Duke Hates That He's Thrust Into The Spotlight So He'll Manipulate The Light Around Him To Not Appear

Guys please I’m begging as an Arabic speaker when you’re talking about Damian referring to Jason as “akhi”, the only context that would work in is if he actually speaking to someone else and refers to Jason. Sentences like “Damian thinks of his akhi” don’t work cause “akhi” is MY brother so you’re basically saying “Damian thinks of his my brother”. If you really wanted to use an Arabic word (which you absolutely don’t have to you ca just say brother in English it flows much better) you could just use “akh” which is just “brother” OR “akhah” which is high Arabic for “his brother”. So it would be “Damian thinks of his akh” or “Damian thinks of akhah” which like… in sentences like these, again… just say brother dude.

Alternative pronunciations of “akhi” based on dialect also exist. I’m Iraqi and we say “akhuya” for example. Gulf dialects use “akhooy”

Conjugation for “your brother” could go something like “akhook” (male, dialect), “akhaak” (male, high Arabic), “akhooki” (female, dialect), “akhaaki” (female, high Arabic (also known as fus-ha)) some dialects use a ch sound instead of the k at the end when talking to a woman (aka: akhooch in place of “akhooki”)

Conjugation for “his brother” is “akhah”, for “her brother” is “akha-ha”

I hope I didn’t confuse all of you😭 if anyone has any questions about Arabic don’t hesitate to reach out!! It IS one of the hardest languages to learn and even as a native speaker I struggle sometimes so it’s completely understandable. In case of doubt just go with the English word cause unless Damian is also talking with a bilingual person who knows Arabic, he’s not gonna drop random Arabic words in the middle of the sentence.

| welcome to my blog |

You can find my full-written works on ao3 under the name corkinavoid or click this link.

If you want to see more of my prompts and ideas on this blog, check #cork prompts hashtag. #cork adds is for any kinds of additions to someone else's ideas, and #cork writes is generally for everything concerning my writing.

You are free to use any of my prompts as you wish with any alterations or without them, just link/credit/tag me. I'd also be absolutely delighted if you decide to post it elsewhere and send me a link!

Other than that, here's some fun facts about me:

• neurodivergent but not a minor

• English is not my first language

• my favorite ships are Dead Tired and Anger Management, and I'm also deeply in love with Al Ghul Twins trope

| masterpost |

I'm only linking my series here, not all prompts.

Changeling AU: [part 1], [part 2], [part 3], [part 4], [part 5], [a fic "Danny! Wait, who's Danny?"], [part 6], [part 7]

Haunted Family AU: [part 1], [a fic "It takes three days to get adopted"], [a fic "A cat walks by herself, but so does a ghost"], [a fic "A new family, an old family, and a never ever happening family walk into a gala"], [part 5]

Mercenary Danny AU: [part 1], [a fic "I'll pay you ten times"], [a fic "I want to hire you"], [a fic "I'm asking you out"]

Multiverse Police/Good!GIW: [part 1], [part 2], [side notes], [part 3], [another part 1], [another part 2]

Fantasy Magic School AU: [part 1], [a fic 'Fiance to a Star'], check the tag # cork writes fantasy for more fun facts and moodboards

Fantasy Royal Fae AU: [part 1], [a fic 'Married to Winter']

Masters Mansion/Socialite Danny: [inspo], [part 1], [part 2], [part 3], [a fic 'Coronation'], [a fic 'There Are No Living Here']

John Constantine's Ghost Kids: [part 1], [part 2]

All the al Ghul Twins related posts: [one], [two], [three], [four], [five], [six], [seven]

The headcanon that Jason bakes when he's stressed eatsss

Duke: *wakes up from the feeling of being watched* wha??

*Jason standing over him with a fresh plate of peach cobbler* This is you favorite right?

Duke: um... yea..

Jason: here *sets plate on his lap* taste..

Duke: .... ok..

a soapghost comic i never finished (i wanted angry bloodied soap)

update: i am continuing it 1/1/2024 16/1/2024: i'm remembering why this took so bloody long (pun intended)

update: here's the whole thing - its basically 2009!Soap haunting Soap!

I’m wheezing at Tim’s

batman…..

people don't talk enough about how fucking funny it is that bruce can sub in his kids as batman when he's too busy. like can you imagine it from the league's perspective? imagine you have this really mysterious, geniusly scary guy that you know next to nothing about, never cracks a smile and yet always comes out on top, and one day he shows up to a league meeting and there's just something... off. about him.

you can't pin it down because he's literally acting exactly the same as usual and there's no reason to think there's anything wrong, but maybe he shifted in his seat one to many times, or he looked just a tad bit too bored during green lantern's case review, but something's just... odd. so you quietly ask superman after the meeting if anything's up with the bat bcs you know those two are closer and also clark can hear heartbeats so if something's wrong surely he'll pick it up? and without hesitation he leans over to you and mumbles 'yeah batman was busy, that's his 17 yr old son. he's a crime lord and kills people sometimes though so we're not allowed to let him into the weapons department.' and then walks away like it's normal.

like the whiplash the league must go through every time they realise that no, this is not their fearless dark and brooding leader, this is in fact one of his dipshit kids being forced to sub in bcs the real batman broke an ankle, is incredible.

wonder woman: so that's my proposed plan, what are your thoughts batman?

batman: hn. i think that- *voice raising two octaves* oh shit hold on my phones buzzing

the league:

batman, answering the phone and immediately dropping the Bat Posture™: what do you mean- aw come on little wing that's not fair! but- no, NO DON'T YOU DARE TELL ALFRED I'LL BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF YOU- IM SORRY OK I'LL BUY YOU MORE- *catches sight of the league watching him, baffled* *stiffens* ok listen i promise to replace them but i gotta go, please show me mercy iloveyoubye *hangs up*

the league:

batman:

batman: *coughs awkwardly*

superman: *sighs*

batman, to superman: ...red hood found out i ate his chocolate pretzels-

superman, shaking his head: just... just stop.

the flash: so this isn't batman either, is it?

wonder woman: if this one's also a criminal im losing my mind.

superman, tiredly: no no, this one isn't a criminal. this one's actually a cop.

batman: *sinks down in his seat* b's gonna kill me

green lantern, mystified: where does he keep GETTING you all from!?

'batman' dick, who made a pact with jason to Always Fuck With Bruce Whenever The Opportunity Arises: batman is a whore.

they think they've finally sussed out all 2 of batman's kids and then one day during a meeting 'batman' ends up on a 30 minute rant about different hacking methods this tech villain could be using that results in him half way through a sentence breaking off to say '-oh uncle clark could you pass me that pen- thanks, anyway so-' and then five minutes after that when the league have all been exchanging incredulous looks he finally freezes and is like. SHIT.

wonder woman: you're different from the other two, aren't you?

batman: maybe i am maybe i'm not, you can't prove it.

wonder woman:

green lantern: so like, are you new or have you just managed to avoid sub duty up until now?

superman, coughing: actually, this is this ones ninth occasion of replacing batman. you've just never realised before.

the league:

batman: yeah actually the other two are kinda mad i lasted longer than them...

the flash: how the fuck does he keep getting kids with the exact same build as him!??!?

'batman' tim, spent 20 minutes padding the suit out so he would look the part, still mad that bruce keeps palming WE work off on him: oh he forces us to take steroids for it.

the league, concerned:

superman, pinching the bridge of his nose: now come on red robin-

batman, fully tearing up and looking distraught: PLEASE uncle clark, it HURTS, you can't keep COVERING FOR HIM!

superman, frantically to the league: this one lies.

bonus

the league, squinting at batman:

the league: ...

superman: *head in his hands, too disappointed to do anything*

the league: *silently exchanging looks, wondering if anybody's brave enough to say anything*

duke as batman, fully aware this is fucking stupid but jason and tim fell on the floor laughing when dick came up with the idea and frankly, he wanted to see if anybody would have to guts to call him out: so, are we all ready to start the meeting?

Dang, so much in depth detail, names, ‘nd stuff. I love it 🙂

Ghaoptober #1

Prompt: Drive

Words: 2200~

TW: Mentions of Torture. (sfw)

This version of Ghoaptober was created by @spadesandshovels

This one got very out of hand, I couldn't think of anything to do with cars, so I took it in a different direction.

Hope you Enjoy!

Ghost steps back, wiping his hand off on his thigh, uncaring of the sticky smears it leaves behind. Staring, he lets the knuckles of his -marginally cleaner- hand press against his lips through his balaclava as he debates with himself. The action was a remnant of Simon Riley's old habit of chewing on his fingers. The interrogation was stalling, it'd been going on for too long, their guest had lost the haze of shock and fear, he was starting to acclimatize to The Ghost. It was taking more to pull less from him, and he still hadn’t fessed up to where his homebase is. 

Thaddaeus Gedaliah, the man in charge of getting a lot of very bad people what they needed, where they needed it. He’d been a lucky grab off a facility raid, they’d had no information on Gedaliah being anywhere near that side of the globe. The 141 found it highly suspicious, as they were well stuck into to the habit of looking gift horses in the mouth.

Ghost thought back, trying to recall the base’s practice schedules, then walked out of the room to consult with Price. 

“Router Woods is empty right now?” He stood alongside the Captain, staring in at Gedaliah as the man dropped his head back, letting it hang off his shoulders as he slumped into the chair he was bound to. He was closer to breaking than Ghost had estimated. 

Good. 

Now the trick was making sure he broke in a helpful direction and didn’t just lose his mind. 

“Should be.” Price affirmed after a moment of thought and a quick check on his phone, “Need it?”

“Affirm, Johnny’s exercising?”

“He usually starts around now. But you already knew that.” Price side-eyed him.

Ghost nodded as he turned away and headed for the exit. He had already known, but it was only polite to give the Captain an idea of what he was planning. Cresting the stairs and pushing through the doors, Ghost held up a hand to ward off the glare of the sun and glanced around for anyone he could send running for Johnny.

The interrogation block was part of the general detainment building, a good two-dozen metres back from the rear of the main-building, situated smack dab in the centre of the base. The actual interrogation block was on the bottom floor, deep underground to take advantage of the natural soundproofing. 

“Corporal Winslow!” Ghost called the woman over, standing through the obligatory salute and ‘Sir!’, “Where are you headed?”

The Corporal seemed confused -Ghost couldn’t blame her, he wasn’t one for small talk or asking after others-, but answered promptly. “I’ve just begun my free hours, Sir. I’m-”

“Good,” Ghost cut in, “Tell Sergeant Mactavish to R.V with Captain Price and I at the south entrance of Router Woods A.S.A.P. You’ll find him in the delta sector of the gym.” 

The Corporal gave a crisp, ‘Yes, Sir!’ with another salute and obediently trotted off in the direction of the gymnasium centre. 

Giving a satisfied nod, Ghost headed back down into the interrogation block. Corporal Winslow was shaping up well with her recent promotion, there’s not many that would have handled a blood stained ghost-story barking orders at them with her perfunctory calm. 

“Planning to wash him out?” Captain Price asked, meeting him at the base of the stairs.

“With your permission of course, Sir.” Ghost let a grin stretch his mouth, but bowed his head to the Captain with sincere deference. If Price disagreed, Ghost would listen.

“Nah, you know that I trust you with this. If this is what you think will work, this is what we’ll do.” Price held open the door to Ghost's working room for him.

Stepping up to Gedaliah, Ghost let his excitement shine through his eyes. Reveling in the nervous swallow that bobbed in the other man’s throat. This wasn’t what Gedaliah had come to expect. The door had only opened long enough to permit Ghost’s entry for the past three days, Gedaliah hadn’t seen another human in at least seven before that. Thaddeus didn’t seem excited about this sudden change in routine.

Smart man.

Any wounds still freely bleeding were bluntly staunched, a gag stuffed into his mouth, hands tied behind his back, and his ankles secured to his hands. Ghost tested the give of the serviceable hog-tie, then hauled him up over his shoulder. Easily ignoring all squirming as he carried him out of the room, giving Price a thankful nod. 

Router Woods was a barbed and fenced-in copse of woods that made up a not insignificant part of the base’s northern footprint. It was occasionally utilised for training programs or punishments. 

After a quiet walk around the back of the base, so as to not prematurely scar any rooks and FNGs, Price and Ghost approached the south entrance. Router Woods' south entrance, matching all of its other entrances, was two trees with orange flags tied round their trunks with a rotting shack nearby that holds some surplus supplies, a log-book, and -if you’re very very lucky- a pen. 

Ghost dropped his luggage, rolling out his shoulders as Price popped into the booth to check the log-book.

“All clear. Last person logged as leaving 15:34 yesterday with no new entries.” Price read off, stretching the book's tether to get it into the light coming in through the shack’s open door.

“Good-”

“L.T! Price!” Came a cheery shout, the voice lilting with an unmistakable Scottish brogue.

“Johnny,” Ghost greeted, reeling in the Scot by the back of his neck to rub his balaclava-covered cheek over the top of his warhawk. Grinning at the happy squirming Johnny struggled to contain as he tried to stay firmly within range of the affectionate marking. 

“Hi, Si,” The Scot murmured after Ghost lifted his head, staring up at him with warm eyes that roiled with possessive greedy insatiable want. 

“Hi, Johnny,” Ghost murmured in return, rocking him gently by the firm grip he'd kept on his neck.

“That's enough of that, you muppets,” Price cut in, tossing the log-book back into the shack and securing the door with the Military Grade slide-latch that had been crookedly screwed into the frame. 

“Aye, right,” Johnny shook himself off after Ghost reluctantly released him, “Wha’d ye need me for then?” 

“Need you to wash out a target, Soap” Price informed him as Ghost didn’t seem inclined. Distracted, as the Lieutenant was, with watching his Sergeant. 

“Oh, ye always give meh the nicest ‘hings, L.T,” Soap all but purred, staring into those heated brown eyes, a wicked curl taking up the edges of his lips. 

“You’re not too tired, Johnny?” Ghost questioned.

“Nay, L.T. Hadnae even started my workout when Winslow grabbed meh.” Soap reassured, reining in the instincts urging him to wiggle about and rub happily up against his superiors.

Gedaliah chose that moment to take umbrage with being ignored and began flailing about like a landed fish, drawing Johnny’s gaze. The Sergeant's pupils focusing in on the roped man with a predatory gleam. 

“Someone’s eager,” Price’s face was serious, but the crinkles at the corners of his eyes betrayed him, pleased to see his men happy, “I’ll just get our friend ready while you bring Soap up to speed, shall I,”

Ghost planted a hand on Johnny’s chest and walked him back a few steps, clocking the way his eyes never lost their lock on Gedaliah. “Soap,” He drew Johnny's focus to him, grabbing him by the chin when his eyes kept darting to where Price had given up unraveling Ghost’s knots and was cutting Gedaliah free.

“MacTavish.” he shook the Scot by the jaw, letting his fingers press firmly into Johnny’s cheeks, feeling the shapes of his teeth under his fingertips. Staring into his Sergeant's eyes to make sure he had his full attention, he felt Johnny nod into his grip. Letting Ghost know that he had him now. 

“Limbs only, No body-shots, No touching the head. He's mine, I’m not done with him.” Ghost kept his words calm and clear, making sure Johnny was registering what he was saying, “Copy?”

“Aye, Ghost.” Soap nodded, taking in deep huffing breaths, “Not mine.”

Ghost smiled at the basso notes creeping into Johnny’s voice, releasing his face and giving him a rough pat on the head, “Good boy.”

A scuffle snapped Johnny’s attention back to where Price was restraining Gedaliah, the man had tried to break Price’s grip, but the Captain still had him well in hand. 

“Ready? Ghost, you have a set of comms?” Price questioned, and at the successive yesses released his hold on Gedaliah, shooing the man into the woods when he turned a hesitant look on them, “Well go on then, you wanted to run didn't you?” Price raised a mocking eyebrow. Nodding with satisfaction when Gedaliah promptly turned tail and skedaddled into the woods. 

“You gonna run him or makin’ it quick?” Price propped his hands against his hips and turned back to Ghost, keeping an absent eye on Soap stripping down to his skivvies beside the Lieutenant.

 “Run him,” Ghost replied, his full attention on the now sky-clad Scot beside him. Without looking away, Ghost pulled a small bell out of a pocket, hooked it onto himself and tugged free the rag that stopped its ringing, “Need him scared,” 

Soap’s breathing slowed and rasped. A rumbling echoing up from deep in his chest as he stared into the trees. Tremble and shakes taking over his muscles. His skin jumping like a horse twitching off flies. 

“You got that Johnny?”

“Aye,” The word crackled from Johnny’s throat and the first grotesque snap rent the air. Soap fell into a crouch as his balance became compromised. His form warping, twisting, reforming into something broader, taller, furrier. 

The nauseating noises slowed to a stop and Soap walked his front limbs forward, letting his claws dig into the dirt as he dropped his hips close to the ground, giving a great whining yawn as he stretched his back out in a passing imitation of snake-pose. 

“Soap,” the amalgamation of wolf and man whipped its head around at Ghost’s call, Johnny’s blue eyes watching him from above that sharp-fanged muzzle. Ghost swung a flat palmed hand out to indicate the woods and barked, “Fass!” 

The werewolf wasted no time, launching forwards into the trees, sniffing briefly at the dirt to check which direction his prey had run, then picking up speed. Ears swiveling, focused on finding any sign of his quarry, Soap absently registered the quiet chiming that meant Ghost was following behind. A splash of blood on the leaf litter lit up his senses and sent him flying after the source. Johnny’s brown-furred tail vanishing amongst the foliage, followed by a crash and screams that Ghost easily recognized as Gedaliah’s. He picked up his pace to an easy jog, coming upon the scene of Gedaliah with his arm stuck tight in the trap of Soap’s jaws, the werewolf growling like a Harley, standing dominantly over the prone man, giving into his instincts to snarl and shake his prey every so often. Drawing pained wails from Gedaliah.

“Good, Soap,” Ghost calls, amused by the immediate tail-wag the praise gifts him, “Soap, Aus!”

Well-trained as any military man, Soap immediately releases the arm and back off a few steps, slavering jaws shaking with the need to regrab his prey. 

“You didn’t even get ten metres,” Ghost tsks down at Gedaliah.

The strangely amiable voice jolts Gedaliah out of the paralyzing staredown he’d been trapped in with Soap and he scrambles to turn over onto his belly and stumble to his feet. Strange, Ghost hadn’t got around to working on Gedaliah’s legs yet. 

Watching Gedaliah catch his balance against a trunk, Ghost offers some advice, “If I were you, I wouldn’t…” He trails off as Gedaliah takes off into the trees, leaving a trail of heinous cursing like bread-crumbs, “...run.” Ghost continues, glancing down to where Johnny is dancing on his paws, straining at the invisible leash of Ghost’s command, “It only triggers his prey-drive.” 

He watches Gedaliah bull his way farther into the forest, pleased to see that the man’s legs do seem to be working fine, it must have just been fear weakening his knees. Soap’s whining pitches up, the occasional yelp and quiet yowl creeping in as his new toy gets further and further away, but the werewolf doesn’t give voice to anything Ghost could reasonably call a bark.

What a good boy.

“Fass.” The syllable had barely crossed Ghost’s teeth before Johnny was racing away. Kicking up dirt and baying like a maniac. 

Ghost gives a wry shake of his head. He cannot believe he actually fell for that idiot. With a sigh that held more affection than exasperation, he started jogging after them. Maybe two more take-downs and Gedaliah should be more willing to talk. 

Ahead of him, Johnny tries to make a quick turn, doesn’t account for his momentum and skids sideways into a tree with a canopy shaking thud. The oversized mutt shakes himself, sniffs around, then takes off again. Tail wagging with uncontained joy the whole time.

Maybe three more take-downs.

Thank You For Reading!

So I chose to interpret drive as 'Prey Drive', and for that I needed it to be werewolf!soap and handler!ghost, nothing else fit. Also as you might have guessed, in this au, the 141 chose a homebase that has a little forest so wolfy Soap can run around in it.

I can't promise that all of my Ghoaptober responses will be this long, they most likely will not, but I'll try my best to make them nice to read regardless!

PekoeHoneynCream's Masterlist

🤯

It’s nice to see siblings bonding 😌

Ok ok, HEAR ME OUT.

Y'know how Duke's supposed to have them light bendy power thingies?

Imagine Damian blackmailing him to accompany him on patrols so he can hide and mess around with the lights to make Robins' shadow ABSOLUTELY LARGE AND TERRIFYING.

I'm talking that scene with Mushu from Mulan when he's like "I'M YOUR ANCESTORS DRAGON" Type shadow play. (Damian just wants criminals to finally acknowledge him as intimidating and to stop calling him 'kid'.)

Thoughts?

omg XD damian SO would, you're absolutely right

jason: . . . and why are you going on patrol with damian?? aren't you our daytime hero?? duke: *unwilling to admit that he's going as a glorified prop* uh . . . . schedules are messed up 'cause of like . . . daylight . . . savings time jason: jason: seems legit

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

___

Ghost POV

__

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.