A/n:
Thank you for waiting!

We're getting closer to midsummer! I'm getting anxious. What about you?

Enjoy!

Song used:
Gently as she goes
By Erutan

____________________________________

Annie and Copia had a wonderful easy night after a delicious meal filled with cuddles and relaxing, doing what they could to keep their minds off what might await her the next day. Retiring to bed, they hesitated to sleep, holding each other until they had no choice but to close their tired eyes. It seemed like morning came too soon and they lingered far longer than they should have, unwilling to give up the warmth and comfort the others arms brought. Eventually, though, their sense of duty took over and they reluctantly parted but never strayed far from the other as they dressed and readied themselves for their days.

While Copia made breakfast - a wonderful omelet with sausage, onions and cheese along with toast topped with homemade jam and butter paired with sweet cups of coffee - Annie double and triple checked her pouches ensuring she had anything and everything she may need before attaching them to her wide belt along with her knife. Food consumed and coffee drank, she patted herself over making sure she had all she needed. One last look around the room she took Copia’s outstretched hand and together they walked down the hall to where they met Aether and Kali.

Their goodbye’s lasted longer as they held each other’s hands, bodies close and foreheads pressed together between soft kisses and words of reassurance and love.



“And you are sure you still want to do this?” Copia asked again, brushing his nose against Annie’s. “I would not think less of you if you chose not to go.”

“I have to,” she sighs, tilting her head for another chaste kiss. “And Lucifer said I would be safe, did he not?”

“He… did,” he sighs softly, hands flexing tighter around hers.

“Then I will go. I love you, Vincenzo. And I will return to you. I promise.”

“I love you too, Levanna,”  he whispers, capturing her lips in a deeper kiss he had to pry himself from. “I will see you tonight.”

“Until then.”


Another kiss and they parted ways, Annie to her ghoul and Copia to his. Again, like before, he watched the others disappear with a shimmer of muddied red as Kali phazed them to their destination and it was only after it faded he took a deep breath that hitched at the end. Aether stepped up behind Copia then and wrapped his arms around the man in a comforting embrace.

“Trust in our Dark Lord and the word He gave you, caro. She will come back, and she will be safe.”

“It will not stop my worry. My stomach churns at the very thought…” Copia sighs lightly, reaching up to rub at his face with both hands. After a moment he lets out a soft sigh and pulls from the comforting hold of Aether’s arms. “Let us go. There is no point in lingering here and I wish to see how Dew is doing since he never came back to practice yesterday.”

Aether nods and rests his hand on Copia’s shoulder, giving a gentle squeeze before he phazes them away.

____________________________________


Minutes felt like hours and hours felt like days for the Cardinal. His ghouls were in a good mood, although quiet, as they waited for their time slot to perform. Dew was the quietest of them aside from Copia as he practiced on a spare guitar in the corner. Eventually the time came for them to go on stage and, like before, their moods shifted as they focused on their task. Energetic and charismatic they performed without a hitch eliciting cheer after cheer from the rowdy crowd. Asses were certainly wobbled and taints were sufficiently tickled by the time they were giving their final bows. Copia felt good in the moment, sure that he had swayed many hearts and enticed enough minds for them to yet again successfully draw in more numbers. It was hard not to. Each ritual brought in dozens to the Ministry, ready to devote themselves to the cause they strove for. But more members meant more paperwork. More paperwork meant more stressful hours in which Copia would have to work alongside Seth. It had gotten easier with the man's help but it was still enough to easily overwhelm.

‘Something to worry about later,’ Copia said to himself as he entered their trailer. His heart ached not seeing his beloved waiting for him, but he felt no odd disturbance. No pressure or pain behind his eye. No panic or fear resonating through the bond he shared with his witch. Good signs, no? But he would not know for sure until he had her in his arms once more.


He stayed at the venu, overseeing the pack up and giving instruction as well as praise to the Siblings that were part of the crew before wishing them a safe journey to the next destination. Had the sisters not arrived in March, Copia and his ghouls would be loading into their own tour busses or taking an airplane to each destination along with the crew but, as the situation was so very different and he was needed back at the Ministry between performances, he and his ghouls were allowed to phaze to the rituals instead. It was both a blessing and a curse. Touring was one of the few freedoms he really had. To be outside the Ministry walls and see the world. Yet, he happily traded it to be able to return every night to be with his love. Oh how he hoped now she was waiting for him back in the safety of their chambers.


"We're just about ready to go, Copia," Aether's voice cuts into his thoughts, drawing him back to the present. "Just waiting on you to finish up."

"Ah, grazie amico. Si, I am ready." Copia turns to face the ghoul with a small smile on his face. "Any word?"

"None yet."

The man lets out a sigh as he nods. "Very well. Take me back then, I am done here."


~~~~~~

Aether phazed Copia right to his main room and both sighed, not seeing any sign of Annie.

“I can stay with you until she gets back, if you’d like?”

“Thank you, but that is not necessary. I know you’ve had just as long a day as I have. I wouldn’t want to cut into your down time.”

Aether laughs softly as he sets his mask and balaclava on the counter before taking a seat on one of the stools. “As you said, it’s my own downtime and I’d like to spend it with you, if you’d let me.”

Copia smiles warmly, but as he thinks he realizes, almost sadly, that he’d rather spend the time alone to gather thoughts that had been running rampant most of the day. He relays as much with a sad tone but the ghoul understands.

“I’m only a call or text away if you need me, caro,” Aether says as he gently cups Copia’s cheek while pressing their foreheads together. “Let me know when she gets back.”

After locking the door behind the ghoul Copia walks into the bedroom where he slowly strips out of his clothes. His mind still raced, wondering where Annie was. The only comfort he had was that he felt nothing through their bond. It had always alerted him, in some way or another, if she was in danger no matter where she may be so to feel nothing he had to believe she was, indeed, safe.


Shoes tucked under the bed and clothes in the hamper he pads into the bathroom and starts the shower. After relieving himself he steps into the spacious shower stall and under the stream of hot water, letting it cascade over him and wash away the sweat of the day. He leaned forward using his hands to brace against the wall, his face turned up to the shower head holding his breath until he could no longer, eventually lowering his face so he could breathe, the water beating pleasantly against his upper back and shoulders. Finally, relaxing in the warmth, his mind settled. He did not know how long he stood there. Gone were the worries hanging over him. The fears that kept him on edge washed away for the time being. Just the sound of the water, his own steady breathing and-

Arms that wrapped around his middle, snapping him back to reality. He let out a strangled sound of surprise as he turns, nearly slipping on the wet tile from his sudden movement to face an equally startled blue eyed witch who grabbed at him to keep him from falling but her motion also sent her off balance and she, too, almost fell but he held her, pulling her close as he leaned against the wall, finally steady.

“Annie!” His eyes quickly trail over her looking for anything that may be amiss but he sees nothing out of place. Fear and concern sated, he relaxes and takes her in again quickly noticing she’s just as naked as he is and a blush quickly rises. “Amore, you’re back. When did…? And…and y-you’re… Why are you, ah, here in the shower with… with me?”

“Because I missed you, and could also use a shower. So I figured,” she smiles with a blush as she relaxes against him. “Since you were already in one I would just join you. I'm sorry I scared you, I thought you heard me say your name.”

Copia laughs softly, nervously, his hands sliding from where he held her waist down to her hips giving them a gentle squeeze while he let his eyes wander over her face as he fought the embers flickering low in his stomach.

"I missed you," he finally whispers, tilting his head to kiss her gently. Annie melted into it, resting more of her weight against him as her own blush darkened with the static that tingles across her skin where she was pressed to him.

“I missed you, too,” she smiles with a soft sigh.

“How did it go today?”

“It went well. I can tell you all about it after our shower.”

“Is it, uh,” Copia blushes again. “A good idea to…to shower together? I was just about done and can-”

Annie laughs and cuts him off with a chaste kiss, reaching up to brush his wet hair away from his face. “I wouldn’t be in here if I didn’t think it was a good idea."

"Well, if you're sure then. But I, uh…" He blushes even deeper as he swallows thickly. "I can tell you right now having you against me like this…"

"I know. I can feel it. It's okay."

"I just don't want to make you uncomfortable."

Annie kisses him again, her lips soft against his as her hands slide over his chest and down his sides. "If I was uncomfortable, I would tell you. Now, would you like some help washing?"

He laughs softly as he lifts a hand to cup her face, thumb brushing over her cheek. "Now that could be dangerous."

"What's a little danger?" Annie gives him a shy, mischievous smile while she reaches for a clean washcloth. “Did you want help?”

“I would like that, amore.”


____________________________________

Clean and changed into comfortable night clothes Annie rested on the couch while Copia readied a light snack and some tea, still feeling pleasantly relaxed after their shower. How delightful it had been once he got his heart to stop trying to leap out of his chest from her startling him. How she insisted on washing him and how she took her time. He gave a silent groan as he thought about how brave she had been, taking him in her hands after she lowered to her knees and washed his legs, her touch electrifying. She only used her hands but the look on her face...


‘Cazzo,’ he thought as he took a deep steadying breath. He couldn’t think about it, already feeling the flutter of his arousal growing once more. He wanted it again, wanted her. And even if not for him, he wanted to please her now. She hadn’t let him and it didn't really sit right with him. He always, always insisted on his partner orgasming before or with him. For her to make him come undone alone… it was selfish of him to have not reciprocated.


Another breath and he took hold of their mugs in one hand, the other grabbing the small plate of sandwiches before walking over to sit next to her.

“Here, amore,” he said with a smile, holding out the mugs for her to take one. “I was careful with the tins this time.”

Annie laughs softly and shifts her legs so he can sit next to her, moving to rest against his side. “It’s okay hun. I made sure that my teas were separate. We don’t need a repeat of last time.”

“Well, I wouldn’t mind,” was his reply as he smiled behind his mug. “You’ve got me all worked up after that shower, amore.”

“Was it too much?”

“Not at all.” He shifts to drape his arm around her shoulders, holding her tighter. “I enjoyed it immensely.”

Annie blushed deeply behind her mug as she took a sip of her tea. “Good. I was so nervous.”


They’re quiet, then. Simply relaxing and enjoying their teas and sandwiches. Mugs set aside she curled into him, her head resting on his chest over his heart, its steady beat relaxing her.

"Tell me about your day, amore?" Copia asks while letting his fingers slide through her still damp hair.

"It went really, really well." Annie stifles a yawn and relaxes more. "They were small, less than a dozen. Peaceful. We had no trouble and the High Priest listened with interest. He heeded my warning and they're going to scatter and regroup somewhere else."

"If it went well, why did it take you so long to return? I was worried."

"We joined them for lunch, and then I had Kali take me home so I could get a few things I left behind. We lost track of time."

He hums in response, gently rubbing her arm as he leans down to place a kiss to the top of her head. His desire for her was inconveniently flaring once more and he shifted to try and get comfortable. “Well, I am very glad you are home now. Have you had enough to eat? Would you like more tea?”

Annie smiles and tilts her head back to look at him, noting the tips of his ears were flushed and she giggles. “I’m alright. What about you?”

“I’m quite content here, amore.”

“Are you?”

He looks down at her, his brow raising slightly as he takes in her amused expression. "Si, I am. Why would I not be?"

Annie tries to bite back a smile but it shines bright in her eyes. Holding onto his shoulder she shifts to straddle his thighs, sitting back while her hands and eyes slide over the front of his bare chest, the soft scattering of hair tickling her palms. “Because you look nervous and you’re tense again. So something is on your mind that you’re holding back. And, based on your biggest tell, I’m guessing it’s something…you don't want to trouble me with because you, ever the worrier, think it’s either inappropriate or that I won’t like it. Is that right?”

“And what is my biggest tell, amore? Hmm?” Copia smiles at her as he runs his hands over her thighs until they rest on her hips. Annie smiles and leans forward as she lifts her hand to brush a wayward strand of hair from his face, tucking it behind his ear while letting her thumb brush against his earlobe, the gesture making his eyes widen slightly and breath catch.

“Your ears turned that adorable shade of red, hun.”

He opens his mouth to disagree, but he knows she’s right, so instead he sighs and nods while giving her hips a gentle squeeze. “Si, you are right amore.”

“About which part? That you think it’s inappropriate? Or that you think I won’t like it?”

“Eh,” he chuckles nervously. “Both? But I am guessing that you don’t mind and would be…quite open to knowing what I was thinking?”

Annie nods and shifts closer, leaning over until she can brush her nose against his. “Will you tell me?”

Copia groans lightly as she shifts against him once more, biting at the inside of his lip. “I desire you, amore. Desire to pleasure you like you pleasured me.”

“Hmm,” she hums softly, stroking her palms over his chest again as a smile dances across her lips. “You desire me?”

“Of course I do. I always desire mia bella Dea."

"I need to get to bed soon because I need to get up around 3am, but," her hands slide up as she leans closer, fingers tickling against the sides of his neck before sliding through his hair until they gently take hold of the soft still damp strands, lips ghosting over his. She smiles feeling his breath quicken and when her eyes flick up to his she sees they're lidded, his pupils widening with lust.

"B-b…but what, Amore?" He whispers, his own hands sliding against her thighs, trembling fingers flexing.

A kiss, deep and longing is her answer. She swallows his moan as she slides her tongue timidly against his lower lip and he eagerly parts them, his own tongue darting out to meet hers. The feel of her on him, her hips slowly moving against his and her fingers tangled in his hair paired with her demanding kiss made his blood boil pleasantly with desire.

She bites softly at his lower lip and he responds with a groan, his hips bucking up into her making her whimper out a moan of her own, her grip on his hair tightening.

"Vincenzo," she whispers, peppering kisses along his jaw to his ear where she whispers, forcing the words out past her nervousness. "I..I.. I want you to p-pleasure me."

"Oh, Levanna…" Copia captures her lips once more, kissing her deeply before pulling back to press their foreheads together. "Your wish is my command."

"I'm…I'm not ready for sex," she sighs softly, brushing their noses together. "But I still want you."

"We don't need to have sex to make each other feel good. You know it's my pleasure to pleasure you with only my hands and mouth."

Annie smiles softly, her face lighting up with a blush which she tries to hide by nuzzling into the side of his neck. Copia chuckles softly, sliding his hands up her sides and back down before one arm wraps around her waist, the other holding her ass as he shifts forward on the cushion making Annie pull back and look at him confused before she lets out a sound of surprise as he stands up. Her arms tighten their hold on him, legs hooking around his hips and he laughs again shifting his hold slightly before walking them into the bedroom.

"I… I could have walked!" She exclaims with a giggle, her blush deeper.

"Ah, but that means I couldn't hold you close like this, amore," he says, reaching the bed. He sets one knee on the mattress and gently lowers her, his lips finding hers once more . "I cannot wait to devour you and taste your sweet nectar on my tongue."

"Vincenzo..!" Annie whines softly, relaxing under him even as her blush rages.

"Si, mia Dea?"

Annie pulls back to look up at him, quickly getting lost in his shining eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too, Levanna." His next kiss is gentle and lingering. "Let me worship you now…"

"Yes.." She sighs softly with a shiver as his hands trail up her sides in a teasing touch. "I'm yours."

____________________________________

Annie reached over and felt around blindly for the button on the beeping clock on her bedside table to silence it, a feat almost impossible from the tight hold around her waist. She settled back against the strong chest behind her and yawned, stretching best she could in the limited space. It was so tempting just to go back to sleep, snuggled into his warmth and soothing scent of leather and incense, but she had a task to do, so instead she worked at easing herself from his arms without disturbing him.

"Where are you going, Dea?" His husky sleep riddled voice cut through the otherwise quiet of the room as he pulled her close once more.

"Witchy things, my dear. I told you that, remember? It’s why I had you set the clock for me. I have to harvest a flower under the full moon for it to have the best potency."

He grumbles and nuzzles into her shoulder before placing a gentle teasing kiss to the scar that drapes over it. She smiles softly and rests her arm over his, giving a soft squeeze before pulling away again. He lets her, rolling onto his back as he rubs his forehead, cracking his eyes open to watch her move about the room as she pulls on a loose dress that fell to her knees, back-lit by the bright moonlight streaming through the fluttering sheer curtains.

"Mia Dea, sembri così radiosa al chiaro di luna," he breathes out with awe. She turns to look at him, smiling softly before padding over to perch on the bed next to his hip, reaching over to stroke his cheek once she finished buckling a leather bracer to her left forearm.

"Hun, you know I don't understand what you say. Something about the moon?"

He laughs softly, resting his hand over hers as he turns to kiss the inside of her wrist. "You are radiant in the moonlight, Cara mia. Then again you are always stealing my breath away with your beauty."

"And you, my dearest Cardinal, are forever a flirt. Your sweet words will not deter me this night, though. I've needed this flower for a while, so I must go collect it. Go back to sleep, I'll be back before you know it."

He grumbles, reaching his free hand up to wrap around the back of her head, fingers tangling lightly in her hair as he pulls her down to kiss her gently. She returns it, stroking her thumb against his cheek once more before reluctantly pulling away.

"Sleep, hun. I'll be back."

He nods and releases his hold on her. With a final kiss to his forehead she stands and makes her way out of their rooms and down the dark quiet hall.



Her ever bare feet lead her down the familiar halls and out to the gardens, following the path until she comes to the wrought-iron gate separating Primos garden from the rest. A wave of her hand over the lock and she slips inside, going to the greenhouse first to collect a basket before twisting down the path to the section she needs. Ahead of her she sees the telltale white flowers, brightly illuminated in the light of the full moon.

Pulling her short knife, her boline, from her bracer she hums softly, giving thanks to mother earth for this harvest as she carefully cuts the beautiful flowers from their vines.  She's almost done collecting when a soft sound reaches her ears, carried on the warm breeze.

Her brows furrow in confusion and she stores her knife away, lifting her full basket to follow the sound. It leads her back down the path towards the lake and she pauses by the swaying willow, looking out at the bright ripples on the water. She sees nothing at first, and the sound is muted but it's there, and not knowing the source she feels fear creep into the edges of her mind. Was she hearing things again?

Just as she's about to call attention from the ghouls she knew were out patrolling, a form breaks through the surface of the water, turning to lay and float on their back. With its appearance the song grows louder, laced with something that soothes the witch as she listens.

"Eyes, blue as the sea and the sky,
Water flows, Water flows.
Heart, burning like fire in the night,
Gently as she goes…."


Annie sets the basket down, walking to the water's edge until she feels it gently lap at her toes as she stares out at the shape. It seems familiar, like she knows this person. It's then she sees a pair of short horn looking structures sprouting from their forehead that she realizes it's a ghoul. Rain was the only other ghoul that of Water that had access to this garden and this voice and form didn't match his tall lanky one, so she knew this had to be Mysti.

The ghoulette starts vocalizing, her voice somehow splitting into different tones, all laced together and overlapping and she feels her eyes unfocus as the sound pulls at her, begging, pleading her to follow it out into the water. She goes willingly.

"La, la la la la la la.
La la la, la la la.
La, la la la la la la!"

Only when the water is to her knees does a spark of fear surge through her, pulling her from the trance as she stumbles back, splashing down onto her ass as she slips on a slick rock before scrambling back to shore. The sound is enough to alert the ghoulette and she rightens up, looking at the disturbance before diving under the surface. Annie looks for her, panting lightly as she sits on the bank. She's about to push herself to her feet when suddenly Mysti peeks up from the water a few feet from her, scaring her at the suddenness and she falls back once more.

"Miss Annie?" The ghoulette sounds fearful, worry laced in her wide eyes. The witch notices her glamour is back in place as she looks over her human features.

"H..hi Mysti."

"What are you doing here? You.. you heard, didn't you?"

Annie nods and sits up, relaxed. "I did. It sounded beautiful."

She wasn't sure if it was tears or water rolling down her face, but she did see Mysti's lip tremble as she shook her head.

"That could've been bad. You could've…I could've…" she shakes her head again and turns to dive back into the water but Annie lunges out to grab her arm, stopping her.

"Mysti, wait. What's wrong?"

The ghoulette looks back at Annie with worry deep in her blue eyes, opening and closing her mouth several times before heaving a soft sigh. "I…I have a power I can't control. It's… it's extremely rare. Even for water ghouls."

Annie looks at her, waiting for her to continue.

"I.." Mysti sighs again and sits cross legged in the water, rubbing a hand over her smooth head as she looks away. "It's called 'Syren Song'. It…it ensnares the listener, beacons them to follow it as though in a trance. Since water ghouls, you know, basically live in water when we can, it means that the listener generally ends up…. ends up drowning. I can't control it when I sing."

"That's why you've never joined in with the others? Why you didn't sing at the bonfire we had?" Annie asks, sitting forward to fold her arms on her bent knees. The ghoulette nods slowly, still avoiding looking at her friend.

"Yeah… It doesn’t matter what song I sing. It works just the same."

"I know what it's like, to be scared of powers you can't quite control," Annie says after a while. "They're part of you, but also foreign."

"I just don't want to hurt anyone like I almost hurt you just now." Mysti looks over at Annie, her face scrunching with confusion. "How did you break free, anyway?"

"Fear. I haven't been in this lake since…since that day I don't remember. When the water went over my knees I felt fear and it snapped me out of the trance."

"I'm glad you got scared, then. I wouldn't have even known you were there had you not splashed about." Mysti chews on her lip for a minute, looking away as she thinks before slowly turning back. "Miss Annie?"

"Yes Mysti? And you know just Annie is fine."

"Can you…not tell anyone about this? Especially the Cardinal. I…I like being with you every day and I don't want to get reassigned because I almost hurt you."

Annie smiles warmly at the small ghoulette before leaning over to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "Mysti, you've kept my secret. I can keep yours."

The ghoulette launches herself at Annie, wrapping her arms around her tightly, hands clutching the back of her dress before she gasps, realizing where her hands were and she pulls back.

"I'm sorry!  I know you don't…I didn't…I'm sorry I touched your back!"

Annie laughs softly and tugs Mysti back into her arms, hugging her tightly. "It's okay Mysti. I know you won't hurt me. Hug me, as tight as you need to."

She hesitates a moment before wrapping her arms around her friend, hugging her close once more. "Thank you, Annie."

Annie strokes a hand over her head, holding her in a comforting almost motherly way. "You never have to thank me, hun. I can try to help you with your powers, if you'd like? You know I've helped others."

Mysti nods, giving a soft chirping purr as she nuzzles her shoulder. "I'd like that."

"We'll start after the solstice."

Mysti pulls back and beams brightly at her.  "Thank you, Annie.  I can't wait!"

Annie laughs softly, dragging herself up to her feet, water dripping and running off her clothes and down her legs. "I'd stay and swim with you but it's a bit chilly and I've got a warm Cardinal waiting for me."

"Oooh I bet you do," the ghoulette giggles with a suggestive wink that makes the witch blush.

"Not what I mean and you know it. I'll lock the gate when I go. Just be careful, yeah? And try to get some sleep."

"Will do, Boss Lady!"

The ghoulette waves before disappearing back under the water, chirping and humming happily, a weight feeling like it's been lifted from her shoulders.