Heads Or Tails

Heads or Tails

Summary: Ghost has undergone a lot of changes recently, many of which you find concerning. So you concoct a plan to try to bring the old Ghost back, the first and most crucial step: getting rid of that new mask.

Pairing: Simon "Ghost" Riley x Reader

Word Count: ~4.0k

Warnings: language, slight physical aggression, some uncool boundary crossing, my attempt to sound Bri'ish

A/N: Hello! So this is a new endeavor for me! I've never written for Ghost or CoD/MW before, but I've recently become obsessed with interested in the characters, and so wanted to give it a go. I was rushing a little to get this out, but I really hope you enjoy! :)

"Bet it's a fetish or somethin'."

Your neck nearly snaps as you swivel to the left, your eyes bugging at the Scot's words.

"Probably humiliation kink… Maybe breath play," Soap ponders aloud, eyes trained across the room pensively.

"Nah, mate. I reckon it's a bad trim, or some bad ink," Gaz adds from your right, making you pivot in your seat. "What'd you think? Tribal or teardrops?" He gestures to his own face, attention also drawn straight ahead.

As the two go back and forth positing ideas, your own eyes are finally steered to the figure in question. This conversation, like seemingly all the ones as of late, is centered around one topic and one topic only.

That damn mask.

While Ghost's signature masks are nothing new to the members of the 141, this one in particular has had you all scratching your heads for weeks. Much like his other balaclavas, this one is dark with a contrasting white skull, only this mask has one minor addition that none of the others have ever included: A big, bouncy puffball right on the top of his head.

When you first saw it, you honestly thought it was a joke; you were on a mission in the tundra, after all. But as you started to laugh, the sharp, deathly glare the Lieutenant gave you had you immediately snapping your mouth shut, averting your eyes out of respect.

Where he got that mask, you hadn't a clue, but you figured it would be just a one time thing anyway. However, that assumption turned out to be entirely wrong as Ghost continued to wear it again and again, no matter the mission conditions. Not only that, but he's also been exclusively wearing it around the base too; that is, whenever you do see him around the base.

It's been weeks now and you haven't spotted him without that ridiculous mask once. If you didn't know any better, you'd say he wears it 24/7. But that can't actually be the case unless he likes waterboarding himself with every shower, which if he does, then good for him, you guess.

Though you have a lot of questions you'd like to ask the Lieutenant, the one eating at you the most is why. Why the switch up? Why the obsession with this specific mask? Why all these little changes you've noticed about him over the past several weeks?

Because that's the thing. Beyond the pom pom, there's something about Ghost that's been… different. Better, even, in some regards, but there's also been a massive decline in others.

Out in the field, he's shown significant improvement. His aim has been sharper, his knife skills cleaner, hell, even his walk has been more sure-footed. While Lieutenant Riley has always been the cream of the military crop, for the last several weeks, he's been on another level.

Off the field, however, is a different story entirely. Instead of the man you thought you knew, it's like you hardly recognize Ghost anymore. He's been much more curt, closed off, and dare you say, a downright cunt to you all, and that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of all the other discrepancies you've noticed with his character.

Like why has he been avoiding the team much more than he ever used to, or why does he immediately shut down any attempts at getting close with him? He's never been an incredibly open or approachable man per se, but it's like he's gone full blown antisocial recluse now.

The sudden switch in his behavior just didn't make sense to you, so you tried casually bringing it up to Price one day, hoping maybe he had an explanation that would help piece things together. In response, however, your Captain simply shrugged his shoulders, dubbing the mask Ghost's "good luck charm" that must've just gone to his head.

While you didn't necessarily have a better answer yourself, Price's conclusion wasn't good enough for you to accept as the truth. Maybe a lucky rabbit's foot or good luck coin or whatever could explain away Ghost's overnight tactical improvements, but it didn't answer the why of everything else.

Why has Ghost changed so much?

As you reflect, the sound of Gaz and Soap's continued discussion slowly brings you back to the present, making you blink out of your stupor.

"...been acting all off. Like he's… paranoid or something," you hear Gaz say regarding Ghost. "Like, the other day for instance, when we got dropped off back at base, I swear, as soon as his boots hit the ground, he was booking it like he was about to get shot."

Well, that's certainly a relief. Not that Ghost is acting strange, but that at least you're not the only one to notice.

"I thought maybe he was just sensitive to the floodlights – those things were ruddy blinding that night – but when I tried to catch up and ask him, you'd think I was chasing him from how fast he ran," Gaz adds.

Though that's a bit unexpected on Ghost's part, you suppose it's not all that uncharacteristic anymore. He's been increasingly aloof nowadays, and while you're not totally sold on Gaz's paranoia claims, you definitely see the cause for concern.

"Y'know, I think you're on to somethin'," Soap agrees with Gaz's conclusions. "Just the other night, 'round two in the mornin', I caught him rummagin' around the kitchens like he was afraid to get caught."

"Hold on," Gaz interjects, craning his head to face the other Sergeant. "What were you doing in the kitchens at two a.m.?"

"Mind yer business, that's what," Soap huffs, waving his hand dismissively. "But anyway, even then he was still hidin' beneath that bloody mask. I cannae even remember that last time I saw him without it," he says, almost dejectedly.

You can't remember the last time you did either, though you're not as beat up about it as Soap is. The man seems to have a certain fascination with staring at his Lieutenant's bare face that you can't say you totally relate to.

As Soap continues thinking to himself of when last he saw Ghost without his mask, he suddenly snorts, smiling as he tells you, "Y'know, I once tried to break in his room and steal that thing while he slept, but the lad has some unpickable locks on his door, I tell ya," he chuckles.

"Oi, you mental or something?" Gaz's voice pitches up. "Trying to steal his mask? You'd be lucky if he didn't string you up by your bollocks just for thinking it."

Soap scoffs, peeking over from the corner of his eye. "Oh, come on. Like you've never?"

"I'd like to keep my boys securely attached, thank you." Gaz shifts his weight at the uneasy thought, grimacing slightly.

That has Soap turning fully in his seat, making to confront Gaz head on. "So you're tellin' me you like the new mask? That you don't want to see the fucker gone?"

Gaz shakes his head, mirroring Soap as he similarly turns to face him. "I didn't say that. I'm just as tired of looking at it as you are."

At that, Soap throws his hands up, letting out an exasperated breath. "So let's do somethin' about it!" he exclaims, calling back to his attempted theft.

"Like what?" Gaz huffs. "You want me to ask nicely? 'Ghost, would you please lose the mask? There's only room for one ugly hat around here, and Price has already filled that niche. So sorry.'"

As the two Sergeants continue to bicker over the top of your head, you keep your eyes on Ghost who's still in the room. Thankfully, he appears to be completely oblivious to the animated discussion happening around you. You don't think he'd enjoy hearing how his teammates want to throw his mask in an on-fire garbage bin.

Gradually, your attention starts to drift away from the conversation at hand until you're right back at your earlier conundrum: trying to figure out Ghost's deal.

Why has he been acting so different as of late? What could have brought on such a drastic change in his behavior? As you think, Soap and Gaz's words lightly filter through your mind, and suddenly, the answer becomes blatantly obvious.

What's the common denominator in all of this? What seems to be the root cause of all this discourse? It all comes down to one thing and one thing alone.

That fucking puffball mask of his.

Ever since he got that new mask, there's been a never ending stream of changes with Ghost, most of which you'd argue are for the worse. You know it's silly to cast blame on such a normally inconsequential scrap of fabric, but at this moment, there's nothing else that makes sense in your mind.

Maybe the change is because his brain is being squeezed too tight or maybe he's been having a constant bout of heat stroke these last few weeks. Whatever the reason, you can see how wearing that mask has negatively affected him, and you're eager to see that rectified.

"I've got it!" you pipe up for the first time, interrupting the Sergeants who are still verbally going at it. You look between them both before once more bringing your gaze back to Ghost. "I know what to do," you say confidently.

Though the old Ghost you knew has been M.I.A. recently, you don't think he's truly gone, not permanently anyway. He's just been squirreled away for the time being, trapped in a cage of woven black thread. You just hope that, with a little luck and a lot of planning, soon…

You'll be able to set him free again.

~~~~~

You peek impatiently around the corner, seeing Gaz standing at the end of the hall. When he notices you, he shakes his head, turning back to keep watch like directed.

Annoyed, you check your phone again. Soap said they were on their way five minutes ago. You know it's a maze of passageways between here and there, but still, they should've shown up by now.

At its core, your plan is simple, but so many pieces have to come together for you to pull it off successfully. One screw up and it all comes toppling down, and you doubt you'll ever get a chance at a redo.

Another 30 seconds pass before you're checking on Gaz again, the man keeping a silent sentinel against the wall. The trap's been set, all you have to do is sit back and wait. But you're not sure how much longer you can handle until you go mad.

Just as you're about to text Soap for confirmation again, Gaz perks up, turning and nodding over at you. Before he can be spotted by anyone else, he slips into the room at his back, quickly closing the door shut.

Finally! It's time. Operation Unmask is a go.

You stoop to pick up one of the items at your feet, counting down from 20 as you hear a pair of heavy boots slowly approach your position. When you finally reach zero, you suck in your breath. It's now or never, baby.

Right before the figure can descend on your hiding spot, you pop out around the corner, colliding directly with the man you'd expected to find. Ghost grunts in surprise at the blunt contact, that damn pom pom on his head bouncing as he stumbles slightly.

"Oh, sorry!" you call out innocently. "Didn't see you there." It's not exactly a lie. You struggle to peer around the tower of boxes in your arms, stacked high enough that you can hardly see a thing ahead.

Ghost grunts again as he takes in the scene you've laid out, thankfully seeming to accept it at face value. "Careful," is all he says, moving to continue in the direction he was headed.

"Oh, uh, actually—?" you stop him before he can escape. "Sorry, but… Do you think you could…?" You shift the boxes deliberately in your hold, hinting at the favor you mean to ask. "If you don't mind. They're really heavy."

This plan all hinges on whether or not Ghost will take the bait. Though he's been less than charitable recently, in the past, he used to be quite helpful to you in particular. That's why you're the one who had to ask for his help. You knew that anyone else, he'd decline immediately.

But you can tell Ghost is hesitant to agree to assist you now, not only because of his recent change in character, but because he was currently preoccupied.

"Price is waitin' for m—" he starts to give the excuse Soap had fabricated to lure him out of his room.

"Please," you cut him short, pretending your situation is dire. "It'll be quick. I just need to get these to my office." That's where you pulled them from initially, filling them with whatever junk you could find to weigh them down. Soap and Gaz weren't thrilled to have to lug them all the way over here, but you had to make them heavy to be convincing, you'd told them.

As if on cue, out of the corner of your eye, you see Soap finally make his appearance at the end of the hall. He turns the corner Ghost had come from earlier, having successfully tailed the Lieutenant all the way from his room undetected. Gaz's timing is also stellar as not a second later, he carefully opens and exits the door Soap passes by.

Luckily, Ghost doesn't seem to notice the two Sergeants quietly lurking behind him – a blessing since, sometimes, you swear he has a pair of eyes in the back of his head.

He considers you for a moment, staring at the stack in your hands, glancing at the others still by your feet. Though you can sense he's warring with himself, another light 'please' from your lips has him caving with a sigh.

As Ghost bends to grab one of the box towers, that's when Soap really makes his move. The Scot creeps forward until he's within arm's length of Ghost, hand outstretching as he reaches towards the Lieutenant's head. Just before he can close his fingers around the mask – intending to snatch and run, the fastest of you three – Ghost does something that surprises you all.

Without even looking, Ghost suddenly jerks away from Soap's grasp, ducking at an almost unnatural speed and angle. At first, it's like he doesn't even realize what's happened himself, but then he turns and sees Soap standing there, hand caught right in the cookie jar.

"What the fuck d'you think you're doing, MacTavish?" Ghost asks roughly.

Soap blinks dumbly, shocked by Ghost’s quick reaction. "S-Sir," he stutters, his brain trying to catch up with his mouth. "Just… thought… I… saw a piece of lint," he makes up the fib on the spot, then boldly reaches towards the mask again.

Once more, Ghost evades his reach, leaning far back like he's in The Matrix. He growls and slaps Soap's arm down. "You wanna keep that hand, Sergeant?" he rumbles.

In response, all Soap can do is nod his head, baffled into a state of silence.

"Then fuck off," Ghost warns him not to try again. He then nods towards the pile at your feet. "Or better yet, make yourself useful and pick up a box."

Still in a trance, Soap immediately complies with the Lieutenant's order. The two grab a respective stack, Ghost directing Soap to walk ahead as he no longer trusts him where he can't see him.

Fuck! This is not at all what you envisioned. This train is rapidly going off the tracks, heading straight over a cliff.

But thankfully, you have a potential backup in place, and Gaz quickly makes his way over as he sees things running amok.

"Ghost?" he captures the attention of the growingly irritated man, who stops and turns at the sound of his voice. "Uh… your shoe's untied," Gaz mumbles once he's under the intimidating gaze of Ghost, and your eyes fall shut at the lame excuse.

Christ, this is all going to shit. There's no way you're going to pull this off.

Somehow, though, Ghost chooses to check Gaz's statement, and he cranes his head down to inspect his boots. "No," is all he says, seeing his laces clearly intact. But before he can stand back up, head still down turned, Gaz takes his opportunity before it can slip away.

Gaz tries to grab for the bloated puffball wobbling in his face, but just like before, Ghost seems to have a sixth sense for it. Again, he bends out of the way, spectacularly agile, and shoots a glare at the Sergeant's gall.

"You out of your fuckin' mind? What's gotten into you lot?" Ghost accuses the three of you, turning to look at you all, becoming increasingly suspicious of what you're doing.

Shit fuck ass balls. You need to act fast. He's starting to catch on.

Panicked, you do the first thing that pops into your head, dropping the boxes to the floor with a thunderous thump. Ghost's head snaps in your direction, eyes wide in confusion, and they only widen more as you purposefully knock the boxes out of his hands too.

"Whoops!" you exclaim and swiftly crouch down, starting to pick up all the bits and bobs that spilled out.

Gaz realizes your intent and quickly follows suit, stooping down to help you clean up the mess. It's a few seconds before Soap catches on as well, and then all three of you are on your hands and knees, crawling around like a pack of vermin.

"The fuck's the matter with you bunch?" Ghost exhales, unable to make sense of the unfolding chaos. Nevertheless, though, he begrudgingly lowers himself down, electing to assist despite his growing skepticism.

As you go about cleaning up the mess you made, you try to covertly catch the eyes of your accomplices. Without words, you ask them which one is going to make a move, who'll grab for the mask next, but both seem a little reluctant at trying their hand again.

Ugh, whatever. You'll just do it yourself then. Really, how hard can it be?

Slyly, you creep around until you have a good vantage on Ghost, his back partially turned to you. You edge closer and closer until you're nearly bumping into him, pretending to still pick up the items scattered around. Then slowly, so incredibly slowly, you raise your hand up, reaching towards the back of Ghost's mask. Just as your fingers graze the fabric, pulling it up a mere centimeter, Ghost jolts, springing to his feet with a start.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" he yells.

"What's wrong with you?!" you fire back, your frustrations boiling over. You pop up to mimic his stance, throwing all stealth to the wayside as you figure the jig is up anyway. "We're just trying to help you."

"Help me?" he sneers. "Like hell. You're out to fuckin' get me."

There he goes again with the paranoia Gaz proposed. Though maybe, in this instance, he's not entirely wrong.

"You think we haven't noticed the differences with you? How much you've changed recently?" you continue. "We can see what that thing's doing to you. You'd be better off without it."

Ghost shakes his head in wild perplexity. "The hell are you on about?"

"The mask, L.T.," Soap rises to his feet. "Take it off," he implores.

"Who the fuck d'you think you are giving me orders, Sergeant?"

"It's just a mask, sir, and we've all seen you without one before," Gaz joins the showdown. "What have you got to lose?"

Ghost looks between each of you angrily, pointing an accusatory finger at you all in turn. "You're all way out of line! Get the hell back," he urges as you three start to close in.

"Why d'ya always hide from us now? I thought we were friends, L.T." Soap reaches forward, his hand immediately swatted away.

"Ghost, really, the thing's a bloody eyesore. Just get rid of it." Gaz tries his luck, only to be met with the same result.

Again and again, you all try dislodging the mask, descending on Ghost like a pack of rabid animals. With each swipe and stretch, he expertly dodges your attacks, bending and batting you away like pests.

"Quit fuckin'—!"

"Just let me—!"

"Oh, for cryin' out loud!"

The scene is total, unbridled chaos – voices raised, arms entangled, rubbish littered all over the ground. You three push forward on Ghost until he's backed into the wall, trapped with no way out. He fights and fights, the pom pom jostling around perilously, until finally, bitterly, he's overcome.

Soap gets his fingers hooked under an edge of the mask, and he yanks, pulling it all the way off. For the first time in weeks, Ghost's face is revealed to you all, and you'd be ecstatic if not for one detail that has you freezing.

Is that a…?

No, it can't be. You must be imagining things.

Actually, that looks kind of real. Holy shit, that's definitely real!

Oh my God! Is that a—?

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THAT?!"

You, Gaz, and Soap all jump back in horror at the sight before you: a plump, little, white rat nestled atop Ghost's head. The rodent seems just as shocked to see you as you are it, and it lets out a small squeak as you lock with its beady eyes, tiny fingers clinging to Ghost's hair.

"Aaaahhh!" Soap unleashes a girlish shriek, dropping the mask as he rears back.

"What the fuck, Ghost? No really, what the fuck?!" Gaz asks dumbfounded, hand coming up to cover his mouth.

Before anyone has a chance to fully process what they're seeing, the rat tugs on Ghost's hair, moving him to scoop up his mask from the floor. He's guided to shove the fabric back on his head, perhaps a little more roughly than intended, because you hear a pathetic squeak ring out as he does.

He points his index finger at you in a threatening manner, the holes over his eyes slightly askew. "Not a word," he grumbles, spinning on his heel. "Not one fuckin' word!"

And just like that, he takes off down the hall, a fat, pink tail sticking out from under the back of his mask. It takes a moment before you even realize your mouth is still wide open, and you close your jaw with an audible thud.

Vaguely, you hear Soap muttering behind you, near tears as he cowers against the wall. "Steamin' Jesus, I think I touched it! Did— Did it bite me? Am I bleedin'? I think I'm bleedin'!" he blubbers hysterically.

"Nah, you're alright, mate! You're alright!" Gaz tries to comfort him, unsuccessful as he’s also rattled.

As the two huddle together in the corner, you're left staring after Ghost's rapidly fleeing figure, trying to pick up the pieces of your newly fractured reality.

That… was…

Honestly, you're not sure what the hell that was.

A rat? That rides on Ghost's head? Controlling his every move and muscle? You guess that explains a few things about his behavior recently, but mostly, it just leaves you with more questions than answers.

Where the hell did he get that thing? How the fuck does it work? Why did he even think to test it out in the first place?

Actually, on second thought, no, you don't want to know. You've seen enough for one day, or really, one lifetime.

At the start of this, you thought you had such a great plan to unveil – one that would simply reveal the "true" Ghost again. You didn't realize that in the process of trying to set him free, you would release a whole other beast, literally. And while at your core you still believe your intentions to help were good, you realize now that, perhaps…

Some things are better off hidden.

__________

A/N: Squeak squeaker squeaky squeak! [Translation: Happy April Fools!]

It figures that my first venture in this fandom is a crack fic. I expected nothing less lmao. But anyway, I'd love to know what you thought! Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed!

The Spider’s web (platonic)

You used to be an average kid, one who went about their day without so much as a care in the world

Granted, you were being raised by your elderly aunt and uncle, and you were somewhat of a science wiz but other than that yeah pretty normal

Until a radioactive spider bitt you after you and your uncle got into an accident which ended up with you as the survivor

And that lead you becoming a web-slinging vigilante known as spider

Ok scratch that maybe you weren’t so normal after all but to be fair no one was in Gotham

During the day you were a teenager who went to school, made some extra cash on the side to support your aunt after your uncle’s death

But at night you dawn your suit and sling across the city helping as best you could

Unlike Batman or his figurative family you help out in smaller ways

You help by bringing people home safely, handing out umbrella when it’s raining, saving cats out of trees, stopping some petty crime and giving the criminals a talk to find out why they needed to do said crime, helping firefighters ect

You still saved quite a few people but you also focused on making others happy

Since something as small as a wave of kind gesture of a stranger can improve someone’s day significantly

You also focus on helping those who are committing petty crime since you know it’s usually out of desperation

And desperation is a big thing in Gotham unfortunately

Your a more friendly figure compared to the Batman, bright colours and an expressive mask that makes you more approachable

Along with that your quite vocal, saying hi to passersby’s as you swing past or offering high fives

Also a lot of quips, like a lot. plus jokes thrown to make people laugh

Your swinging webs dissolve after a set period of time so by morning their gone thus no complaints from business owners about it

Whilst Batman and his team look out for Gotham as a conglomerate you look out for the little guy

Pitching in to areas when the other vigilantes of the night can’t get to

It’s actually quite fun and no matter how tired an beat up you are from stopping a minor scuffle it’s worth it to you

The bruises and black eyes serving as metals to your meddling in making sure someone didn’t get shanked

Gordon is the only cop you trust and actively report to him about cops that are taking advantage of their power

You have a little camera on your suit making filming encounters much easier along with the fact you sometimes take photos for fun

And use some of those photos for money…you spend a lot more than you probably should do you sometimes sell photos to newspapers

Anyways, you leave the clips of certain cops for him to see and review

Which also makes most cops not really like you but they don’t really like Batman either so it’s not like your the only one

He’s pretty friendly with you but you can also tell he’s worries

Like real worried

It’s basically obvious to everyone your a kid despite how you try to deepen your voice a bit

He knows he can’t really stop you so he does his best to give you tips and pats on the back for your work

He swears that when he hears about you on the news he gets more grey hairs

Or when you show up at his window donuts in hand with a nasty bruise on your jaw

Listen he doesn’t care you “have a weird healing factor” your getting a patch for that

Barbara laughs when he grumbles that he now has a new kid to look after

You don’t admit it but he reminds you a lot of your uncle and it makes you feel nostalgic

On long nights for Gordon you like to swing by (hah get it) and leave him some coffee and donuts

He appreciates it but wishes you’d let him pay you back

Another thing Gordon doesn’t know is that when your uncle died he was the cop that comforted you back at the station

While all the others worked he took the time to help you

Which is something you’d never forget

So to pay the favour back in some sense you do your best to help him as well

But he doesn’t have to know your reasoning…yet

You sometimes leave little notes for him with doodles of yourself that have motivational messages

Batman asks him about you since he has really had to time to actually talk to you but Gordon tells him your a good kid

But your probably too stubborn to stop doing what your doing

Gordon really appreciates what you do even if it’s not taking down super villains

You go out of your way to make others happy and make the streets a little more safe

Plus you seemed focused on rehabilitation and helping people who do crime as a last option for survival

He’s actually met quite a few people you’ve talked to and helped get back on their feet

Probably had a little notebook where he puts all your doodle notes

Whenever you leave his office he tells you to stay safe and that you’d doing good out there

You always give him a thumbs out before back flipping out his window

Despite how many times you do it he looks out to make sure your ok

Barbara meets you one day when she stopped by to make sure her dad was ok and found you and him talking

When she came in you jumped to the ceiling and they just watched you for a minute before laughing

Honestly Barbara is really fun and cool

Whenever she stops by her dad’s office she kinda silently hopes your there cause your a ray of sunshine

She appreciates your work a lot and it never ceases to make her smile when she offhandedly hear people talk about your deeds

Definitely teases her dad a lot lol

Sometimes like Gordon you leave little notes for her on her wheelchair

You both develop so many inside jokes that Gordon can only scratch his head at

She leaves you snacks like granola bars and smoothies for her dad to give you

Like her dad she’s concerned but moreso about how your doing this without anyone else to help you

Sure your activities aren’t taking down and making enemies with super powered villains but all you needed is one bad encounter and your down

And it worries her how you don’t seem to care about yourself and put others happiness on pedestal

Like helping others matters but so does helping yourself

As oracle she sometimes hacks stuff to give you little hints or tricks for you to use

These have probably saved you from getting an infection from leaving your wounds unbothered due to your “it’ll heal” mentality

She’s kinda silently curious what your abilities allow you to do. Like she knows you can climb walls and you have some type of healing factor but she wonders if there’s more

So y’all make a game out of it and every week she guesses one possible ability you have and you answer her

Like her dad she knows your too stubborn to stop

You have too much of a big heart to not help people, your the one person who doesn’t stand down no matter the punches thrown your way

It’s an admirable trait but also dangerous

You geek out with her over tech and when you get your own popsicle

Sure that popsicle doesn’t look the greatest but your amazed anyways over the smallest stuff like that

It makes her heart swell when you talk about how happy you felt when you found out you had fanart!

It’s normal for hero’s to have that but your just so flabbergasted that someone went through the effort of drawing you

It reminds her once again that your a kid in all of this

One day she’s asks why you haven’t met Batman yet and you tell her why

That your kinda scared of him considering Gotham isn’t the friendliest to meta humans

And consider you now have powers your part of that crowd

Plus you just want to help in ways Batman usually can’t

She’s understanding to this and makes note to tell Bruce

At this point she probably knows your identity but only by accident

She never brings that up though

Content with just letting you go on in peace without you worrying about her accidentally spilling the info to someone

Her heart will explode if you ever mention how batgirl was one of your favourite hero’s growing up

Bane is the first real villain who kinda takes an interest in you from seeing you firsthand one day

So he has he men track you down and bring you to him

And then he finds out that you know most of them already and just willingly followed them?

Yeah turns out you already knew a lot of his men cause you’ve helped a handful of them with stuff like car troubles and making sure the neighborhoods a few live in are safer

And also inadvertently convincing some of them to get a better job instead of committing crime and they took that as become a full on henchman

Your a bit disappointed but Bane is a fair boss so it somewhat makes up for the fact their still in the crime business

Meanwhile bane is kinda confused cause your a kid??

Like sure he fights Robin but even then he goes somewhat easy and they have Batman as a mentor

Your just a fucking kid on their own doing this?!?

Dear god this man is so concerned

Even more so when you try to deepen your voice and then it cracks and there’s an awkward silence afterwards

Oh and then they hear your stomach grumble

You get a full on meal from them giving you some of their lunches plus some extra snacks

Your such a good kid and he’s like real worried that one day someone will take advantage of that

So he kinda begins training you, well not full on training but giving you some pointers

Like better stances or how to throw a better punch

He finds it really funny how expressive you are with your mask and how your tiny compared to him

He quickly catches on that you seemingly have enhanced senses and strength cause almost no one can beat him in a fight let alone a young teenager (it was more of a playful fight but point still stands)

You once offhandedly mention that you have to care for your elderly aunt by accident and he’s now packing you some extra food and slips some money into there as well

Probably knows he can figure out your identity real quick but doesn’t make the effort since he’d rather you go to him yourself if/when your ready

Is this what being a parent is like? (Yes, yes it is Bane)

He helps improve your suit and gives suggestions on what material would be better

Nearly has a heart attack when you one day show up to his base with a stab wound

Sure it’s healing but like what the fuck?!

His men kinda tease him for being a mother hen

He can’t help it though cause he’s always had a soft spot for kids and knowing your out there possibly getting hurt makes his uneasy

When you talk about science he finds himself happy cause your clearly passionate about the subject

Probably compliments you about your knowledge and pats you on the shoulder

He gives you nicknames in Spanish but his favourite is “pequeña araña” which means little spider

If you already know Spanish he’s 100% talking to you in it but if you don’t then he’s kinda teaching you by accident

For the love of god please say that your suit is properly insulated cause he’s gonna get grey hairs if he knows that your going out in Gotham during the winter freezing your ass off

Same for summer as well cause he knows that being in a head to toe bodysuit in the heat isn’t good

You met deadshot through his daughter Zoe by complete accident

Like you were swinging past some apartments while she was doing some homework she was stuck on and spotted you

And then she called out and you quickly ended up helping her with that homework

And that kinda became a weekly tradition where you’d just stop by on every Saturday to check her work and help her if she was stuck

During one of these he walks in as your perched near her window helping her with a math equation

He’s kinda confused for a minute until Zoe waves him over and says that you’d been her tutor for the past month

After that he kinda tracks you down on his own time as your having a burger on a building and talks to you

He thanks you and also asks why your doing the whole vigilante business as such a young age

You don’t tell him the full story but just enough where he gets a good picture as to why

Zoe becomes one of your fans and he has to say that it’s a lot better than her liking Batman or one of his robins lol

You still help her with homework but now you also show up to talk to her and her dad

She likes to brag to her father about how if she did good on her next test that you promised to make her a hoodie that resembles you suit

When he’s out on “jobs” he asks for you to check up on her and make sure she’s ok

more concerned than he lets on

When he gets put on the suicide squad he gets real upset if Amanda Waller even mentions you

Sometimes if you see him you like to him a wave which he gives back with a small smile

You have the honour of being one of the only heroes he likes

He likes that you stick up for the small guy, that your the “neighborhood hero” instead of the Gotham hero

Has definitely saved you numerous times without you even knowing

Feels old when you call him “mr.shot” even more so if you do something like backflip off a building

Like he subconsciously knows your ok but his dad senses are screaming at him and rushes over to the edge to see if your ok

He finds it really nice when you walk people home to make sure they feel safe

It’s a small thing but something a lot of people in Gotham appreciate since the streets at night aren’t the safest

You buy knock-off merch of heroes and give it out to kids but save the merch of you for his daughter

He now had a little keychain that he keeps on his person of your mask in inverted colours

It makes him chuckle quite a bit

No one dares put out a hit on you cause of him and Deathstroke

Speaking of which Deathstroke sought you out from seeing you one day whist in civilian clothes

You piqued his interest so when you were one day just swing around he was able to catch you by surprise even with your spidy-senses

Only for you to catch him off guard by how your somehow able to throw him off you like he was nothing

And then web him to a wall

Now you’ve really piqued his interest

Meanwhile your freaking out across from him and he’s just laughing and then congratulates you on getting the better of him

Que confusion

Oh yeah beforehand he quickly found out who you were

Yeah…not fun when he then brings that up

But anyways

Slade takes to basically full on training you cause he sees your potential

It’s weird at first but it quickly becomes routine for him to randomly drop by and give you lessons

It’s actually really useful especially since he also helps you hone your skills even more

Not to mention that he also helps you keep your identity a better secrets cause in his words “kid it’s honestly a miracle that the entire city hasn’t found out, your at least better than superman and his disguise”

At some point after a “exam” with him and you win he gifts you a completely upgraded suit as a gift

Your left confused but he just shrugs it off saying that you’d lived up to his expectations so you deserve something for that

Now your suit has proper heating! And it’s waterproof unlike before

He’s honestly not sure how you survived this long in your suit so he’s at least happy the new one he gifted you a better

Plus now you have extending spider arms that are super cool

Now you can more effectively hold up debris when saving people!

(Not their intended use but he supposes that you do you)

One thing he can’t fix is how trusting you are of others

Cause he’s tried countless times to teach you not to do that but your head it to thick for even his vastly worded criticism to break

Unlike him and Nightwing he’s had a very different dynamic with you Aka gruff dad and ray of Sunshine child

Aka the “someone will die” “of fun!”

He feels so old when your doing flips and every fucking acrobatic known to man

Like when Nightwing does it he feels a bit of his age but with you it’s worse

Rose jokes that your an honorary sibling now which makes you giggle as he standing behind y’all all stoic and such

Both swear they’ve never seen you without a smile or quippy remark despite having a broken rib

That’s why their surprised when you sometimes get a bit solemn or seem to hold an untold sadness in your eyes now more than ever

He doesn’t pry like he did when initially finding out your identity but he’s definitely worried

Mr.Freeze is someone you go out on your own to find after hearing how he was trying to find a cure for his wife’s illness

Your Aunt in her old age had been getting worse and you could tell she was gaining something that wasn’t an ordinary Illness

All hospitals you went to said they couldn’t do anything so you went to him instead

Which he certainly didn’t really expect

Like sure he’s heard of you but to suddenly had a teenage knock at his frost covered window to his lab at midnight is kinda unexpected

He’s guarded and ice cold as his name implies but seems to warm up once you mention your situation

How you didn’t know what to do, and that the hospitals turn her away for her older age or say that nothing was wrong when you knew it was

Your just a kid, one who is doing their best despite circumstances

And he from then on he knew couldn’t turn you away especially with how Nora wouldn’t want that

He finds your company to be nice especially once hearing that your brand of heroism is done to help out the average citizens of Gotham in their day to day lives

Your a change in his routine and life that he needs, someone to be a small bit of light in the ever encompassing darkness that fills his life

You help him as well in the lab, putting your science wiz knowledge to the test as you do your best to help

He enjoys the company quite a bit

Especially as you leave little notes (as usual) for him to find with little puns

He chuckles at all of them despite hot corny they are

As time goes on he sees the crack in your resolve though as his tests go nowhere

You push yourself though, to the limit to try and find something, anything

But it’s all for nought

There are times you fall asleep in full costume at his lab, he always places a blanket around your shoulders

Never once having the temptation to pull up the mask

He can tell your already going through the stages of grief before you even get the call that she’s gone

Just a feeling in your gut that it’s getting worse as you increase your work

And then it happens

That dreaded call that he can remember so vividly from his own when Nora had almost passed

Your silent, dead silent

And then like a gust of wind your off

He can only hear your soft sobs as you exit through a window and off into the night

He can only hope you’ll be ok, that you’ll turn out different from him in the grief that’s consuming you

Because unlike him your a ray of sun that the world needs compared to his somber moonlight

You end up crying on a rooftop

Shaky breaths ranking your form as you sob

But then you hear a scream from an alleyway which makes you pause

You pull your mask down and swing down to help

A woman pushed to the ground and two men standing over her loomingly

Their easy to take down but you got stabbed pretty badly in the side

You focus on her though, helping her up despite your limp and talking her through the anxiety attack she was having

You walk her home, blood dripping down though you do your best to hide it

Your voice hoarse from crying as you do your best to make her smile

And as she closes that door and you return to that rooftop you find that your vision is getting blurry and black dots dot the edges if your eyesight

You don’t have the strength to get up despite how hard you try

Because you have to

Cause as spider no matter how hard you get pushed down you always get up

Someone looms over you with an outstretched hand

You grab theirs and they hoist you up

You feel as if your in good hands

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phantom-101

1 year ago

Words to replace said, except this actually helps

I got pretty fed up with looking for words to replace said because they weren’t sorted in a way I could easily use/find them for the right time. So I did some myself.

IN RESPONSE TO Acknowledged Answered Protested

INPUT/JOIN CONVERSATION/ASK Added Implored Inquired Insisted Proposed Queried Questioned Recommended Testified

GUILTY/RELUCTANCE/SORRY Admitted Apologized Conceded Confessed Professed

FOR SOMEONE ELSE Advised Criticized Suggested

JUST CHECKING Affirmed Agreed Alleged Confirmed

LOUD Announced Chanted Crowed

LEWD/CUTE/SECRET SPY FEEL Appealed Disclosed Moaned

ANGRY FUCK OFF MATE WANNA FIGHT Argued Barked Challenged Cursed Fumed Growled Hissed Roared Swore

SMARTASS Articulated Asserted Assured Avowed Claimed Commanded Cross-examined Demanded Digressed Directed Foretold Instructed Interrupted Predicted Proclaimed Quoted Theorized

ASSHOLE Bellowed Boasted Bragged

NERVOUS TRAINWRECK Babbled Bawled Mumbled Sputtered Stammered Stuttered

SUAVE MOTHERFUCKER Bargained Divulged Disclosed Exhorted

FIRST OFF Began

LASTLY Concluded Concurred

WEAK PUSY Begged Blurted Complained Cried Faltered Fretted

HAPPY/LOL Cajoled Exclaimed Gushed Jested Joked Laughed

WEIRDLY HAPPY/EXCITED Extolled Jabbered Raved

BRUH, CHILL Cautioned Warned

ACTUALLY, YOU’RE WRONG Chided Contended Corrected Countered Debated Elaborated Objected Ranted Retorted

CHILL SAVAGE Commented Continued Observed Surmised

LISTEN BUDDY Enunciated Explained Elaborated Hinted Implied Lectured Reiterated Recited Reminded Stressed

BRUH I NEED U AND U NEED ME Confided Offered Urged

FINE Consented Decided

TOO EMO FULL OF EMOTIONS Croaked Lamented Pledged Sobbed Sympathized Wailed Whimpered

JUST SAYING Declared Decreed Mentioned Noted Pointed out Postulated Speculated Stated Told Vouched

WASN’T ME Denied Lied

EVIL SMARTASS Dictated Equivocated Ordered Reprimanded Threatened

BORED Droned Sighed

SHHHH IT’S QUIET TIME Echoed Mumbled Murmured Muttered Uttered Whispered

DRAMA QUEEN Exaggerated Panted Pleaded Prayed Preached

OH SHIT Gasped Marveled Screamed Screeched Shouted Shrieked Yelped Yelled

ANNOYED Grumbled Grunted Jeered Quipped Scolded Snapped Snarled Sneered

ANNOYING Nagged

I DON’T REALLY CARE BUT WHATEVER Guessed Ventured

I’M DRUNK OR JUST BEING WEIRDLY EXPRESSIVE FOR A POINT/SARCASM Hooted Howled Yowled

I WONDER Pondered Voiced Wondered

OH, YEAH, WHOOPS Recalled Recited Remembered

SURPRISE BITCH Revealed

IT SEEMS FAKE BUT OKAY/HA ACTUALLY FUNNY BUT I DON’T WANT TO LAUGH OUT LOUD Scoffed Snickered Snorted

BITCHY Tattled Taunted Teased

Edit: People, I’m an English and creative writing double major in college; I understand that there’s nothing wrong with simply using “said.” This was just for fun, and it comes in handy when I need to add pizzazz.

785K notes View Post

phantom-101

9 months ago

𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐱𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞

⤷ gender neutral, ambiguous race, and any size reader. Requests are open, thank you for reading!

ᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ

𝑆𝑜 𝐼’𝑚 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑤 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠. 𝐼’𝑚 𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑛🌷🌿🌻

Keep reading

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phantom-101

1 year ago

Hi.

1,119K notes View Post

phantom-101

9 months ago

Digitally painted fanart of Superman, Batman, the Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter from the Justice League cartoon. Superman and Wonder Woman are flying while each carrying their teammates in various ways. Batman hangs onto Superman's back, dark cape flying out behind them, while Superman carries Flash by the scruff of his costume with one hand. Wonder Woman has J'onn J'onzz slung over one shoulder while hefting GL under her other arm. Superman and Wonder Woman both have neutral, focused expressions gazing forward, while the teammates in their arms dangle limply.

flinging your friends over your shoulder like potato sack. dangling them by the scruff stacking them up in your arms like laundry shoving them into your purse etc etc i love it

---

from this screenshot from 'starcrossed'

Screenshot from the Justice League cartoon essentially depicting the same characters and actions from the image above, viewed from behind the characters as they fly over a city.

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phantom-101

3 weeks ago

95K notes View Post

phantom-101

1 month ago

The Dragon's Mate

A/N: Written for @nanamiscocksleeve's Monster Mash event. I miss him. Like physically miss him. My first fictional love. I lost Nanami last year and now Ukitake. Make the pain stop. Pairing: water dragon! Ukitake x Fem! Reader Warnings: MDNI, shapeshifters, monster love, concept of mates, sex Word Count: 3.7k

Bleach masterlist | Taglist

The rivers were protected by fearsome guardians, you were told. Terrifying beasts with wild eyes and teeth that were as long as your fingers and could rip your body into shreds if you weren’t careful. They were territorial beings and did not enjoy human company. You were taught to never wander to the riverbank before the sun was at least more than midway into the sky, and to never go after dusk, for that was when the monsters would come out of their watery abodes to survey the mortal beings on land, gobbling up the ones foolish enough to approach.

You followed the rules staunchly but what the people hadn’t accounted for was the ethereal music that only you could hear. It floated into your ears just before sunrise, a sad and longing tune that made you yearn to meet whatever was producing the beautiful sound. One day, you quietly slip out and follow the melody. It seemed to resonate in your heart, pulling you forward in a predetermined path until you realized where you were headed. The riverbank loomed through the mist of the early dawn, and it sounded like the music was coming from its depths. You should have been more wary; you knew better, but the overwhelming curiosity pulled you like a magnet until you stood at the very edge, looking at your reflection in the watery depths. The surface looked still, not even a fish visible beneath it; it seemed almost laughable that a monstrous creature lived here. It took a moment for you to register that the music had stopped. Not even the sound of the small morning birds could be heard.

You glance back at the water and see the water rippling, then stare transfixed, as a pair of green eyes observe you from under the surface. They were beautiful, like a pair of lost emeralds that were being recovered from a treasure trove that no man could swim to. You should have been scared but you can’t bring yourself to look away as the submerged eyes begin to rise, part of a face with a long snout that had slits for nostrils, the scales all shining in shades of cerulean and seafoam green. The head of the dragon is enormous, at least the size of two cottages pushed together, and it gives way to a long, flexible body, the front legs clawed like a tiger’s. You see the tail emerge some feet away from the edge of the river bank, pointed and thin.

The dragon towers over you yet all the muscles in your body root you to the spot. You can’t tell if it’s from fear or fascination. There’s a keen interest in the dragon’s eyes, a fine ring of amber fading to black surrounding its enchanting irises. As it moves closer to you with the elegance of a crane taking flight into the sky, you can feel its breath on your face. Now a small lick of dread enters your stomach. Was this the last thing you’d see before being swallowed whole by that enormous maw?

However, to your surprise, the creature draws closer to you, its chin now resting on your shoulder, almost like it was smelling you. Was human scent particularly delicious to dragons? Your eyes squeeze closed as you wait for the inevitable. The dragon leans back, its scales glittering from the water on its body, considering, then rests its snout against your forehead. Your eyes crack open a fraction, not daring to move, lest those teeth rip you open from a careless movement. You dare to look up and hold its gaze once more.

The tender look in the dragon’s eyes takes your breath away, and then before you can process what’s happening, its scaly body wraps around you and plunges you under the water. The chill hits your bones, and you open your mouth to scream but all that issues are streams of bubbles. You choke, feeling water fill your lungs, and it sears your flesh, and you are certain the last thing you will see are those mesmerizing emerald eyes.

Something slick enters your mouth, and it takes a second to realize it’s the dragon’s tongue. Your body jerks in shock as you fight for air, the sensual appendage sliding across your tongue like a lover’s kiss, and suddenly, your body stops resisting, allowing it to do as it pleases. You suddenly realize you’re able to breathe. Your vision, so blurry moments before is now crystal clear, and as the dragon’s smooth tongue slips out of your mouth, you gape at it. It didn’t look like it wanted to eat you, but instead, it grasped your hand in one of its front feet and started to swim toward the dark depths of the river. You had no choice really, but there’s relief in the knowledge that you weren’t going to drown.

Time passes by and you enter a world of aquatic beauty, small little river plants coming into view as you swim alongside the serene creature, little fish darting here and there, occasionally spotting larger catfish and salamanders, the river silt kicking up at their movements and clouding the water as they darted away. The world here was eerily silent, just swooshes of liquid passing by, weak sunlight passing into the unknown. You steal glances at the dragon next to you, and can’t feel like there’s a strange connection, like there was a reason it had called you to the river.

Eventually, to your astonishment, a large mansion blooms into view through the murky water, and the sheer size is a vision. The dragon smoothly swims in between the large marble columns at the entrance and once inside, settles you down on the floor. The interior of the mansion appeared to be in an air pocket because there was no water there; it was dry, like being on land. Adjusting to the friction after being weightless in the water was strange and you crouch, trying to reorient your senses.

“Where am I?” You ask no one in particular because you were sure that dragons couldn’t speak.

“I thought you’d never ask,” a deep male voice responds and you jump, turning with a yelp and see the dragon morphing in front of your eyes, shrinking, the tail and claws disappearing, until a tall, leanly muscled man stood before you, his yukata made of shimmering material similar to the dragon’s scales, his long white hair flowing down his back. The sharp emerald eyes you’d become familiar with gaze at you.

You retreat a few paces, your back coming into contact with the wall. “Who- Who are you?!” Your voice trembles as you take in the handsome man now standing on two legs, his limbs looking quite pedestrian without their talons. The man chuckles at your shock.

“All in good time. But for now, let’s have some tea and snacks. You’ve had a long journey.” He vanishes through an archway and, after pinching your cheek to ensure you weren’t dreaming, you follow him, your footsteps echoing off the high ceiling. You find him in the kitchen where he’s expertly handling a kettle, the pleasant scent of mint lingering in the air. A platter of sweets rests on a simple table near a window. You peek outside and see nothing but water, turtles and snails lazily gliding by.

“Aren’t we still underwater?” you ask as the man brings over the kettle and two mugs on a tray to the table.

“We are. My place happens to be an oddity.” He pours the tea and offers you the cup. You look at it warily until he sips from his own. “I promise I haven’t brought you here to poison you. Now please drink. I imagine there’s much you want to ask me and you’ve had a long day.”

You clutch the mug for comfort and sip, relishing the taste of the strongly brewed tea. “Who are you? And why didn’t you eat me? All the stories said that dragons never spared humans who came too close to the river.”

“And how many of your stories said that dragons have a human form?” He smiles kindly at your thoughtful expression. “To answer your questions. My name is Ukitake Jushiro. This is my residence. As to why I brought you here well. It’s a rather complex story and I’m wondering how to explain it without making it a long-winded tale. Where to begin, where to begin…” He sips his tea and looks directly at you, and for the first time, you notice how attractive he is despite being an older man, the pleasant curve of his lips inviting and soft.

His eyes gaze outside his window, watching a monitor lizard dart through the water, its tail smoothly flicking to propel it forward. “Dragons only find a mate once every several centuries. And once they are born, we spend our entire lives waiting for them to hear our music. When they do, they become part of the river, just like us. And our mates are not always dragons.” He leans back in his chair and sips his tea, waiting for you to process the information he’s given you. Your eyes flicker in astonishment at his revelation.

“Wait. So it was you. You were the source of the music.”

He nods, looking at you tenderly. “It was. Despite you being born nearly 2 decades ago, my music didn’t reach you until just a few weeks ago. I was hoping you’d be brave enough to approach the river soon.”

“And you said…only a dragon’s mate could hear their music?”

“That is correct.” He looks at you expectantly and you feel an epiphany strike you.

“I’m your mate?” You push away from the table, shocked, and begin to pace. “ That can’t be right. It just can’t be.”

He seems remarkably patient with your reaction and lets you wander around, then when you finally come back to the table, you look at him warily. “Dragons eat people. How can a human be a dragon’s mate?”

Ukitake shakes his head, chuckling. “My dear, you humans always assume the worst.”

“But so many people went missing over the years! Pulled into the water and never to be seen again!”

“All women. All mates to various dragons that inhabit the waters of this region. I assure you all the women that were taken are in good health, living happily with their respective mates.”

“But-but-“ you sputter, suddenly unable to form words. “Why live in secrecy? Why not just seek out your mate?”

“Humans are greedy. And who would willingly give away their daughter to a creature that lives so far away from the surface? Humans took things from us in the far past. Our lives are best lived in secrecy, stealing our mates whenever we get a chance. I suppose I’m lucky. Many sing, echoing their melodies of longing, but their mates are too afraid to approach the water. They live and die alone.”

His words are like an arrow in your heart and you feel for him. Several centuries alone sounded truly awful. “But…how does a human become part of this world? How do they adjust to life under the water?”

Ukitake’s expression softens. “To truly claim a mate so that she will survive underwater is a simple act in its essence but it’s the emotional depth that truly ensures she will thrive here.” He sets down his cup and looks at you intently. “We would need to consummate our relationship so that the water bond becomes part of you. It will flow from my body into yours and then, you will truly belong here.”

Your eyes bulge at the mention of the word “consummate”. “I’m sorry, what?” The color rises in your cheeks and you avert your eyes, unable to look at the brilliant green orbs gazing at you with the keenness of a falcon that had spotted its prey. You had been with men before, you knew what happened but this…was he truly a man or a beast?

“I am both.” He answers as though he heard your question float out of your head. “I belong to an ancient clan of dragons who once roamed the earth in human form until the real humans discovered our secret. I assure you we don’t engage in such activities in that form.” His smile is kind but amused, and it does nothing to ease your flustered state.

“I wasn’t thinking about that! It’s just…this is so sudden. I was on land a few hours ago and now I’m the mate of a dragon!?” You put a hand on your forehead, trying to calm down.

“I understand how overwhelming this can be. And I want you to know that if this truly isn’t what you want I’ll take you back to the surface.” His words are said calmly, and you feel your panic lessen.

“I beg your pardon?”

“I’d never keep you here against your will. If you don’t want to stay here I can’t force you. Although, it should be noted that all the women who disappeared never went back to the surface. They remained here on their own volition.”

You considered his words and your curiosity piqued. “I would assume they were happier here than up there.”

“Perhaps. Being a dragon’s mate is a blessing after all. You’re rare my dear. One of a kind.” You take a long look at him, observing the handsome features; the long straight nose, the kind eyes, the smooth firmness of his lips, and the way his broad shoulders curved and led into a solid, masculine chest. You were his mate.

The words sink into you, tugging at your feelings. You hadn’t considered such things. People found other people, they married, and eventually started families. The word mate somehow carried more weight, more meaning, knowing you had come into this world, not alone, but with someone waiting for your existence. You recall the haunting notes of his music that had called you earlier and you feel a pull inside your chest, like your heart was begging for the connection.

“And if I choose to remain here…How long can I be here before the water bond becomes a necessity?”

“A few hours at most. The kiss I gave you earlier provides a temporary bond but it doesn’t last long.”

You remembered the smooth slip of his dragon tongue against yours and now that you weren’t fighting for your life, you recall how soft and tender it was, the way he’d known how to hold you and ensure you weren’t thrashing and falling to your doom. “And if I accept to be your mate?”

Ukitake’s eyes grow brighter at the words. “The water bond ensures you’ll live as long as a dragon does. And I know it must seem dull to spend your life in this residence in the river but my dear, I am a water dragon. All bodies of water are available to us. We can escape wherever we want to, as long as there’s a major water body nearby. Lakes, oceans, seas…anywhere. And we can venture onto land if you wish. All the adventures in the world will be at your feet. And you will be the sole object of my love and desires.”

He gets up from his end of the table and walks over to you, kneeling in front of you and taking your hand. “Dragons love obsessively. It makes sense since we only get one mate and often wait centuries for them.” His thumb runs over yours, as though he’s trying to memorize the feel of your skin. “And I’d be yours just as equally. To love, to command, and to simply be.” The quiet conviction with which he says the words have your heart pounding in your chest.

You’re drawn to him, and the way he looks at you now, like he’d move heaven and earth for you, was making you yearn. His hands move to cup your face, his thumbs stroking your cheeks, then softly brushing against your lower lip.

Heat gathers under your skin as your eyes flutter closed, savoring his touch, so comforting and gentle. The pull between you two was magnetic and you yielded to the overwhelming desire building inside you. Leaning towards his kneeling form, you lay your lips over his. The soft sigh that leaves him is addicting and your hands card through his long white tresses, which pass like silk between your fingers. He tasted like rain, his mouth firm and the kiss relatively chaste. He draws back, gazing lovingly at you then scoops you up in his arms before walking out of the kitchen. You don’t resist him, allowing yourself the giddy pleasure of being carried like this, cradled against his chest like precious cargo as he walks to his bedroom.

He deposits you on the sheets, which feel cool and welcoming on your skin before pulling you against him, his lips coming back to yours. There was so much passion and emotion in his kiss and it felt like you were drowning in his arms. Shyly, you offer your tongue which he accepts with a strangled groan, sipping and sucking the small offering.

Ukitake’s hands undo your yukata, revealing smooth skin. His movements are unhurried as he unwraps you like a gift. Once all the layers of clothing are shed, he drinks in the sight of you laying bare on his bed and presses his nose into the crook of your neck savoring the way your skin smells, hearing your pulse, your breath, like they’re flowing into him.

Your body feels like it’s floating from his tender ministrations, eyes gazing dreamily up at him as he disrobes, revealing his well-muscled body, his hair flowing down in waves and curtaining you both as he lays down next to you. Ukitake’s mouth finds yours again and his warm hands cup your breasts, squeezing enticingly, and a quiet moan escapes from your mouth into his. His fingernails flick lightly across the very tips of your nipples sending ripples of pleasure through your body which are mirrored in your already moistening sex.

His tongue trails down your neck and collarbone before coming down the swell of your breast and taking one of your pebbled nipples captive. He suckles the little bud and your body responds to him, arching closer in need as your hands cradle his head of flowing white locks. His lips pull playfully, bringing forth a noise of want from your throat as you cling to him. His free hand palms your other breast and feeling bold, you start exploring him with your mouth, planting wet kisses on his neck.

His breath catches momentarily as he processes how wonderful your lips feel on his skin, his mate, claiming him in this intimate manner. Possessiveness fills Ukitake’s being and he leaves your nipple and draws you tightly against him, squeezing you so firmly like he was worried you’d vanish if he didn’t. The skin-to-skin contact was setting him aflame, feeling like he might disintegrate into bits of glowing embers.

You had no intention of leaving. Because you were his, weren’t you? Thoughts of returning to the surface appeared like peeking into the wrong end of a telescope in your mind, getting further and further away as you lay in his arms. You push back strands of his white hair, see yourself reflected in his emerald eyes, and feel a primal tug deep within you; this was where you belonged.

He draws in a deep breath as your hands trail down his body, stroking his pecs and abs, stopping just short of where his erection pressed against your thigh. Your fingers curl around the hot column of velvet and stroke. His eyes begin to smolder, the irises growing darker until the rings of amber and black consume the space. He growls your name against your ear, his breath sensitizing your warmed skin, his teeth nipping the shell, his pants becoming more and more feral before he quickly grasps your wrist.

“Not like this. Not yet,” he gasps, and your hand drops. You let out a squeak of surprise as he moves between your legs and his lips press a kiss to your wet sex before his tongue delves into your folds, licking a line from cunt to clit and teasing the swollen bud peeking out at the top of your folds. You can’t look away from his face, his eyes watching your every move, seeing the way your face contorts when his tongue gives you a particularly delicious lick. His eyes have a feral quality now, like a wolf when hunting in the night. Little moans fall from your lips but you don’t dare break your gaze, letting him nakedly watch you in the throes of pleasure, at his mercy.

Tension gathers in your belly, a throbbing need for everything to explode and take you away into that sweet oblivion. Your pussy spasms from need and your clit pulses, signaling your impending climax. A shuddering moan leaves your lips as he pushes you to the peak, your eyes flying closed as your orgasm rips through you. Your vision turns white for a moment and as his tongue gives you a final lap. He crawls over your body and pushes away loose locks of hair that are sticking to your temples with sweat.

“Mine,” he whispers over your lips before he slips his body into yours. The passage occurs with no resistance as he allows you to adjust to his size, watching you for signs of discomfort but you’re floating on a cloud of ecstasy as you feel him stretch out your walls, filling the space that you had been craving. Your walls clench around him welcomingly, further pulling him into your warmth and he buries his face into the crook of your neck, his teeth bearing down on the delicate skin as his hips start to rock against yours, stroking your walls with his veiny cock.

Your sighs mingle and float into the air as he claims you, your hands holding his waist firmly as his body rises and falls over yours, his hair in disarray as he chases his climax.

His movements begin to grow sloppy and he pants into your ear. “The water bond. You’ll become permanently part of this world. This is your last chance to back out.”

Your response is to wrap your legs around his waist and draw him in deeper. He hisses as your pussy conforms to him like a glove and his body shivers, a sexy moan falling from his lips as he allows himself to spill into you, marking you in the most ancient way as his.