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Rosemary was lazing under a tree in the ministry gardens. It was a warm spring afternoon; a soft breeze blew through the branches and the sweet smell of cherry blossoms lingered in the air. She laid there in the grass, her dark curls spilled out across it in waves of inky blackness. The ministry was having a quiet day and she was taking full advantage of it by having alone time for herself for once. Now sermons to prepare, no meetings to be dragged into, no incessant sniggering from her fellow cardinals. She hated those assholes.
She pushed the thought of them out of her mind and focused back on the book in her hands, humming to herself as she relaxed. She rarely ever had the opportunity to properly relax – except the evenings she would spend with Copia, limbs tangled up in bed. She sighed softly as she thought of him, a small smile spreading across her face. She really did love him, more than the very air she breathed. She looked up at the rays of sunlight seeping through the branches above her and the pink flowers that sat delicately along them.
“Well then, what do we have here, eh?” Copia said with a smile as he watched her lovingly. He had been walking through the gardens himself, needing some fresh air and escape from his stuffy office. He sighed and slowly sat down beside her. “Enjoying your day off, mi amore?”
Rosemary smiled as she looked up at him, his soft gaze made her heart melt. She sighed softly. “Its nice to feel like a real person for once, not just a cardinal. I have no sermons to sweat over and stress about. I just get to sit outside for once.” She replied softly. “I won’t lie though; it did just get so much better now that you’re here.”
Copia smiled and laid down beside her, his head resting beside hers. He took extra care not to lay on her hair, gently moving it out of the way. “Well then, we can be real people together.” He said softly. “So… What do real people do?”
“Hmm, good question. I guess we relax? And be together?” She said, thinking aloud.
“Be together, huh?” Copia replied with a teasing smirk. He turned his head to look at her, reaching out to gently stroke her hair.
“I swear… you’re such an idiot!” she laughed and met his gaze, she smiled as he chuckled in response too. She sighed softly as he stroked her hair, her eyes closing as she let herself calm under his touch. She hummed and smiled. “That feels nice.”
“Good” Copia said as he propped himself up as he continued to stroke her hair. He hummed softly to her, just watching her finally let her guard down. He liked seeing her like this, relaxed and resting for once. He knew that she would often work herself into the ground and it scared him but when he could see her like this, at peace, it would fill his heart with pride and a warm feeling would wash over him. “You are so beautiful.” he whispered to her, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
Rosemary felt her cheeks warm as she blushed from his words. She then looked at him, “you’re still not getting in my pants.” She joked, her vulnerability being shielded by humour. “But thank you…” she sighed deeply before looking back up at the branches of the tree that they rested underneath of. “Is this what it feels like to be a real person? No stress? Just calm?”
“I’m honestly not sure, mia cara. But what I know is, is that seeing you like this makes me wonder if real people kiss and hold one another?” He raised a brow at her.
She chuckled once again, “I bet they do.” She replied. Before she could fully finish her sentence, Copia leaned down and kissed her gently, his hand holding the side of her face, thumb stroking her cheek. He laid back down and pulled her into his arms. He peppered her face with soft kisses which made her giggle and snuggle into him more.
“I love you and I love being a real person with you.” Copia uttered before pressing a final kiss on her temple and holding her close as they enjoyed the stillness of the afternoon. His hand gently stroked her back and he hummed softly as a small breeze blew over the two of them. He was happy to be able to hold his world in his arms.