#cg!aether

Life is hard. That is one of the first things Swiss learned after his summoning. He learned; life is hard, some things are not edible, play your part in the band, obey the clergy, and Canadian Geese are evil. …. Okay, so not everything he learned was on the same level of importance.

The multi woke up today, feeling fine. After sleepily rolling out of bed, haphazardly putting on some clothes, fixing his hair in the bathroom mirror, and walking into the kitchen, he felt good. Feeling more awake now that he’s out of bed, he starts on a simple breakfast for himself. Just a grilled cheese made within a couple of minutes.

Not bothering with a plate, he sits on the couch and scrolls on his phone. Picking a random video off of one of the many streaming services he shares with the other bandmembers, he eats his food while killing time until practice. When he finishes his breakfast, he checks the time. His eyes widen when he sees that he’s going to be late to rehearsal.

Quickly standing up and ignoring the sudden dizziness from the action, he rushes to his room and changes into his uniform in record time. He quickly walks to the practice, breathing a sigh of relief when he sees Copia hasn’t arrived yet. “Hey guys!” He greets, signature smile on his face. A few of them respond but not really with intention of starting conversation.

Swiss gets onto the small stage, setting up his gear and smiling when Copia arrives. Practice is going well. Everyone sounds great working on the songs until Copia starts sectioning them off. He has Rain and Mountain work on their timing together, Swiss occupying himself by fidgeting with his microphone stand.

His legs ache a bit, but he’s fine. He’s made it through long rituals before, surely he can get through a 2 hour practice. As time drags on, he shifts his weight between his legs. His right leg ACHES. But it’s fine. He’s fine! Swiss was MADE for this!

The multi goes to sit down, legs dangling off the edge of the ministage. The pain eases up marginally, definitely bearable now. Copia suddenly claps his hands together, commencing the rehearsal all together. He gets up with a pained hiss but shrugs off the concerned glances with a laugh. “Stubbed my toe.”

The excuse works well enough, not seeming suspicious. The brief moment of rest didn’t erase the pain forever. The pressure on his leg has him digging his nails into his arms as he sings, making sure to sound good as always. He can’t wait for practice to end. Which.. is awful. He loves practice. Loves being with his bandmates. Loves music. Loves his pack.

Practice concludes and the multi feels like he could lay in bed forever. Instantly making his way to his room, hiding any signs of limping near his pack, he sighs in relief and collapses into bed. The pain. It never stops. He lays there for what feels like forever, biting his lip and hugging a pillow to muffle any sounds of pain. Why does it hurt? He’s not DOING anything! It should stop now, right?

A knock at his door makes him whimper, forcing himself to sit up and wipe any evidence of tears that pricked his eyes. Limping to the door before straightening up, he opens it to Aether’s apologetic expression. “Aeth!” He cheers happily, hugging the bigger ghoul.

The quint laughs gently, holding Swiss securely to his chest. “Hello little blade. How’re you?” Any word Swiss wanted to say felt too… harsh? He’s not bad, it’s just his leg. He’s not in PAIN, … well, he is. But that just sounds worrying! He’s not good but… “I’m doing alright! How’re you doing, big guy?”

Nothing gets past quint ghouls. Nothing. “I’m doing well, thank you for asking. And, I brought you a gift.” Swiss blinks in surprise, pulling back a bit to smile and look at Aether. “Is it you?” The guitarist rolls his eyes fondly, smile on his face despite his attempts to fake annoyance. “Something like that.” He reaches towards the wall, grabbing the ‘gift.’

Swiss looks on eagerly, tail wagging a bit before his smile falls. Forearm crutches. Not a gift. Not at all. “I.. know you hate the idea but Mountain told me he could see you in pain and guessed it was your leg and - don’t give me that look - so I brought you these.” The multi frowns, glaring at the offending objects. “No.”

Aether sighs loudly. “I knew you would do this. So I brought some decorative tape for you, so you can customize them! It’ll be fun and make you look sooooo cool with these!” Swiss isn’t buying it. Arms crossed, mouth pulled in a frown, basically pouting at the quint. “Little one..” The rhythm guitarist chides.

With an exaggerated hand expression, he invited the taller ghoul in. “Fine.” He spits with venom in his tone. Aether smiles, lacing his hand with Swiss’. “This is going to be fun!” They sit on the bed together, crutches sat between them and a small box of washi tape in Aether’s hands. “Pick some out, little spark.”

Swiss’ ears lower at the nicknames, feeling the fuzziness of regression creeping up. “Okay… but I’m not gonna like it!” Aether chuckles at the denial, just smiling and gesturing to the colours. In the end, the multi picks out star and space themed ones. Despite his inital hatred of the idea, the lower he dropped, the more he was having fun with this DIY.

When he finishes them, he trills. “Look! Daddy! They like stars n space!” Aether laughs, pulling Swiss close. “Sure are, good job little one! They look amazing, honey… wouldn’t you like to show them off?” Eagerly, the little ghoul agrees before remembering his hatred of the mobility aids. “Nuh uh! M a big strong ghoul! I don’ need them!”

The guitarist tries again. “But you’d look so cool! And you did so well! Im sure Dew would loooveee to see it!” Swiss stares at the designs he put on them. They doooo look really nice… and no one bullies Rainy for anything he uses to feel better…

“Okay..” Aether smiles brightly. “Come on starlight, I’ll help you.” Aether brings some comfy clothes over and helps change the multi into it. Once that’s done, Swiss stands, favouring his left side as Aether helps him secure the crutches. With a little encouragement, the quint holds the door for Swiss to make his way to the living room in hopes of running into Dew. When he gets there, he frowns. No Dew in sight.

“Woah! Those are so pretty!” Swiss perks up, but his tail tucks anyways. The lingering fear of being seen as … weak… still plagues him, big or little. Rain sits on the couch and smiles as he sees the little, complimenting his crutches. “They look so good, starfire! So pretty! Do you wanna tell me about them?” The multi ducks his head, biting at his lip.

Aether gently taps his nose. “No lip biting, little one.” Swiss pouts but stops, swinging his hurting leg a little bit. “Uhm.. they stars. N galaxy…” Rain’s expression softens more, seeing the anxiousness on such a confident ghoul always shatters his heart a bit. “They look amazing, Swissy.” He says honestly. Swiss smiles a little, shy. “Thank you… uhm. Have you seen Dewy? Wann’ show him them.”

The bassist hums, looking up as he thinks. “I’m pretty sure him and Mountain are in the greenhouse.” He says softly, not quite sure if he remembered correctly. Aether walks over to Rain and gives him a quick kiss. “Thank you, rainbow.” The water ghoul purrs, dragging the quint into another kiss. “Anytime.”

Swiss makes an exaggerated sound of disgust. “Yuck. Cooties.” The two big ghouls laugh at the comment as Aether leads Swiss towards the greenhouse. He watches over him carefully, making sure the multi doesn’t fall.

Though kind of Aether, it makes him feel a bit worse. He shouldn’t NEED to be watched. He can feel himself coming out of that little headspace but a gentle forehead kiss from the guitarist eases him back into it a bit. “Almost there, baby.”

Aether holds the door for him, letting Swiss roam the greenhouse in search of Mountain and Dew. He perks up, tail wagging when he sees them. “Dewy! Moun’n!” He chirps, rushing over as best as he can. He lets out a squeak as Mountain picks him up, cautious of the crutches and trying not to aggravate his leg. “Hi little one.” Mountain says softly, kissing Swiss all over the cheek obnoxiously.

Swiss giggles, half-heartedly pushing at his chest. “Stooppppp!” He tries, but the earth ghoul just nuzzles him instead. With a pout on his face, he turns to the fire ghoul. “Dewy!!! Help me!!!” The ghoul in question turns his head and whistles innocently. “I didn’t see anything.” Swiss cries out in indignation, but giggling nonetheless as he’s set down carefully.

“Oh! Dewy! Look at these! M made them myself! … an’ with Aef’s help.” He says shyly, showing off one of his crutches. Dew gasps dramatically. “Those look amazing! You’re so cool! I wish I could be like you!” Swiss trills, tail wagging. “Nuh uh! I wanna be cool like you!” Mountain huffs. “What about me? Not going to show me or call me cool?”

Swiss gasps, horror on his face. “NOOOO! I wann’ show you! See! See!” He moves closer to Mountain, but it was a TRAP! He squeaks as he’s picked up again, but he accepts his fate. Sighing loudly, he rests his head on Mountain’s shoulder as Aether gently takes his crutches away. “Hmph… you cool too..” He mumbles, tired already from the eventful day.

Mountain shushes him gently, bouncing him a little and rubbing soothing circles on his leg. “There, there. It’s alright to rest, little spark. I’ll get you something to help with the pain, okay?” The drummer looks down worriedly when he gets no response but hears Dew snort. “I think he’s fine.” Sure enough, Swiss is fast asleep in the arms of the earth ghoul.

With a fond sigh and a head shake, he makes his way to the multi’s room. He asks Aether to drop off the crutches later, tucking Swiss in to bed for now. Pulling the blankets over him, Mountain presses a gentle hiss to his forehead. “Sleep well, little baby.”

Swiss curses, kicking the ground out of frustration. A strangled whine of pain leaving him despite his best efforts to keep it down. Aether perks up from his spot on the couch, glancing in mild concern at Swiss who was in the kitchen. “Swiss? You alright?” The multi ghoul quickly tries to regain his composure. “Ah- yeah! I'm alright Aeth. Just ,,, stubbed my toe.” He adds a laugh at the end, hoping to sound more convincing.

Aether doesn't seem to fully buy it but shrugs it off as weird Swiss behaviour, going back to scrolling on his phone idly. The multi lets out a quiet relieved sigh, moving to go to his room. A sharp yelp of surprise leaves him when he goes to step but his knee bends backwards instead of staying straight. He barely catches himself, bracing against the counter for a moment, repeatedly applying and removing pressure on his knee to make sure it won't fold under his weight again.

The quintessence ghoul in the living room shuts off his phone and stuffs it in his pocket before making his way to the kitchen. Upon seeing the slightly shorter ghoul hissing under his breath and testing his leg, he sighs in sympathy. “Where are your braces?” Swiss' head snaps up, a growl leaving him. “I don't need them! Just . Give me a minute!” He says with aggravation, standing up straight with a glare.

Aether glares half-heartedly back, very prepared to deal with a stubborn ghoul. “You're in pain. If you don't let me grab the braces, I'm going to go fetch Cirrus. You don't want that, do you?” The defiant expression Swiss’ face wavers, but he steels himself. “You wouldn't! I'm fine, see?” He takes a step. To his credit, his legs seem to hold steady. .. against his credit, he winces as a bolt of pain zips up his right leg unwarranted.

The taller ghoul just sighs, taking out his phone and sending a quick text to Cirrus. The multi ghoul’s eyes widen and he tries to snatch the phone from Aether. “No!” He tries, pleading desperately. “Yes. Aaaand there. Sent.” The rhythm guitarist says with just a bit too much amusement in his tone.

Swiss deflates slightly, a loud whiny tone leaving him. “Noooo….” Aether smiles, seeing the signs of him slipping into a regressed headspace. “Awe, come here little one.” He says in a soothing tone, holding his arms open for a hug. Swiss looks torn between going to the comfort or pouting instead. Eventually, the sound of a hug is too alluring and he takes a step before falling into the bigger ghoul’s arms.

“There you go bambi. Let me and Cirrus care for you.” The multi ghoul lets out an upset whine. “No.. m s’posed to be big ‘n protect eve’yone. Can't do that if ‘m not big..” Aether just shushes him gently, swaying side to side to try and calm the upset ghoul in his arms. “We're alright. Let's focus on you for once, okay little dove?”

Cirrus enters the room before Swiss can respond. Despite his hesitation to letting himself slip, something in his brain still registers her as his caregiver. He perks up, a happy chirp leaving his mouth. “Mama!” He wiggles out of Aether’s arms, aiming to launch into Cirrus’ arms. He pauses, a look of confliction on his face when he sees she's carrying a few things. Knee braces with rotation locks, wrist brace with extra support, and something else he couldn't see well.

“No.” Swiss pouts, already upset. “Oh, come on little one. You know they're good for you and important. Don't want the owies getting to you!” The air ghoullette says softly, a baby talking tome slowly creeping into her voice. The multi crosses his arms and glares, hating how his body refuses to work with him. “Don't need! M fine. An’ it still hurts even with the thingies! Don’ make me… p’ease..”

Cirrus let's out a soft sound of sympathy. “I'm so sorry, my baby. But you know it has to happen.” She nods to Aether who gently holds Swiss so Cirrus can put the braces on. He whines, trying to wiggle out of the quint’s grasp. The ghoullette crouches, starting to secure the knee supports. When Swiss tries to gently kick her away, she stands up and makes him look her in the eye.

“Baby, kicking isn't nice. If you don't behave, I'll have to take away a bit of TV time.” She would never cut off all his entertainment, but even the threat of 5 minutes less TV was enough for the multi ghoul to relax and let her do what she had to. Aether coo's and gently praises Swiss for being so brave as they get him all set up.

Cirrus makes a gentle sound to get his attention after all the supports are secured. Swiss has slight tears in his eyes, the slight pain mixed with stubborness finally affecting him. The air ghoullette’s eyes soften with pity. “Look what I've got, little lune.” She shows off soft black gloves with little kitty paw pads on the hands. She slips them on over his hands, the larger size of the gloves able to fit over the braces.

His eyes light up a bit, hesitantly clapping his hands. The giggle and happy trill leaving him was relieving to the two caregivers, happy to see that he's returning back to the happy little one they know he can be. He bounces in place slightly, pouting when his movement is slightly restricted at his knees. “Alright little one, let's get you some TV time. Do you want to play with blocks too?”

Swiss pouts and shakes his head, taking Cirrus' hand and half stumbling, half walking to the living room. “Noooo. M wanna play wif uh.. da cars!” Aether smiles, watching them go to sit on the couch. Cirrus gets comfortable before beckoning for the multi to sit on her lap. He's a little heavy, but it's nothing she can't handle. Aether starts to grab a few snacks for them while the TV plays.