#gi-hung seong

[frost-queen]

🅼🅸🅽🅶🅻🅴 // part 5 (Reader x Young-il / player 001)

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Summary: Round and round you go. Mingling in the games to reach the doors in time with the right number. Will you make it out or will this be where you will draw your last breath? [series]

You groaned loud when the emotionless woman’s voice announced to wake up. If you ever had a gun, you would shoot the speakers down to never hear her annoying voice ever again. You waited for Jun-hee to wake up before crawling over her bed to the stairs in between the beds constructions. Jung-Bae stretched himself out with loud squeals. Dae-ho warming his arms and legs up.

From across the room, you saw the O voters getting up in a more cheerful way. Relieved to play another game for the prize money. It made you scoff their way. After last night’s vote, you had lost all hope in decency within them. They were here for one thing and one thing only. To claim that big piggy bank as there’s.

Not caring how many more people died. The more the better for them. You turned your head when the doors opened. Circle pink suits marching out. A few of them carrying tables to settle down. Breakfast. With a sigh, you followed the others down the stairs to get your food.

Shuffling in line, stomach already growling. You accepted your food and milk with a bow, stepping aside. – “Y/n wait.” – you heard, making you slow down. Hyun-ju placed a hand on your shoulder to catch up. – “Will… will you be alright for today?” – she asked. She was the only one that had seen your breakdown last night.

Having comforted you and not judged you. You hummed loud at her, following her back to the beds. – “Don’t worry about me.” – you told her. So you believed it. Last night when you were laying down in bed. You couldn’t find your sleep yet.

Mind spiralling over the fact that you had to play another game. The hope you had of ever getting to leave by the votes had faded quickly. You couldn’t simply trust the votes anymore. If you wanted to get out, you needed to survive. Survive to see your parents again.

Fight for your survival or die trying. If they wanted you to play by their games, so you would. Not letting them take you down without a fight. Hyun-ju blinked surprised back at you. Something she had not foreseen so quickly in you. She wrapped an arm around you, pulling you closer to her. Her chin resting on top of your head, squeezing her eyes shut with a comforting tug at your body.

She let go of you, joining the others. – “Jun-hee.” – Young-il said, holding his milk out to her. She stared blankly back at him. – “Take it.” – he gestured the milk demandingly at her to take. – “Thank you.” – Jun-hee said softly with a bow of her head. Young-il looked up when you had arrived. Moving aside to make room for you. Leaning into Gi-hun.

“What are you doing?” – Gi-hun asked confused as to why Young-il was leaning in so closely to him. Young-il ignored him, gesturing with his hand for you to sit. You stepped over a sitting Dae-ho to join Young-il. He removed himself from Gi-hun, shuffling closer to you.

You smiled shyly back at him. Young-il curling up a smile as well. Once he noticed how hard he was smiling, he dropped it. Clearing his throat and turn slightly away from you. Noticing Gi-hun was still staring confused at him. Young-il slightly shook his head for him to drop it. – “If we stay together, I’m sure we can…” – Jung-bae started. – “stay alive?” – you filled in, silencing the group.

Everyone swallowing nervously. Gi-hun began to speak to change the vibe settling between the group. – “Y/n.” – Young-il said leaning in closer to you. His head nearly touching yours as his hand found a way on your knee. – “Stay close and I’ll protect you.” – he said staring back at you. His gaze drifting down to your lips where they remained.

You stared down at his hand on your knee. Young-il flashed his gaze back up to your eyes, seeing they were focused on something else than him. – “Ah…” – he said on a long tone, slowly lifting his hand up from your knee. – “Sorry.” – he bowed his head to apologize.

Finishing up breakfast all of you retreated to the restrooms before the next game. You splashed some water in your face to shake yourself awake. Grabbing the sink with both hands, looking back at your own reflection. – “One more game.” – you whispered. Leaving the restroom with Jun-hee to join the others. The pink suits already stationed up front.

Forming a line, you all followed them. Met up with the classical music that led you to a presuming death. Each step felt heavier. Like reaching a top that made it harder for you to breath. Hyun-ju was walking behind you. You reached your hand out to her behind you. She took it firmly, needing a little comfort for herself. Higher and higher you went as the endless maze of stairs led you to another room.

Curtains opening as the first line of triangle pink suits walked in. – “Welcome to your third game.” – the emotionless woman said over the intercom. The pink suits parting ways to reveal more of the room. You gasped loud seeing the giant spinning platform. Carrousel horses stationed on a pedestal. – “The game you will be playing is Mingle.” – she explained over the speakers.

Swallowing nervously as you entered more. Seeing the circular room with colourful doors all around. Each having a number above them. – “Hey, we’ll be mingling together!” – you heard Thanos’s voice not far from you. Watching him jump happily up and down. – “Doesn’t that sound like so much fun.” – he added, being the only one this cheerful.

“You must form groups in that number, go into the rooms within 30 seconds.” – She continued to introduce over the speaker. All of you gathered near the spinning platform to strategize. Gi-hun looked concerned around him. – “If the number is higher than six, we’ll get the additional people we need.” – he spoke.

Dae-ho came leaning in closer with concern. – “What… what if the number is lower than six?” – he asked. Making Jun-hee and you look at each other with slight shock. – “We’ll figure it out as we go.” - Hyun-ju pitched in. Dae-ho moved his hand forwards. Jung-bae and Jun-hee joining in.

You took a deep breath, letting your hand join on theirs. Young-il’s warm hand going over yours. Gi-hun stared down at the joined hands, not sure about this round. It would take a lot for him to make sure everyone is save. With a deep exhale, he placed his hand with it. Parting ways to get onto the spinning platform.

“Let the games begin.” – the voice announced. Music blasted out of the speakers as the platform got in motion. The first movement nearly knocking you out of balance as it came so sudden. Gi-hun had grabbed you by your shoulder, allowing you to find sturdy ground first.

The platform slowly spinning as the music continued. Then the lights blacked out, making you gasp loud. – “Don’t be scared.” – you heard a voice say. Trying to steady your breathing, you held your hands together. The lights flashed on once more. Dunggeulge dunggeulge. Dunggeulge dunggeulge. You felt a shivering hand slip in yours. Looking over your shoulder to see it was Jun-hee.

Trembling to the bone. Binggeulbinggeul doragamyeo chumeul chupsida. The children’s song playing in the backround. Sonppyeogeul chimyeonseo, noraereul bureumyeo. Knowing it would soon come to an end and you would need to run for your lives. Looking around the platform, you saw Dae-ho standing not far from you. Seeing him focus hard.

Ready himself for when he needed to run. Rallallalla jeulgeoupge chumchuja. Gi-hun and Jung-Bae standing just in front of you. Ringgaringgaringga ringgaringgaring. Ringgaringgaringga ringgaringgaring. The sweet melody echoed through the room. If you might not be in this dangerous situation, you would’ve actually paid attention to the childhood memories tugging at your heartstrings.

Sone soneul japgo modu da hamkke. Jeulgeoupge ttwieo bopsida. The song ended as the platform came to a sudden stop. Making Jun-hee bump against you. – “Ten.” – The first number got announced. The timer counting down the moment she had announced the number. You grabbed Jun-hee’s hand firm as the lights had dimmed once more. Gi-hun and Jung-Bae overlooking everything.

“We need a few more!” – Gi-hun shouted loud. – “We have to hurry!” – Young-il said, coming closer. – “There’s no time, Gi-hun!” – he let out, tugging firm at his arm. Gi-hun nodded starting to run with the people he knew and those he knew barely that joined him. All of you got off the platform, running for a door. Holding on tight to Jun-hee’s hand, you practically squeezed it to death.

“Hurry!” – Jung-Bae shouted. – “Room 44, mom!” – Yong-sik called out, holding his mother’s hand firm. The lights flickered above your head. Panting loud as you followed the others to room 44. Feeling suddenly a hard tug on your hand, followed by a scream. Stopping you looked back at a man trying to take Jun-hee from you. – “Ya!” – you screamed out, kicking your foot at him. Punching your fist at him to let go of her arm. Jun-hee panting in fear.

“Y/n!” – Dae-ho’s voice came through. Having run back to punch the guy square in the face. He let go of Jun-hee as she nearly knocked you over. – “Hurry!” – Gi-hun shouted loud, watching the timer. Ten seconds. Dae-ho grabbed both you and Jun-hee’s shoulder, shoving you forwards. Hurrying over to room 44 as he pushed you inside.

You stumbled inside, tripping over your own feet. You yelped loud, thinking you would fall flat forwards if it weren’t for those sturdy arms to catch you. Shuddering out a breath, you looked up to Young-il. – “Are you alright?” – he asked with a deep stare. You could only hum, not able to utter out a word. The timer beeped, locking the door automatically.

Young-il helped you stand up straight. Gi-hun moving Jung-bae aside to look through the small gap in the door. Gun shots firing through the room as it made you cover up your ears. Knowing those who didn’t make it got slaughtered. Gi-hun lowered his head, knowing those people couldn’t be saved.

More pink suits entered to collect the dead. Bringing in black caskets with a pink ribbon. They cleared out the room as the doors unlocked once more. All of you stepping out carefully. The floors now smeared with blood. Young-il who was walking in front of you, gestured at a pool of blood, letting you know to be careful. You stepped over it, making sure you wouldn’t slip over the blood.

Returning to the spinning platform. Once again the song began, setting the platform in motion. Dunggeulge dunggeulge, dunggeulge dunggeulge. Looking over your shoulder, you saw Thanos and Nam-Gyu. Arms locked as they danced. It made you scoff at how unserious they were taking this. Ringgaringgaringga ringgaringgaring. Ringgaringgaringga ringgaringgaring. Dunggeulge dunggeulge.

The platform stopping all the sudden. Nearly knocking half of your friends off balance. – “Four.” – got called out over the speakers. You gasped, looking in shock back at your friends. What were you going to do now. The timer already counting down. – “You four go!” – Gi-hun called out, gesturing at you, Jung-bae, Dae-ho and Young-il.

“Wait!” – Young-il called out. – “No, you go!” – he let out, gesturing for you to get a move on. – “You guys, leave.” -  He took his leave, shouting that he needed three more people. – “Young-il!” – you screamed out, not wanting him to part. Gi-hun wrapped his arms around you, pulling you off the platform.

“Let’s go!” – he panted out. You needed to accept it and hope that he would be save. Turning around to run with Gi-hun to a room. The four of you entered. Fourteen seconds on the clock. Gi-hun staid by the door, looking outside to see people fight for their lives to find people to join. The timer beeped, locking the door once more.

Gi-hun exhaled loud as you sank to the floor. – “Y/n!” – Jung-bae called out in concern. – “Are… are you alright…” – he asked coming to kneel beside you. You blinked rapidly to keep your tears at bay. Suddenly not so sure anymore that everyone would make it out alive. Gi-hun moved closer to you, placing a hand on your knee.

“It will be alright Y/n. They will be okay.” – he reassured you. – “I know, I know.” – you breathed out, recollecting yourself. You had told yourself you wouldn’t be weak anymore, yet it was so hard for you to obtain that image. The doors opened once more as you all carefully stepped out. Your gaze settling on the number of players. 168. You desperately looked around for the others. Specially Young-il.

You knew he could handle himself, still you couldn’t help but worry. – “Y/n!” – you heard loud, making you look back. – “Brother Young-il!” – Jung-bae shouted loud as he came running over. Jung-bae ran up to him, throwing his arms around him. Young-il smiled, gently removing his hands from around him.

Young-il came closer, still with a smile on his lips. – “I knew it. You’re not just anybody.” – Jung-bae spoke praising Young-il. – “Ya! Mi-Chin-Nom!” – you called out, shoving Dae-ho aside to reach Young-il. Young-il got startled by your loud voice, eyes briefly widening as you came slapping his shoulder.

“Michossoyo? For leaving like that. For making me fear the worst!” – you shouted loud stopping your punching as you barely had any strength left. Panting loud.- “Mianhae.” – Young-il answered swallowing hard. You crossed your arms, not wanting to look at him. He had made you fear the worst. Young-il lowered his head a bit, reaching out to you to turn you back to him. – “Mianhae Y/n.”- he repeated in a soft tone.

Sighing loud, you wanted to remain mad at him, but you couldn’t deny being overjoyed to see him alive. You teared up, pushing his arms out of the way to hug him. Young-il’s arms hovering in the air as he got caught off guard. – “Babo.”– you whispered out, letting your forehead rub against his chest.

“All players, please step onto the centre platform.” – the woman’s voice cut through, making you pull away from him. All of you joined on the platform once more. Dunggeulge dunggeulge. Dunggeulge dunggeulge. Round and round the platform went. Smudges of blood all over the room. Even on the platform. You tried not to look at it. Jeulgeoupge ttwieo bopsida.

The platform stopping as it made you bump against Dae-ho. – “Three.” – boomed over the speakers, timer going in. Panic erupted between you all. They were taunting you and you knew the number would keep going down. – “The three of you go!” – Gi-hun called out to Dae-ho, Jun-hee and you. You looked back at Young-il. – “Go!” – he shouted out. You panted loud when Dae-ho grabbed you firm by your shoulders.

Dragging you to one of the rooms. The door closed as you shoved Dae-ho aside. Needing to see what was going on. Needing to see if you recognized anyone. – “Don’t look.” – Dae-ho panted out, covering up your eyes with his hand. The timer beeped, locking the door once more.

The gun shots coming in seconds later. Your body flinched at the sounds. Jumping out of your skin each time. Waiting for the shots to die out. Doors unlocked once more, making you walk out. Stepping over the pools of blood that had become endless. – “Y/n!” – you heard loud. Turning your head to see Hyun-ju run over.

Wrapping her arms tight around you. Relieved she exhaled, tightening her arms around you. Taking her hand, you walked back to the platform. A routine now as you had been doing the same thing over and over again. The music began once more, platform shifting. The song barely in the middle as the platform stopped.

Lights shutting out, only to flicker. – “Six.” – the number got announced. Gi-hun looked back at you all. Knowing what to do, you followed them running over to a door. Dae-ho reached the door first, opening it. Shuddering out a breath as the room was already full.

“Ya! Get out!” – a player called out, shoving Dae-ho back. – “What do we do now?” – Jun-hee asked with shaking knees. Hyun-ju tapped you on the shoulder, pointing at another door. All of you started running. The timer only at a few seconds. You screamed it out to push yourself to the limit. To keep up with Hyun-ju to reach the door. She shoved the door open as you all stumbled inside.

She remained at the door till someone slipped in, closing the door. It went to the lock a second later. – “Young-mi?” - Hyun-ju called out. Rushing towards the door, trying to open it but it was already locked. – “Young-mi.” – Geum-ja cried out seeing Young-mi stand just outside the door. Crying as Hyun-ju banged on the door, wanting it to open. Hyun-ju jumped back when the shot got fired.

Watching as Young-mi’s eyes got dull. Her body falling to the side, lifeless. – “Young-mi!” - Hyun-ju screamed in terror at the door. The doors opened again once the room had been cleared of bodies. You stepped out, looking for the others. Young-il turned his head, letting his gaze settle on you.

All of you returned to the platform. 126 players left. – “Stay close.” – Young-il told you as you nodded. Platform spinning as the music echoed through the room. – “What do you think it will be this time?” – Jung-bae asked Gi-hun. – “Two.” – Young-il answered firm.

His gaze firm on the doors. – “To thin out as much players and with the number of rooms available. The next number will be two. The rest will be killed.” – he ended. He reached back for you, taking your hand firm. Stretching his fingers before tightening them firmly around yours.

You swallowed nervously, knowing it was game-on. The last run for survival. The platform rumbled, coming to a stop. – “Two.” – the woman announced. Lights flashing as chaos erupted amongst the players.

Young-il jumped off the platform, running with you towards a door. His attention briefly to the timer. Players were running in every direction needing to manoeuvre to not get knocked back. Young-il let go of your hand. A player grabbing a door. Young-il pressed his hands deep onto the man’s shoulders, pulling him back. Tossing him aside.

Taking the door, he turned around, holding his hand out. – “Come!” – he panted out. You started to run suddenly grabbed. A man had grabbed you by your jacket, pulling you down. You stumbled back to the ground. The man jumping over you as he forced his way into the room. Young-il needing to back up.

“Ya!” – he called out kicking the man back, the door opening with a slam. The man stumbled back as Young-il kicked him once more. He tripped over your foot that you had extended. Young-il gasped loud seeing the timer. Seven seconds. You still laid on the ground. He knew helping you up would take too much time. Five seconds. Young-il’s jaw tensed as he bend down, grabbing your ankle.

“Young-il!” – you called out when he dragged you over the floor into the room. Two seconds. He jumped over you, closing the door with a pant. Locked. His breathing shallow, forehead resting against the door. He slightly turned as his feet gave away under him. Sending him down. – “Young-il!” – you called out, crawling over to him.

He needed to catch his breath, having worn himself out. He managed to breath out a laugh at the sight of you. Moving his hand up. Palm touching your cheek. – “Y/n.” – he breathed out. The strength in his hand faltering as you grabbed a hold of his wrist. Supporting his hand to remain against your cheek. Tears swelling up in your eyes.

The firing of bullets in the background. Your body shuddered as you tried to withhold your sobs. Young-il wiping a tear away with his thumb. You made room, pressing your head against his chest. Arms wrapping around him. Young-il moved one arm of his around your body. The other one joining in really quickly as he pulled his knees closer to his chest. Cradling you tighter in his embrace. – “Mianhae Y/n.”

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[amoristt]

trust i seek, and i find in you | the finale

part 1 (x) part 2 (x) part 3 (x) alternative ending (x)

「 ✦ seong gi-hun / reader ✦ 」

a/n: theres two endings to this story cuz i couldnt make my mind up!!! if ur not happy w this ending, check the other <333 i hope you guys enjoy, ive had so much fun writing this series UGH

Rain poured dense and persistent from the angry sky above, thick clouds akin to raging plumes of smoke miles overheard. The dirt and gravel surrounding you resolved into slick mud under your dress shoes. Droplets of water gathered at the crown of your skull before cascading down the lines of your face, deepend with grief. Fat tears had long since begun to fall from your water lines and race down your cheeks, only hidden by the onslaught of heavy rain, a mirage that only bought you seconds before you would inevitably fall into Gi-hun’s arms blubbering like an inconsolable child. 

The game laid out before you both had already started but neither of you could bring yourselves to move. Just two players standing in static, unwilling. Gi-hun was, as always, as easy to read as a book. Every emotion that coursed through him was plain as day before you. His anger, his fear, his desolation all settled into the wrinkles of his frown, those puppy-dog like eyes downcast and swallowing you whole. You hated seeing him like that- broken. 

How could this be happening. 

Just the night before, in both of your monkey suits with full bellies and reeling from loss, he had said that he knew a way out of this. That since it was just the mere two of you left, he knew exactly how to make sure you’d both go home at the next game. He was confident, with a pipe dream in his eyes and a sense of bright urgency so determined that you couldn’t help but believe him too. You think you would have believed anything that passed his lips. Needed to believe that there was a light at the end of this dark, dark tunnel. He said that just like the first time you’d been chewed up and spat out by the games, you could both hold another vote to end the games and send you both packing. You could start your lives together having found something worth more than the weight of the gold the game makers had dangled just out of your grasp since day one.

Go on, and live for the ones who couldn’t. 

You sucked in every word he said. Leaned on it, depended on it, clung to it equally as desperate as you clung to his chest and buried your face in the scent of him. He said he would find you after you were both dropped off no matter what it took. He’d find you, and it would be the last time you were without each other. 

Clause three, He’d said, a dejection in his sorrowful voice. A majority vote will end the games.

It sounded too good to be true. And yet, you began to imagine it. You and Gi-hun. Life together outside the games, a life you wished you could have found years and years ago. Early mornings spent tangled together in bed sharing one lousy comforter. A dingy roof that always seemed to leak, floors that were always just a little too cold for comfort. Lights would flicker, your neighbors would be less than friendly. But you would be together. You’d patch the holes in the ceiling of whatever ramshackle shithole you’d both scrounged up the money for. He’d stand by the drafty windows and watch the world come to life in the early hours of the day, painted in the beautiful morning sun while you pretend to stay asleep just to drink in a few extra moments of his peace.

Eating dry ramen on a table made from a cardboard box. Sharing a bottle of Soju because you could only afford one. 

You’d work long hours day by day to afford what little you had, but then at the end of every shift your sore feet would wander you right back home and into his arms and it would all be worth it. Sore, tired, hungry. Loved.

It was a lovely mirage. It was everything you never knew you needed. You never needed money, or fancy things. All you needed was someone to push through life with you. Someone like Gi-hun, with his boyish smile and his dark curly hair and his gentle touches with even gentler words. Someone like him who made you feel as if the world wasn’t something to shy away from. Someone like him, whose eyes lit up whenever you were at his side. Someone worth going through the everythings with.

Even then, in the heavy absence of the other players who hadn’t gotten to make it as far as you had, he made you feel like in that moment everything was okay. There weren’t guards just outside waiting for the call to shoot you down. There weren’t mysterious figures and masked men watching every move and over joyously pitting you against one another. 

There was only him. 

Gi-hun had pulled you so close to his chest that you could feel the heat of him. You listened to the rhythmic beat of his heart and the hum of his soft breaths. You longed for the next chapter- the life outside of this that he swore up and down was within reach. 

Yes, you would both be painstakingly poor, but you’d also be richer than you could ever have imagined. 

There, together, money had become just a mere word.

When you were both escorted to the last game, you couldn’t help the way your nerves seized your heart up in the cage of your chest. Something felt wrong. Off. Difficult to wretch down as every step brought you closer and closer to the giant doors you remembered from the first game you played here. And even though Gi-hun squeezed your hand in his own, you couldn't bring yourself to return the sweet gesture he offered you. 

Sure enough, when the doors pulled open, it was that same field. The little girl statue stood looming in the distance. This time, however, something new caught your eyes. A white pattern on the ground- the unmistakable outline of Squid Game. It took your breath away.

A fight to the death. 

Gi-hun was quick to announce that he’d be drawing from clause 3 to end the games before they had even begun. He said it with confidence, without a single stutter or falter in his voice. Over the days, you’d noticed how much of a backbone he’d grown. You feel the opposite had happened to you, your soul crushing with the weight of the dead and your nerves threatening to choke you up at any given point. If not for Gi-hun you’d surely have crumbled into dust by now. He eyed the square guard as he spoke, demanding for the voting to commence. Once it did, you would both get to go home. 

”Player 456 wishes to stop the game,” He said into his walkie-talkie.

This would all just be a terrible memory behind you. You were ready to leave everything but him behind. 

So imagine the surprise when his request was denied. 

Imagine the dread, the pure and sheer defeat and rotten hopelessness that settled over your faces and into your guts like a pound of lead as the masked man spoke. 

“Your request was denied. The vote may not be held during the finale of the Games.”

Gi-hun, initially was at a loss for words, gaping at the guard with disdain and hatred in his eyes. If looks could kill, that masked man would have dropped dead right before him. You wished he would. 

You sputtered from where you stood, your head spinning faster than you could get a grip on. Those sweet and peaceful days you’d imagined with him shattered into nothing in an instant, the fragments running circles in your heads and taunting you. No mornings with him. No dinners. No drinks. No drafty window, no little shitty home that was rundown but still just perfect because it was yours. 

This couldn’t be happening.

“We won’t fight!” Gi-hun announced with grit teeth. His hands balled into tight fists at his sides. “We’ll just stay right here for as long as it takes!”

Without missing a beat, the masked man raised his hand. It was then you noticed he had some sort of remote, and with a single click, there was a great buzzer that sounded in the distance. Flashing lights gripped both of your attentions- the clock from the first game. In bold, striking letters, you saw the numbers flashing before your eyes. Your heart sank into your belly. 

5:00

Your mind could barely register the guards chatter behind you.

“If a player does not win before the countdown, both players will be eliminated.”

That was the moment the rain had first begun. Heavy droplets tapped away before it began to fall in raging streams. 

While you were busy spinning on your heel and pleading with the masked man to have a single shred of decency, of fucking humanity, Gi-hun’s eyes never left you. Memorizing you. Taking down every last detail before he would lose you. You swatted the guards chest and begged with desperate eyes and trembling hands. It didn’t even phase the man, who merely stood there unbothered. Only when your gaze singled with Gi-hun’s and you could see the way vain was written in those beautiful irises did you finally let your shoulders fall in defeated anguish. 

It was over. 

It was all over.

The timer began to count down.

There was no escaping this. You were both going to die here. 

Die, because there wasn’t a chance in hell you would even so much as raise your hand to that man. Nothing could force it from you- not even the always present threat of death hanging over your head closing in on you like walls. You couldn’t do it. Not to him. 

God, not to him. 

Judging by the way his eyes found yours, far away and crestfallen, you knew he was in the same boat. A sinking, drowning boat rocking in the sea of blood. 

But hey, at least you were in the boat. At least you got to be there together. Bearing the suffering and loss wrapped within the gift that was getting the blessing to know, and to love, Gi-hun.

An agonizing fate laid before the two of you, but you’d both accepted defeat before the game had even had a chance to begin. Your lives were laid down and bared, ready to go, only if together. The thought of him dying here struck you worse than your own untimely demise. He had a daughter he longed to see, a mother he wanted to take care of. You had nothing back home. No family. Not even a damn cat. And he was still willing to throw it all away for you. 

A part of you wishes you had brought the knife provided to you at your final supper. You could have plunged it into your neck by now, bled out and died content knowing that Gi-hun would get to continue life anew without the incessant burden of money. He could visit his daughter in America, he could go anywhere he pleased. He could pay for his mothers surgery and see out his days in the utmost comfort. He could leave this all behind.

Your friends wouldn’t have met their demise in vain.

But, you hadn’t brought it.

And neither had he. 

After your meals, when you’d both realized that there was a high chance the final game being a fight to the death, you left those knives abandoned at the table. A pre-refusal to fight. You didn’t give a damn about winning anymore. The prize had become nonexistent. Gone- fucking useless. Nothing more but fucking numbers- nothing compared to the sheer weight of his life. You’d gone through so much, swore up and down that it’d be you at that finish line and you’d go home with your head held high and proud for all to see. To prove to the fuckers back home that you were not the worthless, mooching brat they’d all made you out to be. 

The brat you'd turned yourself into.

Now, you would have given anything to go home with empty pockets and Gi-hun at your side. You truly had thought you would, too. 

All washed down the drain in the blink of an eye. 

You were a damn fool to ever think you could get out together. Of course this would be the end. Of fucking course. Either a final fight between found lovers, a spectacularly brutal scene indeed, or a quiet doom that would reach you within 4 minutes. 

So, you chose to wait. To let death come and find you wherever you may be. 

And it was an easy choice, especially so as he stood there watching you with those eyes. Because compared to him… Nothing else mattered. Absolutely nothing.

He called your name over the now deafening beat of rain. 

“I can’t-...” He’s struggling to speak, his lower lip quivers. It rips you to shreds. “I can’t hurt you.”

A response dies in your throat, caught by the lump you’re struggling to swallow down. You force it out regardless. “I know.”

His eyes fall. The weight of your fallen friends is unimaginably heavy on your shoulders. They’d all died, some so that you could be where you are now. And for what. To watch you throw in the towel from beyond the beyonds all because you found yourself in love with your competitor. To watch you throw it all away at the finish line because you loved him more than yourself.  

The clock ticks down. This is how you both die. When it reaches zero, shortly now, it would tick away at its last second and you would both be put down like miserable dogs. Really, the only comfort you could draw into yourself was thinking how you would find him in the afterlife. Drawn to him so intensely that you wouldn't be able to stay away even if you wanted to. Even if you tried. 

But that wasn't for another three minutes and thirty seconds. Until then, you wanted- no, needed to be near him. If this was truly the end, if you were to die, it would surely have to be in his arms. Your eternal resting place. 

He opens his mouth to speak, probably something so heart wrenchingly horrible that it would shatter you to pieces, but you stop him with a shaky, sad invitation.

“Could I have a second dance.”

Initially Gi-hun is stunned into silence. But then, that shocked expression melts away into a smile dripping in melancholy.  Downturned eyes. He tries to be happy for you but you can see it. The beautiful upturn to his lips that doesn’t quite reach his beautiful eyes. He reaches his hand out and beckons you. 

You all but throw yourself at him. 

Gi-hun grasps your hand gently, you move to him like a moth to flame. His fingers are soaked, yours are too, droplets racing down your wrist as he raises your knuckles to his lips and plants a chaste kiss right over bruises. So sweet, if not for the loaded gun mere feet away itching to toss led through your skin. Sweet if not for the whimpered cry that tears itself from your chapped lips when he brings his other hand up to graze the pads of his fingers down the curves of your face. Over your cheek bones, brushing sopping wet hair from your eyes. Your heart hurts- it aches. You feel like you’re being held up by strings, knees threatening to buckle at any moment now. 

Everything was all too much. It was too heartbreaking. Too bittersweet. Too intimate to display in front of whatever bastards were watching out of view. But yet, you sink into him like you’ve done it a hundred times before. It’s instinctual. You wrap your arm around his neck and squeeze his hand with the other. His eyes soften all over again and you feel tears stream down your cheeks. 

That hand gently tracing over your battered and bruised expression finds its way down to your shoulder, then takes its resting place on your hip. No words were needed this time. You’d remembered the dance down to the minute detail. Back, forward. If you weren’t in the final moments of your life, you’d be proud of yourself for being such a quick learner. Left, right.

Or at least praising Gi-hun for being such an excellent teacher. 

You move with him and let him guide you all over again. You feel the most subtle of tugs and then you’re turning with him, the mud beneath your shoes dragging as you go. He sways to a melody in his head, and this time, you can feel it as well. The gentle rhythm of push and pull. It entranced you. Everything faded into the endless sea of nothingness except for him. No games, no extravagant piggy bank overflowing with the spoils of blood money. Not even the square-faced guard’s looming presence just barely close enough to catch the corners of your eyes.

Just Gi-hun. 

It was almost like being there again- that night. You remembered the terror of watching over your friends while they slept, shaking in your shoes carefully to observe every last movement your field of vision allowed you to soak in. Bated breaths, a racing heart despite the silence. You remembered wondering if you would even survive that night after witnessing the sheer brutality of the evening before. You had wondered how ever survived anything at all. 

Gi-hun had pulled you from that haze of terror so effortlessly you didn’t even realize he’d done it until you were giggling and chatting away. There was something about him that you could never understand, something so unique that you couldn’t process yourself. His uncanny ability to make everything around you just… Vanish. And then you’d be at peace again, even for just that short while. Unafraid. Like death wasn’t waiting for you around every turn. 

You’d have given anything to go back to that now. You’d appreciate it more, let him spin you round and round until you were dizzy and drunk in his presence. Listen to him hum a tune that you couldn’t place and talk you to sleep with that tender voice. He was so full of life that it spilled over his cup and ran into yours. 

So full of life, yet so willing to throw it away if it meant you could carry on. Even now, at the end of the line he fought to climb, to make it to the top and to bring home riches for his family, to change the course of his life and finally do good for those who’d helped him along during his troubles, he wouldn’t finish it. Because that meant finishing you. 

And you did the same. Survived to the brink of winning only to discover that there was nothing worth more than this. More than him. 

How could this be the end? 

Haven't you given enough? Haven’t you both suffered enough? 

Were your lives just some long, cruel pranks played by a God with an abhorrent sense of humor? To throw you into the lion's den, to knock you down peg by peg until you believed the only way out was to kill or be killed, to dangle a prize dripping in blood just out of your reach. 

Even worse, to put this perfect man right in your path. An unmoving, unwavering road block that you couldn’t bear to hurdle over. You’d rather die.

And so, you would.

Gi-hun can see the way you start to choke back cries. Your steps are growing sloppy, your fingers are twisting in his shirt. 

“Look at me.” Rain and tears blur your vision, but you do. He sighs a breath of content. “Ah, there you are.”

He did it again- dragged you from the spiraling pits of your racing thoughts. 

The clock reads 1:00 in taunting LEDs. Time is running out- it’s almost up. Only one more minute with him. 

“Gi-hun,” You sniffle. “I can’t-”

He doesn’t let you speak, swiftly cuts off your incoherent cries by outstretching his arm and gently pushing you at the end of his reach. Before you know it, before you can register that your body is seemingly moving all on its own, you’re spinning. The world is a blur of grey and brown, and then you’re pulled right back into his arms.

He lets you shrink into him. Your chest stutters as you fail to hold back your sobs. 

He rests a hand on the back of your head, and lets you weep. Once the tears fall, really fall, they don’t stop. They faucet from your eyes and disappear into his sopping wet clothes in body wracking, chest heaving cries that almost seem to echo. Every noise you make seems to bounce right back into your ears and then you realize that Gi-hun’s crying too. He holds you so tight to him, so fervently that it almost forces the air from your lungs. Gripping onto you like if he lets up you’ll be gone by the time he could even open his eyes. 

You feel it to be true too, your hands gripping tight fists into the fabric of his shirt. You’d seen countless lives crumble to nothing at the drop of a dime- an entire life born, built and then erased in the blink of an eye. How were you ever supposed to let go of him?

By the time he’s just started to settle, you’re still shaking in your shoes, stuck in place and gripping him like a lifeline. He has to damn near pry you back just to get another good look at your face. Even though you’re sure that you’re red faced, snot nosed, and bleary eyed, he breathes out the softest sigh and the corners of his lip’s turn up to form a sullen smile. He tries to comfort you, wipe away at your tears, but between the rain and your incessant crying there isn’t much to be done. You’re babbling like an idiot, racing out anything you can think of. Desperate to fit it all in before it’s over.

Thank you for everything. You are perfect.

You are everything to me.

“I wanna go home,” You wail. “I want us to go home.”

Go-hun holds your face in his hands preciously. He pets his thumbs down your cheeks. Try as he might to comfort you, the timer settles on it’s final 20 seconds. 20 seconds to live. He shakes and presses his lips to your hair and breathes you in for what could be the last time. It hurts- you can’t breathe, you can’t think anymore. There isn’t enough time. It’s slipping through your fingers and you can’t catch it. 

You just want more time. 

“I love you.” 

He’s the first to say it. There’s tears rolling down his face but he still smiles for you. I love you too leaves your lips before you even have a chance to process it yourself. 

There’s an ear piercing buzz that cries over the sound of the thundering rain. 

0:00

No more time.

Gi-hun doesn't let you see anything. He shoves your face into his chest and buries you, surrounds you with himself as if it’ll stop the bullets from ripping through his wiry frame and slicing through you. Footsteps sound from somewhere you can’t place. Your lives are over. You’re going to die. The dirt shifts under the weight of them, stopping merely a foot away. You don’t get to see what’s going on- he refuses to let you face it. But the way his body tenses, his fingers grip into your skin, his breath pauses, tells you all that you need to know. It’s over. 

The guard's voice makes your stomach roll. 

“Player 456, you are eliminated.”

Your eyes shoot up to his. He’s soft. Knowing.

“You did it.” He coo’s. 

Your heart falls into your belly when you look down at your feet, planted right in the center of the white circle. 

He’d danced you right into being the winner. 

“No.” Is all you can think to say. You’re reeling, your mind can’t process it.  

Everything stops. Time. The rain. Everything. 

He touches the side of your face gingerly. Just like he had when your life was escaping you in fleeing droves. Just like when he’d brought you back and held you and pet your hair and told you it was alright, he was there. 

He was there. He was everything you needed.

Everything you had. 

“No.” You grab onto his suit, searching him for something, anything. “I can’t do this without you.”

He’s crying. Heavy tears and his lower lip trembling. “You’re going to be okay.”

”Step aside.” The guard says, and the tip of his gun is pressed to Gi-huns back. ”Or you’ll be shot, too.”

So let it then. Let the bullet find you too. Let you go with him.

“No, no, please, I have nothing.” You’re hands are frantically grasping him, pulling and grabbing and gripping anything it could get. Trying to pull him into yourself, to take him away, to keep him with you. Because you can’t leave this fucking place without him. 

Because there is no life without him. 

The doors of the building rattle open and there’s another guard taking quick steps towards you both. You already know why. 

Gi-hun holds your face, tries to capture your frenzy, tries to see the you in you one last time and take the image of you with him to the next life. 

“Please,” You’re sobbing and holding him, white knuckling the fabric of his suit. 

Don’t take him from me. Don’t take him from me.

There’s hands on your shoulders trying to wrench you away from him but you don’t let up. Your voice is leaving you in cries, your eyes desperately taking in every bit of Gi-hun. 

Don’t take him from me.

Your fingers are pried from him. The soles of your shoes drag lines into the dirt. He watches you, melancholy. The look of a man who’d accepted his life over yours. You beg them to stop. To call a vote.

To take your life over his. 

There is no life without him.

The gun fires. Gi-hun drops to his knees and crumbles onto the ground. There is nothing else.

The guards have to drag you away kicking and screaming. And god, you do. 

You thrash and you fight and you cry his name out and beg him to come back to you. But he’s just fucking laying there and red is running in the streams of the rain and you can’t stop the guard from hoisting you over their shoulder despite the way you punch at their shoulders and arm. They’re taking you from him, they’re taking you away from the only thing that mattered. 

You scream his name until your voice is nothing but a pitiful squeak. The doors are shutting. You see yourself there lying there beside him. You see yourself dead and gone wrapped in him. The ghost of yourself, left behind with the loss of him. 

Empty, empty, empty. 

There is no life without him. The man who’d rewrote your life and taught you that there was sunlight over every valley, love in every corner. The man who chose humanity over greed every single time until you chose to became better for him, just for the chance that he’d keep you around. The man who deserved it all. 

It should have been you. 

You cry his name one last time.

It's all going. It's all slipping away and you can't fight for it back and you can't wrap your head around the fact that he isn't coming home, he isn't finding you, he isn't anything anymore. Not warming your bed or your home and holding you during the storms.

He was going to be gone for the rest of your fucking life. And you, you, you you in your misery would have to live and drag your sorry soul day by meagre day until there was nothing left to run on. There would be nothing without him. You would go home the same angry, bitter, callous wretched mess you were when you'd arrived a week ago.

This time drowning in the waters of loss and guilt.

The guard all but throws you onto the floor and you shatter before them in tears and wails. The doors are almost closed- you'll never see him again. This was the end.

A winner of riches. A loser in everything else. So much to have lost for such a pointless, pointless gain.

You wished you had died with him. You wished you had died right there at his side, tucked into his arms. Now you're going to miss him for the rest of your life. Chase him in the colors of the sky, hear him in the whispering breezes, always just barely out of touch. You'd see him in the pouring rain and feel the ghost of his arms wrapped around you your fitful sleep.

The echoes of your cries would haunt every hallway, every room of that building long after they'd peeled you from the floor and sent you back to wherever the fuck you came from. All alone.

A hefty bank account. Nothing worthy to spend it on.

Your bed would never feel full enough again. Your heart would never mend. You would never stop longing for him. Searching for him, searching for the parts of yourself lying deceased and melting away in blood and rain beside him.

You should have died there with him.

You did die there with him.

The rain stops just as the doors slam shut.

[luxerians]

The Last Mask (09)

Hwang In-ho/Oh Young-il/Player 001 x Reader

Chapter 09 - Purpose

Story Masterlist

NEXT : Chapter 10

PREV : Chapter 08

For a moment, you felt yourself drifting, caught between sleep and wakefulness. Or maybe you were already asleep. But then, after what felt like twenty minutes, you heard movement. Someone stepped cautiously on your mattress, careful not to touch you, and Jun-hee’s voice broke the quiet.

“Mr. Seong, I need to use the bathroom.”

“It’s too dangerous to go by yourself,” Gi-hun replied immediately.

You stirred, sitting up slowly with groggy eyes. “I’ll go with you.”

“It’s okay, big sis,” Jun-hee replied, sounding a little guilty for waking you.

Shaking off your drowsiness, you carefully got up from the mattress.

“I needed to go to the restroom too, actually,” you said which was a lie. You just wanted to accompany the pregnant Jun-hee.

Jun-hee hesitated for a moment before nodding. With that, Gi-hun stepped aside, giving you both room to pass as you headed toward the door to the ladies’ restroom.

“Oh, we can go together,” a voice chimed in.

You and Jun-hee turned to see player 149 – the mother – walking over with a wide grin. She moved toward you two with a relaxed stride through the open area of the dormitory. Both you and Jun-hee bowed your heads politely as she joined you.

The three of you reached the restroom door, and Jun-hee knocked softly. When there was no immediate response, she knocked again, a little louder this time. Finally, the circular window on the door slid open, revealing a triangle-masked guard who peered out at you all in silence.

“We need to use the bathroom,” stated Jun-hee.

“No,” the guard answered solemnly. “Entry and exit are restricted at this time.”

Jun-hee added, “Please. I’m not feeling very well.”

The guard repeated, “No. Entry and exit are restricted at this time.”

Player 149 rushed to move in front of Jun-hee, deciding to talk to the guard herself. “Look. Mr. Triangle, even though you’re wearing a weird mask, you’re still human, aren’t you? In the outside world, you might have a sister like them and a mom like me. When ladies say they need to use the bathroom, it’s for reasons they can’t tell you.”

You and Jun-hee rapidly nodded your head.

“If you can’t understand that, you shouldn’t even call yourself human,” said the mother. “You really shouldn’t.”

Suddenly, the guard closed the window without a word, shutting the three of you out.

The mother’s voice broke the silence, frail and filled with emotion. “Listen. Ever since I entered my 60s, I’ve had bladder control issues. I can’t go out without wearing a diaper, but I couldn’t bring any of the things I need here. Do you really have to make me wet myself?

“Imagine if I was your mother, Mr. Triangle. You wouldn’t do that to your mother. I came here because of my son’s debt. I should at least get to pee when I want, shouldn’t I?”

Her voice rose as she cried out, “What did I do in my previous life to deserve—”

Before she could finish, the door swung open, revealing a triangle-masked guard holding their weapon. The mother’s face lit up with gratitude as she grinned appreciatively.

As the three of you stepped past the door, another presence approached from behind. You turned to see player 120.

“Can I come too?” she asked the guard directly.

Jun-hee gave her a long stare but the mother quickly spoke up. “Oh, that’s okay. She’s a woman. Her name is Hyun-ju.”

She’s the one I was hiding behind during Red Light, Green Light. So her name is Hyun-ju, you thought.

The four of you were guided by another triangle guard to the ladies’ restroom. Along the way, the mother walked close to Jun-hee, gently asking about her family and if her parents might be worried about her.

Jun-hee’s reply was distant. “I don’t have any. I have no parents.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and uncomfortable. The mother’s concern didn’t waver. Once inside the restroom, she turned to Jun-hee again. “If you need help with anything, just let me know.”

Jun-hee hesitated before she said, “It’s okay.”

She turned and entered the cubicle. You couldn’t help but notice that Jun-hee seemed comfortable with you but kept a distance from player 149. Her earlier words played in your mind, and you figured she’d never experienced a mother’s love. Having someone act so caringly toward her must have felt strange, maybe even overwhelming. It was no surprise she’d pull away.

“Is she sick or something?” Hyun-ju asked lowly, glancing between you and the mother.

The mother stepped closer to her and whispered, “She’s pregnant.”

Hyun-ju’s jaw dropped, her gaze snapping to Jun-hee’s cubicle. The mother added, “I think she’s almost due.”

She then turned her attention to you. “Did you know?”

You nodded. “She told me and the others. We took her in instantly.”

The mother sighed, a look of relief crossing her face. “I’m glad. I can see you and the other guys have been taking good care of her.”

Her tone shifted, growing more urgent. “If you notice anything wrong with her, like she’s sick, unwell, or if her water breaks, please let me know. I’ve handled childbirths a few times in the past.”

You smiled warmly and nodded. “I will.”

The mother returned your smile, hers even warmer, before she headed into a nearby cubicle. You glanced at Hyun-ju, who was still staring at Jun-hee’s cubicle. Her expression was hard to read, but you couldn’t help but think she looked a little shocked, maybe even guilty. Perhaps the thought of voting for O, knowing there was a pregnant girl among the players, was weighing on her.

After finishing your business, you stepped out of the cubicle and noticed Hyun-ju at the sink, washing her hands and face. You joined her, standing side by side as you began to wash up as well.

The silence between you felt heavy, even though you were only inches apart. You wondered if she was distant because of her recent experiences after transitioning. It seemed like she only trusted the teammates she’d worked with during the Seven Legs Hexathlon. Maybe she was wary of you too.

Player 149 emerged from her cubicle and went to wash her hands. As she finished, her gaze shifted toward Jun-hee’s cubicle.

“Is she still in there?” she asked.

You and Hyun-ju both nodded. “Yeah.”

That’s when you realized Jun-hee had been in there for quite a while. Concern began to settle in. Stepping away from the sink, you watched as the mother approached the door and knocked gently.

“Miss? Are you alright?” she called. When there was no response, she knocked again, her tone growing more worried. “Are you okay in there? Is something wrong?”

You moved closer, your concern deepening. The mother pressed her ear against the door, listening carefully. Then you heard it. Faint sobs and quiet whimpers.

The mother slowly pushed the door open. From where you stood, you couldn’t see Jun-hee clearly, but the sound of her crying was unmistakable now that the door was ajar.

Player 149 hurried inside, her voice full of concern. “Oh dear. What’s wrong? Are you in pain? Is your belly hurting?”

You stepped forward until you were standing just outside the door. Jun-hee sat on the toilet, her posture slumped. It seemed like she’d finished her business long ago but had stayed in the cubicle. Her quiet sobs tugged at your heart, and you frowned, deeply worried for her.

“Oh, no. Your baby must be coming,” the mother assumed, crouching in front of Jun-hee. She gently placed a hand on her belly while rubbing her shoulder comfortingly. “Listen, tell me where and how it hurts.”

Jun-hee kept her gaze fixed downward, her tears falling freely. Her pale face was flushed from crying, and she didn’t look up at the mother. Her voice came out in a broken whimper. “I’m scared…”

Your chest tightened at her words. You could tell this wasn’t about labor. She wasn’t due to give birth. She was terrified. For herself, for her unborn baby. The fear of dying in this game while carrying her child finally exploded the moment she got a moment of privacy.

The mother leaned forward, wrapping Jun-hee in a full embrace. Finally, Jun-hee gave in, leaning into her comfort, her sobs muffled against the mother’s shoulder. The older woman began consoling her softly. “It’s okay. It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay.”

Your heart warmed at the sight of Jun-hee finally giving in to the mother’s affection. You didn’t dare to intervene because she needed this. She needed a mother figure to soothe her fears and worries. Jun-hee might have never experienced a mother’s love before, but now she finally had it.

Aside from that, watching Jun-hee cry so openly, held tightly in the mother’s arms, stirred something deep within you. Your eyes began to brim with tears. The scene made you miss your own mother terribly. The longing to see your parents, to embrace them, overwhelmed you. The thought of being so close to never seeing them again, to never telling them everything you’d always wanted to say, hit you like a wave. And then there was Ji-yoo. Small and fragile, so much like Jun-hee.

If you die in this game, who will take care of Ji-yoo and your parents?

A tear slid down your cheek before you even noticed. You quickly wiped it away, hoping no one saw. From the corner of your eye, you caught Hyun-ju walking closer. She stopped a few steps away, her expression one of quiet astonishment as she watched the mother and Jun-hee.

Once Jun-hee had calmed down, her face still red and streaked with dried tears, she and the mother stepped out of the cubicle. Without hesitation, you pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her close to your chest. Her pregnant belly pressed gently against your abdomen.

Jun-hee accepted your embrace and began sobbing again, her quiet sniffles muffled against your shoulder. Beside you, the mother reached out, patting Jun-hee’s back and your shoulder in a soothing gesture.

“Everything will be okay,” you murmured softly, brushing Jun-hee’s hair with your fingers. “We’ll prioritize you no matter what. You have a mother here who’s so worried about you. You have me. And you have a bunch of caring uncles. We’ll protect you and your baby.”

Jun-hee sniffled, nodding slightly into your shoulder, her grip on you tightening as if to draw strength from your words.

The four of you exited the restroom together. You kept one arm around Jun-hee’s shoulders as you made your way back into the darkened dormitory. The mother walked alongside you while Hyun-ju lingered awkwardly behind. Her concern was evident but she was hesitant. She seemed unsure whether Jun-hee would accept comfort from her.

Gi-hun, still on watch, noticed you immediately. His wide, bewildered eyes followed your small group as he got up from his seat on the floor.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” he asked, his voice laced with worry.

The mother rested a gentle hand on your back, helping guide you and Jun-hee toward your sleeping spot.

“It’s nothing,” she reassured him, her tone calm but firm. “The little lady here was just overwhelmed. But I’m sure you and the others will take good care of her.”

The mother stopped beside Gi-hun, her gaze following his as he watched Jun-hee. You helped Jun-hee lie down on her mattress, pulling her blanket up to her chest as she gently rested her hands on her belly. In a soothing voice, you told her, “Go to sleep, Jun-hee. Let’s do our best tomorrow.”

Jun-hee’s teary eyes met yours, and she nodded without speaking. Turning to her side, she closed her eyes, her breathing gradually evening out.

The mother nodded approvingly, placing a reassuring hand on Gi-hun’s back. She then said softly, “In that case, I’ll head back to bed now.”

She turned to you, her tone serious. “If anything happens to her, tell me immediately.”

You stood up from beside Jun-hee and stepped closer to the mother. Offering her a warm smile, you replied, “Yes, I will. Thank you for everything.”

“It’s nothing,” she said with a light wave of her hand. “Good night, then.”

You and Gi-hun nodded as she turned and walked toward her bed. Hyun-ju followed behind, likely because her spot was near the mother’s.

Gi-hun turned to you before he nodded to your spot and said calmly. “Go back to sleep. I’m still keeping watch.”

You nodded and settled onto your mattress, watching as Gi-hun returned to his spot, blocking the only path leading into your group's sleeping area. He sat with his back hunched a bit, his eyes focused on the darkened dormitory.

You were about to lie down when your gaze lingered on his back. Questions churned in your mind, ones you’d been wanting to ask but never found the right moment. His solemn, brooding demeanor had always made you hesitate.

But now, with the dormitory quiet and the others asleep, it felt like the perfect time to finally ask.

“Gi-hun,” you called softly, making sure to use his ssi honorific. He turned his head, glancing at you over his shoulder with a look of mild surprise, likely wondering why you weren’t asleep. Crawling off your mattress, you settled next to him, crossing your legs as you spoke. “Can I ask you a few questions?”

His solemn expression softened slightly as he nodded. “Yeah, what is it?”

You hugged your knees to your chest, hesitating before continuing. “I’m sorry if this brings up bad memories, but… what was your last time here like?”

Gi-hun’s eyes widened, and he stared at you, unblinking. He seemed caught off guard, as though the question had taken him somewhere he didn’t want to return to.

Trying to explain yourself, you added, “I want to know because… you seem very distant. Like you don’t want to be close to anyone here. But at the same time, you’re always trying to save everyone.”

He looked away, his gaze dropping to the floor. His face took on a somber look that made your chest tighten. For a moment, you regretted asking. Quickly, you tried to backtrack. “Or… you don’t have to tell me. I’m just curious. Maybe you could just tell me what games you played here?”

Gi-hun stayed silent, and you couldn’t tell if he was sad or simply unwilling to answer. The weight of his unresponsiveness made you frown slightly, a pang of disappointment settling in your chest. Perhaps the bond you thought was forming wasn’t as strong as you’d hoped. Despite his offer to help with your debt, his walls were clearly still up.

Forcing a small smile, you turned your gaze forward and tried to lighten the mood. “It’s fine. I shouldn’t have asked. Good night, Gi-hun.”

“I had a few friends here,” he said suddenly, his voice breaking the silence. You turned to look at him, surprised he’d decided to speak. His gaze remained fixed on the floor as he continued, “When I was here last time, I made friends. We were a group. We ate dinner together. We got to know each other’s names. We tried to survive as a group.”

His voice grew quieter. “But in the end, it didn’t matter. This place makes you choose between yourself and everyone else. And no matter how much you want to protect someone, it’s never enough.”

He paused, taking a deep breath, as though trying to steady himself. “We played Red Light, Green Light first. Then Dalgona. After that, Tug of War, Marbles…”

His voice faltered, and his hands twitched slightly.

You waited, sensing there was more he wasn’t saying. Finally, he added, “By the end, it was just me and one other person. He… he was my best friend. But the last game…”

Gi-hun trailed off, his gaze fixed on the floor as if the memories were playing out there in front of him. You waited, giving him the space to continue. After about ten seconds, he finally spoke again. “This place turns everyone into something they’re not. It doesn’t matter how strong your friendship is. The games are designed to break it.”

“You said everyone here died except you as the winner,” you pointed out cautiously. “But I thought you could leave with a share of the prize if the majority votes for X.”

“In my time playing here, there was no such thing as a voting process after each game,” Gi-hun explained, his tone steady but heavy. “We had the same Clause Three in the consent form, but if we left, we got nothing.”

Your eyes widened in disbelief. “What? You wouldn’t get a share if you left?”

Gi-hun turned to you, his expression serious as he nodded. “Yeah. After Red Light, Green Light, a lot of us voted to leave, and we did. But we got nothing. I was desperate, so I came back. Turned out, everyone else came back too.”

“So…” you stared off into space, processing his words. “They updated this game’s rules. Leaving with a share of the prize money is actually a new thing.”

Gi-hun nodded solemnly. “Yeah. And I have a feeling why the overseer of this game made that change.”

You leaned in slightly, curiosity burning in your chest. “Why?”

Gi-hun’s eyes flicked to the large TV screen above the double doors. “He wanted to prove to me that it’s not the games’ fault that the players die. It’s the players themselves. They’re the ones who choose to stay in this game, no matter how much they earn or how high the stakes get.”

Silence fell between you as his words sank in. The weight of his statements settled heavily in your mind, stirring even more questions. But you held them back, not wanting to push him further.

“Who is… the overseer of this game?” you asked carefully, your voice barely above a whisper.

Gi-hun kept his gaze fixed ahead, his expression unreadable. “The one who controls this game. I’m sure the guards call him Captain.”

“Gi-hun,” you pressed, staring at him with a mix of curiosity and concern. “How do you know so much?”

He turned to you, his solemn eyes meeting yours. “I came back here for a reason. I will do whatever it takes to prove to this ‘Captain’… that the world has changed.”

You blinked at him, taken aback by the weight of his words. “Have you met this Captain?”

“Not directly,” he replied, his voice growling with restrained fury. “But he saw us like horses. Trashes, he said. We are just mere trashes to him.”

You turned your gaze away, your stomach churning at the thought. That’s all you are to them? Trash? The word made you feel small and insignificant. But then you caught the faintest sigh from Gi-hun, and when you glanced back, he was already staring at you.

“What?” you asked curiously.

His features softened slightly, and you felt a faint warmth radiate from his expression. It was like watching a heavy storm give way to the first rays of sunlight, momentary but impactful. You tilted your head to the side and blinked your eyes innocently.

“You know,” he began, his tone less severe now, “you remind me of someone.”

Your curiosity piqued. “Who?”

He leaned back slightly, his gaze distant as if recalling a memory. “A friend I met in my previous game. His name was Ali. He was kind, selfless, smiling. And strong. I almost died on my first Red Light, Green Light.”

He stretched his right arm out, forming a fist as he demonstrated. “I tripped on a corpse and stumbled, but he held me up by my collar. We froze like that. If it weren’t for him, I would have died.”

You watched him silently, noticing how his face softened at the memory. There was a quiet warmth in his expression, a rare glimpse of something lighter amidst the darkness. He retracted his arm and rested his forearms back on his raised knees.

“He must have been a kind guy,” you said softly.

“One of the kindest I’ve ever met,” Gi-hun replied. “He trusted too easily, though.”

You tilted your head slightly in innocent curiosity. “Is that why I reminded you of him? Because I trust too easily?”

Gi-hun turned to look at you, a faint smile forming at the corners of his lips. “No. It’s because you’re all smiles and helpful, even in this dark place.”

He paused, his smile fading slightly as he added, “He didn’t make it. But he showed me that even in the darkest times, there’s room for kindness.”

His words struck a chord, and a smile naturally formed on your lips. His own smile widened. What you didn’t realize was how much you reminded him of himself – back when he was bright, optimistic, and full of hope. In you, he saw a glimpse of the person he used to be.

Unbeknownst to the two of you, another presence loomed in the shadows. From his sleeping spot under the bed, Young-il lay awake. He had heard every word as he remained utterly still. The soft hum of the dormitory masked his presence, leaving you and Gi-hun oblivious to the silent observer just a few spaces away.

“Now go to sleep,” Gi-hun urged, his smile fading slightly. “If you want to keep watch later, you’d better get enough rest beforehand.”

“Yes, sir,” you replied playfully as you turned and crawled back to your mattress. “Good night.”

Gi-hun let out a soft sigh, the kind that hinted at exhaustion or maybe a bit of awkwardness from acting friendly after being so solemn for so long. Still, he muttered, “Night.”

Settling onto your mattress, you pulled the blanket snugly to your chest. Out of habit, your gaze drifted to your left where Young-il lay. The small, single-bed-sized mattresses meant everyone was fairly close, but his presence felt especially near.

Young-il was lying straight on his back, his forearms resting on his abdomen, his eyes closed. Even in sleep, there was something about his posture that made him seem oddly alert. It was like he was always ready for something.

You quickly looked away, turning to lie on your side, your back now facing him. Shutting your eyes, you tried to quiet your thoughts and focus on falling asleep.

A gentle shake stirred you from your sleep. A large hand rested lightly on your shoulder, nudging you awake. Then came a voice, calm and steady, calling your name:

“Sorry to disturb you, but if you’re too tired, it’s fine. I can cover your shift.”

You stirred, groaning softly as the sting of sleepiness hit you. Reluctantly, you opened your eyes, blinking against the dim light. Turning your head, you saw Young-il kneeling beside your mattress, his hand still resting gently on your shoulder. His gaze was calm but insistent, waiting for your response.

The fog of sleep clung to you, making it feel as though you’d been dragged out of a deep, comforting slumber. Your first thought was to tell him you were too exhausted to stay up. But then you remembered why you’d volunteered in the first place. What kind of person would you be if you backed out now?

Forcing yourself upright, you groggily rubbed your eyes, still struggling to shake off the weight of sleep. Young-il leaned back slightly, giving you space as your blanket slipped down to your thighs. You glanced around, trying to orient yourself. You then noticed Gi-hun already sleeping under the bed on your right side.

“Go back to sleep,” he said softly, patting your shoulder. Before you could respond, he grabbed your blanket and pulled it back up over your chest with an ease that felt strangely natural.

“I’ll handle your shift,” he continued. “And I’ll tell the others I didn’t wake you up on purpose.”

You shook your head groggily, your words coming out slow and slurred. “No… I want to keep watch.”

Young-il’s lips curved into a faint smile, but he didn’t argue immediately, simply watching as you fought against your sleepiness to fully wake up. He stepped back slightly and nodded. “Alright. You should wash your face first. That’ll help wake you up.”

You crawled off your mattress, moving to the spot where you had sat beside Gi-hun earlier. As you did, Young-il stood up to follow.

“It’s fine,” you said, rubbing your face to will yourself awake. “The triangle guard won’t let me into the bathroom.”

“I’m sure they will,” Young-il said, his tone calm but confident. You glanced at him, curious about his certainty. Had he been to the men’s restroom at night without any trouble? The last time you went with Jun-hee, the mother, and Hyun-ju, the guard only let you pass because of the mother’s relentless cries.

Massaging your face, you muttered, “I already went earlier with Jun-hee. The guard won’t let me pass twice.”

“They will,” Young-il said again. “Come with me.”

Before you could protest, he straightened and walked toward the middle of the dormitory’s clear area. You watched him, confused, before finally pushing yourself to follow.

“I said it’s fine,” you drawled, catching up to him. “I don’t want to deal with the guard again.”

Young-il didn’t respond. He continued toward the door to the women’s restroom, stopping in front of it and waiting for you to join him. When you finally reached his side, you sighed and said, making sure to use his ssi honorific, “Young-il, if the guard denies us, let’s just go back.”

He knocked firmly on the door. At first, there was no response, just like the last time with Jun-hee. He knocked again. After a moment, the circular window slid open, revealing the expressionless mask of a triangle guard.

“She needs to use the restroom,” Young-il said evenly. “Let her in.”

The triangle guard didn’t respond right away. Instead, he stared at you both, the silence stretching uncomfortably in the dim dormitory.

A few seconds later, the triangle guard slid the window shut without a word. Young-il turned to you and gave a small nod, a silent gesture to wait. You couldn’t hide your confusion. Why didn’t the guard deny you outright like before? You thought.

A few seconds passed, feeling much longer in the tense quiet, before the door creaked open. The triangle guard stood there, flanked by two more guards holding their guns. Young-il glanced at you, his expression calm but firm.

“Go,” he said simply. “I’ll keep watch for you.”

You hesitated for a moment, then nodded and stepped inside. As you moved past the guards, just before heading further in, Young-il’s voice came again and this time, it sounded commanding. “Guard her.”

You turned to look over your shoulder, catching the way he stared intently at the two triangle guards stationed near you. His tone carried weight, as though he wasn’t just making a request but giving an order. You furrowed your brows in mild confusion, unsure why he did that out of the blue.

One of the guards turned without a word and started walking ahead, motioning for you to follow. The second guard remained behind you, positioning themselves to ensure you were completely covered on both sides.

Perplexed, you trailed the lead guard. The door shut firmly behind you, leaving Young-il outside as the two guards guided you deeper into the women’s restroom.

After finishing your business and splashing cold water on your face at the sink, you exited the bathroom. As before, the two triangle guards flanked you, one leading and the other following closely behind. Their silent presence felt heavy, yet you felt the most protected person in this place. When you reached the dormitory, the same guard who had let you in earlier opened the door for you, stepping aside as you walked back in alone. The door clicked shut behind you, and the faint hum of the dormitory’s dim atmosphere returned.

You made your way back, spotting Young-il sitting in the only path to your group’s sleeping spot. His gaze was already fixed on you. You lowered yourself onto the spot beside him, pulling your knees up and wrapping your arms around them to make yourself comfortable.

“If I’d known the guards wouldn’t deny you bathroom access earlier, I would have woken you up,” you said, glancing at Young-il. “When Jun-hee, the mother, Hyun-ju, and I went earlier, the guards denied us entry. Twice.”

Young-il’s gaze stayed fixed on you, his expression attentive as you continued, lowering your voice, “The mother had to yell, ‘What did I do in my previous life?’ to finally make them let us in.”

A soft laugh escaped Young-il, his shoulders shaking slightly at your recount.

“At least it worked in the end,” he replied, his tone light. “But if you or the others ever need to go at times like this, wake me up. I’ll handle it.”

You offered him a small, sincere smile. “I will. Thank you.”

But then your smile faltered, and you averted your gaze. “Hopefully, this morning will be the last game. I don’t want to stay here any longer.”

Young-il nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful as he looked away. “You’re right. Let’s stay together, win again, and hope the majority votes to leave next time.”

You nodded in agreement. “I hope so too.”

The conversation tapered off, leaving a stillness between you. The air seemed thick with things unsaid between you two. It felt as though any words spoken now would either break the tension or make it worse.

You exhaled softly, stealing a glance at him. His profile was illuminated faintly by the golden glow of the piggy bank above, highlighting his composed expression. You turned your gaze back to the floor, trying to quiet your mind as the dormitory settled into its uneasy rhythm.

Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed him glance at you. Your gaze shifted toward him, and your eyes met. He gave you a small smile, but then his eyes briefly dropped to your lips before he quickly looked away, fixing his focus on the floor.

The silence between you stretched for a moment before he spoke. “You must be surprised.”

You raised your eyebrows. “What?”

He lifted his gaze to meet yours again. The close proximity made the exchange feel heavier, almost intimate.

“About what Gi-hun said. About my wife,” he clarified. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

Oh, this topic.

You forced a smile and shook your head lightly. “Oh, it’s fine. I kind of assumed you were married already. You’re kind and mature, so it made sense. Turns out I was right.”

Young-il’s gaze dropped to the floor, his expression unreadable. You kept your eyes on him, watching closely. His reaction told you everything you needed to know. So it was true. He has a wife waiting for him at the hospital, you thought. The confirmation solidified your earlier decision: distancing yourself from him was the right choice. It was for the best.

“She was sick,” he said suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was calm but carried a weight that made you hold your breath. His eyes stayed fixed on the ground as he continued, “Acute cirrhosis. She needed a liver transplant, but we found out she was pregnant.”

Your eyes widened, and your face fell as his words sank in. He kept going, his tone growing heavier. “When the doctor suggested terminating the pregnancy, she refused. She was stubborn… She wanted to have the baby, even if it meant risking her life.”

You stayed silent, letting his words wash over you, as he went on. “When her condition worsened and no donor appeared, I borrowed as much money as I could to find a solution. But it was not enough.”

You turned your gaze away, unsure what to say. His voice softened but didn’t lose its seriousness. “I was desperate. A criminal heard about my situation and offered me money. I borrowed from him. But my work found out and saw it as a bribe. They fired me. I’d devoted my whole life to that job. It was one of the few things I truly loved.”

You frowned deeply, feeling an ache in your chest for him.

“Then I was invited to a program,” he said, his voice dropping even lower. “It promised money, so I joined. I was gone for a few days. By the time I won… by the time I came back with billions, my wife was already dead.”

Your eyes widened in shock as you turned to him, struggling to process his words. That’s when you noticed his eyes, glistening with unshed tears. They never fell, but the weight of them was undeniable.

“I have no purpose in life after the death of my wife,” he continued, his voice low but steady. “I disappeared from everything I once knew. There were so many times I became angry. Angry at the world. Angry at the people who fired me. Angry at those who didn’t step up to donate a liver. Angry at myself for leaving her when she needed me the most. Angry at everything.”

The room felt heavier with every word he spoke. You listened intently, unable to look away as he continued.

“There were times I wanted to end it all,” he admitted, his tone raw with emotion. “But I knew… I knew if I did, she’d hate me for it. She’d drag me to hell herself if it meant making me pay for giving up. So I lived. Barely. I was just a husk of a man, wearing a human skin that didn’t fit anymore.”

He exhaled deeply, his shoulders slumping slightly. “Eventually, I made a choice. I decided to go back to the program that gave me those useless billions. The place where I last had purpose in life.”

The realization hit you like a crashing wave. Everything he had said suddenly clicked in your mind. You stared at him, your voice barely above a whisper. “Correct me if I’m wrong… but is that program… this game?”

Slowly, he lifted his gaze to meet yours. The tears in his eyes caught the dim light, making them shimmer as he gave a single, solemn nod.

You gawked at him, thunderstruck. The implications swirled in your head, one question louder than the rest: So he was a previous winner? Just like Gi-hun? A winner who came back to play again?

“I was a winner of this game in the year 2015,��� he said, as if reading your thoughts. His voice was steady but carried a note of vulnerability. “I didn’t tell Gi-hun. I never told anyone this. I don't want to be seen as the winner or a hero. All I want is to do these games and… find the slightest bit of purpose in life.”

You swallowed hard, your chest tightening. In a soft tone, you murmured, “I’m sorry for what you’ve gone through.”

He glanced at you, his expression unreadable. “Don’t be. It’s not your fault. Life has a way of… pushing you into corners you didn’t even know existed.”

You hesitated, searching for the right words. “Still, what you’ve endured… it’s more than anyone should bear.”

His lips curved into a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “And yet… in these games, I found something.”

You tilted your head slightly, curiosity building in your chest. You did not have to say anything. Your need to know was palpable on your face.

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze to you, his dark eyes locking onto yours with an intensity that made your breath catch.

“A purpose,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Your heart thudded against your ribs as he continued, “I thought it was impossible. That after everything I’ve been through, after losing my wife, I’d never feel it again. But now…”

He paused, and for a moment, you were certain the air between you had shifted. “I’ve found something worth protecting in this world.”

He didn’t elaborate, but the way he stared at you said more than words ever could. His gaze lingered, carrying an unspoken weight that sent warmth creeping up your neck. You opened your mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words. The realization struck you like a soft wave.

He meant you.

But then, you looked away. You didn’t want to misinterpret his kind gestures or sweet words as something deeper. If he truly meant more, you wanted him to say it outright.

“Young-il,” you began softly, your voice barely above a whisper. “If you… if you mean what I think you mean, you’d have to tell me. I can’t just assume.”

He shifted closer, his voice low but steady. “I want to take care of you… not just as a friend, but as something more.”

Your breath hitched, and you dared to meet his gaze. There was no hesitation in his eyes, only gentleness that made you turn vulnerable.

“I know,” he continued, “that this place is hell. It’s not the kind of place anyone should be finding hope. But you… you’ve brought hope. Hope that the world has given me a gift.”

You didn’t know what to say, the weight of his words settling over you like a heavy blanket. “Young-il…”

“I’m not asking for anything you’re not ready to give,” he interrupted softly. “But let me protect you. Not because we’re stuck in this place, but because… I care about you.”

His confession lingered between you, sounding heavy and raw. A part of you wanted to push him away, to insist that the circumstances were too dire for anything like this. But another part of you, the one that had felt the flutter in your chest every time he spoke to you or looked your way, wanted to believe him.

“It’s sad,” you murmured, your voice trembling slightly, “that we met in a place like this.”

His lips curved into a faint smile. “It is. But if it weren’t for this place, I would have never met you.”

You smiled, a faint blush creeping to your cheeks. “I suppose that’s one good thing about all this.”

His gaze lingered on you for a moment longer before he looked away. You couldn’t help but feel a quiet sense of happiness. In this moment, you were glad. Glad that he had trusted you enough to let his guard down. Glad that he had let you see the side of him he kept hidden from everyone else. Glad that he had taken off his last mask… right?

He turned his eyes back to you, holding your gaze with an intensity that made your breath hitch. You didn’t look away, meeting his stare head-on, feeling the weight of unspoken words between you. His eyes flickered down briefly, landing on your lips. Without thinking, your gaze followed suit, lingering on his for a moment too long.

The air felt charged, the space between you shrinking without either of you moving too much. Slowly, he leaned in. You did the same, your heart pounding louder with each inch you crossed.

“Please, don’t.”

Both of you flinched, the trance broken by a muffled voice. Turning quickly, you spotted Jung-bae sprawled out on his mattress, muttering in his sleep.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I’ll stop betting on horses,” he mumbled, his face scrunched in a dream-induced grimace.

The sheer absurdity of the interruption had you stifling a laugh. Your shoulders shook with quiet amusement as you looked away.

Unbeknownst to you, Young-il’s expression darkened as he glared at the sleeping man, a mix of annoyance and disbelief flashing across his face.

Then your laughter reached his ears, breaking the tension in the most unexpected way. Young-il turned back to you, his features relaxing as a chuckle bubbled out of him.

“Talk about timing,” he said, shaking his head, his voice tinged with humor.

“Impeccable,” you replied, your grin widening as you stole another glance at Jung-bae, who remained oblivious, lost in his dreams.

The near-kiss moment replayed in your mind, your cheeks growing warmer each time the memory surfaced. You looked away, staring anywhere except Young-il. You couldn’t bring yourself to look directly at him, afraid he might notice the blush creeping up your face. The more you thought about it, the more embarrassed you became.

Without realizing it, you yawned softly, breaking your train of thought. The sleepiness hit you suddenly, but you tried to brush it off. Young-il, however, noticed immediately.

“You should go to sleep,” he said gently.

You glanced at him, flustered, and shook your head. “What? I’m not tired.”

Young-il tilted his head slightly, giving you a knowing look. “You’re not fooling anyone. You should rest. There’s no point in keeping watch if you’re barely awake.”

“I’m fine, really,” you insisted, trying to sound convincing. “I already washed my face.”

But Young-il wasn’t buying it. “Washing your face doesn’t mean you are not tired. Go rest. I’ll do it.”

You opened your mouth to argue again, but his steady gaze and calm persistence left you struggling for words.

“But… I don’t want you to cover my shift,” you murmured.

“I actually don’t want you to keep watch,” he admitted softly. “I woke you up so I could explain about my late wife. We don’t have much privacy so I thought keeping watch with you will be the perfect time to tell you.”

Before you could ask anything, Young-il reached out with his left hand and gently tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, his fingers brushing against your cheek. The simple gesture sent your heart racing, and your blush deepened. The touch was fleeting, but it left you momentarily speechless.

Feeling your resolve crumble under his gaze, you nodded shyly and crawled back to your mattress. As you pulled the blanket over yourself, you could still feel the lingering warmth of his touch. You couldn’t help but smile in delight, though you tried to hide it from him.

As soon as your head hit the pillow, a wave of exhaustion swept over you. Slowly, your eyes began to close, and the world around you blurred. This time, though, there was a warmth in your chest. A small smile formed on your lips as sleep claimed you, wrapping you in its gentle embrace.

NEXT : Chapter 10

PREV : Chapter 08

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Please feel free to leave comments and feedback about my story, the characters, the "you", and practically anything! I love reading your comments, especially long ones! What do you think about you consoling Jun-hee, your talk with Gi-hun, the fact that Young-il was listening the whole time, then Young-il helped you go to the restroom. Next it was his turn to talk with you, and also about Jung-bae's impeccable timing. What do you think about these?

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[romanscoming]

“..fuc- .. might just marry you all over again mama ..”

HUSBAND!DAD!SEONG GI-HUN [ PLAYER 456 ] x WIFE!MOMMY!BLACK!READER FLUFF - SMUT

TAGLIST ! | REQUEST ! | WATTPAD !

NEW TAGLIST MAKE SURE TOO JOIN !!

A/N - I AM SO UPSET ION SEE ANY FANFIC ABOUT SEONG GI-HUN THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, HES THE STAR OF THE SHOW ND NOW THE MOST UNDERRATED IT BREAKS MY HEARTTT .

SUMMARY - family days are always fun, but the more and more gi-hung watches you with you guys firstborn, he wonders what itd be like when you guys have more little ones .. howd you look pregnant again,, he wonders and imagines it, but what if—he convinces his sweet babydoll toddler to tell u so he can get you pregnant on her behalf and not his owns .

¡ WARNING !

[ started off all wholesome ], daughter is named after sae-byeok, creampie, babymaking, no protection, raw, pussy praising, soft!gi-hun, cubbycuvy!reader, body worship, breastfeeding, kissing, baby talk, skin to skin,

GI-HUN SMILED BRIGHTLY OVER AT YOU AS YOU WHERE PLAYING IN THE GRASS WITH THE LITTLE 1 1/2 YEAR OLD … your daughter had on her adorable red plaid dress with her pigtails and mini red bows; sae looked of a mixture of you and gi-hun, but she was the more adorable baby youd both had seen .

you laughed at your little girl before turning to see gi-hun staring .. “gi-hun, can you get my camera please !”

he nodded with a small smile, before going into the diaper bag and grabbing your camera, sneaking a couple of pictures of you by yourself, and some of you and sae .

gi-hun couldda be more happier—he’d miss ga-yeong a lot, but hardly seen her since her mother moved her to America .. but now he had you—and sae you guys sweet babygirl .

you intended that you wanted sae and ga-yeong to meet, but her mother would always denied, but youd always get gi-hun to facetime her just so she can see the baby, and every single time youd promise theyd see each other in person one day .

and boy was ga-yeong hopes was up .

but seeing you interact with both, sae and ga-yeong bought so much joy to gi-hun, his imagination started to run wild as he started to wonder if youd have more of his children—and by more a lot more .

and it wasnt just the idea of more children it was the concept of you being pregnant all over again that made him see stars .

all round and swollen so fragile but so delicate .

he even liked how dedicated you were for him to do things for you—like massages, butt rubs, belly rubs .. you were more touchy then usual and he loved that .

but he rlly liked seeing you sleep holding your belly, the way you would stand cradling your unborn child—seeing you in bodycon dresses all round—oh and ur breast—so full .. the things he’d do to get you all clingy to him and pregnant again was absolutely insane .

di-hun snapped out of thought as he heard the babbling and a shout from your voice ..

“no-no give me—you take sae” you said as carried the tiny human on your hip giving her to gi-hun and taking the camera “say cheeseeee my loves”

gi-hun laughed and smiled before tickling the infant getting her to giggle as well .

you snapped a couple of pictures of them, smiling happily, moving to get slower to them, getting into the camera frame you snapped pictures of all 3 of you with big smiles and some of you and gi-hun kissing opposite sides of sae’s face .

gihun took the camera sitting onto the little picnic blanket snapping more pictures as you sat down with a smiley baby in your lap .

“these pictures are so beautiful—i love them” you smiled at his word humming to yourself .

“i lowve youuu !” mumbled the little sae, you smiled and kissed her cheek as you rubbed your noses together and letting your foreheads touch .

“i love youuuu babydoll .” you whispered .

gi-hun snapped a picture of you guys before poking at the infant, “what about your papa—hm ?”

she jumped into his hands as you laughed and dusted off your skirt before getting up to your feet .

“i looowve youuu too papa .. i prwomise !” gi-hun smiled and hugged her tightly before kissing her forehead, “papa loves you so much more—to the moon and back”

you smiled watching them from afar, turning back around to see the beach waves hit the shore.

“want to play in the water for a little before we go home sae ?” she nodded at your question bouncing in her papa’s lap as he smiled .

gi-hun had her pretty occupied so, you quickly grabbed some things out the diaper bag nd took your ponytail out letting your curls bounce freely,, before heading out to the shore, as the dark headed male followed with the little one in his arms, babbling around the sky, the grass and the water .

you were a couple of feet ahead when gi-hun started to tickle sae, the giggles of your little girl bought joy to your face, he spun her around watching her with adoration in his eyes, he looked forward and looks at you with a bright smile, you happily return it before starting to walking again .

he looked back at sae and smiled at her, “you see that most gorgeous woman over there ?” he whispered loudly on purpose .

“mommy ?? papa ?” sae questioned with a giggle, “yes—shh-shh before she hears .. i have a secret but you cant tell,, pinky promise !”

he held out his pink and she wraps her tiny chubby finger around his—“pinky promise!” she beamed with a joyful smile .

gi-hun chuckled at the little girl curiosity “i have a big fat crush on her ..” he whisper yell smiling knowing you can hear him, “dont tell her thought—you promise !” he remined sae as she clapped her hands together shaking her head .

once he placed her down into the sand, she laughed and giggled running over to you pulling at your skirt and lifting her little chubby arms up for you to pick her up, “hii my little doll.”

“mommy—mommy papa has a crush on you” she reveals loudly giggling her butt off, “ohh—wow wanna know another secret ?” you asked her as you look over at gi-hun shaking your head with a grin on your face .

he shrugged his shoulders while laughing, sae pulled at your blouse shaking her head yes to get your attention, “i have a crush on him as well—dont tell him !” as you whispered yelled to her, knowing gi-hun was listening as well .

quickly as you place the infant into the sand she ran fast to her papa—right to tell him the secret youd just told him .

both of the laughed at the small girl, she was such a bundle of joy, gi-hun could help himself but to want more—a lot more .

sae was now around gi-huns back as they came up to you from behind, “I love you, my love.” gi-hun whispered in your ear secretly placing his hands over your belly cupping it .

“I love you more gi-hun,” you smiled placing your hand over his while letting your head fall into his chest .

you guys stayed in the position for a while, rocking back and forth, you started to doze off only for gi-hun to pick you up in one arm and hold sae in the other .

“home! hooome !” sae yelled in a cheer .

gi-hun put a finger over his lips to shh her and point over to you as you were sleeping, sae nodded and laid her head onto his shoulders shushing u to sleep like you were awake .

once makes it to the car, gi-hun placed sae on the ground, helping you into the car as he kissed your forehead and you whined for more, “mmm—“

you were cut off with his lips touching yours, he cupped your face before pulling away letting his forehead rest against your .

finally closing the car door, he went to the back seat and buckled sae into her seatbelt and kissing her forhead as he quietly giggles and smiled at him .

gi-hun smiled back at the little bitty girl before whispering, “sae—how would you feel about a little baby brother or sister ?”

she gave gi-hun a questionable look before tapping her finger on her chin and babbling about which one she wanted .

“boaf—papa both.”

gi-hun smirked to himself nodding before putting his finger on his lip once again “it’ll be a birthday gift”

. . .

making it home, gi-hun got sae out the car and onto his side as he opened your car door and slightly shook you awake, “cmon mama, lets get you inside .”

you walked on side of gi-hun holding onto him as you were still half asleep, “gi-hun, lets bath together, okay ?” he hummed in return .

once everyone was inside of the house, gi-hun ran sae some bath water before help you in your sleepy stage up the stages to your shared bedroom .

“dont leave me—“ gi-hun shushes you, “shh—mama ill be right back, i promise .”

“dont take long.. please” you whined frowning, gi-hun smiled at your clinginess and smirk to himself, “no longer then 15 minutes my love .”

once gi-hun came back to the room, you were almost drifted off into a deep sleep, kissing all around your face until you push him away—with a whine .

“cmon doll,” you whined once again before rising up your hands, and gi-hun happily picked you up .

sitting you onto the cold bathroom counter, you whined again for the 3rd time still holding onto gi-hun .

“so whiny mama, whats up with that.” he questioned, with a playful frown .

you looked up at him when teary eyes, “i want you to hold me—gi-hun please”

he sighed before kissing the tears in your eyes away, and leaving peppermint kisses all over your face, then started to take off your crop top cardigan, and pull down your loose dress letting it form a pool at the bottom of your feet, “i gotchu mama, lets get these clothes off first .”

gi-hun would be lying if he said it didnt enjoy this, you acting so similar to how you did a couple of years ago while pregnant, he was loving it, fantasizing about it.

he left you on the corner as he quickly turn on the shower, then placed himself right back between your legs, slowly unbuttoning his shirt as you watched him very closely .

soft low moans left out of your mouth as you finally look up to see gi-hun already staring into your eyes, “kiss—kiss me-“ he smashed his lips onto yours in a heart beat, your hands pushing his shirt off all the way as it fell to the marvel floor .

the kiss got more heated by the second, youd started to unbuckle his belt, unzip his pants and let he fall to the floor while he stepped out of them and close to you, pressing your clothed pussy against your clothed cock—feeling each others aura.

finally pulling away for air, you both stayed in place foreheads touching as he breathed in the air you breathe out .

gi-hun kissed the side of your face before trailing his hands down your neck to cup your big breast before he moved to your back to unclip your bra, letting your breast fall before he could catch them .

gi-hun’s kissing moved from the side of your face to your jaw, neck and into small pecks around your breast before his hand got to your waist .. as he played with your panties line .

you moaned as you held onto his shoulders, throwing you head back a little as you lift your bottom half up to let home slide your panties off .

gi-hun laughed to himself before dropping to his knees and kissing your thighs close to your dripping cunt .

you whined as he stood back up and moved away from you, dropping his boxers to the floor as his cock bounce and slapped his chest reaching his navel .

your eyes rolled as you watched, and he kept his eyes you closely .

locking eye contact, gi-hun cupped your face before kissing your lips once again, while picking you up from the counter and bring you into the shower with him.

letting each other go, you walked into the falling water letting it drip down your body and fall to the shower floor .

smiling to yourself as you felt his hands wrap around your waist once again, bringing you closer to him .

his cock twitched as your ass brushed against him .

“fuckk—i missed you—i miss this.” gi-hun moaned in your ear as he rubbed around your body .

you took a deep breath before laying your head onto his shoulder, humming at his words and his touch .

kissing trailing down your neck from behind, he left small hickeys and soft slopping kissing to your shoulders . His hands sliding up from ur waist to your belly as it cups it .. “sae—i asked sae what she rlly wanted for her birthday..” he started .

you mumbled a small ‘hm?’ and he continued, “she said she wants a brother and a sister—“ he laughed to himself sending your shivers .. “i told her, i’ll make sure to tell mommy.”

you turned to gi-hun, “both ?” he nodded with a cheeky smile, “in her words, ‘boaf, papa both !’” he laughed before kissing you .

gi-hun picked you up, wrapping his arms around your waist as you wrapped your legs around his back .

more water falling down both of your backs crashing into the ground .

you pussy clenched around nothing, hungrily for his cock, you whined “please..”

gi-hun kissing you again as one of his hands fell to your wet clit, rubbing it gently .

you bit his lip, moaning into his now open mouth .

gi-hun buried his head into your neck sloppy kisses and groaned from him as he rubbed his fingers against your clit faster, his other hand moved to your ass, squeezing and gripping onto it as you threw your head back against the glass wall .

gi-hun lined his cock with your pussy before moved to get a better view of your face, “look at me mama ..”

you whined before opening your eyes to see gi-hun looking back at your with a soft smile . he pushed into your pussy slowly grunting .

you eyes rolled back as you moaned out his name, “yes mama .. gonna give sae a sibling huh, arent we baby ?”

as you opened your mouth to reply, he thrusted harder, the feeling of his dick deep inside of you was deniable, he lift your head up as you nodded before leaning into you as your lips finally touched again .

pulling away his thrusts became sloppy , your pussy tighten around his cock, “soo close paa—please”

gi-hun nodded with a smile, before moving his finger to your clit rubbing it quickly wanting your to release on his cock, “cmon mama, let go for me.”

your orgasm was so beautiful gi-hun came inside of your just from the view, your body trembling in his arms, gi-hun kept pounding into your abused cunt, cock twitching as more and more of his load filled you up to the brim .

he bought his fingers open to his mouth as he locked eyes with you once again and sucked them coating his fingers with your juices and his saliva, before pulling his digits out and watched as your mouth fell open without an order, he smirked and placed his fingers into your mouth as you sucked them dry now .

“you did so good mama, but ion think it was enough for 2 baby—dontcha think ?”

you nodded as your head fell back again as he sped up his thrusts once again, you were panting gi-hun held onto tightly as he started to slide to the floor of the shower,, now sitting he gave you a look that made you take action .

you held onto his shoulder as you started to slowly bounce up and down on his cock—gi-hun is watched as his dick appeared and disappeared into your tight dripping cunt .

staying still inside of you was difficult when all he wanted to do was take you all damn day—his head was back into your neck inhaling your scent, embracing your touch as he held onto your waist helping you bounce up and down .

“Mmhh—Aaah~ giiii-hun !! paaaa please—“ you moaned out his name and whined, “aghhh~ canttt hold it .”

“shh—mama i knoow ugh—cmon cmon.” gi-hun grunted against your neck as he flipped you guys over with you underneath him,

pushing your legs over his shoulders getting you into a missionary position, giving him more excess inside of you “soo-sooo-ss-deep paa ..” you moaned in his chest

you can feel every inch of him inside of you, the head of his cock brushing against your cervix, with every thrust he bought upon you .

he shifts and gripped upon your hip tightly pulling you closer as he fell in deeper .

“fff-fuckk .. might just marry you all over again mama ..” he laughed as you whimpered .

gi-hun couldnt take it anymore, he was stuffing himself balls deep into you as his dick twitched in your cunt as you moaned louder as you tighten around him .

“ahh-h,, fuuuc-your pussy feels’ so goooodd mama” he couldn’t control himself anymore, he held onto your legs pushing himself deeper and deeper inside thrusting like crazy, “your gonna take it all hm ? right doll— gonna grant our baby girl her wishes of a brother and a sister ?”

your faced warmed at his words, but you quickly nodded your head moaning out a small ‘yes a million times yes .. i promise !’

gi-hun kissed your forehead before looking down at where you bother were connected, looking at all the water droplets mix with sweat against both of your bodies, you smiled at him, “cum—aguhh~ cum with me please,”

cupping his faces as he nodding telling his forehead fall to your as he thrusted increased once again as you tighten your pussy against his dick; keeping eye contact as you both started panting .

“gonna—ah-mmh gonna cum in this pussy mama”

“yess—pleasahh~ pleaseee paa .”

locking eye contact again, you blinking sleepily at him as he nods to you as you squeezed his cock in place of your cunt, “aughhh—fuccccc !”

closing his eyes as he held you closer to him chest to chest as he released a even bigger load then the last deep inside of you .

gi-hun kissed your lips up to your nose then forhead before pulling away, looking down to his coated dick .

slowly pushing out his half soft dick watches all of the cum he crammed inside of you, he froze as you tried to lift yourself up but he stopped you—

lifting your head to see gi-hun was full on hard once again—letting out a breath as you looked up his body and to his face locking eyes, he had that same cheeky grin from earlier .

————

ANY MISTAKES LET ME KNO PLEASEEE !

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[squidsquidsquidsquidsquidgame]

The Lost Promise

Character: Seong gi hun X fem!reader

Summary: Gi-hun makes a promise to the reader before going back to the games. After everything, he returns to find her waiting for him in the same spot they first met.

Warnings: none🦑🦑

The wind blew gently through the empty street, carrying the faint scent of spring. The area was quiet, save for the distant hum of traffic and the rustling of leaves in the trees. It was the same spot. The same bench where they'd first met.

Her heart fluttered in her chest as she sat there, fingers nervously tracing the worn wood of the bench. She had been coming here every day, hoping—praying—that he'd return. That the promise he'd made would be kept.

She'd never wanted to believe that he wouldn’t. She trusted him, even after everything that had happened. After the games, after the chaos, after all the pain... she believed in him. But as days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months, doubt began to creep in. She couldn’t help but wonder if he'd forgotten her. If he'd lost his way in the depths of it all.

But now, as the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting golden light over the world, a figure appeared in the distance. The familiar figure of a man she had come to know so deeply, even if it had only been for a short time.

Her breath caught in her throat as he drew closer. His clothes were worn, his face weathered by time, but his eyes—his eyes were the same. That spark of warmth, of care, was still there.

“Gi-hun…” Her voice cracked as she stood, her legs trembling.He stopped a few feet away from her, his gaze softening when their eyes met. His expression was a mixture of exhaustion, guilt, and relief. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, stepping forward with cautious steps. “I’m so sorry I left you.”

Her heart ached as she shook her head, her hands instinctively reaching out toward him. “I—I waited for you. Every day...”

He closed the distance between them, finally pulling her into his arms. The weight of his apology hung heavily between them, but the moment they were together again, all the pain seemed to melt away. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply as if he had been holding his breath for far too long.

“I never wanted to leave you,” he whispered, his voice strained with emotion. “I promised I wouldn’t, but I had to. I didn’t have a choice. They... they threatened everything I cared about. My family, my friends... you.”

He pulled back slightly, holding her at arm's length to look into her eyes. “I had to make sure they didn’t get to you. I had to finish the game... so I could come back to you. So we could have a chance at a real life, outside of all that madness.

”Her fingers gently traced his cheek, her heart aching as she looked at him. “You didn’t have to do that. You could’ve trusted me. I could’ve helped you. You don’t have to do everything on your own.”

Gi-hun's eyes darkened, his guilt flashing through him. "I thought I could protect you by staying away. But it hurt so much. Every day, I thought of you. Every moment, I thought of the promise I made."

They stood there in silence for a moment, letting the weight of his words hang in the air. The world seemed to stand still, the only sound the beating of their hearts. “I missed you so much,” he finally admitted, his voice cracking. “I missed you more than I thought was possible.”Her eyes softened, tears welling up. “I missed you, too. Every day, I wondered if you’d ever come back... if you’d remember me.”

He gently wiped away a stray tear from her cheek. “How could I forget you? You’re the reason I’m here. You’re the reason I kept fighting. I made it through everything... because of you. I promised I’d return, and I swear, I will never leave again. I’ll make up for all the time we lost.”

She nodded, her tears mingling with a small, broken smile. “I believe you.”

Gi-hun pulled her close again, holding her tightly as though he was afraid she might slip away. “I love you,” he whispered, the words heavy with years of longing and guilt.

“I love you, too,” she replied, her voice steady now, full of certainty.

They stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world moving around them, but for that moment, they were the only two people that mattered. And they knew, deep in their hearts, that no matter what had happened before, they had found their way back to each other.

This time, they wouldn’t lose each other again.

🦑🦑🦑

[inkclan00]

This Time, No One Had Fun

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the quiet neighborhood. 12 -year-old Hwang In-ho sat quietly in the living room of his mother’s friend’s house, his hands clutching a book. His mother had brought him along while she helped her friend with something, and his father was busy chatting with the adults. In-ho didn’t mind—he preferred the company of books to people anyway.

“In-ho, why don’t you go outside and play?” his mother suggested gently, her voice warm but insistent. “It’s such a nice day.”

In-ho glanced up from his book. He was a thoughtful, reserved boy—smart, studious, and a little shy. He wasn’t the type to seek out games or chatter with other kids. But he could tell his mother wanted him to give her some space, so he nodded reluctantly and stepped outside.

The yard was alive with the sounds of laughter and shouting. A group of boys were playing marbles, dakchi, and other games In-ho had never bothered to learn. He found a quiet bench under a tree, opened his book, and began to read.

A few minutes later, a football rolled to a stop at his feet. In-ho looked up to see a boy about his age running toward him. The boy had a bright, mischievous grin and a spark of energy in his eyes.

“Hey, can you pass the ball?” the boy asked, still grinning. He tilted his head, noticing the book in In-ho’s hands. “Are you reading? Out here?”

“Yes,” In-ho replied quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Did your mom make you do that?” the boy teased, his tone playful but slightly mocking.

“No,” In-ho said, his cheeks flushing. He was starting to feel annoyed.

“So… do you want to play with us?” the boy asked, gesturing to the group behind him.

“No,” In-ho said firmly, looking back down at his book.

“Gi-hun, hurry up!” another boy shouted from across the yard. “Stop wasting time!”

“Coming, Sang-woo!” Gi-hun called back. He turned to In-ho with a smirk. “I was just asking this kid to join us, but he doesn’t know how to play.”

In-ho’s chest tightened. In-ho’s pride took a hit. How dare he! . “I know how to play,” he said, his voice rising. “I just don’t want to play with you.”

Gi-hun laughed, his grin widening. “That’s what losers always say.”

Something inside In-ho snapped. He stood up, his book forgotten on the bench. “I can play!” he declared, his voice louder than he intended.

“Oh, really?” Gi-hun said, raising an eyebrow. He picked up the ball and started walking away. “It’s okay if you’re bad at it, you know. Not everyone can be good at everything.”

“Hey!” In-ho shouted, his fists clenched at his sides. “I said I can play!”

Gi-hun paused and looked back, his expression challenging. “Prove it, then.”

"Fine! I’ll join—" In-ho hesitated for a moment, then marched over to the group. “I’ll play,” he said, his voice steady. ’ll play against you," In-ho declared. "Every game, I’ll be your rival—and I’ll win!"

Gi-hun’s eyes lit up with amusement. “Alright, bookworm. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

The two boys ran onto the field, the other kids watching with curiosity. In-ho’s heart pounded in his chest, but he refused to back down. For the first time in a long time, he felt something other than quiet resignation—he felt determination.

.

.

.

After hours of playing football, dakchi, and several other games, In-ho found himself surprisingly enjoying the day. The sun was beginning to dip, casting long shadows across the field, but the boys showed no signs of stopping. In-ho, who had started the day as a quiet, reserved bookworm, was now covered in mud, his hair messy, and his laughter ringing out louder than he’d ever imagined.

The boy named Cho Sang-woo had caught his attention early on. Sang-woo was brilliant—just like In-ho. During breaks, they talked about books, school, and their favorite subjects. Sang-woo was thoughtful and articulate, and In-ho felt a rare sense of camaraderie with him.

On the other hand, Seong Gi-hun was… well, an idiot, In-ho thought. Gi-hun seemed to live in a world of jokes, mischief, and endless energy. He didn’t seem to care about books or studying. All he knew was how to make people laugh, have fun, and win games. And win he did—every single time.

In-ho had lost every game against Gi-hun. Football, dakchi, even a simple race—Gi-hun always came out on top. Each time In-ho lost, Gi-hun would flash that infuriatingly bright smile and say, “Try again, bookworm!”

But despite the losses, In-ho was having fun. For the first time in a long time, he felt alive. The thrill of competition, the joy of playing, and even the mud on his clothes made him feel like a different person.

As the evening approached, Gi-hun clapped his hands and announced, “Let’s play squid game!”

In-ho knew the game vaguely but had never played it properly. He hesitated for a moment, then turned to Sang-woo.

“Can you tell me how to play squid game?” In-ho asked, his voice low but determined. “I need to beat that idiot.”

Sang-woo chuckled, adjusting his glasses. “You really want to take him down, huh?”

“He’s been winning all day,” In-ho muttered, glancing at Gi-hun, who was already drawing lines in the dirt to set up the game. “I can’t let him have this one too.”

Sang-woo nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Alright, listen carefully. Squid game is all about strategy and speed. There are two teams: attackers and defenders. The attackers have to reach the ‘head’ of the squid, and the defenders have to stop them. You can only move by hopping on one foot in certain areas, and if you step out of the lines, you’re out.”

In-ho frowned, trying to visualize the game. “That sounds complicated.”

“It’s not,” Sang-woo said. “Just watch me. I’ll show you.”

Gi-hun, who had been eavesdropping, sauntered over with his usual grin. “What’s this? The bookworm needs a lesson? Don’t worry, In-ho. I’ll go easy on you.”

In-ho glared at him. “You won’t win this time.”

Gi-hun laughed, ruffling In-ho’s already messy hair. “We’ll see about that.”

Sang-woo stepped in, his tone calm but firm. “Gi-hun, stop teasing him. Let’s just play.”

The three of them split into teams—Sang-woo and In-ho against Gi-hun and a few other boys. Sang-woo took the time to explain the rules again, showing In-ho how to hop strategically and avoid being pushed out of the lines.

“Remember,” Sang-woo said, “it’s not just about speed. You have to outsmart him.”

In-ho nodded, his determination growing. He watched Gi-hun carefully, noting how he moved and where he tended to go. When the game started,

The game began, and In-ho tried his best to follow Sang-woo’s instructions. He hopped carefully, dodging Gi-hun’s attempts to push him out of the lines. For a moment, it seemed like he might actually win. He was so close to the “head” of the squid—just one more move and he’d make it.

But then Gi-hun darted forward with surprising speed, his movements fluid and precise. Before In-ho could react, Gi-hun tagged him and sent him stumbling out of the lines.

“Dead!” Gi-hun declared, his grin wider than ever.

In-ho groaned, brushing dirt off his hands. “How do you keep winning?”

Gi-hun just laughed, his energy seemingly endless. “It’s all about having fun, bookworm. You’re thinking too much.”

The next round began, and this time, Gi-hun was the attacker. He moved quickly, hopping through the lines with ease, his confidence radiating as he neared the “head” of the squid. Just as he reached it, he threw his arms in the air and shouted, “Inspector Royal!”

In-ho blinked, confused. He turned to Sang-woo, who was catching his breath nearby.

“Inspector Royal?” In-ho asked, tilting his head.

Sang-woo shrugged, panting slightly. “Something we says. I don’t know. we just… does that sometimes.”

In-ho looked back at Gi-hun, who was now doing a little victory dance in the “head” of the squid.

“What does that even mean?” In-ho muttered, half to himself.

Gi-hun stopped dancing and grinned at him. “It means I win again! That’s what it means.”

Sang-woo walked over, patting In-ho on the back. “You did better this time. You almost had him.”

“Almost doesn’t count,” In-ho muttered, but there was no real anger in his voice. He was too tired to be upset.

Gi-hun plopped down on the ground beside him. “You’re getting better, though. Next time, you might actually beat me.”

In-ho raised an eyebrow. “Next time?”

“Yeah,” Gi-hun said, leaning back on his hands. “You’re not so bad, for a bookworm.”

In-ho couldn’t help but smile. Despite the losses, he’d had more fun today than he could remember. And maybe, just maybe, he was starting to understand why Gi-hun loved playing so much.

As the sun set and the boys finally called it a day, In-ho realized something: winning wasn’t everything. Sometimes, it was enough just to play.

“Sang-woo! Gi-hun! It’s time for dinner!” a woman’s voice called out, cutting through the evening air.

Gi-hun immediately perked up, rubbing his stomach dramatically. “Ahhh, I’m starving! In-ho, wanna join us?”

In-ho hesitated, then nodded with a small smile. But before he could respond, his father’s stern voice interrupted.

“In-ho, it’s time to leave.”

In-ho’s shoulders slumped. He turned to Gi-hun and Sang-woo, his voice tinged with disappointment. “I have to go. Can we play again sometime?”

“Of course!” Gi-hun said, grinning.

“Yeah, anytime,” Sang-woo added with a nod.

In-ho waved goodbye and hurried to the car, his mind still buzzing with the day’s events. As he climbed into the backseat, his mother turned to him with a warm smile.

“Did you have fun today?” she asked.

“Yes,” In-ho replied, his voice soft but genuine. Then his eyes widened. “Oh no! I forgot my book on the bench. Can we go back, please? It’s my favorite.”

His mother sighed but smiled. “Alright, let’s go get it.”

The car turned around and headed back to the field. When they arrived, In-ho jumped out and ran to the bench where he’d left his book. As he approached, he saw Gi-hun, Sang-woo, and their friends sitting together, eating and laughing under the fading light of the evening. Their voices carried through the air, full of joy and camaraderie.

In-ho paused for a moment, watching them. A strange feeling bubbled up in his chest—a mix of longing and determination. He wanted to be part of that laughter, part of their games, part of their world.

He picked up his book, clutching it tightly, and ran back to the car. As he slid into the seat, his mother glanced at him.

“Got it?” she asked.

“Yeah,” In-ho said, his voice steady. He looked out the window one last time, watching Gi-hun and Sang-woo until they were out of sight.

In his heart, he made a silent promise to himself: Next time, I’ll play with them again. And I’ll have even more fun.

.

.

.

YEARS LATER IN SQUID GAME

Years later, In-ho stood behind a glass window, his face obscured by a mask. The cold, sterile light of the VIP room reflected off the surface, casting a faint glow over his features. Below him, the final round of the Squid Game was unfolding. The player 456 and player 218 moved like shadows, their faces etched with desperation and exhaustion.

His eyes lingered on two players in particular—Seong Gi-hun and Sang-woo. The men were older now, their faces weathered by time and hardship, but there was no mischievous glint in Gi-hun’s eyes or the determination for a better future that burned in Sang-woo’s gaze. Even now, Both were fighting for their life, movements frantic yet resolute.

In-ho’s mind drifted back to that day years ago, when he was just a shy, reserved boy sitting on a bench with a book. He remembered Gi-hun’s bright grin, Sang-woo’s calm advice, and the laughter that had filled the air as they played together. He remembered the promise he had made to himself:

Next time, I’ll play with them again. And I’ll have even more fun.

The irony of the thought struck him—bitter and heavy. None of them were having fun. Not Gi-hun, not Sang-woo, not even In-ho himself. This wasn’t a game of marbles, dakchi, or even the squid game they had played as children. This was a fight for survival.

In-ho’s grip tightened. He watched as Gi-hun stumbled, then pushed himself up again, his determination unwavering. Even now, Gi-hun was winning—not because he wanted to, but because he had no other choice.

A faint, humorless smile tugged at the corner of In-ho’s lips beneath his mask. Some things never change, he thought. Gi-hun was still the same—relentless, unpredictable, and impossible to beat.

But this wasn’t the fun they had once shared. This wasn’t the laughter and camaraderie of childhood. This was something darker, something In-ho himself had helped create.

As Gi-hun crossed the final line, something unexpected happened—he stopped. In the pouring rain, he made a decision no one saw coming. He forfeited. It was a move only someone like The Inspector Royale himself would have made.

But before In-ho could fully process it, the radio crackled to life.

Player 218 eliminated

Sang-woo… he killed himself.

In-ho’s breath hitched as he looked back at the window . There, in the rain, Gi-hun was on his knees, crying, cradling Sang-woo’s lifeless body. His victory was secured—but at what cost?

In-ho turned away from the glass.

The memory of that sunny afternoon—their laughter, their games—felt like a distant dream, a cruel contrast to the cold, brutal reality he now inhabited.

He had played with them again, just as he had once wished. But there was no joy in it—not for him, not for Gi-hun, and certainly not for Sang-woo, who had lost his life in the process.

As he walked away from the window, the weight of his choices settled heavily on his shoulders. Somewhere deep inside, the boy who had once laughed in the mud still existed—but he was buried beneath layers of regret, cruelty, and the unrelenting darkness of the real world.

Yet, in the stillness of the room, it was almost as if he could hear their laughter again.

In-ho: "I will defeat you."

Gi-hun: "Bookworm!"

And Sang-woo—smiling, yet trying to stop their fight

They played again, but this time, In-ho was the referee, and the players were Gi-hun and Sang-woo.

They played again—but this time, no one had fun.

[frombloodandfire]

Indigo [2]

“I used to shine bright like gold, now I’m all indigo.”

A woman who tries to escape her past with no hope for the future, ends up on an unknown place playing childhood games to win. A man from her past happens to be there for the exact same reason. Will they escape their haunted pasts? Or they will end up dying in vain?

Warnings: blood, depression, heavy language

2.

She woke to the echo of classical music reverberating through the room. Her head throbbed as she blinked, disoriented. A green jumpsuit clung to her body, the number 052 stitched prominently on the chest. 

How did I get here?

She sat up, her eyes scanning her unfamiliar surroundings. The room was vast and sterile, its white walls reflecting the cold fluorescent lights overhead. Rows upon rows of bunk beds filled the space, each occupied by people wearing the same uniform. Confusion and fear hung thick in the air. 

Were we kidnapped?

Her hands instinctively patted her sides, searching for her belongings. Nothing. Her wallet, her phone everything was gone. The oppressive weight of uncertainty pressed on her chest, rooting her feet to the ground. 

"You little shit!" 

She turned toward the commotion, heart hammering. A man, towering and furious, had grabbed a young girl by the hair, yanking her into the center of the room. Gasps rippled through the crowd as people froze, their whispers too soft for her to catch. Lyanna edged closer, her pulse quickening. 

"You're the damn pickpocket! You took my money, didn't you? Where is it?" A man bellowed. His fists clenched, his face contorted with rage. 

Her stomach turned. She recognized the man being shoved by the brute:

Gi-Hun.

The man with 101 stitched on his suit kicked Gi-Hun hard, sending him sprawling. Lyanna's breath hitched as she watched the scuffle unfold. 

"What the hell?"

"Who are you" 101 asked Gi-Hun "What do you think you're doing?

"The name's Seong Gi-Hun. I live in Ssangmun-dong."

"Hey Ssangmun-dong shit, this little bitch and I werent done talking."

Lyanna watched, her stomach twisting, as Gi-Hun argued back like a stubborn child. The air was electric with tension, and she couldn't tear her eyes away. Before the situation could escalate further, a sharp ding rang out, followed by the hiss of elevator doors opening. Figures in pink jumpsuits and bizarre, symbol-laden masks stepped out, their presence silencing the room. 

The figure with a square mask stepped forward, his voice calm but commanding. 

"I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to you all," he began, his voice measured and mechanical. "Everyone here will participate in six different games over six days. Those who win all six games will receive a handsome cash prize."

The announcement was met with a cacophony of protests.

"You expect us to believe that?" a man shouted. "You kidnapped us, dragged us to this warehouse, and now you're talking about games? Do you think we're idiots?"

The square-masked man didn't flinch. "We took these measures to ensure confidentiality. Your belongings will be returned once the games are over."

Lyanna's fists clenched at her sides.

Confidentiality? Masks? This is insane. No way she believed-

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice that froze her in place.

"Well, I don't believe you one bit. You got that? You tricked us. We were kidnapped. You can make as many excuses as you want to make sure nobody knows you broke the law in here. If you're going to make up for that, then we're gonna need something more."

She whipped her head toward the speaker, her stomach dropping.

Sang-Woo.

Her breath caught as the masked man addressed him.

"Player 218, Cho Sang-Woo. Age, 38. Former team leader of Team Two at Joy Investments. Siphoned money off from his clients' balances, then invested it in derivatives and futures options. Current loss: 650 million won."

Cho Sang-Woo stood amidst the crowd, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His face remained calm, unreadable. Shame clawed at his chest, but he shoved it down, schooling his face into indifference. This wasn't news to him it was the weight he carried every single day.

Lyanna's blood ran cold. Her name followed soon after. 

"Player 052, Lyanna Collett. Currently in debt for unpaid medical expenses. Total: 200 million won." 

Sang-Woo's eyes darted through the crowd, his chest tightening. He hadn't heard her name in so long, hadn't even dared to think of her. And yet, here it was, spoken aloud like a cruel joke. When he saw her standing there, frozen in disbelief his heart stopped.

Her heart sank. How did they know this? How did they know everything? Her humiliation was laid bare, her shame echoed across the room. She glanced toward Sang-Woo, who had gone pale, his eyes scanning the crowd. She caught his gaze for the briefest of moments before they both looked away. 

So much for burying the past.

The masked man continued listing debts as a massive piggy bank descended from the ceiling. 

"Your prize money will be accumulated in this vault after each game. You'll see the total after the first round. If you do not wish to participate, please let us know now." 

Her stomach churned as she scanned the consent form thrust into her hands: 

CLAUSE 1: A PLAYER IS NOT ALLOWED TO STOP PLAYING.

CLAUSE 2: A PLAYER WHO REFUSES TO PLAY WILL BE ELIMINATED.

CLAUSE 3: GAMES MAY BE TERMINATED IF THE MAJORITY AGREES.

Eliminated? Her mind reeled. She knew something was off, why would clause 3 exist?

"Attention, all players. The first game is about to begin. Please make your way to the game hall." 

The Blue Danube played mockingly over the speakers as the crowd shuffled into the next room. They were taking pictures. Once she was done with hers, Lyanna's hands trembled as Gi-Hun found her in the crowd, pulling her into a warm embrace. 

"Lyanna! What are you doing here? How are you even in debt? You're the best person I know!"

She forced a weak smile. "Gi-Hun hi, it's... complicated."

He paused, looking her over with a mixture of concern and disbelief. "I've missed you so much. You saw Sang-Woo, right? He's here too."

Unfortunately she saw him. After almost 8 years she saw him again. She was pretty sure she buried him in the past alongside with the Hwangs.

"Hey, Sang-woo! Oh, Sang-woo, my man!"

She was cursing Gi-Hun for this.

"What happened? What the hell are you doing here? Uh, your mother and I were talking the other day. She told you were out of the country on a business trip. What was that guy talking about, huh? You can't be in debt? The same Sang-woo who attends SNU, right?"

He looked at the floor, unable to look her or Gi-Hun. "We will talk about this later.."

"Attention, all players. After you enter the game hall please stand behind the white line drawn on the field and await further instructions. Once again, will all players please stand behind the white line and await further instructions."

She couldn't turn her head not even a little bit. Because she knew that if she did, she would look at him.

That's the very same thing he did. He went behind Gi-Hun so he couldn't meet her glaze. In his mind she was far away from Korea, living a simple life like she always-

"Here is the first game." The voice from the speaker stopped them both from their thoughts.

"You will be playing Red Light, Green Light."

You are allowed to move forward when "it" shouts out, "Green Light," stop when "it" shouts, "Red Light." If your movement is detected afterward, you will be eliminated."

"Like the children's game?" She asked Gi-Hun.

"Seems...so?"

"Are you kidding me?" She looked at him with a weird look.

"Those players who cross the finish line without being eliminated within the five-minute playtime will pass this round. With that, let the game begin."

The large creepy doll turned her head and started signing.

Mugunghwa-kkochi Pieossseubnida

She stopped walking. She was that stressed she was almost not even breathing.

Bang.

Was that... a gunshot?

Mugunghwa-kkochi Pieossseubnida

The sound of gunfire shattered her nerves. She froze, every muscle locked in place. The haunting tune barely finished before the gunshot. Lyanna's blood ran cold as she realized the truth. They weren't just playing for money. 

They were playing for their lives. 

The room descended into chaos as players screamed and fled, only to be gunned down mercilessly. Lyanna stood frozen, tears burning her eyes. She couldn't even turn to look for her friends, afraid that the slightest movement would seal her fate. The woman in the speaker repeated the rules.

All of them were standing still and no one moved except an old man. She then heard Sang-Woo whispering to Gi-Hun, right behind her.

"You can't stay there much longer. I think that doll senses when you move around.

You won't get caught if you're behind somebody else."

And that's exactly what the three of them did.

Mugunghwa-kkochi Pieossseubnida

Another step, another gunshot.

For the first time in eight years they looked at each other. He was in her right side behind a large man, looking at her like he was trying to tell her to stay exactly how she was. She understood it right away.

The gunshots were non stop. She was sure she would hear them in her sleep. Until she felt blood on her face. The man in front of her was shooted. She was now exposed. She tried to keep her balance. And she did perfectly. But once the next round started, the man who was once in front of her, pulled her leg and she fell down.

"Help me... I don't wanna die." he whispered with blood in his mouth.

Her chest heaved, panic clawing at her throat. She couldn't help him—she couldn't even help herself.

"Get up."

The voice was calm but firm, and she felt two strong arms pulling her to her feet.

"You forgot how to walk?" Sang-Woo's voice was soft, but his expression was unreadable.

Mugunghwa-kkochi Pieossseubnida

She ran, her legs burning, as adrenaline surged through her. Every step felt like a battle, but she pushed forward, Sang-Woo's presence driving her on.

When she finally crossed the finish line, she collapsed, her body shaking. She looked up to find Sang-Woo beside her, his breathing steady, his gaze unreadable.

"Why did you...?" she began, her voice breaking.

The counter hit 0:10 seconds. Lyanna's eyes widened. But- Gi-Hun. Where was Gi-Hun? She got up and saw him almost ready to fall with a man who was trying to carry him so he wouldn't fall. The doll started saying Green Light and she screamed.

"GI-HUN JUMP!"

A/N: andddd here is part 2! Dynamic start with the first game. Not much are explained but everything will be clear soon! Lyanna and Sang-Woo share a mysterious past they both buried. Maybe meeting in the games is a chance to bring it back to life? Thank you for reading❤️

[lovie2mist]

Stupid Cupid, Stop Picking on Me: Se-mi x Min-su

Hi! as you can see, i really like rare ships.

i used to think that i only like gay ships but with 366 and 505, it seems that i just like unconventional/untraditional ships.

so i give you Timid Anxious Guy x Confident Badass Girl

Genre: Fluff, Smut, Alternative Universe, Biker x Office Worker

Warning: mentions of employee mistreatment, dominant fem, submissive masc (not necessarily dom/sub), oral (f!receiving), hand jobs, semi-public, first time, cuntstruck behavior

This is stupid, so so stupid.

But she's so pretty and so nice and so out of his league, and still, here he was, at the back seat of his car, with a hot biker girl on his lap, and he starts to think that maybe his shitty boss is right on forcing him on a speed dating program.

18+ 18+ 18+ 18+ 18+ 18+ 18+ 18+ 18+ 18+

"PARK MIN-SU!" 

A loud crash was heard inside the Team Leader's Office. Everybody on the floor looked towards booth 125, aka where the apparent Park Min-su was. "What did you do this time, Min-su-ah?" the guy beside him asked. The young man could barely hold himself together as his body shook. "I don't even know anymore," Min-su whispered before standing up and slowly walking toward their angry boss.

Min-su knocked on the door, his head hung low, not wanting to anger the man any further than he already did. However, he still had no idea what he had done wrong. It's always like this; one morning, every week, this has become a routine in the last 2 years that he's been working here. Sometimes, he wasn't even supposed to come in, and he still managed to get in trouble. 

"Come here!" Min-su walks towards his desk, eyes still looking at the floor. "How long have you been working here, huh?!" the man shouts, eyes bulging out as if to stare into his soul. Min-su prayed to the gods, goddesses--just anyone who would listen to his pleas. He should've just gone back home and asked his dad to teach him how to farm, but no, he's here, about to be berated for something that he doesn't even know about. "T-two years, Sir…" he managed to stutter out despite the constant thumping in his chest-- whether it was from the fear of getting hit or the fear of getting fired, being inside this office always made him feel like he was meeting his end.

"TWO YEARS?! AND THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOW ME?!" The Team Leader threw a folder at him, successfully hitting his chest. He scrambles on the floor as he picks up the papers, unable to catch them a moment ago. "If it weren't for the boss, I would've fired you already!" Min-su immediately stood up, tears filling his eyes as he looked at the Team Leader. "Go fix that!"

"Yes, Sir!" Min-su says as he almost runs out of the Team Leader's office, away from the glaring man inside. However, instead of going back to his desk, he sped up his pace. He heard one of his colleagues call out to him, but everything was a blur as he took the stairs. 

He takes a quick look around him. People going in and out of his sight, hazy as they could be as tears began to run down his face. He doesn't know what to do anymore. Two years. He did his best for those two years and still, it doesn't seem to be enough. Without thinking, he started to walk away from their building. Suddenly he felt his phone vibrate, bringing it out from his pocket, his eyes tried to focus on the name of the caller. 

Min-su's body shot up straight as "Mr. Seong Gi-Hun CEO" was blasting from the screen.

He immediately clicks the answer button. "H-hello, Mr. CEO," he says, voice timid as he walk towards a cafe. He sits down at one of the tables. As he put down all of his things on it, his boss starts to speak. "I heard what happened… And I'm quite disappointed in you, Min-Su. I've always thought you had it in you," Mr. Seong says in the lowest voice he probably could master. Min-su breathed out an apology as he wiped off the tears falling from his eyes. He looked pathetic. A grown man crying in a cafe? What a joke. 

Mr. Seong probably heard him sniffle as he started to coax him to stop, "Hey, hey. It's alright, boy. It's okay… Listen, how about this, I have an event that I want to try out, it's a speed dating program." Min-Su was organizing the papers, listening to his boss. "Speed dating, Sir?"   he hears his boss let out an affirmative noise from the other end of the line, "Yes, Son. You know how our company focuses on human interactions and such, being a marketing company after all, it's better to know a more… personal way to get to know the public." 

Min-Su can tell that this conversation is going somewhere that he doesn't like. "And you seem to be the perfect person for it!" The cheerful voice of his superior scared him a lot more than his disappointed tone earlier, "Me?" he asked as he lined up towards the cashier. "Yes! You! Our very handsome bachelor!"

He trips over to the counter at this, "Oh! Sorry!" He says as the cashier looked at him in amusement. "You alright there, Sir?" The girl at the counter smirked at the red on his cheeks, " Ah-- yes, sorry… umm… One cappuccino and an egg tart please," he said, fumbling his words as the short-haired pretty girl nodded at him, he gave his name for the order; he noticed the smirk still plastered on her face as she went to fix up his order. For someone as single as him, Min-su couldn't help but admire the pretty people around him, and the girl at the counter was definitely his type.

"Hello? Min-su? Are you still there?" Min-su lets out a cuss, forgetting that he was on a call, WITH THE CEO, because of a girl, was probably on top of the most embarrassing moments he had today. "YES! Sorry, Sir…" he responded as the girl, Se-Mi apparently as written on her nameplate, brings his food and takes the card in his hand. "So I was saying…," Min-Su grabbed his food as his boss continued, "I want you to go to the speed dating program."

Clink

"Ah! Sorry…" He was about to grab his card from Se-mi when he suddenly pulled his hand away, making her drop it. Min-su immediately picked up the card. He looked at her, ashamed of the way he's been acting. A warm chuckle left her lips, "Don't tire yourself out now, pretty boy," Min-Su's face impossibly became redder at that. He stammered out a 'thank you' before running out of the cafe.

Se-mi watches him go, a curious smile on her face, "Cute…"

-

Min-su clutched the things to his chest, he could feel his heart hammering, it's probably because of all the running that he did, possibly because Se-Mi just called him 'Cute,' so the real reason is actually unknown. He took a deep breath before bringing the phone up to his ears again.

"You were gone again, Min-su," Mr. Seong said teasingly, the man had never seemed to take anything seriously in his life, "Sorry again, Mr. Seong. I was in line at a café. Can you repeat it again, Sir?" 

His boss laughed at this, "Min-Su-ah, I want you to enter a speed dating program for the company." There's no other way to take it, Min-su thought he was kidding the first time, but now, for the third time and in the most serious tone he's ever heard his boss speak, he couldn't help but let out an exhausted sigh. "With all due respect, Sir, why did you choose me? I don't think I'm the only bachelor in our building." He brought the paper cup to his mouth as he started walking back to their office, "Well you see, my dear boy, there's something about a shy charming guy like you that gets the ladies going," Min-su could already feel the pitiful stares of his colleagues as he stepped into the elevator. "Besides, I have full faith that you'd do well. You may even meet the girl of your dreams there," Min-Su laughed at that, as if, he thought. "So… Are we clear, Min-Su?" the young man let out one final sigh, "Yes, Sir…," Min-Su finally stepped out of the elevator. "Great! I'll have the location, and the time sent over later."

Min-Su's ears shot up hearing that, "Time? Sir, did you mean today?" He heard laugh from the other line, he doesn't like this, "Ah! Yes, Did I forget to mention it? It's for today! So, good luck to you later, Min-Su-ah!" He was about to protest when he heard the call beeped out. He doesn't like this at all. What has he gotten himself into?

He walked towards his desk, shoulder slumped as the events of this day started to weigh on him.  He sat on his chair and was about to start fixing up the documents, that was oh-so-kindly given to him, when he saw a '2' on his cup, "Huh?" He turns the cup more, '0xxx-xxx-8102 see you again, cutie.'

"EHHHHHHH--"

A loud thud echoed on their floor as Min-su bumped his head on the table. "Ah-ah… Min-Su, are you okay?" He heard his friend, Gyeong-su, ask him. He lets out an affirmative noise as he lifts his head. "If you say so," Gyeong-su said before turning back to his workload. 

Min-Su held his phone up, he turned to look at the phone number on the cup. He thinks for a moment; on one hand, he's about to go to a speed dating program, and it wouldn't be right to ask a girl out at the moment. On the other hand, …A pretty girl had just given him her number. And she called him cute, so there's probably a huge chance that he's her type as well.

With sheer hope, he types down her number, just in case.

-

This is stupid.

This is beyond stupid.

This is madness; only a fool would think that this would go well.

Well, that fool signs his paycheck, so there's nothing Min-su can do but comply.

Before clocking out, Mr. Seong's assistant gave him a piece of paper with the name, time, and address of the speed dating program and some explanation of what would happen during the event. Basically, the singles will be given a piece of paper to write a number on and then have it pasted on their clothes and if they want to know the person, they just have to write it down and give it to the staff and they'll put you in a room together.

Seems more like human trafficking rather than a speed dating program if you ask Min-Su.

He let out a sigh —he was so, so tired of this day— as he walked inside the building. He looks around. Everything was grand and seemingly expensive, and he felt so out of place. "Excuse me...," he asked the lady on the counter. She looked up at him with a sweet smile, "Well, hello, darling. I'm Cho Hyun-Ju. Are you here for the Stupid Cupid event?"

Ms. Cho asked before pulling out a form as he nodded a 'yes', "That's great, just fill this up, honey, and write your number down here," Min-Su grabbed both of the papers, filling them up with his basic information like his name, his age, his contact number, his--

"Are you nervous, honey?" the young man looks up from his paper at that, Ms. Cho gave him a sympathetic smile as she brought her hand to his, apparently, shaking ones. "You know... Min-su, yes?" He nods again, not trusting his voice to not make a fool of himself. "You know, Min-Su, I actually met my husband here," Min-Su watched as Ms. Cho's face softened at the mention of her husband. "With all things considered, I never actually thought that I'd meet someone here. Nonetheless, marry them and become a mom to their daughter." She pulls her hand away to bring up her phone, "See, here's us. Our family. And I probably wouldn't have them in my life if it weren't for this."

"And for the very handsome prince charming coming on time, for once."

Min-su turned to look behind Ms. Cho to see the man from the picture, "Hello, my love...," the man gave her a kiss on the cheek, making the woman giggle as a blush decorated her face. He then turned his attention to Min-Su, "I'm Park Gyeong-Seok. Ms. Cho Hyun-Ju's prince charming." Ms. Cho swatted his arm as he brings out his hand for Min-Su to shake. "N-nice to meet you, Sir," the man shakes his hand, "Nice to meet you too, son."

Mr. Park pulled his hand away as he regarded his wife, "I know you wished to tell him all about how we met, my love, but the program is about to start." Ms. Cho jolted up from her seat, "Oh! yes! Sorry for taking up your time, Min-Su. I'll take your form now and here's a pin for your number. I hope you have a great time, honey."

He gave her one final smile before walking in further into the room. Min-Su took a quick look at the counter to see the couple kiss each other before Mr. Park turned to leave her to do her job.

He took a look at everyone around him, he tries to fix his hair a bit—he did fix himself up just for this. Min-Su made his way around the room, everyone looked really good. There were probably models, actors, and chaebols here as he could see some fairly familiar faces. "Champagne, Sir?" A waiter brought forth the tray in his hands in front of him. Min-Su grabbed a glass, "Thank you," he smiled at the man as he went about his way to the other newcomers. Places like this usually have an entrance fee or an invite rate that would probably cost him more than his lunch today, it's a good thing today was their 'Once A Month Free Mingle' course.

He walked around the area, he tried to look as confident as he could, he really tried his hardest. But to no avail, the shaking of his hands probably gave away how nervous he truly was.

He was standing on the sides when Ms. Cho walked up to him, "Hello, Mr. 125," she regarded him with an encouraging smile as she gave him a room key. "She's up at room 17, Min-Su. Good luck," Ms. Cho patted him on his arm before going back to the counter.

Min-Su looked at the key in his hand. He couldn't believe it. Someone actually, actually wanted to get to know him. In this place full of beautiful people, why would someone be interested in him?

Who could it be? Nobody has approached him yet, and he hasn't seen anyone that he personally knew.

Maybe, maybe this is some sort of prank.

Yeah, that's it. Somebody probably took one good look at him and thought that he was the easiest one to play around with.

He could feel the tears welling in his eyes at this conclusion when he heard Mr. Park call his number. Min-Su lifted his head to look at the man, his nerves acting up as he made his way to him. "Hey, Son," the man patted him on the shoulder, "I know you're nervous but, between you and me, pretty ladies like men who could at least talk to them without passing out." Mr. Park turned his head to the sides, making Min-Su follow him with his eyes; he could see Ms. Cho talking to some of the guests. The young man could see the adoration in the older man's eyes as he watched his wife write something down. "Well... some of them do," Mr. Park regarded him again, his hand still on his shoulder. "No matter how little you think of yourself at the moment, the lady in room 17 still took the chance to get to know you, kiddo." he gave Min-Su a reassuring smile. The latter took a deep breath as he looked down the halls and then back at the man in front of him. "Thank you, Mr. Park," he smiled at him before walking down the hallway.

Door after door after door, and all of the hype talk that Mr. Park gave him was starting to wear out. He can feel his heart beating in his chest as he finally found room 17. In his form, it's written that the key receiver should knock three times and then enter the room.

And so, Min-Su knocked once...

Then he knocked again...

He was about to knock a third time when he began to remind himself of who he was. Useless. Worthless. An Idiot. A mista--

"Aren't you going to come in?"

Min-Su hears a somewhat familiar voice behind the door. With that, he frantically put the key in the keyhole and twisted it open. He went inside the room and immediately closed the door. In his panicked moment to not make the person who owned that beautiful voice wait any longer, he had his back turned from her all this time.

He took a deep breath as he heard footsteps walking away from him. Min-su slowly turned around to see nobody behind him, he walks further in the room to see two chairs and a table set up with candles and fine cutleries, and a menu in the middle. There's also a bed near the window, at which a woman with short hair stood tall. The women in the main area wore formal or business clothing, however, she didn't.

The woman in front of him seemed to be wearing a leather jacket, tattered pants, and leather boots. He shamelessly looked her up and down before fully lifting his head, only to see the teasing smile of the girl at the café.

Min-Su jolted back as she turned to face him. Se-Mi, he remembers, was already taller than him in her work shoes, now, as she walks up to him with that gorgeous smirk on her face, it seems like she fully towered over him.

"Hey," Se-Mi said as she stood right in front of him.

Min-Su was sure she could hear his heart rapidly beating in his chest. "Hello...," he nervously let out as he stared at their shoes.

Oh my god, what is she doing here?

"W-what are you doing here, Se-mi-ssi?" She lets out a chuckle, bringing her hand to his. He lets her fingers touch along the lines of his knuckles. "Why? am I not allowed to be here, Min-Su-ah?" She hooks her little finger with his middle one, making him look up at her, "Ah— yes, you can— It's just— T-this doesn't seem like something that you'd d-do...," he knows he's a blabbering mess right now, and he truly wishes to move his red face away from her to save himself some dignity, but with the way she's looking at him, he decided he'll regret it if he did so. "Well, if the guy I gave my number to hasn't called me yet and I found out he was going to a mixer, what's stopping me from taking him from there?" A shiver ran down Min-Su's spine, her voice low, almost at a whisper, as if she said something scandalous.

Min-Su's eyes widen at that, oh god... this is so hot. The young man felt his knees weaken from the strong gaze from Se-Mi, the way her eyes shone with want, with the need to have the cute office worker from the building across the cafe wrapped around her fingers, with the desire to pull him close, to hold him in her arms.

She craves it, yearns for the day that she'll get to have him. Even for just a moment—even just for a day, a night. Anything would've been enough actually, if only he didn't look at her like that.

Se-Mi always saw herself as rational, clearheaded, and someone who has self-control. But how could she restrain herself when he looked at her with so much pleading, begging for her to take it easy on him, to make her aware of the fact that his heart is weak when it comes to her. She'd seen him many times before, walking inside the café with so much exhaustion on his face. He would always get a cappuccino and an egg tart, but usually, it was her co-worker, Young-Mi, who would always get his order, lucky bastard. Fortunately for her, Young-mi took a day off, making Se-Mi take her shift, and the gods probably heard her right then and there when the cute guy from the building in front came inside the café. However, she won't admit it but, Se-Mi was afraid she wouldn't be his type. She gets it, she doesn't seem to be the type of girl that guys like him usually go for. She's taller than him, more aggressive, and factor in the fact that she'd rather wear her riding outfit than any of those cute dresses that girls that guys usually go for. She had never thought of herself as insecure, but she would be lying if she said it wouldn't kill her if he didn't even look her way. But low and behold, the cute guy, Min-Su, seemed to like her enough to stumble upon his words every time she's in front of him. And thank god for that.

The man he was moments ago, all sweaty and nervous, seemed to hide away as the heat went up his body. Min-Su barely had any thoughts in his head before Se-Mi grabbed his hand and brought him to the table. "But first, let's get to know each other," the woman made him sit down at one of the chairs before sitting down in front of him. "So what would you like to eat?" She regarded him with a smile—something sweet, softer than what she'd been showing him—as she went to look through the menu. As much as Min-Su would like for her to lead, it seems kind of rude to just let her pull him around. Se-Mi was talking about the pros and cons of getting what was on the menu, showcasing her knowledge about food. "Se-Mi-ssi…," she abruptly stopped her ramble when Min-Su called her name, lifting her head to look at him. Se-Mi started feeling anxious, "Fuck, sorry! Am I being too much?" She says before putting down the menu. Min-Su gave her a small smile, shaking his head no, which made Se-Mi relax in her seat. "No, no, it's not that…," He starts, he looked around the room, glancing at the huge glass window, and then at the bed, and finally, at Se-Mi. 

Min-Su stared at her, looking at her right now, the heat in his body started to slow down as he was reminded of the fact that she was his junior by a couple of years. She may be confident enough to make a move, but if he made the mistake of making her feel rejected, she'll probably shut this down completely. Se-Mi looked at him in anticipation, wondering if she'd already made a mistake. "Se-Mi-ssi, this… is all so new to me. So, pardon me for saying this but… I don't get why you made all this effort to get to know me," He said, a smile growing on the girl's face. "I've liked you for quite some time now," Se-Mi said unashamedly, the grin on her face widening as the man in front of her sat up in surprise.

"Wh-what? But, we just met today," He looked at her in disbelief. Se-Mi let out a chuckle, "Yeah… WE met today," she gestured between the two of them as she turned her head away from him, "But I've been watching you for a while now…," A hint of red was evident on her cheeks as she could feel Min-Su staring at her. "I always see you ordering your usual with the most serious look on your face. The first time I saw you, you were drenched from head to toe because of the rain. I know you don't remember me but I was the one who gave you a towel. You looked so gloomy and tired that day, but despite that, you looked really cute to me…," Min-Su could feel his heart beating out of his chest again, the girl in front of him still refused to meet his eyes, looking down at her hands as she continued to tell her story, "it sounds stupid I know, but I think I fell in love with you at that moment. So when I had the chance to talk to you, I just didn't want it to slip away from me. And then-‐I don't know if it's out of impulse or desperation, I wrote my number on your cup. But, you didn't call, so I thought you weren't really that interested. I swear I was going to stop right there but I heard your colleagues talking about you and the Stupid Cupid event and I just—"

"Okay, okay, I get it." Min-Su grabbed her hand, making her look at him. Despite the tough exterior that she has, he could see the tension in her shoulders as she talked about… everything about this, about how they ended up here. 

They stared at each other in silence for a moment, basking in the other's presence, matching blush on their faces. Min-Su absentmindedly rubbed his thumb on her knuckles, both of them loosening up because of this. He swallowed the lump in his throat and watched her eyes hardened with the former need that was there a moment ago. He knows this. He'd seen this type of look from her, the same one she had donned on him when their eyes met at the cafe. She wants him. 

And he'd be a fool to not give her what she wants.

"Do you…," he starts. He may be aware of the fact that she likes him, but at the end of the day, he was still the same Min-Su that he was this morning, nervous and a mess. "Do you still want to eat first?" He asked, eyes not leaving hers. He's shaking, he knows that, but no amount of fear of fucking this up is enough to stop his desire to have her.

Se-mi stared at him for a second before a soft laugh left her lips, "Oh… I don't mind skipping dinner at the moment." The smirke she had on all day came back to her face as she stood up from her seat and walked towards him. She lowers herself to whisper in his ear, "There's something else I would rather eat instead."

Min-Su let out a whimper, he could feel his lower half twitch in his pants. Everything about him starts to heat up.

Se-mi knows what she's doing to him. 

The girl stood up straight before holding his hand. She led him towards the bed, making him sit down on the edge. 

His dick seems to like it like this, Se-Mi towering over him; he could feel the bulge on his pants as they start to feel uncomfortable, Se-Mi must've noticed this as she brought her eyes down his legs. "Someone's excited," she whispered as she moved closer to him. Min-Su can't do anything but look up at her, mesmerized at the way she bit her bottom lip. He probably had the most shameless expression on as Se-Mi brought her hand to his face. "I'm going to fuck you so good." 

Min-su's going to die.

Yeah, he'll be eaten alive and be swallowed whole till his soul leaves his body.

And oh lord, he wouldn't fucking mind that.

Se-mi lowered her face, and Min-su could feel her breath on his cheeks. "Cute…,' In one final dose of confidence, Min-su kissed her. A light one, he pulls away a bit before being roughly pulled into another one.

Se-mi wasn't lying when she said she could've been desperate, he could feel it in the kiss. The way she cupped his cheeks to make him stay, the warmth of her lips as she deepened it more, the way her eyes closed shut as she relished the feeling of having his lips on hers. Min-su brought his hands onto her hips, squeezing them slightly as he felt her tongue swipe at his bottom lip, asking for him to open up. 

Who was he to deny her? 

He parted his lips, only to immediately feel her tongue explore around. Min-su couldn't help but let out a moan, having her between his thighs, he started to move his hips in her legs.

Everything, and anything, about this just feels so good. He slowly slid his hands under her shirt as she grabbed his hair. They don't know who's more desperate as they pull each other impossibly closer. Se-mi moaned into the kiss as Min-su's hand made its way to her tits, he gave it a tentative squeeze before fully cupping it. They parted from the kiss, breathless as they stared at each other. Min-su saw her swollen lips as they turned up into a smirk. He was about to slide his hands down when Se-mi grabbed him to a stop.

Se-mi instructed his hands to squeeze again, making him tighten his hold on her waist. "Don't be shy, Min-su-ah. Touch me as much as you want," Min-su gulped as he pulled his hands away from hers, bringing it under the fabric of her bra. He leans forward, kissing her neck as he continued to play with her tit. He could hear her moan above him, and oh boy, the noises went straight to his cock. 

Min-su could feel Se-mi grab the back of his head, pushing him closer as he marks along her pale neck. He brought his other hand to her back, unclasping her bra, it took a lot of tries but he got it off without her noticing so who cares if his hand shook while doing it. He moved his face away from her, their eyes meeting again, the sultry look not leaving Se-mi's face as she tightened the hold on his hair. Min-su pushed her closer to him, sliding his hand higher to lift the shirt more. He could see her nipples peeking from under the clothing, hard as the cold air hit her skin. "C-can I…?" Min-su asked, eyes dazed as the sight in front of him couldn't be anything less than heaven.  "Yes, fuck, Min-su…"

Without missing a beat, Min-su pursed his lips forward, bringing a nipple in his mouth. He licked and sucked on it, reveling in the noises coming out from Se-mi, "Min-su, oh god, ha…," he pressed his thumb on the other peak, rubbing it slowly before playing on it with his forefinger. Face buried in her chest, he looked up to take a peek at the girl above him, and he was lucky enough to not shoot in his pants at that moment. Se-mi's head was pulled back as her face glowed red, tears streamed down her cheeks as she urged Min-su for more. Min-su shamelessly played the bud with his tongue as he squeezed and massaged the other tit, muffled noises came out from him as Se-mi slotted forward between his legs more, causing the line in his pants to rub against her.

He was about to grind against her leg when he was suddenly jerked away from her. Se-mi had her hand on the collar of his shirt, chest heaving as she looked at him hungrily. "Off. Now," she says between breaths as Min-su hurriedly took off the garment. Min-su could see her eyes watching him, tracing every curve and muscle on his bare chest, she let out a whistle, sliding her hands on his neck, his broad shoulders, and his toned arms. She pulled away after a while to remove her jacket as well as her shirt and bra. She could feel Min-su's gaze on her as she lifted her arms to pull the shirt above her head. Se-mi watches as his breath hitches at the sight of her exposed top half, her breast perky and soft to the touch.

Being buried in them wasn't enough for Min-su to fully appreciate how beautiful they were, how beautiful Se-mi was. Min-su noticed the moles scattered on her pale skin, the pink hue on it as she grew warm from their actions, and the littered scars on her body, which were light-colored but noticeable no less. Se-mi could feel him staring at the scar on her shoulder, curiosity on his face. She worries if it made her less attractive in his eyes. She took a peek at his lap, realizing that her worries were fruitless as the bulge in his pants seemed to get harder. Min-su leans forward, playing with her belt as he lifts his head to look at her in the eye. "May I?" He doesn't understand where his confidence came from, but looking at the fondness and lust in Se-mi's eyes, it doesn't seem to be unwanted. The girl lets out a chuckle, bringing her hands to his head as she teasingly plays with his hair, "Go ahead." she whispered, voice low as if to seduce him even further into madness.

Still sitting on the bed, he went to kneel in front of her, unbuckling her belt before he unbuttoned her pants, he kissed along her stomach as he pulled her zipper down. If Se-mi hadn't had half the mind at the moment, she would've started jumping for joy with how happy she was.

Min-su looked up at her, and dare I say, he died and lived again as the desire became evident on her face. He knows what she wants, he knows how impatient she's getting. So, he leans down to take off her boots, one after another as he hears her let out a deep sigh. 

He brings his eyes forward, he can see her underwear right now that the button is open, the black fabric peeking through the opened zipper of her pants. He went to push it down to her knees, eyeing the wet stain on the garment. Min-su moved his face closer between her legs, he grabbed the back of her thighs, feeling the muscles on them. He gives a kiss on her stomach as he goes to completely discard the pants from her legs. Se-mi parted her legs wider, allowing him to come closer to her inner thighs.

Min-su looked up, watching her face scrunch up as he began to kiss along her soft thighs. He lightly bites one area before licking it, he stares at her face, wondering if she likes that or not. Se-mi nodded her head, allowing him to do more. He licked a spot near the back of her knees, sucking on a bruise. Min-su kissed higher nearing the edge of her underwear, his nose touched the fabric of the seam as he brings his mouth closer and closer to where she needed him to be.

Se-mi could feel her wetness sticking to her skin underneath her underwear, she carefully grabbed his jaw urging him to come closer to her heat. Min-su's eyes closed as he went to kiss the top of her underwear, his hands sliding up and down her legs, making her the hairs on her skin stand up. She let out a punched noise as he began to lick along the wetness, savoring the feeling of her heat on his tongue. Se-mi couldn't help the way her legs shook from this, grabbing the man's head to stabilize herself. She felt her hips moving, following along the movement of his tongue as one of his hands went around her and groped her ass.

"Min-su, take it off," she grunts out as she pulls his head away from her. She sees the dazed look on his face, lost in her scent. He looks up at her, eyes droopy before slowly pulling the fabric down. 

Now fully naked in front of him, Min-su can't help but admire her, from her toned arms to her abs to the firm muscles on her legs; scars adorned her skin but she's perfection in all the word means. She's pretty, beautiful, more than anything he could've asked for.

"Are you just going to stare all night or are you going to do something about that?"

Se-mi pointed out the discomfort in his pants that seemed to get harder every minute. A blush crept up on his face, embarrassed even with the bareness of her body in front of him. "So-sorry…," Min-su turned his face away from her, making Se-Mi laugh. 

She was about to say something when somebody knocked on their door, "Ms. 380 and Mr. 125, I hope you enjoyed yourselves, however, your time is up. Please proceed to the checkout in 5 minutes." And with that, the man, Min-Su guessing it to be Mr. Park from the teasing tone he had, left without waiting for a response.

The two of them looked at each other, hearing the man's footsteps become quieter. This seemed to sober them up as the air began to feel uncomfortable. The sexed-up feeling they had a while ago dissipated into an awkward state.

Se-mi saw his face turning away, probably ashamed of the way he was kneeling in front of her. She could hear him panic from their current state. "Ah— we should… put on our clothes now," he began to stand up, picking up their scattered clothes. She felt her heart break for a moment, watching him busy himself, seemingly too afraid to even look at her. 

"Min-Su-ah…," she lets out, her voice low as her eyes begin to well up. Min-su stops from picking up her bra when he hears her call out his name. He heard a sniffle from behind him, making him abruptly turn around to look at the woman. His eyes widen as he saw tears streaming down her face, making him walked towards her.

"Hey! Hey! Se-mi-ssi, w-what's going on— oof"

He gripped their clothes in his arms as Se-mi suddenly pulled him into a kiss, their faces wet from sweat and tears. She pulled away with a pop, "Don't you dare tell me you regret this." Se-mi's face contorted into a frown, fear lingering in her voice as she tried to intimidate him. 

Min-Su's heart swelled up inside him as he watched the expression on her face, he gently took her shirt from his arm and gave it to her, "It's cold out and we need to go now, Se-mi-ssi," he gave her a soft smile, urging her to take the shirt. Semi looked at the shirt and back to him, trying to decipher if he was ignoring her or just being plain stupid, nonetheless, she grabbed her shirt and put it on. He called her name again as he went to give back her clothes, "My car is just down the block," he said, he went to put on his shirt as he turned to see Se-mi putting on her pants. "We could… go to a hotel if you'd like?" 

Se-mi stopped from putting on her jacket when she turned to focus her attention on him, "Th-that is, only if you, ah… want to," dumbstruck at his inability to look at her, she sensed that her fears may have been unwarranted. She took a deep breath before speaking, "You have a car, you say?" The teasing tone in her voice came back as she walked towards him. "Min-su… are you asking me to go and fuck you somewhere else?"

Min-Su could feel the heat creep up on his face again as his hard-on twitched in his pants, "I-if you want to," he went to look down, avoiding her piercing gaze, only to regret it as he noticed her nipples peeking out from under her shirt, fuck. He could only stare at them, ears reddening as he reminisced on the feeling of them on his tongue. "…Min-Su-ah!" 

He flinched at being called, he looked up to see her smirking at his dumbfounded face. "You should go and finish fixing yourself up so we can go," she said, sitting down on the bed to put her boots on. After tucking in his shirt and fixing his pants, Se-mi held his hand and led him towards the door, she gave him one final kiss, leaving him breathless (for the nth time today) as she pulled him out the room. She checked if they had everything before walking away from the door.

Min-Su had his head down as he allowed Se-mi to lead them out of the building. He can see Ms. Cho and Mr. Park giving him a thumbs-up as he turned to look at them for a moment. 

"So, where's your car, Min-Su-ah?" the woman asked as they set foot outside of the building, "It's in that direction," he said, leading the way. He could feel the warmth of her hands, making him hold on tighter as the chill of the evening air hit his body. He may still be hot from their prior activity, but the heat from her fills his body with a sense of comfort. "So, did you take a taxi coming here?" It's pathetic to make small talk after everything but he couldn't take the silence anymore. "Nope. I got a bike and drove from my place to here."

Min-Su nodded at that, "Where's your bike, then?" Se-mi pulled him closer by the arm, her other hand sliding into her pocket. "It's by the park near the XX Building. I would've parked closer, but the area was full," the young man lets out a chuckle, "Same here. I had to park at the mall."

They walked in silence after that, Se-mi could swear he could hear her heart hammering in her chest, she may look tough on the outside, but having him beside her, walking to his car to go have sex somewhere, she was excited and a little nervous. She was still braless as she could feel the fabric of her shirt rubbing against her, making her heat up in familiar places. Min-su was quiet beside her, probably worried if they were in the right place. She wanted him so badly. She probably won't be able to hold it together until they get to a more reasonable place than a parking lot in a mall.

"Ah! Here we go," Min-su said, bringing Se-mi out of the long list of things she wanted to do to him. They stood in front of the five-seater, the young man fished for the keys in his pockets as Se-mi stared at him in anticipation, I don't think I can wait any longer, she thought as Min-Su unlocked the car door.

As soon as she heard the car unlock, she opened the door to the back seat and pulled him inside. She sat him down before sitting on his lap, locking the door behind her. "Se-semi?," Min-su stuttered out as he looked at the desperate look on her face. "I can't take it anymore," Se-mi pulled his face and smashed their lips together. The kiss was deep and needy as she went to pull at his hair, Min-Su couldn't help but let out a grunted noise at the sudden contact, picking at the last pieces of his brain, he kissed her back. He felt her tongue explore once more; he whimpered as she began to move her hips on top of him. "Se-mi…," Min-Su could feel every part of his body yearning for her, to have every part of his body feel her.

Se-mi removed her top again, Min-su immediately took one of the nipples in his mouth as his hands grabbed ahold of her exposed skin. He took the initiative to unbuckle her belt as they hurriedly removed each other's clothes. Bare in front of each other, in the cramped back seat of his car, Min-Su took a good look at her again before flinching at the sudden contact on his (finally) bare cock.  

He looked down to see Se-mi holding his shaft, "Se-semi!," he grunted out as she moved her hands up and down the length. She went to kiss along his neck as his head leaned back. His hand groped at her sides, grounding himself from the pleasure. "Do you like this?" she whispered in his ear, voice sultry but breathless as Min-su's hand roamed played with her tits. He nodded his head, eyes closed shut as pre-cum drenched her hands.

Min-Su's hands slid down her stomach, one hand grabbed onto her waist while the other one went lower and lower, stopping at the wetness between her thighs. He rubs her clit, making the girl above him let out a moan, "Put it in," she whispered, head dropping on his shoulder as her hand moved faster. They were a mess as they focused on making the other person feel good.

Min-Su suddenly got pulled away from her and found himself lying down, he was about to ask what just happened when his view was blocked by Se-mi sitting on his chest, "We didn't get to eat earlier but I'm sure you're hungry for something," Min-su looked down as he feels her heat on his pecs, Se-mi looked down at him with a glint in her eyes. Without saying anything, Min-Su pulled her closer to his face and began to tease her inner thighs, a punched noise left Se-mi's lips as she put her hands on the door; she began to move her hips, urging him to touch her cunt. Min-su pulled her even closer as his mouth began to lap at her wet slit.

Se-mi couldn't help the noises leaving her throat as she grinded on Min-Su's face. She tried to hold onto the door, finger sliding on the glass as her tits bounced to her movements. She brought one of her hands to his hair, roughly pushing him to her cunt. Min-su moved his tongue faster, following a rhythm to not disappoint the woman above him. She could feel a knot form inside her, making her move her hips erratically. "God! Yes! MIN-SU—" Se-mi's head tilts back, her eye-rolling to the back as she came on Min-su's face.

She catches her breath, Min-su still eating her out of her orgasm. Se-mi slid herself down to his waist to look at him; unsurprisingly, Min-su looked like he was the one who came. His eyes barely open, his face drenched, catching his breath as he looked at her, cuntstruck, as he went to grab onto her waist to urge her forward again. Se-mi chuckled at his attempt, he's out of it already, she thinks, eyes pleading for her to sit on his face again.

"Do you have a condom?"

This seemed to have snapped him out of his lust-filled daze. His eyes widen as he realized that he absolutely does not have a fucking condom on him, as he didn't think he would be in this position when he left his house to head to the event. Se-mi noticed the panic in his eyes, "No, it's alright, I got tested. We can do it raw for tod—"

"NO!"

The smile on Se-mi's face dropped, her face contorted in confusion. Min-su avoided looking her in the eyes as he rubbed her sides to placate her, "W-we can't…," The woman on top of him frowned at that, "Why not? Do you have something?" Min-su could feel her thinking about every reason why he didn't want to do it raw, "No, it's not that," he whispered, his eyes turning to look at her now, making eye contact as he spoke, "Se-mi, as much as I know that'll feel goo—"

"How would you know?" Se-mi cut him off, eyeing him with suspicion.

Min-su let out a cough as he slides one hand to her thighs, calming her down. "I've had… experiences," Se-mi scoffs at this, "And you don't want to experience that with me?," Min-su panicked as he hears the irritation in her voice, "It's not that! It's just—," "I'm on the pill if that's what you're worried about."

He shuts up because that's exactly what he's worried about. "Oh…kay. I'm also tested and I haven't had sex for a while," he muttered, he looked down at her legs, grounding himself by rubbing them. Se-mi gave him a genuine smile, leaning down to kiss him. "That's good to know."

Se-mi sat up straight, she felt the quickening of his heart from under her fingertips as she slid her hands down his chest. She saw his eyes close as she went and held his dick in her hands, still hard as a rock. Min-su grabbed onto her waist as she aligns his cock on her slit. Their heads rolled back as she slid in the head, Min-su wasn't small by any means and he wasn't too big which it'll hurt.

Min-su took a deep breath, the warmth of her cunt making him lose his mind. He could feel her walls clenching around him. He went to rub along her side, "Good?" He says, unable to form any more coherent words. Se-mi nodded her head 'Yes,' she moved her hips a little, making Min-su roll his head back on the seat again. She held the head of the passenger seat for support as she bounced on his dick; Min-su's grip tightened around her hips, helping her by thrusting his hips upward. 

Sweat dripped from their bodies as their movements caused the car to shake. The parking lot was vacant when they went to get the car, still, Min-su bit his lip to muffle the noises coming out of his mouth. He lifts himself and brings one hand to Se-mi's hair, pulling her in for a kiss.

The kiss was sloppy, their moans muffled by each other. He pulls himself away from her, "Fuck, Se-mi… I'm close--" he drops his head on her shoulder, "Me too…," he feels Se-mi's breath on his ears. He licked a bruise on her neck; with one final thrust, he could feel her tightened around him as they came together. Se-mi wrapped her arms around him as he continued to move his hips to ride out his orgasm. They kissed each other again, pulling away when their lungs needed air.

"That was… amazing," Min-su says between breaths as he smooths out her skin. Se-mi lets out a chuckle, bringing her hand to his jaw, "Yes it was," she swipes her thumb along his cheekbones, a soft smile on her face as she kisses him again, this time softer, sweeter than they had been moments ago.

Their eyes met once they pulled away, staring at each other with fondness. 

Min-su suddenly scrunched his face when Se-mi moved her leg, "Ah, you should probably pull out now," Min-su nodded in agreement as Se-mi lifted herself to let him slide out. He then moved to the side to let Se-mi sit down on the seat, he could see their aftermath dripping down her thighs. He picked up his pants, searching for something before giving her a handkerchief. Se-mi laughed at this, "What a gentleman you are," he blushed as he watched her clean up his mess inside her. Min-su began to look for their scattered clothes in the car, he went to open the compartment and got a fresh shirt to give to her. Se-mi could feel her heart flutter at this, a genuine smile on her face as she kissed his cheek as a 'thank you' before putting the shirt on. He gives her all her clothes; only after she's done does he make a move to put on his. They did that in silence, still recovering from it. 

He feels Se-mi's arms wrapped around him from behind, "I like you so much…," she whispers, suddenly feeling shy as if she hadn't wrung him dry just minutes ago. It was Min-su's turn to laugh as he moved her hands away to make her face him. He looked at her straight, he noticed the way her face reddened at the attention, " I know I can't say the same for you, as we've only just officially met, but I would like to get to that point with you," he brought her hands to his lips. Se-mi grinned at this as she jumped into his arms, startling him with the sudden impact. He held onto her waist as she kissed him. 

"Do you live by yourself?" Se-mi asked, playing with hairs on the back of his head, "Yeah… why?" She moved her face closer, "Cause the night is still young, Min-su-ah."

With that, Min-su hurriedly climbed over the center console and drove to his house, with Se-mi laughing maniacally at the back.

--

Light seeped from behind the curtain as the sun shone brightly outside. Min-su lets out a yawn as the sun rays hit his face. He turned to his head, rubbing his eyes as he noticed the soft body before him. 

He jolted on the spot as he looked up to Se-mi's sleeping face. 

His eyes softened as the familiar warmth of her skin blended with his; he went to cuddle further into her arms, taking in her scent. After driving back home, they didn't waste any time scattering their clothes around the house. They probably did it five more times, which, judging by the hickeys and bites on their skin, was thoroughly enjoyed by both of them. 

He could feel her stir on top of him, "Good morning," he said, her hold on him tightened, "ghud morneng," Se-mi buried her face in his hair as she spoke. Min-su smiled at this as he unconsciously slid his hand down her body. Se-mi hummed as she leaned into the touch, "Seems like somebody wants to start something early in the morning," blush crept up the young man's face as he buried himself in her chest. He heard Se-mi chuckle as she pulled him away from her, giving him a morning kiss.

They stared at each other, as they did the night before. Se-mi could feel the way his hand roamed on her back, feeling her up, wondering if she was real, if she was actually there. The adoration in her eyes never changes as she watches him, the way he breathes, the softness in his eyes, the hope in his smile. 

She could wake up like this forever. 

Se-mi pecked his lips before sitting up and getting out of bed, "Se-mi?" He asked, worry evident in his tone, "I'm just going to get us some coffee," Min-su's face turned red as he watched her naked form walk away. His heart feels light, he knows he'll need to go to work tomorrow and everything mundane will start again, but he'll savor every moment of every minute of today; that starts by giving Se-mi some clothes.

He could wake up like this forever.

ANDDDDD THAT'S A WRAP!!

Oh god, i think i ended up writing this for almost a whole week!

I really like this pair, there's something about loser guys and badass girls that just makes my heart warm.

i hope you guys take the chance to give ship a try! and i hope you guys like this!

PSA: THIS IS NOT AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO DO IT RAW! PRACTICE SAFE SEX!

Thank you for reading!

[ass-fuehrerin]

In[action]

Whether it was a carefully calculated manipulation or pure improvisation in the heat of the moment,

[swaying Gi-hun’s empathy through a real story about his wife was both one of the most brilliant and one of the most terrifying things In-ho ever did or could do to Seong.]

He essentially hung up a Chekhov’s gun — one that would fire straight at Gi-hun the moment the Frontman’s identity might inevitably came to light.

The only question is — how exactly will it wound him?

Hurt Gi-hun, enrage him, throw him into agony — those aren’t the outcomes I fear. They’re the ones I expect. The ones I hope for. With bated breath, I wait and hope that Gi-hun will find the emotional and psychological strength to get enraged, to feel his heart breaking into pieces, and to keep fighting after his still-black-and-white world — where good and evil are relatively clear — shatters into gray. A world where the righteous and the damned, the honest and the deceitful, the heroes and the cowards, the "good" and the "bad" — all people — can evoke the same depth of sympathy. A world where "us" and "them" dissolve into “me” and “them”.

[It’s the same thing nature documentary filmmakers and hosts do to us.]

The poor rabbit, dashing through the snowy forest, fleeing from the fox, tugs at our hearts — right up until the camera shifts focus. And suddenly, we see her — starving, weak, having failed yet another hunt — dragging herself back to the den where her kits, hungry and waiting, now have nothing to eat because the rabbit got away.

The collapse of equally powerful sympathies for both sides creates confusion. A reckoning. But — most terrifying of all — it can lead to emotional burnout. Numbness. You stop rooting for the rabbit or the fox. For a lion or a zebra. For a killer whale or a seal. For a “manager” or a “player”. You become an observer. Like the filmmakers. Like the host. Intervention is pointless — because this is the natural order, the fundamental way of things, and nothing you do will change that. You don’t make the rules, but you don’t have to follow them either — you can step outside their reach and simply watch them play out.

[I’m not afraid of Gi-hun’s explosion. Of his actions. I’m afraid of his numbness.]

Of his inaction — being the only actual action he does. I’m not afraid that, under In-ho’s pressure, under threats to his or his daughter’s lives he might become the next Frontman — I’m afraid he might do it willingly by burning out, going silent, and stepping back. Fading into the shadows. Taking his place in the observation deck.

Because numbness isn’t just apathy. It’s surrender. It’s the quietest, most insidious way a system like this wins — not by forcing its victims into compliance, but by exhausting them into stepping aside. By making them convince themselves it’s futile, inevitable, or simply not their fight anymore — it’s the game they host and watch.

[Maybe it is what happened to In-ho?]

That might be the most tragic part of his story — not being forced into becoming the Frontman, butt choosing it. Maybe not all at once, but step by step, each time convincing himself that resistance was pointless or that survival demanded compromise.

At some point, In-ho must have faced the same breaking point Gi-hun is hurtling toward. He likely told himself, “I’m not the villain. I’m just doing what I have to do.” And then, over time, that self-justification hardened into something worse: acceptance. A point where he no longer needed to justify it at all. Where watching, enforcing, even orchestrating the suffering of others became second nature — because he had long since stopped feeling the weight of it. Because it is the natural order.

Because:

it’s like staring at a finished painting, created by others (and judging by his at-home collection of anthologies of artists works, In-ho clearly has a liking for it) — you didn’t choose the colors, didn’t sketch the outlines, didn’t decide what the final image would look like. You’re a mere observer not daring to smear the paint, disrupt the composition, refuse to be just another stroke in a predetermined masterpiece of cruelty.

If that’s the road — In-ho’s version of it — Gi-hun is at risk of walking, then his numbness wouldn’t just be dangerous — it would be fatal. It would be his first step toward becoming another man in front of those observers. In-ho knows the path Gi-hun is on. Because it once happened to him.

Maybe In-ho isn’t just testing Gi-hun — maybe he’s watching him in a way that’s almost... desperate. A way of asking,

[“What would it have looked like if I had chosen differently?”]

It is controversial, but for In-ho it still might be about witnessing a version of himself who still has a choice. Seeing if someone — anyone — can take the step he never did.

And if Gi-hun — at any stage of the game — makes a different move, not the one In-ho anticipated (I played these games before!1!!1), he would be forced to confront something he buried long ago: that he could have done the same. That he wasn’t as trapped as he convinced himself he was. That he became this way not because he had no other choice — but because he made the one.

And maybe that’s why In-ho plays this game with Gi-hun at all. Not just to manipulate him, not just to prepare him for the inevitable — but to finally, after all these years, see what should have been.

In the hope — just like us — that Gi-hun is this “what if”-version of himself.

[fablesuntold]

Requested starter for — Seong Gi-hun to @s4lesman ✨

Two years of his life wasted in despair. Two whole years spent searching for the bastard who’d gotten him submerged into those nightmarish games that had left him feeling hollow inside.

Maybe if he’d gotten on that plane and sought out the help he needed to heal himself, Gi-hun wouldn’t be as caught up on the past as he was now. But the idea of finding him and staring him in the face again, finally able to ask him why.. Gi-hun was so hung up on the idea that it had completely consumed his entire life. The money he’d won didn’t matter, he’d barely touched it as a matter of fact. It was all blood money, anyway. The only use it had so far was helping that of Sang-woo’s mother and Sae-byeok’s brother. The rest? He intended to use as a means to track down the people who’d made his life a living hell.

Wouldn’t it be ironic if the cash they’d handed him was the reason for their downfall? Oh how Gi-hun would laugh if that were the case. But no such luck as of yet.. not even with the help of Kim Jeong-rae and his band of merry men on the hunt. Time to take matters into his own hands. It wasn’t like he could sleep much nowadays anyway.. not with so much regret weighing on his mind, the faces of those who’d played in the games with him flashing into his memory every time he closed his eyes.

Arming himself with nothing more than a combat knife, Gi-hun made his way down to the nearest train station. With how late it was, he wasn’t expecting to find much at this hour. It was more a walk to clear his mind than another fruitless attempt at finding the suited culprit.

But to his surprise.. there he stood. It took a second to register at first, a double-take needed to confirm. But there was no denying it. It was impossible to mistake that face, and Gi-hun felt his blood practically run colder the second their eyes met. “You again..” Frozen in place, his fingers itched to pull out the knife from his back pocket, jaw clenched so tight his teeth ached. “You’re here to recruit more people into those games, aren’t you? You’re here to.. to start it all up again.” He couldn’t let that happen. Not again. Without warning, Gi-hun made a quick stride forward until he was close enough to grab the suited man by his neatly pressed jacket, using the momentum to slam him into the nearest wall. “Start talking!” He barked at him, just them and the barren station to bear witness to whatever transpired between them next.

[ravingfern]

Hi guys! I'm making a 457 fic and i just released my first chapter! Here it is if you want to read it:

Seong Gi-hun, the winner of the 33rd Squid Game in 2020. The man who walked away with 45.6 billion won, now trapped in the game once again. But this time, he wasn’t forced back—he chose it. He wanted this. He wanted to stop it.

He needed to put an end to this awful game, to stop the deaths of hundreds fighting for their lives, fighting for money that could never replace what they’d lost. But the thought lingered at the back of his mind: What if I fail?

As the first game unfolded, Gi-hun’s mind wandered briefly to his childhood. He remembered the games he played with his friends in the neighborhood, the way they’d laugh, their shoes kicking up dirt as the sun hung low in the sky. Back then, winning meant nothing more than a piece of candy or a shared snack. Now, it means life or death.

The field fell silent as Gi-hun yelled directions to the other players, his voice echoing in the tense stillness. Many ignored him, thinking he was making a fool of himself. Then, a girl swatted at a bee, moving at the wrong moment. The gunshot rang out, and she was gone. Player 196, eliminated in an instant.

Panic set in. People screamed and ran toward the doors they had entered, their fear overtaking their reason. Gi-hun shouted for them to stop moving, desperate to save them, but it was futile. Chaos erupted as more were shot down. The remaining players quickly realized the only way to survive was to stay in line, minimizing their chances of being targeted. Slowly, one by one, they made it to the finish line, fear etched on every face.

In his dimly lit office, the Frontman watched from his leather couch, whiskey in hand, a smirk playing on his lips. Gi-hun’s determination to save strangers fascinated him. He admired the man’s effort but found it amusing how futile it all seemed. Yet, watching through the screen wasn’t enough. Like his predecessor, Oh Il-nam, he wanted to see Gi-hun up close. To witness the man who had chased danger head-on, all for people he didn’t know.

He leaned forward, his smirk widening. He would justify his actions to the guards as part of a plan to stop Gi-hun from disrupting the games. They wouldn’t question him.

The players sat in the dormitory in silence, their minds reeling from what they had just survived. When the doors opened, most scrambled behind the bunk beds, their instincts screaming at them to hide. A square-masked guard stepped forward, congratulating the survivors. But his tone offered no comfort. Some players dropped to their knees, begging for their lives.

Gi-hun stepped forward. With a voice steady but firm, he invoked the third clause of the consent form: “The games may be terminated upon a majority vote.”

Before the vote began, the guard revealed the death toll and the amount of money now added to the golden piggy bank. The sight of cash glowing in the darkened room drew gasps and wide eyes. For some, the lure was irresistible.

The voting began, starting with Gi-hun, Player 456. He stepped forward with resolve and pressed the red X, choosing to end the game. But as more players voted, it became clear that his choice was not the majority. Desperate, Gi-hun spoke up, imploring the others to see the truth behind the games.

When the final player stepped up to vote, Gi-hun held his breath. Player 001, the Frontman, pressed the blue O. The games would continue.

Gi-hun slumped onto the steps, disappointment weighing him down. His friend, Jung-bae, offered him some of their meager dinner, but he barely noticed.

Player 001 approached, his presence unnerving yet oddly calm. “You said you’ve played these games,” he began, his tone measured.

Gi-hun looked up at him, suspicion flickering in his eyes. This was the same man who had sealed their fate moments ago. Still, he began to share his knowledge, detailing the games he had survived before.

The Frontman—hidden behind the guise of Player 001—listened closely. He had joined the games not just to watch Gi-hun but to toy with him. Yet, as he observed Gi-hun’s bravery and resilience, he felt something unexpected: a growing fondness.

He’d spent years reviewing footage of Gi-hun’s journey in the last games, witnessing the man’s transformation from desperate to selfless. The moment when Gi-hun had begged for his friends’ lives had stuck with him. Though he told himself it would be easier to manipulate Gi-hun in his moments of despair, part of him relished the fire in Gi-hun’s eyes—the anger, frustration, and determination.

It thrilled him. He wanted Gi-hun to look at him like that again, but the timing wasn’t right. Not yet. For now, he’d bide his time, inserting himself into Gi-hun’s circle and making the games even harder for him.

When the next game was announced, Gi-hun confidently told his group it might be Dalgona, based on his past experience. But as they entered the game area, his stomach dropped. It wasn’t Dalgona.

Had the Frontman found out he was sharing information? Or was this change planned from the beginning? The questions swirled in his mind, almost paralyzing him.

Next to him, Player 001 watched him, a glint of amusement in his eyes. He saw Gi-hun’s confidence unravel, replaced by confusion and fear. It thrilled him to watch the man realize he had no control here, no advantage.

For the Frontman, it was perfect.

[nomi-c]

Happy New Year

Word count: 1,7k

Genre: fluff, best friends to lovers

{Seong-Hwa x Reader}

Today is the day, New Year's Eve, the last day of the year. Usually you spend it with your 8 Best Friends Hong-Joong, Woo-young, San, Yun-ho, Jong-ho, Yeo-sang, Min-Gi and Seong-Hwa but this Year it all came different, most of them got Girlfriends so they wanted to spend the day with them, and on top of it you caught a cold so you couldn't meet them Tonight.

You were bummed about that, because you got a beautiful black glittery dress that looked just perfect on you, and you already searched Pinterest for inspirations on hairstyles and make up looks. You were bored and there wasn't anything interesting on the tv either, so you decided to glam yourself up anyways, even if no one would see you like this.

After taking a quick shower, you put on the dress, styled your hair into soft waves, that flowed down your waist, and decided on a dark Smokey eyes look, because why not? your favorite necklace that your longtime crush Seong-Hwa gave you as present on your birthday, it was a beautiful rose necklace and when he gave it to you, you shed some tears. Going all black you even put on black lipstick. Just when you were about to take a seat on your couch your phone rang, and you ran to pick it up.

"Hello love, how are you feeling?" Hwa said in a worried voice. Always the mom.

A little laugh escaped your lips. "I'm okay, bored but okay. What about you?" You said happy about his unexpected call.

"Oh, uhm I'm okay. I was gonna ask you if you'd like to come to my house today? I told the boys that I want to spend it with you. You don't need to do anything or bring anything." He sounded a little shy.

You started jumping like a little kid, happy about his invitation, and completely forgot about hwa, who waited for your answer.

"Y/n? Are you still there? If you're not well-" he started saying but you cut him off.

"I'll be there in 30 minutes! I just got my makeup and hair done and I even wear the new dress!" You told him all excited.

He started laughing "You did all that even though you were gonna stay at home alone?"

"Of course! I was gonna take some pictures and post them on my social media." You told him, and he laughed even more.

"Okay love, I'll see you in 30." He ended the call and suddenly you got nervous.

You never spend the New Year's Eve alone with someone, let alone your crush but you didn't have time to freakout now. You ran to your bathroom and put on your favorite fragrance, grabbed your matching black glitter high heels and your car keys, and left your small apartment.

Soon enough you stood nervously in front of Seong-Hwa's apartment door. After taking a deep breath, you rang the door bell, and soon enough the door was opened and your best friend stood before you.

His blonde hair was still damp from taking a shower, and pieces of it fell in his face, he held a towel in his right hand and ruffled it trough his hair to dry them. His suit shirt had a few buttons undone, his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and around his neck was a undone tie that hung down loosely. The shirt was tucked in, and he was wearing black suit pants.

Seeing him like this made your heart skip a few beats, only to beat faster afterwards.

Seong-Hwa looked at you admiringly. "You look breathtaking love. Please come on in, I'll be ready in 5 minutes." He gave you a shy smile, and leaded you on his spacious living room, candles lit up the room on a soft light, and a relaxing music was on low volume.

Before you could reply, he was already gone. You didn't feel like sitting down just yet, so you Walked over to the big windows, that overlooked Seoul effortlessly. To many people the big cities were frightening, but to you all those big buildings and lights from other apartments were calming.

Your gaze was focused on the Han river and the party boats that were making their way trough the night, when you felt a hand on your shoulder. You turned around and noticed that his hair was still damp, but Styled to perfection. He decided to ditch the tie and the buttons were still undone, now the same necklace you had was placed around his neck.

He got it when he got your present and he wore it everyday, even though everyone made fun of him for it, but he didn't care.

You gave him a soft smile. "Thank you for inviting me over Hwa."

There was a content silence between you, both of you taking in the beautiful view before you. After a while he started speaking again.

"I have to admit, when you would have said no, I would have dropped by your place." He was smiling a little, and his cheeks got a little rosy.

You turned him towards you and embraced him in a hug. "I'm happy you called me Hwa."

He nuzzled his head in your neck and hugged you a little tighter. Once you let go of each other, he hands you a glass of champagne.

You hadn't noticed before, because you were too focused on the view outside.

"Actually, I have a surprise for you." He told you smiling.

You stared at him with big eyes. "For me?"

He rolled his eyes. "No for the person next to you." You hit his shoulder. And he laughed.

"What is it? Show me!" You said all excited.

He walked over to his dining table and took the tie that was hanging over the chair, when he was right in front of you he had a cocky smile on his lips.

"I'd say close your eyes, but I know you won't play fair. So I'll have to blindfold you." He said as he started to put the tie over your eyes.

"Hey! I'm not a cheater!" You exclaimed, as he proceeded to blindfold you.

"Sure, love." He said with a sarcastic hint.

Once he was done, he took you by the hands and leaded you somewhere. After a little while he made you stop and carried you close to his chest.

"I'm sorry, but I don‘t want you to fall." He said shyly.

After a few seconds, he set you down and took a stand behind you, holding your shoulders softly.

"Are you ready?" He asked softly.

You could feel the light breeze on your face.

"I'm ready."

When he slowly removed the blindfold, you were in awe. He decorated the whole top terrace with cute lights, a outdoor couch and even a Beamer. Little Snacks were placed on a little table next to the outstretched couch and candles decorated the floor. At the sight you felt your eyes tear up.

"Hwa.... This is breathtaking! I can't believe you did all this!" You turned around and he looked at you softly with a satisfied smile.

"Thank you, but this isn't all." He told you and you couldn't believe it.

He revealed his hidden arm, and you saw six red roses.

Tears started flowing freely now. He wiped them away softly. "Take a Seat, Y/n."

You did as you were told, he took a seat right next to you, and pressed a button for the Beamer.

And in front of you, you saw videos Seong-Hwa took of him talking about plans you had, what you did as group this year, videos he made of you laughing with the boys all good moments of this year. You knew he said he had to edit videos, but you thought for the band.

Right when the video was about to end, Seong-Wha's face appeared on screen.

Hi Y/n, I hope you enjoyed this little flashback of 2021. before this year ends, I want to do something I was always to shy for.

He seemed so shy and adorable on the video that your smile grew big though the tears.

You always loved the necklace, so I decided to give you real roses now too.... do you know the meaning of roses?

Your head snapped in his direction. And he looked at you shyly.

I can't believe I'm really going trough with this.

Seong-Hwa stared deep into your eyes without saying a word. Your free hand was now holding your necklace, and your heart was racing.

maybe you already know the meaning of a Single Rose... it stands for love at first sight, and that's what it was for me the moment I first saw you. I couldn't tell you, because you're my best friend...

Your jaw dropped at this, and you couldn't believe what you just heard.

I couldn't tell you how much I like you, but I was hoping that maybe, just maybe you would know the meaning behind this. I got myself one too, because you know what two roses mean?

He softly held your cheek and grazed his thumb softly over your face.

"Deep love." His voice was raspy.

It means Deep Love Y/n. I was a coward over all this years, but I wanted to be brave this year. There's no better day than today to fulfill my biggest New Years solution... Do you happen to know what 6 roses mean?

His gaze got serious. "Do you?"

You shook your head slowly, and he laughed softly. "Of course you don‘t."

They mean 'I want to be yours.'

He gave you a big smile, and cupped your cheeks softly. "I love you Y/n, I always did. Would you allow me to be your boyfriend?"

Your heart stopped beating at his confession. You couldn't speak and tears still flowed down your face, your smile grew big, and you nodded yes.

The New year is about Start. Let's count! 3...2...1...

Before you could realize what happened, his lips connected with yours in a soft and sweet kiss.

Once you parted, both of you had a big smile plastered on your face. "Happy New Year, love."

--

Authors note: Happy New Years guys! I wish you a good start to the new year, and much luck and health and joy! 🥂💗

[squidgamesmut]

Seong Gi-hun | As the world caves in

Prompt: It is the night before the finale and despite your shared grief, Gi-hun asks you a very important question. You offer all you can give, and share a passionate night of uncertainty whilst you still can.

Pairing: Seong Gi-hun X Female Reader

Word count: 3.8K

Tags: Graphic depictions of death, lots of angst

Spoilers: Episode 1-8

Note: Once again, I have not proofread what I wrote because I'm very tired right now. Go easy on me when you find spelling errors, I'll correct them later when I find the time to do so :)

MINORS DNI

There was a steady tapping of Sang-woo’s foot against the tiles that echoed through the room and caused annoyance to grow inside your chest. Slumped against her bed sat Sae-byeok, unwell, sweat beading on her forehead, her lips sickly pale and chapped.

You dabbed a wet piece of toilet paper against her face, the thin material falling apart under your touch, but it was all you could work with right now. All you could do was make her as comfortable as possible, the crimson stain that seeped into the mattress only growing larger.

Looking up, your gaze met Gi-hun’s, who looked at your mutual friend with concern, grief already tugging at your heart even though she was still here. He gave you a wry smile, tight-lipped, hair messily sticking in the air. It gave him a boyish look, and you smiled back, a shaky sigh leaving your lips.

“(Y/n),” Sae-byeok croaked, a weak hand wrapping around your wrist, her blood smearing all over it. You didn’t mind it, for you were soaked in it anyways, and leaned forward so that you could hear her properly. “(Y/n), don’t go.”

Tears blurred your vision and you shook your head, giving her a reassuring smile. “I am not going anywhere.”

She, however, was. You had seen people die before, especially in the past weeks, but those deaths had been sudden and with little time to see the process. Your friend was slipping away slowly, her life drained from her once lively eyes gradually, a painful wheeze in her lungs making for an unpleasant sound. This was different from seeing all the others go - this was gut-wrenching.

Her fingers tightened for a few moments, her gaze containing fear, hurt, and a sliver of hope. “Thank you,” she muttered, making you swallow away the lump in your throat, “Thank you for being my friend through this all.”

For a second, you gazed over your shoulder to beckon over Gi-hun, who had been meekly watching the scene unfold in front of him, unsure of how to help out. It was a done deal, anyways, you had whispered in his ear upon finding Sae-byeok fatally wounded in the bathroom earlier. The scent of death already hung in the air, and it stood behind the thick metal doors, patiently awaiting the very moment Sae-byeok would exhale for the final time.

“Mister,” she told Gi-hun, voice feeble and almost too quiet to be heard. “You better look after your lady, you hear me?”

Gi-hun let out a pained noise, but could not find the right words. “Promise me you’ll look after (Y/n). Get her out of here, like you had been planning for.”

Your eyes shot towards your lover, whose gaze was fixated upon your dying friend. “I wish I had been here to see it.” Sae-byeok said with a tease of a smile, “Oh, it hurts. My goodness, it hurts.”

You took a deep breath, blinking at her. “See what?” you quizzed, “Wishing to see what?”

Sae-byeok seemed to beam for a second, a genuine smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “You’ll find out, (Y/n).” Tears suddenly spilled from her eyes and slid over her damaged cheeks. You couldn't keep your face dry, either, a dry sob leaving your throat.

Pressing your trembling lips against her clammy forehead, your shoulders began to shake. “Sae-byeok, no…”

Gi-hun’s hands rested on your back in an attempt to comfort you, but the woman’s grip on you soon faded. “(Y/n), it’s okay.”

You shook your head, wrapping your arms around Sae-byeok’s body as the final life slipped from her. “No, it’s not okay!”

“Player 67, eliminated.” The voice echoed through the room, and Sang-woo’s tapping halted momentarily. The cry that left your lips chilled Gi-hun to the bone, and the obnoxious chime of more won being added to the piggy bank in the ceiling caused your throat to screw shut with anguish. Wailing against her chest, you ignored Gi-hun’s hand on your shoulder which was attempting to pull you off.

“(Y/n), please, I don’t want to see you hurt, either.”

With bloodshot eyes, you looked up upon roughly being yanked away from Sae-byeok, a masked guard appearing in your field of view. Your first instinct was to throw a punch into his gut, but you knew it would only lead to more trouble, and so, you let yourself be pulled against Gi-hun’s familiar chest, burying your face against it.

They lifted her up, carrying her to the black coffin before putting her inside, closing it off with one of those disgustingly mocking lids, as if the pink bow on top was supposed to ease the pain.

You were inconsolable.

Gi-hun gave Sang-woo a look of worry, but the man in question did not share the concern.

“Come on, (Y/n),” Gi-hun whispered into your hair, “Let’s clean you up a bit.”

The guards, at least, did not give you any problems in allowing you into the bathroom together. The sickly pastel walls made your eyes sting.

You snapped out of your daze once you heard the tap running, cold water hitting your wrists, washing off what little keepsake you owned of Sae-byeok. Perhaps the blood under your nails should remain where it was as a reminder of how her death should not be in vain.

Looking up, you found your own reflection in the mirror. Dark circles had appeared under your sullen eyes, and Gi-hun caught your gaze, his eyes softening in worry.

“(Y/n), come on, let’s get this off of you.” He slipped a warm and familiar hand under your bloodstained dress shirt and helped you take it off, the damp fabric clinging to your skin upon the removal.

Gi-hun had seen you naked before, and so you found no embarrassment in his efforts to wash you. He was gentle, his touch bringing a sense of serenity to you, amongst the painful dread of your impending doom breathing down your neck.

“Gi-hun.” you whispered, causing him to look up at you. Your lips trembled before you responded. “Sae-byeok mentioned something to me. What was she talking about?”

You didn’t have long anymore, and you needed to know. This night was going to be the last one together either way.

Something akin to a blush appeared on his cheeks regardless of how grief-stricken his face was, and he gave you a small smile, tucking some hair behind your ear to get a better look of your eyes.

“Let’s get you into something clean first.”

You stared at the blood washing away into the sink. Even the little bit beneath your nails disappeared.

“Gi-hun.” you said his name again, blinking slowly. “Gi-hun, speak to me. I don’t want to lose you, too.”

His gaze snapped up to yours, and his eyes widened, lips parting in dismay. “Oh, I… Uh… (Y/n), I need…” he swallowed thickly, stumbling over his words, “I need you to know something.”

He reached into the pocket of his suit jacket and took out something - a keychain. No, something that once resembled it. It was taken apart and forced to appear smaller, only the metal ring remaining.

“I found this on the floor.” he said, almost too shy to look up at you, “I tried to make it look more like a ring… I know it’s not what you deserve. I know that I am not half the man you deserve, but I wanted to give it to you regardless.”

The ring that sat once on the keychain laid in his palm, and it was jagged around the edges, like it had been forced around a small cylinder-shaped object, perhaps one of the lead pipes in the bathrooms. “Sae-byeok helped me make it. Reckoned she knew better on how large your finger was, I uh…” He paused, looking up to you, “It’s not a real ring, but… I wanted… Want you to marry me.”

Tears sprung into your vision once more, your knees feeling weak. “Oh, Gi-hun, I’m… I don’t know what to say!”

He swallowed, looking like a young puppy that had been scolded by its owner. “So you don’t like it, then? I can understand, I’d also--”

You lunged yourself forward, shutting him up with a firm yet chaste kiss. “Gi-hun,” you muttered upon pulling back after a few seconds of liplock. “It’s beautiful. It’s perfect. Yes, I want to marry you too.”

A sheepish grin spread over his features and he exhaled shakily in relief, as if he couldn’t believe his own ears. “Really?” he breathed, to which you nodded.

“Yes,” you whispered, “Oh, Gi-hun, I’m scared and I’m heartbroken, but I love you.”

The words had left your lips before you could even comprehend it.

Gi-hun stared at you, jaw agape, star-struck by the way you were beaming at him right after you had said those three words he had been longing to hear. “I love you too.” he muttered, stepping closer, hastily shoving the jagged key ring around your finger. It barely fit and scraped your skin, but you couldn’t care less.

It looked beautiful on you, Gi-hun noted, and tucked some hair away from your face, looking at you with a smile that said a thousand words. His eyes were watery, as were yours, and you blinked away the tears that began to build.

“I love you, Gi-hun.”

Kissing him deeply, you snaked your tongue into his mouth with no time to waste, pouring all the emotion you felt into it. There was an edge of desperation in the action, your hands coming to rest on his waist, pulling him into you.

He let out a sound between a whimper and a sigh, afraid that you would slip through his fingers once he released you. You pushed his suit jacket on the floor, the once crisp white shirt stained with blood. Your vigour calmed, grief screwing your throat shut.

Gi-hun rapidly took it off, but your sadness did not fade. “Where will we be at this same time, tomorrow?” you whispered, “If this is our final night together…”

He cupped your face, thumbs caressing your cheeks. His eyes roamed over your face, searching for the right things to say. What was there to say? There was nothing that could make it better, no promises to whisper against your temple, no dream of a future together.

“(Y/n), look at me.” Gi-hun sighed, voice trembling, “If this is our final night together, then I want to spend every second of it with you.”

You swallowed thickly, watching him with widened eyes. One of your hands went to cover his still on your cheek, and he closed the gap between you, claiming your mouth as his.

Gi-hun dared to slip his tongue past your lips, tasting you deeply, relishing in the flavour of you. He felt the misery in your movements. Your hands went to his bare chest, palms clammy and inexplicably cold. He wondered what you were thinking.

Pinning you against the sink, Gi-hun allowed you to loll your face to the side, pressing his teeth against your neck instead. He sucked firmly, not caring if he’d leave any marks. A whimper left your throat, your fingers tangling into his hair, coaxing at the back of his head. Your lover - now fiancé - pulled one leg over his hip, pressing his pelvis against you.

The familiar swell was there, and you palmed him through his slacks, feeling him twitch with want. He smiled, letting out a sound against your skin, sending vibrations of pleasure down your spine, shooting straight to your core.

Tonight, you needed each other more than ever. Every touch, every flutter of fingers on skin, every time your gaze crossed his, there was a hint of sorrow. The bags under your eyes, the injury on his cheekbone which you had so lovingly kissed earlier right before dinner, the telltale signs of exhaustion that seeped through your veins.

When his tongue slid over your throat towards the spot between your breasts, you threw back your head and bit your bottom lip lest you let your anguish get the better of you. His warmth was intimately welcome, and so you let him slip off your bra, nipples hardening in the cool air of the restroom.

“Gi-hun,” you breathed when his mouth roamed over one of the sensitive buds, dark eyes looking up at you with lust-blown pupils. He licked it gently, your breathing becoming ragged against him, and you inhaled sharply at the feel. Gi-hun switched sides, nipple becoming slick with his saliva, and you wished for this sight to never leave your mind ever again. “Please, I need you.”

His eyes fluttered albeit for a second, tears brimming when he heard your despair. “I need you so bad.” you repeated, which he took as the sign to sink down on his knees. He pressed his face against your thigh, pulling aside your knickers, exposing your wet pussy to his loving eye. You wanted to be seen by nobody else ever again.

Mouthing at your folds, he sucked them against his tongue - slowly, gently - and you felt your chest tighten with pleasure. You put your hand over your mouth to prevent your moan from spilling, but what would it matter if it did? The guards knew what was going on in here, otherwise they would have knocked on the door already.

“Never in my decades on this Earth,” Gi-hun mused against your soaked flesh, lapping at your slit like a starving man, “Have I ever tasted anything as exquisite as your arousal, (Y/n).”

You could not suppress the smile at his cheesy remark, and you chewed your bottom lip when he tongued your clit, sucking gently on the swollen bundle of nerves. “Oh, Gi-hun,” you murmured, “Gi-hun…”

His name was all you knew, and you shivered, goosebumps appearing on your skin. “Gi-hun, please…”

He stood, sensing your orgasm creeping up on you. The whimper got stuck in your throat, for you knew that he wasn’t done with you yet. Gi-hun kissed you deeply, making you taste yourself, and you moaned into his mouth, undoing his trousers with practised ease. His length was fully erect, the slit wet with precum, your hand closing around his cock to jerk him off a few times.

Gi-hun sighed against your lips, eyes opening slightly to watch your face. The sight of you kissing him alongside the feeling of your fingers caressing his cock made him grunt in pleasure. In turn, the sound caused you to move towards him out of instinct. Right away, you dropped onto the floor, pressing open mouthed kisses over his base.

He gritted his teeth, throwing back his head in pleasure. With a shivering exhale, he laced one hand through your hair, letting you lick and suck all over his glistening erection. He tasted wonderful, and you took your time to suckle on his testicles, enjoying the sounds that left his lungs. Gi-hun was never quiet when it came to sex, and in the heat of this very moment, he let out a delicious moan.

You felt your stomach clench, pure need coursing through you. Humming around him, you closed your eyes, sucking him against your tongue. You released his cock from your grip, allowing it to rest against your face, feeling the weight of it twitch whilst you mouthed at his testicles.

“Oh, shit, (Y/n),” Gi-hun moaned, “You’re so beautiful.”

You blinked away the sudden tears blurring your vision, letting him go, rising to your feet but not before pressing a lingering kiss against the head of his cock, tasting him on your lips.

“I want you inside of me.” you whispered when his hands came to rest on your bare waist, and he pushed you backwards against the sink. You bumped into it, his body taking the spot in between your legs, porcelain of the sink dangerously creaking.

“Against the wall, baby, against the wall.” you told him, but he didn’t seem to hear you, too occupied with pressing his face against your neck. His mop of dark hair tickled you and you sighed, biting the inside of your cheek, gasping when you felt his heat press against your entrance.

He bottomed out swiftly, groaning at the familiar feel of your walls clenching around him. His erection swelled inside you and you sighed deeply, bracing yourself against his chest whilst he stretched you. No matter how often you had sex before, he felt closer than ever, stars already speckling your vision as well as the burn of unshed tears.

Gi-hun felt marvellous inside of you. Almost too good. It was unfair. He leaned in, kissing you, his tongue finding yours in an all-consuming kiss.

His hips moved, slow thrusts landing against your pelvis. Pleasure. Salt.

In the sweetness of the kiss, a few tears disrupted the flavour. Gi-hun pulled back in puzzlement, his heart clenching in his chest upon witnessing your wet cheeks.

“My dear (Y/n), oh, my honey bun.”

Under any other circumstances, you would have beamed at the nickname. Now, it only made your heartache worse. You cupped his chin, holding it tightly between your hands.

He was beautiful.

“Look at me while you take me.” you whispered, “Please, don’t look away.”

His brow furrowed, albeit for a moment. “Of course.” he said, slowly moving in and out of you, your slick causing him to speed up eventually.

You completed him, he realised, taking one of your hands into his, bringing it to his lips to kiss it. His other rested on your waist, making sure you were secure against the sink. The light didn’t make it for a romantic environment, but it didn’t matter. You and him were the only people left in this universe, now.

Tears damaged your cheeks as your eyes grew red. A mixture of pleasure and sorrow made for a bittersweet knot in your stomach. You weren’t far off, but you didn’t want this moment to end.

Being one with Gi-hun was what made you long for him even more. The world would be different in hours to come, and you just wanted to close your eyes and never wake up again.

You’d go through anything if it meant not losing him. In this very moment, you realised how deep your love for him ran. It was expressed through salty tears and a trembling lip. You didn’t dare to look away, afraid that he might fade in front of your very eyes.

“(Y/n)?” Gi-hun quizzed, still fucking into you, unsure if what he was doing was right. You began to nod, pressing your forehead to his.

“Yes, Gi-hun. I’m here. I’m yours.”

“Forever and always.” he whispered, and you let out a hum that sounded more like a cry, a pained sound that shook your lover to the bone.

“I need you so bad.” you muttered, feeling yourself clench around him. It was difficult to fight against your own high, and something you had never expected yourself to do so. He was perfect, fit inside of you like you were made for each other, and the sight of his adoring gaze was enough to pull you over that edge.

You cried when you came, but no sound left your lips. Your toes and fingers felt funny at the sensation, your walls clenching around his length, instinctively claiming him to stay inside. It was intense and heart-shattering.

Suddenly, Gi-hun was crying too.

You were the most ethereal being on Earth. He had already died and you were an angel. He cupped your face and kissed you, open-eyed, an almost awkward exchange of love. He could not afford to look away, not even when his orgasm washed over him, pulses of sperm shooting inside of you, deeply planting itself near your cervix.

He panted, sweat leaking down his chest and torso. Staring at each other, you remained like that for minutes, eventually catching your breath, and his once erect cock began to shrink inside of you, causing you to flinch upon removal. The spot between your legs grew cold rapidly, and what remained of his cum leaked down your thighs soon enough.

“Oh, Gi-hun.” you muttered with trembling lips, your legs feeling weak in a negative way for once, “Gi-hun, I love you so much.”

His eyes fluttered shut, tears spilling from the corners when the cold of the bathroom surrounded him. “I love you too, my (Y/n)...” he whispered gently, followed by minutes of silence. You stood in each other’s presence, vulnerable and naked in one another’s arms, your eyes staring at each other’s souls.

The makeshift ring sat uncomfortably around your finger when you brought your hand to rest on his cheek, but you felt closer to Gi-hun than ever before.

“We’re with only three people left,” said he all of a sudden, breaking the silence. “We could vote to quit these damned Games.”

You slowly blinked, tears still leaking over your face. “Oh, Gi-hun, and what about their deaths? The old man, Sae-byeok, Ali? Should they be in vain for the sake of our love? If we quit now, nothing will have changed. Their deaths would have been for nothing. Are we truly that selfish?”

The little hope in his eyes saddened upon their mention, and he blinked slowly, his brow furrowing deeply. “Who says that there can be only one winner?” he muttered, “What if we can win together?”

You shook your head in disbelief, stroking his cheeks, fingers lingering at the small wound on his cheekbone. “Oh, Gi-hun, what I wouldn’t give for that to be possible.”

His hands came to rest on your elbows, and your bodies were growing cold in the afterglow of your intimacy. “We can always hope. We will not know until tomorrow. And before that time comes…”

You stepped into his arms, allowing him to embrace you tightly. Skin upon skin, you pretended that everything was alright, that you’d return home tomorrow, together.

“Before that time comes,” he clarified, “I want to be one with you.”

The guards had been respectful tonight, you noticed. Perhaps you had had enough grief for one day, though you had almost forgotten about your late friends passing on.

Gi-hun held you close, nearer than ever. You loved him more than life itself.

Home, you realised, was not the place where you would return to if tomorrow turned out to be in your favour.

Home would not be the place where you would return to if you chose to quit the Games.

Home, you felt more than ever before, was right here in front of you, surrounding you like a blanket of warmth and love, and no one in this world would ever be able to take him from you, no matter what tomorrow would bring.

[solplparty]

[MV] 베리코이버니 (verycoybunny) - I don’t care / Official Music Video https://youtu.be/izAj_kE1nBw 베리코이버니 (verycoybunny) - I don’t care / Official Music Video Artist 베리코이버니 (verycoybunny) [Friends in the music video] verycoybunny (베리코이버니) Kim Hung Won (김형원) Kim Min Kyu (김민규) Kang One Woo (강원우) Gwon Se Young (권세영) Lee Seung Soo (이승수) Jang Ccoma (장꼬마) Ji Hyun Jeong (지현정) Choi Hyun Jong (최현종) Styling 베리코이버니 (verycoybunny) H&M Park Yu Yeon (박주연) Film Production ROUGHPAGE (러프페이지) Director Yang Ji Yeon, Kim Pyeong Jae (양지연, 김평재) DOP Jang Sung Gi (장승기) Camera Team Jeong Jeong Won (정정원) Art Director Lee Ye Seong (이예성) Producer Kim Yu Jin (김유진) DI Yang Ji Yeon, Kim Pyeong Jae (양지연, 김평재) Melon ▶ https://bit.ly/3xPzXQS Genie ▶ https://bit.ly/3Bld2zc Bugs ▶ https://bit.ly/3xQC6Me FLO ▶ https://bit.ly/3ewX9M0 VIBE ▶ https://bit.ly/36Lr3b6 Apple Music ▶ https://apple.co/3BbxxhD Spotify ▶ https://spoti.fi/3BlebXw YT Music ▶ https://bit.ly/3riM5Y4 | Artist Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/verycoybunny/ | POCLANOS Website : http://poclanos.com | POCLANOS Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/poclanos | POCLANOS Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/poclanos #베리코이버니 #verycoybunny #I_don’t_care POCLANOS

[inkclan00]

In-ho's gullible marquis

In the grand manor of the Beta Marquis, the morning sun filtered through the tall windows, casting golden rays across the opulent bedroom. The Marquis stood before the ornate mirror, his attire nearly perfect—his coat impeccably tailored, his boots polished to a mirror shine, and his hair styled to perfection. Yet, one crucial detail remained unfinished: the cravat, left untouched on the dressing table.

The servants had all but fled the room, sensing the tension that hung thick in the air. In the corner, the Omega butler stood, his arms crossed, his expression a storm of defiance and quiet anger. His sharp eyes bore into the Marquis, who met his gaze in the mirror with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.

"Aren't you going to complete my day?" the Marquis asked, his voice smooth and teasing, as if he already knew the answer.

"No," the butler declared, his tone firm and unyielding.

The Marquis turned to face him fully, his lips curling into a sly smile. "Why?" he asked, tilting his head as if genuinely perplexed.

"Because I don't want to," the butler replied, his voice steady, though his clenched fists betrayed the storm raging within him.

The Marquis chuckled, a low, rich sound that filled the room. "Disobeying your master, I see," he said, his smile widening.

"Yes," the butler said, his gaze never wavering. "And I don't care if you punish me for it."

Gi-hun stepped closer, his presence commanding yet oddly gentle. "Punish you? My dear butler Hwang In-ho, I would never dream of it. But I must admit, I'm intrigued. What has brought this on? You've never refused me before."

In-ho's jaw tightened, and for a moment, he looked away, as if gathering his thoughts. When he spoke again, his voice was softer, tinged with something the Marquis couldn't quite place. "Because I know a certain Marquis named Seong Gi-hun would go out there and become the target of another con artist."

Gi-hun blinked, caught off guard by the raw honesty in In-ho's words. He took another step closer, his smile fading into something more serious. "Ohhh, so you're mad about that. But he was so convincing, In-ho. He had two kids."

In-ho raised an eyebrow, his frustration evident. "The main aim of a con artist is to convince and make a fool out of a foolish person," he said sharply.

Gi-hun's expression softened, but his resolve didn't waver. "But if we cannot help, then who will?"

In-ho sighed, his voice tinged with exasperation. "At least ask for proof next time. You can't just hand over money to anyone who tells you a sad story."

Gi-hun looked down, his guilt evident. "I know, I know. But what if it had been real? What if those children really needed help?"

In-ho crossed his arms, his sharp gaze piercing through Gi-hun's excuses. "Gi-hun, you're wasting money. This isn't an orphanage; it's a scam. What if you invested that money wisely? Think about it, okay?"

Gi-hun sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine... this is the last time, I promise."

In-ho raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "The last time was your fifth 'last time,' Gi-hun."

"This time is final," Gi-hun insisted, his tone firm but pleading. He picked up the cravat from the dressing table and held it out to In-ho. "Now, my love, complete my day."

In-ho snatched the cravat from his hand, his expression a mix of exasperation and fondness. "You should be grateful that I even bother to look after your finances."

"This is my final gullible act," Gi-hun said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

In-ho stepped closer, his fingers deftly tying the cravat around Gi-hun's neck. Despite his frustration, his touch was gentle, almost tender. When he finished, he smoothed the fabric and stepped back, his eyes meeting Gi-hun's in the mirror.

"There," In-ho said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Now your day is complete."

Gi-hun turned to face him, his expression softening. He reached out, cupping In-ho's face in his hands, and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. "I am grateful, you know. Not just for looking after my finances, but for looking after my life as well."

In-ho's cheeks flushed slightly, though he tried to maintain his stern demeanor. "You better not forget it," he said softly, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability.

"Mark my words," Gi-hun replied, his tone sincere.

In-ho sighed, shaking his head. "I've marked them. But I still don't believe you." Despite his words, the way Gi-hun looked at him—with so much warmth and affection—made his resolve waver. Love was a strange thing, indeed.

.

.

.

A month had passed since the cravat incident, and the manor had settled into its usual rhythm—or so it seemed. Hwang In-ho, the ever-diligent butler, sat in the study, meticulously reviewing the household finances. His sharp eyes scanned the ledgers, his brow furrowing as he noticed a suspicious withdrawal. His jaw tightened, and his grip on the quill in his hand turned white-tighten.

"That man did it again," In-ho muttered under his breath, his voice low but seething with anger. He stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the polished floor, and stormed out of the study. His footsteps echoed through the grand halls as he marched with purpose, his voice rising in a rare display of fury.

"Marquis Seong Gi-hun!" In-ho's voice boomed, cutting through the serene atmosphere of the manor. "You better prepare yourself!"

Servants scattered like leaves in the wind, whispering to each other as they watched the usually composed butler transform into a force of nature. One servant nudged another, grinning. "Ohhh, the butler In-ho is screaming in future Marchioness tone again. The Marquis is in trouble!"

Meanwhile, Gi-hun, who had been lounging in the sunroom with a cup of tea, froze at the sound of In-ho's voice. His eyes widened, and he set the teacup down with a clatter. "Oh no," he whispered, already calculating the quickest escape route. He slipped out of the sunroom, tiptoeing down the hallway, hoping to avoid the inevitable confrontation.

But In-ho was relentless. He turned a corner, his sharp eyes locking onto Gi-hun's retreating figure. "Don't you dare run away from me, Gi-hun!" he called, his voice cutting through the air like a whip.

Gi-hun winced, stopping in his tracks. He turned slowly, offering In-ho a sheepish smile. "Ah, In-ho! My love! What a pleasant surprise—"

"Save it," In-ho snapped, closing the distance between them. He held up the ledger, his finger pointing to the offending entry. "Care to explain this? Another 'donation' to a so-called welfare ? Was this your final final gullible act, or should I start keeping a tally?"

Gi-hun scratched the back of his neck, his guilt written all over his face. "Ah, well, you see... the man had a child with him this time! A little girl! She looked so hungry, In-ho. How could I say no?"

The argument between the gullible marquis and the butler, aka the future marchioness, continues as In-ho wants to murder his future husband, Gi-hun, to become a widower before even getting married.

Picture artist :love-_-zo0

[squidgamesmut]

The Guardian Angel | 1 - Genesis

Seong Gi-hun X Female Reader

Chapter 1/14 : Genesis

Minors DNI Contains heavy spoilers The Guardian Angel navigation post

The click of your heels echoed through the halls, heralding your approach to your subordinates, who rushed to their stations to appear busy. A waft of expensive perfume hung around you like an aura of both luxury and impending doom, the golden bejeweled mask heavy on your face. Your appearance screamed wealth and power in all ways, and a few pink-clad guards bowed slightly at your fleeting presence.

“I trust that everything is in order?” you queried one of the square-masked men, who nodded in agreement.

“Yes, ma’am. Everything is in order. The preparations are going through splendidly.”

Your crimson lips quirked upwards in a smile. “I will let the Game Maker know. I am certain that he will be delighted to hear the news. Keep it up, gentlemen. We don’t take failure lightly.”

Despite you being unable to see his face, you could see the sudden tension in the guard’s shoulders, and he thickly swallowed. “Of course, ma’am. Consider it done, ma’am.”

With a soft hum, you turned on your heel to head back to the lounge upstairs, allowing the camera to scan your mask so that you would be granted access to the upper floors, solely meant for a handful of people.

A soft ding alongside the sound of the lift doors sliding open indicated your arrival, alerting him of your presence. You walked into the room, reaching for your face to take off your mask. You sighed upon removal, happy to feel some fresh air on your face. After all, the material was heavy and uncomfortable.

At the end of the hallway, an elderly man was sitting on a sofa, his owl mask resting on the side table. He stared at the screen to inspect the working guards, but looked over his shoulder upon noticing your proximity.

“My dear (Y/n).” spoke he, voice raspy and short of breath. You immediately wondered if he was in pain.

“Grandfather.” you spoke with a gentle bow, placing your mask next to his. He reached for your hand and squeezed it gently, causing you to smile.

“I trust you are bringing me good news?” he quizzed at your relaxed features, to which you nodded.

“Of course, grandfather. All is in order, and I trust that we will be able to start the games soon, just as planned.”

You released his bony hand and sat down in the chair opposite of him, adjusting your dress.

“That’s good to hear. That gives an old man some rest, hm?” he responded, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly with his smile. Still, there was discomfort behind his irises, a firm squeeze of his fingers on the armrests of the chair betraying something distressing.

“Grandfather,” you spoke softly, leaning towards him a little. “Have you taken your medication?”

The tumour in his head only grew each passing day, you knew, and it was only a matter of months before you would find him dead in his bed one morning. Your grandfather bit his bottom lip in thought, inhaling deeply through his nose.

“You know that taking too much medication can be harmful to your body, right?”

You leaned back in your chair and sighed. “Yes,” you responded, “But with all due respect, grandfather, in your case, it is like choosing between two evils. One that brings you agony, the other that brings you the illusion of relief.”

A dry chuckle left his throat as he peered at you with curious eyes, his mind obviously running wild with thoughts. You wondered what he was thinking about and stood up to head for the medicine cabinet, grabbing the bottle of pills that was prescribed to the ill man.

“Here you go,” you told your grandfather as you put the right amount of pills into his hand, “I will grab you some water.”

He gave you a thankful smile and you went to take a glass in order to fill it with water, but upon your return, you found that he already had taken his pills, the glass of whisky that had been standing next to him emptier than before.

You sighed and shook your head slightly, even at his attempt to calm you down by putting his hand on yours. “Calm down, my dear. It isn’t too bad.”

“You know what the doctor said,” you sighed, concern lacing your voice. “Not too much alcohol. Especially in combination with your medication. It messes with your head more than the tumour already is.”

Oh Il-nam let out a sound and shrugged, rubbing his chin in thought whilst you gave him the glass of water regardless. “Drink this then, at least.”

He took it reluctantly and drank half of it before placing it down next to the whisky, and you sank back down in the chair with your hands resting on your knees, thumbs fiddling in worry.

“You know that I am very proud of you, (Y/n),” said he, “And you’re a very quick learner. I’ve taught you everything I can about running the Squid Game, and I trust you with everything I’ve built up so far.”

Your vision momentarily blurred with tears and you shook your head. “Oh, grandfather… Don’t say such things right now, the Game is in a few weeks already, I am sure you’ll be here to see it!”

He smiled a little, a certain sparkle behind his eye that made you curious. “That is certain, my dear. Don’t you worry now, I just need to tell you something important.”

Your heart started to drum in your chest and you blinked at him in confusion. “Yes?” you queried, shifting towards him. The lift dinged behind you and you looked to the side to see the Front Man approach, taking off his mask in the process.

“Hey there, In-ho.” you greeted him softly, and he gave you a small nod.

“Greetings, Miss (L/n).”

You showed him a small smile, unable to give him more over the severity of your sudden nerves over what your grandfather was about to announce. “How often do I have to tell you that you can just call me (Y/n)? You’re the only person in this very facility besides my grandfather who knows my name and face. I think we can drop the formalities when it comes to names.”

In-ho hummed, a small smile tugging at his lip. “Of course, Miss… (Y/n). I just keep forgetting, that is.” He halted to stand near your grandfather, putting his hands on his back, patiently awaiting what was going to be asked of him. “You wanted to see me, sir?”

“Yes,” your grandfather began, “I am happy that you’re both here to hear it. (Y/n), this year, I want you to lead the Squid Game. You are able enough to overlook it, to host the guests properly, for you know the very ins and outs of how it works. Mr Hwang In-ho, you’re in charge of stepping in, should things go wrong, which I deem highly unlikely.”

You narrowed your eyes, sudden emotion screwing your throat shut. What was your grandfather talking about? Was he feeling his illness creep up on him faster than expected, and was this a means of saying goodbye before slipping into his endless slumber quietly?

“May I ask why?” you quizzed, swallowing away your upcoming tears. Even though it had been over a year since your grandfather had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, you weren’t quite ready to say goodbye to him yet, especially at the very start of the annual Squid Game.

He gave you a reassuring smile that was the most sincere one you had seen in months.

“Please, tell me you are alright, grandfather. You’re giving me quite the fright here.” you muttered, In-ho walking over to put a hand on your shoulder in order to comfort you. You gave him a watery smile and put your hand on his.

Oh Il-nam displayed a toothy grin, reaching over to put his hand on your knee.

“You know that I love you, my dear. You make an old man proud, and you’re all I’ve got left of our family. I will bequeath this all to you once I’m gone, but since I feel like this is my last year of being able to actively follow the Game, I want to do something that has been on my mind for quite a while. I want to have fun one more time, in the way I did when I was a child. Thus, I have decided that I’m going to join the Squid Game this year. After all, there is no way that watching it can be more exciting than actually participating.”

Your jaw fell slack and for a moment you were afraid that you were going to cry, but you blinked away your tears when you saw how determined Il-nam was to go through with this. Who were you to keep him from fulfilling his last wish? If anything, you should encourage it, no matter how fearful you were about it all.

“Of course, the Game is in a few weeks, but I did not want to quietly slip away without you knowing about my plan. It would be thoroughly unfair towards you if I would throw you into the deep end by doing something like that. Mr Hwang will help you out if needed, but I trust that you know what to do at all times.”

Your lips quivered as a grin broke out on your face, albeit at the verge of crying. “If that is your last wish, grandfather,” you said, “Then I will do everything it takes to make sure that everything will go in your favour.”

Oh Il-nam patted your hand with his, bringing it up to his lips to kiss the back of it. “My dear, you should know this very important thing: by all means, do not force the Game in such a way that I will come out as victorious. There is no fun in making your way to the top through cheating and further deceit. If I knew that I’d be winning from the very start, it would ultimately go against the very reason why I’ve decided to go there in the first place.”

You gave him a small nod, understanding his decision.

“Grandfather, I will do all it takes to fulfil your last wish,” you whispered, “But I can not promise that I will stand idly by whilst you’re sent to your death.”

“I do trust your judgement, (Y/n),” said he, squeezing your hand, “And whatever you decide during the game, goes. Do you understand?” He turned to the Front Man now, who gave a nod.

“Of course, sir. Miss (L/n)’s word is law during this year’s Game.”

“And the years after it.” your grandfather stated with a hint of humour. He sighed and looked at you with a gentle look on his face, tears welling up at the corners of his eyes.

You reached over to cup his soft cheek, rubbing at the wrinkles that were so precious to you.

“Well then,” your grandfather breathed after deeply inhaling, “Shall we continue with our preparations, then? The guards will not know of my participation. Only the pair of you know about this and so it shall remain. Now, (Y/n), I need you to send out our recruiters and have them get more Players on board.”

You took your mask, fingering at a few of the jewels that were embedded into the gold before slipping it over your face. Adjusting your dress, you intertwined your fingers in front of you, straightening your back, shifting into your strict and professional persona.

“Yes, grandfather. Consider it done.”

~*~*~

“Gentlemen,” Your voice rang loud and clear through the room, and you gave a soft smile. A few men in crisp suits redirected their focus from their impeccable briefcases to your form at the head of the table, paying attention to everything you would be saying.

“We have gathered the names and locations of the people who we consider eligible to participate in this year’s Squid Game. They are divided into different areas all throughout Seoul. Each and every one of you shall receive a few dozens of people to recruit for this opportunity. But what if they refuse to participate?”

You gestured towards one of the recruiters, who cleared his throat before responding. “We tell them we know about their debt, ma’am.”

“Good start, but there is something you should not forget to mention.”

Another salesman raised his hand and you nodded at him. “We should also clarify that we aren’t debt collectors, but that we offer them a possibility of gaining money to pay off their debts.”

You clapped your hands together with a smile. “Excellent, mister. Also, if they keep refusing to participate, you can go onto the next person on the list. It is wholly voluntary, and the list contains more people than necessary since we’re keeping in mind that not everyone will get in touch. Also, there will be more people added as you go, for the list is incomplete and we can not let this go through if there are too few participants. Is that clear to all of you?”

All the men in the room nodded in acknowledgement, “Yes ma’am,” a few said out loud.

You gestured towards their briefcases and they opened them, aware of what you wanted. They rose from their chairs and stepped away whilst you took a small chest with money, slipping it into the assigned slots in the containers, checking if every briefcase was provided with a pair of ddakji tiles, one red and one blue. You finished distributing the money and put down the small chest on the table, beckoning for the men to grab their cases.

“Please check if there is enough won in them. You know the rules, and if you play by them, you will be richly rewarded for your work. Failure to keep the principle of correct behaviour, like embezzlement, bribery and alerting of the law, will result in severe consequences for you and your families. Don’t give me those worried faces, gentlemen. You voluntarily signed the contracts yourselves.”

You smiled and folded your hands on your back. “Now, if there are no more questions, I will hand out the lists and send you on your way. Keep an eye on your devices for we will be sending new files per e-mail soon.”

The room was silent, and you took it as your sign to begin dividing the papers. In no time, the men were on their way to enrol new Players. The Front Man approached you and cleared his throat, successfully grabbing your attention.

“Ma’am, the Game Maker has requested your presence. There have been some new documents that he wants to go over.”

In-ho was as formal as ever, for the current situation called for nothing but distance, no matter how deep your friendship had started to run. After his victory and promotion to become Front Man of the Game, you went along quite well. In this situation, where the walls had ears, you had to remain careful and pretend to be indifferent.

“Of course, Front Man.” you stated, “I’ll head there at once.”

You returned to your grandfather’s retreat, sighing upon taking off the golden mask and heading to sit with him at a large table, several files already spread out, telling of people that the company had set their sights on. Dozens of documents informed about heavily indebted people, how they lost their money and how much they owed. Every single participant had to be handpicked by Oh Il-nam and you, so you had plenty to do in order to reach the deadline. You sat down opposite of your grandfather, watching him fiddle with some papers for a while.

“Here, have a look at these people.” He slid a stack of files your way and you took them, starting to flip through the pages to read into them.

“Han Mi-nyeo. Fraud. Five accounts? Hm. Not too good at hiding said fraud, I reckon.” You put her name on the side of possible participants, and went through a few more files, most of them ending up on the rejection pile.

“So, my dear, can you tell me one more time what you have to look at when selecting potential Players?” You put the documents of a married couple on top of the suitable papers and looked at your grandfather.

“Not only do I look at their debt, I also look at their age… Their backstory and how they got into trouble. Once I think they are deserving, they will be able to join in.”

Oh Il-nam hummed in amusement. “What made you decide to put a fraudulent woman on the team of Players?” You pushed aside some documents so you could look upon Han Mi-nyeo’s file again, biting your lip.

“If you’re caught for fraud on several occasions and still decide to try it once again, you’re truly desperate for money. Someone who just wants it for personal gain and nothing else would not go that far.”

Your grandfather peered at you through narrowed eyes. “Greed is an unfathomable thing, (Y/n). People will risk it all to get what we have. And where do we stand? We have what they desire, and where has it brought us?”

You were silent, knowing that he did not expect an answer. Instead, you put the file back where you had originally placed it and continued sifting through the rest of the documents.

“Cho Sang-woo,” you said, “You’ve got quite the debt, don’t you? Using money from others and… Oh my, your mother’s belongings as collateral? Naughty boy. Should’ve known better, especially since you studied. But then, I’m not a monster and should let you through for the sake of your poor, poor mother.”

Il-nam let out a light laugh and you locked eyes with him, smiling. “Despite not having one anymore, you still desire to protect the mother of a complete stranger.”

You sighed, letting your gaze fall to the table.

“You look like her,” your grandfather said, grief flickering in his eyes. “I miss my daughter every day.”

“I miss her, too.” you whispered, “But she would never have allowed all this. I take at least a bit of comfort in that, if I may be frank.”

Il-nam gave you a small nod. “Yes, that’s right. But who else do we have left? Your uncle went to America. Your father is long gone and your siblings want nothing to do with me. I’m blessed to have you still, my dear.”

“Of course, grandfather. It would break my heart to see you completely alone.”

He took a deep breath, as if relieved, and turned back to sorting out files.

“Here, how about this one?” your grandfather said, showing you a file, “Kang Sae-byeok. Fled from North-Korea, indebted to several companies that are said to help out immigrants with finding their families and-- Hey!”

You took the file from your grandfather’s hand and immediately put it on the pile of eligible Players. “Those companies are often fraudulent, grandfather. She deserves the chance for that reason already. I don’t need to know more about her.”

A few pages passed, the pile of rejection way larger than the documents you deemed fitting for the Squid Game. In a few hours time, you had gone through all of them, carefully selecting the people who were worthy to take part.

Right after tidying the two stacks of paper, you rubbed your tired eyes.

“Final one of the year, my dear.” your grandfather announced, “Let’s look at it together.”

You shifted closer to him by leaning over the table, reading what the file said.

“Seong Gi-hun from Ssangmun-dong. Divorced, gambling addiction, massive debt.” Il-nam read out loud, and you scanned the page for details. Your eyes went to the photograph of a middle-aged man with messy black hair under a worn-down baseball cap, stubble upon his cheeks. You wondered how old the picture was and noticed how ruggedly handsome he seemed.

“Let’s give him a chance. After all, I’ve not picked that many potential Players today, so why not?”

Oh Il-nam leaned back in his chair and nodded at you, smiling a bit. “You’ve got a keen eye, (Y/n). I like that about selecting Players together. Two pairs of eyes can see more than one.”

A bittersweet feeling overcame you and you grabbed his hand over the table, once again feeling emotions grip at your throat. “Grandfather, I can’t believe that this was our final time selecting the Players together.”

He laughed lightly and patted the back of your hand. “I keep saying it, but I am so proud of you. You’ve come so far and have garnered quite the name for yourself around here. You could not have made me happier.”

You deeply inhaled through your nose and blinked away your tears. “Thank you, grandfather. I will call over In-ho to come get the files, so that they can be distributed accordingly.”

Your grandfather nodded and stood up to make himself comfortable on the couch whilst you tidied up the place. The remainder of the files were given to the Front Man and you were left with a painful feeling in your chest as you were left to the silence, staring at your grandfather pouring himself another glass of whisky.

“I am going to get some rest,” you announced, to which your grandfather looked over his shoulder and nodded.

“Sure thing, my dear. You’ve been working hard and you deserve some relaxation.”

You went to your private room and kicked off your heels, unzipping your dress before slipping into something more comfortable. You sat down at your desk, reaching for the drawer whilst letting your hair down, dragging your hands through it, sighing at the relief.

Lifting the bottom of the middle drawer, you took a small key that was hidden in the corner. Soon standing, you pushed aside your bedside table to reach for your safe, punching in the code in combination with turning the key. Revealed was a small leather booklet, and you took it, bringing it back to your desk where you could write in the usually safeguarded notebook.

Taking your pen, you began to take notes of what you had been doing today, and pondered about all the things that had been going on. You jotted down something about your grandfather joining the game, how you had sent out the salesmen, and you mentioned the Players that had stood out from the others. For a moment, your thoughts lingered on the last one - Seong Gi-hun, you believed his name was, and then decided his name was probably not worth mentioning.

Signing the page with your initials and the date, you went to tuck it away into the safe again, exhaustion creeping up on you.

With heavy eyes, you put away the key, closed the drawer and laid down on the soft duvet of the king-sized bed, comforted by the feel of the familiar soft pillows. All the fear and confusion that you had been hit with throughout the day suddenly washed over you like a wave, tears streaming down your face with no way of stopping them.

Quietly sobbing, you pressed your face into a pillow, your shoulders shaking as if it was a prelude of the grief that you knew to catch up to you in a matter of weeks.

~

The Guardian Angel chapter list