Chapter Text
It started late one evening in the library. Copia had bunkered down with every text, journal, and scrap of paper he could find on the duties performed by and expectations of satanic cardinals. He was due to be put forward for a promotion any day now that Alessandro was moving into the role of Papa and he wanted to be well versed for any exams or interviews he was required to partake in.
The sun had set long ago and the birds had since been silenced. Andreas had lost count of how many hours he had been studying and was beginning to feel the pin pricks of tears in the corners of his eyes. He was frustrated.
It started with a small thing, his eyes were losing focus on the page and words were blurring together but it soon spiralled into a whirlpool of emotions. He felt entirely unprepared and he hadn't even been given the promotion yet! It was merely all speculation as he was “the obvious choice”.
As soon as one tear fell the floodgates opened. He held his face in his hands as he leant forward on the table. He stifled his sobs to not alert anyone that may be passing and tugged on his hair.
He wasn't made for this. He had no bloodline to indicate that he was even worthy of such a position in the church. While others came from a long lineage of tradesmen or advisors to the papacy, he was just an orphan left to the care of the church. He couldn't even claim he had a right to the position through adoption because no one wanted him!
He took a shuddering breath. That wasn't quite true. Zia had always shown him how he had a place here at the church. She taught him, cared for him, and encouraged him to do what inspired him. She even gave him her last name! She was the mother he longed for and the mentor he needed to guide him through the tough times. He missed her.
A louder sob wracked its way though his body as a wave of grief washed over him. She had been gone much longer than he had had her in his life but the wound still felt fresh in times like this when all he wanted was to be held. While some may find solace in the arms of the flock, finding a bed fellow to stoke the fire within them to make them forget just how alone they are for an evening, Copia couldn’t stomach it. Siblings had shown interest now and again but he always felt it was so they could get closer to Alessandro.
It had been so long since he had seen his best friend. The hasty dismissal of Dante, Papa Emeritus the Second, meant that Alessandro needed to go through intense preparations to take up the mantle. Copia was proud of him. He knew that his friend would make an excellent Papa and deep down he hoped a promotion to Cardinal would allow him the privilege of working beside him.
The sound of a door opening snapped him out of it as he shot up with a long sniff and frantically wiped his face. He opened a textbook to a random page and stared at it while holding his breath hoping that no one saw him.
After a moment he felt a presence next to him as a shadow fell over the table. He took a shuddering breath as he cursed internally. He turned his head and jumped a little, not expecting to see a ghoul next to him.
"I-I apologise, you scared me." He sighed after a moment.
In response the ghoul merely tilted their head to the side while scanning Copia's face. They pulled a small pack of tissues out of their pocket and placed it on the textbook in front of him. He looked at the tissues and gave the ghoul a small smile.
"Thank you. I must admit I got lost in my own thoughts for a moment there…" Copia opened the pack of tissues and blew his nose.
The ghoul looked unsure of what to do. After a moment they hesitantly pulled out the chair on the opposite side of the table and sat down. Copia looked over at the ghoul and took in their appearance. They were smaller than the others and of slim build. Their eyes didn't seem to glow either, they were more soft and olive green.
"I apologise, you were probably off to bed. Don't let this old man's pity party stop you." Copia chuckled wetly.
The ghoul didn't get up to leave. Instead they leaned forward, expecting him to speak. Copia cleared his throat and choked a little.
"I'll be okay, you don't need to worry." His voice cracked at the end as a new wave of tears started building, exacerbated by his embarrassment of crying in front of a strange ghoul.
The ghoul sighed and in a quiet Swedish accent spoke, "it's okay to cry." The ghoul stood and started packing Copia's supplies away. "You seem to have been working very hard and I think it's a sign that it might be time for bed."
Copia nodded hesitantly as his lip quivered. The ghoul held their hand out for him to take as he stood, steadying him. He looked around for his cane and let out a grunt as he couldn't see it, worry starting to bubble up inside his chest at the thought of trying to walk without it. The ghoul, sensing his worry, placed his hand on the table so he wouldn't fall and retrieved the cane that had rolled towards a bookcase.
He raised an eyebrow, unsure how the ghoul knew what he was looking for. “H-How..?” He whispered before taking the cane. The ghoul simply ignored the question and slung Copia’s bag over his shoulder, gesturing for him to lead the way. Copia didn't know why he was letting this ghoul help him but he felt calm around them. As strange as it seemed, he really just needed someone to notice him and care enough to tell him that it's time for bed.
They walked in a comfortable silence. Copia stumbled a little as they rounded a corner and the ghoul caught him easily with an arm around his waist. Copia blushed at the contact, not looking in the direction of the ghoul.
For the rest of the walk the ghoul kept the gentle arm around him even when he was unlocking his door. The ghoul didn't enter the room, they leaned in and placed the bag just inside against the wall.
"For what it's worth archbishop" the ghoul spoke. Copia looked into the ghouls eyes as they continued, "You're doing a fantastic job and the church is lucky to have you. Now get some rest."
He blushed and nodded. "Thank you… sorry I didn't get your name?" He felt rather silly asking for their name now after they had helped him back to his room.
"Special, but you can call me Phil."