guarded by ghouls [g.b.c.]

twenty.

mountain and rain had wondered off to collect their thoughts for the conversation i offered, dew opting to stay by me as we waited for the two ghouls to get back.

"dew, can i ask you something?" i asked, holding dew close to me, his mask resting on my nightstand as he snuggled into my collarbone. dew hummed, his tail rising and falling at the end slowly.

"why did you get upset earlier when you saw that mountain and i kissed?" i asked, my voice soft as to not put dew on edge. dew paused, his tail not moving as he thought of what to say next.

"i guess i just feel left out." dew said after a moment, sounding a lot braver than i thought he would based on how he had been acting all afternoon.

"why?" i asked, looking down at him. dew tilted his chin up, looking at me. his red eyes stared into mine for a moment before he sighed, leaning further into me as he began talking.

"hell wasn't a nice place for me. i was a water ghoul in an entirely fire ghoul territory. my family were fire ghouls, the neighbors were fire ghouls, heaven, even the snakes were some kind of fire element based." dew sighed. "i couldn't have a relationship with anyone around me. i was alone. nobody could touch me so i was left to find comfort in another way. when i was summoned here by one of the clergy members, i was taught about how water and fire ghouls could touch and how fire and water ghouls could have a friendship or relationship." dew's breathing shuddered slightly.

"even though he isn't a fire ghoul, aether taught me that my 'love language' or whatever it's called is touch. aether says that because i was stripped of it when i was a kit that i would want to have physical contact with everyone around me 10 times more than usual." dew explained as he gripped onto me a bit tighter.

"i guess when i saw you and mountain kissing in that photo it felt like you had put my needs last.. even if you didn't know i had those needs. a-and.." dew's voice cracked slightly as his shoulders started shaking.

i looked down quickly, seeing tainted droplets falling from the inner corner of dew's eyes down his face as he sniffled.

my heart ached and tears welled in my eyes as i realized i had made dew cry. i made someone who cares so much for me cry.

"i'm sorry..." dew whispered, bringing one of his clawed hands to his face and wiping the black-ish tears from his gray skin.

"n-no, it's okay.. i'm proud of you for getting this all out. keep going.." i whispered back, making sure to hide the fact that i was crying as i rubbed dew's shoulder for a moment, hugging him close.

dew's lip quivered as he hugged me tightly, burying his face into my collarbone.

"whenever i see you and rain kiss or anything it feels like you favor him and toss mountain and i aside.. it hurts." dew whimpered after a few minutes of him crying.

tears were running down my face, though i made sure dew wouldn't look up and see them. he can't feel bad for getting his thoughts and emotions out.

i sighed shakily, though it was barely noticeable as i hugged dew tightly. dew's tail wrapped around me, making sure i wouldn't let go.

after a few minutes, my tears had somewhat dried and dew was subtly trying to pull out of the hug. once i realized what he wanted, i loosened my hold, letting dew back out and look up at me.

i smiled softly as i grazed my thumbs over his cheeks, looking all around his face.

"you're still the most handsome being i've ever seen.. even when you cry." i whispered. dew's lip quivered slightly. "what about mountain and rain?" dew asked, his voice breaking. i quickly shook my head.

"there's no ranking in this relationship, dew. i.. i love you all equally. you're all number one." i whispered. dew's eyes widened slightly, his eyes welling with tears once more, the tears falling down his face quickly.

"rain is gorgeous." i whispered, kissing a few tears on dew's right cheek. "mountain is beautiful." i continued, kissing a few tears on dew's left cheek.

"and you, my dear dew.." i whispered softly, pulling away and pressing our foreheads together. "you are ridiculously handsome." i smiled. a smile spread across dew's face as he looked me dead in the eye. "really?" he whispered. i smiled even more and hummed a yes.

dew grinned, a few tears falling down his cheeks as he stared around my face, landing on my lips a few times.

after a moment, dew tilted his head slightly and slowly moved forward. i paused, backing up, making dew look at me worried.

"are you sure?" i asked. dew's worry turned to relief as he nodded, smiling at me. i nodded, smiling back and closing our distance to what it was before.

i let dew lead, knowing he needed that in a moment like this.

a shaky breath escaped dew right before our lips met in a passionate, love-filled kiss. dew moved one of his hands to my jaw, leaning into me as our hearts began beating at the same, quick pace.

after a moment, dew pulled away, smiling widely at me. i smiled back, giggling at how happy dew looked compared to seconds prior.

dew was quick to move me up my bed to my pillows and start tickling me, my laugh filling up my room. dew laughed along with me, his eyes crinkled.

after a few minutes, dew calmed us both down and laid on top of me, closing his eyes. i smiled, wrapping my arms around dew.

"for the record.." dew trailed off, looking up at me. i rose a brow, smiling softly.

"i love you too.."

1007 words !!
another update for y'all <33