If I'm not Here Forever - Ghost the Band (Fatherfigure!Copiax!Child Reader)

𝕻𝖆𝖗𝖙 1 ~ 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕹𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖒𝖆𝖗𝖊

Copia jumped a bit as he heard a knock on his door. "Come in!" He called out, only to see a little young ghoul, their favorite blanket wrapped around them along with their favorite plushie. But when Copia took a second glance, he noticed the tear stains and red eyes. His lips turned into a heavy frown. "Are you alright, young one?"

They shake their head. "I can't sleep."

Copia frowns again. He slowly gets up from his desk as to not scare the young ghoul. Then crouching down to meet their height

A/N: for reference, in perspective at this point they would be around 3'11-4'7.

Copia patted the ghoul's head gently and gave them a gentle smile. "How about you come over and sit on the couch, sí?" He asks them gently, his heavy Italian accent showing. "And I can make you some hot chocolate. How does that sound, piccolo?"

The ghoul smiles and nods, wiping their tears. "Yeah. Please, Papa."

Copia's heartstrings almost break at the sound of their weak and frail voice. It sounds so gentle, so soft and sweet. He smiles delicately but widely, ruffling the ghoul's hair gently before standing and helping them over to the couch. He let them sit, wrapping them up in their blanket. "Comfy?" They sheepishly, and the former Cardinal smiles. "Lovely. I'll be right back with some hot chocolate, sembra buono, dear?" He nods to them and quickly rushes off to go make hot chocolate.

The ghoul snuggles in with their plushie, biting their inner cheek. Their thoughts got to them. They thought of the worst, and of the nightmare they had. Such dreams invading their mind was intrusive, and they hated it. They were a ghoul, and they should be able to handle it, but with such a soft heart like theirs? It was so hard to handle. They seemed to not be of any use to the clergy, yet Papa Emeritus IV cared about them so much. It made them feel loved. Like they were welcome here. They smile softly and go off into their own little world, but footsteps sets them off and they look back up, Copia walking back over.

"Hey... you doing okay?" They shake their head, not trusting their voice. Copia frowns slightly and scooches closer to them. "It's gonna be alright, okay? You're safe with me, sí?" He chuckled lightly. They couldn't help it anymore, and quickly jumped over to Papa Emeritus IV, hugging him tight and crying into his shoulder.

Copia was obviously immediately worried. "Ehi, ehi, mio figlio..." He comforted them by patting their back. "Andrà tutto bene, eh?" His rough Italian accent sopped through, and it only did when he was concerned or stressed, really. "C'mon, little one... do you wanna tell me what's wrong, caro?" They sobbed for a little more before nodding. "I'm listening," he promised them.

They let out the story through choked sobs. Copia felt it in his chest the entire time, as if it was him himself experiencing such pain. The young ghoul described flashing lights, faint screaming, and someone crying.

The young ghoul was a special case. Being a young ghoul, that was something not seen often. But since the Clergy thought the ghouls developed personality from being on stage, the rare kid ghouls were often killed off. Most other ghouls were considered adult-age. But Copia was there for their summoning. He stopped anyone before the rare ghoul was killed off. He would care for them like a father.

"I'm... I'm afraid of losing you, Papa..." They murmured after they had finally come down from their anxiety attack. The poor ghoul was young, young enough to be considered below the age of ten in human terms. Still, they had these thoughts? Such horrid thoughts?

"Oh, dear, what do you mean?..." Copia wiped their tears and looked down at them.

"I mean it literally. I'm afraid of losing you, Papa. I'm afraid you're gonna die, just like all those previous Papas before you. I'm gonna be alone..." The child ghoul cried and hugged Copia tighter. "I don't want you to leave. I don't want you to go away. You summoned me, right? You have to raise me Papa!... You can't just... go away like that..."

Copia's heart sank, and he placed a hand onto the ghoul's fluffy hair in an attempt to comfort them. He couldn't help the guilt that tore and crashed at his mind and chest like tidal waves. It hurt. He probably would be leaving soon. And he hated that he had to deal with that fact. He clenched his jaw, resting his face in the younger ghoul's hair.

"I know it pains you, caro, and I know how it feels. I'm not ready to go either, trust me." He muttered into the ghoul's soft and freshly washed hair. "Non ti lascerò così, se posso evitarlo," he told them in Italian, petting their head gently.

After a few moments of silence, they spoke out softly once again. "Could you sing to me?" The young ghoul muttered up to him. Copia smiled gently and nodded.

"What song would you like, little one?" He asked.

"Anything calming, really," They say, just wanting comfort.

"Alright caro, but before I do, can you close your eyes for me?" The older asked gently, looking down at them. They seemed confused at first, but obliged. They closed their eyes gently with a hushed sniff. "There you go. Now... do you have a happy place?..."

The ghoul nodded.

"That's good. Can you describe it to me?" Copia uttered.

They nodded again and began describing their happy place. A log cabin out in the woods, rain pouring outside with hot cup of tea/coffee/hot coco (whatever you prefer) looking out the window. And as dark as it is, one would know they'd be happy soon, as the rain and clouds would clear up in the end, revealing an engaging rainbow. Of course, they'd look out the window to see dewdrops regarding the aftermath of the previous storm.

Inside the cabin, lay a book on the table. A tame fire crackled from within a fireplace, a wooden table with two cushioned chairs. Though the one across from the viewer lay empty, the atmosphere is calming to be alone. The aroma was of fall, burning wood, and their favorite hot beverage.

Copia asked the ghoul a lot of questions so it seemed more real to them. And it helped them. A lot.

Still, Copia stroked their face gently. And once they were a bit more calm, Copia sung gently to them.

An old Italian song, known by him by heart. He didn't know why. But he knew it calmed the young ghoul.

And eventually, the ghoul's breathing was normal again. Copia sighed delicately, as if he could break Y/N just by breathing on them.

Copia yawned tiredly. It had been a rather long day. He was ready to go to sleep. So, he picked up the young ghoul agilely, to not awaken the young one. Footsteps clacked beneath the former cardinal's feet as he strolled down the ministry halls to the child's room. As he opened the door to the young one's room, he noticed there was an open book by the bed. He chuckled and shook his head.

Gentle sounds of the bed creaking were heard as Copia set them down in the bed. He pulled the covers over them, and leaned down to kiss their forehead just like a father would.

"Sweet dreams, giovane." Copia whispered, tucking a stray strand of hair behind their ear. The young ghoul hugged their plushie tight and shifted as Copia walked out of the room to his own room. What a tiring day, especially such a night for such a young ghoul. He was sure they'd be okay.

They had to.