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Rain tapped against the window, each droplet of water racing down the glass as the rumbling of thunder shook the ground. Almost like a great beast stomping around, bringing mayhem in its wake.
Chuck quickly turned his head as he heard his door swing open, Gus and Shade storming in and squirming onto Chuck's bed.
“What? What? What?!” He asked as he quickly propelled himself over to the kids, worriedly looking at them. Gus shook their head and held Shade as it shivered in their arms. The hoodie looked almost as if it was being shook by a strong breeze. The ghost kid straightened out Shade’s glasses as it let out a whimpering sound.
“Sorry papà, Shade doesn't like thunder. I used to run in here when I was younger and scared of it, so maybe that'll help Shade!”
The conductor felt a small smile slide onto his face, the thought of holding his little Gus as he assured them everything would be okay, that tomorrow was another day, a day that may be without thunder and pouring rain. Chuck lifted himself onto his bed, pulling the sentient pile of clothes into his arms. Holding Shade was confusing, how tightly were you supposed to hold it? Could you press against it until it was flat against your chest like actual clothes? Or would that cause it pain or discomfort? Chuck didn't know. He usually avoided touching Shade because he was so worried that he'd accidentally hurt it. But now Shade very much snuggled up in Chuck's arms for comfort, so he gently wrapped his arms around Shade.
Quickly, Chuck found out how to hug Shade. Shade didn't exactly have a body, but there was something preventing Shade from being completely flattened. There was some malleability to Shade. Almost like memory foam.
A little shaky coo came from Shade as it curled up in Chuck's arms and felt some sense of security wash over itself. Chuck could feel that Shade had relaxed, it didn't feel nearly as tense as it had been earlier. He smiled and looked over at Gus who had made their way to the window, hands gently holding onto the windowsill, rocking on their heels and humming a little tune.
“Rain, rain, go away…Come again another day..”
The conductor could hear Shade mimicking it, letting out a hum of its own, trying to sing what Gus was. It warmed Chuck's heart, he gave Shade’s mitten hand a quick affectionate squeeze as he started rocking Shade in his arms, smiling as the phantom’s eyes looked up at Chuck like a baby's.
All was still for a moment, Gus looking out the window as rain poured down, the droplets making their way down as Gus guessed to themself which raindrop would win. Shade made a baby-like sound, almost a babble as it looked up at Chuck, it reminded the maestro of when he was raising Gus. Everything was calm, even after a certain someone made their way into the room as well. A certain actor, even.
Gray was drenched, the rain clearly having gotten to them on their way back home. The mime let out a huff, kicking off their shoes as Gus rushed up to them, hugging Gray. The actor smiled, giggling and lifting Gus up in their arms, Chuck was still amazed after so much time of knowing Gray. Funny, this mime could laugh. The star walked over to the bed, sitting bedside Chuck as Gus hopped out of their arms and got situated on a pillow, relaxing behind them. The conductor could feel a sudden-swarm arise in his stomach as he felt Gray rest their head on his shoulder. He tried to remember the English term for what he felt, it bubbled in his stomach as Gray got cuddly, he still was flustered by such simple gestures of affection. Butterflies…that's what it was.
A little shutter came from Shade, its glowing white pupils looking up at Gray like a lost puppy, it reached out to Gray, letting out a happy coo as Gray gently held the end of Shade’s sleeve. It snapped Chuck out of his thoughts for a moment, he felt a smile come to his face as Gray tenderly looked at Shade, then Gus. He knew Gray never expected to be a parental figure to anyone, but he was glad to see them so content, so happy.
He saw Gus crawl back over, sliding between Gray and Chuck for attention. The maestro chuckled, seeing Gus squirming over just looked so silly. Gray scooted back, momentarily letting go of Shade’s sleeve so Gus could squeeze through.
“You guys treat Shade like a baby!” They said with a smile, Gus seemed amused by it.
Chuck glanced down at Shade, who was practically purring and snuggled up, looking so small. “It practically is a baby, Augustus!” He said as he ruffled Gus’ hair, hearing the ghostly kid giggle.
It continued to storm and rain outside, sudden strikes of thunder causing Shade to curl up and shiver, whimpering as they hid from the noise. Chuck rocked Shade in his arms, humming to it gently like he would to soothe Gus when they were little. Shade waved its sleeve at Gray, looking at the mime with so much love in its eyes, wanting them to hold its sleeve again. The mime obliged, smiling as they pressed a little kiss into the side of what would've been Shade's temple if it had a proper head.
After a while, the storm died down, no thunder, no lightning. Only the sound of the raindrops hitting the window with a soft pitter pattering. It was soothing at that rate, it seemed to make Gus sleepy, maybe it was a little too soothing.
The ghost kid leaned on Gray, sleepily yawning and blinking slower, if Gus kept their eyes closed for too long they might just fall asleep. Gray snickered and lifted Gus into their arms with a huff, stepping out the room and heading to Gus and Shade's to tuck them in. Chuck was left alone with Shade in his arms momentarily, he felt calmness spread throughout himself as he held Shade.
The possessed pile of clothes had some slight weight, but it barely weighed much at all. Chuck smiled as Shade seemed to be asleep. The conductor rubbed his eyes with one hand as Shade snoozed, it was certainly getting late, but perhaps he needed to set up a nap time schedule for Shade. It did act a lot like a little kid, even displaying sleepiness, did Shade need to sleep or simply enjoy it? Chuck couldn't tell.
But soon, Gray came back into the bedroom, smiling at Chuck with such love and affection.
“Need me to take the baby?”
The mime whispered. Gray didn't speak a lot, but when they did, their voice reminded Chuck of that of an angel.
A sigh escaped the conductor was he looked down at Shade with a gentle smile, appreciating his life with the little one in his arms. He looked back up at Gray, eyes tender with affection.
“Just a moment, amore.”