infuriating. “Grazie, ladruncola.”

“What does that mean?” Secondo took your offered hand, rising from the floor elegantly. He nodded towards Mist when she wandered over and she quickly turned away to go to the other Ghouls. When you tried to pull your hand back he held it tighter, his thumb sweeping across your knuckles. “I’m waiting.”

“Grazie means ‘thank you’. And I’ll say it again, ladruncola.” He brought your hand up to his mouth, pressing a lingering kiss to the back. The hairs of his mustache tickled your skin softly when he repeated himself. “Grazie.”

“You’re welcome,” Your knuckles received kisses next followed by him turning your hand over to kiss your palm. “But I meant the other word.”

“I’d rather tell you after I get you in my room.”

You sighed, knowing you probably should just leave. After saving him he probably would let you without a fuss too. There was just something about him that had you taking a step closer to straighten the handkerchief in his vest. You rested your hand on his chest and moved it up towards his shoulder while you leaned in close.

“As long as you promise to make it worth my while.” He was grinning when you pulled away, his mismatched eyes twinkling in a way you didn’t think you’d be able to forget. “Papa.”

“That’s a challenge I’m happy to accept.”

“How many weapons do you have?”

Secondo’s voice was equally incredulous and impressed. You gave him a smirk of your own as you placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back towards his bed. He went willingly, his eyes dropping down to your hands as you made quick work of pulling the two knives he hadn’t found out of their hiding places.

“I like to be prepared.” When he sat back on the bed you followed, placing a knee on either side of his legs and resting your hands on his shoulders. “Surely you can appreciate that, hmm?”

“I can.” He took your mouth in a dizzying kiss, stealing your breath while his hands began to work on the buttons of your pants. You broke away with a gasp when he slid one hand inside, right in between your legs where you were already hot and wet. He wrapped his other arm around your waist to pull you closer, trailing kisses from the corner of your mouth all the way to your ear. “I’ll appreciate all of you tonight.”

“I think I can promise the same.” You trailed your hands down to the buttons of his vest, going for his shirt buttons when you were done. His chest was covered with dark hair, patches of silver mixed in. He nearly purred like a cat when you ran your fingers through it. While you explored his chest his own hands began to wander but you were too distracted to stop him from slipping his fingers into the hidden pocket in your shirt. “Wait!”

He pulled away, your loaded dice held triumphantly in his hand. You had a sudden jolt of fear that perhaps this was all a game to him and he only brought you up here to expose why you were even at The Ministry. Neither of you were moving, your eyes stuck on his face while he began to roll the dice between his thumb and forefinger.

“These are certainly interesting, aren’t they?” He made a loose fist and shook them, his eyes moving to your face while they rattled around. There wasn’t any anger there, if anything he seemed amused but you still couldn’t bring yourself to move. With a quick movement he flicked the dice on the floor, not looking away as they landed. “Tell me what numbers came up.”

You looked down, your legs starting to shake from where they still straddled him and your heart racing. He placed both his hands on your waist while you leaned over as far as you dared, trying to make a show of looking even though you knew what numbers would be facing up. He did too, the bastard.

“Lucky you, a pair of sixes.”

He smirked, tugging you towards him again abruptly. You fell against his chest with a grunt, your mouth hovering right over his. He flashed you a smile before responding, his words making your heart race for an entirely different reason.

“Lucky me indeed.” His eyes were locked on yours for a few heartbeats before he glanced down at your lips. “If you would like to leave I wouldn’t stop you.” He moved so his lips were hovering over your ear. “But I keep the money and the dice.”

“I don’t know, I feel like I won that money fair and square.” His chest rumbled with laughter, his hands tightening around your waist. “And I don’t want to leave.”

“Bene. Because I have been wanting to kiss you ever since you insulted my whiskey.”

A retort was on the tip of your tongue, it did taste like it was watered down, but talking was impossible when he kissed you. It was as demanding as the man itself. You wrapped your arms tighter around his neck while one of his hands gripped your head, tilting it just so to make the angle perfect. He tasted like whiskey and smoke, the combination intoxicating.

The need to feel more of him became too much, your hands pushing and pulling at his shirt and vest to get it off. With a quick movement he spun you so you were on your back on his bed, staring up at him while he took them off himself. Your eyes moved over his chest appreciatively, enjoying how the muscles of his arms moved under his skin. It was obvious he had done more than run a casino in his life. Those muscles were evidence of years working with guns and horses.

“See something you like?”

“Take the pants off and I’ll let you know.” His sudden laughter had you smiling and you lifted a foot up to rest on his thigh. “Unless you want my help?”

“I wouldn’t dream of denying you the opportunity.”

In a flash you were kneeling before him on the bed, your fingers eagerly working on the fastenings of his pants. His gun belt was already on the floor next to yours and your small pile of knives. It had surprised you he didn’t want a weapon close but you also had the sneaking suspicion he wouldn’t need any sort of weapon to take care of you if necessary. The thought should scare you, being here in his room should scare you, but all you could think of was how he was making your blood race through your veins.

And how the sight of his cock was making your mouth water.

Thick and long, it jutted out from the patch of hair between his legs proudly. There was already a drop of liquid at the tip and you leaned in to lick it off, grinning when it twitched. You locked eyes with him as you wrapped your lips around the tip, applying pressure along the bottom with your tongue. You began to move further down but he rested his hands on the side of your head, stopping your momentum.

“Ah ah, I have a different plan.” You pulled back, licking your lips and watching him as he smiled down at you. “Would you let me taste you, ladruncola?”

“If you insist.”

The visual of Secondo dropping to his knees in front of you wasn’t one you would forget any time soon. His fingers were steady as they undid your clothes, far steadier than yours were right now. All you had the strength to do was watch, watch as he exposed more and more of you to his strange eyes. It felt a little unfair for him to still be wearing his pants as he pulled off yours but as he looked at your core you couldn’t find the words to say anything about it.

“Bellissima.” You had no idea what it meant but the word, the worshipful way he said it made your cheeks heat up. He laid his hands on the inside of your thighs and gently push them wider. As his face got closer to where you were wet for him you could see his nose twitch as he took deep breaths and you were not going to survive this. Secondo closed his eyes and you saw his lips moving briefly before he caught your gaze. “Nema.”

His mouth covered you in the next moment, his hands moving behind you to grip your ass and hold you still. It was a good thing he did because while he licked and sucked at your flesh you were twitching and shaking. The sensations were overwhelming and you couldn’t decide whether you wanted to be closer or get away from it. His nose pressed insistently against your clit while he worked his tongue around your opening, flicking and swiping it over and over. When he suddenly pushed it inside you couldn’t help but cry out, your hand letting go of the blanket in its grip and instead gripping his hair.

“Secondo, f-fu–ah!”

The man growled against you, gripping you tighter while he ate you out. Words kept bubbling in your throat but they just turned into whimpers. You weren’t even sure what you were trying to say, perhaps your own words of worship to the man himself. The rumors you had always heard about the man and his family briefly flashed in your mind. Images of the devil and upside down crosses but they were banished as soon as he slid two thick fingers into you and moved his mouth to your clit.

If this was how they worshipped the devil you’d sign up in a second.

Your peak was coming fast, wave after wave of pleasure making spots appear in your vision. Secondo didn’t let up, he just fucked you faster with his fingers. Two soon becoming three all while he sucked on your clit. Your nails kept digging harder and harder into his scalp but it didn’t seem to phase him. If anything it only spurred him on and when he curled his fingers to rub against your inner walls you felt yourself fall over a cliff, your orgasm rushing to meet you at the bottom.

“Are you awake?” You had no idea how long you had been laying there panting but his deep voice finally dragged you back from where you’d been drifting. You blinked up at him, grinning when you saw how out of sorts his mustache was. “Something amuse you?”

“I should steal from casinos more often.” Making this man laugh was like a drug and you did your best to commit the sight and sound to memory. It wasn’t just his mustache that was a mess, his hair was tussled and twisted from your fingers too. You couldn’t stop yourself from reaching up and smoothing it out, smiling softly when his eyes closed and he pressed into your hands. “You’re like a cat.”

“Un gatto?” He raised an eyebrow when you grinned. “I’ve had worse nicknames.”

“Oh? Like Papa?”

“Papa was a title, my title. Long ago.” You continued to rub along his scalp, waiting to see if he said anything else. “I went by a different one before that, before I was called back to my family.”

“What were you doing then?”

Secondo flashed you a small smile as began to pat your legs, nodding his head towards the headboard. You obediently scooted back, not being able to stop your eyes from falling to his cock. It had softened a bit but still looked eager for attention. He followed you further onto the bed, rubbing his hands up your legs until they were encouraging your thighs apart once more.

“About the same thing you’re doing now.” When you raised an eyebrow and gave him a once over he chuckled. “The same thing you were doing earlier. Stealing.”

“I wasn–”

“But I was much, much better at it, ladruncola.”

“Either fuck me or shut up.”

He smirked as he looked down at you, one hand going to his cock and beginning to stroke it. You wiggled a bit under the attention, the tension building in you again just by watching him pleasure himself. Well, two could play at that game. With a smirk of your own you began to touch yourself, sliding your fingers down your wet flesh and easily pressing two inside.

His eyes quickly locked onto your fingers, watching intensely as you moved them in and out. You added a third finger but it wasn’t even close to how it felt with his in you. With a frustrated growl you said his name and he immediately looked back up to your face. There was an unreadable look there, one you hadn’t seen yet that night. For a moment you were worried he was going to move away and tell you to leave but instead he finally moved closer. He grabbed your hand and tugged it away so he could line his cock up.

“Bone Daddy.” Your eyes flashed up to his to see him grinning. “That’s what they called me.”

You repeated the name, trying it out on your tongue. While he teased your opening with the head of his cock you thought back to those rumors you had heard of the Emeritus family. An image of Secondo with a painted face resembling a skull flashed in your mind and your gasp had little to do with how his cock was beginning to stretch you. He could be terrifying now you could barely comprehend how terrifying he would have been looking like that.

Terrifying and beautiful.

When he was all the way inside of you the name tumbled from your lips again. You took a moment to trace your finger along his face, trying to imagine what the design of the paint looked like. He let you go on for a few seconds before taking your hand in his and pressing it down next to your head. If he hadn’t of been looking at you like he was, like you were something he cared about, you would have been concerned you overstepped. Instead he lowered his head to kiss you, nipping at your lips until you opened up for his tongue.

You kissed him back, trying to match his intensity but you were getting desperate for him to move elsewhere. He groaned into your mouth when you wrapped your legs around his waist and wiggled your hips. After what felt like an eternity he finally pulled back, his lips as swollen as yours were. You felt like you were going to lose your mind if he didn’t move, if he didn’t start fucking you right now.

“Secondo, please.”

“Ah, ladruncola. You don’t need to beg. I’ll take care of you.” You bit your lip as he began to pull out, the drag of his thick length so good along your walls. He paused with the head at your entrance and you were so close to screaming at him, especially when he looked down at you smugly. “We’ll save the begging for later, eh?”

“Whatever you say Bone Daddy.”

You expected a response, another comment to continue your banter but instead he began to press back inside of you. It was a slow and steady thrust, not giving you a moment to adjust as he pushed in all the way. Your hands were scrabbling at the sheets by your head and your body trembled. When your groins touched he didn’t pause, he just started to pull out immediately.

Secondo quickly had a rhythm going, a steady drive in and out of you with his cock. All you could do was hang on, your legs still wrapped around him. The bed creaked beneath you both, the headboard hitting the wall when he began to thrust harder. He dropped down so he could kiss you, mimicking the movements of his cock with his tongue. You bit and sucked at it, one of your hands letting go of the sheet to find its way back into his hair.

Both of you were moaning, gasping as the pleasure began to build. You had to pull away from his mouth to suck in air and you buried your face in his neck while you did so. He kissed along your scalp while one of his big hands cradled the back of your head. It all suddenly felt so intimate, so much more than what it had started out as that you couldn’t help but imagine more of this. More than a night and more than a frenzied coupling.

“Look at me, ladruncola.” His fingers tightened just enough to get you to pull away, your head falling back onto the pillow. His thrusts were more sure now, purposeful. He slipped a hand down your body to touch you between your legs, his fingers finding your clit and rubbing it just right. “I want to watch you. I want to see your face.”

Fuck, it was too much but you couldn’t deny him. You clung to him and panted as you hit your peak once again, your walls spasming around him. He was the first to break eye contact, groaning and muttering in Italian when his cock began to kick and empty inside of you. For a moment you imagined that you could feel it, feel his seed fill you up. Your hips moved on their own accord then, rotating slightly to help him as he came down until he finally stopped and collapsed on top of you.

You weren’t sure if it had been minutes or hours but his weight was a comforting thing and you didn’t have any desire to move. His softened cock had fallen out of you and while the feeling of his seed leaving was uncomfortable you hoped that he would take you again before the morning arrived. You had no desire to leave this room. The only thing you wanted was Secondo and you’d take as much of him as he was willing to give you.

With a grunt he finally pulled away, rolling onto his back next to you. The cool night air drifted in through an open window across the room and distantly you could hear the tinkling keys of a piano. You risked a glance over at him, letting your eyes linger when you saw his were closed. The skull paint appeared in your mind again and you resolved to ask him later what it looked like.

“Would you like some watered down whiskey?”

You snorted, nodding when he cracked open an eye to look at you. He got up with a grunt and made his way over to a small bar against the wall. When he headed back with two glasses in his hand you sat up and leaned back against the headboard. The whiskey burned your tongue but it was good, much better than what you had at his bar.

“So you save the good stuff for yourself.”

“And you.” He tilted his head back and drained the rest of his glass, looking pleased when you did the same. With the ease of a cat he got up and refilled them, grabbing something else before he made his way back over. “I was hoping you would indulge me.”

“Haven’t I already been doing that?”

“Indeed, but I was hoping I could interest you in a game of poker.” He placed his glass on a small table by the bed and you then noticed the item in his hand was a deck of cards. They came to life in his hands as he began to shuffle them, doing moves and tricks that were impossible for your eyes to keep up with. “Perhaps you’d like to make it interesting.”

“I’m listening.”

Secondo began to deal the cards out and you leaned over to set your glass next to his so you could gather yours up.

“I would like an opportunity to win my money back.” Your eyes flashed up to his in alarm but his expression hadn’t changed. He had the same amused and almost fond look that he’d had since he had brought you into his room. You looked back down at your cards and started to shuffle them slowly. “But of course if I lose you stand to earn even more. Except fairly this time.”

“I can play fair but you’re going to regret it.”

“Oh I don’t think so. Either way I’ll still have you in my bed. Won’t I, ladruncola?”

“You haven’t told me what that means yet. Don’t think I’ve forgotten.”

“Another thing you can win then. I will translate that and more if you beat me.”

“Prepare to lose, Papa.”

Secondo laughed before taking a drink and then leaning in to kiss you. The whiskey was fresh on his tongue and you sucked at it to get a better taste. While the kiss deepened you thought about everything that had led you to this man’s bed. About getting caught up in a gun fight and then getting caught by Secondo himself.

You thought about seeing that man raise his gun and how you hadn’t even blinked before shoving Secondo out of the way. You thought of his presence and his words, how he had gotten you into his room even though he didn’t have to try very hard. It was easy to imagine this man holding the attention of a congregation if those rumors were true. You’d certainly follow him to more than just his bedroom.

When he pulled away you couldn’t help but pout and he nipped at your bottom lip before leaning back again. He picked up his cards but his gaze was steady on you, those green and white eyes unwavering. You began to fidget, shuffling your cards in slightly unsteady hands before you couldn’t take it any more.

“What?”

“I don’t think I’ll be losing at all tonight.”

“What do you mean?”

He reached out for your hand, bringing it to his mouth, cards and all. Gentle kisses were pressed over your knuckles before he let go.

“Either way I’m winning you, aren’t I?”

You had to bite your lips to stop yourself from saying something stupid. Something stupid and sappy that you had no right to say. But Secondo continued to watch you and his face was content, like he didn’t have a care in the world and just wanted to enjoy his time with you. It was a feeling you shared so you stopped trying to hide it and let it show on your face.

“Me too.”

“Bene. Well then, I’ll let you go first.”

As the game began and went on you couldn’t remember the last time you had this much fun. Obviously the sex had been amazing and you hoped there would be more of it soon but spending time with Secondo like this felt amazing too. You were able to draw some more stories out of him and in exchange you told him a few of yours. Both of you showed off some scars and the actions that led to them.

You got a description of what Bone Daddy looked like, skull paint and all. He told you about the church he and his Ghouls belonged to. Used to belong to. There was definitely more of a story there but you weren’t going to press it. As a thank you for him sharing something you could tell still pained him you shared a story that still pained you. At that point the card game was forgotten, the cards falling to the floor when you both met in a heated kiss.

Later, as you both caught your breath, your skin sticky with sweat and other things, you felt something press against your back. With a grunt you raised yourself on an elbow and reached a hand into the sheets to find the culprit. You came back with a handful of cards and as you leaned over Secondo to toss them with the others on the floor you noticed something that had you freeze.

There were two ace of spades.

Secondo was laughing when you turned to glare at him, easily bringing a hand up to block the cards when you threw them his way. You wanted to make a bigger deal of it but the problem was you recognized them as your own cards. The bastard had grabbed your deck although when he slipped it out of your coat you had no idea. He wrapped an arm around your waist and began to tug you close, chuckling when you let him with minimal protest.

“That’s quite the deck you have.”

“Shut up.”

“It’s too bad we didn’t finish the game I think I had the hand to beat.”

“Shut. Up.”

“Ah, ladruncola. Don’t be upset with me.”

“Tell me what ‘ladruncola’ means.” When he didn’t speak you turned in his arms to stare him down. “Tell me.”

“Little thief.” He was kissing you again before you were able to curse at him. It was really unfair how his kisses made you lose track of yourself. It ended far too soon but he stayed close, tilting his head down so your foreheads rested together. “But you’re my little thief, aren’t you?”

You kissed him again in answer, opening your mouth over his while you moved to straddle his lap. There were certainly worse things he could call you. And there were certainly worse things that could be happening right now. This was infinitely better than spending the night in jail and if you were honest with yourself this was one of the best nights of your life.

You’d be his ladruncola as long as he would have you.

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spooky-pomegranate · 3 months

Text

Eyes on Fire (pt 1)

*Enemies to Lovers inspired by the Year Zero music video*

Papa Emeritus II x Reader (18+) Word Count: 6k Read on AO3 Part 2

Summary: You've recently been promoted to the role of Imperatrix under the reign of Papa Emeritus II. But what happens when you despise the man you'll be serving and the job promised to you isn't what you expected? Has dark magic already sealed your fate inside the Ministry's walls or will you carve your own path forward?

(Dividers by @wrathofrats)

It was supposed to be a promotion.

A new job, with a new expensive wardrobe and a new suite on the beautifully built western side of the Abbey. It was supposed to be a step up. An upgrade. An opportunity to serve the Dark Lord like none you’d been offered before. That’s what everyone had told you.

But this… this didn’t feel like a promotion.

“I’m supposed to do what?!”

Sister Imperator sighed and rolled her eyes. She’d clearly become exhausted by your never-ending barrage of questions.

“Sister, don’t make me repeat myself. I said after Papa has finished his meal you will undress.”

The other sisters in the room hadn’t flinched when Imperator explained how things would work here in Papa’s private dining room. Although in their defense Imperator had rattled off your new to-do list like it was nothing more than a simple set of chores: set the table with the fine china, light the fireplace and black candles, serve Papa his meal from the kitchen, and then once he’d finished eating strip naked and offer yourself to him.

Feed him then fuck him.

That was your new job.

That’s what you were supposed to do.

“Well what if we don’t want to ‘offer ourselves’ to Papa?’” You said adding a pair of finger quotes for good measure.

“Seriously?” One of your sisters asked while the rest looked at you like you had seven heads.

You wondered then if everyone else knew what to expect because no one mentioned to you that you were going to have to fuck Papa sideways after his afternoon tea and finger sandwiches. You were pretty sure you’d remember something like that.

“This is part of your duty Sister. Unless of course, you would rather be somewhere else,” Imperator spoke nonchalantly with the wave of her manicured nails. “I can arrange for you to return to the gardens if you’d like.”

“No, no.” You shot back. “I don’t want that.”

It wasn’t that you had anything against Primo or the lovely earth ghouls who worked in the greenhouse but gardening, plants, digging around in the dirt… those weren’t your things. You’d hoped to be placed in the library when you were first informed of your promotion to Imperatrix. Getting lost in the countless books, hiding away in one of the library’s many corners, and reading in front of one of the large marble fireplaces sounded practically godlike to you. Plus you doubted the sisters who worked there were expected to bend over for Papa after putting away texts and tomes all day.

“Okay well then sisters,” Imperator started, clasping her hands together, “you are all dismissed. Present yourselves to the kitchen staff at 6:00 o’clock sharp. Do not be late. The kitchen will inform you of tonight’s meal and then you may begin to prepare the dining room accordingly. Any more questions?”

Any more questions? You had a million fucking questions. But the look in Imperator's eye quieted you. It was better not to ask them. You’d rather not piss her off any further or else you’d end up on her shit list and somewhere truly awful like Nihil’s office. One by one your fellow sisters filed out of the dining room, laughing and joking about god knows what. You were truly too zoned out to care. You turned to follow them into the hall, but a hand reached out and grabbed you, pulling you back into the dim dining room.

“Hold on sister, let’s talk.”

Imperator's cherry-red nails dug into your skin and she spun you around, offering you a weak smile, her thin lips spread and the corners of her eyes crinkled. She led you to a thickly cushioned chair before the roaring fire and motioned for you to sit. You obliged and she pulled a chair from the table to sit beside you.

“I want you to answer me truthfully. You will not be punished for anything you say during this conversation. Do you understand?” You nodded and Imperator reached forward to pat your forearm much like a teacher would congratulate a mischievous child for finally falling in line. “That’s good, dear. Now let’s get to the bottom of this. Are you embarrassed to take your clothes off?”

If you had been drinking you would have spat in Imperator's face. “No. No. Definitely not.” You loved your body, imperfections and all.

One of Sister Imperators eyebrow’s cocked to the heavens. “You’re a virgin then?”

“What?! No.” You were many things, but even then a virgin wasn’t one.

“Are you scared he won’t be… gentle?”

You eyed Imperator at her careful choice of words. It was common knowledge amongst everyone in the Abbey that Secondo liked to party and since his ascension tales of his exploits had only grown more and more wild. Lately, it was becoming harder to separate rumors from truth, but the ghouls had told you what he was like on tour. Multiple women every day. Brothers too. Half a dozen bodies warming his bed each night like clockwork. Almost all walked or limped away covered in marbling black and blue bruises, their skin looking more like Jackson Pollock paintings than naturally colored flesh.

“No, that’s not it,” you answered truthfully.

“Then what is it, sister? Help me understand.”

Imperator asked you to be honest, but you wondered if there was a line hidden somewhere in the sand. Could you really speak ill of a Papa and get away with it?

You turned your head and looked at the tall grandfather clock in the corner of the room. Like everything in the church, it was beautifully ornate bordering on ostentatious. Intricate depictions of dark angels were carved into dark mahogany and inlaid with bits of 18 carrot gold. The fallen angels' wings pointed upward toward an onyx statue of Baphomet, who perched like a gargoyle on top of the clock and stared down at you with ruby eyes. The second hand ticked and ticked. You watched as it passed the twelve and continued onward like Sisyphus in his incessant journey.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

How long could you sit in silence before Imperator would ask a ghoul to carry you to the infirmary for a psych eval? A few minutes? An hour? An eternity?

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Imperator tapped her clawed finger against her chair.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Your time was up.

“Sister,” she said squeezing your arm. You looked back into her hazel eyes. They were gentler and kinder than they had been before. It was… surprising.

It wasn’t often Sister Imperator softened. Running the church wasn’t an easy task and over the years You’d seen her hold things together with tenacity, strength, and the occasional iron fist. It still gave you chills thinking about the first time she’d turned her fury your way. It’d happened during a particularly rowdy Lupercalia festival years ago. You’d challenged Mountain to a drinking contest but it was still early days in the church for you and none of the ghouls had bothered to mention their tolerance was insurmountable higher than humans. You’d ended up wasted before the first bonfire was even lit.

The night ended after Imperator found you emptying your stomach down the front of a statue in the main courtyard. You vaguely remember she hadn’t cared that it was Dew’s idea to climb the stupid thing. But what you do remember was all the screaming she’d done when you broke off a small piece of Lilith’s marble nose on your clumsy descent.

But right now the angry fire that was always hidden inside of Imperator wasn’t aimed in your direction. Right now she was offering you something else. Pity? Sadness? Sympathy? It was hard to tell exactly what was behind Imperator's eyes… but whatever she was aiming in your direction it left you with a sour feeling deep in your stomach.

Imperator called your name and the uneasy feeling only worsened, “Tell me sister why don’t you want this?”

“I’m just not interested in doing that… with him.”

It wasn’t a lie. But it wasn’t exactly the whole truth either. You’d never say this to a member of the high clergy but the only thing you really wanted to do with Secondo was smack him upside his bald-headed ass.

“You know sex with a Papa is an honor?” Sister Imperator said, finally letting go of your arm and sitting back in her chair with a sigh. “Of course, no one will ever force you to do anything you are uncomfortable with but you should know many of your sisters would love to be in this position.”

“I know that and I am grateful,” you lied. “Is there something else I can do? Can I help in the kitchens or the classrooms? I can do secretarial work if any of the Cardinals need an extra hand. My Latin isn’t great but I’m a decent typist. Or I could help in the choir. I don’t know if they need help but I’m sure I could make myself useful. If you think that’s a good idea of course. If you don’t agree then never mind. I can do whatever for whoever.”

You were rambling. Panicking.

You didn’t want to offer the greenhouse, but maybe this was the moment you should? Primo was nice enough and even though Mountain wasn’t your drinking buddy anymore he was still your friend. You wouldn’t thrive but you could survive. Thankfully Imperator spoke again before the landslide that was tumbling inside your brain could spew any further out your mouth.

“For now sister you will help the others prepare Papa’s meals. After he’s eaten you can excuse yourself. You will wait until he has left the dining room and then you may clean up with the others. Does that sound alright?”

“Yes, Sister. Thank you, Sister.”

You bowed and dismissed yourself before Imperator could ask you any more embarrassing questions. If you hadn’t felt her eyes piercing the back of your head as you walked away you would have run out of that room and sprinted across the front lawn and into the woods until your head was as clear as the sky.

But you couldn’t do that.

You weren’t a junior Sister of Sin anymore.

You were an Imperatrix now. You had to follow some rules.

You wandered through the halls of the Abbey until you found the office of Cardinal Terzo.

Unlike his older brother, you didn’t have any issues with the third Emeritus. His flirting was fun and harmless and he had a wicked sense of humor. There’d been a time when you’d thought a night in his bed might be fun but Terzo was a bit too much drama for you in the end. His highs were high, but his lows… well for a grown man he could certainly throw a temper tantrum.

It was fitting that before you reached his door you heard his voice. He was singing along with an opera song, something sad and moody tinged in a haunting darkness that seemed to breathe into everything within the Abbey’s walls. Your Italian was shit, but you guessed from the way he was lamenting the song had something to do with a lost lover. It was beautiful. You smiled to no one but the portraits in the hall. Terzo might be a drama queen but fucking hell could he sing like a fallen angel. If you hadn’t come here with a mission you would have sat down in the hall and listened for as long as he sang. But duty called.

“Cardinal,” you shouted, banging loudly on his door. “Cardinal Terzo?! Sister Imperator sent me.”

“Bella!” Terzo flung open the door and dramatically wrapped you in his arms, swinging you around the room in an airtight waltz. “Dance with me, bella.” You both laughed as Terzo dipped you dangerously close to the floor. An old record player in the corner of the room spun, continuing the song Terzo had sung.

“Mia cara, you are here for the keys to your new suite, no?”

“Yes, Cardinal,” you answered as he brought you back to your feet and kissed your hand.

“We must celebrate then! Today is a big day for you.” Terzo let you go and moved behind his large desk in the center of the room. He opened a drawer and pulled out a bottle of brown-colored liquor, waggling his eyebrows playfully at you as he held it up.

“This whiskey is a personal favorite Sorella,” Terzo said pulling two crystal glasses from the same drawer before pouring the liquor and filling each glass nearly to the top. “It’s smooth, rich, and warms your insides. I find it’s a crowd favorite. Not unlike your favorite Cardinal, no?” Terzo winked at you with a devilish smile on his lips. “Would you like a taste?”

Tuesday at noon seemed like a great time for a whiskey right? Fuck it. You’d earned this, plus you had hours before you needed to be back in Papa’s dining room.

“Sure why not,” you answered, taking a step closer to Terzo.

“To the drink… or to me cara?”

“Just the drink Cardinal.”

What is it about alcohol that makes time move fucking sideways? Is it the ethanol disrupting pathways in your brain? Or is it the company you keep while downing an entire bottle of whiskey in the middle of the afternoon? Either way, the sun was lower and your spirits were higher when you finally stumbled out of Terzo’s office.

Two hundred and twenty-four.

You stared at the emerald green numbered etched into the door. Two hundred and twenty-four. This was your new home. You pulled out the brass key Cardinal Terzo had given you and slid it into the slot. The massive wooden door gave way with a heavy push.

If the halls on this side of the Abbey were as beautiful as a painting, then your room was the goddamn Louvre. Every inch of your new space was so gorgeous it was practically dripping in an ostentatious opulence that the Dark Lord would be proud of. Vaulted ceilings gave way to arched windows framed in dark rich wood. The same deep brown also made up a large four-poster bed in the center of the room and to the left of your unbelievably comfy-looking bed, two plush and tufted armchairs faced a black marble fireplace. On the other side of the room, a massive armoire towered next to a set of wooden double doors. You squealed as you ungracefully tripped over the threshold and rushed toward the doors.

“What’s behind door number one,” you giggled as you threw open the doors with a flourish.

Your jaw dropped.

“Fuck me, Satan…”

Inside was your bathroom. Your glorious, beautiful, and perfect private bathroom.

Dark emerald tiles stretched from the floor and crawled up the high bowed walls like ivy. In the center of the room, a clawfoot tub begged you to forget about your duties and soak until you became a pruny mess. A black marble vanity ran the room's length and another fireplace cemented itself across from a set of floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Everything was bathed in a pretty orange glow as the sun streamed in through a trio of gothic windows.

A smile crept across your face.

If this morning Imperator had tossed you into a hole, and this afternoon Terzo lifted you out, then this room, in all of its glory, helped set you free. It gave you a pair of wings and let you fly. You felt lightheaded and happier than you’d been in a long time. All of this was yours. Silk sheets, marble fireplaces, porcelain tub, all of it was yours just to serve a bitter bald man some steak and potatoes.

“Ya know if Satan won’t fuck ya I will.” You nearly jumped out of your skin before whipping around to see Mountain posted up smugly in the doorway.

“Jesus fucking Christ Mountain! What the hell are you doing here?”

“Well, I came to say hi and see your new place. But now I’m thinking I might take a bath in that tub right there. This place is pretty nice.” Mountain ran his clawed finger over your marble countertop. “You sure it’s yours?”

You smiled at Mountain. While the large ghoul had been on the quiet side when you first met him ages ago, he’d opened up like one of Primo’s flowers in spring since then. He was kind and patient, traits all earth ghouls seemed to share, but he was also funny and sarcastic. You loved that most about him.

“Very funny,” you said striding up to Mountain and punching him playfully in his broad shoulder. “You live in a den underground. What do you know about nice? A shoe box would look nice to you.”

“Ooooo she becomes an Imperatrix and suddenly she’s sassyyyyy.”

"Yeah. Yeah," you murmered, walking past Mountain back into the main chamber of your suite. He followed your trail like the giant Saint Bernard he was.

“You nervous about tonight?”

You jumped up onto your bed and let your feet dangle over the edge.

“I told Imperator I didn’t want the job.”

Mountain raised an eyebrow, “Why would you say that?”

“Because I don’t, Mountain.” You hopped off the bed and paced back and forth in front of the fireplace. “Maybe I’m not like everyone else.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m just... I'm not desperately trying to sleep with an Emeritus.”

“I’m guessing you didn’t say it like that to Imperator,” Mountain eyes stayed on you watching you sympathetically, as you wore a hole in the finely polished floor.

“No. I didn’t. She’s letting me keep the job for now though. Minus the fucking I guess.”

“So you get all this,” Mountain motioned around your room, “just to be a waitress?”

“Guess so.”

Mountain paused for a moment and you turned to face him. He looked stunned. Brow wrinkling. Hands plunged deep into his brown curly hair. “That’s… that’s surprising.”

“Why?”

“Well despite living underground I do know some things Sister and one of the things I know is that Papa Secondo gave you the nicest suite in the Abbey.”

“What!?”

You knew that assigning Imperatrixs their new wardrobe and housing was under the discretion of the Papa in charge. That’s why you weren’t surprised to see emerald color sheets and tiles in your suite. But why would Secondo give you the best room? Did he forget what happened between you all those nights ago? This couldn’t be right. Mountain must have been mistaken. This had to be some type of ill-informed gossip swapped over half a dozen drinks in the ghoul dens. This was the kind of nonsense you had just spent the last few hours yapping on about with Terzo. Nonsense. Nothing more.

“How do you know that? Who said that?”

“Primo.”

Fuck. Primo didn’t gossip. Primo barely talked to anyone but his plants. This wasn't nonsense.

“That’s how I knew which room was yours. He told me this was your new place. He also told me this was where he kept his most favorite Imperatrix when he was Papa.”

“Really?”

“Really really.”

“Fuck.”

Standing in Papa’s dining room you felt dumb. Really, really dumb. Like a box of rocks, four cents short of a nickel, got into the gene pool when the lifeguard wasn't watching… dumb.

At last night's ceremony, when it was announced six new sisters would serve in Papa’s dining room, you hadn’t thought much of the number. You’d just accepted it as a normal thing… six sisters feeding one Papa. Sure. Fine. Whatever. Weirder things happened in the church. Truthfully, you were just excited that you wouldn’t have to use the mildewy communal showers anymore. But now, standing in Papa Secondo’s dining room with your five fellow sisters you realized you should have known the ministry would want you to be more than just a waitress. Papa didn't need this many people to prep and serve his meals. It wasn’t like he needed twelve hands to lay down a single set of silverware and yeah there were a lot of candles to light, and his meal consisted of several courses, but this wasn’t hard work. The six of you had finished Imperator’s lengthy checklist in a matter of minutes. God, you felt so dumb.

With nothing left to do but wait for Secondo you found a chair by the fire and plopped down. The grand clock in the corner ticked and ticked. The rest of your sisters found other places around the room to perch.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

“Do you think he’s going to want all of us tonight? Like at once?” A shy voice asked.

It was Sister Rose who broke the silence. Like the rest of the women in the room, Rose was gorgeous. She had long black hair that cascaded effortlessly past her shoulders and down her back, her green eyes resembled the color of Secondo’s formal robes, and she always smelt like sweet vanilla and honey. Someday you really should ask her where she got her perfume.

“I don’t know,” Sister Katherina said hopping off the buffet table. “But I hope he picks me. He slept with my old roommate, Lionara once and she still hasn’t shut up about it. Mind you that was two years ago and she’s fucked half the clergy since then.”

If Sister Rose, was beautiful like the night, with dark hair and dark eyes, then Sister Katherina was pretty like the sun. She had blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and was sweet as sugar. You’d often seen her with the siblings in the bakery, whipping up sweet treats with her trademark wide smile. You weren’t friends with many siblings, you preferred the comfort of ghouls, but you could see why so many people liked Katherine. Like sunshine she was easy to like.

“Eh, no offense Katey, but Lionara wouldn’t know good dick if it slapped her in the face. Besides I have a feeling he’s only taking one of us tonight. So I wouldn’t worry if I were you.”

You rolled your eyes at Sister Luciana's words. Like both Rose and Katherina, Sister Luciana was stunning. But unfortunately for everyone on the planet, Luciana knew that. How she found anyone to put up with her attitude was beyond you, but for some reason the brothers all lined up to grovel at her feet like she was Lilith incarnate. Luciana was proof that apparently, you can have an ego the size of Mount Everest and still get laid. It shouldn't have been a surprise she’d assume Papa would fuck her first.

You were about to defend Katherina when the clock chimed… one, two, three, four, five, six, seven times. On the final note, the door opened and he appeared.

Papa Secondo Emeritus was a tall man. In every room he entered, he towered over everyone and everything. You wouldn’t mind his height, you liked a tall man… or ghoul, but Papa’s looming height combined with the intensity of his permanent scowl made people feel small. Siblings hid from him when he strolled down the halls and his confessionals were as sparsely attended as the 9:00 am weekend masses.

You weren’t much different from the rest. You never felt warm and fuzzy around Secondo like you did the Ghouls or his brothers. But if you were a betting sister, you’d wager he liked it that way. Hell, you wouldn’t be surprised if he’d never smiled before in his life. His face was probably incapable of it. And you’d sure as fuck never heard him laugh. Everything was always so serious with Secondo. “We must put Satan first” this… “we must be conduits for him” that. You’d think for a dude who fucked so much he’d be less uptight. But that wasn’t Secondo. He was as bitter as a penny.

As Secondo stepped into the room and walked to the head of the table, you felt the air leave the room and the shadows grow darker. He paused behind his chair and gripped the back of the seat so roughly his leather gloves squeaked. Then one by one he eyed each of your sisters, taking his time to dissect them in silence.

As you shifted from foot to foot waiting for your turn to be scrutinized you wondered what he was looking for. Maybe he was just deciding which of you he’d fuck first, contemplating which body part he’d use for whatever pleasure was in his wrathful head. Or maybe he was thinking about which of you he wanted to get rid of first.

Along with his insatiable appetite for flesh, Secondo had a reputation for being quick to anger. None of his assistants ever lasted more than a few months and the ghouls on his last tour told you horror stories about blowups backstage.

Then of course there was also your own experience with Secondo’s rage. It happened a long time ago but you’d never forget it. The way he’d spoken to you. The fire in his eyes. The vitriol he’d spewed, chewing you up and spitting you out like you’d been worth nothing. It had been a nightmare he might have forgotten but you never would.

If you’d still been drunk you probably would have reminded Secondo of that night. You would have told him off and splashed some of the expensive red wine from his table on his stupid painted face. But you weren’t drunk. You were floating somewhere in the buzzed phase, where the edges of your vision were a bit fuzzy and your inhibitions weren’t entirely free.

With a soft click the minute hand on the clock moved and it was suddenly your turn to be dissected. Secondo’s mixed-matched eyes met yours… and then it happened.

The entire room burst into a bright light. Like a flashbang, pain ripped through your eyes and you pinched them closed, staggering backward. A sweltering torrid heat started to burn. It swept over your arms and face and sunk into your clothes. Then it dawned on you. Something in the room was burning. You forced open your eyes and squinted against the light.

Your jaw fell slack.

It looked like someone had doused gasoline onto every open flame. The fireplace roared and flashed angrily like thunder and lightning and fire from every black candle was shooting high into the air, licking the ceiling and threatening to consume you all in its blaze.

Someone in the room screamed.

But just as quickly as it started… it was over. The heat, the sound, the light burning through the dark room all of it was gone in another flash.

For a moment you wondered if you were seeing things, if maybe you were still drunk, or worse if your sanity was slipping away from you. But then you looked back at Secondo and you knew… he’d seen it too. Uncharacteristically his painted mouth hung open and his pupils were dialed wide.

“Sei tu?” Papa whispered. “Por favore…sei tu?” He was so quiet you almost didn’t hear him.

“Are you alright Papa?” Sister Luciana asked, but Secondo ignored her. His eyes snapped from the black candles back to you.

There was something about looking into Secondo’s eyes that was like staring into the sun. You’d forgotten what his eyes looked like from this close a distance. He’d turned his gaze on you like this only once before. That stupid night so long ago but when he’d looked at you then his eyes had pierced you. Like a sword, they’d hurt and stung. But this … this didn’t feel like that. This felt different. There was no pain now. All you felt now as you stared at one another was the warm summer sun.

It felt good. Really fucking good.

Papa tilted his head and you mirrored him, like two diametrical opposing species discovering each other in the wild for the first time. If he was working some sort of dark magic you weren’t ready to break the spell. You wanted to feel like this… just for a bit longer.

“Ehhhhhmmmm,” Sister Luciana loudly cleared her throat and Secondo tore his eyes from you. The moment, or whatever that had been, was over. The sun moved behind the clouds.

“Papa,” Luciana said several octaves higher than her normal speaking voice, “won’t you please have a seat.”

Was she really not going to acknowledge the fucking weird ass shit that just happened?! The fact the entire room was almost just consumed by flames?!

You snapped your head around the room and to your shock, no one else seemed to share in your dismay. In fact, no one else seemed to care that the entire room had almost just burned down. Everyone was smiling and obediently staring at Papa, just like they had been before the flames had erupted.

Secondo nodded at Luciana and took his seat at the head of the table.

You wanted to scream.

He had seen it. You were sure. Secondo had definitely seen it too.

What in the actual name of Satan was going on?!

Sister Luciana continued on oblivious to your internal turmoil, and took care of Papa’s wine, seductively licking her lips as she poured his pinot noir. The rest of your sisters started their work as well. Mind still reeling from the flames, you did your best to focus on your own task, eventually falling in line and working in tandem with your sisters to fill Secondo’s plate with all sorts of meats and veggies.

After a moment when his plate was finally piled high, Secondo held up a hand. As Sister Imperator had instructed, you knelt by his feet and clasped your hands in prayer.

“Dark one, we are one in your blood,” Secondo started, “A conquered people rising from the ashes of your burnt wings. Command us. Open wide the gates of Hell and come forth from the abyss to greet us as your brothers and sisters. We invite you… willingly.” Secondo's voice wavered on the last word and then he paused, closing his eyes and tilting his head toward the ceiling.

You’d never heard this prayer before. You wondered if he was coming up with it on the fly. It was tradition to recite the anti-Nicene creed before a meal… but Secondo was Papa. You supposed he could say whatever he wanted. But when Secondo spoke again he surprised you. He sounded sadder. Or maybe frustrated. It was difficult to tell since he switched from English to his mother tongue.

“Mi dispiace se non ho fatto abbastanza per farti piacere. Starò meglio. Per te. Lo giuro. Nema.”

For the rest of the meal, Secondo acted as you expected. He took and you gave. He demanded more wine, more meat, more potatoes. All of his words came to you as orders instead of asks and you indulged him, bringing him everything he desired. But you did withhold one thing from him. For the rest of the meal, you refused to look Secondo in his heterochromatic eyes. You stared at the floor, out the window, at the food piled high on the table. You kept your eyes anywhere but on his.

As Secondo put the last bite of his steak into his mouth you took your cue to leave and slipped out the side door and into the butler's pantry. But you weren’t alone for long. One by one, your fellow sisters joined you, each a bit disappointed they hadn’t been chosen by Secondo. First was Sister Madaline, then Sister Sarah, followed shortly thereafter by Sister Morgan. When Sister Rose and Sister Katherina joined you in the pantry together moments later you almost scoffed. Of course, Secondo would pick Luciana. She’d practically eye-fucked him during the appetizer.

You snagged an apple from a bowl and then hopped up on the granite countertop, hoping Luciana’d at least make it quick.

“Are we allowed to eat those?” Sister Sarah asked staring hungrily at the apple halfway in your mouth. Imperator had informed you that it was your choice when you ate. You could go to the siblings' dining hall before or after Papa ate. Apparently, like you, Sarah had chosen the latter.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” you said, munching on the apple, some juice falling ungracefully to your chin. “But these are really good. You want one?”

“Fuck, yes.”

You smiled and tossed Sarah an apple from the bowl.

“Anybody else wan-” The sound of dishes shattering interrupted you. Your sisters exchanged wide-eyed glances. Good, you thought. You weren’t the only one hearing things this time.

“Someone s-should probably go look,” Sister Rose stated nervously. “Just… just to make sure she’s okay, right?”

It wasn’t surprising when all eyes fell on you. Just as Secondo had his reputation, so did you… and you weren’t known as a rule follower.

“Fineeeee,” you sighed, hopping down from your perch, “I’ll check it out.”

You walked toward the dining room door, dropped to your knees, and slowly pushed it open just the smallest crack... just enough that you could see a sliver of the dining room floor. On the ground plates and glasses were smashed. Wine soaked into the carpet and food was scattered everywhere.

You moved closer inching the door open just slightly… and then you saw Luciana. She was lying naked on the table. Papa stood still clothed in his dress shirt and pants between her thighs. His gloved hands squeezed her throat as his hips slammed into her again and again and again.

Secondo was fucking Luciana like he didn’t care about the bruises he’d leave behind or if she had enough air to breathe. There was no love here. No gentleness. No kindness. No intimacy. This was brutal. This was feral. This was rough animalistic sex and nothing more.

But Luciana didn’t care. No, she seemed to love it.

“Papa. Papa. Papa,” she chanted his title. “Just like that Papa. You feel soooooo fucking good Papa. You’re so biggggg Papa.”

You wondered if she was faking it, laying it on thick to stroke Secondo’s ego. You didn’t have a great view of Papa or his “big” cock… but you could tell he was ferocious. Even if he was silent, even if he refused to look her in the eye, even if this was the most impersonal bout of rough sex you’d ever fucking seen in your life Secondo was slamming so hard into her you worried the table was going to splinter and break in two.

Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth. Creaking and moaning. Screaming and panting. You watched it all crouched from the doorway.

“Fuck Papa. I’m… I’m so close.” Luciana reached up to cradle Secondo's face but he stopped abruptly. He pulled away from her and his eyes darkened.

Your breath hitched.

“No,” he growled coldly. “This is an offering. Nothing more.” Secondo grabbed Luciana's hand and slammed it down onto the table beside her head with a loud bang.

You jumped. The big brass key to your room slipped from your pocket and clanged loudly against the tile floor.

“Shit.”

You slapped your hand over your mouth. Shit. You had not meant to say that out loud.

Shit.

You hoped he hadn’t heard that.

But it was too late.

He’d heard you.

Secondo’s eyes met yours.

The warmth you felt when the candles flared swept back over you, one by one igniting your nerve endings into smoldering embers. But the candles weren’t burning any brighter. The room wasn’t getting any hotter. Secondo was simply watching you... and you watched him back, staring directly into the sun that was Papa Secondo.

Even as he stepped back toward the table, even as he pounded into Luciana harder than he had before, even as she screamed… you stayed and met his gaze. You let Secondo watch you as he fucked her. You let his stare burn you.

“Papa I’m gonna…” Luciana began to shake, her legs twitched and back arched as she started to careen over her edge, Secondo’s relentless thrusts finally catching up to her.

“Please… please… just… oh my god!” She cried.

“There’s no god here,” Papa grunted through gritted teeth, the first sign that he was close to his own end.

Then like a marionette, Luciana hurtled over her edge. She went limp on the table, her back flat against the wood and her legs splayed open wide. But Secondo didn't slow down. He just kept pushing, kept moving, kept staring directly at you as he fucked into Luciana over and over and over, ignoring her overstimulated whimpers and soft cries. And you stayed. Your knees stayed planted on the floor, your hand stayed glued to the wooden door, and your eyes remained on his. You stayed until a voice called out to you.

“Sister, what’s going on?”

Quickly you shut the door and spun around. From beyond the now-closed threshold you heard Secondo roar. Five sets of concerned eyes met yours.

“W-what?” You stuttered.

“Sister, what’s going on in there? Is Luciana okay?” Sister Sarah repeated herself, having put down her apple some time ago and moved to huddle with the rest of your waiting sisters in the middle of the pantry. “Yeah.” You blinked. “Yeah. She’s fine.”

“Are you sure?” Sister Morgan asked, offering you a hand and helping you stand from the unforgiving cold tile floor. Your knees ached as you reached your full height. How many minutes had you been kneeling for? How long had you been watching? Better yet why did you watch? And why did he let you?

Your head was spinning.

“Sister?” Morgan asked again.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m sure. You guys have heard the rumors about Papa right?” You added with a half-hearted laugh. “Well, they’re definitely true. Papa’s just a bit… enthusiastic.”

Enthusiastic. It wasn’t the right word, but you weren’t about to go into detail on what you'd just seen. Knowing Luciana she’d brag about this whole affair with a megaphone in the courtyard soon enough. The sordid details would come out in the wash. They always did in the Abbey. Your biggest worry now was that you’d be part of the dirty laundry. That maybe while you had looked at Secondo and he at you, Luciana had seen you both.

Shit.

You pinched your brow and sighed before leaning against the marble counter. Every minute you had to wait to clean up the dining room was going to be agony. This was supposed to be a promotion. So why was this job starting to feel more like a nightmare?

(Part 2) (Follow along on AO3 HERE)

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bupia · 11 months

Text

Serendipity: Chapter 1 - Papa Emeritus IV x Fem!Reader

Summary: On a Halloween night, you, along with Terzo and his family, head to the Ministry for an annual ball to celebrate this beloved day. On this occasion, you have the chance to meet Terzo's brothers, whom you've heard about for so long: Primo, Secondo, and most notably, the current Papa Emeritus, Copia.

Words: 7.811

A/N: Happy Halloween! After 30 days of The Ministry Kinktober, I thought it'd be fun to start a new series with Copia, this time casting him in the role of Papa Emeritus IV. I hope you all find it enjoyable.

Available on AO3

Chapter 2

Day 1: The Halloween ball.

Not too long ago, you had taken on the role of a nanny for Terzo's family, a job that might have seemed traditional but had turned into something quite extraordinary. It was a simple job, as you saw it, but it held a unique charm. You didn't need what people would call a "proper job." You had found an opportunity and embraced it with open arms.

Your life with Terzo, Angèle, and little Andras had begun when you first met them. The revelation that a Papa could marry and have children had initially surprised you, but as the months passed, you grew to understand why.

Terzo, was the former Papa Emeritus III, he had retired from his role but retained his title, akin to a seasoned veteran who continued to bear the honor of his past. He belonged to a unique religious group, far from the conventional churches that prayed to God and Saints. It was a Satanic Ministry.

Terzo had been apprehensive that you would run away upon learning the truth, but why would you? You saw no harm in their beliefs, and they were a joyful, healthy, and loving family. It was just one more facet of their lives, like an extra spice that enhanced the flavor of your experience, which may not have made much sense to outsiders, but to you, it was just an intriguing facet of their lives. You wouldn't judge them for it.

Over time, you had naturally learned more about their religion, not because they imposed it on you, but because you had an open mind and a willingness to listen. They always made sure you were comfortable with the information they shared, never pushing you into anything that might make you uncomfortable. However, what had truly piqued your interest was when you heard about the existence of Ghouls, and your excitement had reached peak levels when you finally met Dewdrop, one of the oldest Ghouls of the Ministry.

As you became closer to the family, Angèle shared pictures of their life in the Ministry, including images of Terzo's brothers. Primo, the eldest, had a commanding presence during his time as a Papa, but Angèle assured you he was a kind soul. Secondo, just three months older than Terzo, always wore an intimidating frown and had an impeccable sense of style.

And then, there was Copia, the current Papa Emeritus of the ministry and the new leader of Ghost. From the pictures Angèle showed you, Copia seemed to have it all. His handsome features and warm smile made your heart race, and the sight of him holding little Andras in a nursery photo nearly brought you to tears; it was the cutest thing you had ever seen.

But, circling back to the present, tonight was Halloween night, and you, Terzo, Angèle, and Andras were en route to the Ministry, all dressed in your costumes. The creative family had chosen to embody the Addams Family, while you, wanting to fit in somehow, had opted for a nun costume. In hindsight, it might not have been the best choice for a gathering at a satanic Ministry, but it was too late to change now.

As you got closer to the ministry, a wave of apprehension washed over you. You had grown accustomed to Terzo's family and their satanic customs, but tonight was different, and you weren't entirely sure what to expect, especially in the company of his brothers. In your heart, you knew your role was that of a nanny and nothing more. Yet, a part of you yearned to connect with the people you would meet tonight, especially since Terzo would be spending a week within the Ministry starting by today. He had explained that this was an opportunity to address some important matters with the clergy and to provide guidance to his brother, Copia, in his new role, alongside Primo and Secondo.

Also, you couldn't deny that you were feeling a bit nervous about meeting Copia in person. You hoped he lived up to the handsome figure he cut in the pictures Angèle had shared with you.

"We are almost there, Papa," Dewdrop's voice snapped you out of your thoughts, and you blinked, refocusing your attention on the road ahead. You glanced at the rearview mirror, where you could see Andras peacefully asleep in Angèle's arms. Terzo sat beside her, his hand resting gently on her leg. It was unusual for Terzo not to be the one behind the wheel, but tonight, given the formal nature of the ministry's event, Dewdrop had been assigned to chauffeur you all in one of the ministry's official cars.

A smile tugged at your lips as you admired the loving scene before you. Then, you turned your gaze to the Ghoul seated right beside you. "You didn't want to put on a costume for today, Dewdrop?" you asked playfully.

Dewdrop chuckled and replied, "I don't think I need one."

You couldn't help but giggle at his response. "Well, that's true. You are already in the Halloween spirit every day. I thought you would have convinced him to dress up as Lurch," you said as you turned your face to Terzo.

Terzo rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. "Ho tentato," he said with a grin, "but he refused. Apparently, driving a car for us today is already pushing the boundaries of his Ghoul image."

Dewdrop nodded with a smirk. "I have to maintain my Ghoul dignity, Papa."

As the car made a slight turn, you laid eyes on an old building that resembled a church. It bore a striking resemblance to the other churches you had seen before, but there was something uniquely captivating about it. The building was grand, situated on a sprawling piece of land adorned with a beautiful garden. It left you in awe, and your eyes sparkled with amazement as you took in the sight.

The car continued its way until it came to a stop in front of the large building. A group of Ghouls, more than you were accustomed to, had gathered by the entrance and swiftly approached the car. This was the first time you had seen so many of them at once; you were typically only in the company of Dewdrop.

"We are here," Dewdrop announced.

"Grazie, Dewdrop, for bringing us here today."

The Ghouls opened the car doors for Terzo and Angèle, who wasted no time in stepping out. However, you remained seated inside, gazing forward. Dewdrop reached out and gently touched your arm.

"Is something wrong?" he inquired.

You shook your head. "No, I'm just a little nervous, I guess."

Dewdrop reassured you with a warm smile. "There's no need to be nervous. Everything will be fine. Come with me, and you'll be fine."

He opened his door, then walked to your side, opening your door as well. You took Andra's bag and stepped out, and he closed the door behind you. Dewdrop offered you his arm, and you took it gratefully, feeling a sense of comfort in his presence.

Glancing over at Terzo and Angèle, who were already waiting by the front door, you and Dewdrop made your way to join them. Two of the Ghouls opened the grand entrance, allowing Terzo to enter first, followed by Angèle, who held Andras in her arms. You followed closely behind them, hand in arm with Dewdrop, taking in the vastness of the ministry. It exceeded your expectations in size and grandeur. The Halloween decorations added a whimsical touch to the solemn atmosphere, and the faint strains of music drifted to your ears from a distance. A sense of excitement and anticipation bubbled within you as you stepped further into the ministry, eager to immerse yourself in the evening's festivities.

"Dear," Angèle's voice reached your ear as you walked alongside Dewdrop.

"Yes, miss?" you responded, instinctively using a formal title.

"I already told you, you can call me by my name," Angèle chided gently. "Can you hold him for me?"

"I'm sorry, mi- Angèle," you corrected yourself and reached out to take Andras into your arms, handling him with care.

Terzo flashed you a warm smile, and they continued to make their way toward the music. You returned to Dewdrop's side, walking alongside him as the music grew louder, guiding you to a room with its doors wide open. A Ghoul approached and led the way, with Terzo and Angèle following closely behind.

"Papa Emeritus III, Terzo, and his beloved wife, Angèle, have arrived," the Ghoul announced at the door.

Terzo and Angèle entered the room, and you and Dewdrop followed suit. The sight that greeted you was nothing short of incredible. The room was filled with people, dancing, conversing, and enjoying themselves to the fullest. The colorful lights on the ceiling illuminated the space in a mesmerizing display. Halloween decorations adorned the room, and the lively disco music filled the air, creating an atmosphere that was positively infectious.

Dewdrop turned to you, placing his hand on your shoulder. "So, what do you think of all this?"

You couldn't contain your excitement as you looked around, taking in the grandeur of the event. "It's stunning! The ball is so grand, and there are so many people... I don't have words to describe it."

Dewdrop reached out and gently placed a hand on your lower back, leaning in closer to your ear. "I need to leave you now. I have to be around the ministry with the other Ghouls. Promise me you'll have fun, okay?"

You nodded, smiling at Dewdrop as he departed the room to attend to his duties. Your attention turned to Terzo and Angèle, who had moved farther away from you. Adjusting Andras in your arms as he began to wake up, you smiled down at the little one.

"Hello there, little one," you cooed, gently brushing your fingers across Andras's soft cheek. He responded with a radiant smile, accompanied by a symphony of baby sounds.

You made your way over to Terzo and his wife, who were standing near one of the tables adorned with a small paper sign that read "Papas." As you approached, someone came up behind you, and Terzo turned to face the newcomer.

"Fratello!" Terzo exclaimed, opening his arms and walking toward the person. "Where is your costume?"

Turning to see who it was, you found Secondo, one of Terzo's brothers, dressed in a very elegant dark green suit that emphasized all the curves and lines of his body, impeccably tailored to perfection. He exuded an air of sophistication and confidence. As he approached Terzo, they embraced warmly, and you couldn't help but notice how well Secondo carried himself in his stylish attire.

"I can't believe you didn't wear the costume I told you to," Terzo playfully chided as they pulled away.

"Terzo, I was not going to be Uncle Fester just because you asked me to," Secondo replied with a sigh.

"Why not, fratello? It would have been fun!" Terzo countered, clearly amused.

"Sì, for you, only," Secondo replied with a resigned tone. He then looked around and laid his eyes on you. "Oh, here he is! And who is this, signora?"

"She is our nanny," Angèle chimed in, going to your side and placing her hand on your back.

"It's nice to meet you formally, Papa," you said, extending your hand toward him, and he gallantly kissed the back of it.

"Il piacere è tutto mi," he replied with a charming smile, still holding your hand.

"Terzo!" another voice called from behind you, and you turned to see who it was.

"Primo!" Terzo exclaimed with a chuckle. "Fratello, hai lo spirito di Halloween! Sapevo che non mi avresti deluso!"

Indeed, Primo was dressed as Uncle Fester, and you couldn't help but stifle a giggle. He approached your group and hugged Terzo, just as Secondo had done earlier.

"See, fratello?" Terzo said, glancing at Secondo. "Primo has the Halloween spirit!"

"So you basically asked for the two of us to dress as Uncle Fester because you knew one of us would come as it?" Secondo asked, sounding somewhat annoyed.

"One of you was bound to do it," Terzo replied teasingly.

"Cretino," Secondo muttered in a sharp tone, shaking his head in mock disapproval.

"Secondo," Primo said with a disapproving look, then turned his gaze to you. "And who is this bella signora?"

"This is Andra's nanny, fratello," Terzo clarified.

Primo approached you with a warm smile. "Nice to meet you, bella," he said gently. "And it seems our piccolo demone is awake."

You smiled and nodded. "Nice to meet you too, Papa. And yes, Andras is quite awake and lively right now."

Primo extended his arms, and you handed Andras over to him. "Ciao piccolo," he greeted with a smile. "Il tuo zio preferito ti ha fatto mancare, mio piccolo demone."

"Zio preferito? You wish, fratello," Secondo chimed in as he approached Primo. He extended his hand toward Andras, who eagerly clasped one of his fingers with his tiny hand, letting out a sweet giggle. "See? He knows who his zio prefereito is. He's even smiling at me."

"Smiling at you?" Primo countered with playful banter. "The bambino is laughing at you."

The brothers exchanged amused glances, their competitive spirit lightening the mood as Andras enjoyed their attention. You briefly averted your eyes to take in the lively atmosphere of the Halloween ball. The joyous spirit in the room was infectious, and you couldn't help but feel like you belonged there.

"Where is Copia?" Angèle inquired.

As you heard his name, your attention snapped back to the conversation. Angèle now had Andras in her arms, and Terzo was pulling out a chair for her to sit next to him. Secondo and Primo were already seated, and you quickly made your way to sit beside Angèle, hanging Andra's bag on the chair.

"He's somewhere around, we haven't seen him since we got here," Secondo replied.

You listened attentively, feeling a bit disappointed. Would you not have the chance to meet Copia tonight? Was he not going to attend the Halloween ball? You consoled yourself with the thought that you would likely encounter him during your stay at the ministry.

Suddenly, someone approached you from the side, and you let out a loud scream of horror, causing Andras to start crying. The person was covered with a white sheet, and your eyes widened in terror as you clutched your chest, breathing heavily.

The person quickly removed the sheet, revealing Copia beneath it. "Ti ho spaventato? Mi dispiace, non era mia intenzione!"

Angèle got up from her seat with Andras still crying in her arms. You got up and rushed over to Angèle, who was trying to soothe the upset little one in her arms. You rushed to Andras' bag, located on your chair, and quickly retrieved his favorite plushie. Returning to Angèle, you presented it to Andras, attempting to comfort him, but it appeared to have little effect on his persistent crying.

Copia expressed his apologies, feeling genuinely remorseful for causing the commotion. "What have I done?" he said, addressing his brothers and Angèle.

"It's totally okay, it wasn't your fault," you reassured him, taking Andras into your arms.

"Terzo, please, give me his pacifier. It's in your blazer's pocket," Angèle requested.

Terzo promptly got up and retrieved the pacifier from his pocket, handing it to Angèle. She gently placed the pacifier in Andras' mouth, successfully calming him down. She then took him back into her arms, also reaching for Andra's bag, hanging on your chair.

"I'm going to step outside with him for a bit," Angèle announced. "I'll be right back."

As Angèle left the room with Andras, you took a deep breath, still feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden scare. A hand on your back sent shivers down your spine, and you turned to see Copia standing beside you. You turned your face to find Copia standing there, and for a moment, you were rendered speechless. He was even more striking in person, and you couldn't help but admire his presence. His voice was as charming as his appearance, and you felt a mix of excitement and nervousness in his presence.

"Are you okay?" he inquired, his concern evident in his voice.

In silence, you nodded, unable to find your voice as you continued to gaze at his captivating features. A smile graced his lips, and his hand gently squeezed your arm in a reassuring gesture.

"Bene, molto bene," he said, withdrawing his hand from your arm.

Copia offered a gentle smile, causing your cheeks to flush. He approached the table and pulled out your chair, signaling for you to sit down. You walked over to your chair and gracefully took your seat. Copia joined you, sitting right beside you, while Secondo audibly sighed and shook his head in response to the earlier playful banter.

"Secondo, non cominciare neanche," Primo warned him.

"Non stavo per dire niente," Secondo replied with a faint smirk.

Copia offered his sincere apologies. "Mi dispiace profondamente. I didn't mean to scare the signora, and I certainly didn't intend to frighten my own nipote."

"It's okay; it was my fault. I wasn't expecting it," you reassured him in a gentle tone.

Terzo chimed in with a bit of humor, "Please don't kill our nanny. She's the only one who's stayed with us. You have no idea how hard it is to find a nanny when you tell them about being a retired satanic Papa."

Copia turned his body toward you, placing his hand on your shoulder. "Again, mi dispiace profondamente. I didn't mean to... you know... kill you."

You chuckled nervously. "I hope... not?"

"No, I didn't mean to say it that way," he stammered. "I- I mean, I meant that I didn't want to scare you with my costume to the point where you'd... well, you know."

"Forse sarebbe meglio se smettessi di giustificarti, fratello," Secondo chimed in.

Your hand went to Copia's on your shoulder, and you held it delicately as you looked at him. "Papa, it's okay. I know you didn't mean it, and I know you don't want to, you know, kill me, even though you're a very scary ghost, right?"

"Oh!" he exclaimed, blushing slightly. "Sì, sì, I'm a scary ghost! Be careful, bella... sorella!" he said, straightening his body and trying to sound scary.

You made a frightened face and playfully let go of his hand. "Please, Papa, have mercy on me. I'm just a..." you furrowed your brows. "What did you call me again?"

"Sorella," he repeated, clarifying, "It's how we call the sisters, nuns, just like you tonight, in Italian."

You nodded and resumed your scary expression. "Please, Papa, I'm just a sorella today. I'm innocent!" you said, your tone with a hint like if you were truly scared by him.

Copia chuckled, his eyes never leaving yours. "I'm going to have mercy today and not go after you to haunt you, but only this time."

"Oh, don't worry, Papa. You can come after me if you want," you said, leaning back in your chair.

Copia gasped, blushing deeply, and your eyes widened as you realized what you had just said. "I'm sorry, Papa. I meant that I'm not that scared, and I won't mind to be haunted, you see? I'm very... I have a lot of courage!"

Copia nodded, his cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. Quickly, he retrieved the sheet from the table and draped it over himself once more, hiding his face behind it. A silence sank between you two, and you felt like all of the brothers were looking straight at you. You couldn't feel more embarrassed than you did now.

"So, where is your costume, fratello?" Terzo asked, breaking the silence, his eyes playfully scanning Copia.

Copia, draped in a simple white sheet, spread his arms wide. "Eh, this is my costume," he declared.

Terzo couldn't help but chuckle. "No, this is just a sheet from the laundry room, probably. Come on, you two have no Halloween spirit," Terzo teased. "Only Primo followed my suggestion."

Secondo, looking dapper in his suit, shook his head in mock disapproval. "Terzo, if I dressed as you asked me, you'd have two Uncle Festers for your son."

Terzo laughed. "Wouldn't that be a sight?"

Curious, you turned to Copia, who stood beside you. "And what did Terzo ask you to dress as?"

Copia grinned mischievously. "Cousin Itt."

Secondo couldn't contain his laughter. "Cousin Itt!? Oh, fratello, I take back everything I said about your costume choices."

Copia leaned closer to you and whispered, "Still, Secondo didn't wear the costume Terzo picked out for him, coglione."

You couldn't help but laugh, your eyes locking onto his as you both shared a playful moment. The proximity and the fact that you could only see his eyes under the sheet added an unexpected intimacy to the situation. Your cheeks were flushed, and you wished you had a sheet to hide behind as well, but you couldn't tear your gaze away from his. However, your attention shifted as Angèle as you notices her returning to the table, though without Andras.

"Hello, what have I missed?" she inquired as she took her seat right next to Terzo, pressing a gentle peck on his lips.

"I due che stanno flirtando," Secondo chimed in, a playful grin on his face.

"Lasciali stare, Secondo," Primo interjected.

"Non stavamo flirtando!" Copia quickly defended himself.

"Sì, stavate flirtando con lei," Terzo said with a smirk on the corner of his lips. "Where's Andras, cara mia?" he asked.

"I put him to sleep; he's being watched by Dewdrop now," Angèle explained.

"Oh, miss, do you want me to go there?" you offered, preparing to get up.

"You don't have to, dear, only if you want," Angèle replied.

"I insist; it's my job," you said, rising from your seat.

"In that case, I would appreciate it."

"Of course, miss."

"Angèle," she corrected.

"Angèle," you repeated.

With that, you politely excused yourself from the table. Copia got up after you, gracefully removing the sheet from himself and placing it on the chair. He then turned his body to face you. His hair was a little messy, and you couldn't help but giggle slightly at the view, for some reason it was charming.

"Wait, may I go with you?" Copia asked. "I want to see my nepote, and I'm afraid you don't know where you are going to stay during the week."

You were taken aback by his gesture. "Oh, that's very... gentle of you," you said, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by his offer. "Thank you, Papa."

Copia extended his arm toward you, and you hesitated for a moment before deciding to take it. The two of you walked away from the table, making your way toward the door leading to the chambers. Side by side, you and Copia entered the corridor, leaving the lively Halloween party behind.

You took a deep breath, savoring the faint scent of his cologne as you did. It was a refreshing and almost mythical fragrance that captivated your senses. You smiled, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the experience. You didn't want to forget this scent; you wanted to keep it in your memory, as it made you feel even closer to him.

Turning your face to him, you noticed that his hair was still slightly messy. Hesitantly, you extended your hand, expecting him to react, but he remained still. Gently, you reached out and smoothed his hair, your touch light and delicate.

"Thank you for coming with me, Papa," you said, glancing up at him with a warm smile.

Copia returned your smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, you don't have to thank me," he replied, his voice smooth and reassuring.

"I do," you insisted, gently squeezing his arm. "After all, this is one of your first parties as a Papa here at the ministry, right?" you inquired, a soft smile on your lips as you withdrew your hand from his hair.

Copia nodded thoughtfully. "Oh, sì, sì."

"So you are the principal attraction of tonight, Papa!" you teased playfully, your tone filled with light-heartedness.

Copia chuckled, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "Eh... I must confess this is all new for me."

"Really? Is it different from when you were a Cardinal?" you inquired, genuinely curious about his experience.

"Not too much when it comes to responsibilities," he explained, his gaze focused ahead as he considered your question. "They've just escalated a little more, but I still do many of the things I used to do before."

"But how do you feel about being a Papa now?" you asked curiously, your eyes fixed on Copia.

"Eh... Honestly?" Copia began, hesitating for a moment. "I'm happy with it, but can you keep a secret?"

A sense of intrigue filled you, and you nodded with a reassuring smile. "All the secrets you feel like telling me."

He blushed deeply before opening up further. "I'm very scared."

"Scared? How? Why?" Your curiosity deepened.

"I'm too afraid that they will not like me as much as they liked Terzo, Secondo and Primo" Copia admitted, his vulnerability showing.

"Copia, you can't compare yourself with your brothers," you said gently, trying to ease his worries. "And if I were you, I wouldn't worry at all. They will love you."

"Do you think so?" Copia asked, his uncertainty still lingering.

"Oh, I don't think they will, I know they will," you replied with a reassuring smile, emphasizing your confidence in him.

Copia halted his steps, his inquisitive gaze locked onto yours. "Eh, how can you be so sure?" he asked.

You paused, choosing your words carefully. "Well, I can't speak for everyone, but from what I've gathered about you through my interactions and what Terzo has shared, you come across as a gentle, kind-hearted, and dedicated man. Terzo spoke highly of your love for this place and your unwavering commitment to reaching this position. If this is something you've wanted for a long time, Papa, then there's no reason to doubt yourself. Embrace it, and you'll excel in your role at the ministry."

Copia found himself at a loss for words, overwhelmed by your kind and comforting presence. Your eyes locked into each other, creating an intimate silence in the corridor. The distant music from the ball could still be heard. Copia raised his arm slightly, as if contemplating a gesture, but then he lowered it and offered a soft, appreciative smile.

The intensity of your gaze made his cheeks flush with a deep shade of red. If he were still in his costume, he was sure he'd feel exposed, as the heat in his cheeks was almost unbearable. He was thankful that at least his face was still adorned with paint. Especially because your warm eyes were still locked onto his.

"Grazie," he finally managed to say, his voice filled with gratitude. "I don't deserve your kind heart."

You returned his smile and offered a reassuring nod. "You'll do great, Papa. Just believe in yourself."

Your eyes remained locked again in a wordless connection for a brief yet meaningful moment before Copia resumed walking, with you following closely. You two kept walking with your arms entwined, the comfortable silence enveloping you both. The only sounds that filled the corridor were the rhythmic echoes of your footsteps and the distant melody of the music from the ball. You took a deep breath, feeling a sense of closeness and ease, and you tightened your grip on his arm, silently cherishing the moment.

"So, can I ask to know more about you?" Copia inquired, breaking the silence.

"Sure," you responded timidly. "What do you want to know, Papa?"

"How long have you been working for my brother?" he inquired.

You glanced at him. "I've been with him for some months now, almost a year."

He nodded thoughtfully. "And are you enjoying it?" he asked.

With a smile, you responded, "I am! Your brother is a very nice man, his wife is really sweet, and little Andras is amazing."

"If you don't mind to answer..." Copia's curiosity didn't wane as he inquired further, "How do you feel about our little lifestyle?"

"The Satanism?" you asked, seeking clarification, and he nodded in confirmation. "I don't mind it at all. I see no harm; it all looks very cheerful and great."

Copia's expression revealed a hint of surprise. "You don't feel scared being here surrounded by our unholy place?"

You chuckled lightly, shaking your head. "No, not at all. The only thing that scared me here today was you."

He sighed, showing genuine remorse. "Eh, about that... I really didn't want to scare you, not at all."

"I know, Papa. You don't have to keep apologizing. I know you were just in your costume."

Copia nodded, appreciating your understanding. "Sì, it was just a costume, after all. But I'm glad you're not afraid of our unique surroundings, or of me."

You smiled warmly. "Honestly, I find it all quite fascinating."

Copia chuckled. "Fascinating? That's not a word I hear often in this context."

"Well, it's different, and different can be interesting," you explained.

"Just like your attire tonight," he said. "You chose a very unique costume for tonight," Copia observed, his eyes sweeping up and down your nun costume.

You glanced down at your outfit and replied, "Did I?"

"Sì, our siblings here also wear habits in their daily lives, but it's just a little bit different from yours. But don't worry, you are looking very beautiful as a sorella."

"Thank you, Papa," you laughed shyly.

Copia's compliment made you blush, and you couldn't help but feel flattered by his words. As the two of you continued down the corridor, you found yourself becoming more comfortable in his presence, enjoying his charming demeanor.

"May I ask one more question?" Copia inquired.

"You can ask all the questions you want, Papa," you replied.

Copia's cheeks took on a subtle flush as he chuckled with a hint of shyness, and he nodded. "Well, I just wanted to know your name. Would you tell me your name?"

You hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit bashful. As you shared your name with him, Copia's lips curved into a broad smile. He nodded and repeated your name in a soft, charming tone. Hearing him say your name felt like the highlight of your night. It had a different, special quality when spoken in his accent, and it made you feel even closer to him.

As you continued to walk down the corridors of the ministry, Copia's steps began to slow, hinting that you were nearing your destination. Finally, you and Copia reached the door to your temporary residence. Copia took the lead, positioning himself in front of you. With a gentle knock on the door, you both waited for a few moments. The door eventually swung open, revealing Dewdrop.

"Good evening, Papa," Dewdrop said. "How can I help you?"

"I came here with Andras' nanny and she will stay here with him until his parents come back," he said.

Dewdrop raised an eyebrow and looked past Copia at you. "Andra's nanny, huh?"

You couldn't help but laugh and replied, "Don't mock me, Dewdrop."

Dewdrop chuckled and said, "I'm not mocking!"

"You're free to return to your duties now," Copia said, his tone carrying a hint of something you couldn't quite decipher.

"Of course, Papa," Dewdrop said.

Dewdrop stepped aside, granting you and Copia access to the place. Copia made his first step, entering the chambers. However, as you moved to enter, Dewdrop unexpectedly held your hand, causing you to let out a surprised squeak. Copia turned his attention to Dewdrop and you.

"How was at the ball?" Dewdrop inquired.

"It was..." you hesitated for a moment. "fun."

"Fun?" Dewdrop leaned in closer, a teasing tone in his voice. "Why don't I believe that your 'fun' is real?"

"Because you like to mock me," you replied, playfully pouting.

Dewdrop chuckled and let go of your hand. "I'm not mocking you right now. I was just wondering if you had fun. But maybe we should talk..." he turned his gaze to Copia before continuing, "...tomorrow."

Copia observed your interaction with Dewdrop closely, a thoughtful expression on his face. You took a step into the chambers, with Copia staring at you. As you exchanged a small smile, you turned your attention back to Dewdrop, who remained outside the door. Copia positioned himself behind you, his eyes locking onto Dewdrop once more.

"Grazie, Dewdrop. We'll take it from here," he said.

Dewdrop gave a polite nod and closed the door behind you. You and Copia were now alone in there. You took a moment to look around, and your eyes widened in amazement. The room was much larger and more lavish than you had anticipated. Intricately designed works of art adorned the walls, and the color scheme was meticulously coordinated, creating an elegant and inviting ambiance that took you by surprise. You couldn't help but appreciate the attention to detail that had gone into decorating the room.

"Did you like it?" Copia inquired, gesturing for you to follow him further into the room.

"It's bigger than I expected," you admitted, glancing around in awe.

"It's going to be mine," he explained.

"Yours?" you questioned.

"Sì, this place was supposed to be mine for now, as it's the Papal apartment. However, I don't need this much space at the moment, so I thought it was better to give it to Terzo and his family, while I stay in my old chambers."

"Are you sure, Papa? I mean..."

"I'm completely sure, don't worry. Besides, my room has everything I need – a bed, a TV, my video game, and even my lava lamp," he said with a playful grin, noticing your intrigued expression.

"Did you say a lava lamp?" you asked, clearly fascinated. "I haven't seen one for so long!"

Copia's grin widened as he saw your excitement. "Sì. I find the shifting colors and blobs of lava oddly soothing."

"They are very... hypnotizing for sure," you said.

He laughed softly. "Let me show you to your room," Copia smiled warmly. "Follow me, cuoricina."

You nodded appreciatively as he led the way to your designated room. He extended his hand to open the door for you, and you acknowledged his gesture with another nod before stepping inside. As you entered the room, your eyes widened in astonishment. The room was decorated in warm, neutral colors, with a comfortable-looking bed, a small desk, and a window that overlooked the beautiful garden outside.

Copia gestured towards the room. "This will be your room during your stay," he explained. "Please, make yourself at home."

"Thank you, Papa," you replied with a grateful smile.

Eager to explore, you wandered around the room, but your curiosity drew you to the window. It was large and clear, and you pressed your hands against the cool glass, looking down at the vast garden below. Even in the darkness, the small lights scattered throughout the garden made it appear enchanting. As you gazed, a slight shiver ran down your spine, and your body tensed a bit as you felt Copia's warm hand on your lower back, his touch gentle and comforting.

"Did you like it?" he asked, his fingers gently rubbing your lower back.

As you turned your face towards him, your eyes met his. Copia's face was softly illuminated by the ambient light from outside the window, accentuating his handsome features. The moment felt like it stretched on for eternity, and you wished you could freeze time to continue gazing at him, to savor his touch a little longer. However, you couldn't just stand there in silence, no matter how much you wanted to.

Breaking the silence, you finally spoke, your voice trembling slightly, "I loved it."

"I think this room has the best view of them all," he whispered, his eyes fixed on you.

"I think you're right, Papa," you whispered back.

Copia withdrew his hand from your back and concealed both of his hands behind his back. He turned his attention to the garden, his eyes fixed on something in the distance. But you couldn't tear your gaze away from him. For someone associated with a satanic church, he appeared ethereal and bathed in an inexplicable grace, as if touched by a blessing rather than something sinful.

"So you are friend with Dewdrop?" Copia inquired, breaking the silence.

"Oh, well, I suppose we're friends of sorts," you replied. "He sometimes visits Terzo's house with ministry-related items.

"Eh! That's right," he nodded. "That makes sense."

You giggled, turning your body to face him. "He told me that he's one of the older ghouls here, and that's quite fascinating, to be honest."

"Fascinating?" he inquired.

"Yes, it's intriguing," you explained. "First, because he's been here for such a long time, and second, because he's also a Ghoul. I have no real understanding of what Ghouls are, but I have my theories."

Copia moved closer to you. "So, you find ghouls fascinating?"

"Yes, I do," you said with genuine curiosity. "I've always wondered where they come from."

Copia hesitated and then said, "I'm afraid I can't reveal that. It's a secret of the ministry."

You pouted and pleaded, "Really, Papa? You won't tell me?"

Copia couldn't resist your charm. He grinned playfully. "Well, alright. You see, when a Ghoul and a Ghoulette love each other..."

You burst into laughter, cutting him off. "Stop it! That's not how it happens!"

Copia chuckled at your reaction. "You're right, that's not how it happens, but I couldn't resist."

You playfully rolled your eyes, followed by a smile. "You're really not going to tell me, right?"

Copia shook his head regretfully. "I wish I could, trust me, but I can't."

"It's okay, Papa," you whispered, drawing nearer to him.

"Shall we head back to the party?" he suggested, his hand reaching for your hand.

"Uh... I can't, Papa. I need to stay here with Andras," you responded.

"Right! I completely forgot," he sighed. "I'm a lousy uncle."

"No, Papa, you're not," you reassured him. "I know you're an amazing uncle."

Copia's gaze remained locked with yours, and a brief silence hung in the air. He moved to say something, but just as he began to speak, the sound of Andras crying echoed from the room next door. Without hesitation, you swiftly exited the room and hurried into the adjacent one. There, you opened the door and approached the small crib. With gentle hands, you lifted Andras into your arms, comforting him as he cried.

With Andras in your arms, you gradually managed to calm him down, and his cries gradually transformed into soft, whimpering sounds. Copia watched the scene unfold from the doorway, his smile reflecting his appreciation for your comforting skills. It was a heartwarming moment as you continued to soothe the little one, both of you providing him with the care and attention he needed.

"Is he all right?" Copia asked as he walked over to you.

You turned to him with a reassuring smile. "Yes, he just needed a little attention. Babies can be quite sensitive, but they usually calm down with some care and comfort."

Copia nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting to Andras as he gently caressed the his head. "You're really good with him."

"I guess so," you replied, still holding Andras. "Are you awake to see your zio Copia?"

"Zio? Do you speak Italian?"

"Oh, not at all," you chuckled, gently rocking Andras. "But Terzo always talks about you three as his zio, so I just got used to it."

Copia chuckled at your response. "That's quite observant of you. Impressive."

"Thank you, Papa," you replied with a hint of pride.

Copia then extended his arms toward Andras. "So, before I go back to the party, can I hold my nepote a little bit?"

"Of course," you replied, gently passing Andras into Copia's waiting arms.

Copia's face lit up with a warm smile as he cradled Andras in his arms. The baby looked small and fragile in comparison to the tall and imposing figure of Copia, but there was a gentle tenderness in the way he held him. Copia's eyes were fixated on Andras, who gazed up at him with curious eyes. It was a heartwarming sight, and you couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and contentment as you watched the two of them together.

"You look well with him in your arms," you remarked, your gaze fixed on the bonding pair.

"Do I?" Copia giggled softly. "I always heard I had a way with kids."

"I think you do too," you said with sincerity, a smile gracing your lips.

As you took a step closer to Copia and Andras, you gently reached for the baby's hand, feeling his tiny fingers wrap around one of yours. Copia's eyes met yours, and there was an unspoken connection between you two. You both shared a smile, and in that moment, you realized that Copia's presence was even more captivating in person than in any photograph. The depth of his gaze and the warmth of his smile were something that couldn't be fully captured in pictures. You found yourself drawn to the genuine warmth and kindness in Copia's eyes.

However, the tender moment between you and Copia was suddenly interrupted by Andras's cries, breaking the connection you shared. Copia gently rocked the baby in his arms, trying to soothe him, while you reached out to touch Andras's tiny cheek, offering comfort and reassurance. Andras's cries filled the room, making it clear that he needed attention and care. Copia looked at you with a slightly apologetic smile as he continued his attempts to calm the baby.

"It seems like Andras prefers your company," Copia remarked, his voice filled with warmth as he tried to ease the baby's distress.

With that, Copia carefully handed Andras back to you, allowing you to resume your soothing efforts. You gently cradled Andras, who had started to show signs of drowsiness. You carefully walked over to the crib, and with a tender touch, you placed him back in it. Andras seemed to settle down once again, his eyelids growing heavier as he drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Copia watched the scene with a soft smile. "Grazie for taking care of m- him," he said, his tone a little nervous.

You turned to him with a warm smile. "It's my pleasure, Papa. And also, my job."

Copia nodded, leaning closer to the crib to admire his sleeping nephew. His fingers gently brushed over Andras's tiny hand, and a warm smile played on his lips. "I should head back to the party. But can I walk you to your chambers?"

"Papa, I'm already here, my room is right next door," you chuckled, stepping closer to him.

"Eh! Sì, sì, my silly mistake, sì?" He chuckled, his eyes filled with amusement.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Papa!" you teased, playfully patting his arm. "Maybe my outfit is causing the confusion."

You reached for the veil of your nun costume, fingers deftly untangling the knot that held it in place. As you removed the costume piece, Copia's gaze briefly fell upon you, but he quickly averted his eyes, fixating on some unseen point in the room.

"Better now?" you asked.

Copia turned his gaze back to you, his eyes tracing your figure from head to toe. He took a deep breath and nodded. There was a hint of a word that he seemed to hold back. You giggled and decided to distract yourself by tucking Andras into his crib. After turning off a nearby lamp, you walked back towards Copia, stopping in front of him.

"Maybe I can walk you to the front door?" you offered, reaching for his shirt and adjusting it neatly around his neck.

Copia looked at your hand and then nodded thoughtfully. You both left Andras's room, quietly closing the door behind you. Walking together down the corridor, your footsteps produced a faint echo on the polished floors. Approaching the front door, you hesitated for a moment. You stopped in front of it and your hand hovered over the doorknob. You glanced at Copia, who seemed lost in his thoughts as he stared at you.

"Thank you again for accompanying me, Papa," you expressed, your voice sincere and appreciative.

Copia blinked as if snapping out of a reverie, his attention returning to you. "Oh, mi dispiace," he responded, his voice gentle. "I was momentarily lost in thought. You were saying?"

"I was thanking you," you reiterated, a faint smile on your lips. "For coming with me and for letting us stay in your Papal apartment."

Copia offered you a warm smile in return. "You're most welcome. It was a pleasure to be of assistance. I hope you and Andras have a pleasant night."

With that, Copia stepped through the open door into the corridor, and you leaned against the doorframe, your eyes fixed on his retreating figure. Copia turned his body back to you and paused for a moment, contemplating something. Slowly, he extended his hand toward you, his fingers trembling slightly as he reached for yours, holding it.

"I hope you find your room comfortable. If there's anything you need or any questions you have, don't hesitate to ask me or any of the Ghouls. We're here to make your time at the ministry enjoyable If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask," he said with a reassuring tone. "And remember, you can always reach me."

Copia brought your hand closer to his mouth and pressed a gentle kiss on the back of it. You nodded, blushing deeply at his words, and bit your lower lip, trying to contain your emotions. Taking a deep breath, you offered him a warm smile. As he released your hand, his lips lightly brushed against your skin, and you felt his grip tighten. Your breath caught in your throat, but you fought to maintain your composure.

“Of course, Papa. Have a great time at the party, and don’t scare anyone else with your costume," you playfully remarked.

Copia chuckled. “I’ll do my best. Arrivederci, bella sorella.”

“Arrivederci, Papa,” you replied as he turned to leave, heading back to the Halloween party.

Copia came to a sudden halt, turning his head to look back at you over his shoulder, his gaze lingering on you for a moment before he turned and strolled down the corridor. As he gradually disappeared from your sight, you closed the door gently. Leaning against the door, you took a deep breath, your eyes closed, and you bit your lower lip slightly. There was no doubt about it – Copia was even more captivating in person than in the photos.

Grammar

Ho tentato: I tried

Fratello: Brother

Sì: Yes

Signora: Lady

Il piacere è tutto mio: The pleasure is all mine

Hai lo spirito di Halloween! Sapevo che non mi avresti deluso: You have the spirit of Halloween! I knew you wouldn't disappoint me!

Cretino: Idiot

Bella signora: Beautiful lady

Piccolo demone: Little demon

Ciao piccolo: Hello, little one

Il tuo zio preferito ti ha fatto mancare, mio piccolo demone: Your favorite uncle missed you, my little demon

Zio preferito: Favorite uncle

Bambino: Child

Ti ho spaventato? Mi dispiace, non era mia intenzione!: Did I scare you? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!

Bene, molto bene: Good, very good

Non cominciare neanche: Don't even start

Non stavo per dire niente: I wasn't going to say anything

Mi dispiace profondamente: I'm deeply sorry

Nepote: Nephew

Forse sarebbe meglio se smettessi di giustificarti, fratello: Maybe it would be best if you stop trying to justify yourself, brother

Coglione: Idiot

I due che stanno flirtando: The two of them flirting

Lasciali stare: Leave them alone

Non stavamo flirtando!: We weren't flirting!

Sì, stavate flirtando con lei: Yes, you were flirting with her

Cara mia: My dear

Grazie: Thank you

Cuoricina: Sweetheart

Mi dispiace: I'm sorry

Arrivederci: Goodbye

Taglist: @copiasslut @copiasprincipessa @enchantedbunny @haelithra @new-age-space-age @the-did-i-ask @sodoswitchimage @thesoundresoundsecho @fishwithtitz @nimbusghoul @da-rulahh @th4t-em0-k1d @citrusbunnies @copias-sewer-rat @reeeebeeee @ghostfangirlsweden @copiaspet6222 @lilylovesdew @quaildoodle @fluffysourpatch @terzossoapbar @x1nd1g0x @fantasticdeercollection

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ghu-leh · 1 year

Text

The Dance

Pairing: Papa Emeritus II/Female reader

Warnings/Content: No warnings; 1k+ words.

Additional Tags: Fluff Comfort, Dancing, Slow Dancing, Oneshot

Please see end of work under the cut for italian translations!

Read on AO3!

Through the hallways of the ministry, your nervous footsteps echoed. Bouncing with anxious energy; dancing through the air with excitement. As you approached the chapel, your mouth became dry, and your breathing could barely keep up with the fluttery beats of your heart.

Papa Emeritus Secondo waited for you in the safe darkness of the ministry's chapel.

closer…

You closed the door of the chapel behind you, and were welcomed by the sound of classical music and the comforting glow of candlelights. Next to the pulpit, his imposing figure stood proud, lighting up the final candles with the utmost care before he softly blew on the matchstick he held between his fingers.

“You are late, carissima”, says he with a stern voice turning around with elegant confidence; his eye contact leaving you frozen in place for a moment. Taking your breath away for an instant.

“I’m sorry Papa. I truly tried to be here on time. I really did, but…”

Secondo shakes his head, lifting his gloved hand to stop you from talking further.

“It’s important to be here on time, per favore, carissima… ne abbiamo parlato”, Secondo reprimands you, emphasizing with his hands, palms put together. As you bow with regret and several apologies leaving your lips, he looks at you with a mischievous smile. Punctuality was important for him, but seeing you become somewhat flustered at his little comment made the slight inconvenience worth it. He could tease you like this, and you didn’t even know it. He knew you would never be punctual, no matter how many times he told you. Piccola ribelle.

“Prova un po’ meglio la prossima volta, si?” Said the Papa, slowly approaching you. His mismatched gaze never leaves your face for a second; secretly taking in your features that have delighted him for quite a while now.

“I will, I promise.”

The Papa silently acknowledges your words with a nod, this time disguising his mischievous enjoyment a little better. He put his arms up, waiting for you to follow him. “You practiced, I assume? You know that the ritual is very close, mia carissima” His voice is now soft, almost intimate. You cleared your throat in an attempt to bring your focus back to the current moment.

“I have, Papa. As you instructed”, you replied, gently placing your hand on his grasp while the second emeritus took this as an invitation to hold your lower back. “Brava, bellissima.” Secondo closed the distance between you two, and he was now close, so close to your ear. To your neck. “Sei pronta?” He whispered. And oh! How you shivered, his voice sending electricity down your spine with each one of his exhales. You nodded as you felt yourself grow feverish. Calm down, calm down.

“Remember, cara. 1, 2, 3… 1, 2, 3…” Said the Papa as he started to lead. The smell of his cologne overloading your senses. The feeling of his warmth putting you in a trance.

The music, that now bounced off the walls of the chapel, felt nice and tingly against your ears; reverberating through your arms, and rippling through your legs with every dance step. “Let the music guide you…” Secondo continued, moving your body with the same ease an orchestra conductor would lead his ensemble. Both of your figures followed the climactic notes, dancing through the dark chapel as if you were a flowing river.

“Perfetta, perfetta… you are fantastic, cara!�� Smiled Secondo at your development “I told you that practice makes perfect, did I not?” You felt your chest beam with pride at the Papa’s compliments. You were well acquainted with his stern demeanor and his high standards. A type of perfectionism that was extended in every direction, including himself. Getting a compliment from him was, in fact, no easy task… but this…this was deeply special to you. “Thank you, Papa. Truly.” The song was coming to an end, and Secondo started to slow down his pace, while you followed suit. He now looked into your eyes as he continued the final part of this dance. You repressed a gasp at the sudden eye contact, struggling to maintain his gaze; your eyes looking everywhere else but him.

“No, no… continua a guardarmi, cara” “But…”

“Do as I say, carissima. It will be done at the ritual, might as well practice now, don’t you think?” Oh, for sweet Sathanas… your blood was pumping strongly through your veins, as you could barely look into his eyes. You swallowed, trying to remove the strong lump forming in your throat, in futile hopes that the nervousness pooling at the pit of your stomach would dissolve magically. You were wrong, to your dismay.

Secondo smirked somewhat amused.

“I can feel you shivering, cara” He whispered “Is the presence of your Papa making you nervous?” “Not at all” Your voice slightly trembled “Perhaps nervous at messing up.” “So you say” He chuckled, taking note of the crimson color that now came alive on your cheeks, your lips, your fingertips…

He wondered how sweet your lips would taste against his. How warm you would feel against his embrace, how your body would react to his touch. “You have nothing to worry about” He added, bringing himself out of that momentaneous distraction “You have become quite the skilled dancer, and something tells me you might end up teaching me in the future. Teaching this old man his own tricks” “Maybe so” you replied playfully, making the Papa raise an eyebrow with curiosity. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”

“Tu, piccola piantagrane” He smirked.

As the music came to a lull, Secondo stayed in place holding you while looking into your eyes. The beating of your heart syncing with his. You felt as if you could not break away from the strong spell of his gaze, even if you wanted to.

“Ti rigranzio per questo ballo…” He brought the back of your hand to his lips, as he placed a kiss with fervent eyes. “The honor is mine, Papa” You said softly, wishing his lips were against yours. Yearning for something more than just this tonight.

After a moment, the second Papa breaks the silence with a proposition. “What do you say, shall we have another dance?” Said Secondo, as he brought his hands up once more “Remember what I said about practicing, si?” “Yes, yes” You rolled your eyes in playful exasperation. “But just one more, hm?”

“No rush, cara. The night is still very young…” Translations: "Carissima/Cara": Dearest/Dear "Per favore, carissima… ne abbiamo parlato": Please dearest… we talked about this "Piccola ribelle": Little rebel “Prova un po’ meglio la prossima volta, si?”: Try a little better next time, yes? "Brava, bellissima.": Good job, beautiful “Sei pronta?”: Are you ready? "Perfetta": Perfect "Continua a guardarmi, cara": Keep looking at me, dear “Tu, piccola piantagrane”: You little troublemaker "Ti rigranzio per questo ballo": I thank you for this dance

#ghost #ghost the band #the band ghost #the band ghost bc #ghost bc #ghost the band bc #papa emeritus II #papa emeritus secondo #secondo #secondo x reader #Papa Emeritus II x female reader #papa emeritus ii x reader #papa emeritus secondo x reader #II #ghost the band fanfiction #ghost fanfiction #it's my first fic so im a little nervous to post but I'm also excited to start posting more and more!#ghuleh writes

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da-rulah · 1 year

Text

okay so hi. guess what.

i'm writing an 8 part fic for halloween. a monster of a fic. if i can stay on track...

it will be horny. it will be depraved. it will include more characters than just one papa.

stay tuned.

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molly-ghuleh · 1 year

Note

It's-a-me, bael, and I WANT TO ASK FOR ANOTHER HEADCANON!

May I ask for a Secondo one? Because I would like to hear from you how Secondo would be in bed with a reader who is insecure of her body and would be trying to hide herself from his eyes, like, asking for less light and etc.

My dear @baelzbu, you may ALWAYS ask for Secondo because I am ALWAYS soft for him <3 This is f!reader since you mentioned pronouns hehe. NSFW under the cut, 18+ only please!

Secondo

First of all, the moment Secondo sees you he thinks you're the most beautiful creature in the room. In the world, even.

He knows he has to have you.

Also. I have to say. He will NOT take you to bed only once. He will be so infatuated with you it's not even funny

Anyways

Takes his time seducing you. Halfway through charming you into his bed he realizes he actually enjoys your company

You grow into more than a lay for him (sorry I'm so soft for Secondo accidentally falling in love, shoot me)

He's always complimenting your beauty because he can tell by your body language that you're insecure about it

"Bellissima, cara" "Sei più che bella per me" "Sembri una dea uscita da un dipinto"

The first time he invites you to his chambers, you're so nervous that you almost say no

But how can you say no, when he's so sweet and expressing genuine interest?

If you're into it, he'll send you a box containing lingerie that he'd think you'll look amazing in, with a note instructing you to wear it that night

If it's more of a spontaneous thing, he'll be so eager to discover what's under your clothes, what you feel comfortable and pretty in

"Lascia che ti scarti, il mio piccolo dono di Satana"

He's expecting you to be a little shy, he'd picked up on that aspect of you from watching you and getting to know you

So when that first expanse of skin is exposed and you try to cover yourself up, he gently coaxes your hands and arms away so he can see your beauty

Kisses every inch of your skin. And I mean every inch

Leaves little bite marks and hickeys in places you feel particularly insecure about, so you know he loves those parts enough for both of you

I feel like he'd like dim light anyways, because it's more sensual and romantic. But when you ask for complete darkness, he's a bit taken aback

Teases you by saying, "I can blindfold you if you'd like, dolce. That will make things very dark, no?"

But then will reassure you that he wants to see you, that he thinks you're a goddess walking the Earth and that's half the reason he wanted to pursue you in the first place

(The other half is because he's a THIGH MAN)

Reallyyyyyy takes his time making sure you know he finds you more than attractive

Runs his hands over your thighs, your belly, your chest, your ass. Worships you like the goddess you are in his eyes

Makes you cum at least twice before he even thinks about taking pleasure for himself

If you have the urge to cover yourself up still, he'll gently take your hands and pin them above your head with one hand while touching you, caressing you, pleasuring you with the other

Eye contact king. Wants you to KNOW who's making you feel this good. But also wants to see it when he brings you the most pleasure you've ever felt

Goes above and beyond for you. Really pulls out all the stops because you're the most attractive person he's ever seen

If he thinks he can walk away from having you in his bed and not think twice, he's very wrong.

Can't stop thinking about how you looked under him

Wonders how you might look on top of him? Needs to find out.

Pretty soon he's addicted, and every encounter you have makes you more and more comfortable because he's always telling you how sexy you are

Secondo likes being in control but if you ever initiate and want to lead, he might come in his pants before you even touch him there

In short. He is the most generous lover in the world and will make sure you know he wants all of you.

#secondo x reader #papa secondo x reader #papa emeritus x reader #secondo x female reader #papa emeritus ii x reader #papa emeritus ii x female reader #papa emeritus ii x f!reader #secondo x f! reader #ghost fanfiction #ghost band fanfiction #ghost band fic #ghost band smut #secondo smut #ghost headcanons #ghost band headcanons #secondo headcanons

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ghulehunknown · 1 year

Text

Hey everyone! I’m Elizabeth (:

My blog is strictly 18+! I write adult themes and I will always tag my posts accordingly. Sometimes it’s just fluff.

Requests are open! - fanfics, drabbles, headcanons, etc. I love hearing from you! Just a few things to note:

Typically I write Papa x Reader (either GN or F reader), but I am open to changing it up

I’ll write any of the Papas or Ghouls/Ghoulettes, but am most comfortable w/ Terzo x Reader or Copia x Reader

Topics I will NOT write include the following, but are not limited to: incest, beastiality, underage, non-con - I will update this list if I need to

DM me anytime! If I’m taking a while to respond or post, please be patient as I’m probably thinking of the best way to write the request.

I reserve the right to deny any request but please do not take it personally. Certain topics I may not write if I can’t find the inspiration or I’m uncomfortable, but generally I’m open to just about anything.

Enjoy!

🔞 The following list contains NSFW content. Minors DNI 🔞

Wintertime Smut Collection

XXXmas At The Ministry, a collaboration with @copias-sewer-rat, @molly-ghuleh, and @bupia

Naughty Presents (Primo) by @copias-sewer-rat

Ungrumpify Your Papa (Secondo) by @molly-ghuleh

Mistletoe’d (Terzo) by @ghulehunknown

Treasure Hunt (Copia) by @bupia

Papa Holiday Headcanons

Papa Valentine’s Day Headcanons

Vacation Full Length Smut and “The Note” (a continuation of Mistletoe’d) - coming soon!

“A Holiday Tail”

“A Rainy Winter”

Kinktober 2023

Day 1 - masturbation • Day 2 - Terzomega • Day 3 - blowjob • Day 4 - cunnilingus, fingering, worship • Day 5 - miniskirt rough sex, dom • Day 6 - soft dom, sweet sex • Day 7 - teacher/student, inexperience, praise • Day 8 - rimming • Day 9 - public sex, exhibitionism • Day 10 - spanking, fishnets • Day 11 - group sex • Day 12 - sub Copia, degradation • Day 13 - kissing HCs • Day 14 - period sex HCs • Day 15 - lovemaking HCs • Halloween - Vamperzo, period sex

Papa Emeritus IV

“Do You Deserve It?” • “You Earned It” • Random Drabble • “Creature Comforts” • Undressing Copia Drabble

Cardinal Copia

“Cardi Confessions”

Terzo

“I Wanna Be Yours” (Terzomega) • “Preparation is Key” • “Papa’s Worship” • “Movie ’n Chill” • “Let’s Have a Satanic Orgy” • “La Notte del Vampiro” • “La Lezione di Lucifero” • “And He Sees Nothing Wrong With That” • “Mistletoe’d” • “One Missed Text”

Secondo

“Papa’s Punishment”

Primo

“Teach Me Tonight”

Papa Headcanons

Kissing/Cuddling • Period Sex/Comforting • Romantic Sex/Lovemaking • Sick Days • Mary Goore NSFW • Positions • Going Down (F Receiving) • Jealousy • Thanksgiving • Showering Together • Holidays • Valentine’s Day • Proposals • Waking Up Together • Aftercare

Ghouls

“A Holiday Tail” (Mountain) • “A Rainy Winter” (Rain)

Papa of Choice

“Caught by Papa” • “Tangled Sheets”

Gender Neutral

“I Wanna Be Yours” (Terzomega) • “Tangled Sheets” • “Papa’s Punishment” • Random Copia Drabble • “A Rainy Winter” • “Creature Comforts” • Undressing Copia Drabble

F!Reader

“Caught by Papa” • “Preparation is Key” • “Papa’s Worship” • “Do You Deserve It?” • “You Earned It” • “Teach Me Tonight” • “Movie ’n Chill” • “Let’s Have a Satanic Orgy” • “Cardi Confessions” • “La Notte del Vampiro” * “La Lezione di Lucifero” • “And He Sees Nothing Wrong With That” • “Mistletoe’d” • “A Holiday Tail” (Mountain x AFAB) • “One Missed Text”

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earthry · 1 year

Note

Hello! Humbly requesting a HC of reader sending the Papa’s nudes.

Thank you for the request! I hope you don't mind that these aren't very detailed or as smutty as probably expected

tw: tiny bit spicy, riling the papas up

Primo

Peepaw’s still got it going on.

Will call you immediately and huskily ask you if you’re alone. When you tell him you are, he’ll instruct you step by step to touch yourself.

Turns into phone sex and you learn just how hot it is to hear him dominant and desperate at the same time.

When you’re both spent, he’ll come find you afterwards so he can give you proper aftercare and a very appreciative thank you for the nudes.

In the moment he can be pretty intense but afterwards he’s a teddy bear.

Secondo

Screenshots it and puts it as his Home Screen.

Will send you very detailed dirty talk about what he wants and will do to you the next time you’re both alone.

More affected by the nude then he lets on— will end up getting off to it and then sending you a photo of his own, telling you that you’d better take responsibility.

Terzo

Sends nudes back and fuck are they good. He knows the perfect poses and angles to really show himself off.

You’re the one who ends up flustered instead.

You end up finding him and jumping his bones and the two of you make love while you giggle and laugh because sex is supposed to be fun.

Afterwards he’ll give you tips and tricks on how to take better nudes because he’s a homie.

Copia

Almost has a heart attack and then almost drops his phone and then because he almost drops his phone, almost has a second heart attack.

Is not used to getting nudes and holy fucking shit you’re so hot fuck fuck— he needs like a solid ten minutes to get his brain functioning again.

You’re a little worried when the message reads as ‘✅ read’ but you don’t get a response. You’re about to apologize for sending the picture when he finally messaged you back and it’s just him asking where you are right now.

Hunts you down like a predator after he’s collected himself— he’s practically insatiable. You get a very thorough introduction to how he handles being sent nudes and you don’t regret it one bit.

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leezlelatch · 11 months

Text

Comfort From The Eldest

This is something I've had in my drafts forever. It was written after I had a really harsh interaction with a coworker, and I hope that it provides the same level of comfort to you as it did for me when I was having difficulties. Female reader. Fluff, comfort, protective papas.

Primo

You almost feel ridiculous for being upset. It’s not like you did anything. It was the other party. But you feel awful. Every part of that conversation is ringing in your head and won’t let go. Someone took their anger out on you because they were hurting, you realize that. You know they didn’t actually mean it, but you can’t help the hurt that’s sitting in your gut like a rock.

You sigh as you sink into Primo’s preferred chair in his little observatory. His telescope sits mounted beside it, eye toward the heavens. Maybe you should take a peak. Look at something beyond you, bigger than you, to make your problems seem smaller than they are.

“Petal?” Primo’s deep voice echoes through the space, startling you.

You look up to see him standing inside the doorway. He holds a book to his side, his other hand carrying a cup of tea which steams into the air. His reading glasses sit perched on his hooked nose. He isn’t wearing his paints, his wrinkled and hawk-like features on display for your weary eyes. Primo’s beauty is a balm.

“I am surprised to see you here, sweet petal, but nonetheless delighted,” he continues, sweeping into the room to set his cup down on a pretty flower doily on the surface of his desk. “It does an old man’s heart good to see his preziosa.”

“I like it here…this is your space,” you say softly.

“You know you are welcome at all-,” he pauses as he turns away from his desk, his eyes sweeping over your form.

“What happened?” His tone has changed immediately. It’s sharp, coiled, ready to strike.

“What do you mean?” You try to laugh it off, your lips curling into a smile, but to your own ears it sounds hollow.

Primo moves toward you in a way that sends a shiver straight down your spine. It’s quick, straight, so unlike his usual unhurried gait brought on by age. He kneels beside the chair with no more than a small huff and takes your hands, his eyes searching yours. The white of his left eye looks narrowed, as if it sees more than you can comprehend.

“You look so sad, amore mio. Your Papa may be old, my darling, but he is not blind. I know every tick of that beautiful face.”

Your eyes burn and you try to look away, but long fingers capture your chin, keeping your gaze. Primo’s expression melts into a soft smile, his fingers sliding up to trace the curve of your cheek. You immediately crumble and tell him everything, the former Papa wildly attentive. He squeezes your hand when you begin to choke up, he nods along with your words, and he never interrupts you.

Primo pats your legs when you finish, “Up, petal,” he says, waiting for you to move so he can sink down into his chair with a soft groan. He holds out his arms and you gently fall into his lap. He nuzzles into the side of your head for a moment before reaching out toward his telescope.

“Let’s see,” he murmurs. He peaks into the lens, adjusting it here and there before a satisfied “ah!” leaves his lips. “There we are, petal, look here.”

You look at him for a moment, his smile encouraging, before you look through the lens. You see a beautiful star, shining in the sky, likely thousands of light years away.

“It’s beautiful,” you say, smiling at him.

“It’s you,” he says. “I named it after you. After my brightest star, who brings me happiness beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Who is kind, loving, and clever. Unfortunately, she has to put up with un vecchio coglione.”

“Oh, hush,” you laugh through a fresh bout of tears. “Primo…”

You wrap your arms around his neck, kissing his lips.

“I love you,” you say.

“And I love you. Now…tell me who this…bastardo was again?”

Secondo

Secondo sits wearily at his desk, gazing down at the report from the recent restoration project of artifacts found within an abbey in the mountains of Italy which possibly point to an early Satanic organization the current institution can draw roots from. The name Emeritus appears on a portrait of a man dressed in a bastardized version of medieval Catholic vestments, and Secondo is heading the preservation and research project to determine whether the man is an ancestor of the Emeritus line or if the name merely signifies the man's retired position.

A hesitant knock on his door tumbles Secondo from his thoughts and he gazes with a heavy brow at the dark oak, willing it not to open, but after several seconds, the knock comes again, and he blows out a breath between his teeth in frustration.

"Enter."

The door creaks open, and Secondo need only see the sleeve of your sweater before his body is relaxing, a pleased smile crossing his features as you come further into view, peeking behind the door with those eyes which captivate him wholly, and that mischievous little smile the man greatly enjoys kissing from your face.

"Enter? That tone says otherwise," you tease, slipping into the room and shutting the door firmly behind you.

Secondo harrumphs, tilting his head back a little, pinning you to the spot with his heavy gaze that never fails to send a thrill shooting from your heart to...well, other more enjoyable places.

"Perhaps I do not wish to be disturbed, la mia piccola interruzione," he says.

The shining look in your eyes is snuffed out in an instant, your body growing taut with anxiety. He watches with muted horror as you practically curl into yourself, your feet already moving you back toward his office door, your hands wringing fretfully in front of you.

"Am I really disturbing you? I'm so sorry, Papa," you say in a tone Secondo never wishes to hear again. Full of diffidence and self-doubt.

His chair hits the wall behind him when he stands up, his robes fluttering around his form as he quickly rounds his desk. Fingers desperately reach for you, a panicked look in the usually stoic Papa's eyes as he draws you into his embrace, his hands cradling your head to his chest for a moment before he's tilting it back, his palms smoothing back your hair while he searches your gaze for any hint to your distress. Your façade quickly crumbles, tears springing to your eyes, and you attempt to turn from him, but Secondo's hands hold fast, not allowing you to break from his gaze, from his hold.

He would hold you forever.

"Tell me. Tell me, il mio tutto. What has happened? You know I would never," Secondo pauses and sighs, closing his eyes. "I must be more mindful of my words. You are not just a Sibling or a member of the Clergy, you are my life. Perdonami."

"It's okay, Seco, I'm just being ridiculous," you say with a tearful grimace, shrugging your shoulders as you look to the side.

Secondo makes a low hum, drawing you even closer, wrapping the heavy cloth of his chasuble around you. You are immediately enveloped in his warmth and his scent, your head resting in the crook of his shoulder. He keeps you near, quietly, for a moment, gently swaying as a torrent of thoughts passes his mind. He sighs softly and shifts so you are looking into his eyes once more.

"You, amore mio, are not ridiculous. You are the very joy in my heart. You are the warmth of the sun on my skin. I should not speak to you in any manner but that of love," he says.

Your brow furrows for a moment and then clears, realization dawning in your eyes, "Oh, Secondo, I'm not upset over what you said. I mean, yes, I was afraid I was disturbing you, but that's...someone upset me earlier. I was already feeling unwanted anyway, and..."

Secondo's pupils narrow and he cocks his head to the side, a cold smile spreading his lips as he presses a kiss to your forehead.

"Come, dolcezza," he guides you to sit in the chair before his desk. "Sit here, and tell your Papa exactly who hurt you and where to find them."

“I love you, but that won’t solve anything,” you sigh, settling into the chair. Secondo sits on the arm, towering over you and creating a blanket with his presence. He reaches out a hand to idly play with your hair while gazing down at you with an unreadable expression, his jaw clenching.

“What I need to solve is this issue you have brought to my attention. That you believe you are unwanted,” Secondo shivers at the thought, his hand falling to your shoulder and gripping it as if to keep him anchored. “I have done you a great disservice, and I have failed you as a partner in not addressing this sooner.”

You surge forward to protest, but Secondo silences you by cradling the back of your head and pushing you into his lap, resting your head against his thigh as he continues to speak. “I love you. Perhaps I do not say it enough, but I have never known such happiness other than the precious moments we have spent together. You have given an old man hope. I want you. I need you. I think about you and crave your touch when we are not together. I ache to hold you, to look into your beautiful eyes, that sweet face. Please, amore mio, my everything, do not think you are unwanted. I am nothing without you.”

You take in a shaky breath, your fingers gripping his chasuble, as you whisper your love to him in a voice thick with tears. Secondo cups your chin and lifts your head from his lap, his smile soft, but eyes sharp as a knife.

“Now, be a good girl and tell your Papa where to find the fool who hurt il mio tesoro?”

“What if it’s my own brain?” You ask with a weak laugh.

Secondo leans down to place a featherlight kiss to your lips. “Then I will fight it with patience, love, and the stubbornness of an old man.” He winks. “I’ve been fighting mine for years.”

#the band ghost #Papa Emeritus I #Papa Emeritus II #primo emeritus #secondo emeritus #primo x female reader #papa emeritus i x female reader #secondo x female reader #papa emeritus ii x female reader #comfort fic #the band ghost fanfiction

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writingjourney · 6 months

Text

Of Lemon Tarts and Tiny White Rabbits

Secondo, Earl of Griftwood, cannot believe his eyes when a tiny white rabbit scampers into his study. He is stunned even more when he meets the lovely owner of the pet – and promptly falls in love.

pairing: secondo x female!reader // regency AU

content: 4.6k words, regency AU (not 100% historically accurate but I tried), pov third person, forbidden romance, age gap, first kisses, social hierarchies, mildly suggestive at times, soft!secondo, pining and yearning etc., wingman terzo

This is a birthday present for the lovely @tasty-ribz , also special thanks to @angellayercake for encouraging me to bring Snowbell into this story ✨🐰

Masterlist – Ao3 link

The curtains sway gently in the soft breeze that carries a fragrant spring air into his study. Secondo lifts his gaze to take in the lovely view through the open double doors which lead to a balcony and the well-kept gardens of Emeritus Manor. Lush rose bushes climb up the stone walls and wrap around the railings, dark green speckled with the pink of countless flowers. Somewhere in the trees the birds break out in song, their melodic chirping a pleasant background noise that accompanies him as he maintains his correspondence.

After this short reprieve for his eyes, he dips the quill back into the black pot of ink on his bureau. A few more letters and he can settle outside in the shade for his afternoon tea, perhaps even indulge and allow himself a lemon tart to go with it. He can’t remember hiring a new cook and yet he swears the smell of freshly baked pastries has filled the halls of the estate more frequently as of late, their taste tempting even him who is usually not one for desserts.

A movement in his peripheral vision distracts him momentarily but when he looks up there is nothing unusual to be seen. Secondo watches the curtains, assuring himself that it must have been the wind playing tricks on him. With a frown on his face, he focuses back on his letters. After a moment, however, he glances back up, suddenly sensing a presence in the room. When he still cannot detect anything out of the ordinary, he assumes that it must have been a ghost wandering the old halls of the manor – it would not be the first time.

Over the scratching sounds of his quill he almost misses the tiny squeak that passes his ears only a moment later. A mouse? No ghosts that haunt him after all. He lets his eyes roam the walls that are lined with bookshelves, trying to spot any scurrying movements on the elaborately patterned rug that muffles the sound. At last, he glances down to his feet and surprise takes over his stern features.

A white baby rabbit sits next to his shoe, its tiny pink nostrils moving rapidly as it sniffs the leather with utmost interest. The creature cannot be bigger than his palm. Where could it possibly come from? As far as he is aware, they do not keep any rabbits, let alone breed them.

“Snowbell?” The voice that suddenly sounds from the balcony is soft and melodic, a young woman he cannot quite place. “Snowbell, where did you go?”

Her figure appears in the frame a mere moment later and she flinches back when she spots Secondo at his desk through the open doors. She immediately averts her eyes, her hair falling into her face and covering her features.

“Please, forgive me for the disturbance, my lord.”

“There is nothing to forgive,” he replies. “I understand you are looking for this little troublemaker here?”

Secondo leans down to pick up the rabbit. Indeed it fits neatly into his gloved palm and he regrets that he cannot feel the soft fur against his fingers. The bunny breathes rapidly, its small body excited or scared, he cannot quite tell.

“Oh, you found her! Thank the lord, I thought she was lost forever.”

“Will you relieve me of her, then? She seems quite restless.”

The young woman who he cannot remember seeing before cautiously enters and with a lowered gaze approaches his desk. Secondo admires her for a moment, her striking complexion and the mesmerising way with which hair shimmers in the golden sunlight. Young and innocent, the daughter of a servant perhaps if the state of her dress is any indication. Yet it does not diminish her beauty nor her youthful radiance; he can tell that she is perhaps five-and-twenty.

She reaches for the bunny and he hands it over the desk, feeling her fingers brushing against his. Again he regrets the barrier between his skin and the world around him but even so he can tell that the heat has risen to her cheeks. She does not seem to be used to the presence of her superiors. He’s well aware of his reputation as a rather reserved and intimidating employer.

“I am not certain that I know your name,” he says before she can scurry off, skittish like the tiny animal that appears a little taller now in her smaller hands.

She replies with her name and a curtsy, not quite lady-like in practice but Secondo can tell that she must have enjoyed a good upbringing. Perhaps she has experience working for nobility.

“Where do you belong to, my girl?”

“I am François’s daughter, my lord.”

“Ah, sì, the new gardener?”

“Yes, my lord.”

He nods, watching her pet the rabbit with her slender fingers as if to calm herself. “And how do you like it here?”

“It is extraordinarily beautiful, my lord. The estate is magnificent and I quite enjoy the work in the kitchens.”

“The kitchens? So it is you who prepares these scrumptious lemon tarts?”

She nods, smiling a bit shyly. “It is a French recipe, my lord. My mother taught me how to make it when I was a wee girl and she worked for the Earl of Carlisle.”

“Are there any lemon tarts today, per chance?”

“I made a fresh batch just this morning, my lord.”

“Wonderful. Now, bring your Snowbell to safety before she scuttles away again.”

“Thank you most kindly, my lord. I promise to be more careful when I take her outside.”

He watches the young woman’s retreating form, reminding himself not to covet what he should not have. It is quite hard at the sight of such a sublime creature, though he rarely allows himself to indulge in thoughts of his carnal desires. The way she takes care of the animal tells him that she has a kind soul and how he could he ever taint it with his rotten hands?

Secondo stands to take his afternoon tea, looking forward to a generous serving of the fresh lemon tarts. He closes the balcony doors before he departs, his correspondence quite forgotten.

✦ ✧ ✦

He is too absorbed in his brother’s letter to notice the music at first.

When he finally does Secondo stops in the middle of the hallway. Rarely does he hear such sweet sounds these days, busy with politics and finances as he is. Ever since inheriting his father’s title as the Earl of Griftwood he is subjected to ball music, loud opera pieces and the talentless daughters of the other lords of the ton.

This subdued private concert is much more to his liking.

He folds the letter and pockets it before investigating the source of the music. Primo has written to him from Italy where his clerical duties keep him occupied. Secondo is relieved to learn that his brother is in good health and filling his new role as the leader of their secret church for which he has forsaken his role as the head of their family. A title that has now fallen to Secondo.

Following the trail of the music carries him further down the hall until he stops in front of a double door that stands slightly ajar. The sitting room beyond is abandoned safe for the person who has taken up residence behind the pianoforte and is now delighting the house with their pleasant tunes. Secondo is not one to swoon but when he discovers the gardener’s daughter, watching as her fingers glide over the keys in an elegant dance, he is quite taken with the sight of her.

It is only after quite some time that he spots the rabbit in her lap.

The piece ends all too soon but Secondo cannot bring himself to reveal his position. He watches on as she lifts Snowbell and places her tiny paws on the keys, playing an easy melody as she giggles and compliments her pet’s musical talent. He thinks that the snow white rabbit is an emblem of her most becoming properties – her soft and lovely presence, her gentle disposition and ethereal beauty. Two creatures that heaven must have forged together. Not for a moment does he think he could ever be worthy of her, no matter if his nobility raises him above her in this strict society. She transcends the rules of birthright and social rank, rules that he has always rejected, if not openly. Perhaps this is why he feels so drawn to her – she represents all that he has ever longed for, all that they strive to achieve with their church of Lucifer.

“I did not know we had a musician in the house,” he finally comments. “Or need I say two musicians?”

She jumps, again, startled by his domineering presence that takes over the room the moment he steps inside. After a few deep breaths she recovers and offers a polite greeting. Snowbell sits in her hand now, no bigger than a baby chick and just as restless. Her head rises as if to greet him as well, tiny button eyes shimmering not without mischief.

“Your brother told me it was alright for me to practice in here and that it is his instrument–”

“I am sorry, my dove, I did not mean to accuse you of anything untoward. Of course you may practice your music in here. We have been deprived of such beautiful sounds for way too long with no ladies in the house.”

Her shoulders sink in relief, the tension finally leaving her. “I hear that his lordship is quite a gifted musician himself. As are his brothers.”

“Ah, sì, sì, if only there was more time for it. I find that without pleasant company I cannot persuade myself to dedicate the time.” He steps further inside the room and takes a seat on one of the velvet settees, moderately close to where she’s now lowering herself back on her stool. His black breeches strain over his thighs and he adjusts his emerald green waistcoat that has ridden up, rights the knot in his cravat. “You play well, piccina. How did you come to master the pianoforte?”

“I may not be of noble upbringing, my lord, but my parents used all their means to ensure that I was educated, perhaps more than befits my station.” Her voice is sharp, not unfriendly but defensive nonetheless. “A person’s rank in society does not determine their talent for musical play.”

“I apologise if I offended your sensibilities, my dove. I did not mean to imply that your origin should have anything to do with your capability of learning an instrument.”

“No apologies are needed, my lord. It is true that such opportunities are not provided to many of my status. I cherish my privileges every day.”

Her eloquence and quick wit impress him, the dignified countenance with which she holds herself even in the face of an older man much above her in station. It would be easy to think that she is a noble lady, if it weren’t for her lack of fine clothing and jewellery. He fights off the urge to accoutre her, to dress her in the finest garments he can find in all of London and Paris or Rome. How lovely she would look with her hair done up, her slender neck exposed for his eyes alone.

And not just for his eyes.

Before he can inquire any further, Snowbell suddenly leaps from her lap. The rabbit lands on the soft carpet and scampers over towards the settee on her tiny legs.

“Oh, not again Snowbell,” the girl laments, but then she notices the rabbit’s direction and smiles softly. “I suppose she has taken a liking to you, my lord.”

“I hope she is not the only one,” he counters, allowing himself this moment of reverie.

Flustered, she averts her gaze, reacting in much the same way that he hoped she would. “Who could not be taken with him when his lordship is so very generous and kind of heart?”

Secondo smiles to himself as he leans down to pick up the cheeky rabbit, removing one of his dark leather gloves to finally feel the softness of her fur. “How did you come in possession of such an animal?” he finds himself asking. “She is quite unusual, no?”

“Oh, my father was engaged to work for another noble house in the city just before we came here and he found a nest in their garden. Snowbell was the only white rabbit of the litter. While the children of the house were allowed to keep the other rabbits they thought her cursed and wanted to kill her. I begged him to let me save her and bring her here.”

How charitable, he thinks, saving those who are unwanted, those who are abandoned by God, not differentiating between human or beast. How perfectly she would fit into his family whose ideals and values would have them shunned from society if they lived them openly. Perhaps it was not God who sent her but Lucifer himself. For him to love, to cherish, to worship.

He is aware that he is getting ahead of himself.

Snowbell allows him to pet her but he eventually stands to place the rabbit back in her saviour’s hands. This time, her fingers brush against the bare skin of his palm. A shiver runs through him, tingling down his spine before settling warmly in his lower belly.

Her heated cheeks are evidence that she feels the same way.

“Do you enjoy reading, my girl?” he asks, only now noticing the book she must have placed on the instrument. A romance novel, he notes, not without a hint of disappointment. He could not be any more different from the heroes of such tales if he tried.

“I do, my lord.” She cradles Snowbell gently against her bosom, almost protectively, and he has to tear is his eyes away from the soft skin there. “I am an avid reader when I do find the time.”

“Please, feel free to use my personal library at your convenience. I am sure that you are in want of new reading material. This book appears to be… well-loved.”

“Are you quite certain, my lord? I would not want to impose–”

“Oh, nonsense. Many of the books have been collecting dust for way too long.”

Perhaps this suggestion stems from him wanting her to frequent his spaces and not those of his brother, if only to raise his chances of running into her. If Terzo offered her his instrument then he is sure that his eyes are not the only ones that she has caught. Secondo shares many a thing with his brother, but he will not share her.

“Thank you, my lord,” she says. “I am not sure what I have done to deserve your generosity but I shall cherish it forever.”

“Hm, your services are well-appreciated, my dove. I merely wish to make your life here a little more pleasant.”

She giggles. “His lordship must really like the lemon tarts.”

Her laughter shakes him to his very core. He is tempted to smile, or to tell her that it is not the tarts that have captivated him, but all this foolish impulse does is distort his stern features into a grimace. Before her eyes can linger on him, he departs with quick steps and a racing heart, making sure to leave the door open.

A few moments later the soft tunes of her music accompany him back to his study.

✦ ✧ ✦

The rustling of the page is a steady noise in the background as he works away at the desk he strategically positioned in his library. The expense reports of the estate are all in order and yet he goes over them once more – if only to stretch out the time in her presence.

He looks up to find Snowbell happily munching on a carrot in her little crate on the floor. His true heart’s desire, however, is reading a romance novel that he so graciously stocked the library with. Not that anyone will ever see a report of this particular expense.

“Are the new books to your liking, my dove?” he finds himself asking.

“They are quite enjoyable, my lord.” She looks up, marking her page before she closes the book. “And yet… I find that I do not want a love like these books promise. It sounds rather boring to me.”

“How so?”

“The true appeal of a person lies in his or her imperfections, my lord. Not even the finest, most handsome young man could tempt me when there is no flaw in his character that captures my interest. If I should ever fall in love it should be with a man much older who has been shaped by the hardships of life, with rough edges but a core that still carries a soft heart that he only shows to those he holds dear. I should like to uncover this heart and have it beat only for me.”

Secondo pauses for a moment. Could it be true? Could a beautiful young woman like her truly fall for an old man such as himself? Accept that their love would be flawed and rejected by society and love him all the more for it? If it is true what she implies then does he dare hope–

“You are quite different from what I expected, my lord,” she says before his thoughts can carry him away. “I have heard many things that I now know to be untrue.”

“And how so?”

“Everyone told me that you were quiet and rather cold, polite but not in the habit of keeping anyone’s company and while generous with your staff they said it is rare to see you outside of your study. And yet… I have only ever sensed your warmth, your generosity, and while you are a private man I feel as though I got to know you merely by being in the same room and striking up idle conversation. You have requested my presence almost daily as of late and I must admit that I find great comfort in spending my time with you, so much so that I feel sad when a day goes by and I cannot see you.”

Secondo stands abruptly, overwhelmed by the sudden sparks of emotion that ignite the fire in a heart he has long since thought to be withered. His long legs carry him to where she is sitting on a plush settee, the golden sun from the window illuminating her like an angel incarnate. She is a dream he finds himself caught in, and not of his own volition.

“My dove,” he says as he kneels down in front of her, grasping her hand tightly in his. “Your companionship is the greatest gift that I have ever received.”

He presses a fervent kiss to her knuckles, quite overcome with his desires. How he longs to pull her into his embrace, to kiss her plump cheeks and soft lips, to keep her trapped against his chest and stroke her hair for hours.

When he meets her eyes, she seems surprised by his sudden outburst, but not at all repelled like he had feared. “My dear lord, how I wish we could have met under different circumstances.”

Secondo releases a shuddering breath and buries his face in her lap. When she begins to caress his head, running her soft fingers along the sharp lines of his cheekbones, he feels like he wants to weep.

✦ ✧ ✦

The delivery goes smoothly – until his brother appears in the doorway.

“A new instrument?” Terzo asks. “Whatever for? You could have asked to use mine, fratello.”

Secondo grumbles in reply, wishing his brother would finally leave. He is dressed smartly – a dark purple brocade waistcoat with a matching tailcoat, black breeches, a white cravat, high leather boots and a brand new top hat – ready to leave for a picnic or whatever social event he is planning to attend in pursuit of his latest sweetheart. He has always mirrored Secondo’s expensive taste in clothing but decided that his colour was purple instead of green. If it weren’t for Secondo’s lack of hair and Terzo’s thick black locks their brotherly relation would be uncanny, if not a little ridiculous.

“Do you not have to make an appearance somewhere else?” Secondo asks when his brother lingers while they set up the pianoforte under his watchful eyes.

“Oh, I still have enough time to observe my brother’s folly. Tell me, did she bewitch you so that you are wasting the family’s funds now? How exactly do you plan on introducing the gardener’s daughter to polite society, fratello?”

A deep breath. Secondo cannot strangulate him in front of the suppliers. “I do not know what you are talking about. I merely wish to possess an instrument of my own.”

“Mhm and the ornate rabbits carved into the wood? Are those to your taste as well?”

“I am very fond of animals. I quite enjoy the design, do you not find it endearing?”

Terzo merely chuckles in reply, the words altogether unfamiliar from his bother’s tongue, and pats his shoulder with a heavy hand. “I will make sure that the pamphlets are filled with someone else’s transgressions, should you decide that a diversion of the ton’s attention is needed in light of your imminent marriage to a commoner.”

Secondo refuses to argue with him, Terzo is too smart for that. Instead he waits until they are alone again and his brother further inspects the pianoforte. The tunes he lures from the keys are splendid, much richer in sound than any he has heard before. A good investment, Secondo decides.

“What a splendid instrument,” his brother says. “I shall hope that your little rabbit plays it for you on many an occasion.”

“I plan to have her play it for me every day for as long as I live.”

Terzo raises a brow. “So you do intend to propose? My, my! I did not expect you to ever let go of your determination to stay alone for the rest of your days. What has changed?”

“I met the loveliest creature to walk this earthly plane, fratello, I have been touched by her angelic hands and saw the true meaning of paradise. I do not care much what polite society has to say about our union. I am quite ready to be selfish after I sacrificed my freedom for this family.”

“And politics, your favourite subject?”

“I do not plan to advertise this marriage, fratello. I shall be ready to face all the consequences, for her love will carry me through the worst of it.”

“Oh, how you have changed!” Terzo snickers but not unkindly. “I am very happy for you, brother mine. She will make a lovely wife for an old grump such as yourself.”

“You are just as old,” Secondo says dismissively. “And yet you act like a bachelor in the prime of his youth.”

“And I shall continue to do so for as long as I can. If you will excuse me now, I have a rendezvous to attend and I am already late.”

The moment Terzo departs, Secondo allows his own hands to explore the pianoforte. He is quite out of practice but the finely tuned instruments sounds wonderful even under his stiff fingers. An old song finds its way into his head and he allows his memory to do the rest of the work.

When he finally finishes, he is pulled from his trance by the loveliest of voices.

“My lord, you asked for me,” she says timidly as she approaches him. “I do not wish to interrupt when you play such lovely songs.”

“You are not interrupting, my dove. Please, come here, sit down in my stead. This is yours now.”

“Oh, but my lord–” She trails off, her pupils widening at the sight of the brand new instrument.

He is not certain what he did to upset her. “If you would rather play a harp or a lyre–”

“No, no, that is not what I mean, my lord. I just… I am not worthy of such an expensive gift.”

“Oh, but my dove, you are more than worthy. And it is not entirely selfless. I hope I will be hearing your sweet music more often while I am working in here.”

She smiles affectionately. “I shall play for his lordship whenever he wishes. I shall… I shall play until my fingers hurt!”

“I would never allow for this to happen,” he decides, reaching for her hands and massaging them gently in his. “No pain may befall my dearest for as long as I am here to prevent it.”

She holds his gaze, hope shimmering in her irises. “I shall play with caution then, I would not want my lord to be in distress on my behalf. Would you hold Snowbell for me, please?”

Before she sits, she pulls the rabbit from the pocket of her dress where the she must have napped for she perks up sleepily when she is set down in his broad hands. Secondo does not make a move to stand.

“My lord–”

He uses his free hand to pull her into his lap and she gasps before her fingers find the keys. He can feel her shivering against his chest, her breathing as rapid as his heartbeat.

“I am not sure that I can play under his lordship’s scrutiny,” she whispers.

“I am quite certain that you can.”

With another shaky breath she begins to play. Heavenly tunes fill the room, her hands working their magic on the keys of the fine instrument. It is a song he has not heard before, slow and rather quiet but all the more powerful on his emotions. Her confidence soon returns and she plays in the same carefree way that he has grown to enjoy, only this time she is in his space, where she belongs. She is in his arms, breathes the very same air that flows through his lungs, and he can sense that he made the right choice.

The moment her hands come to a stop, he places Snowbell back in her palms and turns her sideways over his lap. Flustered by the proximity she glances down to her hands, only to notice that the rabbit has a white ribbon loosely tied around her body.

“I will ask your father for your hand,” Secondo says bluntly and her eyes widen.

“My lord, that is… it is impossible.”

“It will be possible, if it is your wish as well.”

“But, I am just–”

He stops her, taking her chin between his fingers to force her eyes to meet his. “My dove, I need a clear answer.”

“Yes.”

Overcome with relief he closes the distance and devours her lips in a passionate kiss. She presses against him with the same fervour, though careful not to squash the rabbit in her hand. Her body feels heated underneath the thin fabric of her cheap dress and he vows to have the modiste come the very next day to take her measurements. His hands roam her curves without shame now while he ravishes her, kissing her with a passion that threatens to make his heart burst, unused as it is to such feral emotion. She tugs at his cravat then, and he relents, allowing them both to break away for air.

Her forehead falls against his, their noses brushing as their heavy breaths mingle in the space in between. Suddenly Snowbell squeals in her palm and when they both look down the rabbit leaps from her hand onto the keyboard. As the off-key notes penetrate the room, they both smile. Perhaps they have to hire a different musician for the wedding after all.

Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed – kudos, comments, rbs etc are as always much appreciated ♡

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