They Have Been Groomed. They Are Unserious.

Can you hear me now?

𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘛𝘦𝘯: 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴

Rating: G Pairing: Mountain/Aether with brief appearances by Dew and Rain. Words: 750ish Using this one as an excuse to talk about the abbey library (since I wrote this while at the library it seems fitting). Mushy May brought to you by @forlorn-crows Divider by @ghuleh-recs

Aether loves the library after dark. When it’s been deserted by the day staff. Lights turned low. Doors left closed, but unlocked. He lets himself in after long shifts at the infirmary and wanders the stacks. It’s a way to decompress. Not that there is that much stress at the infirmary these days. Mostly he deals with colds, flus, sprains, stitches, the occasional baby. There was a time when trauma seemed to live in those walls. Where he would go in knowing he’d come home bloody. 

But lately, things have calmed down. Evened out. He likes it. He likes the abbey quiet and stable. He knows it won’t last forever–can’t. That something will happen, another power shift, and the whole place will turn itself upside down again. 

He’ll haunt the library then too.

He walks the whole library before he even thinks about a book. Weaving in between the tall shelves. Climbing the narrow stairs to the fiction section, lofted above stacks and stacks and stacks of history texts and dusty books about summonings. 

He looks down over the library, it’s dark wood, and vaulted ceilings, and plush victorian era couches. He turns and plunges deeper into the stacks. Dragging his fingers over the spines of new fantasy books preferred by Rain, and the romances Cumulus and Sunshine read voraciously. He browses Dew’s horror section–in case there’s something new he should bring home to the fire ghoul. Glances at the young adult section that Aurora has devoured since she got here. 

He snags a historical fiction for himself, and presses onward into the darkness. There’s a nook, Dew found it years ago, tucked away behind this section. A set of winding stairs hidden behind a wall panel. Aether touches two fingers to the section of wall and it clicks, and pops out, swinging on invisible hinges. 

He steps into the stairwell and tugs it closed behind him. There’s light coming from above. The faint glow of the fairy lights he and Cirrus hung right after Dew found this spot. He follows that glow up the steep stairs and emerges into a small comfortable room. More of an attic than anything else–but transformed into something cozy. There’s a big window in the gable, flooding the room with moonlight. It’s warm and quiet, and not empty. 

Mountain’s seated on one of the many floor pillows. A blanket curled up around his shoulders, back to the wall, horns just barely brushing the peaked ceiling. He’s fully absorbed in a book that Aether recognizes as one of Rain’s favorites. Not a usual pick for the earth ghoul. 

Mountain looks up at him as Aether gets closer. He smiles, it’s warm and sleepy. He pats the pillow next to him. 

“Did you just get off work?” 

Aether nods, dropping down next to Mountain. Shifting so their thighs touch from hip to knee. 

“What are you doing up?” Aether leans his head into Mountain’s shoulder. Mountain reaches up and scratches his fingers through Aether’s hair. Soothing fingers rubbing soft circles above his ear.

“Didn’t realize what time it was–got caught up.” 

“Thought you didn’t like fiction.” 

Mountain huffs out a little laugh. “Yeah, guess I was wrong. Rain has good taste.” 

“He does,” Aether agrees. Settling in, he grabs a blanket of his own and opens his book. One he’s been meaning to read for a while.  “You hanging out for a while?” 

Aether doesn’t mind being here alone, but sometimes–especially tonight–the company sounds nice. Mountain’s ground presence sets him at ease like nothing else, he wants to drown in it. 

Mountain nods. “Got 100 pages left–I need to finish it. And then there’s the sequel.” Mountain holds up another thick paperback. 

Aether smiles, he leans his head a little deeper into Mountain’s shoulder and cracks his book. They fall into companionable silence, soft breathing turning into subtle purrs as the night wears on and the moon sets. 

In the morning, when Dew comes looking for them–he finds them curled up together. Books drooping from their hands. Covered in the same blanket, heads tilted together. The room filled with soft snores.  He takes a picture before he retreats. Sending it to Rain who’s out searching the greenhouse for signs of Mountain.

Found them he sends with the picture.

Adorable Rain responds seconds later.

Dew smiles at the sleeping ghouls in front of them, then turns away. He pads quietly down the stairs and closes the door softly behind him, and goes to finish making breakfast. They’ll emerge when they’re ready–but until then, Dew is more than happy to let them rest–they deserve it.

Seriously. Why do they think all women want a short ass tee? I went to 4 different stores (I'm not counting TJ Maxx as their selection is hideous) before I found 2 tops. I've lost 50 pounds at this point. It. Shouldn't. Be. This. Hard. To. Find. Something. That. Fits.

Idk if i’m looking for things that don’t exist or something, or if i’m really late to this realization cause i haven’t interacted with ghost content too much in like a year, but i noticed that sodo almost always gets called dewdrop in fics, but on social media and irl, he more often than not gets called sodo.

Ppl probably already came to that conclusion but i still wanted to share cause i was happy i noticed it

-🪱

Yes!! This is a THING.

Unmasked Dewdrop actually goes by "Sodo" (or Sodomizer) in real life and has for like....15 years at least.

But there are a lot of fans who don't know that, or don't care, and have heard him referred to that way and have decided that Dew is actually Sodo.

To me, personally, it's a big ick. And it makes me uncomfortable to refer to the character as Sodo. If we're talking about the musician? He's Sodo, for sure. If it's the ghoul? Dewdrop. I just need to keep that separation. They're not the same person. Sodo plays Dewdrop. But Dewdrop isn't Sodo. Like I can't even read fanfic where he's called Sodo. It makes me feel weird.

Also everyone pronounces Sodo wrong but that's another rant for another time.

Im struggling so I projected onto Mountain (promise I'll give him a break soon)

Cw: this one is heavier than usual, major depressive disorder diagnosis, he feels like a burden, negative self talk, he mentions wanting to be gone, brief vomit mention, Dew gives him a bath, I promise he gets comfort, he's not alone, cg Dew, cg Rain

Mountain had yet to come to terms with the diagnosis, another heavy weight tied to his ankles that he has to drag around for the rest of his days. He already felt like a burden with his anxiety and now this.

He can still hear Omega in his head, his voice soft and professional but warm, talking to a pack mate not just some random person. He'd held Mountain's hand as they discussed it and treatments for it but Mountain hadn't been able to listen, Omega's voice fading into some distant whisper.

"We can talk when you're ready, ok? You can find me anytime, Mountain. I'm always here."

He had just nodded, tried to force a smile that looked at least a little convincing and thanked him. But his head was fuzzy and he moved on muscle memory alone to make it back to his room. He slept the rest of the day, vaguely remembering Dew gently shaking him awake to tell him dinner was ready but telling him he wasn't hungry, he just needed to sleep.

Dew had worried, sitting beside him for a bit with his fingers carding through his hair but sometimes Mountain really did just need sleep, it wasn't too far out of the ordinary. He kissed his cheek and left quietly, telling himself he'd talk to him in the morning before anyone else woke up.

Mountain had crept outside as soon as he woke up, immediately getting himself busy so no one would bother him. He didn't want to talk about it, he just wanted it to go away. If he didn't say the words then maybe it wouldn't be real, maybe if he didn't say it, it wouldn't have power...

Dew finds him but Mountain keeps it to himself, smiles and nods and tries to keep himself as normal as possible. He laughs even if he doesn't really want to, he lets Dew hold his hand, he lets him talk as much as he wants because at least then he can be quiet, he can bite his tongue to keep from spilling his secrets.

"I have to go help Rain, but I wanted to see you." He squeezes Mountains hand. "I love you. You know that right? Always."

He manages to nod. "Yeah. Love you too."

The problem is...it never goes away. It's a heavy hand pressing down on his chest until he feels like he's breathing under water and he's not sure he knows how to fight it, at least not alone but he's not going to talk about it, he's not going to add yet another issue that they have to deal with. He'll be fine.

It's a lie and he knows it, he feels it getting worse, feels the angry dark thoughts slipping in, the ones that make him scared to be alone because right now he's his own biggest enemy. But he still feels himself pulling away, finding more and more reasons to be alone.

He can see the concern and he swears he's alright, just tired, and he walks away and draws the curtains tight and curls in on himself as much as he can and cries until he falls asleep where even his dreams don't offer respite.

He dodges Omega, refuses to talk to him. He doesn't want to hear it anymore, he doesn't want to talk because it's not going to help, he doesn't want to need medication to function like he should be able to.

He has to wonder if he's being punished for something he can't remember doing, some horrible atrocity he's now got to pay for.

Dew watches him at dinner, eyes like a hawk as Mountain just flicks his food around, his fork barely making the journey up to his mouth.

"Mount?"

"Hm?"

"You can talk to me. About anything, no matter what."

It feels like a punch right to his chest because he's not so sure anymore. But he nods because it feels like that's what he's supposed to do.

"I know."

Rain touches his hand from his other side and just offers a smile and he wants to give one back, wants to maybe ask if they mean it. But he doesn't. He just stands and walks away, back to his room to hide in the dark where he belongs.

He loses interest, his plants wilting from his absence in the greenhouse, he has no energy for anything, no desire to talk or eat or see anything beyond the four walls of his room.

The first time he drops after, he's terrified. Big it's scary but he at least understands but little it just feels like an endless churning ocean and he doesn't stand a chance.

He bites his tail as hard as he can, sobbing and all alone in a bed that feels too big in a room that's way too dark. He can't even find his bunny and he just feels like maybe if he just vanished everything would be better.

If he wasn't here they wouldn't have to worry about him, they wouldn't be excused by his constant need to reassurance, they wouldn't get tired of him always being sad or scared...he'd just be gone and there'd be peace and quiet in his place.

Dew races into the room just as Mountain gets sick all over the bed, crying and shaking and trying to apologize through shallow breaths but everything hurts. His body and his brain...it just hurts.

Dew doesn't say anything but he's warm and safe and he carries Mountain to the bathroom, quickly getting a bath started while the little ghoul cries against his shoulder.

He eases him into the water and keeps one hand wrapped around Mountain's, silently letting him know he's there. The little ghoul jumps and turns his face toward the wall when he hears the bedroom door open.

"It's just Rain. He's not coming in right now, I promise."

Mountain whimpers, pulling his knees under his chin, still kind of wishing that the Earth would take him back. He's once again making them do too much, once again making them worry.

"Pebble." Dew touches his cheek gently. "Sie müssen mit mir reden. Was ist hier los?" (You need to talk to me. What's going on?)

He shakes his head and bites his lip, squeezing his eyes as hard as he can. He could just run away, run and run and run until he doesn't know where he is and no one knows where to look...

His tummy sinks and his heart races, scared to be out all by himself, all alone in a world he doesn't think he really belongs in.

Dew sighs and squeezes his hand before washing Mountain's hair. He gets him out and dressed in warm jammies and Dew smiles when he sees the nest Rain had made on the bed for him when he stripped off the dirty sheets, replacing them with soft ones from Dew and Rain, offering comfort to the little ghoul while still respecting his space.

Dew helps him up into the bed, smiling when Mountain immediately grabs his bunny and brings it up to his face.

The fire ghoul climbs up beside him and pulls him close to his chest, running his hands in soothing motions over Mountain's back.

"Ich bin hier. Egal, was dein Verstand dir sagt. Ich bin da." (I'm here. No matter what your mind is telling you. I'm here.)

He pulls one of the blankets up over Mountain's shoulders, pausing to brush away the slowly falling tears.

"Can Rain come say goodnight to you?"

He shuts his eyes and squeezes his bunny to keep from biting his hand. "Why?"

Dew winces at his rough little voice and holds him tighter. "Because he loves you."

His mind, the scary monster in the corners of his brain, yells for him to say no, screams at him to not bother. But he finds himself nodding anyway.

Rain is in the room and climbing up behind Mountain before he can even really process it. He kisses the top of the little ghouls head and runs his fingers through his hair.

"Tout va bien se passer, petite fleur." He whispers to him. "No matter what it is, we'll figure it out. We'll be here." (It's going to be ok, little flower.)

He doesn't dream when he finally falls asleep between them and he wakes big and still exhausted. He tries to shuffle out from between them but Dew grabs his wrist.

"We're talking."

"But-"

"No. We are talking, Mountain."

His breath shakes when he breathes out and the walls feel like they're going to close in.

"Doesn't matter..."

"It does. You matter."

The words trigger the tears and he hangs his head.

"Why do you care so much? I could just....I could just go and it'd be fine."

Dew has his arms around him before he even finishes speaking and Rain is slowly sitting up wiping the sleep from his eyes.

"Nothing would be fine if you weren't here."

He can't get himself to believe that. Rain moves closer, taking one of Mountain's hands.

"Have you talked to Omega?"

He nods, chewing his lip and fighting the drop, he doesn't want to feel more helpless right now.

"Gave me a diagnosis. Said it's major depressive disorder..." He hates the way it sounds and he waits for them to get annoyed, to roll their eyes because he's got more issues for them to deal with.

"Ok. Did you guys set up a plan?" Rain looks focused and Mountain can imagine him with a notebook listening to everything Omega had said about it.

"I...I didn't want to talk about it...I just..."

Dew nods and squeezes his hand. "It's ok."

It's not, not really but at least now he's said it, at least now people know.

"Do you think you can go talk to him? You don't have to decide anything but maybe talking through the thoughts might help." Rain tilts his head to the side. "We're with you no matter what."

It takes a while but he finally agrees and makes his way to the infirmary. Omega smiles when he sees him.

"Can...can we talk?"

His eyes go soft and he seems to understand. "Of course. We'll go to my office. Aeth, I'm stepping out for a few."

Aether just gives a thumbs up and Omega leads the giant down to his office, shutting the door softly behind them.

Once he starts talking it all just tumbles out and Omega listens patiently, holding Mountain's hands when the tears start, when he starts talking about the fears and how he wishes sometimes that he just wasn't here.

"Can I tell you something? Only Aether and Terzo know this." He waits for Mountain to nod. "I have it too. I know that feeling and how horrible it is but I promise you, we can make it easier. You're not alone, Mountain. You don't have to deal with it by yourself. I'm not going to let that happen."

He lets the big Quint wrap him in a tight hug and he listens to his options, deciding with a sigh that he'll try medication. He feels himself dropping and asks for Dew and Rain to be brought in, giving Omega permission to tell them everything.

He's bundled in a blanket on Omega's lap when they finally make it down and Dew pulls him onto his arms, offering a soother while he listens to every single word Omega says. He was right, Rain is taking notes and he smiles a little behind his soother.

Dew carries him to his room once all their questions have been answered and Mountain grabs for Rain so he'll stay too.

"I'm so proud of you, pebble." He kisses his forehead.

"You were so brave." Rain adds, smiling and handing Mountain his bunny.

He's still tired and he's still scared and his mind is still so loud and dark but he thinks maybe, just maybe things won't be so hard with Dew and Rain behind him.

This is the scariest thing I've seen today

Smth about copia literally being the metaphor for death on a pale white horse who brings hell with him is so funny. Like have you seen this dude

So disappointed because I didn't have the chance to see this at the theater. I'd pay $20 to own this but not to rent for 48 hours. And let's not forget that $11.99 subscription fee to VEEPS. Come on guys.

Mushy May Day Ten - Quiet Nights

Ship: Swiss/Phantom

Notes: Watching fireflies. I had a silly thought about what if Phantom’s freckles could glow in the dark. Prompt list by @forlorn-crows. See prompt list here

Word Count:  406

Read on AO3 or below the cut

“Whatcha thinking about Bug?” Swiss ruffles Phantom’s hair to get the younger ghoul’s attention. They’re both sitting out on the lawn watching the sun go down when Swiss notices that Phantom has zoned out.

“Do you think the deep sea creatures get lonely down there?”

Swiss laughs, caught off guard. “What?”

“You know, the bathypelagic zone where it’s really dark. Do you think they get lonely?”

“You’ve been watching sea documentaries with Rain again haven't you? I mean, probably not. They probably like it down there. Plus they’ve got that glowy thing they can do-”

“Bioluminescence!” Phantom says proudly.

“Yeah! They can use that to find each other.”

Phantom seems to consider this for a moment before blurting out, “Fireflies!”

“Hmm? Yeah fireflies can glow too.”

“No, fireflies!” Phantom points at the air in front of them until Swiss chuckles in understanding.

“Ahh. I hadn't realized they’d come out yet. It’s still a bit early in the season.”

They sit in silence for a while watching the glowing insects flash their lights like little twinkling stars. Swiss is pretty sure Phantom has started to stare off into space again when he chirps,

“I can glow too.”

He says it so casually that Swiss is sure he misheard.

“You sure can Bug, my little star.”

Only when he sees Phantom grinning at him from his peripheral does he turn his head.

“Holy shit.”

Phantom can in fact glow. More specifically his freckles are lit up, dotting his face in little sparks of light. They cross his face and bare shoulders, exposed by the tank top he stole from Swiss, like constellations. His vitiligo backdrops the lights like a swirling nebula.

“Have you always been able to do this?” Swiss asks, a little incredulous.

“Yeah.” Phantom shrugs.

“And you just now thought to mention it?”

Phantom shrugs again.

“You’re just full of surprises, my little lightning bug.”

He pulls the quintessence ghoul close and kisses each of the freckles on his nearest cheek. When Phantom giggles and presents the other side of his face, Swiss kisses him there too. After, Swiss squints.

“I think I missed one.”

“Where…oh!”

Swiss cups Phantom's chin to pull him close and kisses the freckle on his bottom lip.

Phantom blushes, and his glowing freckles twinkle. “I think you missed another one.” He points to the purse of his lips and smiles shyly.

“Well I can’t forget that one can I?” Swiss grins.

That feeling you get when you are clearing notifications on your phone and you accidentally clear Tumblr notifications. Like, what did I just miss?

DAMN YOU ALL REALLY LIKED THAT LITTLE DEWTHER KIT DRABBLE HUH

I’m so glad because I haven’t stopped thinking about Pearl. I’m literally figuring out lore and a design for her as we speak. Im making her a whole ass oc and you WILL be subjected to her :3