Painting On Each Other

I woke up with this in my head. Aether leaves, Dew and Mountain struggle in their own ways.

Cw: angst, hurt/comfort

He waits until it's silent, until everyone is locked away in their rooms and nothing fills the air except for his heavy, uneven breathing. He tiptoes silently, skips the spots that creak, the ones that would scream out in the silence, letting everyone know he's broken and bleeding out every single night.

He tries not to look at Dew's door as he passes. He aches for his closeness, for his understanding but he can't make himself knock to ask for it. Not when Dew still smells like grief and heartbreak, like a cauterized wound still smoking. It's still too soon, ripped open and still bleeding and Mountain refuses to add his pain to the pilar Dew's currently buried under.

He keeps his eyes down and holds his breath, praying he won't hear him crying because he knows he can't fix him, not this time.

And it's a cold steel blade, a frozen lake in his lungs because it had been them, for so long it was them. They kept each other together when the others left, willingly or ripped away by force, they still stood and had each other.

But it wasn't enough and the goodbye was unexpected and more painful than the others. He had listened to Dew beg, sobbing on his knees to try to make him stay and Mountain couldn't do anything but stand and shake and remind himself to breathe. In and out. In…..and out.

He stops at the end of the hall, glares at the closed door and wants to demand it tell him that it was a lie, just a sick joke. But it stays closed and cold and empty. He slides down to sit beside it, not daring to look inside. He can't face the barren space, the echoing lack of life between those walls.

Traces of Aether are still on the air here and he breathes them in and holds them in his lungs and hopes it's enough to keep him there, at least the memory, the quickly fading sound of his voice, his laugh…

He sobs with his head in his hands, silently breaking in the gloom of the empty hallway. He tugs his hair, his ears, trying to remind himself that he's still here despite it all, he still feels but fuck he wishes he didn't…

He creeps back to his room after he's drained, after the tears run out and his throat hurts from keeping himself quiet, there are teeth marks in his fist and maybe another piece of himself missing, left there on the floor outside of Aether's room helplessly trying to crawl under the door to find him.

Sleep doesn't come, it rarely does. He stares up into the blackness of his room until his eyes burn, trying to put a face to the shadows, trying to find little flickering lights of magic in the corners to tell himself Aether still cares, that he's still willing to offer the comfort he once had but there's nothing. Just black staring back at him.

Mountain slips outside just as the sun starts to rise, silently fleeing to the greenhouse because he's not ready to face any of them with puffy bloodshot eyes, not ready for them to know that he's broken. They need to be there for Dew, he can't take that focus away.

He works until he can't anymore, running from his thoughts until he's too tired and they catch him. He doesn't remember hitting his knees, doesn't remember dropping the watering can and soaking the earth around his knees, doesn't remember covering his face and screaming into his hands because why? Why do they always leave? Why can't he make them stay? Why?

It hurts more than there are words for, and his arms wrap around his middle like maybe he can hold himself together as he rocks back and forth, trying to remember to breathe but what's the point when each breath just tastes like loss, like lies.

He doesn't hear the door open and by the time he realizes he's not alone it's too late, he can't hide it now, too far gone to even attempt to compose himself.

“Mountain…”

Dew's voice is fractured, rough from lack of use and hardly even over a whisper but Mountain's heart jumps regardless. He doesn't turn his head, he can't, Dew will shatter if he sees just how much pain Mountain's in.

“Mountain.” And maybe it's the only word he remembers right now and maybe Mountain shouldn't feel some kind of comforted by hearing it, but he does. He still doesn't look but he can hear Dew moving to sit on the bench. “Come here.”

Dew doesn't rush him, just lets the words hang in the space between them until Mountain's able to make them make sense. He struggles with the choice, stay planted where he is, kneeling in the mud with tears still dripping down his cheeks…or turn and crawl towards something that feels like home, no matter how broken it may be.

He crawls toward home, feels each little stone in his palms as he goes and he doesn't look up, he can't and knows Dew has to understand. If anyone understands it has to be him.

Dew watches him all but drag himself across the floor and he wants to grab him, to pull and tug until he's close enough to hold but he won't, he'll wait and meet Mountain where he is. Tears well up when he's close enough to lay his head on Dew's lap, his long arms wrapped around his leg, shaking as he holds on as tight as he can.

Dew runs his fingers through his hair, blinking against the tears, hating himself for his selfishness, hating that he'd left Mountain all alone with nothing but his thoughts and fears.

“It's ok.” He hears himself say it, feels the shape of each word and wonders if he actually believes that.

Mountain doesn't. Not yet. “No it's not.”

And he doesn't argue because Mountain hurts and he's allowed to hurt, but he's still here and so is Dew. He rests his palm against Mountain's cheek, letting him feel the warmth, a reminder of a still beating heart, a reminder that he's not going anywhere, at least not without one hell of a fight.

“You're right, it's not ok.” He lifts Mountain's face gently to look at him, to lock eyes to seal his promise. “But it will be. We will be.”

For the make 'em swoon prompts: a hug that gets deeper or "hi" *raspy voice* with Dewther maybe?

i saw this ask and went "both. both is good." I don't think I've had a fic jump out at me this quickly in a while. Hope you enjoy!

prompts from this list

divider by @ghuleh-recs

He thinks about coming home more than he'd like to admit. Even as he devotes himself to his work, the music, his unholy purpose, Dew imagines the moment he steps foot back into the Abbey more times than he can count.

He's fallen asleep to the fantasy countless times, the bus swaying like a cradle as the rest of his packmates sleep. It's hard. It's really fucking hard being halfway across the world without Aether. Dew's never had to be away from his side for more than a few days. It feels insurmountable, even with human technology that lets them call and text and talk.

It's hard to sleep in a bunk that feels too big. Too quiet. Too empty. He imagines stepping off of the bus, Aether there waiting in the double doors, Sunny peering over his shoulder while she waits for her girls, her multi.

Dew's the first one off of the bus, and because this is in his mind, there's no shame in the way he imagines dropping his bags, guitar be fucking damned, and sprinting up the gravel driveway. He barrels into Aether with enough force to make him take a few steps back, all of the breath leaving his lungs.

He'd be quick to wrap him up in his big arms, rearing back so just the tips of his boots touch the ground. "Oh, my darling," he would laugh, spinning them around like they're on the cover of some human pulp novel. Dew knows he would grumble at it, protest for Aether to put him back on the ground, he's not an air ghoul.

And Aether would squeeze him tighter before setting him down, that stupid fond look in his eye. Dew'd grab his collar and pull him down into a deep kiss to hide the way he'd be tearing up-

He takes a deep breath, staring up at the ceiling of his bunk, listening to the steady sound of Swiss's snoring. Dew silently wipes his face with the corner of his blanket, rolling onto his side and putting his back to the privacy curtain. He reaches up and pets at the crook of his neck, feeling the texture of scar tissue in the shape of his mate's teeth. His phone's in the cubby, and it's so fucking tempting. Taunting him. Aether's only a call away.

But it's mid morning back at the Abbey, and Aether's working. He'd stayed behind to help with an influx of infirmary work, taking time to rest after his entire time Up Top spent touring. And as much as Dew knows Aether would drop just about anything to talk to him, he'd rather not do that to his mate.

So, instead, he curls up around his pillow, burying his face in it in an attempt to breathe in Aether's scent, the pillowcase replaced with one of several shirts Dew had smuggled into his luggage. Thankfully for him and his packmates and techs, it's enough to lull him to sleep, his cheeks still damp with tears.

The tour drags on, as they always seem to do, and it's over in an instant, as they always do.

The next thing Dew knows he's on a plane back to Sweden, and he grumbles to himself that they always end the tours so far away from home. Eventually they make it back to solid ground. But it's not over yet.

There's a several hour long bus ride left, because the Abbey's in the middle of nowhere. Dew tries to sleep, exhausted and miserable and sore and so fucking close. Mountain sits next to him, guides his head down against his shoulder and hums, petting through his hair as he dozes.

It's late in the afternoon when the bus pulls into the long driveway, and Dew jolts awake as they cross the threshold into the Abbey proper. He's still a little disoriented, but he can feel the way the mate bond sparks back to life now that they're close enough that the magick can actually work the way it's meant to..

He can almost feel the way Aether rushes through the last of his paperwork, scrambling out of the infirmary to find Sunshine and run out to meet them. Dew's excited, he swears he is, but the exhaustion is bone deep and so fucking heavy. He gets to his feet slowly, swaying as he grabs his go-bag from the overhead. Some of the Abbey ghouls and Siblings will take care of unloading the bus itself.

Normally, when it comes to his luggage and his guitars, Dew's incredibly picky, preferring that he's the one who takes care of it. But he's just so tired, and so ready to be home, and so ready to be back with his mate that he can't bring himself to give a shit.

Dew stumbles off the bus, boots scuffing on the gravel. He looks up and he's there. Still in his scrubs, eyes shining even from across the courtyard. Aether smiles and the world is right again.

He's too tired to run, but Aether walks out and meets him halfway. The fountain in the center of the circle drive rushes, and Dew doesn't have the energy to barrel into him the way he imagined.

Aether steps in front of him, and Dew blinks blearily up at him. "Hi," he says, voice raspy from sleep. Aether just grins, big and wide enough to rival Swiss's. His gold tooth glints in the afternoon light.

"Hi, my darling," Aether says, his hands curling gently around Dew's biceps. "I missed you." He pulls him into a gentle hug. Dew's head spins as, after months of the fading scent on fabric, Aether's ozone-fresh air scent slams into him full force.

"Missed you too," Dew chokes out, not caring that the rest of the pack is watching as they file off of the bus. He grabs the front of Aether's scrubs, fingers curling into the fabric as he clings as tight as he can to his mate.

Aether nuzzles into Dew's hair, chuffing happily as he pulls Dew in tighter and tighter until he can barely breathe with it. He curls his tail around his mate's calf, and feels Aether's wrap around his waist. "I really fucking missed you, starshine," Dew whispers again, feeling the beat of his heart against his cheek.

Aether chuckles, hand solid and warm where it rests between Dew's shoulderblades. "Welcome home, my darling." He leans in, whispers so quietly Dew almost thinks he imagines it. "Your scent's just about gone from the hearth, Dew. Makes it so hard to sleep. Come home with me so we can make it right?"

Dew laughs so hard he cries. "Yeah, Aeth. Take me home."

Born to be

Zeph finds a certain fire ghoul in the kitchen. (post-transition)

Characters: Zephyr, Dewdrop Word count: 586

“Dew?” Zephyr walked into the kitchen, leaning heavily on their cane. It was late already; the moon had long risen, but they were thirsty and, even though everything hurt, they didn’t want to ask someone to fetch them something.

The ghoul that sat on the countertop was a surprise, though; a bag of Cheetos in his lap. His transition had been four days ago, but Omega and especially Aether insisted on keeping him in the infirmary for another week, just to make sure everything was truly alright.

“Zeph!” Dewdrop had at least the decency to look caught. He was wearing a way too big shirt, the smell of Aether wafting over to the air ghoul, and they gave the other an amused look but said nothing about the fact that Dew had escaped the infirmary.

The taller grabbed themself a cup and groaned at the motion, as the pain in their back got worse from it.

“You need some help?” the smaller ghoul asked and already stood up to take the cup. “Tea?”

Zeph let out a sigh, but nodded and moved over to sit at the table, while the ghoul poured water into the cup and then took some tea from a box. But instead of heating it up in the microwave, he sat down next to Zeph, his tail swinging. Both hands wrapped around the cup, the water began to heat up, and the grin on Dew’s face was straight up adorable.

“Thank you,” Zephyr took the tea and watched the smaller ghoul with a soft look. It had been long since they saw Dewdrop that happy; his whole aura had changed. His tail never stopped swinging, and he looked like he was completely at ease with himself.

“So I take Aeth doesn’t know you are here?” The air ghoul chuckled, and the guilty expression he got as an answer. “I won’t tell him.”

“Thanks,” Dew tilted his head to the side, the smile not vanishing from his face.

“You fell good, hmm?” they asked him then, but it was more of a statement than a question.

“Very,” Dew answered. “I feel fantastic!”

Zephyr gave him a nod. “I get what you mean. It’s great to be yourself, to feel like you’re finally yourself…”

The fire ghoul grinned a bit, his hands fidgeting as he avoided eye contact. His cheeks flushed from excitement.

“I just… I don’t know how to describe it. But I feel so much better, so much more comfortable,” he tried to explain. “It’s like my whole me is finally me and the stuff I can do now! It’s so cool!”

The air ghoul felt their heart melting for their pack mate. He seemed so innocent like that, as if he had always been a fire ghoul, always been that joyful. But the moment was destroyed as their knee decided to send a new rush of pain through their leg, and they felt kind of guilty for ruining Dew’s mood with it.

“Can I?” Dew asked instead, the happiness not disappearing. He had his hands raised and Zeph understood what he meant.

“You can.”

They sat like that for another hour, Dew’s hand caressing the spots that were hurting the most, heating them up, soothing the pain. Zephyr watched his face most of the time, how he concentrated not to make it too hot and to keep the heat constant. And three things were for sure: Dewdrop was happy, he was complete, and he was born to be a fire ghoul.

__________________ i don't like it again, but idc

reblogs would be appreciated nonetheless

Hi, hello, it's me again! How are you? I have a rather odd request (at least from my perspective) that I don't actually see much of.

Trans ftm Dew x Swiss? Pretty please? I haven't seen much of it, at least with Swiss that is

-🌟

Hi hi! Sorry it’s been a while, but I’ve saved this for mushy may!

I’m doing well my icon. Not an odd request at all! (But I do love and encourage odd) and obv we love trans ghouls over here

Day 8- sex turning into making love - Swissdew

As always thank you to @forlorn-crows for the prompts and @ghuleh-recs for the banner (:

Warnings for a small amount of degro. This is smut. But obv Swiss is super sweet at the end ok I promise it turns into fluff

There were certain things about Swiss that dew tended to crave.

A sick need for a harsh and loving hand, to be made to feel small, lesser. To be put out of his own head and taken care of when he felt especially out of control of himself. Dew liked to fight for it, so he himself didn’t have to admit he needed help. And Swiss always knew exactly what he needed. He was always there to force him into submission when dew couldn’t disassemble that roadblock himself.

“Maybe if you didn’t whine like a bitch droplet I wouldn’t have to treat you like one” Swiss laughed, watching as dew squirmed when Swiss ran two fingers along his folds. The slightest touch to his clit made him clench and screw his eyes shut, sensitive and already abused.

It’s how Swiss always got him before allowing dew the privilege of being actually fucked. Writhing, begging to be full but shying away from any contact because it was always borderline too much. Dew loved it, needed to be forced out of his head and put at Swiss’ mercy in order to genuinely stop thinking for an hour or two.

“Think you’ve earned it yet?” Swiss coos, sucking on dews release that threatened to drip down his fingers. “Are you dumb enough to get my cock yet baby boy?”

“Please-“ dew moaned, strangled and barely coherent.

Swiss can’t deny him like this. Hes pretty, spread out and desperate. Small tears cling to his lashes and threaten to fall down his face as he digs his fists into the bed sheets when Swiss finally pushes in.

There’s always a strange sense of pride that wells in Swiss’ chest when he has dew in his bed. He’s more than glad dew trusts him enough to let go of his own ego and inhibitions to allow Swiss to be in control. He deserves to be taken care of, even if dew usually insisted he enjoyed being somewhat of a loner when it came to needing anything.

“God you’re beautiful like this dew” Swiss mumbles when he bottoms out before he can think twice about it. His tone is calm, loving, a gentleness that isn’t expected and leaves dew feeling dizzier than he already was.

“What?”

“You’re just -“ Swiss starts, staring down at dew with what can only be described as infatuation.

The harsh grip on dews hips soften, thumbs soothing over the more than likely bruised skin. His hands more than engulf his waist, just slightly kneading into where they hold him.

“I love you, you know that?” Swiss pulls out, watching as dew gasps and throws a palm over his mouth to stifle his whine. He leans over to kiss dew on the chest, trailing up along his neck. Dews thighs are pushed up against his abdomen, practically bending him in half as Swiss starts to fuck him in earnest.

“Kiss me- Swiss please need your lips” dew whimpers as his hands tangle in Swiss’ locs for some sense of grounding. Swiss happily obliges, capturing dews mouth with his own.

Their lips slot together perfectly, dew tasting of smoke and spice as he always does. Something about the neediness in how sloppy dew forces his mouth onto Swiss’ makes his stomach do flips, a sweet tinge of desperation in his panting breaths when they have to pull apart.

Swiss fucks him slow, hitting him deep but showing dew a gentle courtesy he knows he doesn’t get extremely often.

“Faster” dew cries, Swiss can feel a gush of slick around his cock when dew clenches down.

“Wanna take my time with you droplet, let me savor having you like this”

Shhhhh shhhhhh I'm getting carried away here, but...

Y'all ever think about Phantom being unphased by griminess when he's first summoned?

Or maybe not unphased, but he just doesn't make cleanliness a priority. Like this guy has been roaming the circles as best he can on his own, more concerned with finding food and shelter and the reluctant ally here and there than with personal hygiene.

Summoning as a general rule isn't a very tidy affair, so no one really notices that first day. Omega and Aether give him the typical, cursory wipedown to remove the worst of the summoning... goo... before bundling him up in soft, loose, flowy robes while his skin is still sensitive. And of course, when they show him where his room his, they introduce him to the baths and let him know he has the rest of the day to clean up and settle in.

Well, morning rolls around and Dew arrives to the breakfast table, ushering a very sleepy little quint along in front of him. Cirrus scolds him for so obviously waking him up before he was ready, but Phantom insists it's okay, please, I asked him to make sure I was awake for breakfast! Don't get angry at him!

And while Phantom explains that Dew stayed up late with him to help him find and organize snacks in his room, Cumulus comes to the table, yawning wide and clutching Aether's arm. She was so excited to greet Phantom and Aurora at their summonings, hugging them tight (despite the goo) and welcoming them into the fold. She's just as excited to see them at breakfast, purring and pressing a kiss into Aurora's hair first before shuffling over to do the same for Phantom.

He can't help but flinch a little as she approaches. Old habits die hard, and he immediately rushes to apologize when she stops in her tracks and frowns. But Cumulus is used to skittish ghouls - she typically accepts boundaries gracefully. No, what's caught her off guard is-

"Phantom, sweetheart, didn't Aether show you how the bath works?" Cumulus' voice is soft and warm, but she's got Aether pinned with a disappointed glare.

Phantom curls in on himself a little, squirming and wrapping his tail around his fingers. "He did... why?"

"Little bat, you've still got... goo... clumped in your hair. That can't feel very good."

And while Phantom is squirming and explaining himself, that he was focusing on getting used to his room, Cumulus starts looking him over more carefully.

She notices his claws, broken and jagged in some spots, dirt and goo clumped around them. Little scrapes, scratches, and bruises littering what little bit of his bare skin is exposed. Hair dry and frizzed up, with tangles and knots all around the base of his horns. And his horns... dried out, brittle, chunks missing near the ends.

Well, Cirrus doesn't call her Fussy Lussy for nothing.

"Oh darling, it's okay you didn't have time last night. I'll tell you what, I was going to have a little spa day today, I've got so many new things I want to try out. How about you come along with me and I'll help you figure out all the knobs in the tub and you can try out some of my soaps!"

Phantom looks a little wary and unsure as Cumulus extends her offer, maybe trying to figure out how to say no, until Aurora gasps and starts kicking her feet excitedly.

"Oh! Phantom! Cumulus helped me wash my hair last night and her soaps smell soooooo good! You're gonna love it!"

So, that's how Phantom ends up reclined neck-deep in deliciously warm bathwater not an hour later.

Cumulus is humming quietly, sitting next to him and lighting all the candles she lined up along the edge of the tub. "These candles are always here," she explains, "And the matches live in that jar tucked over there, so you can use these anytime you want if you like them, alright?"

Phantom just hums a little to let her know he's at least kind of listening. He rubs his toes through a little pile of what Cumulus called epsom salts, enjoying the way the grains crunch and swirl around his feet as they slowly dissolve. He can't remember being so comfortably warm and relaxed, maybe ever.

"Alright, sugar, I've got so many good things to try out. Are you ready?"

Phantom loses track of time quickly, but it must be hours that they soak together. Cumulus grooms him meticulously, and it stirs up achingly precious, half-lit memories from his kit days, when he still had his parents to look after him.

She scrubs his hair thoroughly with a sweet, sudsy shampoo. Her claws scratch deliciously over his scalp, sending goosebumps down his back. She works something called conditioner in next, using her fingers and a comb to tug and tease all the knots out of his hair. Not once does she pull hard enough to hurt.

She rubs a creamy, buttery substance between her palms until it melts into a sweet-scented oil. She massages it over his horns, cooing about how it's adding so much depth to their night-blue color. His claws are next, and Cumulus patiently explains what each of her little tools is for as she goes about trimming, filing, and oiling each one. She even rubs a cream into what she tells him are his cuticles, apparently to soften them or something.

She uses the softest cloth he's ever felt in his whole life ever to wash him thoroughly with a mouth-wateringly scented soap. She's thorough, getting behind his ears and between his toes. While she washes him, she tells him they should talk to Rain later about trimming up his hair so it doesn't fall in his eyes so much. She checks in with him constantly, asking if he's still okay with her washing him or if he'd like to take over.

Once they're out and dry, she helps him put on a creamy lotion before handing him big, soft clothes to pull on. She helps him roll the sleeves and cuff the pants, having stolen them from Swiss.

"He won't miss them, sweetie. That ghoul has the comfiest loungewear and he's always happy to share."

Cumulus insists that the most important part of their spa day is to immediately crawl into her nest to snack, snooze, and watch movies. It's called beauty rest for a reason, Phantom!

It's with a full belly and a clean, relaxed body that Phantom snuggles down under Cumulus' fresh, soft blankets and promptly passes out. It's the deepest, most restorative sleep he's had in ages.

And while he sleeps, Cumulus pets his hair, rubs his back, and generally fusses over whether the blankets are covering him properly. Her entire heart has totally melted for this sweet ghoul who's seen too much hardship, and she vows to make him the most rotten, spoiled little brat the ministry has ever seen.

They have been groomed. They are unserious.

They would rather be told how to feel than taught how to learn.

Im struggling so I projected onto Mountain (promise I'll give him a break soon)

Cw: this one is heavier than usual, major depressive disorder diagnosis, he feels like a burden, negative self talk, he mentions wanting to be gone, brief vomit mention, Dew gives him a bath, I promise he gets comfort, he's not alone, cg Dew, cg Rain

Mountain had yet to come to terms with the diagnosis, another heavy weight tied to his ankles that he has to drag around for the rest of his days. He already felt like a burden with his anxiety and now this.

He can still hear Omega in his head, his voice soft and professional but warm, talking to a pack mate not just some random person. He'd held Mountain's hand as they discussed it and treatments for it but Mountain hadn't been able to listen, Omega's voice fading into some distant whisper.

"We can talk when you're ready, ok? You can find me anytime, Mountain. I'm always here."

He had just nodded, tried to force a smile that looked at least a little convincing and thanked him. But his head was fuzzy and he moved on muscle memory alone to make it back to his room. He slept the rest of the day, vaguely remembering Dew gently shaking him awake to tell him dinner was ready but telling him he wasn't hungry, he just needed to sleep.

Dew had worried, sitting beside him for a bit with his fingers carding through his hair but sometimes Mountain really did just need sleep, it wasn't too far out of the ordinary. He kissed his cheek and left quietly, telling himself he'd talk to him in the morning before anyone else woke up.

Mountain had crept outside as soon as he woke up, immediately getting himself busy so no one would bother him. He didn't want to talk about it, he just wanted it to go away. If he didn't say the words then maybe it wouldn't be real, maybe if he didn't say it, it wouldn't have power...

Dew finds him but Mountain keeps it to himself, smiles and nods and tries to keep himself as normal as possible. He laughs even if he doesn't really want to, he lets Dew hold his hand, he lets him talk as much as he wants because at least then he can be quiet, he can bite his tongue to keep from spilling his secrets.

"I have to go help Rain, but I wanted to see you." He squeezes Mountains hand. "I love you. You know that right? Always."

He manages to nod. "Yeah. Love you too."

The problem is...it never goes away. It's a heavy hand pressing down on his chest until he feels like he's breathing under water and he's not sure he knows how to fight it, at least not alone but he's not going to talk about it, he's not going to add yet another issue that they have to deal with. He'll be fine.

It's a lie and he knows it, he feels it getting worse, feels the angry dark thoughts slipping in, the ones that make him scared to be alone because right now he's his own biggest enemy. But he still feels himself pulling away, finding more and more reasons to be alone.

He can see the concern and he swears he's alright, just tired, and he walks away and draws the curtains tight and curls in on himself as much as he can and cries until he falls asleep where even his dreams don't offer respite.

He dodges Omega, refuses to talk to him. He doesn't want to hear it anymore, he doesn't want to talk because it's not going to help, he doesn't want to need medication to function like he should be able to.

He has to wonder if he's being punished for something he can't remember doing, some horrible atrocity he's now got to pay for.

Dew watches him at dinner, eyes like a hawk as Mountain just flicks his food around, his fork barely making the journey up to his mouth.

"Mount?"

"Hm?"

"You can talk to me. About anything, no matter what."

It feels like a punch right to his chest because he's not so sure anymore. But he nods because it feels like that's what he's supposed to do.

"I know."

Rain touches his hand from his other side and just offers a smile and he wants to give one back, wants to maybe ask if they mean it. But he doesn't. He just stands and walks away, back to his room to hide in the dark where he belongs.

He loses interest, his plants wilting from his absence in the greenhouse, he has no energy for anything, no desire to talk or eat or see anything beyond the four walls of his room.

The first time he drops after, he's terrified. Big it's scary but he at least understands but little it just feels like an endless churning ocean and he doesn't stand a chance.

He bites his tail as hard as he can, sobbing and all alone in a bed that feels too big in a room that's way too dark. He can't even find his bunny and he just feels like maybe if he just vanished everything would be better.

If he wasn't here they wouldn't have to worry about him, they wouldn't be excused by his constant need to reassurance, they wouldn't get tired of him always being sad or scared...he'd just be gone and there'd be peace and quiet in his place.

Dew races into the room just as Mountain gets sick all over the bed, crying and shaking and trying to apologize through shallow breaths but everything hurts. His body and his brain...it just hurts.

Dew doesn't say anything but he's warm and safe and he carries Mountain to the bathroom, quickly getting a bath started while the little ghoul cries against his shoulder.

He eases him into the water and keeps one hand wrapped around Mountain's, silently letting him know he's there. The little ghoul jumps and turns his face toward the wall when he hears the bedroom door open.

"It's just Rain. He's not coming in right now, I promise."

Mountain whimpers, pulling his knees under his chin, still kind of wishing that the Earth would take him back. He's once again making them do too much, once again making them worry.

"Pebble." Dew touches his cheek gently. "Sie müssen mit mir reden. Was ist hier los?" (You need to talk to me. What's going on?)

He shakes his head and bites his lip, squeezing his eyes as hard as he can. He could just run away, run and run and run until he doesn't know where he is and no one knows where to look...

His tummy sinks and his heart races, scared to be out all by himself, all alone in a world he doesn't think he really belongs in.

Dew sighs and squeezes his hand before washing Mountain's hair. He gets him out and dressed in warm jammies and Dew smiles when he sees the nest Rain had made on the bed for him when he stripped off the dirty sheets, replacing them with soft ones from Dew and Rain, offering comfort to the little ghoul while still respecting his space.

Dew helps him up into the bed, smiling when Mountain immediately grabs his bunny and brings it up to his face.

The fire ghoul climbs up beside him and pulls him close to his chest, running his hands in soothing motions over Mountain's back.

"Ich bin hier. Egal, was dein Verstand dir sagt. Ich bin da." (I'm here. No matter what your mind is telling you. I'm here.)

He pulls one of the blankets up over Mountain's shoulders, pausing to brush away the slowly falling tears.

"Can Rain come say goodnight to you?"

He shuts his eyes and squeezes his bunny to keep from biting his hand. "Why?"

Dew winces at his rough little voice and holds him tighter. "Because he loves you."

His mind, the scary monster in the corners of his brain, yells for him to say no, screams at him to not bother. But he finds himself nodding anyway.

Rain is in the room and climbing up behind Mountain before he can even really process it. He kisses the top of the little ghouls head and runs his fingers through his hair.

"Tout va bien se passer, petite fleur." He whispers to him. "No matter what it is, we'll figure it out. We'll be here." (It's going to be ok, little flower.)

He doesn't dream when he finally falls asleep between them and he wakes big and still exhausted. He tries to shuffle out from between them but Dew grabs his wrist.

"We're talking."

"But-"

"No. We are talking, Mountain."

His breath shakes when he breathes out and the walls feel like they're going to close in.

"Doesn't matter..."

"It does. You matter."

The words trigger the tears and he hangs his head.

"Why do you care so much? I could just....I could just go and it'd be fine."

Dew has his arms around him before he even finishes speaking and Rain is slowly sitting up wiping the sleep from his eyes.

"Nothing would be fine if you weren't here."

He can't get himself to believe that. Rain moves closer, taking one of Mountain's hands.

"Have you talked to Omega?"

He nods, chewing his lip and fighting the drop, he doesn't want to feel more helpless right now.

"Gave me a diagnosis. Said it's major depressive disorder..." He hates the way it sounds and he waits for them to get annoyed, to roll their eyes because he's got more issues for them to deal with.

"Ok. Did you guys set up a plan?" Rain looks focused and Mountain can imagine him with a notebook listening to everything Omega had said about it.

"I...I didn't want to talk about it...I just..."

Dew nods and squeezes his hand. "It's ok."

It's not, not really but at least now he's said it, at least now people know.

"Do you think you can go talk to him? You don't have to decide anything but maybe talking through the thoughts might help." Rain tilts his head to the side. "We're with you no matter what."

It takes a while but he finally agrees and makes his way to the infirmary. Omega smiles when he sees him.

"Can...can we talk?"

His eyes go soft and he seems to understand. "Of course. We'll go to my office. Aeth, I'm stepping out for a few."

Aether just gives a thumbs up and Omega leads the giant down to his office, shutting the door softly behind them.

Once he starts talking it all just tumbles out and Omega listens patiently, holding Mountain's hands when the tears start, when he starts talking about the fears and how he wishes sometimes that he just wasn't here.

"Can I tell you something? Only Aether and Terzo know this." He waits for Mountain to nod. "I have it too. I know that feeling and how horrible it is but I promise you, we can make it easier. You're not alone, Mountain. You don't have to deal with it by yourself. I'm not going to let that happen."

He lets the big Quint wrap him in a tight hug and he listens to his options, deciding with a sigh that he'll try medication. He feels himself dropping and asks for Dew and Rain to be brought in, giving Omega permission to tell them everything.

He's bundled in a blanket on Omega's lap when they finally make it down and Dew pulls him onto his arms, offering a soother while he listens to every single word Omega says. He was right, Rain is taking notes and he smiles a little behind his soother.

Dew carries him to his room once all their questions have been answered and Mountain grabs for Rain so he'll stay too.

"I'm so proud of you, pebble." He kisses his forehead.

"You were so brave." Rain adds, smiling and handing Mountain his bunny.

He's still tired and he's still scared and his mind is still so loud and dark but he thinks maybe, just maybe things won't be so hard with Dew and Rain behind him.

Mushy May 2024

Day 2- Lake Night Snacks

Rating: G

Pairing: Cumulus & Rain

Words: 591

Thank you to @forlorn-crows for organizing the event once again ♡

Divider by @ghuleh-recs

There’s a high chance the loud noises and faint smell of bacon coming from the kitchen is purposefully trying to tempt somebody out, but Cumulus has been tossing and turning so long that she really doesn’t care. It only takes about 20 seconds before she’s throwing on a robe and slippers and setting down the hall in search of a distraction.

There’s a faint discontent noise from down the hall that she immediately clocks as belonging to Rain, bringing a soft smile to her face. It is so rare that she gets time alone with the water ghoul, the two of them often getting snagged by somebody else. This chance for the two of them to hang out alone is beyond overdue.

Before heading to bed she had noticed how beautiful the moon was shining on the lake, streaks of captivating pale blue light rippling with the shifting surface of the water. It had almost convinced her to head down, so it makes sense that Rain ended up there. Odds are he got carried away and only wandered back in.

As she rounds the corner to the kitchen, she can’t help but take a moment to appreciate the darling look of concentration on Rain’s face as he carefully pours batter onto a griddle in slow deliberate shapes.

“3am seems a bit early for breakfast” she teases, hopping up to sit on the counter opposite the griddle.

“It’s not so much early for breakfast, but late for dinner really. Got caught up at the bottom of the lake enjoying the moonlight, when I realized I was starving. Nobody else was up, but I had a feeling the extras wouldn’t go to waste” he yawns out in response, flipping a pancake onto the empty plate next to Cumulus.

“Hmmm you have always been perfect tempting, and I am here now so it’s a fair assumption.”

Cumulus smiles at the heart shaped pancake before picking it up, ripping it and handing one half to the water ghoul. She takes a quick moment to reunite the heart in a cheers motion and pops the treat into her mouth.

“Mmmm, it might be the late hour but that’s beyond amazing”

“Sunny and I have been working on incorporating fruit puree into the batter” Rain beams, sighing contently as he eats his own half.

“Mmm I love that y’all found an excuse to do something together that doesn’t end in tracking water everywhere”

Rain attempts to fake looking hurt at the insinuation that Sunshine and him are anything but well behaved, but it only lasts about 3 seconds before he dissolves into giggles.

“Yeah alright, well maybe you and I will have to scheme up some trouble to make up for it.” he lilts, following the air ghoulettes eyeline to the bacon beside him and handing her a piece.

The two go back and forth trading jokes and enjoying the alone time as Rain finishes up cooking. Eventually they hear a telltale groan of Mountain stretching as he shambles down the hallway to start his early day and make sure to leave the plates of food where he will see them.

They quietly scamper off to the patio to leave him to his routine, and make plans to meet up for some less elaborate late night snack and overall shenanigans on a semi-regular basis.

The next time the moon gets that particular irresistible shine to it Cumulus knows she’ll get alone time with her favorite water ghoul once again. This time she doesn’t even attempt to sleep, knowing the anticipation would keep her up anyways.

I'd like to request a SwissTom/DewTher double date please. Up to you if it gets spicy or not

I am very much stretching the definition of a double date here, but I had an idea that I could not put down.

Contains a very, very, very small mention of a Rite Here Rite Now spoiler. But just in case.

divider by @ghuleh-recs <3

This is it, Dew thinks, settling back farther into his adirondack chair, condensation from his beer dripping over his fingertips. Aether's in the chair next to him, a bonfire glowing a few feet ahead of them on the lakeshore, and the air is comfortably warm as the sun sets behind the forest surrounding the Abbey. This is the reward at the end of it all, all of the work, piety, loyalty, and literal blood, sweat and tears Dew's put into the Ghost Project.

Rain's still in the lake, bickering playfully with Aurora and Sunshine while Cirrus and Cumulus wring water out of their hair, wrapping towels around each other as the air starts to cool. Mountain's ducked into the woods to tap into the stash of firewood he keeps hidden for pack nights like this. Papa- no, Frater- No. Copia's asleep in his own adirondack chair, paperback open and resting on his chest, readers askew on his nose.

Aether sits next to Dew, taking a big swig of his beer, lime wedge shoved down into the neck of the brown glass bottle. His other arm hangs off the side, reaching just enough to twine his pinkie with Dew's. The touch is grounding, and Dew shuts his eyes, swallows his own mouthful of beer. They don't need more than this, every word has already been spoken between them, engraved into their minds the same way they have matching scars in the crooks of their necks.

A few feet away from them, the relative quiet is broken by soft chatter, Swiss practically giggling at something he said that Dew couldn't hear, matching Aeon's laughter. The two of them have practically been glued together since the end of the Re-Imperatour, and tonight is no different. Swiss leans back in his chair, and Aeon sits sideways in his lap, legs dangling over the armrest. Their horns click as they lean in to whisper to each other.

Dew runs his tongue over his fangs at how cloyingly sweet the two of them are. "I don't think we were ever that bad, right, Aeth?"

Aether snorts, finishing his beer. "I couldn't tell you, darling. We weren't looking in on us from the outside. We might have been that bad."

Dew tugs at his pinkie. "Yeah, you were so fucking desperate once you got it through your thick fucking skull that I was into you."

Even in the firelight, Dew can see the way Aether rolls his eyes. "In my defense, I'd never dealt with water or fire courting rituals before I met you."

Swiss starts, turning over to them. "You talking courting rituals, big guy?" he laughs. Gold and purple eyes practically glow in the firelight.

"Nah, we're talking about how the two of you are practically one ghoul now," Dew cuts in, setting his empty beer bottle onto the ground beside his chair to pick up later. "Haven't seen you take a breath without each other since probably Los Angeles. No, wait, it was after Sydney."

Aeon laughs, shifting closer in Swiss's lap with a soft chuff. The way they nuzzle their cheek against Swiss's doesn't help their case. "Gettin' caught up on lost time, it had been a really long time since I'd been touched nice."

Dew bites the inside of his cheek. "Yeah, I know, voidling," he says softly. Remembers the scent of terror that'd permeated the bus in the early nights of the tour. Remembers the way Aeon had shook against him the first night they'd shared a bunk.

"But Swiss, pup?" Aether teases. "You've got a whole pack of ghouls wrapped around your finger who'd be more than happy to give you affection, and you choose him?"

"Hey!" Swiss protests, throwing a middle finger at Aether as he hauls Aeon impossibly closer with his other arm. Aether just laughs, gold fang glinting in the firelight.

"I'm just saying," Aether shrugs, standing with a groan. "Any of you want another beer?"

"Please, starshine," Dew says, his pinkie still entwined with Aether's. He reluctantly lets go, lets his arm fall back to his side.

"I'll pass," Aeon says, mismatched eyes shutting with a heaving sigh. The air's starting to get a little chilly, and Dew bets the voidling's using that as their excuse to press even closer against Swiss.

"Me too," Swiss says, and Aether cocks his head at him, lips quirked up in a smile.

"Alright," he says, rummaging through the half melted ice in the cooler to pull out two beers. He sets his down to pull out the bottle opener, passing the first one to Dew. The fire ghoul takes a long drink, raising the bottle in thanks. Aether settles back into his chair with his own, tucking the bottle caps in the pocket of his shorts.

"No, but seriously, you're going to give us all cavities with how sappy you're being," Dew says, even as he reaches over the edge of his armrest to take Aether's hand. "How's the dental at the infirmary again, Aeth?"

"Well, it's where I got this," he says, tapping a claw against his gold fang. "So we're in luck. You two can keep being ridiculously sweet."

"Come on," Aeon whines, tail flicking behind them and whacking against the legs of the chair. A log shifts in the fire, sending flickering orange embers into the darkening sky. "We're not that bad."

"There's no way in hell that you two weren't as touchy," Swiss cuts in.

Dew laughs, copper eyes narrowing into slits as he gestures with his beer bottle. "Well. Seeing as you weren't summoned until a year and a half after we started courting, you have no fucking ground to stand on. For all you know, we were perfectly chaste."

"The two of you?" Swiss laughs. "Chaste?"

A tall shape passes in front of them, silhouetted by the fire. Mountain puts another few logs onto the bonfire. He turns to face the pairs, hands on his hips. "As the only one in the pack who was here when the two of you finally got your shit together, I can say with absolute certainty that the two of you were way fucking worse, Aeth, Dew. How the two of you managed to make the entire bus reek of sex in that tiny fucking bunk, Satan only knows."

Dew sputters, glancing between him and Aether. Swiss cackles. The quintessence ghoul grins, raising his beer in a toast. "Nema to that."

Mountain pulls up another chair, ruffling Aeon's hair playfully, running a knuckle along Swiss's horn. "Now, no more bickering. I'll chaperone this little double date, don't worry."

The five of them burst into laughter. It's so loud it startles Copia awake, and they can't stop laughing long enough to explain or apologize.

Dude, I still sleep on, not in, a waterbed.

I just had this thought about Swiss buying Rain a water bed, full excitement he wants this surprise to be GREAT.

And he sets it up and Rain is like “But how do I get IN the water?”

Swiss is stumped. He didn’t think that far. How DO you get into the water?!

Aether is looking on astounded by the failure of their shared brain cell.

Two weeks later Dew comes home with a family sized blow up swimming pool for Rains room and saves the day. (He decided not to mention he made the exact same mistake when he was newly summoned)

Oh my fucking GOD. I'm dying. Poor Rain, so appreciative but just standing there poking at the bed like "cool, how do I get in?" And poor Swiss just so confused. Searching for some kind of hole Rain can fit through to get in. Because he didn't think this through AT ALL and doesn't want to admit it. And Aether like..."you lay on it not in it" Cut to Rain going: "well that's stupid, why would you call it a water bed if you can't be in the water?" Thank satan for Dew (and his past mistakes).