#batpetua

As you watch him, a lot of the quirks and foibles Perpetua displays in his more human form begin to make sense. He's stubborn, particular, and so endearingly impish; traits that seem to hold fast between each form he takes.

You reach into the pile to retrieve a sturdy looking twig before laying it atop Perpetua's new nest for him to arrange, only to watch in bewilderment as the tiny creature takes the new adornment into its mouth and proceeds to throw it onto the floor.

"What's wrong with that one?"

The bat blinks at you with mismatched eyes, its creatural face somehow taking after Perpetua's own when he lowers his head, bottom lip extending out as his eyes blaze Hell's coldest fire.

"I didn't know bats could pout." you tease, raising your eyebrows at the creature as its nose twitches petulantly. "Well, I think we have enough now, anyway."

You reach down to scoop up the little bat and tuck him beneath the shoulder of your jacket, at the same time retrieving the nest you've weaved into being together and begin to head back to your chamber.

Just as you enter the main building, the familiar scent of myrrh and damp stone invading your nose, you walk straight into the recently appointed head of the clergy, Copia.

"Frater!" you cry, pressing your hands together as you stumble backwards. "I'm so sorry,"

"No, forgive me!" Copia apologises, raking a gloved hand through his greying, tawny hair as leans in to lower his voice, his masked concern for his twin a confession all of its own. "You haven't seen my brother, have you?"

You swallow hard, attempting to feign innocence as you can feel the creature lick at the flushing skin of your neck to soothe it. "No, I haven't."

"He's probably off, being weird, getting stuck behind some door or something, right?"

"Oh," you scoff, nodding in fervent agreement. "I'm sure."

You feel the sharp pricks of little pin teeth nipping at you, tiny leathered wings twitching in anger against your skin as you try not to wince too overtly.

"I don't mean to cut this short, Frater, but I'm in a bit of a rush,"

"Oh! No worries," Copia bows, clasping his hands together. "I'll see you around, eh?"

You hurriedly continue down the opulent hallway, breathlessly turning to Perpetua as soon as Copia is long out of earshot.

"He's always asking about you," you murmur to the protuberance in your clothing, the faintest purr beginning to emanate from it as you chuckle.

You soon arrive back, nestling your creation in the space between your window and the wrought iron bars protecting the lower section of it, watching as the bat slowly spins around in the nest, clawing at the membrane of twigs beneath him as he nests, finally allowing himself to curl up before looking at you with sparkling, beaded eyes, and your shoulders relax knowing the operation has been a success.

"Okay?" you coo, reaching down to stroke the raven fur covering its head as its eyes begin to close, nuzzling into your palm. "I should be heading to bed, too, but I'll be right here. Just on the other side of the window, all right?"

You step back, securing the sash on the window so it will remain open a crack in case your new roommate should need anything in the night.

"Good night, Papa,"

The bat answers in a series of muffled chirps, and you can only assume he's wishing you the very same before you disappear inside the room, a strange but welcome sense of comfort overcoming you to know that your Papa is safely bundled up only feet away.

A hot bath is in order, you decide, and the chill taking root in your bones from sitting outside in the rain all day dissolves beneath the lavender-scented bubbles for a generous hour before you retire to bed, the tiniest snore barely audible from the crack in the window as you grapple with that swell in your heart once again.

You toss and turn all night, the ghost of a tickling fur rousing you but not disturbing you so much as to wake you, and you don't notice the shift of weight behind you, the crumpling of sheets, the clandestine transformation taking place behind you.

Just as birdsong calls in a new day at the ministry, you open your eyes to see a familiar arm draping over your waist, sable curls tickling the back of your neck as you stir and turn to see the serene, seraphic face of your Papa lost in peaceful repose, laid out beside you as though the soft confines of your humble single bed broke his fated fall from the Heavens above.

"We're going to need a bigger nest if it's going to be like this," you whisper, reaching up to run your fingers along the porcelain terrene of his cheek, the first blossom of dark stubble grazing your skin as you smile warmly.

"Something tells me we could build one together," Perpetua murmurs, startling you as his husky voice resounds low and heavy from a deep sleep. "I owe you, don't I?"

You turn around again, lest he notice how you're blushing, allowing yourself to relax into his firm chest as he pulls you close, his fingertips brushing over your stomach as he hums softly.