You've been "trapped" in a "VR" game for years, learnt magic, had a family, etc. But now they've "rescued" you from it all. Waking up on the hospital bed you reflexively cast a shield. Which works.
On one rainy afternoon a few of the ghouls find Copia’s steam account. They have their own, sure but this is Frater, they’re going to find out what old people games he plays. The most played game is a little game where you solve puzzles and get to decorate a home for a little rat. The ghouls immediately start fighting over who gets to play first.
Mountain finds it relaxing, he enjoys both the puzzle and decoration aspects.
Phantom gets frustrated at the puzzles so will play with Mountain and help decorate the house.
Dew rage quits the first time he can’t figure out a puzzle.
Cumulus sees the appeal but isn’t the biggest fan.
Aether watches over Mountain’s shoulder, a late addition to the group, he came in to drop off paperwork and found the group handing out, and waits patiently for his turn. When he does play he adores it.
Copia comes in while Aether is still at his computer. He sees his new favorite game open and the small group curled up on his couches. He decides not to disturb them, though he does make a note to ask about the new burn mark on his desk, suspiciously shaped like a certain fire ghoul’s hand.
When Aether finally comes out of his focus he motions for Copia to join him. No stranger to having a close relationship with his ghouls he sits on the quint’s lap and the two play games together into the evening.
This is entirely because I’ve become obsessed with Squeakross home squeak home and think Copia would be obsessed with it.
Stratus once played the tambourine. He kept getting distracted during rituals because he kept hitting Copia with it and got his tambourine privileges taken away.
When V comes along he tries to give Stratus tambourine privileges back. Stratus proceeded to throw it at V’s head. However, he is given the cowbell when Cowbell doesn’t feel like making appearances and eats the attention up.
Realizing your trauma would make wonderful angsty fanart (or fanfic) because you’re a fictive and you desire to punch the fandom in the feels but also it would help with processing things. If only we could draw people/humanoids.
Little one shot I wrote to get my mind off some stuff. Totally not projecting onto Phantom or anything.
Dew x Phantom is implied
Tw: disordered eating
Phantom’s used to feeling hungry. In the pit he never knew when, where, or even if he’d get his next meal. This followed him when he was summoned.
In the early days Cumulus would leave food at Phantom’s door, not wanting to pressure him into leaving his room if he wasn’t ready but she’d pass by later in the day to see it still outside his door cold.
Swiss, Rain, and Mountain would invite Phantom to picnics near Rain’s favorite pond. If Phantom accepted he’d pick at his chips watching Rain swim. It was the most any of them had seen him eat.
It was Dewdrop who got him to open up though. Phantom had collapsed during practice and Dew rushed him to the infirmary. Aether told Dew it was due to severe malnutrition. Poor Bug’s body couldn’t keep going in his current state.
When Phantom woke up Dew wanted to yell at him for being so stupid but the young ghoul’s sunken eyes and frail frame made him stop. He remembered what the pit was like. If you weren’t strong or fast or useful in some way you were left to fend for yourself, he was left to fend for himself.
Dewdrop sat with Phantom, telling him about when he first came topside. Terzo making his ghouls feasts, or at least trying to before he and Omega had to step in so the abbey didn’t burn to the ground. They established pack dinners, Terzo had said since they were summoned together, they’d eat together as a family. It helped take everyone’s mind off their new situation and bond. It was a tradition they kept when Terzo was no longer with them.
In return, Phantom told Dew about his time in the pit. How hunger felt familiar and comforting since he still wasn’t fully settled. How he hoarded food, his desk drawers were full of chip bags and any sweets he could get his hands on. He admitted that sour candies were one of his favorites.
During that time Aether had been listening. He packed the two a small lunch, something that wouldn’t be too heavy on Phantom’s empty stomach but would give him some energy back. And he might’ve put a bag of sour gummy worms in as a treat.
Dewdrop took Phantom to a quiet, more secluded place. A gazebo, a little run down but had one of the best sunny spots for naps. He told the young ghoul he’d come here to be alone. Think, nap, he pointed out a spot where the stone was scorched after he’d had his element changed. He admitted that wasn’t a good time for him.
While Dew talked he placed the food Aether had given them out. He didn’t force Phantom to eat or make a big deal about it but it was there if he wanted it. The two sat there till the sun set and by the time they were cleaning up, Phantom had eaten everything.
Well, almost everything. As the two walked back to the ghoul wing they shared the bag of gummy worms. Phantom slept in Dew’s room that night. Curled around the fire ghoul, softly purring as he dozed off.
It still took Phantom a while to be able to eat normally and with everyone and he still kept a snack drawer in his room but he’s forever grateful for what Dewdrop did for him that day.
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