Chapter Text
Copia walked into the garden, the tall iron gate creaking shut behind him. He took in the lush greenery surrounding him. This had always been a place of calm and comfort, no doubt thanks to Primo, who spent all his free time there. Ever since his retirement, it had become the definitive place to find him.
Today was no different. Hunched over a flower bed, pulling out some dandelions that had made the cardinal sin of growing near his prized carnations, was Primo. He hadn't noticed Copia yet, not until he called out to him, causing his head to perk up a bit.
"The garden is lovely this time of year, isn't it?" Primo asked absently.
"Yeah," Copia said, looking around. "I gotta hand it to you. You always keep this place looking perfect. I don't know how you do it."
"Yes." There was a hint of melancholy in Primo's voice mixed with a sense of pride for his work. He picked some of the carnations, then pointed over across the garden. "Look at this tree. I planted it when you were first brought into the ministry as a little tot. It was tiny back then. But it's gotten so big."
"It has, hasn't it?" Copia looked at his tree, an ash tree that had by now matured fully. Next to it was Terzo's—an apple tree—and Secondo's, a tall pine.
Primo stood up straight, getting a bit lightheaded as he did. Copia noticed, helping him stay on his feet.
"And you... Look at you," Primo chuckled lightly, placing a hand on Copia's shoulder."You're Cardinal now. I'm proud of the man you've become, Copia. I don't know if I tell you this often enough."
"You do, actually," Copia said. "But I do appreciate it. Thanks, man."
Primo smiled, but there was still this sadness in his eyes. Copia was deeply unsettled. He was never the best at reading people, but when it comes to the person who raised you, you tend to sense when something is off.
"I'm going to need a favor from you," Primo said. "When I'm gone, I need you to care for my garden."
"Why? You going somewhere?" There was a lump in Copia's throat as he asked this.
"Will you?" Primo insisted, urgency thick in his voice.
"I will. Promise."
A sigh of relief escaped Primo's lips.
"Why are you making it sound like you're going away for good?" asked Copia sheepishly. "Is there something wrong? Have you seen a doctor recently?"
"It's nothing of that sort," said Primo.
"Then what..." Copia trailed off, feeling dread washing over him.
"Time claims us all, my boy," Primo said, handing him the tiny bouquet of carnations he had picked. "The question is not if, but when. Now put these in some water, won't you?"
"Okay," Copia said, dissatisfied with the answers he was getting but unsure if he wanted to know what was really going on. Surely Primo was just being silly. Nothing bad would happen. It couldn't happen.
He set the flowers on the table. It was almost time for lunch.