Ghost Oneshots /// Ships (pt.1)

💗 Aether x Phantom - Last Show

Some fluff for my boys!

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Despite not even playing in the band, Phantom had stayed in the ministry for nearly a year now. Aether knew it wouldn't be long until he would retire, so he had talked with Copia and they had decided together that they would summon the next quintessence ghoul early, rather than later. This way, he could get used to the ministry, to the other ghouls and to touring. Phantom was always with the others on tour, and because he didn't play just yet, he stayed backstage and helped out there. Or he tried to, at least. It was hard when he had such a good view on Aether all the time. It didn't take those two long to get together. They were absolutely head over heels for each other. They had everyone else's support though, because honestly, they didn't care much about it. The ghouls were just always happy for one another when they had found someone to make them happy. 

Now it's been seven months of relationship for them. Today, Phantom didn't care of focusing on work behind the stage. It was the last ritual Aether would play, and Phantom wasn't planning on spending that with working instead of watching. He knew that it wasn't easy for Aether to quit playing in the band, and he knew the way back to the ministry later could be quite tough. But the younger quintessence ghoul was determined to give him comfort and reassurance. He enjoyed the show from the back of the stage, though his eyes mainly stayed on the rhythm guitarist. He would lie if he said he wasn't looking forward to finally being able to perform with the band. He didn't like how sad his boyfriend would be, but music was also his biggest passion. 

The show felt both like it was going on forever, and like it it was over in the blink of an eye. Especially Aether felt like it was over too quickly. He wanted to perform longer, until he was on bedrest. But he knew he was getting to the end with his physical possibilities, not to mention how excited Phantom was to be finally able to play in front of a huge crowd. Aether had listened to him yapping about it tons of times before, how much the younger was looking forward to it. And while he loved seeing Phantom so happy and excited, it also stung. He didn't want to give up on playing. What would he do once he stopped playing? He wouldn't have much to do anymore. He would just be there, with no real use. 

He hadn't voiced his worries yet, because so far, it felt like the end of his time in the band had seemed so far away. But now it was right there, right in front of him. The show was over, and the band was helping the backstage staff with cleaning up the stage. But Aether was distant.He was having a hard time with accepting that this had been his last show. The others noticed, but they didn't know if they should approach him or not. They figured it was better to tell Phantom, so he could talk with Aether. "Phantom!" Sodo yelled, waving the younger ghoul over. "Mhm, what's up?" Phantom asked as he had reached the fire ghoul and Swiss, who was standing next to him. "Aether seems to have a few problems... since it's his last show, I suppose. Maybe you could go and talk to him?" Sodo explained, nodding over to said ghoul. Phantom followed his look and nodded slowly.

"You two can also go to the bus already, if you want. We will clean everything up. It would be understandable if Aether would rather just... lay down or something" Swiss chimed in, making Phantom give him a thankful look. "Thank you guys. I'll go talk to him. See you later!" the young ghoul replied, walking off with a wave, receiving a wave back from the other two. Phantom walked over the stage until he reached Aether, who didn't seem to notice him though. He sneaked an arm around his waist, getting on his tip toes so he could somehow place his chin on the older's shoulder. "Phantom?" Aether asked with a frown and looked over his shoulder, but his gaze softened as he saw his boyfriend. "Yeah... are you okay?" Aether hesitated, shrugging then, "yeah I'm okay. It's just a little weird, knowing that... that this was my last show" he explained. Phantom nodded in understanding and sighed.

"If you want to talk about it... we could go to the bus? Have a little chat? Some cuddles, maybe?" Phantom suggested, and he could swear he saw Aether's lips twitch into a smile. "They need me here helping-" he argued, but Phantom shushed him, "no it's okay. I spoke with Sodo and Swiss. It's all good" Aether sighed and turned around to face the smaller one. He hesitated, but he couldn't deny that just being alone with Phantom for a while, talking about all he's been thinking about sounded incredibly appealing right now. Phantom noticed and smiled softly, taking his hand and intertwining their hands, "come, love"

Aether gave in, so they walked together off the stage, through the backstage area and out onto the private parking lot where the bus for the ghouls stood. They made their way over in silence, and Aether found comfort in the simple touch and the lack of conversation. He needed the moment to finally fully realize that he was over with it now. They entered the still empty bus, and Aether was the one who then pulled Phantom with him to his bunk. Each bunk was made for one ghoul, and therefore it was quite, let's say, cozy for two, but that never stopped them. Especially Aether needed that now. He slipped off his shoes, and Phantom followed suit. Once the older had settled into his bed, the younger followed behind him, settling down on top of him.

For a while, they just lay there in silence, Phantom drawing mindless patterns onto Aether's chest to try and comfort him. "You know..." Aether then began, still staring up at the ceiling while keeping his arms in a tight embrace around his partner. "I'm just... scared" he admitted. Phantom set his chin down on his chest to look at him, "do you mind explaining why?" he asked carefully. "It's just... I've done this ever since I was summoned. And I know I don't have to go back to the pit, but still. It's all different now. I'm scared of what is about to come, what I will do from now on" he continued, and Phantom just listened, not wanting Aether to feel pathetic over his worries. "I get it, love, but it's gonna be okay. I'm scared too, of playing in the band now. But things will work out. They always do, remember?" he said, and he chuckled as he noticed how grown up he suddenly sounded. He normally didn't. He was the child of the pack, despite not being that much younger.

Even Aether smiled, his hand rubbing over Phantom's back. "I guess you're right, but... I can't help but think I don't have a real purpose anymore" he explained his thoughts further.  It tugged at Phantom's heartstrings, hearing his partner talk about himself like that, and Phantom definitely thought it was all nonsense. "Hey, look at me," he said, dipping Aether's head a little down, "that's not true. You will still have enough to do in the ministry. Besides, I doubt Papa will have any problem with you helping out to record songs, or bring in ideas. Just because you stop performing, doesn't mean you have to give up on your passion"

Aether swallowed, trying to find any sign of doubt in the others eyes, but he found none. There was only reassurance and love in Phantom's eyes, and it was odd to him how much it soothed his worrying mind. "You think so?" he asked, his voice now small and vulnerable. "Yes, I'm sure. We can talk with Papa later, but for now you should rest. I bet the show was exhausting, and thinking about everything will only make you spiral" Phantom replied with a smile, moving up and pressing a soft kiss against the older's lips. Aether smiled against his lips, his grip around Phantom tightening a little. The kiss deepened, and they added tongue to it. For a couple minutes, they just lay there, cuddled up to each other and kissing. 

They had a few more conversations and shared laughs. Phantom tried his best to distract Aether from his earlier worries, and it worked fairly well. They shared some more kisses, until the others came in. Upon seeing what the two of them were doing, they couldn't help but let out a few teasing whistles and jokes, like they always did. But the couple didn't mind it. If anything, it was a good distraction as well.

They spend the whole drive in the back in Aether's trunk, cuddled closely together and exchanging kisses every now and then. They barely talked, mainly just about what they would do when they were home and such things. Phantom didn't want to upset Aether with reminding him of what would happen and change from now on, and focused fully on comforting and assuring him. It worked, and by the time they were home, the older quintessence ghoul felt a lot better, thanks to his beloved boyfriend. He was glad to have him with him, because he knew none of the other ghouls would've managed to help him like Phantom did.

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(1610 words)

(for @Sodos_Bloody_Finger ^^)

Took me some time to decide what I should write this based on, but I kind of like this :D It's a fairly similar scenario to the latest oneshot I've written for them, but I just think it works well for them 😋 

- Luma