Archive of Our Own

Since Rain's heat, and subsequently Swiss and Dew's, things had settled down.  Tour didn't start for another month or so.  They had Masses to attend, but they were largely uneventful.

Aside from the one where a new Sister strode up to the pulpit and demanded Copia sacrifice her, but she'd been woefully misled by social media as to the goings on during Black Masses.  

For two, blissful weeks, things for the ghouls were quiet.  Routine even.  Sleep and practice, Masses occasionally, time together always.

It figured, then, that at the start of week three, Aether began to not feel well.  Ghouls could get sick, but it was rare.  They were immune to nearly all human ailments.  Except, for some reason, certain viruses.  It left him feeling slightly feverish, the tiniest bit achy.  His head hurt a little, like he was dehydrated, rather than a full blown headache.  It was all minor symptoms, but annoying as a whole. 

Rubbing his eyes, he dragged himself to the kitchens to claim some water to hide away in his room with.  He didn't want to get his packmates sick.  Before he could make his escape, some neatly packaged leftovers caught his eye.  It looked like a stew of some kind?  Hearty and rich.  Probably something Mountain had made.

Suddenly ravenous, which he thought was slightly unusual for an illness, Aether claimed it for his own, devouring what was indeed a stew, and delicious, in just a few minutes.  He'd make it up to whoever the food belonged to later.

Rinsing the bowl, he gathered up the water he'd originally come for and skulked away back to his room, texting his pack once he was locked away again. 

Aether: Caught something and feeling sick. :( Don't come in, don't wanna make you all feel like shit

His phone pinged rapidly with replies, offers to bring him things to make him comfortable, Swiss laughing at him and then offering cuddles, sickness or not.  Dew sent him a frowny face, then suggested that using himself as a heat source would end his virus sooner. 

Aether: Aww, Droplet, are you offering to snuggle me back to health as my personal hot water bottle?

He waited thirty seconds then texted again, grinning to himself.

Aether: On a scale of 1 to Rain, how bright are you blushing right now?

He received a middle finger emoji as a reply and laughed.

No one bothered him and he drank his water dutifully.  But every time he crept from his room to run to the bathroom, there was something new outside his door. 

Dew had left him extra water and a little bag of crackers.  He found a mug of tea, still gently steaming, that must have come from Mountain, likely the herbs were harvested from his garden.  Closer to dinner time, there was a bowl of soup, a little sticky note on the side showcasing little scribbled caricatures that he thought were meant to be Rain and Swiss.

Just before turning in for the night, he heard a knock on the door and hauled himself up with a groan to shuffle across the space.  He didn't feel any better, though not that much worse either.  Peeking out, he found no one there, but a small stack of blankets.  He gathered them up to carry them back into his room, smiling as he caught the scents of the ghoulettes.

His pack, taking care of him.  He'd kept the bottles from Dew, even after emptying them, the mug from Mountain and the note from Rain and Swiss.  They smelled like those that had touched them and were comforting.

Tucking himself in, he hummed, surrounded by warmth and comfort.  He'd have preferred at least one body tucked up against him as well, but until he felt better, he had the next best thing.

~*~

Aether didn't feel any better the next day, which was discouraging.  His pack did their best to keep him entertained though, texting him random bits of information, pictures.  Rain was communicating exclusively through cat photos, the most recent one a fluffy black kitten tucked into a bed with a tissue, as if it were sick.  

Swiss was being his running commentary.  According to him, Dew was pining away without his daily dose of Aether and sulking within a pile of ghoulettes while making sad eyes at Rain.  Considering how often Dew made sad eyes at anyone (hint, not often at all), Aether thought his news source might be a little biased.  But it was still fun to picture.

Mountain was sending him occasional photos from his greenhouse, various plants looking vibrant and healthy, the earth ghoul's fingers visible now and then, carefully touching a leaf or cupping a blossom.  It made Aether's heart pang, the care he could see there and he paced his room, missing his ghouls, too warm to snuggle back down into his nest and relax.  It had gotten slightly worse throughout the day.  Not a sick feeling, just.. unsettled.  Restless.  It was probably cabin fever, he was telling himself.

He distracted himself with texting the earth ghoul, working on another bottle of water. 

Aether: What'f the res onr 

Mountain: .. the red one? It's a hibiscus. 

Aether: itd nice. Likw a deess  

Mountain squinted at his phone.  They all made typos occasionally, especially if they hadn't glamoured their claws away.  But Aether never made so many at a time.  Concerned, he wiped his hands, quickly wrapping up his work. 

Mountain: Aeth. You feeling okay?

Aether: mfine. Eyed hurt a lil sok

Mind made up, Mountain left the greenhouse, carefully closing the door to stride back to the Abbey.  Something wasn't right.

Mountain:  I'm coming to check on you.

Aether: donr hav to mok jus hot

Brows furrowed, the earth ghoul didn't slow his pace, face set as he headed for the quintessence ghoul's room.

~*~

Aether was squinting at his phone when the knock sounded on his door.  So much for telling Mountain that he was fine again.  With a sigh, he weaved his way over, missing the knob on the first attempt, but grabbing it on the second.  Stupid cold.

When the door opened, Mountain was frowning on the other side, eyes immediately sweeping over Aether.  He didn't look sick.  Flushed, yes.  But not drawn or pale.  He did seem to be swaying a little, like his balance was a bit off.

He was shirtless, a pair of ratty sweatpants hanging low on his hips.  It was an unusual look for the quintessence ghoul, usually at least in shirt and pants and Mountain wasn't sure what to make of it.  He had mentioned being warm.

Aether looked at the other ghoul with glazed eyes, rubbed at them and tried again.

"I'm alright, Mount.  Just feeling.. kinda crappy."  Which wasn't exactly true anymore.  It felt less like a cold or oncoming flu now.  Still feverish, maybe.  

Mountain stepped in enough to press a hand to Aether's forehead, the other moving to cup a cheek, trying to gauge if he actually had a fever or not.  Ghoul body temperatures weren't always the easiest things to judge.

At the touch, Aether's eyes fluttered closed, body swaying towards the contact.  Oh, that was nice.  Mountain felt cool, smelled like green, wild things.  Like Aether was in a shadowed wood.  He stepped closer, reaching out to get his hands on the taller ghoul, palms pressing to and smoothing over his chest, then down, suddenly unhappy with the barrier of his shirt.

He found the hem, got his hands under and splayed them over Mountain's skin, sighing out a breath at the contact. 

This was not a cold.  Of that, Mountain was sure.  Aether was acting like..  like a….

Eyes going wide, Mountain made a terrible, split second decision.  He used the hand on Aether's cheek to gently tip the quintessence ghoul's head back and leaned in, pressing his nose right to Aether's throat, taking a deep breath.

It was like waking up to Rain whimpering and trying to get himself off all over again, the room awash in pheromones, thick enough to fog the mind, but worse , somehow more concentrated.  He'd only smelled anything like it twice before, in much smaller doses and one of those times, Aether had gone into the lake.

It was well past that point now.

Aether tipped his head back more, gasping, trying to press closer as the warmth he'd been feeling doubled, tripled, left him uncomfortable and shivery and in need of hands on him, needed his damn pants off because anything against his skin that wasn't another ghoul was suddenly irritating and enough to make him growl.

"Oh fucking- fuck.  Aether-"

The quintessence ghoul pulled him closer, another wave of scent washing over him and Mountain groaned, trying to turn his head away and desperately not wanting to.  It was too strong, the only thing he could smell and it was clouding his mind, making him feel as hazy as Aether looked.  It was dangerous.  At least one of them should be clear headed.

He felt himself responding as Aether shoved at his shirt, trying to get to more skin, claw tips that felt somehow larger, sharper grazing against him.  He reached out to grip the other ghoul's upper arms, to separate them at least a few inches. 

It didn't help.  Aether was all he could smell, all he could see and he was bearing his fangs at him, violet eyes blazing as he looked up, panting, incensed at the interruption.  Mountain tried to take a slow breath in through his nose but the sparkly, spice and effervescent sweetness that he hadn't smelled when the door had first opened was everywhere now, calling to any ghoul that could catch a hint of it, daring them to come and try to claim the ghoul it came from.

Mountain kicked the door shut, barely having the presence of mind to flick the lock as he leaned in again to claim Aether's lips, crowding him back slowly.  He'd just have to hope to Lucifer that he didn't fall to it, that his stoic, earth nature would keep him level.  There wasn't much else he could do.

There was a quintessence ghoul in heat in the Abbey and Mountain didn't want his pack torn apart.

~*~

The first time Mountain had ever caught that scent, the tempting draw and challenge of heat and spirit and void, had been in The Pit.  He'd at least been experienced enough to know that rushing towards it and trying to claim the ghoul it was from was a fool's errand, and was far enough away that the scent wasn't completely overwhelming.

Unfortunately, he was also curious enough to follow it.

He did his best to keep upwind, creeping over the ground until he could peer around a rocky outcropping.  The quintessence ghoul was standing squarely in the center of a barren clearing, eyes ablaze, an odd violet shimmer, something that was more suggestion than fact, and more visible in the periphery, surrounding them, ebbing and flowing like an aurora.

The whole effect was terrifying and beautiful in equal measures.

Mountain watched as other ghouls approached, most completely overwhelmed by the scent, the draw.  They stumbled as they walked, glassy eyed and fell to the quintessence ghoul's claws.  It ripped at them, snarling and tearing, leaving dark smears over the rock.  Not worthy, Mountain could almost hear it hissed on the air.  Weak.

And it wasn't only ghouls that sought to claim that moved closer.  He saw some that clutched at their middles, whimpering with a heat triggered by the other ghoul's, seeking safety in numbers, the comfort of a group.  They fell too, most too far under to realize the danger they'd put themselves in by daring to compete for attention with the quintessence ghoul.

He saw only two ghouls that weren't immediately ripped apart, ones that the ghoul in heat seemingly thought might be worthy enough, but they were challenged anyway, had to fight to prove themselves.

One fell to the wicked claws and fangs, while the other was crafty enough to recognize when he was losing and flee.

Mountain had crouched ears pinned back.  If there was a more terrifying creature in Hell, he hadn't seen it.  He was getting ready to slink away, wanting no part of being shredded when the wind shifted and the other ghoul's head came up.  Pointed right at the earth ghoul.

The growl had been low, challenging, and Mountain had skittered away as fast as his limbs could carry him, low to the ground.  Most ghouls in heat were lethargic, too caught up in the needs and demands of their bodies to do much more than whine at the ache, maybe shuffle around a little.

The quintessence ghoul was quick and vicious and was nearly on Mountain with one leap.  He'd felt the rake of claws, searing pain as his skin was cut like butter and then he was scrambling through a space between rocks, made just large enough through his magic and slamming closed after.

He didn't stop, not for long minutes, until he was panting and limping, forced to still in order to inspect the wounds.  They weren't as deep as they could have been, he could have been cleaved to the bone, but they'd been bad enough.

He still had three faint, silvery scars down his side. 

~*~

Mountain's mind was a whirl.  There was no way of knowing how long the quintessence ghoul in his memory had been in heat.  Aether, at least, didn't seem like he was intent on issuing challenges and tearing at other ghouls.

Not yet , a dark corner of his mind whispered.

He pulled back to look over the other ghoul, the lavender flush high on his cheeks, hazy gaze.  He reminded him more of Rain and Swiss.  Aether reached for him, to pull him back and no, those claws weren't like the other's at all.

Not allowing himself to be reeled back in earned him a growl and he cupped Aether's face, thumbs skating over the thin skin under his eyes.

"Hey.  Aeth.  Aether.  You with me?"

He could see the struggle, the actual effort Aether had to put into processing his words and forming a response.  When he finally spoke, his voice was low and rough, like he was speaking with a throat more suited for growling.

"Mountain."  

"Yeah.  Just me.  Can you tell me what you need?"

Aether considered the question, his eyes focusing a little more, which Mountain was glad to see.  He reached for the earth ghoul's shirt again, hooking one claw in the collar and dragging down, splitting the fabric cleanly, making Mountain shudder with the wash of memories.

The touch was careful though, never brushing his chest and once the material was completely separated, Mountain shrugged it off, watching Aether's hungry eyes sweep over his skin.

"You."

The one word was somehow enough to make Mountain shudder and he let his hands slide down ro Aether's neck, then lower, dragging over his chest as the quintessence ghoul mirrored the movement, palms warm.

"Just me?"  He didn't want to expose the others to the possible danger, but at least Aether was talking.

Aether considered again, head tilting.  He looked slightly annoyed and Mountain wasn't sure if it was due to the questions or that he was having trouble translating his thoughts into words.

A hand snapped up, making him flinch but didn't try to scratch.  Instead, Aether's hand, large, strong, curled around the side of his head, thumb on his temple.

And suddenly Aether was in his head.  Aether was everywhere .  All he could feel, touch, see.  His knees felt weak and he gripped the other ghoul's shoulders as it washed through him, wild, untamed, loving.

Yes, Aether needed him.  Maybe Dew and Swiss too, the second awareness somehow imparted to him, but if that happened, he'd call them.  Mountain got the feeling he didn't mean with a phone. 

It swept through further, deeper, somehow not feeling invasive.  It was like Aether couldn't help it, just another part of him.  He found the memories, the ones from before and Mountain's knees did buckle then.

Strong arms caught him, pulled him into Aether's nest after the quintessence ghoul.

Not the pit , that presence told him.  No tearing.   

His pants were being stripped off, but Mountain was distracted.  Aether knew so much, was so much.  Why, he wondered.  Why had it been that way in the Pit but not here?

Ancient, angry, desperate, arrogant .  The sense of the words hit the earth ghoul, but he understood.  He was glad he'd gotten away before he'd joined the mess on the ground.

No .  Aether was stretching out against him, nudging Mountain's head back to nose at his throat.  He growled, low and dark and possessive and Mountain could feel it both from outside and from within. Wanted you.  Can't have.  Ours now.  Mine .

Need kicked Mountain right in the gut and it didn't matter if it was his or Aether's, felt like both anyway and it finally allowed him to move, to stretch and shift and roll Aether under him, settle between the soft, strong thighs that parted welcomingly for him.  He wanted, needed Aether, Aether needed, wanted him.  Aether was his pack.  His to care for and he would.  By Lucifer, he would.

"Where-"  He knew before he could even vocalize the question where the bottle he wanted was, seeing it as if he'd been the one to leave it there.  It should probably be concerning, just how closely intertwined mentally he and Aether seemed to be getting, but it felt too right to argue, like the quintessence ghoul belonged there.

The bottle was tucked under a pillow at the mattress' edge where it had been left three nights ago, when Aether had Dewdrop spread out in his nest and gasping, his slender body arching so prettily as he mewled-

Mountain sucked in a breath, tried to close the door on the vista that was opening up for him.  It wasn't his memory, not his business to see.  He felt amusement coloring the bond, because that's what it was, his mind was bonded to Aether's, but the memory faded back and Mountain shivered.

Gorgeous as it was, he actually wanted to last more than five minutes.

He felt the wash of amusement again, then a wave of need, Aether's thighs opening up a little more, hips giving an insistent little roll.  He didn't let the feeling of his heat slam into Mountain like the earth ghoul suspected he could have, but he did give him a glimpse, how much he craved, how uncomfortable it felt to be empty and wanting, how the newness of it was disconcerting and how glad he was that he wasn't alone with it. 

It was like swimming down a stream, following the thread of emotions and sensations, one flowing into another, sweeping Mountain along.  He felt love, for him, his pack, and it warmed his chest, made his cheeks heat as he ducked his head, wetting his fingers and reaching up between Aether's legs to get a finger into him. 

Aether took it easily, making a low, impatient noise in the back of his throat.  Mountain added another and went still.  He could feel Aether's muscles relax, go lax for him, open up.  His eyes lifted slowly to meet the quintessence ghoul's.  The blink he received was meant to be innocent, but Mountain wasn't fooled for a moment. 

He added a third with the same result, Aether's body just… opening for him, welcoming him in.  He felt smugness hit him as he groaned, letting his fingers slip free to slick himself instead.

"Can you always do that?"

The reply, nonverbal and in his head as it was, felt a bit indeterminate.  He wasn't sure if Aether didn't know or had simply never tried before, but he could do it right now and that was all that mattered.

Mountain shifted forward, lining himself up.  He should probably ask, right?  If Aether was alright?  Was ready?  But his scent wrapped around him before he could form words, thick and full of temptationneedwant and he was pushing in, sinking into Aether's warm body with a groan.

Aether arched under him, angling his hips back to take everything, every inch of Mountain he could while his hands slid up the other ghouls arms, up to grip his shoulders, tugging at him.

Leaning in, trying to not gasp at the greedy tightness clutching at him, Mountain claimed Aethers lips, messy.  The quintessence ghoul's fangs bumped at his own as their mouths moved, larger than normal, but then his own felt enlarged as well, felt itchy with the urge to bite.

Breaking away, he dipped his head to run his nose along Aether's neck, rumbling out a pleased noise as the other ghoul tipped his head back and to the side for him, offering.  It was the opposite side to the one that normally sported a mark from Dew, but that suited Mountain just fine.  His own stretch of smooth skin.

He mouthed at it, smelling nothing but Aether and heat and need and moved his hips, pulling groans out of both of them as he pulled back and thrust in again, quick and hard.  There was no pausing after the first thrust, he couldn't bring himself to and knew Aether would protest if he did.

Planting his hands in soft furs and blankets, he set a pace that he knew would throw him over the edge sooner than he liked, growling into the other ghoul's neck.  Aether groaned and trilled delightedly for him, hands spreading out over his back, dragging one moment, gripping the next.  He felt claws on his skin, pricks as they pressed, but never and clawing, barely even a scratch, his trust rewarded.

Mountain lost all sense of time, knew only Aether, learning the angles that made him twitch and shiver, how to drag his fangs just so over his skin to make him whine.  A felt a hand on the back of his head, trying to curl into his short hair, to pull him closer, force his teeth harder against him.

He resisted in little ways, turned his head slightly, sucked at a spot instead of nipping at it.  Aether was making increasingly pathetic, demanding noises at him, but Mountain had found the angle that made his toes curl and his eyes roll back and the other ghoul couldn't do much more but clutch at him and whine.

He could feel how close Aether was getting, not just through the increasing tightness around him, the way the quintessence ghoul arched and rolled back for him, but through their connection as well.  It was like a pit, yawning open to swallow them, all intense desire, the heat pressing in to make it nearly unbearable.

Mountain fell to his orgasm first, snapping his hips forward once, twice, growling as Aether's body took his knot like it was made for him, going tight immediately to hold him right where he was.  He finally gave in, both to his own instincts and to Aether and sank his fangs into his neck, muffleing his groans as he came, hips flexing minutely, filling the other ghoul.

The added stretch of Mountain knotting him, the bite, the wash of pleasure he could feel alongside his own was more than enough to send Aether spiraling, and he shouted out his climax as his hips jerked, cock flexing between them with the hot waves of his orgasm, sending slick white spreading between the two of them.

It fed back into Mountain, making the earth ghoul shudder, making him rock forward to chase more, even as it was too much, then back into Aether, keeping them both hovering and shaking within a prolonged high.

They crashed down together, gasping, feeling loose-limbed and a little shivery.  

Easing his mouth off of Aether's neck, Mountain laved over the mark slowly, purring low and rumbly as he worked.  The taste of Aether, combined with everything else, the feel of him, the overwhelming scent, had something dark and primal rising within him, something possessive.  He growled against his mark and Aether crooned up at him, rolling his hips back once.

It was far too sensitive, enough to make Mountain pin his ears back, but he pressed into it anyway, riding the pain-pleasure edge.

Aether sucked in a breath, shifting restlessly.  His hands were still on Mountain and he shifted one to the back of his neck, gripping, kneading a little as he tugged, tipping his head up in a silent request.

He granted the kiss easily, lazily licking into Aether's mouth, retreating after a moment or three to let the other ghoul chase him, welcoming him in inturn.  He waited until Aether was distracted, humming his contentment, then ground his hips forward.

He got bit for his trouble.

Tied with Aether as he was, it took very little effort to grind his knot right against the quintessence ghoul's prostate.  The sudden shock of it made Aether clamp his teeth shut, Mountain's lower lip an unfortunate casualty.  He drew blood, leaving the two of them tasting each other, groaning with it. 

Mountain didn't stop, even though the stimulation offered him more pain than pleasure now, a low burning in the pit of his stomach that promised aching later.  But the way Aether's eyes rolled back, how he gasped and keened was too good to let go.

He kept moving, working into very short, but firm thrusts, limited as he was to pull back.  They rocked the other ghoul each time their hips connected, made him twist while he whined, body tightening and fluttering like it didn't know what to do with the overwhelming sensations.

"You gonna come for me again, moonflower?  Know your heat will let you."

Aether whimpered, panting with each strike.  He had just enough coordination, shakey as it was, to draw Mountain closer, until their foreheads touched.  He needed the closeness, to be held and surrounded, to feel taken care of.

" Harder, harder, harder-"   It was an unconscious chant, breathed out with each stuttering gasp.

Mountain snarled, but gave Aether what he asked for, curling a hand around the back of his neck, mirroring the other ghoul's hold to keep him close, the other curling so tightly into the blankets he thought they might rip.  

Aether felt like he wanted to thrash, like he was too small to hold everything he was feeling inside.  It built and built and then crashed into him, dragging him under and sending him spinning out into aching pleasure and void.  His back bowed up, hips grinding tight into Mountain as he wailed, the pulses of his orgasm deep and hard, like a fault line slipping.

He quaked .

The urge to slam his eyes shut was nearly overwhelming but Mountain needed to watch, to see Aether completely fall apart for him, face wet with tears, with a touch of drool that escaped past numb lips.  The increase in pressure on his cock, squeezing his knot, made him whimper pathetically and he held as still as he could, gasping through Aether's orgasm with him. 

As soon as Aether's body started to relax, the earth ghoul sagged down, splayed over the other ghoul, twitching and shivering fitfully.

"Fuck."

Aether didn't move at first, after he'd turned into a puddle, feeling boneless and disconnected.  Like he'd gone floating off with his magic and forgotten how to get back.  Feeling came back slowly, in his fingers and toes, then slowly spreading inwards, parts of him making themselves known once more.  Sleep tugged at his mind, but something stronger nagged at him.

He shifted faintly and Mountain groaned deeply from above him.

"Fuck, Aeth, no.  Sleep.  Can't again."

Words were still hard, but he conveyed his amusement through their connection and very carefully kept his lower half still, pulling a little at the earth ghoul's head.  It lifted from his chest, bleary green eyes peeking up and Aether smiled, felt affection swell inside of him, let it spill into Mountain to see him smile back.

He kept pulling until Mountain was high enough, then leaned in to delicately bite him, opposite where Rain normally bit, repaying Mountain's former consideration.  He was careful, fangs and teeth sharper than they usually were, and cleaned over the mark once it was made, feeling the earth ghoul relax after the initial stiffening that usually came with the pain of a bite, purring for him.

He purred back, worked until his eyelids were heavy and he couldn't fight the siren call of sleep any more, Mountain on his tongue, within and around him, soothing and steady.

~*~

Mountain woke up to demanding hands and a creeping sense of need.  

He groaned, shifted experimentally and cracked an eye open.  Aether's scent hadn't diminished and, strangely, it didn't feel like he'd gotten used to it at all, coiling around him, tempting, making him want almost as badly as the quintessence ghoul. 

Aether felt it, he knew he did, felt a grin against his shoulder and registered the warm length of the other ghoul curled into his side where he must have settled once Mountain slipped out of him and they'd dozed off.  He also felt, now that awareness was settling firmly into his mind, a warm hand with creeping fingers running down his stomach.

It rubbed low over his belly, lingering, then wrapped around his cock.

Mountain hissed and rolled onto his side, curling up into himself a little.  Fuck, tender.

Aether made a forlorn noise that tugged at the earth ghoul's heart.

Tipping his head, Mountain bumped their foreheads, then their horns, letting them gently slip-slide against each other, intimate and comforting.  It made Aether croon, a low rumble echoing from Mountain, even as he shifted in a subtle attempt to escape the groping fingers.

"Just need more time, Aeth.  Got me all over sensitive."

The quintessence ghoul narrowed his eyes, still brighter than normal, looking speculative.  Mountain couldn't hope to explain how he knew, or what it felt like exactly, but he could tell when Aether's attention expanded like he was reaching out in another plain entirely, some place Mountain couldn't hope to see. 

Aether's gaze went unfocused, distant.  It took him nearly a minute, doing whatever it was he was doing, then his attention snapped back, all of it on Mountain, heavy.  

It made an odd sensation prickle up Mountain's spine, just a little like fear.  "Uh.. hi."

Sharp fangs flashed at him in a smile and Aether snuggled himself closer, like he was settling in to wait.  His fingers never left the earth ghoul though, like he wanted to be sure he wasn't going to get hard for him right this second. 

"What- what did you do?"  He squirmed, not pulling away exactly.  It was more a mini game of avoiding too much pressure with as little movement as possible.

There was no true answer, just smugness and amusement and despite his half-hearted protestations, Mountain figured he'd just have to wait to find out.

~*~

It took maybe five minutes for Mountain to get his answer.

And it can via a firm knocking on Aether's door. 

The quintessence ghoul chirped happily but didn't get up, nudging at Mountain, his meaning clear even without the mental push that came with it. 

Mountain groaned.  "What'm I, your butler?"  Protest as he might, he still hauled himself up, slowly moving towards the door while scrubbing a hand through his hair.  A few strands were stuck together and he vaguely wondered how he got come that far up and also how long he was going to have to scrub when Aether's heat finally subsided. 

Flipping the lock, Mountain cracked the door open, peeking out.

A slightly confused Swiss and pissy looking Dewdrop stood on the other side.

"Uh."  Swiss rubbed at the back of his neck.  "This is gonna sound crazy, but-"

"You felt a weird call to come here?"

Swiss blinked at the earth ghoul.  Dew frowned.

"Yeah."

Mountain looked back over his shoulder at Aether, caught the quintessence ghoul grinning from within his nest, tail swaying behind him, leaning forward in an attempt to catch sight of the others.  With a sigh, Mountain stepped back and opened the door a little wider, only enough for Dew and Swiss to slip through. 

"Better come in then."

Once they were through, Mountain quickly closed and locked the door again, caught Swiss' once over, taking in his nakedness and Dew's increasing frown.

"Someone wanna tell me what the fuck is going-"

Mountain could see the exact moment Aether's scent hit them.  Dew staggered, head snapping around to stare right at the quintessence ghoul, pupils expanding so fast and so wide, it looked like his eyes went black.  Swiss hissed, then gasped, which didn't do him any favors.  His knees clearly went wobbly and Mountain got an arm around him before he could crash down, sagging against the taller ghoul for a moment.

" Fuck ."  Swiss turned dark eyes up at him and Mountain sighed again.

"Yeah."

"How long has he been like this?"  Dew never looked away from Aether, both of them still and starting at one another.

"A few hours at least."

Aether let out a low, plaintive sound and all three sets of eyes fixed on him.  Dew managed to step forward first.

" Aeth ."  He breathed the name out, almost reverent and Aether reached out a hand to him.

" Hours ?"  Swiss listed to one side, got his feet under him, took a step forward and then, when his legs held him, quickly moved to Aether's nest, touching the quintessence ghoul's cheek to pull his gaze away from Dew.

The fire ghoul growled at him, taking Aether's hand, trying to reclaim his attention. 

Swiss wasn't having it, cupping Aether's face, holding him gently.  "Fuck, he's gonna have such a headache later."

"What?  Why?"  Mountain cocked his head, drifting closer.  That possessive thing in his chest didn't like Aether's attention on the two other ghouls, even though rationally he knew Aether needed the relief.  That all of them would keep him better satisfied and they'd all be in better shape afterwards.  

Dew had his eyes narrowed at both Mountain and Swiss, trying to edge closer to Aether, like he might somehow be taken away if he didn't watch them.

"Can't you feel him?  He's  everywhere ."  Swiss gestured vaguely at the room.  "His powers, his awareness.  He told me once that if he has it open for too long, he gets a headache."  Swiss leaned in to brush a soft kiss to Aether's lips, more to try to keep his focus than anything. 

"Aether.  Aeth.  Can you reign it in a little?  Come on.  We're right here."  Swiss felt that curious touch of quintessence again, felt it snug up against his own and groaned, eyelids fluttering closed.  "S'not fair."

Amusement rippled through all of them, along with affection and reassurance.  Future Aether might hate himself, but right now, he was fine.  And while mostly with it, Aether had no room for processing possible future happenings at the moment. 

He brushed his nose against the multi ghoul's, then turned his attention back to Dew, giving his hand a tug, clearly done waiting.

With a resigned sign, Swiss moved back slowly, watching Dew scramble out of his clothes and into Aether's nest.  His back hit a broad chest unexpectedly and he gasped, strong arms wrapping around him from behind.

"Startled me, Mount."

The earth ghoul chuckled, dipping his head to nose at Swiss' ear.  "He's in your head pretty strong, isn't he?"

"Fuck, it's nuts."  They watched Dew settle between Aether's thighs, slide into him as both ghouls groaned and Swiss echoed them, tipping his head back onto Mountain's shoulder.  He curled his arms up, gripping Mountain's just to hold onto him. 

"You can feel them?"

"I can feel Aether."

"How much of him?" Mountain dropped a hand, letting it skate down Swiss' front to press against the hard ridge of his cock, trapped in his pants. 

Swiss hissed, rolling his hips into the touch.  "Mount- I don't know how to explain it.  Probably feel him the same way you do.  Like another awareness, how happy he is that we're here.  Loves having Dew in him."

Mountain tipped his head to watch Swiss in profile, saw his eyes go distant, felt his cock kick hard under his palm just before he squirmed pressing back to get away from the pressure.

"Ah- fuck, Mountain, don't-  Santanas, gonna make me come, I can't-"

It was bewildering, if hot, and Mountain reluctantly moved his hand to the multi ghoul's hip, gripping there steadyingly.  "Swiss?"

"Fucking.. you made him come on your knot twice."

Mountain felt his cheeks flush, but couldn't help the little swell of pride as well.  "He showed you?"

Swiss was slowly relaxing against the earth ghoul as his body backed away from the edge.  "Yeah.  In full technicolor."  There was a pause, then Swiss laughed lowly, throaty.  "He says he broke your dick."

Snickering quietly, Mountain pressed his face into Swiss' shoulder, the two swaying together in their mirth.  "He did.  Fuck, m'all tender."

Turning his head, Swiss grinned at the other ghoul, wide and toothy and beautiful, his eyes crinkled at the corners with the force and Mountain had no choice but to lean in and kiss him lightly.

Swiss' grin gentled until he was smiling softly, returning the kiss with a little hum, his hips pressing back into the taller ghoul.  He wasn't trying to start anything, not really.  It was more a test and when Mountain didn't pull back, he broke away enough to smirk.

"Seems just fine to me."

"Time heals all wounds."  Mountain said it gravely, face straight and Swiss gave him a light whack on the arm, grinning again.

"Uh, huh.  Sure.  I'm next though cause whatever the hell is in that scent of his is not playing fair."

Humming his agreement, Mountain shuffled them closer to Aether's nest and the two ghouls inside of it.  They were both flushed and panting, Dew lapping softly at a new mark on Aether's neck.  His hips were moving slowly, but seemed unhurried and Mountain figured they must be tied, simply enjoying the connection together.

An affirmative sounding trill from Aether had him rolling his eyes.  And wondering just how much he could feel from them right now.  He climbed in, fitting himself to one side and held a hand out to Swiss, the multi ghoul eyeing Dew as he growled at them.

Mountain replied with a sound that was half growl, half rumble, pointing at his own neck and the mark there.  He was welcome here, even if it made Dew grumpy.

Nose wrinkling, Dew's attention shifted to Swiss, eyes narrowing, looking for a reason to be possessive and posture.  It was Aether that reached up and turned his head back, leaning up to kiss him, distracting him while Swiss tugged his shirt off and joined Mountain.

"He says not to be an asshole, he called both of us here for a reason."  Swiss still made sure not to touch the fire ghoul just yet, settling down.

"I know what he says."  Dew grouched the words, but didn't growl again, settling himself over Aether.  The quintessence ghoul purred to him and he purred back, doing his best to make it sound reluctant.

None of them were fooled.

~*~

Dew was sporting his own mark by the time his knot had deflated and he'd slipped, grumblingly, from Aether.  Swiss rolled his eyes fondly at the two of them while Mountain hid his grin against the multi ghoul's shoulder, a hand resting on his hip.  

"He's a little shit, isn't he?"

"Yes, but he's ours."  Swiss kept his reply soft, just as the earth ghoul had, letting his hand trail absently back and forth over Mountain's arm.

Mountain rumbled a hum of agreement, his fingers slipping inwards, slowly inching Swiss' pants down, fingertips trailing over newly revealed skin.  Swiss squirmed a little, to help work them over his hips, glad he was in old track pants rather than jeans.  They worked them over his hips little by little until Swiss' cock was freed, springing out to slap lightly against his belly and he worked the material down his legs and, ultimately, off.

It was a relief to be rid of them, then sweet torture when Mountain trailed his fingers up the underside of his length.  He had barely softened, despite the wait.

Hissing out a breath, Swiss tipped his head back against the taller ghoul.

"Gonna be up to you, soon."  Mountain spoke against Swiss' ear, but his eyes were on Aether, trying to judge how long the current round of satisfaction would last.  He felt Swiss' cock jerk at the mention and chuckled.

Cheeks flushing softly, Swiss grumbled at him.  "Shut up.  I feel like I've been hard forever.  And I've never topped Aether before."

"Never?"  Mountain sounded surprised, but didn't change the speed or pressure of his touch, slow, light drags with the pads of his fingers.

"Nah."  He bit his lip, his own fingers following Mountain's arm up and back, dropping down between them to get his palm against the earth ghoul's length, chuckling at his little grunt. 

"Don't fall into bed together that often, but when we do, it's just hands or mouths half the time.  Or Aeth in me.  He's good at taking control."

"He is.  He gives it up beautifully though."  He rocked his hips a little, more experimental than anything and was gratified that the sensation of it was closer to normal than aching oversensitivity.

Swiss gave a little squeeze, grinned at the twitch he received in reply.  "Not so broken, huh?"

Mountain huffed, half amusement, eyes drawn back to Dew as he was gently disentangled from Aether, the quintessence ghoul's eyes greedily moving up and down Swiss' body, lingering on Mountain's hand.

"Only temporarily broken.  Looks like you're getting some attention."

Eyes snapping to Aether, Swiss cocked his head, a silent question.  The answer rang through his head like a chime.

Come here.  C'mon.  Come to me.  Need you, needyou needyou .

It made him groan, that wash of feelings pulled him away from Mountain and the warm comfort of the earth ghoul's arms.  He had to pass Dew as the fire ghoul slunk away and he paused to slip an arm around him, draw him closer before he could wriggle away.

"What-"

Swiss cut him off with a kiss, soft but insistent, diving back in whenever Dew tried to break away, to act put upon until he gave in and melted into the multi ghoul, kissing him back.  He drew away slowly, with a little tug to Dew's lower lip that had him leaning in, trying to chase the other ghoul's lips.  It made Swiss smile.

"That's better."

A faint orange tint colored the fire ghoul's cheeks and he pushed at Swiss' shoulder.  Then immediately leaned in to rub his cheek against it, soft and affectionate and cat-like.  "Fuck off."

Swiss gave one of his hips a squeeze, then nudged him towards Mountain.  "Whatever, Firefly.  Go cuddle Mountain."  The earth ghoul opened his arms obligingly.

Dew wrinkled his nose at both ghouls, but slipped away towards Mountain, his tail brushing and then running down the length of Swiss' as he moved away, making the multi ghoul shiver.  And further proving that his attitude was just for show.

Feeling the tug again, Swiss turned his attention back to Aether, finding the quintessence ghoul smiling up at him, a softness to the expression that made Swiss duck his head and finish crossing the short space, crawling up between Aether's legs, immediately welcomed by warm hands that pulled him closer.

He expected a kiss, but instead, Aether pulled at him until their foreheads touched and for a moment, it felt just like the time on the couch, when Aether had taken his awareness along with him, looking for the other ghouls.  It made him ache with familiarity, the closeness, the love he could feel, the touch of element on element.  He moaned quietly, hitching his hips against Aether's, a slow grind that had the need rushing back to the fore of their connection.

He felt something like an apology as Aether pressed a knee to his side, tried to get him closer to encourage him inside and couldn't quite grasp why at first.  He chased after it, reaching down to line himself up, to push forward slowly, to begin to sink in. 

It was there, coming to him in bits and pieces as Aether opened for him, moaning as Swiss sank deeper.  Sorry that it was rushed, that he needed him with so little lead up, that he couldn't have-

"Aeth."

Violet eyes opened for him.

"Don't.  Don't ever be sorry for what you need."  He gave a little thrust sinking in farther, rocked back to do it again, gaining another inch.  He kept moving until he bottomed out, red eyes on purple, then dipped in to claim Aether's lips, feeling strong arms wrap around him, hands sink into his hair as they groaned together.

"Happy to have you any way you want.  Any way you need."  He breathed the words between them and Aether arched, whining, begging Swiss to move with his body and he fell to it gladly, driving into Aether with steady, deep thrusts.

He could feel how it scratched the itch living inside of Aether, soothed the heat that nagged and bit at him.  But still deeper… how there was something else.  Something he still needed, craved, couldn't put a name to.

Swiss' brow furrowed.  He let his body move on autopilot and pushed, seeking like he had before but more , reaching out in a way he couldn't explain.  He used their connection as a guide, letting like call to like and reached out with the quintessence within himself that he didn't really know how to control to touch Aether's. 

Aether gasped so hard the breath caught in his throat and broke off, silent as he stared up at Swiss, open mouthed.  Swiss grit his teeth, the control it took making him feel almost shaky, but he did it again, pushed as he thrust in and Aether's eyes rolled back, his back arching sharply and he came, no warning, no sound, just tightened up devastatingly around Swiss as he shuddered and clung to him.

He could hear a noise that sounded like a wretched whining of some kind, thought it was strange, since Aether wasn't making any noise and realized suddenly, jarringly, that it was coming from him, suddenly back within his own mind.  He sucked in a harsh breath, finding that his hips had stopped moving, that he was still, buried within the other ghoul as he rode out his orgasm with him, tried not to just come in the next five seconds. 

There were soothing noises coming from one side, but he didn't have the brain power to focus on them, just took what comfort he could as he panted and watched Aether, watched him fall back into the blankets and whimper.  His eyes blinked open, a little wild, a little unfocused, but more present and he tugged Swiss an inch closer, voice wrecked. 

"Fuck.  Again ."

Swiss groaned, but moved.  He might have to sleep for a week after, but he'd give Aether everything he could, everything he had.

He managed to do it twice more, touch his quintessence to Aether's, slide the elements together in some intangible way that made them both shake and whimper, got Aether to come and make a mess of himself each time while Swiss grit his teeth and tried to remember how to breathe through it.  He couldn't help sagging down after, his forehead resting against Aether's collarbone, limbs feeling too much like jelly to hold himself up anymore.

Aether crooned to him, once he'd had a second to catch his breath, hands kneading over the back of his neck, drawing his face up.  

"So good, Swiss, good for me.  Doing so well.  Right here, come on, want a mark from you."

He vaguely registered that Aether was using more words.  Which had to be a good sign, right?  Managing to scrape his focus together, he looked over the offered skin.  Mountain's bite was there, but Aether was nudging him a little to the side.  He was too worn out to argue.  

Swiss fit his mouth to Aether's shoulder, careful to avoid nicking the other mark, then bit, bore down tiredly until he tasted blood, until Aether was shivering and purring to him.  It did help, a little, the added bond between the two of them that came with Aether's blood, a small, but healing wave of quintessence seeping through him.

It was enough for him to clean over the mark slowly, to finish the little ritual of the thing.  He offered a barely-there, raspy sort of purr and felt Aether chuckle.

"Almost there, Babybel."  Aether shifted him with infinite care, rolling them to lay Swiss out of his back while he settled astride the multi ghoul's hips, smiling down at him.  He reached back to slip Swiss back inside, still hard, tired or not and hummed lowly, tipping his head back as he resettled.

Swiss whined, dragging his hands up to grip at Aether's hips, feeling close, but like he couldn't manage to work towards his orgasm.  Aether shushed him, leaned down to claim a kiss, then a little more to sink his teeth into Swiss' neck, fully claiming the last of his heat trio.

It made him rock up, no matter how drained he was, his head tipping back as he groaned.  "Fuck, Aeth.."

Aether nosed at the mark, pleased with himself, then started moving, rocking up to drop back down, hard enough to force a huff from himself.  He didn't need to come, not really.  Maybe again later, but Swiss was still hard, still wanting, himself, and Aether did need his knot.  He thought maybe, after, they could all sleep, snuggle up into a pile in his nest.

The thought made him ache for just that, kept him moving even as his thighs started to burn a little with the effort, the unfamiliar motion.  But Swiss was whimpering for him, gasping as Aether drove him closer, fingers gripping him tightly.  He could feel the telltale thickening each time he dropped, and he pressed down harder, craving it, his heat demanding the satisfaction of being filled.

It only took him two tries, adding a little grind on the last drop and Swiss' knot popped into him, swelled to tie them as the multi ghoul keened, emptying himself into Aether.  He kept his hips moving in little circles, panting softly as he worked Swiss through it, groaned at the sensation of being bred so well.  He let his awareness widen again, touching all three of his ghouls, broadcasting his love and satisfaction and possessiveness, felt them all shiver.

Only once Swiss was whimpering a little less with pleasure and bit more with too much did he stop, reigning his focus back in as he let himself stretch out over the multi ghoul, limbs heavy, eyes slipping closed.  He held out a hand to Dew and Mountain though, only letting the last bit of tension leave his body once they'd settled around them, one ghoul on each side.

Aether purred to them and they purred back, resting cheeks and arms and legs on each other.

Mountain snuffed softly over Swiss' temple.  "You gonna live, Sweet?"

Swiss tried to wave a hand at him and managed to weakly smack his side instead.  The noise he made was only vaguely affirmative. 

Dew snorted.  "I don't even wanna know what kinda mojo bullshit you pulled on him, but it worked."

Aether managed to get a palm spread over Dew's skin, humming.  "Quint'ssnce."

"Uh huh.  Whatever.  He star fucked you or some shit."

Mountain snorted out a very un-Mountain-like laugh.  "'Star fucked', what the fuck."

Dew grinned, then hid a snort that turned into a giddy sort of giggle, all of them feeling a little high from the energy they'd shared and expended.  Aether huffed tired laughter into Swiss' chest as Dew and Mountain giggled like stoners, Swiss even managing a breathy chuckle.

"Tha's me.  Star f'ker Swiss."

There was a beat of silence and then they all lost it, snickering as they clung to each other.

It took them a few minutes to actually calm down, for the mirth and nervous energy to run its course and leave them a purring, worn out pile of ghouls, drifting together towards sleep.

~*~

They woke again in the small hours of the morning, the room dim, lit only by the remaining coals glowing in the fireplace.  Well, three of them woke.  Swiss was still dead to the world.

Aether's heat had faded significantly, but Dew and Mountain could still smell it on him, could see the way he squirmed faintly, like he didn't want to say anything but couldn't quite help it. 

They rolled their eyes at each other, then Dew nudged Aether off of Swiss to roll him over, settle between his legs and slip inside.

Mountain stretched out along Swiss' prone form as he watched, unashamed.  The tenderness Dew showed Aether was nearly unmatched among their pack and it was something else to see, the way they moved together, traded soft touches and kisses.  

The rush was gone with the fading demand and the lightening of Aether's scent, giving them the head space to take their time.  Mountain was content to wait, crooning to them as Dew pressed deeper, knotted Aether while they both gasped and held onto each other and groaned.

They were trading quiet words, low, murmured.  Mountain probably could have made them out if he tried, but there was no reason to.  He simply kept an arm around Swiss, purring quietly, then a little louder when he felt the multi ghoul shift.  He turned his attention to him, watching red eyes blink a few times.

"There you are."

Swiss squeezed his eyes closed again, frowning.  "No.  Why am I still so tired?  Feel like I didn't sleep at all.  I did sleep, right?"

Mountain chuckled.  "You slept."

Aether broke away from nibbling along Dew's jawline, turning his head to look at both Mountain and Swiss.

"You used powers you're not used to using, for longer than you should have.  You're probably going to be tired for a few days."

Cracking an eye open, Swiss squinted at the quintessence ghoul.  "You complainin'?"

Grinning at him, Aether shook his head.  "Absolutely not."

Dew let out a huff, then hissed quietly, the sound echoed by Aether a second later and Mountain snorted at both of them, recognizing the signs of the fire ghouls knot slipping free.

"Mountain's turn?"  Swiss stretched lazily, arms up over his head, humming at the earth ghoul skimmed a broad palm over his belly.

"Mountain?  Why?  Thought he was broken."  Dew flashed his teeth in a smile.  The type of smile that said he was absolutely being a shit and knew it and didn't care.

The multi ghoul turned his head to fix red eyes in the fire ghoul, a half smirk on his lips.  "Not broken.  Just needed time.  And since his dick is digging into my hip, I'd say he's fine."

Mountain groaned and hid his face against Swiss' shoulder.  "Thanks.  You're so helpful."

Dew poked his tongue out at Swiss, then leaned up to steal a kiss from Aether.  "You need it?"

"No.  I think It's pretty much done.  I get that wanting to just be laid on for a while, now."  He directed the comment to Swiss, then held a hand out, fingers curling at Mountain a few times.  "Doesn't mean I don't want it though."

Mountain turned one green eye on Aether, still half hidden against Swiss.  "You sure?  You gotta be getting sore."

"I wouldn't offer if I wasn't sure."  Aether gave Dew's hip a squeeze, then nudged at him lightly, the fire ghoul sighing, but slipping to the side, waiting for Mountain to trade places with him before flopping over Swiss.

The multi ghoul wheezed out a breath.  Dew might be tiny, but he could somehow make himself feel twice as heavy as he should when he sprawled.  He huffed, but curled his arms around the smaller ghoul, humming at the warmth of him, the familiar comfort as Dew settled and pressed his nose to Swiss' neck.

"Hi, Firefly."

"Hey, SwissMiss."

Swiss snorted, but pressed a kiss to Dew's forehead anyway.

Aether whined softly as Mountain sank into him, the earth ghoul mouthing at his throat, the mark he'd left.  He was slick from all of them, open, but his body wasn't used to so much attention and despite his protests, he was feeling a bit… well used.

Mountain moved as gently as he could, rumbling soft, soothing sounds to the quintessence ghoul, tipping his head up to kiss him as a distraction.  Aether kissed back easily enough, settling a hand on the back of the earth ghoul's neck, letting their noses brush together as he broke away to groan. 

"So fuckin' big, Mount.  Gonna fill me up?"  The reply was in the form of a groan and Aether smiled, nudging Mountain's head up to get to the mark he'd made, sucking soft kisses over it, making the other ghoul shudder.  "Yeah, you are.  Gonna smell like all of you for days."

It wasn't just Mountain that groaned, but Dew and Swiss as well and the multi ghoul inched closer, dragging Dew's weight with him.  He moved until his shoulder was touching Aether's, arm all along his side, reaching for his hand to tangle their fingers. 

Aether turned his head at the contact, violet eyes meeting red, then leaned in halfway to meet Swiss' lips in a languid, open kiss, tongues rolling slowly between them.

Mountain felt a warm, warm hand skate up his side, arched at the unexpected contact.  They were connected, the three of them and even though the intangible connection with Aether had faded, pulled back with the return of his control, he could still feel all of them.

He whined, tail curling to wrap around Dew's wrist and let his head fall, forehead pressing against Aether's shoulder, and didn't hold back, body chasing one last high to bring them all crashing down.

It punched a cry out of Aether when Mountain finally sank his knot into him, the sound swallowed by Swiss, the hand on Mountain kneading at his hip as he shuddered through his orgasm, panting softly into Aether's skin. 

Mountain sagged down, spent, letting himself drift as he absently listened to the low buzz of the other's voices.  Some sort of question, judging by the lilt of Swiss' voice, a low hum of agreement from Aether.  The warmth never left his side and he was grateful, liking the continued contact.

Once his limbs had feeling again, he curled an arm around Aether, rolling them onto their sides.  It got him a surprised huff from the quintessence ghoul, but he settled in happily enough, pressing his nose against Mountain's throat.

Both Swiss and Dew grumbled at the change, losing their contact briefly.  A moment later, Dew was all but tossed over Mountain and Aether, squeaking, as Swiss pressed himself up against Aether's back, grinning deviously.

"Hey!"  Dew frowned at the multi ghoul, hair disheveled. 

Mountain grunted, taking a pointy elbow to the ribs.

"Don't pretend that's not where you were gonna end up anyway."  Swiss was unbothered, curling an arm around Aether, hooking his chin over his shoulder.

Aether rolled his eyes at their antics, wincing a little as he was prodded by a sharp limb as well, but he couldn't complain too much.  He was surrounded in warmth and comfort, that annoying, needy demand sated.  Even Dew draping himself over the three of them was nice.

He curled his tail up, found Dew's to wrap around.  And then nearly teared up when he felt Swiss' join them.  And a moment later, Mountain's, all four tangled together.

He might have sniffled faintly, but the purring from their little pile covered it well enough.  It didn't take long, worn out as they all were, comfortable, a content fire ghoul like a living blanket over them, for all four ghouls to purr each other to sleep.

~*~

A stabbing flash of light woke Mountain from his deep sleep and he groaned, squeezing his eyes tighter against it.  His groan wasn't as pitiful as Aether's though.

Or Swiss', a moment later.

"What the fuck."  Dew was squinting an eye open, hissing at the light like a vampire, still on top of the other three ghouls.

Rain was eyeing them all, nose wrinkled as he opened a window, clearly the one that had tossed the curtains open.  "Unholy hell, the cabin didn't even smell like sex this strongly and there were eight of us."

Mountain managed to pry an eye open, blearily watching the water ghoul turn to them all once his task was accomplished, planting both hands on his slim hips.  Aether hid his face against the earth ghoul's collarbone.

"My fuckin' head…"

The noise Swiss made said he agreed and shared the misery.

"Raincloud?"  Mountain's voice was rough.

"How did you even get in here?"  Dew grumbled the words, barely audible.

"I picked the lock.  I wanted to make sure you were all still alive.  It's been nearly thirty six hours.  Have any of you had anything to eat or drink?"

Dew answered for them, though he didn't bother moving much, just angled his head to look at Rain.  "You're an actual delinquent.  We were kinda distracted."

"Yeah, I could tell.  Pretty sure you shouldn't have been saying things like that in a House of Satan, Swiss."

Swiss groaned again.  He had vague memories, but they were half obscured by the purple haze of quintessence he'd been drunk with.  One half formed memory surfaced, Aether shouting as he came, tight and clinging to Swiss, making him fight off his own orgasm with sharp breaths, claws curled into the blankets, a high, tight ' Oh fuck, oh God, oh shit '-

He blushed darkly and pressed his face into Aether's back.

"Aww, Rainy, don't be grumpy."  Dew held a hand out to him.  "We'll cuddle you too."

Rain didn't move any closer, just lifted a bottle from the collection of water he'd clearly brought, and waggled it at them.  "I'm not cuddling any of you until you've taken a bath.  You're all filthy."

Dew pouted, making his amber eyes big and sad.  "We cuddled in the cabin."

Rain crossed his arms, unmoved.  "I was filthy in the cabin too.  I'm clean now."

Dew's eyes got bigger.

With a huff, Rain stepped forward, as if he might let Dew have his way, but when he reached out more, he pressed a bottle into his hand, slipping back before he could be grabbed.  The noise the fire ghoul made was mournful.

"Water.  Bath.  Food.  Then I'll cuddle all of you all you want."  His tone said he wasn't taking no for an answer.  It softened a moment later though, his attention turning to Aether.

"You alright, Aeth?"

Aether managed to get his eyes to open, offering Rain a soft smile.  "I'm okay, Rain.  Head hurts, but otherwise good."

"The water will help with that.  I'll get you some painkillers. If you take a bath."

With a groan, Aether stretched a little, testing out what aches and pains had settled in.  "You drive a hard bargain, Rainy."

Rain hummed.  "Cirrus and Cumulus are making waffles."

That perked both Dew and Mountain up.  Rain pointed at all of them.  "Food only after clean.  You come into the kitchen like that and I'll douse you in cold water."  He breezed away to a chorus of whines, snorting at them, though his tail curled to trail over their ankles, silent affection despite his words. 

He knew they'd clean up, even as they grumbled, and he'd be ready to wrap around each of them once they stumbled their way into the kitchen.