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The ministry is absolute chaos on a good day, but tonight it is a beautiful chaos.
Scarlet banners hang from the vaulted ceilings, chandeliers have been dimmed to set the tone of a moody crimson glow. The air smells faintly of wine, incense and something sweetly metallic. A long banner draped from the ceiling at the front of the room reads “The Red Feast- a dining experience for the discerning creature of the night.” You think it sounds a little too full of itself, but Secondo, of course, disagrees.
Standing at the head of the room, all dark around the edges in black silk, he surveys his work like a war general. “If one ghoul so much as drops a single glass tonight,” he mutters “I will hang them by their tail.”
You try to hide your smile as you carry a tray of stemware past him. “ You’re very optimistic tonight, Papa.”
He gives you a sidelong look- his famous mix of irritation and amusement. “Optimism has nothing to do with it Sorella. It’s all about discipline. These vampires, they appreciate that…they have high standards. Class.”
You aren’t entirely sure he’s wrong, especially when Vampires actually begin filtering in. All elegance, grace, and centuries old poise- they take their seats with graceful nods and bows. The ghouls are trying their best not to stare but it is incredibly hard not to. Any trance is broken by the loud sound of Secondo sharply clapping his hands to get everyone in line, barking orders in that low commanding voice that makes your heart skip beats.
You try so very hard to focus on your work. You honestly do. But as the night drags onward, the quiet stolen moments between Secondo and yourself, have you distracted at best. Multiple times throughout the night, he leans close to gently whisper corrections in that low husky voice that sends his breath ghosting across your skin and into your ear- making you shiver. You think he doesn’t notice. That your reaction is more subtle than it actually truly is. Of course, he notices and continues to do it. Completely entranced with the way your body reacts involuntarily towards him. He observes and becomes enthralled when you refill his glass of wine and your hands accidentally brush- the skin of your face and neck blooming in a flush. Everytime he brushes past you to refill and reposition a decanter or adjusts a candle, he observes your reaction in amusement. There is a warmth to his closeness- a kind that has nothing to do with the lit hearth in the room.
At one point, an extremely bold vampire smiles at you from his seat and quips with a purr of his voice “How delicious you look tonight, Sister.” While taking your hand and kissing the back of it. You freeze, caught in a silent internal battle of flattery and alarm. Before you can respond Secondo is behind you, voice cutting in dry. “No feeding in the dining area. That includes flirting with my staff.”
The vampire raises an elegant brow in sheer amusement “Ah, just your staff, is she?”
Secondo’s tone drops an octave. “She is tonight and any time I need her.”
The vampire chuckles deeply and moves on to a conversation with a different vampire nearby. Without even looking at Secondo you can feel his gaze linger on you, perhaps a beat too long, before he turns away to continue organizing the wine display.
The rest of the evening passes in a blur of tasks- refilling glasses, serving courses, and trying not to spill anything under the weight of his watchful stolen glances.
Finally when the last guest filters out, the room falls into a hush- just you and Secondo surrounded by dying candlelight.
Secondo exhales deeply in relief, rolling his shoulders as he surveys the aftermath that will surely need his attention. “Hm. No one was bitten, no one burst into flames…A success.”
You laugh softly as you stack the last of the empty plates together. “You almost sound proud, Papa.”
He steps much closer to you, so close in fact, that you can smell his cologne- incense smoke and something darker underneath. Something unguarded slips through his usual stoic reserve. “Of course I am proud of the restaurant yes, but…” his eyes flick down ward at you and you look up at him, eyes twinkling “you handled yourself well tonight, sorella.”
Your pulse leaps in your chest “Thank you, Papa.”
He hums softly, studying you for a long moment before softly adding “You always do.”
The silence following his statement is heavy with things neither of you have said, but both feel. Then he reaches out, just enough to tuck a stray strand of hair behind your ear. It’s barely even a touch but it sets something ablaze between you.
You look up at him momentarily. “You didn’t have to step in earlier.” You whisper softly.
He gives a crooked knowing smile. “Of course I did.” Then, after a pause that seems to stretch the world thin, he continues: “No one threatens what is mine to protect.”
You start to respond but he steps closer, closing all the space between you, his soft breath against your temple. For a long moment, neither of you speak. Then, almost as if drawn by something, you tilt your head up and locks eyes with his mismatched pair.
Secondo hesitates- just for a heartbeat- before leaning in and pressing his lips to yours. The kiss is unhurried, warm, grounding. Like an exhale after holding your breath for too long.
When he finally does pull away, there is a ghost of a smile on his lips. “Next time,” he murmurs gently “I’ll buy you dinner first.”
The candles burn low around the both of you, as the ministry settles into the typical nighttime hush. Somewhere in between the candlelight and shadows you know deep down this won’t be the last time you find yourself staying late with Papa Secondo.