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Baby Dew getting to help decorate for Yule 🩷

Cw: none

“I want sparkles!” Phantom yells across the table. Aurora hands over the little gems closest to her to the little quint who happily takes them.

“Who has the green paint?” Swiss glances around, looking for the color he needs for his ornament.

“I do, I just need a little more…” Mountain says softly as he continues painting.

The little multi smiles. “Ok! Take your time Mount, I'll work on another spot till you're done.”

Aether smiles at all of them, watching as they all work on their ornaments for this year's yule. Everyone is around, laughing and talking watching as the little ones create. There are sweet smells in the air as Cumulus bakes with Copia and Terzo, and music playing in the background.

“Boo!” Dew giggles and shoves his fingers in the blue paint, smearing it on his ornament.

“That looks beautiful so far!” Aether tells the baby on his lap. “Is blue your favorite?”

He looks at Aether. “No! Aef!” He points at the purple across the table.

“Purple is your favorite? That's very pretty. I like purple too.”

“Berg!” He almost grabs the little earth ghouls ornament but Aether stops him just in time.

“Don't paint on Mountains please, just do yours.”

“Berg …see p’ease!”

“I think he wants to see yours, sapling.”

Mountain holds it up with a smile. “M’making a snowy tree!”

Dew stares at it for a moment before clapping. “Pitty!”

“It's very pretty! You're very talented, Sapling!”

“L-look at mine, A-Aeth!” Phantom holds theirs up, revealing a moon with a bat flying in front of it.

“Wow! That looks so good, bug! You're working really hard huh?”

“The b-bat is gonna s-sparkle!”

“That's going to be amazing, I can't wait to see it.”

He looks down, watching Rain pour a little purple paint onto Dew's plate so he can use it. He immediately shoves his hand in it and it hits Aether then…watching him participate that this is the very first time he's been able to really join in.

Of course he was always there, swaddled tight and cradled in someone's arms but trapped somewhere deep in his mind. But how he's come so far, he'd fought his way through it and now…now he's actively joining in and making his very first ornament for the big tree in the den.

He blinks against the burn of tears watching his sticky fingers poke at his ornament leaving little purple spots. This is a moment Aether will cherish for forever.

The baby gasping breaks him from his thoughts and he watches him stick his hand into the sparkles.

“Oooh!” He holds his hand up for Aether to see. “Pitty!”

Aether laughs knowing he'll probably never get rid of the sparkles at this point. “Very pretty.”

Rain squeals and giggles when the baby pokes him with his glittery fingers making Dew giggle too.

“I'm not a decoration!” Rain laughs again, wiping off some of the glitter.

Aether laughs while he watches over the table, watching them all create something special that shows who they are to display proudly on the tree. He always loves this time of year, just something about the togetherness of it that fills him with a peace that's saved just for Yule time.

Dew decides he's done when he hears Cumulus laugh from the kitchen. He wiggles his way off of Aether's lap and wanders off to find her, toddling with his hands out to the side to steady himself.

“Mamma!” He hollers as he gets a little closer.

“I'm in here, my love!”

Aether smiles when the baby rounds the corner, his loud giggle breaking through the rest of the happy noise around him.

He flips Dew's ornament over and writes his name and the date and holds it just a little longer, cherishing the fact that he has come so far with them.

Mushy May Day 16: Cooking A Special Recipe

Cumulus, Mountain, and Dew introduce Aeon to the joys of kahlua chocolate chip cookies.

Thank you to @forlorn-crows for putting Mushy May together, and thank you to @ghuleh-recs for making the divider! <3

"Hey, junie, look what we got while we were out shopping!"

Mountain and Aeon both look up from the round of Mario Kart they're playing, Aeon cursing under their breath as their Toad crashes into a wall, the 'wrong way' sign flashing over his head.

Dew's stuck his head into the living room from the kitchen, holding up a brown glass bottle with a red and yellow label, shaking it. The full bottle sloshes, and Mountain perks up. "Oh shit, you got kahlua. I know what that means."

"Fuck yeah, you do," Dew crows, eyes wide.

Aeon's brow furrows. "It's ten in the morning on a Thursday, are we starting to drink this early?"

Mountain reaches over, rubbing Aeon's shoulder. "No, petunia, it's not for drinking, at least, not right now. We're making cookies."

"Oh, fuck yeah, cookies," Aeon pauses their game, spamming the button with such urgency that Mountain cackles, standing from the couch. "Is Cue helping?"

"It's her recipe," Dew says, leading the two other ghouls to the kitchen. There are grocery bags on the kitchen counter, things the Abbey can't grow or make themselves. Semi sweet chocolate chips, butterscotch pudding mix, the thick glass bottle of rum and coffee liqueur that Dew sets down with a clink.

Cumulus looks up from where she's sorting things in the fridge, hair tied back. "Boys," she greets the three of them. "You helping make cookies?"

"Unless that means you have too many cooks in the kitchen,'' Mountain says, reaching to grab the big bag of all-purpose flour from the top shelf of the cupboard. "Though I don't think Aeon's ever had your cookies before."

"You're in for a treat then, bunny. If it's too many people," she says, "I'll just kick Dew out."

"Hey!" he protests, but there's laughter in his voice; he knows she's teasing.

Aeon glances over at her as she pulls out the carton of eggs. "Can you get the cup and spoon measures out of the drawer by the sink?" Cumulus asks, moving to preset the oven. Aeon nods, scrambling to comply and moving out of Dew's way as he grabs bowls and a rubber spatula.

Mountain fetches baking powder ("Not soda, right, hummingbird?" "Yep, soda makes them flatter than I want them." "Like Dewey's ass?" "I can hear you!") and salt. He takes the measures from Aeon and shows them how to level the measuring cups of flour, dumping them into a bowl with the pudding mix. Aeon adds the spoons of baking powder and salt.

Dew takes care of the wet ingredients, both types of sugar and softened butter and vanilla and a healthy pour of kahlua. Cumulus takes the bottle when he's done, slyly pouring half a shot for all four of them.

"Add a little bit at a time," Mountain directs Aeon, taking the wet bowl from Dew. "I'll stir."

Aeon nods, biting their tongue in concentration, trying not to spill the dry ingredients. Bit by bit, the dough starts to form, and Cumulus adds the chocolate chips, all four of them trying to be slick and snatch a few while the other three aren't looking. Inevitably they catch each other stealing chunks of dough, cackling at the absurdity of trying to be sneaky.

Once the dough's ready, Cumulus goes to one of the cabinet drawers, pulling out an ice cream scoop . "Mount, there's a baking sheet with parchment paper on the counter, could you grab that for me?"

"'Course," he hums, already turning to grab it for her. Cumulus scoops the dough onto the baking sheet, evenly arranging them in rows. Once the sheet's full, she slides it into the oven.

"Alright, ten minutes on the clock," she hums, turning to gather the shotglasses and passing them out. "Cheers."

They down their shots before rinsing out the glasses and cleaning up the dirty dishes. Mountain keeps an eye on the stove clock as the kitchen fills with the scent of baked goods. "How long do you think it'll take for Swiss to come throw himself on top of these?" Mountain asks.

"I don't think hiding them on top of the fridge will work this time," Cumulus hums. "I mean. It'll keep Aurora and Dew from getting them at least."

"Wait." Dew's brow furrows, a look of distress falling over his features. "Is that where they went last time? I thought they were all gone."

"Oh, Dewey," Cumulus coos, laughing. "Oh, Dew, I'm so sorry."

"Cue!" He shouts, playing up his upset.

Mountain ruffles his hair, and the fire ghoul sputters, frantically trying to fix his hair. "Don't worry, firefly, we get first dibs."

Dew smiles smugly, settling back against the counter until the stove clock says it's been ten minutes. He gets up, turning to Aeon, leveling them with a serious look. "Please don't ever do what I'm about to do, I'm a fire ghoul, I don't need a hotpad. You will burn yourself if you try."

He opens the oven, pulling the tray out with his bare hands and taking the spatula from Cumulus, moving the finished cookies from the tray to a plate. They're round little things, golden brown and the chocolate chips gooey.

Cumulus waves her hand casually, using her wind to cool the cookies til they're just on the right side of warm. "Aeon, you get first pick. Enjoy."

She grins as Aeon picks one, tentatively taking a bite. The others all watch, grinning as their eyes go wide, a nearly pornographic moan slipping from their lips. "Holy fuck, Cue," they say with their mouth still full.

"Yeah?" she laughs, taking her own cookie. Dew and Mountain are quick to snatch one for themselves.

"That's really fucking good," they say, taking another big bite of cookie.

"They are," Dew says, biting off nearly half of his cookie. His eyes flutter shut. "Fuck. Just as good as I remember."

Mountain makes a similar noise to Aeon as he chews. "Yep. Uh-huh. We need to find a spot to hide these so they last for longer than an afternoon."

There's thudding footsteps, and Swiss skids on socked feet into the doorframe. "I smell kahlua cookies," he pants, eyes wide and a little crazed, a grin splitting his face.

Cumulus shares a look with Mountain and Dew, and all four of them burst into laughter.

A rough day

(mean, insulting, Kevin hates the ghouls)

Kevin hates the ghouls.

Not because he's afraid of them, no, on the contrary, you can't have less respect for them than Kevin. He just thinks they're annoying little beasts, like particularly vicious chihuahuas from hell.

Dewdrop, Phantom and Rain especially get on his nerves. Phantom because he's always clinging to Kevin like a leech. Dewdrop because he's a nasty little gremlin who just causes chaos that Kevin then has to clean up. And Rain isn't actually that bad but he isn't good at speaking human language that Kevin usually doesn't understand what the water ghoul is stammering anyway. Not that he would care anyway.

Well, Kevin could speak ghoulish if he wanted to, but in the end these pests would annoy him even more.

The worst is when he has to fix something in the ghoul wing. For example, the other day, when he just wanted to clean the clogged drain in the kitchen sink, he was surrounded by ghouls within a few minutes. They reminded him of a bunch of starving cats, the way they stalked around him and cast curious glances over his shoulder. Phantom was immediately glued to him again, practically tugging at Kevin's hair and clothes.

Then Aether, who kept his distance but intermittently gave advice that Kevin hadn't asked for.

"You should unscrew the drain pipe first" and "are you sure you've mixed the cleaning concentrate sufficiently? Otherwise it could damage the pipes."

Kevin wanted to hit Aether in the face. But instead he contented himself with glaring at the sink while he worked.

At one point he accidentally hit Rain's forehead with his knee because Rain was squeezing himself on the floor between him and the bucket that Kevin had used to catch all the muck from the drainpipe. With an annoyed look, Kevin noticed that the water ghoul had started collecting small pieces that had landed in the drainpipe from the bucket.

"Stop that! You're just making everything dirty," he growled as Rain pulled his hands back and placed a marble, dripping with dirt, on the ground. Rain just babbled incomprehensible things as he began to dig in the muck again. "Why are u so rude to Rainy?" whispered Phantom and came so close to Kevin that he felt the ghoul's warm breath brushing over his ear.

Kevin sighed with the burden of a man who would rather tend a sack full of fleas than a handful of ghouls. Why couldn't the clergy have chosen other demons? There were many species that were less unruly than ghouls. Kevin even had the feeling that ghouls not only enjoyed the chaos, but that they actually drew their energy from it. He had once expressed this thought to sister Imperator, but she had just laughed at him and said that he just had to learn to assert himself. That could only come from someone who didn't have to deal with these plagues on a daily basis.

Annoyed, Kevin stuck the spiral into the drain to push out the last bit of dirt, while at the same time swatting away Rain's fingers that had appeared on the edge of the sink.

Since Copia had risen to the top of the ministry and had a bit more say, Kevin was no longer even allowed to sprinkle holy water on the ghouls to keep them away. After all, that would hurt the ghouls, the youngest Emeterius brother had explained his decision. Simply ridiculous. When Kevin had started working for the clergy, ghouls had just been treated like ghouls. But since Copia had shown up here, Kevin had to treat these creatures as if they had more feelings than lust, hunger and thirst.

Finally, the resistance in the drain was released and with a slap, a pile of mud landed in the bucket. "Is that...sand?" asked Aether, astonished. Kevin shrugged his shoulders in resignation. "How do I fucking know what kind of crap you always pour down the drain?!" He pulled the spiral back and knelt under the sink to screw the pipe back on. Phantom also knelt down next to him and grabbed one of Kevin's long strands of hair to chew on. "I'm clearly not being paid well enough for this," the brown haired growled, shooing back first Phantom and then Rain, whose hand had already disappeared back into the bucket. Under the curious gaze of the ghouls, Kevin screwed the pipe back on, sat up with his aching back and picked up the bucket. "Would be nice if you could just stop breaking or clogging anything for more than three days," Kevin grumbled, looking sternly at Aether. The quint had spent the last few minutes watching with his hands on his hips and a critical expression. "I'm doing my best, but you know what they're like." Kevin only snorted in response. He watched as Aether disappeared into the living room before he turned to leave. The ghoul was talking to Kevin as if they were eye to eye. Kevin shook his head. Ghouls.

He was about to close the door behind him when Rain slithered through and tugged at his sleeve. His big blue eyes bored into his. "What?" Kevin asked slightly suprised.

Rain's mouth opened and closed a few times without any words coming out. Then, finally, when Kevin's already extremely thin thread of patience was about to snap, Rain managed to say a word. "Encore."

He had always thought that Rain simply didn't speak human language, but apparently the ghoul was just dumb. In a good-natured tone, as if he was talking to someone particularly retarded, Kevin replied. "I know you did a great job on the film. We're all very proud of you. But I," he pointed to himself, "have to go now," he pointed to the door. Rain tilted his head, confused.

He's probably doing this so that the few brain cells he has will slip into the same corner, Kevin thought spitefully.

The water ghoul tugged at his sleeve again, this time more frantically. "Encore! Encore! Encore! Dew!" Confused, Kevin turned around and froze. Dewdrop stood at the sink and calmly poured a thick liquid into it. Kevin now also noticed the penetrating smell of ammonia.

This fucking little shit poured wall paint into the sink.

Kevin just stared at him. The man was too stunned to even utter a word. He definitely needed a bottle of whiskey tonight. Better yet, two. And brandy. A lot of it.

Nothing like cracking open a cold one by the pool after a long day at work

Mushy May Day 15: Painting On Each Other

Cirrus kills some time waiting for band practice with Swiss

Thank you to @forlorn-crows for putting Mushy May together, and to @ghuleh-recs for the divider <3

is this one a stretch to fit the prompt? yes

The worst part of practice, Cirrus decides, are the sectionals. Where Papa splits the pack into groups by instrument, works with them one by one while the rest of them are meant to practice quietly while they wait.

Papa's working with the rhythm section, Mountain and Rain helping him get Aeon up to speed. Which is all fine and good, they've got a tour coming up, but it's been twenty minutes and Cirrus is bored. She's tired of practicing her individual parts, there are no massive changes to the setlist from the last leg, she knows them like the back of her hand.

Her gaze drifts to Swiss's podium, the multighoul sitting and letting his long legs dangle off of the edge. His guitar's in his lap, a pretty black thing, all shiny and curves. His fingers are moving, playing something that's decidedly not one of the setlist songs. Every once in a while, Papa glances back from the other side of the practice room, and Cirrus watches as his fingers change chords without a moment's notice into something more familiar.

Cirrus sighs and hits the power button on her keyboard, hopping down from her podium. She hauls herself up to sit next to Swiss on his.

He doesn't turn, a flash of gold as he looks at her from the corner of his eye. Swiss doesn't stop playing. "Hiya, whisp," he whispers, fingers still moving softly over the strings. "Bored?"

"Mhm," she hums, feather tipped tail swaying behind her as she watches as Aeon stumbles over a difficult section. Their face furrows in concentration, determined to get better. "Kid needs this, but damn, I don't miss struggling like that."

"They're not struggling, they're getting there," Swiss says, fingers never stopping. It's a sweet melody, easy to listen to, pleasant on Cirrus's ears.

"I mean, I really can't say much about they're doing, I've never touched a guitar in my life," Cirrus jokes, knocking her shoulder gently against Swiss's. His tail bats at her as his fingers slip, a sour note ringing out.

"Knock it off," he laughs, cheeks dimpled with his signature grin. Cirrus rolls her eyes, but there's no heat in it.

The sectionals drag on, Papa still working with Mountain, Aeon, and Rain. Cirrus pulls a pair of pens from her pocket, ones she's supposed to have to make notes in her sheet music, but she knows everything front to back after all of the tours she has under her belt. She only really has them for the formality of it.

Swiss, ever incapable of sitting completely still when he's at ease, sways his tail behind him, the spade tip padding against Cirrus's side. It's pierced several times, gold rings threaded through along one edge, glinting in the light. It curls loosely around Cirrus's wrist, and she glances up at him.

He isn't paying attention, and Cirrus hums along to his playing as she puts the silver pen back in her pocket, uncapping the gold. She brings the tip of the pen to the spade of his tail and Swiss yelps. He wasn't expecting anything touching his tail, especially not something as wet and cold as the ink.

They both freeze, Mountain and Copia glancing over at them before turning back to the sectional.

"What are you doing?" Swiss whispers, tail still wound around Cirrus's wrist.

She shrugs, her grey eyes meeting his. "Bored. Sorry, should have asked."

His lips quirk up in a smile. "I mean, knock yourself out, you just startled me."

Cirrus gives him a little purr, leaning in to rub her temple against his shoulder before she starts to draw. Nothing fancy or complicated, simple geometric patterns that span over both sides of spade of his tail, shiny gold ink that matches the hoops threaded through his piercings.

Swiss watches out of the corner of his eye, still playing softly, fingers on the strings. "'S pretty," he hums, keeping his tail as still as possible to give her an easier time, feeling the drag of the pen nib over his skin. He lets her draw until Copia finishes the rhythm sectional, and she scrambles back to her platform for her own turn.

He wears her designs on his tail for the rest of the day, admiring the way the ink looks in the light.

𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦: 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘈𝘪𝘥

Rating: T Pairing: Raindrop Word Count: 1.2k Murder Ghouls Ahead! (No actual murder, just the aftermath)

Mushy May brought to you by @forlorn-crows Divider by @ghuleh-recs

It wasn't supposed to happen like this. 

Rain sits back against the shower wall. Knees drawn up to his chest. Blood swirling down the drain. Not much. Most of it not even his. But it's enough. Enough that he feels the sting, worse is the bite of shame. Embarrassment. He should be better than this. He is better than this. It’s not like it’s his first hunt or anything. Not like he doesn’t know how to do this–hasn’t done it a thousand times. 

He isn’t sure what went wrong. 

His arm stings. He refocuses his gaze to watch blood leak from it. It’s not that bad–he’s had worse. Nothing like hunting in the pit. But it’s still a nasty gash down the the outer edge of his forearm. It’s still bleeding. It still hurts. 

There’s a sharp knock on his bathroom door. Rain flinches. Ignores it. He doesn’t understand why no one in this place understands what a locked door means. 

“Rain.” 

It’s Dew, voice sharp. Tipping up with worry. Rain wonders if he saw the mess he left by the late–too in shock to even finish his meal or dispose of it properly. Sloppy. He tucks his head into the circle of his arms. He had a knife. Since when do siblings carry knives? Maybe if Rain keeps ignoring him, Dew will go away. 

He knows better, of course. But he can hope. 

“Rain I know you’re in there.” 

Rain sighs. “I’m fine.”

“C’mon.” 

It isn’t like the door is the thing stopping Dew. He already picked the lock on Rain’s bedroom. And he hadn’t thought to lock the bathroom door too. He appreciates Dew giving him this space, but he also knows he isn’t going to be able to get rid of him. Dew can definitely smell the blood–the shame–the disaster wafting through the door.  

“It’s not my blood,” Rain answers. 

The door cracks open and Rain buries his head deeper into the circle of his arms, curls up tighter. Pressed into the corner of the shower like he can disappear. Then Dew’s there. Stepping into the cool spray, fully clothed. Rain hears the hiss of the water as it hits him, evaporates. The hand Dew lays on Rain’s arm is hot. 

Rain looks up at him. He doesn’t know what Dew sees in his face–but whatever it is makes the fire ghoul blanch. He watches as Dew gnaws on his lip with a crooked fang. The sight of Rain pulls at his features. Like he’s warring with relief that Rain is alright, and worry that maybe he actually isn’t. 

“Do you want to tell me about it?” 

“Not much to tell. I picked wrong.” 

It happens sometimes. Some humans appear weaker than they are. They fight back. They scratch and claw and kick and scream. Rain, and every other ghoul who hunts, has learned to accept that–expect it even. But not knives. Not knives in the hands of people who know how to use him. 

“Did they survive?” 

Rain shakes his head. 

“Then you didn’t pick wrong.” 

There’s no denying the little flashes of anger in Dew’s voice. Not at Rain–he knows that. At whoever hurt him. Dew probably wished Rain hadn’t killed him–just so he could have had the chance to do it himself. 

“Come on, let’s get you up. The water’s cold.” 

“I like the water cold.” 

“Yeah, but I don’t.” Dew pulls on him with surprisingly strength and Rain lets himself be uncoiled. Dew doesn’t stop until Rain’s standing, looking down at the fire ghoul. Water dripping from Rain’s curls onto Dew’s upturned face. 

Dew presses a soft kiss to the space over Rain’s heart. “You’re fine.” 

Rain nods. “I told you that.” 

“I know. Still had to see it for myself. And you’re still beating yourself up about it. Shit happens.” 

“He had a knife.” 

“He doesn’t have anything anymore.” Dew laces his fingers with Rain’s and reaches around him to turn off the shower. The silence that falls after feels oppressive. Rain winces. Dew frowns just a little, the corners of that delicate mouth pulling down and despite the ache, and the shame, Rain wants to smooth those worry lines away. 

“You don’t have to do any of this,” Rain says softly. Dew reaches up to tuck a drenched curl behind Rain’s ear. Rain chooses to believe he’s doing it to stop the steady stream of icy water from dripping on his cheek. 

“I want to do this. You should have come to me.” 

Rain shrugs. “Why? It’s a scratch.” 

“A lot more than a scratch,” Dew mumbles as he inspects Rain’s arm, pressing gentle fingers to swollen sides. It’s a clean cut–a sharp knife. Deep but not too bad. Not bleeding anymore. A human would need stitches, but Rain isn’t human. “You were embarrassed.” 

Rain grimaces, thinks about lying. He keeps so many people at arm's distance–it’s easier. He’s used to being alone. He spent so much time alone in the pit. But as hard as he tries to hold Dew at a distance, he can’t. Dew doesn’t let him–Rain doesn’t even really want to. Dew’s under his skin, and Rain likes him there. 

“I don’t like fucking up.” 

Dew clicks his tongue. “You didn’t fuck up. Shit happens. Let me fix it.” 

Rain allows himself to be pulled from the shower. Dew points to the closed toilet seat and Rain sits and watches do crouch down to dig into the vanity under the sink, looking for the first aid kit. Dew’s clothes are damp–the heat of him not able to protect him from all of the water. Rain hopes that after this he can get Dew out of them–that they can curl up together in bed and watch something stupid on TV and Rain can forget about everything except the way Dew’s skin feels against his. 

He’s pulled out of his reverie by a sharp sting along the cut in his arm. Dew, cleaning it with one fo those strongly scented alcohol pads that always make Rain’s head hurt. He crinkles his nose up. 

“Sorry, it’s just for a second.”

“Stinks.” “Only you would complain about the smell instead of the pain.” Dew rolls his eyes but there’s a smile there, that worried frown finally disappearing. 

“It’s gross.” 

Dew chuckles as he slathers some cream over the cut–this thankfully doesn’t smell like anything. “Don’t want you drying out, Fishy.” 

That finally makes Rain smile. He dips his head, grinning, heat flaring through his chest–adoration more than anything else. Dew catches him looking away–catches the soft violet color rising to his cheeks. 

“There you are,” he whispers. Using the hand that isn’t covered in lotion to tip Rain’s chin up so they can look at each other.  Dew dips down to kiss him, soft, chaste.  

“Here I am,” Rain whispers, nodding. 

Dew finishes the rest with deft fingers. Pressing a pad into the wound and wrapping tight gauze around it. He pats Rain’s arm lightly when he’s done, satisfied with his work. Then his face goes sober again, serious. It’s Rain’s turn to worry his lip between his teeth. 

“Don’t scare me like that again,” Dew says, pressing his forehead into Rain’s. “Promise me.” 

He doesn’t answer, he just kisses Dew again. A little longer, a little sweater. An apology. Rain can’t promise him–all he knows how to do is run away. But it’s ok–because he knows Dew will always follow, will always find  him. Will always fix him. 

going through a really bad bout of remembering trauma, thinking about swiss so overwhelmed with stress and not wanting to bother any of the ghouls, going to seek papa out for comfort. he doesnt shy away this time, takes a deep breath and ratters on the door to his office, papa giving him work to do and praises to get everything off his mind :,) hes not even little he just doesnt know how to cope properly or live with himself, sorry for the constant asks!!!! - 🗝

First I'm sorry this took so long to get to, but ...life did life things. Also, I didn't really follow the prompt because apparently Swiss had other ideas but I hope it's ok.

And most importantly, I hope you're doing alright 🩷🩷🩷

Cw: Swiss can't sleep, storms mentioned, Swiss climbing things he probably shouldn't be lol he's fine he doesn't get hurt but Copia isn't a fan!, middle Swiss (as usual I do refer to him as the little ghoul because they all get physically smaller but he's a middle I just remember there was a little confusion before 🩷), cg Copia

Sleep doesn't always come easy for Swiss, especially when he's dropped and had been on edge all day. It wasn't a bad day, but a storm was coming and he could feel it in his veins and it made him antsy. It was fine during the day when he was busy, he didn't really have time to focus on it, but now, laying alone in his bed it's all his mind can do.

He pushes himself up with a heavy sigh, he knows he's not going to be able to sleep any time soon and just laying there isn't going to help anything. He opens the window and shoves his head outside, he can smell the storm, it's closer but not quite here yet and he groans. If it just started he'd feel better.

He grabs a few of his comics and his blanket and heads down to the common room. It's hardly the first time he's done this and he usually wakes up tucked in with his head pillowed on someone's lap. He knows he could go wake someone up for company but he doesn't want to be a bother, especially with something that none of them can really help with.

It's usually completely silent when Swiss sneaks down like this, if anyone was still up they are usually in their rooms but he definitely hears something in the kitchen. It's not totally out of the realm of possibility that someone got thirsty or something...

When he peeks around the corner he expects to see Phantom, maybe Dew or Ifrit. He's definitely not expecting Copia.

He's in his sleep pants and an old band t-shirt and he's got glasses on but he just looks...tired.

"Papa?"

He jumps at Swiss' voice, turning with his hand over his heart. "Lucifer! You scared me Piccola tempesta!" (Little storm)

"Sorry...wasn't tryin to sneak up on you...whatcha doin?"

"Well I..." He drags his hand across the back of his neck. "I can't seem to get to sleep and I was hoping some of Mountain's tea would help but...I don't know where he keeps it."

Swiss sets his comics on the table and drapes his blanket on the back of one of the chairs.

"I can help, I know where it is. What kind do you want?"

"He gave me a lavender one the last time."

"Ok!" Swiss climbs up on the counter and Copia races to stand behind him, hands nervously fluttering around him in case the little ghoul slips.

"Please be careful!"

Swiss laughs a little. "I do this all the time! I like climbing. You know that big tree down by the greenhouse? I can get really high in there!"

Copia groans dramatically. "Do you want my heart to give out?"

Swiss giggles again and grabs the tea, lowering himself carefully before hopping off the counter.

"See? I'm a pro!"

"Yes, but I think I may have a few more grey hairs." He says it with a soft smile and starts getting the kettle ready to boil. He notes Swiss is fidgeting, eyes not staying on Copia. "What's the matter amore Mio?"

"Nothin....I just can't sleep..." He shrugs. "Just gonna read on the couch."

Copia hums. "Well, would you like some company? I can't sleep either, maybe you can tell me about your comics."

Swiss' eyes light up, bright gold like stars. "Really?"

"Why don't you put a little snack together and I can make you a hot chocolate."

Swiss chirps and bounces over to the pantry to grab out the crackers with cheese in the middle. He grabs a handful of marshmallows, some chocolate chips and heads to the fridge for some berries and cheese cubes.

Copia watches with a small smile, happy that the little ghoul feels a bit better.

They make their way to the couch after the drinks are done and Swiss scoots close, his back pressed to Copia's side while he starts talking about the comics he's currently reading. He listens intently, asking questions occasionally until the answers start getting more spaced out.

Copia peeks down at his face, his lashes fluttering as he struggles to keep his eyes open. He moves the snack off to the side, shushing the half hearted protests of the little ghoul still happily snuggled into his side.

"Just moving it to the table, you can still reach it if you want." His voice is soft and he adjusts the blanket over Swiss.

"Still....still wanna hear 'bout the next one?"

His voice is slurred with sleep and Copia struggles to not laugh at the jumbled words.

"If you'd like to tell me."

"Well it starts with..." His head lolls to the side as his words taper off, eyes closed as he drifts away to sleep.

Copia adjusts his head up against his shoulder so his neck won't be sore in the morning. He kisses the top of his head, tightening his arms around him when the first flash of lightning lights up the room, a low roll of thunder quickly following.

The little multi ghoul looks peaceful, his face relaxed as he sleeps against papa, breaths deep and even. Copia watches the storm through the big window, takes note of how Swiss relaxes just a little more with each flash and loud boom. It's fascinating and he's so grateful for each of his ghouls and how different they all are.

He rests his head back against the couch, allowing his eyes to shut so he can just listen to the storm and Swiss' breathing.

"Dormi bene, mia piccola tempesta." (Sleep well, my little storm.)

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