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Aether wasn’t sure what to think as he saw big pathetic eyes blinking up at him, he had only wanted to explore the part of Copia’s quarters he had never been in before. If they were meeting for a nice time Copia insisted on doing it at Aethers then he always disappeared after half an hour. Now he knew why. He only came to the cardinals quarters during the day when the halls were quite and everyone else was working, except Sodo because he seemed to do anything but work, whenever they came to Copia’s quarters this door was shut tight. “That’s just a store cupboard Amore, don’t go in or you’ll be hidden under piles of junk,” copia always joked and Aether believed him because why would his love hide something like this?
That day he had come to surprise Copia knowing that the man was off work with a terrible cold, the ghouls had all teamed together to try and make soup under mountains frustrated guidance and Aether was going to deliver it while spoiling his partner as much as possible. When he got in the door Copia was curled up on the sofa watching a documentary on rats although Aether wasn’t sure how much he could actually see as he was almost buried in soft blankets that completely covered him. After finding part of his loves face that was visible he pressed a kiss to Copia’s forehead feeling the feverish warmth on his lips, Copia let out a groan and reached a hand out of his cave to latch onto Aethers with surprising strength. “How are you, love?” He asked as he kissed the knuckles of his partners hand, “Like shit.” Came the muffled reply as he drew his pale hand back into his den of blankets and Aether felt his heart twist. “Can you fetch the day nurse from my bed Amore?” Copia snuffled, “It’s time for another dose but I don’t want to move.” Following his order Aether stood and squeezed the part of the blanket heap that may have been his shoulder, the door to the bedroom was next to the storage room, both doors made of the same carved wood. He noticed that the normally closed door was propped open slightly with a faint glow coming from the crack, what harm could it really do just having a look? Copia was too busy feeling sick to notice. He creaked open the door little wincing whj see it made a loud noise but Copia didn’t seem to notice and stayed curled up in the dark, when the door was finally open he stepped through into what was definitely not a storage room. It was a nursery.
The walls were papered with a rainbow of rats and the carpet was thick, there was a little baby’s mobile with more rats hanging from it. Aether saw a princess rat, an astronaut rat, a French rat with a baguette in its stick like arm and finally a little rat with the rad robes of a cardinal along with the silly little hat. Below that was a crib. Copia couldn’t possibly have a child? He definitely would have mentioned that. Aether wasn’t sure what to think as he nervously edged towards the black gothic crib, there was a tiny little canopy attached to the wall above it making it feel like something in a palace, the light was low as the heavy drapes were shut although a little nightlight shaped like the moon provided enough light to see by. Finally there was no other option, he had to look. He peered over the edge and was taken aback by what he saw, there blinking up at him with large sleepy eyes looking more pathetic than the man he was modelled after was a Plushia. He had almost forgotten about them, Copia had not been a fan of the idea but sister Imperator had insisted, Aether had always found them sweet and secretly felt sorry for the little things when they were thrown across rooms in TikTok videos but having a sentient one staring at him was creepy and unnerving in a way he had never felt before. He didn’t know what to do so he just stared back. They were locked in a silent staring contest both unable to look away until the little toy suddenly moved his head to look around the room, “Papa?” It squeaked in a voice that seemed appropriate to come from a toy, “Papa?” Aether didn’t know what to say, he was probably in shock, but the creatures face dropped and it took a breath as it began sobbing. It was also quite a squeaky sound although it produced real tears that sunk into the soft fabric it was made off. As Aether was trying to decide what do he heard shuffling behind him, Copia had come in behind him abandoning his fortress of blankets leaving him in just his red tracksuit and black shirt, he didn’t have the paint around his eyes but the dark circles underneath made it look like he did. He made his way past Aether to the crib, as soon as the toy saw him he reached his arms up begging to be picked up, Copia obliged and gently cradled him while peppering his soft forehead with little kisses. “Shh, shh. It’s all right now piccolo, your papa is here.” The little toy calmed down now that he was with copia, or his papa, that led to a lot more questions that Aether wasn’t sure he wanted answers to. It’s little fabric hands clutched at Copia’s shirt with surprising strength as he let out some more little squeaks, “No more tears, you’ll get soaking wet.” He leaned in to kiss him and the toy swatted his nose to protest being left alone but cuddled close again after to reassure his father he wasn’t mad. “What the fuck is going on Copia?”
They were sat on the sofa, Copia was back in blankets sniffing but this time Plushia was curled up on his lap taking sneaking glances at Aether before hiding in Copia’s tracksuit jacket again. “He’s shy.” The cardinal had said while stroking the back of the toys head, “he is normally babbling away to me, he’s alright with Imperator and Special ghoul but he’s scared of new people. And Nihil, he’s terrified of Nihil.” Aether thought that was relatable, even the older papa sent a small lick of fear through him and he was a ghoul. “Copia, please tell me what is going on.” Aether just wanted to know why his partner had kept something like this from him. Copia at least looked guilty, “I was given him when they were first made, I left him in my cassock pocket during a ritual and the next thing I know he’s blinking up at me and smiling.” He looked down at his strange little son giving a smile of his own, Plushia smiled back although it was clear he was still nervous around Aether. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Copia looked ashamed again, he seemed to be thinking about what to say and gently took Plushias little hands and pressed them against the pieces of fabric that looked like ears. “I wasn’t sure how you would react,” he whispered looking ashamed, “I love Plushia but… I know it’s not a normal situation.” Aether wasn’t sure what to say, the little toy was humming as copia kept his hands pressed to his ears so he couldn’t hear, he had to admit that he actually looked quite sweet. “I understand, he’s really cute. Just, just tell me next time okay.” Copia nodded clearly relived and took his hands off the toy so he could lean over and embrace Aether, an action Aether happily returned pressing a kiss to his lips although he remained mindful of the child. “Plushia, This is Aether, he’s Papas boyfriend.” He wasn’t sure what to do so gave the child a thumbs up which didn’t seem to cut it. “Does he like chocolate?” Copia nodded, “he does, although not as blood. My little vampire.” Plushia looked up and let out a proud squeak at that. Aether pulled out a little dairy milk bar and handed it to the little toy watching as his eyes lit up, that seemed to win him over as he toddled over on soft little legs to get Aether to open it, he ended up on Aethers lap cuddling close as Copia buried himself under blankets and day nurse.