Humbly requesting some adorable Cardinal Copia fluff with reader feeling stressed out & emotionally overwhelmed with work and life so he comforts them and does his best to cheer them up ๐ฅบ๐๐ป๐๐ป
ilysm pookie (whenever u have free time for writing, no rush, just wanted to leave this here โก)
The day had frayed every last one of your nerves. By the time you finally closed your laptop, every thought felt too loud, every responsibility too heavy. You sank onto the edge of the bed and covered your face with your hands, trying to steady your breath as the weight of work, expectations, and life itself pressed down on you.
You didnโt even hear the soft knock on your door; only the gentle creak as it opened.
โTesoro?โ His familiar gravelly voice drifted in, warm and cautious. โAre youโฆ ehmโฆ busy?โ
You shook your head without looking up. You felt Copia approach, the faint scent of his cologne settling around you. A moment later, a gloved hand rested lightly on your shoulder.
โHeyโฆ look at me, si?โ he murmured.
When you finally lifted your gaze, his mismatched eyes softened instantly. He didnโt ask what was wrong. He didnโt need to. He simply sat beside you, close enough that your shoulders touched, and let the silence settle.
โYou seemโฆ overwhelmed,โ he said gently. โLike your little heart is carrying too much at once.โ
Just hearing it acknowledged made something in you crack. You nodded, and your breath hitched. Copia let out a soft sound, half sigh, half coo, and opened his arms in quiet invitation.
He wrapped you up carefully, as though you were made of glass. His coat rustled as he held you against his chest, one hand smoothing up and down your back in slow, soothing motions. He rocked you ever so slightly, humming under his breath, as if the melody is trying to mend something precious.
โIt is all right to feel like this,โ he whispered against your hair. โDonโt turn your pain into punishment. Youโre doing the best you can in a world that hasnโt always been gentle with you.โ
You let out a shaky laugh. โYou always know exactly what to say.โ
He pulled back just enough to look at you, his expression brightening with a proud, thinly-mustached grin. โOf course I do. I am very wise, you know. I have lived many years. I have read many...erm...self-help pamphlets.โ
The unexpected joke startled a genuine laugh out of you. Copia beamed as if heโd won an award.
โAh! There it is. Your beautiful smile.โ He tapped your nose lightly. โMuch better.โ
You felt some of the heaviness lift, just a little. Enough to breathe again.
Copia shifted, cupping your cheek with surprising gentleness. โYou do not have to face everything alone, cara mia. If things are too much, you tell me. I listen, and I hold you." He leaned in closer to your ear, whispering, "I will even make you a hot chocolate...my secret recipe.โ
โDoesnโt your secret recipe just mean adding too much sugar?โ you teased.
He gasped dramatically. โHow dare you. It is perfectly measured sweetness. You simply have no appreciation for the finer things.โ
You leaned into him again, warmth blooming in your chest. โThank you, Copia. Really.โ
He pressed a soft kiss to your temple. โAlways. I am here. And I am not going anywhere.โ
And in his arms, for the first time all day, you believed it. โค๏ธ
