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Chapter Text

*ding*

An annoyingly shrill noise pierced the peacefulness of the back rooms.  The ministry library was dark and grim, much like the Cardinal who roamed its cramped aisles.  Few bothered to come back here because it was well-known that Copia did not have patience for Siblings and ghouls, and even less for clergy members.

*ding*

For fuck’s sake, who is it now?  Copia grumbled from his position, crouched between two tall stacks of books.  He had been looking for a very specific anthology of ancient curses, part of a set that he had personally brought back from Rome ten years ago. 

*ding* *diiiiiiing*

His eye twitched in annoyance.  A growl rose in his throat as he stomped his way to the front desk, black cassock flapping in his wake.  Terzo was standing, tapping his foot, waiting impatiently for his younger brother.  “And to what do I owe the displeasure?” Copia asked.

“I need that book on ritual magic that I borrowed last year.  The purple one.  But I’m in a hurry.  I’m already late for a meeting with Nihil and he wants it.”

Copia rolled his eyes, “Just wait longer, maybe he’ll die and you can get out of it.”

“I wish,” Terzo sighed.  “Can you find it for me?  Quickly.”

If Terzo actually read books it may have been difficult to know what he was talking about, but he didn’t.  There was only one book that he had checked out in the last two years, and he didn’t even read it.  He was just sucking up to Nihil.  Copia knew exactly what he needed.  “‘Summoning Serpents’, it’s in the back,” he gestured.

Terzo followed him as he walked past rows of haphazard boxes, stacks of books and papers, and mismatched types of shelving.  “Satanas Copia, I haven’t been back here in ages, this is a disaster.”

“Scassacazzo,” Copia muttered under his breath.  The problem was that the library had been pieced together over time and materials were arranged by the date things were acquired rather than by subject or any specific classification system.  It also didn’t help that the Cardinal placed little value on any semblance of a welcoming appearance.  But it was fine.  The youngest Emeritus had been here for decades and he could usually navigate the stacks and boxes.  Sure, an occasional tome would go missing, but it wasn’t like the clergy were scholarly enough to notice.

The two arrived in a darkened back corner and Copia began digging through a dusty pile.  “I remember putting it here when you brought it back.  I’ve moved a few boxes since then, so it might be at the bottom.”  He slowly looked through each title, not bothering to hurry for his brother.

Terzo pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed loudly.

“You could help me, stronzo,” Copia offered, still refusing to pick up his pace.

“I’m wearing white gloves, idiota,” Terzo huffed.  “Why does our father even need this book?  I’ve never seen him summon a snake in his life.”

Copia chuckled darkly.  “Not that kind of serpent.”

“Oh, ew,” Terzo frowned as the realization hit him.  “Maybe it’s better if we don’t find it.  But, how can I say this nicely?  This place is a shitty hole.”

“It is not a shithole.”  The Cardinal growled again and shoved the box at his feet causing a plume of dust to emerge.

“It- ah, ah, ah-choo!”  His sneeze was powerful and he grabbed a tower of boxes to  stabilize himself, but he lost his balance and brought a box crashing down on his head.  It knocked him to his ass and he sat there, dumbstruck, as the small purple book with what he had innocently thought was an image of a snake, fell open into his lap.  “It is and I hate it here.”

It was later that evening that Terzo, freshly showered, decided to call you.  He had spent the last hour scanning his favorite Siblings’ files until he found what he was looking for.  Who he was looking for.  You.

You happened to be on your way to dinner when your phone rang the first time.  You didn’t even notice it.  Then later, you found yourself in the ghoul dens with your ankles by your ears when your phone rang once more.  Clumsily, you slapped at it with one hand until it stopped, not even bothering to see who it was.  This was your time with Aether.  You weren’t dating, but the two of you were both new to the ministry and had become friends.  Maybe now you would call it friends with benefits?  It started off just watching movies after work, but the dens were always crowded and there weren’t enough places to sit, so you watched from his lap.  Which led to touching and kissing, which brought you here.  Thursday nights you typically ended up wrapped up together for an hour or two before slinking back to your room.

Aether currently had you folded in half and he was thinking about how amazing you felt squeezing him.  He was so caught up in the moment that he didn’t hear the eerie, melodic notes of his own phone next to yours.  All of his focus was on lasting long enough that you enjoyed yourself, and that the other ghouls wouldn’t give him shit, since they could hear everything through the thin walls.  He didn’t want to be like Dew.  All the guys gave Dew grief because Rain could make him come pretty much on command.  No, Aether wanted to last.

The two of you were nearly to your breaking points when you heard Alpha yell through the door.  “Aeth, that’s Terzo’s ringtone.  You’ll be in deep shit if you don’t answer.”

What? Fuck .  He thought about pulling out, but doubled down and went faster.  It felt too good.  Plus, if he was going to be punished he might at least have some enjoyment first.

Your eyes rolled back as he continued, one large palm splayed out on your lower stomach to feel how far he was inside of you.  He kissed and caressed you until at last you fell apart, calling out his name, “Aether!”

He nuzzled into your breasts to suppress his own moans, but he couldn’t contain a breathy whimper as he let go, cumming hard.

Chittering and laughter could be heard from the hallway until suddenly the outer door to the dens opened and closed and everyone shut up.  Next to you in bed, you could feel Aether stiffen in fear.

“Ghouls, enough fucking around.  I’m looking for a missing sibling.” You could hear the muffled voice of Papa rattle off your name and description from the bed.  Quickly you and your ghoul bedmate struggled to get dressed.  “And where the hell is Aether?  I called him because I know they are friends.” 

They must have tattled, because the next thing you knew the door was opening.  You were dressed, but your hair was wild and skin flushed.  Aether had a shirt on but nothing else, spent cock on full display.

“Aether, get your pants and come with me.  Now,” Terzo rolled his eyes.  “Sorella, be at my office in fifteen minutes.”

You were full of nerves as you approached.  Am I in trouble?  Am I getting sent home?   The thoughts swirled in your head.  You hadn’t knowingly done anything wrong, but you were still new enough that you weren’t sure how everything worked around here.  It had only been a couple months since you first arrived and you had a few friends, but were still trying to find your place.  Most of your mornings were spent cleaning or doing odd jobs around the ministry.  You didn’t mind, though it was boring at times.

Your hand shook as you knocked on the door. 

“Come in, my dear,” you heard from your Papa.  “Have a seat, please.”

You did as you were told, fidgeting with the edge of your habit as you looked around Terzo’s office and waited to find out what was going on.  You weren’t really a shy person, more often anxious than shy , but you couldn’t help but feel intimidated in this space.

Terzo sat at a large walnut desk and the room was dark and beautiful like him, with black curtains and hints of purple.  

“I see you are enjoying the company of my ghouls?” Papa asked, a smirk on his lips.

You still weren’t sure if you were in trouble.  “Just a little evening worship,” you shrugged awkwardly.

“You know as well as I do that nothing about Aether is little,” he countered.

You swallowed, and raised your hands in defeat.

Don’t be nervous,” he came around the desk and leaned against it.  “I don’t care about any of that.  I mean, good for you, but I invited you here for a different reason… to offer you a new job in the ministry.”

“A new job?” you were immediately intrigued.

Papa gave you his most charming smile, he had to sell this.  “Yes, I read that you were a librarian before coming here and that is music to my ears.  I need someone to work in the library.”

You had never even been to the library, not that you didn’t want to go.  The Siblings had told you it was by invitation only, and no one was ever invited.  And you had heard about the Cardinal who worked there.  The Siblings spoke of him like he was a tyrant, and rarely came outside.

“Papa, I’d love to, but I thought that Copia was the librarian?” you asked.

Terzo sighed, “Si, si, but I am looking for more than a librarian.  I need a library director.  No, a visionary.  I want to give you a budget to transform the whole thing.  I’m thinking shelving, seating, lighting, organization… software to actually catalog the collection.  I want it to feel like an extension of the abbey.  The building, the Siblings, all of it is sexy and alluring, si?”  He came over and brushed your shoulder.  “There is only one blemish, and it is the horror of that place.”

It felt exciting, and you immediately had ideas.  “I mean, it sounds like a dream project, but I would need people to help me.”

“Of course,” he could feel it, you wanted this.  “I chose you because you have the experience and you are more mature than many of the Siblings, you can lead a team.  Siblings, ghouls, whomever you want.”

You paused, wondering if Terzo was calling you old, but you were still much younger than him so you let it go.  “Thank you Papa, I’m in.”

That weekend you began planning out your team.  Sister Claudette had done interior design in her past life, and she was always talking about flow and how frustrating it was when things weren’t functional.  You knew that she would have great input on the layout of the space.  And Brother Timothy was the most stylish man you had ever met.  If you could pry him away from the ghouls, you knew he would have opinions on fabric and furniture selection.  Aether and Omega were super strong and could help with some of the physical labor, moving things around.  On and on, you went through the main tasks and who might be willing to help.

By Sunday night you couldn’t sleep.  You needed to see the space, and you wanted to take it in for the first time alone.  Without really thinking about it, you found yourself gathering a notebook and heading to that unnerving part of the ministry.  The library had its own energy, a dark aura about it.  Your brain was yelling at you to turn back, it wasn’t safe here, but the door was unlocked.  Stealthily, you crept into the entryway.  There were small lamps that were never turned off, but the light was modest in the darkness of the night.  It was quiet as you slid inside, and you felt confident that you were alone.  You found the perfect reference point, and sat on the ground to sketch out the space.  

The library had the main entrance from which you could see a beleaguered main desk, and beyond that a peek into the intricate maze of heaps and piles of materials.  There was also a mezzanine level above.  Mercifully, that appeared to be mostly vacant.   

Squinting into the darkness you could see windows, blocked by stacks of boxes, but windows nonetheless that were large and beautiful.  Cobwebs and dust threw an eerie cast over the scene.  Your hand travelled quickly over the paper, you were just interested in memorizing the main features, the elements that you would have to work around.  In no time you had a rough sketch of the bones of the place.

Copia’s hand was gliding the length of his cock when he froze in the back hallway.  Had that been the door?  At this hour?   He didn’t want to stop, he had been admiring images in a book of Renaissance art, the kind with boobs, and he was close.  Cazzo .  He tucked his dick against his waistband and lowered his cassock to conceal his excitement, off to see what was amiss in his sanctuary.

“What are you doing?”  A gruff voice asked from the shadows. 

“Ah, sorry, I didn’t think anyone else would be here at this hour?”  A lovely face looked meekly up at the Cardinal.  He softened for a split second, enchanted by you without meaning to be, then hardened as he took in your hasty scribbles, and how you had somehow instantly invaded his space.

“The library is closed,” he grumbled, “I’ll see you out.”

You stood, but froze, “Well, actually, Papa has me working here on a special project, so we’ll be seeing each other a lot,” you smiled, trying to win him over.  “Would you mind showing me around?”

He stared into your eyes trying to read your intent.  “I’m afraid this isn’t a museum, it’s not a place to meander through gawking and doodling,” he said sharply.

Your face fell.  “But Papa told you about the project, right?  How we’ll be remodeling?  Do you have any thoughts?”  you asked.  “Could you show me around tomorrow?”

“Remodeling?!” Copia snarled.  “I’m afraid Papa is mistaken.  Now, back to your room,” he began gathering your things and nearly hustling you out the door.

“But-” the Cardinal got you outside and closed the door on your face.

How could you be expected to work with, or around, someone like this?

After a heated phone call with Papa, Copia was finally looped in to the plan.  Sensing that the Cardinal would be a roadblock, Papa had already scheduled for him to spend a week in France looking for new materials.

Copia had been looking forward to the trip until now.  He had been pleasantly surprised at the budget he had been allotted and already had a full itinerary of private collectors he intended to visit.  This excursion was something he had been counting on, a bright spot in a rather predictable and solitary life.  But if he left now Satan knows what he would come back to?  Still, what could he do?  Reluctantly, he boarded a plane for Paris.

Chapter Text

In the morning you met with Papa.  He told you about Copia’s absence and encouraged you to start.  

“He can be, eh, challenging to work with, but he will surely answer any questions you have when he’s back.  I think it will be best if you start assembling your team and just get started.  He’ll catch up.”

“Papa, he really didn’t want me to be there.  Maybe we should wait?”  As eager as you were to get going, a sense of dread lurked at the edges of your mind.

“No, no, Sister Imperator will want to see progress.  Push forward, I’ll check in with you later this week.”

You nodded, “Alright, whatever you say.  I’ll keep you in the loop.”

Finally you had the opportunity to walk through the entirety of the library.  The aisleways of books and materials were longer and fuller than you had initially realized.  You mapped out an estimate of what there was to tackle, and noted the extra special pieces as you found them.  Clearly, there were treasures here.  You found leatherbound notebooks full of runes, no shortage of Latin ritual scripts, and even ancient-looking scrolls rolled up and bound by coarse string.

And, most curiously, in the very back, you found a place that looked like Copia’s room or office?  Of course he had a real bedroom near the other Emeritus men, and this wasn’t a true “room,” there was no door.  But you could tell by the layout that he worked there often.  There was a makeshift desk, made with what looked like an old door held up by boxes on either side, an ancient desk chair, pens and papers, and a variety of books that he was studying and transcribing, and some other books that looked like they were there just for enjoyment.  And there was a pillow and blanket on the floor like he slept there.  Oh .  You felt sadness wash over you that he isolated himself like this, and lived amongst this dirty mess.

As the week progressed you had met with each of your hand-picked recruits.  Mercifully, they all agreed to help and most showed enthusiasm to be selected for their talents.  The ghouls were maybe slightly less thrilled, given the manual labor, but they perked up when you bribed them with extra dessert on their work days.

You were putting things into motion as instructed.  Starting first with moving and sorting the books and boxes and cleaning the place top to bottom.  All the boxes save for those that made up Copia’s personal space.  You didn’t want to push that far.  At least not yet.  Despite the wild look of the place, as you delved into the chaos, you found that each box was labeled with the date and the place it was acquired.  You made sure the Siblings that would be cataloging the books included the information in the records so that it wouldn’t be lost.  Still as the layers of boxes were dismantled, you couldn’t help but feel the need to talk to the Cardinal.  The library was most important to him.  You decided to email him-

Hello Cardinal,

I apologize if we got off on the wrong foot, but I’d like to be able to work together.  Could you tell me what you hope to see in the new library?  Is there anything that you’ve always hoped to have in the space?  Thoughts on the general design or decor?

I have so many ideas, and I can’t wait to go into more detail when you are back.

Best,

Sister X

It was less than an hour before you had your reply.

Dearest Sister X,

Although I am sure you are just doing as you’ve been told, the library does not need your interference.  The beauty of the place is in the collection.  The books don’t need obnoxious lights or fancy displays to be special.  They already are.

My sincere wish is that it will be as I have left it when I return.

-Cardinal Copia

You were frustrated that he didn’t see the value that you could bring to the place.  

Cardinal,

You must admit that cardboard boxes are not the best storage solution for such an important collection.  Cobwebs are everywhere and it’s difficult to find anything.  There is an opportunity here to have things showcased, but also preserved.  Surely you can understand?

-Sister X

You thought that you had appealed to his intellectual side and did not expect the anger that came out.

Sister,

I am capable of handling any preservation needs on my own.  If something needs to be found, I will find it.  I am the librarian.  Not you.  Kindly go back to whatever it was you were doing before you decided to meddle in things beyond your depth.  

-CC

You slammed your laptop shut.  If he wanted to be like this, he would just have to deal with whatever decisions you and the team made.  You had already purchased software and carts to move materials.  Papa wanted this done quickly, and you saw no need to drag it out.  

Throughout the week more and more decisions were made.  The carts arrived and were already being loaded by Friday.  Books were being sorted by subject and condition.  Every nook and cranny was divested of cobwebs and the grime of decades of neglect.  Transformation was underway.

Evening has long since fallen as Copia returned from his trip.  France had been lovely, but his mind was fixed on the library.  And you.  Each night when he fell into bed he had tossed and turned wondering what crimes had befallen his collection.  Now that he was back it was time for the truth.

After dropping off a battered rolling suitcase in his room, a room that he barely inhabited, he made his way to the one spot in the abbey that was sacred to him.  It was here, not the chapel, that he really felt the Dark One’s presence.  He opened the door carefully, as if there might be a beast within.  

The breath was stolen from his lungs as he immediately took in the tragedy.  The former aisleways of stacks and boxes were nearly gone.  In their place were neat lines of carts, but the contents had been shifted.  Nothing was where it should be.  Rage boiled beneath his skin.  He knew he shouldn’t have trusted Terzo and he certainly shouldn’t have trusted you.  Sweat beaded on his brow.  He wanted to scream and throw a tantrum.  Undo all of this “progress,” but instead he felt panic building in his chest.  

Instinctually he retreated to the one place that he needed to be intact.  As he moved, he coughed at the aroma of fresh cleaning products in the air, it didn’t even smell right.  Everything was off.  Harsh breaths in and out.  When he came to the space that was once his office, his things were still there, but everything had been violated.  Hands had touched all of hi s trinkets t o dust and sweep beneath.  Never had he thought so much would happen in one week.  He sank into his ratty chair, tears flowing silently and freely.  This is my fault, I shouldn’t have left… And it’s her doing.  Her.   His mind went back to you.  There was something about you, beauty and destruction wrapped together.  Sadness shifted back to anger and he was moving without thinking.  He pushed over several carts and let out a wretched scream of all of his frustration.  It wasn’t enough, he went back to the front where you had left your laptop.  Clicking furiously, he found your recent orders and cancelled them.  Deleting the email confirmations to cover his tracks.  He wanted you to fail.  This wasn’t fair and he would have to remove you if he ever wanted his library back.

The next day you came in early to see that several of the carts had been knocked over, but there was no sign of the Cardinal.  Still, it was obvious what had happened.  You sighed.  Oh, well .  He obviously loathed you.  You picked up the books, and despite wanting to be mad, you knew that he felt so strongly because he cared about this place.  He didn’t know you well enough to truly hate you.  You decided to try once more to reach out, this time with a peace offering.

One of the few places that Copia was ever seen outside of the library was in the chapel for Monday mass.  This evening you made a point to attend and sit near the front where he could see you.  You watched as he assisted Papa, noting that his eyes were red and the makeup around them smeared.  Yep, he’s a mess .  At the end of the service you approached him as he was cleaning up the altar.  Everyone else was hurrying out for dinner.

“Cardinal,” you called to him, and you swore you could see him recoil.

“What is it?” he asked.  “Am I in your way?  Shall I go to another country?  Maybe Switzerland this time?”

“I’m here to call a truce, if you’ll allow it.  I don’t want to fight with you,” you said.

He scoffed, but kept working.

“Listen, I want to get you a nice desk.  I found some that I think are even better than Papa’s, do you want to take a look?”

He sighed, “Once again, I’m not in the mood to play decorator.  I couldn’t give two shits about a desk.”

“Will you just talk to me… about any of it?” you begged.

He felt slightly bad about stonewalling you, but not really.  He stomped off to dinner not realizing that you followed him.  He would normally eat in the library, but since that wasn’t an option he selected the furthest table.  You quickly grabbed your food and took a seat across from him.

“I’m trying to be nice, but could you- you know- go away?” he asked.

“Hmmm, no, tell me about France.  What did you do?  Did you find any books?”

He rolled his eyes, “France is arguably the best place to be.  And why do you care about the books, are you asking so that you can take those too?”

You growled.  “Copia, you are exasperating.  Please, come back with me after dinner,” your eyes met his and he felt disarmed being called by his first name.  He started to feel himself wanting to go with you.  “I want to talk to you about our cataloging process.  I’m sure you could tell us more about the provenance of each part of the collection.  I want to know all the stories.  I’m interested in the work that you’ve put in, there are amazing pieces.”

He didn’t really believe you, “No one really cares about the books.  Even Papa.  He just wants everything to be pretty .”

“If you don’t contribute then you won’t get a say,” you shrugged.  “Even now, it’s too late for some of the parts.  But come back with me, talk to us.”

Too late , that was for sure.  He coughed to hide a small sob and wiped the corner of his eye.

The two of you ate quietly and, somehow, you convinced him to come back with you.  

He braced himself as he followed you into the library.  He was obviously uncomfortable by the amount of activity and the number of Siblings and ghouls around.  You set up a private corner and invited him over to a pair of laptops, where you had just happened to bring his old chair.  You wheeled over a particularly exceptional set of books on the history of the Emeritus line.  The two of you sat and he felt his protective shell cracking. 

“The history of the Emeritus family,” you said excitedly, “I noticed that the last book is not complete.  Does each Papa have to add their own chapter?”

“Si, something like that, they are expected to write their portion once they have handed over the mantle to their successor.  Though there are always others at the ministry following their accomplishments in case they are unable to complete it on their own.”

“Like if they die?” you couldn’t help but ask.

“Sure, or if they just can’t be bothered, like Terzo.  I’ll probably end up writing his part.”

You nodded, taking it all in.  Your fingers danced over the keyboard taking notes.  You stayed there long into the night talking with Copia about the most special parts of the collection.  When you were finally too tired to continue, he walked you back to your room.

He stood awkwardly at your door.  “For the record, I still hate this with every fiber of my being… but as I have no choice, I’ll be there tomorrow and we can continue.”

You heard his words, but his eyes shown with something akin to gratitude.  “Thank you,” you said, “really,” and you couldn’t help a quick hug.  Your arms squeezed him and he felt the brief press of your body against his, so close he could smell the subtle vanilla notes of perfume behind your ear.

The Cardinal froze at the unexpected touch.  He blinked in disbelief as you disappeared into the room.  It took him a moment to regain himself and walk back to his own.  

The next week was more of the same.  Most nights he walked you back to your room and each midnight hour ended in a hug that lasted a little longer than the last.  Copia’s icy attitude was thawing although he still had some defenses up.  He couldn’t help but feel like you were humoring an old man.  Distracting him enough that he wouldn’t cause another scene.  But, at the same time, a part of him wanted to believe that you cared.  About his stories, and about him.

And then, one night, you were in his arms for your nightly goodbye, the smell of his cologne wrapped around you and you couldn’t help but to let out a small contented sound.  The Cardinal noticed it immediately and looked down at you, eyes locking with yours to see if it was even possible that somehow you had warmth for him, feelings even?  

You tried to look innocent, but the heat burning your ears and the tops of your cheeks betrayed you.  Reflexively you looked away, but Copia, without even thinking, grabbed your chin and kissed you.

The kiss was much more soft than you expected.  There was a hesitancy behind it, like if he moved too quickly the illusion would be shattered.  You closed your eyes and kissed him back, relaxing into it until a noise at the end of the hall startled you and you both jumped back.  

You didn’t see anything in the dim light, “It’s probably just Sisters stumbling back from some fun in the men’s dorms,” you whispered.

Copia was looking at you again in that unnerving way of his.  “Si, si.  I should also ‘stumble back’ to my room.”  He felt that he was on dangerous ground and wanted to retreat.

You nodded, and went into your room.  You looked in the mirror and scolded yourself, You have a job to do, don’t get distracted by a man who would happily push you out of a window.

The Cardinal didn’t mention anything about the kiss the next day. But he made a point of telling you that he was heading to the chapel that night to get the sacristy in order.  It was clearly an excuse, and a bad one.  The subtext being that he wouldn’t be walking you back.  You couldn’t help but feel a swirl of disappointment, but you nodded.  Just be thankful for what you have.  You don’t need to tangle yourself up with a member of the clergy.

Later that evening you were deep into a talk with him about dark magic and the difference between spellbooks and grimoires.  It wasn’t that late when Aether grabbed your arms to get your attention.  He and Omega had spent the day moving tons of books up to the mezzanine without the benefit of an elevator and he was ready to go.  “Enough book bullshit,” he said.  “It’s Thursday ,” his eyes shone.

“What happens on Thursdays?” Copia asked.

“Oh, well, on Thursdays I usually go to the dens for movie night,” you blushed.

“And to get your guts rearranged,” Omega mumbled.

You turned full crimson, shooting a glare at the large ghoul.  

“Ah,” Copia stood abruptly.  “I’ll see you tomorrow then,” he glared at Aether, then grabbed his stuff and made a quick escape.

Why does he seem angry?  Could he actually be jealous?   He was the one that didn’t want to risk another kiss, so you doubted it, although you couldn’t deny that a part of you wanted it.  You shrugged it off, and left with your friends.

“Hey, what did Terzo say to you the other day?” you asked Aether.

“He told me that you had an important project coming up and I’d better help you if you needed any stress relief.  As if I wouldn’t fuck you whenever you want,” he laughed.

“Well, this week has been stressful, so I could use your services,” you elbowed him playfully.

He sniffed loudly, “I can smell the arousal on you.  We’re definitely not making it through the movie.”

Indeed, between your scent and the way Aether couldn’t stop necking you, the ghouls made you leave before a full orgy erupted.  As much fun as you were having with Aether, you found your thoughts dwelling on the brooding Cardinal.  You couldn’t help but think of him as Aether’s head was between your thighs, as his hard cock plowed you from behind.

Copia made it back to his room and into the shower.  He didn’t go to the chapel.  You had some strange power over him and he didn’t want to give in.  Tonight was proof that you weren’t genuinely interested in him.  What could he do for you that a pack of ghouls with magnum-sized cocks couldn’t?  Nothing.   He could feel an angry tension to his shoulders.  This project has been a giant shit show .  Every day this week he came back to his room to find his dick begging for attention, and tonight was no different.  He defeatedly soaped up his hands and began stroking himself.  He’d be damned if you weren’t the first image in his mind.  His right fist pounded the shower stall in anger.  He made himself stop.  Nope.  Not going there , he finished his shower and simply ignored his need, settling for sleep instead of release.  

But even in his dreams you pestered him.  You sat in his lap looking at books, subtly grinding against him as he told you about Italian philosophers and French Parnassians.  By the time you moved on to modern literature you were straddling him.  He put his arms around you.  “Why me?”’ he asked.  But you put a finger to his lips to silence him and freed his length.  “Do you want me?” you asked as you hovered above him, clad only in a skirt. No panties and no shirt.  He nodded violently as you carded his hair and sank onto him…

The Cardinal woke with a gasp as he came all over the inside of his flannel pajama bottoms.  Merda .  

Chapter Text

Morning once again.  Copia trudged back to the library.  Am I really this affected by a woman?  I don’t even like her.  He lied to himself as he walked through the stacks to see the progress that had been made.  He walked through the upstairs where you had agreed that all of the oldest relics would be stored.  There were a few super special books that he needed to check on each day, to ensure their safety.  It was becoming a ritual for him.  He would do that and then help with the cataloging.  And since he knew you had a meeting with Papa today, he was planning to put the orders back through that he had cancelled.  It wasn’t that he had magically jumped on board over the course of the week, but more like he had reached acceptance.  This was happening.  And truth be told, if he had to do it he’d rather it be with you than with Papa or one of the crusty members of the clergy.  

He was perusing the carts of books, but there were clearly things missing.  Important pieces.  Books that had been falling apart, but that he had lovingly explained why he had selected.  “Aether, these gaps, where did the books go?” 

“Oh, Sister was here early and took them.  I think she was hoping you wouldn’t notice,” he laughed.

But Copia was not laughing.  “Took them where, exactly?”

“Hell if I know, probably the incinerator.  They were clearly falling apart,” he shrugged and went back to his work.

The Cardinal felt a white rage inside him.  He gathered his things and did something reckless.  He went to see his mother.

Papa greeted you and asked you some questions about the project and seemed exceptionally pleased with all that you’d managed to do.  

“Not going to lie, I wasn’t sure if you could get mio fratello on board.  He’s a bit of a stronzo sometimes.”

“I think it's more that he hasn't had anyone who loves what he loves,” you looked away, embarrassed to have worded it like that.

Terzo looked at you, trying to read where this softness was coming from.  "Hmm, and do you, love what he loves?”

"Well, yes, I suppose,” you answered, “I understand why it’s so important to him.”

Terzo raised an eyebrow,  “Well, Imperator is expecting fast progress.  She doesn't let things like realistic timetables affect her thinking.  She'll be in next Thursday to have a look around.  It's critical that she sees things moving along.  She's been in an exceptionally bad mood lately.”

The bad mood was probably due to the book that Nihil had requested.  Poor woman was not having any peace. 

“Of course, Papa,” you said, and left to return to your work.

You came back to find an absence of Copia and it surprised you how sad you felt without him.   He had other responsibilities, so you didn't think much of it when he didn't come around that day, but when he was also missing the next day and the one after you became worried.  

That afternoon you decided to track him down.  He didn’t answer when you knocked on his door, and you couldn’t find him in the chapel, so you hung out in view of the kitchen.  Everyone came by for food, even if they didn’t eat it in the cafeteria.  And even the picky eaters would never skip rigatoni night.  

“Copia!” you shouted as you caught him with a to-go box of steamy noodles.

He acted like he didn’t hear you, walking quickly down the hallway.

You had to jog to get close to him, “Copia, hey, are you coming back to go through more books?  Imperator is coming in a few days and I could really use your help?”

“You seem to have a handle on things.  I’m working on more important matters,” he said flatly, and then started to walk again.

You were taken aback by the coolness of his tone.  “Wait, I’m trying really hard, but it would be so much easier if you would help?”

“All you want are things that are easy,” he quipped, and you felt instantly stung by his words.  

Was he talking about your night in the dens?  You stopped, “You know, sometimes I think you secretly like me and this project, and then other times you are just mean-spirited.  You’re the one who wants everything without putting any effort into it.  You let the library stagnate for decades.  Where is your drive?  Your fire?”  Then continued, more softly, “You don’t even kiss passionately.”

“My fire?”  Right now it was in his blood that was burning his veins.  He pushed you against the wall and loomed over you.  “Maybe don’t wish to see things that you are ill prepared for.”  He snarled, and stomped off in the direction of his room.

A new week began and you were determined to power through.  Who needs Copia?   You blasted serotonin-boosting anthems through your earbuds and worked harder than you ever had.  Things were coming together, except some of your most critical orders seemed to be taking a long time to arrive.  It wasn’t until late on Monday that you dug into the slow down and realized that several orders had been cancelled back at the very beginning, the same time that a certain cardinal arrived from France.  I could kill him , you seethed.  But instead, you hustled even harder.  This would be the most amazingly gothic library and he couldn’t stop it.  You reordered the missing pieces with rush shipping.  The ghouls were painting.  You began creating an epic presentation on where you started and where you were going.  Everything would be here right before Imperator visited.  It was happening.

The high lasted a whole day and then it came crashing down in spectacular fashion.  It was two days and counting until Seestor was scheduled to come and you walked into mayhem.  Everything that could go wrong was going wrong.  The first hint of trouble was something reddish and wet dripping down your face.  Not blood, no worse than that.  It seemed there was rusty water steadily leaking from the ceiling dangerously close to where the books were awaiting their permanent homes.  A corroded pipe had decided to spring a leak in the night.  Second, the internet was down across the abbey.  And did you mention that Brother Timothy had picked out the wrong type of paint and now the sections that had been painted yesterday were peeling and would need to be scraped and redone?  But the most troubling thing was a surprise visitor…

Aether knocked on the wall where you and your team had all congregated in a makeshift meeting room.  What now?   You felt the beginnings of a tension headache seeing the concern on his face.  

“Um, Sister Imperator is requesting your presence,” he said formally.

Your skin paled as you nodded.  She’s not supposed to be here yet .  You hurried to greet your guest.  The internet being down meant that your well-planned slideshow would not work.  

“Sister, apologies, we weren’t expecting you today,” you tried to mask the tremor in your voice.

“I see that,” she scoffed, eyes on the paint where it curled back on itself.  “My son told me that I should stop by as soon as possible.”

Copia .  You forced a smile.  “Let me show you around, you’ll see that it is much improved from how it was previously.”

“I haven’t been in this place in a decade.  And I’m regretting coming in now,” she crossed the space carefully, as if she was afraid to touch anything.

You walked through, guiding her to the areas that were really starting to look better, while also trying to avoid the small lake that now existed along the eastern wall.

Sister noticed immediately.  “Why is there water everywhere?  Does Papa know?”

“That literally just happened.  I assure you it will be resolved straightaway.  At least the books are off the floor.  The damage could have been much worse.”

She walked through in silence, as you tried to explain in vivid detail how it would look… “And here there will be a reading nook built into the wall… over here an archway leading into the special collections area… and this shelving is made to look like the Klementinum library in Prague, baroque and beautiful.”

“Sister, if you will allow me to be blunt?” She cut in, putting her hand on your shoulder.  “You say pretty words, but what I see is a disaster.  I’m going to put Copia back in charge.”

Her heels clicked as she left you behind.  Despite what she said you stayed the rest of the day and pulled it together long enough to ensure that the plumbing was fixed.  You helped clean up the water while the ghouls removed nearly all of the bad paint.  You couldn’t leave the place a dumpster fire full of problems.  When everything was back in some semblance of control you dismissed the team.   Aether invited you to the dens, but you declined.  It didn’t feel right.  You saw him leave with Sister Claudette instead.  The pair were all smiles despite how hard the day had been.  Maybe you should have given yourself over to jealousy, but you didn’t.  If anything you felt empty. 

Now that they were gone you finally had time for the breakdown that had been building all day.  Emotions that had been quaking under the surface erupted, and tears streamed down your face in long, harsh sobs.

A sniffling sound, where was it coming from?  The Cardinal had finally decided to come by and see what had changed.  Immediately he was side tracked, intent on seeking out the source of distress.  He caught you with mascara running down your face sitting in a corner near his desk, knees pulled to your chest as you tried to make yourself small.

“What’s wrong now?  You can’t decide what shade of pink curtains will give the library that certain je ne sais quoi ?” he mocked.

Something within you finally snapped.  “Fuck you, Copia.  You’ve made it perfectly clear how much you hate my existence.  So how about you leave me the fuck alone,” you bit back.

He backed up like you had slapped him, but then was also angered by your outburst.  “I haven’t done anything to you.  You’re the one who came into my house and fucked it all up.”

You stood and approached him, “This isn’t your house , this is the library.  And you’ve never even asked to see the plans.  You have no idea what it will be like in the end.”

“It was just how I wanted it, and now it’s not, so I think I know.”

“So you wanted it dusty and messy with heavy boxes stacked to the ceiling so that eventually they would fall on you and kill you?”

“There are worse ways to die,” Copia hit you with a look that said he had thought about some of the alternatives.

“I’m leaving, you can have your library back.”

“What do you mean you're leaving?” he grabbed at your arm, pulling you back.

“Sister Imperator doesn’t want me leading the project.  Not enough progress over the past weeks I guess,” you sighed.  “But if she had just waited another few days, all of the shelving would be here and the new lights.  Fresh paint.  We were so close to making it… magical.”

The tears glistened on your cheeks and Copia felt a hint of regret at interfering with your orders and causing delays.  “You should have just left it alone,” he whispered, coming close to you.  You weren’t entirely sure he was talking about the library or not.  

“Papa entrusted me with this,” you breathed out in defeat.

“Papa doesn’t know anything about this place.”

“But you do, and you have acted like a child.  The Siblings warned me about you, but I didn’t want to judge you based on them.  I wanted us to be a team and you went behind my back and cancelled orders?”

“Please, you treated me like a senile, ugly fool.”

“I never thought you senile or ugly,” a hope for something that never was danced in your eyes and you tried to blink it away.  

“What’s that supposed to mean?”  He caged you in.  “You want me to accept this?  All of this is beyond my control.  Even if you stop now you’ve already done insurmountable damage.”

“Damage!?” you pushed him back against a stack of books.  “My team has been organizing and rehabbing these books for a month straight.  You were treating them as garbage, just like you treat people.”

Copia couldn’t hide the hard bulge in his pants as he argued with you.  You glanced down and raised an eyebrow.  He turned away, embarrassed for once.

You pulled his shoulder.  “Face me.  Don’t be a coward.  Yell at me, fuck me, just do something,” you spat.

He turned slowly.  Tears were in both your eyes now as he pulled you in and kissed you.  This time you each put your passion and rage into the exchange.  Copia ripped your blouse, buttons scattering across the floor.  In turn, you yanked his belt off practically tearing the loops from the coarse fabric.  His hands were rough and trembling as he undid your bra, lips sucking marks across your collarbone.  Nothing about this was gentle.

“The truth is,” he said as his mouth traveled across your pale skin, “you can never understand this place, because you can never understand me.” He rucked your skirt up to your hips.  

You stifled a moan, “You aren’t as enigmatic as you think you are,” you said.  

You could feel him tense at that as he pulled his dick from his pants.  There was no hiding its considerable size and the way it throbbed with need.  Without any further hesitation, he bent you over the closest boxes of an agreeable height and pulled your panties to the side.  He didn’t have the patience for foreplay.  You had claimed his lair and he would claim you.  “Do you want this?  Or shall you leave me a mess just as you’ve left my things,” he huffed, still raw.

“Hurry, before I change my mind,” your cheek laid against the unforgiving cardboard.

That was all he needed as he plunged in deep and strong.  It took your breath away as he imposed himself inside you, taking up all of your space.  He paused when he bottomed out not expecting you to be this wet, to fit him so well.  The sensations built inside him and he couldn’t help but start a brutal pace, unleashing years of pent up emotion into battering your pussy.  

You weren’t expecting it to feel so necessary.  Satan, you needed this .  The Cardinal pulled your hair back until your back arched at just the right angle.  Every feeling coursed through the two of you, hate, love, pain, exhilaration, it was all there.  Your toes curled as he hit the spots that even your ghoul friend had neglected.  You could smell the musky, but somehow amazing scent of his closeness, and you felt safe in his firm grasp.  Your orgasm was creeping up on you, you didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of coming, but you were losing the battle…. Hold it back… he’s the one that made your project fail… don’t give in… But it was all too much, you came hard and clamped around him.

He rocked into you and pulled your hips roughly, using you.  When you came, he revelled in your loss of control, and was happy to fill you up.  He wanted to leave you sore and leaking.  Destroy it all and make you want it again.

When you had finally both come down, he pulled off of you and left you in a heap on the boxes, retreating into the darkness.  

What have you done?   Copia was in his quarters now and he was in shock by how he had just behaved.  Why did you do that?   All he could think about was you.  As angry as he was he also felt guilty.  You're the reason she was broken and you broke her more.  Everything you touch is ruined.  He didn’t sleep that night.

Chapter Text

Papa called you and Copia into an emergency meeting the next morning.  The tension in the room was palpable.  

“I had the misfortune of a visit from your mother yesterday,” he said to Copia.

Copia was barely paying attention to his brother, eyes on you once again.  “Mm hmm.”

“Copia, pay attention please,” Terzo looked between you, then leaned back and sighed, “Are the two of you really fucking?”

You sucked in a breath and Cardinal sat up, his brother finally succeeding in getting his attention.  “What?” he asked.

“I mean, Omega said he thought you were kissing in the hallway, but I was sure he was mistaken,” he recalled.  

You sank into your chair and Copia bristled, “Have you ever thought of minding your own business?  Aren’t you sleeping with half of the ministry?”

“Currently?” he asked.  “Maybe not half, but at least 40%,” he smirked.

“Papa, I’m sorry about Imperator.  She came at the worst possible time.  I know she doesn’t want me to be involved in the project any longer.  I’ll step down,” you swallowed the extra things you could add about Copia’s interference.

“Step down?  I don’t think so.  Because then I’m stuck with figlio di puttana,” he crooked his thumb at Copia.  “I told Imperator that I would lead the project.  But obviously that is in name only.  You are still in charge.  I will sadly have to spend some time in the library to make it look like I am doing my job.”

You brightened, “You still trust me?” you asked.  

“Of course, Sorella,” he smiled.  Then to his brother, “You I don’t trust.  I know that you are the reason Imperator showed up early.”

He started to retort and then thought better of it.

“Remember that I have eyes around this ministry.  If I were you I would shape up unless you want to be Nihil’s permanent ass wiper.”

Copia sighed in defeat and the meeting was dismissed.

Like a well-choreographed dance, you and the Cardinal flitted around each other, but avoided getting too close.  There was much to be done and it was easy to just steer clear of one another.  You wanted to talk to him, but what was there to say?  You had a heated encounter and now it was over.  Nothing to do now but get things done.  Copia continued cataloging, one of his strengths, while you were organizing delivery times and checking in with all of your workers.

Papa stopped by occasionally, usually just to get under his brother’s skin and then leave.  Today was no different.  He arrived early, looking fresh and put together with an entourage of ghouls behind him.  “Sorella, I am feeling generous.  I have brought you reinforcements.  With this legion the painting should be done and shelving installed within the week.”

“Thank you, Papa,” you said.  “That will speed things up.”  Aether and Omega were already showing the ghouls where the supplies were so that they could begin.  

Furniture had arrived and he found a leather chair and took a seat.  “Very nice, I knew you were the right person for the job,” he praised within Copia’s earshot just to get him rankled.

Copia was making no outward sign of irritation, though you were sure he was annoyed.

“Fratello,” he said, “Sorella here is very kind, and hasn’t made you do it, but I see something that you should be doing.”

The Cardinal finally looked up, “I am working if you haven’t noticed?  Unlike you.”

“Debatable,” he said, “but it’s time to dismantle your… what do you call it?  The masturbatory?  The ball play foy-er?”

He was properly seething now.  “My office?” he corrected through clenched teeth.

“Sure, whatever you say,” he said.  “We need that space, so start packing up.”

Copia dropped the book he was working on loudly and stomped to the back.  

You looked off at the younger Emeritus and thought about following him.  Concerned eyes met Papa.

“He’ll be fine,” he said, reading your thoughts easily.  “Oh, and since I brought you so many ghouls, I’ll be stealing Omega back for a few hours.  I have some things of my own that need to be moved around.”  

You raised an eyebrow, “Have fun, Papa.”

He winked and pranced over to the largest of ghouls and whispered in his ear.  Omega was bent over working on shelves, and he stood up so fast that he hit his head.  The two were out of there in a flash.

Copia half heartedly picked things up and put them down.  I don’t want to do this .  He could feel his heart beating faster.  Anxiety was eating at his nerves and burrowing into his gut.  Breaths were coming too fast and he put his head on the oaken door that served as his desk while he tried to calm down.

You picked that moment to check on him.  “Copia?” you asked.  “Would you like some help?  Are you alright?”

“Just give me a minute,” he said through rasping inhales.  He turned his head to glare at you, head still down.  “I’m sure you can’t wait to tear this last bit of me to shreds.”  

“Are you having a panic attack?” you asked, coming to his side.

“I’m fine,” he growled, but you could see him sweating.  

“Lay down, and put your legs up.  You can use those boxes,” you said, pulling him off the chair.

“I said I’m fine,” he complained, but with less ire now, and complying to your command.

You went and found a towel and wet it.  You sat next to him on the floor and put it on his forehead.

“This is ridiculous,” he said, but he felt himself calming down, closing his eyes.

“Just focus on breathing,” you said.  You unbuttoned his top shirt button to help him breathe more easily.

His eyes shot open, and he grabbed your hand.

“Relax, I’m not going to maul you,” you sighed.  “I wish you could see that I’m on your side.”

He closed his eyes again, but you noticed that he didn’t let go of your hand.

You stayed like that for some time until he finally let you go and sat up.

“Why don’t you go back to what you were working on.  I’ll take care of this,” you whispered.

He shook his head.  “I want to be here.  I need to do it.”

“At least let me help?” you asked.

“Can you promise me that these things won’t end up in the dumpster?”  You looked surprised or confused.  “You thought I wouldn’t notice the missing volumes, but I do.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, none of the books went in the trash?” you knit your eyebrows, trying to understand.

He stood, walking from you, “In that case, where is The History of Vampirism in Olde England , or my copy of 18th Century Curses ?  And that’s just a couple that I know are missing, there are dozens at least.”

“Once again, if you had looked at the fucking plans, there is a Special Collections room,” you huffed.  “And that is where your new office will be.”

Realization poured over him.  He was the idiot here.  I fucked up .  “You really didn’t toss them?” he asked.

“I really didn’t,” you said.  You started moving the boxes forming one of the “walls” of the room.  “I think this is a ‘can’t see the forest for the trees’ moment.”  With his line of sight unobscured, you pulled him over to look at how the library was coming together.  

Even though he was there, in a corporeal way, he hadn’t really looked at how it was shifting from heaps of materials into something more.  The scales fell from his eyes and he took in a breath as he realized that this part of the abbey was becoming much more akin to the breathtaking libraries of Europe that he loved to visit.  He looked to you and you could tell he was finally, finally getting it.

“Now, let’s get this done,” you redirected him to his mess.

The two of you locked in for hours sorting the various things that were special to Copia.  You learned a lot about his interests.  In addition to the books, he had glass figurines of rats from Venice and a hodgepodge of oddities that included skulls and bones and relics.  Each had a story and you packed them with care.  

It was when you came to a box of art books and magazines that he was quick to grab it from you.  “Eh, no need to go through that one.”

“Sir, is that your pornography?” you joked, taking the box back as he turned purple.

“Of course not, it’s art,” he covered weakly, turning away.

You flipped through the top magazine until you landed in the middle, and opened up the centerfold.  A thick and voluptuous looking woman met your eyes, and the build was quite similar to yours.  “Nice,” you admired, “you have good taste,” you said, handing the box back to him.

You continued in silence for a while, but he finally spoke up.  “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” you asked.

“I’m sorry for being so difficult, and for getting you in trouble with Imperator, and-” he swallowed, “and for what I did that day when you were crying.”

You came closer to him and put your hand on his.  “And I’m sorry for coming in so aggressively,” you offered.

“I accept your apology, but you only did what was necessary,” he looked at you seriously.  “Do you accept mine?”

You thought it over, “Yes, well all except for that last part.  I don’t think you should be sorry for that.”

He felt his heart pounding, he wished that wasn’t just a one-time thing.  “Eh, well I could have behaved differently.  Anyway, I think we’re done here.  You should go.”

You hesitated, fear of rejection roiling inside you.  “Do you want to walk me back?” you asked.

“It’s Thursday, so I’m sure your ghoul is waiting to fuck you within an inch of your life,” he said darkly.

“Claudette has been, uh, falling on that sword,” you smirked.  “The ghouls are fun, but it was never serious.  I’d rather leave with you.”

His throat tightened and he pulled you in for a kiss.  This one was bold and desperate.  You melted into him.  You heard some wolf whistles from where the ghouls were cleaning up, and obviously spying.  

Copia was quick to pull you away.  Instead of your room, you found yourself being escorted roughly down the Emeritus hallway, and landing abruptly in front of the Cardinal’s suite.  As Copia fumbled for the key in his pocket, he couldn’t help but push you up against his door.  You felt his needy cock grind against you as he ran his fingers through your hair and kissed you deeply.  Lips trailed down to your neck.  He inhaled your scent and made a rumbling sound of content at how sweet you were.  Truly, he was similar to a ghoul in some ways.  He tried again for the keys and dropped them.  They clattered on the floor and he abandoned them for the time being, opting instead to slam your arms above your head so he could continue his assault on your neck.  

You trembled against the door, letting the thrill of the moment take over.  Eventually you felt the Cardinal release your wrists to palm a breast.   He was freeing buttons as he kissed his way to your sternum.  You let out a quiet moan as he kissed your stomach and reached for the keys, only to drop them again.

The door to the neighboring Papal suite opened and Terzo peeked his head out.  “What’s going- Fratellino!” he said in mock surprise, “It’s usually the other way around.  In fact, I don’t ever remember catching you with a Sibling.”

“Good night, Terzo,” he said, finally getting the keys in and turning the lock.  You tumbled into the darkness of his room.

“Make good choices!” Papa called back, laughing, as Copia slammed the door.

“Ignore him, please,” he said, guiding you to the bed.  

You were surprised that his living quarters were clean, and much more minimally decorated than his office.  Clearly he spent little time here.  You sat on the edge of his bed, nervous for once.  Fear that even though you started off as enemies, somehow there was a deeper connection that had formed, something more than you’d had with anyone else, and you didn’t want to break it.  It was starting to throw you off.

“Lie down,” he bit your ear lightly as he pulled off your shirt.  

“But, I’m sweaty.  Maybe we should wait and shower first,” you offered.

He pushed you back and licked a line from your waist to your neck.  Arousal was dripping from you and your nipples hardened from the closeness of him.  “You’re perfect,” he spoke the words against your throat.  “We can shower later.”

You nodded, as the remaining clothes you had hit the floor.  His followed, and you found his head between your thighs.  “Um, sometimes I can’t cum from oral,” you confessed.  

He put his finger to your lip to silence you and he was’t licking you, or tonguing you, he was EATing you.  You weren’t lying, this usually wasn’t your favorite, especially depending on the guy’s technique, but you realized you were with a professional.  You tried to be quiet, the thought of Terzo listening on the other side of the wall fresh in your mind, but you were reduced to a moaning whore in no time.  Copia was pulling out all of his best skills and it didn’t help that you could feel the promise of his hard dick waiting for it’s turn as you tried to maintain your composure and failed.  

The Cardinal slid two fingers in as he worked.  His moustache tickled your most private area and it had you bucking under him.  You tried again to slow yourself, but he was hitting everything just right.  One moment you were gripping the sheets to maintain control and the next your legs were locked around the chestnut hair of your lover as you came with a wail.

Copia looked at you triumphantly.  “It seems you can come when properly invited,” he teased, kissing you so that you tasted yourself on his lips.  

Your face was red and sweaty as you came down.  He waited until the sensitivity had eased and then he was back for seconds.  He would happily eat at your table for as long as you allowed, but you attempted to pull him up.  “Please,” you urged.  “Fill me.”

He gave you his fingers and continued to devour you.  You shivered as your nerves fired in a happy array of sensations.

“Cock.  Please,” you pleaded.

He crawled up your body, rubbing his length against you.  “I want you,” he breathed.

“Yes, I’ve thought about it ever since that night,” you admitted, then felt like an idiot for saying that out loud.

But Copia agreed, “Me too,” he said as he gave a thrust to breach your entrance.  You sucked in a breath as his girth made it halfway in.  “N-need you,” he stuttered and pushed in fully.

You let yourself adjust to his size, then pulled him as close as two bodies could be.  You could feel his heart thumping against your chest as he delivered slow, hard strokes into you.  It was different from the time in the library, but no less intense.  

The whole walk from the library Copia had been planning all the ways he would fuck you and prove his worth.  But there was something about having so much skin touching that was curing a deep wound that he didn’t even know he had.  He let his legs tangle with yours and you bowed into him as he massaged you internally.  He could feel you clenching around him and he put all of his energy into keeping tempo until you reached your peak.  He sucked a nipple into his mouth and interlaced his fingers with yours as he sank into you again and again.

It wasn’t long before you were fluttering and, with a curl of your toes, shattered around him.  He followed behind you with a long moan, arms squeezing around you as he emptied all he had.  Even after he had pulled out he was reluctant to lose your contact.  He rolled you both so that he was on his back and you were laying on him.  You made a move to roll to the side and he pulled you back.  

“Can we stay like this?” he asked quietly.

“You nodded, settling against his chest hair and relaxing for once.  The stress you had about messing things up had faded.  This felt right.  Even in the sticky aftermath of intense emotions, this felt right.

Chapter Text

Long hours and late evenings of hard work followed.  The Cardinal hungered for you and stole you back to his room most nights.  You went willingly, and slept better in his arms than you did alone.  The truth was that he wanted you there every night.  He tried to not to give away how much he liked being with you, but you caught his eyes lingering and you noticed the way he slid his chair closer to you while you worked.  Even the way his jaw tightened when Aether leaned close to talk to you.

Imperator eventually came back to check on things and was pleased for once.  

“Finally, something respectable to show me,” she sighed.  After looking around she added, “Yes, I think we should have a ribbon-cutting ceremony.  No one ever came here, but now the library will get the attention it deserves.

Copia was in the corner and he shrank back.  You watched him leave for the back hallway.  As soon as Imperator was satisfied with the plans for the ceremony she made her exit and you tracked down Copia in his room.  It was unlocked, and you made your way in without knocking.  Copia was pacing and wiped his eyes quickly when you came in.

“What happened back there?”  you asked.

“It’s nothing,” he breathed heavily.  “I just needed to get away.”

You could feel him closing off.  “Is it the party?  It will only be a couple hours.  You don’t even have to attend if it bothers you.”

He groaned, “No, it’s not that.  I wish it were just the party.  You don’t understand.”  He went to the kitchen to pour some water.  His hand unsteady and dribbling water onto the counter.

“Then what is it?” you asked, following him and wiping away the spill.

“The library is beautiful.  It’s stunning.  It’s attractive .”  He said with a pained face.

You couldn’t help a little laugh, “You seem unhappy about that?”  

“It’s attractive in a way that will attract people .  For the rest of time that place will be crawling with Siblings.  I know you wanted this, but where do I fit into all of it?”  He took a small drink.

You went to him to embrace him, but he turned to the side.  Undeterred you caught his eyes, “You can’t coexist in a place as large as the library?  I think you could.  And you can always come here if you need full solitude?”  

“Can I?” he asked, and he looked at you.

“Wow,” your feelings were hurt that he didn’t seem to want you there.  “I guess I should be going then.”

“That’s not what I meant,” he floundered.  “It’s just that there isn’t much space that is mine entirely.”

“Maybe I should remind you that you were the one that brought me here last night.  You were the one that begged me to stay in bed with you when you didn’t want to be alone.”

“I do want you here,” he pulled you back to him.  “I just want you to understand that this is hard for me.”  What he wanted to say is that you had broken his walls down, physical and otherwise, and he felt very exposed.  You were here perceiving him, you had burrowed under his skin and it was amazing and terrifying and … he found himself, a creature of the darkness, blinking helplessly in the light that was you.

Your initial feelings of hurt softened as you felt how shaky the arms were that he used to hold you.  He really was unsure of how to cope.  “Just breathe, it will work out.  Trust me.”

“I trust you,” he admitted.

As much as the two of you worked together on the library’s opening, there was one spot that you kept him away from.  Kept everyone away from.  Well, everyone except the ghouls, because you needed their muscle to handle the construction bits.  It was the Special Collections room.  You had told Copia that you wanted there to be one surprise at the ribbon-cutting.  He didn’t especially care for surprises, but he knew it was important to you so he didn’t press.  

That was, until the morning of the ceremony.  Everyone was tidying up and he saw Aether whisper in your ear.  This wasn’t unusual, except that this time he was trying to covertly show you a photo on his phone.  From his vantage point, Copia could see something that looked like jewelry?  Copia walked closer as you passed through the archway, the entryway and windows covered with paper so that he couldn’t see inside.

Papa walked by to see the Cardinal staring at the room, warring with himself to respect your wishes and not enter when he really wanted to know what was going on.

“Fratello, you are trying to look through walls?” he teased.  “I don’t think that is one of the powers that the Olde one has given us?”

Copia shook his head, “Eh, I was just wondering what Sorella is up to,” he said.

“Well, I’m going to talk to her, so I’ll tell her you’re waiting for her,” he said.

The Cardinal turned to go back to his work, “It’s nothing, don’t worry about it,” he said.

Papa was laughing internally at his love-sick brother.  “Relax, everything is fine.  Loosen up for once.”  He gave his arm a shake and then opened the door.  “Aether!  Put your dick away!” he said loudly.

Copia got so pale he nearly blacked out.

“Just kidding,” Papa stuck his head back toward Copia and laughed as he strutted through the doorway. 

One of these days I’m going to kill him , Copia grumbled to himself.

Twenty minutes later, the group emerged laughing and carrying on.  Aether was sweaty and Terzo was playing with the comically large scissors that they would be using for the ribbon-cutting.  The Cardinal tried to be calm, but he was stressed.

“I’m giving out circumcisions, would you like one,” Papa snapped the scissors toward him.

The Cardinal rolled his eyes as Papa ran off chasing the ghouls.  

You crooked your finger to Copia, signalling for him to come while the other men left on their own errands.  

“Do you need me?” he asked, joining you at the door.

“It’s time,” you whispered.

“Time for what?” you asked.  

“To see your office, of course,” you smiled.

“But the ceremony hasn’t started yet?” Copia was locked on the way your lips curved seductively when you smiled.  

“Well, you are a VIP,” you said.  You pulled the paper down from the entryway.

Copia immediately saw that the door that used to be his desk was now the door to the Special Collections room.  There were also windows that showed a little hint of the treasures of the space.  His hand travelled over the wood of the door and he swallowed back his emotions.

“Do you like it?” you asked.  

He nodded and you led him in.  There were shelves of all of his favorite books and pieces adorning the walls.  There was an ornate candelabra on the ceiling and small lamps along the periphery.  Windows too, but they were smaller and unobtrusive.  The lighting in here was soft and it felt like a secret place, what he wanted his former space to be but never had quite achieved.  There was a couch for visitors, or if he needed a nap, and a large desk for his work.  The desk had figures carved down the legs.  “This looks like Italian,” he said.

“Rumor has it that it came from the Vatican, but was cast out because the carvings were of Lucifer, and they were too sensual to be decent,” you reported, with a raised eyebrow.

Although he had said he didn’t care, he loved the desk and the room.  

“I was going to show you earlier, but Aether just finished reupholstering your chair,” you said.  “Give it a spin.”

He sat and it felt great, familiar but improved.  He leaned back, and looked around.  He was afraid this whole endeavor would feel too foreign, but when he looked around he saw only things he loved, including you.  “Where is your desk though?” he asked. 

“This is not my space, this is yours,” you said, handing him a small box.  “Don’t lose that, it’s the only key.”

He blinked in surprise.

“I figured you could use me more at the front desk.  I could be a buffer between you and the rest of the world.”  Your grin turned mischievous.  “But there is some work that I plan to do in this room.”

You dropped to your knees in front of him, sliding under the large desk and pulling him closer by his thighs.  

He yelped as you unzipped his tight pants.  You hummed in response, pleasantly surprised that he was already at least half-hard.  You raised an eyebrow and he shrugged, “What do you expect, everything in here is very beautiful,” he said looking down into your eyes.  You pinched him playfully in response, and then began giving him the best head he had ever received.    

Time had ceased to exist as the younger Emeritus was lost in the sensation of your tongue circling his balls.  He was riding the edge when Terzo burst through the door to the Special Collections room.  Copia startled at his desk, but you kept going.

“Copia, have you seen my jacket?  Imperator will be here in an hour and she pitches a fit if I look ‘too casual.’  It truly isn’t fair, she never says anything to you..” he rambled, oblivious to what was going on.

The Cardinal didn’t make eye contact, sweat rolling down his face, “Haven’t. S-seen. It.”

“Are you dying?  I actually thought this might kill you, but then you were doing so well.”  He finally took notice of his brother.

“Le-leave please,” he slurred, closing his eyes.

“Can you at least help me look for it?”  Terzo persisted.

Copia shook his head and then abruptly stiffened.

A choking sound came from under the desk as he unloaded down your throat.

Papa finally realized what had happened.  “Really?  In front of the special books?” he clutched invisible pearls at his neck as you zipped your lover back into his pants and crawled out of the space at his legs.  

“You left your jacket on the hook,” you cleared your throat.  

“Aw, yes,” he said, “our threesome earlier got me hot and bothered.” he winked.  

“I don’t think moving a desk counts as a threesome, Papa,” you countered.

“I don’t know, there was a ghoul, and grunting, and of course I was hard,” he stretched out on the couch.  You threw a pillow at him.  “Ouch, you wound me.”

“Sorella, I am now more thankful than ever for the key that you gave me,” Copia sighed.  “And I have something similar to give you.”

“I thought you just gave her quite the gift,” Papa couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

“Be quiet, stronzo,” Copia said in his brother’s direction, but he was looking at you.  He reached into his pocket and pulled out something small.  

“I swear to Satan if you go down on one knee I’m going to drop dead,” he sat up, paying attention now.

“Why are you still here, Terzo?” he asked, and then to you.  “It’s not a ring, but I was going to ask if you’d move in with me?  The neighbors aren’t great, I’m afraid,” he shot another dagger Terzo’s way, “but I’d be very happy if you would stay with me?”  And then softer, “I love you.”

You pulled him up to you and kissed him.  “I love you, too.”  

“What is in the water this week?” Terzo stood and stretched.  “Aether announced he and Sister Claudette are exclusive and is giving her a pearl necklace, not the dirty kind, the real thing;” he clarified.  “You two are playing house… does anyone remember that this is a place of sin?  When this ceremony is over I’m going to do something unholy.”  

You let Papa rant about too much monogamy, but knew that he secretly loved this for you. 

Back at the ribbon cutting, you held Copia’s hand as he finally got to experience the Siblings ogling not just the new library, but the rich collection that he had developed over long years.  The wooden shelves came alive with colorful spines from every century.  There was light from large windows and dramatic chandeliers.  Classical furniture pieces invited guests to have a seat in well-placed nooks and alcoves.  Much of what had been private to him was now amplified and on display.  It wasn’t easy for him, but it was fulfilling in a way that he didn’t expect.  Perhaps this was a death, an end of an era, and he accepted that.  It was also the birth and the celebration of something new.  He had injected his DNA into the library that you created, and from that a love poured out and changed the abbey forever.