If You See This You’re Legally Obligated To Reblog And Tag With The Book You’re Currently Reading

hello !! i tried to send a request on my fic blog but it wouldn’t let me LOL

ANYWAYS, i read ur Phantom angst w his past and starting from square 1 again and it was so heart breaking, as someone who’s had setbacks like that - i just love how you wrote everyone in that fic so much

i was wondering, and you can totally ignore this if it’s stupid, if you could write about Phantom finally coming out of that and getting better ? i’m a sucker for hurt comfort and wanna see Phantom happy and comfortable with his pack again :)

have a wonderful day/night !! 🦇

Fore sure!

You Came Back To Us. (CW) Phantom/Everyone

CW - Implications of past abuse, sa (but this is a fluff fic!)

Characters: Aether, Dewdrop, Phantom

Divider by @ wrathofrats

The quiet sound of talking bustled in the kitchen and dining room, the pack in their daily routine of getting things started. Mountain stayed at the helm directing Rain and Cirrus for what he needed to cook, Swiss helping to plate each item that was finished, Aether double checking each eating restriction and preference was correct, Dew starting the fixing of the table while just as equally quiet making sure the others made their beds and got the common room cleaned.

It was important to them that they kept their routine, not only setting the pace for that day but feeding ten ghouls was insanity and could quickly become exhausting if not separated equally. Usually, there'd be music playing and humming—but not as of recent. Their little bat who they purposely excluded from working in the mornings to sleep in was still too startled at loud noises.

It had been exactly two months since the 'reign of terror' Aurora called it, Phantom coming face-to-face with his tormentor for the last time. While it had a happy ending, the epilogue didn't. Countless nightmares, regression back to an old headspace, and just an empty look that showed of not only suffering but exhaustion. Phantom had given up completely, relying on his pack to take care of them since they no longer had the desire for anything—even living.

Of course they'd take care of him, they were their mate, their little bug they adored more than anything in this world. When Phantom first became Topside, it was always rocky for a good while, unsure how to approach this scared ghoul that cried and backed away if you dared to get near. Dew knew he didn't make it any better, but they had moved past that. It took so long for their bat to come around, showing their smile and personality, even making friendships with eventual relationships. The pack had worked so hard to influence it, once again with taking care of him.

Just because Phantom lost his progress, didn't mean they'd stop trying again. It was just a set back that with time and patience would be alright again. They'd all been there in some form of way with their own issues and addictions. So, it was important to continue on, show Phantom some normality of routine like before the reign; so that's what they did.

Sunshine had finished first, helping Aether grab each plate and set them down at respective seats. Her smile was contagious, joking under whispers which always got Aether to grab his chest as he laughed, fangs curling past his lips with joy. Aether grabbed a plate that held the design of 'Scream' and a small tumbler with 'Dracula', rolling his eyes at another terrible joke Sunshine made before he walked to a specific door. He used his foot to knock before adjusting the items and letting himself in.

Curled in the corner of his bed, Phantom stayed under the covers but his eyes open to follow Aether's movements. "Good morning cutie!" He had whispered to his successor.

Phantom stayed silent, chewing on his finger but eyes never once leaving Aether as he sat down the items and picked up the barely touched remains of dinner from last night and placed them in a container to the side.

"For your wonderfulness, you have a chicken biscuit with a jelly doughnut. Honestly, bug, I'm jealous of what you got!" Aether teased, sending a wink to the smaller quintessence. "Gonna have to tell our tree out there to make me one too."

The elder showed his palms before getting closer to Phantom, lightly running his magick through his frame, closing his eyes as he searched and felt around. "Your fever dropped, that's good... You hurting anywhere?"

He could feel Phantom rustle, shaking his head no in response. "Good, good."

As he went to move away, Phantom's hand quickly darted out to grab Aether's wrist, the two holding eye contact. "Yes, bug? What's the matter?"

It was silence, Phantom slowly closing his eyes again but his grip on Aether never faltered which made the older quint move to his knees on the floor, letting Phantom do whatever he needed to. He sent a smell of comforting pheromones and his purrs began, equally making Phantom purr in response. It was another minute before Aether felt his ear twitch, their mental link slowly connecting.

"I want a bath..."

"Okay, we can do a bath. Do you want me to get Swiss or Rory?" Aether simply hummed, not denying the smile that came over his face.

Phantom shook again subconsciously. "No, you."

So, with gentle hands, Aether peeled back the multitude of blankets that swallowed Phantom whole and gently went under his knees and back to lift them. Their head butted against his chest, claws slowly kneading on his shirt. They moved to the bathroom where he was carefully stripped, watching the tub get filled with bubbles. Their baby bat held deeper eye bags and his frame much smaller than they'd like, but he was alive. He leaned forwards against Aether who at first took his affection as a response to trauma, trying to move but that idea was replaced as Phantom kept purring and his hands went back to kneading.

Aether was positive Phantom fell asleep in the tub at least twice, once when his nails carefully raked through the different colored strands on Phantom's head, a second once his wash rag started moving in gentle circles. Aether kept whispering where he was moving even if Phantom was lost in their slumber to even hear it, the retired ghoul adjusting to get his lower half and underside so Phantom didn't have to move. He felt terrible waking the poor thing up to get dried off and in a new pair of clothes, heading back to his bed.

"There we go! One clean bat with yummy food waiting for his tummy, how about that!" Aether cooed, carefully laying him back down. A kiss was placed to Phantom's forehead, his purrs never stopping. "Do what you can today, alright? I may have also sneaked you chocolate milk instead of water this morning."

"Thank you."

Body language couldn't lie as the moment Phantom spoke, Aether's tail wagged like no other. He simply smiled with one more kiss before heading out, inhaling sharply and rubbing his misty eyes. The others were waiting patiently for Aether, looking at him with heightened curiosity.

"Sorry, tommy wanted a bath and... He spoke to me." Aether smiled wide again, watching his packs faces light up in return.

The sound of purrs and little chirps began to fill the room, Aether catching the sight of a few of their tails wagging just as much as his. He sat down next to Dewdrop, with once last glance towards the door, before bowing his head as it was Swiss' turn to lead them in prayer. With the pack joining together for a 'nema', only a single fork was picked up before the sound of a door opened.

Heads instantly turned with bodies, smiles returning as Phantom stood in his doorway with his plate and tumbler in hold. He eyed Aether who got the hint and walked over, crouching down to the bat's height and listening to their link. There was a moment of silence before Aether nodded and lifted Phantom with a carefulness as he held his items tightly. The pack assumed them to be returning back to the room, Phantom getting too overwhelmed—but to their surprise, Aether walked towards them. There was a quick rearrangement of Phantom's chair going between his and the pack leader's, Dew taking his items and welcoming him down.

"Hi there, itty bitty." Dew teased, offering his hand which Phantom took. "I'm happy to see your face."

Phantom's ear twitched before his own tiny smile joined, laying his head on Dew's chest. Dew opted out of breakfast to continue being a pillow for his mate, their tails interlinked but slowly helping Phantom sip his drink and even nibble the top part of his biscuit.

Dewdrop cocked his head as he noticed the straw being darker than normal. "Is this water?"

He eyed Aether who simply looked away. "Oh you're terrible!" He teased.

A giggle.

A giggle sounded and Dew looked down at Phantom, his cheeks a light purple and eyes scrunched as he smiled.

"Is that funny to you?" Dew questioned light-heartedly, scoffing as Phantom nodded with another laugh. "Oh you naughty bat, I can't believe you and Aether would conspire against me."

Swiss perked up, pointing his bacon at Dew while covering his mouth as he talked with food in. "Ohh, let the kid be! If I had to drink bathwater every day, I'd go crazy too!"

"Swiss, I'm positive if one of us offered our bathwater we just bathed in for you, you'd drink it like a dying man." Mountain snapped back, causing eruptions of laughter at the table, even Dew couldn't help himself.

"You guys are terrible to me!"

The fire ghoul warmed himself just a bit as he felt Phantom adjust closer, completely laying his body weight against Dew—closing his eyes and starting to knead once more. After the fact, they knew they'd retire Phantom back to his bed from using the bare energy they had, but for now, they enjoyed their tired company as Dew gently rubbed his back.

There was an unspoken agreement to continue talking at a lower tone, letting Phantom peacefully sleep for once but trying to continue their routine. Their bug twitched some before sighing in his sleep, hands gripping Dew's shirt so tightly while they let out a small trill. Dew moved his hand from Phantom's back to the dip behind his ear, slowly rubbing and watching as Phantom's shoulders released again and his purrs kicked up again.

It had been so long since the table was full and the last time anyone heard his mewl-purrs. Oh, how they all missed it so much. Dewdrop couldn't help himself as he gave Phantom's body a light squeeze, his own eyes becoming misty as he held his bat in his arms again like he had prayed and craved for.

Their collective wish had been granted.

Prompt #1000

"Then why did you even come along?"

"Because someone has to save your ass if this inevitably goes wrong."

Can you hear me now?

and/or 15. and Dewther for the smut prompts?

"I want to hear you beg" and 15. "You're mine" from this prompt list

I had a lot of thoughts about possessive, jealous Aether and writing this was v fun.

Could be read as dubcon but both Dew and Aether are very into it. Contains scent kink, grinding, and a late night handjob.

divider by @wrathofrats <3

He can almost taste it. It clings to the roof of his mouth, cloying and taunting. Aether's nostrils flare, unable to escape the scent that isn't quite right. It's late. Too late. The room is pitch black, and all Aether can hear is the soft breathing, gentle snuffling snores that come with each of Dew's exhales.

His mate is settled on his chest, one hand gently curled into the collar of Aether's sleep shirt, the other tucked around his shoulder. Aether holds him close, wide awake despite the hour, despite having Dew so close.

In fact, it's because Dew's so close that he can't find sleep. Aether is intimately aware of the ghoul in his arms. Knows him better than he knows himself at this point, how he takes his coffee, how he scores his picks, every superstitious ritual he's ever been privy to. How his piety looks more human than any of the other ghouls Aether's ever met.

It could be argued, then, that Aether knows what Dew smells like. But under the campfire smoke, the caramelized sugar that comes with his sleepy contentedness, and the faint, ever-present tobacco is something carbonated and sharp. Quintessence.

Normally, Aether would take no mind of Dew smelling of quintessence. But therein lies the problem: Dew doesn't smell like his quintessence.

The logical part of Aether's brain knows why. Dew's been sharing a lot of space with Aeon in rehearsals and in the commons, the younger ghoul brushing up against him in search of approval and comfort. No outright scenting or challenging. But the animal part of Aether's brain doesn't give a shit about that.

His mate smells like a different quintessence ghoul. This needs amending.

A tiny voice breaks the quiet, mumbling with sleep. "Aeth?"

Aether realizes too late that he's growling.

Dew shifts on top of him. His movements kick up another wave of his scent, and that's all the animal part of his brain can take. He surges up, flipping them until he's straddling Dew's hips, looming over and dwarfing him.

Dew's body thuds against the mattress, copper eyes fluttering open with a squeak, narrow chest heaving. Aether knows what Dew's seeing: two glowing violet eyes hanging in the pitch black of their room.

The growl still bubbling in his throat, Aether bends to rub his cheek against the line of Dew's jaw, along his throat. He can hear the way his stubble scrapes against Dew's skin, catches on what remains of his gills.

"You're mine," he rumbles, low and dangerous into Dew's ear. The sharp scent of fear and confusion fades to something almost irritated but fond, muddy with sleep. Dew tips his chin back, whining soft and placating.

"'M yours, starshine," he agrees, voice and posture softer than Dew will ever show anyone else. Aether preens, doubling down as he rubs his own ozone scent against Dew's scarred throat.

"You don't smell like mine," he says, huffing as he catches another faint whiff of Aeon's scent. His hips press down, pinning his little mate to the mattress.

Dew gasps with the sudden force of it, taking a deep, shaky breath. "I smell like yours," he mumbles, not quite awake yet even with Aether's cock hardening against the line of his hip. "Dunno what you're talking about."

Aether growls louder, pressing the flats of his fangs against the matescar in the crook of Dew's neck. "You smell like them," he says, shoving a thick thigh between Dew's, feels him start to chub up in interest. "I'm gonna fix that."

He takes both of Dew's bony wrists in one hand, pinning them above his head as he starts to rut against his hip. He mouths at Dew's jaw, kissing and licking a stripe along his scarred gills. It draws a strangled groan from his throat, breath hot against Aether's skin. "Fuck, make me, make me yours again," Dew gasps, pushing his hips up off the bed, bucking into the crease between Aether's thigh and hip.

Aether stills, something almost feral in his eye. "I want to hear you beg for it," he croons, low and dark and dangerous. He pins Dew's hips to the bed with the hand not holding his wrists, putting a stop to any and all bids for friction. "Beg me to make you mine."

He feels more than hears Dew's panting breaths, already so worked up. He always is when he leverages his size like this. Words don't come to him, whining soft and offering the line of his throat to the bigger ghoul, tilting his head to expose the matescar Aether left on him all those years ago. Dew's wrists flex in Aether's grip, but there's no real struggle.

"Give me words, darling," Aether says, settling into a slow, filthy grind. He's not cruel, even like this. He shoves his thigh back between Dew's legs, using his grip on his hip to drag him up and down the tensed muscle.

Dew keens, back arching and copper eyes fluttering shut. "Fuck!"

"Yeah, darling?" He tightens his grip, hoping that it'll bruise by morning. Dew pants under him, pinned and unable to move. Aether can feel his body heat radiating, burning hotter and hotter with each grind of his hips.

"Kiss me?" he asks, and Aether's blindsided for just a moment. Aether's never been able to deny Dew anything.

He dips down, catching his mate's lips with his own. It's surprisingly tender, despite the thick scent of sex that's starting to fill the room, of their combined scents. Dew melts into it, back arching as he tries to get more contact with his mate, straining against Aether's grip.

Aether only breaks the kiss to press his face against Dew's sharp collarbones, rubbing Dew with his scent. He presses a kiss to Dew's matescar just to feel him shudder beneath him. He mouths lower, playing with the silver barbell through one pink nipple. Dew gasps, rutting his hips against Aether's stomach.

"Please, Aeth, starshine, please make me yours again," he whines, doing his best to rub his own cheek against him.

Aether grins, his gold fang glinting in the dark. He ruts against him, groaning in Dew's ear as his cock throbs against his hip, leaking pre until he's just as wet as Dew. "Yeah, darling boy?" He croons, almost growling as the pleasure and possession swirl inside him, coiling in his gut. "You want me to make you mine?"

Dew nods, bucking his hips up jerkily to meet his thrusts. "Please," he breathes, desperately hooking his leg around the back of Aether's thigh, trying to get a better angle.

"I will, baby, I will," Aether promises, pushing him into the mattress with the force of his thrusts. "Make sure they all can smell it, you're mine, darling."

Aether's so worked up that it only takes a few more thrusts before he's keeping his promise. He cums between their stomachs, grunting with each pulse of his cock. He digs his teeth gently into Dew's matescar, groaning loudly into his too-warm skin. He lets go of Dew's wrists to prop himself up, not trusting himself from just crushing his mate

"Fuck," Dew pants, carding through Aether's mohawk. "I smell right now, huh, starshine?"

Aether nods, gently as to not irritate the matescar too much, his teeth still clamped down. He feels it calming, panting into Dew's shoulder as the aftershocks fade.

As his mind clears, Aether's suddenly much more aware of the hot line of Dew's cock pressed into his cock. He releases his bite, kissing apologetically up his throat until he takes his lips again. "'m sorry for waking you, darling. Let me make it better?" he asks, curling a big hand around his length.

Dew's breath hitches, and he keens into Aether's mouth as he sets a merciful pace, twisting his wrist at the tip just the way he knows Dew likes. His hips buck, and Aether lets him chase his pleasure. It doesn't take long before Dew's spilling over his knuckles.

Aether swallows every one of Dew's cries, whispers praise and thanks against his lips. When Dew slumps back down against the mattress, both of their messes smeared on their stomachs and scents strong with each other, Aether wipes his hand on the sheets and pulls Dew close.

They're both too exhausted to care about the mess, though that will not be the case when morning comes. Aether, ever the good mate, will clean him up almost sheepishly, though proud that Dew is his by scent and scar.

Available for pre-order on Apple

Seriously, look at those hands

This picture of Swiss is everything.

Dewther tattoos and constellations 🤷🏻‍♀️

This was sitting in my drafts for 5000 years so I'm just chucking it out into the light of day.

Aether shakes his head with a small smile as he walks quietly down the hall towards Dew's room after finishing up in the infirmary. He's tired but not the bone deep heavy kind, something light and soft dancing against his eyelids, weighing them slowly. The promise of Dew's warm body and soft bed are the only thing keeping him fully awake.

He laughs quietly when he thinks back to Aeon's shocked but pleased expression when he finally caught a glimpse, how he'd snapped his fingers and grabbed hold of Aether's shirt, tugging it down a little further for a better look.

"I knew it! I knew you had one!"

"It wasn't really a secret." It was just usually hidden behind thick hair but that didn't matter, he knew it was there and more importantly, Dew knew it was there.

Aeon's big hazy purple eyes had studied it, head cocked just slightly. "Hydra?"

"I'll tell you about it another day." He pressed a kiss to his lips softly. "Have a good shift."

He tiptoes into the room and his breath catches the way it always does when he sees Dew asleep, curled up with his hair fanned out on the pillow, face pressed into one of Aether's discarded t-shirts as he sleeps without him.

He's soft like this, a sweetness Aether has never been able to find strong enough words for. Walls down and vulnerable, and Aether would dare anything to try to get through him to touch Dewdrop.

He lets the tips of his fingers kiss Dew's cheek, brushing back his hair with the whisper of a touch so he doesn't wake but some part of him still knowing Aether is there. His lips part over a tiny breath, turning a fraction into the touch.

It's a struggle to get his feet moving to the bathroom, needing to shower before he slots in beside Dew but he just wants to crawl up beside him, wrap him up in his arms and bury his face in his hair, breathing in the scent that he knows by heart.

The water is hot as he can stand it, groaning as it eases tension away and carries it down the drain. His fingers linger on his chest as he washes himself, pressing against where the ink had entered and left a permanent declaration that Dew always had been and always would he his.

He dries off quick, foregoing clothes, wanting nothing between himself and Dew, knowing that under the blanket Dew lays bare waiting for him.

He slips softly like fog under the covers, getting his arms around Dew when he moves instinctively closer in his sleep, a little star knowing its orbit without question. Aether smiles when his hand comes to rest on his chest, fingers pressed against the tattoo Aeon had been so excited to finally catch a glimpse of. Dew touches it like a pulse when he needs a reminder.

His mind drifts back once Dew's securely in his arms where he belongs, Aether's lips pressed against his hair. He remembers the night he was summoned like it was yesterday, a chilly rainy night but he'd looked up at the sky on his way to the chapel, mostly out of habit but he'd paused when he saw just how vivid Hydra was that night despite the rain.

It struck him odd until the little water ghoul was pulled into the circle, dripping wet and shaking, Aether's eyes the first he found.

It was like a tidal wave slamming into him and he knew in that moment that that little water ghoul was his.

Hed draped a blanket around him and lifted him to his feet, keeping his arms around him to keep him warm, safe, quietly staking a claim before he even fully realized it himself.

When he gave his name Aether's knees shook, he never knew a single word could feel like home but his name did.

He didn't hesitate to run to Omega later, to have him mark his skin with the stars that brought Dew to him, etched into his skin, promising forever before even ever really talking to him. Even if Dew didn't ever feel the same, Aether always would and that was enough.

Over time Dew did love him, fell into his arms and stayed, confessed feelings he didn't really understand right away but desperately wanted to share regardless. Aether marked a constellation behind Dews ear, the one he saw when he first told Aether he loved him.

When Dew gave up his water Aether stayed for each painful, breathless second, sobbing as Dew screamed himself mute, choking on flames and smoke and ash as the fire made a home in his veins, making a dessert where there had once been a softly flowing river.

He stayed and he waited, guts twisting and his heart too scared to beat as Dews stuttered and struggled behind his ribs. When they moved him to the recovery room Aether was sure this was it, this was goodbye, a tragically short lived forever.

His eyes had turned to the window, so dark it didn't feel like night, felt more like the caverns in the pit, endlessly inky, winding nightmares.

But then he saw it. Dew's stars were still there, brighter than they should be and he knew it wasn't over.

And his heart kept beating.

Aether blinks himself back into the present, feels Dews fingers on the tattoo and his steady breaths across his chest. He brushes his hair back to see the one he'd given Dew, Aquila tucked behind his ear, a secret just for them.

He kisses the top of his head, eyes turning to the window and glancing at the sky, smiling when Hydra once again fills the night, bright and beautiful.

Reminding him of forever.

What if Swiss was actually summoned to be a potential replacement for Dew?

Hear me out. The Clergy and the band are in absolute disarray. The band's Water ghoul is currently fighting for his life while attempting to go through this horrific elemental transition. Nobody knows if he's actually going to make it. It's so touch and go, and things change by the hour.

The Clergy can't afford to summon a full Fire ghoul in the event that Dew's body can't handle the trauma it's being subjected to. So what's the next best thing? A Multi.

Why not? He's Fire....enough. He can play guitar well enough to cover the Clergy's asses until proper arrangements can be made. It would be a shame about the Water ghoul, but there must be order. So they tell Swiss, as he stands in the ritual chapel after clawing his way through the portal, already apprehensive at the energy in the room emanating from the hooded figures in front of him, eyeing him up and down with shrewd, scrutinizing faces.

Fast forward, Dew recovers. He overcomes the impossible and becomes not only a powerful Fire ghoul, but a prodigious lead guitarist. And Swiss....is wracked with guilt.

He wants to let the truth out so badly, wants so much to be honest with his friend and packmate. But it would destroy Dew. Dew, who's worked SO HARD to live up to the newfound expectations placed upon him. Dew, who volunteered for the procedure because band members were disappearing left and right and he was just so afraid to be next unless he made himself invaluable. Dew, who bleeds for his perfectionism and doesn't know that after everything, even with all the pain and trauma he suffered at the behest of the Clergy, he was still replaceable all along. Swiss could never tell him.

Hi i don’t care if everyone is asleep right now i NEED to share the little thoughts i had while making midnight grilled cheese

(Takes place in a timeline where Dew retires alongside Copia’s ascension to Imperator)

As much as Dew loves his music, loves touring, he thinks it’s time. It already felt off without Aether there, he does not wanna know what it feels like without Copia. He’s done the whole switching frontman act and he was not a fan. Plus there’s something he’s been wanting to do…

They’ve discussed it before, whisper in the dead of night, but it was never feasible with him and Aether touring. When Aether retired the conversation was brought up again. It stayed in the back of Dew’s mind the entire six months they were gone. Now that he’s also decided to settle he brings it up again. He thinks it’s time they finally have their kit. It’s a very long discussion with a lot of tears from both sides and a few self deprecating words from Dew, but ultimately they agree. They’ve waited long enough.

They go back and forth with the Sibling/ghoul duo who heads the nursery at the abbey for a little, just to get things in order. The day comes where Aether and Dew will head down just to visit and Dew is so nervous he’s ready to pass out. Aether is nervous too, but it translates into trying to calm Dew down. They’re both just a mess but in different ways.

Once they’re down there it’s completely different. Dew is so quiet when he sees the little piles of sleeping kits, too afraid to disturb them. The way his tail wags at their little purrs is enough to communicate how he’s feeling though. They don’t really except to find a kit that day, really just meeting them and learning their stories as the Sibling and ghoul walk them around.

That was the plan until one of the little water pups woke up crying. Dew was the closest to her and something in him told him to just…pick her up. He didn’t even stop to think about it, he just did. He’s never held a kit before and he had no idea why she was crying, so he just held her. He tucked her tight to his chest and she responded by nuzzling his nose into his neck. He nearly cried when she licked at his healed over gill scars.

Aether had never been more in love with Dew than he was right then and there. He cleared his throat before asking the Sibling and ghoul how she ended up here. He knew it didn’t matter what they said, the soft look in Dew’s eyes told him everything. But he was curious.

They told them she had been surrendered upon birth by her parent from a smaller branch of the Ministry. They weren’t given many details, just that her parent supposedly lost her mate and did not want to raise a kit on her own. She was named though before she was given up. Pearl. Her name was Pearl.

There was no better name for her. She was completely white with iridescent scales that shone when the light hit them right. The tip of her tail didn’t have a fin on it, but it was longer and thicker than an average water pup’s at that age. Same with her fangs, sharper and longer than what they should be (think leucistic/white alligator).

They decide right there that Pearl is their kit. They finish whatever paperwork the Sibling and ghoul need and the rest is history. Dew’s a little afraid he won’t be good enough, especially since he doesn’t have his water anymore, but he’d be damned if he left Pearl there. He was raised as a water ghoul so that’s not an issue, but when her element really starts to develop they may have to tap in Rain. It hurts a little he’ll never be able to really swim with his daughter though.

It makes him smile every time he thinks about it. His daughter. Aether’s daughter. Their kit. The first night she’s home in the den they kind of just stay up and watch her, the realization still setting in. Aether ends up falling asleep first. Dew promises he’ll always try his best for her and he asks her to forgive him when he inevitably fucks up. He’ll try not to fuck up. He says fuck about three more times before a very groggy Aether tells him to watch his language.

May i spark your imagination with bb dew at the beach? Mountain making sure he’s got a beach blanket and shade and snacks. Aether chasing all the littles to put on sunscreen and checking they’re all hydrated. Or whatever cute sillyness you can think of. You dont need to write anything if you dont want or dont feel inspired, but i thought it might be fun ❤️

Just something little, hope it's ok 🩷

Cw: just a passing mention of Dew's fear of water

Mountain follows behind Cumulus, carrying her chair and the bags while she keeps a grip on the wiggling baby in her arms. She had finally managed to get him to keep his hat on so he doesn't burn in the sun.

Phantom sprints by them with Swiss right behind them, Aurora rolling her eyes and slowing to walk beside Cumulus.

Dew points at her sparkly pink sunglasses, clapping when she lowers them to look at him.

“Aren't they pretty? They are barbie!”

Cumulus smiles at the little ghoulette. “What do your glasses have, Dew?”

“Mor!”

Mountain laughs behind them. “Sharks. Haie.”

“Bite.”

“They won't bite you.” Aurora assures him.

They continue on until cumulus finds a spot she's happy with and mountain gets everything set up for her, laying a blanket beside her chair for Dew to play on.

He points out at the water, growling at the waves. “No.”

“You're ok, we are going to stay back here.” Cumulus boops the tip of his nose.

She sets him on his blanket and Mountain digs through the bag to find some of his sand toys. He sets his bottle beside him, full of water to keep him cool while he plays.

“I'm gonna go find seashells with Cirrus!” Aurora sprints off toward the other ghoulette, being caught quickly and spun around, her giggle echoing around the beach.

Mountain sits on the blanket beside Dew helping him play with his toys, the baby occasionally pointing at someone walking by. Aether keeps a close eye on Phantom and Swiss, both playing in the water, splashing each other. Rain's out deeper, not dropped, diving as deep as he can before slowly sneaking up on Phantom and Swiss.

Cumulus smiles when Phantom shrieks and giggles and Swiss makes a show of rescuing them from Rain and Dew claps where he sits.

Eventually he wants to explore, crawling off the blanket and onto the sand, taking a few minutes to adjust to the way it feels under his hands and knees.

“Dis?”

“Sand.” He smiles as Dew studies it in his hand before he starts crawling again, pausing occasionally to ask what something is. He finds seashells, seaweed, and watches a little crab scurry by.

“Bug!”

“Crab. He's heading home to the water.”

“Mor…” Dew points at the water where Rain is still swimming. “Bug bite!”

“He won't bite him, honeybee. He just wants to go home.”

Dew side eyes the crab before moving on, seeming like he's on a mission with Mountain following behind. He pauses by Aurora and Cirrus to look at their seashells, clapping when the little ghoulette proudly shows a pink one she found.

“You two need more sunblock!”

Dew heads off toward Aether's voice, the quint standing near the water, yelling for Phantom and Swiss. They complain but Aether doesn't budge.

Dew stops beside him as Phantom and Swiss make it out of the water, pouting as Aether makes them dry off so he can reapply their sunscreen.

“You'll be grateful when you're not burnt and miserable.” He pokes Phantom's nose. “Ask Swiss all about his last burn.”

Mountain smirks when he rolls his eyes. “Wasn't that bad…”

“No? Because I'm pretty sure I remember you trying to climb in the freezer with all of Mountain's aloe plants.”

“Well it doesn't happen often!”

“And you're very lucky for that.” Aether tells him as he makes sure he's got the little ghouls back covered. “Go have a snack while that soaks in.”

Phantom takes Swiss' hand, heading off toward Cumulus for some water and snacks.

Aether bends and scoops Dew up, kissing his cheek. “Are you having fun?” He lifts his sandy little hands for Aether to see. “Do you like the sand?”

“Mine.” He looks back out at the waves. “Mor?”

“He's out there.”

“See.”

Aether turns him in his arms so Dew can look out across the water easier. He kicks his legs when Rain pops his head back up.

“Mor!”

Rain catches his voice, turning to the sound before he smiles and swims to shore. Dew reaches for him once he makes his way to stand by them.

“I'm all wet, amour…”

“Mor p’ease!”

Aether shrugs and hands the baby over. Rain takes him slowly, letting him adjust to the feeling of Rain's wet chest. He seems unsure at first, looking between Rain and Aether but eventually he settles comfortably in Rain's arms.

“Are you having a good day?” Rain smiles, fixing the baby's hat.

He claps before laying his head on Rain's shoulder. Mountain and Aether wander off, heading toward Lus trying to get Swiss to sit for just a few more minutes.

Rain sits on the sand with Dew on his lap, back far enough that the waves only just touch the bottom of his feet. Dew tenses at first but eventually relaxes back against Rain, eyes watching the waves.

Rain glances over his shoulder when he hears Aurora giggle, watching her chase after Cirrus as fast as she can.

Dew wiggles, scootching down Rain's legs just slightly. “Off to explore again?”

He points as the waves roll up again. “Mor…”

“It's ok, it won't-”

“Toucher…” (touch)

Rain blinks a few times, wondering if maybe he'd misheard him. “Vous voulez toucher l'eau?” (You want to touch the water?)

“P’ease.”

He takes a minute, checking the baby's expression, his eyes before scooting a bit closer to the water. Dew looks back at him a few times, his fingers curled back in fists before he leans forward and hovers his fingers over where the waves will crash.

He pulls his hand back at first when they come, curling up closer to Rain's chest.

“It's ok. I've got you.”

His eyes are a little darker when he peeks up at Rain. “Bite?”

Rain smiles sadly, shaking his head. He knows what he means, understands that he's afraid to be hurt again and that's the only way it makes sense to him right now.

“No, it won't bite you. I'd never let that happen.”

Dew holds onto Rain's hand, watching the waves for a few minutes before he speaks again. “Mor me.”

He smiles and squeezes his little fingers, guiding his hand to the water just as it starts to recede. Dew blows a raspberry when the next wave covers his hand.

“Froid!” He shrieks but he digs his fingers in the wet sand.

“It's not cold you silly thing!”

Dew giggles and watches another wave come up over his hand. Rain watches him, the way he starts to flinch but relaxes when Rain gives his hand a little squeeze. It's something Rain loves, slowly reintroducing the baby to his old element, helping him learn it's not bad or out to hurt him, that it still loves him so much.

Dew sits back and signs ‘all done’, curling up on Rain again. He holds him close, adjusting him better in his arms after seeing him yawn. He rocks him and hums along with the waves as Dew slowly falls asleep.