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girl where do u watch movies

um. online

I love how the search function on this site is absolute garbage. I can look up a post word for word and I will NEVER find it

So uh….some dude apparently recreated Adobe Photoshop feature-for-feature, for FREE, and it runs in your browser.

Anyway, fuck Adobe, and enjoy!

spotify is raising prices again here's the apk that gives you premium for free

i dont consider myself a 'fashion guru' by any means but one thing i will say is guys you dont need to know the specific brand an item you like is - you need to know what the item is called. very rarely does a brand matter, but knowing that pair of pants is called 'cargo' vs 'boot cut' or the names of dress styles is going to help you find clothes you like WAAAYYYY faster than brand shopping

Reblogging to reach more people

This list includes doctors in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Europe!

Even if you're not the target demographic, please share for any of your friends who may be.

And if you or someone you know would like to be added to the list, there's a place for that!

Havoc Marauder Interior

Someone made a post about this a while ago but apparently they de-activated so it is possibly lost to the mists of time. Here is what I put together for myself as a writing reference. Image heavy, meta heavy.

Last edit: 2024/10/29

Edits: Replaced garbage text layout with actual ship overhead. Realized the two concept art images face different directions. This likely explains the magical moving jump seats. Also added discussion of a cargo hold. Added discussion of ship dimensions (specifically length). Replaced old guesstimates with numbers from Dawn of Rebellion. Added commentary about the magical seat. Added comment about the belly airlock and updated the floor plan.

I think people under- and over-estimate the Marauder's interior potential. Given its overall size and intended use (transporting about 10-15 troops plus assorted equipment and providing air support in a forward area), there's not much room left for creature comforts.

Except the Batch aren't 10-15 people, they're 5, and the shuttle is referred to as modified numerous times. This leaves plenty of room to make assumptions and freeform. So, as to what we have actual, visual evidence for from episodes and concept art, here is a rudimentary floor plan:

An important point about the two concept art images: they do NOT face the same direction. The top image faces to the aft/back of the ship, i.e. the tailgun. The second image faces to the fore/front of the ship.

Number key:

1: We know this is where the ramp and door are located from War Mantle and Metamorphsis.

2: We know about this upper storage area from Cut and Run

3: The access to the tail gun has changed visual from TCW s07e02 and various TBB episodes.

4: Access to a floor hatch with a narrow, vertical 'airlock' can be seen briefly in Bounty Lost.

The Airlock

With thanks to @megmca for reminding me of this: there's a narrow, belly-hatch airlock. We see it briefly in Bounty Lost, when they attach to the escape pod Omega has commandeered and Wrecker brings her in.

For all of you wondering what airlock-access the ship has, this is it.

The Magically Appearing/Disappearing Seat

In Cut and Run we have this moment with Hunter and Omega, but in most other shots each of these consoles has only one seat (eg. Tech and Echo in prior frames). I think this is actually NOT a magically appearing seat. I think it's the other console seat, because I suspect they can be moved. I base this one this shot from Replacements:

That looks like a seat with a moveable base.

Obviously this is bad design for a ship which is doing barrel rolls and what-not, so I have to assume they're magnetically locked. Even if it is the same seat, in the shots right before that one above, Omega walks up and it's not in that space. So it's almost like the scene was longer and was shortened, and we missed a few frames of her or Hunter unlocking it and moving it over.

Meta Discussions

tl;dr: I think of the Marauder as a small fishing vessel or a van-conversion RV. You can put a lot into a small space if you get creative.

Bathroom I know the writers have made weird assertions there isn't one and omg they all smell gross from no hygiene but that makes zero sense. Soldiers are constantly under stress, they're getting injured, they need to stay clean when possible or they're going to get sick and die from a systemic infection in short order. Anyone who's glanced in the general direction of military history knows this. You can argue about clone expendibility all you want but the Batch minimally qualify in that regard, being Nala Se's pet project. Can you imagine losing one of them to a staph infection because there's nowhere for them to bust out some no-rinse antimicrobial soap or get their scalp clean? I'm not saying they'll be doing photoshoots in between missions (well maybe Hunter would ) but, come on. (And are you going to tell me Mr. Sensor Sensoria is cool with doing long hauls with 4 people who don't bathe? Just, no.)

But that much aside, anyone who's ever been in an RV, a commercial airliner, or a modest-sized sea vessel knows you can cram a bathroom into a tiny space. Yes, you're going to be spinning in circles doing things, but the benefits of a spot to clean up, manage waste, and tend to injuries far outweigh any other use of that area. So regardless of what the writers say, a transport without a minimal refresher (to use the SW term) is counter to the ship's designed use. It has to be able to accommodate Wrecker, of course, but in the end it can double as storage when not in use. There is zero reason to not have one. Added to this, we now officially have a length for the Marauder, which is 30.3 meters (see below). RVs which are 1/5 of that size have bathrooms. You're going to tell me the Marauder doesn't?

If nothing else, since the TCW episodes and the beginning of S1 have pointed to them going on extended deployments with long hops between stops, they're going to need one or constantly be handling waste in much less efficient and sustainable ways.

Added to all of this, it's specifically called a modified variant of an Omicron. We're probably meant to think this means 'Tech would like to fly faster than the GAR and ship engineers think is reasonable for a shuttle' but IMO it extends to changes like this as well. So, there's a refresher in there, feel free to choose a spot. Right across from the fold out racks is a good candidate because in most imagery it's just weapons storage, and there's an entire upper-deck space which you could use for that.

Galley Definitely not one of these. The Batch are eating rations any time they're not on Kamino. You can make an argument they (and all clone units) have cook kits for improvised eating in the field; in the Batch's case I suspect that's a given, as they'd just start doing it because who's going to stop them? Additionally, the sheer amount of rations you would need to carry around to feed Wrecker would be ridiculous. (Remember when Wrecker talks about never being full in S2E13? I feel like this is an indication they did and still do, in fact, have to improvise a lot of additional caloric intake. Hunter probably thought Cut and Suu's farm was a genius idea. 'Grow your own food! Wrecker will never be hungry again! Fucking incredible.' Then Tech got the ship impounded.) I think you can argue for one being added, like with the refresher. Do they actually need those weapons racks anymore? Definitely no. But, it's not on there by default.

Beds As you can see in the concept art above, there are at least 3 racks that fold out from the wall on the port side. They're at a minimum wide enough to accommodate Wrecker, they may also be long enough for him to not need to curl up (unclear because in this shot from Bounty Lost his knees are bent and he's hugging Lula):

Three is a weird number since originally there were four of them. I figure the options here are:

The pilot/copilot/second row seats all look 100% more comfortable than the racks. We actually see Tech sleeping in one, at one point, so this has actual evidence to support it.

It's war time, they're never all asleep simultaneously. Someone is always flying the ship or on watch.

The floor is in effect the same as a rack, arguably preferable as you can't fall off it in the event Something Happens while you're out. So, one of them might actually be ON the floor sometimes.

They're not really intended to sleep on the ship for extended periods, but narratively we're lead to believe they have, many times, and needed to make adjustments to it as a result. Notice how quickly Wrecker whipped up a bed for Omega? IMO, not the first time they've done something like that--they did it for themselves first.

Cargo Hold Based on that screenshot of Omega above and the below shot from Cut and Run, the 'hold' of the ship is actually a storage area overhead, running the length of the ship. In that shot above of the rack, there are a series of yellow rungs which imply you can climb up somewhere on the port side. This is probably alternate access to that same overhead storage space.

In Cut and Run we see Echo, Omega, and Tech hide in it, coming back out from a slide-open hatch:

Given Tech's height this is probably somewhere around 1.5m high.

We can be reasonably certain the hold isn't under the ship, or at least storage there is minimal, due to a couple of things:

In all instances where the hyperdrive has been pulled, it's under the ship on the belly, and takes up a reasonable amount of space. Eg., in Retrieval, here's a bunch of stuff which has been pulled from the ship:

In instances where they're working on the ship from the outside, like in Cornered, the sides and belly never have panels open which contain empty space unless the ship's hardware have been removed to reach something:

So, the cargo hold is probably that space on the top from Cut and Run. It doesn't have much room; reasonably speaking, the area with the weapons and sleeping racks was probably a cargo hold as well, they just converted it to a more general purpose area. (So IMO this is a stronger argument for putting a commercial airliner-style bathroom in place of the weapons racks, particularly once they bail on the Empire.)

Dimensions - updated 11/3/23 Dawn of Rebellion has a Bad Batch section, and indicates the Marauder is 30.3m in length, 36.65m wide (presumably with the wings extended, and 12.41m tall (this probably includes the central stabilizer).

I will edit this to update it as we get more pictures. Since the toys that I know of have no basis the show from an internal perspective I didn't include anything from them.

Image sources:

All screencaps by me. Use at will.

Marauder underlay

Bad Batch Concept Art, Marauder Interior

just gonna leave this here for anybody who wants it

free copies of:

the bonnie and clyde proshot

hadestown

the great gatsby(jeremy jordan)

dear evan hansen

jekyll and hyde

ride the cyclone

enjoy!

Your friend always said “I’ll rest when I’m dead,” so much that it became his catchphrase. He says it again today when he came into work, going about his daily routine. This normally wouldn’t be concerning, if not for the fact that you attended his funeral two weeks ago.

It turns out when you die you don’t face your own God, but instead face the God of whomever or whatever killed you.

not a question but i'm obsessed with your use of color

Colored shading is one hell of a drug. Highly recommend it 👌

Collection of images and memes for anyone who doesn’t know what to draw

Ghoulbangers Ball 02 - Glasgow

Eigengrau - #phanter cuddle buddies

Phantom had been partially blind from an accident that happened when they were a kit. But with the stress of being forced away from their Papa - who chases every bad memory away - not only do they lose sight of a possible reunion, but they also lose their sight, altogether while they other Ghouls are helpless but to watch them spiral into depression...

Words: 2.2k

Relationships: Phantom & Copia, Phantom & Aether, Dew/Aether. Swiss/Phantom

Tags: they/them Phantom, Phantom and Aether are siblings, blindness, hurt/comfort, angst, family dynamics, forced separation, parent-child relationship, implied murder Ghouls at the end, mostly phanter and aethtom (platonic) but a little bit of dewther and swisstom for the soul lol

~~~

    Phantom’s skin had long been painted in a myriad of scars acquired from a whole host of injuries and tales, but perhaps the most obvious is the one on their face. They got it when they were just a kit and training with their clan, getting a little overeager and causing a burst of unbridled Quintessential magic to erupt into their face. The instinct they got to turn away caused the damage to only hit the left side of their face, but it also took away most of the vision in that eye.

    They had no peripheral vision left, very little depth perception and only a straw’s width of a gap in the eigengrau void to actually see through. They slowly adjusted to their new way of having to view the world, always feeling unbalanced and often getting migraines from the sheer amount of compensating their right eye had to do.

    But, by the time they were summoned to Earth, they had fully adjusted and accepted what they now had to live with. And considering they now had their Papa with them, and were reunited with their brother, Aether, once more, they could never complain too much about anything in their life.

    Nightmares of all they went through were chased away by Copia’s scent of stale tobacco settled into woollen sweaters and aged parchment. The human’s strong arms around them made them feel safe and at home. And they could never get enough of sleeping in their Papa’s arms, listening to his heart and feeling his fingers thread through their black and white hair.

    It was all so perfect and Phantom could memorise every detail of their Papa despite their partially blind condition.

    Well… That was until it all fell apart, and a wedge was driven between Phantom and their beloved Papa. Now, they could no longer spend their nights holding each other, Phantom couldn’t be soothed by Copia’s scent after a nightmare, and their soul ached with the loneliness of it. All because of some promotion and arbitrary new rules that deemed their parent-child relationship as unprofessional and unsafe.

Read below the cut or on ao3

    Copia no longer had the responsibility of caring for the Ghouls. That was a Papa’s job and he was a Papa no more.

    The most interaction Phantom got with Frater was a nod in the corridor and a handshake at formal events. No hugs, no I love you’s and no visits to either’s rooms for sleepovers and cuddles.

    It had been just over a year and a half since this separation started and Phantom was losing hope for any reunion. They were having more nightmares than ever and so many were of Copia getting hurt and Phantom not being able to save them. The anxiety of those dreams possibly being premonitions was making them beyond stressed and what sleep they were getting was of no real quality.

    One day, they woke up from one of their nightmares and cracked their right eye open, gently smacking their left temple to get the other eye open. Sometimes it took a little longer to clear the sleep out from what little they could see from that side. But… that side was open… Why was it still so dark?

    Phantom felt their breathing pick up and their throat become dry. Their right eye saw the room spinning and the left saw completely nothing.

    “Aeth?! Aether, help!” They called, smacking their hand against the wall behind their bed that separated them from their older brother.

    The older Quint was in like a flash, holding their face in his hands and checking them over.

    “What’s wrong, love? Nightmare?” He asked, his heart breaking for his younger sibling.

    They shook their head as all breath seemed to have failed them.

    “M- my eye… C- can’t s- s- see anyth- thing…” They strained out against the panic and tears that had started to consume them.

    Aether’s face grew to one of worry as he checked in and indeed saw their left eye devoid of anything, and his mind devoid of a solution or remedy.

    “It’s okay, Bug. I’m here, it’ll be alright.” He said, gathering the little Quint into his arms and holding them tight, rocking them back and forth and encasing them both in a Quintessence bubble to calm them.

    Phantom didn’t know if it was calming them or just stopping them from getting worse. What they did know, was that their Papa being there would have made it all a lot better.

    Over the following weeks, they couldn’t adjust to their completely half-blind state. They practically had a constant headache from how much effort their right eye was putting in and they felt so horrifically unbalanced that they were a walking hazard. If it wasn’t this situation, it would be slightly funny and everyone would be calling them Bambi on ice.

    Aether was at a complete loss for what had caused this. He helped heal Phantom when the accident that took part of their vision first happened and even the best healers in their clan said it wouldn’t get worse after it had healed. Inbetween reassuring Phantom and shifts in the infirmary, he was researching everything he could about ocular health and spending as much time as he could doing it.

    One night, when Dew came down to force-feed him and make sure he actually took a break, he found the answer.

    “IT’S STRESS!” Aether called as he read the article on the screen.

   After the librarian came to admonish him for his volume, he hugged Dew tight, happy to have an answer.

    “Wait, if stress causes blindness, how come Mountain hasn’t been blind from birth? He’s the biggest stresshead we know.” The Fire Ghoul chuckled.

    “Who fucking knows? Probably because Phant’s left eye is already weak? As for Mountain, no clue.” Aether was still smiling, happy to have an answer for his little sibling and now hopefully start being able to help. That smile, though, was soon wiped from his face when his phone buzzed with a message from Swiss.

    ‘Get back up here NOW. Phantom needs you.’

    Aether forgot to clean up or switch the computer off before he was running out of the library and back up to the den but he didn’t care one bit. Nothing and no one stopped him until he was back in Phantom’s room, asking what was wrong when he saw Phantom deep in another panic attack.

    As Aether desperately tried to get Phantom to calm, Swiss explained that the vision in Phantom’s right eye was starting to fade now too…

    Aether’s heart sank as he saw that cloud of blindness start to creep in around Phantom’s healthy eye. The distress of this whole situation being so cruel to such a pure soul that had already fought so much. When would they ever get their break?

    The right eye now saw what the left used to. Merely a pin-point of light and the blurred shapes and figures of things in their immediate vicinity. They couldn’t read, couldn’t see the faces of their loved ones and couldn’t even see when they passed Copia in the corridor.

    After Swiss told them when they had, yet again, missed a wave from their Papa they broke down and sobbed for what they were losing. Not only their sight but the hope of everything going back to how it was. How was everything meant to be the same again when Phantom couldn’t even see the person in front of them?

    They knew blind Ghouls could still live good lives but they didn’t want this. They wanted to be able to see their Papa’s eyes light up when his pipistrello entered the room and the warm smile that caused every little crease and wrinkle on his face to pop out.

    Every morning that Phantom woke up without Copia was another that made them more depressed for what they lost. And as they lost even more of their vision - it only taking a couple weeks for sightlessness to completely take them - they only became more catatonic. The pack ached to see such a vibrant Bug so dull and flat.

    Aether’s heart cried even more for his little sibling and he was draining himself dry to try and give them plenty of Quintessence to just do something other than stare at the nothing and cry.

    Seeing the little Quint’s stars fade was tearing the pack apart. All of them had been affected by the forced separation to Copia, but none more than Phantom. There had barely been a night since they came home from Frater’s last tour that at least one of them didn’t sleep with Phantom because while their Papa may not be there to chase the nightmares away, someone else could be.

    No one dared tell Copia either. Aether, Swiss and Mountain – being the biggest and strongest Ghouls – were occasionally chosen to escort Copia as security on business trips but even then they were too scared to be anything but professional with Frater.

    They’d all seen what the Clergy is capable of - Primo, Secondo and Terzo’s bodies and Dew’s unnatural Element are all proof of that - and no one would dare tempt a reprise or something even worse. Sister may be gone, but she certainly didn’t act alone in her cruelties and her followers still dominated the Clergy.

    If Copia knew the situation had made his bambino blind from the stress of it all it would break him more than he had already been broken by the separation too. And at least very least, one of them had to appear strong for the other.

    Copia knew his Ghouls though, and suspected they were hiding something from Swiss’ jaw tightening, the way Aether’s Adam’s apple bobbed, how Mountain’s ears flicked at the mention of Phantom’s name. But, pry as he might, he could never get any information from them that told Copia how his pipistrello was doing aside from the bare minimum.

    He couldn’t go and investigate either. Not without risking so much. He already had visions of his Ghouls being sent back to the Pits they came from and he could never risk Phantom being sent back, not after all they’ve been through.

    So Copia kept his nose down and did his best. Though even his best didn’t seem to be enough to help Phantom. He never saw them in the halls anymore or in the cafeteria. He couldn’t find them in the crowds at Black Mass and apparently they could no longer attend rehearsals or their duties either.

    Phantom couldn’t do much of anything as they rotted in their own mind. They felt as useless as a kit as they wandered the den in tiny steps with one hand on the wall for stability. Their other senses were overwhelmed by what they had to make up for too but they couldn’t shut them off when it’s all they had to rely on now. They didn’t really leave their room much anyway. Sitting in front of the TV felt like a mockery and it wasn’t like they could cook for themself – even before they were blind. Walking around the halls was more hassle than it was worth and they could barely even feel the sunlight on their eyelids anymore.

    Aether went in to see Phantom in the morning before work, kissing their forehead with a promise to come by after his shift. When he did, his heart broke into an infinitesimal number of pieces as he realised they hadn’t moved an inch since he left them twelve hours prior.

    “I don’t know what to do, Dew.” Aether said to his mate in the evening after Swiss came in to sit with the Bug. Planting his elbows on the breakfast table, he buried his face into his hands.

    Dew poured two glasses of neat whiskey for them both and pushed one towards the Quint, standing next to him and combing his fingers through his short hair.

    “We could kill them.” Dew suggested, only half-joking as he referred to the humans that had enforced these cruel rules and restrictions.

    “I thought half of why we’ve done nothing is that we’re scared of what the Clergy will do.” Aether responded as he took the glass and let the whiskey burn down his throat.

    “Do you have any other ideas?” Dew said, shrugging his shoulders as if he was suggesting the most casual activity you could think of.

    Aether exhaled and traced a claw around the edge of the glass.

    “We know who Sister’s loyalists are.” He said.

    Dew’s wicked grin heated up the space around them both. “We do.”

    “We’re natural born predators too. We know how to be discreet and only harm, not kill.”

    “That we are, love.” Dew said, kissing his mate’s cheek with a deep purr.

    “Someone needs to stay with Phantom tomorrow then. While we explain this to the pack.” Aether thought out loud.

    “We’ll figure it out, Aether. We’ll get our Bug back.” Dew promised, toasting their whiskey glasses and letting the glow of the moon light up the amber liquid.

    Phantom didn’t know why, but the next morning, as they awoke next to Swiss, they felt the sun on their eyes a little stronger than usual. And while it was quickly snuffed out by the tidal waves of depression they had fallen into, the tiny spark of hope that fluttered in their chest was so so bright.

    Almost as bright as Phantom would see Copia’s eyes when they finally reunited…

One shot master post can be found here

#phanter cuddle buddies master post can be found here

Hi Moony!

I realized something today that made me a little (a lot) sad, it feels so silly to be sad about but I realized I only have 5 cows out of my cow collection I've had since I was little, and one of the ones I can't get back I'm really sad about because he was the perfect hugging cow. As always you can ignore this if you aren't feeling it but I was wondering if I could ask for something about Mountain with Acker? I really miss my cows and I Mounty with his cows is always so cute and comforting. 🧡🖤

🎃

This is just a small thing but I hope its ok 🩷

Mountain frowns as he looks over his stuffies. He always tried to make sure they all got attention of course but he seemed to have been neglecting someone and now he felt bad.

He grabbed Acker off the bed and crushed him to his chest, apologizing into his fur. Somehow he'd overlooked his cow! Somehow he hadn't spent any time with him.

“I'm sorry Acker! I didn't mean to forget about you!” He hugs the cow as tight as he can, Dews voice from the speaker box breaking the silence. “We can have a whole day together, just me and you!”

He carries him down the stairs for breakfast, making sure Acker gets served too. Swiss smiles and cuts a tiny piece of toast for the stuffy, patting his head the same way he does to Mountain.

They chat and eat breakfast and Swiss smiles when Mountain takes his napkin and wipes Ackers mouth with it. When they are done, mountain hugs Swiss and heads back upstairs to get dressed. He packs his backpack and heads to ask permission to head outside.

He finds rain on the couch in the den, his crutches resting beside him.

“Hi pere.”

“Hi fluer!” He smiles wide at the little ghoul. “Going somewhere?”

“Can I go outside with Acker so we can draw?”

Rain sits up and glances at the window. “Only right there where I can see you. I'm pretty sure Secondo is out there somewhere ok?”

“Ok! Thank you pere! Feel better!”

Rain laughs as Mountain rushes outside. He finds his spot by the window where Rain can clearly see him and he sets up his art supplies, keeping them right between himself and Acker to be easier for sharing. He lays on his belly, his legs kicking up behind him, humming as he draws himself and Acker running through a field of flowers.

He talks to his cow, sharing secrets knowing they're safe with his stuffie, giggling to himself as he imagines what he would sound like if he could talk.

When he gets chilly, he packs everything up and carries Acker back up to his room for a story before nap time, mountain's not tired…of course not, but he thinks maybe Acker is. They get comfy on the bed and Mountain starts reading, only making it two pages in before he falls asleep with his cow tucked in his arm.

Dew finds him just after lunch, gently waking him up with a snack plate ready. Mountain shares with Acker again and Dew sets up a movie for them to watch together. Mountain explains certain parts to his cow just in case he's confused.

Dinner does the same as breakfast, only Mountain keeps Acker on his lap while they eat. Cumulus kisses the top of each of their heads and everyone makes sure to greet his cow after saying hello to the little ghoul.

“Oh cool acorn is joining us!” Phantom laughs from his spot, winking at mountain at the nickname.

It always makes him laugh and this time is no different. “We had a whole day together!”

Dew puts an arm around the back of his chair. “What did you guys get up to today?”

He tells them all about their day and everyone listens intently, agreeing it was a lovely day that he and Acker had today and how special that was.

Acker sits up on the sink while Dew helps Mountain in the bath and they all snuggle with Dew and rain afterward, the water ghoul ready to read them a bedtime story. Mountain kisses his other stuffies first, tucking them in under a soft blanket before he climbs into bed with Acker.

Rain reads until mountain drifts off, tightly clinging to his cow. They kiss his head and Ackers,wishing them good dreams before they shut the door.

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.

Mountain and Swiss have a sweet moment

Cw: very brief mention of yelling, Mountain feels a little unsure at first but he's very brave

Mountain's nose scrunches when he looks outside to see a light snow falling. He wraps his blanket around his shoulders while holding his bunny and reindeer. He's glad his heads not hurting yet but he's sure it'll come if the snow gets worse.

He'd heard Rain yelling earlier so he knew Dew would be with him and he certainly didn't want to disturb them if Rain was having a hard time.

He wonders if anyone is free, if they'd be willing to make time for him. He remembers his meetings with Omega and shakes his head, remembering he's allowed to ask for help and that he isn't a burden for needing it. He takes a few calming breaths like he was taught and heads for the door to find someone.

The hall is quiet and he assumes most everyone is off doing chores or maybe even napping but there is usually someone available. When he's halfway down the stairs he hears the tv and smiles to himself, squeezing his stuffies closer as he carefully makes it the rest of the way down.

He can smell a fire going and all he wants to do is curl up with someone and quietly watch the snow out of the big window in the den.

Mountain peeks around the corner and sees Swiss sprawled across the couch watching a movie. He's by himself and mountain almost convinces himself to walk away because he doesn't want to be a bother. But he once again reminds himself that everyone has told him he's never a bother, they are always more than happy to spend time with him.

He tiptoes into the den and climbs up onto the couch but Swiss’ feet. The multi ghoul smiles and moves to sit up, making room for the little ghoul.

“Hey conejito! What are you up to? Doing ok?”

He nods, situating his stuffies beside him. “Yeah…j’us kinda…can I sit with you for a bit?”

Swiss offers a gentle smile. “Of course you can.”

Mountain snuggles a bit closer as Swiss drapes the blanket across his little legs to keep him nice and warm. He adjusts it so that mountain's stuffies are under it but able to see out too.

“Comfy?”

Mountain smiles wide and nods.

“Do you want to watch anything in particular?”

“No. Just kinda wanted to not be all by myself…”

Swiss nods and wraps an arm around mountain's shoulders while he flips through the channels to find something more interesting for the little ghoul. He settles on the nature channel and Mountain leans his head against his shoulder, finally fully relaxing.

They sit in comfortable silence for a long while until Mountain's tummy grumbles.

Swiss laughs and takes his hand. “Let's go find some lunch. What sounds good?”

He thinks for a moment. “Veggie soup!”

“With the star pasta?”

“Yeah!” He pushes a chair up to the stove and climbs up so he can watch Swiss make it.

“Maybe some hot chocolate after? Nothing better than soup and cocoa on a snowy day.

Mountain's eyes light up and he nods, excited about the idea of Swiss' hot chocolate, he always makes the best.

Swiss let's gin help stir the soup, making sure he's careful to not accidentally burn himself. The little ghoul is all smiles once it's done and he's sat at the table waiting for it to cool down. Swiss starts on the hot chocolate so it's cool by the time mountain is done eating.

Swiss sits beside him when he's done with the hot chocolate, smiling as mountain chats about whatever pops into his head.

“I'm really proud of you, you know?”

Mountain peeks up at him. “How come?”

“For seeking out someone instead of just staying alone in your room.”

“Well…I thought about it…but then I remembered that you all always tell me I can come be with you anytime. So I did that.”

“And I'm so glad you did! Now I have a buddy to share hot chocolate with!” He bumps their arms together and smiles.

Mountain giggles and continues eating his soup until his belly is full.

“Can we have the hot chocolate now?”

Swiss grabs the mugs and adds extra whipped cream on top of Mountain's drink. The little ghoul squeals with delight and takes a sip, the cream sticking to the tip of his nose.

Swiss laughs and copies him and they both laugh about how silly they must look.

“Want to finish it up on the couch while we watch a movie?”

“What if I spill it?”

“I'll help you hold onto it.” Swiss promises with his pinkie extended.

Mountain smiles and nods, running off into the den with Swiss right behind him. They pick a movie and cuddle back up on the couch with mountain's stuffies. Swiss makes sure to get them all tucked in and comfy as the movie starts.

They talk about the movie as it plays and mountain takes little sips of his drink occasionally…until eventually he stops and when Swiss peeks down at him, he's sound asleep against his chest.

The multi ghoul smiles and kisses the top of his head and turns his attention back to the movie as Mountain naps peacefully against him.

Dew has a hard day

Cw: long day, Dew's tired and a little stuck, Rain washes his hair, not fully regressed dew

He's struggling. The day is dragging and his eyes feel sandy and heavy and he just wants to sleep. He knew he should have said no to Swiss the night before but he got a new video game they'd both been excited for…so he'd invited him into his room and sure enough they'd stayed up into the early hours of the morning playing it.

It had been fun but he was hurting for it now. He had to get up early to get ready for long, boring meetings with Copia and he could barely keep his eyes open. His uniform feels heavy on his body, the mask too tight, his shoes too cumbersome…but he stands diligently behind Copia, still as a statue as the meetings tick by.

He wants a big comfy bed, he wants out of this uniform, he wants Rain. He clenches his jaw and grits his teeth…just a few more hours.

Papa checks on him a handful of times, peeking over his shoulder, carefully reaching back and squeezing his hand. Dew offers a smile and a nod, silently letting him know he's ok.

But he wants out of this room, he wants away from all the eyes and the painfully boring conversations. He wants comfort.

He feels like he could drop but it's like there's a block. Obviously he can't really while he's here but it's more than that. He feels uncomfortable and stuck and it makes his stomach knot. He wipes his sweaty palms on his pants and rolls his shoulders, trying to steady his breathing so he doesn't draw any unneeded attention to himself.

Copia gives his hand a quick, subtle squeeze halfway through the meeting and part of him just wants to cry and climb into his lap and ask for help. But he can't, he's got a job to do and he will do it to the very best of his ability.

It still feels off though, like something is wrong. It's happened before and he knows once he gets to Rain it'll be fine, they'll figure it out but here and now, he feels sick and all wrong. He bites the inside of his cheek as the meeting drags on and on.

Once it finally ends, he's ready to run from the room but he's frozen in place. He can't quite catch his breath but he's steadied and comforted when Copia gently grabs his shoulders.

“Prenditi un momento, mio sole.” (Take a moment my sun)

They breathe together for a moment until he feels ok enough to make it up to Rain's room. He hopes he's there, he's not sure he's up for looking for him right now.

His hands shake as he raises it to knock and he's not sure it's even loud enough to hear, but he's on the edge of panic and can't bring himself to knock again.

Thankfully Rain is there and he hears. The door opening is a relief and he immediately sags into Rain's arms.

“Dew? Are you ok?”

He just shakes his head, the words slipping away from him. He eventually moves just enough to sign ‘stuck’.

Rain pulls him gently into the room, shutting the door and locking it behind them, not wanting anyone barging in while Dew is in such a vulnerable space. He kisses his forehead and smiles.

“Well let's get you un-stuck.”

He signs again. “*Don't know how.”*

“Shh, I've got you. You just relax.”

He already feels the tension leaving his body while he's hugged up against Rain. He feels safer now that he's here in the room he knows so well.

“How about I wash your hair before you drop? Its helped before.”

And he's right, the warm water and Rain's gentle fingers always lull him into a soft space even without fully dropping. He nods and let's Rain guide him into the bathroom. He sits on the floor and leans his head back with his hair dipping into the tub and Rain washes his hair slowly and carefully.

It feels good and his eyes start to get heavy as he sits there just focusing on the way Rain's fingers feel in his hair.

“Good amour?”

Rain's voice is soft, taking on the tone he uses for the littles and Dew feels himself relaxing a little more. He nods and reaches over to hold onto the bottom of Rain's shirt while he continues with Dew's hair.

By the time he's done, Dew has started to feel hazy and heavy in a comfortable, sleepy way. Rain rubs the towel through his hair and gently gets him up to his feet, guiding him back into the room.

He raises his hands and signs with shaky fingers. *”I don't know if I can go all the way down…”*

“That's ok, I'll take care of you no matter what. You just need to rest and relax.” He smiles and boops the tip of his nose. “Stop all that worrying, I'm here.”

Dew smiles and nods and holds the towel around himself as Rain goes to find him something comfortable to wear. He gets him dressed in fleece pants and an old t-shirt and Dew sighs, almost fully at ease.

“Hop in bed and grab Basil, I'm going to go get you a warm drink. Get cozy ok?”

He nods again and reaches for the dino sitting against Rain's pillow, pulling its plush body up to his face and shutting his eyes. He's already feeling better, his mind drifting into that hazy space. Not quite dropped but not quite completely big either.

His thumb makes its way to to his mouth and he snuggles down deeper into the bed while he waits for Rain to come back. When he returns, Dew's almost asleep, humming contently when Raib slides up beside him, wrapping him up in his arms.

Rain pulls Dew's thumb from his mouth, offering a soother instead and he takes it without complaint. He set the bottle beside him in case dew wants it later but for now he just holds him, tucking the blanket up around him as he gently rocks and hums, running his fingers through Dew's hair.

He smiles as Dew falls asleep, the worry easing off of his face as he drifts off into relaxing sweet dreams there in Rain's arms.

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.

Could I request some cg Terzo and little dew? I just read the meeting fic one (randomly scrolled through the chapters on ao3 and that’s what I picked) and AUGH cg Terzo and little dew are the best

Hope you’re doing well tiny 💙

I hope this is ok!

Cw: mountain gets frustrated, very short mention of an upset Dew

Mountain tips his head back and bites his lip against the frustration. He normally has endless patience, able to deal with anything and everything tossed his way but not today. Today he's got way too much to do and Dew wouldn't let anyone else take him. That was fine, Mountain had worked while he wore Dew in his sling countless times.

But Dew didn't want to be in the sling, fussing and tugging at it with his little hands and tears in his eyes begging to be set down so he could walk and explore. But Mountain wasn't going to be able to watch him and get stuff done at the same time and Dew was just getting more and more upset.

“Dew please! Stop!” He didn't really raise his voice but he spoke firmly and immediately regretted it. It wasn't the baby's fault that today just wasn't great. “I'm sorry, I'm sorry Dew I just-”

But he was already crying, big fat tears on his cheeks, his lower lip wobbling. Mountain felt awful and was ready to just give up on his chores to make it up to Dewdrop when Terzo wandered by, sipping a coffee and looking at the yule decorations that had been put up so far.

“Zo….”

He sounds so sad and Mountain frowns. He knows the baby will forgive him and he'll make it up to him but he still feels awful.

“Terzo.” Mountain greets him, walking slowly up to him with Dew held up against his chest.

“Oh hello!” He smiles, reaching out to take Dew's hand.

“Zo p’ease!” He leans forward, reaching out as much as he can.

“You busy? I have so much to do and I just can't keep an eye on him. He wants to walk around.”

“You want to come with me, amorino?”

“P’ease…”

Mountain unties the sling, gently handing him over to Terzo. He's bundled up nice and warm against the chilly air of early winter. Terzo sets him down, holding his little hand while he steadies himself on his feet.

“You sure you don't mind? I just…”

He touches Mountain's shoulder gently. “It's fine, go do what you need to do, I'll keep him entertained.” He smiles brightly down at the baby. “Can you say bye bye to Mount?”

He waves but doesn't say anything, too interested in the lights he can see from where they stand. He points to the lights as Mountain starts to wander off.

“Zo go p’ease!”

Terzo laughs and holds his hand tight as they start to make their way toward the pretty colored lights lining one of the main walking paths.

He stumbles occasionally, using Terzos hand to steady himself before continuing on, muttering an ‘uh oh’ each time. He babbles as they walk, and Terzo talks back, filling him in on all the latest gossip he's heard from the Sister's. Dew listens, at least Terzo pretends he does.

Dew gets more excited the closer they get, his babbles more erratic and high pitched and Terzo can't help but laugh.

When they pause at the walkway, Dew's eyes are huge, round and reflecting the lights.

“Pitty….” He whispers, taking it all in with his mouth hanging open.

“Molto bello!” (Very pretty)

Dew claps and plops down to sit right in the middle of the walkway, looking all over the place, pointing at the lights with a big smile.

“Boo!”

“There is blue. What other colors do you see?” Terzo sits on the gravel, folding his legs so Dew can sit on his lap to stay warm. He doesn't care about his nice clothes as long as the baby is happy.

“Geen! Red!” He points at one and looks back at Terzo for help.

“White. Bianco.”

He points up above them. “Dat?”

“Those are snowflakes. Aren't they pretty?”

“Mine!”

He laughs again, kissing the top of his head. Dew continues pointing at the lights, naming his colors and making Terzo do the same.

Eventually Mountain makes his way over to them and Dew reaches for him. Terzo watches the giants shoulders relax and he smiles, easing himself to the ground beside them. Dew crawls over to his lap, pointing at the lights.

“Look vati! Pitty!”

“They are very pretty.”

“Nofakes!”

He laughs. “I see the snowflakes, I think those are my favorite.”

Dew turns to look at him. “Vati mad…”

He sighs. “I'm sorry my love,I didn't mean to raise my voice. It was not your fault, vati just…was overwhelmed.”

Dew watches him for a long moment. “No mad.”

“I'm not mad. I promise.”

Terzo smiles at their conversation thinking about how far Dewdrop had come. The fact that he could communicate now was such a gift and Terzo was grateful for it every day.

“What do you say we go have some hot chocolate and a Yule story?”

Mountain smiles and nods and Dew claps, his cheeks getting red from the chilly air.

“Yum!”

Mountain carries him and Terzo holds one of his hands at his insistence. He babbles about the lights while Terzo makes the hot chocolate, adding extra marshmallows for Dew who giggles while he plays with one in his fingers. Mountain gets the fire started in the den and watches over the baby while Terzo goes to find a book.

They snuggle on the couch together under a blanket and Terzo reads until Mountain falls asleep against him.

Dew shushes him once he sees he's sleeping. “Vati ni ni.”

“He did go night night.” He kisses the top of Mountain's head and carefully moves out from behind him,taking Dew along with him. “Let's let him sleep.”

He carries him down to the library and grabs a stack of books to read to Dew. They settle on the couch and they read together as a gentle snow starts to fall outside the window.

Reverie's Ghoul Kit Masterlist

Ghoul Kits:

Calida (Dewdrop/Step-Dad Aether): (CW) Basic Stuff. , More Step-Dad! , Over the Phone. , (CW) On DVD. , (CW) Daughter? , Gender Reveal. , Sister Imperator , Learning About Her Real Father. , On a Plane.

Starshine (Dewdrop/Aether): Another Baby.

Ember, Orion, Lily (Rain/Everyone): First Day of School. , General Pregnancy Talk.

Comet (Aether/Phantom): Finding Out. , On Tour. , First Steps.

Venus (Terzo/Omega): In a Perfect World.

Age Reg: Phantom - Baby's Day Out.

Kit Dewdrop: Little Fishy Writing.

Ghoul Kit Upbringing.

Sister & Mist.

Thinking about Aether and Dew baby...

This follows Calida's timeline!

CW - Pregnancy, Mentions of past Traumatic Pregnancy (but this is a fluff post!)

It's been a good few years, now. Calida now a rambunctious teenager, the ministry settled down while there's no tours for a good while. It's comfortable! The topic comes up one night, Dew settled in the bed with Aether on their day off together;

"Firefly?"

"Hm?"

"Promise you won't bite me if I ask something?" An eyebrow raise but Dew promises. "How would you feel about another baby?"

"Another?" Dewdrop sits up a little, resting more on the headboard as he grimaces some. "I dunno, Aeth... Calida's was rough as is. I had her early, and all the complications, and just the mental side of it? I'm not sure... Why?"

"Just been thinking, that's all. Maybe something in the air, all the babies I've been helping deliver with the siblings. I dunno either. Just thought, maybe, it would be nice to have tiny feet running through the den again."

Dewdrop just chews his lip and nods, eventually going into silence before going to the bathroom suddenly. Closes the door and stares at himself in the mirror for a bit, so many thoughts racing. He doesn't realize how long it's been until Aether knocks to check on him, Dew opening the door and looking up, holding his breath.

"Okay."

"Okay, what?"

"Let's have another. But on my conditions."

"What- Oh, okay! What's your conditions?" Aether can't help his tail wagging.

"We're gonna go talk to my therapist and double, triple, fucking quad check that this isn't just a breeding thing for you... A-and I only want you, or Phil, or- or just that really nice midwife you introduced me to at the Halloween party, Alexa... If... If I get pregnant again. No one else."

Aether just nods, taking Dewdrop's hand, leading him back to bed. "Those are all reasonable. I can call for an appointment in the morning. Sound fair?"

"Yeah... Sounds fair."

It's about two months worth of sessions, both privately and together, making sure that YES. They want this! Dew is mentally ready for this again, Aether isn't in some kink phase, etc. They even talk to Calida who's more than excited about a little sibling! Dewy gets off his testosterone and starts taking supplements, and circles his first heat for them to start trying. They keep everything quiet for a while, and even more months of failed attempts to conceive. It's about month four when Dew wakes Aether up, sitting on his lap with two positive pregnancy tests.

They're SO fucking excited but keep their expectations mellow. Dewdrop's health has much changed since Calida, plus they don't know if the egg will fully stay intact. Still, it is exciting for Aether to smell how fruity Dewdrop is. Constantly scenting him to see if there's any changes but also to cover the smell around the others. Every night Aether has his eyes full of stars and a gentle hand on Dew's stomach, whispering to Dewy what he sees, how small it is, but still so full of fluids and cells.

Two months, they agree to tell the others. It goes as they expect, excitement and extra affection, a ghoul pile that even Copia makes time to join.

"Have you started thinking about names or anything like that?" Sunny is laying her head on Dew's thigh, smiling SO wide.

"No, not just yet. Things can still change so we're waiting at least until near the end of the second trimester."

"Makes sense," Swiss chimes in. "Does Calida know?"

Aether is the one to laugh, leaning over. "That girl scared the birds away from how excited she got. She was the first to know."

Now, Dewdrop wouldn't trade Calida for the world. But he wishes he had this gentleness when he was expecting her. The kindness and a huge pack so that he doesn't have to strain and try to keep up, that he knew early, how accommodating everything's been. There's times he'll just hold his stomach and look in the mirror, so much deja vu of when he did it in hotel bathrooms while on tour. Speaking to Calida and telling her she was going to be the light of his life, and now he's doing it again. Just another piece for a puzzle he didn't know wasn't completed yet.

He's put on bed rest once more, too many high risks going on, and he starts eventually experiencing... Symptoms.

"What do you mean they're weird?"

"They're just fucking weird, Aether! Just, okay, tickle me."

He blinks. "You hate being tickled."

"I know! Just do it!"

He shrugs and does a little wiggle of his fingers before attacking Dew's sides and armpits. Listening to him squeal and laugh, grimacing and eventually - the TV turns on. Aether is staring at it while Dew catches his breath.

"See? Weird fucking shit! If I sneeze the lights turn on and off, when I get headaches my phone's battery dies, and like... It's so strange!"

Aether whistles a little, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh we're so having a quint."

"Huh?"

Aether looks him dead in the eyes, but a big goofy smile. "You're having magick surges. Little bit is reacting to you, and quintessence is a hell of a thing. Starts while still in the womb, my mother in the pit had almost the same things happening. Less technology and more of like, levitation. We're having a quint!"

Dew blinks before breaking into cries. "Woah, woah! What's wrong, my love?"

"I'm gonna look like a fucking watermelon you ass-wipe!" Hitting him softly but still crying.

Poor thing isn't even six months yet, but he looks like he's eight! Mumbling about his feet hurting, his legs more swollen than normal, cravings that are insanity to even be thought of. It's when he's in the nursery, tying ribbons on the crib when he gasps at a feeling, holding his stomach... It happens again.

He doesn't even get the full trill out before Cumulus and Mountain are RAMMING into that door.

"What's wrong?!"

But, he's smiling, beckoning them over. Takes both of their hands and puts it on his bump, shushing them every time they try to ask. There's a kick and their eyes go wide, Dew just as much. It's much softer than normal kicks, but that's to be expected from the egg sack still around them.

Then, finally, a gender reveal. Expecting a tiny little girl, Aether excited as he's always been a girl dad, adjusting some of the things in the nursery to match her.

"Teddy."

"Hm?"

Dew is playing with a tiny onesie, keeping his eyes locked on it. "What do you think of the name Starshine?"

"Starshine?"

"Yeah," his thumb going over the embroidered star on the onesie. "For our daughter."

Aether hums, thinking it over a little before he nods. "Yeah... Yeah, I like that."

He makes it to full term, after an agonizing day and a half of his water being broken and no dilation. Clutching to Aether and Mountain, Alexa between his knees to help course their daughter out. Mountain's fur is sticking up from the amount of electricity from Dew holding him, then with how hot he is. There's a bit of a power surge at the final push before the lights come back. Dewdrop sobbing as he dead weights against the two, staring at the ceiling but ears completely focused on Starshine's mad cries as she's cut from the sack.

Good god they though Mountain was furry? That poor girl is gonna need haircuts WEEKLY. Aether and Dew laughing a bit as they're holding this purple blob of fur, some soft white on her belly and in her ears. Hair blonde, just like Dewdrop's.

Mountain congratulating them and helping Alexa clean up a little while the new parents again bask in the afterglow with their new daughter :3

For fear that you'll find out (I'm imagining you)

Kinktober day 7: Hate sex/Quintnosis

Rating: Explicit

Relationship(s): Aether/Dewdrop

Words: 1,820

Tags: Quintnosis, hate sex (sorta), irresponsible and unintended use of quintessence, dubious consent, sexual fantasies, aggressive making out, dirty talk, degradation, Aether's got some morally dubious internal dialogue, shame

Read on ao3 or below the cut

Heated emotions had outweighed rational thought when Aether seized the water ghoul by the arm and spun him around before he could reach the door. He hadn’t grabbed him with any sort of plan in mind, just a growl rattling in his chest. Dew tried to jerk away but Aether held him firm enough there’d be bruises muddying his pale skin. He’d hissed but the sound died when his back hit the door a little too hard. Aether often forgot his own strength but this had been intentional. 

Months.

Aether had put up with Dew and his infuriating behavior for fucking months. He had considered himself a patient man before his summoning but Dew had seemingly been sent by the unholy father to test that belief—a test he’d failed the second he laid hands on him. Could only bite his tongue for so long. Up until that moment he had been dutifully playing the role of the bigger person, refusing to give Dew the reaction he apparently craved but something about this little water ghoul cracked his resolve. 

It was a miracle he’d lasted that long at all but he’d reached the limit, Aether couldn’t fucking take it anymore.

He hadn’t grabbed Dew with any real intention. Maybe to scare him. Maybe finally lay into him about his shitty attitude. He could say with confidence he never meant to grab him by the collar and kiss him but that was exactly what he’d done. 

Aether had kissed Dew like he sought to snuff out the belligerent defiance within him. Like he could bruise the lesson of ‘stop fucking with me’ into his lips. If anything, he’d force Dew to taste the depths of his frustrations. 

Dew squawked when Aether’s mouth pressed to his, startled sound muffled into a kiss fueled by something violent. It certainly tasted like it was—the faint metal taste teasing the tip of his tongue. His lip was a casualty to Aether’s unfiled fangs. The water ghoul had tried to shove him away with as much force as his little body could muster but Aether was bigger. He tried to pull back but he was pressed to the door, stuck between a rock and a hard place. All he could do was clutch at the front of his uniform.

Another disgruntled noise died off in his throat, breath hitching when Aether licked over his bottom lip. He hesitated. Tension brought his shoulders towards his ears. Made him hold Aether tighter. Uncertainty turned his scent sharp but the unmistakable smell of sea salt pervaded the air to overshadow it entirely. Another swipe over the seam of his mouth and Dew jolted. His death grip on starched fabric started to go loose as his lips reluctantly parted to allow him inside.

Collar released, Aether’s big hands settled on the sides of his neck, tips of his fingers pressing into the ticklish baby hairs at the nape before one slid fully into silky pale hair. It was as soft as it looked. Easy to pull himself through, easier to get a hold of. He didn’t plan on pulling, but so far ‘plans’ were not working out for Aether. It was up in the air if he would, if Dew deserved it or not.

Dew had become surprisingly pliant with so little fight. Aether expected to be torn to shreds but Dew made absolutely no moves to do so. No more sounds of protest, just a single little whine that made something in Aether’s brain itch. Whatever Dew was doing couldn’t exactly be considered kissing back. His lips were barely moving. Really just allowing Aether to take.

Cheek pressed to the smooth cool wood, his arm twisted further in an odd uncomfortable angle behind his back, face screwing up. His gills fluttered with his labored groan, the bigger ghoul forcing him to deepen the already exaggerated arch of his spine. The worn pads of thick fingers circled over the ring of muscle, barely pushed against it. Just enough to feel the resistance. 

”Fuckin’ water ghouls…Freaks, the lot of ya, Ifrit was right.” Aether chuckled against the shell of his ear, ice water dripping down his spine. “You get wet like this arguing with me, puddle? I see why it’s all you do.” 

“It’s not—Stop it.” He whimpered sadly as Aether pressed the tip of his middle finger inside of him. A small preview of the stretch he’ll feel. Despite his objection his little cock kicked between his thighs, pearling at the tip. 

“That’s not what you want, froggy.” He cooed, nipping at his fin to make him yip. “Not what that cute little thing wants either.” The spade of his tail trailed up his inner thigh sending goosebumps rippling over him, point tickling against the seam of his balls as it continued to drift along the underside of his dick. 

He shuddered, eyes threatening to roll back as Aether worked deeper inside of him. Barely finished with one finger before he was forcing in another despite the wounded sound and the way he struggled, immediately searching for that spot that would send him keening and finally shut him up.

”Quit the crocodile tears, I know you’ve taken more than this. Know you’ve let Mountain and Ifrit have you again, and again, and again—“ Aether pressed into it and his knees wobbled, petting over it in time with his accusation. “Take it like a good boy.”

”Oh s-shit, fuck, too thick. Hurts.” 

The quint ghoul laughed meanly. Close to cruel, something he was not often. He started to scissor his fingers in an action that bordered on torturously slow. Savoring how he wept, pained and pleasured but purely wrecked sounds ripped out of him. 

“Bitching this much on just my fingers, how’re you gonna take my cock froggy?”

”Your…No, no, Aether, it’s gonna-“

”Gonna what? Break you? Oh, Dewdrop, I’m just plannin’ on getting you nice and used to this cock.” His tongue flicked out and licked his gills open in a quick motion, grinning against his neck as he choked on his breath. 

He whispered into his opened throat in a way that felt equally hot and disturbing. “Not gonna want anyone else after I’m done,” a third finger to emphasize his point. “Ooooh no you won’t…Mountain and Ifrit won’t be able to satisfy you when I’m done, gonna have you crawling back for it.”

His mouth dropped open, helpless to the way Aether absolutely set to unravel him by rubbing circles into his prostate. He knew he was dripping down his wrist.

”So grit your teeth baby boy, I’ll teach you how to love the pain.”

Aether broke away from Dew abruptly, threads of saliva stretching and snapping between them. It felt like being submerged into molasses and then doused with ice water. He almost couldn’t process what he’d seen, what Dew was hiding behind the apparent act of disdain. It didn’t make sense. He had a plethora of questions and a couple of accusations but the water ghoul met his apparent shock with drooping, glassy eyes. His lips parted, kissed cherry red and sucked puffy. He looked fucked out but most notably, he appeared vacant. 

He’d have asked what the fuck was wrong with him if the answer was not staring him in the face. Specks of violet floating in the pale waters of his eyes. Flower petals drifting in a whirlpool, swirling and dancing before disappearing behind the blown out voids of his pupils. 

Alarm bells sounded in his head, confirming to him he had indeed fucked up. 

Now, not distracted by the taste of honey on Dew’s tongue, he could feel the magic seeping from him. Tendrils outstretched and invasive. Burrowed where they did not belong in the depths of Dew’s subconscious, showing Aether images not meant for his eyes. This had never happened before. Quintessence was still new to him and like an untrained animal, he had difficulty keeping it leashed. In his fit not only did rationality escape him but control as well. 

Still holding Dew’s now lolling head up, Aether shifted his fingers to his temples but paused. It was his turn to hesitate in acting. He simply tipped his face up towards him and stared at the water ghoul’s dreamy expression. Dew was…Pretty, a fact easy to forget when all he did was behave like literal hell spawn. He was prettier with the quintessence threatening to consume the blue in his eyes. Thinking too hard about that image made his pants uncomfortably tighter. 

He shook his head. Rid himself of the thought enough to focus on the act of unweaving himself from the inner workings of Dew’s brain without dislodging anything important. Omega had always told him to leave things how he found it after all. Withdrawing was harder than entering. Backtracking through a maze. It was like Dew’s subconscious didn’t want to let him or his influence go—too content to be suspended in the warm fuzzy feeling, like he never wanted Aether to give him autonomy back. 

Aether hissed through his teeth. He should have felt sick with himself for the thought's existence alone, let alone the fact he’d deigned to entertain it. Part of him did. Something darker coiled around him with the promise of satisfaction but Aether stuffed it down. Focused himself. 

Dew blinked dumbly at him as the quintessence released its hold on him. He could watch clarity trickle back in. Artificial bliss quickly turned to a dazed sort of confusion.

“Uhn-huh…?” 

His gaze flicked left to right and finally landed on Aether’s face. “You.” Dew’s eyes widened and narrowed in quick succession, tone rightfully critical. Couldn’t miss the pink dusting and darkening his cheeks though. He shoved at Aether again, Aether allowed Dew the distance this time. “Keep your hands off me, and stay the fuck out of my head.” 

Like that, Dew stormed out. Slammed the door so hard it rattled in its frame. 

Aether however was stuck in his own stupor, heart hammering violently in his chest. Scenes replayed in his head. He couldn’t stop them if he tried. Literal fucking brain worms that had him shamefully chubbing up. Shame barely covered it. He should have been mortified, more so when his hand wandered south to press against himself through his zipper. 

It all made sense to him now. 

Dew had wanted a reaction the whole time, just not the reaction Aether thought. Little shit had aimed to break his patience and hoped Aether would break him in turn. He was a fucking pervert if Aether ever saw one—and maybe he wasn’t any better, stood stupefied and embarrassingly hard, stroking himself blatantly in the middle of the room with his gaze fixed on the door. Couldn’t stop himself from picturing Dew there, the way he’d imagined himself at Aether’s mercy. 

If that was what Dew wanted, he’d teach him the lesson he’d apparently craved to learn.

Hi moon:) hope your doing good. Can you write a little tiny dew and CG ifrit? Like dew can’t sleep and ifrit helps get him to bed?🩷

(also I’d like to be 👽 anon if that’s okay)

Short little thing, hope it's ok 🩷

Cw: Dew's nightmares

It's one of those nights, the kind that Dew can't close his eyes even for a moment without wailing, voice cracking and big tears on his red cheeks. Plagued by memories they all wish they could steal away from him.

Aether was exhausted after a long shift and Mountain was busy with Swiss down at the greenhouse, Rain was in too much pain, and Cumulus was helping Cirrus…so Ifrit stepped in.

He took the baby from a half asleep Aether, wrapping him up in his firefly blanket and promising Aether he'd watch over him. He was reluctant to leave but he could barely keep his eyes open so he relented, only after making Ifrit promise to come get him if Dew needed him.

Ifrit laughs as Aether shuffles away toward his bedroom, casting one more glance back at Dewdrop.

“Just us for a bit, huh? You gonna sleep for me or should I make a pot of coffee?” He jokes, running his fingers over Dew's fuzzy little head.

He fusses, turning his head and sniffling. He's warm and uncomfy from crying and Ifrit can tell he's exhausted but he just can't get to sleep.

“Let's go for a walk, Flacără mică.” (Little flame)

He walks him down the quiet halls of the Abbey, switching from cradling him to holding him up against his shoulder so he can pat his back when he gets fussy again.

He hums when Dew whimpers, holding his good ear close so he can hear Ifrit's heart over whatever is going on in his mind. It seems to work a bit, the haze clears from his eyes but he's still not ready to settle so Ifrit keeps walking. He'd walk the whole world if he had to.

Eventually Dew's tummy grumbles and his eyes are slowly getting too heavy for him to fight and he nuzzles closer to Ifrit's warmth. He takes the walk back slowly, rubbing the baby's back and humming softly and singing under his breath.

“În pădurea cu alune

Aveau casă doi pitici.

Vine pupăza şi spune:

Vreau să stau şi eu aici!

Pu, pu, pu, pu, pu, pu,

Vreau să stau şi eu aici!

Pu, pu, pu, pu, pu, pu,

Vreau să stau şi eu aici!” (În pădurea cu alune(In the Forest by the Hazelnuts) )

Dew blinks at him, watching his mouth as he sings, pressing his little hand to Ifrit's chest to feel it too. The big fire ghoul smiles and continues his song as they make it back home.

He sways and bounces while the bottle heats up and Dew rests against his shoulder, still fighting sleep as hard as he can.

“Ok, little one, let's get comfy.”

Dew whines in his throat but Ifrit just kisses his forehead and carries him to the comfy rocking chair, fixing his blanket before they sit and Ifrit starts to rock them slowly.

“No seep…”

He almost jumps at the unexpected little voice but he catches himself and just smiles. “Ok, no sleep.”

Ifrit knows the baby means it but he also knows sleep will win his well fought battle, his eyes are already drooping as he drinks his bottle. He jerks awake when his eyes shut and he stares at Ifrit when he opens them again, checking to make sure it's still him.

“You're safe. I'd never let anything happen to you.” And he means every word. He's wrapped around Dew's little finger and there is nothing he wouldn't do to protect him.

When he stops drinking and it's clear he's fully asleep, Ifrit tucks the bottle beside him on the chair but continues to rock and hum for a bit longer just in case the nightmares start again.

He watches him sleep, smiling when his little face stays peaceful as he strokes his cheek. Once he's sure he won't wake up, he moves to the couch, laying down carefully with Dew tucked close to his side still sound asleep.

Ifrit doesn't sleep, too focused on the baby and making sure he stays settled, making sure he knows he's safe even as he sleeps because Ifrit is there, and nothing would ever get through him.

Anything Swissalps please!!

Rubs my grimey little hands together

(obligatory tag for @hypnoneghoul !)

Mountain doesn't really like the caterpillars and worms on his plants in the room, but knows they're very much needed. He's started to get used to them more bc Swiss names them and it's kinda their thing.

"Martin is fuckin' chowing down on this vera right now..."

"I thought Martin eats the peonies?"

"No that's his twin brother Jake."

"Oh.."

Speaking of the plants!!! Swiss is VERY accustomed to them. His stand in Mountain when they aren't there. Always super reactive and love Swiss so so so much. They love holding him, helping him with tasks in the room, and just making sure he's okay. Swiss used them for... Self pleasuring reasons and literally only a minute in before Mountain stumbled in with the biggest hard on ever. He then learned that day that, yes, Mountain can feel and know everything the vines are doing/receiving.

Mountain who courts Swiss with wreaths and bones, flowers delicately picked and meaningful, and even down to foraging for him. Swiss who doesn't know how to court besides quintessence, but it just doesn't feel right. So he does what he does best!! Makes a song for Mountain!! It's kinda an air/water thing, but it's so specifically him that it doesn't really need an elemental label.

I'm sharing part of my hibernation Mountain propaganda and y'all are dealing with it. Mountain is GONE during the winter and Swiss is his hibernation mate even tho he doesn't really sleep like Mounty does. Lottt of grooming, breeding, and feeding as Mountain is running purely on instincts and can't really form coherent thoughts outside of those instincts. He just knows "my mate needs to eat." "my mate doesn't smell like me and I need to fix that internally and externally." Swiss doesn't mind it as he's still able to get up and move around, sometimes leave the room for quick trips to the kitchen and back. Swiss usually curls up on Mountain's torso and he's held sooo tenderly by this big furry beast. He LOVES it.

Mountain wears glasses but he loses them a LOT. Swiss always has an extra pair on him just in case which has come in handy multiple times. Swiss always demands them back once Mountain is done using them. "I'm not letting you lose the only backup pair you have, dork."

Big boy is embarrassed about wanting to be topped, but ohhh Swiss knows. He knows. Loves putting Mountain in the most submissive positions like doggy, missionary, or a mating press, but fuck does Mountain love it. He loves feeling smaller for once, loves watching his yin on top of him just whispering the most embarrassing things you could ever think of.

I've talked about Mistress Judas a few times, Swiss' bdsm persona, but... With Mountain? Ohh at her feet for anything she says. She makes him feel stupid. Weak. Lower. Small. It's what he wants and needs, and she's more than happy to provide. Big on breath play, boot play, and her whip. Best aftercare in the world, and Mountain wouldn't have it any different as he's massaged and given such tender kisses, words, and affections.

Mountain who sees Swiss as his art form—as art itself. As yin and yang. As everything right in the world. Something something, he's so dumb in love he can't think and just writes all of his love frustration on paper and hands it to Swiss who keeps them safe in a folder he reads through a lot.

Something something they're so in love it's sickening.

I was thinking about Ifrit earlier. He seems like the prideful type to never admit he's sick until he's on the verge of falling over.

What if he got that sick and middle Swiss was the one to find him, curled up in bed and miserable? He gets Ifrit comfortable and goes to get Omega to help.

Just an idea I've had floating around, you don't have to write anything, I just often get inspired by your work!

- 🌈

I know this took forever, hope it's ok! Just a small thing

Cw: sick Ifrit, body aches

Ifrit groans and adjusts his pillows again, punching them a few times for good measure before flopping bonelessly against the too warm pillows. He's miserable, he's never sick and now he is and he's miserable.

He can't breathe through his nose and his head feels stuffy and it hurts, his eyes are heavy but he can't sleep, and somehow every single part of his body has decided to hurt. Not to mention the rib rattling cough…

He could text Aether or Omega to come just help him sleep but if he's sick he's sure the Sisters and the siblings are all worse off so the infirmary will be busy. He hopes Dew's ok, hopes that this wave of sickness will decide to be merciful and skip over him.

Ifrit would take every bug that entered the Abbey if it meant Dew never got sick again.

He wallows and tries to think about anything else, literally anything but his head hurts so bad that thinking is hard. He reaches for his phone, tired of suffering for no reason but he knocks it off the side table.

“Really? You can't just cooperate with me?” He whines and he knows he's being ridiculous but he's not used to this! He's hanging off the bed when the door opens.

“Uh…Frit?”

He hears Swiss' small voice, the confusion and concern clear in his tone. Ifrit pulls himself back up slowly, trying not to focus on how much the room is spinning now.

“Hey Furtună…what's up?” (Storm)

“You ok? You don't look so good.”

He tries to force a smile. “I'm ok, just picked up a bug.”

Swiss cocks his head and moves into the room, stopping right next to the bed. He puts the back of his hand against his forehead and frowns.

“You're cold like Dew gets.”

“I don't feel cold.”

“Yeah I know, it's just how you fire ghouls are.” He shrugs. “Did you take medicine yet?”

Ifrit shakes his head, amused and impressed with how quick the little ghoul jumps into action. He watches him pull out his phone and type a message with his tongue poking out, focusing hard on his spelling.

“Aether's gonna be here soon. I'll be right back!”

“Swiss you don't-” But he's already gone, running down the hall. Ifrit laughs despite the pain in his head and throat, grateful for the little multi ghoul.

It takes Aether a bit to get there and Ifrits head and body hurt worse by the time he does. He's quick to soothe the pain, chasing it away and leaving a gentle sleepy haze in its place.

“Rest, I'll come back soon to check in.” He kisses Ifrits forehead and it says a lot about his current condition that he doesn't say something witty about it.

The fuzzy feeling slowly starts to fade as soon as Aether leaves but Ifrit’s sure it'll last a while, at least until he checks in again.

It's quiet and he thinks he might be able to sleep if he really tries…but the door opens again and Swiss backs in slowly. When he turns, Ifrit sees a tray in his hands stacked with snacks and drinks and tissues.

“I got you stuff to make you feel better, Mountain helped but then Dew sneezed so he panicked.” He rolls his gold eyes. “He's not even sick, he just stuck his face in the fuzzy yarn basket and it tickled his nose!”

Ifrit laughs a little at that mental image. “Thank you Swiss, you didn't have to do all this.”

He shrugs like it's nothing. “I wanted to, I like helping.”

Ifrit takes the tray from him when he's close, setting it on his lap and taking his hand.

“Thank you, Furtună, I really appreciate this.”

He ducks his head shyly and shrugs again. “S’ok. I'll go so you can rest!”

“You don't have to, I just don't want you getting sick.”

“It's ok, I'll go make sure Mountain didn't have a heart attack over a sneeze. But I'll come back to take out dirty dishes and I have my phone!”

He bounces out of the room and Ifrit laughs again, Swiss’ energy filling the room with an easy peace, something buzzing and happy. He looks around the tray, finding soup and crackers, one of the honey suckers they give the little ones for sore throats, a cup of tea and a glass of ginger ale. He also notes the handful of chocolate chips Swiss added.

It's thoughtful, touching and once again Ifrit is struck with just how grateful he is. He doesn't finish everything but the tea and the sucker help and before long his eyes are starting to shut.

He hears the door open quietly and Swiss tiptoeing across the room to grab the old dishes. He hears him set something down before he tugs the blankets up over Ifrits shoulder.

“Feel better, Frit.” He leaves just as quietly as he arrived.

Ifrit cracks his eyes open to find another steaming mug of tea and a few more suckers. He smiles and makes a plan to come up with something special to do just for the caring little ghoul.

He shuts his eyes again, it's going to be great….but he needs to rest first.

and/or 15. and Dewther for the smut prompts?

"I want to hear you beg" and 15. "You're mine" from this prompt list

I had a lot of thoughts about possessive, jealous Aether and writing this was v fun.

Could be read as dubcon but both Dew and Aether are very into it. Contains scent kink, grinding, and a late night handjob.

divider by @wrathofrats <3

He can almost taste it. It clings to the roof of his mouth, cloying and taunting. Aether's nostrils flare, unable to escape the scent that isn't quite right. It's late. Too late. The room is pitch black, and all Aether can hear is the soft breathing, gentle snuffling snores that come with each of Dew's exhales.

His mate is settled on his chest, one hand gently curled into the collar of Aether's sleep shirt, the other tucked around his shoulder. Aether holds him close, wide awake despite the hour, despite having Dew so close.

In fact, it's because Dew's so close that he can't find sleep. Aether is intimately aware of the ghoul in his arms. Knows him better than he knows himself at this point, how he takes his coffee, how he scores his picks, every superstitious ritual he's ever been privy to. How his piety looks more human than any of the other ghouls Aether's ever met.

It could be argued, then, that Aether knows what Dew smells like. But under the campfire smoke, the caramelized sugar that comes with his sleepy contentedness, and the faint, ever-present tobacco is something carbonated and sharp. Quintessence.

Normally, Aether would take no mind of Dew smelling of quintessence. But therein lies the problem: Dew doesn't smell like his quintessence.

The logical part of Aether's brain knows why. Dew's been sharing a lot of space with Aeon in rehearsals and in the commons, the younger ghoul brushing up against him in search of approval and comfort. No outright scenting or challenging. But the animal part of Aether's brain doesn't give a shit about that.

His mate smells like a different quintessence ghoul. This needs amending.

A tiny voice breaks the quiet, mumbling with sleep. "Aeth?"

Aether realizes too late that he's growling.

Dew shifts on top of him. His movements kick up another wave of his scent, and that's all the animal part of his brain can take. He surges up, flipping them until he's straddling Dew's hips, looming over and dwarfing him.

Dew's body thuds against the mattress, copper eyes fluttering open with a squeak, narrow chest heaving. Aether knows what Dew's seeing: two glowing violet eyes hanging in the pitch black of their room.

The growl still bubbling in his throat, Aether bends to rub his cheek against the line of Dew's jaw, along his throat. He can hear the way his stubble scrapes against Dew's skin, catches on what remains of his gills.

"You're mine," he rumbles, low and dangerous into Dew's ear. The sharp scent of fear and confusion fades to something almost irritated but fond, muddy with sleep. Dew tips his chin back, whining soft and placating.

"'M yours, starshine," he agrees, voice and posture softer than Dew will ever show anyone else. Aether preens, doubling down as he rubs his own ozone scent against Dew's scarred throat.

"You don't smell like mine," he says, huffing as he catches another faint whiff of Aeon's scent. His hips press down, pinning his little mate to the mattress.

Dew gasps with the sudden force of it, taking a deep, shaky breath. "I smell like yours," he mumbles, not quite awake yet even with Aether's cock hardening against the line of his hip. "Dunno what you're talking about."

Aether growls louder, pressing the flats of his fangs against the matescar in the crook of Dew's neck. "You smell like them," he says, shoving a thick thigh between Dew's, feels him start to chub up in interest. "I'm gonna fix that."

He takes both of Dew's bony wrists in one hand, pinning them above his head as he starts to rut against his hip. He mouths at Dew's jaw, kissing and licking a stripe along his scarred gills. It draws a strangled groan from his throat, breath hot against Aether's skin. "Fuck, make me, make me yours again," Dew gasps, pushing his hips up off the bed, bucking into the crease between Aether's thigh and hip.

Aether stills, something almost feral in his eye. "I want to hear you beg for it," he croons, low and dark and dangerous. He pins Dew's hips to the bed with the hand not holding his wrists, putting a stop to any and all bids for friction. "Beg me to make you mine."

He feels more than hears Dew's panting breaths, already so worked up. He always is when he leverages his size like this. Words don't come to him, whining soft and offering the line of his throat to the bigger ghoul, tilting his head to expose the matescar Aether left on him all those years ago. Dew's wrists flex in Aether's grip, but there's no real struggle.

"Give me words, darling," Aether says, settling into a slow, filthy grind. He's not cruel, even like this. He shoves his thigh back between Dew's legs, using his grip on his hip to drag him up and down the tensed muscle.

Dew keens, back arching and copper eyes fluttering shut. "Fuck!"

"Yeah, darling?" He tightens his grip, hoping that it'll bruise by morning. Dew pants under him, pinned and unable to move. Aether can feel his body heat radiating, burning hotter and hotter with each grind of his hips.

"Kiss me?" he asks, and Aether's blindsided for just a moment. Aether's never been able to deny Dew anything.

He dips down, catching his mate's lips with his own. It's surprisingly tender, despite the thick scent of sex that's starting to fill the room, of their combined scents. Dew melts into it, back arching as he tries to get more contact with his mate, straining against Aether's grip.

Aether only breaks the kiss to press his face against Dew's sharp collarbones, rubbing Dew with his scent. He presses a kiss to Dew's matescar just to feel him shudder beneath him. He mouths lower, playing with the silver barbell through one pink nipple. Dew gasps, rutting his hips against Aether's stomach.

"Please, Aeth, starshine, please make me yours again," he whines, doing his best to rub his own cheek against him.

Aether grins, his gold fang glinting in the dark. He ruts against him, groaning in Dew's ear as his cock throbs against his hip, leaking pre until he's just as wet as Dew. "Yeah, darling boy?" He croons, almost growling as the pleasure and possession swirl inside him, coiling in his gut. "You want me to make you mine?"

Dew nods, bucking his hips up jerkily to meet his thrusts. "Please," he breathes, desperately hooking his leg around the back of Aether's thigh, trying to get a better angle.

"I will, baby, I will," Aether promises, pushing him into the mattress with the force of his thrusts. "Make sure they all can smell it, you're mine, darling."

Aether's so worked up that it only takes a few more thrusts before he's keeping his promise. He cums between their stomachs, grunting with each pulse of his cock. He digs his teeth gently into Dew's matescar, groaning loudly into his too-warm skin. He lets go of Dew's wrists to prop himself up, not trusting himself from just crushing his mate

"Fuck," Dew pants, carding through Aether's mohawk. "I smell right now, huh, starshine?"

Aether nods, gently as to not irritate the matescar too much, his teeth still clamped down. He feels it calming, panting into Dew's shoulder as the aftershocks fade.

As his mind clears, Aether's suddenly much more aware of the hot line of Dew's cock pressed into his cock. He releases his bite, kissing apologetically up his throat until he takes his lips again. "'m sorry for waking you, darling. Let me make it better?" he asks, curling a big hand around his length.

Dew's breath hitches, and he keens into Aether's mouth as he sets a merciful pace, twisting his wrist at the tip just the way he knows Dew likes. His hips buck, and Aether lets him chase his pleasure. It doesn't take long before Dew's spilling over his knuckles.

Aether swallows every one of Dew's cries, whispers praise and thanks against his lips. When Dew slumps back down against the mattress, both of their messes smeared on their stomachs and scents strong with each other, Aether wipes his hand on the sheets and pulls Dew close.

They're both too exhausted to care about the mess, though that will not be the case when morning comes. Aether, ever the good mate, will clean him up almost sheepishly, though proud that Dew is his by scent and scar.

Just something I started before my break and finished while dealing with my feelings.

Cw: mountain's major depressive disorder, feeling like a burden, he's very brave though, cg omega, cg Rain, cg Dew

It's not surprising, not really, at least not to Dew. He'd noticed almost immediately, noting that the evenings were starting to get colder, that the days were slowly getting shorter. Mountain started sleeping more, which wasn't too unusual in the grand scheme of things…but it wasn't the right kind of sleep. It wasn't resting, it was hiding.

Dew recognized the dark shadows starting to form under his eyes, how they didn't light up when he saw Dew or Rain, how he poked at his food and shrugged instead of answering questions. He quietly brought it up to the pack, letting each of them know that Mountain was going to need a little extra help. They were all glad to do it, ready to help however they could.

He talks to Aether and Omega separately, keeping them informed of the shift in his moods. Omega schedules extra visits, making sure to prioritize him as he starts to slip.

Mountain knows he's doing it, at least when he's big. And he appreciates it…mostly. But there is still that voice that keeps telling him that this shouldn't be necessary, that Dew is getting tired of taking care of him, that he's too much work.

He wanders off after breakfast, keeps his head down and his shoulders slumped as if all the weight of the world is sitting on them. He should be heading to the greenhouse but he can't, it doesn't feel worth it. He wonders sometimes if the poisonous sadness in his veins would spill out through his fingertips and infect each plant and destroy each little leaf and petal.

He slithers under the covers and pulls them over his head to hide from the sun trying to reach through the curtains to touch his skin. He wants to change into something extra soft, something that might bring a little more comfort, he wants to reach for his stuffies on the other side of the bed, but the nasty voices in his head are already too loud and he convinces himself he doesn't deserve it.

He shouldn't be surprised when the door opens but he still holds his breath. He knows it's Dew, it wouldn't be anyone else.

The bed dips and he can feel the warmth of Dew's hand bleeding through the blanket. “I won't hover, but I will be checking in on you. I wanted to say I love you before I go help papa for a bit.”

He thinks he nods, he tries to at the very least and his heart jumps when Dew leans over and presses a kiss to his forehead still hidden beneath the blanket. “We're all here ok? No matter what your head is telling you. I'll check in soon.”

He feels Dew stand and move to the other side of the bed. “I'm leaving your phone right here next to you ok? We all have ours, text if you need anything, even if you just want to say hi. Now I need to go before papa or sister send a search party. I love you, get some rest.”

He knows Dew doesn't expect him to talk but Mountain wants him to know he appreciates him so he reaches his hand out from under the blanket and signs I love you back and Dew squeezes his fingers gently before he leaves.

He curls in on himself and shuts his eyes, hoping sleep might make him feel a little better.

It doesn't, not really and he wakes up little and completely swallowed by the hoodie he fell asleep in. He moves his arms to rub his eyes and feels his stuffies tucked around him and he knows that means Dew came by while he was sleeping. It should be comforting but it just makes him cry.

He's not sure how long he sits there before the door slowly opens. Mountain hides his face in Acker's squishy body, hiding his tears from whoever is checking on him.

The door shuts softly and he hears someone crossing the room and before he can even look up, he feels the calming effects of Omega's magic. “Hey amoruccio.”

His voice is soft like it is during their visits and Mountain peeks over his cow to look at him.

“How are you feeling?” Mountain shakes his head instead of answering. “That's ok. Do you want something cold to drink? Maybe just some ice cubes to chew on?”

He shakes his head again and sniffles until he feels Omega sitting close beside him. It takes him a while but eventually he leans against him. Omega doesn't talk right away, he just lets the little ghoul rest against him until the tears stop.

“Do you want to change into something that…fits? It looks like you're getting eaten up!”

It pulls just a tiny smile from him but Omega counts it as a win. The little ghoul nods and the quint goes off in search of his jammies, something soft and warm. Mountain stands to join him, pausing by the window when he sees Swiss heading to the greenhouse, Aurora and Phantom each holding one of his hands. He can see that Phantom is talking and Aurora has a pink watering can in her free hand.

Again, it should be comforting but it just makes him feel bad. They shouldn't have to do his work for him. Omega must feel the wave of emotions shift because he turns quickly and kneels in front of the little ghoul, following his eyes until he sees what he's looking at.

“What are you feeling?”

He sniffles, fingers squeezing the cuffs of the hoodie sleeves. “Bad. They-they…that's my job!”

“Yes, but you don't feel well right now, so they are helping. It's ok to have help, amorino, Phantom and Aether help me, Dew is helping Papa right now. You help the people you love.” He brushes away his tears. “Let's get you comfy ok?”

He holds one of Mountain's hands while he searches for something for him to wear. The little ghoul pauses when he sees the jammies, they were a gift from Rain, something he'd seen while he was out that made him think of Mountain.

“Père…”

“Do you want me to text him?” He pushes Mountain's hair back carefully, smiling when the little ghoul nods. “Ok, can you change or do you need help?”

“Help.”

Omega helps him out of the hoodie and into his jammies before helping him back up into the bed and texting Rain.

“He's on the way. When he gets here I'm going to get you a drink and a snack, I'd like you to at least try to get a little of both ok? You don't have to do all of it but a little something in your tummy is important.”

He doesn't really want to eat anything but he doesn't argue, he just wants Rain. The tears prick at his eyes again and it makes him tired, he doesn't like being sad like this when there's really nothing to even be sad about. It's exhausting trying to fight his brain.

Omega is rocking him and humming when Rain gets there, holding the little ghoul close to his chest.

Mountain turns his head when he realizes Rain's there, reaching for him with big tears rolling down his cheeks. “Père…”

He smiles sadly, reaching out and taking the little earth ghoul from Omega's arms. “Je suis ici.” (I'm here)

Mountain clings, face buried against Rain's neck, arms trembling as he holds onto him as tight as he can. Omega kisses the top of his head, letting Rain know he'll bring a snack up for Mountain before he goes back to work.

“Do you want to lay down or rock in the chair for a bit?”

Mountain points in the general direction of the chair and Rain smiles, wandering over and sitting down with the little ghoul on his lap. Mountain turns his head toward the window, watching outside while Rain starts to rock gently.

Rain feels him move his hand up to suck his thumb, his breathing slowing down into something soft and even.

“Do you want to talk?”

He shakes his head, watching the leaves dance with the soft breeze. Rain doesn't force it, he just kisses the top of his head and squeezes him a little tighter. He smiles at Omega when he brings a sippy cup of tea and some crackers for the little ghoul.

“If you need me just text. Anything at all ok?”

Mountain nods, a barely there motion but it's good enough. Rain runs his fingers through Mountain's hair while he helps him sip on his tea and he manages to get him to eat a few crackers before he falls back asleep.

He waits until he's sure Mountain is out deeply before he moves him onto the bed, wandering off to get a warm washcloth to clean the dried tears off his cheeks. He hates how he still looks uneasy even in his sleep but he's so proud of him for taking the help today.

He tosses the washcloth into the bathroom and joins the little ghoul on the bed, pulling the blanket up over him and making sure his stuffies are tucked in close to him. He runs his fingers through his hair, humming when the little ghoul whimpers in his sleep.

Dew slips in on his other side when he finishes with Copia, pressing a kiss between Mountain's horns. He snuggles closer in his sleep, scooting toward Dew and pressing his face against his chest.

“Ich liebe dich so sehr.” He whispers, wrapping his arms tighter around the little ghoul. (I love you so much)

Rain smiles at the two of them, the way Dew wraps protectively around Mountain, the way the little ghouls face relaxes when he hears Dews voice even though he's sleeping.

Dew reaches over and grabs Rain's hand, squeezing his fingers. “He's doing so much better.”

Rain squeezes back, bringing Dew's knuckles up to kiss. “He is. He's so brave about letting us help now.”

They drift into easy silence, listening to Mountain's steady breathing, both thinking about how proud they are of the brave little ghoul between them.

A Lack of Engagement Pt. 8: Save The Date

[Previous Part: Here. The final installment in the ALOE series. I am first and foremost a delighter in chaos. This is what happens when you let me write while ill.] Below the cut.

While the groundskeeper drags the lake closest to the docks for any signs of the giant dick that started this whole mess, Rain and Dew spend their afternoon digging holes and carefully planting the blueberry bushes Bea had entrusted to them.

It's a tedious job, especially since neither of them knows how best to approach the situation; Whether it's better to dig all the holes first, or simply dig them one at a time, but either way the task is distracting enough for the two of them to spend most of it working in near silence.

Rain digs the holes and Dew sets the plants into the ground, carefully covering the roots, his nails slowly becoming encrusted in soil.

They wind up making a loose circle, spacing the bushes out with room to grow, and by the time they finish and take a moment to stand back and admire their hard work, Bea's approaching them once more.

"Hm, good job." she nods approvingly, placing her hands on her hips, "I appreciate the help."

Rain smiles, then looks past the woman towards the docks, "How did the search go...?"

Bea scratches her fingers through the short hair on top of her head, glancing back over at the water herself.

"Well, there's definitely something in the water over there," she says, "but that's the thing; There's a LOT of things in the water by the docks."

She gestures for them to follow her, and they all find themselves standing on the edge of the dock, staring out over the water.

"The water here is relatively clear, so you can see the bottom pretty easily." she explains, "I didn't have to search long to find an abnormality, but..."

She points to several odd shapes in the silt below, "It's kind of a mess down there."

Rain frowns, the groundskeeper is right, there's all kind of debris in the water by the docks, and none of it really looks like what they're searching for.

"You said the statue you were looking for was made of metal, so I thought I could just sink a magnet on a line and see what it stuck to, but, then again, there's so much garbage down there... and I think y'all said the blasted thing was made of bronze, yeah?" She asks, and the pair nods, "Yeah, see, you can't use a magnet to find bronze, because the shit's not magnetic, well, not unless it has nickel mixed in-"

Bea cuts her rambling short and shakes her head.

"Anyway, point is, short of diving in there and having a look around, I can't really go in there and shift things around much more. Taking a net to the lighter debris is one thing, but I can't be hauling up anything heavy and potentially waterlogged manually." she sighs, "Personally, I'd have the Creature From The Black Lagoon over there-" she gestures loosely at Rain, "-take a dive and see if anything fits the bill."

"We appreciate the help either way, Bea." Rain says, "Sorry to take up so much of your time."

Bea shrugs, "Ehn, it's whatever. Besides, if I had known earlier how messy this area was, I'd have probably come out here sooner and organized a group to help sort out all of this..."

She places her hands on her hips.

"I'm going to talk to Copia about getting some machinery in so we can remove some of the larger bits from the water, but it'll probably take a while for that to happen, so..."

Rain hums.

"We'll figure something out in the meantime, go have your fun with Mountain already." he does a light shooing motion, "Just shout if he actually tries to kill you."

"Aw, so kind of you to think I'd have the time to scream if he really wanted me dead." Bea places a hand on her chest, "But yeah, I better get going, or he'll be upset... I did promise I'd let him make dinner afterwards..."

As Bea leaves with a bit of a skip to her step, Dew can't help but turn to look at Rain and mouth a simple, "What the fuck?"

.

.

.

"So a plan B is in order." Rain announces after surfacing for the fifth time, "I've found two car fenders, a large rock that looks like a penis, but was definitely a rock, and, like, three shopping carts at this point."

Dew kicks his feet in the water, "We have to order a giant purple dildo and send it to Limbo via express shipping?"

Rain pulls himself up onto the dock, "We have to order a giant purple dildo and send it to Limbo via express shipping."

"Man..." Dew flops backwards, sighing, "I was kind of hoping we'd find the dick, I kind of wanted to see that ridiculous thing again..."

"I mean, yeah, it was pretty funny to look at." Rain agrees, laying down next to him, "...Dew?"

"Yeah, Rainy?"

"Why do you think that dick showed up here in the first place?" he asks, turning his head to face Dew, who is already looking at him when he glances over, "Like, the sudden rumors, it just appearing and disappearing and all of that... It just feels... odd, you know?"

"Mn." the other ghoul thinks for a moment, "Well, strange things happen here all the time, it's just the nature of things, I suppose... I don't want to dismiss it's... oddness, but, I guess I've bore witness to a lot of weird shit over the years so this didn't really register high on the list."

"But it is weird, right?" Rain wonders aloud, "Touching that statue, winding up in that other... dimension? World? Whatever that was... and then traveling to Limbo, getting out of there so easily because we could bargain with the Toll Man... Hell, even Bea being willing to help us search the lake... it all feels too convenient to be real."

Dew reaches over and trails his fingers down Rain's side making him twitch slightly before letting out a yelp as Dew pinches his sensitive skin.

"Ow! Hey-"

"Well, we can rule out the idea that this isn't real or a dream." he chirps innocently, "But I get what you mean. It's like someone is guiding us somehow, and I'm not entirely sure how to feel about that."

"Who do you think it is?" Rain asks, "Guiding us?"

"Honestly? It could be anyone." Dew says, sitting up again, "You said you heard the rumors about the dick from eavesdropping on the siblings, right?"

Rain nods.

"Well, the siblings all study the arcane arts, at least the ones living here in the abbey do. It wouldn't be hard for a couple of them to concoct some weird multi-dimensional, teleporting penis... no matter how fucking weird that sounds now that I'm saying it." he turns to look at the abbey in the distance, "Point is, whoever made it probably just wanted to test out the statue on some poor saps curious enough the try it out... Or ministry actually shelled out cash for a giant metal dick statue, but that doesn't feel like a Copia purchase to be honest."

"Definitely more of Terzo purchase," Rain chimes in, "or Ome-"

"Omega!" Dew gasps, "Why didn't I think to ask him before??"

"Huh?"

"Omega manages the arts department! It's... kind of a holdover position from when Terzo was still around and they'd do 'still life nights' that were just an excuse to fuck each other covered in paint, but he's basically in charge of deciding what pieces go on display and which ones get vetoed or shipped elsewhere for viewing." Dew explains, "He'd know if the dick is still in the collection if it's not in the lake!"

"...Can we go back to the having sex covered in paint part?"

"Rainy."

"What?" Rain pouts, "I'm a connoisseur of the arts myself... Also was that one of the instances where you and them..."

He brings two of his fingers together, then, after some thought, tries the same motion but with three instead.

"...I will admit that Terzo did occasionally school me on my... brushstrokes."

Rain whistles and Dew kicks him in the side lightly.

"C'mon, ya perv, let's go see Omega."

.

.

.

"...A giant metal dick?" Omega's mouth hangs open as he processes what Dew has said, "No... I don't think we have one of those. We do have a rather large, um, Georgia O'Keefe style statue that has a similar story to it, but it involved rubbing the clit and some people had a bit of a hard time finding the right spot to-Anyway. No, no large metal dicks."

"Aw, fiddlesticks." Dew snaps his fingers, "...Any idea where we can find the pussy statue by any chance?"

Omega eyes him wearily.

"No dice, huh?"

The older ghoul nods.

"Circling back," Omega says, waving his hand about dismissively, "you said you two held hands in front of this dick statue, rubbed it, wound up in another universe where you were married, then traveled through Limbo, came back here, had the groundskeeper -who is currently getting railed by Mountain, a detail I didn't need to know- search the lake and came up empty... which lead you to here, am I correct?"

Rain and Dew nod.

"Yeah, that's basically everything."

Omega leans back in his office chair, bringing his hands up in a prayerlike gesture.

"Boys, have you been eating out of Lucifer's cabbage patch...?"

"Lucifer's... Are you asking if we're high??" Dew balks, "Omega, it's a Monday! I'd at least wait until Tuesday-"

"Professionally, no..."

Rain clears his throat, "We're being serious, Omega. We experienced something really weird, and now we're kind of... It lead to some... emotions. So we just... we want to confirm that it, ya know, actually happened, and also we kind of sort of promised a ten foot tall demon in Limbo that we'd send him back something he could ride, and the giant metal dick that started all of this seemed like the obvious choice."

"Ten foot tall demon in Limbo..." Omega looks between Rain and Dew, "...Dewcifer Maurice Drop, if you're telling the truth, did you-"

"Fuck the Toll Man again? No, not this time."

Rain throws his hands in the air, "He knows about that, but you never told me-"

Omega holds up his hand, "As a medical professional and a man of science, I needed to know how-"

Dew slaps his hands down on the desk.

"He can shrink down!"

"OHHHH!"

As the sun finally begins to dip below the horizon, Dew, still reeling from their conversation with Omega, lets out a sigh as he and Rain fall onto the couch in the ghouls' common room.

"Well... we're back at square one." he says, letting his body sag into the cushions, "...Can you get me my laptop?"

"Gonna order the dildo for the Toll Man?" Rain asks, "You sure you don't want to wait and see if the metal dick doesn't show up somewhere?"

"Nah, let's just... We're the only people that seem to know that thing exists. I'm tired, and I have a giftcard that expires soon, so... Two birds, one stone. Laptop, please." he shrugs, "Oh, and my reading glasses!"

"Aye, aye, Captain." Rain salutes him and Dew rolls his eyes, smiling softly as the other walks away.

As soon as Rain returns, Dew opens up his laptop and clicks on a pinned link below his search bar.

"...You just have this site on quick access?" Rain's eyes grow wide as he takes in a barrage of colorful sex toys in some... unconventional shapes and sizes, "On your unlocked laptop no less?"

"If anyone opens my laptop without my permission and the worst they see is a bunch of penises than I think it's fine." Dew says, pushing up his reading glasses as he scrolls through their options, "This isn't even my main computer... Anyway, let me know if you see anything you want."

"...You're gonna buy me a dildo?"

"Or a vibe or one of those stroker things, whatever your perverted heart desires, I'm feeling strangely generous."

After a bit of searching, and spending way too long customizing not one, but two absurdly large sex toys, Dew carefully inputs the details on the gift card and confirms his purchases...

...Just in time for Swiss to walk in dragging a certain metal dick in what is effectively the ghouls' front door.

"You guys will NOT believe what I found-"

Rain and Dew exchanges looks.

"MOTHERFUCKER!"

A little Rulti sweetness and fluff for anyone that needs it 💙

Morning Delight

A breeze blows through the window and causes Swiss to wake with a small stir, tickling his cheek and filling the room with the crisp autumn smell of turning leaves and incoming frost. He sighs softly and burrows himself further into the blankets and furs, enjoying the contrasting feel of the warmth of his bed with the fresh morning air.

Swiss rolls onto his side and nuzzles into the body of the ghoul curled up next to him. The clean, fresh scent of morning dew and water lillies fills his nose as Swiss draws Rain closer to him and buries his nose into the water ghoul's neck, breathing in deeply the scent of his mate.

Rain lets out a soft noise and presses back against Swiss' chest as he stretches out before snuggling back down into the Multi ghoul's arms and drifting off again.

Swiss marvels at the ghoul in his embrace. He gently lifts a claw to brush the silky blue-black curls out of Rain's face and gazes at him with all the love in time and space. Rain's eyes are closed, his lids a dusky shade, his eyes moving underneath and Swiss imagines he's probably dreaming of swimming through beautiful coral reefs, or the kelp forests at the bottom of the abbey lake.

Rain's skin is milky, almost creamy with a dusting of pink on the apples of his cheeks. A smattering of freckles bridges his delicate nose and travels up his temples, across his shoulders and chest. Each one shining and iridescent like scales from the most beautiful fish.

His lips, plump and full, are slightly parted as he breathes softly, the gills on his slender neck fluttering ever so slightly, warm and safe in Swiss' arms. Swiss can't believe that a being so divine, so painfully beautiful, so ethereal and perfect could ever choose to be his. How did he ever get so, so lucky?

Swiss runs his hand softly up and down Rain's body, feeling the soft touch of his skin. He skates his hand over Rain's ribs and over the swell of his hip and ass before wrapping his arms back around the water ghoul, planting soft kisses on Rain's neck and along the underside of Rain's jaw. Rain's scent, muted slightly by calm sleep, fills his nose as he nuzzles his mate's cheek.

Swiss rolls his hips slowly into the water ghoul's round ass, drawing him back against his body before exploring Rain's chest and stomach with his large hands. Swiss feels his dick stir and begins to harden as he grinds gently into the softness of his mate's sleeping form.

Rain stirs, breathing out a sigh as he slowly comes to. Swiss leans over to press a kiss to his temple and Rain wraps his tail around the massive hand resting on his sternum.

"Good morning, Sea Star," Swiss whispers, tickling Rain's cheek with butterfly kisses as he squeezes the water ghoul gently into his solid chest, still rolling his hips into Rain's ass. He leans over and gently rubs his horn that can reach against Rain's, bumping them together.

Rain hums a contented sigh and pushes back into Swiss' strong frame, moving his ass back into Swiss' groin in time with his mate. His lithe hands come up to rest on top of the larger ones on his chest and stomach as Swiss emits a soft groan with the increased pressure on his cock. This is his favorite way to wake up in the morning, and he knows that Swiss is well aware.

"Mmm....g'morning my spark.." Rain murmurs, turning his head back to catch Swiss' lips in a slow, sensual kiss.

Swiss cups Rain's face in his hand and leans into the kiss. It's soft, intimate, their tongues licking into each other's mouths as they move together tenderly.

Rain shifts to face Swiss on his back, wrapping his arms around the Multi ghoul's neck as Swiss leans over him, deepening the kiss and grinding against Rain's hip. He moans quietly, pulling Swiss more firmly against his body.

"What're you thinking?" Swiss mumbles against Rain's lips.

Rain takes Swiss' hand off his face, guiding it down his body, between his legs where his cock is quickly hardening, already leaking small pearls of precum.

"Want you to touch me," Rain sighs as Swiss closes his hand around his length and begins to slowly stroke up and down.

Swiss rubs his thumb over the tip, collecting the beads of pre and swirling it around. Rain moans quietly and rolls his hips up into his mate's hand and Swiss gets the message, slicking up Rain's cock and squeezing gently with just the right amount of pressure. He grinds against Rain's hip in time with his hand, speeding up at the sound of Rain's moans and gasps climbing in pitch.

Rain's mind starts going soft and fuzzy at the feel of the Multi ghoul's massive hand around his cock. He pulls Swiss down and kisses up and down Swiss' throat, sucking small marks into the skin, watching the bruises bloom like flowers on soft velvet through heavy lidded eyes.

Swiss' hand closes more firmly around his cock and his eyebrows cant up, his eyes fluttering shut, gasping out a soft "Ahh.. " at the warm, wet feeling.

"Love, need to feel you...please.." Rain breathes out, his hips moving of their own accord into Swiss' hand, feeling the beginnings of heat pooling in his gut.

"As you wish, my Rainbow,"

Swiss rolls over on top of his mate, stretching out along the length of Rain's lanky body, settling between his long legs. Rain wraps his legs around Swiss' waist and draws him in, both ghouls moaning and gasping together into each other's mouths as Swiss slowly sinks into him with ease, his hole still relaxed and slick from the previous night's activities.

Swiss runs his hands up Rain's body. Caressing over hips, along his ribs, skating up his arms. He gathers Rain's hands in his own and holds them above Rain's head, lacing their fingers together and pressing close as he starts to move, slow and deep.

Rain whimpers and breathes out a high sigh, feeling Swiss in his entirety. The Multi ghoul filling him and reverently laying his claim on his heart and his soul as he moves above Rain in tender worship of his mate.

Rain slips a hand up to cup Swiss' cheek, gazing at Swiss through heavy lidded eyes at his ghoul's rugged, scruffy face, his brows knitting up in pleasure at the feeling of his mate's body so tight, so warm, so wet around him.

"I love you, my spark," Rain moans softly, rolling his hips in time with Swiss' to grind his cock against the muscled plain of Swiss' stomach.

Swiss cries out as Rain's body clenches around him. Rain gazes up at him like he hung the moon. Swiss gazes back down at his beautiful water ghoul as he moves inside of him. How was he possibly deemed worthy to be in the presence of a creature so graceful, so....so alluring and captivating, let alone worship at his physical altar this way?

"So beautiful, so good for me, Water Lilly. Satanas, how was I blessed enough to have such a perfect ghoul as mine?" Swiss whispers prayerfully in Rain's ear, sending a shudder through Rain's body as he clenches down harder on Swiss's cock and cums between their hot, sweaty torsos.

Swiss gasps out a cry and meets his end as well, cumming deep inside the water ghoul's body, his cock kicking out the vestiges of his orgasm before collapsing down on top of Rain.

Rain runs his claws gently through Swiss' damp curls, pressing kisses to his forehead and murmuring soft words of love and praise in his ear.

The two laying basking in each other arms, exchanging soft touches and gentle kisses. Swiss slips out slowly, rolling onto his back and gathering his mate into his arms and against his chest, thoroughly spent.

It's a good thing they don't have anywhere to be today.