Author Note: this takes place the same night as the previous chapter. Enjoy!

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Rain yawned, rubbing his face as he padded from his den to the common area the ghouls all shared. It held several couches and chairs, some of which circled around a television and large coffee table. On the right side of the room there was a large fireplace that stood empty, the smoldering remnants of the earlier blaze nothing more than faint embers that didn't let off any proper light, framed by bookshelves littered with books, movies, and a variety of games. Tucked away on the left hand wall was a full kitchen complete with an extra large fridge and a stove. The counter housed a variety of cereal boxes, bowls of fruit and other quick snacks nestled between two microwaves and coffee pots. Cabinets lined the wall above, stocked with other food stuffs the ghouls could make if they were hungry. The thick central island held the sink and a dishwasher and was large enough to have a space for eating at. The whole area was dark, everyone else already in bed, save for a small rectangular glow that illuminated a pale gray face and blonde hair of a ghoulette curled up on one of the couches.

“Can’t sleep either?” Cumulus asked the tall ghoul who merely nodded in response as he reached up into the cabinet to grab his favorite mug.

“Tea?”

“May as well. I’m not quite sure what to do with myself tonight. Usually before rituals…” She trails off with a soft sigh, shifting to her back and setting her phone screen down on her chest.

“Still adjusting from your relationship with him?”

“Is it that noticeable?”

Rain sets the kettle on the stove to come to a boil before leaning over the back of the couch to look down at her.

“Very.”

Cumulus huffs and covers her eyes with her arm. “I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

She shifts her arm slightly and peeks up at him, finding his sea gray eyes even in the darkness. “I don’t know… I should be able to hide it better. Should have been able to get over it by now. It’s been nearly two months.”

Rain just looks at her, cocking his head slightly to the side. His eyes search her face before his brow cocks up, wanting her to go on.

“I shouldn’t be as upset as I am over all this because I understand. I truly do and I'm so happy for him. For both of them. But these other feelings.. it makes me feel like shit.”

The ghoul regards her a second more before standing and going to the kettle, pulling it off the fire right as it starts to whistle. He pours the water out into the two mugs he had ready with tea bags and, after setting the kettle back on a cool burner, takes them over to where she sat laid on the couch, waiting for her to move so he could sit next to her. Shifting back against the arm rest she curled her legs under her and took the mug, sipping at it before taking a sip.

“Love?”

“Yeah, I did. I mean, I do. But it’s just not right anymore. I can’t love him like I used to.”

“So don’t.”

Cumulus scoffs and shifts in her seat, turning to face him more. “It’s not that easy to stop loving someone, Rain.”

“I didn’t say stop. I said don’t.”

“Will you stop being the cryptic ghoul of few words for once? We all know you can spew novels when she’s around.”

He gives a soft smile and a breathy laugh, shaking his head. “Sorry.”

Cumulus rolls her eyes and sips at her tea. “Do you even know love, Rain? Have you ever been in love like this? How could you possibly know what I’m going through?”

His smile falls and he looks at her with a thoughtful expression before turning his gaze away. After a moment he gives a slight nod.

“I am learning how to again.”

That catches her attention and she looks at him again, her eyes softening when she sees a far away sad look in them,  can see the tears forming in his eyes making them shimmer.

“I’m sorry, Rain. I wasn't thinking. My words were harsh and I didn’t mean them.”

“You are forgiven.”

They sip their teas in silence, each withdrawing into their own thoughts. Down the hall they heard a door open and shut again.

“Did you ever think something like this would happen?”

Rain is silent for a moment before he shakes his head.

“So much has changed since they came here. It’s all different, but it's not.”

“Do you feel it? Like I do? With her?”

Cumulus takes another sip and thinks about his question. “I feel… something. Honestly it feels different with him, too, now that she’s here. And not in the ‘he’s not mine anymore’ type of way. Like he’s going through some kind of change as well.”

“Change is good.”

“Change can also be bad.”

“Is this?”

Again, she pauses to think. Rain frustrates her to no end with his short replies and questions, but after years of knowing him she knows the deeper meanings of his questions. But with it drawn into focus now, something feels like it's starting to eat at her.

“I don’t know. He’s still the same man, but he’s changing. You weren’t there that night with Seth. When his eye glowed and he pulled me into that living nightmare I couldn't escape from. What I saw… It was like being back in the pits. But worse. It was so different from how he is, how he had been. I was truly… truly terrified of him at that moment.”

“And now?”

Cumulus sighs and finishes her tea, setting the empty mug on the table next to her. Leaning back she crosses her arms tightly over her chest. “Now I don’t know.”

Silence falls between them again and they sit in the dark. Cumulus shifts and lays down, resting her head on his lap. His hand comes down to smooth over her hair before carefully untangling a strand from around one of her horns.

"It's so quiet without Mountain being down here anymore, don't you think?" She asks, turning her head to look up at him.

Rain laughs softly and gives her a look, his eyes rolling slightly.

"Oh you know what I mean. That gremlin is loud damn near all the time. But this is a different type of quiet."

The ghoul nods, knowing what she means.  For years their group all resided in close proximity to one another, frequently joining each other for nightly comforts or group wide ghoul piles. With their monolith of a giant gone the space down here seemed bigger. Emptier. And quiet.

"I'm happy for him," Cumulus finally says. "Giant softie like him deserves happiness."

"You'll find someone."

"No one here really interests me like that. I know there are plenty of beds I can warm if I have that need, but… it's just not enough. Not what I want."

"Time."

It was her turn to roll her eyes, which she followed with a laugh. "Yeah. I know it will happen in time."

"Cumulus?"

"Yeah, Rain cloud?"

He's quiet for some time and she finally turns her face to look up at him once more. He looks at a spot across the room, eyes unfocused but stormy.

"What is it? Everything okay?"

"I…" He sighs and closes his eyes, shaking his head so his hair falls to cover his eyes.  "Can wait."

"Don't do that, Rainy. What's going on?"

"I want to…to tell him. About…about…"

"You and Seth?"

He groans and nods, turning away again. "It's more than a fling. I.. I love him. And he loves me. Annie.. She knows. Figured it out that day in the kitchens and told us at Beltaine we should come out. Seth is hesitant too. But we don't want to really hide anymore."

"So don't." She sits up and shifts closer, pulling him to lean against her with one arm wrapped around his front, the other around the back of his head as she slides her fingers through his hair. "Plus, truth be told, he probably already knows. Especially if Annie figured it out after one day. He's smart and observant. And you know he would have no issue with it."

"Still can't help but feel scared for some reason."

"I know. You've got support though. From all of us, no matter what you decide."

"He's the first person I've loved since Kali broke my heart." Rain was so quiet he almost went unheard.

Cumulus nods and holds him tighter, pressing a kiss next to the closest horn as he sniffles and nuzzles into her. She remembered all too well what happened 16 years ago when Kali, the multi ghoul he was involved with, randomly lost his mind and attacked Rain not just verbally but physically as well. He went from the kindest most caring ghoul, especially towards Rain, to a violent monster very capable of murder, and he almost did. It took several ghouls just to pin him down. Rain was in the infirmary for weeks. Kali was sent away to another abbey across the world and they hadn't heard anything about him since.

"You gonna be okay, Rainbow?" She asks, pressing another lingering kiss to the top of his head.

He sniffles and nods, relaxing against her. "Thank you, Lus. Do you… do you mind if we sit like this a bit more?"

"Not at all. We can sit here as long as you need."

Rain worries at his lip before he speaks up softly after several long minutes of silence.“Lus?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you remember what you used to sing to me? When I was first summoned?”

She nods and brushes the back of her fingers over his cheek, looking down at him. “You want me to sing it for you?”

“Could you?”

“Oh, baby boy. Of course. Are you comfortable?”

Rain snuggles down on the couch with his legs bent behind him on the cushions so he can fit, resting his head on her lap with his arm wrapped around her. She slides her fingers through his long hair, brushing it away from his face as she begins to softly and slowly sing.

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.
Brown paper packages tied up with strings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles.
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings,
These are a few of my favorite things.”

Rain nuzzles into her lap, closing his eyes as a soft steady purr starts low in his chest. Her soothing voice relaxes him and he feels his worries fade away the longer she sings.

“When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I’m feeling sad.
I simply remember my favorite things,”

She brushes her finger over the tip of his nose and he looks up to see her smiling warmly down to him. “And then I don’t feel so bad.”

“You’re one of my favorite things, Cumulus.” He nuzzles into her lap again, letting out a little content sigh. “Thank you for always being here.”

“You have nothing to thank me for, Rainy. I’ll be here for you, for all of you, no matter what.”

“Comfy.”

“I’m glad I'm comfortable. But you should think about going back to your den. We have a long day tomorrow.”

Rain lets out a grumble and tightens his hold on her, shaking his head with a pout that makes her laugh softly. “Don’t wanna.”

Cumulus laughs softly and runs her fingers through his hair again. “Careful, Rain. Your inner Dew is coming out. I thought you were a Daddy and not a brat like him?”

Rain stiffens, his face growing impossibly warm and dark as his jaw tightens and eyes widen. He lets out a squeak of a sound and quickly sits up, leaning against the opposite arm of the couch with his hand covering his lower face, turning away from her. Cumulus laughs loudly, a wide smile on his face at his reaction.

“I’m sorry, Rainy. I know you like your sex life to be private but… The walls are not soundproof and my bed is right against our shared wall. And I couldn’t resist teasing you a little bit.”

Rain turns his head and looks at her from the corner of his eye, giving a little huff. “Meanie.”

“Aww, you love me. Secret’s safe with me, though.”

He sighs and nods, relaxing back against the couch. “Thank you.”

“You gonna be okay now, Rain?”

The ghoul nods and turns to face her, a smile on his lips. “Yeah. Should go to bed. You too.”

Cumulus stands with a stretch, her short top raising up over to expose her stomach as she raises her arms. Her tail swishes slowly behind her and she rolls her shoulders. “Thanks for the tea. And for listening to me, too. Hug?”

He smiles and rises to his feet, opening his arms. She steps over and wraps her arms around his middle, head tucked comfortably under his chin while still being mindful of her horns as his arms envelop her, holding her close.

“Sleep well, Lus.”

“You too, Rainy.” She pulls back and stands on her toes to press a soft kiss to his cheek causing him to blush again, his tail flicking slightly behind him.

Pulling away she grabs her discarded phone and pads down the hall towards her den. Rain hesitates a moment before gathering up their mugs and cleaning up the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge before turning to head down the hall. He stops when he sees a small shape leaning lazily in the doorframe, spade tail swaying slowly behind him.

“Dew.”

“Sup?”

“Bed.”

“Lame.”

Rain looks at him, eyebrow raised and head tilted to the side. “Need something?”

“Nah. Just lookin for a snack. You and Cu?”

“Talked.”

“Boring.”

Rain shrugs and moves to walk past him only for the shorter ghoul to reach out and grab his arm. “Rain?”

“Yes?”

“I… I wasn't supposed to say anything, because it's not for certain yet, but…” Dew hesitates, looking away with an almost pained expression. “I.. I heard a rumor, working in the administration section today. And, it’s only right you be prepared in case it’s true.”

“What are you talking about?” Rain's brows furrowed with worry.

Dew looks up at him, a fire in his eyes as he takes a deep breath. “He’s being reassigned to here.”

“He?”

“Kali.”

Ice fills Rains veins and he visibly pales by several shades as he starts trembling until eventually the grip on his bottle laxes enough it falls to the floor with a clatter.

“N-no…”

Dew grabs both of Rains arms and holds them tightly, looking into his eyes with a fierce look. “You’ll be safe. We are here and we will protect you. You won't be alone, and I will maul him personally if he tries anything. But it’s just a rumor. I’ll have Aeth talk to Copia about it. It’ll be fine. Okay?”

Rain says nothing, a blank expression on his face. He just pulls from the fire ghouls grip and walks to his room, closing the door behind him. Dew watches, mentally kicking his own ass for even saying anything but he felt it was best Rain be prepared for that in case it happened. He knew though, with absolute certainty, that he wouldn’t allow his friend to get hurt by that ghoul again.