#sleep token gift exchange

[tonguetyd]

Chemical Mess

A Sleep Token Gift Exchange present for @sleeptokenpuppy 🥰

"What's the point? If life is fleeting, should I just hang with my friends? Should I spend more time with the people I love instead of in my head?"

Tags: Sitcom AU, Inhuman Vessels, Not Platonic or Romantic But a Secret Third Thing (Bonded By An Eldritch Being), Winter Solstice, Minor Existential Crisis, But Friends and Tentacle God Help You Thru It :::)

IV hummed as he balanced another 3 sticks of butter on the precarious tower of supplies retrieved from the fridge. Sure, he could take multiple trips back to the counter with less food, but what was the fun of having super strength if you didn't use it to carry as much as possible?

Deciding he had everything he needed, he shut the door and turned slowly towards the counter, making sure none of his supplies would lose balance and fall do-

"MOOOOVE!!!!" yelled II as he bolted past the guitarist to grab a Red Bull can, knocking over every one of IV's carefully stacked items to the ground.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as to not yell at the drummer. "We really need to keep your caffeine in a separate part of the house."

"We shouldn't give him caffeine at all, he's already supersonic," chimed in III from the stovetop.

"Notmyfault, lotsathingstodotoday, needmyenergy, sorry, iiiwillhelpcleanup!" II said between gulps of his drink. "Oh! Happysolsticebytheway!" He scrunched up the empty can and tossed it to the bin.

"III will NOT help clean up, III has risotto on the stove thank you very much," the bassist sassed.

Huffing at his friends, IV began setting his supplies from the floor to the counter. "It's fine, leave it all for the non-flexible AND slow one, not a problem there..."

"Seeyougotit, dontevenneediiishelp, okaybye," II replied before running back off to wherever he had come from.

IV grumbled something about "rude motherfucker" while III walked over laughing. "Don't worry, we'll figure out some way to get revenge," the bassist said, stretching his arm to keep stirring the pot on the stove. "Little man won't know what hit him!"

An unnatural cloud of fog rumbled with amusement as Sleep watched His younger vessels prepare for His sacred night. He turned His attention to His First, expecting to see a similar sense of entertainment from his eldest.

Instead, Vessel's six eyes blinked joylessly at the wall, oblivious to his friends' antics.

The solstice was upon them once again. Another year had gone by. Were the years always so short? How was time continuing to slip away from him? It had just been summer yesterday. Was life passing him by? Should he be doing more by now? Accomplished more than what he already had? How much time did he even have left?

Futhermore, what was the point of having all this time anyway, if it was just going to fly by him? If he was constantly running out of time anyway, what was the purpose of filling them with...anything? The clock and calendar didn't care what he did to fill them. They marched steady onwards.

Emo shit. As IV would affectionally call it.

Vessel's brain spiral of Emo Shit continued as his friends worked around him to bring light on their shared sacred day.

Sleep was displeased at this. It would not do that His First should be melancholy on the Holiest of nights. His fog form swirled around III.

“Hey Sleep! If you’re looking to help I think IV needs it more,” the bassist said, affectionately twirling a finger in the mist.

The fog grew denser and lowered Itself to obstruct III’s vision.

III frowned and tried to fan the fog away with his hands. “Yeah yeah I know it’s your special day, I’m trying to fry stuff though and would rather not get burned because you’re blocking my sight!”

Frustrated, Sleep continued to His Second. If anyone would be in touch with His First’s emotions, it would be his oldest friend.

The mist descended upon II as he raced up the stairs. “SLEEPICANTSEE!” he exclaimed as he missed the top step, tumbling back down to the bottom.

He sat up and rubbed his head, glaring at the fog. “Thathurt! Becareful! Notallofusareimmortal!”

The fog continued to swim around him, forming an opening to direct II’s sight to Vessel.

II huffed when he saw his friend. “Ves. Talktoyourgodandtellhimtoleaveusbe!”

Vessel glanced up towards II and shrugged.

IV bellowed from the kitchen “OI, SLEEP, WE’RE BUSY! GIVE US A COUPLE HOURS!”

The ancient one’s frustration reached its peak. The fog condensed and shot over to Vessel before disappearing from sight.

Vessel suddenly didn’t feel so good.

His eyes grew blurry and his head heavy. His limbs began to move of their own accord, and suddenly he felt another presence in his mind.

The jerky movement from Vessel’s body caught III’s eye first. “…Ves?”

Vessel’s head snapped to III’s, his six eyes glowing red.

“MY THIRD.”

“…oh. Shit. Not Ves.” III reared his head back, creating space between himself and his now-possessed friend. “UH…GUYS? I THINK WE MADE GOD MAD…”

II and IV made their way over to the other vessels. “Whatdoyoumeanwema-oh. Fuck.” II’s eyes grew when he saw the already looming presence of his friend expand to house a god.

“MY VESSELS. YOU SEEK MY FAVOR UPON THIS HOLY DAY, YET YOU IGNORE MY ATTEMPTS TO OBTAIN YOUR ATTENTION. EXPLAIN.”

“Shit…we…we didn’t mean anything by it, honest,” III stammered out. “We just have to watch what we’re doing, or we’ll make a mess. We would never intentionally ignore you, Sleep.”

“YOU ARE IGNORING MY FIRST.”

IV tilted his head in confusion. “Ves has been sitting right there? He hasn’t said anything to ignore…”

“MY FIRST’S BRAIN IS RESTLESS. HE IS QUESTIONING HIS PURPOSE, FEELING AS IF HE HAS TOO MUCH YET NOT ENOUGH TIME.”

“…andstubbornasscouldnttellusthishimself?”

III elbowed II from across the room. “Oi, don’t be a prick.”

“HE IS SUFFERING IN SILENCE, AS HE OFTEN DOES, AS TO NOT BE A BURDEN ON YOU. I WILL NOT TOLERATE MY FIRST BEING UPSET WHILE SURROUNDED BY HAPPINESS. FIX HIM.”

With His command given, Sleep detached Himself from Vessel’s brain.

When Vessel blinked his eyes again, he felt more like himself. His three sets of eyes were met with another three sets.

“Why didn’t you tell us you were feeling badly?” II asked, deliberately slower than he had been all week.

Shame rose up in Vessel’s cheeks. “I…uh…well…you’re all busy…and I just…it’s stupid anyway.”

“It’s not stupid Ves, it’s something we all feel at times,” IV assured him.

“Yeah! Friendly Christmas existential dread!” III nodded.

Vessel huffed. “I just. You’d think if we all go through this that somebody would’ve figured it out by now.”

IV scoffed. “Yeah, yet here we all just fucking around anyway. Nobody’s got any idea what they’re doing.”

“Mmhmm. We’re bumbling around just trying to get…somewhere?” II offered.

“Or maybe not even go anywhere at all. Just enjoying the ride, wherever it takes us!” said III.

Vessel stared up at the ceiling as Sleep’s fog took shape once again. “I guess.”

“Listen Vee, yeah we don’t know if there’s a point to any of this, and yeah it might be over in the blink of an eye,” IV shrugged. “But instead of wasting that limited time we’ve got trying to figure it out, let’s just. Like. I dunno.” He gestured around their space.

“Eat rice balls!” III exclaimed.

Ves laughed for the first time all day. “Who needs a meaning in life when there’s rice balls?”

“Exactly!”

“III is right,” II said. “We’ve got rice balls, and more than that, you’ve got us!”

“If we’re to be submerged, let us be submerged together and all that shit, yknow?” IV joked.

And as Sleep watched his vessels pick their First’s spirits up, he hummed in agreement. Not even the ancient ones know what the future holds. All any being can do is enjoy time with those that make them feel less alone.

A part of a whole, no matter how messed up it may be.

Just a picture perfect, lovable, positively shitshow, chemical mess.

——————————

Matt’s song offers no answers, nor can I, nor can Sleep probably! There’s no right way to do the holidays or life. All we can do is try to be good to each other! This is my attempt to be good to y’all, and I hope you enjoyed it!! ❤️

[a-s-levynn]

we can spend the night in fascination~

Sleep Token Gift Exchange 2024 for @outcastedang3l 🙏🏻

[corviisquire]

Gold rush, acid flux

saturate me I can't get enough

Sleep Token Christmas gift exchange gift for @h0n3y-bear!!

[ancientbygone]

and you remember everything, only til the sun recedes once again

[my piece for @protabat as part of the sleep token gift exchange!! <3]

[elkkiel]

ST Holiday Gift Exchange 2024: Masterpost

Masterpost of Gifts <3

Sign-up here! Sign-ups are now closed!

Information & FAQ

Event schedule -> Gift submissions begin Dec 25th!

#st gift exchange 2024

🩷

[protabat]

Happy holidays @coconut530 this is my ST gift exchange gift for you! I hope you like it!

[sleepytoken]

.:ST Gift Exchange 2024:.

The Incident (5096 words) by SP00K

Rating: Mature

Relationships: II/Vessel (Sleep Token), III/IV (Sleep Token), II/III/IV/Vessel (Sleep Token), Polyvessels

Additional Tags: Exhibitionism, Stage Shenanigans, Hand Jobs, Voyeurism, Frottage, Masturbation, Gift Fic

Summary:

II learns he's got a new kink.

@toxiclizardwrites Happy Holidays!! I hope you enjoy your gift c: <3

[soul-has-left-the-chat]

For @tonguetyd

Hope you enjoy :33

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's too 💖

[pastlivesxpastlie]

⋆𐙚❅°⋆❆.ೃ࿔: Merry Christmas, Sleep Token Gift Exchange Edition

to: @wishicoulddisappear from: @pastlivesxpastlie but you can call me Wolfie ♡

I don't want to give it all the way, but just know there's praise and gentle dom!ii and best friends being naughty. I hope you love it ⟡ ݁₊ . read it on AO3

...and nobody else can pull me out ⚬ ii x vessel

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Vessel asked, lightly punching ii’s arm. The drummer’s smile just quirked up to one side and he shrugged. This wasn’t a good enough answer for Ves. “Mate, come on. What?”

“Just proud.”

“Proud?”

“Yes. Of you.”

They had just finished a show and were freshly showered. Nothing was out of the ordinary about the night. Sure everyone sounded great, the chemistry with the crowd was electric, but to Ves he just went out there, did what he always did, loved it, and called it a night. So why was his best friend looking at him like he won something? Vessel shrugged and looked away, focusing his eyes outside the hotel window. It felt good to hear this from ii. They respected the hell out of each other. They had to. How else could they create the work they did? But Vessel also knew that ii listened. Not just to the tracks and demos but him. ii really saw Vessel. Understood the idea and the feeling without Ves having to explain. He never had to explain. ii never expected him to explain because maybe it was painful, or maybe the magic would be ruined if the metaphors were taken apart. But more to the point, ii just got him. 

ii considered his friend for a moment, letting his eyes linger over his face and chest. Vessel’s chest wasn’t a new sight, but it is a welcome one for some reason tonight. Maybe because it was slightly rosy from blushing…moving up and down with slightly more effort. “What’s the matter, hm” ii smirks. “Hate hearing praise?”

There was that word again. Praise. Critics praised albums. A master praised a dog. A congregation praised a deity. “Why would you call it that?” Vessel himself was not worthy of praise. “It’s just a compliment. Call it what it is.” He can’t bring himself to look at ii, he just stares and the soft white hotel sheets. “Don’t be weird.”

“Look at me.” Finally, Vessel lets out a big huff and looks at ii. Good god, the intensity of his stare. Those blue eyes shot through him and held him in place. “How long have we been at this? Out of everyone…I am at liberty to praise you. I dare you to tell I’m wrong.”

This is triggering Vessel’s fight or flight response, yet he chooses to freeze. For all intents and purposes, ii is being kind but why is he being so firm? Vessel feels like he’s in trouble with a teacher and wonders to himself what could come of this if he just pushed…just a little. He snaps out of his frozen state and clears his throat. “Well you are wrong. You’re wrong about having liberties over me.” He rolls eyes. 

“Just accept the praise and move on. Say thank you, at least.”

“Christ’s sake. Thank you, kind sir, for your hard earned praise and respect,” Vessel scoffs, giving ii a bratty smirk.

“Oh there’s a good boy,” ii jokes as he walks towards where Ves sits on the bed, “was that so hard?”

“Oh no, eeeeaaaasiest thing I’ve ever done, mate. Wasn’t at all like getting a compliment from my mu—“ but he can’t get his sentence out. His chin is gripped in ii’s strong hands, and he’s being pulled up slightly.  Vessel doesn’t even want to ask why ii is acting the way he is and swats at his wrist, but ii moves faster. Damn it. Of course he does. ii grips Vessel’s wrist and leans in, ready to lay in to him, but the devil on his shoulder says ‘do it. Shut him up. Shut his slut mouth.’ Their lips collide in a hot, silent moment. Vessel pulls ii into his lap and wraps his arms around him tightly, his hands grasping under his tank top and explores

“Let’s get these clothes off…” ii hissed against the shell of Ves’s ear. Fuck…this was really happening. When they both have their pants off, ii moves to lay down but Ves stops him by cupping his wide, spidery hand over ii’s rib cage, right below his pec. ii shudders as Vessel’s thumb gently rubs against his nipple. “What…what is it?”

“Come back in my lap…please. Please?”  ii was a goner. He tried to keep up his gentle, guiding-hand mentality but Vessel’s pleas sought to break him. As soon as he straddles him again, ii lets his twitching cock slot right beside Vessel’s. They both moan softly as they stare down at each other’s erections…how they look side by side. ii balances himself on one hand and spits in the other. 

“Look at that….hey…Ves I said look at that.” Vessel bites his lip as ii strokes their cocks together in his one hand. “Doesn’t that look good? Doesn’t that look right? Hm,” ii rasps, looking at Vessel’s already glazed over and fucked out face. Ves wants to nod but he’s in awe. “Say it…say that it looks right. Say this is how it should be.”

“It looks…r-r-right…and…fuck…fuck…” Vessel wants to say more. To wax poetic about how good ii’s cock and strong hand feel against him. How the weight of his friend in his lap fills a void that was once nameless…but he sees now what he needs. His hands squeeze and knead ii’s perfect waist, eliciting a moan and arched back. Ves leans forward and places wet, gentle kisses in the middle of ii’s tattooed chest, savoring in his warmth, the smell of his body. He can feel ii’s grip start to wain, so he gently touches his wrist, signaling him to stop. “Let me do this for you…” ii has to bite his lip when Vessel’s wide hand envelopes their cocks. He bets this is how Ves strokes his own cock, a thought he has to push aside if he wants this to last. For once, ii doesn’t know what to do with his hands. He’s already kissing and frotting with his best friend, why can’t he just touch him? What’s so bad about that? His resolve breaks when Ves’s left hand cups ii’s asscheek and makes him buck into his hand. ii’s hands cup Vessel’s face and pulls him in for a hot, deep kiss. His touch has become gentle. Loving. It’s a manifestation of what lay under the firm praise he gave Vessel…he just wants Ves to know he’s loved and worthy. Finally the silence is broken when a sharp whine comes from Vessel’s throat, a signal that’s he close…but ii knows that. He’s heard it before. They’ve shared plenty of hotel rooms with paper thin walls and tour bus bunks with flimsy privacy curtains. But tonight, ii was making him sound like that, and fuck if we wasn’t proud. 

“Gonna cum for me? Hm? Show me how you get off…c’mon…” Vessel’s eyes roll back as he pathetically asks ii to spit on their cocks, a request ii can’t refuse. They both groan as the sensation intensifies with the added slick. “Let me see…bet you can get off quick…cheeky wank before we go on stage, yeah?”

“F-f-f-fuck off, mate,” Vessel sputters as he gets closer. The taunting is getting to him. He places his left hand on ii’s shoulder and presses him further in his lap. “Fuck my hand. Please. It…it..it’ll feel so good.” ii does as his best friend asks and lets out a growling moan. All ii wants is for Ves to cum on his cock and use it as lube and he gets his wish. The sensation of Vessel’s twitch and hot spurts thunder’s through ii’s smaller body and makes me him fuck into Ves’s fist harder…he imagines it’s his throat and he loses it. ii looks down in a daze at his broken lover, covered in their cum and sweat. Both of their chests heave as they come to. Finally, Vessel speaks. “I don’t regret that. But I will if I don’t take another shower.” 

ii leans down and licks a long, messy stripe up Ves’s pretty tummy. “Not done with you yet…good boy.”

[beyondthefarthestreaches]

The line between love and the urge to devour is thin.

You Taste Like New Flesh: A Stalker!IV playlist

Created for @ghostlygothicgay. My goal was to capture the highs and lows that characterize obsessive stalkers and the way they think, how their mood can depend entirely on the object of their obsession. I hope you enjoy!

[a-s-levynn]

there is a new intention, new whispers that once could not be heard

[hazyfaith]

Monster Among Men (3.3k)

Pairing: III & Vessel & II CW: Body Horror, Vomiting, Injuries, Vessel Transformation, Monster, Fluff, Platonic relationship, Hurt/Comfort, Pain.

Summary: The band had been off tour for a couple of weeks, the worship had become less, leaving her to grow weak and in desperate need for more. III felt weird the whole day, the feelings persisting into the night when something paid him a visit.

Read on AO3: Monster Among Men

A/N: This is the gift I made for @soul-has-left-the-chat for the Sleep Token gift exchange!! I'm so happy I could make this for you, what you put for your gift preferences really inspired me! I was so glad when you said you were fine with body horror that I might've gone overboard with it, but oh well!! I hope you'll like it <3

Despite the heaviness of his eyelids, III could not find sleep. 

He had gone to bed early, hoping to have a long night of sleep as he had been more tired than usual lately, but alas. Since he got himself settled under the covers, he had turned over and over again, unable to fall asleep.

His gaze was fixed on the ceiling, trying to ignore the never ending headache that was rattling his head. It had been throbbing for the past hours and nothing he did reduced the amount of pain he was in. Usually, after relaxing in a dark room for a few hours or sleeping it off would do the trick, but not that day. Everything was too much.

His whole face was hurting. From his tight jaw, his teeth grinding against one another, his ears ringing, to his eyes burning, he could not get the rest he wanted. 

Suddenly, a wave of warmth washed down his body, prompting him to push the blanket off of himself to cool down. As he moved his arms, a sharp pain ran through both of them, his finger tightening their hold on the soft material. His hands remained tense, unable to open them and release what he was holding. After what felt like minutes, he regained control of his hands, letting go of the blanket as his muscles relaxed, relief flooding his mind, only for a few seconds. 

A burning feeling made its way up his throat, bile threatening to come out. He got out of bed in a hurry, his head spinning at the sudden movement, before running to the closest bathroom. He swung the door open before scrambling in. His head throbbed even harder, dizziness taking over his body. He gripped the edge of the sink to steady himself, his knuckles turning white. 

His stomach churned at the sight of the moving sink, bile coming up his throat once again, this time spilling in his mouth. He dove to the toilet, throwing up a dark blue slug. 

He hovered over the toilet, his stomach contracting persistently, unable to stop the viscous liquid from coming out. The burning sensation made his tongue and the roof of his mouth burned, his lips tainted by the liquid. The pressure from it coming out made his throat tightened. He slapped his hand around his throat to loosen it, to no avail. He was choking.

His mouth agape, he hit his chest with his fist, slug finally coming out, splattering the toilet. His airway finally free, he coughed and gasped for air. Every breath he took to regain control felt like a razor blade, making him barely able to fill his lungs fully. Tears pricked in the corner of his eyes, threatening to spill at any moment. 

His knees began to hurt from kneeling in front of the toilet, prompting him to sit instead. As he moved his legs he felt a stabbing pain in both his calves. He quickly brought his legs towards his stomach to soothe the pain, only for loud cracking noises to rattle the small bathroom, followed by acute pain in his tibias. 

His legs fell back down immediately as he folded forward despite the cramps in his abdomen, grabbing at his knees. The shock from them hitting the floor created two bumps, one on top of each of his shins. 

A few seconds passed before he felt something pulling on his feet. His legs were extending as he felt emptiness in his lower legs. The pain became unbearable, the tears in his eyes fully flowing. 

When the pulling stopped, he felt like sand and glass shards filled this void, as if millions of microscopic pieces bridged the two parts of the broken bones. The inside of his legs were itching, as if the new part of his bones were jagged. 

As he reached his hands to scratch at his legs, his hands caught his eyes. The tips of his fingers were a deep black just like his hands, fading to his natural skin colour as it went up his arms. Despite having naturally long and slender fingers, he could not help but believe that they had also grown. At least his fingernails had grown as he had now red pointy claws. 

While he was observing his hands, the cramps in his abdomen worsened although his stomach had calmed down. Beneath his upper ribs, his heartbeat became more powerful, rattling his chest. From inside, his heart was pushing against his thorax. His rib cage expanded, creating an empty space between it and his organs, cracking noises echoing once more in the room. 

His headache from before had yet to disappear, it only became worse. 

His eyebrows frowning as the pressure against his hairline increased. Grabbing his head, he felt two bulges. At first they were of a small diameter, but enlarged rapidly. He ran his shaky fingers over them, squinting his eyes like he touched a mean bruise.

The bulges pushed upwards, his skin stretching until it broke. Skin filament hung loose as the wooden looking buds came out, blood dripping down his face. As they grew, he felt his skull being pulled, trying to escape from under his scalp. 

The dizziness he had felt became worse, forcing him to lie down otherwise he would vomit once more. The cold bathroom floor sent a shiver down his spine, contrasting with how warm his body had become. 

The thud of his heart grew in his ear, blocking out any outside noise. The yellow light from the ceiling blinded him. White spots filled his vision before complete darkness took over him.

—-------

Vessel and II had woken at dawn and went on with their day as usual. Since they were not on tour, they had been taking it easy, but still worked on new and old music, preparing for what was to come next. 

The whole morning, III had yet to be seen, a normal occurrence as there was no rigid schedule for the time being. 

The first two vessels had been in the studio for a little over an hour, working on the next album. III was supposed to join them, but never did, an unusual thing for him as he was alway hyped to create new music. After running over the music sheet one last time, they decided to take a break to get snacks and find where the bassist had wandered off to. 

II went to III’s room as it was a possibility that he overslept. Walking down the hall, he passed a closed bathroom with light coming out of the frame, but thought nothing of it yet. 

In front of III’s door, he knocked, but there was no answer, prompting him to push it open and take a quick peek. The bed was messy and clothes covered the clothes, but the bassist was nowhere to be seen. After backing out and closing the door, he walked to the lit bathroom, knocking.

Once again, he got no answer. As he was about to head down the hallway, his heart squeezed in his chest, a small voice in his head whispering to knock again. And so he did, this time louder. 

“III? Are you in there?” He asked, a muffled groan being the only thing he heard back.

On the other side of the door, III frowned as he was woken up by the knocking. A groan escaped his lips as he sat up. His whole body felt sore like he had worked out excessively the previous day. Getting on his knees in front of the sink, he gripped it and pulled himself up. 

A gasp echoed in the bathroom when he saw his reflection in the mirror. Instinctively, his hands went to his head, grabbing on the antlers that had grown seemingly overnight. A shiver went down his spin at the contact. Ignoring it, he glided his fingers up against the soft velvet antlers until he reached the tips. As his arms fell down, his gaze followed and all settled on his face. 

He grazed his nails on his face, taking it all in. His eyes were sunken into the sockets, black all around it as if he had put makeup on, His irises were red and his pupils slitted. His cheeks were shallow, the bones clearly outlined. His lips were elongated and thinner than before, his teeth sharper and yellower. Slightly turning his head to the side, he caught a glimpse of his ear, which was long and pointy, contrary to its small and round usual appearance. His neck too seemed weird, much longer. 

His breath caught in his throat, he couldn’t believe that what he was seeing was him. 

Another knock startled him, his eyes leaving the mirror and falling on the door. “Are you alright? I know you’re in here, I heard some shuffling,” II called out, his eyebrows frowning in worry. 

"Can I come in?" Vessel asked, who, at some point joined the drummer, seeing that neither of them were coming to the studio. The only answer he received was heavy breathing. 

"III? I'm coming in ok? I need to make sure you're alright."

"No, no no no no," III repeated, panic laced in his voice. How was he going to explain this to his friends? 

"III, we want to make sure you're alright. You sound quite scared right now,” II stated despite how obvious it was. He was hoping the bassist would understand their concerns.

"I-I'm ok," He whispered back with a shaky voice. 

"We know you're not... Let us help you, yeah?" II chimed in, his hand on the doorknob, turning it slowly.

At the noise, III threw himself against the door, blocking it so they wouldn’t be able to open it and see him like this. He couldn’t let anyone see him. His face alone was so different, they would have a hard time recognizing him. What if they became scared of him? 

Vessel and II didn’t waste any time and pushed against the door. III’s distress was too strong to be brushed off, even if he insisted on being fine.

Despite his best effort to anchor his feet on the ground and keep the door shut, III slid across the tiles, allowing for his bandmates to enter the small bathroom. 

Gasps erupted as they finally caught a glimpse of III while he rambled about how they should not be seeing him and that they should leave. Even though it was not their first time seeing someone like that, neither of them moved, unsure of how to bring comfort to their friend, simply looking him up and down.

Not only was his face different, his entire body was too. The hair on his head was touching the middle of his back. His limbs were already long to begin with, but they all had become elongated. However, his chest remained the same length, making his body look disproportionated. His hands and feet were black and transitioned to his skin colour as it went up his arms and legs, which was somewhat dissimulated by thick dark hair that covered him. His usually flat chest had grown as if it swelled, the band’s sigil carved in gold in his skin. 

Vessel, who had his fair share of taking care of someone in this state, was the first one to reach out. Despite being the first chosen vessel, he had been through fewer transformations than II, who had seemingly been the favorite one for this. However, he had always been there when the drummer went through it, helping in any ways he could. 

“Oh, III,” Vessel breathed out, taking III’s hand in his despite the taller man’s protests. “It’s ok, you’re ok,” he reassured him. 

“No, no it’s not! I’m-I’m terrifying! ” III exclaimed, gesturing towards himself. “I don't even know what happened... Yesterday I wasn't feeling well and now I look like something straight out of a folklore tale!” He cried out. 

“It’s Sleep,” II blurted out, “It happened to me too, many times, in fact.” III’s head turned to him, his red eyes piercing through II’s blue one. Before he could ask any further questions, the singer took a step forward and spoke first.

“We will explain everything, but we need to get out of here. Let’s go to the living room,” he declared, already pulling on III’s arm.

The bassist didn’t complain, letting himself be led out the room. Following his two friends out of the small bathroom, his antlers hit the doorframe, a whine escaping his lips as the shock resonated through his whole body. 

“Your antlers are really sensitive, aren’t they?” II asked playfully, wanting to ease everyone’s nerves. He was trying not to show that he was a bit scared as he was not used to seeing someone else transform other than himself. He knew how painful this whole process is, not wishing it on anyone, especially on one of his closest friends.

The walk down the hallway was laborious. Everytime III took a step, he felt like lightning was striking his shins. His knees buckled more than once, throwing off even more his nonexistent balance. After almost falling over, he held onto Vessel’s arm to keep steady. When they reached the living room, III squinted, the bright sun burning his retinas. The drummer quickly caught on to it, closing the curtains while Vessel helped III settle down before getting the tea he had been preparing before joining them in the bathroom. 

Sitting down in his habitual spot on the couch wasn’t as comfortable as usual. III’s back wasn’t fully supported, his legs were touching the coffee table, and his shoulders were pushed up his neck since his arms rested weirdly on the armrests. He was used to having difficulties in his everyday life because of his height, but everything was exacerbated by his lingering headache. Huffs and puffs could be heard from miles away as he shifted repeatedly.

His two friends joined him on the couch, waiting for him to stop shifting in his seat. Once he calmed down, Vessel, who was sitting beside him, took his long hands in his, pulling them towards him despite the flinching.

“What’s happening to me?” III whispered, tears filled his worried eyes as he met Vessel’s gaze.

“It’s Sleep’s doing,” He started while III tilted his head. “Since we’ve been on break for a little while, our worship has been weaker than She needs. Festivals and concerts bring her a lot of energy but since we are just practicing and making new music, less energy has been created and received by her. She uses the transformations to get more energy when She grows weak,” he explained.

“I’m usually the one to experience the transformation, but apparently She wanted to try it with you,” II added with a soft smile. 

“And through these, She inhabits the person which gives her more energy as She uses her power. Or at least that’s what we understood. It’s not always easy to understand her.” 

“She’s… in me?” III questioned. 

“Yes, She’s here,” Vessel observed, putting a hand on III’s sternum, “She’s in you now, you’re her vessel,” he declared, the carved sigil flickering beneath his touch.

III was speechless, bringing his own hand to his chest, tingles invading it. A small sense of pride bubbled in his chest. Their god was in him. Sleep had chosen him to regain her strength. 

“How long will it last?” III wondered.

“Usually a couple of days, it varies on how weak She has gotten,” II answered. 

The bassist lowered his head, “I don’t think I can be like this for that long… I can't do anything! Just walking was a challenge, I looked like a fawn!” He exclaimed, his cheeks red with shame. His independence was something he took pride in, and having to rely on others was always a hard thing to do. 

“It’s going to be fine! I’ve helped II during every one of his transformations, we’ll be able to help you too!” Vessel reassured as he saw the humiliation on his friend’s face, rubbing his thumb comfortingly on the back of the hand he was still holding. 

“How about we stay here for the rest of the day while you recover, huh? We’ll get some food in you and we can watch movies or take a nap… Does that sound good?” II suggested. 

III gave a small nod, his head still down, feeling the two men leaving the living room. Although accepting help wasn’t his strong suit, he knew he would have an even harder time than he already had with his new body. 

After letting go of III’s freezing cold hand, Vessel made it his mission to get him a warm fluffy blanket. He needed to be warmer if he was going to feel better. He also made sure to get his laptop to watch movies on, and some more pillows in hope of getting III comfortable.

II went in the opposite direction, heading to the kitchen. From the freezer, he took pre-made frozen soup that Vessel always kept on hand for when he was hosting Sleep or when someone was sick. He quickly went to work and put it in a pot to reheat it. Meanwhile, he filled a glass with water and made a fruit platter that would serve as dessert to get more vitamins in III. The soup warmed up rather quickly, and with all the food on a wooden tray, he was on his way back to his friend. 

Vessel had helped the bassist get as comfortable as possible with multiple pillows behind and beside him and a blanket covering him. 

“There you go, eat while it’s still warm,” II said as he settled the tray on III’s lap, handing him a spoon.

III tried to grip the spoon like he normally would, but his long nails were getting in the way. Instead, he gripped it like a toddler. He sighed heavily while eating as he struggled to do another simple task. II had asked if he needed any help, resulting in III pulling himself away and mumbling something about not liking being made fun of, a soft giggle escaping the drummer. Throughout the whole meal, Vessel’s eyes were fixed on the carved sigil on his chest as it glowed brighter with each bite. 

After finishing his meal, III felt fatigue wash over him. He sank down on the couch, pulling the blanket to his chin. The longer he watched the movie the guys had argued over, the heavier were his eyelids. Soon enough, snores could be heard in the living room, almost drowning out the noise from the laptop.

The three of them took the following days easy. No band practices were held as there was no way he would be able to play his bass with his obnoxiously long fingers and nails. Instead, Vessel and II spent time helping III with everything. From learning how to walk with his oddly proportioned legs, to soothing his itchy antlers as they shed their velvet, they didn’t leave him alone for a second. 

II mostly talked him through it, giving him tips on how to handle the rattling in his chest from Sleep, or the random pain in his shins by applying warm compress on them. III couldn’t deny that having someone who knows had experienced multiple transformations already was comforting, he felt less alone through all of this. 

Even though She was using III as a vessel, Vessel made sure to maintain a good amount of offerings to Sleep. He also made sure to cook some comfort easy to make meals, something the drummer was always grateful for when he went through it. 

It took a couple of days, like II said, for Sleep to regain enough energy before She left III’s body. The process was almost as painful as the beginning, but this time around he had his friends with him to help soothe the pain and help him get back on his feet.

[winniethewife]

I will shelter you all the same (Vessel x II)

A/n: This is for The Sleep Token Gift Exchange 2024. I got @elkkiel (Meow!). This was an absolute joy to write, I hope you love it! Also thank you @midgardian-witch for Beta reading!

As Always if you want to hear me shout into the void about this band (And others) Please follow me over at @lyricallymelodic  

Disclaimer: All fan fic written by me for this fandom is based on a fictional depiction of the personas of the band members, no real people were perceived in the making of this fiction.  

Warnings/ Tags: Mind fuckery, Anxiety, Abandonment issues, Angst with a happy ending, Homesteader AU

Ao3 link

Words: 5023

When the sun rose that morning Vessel saw that II had already left. He even went to the window to check, seeing the tire tracks in the snow leading away from the cabin. It made sense, the snow storm had passed the day before, and he had said that he would have to go on a supply run. They had done pretty well with preparation for winter as far as food went, they still had plenty of nonperishables to get them through the rest of winter but things like kindling, firewood, fuel and the few other supplies they got from the local village ran out with time. Vessel had to remind himself that this is to be expected, that this is a normal part of life. People leave the house to go to the store, that's a completely normal thing to do. 

He’s just gone for the day, he’ll be back tonight. He’s not leaving you. He thought. This was not the first time this specific thought entered his mind. He had to remind himself almost constantly whenever II had to make his way to town or to go hunting or really anytime he left the cabin that it wasn’t forever. Despite the many years living this way and knowing what he knew, Vessel was always afraid everyone would leave him in the end. Vessel tore himself from the window and tried his best to shrug off the feeling of dread that started to sink into his chest, deciding instead to focus on his writing. Sitting down in his chair next to the fireplace he grabbed his notebook and pen continuing something he had begun the night before. His journaling was something he found solace in. Putting the odd thoughts in his mind to paper helped, especially when he was waiting for II to return. If he returns.

He will, he always does, and that isn’t going to change. He loves me.

“You don’t know that.” The distorted voice of Sleep echoed in his mind. Vessel’s head snapped up as he looked around the room. No one was there, but the shadows in the room felt darker, the lights seemed wrong, and every hair on the back of his neck stood up. The lingering feeling of unease started to spread through his body again. He didn’t want to deal with this right now, he much preferred to stay in reality when he was awake, but more and more often the ancient deity had begun to seek him out even in his waking hours.

“I, I don’t need your input.” He said softly. There was no reply, but Vessel knew better than to hope that meant he had nothing to worry about. He returned his attention to the notebook in his hand but the words on the page morphed through languages he’d never seen, runes and sigils that he had no way of deciphering. He could feel his heart in his chest, the way his tongue sat in his mouth, every sensation heightened in a peculiar way, it was beyond unnerving. He hears the pen hit the floor before he realizes he’d dropped it. He is so very aware at this moment that he is alone. II isn’t here to ground him in reality, he isn’t here to tell him the voice won’t hurt him, he isn’t here to- 

How long does it take to get to town? How far is the town from the edge of the forest? How many turns in the road can the truck slide off the edge of? Who else knows they’re out here in the forest? Can he live with being alone for the rest of eternity when-

The fire had gone out long before he had looked up from his notebook again. Vessel blinks slowly, trying to figure out what exactly happened. How long had he been sitting there staring at his own handwriting. He felt the cold first, then the hunger, how dry his mouth had become. He hears nothing, and the cabin is dark. It must be night. Vessel closed the book and set it aside before standing up to get some water.

“You’re still alone.” The voice said, clearer now. The night seemed to do that, making everything Sleep said clearer, closer, and yet still cryptic and cutting all the same. He flinched, but continued to focus on the task at hand: water. After getting a glass and finding where he put the water jug he took a quick look around, a shadow in the corner, a reflection in the glass, a bit of dust in the air. Sleep was both none of these things and all of them at the same time.

“You’re here, so I can’t be truly alone.” He countered, feeling brave. A sickening laugh echoed through the cabin. Vessel instinctively tensed up at the sound.

“Oh? I’m here? Are you sure?” Sleep was willing and happy to play mind games, to cause problems for him, do whatever it took to get into Vessel's head. Vessel tried to center himself, focus on things that were real and tangible. The glass of water in his hand, his feet on the ground, anything that could keep him in reality. Mutterings he can barely hear in the back of his mind are pulling his focus. Spots appear in his vision making it even harder to ignore the repetitive phrases that the deity whispers from the depths of his mind. 

You are not worthy of this

You are not worthy of him

You

Are

Worthless

Standing up he blinks and the sun is rising, he’s in the bedroom and he doesn’t know when he got there, how he got here, he just knows he’s standing in their room with the heavy quilt over his shoulders and he’s clutching one of II’s shirts in his hands like it’s the only thing keeping him a float. He cursed under his breath as he felt the sting of tears in his eyes. What is wrong with him? He should be stronger, he should be better, he should be… but he isn’t.

~

II had to leave before dawn. He hated leaving like this but the list of things they needed from the town was getting too long to avoid. He looked at Vessel who was still sleeping, his face half covered by his pillow and blanket, looking peaceful and at ease. II briefly wondered if that meant Sleep wasn’t plaguing his mind tonight. Was it too much to hope? He gently caressed Vessel’s cheek, smiling softly at him as he slept. He knew he had to get a move on, however it was never easy to leave.

Pressing a quick kiss to the slumbering man’s forehead before he pushed himself out of bed, still tired from the night before. Pulling on his jeans over his thermal underwear, tossing the shirt he slept in to the side as he pulled on his under shirt, on goes a warm flannel and an oversized hoodie. Layering up for the cold always felt like such a chore. He felt a little like a scarecrow as he wandered into the living room, checking that the box of kindling and firewood was still full. He knew very well that Vessel could take care of himself but he liked knowing that he’d have everything he needed, in case something happened and he was delayed in town. Or possibly II was delaying the eventual need to actually leave, since the dark and cold outside wasn’t exactly the most inviting.

“Okay, c’mon. Just get it done so you can get back.” He muttered to himself looking at his winter coat, hat, scarf and gloves waiting for him in a neat little pile next to a packed lunch box. He sighed deeply and started to put on the last layer of his warm clothes and boots. The next step was clearing the snow and ice off the truck, after that he had to get in the truck and pray that it would start. Lucky for him after a couple of tries the engine roared to life and he finally could make his way down the bumpy dirt road that lead away from the cabin and through the forest to the main road.

He had tuned the radio to whatever local alternative rock station he had found years ago but it would be a while before anything actually played, so for now he drove through the woods in silence. He knew he was going to hate almost every second of this drive. The roads were never cleared up here; at some points he wondered if he was even driving on the road or just where he thought the road should be. By the time the truck had emerged from the coverage of the forest the sun was starting to rise. The trip always took longer in the winter. In the summer he sometimes was able to get someone to meet him halfway at the rest stop a couple miles out of town but in the winter most of the people he knew in town were visiting family or spending the cold months somewhere warm. There was also the chance he might have to go an extra hour down town if the Mom and Pop shops he usually preferred to shop at was out of anything they needed.

“This is Nathan Briggs, coming at you from The Void, here at 99.3. Up next is Like A Villain by Bad Omens.” The voice from the radio startled him, as much as he knew the radio was on he wasn’t expecting it to cut through the static so clearly and so quickly, nor was he expecting the voice of the radio Deejay to be so annoyingly enthusiastic for how early it is. As the song played he was tapping his thumbs against the wheel along to the beat, his focus on the road. The sun was coming up behind him, illuminating the road in front of him. The rest of the drive was relatively calm, no other cars out this way and luckily the road was mostly clear. As he finally pulled into town he felt a weight lifting from his shoulders. This was good. He could head home soon and he wouldn’t have to worry about Vessel and his state of mind.   

After finding a parking spot in the mostly empty lot he put the last of his winter gear on again pulling the balaclava up over his nose and his hat down his forehead as he braced himself for the cold. Jumping out of the truck and starting his walk down the street he barely notices some of the town’s people staring at him. This was pretty typical of his visits to town. He finally made his way towards the local general store, his first stop every time he came into town, not really because they had everything he would need but because the couple who ran it were always kind to him. He glanced up at the sign, Not your dad’s Shoppe, in bright blue lettering looked back at him. He pushed open the door and the bell chimed causing the dark haired woman behind the counter to look up at him.

“Oh! Hi II! I didn’t know you would be coming to town so soon!” She smiled at him. It was nice, these brief moments of human interaction after several months without, although II wasn’t really a big fan of small talk, but Hazel was a good person. She had been one of the few people in town who didn’t think of them as outsiders. Although he hadn’t exactly tried to change that perspective, sometimes even encouraging it, it was easier than having to explain why they had decided to live in the middle of nowhere to anyone who might get close enough to them to find out. So he gave her a polite smile and a quick wave.

“Hey Hazel, no worries, Ves and I ran out of some basics a little faster than expected.” He said, his voice slightly raspy from the cold. II looked over the shelves to find the items he needed. Hazel nodded and let him do his shopping while she sorted something behind the counter.

“I can understand that. I worry about you two up there by yourselves.” She continued the conversation with a caring tone, she couldn’t have been much older than him but she had a motherly way about her. He could picture her happily surrounded by a large family someday. “Danny was concerned when Sam said you hadn’t sent word for a pickup in October. Thought maybe you’d reach out before he headed out for winter.”

“Oh, Yeah, October was a little chaotic for us. You know I couldn’t ask you guys to do a pick up after the first snow, it’s just not safe.” II remarked trying to keep the conversation light as he brought the few items he needed to the counter.

 “You know damn well we would have made it work II. You might not believe me but you two are as good as family at this point.” Hazel chided him playfully as she rang up his items. He shook his head with a chuckle as he paid for his things but before he could argue with her she said something that worried him. “You should hurry back up there though, it’s supposed to snow again this afternoon.”

Well…Shit.

~

Vessel woke in a cold sweat. He sat up and looked around, this wasn’t his bedroom, and this wasn’t the cabin. This was something else entirely. He looked around cautiously, waiting for a confrontation with Sleep or someone else. He was in a clearing surrounded by trees, it seemed familiar but he couldn’t guess from where, perhaps another dream, perhaps the past, maybe not his memories. Vessel stood up, compelled to explore, to find his way to a destination, something pulled him through the endless clearing. At some point he was so sure that he wasn’t really going anywhere that this was some kind of hall of mirrors and yet he had no reflection. That’s when the voices started, each one eerily familiar yet impossible to place.

“You have to do better, be better or you will amount to nothing.”  He took another step forward. Trying his best to not think too hard about it. Those were words of someone so far in the past.

 “This is the last time I’m going to do this.”  Vessel kept moving, no one ever warned him that it was the last time, it was just the last time, and then they would leave.  

“I can’t stay when you’re like this.”  He was tired of constantly being told he was irrational for feeling anything that he wasn’t told to feel. Having feelings inconvenienced others. His needs were never as important as theirs. His wants weren’t even considered worthy of being voiced.

“I never wanted this, I never wanted you” He already knew that. No one ever wants something so broken. No one wants to deal with everything he was trying to figure out. He kept walking; if he kept walking the answer to why he’s here would surely show itself.

“Don’t leave me! Everyone leaves, can’t you stay?” A small voice called out. That was enough to cause him to freeze. He knew that voice. He needed all the strength to turn to look, his own eyes looking back up at him filled with tears. Vessel kneeled before the child, his former self, the past personified.

“I can’t stay, but you can come with me.” Vessel spoke softly, fighting against the urge to break down, pulling the small boy closer, trying to give the care he never received but already feeling like he’d failed. His vision blurred with tears. He felt the small arms of the boy wrapped around his neck; the child leaned into the embrace.

“Why can’t you stay?” The child asked, his voice filled with confusion and despair. Vessel sighed and lifted the child into his arms.

“I have someone who needs me at home. He loves me…he loves us.” Vessel explained, somehow feeling like he was both telling the child and reminding himself.

“Why would anyone love us? No one likes broken toys.” The boy replied. The way he sounded, a child so young should not feel this way, a child should be loved and cared for. Vessel squeezed the boy gently, holding him closer.

“I’m…I’m so sorry that I made you believe you were broken.” He whispered, the rasp in his voice almost startling him. Tears streaming down his face, his hands tighten around the boy’s shirt when suddenly the child vanished. Vessel held the small shirt in his hands and something in his mind snapped. His knees hit the ground and he felt every part of his body ache. Was he not allowed to heal? Was he not allowed to be kind? What kind of cruel trick was this? His fists hit the ground as he hears an animalistic cry, realizing it was his own voice, feeling the strain on his vocal cords as he screamed for answers. As he begged for this to end.

“What’s the point of this? Who do you expect to help you? There’s no one here.” Sleeps cruel taunting echoed even louder here than back at the cabin. He looked up trying to find the source, sobbing as he silently pleaded for this torture to end. He saw nothing. He couldn’t even face the thing that was causing him this pain. Years of servitude to this deity who won’t even appear in front of him. Only a voice in his mind, only the pain that came with the dreams, only cruel taunting words and endless nights. If only he could get away. If only he could go back to how things were before.

The waking world was already so cruel, why must he suffer here too?

What did he expect?

His eyes open and he’s home again. Perhaps Sleep does show mercy on occasion. He felt that his face was wet with tears and his chest was heavy with grief. He was alone.

~

II thought he was never going to get home. First he had to drive all over town to find all the things they needed, even going all the way down town because the supply store was out of heat packs, which he used regularly to keep himself and Vessel warm on hunting trips and outings. That added two hours to his trip that he had planned for but what he hadn’t planned for was how quick the snow was going to start up again or that the truck was going to randomly decide to break down on his way through town. Luckily it wasn’t a major break but it did take most of the afternoon to fix, even with help from the local mechanic. The snow had started to come down hard and there was no way he could make it back home safely. Hazel and Danny had insisted that he crash at their place overnight. Not that he had gotten much sleep on their couch that night. He had stared at the ceiling worrying about Vessel. His partner’s separation anxiety was terrible and the influence of the ancient deity who seemed to only speak to Vessel wasn’t helpful at most times. Sometimes he wished that this Sleep would just show up in his mind for once so he could tear into them.

Once he finally had made it back home it had been far too long, the trip had taken nearly two days to complete. When he pulled into the drive he instantly knew something was off. The lights in the cabin were off and Vessel wasn’t waiting by the window to see him. He felt his heart in his throat as he opened the door of the cabin. It almost felt like it was colder inside than it was outside.

“Ves? Love? Where are you?” He called out as he entered, dropping the bags of shopping onto the wooden table before looking around. He needed to start the fire. He needed to find Vessel. He lit one of the lamps and looked around. What he saw didn’t bring him comfort. Vessel’s notebooks tossed around the room, papers everywhere, furniture upturned, it was a mess. But the worst part was there in the corner of the room. Hidden behind an overturned chair and under a mess of bedding was Vessel, his knees pulled up to his chest and his face hidden in his lap, his arms wrapped around himself holding himself in this small ball. II immediately went to his side, to comfort him as best he could. Placing his arm over the other man’s shoulders as he sat next to him.

“I’m sorry.” Vessel whimpered. His voice sounded strained, like he’d been crying. II pulled him in closer.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I should be apologizing, I was gone much too long.” He replied, trying to show as much affection and caring as he could. Vessel untangled his limbs from themselves slowly, leaning into II’s warmth, resting his head on his lover's shoulder.

“I…I made a mess, I…It’s my fault.” Vessel sobbed, his words faltering, his large hands seeking II out. II takes one of his hands in his, using his free hand to gently hold Vessel's chin, turning his face to look at him.

“I don’t care about the mess. We can clean up a mess. What I care about is you. Are you okay love? Are you hurt?” II tried to keep his voice soft, but couldn’t help the slight sternness that was underneath the soothing nature of his words.

“I-I’m okay, now that you’re here.” He murmured, putting the whole weight of his head in II’s hand, like a cat seeking out a cuddle. II sighed and ran his thumb over his cheek, looking into Vessel’s eyes, his own filled with worry.

“Was it Sleep again? Did you see something?” He asked with hesitation. Sleep had always been a tough subject. The deity’s intentions were never clear, and Vessel's reactions to the actions of Sleep were unpredictable at best. Vessel nodded as tears returned to his eyes yet again. II’s chest ached as he saw how distraught Vessel was. “C’mon I’m gonna get the fire going again then we can sit together. Okay?”

“Okay. I’m Sorry.” Vessel apologized again, II knew better than to fight it.

“I know darling, I know.” He muttered as he pressed a kiss to his forehead before standing up to get the fire going. Vessel rose to his feet and followed II over to the fireplace. He didn’t want to leave his side. For almost anyone else it would be intimidating to have that tall of a man following them around their living room, but for II it was an average day. Setting the logs on the fire before grabbing a good amount of kindling, his focus was split between the building fire and the feeling of Vessel's gaze on his back. Once the fire was going and II was sufficiently pleased with it he turned back to Vessel who was standing just a little way from the fireplace and for the first time since he got home II got to really look at him. His eyes bloodshot, face stained with tears, his right hand held against his chest holding his other arm tightly. He was trying to stay grounded, focused in the moment. II closed the distance between them, gently guiding Vessel to the ground.

“I’m right here darling, you don’t have to worry anymore.” He muttered lovingly as he pulled Vessel’s head into his lap, running his fingers through his hair in a slow repetitive gesture filled with love.

“I…I know.” Vessel’s voice was soft as he adjusted his body so he was laying on his back, looking up at II. He reached up and cupped II’s face in one hand, looking up into his eyes. “I just need to see you. I need to know this is real. I need to know my mind isn’t making you up.”

“How can I help you feel more like this is real?” II asked, putting his hand over Vessel’s, a reassuring touch, gentle and kind. Vessel felt like he had forgotten what a gentle touch felt like, like he needed this feeling more than air, like he would die without it, but at the same time it almost made him feel sick. Each of these sweet touches were well meant but as much as he wanted them, as much as he needed them, they brought him pain. An ever growing ache in his stomach, like he was starving yet full, famished yet gorged. He couldn’t bring himself to pull away, couldn’t stop himself from indulging in every touch, losing himself in the feeling of II’s calloused fingers on his skin. He closes his eyes to savor the moment.

“Keep talking, about anything, I just need to hear your voice.” The request was simple, but meaningful. II knew that he needed to drown out the voice in his head, to hear something different. He thought for a minute trying to figure out what he could talk about.

“Well, Hazel and Danny say hi, the shop is doing well. That puppy they got this spring, Daisy? Well turns out that was no ordinary puppy, that puppy is like gigantic, pony sized. Biggest damn dog I’ve ever seen.” He started to tell Vessel the first thing that came to mind, the towns folk who they could at least consider friends, maybe just as good as family. “I went into their place and Daisy takes up the whole couch. By herself! But she thinks she’s still a little puppy, nearly knocked me over. She’s soft as velvet though, and sweet as sugar. I don’t think Danny got the hunting dog he was hoping for at all.” He chuckled, continuing to gently pet his head, trying to keep him calm and focused. Vessel opened his eyes and looked up at II, eyes filled with affection.

“We should get a pet, like, a cat…maybe two.” Vessel smiled as he said this, taking II’s hand and holding it against his chest as he rubbed his thumb across his knuckles. II smiled, knowing Vessel had found himself back in reality, his actions and words a clear sign that he was present with him.

“Yeah? Two cats. I like that idea. Maybe I can find out from Hazel where they got Daisy. I don’t remember if she was a shelter pup or if one of the local farms had puppies.” II started thinking aloud, and Vessel laughed melodically.

“Should we get cats from the same place? How do we know they won’t give us giant cats? If Daisy is really as big as you say.” Vessel teased, casually fidgeting with II’s hand in his. II grinned, Vessel's playful banter just confirming that he had done his job well.

“Oh, you might be right, I dunno if we want giant cats that might be too much to handle.” II replied, enjoying the feeling of Vessel's hand holding his. These were the moments he treasured the most. This soft domestic life they led so far from anything he had expected for himself. There were times they had wondered if they made the right choice, when the visions began and Vessel started to unravel, II only knew he had wanted to protect him, keep him safe from whatever was happening. This world wasn’t the kindest to those who heard voices, especially ones that belonged to forgotten gods of times long ago. So they had found the cabin and started their life over, far away from anything they once knew. It was never an easy choice, but it had turned out to be the right one. As Vessel grinned that goofy wide smile at him and his amused laugh filled the air, II felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.

“What’s that for?” Vessel asked, tilting his head slightly, pleased with the affection but still curious.

“I just love you.” II replied with a smile. Vessel hummed contently and sat up, reaching to pull II closer to him, gently slotting his lips against his, placing one of his hands on the back of II’s head, using the other to support himself. II reciprocated the kiss happily, cupping Vessels cheek in one hand the other seeking to pull the larger man even closer to him, his eyelids fluttering closed as he lost himself in the way he tasted, the familiar scent of his lover, the feeling of their lips moving together as one. All of the remaining tension from the day before and all the chaos slowly faded away. Only when their lungs ached from the lack of oxygen did they pull apart again.

“I love you too, more than anything.” Vessel whispered, his breath warm against II’s lips. II sighed softly.

“Are you sure you’re not the hallucination? Cause I’m starting to wonder how someone as perfect as you exists in the real world.” II spoke with a flirtatious lilt, a smile tugging the corner of his lips up as he nuzzled his nose against Vessel’s, gently touching their foreheads together as they stayed curled up by the fireside.

“You’re hilarious, darling.” Vessel rolled his eyes resting his head on II’s shoulder, turning to look at the fire burning brightly.

“Only for you, Ves. Only for you.” He purred, putting an arm around him as they settled in.

The snow gently fell outside, seemingly tucking the world into bed as night fell, and the world outside turned to darkness again. This night belonged to them, no interruptions, no visions, no one to take this moment from them. Nothing in this world could take that from them, not if II had anything to say about it. He would shelter Vessel from the storm as best he could. 

~

Masterlist

Taglist: @silvernight-m @my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction

[elkkiel]

Sleep Token Tumblr Holiday Gift Exchange 2024

🩷❄️ Gift Directory ❄️🩷

**this post will be continually updated as gifts are revealed! tag your gift with #st gift exchange 2024 so it can be added to this post <3**

Check out the exchange collection on AO3!

Directory below the cut

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Fanart

@ancientbygone for protabat

@a-s-levynn for outcastedang3l

@corviisquire for h0n3y-bear

@shutterspeedserpent for lunarkittytarot

@panda-boy for corviisquire

@elkkiel for lauratheghost [art of stellasplendens' gift]

@protabat for coconut530

Fanfiction

@heavenbreaker7 for ochen

@changewingwentz for hookedhobbies

@medic-kix for solphuruz

@remiroooo for shatterthefragments

@tonguetyd for sleeptokenpuppy

@hookedhobbies for betweengraves

[NSFW] @pastlivesxpastlie for wishicoulddisappear

[NSFW] @toxiclizardwrites for vesselenjoyer

@whataboutyouisamascot for catboy-cabin

@huntingteeth for sleepanonymous

@bubacorn for heavenbreaker7

@hazyfaith for soul-has-left-the-chat

@cracked-mask for extendedpain

@winniethewife for elkkiel

@catboy-cabin for panda-boy

@stellasplendens for lauratheghost

@lunarkittytarot for vamprlestat

@soul-has-left-the-chat for tonguetyd

[NSFW] @sleepytoken for toxiclizardwrites

@andsoforrain for changewingwentz

@blue-lollipops-and-ice-clouds for a-s-levynn

[NSFW] @betweengraves for andsoforrain

@klausinamarink for beyondthefarthestreaches

@vamprlestat for medic-kix

@eepymonstrr for blue-lolipops-and-ice-clouds

Music

@ochen for eepymonstrr (piano cover!)

@beyondthefarthestreaches for ghostlygothicgay (playlist!)

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Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's gift exchange!! We had 50 wonderful gift-givers join in the fun, and I'm so proud of everyone for making this holiday extra special for our fandom <3

And Happy Holidays from @stellasplendens and I! We hope you enjoy the gifts our lovely little eepies have given to all of us <3 Please send them some love for their hard work and dedication!

[catboy-cabin]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Sleep Token (Band) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: II/III/IV/Vessel (Sleep Token) Characters: IV (Sleep Token), III (Sleep Token), II (Sleep Token), Vessel (Sleep Token) Additional Tags: Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Touching, Polyvessels | Polyamorous The Vessels (Sleep Token), Established Relationship, POV IV, everyone loves iv, there is exactly one line of suggestive dialogue, other than that this is just softness, Love, no beta we're just like the rain, (i know that one doesn't make sense but shhhh) Summary:

"IV?"

He doesn't register which one of them says it. It doesn't matter, really; they all make him safe and soft and vulnerable.

Blinking up at them through watery eyes, he smiles. "I'm okay. Just love you."

or: a quiet moment between sleep's vessels.

my fic for the gift exchange!!! for @panda-boy <333

[huntingteeth]

i have traveled far beyond the path of reason | sleep token | gift for @sleepanonymous

III leans forward in his seat, eyes flickering over the thick glass window and the vastness of space before him, and pokes at the blue glow of the holographic screen in front of him.

The readouts are acting weird. He reaches out to manipulate a section of data and watches as it twirls as it completes its calculation for a moment before settling on the same result. This part of the system oversees the environment on the ‘ship: the air quality inside, the level of moisture, how much the pressure of space desperately wants to squeeze them until they implode.

hope you enjoy your gift, @sleepanonymous!! i had a blast writing it!