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If there’s anything that can piss off a Cloud, it’s by chaining a Cloud down to one spot.
Clouds are free flowing, aloof. Clouds do whatever they want to and even Skies have trouble controlling their Clouds. Clouds, inherently, are not meant to be controlled.
Skull de Mort is the strongest Cloud, while also being the strangest Cloud.
Clouds settle their own territory, they make their claim and drift within that territory. Skull is known to never stay in one place. The Arcobaleno know that it’s easier to find Oodako to have her find Skull for them when they need to contact Skull.
When the curse breaks, Verde claims that the more they stay together the faster they’ll return to their original bodies. That makes the Arcobaleno settle into the second coming of the Arcobaleno mansion.
It’s not the same mansion. It could never be the same mansion. Fon burned it down after the curse. Fon still won’t answer if it was on purpose or an accident.
Even all those years ago, Skull would never stay at the mansion for very long. He’d appear whenever there was a mission, but most of the time Skull was away. He’d only ever come back to sleep and bathe. The Arcobaleno could count on one hand how many meals they’ve shared with Skull inside that mansion.
Now, they keep a barrier of Lightning flames around the mansion and regularly pump Skull full of Rain flames to keep him sedated. To keep him inside.
Here’s the thing. Back then, back with Luce, their bond was half-assed. Luce was their Sky Arcobaleno. She was the one that they were to harmonize with. But they didn’t harmonize with Luce. They had a bond that was much like a legally binding contract. It was a bond out of convenience, not one of complete trust.
Now, they know better. Now they have the choice to connect with each other, even without a Sky there to facilitate them all. Because here’s the truth, there will never be a Sky powerful enough to control all the Arcobaleno. A Sky, if powerful enough, could maybe handle one or two Arcobaleno.
And the Arcobaleno are drawn to power. Whether it is their nature or just want they desire, after living life as they did, they desire to be powerful and be surrounded by those that are as powerful or even more powerful.
Here’s a secret that the Arcobaleno will take to the grave. The strongest of the strongest seven is Skull. The Cloud flames that come from the former civilian are astronomical. It’s like a large black hole of power. Skull de Mort could be the strongest flame user ever. Period. Naturally, the Arcobaleno won’t let Skull be taken away from their clutches.
And there is no Sky capable of controlling Skull de Mort. Which means there is no Sky for the Arcobaleno.
And the Arcobaleno all know that if they work together they can keep Skull by their side. Keep the comfort of blood-tingling power by their sides.
So they have Lightning barriers and Rain sedation. And they’re happy.
“Ma...Mammon,” Skull slurs, eyes barely open, like they have been for the past three months that they’ve lived together.
Mammon stops their intended path to the kitchen, instead floating over to the couch facing the large television that is showing some sitcom that Colonnello is fond of. They’re physically teenagers now. Verde is at the oldest, nineteen, maybe in his early twenties. Skull is the youngest at maybe fourteen. Which means Colonnello can very easily wrap his arms around Skull’s waist and pull him close into his lap as they watch tv.
Mammon very gently runs their fingers against Skull’s unblemished cheek, hovering over Skull from the back of the couch, “Skull, you’re dressed quite well today.”
Skull frowns slowly, as if he’s trying to process what Mammon just told him. His mouth opens and his heavy tongue moves into a habitual response, “Ssst… thanksss.”
Colonnello nuzzles his nose against Skull’s neck, eyes still focused on the screen, “Reborn went shopping the other day. Said he wanted to play dress up for the next few days.”
Mammon nods and looks Skull up and down appraisingly, “Reborn has good tastes.”
Skull is wearing a scoop neck lavender silk shirt, tucked into form-fitting black slacks. There’s a simple black ribbon tied around his neck, like he’s a present, and there’s a simple silver piercing in his tongue.
Skull’s eyes flutter closed as his head grows too heavy for his neck to carry, leaning against Colonnello’s strong shoulder with a hum.
“You’ll start to rot his brain if you keep pushing your flames into him,” Verde interjects absently as he passes by with a sandwich on a plate. “You’re spending too much time with him.”
Colonnello full-on pouts, “We only got through half of this season.”
“It’s like alcohol, idiot,” Lal calls from the den, “It’s fine if he’s drunk but it’s a problem if he has alcohol poisoning.”
Fon leans down and tilts Skull’s chin up and away from Colonnello’s shoulder, “Skull,” he prompts.
Skull lets out a low grunt but his eyes don’t open.
Fon chuckles, full of fondness, “Skull, how about spending some time with me? You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
All of them smile when Skull lets loose a languid, “uh huh.”
Fon easily lifts Skull into his arms and has Skull wrap his arms around his neck, “Let’s go have some fun in the dojo, how about that?”
“Hmm… ‘ike… like dojo…”
Fon hums back, running a hand through Skull’s long purple locks, “I like the dojo too, Skull. It’s so great to see you work up a sweat.”
“Do you mind if I join?” Mammon asks as they float to match Fon’s pace.
Fon smiles sweetly down at Skull, “You know Skull, the more the merrier. Right?”
“Mmhmm,” Skull says without opening his mouth.
Fon leans down and kisses the Cloud’s forehead.
“You’re too sweet to us.”
If there’s anything that can piss off a Cloud, it’s by chaining a Cloud down to one spot.
Clouds are free flowing, aloof. Clouds do whatever they want to and even Skies have trouble controlling their Clouds. Clouds, inherently, are not meant to be controlled.
Skull de Mort is the strongest Cloud, which means if they don’t let Skull even feel anger, they can tie Skull down.
And if you asked Skull, he’d say that he’s happy with all of them.
Though, in much simpler terms.