Den Mother Mint

The phone buzzing startled Mint out of her trance and she adjusted her newborn kit in her arms to grab the phone. The den mother sighed at the message. Voids powers were certainly more troublesome the older the baby got! She texted back hastily.

“Come on, little guy, let’s get you home.” He whispered as they slipped out the door.

Getting the kit through the ghoul’s lounging area was relatively easy, he only had to threaten one ghoul’s life to make him be quiet. As they approached Mint’s den, he gently knocked on the door and let himself in.

Mint eventually poked her head around the corner. She smiled apologetically to Steel and used her free arm to reach for Void. The aether kit was crabby and almost dug his claws into Steel- but relented when he smelt the scent of his surrogate mother. Void yawned once more and let himself be snuggled into Mint’s embrace. She sighed at the two kits in her arms before looking to Steel.

As he stepped away to grab the snacks, he gently rubbed both kits’ heads. “So, this one’s yours and Ifrit’s, right? Gonna be a little spitfire.”

Mint sits down on one of the chairs, adjusting the two babies. Had she been a new mother, and not gotten her instincts in check decades ago, she might have been tempted to try and bite Steel’s hand. But instead she relaxed as rubbed both of the sleepy babies. Mint smiles down to the smaller of the two kits- with dark hair like her father’s.

“Yes, and yes. She’s definitely a fire ghoul already. Hopefully her and Void won’t be too much of a handful!” She smiles as Steel fetches all of the tea cups and the tray of cookies. 

“Extra sweet, please. I could use all the sugar.” She jokes. 

“Is four spoons enough, or should I just pour yours into the sugar bowl?” He joked back, trading her the tea for the tired quintessence kit. “Here, let me take him so you can have a free hand.”

As Void settled in in the crook of Steel’s arm, slightly kneading his sleeve, Steel took a bite from one of the cookies.

The den mother scoffs playfully. “you know I love sweets, don’t get cheeky!” She grins as Void settles down. The kit buries his face in Steel’s arm and breathes softly as he stills. Mint smiles at the story.

“You are one of his favorites, you know? He probably wanted to help!” She laughs.

“As for Void here, I don’t really know why he took to me like this, but part of me feels like he just likes that I’m warm. Or maybe my size reminds him of Aether.. Who knows.” Steel’s brow furrowed a little as he pondered and gently rubbed Void’s back.

“I only heard about that demon... Remind me to thank her for keeping us all safe. We’re just lucky the moon didn’t send half of us into frenzy, either!” 

The phone buzzing startled Mint out of her trance and she adjusted her newborn kit in her arms to grab the phone. The den mother sighed at the message. Voids powers were certainly more troublesome the older the baby got! She texted back hastily.

“Come on, little guy, let’s get you home.” He whispered as they slipped out the door.

Getting the kit through the ghoul’s lounging area was relatively easy, he only had to threaten one ghoul’s life to make him be quiet. As they approached Mint’s den, he gently knocked on the door and let himself in.

Mint eventually poked her head around the corner. She smiled apologetically to Steel and used her free arm to reach for Void. The aether kit was crabby and almost dug his claws into Steel- but relented when he smelt the scent of his surrogate mother. Void yawned once more and let himself be snuggled into Mint’s embrace. She sighed at the two kits in her arms before looking to Steel.

As he stepped away to grab the snacks, he gently rubbed both kits’ heads. “So, this one’s yours and Ifrit’s, right? Gonna be a little spitfire.”

Mint sits down on one of the chairs, adjusting the two babies. Had she been a new mother, and not gotten her instincts in check decades ago, she might have been tempted to try and bite Steel’s hand. But instead she relaxed as rubbed both of the sleepy babies. Mint smiles down to the smaller of the two kits- with dark hair like her father’s.

“Yes, and yes. She’s definitely a fire ghoul already. Hopefully her and Void won’t be too much of a handful!” She smiles as Steel fetches all of the tea cups and the tray of cookies. 

“Extra sweet, please. I could use all the sugar.” She jokes. 

“Is four spoons enough, or should I just pour yours into the sugar bowl?” He joked back, trading her the tea for the tired quintessence kit. “Here, let me take him so you can have a free hand.”

As Void settled in in the crook of Steel’s arm, slightly kneading his sleeve, Steel took a bite from one of the cookies.

The den mother scoffs playfully. “you know I love sweets, don’t get cheeky!” She grins as Void settles down. The kit buries his face in Steel’s arm and breathes softly as he stills. Mint smiles at the story.

“You are one of his favorites, you know? He probably wanted to help!” She laughs.

“As for Void here, I don’t really know why he took to me like this, but part of me feels like he just likes that I’m warm. Or maybe my size reminds him of Aether.. Who knows.” Steel’s brow furrowed a little as he pondered and gently rubbed Void’s back.

The phone buzzing startled Mint out of her trance and she adjusted her newborn kit in her arms to grab the phone. The den mother sighed at the message. Voids powers were certainly more troublesome the older the baby got! She texted back hastily.

“Come on, little guy, let’s get you home.” He whispered as they slipped out the door.

Getting the kit through the ghoul’s lounging area was relatively easy, he only had to threaten one ghoul’s life to make him be quiet. As they approached Mint’s den, he gently knocked on the door and let himself in.

Mint eventually poked her head around the corner. She smiled apologetically to Steel and used her free arm to reach for Void. The aether kit was crabby and almost dug his claws into Steel- but relented when he smelt the scent of his surrogate mother. Void yawned once more and let himself be snuggled into Mint’s embrace. She sighed at the two kits in her arms before looking to Steel.

As he stepped away to grab the snacks, he gently rubbed both kits’ heads. “So, this one’s yours and Ifrit’s, right? Gonna be a little spitfire.”

Mint sits down on one of the chairs, adjusting the two babies. Had she been a new mother, and not gotten her instincts in check decades ago, she might have been tempted to try and bite Steel’s hand. But instead she relaxed as rubbed both of the sleepy babies. Mint smiles down to the smaller of the two kits- with dark hair like her father’s.

“Yes, and yes. She’s definitely a fire ghoul already. Hopefully her and Void won’t be too much of a handful!” She smiles as Steel fetches all of the tea cups and the tray of cookies. 

“Extra sweet, please. I could use all the sugar.” She jokes. 

“Is four spoons enough, or should I just pour yours into the sugar bowl?” He joked back, trading her the tea for the tired quintessence kit. “Here, let me take him so you can have a free hand.”

As Void settled in in the crook of Steel’s arm, slightly kneading his sleeve, Steel took a bite from one of the cookies.

The den mother scoffs playfully. “you know I love sweets, don’t get cheeky!” She grins as Void settles down. The kit buries his face in Steel’s arm and breathes softly as he stills. Mint smiles at the story.

“You are one of his favorites, you know? He probably wanted to help!” She laughs.

The phone buzzing startled Mint out of her trance and she adjusted her newborn kit in her arms to grab the phone. The den mother sighed at the message. Voids powers were certainly more troublesome the older the baby got! She texted back hastily.

“Come on, little guy, let’s get you home.” He whispered as they slipped out the door.

Getting the kit through the ghoul’s lounging area was relatively easy, he only had to threaten one ghoul’s life to make him be quiet. As they approached Mint’s den, he gently knocked on the door and let himself in.

Mint eventually poked her head around the corner. She smiled apologetically to Steel and used her free arm to reach for Void. The aether kit was crabby and almost dug his claws into Steel- but relented when he smelt the scent of his surrogate mother. Void yawned once more and let himself be snuggled into Mint’s embrace. She sighed at the two kits in her arms before looking to Steel.

As he stepped away to grab the snacks, he gently rubbed both kits’ heads. “So, this one’s yours and Ifrit’s, right? Gonna be a little spitfire.”

Mint sits down on one of the chairs, adjusting the two babies. Had she been a new mother, and not gotten her instincts in check decades ago, she might have been tempted to try and bite Steel’s hand. But instead she relaxed as rubbed both of the sleepy babies. Mint smiles down to the smaller of the two kits- with dark hair like her father’s.

“Yes, and yes. She’s definitely a fire ghoul already. Hopefully her and Void won’t be too much of a handful!” She smiles as Steel fetches all of the tea cups and the tray of cookies. 

“Extra sweet, please. I could use all the sugar.” She jokes. 

The phone buzzing startled Mint out of her trance and she adjusted her newborn kit in her arms to grab the phone. The den mother sighed at the message. Voids powers were certainly more troublesome the older the baby got! She texted back hastily.

“Come on, little guy, let’s get you home.” He whispered as they slipped out the door.

Getting the kit through the ghoul’s lounging area was relatively easy, he only had to threaten one ghoul’s life to make him be quiet. As they approached Mint’s den, he gently knocked on the door and let himself in.

Mint eventually poked her head around the corner. She smiled apologetically to Steel and used her free arm to reach for Void. The aether kit was crabby and almost dug his claws into Steel- but relented when he smelt the scent of his surrogate mother. Void yawned once more and let himself be snuggled into Mint’s embrace. She sighed at the two kits in her arms before looking to Steel.

@mintyghoulette

–

Aether was almost bawled over by a very furious and very sad Den Mother, her weight slamming into his back before she grappled his arms and turned him to face her. 

“Minty!” Aether gasped, trying to breathe through the crushing of his ribs, “Its nice to see you too, sweetheart.” He rasped, patting her arms before trying to weasel out of her grasp once more. 

“Yeah, he’s in the chewing phase. You know he tried to eat the Cardinal’s shoe the other day?” she giggles. Thoughtfully she pauses, realizing it had been ages since Void had seen Aether (to her knowledge, given his penchant for early teleportation.)

“You know… he’s been talking a lot more now. He calls me ‘Min’.” She smiles softly to herself. “Void is getting so big.” 

It was a bittersweet reflection. Her others had been taken as soon as they were old enough to be trained. The aether kit was the only one left, with no others in sight for a while. Soon, Mint would be delegated back to chores and helping the Sisters with no den to protect. 

He laughed before resting his head back, propping himself up on one arm as he chewed a bourbon chocolate biscuit thoughtfully.

“Maybe? I think he’d be better back home. His knack has gotta be good for something better than being here half starved.” Aether shrugged and grinned, “Little devil will get what’s coming to him if he chews that Italian leather, whether he can spout words or not.”

“From who, the Cardinal? No offense to him, but I feel like I would be the one to get in trouble, not the baby! Could Copia even look at a kit wrong without feeling bad?” 

The ghoulette stretches out and lays back on him with her own sigh.

“What I’d give to go back home, now… Miss it so much. I’d kill for a Hell fruit right now!”

She looks up to him but smiles sweetly.

“I’m sure he’d be mad either way.” Aether chuckled as he chewed another biscuit.

“I’ve not eaten a Hellfruit in way too long.” He moved his hand from the biscuit tin and pushed it into Mint’s hair.

“Oh yes! “ she giggles before pushing up his torso and fidgeting with his mask. She was eager to see his face again. 

“One day we can go back. I’ll feed you all the fruit you want. Might even sneak back some of these sweets.”

The ghoulette placed his hand back in her hair as she gently yanked his balaclava off. She purred and started to straighten out his mohawk, playing with his braids. 

Claws curled underneath the metal before peeling it away, revealing his smiling face. The balaclava went next and he huffed, blowing strands of hair from his face before they were pulled backwards.

A soft rumble escaped him as Mint combed through his hair and picked out the beads and braids, rubbing her fingers over the fading colours.

“I haven’t had the time to shave it.” He yawned before reaching to rub at either side of the mohawk. It was fuzzy with quickly growing hair and he grumbled at the feeling, flicking the beads away before sighing, “And I really can’t be bothered to.”

Mint hums as she considers, black claws feeling the thick hair sprouting from the sides. She grinned as he leaned down.

“I mean, I have a razor for you… but it’ll cost you, lovey.”

The ghoulette purred louder as she leaned over the ghoul under her.

“Is my debt paid?” He asked cheekily as he pulled away and scrubbed at his hair again.

“for now, but I expect a NICE kiss when I’m done. And of course, sweet pea. Let me go get everything.”

Mint rolled herself out of the soft nest bed and to the bathroom. A few moments of clanking around and she came out with a few supplies. Shaving cream and straight razor (something he had kept extra of for his visits), a towel, a damp cloth, and big plastic hair clips. She patted the end of the bed as he got situated. 

@mintyghoulette

–

Aether was almost bawled over by a very furious and very sad Den Mother, her weight slamming into his back before she grappled his arms and turned him to face her. 

“Minty!” Aether gasped, trying to breathe through the crushing of his ribs, “Its nice to see you too, sweetheart.” He rasped, patting her arms before trying to weasel out of her grasp once more. 

“Yeah, he’s in the chewing phase. You know he tried to eat the Cardinal’s shoe the other day?” she giggles. Thoughtfully she pauses, realizing it had been ages since Void had seen Aether (to her knowledge, given his penchant for early teleportation.)

“You know… he’s been talking a lot more now. He calls me ‘Min’.” She smiles softly to herself. “Void is getting so big.” 

It was a bittersweet reflection. Her others had been taken as soon as they were old enough to be trained. The aether kit was the only one left, with no others in sight for a while. Soon, Mint would be delegated back to chores and helping the Sisters with no den to protect. 

He laughed before resting his head back, propping himself up on one arm as he chewed a bourbon chocolate biscuit thoughtfully.

“Maybe? I think he’d be better back home. His knack has gotta be good for something better than being here half starved.” Aether shrugged and grinned, “Little devil will get what’s coming to him if he chews that Italian leather, whether he can spout words or not.”

“From who, the Cardinal? No offense to him, but I feel like I would be the one to get in trouble, not the baby! Could Copia even look at a kit wrong without feeling bad?” 

The ghoulette stretches out and lays back on him with her own sigh.

“What I’d give to go back home, now… Miss it so much. I’d kill for a Hell fruit right now!”

She looks up to him but smiles sweetly.

“I’m sure he’d be mad either way.” Aether chuckled as he chewed another biscuit.

“I’ve not eaten a Hellfruit in way too long.” He moved his hand from the biscuit tin and pushed it into Mint’s hair.

“Oh yes! “ she giggles before pushing up his torso and fidgeting with his mask. She was eager to see his face again. 

“One day we can go back. I’ll feed you all the fruit you want. Might even sneak back some of these sweets.”

The ghoulette placed his hand back in her hair as she gently yanked his balaclava off. She purred and started to straighten out his mohawk, playing with his braids. 

Claws curled underneath the metal before peeling it away, revealing his smiling face. The balaclava went next and he huffed, blowing strands of hair from his face before they were pulled backwards.

A soft rumble escaped him as Mint combed through his hair and picked out the beads and braids, rubbing her fingers over the fading colours.

“I haven’t had the time to shave it.” He yawned before reaching to rub at either side of the mohawk. It was fuzzy with quickly growing hair and he grumbled at the feeling, flicking the beads away before sighing, “And I really can’t be bothered to.”

Mint hums as she considers, black claws feeling the thick hair sprouting from the sides. She grinned as he leaned down.

“I mean, I have a razor for you... but it’ll cost you, lovey.”

The ghoulette purred louder as she leaned over the ghoul under her.

@mintyghoulette

–

Aether was almost bawled over by a very furious and very sad Den Mother, her weight slamming into his back before she grappled his arms and turned him to face her. 

“Minty!” Aether gasped, trying to breathe through the crushing of his ribs, “Its nice to see you too, sweetheart.” He rasped, patting her arms before trying to weasel out of her grasp once more. 

“Yeah, he’s in the chewing phase. You know he tried to eat the Cardinal’s shoe the other day?” she giggles. Thoughtfully she pauses, realizing it had been ages since Void had seen Aether (to her knowledge, given his penchant for early teleportation.)

“You know… he’s been talking a lot more now. He calls me ‘Min’.” She smiles softly to herself. “Void is getting so big.” 

It was a bittersweet reflection. Her others had been taken as soon as they were old enough to be trained. The aether kit was the only one left, with no others in sight for a while. Soon, Mint would be delegated back to chores and helping the Sisters with no den to protect. 

He laughed before resting his head back, propping himself up on one arm as he chewed a bourbon chocolate biscuit thoughtfully.

“Maybe? I think he’d be better back home. His knack has gotta be good for something better than being here half starved.” Aether shrugged and grinned, “Little devil will get what’s coming to him if he chews that Italian leather, whether he can spout words or not.”

“From who, the Cardinal? No offense to him, but I feel like I would be the one to get in trouble, not the baby! Could Copia even look at a kit wrong without feeling bad?” 

The ghoulette stretches out and lays back on him with her own sigh.

“What I’d give to go back home, now… Miss it so much. I’d kill for a Hell fruit right now!”

She looks up to him but smiles sweetly.

“I’m sure he’d be mad either way.” Aether chuckled as he chewed another biscuit.

“I’ve not eaten a Hellfruit in way too long.” He moved his hand from the biscuit tin and pushed it into Mint’s hair.

“Oh yes! “ she giggles before pushing up his torso and fidgeting with his mask. She was eager to see his face again. 

“One day we can go back. I’ll feed you all the fruit you want. Might even sneak back some of these sweets.”

The ghoulette placed his hand back in her hair as she gently yanked his balaclava off. She purred and started to straighten out his mohawk, playing with his braids. 

@mintyghoulette

–

Aether was almost bawled over by a very furious and very sad Den Mother, her weight slamming into his back before she grappled his arms and turned him to face her. 

“Minty!” Aether gasped, trying to breathe through the crushing of his ribs, “Its nice to see you too, sweetheart.” He rasped, patting her arms before trying to weasel out of her grasp once more. 

“Yeah, he’s in the chewing phase. You know he tried to eat the Cardinal’s shoe the other day?” she giggles. Thoughtfully she pauses, realizing it had been ages since Void had seen Aether (to her knowledge, given his penchant for early teleportation.)

“You know… he’s been talking a lot more now. He calls me ‘Min’.” She smiles softly to herself. “Void is getting so big.” 

It was a bittersweet reflection. Her others had been taken as soon as they were old enough to be trained. The aether kit was the only one left, with no others in sight for a while. Soon, Mint would be delegated back to chores and helping the Sisters with no den to protect. 

He laughed before resting his head back, propping himself up on one arm as he chewed a bourbon chocolate biscuit thoughtfully.

“Maybe? I think he’d be better back home. His knack has gotta be good for something better than being here half starved.” Aether shrugged and grinned, “Little devil will get what’s coming to him if he chews that Italian leather, whether he can spout words or not.”

“From who, the Cardinal? No offense to him, but I feel like I would be the one to get in trouble, not the baby! Could Copia even look at a kit wrong without feeling bad?” 

The ghoulette stretches out and lays back on him with her own sigh.

“What I’d give to go back home, now... Miss it so much. I’d kill for a Hell fruit right now!”

She looks up to him but smiles sweetly.

@mintyghoulette

–

Aether was almost bawled over by a very furious and very sad Den Mother, her weight slamming into his back before she grappled his arms and turned him to face her. 

“Minty!” Aether gasped, trying to breathe through the crushing of his ribs, “Its nice to see you too, sweetheart.” He rasped, patting her arms before trying to weasel out of her grasp once more. 

“Yeah, he’s in the chewing phase. You know he tried to eat the Cardinal’s shoe the other day?” she giggles. Thoughtfully she pauses, realizing it had been ages since Void had seen Aether (to her knowledge, given his penchant for early teleportation.)

“You know... he’s been talking a lot more now. He calls me ‘Min’.” She smiles softly to herself. “Void is getting so big.” 

It was a bittersweet reflection. Her others had been taken as soon as they were old enough to be trained. The aether kit was the only one left, with no others in sight for a while. Soon, Mint would be delegated back to chores and helping the Sisters with no den to protect. 

@mintyghoulette

–

Aether was almost bawled over by a very furious and very sad Den Mother, her weight slamming into his back before she grappled his arms and turned him to face her. 

“Minty!” Aether gasped, trying to breathe through the crushing of his ribs, “Its nice to see you too, sweetheart.” He rasped, patting her arms before trying to weasel out of her grasp once more. 

“S-sorry, just missed you!” 

Mint leans her forehead on his chest.

“Hey now, love.” Aether whispered, softly running his hands over the back of her neck, fingers dipping under her collar, “There’s no need to cry! I’m bac and I’m alright!” He smiled, trying to get her to grin back at him.

There was something that felt like home with Mint. It felt like he was back in the pits, travelling with his family, seeking out the carnality of sin. Maybe one day he’d get to do it again. The church perhaps wasn’t the best place to have such a massive…either way he was getting sidetracked.

Mint sheepishly pulled back, still holding his hand delicately. The ghoulette giggles apologetically, even with no regrets. Her heart hadn’t felt the same since he was gone on the last tour. It felt so empty with Aether being around- sitting with her or sharing chocolate biscuits. 

She brushed his knuckles gently with her thumb as she smiled sweetly to him. 

“You better have left some for me!” He chastised playfully before pouting, “I could die for a biscuit right now.” Aether dramatized, reaching to cup his forehead, “I might be coming down with a fever too, so it looks like I need a nap as well.”

“Oh no, not Biscuit-Nap fever! The only cure is to come eat a whole tin with me and then CUDDLE!” 

Her own tail lashed excitedly as she cradled the larger ghoul awkwardly to her. Mint cooed in an over the top baby voice as she led him away.

“I just feel so hot, nurse, I don’t know what the cause could be? Certainly not my dashing looks and hot body, surely?”

The quintessence ghoul lamented dramatically before taking Mint’s hand and swinging it playfully.

“Looks like I’ll need a whole tin and a good kip to fix me up, indeed.” He shrugged sadly and let her take the lead, “So long as there’s no shots involved, Miss Nurse.”

“Yes, your hot body SURELY is the cause for all of this!”

She winks at him as they swing their hands like a couple of lovestruck kits. Mint skips along and snatches up her washing basket with her free arm.

I mean, I COULD give you a shot if you wanted! But I think a cuddle along with those cookies will do the trick. Maybe a smooch just to be sure!” 

Mint lead him back to the surprisingly empty den. She lead him by the hand to the kitchen and popped open one of the cabinets- producing a fresh tin of chocolate biscuits. She grinned passing them to the larger ghoul.

@mintyghoulette

–

Aether was almost bawled over by a very furious and very sad Den Mother, her weight slamming into his back before she grappled his arms and turned him to face her. 

“Minty!” Aether gasped, trying to breathe through the crushing of his ribs, “Its nice to see you too, sweetheart.” He rasped, patting her arms before trying to weasel out of her grasp once more. 

“S-sorry, just missed you!” 

Mint leans her forehead on his chest.

“Hey now, love.” Aether whispered, softly running his hands over the back of her neck, fingers dipping under her collar, “There’s no need to cry! I’m bac and I’m alright!” He smiled, trying to get her to grin back at him.

There was something that felt like home with Mint. It felt like he was back in the pits, travelling with his family, seeking out the carnality of sin. Maybe one day he’d get to do it again. The church perhaps wasn’t the best place to have such a massive…either way he was getting sidetracked.

Mint sheepishly pulled back, still holding his hand delicately. The ghoulette giggles apologetically, even with no regrets. Her heart hadn’t felt the same since he was gone on the last tour. It felt so empty with Aether being around- sitting with her or sharing chocolate biscuits. 

She brushed his knuckles gently with her thumb as she smiled sweetly to him. 

“You better have left some for me!” He chastised playfully before pouting, “I could die for a biscuit right now.” Aether dramatized, reaching to cup his forehead, “I might be coming down with a fever too, so it looks like I need a nap as well.”

“Oh no, not Biscuit-Nap fever! The only cure is to come eat a whole tin with me and then CUDDLE!” 

Her own tail lashed excitedly as she cradled the larger ghoul awkwardly to her. Mint cooed in an over the top baby voice as she led him away.

@mintyghoulette

–

Aether was almost bawled over by a very furious and very sad Den Mother, her weight slamming into his back before she grappled his arms and turned him to face her. 

“Minty!” Aether gasped, trying to breathe through the crushing of his ribs, “Its nice to see you too, sweetheart.” He rasped, patting her arms before trying to weasel out of her grasp once more. 

“S-sorry, just missed you!” 

Mint leans her forehead on his chest.

“Hey now, love.” Aether whispered, softly running his hands over the back of her neck, fingers dipping under her collar, “There’s no need to cry! I’m bac and I’m alright!” He smiled, trying to get her to grin back at him.

There was something that felt like home with Mint. It felt like he was back in the pits, travelling with his family, seeking out the carnality of sin. Maybe one day he’d get to do it again. The church perhaps wasn’t the best place to have such a massive…either way he was getting sidetracked.

Mint sheepishly pulled back, still holding his hand delicately. The ghoulette giggles apologetically, even with no regrets. Her heart hadn’t felt the same since he was gone on the last tour. It felt so empty with Aether being around- sitting with her or sharing chocolate biscuits. 

She brushed his knuckles gently with her thumb as she smiled sweetly to him. 

@mintyghoulette

–

Aether was almost bawled over by a very furious and very sad Den Mother, her weight slamming into his back before she grappled his arms and turned him to face her. 

“Minty!” Aether gasped, trying to breathe through the crushing of his ribs, “Its nice to see you too, sweetheart.” He rasped, patting her arms before trying to weasel out of her grasp once more. 

“S-sorry, just missed you!” 

Mint leans her forehead on his chest.

“Hey now, love.” Aether whispered, softly running his hands over the back of her neck, fingers dipping under her collar, “There’s no need to cry! I’m bac and I’m alright!” He smiled, trying to get her to grin back at him.

@mintyghoulette

–

Air peered languidly up from his book. He’d been stuffed away in his room since the previous day, hiding from as many as he could, though he knew few would dare come and bother him with anything. He’d been sure to send the last brother who’d tried to pry him from his room flying onto the floor with a vicious tirade of Ghoulish. 

“I don’t mind.” Three simple words. He placed his book aside and took the struggling kit from his Mother, turning him this way and that with a critical eye. The kit screeched with joy at the game before Air hummed.

“He’s a lot stronger than we all anticipated. H’es going to be a monster of a head ache when he starts getting bigger.” 

Void grew bored of trying to gnaw and shuffled down to Air’s torso- where he sat right in front of the book. Little clawed finger grabbed for his face as the kit started to babble again.

“Quiet now. You are a nuisance.” He muttered before reaching for the wooden toy for kit. He remembered where it was strangely, and quickly watched Void pick up the cool wood and begin chewing on it, shaking the metal baubles before trying to get his teeth into those as well.

Air watched quietly before answering Mint, “We is already a handful. Most Ghouls remain as such.” 

“Do you need me to take him?” 

She lifted herself from the frame and frowned.

He just wasn’t in the mood to be kind.

“I am fine.” He muttered as he watched Void squirm in his Mother’s arms, reaching for the old ghoul with grabbing hands, “Just…sore.” Air’s fingers twitched before he looked at his book again. 

“No, you need to settle down.” Void whined in protest at the firm tone, but relaxed. His toy was far more interesting now, and felt good against his new sharp teeth. 

The den mother nodded and dared to venture further into the quarters- regardless of Air would fight her or not. She can sense he’s in no position to argue with her. The kitchenette he has is dusty, he definitely wasn’t hiding in his quarters for these long months… With one steady hand, well practiced with kit rearing, she cleaned off the small stove and the unused kettle. Water boiled as she dug for the old tea bags and mug.

“I prefer coffee.” He offered quietly, “But any I have will have long gone off.” Air stood, his imposing figure hovering for a moment before he looked around for the cupboards. Any unopened grounds could perhaps be used, he supposed. Air walked to the cupboards before finding a bag of unopened coffee grounds. He didn’t care for the make but checked the date before offering them to Mint and returning to his chair in the corner of his room. The table next to it was covered in dust still, yet he ignored it in favour of simply losing himself in his own thoughts. 

The sink was turned out for just a moment and Mint wiped down the dusty table. Soon two coasters followed by their mugs. The ghoulette sat the black coffee down for him, and took the tea (sweetend with some sugar that was still good)- she was never one to waste tea. 

Normally she was not one to impose, but seeing Air in this state she was not about to leave... and not with Void finally calm for the time being. The kit in question sucked quietly on the straw as his tail thumped contently against the ground. when Air looked down Void waved with the hand that still held the toy. 

@mintyghoulette

–

Air peered languidly up from his book. He’d been stuffed away in his room since the previous day, hiding from as many as he could, though he knew few would dare come and bother him with anything. He’d been sure to send the last brother who’d tried to pry him from his room flying onto the floor with a vicious tirade of Ghoulish. 

“I don’t mind.” Three simple words. He placed his book aside and took the struggling kit from his Mother, turning him this way and that with a critical eye. The kit screeched with joy at the game before Air hummed.

“He’s a lot stronger than we all anticipated. H’es going to be a monster of a head ache when he starts getting bigger.” 

Void grew bored of trying to gnaw and shuffled down to Air’s torso- where he sat right in front of the book. Little clawed finger grabbed for his face as the kit started to babble again.

“Quiet now. You are a nuisance.” He muttered before reaching for the wooden toy for kit. He remembered where it was strangely, and quickly watched Void pick up the cool wood and begin chewing on it, shaking the metal baubles before trying to get his teeth into those as well.

Air watched quietly before answering Mint, “We is already a handful. Most Ghouls remain as such.” 

“Do you need me to take him?” 

She lifted herself from the frame and frowned.

He just wasn’t in the mood to be kind.

“I am fine.” He muttered as he watched Void squirm in his Mother’s arms, reaching for the old ghoul with grabbing hands, “Just…sore.” Air’s fingers twitched before he looked at his book again. 

“No, you need to settle down.” Void whined in protest at the firm tone, but relaxed. His toy was far more interesting now, and felt good against his new sharp teeth. 

The den mother nodded and dared to venture further into the quarters- regardless of Air would fight her or not. She can sense he’s in no position to argue with her. The kitchenette he has is dusty, he definitely wasn’t hiding in his quarters for these long months... With one steady hand, well practiced with kit rearing, she cleaned off the small stove and the unused kettle. Water boiled as she dug for the old tea bags and mug.