Chapter Text
It was absolutely the most punishing day of the summer. The humidity hung so heavy in the air that you could actually hear it as it compressed them all into sweaty pancakes hanging off the furniture.
Mostly everyone had left to sojourn at the lake, whether sitting in the shallows like Aether and Dew, or diving all the way to the bottom to escape the sun like Rain and Mist. All except for Swiss. He was particularly affected by the heat, they supposed it was an internal conflict, too many elements competing for dominance.
Either way, it left him with a headache and an irritable mood. He declined every single offer to go down to the water. No amount of snacks, weed, nor sexual favors motivated him to move from his spot, splayed across the couch in the common room. In an act of pure pity, they left him some water and draped a cold, wet towel over his face.
As the sun was reaching its apex in the sky and shade was becoming hard to find, Mountain offered to trudge back to the Abbey to retrieve some beach umbrellas and cold drinks. Aether offered to come with, but Mountain could see how involved he was in building an epic sand village with Sunny so he let him be.
Mountain made it back, locating a wagon outside the greenhouse that he used for hauling supplies, it would serve him just fine to gather what they needed. Always considerate and thoughtful, with a penchant for going overboard when it came to caring for his pack, he ended up carving up a watermelon, making sandwiches, gathering everyone’s preferred sunscreen, more towels, and a frisbee.
He loaded everything in the wagon he’d pulled up to the door, and then stood watching Swiss lay there, moaning and groaning for a moment.
“Alright, time to get up, enough whining for the day.”
“I don’t wantttttttttoooooooo,” Swiss protested like a kit.
“I promise,” Mountain reassured, “you will feel better with some fresh air, cool water, and maybe if you’re good, some of that oil I refined yesterday, it smells - potent.
Swiss’s tail flicked back and forth in interest, but he maintained the scowl draped across his face. “You have to share even if I’m not good. Then I’ll come.”
“You’re being such a fucking baby, you know that? But fine, open.” Mountain reached into his pocket and squeezed the dropper, allowing Swiss a few measly drops which of course he complained about.
“Just wait, it takes time. Now let's go.” Mountain peeled Swiss off of the couch with great effort, wincing at the Swiss-shaped sweat stain he left behind on the communal sofa.
Swiss trudged behind him like a prisoner all the way down to the lake. Everyone greeted him with enthusiasm but all he could offer was a half wave before sitting at the edge of the dock.
After Mountain set up or distributed everything he’d returned with, he joined Swiss on the dock. As much as Swiss was irritating, he couldn’t shake the need he always felt to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves, or at the very least weren’t absolutely miserable.
“Come on, it’s not that bad down here. Come for a swim.”
Swiss would admit to himself only that he did in fact feel better, the cool lake breeze was refreshing, dipping his feet in the tepid water cooled him off substantially, and the cannabis oil provided some relief from the pain that was ravaging his skull.
Swiss pouted, but relented, allowing Mountain to drag him into the cool water.
“See? It’s nice, isn’t it?” Yes, it was, Swiss nodded in agreement. “So next time don’t be such a whiny fucking brat and accept that I’ll always know what’s good for you.”
Swiss kept his thoughts to himself, ones manufactured by his waning bad mood that was just reignited by what Mountain said. Stupid, mother-fucking know-it-all. He gave Mountain the dirtiest look he could muster and paddled away.
He knew he was being watched, he knew Mountain wouldn’t leave him alone until he saw him smile, or heard him laugh, at least once. Swiss wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. He caught Mountain’s attention in another way when he started to flail his arms above the surface of the water, head already submerged. The surface of the water stilled when Mountain couldn’t even see the tips of his fingers anymore.
Mountain watched, waited for him to surface again. Until watching and waiting turned to staring with budding fear. Oh no, maybe he really wasn’t feeling well. Oh fuck, he still hasn’t come up yet. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
True panic set in and Mountain swam toward the spot where he’d last been above the surface. Thankfully the bright sun allowed him to see somewhat well under the surface. His heart sank and his stomach lurched when he saw Swiss’s lifeless looking body hovering near the bottom.
Pure adrenaline, he probably had Swiss to the surface and back to the narrow strip of beach within a minute. Slapping his face a few times, Mountain received no response.
“Oh fuck, fuck.” His panic threw all of his thoughts out of order, but he snapped out of it enough to at least start CPR.
After pumping his chest a few times, blowing air into his lungs, nothing. Soon Mountain’s panic drew the attention of the others sitting on the beach, who all realized that Mountain was shrieking and yelling at Swiss to wake up, still trying to administer CPR, but maybe not doing the best job.
“Fuck, Swiss, please wake up. I’m sorry, I’m sorry I made you go when you weren’t feeling well. I should’ve listened to you. You were right, I was wrong. I’ll do anything, please, just wake up.”
Mountain let out a quiet little sob as he attempted another bout of mouth to mouth when he felt Swiss pry his mouth open and shove his tongue past Mountain’s lips. As Mountain pulled away he was assaulted with a jet spray of water to the face.
“Anything, you say?”
Swiss was looking up at him with those stupid warm brown eyes, obnoxiously large, white tooth filled grin, breathing normally, no worse for wear.
Mountain sucked in a large breath through his teeth, staring at Swiss with tears wobbling in his eyes.
“You. You stupid mother-fucker. I will fucking drown you myself now.”
“Good luck Mounty, multighoul, emphasis on the multi. Don’t have gills but can sure as fuck hold my breath for a long time. I’m like a whale baby, could’ve been down there for two hours. You ruined my little underwater nap.”
“Maybe you can hold your breath, but what if I wring your fucking neck.” Mountain wrapped his large hands around Swiss’s throat, squeezing like he meant it. All Swiss did was smile up at him, clearly having the time of his fucking life.
Mountain released him, standing and kicking sand in his face before stomping away. Swiss could’ve sworn the ground shook beneath his feet as he did.
“Oh, come on big boy, I was just messin’ with you.”
“Fuck you. Wait until later. You will fucking pay.”
Swiss’s hand wandered down to his crotch, giving it a lewd squeeze, “Oh I can’t wait. May my punishment be severe.”
The rest who’d gathered around them had backed off, not wanting to be in the path that Mountain was currently plowing back toward the water.
Swiss relaxed back into the soft sand, dreaming of the ways he knew he could make it up to the Earth Ghoul later. Perhaps cooking him dinner, helping him clean up the green houses, rubbing down his sore muscles. Most importantly, he would accept his discipline with enthusiasm and appreciation.