Den of Ghouls | Ghost Band One Shots

🩵 Taken care of [Zephyr x Ifrit]

CW/TW:
• chronic pain

Always remember: Communication is key and only consent is sexy. Stay safe🫶🏻

-----------------------------------------------------
Bit of an unusual ship today, but I really felt like showing love to the after-lawsuit-ghouls. Sometimes I think they're not talked about enough.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy and lmk what you think🫶🏻
____________________________

Zephyr PoV
"Fucking hell..." He muttered under his breath, taking off his mask and rubbing his hands over his face, making his way to his dressing room.
The piercing pain in his lower back got even worse before today's concert, making his legs shake uncontrollably.
Zephyr hadn't gotten his nickname "Chair" for no reason. The first time he had to ask Terzo for a chair on stage was incredibly embarrassing. Now he was used to his bandmates making good-hearted jokes over his inability to stand on stage for a longer period of time.
The only one never engaging in those jokes was Ifrit.
The otherwise jolly and energetic fire ghoul always got growly, when he heard someone making fun of Zephyr.

The air ghoul knew how to brush it off though.
What he just couldn't brush off was the look from Ifrit's eyes. Their color, a deep burnt sienna with golden speckles in them, made his knees even weaker than they already were.
Pulling his white hair into a high ponytail he forbid himself any more thoughts on Ifrit until he reached the safety of his dressing room.
Zephyr gritted his teeth as fatigue already made his vision blurry. In an attempt to still make it on his own he leaned against the wall as his legs were about to give out.
He definitely didn't expect the warm hand that snaked around his waist and keeping him upright. "Need a hand?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I said no, so yes, a helping hand would be very mindful." He laughed lightheartedly, trying to make fun of himself.
Since the other ghouls started it, joking around became a way of masking his insecurities when he felt vulnerable.

Ifrit only smiled at him, but this kind of smile always held something special.
Zephyr felt as if it was only meant for him, making his insides feel all warm and fuzzy. He couldn't help but smile back and the warm sparkle in the fire ghoul's eyes was worth every stab of pain he endured in his back while staying on his feet.
But at some point his face gave it away, his nose scrunched in pain and the smile on Ifrit's face made way for a concerned frown.
"I'll carry you back, hold on to me." He said while lifting the air ghoul into his arms. Zephyr squeaked in surprise, throwing his arms around Ifrit's neck, just to groan in pain a second later. His back definitely didn't thank him for the rash movement of his upper body.

Ifrit's voice was very close to his ear "Relax Zephyr, I got you."
Apparently being carried bridal style by the fire ghoul and feeling the vibration of his voice had even more effect on him than the look in Ifrit's eyes, because Zephyr relaxed instantly which owned him a soft chuckle and made his cheeks heat.
Ifrit's steps were slow and steady and without even realizing Zephyr drifted off into a deep slumber.

[Back in the ministry]

Ifrit PoV
'Damn, he's so beautiful...'
This thought had popped up in Ifrit's head a lot in the last months. He sat on the floor in Zephyr's room, the air ghoul laying on his bed, deep asleep with his long white hair spread out on the pillow. Ifrit had carried him from the venue to their bus and then to his room. The poor thing was completely exhausted. It always made him moody when his bandmates made fun of him, because he had to sit down on stage.
Today he finally found the courage to help him out. All the other times he wanted to help, Zephyr had put on his 'fighting face', walking alone to his room while trying to mask the pain.
It was all too obvious to Ifrit, but he wasn't sure if Zephyr wanted to be called out in that way so he always left him alone, walking behind him in a safe distance, so he could still catch up if the air ghoul needed his help.

He never did and he was sure that he would've never accepted it. Until today.
Zephyr rolled over onto his side, whimpering softly. A streak of his hair fell into his face and Ifrit reached out to push it behind his ear.
As he pulled his fingers back Zephyr's eyes fluttered open, revealing those gorgeous deep blue eyes that Ifrit would gladly drown in.
"Are we back?" He said with a yawn. Ifrit made a soft noise of confirmation while getting up to leave.
"Wait! Can you... umm... can you help me with one more thing?" He sounded jittery and as Ifrit turned around again he had sat up, tense lines forming around his mouth.

"Sure, anything." Ifrit heard himself say, trying not to grin like an idiot. He definitely did that too often around Zephyr.
The air ghoul averted his gaze as if he was afraid to ask. "Can you loosen up my back a little?" Only thanks to the fact that ghouls had a very advanced sense of hearing Ifrit was able to understand his mumbled words.
The absolute trust Zephyr had in him to actively ask for his help made Ifrit's stomach flutter. He sat down on his bed and motioned for Zephyr to come closer.
At first he was very stiff. That was until Ifrit laid his always warm hands on his lower back. Zephyr let out a shaky breath, his eyes fluttering shut as his head sank to Ifrit's shoulder.
"It's chronic pain in my lower back and in my hips from the constant cramping of the muscles, making it difficult for my legs to hold me up for long." The air ghoul suddenly spoke.
"Mhm, I can feel it. Hope it feels good, when I have my hands on it."
The groan that came from the other ghoul told of great relief "Yeah, you're so warm. It feels so good."
Ifrit just couldn't stop himself from saying "I'm so glad you're finally letting me help you."

His head snapped around, their noses so close if Ifrit leaned in he could kiss him.
"I've been watching you very closely and I know exactly what you do. Using the jokes to mask your vulnerability...
You don't have to do this with me. I see you."
To break the tension of the air ghoul's back muscles Ifrit softly started to kned them, making Zephyr's eyes again fall half shut "Maybe I don't want you to."
Pity made Ifrit's heart swell "Why not? Do you think you're a burden to us?"
The way Zephyr turned his head away let a gasp slip from the fire ghoul's lips.
"Zephyr, you're not! We love you, I love you!"
'Shit...' echoed through Ifrit's head a second later as Zephyr let out a light "Oh..."
To the fire ghoul's surprise the tension, that was building in Zephyr's shoulders, bled from him again and he nearly melted into the rising heat of his body. His cheeks felt flaming hot "Sorry... I didn't want you to find out like that."

"Ifrit?"
"Hm?"
"Can you say it again?" Zephyr turned his head to him, watching him closely with his deep blue eyes behind that ring of white lashes.
"I love you."
The smile that bloomed on Zephyr's face was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen "Can I kiss you?"
Ifrit held his breath "Please do."
As their lips met, Ifrit wrapped his arms around Zephyr's waist, their tails tangling with each other.
Zephyr was the first to break the kiss "I love you too." His breath came out completely ragged.
Ifrit couldn't help but smile, planting soft kisses on his nose and forehead.
"I will always take care of you."