Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Lonely

A kiss on his head between the base of his horns, that was it, that was all he had received today. It was Cumulus who had kissed him there this morning during breakfast, of course it was her. He sighed and sunk deeper into the couch. The common room was empty and felt cold even with the blistering sun outside. It was summer and everyone in the abbey almost felt revived because of the warmth and comfort. The others had gone to the lake where they could swim and take off their masks for a moment. Dew didn’t want to go, he felt too hot and ice cold at the same time, confused with this feeling he had never experienced before.

He missed him, and he knew, everyone knew, but that it would physically hurt this much he had never expected.
He turned on the tv and was immediately entranced by a documentary about a volcano, his thoughts of him disappearing like snow in the sun.

He was woken up by the creaking sound of the heavy wooden door leading into the room. The others were back and talking loudly among each other, Dew quickly turning off the tv he was fallen asleep in front of.
“Dew, how are you feeling? We missed you at the lake!” Phantom asked him while sitting next to him on the couch.
“I am fine,” he answered, “just a little tired.” That’s all he wanted to say about that and Phantom grinned at him, “Next time, when Aether is back. Then we can go together!” Dew smiled at the enthusiastic smaller ghoul. “Yes, when he is back.”
Phantom got back up and launched himself at Swiss who had decided his place to chill was on the stone cold floor, a little overheated from the heath outside. The multi ghoul wrapped his arms around his mate and pulled him closer into a hug, Phantom’s head resting on his rest cooling down from the day.

“Rain, can you come help me a hand?” Mountain’s voice carried the words from the kitchen. The lean water ghoul smiled and sprinted toward the kitchen, joining his mate making diner for all of them.
“Where are the girls?” Dew asks the duo on the floor. “Shower” Phantom mumbled against Swiss’s chest. “Together” the bottom one added, “maybe we should-“ and Phantom got himself up pulling the multi ghoul with him. “Yes, we should also go shower together.” And so they did, and Dew was alone again, his heart being broken in smaller pieces with every step he heard them leaving.
He had had enough, he needed to do something about it. He got up and walked towards the kitchen, only wanting to tell Mountain and Rain he was going to his room. But he found two ghouls completely lost inside each others mouth, Rain sitting on the kitchen table, one of his hands disappearing in Mountain’s pants.

A deep rumble left Dew’s chest. He was jealous, that’s what this feeling was. Everyone had found someone today, but his someone just had to leave for the entirety of two weeks. It had been feeling like a year.
He turned around and walked to his room, the sun slowly setting and creating an orange vibe in the main hallway.
When he arrived at his room he wanted to enter but felt like he couldn’t, he turned back to where he came from and sprinted to another room. One where nobody should be right now, but he would feel like home.

Aether’s room. It was nice in there, a perfect temperature for the fire ghoul and most of all the most amazing scent. He closed the door behind him and turned around, just looking at the room. It wasn’t empty but a lot of things were missing. On the bedside table, on the desk, the chair in the corner, these were all empty.

He walked towards the bed and decided to take a little nap engulfed by Aether’s scent. But he couldn’t fall asleep, his heart was racing and mind going crazy. He felt like he was doing something wrong, laying here without him.
He grabbed his phone from his pocket and looked for him in his contacts, his finger hovering over the word ‘call’ not sure whether he should do it or not. What if Aether finds him too demanding, too much. They only called yesterday. But he pressed the button anyway.
It took a while, too long for Dew’s liking, but there was his voice, “Hey, Dew” and he melted into the sheets of his bed.
“Hey Aeth” he wanted to smile because he knew Aether would hear it in his voice, but he felt sad, missing his mate.
“What’s wrong?” Told ya, Aether knew him so well.
“I miss you” he pouted, tears welling in his eyes pulling the sheets closer to his chin.
“Oh, Dewdrop, I miss you too. But it’s only a couple more days” Aether tried to cheer up his mate as well as himself, it was hard for him too, being away from them.
“I know, but everyone has someone to go to and I don’t. You’re not here…” a few tears streamed down Dew’s face, just feeling sad.
Aether chuckled at the other side of the line.
“You know what’s funny?”
“Nothing about this is funny, Aeth” Dew answered, being confused with the question just asked.
“You are calling me right now, I just wanted to call you as well, because I have another mate who also happened to be-“
And that’s when Dew gets startled but a knock on the door.
“- a little lonely”
“Ifrit!” Dew almost literally jumps out of the bed and runs to the door, opening it and launching himself at the larger fire ghoul standing in the doorway. Ifrit can barely hold his balance but wrapped his arms around the smaller spitfire.
Dew nuzzled his nose into his neck while Ifrit walked into Aether’s room.
“Apparently we had the same thought” he whispered in Dew’s ear.
“Mhm. I like this” he answered.
Ifrit walked to the bed and put them both down, snug under Aether’s sheets.
“It looks like you’ve found each other.” Aether’s voice sounds through Dew’s phone.
“Oh, hell yes” Ifrit answered while Dew was already taking off his shirt, wanting to be as close to the other ghoul as possible.
“I’ll leave you two, take care of each other, I love you”
“I love you too” both answered in unison before crashing their lips onto each other’s.

Chapter Text

Winter

It was cold. So terribly cold. Winter had come and everyone knew. Everything was covered in a white layer of snow and flakes were still falling out of the darkgrey sky. The wind blowing through the cracks of the old doors in the abbey made it even worse in some rooms. Mountain wasn't having any of it and was longing for his greenhouse. Those plants and trees needed him and today he felt confident enough to conquer the cold. Covering himself with several layers of clothing and woolly socks in warm boots he was ready to leave when he heard Swiss in the common room, complaining again. His mood had also dropped under the freezing point since they left. Cumulus and Cirrus being the victims who had to hear it today.
"Why did they have to take all of them?"
"I don't know" Cumulus answered with a sigh, also having enough of Swiss' complaining, "but they will be back tomorrow. So one more day, Swiss. One more day."
Mountain hears her walking towards the hallway, cirrus following closely.
"Mountain, are you going outside?"
"I need my plants, and they need me"
"Aw, good luck out there" Cirrus waved at him before disappearing in their room.
"Oh, Mount," Cumulus' voice coming from behind the door before she pokes her head through the doorway.
"If you see Rain, tell him to come inside. He really wanted to go grab wood for the fireplace. But you also know that this is not his type of weather."
Mountain smiles at her and nods. "I will" thinking about Rain who has been walking around the abbey with at least three hoodies and the warmest socks he could find, mostly with a steaming cup of tea in his hands.
The wind makes his eyes teary, snowflakes crashing against his face and hands, the only parts not protected from the cold.
The earth ghoul looks around, trying to find Rain. The water ghoul was nowhere to be seen close to the woodshed.
"Rain?" his voice carries, he knows this. But there is no reaction. He looks back to where he came from and sees someone entering the abbey. This form doesn't look like Rain but who else could it be? Everyone else was inside, right? Mountain shivers and continues to the greenhouse. His eye falls on something sticking out of the snow, it is black and doesn't seem to move. He can't remember there being a rock, but with all this snow nothing looks like before. He will have a look at it after he has taken care of his plants and flowers inside the greenhouse.

Back inside the abbey Phantom shakes his head to get the snow out of his hair. The firewood in his arms is pressing against his skin, unable to move his fingers because of the cold. He runs towards the common room to drop off the firewood. Swiss is sitting on the couch under a couple blankets, the fireplace crackling and the tv playing.
"Phantom!" He shrieks when the little quintessence ghoul crawls under his blankets, his freezing hands over Swiss' body. "I'm cold" Phantom whispers into Swiss' neck.
"Everyone is, bug." Swiss wraps his arms around the little ghoul.
"Honestly, I really miss them" Phantom confesses to Swiss, "but I can understand the papas. If I were one of them I would also take all the fire ghouls with me to keep me warm and safe when visiting another abbey."
"Mmh" Swiss, "but still, I could use some of Dew's heat right now".
"You're not alone" a third voice joins the conversation when Aether enters the common room. He takes a blanket and sits on the floor in front of the fireplace with his back against the couch. Swiss puts his hand in Aether's hair, softly stroking the bottom of his horns, a soft purr rolling of Aether's lips. The atmosphere gets a little heated when Phantom starts grinding against Swiss' thigh.

Outside Mountain starts getting tired. Having given all the magic he had to the dying plants in the greenhouse. He sighs when looking outside, he really doesn't like this weather, oh what he would do to just snuggle up against an overheating fireghoul right now.
He puts his different layers on again and embraces himself for the extremely cold wind outside. When he walks through the doorway he remembers the dark spot he had seen before entering. He puts his nose in the air and tries to smell something, anything really, besides the snow. That's when a small wave of a well know scent fills his nostrils. It's not much but just enough to make Mountain go crazy.
"Rain?" He runs towards the dark spot as fast as his long legs allow him.
The closer he gets the clearer his view becomes. "Rain, Rainy?" And that's the moment his worst fear comes true.

"AETHER!" The three ghouls in the common room freeze in the middle of their action when a scream fills the entire wing of the abbey, going through every fiber in their body.

"Mount?" Cumulus is the first to reach the distressed earth ghoul holding a limp, almost white body is his arms.
"Help-" a heavy sob leaves his mouth when he clearly doesn't know what to do and feels like he is pinned to the ground. His heart breaking in more than a thousand pieces, holding Rain's limp body as close as he can.

Three confused ghouls emerge from the common room hurrying towards Mountain and the ghoulettes.
"What's going on?" Aether asks, but when he approaches Mountain, he already knows what the problem is. "Shit, take him to the couch!" But the earth ghoul can't move, pinned and almost literally frozen to the ground. Rain's ice cold body makes everything hurt in the large ghoul's body.
Swiss realises what's going on and takes over Rain's body. "We've got him, Mount. Get warmed up yourself, before we lose the two of you." The last part was whispered through his teeth however everyone heard it. Cumulus looks at the multi ghoul with a look that would kill him instantly if they all weren't so concerned about the others. "Hurry" Phantom motions towards the other quint, "go help him. I'll stay with Mount."
Cumulus follows Swiss and Aether to the couch where they put down the almost white body of the water ghoul. It is silent besides from the crackles of the fireplace when Aether lets his magic flow over Rain, looking for a heartbeat, a breath, anything. It takes too long, Swiss thinks and grabs Cumulus' hand. Both pressing the claws in the other’s hand, almost drawing blood. Suddenly Aether gasp and a sighs deeply, a small smile curling around his lips. "He's in there! But it's vague, very far away. We need to warm him up slowly, not too close to the fire, otherwise he will just evaporate."
"Than what do we do? More blankets?"
Swiss asks already gathering whatever he can find.
"Yes, and the best source, body heat." That's when their shoulders all slump and think about the little spitfire that would engulf Rain in his warmth and heat without even thinking about how it would hurt himself.
"Dew isn't here or any other fire ghoul, but we can help as well."
Swiss doesn't need more explanation and takes of his shirt before climbing on the couch behind Rain. His chest burns when he presses himself against the icicle that is the waterghoul. He whimpers at the touch. "It's fine, it's fine" he mumbles to the other to assure them he can endure some cold. After about an hour Phantom and Cirrus were able to get Mountain into the common room. Feeling still so bad about the whole situation, eyes fixed on Rain when he insists to switch places with Swiss who is already shivering under the blankets.

And that is how they spend their evening and night. Everyone decided to sleep on top and next to each other close to the fire and partaking in being Rain's heating pad when it gets too cold for the others.

The sun is already rising when a loud bang wakes them up. Footsteps in the hallway coming closer and voices getting louder.
"WE'RE BA-" the fire ghoul standing in the doorway doesn't get to finish his sentence when he gets attacked with death stares from all of them.
"Dew-" a soft mumble, that's all they hear but it comes rolling of Rain's lips.
"Rainy?" Dew runs towards his mate eyes filled with concern and pain.
"What happened?"
Aether explains the whole situation while changing spots with Dew who only wants to hold his waterdrop using his element to slowly warm up the still cold waterghoul.
"Dew?" Rain twitches in his arms and is able to turn around to snuggle in his neck. If possible he would just crawl into the smaller ghoul's skin to feel even more comfortable. Dew mouths a 'thank you' to Aether while the others are clinging to Ifrit's body who had just walked in, following the noise of the tumult.

"Miss you- so cold- Don't leave" some more incoherent words leave Rain's lips and make Dew's heart crack in a million pieces. One hand disappears in Rain's curly hair while the other strokes his back. "Never again am I leaving you."

Chapter Text

Kazoo

From all the ghouls, Phantom was the youngest and that didn't go by unnoticed. He would often need help from the older ghouls when it came to practice with the band and life in the abbey in general. All of them were always glad to help him and felt like they were doing a good job raising him. Mountain and Aether are his two main father figures, next to papa of course. Mountain is always there when he wants to know more about earth or the world in general and when he would accidentally hurt himself, having a treatment ready at any moment. But right now, Mountain was happy to be in his greenhouse away from the little quint, the sound still buzzing in his ears.

Aether is his mentor when it comes to his quintessence element. Teaching him everything he needs to know and how to use it with humans and ghouls. Dew is his go to ghoul when he has questions about the music they play, asking him to teach him new riffs or solos, always fascinated by how the fire ghoul uses his guitar. But right now, Aether and Dew were questioning why they ever helped Phantom with all this, hiding in the kitchen, doors closed.

The ghouletes are there to help him with his mental state. They thought him that he can't just throw people in the air with his quint power when they are little annoying and how to express himself when he is in pain. But right now, they were the ones in pain, at least their ears, they had all ran away hiding in Cumulus's bedroom.

Rain is the ghoul Phantom goes to when he wants to chill a little while still learning new things. They would watch classic movies together or Rain would teach him some French, which wasn't always a great success. But right now, Rain wished he had never shown Phantom anything, sitting on the couch hands pressed against his ears, considering puting his claws in his head.

All of them mean really well with the little ghoul. Helping him to grow up and become an independent adult ghoul. But that was without counting Swiss. He found himself to be the perfect ghoul to make Phantom a little rascal.
Yesterday he had found a gift Terzo had ones given him. A kazoo.
Swiss thought it the perfect present for the little ghoul after the really good practice session they had this morning and Phantom was mesmerised by the instrument.
It took him a while to understand how it works, but ones there was sound coming out of the plastic tube he wasn't able to contain his excitement anymore.
He woud play all the songs he knows, from the band or others.
Swiss was sitting on the ground, back against the couch grinning at the little quintessence ghoul, knowing how much this was annoying his packmates since this was already going on for several hours. But Phantom looks so happy walking around with the plstic instrument in his mouth.

Phantom finished a song and Rain put his hands in the air making his ears buzz from pressing them so hard against his head.
"Ok, stop it now. It's enough, please!"
He was almost begging the happy little musician to stop.
"Please, one more Rainy then I will stop." Phantom looked at the water ghoul with his big violet puppy eyes and Rain just couldn't stop him.
"Fine" he sighed, putting his hands back against his ear right after hearing a hissing 'Rain' coming from the kitchen door through which Aether and Dew wanted to escape.
"Oh, Aether, Dew, come join us for this lovely concert." Swiss smiled at the ghouls standing in the doorway.
A deep and loud rumble came from Dew's chest before Aether would stop it by putting a hand on his shoulder. "It's only a kazoo" he mumbled in Dew's ears.
"Fine, one more and then that thing goes back to Terzo."
Phantom could barely contain his happiness when the four ghouls were watching him, he even did a little jump like a little lamb on a spring morning.
They listened to his song and Dew had to accept that it actually wasn't so bad.
When he finished he took a little bow a jumped in Swiss's arms. "I love this present, thank you!"
"You're welcome and-"
"What was this a lovely melody, who played this wonderful instrument so wonderfully?" Terzo's voice made all the ghouls look up, Phantom looking at him in awe.
"That was me" he jumped up.
"Well, then we should try some songs together, I miss playing this" Terzo proposes while bringing out his own kazoo from a pocket in his jacket.
"Oh, and you can start right here" Swiss gestured to the space Phantom was standing before.

Mountain had just arrived back inside the abbey not hearing anymore kazoo sound when he saw Terzo turning the corner into the common room. Curious about what was going on he followed him only to turn around and run away as fast as possible after hearing an almost crying 'nooooooooo!' Coming from the four orher ghouls on the couch.
"This will be our first song" is the last thing he hears Terzo say before he closes the door to the Ghoulettes' room, hoping to find some silence there.

Chapter Text

Halloween - Mountain

The days are short and the nights incredibly long. By the time the sunlight would enter your bedroom, it felt like it was almost noon. Today everyone in the abbey got a day off duties. To relax before the halloween party tonight. Together with a few other sisters you planned to go dressed as fairies of the forest. All in different shades of green en wings that are bedazzled with glitter and gold. You are looking forward to it, because everyone will be there tonight. Also the ghouls. And thinking about one in particular, makes your heart skip a beat. You have become rather close with one of them because one of your main jobs is to help in the garden, making sure there is food on the table every evening.
He is nicknamed Mountain and you always have to chuckle when you hear his name, it just fits him so perfectly.

The first time you met him you were a little overwhelmed. You had never encountered one of the ghouls and this one was towering over you while you were picking some herbs. Everyone in the abbey had told you to stay away from them. Apparently they were really mean and scary and overall ugly without their masks. But that fear quickly faded away when his soft voice asked you what your name was, "I have never seen you here before. My name is Mountain, or at least that is what everyone calls me." He continued.
You looked up and were met with two emerald green eyes which were waiting for you to answer the question. You rose to your feet and only then you realised how tall he really was. You still had to look up to look at his face.
"I am (y/n) and I was reassigned to work in the garden only yesterday."
You could see that he was smiling behind his mask.
"Nice to meet you, (y/n), if you would ever need something, or have a question. I am here outside most of the time."
You smiled at him, "thank you".

"(Y/n)!" Your name being called pulls you out of your thoughts. "What do you think?" Sister Elizabeth asks you when showing of her costume. "I love it!" All of you are thrilled with the results and get ready as quickly as possible. Tonight is going to be amazing.

With the golden glittery wings and small tiara on your head you glide your hands over the fabric of the dark green dress when walking to the party. The hallways of the abbey are beautifully decorated in orange, black and green. The candelabras being slightly dimmed to create a ominous atmosphere while the music was playing loudly.

When you walk trough the door in the party hall you feel sister Francesca pulling at your wrist and taking you to the middle of the crowd. People are bumping into you and on every part of you body you can feel something touching you. This is not what you had expected and you start to feel your breathing getting heavy. The first thing you feel ripping are the wings on your back. "Great" you mumble to yourself while taking them off and tossing them to the side. It gives you more room to manoeuvre through the mass, but you're still not comfortable.
But you try to enjoy yourself anyway, Halloween is only once a year.
"I need some drinks" is the last thing you hear before sister Francesca leaves your side. Leaving you aline in the middle of a crowd with masks and painted faces looking at you.

You really thought you were over this after all these years. But the memories are just coming back to you. Men and women, all taller than you pushing and pulling each other and you see yourself falling to the floor again. Sister Francesca is nowhere to be seen and you feel your head starting to spin. Your vision gets blurry and you feel like you are going to faint.
That is the moment you feel a hand on your waist pulling you out of the crowd, through the hallway and outside. The person has a strong grip, but you can't really make out who it is because of the tears streaming down you cheeks.
"Hey (y/n), look at me."
You look into the face of someone you can't immediately recognise, this because your head is spinning. It feels like you can't breath and you're gasping for air.
"Please, let me help you. Do as I say."
Two large hands are put on your shoulders, holding you in a tight grip.
"Take a deep breath in, hold it for a few seconds and breath out." You do as you are told. "And again." You follow the person's instructions a couple more times and slowly the storm in your head fades away, making it possible for air to stream back into your lungs.
The hands on your shoulders disappear and are moved to your back. The person takes you in a hug which you gladly accept. You let your face sink in his chest and let your tears roll. Sobs are leaving your mouth while you hear soft shushing in your ear. "You're safe here, it's ok"
After a few moments you let go of the hug and take a step back. You wipe of the remaining tears of your face with the back of your hand. The cold air and loss of body warmth makes you shiver but gives you the feeling you can breath again.
You feel a warm hand under your chin and lift your head. You are met with two dark green eyes that are filled with worry.
"Are you ok?" His voice is soft and a great contrast with the loud music and tears you were engulfed in a few minutes ago.
"Yeah... It's just... everything was a bit too much inside. But now it feels like I can breath again. Thank you."
Mountain gives your shoulders a soft squeeze before letting go, leaving a tingling sensation on your skin.
"Not a problem at all. What about a walk?"
"I'd love that" and that's his cue to start walking. You can see that he is trying his best not to walk too fast taking rather small steps with his long legs.
"Has this happened before?"
You take a deep breath and consider to tell him the whole story.
"You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to".
"No, it's fine. I trust you."
Mountain takes your right hand in his large one and gives it a soft squeeze while he keeps walking towards the open space a little into the forest.

"The last time I went to a party there was a fight in the middle of the crowd and people started pulling and pushing each other. Some of us fell and got trampled. That is when this happened." You raise your left hand high enough so it would be visible in the moonlight shining through the trees. You had arrived in the open space where Mountain guided you to a couple of large rocks on which you both sat down.

"Dear Lord, I never knew" Mountain takes your hand is his and brushes over the area where your ring finger used to be.

"After that, I was rushed to the hospital, but my finger couldn't be safed."

That is when you realise the warm hands holding yours are not the ones you are used to see. The skin is darkish grey with different shades of blue speckles and some small scars over their fingers, his thumb hovering over the scar between your fingers.
"Does it hurt?" You look up in Mountains bright green eyes. He looks at you as if he can break you at any moment, gentle and soft.
"No, it only itches every now and then, but doesn't really hurt any-"
"Oh fuck" you are snapped out you thoughts when Mountain lets go of your hand and grabs his face while turning around, facing the other way.
"I am so sorry" you hear him say, "I totally forgot about my face. You must be-"
But you don't let him finish that sentence. You walk towards him and kneel in fornt of him, cupping his cheeks with your hands. His face feels warm against the cold night air.
"I am nothing but interested in this beautiful face of yours."
His eyes light up and his lips curl into a soft smile.
"Why do you always hide it?"
"We have to. Other siblings have told papa numerous times that we are too ugly and scary to walk around without our masks." His voice cracks when he thinks about the last time a brother of sin saw him and ran away screaming with pure horror on his face.
"Why aren't you-" that's when it clicks and you remember it is Halloween today. They can look ugly and scary today. Your fingers trace over his face, feeling every scar and freckle.
"I've already received a lot of compliments on my mask, while this is just me" the last words are just a whisper.
You let go of his soft cheeks and let your hands wander to his chest where you feel his heart beating faster than it should be.
He closes his eyes not wanting to see that same horror and fear in your eyes.

"Hey, fuck what other people think. I don't care. I think you are so beautiful."
And that's when he slowly opens his eyes and you can't help yourself any longer. You crash your lips on his and he pulls you as close as physically possible. Your nostrils are filled with the scent of fresh flowers and earth right after raining. It is almost like you could drown into this feeling.

That's when a loud groan leaves your chest when you feel your phone ring and buzz in your pocket. You sigh as you grab the device and see sister Francesca's picture. She never calls except when it is really important, so you unlock the phone while you settle on the earth ghouls lap, his strong arms clinging around your waist, your back against his chest.
"Yes?" The video on the other end of the line is shaky and you can't see anything until Francesca comes into view.
"(Y/n), where are you?" Her voice sounds concerned but excited at the same time.
"Uhm, outside. I needed some air."
"Great, because I claim our bedroom tonight."
"Wha-"
A chuckle fills your ear together with a soft rumble coming from Mountain's chest.
"Mounty?" A pair of amber coloured sparkling eyes appear on screen next to your roommate.
Mountain gasps, "Swiss?"
Now it's your turn to laugh, the two ghouls looking at each other with confusion.
"Looking good, Mount. But we take the sisters' room"
The last thing you see is Swiss getting dragged into your bedroom before the video is turned off.
"Great, now I've lost my room to one of you ghouls"
You can feel Mountain smiling in your hair before he plants a kiss right above your ear.
"I have some room for an extra person."
You turn around to look at his face and shiver because of the sudden loss of warmth. "I really like that offer."
Before you know it he picks you up as if you were a feather, your cheek buried in his neck looking up at his face.
"You're so gorgeous" your words are just a whisper when walking through the halls that are once again filled with the loud music from the party but slowly fading away the closer you arrive to the ghouls wing of the abbey. All you hear are Mountain's footsteps and slow breathing, his hands holding you close engulfing you in his warmth and addictive scent.
"Thank you" and the feeling of a kiss on your forehead is the last thing you hear before your eyes aren't able to stay open anymore and you drift into a peaceful sleep.

Chapter Text

The room was filled with the scent of moss, seasalt and most of all a combination of love and lust. Rain was in heat and Mountain was more than happy to help the water ghoul with his painful situation. Rain was shaking under the earth ghoul’s body when riding out his latest orgasm, both panting and moaning.

Mountain quickly turned them around so Rain was laying on his chest, holding him close while he was coming back from his high. Tail wrapped around his ankle. The smaller water ghoul loved this most about his heat. Mountain was so protective and soft with him when he needed to, making sure they wouldn’t cross any borders or feel neglected.
The gaint’s hand traced over Rain’s back, going to his hips and ending on his stomach. Circling his thumb over his sweaty but still very soft skin.
“Rainy?”
“Mmh” the water ghoul only being able to hum to his mate, too tired to look up.
“What if it takes?”
Suddenly the smaller ghoul was awake, lifting his head looking into Mountain’s forest green eyes, they were sparkling in a way Rain had only seen before once, when they had met for the first time.
“What do you mean?” His question sounded soft, his throat dry from moaning and screaming Mountain’s name only a few minutes earlier.
“You know, what if I fill you up, get you pregnant, have kits?”
Rain got up a little more, letting his head rest on his hands, elbows pressing in Mountain’s broad chest.
“Would you like that?” Rain asked a little taken by surprise. He had thought about it, but never really talked about it with Mountain, thinking their lifestyle wouldn’t allow it.
“I would love that with you” Mountain answered with a smiled around his lips, fangs glistening in the soft light coming from the string of lights around their bed.
Seeing his mate this happy made Rain’s heart skip a beat and the knot in his belly suddenly more present again. Clearly his heat wasn’t over yet.

“You know I want nothing more than having a little you running around, but what if we have to leave for tour, or practice or-“ Rain was silenced with Mountain’s mouth crashing on his lips as if the air inside of him was made of gold. The water ghoul letting a moan slip in response.

“Ssht, we’ll manage, you know we will”
And deep inside Rain knew that they would manage any situation. He knew the other packmates and even older ghouls would go out of their way to help them with their little one. He knew Dew would melt by the sight of a little ghoul, letting his guard down at first and cuddle with the little one but growling and snapping at anyone who would come too close. He knew the ghoulettes would precious a little kit, taking care of them in every situation. He knew Swiss would be so excited waiting for them to be old enough to make mischief but in the meantime letting the little one sleep on his chest. He knew Mountain would be a perfect father for a little ghoul, he couldn’t imagine anyone else having a kit with.

“Yes” Rain smiled while Mountain covered the water ghouls face in small kisses slowly descending towards his neck engulfing himself with the scent of fresh spring water and salt “Yes, please-“
And that’s all the earth ghoul needed to get hard again, his smaller mate squirming in his arms, his heat overtaking his every thought.

And that’s how they end up here,
Rain managed to climb on top of Mountain and straddle him, hands in each others’ hair, mouths connected. In need of air they break apart,
“Rainy, are you-“
“Yes, I want this with you. Mounty, give it to me”
The water ghoul looks down at his mate, pupils blown, mouth hanging slightly open breathing heavily, he wants this so bad.
“Alright” and that’s his cue to start moving his hips, his folds sliding over Mountain’s hard cock touching his clit with every stroke. Mountain pulls him down pushing his tongue in his mouth breathing every moan coming from his mate. His hands trace Rain’s back and rest on his ass, squeezing the soft sweaty flesh while guiding him over his hips.
“Mount, I want you, need you-“ the smaller water ghoul is begging in Mountain’s ear licking his weak spot lower in his neck, “need you inside”
making his cock throb even more underneath Rain’s warm and slick heat.
“Take all you want, Raindrop, I’m yours, please-“ now he’s the one begging.

Rain lifts his hips and with a little help from the earth ghouls large hands lets himself bottom out in one go. His head falling back, moaning his mates name. Mountain lets his hands glide over Rain’s hips and holds him there, his tail around his waist, holding him upright when the smaller ghoul starts moving his hips in an excruciating slow rhythm, too slow for Mountain who thrust his hips up faster. Rain not complaining at all, with every thrust he pushes down making him feel so full of Mountain. He knows they both won’t take long and he doesn’t care, his thoughts are long gone, his brain turned into mush only feeling Mountain so deep inside him.

“You are so perfect, so beautiful, my raindrop” he praises Rain, his hand caressing every detail of the water ghoul’s body, “and I am going to fill you up, put all our kits inside of you” and that’s what makes Rain snap, he gives in, legs shaking, bending double on Mountain’s chest, his mates name rolling of his lips as the air he needs to live, cuming all over the earth ghoul’s cock that’s still thrusting inside him.

“So, so good for me, so good” and Mountain grabs the water ghouls hair, locking his fingers in his locks, his other hand on his lower back holding him close.
“I’m going to-“ but he can’t finish his sentence, not with Rain looking up at him with his now watery bright blue ocean coloured eyes under those beautiful long lashes. He pulls the smaller ghoul closer to him so he can nuzzles his nose in his neck licking over his gills making Rain shiver. His fangs grazing over his sweet spot, his knot growing between his legs. He thursts his hips once, twice and “Mounty-“ Rain cries in his ear and that’s all he needs to bury himself in Rain as deep as possible filling him up completely while breaking the skin in Rain’s neck exactly where he likes it the most. Rain’s body goes limp on Mountain’s chest when his warm cum fills him up, overstimulated as ever.

Their bodies stick to each other, glued by sweat, passion and love. Chests raising and falling faster than normal, enjoying the contact with each other. Mountain still buried deep inside the water ghoul’s body, his knot slowly deflating.

“Mount,” Rain is the first one who finds his voice murmuring against Mountain’s shoulder, “I love you so much it almost hurts.”
Mountain smiles in his mate’s brown sweat saturated hair and kisses his forehead. “I love you too, Raindrop, my Raindrop.”

- A few months later -

Rain is nervous, very nervous and you can tell by the tapping of his tail against the bed he’s sitting on. It’s a hospital bed, with white sheets, white like everything else in this room. His hands are twitching and he’s playing with his ring, one given but Mountain so many moons ago.
He jumps a little when the door opens abruptly, Aether almost falling in the room, stumbling over his own feet.
“Rain, here you are. One of the nurses told me something was wrong and you wanted to see me specifically, what is wrong?”
And yes he did, he wanted Aether to be there, to tell him and hold him if necessary. He trusted Aether with his life.
“I want you to check something for me. Lately I’ve been feeling a little dizzy and last week I woke up twice with the feeling I had to throw up everything from the day before.” He knows what’s going on in his body, but Aether doesn’t, Mountain doesn’t, no one does. He wants to change that today, the day they had been planning for quite a while, one of the first albums of the band turned 11 this year and papa wanted a big party with everyone present, also the older ghouls who were there when they released the album. Everyone was looking forward to it, and so did Rain.

“Oh, well, let me have a look. Can I?” Aether asked for permission to hold Rain’s hand and let his magic flow through the water ghoul’s body. It’s a warm and fuzzy feeling, he secretly likes it when quintessence magic flows through his body, he’s learned this when Omega healed him for the very first time so many years ago.

“Raindrop, you have to relax, all I can hear is your racing heartbeat.”
“Ok..” but it’s difficult, he is too excited but still he takes a deep breath in and out a few times and after the third time Aether freezes, gripping Rain’s hand much tighter, “Rainy..” he doesn’t know how to address this.
“What wrong, Aeth?” Rain suddenly concerned due to the larger ghoul’s reaction.

“I feel and I can hear another heartbeat. I think you are… pregnant?” The quintessence ghoul looks up from beneath his long lashes looking at Rain as if he knows all the answers.
A high pitched chirp leaves Rain’s body while he pulls his and Aether’s hands closer to his mouth, almost jumping up and down on the bed, his tail swaying behind him. He kisses Aether’s fingers and smiles brighter than ever before, it almost hurts.
“I am? I am!”

Aether is more confused than before but Rain’s happiness and enthusiasm is contagious so he smiles.
“Did you know already?” He asks.
“I was suspecting something but wasn’t sure, until now. Mountain is going to be over the moon!”

Aether’s face lights up when he realises they have been planning this all along because a few minutes later Mountain walks in and Rain launches himself towards the earth ghoul, legs wrapped around his waist, clinging to his body.
Mountain looks up at Aether who mouths ‘congratulations’ toward the larger ghoul whose eyes fill with tears while pulling Rain even closer.

“Thank you” and he opens his arms for Aether to join their hug, which he gladly accepts, Rain purring against Mountain’s chest because of the group hug. Aether smiles against the water ghoul’s hair.
“Oh Lucifer, you guys, I am so happy for you two. You will have the best news to tell tonight and just know that we all, and I really mean all of us, love this little one to pieces already.”

Chapter Text

It’s late in the evening when Swiss decides it’s time to go to bed. He gets up from the couch, eats one more snack, says good night to Dew and Rain who are still watching a movie and heads towards his room.
He opens the door to his bedroom and realises you are already laying in his bed. He smiles, he likes it when you join him during the night.
Quietly he closes the door behind him and lets his eyes get used to the darkness before he makes his way over to the bed. He takes of his uniform and gets under the covers next to you. He wraps one arm over your waist and pulls you a little closer. His face buried in your hair, smelling the scent of safety and home. But that is about to change quickly.

It’s the middle of the night when you get woken up because of a cry not that far away. You open your eyes and feel you are locked in Swiss’ arms. You can barely move and you feel his grip getting tighter every second. His claws digging in your skin above your hip and his tail wrapped around your ankle. In another situation you would love this, but now he is scaring you.
“Swiss..” you softly call his name, but he doesn’t answer. Only his breathing is getting heavier, his chest moving quickly against your back.
“Swiss!” You use all your power to turn yourself around in his arms to look at his face. His claws have moved to your back and are definitely drawing blood. But that’s not important right now.
“Swiss, wake up. Please” you cry out. His eyes are closed so tight it must be giving him a headache, mouth open heavily breathing through his parted lips. Sweat has formed around his hairline slowly dripping down and mixing with the tears streaming down his cheeks.
You have never seen him, or anyone, in this state. He must be in so much pain, so far gone in his own thoughts.

“Swiss, please, come back, I beg you” you put your hand on his cheek hoping that would help him, but he doesn’t react. His hold around you only gets stronger and it even becomes difficult for you to breathe.
“Swiss, come on!” Tears are pricking in your eyes because of the pain and the only thing you can think of is slapping him in the face. His cheeks turns a soft purple and for a second his breathing stops and you hope he will come back, but that is not the case.
He pulls you even closer, his arms pressing against each other with you between in, his claws still digging deep in your skin. You feel like you’re going to pass out when suddenly the door to the bedroom flies open with Mountain and Cumulus walking in. They run towards the bed with Mountain immediately grabbing Swiss’ shoulders jerking him off the bed, causing a scream to escape his mouth.

“Hey hey, are you ok?” Cumulus climbs on the bed with you, holding a hand on your back, helping you sit up.
You take a few deep breaths before you can even start to comprehend what is happening.
“What is going on?” You ask them. Mountain is sitting on the floor, holding Swiss in a tight grip so he isn’t able to move, eyes still closed but breathing more evenly.
“Last night they decided to eat some snacks from the kitchen. But apparently they contained a wrong herb.” Cumulus explains.
“My mistake” Mountain admits. “It makes you hallucinate and the effect on ghouls seems to be stronger than on humans”
“Is he going to be fine?” You ask them.
“Yes, Dew and Rain had the same reaction about an hour ago. But it seems like this spitfire has eaten a bit more than the others.” Cumulus grins slowly moving her hand from your back which causes her to gasp.
“Sweetheart, your back” she says when realising blood is dripping from where Swiss’ claws were a couple minutes ago.
“Let’s go clean these up, come on” she grabs your hand and pulls you from the bed taking you to the kitchen where she open the first aid kit.
You sit down on a kitchen chair, shirt pulled over your head, hissing every time she cleans another wound.

Once Cumulus is finished you stay like this thinking about what just happened.
“I was scared, Lus. So scared” you admit after a few minutes. She comes sitting in front of you, hands on your knees, tears in your eyes, ready to fall.
“He really physically hurt me and there is nothing I could do. He is so much stronger. You all are.” And the dam breaks. Tears rolling down your face, soft sobs leaving your mouth.
“Sshh” Cumulus tries to calm you but she also knows you are telling the truth, “I know that must have been extremely scary. But you know Swiss would never hurt you when thinking straight.”
And you know that, he has told you that a million times, but still it feels as if you can’t fully trust him anymore. Even though you love him.

A couple hours pass by and you have moved to the couch, Rain has already gone for a swim after his hallucinations and Dew is lying on the floor in the middle of the common room, still a little drowsy from what had happened. Cumulus is sitting next to you, holding you tight but not too tight because of the wounds.
The heavy wood door opens and two amber coloured eyes appear, looking for you. Your heart starts racing but also in a positive way. He’s awake and looking much better.
You get up and Swiss immediately grabs your hands.
“[y/n] I am so so so sorry about what happened, I would never-“
“I know” you interrupt him pulling him away from the common room towards the hallway, “let’s talk outside.”

The sun is almost up and a nice breeze brushes over your skin when you leave the abbey towards the gardens, Swiss holding your hand, not too tight.
In the middle of the garden is an open space where you decide to sit down.
Swiss sits next to you looking at you with so much pain, guilt and fear. He doesn’t dare to open his mouth, afraid to say something wrong.
“Talk to me. How do you feel?” You ask him, your hands playing with his much larger fingers.
“I don’t know what to feel” he mumbles.
“I physically hurt you because of some fucking snack. I don’t deserve you.” Tears aren’t there anymore. He has made up his mind.
“Oh, babe, no please” you let go of his hands and cup his face. “Don’t think like that. I still love you so much, but you did hurt and scare me.” You admit and that’s when his eyes turn to full shame and guilt.
“I’m sorry” he whispers against the palm of your hand, “I’m so sorry.”
“I know” you answer with a soft kiss on his lips, “but I feel like I cannot sleep in the same bed with you anymore, at least not for now.”
The amber colour on his eyes turns to a softer version and he takes a deep breath.
“Ok” is his short answer, agreeing with you and not knowing what else to say.
“But know that I’m not breaking up with you and I still love you” a small sparkle flashes trough his eyes.
“Thank you. Because I don’t know how to live this life without you. I love you.”

Chapter Text

The alcohol feels funny on your lips. It is already the fourth glass and you start to feel lightheaded. Rain is sitting on the couch next to you, you two are talking about everything and nothing. About how lovely the candles look in the dark room, how hard this week was and how annoying Swiss was this evening.
He suddenly wraps an arm around your shoulder and pulls you closer to him. Your head rests on his shoulder and you feel a kiss on the top of your head. Rain is smiling. He is happy with you here and knows what’s about to follow.

“So, when we left for tour a couple weeks ago, you wanted to say something to me” he reminds you of the short talk you had before he entered the tour bus for the last leg of their tour.
“I didn’t really had to say anything. I just wanted to show you something.” You smile when you answer. Ar that moment you were too scared to really do it and you told him it could wait until they were back. And now they are back.
“Show me what?” Rain is grinning, he knows what you want to show him but he likes the little teasing.
You smile and raise your hand. You take his chin between your fingers and press your lips against his, the alcohol doing all the thinking for you this time.

Rain smiles against your lips and answers the kiss by pushing his tongue through your lips. Your tongues play a battle for dominance and he wins. His hands move from your shoulder to your hips pulling you closer. You decide to change positions and straddle him, your legs on each side of him, fingers locked in his hair.
“Are you sure about this?” His voice is soft and brushes over your jaw when he moves his lips close to your ear.
“Mhh, yes” is the only answer you can give when nuzzling your nose in his neck. You kiss him softly over his gills, which makes him moan ever so soft.

Slowly you start moving your hips, feeling the pressure beneath you and loving the effect you have on him.
You put your lips together again while cupping his cheeks, his hands slowly moving towards your back, under your shirt. His fingers draw circles on your skin making you shiver slightly.

You pull away from his mouth realising he can keep going without the needs for air when using his gills.
“That’s not fair.” You tease him, your fingers stroking the folds in his neck.
Rain looks up at you, piercing blue eyes combined with his lovely smile make the butterflies in your stomach go wild.
“What’s wrong?” He asks when he sees you staring at his face.
“Nothing is wrong. You just look so handsome”
This makes him hold his actions and just look at you.
“Oh, babe haven’t you seen yourself? So gorgeous..”
You smile and melt in his touch. That is when you decide to take of your shirt and throw it somewhere in the room your bra following quickly. Rain’s mouth falls open, his hands immediately move to your breasts kneeding them softly. Your head falls back when he adds his mouth over one of your nipples causing you to moan.
He moves to your other nipple sucking on it perfectly. The only thing you can do it is lock your fingers in his hair and kiss him between his horns.
Between your legs you can feel yourself getting wet and you are sure Rain can just smell it all over you.
He lets go of your nipple with a plop and moves his hand to your ass squeezing your flesh.
“Let’s go somewhere more comfortable” he suggests and you nod, feeling a strain in your knees from sitting in this position.
Rain gets up and lifts you up without thinking. You wrap your arms around his neck pushing your chest against his, your head on his shoulder.

Before leaving the common room, Rain quickly grasps a blanket from the couch and drapes it over your back, “It’s probably cold in het hallway”
You cling your legs firmer around his waist when he starts walking, feeling his arms tightly around your waist and shoulders. The walking has a calming effect, your breathing slows down while being carried to his bedroom.

Once in the bedroom, Rain puts you down on his bed, the blanket underneath you. His hands trail over your body, from your shoulders to the side of your breasts to your stomach ending at your skirt. He looks at you asking for permission, but you take his hands, “Can you take yours off first?” You ask him, feeling very naked compared to his fully clothed body.
“Of course” and his uniform is gone within seconds, only his boxer remains. He fumbles a little with the button on you skirt but takes it off your body as well, leaving you in just your panties.
“Look at you, so beautiful..” he lowers his head to kiss your lower belly, slowly moving upwards towards your lips, leaving small kisses on your skin. Your hands move to his back, pulling him closer once he kisses your lips again. His tail trails along your leg and moves up between you, ending on your core, it felt fresh against your heated skin down there.
“May I?” Rain whispers against your mouth and you nod, “yes, go ahead” and his hand replaces his tail, feeling much warmer. You moan softly against his neck when his fingers touch your clit sending electricity down your spine.

Before you know it your panties are gone as well and Rain has used every inch of his hand to pleasure you, before sliding in one finger. Your breathing stops for a second when you feel him adding a second one.
“Go slow” you ask him and he does so.
“You’re shaking” he remarks when coming up again placing a kiss on your temple, fingers still deep inside you.
You giggle shyly, “I’ve never done this..” you admit and Rain looks up with concern in his ocean blue eyes, his fingers starting to retract from inside you, but you stop him, raising your hips and smiling at him, “but I want this so much..” you say, “only with you.”

Rain melts from the inside, the idea that you trust him enough to allow this makes him instantly sober, not wanting to ruin this moment for you. “Oh Satanas, you’re beautiful” he mumbles against the skin of your neck.
You let a giggle escape again which causes Rain to purr because of the vibration.
He starts moving his fingers again, paying attention to your every reaction.
“Relax”
You do as he says and let him pleasure you, a knot in you stomach starting to unfold until suddenly your body is overwhelmed with the best feeling you have ever felt, followed by your body going completely limb in the sheets beneath you.

Rain climbs back up and looks at your face, a drop of sweat dripping down your temple. “Dear lord” you smile against his lips.
“No, just me” he grins. You chuckle and kiss him, but end the kiss when you feel him pressing against you thigh. You look down and see his member rock hard. You let your hand wander down there and try moving your hand around it, moving it up and down, making Rain moan in your ear.
“I won’t hold long” he groans and makes you stop.
“I want you” you tell him, looking him in the eyes, “as deep as you can.”
His eyes turn pitch black, almost feral when he hears this, placing you in a comfortable position, some pillows behind your head and back. You all let it just happen, no idea what to expect.
The water ghouls places himself between your legs, his hand caressing your thighs while pushing them open a little more.
“Are your sure?” He wants to know you are really ok with this and you nod, “yes, absolutely” and that is when he slowly pushes inside you, one hand on your lower belly, the other around your leg, his tail finding a spot around the ankle of your other leg.
He looks you in the eyes when in pushes a little deeper, your mouth falling open. It hurts a little, but the overwhelming full feeling makes up for it. When he bottoms out a moan also leaves his mouth before his tongue starts to play a dangerous game with your nipples. You grab one of his horns when he starts moving and thrusting deep inside you, his name rolling from your lips. He leaves wet kisses on your chest when he comes back up kissing your lips.
“I’m close” he moans, a whimpering “me too” must have left your mouth but it feels like you can’t think straight anymore, words are difficult to form except for the water ghoul’s name.

And that’s when Rain bottoms out and holds still, deep inside you feel a warm fluid filling you and your name being moaned in your ear. This brings you to your second orgasm, your walls clenching around his cock, your nails digging in his back and shoulders.
Slowly Rain slides out of you while softly kissing your shoulder and neck. You feel the fluid dripping out of you and Rain smiles at the sight.
“That was amazing” he says while laying next to you both still trying to catch your breath.
You turn around and lay your head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
“Yes, it was” you smile into his skin, “if you give me a minute, I would even consider a round two”
You feel a kiss in your hair and a soft purr from his chest.
“I would love that.”

Chapter Text

"Give it back, it´s mine!" Rain yelled at Swiss when he ran away with the stuffed rat one of the fans had thrown at the water ghoul during the ritual.
"Only if you can catch me!" And off they went. It was your job to keep them in line, but after a ritual that was just an impossible task. All the energy and adrenaline still running through their veins made them human sized bouncing balls. Sodo and Mountain were already cooled down a little and were changing into a new clean uniform in the dressing room and papa was already on the tour bus, enjoying the silence before the tornado of ghouls would enter the bus.

You walked around the long corridors looking for Rain and Swiss to get them on that bus, but couldn't find them. The only one you found was Phantom, sitting on the stairs that lead outside, a place not a lot of people passed by.
"Hey Phantom, how are you doing?"
You haven't really had a good conversation with the new ghoul since he keeps to himself most of the time, still getting used to the human world.
He looks up at you and puts away the phone he was looking at, "I'm fine" he answers with a shaky voice.
"You sure?" You look at his mask, where his eyes should be and see the smallest sparkle of purple behind the glasses. His glamour is fading.
"Yes, just a little overwhelmed by everything" he smiles at you and stands up, starting to walk towards the door and bus outside.
"Hey Phantom," you put a hand on his shoulder and he quickly turns around, "If you ever need anything. And I mean anything at all. Just ask me, I'm here to help you."
His fingers slide to the pocket where he had put the phone away but he changes his mind and just smiles taking a step back.
"Thank you, [y/n], I'll find you if I ever need anything."
You smile back at him while he walks outside towards the bus.

"Raaaaaiin!!!"  Right, those two should also get on that bus.

It's getting dark outside when you are all installed on the bus. Mountain is laying on the couch which means there is no more room for the others. Swiss had headed to the bathroom and Dew and Rain in one of the bunkbeds, together snoring softly.
You are looking around for a place to sit. Phantom is sitting on the only empty spot left, being sunken in a game on his phone. Mountain opens his eyes and motions towards his chest. You smile and accept the earth ghoul's invitation with pleasure. You would chose any of their warm bodies over your cold bed. You position yourself on top of him with your head on his chest and legs somewhat intertwined. He wraps his arms around you and closes his eyes again. The last thing you feel is a kiss in your hair before you fall asleep.
______________

"[Y/N]..., [Y/N]?" You can hear your name getting closer to your ear until you can also feel the breath of the person saying it against your skin. You open your eyes and look into the bright but scared purple eyes that belong to Phantom. It's quiet on the bus besides from the soft snoring coming from the bunkbeds.
You want to move but quickly realise you are a little stuck in Mountain's grip.
"What's wrong?" You ask Phantom, reaching for his hand. His breathing is heavy and tears are swelling in his eyes.
"You are human, right?"
You nod in response, still trying to get away from Mountain's strong grip. Eventually you give the earth ghoul a hard punch against his shoulder, which makes him move and you can crawl away from him towards the smaller quintessence ghoul sitting now on the floor.
"Then can you explain me why humans are so mean?"
You sit next to him and put one hand on his knee.
"What are you talking about?" You ask him, not understanding where that question comes from.
"Well, on this app, people call all of us all kind of nasty things. And they say I'm really bad at being in this band. Is iet because we are ghouls? I never wanted this to-" his words stay stuck in his throat when a sob leaves his lips.
Without thinking twice you wrap an arm around his shoulder, pulling him a little closer. You sigh when you realise he has discovered the ugly side of social media and you start to think how you can explain this to him.

"Hey buddy..." you both look up when hearing Mountain's raspy low voice coming from the couch. He raises himself and points to his lap, which Phantom happily accepts and decides to sit on. He looks so small and frail next to the giant earth ghoul.
You stay where you are, sitting on the floor looking at the two ghouls on the couch. Mountain drapes an arm around Phantom and sighs deeply before speaking.
"Humans are..." he looks at you and gives you a little smile, "amazing beings, so loving, so caring, so wonderful, as is [y/n]" Phantom looks at you and smiles as well, "she is" he answers an you feel your cheeks getting bright red.
"But," Mountain continues, "as always there are also humans who are the complete opposite. They like creating chaos and inflict pain and they would be very good demons."
You chuckle and think about the humans you have met that would be better ghouls then the creatures from hell sitting here on this bus.
"And social media is their playground. Hurting people and saying mean things about everything they see. They would say mean things about everyone. Me being too shy to be a drummer, Dew being too weak to be lead guitar, Swiss being too much when performing, the girls being unnecessary on stage, Rain not being a good artist. And Aether was too big to be on stage for them. They would even say bad things about papa. Can you believe?"
Phantoms eyes droop and look at you with disbelief, "why?" He asks you.
You shrug your shoulders, "that's how people are..." is the only thing you can answer, "I'm sorry".
You all sigh knowing that you can't change it.
"But Phantom," you say while putting yourself next to Mountain on the couch, your hand immediately going to Phantom's dark hair, softly stroking it, "know that everyone here on this bus and most of the people on the social media apps love you so much."
Mountain hums in agreement and pulls you both close to his broad chest.
"[Y/n] is right, you are so so loved here. Don't you ever forget that."
Phantom smiles weakly while laying his head on Mountain's chest, feeling the movement of his breathing causing him to slowly fall asleep.

You get up so Mountain can lay down again, the smaller ghoul still glued to his chest. "I am moving to a bed," you whisper to him, "I feel like he needs you more than I do" Mountain looks up with eyes full of worry. "I am worried about him" he says, while caressing Phantom's back with his large hands.
"I know" you answer, "but we will help him. He needs to know that he is not a burden and is loved by everyone here. But that's for tomorrow now he needs sleep, as do you"
You lean forward and place a kiss between the earth ghoul's horns,"I love you" you whisper before moving to Phantom, "and you" from whom your kiss is answered with a deep purr.

Chapter Text

His hands were everywhere and he was so warm. Phantom was almost drooling when Swiss turned them around the taller ghoul lying on his back, his shoulders and neck raised a little because of the many pillows behind him. Their tails entwined in a tight knot and Swiss’ hands were suddenly in his hair, softly brushing his horns. Phantom looked up with his big purple eyes asking Swiss what he had to do. Swiss could just explode by this sight alone, his younger packmate hungry for him, asking for help.
Phantom knew what he was supposed to do but he had never really done it. He had only heard the others talk about it or read about it in one of Mountain’s many books.

“Do whatever you want” Swiss whispered to the smaller ghoul sitting between his legs, his hand descending from his hair and his finger stroking his cheek and chin. Phantom grinned and decided to give it a try. Swiss was already hard for a couple minutes, Phantom had felt it trough his pants, but what he didn’t expect was how big he really was holding him in his hand. He slowly started to move his fingers, stroking the entire length of the multi ghoul, who was looking at Phantom with a loving but hungry smile. This is where he had always wanted the quintessence ghoul to be.

Phantom started to feel more confident and started stroking a little faster, every now and then letting his thumb go over the tip, which caused a soft moan to leave Swiss’ lips.
“Can I..?”The smaller ghouls didn’t really know what to ask, but Swiss knew what he meant and nodded, “Only if you want to, there’s no need to rush”.
But Phantom smiled and slowly let his lips go over Swiss’ length. He felt big in his mouth, every larger than before. But he could take it, he wanted to give this to Swiss.

The multi ghoul’s hands where quickly back in Phantom’s hair softly pulling on it, he didn’t want the small ghoul to choke on his cock. But once Phantom started to swirl his tongue around him, Swiss was gone. He couldn’t think about the safety of Phantom, because this was feeling amazing.
Phantom felt the change in Swiss’ mood when he started to push his hips up against the warm feeling of his mouth. His thrusts became faster en harder and Phantom felt like he was about to gag, but kept it together, tears pricking in his eyes.

He let Swiss do his thing and made sure to let his tongue swirl around every now and then, tears now streaming down his cheeks. When suddenly Swiss was gone.
The taller ghoul pulled Phantom up to his knees and pushed him onto all fours positioning himself behind him, one hand on Phantom’s upper back, close to his neck, the other around his own cock.
In the quick movements Phantom was able to briefly look Swiss in the eyes, his pupils dilated, only a fine amber coloured line remaining of his beautiful eyes.

Swiss was completely overtaken by his own pleasure and lust that it took him a few seconds to realise what was going on when he pressed Phantom’s face into the pillows, fingers tangled in his dark hair while preparing his cock to thrust inside him. The quintessence ghoul made a sound he had heard before but not in this context, he had seen his shoulders shake like that but again, not in this context. And that’s when his brain came back to him and showed him what was going on, immediately letting go of the smaller ghoul. Phantom was crying and not in the way Swiss wanted him to in this situation. With his hands in the air and slowly leaning backwards he looked at Phantom curling into himself, crying into the soft pillows. He felt so bad, so stupid and so ashamed of how he handled all of this. This was Phantom’s first time and he immediately went all crazy on him.

He didn’t know how long he sat there looking at the smaller ghoul not knowing what to do, it felt like hours but it were probably only mere seconds. Phantom’s breathing steadied before he slowly opened his eyes to look at the naked multi ghoul sitting at the end of the bed looking at him in a state of shock.
“Swiss” his softly whispered and reached out to him with his right hand, asking him to move and come closer.

It took him a few seconds before he dared to move, but that’s when his, for some unknown, protective side took over. He grabbed the duvet and pulled it over the slightly shivering quintessence ghoul who accepted this with a soft whimper. He made sure Phantom was completely covered by it before he went to lay next to him, not under the duvet, not wanting to touch him yet.
Phantom looked up at the larger ghoul from under his dark lashes, still a bit heavy from the tears.
“I you want me to go, I…”
“No” Phantom interrupted Swiss’ proposal immediately, “stay”. It were the only words he managed to form but Swiss nodded at positioned himself a little better in the bed.

The sun was already gone before they came to their room, but only now they both realised how dark it was. Swiss stared at the ball of ghoul under the duvet, not wanting to touch him, afraid of making it worse.
“I am sorry” Phantom suddenly spoke.
“What?” These were not the words Swiss was expecting to hear, “why are you sorry? I am the one to blame, I was so far gone, not paying attention, you had to-“
“It’s ok” Phantom interrupted Swiss again, one of his clawed hands creeping from under the duvet grabbing Swiss’ hand, “join me?”.
With his head Phantom pulled the duvet up a little bit so Swiss could see his face, eyes still a little red, but hopeful the multi ghoul would come closer. And that’s what he did. His longer body and legs curled around Phantom, holding him as close as possible. Phantom snuggled into Swiss’ chest, his hands on his abdomen. His horns were pressing in Swiss’ neck but he couldn’t care less about that in this moment. Now he needed to hold his packmate making sure he felt safe again.
“If you don’t mind me asking, can you tell me what happened?” Swiss asked after a few minutes of holding the other one, stroking his hair with one hand, holding him close with the other one on his back.
Phantom let out a deep sigh while trying to find his words.
“It was all a little too much at once. The way you hold my head down, it reminded me of-“ a sob broke of his sentence.
“Sssh” Swiss continued stroking his hair and back, “I know”. Of course he knew. They all had memories from the same place which was hard to talk about. The pit wasn’t something you wanted to remember most of the times, especially not when you were in such a vulnerable position.
And like this they laid there the entire night, Swiss holding Phantom until they both fell asleep.

The next morning Swiss woke up because he couldn’t feel his arm anymore. Phantom had shifted during his sleep and had placed the top half of his body on Swiss’ arm, obstructing the blood in his body to flow to his fingers.
Slowly Swiss tried to pull on it, but he was really stuck under the smaller ghoul.
Luckily for him Phantom had woken up because of his movements. Two bright lavender eyes looked at him with a smile around his lips.
“Good morning” Swiss said while massaging blood back into his arm.
“Good morning” Phantom responded with a small yawn.

“Swiss?”
“Mmhh” the taller ghoul answered focused on his fingers that were still feeling numb.
“Next time, can you talk to me about what you are doing?”
Swiss looked up from his clawed fingers when he heard this question.
“What do you mean?” He was honestly confused, not really getting what Phantom was talking about.
“Uhm…” his cheeks coloured a darker shade of purple now the multi ghoul was looking at him, “next time we have sex, can you tell me what you are doing, so I don’t need to panic and we can both enjoy it?”
Swiss let go of his hand, not caring about the fact that he still couldn’t feel his ring finger and grabbed Phantom’s face.
“You really want there to be a next time after last night?”
Phantom nodded. He really wanted this, he felt safe with Swiss around but last night he just panicked, it all being too new and scary for him, “yes, absolutely”.

Swiss smiled while letting a sigh of relief escape his mouth, “then I will talk to you the entire time, every thing I do, every step of the way. Like right now.” He closed the gap between them and put their foreheads together, “now I want to kiss you, if that’s ok?”
Phantom nodded and closed the space between them pushing his lips on Swiss’. When they broke apart for air Phantom let out a soft purr when snuggling against Swiss’ warm body again, giggling ever so slightly, coming from deep within himself feeling seen and safe in these arms.

Chapter Text

He was uncomfortable. That was clear to see. Walking around made his entire body scream in pain and even sitting or laying down was difficult. He had two more weeks to go for this pregnancy to be over and honestly he was looking forward to it.

Rain was standing in front of the mirror in their bedroom. He looked at himself and wondered how a body was able to transform this much to grow new life. His hands rested on his stomach, circling around with his fingers. He looked so big, so ginormous. But that wouldn’t surprise anyone if you knew Mountain is the father.

Talking about that ghoul, the wooden door opened and Mountain appeared in the bedroom, finding Rain staring at himself in the mirror, naked. He probably had just taken a shower. The taller ghoul walked up to his mate from behind and let his hands rest on his much smaller shoulders.
“Well, here is my most beautiful mate” he whispered in Rain’s ear. Rain sighed making eye contact with Mountain in the mirror, “I am not beautiful, not looking like this” Rain muttered before breaking the eye contact and focusing again on his massive body.
Mountain knew this was hard for him. He had told him a couple times already, but he could read Rain’s body language and facial expressions like he knew how to read his plants. There was no need to talk for him to know what was going on in the water ghoul’s mind.
His hands slid down Rain’s arms and hips until they arrived at his belly. He placed them underneath the grown bump and lifted it up slowly. Rain’s eyes flickered up in the soft moonlight looking for Mountain’s forest green ones. He let out a breath of relief and leaned back into Mountain’s chest.
“Rainbow, please don’t talk like that. You are the most beautiful ghoul I have ever known. Inside and out and now you are growing new life in that perfect body of yours.” He placed some kisses on Rain’s shoulder towards his neck, “I love you”.
His thumbs turned small circles on his mates skin and he felt him relax in his embrace. “Thank you” Rain said, tired from the emotions and the task that had become almost impossible, taking a shower. Mountain answered with a kiss in his still slightly damp hair.
“Can we stay like this forever?” Rain chuckled softly feeling his body relax in Mountain’s arms.
“I will hold you for as long as you need. As long as it takes for you to feel good.” And that’s what made the water ghoul cry, not ugly cry, just full of exhaustion and pain and knowing that his mate would be there for him all the way.
“Fuck, I love you, Mount” and with lips wet from his tears he turned his head around and kissed Mountain like never before, as if it was the last time they would ever see each other. No tongue, teeth or fangs, just love for each other.

————————————
A few days later Mountain hears his name being called, first soft but then it becomes more strained and he realises it is Rain asking him to wake up. He opens his eyes and looks right into two cobalt blue eyes that resonate fear and pain. Immediately he’s awake and sits up straight in their bed. Rain is sitting up right as well with his back against the headboard.
“What’s going on?” Mountain asks, his eyes still adjusting to the darkness of the room.
“I think it’s time” Rain whispers, his breathing heavy and he is clearly afraid. Mountain turns the light on the nightstand on to look at his mate more clearly. Rain’s hands are on his stomach and he is looking at his feet, there is a large dark spot on the sheets.
“Did your water break?” Mountains asks while walking over to the other side of the bed, putting a hand on Rain’s knee, his heartrate rising because he can’t really make sense of the situation just yet.
“Yes. About an hour ago”
“What!?” He doesn’t want to sound angry, but his reaction is stronger than he wanted, “why didn’t you wake me up?” He kneels down next to the bed and looks for Rain’s hands.
“I didn’t want to scare you, and Aether had told me it can still take hours before they come after my water breaks.”
Mountain sighs but kisses Rain’s fingertips, “Are they coming?”.
Rain nodds before his forehead creases and he presses his lips together in pain.
“Breathe, Rainbow, breathe” Mountain helps his mate through this contraction by talking in his soft voice, the one he also uses when he read his books out loud when Rain couldn’t fall asleep during the last couple weeks.

When the pain subsides they both take a deep breath. “What do you need? What do you want?” Mountain has completely forgotten what they had discussed before, their plan of action, the stress of the moment taking over. Rain is grinning when he turns his head a little to look into two green eyes that show him Mountain is confused and panicking.
“We will go to the lake and it will be just you and Aether. Like we agreed on, right?” He raises his hand to grab Mountain’s cheek, “Are you ok?” The taller ghoul places his hand over the one on his cheek. “This is really happening now, it feels unreal.” Finally the idea of holding their little one is starting to sink in.
“It really is”
They smile at each other before Mountain takes Rain’s hand away from his cheek and plants a kiss on his fingers, only to get a stinging feeling in his lip. Another contraction had hit Rain out of nowhere and he had put his claws in Mountain’s face without realising. But he can’t let go as long as the pain hits him. When he can breathe again a few drops of blood are streaming down the earth ghoul’s lip and chin.
“It clearly is time to go” he says while putting pressure on the small wound.
“I’m sorry” Rain apologises while Mountain is standing up from the bed.
“Don’t be. You will be pushing out our baby, so it’s only fair you give me some pain as well.”
Rain smiles at his mate while trying to get up from the bed.
“Can you go get Aether? I’ll put on something comfortable in the meantime and then we can go.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?”
“I will be fine. Now go get him!”

A couple minutes later Mountain walks their bedroom in again, followed by a really hyped Aether carrying a bag with supplies they might need. “Is it really happening?” He immediately asks when looking at Rain who managed to get out of the bed and put on some more comfortable clothes. It had been a difficult task and he was feeling tired already. “Yes” he eventually answers, “can we please go?”
“Of course”
The two taller ghouls support the smaller one while walking outside towards the lake, stopping two times when the pain became too much for Rain to continue walking.
The lake and surroundings are perfectly lit by the full moon, creating the illusion that everything is covered in a layer of silver.
Before Aether and Mountain can appreciate the beauty of it all Rain is aready in the water, his fins and gills on display. He dives into the water and feels an immediate relief, connected to his element he feels so much stronger and his energy is coming back up already.
Mountain and Aether are sitting on the dock following Rain’s every move but not interupting wat he’s doing.
“This is clearly where he feels great.” Aether remarks. “Yes, this is his safe space, and I love this for him to give birth here.” They both smile and lean back a little, enjoying the silence and the moonlight on their skin.
“I am really scared to be honest” Mountain suddenly confesses to the quintessence ghoul. Aether looks up at the slightly taller ghoul and gives his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
“That is a very normal reaction, Mount, your life is about to change.” He tries to sound sincere but knows this is a very stressful moment. He has helped with numerous births and every time there is fear in the air, there is always something that can go wrong.
“And I am sure that you two will be amazing at this.”
Mountain let out a deep sigh and murmers a soft “thank you”, his fingertips going over the little wound above his lip that was already healing nicely.
“I just wished all this was over already, I don’t like seeing him in pain and this uncomfortable in his own body. He is too precious and perfect for that.”
Aether smiles just a little at this confession because of the way Mountain speaks about Rain, he never does this when others are around, afraid to say something stupid or embarrass his mate.
“Trust me, all this” and Aether points to the lake and the bag he has placed in between them, “will be over before you know it, it may sound weird but maybe try to enjoy this?”
Mountain knew Aether was right, in a few hours their life will be completely different and this might be the last time he could enjoy the silence for the next 18 years, at least. But before he could answer and thank the other ghoul two glittering sea glass horns poke up from the water, followed by a pair of sparkling blue eyes and a concerned look.
“Mount” Rain’s breathing being really heavy right now, taking deep breaths as if in a trance, while also having trouble to stay above the water because of the pain. So without thinking for one second the two other ghouls jump into the water towards the smaller water ghoul in distress.
“They’re coming.”

————————————

A deep groan rumbles through the kitchen, coming from deep within Dew’s chest, “ne-ever again” he complains before his forehead touched the table, next to his cup of coffee. “Was it really that bad?” Cumulus asked, her question directed to both the fire ghoul and Swiss who was leaning against the kitchen counter in a nonchalant pose, grinning at his smaller packmate.
“I didn’t sleep all night, you have to get yourself checked!” His bright orange red eyes finding Swiss’ gaze from underneath his long hair. “I’m sure it’s not healthy to snore this loud while holding such a tight grip on me, all night!” The last part of his sentence was accentuated by his hands gripping his own shoulders, the way Swiss had been holding him that night.
“Oh but you loved it before when I hold you like that” the taller ghoul laughs before sipping from his own cup of coffee. Cumulus can’t contain her laugh when she sees Swiss’ mischievous smile.
“See it as a good practice for when mini Rain or mini Mountain decides to keep you up all night.”
Her comment only getting a muffled ‘oh no’ as reaction from the table.

It was almost 11 am when they heard soft footsteps from the hallway.
“Good morning!” Phantom enters the kitchen with a smile around his lips, Aurora following him with the same smile on her face.
“What’s going on here?” She asks before pouring her and Phantom a cup of coffee.
“Dew couldn’t sleep because apparently, I snore” Swiss grins in their direction.
“Oh Dew, don’t be such a baby, we didn’t sleep either” Phantom smiles, putting his hands on Aurora’s hips pulling her closer before kissing the top of her head, her cheeks quickly turning a dark purple under her grey skin.
His cheeky remark was answered by a soft ‘aww’ from Cumulus’ side and a deep rumble coming from Dew’s hidden face.

“Hey!” The ghouls present turn their faces when Aether enters the kitchen.
“Wow, you look awful!” Phantom blurts out when he looks at the taller quintessence ghoul. Dark circles cover his undereyes and his hair is a total mess.
“Well, good morning to you too” he answers, “I didn’t sleep that much. There was a medical emergency during the night.” He knows that would end their laughing since they couldn’t ask anything about it, doctor - patient confidentiality and all that and it wasn’t a lie.

A comfortable silence fell over the room, everyone lost in their own thoughts, sipping from their coffee or leaning closer to their partner when suddenly a soft snore rises from the middle of the kitchen table. Laughter bursts from the other ghouls making Dew raise his head in confusion suddenly wide awake.
“And you’re telling me I’m te one snoring” Swiss mocks his packmate. The smaller ghoul growling deep before leaving the kitchen and positioning himself on the couch for his morning nap.

“Did someone see Rain of Mountain today?” Aurora asks the remaining ghouls. Aether’s eyes flicker up trying to come up with an answer.
“Yes, I stopped by them before coming over here. They wanted to be alone, in need of some rest.” He answers before the others would bolt of to their room finding it empty.
“And they should!” cumulus says, “I can’t wait for their little one to be here!”
The others react in a similar way to Cumulus starting to talk about possible names for the little kit. Aether smiles, knowing what has happened last night and how he promised to keep silent until further notice.

It’s early in the afternoon when suddenly Cirrus comes bolting through the door of the common room, everyone just hanging around listening to music, reading or in Dew’s case, sleeping.
“Guys, did you see Mountain’s message in the group chat?” She asks showing her phone, “he has a surprise at the lake” her voice full of curiosity.
“Ooh, maybe he has finished that swing he was working on?” Phantom suggests. “Oooh, let’s go look” Aurora jumps up from the couch pulling Phantom with her. Dew opens his eyes, being woken up by the sudden commotion before Swiss drags him off the couch, “let’s go outside sleepyhead.”
Everyone gets up and heads towards the door when Cirrus stops and turns around, “I’ll go get Rain” she says but Aether grabs her arms. She looks at him in confusion because his grip on her is quite strong. “I’ll go, he was feeling really bad this morning.” he says knowing fully well Rain is not in his room but still at the lake with Mountain.
“Sure” she chirps after he lets go of her arm. He hurries to the bedroom and opens the door, before entering the room he turns around to check he wasn’t followed. He wanders around the room for a couple minutes, the time it would take to ask Rain if he would join. He walks toward the side of the room and lets his fingers glide over the crib, ready for their baby. ‘We’ve still got some work here’ he grins to himself, trying to envision what the future of this rooms will hold. After this he runs back to the group, telling them Rain just isn’t feeling well.

When the clearing between the trees becomes visible Phantom can barely contain his excitement when he sees Mountain sitting on a swing, hanging from some lower hanging branches, his back towards them, his gaze on the water. “Look, he finished the swing, I was right!” The quintessence ghoul almost screams. It is only when they get much closer that they all stop in their tracks, sniffing the air. “What’s that?” Swiss asks the group.
“I think we should ask ourselves, who is that?” Aether says with a smile on his face.

That’s when they realise Mountain is softly swaying the swing and humming a song only he knows. “Oh dear lord!” Cumulus is the first one to understand what is happening and runs toward the earth ghoul, putting her hands on his shoulders, not to surprise him too much.
“Hey Lus” he says looking up from what he is holding in his arms. “And you all.” The others join Cumulus, forming a half circle around him all fascinated by the new addition to their family in his arms.
“Everyone, meet Atlas” Mountain is basking in pride when he gets overwhelmed by ‘oh’s’ and ‘ah’s’. Tears welling in his eyes when he sees his packmates observe his son in awe.

“Mountain, he is perfect” Cumulus is the first one to speak, “can I…?” And she stretches her arms to reach for the baby, a little hesitant.
“Of course” Mountain answers with a smile before he gets up from the swing so Cumulus can sit down and hands Atlas over to her. She immediately pulls the baby as close as possible, making sure he is comfortable. She feels like she can melt into the swing when a small gurgling sounds comes from Atlas’ lips.
“What’s his element?” Swiss asks Mountain. A wave of pride and happiness grows inside him when the corner of his mouth pulls his lips in a wide smile, “Earth”
Dew’s mouth literally falls open since he knows how hard it is for earth ghouls to have kits of the same element, especially when combined with the element of water. “Congrats, Mounty, he looks absolutely perfect!” The smaller ghoul says before putting a hand on the taller ghoul’s shoulder.
And as if Atlas had understood what Dew said he slowly opens his left eye, cobalt blue with a spark of dark green.
“Oh, but his eyes are - oh..” and a gasp is heard coming from everyone’s mouth almost in unison when Atlas opens his other eyes, bright moss green with a hint of blue.
“Amazing” Swiss puts words to what everyone is thinking,
“Mismatched eyes, just like papa. He’s going to be over the moon!”

“I don’t want to be rude. But aren’t kits supposed to stay with their parents the first couple hours? And where is Rain?” Phantom suddenly asks, more in the direction of Mountain and Aether. The two larger ghouls smile in his direction before Mountain answers: “you are absolutely right, but Atlas is almost 12 hours old already, so we’ve had our time for bonding.”

“12 hours!?” Swiss almost shouts but is shushed by Cirrus next to him.
“They were born around midnight” Aether explains, “but we knew they would need some time to adapt so I promised to keep it a secret until further notice.” He hovers over Cumulus, nonchalantly looking at their new family member. But when he looks back up, he is met with multiple confused gazes.
“They?” Aurora asks the question they all have. That’s when he realises his mistake and quickly turns to Mountain, hoping for his help.
“Well, guys…”

And as if Satan was involved, the water behind them ripples and Rain’s siren like face comes above the water line, followed by the rest of his already more slender body. A bump of course still present.
His hands are tightly wrapped around the small body of a baby ghoul that is clinging to his body, a tiny tail holding on to his wrist.

His looks around in surprise when the others can’t break their gaze from the ghouls leaving the water.
“Oh, you’re here already” he says before quickly grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his naked body and the baby.

“It’s twins!” Cirrus shrieks when she finally realises what is going on.

“Exactly” the water ghoul smiles, his eyes fixed on the little one in his arms, her fins in her neck clearly visible.
“This is Talia, our little water ghoul. I wanted to get her in the water as quickly as possible for the development of het gills and fins.”

Mountain walks up to his mate and drapes an arms around him, stroking Talia’s cheek, “aren’t they just perfect?”

The rest of the afternoon is spent around the lake. The kits being handed over every now and then, being cuddled in the arms of their aunts and uncles. Rain is back in the lake with Talia on his chest, floating like an otter and baby.
Dew is sitting on the dock, his feet in the water looking at his best friend and his kit.
“What do their names mean?” He suddenly asks, Cirrus and Cumulus, laying a little further enjoying the sun, raise their heads, also interested in the answer. Rain chuckles and changes his position, taking Talia in his arms so he can swim toward the dock. He lifts the baby up from the water and Dew gladly accepts her in his arms, keeping her close to his chest.
“Well, we both thought there was only one kit, but we didn’t have a name, since we didn’t know their gender and element, so once they were both born, we quickly decided on Atlas, since his element is earth.”
Phantom and Aurora now also interested in the story had joined Dew on the dock. Swiss had pointed his ears in Rain’s direction, not wanting to move with Atlas sleeping on his chest.
“And for Talia we wanted a strong name for our baby who will have to grow up with a lot of male characters around her. So we decided to name her after one of the strongest ghouls we know.”
Rain puts one hand on Dew’s knee to find some balance while still in the water. Dew’s brows turn into a frown, thinking who Rain could be talking about, while Phantom already understands the reference and puts an arm over Aurora’s shoulder. The ghoulette looks at her mate and whispers Alpha?’ as silent as possible. Phantom shakes his head and turns back to Rain.

“Talia is the female version of the name Dew.” Rain almost whispers, a lump in his throat, not knowing how the fire ghoul will react.
But that irrational fear is gone the moment Dew puts a shaking hand over his mouth and tears leave wet trails on his cheeks while shaking his head in disbelief.
Mountain had heard what was going and positions himself on the other side next to Dew woth open arms, the fire ghoul immediately accepting his embrace, his head against the giant’s chest.
“This is- I can’t believe this” he manages to say between small sniffs and tears, his eyes still wide in disbelief.

In the meantime all the others have joined the on the dock, Atlas now in Swiss’ arms, gurgling on the brink of crying. Rain still in the water in front of them.
“It just felt right to call her after you, after all you have suffered and have gone through, there was no better name to give to our daughter than one that will remind her and us of you her entire life.”
And that’s when Atlas starts crying, startling Swiss. Mountain takes over his son who clearly needed some attention from one of his parents.
“And you know what” the fire ghoul speaks a little louder, looking at Talia who opened her mismatched eyes, the perfect opposite of her brother,
“I will be there for her, for both, every step of the way.”

Chapter Text

It was late in the evening when Dew felt it in his body, starting in his neck, creeping to his chest, stomach, limbs. Every vein in his body felt like fire was pumping through it, every muscle and bone started to ache when he let his head touch the pillow in his bed, sighing deeply. He knew what was about to happen and knew there was nothing he could do about it, but sit it through. His heat cycle had been a little messed up for the last couple of months, so it didn’t surprise him it would hit him right now. But he only thought he knew, the reality wouldn’t be what he was expecting.

Swiss’ bed had been empty for quite a few nights now, the multi ghoul in need of company and comfort during the colder winter nights. Being found in another ghoul’s bed in the morning wasn’t a surprise for anyone and often a welcomed gift with the freezing temperatures at night. During this day he had been eyeing Dew as his next companion for the night. Already looking forward to the heat radiating from the smaller fire ghoul next to him, probably curled up in his arms. But what he would find wasn’t really what he was expecting.

Dew had gotten up from the couch complaining about pain in his neck. The others had laughed about how he was getting old and brittle, which had earned them his middle finger and a murmured ‘fuck off’. Swiss had followed him a few minutes later, wanting to knock on his door, but once he had touched the wood, the door had creaked open inviting him in. “Swiss?” a voice had sounded from far away, muffled. “Yes?” he had answered, a little unsure about the situation, his eyes still adjusting to the darkness of the room.

“Will you stay? Please?" the last word came out as a soft whimper. That’s when Swiss had realized Dew was already in bed, covered by multiple layers of blankets. Without hesitating Swiss had taken of his clothes, except his boxers and had kneeled next to the bed, trying to find Dew in the pile of fabric. “Dewdrop, you there?” the multi ghoul had asked. And Dew had answered with one of his hands creeping from underneath one of the layers, pulling the taller ghoul in his bed.
“Cuddle?” It had almost sounded as a beg and Dew didn’t know where it had come from but he just needed someone to be close to and Swiss had been the last one to not accept that question from the smaller ghoul. Once they were both engulfed by the blankets, Swiss had realized it was really hot underneath all those layers combined with Dew who had apparently turned his body heat to the max. But he had not said anything about it, when the fire ghoul curled up against his body, the way he had been envisioning all day. His head resting on Swiss’ shoulder, his hair in a messy bun, but still tickling the taller ghoul’s cheek and neck. An arm had been wrapped over Swiss’ chest and a leg over his thighs, feeling a burning sensation where their skin had made contact, but still Swiss hadn’t said anything about it. “Thank you” had been the last thing he had heard before Dew had fallen asleep in this position. He had given the smaller ghoul a soft kiss between his horns, an overwhelming feeling of an unknown distress had taken over in his brain, not really understanding where Dew’s sudden behaviour had come from. But the heat under the blankets and the clingy ghoul attached to his body had made him weak and tired and he had also fallen asleep.

It only was a couple hours later when Swiss woke up again, feeling sweaty and his heartbeat ringing in his ears. He was overheating, sweat dripping down his temples and stinging in his eyes. When the scientifically proven method of sticking one leg out underneath the covers didn’t work he realized what the problem was. Dew was still plastered against his body and had become warmer than an open fire. He slowly pushed the smaller ghoul off his body and let out a relief sigh when the cooler air in the room touched his burning skin. A soft whine came from the other ghoul next to him when he turned on the light on his nightstand. He gasped quietly, not trying to wake Dew but what he saw made his brows frown. The smaller ghoul was covered in sweat, his night shirt and boxers sticking to his skin. Mountain sweating after a two hour concert was nothing compared to this. His mouth was slightly agape, producing a pained gurgling sound. Swiss bent over to softly touch Dew’s forehead, only pulling his hand back the next second, concern and fear filling his entire body.
“Firefly, you’re burning up” he whispered, voice filled with fear. Dew was always the one taking care of them when them fell sick, his body heat killing every illness entering his body, xceptt for this one, apparently. The fire ghoul slowly opened his eyes and looked straight in Swiss’ amber coloured ones, “Swiss?” it was only a bit more than a sigh coming from his lips, “hurts.”
“sssh, don’t talk” the multi ghoul immediately shushed, “I’ll take care of you.” He had said this to many a ghoul, but not in this situation. In the back of his mind he felt like he was unsuited for this, but Dew needed him. The gears in his brain started turning before he jumped out of bed and turned on the shower in the bathroom, looking for a rather cold temperature. He didn’t know much, but he knew he had to get Dew’s body temperature down, without him going hypothermic from a sudden cold plunge. He returned to the bedroom and only then saw in what condition the other ghoul was. Shivering like the last leaf on a branch, ready to let go and be taken by the fall wind. He grabbed his phone and sent a message to Aether, asking him to come quickly. He was out of his league here, hoping he was still awake in the library somewhere.
“Dewy?” he kneeled next to the bed, his hand holding the fire ghoul’s chin, “can you look at me?” the smaller ghoul had closed his eyes again but forced them open to look at Swiss, “cold” he mumbled; his breathing being unsteady and way too shallow for Swiss’ liking.
“I know,” Swiss answered, “But we need to get your body to cool down, you will burn up. Come on.” He let his hands slide under Dew’s shaking body, large hands against sticky hot skin. He lifted the smaller ghoul up, one arm behind his back, another under his knees. His head fell against Swiss’ shoulder, dull red-orange eyes looking up at the larger ghoul, “I’m fire-“ his words were a little slurred, if Swiss wouldn’t be able to see him, he would think Dew had a few too many beers and he chuckled through his nose. “Yes, you are fire, but this isn’t healthy for anyone, not even you. Now let me help you.” Swiss said with a stern voice, not having any of Dew’s ‘I am a big bad fire ghoul’ frantics, looking down at the frail figure in his arms. Dew let out a sigh, too tired and weak to put up a fight and closed his eyes again before Swiss walked towards the shower.
After checking the temperature, he realized he couldn’t let Dew just sit in the shower on his own, his legs clearly too weak to keep himself standing. So without thinking twice, Swiss stepped into the shower, under the streaming water. It being a few degrees too cold for his liking, but he wasn’t the reason they were here. He bit his bottom lip with his fangs, getting himself through the cold. Dew on the other hand took a relieved breath when the water touched his overheated skin, creating puffs of steam, that’s how hot his body was running. He opened his eyes again, drops of water dangling from his lashes before snuggling his chin closer to Swiss’ shoulder, his hands finding the taller ghoul’s chest.
Still in the library, Aether had been busy sorting the new medical books in the east wing, thinking the night was a perfect moment for this, no one would disturb him this hour. after finishing a new row of books he felt the need to check his phone. and that's when he saw a message from Swiss, sent about twenty minutes ago. With his eyes already tired, it took him a moment to focus on the words written on his phone. ‘Come asap, Dew burning up’ it said and without hesitating, Aether had dropped the books in his hands and sprinted towards the ghoul wing, as fast as his legs could carry him. The door to Dew’s room was still unlocked and he entered without knocking, hearing the shower the moment he walked in. “Swiss?” he asked, only getting a “here” as answer. He walked towards the bathroom and one side of his mouth turned into a small smile, seeing the two ghouls under the streaming water. Swiss’ legs had given in and he had positioned both of them on the floor. His own legs crossed, Dew sitting on top of them, legs pulled up, arms wrapped around them, with his head still against Swiss’ chest. His breathing had become more even and body temperature lowered just a little.
“I’m stuck” Swiss spoke, as soft as possible, not to wake up the sleeping ghoul in his arms. Aether grinned, it being one of the only times Swiss was the one in an awkward situation, mostly he would be the one on the grinning side. But Aether let go of those thoughts and turned off the water, receiving an unhappy whine from Dew. He quickly picked up the fire ghoul from Swiss’ hands, not caring about his own clothes and wrapped a towel over Dew’s shoulders, throwing another towel in Swiss’ direction, who caught it right on time. He got up with aching muscles in his legs, not being used to sit in a positon like that for a longer period of time. After drying of his own body he followed the other ones back to the bedroom. Aether had taken off a few layers of the many blankets Dew had used during the night and had put Dew in a new shirt, by the size of it one of his Mountain’s old band shirts. The fire ghoul almost disappeared in the fabric, but let out a content sigh when Aether positioned himself on the bed on his back, Dew between his legs, head on his soft chest. His longer arms wrapped around the fire ghoul, slow strings of quintessence flowing from his hands to the smaller body. Aether motioned Swiss to join them. The multi ghoul still a little shivering from the cold shower, didn’t think twice a crawled under the sheets with the others.
“I didn’t know-“
“You did great” Aether immediately interrupted the multi ghoul, “I don’t know what it is his body is fighting, but it’s bad. What you did was perfect.”
Swiss took a deep breath, so his suffering under the water was not for nothing. He let his head fall against Aether and snuggled against his warmer skin.
“Now, rest” the oldest ghoul spoke and Swiss looked up, “What about you?” he asked, starting to question the last time he had seen Aether sleep during the night.
“Don’t worry about me” he answered, planting a kiss between Swiss’ horns.
“But promise me you wake me up, when something changes.” Aether nodded as response, “I will”
But those last words weren’t for Swiss’ ears to hear anymore since he had already drifted into a deep sleep.

Chapter Text

It's early and still dark outside. The abbey is quiet apart from some soft snoring coming from a few bedrooms. Mountain loves this part of the day the most. He can walk around without his mask and just absorb the silence and calmness of the world. He likes his greenhouse and his plants and trees, but this is different, this is much more peaceful.
He walks towards the kitchen, his bare feet touching the cold stones in the hallway. It sends a shiver down his back just having left his warm bed. But with Swiss in his bed, it wasn't much sleeping he did. He loves the multi ghoul and his shenanigans, his never silent mouth and sexually hyperactive body. But sometimes Mountain needs some silence, he needs to ground and with Swiss around it is almost never as peaceful as it is now.

He arrives at the kitchen and immediately puts on the kettle to prepare some tea. After putting the necessary leaves in a mug he leans against the counter, looking outside the window. It is still dark but he can make out the outlines of the trees, the path leading to the forest and in the distance the lake that seems to be lit by the little moonlight there is.
A high whistling sounds tells him the water is ready and he turns around before adding the boiled water to the mug.
He folds his fingers around the mug and feels the heath radiating through his fingers. It is actually too hot but he doesn't mind right now. He breathes in the herbal scent coming from the mug and relaxes his shoulders. This really is a great morning, he knows this means the start of a great day. Hopefully a peaceful one.

After finishing his cup, he decides to brew some coffee for the others. Besides from Aurora and himself the others are really depending on coffee in the morning. In the meantime he makes himself another cup of tea to enjoy.
When the coffee his done he pours one cup and adds a little milk, just to make the dark liquid to turn a little pale. The sun is starting to show herself behind the horizon and that's his sign to return to his room.
With his own cup in one hand and the freshly brewed coffee in the other, he makes his way in the still cold hallway towards his room. He uses his tail to softly open the door not to make too much noise. The door always creaks a little but he doesn't mind when his eyes find the gorgeous sight on his bed. One of the curtains isn't completely closed, which causes a ray of dark orange sunlight to shine in the face of the multi ghoul in his bed. It highlights his brown curls that are spread around his head in the pillow. His head is turned to the side, away from the window, mouth slightly agape, causing soft snores to fill the room. He's laying on his back, limbs stretched out like a starfish, his right hand dangling from the bed, fingers directed to the floor. A blanket covers the bottom half of his body, starting at his belly button and Mountain secretly wishes the blanket had disappeared in the time he was away. But he can still see the outlines of his hip bones and a little bulge between them. Swiss' chest moves up and down in a steady rhythm, but faster than usually thinks Mountain, maybe he's dreaming. His tail lays still, peaking from underneath the blanket next to his feet. This is when Mountain realises how beautiful one can be, the dimly lit room creating an almost purple glow on Swiss' skin, perfect in every way.
If possible Mountain wanted this moment to never end, but his fingers really start to get burned by the heat of the two drinks. He takes a picture in his mind, never to forget the beauty of the ghoul in his bed and walks toward the bed, his tail closing the door behind him. He places both mugs on the bedside table and stretches his fingers for a second, hurting a little.
As quiet as possible his gets back in the bed, but his much larger body needs more room than the multi ghoul has left him, so he takes Swiss hand closest to him in his much larger one and gives it a kiss before sitting up against the headboard.
The smaller ghoul next to him moves a little, turning his head to face Mountain but keeps his eyes closed, continuing his dream.

Mountain positions himself with his cup of tea in one hand and his other gets lost in the multi ghoul’s hair. Softly stroking his brown locks and scratching his scalp every now and then. A purr comes from deep down Swiss’ chest. Mountain smiles and takes a sip from his tea, enjoying the warmth going down his throat.
They stay like this for a moment until Swiss gives in and opens his eyes, immediately looking for Mountain’s green ones.
“Morning beautiful” Mountain says, his lips tucked in a smile.
“Mmh” is the only response he gets from the smaller one, rolling to his side and crawling into Mountain’s side. His arms around his broad waist.
“You smell nice” Swiss mumbles in the taller ghoul’s side, “Like tea and coffee”
Mountain chuckles, which causes his stomach to shake and Swiss to look up.
“I got some for you” the earth ghoul turns to the bedside table and takes the coffee cup to hand Swiss. The smaller one sits up a little, leaning against Mountain’s shoulder and chest.
“Thank you” Swiss smiles before giving Mountain a kiss on his cheek.
The earth ghoul offers him the cup and he immediately takes a sip and sighs in the warm feeling.
Mountain wraps an arm around Swiss’ waist and pulls him even closer, kissing his hair between his horns.
“Fuck, I love you” Swiss smiles into Mountain’s chest, crawling between the giant’s legs.
They position themselves comfortably in the middle of the bed, legs intertwined and tails connected, enjoying each other’s warmth and presence.
“Do we have to wake up?” Swiss asks, not much louder than a whisper.
“No, my love, we can stay. As long as we want.”

Chapter Text

Alpha had totally forgotten how they ended up in this position, but he couldn't care less. He remembered Omega coming into the common room with a small carton box in his hands, his fingers shaking ever so softly around the brown package while he walked straight towards their shared bedroom. Alpha had been intrigued by his mate, curiosity taking over his body.
He could hold himself seated in his chair for about ten more minutes, until he just couldn't take it anymore. Omega wasn't the one to have secrets and keep things for himself, definitely not for Alpha.

The fire ghoul got up and almost sprinted towards their room. But once there he didn't dare to open the door. What if Omega really wanted to keep this to himself and if Alpha would disturb his time alone?
But the noise that suddenly came from inside the room went straight to the underside of his body, a moan that made his knees weak.
Alpha opened the door quicker than he wanted and was greeted by a sight that would forever be burned in his mind.
In the middle of the bed Omega was laying on his back, his head resting on a few pillows, eyes closed, legs spread wide giving Alpha a look into his glistening wet cunt. A vibrator pressed firmly on his clit.
Behind Alpha the door fell shut, making Omega finally look up at his mate. His violet eyes glazed, needy for the ghoul standing in front of the bed.

"Oh baby," Alpha was finally able to speak, "so beautiful."
He went to kneel on the floor in before the end of the bed, like a praying figure in front of their (un)holy Gods.
And this is how he has been sitting for he doesn't know how long, but it doesn't matter. He is enjoying every second of it.
"Alph, n-need you" one of Omega's hands lets go of his nipple and reaches for his mate.
"No, sweetheart. Not yet" Alpha isn't normally the one to deny Omega's pleasure. But this time is different. He wants to see Omega pleasure himself, make himself feel good in front of him. The quintessence ghoul is surprised by the fire ghoul's answer.

"You are playing so beautifully with yourself. Show me want you want."

Omega's heart skips a beat, a hand gripping at his own hair while keeping the vibrator close to his throbbing clit. A moan leaving his lips not losing eye contact with his mate.

"Show me-" Alpha has one hand kneeding at his own growing bulge in his pants, the other clawing at the bedsheets.
"I want to see you, want to see you cum."
Alpha's voice is low, going straight to Omega's already pulsating cunt. He is so wet, slick dripping on the white duvet. His mouth hangs open in pure bliss and disbelief, he never thought Alpha would act like this, but loves it, making him lose himself.
He slides the vibrator between his folds, making the purple colour even wetter than it already was. He shivers every time it touches his clit. The moves also make Alpha moan, his face so close Omega can almost feel his breath against his heat.

Omega lets go of his hair and pushes down on his own thighs, opening his legs even more before he slips the vibrator inside him, a loud whimper coming from his mouth.
"Oh, Megs-" Alpha is already leaking pre in his own pants, his brain fuzzy just by the sight of his mate pumping the vibrator in and out of his cunt. His folds closing in on the purple toy with every move.

Omega is completely gone, the vibrations inside his body making the knot inside his stomach grow. Alpha's eyes on his body make him arch his back of the bed. One of his hands moves toward his swollen clit, putting pressure on it, causing a loud moan to come from deep within. His hips move in the same rhythm as the vibrator that he is still pushing in his pussy.
"Alph-" Omega is begging for Alpha to touch him. But the fire ghoul can only just contain himself not to touch his mate.

"Come for me Megs, come for me"
And with those words, that were borderline growls, Omega's body gives in, his eyes roll back and the knot in his stomach explodes, Alpha's name rolling from his lips.

Alpha had never in his life moved faster then now, ripping of his own pants, freeing his hard cock. Omega is still coming down from his high, when the fire ghouls attacks the inside of his tighs, his tongue feeling cold against the quintessence ghoul's hot skin. Omega moans at the touch, grabbing hold of Alpha's hair, motioning him closer to where he really wants his mouth.
Alpha lets go of his mate's skin and looks at the vibrator still inside his body before he looks up at Omega's lidded violet eyes. Without losing eye contact the fire ghoul slowly moves the vibrator out of his body, moving excruciatingly slow, Omega's mouth falls open when the vibrator is pulled from his body with a loud plop. His body is still shaking from his orgasm minutes ago when Alpha's lips attack his folds. The sound Omega makes is one he didn't know he could make, making Alpha moan against his body.
"So wet for me" the fire ghoul speaks inbetween licking and sucking at his mate's sensitive folds, his nose touching his clit every now and then.

"Alphs, please-"
Alpha is grinning when he lets go of Omega's clit and climbs up towards his face, Omega doesn't waste a second and pulls Alpha's lips on his own, kissing him deeply, while wrapping his legs around the fire ghoul's middle.
They let go to breath before Alpha starts placing kisses on his mate's face.
"Mmh, Alph" Omega starts moving his hips, needing his partner closer.
"What do you need, Megs?"
"You, I need you-" Omega lets his head fall back when Alpha found the most sensitive spot in his neck, playing with his soft flesh tenderly.
"What about your purple toy?"
Omega growls at his mate, "not enough, not you-"
Alpha smiles against his neck before letting his fangs graze over his sensitive skin, that will be a bruise tomorrow.
"Well then, let's give you more." The fire ghoul chuckles against his lips, before kissing him and without warning Alpha slides his throbbing dick inside Omega. The fire ghoul swallows his mate's moans while pumping into him as deep as possible, hitting that specific spot every time he pushes in feeling his knot swell at the bottom of his length.
Alpha pushes their foreheads together, both ghouls getting lost in each others' eyes.
"Fuck, Megs you feel so tight"
"I'm clo- close"
Alpha lets one of his hands glide to Omega's clit, putting pressure on his bundle of nerves.
"What about something your toy can't give you, Megs?" And Omega's eyes grow full of anticipation when he feels Alpha's knot against his folds.
"Please, Alpha, fill me up. Come inside me"
And with those words Alpha slips his knot inside Omega's tight opening, feeling so warm, unable to hold himself any longer. Omega underneath him feels so full with his knot inside him, making him cum for the second time. Alpha can feel his mate pulsating around his cock, making him moan Omega’s name before he hills up his mate being as deep as possible inside him.

---
Their breathing is finally even again. Alpha still buried deep inside Omega, his knot not deflated yet, causing the two ghouls to stay stuck together. Omega's back to Alpha's chest, the fire ghoul's arms around his mate’s limp body, Omega's eyes are closed, fighting hard to not yet fall asleep.
"Soo, that toy if yours..."
Omega shivers when Alpha whispers in his ear.
"Mmmh, wanted to try something new" the quint mumbles.
"To play with yourself?"
Omega chuckles and opens his eyes before turning his head towards the ghoul behind him, grabbing hold of one of Alpha’s hands on locked around his shoulder.
"Not really, I wanted to see your reaction." Alpha's eyes grow wide before he speaks, “Well, I can tell you, that was the hottest thing I have ever seen."
Omega smiles and leans in to kiss his mate in a bit of an awkward position,  but they make it work.
"But that little toy is nothing compared to you"
If he could, Alpha would come inside his mate again there and then.

Chapter Text

It’s dark in every room and hallway of the abbey. Outside a storm is raging. The wind howls through every crack of every door. Most of the ghouls don’t mind this weather, some even enjoy the thunder and lightning. Swiss absolutely loves it, it gives him new energy and his eyes are literally glowing with adrenaline when lightning is seen in the sky.
He is standing in the door opening looking towards the massive garden. Trees are bowing before the force of the wind, the sky is pitch black and lightning flashes while thunder is booming above his head. He is smiling. Not just because of the weather, but also because of his mate who is enjoying this as much as he is doing. Rain is standing in the garden, between the bushes where red roses grow during spring, his favourite spot on the premises.
Water is falling from the sky in thick drops, Rain loves it. He is completely drenched, as if he just went for a swim in the lake. His eyes are closed with his head tilted backwards, so the raindrops can hit his face directly. While standing there, he can feel Swiss’ eyes on his back, so he turns around and looks at the multi ghoul. They wave at each other and Swiss can’t help but giggle a little, before Rain disappears behind the bushes. Swiss is sure he is lying down on the grass, arms and legs apart, like a starfish.

He thinks about joining his mate when he suddenly hears a noise behind him. First he doesn’t move, because he knows the others all went to bed a few hours ago. It’s probably just the wind. But when he hears it again he turns around and sees a figure standing in the hallway, looking towards the common room, hoping to find someone there. The figure is a little smaller than he is and looks ominous with the flashes of light breaking the darkness every few seconds. It’s Phantom. With the next crash of thunder the quintessence ghoul turns his head towards the door and Swiss is met with a pair of lavender watery eyes. He lets his guard down and walks over to Phantom who is standing in the middle of the hallway like a lost puppy. In his arms he is holding a plushie that Mountain had given him not long after his summoning.
“Hey bug” he speaks softly, making sure not to spook the smaller ghoul even more. He looks so small and vulnerable in Swiss’ eyes.
“What are you doing here at this hour?” He feels like a father telling his child to stay in bed, but realises that might be what Phantom needs, someone who can protect him from the monster that is thunder and lightning.
“Swiss, I- I am..” he doesn’t speak louder than a whisper and a cry is building in his throat, “I’m scared.” A whimper is heard from Phantom when thunder crashes over the building.
Swiss smiles softly and grabs Phantom’s arm. He knows the quintessence ghoul is still fairly new to this world so he still has to learn a lot about the top side, but he has already discovered how much he likes hugs and physical contact with his packmates.
The plushie is his arms, a little tree with arms and legs, is squished between Phantom’s hands and Swiss stomach, it doesn’t feel comfortable, but the multi ghouls lets it be.

Phantom presses his face into Swiss chest, finally something he can hide behind, but when a new boom comes from outside Swiss can feel his claws in his side.
The multi ghoul pushes Phantom back so he can look at his face.
“Hey, do you trust me?” He asks and Phantom hesitates for a moment, which doesn’t surprise Swiss, he would hesitate too if it was him, but Phantom eventually nods.
Swiss takes one of his hands in his and pulls him outside, through the door where he stood a couple minutes ago. Phantom’s claws are pressing in his skin, surely drawing blood. But Swiss wants to show him something.

Once outside Swiss takes Phantom to the far end of the porch, so they are protected from the rain, but can still experience the storm outside. A lounge is installed in the corner and Swiss positions himself on it in a comfortable way and tells Phantom to come sit next to him.
The quintessence ghoul positions himself almost on Swiss’ lap, wanting to be as close as possible to the safety of the multi ghoul.
“What are we doing here?” Phantom asks, his face buried under Swiss arm, not wanting to look at the weather.
“I want to show you how beautiful it can be and how your don’t need to be afraid of a storm.”

Phantom sighs and crawls closer to the multi ghoul. “Will it make me less scared?”
Swiss nods and makes a “mhm” noise. Just loud enough for Phantom to hear.
“I wasn’t a big fan of the sound of thunder either. But the lightning is so fascinating and I got used to the noise as well.”
Swiss turns himself a little bit a places his hand on Phantom’s ears that are flat against his head.
The multi ghoul taps into the little quintessence he has in his body and makes the sound around them disappear for the smaller ghoul. Phantom looks up with fear in his eyes, thinking he just lost his sense of hearing but calms down the moment he realises what Swiss is doing. Phantom positions himself a bit better so he can look up to the sky and sees the lightning bolts coming down. This without any noise.
He takes a deep breath and sinks a little deeper against Swiss’ warm body. He starts to understand why the taller ghoul loves this weather so much, the lightning indeed is a beautiful thing as long as there is no sound.

Having taken away his own sense of hearing as well, Swiss wasn’t able to hear his mate getting back from the garden. Both of them are more than startled when suddenly a dripping wet creature is standing next to them. Swiss lets go of Phantom and the sound overwhelms both of them, being so loud all of a sudden.

“What are you guys doing?” Rain asks, his voice filled with confusion.
“We were watching the storm peacefully, before you came and disturbed it.” Swiss aswers a little grumpy.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Can I join?”
“Sure” Phantom chirps while making some room on the lounge.
Rain taps into his element and is able to dry himself of within seconds before he joins his mate and the smaller ghoul.

“So, you turned of your hearing?” The water ghoul asks.
“Yes, I tried to. But it takes a lot of energy to do this” Swiss yawns as answer.
“Let me do it” Phantom suddenly offers lays his head back on Swiss chest, Rain is doing the same thing on the opposite side of the multi ghoul and before he knows it the sound of the storm is gone. He can’t hear the raindrops annymore and the booming of thunder. The only thing he can focus on is the flashing of light in the pitch black sky. The tingling of quintessence in his body makes him sleepy and before they know it the three ghouls are all sound asleep for the other to find them in the morning.

Chapter Text

Every month it’s the same thing. Rain suffers from it every time and at that day he hates being a water ghoul since they are the only ones who suffer from it this bad.
Normally it’s his back and stomach but this time it’s a little higher in his body. His breasts are hurting like crazy today and he just can’t have any type of clothing touching them.
He doesn’t have the biggest breasts like Cumulus or Cirrus, having the most beautiful curves, but they fill his hands nicely.

It started in his bed this morning, just an aching in his chest and that’s when he realized what was going on. The cold weather from te last couple of days and his period was about to start.
He got up and made his way to the shower, the warm water felt good on his body but didn’t take away the pain. When the water started to turn cold he made his way towards the kitchen, hoping to find Mountain who would be more than happy to make him a cup of tea, but the earth ghoul wasn’t there. No one was in the kitchen or common room. Rain frowned and looked up at the clock on the wall. In was 3 o’clock in the morning, damn it.

The uncomfortable pain in his chest was still there, but felt a little better when he cupped his breasts with his hands, just holding them. And that’s when he came up with an idea. He wouldn’t be able to sleep anymore unless someone would help him, and he had someone in mind.
He let go of his own body and walked towards the bedroom of a certain fire ghoul, who he hoped wouldn’t be too mad after waking him up.
He knocked on the door twice and opened it softly, the wood was creaking a little.
The bedroom was dark, but Rain was able to identify the form of a sleeping ghoul in the bed rather quickly.
He closed the door again and the click made Dew stirr under the sheets. He opened one eye and looked straight at Rain, his eyes glowing orange/red.

“Rain?” His voice was so low Rain thought it must be painful.
“What’s wrong?”
“I need you-“ the water ghoul spoke while pushing away Dew’s sheets.
“Wha-“ Dew moved his body so there was room for the water ghoul, but didn’t understand what was going on at all.
“You know how much I love you Rainy, but I’m tired” the fire ghoul whispered against Rain hair. But Rain pushed his back a little further towards Dew’s chest after having taken of his oversized shirt.
“I don’t need you like that” Rain answered while turning around, facing the sleepy fire ghoul.
“I need your warm hands right here” and he took Dew’s hand and placed it on one of his breasts, making Dew choke on his own spit for a second.
The fire ghoul coughed and sat up a little better, “what’s going on?” He asked, “are you in heat?” He was praying to Satan that wasn’t the case because he was not ready to handle a water ghoul in heat right now.

“No,” Rain answered a little offended, “my period is coming up and my boobs hurt”.
“Oh,” it was exceptional that Dew didn’t know what to say to this information.
“Can you help me keep them warm?”
Rain asked while scooting a little closer to the other.
“Sure” Dew went to sit up even more, so he was lounging against the headboard and Rain positioned himself against his chest.
“What do you want me to do?” Dew’s fingers gently ghosted over Rain’s side and stomach, knowing how much the water ghoul loved being touched there.

“Just- just hold me? ”
Rain suddenly sounded unsure about his decision to come over here. What if Dew thought it was stupid?
“Like this?” And Dew wrapped his arms underneath Rain’s arms, cupping his breasts, his hands already a little warm.

The water ghoul exhaled deeply and fell back a little more against the other.
“Exactly” he mumbled, “thank you”
“You’re more than welcome” Dew tapped into his element and let his body temperature rise, especially his hands and Rain moaned ever so soft.
“This feels really good, Dew”
The fire ghoul smiled against the curls of the other and gave him a kiss between his horns.
“You know, you can always come to me to warm you up, no matter what body part needs to be taken care off.”
Rain smiled and turned his head a little so he could kiss Dew’s cheek, no longer uncertain about his decision to come here.
Dew let go of Rain for a second to pull up the sheets a little better before placing his hand back on his soft breasts.
And that’s how they fell asleep, Rain being comfortable is the warm touch of a fire ghoul who would never have trouble with caring for the other.

Chapter Text

From the moment you laid eyes on him that morning, you knew something was wrong. The sparkle in his eyes was absent and him staring in the distance was something you hadn’t seen before.

Swiss had woken up with a sad feeling. Just feeling off. Everything felt wrong and he had dragged himself to practice. He had played the songs and papa had been happy, but he had messed up in a couple songs. He just wasn’t good enough for this thing.
After practice he didn’t want to eat with the others, he wasn’t hungry. So Swiss decided to go to his room, passing you in the hallway. You realized he didn’t look any better than this morning, maybe even worse. He passed you so quickly in the hallway, so you weren’t able to see him well, but you were sure he had tears in his eyes.
“Swiss?” you asked but he continued walking, not noticing your remark.

Once in his room he closed the door and couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. They rolled down his cheeks without him even realizing. His clothing was itching and suddenly way too tight so he ripped them off his body, ending up in a pile on the floor.
And that’s when he saw it. The mirror, and more importantly, himself. He skin looked dull, not as sparkly as it would normally be. His arms hang next to his body as two unnecessary attachments, one of his claws was chipped, making his hand look even smaller. Why didn’t he have graceful hand like Dew, people would faint for his.

Swiss took a step closer towards his mirror, his stomach jiggling a little when he walked, why didn’t he have a body like Rain? With a slim waist and muscles that he could flex when he wanted. And lower, his legs looked like two stick holding up a potato. Why weren’t his legs like Aether’s? His thick thighs making many a ghoul weak at the knees. And that’s when the sun reflected on his horns, two stompy protrusions on a head that is way too large. One of them even a little chipped at the top.

What he didn’t hear was the door opening behind him. You looked inside his room and your heart broke into a million pieces. He looked so sad. What was going on?
You slowly entered the room and closed the door behind you. The click of the door made the multi ghoul look at you.
“My love…” you walked up to him, with every step you took closer he sobbed a little louder. The tears running down his cheeks had become a river and his shoulders shuddering with every sob. You sped up and wrapped your arms around him.

Swiss didn’t move except for his head that he let fall in your neck. And you let him. Your arms found their way to his back and you pulled him even closer, “shht.. It’s ok” you repeated to him while caressing his back and shoulders. When hearing your voice an even louder sob left his lips, “I-It’s not” Swiss was able to mumble between his tears.

You hold him for a moment longer until you felt his sobs had become less frantic. You took a step back so you could look at his face, “Swiss...” you spoke as soft as possible, trying to make him look up at you. “Can you tell me what happened?”
He eventually looked up at you, eyes still watery, but no more tears on his cheeks.

“Nothing happened, it’s just…-“ he took a deep breath and forced his eyes close, making tears stream down again.

“How can you be here?”

Now you were confused as hell, “I walked through the door?” you knew that wasn’t what he was referring to, but maybe it could lift his spirit a little. And it did, one side of his mouth rose for a second, making him look at you again.

“Why are you here? With me?”

“My love…”

You two had been together for a couple years now and you had encountered him many times like this, feeling down and unworthy of this life. But today it felt worse than ever before. You weren’t sure but the full blood moon tonight must have an effect on the ghouls.

But the fact that Swiss felt down every now and then didn’t change your love for him. Life isn’t always full of happiness and sunshine, even for creatures of hell, life could be hard and unfair. You gave him a kiss on his forehead and pulled him closer again, all you wanted to do was making him feel better. He nuzzled his face in your neck, your arms around his neck and shoulders. You had to stand on your tiptoes, but you didn’t mind. You wanted to hold him as close as was physically possible.

“You are so loved by everyone here and I love you just a little more.” Your voice was soft and not more than a whisper because your lips were next to his ear. Your fingers in his hair started to softly scratch his scalp, making him cry again.

“But why?”

You took a deep breath and let go of him for a second, taking his hand and pulling him towards the bathroom. The multi ghoul looked at you with confusion, but you smiled at him. You pulled him in front of you and turned him around so you were both looking at yourselves in the mirror. That’s when you realized you were too small to do what you wanted to do, so you let go of Swiss for a second and grabbed the little step you used to reach the top shelves from under the sink.
You put the step behind Swiss before you stood on it. Now your faces were at the same height and you were able to see both of you in the mirror above the sink.

“You want to know why?”

Swiss’ face was a little funny to look at actually. Tears slowly drying on his cheeks, but his eyes full of confusion. But then he nodded softly.

“Because of this” you said and pointed towards the mirror, “because of who you are.”

The multi ghoul stared at himself for a moment before a tear started to roll from his eye again.

“I could tell you all the things I think are perfect about you, but that would take way too long and you are a freaking demon from hell. You also have flaws, but I like them. Because I love you”

You wrap your arms around the multi ghoul and pull him closer to you, his back against your chest. You take deep breaths, knowing he feels your breathing and how shaky he is at the moment. Swiss closed his eyes and followed your breathing, slowing down himself.
It took a while, but the tears have stopped and you feel like he is breathing normally again.

“You ok, my heart?” you asked him, with your nose in his neck, giving him a kiss behind his ear. He nodded softly and turned his face towards you so he could give you a kiss.

“Thank you” he whispered, before turning around and looking you in the eyes.

“You look horrible, my love” you said, trying to find new nicknames isn’t that easy, “What about a shower?”

You could see the crying had made him tired, his eyes lidded and his blinking had become a little slower, but he nodded before you stepped off the little step to go turn on the shower.

Since Swiss was already undressed, except for his boxers, he was more than happy to watch you give rid of your clothes. His eyes burning on your skin, when you took of your shirt and wiggled yourself out of your pants.

“You’re beautiful” Swiss whispered under his breath. Not realizing he actually said those words out loud. You smile at him softly, a little shy when you took of your underwear, even when he had seen you naked so many times before.

You turned around and stepped into the shower, reaching your hand towards him, asking him to join you. It took a moment, but eventually Swiss took off his own boxers and stepped into the shower with you.

The water was hot and soothing when you finally stood together under the spray. You decided to wash Swiss' hair first, fingers massaging his scalp with slow, grounding movements. Swiss closed his eyes, letting out a shaky breath as the tension bled from his body.
It wasn’t sexual. It wasn’t even playful. It was intimacy in its purest form — washing away the ache, the guilt, the heaviness.
Swiss letting himself be cared for without fear of judgment.

After a while, you pressed a kiss to Swiss' temple and whispered, “You’re not broken, y’know. You never were.”
Swiss’ throat burned with emotion, but he didn’t try to speak.
He just leaned his forehead against yours and let the water wash away everything he couldn't.
When the water finally started to run cold, you turned it off and grabbed two towels. You dried Swiss off first, gentle hands patting him down, not missing a spot. Swiss, still feeling hollowed out and weightless, let himself be taken care of. Let himself be led back into your room.
You pulled back the covers and guided Swiss to sit on the bed.

“Pyjamas or nothing?” you asked softly, trying not to talk too loud, keeping the soft atmosphere.

“Nothing?” Swiss sounded like a hurt puppy when he asked this. But you smiled genuinely at him.

“Of course”

That’s when you leaned forward and helped him slide under the thick, familiar weight of the blankets. The mattress dipped again as you climbed in behind him, arms wrapping carefully around Swiss’ waist from behind.
Swiss stiffened for a second—old habits—but you just pressed a kiss between his shoulder blades, warm and real, and rested your forehead there. No demands. No pressure. Just presence.

“I’ve got you,” you whispered against his skin. "Always."

The simple words broke something open inside Swiss that he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding onto. He turned slightly, enough so that you could pull him closer, until Swiss’ head was resting on your chest, ear pressed against the steady, comforting beat of your heart.
Swiss buried his face against your neck, breathing you in.

You lay like that in the quiet for a long time, the only sound the faint hum of the abbey settling around you. Swiss’ eyes grew heavier and heavier, the exhaustion finally winning.He felt your fingers comb through his hair slowly, rhythmically.
He felt the way you tucked the blankets tighter around you, like it could shield Swiss from the world itself. He felt the way your hand never stopped moving, reassuring, even after Swiss was too far gone to know it.

Swiss fell asleep that way — wrapped up safe and small in your arms — feeling, for the first time in a very long time, that maybe, just maybe, he deserved to be loved like this.
And you held him the entire night, like you had no intention of ever letting go.

Chapter Text

Phantom had been acting weird for days.

Weirder than usual.

He jumped at every creak of the floorboards, closed his bedroom door whenever someone passed by, and had developed the suspicious habit of carrying food into his room. Dew had caught him sneaking a slice of turkey into his hoodie pocket at breakfast and muttering something about “proteins.”

It didn’t take a genius to know he was hiding something. 

Dew narrowed his eyes as he leaned against the wall outside Phantom’s room, arms crossed. The soft sound of movement—like something padded scratching—reached his ears through the crack in the door.

He knocked once, then opened it before Phantom could respond.

Phantom stood frozen in the middle of the room, hair wrapped in a towel from a shower he clearly hadn't meant to take. His eyes were wide and guilty. A single piece of ham dangled from one hand.

Dew raised a brow,“The hell are you doing?”

“I’m... I'm....” all this time he had been thinking about excuses he could use but he just couldn't find one at this moment. 

Dew stared.

“...okay, fine,” Phantom whispered in defeat, backing up slowly toward the bathroom door, “But you have to promise not to freak out.”

“That depends entirely on what’s behind that door.”

The bathroom was mostly unchanged—steam still clinging to the mirror, a few scattered clothes on the floor—but the biggest difference sat curled in a nest of towels inside a laundry basket.

A kitten. Small, gray with some white spots, with ears too big for her head and a pair of pale blue eyes that blinked up at Dew in curiosity.

“Trouble,” Phantom said softly, stepping aside. “That’s her name.”

Dew stepped in slowly, crouching next to the basket. The kitten stood on shaky legs, padded towards him, and let out a tiny chirp before butting her head against his hand.

“You’ve been hiding a cat in your bathroom,” Dew said, deadpan, as he scratched behind her ears.

“Only for a few days,” Phantom replied sheepishly. “I found her out by the greenhouse. She was crying. I think she’s a stray. I didn’t want the others to get rid of her or—” his voice caught, “—or say I couldn’t keep her.”

Dew glanced up, finally seeing the real weight behind Phantom’s eyes. It wasn’t just guilt or fear. It was something deeper. Something lonely.

“You should’ve just told me.”

Phantom rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re kind of... scary when you’re mad.”

Dew snorted. “I’m scary when someone eats the last cookie or touches my guitar. Not when you’re hiding a kitten in a towel cave.”

Silence settled for a beat. The kitten curled against Dew’s hand, her eyes fluttering closed.

“Damn, she's cute,” he said, but his voice was gentle. “You don’t have to hide her, Phantom!”

Phantom’s shoulders sagged, some invisible tension letting go. “You think I can keep her?”

“She’s already claimed your bathroom,” Dew smirked, “She’s yours. But we’re telling Mountain.”

Phantom looked like he might protest—then froze. “Wait, what if he says no?”

“Mountain?” Dew chuckled. “He’s a giant softie. He’ll probably cry and knit her a sweater.”

“I’m serious!”

“So am I,” Dew replied, standing and gently scooping up the kitten. She mewled once, then curled into his chest like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Come on, let’s get that towel of your head and introduce her properly before she pees in your shampoo.”

Phantom laughed, following Dew out into the hallway. “You think they’ll all like her?”

“They’re ghouls, not monsters. And this?” Dew looked down at the kitten. “This is exactly the kind of chaos we thrive on.”

Mountain wasn’t expecting anyone when his bedroom door opened without a knock.

He looked up from his sketchbook, cross-legged on the floor with a pencil still tucked behind one horn, another one in his hands. Phantom peeked in first, half-hiding behind Dew like a child about to admit he’d broken something valuable.

“We, uh... need to show you something,” Dew said.

Mountain raised a brow, already amused. “What’d you break this time?”

“Nothing! I mean—kind of?” Phantom stepped into the room, arms tucked tightly around something small and bundled in his sweatshirt, “But I swear it’s not bad.”

That’s when the sweatshirt moved. He walked over to Mountain and sat down in front of him. A tiny gray head poked out from the folds of the sweatshirt, blinking up at the massive ghoul with wide, innocent eyes. Her ears twitched and she gave the softest mew imaginable. Mountain’s entire expression changed in an instant. His eyes widened, his shoulders dropped and the pencil behind his horn slid to the floor unnoticed.

“Oh my Satan,” he whispered, voice cracking in awe. “Is that a kitten?”

Phantom beamed. “Her name’s Trouble.”

As if on cue, the kitten clumsily wriggled out of Phantom’s arms and landed on the floor, padding over to Mountain without a trace of fear. She pawed at his knee, then promptly curled against his shin like he was a space heater made just for her.

Mountain didn’t move. He didn’t even breathe. He just looked at her with admiration in his eyes. 

Then, slowly, with all the care of someone handling ancient treasure, he reached down and scooped the kitten into his enormous hands. She practically disappeared in them. Trouble looked up at him, purred once, then began chewing on the drawstring of his hoodie.

Mountain’s lip trembled, “She’s perfect,” he whispered.

“She’s chaos,” Dew said dryly.

“She’s family,” Mountain corrected, gently placing Trouble against his chest like a precious jewel. She settled immediately, purring like a little motor.

Dew glanced at Phantom, “Told you he’d melt.”

Mountain ignored them both. He was too busy cradling the kitten with reverence, already planning how to convert one of the lower cupboards into a “kitten nook” and wondering if he had time to knit her a tiny bed tonight.

“She needs a blanket,” he murmured. “And toys. And a bell. And a name tag. And we’re getting a scratching post or she’s going to destroy Phantom’s shower curtain.”

“I like my shower curtain,” Phantom whined.

“Too late. You’ve chosen chaos,” Dew said, smirking.

Mountain looked up, beaming like the sun itself. “You have no idea how happy this makes me.”

And somehow, seeing Mountain—gentle giant, protector of them all—completely undone by a six-inch puffball of fur made the whole abbey feel just a little warmer.

Trouble mewed again.

It was official: she owned them all now.

Chapter Text

The lake shimmered under the afternoon sun, its surface a sheet of molten silver broken only by the splashes and laughter of ghouls leaping in and out. Summer had finally warmed the woods around the Abbey, and with tour prep on pause for a day, the pack had decided to cool down by the shore.

Phantom, still new, stood on the sandy bank with his bare feet curling in the warm grit, wide eyes following each movement like a hawk. His tail flicked behind him, betraying a growing, bubbling excitement. He’d been summoned only weeks ago. He was still young and full of questions and so far, he’d only known his own element, but here, surrounded by ghouls who embodied fire, air, earth, and water, he felt like a spark caught in a storm.

He noticed Rain first. Tall, elegant, almost ethereal, the water ghoul was gliding through the lake like he belonged to it. Phantom’s jaw slackened just a bit as Rain dove under and came up again, water dripping from his hair over his shoulders and the delicate fins that fanned out from his forearms and calves. Translucent and edged in soft hues of lavender, they shimmered in the sun. The slits of his gills fluttered open and closed as he breathed, seamlessly adapted to both air and water.

"That’s... incredible," Phantom whispered to himself.

“You think that’s incredible,” a voice drawled beside him, low and rough as gravel, “wait ‘til you see him do laps backwards.”

Phantom startled a little to find Dewdrop standing beside him, smirking. His hair was wet, clinging to his temples, and a towel was lazily draped around his shoulders. He looked up at Phantom with eyes like wildfire, bright gold and simmering, and Phantom couldn’t stop the shiver that ran up his spine.

“I didn’t mean to stare,” Phantom said quickly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Dew waved a hand. “It’s alright. Everyone stares at Rain the first time. He's too pretty to ignore.”

Phantom’s gaze flicked back to Dew, then down to the faint shimmer scars that trailed over his collarbone, barely hidden by the towel. His body, smaller than the others', was wiry but tense, as if always braced for something. Phantom hadn’t noticed before, but now he saw the ridges of scar tissue that spidered along his sides. Clearly old wounds, but so many of them.

“You’re... fire?” Phantom asked hesitantly.

Dew’s eyes narrowed slightly. Not in anger, more like memory. “Yeah.”

“Were you always?” Phantom didn’t know why he asked this, but it felt like the right question. Something was different about Dewdrop.

A beat passed. Dew turned his head slightly, eyes fixed on the lake. “No.”

It landed like a weight between them. Phantom didn’t press. But the sharp line of Dew’s jaw, the way he tugged the towel tighter around his shoulders, said more than words. Phantom glanced again at the scars and suddenly, they looked different. Not so much like accidents. More like something done on purpose.

But before the silence could turn heavy, Rain called from the water, beckoning Dew to come back in. Dew huffed, shrugged off his towel, and padded toward the lake, his posture easing once his feet touched the water.

Phantom watched him go, and for the first time, noticed how his movements shifted smoother in water, almost... familiar. His scars glistened in the sunlight, stark and pale across sun-kissed skin, but they didn’t seem to weigh him down out here.

When the sun had gone down, all of them had returned to the abbey. Most of them had already gone to bed, worn out from the long, sun-drenched afternoon at the lake. The common room still held the faint smell of salt and bonfire. Swiss sat on the worn leather couch, long legs stretched out and a half-full glass of something smoky in his hand. His head was tipped back, eyes half-closed, humming softly to himself.

Phantom stood in the doorway for a moment, hesitating before Swiss turned his head towards him.

“Couldn’t sleep either?”

Phantom stepped in, accepting the glass Swiss offered him. “Not really. Too much noise in here.” He tapped the side of his temple, then dropped onto the couch beside Swiss.

For a while, they didn’t speak. Just drank in silence. Swiss didn’t push. He rarely did when it mattered.

Eventually, Phantom leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, glass dangling between his fingers.

“Can I ask you something?”

Swiss opened one eye. “Sure, little bat.”

Phantom gave a soft huff of amusement but didn’t smile. “Dew… was he really not always fire?”

Swiss was quiet for a moment. Then he sat up slowly, set his glass down on the table.

“No. He was water.”

Phantom blinked at that. “But... how?”

“Clergy made him fire,” Swiss said, voice low and steady, the way someone speaks when they’ve told a story a thousand times but it still hurts. “They didn’t like that he didn’t bend to them. Wanted him to be something else. Something easier to control. And when Rain was summoned they had the perfect excuse to change him. They didn’t need two water ghouls on stage.”

“They… changed him?”

“They burned him,” Swiss said, not unkindly, just honestly. “Held him down. Took what he was and twisted it. They closed his gills, took his fins and turned his lungs to flame. He nearly died.”

Phantom’s eyes widened, mouth parting in a silent breath.

“He was barely past his first summoning. Small even for a runt. He didn’t talk for months. We didn’t think he’d stay.”

“Stay?”

“In this world,” Swiss said simply. “In his body or in the pack.”

Silence again. Phantom stared into his drink, watching the golden liquid shift like sunlight on water.

“He’s still small,” Phantom murmured.

“Yeah. His body never really caught up after the change. But his fire burns hotter than anyone’s.” Swiss’s voice softened, warm with something like awe. “He rebuilt himself. Clawed his way back with rage and spark and a tongue that’ll take your skin off.”

Phantom gave a small laugh. “I’ve seen that already.”

Swiss smiled a little. “He scares most people at first. You wouldn’t know it, but he’s the softest with the ones he loves.”

Phantom turned toward him then. “You’re not afraid of him?”

Swiss shook his head. “I was. But only because I didn’t understand the pain.”

Another moment of silece. Phantom’s voice was quieter now. “And now?”

“I’d burn the world to protect him.”

The words landed between them like a vow.

Phantom sat back slowly, cradling his drink to his chest, the weight of Dew’s past settling into him like heavy water. It made sense now—the way Dew snapped, the way he guarded himself, the way he moved like a storm someone else had tried to cage.

“I think he scares me a little,” Phantom admitted. “But I also... I want to be someone he doesn’t have to protect himself from.”

Swiss looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. “That’s the right place to start.”

A couple hours later the hallway was dim, lit only by a few low sconces burning orange in the night. Most of the Abbey had gone quiet, except for the sound of footsteps. Phantom’s boots barely made a sound as he padded down the corridor, cradling a glass of water he wasn’t drinking. His cheeks were warm, eyes a little too bright, the sting of alcohol lingering behind his lips. Swiss had poured with a heavy hand, and Phantom hadn’t exactly said no. The hallway was spinning a little and Phantom knew he would have a massive headache the next morning.

He wasn’t drunk, not really but his limbs were looser, his thoughts quieter, and one had risen stubbornly to the top like air bubbles in a glass: I want to talk to Dew.

He hesitated only a moment outside the fire ghoul’s door before gently knocking. There was a pause and then a voice, low and resigned: “…I knew you’d come knocking one of these days.”

The door creaked open and Dew appeared. He was in a thin shirt and boxers, hair damp from a recent shower and the heat of him rolling out into the hallway. He looked at Phantom like he’d already made peace with whatever was about to happen.

“…Can I come in?” Phantom asked softly.

Dew blinked once, then stepped aside. “Yeah. Come on, before you wake the whole hall.”

Phantom slipped inside, placing the glass on a side table. Dew’s room was warm, lit only by a flickering wall lamp. The bed was rumpled with one side still open. Dew crawled back in without comment and held up the blanket in silent invitation. Phantom didn’t hesitate and he slid in beside Dew, sighing as the warmth hit him, not just the heat of the sheets, but Dew himself. His elemental signature was always unmistakable: the burn of embers and the scent of campfire. Phantom didn’t mean to shiver, but he did.

They lay there a moment in the hush before Phantom’s fingers reached out. He touched the edge of Dew’s collarbone, following the faint, twisted ridge of a scar that curved across his chest. Dew flinched just a little but didn’t stop him.

“I’ve been… curious,” Phantom murmured.

“I figured,” Dew said, voice dry.

Phantom’s fingers were featherlight, tracing over his sternum, then lower, across his ribs. The jagged lines were countless, some clearly healed poorly.

“You don’t have to—” Dew began.

“I want to,” Phantom whispered. “Only if it’s okay.”

Dew exhaled, sharp but not angry. “Fine. Just… don’t act like it’s some kind of tragedy, alright? I’ve had enough of the pity.”

Phantom nodded, eyes wide,“Okay.”

He kept going, softer now. Following a burn that curved across Dew’s stomach. “You were a water ghoul once?”

Dew nodded. “Yeah. Long time ago.”

“Did it hurt?” Phantom’s voice was so small it nearly vanished into the blankets.

Dew looked at the ceiling for a long moment. “Yes.”

Silence stretched. Phantom’s hand paused just over his abdomen.

“They burned them off, didn’t they? your fins.and gills.”

Dew shut his eyes. “Yeah.”

Phantom's lip trembled just slightly. He curled in closer, resting his forehead against Dew’s shoulder, fingers still lightly brushing the ruined skin of his chest.

“I’m sorry.”

Dew let out a soft snort. “Didn’t you just promise not to pity me?”

“It’s not pity,” Phantom whispered. “It’s fury.”

That made Dew’s lips twitch, just a little. “That’s more like it.”

Another pause.

“Do they- will I-,” Phantom couldn’t find the right words, afraid when spoken out loud. . “Maybe they’d… do the same to me someday. If I mess up. If I get too loud or weird or don’t fit what they want.”

Dew finally turned his head to look at him — the little quintessence ghoul curled under the covers beside him, wide violet eyes reflecting the flickering lamplight.

“They won’t,” Dew said firmly. “They can’t. Not while I’m still breathing. Not while any of us are.”

Phantom blinked.

Dew didn’t look away. “You’re safe now, Phantom. With us. With me.”

And that was all Phantom needed.

He pressed in, letting his head rest on Dew’s chest, right over his heart. His fingers slipped around Dew’s waist like he’d done it a hundred times before.

Dew stiffened — just a second — then sighed, letting one hand rest loosely on Phantom’s back.

The younger ghoul was asleep within minutes, breath warm against the skin above one of Dew’s oldest scars.

Dew stared at the ceiling again. He didn’t say a word.

But he didn’t push Phantom away, either.

Dew was awake first.

Of course he was.

The sun hadn’t yet cleared the edge of the windowsill, but the glow was enough to pierce through the heavy curtains and scatter soft golden light over the room.

And the lump pressed firmly against his side. Phantom.

Still tangled in the sheets, face buried against Dew’s shoulder, one leg tossed over Dew’s thigh like he belonged there. His hair was a mess of loose strands and half-dried sweat, and his breath was hot against Dew’s collarbone.

Dew groaned, more exasperated than annoyed, and tilted his head to glare at the ceiling.

“Of course,” he muttered. “Drinks with Swiss, emotional trauma, and now this.”

He shifted, trying to peel Phantom off of him, but the younger ghoul only clung tighter, letting out a miserable little noise somewhere between a whine and a sigh.

“Fuck’s sake,” Dew grumbled under his breath.

Phantom stirred a little, cracking one eye open. He blinked once. Twice. Then shut it again with a soft wince.

“My head hurts,” he mumbled. “And my stomach feels… stupid.”

Dew rolled his eyes. “That’s called a hangover, congratulations.”

Phantom groaned louder, curling into Dew like he was made of pillows. “I feel like I fought an archangel and lost.”

“You drank three of Swiss’ cocktails. You basically did.”

There was a pause. Phantom blinked again, frowning a little as he rubbed at his temple. “Why is the sun so loud?”

Dew snorted, despite himself. “It’s bright, dumbass. Not loud.”

“Too loud,” Phantom grumbled. Then, without asking, he scooted closer, all limbs and warmth and tangled hair. “I wanna cuddle.”

“No.” Dew tried to shove him off, half-hearted. “Absolutely not.”

“But you’re warm,” Phantom whined.

“I’m always warm, I’m literally fire—”

Phantom groaned again, soft and pitiful. “Can’t we just—five minutes? My head hurts, Dew. Please?”

Dew huffed, sitting up on one elbow and dragging himself away from the blanket-wrapped ghoul. “I’m getting you water.”

He stomped off to the bathroom tucked into the corner of the shared suite, pouring cold water into a glass with a little more force than necessary. What was he doing, letting this clingy, sleep-rumpled, absolutely too-soft ghoul worm into his bed and act like it was normal?

When he turned to bring the glass back, he stopped.

Phantom had managed to sit up, barely. He was blinking slowly, pale in the early light, his long lashes brushing the tops of his cheeks. His hair was falling into his eyes, one of which was partially hidden beneath the jagged scar over his brow and temple.

He looked up at Dew with something so open, so stupidly sweet, that Dew’s heart stuttered in his chest.

“…What?” Dew snapped, flustered. “Why’re you looking at me like that?”

Phantom gave a small, sheepish smile. “You came back.”

“You’re in my bed.”

“Still, you came back with water.”

Dew shoved the glass into his hands and mumbled, “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

Phantom took a few sips, grimacing as the cold hit his teeth, and then looked up again, hopeful. “Can I… still cuddle you? Just until my head stops screaming?”

Dew sighed, long and theatrical, but something inside him cracked—maybe it was the way Phantom was watching him, like he wasn’t afraid, like Dew wasn’t all fire and barbed wire. Like he was someone safe.

He climbed back into bed, grumbling as he lay down. “Five minutes.”

Phantom wasted no time, curling back against Dew with a happy hum, his fingers finding a spot at Dew’s side.

Dew didn’t say anything. Just let his hand rest lightly on Phantom’s back.

He didn’t fall asleep. But he let himself lie still, watching the sunlight creep across the wall as Phantom’s breathing slowed and the edge of his hangover faded.

Ten minutes passed. Maybe fifteen and Dew never once tried to move him.

The morning haze had lifted by the time the ghouls gathered in the common room for lunch. The air buzzed gently with chatter, the distant clang of pots in the kitchen, and the occasional squeal of a toddler somewhere down the hall. Sunlight warmed the wide wooden floors, and the scent of fresh bread lingered in the air.

Swiss flopped down on the couch with his usual flair, stretching his long limbs and tossing an arm lazily across the backrest.

Phantom wandered in not long after, hair freshly brushed and looking far too smug for someone who’d been groaning about sunlight just a few hours ago. He made a beeline for the fruit bowl on the table and popped a slice of pear into his mouth before casually flopping into the armchair beside Swiss.

“You look like shit,” Swiss said cheerfully.

Phantom snorted, rubbing his temple. “Headache’s better. Dew gave me water and let me nap on him.”

Swiss blinked slowly, “…Come again?”

Phantom looked up, unbothered. “I fell asleep on Dew. Last night I had that drink that made my tongue numb, and I kinda just… ended up in his room. We talked. I touched his scars.” He shrugged like he was commenting on the weather. “This morning he cuddled me.”

Swiss blinked again then grinned wide and slow, “Cuddled you?”

Phantom nodded as he chewed another slice of pear. “Mhm. He growled a bit first, said no. But he came back with water and then let me cuddle him ‘til I felt better.” He squinted thoughtfully. “He’s warm. Like a lizard rock.”

Swiss let out a sharp bark of laughter. “Dew let you cuddle him?”

“Yeah?” Phantom tilted his head, “Why are you acting like that’s weird?”

“Oh,” Swiss leaned forward, elbows on his knees, eyes glittering with mischief, “no reason. Just imagining what poor Dewdrop would say if he knew you were out here describing him like a heated terrarium.”

Phantom snorted again and shrugged, completely unfazed. “It helped my headache. He didn’t even push me away once.”

“Oh, I bet he didn’t,” Swiss muttered, already cooking up something dangerous in that chaotic brain of his.

Later that afternoon, Dew stepped into the kitchen, still smelling faintly of citrus soap and firewood, a towel slung around his neck. His hair was damp, the ends curling from the shower he’d just taken, and his shirt stuck in places from the heat still radiating off him.

Swiss spotted him immediately and leaned on the counter, grinning like a devil.

“Well, well. If it isn’t Papa Pyre himself.”

Dew narrowed his eyes. “What?”

“Had a nice morning, did we?” Swiss drawled, biting into an apple. “Little water delivery service? Midnight cuddle call? Nap time?”

Dew froze, “…Phantom told you?”

“Oh yeah,” Swiss laughed. “Told me you were very warm. Compared you to a heat lamp. Said you growled, but then you let him nap right on your chest like a sleepy kitten.”

Dew’s face went red. Not from embarrassment, not quite. More like fury trying to be embarrassment and getting stuck halfway.

“He was hungover,” Dew snapped, “And annoying. And I didn’t want him vomiting in my sheets.”

“Oh, no, of course not,” Swiss said innocently. “You just accidentally tucked him under your arm and let him snore on your shoulder for forty-five minutes.”

“It wasn’t forty-five—!”

Swiss raised an eyebrow.

Dew growled loudly, “Shut up.”

“Aw, Dewdrop,” Swiss beamed. “You’re getting soft.”

“I’ll show you soft,” Dew threatened, flames flickering along his knuckles.

Swiss just laughed harder.

From the hallway, Phantom’s voice echoed in, cheerful and clueless: “Dew? You want your shirt back? I might’ve drooled on it a little!”

Dew closed his eyes. Counted to five and onsidered spontaneous combustion.

Swiss bit into his apple again. “You’ve got a problem, buddy. A clingy, quintessence-shaped one.”

Dew hissed—and turned to stalk back toward his room, muttering curses the whole way.

Swiss grinned after him, content.

Chapter Text

The bedroom was quiet, the evening light soft through the curtains. The muted sound of water trickling to a stop behind the bathroom door was audible.

Swiss had been stretched across the bed, legs crossed at the ankle, flipping through a book he hadn’t truly read a word of. His thoughts had drifted. Out of the pages, past the walls to the shower where Dew had disappeared nearly thirty minutes ago.
He’d been quiet today.

Dew always had a bite to him, especially now, carrying their child, all sharp words and smoldering fire but this silence was different. He’d winced once or twice when sitting, shifting uncomfortably, murmuring something about his back and how nothing felt right. His shirt hadn’t fit right. Neither had his mood.

Swiss heard the click of the bathroom lock and sat up as the door opened.

Dew stepped out, wrapped in one of Swiss’s larger towels, damp hair clinging to his neck. His bump was more visible now, towel knotted low at his hips. His belly, taut and round, jutted out in a way that still seemed to surprise even him when he caught glimpses in mirrors.

Dew paused at the threshold, feeling a pair of amber coloured eyes on him  

Swiss didn’t say anything yet, he just took him in.

Dew squinted at him, “What?”

Swiss smiled,“Nothin’.”

“Liar,” Dew muttered, stepping further into the room. His gait was slower than usual, a hand absently moving over his stomach, “You’re staring.”

“I do that sometimes,” Swiss said, voice quiet, “When it’s you I am looking at.”

Dew rolled his eyes but it was softer now, the kind of roll that said don’t stop.

“Come here,” Swiss said gently patting on the bed next to him  

Dew hesitated, then made his way to the bed, the towel loosening slightly with every step. Swiss rose to his knees and reached out, hands warm on Dew’s hips, guiding him in close. He pressed his lips to the crest of Dew’s stomach, just above the towel.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured.

Dew scoffed, but it cracked in the middle. “I don’t—ugh, Swiss, my hips feel wrong, I’m sore, and I think my ribs are spreading. It’s weird and itchy and I don’t even know what shape I am anymore—”

“I know,” Swiss said, and kissed lower. “I know. But I still think you’re beautiful.”

Dew let out a breath. Not quite disbelief, but something heavy. Something unsure.

Swiss peeled the towel back a little further. He kissed a path down Dew’s side, every inch slow and careful. His hands mapped the curve of Dew’s belly, reverent in their slowness. He wasn’t trying to start anything. He was worshipping the body of his perfect mate, carrying their kit  

Dew’s knees wobbled.

“Sit,” Swiss said, guiding him gently onto the edge of the bed. “Let me.”

Dew obeyed, exhaling. He propped his back against the headboard while Swiss knelt on the bed in front of him, dark eyes tracing every stretch mark and patch of skin like sacred scripture. He placed both hands on Dew’s thighs, thumbs stroking over the tight, tender skin near the base of his belly.

“How long have you felt like this?” Swiss asked softly. “Uncomfortable, I mean.”

“A week, maybe more.” Dew’s voice wavered. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful. I love this—” He gestured to his bump. “I love our baby. And I’d do this again. But my body doesn’t feel like mine.”

Swiss rested his cheek gently against Dew’s belly. “Then let me help you remember. Let me help you feel like it belongs to you and our baby. Not just something changing without your say.”

Dew swallowed hard.

“I love your belly,” Swiss whispered. “I love how round you’re getting. I love the way you cradle yourself when you think no one’s watching. The way your whole face softens when you talk to her—”

“I don’t know it’s a girl,” Dew muttered, but his voice was barely there.

“You talk to her like she’s a girl,” Swiss murmured. “You hum to her. I hear you in the bath. I hear the way you laugh when she kicks. And when you cry because she kicked your ribs again— I still love you then.”

Dew didn’t stop the tears when they came this time. He sniffed, leaned forward, and curled one hand behind Swiss’s neck, tugging him up gently. Swiss climbed closer without needing another word, settling beside him, pulling Dew carefully against his chest.

One of Swiss’s hands returned to his bump while the other cupped Dew’s face.

“Do you really mean it?” Dew whispered. “Even when I feel like this?”

Swiss kissed his temple. “Especially when you feel like this.”

They stayed like that, curled together, close to each other. Swiss didn’t stop whispering praise into his skin, his shoulders, his hair. Dew didn’t need to speak again, not with the way he clung to Swiss, the way he leaned into every word, every breath.

And when Dew finally drifted off to sleep in Swiss’s arms, still bare and beautiful, Swiss lay awake a little longer just to watch him.

He pressed his hand against the gentle rise of Dew’s belly, giving a kiss and smiled through the ache in his chest, and whispered to the life growing inside: 

“Do you know how lucky we are?”

Chapter Text

Cumulus has always been a safe haven for all the ghouls. Even Copia would visit the ghoulette when he was in need of a good talk or something more. She is normally always more than happy to help her pack mates.

But not today. Today, on the other hand, had been a very demanding and difficult day for her. The rehearsals didn't go the way she wanted. One of her horns appeared to have been chipped at the top, probably because of a play fight with Dewdrop two nights ago. Later that evening, one of the siblings had stepped on her tail and didn't apologise for it, and worst of all this morning, her period had started. Overall, she was just feeling miserable, and after dinner, she stood up from the table, giving the others a 'goodnight' before heading to her room. Maybe tomorrow would be better. But before she could enter her bedroom, she felt a presence behind her, and her suspicion was correct when she felt the large hand of her favourite earth ghoul on her hip, "What's going on?".
Mountain's voice was soft like silk against her ear. His breath tickled the skin in her neck. She leaned in to his touch. He was warm and soft, a rock which she could always lean on.

Her hand on the doorknob halted and she took a deep breath, "Nothing, just tired" she said quickly before opening the door and walking inside her room, feeling Mountain's touch disappear on her skin, it tingled and she already missed it.

She didn't close the door behind her before she turned around to look at the giant in the door opening, "You sure?" He asked genuinely. His eyes were twinkling with concern, not used to seeing the air ghoulette like this.
Cumulus felt a sting in her chest, her pack mate being concerned about her like this wasn't really on her checklist today. A tear welled in her eye, and a soft "no" left her lips.
Before a sob could leave her, Mountain had moved faster than ever before. He crossed the room in two strides, closing the door in his way. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
Cumulus held on tight, her fingers curled in his shirt.
She didn't know why she was crying, but she knew it felt right. She needed this.

Mountain's large hand moved to the back of her head, massaging her scalp while his other hand hold the small of her back, "It´s ok" he murmured, "just let it all out"
And that she did, letting the tears run until she felt better, lighter.
When the tears had stopped, she looked up at the earth ghoul, finding his moss green eyes.
"Better?" He asked, and she nodded in response.
"Stay?" She mumbled, and Mountain smiled, "Of course. "

They let go of each other after a soft kiss from Mountain to her temple.
Cumulus sniffed one more time before heading to the small bathroom where she prepared for bed. Mountain didn't need that much and just took off his shirt and pants, deciding to sleep in his underwear. The moment he wanted to crawl into bed the bathroom door opened and Cumulus appeared with slightly red cheeks, "I couldn't find my shirt" she chuckled while pointing at a shirt on the bed, next to Mountain.

The earth ghoul looked down at the shirt and back up at the ghoulette in the light of the bathroom behind her. She was wearing a pair of pyjamas shorts, and her arms covered her bare chest, feeling a little shy.

Mountain grinned softly when he saw the opportunity and took the shirt in his large hands, "Why don't you come and get it?" He asked, causing Cumulus' cheeks to redden even more, "Mount..."
She felt his eyes go over her bare skin and swallowed thickly, Mountain was actually a really gorgeous ghoul, she realised.

"Come here," he said, and she walked closer to him.
Mountain was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding one of her hands. Her other arm was still over her breasts, hiding her curves from him.

"Can I see?" He asked with one hand on her hip, the shirt long forgotten. They had seen each other naked so many times before, but today was different, and Mountain knew he shouldn't push. Cumulus looked down at the connection on her skin, before Mountain spoke again, "If you don't wan-" but that's when Cumulus let her arm down and let it hang next to her her body, "I just-" she looked up and found his green eyes again, "be gentle?".

Mountain felt his heart break. She looked so vulnerable, so fragile.
He let his hand go to her neck before cupping her cheek, "Always" he whispered before pressing a kiss to her cheek, again she leaned into the touch. She wanted this so much but felt so breakable at the same time. Slowly, Mountain moved his hands again, letting them both rest on her hips, "Join me?" He asked, patting on the bed, and Cumulus smiled before climbing onto the bed. Mountain moved quickly and propped some pillows behind her neck, making her lay down on her back. Her legs were outstretched, and Mountain straddled her thighs.
"You ok?" Mountain asked, not wanting to pressure Cumulus into something she didn't want to.
She nodded as answer, "mmh."
Mountain smiled softly at the ghoulette while his hands moved over her soft belly towards her sides before he leaned over to press a kiss to her temple. Slowly, he made his way down to her neck before he kissed her collarbone.
"Relax," Mountain whispered when he felt the tension in her shoulders, "I've got you."
Cumulus closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath, in through her nose, out through her mouth and let her shoulders relax. She opened her eyes again and nodded at the earth ghoul.
Mountain smiled again before leaning in again to place soft kisses on her chest, going closer to her breasts with every kiss. His hands glide over her stomach, soft and carful, caressing her soft skin as if she was made of glass.
His hand found her breasts and cupped them. Cumulus looked down at Mountain's big hands, taking her breasts into them, kneeding softly. A moan escaped her lips.
Mountain chuckled and looked up at the ghoulette beneath him. His green eyes underneath his long lashes made him look ethereal.
Cumulus stretched her arms and her fingers quickly found his hair, pulling his face a little closer to her chest.
Mountain's lips quickly found one of her nipples while his other hand played with the other one, rolling the pink bud between two fingers.
Cumulus' body reacted immediately, arching her back into the touch, "Mount-" it sounded more sultry than she wanted but it just felt so good.
The taller ghoul smiled against her skin, giving her nipple a small bite before letting his tongue lap around the tender skin.

His hands lowered towards her shorts, one finger hooked around the elastic when suddenly Cumulus moved quickly. It was harsher than she had intended, but she grabbed Mountain's wrist, "Not today." he voice cracked a little, as if afraid to not allow it. Which she knew was stupid, Mountain would never cross such boundaries.

Mountain stilled at once, like someone had flipped a switch inside him. The warmth in his gaze however didn’t falter, didn’t fade into disappointment or confusion. He simply stopped, heart already listening.

She opened her mouth, hesitating. “It’s just that I— I’m on my period, and I—”

But he was already shaking his head, one of his big hands cradling her cheek. That look in his eyes said more than any words ever could. It was the look of someone who didn’t need a reason. He had no reason to push or ask. He just respected her and her body.
In his eyes, she didn’t owe him anything.

“I know,” he said softly, thumb brushing her cheekbone. “You don’t have to explain.”

She melted into Mountain’s arms as he laid back with her, one of his large hands tracing slow, calming circles along her spine. The room was dim, and the air between them had shifted. No longer charged with urgency but softened with something sweeter. Something she could breathe in.

Mountain's hand drifted up, resting over her chest for a moment before he brushed his thumb across the swell of one breast. His touch was unhurried, reverent, as if he were still memorizing her, even now. She didn’t flinch. Didn’t stop him. He wasn’t taking; he was simply... being with her, adoring her.

She let out a quiet sigh, and he smiled against her temple.

“You always make the prettiest sounds,” he murmured.

She huffed a soft laugh, her cheeks warm, but it wasn’t teasing. He meant it.

When he bent to press a kiss between her breasts, she carded her fingers through his curls and pulled him even closer, "touch me" she whispered softly, wanting the earth ghoul's lips around her nipple again, "please, Mount, play with them"
And who was he to deny such a request?

He kissed, caressed and touched her breasts, sucked and let his tongue flick over her nipples, making her feel seen and loved. His hands were everywhere she wanted them to be, and so were his lips and mouth. Tomorrow, she would have some marks from his sucking or teeth, but she couldn't care less.

After she felt her body relax from an orgasm created by only touching her breasts and nipples she tugged him up to lie beside her, heart full and skin flushed. His head settled just below her chin, one arm wrapped low around her hips, the other draped protectively over her middle. There was no space left between them.

For a while, they didn’t speak. They just lay there wrapped in the scent of clean sheets and warmth, the gentle sound of his breathing syncing with hers.

He was a mountain in more than just name a presence so solid and sure that she felt safe enough to finally let go of the tension in her belly, the pressure she’d carried all day. Even the ache dulled under his touch, not magically gone but somehow… softer, more bearable when he held her like this.

“Sleep,” he whispered after a while, lips brushing her collarbone.

And she did.

Cradled in the arms of someone who kissed her like she was more than her body, and held her like she was already whole.

Chapter Text

The mornings had gotten colder lately. The kind that made the windows fog at the corners and crept in under the abbey doors no matter how tightly they were sealed. But the warmth of Phantom beside you with his long limbs tangled into your small bed, feet occasionally hanging off the edge made it bearable.

Barely.

Your bed was never really made for two. Not unless you slept like stacked books or jigsaw pieces. And yet, almost every night now, Phantom found his way there. He would shrug off his hoodie, kick off his boots with clumsy thuds and crawl in with a content sigh like it was his space too.

He never complained. Not about how he barely fit, not about how his knees bumped the wall or how you both woke up stiff from sleeping too still.

Except today. This morning was different.

You woke up with his leg hanging half off the mattress, your head tucked against his chest. The blanket had slipped to the floor, and there was a faint red line pressed into your cheek from the edge of the pillow you were sharing.

Phantom stirred, blinking at the ceiling before turning to look at you. His voice was rough with sleep. “Okay,” he said, “I think I just aged five years sleeping like that.”

You laughed against his shirt. “I warned you so many times that my bed’s small.”

He smirked, brushing his fingers through your hair. “It’s not just small, sweetheart. It’s tiny. I think I lost circulation in one of my arms for, like, three hours.”

You shifted to face him properly, still curled in close. “You could always go back to your room, you know.”

He went quiet for a moment. Then: “Yeah. Or… you could come to mine.”

You looked up at him. His expression wasn’t teasing. There was a flush to his cheeks, but his eyes held something tender. He wasn’t joking this time, he meant it.

“I mean,” he went on, suddenly shy, “I know it’s a mess, and it’s not as cozy as your little nest in here, but—” He paused, laughed quietly. “I like waking up next to you. And I kinda hate leaving when the bed’s this small and we’re both pretending we’re comfortable.”

You grinned. “You’re saying you want me in your room permanently.”

He nodded with a smile, “Yeah. I do.”

You sat up, stretching with a wince at your sore back. “Then let’s do it. Before I turn into a pretzel from trying to share a single mattress.”

Later that day, Phantom helped you carry a small stack of your things down the halls toward his room. His room was much bigger. It was a little chaotic with music gear in the corner, band posters half-taped to the walls, shelves crammed with things he didn’t even remember owning. But the bed?

The bed was wide and soft and clearly meant for two.

“You really want me to take up half your space?” you teased. He stepped close behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist and resting his chin on your shoulder. “It’s not half. It’s ours now.”

That night, for the first time in a long time, you slept in a bed where your feet didn’t dangle and your body wasn’t curled into a careful knot. Phantom curled in beside you, arms loose around your waist, and whispered against your neck: “This already feels better.”

But at two in the morning, the ceiling rattled above your heads.

Well, not the ceiling exactly. More like the headboard of the bed in the room next door.

Phantom stirred with a groan, flopping dramatically onto his stomach and burying his face in the pillow. The muffled, rhythmic squeaking of an obviously old bedframe continued together with a loud, delighted moan that was definitely Dew.

“Oh no,” Phantom whined. “No no no no.”

Another breathy, low laugh, clearly Swiss this time. You bit your lip to keep from giggling.

“I’m going to die,” Phantom mumbled, dragging the pillow over his head. “I just brought you here for the first time. And that’s what you get serenaded by.”

You chuckled, propping yourself up on one elbow to glance over at him. “Phantom, it’s fine.”

“It is not fine,” he groaned. “They never do this. That bed is so old it sounds like a haunted house. They must have planned this.”

You blinked. “You think they did this… on purpose?”

“I know they did.” He rolled over with a sigh of pure suffering. “Swiss winked at me this morning when I told him you were staying over. That was not a supportive wink. That was a ‘you’re gonna regret this’ wink.”

You snorted, then couldn’t stop laughing. “Okay, I have to admit, it’s kind of funny.”

Phantom stared at you, wide-eyed, like you’d betrayed him.“I mean,” you said, fighting giggles, “this is clearly their idea of baptizing the room. Like a proper chaotic blessing.”

“More like a curse,” he muttered. Still giggling, you leaned over to kiss his forehead. “I think it’s sweet they care enough to mess with you.”

“I think it’s harassment,” he said flatly.

The bed creaked again, much louder, followed by something suspiciously close to a thump. You gasped and covered your mouth, laughter shaking your shoulders. “Oh dear lord.”

“I’m going to throw myself out the window,” Phantom said into the mattress. You lay back beside him, letting your laughter taper into a grin. His cheeks were flushed red from embarrassment, but his eyes softened when you reached for his hand and laced your fingers together.

“You know,” you said slyly, “we could always get them back tomorrow night.”

Phantom peeked out from behind his pillow. “What do you mean?”

“Be really loud. Make our bed creak. See how they like it.”

For a moment he just stared at you, like he couldn’t believe what you’d said. And then, slowly, a wicked little smile curled over his lips. “Oh,” he said. “Oh, I love you.”

“I know,” you grinned.

The next day, Phantom was unusually focused.

Not on rehearsals. Not on his daily chores and certainly not on anything Dew or Swiss said to him. In fact, he avoided eye contact with them entirely, lest he lose the barely-contained grin threatening to split his face in two.

Because tonight?

Tonight was payback.

You’d agreed enthusiastically. You even winked at Dew when he passed by after lunch, letting just a hint of suspicion creep into his expression.

Let them stew in that for a while, you thought to yourself.

By bedtime, Phantom had done everything short of running a warm-up drill. The bed was pushed slightly closer to the wall. The wooden slats had been tested and when you showed up at his door in your comfiest sleep shirt with that devilish little spark in your eye, he nearly combusted.

You started slow whispering jokes under the covers, letting your hands wander, trading soft kisses until Phantom was red-faced and breathless. And when things began to heat up…

Creeeak.

You both froze — then snorted with laughter.

“I barely moved!” Phantom wheezed, burying his face in your shoulder. “Oh, don’t stop now,” you teased. “You’ve got a reputation to uphold.”

Phantom grinned against your skin, pulling back with a dramatic flourish. “For revenge,” he whispered, “I will be brave.” And brave he was. Every shift of his hips, every bounce of the mattress, every quiet moan you let slip it all echoed with purpose. It wasn’t all just theatrics and a performance. You also wanted to be this close to Phantom, kiss him, touch him, feel him inside you and you both did, maybe just a little louder than normally.

By the time the bed gave a particularly loud, rhythmic groan, you were both crying with silent laughter, barely able to breathe through the giddy haze of it all. Phantom’s face hovered close to your neck, finding it harder to hold himself up on his arms because of the laughter.

For a long time it was silent in the room next door, maybe they were not in their room, you thought to yourself.

But then—

“Oh fucking Satanas.”

Swiss’s muffled voice rang through the wall, somewhere between disbelief and horror. And the only thing you could do was bit down on your knuckles to stay quiet. Phantom choked, letting himself fall on your chest.

“That little SHIT.” Dew’s voice now, low, exasperated, and grudgingly impressed. “He planned this. He planned this.”

Phantom grinned like the sun. “Good evening, gentlemen,” he whispered with theatrical glee.

You tugged him close and whispered in his ear, “They’re never going to let you live this down.”

“Oh, I know,” he whispered back, nose brushing yours. “Isn’t it great?”

You grinned back up at him when he pushed himself back up on his hands, while you lifted your legs around his waist, finding the perfect spot. Phantom bucked his hips again, finding the amazing spot deep inside you, making your mouth fall open, a loud moan leaving your lips.

And then he kissed you like he’d waited forever to do it — not just sweet or teasing, but real and raw and proud. Because now this wasn’t just his room.

It was yours too.

And tonight, for the first time, it echoed with your laughter, your breath, your pleasure. It sounded like home and like a victory. It was a night you would never forget, and so would your next door neighbours.

The third night had started quietly, too quietly.

You and Phantom had curled up early, both still riding the high of your perfectly executed payback performance the night before. Phantom was all smug grins and warm skin, sleepily nuzzling into your shoulder with a pleased little sound every time you reminded him how much fun it had been.

“We’ll never top that,” he mumbled, half-asleep, “That was art.”

“Legendary,” you whispered, kissing his forehead, “Now we get to rest in pea—”

CREAK.

Your eyes opened.

“…was that us?” Phantom whispered. You both lay still, listening.

CREEAK. SQUEAK. THUMP. Followed by loud, exaggerated, near theatrical moaning.

“Ohhhh YES, RIGHT THERE—!” Swiss’s voice echoed through the wall like he was on stage at a matinee show.

You burst out laughing while Phantom let out the loudest groan of shame you’d ever heard and buried his head beneath the pillow.

“Not again,” he whispered, muffled and horrified. “No, no, no…”

“You’re so big, Swiss,” Dew shouted, clearly on a mission to obliterate any trace of peace in your room. “Satan, you’re gonna break the bed! Oh nooo!”

The creaking reached critical levels, causing the wall to rattle. Phantom whimpered in his pillow, “I swear they’re jumping up and down on purpose,” he hissed. “Swiss is definitely on the floor now. I know that man’s squatting for acoustics—”

“Phantom, baby, take NOTES!” Swiss yelled. “This is how grown-ups do it!”

Phantom launched his pillow at the wall, while you chocked in your own laughter. It was ridiculous, over-the-top, and so clearly staged that even the groans sounded fake. But it was also… kind of sweet, in the most chaotic, ghoulish way. This was their love language: mischief, teasing, the wild joy of being in the pack.

Phantom peeked out from under the blanket under which he wanted to get away from it all , cheeks flushed bright red.

“They’re never going to stop, are they?” he asked weakly. You leaned in, kissed the tip of his nose, and whispered, “Nope.”

And then from the other room:

“NOW WHO’S BLUSHING, PHANTOM?”

Your mate shrieked and you howled, your stomach starting to hurt from all the laughing, tears streaming down your cheeks.

The pack was full of chaos, full of love in all its strange, loud, embarrassing forms and for the first time, you were smack in the middle of it.

And honestly?

It felt like home.

Chapter Text

It was raining.

Not heavily — just a steady, whispering kind of rain that blurred the edges of the courtyard outside. Most of the abbey had gone quiet by now. The others were either at evening prayer or scattered in their rooms, tucked away from the late summer chill.

But Storm stood alone under the overhang near the old stone wall, water dripping from the curls at the ends of his dark hair, his coat soaked down the shoulders.

He wasn’t really watching the rain.

He was just… existing. Or trying to.

The summoning had been two weeks ago. Two weeks of waking up in a world that already felt full, like every inch of space had been taken before he arrived. The others were kind enough and curious but careful. But Storm saw the way they glanced at him sometimes, like they were still waiting to figure out who — or what — he really was.

He didn’t know either.

He crossed his arms tighter around himself and exhaled, fog curling into the air. Every breath felt heavy, like he had to earn it. Like nothing was really his yet — not his room, not his name, not even his own body, which still felt too new and raw, like skin still waiting to heal.

He hadn’t heard Mountain approach.

The tall ghoul didn’t speak right away, just stepped quietly beneath the overhang beside him, hands tucked into the sleeves of a loose sweater. His presence was calm, solid — like gravity, gently reminding the sky to stay down.

Storm didn’t look over. Didn’t have it in him.
“It’s loud in your silence,” Mountain said gently. “Want to let some of it out?”
Storm’s jaw clenched. His throat ached.

“I don’t know what I’m doing here,” he muttered. “Everyone else… fits. You, Phantom, the others. Even the ones who’re still awkward — at least they look like they belong.”

Mountain was quiet for a moment. Rain tapped softly against the stone.

“It’s hard to see the shape of something while it’s still forming,” he said. “Harder still when you think it’s supposed to look like everyone else.”

Storm pressed his knuckles against his mouth, trying to stop a sound from leaving his throat before he spoke
“I wake up and it’s like… I don’t recognize anything. I don’t know how to be this. A ghoul on this earth. A person. I feel like I’m standing in someone else’s life, and I’m going to wake up and find out I was a mistake.”

That cracked something. His voice wavered, just a little. Mountain turned his head slowly, studying him with that steady gaze — not probing, not demanding, just there.

Then, gently, Mountain stepped closer.
“You’re not a mistake,” he said. “You’re becoming. That’s never clean or painless.”

Storm’s shoulders trembled. Mountain reached out and rested a hand against his back — firm and grounding.

“You don’t have to rush it. And you don’t have to prove anything right now,” Mountain continued. “You’re allowed to be lost. We all needed time when we first arrived here. You’re allowed to hurt. But you’re here. You exist. And for now, that’s enough.”

Storm let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. His chest ached like he’d been carrying too much weight in silence.

Why are you being nice to me?” he asked, voice small.

Mountain’s expression softened. “Because I remember what it felt like.”

That quiet truth hit harder than any speech. Storm finally looked at him, eyes shining with the effort not to fall apart.

Mountain didn’t look away. Just opened his arms — an offer, not a demand.

For a moment, Storm hesitated, then stepped into him, letting himself fold into that embrace. Mountain held him steady, one hand against the back of his head, the other around his shoulders. No pressure, just warmth.

And for the first time in weeks, Storm let himself be held.
The rain kept falling and the abbey stayed quiet.

But in that hug, in Mountain’s strlng arms, something inside Storm began to settle.