#with a cameo from copia and some ghouls

[ramblingoak]

*bursts through the door and skids across the floor, breathlessly*—YO HO HO MARY??!!

So I got an ask for vampire Mary and then someone else upped the ante and asked for pirate vampire Mary and really, who am I to resist that?? I'm really excited to get this finished (because I really want to share the banner and collage you made too xD).

Here is a little snippet I just wrote up (excuse any mistakes):

“Hey little starfish, what are you doing out so late?”

Your blood turned to ice water as the voice drifted up from behind you.  This was exactly why you were supposed to stay safe in your room at home.  Dealing with drunken sailors was easy but dealing with the man behind you was a different story.  Although technically he wasn’t a man at all…

Captain Mary Goore was a vampire.

When you gained the courage to face the pirate you’d been warned about since you were a child you couldn’t help but let out a fearful gasp.  They were dressed much like you’d expected.  All black from the three point hat on their head to the large boots on their feet.  You could see numerous weapons hanging from their belt: a flintlock pistol, a sword and at least a few daggers.  Those weren’t the deadliest weapons the pirate captain had though and when you finally looked up at their face the fangs in their mouth glinted in the moonlight.

“Does daddy know you’re down here?”  He grinned when you took a few steps back.  “I bet he doesn’t, I bet he thinks you’re safely tucked into your fancy bed.”

“No!  He does, he knows.  He uh, sent me down here.”  You flinched when the pirate laughed, a sharp sound that echoed against the alley walls.  “The guards know I am too.”

“Oh no, not “the guards”.  Whatever shall we do?”  Before you could blink he was right in front of you, mere inches from your body.  You could smell the ocean on him as well as something else, something metallic that made goosebumps break out on your skin.  “You know what I think little starfish?”

“Wh-what?”  You began to back up again but Mary matched you step by step until your back hit the wall.  “Please, I-I won’t tell anyone I saw you.”

“I think that no one knows you're out here.  Hmm?  I think you maybe ventured a little too far from your daddy’s protection.”  Mary leaned in close and took a deep breath, a deep groan leaving them when they exhaled.  “Has anyone ever told you how delicious you smell?”

WIP Tag Game

[library-ghoulette]

For the kiss prompt game: 46 with Copia, Beatrice, and Phantom 👀

Heyyyy, thanks for giving me an excuse to be insane about Them!! By a kiss out of envy or jealousy you did mean just under 3k words of sadness and anger, right?

Featuring a party that neither Copia nor Phantom wants to be at, post-Skeletour returns to reality, ghoul pairings of various kinds, chamber ghoulette and skeleghoul cameos because I love them, and Phantom learning that avoidance and being over it are not the same thing.

Unexpected little sequel to Shotgun Lover, if any of y'all haven't read that.

Rated M.

(If anyone else wants to request some kisses, feel free!)

"You are not skipping this party."

It's a sentiment that Copia has heard multiple times over the week, as the end-of-Skeletour welcome home reception draws ever nearer.

From Marika, whose idea it had been to throw the reception in the first place, who did all of the planning, and who informed him on no uncertain terms that his responsibilities as Frater Imperator did not begin and end with signing off on all the invoices that came across his desk.

"You are the head of the clergy," she scolded. "Your absence would be noticed. It would be unseemly."

And from Beatrice, too, albeit in gentler tones that had given him enough leeway to whine just a litte bit, to push back and ask why not? Even though he knew it was too late now, that they were almost ready to go, Beatrice sitting at her vanity and putting the finishing touches on her makeup and holding eye contact with him in the mirror.

"Because he's your brother, Copia. And he's going to be around a lot more now. You have to make your peace with him sooner or later."

She didn't say, And because this one-sided feud is driving me crazy, but she didn't have to. He knew.

"And besides," she had continued, holding her hair up off of her neck so that he could fasten the clasp of her grucifix for her, "I don't want to go alone."

But Beatrice is not alone, not really, as becomes apparent when Marika whisks her away on some urgent business almost as soon as she and Copia enter the ballroom.

It's disorienting to be here, to see the space decked out not in teal and gold but in purple and silver, to stand at the edge of a crowd that has assembled not for him, but for V.

Copia grabs a flute of champagne from a passing waiter, downs it fast and trades it for another that he takes with him up onto the mezzanine, where he can hide and watch the party from a more comfortable distance. Where he can watch Beatrice, shining like a beacon even in the chaos, a star so bright Copia will always find her in any sky.

It would be impossible not to notice that Beatrice is quite different from the timid woman who arrived here only a handful of years ago. The Abbey is her home now, these people are her friends, her family, and she is thoroughly in her element as she makes her rounds, pulled from group to group.

Copia watches as Penumbra bends down to whisper something in Beatrice's ear, and he clocks the scandalized expression on his wife's face that only particularly salacious gossip can elicit. He watches Beatrice delightedly applaud the antics of the skeleghouls—those elusive creatures that leave their lair in the catacombs only rarely, but which Beatrice finds incredibly charming. And he feels a twinge of proprietary anger when V spots Beatrice and greets her with one of those unnerving, toothy grins and far worse, with a hug.

(V asks her something after he lets go, and she casts her eyes around the ballroom like she's looking for someone. Shrugs. If Copia didn't know any better, he would almost say that V looks disappointed. Whatever that's about…)

Beatrice loves it here, belongs here, and that's a good thing. Copia knows that it's a good thing. But there is a part of him, a nagging little voice in the back of his mind, that isn't so sure. A voice that remembers how nice it was when Beatrice clung to his side at every Ministry event and was afraid to let him out of her sight. That wishes she still needed him so desperately. That wonders when she'll realize that she doesn't even want him anymore, when she'll get tired of him being so checked-out and sad and stressed and not fun, and find someone different. When she'll replace him and forget him, just like everyone else has.

And now, as he watches Beatrice spot a familiar figure at the bar—dark hair, slight build, curved horns— and make her way through the crowd with obvious intent, Copia thinks he knows exactly who she will replace him with.

-

"What the fuck are you doing still in bed? Come on, you have to get ready."

The thick layer of blankets pulled up over Phantom's head muffled Dew's voice, but not nearly enough. And sadly, they did nothing at all to protect from the other ghoul kicking him.

"I am not kicking you," Dew insisted over Phantom's yelps of protest. "I am nudging you with my foot. And I wouldn't have to nudge you if you would get up."

Phantom pulled the covers down enough to peek out. But it was not a capitulation. It was just so he could look Dew in the eyes when he said, "I'm not going."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not. I'm sick. I think I caught something on tour." He gave a weak little cough for added versimilitude, but Dew was having none of it.

"You are not sick. I know you're not sick, beause if you caught something, the rest of us would have it, too."

And well, there wasn't anything to say to that.

Dew's expression softened just slightly as he stood there, hands planted on his hips, looking down at Phantom. There was impatience there, but there was understanding, too. "I know what this is about."

"It's not about any—"

"And it'll be okay," Dew cut him off. "We don't let it be weird or awkward. Just stick with us."

Phantom had known it was a fucking lie, but he'd heaved a sigh and gotten dressed and trooped up to the Abbey with the rest of the pack, anyway. And where are they now? Dew is holed up somewhere with both Aether and Rain. Swiss and Aurora quickly disappeared into a dark corner of the mezzanine to make up for lost time. Cumulus and Cirrus are holding each other close on the dancefloor, swaying and giggling and stealing kisses like they haven't been inseparable since the very second the touring members of the pack returned home. Mountain and Haze are off being responsible, standing alongside V and exchanging pleasantries with various members of the clergy.

Everyone has their responsibilites to see to or their reunions to enjoy. Everyone except for Phantom, who is doing his best to avoid both. To make it through this party unseen and unscathed.

At least there's an open bar with ridiculously-named specialty cocktails, and the bartender is just setting an aggressively purple concoction called a Cenotaph Sling down in front of Phantom when a familiar voice says, "That looks fun! One for me, too, please."

Beatrice.

Phantom's eyes close and his stomach clenches with dread. He had let his guard down and didn't notice her coming up behind him. He doesn't want to turn around, doesn't want to see her smiling at him like nothing happened, doesn't want to find out what little black dress she's dragged out of her seemingly infinite closet of them and put on to make his life worse tonight.

But he can't just stand there with his eyes closed forever, pretending that she doesn't exist. Not when she's resting her hand lightly on his arm, when she's pulling him into a hug that he lets happen, when she's murmuring welcome home, bug right up against his ear before letting him go far too soon.

It's a stupid thought to have, and he bats it away. He shouldn't be wanting her to hug him for longer. He shouldn't want her to hug him at all.

He hasn't seen or spoken to Beatrice in months, and now he finds himself at a loss for words. Luckily the bartender is sliding a straw into her drink, and a line is forming behind them, so he should be able to slip away from her pretty easily. He casts a glance around the ballroom, trying to find one of the other ghouls. Maybe if he can make eye contact with Mountain, he'll come over and save him—

But it's no use. Phantom's effort to flee immediately yields to following Beatrice into a quiet corner, falling into step beside her because it's easy, way too easy to do so, and because it feels so much better to be around her than he wants to admit to himself.

He's supposed to be over her. Over this, this doomed thing between them. He'd thought he was over it.

But looking at her now and feeling how his pulse kicks up a notch just to see her lips wrap around her straw, just to smell how her scent clings to him after their hug, he knows that he's been lying to himself. He's never been over her. He's just been distracted.

But he's not distracted now. Now, he's all too focused on every detail of her. Inescapable. His eyes keep returning to the grucifix nestled just above the sweetheart neckline of her dress and the deep cleavage it exposes—her new grucifix, black diamonds and red rubies forming a dainty replica of the one Copia now wears pinned to his chest. Something to leave no doubt as to whom Beatrice belongs.

She smiles when she catches him looking, asks, "How was the tour?"

Phantom shrugs. "It was fine. Long."

Not long enough.

"It must be nice to be home?"

"Yeah, I guess." He takes a long pull on his straw to avoid having to think of something else to say, and nearly chokes on how strong and sweet the drink is. But it's better than having to admit that no, in fact, he had been filled with dread at the mere prospect of coming back to the Abbey. That he would have slept in an uncomfortable tour bus bunk for years if it meant he wouldn't have to see her.

Going back out had felt weird at first. It was strange to adjust to a new Papa, to not having Copia there. But that weirdness had quickly turned to relief. The Abbey and everything that happened there had started to feel very small and far away and wholly disconnected from Phantom's life. He was vaguely aware that important things were going on, but they had nothing to do with him. He was too busy, caught up in the relentless logistical grind of getting from one city to the next, lost in new routines and new chord progressions, new stage blocking and new costumes. A fresh start.

It was like going through a detox, he'd told Rain one night, when the water ghoul had carefully observed—sweat-slicked and post-coital in a hotel bed, their skin sticky and their muscles pleasantly sore—that Phantom seemed better these days. The distance was good, he'd said. He wasn't even thinking about Beatrice anymore. Not like the end of the last tour, when Copia's very presence had been a reminder of that disastrous night, and every time Copia looked at him felt like the other shoe about to drop.

Even with the series of mishaps that led to rumors that Skeletour was cursed—falling set pieces and canceled rituals and Swiss being called back to the Abbey and Dew breaking his foot—Phantom hadn't wanted it to end. Hadn't wanted reality to kick back in.

Like it is now.

Beatrice has said something, and he realizes that he was too lost in thought to catch it, so that she has to repeat, "We have some new books in that I thought you might like. I set them aside for you."

"Thanks." He hates the warm little coil of pleasure that unfurls in his chest, the way it makes him feel special that she was thinking of him when he was gone. He's not special, he reminds himself. Beatrice is just good at her job. She would do that for anyone.

He's not giving her very much, he knows. He can feel the disappointment setting in—this isn't how she expected things to go. This isn't the warm reception she wanted.

Well, good. Fuck her. What did she expect? He's done following her around. He got a little taste of what he thought he wanted, and he knows that's all he's ever going to get, and he's over it now. Really. He's—

"I missed you."

Beatrice is looking down when she says it, so quietly that the music and the chatter of the partygoers almost swallow her words. Almost.

"What?" Phantom heard her, he's pretty sure, but he asks her to repeat herself, anyway. He wants to hear if, given a second chance, she'll say it again or pretend like she said something else to begin with.

"I missed you," she says, louder this time, leaning in to make sure he hears her.

I missed you, too. He wants to say it, needs to say it. It's been true for much, much longer than just this last tour. It's been true ever since the morning after, when he first started trying to avoid her, telling himself that it was for his own good. If he can say it now, maybe things will be different.

But he's barely opened his mouth to reply when something in Beatrice's expression shifts, the dawning realization that she's said too much. "I mean, I missed all of you," she amends. "It— It's too quiet around here, when everyone's on tour."

"Yeah, well." He shrugs, takes a step away from her. "At least you had Copia here to keep you company this time."

It's a mean thing to say, and it feels good to say it. It feels like payback for every time Phantom had to overhear Copia on the phone with Beatrice toward the end of Re-Imperatour, barely whispering, like he didn't realize or didn't care that practically the entire bus could hear him telling her how much he missed her, how good he was going to fuck her when he got home.

Where the fuck is Copia, anyway? Phantom hasn't even seen him all night…

Beatrice's blue eyes darken, and she steps forward, recovering the distance he had put between them. "Phantom, I think we need to talk. I know it's been a long time—"

More than a year. All of that time, all of that work and effort and moving on and it's falling away so fast.

"Beatrice," he says, turning her name into a warning.

"But I don't like how we left things, and I've been meaning to—"

But Phantom never finds out what Beatrice has been meaning to say, or do, because just then he realizes that someone is coming up behind her. It's Copia, more intimidating than ever in his dark suit, and wearing an expression that makes Phantom's skin prickle with fear.

But Copia only gives Phantom a passing glance. It's Beatrice that he's after, grabbing her with a gloved hand right where her jaw meets her neck, turning her to him and bringing his lips to hers in one fluid motion that barely gives her a chance to exclaim, to let out a quick, startled little oh! that cuts off short.

And all Phantom can do is stand and watch as Beatrice melts against Copia, as she lets him kiss her as long and as deep as he wants, possessive and proprietary and—

Oh. Maybe this is for Phantom's benefit, after all.

When Copia pulls away, the expression on Beatrice's face is dreamy, addled. And deeply happy.

"I'm afraid I've been neglecting you all night, tesoro mio. Come. Dance with me."

It's not a question. And even if it was, one look at Beatrice's face leaves no doubt that there is only one answer.

She's about to go when she looks down at the drink in her hand, as though she's just remembered that it exists, that anything exists other than Copia. She casts about for a table or somewhere to set it down, and finding none, holds it out to Phantom with an apologetic little smile. "Do you mind? I'll be right back…"

Phantom watches from the shadows as Copia spins Beatrice, as her tinkling laughter becomes the perfect accompaniment for the chamber ghoulettes' rendition of "Darkness at the Heart of My Love." He watches one dance turn into two, watches Copia and Beatrice disappear into one another. He finishes his drink, and then he finishes hers, imagining that he can taste her on the straw, even though all he can actually taste is gin and pineapple.

He doesn't stick around to find out if she actually intends to come back and finish their conversation, instead stealing toward the ballroom doors as soon as he finds somewhere to stash the empty glasses. He's almost made his escape when Penumbra spots him, calls, "Leaving already?"

"Yeah." He tries for a smile, something loose and messy, in the hopes that she'll just think he's drunk and going to go sleep it off. That she won't know what he actually means when he says, "I've had enough for one night."

[fierysodo]

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Copia and the Ghouls Headcannon

🌟 main char: Copia, fire ghoul/sodo

🌟 cameo: swiss, rain

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Copia keeps finding Sodo in his bed everynight, under the cover, right before he sleeps. He does nothing, just lie down stiffly until Copia enters the room. After he sees Copia, he would just get up and leave. Things went on for a few nights.

Such behaviour did not go unnoticed and had Copia puzzled.

Why is the fire ghoul behaving such way?

It got to the point where Copia himself had gone over to the ghoul's den to find the answer.

Luckily, there is only one ghoul that can answer him and the ghoul is right there on the couch, resting.

- "Swiss"

Copia's voice broke the quite silence enjoyed by the said ghoul.

- "I, Papa"

He shot up to his feet, standing in front of Copia.

What brought Papa Emeritus IV here?

he wonders.

- "Sit down, I have something to ask about"

- "Is there anything odd been going on with Sodo lately?"

The question did not come as a shocker to the ghoul.

- "Other than him being usually the quiet menace, nothing really"

Swiss answered while fiddling with his Elfbar vape.

- "Are you sure?"

The satanic pope enquired.

- "Yes"

- "Ok- "

- "But"

Copia was about to walk away when Swiss broke the silence again.

- "well he did something. but I don't want to be responsible for outing him. do ask Rain."

the ghoul explained.

- "why Rain the water ghoul?"

- "because Sodo would never harm Rain"

It's true.

One a fire ghoul, hot magma flowing in his veins, mostly misunderstood by outsiders due to his hot nature. He can go from radiating warmth to causing a scene of outrageous flames.

One is a water ghoul, crystal blue water flowing in his veins, much like the fire ghoul. Calm and composed, that little one. But surely one must not test his limits, as water can be a calm pond and a raging sea at the same time.

Yet,

Sodo finds comfort in Rain's cool nature, while Rain finds warmth in Sodo's quiteness.

- "if so then, I shall be on my way looking for the water ghoul"

- "yes, Papa"

Copia left the ghoul's den and began walking around the monastery. After quite some time, he finally saw the silhouette of that one particular ghoul.

- "Water ghoul!"

Copia called out for Rain, who was happily tending the gardens.

The ghoul said his goodbyes to the plants and flowers and made his way to the Papa Emeritus IV.

- "Yes, Papa"

- "Have you seen Fire ghoul anywhere today?"

Rain shooked his head.

- "Have you noticed any changes in his behavior lately?"

Again, the water ghoul shooked his head.

Copia getting more impatient decided to rephrase the question.

- "Water ghoul, you see, for the past few nights, I kept seeing fire ghoul in my bed, right before my bed time. Once I enter the room, he will just get up and leave. Do you have any idea what the fire ghoul is doing?"

Rain mouthed an "O". From the reaction alone, Copia was certain he finally got the answer.

- "Papa, do you recall how many rainy nights we've had for the past one week?"

Copia was silenced for a few seconds before giving the water ghoul a soft smile.

- "Forgive me, water ghoul. I do not remember"

- "That's alright. Sodo has been going to your room right before bed time because he heard you cursing in Sister Imperator's office about how chilly these several nights have been due to the rain"

The water ghoul paused, looking around as if making sure nobody or no Sodo is looking at him right now.

- "Papa, come closer. After he heard your complaints, he decided to warm the bed and blanket for you, right before you sleep. So that you have better comfort."

Rain explained in a whisper mode. Copia, knowing full well how the fire ghoul would react had he knows his secret is out, smiled and patted Rain's shoulder.

- "Thank you, water ghoul. It gives me happiness to know that you ghouls are very thoughtful. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me and I won't say a word to the fire ghoul too."

Hearing the assurance, Rain's shoulder relaxed a bit.

Yes, the fire ghoul won't hurt him, but that doesn't mean Sodo won't throw a massive tantrum. Rain wouldn't want other people to be affected by it.

That night, as per usual, Sodo shows up in Copia's room at his normal time. He knew Copia wouldn't be there yet as normally, Copia would still be in his office trying to finish his work before the next day.

But, oh my Lucifer, is he wrong.

As soon as the door opened, he saw Copia standing inside the room.

Copia, who was already expecting the fire ghoul, chuckled as he saw him flustered by the door.

- "Come in, fire ghoul. You're 2 minutes late"

Sodo tilted his head.

What's going on, why is Papa here, shouldn't he be working?

As the fire ghoul approached Copia, he saw a tray of snacks. Unusual snacks for a man like Copia.

Some Carolina reapers, a bowl of Samyang Double Spicy Ramen and and a glass of hot chocolate.

- "I'm sorry to disturb you, Papa. I will take my lea- "

- "Hush, fire ghoul. Don't leave yet. Come, sit by me"

Copia patted the space next to him, on the bed.

Slowly, the fire ghoul went and say by Copia.

- "I do have work, but I came by for a short time"

There was silence from Sodo. He was puzzled.

- "Now, fire ghoul, I do not know why you're coming into my room these days, what antics have you planned with the ghouls for me, but, I figured that once in a while, you deserve a comfort night too"

The fire ghoul's eyes glistened. He was puzzled but the last sentence has awakened something in him.

- "So, while I resume my work in the later, you can have this bed to yourself, continuing your normal antics, and enjoy the snacks I prepared for you. You like spicy food, right?"

A very rare sight happened in front of Copia.

The stoic fire ghoul was smiling.

- "Thank you so much, Papa"

It was almost inaudible but Copia managed to catch what was uttered by the fire ghoul.

- "you're welcome, fire ghoul."

・┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆・┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆・┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆・