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Copia ran as fast as his legs could carry him across the empty courtyard, listening to the laughing and the jeering behind him. They were gaining on him. The rat he had with him, Marco, nearly fell from his hands, but Copia managed to quickly grab hold again.
“Can’t run forever, rat boy!” one of the boys yelled.
“Come on, get him!” another shouted.
If he could just make it inside, where there would hopefully be adults around, he would be safe. But just before he reached the stone archway, his foot caught on a loose paver, making him trip and fall, the books he had tucked under his arm falling with him. The laughing grew louder as the group of boys closed in on him.
“We’ve got him now!”
Copia felt tears fill his eyes as he quickly tucked Marco under him, attempting to shelter him from whatever was about to happen.
“Aw, he’s crying! Too bad you don’t have a mommy to run home to, rat!”
Copia then felt a foot connect with his thigh. He braced himself for the beating he was about to receive as the jeering and taunting continued. It was nothing he had not heard before. There was nothing he could do, though, so he just took it. Like he always did.
There was another kick, this time to his side, knocking him over. Marco scampered off. Copia quickly raised his arms over his face as another foot came toward him. He waited for the impact, but it never came.
“Hey! Leave him alone!”
Copia lowered his arms, and shiny, black shoes filled his vision, facing away from him. He looked up to see the last person he expected standing over him, staring the bullies down. The boys had the wherewithal, at least, to take a step back, also shocked.
“T-Terzo,” the leader of the group stuttered. “W-we didn’t mean anything.”
“Like Heaven, you didn’t!” Terzo exclaimed. “Get out of here, stronzo, before I sic my Ghouls on you!”
That got the boys scrambling away, falling over themselves as they ran. Copia sat up, not taking his eyes off Terzo, who was staring after the bullies. He heard the youngest Emeritus mutter something before he turned and knelt down in front of Copia.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
Copia swallowed and nodded, quickly rubbing away the tears from his cheeks. Terzo was just a few years older than Copia, but they never had much reason to interact. Still, Copia had always admired the boy and wished he could be more like him. Maybe then he could stand up to the bullies as well.
“Sì, I think so.”
Marco scurried back up to Copia and settled in his lap.
“What’s his name?” Terzo asked.
Copia was surprised by the question. “M-Marco. His name is Macro.” He glanced shyly up at the older boy. “Would you like to hold him?”
Terzo sat down close, their knees almost touching. “He won’t bite?”
Copia shook his head. “No. Just… don’t make any sudden movements. Hold out your hands.”
Terzo did as he was told, all of his focus on the rat. Copia held Marco out, letting the rat go forward of his volition. Marco sniffed Terzo’s hands for a moment before carefully climbing over into them. Terzo smiled.
“Look at that!”
“He likes you, I think,” Copia said with his own smile.
“Yes, I think he does.” Terzo looked up at Copia. “I like him, too.” His expression then became more serious. “Listen, Copia… I know we don’t talk much, but… If you ever need any help, I’m here. If they ever bother you again, and I mean ever, come find me.”
Copia looked away for a moment. He was too scared of those boys to be embarrassed by Terzo offering to protect him. In fact, he kind of liked the idea of Terzo defending him. Well, if he was being honest, he liked Terzo.
“You do not have to do that…” he murmured.
“I want to.” Terzo slid around to sit next to Copia, still holding onto Marco. “From now on, we’re friends, and friends look out for each other.”
Copia gazed up at him in awe while Terzo grinned at him. “O-okay. I would like that.”
Terzo bumped shoulders with him. “Bene! Now, come on. I think you’re late for class.”
“W-what about you?” Copia asked, watching Terzo pick up Copia’s books and head inside. Copia scrambled after.
Terzo handed Marco back and waved dismissively. “They’re used to me being late. Besides, being an Emeritus has its perks.”
Copia was again surprised that Terzo walked him to his class, but he was grateful. He kept glancing over at the youngest Emeritus, silently admiring him. He walked with such confidence. He already had a swagger down, even as a young teen, and somehow, it did not look like he was trying too hard. Anyone else would have made it look funny. That was just… Terzo. Terzo, who always had the hint of a suggestive smirk tugging at his lips, his jet-black hair always hanging loosely but just so, giving him a rakish appearance.
And then there was Copia, still clinging onto his baby fat, just in the beginning stages of his awkward pubescence. The dark circles under his eyes did not help his appearance either, but Copia could not help the nightmares that kept him up most nights… Why Terzo paid him any mind, Copia had no idea, but he refused to get too excited about it. It could change in an instant.
They stopped in front of the classroom door, and Terzo handed Copia’s books back to him.
“Thank you for earlier,” Copia said quietly.
“That was nothing. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” Terzo gave his shoulder a warm squeeze. “I’ll see you later, Copia.”
“Ciao, Terzo.”
Copia was distracted for the rest of the day.
***
Terzo kept his word, much to Copia’s surprise and relief. They began hanging out nearly every day. It seemed so long as Terzo kept his presence known, the bullies thought twice about messing with Copia. Copia had even begun to sleep better at night for the first time in years.
But it was all too good to be true, at least, to be so consistent. Terzo had to go somewhere with Primo and Secondo on ‘official Emeritus business,’ Terzo had said, leaving Copia on his own for nearly two weeks. The first week went fine, though Copia missed his friend. He was always looking over his shoulder, expecting the bullies to show back up, but he never saw them. Until halfway through the second week...
“You’ve lost your bodyguard, rat boy,” the leader of the group said when they approached Copia during lunch that day.
Copia mentally kicked himself for having picked such a secluded spot on the grounds of the Abbey to eat his lunch. There was no one else around if he needed help.
“And you know what that means,” the boy continued.
Copia hesitated only a moment before attempting to make a run for it. He was quickly caught and held by two of the other boys. The leader grinned at him.
“Just where do you think you’re going? You think you’re so special now that you’re the Golden Boy’s pet? How does it feel to be a rat, rat?”
His friends let go of Copia’s arms as the boy shoved him back. Copia stumbled but stayed on his feet.
“You just wish you were Terzo!” Copia exclaimed boldly, his cheeks heating up as soon as he did. Why did he have to go and open his mouth like that…?
The boy cocked his head. “Excuse me?”
Copia stood his ground, channeling Terzo as best he could. “You wish you were Terzo. Then you would actually be liked.”
“I am liked,” the boy said, gesturing around him at his friends. “Unlike you.”
“No, they hang out with you because they're scared of you. They aren’t your friends. Not like Terzo’s my friend! Terzo likes me!”
The boy pouted mockingly. “Aw, do you like him, too, rat boy?” Copia could not stop his cheeks from heating up even more. The boy saw and laughed cruelly. “You do! Aw, rat boy’s got a crush!”
The others laughed, too, as though it was the funniest thing they had ever heard. Copia’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, and he willed himself not to get upset.
“Shut up,” he managed, but his voice was wavering.
The boy shrugged. “Nothing to be ashamed of, but what makes you think Terzo would like someone like you in return? You’re a nobody who's only friends are disease-carrying rodents.”
Now, he could not stop the tears from welling in his eyes. “Terzo’s my friend,” he whispered hoarsely, more so to reassure himself. His only friend... The only one he's ever really had.
“Keep telling yourself that, rat; maybe someday it’ll make it true.” The boy then looked at his friends. “Come on, I’m getting bored.”
“What about him?” one of the other boys asked.
The leader shrugged again. “Let him cry like a big baby. Maybe that’ll endear him to big daddy Terzo.”
All of the boys laughed again and walked off, leaving Copia behind, tears streaming down his cheeks both from their words and embarrassment. He wanted to go after them, to yell at them, tell them they were wrong. Terzo was his friend; he said so. He would not have lied to Copia… would he?
Copia sat down next to the tree he had been eating under and sobbed into his arms. He was so lost in his emotions that he was not even aware of someone sitting down next to him until he felt a reassuring hand on his back. Copia startled, sitting up quickly to find the concerned face of Terzo staring back at him.
“You handled yourself well back there,” he said quietly. “I was ready to step in if things got physical, but I’m proud of you, Copia.”
“W-why?” Copia asked with a sniff.
“Because you stood up to them.” Terzo then reached over and brushed a few tears away from Copia’s cheeks. “And you were right. I am your friend, and I do like you.” He then smiled a bit. “But the question is now… was he right?”
Copia frowned, making Terzo’s smile widen. He tilted his head.
“Do you like me?”
Copia felt his face burn, and he quickly looked away. He could feel Terzo’s gaze searing into the side of his head, waiting for an answer. Copia could not answer as it felt like his throat had seized up. He then suddenly felt Terzo lean closer and press a quick kiss to his cheek. Copia nearly jumped up in shock at the cool touch of Terzo's lips on his hot cheek, but he managed to remain seated. He looked at Terzo with wide eyes. The youngest Emeritus’s expression was soft, a warm smile tugging at his lips.
“Do you like me, Copia?” he asked again, quietly. “Like I like you?”
Copia stared at him for a moment longer before nodding jerkily. A grin overtook Terzo’s features.
“That’s good then.”
He then leaned forward, giving Copia plenty of time to pull away, before gently kissing him on the lips. Copia’s eyes remained wide open, his breath caught in his throat, even after Terzo leaned away again.
“Breathe, Copia,” Terzo murmured, smiling somewhat smugly.
Copia gasped in a breath and sagged forward. Terzo boldly pulled Copia into his arms and leaned back against the tree. Copia stayed stiff for a few long moments, his head on Terzo’s shoulder, before slowly relaxing, letting himself enjoy the feeling of Terzo’s arms around him.
“Better now?” Terzo asked, his fingers lightly stroking through Copia’s hair.
Copia nodded, tentatively returning the embrace. Terzo gave him a reassuring squeeze. “Sì. Much better.”
He felt Terzo nod and press a kiss to his forehead. “I’m glad. Will you let me hold you for a while?”
Copia nodded again, much more enthusiastically, and snuggled closer, prompting Terzo to chuckle.
They stayed there for most of the afternoon, forgoing their classes, content to just sit and talk and cuddle, enjoying this newfound closeness.