#natalie sinclair

She’s no longer watching the screen where newly minted Papa V Perpetua performs his newest single but instead her muscles tense. Judith, who has been dutifully standing at Copia’s side, looks to Natalie like a startled deer for direction. Subtly, Natalie jerks her head towards the door with a sympathetic nod and the new assistant scuttles out gratefully.

“Fucking V,” Copia hisses, “shut this shit off.”

Natalie does so but the tone of his voice makes her hackles raise. He prowls over to his desk and plants his fist in the mahogany with a sharp thud that makes Natalie start.

“Did you see that?” he growls, spinning to face her, “He stole my whole look - the jacket, the bat wings, even took my fucking ghouls.”

“I think,” Natalie begins carefully, “that in this case imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. He wants to be like you, my love. He looks up to you.”

He clenches his jaw and she prepares herself for what’s about to come out of her mouth.

“You’d know that if you chose to spend any time with him.”

Copia stares at her and she looks back at him, breathing steadily though her heart is pounding in her chest. When a sickening sneer curls his lips her stomach drops.

“Oh, like you have been doing?” 

She knows where this is going but she’s not going to rise to his implication.

“Yes, like I have been doing. Like Primo and Secondo and Terzo have been doing. Like you should be doing as leader of this Ministry, as his broth–”

“Just because we shared a womb doesn’t mean we have anything in common.”

“I think you’d be surprised,” she says patiently.

“What, see in him what you used to see in me?” he croons, cruel.

“I–what? Copia what the fuck does that even mean?”

“Is it a power thing for you, amore?” The endearment makes her stomach turn. “Someone strong and influential for you to cling to because it makes you feel meaningful?”

Natalie’s hand twitches at her side.

“That is an extremely unkind thing to say, Copia,” and she hates the way her voice trembles, “and not only is it unkind it doesn’t make any fucking sense. So if you’re going to insult me with some kind of jealous venom at least do it right.”

He lets out a laugh - too loud and false - and it makes anger bubble in Natalie’s gut.

“You know what I’ve kept silent on this for way too long,” she spits, “but watching you turn into this hateful, bitter old man is making me fucking sick. Your brother wants nothing more than to be like you, to succeed like you, and you’ve somehow twisted this into, what, an excuse to lash out at everyone? At me? I have been by your side long before the papacy was even a fucking twinkle in your eye, I have only ever wanted what’s best for you.”

Copia scoffs.

“If I was so successful then why the fuck did they take the Ghost project away from me?”

“You’re joking right? You’re upset that they…gave you a promotion? Copia they didn’t take anything from you, if anything they’re rewarding you for all your hard work–”

“All my hard work,” he growls, spinning away to face the window, “didn’t win a single fucking Grammy which I know Terzo thinks is–”

“Yeah speaking about what Terzo thinks,” Natalie loudly interjects, “why don’t you ask him what it was like being replaced by you? At least you were given a graceful exit and you weren’t fucking dragged off stage–”

“Oh yes, poor Terzo has suffered so much–”

“Is that what you want, Copia? My pity? To say that you’re right and you’ve been dealt a shitty hand and your twin - who has done nothing to warrant this ire by the way - doesn’t deserve to be Papa? This is fucking ridiculous, you should be showing Perpetua the ropes not fucking shoving him against them! This isn’t–”

“Isn’t what, Natalia?” he says, voice deadly quiet and wholly that of the Antichrist.

“This isn’t the man I fell in love with,” she says, digging her nails into her palm to keep from crying. “I don’t know who this man is but you know what? If I could go back in time I’d fucking beg Sister Imperator to never give you the Ghost project in the first place.”

“While you’re at it perhaps go back even further in time so you can turn down that job offer and we wouldn’t even be having this discussion to begin with.”

The silence is deafening. Natalie’s lip quivers.

“You do not wear cruelty well, Copia Emeritus, but it doesn’t make it any less effective. Sleep here tonight. This conversation is over.”

She knows he immediately regrets his words from the way his mouth falls open and he takes a slight step towards her but she’s already turned on her heel and leaving the room. When she shuts the door behind her with a quiet snap, Judith looks up from her desk. Natalie can’t bear to make eye contact and instead mechanically walks out. She doesn’t know where to go - doesn’t want to return to their shared quarters and be reminded of him right now so she takes out her phone and with a shaking finger dials Lydia’s number.

___

Several days pass, and Copia doesn’t see Natalie once. He dares not return to their rooms after his shameful display. He knows she deserves an apology but his old self-sabotaging ways rear their ugly head again and instead he remains slumped on the makeshift bed on his office couch. He doesn’t hear the door open and see a figure step inside.

“Hello, Frater.”

Copia’s head shoots up and meets the mirrored mismatched stare of his twin. He stands respectfully in the doorway, blinking at him and Copia glares back. When it becomes apparent that he’s not going to take the hint and fuck off, Copia waves him over. His footfalls are quiet as he approaches the broken man hunched in on himself and takes a seat a couple feet away from him. Copia wants to say something vitriolic but when he opens his mouth the image of Natalie’s tearful face floats into his mind. Instead all that comes out of him is a ragged sob as he hangs his head between his knees.

“She’s wonderful, your wife. My sister-in-law. Kind, and smart, a-and pretty. You’re so lucky.”

Copia makes a wet noise.

“I was lucky,” Copia whispers, “now I’m just an old fool on an old couch who ruined the only good thing that ever happened to him.”

“Have you tried apologizing?”

Copia scoffs.

“She won’t accept it. She shouldn’t accept it. Sathanas, I hope this was the final straw for her. That she finally sees what a waste of time I’ve been.”

“Ingrate.”

Copia’s head shoots up.

“What did you say?”

“I said you’re a f-fucking ingrate,” Perpetua stutters on the curse, still unused to such language. “What other kind of man could so willingly throw away such a gift? She’s been rooting for you since day one of her time here at the abbey and you think she deserves to be pushed away for all the work and love and dedication she’s put into your relationship?”

Copia should be furious at these accusations by a man he barely respects but…he’s right. He’s right and oh Sathanas, he’s been so cruel to her - so cruel to him - and with a sob he slides off the cushion and onto his knees.

“I’m so sorry,” he breathes, “b-brother I–how could I have been so stupid?”

“It’s not too late. Go to her. Tell her–”

Copia doesn’t hear what Perpetua is going to recommend he tells her because the door to his office slams open with such force it bounces off the wall. Copia shoots up and rocketing towards him is a tall, broad, curly haired blur with a snarl on her lips. The last thing Frater Imperator hears is Natalie’s voice shrieking “not the nose!” before Lydia’s fist makes contact with his jaw and knocks him clean the fuck out. 

When he comes to, he’s on the rug in his office with his head propped up on something warm. His vision swims but slowly, the upside down face of his wife comes into focus above him. She’s smiling down at him, Sathanas how he missed it, and her thumbs are on either side of his face, gently stroking his sideburns.

“Told you if you ever hurt her I’d hurt you, you old fuck.”

Copia tries to sit up but Natalie’s hands are on his shoulders easing him back down into her lap. Lydia Morales glowers at him from an armchair while Perpetua sits across from her looking petrified at what he just witnessed.

“Thank you for the reminder, Lydia,” Copia slurs, once again tilting his head back to look at the face of the woman above him. “Sathanas, you’re beautiful. I don’t tell you nearly enough.”

Natalie chuckles.

“You tell me plenty, but it’s always nice to hear. Would you two…?”

“Mind fucking off?” Lydia supplies rising from her seat. She makes a joking lunge at Copia and laughs when he flinches. “Maybe V here can introduce me to that cute little thing who sits at the desk outside, huh?”

Natalie shakes her head. Typical. Only once the door shuts behind the pair does she let Copia sit up.

“Hi,” Natalie murmurs.

“Eh, hi.”

A beat passes when both of them open their mouths and start to speak at the same time.

“Amore, I should have never taken my frustration out on you–”

“Beloved, I’m so sorry I wasn’t more supportive about–”

They stop and Natalie lets out a giggle.

“It is such a relief to hear your laugh, Natalia mia,” Copia whispers, scooting closer towards her on the rug and taking her hands in his. “I was so stupid, so fucking careless.”

“Yeah, you were,” she says plainly and he winces. Her hand reaches up to cup his cheek and she looks at him with watery, fond eyes.

“I miss you, Your Eminence.”

Copia never thought that five words could punch him harder than Lydia just did but he lets out a whimper.

“I don’t think I can do this job,” he admits out loud for the first time. “I don’t know what she saw in me that made her think I could. When I was Papa - hell even when I was Cardinal - I knew what was expected of me. This, though? I have no fucking clue.”

“I think,” Natalie says carefully, “she wanted you to have this job for a reason. Just like she wanted you to be Papa for a reason. You have so much to give, Copia Emeritus, and I am here to support you. Tell me whose ass to kick and I’ll do it. Or, y’know, I’ll send Lydia to do it because I can’t swing for shit.”

Copia lets out a damp laugh. 

“She’s probably charming the hell out of Judith out there,” he chortles.

“Uh-huh, and traumatizing Perpetua.”

“It’s good for him,” Copia says with a smile, “Builds character.”

“You know I think Terzo still doesn’t know she’s a lesbian.”

“How? It’s been years?”

“One thing about me and Lydia,” Natalie says, rising to her feet with a grunt, “we’ll do anything for the bit.”

Copia hauls himself up and stands beside her.

“Is that what our marriage is? A bit?”

“No, beloved, our marriage is a farce. A sham. A hint of tomfoolery, if you will.”

Copia laughs, loud and true as he places his gloved hands on either side of her face and presses their foreheads together.

“I love you, Natalia Rosalinda,” Copia says, “Never doubt that.”

“And I, you, Copia. Or should I say Cardinal Copia. Or Papa Emeritus IV, or Frat–”

The rest of her idiotic joke is cut off when Copia places a firm kiss to her lips and wraps an arm around the small of her back to drag her closer. When they finally separate she smiles up at him dopily.

“Just as good as the first time under the mistletoe,” she murmurs. He pulls her in to rest his chin on the top of her head.

“For the record, I am impossibly grateful that you didn’t run screaming from the building the day of your interview. You probably should have.”

“If I had any doubts, all Sister Imperator had to say was ‘oh by the way you’re going to find the love of your life here who also happens to be the Antichrist who is also great with his tongue’.”

Copia frowns.

“That would have been a deeply, deeply bizarre thing for her to say about her son.”

“Agreed,” Natalie nods as they walk out, “but it definitely would have worked.”

“What in the hell did you see in that odd little Cardinal?”

“First of all, you say that as if you’re not still ‘that odd little Cardinal’, second of all I love a fruity little mustache.”

Watches her beloved smile and gesture at the big ghoul, a pretty flush high on his cheeks. She watches Aether return the grin, clearly pleased that he’s garnered the positive attention of his Cardinal. He looks at Copia the same way he’s been looking at her: besotted, admiring.

Lustful.

Copia’s upcoming fiftieth birthday weighs heavy on Natalie’s mind as she struggles to come up with a suitably grand present for such a milestone. She knows he expects nothing of her but she’s determined to make this a special celebration.

Hence, the way her gaze darts between him and his quintessence ghoul.

It’s a daring plan - certainly nothing she would have ever considered before her relationship with Copia - but her love has emboldened her, pushed her to pursue her desires. And what she desires is both of them. She has the affection of his ghoulettes, true, but such love has only made her greedy. She has no desire to be unfaithful to Copia - the thought sickens her - but after Cirrus makes her aware of Aether’s infatuation, she has given it much thought. 

And so she watches.

And waits.

It needs to be a surprise, this dalliance - more than anything she wants to relish the look on Copia’s face when it dawns on him what she has masterminded. She knows she’s getting ahead of herself but every time Aether looks between her and the Cardinal with lovelorn eyes she nearly bursts into delighted laughter. Natalie knows she’s going to offer him something he will be entirely unable to refuse. And how could he? The prince of hell and his mistress, welcoming him into their bed (and hearts) as they have his ghoulette counterparts? The thought makes Natalie giddy as she lies in wait outside the practice room where she knows Aether is currently located, perfecting his craft. She leans up against the limestone wall opposite the door, tipping her head back to admire the intricately carved stone ceiling. She’s worn a sheer blouse tucked into a dark blue pencil skirt today and she rocks back and forth on the balls of her feet, encased in sensible little brown pumps. Tick tock, Natalie thinks, examining her fresh manicure. Letting out a sharp exhale of breath, she falls backwards onto her heels just as the door opens. Her full lips are schooled into a sweet smile and when Aether exits the room and sees her, she nearly lets out an inelegant guffaw at his face.

“L-Lady Sinclair! What are you doing here?”

It’s cute how panicked he sounds. She doesn’t advance on him yet, remaining at her post against the wall with her hands folded across her stomach.

“I’d like to talk to you, Aether,” she murmurs, “and please, call me Natalie. Lady Sinclair is my…well I suppose I can’t rightly say my mother has ever been called that.”

He lets out a laugh that’s much too loud and rubs the back of his neck with a large hand.

“What…what did you want to talk about?”

“C’mon,” she says, gesturing for him to follow her down the hall, “I know a place.”

As the two of them walk side by side, Natalie can feel the anxiety coming off Aether in waves and in truth, she feels bad. She knows all too well what that’s like.

“You’re not in trouble, Aether,” she says softly, leading him into an empty courtyard, “I just have something I want to ask you. Well, several somethings actually.”

Natalie sits down on a curved marble bench next to a butterfly bush that’s a riot of color. Spring is in full bloom at the abbey and she’s surprised that the beautiful space hasn’t been already occupied for a late afternoon dalliance. It was fate, she supposes. Aether carefully lowers himself next to her at a respectable distance, though when his knee brushes hers he almost launches into the air.

“Now Aether,” Natalie says, trying her best not to let a sinister grin curl her lips in anticipation of her next words, “I know you want to fuck me.”

Aether doubles over with a shocked wheeze.

“Lady–Nat–Lady Sinclair! I-I don’t know where you got such an idea but I’ve never intimated, n-never even dreamed–”

“Cirrus and Cumulus told me,” she says with a smile, “And y’know. I have eyes.”

His protestations end in a pathetic whimper as he dodges her gaze.

“More’s the point, I know you want to fuck the Cardinal, too.”

He looks as if he wants nothing more than to melt into the grass below their feet.

“N-No,” he whispers, “The two of you are too speci–important. I would never.”

“Aether,” Natalie says quietly, “I told you you’re not in trouble, remember? Quite the contrary. I was wondering if you would consent to joining the two of us for a special birthday surprise for Copia. Would you like that? Would you like–” Natalie leans forward and draws the pad of her forefinger along the inside of his knee, which makes him look like he’s about to pass out, “--would you like to have both of us? To share me with the Cardinal? And share the Cardinal with me?”

“Yes,” Aether whispers, too fast, his broad chest heaving with each ragged breath, “yes I want that. Sathanas, I want it so bad–have wanted it so bad–”

“Then I’m yours,” Natalie says simply, pressing the full weight of her small palm into his kneecap, “we both are. I see the way he looks at you and I know he wants this. And what better way to help him celebrate an important birthday than to let him fulfill his desires?”

The rumbling purrs coming from Aether’s chest as Natalie massages the inside of his thigh with her thumb are delightful to her ears.

“I would be honored, Lady Natalie,” the ghoul murmurs, flexing his hips upwards almost imperceptibly. The motion has the breath catching in Natalie’s throat and her cheeks flooding with red.

“R-Right. I…mmm.”

Aether looks at her so intensely all successive thoughts are driven right from her head and she feels like a blushing virgin again. When she lets out a little self-deprecating giggle, Aether smiles wide to bare his sharp teeth.

“I should get back to my work,” she finally says, rising abruptly. He does the same, albeit slower - slow enough that as he straightens she becomes increasingly aware of how much bigger he is than her. His hands are folded behind his back and he blinks down at her. When she opens her mouth to speak, nothing comes out.

“You were going to get back to your work…?” Aether says, charmingly. Helpfully. 

“Yes! Yes I am, thank…thank you,” she sticks her hand out as if asking for a handshake before slamming it back down at her side, mortified. With one last tight smile she turns to leave. Once her back is to Aether, she tries to move but a large hand is gently placed on her shoulder. A beat passes before she feels the ghoul lean down to ear level.

“You’re very pretty when you blush.”

Her knees almost collapse out from underneath her and she briefly entertains the notion of dramatically crumpling to the ground just so she can be carried to the infirmary by the big ghoul. He relinquishes her seconds later and she’s forced to remember how to walk as she stiffly exits the courtyard. She doesn’t dare look back over her shoulder.

—

“There’s nothing I can do to convince you not to go in today, huh?”

Copia’s standing in front of the bedroom mirror, buttoning up his red cassock with a soft smile. 

“Eh, it’s just another day, amore mio.”

Natalie scoffs from her spot tangled in their sheets.

“Just another day? It’s not every day you turn fifty,” she says, rising to her knees and gesturing for him to come to her. Dutifully, he walks to the edge of the bed until his knees bump the mattress and she winds her arms around his neck.

“I’m so proud of you,” she murmurs.

“For turning fifty?” he replies, earning himself a smack on the chest and an eyeroll.

“Fucking smartass. No, Copia, for everything you have done and will ever do.”

She’s not sure if it’s a trick of the dim light, but his eyes look a little misty.

“I love you,” he whispers. “I love you and I hate you for making me fuck up my paints, goddammit I should have been out of here five minutes ago.”

“Hmm,” she says thoughtfully, her thumbs swiping the black tears off his cheeks, “I’d hardly call that fucking them up. Though if you’re inclined, I could really fuck them up.” She’s grinning with all her teeth now as she lifts up the hem of her sleep chemise, brings it over her head and tosses it to the floor where it lands with a whisper.

“Temptress,” he growls, grabbing her wrists, “Lilith incarnate. You would have me be late to my own meeting then?”

“Mmm, mmhmm,” she says with a grin, lowering herself back onto the mattress and dragging Copia on top of her. “I need to get you in the mood for your birthday present.”

“Ehehe,” he laughs as he settles between her legs, “you mean this isn’t my birthday present?”

“It’s p-part of it–” she lets out a gasp as he drags his tongue along the side of her neck, “—but the rest is a surprise.”

He makes a grunt of interest from where he mouths at her collarbone. When he drags his lips down her chest, leaving a smear of black paint in his wake, the look in his eyes is positively devious. It makes Natalie’s cunt throb.

“How was there ever any doubt that you’re the fucking Antichrist,” she laughs, delirious as his lips wrap around her nipple and he sucks. She could have him do this forever, in fact she has before, but she knows he’s pressed for time. When she attempts to drag him back up to face her he lets out a noise of protestation.

“M-My love, I’m only trying to make sure we get to the main event–”

“Perhaps this is my main event, diavoletta mia,” he says, long nose nuzzling her breast playfully. She giggles.

“You want to be late to your own meeting just so you can suck on my titty for an indeterminate amount of time?”

“It is my birthday,” he smiles, “and this is much more enjoyable than a quarterly budget discussion.”

“Oh, well,” she says, flopping her head back down onto the pillow, “by all means, carry on then. But you’re going to make a mess in your trousers. Again.”

“I’m counting on it, Natalia mia,” he growls, and the rush of slick that comes out of her as she watches him steadily hump the mattress has her mouth hanging open, “so you just enjoy the show while I eh, relish in my birthday gift.”

She props her arm up behind her head to give her a better view as he returns to dragging his lips along her stiffened nipple.

“Whose birthday is it again?” she moans, watching her beloved take from her with teeth and tongue.

“Mine,” he says emphatically, as he gazes up at her darkly while his hips grind into the duvet.

“Yours,” Natalie breathes, her fingers ghosting along the strands of hair that have fallen loose from his pomade. 

“All yours.”

—--

By the time Copia’s finished with her and he scuttles out the door (after a change of trousers) looking exceptionally smug, Natalie is a flushed, limp mess. She’s surprised Copia didn’t question the fact that she would also be late, unless he somehow found out she took the day off. Perhaps she had distracted him so thoroughly it wouldn’t dawn on him until he was halfway through his dreaded meeting, thinking about the purple marks he left peppered over her breasts. Her mouth stretches into a lazy grin imagining the way his eyes would get big and he’d have to adjust himself in his fresh trousers.

Delicious.

She should get up, start preparing for the big event but the covers are so warm and her body so pliant she can’t help but melt a little into the silk pillowcase. Idly, her hand drifts along the dips and swells of her body, thinking about how he stared at her with his jaw hung open as he reached his peak with a low whine. 

Fuck, she wishes he had taken the day off.

With a sigh she looks up at the dark red canopy above her. She could afford a few more hours of sleep, right? Aether had his marching orders and knew when to arrive so she could arrange him artfully and she had the perfect outfit. Well, if you could call what she had in mind an outfit, that is. Chuckling deviously, she reaches down to the foot of the bed and pulls the plush blanket on top of her before nestling in.

Copia had no idea what was going to hit him.

—---

As the hours pass, Natalie’s excitement begins to waver a little as anxiety settles in the pit of her stomach. What if she had been misreading the vibes and Copia didn’t want this at all? What if she had invited someone into their bed who Copia believed had no business being there? It was one thing with her and the ghoulettes but would Copia balk at her being fucked by another man? She sits on the couch clutching a throw pillow, listening to the rats in the cage behind her scurry around.

What if she’s about to ruin the whole goddamn relationship?

She has to tell someone, has to get this shit off her chest before it settles into her heart and festers. Grabbing her phone she opens her texts.

Hey ‘Lus

A moment passes.

Hey my sweet, what’s up?

Natalie chews on her bottom lip. One of the girls lets out a quiet squeak.

Hey so…I may have fucked up. I need your advice.

Is it about Copia?

Yeah. Copia and Aether.

This is stupid, she tells herself, you should have kept this shit to yourself.

Ah, you’re referring to how you propositioned him?

Natalie lets out a squawk.

What the fuck, he told you??

She can practically hear Cumulus’ warm, melodic laughter as she watches the text bubble on the screen.

Beloved, of course he told us. He wanted to make sure he wasn’t stepping on our toes. Sweet, really, when you consider the torture that Cir put him through.

What do you mean?

Ah, well. You know that pretty little toy we like to use on you? The nice, long, thick one?

Natalie’s mouth runs dry. Yeah. She knows.

After one of our hmm…rendezvouses…she brought it back to the den and uh. Left it on his pillow.

God.

We didn’t see him for days after that until Mountain went to check on him and found him slumped over on his knees, dick in one hand, the toy in the other. The smell of you had pushed him into his rut and it was all we could do to coax him off the floor and into the shower. Cir felt so bad she never teased him about you again.

Wow. I…wow.

So if you’re wondering if he wants you, yeah, he fucking wants you. He’s just too sweet to ask for what he wants like we did.

Did he…say anything about Copia?

A couple minutes pass.

Are you talking about the massive crush he has on the Cardinal?

Yeah. And how I set up a birthday surprise tonight for Copia when he comes back to our quarters and finds uh…Aether and I in bed waiting for him.

Unholy fuck, are you trying to kill the man?

Despite Natalie’s anxiety, a snort of laughter still leaves her.

So you think he’d like this? I’m sitting here agonizing wondering if I’ve misread the vibes between the two of them.

Oh honey. You should see the way they dance around one another during rehearsals. I think all three of you are going to have a marvelous time.

Thank you, Cumulus.

Of course, sweetheart. And next time, invite us too huh? We could put on a real show for the boys.

Natalie’s vision goes a little spotty. Now there’s a thought. The relief that floods her veins is practically palpable as she chucks her phone down on the cushion next to her. Since her anxiety has vanished she is back to feeling ridiculously aroused by the potential of tonight. She’s got a couple hours until Aether shows and her gaze drifts towards the bed.

Wouldn’t hurt to get warmed up, huh?

—-

Natalie frets at the ribbons holding up her white silk stockings, adjusting the way they dimple her pale thighs. It’s a simple look - nothing else to distract the eye from her ah, attributes - but she can’t wait to see Copia’s reaction to it. And Aether’s, of course, though after what Cumulus told her earlier she’s worried she might actually kill the ghoul. She loosens her dark curls from their spot piled atop her head and tugs at the strands artfully before grabbing her robe and slipping it on. She’s about to finish off the knot at her waist when she hears a tentative knock at the door. Biting her lip to hide her smile she walks over and opens it. The broad shouldered ghoul stands there looking ridiculously bashful for what is about to unfold.

“Uh, hi.”

Natalie smiles at him and gestures for him to enter the room.

“Hey, Aether, right on time. C’mon.”

She pads past the couch and into the open door of the bedroom. Aether follows, looking curious until the moment he passes the threshold. Then he doubles over as if he’s been punched.

“Aether? What’s wrong?”

He plants a large hand on the door frame.

“S-Smell.”

“What like…like a bad smell?”

He looks toward the ceiling and lets out a simultaneously amused and pained wheeze.

“No,” he pants, tongue darting out to lick his lips. “Smells like you.”

“Oh. Oh. You mean–”

“Yeah. You’ve been busy today, haven’t you?”

Natalie chuckles.

“I’d tell you all about it but I don’t know if you’d survive it. Not after what I’m about to do to you.”

Aether’s eyes widen in fear.

“What do you mean?”

Natalie shouldn’t take so much vicious delight in this. In the way he looks at her as she loosens the belt of her robe and lets it fall to the rug. She blinks up at him coyly once, twice, and doesn’t  have an opportunity to do it a third time because in a flash he closes the distance and pins her to the bed. The act knocks the breath from Natalie’s lungs as he grips her wrists.

“Little tease,” he growls, and the gush of wetness that comes out of her at the sound is embarrassing, “You think I don’t know what you do to the Cardinal? The madness you inspire in him?” He leans down and inhales deep at the juncture of her neck and shoulder and not for the first time with the ghouls, she feels like a helpless prey animal.

And the feeling thrills her.

“Can’t get started without him, can we?” she breathes, “You wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise by him coming in here to find you fucking me into the mattress without him, right?”

The ferocity in Aether’s gaze falters and Natalie knows the ball is back in her court. His grip on her wrists loosens enough to where she can extract a hand and run her fingers down the side of his face. All of a sudden the beast is rendered a domesticated creature, though as he slowly pulls off her she hopes that ghoul isn’t all gone. She props herself up on her elbows and his eyes dart over her bare body.

“You can look, big boy, but no touching until I say. Or until the Cardinal says. Now you’ve got to get ready, so–” she gestures to his black shirt and trousers, “--strip. I’ve got a special treat for you afterwards.”

Natalie scoots up on the bed and lounges against the propped up pillows, a smile toying at her lips. Aether slowly begins doing as he’s commanded, his eyes on hers as he slides the suspenders off his broad shoulders and unbuttons his shirt. Without even realizing she’s doing it, her hand drifts to her breast to cup it and pinch at the taut, pink nipple. As more of Aether is revealed to her gaze, the more she feels the flush from her cheeks begin to spread across her body. When he shucks off his pants and underwear, Natalie’s mouth goes dry. He straightens and places his hands on his hips, smirking ever-so-slightly. He’s…ooh gorgeous. Chest and stomach covered in dark hair, his strength evident in the circumference of his biceps and thighs. And at the juncture of his legs…a shiver of arousal runs through Natalie. He’s not long, per se, but Sathanas, he’s thick. Thick enough that her legs begin to spread of their own accord as she imagines what he’s going to feel like inside her.

“You approve, Lady Natalie?” he says, flexing.

“Enthusiastically,” she breathes, giving him a wide smile. “Now–” she crooks her finger at him, beckoning. Watching him crawl towards her on the bed as she pulls something out from under a pillow behind her has her wishing Copia would hurry the fuck up already and finish with confession. Once they’re both on their knees, facing one another, Natalie produces the surprise from behind her back. Aether gasps so hard he hiccups as she runs a painted nail over the expensive, well-tooled dark red leather and brass hardware of the thick collar in her hands. She laughs, low and throaty, as she unfastens it.

“You like it?”

“Y-Yeah,” his voice is hoarse when he finally gets the word out, “Unholy fuck, yeah, I like it.”

“Will you be a good boy and let me put it on you?”

The pathetic little whimper that comes out of the ghoul nearly makes Natalie shriek with delight. Carefully, she wraps it around his neck and slides the end through the buckle.

“This good? I don’t want it to be too–”

“Tighter.”

The single, growled out word has her legs wobbling. She obliges him, fastening it snug around his muscular neck. Idly, her hand comes up along the side of his face to brush her fingertips along one of the horns that jut from his hairline. The simple action has him breathing heavily, clearly struggling to maintain his self-control and not pin her to the bed and take. He brings a large hand to his throat and feels along the edges of his new accessory.

“There’s a charm here,” he says, trying and failing to look down at the flat, round piece of metal attached to the collar, “What is it?”

She smiles, pulling away and returning to her nest of pillows.

“That’s a surprise for the both of you,” she says airily, “but for now you can stay kneeled there but face the door. He should be here any minute and I want him to get the perfect view.”

The seconds tick by with Natalie watching the steady breathing of the patient ghoul. When she brings her stockinged foot to brush against the generous curve of his ass, his hips flex forward again like they did the first time they discussed this whole thing. When a distinct jingling and the sound of a key in the door breaks the silence, Aether’s shoulders straighten and anticipation thrums through Natalie’s veins. Copia enters their living quarters and shuts the door behind him, tossing his keys in the dish.

“Amore?”

“In the bedroom.”

When she sees his shadow darken the doorway she realizes she’s shaking. He looks up from where he’s fussing with removing his watch and his biretta drops from his unoccupied hand.

“Surprise,” she purrs, hoping to God the slack-jawed look of shock on his face is a positive thing. “Look what I got you? Well, us.”

His mouth opens and closes several times as he shuffles towards the bed, his eyes darting from her to the ghoul at her feet. Nervous, she hops up and stands beside him, bringing him closer to Aether.

“I…I don’t understand, amore.”

Any arousal in her is replaced with cold, vicious fear.

“I–I noticed you…you and Aether…that is to say I watched the way you looked at him a-and he at you and–”

Copia brings up a gloved hand to Aether’s neck, where he takes the charm in between his fingers and peers down at it. When he realizes what it says he lets go and turns to her, and before she can whisper out a mortified apology, he’s grabbing her by the back of the neck and slamming his lips into hers. 

“Ragazza perfetta,” he growls in between nips at her lower lip, “La mia fottuta ragazza perfetta, I adore you.”

Natalie lets out a high-pitched sigh of relief as she watches the tension exit Aether’s shoulders.

“Well go on,” she says, laughing and plopping down on the edge of the bed, “show him how grateful you are too.”

Aether rises on his knees and Copia stands back for a moment, drinking him in. When Natalie sees the way his breath hitches at his hardened cock, she reclines against the pillows yet again. Raising his hand to Aether’s mouth, he glides his thumb along his lips, pushing them up to marvel at his sharp canines. When the ghoul’s tongue slithers out to lick at the leather, Natalie watches with glee as Copia’s mismatched gaze darkens. Gripping Aether’s chin, Copia bends and brushes his lips across his. It’s chaste, almost, or it would be if it weren’t for the way Aether’s cock continues to leak pre on their duvet.

“You’re making a mess,” Copia purrs, “Let’s find somewhere for you to put that, hmm?”

Aether grins, wide and cheeky, as the Cardinal turns and begins his methodical undressing routine.

“Have you touched her?” Copia asks as he unfastens the fascia from his waist.

“I–no. I mean, yes but…not how I want to. That is, if you’ll let me?”

He sets his jeweled grucifix down on the dresser and turns to the two of them.

“I think, ghoul, it has become abundantly clear how much I wish to see that. So if the lady obliges…?”

“Fuck, yes,” Natalie groans as Aether crawls towards her and nestles in between her thighs, his cock leaking on her bare belly. She looks to her beloved who watches with a filthy little smile as she tugs the ghoul closer to her face by his collar.

“How long have you wanted this?” she says, fingers threading through his loose mohawk, “Since the moment we met? Longer? When you were still Terzo’s ghoul?”

“Yes,” he says hoarsely, leaving it up to her to interpret which statement he’s referring to.

“Poor thing,” she purrs, her eyes trained over on Copia as he toes off his shoes and socks, “Cumulus told me about what Cirrus did. Cruel. Said it pushed you into your rut. Do you think I could do it again? Do you–”

Natalie doesn’t have the opportunity to further torture Aether because the ghoul in question has her pinned to the bed once more, his lips firmly slotted against hers. His kisses are generous, like Copia’s, and not lacking ferocity, like Copia’s, but there’s a sense of being devoured that is entirely new to her. The way his claws bite into her wrists as he holds her down is intoxicating - she only wishes that she was able to see how Copia is reacting to it. She doesn’t have to wonder for long when familiar fingers slip into her hair and caress her scalp. Suddenly, Aether pulls away and she’s gasping for air as he falls to the side and Copia joins them on the large bed.

“She’s beautiful like this, isn’t she Aether?” the Cardinal murmurs, bringing a warm hand to cup her breast, “Devious, delightful little thing. I’ll enjoy watching you split her open. But for now–” Copia reaches across her and pulls Aether in, “--I would like a turn.”

Watching her beloved and the ghoul lick hungrily into each other’s mouths above her has Natalie breathless as she sinks into the pillows and her hand drifts between her legs. When she parts herself she’s surprised by how slick she is already, and uses that to her benefit by gliding a manicured finger along her swollen clit. The show continues to be a delight, though Aether’s brow furrows as he’s sucking on Copia’s tongue before he pulls off with a gasp. Natalie continues to play with herself.

“Something the matter?” she asks innocently, watching Aether pant raggedly.

“Crudele,” Copia tsks, “go on amore, give him a taste.”

“As my Cardinal commands,” she murmurs, scooping up her slick with a grin. Aether’s mouth falls open as he sticks his tongue out. When she gently places her dripping finger onto the muscle, the whine that comes out of the ghoul is delicious. Greedily, he closes his mouth around the digit and sucks, his hips rocking into her side while Copia chuckles and places wet kisses to her neck.

“Amore, I think you’ve broken the poor ghoul,” he chortles, mouth working its way to her breast, “I imagine you want revenge now, hmm Aether?”

The ghoul finally relinquishes Natalie’s finger and pants into the room, nodding.

“This morning I made her come just from sucking her tits,” Copia says casually, as if they’re at a dinner party, “Do with that information what you will.”

Oh, Natalie thinks with a delighted sigh, this definitely was a good idea.

Copia has already begun lapping at one breast and Aether adjusts his position so he can slip the other into his eager mouth. Together they suck at her taut pink nipples, the bite of Aether’s fangs on the bud a lovely reminder of her previous encounters with his female counterparts. Her hands slide into their hair - one scratching gently on Copia’s scalp, the other trailing her fingers up and around Aether’s horns when deep purring begins to rumble throughout the bedroom.

“Mmm…feels so good,” she sighs, wrapping a small palm around the base and gently tugging in a suggestive motion, “You both spoil me.”

Copia chuckles, the vibration sending a wave of pleasure through Natalie’s spine. The shiver is not lost on Aether, who gently begins rutting against her hip in time with the motion of his tongue.

“You like that, big boy?” she coos at the ghoul, her lips curling into a lazy grin. Aether pulls off her with a lewd pop and stares up at her, slack jawed.

“Need her, Cardinal,” he growls, and Natalie gasps as she feels the slick gush out of her. Aether’s tail moves between her legs, the spade sliding back and forth along the inside of her knee - an echo of what she did to him several weeks ago.

“I know you do, my ghoul,” Copia responds, nodding sympathetically. “Natalia wou–”

“Not so fast,” she says imperiously, “I think the birthday boy gets first dibs. I’m perfectly content to wait if it means I get to watch you take that delicious, thick cock inside you first.”

The Cardinal gives her a look filled with such adoration all she can do is smile at him and give him a slow wink. They pull back and move to stand.

“What do you want?” Copia pants, “Anything, stelle mie.”

She laughs.

“My love, this whole thing is about what you want. So go on. Tell us what you want from him.”

Copia turns to Aether, his hand drifting absentmindedly to stroke at himself.

“Want your cock in my mouth,” the Cardinal says, breathless, “and then I want it in my ass, and I want to eat her out while you fuck me senseless.”

Natalie almost starts clapping in sheer delight.

“Sounds wonderful, now–”

“Ah, ah, ah, bellezza mia,” Copia says, and Natalie can’t help but smile at how he manages that pedantic tone while violently aroused, “I’m not finished.”

Aether cocks his head in her direction. They both give Copia their full attention.

“Then,” Copia says, eyes glittering and every bit of him the prince of Hell, “then I want to watch him fuck you, while I fuck your mouth.”

The whine that simultaneously comes out of Natalie and the ghoul has Copia practically crowing.

“Want to keep me stuffed nice and full, huh?” she breathes, spreading her legs and grinning as both sets of eyes zero in on what’s going on at the juncture of her thighs. “Far be it from me to say no. Aether, I hope your stamina is up to the task?”

The ghoul gives her a filthy grin.

“I’d ask the same of you,” he purrs, fisting his cock. Natalie’s mouth runs dry as she watches his tongue dart out to slide along his lower lip. She opens her mouth for a snarky response but all that comes out is a weak noise, her attention too focused on his thumb spreading pre down the vein on his shaft.

“Look at that, Cardinal,” he murmurs, “already cock dumb and no one’s even filled her up yet.”

“Mmm,” Copia agrees with a smile, “just wait until you hear her though when she is filled up. Moaning and begging like a pretty little whore. Isn’t that right, Natalia mia?”

She should be affronted, but he’s absolutely right. So instead she leans into it.

“That’s right,” she confirms, hand drifting to cup and fondle her own breast. “For now, though, I’ll settle for you being filled up, beloved. Or was that little speech all for show?”

Aether drags his gaze from her hand to Copia, his broad chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. Copia blows her a kiss and puts his knees on the bed.

“Do you want to fuck my mouth, ghoul?”

The aforementioned ghoul lets out a drawn out groan.

“Unholy fuck, I thought you’d never ask.”

Natalie lets out a triumphant laugh as she nestles into the pillows. Copia looks gorgeous - his face flushed, his eyes shiny - as Aether’s cock bobs enticingly in front of him. Slowly - far too slowly for her and certainly for Aether - Copia leans forward and scoops a fat bead of pre off the tip, drawing it into his mouth.

“How long have you wanted this, Cardinal?” Aether grunts, shifting his hips forward to slide the swollen head of him onto Copia’s outstretched tongue. Copia pulls back slightly.

“Aether, I can eh, either suck you off or talk but not both.”

The ghoul shrugs.

“I hear you talk all day,” he says, reaching down to grab the back of Copia’s head, “I want you to put that mouth to better use.”

Before Copia can object, Aether’s hips thrust forward, pushing his cock into Copia’s mouth and leaving the Cardinal to let out a lewd groan. He lets Aether use him for a few moments before regaining control of the situation. Natalie watches with bated breath as Copia bobs his head, taking him to the root and sliding off him again. Not moving her eyes an inch from the scene before her, she slips her fingers in between her legs once more to massage her swollen clit. 

“You–ah–like what you see, Lady Natalie?”

She rips her gaze away from her beloved stretching his mouth around Aether’s girth and looks up at the ghoul.

“Y-Yeah,” she says breathlessly, all her bravado from earlier evaporated, “fuck, yeah that’s-that’s–”

“He looks good like this, huh?” the ghoul continues, his large hand steady on the back of Copia’s head, “You think–hnn fuck–you think this is what he feels like when he’s watching you get fucked by the ghoulettes?”

Copia lets out a low moan around Aether, causing the ghoul’s fingers to clench in his silvered brown hair.

“God, I hope so,” Natalie breathes, “it’s exactly what he deserves. He deserves to feel this fucking good. He deserves the world.”

Aether pants and looks down at his Cardinal, dragging the pad of his thumb along his cheekbone as he continues to sloppily suck his dick.

“He does,” Aether says, “you both do. Mmm can’t wait to fuck you both.”

Copia pulls off Aether with a wet noise.

“Me neither,” the Cardinal says, his voice hoarse, “which is why I’m not going to wait any longer and you’re going to do it now.”

Aether laughs and stands after pulling away. Copia turns his gaze to Natalie, who idly winds one of her dark curls around her forefinger as she smiles at her beloved.

“Spread your legs,” Copia growls, yanking her knees apart, “so I can give Aether a pretty show.”

“Yes, Your Eminence,” she murmurs, thrilled by the arrival of “The Cardinal” as she puts it. Their sexual encounters were generally a good balance of dominance but fuck, if she doesn’t love it when he gets like this, and he knows it. Strands of hair fall in his face as he stares up at her, his lips deliciously swollen and red. Before she’s entirely too distracted she reaches over and opens the drawer of the bedside table.

“Aether,” she says, pulling something small out and throwing it towards him, which he catches. “Have fun. Oh, and enjoy the show.”

“Could say the same to you.”

Like he did with Aether, Copia leans down and drags the tip of his tongue along Natalie’s slit to gather the slick. She hears Aether’s breath catch in his throat as she watches him push Copia’s knees up.

“Come on, be a good little Cardinal and arch your back,” Natalie teases. Copia is unamused as he bites down on the soft flesh of her inner thigh, but does as she says all the same. 

“How’s the view, Aeth–Aether?” her question increases in pitch as it comes out of her mouth when Copia spreads her open and licks a stripe from hole to clit. Natalie tugs sharply on Copia’s hair as he smirks up at her.

“Nice,” Aether comments, his broad hands gripping at Copia’s generous behind, “behave yourself, Cardinal, and put that mouth to work.”

When Copia whips his head around to snarl something at Aether, the ghoul delivers a sharp smack to his right asscheek. 

“Give him hell, Aeth!” Natalie crows, pushing the head of her indignant lover down so he can get to work on her cunt. Aether pops open the lid of the small bottle Natalie had tossed him and douses his fingers. She wishes she had a better view of what he was doing but perhaps that’s why she should look into fucking him herself at some point. A shiver of anticipation rolls through her when she imagines borrowing Cirrus’ quintessence strap. Copia lazily laps at her but when Aether brushes the pad of his thumb over his hole, the Cardinal’s knees wobble. The ghoul presses the first inch or so of the slicked up digit in and Natalie gasps at the broken moan that leaves her beloved’s mouth. 

“Barely put anything in and you’re already begging for it,” Aether grins, “you sure it’s Lady Natalie who’s the whore and not you?”

Copia doesn’t even have the fight in him to snap something over his shoulder at his insubordinate ghoul, too busy is he arching his back further into Aether’s touch and gently rocking his hips against the covers. It’s an exquisite sight, and Natalie is convinced she could get off on his reddened cheeks and hoarse panting alone.

“More,” Copia groans, “fuck, ghoul, I need more.”

Aether looks up at Natalie.

“What do you think, Lady Natalie?” he asks, and Copia’s eyes fly up to hers, desperate and pleading. She moves her head from shoulder to shoulder as if contemplating. It’s cruel but she knows Copia adores it, and the stuttered rocking of his hips into the duvet tells her so.

“Give the birthday boy exactly what he needs, Aether.”

Copia lets out a whine and places fervent kisses to her inner thigh.

“Thank you, padrona mia,” Copia pants, “so good to me, always.”

“You’re easy to be good to,” she murmurs and the way he looks up at her, mismatched gaze suddenly tender, shows that he remembers those words he spoke to her a lifetime ago. Aether shifts on his feet, clearly feeling as if he is intruding on something but Natalie looks up at him with soft eyes.

“Go on, sweet boy,” she purrs, “show me how good my man looks when he’s getting fucked.”

A predatory grin stretches Aether’s face.

“As my lady commands,” he replies, “Cardinal, are you ready or shoul–”

“Ghoul, if you don’t put your cock in me this instant I’ll force you to leave without putting it in Natalia.”

Natalie laughs at the look on Aether’s face as he puts his knees on the bed. When the ghoul takes his cock in hand and gently presses the head against Copia’s slicked up hole, Copia’s head drops limp against the covers. Gently, Natalie reaches down and tilts his chin up.

“Look at me,” she murmurs, “I want to see it on your face.”

So he does.

Seeing Copia’s jaw fall open as Aether slowly eases his thick length inside of him, Natalie feels like this is really her birthday present. When the ghoul bottoms out, their hips flush to one another, Copia lets out a whimper and his head falls against Natalie’s inner thigh.

“Don’t neglect her,” Aether gently reminds him, and Copia’s brows twitch in vague displeasure at the very thought. The ghoul doesn’t move until the Cardinal has resumed his lapping at her altar. Natalie’s pleasure feels like a slow burn - delicious and decadent and unhurried - as she watches Aether slide out of her man and then back in, each time a little more firmly. Copia’s moans are swallowed by her cunt, though the vibrations send shockwaves up her spine. The ghoul’s pace picks up, his eyes on the wanton bounce of her breasts as she rides her beloved’s tongue. Both of them look perfect, and she wonders what she looks like in their eyes. 

“Beautiful,” Aether breathes, the snap of his hips more and more insistent. “Sathanas, you’re both so–fuck.”

Natalie’s close, and she can tell Copia is too from the way his hands dimple her thighs in a bruising grip, determined to not let her squirm away. Aether fucks into him roughly, the movements driving Copia forward on the bed and further into her. She can feel the tell-tale tightening of her muscles as her hips spasm against Copia’s mouth.

“Fuck, Copia,” she whines, throwing her head back, “fuck you both look s-so good. So good for me.” From under her lowered lids she can see Aether watching her with his mouth hanging open, a snarl on his lips despite the reverent light in his gaze. Between this and the vicious way Copia eats her out, it’s not long before she climaxes, bucking against her beloved’s unrelenting touch. Copia isn’t far behind her, and she is nearly rocketed into her second orgasm watching him spurt ropes of come onto the bedclothes. When Natalie looks up at Aether and breathes his name, that’s all it takes for the ghoul to lose control.

“Fuck, Copia,” Aether echoes her earlier statement, holding the Cardinal’s hips firm against his as he empties himself inside him.

“That’s it, Aeth,” Natalie slurs, drunk on pleasure, “fill him up. I want it dripping out of him the way he does to me.”

The two of them let out so pathetic a collective whimper that Natalie can’t help but grin. Copia’s mouth hangs open and a bit of drool spills out to join his seed on the duvet. It’s by far the hottest thing Natalie’s seen all night, or at least it is until she watches Aether pull out of the Cardinal with a groan as his come follows.

“Fucking hell,” Natalie breathes, her head falling back against the pillows. Copia collapses with his face pressed against her belly and begins to laugh. She rakes her fingers through his damp hair and crooks her finger at Aether, signaling for him to join them.

“I don’t know what you’re laughing at,” she smirks, “you’ve already committed to spitroasting me and you better believe I’m not going to let you go back on that. Right, Aether?”

Aether settles at her side and nuzzles into her hair.

“Mmmhmm,” he agrees, and Copia props up his chin.

“Have pity on an old man,” he says and both Natalie and Aether scoff.

“Don’t you dare hit me with that ‘old man’ shit, Copia Emeritus,” Natalie says, flicking his long nose, “not when I’ve been at the mercy of your libido more than once.”

“Oh?” Aether asks, intrigued.

“After our first time together he kept me locked in this very bedroom for three days straight.”

The ghoul gasps dramatically.

“Three…three days?!”

“That’s not true!” Copia protests.

Natalie reaches up to scratch at Aether’s scalp.

“Yep,” she confirms, “your Cardinal, is a sick, twisted, vile–”

“Oh, as if you weren’t begging for it every time, diavoletta mia.”

“So it is true, then?” Aether asks innocently. Natalie laughs, loud and delirious.

“I don’t have to take this,” Copia grouses, but when he starts to get up his two partners immediately pull him back down.

“Shut up, Your Eminence,” Natalie chortles, running her thumb along his cheekbone. Aether’s head falls into the crook of her neck.

“She’s leaving one very key detail out of that story, my ghoul,” Copia murmurs, tracing symbols into the skin of Natalie’s thigh. “She was a virgin when she came to me.”

This time, Aether’s gasp is genuine.

“She–you–oh Sathanas,” the ghoul moans, and not for the first time that evening Natalie feels him rut against her hip.

“It’s true,” Natalie says coyly, adding fuel to the fire, “he had me on every surface in these quarters, more than once. And then, when he finally allowed me to leave, our next day at work I sucked his dick in his office.”

“Now who’s sick and twisted,” Copia smirks, resting his hand on Aether’s hip.

“I don’t know, Cardinal, I see exactly what’s going on between your legs. I have a feeling you’re into it.”

Aether snorts and gives Natalie’s cheek a disarming kitten lick. It’s absurd coming from the big ghoul and has Copia grinning up at them both.

“Your turn,” he intones sinisterly, pinching her thigh. Anticipation swirls in Natalie’s stomach as her partners both shift and stand.

“Ok, you’re ready,” she says with a shaky laugh, “takes a little more finesse to get me ready, though. Not to mention there’s an absolute mess on the bed–”

Copia rolls his eyes.

“Focus, Natalia.”

“I–right,” she says, clearing her throat. Aether looks between the two of them with a highly amused expression.

“Go on, ghoul,” the Cardinal says, gesturing to her, “put those rhythm guitar fingers to good use.”

Natalie lets out a sigh as Aether rounds the bed and crawls between her legs, slowly dragging his lips along the inside of her stockinged calf.

“Exquisite, isn’t she?” Copia says softly, watching the ghoul touch her with tenderness. Aether nods.

“I-I want to taste her,” he says hoarsely, and Natalie’s clit throbs. “If you don’t mind, that is, Lady Natalie.”

“Mind?” she says incredulously, “Darling, don’t make me beg.”

The Cardinal sits down on the edge of the bed, his hand cupping his cock as he watches Aether scoot up the bed despite the mess currently on it. When he lowers his head to her mound, he takes a moment to inhale deep at her slit and there’s something so deliciously primal about it that Natalie can’t help but tremble. When his tongue pokes out and gives a tentative lick, the noise he makes when her slick hits the muscle is nothing short of desperate. She wants to tease him about it but he doesn’t give her the chance - now that he’s tasted of her all he wants is more. He spreads her open with his thumbs and delves in, lapping ruthlessly at her clit while her hips thrash in his bruising grip.

“That’s it, Aether,” Copia pants, spitting on the head of his cock and giving it a stroke, “she needs to be dripping to take what you’ve got.”

The ghoul moans into her cunt as if he’s forgotten his Cardinal’s master plan for the night. He’s single-minded in his base need to get her off and get as much of her slick on his tongue as he can. Natalie wraps her hand around one of his horns, trying to pull him off to give her an opportunity to breathe but his grip on her thighs turns bruising. Her second orgasm of the night is about to be wrenched from her body while the corners of her eyes darken when Copia grabs the back of Aether’s collar.

“Heel,” the Cardinal growls, and Aether backs away like a guard dog that’s just dropped something he shouldn’t have. Natalie’s dizzy as she watches the ghoul recoil and Copia’s white eye flash in the dim light.

“What’re you stopping him for?” she slurs.

“So he doesn’t eat you alive, amore,” he says. She wants to ask if he means literally but she can’t think about that right now. Not without killing the mood. So instead she hauls herself up and shuffles on her knees towards Aether.

“Come here,” she says, waving him back over. He looks ashamed but Natalie clucks at him reassuringly.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs. She takes his face in her hands.

“Nothing to apologize for, honey,” Natalie says, bringing him down to her level. “Would’ve been a helluva way to go out.” Gently, she places a series of kisses on his lips as he melts into her touch. When her hand brushes against his cock, his hips flex into her touch.

“Atta boy,” she says, a grin curling her lips. “Mmm come here and kiss me, beloved.”

Clearly less tense and wary now that she’s regained control of the situation, Copia comes to her side and does as she asks.

“Can you taste me, my love?” she asks him, tenderly brushing the sweaty strands on his forehead back. “Hmm, my two boys. So good to me. Can’t wait to be stuffed full of you both.”

Copia groans and drags his tongue over her lips, then does the same to Aether. The ghoul leans into his touch, clearly pleased he is no longer the object of his Cardinal’s ire. Natalie lets out a warm giggle before shoving Aether back playfully.

“Well go on then, ghoul,” she purrs, “I want to see what the fuss is all about.”

Copia chuckles and pulls back, getting on the bed behind her. Natalie turns to face him, and gets on her hands and knees, waggling her ass enticingly. Aether’s got that look in his eye again as he puts his knee on the duvet and takes his cock in hand. The first brush of the thick head through her folds, makes Natalie’s thighs shake. When Copia puts his hand on her dark curls, she jumps.

“Go easy on her,” Copia commands as the ghoul pushes the tip in.

“You’ll do no such thing, Aether,” she tosses sternly behind her shoulder before obligingly sticking her tongue out to accept Copia’s communion. When she tastes the familiar salt of him, her hips press back to take Aether’s cock. He pushes into her, gently but insistently, and she’s stunned by the absolute girth of him. Her beloved is nothing to sneeze at but even in comparison to Cirrus’ strap, she was not prepared for him but unholy fuck if she isn’t fucking delighted. When he bottoms out she hears him let out a desperate whine and her lips close around the head of Copia’s cock to suckle at him.

“Ah,” Copia sighs as she flicks her tongue along his slit, “that’s my girl. Bellissima.”

Natalie preens. Or she would if she wasn’t entirely preoccupied by getting roundly fucked from both ends. Aether begins to set a pace - firm yet slow - and the stretch of her cunt makes her feel deliciously used. All of a sudden she’s filled with a deep desire to please Copia, so without further ado she lets him slide the length of him into her mouth to the root. She hears him gasp above her and so she hollows her cheeks and sucks. With a groan he begins to steadily fuck her mouth and judging from the increase in forcefulness from behind her, Aether has taken notice.

“Beautiful,” Copia groans, “isn’t she, Aether? I’m going to–ah–give her heaven and earth. Hell, too, should she ask for it. She’s w-worth it, eh?”

Aether grunts an affirmative from behind her as his fingers dig into her hips and his tail wraps snugly around her thigh. She’s trying to have a thought - any thought - but being filled from both ends with Copia’s hand massaging her scalp sends all notions of coherency from her head. Aether pushes into her, driving her forward so she takes the Cardinal deeper down her throat, who in turn thrusts against her, sending her back over the ghoul. It’s a thrilling dance, and one the three of them do with ease as if being speared on their cocks was where she was always meant to be. Natalie can feel herself getting close, and so can Aether if the way he fucks into her is any indication.

“Going to make her come all over you, my ghoul?” Copia coos, holding Natalie’s head steady so he can better use her mouth. “Going to–ah fuck–going to knot my mistress?”

Natalie only vaguely registers his words but judging by the noise that comes out of the ghoul, they clearly mean something important.

“Y-You’d let me?” Aether pants, “Oh, please say you’ll let me, Cardinal. Please, please, p-please.”

Copia chokes on a moan from the way Natalie hollows her cheeks around him.

“You hear that, bellezza mia?” he groans, “My ghoul is going to fuck a kit into you.”

Oh. Oh.

If you had told her at the beginning of the night that that’s what rockets her into her final orgasm, she would have called you fucking crazy. But here she is, moaning around her lover’s cock, her back arching and the walls of her cunt spasming around Aether. And speaking of Aether–

“I’m–I’m–”

“Give into her, ghoul,” Copia grunts, “Show her exactly what you can do to her.”

Natalie’s eyes widen as she feels Aether swell and fatten inside her, stretching her so deliciously and so impossibly tight around him. He holds her hips steady, rocking into her with little whimpers. Copia pulls back just as she feels Aether come inside her again and again and again and with the ghoul’s desperate cry, the Cardinal in turn comes in ropes across her face. It’s quiet in the room, the only sound everyone’s labored breathing as Natalie contends with being so viciously, beautifully used. She tilts her chin up to look up at Copia as best she can from the awkward angle and he drags his thumb through the mess on her face. Dutifully and with great pleasure, Natalie opens her mouth and allows him to place the seed on her tongue.

“Nema,” the Cardinal sighs. She hears Aether echo the sentiment from behind her as he bends down and places his sweaty forehead between her equally sweaty shoulder blades. When Copia pulls away and staggers off the bed, his two partners make noises of protestation. He waves them off as he enters the bathroom and Natalie hears the sink run.

“Aether,” she asks, “you’re still hard.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Is that–is that your knot?”

“Uh-huh.”

Gorgeous.

Natalie weakly crawls up the bed with Aether comically still attached to her by his cock and they both collapse against the pillows.

“It–it’ll go down,” he murmurs in her ear, “just takes a little bit.”

She nods weakly as Copia exits the bathroom, a damp washcloth in tow. Natalie had nearly forgotten about the mess covering her face, which Copia now gently cleans up.

“Was it a good birthday gift?” Natalie asks as he dabs at her swollen lips.

“The best, amore mio,” he murmurs, placing a kiss to her hairline before reaching behind her to pat Aether tenderly on the cheek.

“Don’t fall asleep, Natalia,” Copia says with a chuckle, “we have to change the bed.”

She groans, though out of exhaustion or disgust she’s not sure. She’s about to open her mouth to just tell him “fuck it” when she feels Aether’s cock soften inside her. He pulls out and she already knows he’s watching the way his come slides out of her used cunt and onto the–

“Yeah, okay we need to change the bed,” Natalie agrees. She moves to sit up but before she can do that, Aether is scooping her up in his arms and grinning down at her.

“I got her, Cardinal, if you want to strip the sheets?”

Copia chuckles.

“Knew I kept you around for a reason.”

“What about me, why’d you keep me around?” Natalie asks cheekily, her face buried in Aether’s hairy pectoral.

“I think we just demonstrated wh–”

“Oh, shut the fuck up,” she growls, stretching her hand out to flip her beloved off. His reaction is to lean forward and place a disarming kiss on the digit, causing her to relax her hand and take his face in it. He looks just as much of a mess as she does, with what little remains of his paints smeared across his lips and cheeks and his hair sticking out five different directions. There’s a twinkle of mischief in his mismatched eyes and it gives Natalie butterflies. She wonders if he’ll ever stop doing that to her.

“We should shower,” she murmurs, lovingly jabbing the end of his long nose with her forefinger.

“We should,” he agrees, balling up the abused sheets and tossing them across the room. “My ghoul, would you care to join us?”

Copia barely gets the question out before Aether is running into the bathroom, Natalie bouncing in his arms and laughing hysterically. The Cardinal smiles.