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cupfullofpapas · 6 months

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Second Vol in The Assistant series: In the arms of a Devil Rated: E F/M Cardinal Copia x F!Reader Papa Emeritus IV x F!Reader Also read it on my Ao3 here Previous Vol. : The Assistant

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4: Gearing up to roll out

Time seemed to speed up after you got back to the Abbey, back into the fast pace of your work, Gemma was due to pop any day now so Sister had her relocated from the Prime Movers Den to sick bay, goulettes who were specifically trained to bring forth a Papa's child into the world were kept nearby alongside two of the older Sisters of Sin, Vittoria and Sofia. The whole Ministry was buzzing with excitement about a new Emeritus, who if it was a boy would one day become the next Papa but if it were a girl she would become one of the many siblings of sin.

While most were hoping for a boy Primo didn't care if the baby was a boy or girl as long as they were healthy. The oldest Emeritus brother had been the fatherly figure for his two younger brothers Secondo and Terzo so it was no surprise when children were left on the step of the ministry or found alone on the street he was quick to take them under his wing, raising them with his wife Gemma. Primo loved and adored the many children that he had taken in there was no doubt about that, treating them all as if they had come from his own loins. But this child would truly be from his seed, a child between him and his beloved Prime Mover and wife.

"Dolcezza." Came the voice of your Cardinal as his arms wrapped around you from behind his chest pressed against your back, Copia wasn't afraid or put off by public affection in fact he encouraged it, you were his and he wanted everyone to know it. "Looks like Gem is about to pop, eh?." You nodded leaning back against him enjoying the embrace as he slowly swayed you both from side to side. "Sister called me to do some photos for Gennaio would you like to come with me?." You paused looking up at him. "Gennaio?." You questioned.

"Uhh… eh.. th-th- the first month in the New Year" "Oh! January." "Sì sì!… uhh… Jan-ua-ree." You couldn't help the laugh that slipped past your lips as Copia tried to repeat after you though his thick accent made it a little tough for him, you turned around in his arms to face him.

"Gold star for effort." You giggled leaning up to catch his lips feeling the man practically melt against you as he kissed you back once, twice a third on the fourth you both seemed to forget that you were standing in the hall of the Abbey, Copia had you pinned to the wall your arms wrapped around his neck as your lips molded together while your tongues danced.

At that moment Secondo had turned down the hall on his way to visit his sister-in-law, Sister Emilia at his side going over a few documents quietly chattering to herself. When his mismatched eyes landed on you and the Cardinal his blood boiled. Not so much over the fact that you weren't his anymore but the fact that you chose a pathetic Cardinal over him, a man of unholy valor. He was about to lash out until he felt a hand on his forearm. Emilia shook her head her dark curls bouncing those soft hazel eyes staring pleadingly up at him, it made the man visibly deflate letting her lead him to the other doorway. Secondo looked down at her hand clasped around his gloved one admiring the size difference between them. Emilia was a petite yet chubby woman with perfect birthing hips, ample breasts, and an ass that Secondo sometimes found himself staring at longer than he intended to.

Slowly Copia broke the kiss with a smack of your lips, staying close enough to where they were barely touching, his breathing deep and cheeks dusted with a light pink. "R-Ready bella?." He asked his voice barely a whisper as your lips made the tiniest brush against each other. "Yeah, yeah let's get going." You replied breathlessly as you took your Cardinal's hand walking with him to one of the meeting rooms in the South Wing, Sister stood against the open door like a teacher waiting to greet their students. "I'm glad you could make it, I only called you a half hour ago Cardi." Her voice dripped with sarcasm as Copia gave Imperator an apologetic look before he apologized several times in a row.

"Alright, alright get in here." She spoke as she ushered both of you into the room dragging Copia to the set up for the photos. "Now, Cardi I and Papa Nihil have thought about something that will- rile our followers up, make them both fear and respect you." Nihil chimed in. "Because let's face it you are as intimidating as that stupid cat poster in your room." Copia's face deadpanned the man slouching forward. "Thanks for pointing that out, Papa." sarcasm dripped from his words. "Enough." Sister spoke holding up a CVS bag. "This will help you." Reaching into the bag Sister Imperator pulled out Terzo's head, you were stunned into silence Copia shouted as he stumbled backward falling onto the floor. "S-S-SISTER?!?!?!"

Imperator rolled her eyes "Oh for the love of- it's fake." She tossed it to Copia who caught it and immediately dropped the fake severed head onto his chest the lifeless eyes staring at him, Copia poked the head a few times before determining that Sister was telling the truth.

"Uhhh… Sister….. why do you… why do you even have this?." The Cardinal asked as you helped him up from the floor making a face as he passed you the fake head, to your surprise it was heavy, made of wax. looking across the room you saw a child basketball hoop suctioned up to the door, you looked from the head to the hoop and back… you wondered if you could… no… no you shouldn't… but the noise you pictured the head making as it hit the floor almost made you laugh.

Luckily Sister took the fake Terzo head before the intrusive thoughts won you over, handing it back to Copia. "We also need to discuss your first tour, album, and how things are going to work and go, and the budget, now as for the ghoul masks there isn't much time to come up with a redesign but we have made a slight alteration to them alongside producing one specifically for the ghoulettes." Both you and the Cardinal stared at her not being able to believe that she had said that all in one breath.

"Now! Pictures!." She called out making Copia jump a little almost dropping Terzo's head, sitting back you watched as Sister moved him around positioning him like some living doll. He gave small noises of discomfort a random 'ow' here and there, which was sometimes accompanied by a 'god dammit'. "Now Cardi I need you to look angry and serious." He tried but ended up looking like an awkward mess, Nihil's laughter in the background didn't help him either. "Come on…Uhg!… god damn it Cardi more anger!." "I can't Sister!, I can't fake that level of-."

"Bello." You called to him catching his attention quickly. "Think of that night Terzo flirted with me." Copia was silent for a moment remembering. Terzo's smart ass comments, the insults that were directed at him… the way that Stronzo put his arm around you so freely… Oh….oh that did it, the look Copia gave was deadly, serious, and dangerous. "Perfect Cardi!, perfect." Sister spoke as she took the photos an additional one that had Nihil in the background. You had to shift in your chair and swallow the saliva pooling in your mouth or you'd be drooling. the intense stare of your Cardinals eyes… sweet Satan you were wet.

As soon as the photos were done Copia sauntered across the room stopping when he stood in front of you. The Cardinal's gloved hands cupped both your cheeks his lips meeting yours, kissing you with enough force to pin you and the chair back against the wall. You silently thanked Lucifer that the chair was against the wall or you knew both of you would have taken a tumble from the force, this kiss was an act of dominance.

He was silently telling you, you were his and he'd allow no other to have you or touch you and damn it, it made you weak. When Sister finally let you both leave, happy with the results Copia practically dragged you to the nearest free hidden space which happened to be one of the supply closets.

Once inside you turned from him to lock the door you didn't get a chance to turn around, Copia was already pressed against your back. You made a soft noise of discomfort as his grucifix dug into you, Copia pulled the chained symbol from around his neck and hung it onto one of the supply shelves.

"B-babe-." You gasped as you felt him grinding against your ass, his cassock doing little to hide his thick arousal, Copia's gloved hands slid down your sides until he gripped your soft thick hips hard enough to no doubt leave marks behind.

"Forgive me bene mio," Copia spoke against the back of your ear. "But that thought has done more to me than just anger me." His voice was thick with lust and need. "I need you right now Tesoro." Copia's hand came up to cup your clothed breasts squeezing them tightly through the fabric of your habit, his gloved fingers rolling over your clothed hard nipples before leaving them to take hold of your wrists lifting and placing your hands on the door.

"Don't move piccolina." The Cardinal spoke as he lowered himself behind you his gloved hands sliding up your legs slowly, lifting the skirt of your habit with it. Your face was dusted red as your Cardinal moved you just a little so that you were leaning, enough so that your skirt would rest on your lower back and not fall back down. A shaky breath passed your lips as you felt the leather of his gloves slide over your clothed ass. "So full and beautiful…." "Copia…" you whined quietly. "Shush principessa." You could hear him inhale as he breathed in your scent, his fingers hooking into your panties and pulling them down exposing your perfect round ass and pussy to him, your face grew warmer as you heard him growl quietly. "Bellissima."

You were about to speak his name again your mouth opened however the only thing that came out was a strangled gasp as you felt his tongue slide along your wet slit. Your Cardinal's hands moving from your hips his thumbs parting the soft lips of your pussy. His tongue danced against your opening moving up, down, and side to side.

"Oh…Oh fuck Copia." You gasped your legs parting a bit more on instinct the move getting an appreciative growl from your Cardinal, as he dined on you. His hands moved away from you to tug at his belt, you heard the pulling of his zipper as his erection sprung free from his pants. Pulling back he palmed your sex covering his hand with both his saliva and your slick to use, the thought of it made your inner walls clench as you heard the slick noises from both his tongue swirling inside of you and the wet leather as he stroked his engorged length.

Your moans were joined by his muffled ones as you were approaching your end, you could feel that pressure starting to wind up inside of you like a spring about to pop.

Finally, with the last flicker of his tongue against your sensitive clit you came. Your hand cupped over your mouth as you pushed back against that wonderfully talented tongue moaning his name. Copia cleaned up the mess dripping along your legs while you came down from your pleasure high.

Panting you felt Copia stand up behind you, his throbbing erection bouncing against your wet folds.

"C-Condom?." You asked breathlessly, it was a good thing you were turned away from him or you would have seen the man desperately searching himself for protection, only to realize that he didn't have any on him. his harsh 'Ah shit' answered your question, you could feel him throb against your clit making you bite your lip.

For Copia, he was so hard that it was starting to hurt and drive him crazy, almost pushing him to the brink of actually risking pumping his seed into you or trying the pullout method. "Cara Mia I don't have any on me, but I need you so bad." His voice was low and sounded pleading hoping you would give in.

"Don’t talk nonsense.." You whispered looking back at him. "M-Mi dispiace, Sorella." He muffled against your shoulder leaning up you moved enough so that the skirt of your habit fell back down, well somewhat the fabric had hooked onto your Cardinals erected cock making him gasp and give an involuntary buck of his hips.

"I can simply return the favor" you giggled. "Eh..?" Sinking to your knees Copia wheezed as he watched your sinful tongue lick at the tip of his cockhead pressing against his slit. "Ah-… at least one of us is thinking with the correct h-EAD!." Copia gasped loudly as you sucked him in completely his tip nestled lovingly inside your throat his hands going to rest on the door.

"M-Merda, ragazza birichina, si…cara ." Copia gasped out one hand leaving the door only to weave itself into your hair as you sucked him, it didn't take long for him to reach his end having been so worked up. Copia pinned your head against the door with his hips as he came his hot sticky seed hitting the back of your throat in thick ropes, Copia's head laid back his biretta falling and landing on the floor.

Slowly he pulled back his softening cock falling free from your mouth a thin line of spittle and cum connected your lips to him, breaking in seconds to land on your chin. Copia's hands moved to stuff himself back into his pants as you pulled your panties back into place.

A giggle left your mouth as your Cardinal wrapped an arm around your waist pulling you against himself, his head dipping to press a kiss to your lips tasting the faint hint of himself on them. Before the kiss could deepen and require a 'round 2' you both left out of the supply closet hand in hand.

Time seemed to move at a fast pace again in the blink of an eye it was the night before your Cardinal's first tour. Stepping out of the bathroom with his towel wrapped around his waist Copia went over everything.. or tried to his nerves were starting to show. "Eh… keys.. keys… where the hell-. " "Hanging up Caro." You spoke from your place on the couch looking at one of Marmalade's new babies watching the little pink bean crawl around in your hand, you and Copia were still thinking about names he had already named one 'Rolie Polie' given the baby rat always liked to roll around. Getting up you gently placed the baby back with its mother after affectionately naming the little life 'Gelato', closing the cage you turned to face him, your man currently fast-paced walking through the dorm room in nothing but fuzzy slippers and a towel around his waist cursing in his native tongue. You made your way to your Cardinal your hands being placed on his shoulders.

"Copia, just breathe okay? and besides I think the keys should be the last of your worries I mean, hun you aren't even dressed yet." Copia froze for a moment and looked down at himself seeing only a towel wrapped around his waist for the moment, once he acknowledged it the thing fell onto the floor leaving the poor man in nothing but those fuzzy slippers.

"Cara Mia." The words were spoken in utter defeat as your Cardinal rested his forehead against yours with a sigh passing his lips, there was a lot on his mind. The tour, how the masses and followers would react knowing full well that Terzo had been a fan favorite, how he was going to get control of the ghouls and ghoulettes given the fact he hadn't earned his unholy skull paint yet, and then there was you…

He would have to be away from you for so long what if something happened? What if someone hurt you? Went after you? what if someone….better came along…someone more handsome… less awkward? You saw him staring off in the distance again in silent panic, frowning you placed your hands on his cheeks making him look and focus on you. "Copia, everything will be fine, okay?" "But sorella-" "No buts."

You could see the turmoil in his eyes, this was something he wanted but also he didn't want to leave your side. That was when it hit you the memory of his words at the hotel weeks back…

" Each time I thought a sorella or fratello loved me, and wanted to be with me they always chose Terzo or Secondo.." It made your heart ache for him and you couldn't be mad at him for assuming or thinking you'd leave him given that was all he knew, what he'd been through, for a moment you wondered…

Just how many times had your Cardinal's trust been broken? how many times had he wept over rejection? how many tears had he shed alone?

It made your bottom lip wobble thinking about this man before you curled up in bed crying with a broken and battered heart just wanting to be loved, to love, and to matter. With no warning, you reached out and pulled him into a tight embrace hearing him gasp in surprise. "C-Cara?." Copia asked looking down at you his eyes widening when he saw the shine of unshed tears in your eyes. "Dolcezza, what is wrong? Are you alright? did I step on your foot?." He asked looking down only to be taken by surprise as your lips met his once again, this kiss had him freeze in his spot… the amount of passion that you had placed in this kiss, the amount of love you had for your Cardinal, baring your feelings so easily had even shocked you a little bit.

His arms wrapped around you hugging you tight against his naked chest while your hands slid up to rest on his shoulders. Copia slowly walked you back until you felt the cool of the wall press against you. Soft hums were shared into the kisses. "Mmmm.. you know, Tesoro I am going to be gone for a while… I'm going to miss this lovely body of yours from the top of your pretty head to the tips of your dainty toes… let me have tonight, tonight to worship you Principessa."

Your Cardinal whispered as he kissed his way from your lips to your throat, with those soft kisses you both worked your way down the hall to the bedroom. Copia gently laid you down on the bed his slippers had been kicked off by the door leaving the man naked and at attention. You gave a pleased sigh as you felt his hands trace your clothed frame before slowly removing those clothes one garment at a time. His moves were slow, hungry mismatched green, and white eyes were filled with desire as your skin was bared to him. He was only undressing you but your heart was racing, your face warm it felt so intimate as he stared down at you.

When your chest was bare each heavy breast laid to the side, the way he stared at you in awe, as if you were a priceless portrait made your face flush even more. A veil of shyness fell over you as your hands moved over your chest covering yourself from his view, your face turned away from him. The move only got a chuckle from Copia as his hand gently cupped your cheek turning your attention back to him. "Why do you hide from me principessa?."

Right, why hide from him? he'd seen your body before and it's not like it was your first time with him but.. the way he looked at you, not even Secondo looked at you like that. "I… I.." You spoke but couldn't form a reason nor a sentence and you didn't fight him as your Cardinal took possession of your wrists moving your hands away from your breast. "Bellezza, you have the body of a goddess." Copia's voice was above a whisper as he leaned in pressing a soft kiss to the center of your chest before selecting a nipple to take between his lips. Suckling on the erect tip, that sinful tongue of his swirling around it before switching to the other to show it an equal amount of attention. Leaning back his hands kneaded your breast feeling how soft and warm they were in his grip. "Cara mia you have such soft warm perfect breasts" He whispered squishing the mounds together so he could take both of your nipples into his mouth at once.

The move got a gasp from you feeling his tongue lavish both at once. "A…Ah, shit-" You gasped your hands gripping the bed sheets below as Copia continued his relentless attack on your poor sensitive nipples. Finally, with a wet pop he let them go making your head fall back against the pillow your eyes closed. You felt his lips and nose brush down the length of your abdomen. "So soft and lovely." He pressed a flurry of kisses against your belly making you giggle and laugh out his name before he moved on to rid you of your skirt and panties. You watched his eyes roll back as they closed while taking a deep inhale of your scent. "Sorella… your scent alone makes me harder than stone." He muttered having the erection to prove it, the organ visibly throbbing the veins running along the side and bottom were more pronounced. You opened your mouth to speak but were shushed by him. "Ah, ah shush shush, tesoro." Copia smiled you were about to speak when he flopped his face between your legs pushing his tongue as deep inside of you as he could get, making all the words that were about to leave your mouth turn into a long-winded moan.

He ate you like you were his last meal, like a man that had been stranded in the desert for weeks and your cunt was the water he desperately craved, his mouth made your hips arch up against his face as you called out for him. "Copia!." You moaned your moans only increased as he added his fingers to the mix, the Cardinal slipping his middle and index fingers into you thrusting them in and out as fast as he could driving you crazy. You couldn't even make a sentence as you wiggled and squirmed crying out in pleasure, It was all over for you once he latched onto your clit while his fingers continued to be thrust into you. "I..I… Car… Cum!."

You yelled out as your body spasmed your mouth a gape in a silent scream, Copia drank you in his tongue lapping at your entrance getting as much of your release as he could your walls throbbed, and your legs shook after such a strong orgasm. Moving up along your body his lips pressed against yours groaning as his cock throbbed and bounced against your wet lips, reaching over Copia pulled at the nightstand drawer which pulled the lamp cord making the thing fall onto the floor. "Ah shit" He muffled against your lips while his hand frantically dug around in the drawer for a condom.

Blindly passing the opened box he gave a grumble. "Where is it?" Reaching further his fingers finally felt the edge of one of the foil packages that was in the back of the drawer. Copia pulled it out with a 'taa-daa' making you giggle.

Opening the package he rolled it over his erection. Leaning back the Cardinal lifted one of your legs to rest against his shoulder while he guided his cock to your heat, as soon as his cock head touched your warmth his head fell back with a pleased sigh as your pussy welcomed him inside.

Your hands moved to rest on his abdomen once he was completely inside of you, Copia bit his bottom lip looking down at you seeing that pretty face twisted into pleasure, there was still the feeling of overwhelming joy that you chose him. "Così bella, sei pronta cara mia?." He asked his voice shaky with both desire and need. Nodding you gasped as he pulled almost completely out, only to push back into you making you moan his name, your hands grabbing onto the bed sheets below.

In no time you both found a rhythm moving together until Copia practically pinned your knees to your chest, his lips parted panting as he slammed into you with more force. Words were lost to both of you replaced with moans, groans, and grunts of pleasure. Letting go of your legs Copia leaned over you his half-lidded mismatched eyes staring into yours as he fucked you, your arms wrapped around him pulling your Cardinal into a kiss.

"Fuck baby I'm close!." You moaned feeling the pressure build up right to the edge. "Sì, sì, yes cum cara mia cum all over my cock!." Copia groaned as his thrusts became more erratic his brow furrowed and eyes closed as he lost himself in the heat of pleasure, doing all he could to keep hearing your pretty cries the bed creaking loudly you swore you heard a crack. When you came everything around you faded away into a bright light, your hearing muffled as you felt wave after wave of orgasmic bliss run up and down your body, you heard the faint cry of your Cardinal as he came the condom catching his sticky hot seed. You were still in a daze when he collapsed on top of you, your arms lazily wrapped around him holding him there while you both savored the afterglow of your lovemaking.

Copia was reluctant to move from you but he knew he couldn't just lay there not like that at least, he pulled out of you slowly disposing of the condom, and grabbed you both a drink and a bag of chips from the cabinet once he returned to the bed you snuggled up talking and munching before settling in for the night in each other's arms.

Finally, daylight came, and with daylight came the departure of the band on their tour. As equipment was being loaded Copia was checking over the last few items just making sure he had everything they needed. The last of the instruments that needed to be loaded into the trailer was Mountain's drum set, of course you were there to bid your Cardinal goodbye for now, Copia took your hands into his.

"Well tesoro, this is it…" "Copia," she spoke his name lovingly your hand cupping his cheek. "It's only for a few months, not forever." "But a few months will feel like forever Cara." Your Cardinal argued to which you only giggled his name before leaning in to capture his lips. "Copia you have a cellphone correct?." "Sì, it is old, but still works, why?." "Can you video chat on it?" "Yes, Sorella where is this going?." "Duh, silly! we can video chat while you're on the road!." Copia's eyes lit up. "Oh!, why didn't I think of that." "Because you were too busy overthinking and overreacting." you sang out the words before laughing as Copia placed his hands on his hips trying to think of a comeback or anything for that matter, but nothing came to mind the only thing that passed his lips was a defeated sounding 'god damnit'. You both jumped as the bus roared to life. "Come on Cardinal!." Dew shouted while hanging out the door only to be yanked back in by Mountain for a small lecture about safety. "Cara Mia." He started. "I will call you when we reach the hotel." Copia smiled as he gently pulled you against himself for a tight hug, holding you for a good few minutes to memorize how you felt in his arms. His lips found yours the kiss deep and soft, it would be the last one for the next couple of months after all and your Cardinal wanted to savor it. Dew jumped in front of the driver and slammed on the horn making the new front man grumble. "Until then, bene mio." "Until then, amore" you replied watching as your Cardinal's face went two shades of red a large goofy grin on his face, he watched you even as Dew grabbed his arm and made the man stumble back before getting dragged onto the bus.

"Così bella, sei pronta cara mia?." - "So beautiful, are you ready my dear?." Principessa - princess Piccolina - little one Bene mio - my happiness "M-Merda, ragazza birichina, si…cara ." - “S-Shit, naughty girl, yes…dear.”

Taglist: If you would like to be tagged for new chapters let me know! @thesoundresoundsecho @xpapaemeritus @copiasprincipessa

#the band ghost #ghost #copia #cardinal copia #ghostau #Cardinal Copia x Reader #Cardinal Copia x F!Reader #Copia x Reader #Copia x F!Reader #Papa Emeritus 2 #Secondo #Papa Emeritus 1 #Primo #oc #Papa Emeritus 3 head #Terzos severed head

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peachtree-dish · 3 years

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A Te Che Sei il Mio Grande Amore Ch. 7: Niente ti farà del male piccola

23 Gennaio, 1970

The first indication of Luca’s growth spurt began with his school blazer suddenly feeling too tight as he raised his hands in class. The second indication came from bursting seams on his pants and his pants becoming more like capris as he wore them each day. The third time his inseam split, Signora Mia finally resigned herself to the reality of new clothes. Now, standing in front of his mirror, Luca could see the changes he had been too busy to notice before. His body was lengthening and becoming more svelte, with his legs becoming toned from cycling around the city. His face had slimmed down, losing most of the baby fat and child-like roundness he had grown accustomed to for most of his life.

The only features that hadn’t changed with time were his eyes; richly brown with flecks of gold and red. Luca wondered what Alberto would think of when he saw him. His friend’s voice had begun to deepen when they spoke two months prior, and Luca had all but melted into the warm depths of that voice. Would Alberto have a similar reaction to seeing Luca as he grew into himself? His thoughts were mildly put on hold as a gentle hand knocked on his bedroom door seeking permission to enter. Giulia entered, her hair damps from her bath and her skin glowing from the warmth of the water.

Dante and Luisa had left about an hour ago, having visited for after-school studying. He was not overly excited for their upcoming midterms, and with the added stress of assisting the teachers, he felt nervous about how his grades would fair. She plopped none too gently on his bed while the sounds of Signora Mia’s poor singing and the radio blasting in the kitchen echoed into his room.

“They’re playing the Beatles again?” He inquired, picking up the familiar tunes under Mia’s caterwauling. He pretended to brush imaginary dust from the light blue shirt he was wearing while strains of ‘Let it Be’ floated through the air. Giulia grinned and nodded, wincing when her mother’s voice reached for a particularly high note.

“I think Beatlemania has finally bitten her.” She rolled onto her stomach and faced him. “Were you going to try on the clothes we bought?” She inquired. He flushed under her scrutiny, not wishing to appear vain, and instead opted for sitting nonchalantly in his chair by the window.

“No, I was just thinking about changes.”

“Like what kind of changes?”

“The physical kind; I didn’t realize we were growing up.” Giulia hummed in thought. Just like her mother, both women had a gift to perceive and understand those around them with hardly any words or context.

“You don’t seem overly happy about it?” She cautiously pried.

“I wouldn’t say that, exactly, it’s something new.”

“Well, if it helps, you look good in your new wardrobe. I can hear the swooning girls now.” Giulia grinned wolfishly. The thought of girls noticing him more made Luca nervous and uncomfortable.

“I sure hope not,” he looked out the window to the hues of sunlight bathing the coral and cream houses orange. The lighting reminded him of Porto Rosso, and in turn, reminded him of Alberto.

“Don’t you want to start dating? Dante hardly shuts up about girls and most everyone in your grade is going out. Unless you’re only allowed to date sea monsters.” He continued to avoid her gaze, instead focusing on a flock of pigeons strutting along the rooftop to the left.

“No one interests me here.” He hedged after a moment.

“Not even Luisa?”

Now that got his attention.

“Ew, what? No!” He wagged his arms in horror, nearly losing his balance on the chair.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry!” Giulia soothed, baffled at his reaction.

“No offense to her or anything, I just… no. Definitely not.”

“Bene, she’s not interested, if that helps.”

“Why did you ask her?”

“I never said I did,” Giulia blustered, pink spreading across her face. Luca just stared at her with an unimpressed expression. She laughed nervously, glancing to the side.

“I was just curious,” she mumbled. She began to wrap strands of hair around her fingers, obviously avoiding his gaze now. A light suddenly clicked in Luca’s brain.

“Do you like her?” Giulia’s head snapped up and she glared at him.

“Do you like Alberto?” She shot back.

Looking back at this moment, Luca would realize he should have felt fear, or nervous, perhaps even anger, but Giulia’s question felt like a shock to his system. A switch flicked on and flooded his body with realization and for the first time in years, Luca understood everything.

A shock of laughter escaped him, “Yeah, actually. I do.” He laughed again, this time harder, unsure as to why tears were starting to leak down his cheeks, staining them green. Luca pressed his face into his hands as his laughter turned into hysterical gasps for air.

“Actually, I-I think I’m in love with him.” Oh shit, shit, shit, shit. “O mio Dio, I’m in love with my best friend, Gules.” He didn’t hear Giulia move until her arms were suddenly wrapping around him and she was awkwardly rubbing circles into his back.

“Is this okay?” She asked. He could no longer form words, so Luca nodded his consent instead.

When he eventually calmed down and the only evidence of his initial panic were the scale tracks on his face and neck, Giulia quietly went to grab him a glass of water and held it out for him to take.

“Sorry, that was dramatic.” He whispered croakily. Giulia laughed kindly and patted his shoulder.

“I think dramatic is a requirement in our family. Besides, you already know how I can be too much.”

They sat in silence for a time with their arms around each other, the light outside fading to the familiar dark and loud nightlife of Genoa.

“Per favore, don’t tell my mama.” Luca cast her a look of confusion. “About Luisa.” She amended. “As kind and accepting as she is, I think this is something that would be too much of a sorpresa.”

The red-headed teen scuffed her big toe against the floor, eyes downcast.

“Hey,” Luca nudged her softly, prompting her to look up at him. “She might be the one to surprise you. I’ve never met two people like your parents, Giulia, who truly only lived to make their child happy.”

“Ad ogni modo, I’m still not ready for that conversation. Besides, it’s not like I have a chance. Luisa’s, like, super pretty and smart, and Santa mozzarella! When she sings, it’s incredibile!”

Luca smiled as his friend rambled on about the Sicilian sea monstress, wondering if this was how he looked every time he gushed about Alberto. Eyes bright, cheeks flushed, and an endless amount of knowledge about the one person you consider to be your whole world. It was a wonder no one else knew of his feelings.

21 Marzo 1970

“Santa ziti! You’ve been in love with him this whole time?!”

“Zitto, Ciccio! I’d rather not have the whole town know, thank you.” Alberto flung flour at the blonde’s face, nervously checking to make sure no one had heard them. They were currently working in the kitchen behind the Pasticcini’s front area, with Alberto kneading the dough and Ciccio creating scores in the bread or decorating the more delicate sweets.

Ciccio winced apologetically and lowered his voice, leaning in for good measure.

“Does he know, or have you not told him yet?”

“Of course, he doesn’t know, stupido! I’m trying to not ruin our friendship.

“Don’t call me stupido, and how do you know it would?”

Alberto threw the ball of dough down on the wood surface with more force than necessary, the surrounding flour splattering like snowballs after the season’s first snowfall.

“I just know, é tutto.”

They worked in silence for a while, taking turns with switching pans from the clay oven and glazing sweet rolls with fruit jellies and powdered sugar. When the sun was beginning to set everything on fire, its orange gaze turning the sweet rolls into apricot imitations, Ciccio’s mother brought warm cider and a platter of buttered bread. Alberto liked Ciccio’s mother, she was as warm as the bread she baked and her personality as strong and opinionated as the spices she used. Bella shared the same round features as her son, with a strong nose and bowed lips that were quick to smile. Ciccio once explained to Alberto that he and his mother got their strong noses and blonde hair from Bella’s German heritage, but it wasn’t something they spoke openly about.

Today, Signora Bella’s smile was strained, but it had lost none of its warmth. Alberto knew that meant either some customers had been more difficult than others or some pastries hadn’t turned outright. He recoiled at the thought of her being disappointed in anything he’d done.

“Come va tutto, ragazzi?” She lovingly patted Ciccio’s halo of curls and squeezed Alberto’s shoulder with a large hand. “It’s smelling really good in here. Ah, che bello!” She motioned to the cooling racks on Ciccio’s right. The sweet rolls and scored bread glistened perfectly in the afternoon light and the Signora’s words made Alberto glow as well.

“If you keep this up, Alberto, I may have to bribe Massimo to let me keep you all year long,” she teased. Alberto could only shrug nonchalantly, hoping his pride didn’t show.

“How did the sales go, mama?” Ciccio asked cheerfully, taking a large bite from his buttered bread. Alberto watched nervously, eating his own snack at a slower pace, his stomach suddenly feeling as if hermit crabs were marching and pinching at his insides.

Bella waved the questions away, her mouth pulling sourly at the edges. “Bah, Signor Tafani nearly scared away my customers this morning with his complaining. That man is never satisfied.” She sniffed dismissively. Alberto’s fingers began to pick at the bread, the smaller crumbs slipping from his lap.

“Was there something wrong with the baked goods?” He managed to ask, focusing on Bella’s crocifissione that hung around her neck. The older woman’s hand rested over Alberto’s, pausing the destruction of his bread.

“As I said, piccolo, he is never satisfied. No matter how perfect the bake is,” Her smile was small but firm and it made the hermit crabs release their pinching in his stomach. “God help that poor man’s wife.” Bella sighed heavily as she heaved herself to her feet.

“Ora,” she stood and clapped her hands together and both Alberto and Ciccio swallowed their bread quickly, the butter coating Alberto’s mouth with salt and cream. “Alberto, will you be staying for dinner?”

Alberto’s mouth watered at the thought; the signora’s food was always amazing, rich in seasonings and filled with love. Not to mention Ciccio’s father would usually play his guitar and serenade his family with music and singing. If he drank enough wine, Massimo would usually join in and the resulting cacophony would leave the rest of the family in tears and howls of laughter. Outwardly, the curly-haired teen hesitated, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

“I don’t know Signora, I don’t want to leave Massimo hanging…”

“Bah, but of course he is invited as well, what do you think telefoni are for?”

“To make long distances seem short.” Ciccio supplied cheekily, earning an inconspicuous kick from Alberto. Signora Bella gave her son a bemused look.

“Si, mio figlio, for that too…” deciding that it was safer to not question the odd antics of teenaged boys, Bella left to call Massimo and prepare dinner.

When she was out of sight, Alberto gruffly shoved Ciccio in the side, earning him a loud laugh.

“I think I preferred it when you were trying to hunt me,” he groaned miserably. Ciccio merely grinned.

“It’d be hard to catch a fish that’s already been caught.” Alberto kicked him harder in answer.

28 Aprile 1970

“You want me to start applying already?”

The headmaster grinned expectantly at Luca.

“Ma certo, Luca! You’ve shown so much potential these past two years, which is even more impressive considering your, ahem, background.” The balding man stage whispered behind his hand. Luca could only stare in confusion.

“Why are you whispering, we’re the only ones here?” Signore Bonetti flushed red for a moment, his thin lips disappeared under his obnoxiously large mustache as he frowned.

“It doesn’t matter,” he waved his hand away, his smile returning instantly. “What matters, mio caro ragazzo is that you could have the opportunity for great things.”

“Bene, I don’t know, Signore Bonetti.”

“You don’t know.” The signore’s mustache quivered as he peered at the curly-haired youth before him. Luca shrugged awkwardly under his gaze, feeling a nervous trickle of sweat make its way down the back of his neck.

“I still have two years here and I have to consider prices as well. Moreover, I would like to discuss future possibilities with my family first.” He offered what he hoped to be a placating smile at the headmaster.

“All the more reason to start now,” Signore Bonetti pressed, his hands inching university pamphlets across the oak desk. “Signora Castello has already agreed to help write your application letters along with several recommendations from our staff. And, I should add that we’ve had a growing handful of universities reach out with interest once I sent a copy of your grades.”

Luca sighed internally, he had a feeling that he wouldn’t be escaping this conversation without some sort of agreement.

“How many universities would accept a full-grown sea monster into their halls, Signore Bonetti?” Luca asked bluntly. Thin lips open and closed in an “o” shape. The mustache covering the top half of his mouth reminded Luca of an octopus who couldn’t quite catch its food. He decided to keep that thought to himself.

“Actually, quite a few would be ecstatic, if you were willing to supply their science departments with some information.”

Luca clasped his hands to keep them from shaking. “I will not be some science project that is locked away and never seen again.” He said firmly.

The headmaster quickly backpedaled, “No, no of course not! We would never allow-”

“I’ve seen what humans do to those they consider different. Fear is a powerful, if uneducated, weapon. If I am to go to any university, I do not want them to know about my…background, as you say.” Luca smiled condescendingly.

The bald man paled, his eyes round with shock.

“No, mio ragazzo, I don’t think that would be wise.”

“Bene, if that is everything, I need to head back to class.” Luca stood, he considered the colorful papers on the desk before grabbing the lot and turning towards the door. Signore Bonetti stuttered a farewell to his retreating figure. He didn’t look back.

“What’s got you looking so glum, chum?” Dante’s question sprayed crumbs everywhere, much to the rest of the group’s disgust. Luca glared up at his large friend, dusting the rejected food off of his copy of ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’.

“Is it really that hard to swallow first then speak, Castello?” Luisa asked, her cupid bow lips curled in distaste.

Dante rubbed a large hand across his face, dispelling a few straggling crumbs from his mouth. Without saying anything, he stared challengingly into Luisa’s eyes and took a larger bite of a dinner roll, the crumbs falling to their doom. Luisa scoffed and turned back to braiding Giulia’s red locks in intricate patterns. Giulia hadn’t said much during their lunch hour, and if Luca had to guess, he would wager having Luisa sit so close with her hands combing through her hair had something to do with it.

They were currently sat outside on the campus grounds, good weather permitting it. Around them, other students sat on benches or laid out on the grass, soaking up the weak rays of spring sunshine. Today, Luisa brought an intricate blanket that they all rested on, with Luca lying on his stomach and Dante munching beside him sitting cross-legged. A very flushed Giulia sat leaning back so that Luisa could access her hair easily.

Dante made to speak again, but Luca interrupted him. “I’ll tell you if you promise to keep your mouth shut and your food inside it.” The larger teen rolled his sky-blue eyes in annoyance but didn’t say anything, much to everyone’s relief.

“The headmaster wants me to start applying to universities.” Luca started, immediately his friends turned to him, their expressions matching.

“Cosa?!” Their table received several odd looks from the surrounding students who were simply trying to enjoy their meals.

“Yeah, that’s what I said. Apparently, there are universities already showing interest in me.”

“You don’t think they know about, ya know.” Giulia mimicked swimming, wincing when Luisa yanked her head back into place so she could continue braiding.

“I honestly don’t know, I told Signore Bonetti I don’t want universities to know about it, I didn’t think to ask if he’d already brought it up.” Luca allowed his head to rest heavily against the pages of his book. Up close, the letters were indiscernibly blurry.

“I’ve never heard of a sophomore applying for university before, my mom has never allowed it. Have you been getting tens this whole time?” Dante looked at him incredulously. A red flush crept its way up Luca’s neck.

“That and a few extra-curricular.” He mumbled. Who knew joining the swim team and being the chess club captain would be so impressive?

“Aspettare, why aren’t you happy? Isn’t this a good thing?” Luisa intervened, her honey eyes never leaving her work.

“I dunno, I’m worried about more people finding out, and then there’s Alb- my family, I don’t want to make any decisions without them.”

Giulia shot him a look through her curtain of hair, he responded by nudging her foot with his book. They hadn’t spoken much since that incident happened, something that Luca wasn’t eager to change.

“Ya know, I’ve heard my mom talk about these exchanges that universities will offer to promising students for a few weeks.” Dante tapped his lips thoughtfully. “You’d have to wait until the summer after next to do it, but that would allow you the chance to experience college life without the full commitment.”

“Veramente?” Luca felt a flicker of hope and excitement flicker in his stomach.

“Yeah, take a few classes, sleep in one of the dorms, meet your professors, etc. That kind of stuff.” Dante waved his hand nonchalantly, “You know my mom would be happy to help, it’s her job, but, like, she reaaally likes you. So, instant win.” He popped a cherry tomato into his mouth.

The bell sounded, causing the group of teens to quickly finish what they were doing. With a hum of contentment, Luisa tied Giulia’s hair and helped the other girl to her feet. Dante and Luca helped wrap the blanket up neatly, being sure to shake out any remains of Dante’s lunch. The group split into two and headed to their respective classrooms with the promise to meet after school per usual. Luca’s last two classes of the day were physics and music, and he hurried towards his physics class which rested resentfully on the other side of the school.

As he passed a darkened alcove, his ears picked up the sounds of muffled giggles and whispers. He slowed down against his better judgment and peered around the corner of faded, blue lockers that lined the walls. Two boys, at least a year older than him, were leaning against each other in the darkened hallway. The tall, lanky blonde Luca recognized from the group of teens that Luisa had soaked near the beginning of the school year. The shorter brunette was unrecognizable, especially with him facing away from Luca and most of his body being overshadowed by Lanky.

He knew he was interrupting a private moment, but Luca couldn’t find it within himself to look away. Lanky leaned down and began to gently press kisses to Brunette’s neck who laughed breathlessly in response. Luca felt his stomach flip at the sight, and if he gripped his books harder than necessary, well, that was nobody else’s business. He wondered if Alberto would kiss him like that, or if he would prefer to have his own neck pressed with gentle ministrations. The thought made him sigh forlornly and rest his head non too gently on the lockers before remembering he wasn’t alone. The two boys jerked apart as if burned but Luca was already turning the corner at the end of the hallway before either could see him.

03 Maggio 1970

“Finalmente!” Luisa exclaimed, slumping against her towel in the sand. Luca could only continue to itch at his skin, flakes peeling off and leaving red scores wherever his nails scraped. Next to him, Dante was already removing his clothing, the pale moonlight making his skin glow like marble. The tall Italian hid a yawn behind his hand, his eyelids still struggling to carry their own weight. Due to both Luca and Luisa being sea monsters, it was agreed that they couldn’t attend the beach during the day where people might see them. Thus, it had become a monthly ritual for midnight swims since Luca’s first year in Genoa. With the weather being too cold during the winter, Luca had to settle for long soaks in Signora Mia’s bath.

However, this time around his skin had felt particularly itchy, and transforming during his morning showers had revealed new scales pushing underneath his older ones. He had panicked and ran from the bathroom with nothing but a towel and a shriek. After a rushed phone call with his mother, Luca learned about the extra joys of growth spurts and puberty.

“You’re going to have to swim daily to help your body push out the old scales,” his mother explained in her matter-of-fact way. “Your tail fins especially will need the help and they’re also going to be the sorest.” Daniela’s voice turned sympathetic. “Just a few weeks more and then you’ll be home, we can help manage it from there.”

So, for the past week, Luca with his trio of friends would all pile into Mia’s small, bright yellow Fiat and drive the half-hour to the ocean at three in the morning. Without a second thought, he was in the water, pushing through briny waves allowing the ocean to peel scales away with gentle brushes. His mother had been right, his tail was instantly sore once it unfurled in the waves. The spines along his fins were growing longer and sharper, their bases pink with tender new skin. Luca did his best to stretch his body gently in the dark waters, taking brief breaks to check his location in comparison to everyone else on the beach. The signora could be seen snoring loudly on her quilt and Dante was doing his best impression of a starfish, his face mashed into the corner of the quilt. The only two who weren’t passed out were Giulia and Luisa, who appeared to be in serious conversation near the water’s edge.

Luca dove back into the cool depths, the water burned his eyes in a barely noticeable way, and he wondered if it was because more tourists visited Genoa in comparison to Porto Rosso. There were also fewer fish here, although a stray school of fish could be found here or there. He felt a familiar tug in his chest at the thought of Porto Rosso’s waters. The year was finally coming to an end, with finals taking place for the next few weeks, and then Giulia and he would be heading home. Luca grinned freely as he thought about Alberto again, the tug growing stronger in his chest the more he thought about him. He wanted so badly to talk to his friend about his newfound feelings, but there was also the risk of losing Alberto over said feelings. And then there was the decision of attending university in two years, who knew what could happen during that time? The fifteen-year-old groaned in frustration, sending a burst of bubbles to the surface. A smoothhound shark swam past him, appearing to roll its eyes at his dramatics. Luca stuck his tongue out in defense, not willing to argue with a shark at the moment.

When he rolled onto the beach with a swell, the sun was beginning to crest over the ocean’s face. Giulia and Luisa both nodded to him, neither having moved from their spot on the sand.

“Did you want to swim a bit before we head back?” Luca asked Luisa, already knowing the answer. The Sicilian girl smiled gently at his offer before shaking her head in a negative.

“Is it a self-conscious thing because I totally get that. But just to be very clear, you have nothing to be embarrassed about.” Luca balked at Giulia’s sudden boldness. The redhead in question looked at him as if to ask why he’d let her say that her face turning the same shade as her locks. “Sorry,” she muttered, wrapping her arms around her knees. “that was too much.”

Luisa had the most genuine smile on her face that Luca had seen in their entire time together. She wrapped arms the color of caffè around Giulia, pressing her grin into her shoulder.

“You’re too cute, Giulietta.”

Giulia looked dazed out of her mind, her face the definition of a satellite that had gone to space and made no motion of returning to earth.

Pulling away, Luisa’s expression turned carefully neutral, and she appeared to be at war with something in her thoughts. As the sun began to pour its warm rays along the sandy shores of Genoa, the young sea monster seemed to come to terms with something. Sighing, she gracelessly flopped forward and began to push her fingers deep beneath the sand’s surface.

“When I was really small, I was taken from my parents by fishermen.” Luisa began slowly, “I was sold to a Circo da baraccone in Napoli, and I was their star of the show. The circus was filled with other people who had anomalies, like me. For the most part, they were really nice.”

“For the most part?” Luca asked quietly. He suddenly felt oddly cold, even with the rays drying his skin.

“Our… master,” Luisa bared her teeth at the word, “was not kind. He wanted perfection instantly and he was very greedy, he barely met our basic needs for food and water. Instead, he would spend money on alcohol and parties with powerful people.” Luisa traced vicious lines through the sand, contrasting light and dark with her fingers.

“When he was particularly ubriaco, he would wake us up at all hours of the night and run through shows with us. Every time we would make a mistake, he would use his whip.” Her fingers stopped. “I was just seven years old.” She whispered.

Beside her, Giulia had become rigid, her face pale and her cheeks were glistening with tears.

“One night, he was more violent than usual, and he knocked over a lantern. The whole circus went up in flames. In all the chaos, my tank broke and I was afraid I would die without water, I’d never made the change before. When I realized I could breathe, it didn’t matter because the fire was too big by that point. The smoke and heat were everywhere, and I couldn’t run.

“But then, Marta came back for me.” Luisa gave a small smile and finally met their stricken gazes.

“She carried me to safety, and we escaped together, never once looking back.”

“Is that what brought you here to Genoa?” Giulia’s voice shook, though she tried to hide it. Luisa turned to her and laced their fingers together and they both held on tightly.

“No, I was only nine. Marta tried to help me find my parents, but I couldn’t remember where I had been taken from and I couldn’t find other sea monsters near Napoli. Actually,” she finally looked at Luca, “you’re the first one I’ve encountered in all these years.”

“I’m sorry,” Luca murmured. Luisa raised her eyebrows in question.

“Don’t be,” She answered easily, though her voice caught, “for the first time, in a long time, I have hope.”

“Anyways,” she continued, “we moved to Sicily to avoid recognition and Marta did what she could to teach me how to be a human, including teaching me my letters and numbers. Eventually, she was able to enroll me into a school.” Here, she frowned.

“I didn’t mean to reveal myself, but there was an accident with water, and I changed. I escaped school, which wasn’t hard to do when everyone is afraid of you. Marta and I fled here and changed our names, she’s sacrificed for me so much and I feel terrible about it.” Tears began to leave pink scale marks over her skin.

“No,” Luca corrected gently. He shared a look with Giulia, and wordlessly they embraced the weeping teen. “You did what you had to to survive. And there is no guilt or shame in that.” Luisa sobbed harder, years of heartache bleeding out and dampening the crystals of sand. They stayed that way until there was no guilt left.

#a te che sei il mio grande amore #luca fanfiction #queer fanfiction #luberto #luberto fanfiction #luca paguro #alberto scorfano #giulia is tired of this sh!t #giulia marcovaldo #giulia x oc #ocs #my ocs #my fanfic #there’s one brain cell and she has it most of the time #mutual pining #long distance relationship #disney fanfiction #pixar fanfiction

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