#and have nightmares of being in a dark loud lake

[feralhobbitthatlikesravens]

I wonder if fish dream

[sentientgolfball]

Devotion: Part 2

Part 1 here

oh boy nearly took me a month, but it's finally here !!

Read here or on Ao3

Pairing: Raindrop

WC: 15k

Summary: Before Dew could become fire he had to make sure the new water ghoul would fit the needs of the Ghost Project.

Dew looks around. It is dark. There is no landscape. The only sound is that of the breeze whistling around him. He looks down only to be met with the inky black depths of the lake. The water is rippling around his feet as he stands atop it. When he looks back up the silhouette with piercing red eyes is standing only a few feet away from him. Dew narrows his eyes. 

Why are you following me? He questions it. 

Like always, it just remains silent. He growls in frustration, taking a step towards it. 

Answer me! 

It stares at him. Dew walks across the water until he is standing right in front of it. He snaps his fangs. 

Tell me what you are! 

Nothing. 

He hisses, rearing back to strike when all of a sudden he feels something frigid at his feet. His head snaps down and he stares in horror as he begins to sink. He steps back from the thing but it only makes it worse. His leg plunges into the water. He struggles trying to keep himself above, but to no avail. He looks back at the thing as more of him goes under. 

Don’t just stand there! Do something! 

It watches him. 

It watches him as he falls into the water. It watches him as he begins to go under. Dew takes one more breath before he is pulled all the way in. He looks up at the surface as the depths of the lake drag him down, down, down. The thing cocks its head as he disappears. 

Dew wakes with a gasp, body tensing as he is suddenly thrown into consciousness. He blinks slowly, shifting around to get his bearings. He pauses when he hears a grumble. Right. He looks down at Rain, still fast asleep and pressed close in Dew’s little spoon. He looks peaceful. Regal. How he manages to look like a figure pulled straight from a painting even in sleep Dew will never know. But he is grateful for it. He is grateful for being such a light sleeper. It gives him something new to look forward to in his morning routine. Instead of wandering into the kitchen to scrounge for snacks while he waits for everyone to wake up, he gets to look at Rain without having to hide the way his eyes soften and the little blue blush that dusts his cheeks. 

Rain. 

The last dregs of his dream fade away as he thinks about everything that has happened in the last month and a half. He never would have guessed that violent water ghoul who popped out of the Pits with his fangs bared would let Dew hold him every night. He supposes it has something to do with the fact that they have spent pretty much every day together since his summoning. There is no more apprehension, at least for Dew, the others are still a work in progress. 

He knows when it all changed. When Rain stopped throwing his walls up around him. Dew was up late one night plucking away at a guitar Ifrit let him borrow. He figured a bit of practice before his elemental transition could not hurt, so when he was not busy teaching Rain bass he was teaching himself guitar. He had not been able to sleep, another one of those dreams had shaken him awake. Dew had just finished another scale when there was a soft knock at his door. He was a little surprised to see Rain standing there, but it made sense. He did share a wall with him after all. He had apologized, assuming he had been too loud. Rain just shook his head and asked if he could come in. Dew had suddenly felt nervous. It was the first time Rain had ever been in his room. He remembers feeling like the floor opened up under his feet when he asked Rain what was up and he cried. That was the night Dew learned about the nightmares. That was the night Dew learned why Rain was alone when he was summoned. That was the night Rain slept in his bed and never left. That was the night he swore to himself he would never see Rain cry again. 

He smiles to himself, tucking a piece of hair behind Rain’s finned ear while he sleeps. He also knows when something settled in his chest. They were supposed to be heading to the practice rooms to work more on bass basics, but first they had to stop at the library. Ifrit had asked Dew to take Zephyr their lunch. He would have done it himself, but he had gotten caught up helping the Siblings with one of the cows escaping. Dew chatted with Zephyr for a bit, asking them how things were going with Cumulus and Cirrus, but by the time he had turned around Rain was gone. Zephyr said they saw him wander off towards the bookshelves while they were talking. Dew went looking for him so they could leave. He had found him sitting on one of the couches near the stained glass window of the Morning Star offering Eve the apple. The sight had left him frozen in place. The midafternoon sun was streaming in, casting a rainbow of colors over the floor. Over Rain’s face. He did not even realize Dew was there. He had picked up a book and started reading while Dew was busy. He looked ethereal. Dew had felt his heart stop. He had never seen someone look so beautiful. They did not go to practice that day. Dew sat with him while he read, happy just to be close. 

That same feeling sits in his chest now. It never really went away once it made itself known. Dew is afraid to acknowledge it. He is not a kit, he knows what infatuation is. He knows that whatever it is is just that. Infatuation. He has been spending all his time with Rain of course that is what it is. He knows what love feels like. He loves Aether and Mountain. He knows he loves them because he has known them for so long. He cannot love Rain. Rain has barely existed Topside. He has not had the chance to find himself. Dew cannot just shove himself into Rain’s heart because he is infatuated. He sees the way Rain looks at Mountain on those rare occasions he sits with the pack. He will not stop him from finding something good just because he thinks about diving into the deepest part of the lake to find the most beautiful stone he can to leave on Rain’s night stand. He will not take away Rain’s chance to become his own person. 

But that will not stop him from stealing glances. From stealing moments like these. He can give in just a little, just enough to keep him sated. Just until Rain gets comfortable with the pack. Then Rain won’t need him anymore and he will be able to get over this stupid infatuation. Until then he is going to take every opportunity he has to admire the gift from Lucifer Himself. The proud jut of his nose, his sharp jawline, the way his lips slightly part when he is deep asleep. Dew cannot help but wonder what he tastes like. Wonder what those long, elegant fingers would look like wrapped around his—

He pauses. Blinks. Shakes his head. 

“Now is not the time to think with your dick Dewdrop,” he mutters to himself. 

His heart stops when he hears Rain hum and shift against him. He turns over, eyes slowly blinking open to look up at Dew. 

“You say something?” Rain yawns and rubs his eyes. 

Good job dumbass! 

“Huh?” 

“Nothing,” Rain shakes his head, “how long have you been up?” 

“Dunno. Probably like ten, fifteen minutes?” 

“Sorry to keep you waiting then.” 

“Don’t be. You need your beauty sleep. Something has to fix that face.” Dew grins at him. 

Rain laughs a little, returning his smile, “is that why you look like that?”

Dew huffs, staring down at him. He is suddenly painfully aware of how close they are. How he can feel Rain breathing. It would not take very much to lean forward and close the last bit of distance between them. He does not even realize he is leaning forward until he feels Rain’s hand on his hip. His eyes are still half lidded and hazy from sleep and Dew would be lying if he said did not feel his stomach twist. Fuck why is he so pretty? 

“Dew…” Rain whispers, voice raspy. 

Hearing his name snaps him out of it. No. No he cannot do this. If anything is ever to happen between them he has to let Rain choose to do it. He cannot just pounce on him the moment he wakes up. He cannot and will not put Rain in a situation where Dew is all he has. He deserves more than him. 

“We should go get breakfast before Multi eats it all.” Dew says as he slowly moves back. 

Rain stares at him for a moment before letting his hand fall from his hip, “Right.” 

Dew untangles himself from the bed, stretching with an obnoxious yawn and a sickening crack of his back. He is doing the right thing. He has to be right? That is why it makes his chest feel tight. Because the right thing is always the hard thing. He flexes his jaw and tries not to dwell on it while he checks his reflection in the mirror. His braid is not too messed up from sleep so he decides to just leave it. The skin around his gills and fins looks a little dry so he roots around in the top drawer of his dresser for his bottle of lotion. He makes a satisfied chirp when he finds it. It is something Biggs started making for all the water ghouls. His own blend of herbs that hydrate the skin without irritating it. Dew does not know the quiet earth ghoul very well, but he has never been more thankful for him. 

He applies a thin sheen over the driest spots before turning around, “You need some—“

He stops when he sees Rain dressed in a hoodie and sweatpants instead of the silk tank top and shorts he slept in. If Rain changed clothes that can only mean one thing. He wants to go with Dew to the kitchen instead of having him bring food back. It is rare that he does this, and even more so that he does it without Dew asking him to. This is probably like the second time he has willingly wanted to. 

“You ready?” Rain asks, shoving his hands into the pocket of the hoodie. 

Dew can still hear the undertone of nervousness even if he wears a cool expression. He is still so proud of him. Nothing makes him happier than the little moments Rain has where he shows he is starting to warm up to the rest of the pack. In all honesty he was worried it would never happen, especially after Rain told him how he ended up alone in the Pits. The story is pretty similar to his own actually. Though the reasons are different. Rain was chased out of his family’s territory and nearly lost his life in the process. Dew was chased out of his lake because he was a runt. He could not provide anything of use to his school and they got rid of him. Rain was chased out because he was tired of his parents trying to control him after years of leaving him to his own devices. He was the youngest of seven siblings from a noble water ghoul family. His parents paid him no mind until he was old enough to inherit his own territory to control and suddenly they would not leave him alone. He wanted nothing to do with them and they did not take kindly to that. Dew could not blame him if he never got comfortable with the pack after that. It took Mist months to get him to stop hiding in his room when he was new. But here Rain is, willingly trying to open himself up to the others. Dew hopes he knows how strong he is. How proud he is. But most of all he hopes one day Rain is comfortable with everyone. Dew wants to bask in the glow of everyone he cares about.

 He grins and closes the lotion, placing it back in the drawer, “Let’s go.” 

Dew twines his tail with Rain’s as they walk, hoping to soothe some of the fear rolling off him thick enough to taste. Thankfully when they turn to the corner the kitchen is relatively empty. Mountain, Aether, and Cumulus are the only ones that seem to be out and about. Seeing her makes his fins twitch. If she was around that meant Cirrus probably is not far behind. He would rather she not show up. He cannot focus on making sure Rain is not freaking out if he is scared shitless. 

Cumulus is the first to notice them enter, turning on her bar stool to look at them. She smiles and gives them a little wave. Dew returns the gesture, tail flicking back and forth. He does not know much about Cumulus, just like Rain she seems to prefer to stay in the safety of her room. Well not her room, but rather Cirrus’. He knows those two are mates, for how long he has no idea. But he knows that if Cirrus was the leader of their flock that means Cumulus more than likely helped run it as well, that is if air ghouls work anything like water ghouls. 

Even if she is a bit more reserved like Rain, she is much more willing to get to know her new pack than he is. Dew has noticed that when he visits Mountain in the greenhouse during the day she is hanging around. How he manages to get the attention of all four of the new summons Dew will never know, but he would like to steal some of that power. Big greedy bastard. 

As if on cue, Mountain looks up from where is cutting some fruit. His ears perk up when he realizes Rain is with Dew. Rain tries not to acknowledge anyone, sitting down at one of the empty spots at the table. He sits in the chair farthest from the one Aether is in, keeping his gaze locked on the floor. Aether pays him no mind and continues to stare at his crossword, though Dew notices the way his tail begins to slowly wag back and forth. Big guy never was good at hiding how he is feeling. 

“And what’s on the menu today dear chef?” Dew asks, taking a seat next to Rain. 

“Fruit bowls and oatmeal.” Mountain says, packing some apple slices into a nearby bowl. 

“Did you get my—“

“Yes I got your blueberries. Freshly picked this morning.” 

“Mountain ghoul I’d suck your dick if we weren’t at the breakfast table.” 

“Dew.” Mountain warns, cleaning off the knife in the sink. 

“What? She thought it was funny.” He gestures to Cumulus fighting back a smile. 

“Good to know breakfast is the one place you won’t suck someone’s dick.” Aether replies in an even tone, still staring at his crossword. 

Dew hisses and tosses a sugar packet at him. He grins though when he hears the faintest laugh coming from Rain. It is a sound he holds so close to his heart. One he does not get to hear often. Every laugh, every smile, every snarky comment is another sign Rain is getting comfortable here. Even if that were not the case, Dew still thinks that sound would still make his chest tight. Nothing makes him happier than knowing someone he cares about is happy. He catches Rain’s eye and grins at him, nudging him with his foot under the table. 

“Alright everything’s ready.” Mountain sets two bowls in front of Cumulus before doing the same for the rest of them. Dew smacks his ass when he turns around to grab his own bowls. 

Dew notices Rain staring at the oatmeal, nose twitching. He stirs it before lifting the spoon and letting some of the slimy chunks fall with a splat back down into the bowl. 

“Try the fruit.” Dew pops a blueberry into his mouth before pushing the container closer to him. 

Rain follows suit, choosing a blueberry out of the mix of apples, strawberries and banana slices. He rolls it between his fingers for a moment before placing it in his mouth. Dew does not miss the way his finned ears perk up when he chews it. He tries each of the other fruits, completely abandoning the oatmeal. Dew tries not to stare while he eats his own breakfast, but he does make a mental note of which he has the strongest reaction to. He will have to ask Mountain to keep a stock of strawberries in the fridge from now on. 

His attention is stolen though when Aether lets out a frustrated huff, tossing his pen down, “I give up.” 

“What’s the matter?” Dew asks around a mouthful of fruit. 

“I can’t figure out this word for the life of me.” Aether stabs a fork into his own fruit bowl. 

Dew reaches across the table to pick up the discarded crossword. He scans the paper, looking at the little boxes already filled with Aether’s neat handwriting. 

“What the fuck is lupus?” Dew furrows his brow at the different words he does not recognize. He can feel Rain looking at it with him over his shoulder. 

“An autoimmune disease that makes the body attack itself,” Aether supplies. 

Dew wrinkles his nose and tosses the paper back down. 

“Prevaricate,” Rain murmurs, “An eleven letter word for avoiding the subject or acting evasive.” 

The room falls into silence at the sound of his deep voice. Aether and Dew blink at him before the former picks the crossword back up. Aether stares at it before scribbling the word down. Dew grabs his hand under the table and gives it a squeeze. 

“It fits. How did you know that?” Aether looks back up at him. 

He squeezes Dew’s hand back. He flushes, keeping his eyes locked on the table, “I read a lot.” He shrugs. 

Aether smiles at him but it is nothing in comparison to the way Dew beams. He has to resist the urge to just wrap his arms around him and crush him to his chest. The moment they are alone together though all bets are off. 

They fall back into a comfortable routine, Aether and Dew carrying a conversation while Rain listens. Mountain is sitting with Cumulus on the bar stools, occasionally interjecting when he overhears something interesting. It is nice. It is one of those moments that makes Dew feel at home. Makes him realize this is everything he has ever wanted. The only thing that could take his new life is death itself. 

A knock at the door interrupts the easy morning. Mountain hops up and walks over to answer it, hooves clipping on the hardwood floor. He opens the door to see Cardinal Copia wringing his hands. 

“Sorry if I am interrupting. May I eh come in?” 

Mountain steps aside to let him in, gesturing with his hand, “No need to apologize Cardinal.” 

“Is Dewdrop around?” 

His finned ear twitches at the sound of his name. He pats Rain’s leg before standing from the kitchen table and heading to the common room. He has no idea what Copia could possibly want. He is only ever summoned by Clergy members when he gets into trouble, but he has been so busy teaching Rain bass and trying to learn guitar that he has not had time to screw around with Pebble. He swears to the Lords Below that if that little fucker pinned something on him he will drown his weed crop. 

“Cardinal.” Dew crosses his arms over his chest. 

“Dewdrop!” 

“What do you want?” 

“Sister Imperator wishes to see you. She has news about your proced—“

“That’s great! Awesome, let's go right now!” He says louder than necessary, cutting off his words. He walks past him, bumping his shoulder into him as he leaves the den. He can feel Mountain staring at the back of his head. 

He does not want to talk about the elemental transition in front of Mountain or Aether, let alone two new summons. Especially Rain. He knows the former are not thrilled about his decision. The fight from weeks ago when he first told Mountain still pierces his thoughts late at night. He knows they are not going to stop him even if they wish they could, but that does not mean he needs to bring it up. He is not stupid, he sees the way they look at him like he has a timer above his head. He knows they are convinced he is going to die, but he is too stubborn to admit their fear is probable. 

But maybe not entirely. There is a reason he has not said a word to any of the new summons, even Rain. He is confident he will be fine, but he would rather be safe than sorry. He would rather know his new pack with smiles if he is to know them for only a short time. He does not want to see the hurt and betrayal he saw in Mountain and Aether’s eyes. But he won’t die. He will be fine and he can rub it in their faces. He will be fine. 

Copia eventually catches up to him, boots clicking against the floor. He falls into step with Dew, walking by his side. Dew ignores him. He knows the way to Imperator’s office well enough. He can feel him looking at him though, eyes flicking over every so often. Dew speeds up every so slightly. He really does not want to hang around with Copia. At least this time he seems smart enough to keep his mouth shut. The walk is not long and soon enough the two are outside  the ornate doors of Imperator’s office. Dew nods at the two ghoulettes standing on each side before pushing it open and stepping inside. It always catches him off guard how fancy it is. Black furniture with gold inlays, statues and paintings depicting the Morning Star, Lady Lilith, and Baphomet, and a gorgeous stained glass window of the Serpent behind her chair. He would actually like spending time in here if not for the feeling of unease he gets from her.

Sister Imperator’s head snaps up, “Ah Dewdrop. So glad you could come.” 

“Well not like I had a choice since you sent the rat for me.” He stands a few feet in front of her desk. 

She hums, “So does that mean you’re not interested in hearing what I have to tell you? I’m sure the Cardinal told you why I called you here.” 

He huffs and sits at one of the chairs across from her desk, “Of course I do.” 

“Excellent,” she smiles, “First off, I am very impressed with how far our new water ghoul has come in such a short time. You’ve done very well.” 

Dew shrugs, running a hand up his forearm to soothe the twitch he feels in his fins. 

“Omega has informed me that there will be a solar storm some time next week. After discussing it with him and Special we believe this will be the perfect time for your ritual.” 

He can feel his heart fall to his stomach, “You’re serious?” 

“As a heart attack. While we’re…reluctant. To try to change a ghoul’s element again we will not deny you the opportunity to become closer to the Old One.” 

“In a week?” 

She nods, “In a week. I can’t tell you when exactly, but Omega said he would come to collect you.” 

This is it. It is finally happening. He made deals and did his work and now he is finally getting what he wants. So why does he feel sick to his stomach? Imperator keeps talking but he does not hear a word she says. One week. He has one more week of being water before fire will run through his veins. 

He has one week left to live. 

No. No he cannot think like that not now. But now it is real. Now it is not just a hypothetical, a hope the Clergy would listen to him. Now it is happening. Fuck what if everyone was right? What if he does not walk away from this? There is a reason why elemental transitions are just ghoul mythology. Because nobody is dumb enough to try it. In order for it to work a ghoul has to be wholly consumed by the element they desire, right down to their core. Then they have to hope their body is willing to adapt to house the new element. To survive. Delta is the only ghoul Dew knows who has actually gone through with one and look what happened to him. Dew may not have known him when he was a water ghoul, but he could guarantee he did not have those void like eyes. All he does is hang around the morgue and the cemetery, talking to himself while bolts of raw quintessence make his body twitch. Is that what is going to happen to him? Is he going to be lost if he survives? 

He could back out. He could back out right now and continue living as a water ghoul. Who is he kidding? No he cannot. Just the thought makes me feel strange. He knows he wants this, knows he is willing to take the risk to become fire. That and he has no idea what they would do with Rain. Rain is only here because Dew wants to change. If he backs out now…he does not want to think about that. Rain is already amazing on bass, he will be better than Dew in no time. And he deserves this chance. He deserves this chance to become something Topside. He is talented and Dew could not bare the thought of letting him get thrown to the side because he chickened out of his own idea. 

“Dewdrop are you listening to me?” Imperator’s voice snaps him out of his thoughts. 

“Yeah yeah I got it. Next week.” He stands from the chair and begins walking to the door. 

He stares at the floor as he walks, too lost in his mind to notice the body in front of him. That is until he slams into them. He looks up right as the doors to Imperator’s office swing shut behind him. His snarl quickly melts away when he sees who it is. 

“Multi? Fuck are you doing here?” 

There is a strange look in his eye as he scans Dew, almost like he is looking for something. In a split second his face falls into the usual laid back expression he normally wears, “I was just around and saw you. Figured I’d come bug you.” 

There is a beat of silence where they just stare at each other. Multi clears his throat. 

“So what were you doing in Imperator’s office? I never see you this far from our little fishy.” 

He could tell him. He could tell him right now what is going to happen to him. He will not though. Multi does not have many memories with Dew and he will not taint what is there with a deadline. 

Wait. 

Memories. 

Dew can almost feel the lightbulb glow above his head. He needs to go find River and Lake. 

“Multi do me a favor.” 

“Yeah what’s up?” 

“If anyone asks you where I am, you don’t know.” Dew turns down the hallway and quickly begins walking.

“What? Where are you—“

“You don’t know!” Dew calls back. 

“But I don’t know!” He watches as Dew turns a corner and disappears. He blinks dumbfounded at the empty space where Dew was moments ago. 

Dew has a feeling he knows where River and Lake may be and he is not going to waste a second in executing his idea. Not when his seconds might be limited. It takes everything in him not just to sprint all the way to the bathing pools. Really the only thing stopping him is how far they are from Imperator’s office. He walks the halls as quickly as he can though, breezing past Siblings without even offering a nod in acknowledgment. Art and architecture blend together as he lets muscle memory take over, guiding his feet while he thinks about what to say to them. 

Before he knows it, he is outside of the smoky glass doors that lead to the bathing pools. He pulls them open and walks inside, sighing when the humidity hits him. He has always loved this place. His old soaking tub and the lake have nothing on the frosted glass ceiling and walls, the deep pools carved into the stone floors, the racks of homemade soaps and fluffy towels, and the scent from the various plants hanging around. Sure as a Papal ghoul he gets his own dorm and his own bathroom, but the bathing pools feel like the home he should have had in the Pits. Ghouls lounging around, relaxing and grooming each other. Caring for each other. 

The comfort of this place stops the fast pace flow of his thoughts, but he still has his mission. He scans the large room until he spots the two ghouls he is looking for. In the farthest corner he sees Lake working soap into River’s long hair while they both soak in the water. He grins, figuring he can indulge just a bit he quickly shucks his clothes off and dives into the pool. His fins were a little dry when he woke up, he needs to soak anyways. 

He can feel the tension leave his body the moment his is submerged, a line of bubbles leaving his mouth as he sighs underwater. He ignores the handful of other ghouls, kicking his legs to get closer and closer to his targets. When they are within reach he pokes his head out of the water, half his face still submerged. 

“Hello Dewdrop.” River greets without opening his eyes. 

He stands up, water rippling around him, “How’d you know?” 

“Who else is going to make that loud of an entrance?” Lake cocks an eyebrow at him. 

“I dunno,” he shrugs, “it could’ve been Ifrit. Or maybe Chain?” 

“You know as well as I do that Ifrit only comes down here to have sex with Zephyr.” Lake cups some water to rinse River’s hair. 

“And Chain doesn’t bathe.” River tilts his head back. 

“Fair point,” Dew brushes some of his wet hair off his face, “I have a favor to ask.” 

River sighs, “Can’t Aether suck your dick? Or what about that new water ghoul, oh what’s his name…Rain!” 

Dew blushes blue from his cheeks to the tips of his ears, “What? I don’t? I’m not even…that’s not what I’m here for.” 

Lake and River glance at each other. The former has to hold back a smile, “Relax. I was just messing with you.” 

Dew huffs. 

“What do you want?” Lake leans back against the edge of the pool. 

“Would you. Perhaps. Clean out the gazebo by the lake for me?”

Dew can see the sudden intrigue on both of their faces. He hopes and prays to the Lords Below they do not ask any questions, even though he knows they will. Nosy, gossipy bitches. 

“The gazebo huh? Any particular reason we should take time out of our day to do that?” Lake narrows his eyes. 

“Trying to shirk off chores?” River tilts his head. 

“No. It’s not…the reason isn’t important just, will you do it?” Dew’s tail flicks, causing droplets of water to go flying. 

“So you want us to do this and you won’t even tell us why? I don’t know Dewdrop. I think our schedule might be full,” Lake lilts. 

Dew groans, “Seriously?” 

They both stare at him. 

“Fine. But breathe a word of this and I’ll kill you,” he sinks a little lower in the water, “I’m…I want to take Rain out there.” 

“A date!” River’s eyes light up. 

“No! This is not a date or courting or any shit like that. I just…want to do something nice. Show him I’m proud of how far he’s come in a month.” 

That is all this. Showing Rain that he cares about him, but also to give him good memories of Dew. If his time with Rain may end in a week he has to make sure Rain only has good memories. Aether and Mountain have a year's worth of things to look back on, good and bad, but Rain? Rain does not have much and Dew needs to change that incase he does not rise from the flames. He will have his time with Aether and Mountain, but he needs to make sure Rain is taken care of first. He needs to. 

“Alright Dew,” the corner of Lake’s mouth twitches up, “we’ll do it. But you owe us a favor we can cash in at any time.” 

“Deal.” Dew nods. How bad can their favor be? 

“When do you need it done by?” River asks. 

“Well we have practice and that takes a while usually,” Dew pauses and glances at the clock hung by the doors, “oh fuck practice!” 

He swims to the edge of the pool and practically launches himself out of the water. He is so very late. With a flick of his wrist he pulls all the wetness off his body, dry in an instant. He runs across the stone floor, gathering his discarded clothes. 

“Dew what about the time?” Lake calls. 

“I don’t know! Just text me when you’re done!” He yanks his shirt over his head, stumbling over his half put on pants. 

He bolts out of the bathing pools, running down the halls of the Ministry to the practice room. He hopes Rain is there. He hopes he does not think he forgot. The last thing he needs right now is for Rain to be upset with him. He does not have time for a fight. He does not have time to fix things. 

He throws open the doors to the practice room when he arrives, not caring how loud the sound of metal hitting metal is. He pauses in the doorway to catch his breath as he pants heavily. He can feel the sweat on his hairline, down his back, and soaking his shirt. When he finally raises his head, he spots Rain near the racks of instruments with his back turned towards Dew. Dew straightens before bounding over to him. 

“I am so sorry I’m late. There was a thing with Imperator and—“ 

“It’s fine.” Rain grabs his bass and turns away from Dew. 

He snaps his mouth shut and blinks, eyes tracking as Rain moves to the spot they usually practice in. He sighs and grabs one of the back up basses and joins him. 

“I really am sorry.” Dew twines their tails together when he’s close enough. 

“I said it’s fine. I understand you have other things to do.” Rain looks at him with a blank expression. 

Scents never lie. 

Dew swallows, “Let’s get started then.” 

He is not going to push it. He does not want to make Rain more upset by pointing out the fact he’s lying. He hopes that maybe once they fall into the routine of practice it will help lift the mood. He knows Rain has every right to be unhappy with him, but that does not stop the itch in his fins. The need to make things right, explain himself over and over again until it begins to sound like excuses. 

There is no conversation as they both tune. The only sound that fills the practice room are random, scattered notes. The tension is so thick Dew feels like he is choking on it. He wants to do something, but words are not exactly his strong suit. He has to break down the wall somehow though. The tip of his tail flicks back and forth as he thinks while his hands work on autopilot. 

He zones out when Rain begins to warm up, the scales they have done over and over as background noise to his thoughts. He watches him as he goes, watches his lithe fingers pluck at the strings, though he is not really paying attention. That is, until an idea forms in his head. He quickly discards his own bass, stepping closer to Rain. 

“Ready for today's lesson?” He crosses his arms. 

Rain just nods. 

Dew grins, “You’re gonna learn Year Zero.” 

This piques Rain’s interest, eyebrows raising, “You said I shouldn’t learn any actual songs yet and to focus on basics.” 

“Aw come on, that was like a month ago. Besides, you’re not doing it alone. I’ll teach you. It’s not that hard.” 

Rain looks at Dew, looks over at his bass, and then back at Dew. 

“Just trust me.” Dew opens the laptop that is hooked up to the sound system and scrolls through the files until he finds what he is looking for. 

“Ready?” Dew flashes his fangs. 

Rain tenses but does not protest. Dew takes it as his sign to continue. He clicks the mouse and the track begins to play. He bounds back over to him, coming up behind him. He grabs Rain’s hands, pressing close. 

“Dew what are you—“

“Trust me.” 

He places Rain’s hand where they need to start. He stands on his toes to hook his chin over his shoulder to watch. He keeps time with his tail, letting it flick back and forth as he counts in his head. He can feel Rain’s breathing pick up ever so slightly. When the bass comes in Dew moves Rain’s hands, pressing down just enough to make sure he gets the hint. 

“See not so bad,” Dew says directly in his ear so that he hears him over the music. He can feel Rain swallow before he nods his head. 

It really is not a difficult song. That or Rain really is a prodigy. As he gets comfortable, Dew is in control less and less. At this point he is more of a weight on Rain’s hands than anything. Until they get to the bridge. Dew squeezes his hands, taking over once more as the pattern changes. Rain easily lets him guide him. 

“Good job,” Dew says in his ear again, “very good job.” 

Rain leans back, practically sagging against him. Now it is Dew’s turn to tense as he feels something stir deep in his stomach. In hindsight maybe pressing this close to the person he is actively trying to not have feelings for was not the smartest idea. Thankfully though the song ends before Dew’s problem can poke Rain in the back. A little longer and he is sure there would have been a bulge he could not hide. 

He drops Rain’s hands and steps back from him as the static from the end echoes around them. Dew knocks their horns together before going over to the laptop and stopping the track. 

“I think maybe we should start working on some actual songs,” Dew looks over the top of the screen and smiles at him, “you really got into it.” 

“Thank,” Rain clears his throat, “thank you.” 

He cannot see his face from the way he ducks his head, dark curls obscuring his expression. However, the slightly higher pitch of his voice tells Dew everything. There is definitely a stupid little grin on his face. That is all Dew wanted. Knowing he was able to make Rain smile instead of making his mood worse makes him giddy. After everything that has happened in just a few hours, this is exactly what Dew needed. 

“What do you wanna do today?” Dew asks as he walks closer. 

Rain blinks at him, “We’ve been here for maybe 20 minutes.” 

“Okay? I’ll teach you how to play by yourself tomorrow. Come on, we can do whatever you want.” 

“Whatever I want?” Rain raises an eyebrow. 

“Anything. I wasted plenty of your time by being late so…yeah anything you want.” Dew shrugs. 

Rain hums, the corner of his mouth twitching up, “How about the lake then?” 

Son of a bitch. 

“Okay anything except for the lake.” 

“Oh come on Dew.” 

“No really! River is in heat and you do not wanna see what he and Lake get up to out there trust me.” He hopes his grimace is convincing enough. 

Rain hums, “Fine. Since the lake is off limits I want you to model for me.” 

How is it that Rain picks the things Dew really does not want to do? This is not the first time Rain has asked Dew to be his model, but this time Dew has no reason to refuse. It is not that he does not want to, it is more so he feels odd knowing Rain would be looking at every detail of his face and body. Dew does not even like having his picture taken outside of uniform, let alone letting someone sit and sketch him for who knows how long. But he cannot deny Rain. Not after promising they would do whatever he wants. 

“Alright,” Dew sighs, “I’ll be your model.” 

Rain smiles, nudging him gently when he passes him to put his bass back on the rack. Dew follows suit, picking up his bass where he left it and putting it away. 

“So what’s the plan? We head back to your room?” Dew stuffs his hands into his pockets. 

Rain shakes his head, “I have a spot in mind. Trust me.” He mimics Dew. 

Dew rolls his eyes with a grin. He can be such a snarky little thing when he wants to be. But that is what is fun about spending time with him. He gets to see parts of his personality that have been locked behind basic survival instincts for who knows how long. It always makes him wonder what else there is to learn about Rain. Who is Rain? 

This particular activity is one Dew does not know very well and he is happy to learn more, even if he does not like the thought of being his muse. Rain is an artist, always has been from the handful of stories he has been told. In the Pits before everything went to shit, he would spend his free time creating. Though water ghoul art is very different from what would be considered traditional. Everything is on the more physical side; sculptures, mosaics made of the finest gems, and impressive architecture carved into stone. It is complex and truly something to behold. 

As they leave the practice room, heading to wherever Rain is leading them, Dew pulls out his phone. He needs to prepare part two of his plan. He opens his thread with Mountain, hoping he actually has his phone on him. 

I need a favor

About a minute goes by before Mountain starts typing. 

I’m trying to teach Multi how to cook. I'm sure Aether or Ifrit would love to sext. 

Can’t a guy ask for favors without everyone thinking it’s about sex????

:|

I’m serious oh whatever I wanted to ask whenever you’re done with dinner if you could pack up mine and Rain’s

Not a problem. I hope pumpkin gnocchi and Italian sausage sounds good. 

It sounds great just don’t let Multi burn the Ministry down

Dew closes his phone and shoves it back into his pants pocket. Everything he needs is in motion. Now all he has to do is wait for sunset. In the meantime, he picks his pace up just enough to walk beside Rain instead of tailing a little behind him. They walk the halls in comfortable silence to an area Dew is not that familiar with. Though, he does have an idea where Rain is going now. When they come face to face with a wooden door at the end, Dew knows he is correct. 

Rain opens the door and they enter. It is a small room, not really used for anything except for storage. However, there are a lot of old art supplies that are kept here alongside extra furniture. Dew really has no idea what this place used to be used for, an old classroom maybe? Before the dedicated section for new Sibling studies was built. He glances over at Rain and his heart flutters at the pure joy on his face. The tips of his fangs are poking out from his lips and there is a twinkle in his eye Dew has only ever seen once before. The first time they discovered this room. 

Dew had been showing Rain around, a grand tour of the Ministry as he called it. They had come across this place when Dew took a wrong turn to get to the library. Rain asked what was behind the door and Dew had shrugged and said why not find out. The sketch pads, pencils, and colored pencils immediately had caught Rain’s eye. When Dew explained what he knew of human art that was probably the happiest he had seen Rain at the time. It had made Dew so happy that he skipped the library and took him straight to the actual art room. 

“So why are we here instead of the art room?” Dew drags the tip of his finger through some dust. 

“This is why.” Rain walks over to the farthest window and opens the blind all the way. Afternoon sunlight streams into the room. He does not stop there though. Next Rain pulls the cover off of one of the furniture lumps, the one directly in the path of the beams of light. Dew sneezes from the dust flying through the air. Under the tarp is a gorgeous looking lounging couch. The velvet is a deep royal blue that is perfectly accented by the polished wooden frame. It is intricately carved with a floral motif. Dew blinks at it. 

“I’ve been wanting to use this in a piece since I discovered it,” Rain brushes his hand over the back cushion, “and now I finally can.” 

The sparkle in Rain’s eye steals Dew’s breath away. Suddenly his reservation about being his model disappears, “How…how do you want me?” 

Rain smiles at him before extending his hand. Helpless to his call, Dew takes it, letting Rain guide him to sit down on the lounging couch. Dew blinks up at him. 

“All I want you to do is look out the window. Otherwise just sit naturally,” Rain says in a quiet voice. 

He squeezes Dew’s hand before dropping it, walking around the other side of the couch to grab a sketch pad and pencil. While his back is turned Dew does what he says. He brings his legs up to extend beside him. He rests his elbow on the arm of the couch, propping his chin on his palm as he turns to look out the window. He gets a clear view of the gardens from here. The flowers are in full bloom, the early spring sun helping them open. A light breeze rustles the hedges and trees. He can make out the shape of some ghouls and Siblings, tending to the flower beds. He thinks it is…

“Beautiful,” Rain breathes. 

Dew’s ear twitches at the sudden sound of his voice, “what?” 

“You’re beautiful Dewdrop.” His eyes trace every line of Dew’s face. 

Dew blushes blue and turns to look back outside. It is better than looking at the way Rain is looking at him right now. Like he is something precious. Something valuable. 

“Just…don’t take forever.” 

Rain is right though. Dew is beautiful. The sunlight glints off his soft blue scales, making them shine like angelite. It catches in the webbing of his ears, almost making them appear translucent. It makes his white hair practically glow, like snow banks on a sunny day. But most beautiful of all is the way the warmth of the rays makes him relax. He looks calm, peaceful in a way not many get to see. He will never believe he is as beautiful as Rain says, but it still makes his heart flutter. 

Out of the corner of his eye he sees Rain take a seat on a stool. The sound of pencil scratching on paper begins to fill the room. He can practically feel everytime Rain looks up at him. It feels like how he looked at him the day he was summoned. Intense. It makes him wonder what was going through his head that day. It makes him wonder what is going through his head now. He wishes he was not so hard to read. 

Dew tries to stay focused on the scene outside, but the comfortable warmth from the sun coupled with the even sound of Rain drawing makes his eyes droop. He jumps a little as he begins to nod off. 

“Stay still,” Rain murmurs. 

Dew just hums, blinking hard a few times to fight off the drowsy feeling prickling in his brain. It is a losing battle though. After a while Rain begins to hum as he works. It is a tune Dew recognizes. One from the Pits. One he has not heard since he was small. He never would have guessed oceanic water ghouls have the same songs as freshwater ghouls. That is his last coherent thought before he closes his eyes and sleep takes over. 

He does not dream. It is light and peaceful. He really had not even noticed he fell asleep until Rain shook his shoulder, calling his name. He groans, swatting his hand away before cracking his eyes open. He sits up slowly, hissing at the sore feeling in his neck. He looks out the window to see the sun has shifted, closer to the Western horizon as She prepares to set. He turns back to Rain with a furrow in his brow. 

He yawns and smacks his lips, “how long was I out?” 

“Long enough for me to finish.” 

“Well don’t just stand there, let me see it.” 

“No.” Rain smiles, turning from Dew to pack up the sketch pad. 

“No? Fuck you mean no, I posed here for like hours.” He stands from the lounging couch and cracks his back. 

“You’ll see it when I’m done.” 

“You literally just said—“ 

“Yeah I’m finished with the sketch. I’m going to paint it. I’ve been wanting to figure out what water colors are.” 

“And how long is that going to take?” 

“I don’t know. First I have to get my hands on some and then I have to experiment with them. I am not going into this without at least testing them out. I want it to look good.” 

What Rain does not know is Dew does not have time. He is not going to be this pretty blue for much longer. He cannot even begin to imagine what he may look like if he survives the ritual. Will Rain have to do another sketch? Will Rain even want to paint him? 

Will Rain still think he is beautiful? 

He has been so concerned on hiding it from the new summons, so concerned with whether he will live or not, that he did not even think about what he will look like. How he will physically change. What will happen to his fins? His gills? His hair? His skin? Will he look like Alpha or Ifrit or will it be obvious that there is something wrong. Like Delta. 

He crosses his arms over his chest, subtly trying to soothe his fins so they do not flare. He hopes by the time they walk back to the den Mountain will have dinner finished. He is more than ready to take Rain out to the lake. 

“I’m sure whatever you make is gonna look great.” Dew walks over to him. 

“Oh yeah?” The corner of Rain’s mouth twitches up. 

Dew nods, “Well yeah. You’re an artist aren’t you?” 

“You never know I could be a really shitty artist.” He holds the door open for him. 

“Well I could know if you just. Show me that sketch.” 

“Not going to happen.” 

“Worth a shot.” 

Rain laughs quietly and twines his tail with Dew’s as they walk. About halfway back to the den Dew feels his phone vibrate. He pulls it out of his pocket to see River has texted him. He glances at Rain before turning the brightness down. Rain may not necessarily have a grasp on human technology yet, but that does not mean he cannot read. He would hate to have his surprise ruined because he looked over his shoulder. He taps on the message after adjusting the way he is holding his phone. 

Youre all set for tonight Dewy~

Thanks hope it wasn’t too fucked up

Oh dont worry about that. We had fun fixing it up for you. Rain is going to love it <3

He hopes he does. He would really hate to have sold his soul to those two sirens for Rain to laugh at him. That begs the question though, what took them so long? There is no way they would have had fun if it was so messed up it took them all day to clean it. He shoves his phone back into his pocket without replaying. What did those two get up to? 

Guess he will find out soon because the next thing he knows they are standing outside of the heavy wooden doors of the ghoul den. He pushes them up and walks inside ahead of Rain. The smell of pumpkin and spiced meat hits him the moment he enters. He sniffs the air, sighing as he takes it in. Suddenly he is very aware of how hungry he is. Oh he hopes Multi did not fuck up dinner because he needs to eat. Though considering the first thing he sees when stepping into the common room is Multi and Mountain lounging on the loveseat, he can only assume he did a good job. Mountain would not have let him live otherwise. There is a reason Dew will not learn how the oven works. 

“Oh there you are,” Multi greets from where he is sitting, “I see you finally found our little fishy after running off to do whatever it is you were doing.” 

Dew shoots him a warning glare. He only flashes his fangs at him with that grin that seems to never leave his face. Thankfully Rain does not acknowledge the jab. Probably too concerned with the two other ghouls in the room to even care. This is the only time Dew will ever be grateful for his anxieties. 

“So how’d cooking lessons go? I see the place is still standing.” Dew walks over and leans over the back of the loveseat. Rain follows, but hangs back. 

Mountain chuckles, reaching up to run his hand through Dew’s hair, “Dinner went fine. Multi is a quick learner.” 

“What can I say? I had an excellent teacher.” He shrugs with his signature smile. 

Dew scoffs softly, “I’ll be the judge of that. If this tastes like shit I’m using your allowance to get something.” 

He pushes off the back of the loveseat, turning around towards Rain. It is only then he truly realizes that Rain is actually dressed while Dew is still in the shirt and black sweatpants he slept in. Curse Copia for deciding breakfast was the perfect time to come collect him. He looked like this all day while Rain is dressed in a nice pair of black pants and a white lantern sleeve button down. Though to be fair, even if Dew had had the time to change clothes he still would have felt inadequate for where he is taking Rain. That and the new ghoul somehow has developed a better sense of fashion in about two months than Dew has in a year. He only has one outfit that will match Rain’s. Well he hopes it does anyway. 

“I’ll be right back. I’m gonna go change.” Dew pats him on the shoulder and heads off to his room. 

“Change? We just got back.” Rain tails after him. 

“Yeah but we’re not staying here.” 

Rain gives him a questioning chirp. 

“Shh don’t worry about it. It’s a surprise.” With that he opens his door and slips inside, closing it before Rain can follow him in. He waits just a moment to see if he will walk away, but the shadow under the crack never leaves. He smiles and rests his hand on the door before turning around and throwing open his closet. He pushes past each item on his hangers until he finds what he is looking for. A simple black dress shirt. He pulls it out, tossing it onto his bed as he walks over to his dresser. He digs around until he finds the matching dress pants. 

He shucks his loungewear off, quickly pulling the shirt and pants on. He has no time to waste. He does not want to keep Rain waiting. He gives himself a once over in the mirror, popping the top few buttons on the dress shirt and running a brush through his hair. He hums in satisfaction at his reflection. It is the best he is going to get. He hopes Rain will like it. 

He takes a deep breath, locking eyes with himself, “You got this Dewdrop. This isn’t a date. There is no pressure. You’re just showing your friend a good time.” 

He nods before striding over to the door and throwing it open. Rain jumps a little from where he was leaning against the wall. His eyes scan over Dew, the corner of his mouth ever so slightly twitching up. Dew ignores the feeling in his gut that bubbles up. 

“Alright let’s go.” Dew heads back towards the kitchen. 

“You look nice,” Rain falls in line beside him, “is the surprise you not wearing a band shirt?” 

Dew narrows his eyes at him, “Funny. No this isn’t the surprise.” 

He thinks he looks nice. Dew untucks his hair from behind his finned ears so that it covers his face, hiding the little blue blush. 

“Alright then what is it?” 

“Do I need to define surprise for you?” 

Rain rolls his eyes with a small smile as they step into the kitchen. Just as Mountain promised, on the table sits two steaming Tupperware containers. Dew picks them up, pleasantly surprised that they are still warm. Mountain and Multi must have finished not too long ago. At least he will not have to give Rain cold dinner. He picks them up, tucking them under his arm. That would have been just his luck. 

“Follow me.” He smiles at Rain, hoping he conveys the perfect picture of confidence. He feels like a kit talking to their crush alone for the first time. 

He bids farewell to Mountain and Multi as they pass through the common room once more. The latter winks at him while the former smiles. Dew has to fight the urge to roll his eyes. There is no implication from them. He is reading too much into it. He is just nervous. But why is he nervous? Well he knows why but he refuses to let his stupid obsessive feelings ruin the little time he has left with Rain. 

Dew leads them to the doors that connect the abbey to the main greenhouse, twisting the knob with his tail. He shoulders it open, holding it so Rain can walk through. He gives Dew a look but goes nonetheless. Once outside, Dew takes a deep breath, the scent of wet earth filling his nose. The air feels pleasantly cool, no longer warmed by the early spring sun. It helps to clear his head just a bit. At the very least he can feel some of the tension leave his shoulders. 

He continues walking through the massive greenhouse, passing by rows of plants he never learned the names to. Though considering how often he would help Mountain water them, he probably should have. But he guesses it will not matter soon. Fire does not belong in a place like this. 

He furrows his brow and minutely shakes his head. Focus. He needs to focus. This is about Rain, not him or Mountain or anyone else. Just Rain. He approaches the door at the very end of the building that leads to the outside. He has every intention of grabbing it again, but Rain beats him to it. Dew huffs and flicks him with his tail as he passes by.

“I could’ve gotten it.” Dew pauses once outside. 

“I know, but I wanted to,” Rain joins him, “so you going to tell me what’s up now?” 

“Be patient, we're almost there.” Dew starts down the dirt path that leads to the lake. 

It is not a far walk, relatively speaking. It is about a mile away from the abbey. Every step closer makes Dew more anxious. He is an act first think later type of ghoul, and unfortunately for him it is later. His little idea seemed so good at the time, but now he worries that he might be stepping over a line. He had no idea how Rain reacts to big gestures. This very well could have the exact opposite effect Dew wanted. It could turn into a thing. Dew does not have time for a thing. Fixing his fuck up with being late to practice is one thing, but this could be something else entirely. He prays to the Lords Below that Rain will at least humor him. 

About halfway through the walk Rain pauses, “This is the way to the lake.” 

“I know.” Dew stops a few paces ahead, turning to look at him. 

“You said we couldn’t go down there because River—“

“Shh shush that’s not important. Come on, we're almost there.” He grins and turns on his heel before Rain can respond. 

He can feel occasionally glancing at him the rest of the way. He briefly wonders if perhaps he put everything together. Missing for the first part of the day, dressing up, and grabbing dinner. Rain is an exceptionally observant person, it would not surprise him if he did. Though he hopes he has not, even if he ends up hating it he would still like to surprise him. Maybe it is selfish, but isn’t this whole thing? Stealing Rain away to give him a good memory of Dew when he does not even know the danger his life is in. It cannot be selfish if he is doing it for Rain, can it? 

Either way it does not matter. The lake has come into view and…oh he is going to kill Lake and River. The darkness that began to creep in from the setting sun is kept away by the strings of fairy lights that adorn the dock and the gazebo. There is a table set up on the inside, one of the nice ones that only gets taken out of storage for Ministry wide events. On the table is a small candle and a vase with roses in it. What part of not a date did those two fucking fish brains not understand? 

He turns toward Rain fully intending to explain, but he stops. All the irritation melts away when he sees the look on his face. He is staring at the scene in awe, a smile beginning to form on his face. 

“You did this…for me?” He steps up to the gazebo before turning to look at Dew. His voice is tender and what can only be described as hopeful. 

His mind goes blank. He has never seen Rain look so soft before. The subtle orange glow of the fairy lights makes his leathery, hazy, blue-gray skin shine. There is a dusky purple blush on his face and his tail twitches behind him. He twists one of the rings on his fingers, looking at Dew with disbelief. 

“Yeah I,” he clears his throat, “I wanted to do something nice for you. So…surprise.” 

Without saying another word, Rain suddenly rushes at him. He flinches, not sure what to expect. Rain collides so hard with Dew that he makes a small oof sound. When he does not feel the sting of claws and fangs, he slowly opens his eyes. Of all the things that went through his mind that fraction of a second, a hug was not one of them. A particular tight one at that, Dew swears he heard his shoulder pop. It does not bother him though. He just hugs Rain back as best he can without dropping the food. He way the tip of his finned tail wags back and forth or his hand coming up to thread through Rain’s hair to hold him closer. He lets Rain hug him for as long as he wants. 

After what feels like an eternity, but not nearly long enough for Dew, he pulls back, “Thank you.” 

“Don’t mention it,” Dew says softly, a smile pulling at his lips. 

They stare at each other for a moment before Dew speaks again, “Come on. Before this gets cold.” 

They walk into the gazebo, Rain taking a seat while Dew sets one container down in front of him. It is only when he sits down that he realizes he did not bring any sort of utensils. He briefly panics before Rain takes the top off of his container and pulls a fork seemingly out of thin air. It takes all of his power to keep the look of surprise off his face. He opens his own to see a fork and spoon in the compartment on the lid. Mountain must have somehow known Dew would forget something even if he did know why Dew wanted him to pack their dinner up. He could kiss the big green bastard. 

The food itself looks delicious. He cannot believe he is saying that considering this is probably the first time Multi has even touched the stove, but it would be wrong to say otherwise. Though looks can be deceiving. He stirs the gnocchi and sausage before taking a spoonful and bringing it up to his mouth. It's still warm, but cool enough that he does not have to worry about it burning the roof of his mouth. The moment the flavor of the pumpkin and the spiced meat hits his tongue he nearly groans. It is unfair how good it tastes. It is creamy and herbaceous and reminds him of when he saw the leaves change color while on tour. 

Rain watches him take his first bite before deciding to eat it. While his reaction is not as strong as Dew’s, he can tell he likes it by the way his eyebrows raise and pull together. Well at least he will not have to steal Multi’s allowance. 

“Dew. Is there…a reason you did all this?” Rain eventually asks. 

Many. But he cannot say any of them. 

I am going to die. 

I am not going to die but I will not be the same. 

I need you to remember me as a good person. 

I adore you. 

I want you. 

I love you. 

“Uh no not really. I just wanted to do something nice for you.” He shrugs and takes another bite of his food. 

Rain regards him silently for a moment, dark blue eyes scanning his face. He hums and goes back to his own food. Conversation flows from that point on, Rain and Dew talking back and forth about nothing and everything. Even once their plates are empty neither of them make a move to end what they have started. Dew likes it that way. He likes it when Rain talks. Of course he does not mind the fact he usually prefers to listen, nodding along and humming to the stream of words that typically is flowing out of Dew’s mouth. But Dew loves to hear his voice. Deep and rich and melodic. Maybe he is blessed with the gift of the siren’s song? Even if he is, Dew would not care. Not as long as it is Rain who is leading him into the dark depths. 

Eventually they come to a lull in their conversation. Rain breaks it though, eyes lighting up, “So. Since you lied to me earlier—“

“For good reason,” Dew adds. 

“Right. Well since you lied to me earlier, why don’t we go swimming now?” Rain sits up a little in his chair. 

“I don’t know. River might still be in heat.” Dew looks anywhere but Rain with a grin on his face. 

Rain tosses one of the roses at his head. Dew swats it away with a laugh, “Okay okay! We can go swim, no need to get violent.” 

They extinguish the little candle on the table before standing and leaving the gazebo. They walk to the dock, hands and tails intertwined. They practically stumble over each other with how close they are, but neither of them are willing to separate. They just giggle each time a foot gets stepped on or a tail gets a little tug. Dew does not think he has seen Rain this carefree since he has been Topside. It is nice. 

Once to the dock, the two waste no time and getting out of their clothes. Rain takes his off and neatly folds them, setting them off to the side. Dew just drops his in a heap on the ground. He takes a deep breath, savoring the smell of the cool night and lake air before turning back towards Rain. 

“You ready?” 

Dew’s fins immediately flare at the way Rain is looking at him. Well, not at him. When he realizes Dew has caught him staring unabashedly at his cock, he flushes and meets his eyes. 

“Sorry I just…it’s really all just out there.” 

Dew is not surprised at the reaction. This is the first time Rain has ever seen him totally naked. He still remembers how confused he was when he was met with Mist’s tentacle for the first time. Instead of getting fucked that night he got a biology lesson instead. Oceanic water ghouls have tentacles designed to help them with the constant churning of the sea. Freshwater ghouls on the other hand just have sex on the banks of the rivers and lakes they call home. 

Even if the reaction is warranted, Dew cannot help the color in his cheeks. How could he when it is Rain who is staring at him? Any other ghoul and Dew would not have given a single fuck, but Rain? Oh is he helpless. 

“Yeah,” Dew clears his throat, “Yeah it’s weird but you’ll get used to it.” 

He turns back towards the lake, walking down to the edge of the dock before Rain can get more curious. He does not think he would survive if that happened. And he is not sure he is strong enough to listen to his head instead of his heart. And his dick. Definitely his dick. 

He contemplates just jumping in without waiting for Rain, but that thought quickly disappears when he hears footsteps rapidly pounding against the old wood. He whips around in time to see Rain running towards him. He flinches, fully expecting a collision. Instead, there is a millisecond of silence before a loud splash rings out. Dew gets hit with some of the stray water droplets as Rain dives into the lake. He opens his eyes and stares at the surface, waiting for him to come up so he can yell at him for being impatient. 

When he does resurface though, every word dies on his tongue. His inky black hair clings to his face before he pushes it back and out of the way. His eyes shine now that he is in his element. He has a bright smile on his face, every fang visible. The bioluminescent markings on his shoulders are glowing a soft blue. His gills flutter rhythmically with each breath he pants out. The moonlight catches just right on his face making the water clinging to his lashes stand out. Only one word comes to mind. 

“Beautiful.” Dew breathes in awe. 

“What was that?” Rain calls to him, swimming closer. 

His heart hammers in his chest. He shakes his head a little, “Nothing. Now move out of the way so I don’t land on you.” 

Dew barely gives Rain time to process his words before diving into the lake in a perfect streamline. Bubbles spill out of his mouth and gills once he is under the water, a deep sigh leaving him as he relaxes. He nearly screams though when he opens his eyes to see Rain so close their noses are almost touching. He pushes away from him, kicking towards the surface. Rain just grins at him before following after him. 

Despite Dew getting a head start, they both breach at the same time. Rain laughs while Dew scowls at him. 

“Ass.” Dew flicks water at him with his tail. 

Rain grins, serrated teeth on display before diving back under. Dew curses and begins to swim in the direction he thinks Rain will not be. He has done the same thing to the rest of his pack enough times to know what Rain is doing. His finned tail beats behind him, propelling him through the water, but it is no use. Rain gets a hand around his ankle and pulls him under so fast Dew does not even have time to scream. 

He tries to kick away from him, but he tightens his hold and drags Dew closer. He playfully snaps his fangs near Rain’s face, pushing against his chest. Rain laughs, bubbles spilling from his mouth and floating up. He lets go of Dew’s ankle in favor of grabbing his wrists. Dew uses the split second of freedom to flare his long, colorful fins. The ones on his arms whack Rain in the face, causing him to completely let go of him. Dew immediately darts off, not waiting to see if Rain is chasing after him. 

He cannot help but smile as he swims. He never gets to play like this with River, Lake, or Mist. The former are usually too busy sucking face to even entertain the idea. Mist just does not have the time anymore. She used to before she had to take over Delta’s job of assisting new water ghouls adjust to life Topside. Even so, Dew did not really like playing with her. She would always win. Always. 

 But now he has Rain. And Rain is still new. Rain does not know all of Dew’s tricks and he certainly is not as familiar with the lake as Dew is. He swims as fast as he can to the reed beds, hiding within the tall grass. He hopes and prays Rain did not see him as he scans the dark depths for a flash of smoky blue. Luckily, his bioluminescence puts a spotlight on him. Dew can see him approaching. He sinks further into the reeds, eyes locked on Rain. 

He stops only a few feet away from the plants. He narrows his eyes, scanning the beds slowly before looking left and right. Quick as a flash he swims off to the left. Away from Dew. He waits, making sure Rain is truly gone before paddling out of the tall grass. He grins in satisfaction as he follows the direction Rain went. Oh he cannot wait to see the look on his face. 

When those shining blue lights come into view once more, Dew slows his pace. He spreads his fins, letting the current of the water carry him closer to his target. Rain does not notice him. He is too busy peeking his head into some old tree debris. Dew gets closer. Closer. Close enough that Rain can feel the water shift behind him. He whips around, but he is too late. Dew pounces onto his back, wrapping his arms around his neck. Not tight enough to choke, just enough to stay latched on. Rain struggles, tugging at him to pull him off. When Dew only holds on tighter, instinct kicks in and he rams the back of his head into Dew’s face. 

He lets go immediately, kicking towards the surface. Rain follows suit. When they breach Dew is holding the right side of his face and cackling. 

“I fucking got you! I win! Oh you should see the…”

The look on Rain’s face is one of fear. 

“Oh shit what’s wrong? Did I go too far?” Dew swims closer to him. 

“Dew your face. Did I…?” 

“Huh? Oh yeah you got me good.” 

Rain looks like he is going to throw up. 

“But it’s fine! It doesn’t even hurt. I’m fine, look.” 

Dew drops his hand from his face. Rain hit him right above his eye. While there is no blood or bruise, there is a mark blooming. Nothing deep, it will probably be gone in a few hours. Still hurts a little, but Rain does not need to know that. 

Rain scans his face with concern. 

Dew sighs, “Really I’m fine. Trust me I’ve been hurt way worse.” 

“That doesn’t make it better,” Rain says flatly. 

Dew chews his lip. This is not how things are supposed to be going. This is supposed to be a good memory for Rain, not one ruined by the idea that he hurt Dew. He has to distract him. Think Dewdrop. There’s gotta be something…

Ahah! 

“Wanna see something cool?” Dew smiles. 

“What is it?” Rain asks quietly. 

“Follow me.” Dew dives back under without waiting for a response. 

He swims for just a moment before glancing over his shoulder. The little ball of anxiety that was forming in his chest dissipates when he sees Rain is actually behind him. A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he dives deeper and deeper. He leads Rain to the farthest part of the lake. If they were to surface now, they would almost be in the forest. They are so deep now that all they can see when they look up is the tiniest sliver of moonlight. They are at the bottom of the lake. 

Dew finally stops swimming when he sees it. The familiar sight of rotting wood makes him relax. Dew has lead Rain to the trunk of a massive tree, fallen long before either of them were living Topside. It is covered in algae and other little aquatic plants that have made it their home. At the center of it is a decently sized hole lined with moss. Dew knows it very well. This was his nest when he was first summoned. When he was too scared to stay inside the ghoul den. This is a spot only he and Mist know about. 

And now Rain. 

If he was going to show this to anyone, it would be him. This spot means so much to Dew. It is the one space he has where he knows without a doubt he can be safe and alone. Soon he will never see it again. Even if he survives the transition, he will not be able to swim down here. Rain will get more use out of it then he ever will. And if he does not return from the flames then Rain has a spot just for him. One perfected carved to fit Dew’s body. 

Dew swims closer to it, beckoning Rain to follow. He gestures to the hole in the tree with a proud smile. Rain runs his hands over the bark before turning and looking at Dew. The markings on his shoulder and tail begin to pulse and flash and Dew frowns. He has no idea what Rain is trying to tell him. Freshwater ghouls do not use bioluminescence to communicate. He grumbles and points towards the surface, signaling for them to rise. 

They breach at the same time and Rain immediately looks to him, “What was that?” 

“Some old tree that’s been down there probably longer than either of us has been alive. But it’s also my nest.” Dew says the last part quieter than the rest. 

“Dewdrop,” Rain breathes. 

He spares at glance at him and the way he is looking at him with nothing but soft fondness makes his heart ache. It scares him how easily Rain can make him feel things. One ghoul should be able to have this much of an effect. But Rain does. Rain does and he hates it. He wants it to stop but he thinks if it does he might die. 

Dew ducks his head and pulls himself over to the shallows. He settles where the water meets land, resting against the sand while the waves gently wash over him. As always, Rain follows him. He never takes his eyes off of Dew. He sits with his knees pulled up to his chest, tail curling around his feet to twine with the tip of Dew’s. He waits. 

Dew sighs and tips his head back to look at the night sky, “Don’t go telling people I showed that to you. Even Mountain and Aether don’t know about it.” 

“You know I wouldn’t.” 

“I know.” 

There is a beat of silence. 

“You didn’t have to take me down there Dewdrop,” Rain says carefully. 

“I wanted to. It…was the place I would go when I was still new. When things got really bad and I needed to be alone. Mist was the only one who knew where I’d run off to and she would come and get me. Help me without whatever little thing made me run and hide.” 

He smiles softly, thinking about the words she said to him the first time she found him. 

“And I want you to have a place like that. Cause I know how hard this shit is. Hell, I’ve been here for a year and I still feel like I popped out of the ground yesterday. But that doesn’t mean you need to be totally alone. You can stay down there for as long as you want knowing I’m the only one who will come for you.” 

He looks at Rain. 

“And I will. Come for you I mean. I won’t let you deal with anything alone.” 

Before he even has the chance to dwell on his impending fate, Rain practically tackles him. Just like before at the gazebo, he hugs Dew so tight something definitely cracks. He buries his face in the crook of his neck. Dew follows suit, burying his nose in Rain’s wet hair. He closes his eyes, a single tear slipping out of the corner. 

They sit there holding each other for what feels like an eternity. Dew wishes it actually was. All too soon they slowly break apart. They stay close though, Dew looking down at Rain and him staring back up. He wants nothing more than to kiss him and tell him how much he means to him. Rain must be able read his mind because he shifts, every so slightly leaning closer. Dew wants to give in to him. He wants to with every fiber of his being. 

He cannot. Not with the elemental transition a week away. Not when he has only been here for two months. He knows if he does not come back it is going to hurt, but if he kisses him now it will only be worse. He will not do that to Rain. It aches, but he turns away from him and looks towards the sky again. 

He gasps and points, “Look.” 

“I don’t see anything,” Rain says flatly. 

“It’s a shooting star.” 

It is a satellite. Dew knows it is a satellite. Rain does not know it is a satellite. He needs some excuse for what he did. 

“I still don’t see anything.” Rain detangles  himself more from Dew. 

“They’re quick. Keep looking and you’ll see one.” 

They stare at the sky together. The silence is heavy. The only sound is the frogs and crickets enjoying the night just like them. Well they were enjoying the night. Now though Dew is not so sure. Why does this have to be so complicated? It was not supposed to be complicated. He was just supposed to teach the new ghoul bass and get made into a fire ghoul. He was never supposed to feel something. 

The silence finally gets to Dew. He points up at the stars, tracing the shapes of the constellations. He tells their stories to Rain the same way Aether told them to him. Anything to ease the tension sitting heavy in his gut. Luckily Rain humors him, following his hand each time he points to a new part of the sky. Maybe if he overloads his brain with all this information he will forget about what just happened. 

He is not that lucky. 

“I don’t understand you Dewdrop,” Rain sighs. 

“Did I lose you at the spoons or the bears?” Dew raises an eyebrow at him. 

“I’m not talking about the stars.” 

“Oh…” 

Silence. 

“I don’t get you,” Rain repeats. 

Dew does not know what to say, so he says nothing. 

“You do these things for me. You let me into your bed and show me your nest but then you push me away. I don’t understand.” 

Dew feels like he is standing at the edge of a cliff and Rain is his only hope of not falling to the jagged rocks. But little by little he is loosening his grip. 

“It’s…complicated.” Dew looks away from him. 

“Then make it not complicated.” 

“Oh like it’s that easy!” Dew snaps. He flinches though when he realizes. 

“Isn’t it? I see you give yourself over to everyone else so easily. So what makes me different?” Rain keeps his tone even. 

How can he just spill his guts? He cannot tell Rain about the ritual. He cannot tell him how much he wants to hold him close and never let him go. He would sound insane. 

“You’re different alright,” Dew mumbles. 

“What did you say?” 

“Nothing.” 

“Liar.” Rain narrows his eyes. 

Dew scoffs, “Why do you wanna know anyways?” 

“Because I thought you actually liked me. But every single time we get close you pull away. I think I deserve to know why.” 

Of course Dew has managed to fuck this up. Every single plan he had created has been a fuck up. Well he is done with plans. He is done with the heavy feeling in his chest. If Rain wants to know so bad then he cannot be blamed for what happens when he dies. 

“Fine. You wanna know,”  Dew’s claws curl in the sand, “I can’t stand to be around you.” 

“What?” Rain breathes. 

“I can’t stand to be around you because I’m not good enough for you. You’re only here because of me. Because I got myself into a mess because I’m an idiot. I thought everything would be so simple but then you came out of the ground and ruined everything.” 

Rain stares at him with a blank expression. 

“You made me fucking feeling things I shouldn’t be feeling. I can’t feel things not when…” 

When he is going to die. 

“…when I’m me.” 

“What is that supposed to mean?” Rain’s voice sounds hard. 

“It means I’m supposed to be the one who helps you adjust to the stupid fucking world. It was a job.” 

“So that’s it then. I’m just your job.” 

“Yes.” 

It is silent for a moment before Rain fully turns to face him. 

“Stop fucking lying to me.” 

Dew blinks in surprise. 

“Do you honestly think I’m stupid?”

“Of course not,” Dew huffs. 

“Then tell me the truth, Dewdrop. Now.” 

Dew scoffs. 

Rain waits. 

And he waits. 

And he waits. 

He sighs and begins to stand up, “Fine. Maybe I was wrong to think so highly of you.” 

Rain drops him off the cliff. 

Dew feels like he cannot breathe. He ruined it. How could he have ruined it? He did everything right. He kept his feelings away. He focused on what he had to do. Now Rain is walking away and he does not feel like he fits inside of his body. How could he have messed up this badly if he did everything right? 

“Rain wait.” He whips his head to look at him. 

He stops. He is only a few steps away from Dew. He does not turn around to look at him. 

“You’re right. You shouldn’t have thought highly of me. I’m a liar and a fuck up.” 

Rain does not turn around. 

“But that’s why I can’t stand being around you. Because I really am awful for you.” 

Dew takes a deep breath. Time to claw his way back up the cliff side. 

“I like you. So fucking much. Probably more than I should. I can’t stand to be around you because I know you’ll find better once you’re up here longer and don’t even try to deny it. I see how you look at Mountain. But you made it too fucking hard to think rationally and now we’re here. I never should have been your mentor. I never should have inserted myself into your life because of my own stupid feelings. I never should have—“ 

Rain does not let him finish. Quick as a flash, he is back on the ground, knees colliding with sand. He crushes his lips against Dew’s. He will not hear anymore. Rain kisses his excuses away. 

Rain is kissing him. 

Rain is kissing him.

 He needs to pull away. He needs to push back. He needs to…he needs to kiss him back. He needs his sea salt and petrichor taste burned into his memory. 

Dew cannot stop himself anymore. He kisses Rain back. 

[ghostieagere]

Lil idea;

Phantom wakes up from nightmares on tour, and goes small because he's scared. He got stuck rooming with Dew though who still isn't too keen on the new ghoul yet

Does Phantom wake him up for comfort? Does Dew let him come have a cuddle? How does Dew react to the other being small?

No pressure to fulfill if you don't want 🫶

oooh i love this idea, anons !! hopefully this is what you were hoping for <3 oh, and i've used the name phantom since that's what was in your requests :D (this one didn't quite turn out how i was expecting, but i hope it's still okay !!)

cw: nightmare, brief mention of (imagined) blood, some wonky descriptions of what's actually happening because of reality confusion, hot chocolate fixes everything, they/them phantom

~

Phantom doesn't really know what's going on. Everything about their movements feels almost soupy, as if they're walking through jelly or wading through the water of the Abbey's lake. They can't be in the lake though. Everything's hot, too hot. It reminds them of their summoning, choking on the ash that swirled around them, catching it in their lungs until it made a home in the alveoli there and altered their breathing permanently. It's not until they hear the echo of Sister Imperator's voice through the smoke and fog swirling around them that they realise it doesn't just remind them of their summoning, it is their summoning.

Immediately, they panic. They've already lived through this, it shouldn't be happening again! Did they get sent back to Hell? Is it because they weren't good enough? Why are they being summoned again? Why would anyone summon them again if they were such a failure? Why does everything feel so fuzzy? Why can't they breathe?

The quintessence ghoul jolts awake breathing heavily, completely and utterly confused, panicking internally. Wherever they are now, it's as dark as their summoning and they still can't breath, but at least they don't feel quite so soupy anymore and the air around them doesn't seem to be filled with smoke either. It's not quite so hot either. Well, everywhere except their cheeks, that is. When they go to touch the heat searing their cheeks, their hand comes back wet. Immediately, they panic again. It's too dark to see the liquid on their fingers but it must be blood, they must be bleeding. Maybe that's why they can't see, their eyes are bleeding and stopping them from being able to see what's happening around them.

A soft snore to their right makes them whimper in fright and wrap their blanket more tightly around themselves. Someone is in the room with them. It sounds... a little bit like Dewdrop, they think. Phantom doesn't know how to feel about that.

They'd never admit it out loud, but Dewdrop is scary. He liked Aether a lot, and because Phantom's taken his place, Dewdrop doesn't really like them very much. At least, that's what Phantom thinks. They don't think it's because Dewdrop's shy like they are, so the next logical step is that he mustn't like the quintessence ghoul very much. Another snore from Dewdrop makes Phantom flinch and whine again. Every new noise they hear has them wondering if they're still in their dream—they can still feel the ash in their lungs and the heat of the fire on their face—and they want comfort from it, but they don't think they're quite brave enough to walk to Swiss' room and ask for help. Come to think of it, they don't even remember which hotel room Swiss was assigned this afternoon anyway. Even if they could, they're all staying in some kind of bed and breakfast, so the doors don't have numbers on them.

They take a shaky breath and look over at Dewdrop's sleeping form. He's facing away from Phantom but the little quintessence ghoul can see his back rising and falling slowly with every breath he takes. If Phantom wants help, they're going to have to ask Dewdrop. Going to have to call up all that bravery Swiss says they have deep inside their chest and wake Dewdrop up to ask for his help.

Phantom takes as big of a breath as they can manage to psych themselves up before they throw off their blankets—keeping one wrapped around their shoulders to keep themselves warm—and makes their way over to Dewdrop's bed on shaking, wobbly legs.

~

"Dewd'op. Psst, Dewd'op you godda wait up."

Dew groans and rolls over, eyes still closed, barely processing what's happening around him except for an incessant shaking of his shoulder.

"Dewd'op I– I hadded nigh'mare. Wad sca'y. You godda wait uuuuup Dewd'op!"

Slowly, Dew opens his eyes and takes in the sight before him. Phantom standing over him, a blanket wrapped around their shoulders, hair sticking up in every direction and tears running down their cheeks. Even though Dew's eyes are now open, Phantom doesn't stop shaking his shoulders or begging him to wake up.

When he sits up, Phantom gasps and tries to jump backwards but their foot catches on the blanket dragging on the floor behind them and they trip. The little quintessence ghoul lands on the floor with a thump and after a few seconds of delay, starts sobbing in earnest.

Dew immediately jumps out of bed and crouches down next to Phantom, cradling the little ghoul's head in his hands. "Baby bug, are you okay?"

Phantom hiccups and shakes their head sadly.

Dew hesitates and hopes it doesn't show on his face. He's so out of his depth here, not just with taking care of a little—in situations like this, Dew is usually the one being taken care of—but with taking care of Phantom. Dew's been doing his best to keep some level of distance between him and the quintessence ghoul this whole tour. He's been telling himself it's because he hates Aether's replacement and doesn't want anything to do with them, but deep down he knows that's not it. He knows that as soon as he spends genuine time with them, he won't be able to resist their wide-eyed charm and innocent and will end up—Sathanas forbid—caring for them. He knows this because it's exactly what happened with Aurora. "Do... Do you want to talk about it?"

The little ghoul just cries harder. "You won' un'ers'and me," they whine helplessly, wriggling their body and flapping their arms in frustration. "Bad at talkin' when 'm liddol!"

The fire ghoul rushes to shush them. "Baby bat, I can understand you perfectly, I promise. Okay?" He waits until they nod slowly, still sobbing and wriggling around as much as they can under Dew's gentle grip on them. "Now, how about we hop back up onto my bed and we talk about what happened in your dream, yeah? I'll keep you nice and toasty warm while you talk, bub. Promise. Does that sound good?"

Phantom sniffles and nods, doing their best to wipe at some of the tears in their eyes. "Da's good," they repeat shakily, holding their arms out hopefully and making a grabbing gesture in the fire ghoul's direction.

He tilts his head at them, evaluating. "You want me to help you up?"

"Uh huh. Uppies," they state simply. Well, Dew can't argue with that. He leans further towards them and lets the little quintessence ghoul to wrap their arms around his neck.

He lifts them up and walks the few steps backwards until the back of his knees hit the bed. Phantom lets out a surprised squeal and and buries their face in Dew's neck when Dew sits both of them down on the mattress by letting his knees give out under him without warning. The fire ghoul makes sure to kick his internal temperature up a notch or two now that he and Phantom are sat down as he scoots back to lean against the headboard and wraps the little quintessence ghoul's blanket more tightly around them to keep them warm.

"What was your dream about, baby bat?" He bounces the little quintessence ghoul on his knee as best as he can from how he's sat up on the bed. A small giggle bubbles up from beneath Phantom's tears.

"Uhm," they start nervously. "Gotted summ'ned... Wad hot an' fire an' didn' breev." Despite Dew's gentle stroking of their shoulder in an effort to calm them down, Phantom is beginning to hyperventilate again. "Wad sca'y, Dewd'op! So so sca'y!" They finish their statement with a terrified cry and bury their face into Dew's shoulder all over again, sobbing quietly.

Dew holds them tightly against his chest, nuzzling his cheek against the top of their head sympathetically. Their summoning was much like his own elemental transformation in a way—full of fire, ash and searing pain—so he likes to think he has at least some idea of the nightmares the little quintessence ghoul has been suffering from.

"Well," he starts, having taken note of the way Phantom had only grown more upset when talking about their nightmare, despite their insistence that it would help. "I think we need to find a nice distraction for you, hmm? What do you think about that, bug?"

The little quintessence ghoul nods slowly against Dew's chest, their breathing gradually evening out as they zone in on the sound of the fire ghoul's heartbeat through his pyjamas.

Dew smiles down at them softly in a way he knows he'll deny later on if they ask him about it and bounces them gently in his arms. "I think hot chocolate always helps with nightmares," he declares, standing up again with Phantom still tucked up in their blanket in his arms. "Should we go down to the little kitchen and make some, baby bat?"

He's already carrying them out of the door by the time the question leaves his mouth, but Phantom doesn't need to know that. Besides, their enthusiastic nodding lets Dew know that the little quintessence ghoul holds no objection to a bit of late-night comfort snacking.

He makes his way down the rickety staircase to the small kitchen area and sets Phantom down on one of the kitchen chairs as he does his best to navigate the kitchen in search of a milk frother and milk that's actually within its use-by-date. He finds fresh milk in the fridge, and although he can't locate a frother, he does manage to find a coffee machine hidden away in a cupboard with milk frothing attachments. It's not perfect, but it'll do. Especially at this hour of the night when Phantom's already almost falling back asleep in their chair.

To ensure he won't have to locate a first aid kit after a sleep related, falling out of their chair incident, Dew keeps talking as he potters about the kitchen, finding the hot chocolate powder, mugs and spoons in the unfamiliar kitchen. He'd overheard Phantom and Rain watching an episode of some kind of kids television programme, so he asks them all about that while he works. The little quintessence ghoul perks up immediately, waving their arms around in the air, blanket slipping off their shoulders as they talk excitedly about a dog called Bluey and the adventures she gets up to with her sister.

They've barely made it halfway through their jumbled-up retelling of the episode before Dew is draping their blanket back around their shivering shoulders and pressing the warm mug of hot chocolate into their hands. They gape up at him when they see the marshmallows floating in their drink.

Dew grins and presses a finger to his lips. The pack usually avoid giving sugar to Phantom when they're dropped, for no reason other than they tend to get a little hyperactive from a combination of excitement and the accompanying sugar rush. Dew doesn't mind having to deal with their high later on though. Besides, he thinks they deserve a little treat after the terrible night they've had.

He takes a seat next to them after he's sure the little quintessence ghoul is as comfy as they can be in the straight-backed wooden chair they're sitting in and wraps his hands around his own mug of hot chocolate. As soon as Dew has sat down, Phantom launches into their episode recap once again, now struggling to wrap their words around a mouthful of fluid; Dew has to remind them to swallow before they run the chance of making a sticky, hot chocolatey mess all over their comfort blanket.

At the rate the little quintessence ghoul is talking and the first signs of early morning light peeking over the tops of the curtains in the kitchen window, there's a fair chance that Phantom won't get back to sleep until well after their ritual tonight, but Dew finds himself unbothered. As long as they're contented, warm and relatively unbothered by their nightmare right now, the fire ghoul is just happy that they're happy. If they really need it later on, the two of them can curl up for a nap in the back of the tour bus, but for now, they're content to sip their hot chocolates in peace while Phantom recounts their favourite episodes of this show they're clearly obsessed with and pulls their blanket a little more tightly around their shoulders, not a trace of worry visible on their face in the slightest.

[moo-blogging]

Hey! How are you? 💛 wanna write about comforting Levi after a nightmare or an expedition gone sideways? I’m a sucker for hurt/comfort 🥺

Late night (hurt/comfort) thoughts #110:

It was too fast. It came too fast from your right. An abnormal titan grabbed your horse and you almost fell off. Panicking, you grabbed the wrong smoke gun from the bag hanging on your horse. You shot it on the titan instead. It angered the titan and it squeezed your horse too hard your horse's neck broke in its fist. By then, you grabbed the right colour and fired it onto the sky. The loud bang angered the titan and it threw the horse into a lake nearby, with you along on the horse.

You felt a strong grip around your neck and oxygen was cut off. Gasping for air but mouthful of water gushed into your throat instead. Fear started to kick in as you pulled on the horse lead rope around your neck. You tried to yank it free but your horse was dead and it was sinking fast, and you were sinking with him. Your lungs burnt with pain as water filled your lungs instead of the air they craved.

You watched as you sank further away from the light. All you could think of was Levi. You could see him waking up next to you. The way his brows tightened before he opened his eyes, and how they lit up as his whispered a 'morning, love' with his sleepy deep voice. It was your day off but Levi was used to waking up early so you laid together just grinning sheepishly at each other and waiting for the sun to rise.

You felt heavy and slowly your eyes closed...

.

When Levi heard the first shot of smoke gun, he was looking frantically at the direction it came from. He memorised your position in the scouting formation and he, although desperately hoping it wasn't you, certain it was you. And then he heard the second gun shot. Before he could see the black smoke, he was already riding toward you after yelling at his team to carry forward. He knew Erwin's orders in not engaging in any titans unless necessary. You were his necessity.

He cursed under his breath how far you were stationed away from him. He knew your ability to fend for yourself, he trained you enough to know you can fend for yourself and even protect others. He only agreed to having you being stationed alone because you were not in the furthest out. But accidents happened.

When he reached the smoke location, the couple of scouts behind you had caught up to your position and was attacking the abnormal titan.

"Stand back!" Levi yelled at them as he leaped from his horse and sliced the left cheek of the titan. Turning its head, Levi flew above it and sliced its nape. The titan was down within seconds.

"Where is y/n?! Where is y/n?!" He yelled at the stunned scouts. They shook and said they never saw you.

No, Levi thought, no, this can't be.

He scanned around, taking every drop of blood on the grass in and analysing. He saw a pool of blood a few meters away from the titan's steaming body and the empty guns your fired. The blood then dripped towards his left, each drop further to one another as it went. Following the blood trail, he saw a deep red in the middle of a lake. Without a second of hesitation, he jumped into the lake.

Pushing the dark water behind him, he swam deeper and deeper. Please please please please please, he prayed. He was too afraid to find out what was under the lake. His heart sank as soon as he saw a glitter among the darkness. Your mother's necklace. He swam harder and your ghostly face appeared before him. Grabbing the back of your neck, he felt the ropes immediately. He tried to pull at it but he saw your headless horse. He pulled out his knife from his back pocket and cut the rope, dragging you to the surface as soon as the rope snapped.

Dropping you onto the grass, Levi blew air into your mouth and pushed his palms onto your chest. "Breathe, y/n! Breathe! Please, breathe!" Levi begged. After 30 compressions, he blew into your mouth again. Pumping on your chest, your face blurred as his eyes were filled with lake water and tears. After another 30 compressions, he blew into your mouth again, this time he cried out in desperation.

"No, no, please, y/n, please," Levi started sobbing, "no, come back.. Come back to me, y/n.."

Just then your body jerked forward and you vomited a mouthful of water. Your throat burned as you coughed the last bitter water out of your lungs. You were squeezed between Levi's arms and you felt him shaking. You lifted your arm weakly and rested on his back. The field was silent except for Levi's wailing.

.

That night at camp, lying in the same sleeping bag, Levi held you underneath him as if he was trying to physically shield you from all harms. This was the first time Levi openly held you for so long. He couldn't stop caressing your hair and touching your heart, convincing himself you came back to him.

Tilting your head, you kissed his cheek softly. He snuggled closer, pushing his cheek to your forehead.

Inhaling your hair, Levi then exhaled in relief. He asked for the millionth time, "promise me you will never ever leave me."

Turning your face to fit on his neck, you whispered, "I promise," for the millionth time.

~ Thank you thank you thank you so so much for sending in a request. I feel so much better after I wrote this and I can't wait to write more during the weekends! I do enjoy writing hurt/comfort fics too and I almost forgot that feeling. Thank you so much for bringing it back, I do hope you enjoy it ~

wait, is this angst? or hurt? or both? but definitely comfort :)

[natsuki-bakery]

⁎˚ ఎ Tekken Agere HC's ໒ ˚⁎

HAIII, Idk if you do like, Tekken for requests but if so - can I get regressor Jin Kazama headcanons? :0 if you don't do that fandom that's totally okay!!

Even when age regressing, Jin's potential as a martial artist would be apparent. he'd have an intense desire to train, trying to emulate his mother, Jun Kazama, and his grandfather, Heihachi Mishima. He'd be seen mimicking martial arts moves with surprising accuracy, often sparring with imaginary opponents, or even asking Jun to teach him the basics

•Even when little, Jin might already carry a strong sense of responsibility, particularly towards protecting others. Often being protective of his mother, and other people he cares about. He’d insist on accompanying his mother during her work with environmental protection, seeing it as his duty

•Given the dark and violent history of the Mishima family, Jin might suffer from nightmares, even when age regressing. These could be vague, haunting dreams that foreshadow the Devil Gene or the conflicts he would face when big. He might have moments of fear and confusion after waking up, seeking comfort from his plushies

•Reflecting his mother Jun’s love for nature, young Jin might have a deep appreciation for animals and the environment. He could spend hours outside, playing in forests or near lakes, and be particularly gentle with animals

•In his regressed state, Jin might occasionally exhibit bursts of unexpected power, possibly tied to the Devil Gene. He might be confused and scared by these outbursts, accidentally breaking objects or injuring someone during a tantrum or a sparring session. These incidents would likely leave him feeling guilty and confused, especially when he doesn't fully understand what’s happening

•As an age regressor, Jin might find comfort in clinging to things that remind him of simpler times—like his mother's old scarf or a small trinket she gave him as a child. He might carry these items around with him, especially during times of stress, as they provide a sense of safety and security

•In his regressed state, Jin might speak in a more childlike manner, using simpler words or even baby talk. He might also engage in activities like coloring, playing with toys, or watching cartoons. This behavior would serve as a way for him to distance himself from the pressures of adulthood and his traumatic past

•Jin would likely become very attached to a trusted caregiver, seeking comfort, reassurance, and guidance. This could be someone like Ling Xiaoyu, who has a naturally caring and protective demeanor. He might hold her hand, ask for hugs, or look to her for approval and comfort

•Given his traumatic background, Jin might be particularly sensitive to conflict or violence. He might shy away from loud noises, aggressive behavior, or anything that reminds him of the violence in his life. In these moments, he might seek a quiet space or the comfort of his caregiver to calm down

•Age regressed Jin might thrive on routine and structure, finding comfort in knowing what to expect next. He could have a set bedtime, specific meals he likes to eat, or particular rituals that help him feel safe, such as a nightly story before bed or a favorite blanket that he insists on having with him

•Even though he’s a skilled fighter, regressed Jin might be reluctant to engage in combat. The idea of hurting others could be particularly distressing to him in this state, as he’s more focused on being safe and cared for than on conflict

•Jin might have moments where he feels overwhelmingly tired or just wants to rest, seeking out a quiet corner or asking his caregiver to cuddle with him. Napping might become a regular part of his routine, helping him recharge and maintain his emotional equilibrium

•In his regressed state, Jin would find joy in the simple things, like enjoying his favorite snacks, playing with toys, or watching the clouds pass by. These activities help ground him and provide a sense of peace, away from the complexities and dangers of his adult life

If you're in the basic criteria , are DSMP fans, vivziep0p fans , h0tel/h3lluva b0ss fans, Owl h0use fans, St4r butterfly fans, Ghibli fans, ddlg/abdl blogs, nsfw/k!nk blogs, anti-agere blogs, or anti Christians/Christianity blogs : just dont interact !

[e-adlirez]

RNJesus is a b$%ch: A Deep Dive into the Thea Sisters' Nat1 Holder

Why does this woman have so much bad luck? :D What Feng Shui and Ba Gua violations did she make to have enough bad luck to get bent at least once per hardcover? :D (/lh /hj)

A nat1 is a natural 1, which in D&D terms usually means a colossal fail at a prompted task; therefore being a nat1 holder is not something you wanna be.

The Thea Sisters have a nat1 holder and she goes by the name Violet :'D

This is just a post about how many times she's been outrageously unlucky in a special edition book--

Spoilers for the special edition books, mainly books 2 and 4-9.

Oh and uh, group nat1s don't count, unless it's a situation where "everyone had a not-good time except for these guys" thing.

Before we get into that, we should probably set the stage a bit by establishing Violet's strengths and weaknesses, stats-wise. Violet is an intellectual, with a lot of general booksmarts, a good amount of emotional intelligence, cracked vision from art experience, sensitive ears from her training as a musician, flexibility from classical training and yoga, and a mind for tactics; and in the line of weaknesses, she's a bit touchy, can't survive without sleep, is not very athletic, often prefers to stand by while the other girls do stuff, and isn't good at doing things on the spot.

Now with that context, let's peep all the nat1s.

The first one comes during Secret of the Fairies, when the girls finds these Lake Fairies through their song. Which just so happens to somewhat work via siren rules.

So Violet's sensitive, musically attuned ears mean she rolls a nat1 94 pages (out of 310) into the book, leveraged only by Colette successfully stopping her from walking straight into the lake.

Now you may be thinking, "I mean it's not the worst thing in the world. Vi just got unlucky with this one," and to that I say

You'd be surprised just how unlucky Violet is capable of getting in these things.

The Secret of the Snow was probably the one Vi did the best in (that and Cloud Castle, imo). Maybe she fell into quicksand (with Nicky and Thea) and twisted her knee for about a couple minutes, but she did pretty good! She literally went and told a nightmare fuel kraken-esque thing to shut up, like a girlboss :D

Cloud Castle I guess isn't really a nat1 because it's a heroic sacrifice, what with the whole having her dreams yeeted and everything, but she got better it's fiiiinnneee

Woman t-posed to assert dominance, that must've given her at least two extra points /j

Treasure of the Sea is.... baffling, to say the least.

Okay so context:

There's this place in Aquamarina called the Infinite Abyss and it's thalassophobia incarnate but if the paranoid fantasies came true. You look down into it, you get yoinked into the darkness and possibly turned into a fish in the deep. This part is very unclear, but the abyss either has magic that physically tugs people enough to startle them to look down out of instinct... or it has a subconscious influence on those nearby, like a magically-induced intrusive thought that tries to convince the intrusive thinker to let the intrusive thoughts win and look down. I'm prefacing this with this statement... because I have no idea what the hell this scene is supposed to be.

Is Vi like, put under a spell? Was the physical tugging of the abyss too persistent to ignore? Were the intrusive thoughts just that goddamn loud? Did the plot police realize that things were going along too easily and they needed Vi to take an L so they can shake things up again this time? No clue! She just.... does, and she and Colette almost die because of this thing (whatever it is) that could've been easily avoided.

(Owners of the non-English books, if you're able to could you check the Infinite Abyss scene of the book so we can compare notes and try to decipher what the hell is going on here? That'd be nice /nf)

Speaking of Ls Vi just takes, Land of Flowers.

You're gonna love this one, because she takes not one, not two, but three Ls in this one book :D

First time was with this uh, this flower wall outside of the Golden Dahlia Palace that has Flowers of Forgetfulness (the opposite of forget-me-nots, it seems) where you get a whiff of the stuff and suddenly it's the total opposite of the time of day you last remember, you don't remember how you got there, and you feel like you just came out of a trip. Okay maybe that was an exaggeration but you get the idea-- Vi gets too close to one, accidentally sneef snorfs, and Colette winds up having to pull her away.

Second time was this scene where the girls had to cross this rope bridge that was hanging above a field of magic nettles, and I kid you not, this is the most Looney-Tunes-ass nat1 Vi has ever taken.

She is described as "[grabbing] the vines confidently, having watched her friends", and then she missteps and she straight-up does a Goofy-style fall into the nettles and is KOed by it so hard she had to be brought to two different places just to get her to wake up.

Then the third time was when they were going into this evil witch's tower and had to climb up some magical stairs that functioned like the trippy stairs in Harry Potter? Vi was about to step down, but just to be a dick I guess, the step decided to poof. Fortunately she didn't fall but holy crap how badly could that have easily gotten right o o

Crystal Fairies is a case where I dunno if this is worse or better than Vi's rotten luck in LoF, because while she takes only two nat1s in the book instead of three, both happen literally during the first half of the campaign. First one was her accidentally falling off a path and into a maelstrom-- don't worry, she didn't drown-- and second was... well...

"Now these crystals are very dangerous, they work by Narcissus rules so we should do our best to not look at the crysta--"

"Ooh shinyyyy......"

"VI NO"

This is more accurate than it sounds. And it is painful :D Who gave her the idiot ball for that one scene :D

After that we have Dance of the Star Fairies, where in the latter half of the book, she's riding a dragon chariot with the girls and King Astroboy over there, and when trying to land they accidentally thwump into an invisible force field, which sends Vi flying out of her seat and possibly into space had Nicky not caught her. Well hey, at least she managed to destroy this peepaw gnome at checkers, at least there's one W to balance out this L.

And last but not least, Magic of the Mirror. This one's actually not that bad, and it kinda comes full circle, surprisingly enough. Remember how Vi's first nat1 was when she fell under a song spell? Well, this last nat1 in this post is the same: the girls are put in a situation where they have no other choice but to listen to a siren's song, Vi being more vulnerable to music-based spells almost gives in, but the girls come in clutch and snap her out of it. Yippee :3

Why did this take way too long to make? I dunno :D. Why'd I make this? I dunno :D maybe I wanted an excuse to ramble about my blorbo, sue me

Anyway hope you enjoy this spectacle, and if you think that's all of them in the franchise, naaaahhhh bro we haven't even gotten into that one time in SuperSisters where Vi literally got captured on her first mission :D

[fandomsandflyingstingrays]

Hunter woke up gasping for air, running his hands over his arms, desperately reassuring himself that they were skin and blood, not bones, not one of the lost skeletons of Uncle Belos’s mind— 

Emperor Belos, he reminded himself.

Philip Wittebane?

Whatever. It didn’t matter. He didn’t matter. What mattered was that Hunter was real, and alive, and safe in the human realm, with Gus snoring softly beside him. Good. He’d woken Gus enough with these stupid nightmares already. At least one of them should be able to get a proper sleep once in a while. Hunter fluffed out his blanket and spitefully lay down again, determined to fight his way back to sleep through sheer force of will—

What is that?

There were voices. Unfamiliar ones, coming from up the stairs, so soft Gus’s snores almost drowned them out. Hunter sat bolt upright once more, reaching out for Flapjack, who obligingly transformed into a staff in his hands. He crept up the stairs, to where there was an odd, flickering light coming around the corner, and raised the staff, ready—

“Hunter?”

Amity paused the TV, looking at him incredulously.

“Oh,” was all he could think to say.

Amity kept looking at him, her face cold, her eyes narrowed. It was a look Hunter had gotten more than used to over the past week. Once the adrenaline of the Day of Unity had worn off, she’d clearly remembered how he’d threatened to hand her girlfriend over to Belos, and he’d heard the undercurrent of suspicion in every interaction she’d had with him loud and clear. Not that he blamed her.

He couldn’t think of an explanation for why he was up here that wouldn’t make him look like a paranoid fool, but after a few more seconds of staring, she seemed to see through him. Her face softened— just slightly— and she said, in a carefully neutral voice, “you had a nightmare, too.”

He blinked. “Is, uh, is that why you’re up here?”

“No, Hunter, I just love Azura so much that I have to see her every night at midnight or I won’t be able to go on.”

“I’d actually believe that.”

“Ha ha.”

They stared at each other again for one, two, three more seconds before Hunter realized he could make his escape. “Well, I’ll just be… going back downstairs…”

“Wait.”

Amity seemed as surprised to hear the word as he was, and she made a face as she spoke the next words, clearly forcing them out. “Do you want to stay and watch?”

Hunter weighed his options. On one hand, she was clearly hoping he’d say no. On the other hand, he wasn’t sure he wanted to go back downstairs and lie in the dark with the guilt of what he’d done at Eclipse Lake on top of the fear of the nightmares. Sleep was probably out of the cards, at this point, and what if he started panicking again? What if he started hyperventilating again, or stopped being able to breathe right again, and woke Gus?

“Sure,” he said as casually as he could manage, coming to sit on the opposite end of the couch.

Amity took this surprisingly well, leaning back into the pillows and resuming the movie. It wasn’t too confusing, so she’d probably been near the beginning. To his surprise, it was a lot like Ruler’s Reach, and the terror of the nightmares and the awkwardness with Amity were chased further and further to the back of his mind as Azura began her travels, learning magic and befriending her rival witch Hecate. 

Until Lucy, a witch who’d claimed to be Azura’s friend, captured her and held her life ransom in exchange for Hecate’s magic amulet. Hunter didn’t take his gaze from the screen, but he could feel Amity’s eyes on him, burning an angry hole into the back of his head, until he couldn’t take it anymore. He seized the remote, pausing the film, and said, all in a rush, “I’m sorry, okay?”

He turned to Amity, whose expression was unreadable. “I’m sorry for threatening Luz to get to you, and I’m sorry I didn’t let you help me, and I’m sorry I gave the key to Belos— it was a mistake. All of it.”

Slowly, Amity’s cool mask softened into something more natural. Not kind, exactly, but not accusing. She heaved a sigh. 

“Willow’s probably told you, I wasn’t… the nicest witch either, for a long time. I hurt a lot of people. Maybe not as extremely as the Emperor’s Coven, but still. When Luz first met me, she tried to show me what I was doing was wrong, and to be my friend. I didn’t take her up on it the first time, or even the second.” She sighed again. “I shouldn’t be hard on you for not taking the first way out either. It’s just… Luz…”

“She’s special,” Hunter agreed. “It’s clear how much you care about her. And I care about her too. She’s never judged me for… a lot of things most people would. She helped me find out the truth about Belos, and she helped me get away from him. So I hope you’ll believe me when I say I would never threaten her again. And if anyone else did, I’d… well, they’d regret it.”

A faint smile crossed Amity’s face. “I’d bet they would. If we could fight so well against each other, imagine what we could do as a team.”

Hunter smiled— a wide, probably stupid grin, but it made Amity’s smile wider, too. “Luz told me they have a saying in the human realm,” she said. “‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend’.”

Hunter nodded slowly. “Friends, then?”

“Friends.”

Hunter pressed play again before the silence could become awkward, and now that the tension had dissipated, he got sucked in before he knew it. When the movie ended, Amity reached up to turn it off, but he held out a hand.

“Wait. Can we… watch the second one? I want to find out what happens next.”

Amity shook her head. “We have to wait for Luz. She’d kill me if she didn’t get to see your reactions to The Betrayening. Our lives might be in danger just because you watched the first one without her, actually.”

Hunter gave a small laugh. “You’re probably right.”

“Besides, we should both try to get some sleep. If those bags under your eyes get any larger, Camila might take you to her work to get you examined.”

“Camila only works with animals.”

“I know.”

Hunter rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips. “Good night, Amity.”

“Good night, Hunter.”

Lying back in the basement, Hunter tried to focus only on Azura, trying to guess what would happen to her next in order to keep his mind far away from the Isles— but guessing could only do so much. Just as his breathing was getting shallower, he heard a soft thump from the top of the stairs. He was almost glad to make the journey up with Flapjack once more, and even more so when he opened the door to find a small, thick book in front of it.

The Good Witch Azura, read the cover, along with a note in Amity’s handwriting.

Luz and I have book club every Monday evening at 8. Better read fast if you want to join next time.

A broad grin crossing his face in the dark, Hunter stole back down the stairs to read.

[slashingdisneypasta]

I love complicated relationships between heroes and villains.

Andy keeping Chucky near and calling him best friend even while he feels fury and disgust and fear just looking at him, because to be fair Chucky has been there, haunting him, for as long as he can remember. He was just a child when this started, he barely remembers a time without Chucky hunting him. They have each other in the worst way.

Meg looking at Hercules and seeing his uncle sometimes. They were more then servant and master to each other and everyone knows it; Just because it was never said doesn't mean its not true, and Meg has to live with that all the time. She thought she had nothing to lose, it wasn't like she liked him- but that doesn't change the fact that her and Wonder Boy's shared monster-- will always mean something slightly different, to her. She wants to recover but without anyone to understand her trauma, where does she start??

Laurie wanting to kill Michael, wanting to shoot him in the head over and over until his head is just bone fragments and blood on the pavement looking like a Picasso. But at the same time feeling connected to him because there is no Laurie Strode in the world, without the monster that keeps trying to kill her. Without Michael.

Basil grieving Ratigan. Like, seriously grieving him. And honestly?-- Hoping, that he... survived, somehow. He cant say it out loud and he cant talk about it with anyone, not even dear Dawson- he can barely even face his own thoughts on the subject. But Ratigan was the only other that... understood, and... that could contend, with him... And he'll miss that for the rest of his life. For the rest of his life, there will be something missing from him. And he has to live with the fact that that thing he misses, was a disgusting, nefarious criminal that hurt more people then even he could count and would have happily continued.

Jasmine, having grown up with Jafar - him being almost another uncle to her over the years, - , having to sort through her memories differently, now... Those times she ran into him stalking the halls in the middle of the night and she snarked pettily at him just because she didn't like him? Was there an even darker note to those moments that she didn't recognise back then??

Lori waking up in the middle of the night, sometimes, wondering about Jason. He didn't deserve what happened to him, he was a victim. She wishes she could have saved him... that someone, could have saved him. Will worries about Freddy, but while he's shaking and hyperventilating about nightmares, Lori's in her own head- at Crystal Lake, looking for the boy who deserved better. Hoping he finds peace. She doesn't dare say it out loud, though.

In the night, Simba remembers his uncle the way he was when he was a kid. His silly uncle- kind of sad, and a little scary, but fun. His favourite adult. But during the day he remembers the terrible way Scar looked at him in the end, how he manipulated him and took away years with his mother... how Simba had killed him... And he doesn't know how to merge the two no matter how many times Nala tells him Scar was always dark. Sometimes Simba cant sleep from the guilt from murdering his uncle.

Drake looking at Jim in that old costume and that chainsaw with that insane look in his eyes and feeling utterly heartbroken. He looked up to this Darkwing Duck for his whole life- Jim helped him to get through the worst parts of it, in fact. Without Jim he may not have made it! But now Jim's a destroyed person, mad with envy and his hero is trying to hurt him!! All Drake can think is how This isn't right, this isn't right. This isn't right...

Jim (Gordon) looking at Barbara now and despite the horrors that she has willingly committed, sometimes he sees the woman he was planning to spend the rest of his life with...

[thruheavenandhighwater]

Pairing: Single Dad! Eddie Munson/ Steve Harrington

Requested By: NA

Word Count: 2,037

Series Summary: Eddie left Hawkins in 1986 with no reason to ever return. But now, a few years have passed and life has changed. Eddie finally returns home and has to deal with everything he left behind, including Steve Harrington. This story starts in May 1991.

Chapter Summary: During an evening joy ride, Steve and Eddie finally talk about their feelings and their years apart.

Stranger Things Masterlist

Steddie Masterlist

Series Masterlist

~~~~~

It had been so long since Eddie had been able to do something like this. Even before Lucy was born, he'd never been able to drive around like this in the city. The traffic was always a nightmare and there wasn't that same empty road, nowhere to go type of energy. It was nice. It made him feel young again. And having Steve along for the ride was even nicer, like he was now allowed to have those moments with his crush that he missed out on in high school.

They talked quietly as they drove through town. Lucy was out like a light in the back seat, but there was still an air of caution, lest she wake up and they have to end the night early. Neither of them would be mad, of course. They both loved Lucy. But they wanted to stretch their time together as long as possible.

Eddie pulled off the road near the deserted woods that surrounded the lake. His headlights illuminated the trees as the sun set behind them. He cut the engine and spared a glance to the back seat. Lucy was still peacefully sleeping, her head leaned over onto her shoulder as her mouth slacked open.

Steve opened his door first, closing it behind him as carefully as possible. Eddie followed his lead and soon both men were sat side by side on the trunk of Eddie's car. They both lit a cigarette, sharing Eddie's old Zippo to light them.

"Nice night," Steve commented as they looked into the dark trees on the other side of the empty road in front of them. His arms rested on his knees, his feet propped up on the rusted bumper.

"Yeah," Eddie sighed. "Missed stuff like this."

"Like what?" Steve asked. Eddie looked over to him as he brought his cigarette to his lips. The cherry at the end glowed just a bit brighter as he inhaled.

"Just, this," he answered, gesturing with both arms stretched in front of him. "The city is so hectic. You'd never be able to find just like, a place like this. Empty, ya know?"

Steve nodded. He flicked at the butt of his cigarette with his thumb, watching as the ashes floated away on the soft breeze that blew around them. He'd had a reason for wanting to bring Eddie out tonight. His mind was racing as he did his best to appear calm. He finished his cigarette, taking two more long hits before tucking the used butt between his thumb and middle finger, sending it flying into the road in front of him.

"Can I, uh-" he started, confidence faltering. "Can I be real with you for a second?"

Eddie nodded, his eyes fixed on Steve. Steve took a deep breath through his mouth, smiling to himself when he realized how anxious he was. He pulled another cigarette from the pack between them. As he blew the smoke out of the corner of his mouth, he flexed his free hand between his knees.

"Did you ever wonder why I asked you not to leave?"

Eddie didn't answer right away. His empty hand balled itself into a loose fist, his other hand wrapping around it. He had wondered why. He had wondered what Steve was going to say that night behind The Hideout.

"Figured you'd miss me or something."

"Yeah," Steve scoffed. "Or something. Look, man. I had like, the biggest fuckin' crush on you back then."

The confession seemed to shock both of them. Steve was shocked to have finally said the words out loud. Eddie was shocked to be hearing them, something that his friends had picked on him for now being confirmed.

"And I was scared, because I didn't want to like, ruin whatever friendship we had. So I never said anything, right? I just showed up every week and watched you play your songs and told myself that it was a stupid crush that would go away.

"But it didn't. Not in the five years you were gone. It kinda, I don't know, hid away for a bit. Like when you weren't right in front of me, I was able to pretend you didn't exist. I convinced myself that it was a stupid crush because we were kids and that I should move on."

Eddie kept his eyes trained on the cigarette he held between his knees. He wasn't even smoking it anymore. Simply watching the ash on the end creep farther back on the paper wrapped around the tobacco until it fell on its own. Steve's words were hitting him like a bus and he was trying to wrap his mind around them.

"But then you were back. You were mopping up at that stupid truck stop and it was like I was 19 again. Ya know what I mean? Like I hadn't seen you in years and suddenly you were right in front of me and it was like no time had passed at all. Like that night at the bar was last weekend. It was so weird, man.

"I wasn't going to say anything," Steve sighed. He brought his nearly burnt out cigarette to his lips once more. He took one final hit before flicking the butt into the road like he'd done before. "But, god. Seeing you with Lucy the last few weeks has been, like, I don't know…

"Did I ever tell you I wanted kids?" He asked suddenly.

"You did?" Eddie asked quietly.

"Oh, yeah," Steve answered with a soft smile. "Wanted a whole big Harrington clan. Five, six kids. Golden retriever in the back yard. The whole nine."

"So why don't you have six little Steves and a golden retriever?"

Steve shrugged. "Just didn't work out that way, I guess. But, ya know, watching you with Lucy made me realize something. I don't think I ever actually wanted all that for my life. I think- I think I wanted to want it, if that makes sense?

"Like I wanted the white picket fence American dream because I was supposed to want it. But now, I know what I actually want. I actually just want one kid. Just one, and to get to raise it with someone who I care about."

Silence hung between them like thick, heavy fog. Steve had just poured his heart out, leaving everything on the ground in front of them. Eddie was trying to process his confessions, his unasked question.

Eddie supposed he always knew that Steve had feelings for him. And Eddie had similar feelings for Steve. But so much had changed since they were kids. They'd both changed. The world had changed. Life as they knew it had changed.

"Steve," Eddie started, his voice nothing more than a whisper.

"Look, man, I'm not gonna like, cry or anything if you don't feel the same. I just had to say it. Felt like I was gonna explode ever since you got back."

"That's the thing, though. I do."

"Do what?" Steve asked, shoulders perking up as he turned slightly to face Eddie.

"Feel the same."

Steve felt like all the air in his lungs was gone for just a moment. He watched Eddie's face for any sign of joking or regret at the statement. There was none. But he did look defeated, almost sad. His dark eyes were soft as his tongue breached his lips to lick them quickly.

"But, I have too much going on," he sighed. "I have Lucy, and I'm trying to work as much as I can so I can get us out of Wayne's living room. I'm trying to learn how to be a dad. And I don't want to force you into a life that isn't yours."

"You wouldn't be forcing me. I like Lucy more than I like you," Steve laughed. "But I get it. I won't bring it up again, just had to say it. Once. Because I never said it before."

Steve and Eddie sat in silence for a while on the back of Eddie's car. Eddie fidgeted with his hands before eventually grabbing another cigarette, offering the pack to Steve.

"I'm sorry," Eddie said after too long had passed without word from either of them.

"For what?" Confusion etched itself into every feature of Steve's face. His head cocked to the side like a dog hearing a whistle. His brows knitted together as he tried to piece together what Eddie was apologizing for.

"For leaving. For not calling, or writing, or visiting," Eddie started, his list of wrongs growing as he spoke. "I didn't even take a second to think about how it would affect you, ya know? I was just young and stupid-"

"I was young and stupid, too," Steve interrupted.

Eddie smiled at him, his left cheek dimpling fondly. "But I was stupider. I'm the one who left and ran away."

"Yeah, that was kind of a dick move," Steve sighed. "Kinda messed me up for a little bit, if we're being honest."

Eddie hadn't expected that. Well, he hadn't expected any of this. But he definitely hadn't expected that. He knew that Steve had missed him, he'd told him as much himself. But he didn't know that his sudden exit from Steve's life had affected him so much.

"What do you mean?" Eddie finally asked, almost too quietly. Like he didn't actually want the answer.

Steve sighed again, ashing his cigarette onto the ground in front of him. "When you left, I kinda, I dunno…" He brought his cigarette to his lips, inhaling as he chose his next words. "I took it really personal. Like you were leaving me, instead of the town. If that makes sense.

"I spent like a year feeling sorry for myself. Drank too much, started smoking. The smell reminded me of… well, it reminded me of you. It was like having you here again."

Eddie's heart dropped. If you asked him, he'd swear it fell clean out of his ass. While he was sleeping his way through New York, doing everything he could to forget Steve… He was here. He was alone, doing what he could to remember Eddie.

"That's actually the reason Robin and I are so close," Steve said, suddenly pulling Eddie from his own thoughts.

"She became your new Eddie?" He asked, trying to break the tension.

"God, no," Steve laughed. "She's gay, too, in case you were wondering. Anyway, I met her a few years ago and she like, smacked me back into reality. She helped me pull myself out of that place. And we've been tighter than spandex ever since."

"I really am sorry," Eddie told him. "For all of that shit, and not telling you I was back. And for this. Not being able to tell you what you want to hear."

"And what is it you think I want to hear?"

"That I like you, too. That I liked you back in '86 before I left. It's true, by the way." Eddie smiled. "I wish I could tell you that nothing's changed and that I can take you home and introduce you to Wayne and tell him you're my boyfriend and we're gonna raise Lucy in a little house with a picket fence and a dog. But I just… can't."

Steve nodded, understanding completely everything Eddie was saying. Five years of regrets. Five years of questions. All answered and out in the open.

"Are we good?" Steve asked.

"Yeah," Eddie sighed. "I think we're good."

"Then there's no need to apologize."

Eddie accepted what he heard. His focus was trained on the ground beneath him. He wanted to reach out. He wanted to hold Steve's hand. Pull him into his side so they could be as close as possible under the stars. As suddenly as the idea was in his mind, he heard whimpers from behind him.

"Looks like she's up," Steve said, jumping down from the car. They quietly walked to their doors, sliding in and closing the doors behind them. Steve leaned back, smiling at Lucy. Her whines seemed to stop as soon as she saw him. She smiled at him as he softly told her that daddy was taking them home.

~~~~~

previous part // next part

~~~~~

So here she is. The big love confession. I hope this lives up to what people wanted/ expected. Though, not the happiest outcome. But fear not! There is still four more parts to goooo!

[achy-boo]

Name: Nightshade Libya

Romaji: Libya Nightshade

Quote: “Even the most insane people need some comfort in their life”

V/A: Akame (Akame Ga Kill but in a more soft tone[English])

Daki From demon Slayer(Japanese)

Gender: female

Sexuality: Pansexual

Age: 19

Birthday: February 14th

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Eye color: it’s a mixture of dark blue and sky blue with a hint of sparkle in them.

Hair Color: navy blue but she is thinking of dying the ends.

Height: 5’4

Weight: 90 lbs

Race: Undead vessel

Homeland: Chicago

Family: She rather not say..

School Status and Fun Facts

Dorm: Sapphire Lake Manor

School Year: 2nd year

Class: 2-B

Student Number: No.8

Occupation: DJ, hostess at a host club, babysitter

Club: Light music club(In her dorm; They have a gaming club along with the Tea Club [It is like a gossip group So if you like spilling the tea, this group is good for you])

Best Subject: Flying

Favorite Color: Pastel and Dark colors

Favorite Food: Depends on her mood but it’s usually sweets or home cooked food

Least Favorite Food: Night don’t like Lilia’s cooking and…liver as well.

Likes: Night like reading, she also like spilling the tea at the Tea Club, she sometimes like school, the night sky, walks in woods or rain, her stuffed bunny, music.

Dislikes: Heat, Vil, Crowley, loud noises, people interrupted her reading time, She don’t like Rook at all. She also can’t stand Azul nor Leona

Hobbies: Reading, singing, making handmade gifts

Talents: She is empathetic and if she is distracted enough, you will see her eye colors began to swirl around(it’s rare for that to happen)

Nicknames: Nini(Tsukii and Jeanne) Little BunBun(Jamil, Ace and Jack)

Other Nicknames: Silent girl(Epel), Miss Bookworm(Leona) Odd girl(Vil)

Appearance and Personality

Appearance: Night have navy blue hair(I know her hair is a lighter than navy blue but trust me..her hair is navy blue) her eyes are dark blue and sky blue but she always covered her sky blue. Night appears to be petite which she is but she had lot of strength when it came to fighting. She always carried her stuffed bunny around her at all times. Her glasses and her one eye hairstyle is her signature.

Personality: Night is…timid. Even if you knew her, she is always timid. A girl with a few words,an outcast of the NRC. But when she in her dorm as a house warden, she is the most stern and yet laid back house warden. (Which often leads people to think that Night is a combination of both Riddle Rosehearts and Leona Kingscholar). She had a no bs tolerance and she will make sure her voice is heard. She always value safety, privacy and wellbeing so she is very determined to keep it the way it is. After time has passed; Night is still timid but she actually expressed her emotions more, actually start to say what’s on her mind. Anger her and she will become your nightmares. She can be spiteful..only if you deserve it.

𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒂

-Night is the middle youngest of the staff of Sapphire Lake Dorm.

- She had a twin sister name Dawn Libya who is completely the opposite of Night..tho they are eerily similar.

-Doll’s wrath and Bloodlust is Night’s UM and she had a very good reason why she never used that UM often.

-Due to her being a house warden, she is mostly look down upon but she never minded it.

-She always had Tsukii and Jeanne accompanied her on NRC. Even in house warden meetings.

-She is not the type of get angry but she don’t have a filter when she’s angry.

-She actually made three Pomefiore students cry once due to the volume of her voice

-She is very well respected by her dorm but feared to those who like to anger people.

[bornatnightt]

PROMPT 004 ! way of night

Brody Dougal met Nyx in Norway… and he believed she was a fever dream for months. In his place, Jesse might have believed the same.

OLYMPUS

Even before this, even before being forced into standing in front of the gods and asking for their attention Jay had tried commune with his mother. How does one talk with the night? Cold and silent as ever, marble distance as real as it had ever been. And now here he is, face to face again, questions burning into his mind, frustration welling up and memories flooding, surging. Dark, cold, night...

NORWAY

Fingers grasping, cold sweat dripping down his face, whimpers of a child in a nightmare. Shadows chasing, running, footsteps in the snow. His father's voice, grave and serious, questioning. Screams.

Jesse was afraid of the dark.

It was always dark.

SCOTLAND

Where did you meet her? He asked, away from the prying ears and the cold eyes of his stepmother. His father's glasses heavy on his nose, dust collected on the lenses, wiped away on his shirt as he frowned. Norway. He said, she saved me.

Why did she never come for me? Why doesn't she save me?

He never got an answer.

OLYMPUS

Quiet as ever, mysterious and obscure. Is he like her at all? Or are the monstrous siblings of myth more to her image? The nightmares, the demons, madness, the Keres... Does she care at all?

I am here, mother. He tells her.

He should kneel, it is proper to, isn't it? Gods would expect that. They expect a lot from their children, he's learning.

He doesn't kneel.

At night, in the lake. By the woods. In his cabin. The night is alive, it whispers, it calls to him, just like it used to.

Is that you, mother? Are you calling me?

He doesn't get an answer. Does he ever? Will he ever?

Don't suppose you'd be the talkative type. Don't know who I got my charm from.

Joking is easy, almost as easy as walking away would be. He looks around, shakes his head. He must be insane, talking to a goddess who doesn't seem to listen. Finally just as insane as everyone else, huh Jesse? He sits down in the ground.

I am here, mother. He says again, mind drifting to the cold waters of the lake, to the clear skies, the the purest nights in Olympus. To Iceland.

ICELAND

he's scared of the dark. Brody whispers behind the walls of their bedroom, he's just a wee yin.

His father met his new wife in Iceland. The heir to the company he worked so intently for. She never liked the kid he brought into the marriage.

Jesse Dougal was afraid of the dark. There were voices there. Faces.

They called to him.

He was so scared of them. He kept the lights on. He watched the shadows as they grew quietly and hid under the covers. Waiting, waiting, always waiting for something. Always afraid.

Where did that boy go? When did he stop fearing shadows?

When did he start chasing the dark?

SCOTLAND

The night was young, and the night was filled with drinks and laughter and smiles. His smile. The night was comforting, the night was starry. The dark was home.

The day was headaches and an upset stomach, it was black coffee, it was bright classrooms in Oxford, it was fake smiles and dishonesty. It was expensive perfume hiding the stench underneath. The morning was for oversleeping and regret, it was too bright, too loud, too much. He was a creature of night, and there was nothing more liberating than admitting that.

That first night, that first kiss in the dark. The brush of an unkempt beard, the gasp of surprise turned pleasure, the growing want and need for more. Were there ever monsters in the dark or was he just told so?

When did it start? When did he learn?

ICELAND

Scandal. Money. Sharp smiles and sharper claws. Her perfume was like poison, her sharp features like knives. He was an unfortunate wrinkle in her carefully laid out existence. He felt sorry once, not anymore.

His disdain for wealth had a strong start. The balls, the charities, the arm around him. My stepson! Never a nuisance in public but not be seen in any of the countless rooms of her estate.

Why did you marry her? Why didn't you stay with mom? He would ask.

you don't understand, J. Jay never did understand. It was never explained either.

ENGLAND

Oxford was hell, it was pressure and expectation. It was limitless egos and generational wealth that left his stomach in knots. She would fit right in. At least he used none of her money for it, even if he'd need to sell his soul to pay it all someday.

He hated it there, hated the classes, the professors, the students. Hated the smiles and snickers, the polite dressing downs, the coldness. There were so very few bright moments, so very few silver linings.

He met him at the pub, in the dark. The smile, the accent, the skin glowing in the moonlight at midnight. He kissed like he needed it to live. He made Jay feel he needed him to live.

So of course, he screwed that up.

OLYMPUS

Focus. He tells himself, breathe. In, out. Don't think of him.

Think of the dark, think of your mother. What would the night want?

SCOTLAND

He was alone, cut ties after Oxford, after the secrets were out of the dark and she could no longer turn a blind eye. It was worth it. There were pictures of him out there somewhere, arm around the man he loved at some stuffy company event. His father hadn't said a word.

Scotland was home. He decided. Edinburgh were he was meant to be, its dark never more comforting. They were happy... right?

He was at peace, for once.

If he had listened in, he might have been able to hear the voices...

in

the

dark

.

.

.

NORWAY

Voices, sounds far away, the snapping of branches, snow falling. Sweat, dripping down his skin. Breathe loud in his ears, heart racing in his little chest. Eyes, snapping open.

A gasp.

The woods... why was he in the woods? How had he fallen out of bed and into his nightmare?

Tears, running scared. The dark, so dark. He fell, scrapped knees and sobs, the voices silent. Too silent. Where had they gone.

His father had been lost once, hadn't he? He had said so, had said his mother saved him. Was she going to save Jesse too? Was she going to be there, finally, at last! Had she come for him?

Mom! mom! I'm here.

He waited, peering at the dark, between the trees, moonlight barely iluminating the clearing around him. There he stood, listening in but no one came. No one to help, not even the voices that scared him so much. Everything was quiet for a second.

The tears came back. Sobs as he crawled, almost blindly through the forest ground. Guided only by instinct, leaving footsteps in frozen ground. Face turning, snow wetting him through his clothes. Fear and cold, gripping at him, squeezing him from within. Was he going to die here?

He only felt the pain when he raised his hand, blood falling down onto the white snow, painting ground and skin and cloth red, distracting him even from the light approaching.

In the ground, pointed edge stuck out from the snow, with red blood seeping down its jagged surface was a dark stone, drawing in his eyes. He reached for it as screams of his name reached his ear.

He's here!... he's here.

SCOTLAND

The stone was gone. Lost somewhere between Iceland and England, or England and Scotland, or even somewhere back where it was from in Norway. He wished he didn't care. He wished it meant nothing. (It did mean nothing! What did a stone he found stumbling and crying through the woods could mean? he was lucky he didn't get an infection). He felt its loss like it meant much more though.

Except it wasn't lost. Had never been lost. Taken, protected, in a box. Still the same as he found it, then... lapidaded. Sharpened even further, fashioned anew, dark like the night they met, safe like his arms wrapping around Jesse.

"a ring and church wedding isn't really your style is it? but this might just be."

Worn around his neck, displayed proudly yet secret. Home, carried everywhere. A promise of forever (they couldn't keep).

He left that warm bed, the dark lit room with the safe arms and the heavenly kisses, the comfort and warmth, safety and belonging for the first time.

He left their pub, he claimed the city and made do with the broken pieces of them both. Aimless, lost in the place he once found home.

He kept the necklace though. He remembered the promise. He chased the night. Kept chasing that night like he chased a high. One day it would stop, one way or the other it would stop. (But he kept it anyway. Jesse Dougal never parted with that stone again.)

OLYMPUS

Hanging from his neck, the dark stone he carried, meaningless and full of meaning, a mystery, a promise, his one and only heartbreak. The one he found stumbling out of a dream or nightmare, sleepwalking into the dark; scarred but no longer afraid. Scar on his hand where it had pierced him never fully gone. (The other scars he could hide).

That stone, turned into necklace and oath, had followed him from Norway to Iceland, from England to home in Scotland, from there to everywhere in the world. To Olympus.

Glinting with the light of flames, reflecting the stars that hung in the dark sky above, black and lightless above all else as it lay in his chest in bed in the cabin of Nyx.

Is that what you want? he asks.

was it you?

were you there?

were you ever there.

say somehting. say something....

please.

is what he wants to say instead, but he doesn't. he can't.

i don't expect an answer. a half truth. not anymore. a decision. but one would be nice anyway. bargaining?

He has nothing else to give. To say. Leaves his mother the only true offering he can make. The only one that matters.

Jesse Dougal doesn't look back when he leaves the temple, but he wants to. Gods he wants to. Questions burn his mind.

Had she saved him too? Would she, if he ever needed it again?

For that, he didn't have an answer either.

[eclipsewxtch]

i can’t stress how much lore was going to be in my mbav fic “blue moon” and how everything is ✨connected✨ i love it and them so much so here’s a couple of lore tidbits about benny.

I always got confused by the conflicting terms with Benny — because sometimes he was called a wizard (which i hc in this particular fic to mean a being a human with the potential to learn light magic) and other times a warlock (the offspring of a human and demon that can wield magic) and i was just like??? and his grandma is a EARTH PRIESTESS so?? here’s my thoughts on that:

benny’s dad (grandma weir’s child) had no inherent magic to speak of. he was more or less human for all intents and purposes. his wife, however, was a demon. she was one of those poor tortured souls that fell in love with a human, and decided to live a human life with him.

as an earth priestess it’s a little against evelyn’s vows to help or harbor a demon, even one that’s her daughter in law. still, she couldn’t do just not offer a few protective charms to ward off her daughter in laws “inherent evil nature” if only to protect her own son and her soon-to-come grandchild.

for years: benny’s family lived in peace, moving every once in a while — just to avoid detection. (demons seemed to attract chaos and misfortune but fortunately thanks to evelyn’s charms, none of benny’s mom’s misfortune had any effects on her husband and child) they lived and grew. his parents were married for almost two decades. TWO.

it wasn’t until benny was about 5 that his parents died in a car crash. their car went careening into a lake a few miles outside of Whitechapel. his parents died — drowning, he knows for his mom. his dad died on impact. the charms wouldn’t have worked; for that was none of Her misfortune. nothing demonic or supernatural about a car crash, after all.

benny was instantly moved to evelyn’s care, as there was no other suitable guardian for the child. it goes against her vows to harbor a demon — but nothing against the child of one. besides, her potential for powers skipped a generation with her own son, why wouldn’t it do the same with Benny?

until he started levitating her books to read them. until he started making his drawings bounce off the page… until, until, until, until.

she erased his memory of it. afterall it was just childish want that made benny’s magic grow and grow and erupt from his body to produce his whims. books, cookies, friends.

so. she made him want for nothing. she got him that TV and that video game console. she helped him put it together, without magic involved. she and him made magic-less cookies together every saturday evening. she taught him how to enjoy school, even when sitting still was too much of a hassle to learn about dinosaurs or fractions or verb tenses in french.

she raised him. she loved him, even when he often wondered out loud about his parents. even when his eyes grew dark and malicious some odd evenings. even when he had nightmares that blew the lights out and made every video game levitate in his room.

the nightmares stopped when he met ethan, a skinny, pale little boy who had been pushed off the slide by some bullies — bullies that benny had unknowingly made regret it when they magically tripped going down the slides, themselves.

she knew who, or rather what, ethan was right away. she could practically taste it. unlike benny’s magic potential that grew as he aged — something rotten and human and tasting like thunderbolts — ethan had a strange sense about him. impossible to ignore. he would be powerful, once he understood it.

of course she let them be friends. how could she not? finally — benny had someone to properly play video games with. finally someone to giggle with childishly as they made cookies. finally, someone who could stop the nightmares when she couldn’t

Thinking about mbav again and realising just how much of it I've just made up myself lmao

[angelkiller666]

(ok, so, this took WAY too long than it should! i really do appreciate if you bare with me on this new AU i thought up while i was chatting with a friend of mine on Discord) my baby girl, Chanella, Queen of Nightmares! sounds about right, doesn't it??

so this is actually a new AU i have been working on and i FINALLY got the plans of the other Nightmares (from fnaf 4) all planned out, so you'll finally see more of Nightmare Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, Foxy, Mangle Nightmare and Fredbear!! (ijust hate how they'll be taking a LONG time to make, so please be patient)

this is what i call "The Cult of Nightmares" AU. kinda similar to Cult of the Lamb, but more gruesome, scary and your more on the demon side of the cults! 

this is an AU where Chanella and her gang were literal DEMONS who are being worshipped and being fed sinner souls by their followers who wear their signature masks

Chanella - black and purple bear mask Nightmare - black and yellow bear mask Nightmare Fredbear - golden and purple bear masks Nightmare Freddy - dark brown and black bear masks Nightmare Bonnie - blue and red bunny masks Nightmare Chica - yellow and orange chicken masks Nightmare Foxy - red and orange fox masks Nightmare Mangle - white and pink fox masks

and they all work together eating souls of the damned while having a HUGE secret following to take down the corrupted bishops who previously banished them unjustly.

Nightmare, Nightmare Fredbear and Chanella being the KINGS and QUEEN of nightmares as they get inside your mind and also feast on your sanity and suffering, Nightmare Foxy would patrol the lakes, ponds and swamps, (he is a pirate after all) Nightmare Freddy, Bonnie and Chica would patrol the plains and meadows, Mangle patrolling the trees and caves and Nightmare, Nightmare Fredbear and Chanella patrols the deep dark forests. but they all work together into one big ass cult. they aresadistic, but for all the right reasons. usually, Nightmare, Nightmare Fredbear and Chanella are very quiet and calm when relaxed, but will become loud AF and RUTHLESS when angry. Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, Foxy and Mangle have to wear masks to cover their demonic and disorted mouths that showed their many rows of teeth and gullet. BUT Nightmare, Nightmare Fredbear and Chanella, being 5x more powerful than them (they treat each other as family and friends, so no hierarchy) so they can make their mouths look normal, therefor becoming less intimidating

BUT that doesn't mean that when they open their mouth, you'll see that having 6 rows of dagger like teeth will put you in therapy, or worse, the mental hospital because of how....mentally scary it is to look in

eyes, eyes, eyes, eyes EVERYWHERE! especially with Nightmare, Nightmare Fredbear and Chanella. they have multiple eyes in their long glorious silky hair, in their mouths and STOMACH mouths, and on their tongues. but mostly in the mouths and hair. Chanella's over 10.7 feet tall, Fredbear's 13.5 feet tall and Nightmare being the oldest, is a whopping 15.11 feet tall.

Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, Foxy and Mangle range from 8 to nearly 10 feet tall.

Freddy positively represents elegance, stability, status, confident, logical, practical, loyal, Spontaneous and passionate. BUT he negatively represents old hearted, malicious, mocking, loves to torment.

Bonnie positively represents Consistency, Outgoing, Courage, firm but still soft, talent, Bold, competitive, and dashing, BUT also he negatively represents Cruel, menacing, wishes harm upon his victims when done dirty, Possessive, Sadistic and sarcastic

Chica positively represents Spontaneous, talent, playful, cooking with love, (she'd call you nicknames like honey, sugar and/or little mouse, she's that southern mixed with cowgirl vibes) optimistic, and encouraging, BUT also she negatively represents Cruel and ferocious, Possessive, Sadistic, Gluttonous towards the negative attention you give, she wants to see how far you'll go before she makes you suffer in her teeth

Foxy positively represents trustworthy, aqua, Passionate, loyal, pride, confidence, diligent, BUT he also negatively represents Cruel and menacing, ferocious, vicious, Possessive, Controlling, Sadistic, Needs your attention on him at all times, He wants to know how you plan on tackling this situation he put you in. can you survive this sly fox?

Mangle positively represents balance, talent, intellectual, playful, loyal, Outgoing, Courage, passionate, perseverance, ambition, Bold, and optimistic. BUT also negatively represents sadistic, trickery, manipulative, hateful, spite,  Controlling, heartless and envious.

now, Nightmare, Nightmare Fredbear and Chanella got a lot in common (to make sure there's NO confusion, Nightmare and Chanella are siblings, and Nightmare and Nightmare Fredbear are a married couple) they positively represent intuitive, elegance, status, confident, logical, practical, Consistency, Outgoing, Courage, firm but still soft, Spontaneous, talent, artistic, playful, bold, competitive, and dashing, Passionate, loyal, pride, intellectual, empathetic, perseverance, and dedication, patience, harmony, and justice, infamously dramatic, Vivacious, theatrical, and fiery. but HOLY SHIT! do they represent the WORST like: Monstrous and tormenting, Cruel, Twisted, Mocking, Sadistic, trickery, manipulative, hateful, spite,  Controlling, heartless and envious, vengeful and petty, 9they do NOT back down without a fight, and your screwed already when you mess with one of them, get all 8 of them on your ass, your done for) ferocious, deception, (mind games are their specialty) literally had to make Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, Foxy and Mangle "nicer" because Nightmare, Nightmare Fredbear and Chanella are WAY more terrifying to deal with. they wish nothing more than to give descriptive ideas of just what they could do to you. You're at the mercy of their teeth and claws all the nightmares show the sins of wrath and envy in them, but that's it. BUT that doesn't mean they can't be friendly. when your on their good side (it's easier than it looks, i promise) they are actually chill, and fun to hang out with. their servants are always treated with respect, and mistakes are always warmheartedly forgiven, (UNLESS you do it on purpose of course) they exist because of the corruption of Christianity. going to church doesn't make you a good person. but also being athiest doesn't make you a bad person ok, this took way too long, BUT i hope you like what i'm working on!

[alanxwake]

Taken [May 16th, 2013]

They stood there, their feet solid on the ground. their movements shifted and skittered Like they were struggling to move - their movements looked surreal and uncanny, but they just watched me. Their eyes leaking of the darkness, painting their face black. They were riddled, sealed.. and protected with the thick, malicious and poignant mist that wrapped around their being; fueling them with extreme strength and will... will to stop me, pull me from my goal, my path and my desire to save Alice...

They were waiting, waiting for that very second the light above me flickered and died, desperate as they hovered and moved around me, surrounding me. Teasing and haunting me with their weapons, swaying them about, mocking and laughing at me; they lust for their weapon to collide with my body, to stop and break me from reaching the Lake, their home...

Their loud voices, repeating words, sentences and quotes they might have said; when they were human.... they were once someone important, a father, a brother, a son, a husband... Now, they were nothing but the evil and sick darkness that animated them, pulled their strings and ruined them...

Their words spilled with staggers and broken chants. Speaking in a monotone sense, high pitched and dragged out words were annoying and repetitive like they didn't know how to speak properly...Stuttering and screaming at me, like i gave a crap about what they were saying?...

Sometimes, i'd glance at them and just wonder.... "what the hell are you going on about?" but by that point, the light has burned the darkness away, and i could end their miserable reincarnation once and for all; better for the both of us really....

I won't ever forget my first tangible experience with a Taken; Carl Stucky...

He was throwing, literally pounding an axe into some poor hunter's chest; i remember the sound of the man's ribs breaking and crackling as the blade chomped down and ripped through the bone, the blood oozing from his exposed wound - I remember him muttering his name, stuttering at me, but he just kept talking about cabins for rent - rambling on and on, jumping from log to log, playing games with me... I couldn't wrap my head around it, not then... hell, it still strikes a nerve when i sit down and think about it, it really is an incubus, a Nightmare shifted into reality....and i walked right into it...

Had i never accepted the key's and directions from Barbara Jagger even when i knew something wasn't right; Alice and I would still be happy, relaxing in Bright Falls, i'd be able to clear my head and tell my wife i loved her... Now? I don't know what time is anymore, I'm stuck in the bottom of a lake..... writing my Return in the very same Cabin that started it all; ravens watching me with their tainted eyes, Why am i still here?.....

Because i swapped places with Alice; i wrote her free and i took her place.... and i really don't regret that choice....

I'd sell my soul to dream you,wide Awake...

[luciferouslight]

01-03-2023

an excerpt from my book.

Fall came and went in on a cool breeze here in Georgia just to give in to seventy degree winter after a cold spell that chilled us to our very souls. It took cloudless blue skies away and gave us dark and dreary rainy days that never seemed to clean our minds and wash our faces with its cold droplets.

When fall came I felt the changes. The change of the temperature of the air and they way I could breathe in and not feel the heat of death coming up from the asphalt. I would close my eyes and breathe in as deeply as I could just to feel the change in my lungs. I hiked all the old trails hand in hand with my love, but this was like walking the trails for the very first time again. The leaves were bright oranges, yellows, and reds. With slight touches of green peeking through. Leave littered the floor of the woods and partially hid the trails. We still found our way, our way to a picture I only wished that I could paint. The lake, the leaves, the trees, and the squirrels and lizards and let us not forget the gekkers. Yes that is an inside story/joke between Sugar and I.

I miss these days, I wasn't as sad, I wasn't as... empty. I find it to be a miracle that I have made it this far into winter what, thirteen days? It feels as though it has been an eternity since the leaves fell and gave away to nasty gray skies. I am aware that things are meant to change. And that leaves are there to show us how beautiful it can be to let things go. I somehow can't help but to hold on the the past and all the things I have been through. I often wish I was a leaf, or follow that little piece of philosophy. To let things go and just go with the flow. To just breathe. It's that simple after all isn't it? Just let it go. But for some reason I am stuck here feeling six all over again with a knife to my wrist because I was tired of being left alone. I feel like I'm ten, eleven years old laying on my back with nails poking me here and there as I lay on the plywood of a floor in a house that isn't complete yet. And him on top of me. Me saying no over and over again until I passed out from fear.

He's dead now. Murdered. In cold blood. And I don't know how to feel about it. I am saddened that a life was ended so short, but I'm sad for the little girl inside of me that never got an apology or a reason why. I don't know exactly what happened, part of me is not sure that it cares. Part of me can breathe a little easier, part of me cries a little freer, sleeps a little better.

The nightmares went a away a long time ago, but his face appears every now and again. Her face is always there, with her words echoing down a long dark tunnel with only me standing there at the end. Everything is so loud and so clear as though she were right there screaming in my face as she always did when I was a child. Suddenly I can't breathe and I am suffocated with what feels like death and despair. I know that a lot of people won't understand. Won't get what it feels like to have your soul die over and over again just for you yourself having to bring it back to life. If you know what I mean sound off below.

I take a little blue capsule at night to stop all the dreams and it works most of the time, but, when it doesn't I wake up sweating, crying, begging in the darkest of nights to it to go away, leave me alone, stay away from me. But it doesn't help and I'm up the rest of the night trying to fight my way out of panic attack after panic attack. Someone messaged me the other day and I haven't gotten a chance to reach back out, if you see this know that I saw and I really appreciate you reaching out to me. Thank you for taking the time to read and send me a message telling me so.

Please know anyone can message me about my writings, tell me your favorite part, tell me your feelings, what made you sad, what made you happy, what caught your breath and what you learned from it. I'm not writing this just for me. I am wholeheartedly writing this for all of you as well.

With all my love, Luciferous Light

[waverlyae]

“Just let me kill you and get this over with,”

Percy said casually, like it was the most reasonable thing in the world.

If someone told me an hour ago that I’d be fighting for my life right now, I’d have laughed in their face. But here I was on Halloween night, being chased on the outskirts of town by a knife-wielding maniac who also happened to be the most popular guy in school. I tried to rationalize this as some twisted Halloween prank, but the blood dripping down my left arm was real enough to prove otherwise. 

Thanks to an unplanned dip in the pool and somehow misplacing my phone in the ensuing chaos, I’d ended up losing sight of my friends and missed my ride home. As far as I could tell, this Halloween party had been nothing but one terrible thing after another, with one common denominator. 

Percy had apologized more times than I could count, and even offered to drive me home after the party was over. While I’d accepted the towel he gave me to dry off best I could, I’d declined the ride and quietly slipped out the back when he wasn’t looking, opting to walk home instead. 

By all accounts, Percy was a nice guy that everyone enjoyed being around, but for some reason he gave me the creeps. Something about his presence felt wrong, and whenever he was nearby a sense of dread settled into the pit of my stomach. So when he suddenly lunged at me from the dark with a knife, my first thought was vindication. 

Now, I understand you might want to disagree with what I’m about to say considering how many things have gone wrong so far, but I’m lucky. 

Ridiculously lucky. 

Which I’m pretty sure is the only reason that when Percy proceeded to stab his knife towards my throat, he suddenly tripped and went stumbling past me over the guardrail and into Thornton lake below. If that’s not luck, I don’t know what is.

Before realizing it, I was more than a hundred yards down the street, my feet moving on their own as my mind raced to catch up. In the distance I could hear swears and splashing water, but the further I ran the more my own footsteps pounding against the pavement drowned out the noise. 

I tried to scream, make some kind of noise in the hope that somebody would hear me, but the words stuck in my throat. 

To my left was an open field, but if I continued forward I’d eventually reach the twenty-four-hour gas station down the road. That is, if Percy didn’t catch up to me first, and while something told me he was probably a fast runner, I had one thing going for me besides my luck: I’m on the track team.

Coming up on my right now was a house, dark and quiet, its inhabitants most likely tucked safe and warm in bed, blissfully unaware of the nightmare I was living just outside. If I asked for their help, would I be endangering them too, putting them in Percy’s murderous path? Part of me thought that wasn’t fair, but fear won out. 

After a split second of hesitation I barged up the wooden steps, banging on the door with all the energy I could manage. Just then the dam in my throat seemed to collapse and words came tumbling out of my mouth. 

“Help! Please, I need help!” Seconds felt like hours as my words hung in the air, waiting for a sound, a sign, anything to confirm that someone inside might’ve heard me. But I was only met with silence.

Even if someone did hear my cries, I couldn’t blame them for not answering. It was past midnight now, and for all they knew this could be a prank or something even more sinister. 

“Please,” I said, banging against the door even harder, “he’s not far behind—” 

“Found you.”

A shiver went up my spine, not caused by my wet clothes and the brisk autumn air, and I slowly turned to see Percy barely twenty feet away, dripping wet, his knife dancing easily between both hands.

“Honestly, it’s nothing personal,” he said gently, taking a step forward as he met my eyes. “This is an inconvenience for both of us.”

Fear and panic sent my heart thundering away in my chest, so loud I thought he might hear it too, but despite all my terror, I was dumbstruck. Was he actually stupid or something? How was this inconveniencing both of us? It was one thing to get murdered, but it was another if your would-be murderer was an idiot.

A muffled giggle spilled out of me before I even realized it.

“Are you kidding me right now?” I found myself saying, incredulousness dripping with every word. “You’re the one trying to kill me last I checked, but I’m the nuisance?” 

“Hey, don’t put words in my mouth,” Percy responded, looking somewhat offended. “I clearly said inconvenience, but if we’re being honest, yeah, you’re a bit of a nuisance too. This would’ve gone a lot smoother if you’d just accepted my offer to take you home.”

I found myself shrugging as I took a few wary steps down the porch, and despite the fear, my voice sounded more confident than I felt.

“Well, sorry I don’t get into cars with guys I barely know, which I might add, has clearly proven to be the right choice tonight.” 

“Point taken,” he conceded. 

We were ten feet apart now, and I couldn’t help but think his irises looked iridescent behind his heart-shaped sunglasses; if the circumstances weren’t so dire, I’d be tempted to ask why he wore them at all times, even at night. 

Percy let out a defeated sigh and ran a hand through his sandy blond hair, knocking away mud and leaves he’d collected from his trip into the lake.

“What if I make you a deal?” he asked hesitantly. 

“I’m listening.”

“I promise,” he continued, sounding somewhat sympathetic, “to make your death as quick and painless as I possibly can.”

“What the hell kind of deal is that?” I sputtered, unable to stop my jaw from dropping. Before I had a chance to ask if he was actually stupid, a lone headlight came into view from the direction we’d come, illuminating us and everything else in its path.