Chapter Text
"Yes, yes, yes!" Copia sings as he shuffles through the front door. "I'm coming!"
The impatient squeaks of his two little friends answer him back: We're hungry! Where were you all day?!
"Biscotto? Zuccherino? Where are you my beloveds?"
Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Daddy's home!
Copia puts his heavy keys on the kitchen counter and immediately goes to his tiny living room with a brown paper bag of goodies.
"Ah! My beauties! There you are!" He claps eyes on the two furry little creatures who are excitedly standing on their back legs and clinging to their wired cage, showing off their fat little bellies and sniffing side by side.
His heart fills with joy and unconditional love for the adorable pair that waits for him eagerly. "You are just so wonderful! Look what I have for you!"
He puts a fresh bag of muesli on the little mahogany table.
The two pet rats squeak in excitement, recognising their dinner.
"Yes! I went to the pet shop today! I did, I did!" Copia chuckles. "And look what else I got!" He rummages in the brown paper bag. "Ah! Ta-da! Your favourite! For later!" He takes out two willow sticks, a delicious treat that they will go crazy for.
He opens the cage and immediately the two friendly creatures rush out and climb up his arm, eventually giving him tiny sniffs on his face.
"That tickles, yes! Your whiskers, they tickle me!" The white one continues her sniffs. "Zuccherino! My sweet little girl! Come on!"
He becomes aware that the little biscuit brown rat is halfway down the back of his neck, trying to get into his shirt. "Biscotto! What are you doing, little guy? Let's eat!" He wriggles and gently eases the creature out. Copia's touch is light and kind. He knows exactly how to handle such delicate animals.
He met them in the pet shop shortly after he moved to the parish. He fell in love with the pair who were already bonded, and he adopted them there and then. He always had a love for rodents, wild or tame, so he knew he found two soul mates in these sweethearts as soon as he clapped eyes on them.
He eases them back into their cage, and fills their dishes with the fresh muesli. He also checks their water supply but of course, he did that already this morning and they still have plenty.
"How was your day, little ones, eh?" He strokes Zuccherino's soft white fur with his index finger. "Mine was uneventful! But I will tell you about someone who is on my mind, yes!"
He sits down heavily on his favourite armchair, relieved to finally relax after his long day.
"There's this guy Daddy sort of thinks about from time to time. He seems to be interesting! He plays guitar! Imagine that! Yes! And he always wears a leather jacket!" He leans on his elbow and yawns.
"I wonder if he is in a band? I wonder how good he is? I do enjoy rock and metal music, yes, uh huh! Maybe I'll put on a good album now? Do you fancy listening to an old record, my sweets? Something to energise the soul!"
He gets up and thumbs through his vintage vinyl collection. "Ah!"
The two rats have finished their food and immediately scurry up his arms again as he puts on some old metal.
"Let's sit and enjoy!" He sits again and Zuccherino snuggles into his neck, sitting on his shoulder. Biscotto runs down his chest and settles on his lap, demanding to be petted. They love to relax with Copia.
"Such creatures! I am never lonely when I'm with you!"
He ponders what Lover Boy might say if he was in the room right now, listening to classic Rainbow with him, watching his furry friends with interest, perhaps a mug of coffee next to him? Maybe they would talk about music?
"Ah! I'm having such silly thoughts right now!" He strokes Biscotto. "He would never want to hang out with a priest! With me! I am too stiff! He hangs out with hot, sexy girls! Getting the business!"
He notices Zuccherino tickling his face again. She loves his sideburns. "Good thing that we have each other, eh? Good job I found you!"
She paws his face softly.
"Come!" He lifts her onto his lap. She immediately snuggles with Biscotto, the two a cute, light coffee and milk furry puddle on his black slacks. A biscuit and sugar ying-yang already dozing happily and contentedly.
"We have each other." Copia rests his head, just for a moment and immediately conks out.