inspired by this 💕
Being a Death Head Hawk Moth hybrid has never been too much of an inconvenience for Ghost. Years of military had curbed him into a disciplined man who was rarely swayed by the primal instincts of his animalistic part, always keeping his mind grounded and spirit anchored in humanity (not counting the instances of Soap and Gaz having to lure him out of bars with flashlights on some very drunk post-op nights. They both have video proof. Ghost denies everything).
He doesn't quite understand why Price is making such a fuss about your arrival. Sure, you're a new addition to the task force, and supposedly a very beneficial one. The fact that almost every piece of information about you is classified doesn't peak Ghost's interest as much as the fact you look... awfully much like him, fashionwise. Covered from head to toe, with gloves and balaclava that only leaves your eyes visible, you're like a mini clone of him, hands clasped in a polite handshake while he quietly tries to figure out just what the hell you are.
Ghost does not pry. He doesn't try and peel away your layers - metaphorically nor literally, knowing first-hand that one must have a good reason for obscuring their entire body. Still, he couldn't help but wonder - were you scarred? Burned? Wanted in other countries? Or perhaps you were hiding wings and antennaes like him? All of that and more he wanted to wouldn't ask, assuming he wouldn't learn much anyway, seeing the sergeants try and fail to get something meaningful out of you.
Despite being rather mysterious and quiet, Ghost found you quite nice to be around; efficient on missions, dutiful with paperwork and surprisingly, the light of the party once you got to know them all a little better. Sometimes, he'd watch you tell jokes and find himself captivated by the way your eyes seemed to sparkle, squinting as a smile bubbled up on your cheeks under the mask. The way you managed to slither your way into the group's hearts while the only things they knew about you was your callsign and eye colour was equally impressive and infuriating to Ghost. Just what kind of a peculiar little thing were you?
Months later during a mission, things go south and the entire team is unexpectedly herded and trapped in a labyrinth of underground tunnels with no night vision and their flashlights missing, submerged in an ocean of impenetrable darkness. Just when it looks like they should start searching for a comfortable spot to pick for their final rest, Ghost hears Price's gruff voice, calm and collected despite the seemingly hopeless situation:
"Think it's your time to shine, Flicker."
Ghost frowns in confusion, but sooner than he can speak, he hears a rustle of fabric and suddenly, the bright yellow shape of a luminiscent hand floating in the air appears before him. His eyes widen, lips parting beneath his mask as he and the rest of the men watch you peel off more and more layers of the dark fabric that clung to you like second skin, revealing your glowing skin, body pulsating with warm light of the first morning sun rays.
While Price watched you in approving silence and Soap and Gaz immediately poured out a thousand questions, Ghost only stared in awe. He saw the light flutter of your smaller iridescent wings and it made his own larger ones quiver in excitement. His dark eyes flicked to your face as you finally took off your balaclava, your face smooth in the golden glow, strands of it cascading down your hair and making you even more breath-taking than you already were. He held his breath as you looked at him and smiled, short antennaes flicking in amusement at his stunned state. It all made sense now - you were a Firefly hybrid, rare to come across and even rarer to obtain in military.
You chuckle, and it rings like little bells in Ghost's ears:
"Speechless, Lieutenant?"
Ghost doesn't answer, only softens his eyes almost imperceptibly were it not for the crow feet around his outer corners. You smile back. That mission, you saved them - your light allowed them to eventually find a way out of the underground labyrinth, alive and unharmed. Though your secret was out, you continued to wear a full-body cover, likely due to being more used to it and comfortable. The group's dynamic hasn't changed much - except Ghost's attitude towards you. They could be considered minor things were it not for the fact that a man like him rarely changes, rarely is unpredictable in ways of his approach towards other people. But you, having spent your entire life hiding and mastering the art of going unnoticed, knew when you were being watched. Admired even. You could feel Ghost's big, wide, perceptive eyes on you even while having your back turned.
He felt like a fool, experiencing the strong pull of his animalistic instincts for the very first time in years, stringing him along your side like a puppy eager for attention, his moth wings, otherwise calmly folded behind him, fluttering and beating excitedly whenever you enter the room to the point he has to leave shortly after to avoid any teasing. Ghost hopes to escape you during slumber, but you manage to worm your way into his subconsciousness as well - moments of the fateful mission playing out in front of him again, your pulsating glow like a lighthouse to his moth heart.
He'd start waking up every morning disappointed you're not there with him, your head not resting on his chest, your fingers not stroking its cottony fluff. It drove Ghost crazy, knowing you probably sleep in your bed all alone, every night, naked figure glowing brighter than the moon itself with noone but the walls to admire you when it should be him. He would appreciate you. He would make you feel adored and precious, not only because you're a Firefly hybrid, but because to Ghost, you were the most beautiful creature to ever walk this earth, alight or not. And day by day, with each smile sent his way and each flutter of his wings caused by your proximity, he felt more certain that his heart would belong to you until the day your light goes out.
a/n: I never know how to end things and most of the time, I really dislike my endings lol 💕
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