Here Comes The Son (Ghost Band / Papa Emeritus fic)

Don't You Forget About Dying

There was something more important to Copia even than vengeance. Mountain refused help, so the pair began the slow walk to the infirmary. Surrounding them, the other six ghouls taking no chances on Copia's safety. Yes, the three ringleaders had been arrested, but there were many other Belial worshippers as yet unknown to them within the Ministry. Copia looked around him at his loyal adoring ghouls. He was in two minds; one side of him was grateful for their careful attention but the other side of him felt it was too much. It was also impractical. Drawing up alongside Dew, one of the longest serving ghouls, he caught his attention.

"I want you to know that I'm grateful," Copia began. "I want to start with that," he added.
"But you think this is overkill?" Dew asked.
"Yes," he sighed with relief. "You think so too?"
"No, Papa," Dew smiled up at him. "I just know you well enough. You want to convince us down to how many? One? Two?"

Copia frowned; perhaps he should have tried a newer ghoul, Dew knew him far too well. Grinning as she overheard the start of the conversation, Cirrus drew up alongside Copia and linked arms with him, to his surprise even though he had noticed that she and Cumulus seemed possibly the most tactile of all his ghouls.

"Tell me, Papa," she smiled as they walked. "How many times have you been kidnapped?"

Copia glanced at her, uncertain where the conversation was leading - it was certainly not a typical opening question and potentially a risky one.

"Once," he replied, his brows furrowed. "Once was enough."
"So you're not counting being locked in our crypt then?" She asked.

Copia felt uncomfortable; neither experience seemed to fit well with the smile she aimed at him.

"Cirrus," he frowned, his discomfort apparent from his raised shoulders and his now clasped hands, "are you going somewhere with this?"
"Yes, Papa," she placed a hand on his. "We've nearly lost you twice, but we don't want to lose you at all. Please let us look after you."

Copia looked down. He didn't want to think about it, but she did have a point.

"Okay, twice," he conceded. "But once was still enough."
"We love you, Papa. Once was too many times. We don't want anyone to hurt you ever again."

Stopping as the group walked, Copia turned to Cirrus and offered a smile that grew the more he stared at her. Finally giving her a small kiss on the cheek. Gathering them all together, for a moment, not wishing to delay Mountain's treatment too long, he smiled warmly at each of them.

"I need you all to know that I love and appreciate every single one of you and I want to thank you for your dedication to protect and care for me. My only concern is that you can't all possibly stay awake all the time, so maybe a rota?"
"It's okay, Papa, we have it sorted already," Dew offered. "When you were in the infirmary, we would take turns - four awake, four asleep."
"But we were always all there in your room," Rain added.
"Oh!" Copia nodded. "That's why! I wondered why I had that room. It's huge!"
"They did have you in a smaller room, but we wouldn't leave," Cumulus chuckled.
"Ah, and there I was thinking it was a status thing," Copia joked. "But come on, we have to get there. We want Mountain to get any treatment he needs and to visit Phantom, yes?"
"Yes, Papa," they chorused.
"We'll have to take it in turns though," Mountain added. "They won't let more than two at the bed."
"But they let you stay in my room," Copia seemed puzzled by the apparent discrepancy.
"Oh, we were very careful that no more than two of us actually stood next to your bed at any given time." Mountain explained, raising a laugh from Copia at their ability to bend the rules. "But this time we'll have to take it in turns because he's not in his own room. We'll be in the way."
"Oh, don't worry," Copia offered a mischievous chuckle. "I'll pull rank. What's the point of being in Papa's ghoul pack if there are no perks?" He asked, resuming the walk to the infirmary with his loving protection detail.
"The perk is being in Papa's ghoul pack," Dew replied, drawing a tender smile from Copia.