Bewitch You (Papa Emeritus III × Cardinal Copia)

XVIII

Days passed and grew colder. Every morning in Meliora was greyer and greyer until it finally started snowing. Whirlwind of snowflakes flew outside, dancing chaotically just like Cardinal's thoughts.

He let his eyes fall onto the small envelope he was holding. This morning, a Ghoul stopped him and handed him a letter written by Father Nihil himself.

Months ago, Copia would run into his room and couldn't wait to open and read the words written by a person like Father Nihil. Now, he wished he never even knew that man. Of course, he still had a great respect toward him, but considering Copia was fucking his son who was supposed to proceed the bloodline...Things get a bit out of hand here.

Eventually, Cardinal wandered off toward Papa's room. It became a habit to both of them to just appear in eachother's room and spend entire night talking or making love. Copia gently smiled, wishing these times would never end and that he could love Papa until the end of his life. He wished that desperately. He longed for it.

Papa didn't hear him enter the room, his back was facing the door. Copia just stood there for a moment, taking him in, looking at Emeritus skinny posture and listening him humming some of his masterpiece songs.

Emeritus winced, but chuckled when he felt familiar pair of arms wrapping around his waist.

"Oh, you're here!"

Cardinal murmured something in response, leaning his head between Papa's shoulder blades. Emeritus smiled, almost from ear to ear. He still couldn't comprehend the happiness he felt for having this man beside him.

"What did you say?"

Emeritus asked, letting his voice be decorated with chiming sound of his laughter. Indeed, Copia adored this sound.

"I said I love you."

He repeated, still not letting go off Papa even though he was trying to set free.

"I love you too."

Emeritus said, so softly and deeply, not letting these words lose meaning so soon.

"You're busy?"

Cardinal asked when Papa continued rummaging through the papers on his desk. Emeritus chuckled once he felt Copia leaning closer.

"No. I just happened to like sorting some boring and dull paperwork, that's all."

Copia smirked at Papa's sarcastic remark, finally letting go of the man. Emeritus turned to face him.

"What? You have nothing to do? I can find something for you really quickly."

Papa jested Copia, pretending he will punish Cardinal's lack of interest for work. However, Cardinal didn't return smile as happy as he could have.

Emeritus lowered his gaze at Copia's hands. Cardinal handed him the letter he got from Father Nihil. Papa's gaze immediately darkened, eyes replaced by hard frown.

"What does he say?"

Papa asked before he turned the letter to see the seal was still unbroken.

"I didn't read it."

Cardinal spoke with monotone voice. Papa looked at him and handed him back the letter.

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

Papa asked him and encouraged him to open the letter.

"Shall I read out loud?"

"Up to you to decide."

Cardinal tore apart the seal with a symbol of grucifix on it. Papa watched him pulling out the yellow paper. Indeed, this was his father's handwriting. Neat, but sharp. Not as tacky as his.

"Dear Cardinal,

With great urgency, I demand you send me a report of Meliora's status. I will also ask you not to let Papa Emeritus III know for this letter. I am afraid his time is running out and you are failing at your advisory. Send me the report as soon as possible or let me know if my presence is needed.

Yours faithfully, Father Nihil"

"Has anyone seen us in the church?"

Cardinal asked Papa as his fingers trembled. He let the paper fall on the floor. Papa was piercing the letter with his father's handwriting, wanting to burn it, destroy it, turn it to ashes.

"If they did, I will keep them quiet."

Papa said, letting his cold tone linger in the air. Cardinal nodded.

"All right. We must do everything we can to keep your position."

Cardinal stated, trying to calm himself down and find a solution for this. Papa slightly tilted his head, looking at him.

"Don't you worry for your position?"

Copia almost pierced him with his glare, but it eventually turned into disappointed gaze. Papa tried not to regret he has asked this.

"I've told you numerous times only thing that matters to me is you. And if I have to make you fuck Sister of Sin, I will."

Copia growled, shivering with anger and terror. Papa remained silent, not letting any emotion be visible on his face. The silence that appeared between them was never as heavy. It was broken by Copia's quiet crying.

"You cannot order me around, Copia. I am your Papa."

Emeritus said, not in a bossy way. He wanted for Cardinal to know he has chosen his fate long time ago.

"Why are you doing this? Who will lead the Church? He? Half-dead skeleton?"

Copia cried out, letting his tears flow freely now. Papa shook his head and approached Cardinal. He gently embraced the man, grabbing Copia's chin and making him look directly into his eyes.

"You surprise me sometimes of how foolish you are. Don't you see it? You will be the new leader."

Copia widened his eyes at this, losing the power of breathing and speaking for a moment. He stepped backwards, escaping Papa's embrace.

"W-What...?!"

Copia let himself drop on his tailbone to the floor. He covered his head with his hands, gripping his hair. Behind his arms, he could see Papa's shoes and how he was approaching him.

"That was Nihil's plan. He sent you here as a sign of threat, either making me be his puppet or making you one."

Papa knew that since the beginning, and his heart crashed into million pieces for Nihil using Copia as a puppet.

"I chose my fate long time ago. I want you to lead the Devil Church. And you will do that. Nihil will never know of our relationship and you will be better leader than me."

Papa slightly raised his voice, making Copia listen to this judgmental words. Cardinal never felt so small in his life. He could never imagine himself as a leader. He wasn't even worth of Papa's gaze.

"But promise me this."

Copia found strength to look at Emeritus who was now crouching in front of him, locking his eyes forever with his.

"You will never be his puppet."

Copia didn't answer right away, he let Papa's iron gaze embrace him completely, until he finally uttered the words which sealed their destinies.

"I promise."