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Phantom woke up and right away they knew this was going to be a rough day judging by the ache in their very bones and the squeezing pain in their gut. Pushing out a pathetic whine, they rolled and pressed their face into the pile of pillows on their bed and procrastinated getting up for as long as they could.
Eventually, though, the cramps drove them to rise to their feet and shuffle slowly and uncomfortably to the bathroom. Cleaning themself up and preparing for the day as best they could. They wished their abilities helped with this, but from past experience, they knew that straining themself just made the ache worse.
At least there weren’t any practices today. They really didn’t think they had the energy to bounce around on the stage and play guitar like they usually did. At most, they knew they’d probably have to attend a sermon or two. Maybe meet with Papa.
Even these simple tasks felt like too much, though, and they didn’t care enough to dress in their usual style. Opting instead to slip into the pair of soft sweatpants that saw them through many a cycle, as well as bundling into the hoodie they’d stolen from Aether at one point. The oversized thing nearly drowned them in fabric, but it was just what they needed.
Then, as they were about to drag themself out of their room, an idea popped into their head. They could- Maybe seek out Dew. The fire ghoul ran warm all the time, and just thinking of maybe having those warm hands laying across his stomach and soothing the worst of the cramps was a tempting thought.
Chewing on their lower lip and contemplating this plan, they swayed in place and curled their tail up to run their fingers through the tuft of fur in a self-soothing motion.
… Yeah, they were gonna look for Dew. Hopefully, he’d be in an agreeable mood when they found him.
It took a bit of searching to find the fire ghoul. Thankfully, running into Mountain helped as the earth ghoul pointed Phantom in the direction where he’d last seen Dew. Setting off towards the common room in the Abbey, Phantom hoped they would find the other ghoul soon. The hoodie draped over their frame was warm, yes, but still, the lingering cold of the Abbey was soaking into them and worsening the ache of muscle and joint alike.
Poking their head through the door into the common room, they almost sighed out loud in relief as they caught sight of Dew sprawled out and lounging on the couch. They observed just a few moments, watching the fire ghoul with just a little flicker of affection in their chest.
Then, determination reignited, they padded toward him steadily. Only hesitating a split-second when ember-bright eyes flicked toward them and locked onto target. Clearing their throat, they paused in front of the couch, twisting their hands nervously in front of themself. Holding onto the scrap of determination, they spoke up. “Uh- Hey, Dew. I… Wanted to ask something real quick?” The end of their sentence lilted upwards and they winced just slightly.
Dew just watched, curious, a grin curling across his lips and letting his fangs poke out just a bit. He liked watching Phantom squirm just a bit, so he stayed quiet and waited for the quintessence ghoul to speak more.
“Uh- So I know you run warm and it’s really nice and um I’m kinda really hurting today cause cramps are a bitch and I wondered if maybe you could help me just a bit until they maybe ease up on me just a bit?” That whole sentence was on one long rambling breath, and they avoided looking at Dew the whole time. Eyes darting around the room, ears tilted down nervously, and their tufted tail twitching anxiously behind them.
The usual sharp edges of Dew softened just a moment at Phantom’s mention of being in pain, and he let his head loll to the side just a bit as he hummed out a thoughtful noise. The adorable sight of the quintessence ghoul all bundled up in the hoodie he knew was Aether’s made a bit more sense now. With a heavy sigh, he broke the tense silence to give the poor anxious little bug a break. “Yeah, yeah. Y’know, some say a good orgasm is a real good cramp reliever?”
Phantom’s gaze snapped quickly to catch Dew’s look incredulously, face flushed dark purple and mouth popped open in surprise. It was just so fun to fluster the little ghoul. He’d somehow not gotten used to Dew’s more crass jokes yet. “Pffff- Just fuckin’ with you, bug. C’mere, you could use a good cuddle yeah?”
The acceptance after the brief surprise and uncertainty was like a weight off their shoulders, and Phantom gave a quick little nod. Without any hesitation, Dew spread his arms out and motioned with a little jerk upward of his chin for them to join him on the couch. Not needing any more encouragement, they clambered eagerly onto the couch and the both of the ghouls shuffled around until they were fit together comfortably.
Phantom’s head was tucked securely into the crook of Dew’s neck, breathing in the comforting smell of woodsmoke, and soaking in the warmth radiating from the fire ghoul. Affection settled in the hollow of Dew’s ribs at the unashamed clinginess from Phantom. “S’good if I get a hand under that hoodie, bug?” A little murmured confirmation against his skin was the answer, and Dew huffed out a short laugh.
"Alright, alright." With just a bit of squirming to free up one arm, he slipped one hand under the thick fabric of the hoodie to sprawl a hand out across Phantom’s lower back. That way the warmth could seep steadily in from the skin contact. The warmth immediately had a low purr rumbling from Phantom, and the quintessence ghoul nestled impossibly closer to Dew. The warmth of the fire ghoul slowly but surely helped curb the sharp cramps jabbing at their insides.
Dew accepted his fate of staying here for a while, so he just pressed a quick kiss to the top of Phantom’s head next to their dual horns. Prompting the purring to pitch up even more. “There y’go sweetheart. Proud of you for asking for help.”
Really, it did mean a good bit to him that the sometimes skittish quintessence ghoul came to him for help. So, he was content to lay here and cuddle them. If their tails twined together just as much as their limbs, well. No one was around to witness the incriminating intimate gesture right now.