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“Do you need any help with that?” You call across the campsite from your cozy sleeping bag.
You’re bundled in it on one of the camping chairs you set up for everyone: you and three Emeritus brothers. No one else?
Since Copia was named the upcoming Papa Emeritus, and you were tasked with the job of helping him transition into this role, he has been inviting you onto these monthly outings. When you heard that Copia got sick during his return from Clergy work, you knew the delay would cause him to miss this trip. So, you did not expect to still be invited; but here you are.
You’ve done your part setting up most of the campsite, but you see Terzo struggling to build the fire; normally Copia's job. It is in your nature to help, so you had to offer.
“I’m fine, love.” Terzo calls out as he brushes his raven black hair from his face. He doesn’t know that you can see the frustration even more clearly now. His brow furrowed as he fumbles with setting the wood up.
A booming chuckle comes from the trees.
“The sun will set by the time you get that thing started.” Secondo calls out. His arms full of chopped logs. He turns his gaze to you and asks, “Do you mind helping him with the wood?”
Terzo stops what he is doing to watch you. Your face blushes before he even says it. “Alright, honey. Please come help me with my wood.”
A scoff comes from Secondo as he dumps the logs by the fire pit, brushing the debris from his clothes. “I am sorry. I walked right into that one."
You tell him it's fine. You can handle yourself.
Secondo bows his head in understanding. Unhooking the axe from his belt and dropping it off to the side, he adds, "I’ve gotta change before we get dinner ready. Holler if Terzo isn’t behaving himself.”
You tell him not to worry and make your way towards Terzo. Playful like a cat, Terzo is not a problem for you. He may make you blush but he never crosses boundaries. What’s a little flirting, right?
Kneeling beside Terzo, you smile at that handsome man. A man who carries a strong sense of confidence regardless of his inability to setup a simple fire. The thought causes a small laugh to escape your lips.
“You hurt my pride.” Terzo teases you. His hand upon his chest like he is stunned by your actions.
“I think it is your oversized ego you’re referring to.” You respond as you start setting up the kindling and firewood. Shaking your head with laughter.
“It is not the only thing I would call oversized.” Terzo retorts.
You choke on your laugh. Coughing as you try to hold your composure.
A hand brushes your back. Comforting you as you try to catch your breathe.
"My apologies. I cannot help it." Terzo apologizes, continuing to rub your back in comfort. "It is simply too easy to have fun with you."
It takes a moment for you to settle your breathing. All the while, you appreciate how he settles you. Then, you say, "Terzo?"
"Yes, dearest?" Terzo looks deep in your eyes, making it clear that he is listening. Your cheeks go flush.
"Do you mean that?" You elaborate. "Is it just fun? Do you ever want it to be more… serious?"
You turn back to setting up the firepit. Grabbing the lighter to light the kindling. You can't explain why you even brought this up. The thought just slipped out. Perhaps all this time being alone while Copia has been away has made you wonder about yourself. You have been questioning your self worth, and even your role at the Ministry once Copia becomes Papa. You feel a little stupid: embarrassed even. Your hand fumbles with the lighter.
"What’s with the sudden uncertainty, my love?” Terzo asks. The lighter slips from your hand when you hear him. “Do you think I use that term lightly?”
“I… honestly don’t know.” You continue to look away. Reaching for the lighter again, you aggressively flick it on after several frustrated attempts. Focusing on the task at hand without glancing over at Terzo, you manage to catch light to the kindling. A small fire grows in the fire pit.
“This doubt. It does not suit you.” Terzo comments. His finger hooks your chin; thumb resting on your bottom lip as he turns your face back towards his own.
You stare back at Terzo, whose eyes hold so much energy and power. The playfulness is gone. Did you upset him? Maybe you disappointed him. Part of you wants to turn away in shame, but you are held in place as he leans in towards you.
"I would follow you as far as you ask of me." Terzo whispers upon your lips. "But we both know I am not the brother you seek."
"I'm sorry, Terzo." You admit. "I am just lost without him."
"Do not fear. My… ego is not so easily battered by such things. Matters of the heart are not trivial things." Terzo assures you. "Have you two talked about these newfound feelings?"
"I've kept it professional." You explain. "He's just been so busy. And the whole reason I'm here is to keep him on track."
"The only reason any of us are here is to live life, honey." Terzo lifts your hand and kisses the top of it. "I think perhaps when my brother comes back, it is time for a little heart to heart, si?"
"Are you talking about me?" Primo calls out from the nearby path. In hand he has two freshly caught trout.
Terzo laughs. "No, brother. I was simply listening to our friend here's confession of love."
"Well, that is quite the confession. Perhaps one we can delve into over dinner?" Primo holds up his proud catch.
"I'd prefer more of a confession-free dinner if that is alright with you." You request.
“A pity.” Terzo jokingly pouts.
You punch Terzo's shoulder.
"You show em'" Secondo calls out as he exits his tent. "And I must compliment you on that gorgeous fire."
Before anyone can respond, the sound of grumbling fills the air. You look down at your stomach: the culprit.
“And it appears just in time.” Primo chimes in. He drops the fish on a nearby stump.
While Primo grabs his bag to prepare the fish, the rest of you get everything else ready for dinner.
***
The last bit of sun fades as the last few bites of the meal are finished up.
You compliment Primo on the fabulous meal.
The darkness starts to fill the surrounding forest. You all sit around the fire, enjoying it's glow and warmth and you let the food settle in your stomachs.
As the flames begin to die down, you get up to throw a couple of logs into the fire. The night is young and the chill in the air creeps in.
A crackle from the trees alerts you to something in the forest. Something is out there. You see look to the brothers who also feel a shift in the wind. No one is looking in the same direction. All of you are uncertain.
Then, you feel it.
A change in pressure, a crackle of energy, and suddenly a presence is behind you. The brothers are looking in your direction now. You feel a pair of hands travel from behind, across your body.
A breath dances upon your neck. It vibrates across your skin with a growl. You should be scared, but part of you submits to it's grasp. The familiarity plays with your senses and muddles the sense of danger behind you.
“Copia! No!” Secondo shouts.
Hearing Copia's name pulls you from the haze in a confused state. Why is he saying Copia's name?
“Come and get me, brother!” Terzo calls out, and you snap back to reality. Your eyes catch a glint from the head of the axe before Terzo cut his upper forearm. A moment of seeing dark red blood flashes with the light from the fire before you feel yourself flung to the ground.
Everything goes black.
Your head is spinning. It takes a moment for things to come into focus but you can hear the scuffle happening in front of you.
“Copia! Get off of him! He’s your brother for Hell’s sake!” Secondo struggles to fight Copia off of Terzo who is looking paler than usual.
Falling back, Secondo drops to the ground with Copia clawing at him. His forearms shielding his face from Copia’s claws. He continues to call out Copia's name, but to no avail.
You are stunned to see what is happening before you. Those unnatural claws swing towards Secondo, and a flash of fangs are seen as Copia snarls at him.
Primo has quickly wrapped a towel tight over Terzo's arm before turning to the fight. Pulling off his grucifix from around his neck, the silver chain glimmers. He throws it around Copia's neck, tightening it before pulling Copia back. He tries to reason with Copia as well, but with no response.
Copia howls with pain as he topples over, thrashing at the air. Primo and Secondo try to restrain him as he fights back. His brothers try and talk him down, but his eyes are dark and wild. He refuses to stop.
"Copia! Stop!" You cry out.
There is a moment of hesitation from Copia before he kicks Secondo off of him.
"Please, Copia! You're hurting them!" You sob in fear and desperation. His eyes flash towards you before he turns back at Primo who only has Copia partially pinned down. Throwing himself back, Copia breaks free of Primo, knocking him across the forest floor. Winded Primo has no time to protect himself from Copia pinning him down with very little effort.
"You need to stop!" Your lungs ache from the cries. "I need you, Copia. Please don't do this! Don't leave me!"
And then there is silence.
Copia's snarl freezes, inches away from Primo's throat. Blood drips down Primo's brow from the fight. Copia's nose flares from the smell of it, but he does not move. His expression changes from wild to alert. His eyes return to their usual colour. His grip lessens on Primo.
Secondo forces himself to his feet with much effort, but he is not fast enough when Copia turns and dives in your direction. Even you are not fast enough to fully understand what is happening, but you brace for impact. You prepare yourself for the pain of claws and teeth sinking into your flesh. But, you never feel it. Instead, you are hardly even jolted when Copia reaches you. Arms do not attack, but embrace you.
For a moment you are stunned. What is happening?
“Please don't go!” Copia sobs into your chest. His grip is unrelenting. It is not violent though. It is filled with fear. He holds on like you are the only solid thing around him. “I don’t know what’s happening. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry!”
The trembling panic in his voice is heartbreaking. You wrap your arms around him as you mouth that it is okay to his brothers who standby, watching in anticipation of the next attack. Your head rest against the top of his, kissing it like a parent to their child.
“It’s okay, Copia. I’m not letting you go that easily. I’m right here.” You close your eyes and try to console him. Your words, slow and deep upon his hair. They comfort you as much as they comfort him.
It takes several tense minutes before you feel Copia’s body relax in your clasp. His arms never leave you. His body trembles and you know he may have calmed down but he is still focused on controlling himself. His deep breaths against your chest take in your scent. He is savouring you in the safest way he knows how. Each breath calms him down.
You open your eyes to see the damage to the campsite.
Primo is bandaging up the cuts upon Secondo’s arms. Secondo sticks his arms out for Primo to work but not once takes his eyes off of you. Terzo’s forearm is already bandaged up tightly. He is pale, but when he catches your gaze, he winks. You can’t help but chuckle. Copia does not stir.
“What’s a little brotherly scuffle.” Terzo tells you.
“If you can still make jokes, you’ll be just fine.” You respond. Your cheeks flush as you hold back the tears. “I’m glad…”
A soft grin forms on Terzo’s face. It shows in his eyes. He acknowledges your sentiment.
When Terzo gets up, his knees buckle but he catches himself. You feel helpless as you are currently trapped. But, you watch him as he steadies himself and makes his way over. On his way, he grabs the sleeping bag that had fallen off your chair, and he drapes it around you where you sit.
“I could use a little extra heat.” You mumble shyly.
Terzo laughs. “Alright, love.”
He squats down to sit next to you, pulling the sleeping bag around the three of you. He reaches for a log and tosses it in the fire flawlessly before pulling the sleeping bag snug. You thank him.
“Well if you had any doubts about how he felt, I think it’s pretty clear now.” Terzo comments.
It takes a moment for you to realize what he means. It did not dawn on your how you virtually got out of this unscathed aside from maybe a couple of bumps and bruises. It was your voice that brough Copia back, and you are the one he holds tightly.
"Terzo?" You want to bring up the elephant in the forest. "I know I am responsible for Copia… but this is a little beyond me."
Terzo leans over and kisses your brow. "We'll all work through this together. Ain't that the point of these silly little trips?"
You let out a small, exhausted laugh before the severity of the situation fully kicks in.