Ghost Oneshots /// Ships (pt.1)

💗 Swiss x Copia - Demotion pt.2

Had this idea because Swiss left the band. I will not say anything about the situation of the real life actors, this is just about the lore characters, thank you.

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Copia sat in his office, his back and shoulders aching from sitting all day. For the moment he ignored the pile of paperwork on his desk, instead scrolling on his computer. The band had just posted a new picture, from the latest ritual, and even though he would never admit it, he was intently looking at every single one, each day. He missed being on tour himself. He realized that from being in the ministry all the time, without anything to do besides sitting at his desk and work his way through the endless pile of paperwork, he was slowly getting out of shape. His belly had a bit more pudge to it than before, and his back would crack when getting out of bed in the mornings. But it was also a state of mind - he missed the adrenaline coursing through his veins before going on stage, he missed hearing the roaring of the crowd, and he even missed the cramped up tour busses.

Being so lost in thoughts he almost didn't realize that one of the ghouls was yet again not seen on any of the photos. The stage still had his pedestal, even the mic stand, but Swiss was missing. This was already the third show in a row. Copia couldn't deny the uncomfortable feeling crawling up his back, settling heavily on his chest. He was incredibly worried. He missed all his ghouls dearly, but seeing Swiss wasn't on stage with the others made him worry. Was he sick? Did the new Papa have any problems with him? Not knowing anything specific made him sick to his stomach. But at the same time, he didn't want to call Perpetua. He didn't want to talk with that idiot who took his place. And at the same time he also didn't feel like calling the ghouls - they were all probably very happy and having fun. They didn't need 'Frater Imperator' calling and nagging them.

And Swiss? Swiss was sitting the car on his way back to the ministry. His heart still felt heavy with the pain of leaving two of the things he loved most behind - his pack and his place in the band. He had to admit, that as he sat in the car, watching the scenery pass by, he did regret it a little bit. He already missed having all of his mates around him, he missed the usual chaos that came with being on a tour bus all day. But he had to remind himself why he was doing this. Copia. Ever since the band had left to go on tour, Swiss couldn't stop thinking about the way Copia had looked the morning they had left. He had looked so broken, so left out and disappointed. He couldn't bear having fun out on tour while knowing his Frater was back home, all alone and probably aching to be back on the road.

When he had announced to the others that he would give up on his role in the band, to leave and go back to the ministry and support Copia, the others had been shocked, including V. They all knew that Swiss loved his place in the band. It was his whole personality - it was every ghoul's purpose to be up on stage and spread the name of their lord. And hearing that their multi ghoul was giving up on it, sacrificing himself to support their old papa... it was tough, shocking even, but they had respect for that decision. They knew it wasn't easy, but it was very honorable. He grabbed the seatbelt tightly as he remembered the other's reactions. The way Dew had been almost angry with him, the way Rain had begged him not to leave and the way Phantom had given him a long hug without saying a word.

Perpetua had just stood to the side, giving the ghouls their moment of saying goodbye. Swiss had almost felt selfish, and he still did, for leaving his loved ones behind. But was he really selfish? Sacrificing what he loved most was such a selfless act. Since leaving he hadn't dared checking their group chat. What if they were all angry with him now that he was gone? Would they kick him out of the pack? No, that was just a stupid thought. They never kicked out Sunny or Aether for leaving. And besides... he wouldn't be gone forever. He just left the tour, that was it. He closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. He just had to remind himself that he would see Copia soon enough. Once he was holding him in his arms, he would remember why he did all this. Then things would be okay again.

By the time Swiss arrived at the ministry, it was long past midnight. Copia was already in his chambers, dressed in something comfy and trying to sleep since two hours - but unable to do so. Since the ghouls left, he had immense trouble finding sleep, and it began to show. He tossed and turned, trying out every damn position, but no matter what he did, sleep didn't come to him. And then, in the quiet of his room, a soft knock echoed off the walls. He had almost thought he had only imagined it, and yet he sat up and stared at the door in confusion. But then it came again, so he stood up and cautiously made his way across the room. Almost hesitantly he opened the door, and he was shocked to see his beloved multi ghoul on the other side.

There was a moment of charged silence, the usual cocky and wild ghoul standing there timidly and unsure of what to say. "What... are you doing here?" Copia asked, half out of breath, feeling as if the sight of Swiss had knocked any air out of his lungs. "I came home," Swiss replied with a small smile, "I know I'm probably the last one you expected to see... but I couldn't ignore it. I needed to be here - with you." "Did Perpetua made you leave? Did- did that fucking idiot kick you out? I swear to lucifer that if he did-" Swiss quickly interrupted him, giving a small, slightly choked chuckle, "no... no Copia. He didn't throw me out. Leaving was my own decision. I know you need someone... and I want to be that someone."

Copia stared at him in shock, at a loss for words. He felt a lump form in his throat, shaking his head as if he was still dreaming. Tears welled up in his eyes, daring to fall, but he tried to hold them back, swallow them down. "W- why?" Swiss sighed, carefully stepping closer and making Copia stumble back a little. He closed the door behind them and then carefully embraced the Frater in a gentle hug. "Because... because I care for you. So fucking much. I couldn't stand being out there with your brother, while you sit here, all alone, with no one to talk to and nothing to do." Copia immediately melted into the hug, pressing his head against Swiss' chest, listening intently to his steady heartbeat. It was strangely grounding him into the moment, into the knowledge that Swiss was really here.

"But... but you love the stage," he choked out. "I do," Swiss confirmed, voice low and gentle, his nose nuzzling into Copia's hair, "but none of it matters when you're not there with me. The stage is just light and noise... you're home." He instinctively held Copia a little tighter as he felt a gut-wrenching sob shaking him. He scooped him ups into his arms and carried him over to the bed. He sat down, placing Copia down and quickly taking his boots off before he could settle down beside him. "Come here, I want some cuddles," the ghoul whispered, and without hesitation the human man snuggled up to his side. For a while they were quiet, just lying in the dark of the night, letting the silence engulf them. Copia cried for a bit, but settled down quite quickly.

"Will you really stay? You won't go back to join them?" Swiss could hear the fear and worry in his partner's voice - the sheer desperation. It broke his heart, and made him tighten his hold on him. One hand cradled into his hair, gently stroking through the strands. "Of course I will stay... I gave up this tour for a reason, okay? I can't just go back and leave you behind again."  A soft hum came from Copia, and Swiss could practically feel the way the tension slowly left his body. It eased the tension on his chest a little, that his sacrifice at least seemed to do good on the Frater. With his head on Swiss' chest, Copia's exhaustion finally caught up with him, and he slowly drifted off to sleep to the steady heartbeat against his ear. For the first time in weeks, Copia slept through the night - with a warm body beside him, and a heart finally at ease.

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(1543 words)

A bit of a shorter one as a change! I still find it very sad that Swiss left the tour, but I have this little headcanon that he left to be with Copia, sacrificing his much loved role in the band for that <3

- Luma