Priestly Buns Need Advice

Under the colorful lights of stained glass windows, Blush stood with his back to the Church of Sulfur’s entrance. His expression hidden from anyone that would part the doors and seek the church’s comfort or its wisdom.

If asked, Blush would not hesitate to describe himself as a devoted priest and in all of these years past, he gave everything to his beliefs. Everything he could to praise Murmur and the demons that cared for his species. He worked tirelessly to preach to his succubun parishioners, to their freedom and to their vices. And once, he had even delved into his own vice of lust for the members of his parish, perhaps to teach them or perhaps to encourage his own indulgence like the head priest did. He still got a rush to think of app of the buns he had helped throughout the years, the ear he had lent them and the advice he had given them. Nothing had made him as happy as being able to have a purpose, to have a use that served those around him.

Now, things were different.

He was different.

“Blush?” A familiar voice called out to him, the sounds of heels tapping in the quiet of the church until they stopped at his side.

Blush hissed through his teeth, the sound slightly whistling, “If you have come to proposition me again, I ask that you leave me alone, Oleander.” He glanced at the other doll, “I believe I’ve told you I’m not interested anymore.”

“Dear Blush, I do listen. That’s not why I’m here.” Oleander held up his hands, his expression mischievous as he shook his head. “I’m just not used to seeing you without a smile on your pretty face.”

Blush sighed heavily, clutching his scripture tightly in his hands as he resisted the urge to scoff at the compliment, “I try to smile as much as I can, but some days, it just won’t find me.”

The head priest only tilted his head, his eyes shining under the low lights. It was odd to find a bun like Blush so disheartened, the man was usually all pinks and bright smiles. He wasn’t the type to stand here in the hallways as if he wanted to disappear. “And why’s that? Come, tell me.”

Blush raised an eyebrow, his shoulders squared as he looked at the other priest. “That depends, will you listen or will you once again suggest to comfort each other? Which, as I will remind you, is not something I want.”

Oleander waved his hand in a dismissive gesture, “You are not interested, yes I know, so I won’t bother you about that anymore.” He laughed lowly, “Although you didn’t always refuse me. Once you would have snuck off with me to one of the confessionals.”

“More so I only wanted to stop your asking and I might even admit you didn’t look half bad bent over.” Blush couldn’t help his lighthearted scoff, rolling his shoulders, “But I suppose we all change eventually. Not that my parish agrees.”

He paused, cursing under his breath when he realized he admitted his frustrations.

“It’s your parish that has you frowning?” Oleander frowned, “What have they done?”

Blush shook his head firmly, “It’s not like that, or well it’s not exactly like that. They just have… their own opinions.”

Oleander didn’t look concerned, instead he leaned closer, “As does everyone that enters the Church, but they don’t usually get to you like this. Why don’t you tell me what happened?”

“Tell you?”

“Yes, tell me why you are so troubled. Even fellow priests should be allowed to confess.”

Blush’s expression soured, feeling caught under Oleander’s gaze. He knew the other priest was right, that he should feel comfortable to admit when he struggled, but that didn’t make things easier.

He exhaled slowly, “They claim I’m not living up to my vice since I have chosen to be monogamous.”

Oleander raised a hand, gripping his own chin as he leaned backwards. “And they are concerned about this?”

Blush rolled his eyes, “It’s not that they’re concerned, they’re angry that I won’t fuck any of them.”

“That’s it? You should send them my way if they’re so disappointed.”

“Oh you think I haven’t tried? It’s frustrating the way they act, yes I understand it’s a big change for them but it’s not like they can’t do elsewhere for sex. There’s brothels on this very street or at the very least the next street.” Blush ducked his head back, his knuckles going white from his grip on his book of scripture.

Oleander reached a hand out, setting it gently on Blush’s shoulder. “You should have told me this was happening. I encourage vices here, but I would never let my fellow priests be mistreated by their parish.”

Blush looked up, his expression tense, “It’s not that they’re mistreating me, most of the time they’re perfect. It’s just… do you ever feel as a lust bun that others make assumptions of you? Yes, lust is my vice but I’m not a fool for it. Is it so crazy that I want to dedicate my life to only one?”

Oleander hummed, seeming lost in thought, “I can’t say I completely understand, as you know I’ve always given everything to my vice, but I also believe that you should be allowed to live as you are.” He shrugged, “These things will pass and you will be stronger for it. Let them complain but do not just accept them.”

“I feel like that’s easier said than done.”

“Maybe, but you are also a good priest.” Oleander smiled, “Being monogamous shouldn’t mean anything, after all you still encourage vices do you not? You still preach about the demons and Murmur?”

Blush was quick to agree, “Of course I do, I believe in the bun way of life and I believe in the demons.”

“Then ignore everything else and continue to do as you were.”

Blush laughed, the sound free as he shook his head, “I think I keep forgetting why you are head priest, you might even be wise.”

Oleander grinned, “I think I’m supposed to be, all that taking care of the Church and reading gospel will do that.”

“Oh does that make me wise?”

“We can only hope so.”

Blush scoffed, the sound carefree, “Fine, fine, I’ll try to keep in mind that I just need to continue preaching to my parish.”

“And try not to let their words affect you, you can try to hide it but you are the sensitive sort Blush.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t make that a dirty joke.”

Oleander gave him a look.

Blush grinned, “I mean, yes sometimes I let the way others feel cloud my judgement. Although I have to ask, have you felt this way?”

Oleander nodded, “Of course, no bun is born completely confident. I had to work hard to be the kind of succubun I am, even if others think it comes to me easier.”

Blush gave him a deadpan look.

“Quit that look, you know what I mean.”

“Yes, yes, it’s not easy being confident at first.”

Oleander smiled, “Take this as a lesson, Blush, you are only as good as the confidence you have or you fake. Your parishioners will get over their annoyance and things will more or less return to how they used to be.”

Blush huffed in a low breath, “Even if I lose some of them.”

“Then take that to mean you have more room for others to join, there is always new succubuns each year and they will need a priest. You will have plenty to join you.”

“And what of your belief that indulging in vices is a holy duty?”

Oleander smirked, leaning in close, “Are you engaging in your vice with your lover?”

Blush chuckled, “What kind of question is that? Of course I am. We’re both of the lust vice, I don’t think we could avoid it forever and neither of us want to.”

“Then there you go. Of course I would prefer you to still engage your vice in the Church, but there’s no rule that claims you have to be lustful with your parish. Pity as it is, I remember you being very talented.” Oleander would miss those moments, especially when he got to see the full extent of Blush’s vice.

Blush sighed, the sound lighter than before, “Maybe I should have just talked to you about this, before I let myself down.”

“Did you think you could not trust me?”

“No, maybe, I’m not sure. Sometimes I wonder if having a lover like mine makes me an unfit priest with so many of us indulging our parishioners.”

Oleander took a deep breath, his hand tightening on Blush’s shoulder. “There are other vices Blush, indulge those instead of lust. If you do that then there is nothing to complain about.”

“It’s that easy huh?”

“No, but it’s something you’re capable of.”

Blush was stunned into silence. For a moment, as brief as it was, he remembered when he first stepped into the Church of Sulfur and met Oleander. When he had heard his first sermon and decided on the spot that he would be a priest too, if to be anything like the charismatic head priest. And while, he still had some thoughts on Oleander’s conduct at times, he still believed that he was the best bun within the Church. Although maybe second to Mercy, but he wasn’t foolish enough to admit that out loud.

Oleander waved a hand in front of Blush’s face. “Did I lose you?”

Blush pushed away his hand, “No you didn’t, I just forget how kind you can be. You make it hard to remember.”

Oleander stuttered, “I do not.”

“Given how many times you have tried to proposition me after knowing I have a love kind of makes me doubt that.”

“I had to be sure you were still lovers right?”

“Shockingly, I might actually be in love.”

“You’re right, that is shocking.”

Blush gave Oleander a dirty look for that one. “Ugh don’t you have somewhere to be? Maybe chasing Mercy’s skirts, maybe before they doctor the books more.” He hesitated for a moment after saying that, feeling a bit of shame for bringing up a rumor like this, but he knew Oleander wouldn’t be upset with him.

Oleander raised a waggling finger, “Now, now there’s no prove of that. Absolutely none.”

Blush rolled his eyes, “Meaning you won’t actually look into it.”

Oleander put a hand over his chest. “The very nerve, I’ll have you know I take matters of the Church very serious.” Even if he also took matters of whatever was under Mercy’s nun robes just as serious.

“Are you done giving me advice? I think this conversation is quickly losing any meaning.” Blush loosened his grip on his book of scripture. “Besides I’m sure I’m not the only one that is seeking your attention.” He would argue about having sought Oleander’s advice, he was content to worry himself sick before the head priest stepped in.

“You really need to fix that attitude of yours, your parish would thank you.” Oleander barely avoided Blush trying to step on one of his heels.

“Enough of you, go away.” Blush shook his arm, gesturing forward.

“Fine I’ll go, but before I do.” Oleander seemed to look through his robes for a moment, muttering to himself before he pulled out a rosary from his sleeve. “I remember Mercy mentioning that you misplaced yours. So I thought to give you an extra of mine.”

“I’m almost frightened to take it, I’m not sure where it’s been.”

“Don’t be rude.”

Blush snickered as he grabbed the rosary, he seemed calmer with the weight of it in his hands. “Thank you, although I should really find mine. I should don’t know how I lost it.”

“I’m sure Mercy could help you. They should have some free time soon.”

“Just a gracious head priest, to offer the aid of someone else.” Blush did imagine a lot of things got pushed onto Mercy’s shoulders, but that bun also seemed like the type to be able to handle anything.

Oleander only smiled, “Well I am busy, you know how these things are.”

Blush barely managed to control himself from once again rolling his eyes. Still he would prefer to ask Mercy, they were always on top of things. And while he wasn’t a fan of the rumors of them doctoring the books, he also didn’t have it in him to try and change that. So long as not a lot of tithes went missing, he didn’t honestly care.

“Of course, so awfully busy.” Blush couldn’t help his laughter as he adjusted both his scripture and the rosary in his hands. “I’m not sure how you did it Oleander, but maybe I’m not as upset as I was.”

“Then I consider this successful.” Oleander even had the nerve to look proud, as much as it both amused and irritated Blush.

“Yeah you helped, now seriously go bother someone else. You know how Mercy gets if they see you standing in one place too long.”

“Don’t you worry about me, I’m leaving. If you have any more concerns you should come find me again, I might be able to help carrying your burden.”

Blush groaned, “I didn’t even come to you this time, you just started talking to me and telling me whatever advice you had to give.”

“And here you are listening to that advice.” Oleander teased, once again moving out of the way of a hoof trying to stomp on him. “You should work on that temper too.”

“Oleander.”

“Oh you sound mad, that should be my cue to leave.” The head priest jumped out of the way again, laughing as he turned away to rush down a conjoining hallway. It was just like him to appear in a flash and then disappear just as quickly. It was a wonder how Mercy always seemed to be able to track him down with even breaking a sweat.

Blush looked back at the Church doors. Maybe he should listen to Oleander’s advice and stop hiding here in the shadows when he still had a parish to preach to. They might never understand him, but they would still be able to understand their vices and the demons. Let them have their judgements of him, he wouldn’t mind them anymore.

He would still praise Murmur each day and he would help his parishioners to understand the beauty of their vices. He would be the kind of priest he had always wanted to be and there was nothing in this world that could change that.

At the end of the day, he was still a priest of the Church of Sulfur and each day he got to return home to the sight of his lover, Patron. It was a good life and it was his life.

He was different, but just maybe, there was nothing wrong with being different.