Welp. I Got Some Reading To Catch Up On 👀

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I'm not Simon Riley I'm Ghost: Chapter 17

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Ghost POV

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Everything was a mess, it had always been a mess. But it made sense before, Ghost knew what he was doing and why. This? Everything that Soap was? None of that made sense, it was just an unbearable mess. From the moment he got off that truck and gave him a cocky smirk everything that Ghost worked so hard for flipped upside down.

He couldn't deny that he felt something towards Soap, something he never felt towards a human before. Before they were just a means to an end, a step to getting to the next day and to his next meal. He tried treating Soap the same way he treated others, keep him on the other side of the wall with the other humans that Ghost had determined needed to stay alive in order for him to keep progressing.

Why wasn't he over there anymore?

Ghost had always been good at categorizing the humans around him, the ones he needed to keep alive, the ones that possibly could be consumed later, and the ones that were fair game. Soap was one that needed to be kept alive, without a doubt. But Ghost was having a hard time determining why him being alive became more and more of a priority. Price was at the top, him and Laswell. They pulled the strings, backed him up, sent him to places where he could hunt freely. Soap did none of that and yet --

Why are you so important?

After the mage put that spell on him, after the idiot got himself captured by running off to play hero, Ghost couldn't deny it anymore. Soap was special. But why? Humans were food, had always been food. They were the reason his kind fought so hard to keep the mortal plane as their domain, fought to hard to prevent them from progressing enough where they couldn't freely hunt them anymore. The opportunity to kill them became few and fewer, Ghost having to hide himself in their flesh to walk amongst them and keep hunting.

He defied logic to be here.

Why did it feel like Soap was waiting here? He wasn't, he never was. He could've gone his entire mortal life without needing to meet Ghost. Why would a sheep seek out the wolf? He was playing with his food, that's what this was. A new game to play --

No. This is not a game. This is real. Johnny is real.

Not just a human, he couldn't think that anymore. The worry he had over the man being unconscious, the relief he felt when he woke up. And the feeling he had when Soap's fingers were in his hair? Ghost never felt that before, this wasn't an emotion he had ever felt in his long life. 

But Simon Riley? Deep in the memories he claimed as his own, such feelings were there. A skipped heartbeat, fidgeting hands -- Ghost was infatuated with a human. A human. Prey. It was wrong in every sense and yet... Ghost was never one to do what his peers did. As strange as this was it wasn't off brand.

"You worried over him for days and now he's awake you're avoiding him?"

Ghost didn't look at Runt as he walked into his office so boldly like no other, watching his elder brother carefully. Here, Price thought he knew Ghost the best. For the longest time he was the one who understood Ghost in a way no one else could. But there was no one who truly knew Ghost as well as Runt.

None bothered him when he was in his office. The door was closed and if anyone knocked he would tell them to fuck off and they would. Runt wasn't just anyone and Ghost didn't scare him, and Ghost couldn't only blame himself for Runt's lack of sensible fear.

Ghost turned his chair away when Runt tried to get in his field of vision, the younger brother scoffing.

"Self reflection fucking with you that much? Don't like what you're seeing?"

Ghost huffed, "I've seen plenty to know that I'm royally fucked."

Runt was quiet, too quiet, and when Ghost turned to make sure he was still there he found the beast grinning, teeth on display and pure, mischievous delight in his eyes. Ghost groaned and looked away again, he said exactly what Runt wanted to hear.

"Oh- Oh-"

"Shut up."

"No no- We're not moving on just yet."

Runt jumped Ghost's desk and grabbed his chair, swinging him around until they're face to face. Ghost pushed hard against Runt's chest, throwing him to the floor so he could stand. Runt quickly scrambled to his feet, still grinning madly.

"You like him!"

"No I fucking don't."

"Oh yes you do! You could've killed him ages ago when he started getting too close, or when he saw what you really were. But ya didn't!"

Ghost snarls and Runt starts laughing. He wasn't afraid, Ghost wasn't going to hurt him. But Ghost wasn't hurting him by grabbing him by the shoulders and repeatedly telling him to 'shut up'. It just added to Runt's joy and his laughter only grew quiet when there was the sounds of someone moving outside Ghost's, some ways down the hall. Both of them grew quiet as they could hear a nervous heartbeat and then a knock on Ghost's door.

"Lieutenant Riley? May I come in?"

Jamison.

Ghost shoves away Runt and straightens himself out, and Runt deciding to steal his chair while he's doing so. Ghost glares at him before he walks around the desk.

"Come in."

The woman stepped in, visually calm but her heart said otherwise. Ghost looked at her quizzically, "What is it?"

"The Captain wants to speak with you and-," her gaze goes to Runt who was watching her with black eyes, shamelessly eying her like he was thinking about having a bite. Jamison cleared her throat and looked back into Ghost's eyes, "You and your brother, in his office."

"Couldn't call me for that?"

"No, sir."

Ghost thinks for a second before nodding, "We'll be there. Dismissed, soldier."

Jamison nods before eagerly leaving. Ghost wondered if Runt made her uncomfortable, he sure wasn't trying to be friendly. Ghost had noticed his brother rather enjoyed giving the humans on base a fright. It wasn't like he was used to be able to intimidate someone.

"That man likes to think he has a leash on you."

Ghost snorts, "Oh, he knows he doesn't. Just likes to put on the show for everyone else."

Runt laughs and Ghost turns to him. In a instant he was behind the desk grabbing him, "Get your boots off my desk!"

Runt yelps when Ghost yanks him off the desk by his leg, dragging him out of the chair in the process. He landed on the floor with a heavy thud, blinking up at the ceiling before he looked to Ghost. Ghost drops his leg and moves around the desk.

"This place has changed you. A lot."

"Adapt or die, brother."

Runt gets off the floor, eying Ghost almost like he was looking at him in a different perspective.

"… guess I’ll follow your lead then."

Ghost can’t help the fondness he feels for Runt.

"Then follow away."

_

"What is that?"

Price had been waiting for them, and he had a crate with him. Ghost looked at the crate with caution and curiosity, looking to Price who just motioned to the crate. Runt was the one to step forward to investigate. When he pulled out what looked like smoothie pouches Ghost turned to Price with narrowed eyes.

"Your rations for the unforeseeable future."

Ghost grunted, Price staring hard at him. Runt chose to investigate the pouches, standing with one in hand. He twisted the top off, popping the seal and giving it a cautious sniff. When his face twisted with mild disgust Ghost groaned. Runt held the pouch away, processing the smell. And it was indeed a strong smell, something Ghost could only describe as a blended mixture of animal byproduct. 

Ghost glared at Price, "It smells horrible."

"You eat animals! I know so, Farah-"

"Farah told you? Why not fucking ask me about what we eat?"

Price makes a face, forming the sentence visibly before he spoke, "I needed an answer quick to get this arranged and you weren't exactly available at the moment."

Ghost wordlessly motions to Runt who was still visibly offended by the food pouch, Price rolling his eyes with a scoff. Runt wasn’t paying attention enough to be offended, focused on the pouch. Finally he gets brave and takes a sip, the face he makes as a result not convincing Ghost to try one any time soon.

”This- John look at me- This is like you giving me an unseasoned, freezer burned hamburger patty when I’ve been eating T-bone steak.”

“You’ll have to deal with it not meeting your standards. If I find one soldier missing, hear about any people disappearing in town-“

Ghost met Price’s gaze, “We’ll behave. Eat our kibble like good boys.”

"Ghost this is literally dog food. He's feeding us dog food. I just got here a week ago and I'm eating dog food."

Ghost turns to Runt to silence him but Price stops him.

"There is an exception. You may partake to a... snack while in the field. Out of sight."

Runt glares, "Have to work for our food?"

"You have the rations, and sometimes you can have a treat."

Ghost could tell Runt wasn't happy. He was attempting a neutral expression, being careful to not grip the pouch too tight and make a mess. Price was rather stone faced, calm, in control. Runt wasn't the strongest back home, but a human still didn't compare and Price angering Runt could end poorly. Not that Ghost would allow it. This was a cushioned life and Price was in control. Maybe that's why he was unbothered by Runt's displeasure, he trusted Ghost to keep him in line.

'Trust'... does he trust me?

Ghost turned his head when he heard someone coming down the hall in heavy boots. Many have been passing by Price's office but these heavy footsteps were familiar and the smell of a particular cologne confirmed that ghost recognized who was approaching. He looked back to Price with a grunt.

"Nik's 'bout to interrupt any peace you've had today."

Price blinks, confused, until he hears a knock on the door.

"John? I need a word."

Price looks to Ghost, honestly shocked, "How-?"

"Good hearing... and smell."

"Right... noted."

Ghost was amused as Price chased him and Runt out to have a talk with Nikolai, he had no doubt the man was going to at least ask Farah what all she knew about the mortifer. Ghost picked up the crate of rations, giving one last glare to Price before he headed out the door, greeting Nikolai as he passed with Runt in tow. The man gave them a nod, heartbeat calm and expression relaxed. The man never was on edge around Ghost, always acted like he was in control and exactly where he wanted to be.

Runt noticed Nik's overwhelming calmness, having been used to the few days of nearly everyone around him being on edge. He doesn't say anything, about it, still holding the pouch he had opened with distain.

"So, him saying I get treats for work means I can head out with you?"

Ghost shrugs, "Maybe. If you can keep up."

Runt scoffs and Ghost chuckles, "I'm faster than you and you know that."

"Maybe back home. But here? In that body? We have yet to see."

A clear challenge and Runt clearly was eager to accept it. Ghost wondered how Price would feel if Runt and him let loose, tested the limits to their stolen, mutated human bodies. He saw nothing off with it, it would be good to finally push his limitations. With what happened back in Strasbourg, he felt the need to be in tip top shape. He refused to let some mere vampire catch him off guard.

Ghost stopped and gave (shoved) the crate into Runt's arms before he continued on.

"Go take that to my room."

Runt glared at the command, "Am I getting my own room or are we sharing a bed?"

Ghost went to reply but the wicked grin that quickly that took over Runt's face made him hesitate a second too long to be able to speak.

"Or you could just go bunk with Soap and I can have your room," Runt purred, sounding quite pleased with himself.

Ghost said nothing, just quickly kicked the back of Runt's knee before he continued on, ignoring Runt's yelp as he stumbled.

"Rude!"

Ghost walked on, ignoring the feeling in his chest as he did. He only stopped when he noticed a familiar scent. Soap. Without thinking he followed the smell, his feet leading him outside. He saw Soap walking with Farah, leaving. Ghost felt relief that he was up and about, and some guilt for not having returned to see him since that brief interaction in medical. He waited for hours until he woke up and left so soon after he did.

I should've stayed... not ran like a coward.

These emotions were new, unfamiliar. As he watched Soap and Farah from a distance his heart danced with uncertainty and his head drowned with too many thoughts. How was he supposed to figure things out in this foreign territory? The years he spent disguised as a human and yet everything that was considered human was still so strange and unrecognizable to him. Nothing made sense anymore and there was one man to blame.

Duke, you precious man 😌

Duke can see a few moments into the future but will deliver it in the most needlessly cryptic way

Jason and Bruce are arguing. Just before Jason storms off, Duke says, "If you walk out that door, you will experience unforeseeable pain and have no one but yourself to blame"

And Jason's all, "Stay out of this, Narrows"

Then he trips over his shoelace and Duke's like, "Told you so"

They can never make me hate you Roach 🪳🧎‍♀️

was given a piece of paper to write down ideas for a project. i drew some Roach instead + a little '09 Ghost

First 10 lines of FF leggo!

Rules: share the first line of the last ten fics you wrote and tag some people :)

So I was tagged by my lovely (platonic) spouse @gremlin-bot for this challenge and I am more than happy to oblige! Who knows, maybe this'll light a fire under my butt to start writing some more on these.

For you cannot take my heart, might I lend you my ear? (DP x DC)[out!] Ft. vampire!Dick

"Where is he?"

2. Soulmate, shift, send (DP x DC) A continuation to my TargetPractice(RoyxDanny) Soulmate AU

Danny: Hey Roy , Its me Danny

3. Chapter 14 of Tim Drake's I.E.F (DP x DC)

It was a few hours before patrol when the two unconscious agents finally came to.

4. The way to get lost in you (DP x DC) A fic where Danny possesses Jayson accidentally

It was a cold night in Ancients know where and Danny was tired, hurt, and running low on ectoplasm.

5. With chaos brings justice (DP x DC) [out!] enemies to lovers with ChaoticSpirits (KlarionxDanny)

John Constantine was a man of few pleasures.

6. The good, the bad, & the dead (DP x DC x AF) A crack ship me and @bewitched-forest collabed on for the lore

Danny was trying to get a few more minutes of shut eye, mentally blocking out the noises of the people chatting and moving around him.

7. Chapter 2 of Circus of the dead (DP x DC)

The sound of his motorcycle engine echoed around the entrance tunnel as Dick drove in for some rest after patrol.

8. What a shocker! (Final name TBD)(DP x DC) A halfa Damian AU

The news of a new hero joining the Justice League didn't bother Damian at this point.

9. On the rise (DP x DC) [out!] A wings AU featuring Over 9000 (Kon-el x Danny)

“Heads up!”

10. I've waited this long (DP x DC) [out!] My TargetPractice (RoyxDanny) soulmate AU

Despite how much Danny’s parents invest in the scientific method, they were never one’s to believe in things like ‘fate’ or ‘destiny’.

I hope the WIPs you see will one day com out, but I tend to get plot bunnies a lot and they always tend to muck up my focus. I don't have anyone I want to tag besides @halfblackwolfdemon (if ya want to hun, no pressure) and anyone who wants to do this you can say I tagged you too! Its ok, I won't tell./j

“Gatorbutt” imagine incorporating this old slang with his current one 🤣

I swear there was a post somewhere saying the same thing. Something along the lines of combining “golly” and “fucking.”

This is extra funny when you remember the narration boxes are Dick's voice message to Bruce. He actually said this to Bruce after Jason became Robin.

MY SHAYLAAAAAAA

you can’t tell me DCeased Jondami weren’t married (which makes what happened to Damian all the more devastating)

part 1 of "i made a really long dialogue script but i cant just post that on its own so i have to make a comic for it"

theres about 10 more pages worth of material for this so. stay tuned

edit: next>>>

have you ever wondered what it would be like if half-vampire Ghost was made to drink diet soda, black tea, and bourbon? you and me both, but I did my best guessing

"Stop hogging the ciggy"-

Scene from "earthmover" commissioned by the author of the fic <3