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A sudden shuffle of slippers against the hardwood startles Mountain. He whips his head round, a deer in the headlights of the light emanating from Swiss’ phone.
With a hand up to his face, shielding his eyes, he asks, “What the fuck Swiss?! I could’ve had a knife in my hand, what do you think you’re do-” He’s silenced by a warm embrace from the multi ghoul.
“Tough night, bush baby?”
And just like that Mountain melts into Swiss’ touch. The other just has a way of talking that soothes him, reminds him he’s safe.
“Yeah, just a lot on my mind with my element ‘n stuff.” He admits, “Thought I escaped without disturbing you but clearly not, ‘m sorry.”
Swiss’ heart melts at the change in tone, pressing a chaste kiss to Mount’s hair before tousling it and letting go.
“You didn’t disturb me love, just woke up and wondered where you’d gone, it’s not like you.” It’s not. He’s always down by ten o’clock of an evening and up at five the next morning. With the change of season, a new year springing into life, it’s overwhelming for the earth ghoul. Each and every sprout, bulb, and flower creates a cacophony of noises, at best thunderous and at worst, frightening. “You wanted a snack?”
“Didn’t know where else to go,” he shrugs. “Would normally go to the greenhouse but,” he pauses, “but…”
“Yeah,” Swiss agrees. He doesn’t understand, but he doesn’t have to. Elemental chaos wreaks havoc on the best of ghouls. Just like heat cycles, the pack understands when concessions need to be made. For some, like Mountain and Rain, their elements are tied to the seasons. Cumulus and Cirrus really struggle on tour with the changing climates, it throws them out of kilter for whole legs sometimes, always chasing the relative peace of the Ministry’s atmosphere. Quintessence ghouls struggle awfully whenever new summons are around. The constant questioning and learning filters through their element and it can take years sometimes for it to die down. It’s why the Ministry prefers to transition ghouls sometimes instead of summoning new ones.
Wordlessly, Swiss makes his way to the cupboard, reaching out for various jars and cartons.
“Never had a midnight snack before.” Mountain confesses, turning his head away in shame. It doesn’t surprise the other ghoul but he feigns surprise for him anyway, gasping.
“What has the spring done to my pure, innocent flower? It’s like I don’t even recognise him anymore!” He drags out, dramatically flailing his arms as if he’s about to faint. “I’m only pulling your leg, Mount, I’m just excited for you to taste the Reese’s peanut butter cup sandwich experience.” He says with a smile. Mountain has a look of disdain on his face, secretly enamoured behind his disappointed exterior.
“I don’t even want to know.” He’s holding back a smile now, but determined to keep a straight face at least until he lays his eyes on the abomination Swiss is about to create.
“Oh but you do! You see it’s two slices of bread where you put chocolate spread on one and peanut butter on the other. Now,” he continues, narrating his actions, “you might be thinking, where’s the crunch?! Well, that’s where the cornflakes come in, you just sprinkle those in, put the slices together and bam!” He cheers at an unacceptable volume for two o’clock in the morning, “The sandwich is complete. Eat up baby!” Swiss gleams, holding the experience up to Mountain’s face.
A grimace plasters itself across the earth ghoul’s face, apprehension fuelled by a mild disgust for Swiss’ tastes, he only came down here for a mandarin. Before Swiss either forces it past Mountain’s lips or eats it himself, he decides to take a bite, the crunch reverberating through the kitchen.
Mountain’s eyes go wide before he takes a moment to clear his throat and neutralise his face once more, adamant he won’t let Swiss win. It’s too late, however, and Swiss is practically glowing with excitement, “I told you! It’s good, hmm?”
“If I say yes will you leave me alone with my midnight snack?”
“Not a chance, pretty boy, eat up!”
The unwavering excitement of his boyfriend never fails to rub off on Mountain, and he’s thankful for it every day. He makes quick work of the sandwich, offering the occasional bite to the creator, though he graciously declines, instead opting to lick the rogue spot of peanut butter off the earth ghoul’s nose once he’s done.
“Tastes much better on you.” He grins.
“I’m sure it does, baby.” Mountain blushes, “Now come on, I think the stodginess of your sandwich is sending me to sleep.” He adds, dragging Swiss by the arm, leaving the mess to whoever gets up first in the morning, it certainly won’t be either of them.