Chapter Text
Phantom wakes to a slight ache in his chest. When he opens his eyes, he finds that the cause is Sodo, who has his hand inside Phantom’s chest, disappearing into a ritual circle. Phantom groans in confusion but Sodo shushes him, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. A moment later, the Ghoul takes his hand away and gets off of Phantom, holding out a hand to pull the smaller to his feet as well.
“What the fuck just happened?” Phantom asks, looking Sodo up and down with a frown and feeling on his chest with his hand.
He can’t feel any evidence of what Sodo just did, but the lingering magic tastes sharp in the air. Sodo lets go of him and smiles at him, the cheeky shit. Phantom’s eyes narrow. Sodo looks away.
“I fixed the seal. I figured out how to lessen it with Aether. We’ve been working on it all night,” Sodo explains, getting off the mattress tangle and waiting by the door as if he expects Phantom to follow him. “You should have more power now. I’m going to replace the seal every few months until we can take it away entirely.”
“Oh,” Phantom says intelligently. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Bug. Now come on, we’re going to miss breakfast and everyone is leaving this evening,” Sodo says, pulling open the door with a swing.
Phantom’s face pales, “They are? Since when?”
He hurries after Sodo and almost trips into the cloister, bare feet padding loudly on the stone tiles. Sodo is fast and moves to the kitchen with such ease Phantom almost wouldn’t say he has chronic pains. Fucker. He must be fucking high off his tits. Can’t believe he’s doing a seal, Satanas.
They arrive in the kitchen to a scene of chaos. Omega and II are at the stove, cooking up breakfast. Vessel is flat out on the floor with the girls hovering over him with make-up brushes and hair accessories. III is splayed on the bench, his long legs over Mountain’s. IV is sitting at the table with the remainder of the Ghouls, deep in conversation with Rain about something or other.
Phantom blinks in surprise, then looks to the side to see even more people in the other portion of the kitchen.
Price and Kate are sitting in rocking chairs, sharing what seems to be whiskey and Phantom thinks who the fuck drinks whiskey in the morning? Soap and Ghost are on the floor with Gaz, pressed together as they play a card game… which Gaz seems to be losing.
Phantom doesn’t quite understand what the fuck he’s looking at right now.
“I know,” Sodo laughs, placing a hand on his back. “It’s a lot. Come on.”
He leads Phantom to sit at the table beside IV, who smiles at him before turning back to his conversation. The remainder of breakfast that they’ve fallen into is chaotic and heartfelt. Phantom feels strangely at peace between all of this madness. He eats the food II and Omega make, and smiles when Vessel sits at the table with a face full of perfect make-up. He doesn’t look half bad, either.
Soap steals plates for everyone else and the Ghouls attack the food with a vengeance. It’s not long before they’re all stuffed and satisfied. Phantom feels his heart swelling.
“So, how’re you doing?” IV asks when he’s done conversing with Rain.
“Better,” Phantom smiles at IV. “I feel… lighter.”
“I hear Sodo changed your seal,” IV comments, pointing at his own chest. “Does it feel okay? Vess can take a look at it if you want.”
“Are we gonna do magic?” Soap asks, appearing over their shoulder, beaming.
IV snorts and shakes his head, “No. Not you, at least. Vess might, though.”
“I will not,” Vessel states, taking a measured bite of his food, eyes watching IV intently.
IV looks away quickly, flushing. Phantom says nothing, just watching as Vessel and IV have a conversation that happens only in their minds and IV’s face seems to become redder by the second.
“Stop it,” II smacks a ladle on Vessel’s head and the Captain hisses, grabbing for his skull. “I can fucking hear you, you horndogs.”
That makes some of the Ghouls laugh. Vessel’s face also flushes and Soap barks out in laughter. He smacks IV on the shoulder and steals food off his plate before sitting with Ghost and Gaz on the floor again. Phantom chuckles and finishes his food, watching everyone with a fond expression.
OOO
Phantom does not want anyone to leave just yet, but there isn’t much he can do about the fact. Instead, he sits on the windowsill watching III tie the laces on his combat boots, calmly humming to himself. IV is in the bathroom, taking a last shower before they will leave. They’re going to teleport the others back to the place where they got them, and then they’ll be gone.
“Don’t look so sad, Bug,” III says, catching his expression.
Phantom does not change his face and III sighs, standing to walk toward him. He wraps an arm around Phantom’s waist and pulls him in, hugging him tightly. Phantom wraps himself around the lanky man like some sort of parasite and intents on never letting go again. III chuckles and the sound reverberates through Phantom’s chest. He’s going to miss them so much.
“When will you be back?” he asks softly.
“I don’t know,” III answers honestly. “But I’ll ask Vess if we can visit more often. I missed you. And it was so good to see the rest of your pack.”
Phantom nods wordlessly and they stay like that until IV comes out of the bathroom, damp and clean. He spots them and smiles, coming over to also hug Phantom. They don’t linger, this time, and IV is quick to dress himself. Phantom kind of wants to go and see Vessel and II as well, but III warns him not to. Phantom knows why and he can still feel a blush creeping up his face. III smiles at him, then tugs him out of the room so they can see the others.
They meet up with Price and Gaz, who are packing the last of their things away. Soap is blabbering a Ghoul’s ear off in the hallway not far from them and Ghost is like a spectre, leaning up against a pillar and watching the Scot with a fond look in his eyes. Phantom enjoys watching him, too. He’s curious, that’s for sure. Soap is so expressive and true to who he is. It’s amazing to see.
“Are you ready?” Price asks III and IV.
“We are. Vess and II, not so much,” IV grins from ear to ear and Price’s face flushes. “I’ll expect they’ll appear just before we will actually leave.”
Price coughs into his hand and nods, the tips of his ears red. Phantom smiles. He’s obviously not used to the free affection the Ghouls and the Sleep Token Unit display. They’re far more like animals in that way. Humans are so limited to the way they share their love. But that’s fine. They’re human, after all.
The Sleep Token Unit isn’t. Not anymore.
Gaz smacks Price on the arm with a knowing look on his face and the older man starts scowling. Before he can say anything, Kate appears with Copia and Terzo, and Phantom latches onto the Anti-Pope. Copia wraps an arm around him and presses a kiss to his hair.
Not far from them, Sodo comes into the hallway with Mountain, staggering a little, and Phantom winces when he sees the pain lacing across Sodo’s expression.
“He good?” III asks in concern.
“Chronic pain,” Phantom murmurs.
“He seemed fine this morning,” IV mumbles, looking conflicted. “What happened?”
“He was high this morning,” Phantom smiles a little.
“Perhaps Vessel would be willing to help Dewdrop with his pains,” Copia muses, looking at his brother questioningly.
“Maybe,” Terzo shrugs. “We can always ask.”
“Ask me what?”
They all startle and look at Vessel where he appears behind III and IV. He’s wearing his mask and II’s hand is held tightly in his. II is so small compared to him and Phantom feels as though Vessel might as well be a giant.
“Dew’s chronic pain,” Terzo motions to Mountain and Sodo as the Earth Ghoul helps Sodo toward his bedroom. “He’s been suffering more these past few days. It started after his element change.”
Vessel cocks his head and Phantom thinks he looks quite like a curious cat, “I shall see what I can do.”
He lets go of II’s hand and walks toward Mountain and Sodo, stepping into the room before the door closes. Phantom sees nothing else but assumes Vessel will do what he can to help Sodo. Though he probably can’t cure Sodo, since it’s a chronic pain he’s experiencing. But perhaps he has a remedy to somewhat ease the pain for a while. That would be nice.
“Are we all packed?” II asks III and IV, and both of them nod at his question.
Phantom pouts. He doesn’t want them to leave. He really, really doesn’t. He sighs to himself and clings a little harder to Copia, who just hugs him tighter. They move as a unit to the courtyard, where Vessel will teleport them back to the place Phantom got them from.
Most of the Ghouls have gathered to say their farewells and shower their visitors with parting gifts. Soap is laden with little trinkets and homemade goods. His smile is bright like the sun and it’s heartwarming to see him so happy. Phantom doesn’t know him all that well, but it doesn’t matter.
Even Ghost gets a lot of gifts and he seems surprised by this. Phantom watches him curiously as Alpha gives him what looks to be a new balaclava and the broad man’s shoulders slump in what seem to be relief. Phantom smiles. Ghost is a softie, even if he tries not to let it show. His tough exterior is, in a way, a barrier to protect his feelings. He doesn’t want to get hurt.
It reminds Phantom of Sodo when they first met, when he crawled out of the Pit and saw the sun for the first time, and Sodo was so slow to warm up to him. But that’s all in the past, now, too.
“Alright,” Vessel says, appearing once again out of fucking nowhere, and many of the Ghouls back off.
Copia and Terzo stand aside, but Phantom stays in the ritual circle. He’s going to take them home. The Ghouls stand at their backs and Phantom gets everyone in the circle. Vessel and II hold hands, and III wraps an arm around IV, kissing his mask.
Ghost and Soap are also holding hands, leaning against each other. Kate has her hand on Price’s shoulder, while her other holds onto Gaz’s arm, smiling from ear to ear.
“It was good to meet you all,” Vessel says softly, his eyes sparkling behind his mask. “I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.”
“You better,” Aurora mumbles. “I’ll miss you.”
Phantom smiles at that and turns away from his pack, listening as they say their goodbyes and well-wishes. He holds out his hands to Vessel and they clasp their fingers together. Magic swirls and thickens the air, stifling Phantom’s breathing, but it feels good somehow.
A moment later, the world changes shapes and location, a blur of color and lightspeed. Phantom lurches forward and Vessel grabs hold of him, steadying him. Then, it’s all gone, and Phantom is left standing on the grass beside the chopper still waiting for the 141.
Ghost immediately takes off in that direction, followed by Kate, who waves at Phantom shortly, and Price, who claps him on the back. Gaz and Soap both hug him, and Phantom is still reeling from magic, thickly coated in his fingers and in his teeth.
His mouth feels like sandpaper.
The 141 is gone before he realizes it, and he blinks stupidly for a moment.
“You okay?” II asks him.
“I’m… fine,” Phantom manages.
“Come with us for a bit,” III tells him.
“Are you sure?” Phantom questions. “I don’t want to intrude. And I told the others I’d get back quickly.”
“But I’ll miss you,” III’s lower lip trembles and II smacks him hard on the arm.
Vessel smiles in their direction and holds onto Phantoms hands. He lifts his head to the sky, watching as the chopper flies out of their sight, and Phantom follows his gaze. They’re gone so quickly. He feels as though he didn’t get a proper goodbye.
But at least the Sleep Token Unit is still here with him.
“Would you want me around?” Phantom questions Vessel.
“Of course,” Vessel replies. “III would be over the Moon, obviously. II doesn’t show it but he cares, and you know how IV is. Everyone is welcome. And we’re safe now. The 141 helped us. You can stay with us for a while. I can help with your seal.”
“Do you think they’d worry if I stayed away?” Phantom looks to the floor, already missing his pack mates.
“They will,” Vessel squeezes his hands. “They care about you. Of course, they’ll miss you.”
“I want to grow stronger,” Phantom says, looking at Vessel again, and Vessel smiles at him.
Yes, he wants to get stronger. So, so much stronger. He wants to be able to protect his pack, forever. They mean more to him than anything else in the world. More to him than his own life. They’re his everything and Phantom would gladly tear off his limbs if they needed him to. His pack is his home. He wants to keep them.
“I can help with that,” Vessel supplies. “If you’d like.”
“And Sleep?” Phantom questions quietly, curious how the God feels about this.
He knows Sleep is different from Satan in a lot of ways. They both commune with their higher power but it’s not similar. Phantom doesn’t actually know what it is that the Sleep Token Unit does to sate their God, but he doesn’t much care about that.
He knows what he does to appease Satan; sex and sin.
“He won’t mind,” the Captain grins broadly underneath his mask, his fangs protruding.
He’s not human anymore. Hasn’t been for a while now. Phantom can feel it in his bones. The way he speaks and acts and talks and walks and moves. It’s all… slightly off. None of them are human anymore, and Phantom hasn’t ever been a human, so he can’t judge them in any way.
He turns to look at the others, at III and IV as they squabble, and at II as he boredly looks on, though he can see the small smile on his face anyway, even beneath his angry-looking mask. There’s something about them, something that Phantom can’t bear to let go of. He wants to keep it close, inexplicably. Needs it like he needs air.
They’re pack, too.
“Will I see them again?” Phantom wonders, looking in the direction the chopper disappeared in. “I miss them already. It feels like a hole in my chest.”
“I know what you mean,” Vessel replies, wrapping his arm around Phantom’s shoulder and pulling him in, nuzzling their foreheads together not unlike his pack will do to him when he feels overwhelmed. “You will see them again. They’re needed everywhere all the time. They do so much good.”
“I don’t,” Phantom furrows his brow. “We sin. We’re Ghouls. From Hell.”
Vessel grins at that and holds him a little closer, turning to look at his mates. Phantom looks, too, curious as to what Vessel will say next, if he will say something at all, and what that might be. Phantom knows Vessel isn’t old in human years, but he seems to have so much wisdom. He’s sure that’s because of Sleep.
The God knows a lot, after all.
Vessel squeezes his shoulder, says, “Who says we don’t sin?” and Phantom can almost feel his grin this time.
Sin is a perspective, in a way. Yes, there is bad sin and there is good sin. Not all good sin is bad sin, and not all bad sin is good sin. It’s different and complicated. Sin can be feelings, actions, words; anything at all. It can be so much and so little. It can be guilt and pleasure and death and everything in between.
Sin is sin, but in its purest form it must be want.
And Phantom wants to stay with them. At least for a little while.
“I want to go with you,” he states. “Please.”
III and IV turn to him with big smiles, and II crosses his arms, but he can tell the smaller man isn’t mad at all. His blue eyes sparkle, something akin to fondness settling over him. His body language relaxes and Phantom thinks that II wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye, too.
“However long you want, Bug,” Vessel whispers, closing his eyes and pulling him into an embrace.
The others glomp him a few seconds later and Phantom smiles, curling his tail around III’s lanky leg. He nuzzles into II’s shoulder and grabs onto IV’s shirt sleeve. He has them close; their scents mingling with his.
Pack, his body screams.
“Can we get a message out to Papa?” Phantom’s question is almost muffled, but Vessel hears him anyway.
“Absolutely. We don’t want them to think the worst, after all.”
III chuckles at that and II smacks him again. The tall man whines about broken arms and mean boyfriends, and Phantom starts chuckling, too. Relief floods him. He won’t have to say goodbye yet. Not yet. Not now.
“Can we go home?” IV asks, eyeing Vessel hopefully.
Vessel smiles and lifts his hands, curls magic into his palms, and Phantom feels the world tilting again before the magic circle spits them out in the living room of an apartment. It’s cozy, warmly toned with blankets and pillows and candles and a burning fireplace.
A man comes into the room, stops to look at them, startled, then says, “Can’t you use the door like a normal fucking person?”
“Shove off, Sam,” II flips him the bird.
For some reason, that makes Phantom laugh, and his ears flutter happily. II peels off his mask, and Phantom almost leans in to kiss him, even if he’s sweaty and his lips are probably chapped as fuck. He glances at Vessel, sees the same look on his face when he pulls his mask off as well, and watches as the Captain does lean in to kiss II.
And then he immediately turns to kiss Phantom, as well.
“Come on,” Vessel says when he pulls back with a soft, fond smile. “I want Indian food and I know a great shop downtown we can go to.”
“Fuck yeah!” III cheers, peeling himself away and running through the house toward his room, probably, and IV follows him with an exasperated don’t wear the fancy shit, babe.
II chuckles and pisses off as well, disappearing quickly, leaving Phantom alone with Vessel. He stares up at the Captain, brain probably leaking out of his ears. Vessel cocks his head at him.
“Are you broken now?” the man asks.
“Probably,” Phantom whispers, and his mind screams pack, pack, pack at him so loudly. “Please don’t let go,” he adds when he realizes Vessel is still holding onto him tightly.
“Never,” Vessel smiles, and his eyes crinkle cutely. “I promise.”