Ghost BC - Trans Papas

I - Copia coming out

Copia nervously walked up and down his office, impatiently waiting for Terzo to join him. He had told him at breakfast earlier that he urgently needed to discuss something with him and now was five minutes before they were to meet. He was worried about him forgetting it or being late, Copia did usually not mind but in this matter, it was important to the Cardinal that Terzo took this serious. The thing Copia needed to discuss so urgently was caused by a wave of rumours flooding the ministry within the past week, started by nothing more than a joke. Him and the Ghouls took a trip to the beach where one of the Ghoulettes noticed they'd never seen Copia without a shirt, not even when he was swimming so they asked him jokingly where he's got something to hide underneath his shirt. He tried to laugh it off but somehow, the question echoed through the ministry's halls ever since. He couldn't walk past any corridor without hearing the sisters of sin whisper behind his back and Copia knew it was only a matter of time until the rumours reached the Papas and he'd have to explain himself. So, lost for advice, he turned to the person he was closest to here, Terzo. He should be the first to know his secret before it may be discovered sooner or later. Copia stared at the clock hanging above the door. Two minutes. He sighed and turned to his desk as he suddenly heard a knock on his door.
"Copia, it's me. Can I come in?", Terzo's voice muffled through the wood and Copia turned around in surprise.
"Of course, please come in", he answered and shortly after, the door was opened and the smaller man slipped through.
"Are you alright? You seemed so serious this morning, I was worried all day for you but I did not want to be rude and come earlier", he said in a serious tone and stepped closer to the Cardinal who smiled warmly.
"I'm glad you noticed", he said and gestured to his sofa, indicating the man should have a seat with him.
"So what is it you wanted to talk about?", Terzo asked and let himself fall onto the soft leather. Copia did the same and let out a deep sigh, he did not know how to start and in addition felt extremely nervous about the other man's reaction.
Terzo seemed to notice that and laid a hand on the other man's shoulder.
"Hey, it's alright. I don't know what's on your mind but I'm here for you", he assured with a smile.
"I don't know how to start", he began and the Papa nodded understandingly.
"I'm sure you have heard about the rumours that have been spreading.."
He shook his head confused.
"I'm afraid I have not"
"Well.. well I took a trip to the beach with the Ghouls lately and I kept my shirt on when we were in the water which made one of the Ghoulettes joke about that I have something to hide underneath my shirt since I always wear one. Well this joke seems to be spreading and people started speculating about me and..", he felt how he ran out of air and breathed heavily.
"Well I don't know what will happen when the Papas find out because everyone will know the truth eventually. But before anybody knows anything for sure, I needed to tell you first because I trust you and hope you don't hate me now".
He paused and took a deep breath in while Terzo looked him patiently.
"Terzo, I'm trans", he eventually said and turned his gaze away quickly. He did not dare looking at Terzo now, he stared to the side and waited for the man to leave silently or yell at him. But that did not happen. His hand would not move away from his shoulder but instead, Copia would feel how he wrapped his other arm around the Cardinal and pull him into a hug.
"That doesn't change a thing for me, Copia. And I'm sorry you were afraid I was going to hate you, I could never hate you. The fact you're trans only makes me feel closer to you because you have given me your trust and I will make sure to take care of it".
"Thank you", Copia mumbled relieved in Terzo's shoulder.
"I just never made any good experience in the past and I was just afraid everyone was going to hate me again", he could feel himself close to tears thinking about it.
"That's why I always wear a shirt, they weren't supposed to know and now I will have to tell everyone and they will hate me either way", he felt it crack and broke down completely while wrapping his hands tightly around Terzo.
"I will have to tell everyone and then they'll hate me and-", he was stopped by the other man who shook his head heavily.
"Nonsense. They would never hate you for being who you are, you're the sweetest person they have ever met. And who said you'll have to tell them all? If you don't feel comfortable revealing that part of you then let's just let rumours be rumours that will disappear into thin air. They're just words after all", he said that in the most comforting voice and Copia calmed down again.
"You think that'll work out?", he asked hopeful.
"I do", Terzo replied with a smile and Copia was relieved.

Author's note: Here's the first chapter, I hope you like it, feel free to make requests :D