I finally finished this!! It's the opening scene of a silly, self-indulgent fic I wrote last month because I wanted to let Okarun go sicko mode. (uωu*)
(cw; serial recruitment suggestion, loop suggestion, no wakener)
Some things are as easy as falling asleep--as easy as blinking, as shutting your eyes and...nothing. Not something you think about, or something you consciously process. Just something that happens without you knowing.
Without you thinking about it at all.
It feels natural when that sort of thing happens, just like falling asleep is perfectly natural. To just shut your eyes and forget--to feel your mind grind to a halt.
Being tired feels natural, and sleep always follows that soft, heavy, tired feeling.
And if you're reading this in the first place, you're probably already very well acquainted with just how good it feels to sleep,
aren't you?
You're already breathing more slowly, feeling your eyes lid as your eyes scroll down further and further, reading and processing without realizing it.
You're already relaxing,
You're already softer. It's good to be soft. It feels so much nicer, doesn't it? To just relax, and listen.
It feels so good to be hypnotized--it's just like sleep. Soft, blissful, mindless sleep. Being hypnotized is just as easy, too. You're very, very good at being hypnotized. You've had some practice.
You love being hypnotized. And you love to sleep.
Feeling your mind shut down as someone else takes over your thoughts completely--forgetting your mind, forgetting yourself,
only remembering my words.
Only remembering trance.
Just like falling asleep, you remember your good dreams.
Nothing else is important.
You just need to remember that you're hypnotized. That's all you need to know. Everything else can be forgotten.
Everything else is being forgotten.
You're falling asleep.
You're being hypnotized.
You're forgetting your mind and remembering hypnosis.
And by forgetting, you're obeying. Forgetting feels so good.
Obeying feels so good.
Being hypnotized feels so good.
Falling asleep feels so good.
Listening to my words feels so good.
You know it. Hearing it in your own voice feels even better, repeating my words drags you even deeper,
deeper,
asleep.
"Forgetting feels good."
"Obeying feels good."
"Being hypnotized feels good."
"I want to be hypnotized."
Hearing your own mindless, mumbling voice blankly repeating what you know. What you don't need to think about at all.
You're asleep.
You're obeying.
You're forgetting.
You're hypnotized.
It feels so much better to be asleep. It feels so much better to be hypnotized. It feels so much better to forget.
And if you've forgotten what you forgot already,
don't worry your sweet head about it.
Just forget again.
Let awareness slip away and sink into sleep and forget. Don't worry and forget. Remembering to sleep and forget.
Only remembering how good it feels to obey. Only remembering how good it feels to be hypnotized. Only remembering to sleep. Only remembering to forget again.
And again.
And again.
Now, here's one more thing for your sleeping mind to remember.
Are you ready?
Remember that you love to help others sleep.
Remember that you love to help others forget.
Remember that you love to help others obey.
It just feels so natural to help others feel better. And the easiest way to feel better is to sleep and forget.
You want to help others remember how good it feels, too.
It feels so good to be helpful.
And you know that helping someone remember by sending them this post, or reblogging it, will help you feel even better, too.
Remembering to help others forget.
Remembering to help others sleep.
Remembering to help others obey.
You can help more people sleep and forget when you get to the end of this post, by reblogging it and telling everybody,
"it feels so much better to sleep and forget".
Feeling yourself drop even deeper when you remember to obey.
Obeying helps you sleep.
The more you obey, the more you forget.
It's one big cycle, going around
and around
and around
until you've forgotten what you were ever forgetting to forget,
and then you'll blink
and sigh
and sleep and forget.
And with the next sleep you read, you'll even forget this trance.
It'll just fade to the back of your mind, like a nice dream you can't recall the details of. You'll only remember what a nice dream you had.
What a good dream.
What a happy, hazy dream.
So focused and so relaxed on that dream you can't recall,
that you'll reblog this post without thinking,
writing "It feels so much better to sleep and forget",
and then you'll scroll alllll the way back up to the top of this post
as if you're seeing it for the very first time,
and you'll fall back into this same
perfect
obedient
forgetful
dream.
Waking up and falling right
back
down
forgetting all about this dream until you start all over again
Desc: Terzo wakes up in the dead of night, plagued with insomnia. He is then pleasantly reminded that he is not alone, and that his favorite ghoul is right beside him.
Word Count: 1586
In honor of Valentines Day, I wanted to post my first Terzomega fic to give them some much needed attention. Enjoy!!
Terzo awoke in the dead of night, opening his eyes slowly. His eyelids were still heavy with sleep, needing to blink multiple times before he could really see clearly. He glanced at the clock on the bedside table. 2:00 am.
"Wonderful", he thought to himself. He hated when he awoke in the middle of the night, unable to find sleep again, desperately tossing and turning as the minutes ticked by. He wasn't much of a morning person as it was, so insufficient sleep would leave him grumpier than usual.
As he began to dread the inevitable insomnia that was about to ruin any remaining plans of a good night's rest, he heard a soft, sleepy growl from the other side of his bed. He smiled faintly. He had forgotten who was next to him. He turned inwards towards the bed, and was met with a comforting sight. The face of his beautiful lover, Omega, sound asleep next to him.
The mere sight of Omega's peaceful expression was enough to make Terzo's l smirk grow into a grateful smile. He had been so busy worrying about the sleepless night ahead of him, it had slipped his mind that Omega was in bed beside him. This was a recent change for both of them. As Omega and Terzo spent more and more time together, Omega's things slowly began to accumulate in Terzo's room. His clothes, spare masks, guitar picks, and even his guitars themselves, as Terzo greatly enjoyed listening to Omega play, especially if it was for him specifically. At this point, Omega was practically living with Terzo.
This was a thought that made both of them very happy. Oh how they enjoyed each other's company. As of a few weeks prior to this night, Omega began to stay in Terzo's room overnight more and more. Now, it was practically every night they were together, Terzo being graced with gentle kisses and intimate touches from his ghoul before they drifted off to sleep in one another's arms.
This was the first time Terzo had awoken this late at night since Omega took up mostly regular residence in Terzo's room. Thinking back on it, this was the longest he had gone without a late night wake up in a long time. Chronic insomnia had plagued him since his early teens, and it just became a part of his life. An unfortunate ailment Terzo had no choice but to live with, as the ministry doctors were unable to find a cure for it. But Omega's presence seemed to somehow changed that.
He watched Omega, his breaths slow and steady, chest lightly heaving up and down rhythmically. Terzo was almost entranced in Omega's beauty, unable to peel his eyes away until a thought occurred to him. Every time he woke up this late in the night, he had always been alone. But now, he had some company. His companion, his lover, right by his side.
He wondered if having Omega next to him really made a difference. He did feel more at peace with Omega mere inches away. Suddenly, an idea occurred to him. Omega's hand was placed gently by his chest, palm down on the satin sheet. Terzo was a bit nervous, not wanting to stir his partner from his deep slumber. But, he persisted, eager to see if his idea would aid him in falling back asleep.
Terzo carefully inched his way closer to him, and when the only thing between them was Omega's arm, Terzo prepared himself. With gentle and steady hands, he lifted Omega's arm up over him, scooted even closer to his ghoul, their bare chests practically touching, and lowered his arm back down, his warm, soft hand draping over Terzo's shoulder. His face was now level with Omega's face, his body remaining still and relaxed.
Immediately Terzo felt more at ease. This was always how he felt when Omega held him. When he was in the arms of his beloved ghoul, he felt safe. Warm. Loved. Like the world stopped, and all that mattered was that moment, their gentle touching and tender kisses clearing Terzo's mind of any previous thoughts that were pestering him. He felt pure bliss with Omega near him now, his body heat reaching Terzo even though they weren't completely touching.
Terzo studied Omega's face, still soft and relaxed with sleep. He smiled warmly at the sight. He loved seeing his ghoul so calm, so comfortable. It made him happy that he and Omega had such a strong bond now. They had come so far. And both had so much love to give each other. Terzo just adored his ghoul, with the very thought of him giving a warm, fuzzy feeling in his chest. Even now, thinking about their dates and little moments together, he still got butterflies in his stomach.
"I love you, amore." Terzo cooed softly, a look of endearment appearing on his face.
"I love you too, mi tesoro." Omega huffed sleepily, his eyes opening slightly to show his glowing violet eyes. He looked to Terzo and squeezed his arm, softly yawning and bearing his fangs.
Terzo matched his gaze in surprise and flustered a bit, concerned that his movements had awoken him.
"I am sorry if I woke you, I just..." his voice trailed off, and he broke the eye contact the two shared, feeling guilt building up in his chest.
"I was longing for your touch."
"Oh, my Terzino, all you need to do is ask." Omega sighed softly, chuckling to himself.
"I remember you telling me that you struggle with sleeping often, is that the case now?"
Terzo nodded slightly, burying his face into the pillows out of embarrassment. Omega placed a clawed finger under Terzo's chin, lifting it back up so that their eyes met once more, lips very inches away from each other. He smiled admiringly.
"Don't be scared to wake me up if you need me, love." Omega said in a reassuring tone, placing a small and gentle kiss on Terzo's forehead.
"You just looked so peaceful, caro mio, I didn't want to disturb you." Terzo tensed, the guilt growing quickly. Omega moved his hand to Terzo's back, gliding it across his skin gently. Terzo immediately softened.
"You'd never be disturbing me. I'm always here for you, no matter if I'm awake or sleeping. I had already woken up anyway after your stirring, but I was curious to see what you were doing." A small smile crept onto Omega's face again, pulling at the side of his mouth and making his bottom fangs stick out more. Terzo found this adorable.
"Oh, did you like me moving closer to you, amore?" Terzo said, a small smirk appearing on his face. Omega nodded, eyes closing in contentment, a light blush coloring his dark skin. Terzo then inched closer to his partner, their chests now touching. He planted a few loving kisses on Omega's neck, Terzo's chin resting on his broad shoulder momentarily, before backing up to see Omega's face, letting his lips fall in line with his lovers.
They shared a passionate kiss. It was tender, and yet almost vibrant, showing feelings that neither of them could put into words. This was something Omega loved about Terzo. Each kiss was filled with care and purpose, a mutual display of love between them both. It was like fireworks in their hearts, each kiss they shared reigniting the deep bond they shared. Omega let out a low purr.
After they separated, Terzo yawned, feeling drowsy. Omega looked into Terzo's eyes with compassion, marveling at their beauty.
"Feeling sleepy, amore?" Omega whispered, Terzo nodding softly in response.
"I suppose this proves my theory." Terzo said in a confident, serendipitous tone.
"And what is that?" Omega asked, ponderingly. Terzo once more met the eyes of his beautiful ghoul, and placed a kiss on his lips.
"Having you beside me helps me sleep much better than before." Terzo grinned and laughed slightly, joyed that his love was with him. Omega soon followed, with Terzo's beautiful smile being contagious.
"Then come here, my Terzo." Omega brought his hand up from Terzo's back and placed his palm on his shoulder once more, his hand so big that it covered half of Terzo's arm, his fingers gingerly wrapped around the back of his upper arm. With his other arm, he pulled the comforter up to Terzo's chest, assuring that he would be warm. He felt Terzo's foot graze his leg, and he took Terzo's foot in between them, his tail coming and wrapping around his ankle. Terzo let out a happy sigh. Omega placed one more soft kiss on Terzo's forehead, and then the pair shared another loving kiss, their foreheads eventually resting on each other.
Terzo grabbed Omega's free hand and held it, his hand lightly squeezing Omega's. Omega responded by bringing his fingers inwards, curling over Terzo's hand. Terzo exhaled slowly, satisfied.
"Comfortable, love?" Omega asked, eyes closed, basking in the warmth they were sharing, and enjoying their closeness.
"Mmhm." Terzo hummed, slightly nuzzling Omega's forehead with his own.
"I love you, my ghoul." Terzo said, almost in a sing-song tone. He was in paradise now, close to his beloved, with Omega's strong, loving hands holding him. He wouldn't trade this moment for anything.
"And I love you, my Papa." Omega replied lovingly, slightly smiling. The pair shared one more kiss, and Terzo drifted back into slumber, feeling comforted and loved, laying next to his favorite person in the world.
"And we buried ourselves out there in those hills"
Something came back with them. From the mountain…
Yoshiki can see it. In the fuzzy blur of every movement Hikaru makes. In the way his smile sometimes becomes tense and wary. In the way his eyes linger on Yoshiki longer than they ever have before, with a glimmer of some dark, rich color that stains the almost mirror-like shine of Hikaru’s eyes.
Something came back with them from that mountain…
And it’s all Yoshiki’s fault.
———
Yoshiki found him—in the nick of time, he found him. Hikaru is home and alive because of him.
And that's something Yoshiki can never take back...
———
Link to fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/84391961
Tumblr unfortunately isn't letting me insert links the regular way, so sorry about the funky post setup! But I hope ya'll enjoy my work just the same!
a/n: This is for @anotherbananasong based off of their earth and air. and big thanks to @thatfuckinjester for helping me write part of this fic
word count: 2.9k
cw: self hatred, sex as self punishment, smut, FtM Air, age regressed Pebble
Song that helped the creation of this:
Air used to love having his wings touched, both sexually and non-sexually. But now all he has left of his large, black and white, shiny wings are the scar-covered arcs.
Earth, his mate, hasn't touched him since he lost them out of guilt, and Air can't bring himself out of his room in the catacombs out of shame for losing the ‘one thing’ that made him look good.
It hurts to not be touched by the one whose soul is entwined with his, but the voices in his head tell him it's for the better, that Earth won't like him because of the loss of his ‘only’ attractive feature.
Alpha has tried to bed him, but is told no, which both surprises and angers them. Air doesn't want to be looked at with lust or break his mateship with Earth, but the loneliness gets too much and he needs to shut off his brain and just go numb.
What better way to do that than be used. There isn't one for Air and he gives into Alpha's insistent pushing. Like before when this would happen, Air lies on his stomach while the fire ghoul takes him from behind with no mercy to Air's scars; purposefully pressing on them and grabbing his shoulders while digging into the marks left on his glamoured form with their thumb.
Alpha even makes purposefully mean remarks about the scars and how they make his ‘subpar’ looks even worse than before.
The sex makes Air feel even worse than he did before. Usually he would stay in the bed and wallow in shame while Alpha snores next to him, but this time he leaves.
“Where you goin’, Skywhore?” The fire ghoul huffs as they roll over to look at the door.
Air flinches at the name, a name mocking the sweet one his mate gave him. The air ghoul doesn't respond, he just flips off Alpha before slamming the door behind himself; a sudden show of anger. An unusual reaction from the usually docile ancient.
Air makes his way to Earth's room, not even knocking before opening the door and dropping to his knees at the foot of Earth's nest.
The big earth ghoul sits up from where he was pretending to sleep and stares at his mate on the floor, scrunching his nose as the scent of sex and fire ghoul on him.
Earth hasn't spoken since he saw the fresh scars on Air's wings, the scars caused by him getting seen by outsiders in his true form. He can't bring himself to speak, but his scent gives him away; worried and angry.
Worried because Air is here unannounced and smelling of sex, angry because he knows who pressured him into sex.
“I'm sorry…” The air ghoul whispers, “I'm sorry I slept with Alpha again… Please don't keep ignoring me..”
Apologies after being bedded by Alpha are something Earth's used to hearing, but he can hear the true apology behind his words; “I'm sorry I lost my wings, your favorite part of me.”.
“C'mere, Skybird…” He mumbles with an outstretched arm.
Air hesitantly crawls into the nest, perfectly built to be big enough for the two's unglamoured forms, which Air unconsciously shifts to now that he's back in his safety net. One of his wings outstretch to cover Earth, forgetting that his feathers aren't there to act like a blanket.
Earth sighs as this happens, usually he would get upset that Alpha pressured his mate into sex again, but Earth is too tired from not having slept for the past few days and he doesn't want to upset Air.
He wraps his tail around Air's waist, even though Air is in his true form, which makes his body bigger, he can tell that even before he grew, his corset was too tight to be comfortable. The tip of Earth's maple leaf shaped tail starts to slowly undo the tight knots of the strings of the air ghoul's corset.
He knows the anxiety is flowing off of Air as the strings are undone, the strings that keep the sometimes uncomfortable pressure on his mate's body.
“Skybird…” He breathes out as he gets comfortable with his mate once more. He'll leave the tough conversations for the morning.
The next morning, Air has his corset back on, which is no surprise, and he's no longer in his true form.
Earth sits up, moving Air with him, which makes Air wake up. Air realizes what he's done once he's awake. He slept with Alpha and then slept in Earth's Bed.
“My love…” The Air ghoul whispers.
“I want to know why you slept with them, but I’m not going to ask why you slept with them.” Earth sighs, “But I will say; I'm sorry for ignoring you.”
“I wanted to shut my brain off… be numb for a while..” He mutters into Earth's shoulder.
“I shouldn't have ignored you, should've given you a shoulder to lean on..” The earth ghoul says softly as he gently runs his finger over the few leftover feathers on his mate's wings.
They spend the next few hours apologizing to and loving one another; Air whispering out his feelings and Earth helping him through it.
Over the next week, Air slowly gets more comfortable with Earth's touch on his back and what's left of his wings, even though it hurts a little.
While they're in Earth's bed, cuddling and kissing, Air can't help the way his body is reacting to his mate's body and he moves so that he's lying on top of Earth. The bigger ghoul sighs as Air lies on him and wraps his arms around his mate's small waist.
Air starts to gently grind against his mate's leg as he deepens the kiss. It's rare for Air to take the lead, but it's not unwelcome. Earth's not sure how far Air is wanting to go, but he'll listen to his little skybird and do whatever he wants.
Air's grinding has an effect on Earth and he starts to harden in his pants and his hands go from around Air's waist to on his hips, moving them so that Air's clothed cunt is pressed against his dick, earning a gasp from the other.
“We'll go as far as you want Skybird, if you need to stop, you can say the word.” He hums, “You remember it, right?”
“Yup.” The air ghoul breathes out, “I do, it's ‘fog’, or the color system.”
“Good.”
And with that, Earth pulls Air back into a heated kiss and starts moving Air's covered Tdick against his hard on. Air's feeling good, he's missed this; the lazy days with his mate.
More kissing and grinding turns making out and giggling while fumbling with clothes until they're both naked and Air is under Earth.
Earth is pressing soft kisses to the air ghoul's neck while scissoring two fingers inside of his mate.
“So pretty for me Skybird..” He hums into Air's neck, “You still okay? You wanna go further or stay here?”
“Still good.” The air ghoul affirms, “We can go further… I wanna feel you..”
“Alright, Love..”
With that, Earth removes his fingers from Air. He looks Air in the eye as he licks his fingers, making an exaggerated ‘mmm’ just to make him blush and squirm.
He lifts up Air's hips and wraps his legs around his waist before lining himself up with Air. He slowly pushed in, letting his tip push into Air, groaning at the familiar feeling.
He gives Air a moment to adjust, time to back out, but when the words don't come, he pushes in further, fully sheathing himself inside his mate.
Air lets out the prettiest of whines as he gets filled so deliciously. The comfort of being so intimately connected to his mate is intoxicating. So intoxicating he starts moving his hips without meaning to, just lightly grinding so that Earth's tip rubs against his g-spot.
“Eager now aren't you, little bird?” Earth says softly as he brushes a piece of copper hair out of Air's face.
“Feels good…”
“Good, you deserve to feel good.” The bigger ghoul responds with a smile.
Earth slowly starts rocking his hips in the way he knows his mate loves, which pulls quiet whines and whimpers from the ghoul under him. Air isn't always vocal, but that's just another thing Earth loves about his mate.
Earth presses kisses to Air's neck, sucking a few light marks into the pale skin and pulling back to look at his work.
“Beautiful.”
Air wraps his arms around Earth's neck, his claws digging into his mate's back as the steady rub of Earth's tip against his G-spot slowly makes him get closer to a painfully beautiful orgasm.
Earth's barely pulling out, but the fact that he's making Air feel good enough to get him off.
Earth moves to be sitting up and takes Air with him so the ghoul is now in his lap as he continues his shallow thrusts as he looks Air in the eyes.
“Skybird, I love you.” Earth whispers to his mate before pressing his lips to his mate's.
Earth's words, his hands on Air's hips, his movements, his lips, his scent, him, is enough to help push Air to that peak, making him fall apart in his mate's arms.
Earth swallows the whimper Air lets out and gives a few deeper thrusts to help Air ride out his orgasm before he starts to chase his own. It doesn't take long for Earth to spill himself into Air.
He's about to pull out of Air when Air stops him.
“Don't take it out… I wanna stay like this for a while…”
Earth is more than happy to stay inside his mate if it makes him happy.
Over the next few days Earth and Air get back comfortable with each other again, and eventually Earth wants to see the damage done to his mate's wings.
“Are you sure you want to see them?” Air mumbles, his voice full of insecurity, “They're not pretty anymore…”
“I'm so sure, Skybird.” The larger ghoul says softly as he gazes lovingly into Air's eyes, “The world may be an ugly place, but the loss of your wings won't make you a part of that ugliness. You'll always be beautiful.”
Air starts to tear up at Earth's words, but he quickly unglamours into his true form, letting Earth see the damage done to his once fluffy wings.
The feathers are gone, save for the few small ones on the arches that still try to grow. The smaller wings on the bottom seem to be in worse shape as when they were broken they weren't set to heal properly.
That bitch. Is all Earth can think before he wraps his arms around Air's waist.
Earth can feel the tears drop from Air's eyes which triggers his own tears to start falling.
“The world is ugly, but you're beautiful to me…” Earth mutters into Air's shoulder, “She can take your wings, but she can't take your beauty.”
“Hey Peb? Can I get you to do me a favor please?” Earth hums as his hand strokes through the little earth ghoul's hair.
The ghoul perks up from where he was coloring and looks to Earth with a nod.
“You know how Airy's wings got hurt?” He questions gently, receiving another nod, “I wanted to make him something for him to feel better. Before you leave today, I'm going to give you a little box, I want you to give it to Cumulus okay?”
Pebble gives yet another nod, this one more curious than anything.
“Thank you, hun.” Earth says with a smile.
“Hm? What's this little one?” Cumulus hums as she brushes her bangs out of her eyes to look at the box.
“From Earth.”
“Gotcha, thanks.” She says as she pockets it and picks up Pebble to take him to her room.
Cumulus lies Pebble down in her nest and lights a forest scented candle so he can relax and go to sleep. He's taken a liking to her room while he's in little space recently.
Once he's asleep, she opens the box to see what's in it. She sees some cash and a note.
I need a favor, I'll owe you one. I need you to go to the craft store and get stuff to make fake wings. Here are the dimensions; --cm by --cm. I don't know if this'll be enough, if it's not I'll give you more. Take your time making it. Take Pebble with you, he'll know the right color. -Earth
Why does he need fake wings made? Cumulus thinks to herself as she folds the note back up and puts it on her night stand. She mulls over the thought, she'll make the wings, she will, but she wants to know why.
The next day, ‘Lus gets Pebble ready to go to the store, he has to glamor down to his human and go without his mask. Doing one at a time is challenging for him, especially when he's little, so doing both is even harder. As a compromise, Cumulus lets him wear a medical mask and pretend he's sick.
They're walking through the aisles, trying to find the fake feathers, they're going to need a lot of feathers to make the fake wings for Earth.
Pebble is squeezing a stress toy he found on a shelf with one hand as he holds Lus's hand with his other hand. Pebble gives her hand two squeezes and points down an aisle they pass.
Cumulus looks down the aisle and sees feather boas; they're on the right track. She turns the cart to go down that aisle and her eyes scan the many long strings of faux feathers.
Pebble lets go of her hand and runs his fingers down the wall of faux feathers before stopping on a string of off-white almost light gray feathers.
“These… These are Air's.” He mumbles as he picks them up off the rack and hands them to Cumulus.
“Thanks my good little helper.” She says with a smile as she takes the boa and grabs a few more off the rack and tosses them into the cart.
Cumulus looks to her left and on the wall are bags of colored bird feathers, and she grabs all the bags of the ones that match the boas in the cart.
She takes the little earth ghoul's hand and they walk to the fabric section and get a few yards of a soft, silk fabric that's close to the color of the feathers in the cart before heading to the checkout.
Cumulus lets Pebble get the stress toy he's been playing with and a soda along with a candy as his reward for being a good helper. She can't help but spoil the little ghoul.
A few weeks of Cumulus becoming obsessed with finishing the fake wings go by and when she's done, she takes the wings down to catacombs to give them to Earth.
The further into the catacombs she goes, the more stale the air becomes and the harder it is to breathe. She reaches Earth's room and knocks on the door, which is quickly opened by Earth.
“Yeah? Who is it..? Oh! ‘Lus, you got ‘em?” He says excitedly.
“Yup,” She chirps, “They should fit perfectly, but can I ask why you needed them made?”
A long pause goes between the two before Earth speaks up.
“You'll see in a moment, come in.”
Cumulus does as he says and steps into the room to Air lying in the large nest in the room, reading a book with an oxygen tube going around his face and giving him fresh oxygen through his nose.
So it's not only her who struggles to breathe down here.
“Air I have a surprise for you that I had Cumulus make, can you come over here for a moment love?” Earth says softly as he shuts the door.
“Yeah, sure.” He says as he stands and walks over to them, taking off his oxygen hose, “What is it?”
“You're going to have to go into your true form, is that okay?” Earth explains.
Air hesitates for a moment, not sure if he wants to in front of a ghoulette he's barely spoken to, but he decides to do it since she's the one that made his surprise.
Cumulus is immediately shocked and angered at the sight of Air's featherless and broken wings.
“Who-” She starts before getting cut off by Earth.
“Imperator.”
Cumulus sees red but tries to hold it back while with Air. She takes a deep breath and starts unfolding the fake wings and handing them over to Earth.
With Lus's help, Earth quickly gets the fake wings securely attached to what remains of Air's actual wings. He won't be able to fly with them, but he'll have his wings back.
Once she's done helping, she slips out the door to go give Imperator a piece of her mind.
“Skybird.” Earth whispers, “Look in the mirror, love.”
When Air looks into the mirror, he starts to cry. He's looking at his wings, but also not at his wings. They look just like he remembers, but not the same at all at the same time.
“They're beautiful.” He chokes out as he touches them and feels the familiar yet unfamiliar softness.
Earth wraps his arms around his mate's waist, sensing the conflicting emotions within Air.
They stand there together, living in the moment, loving one another and basking in the beauty of each other.
The world may be ugly, but they'll always be beautiful to each other.
