#game: borderlands | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

deckedcards · 7 days ago

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──── ❝ humans do whatever they can to save themselves. even if it means sacrificing others. ❞

⌗ pairing: squid game x gender neutral! reader

⌗ this work includes . . . lowercase intended, third person pov, typical squid game warnings, short scenarios, nanno! reader, general warnings for nanno characteristics, platonic relationships, reader replaces young-mi in order to make hyun-ju’s parts work, teenage! reader, readers age isn’t said but they are mentioned to have a young appearance, parental issues, weapons described, reader is mentioned to be twirling their hair in some parts, manipulative! reader, readers a little weird, slow burn with readers actual personality, “major” character death, supernatural themes, set during (and follows the story of) season 2, some scenes have been rewritten or just aren’t mentioned, self-indulgent, possible grammar and wording mistakes ❨ not proof read ❩

“sawadee ka, nanno na ka.”

⸺ NANNO! READER getting confronted by a man in a fancy and clean cut suit while they’re sat on a bench in the subway station, waiting for the train to go ‘home.’ staring at him innocently as he asks if they would like to play something with him, a game of ddakji.

midnight was rolling around the corner, the school uniform was chafing against their limbs once they had thrown down the colored paper in their hand against the other on the ground. grunting in failure with how they were unsuccessful in turning it over, the ruffle of a hand was planted against their head. a much more softer approach compared to the slaps that others would get from the salesman. even with how cruel he was, he would never think once of hitting a child.

“good try.” he says with a friendly grin planted onto his lips, reaching down to grab the abandoned paper. (name) clapped as they watched him win again. so far they had already done five rounds of this game, all of which they had lost. more hours have passed by like a blur, more people watched the two with confusion as they squished past them, some stepping off the train and others stepping on.

an ecstatic yell exited (name) as they directed the last hit downwards, the square flipping over at last with a loud smack. the corridor echoing with them hitting their palms together as they bounced off their heels. “well done.”

money was carefully placed into their hands, their eyes only scanned the card that was given to them. the salesman quickly nodded his head before taking off in the opposite direction. a feline-grin curled at the sharp corners of their mouth, storing away the decorated cardboard with shapes into their breast pocket. (name) glared their focus against the disappearing figure, twirling their index finger and wrapping a strand of hair around it like a ribbon.

“—(name), 6.66 billion won in debt.” a deep voice rang out, the screen stuck on the wall showed someone their own familiar face. (name)’s eyes stared back at them, watching as the hand of the salesman patted their head tuning out all the gasps filling the place when the remaining 455 players steered their heads in search for them.

“eh… who’s that?”

“they look awfully young to be here!”

“what exactly is this place for you to have to drag in minors?!”

“that sounds like a lot for someone like them.”

a blank expression drew onto (name)’s face, stepping from where they hid to stand next to a woman with poorly applied makeup that clashed with her skintone, player 044. a conniving glance was sent their way from her. the guard infront with a white square imprinted on his mask shut everyone up as he continued to speak, (name) shifted slightly as they felt 044 nudge her shoulder into theirs.

“theres something unique about you…” she whispered, “you have something that you’re keeping from the rest of the world. i can tell you’re not actually what you make yourself out to be.”

(name) spun their hair, moving the strand to hide their lips. the stoicness of their face broke as they turned to meet her uncanny eyes, the sly grin on their face making itself more apparent. “you’re here for your own gain, a purpose you could say… the gods aren’t very fond of you—”

“—what you see now—“

the lights dimmed, hints of yellow graded the room as everyone directed their attention upwards hearing the dotting of music. the ceiling opened up, eyes darted to the empty piggy bank ascending downwards. people started speaking up the moment the guard told them of the money that would be stashed in it after the six games. (name) tsked hearing him tell everyone of a consent form they’d have to sign if they wanted to participate.

they pouted, peripheral vision catching the woman move alongside them. “how sad, looks like our conversation will have to be cut short.” (name) dropped their voice, the quietness of their words picking into 044’s ears, “see you on the other side.”

nanno! reader catching the attention of a certain player… 456. furrowed brows mixing with his gaze of anxiousness as he caught glance of them on the screen. distress washing him over as he thought of the scenario they didn’t ‘know’ they had volunteered to be in, a high school student thrown into a place filled with death games.

a protective instinct was embedded into him once he heard the specific number that was given to them, the flooding memories of someone familiar who was teamed along side him the last time he was here. scenes of her corpse still imprinted inside his head like some kind of bleach stain that refused to come out no matter how many times you tried washing it, the remembrance of the deal she had given him of her brother…

kang sae-byeok, player 067.

nanno! reader ignoring all of the questionable stares they’ve gotten as they stepped through the area where the photo booth was located. different players of mixed ages, all of which were sending concerned glances their way the moment they had walked past some of them. the youthfulness of their face and young stature not going unnoticed by anyone as they whispered to each other, ‘what could a teenager possibly be in debt for?’

‘PLEASE LOOK INTO THE CAMERA.’

SMILE!

nanno! reader playing the façade of a scared teenager once the frenzy of red light, green light happens. watching as everyone sprints around in fear. yelling in terror once they had seen player 196’s bleeding corpse, loud bangs bouncing off the walls with every player getting sniped.

‘flinching’ as they slouched cowardly behind another player, 149. a frightened whimper left them with fake tears building in their waterline. their hearing irritated with gi-hun’s yelling, reminding everyone to stay still, “are you okay dear?”

the caring and motherly sound of 149’s voice made (name) stiffen, hands tightening on the cloth of her jacket, “ma’am…” the light in their eyes flickered, sentences sputtering out as their mouth dryed, “i’m scared…”

“i know, it’s alright. just stick to me, okay? we’ll be fine…” she said moving her hand slowly to connect with theirs, (name) sharply inhaled at the soft grip of her hand. pupils darting between her and the doll a few feet away from them, different thoughts running through their head at her action. blinking with creased brows but regaining their focus as they picked up the sound of repetitive dialogue coming from the piece of plastic—

GREEN LIGHT!

“move!”

nanno! reader watching the remaining players beg for their lives behind one of the bunk beds. body remaining still like a gargoyle as they felt player 120’s tender arms wrapped around them. she had dragged them with her the moment the lights flickered and the pink guards entered the room with their flashy guns, laying them flat against her chest incase of any harm with a sympathetic glance.

“there seems to be a misunderstanding…”

ears brushed out the guard reassuring everyone of what was actually going to happen, their vision catered itself to the side hearing the recognizable voice of the man who helped them in the first game. monologuing and persuading the square guard into letting them take the vote now, obliging in doing so. “miss..” (name) spoke up, gaining the attention of hyun-ju as she looked down at them realizing the firm grip she still had planted around them.

“oh! uh—sorry…” she responded, tugging her arms back to her side. (name) examined her embarrassed exterior, the way she rubbed at her forearm made them narrow their eyes. a glint of sorrow washed over their iris—bottom lip quivering, toying with their fingers, “actually, i—”

words wobbled out of them throwing themselves onto her with a frown, tightly wrapping their arms around her middle and digging the side of their face in between her front, “miss… can i stick with you? i don’t wanna be here alone and you seem nice… please, i won’t ask for anything else!”

they shuddered, fists digging into her back and tears staining down their cheeks causing foggy marionette like-lines. hyun-ju hesitated slightly before shushing them, rubbing their head with assurance, “it’s fine— it’s fine, don’t worry… you can stick around me as much as you’d like, it’s no problem at all.”

(name) brightened as they wiped any fallen snot from their nose and bowing their head repeatedly at her, hands incased in hers, “eh—thank you miss! thank you… so much..”

“it’s surprising to see someone of your caliber here.”

nanno! reader making player 222 jump at the sudden noise of their voice, interrupting the quietness of mealtime. the two stared at each other, jun-hee sending an eye signal to them questioning them on what they meant.

“you don’t have to play dumb with me,” (name) whispered, pointing to her stomach. “i’m talking about that.. growing inside your stomach. it’s not safe for you here y’know?”

she looked down, playing with the food in her box moving the metal fork she had against it seemingly ignoring (name)’s words. (name) exhaled through their nose, waving their hand to move jun-hee back from where she was sitting. placing themselves on her previous spot, “if it makes you feel better… i know exactly how you’re feeling.”

(name) cocked their head as she connected her eyes with them, urging them to go on. a half-smirk deepened on their lips, leaning back with their hands planted flat, “he wanted you to get rid of it, but you decided last minute that you wanted to keep it. that’s how it was for me.”

jun-hee raised her brows, posture straightening at the sentences that filled her ears. a thought stuck in her head with their continuous monologue, they don’t mean…? “—it’s hard, being given the responsibility of another life. especially when you’re so young…

“then what happened?”

(name) raised a brow at her, “oh? so you do speak..” they joked, smacking their lips together seeing the way jun-hee sent them a tiny glare. they rolled their eyes, standing up and digging their hands into the pockets of their jacksuit with another exhale leaving them, “kept it.”

…

“don’t look so down.” (name) said pinching at one of her cheeks, “it’s cruel to leave a parent without their child. besides, it’s not like he had a choice anyways.”

a maniacal laugh ripped from their vocal chords before they sighed, moving a strand of hair from their face and leaving her by herself. jun-hee followed them with her eyes, watching them walk away with pep in all of their steps as she sat there uncomfortably. blinking, finally processing the entire conversation.

eh—

“he?”

nanno! reader eavesdropping on player 456 and 001’s conversation during lights out, hiding in the shadows, furrowing their brows as they heard 001’s ‘reason’ for choosing blue. a tiny cough left them before speaking up, letting the older men know of their presence, “you’re a good man.”

young-il and gi-hun tore their attention from each other to the teenager leaning against the bed frame behind them, darkness overcasting them. (name) gulped stepping forward, eyes flickering between them with nervousness, “my apologies, i didn’t mean to intrude— uh… may i?”

they asked pointing to the empty space on gi-hun’s bed. he nodded, following them with his gaze as they stepped over young-il. crossing their legs on the bed with a smile, “i’m sorry again, its just— i think you guys are really cool… i’ve been admiring you two for the past hour now.“

they stated, the bright specks of light made itself more noticeable as they perked up, leaning forward to gi-hun with their hands clasped together in fists. “especially you mister, without you i don’t think i would’ve been able to make it through the first game! i was waiting for the chance to properly thank you for that.. so, thank you!”

they bowed their head at him, shutting their eyes with a generous open-mouthed beam. a small smile drew onto gi-hun before fading as his gaze shifted down to the annoying blue on their jacket. the circle mocking him as his eyes met with it, “—and you! the way you fought those guys earlier was so awesome, it was like you were a superhero or a movie character!”

(name) whisper yelled towards young-il. nodding eagerly as they saw the way he smirked at their compliment, shaking his head with a flustered chuckle. “(name)...”

they blinked, steering towards gi-hun with narrowed eyes as they saw the way he grimaced at them. the air around them shifted uncomfortably, young-il noticing the way they’re breath hitched as (name) picked up the question spilling out of gi-hun’s mouth,,

“do your parents know you’re here?”

nanno! reader avoiding all the conversations of people asking them of their parents and their whereabouts, ‘you’re parents must be worried about you,’ ‘are you here because of them?,’ ‘how’d you get here without them noticing?,’ ‘you need to go back to your family,’ all of this constant interrogation irritated them.

changing the conversation or topic, laughing it off as if it was joke and ignoring the worried looks given to them. sometimes the place would coincidentally call the players for the next game or tell them it was time for lights out before they could even respond.

“what a weird thing to ask someone…”

nanno! reader continuing to choose blue after the end of the six-legged pentathlon, watching as the numbers of ‘O’ increased. standing next to hyun-ju with one of their arms wrapped around her bicep, not caring of the gazes given to them by gi-hun and young-il.

one of frustration and the other of content.

nanno! reader watching player 230 kick out one of his men when the robot on the pa called out four during mingle. running with hyun-ju as they kept their vision on him, a frigid stare being sent his way before fidgeting once the remaining three of their group found themselves a room to stay in.

eyes widening when they looked through the rectangular peephole, seeing gyeong-su be shot down by a pink guard. only separating when geum-ja detached them from the door, telling them to not worry about it too much in the caring voice she always gave them. brows furrowed with an emotion they’ve never experienced before.

distraught.

nanno! reader having a numb gaze towards player 149 as they saw her comfort her crying son once they reunited after the groups of three. tilting their head, body tense and eyes blank, thoughts filling their head with various amounts of envy as they saw them embrace one another. a loving mother caring for her child, something they’d never be able to experience.

nanno! reader getting separated from hyun-ju as everyone scrams around in groups of ten, the countdown lingering around everyone as they scattered into unlocked doors. running behind geum-ja and yong-sik before getting shoved by another player getting kicked out of an open room. knocked onto the ground as they connected their eyes with hyun-ju through the entryway, her vision filled with worry.

“(name)!”

“hyun-ju!”

they yelled towards each other. (name) toppled up, sprinting towards her before getting shoved again, blurry eyesight making quick contact with the number on their perpetrators jacket, player 333.

the group inside the room stared at him with shock before steering away towards (name)’s cries, their stammering voice stabbing the middle of their hearts like a knife, “hyun-ju!”

“(name)!” hyun-ju whipped her body towards the cut in the door, pupils watching the glistening diamond-like tears run down their face. her rough hands tugging at the lock on the door with desperation, grunting with failure when it glued itself together, “(name)…!”

“i don’t wanna die, please! don’t leave me out here, hyun-ju!”

she flinched, the tears she had building up fell when the sound of gunshots filled her ears. breath trembling as she watched (name)’s body collide with the ground, the loud thud their body made only worsened it for her.

———

gi-hun furrowed his brows as he saw hyun-ju and her team walk back towards the platforms, looking between the three trying to find the figure that’s been here since the beginning.

noticing how dae-ho and jun-hee kept their heads down as they walked towards him, hyun-ju forcing her stiff body to walk, and geum-ja and yong-sik holding each other like a family attending the funeral of a loved one.

young-il spoke up for him, “where’s (name)?”

hyun-ju shivered at the name, preventing a sob from leaving her bitten lips, useless cries won’t bring them back. geum-ja shook her head, arm tightening around her son’s arm with dry tears on her face.

gi-hun and young-il shared looks with each other, young-il driving his hands through his hair as grief painted his face. gi-hun only stood there, chest quickening in its pace as his heart thumped.

he had ‘lost’ player 067… again.

“dude… either these pills are making me see double.. or that kid we’ve been seeing walk around here, has had a secret twin we weren’t noticing before.”

nanno! reader surprising everyone as they went back into the main area after finishing the third game. gasping in shock, seeing them sat on hyun-ju’s bed, alive and breathing like everyone didn’t see them die hours prior. even the guards were shocked! if you could see their faces through their masks that is… ( how would someone who covered their face be able to show emotions? that’s for you to figure out ) looking between each other and at the ones that stored their body in a casket. nothing but confused body language went over them, they could’ve sworn they were dead.

(name) brightened as they saw their team standing there with confusion, waving their hand as they ran towards the three. wrapping them in a tight hug, “hyun-ju! geum-ja, yong-sik! you guys won, i’m so happy to see all of you again!”

they laughed with a smile, shaping their face into a worried expression as they looked over their faces then at gi-hun’s team. all of them were staring like deer in headlights at them, “what’s wrong? i’m back now, aren’t i? there’s no point in being sad anymore.”

they cracked their neck to the side slightly, grabbing hyun-ju’s quivering hand as they dragged her with them, “c’mon, let’s go back to our beds.”

“(name).”

nanno! reader turning away from the scared trio sat infront of them towards the calling of their name. finger intertwined with a hair strand as they looked at the man before them, player 333.

myung-gi shifted uncomfortably at their face, seeing the person he left for actual death come back to life didn’t feel.. real. “i… i wanted to apologize for earlier—“

“shh, sh sh.” they clicked their tongue at him, separating their finger from their hair to place it against the middle of their lips. sparkless eyes staring at him as their smile turned into a menacing pout, “there’s no point in apologizing now.. i don’t blame you for doing it, of course. we all wanna survive in this world. but, the damage has already been done-”

they leaned closer to him, pressing their hands onto his shoulders as their whispers flew threw his ears like wind. he loathed at the touch; goosebumps painting on his covered skin at their cold words, seeing the patch of blood forming onto their white shirt in the form of holes. “and you’re gonna have to live with that.”

nanno! reader smirking towards player 044 on the hightops of one of the beds. the blue overcasting her as they made eye contact, lips mirroring the grin on their face. her eyes stuck on the blue patch on their jacket never once changing as they made it through this game, “i see your true colors are finally starting to show.”

seon-nyeo said as she lowered herself down to where (name) sat, gesturing to gi-hun and the rest of their remaining team on the red side. (name) blinked at hyun-ju, her head stuck down not moving at the feeling of their eyes on her, “is that so?”

“yes. but just so you know, the god’s still aren’t welcome in favoring you. if i were you, i’d be worried.” she spouted watching as a man and woman looked at her with their hands rubbing together in a praying motion, indescribable words leaving them with low voices. a prayer perhaps?

(name) sighed, crossing their arms at her statements with nothing but annoyance. moving their eyes to the lights on the ceiling, soulless pupils darting around them, “as if i need their pity...”

nanno! reader staring at player 124 after he and the other ‘O’ choosers came back from the fiasco that happened in the bathroom, eyes unblinking like a machine. flickering, noticing the way his red-stained hands shook as he held a cross-shaped necklace in his grip. quivering breaths left him as he shielded the pills hiding inside it, covering the blanket he had over the fork that was previously jabbed into thanos’ neck. “those eyes of yours piss me off.”

he spat, attempting to make himself intimidating towards the teen. (name) exhaled through their nose, puffing out their cheeks side by side as if they were lost in ‘thought,’ “if you have something to say… then say it, don’t waste my time.”

(name) pushed their lips outwards, blinking as they heard the woman on the pa counting until bedtime, “i’ve noticed how close you and thanos have become… it was such a shame, hearing him get eliminated. you must be in so much pain at losing your friend.”

nam-gyu sent daggers their way, irritation filling his eyes wanting to interrupt them. shout insults at them or something, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it… he felt something keeping him from speaking, an invisible force making him listen to the rest of their speech.

“if i were you.. i’d do something about the people who tried to get in the way of the two of us.” they said directing their gaze towards player 380 across the room, enhancing the seething of their tongue, “i hate people like her, always so full of themselves. she must think she’s better than us, better than you.”

(name) pulled out the fork nam-gyu was hiding in his sheets. he sat up, uncovering himself as he saw the utensil in their hand. noticing the one he had was gone, “how did you—“

“i’d make my way towards her when she’s off guard. catch her when she least expects it.. gives you more of an advantage.” (name) said tossing the metal back towards nam-gyu, walking away when the robotic voice gave the last warning for lights out, the faint grin on their lips carving into their mouth as usual.

“hey, min-su.”

nanno! reader appearing behind player 125 as he stares at se-mi’s corpse with guilt in his eyes, poorly guarding her body with his figure seeing how they shifted their gaze at the two.

“don’t worry, i won’t hurt you.” they assured moving towards him with slow and careful steps, standing infront of him with the constant smirk they had glued onto their lips

“you’re too kind for this world, min-su.” (name) said cradling the sides of his face with glints of remorse in their iris, his body trembled at the feeling of their dead hands against his warm skin. “you did your best in protecting her, but this is just how life is..”

min-su’s bottom lip shuddered, his nervous shell cracking through. squirming as (name) pressed a small kiss to one of his cheeks, “you can’t always save the people you care for.”

“congratulations on your ‘win,’ frontman.”

nanno! reader making the frontman flinch as they clapped their hands together, turning on the lights inside his room. sitting on his chair with documents in their hold, flipping through the files of previous players. “or would you prefer it if i called you, player one?”

player 001 stared at them through his sharp mask. the large screen infront of them was on, showcasing the players that were still left. (name) stood up, dragging their hand against the top of the sofa. the noise of their nails sketching against the leather filled the air with an annoying sound, “no? how about, young-il?”

young-il didn’t respond, his hand hovered over the gun hidden in his dark pocket as he stared at the teenager. “not much of a talker are you?”

he hadn’t noticed the mask he had covering himself was gone, not caring that his vision was more clearer than before. ignoring the black disguise he used in the grasp of (name)’s hold as they looked at him with that condescending grin of theirs. not the one infront of him, but…

in the hands of their clone.

his eyes ran over the two, different thoughts ramming into his head at the one standing infront of him with his mask and the other with the folder, both having the same bloodied number printed onto their green clothes. the same face, the same person with the same memories of before.

the person who was supposed to be burnt to a crisp in a coffin somewhere but came back with no explanation, not minding all the terrified looks people were giving them as they made the mistake of catching their eyes.

“who…. are you?”

“(name) is (name).” the one with the folder stated, the lingering silence of the room made him feel uneasy as they continued to stare at him with those flat eyes of theirs. “sorry. i don’t think i’ve had the chance to properly introduce myself.”

they readjusted their body, planting their hands together never once letting the files fall from their hold as they bowed at him. “hello, i’m (name). it’s nice to meet you...” bright teeth flashed him, dull hands reaching up to show him a specific paper. breath accelerating with the recognizable face that stared back at him, the face of who he was before.

“hwang in-ho.”

nanno! reader who’s actually older than everyone residing in the games despite looking the youngest; having the gift of immortality had its perks. nobody knew of this, of course. how could they when they had the ability to change their appearance at will?

male or female, young or old, short or tall, owning one body or multiple. even with this, a high school student just happened to be their top pick to walk through this world; it just wasn’t possible for anybody to suspect a teenager of being a monster, right?

nanno! reader who makes themselves vulnerable in order for people to let their guards down around them. putting on the act of an innocent and scared teenager, the type who would flinch at the loudest of noises. the type who acts dumb and confused at the simplest tasks, letting people get frustrated with them when they can’t seem to figure something out. the way they constantly change their personality in order to fit with whoever their around with, making them feel ‘safe’ and ‘comfortable’ just to get stabbed in the back by their lack of awareness of the person around them.

you whose sole existence is to expose the true colors of abusers and reveal the lies they drown themselves in. you don’t care about how you do it, it doesn’t matter if you drive people into commiting murder against others or ruining their minds and destroying them to the point they get the idea of ending their own life. as long as it gets the job done, you’re all for it. after all… there was no ounce of care or remorse found in your lifeless heart.

it’s your purpose to torture those who are evil. bringing them karma over the horrible misdeeds they’ve kept secret and tear down the walls they’ve built to hide they’re selflessness.

it’s what they deserve.

nanno always punishes those who deserve it.

❝ but check your window . . . he's at your window ❞

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