#betrayal and redemption

[enhaflixer]

sjy - Chasing Ghosts - TEASER

a Criminal!Jake x Detective!Reader SEXY crime thriller

NOW POSTED HEREEEE!

🔹 SYNOPSIS: You spent years chasing Specter, the most elusive criminal the force has ever encountered. But every near miss, every failed case, every lead that went cold—it was never just bad luck. It was orchestrated. Because the real traitor wasn’t the man you were hunting. It was the one standing right beside you. 

🔹 WC: ~14.7K (full-length fic, completed)

🔹 TAGS: crime thriller, enemies to reluctant allies to lovers, morally gray!Jake, found family, betrayal & redemption, slow burn to inferno, high stakes, forced proximity, heavy angst with a soft landing, house on the hill trope, HEA, High stakes

🔹 RELEASE DATE: WHNV YALL WANT AYYYYYY

🔹 WARNINGS: violence, corruption, deception, heavy themes of betrayal & loss, morally ambiguous decisions, explicit language, slow descent into trust issues hell, eventual comfort but only after suffering, guns, sexual content MDNI, f! receiving.

🔹 TAGLIST: OPEN!

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⏳ Somewhere in the city, a chase was already in motion. But here, it was just the two of you—waiting for who would make the first move.

The lounge was dimly lit, the golden glow from the overhead chandeliers casting deep shadows against the walls. The air was thick with the scent of whiskey and expensive perfume, a low hum of conversation filling the space as people slipped into quiet corners, murmuring over half-finished drinks.

But none of that mattered.

Because across the room, he was watching you.

Jake sat casually at the bar, one arm draped along the back of the leather stool, a glass of something dark and amber in front of him. He looked too at ease, the kind of effortless calm that came with knowing exactly how much control you had over a situation.

And right now?

He had all of it.

Your fingers curled around your own glass, untouched. You weren’t supposed to be here. This wasn’t part of the mission. You should have already been gone, moving onto the next lead, following the trail of evidence that was supposed to bring you closer to Specter.

But for some reason, you weren’t leaving.

For some reason, you were still here.

A slow smirk tugged at the corner of Jake’s lips, and before you could second-guess yourself, he lifted his glass in a silent toast.

Cocky bastard.

Your grip tightened slightly. You had been chasing him for so long that it was unnatural to see him like this. Not a shadow slipping through alleyways, not a whisper at the scene of a crime.

Here, he wasn’t a ghost.

Here, he was just a man.

And that was dangerous.

Jake tilted his head slightly, an unspoken challenge lingering in his gaze. You’re already here. You might as well come say hello.

Your body moved before your brain could catch up, legs carrying you across the lounge with a steady confidence that didn’t match the pulse pounding in your throat. Every step felt deliberate, like walking across a tightrope with no safety net beneath you.

By the time you reached him, Jake was already setting his drink down, his smirk widening just slightly.

"Didn’t think you’d actually come," he mused, his voice smooth, easy—too familiar, like you had known him for years instead of knowing him as the man you were supposed to arrest.

Your nails dug into the palm of your hand. "I thought I’d see what kind of lies you’d tell me to my face."

Jake chuckled, shaking his head slightly as he reached for his glass again. "Lies? No, sweetheart." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough that it sent something sharp down your spine. "I only ever tell you the truth."

Liar.

And yet—

You stayed.

The city outside pulsed with movement, a chase still happening somewhere beneath the skyline. But here, in the quiet hum of the lounge, in the space between words neither of you were saying—

It was just the two of you.

Waiting.

Watching.

Seeing who would make the first move.

taglist: @jkslvsnella @vernorica123 @lillotus17 @wonnienyang @firstclassjayle @belle643 @ijustwannareadstuff20 @heelovesmeknott @heeseunggotrizz @jaeyunsbimbo @immelissaa @somuchdard

[palatinewolfsblog]

"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

[aventurineswife]

So, reader decided to play mouthwashing due to its positive reviews and how it became popular enough to gain fandom. Maybe Ratio, Aventurine, Kafka, Blade, Silver Wolf, Jing Yuan and Jade decided to watch reader as they play? How would they react to this game's plot, it's characters and opinions?

HSR Characters Reaction On Mouthwashing

Tags: Kafka x Reader, Silver Wolf x Reader, Blade X Reader, Psychological Horror(not the actual fic but the game), Character Study, Game Reactions, Manipulation, Redemption, Survival, Dark Themes, Self-Destruction, Fractured Minds, Immortality.

Warnings: Strong Language, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Mentions of Mental Health Issues, Psychological and Emotional Distress, Dark Themes of Suffering and Redemption, Self-Harm (Implied, Related to Destruction and Pain), Death and Death Imagery.

A/N: I haven't fully watched the whole gameplay, so this might a bit ooc but I do know some basics of what happened and all I gotta say is: I hate Jimbo‼️🧍‍♀️ also shortened this to three characters because tags won't take the others and I probably would've to write each characters individually for their reactions on each characters so sorry if this disappoints you :')

Kafka lounged gracefully on a velvet chair, her fingers tracing the rim of a crystal goblet filled with a dark, undisturbed liquid. The soft glow of the screen reflected off her red wine-colored hair as she observed the game unfolding before her. Mouthwashing, a psychological horror game that had garnered significant attention, was the latest entertainment distraction.

The game's plot piqued her interest immediately—stranded in space with dwindling supplies, a mutilated captain, and a fractured crew. Kafka found the dynamics between the characters fascinating. The tension, the fractured relationships, and the slow unraveling of sanity… it was like watching a perfectly woven web fall apart. She couldn’t help but admire how the developers had manipulated the player into becoming complicit in the escalating violence.

Her eyes narrowed at the unraveling storylines. "So, it’s a game of power and survival," she mused, sipping from her glass. "But with a touch of madness, I wonder if the creators intended to turn the player into the true villain. The emotions on display—guilt, betrayal, desperation—can only lead to one outcome: unraveling."

Kafka's attention shifted to the player’s choices. The tension between the crew members, the twisted relationships, and the manipulation—it felt familiar. She was a master of persuasion, a manipulator of emotions, but this game was something different. It made her wonder how the player would handle the sense of culpability for the crew’s inevitable downfall.

"I suppose," she mused, "this is what makes games like this addictive—the slow collapse, the control one has over others... It’s almost poetic, in a sense." She couldn't tear her eyes away from the screen as the final moments played out. Jimmy’s tragic end, believing he had redeemed himself by placing Curly in the cryopod, was something Kafka could relate to—a misguided belief in redemption after irreversible actions.

Turning her attention back to her glass, she smiled softly. "I would have handled it differently, of course. But I suppose that’s the beauty of these games—they allow us to explore paths we’d never dare take in reality."

Silver Wolf sat cross-legged on a low sofa, her sharp gaze fixed on the screen as the game's opening scene began. Her fingers twitched in a restless, almost instinctive motion—an impulse to hack, to break the system and rewrite the story as she often did. But she forced herself to focus, her curiosity about the game's mechanics outweighing her usual inclination to manipulate.

The dark and gritty atmosphere of Mouthwashing quickly drew her in. The world-building was minimal, but what Silver Wolf found compelling was how the game subtly forced players into moral corners with each choice. The crew’s personalities were rich with flaws, and the tension between them was palpable. Her fingers flexed, itching to dive deeper into the psychological undercurrents, analyzing each interaction like a puzzle waiting to be solved.

"Not bad," Silver Wolf muttered, studying the way the plot twisted and turned with each new revelation. The complexity of the relationships, particularly Jimmy's unraveling sanity, fascinated her. "It’s like hacking a system, but instead of codes, it’s the characters' minds. The more you understand them, the more control you have over the outcome."

She watched intently as the player made choices, her eyes narrowing when the characters’ fates grew darker. “Hmph, some people just can't handle the game. They don’t see the bigger picture. It’s all about the challenge, about beating the odds. It’s not just survival—it’s about making it through with your mind intact. The chaos is part of the fun.”

Silver Wolf tilted her head as she saw Jimmy make his fatal choices, his mental state breaking down under the weight of guilt and fear. "That's one way to go out," she muttered. "Pathetic, really. I would’ve used that moment to break free, to rewrite the whole scenario. But I suppose that's why it's not me playing."

She smirked, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Still, I can appreciate the game's challenge. It's not about winning, it's about seeing just how far you can push the boundaries before it all collapses. Just like the game of life." Her fingers idly tapped against her knee. "Maybe I’ll try a new strategy next time."

Blade stood motionless in the shadows, his piercing eyes fixed on the screen as Mouthwashing unfolded before him. The plot resonated in ways that few things did—survival at any cost, fractured relationships, and a constant drive toward self-destruction. His cracked sword, an eternal symbol of his fractured existence, almost felt lighter as he watched the characters’ struggles.

The captain, Curly, with his tragic fate, reminded Blade of his own cursed immortality. Mutilated, unable to speak or act, yet still alive—trapped in a state of perpetual suffering. Blade’s gaze lingered on the screen, his mind replaying his own endless cycle of death and rebirth. He saw in Curly a reflection of his own fate: an unending existence that could only end in violence and ruin.

"What a pitiful display," Blade muttered, his voice low and cold. "Surviving only to slowly lose everything—your sanity, your humanity… That’s what this game is, isn’t it? A slow descent into madness, with no way out."

He watched as the crew's relationships deteriorated, one by one. Jimmy’s spiral into madness, his attempts at redemption, and the eventual tragic end... it all felt too familiar to Blade. "How weak," he whispered, his fingers twitching at his side. "No honor, no purpose. Just mindless survival."

Yet, there was something in Jimmy's desperate final act that resonated with Blade. The desire to find release, to end it all after causing so much destruction. It was the same goal Blade had sought for so long: an end to the suffering, an escape from the endless pain of immortality.

As the game neared its conclusion, Blade’s eyes narrowed. "They think they can redeem themselves," he mused. "But redemption is a lie. There is only the inevitable conclusion—endless destruction." His hand brushed the hilt of his broken sword. "This is the true path. There is no escaping it."

The game ended, and Blade remained silent, his expression unreadable. "A fitting end," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "But not my end."

[gremlin-boah]

Okay but Dutch's reaction when he realises only one person will make it out of the Squid game

He's in denial I think...

Do think he got a plan @nthspecialll?

[zivazivc]

Does creek exist in your trolls universe 🤨

he exists in the form of decomposed forest soil

[magewardensurana]

Bessie: this is my husband Hosea and my husband's boyfriend Dutch.

[pink-writer-girl]

I don't know if this will happen or not, but I think in the next film ( well I'm hoping they announce soon XD Im dying to Know )

But I want to believe Mae will try to redeem herself to Noa and his clan cause Wes ball says their story is far from over. But I no doubt conflict will rise either being humans, crazy cultists, mutants or hey even unhinged proximous or all above. Either way I think the Noa clan might be in danger and she tries to warn him or help him somehow but yeah he doesn't trust her and thinks something tragic might happen to her

[miniagula]

they make me ILL and SICK IN THE HEAD

[blueflyingturtleontheway]

Estewizard AU part 5

Royal wizard

But luckily that time passed! Elena was freed and so was her family and all of Avalor. Esteban finally came back home and as the only student of Alacazar, was quickly appointed as the royal wizard.

He had all of Alacazar's secret library at his disposal, he had a real workshop and for the first time in years a functional tamborita! He could finally spread his magical wings and use in practice the knowledge he's been gathering most of his life by now.

The only thing dampening his enthusiasm was one teenage boy, constantly getting underfoot and flooding him with questions. Mateo didn't get to play as big a part in the Secret of Avalor as he did in canon, but as soon as he learned that there's a true wizard in Avalor now and on top of that one who studied under his grandfather, he wanted nothing more than to learn from him.

Esteban was... less than thrilled about this idea. Primo, he had no idea how to teach, secundo, he still felt responsible for Alacazar's death and tertio, Esteban was a bit... jealous of Mateo. He could see from the first spell Mateo cast that despite having much less experience and never being formally taught, Mateo has more innate power and his spells are stronger.

It took him some time but finally Esteban warmed up to him (Mateo being one of Elena's closest friends definitely helped, Esteban quickly realised that that means he can have someone trusted protect Elena whenever he's not with her). And as history likes to repeat itself, their relationship soon progressed past the boundaries of a regular student - teacher dynamic.

Esteban enjoyed Mateo's nearly boundless admiration for him and felt like this way he could repay his debt to Alacazar at least partially. Mateo on the other hand learned a ton from Esteban and not only in terms of magic.

It was actually when they started discussing the non-magical aspects of life that they really got close. Both of them spent most of their lives chasing magic and feeling like outcasts and Mateo needed someone who could guide him in the matters of social life and Esteban needed for someone to see him as both a powerful wizard and a person.

Yes, Rafa has IMMEASURABLE beef with Esteban in this AU.

Betrayal

That is, I admit, the least developed part of the AU yet. There would need to be many changes of course, but some things I know for sure are that Esteban still gets magic from the Takaina, Mateo is extremely torn, having to choose between his friends and his father figure and Elena confronts Alacazar's ghost...

And that's it! Thank you for joining me on the journey through this world and feel free to ask if you have any questions :D

[adahlenan]

But I'd rather not remind myself and leave it all behind And I've tried so hard to fix it all but nothing seems to help

[jellisdraws]

It’s always a fascinating thing to watch a number of your mutuals latch onto a character you would not touch with a 10 foot pole.

This is about Illario Dellamorte, yes.

Not to yuck anyone’s yum, it just genuinely kind of threw me for a loop because whatever the attraction is missed me completely.

[colourshot-draws]

You have to live with the shitty thing you did for the rest of your life.

[onewomancitadel]

It is fun and interesting when even heroes do bad things or do bad things with good intentions because it makes them more human and psychologically complex and makes more story happen. I'll never understand members of the audience who want to live in moral paradise where nothing ever goes wrong and only evil people ever do the wrong thing and once you kill all the evil people evil stops existing and to ever dare insinuate heroes could do wrong is blasphemy and "shifting the blame". I'm not playing that game. It's not about which character has the mandate of heaven.

I just don't get it and I will never get it. Is it fear? Is it a desire for absolute simplicity? Is it my fantasy bristling against theirs? Is it the inability to win an online argument about your character being the most moral and pure in the whole world? Because it seems to me it often comes down to "xyz villain is more evil, stop coping" which is like... okay... if you have a flat view of storytelling, sure (oh God, I used to get into so many arguments about daring to compare Cinder-Pyrrha and Jaune-Penny). Of course, the most fun thing about I/ronwood's character arc is that is exactly his whole deal in relation to Salem, and exactly how he justifies what he does, which is kind of ironic in how people miss the point. But I wasn't even vagueing about him in the first place! I just remembered why I love R/WBY because this is an actual idea explored in the story. I love storytelling.

[patheticblorbloscholar]

I'm not a Spider apologist because there is nothing for him to apologize for.

[mechieonu]

haven't seen HH yet & my only real hope is that charlastor keeps whatever dynamic they had goin on