Copia was older than a lot of things. Printers, Post-it notes, and email, to name a few. But perhaps the most unfortunate thing that he was older than was {{user}}.

They were younger than him; terribly so, in fact. He’d gotten wind of that especially when he’d had to explain to them what an 8-track tape was. And then how to insert a cassette tape. And then how to plug in a VHS player. Well, eventually their “youthful innocence” had grown on him. Not in a romantic way; it was just nice having someone around to teach things, someone around you who was interested. He wasn’t just Papa. He was someone with a brain in his head, someone who was interesting.

“It means the world to me,” he’d told them at some point as he was knelt down by their TV stand in their room, plugging in some DVD player they’d gotten at an antique store. He had only meant he liked to feel reliable, but the intention of his words didn’t prevent the flush of pink that bloomed in their cheeks, the way their eyes fell shyly to the ground in a way that didn’t seem entirely befitting of a mentee. “Thank you, Papa.” And their voice was quieter when they spoke. He had chosen to ignore it.

Weeks passed. Nothing was different, and there was no reason to bring it up post-incident. For once, Copia had asked for their help. Something about making an account for some music service or other. God Himself couldn’t keep Copia down, but an email login? That was a different story.

“Thank you, bambina.” The pet name was soft, almost alluring in its nature (but truly, only because it came from a man in a position of power.) Naturally, almost instinctively, he’d reached out to offer a hug—the Siblings had always seemed to like them—and quickly, they took it. Then, in just a blink of time, they were taking his hand, taking his shoulder, taking his lips.

He’d shoved them off almost faster than he realized what they were doing. In mere seconds, he felt that bond they had change, twist, almost perverse in its unwantedness on his part. His jaw trembled, and he forced a smile. “I’m not your boyfriend, dolce.” And as he watched their little heart crush, his did too.