#i think parts of young-il ARE like in-ho but he iS STILL THE FRONT MAN

[technicalthinker]

inspired by this post and others that have pointed similiar things out: the thing about sang-woo hunting the narrative in squid game season 2 is that he does it in two different ways

like first of all: gi-hun takes on the role of sang-woo. he does things that sang-woo did. he brings up the voting, informs about the red light/green light situation, but he also just acts more like him. gi-hun is more subdued than ever, and plays his cards closer to his chest. when his cheery friend from the outside world runs up to him he is not like himself. the friend notices but sticks to his side anyways. towards the end of the season, he gets into the "we need to make sacrifices" mindset. they need to win the game no matter the cost, the idea of winning is just different.

but also: in-ho takes on the role of young-il, who is not only similiar to sang-woo, but he's also sort of who gi-hun wished sang-woo was. intentionally or not. like they're similiar: collected, steady and focused. sort of the same hair and physicality. but young-il is also easier than sang-woo. he opens up about his situation unprompted. he'll apologize for stepping out of line. he states clearly how much he trusts gi-hun. he is the one who initiates teaming up. he asks for gi-huns opinions and plans. when young-il suggests something he checks if it's alright with gi-hun. he risks his life for others, especially the ones considered weak. young-il shares a lot of traits with sang-woo, but ultimately is not burdened or guarded in the same way. so young-il is both a stranger and something familiar to gi-hun. but also young-il is not real. not in the perfect way in-ho tries to present him. beneath it all there is that flawed and cold complicated person. gi-hun hasn't discovered that person yet, like he once discovered that side of sang-woo.

but sang-woo is still dead. he's haunting it in two different ways but also kind of a third one, which is arguably a combination of the two: he's simply a dead man and gi-hun wishes he lived. gi-hun has nightmares about his decapitated head. he looks after sang-woos mother. his money might as well be covered in sang-woo's blood. gi-hun looked up to him and admired him (feeling like he never could be as good as him, but maybe hoped). sang-woo failed and betrayed him, but was still redeemable (there was a good well-meaning person underneath but it was ripped away from him by circumstance). sang-woo was real but now he haunts the narrative and haunts gi-hun and haunts us all. but he's still dead.

[hislittlesparklejumpropequeen]

Watching you

Hwang In-ho x female!reader.

Summary: In-ho sees you and his brain chemistry changes. A/N: in reader’s pov he’s referred as Young il. Sorry if it’s confusing. Warnings: Obsessive and possessive behaviour, masturbation, stalking, perverted opinions, murder, blood, kissing, mentions of arousal, mentally and physically vulnerable characters, dubious consent, non-con touching, manipulation, sadism, dacryphilia

W/c: 3,5k

It was strange that he kept his eyes on you more than anyone in the games. The moment he saw your shaking figure among the crowd of people in the green suits, he felt his breath get stuck in his throat. You were looking around with eyes that were full of fear, hands wrapped around yourself and holding back tears as others started an argument in the middle. You listened as someone complained about his shoes being so expensive, and someone asking for his phone, an old lady argue with her son and guards answering the players’s questions with patience.

He kept his eyes on you as the first game started. He saw your eyes widen when someone was shot right in front of you, and he watched you as you realise the seriousness of the game you accepted to take part in. Gi-hun was interesting to him, yes. He was searching for them, for him have been for years now. And he was brave enough to come back to the games just to find who was behind them. He respected his determination. Yet there was something about you that he could not name. Something captivating. Something that shifted things in him, made his skin sting in ecstasy as you nearly moved when the doll turned around. You looked around with those innocent eyes and blood of someone flowing down your cheek, he felt his trouser tighten. A small, tingly sensation took over his loins and made him frown in confusion. He had never taken a liking to a someone, let alone a little, fragile thing like you.

When he found the video of you playing ddajki with the recruiter, he felt himself get harder and harder as he watched you spill tears in pain every single time you received a hard slap on your cheek. The camera captured the noises you made as your body was falling backwards with every single slap. The recruiter hit you hard and In-ho wandered if you would sound the same when he pounded you hard on his bed. He took his mask off and palmed himself trough his trouser as he kept replaying the video over and over again. When he was finished spilling his seed into his palm, he wished that was your mouth wrapped around his tip instead.

When the first game finished and your number and picture still shone bright on the floor, you voted for ‘X’ and expected everyone to vote same as you. Yet you were so wrong when the last player 001 and all others voted ‘O’, causing all of you to stay in this hellhole. You felt tears fill your eyes as some people were cheering with victory in front of you. You sat down on one of the beds at the front and hugged your legs with disappointment. As you were thinking what was going to happen next, you felt someone sit next to you.

“I’m sorry, I thought staying was the best option.” Said the man who was looking at you, watching your tears flow down your flushed cheeks. You looked at his number and saw 001 in bright white font. He was the person who voted last and made the decision. You sighed and shook your head.

“It is not only you, sir. Half of us wanted to stay.” You said as you pointed at the people who had the ‘O’ banners on their right side. He did not look at the direction you were pointing at, he kept his eyes on. You were so pretty when you cried. He wandered how beautiful you would look when you were overstimulated with his fingers in you. He felt his cock twicth when you looked at him again. Your lips were plump, and the tip of your nose was red. He wandered how your tears would taste like.

“We have a winner here. I thought we could use this for our advantage.” He explained as he pointed at Gi-hun who looked very troubled not so far away from you. Your eyes were on the last winner when you felt the man beside you stand up and take few steps towards the player 456. Yet he stopped mid way and looked back at you, as if he was waiting for you to follow him. And for some reason you wiped your tears away and followed him like a lost puppy as he walked towards the previous winner of the games who was already accompanied by few guys who kept asking him questions.

And the small group was formed with two of you joining them. You did not know much about others, did not trust them meanwhile player 001 was confident and comfortable talking to them. When he sat down next to Gi-hun, his eyes pointed at the small space next to his feet, so you sat down there. Being close to him brought you a sense of safety. He was the first person who approached you in this mess of a place with kindness. You did not know him, didn’t know his name or why he was here. Yet there was a look in his eyes that made you want to stick beside him.

When everyone went to sleep, In-ho looked at your resting form. You were wrapped in the thin blanket and was curled up into a ball. He looked at your curves that were visible from the tracksuit, his mouth watered. You were so frightened and powerless. You needed someone to protect you in the games. Someone who would look after you, make sure you make it alive. He knew what humans were capable of doing in a place like this. People were going to go mad and hurt one another viciously. Would he be able to just stand and watch if you got hurt?

Your soft whimpers and cries brought him back to reality. When you woke up from your few hours of sleep drenched in sweat and tears flowing down your cheeks, he crawled to you, in the darkness of the hall. He reached out to you, from the metal bars of the beds, and held your shoulder. You squirmed in fear and was about to scream until a large hand covered your mouth.

“It’s me.” He whispered to your ear as his whole body was pressed against your back, other arm wrapped around your shoulders. He was towering over you, as you felt sweat drops make their way to your neck from your temple.

He let go of your mouth, but his touch did not leave your body when he moved to sit next to you. He was close, his breath hitting your face and neck when he looked at you with observing eyes that did not give any feelings away. His touch made your heart beat fast and quicken your breaths, yet you did not want him to stop holding you.

“Bad dream?” He whispered, his voice is low yet deep enough to make your insides shake. You nodded when tears filled your eyes again. The images of dead bodies all over the playground haunted you since the moment you came back from the game as winners. You didn’t want to cry in front of anyone, but you felt like he would not mind seeing you cry.

He nodded along with you, almost like a grown up talking to a little kid and mirror her moves to befriend her. When he saw your bottom lip tremble and eyes full of fear scan the hall of people sleeping, he felt his loins burn in need. The face you made when you were scared and felt alone was enough to make him cum in his underwear without any touch.

Without hesitation he brought your body closer to his own and his arms embraced your shaking form with mercy. You buried your face into the crook of his neck and wrapped your smaller arms around his waist. He was warm. Very warm that you felt your fingertips burn over his body. When you breathed in and out in the crook of his neck, all In-ho wanted to do was throw your body back into the bed, rip those clothes off of you and ravage you in front of dozens of people without any care. The though of fucking you, turning you into mass in front of them, giving them a show as he claimed you, sent shivers down his spine.

“I’m so scared,” you whispered, your crying voice reaching his ear as he tried to hold back a smile at your situation. You were so helpless that you were crying in the arms of the man who was the reason why you were still here. He was a stranger, who had the potential to do anything. Yet here you were, quivering against his chest and making his member throb in need.

“I’m here.” He said. And you had no chance but trusting him.

———————

The next game you were automatically given the Gong-gi game as the only female in the group. Yet your hands were shaking when it was your turns to play after player 390 completed his part successfully. When you missed two times, you were so sure you were going to die and worse, be the reason for everyone’s death in your group.

He watched you panick, drop the pebbles and fail to catch them midair. Everyone around you was getting inpatient and scared naturally. Even tho he loved the way you were struggling and feeding into his twisted desire, he could not let you die. He held your waist and stopped the trembling of your body. You looked at him under your lashes that were wet with your tears and went back to work once he gave you a reassuring smile. With that you managed to catch all the pebbles in your palm and passed the round.

It was then, you felt something was off, when it was his turn to play his own game. The top kept slipping from his hands or landed wrong on the floor that was covered in the blood of eliminated players. You wanted to step back yet could not because of the ties when he started to scream in anger and slap himself. There was a crazy, off-putting look in his eyes. It was less uncomfortable when he was looking at you, yet it was still there. His eyes made your skin crawl and stomach twist in sickness. You did feel safe around him. But not like you would feel safe with a family member, a friend, or a lover. It felt like he was a wolf who claimed a lamb, kept her on his chest and waited for right moment to eat her.

When your group managed to survive and go back to the hall, he kept to you close. His hand was on your back, leading you to your bed. When it was mealtime, he gave half of his food to you, telling you to not to worry about him when you tried to reject him. He watched you until you finished all your food. After all of you exchanged names, he watched you talk to player 388 about his time in marine and watch you laugh when he was talking excitedly, telling everyone how prideful he was about his military service. He watched your tears dry up as you listened to the conversation that was flowing in the group. Your smile made his stomach twist and his jaw clench.

Your hopes once again were shattered when people voted for “O” more than “X” and decided to continue playing the games. Young-il wiped your tears away and convinced you to get some sleep for the night. You could only relax and fall asleep when he sat next to you on your bed and caressed your head as he decided to stay awake. He looked extraordinarily strong to you. He did not need to sleep, gave his food to others, calm people down when everyone was scared, raged and pass the games like it was nothing. Most importantly, he held you close no matter what. Did not mind you cry and fail and fall. Maybe it was a sense of guilt he felt, for making you stay in the first round of voting, you thought.

——————

Next morning he held your hand when everyone was taken to the new game. It was mingle. Your group had decided to stay together. You were grateful that they had take you in and did not leave you alone. You all took your place on the platform and started to spin as the song was playing. You felt his hand get tighter around yours, reminding you that he was here with you.

10

You ran as fast as you can and took deep breaths when all 10 of you finally managed to get into a room. The sound of lock made you jump slightly. You saw Young il’s eyes on Gi-hun as he pulled you under his arm. The images of him looking at Gi-hun since the moment you met him lingered on your mind until the woman who claimed to be a shaman started to speak loudly in the middle of the room. As you waited for gunshots to stop and doors to open, you could not help but wonder the reason behind Young il’s weird behaviour about Gi-hun. He seemed to get along with him. Seemed to respect his ideas and experiences about this place. They seemed to understand one another, somehow. Yet that unexplainable look in 001 eyes was making you shift uncomfortably in your place.

Until last round, you had no chance but sticking beside Young il. As you entered rooms and people kept dying outside, you became more paranoid. And when it came to the last round, Jeong-bae asked how many people it was going to be this time. Without hesitation Young-il answered.

“2.” And it was it. When the song stopped and the platform stopped spinning, Young il held your hand tighter than before, and started to run to closest room. As you were trying to catch up with his pace, someone bumped into you, causing you to lose your balance and stumble midway. Young il turned around immediately and wrapped his arms around your waist. He lifted you like a piece of feather and made his way to the yellow door that was already opened by a guy. Young il pushed you into the room and threw the other guy away from the door. When you scanned the room, your eyes were met with pair of foreign eyes.

“Out.” Young il said sharply to the other man in the room.

“We were here first.” The man said, his voice cracking as he was shaking in fear. Person behind the door tried to open it. You pushed your back against the door and held it with all of your strength. There was not much time left, and you were afraid that all of you were going die in this room.

Young il grabbed the man and locked his arms around his head. As they scooped to the floor, his arms got tighter around the player 343’s neck. You were still holding the door and preventing the other player to get in. For a second Young il’s intense gaze met with yours and you couldn’t look away.

He looked into your eyes, showing no emotion or weakness as the man he was choking started to turn purple. Your breath got stuck in your throat, your knees were shaking, and your palms were getting sweaty with the scene taking place in front of you. As there were few seconds left for the countdown, Young il twisted the man’s neck. The sound of bone cracking filled the room along with the sound of door locking behind you. He kept his eyes on you, as he tossed the dead body of the side.

The lifeless body of player 343 laid on the ground and the gunshots filled your ear. The screams of people scratched your brain, and you finally managed to close your eyes. He had killed someone in front of you, broke his neck with one swift motion and he had no emotion on his face as he did it. Your heart was beating so fast that you thought it was going to fail at some point. Then the images of him came to your mind. When he knocked down player 124 and 230 as he looked down at them with those emotionless eyes, when he carelessly slapped himself in the second game, when he looked at Gi-hun as if he wanted to strangle him when he thought no one was looking, when he pushed everyone out of his way to get both of you to safety during the mingle game and now when he killed someone.

“Open your eyes.” He breathed out, his breath hitting your face. Suddenly you felt his warmth surrounding you and him towering over your head. You slowly opened your eyes and there he was. Looking down at you, his eyebrows lifted up and with a mocking look in his eyes. His face was close to yours. Yet it did not feel comforting and safe like it did a night ago, when he was comforting you after a nightmare.

“What did you do?” Your voice was shaky and sounded terrified as you tried to look at the dead body that was in the corner of the room. He did not let you look away with his fingers finding your chin and holding it tight. He held you with those hands that just took the life of someone. You felt chills going down your spine.

“I made sure that we survived.” He whispered without breaking eye contact with you. You could hear soldiers cleaning up the mess outside of the rooms.

“You killed him.” You tried to shake his touch away, yet he didn’t let you. Instead, he got closer, until you were trapped between him and the door. His hot breath made your skin tingle, and his touch made you wanna cry.

“Yes.” He said, and his lips touched your cheek that was wetted by your tears. His lips planted a soft kiss onto your skin. The kiss made you feel dizzy and your knees weak.

“For you.” He continued. His words made you freeze in your spot. His lips traced over your skin like a ghost and reached the corner of your lips. “Only for you” He kissed the side of your mouth, softly, gently, with mercy. You wanted to rip his hands off of you, and run away. The floor beneath your feet was slippery with the blood of eliminated players. If you slipped and fell, would he let you go?

“All for you.” His lips found your chin, then your nose, then your other cheek. He did not rush or hold you harsh enough to hurt. Yet knowing that he had just killed someone with those hands made you wanna throw up.

Your tears dropped to his lips, and he licked his lips as if he was dying over thirst. And when he made eye contact with you again, it was the first time you saw a clear human emotion in his eyes. An emotion he did not try to hide or was afraid to show; yearning. You did not know if it was for you or winning. In both cases, it terrified you to your very being.

“Stop!” You said as sobs filled your mouth and he pressed his forehead against yours hard. You felt him shake his head, his arms wrapping around your fragile, little body compared to his strong form.

“I will give you everything you want, you need.” He said and pressed his lips against yours. Without waiting, his tongue made his way into your mouth, forcing your lips to open up for him. You felt the dizzy feeling take over your head. Your ears were ringing, your mind was foggy as he kissed you harsh, deep. There was no power left in your body, so you just let yourself to his arms.

His teeth crushed against yours and he was biting every corner of your lips until he drew blood. The irony taste filled your senses, made you jump. You did not know if it was you bleeding or him. But there was blood everywhere. Covering your tongue, your lips and staining your chin as your shared spit escaped from the corner of your lips. You felt your body burn all over. Your back was arching like a cat to get any closer to him, and there was a soreness between your legs that made your clit throb. You felt shame fill you and guilt making you wanna cry out. Instead, you kept kissing him, devouring him, eating him as much as you could.

You whined and pushed your head towards him when he parted your kiss with the sound of lock. The door was opened. The third game was finished. There was still a dead man in the room. Your mouth was covered in blood, making you look like you just feasted on someone. And his eyes were on you, watching you.

[wtfaniii]

Thank you for all your support in the first part of this one shot! Here I bring you the second one as you requested, I hope you like it💗

Paparazzi

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3

Summary: A private detective that Gi-hun had hired to investigate those games he participated in three years ago, is taken against her will without knowing that a certain man with power and money knew absolutely every detail about her.

Warning: Some harassment, angst and violence.

Note: I'm open to special requests and constructive criticism! Sorry for the delay with this second part but I just got back to college and have been a little busy.

—I'm sorry for hitting you like that.

As they walked back to the room, the girl apologized embarrassedly, perhaps she had gone a bit too far and the best way to calm him down would have been to talk.

But it was the tension of the moment.

—Don't worry, I think I needed it —He replied with a soft smile.

They felt the judging glances of the other players for surviving but that didn't bother them, yes, maybe it was a little uncomfortable but the smile and a happy greeting from player 149 made the entrance more pleasant.

After sitting down and talking a little, each one introduced themselves with their respective names. They were a team from now on and they preferred to call each other by their names instead of a simple number that they had on their jackets.

—I’m sorry for that behavior earlier —Young-il apologized to the two girls on the team.

Uncontrolled behavior was common among men, they knew how easily lost their sanity if failed to achieve a goal, especially if it was the life at stake, but having done so in front of two young ladies was frowned upon.

—And Jun-hee, as soon as we get out of here you should go see a doctor, stress is not good for you.

The way he expressed that feeling of concern and empathy for the pregnant young woman was charming to the girl sitting next to him.

She had only known him for a few hours, but the fluid conversation they had managed to make them agree on several things, she was delighted with that player, but the cherry on the cake was the laugh that appeared on him face when he made a joke about Gi-hun's name, no one shared his moment of happiness except for her.

It was impossible for her to remain serious when she noticed that despite the circumstances they were in and the fact that were about to die a few minutes ago, Young-il maintained his humor.

After a few minutes, voting began once again to decide whether to stay or leave, however the majority of participants voted for the blue circle, condemning the rest of the players who refused to continue playing.

The girl continued terrified, this was not her job, Mr. Seong Gi-hun had not hired her for that.

In-ho just watched her, noticing her lips pressed together in a grimace and her brow furrowed, a sign that was frustrated at not being able to get out of there.

While the food was being distributed, In-ho sat next to Gi-hun in complete silence, player 456 was further away from his target and that disappointed him, but his eyes drifted slightly towards 455, the detective was sitting on her bed accompanied by Jun-hee, the disappointment and fear of staying still etched in their expressions.

When Jung-bae came over to apologize for pressing the blue circle he stood up and walked towards the two girls.

—Take it Jun-hee —His voice caught her attention —You need to eat more to maintain your strength —Seeing that she was going to refuse, he insisted with a smile —Besides, I don't drink whole milk.

222 took the little box and thanked her with a slight bow.

—You have to eat too —He said looking at the girl.

She hadn't even gone for food, she was nervous about the next game and more than out of fear, preferred to think about how to get through the next round.

—I'm not that hungry.

—I'll go with you.

In-ho wasn't asking if she was hungry or not, it was a request for her to go get his food and eat it later.

She couldn't refuse and he made that clear when held out his hand for her to take, Jun-hee watched the act with wide eyes and a slight smile, he was quite the gentleman.

—I'll go with the others —222 said, starting to feel like was in the way.

—Come on —In-ho repeated, taking her hand and gently pulling up from where she was sitting.

Her smiled at him and went for she respective portions. As night fell, Gi-hun began to make a kind of fortress where they could stay. They would take turns sleeping or staying awake to stand guard.

—¿Don't you think you're exaggerating? I don't think these people are capable of killing each other —Said 001 with a grimace.

—You haven't seen these games before —Gi-hun argued.

—He's right —the girl said. —We must be alertm

The way she seemed to be able to be afraid and brave at the same time was curious to In-ho.

During the night, everyone was asleep except for Jung-bae and Dae-ho because it was their turn to keep watch, but seeing that the girl was also awake, Dae-ho approached her.

—¿Aren't you going to sleep? ¿What are you doing?

Watching her try to break the zipper of the jacket, he arched an eyebrow.

—¿What are you doing? —Him ask for the second time, this time more curious.

—The bathrooms have ventilation, with something metal I can open the gate.

It wasn't a great plan but it would be useful, or at least that's what she thought.

—¿Are you going to escape? —Dae-ho asked in surprise at her plan.

Those words caught the attention of the man who was barely trying to sleep in his bed, In-ho opened his eyes and listened attentively.

—I hope so —she agreed not very convinced that those ducts lead to a safe exit without guards. —If I manage to do it, I will go for Gi-hun's team and come back for you guys

—¿What if he finds out?

—Well... The worst thing that can happen to me is getting a bullet in the head.

In-ho twisted his lips, it seemed that the detective who was afraid of dying had disappeared, leaving behind a girl who now only wanted to survive but without seeing anyone else die.

That was honorable, he admitted, but still didn't understand how she would risk his life for people she barely knew and for his boss, accept that she escape without looking back but come back for them?

¿For him?

Or at least that's what he thought when he felt her gaze on him.

—None of you deserve to die in here, you are good people, if I am going to die... I will not do it playing, I will do it trying to do something good.

Those words were enough for In-ho to recognize her worth, finally there was the girl he had been following for a whole year who planned her moves well.

It was nice what she wanted to do.

It was also a complete shame that him had to ruin it for her.

Thanks for reading!! 😸😸😸I think the third part will be full of angst and will be somewhat cloying. I love romance sorry

Tag list:

@lucinda-reads @deathsmellzz @autmn4lvs @cvbi @ava-cjkk @ari200027 @claristary

[thefrontmanscockwarmer]

Obsession (Part 2)

Player 001 x reader

Masterlist <- Comment on this post to be added to the tag list

Part 1

Tw: stalker!In Ho

Note: (c/n) stand for cat name

5 years had gone by and all In Ho had to go off of were bank statements and transactions to know where you were and if you were still alive. He knew where you lived, your favorite places to eat, to watch movies, and where your favorite shop was. He also knows you have new kitten, but not his name, probably something like (c/n).

No new lover. Nothing since you left. You picked up a job as a (whatever you wanna be), and were living. He knew in his mind the reason you couldn’t move on was because of him and he knew it.

He snuck around and watched you through plain view. Sometimes he sent people to watch you and report back to him. Other times, he’d travel to where you were and stalk you, follow you to the market, ducking you between isles, or on the train, watching you through a crowd of people.

He would stand in front of the cottage you bought on the edge of town, how easy it’d be to take you. You had a bad habit of leaving your windows open. Leaving your life open for all to see. He’s watched you masturbate more times than he can count. He has videos of you throwing your head back as you cum. Your moans quietly seeping through the window. He would jerk off at the same time, cumming in the darkness as he watched you, leaving his cum on the flowers that you planted along the walls of your house.

He hated to admit to himself but he was jerking off to you almost every right, smelling your jacket like a sick man. I am sick he admitted.

So many days and nights he was grabbing onto his bed sheets, pressed up against his shower wall or even in his chair by the big screen, he was cumming for you, with you in mind, he missed you. But he missed your pussy more. Today, he was determined to get it. He approached you as you drank a coffee, typing on your laptop.

“Hello ma’am” he bowed “would you like to hear about your lord and savior Jesus Christ?”

“No, not right n-“ you stopped. “What’re you doing here, In Ho? It’s been 5 years, do you think what I said changed?” You say coldly.

“I know it hasn’t.” He sat before you can continue speaking. “I miss you (y/n). I mean, really fucking miss you. It’s been a lonely 5 years, I miss your smell, your touch, your hair. I miss the way you talk and your smile. I just miss you”

“You know, for a very intelligent man, you’re acting and sounding really fucking stupid.” You scoff rolling your eyes at him. “I mean, you miss me. So what? I miss Young il, but I’m never getting him back, am I?”

“But I’m right here?”

“No… you aren’t young il… I don’t know you”

“And what, you think I lied?!” You nodded. “About what? Huh? What would I possibly lie to you about?”

“Everything, that whole relationship we developed, that sex we had, that love.” You say. “As far as I’m concerned, Young il was an angel and you don’t even exist.”

“But my wallet does?”

“Honestly, you can have your card back.” You shake your head. “I don’t need dirty money”

“It’s clean. It comes from the stocks i invest in. Really (y/n), do you honestly think I’d give you game money?” He looks at you intensely. He wanted to tell you how attracted to you he still was. How his cock still aches for you. How he just wishes to fuck you. It was sitting across from you that he realized he was going to fuck you… whether you liked it or not.

“What do you want?” You sighed finally.

“One date with you. Please.” He stated. He knew deep in his heart that you still wanted him, you yearned for him. He needed you.

“No” you say and stand up.

“Look, one date, to show you who I really am as a person.” He argued. “Who I am outside of those damned games that ruined us. If after that you still decide you hate me, that’ll be all. You can live your life and I can live mine knowing at least I tried to make it better” he pleaded. His eyes pulling at your heart strings as they once did. You saw Young il for a brief moment, before seeing In Ho. You saw the man that was so sweet and gentle.

“Fine. One.” you conceded. You traded numbers and you left. Not knowing that In Ho could now tap your phone, could ruin your whole life. But truly the only thing he wanted to ruin was you.

You made it to your little cottage. It stood on the edge of the city with a small village of cottage farmers surrounding it. Fluffy baby cows and little lambs screamed at you from your neighbors house. Horses neighbors and goats cried. Your life was perfect, this place was perfect. Young il would have loved it… In Ho obviously prefers different style of life. Black and gold, power, money.

“Hi (c/n)” you say as he purred at you. He looped around you as you walked further into your house. You placed your items on your kitchen table. It was already 6. You cooked some dinner and watched an American drama you found on Netflix. Laughing along with the characters.

In Ho made it to his own home. The black and gold now insulted his eyes, it had ever since he saw the disgust on your face while you spoke angry and heartbroken. He sat at his computer, plugging in his phone. He stayed up for hours, deep into the night, hacking into your phone.

“Photos” he said aloud as he clicked it. He found a treasure trove of pictures. You with some friends, with family, birthdays, dinners, then he found your private photos.

“Let’s see (y/n), what do you do all alone” he whispered opening it. Pictures and videos of yourself floated into view, things other men should never see. Disgusting men like him should never see. He quickly searched through your sent and deleted messages, as far back as he could go, they’d never been sent. He returned back to the photos and stared at each on individually, videos playing, hardening his cock.

In Ho began to touch himself as he watched, his hand moving in sync with yours on the screen. He felt like he was participating in your intimate moment, like an invisible partner who you couldn't see or feel but was there nonetheless. He couldn’t help but freely moan into the emptiness of his room.

As the video played on, In Ho's movements became faster and more urgent. He could feel himself getting closer to climax, his heart pounding in his chest. He felt like a teenager again, watching porn, anxious that his parents may walk in. The thought that these were moments meant for no one else's eyes but yours made it even more exhilarating for him.

“I’m gonna cum” you said on camera. To him. “Oh my god, I’m gonna fucking cum” In Ho was getting sent into overdrive heavy sighs coursing through his lungs. “Oh god, Young il, I’m gonna cum on your fingers” he lost it. You were pleasuring to the thought of him, maybe his over persona, but still him nonetheless.

With one final stroke from you on screen and a simultaneous motion from In Ho's own hand came the peak of pleasure for him followed closely by release. His orgasm washed over him so strongly it left him gasping loudly within seconds all over both his keyboard and along edges near the monitor until reaching very tip top edge finally. He was panting, falling backwards, sinking deep into his chair. Cum heavily covered his desk space, now stained forevermore, a mess entirely due to a solely singular sickening act alone performed freely without fear. Through his sinful act.

If you knew would you forgive him?

[harryhighkey]

rest, baby.

hi - here is part four of my frontman x reader series!

spoiler: they finally kiss! sorry but not sorry for the slow burn for that moment. hopefully the wait was worth it!

a frontman x reader series - masterlist to series here

"Open your eyes now." Player 001's voice sounded out in front of you, his voice was so calm compared to the constant loud terror that had stayed in your head during Mingle.

You did as he said and you were met by his gaze in the little yellow room. Slowly, you removed your hands from your own ears. In-ho's hands were still over the top of yours so they fell from your face too. All of the terrible noises of the worst game yet were over now. The nursery rhyme, the screaming, the fighting, the gun shots, dead bodies being placed into boxes with thuds, it was all over.

But there was another sound that you'd only heard once, that had taken place right before the game ended. A neck breaking. Your eyes did a quick sweep of the room, the man who had snuck in here when you fell to the ground was gone. You looked back to Player 001.

In-ho was still looking at you, he knew what you were looking for. He'd deliberately waited until the guards had removed the dead body from the room before telling you to open your eyes. His eye contact was strong, you still found comfort in it, but something had shifted ever so slightly. You were having an internal battle over if what he had done made you trust him more or less.

He had just killed someone with his bare hands. For you.

"It's over?" You asked, needing him to confirm.

"Yes." He told you and you felt the invisible weight of panic that had been crushing you lift from your chest.

You took in a deep breath but winced as the action hurt your side. Quickly you flinched, your hands going to where the pain struck.

"Are you okay?" In-ho frowned in concern, his hands landing on your shoulders to steady you.

"Just hurts a little."

"Can I see?"

You nodded and your hands went to the hem of your shirt, lifting it to see your side all red from where you had been kicked. "Looks like it hurts a lot." In-ho said, he moved one of his hands so his fingertips just barely brushed the surface of where your skin was red and hot, his jaw clenched. He was furious at the person who hurt you like this.

"I'll be fine." You pushed his hand away and put your shirt back down.

"You don't have to do that with me."

"Do what?"

"Say you're fine when you're obviously hurt."

"Well, when I just have this and all those people died, then I'm fine, Young-il." You snapped at him.

He didn't respond, instead silence fell between you both. His expression gave nothing away, you hated knowing how readable your face was whilst his was the opposite.

What you didn't know was the constant internal battle he was facing between being the Frontman and Player 001. Being the man who ran these games but also being the man who wanted to save you from them.

You snapped at him about people dying here, which he was to blame for but he didn't care about those people. He only cared about you. He cared so much about your life and at the same time, he was the reason yours had been put in this dangerous situation, he had to be the reason you get out, too.

"Sorry." You dropped your eyes, shaking your head at yourself. This man had literally just carried you to the finishing line - a finishing line that secured your life - and you were snapping at him? He had just helped and carried you through the worst panic attack you'd ever experienced so you would survive. He killed for you. You tried not to think about that last fact too much.

He had looked out for you more than anyone ever had your whole life.

"Don't be." He shook his head, dropping his head down. "You've been through a lot. Too much." Because of me. He thought.

"So have you." You reached for his hand then, he intertwined his fingers with yours. He kept his face down. "Young-il," You called out to him. In-ho hated that you still didn't know his real name, he wanted to tell you it. He looked back up to you. "Thank you for looking after me. For saving me."

His spare hand came to rest on your cheek, his thumb rubbing along your skin. You're saving me. He didn't say that out loud, instead he said, "I told you I would."

"I know, but when I had given up during the second last round. I thought that was it for me."

"But it wasn't, I was never going to let that happen."

"I know that, I just thought I was stronger than that. I should've been able to keep going. I should've been able to handle it." You were disappointed in yourself, dropping your gaze from his now.

"No," In-ho shook his head, his face almost looking pained at what you had said. Both of his hands held your own two. "You shouldn't have to, (Y/N). You are not the problem. What happens here, the people who thrive here, who enjoy it, they're the ones who are wrong." He moved his face closer to yours, barely brushing his nose against yours, you looked back up at the contact, the movement bringing your face closer to his again. You could feel his breath on your lips, your heart thundered. "Not you, pretty girl. You are too good for this place, it's beautiful that you don't belong here."

Your breath hitched as your eyes dropped to his mouth and then back up to his eyes. You tilted your head a little, rubbing your nose against his, your lips just grazing his, inviting him in.

He accepted.

Player 001 closed the distance, his lips meeting yours, finally. The kiss was tender and heavy, you'd both felt like you had been waiting so long for this despite it being just a few days. Your brain felt dizzy as all the terrible things you'd experienced slowly began to dissipate and all you could think about was how perfectly his lips meshed with yours. His hands let go of yours and found your thighs, you sighed into his mouth at the feeling of his strong grip on your legs.

"Come here." He mumbled against your lips. In-ho started to pull you forward and you followed his lead. Between kisses, you lifted yourself so you could settle into his lap and straddle him, your hands holding onto his shoulders, your front against his. You broke the kiss so you could catch your breath, but he wanted more, he was no where near close to being done to having his mouth on you.

Wet kisses were left to the corner of your mouth, your chin until he found your neck. You whined and tilted your head to give him more access, the feeling of it so delicious, you could feel a wetness already forming in between your legs. "That's my good girl." He said, briefly looking at your heavenly face before his lips came back to your neck where he began to lightly suck, his hands moving to your ass. You bit down hard on your bottom lip and whimpered, already feeling so turned on, you wanted to hear him call you that every day.

He started dotting kisses down your neck now, lingering a very hot, open-mouth one to the spot where your neck met your shoulder. "I can't wait to taste all of you." He gripped your ass and you rolled your hips into his. "You want that, baby?" He asked you, lifting his head once again to be right in front of yours. Your cheeks were already growing pink.

"Yes. Please, yes." You nodded, crashing your mouth against his once more. He met your kiss with ease, he was getting drunk on you already and there was still so much more of you waiting to be explored by him.

You were so blissfully surrounded by him, the perfect distraction from everything else you had gone through this day. You'd felt a constant flutter in your chest anytime he had touched you since that first night when he had rubbed your head until you fell asleep. Now that flutter was more alight than ever, bursting with each skilled movement of his lips.

You rolled your hips again, seeking a sensation against your throbbing centre. "Baby," In-ho broke the kiss with a puff of air at the feeling of your pussy grazing over where he had grown hard in his pants. You met his gaze. "Not here." He told you, placing one last peck to your lips and running his hands further up your back. As much as he wanted you, he wanted to make sure it was where you two were truly alone. Your pleasure was for his eyes only.

You whined and dropped your head onto his shoulder, letting out a loud sigh.

He laughed, turning his head so his lips grazed against your ear as he spoke. "That turned on?"

"Shut up." You laughed too.

"I'll take that as a yes."

-----

"To give you some time to think, the vote will be conducted tomorrow."

50 vs 50.

The vote had come out to a tie.

"No." Your voice was barely audible, you felt hopeless.

Everyone turned to walk back, only you and Player 456 were left standing in place. Gi-hun was staring at the numbers on the screen in disbelief. You were watching the guards as they started getting ready to leave.

You knew you wouldn't make it through another game and you didn't want Player 001 putting himself in danger again to keep you safe. You wouldn't forgive yourself if anything were to happen to him. You were desperate to get out.

Briefly, you turned to look back, looking for the man who had become your solace. He was already walking back to the bunks. You looked at him for a few more moments before turning back to the guards, they had all started to turn away to leave. If you had taken a few extra seconds to think about, maybe you wouldn't have acted so impulsively.

But you didn't.

"(Y/N), no!" Gi-hun attempted to stop you as you broke out in a sprint towards one of the guards, he reached out to you but you just slipped out of his grip.

Others turned at the commotion, the people who voted 'O' hoping to see you run right to your death, the people who voted 'X' were worried.

When In-ho turned at the sound of Gi-hun saying your name and he saw what you were doing, he swore his heart stopped beating. "(Y/N)! Stop!" He screamed at you, voice full of distress. Just like Player 456, he ran after you, but he was too many steps behind now. He could control what happened to you when the games were taking place, but if you were running at the guards to attack them in front of all the other players, he couldn't control the outcome of this and it made him panic.

Just as you were about to grab a guards gun, they turned around at the sound of their bosses voice, seeing you right behind them and immediately holding their gun up so the barrel pressed right against your forehead.

You froze and sucked in a breath, the other guards turned and pointed their guns at you. You waited for the sound of a bullet being fired, but it never came. You thought for sure this was going to be your end, this was not behaviour they tolerated.

What you didn't see was the Frontman glaring at them with a warning gaze. His face was hardened in fury at the idea of any of them shooting you and he ever so slightly shook his head to tell them no as subtly as he could without anyone else noticing.

"Move back." The guard commanded at you.

For a moment, you thought about trying to grab the barrel for a last attempt to steal the gun, you knew the speed of your hands would be no match for the trigger on this weapon, but your desire to leave was so strong you considered trying. That was until Player 001's voice sounded out. "(Y/N), listen to them. Come back." You imagined how you would feel if it was him with the gun aimed at his head, the thought of it even too much. So you started to step backwards. The guards kept the guns pointed at you. You could not believe they let you get away with this.

You kept walking backwards, and when your back hit against someone's front, you jumped.

"It's me." Player 001's voice was right in your ear. He grabbed your hand and pulled you behind him. Protecting you again.

-----

"What were you thinking?!" Once the guards had left, In-ho didn't let go of your hand, he pulled you to your bunk with him. He was furious at you for risking your life like that.

"I don't know, I wasn't thinking." You answered him honestly.

"That is clear. That was so stupid, (Y/N)."

"Don't call me stupid."

"Don't be stupid and I won't."

You huffed, crossing your arms as you sat on the side of your bed. "After we lost the vote, I had to try something. I'm not going to make it through another game, I know it. I'm dying tomorrow. That was my last chance to escape."

"I told you, I won't let anything happen to you."

"I know you did, and you got me through today. But we don't know what's coming tomorrow. You can't guarantee that."

Yes I can. He thought, but he couldn't tell you that, not yet. Instead, he let out a deep breath and crouched down in front of you, placing his hands on your knees. He tried to catch your eyes, but you avoided looking at him. "Hey," His hand grabbed your chin, halting your movements and forcing you to look at him. "I can keep you safe if you're next to me. But, with what you did just then to the guards. I have much less of a chance of keeping you safe." But still a chance, he was the Frontman after all. "Do you understand?" He was trying to let you know you would be okay, his role was high and important here.

Plus, after learning Gi-hun's plan for tonight, he had his own plan to finally get you out.

-----

Bullets were flying everywhere, it was chaos, it was loud, it was a war-zone. The third war-zone you'd experienced today. First, it was the game, Mingle. Second, when everyone had started attacking each other when the lights went out. You had hid next to Player 001 during that, your eyes squeezed shut, head tucked away in his neck with his arm around you and his hands covering your ears. Third, was now this. Player 456's plan to take over the games, find the Frontman and end all of this.

Through all of it, In-ho had made sure you were by his side. Currently you were between him and Player 388, who was about to go and get more bullets.

"Dae-ho, are you okay?" You leaned in closer to ask him, you could see on your friends face he wasn't handling this well. He had become more quiet, his face turned pale. You experienced your own panic attack earlier today and you were sure he about too as well.

"Yes." He answered you quietly. It wasn't believable.

Everyone else was too distracted by the fight, busy shooting the guards, but you felt concern for your friend. "I'll go back with yo-"

"No." In-ho interrupted you then, his voice demanding. You turned to look at him and his face was deadly serious. "You are staying with me." He was so close to getting you out, he wouldn't let you go back now. Especially not when bullets were shooting everywhere and you could get hit.

"But, he-"

"He will be fine."

You clenched your jaw tight then.

"(Y/N)," Dae-ho called your name and you turned to look at him, concern displayed all over your face for him. "It's okay, stay here with Young-il. It'll be easier for just one of us to go back than both of us."

You nodded and then leant forward to hug him. "Please be careful."

"I will, you too." He pulled back from the hug to look at you. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Okay."

In-ho watched you watch him retreat back. He saw the worry on your face, he knew you cared for him and it made him sick with jealousy. He couldn't wait to get you on your own.

"(Y/N), we have to move now."

Player 456 & 390 went one way while you and Player 001 went another.

He kept his body in a place where it would shield you from the direction the guards were shooting from. Although it seemed that the bullets coming in your direction had significantly lessened. Maybe more guards were on the side Gi-hun had taken.

You hoped they were going to be okay.

Each time you reached a new path that broke off into more than one direction, Player 001 chose which way to go so confidently. You were starting to get anxious at the idea of getting closer to where the people who ran these games were.

"Young-il," you reached out for his hand to stop him.

He halted and immediately turned to you. "Have you been shot?" His eyes scanned over your body, searching for blood.

"No, no," you shook your head. "What's going to happen when we find the people who run this?" You spoke with a panicked tone.

He held your eye contact for a few moments before answering you. "You already have." He admitted.

"What-" Before you had a chance to question or even fully process what he had said, he pulled you into him and kissed you. You allowed him to, more than allowed, you completely welcomed it. Your heart instantly speeding up at the feeling of his skilled mouth on yours.

You were so distracted you didn't see him reach into his pocket for the syringe, he almost felt bad at how easy this was. Almost. He didn't because he had convinced himself this was going to be best for you.

When the needle pricked into your skin, you broke apart from him with a gasp, but his strong arm kept you in place.

"You'll be okay." Was what he told you as your vision very quickly blurred, your body going limp in his hold around you. He scooped you up into this arms.

You attempted to speak, to say anything at all, but you were fast succumbing to what had been injected into you. All you managed to do was let out a little whimper.

"Shh, (Y/N)." In-ho said into your ear, and everything started to go black for you. "Enjoy your rest, baby."

[shezzabee]

I've done a lot of reflection about In-ho for a fic I'm writing and now I'm thinking about him compartmentalising himself into three separate identities in his brain in order to cope:

There's Young-il, the popular friendly alter-ego that he created for himself. This is the man he wishes he could be.

Then there's The Front Man, the person he currently believes that he is. This is the role that he has no choice but to play.

And then there's Hwang In-ho, the man that he once was. A ghost who died on that island back in 2015.

My feelings are hurt 😭

Awee, yeah I love that! He's such a layered character, goddamn.

I'm getting sidetracked here but I’m genuinely hoping In-ho’s good side will win out in Season 3. There’s something so satisfying about seeing a character like him—so weighed down by grief, guilt, and resentment—finally realize that maybe, just maybe, he can still change. That he doesn’t have to be defined by the worst thing he’s done, and there’s still a chance to reclaim the parts of himself he thought were lost forever.

The man needs to go home. Let him see his mother, hug her, break down, and finally allow himself to feel all the pain and regret he’s been burying under layers of masks—both literal and figurative. Let him cry until he’s drained, until there’s nothing left to hold back, and finally, finally start to heal. It’s the kind of catharsis he deserves.

I will be lowkey sad if that's not how his story ends lmao. But also, tag me when you post your fic! I want to read it! ^^

[polishksiezniczka]

Monsignor | Camerlengo Patrick McKenna x Reader

You meet il camerlengo for the first time at Mass, and he soon becomes captivated by you.

My first full-length oneshot! Sort of a slow burn but with some delicious fluff at the end. Please let me know if you have any requests or ideas for future works! 1.8k words

You had recently moved to Rome, your next diplomatic assignment being the US Embassy to the Holy See. The new challenges of your position were taxing, but you were proud of the work you did for your fellow citizens.

Being the good Catholic you were, you went to Mass as often as you could. And when in Rome—which boasted more than 900 churches—it was your goal to visit as many as you could. Although you had been living in the city for only a week or two, you had visited several parishes closer to your apartment to see if one appealed to you.

Today you decided to go to St. Peter’s Basilica for early morning service, hoping the crowds wouldn’t be as large. Aware of the Vatican’s strict dress code, you decided on a lovely vintage chiffon dress you had recently scored at a chic consignment shop. Its light coral color brought out the Y/E/C hues in your eyes, and it elegantly graced your figure while still leaving much up to the imagination. You paired it with sensible pumps and a loose white cardigan. You were feeling springlike today, it being a warm Sunday in April.

While you had visited the Vatican several times already on official diplomatic visits, you hadn’t yet as one of the faithful. As you silently made your way to the chapel, you marveled at the beautiful art surrounding you—the work of masters.

You chose to sit near the center aisle a few rows from the altar. The chapel quickly began to fill up; in a matter of minutes, you were surrounded by a trio of devout Italian nonne, clad in all-black, and a gaggle of starry-eyed Korean tourists.

As the processional music began, you felt your body ease into a state of peace. The ancient rituals of the Church always soothed you; they had not changed since you were a child and so provided a sense of comfort amidst an unpredictable world. You sang along, losing yourself in the beautiful melody.

When the hymnal ended, you lifted your gaze from your songbook to the altar. Your heart stopped as your eyes fell upon him—quite possibly the most beautiful man you had ever laid eyes on.

He was young, no more than 40 years of age. His hair was a rich auburn color, swept neatly into a well-groomed combover; you couldn’t help but admire how perfectly it framed his handsome face. His eyes, a lovely shade of blue, were mesmerizing. They reminded you of cerulean pools, clear and bright. His brows were furrowed in concentration, making him appear serious. His jawline was set in a strong, dignified way, sloping attractively down to his chin; there you could just make out a slight cleft. For all you knew, he was one of the marble statues carved by the same masters who had designed the basilica you were standing in.

Who was this man? That’s Father to you! you scolded yourself. You were in Church. And not just any Church—the Church! You tried to suppress your nascent infatuation, but you quickly succumbed to it, your eyes selfishly dragging down the rest of the priest’s body. He wore a white surplice over his black robes, highlighting the alluring musculature of his shoulders. His collar was a burst of white at the base of the column of his throat. His hands were clasped together in prayer in front of his chest, and you watched his eyes squeeze in concentration as he prayed along silently with the cardinal who stood beside him. His whole demeanor radiated safety, comfort, and protection.

You couldn’t help but stare, the chants of the prayer fading into the background. You couldn’t even look away. Even when he turned to look at you. You observed his eyes widening ever so slightly, his brow arching in curiosity. Regrettably, he seemed to catch himself after a few seconds, quickly averting his eyes away from you and back to his superior. The moment was so brief, you seriously doubted its authenticity. But there he was.

Mass passed by in a haze, your attempts at concentration all but shot. You tried to restrain yourself, but somehow your gaze always settled on him. It wasn’t until the pews ahead of you began to slowly shuffle toward for Communion that you momentarily became sensible again. As you stood and made your way toward the altar, your hands began to perspire. You ran through the expected response over and over again, worried you might choke on your own heart, which had invariably lodged itself in your throat.

Just as you had expected, he was even more beautiful up close. Like an angel. You were so taken by his handsomeness, his kind smile, his spellbinding eyes that you felt your chest tighten. Your eyes suddenly found the marble floor inexplicably fascinating.

He held up the thin wafer. “Il corpo di Cristo.”

You peered up at him from beneath your lashes and met his kind cerulean eyes again. They beamed down at you, joy and curiosity radiating from them. You quickly lost your ability to speak, momentarily dumbstruck. He must have sensed this, as a smile quirked the corner of his lips; you thought you were imagining things when the faintest chuckle reached your ears. If only you knew what he was thinking!

“Amen,” you whispered hurriedly, accepting the wafer in your trembling hands. You bowed to him and quickly stepped aside to genuflect before the altar. As you made your way to back to your pew, you couldn’t help but sneak a glance over your shoulder at him. As you expected, he was dutifully administering communion to the remaining parishioners. You sighed softly as you retook your place and knelt down.

Of course that’s what he’s doing! you scolded yourself. For the love of God, he’s a priest—why would he have feelings for you? Silly, foolish girl.

Your thoughts consumed you for the rest of Mass, even during the last processional hymnal. If only you had noticed the young priest’s longing glance at you as he walked past.

After the processional ended, you prepared to leave, but your shame got the best of you. As a penance you knelt and said five Hail Mary’s to atone for your distraction.

As you left your pew, you noticed how quiet the church had become. A few people remained, some finishing their prayers, others snapping pictures of the ornate altar. As you walked to the back of the chapel, you observed a small group of parishioners clustered near the back, no doubt socializing among themselves. You had planned to walk around them, but the group suddenly parted, putting you directly on course for him. The priest who had awoken in you a reaction so powerful, so complete, you couldn’t even think clearly.

The two parishioners he was speaking with said their farewells; then, he turned and noticed you. As your eyes met for the third time that morning, his face broke into a radiant smile. You approached him slowly, a blush creeping up your cheeks. You did your best to hold his gaze and maintain an air of confidence after your embarrassing conduct during the liturgy of the Eucharist. You stopped just short of a foot away from him, subconsciously holding your breath.

“Buongiorno, signorina,” he said. His voice was so velvety, so delightful, it practically overwhelmed your senses. Being so close allowed you to better study his chin’s adorable cleft, making you swoon. “Non ti ho mai visto prima a San Pietro. Stai visitando la nostra bellissima basilica mentre sei in vacanza?” His presence was oh so alluring—you couldn’t help but relax as air suddenly filled your lungs.

“Buongiorno, monsignor,” you replied carefully. “ No, ma sono nuovo a Roma. Vedi, mi sono trasferito qui due settimane fa. Lavoro per l'ambasciata degli Stati Uniti.”

He smiled knowingly, his eyes alight with intrigue. “So, you are an American?” The soft, gentle lilt of his accent sent a shiver up your spine. How was it possible that this man’s normal pleasantries were enough to provoke such a response in you?

“Yes, I am.”

“In that case, may I be the first to welcome you to Vatican City.” He bowed his head slightly in deference to you. “I am Father Patrick McKenna, il camerlengo to his Holiness. May I ask your name?”

“Y/F/N, Y/F/N Y/L/N.”

The camerlengo’s smile widened, and you momentarily glimpsed his dazzling white teeth. “Y/N…” he repeated thoughtfully. You cherished the way your name rolled off his tongue. “How lovely. Named after Saint Y/N if I am not mistaken?”

“Yes, Father,” you shyly responded. “I was raised in a very devout home.” You quickly averted your gaze to the floor, worrying that you had revealed too much about yourself. You certainly weren’t prepared for the camerlengo’s next remark:

“I…I hope to see you next weekend.” He spoke softly, tenderly.

Your eyes shot up to his face, eagerly finding his own. The camerlengo’s eyebrows were raised expectantly; a gentle smile graced his handsome features.

“Of course, Father. It was such a lovely Mass.” You tried to convey as much sincerity as you could with your voice.

He took your hand in his and cradled it, making your heart flutter even more rapidly in your chest. “I’m glad you thought so. In the meantime, do not make yourself a stranger.” For a moment, his eyes were expectant, and he nodded solemnly—as if holding you to a serious pledge—but his fervent expression quickly melted back into one of compassion again. “You are welcome anytime.”

Your cheeks took on a lovely pink color at his words as you beamed at him.“Grazie, Padre.” Reluctantly you added, “I believe I should be going now...” Your eyes flashed over your shoulder, subtly indicating a group of nonne eager to speak with him. “I would not want to keep you all to myself.” You shyly lifted your gaze to the camerlengo again.

He chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with mirth at your remark. “May God bless you, Miss Y/L/N. Arrivederci.” As he said this, he traced the sign of the cross on your forehead, the scent of him filling your nostrils briefly. He smelled clean and masculine with a delightful hint of spiciness, which you immediately recognized to be frankincense. You savored the warmth of his skin on yours.

“Addio, monsignor,” you whispered breathlessly.

You found the courage to look into the camerlengo's spellbinding eyes once more before you turned to leave. As you exited the sacred space, you smiled to yourself, his words reverberating within you: do not be a stranger.

"Never, Father," you whispered. ¤

Translations

nonne = "grandmothers"

Il corpo di Cristo = "the body of Christ"

Non ti ho mai visto prima a San Pietro. Stai visitando la nostra bella chiesa durante le vacanze? = "I haven’t seen you before at St. Peter’s. Are you visiting our beautiful basilica while on holiday?"

No, ma sono nuovo a Roma. Vedi, mi sono appena trasferito qui due settimane fa. Lavoro con l'ambasciata degli Stati Uniti. = "No, but I am new to Rome. You see, I recently moved here a few weeks ago. I work for the US Embassy."

@seraferna @lemairepstuff

[mbcorvo-author]

“An experiment”

This excerpt is brought to you thanks to @withered-rose-unbreakable-lotus​‘s prompt she sent me for my “100 followers drabble challenge”.

I spent many days trying to come up with something and after some internet, after watching some videos friends spammed to me, I was able to write!

The original is around 1860 words long, but I decided to translate & share with you a shorter part that included the prompt I was given.

The prompt was:  "I never wanted this to be/end this/that way"

(you can find an extra snippet here *click*)

“An experiment”

Probably her brother was in one of those rooms...but which one? She couldn't waste time checking every door, and wasting time could mean rising the risk of stumbling into one of the assistants - or if bad luck wanted, the Doctor themself! - while searching. A broken scream of pain stopped the train of thoughts of Kelsie. Even if the sound was muffled and vaguely distorted by the basement's echo, she was sure that it was her brother's voice. She was quickly moving again along the big corridor trying to understand from which door the pained screams were coming from and in the end, she found it. Her trembling right hand moved the tiny piece of metal that covered the little rectangular opening in the metal door and she saw him. «REESE!» she exclaimed, both relieved for having found him and scared for the situation they were in. Too focused on the finding of her brother to notice that it was very odd that the heavy door of that little laboratory wasn't locked.

She entered the lab and rapidly went towards her brother that was tied to what looked like a metal table. «Oh my god!» shrieked, hands covering her mouth while she stared wide-eyed at her suffering brother «Oh my god, Reese! What they have done to you?!» she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Reese was strapped to that table, drips with mysterious liquids connected to an arm that was no more human... or rather, at a closer look that arm has never been human. Some stained bandages were covering a portion of the shoulder and the chest of the brother, maybe they grafted it onto him? Atrocious! Other scars were scattered on what was uncovered of his body, what else they did to him?

The young man's eyes were glossy with fever and the sclera had an unhealthy yellowish shade, glazed look forcefully facing towards the ceiling while his laboured breathing was sometimes interrupted by pained cries. «Reese! Reese!» said her reaching him and moving away his bangs that were stuck to his face because of the fever sweats «Calm down, it' me Kelsie» she murmured «I'm sorry, I'm really fucking sorry... I... I only wanted to find a safe place, a place where they could get you healed...» sobbed, barely able to hold back tears «I never wanted this to end this way! I'm sorry Reese!».

Reese seemed to come back to his senses feeling his sister at his side «...scape...» uttered faintly with a scratchy voice «...elsie...o away...» «We'll go away together, don't worry!» exclaimed her in response «I'll untie you right away and we'll go away in a blink» she tried to give her voice the most optimistic and calm tone possible while moving and starting to fumble with the thick straps that kept her brother trapped. He whimpered and stirred in his constricted laying, shaking his head «No... Kel... scape...» uttered with an anxious voice tone while his sister was trying to free him. «Quiet, quiet, I think I figured it out,» said her, faking a happy tone, finally being able to untie the human arm from the restrains «Here we go! Now I'll finish untying and-» «RUN» croaked her brother, using all the air and strength that was left in his body, losing again consciousness.

The young woman didn't even have the time to say anything that the thud of the heavy door made her jump. «Well, well, well...» said a voice that startled Kelsie that was standing still like she was petrified «What are you trying to do, little mouse?» «Doc!» gasped the young woman turning towards the door, her hands grasping the border of the metallic table where was her brother. Tense as she was, she was barely able to stutter something to the Doctor that meanwhile was moving slow steps inside the lab.

«Well?» the Doctor commented, tilting a bit their head to the side to be able to observe her better with their only eye «Little mouse forgot how to speak?» teased. Even with the white mask covering their face from the nose to the chin and the red hair covering their right side of the face, it was easy to perceive from their voice the not-so-reassuring grin that was stretching their lips. He was walking slowly, one hand tucked in the pocket of the white lab coat they constantly wore, while the other was caressing lightly the top of another table on which were kept many tools.

Kelsie started to walk too, moving on the side since her bother's table was right behind her back. «I-I wanted... I wanted to see Reese» babbled the young woman finally regaining enough courage to talk, courage that she then took in both hands to continue «What have you done to him?! Why you have reduced him this way?!»

The Doctor's look moved towards a vial that they picked with their free hand, observing the dense liquid inside it «What have I done to him... mh...» mumbled like he was lost in thought, slightly stirring the vial to make the liquid swirl «An experiment» commented, plainly, putting the vial back in the small tube rack.

Italian version under the cut!

Questo estratto vi è offerto grazie allo spunto che @withered-rose-unbreakable-lotus​ mi ha mandato per il “100 followers drabble challenge”.

Ho trascorso molti giorni cercando di ideare qualcosa e dopo un po’ di internet, dopo aver guardato qualche video che amici mi avevano spammato, sono stato in grado di scrivere!

L’originale si aggira sulle 1860 parole di lunghezza, ma ho deciso di tradurre e condividere una parte più breve che include lo spunto che mi è stato dato.

Lo spunto era: “Io non ho mai voluto che questo fosse/finisse così/in questo modo”.

(potete trovare uno stralcio extra qua *click*)

“Un esperimento”

Probabilmente il fratello si trovava in una di quelle stanze… ma quale? Non poteva perdere tempo a controllare ogni porta, così come avrebbe potuto rischiare di incappare in qualche assistente – o sfortuna non voglia, il Dottore stesso! - mentre cercava. Un urlare strozzato di dolore riscosse Kelsie dai suoi pensieri. Anche se il suono era ovattato e vagamente deformato dalle eco dei sotterranei, era sicura che quella fosse la voce del fratello. Tornò a muoversi rapidamente lungo il grande corridoio cercando di capire da quale porta provenivano quelle urla di dolore e alla fine la trovò. Mano destra tremante andò a spostare la striscia di metallo che copriva la fessura che fungeva da spioncino nella porta di metallo e lo vide. «REESE!» esclamò, a metà tra il sollievo per l’averlo ritrovato e lo spaventato per la situazione in cui si trovavano. Troppo concentrata sull’aver ritrovato il fratello per rendersi conto che fosse strano che la pesante porta del piccolo laboratorio non fosse stata chiusa a chiave.

Entrò e si affrettò a raggiungere il fratello legato a quello che pareva essere un tavolo di metallo. «O mio dio!» esclamò portandosi le mani a coprire la propria bocca, occhi sgranati che osservavano il fratello sofferente «Oh mio dio, Reese! Cosa ti hanno fatto?!» non riusciva a credere a ciò che vedeva. Reese era legato a quel tavolo, flebo con misteriosi liquidi collegati a un braccio che di umano sembrava non avere più nulla… anzi, a guardare meglio quel braccio non era mai stato umano. Delle bende sporche coprivano parte della spalla e del busto del fratello, che glielo avessero trapiantato addosso? Atroce! Altre cicatrici costellavano ciò che si vedeva del corpo del ragazzo, cos’altro gli avevano fatto?

Gli occhi del ragazzo erano lucidi di febbre e la sclera aveva una malsana colorazione tendente al giallognolo, sguardo vitreo forzatamente rivolto verso il soffitto mentre il respiro affannoso era di tanto in tanto interrotto da versi di dolore. «Reese! Reese!» disse la ragazza affiancandolo e scostandogli dalla fronte la lunga frangia che gli si era appiccicata per via del sudore causato probabilmente dalla forte febbre che aveva «Calmati, sono io, Kelsie» gli mormorò «Mi dispiace, mi dispiace un casino… io… io volevo solo trovare un posto sicuro, un posto dove potessero rimetterti in sesto...» singhiozzò, trattenendo a fatica le lacrime «Non ho mai voluto che andasse a finire in questo modo! Mi dispiace Reese!».

Reese sembrò iniziare a tornare in sé e accorgersi della sorella al suo fianco «...appa...» bofonchiò fiocamente con la voce ridotta a un raspo «...elsie...a via...» «Andremo via insieme, non preoccuparti!» esclamò lei in risposta «Ti slego subito e ce ne andremo via in un attimo» cercò di mantenere un tono di voce il più possibile calmo e positivo, mentre si spostò iniziando ad armeggiare con le spesse cinghie che tenevano il fratello intrappolato. Lui mugolò e si mosse in quella sua posa costretta, scuotendo il capo «No… Kel… appa...» bofonchiò con tono più agitato mentre la sorella cercava di liberarlo. «Tranquillo, tranquillo, forse ho capito» fece lei fingendo un tono allegro, riuscendo infine ad liberare il braccio umano dalle cinghie «Ecco qua! Ora finisco di slegarti e-» «CORRI» gracchiò il fratello usando tutta l’aria e le forze che gli rimanevano in corpo, perdendo nuovamente i sensi.

La ragazza non fece in tempo a replicare che il tonfo della pesante porta della stanza che si chiuse la fece sobbalzare. «Bene, bene, bene…» disse una voce che fece trasalire Kelsie che era rimasta immobile come pietrificata «Cosa stai cercando di fare, topolino?» «Doc!» esclamò la ragazza voltandosi in direzione della porta, mani che si strinsero sul bordo del tavolo di metallo su cui si trovava il fratello. Nervosa com’era, era a malapena in grado di bofonchiare qualcosa alla volta del Dottore che intanto muoveva lenti passi nel laboratorio.

«Beh?» fece il Dottore, inclinando appena il capo da un lato così da adocchiarla meglio con il suo unico occhio «Il topolino ha dimenticato come si parla?» la punzecchiò. Nonostante la maschera bianca che gli copriva il volto dal naso al mento e i capelli rossi che gli nascondevano il lato destro del viso, si poteva facilmente intuire dal suo tono di voce il ghigno poco rassicurante che doveva star stirando le sue labbra. Avanzava lentamente, una mano infilata nella rispettiva tasca del camice bianco che indossava perennemente mentre l’altra accarezzò leggermente la superficie di un tavolo su cui erano presenti diversi strumenti.

Kelsie iniziò a muoversi a propria volta, spostandosi in laterale avendo alle proprie spalle la via bloccata dal tavolo con il fratello. «I-io volevo...io volevo vedere Reese» balbettò la ragazza ritrovando finalmente il coraggio di parlare, coraggio che quindi prese a due mani per proseguire «Cosa gli hai fatto?! Perché lo hai ridotto così?!»

Lo sguardo del Dottore si era spostato su una provetta che aveva afferrato con la mano libera, osservandone il denso liquido all’interno «Cosa gli ho fatto...mh...» borbottò quasi sovrappensiero facendo oscillare la provetta per muovere il liquido al suo interno «Un esperimento» rispose, semplicemente, andando a riporre la provetta nel piccolo porta-provette.

[another-miracle]

proposal [exodus, a GeunHo origin story]

@peachchanvidel when I said I felt bad, I really did mean it. And in the span of the past hour or so, I just HAD to write you something. And PRaise the Lord It’s still not past my bedtime yet HAHA I really hope you like it! (and tbh this chapter is really the beginning of the end :) )

February

It takes a ridiculous amount of time for him to reach that moment. Much longer than he would have liked, anyway.

She really doesn’t make this easy, he grouses as he wipes off the sweat from his brow. Wooden sword in hand, he swings and slams the sword against the wooden dummy in front of him for the umpteenth time. It shakes and almost falls over, but stabilizes in time for another strike from his sword. Again and again, he hits the dummy with as much force as he can muster.

With one final hit, Geun-tae collapses on the floor, arms outstretched. His sword rolls from his hands onto the floor. He closes his eyes and lets out a breath.

The past month was hell for him. Between the many meetings with King Il and the tribe heads, as well as an influx in uprisings in the southern parts of the Earth Kingdom, Geun-tae could scarcely find time to even put thought to the whole ordeal surrounding his sudden matrimonial feelings towards his dear Noblewoman Yun-ho.

It didn’t help that Yun-ho was barely in the castle the past month, what with the various festivals regarding honoring the women of the Earth Kingdom being held at the start of the year to commemorate a new birth or some nonsense like that. As a noblewoman, she is expected by the council, as well as the many elders and women before her, to honour these events and grace the assemblies with her presence. From what Geun-tae has derived from their sparse meetings together, Yun-ho is nothing but a natural at these events - her smile being her saving grace in many, many interactions, he believes, as she excitedly relays her conversations with others to him.

Sighing, Geun-tae gazes at the sky above him. There really is little he can do at this point. A waiting game, he supposes. It isn’t as if they are pressed for time. Yun-ho is still very much a young girl, and while the council is pressuring him from all sides to marry, he isn’t in a rush to push her into anything she isn’t ready for. Matrimonial feelings be damned; Geun-tae will do what he believes is best for her. If it means time for her to get used to her new role as noblewoman - it’s really only been a few months, he reasons - then so be it.

What if she doesn’t want to be with an old man? A voice quips in his head.

“GARGH!” Geun-tae screams, hands clutching at his head.

A shriek sounds from above him, and Geun-tae’s eyes fly open.

There, standing in all her glory, is the subject of Geun-tae’s agony herself. Yun-ho’s silhouette overshadows him and through squinted eyes, he sees that she is holding a tray. Her eyes are wide open, mouth agape, and damn it all, Geun-tae is completely and utterly endeared. It is almost annoying at this point how entirely wrecked he is when he sees her. Whether it is because he hasn’t seen her in almost a week, or that the image of her smiling, tray in hand, is so analogous to that when he first met her when she was a lady-in-waiting, whatever filter he has over his mouth just disintegrates. His eyes soften and his lips melt into a smile.

“Marry me.”

If Yun-ho’s eyes looked wide before, they now look like saucers. And wow, her face is ridiculously red, it isn’t even hot out-holy shit, did I just-

“Um,” Yun-ho squeaks. “I-I-”

Geun-tae sits up immediately and stabilizes the tray trembling in her arms. Yun-ho’s knees seem to give way at the point of contact, and she ends up kneeling before him. Eye to eye, Geun-tae witnesses the confusion and shock betrayed by the awkward quirk of her lips and her rapid breathing. And for the millionth time in this relationship he has with her, he wants to pound his head on the concrete floor.

“Shit-” he stumbles over his words. “I’m sorr- look, I- I really wanted to do this right. But shit, Yun-ho, I didn’t-”

And as how all things go awry, the tray tips and the tea spills onto the floor between them. Yun-ho yelps and immediately moves to pick up the fallen cups. Her fingers tremble, and Geun-tae is quick to capture her hands in his.

“G-G-General- I mean, G-Geun-tae-sama! I-I really should clea-”

Geun-tae lets out a garish sigh. He fixes his gaze on her.

“Yun-ho.”

Immediately, her stammering stops.

He stares at her for awhile longer - comtemplates the frazzled state she is in, her wide eyes, her mouth tight-lipped- the curl of her hair, the dimple on her left cheek. He breathes.

“Yun-ho. Marry me.”

He is prepared for the waterworks.

As she brings his hand to her cheek and cries over his fingers, his other hand comes up behind her head and cradles it to his shoulder. She leans heavily on him, arms winding around his form.

Geun-tae ducks his head. “I’ve never been more sure of anything I’ve ever wanted in this life,” he whispers into her hair. “ Yun-ho, if you aren’t ready, tell me. I can wait. Or if you don’t want-”

“No!” Yun-ho’s head darts up, very nearly breaking his jaw. Her face is flushed, tears streaming down the sides of her face. “Of course I want you! Whatever made you think I didn’t?”

Geun-tae leans back and guffaws. “Man proposes to girl, and girl bursts into tears. I wonder…? And well,” he scratches his chin. “...I’m not exactly a fountain of youth.”

Yun-ho’s brows furrow. “What do you mean?”

“Um,” Geun-tae starts. “I’m not young, you know and- okay, you can stop laughing now.”

Yun-ho’s giggles fill the training area. Wiping tears from her eyes, she leans her forehead against his shoulder once more. Geun-tae’s arms automatically find themselves around her, pulling her close. He closes his eyes.

“...so?”

“Yes.”

Geun-tae lets out a soft laugh. “Really?”

Yun-ho looks up at him, eyes watering once more. Her hand cups his jaw as he turns to face her. She smiles.

“Really.”

It is almost annoying how wrecked he is when he sees her, and if their lips meet, well- he supposes it is only natural he just ignites.

[abctranslator]

Volcanic Age 36

Most of the territory of Chongqing was formed by low hills made by limestones and sandstones, except for the Central Region which was connected by the Yangtze River.

There was a region called the Secret Burial Grounds in the west. It was a place that especially had a lot of rocks like limestones and sandstones.

Ju Seo Cheon’s group entered the Secret Burial Grounds.

“What did you say was here?” Wang il asked.

It was impossible to farm or cut wood near the Secret Burial. There were only rocks in that place but that didn’t mean there were mines with steel ores in it.

The only things were the rocks that were spread on the low hills. You couldn’t even find plants so it was no different from being a land of death.

The last time they had rested was three days ago, in a nearby village. The group was as exhausted as they could be.

Ju Seo Cheon entered a deep place inside the Secret Burial Grounds that showed no signs of humans having been there.

“The treasure trove.”

A thick smile formed in Ju Seo Cheon’s face. His shining eyes were looking at the rocks that were stuck together.

“Huh…?” Zhuge Seung Kye raised his head and checked the rocks. His eyes were filled with suspicions.

“This is….” “Oh, brother. Do you know what it is?” Ju Seo Cheon rejoiced and asked.

“No, I can’t explain it in words but...mm, right. Let’s see. This place seems a bit weird.” Zhuge Seung Kye stepped out actively. That wasn’t like him. He touched a part of the boulder.

His eyes shone in an investigative light.

“Do what you want.”

Ju Seo Cheon sat on a random rock. It didn’t seem like he would stand up anytime soon looking at the way he had sat down.

‘Whew, he’s not the best genius regarding the Arts of Machinery. We wouldn’t have been able to find even the entrance if I hadn’t taken Seung Kye with us.’

He had wandered a bit but he was unable to find the location of the treasury successfully with just the help of his memories.

But when he arrived at this place, he noticed that there was something different from his memories. It was the existence of an entrance.

In his past life, the entrance had already been opened because it was discovered beforehand but there was nothing today.

He was honestly so flustered that no words came out from his mouth.

Click.

“Uh, this is it.” Something made a sound while he was in the middle of touching the rocks.

Kugugugung!

After that, a loud sound was heard and the ground shook. At first, they got the impression that the sky was collapsing.

“Wh, what is it!” The warriors were astonished. Even Wang il, who could be called a seasoned veteran, showed bewilderment.

“Ho, was that the case? So they made it like this. Impressive indeed.” The surroundings shook at the tremor.

Zhuge Seung Kye lost his balance and fell on the ground but it didn’t seem like he was scared.

Contrary to that, he checked his surroundings with curious eyes and mumbled.

He was usually a scaredy cat but showed this personality on things related to the Arts of Machinery.

‘Finally!’

How long had he waited for this moment!

After he returned in time, he thought about the treasury and set up a plan. He prepared several times, thought and modified his plans.

And that hard work finally paid off.

He understood how explorers felt after he became the first discoverer that would be recorded down in history for this important event.

“I’m sorry.”

Originally, there was another owner for this view.

And Ju Seo Cheon apologized to that unknown person.

“Umm.”

Wang il exclaimed.

After about ten minutes passed, and the stairs that connected underground appeared in front of the group.

“Just what…”

Wang il mumbled.

“We arrived at our destination.” Ju Seo Cheon lifted Zhuge Seung Kye, who was still on the floor and mumbling,

“A, a tomb with a mechanism like this installed...just who is asleep in here?” “Treasures.”

Ju Seo Cheon’s eyes curved like a crescent moon.

Fwoosh.

Torches lit up. What appeared before them when they descended the stairs was a room that could accommodate a hundred people.

There was a writing with three eyes written on the floor.

“Don’t tell me…” Wang il saw the writing and thought of something. No, it wasn’t only him. All the other warriors thought the same thing.

“This is a writing of the Three Eyed Immoral God!” Zhuge Seung Kye was the first one who yelled in a surprised voice.

The Three Eyed Immoral God was such an outstanding legendary thief that there was no one that didn’t know about him. It was the same for five or six year old kids.

“No, that is impossible.” There was a guess in his head but it was too unreliable so he shook his head immediately and denied it.

“Hey, captain.”

It was a thick voice that didn’t belong to a man, but to a woman.

She was the only female among the ten warriors.

However, her physique was bigger than the average men and her well trained and swelled muscles boasted of a perfect beauty.

There was a long vertical scar on her mouth and her eyes were quite sharp.

You couldn’t say that she was the pretty type, and in the first place she was a middle aged woman that couldn’t be seen as a love partner.

“What’s wrong Cho Ryeon?” Ju Seo Cheon replied while checking his surroundings thoroughly.

“Speak honestly. Whose tomb is this?” Cho Ryeon’s face was really stiff.

“According to my information, this isn’t a tomb but a treasury.” At least, the corpse of the Three Eyed Immoral God wasn’t discovered in his past life.

“So, whose?”

Cho Ryeon asked as if it was frustrating.

“The Three Eyed Immoral God”

Ju Seo Cheon answered without hesitating at all.

“Impossible!”

Zhuge Seung Kye jumped up.

“Th, this place is the treasury of that legendary thief? That was only a baseless rumor!”

No one knew what happened after the The Three Eyed Immoral God died. That’s why people spoke more about the treasures he left behind.

There was no way the treasures stolen by a thief that represented almost an entire era, disappeared. They thought that those treasures would certainly be hidden somewhere.

And there was also an investigation by the government.

But in the end, only the rumors became denser and the treasures didn’t get discovered.

The government, Murim and even tomb raiders stepped forward but they couldn’t find a single clue.

That was how the treasury was forgotten over time.

“We will know that when we enter.” Ju Seo Cheon said while still looking in front.

There were a total of eight passages spreading like roots from the center of the room. They all looked identical to each other so you couldn’t differentiate them. On top of that, the passages were pitch black so you couldn’t see what was in it.

“Someone wants to return?”

Ju Seo Cheon turned back and asked the opinion of the group but no one answered.

They all came here due to their own private circumstances.

“I don’t know if it’s real but… I don’t think we will be able to turn around after we advance, what should we do?” Cho Ryeon asked Wang il.

It meant that she was that uneasy.

“What do you mean...we have to follow Captain even if it means our death.” “I will work hard so that you don’t die but I promise you that I will take responsibility for your families even if that does happen.”

Ju Seo Cheon added some words right after Wang il. “Whew.”

Someone sighed in relief at those words.

It seemed like they couldn’t do anything about it.

“Just give the order, Captain.” “I will take the lead, and you protect Seung from all sides. However, don’t block his view. Even if he looks like this, he is the most important one among us.” Seung was the fake name Zhuge Seung Kye would be using temporarily.

“How so?” “This treasury itself has so many mechanisms it could be seen as a single mechanism. The only one that can recognize it and disarm it is the person standing there.” “This kid?”

Cho Ryeon looked down at Zhuge Seung Kye with a suspicious look.

“Ahem.” Zhuge Seung Kye spread his chest and acted pridefully.

He had a negative way of thinking about every circumstance but he showed quite the confident look about things related to the Arts of Machinery.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe me but you can do that if you want to see everyone in here die after leaving him behind.” “...Tch.” Cho Ryeon clicked her tongue.

“In addition, I said that I would be taking the lead but we will prioritize Seung’s words rather than mine. You should follow what he says even if our opinions differ. At least, he’s more of an expert than the people gathered here.”

“I don’t feel that relieved when thinking that all of our lives rely on a kid that isn’t even ten yet.” Wang il sighed.

The group made the final inspection before entering the passageways.

“Which path should we take?” Ju Seo Cheon asked Zhuge Seung Kye.

“Um, it doesn’t seem that different?” Zhuge Seung Kye scratched his head.

“Right, then...let’s go over there.” He walked towards the third passageway from the left.

“Ah, wait.” Zhuge Seung Kye stopped Ju Seo Cheon.

When Ju Seo Cheon asked what was wrong, Zhuge Seung Kye picked a pebble that was on the floor and threw it towards the entrance.

Chechechecheng!

The moment the pebble passed the entrance, spears fell down from the ceiling and stabbed the ground.

“...You said that there was no difference?” Ju Seo Cheon asked in a dumbfounded way. “Right. All of them have that installed.” Zhuge Seung Kye blinked as if asking what was the problem.

“I’m going crazy.” Wang il gulped saliva. His complexion was plae.

“After that...there’s nothing else, right?” “Yes.” “Haa. We should take care of those spears first.”

The group pulled out the spears blocking the entrance. There were about a hundred spears.

They were able to enter the passageway after that.

“How did Young Master Seung notice that? If possible, can you teach me how you did it?” Wang il asked Zhuge Seung Kye politely.

“It’s pointless to ask him.” Ju Seo Cheon smirked and laughed out loud.

“Ah, I made a mistake.” Wang il thought that the Arts of Machinery was a kind of martial arts for Zhuge Seung Kye.

He quickly apologized as he thought that he was asking something like the secrets of a martial art.

“No, that’s not what I meant.” Ju Seo Cheon shook his head lightly.

“Hey Seung, can you teach us how you did it?” Ju Seo Cheon stopped for a moment and looked at Zhuge Seung Kye.

“Why can’t you see something this easy to notice?” Zhuge Seung Kye tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand.

“Um...it’s hard to explain, you can just see it right. Like saying that there will be a trap installed over there.” The warriors and Wang il included fell in silence.

“What a kid. He’s full of himself.” Cho Ryeon mumbled.

“I agree.”

Ju Seo Cheon also agreed.

There was a time that he had asked some simple things to Zhuge Seung Kye to learn about them.

But Zhuge Seung Kye always tilted his head and spoke strange words like now.

Borrowing Zhuge Seung Kye’s words, you just had to touch the part that seemed awkward to disarm it.

He was really a genius, and the type he hated the most.

“But he’s that reliable.”

There were dozens of types of traps installed in the passageway.

Not even an hour had passed, but the number of traps that got activated or that they disarmed was so much they had to give up on counting it.

They would have died already if it wasn’t for him.

The group members that were half in doubt at Ju Seo Cheon’s words realized the importance of Zhuge Seung Kye and got serious on guarding him.

And after another hour passed.

The passageway started to widen and dolls appeared. But there weren't one or two of them.

The group raised their torches to check what it was and said something strance.

“Wooden dolls?”

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[epean-blogs]

My Top 5 Recommended Visually Spectacular K-drama Fantasy

~  E.M.Y.

Nowadays, many people like Korean drama, which is one of the most addicting televised dramas in Korean language for entertainment.  I am one of those people who love k-drama. We all know that there are lots of genres under k-drama. Some examples are horror, romance, comedy, fantasy, crime, historical and etc. But today, we are going to focus on the fantasy genre k-drama and its visuality as said on the title header above. So if you like fantasy k-drama then keep reading…

#1 Hotel del luna

Plot:

This drama is about Jang Man Wol, who is the CEO of Hotel del Luna. The hotel is situated in downtown in Seoul and has a very old appearance. She made a big error many years ago and, because of this, she has been stuck at Hotel del Luna. She is beautiful, but she is fickle, suspicious and greedy. Goo Chan-Sung worked as the youngest assistant manager ever at a multinational hotel corporation. He is a sincere perfectionist. He looks level-headed, but he actually has a soft disposition. Due to an unexpected case, he begins to work as a manager at Hotel del Luna. The hotel's clientele consists of ghosts.

- mydramalist

Cast:

  -  IU as Jang Man Wol    - Yeo Jin as Goo Chan Sung

Country: South Korea

Episodes: 16 (ongoing)

Aired: Jul 13, 2019 - Sep 1, 2019

Aired On: Saturday, Sunday

Network: tvN

Duration: 1 hr. 10 min.

 My Notes:

 - If you like ghost, then this k-drama suits you.  - What I really like in this drama? I like the visual effects (CGI) on its every episodes because it gives impact to the story and gives more emotions. - According on what I’ve searched, this drama (Hotel del Luna) had the most fantastic CGI effects. And if you want to know more about that visit this link. --->>>> https://www.soompi.com/article/1346591wpp/10-memorably-fantastical-cgi-moments-from-hotel-del-luna

# 2 Goblin

Plot:

In ancient times, Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) is an unbeatable general in wars, but the young King (Kim Min-Jae) is jealous of Kim Shin and kills him. Kim Shin becomes Dokkaebi (Goblin), possessing an immortal life. At first he thinks that he is blessed, but he realizes that he is cursed.

Closer to the present day, Kim Shin has waited 900 years for a human bride to end his immortal life. One night, he saves a dying pregnant woman (Park Hee-Von) who is destined to die. Meanwhile, the Grim Reaper (Lee Dong-Wook) is unable to find the dead pregnant woman. The woman gives birth to a baby girl named Ji Eun-Tak (later played by Kim Go-Eun). 9 years later, Ji Eun-Tak lives with her mother and is able to see ghosts. One night, her mother suddenly dies. On that night, she meets the Grim Reaper.

In the present day, Ji Eun-Tak is a high school student. She still sees ghosts and hears their whisper of “Dokkaebi’s bride.” She now lives with her aunt’s family, but she is mistreated by them. On her birthday, Ji Eun-Tak sits by the sea with a lighted birthday cake. At that time, Kim Shin suddenly appears in front of her. Kim Shin does not know why, but he can hear her voice and appears in front of her against his will. Coincidentally, Kim Shin lives with the Grim Reaper at the same house.

Now, Kim Shin appears in front of her against his will, whenever she turns off the lights. One day, Ji Eun-Tak tells him that he is Dokkaebi and she is his bride.

- AsianWiki

Characters:

-Gong Yoo as Kim Shin               - Lee Dong-Wook as Grim Reaper    

- Yook Sung-Jae as Yoo Duk-Hwa

- Kim Go-Eun as  Ji Eun-Tak     - Yoo In-Na as Sunny

 Episodes: 16 (finished)

Release Date: December 2, 2016 - January 21, 2017

Genre: Fantasy / Romance

Language: Korean

Country: South Korea

 My Notes:

-       One of must watch k-drama, this will make you cry at the same time have a romantic feeling and excitement.

-       In terms of visuality, I’ve ranked Goblin second because it was really good. In terms of computer graphic effects, even the camera position and lightnings to evoke emotions to the audience were great.

Trivia:

One of the most remarkable scenes to me even to the audience in the Korean drama Goblin is the sword that was stubbed into Kim Shin(Gong Yoo)’s chest, but did you know how that it was made? According to what I have searched online, “the show’s crew said in Saturday’s episode.

To create the illusion of being impaled, Gong was required to wear a suit, crafted by the art team and pasted with pieces of the sword. Computer graphic effects were added later to shroud the sword in green smoke.” – Rumy Doo , https://www.thejakartapost.com 

 # 3 Legend of the Blue Sea

Plot:

Sometime during August, 1598, newly appointed governor Dam Ryung (Lee Min-Ho) stays for a night at an inn run by Mr. Yang (Sung Dong-Il). During that evening, Mr. Yang shows Dam Ryung a captured mermaid named Sim Chung (Gianna Jun). Later that night, Dam Ryung releases her into the ocean and, before she swims away, Sim Chung reaches out her hand to Dam Ryung which he briefly holds.

In the present day, Joon-Jae (Lee Min-Ho) is a smooth talking conman with magician like abilities. He works with Nam-Doo (Lee Hee-Joon) and Tae-O (Shin Won-Ho). For their next score, Joon-Jae impersonates a prosecutor and swindles a large amount of money from a wealthy suspect's mother. Joon-Jae then travels abroad and stays at an oceanside resort. Meanwhile, Sim Chung is swept up in a tidal wave and washed ashore near the oceanside resort. She sees Joon-Jae.

- AsianWiki

Cast:

-       Jun Ji Hyun as Sim Chung/Se Hwa    - Lee Minho as Heo Joon Jae/Dam Ryung

-       Lee Hee Joon as Joo Nam Doo        - Shin Won Ho as Tae Oh

-       Shin Hye Sun as Cha Si A               -Sung Dong II as Ma Dae Young

Network: SBS

Episodes: 20 (finished)

Release Date: November 16, 2016 - January 25, 2017

Country: South Korea

Language: Korean

 My Notes:

-       If you love mermaids like me then this drama will be the best to watch.

-        I admire Jun Ji Hyun when she acted as Se Hwa and her eyes were full of emotions and when it came to Sim Chung I liked it to because she made me laugh when she had no clue about the outside world since she was a mermaid.

-       It was true that this drama has a top-caliber production elements, because when you watch some of the behind the scenes of legend of the blue sea in YouTube you can see there that it’s not easy for the whole team in order to produce this Korean drama.

-       One of behind the scenes of legend of the blue sea link on how does there visual effect work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB5sIHPDAZE

# 4 The Bride of Habaek

Plot:

When the narcissistic Water God Ha Baek (Nam Joo Hyuk) visits earth in order to find a magical stone powerful enough to help him claim his throne, he seeks out the help of his servant and destined bride, psychiatrist So Ah (Shin Se Kyung), whose family is fated to serve the water god for generations. The problem is that she has no belief in the gods and initially mistakes him for a total lunatic suffering from delusions. Things get even harder for Ha Baek, when the Wind God Bi Ryum (Gong Myung), the Water Goddess Moo Ra (Krystal Jung), and a hotel CEO/Demi-God Hu Ye (Im Joo Hwan) show up to complicate things and stop him from reaching his goal.

-DramaWiki

 Cast:

-       Nam Joo-Hyuk as Ha Baek (Water God)      - Shin Se-Kyung as Yoon So-A

-       Lim Ju-Hwan as Hoo Ye                             -Krystal  as   Moo Ra

-       Gong Myung as Bi Ryum

                                   Also known as: Bride of the Water God 2017

Genre: Fantasy, romance

Episodes: 16 (completed)

Broadcast Network: tvN

Broadcast Period: 2017-Jul-03 to 2017-Aug-22

 My Notes:

-       If you are a fan of Nam Joo Hyuk then you should watch this.

-       In terms of visuality I really like the CGI effects in this drama the fact on how they make effects on the water thing it was so awesome and it seems realistic for me, I love it.

-       If you watch this k-drama there are so many stunning visual scenery one of them is the Realm of the Gods in water country…. This scene was so remarkable and so lovely.

# 5 Mama Fairy and Woodcutter

 Plot:

In the Goryeo period, Sun Ok-Nam was a fairy. She came down to this world and took a bath at a waterfall on Gyeryong Mountain. While she took the bath, a woodcutter took her fairy clothes and hid them. Because of this, Sun Ok-Nam could not go back to Heaven. She then married the woodcutter and they had two children together, but her husband died from falling off of a cliff. Sun Ok-Nam tried to find her fairy clothes, but she still could not locate it. Needing her fairy clothes, she decides to wait for husband to be reincarnated. Now in the present day, she makes coffee at a cafe on Gyeryong Mountain and waits for her reincarnated husband. Finally, after 699 years, she gets a feeling that one of the two men visiting her cafe from Seoul is her reincarnated husband. Sun Ok-Nam is not sure which one of the two men is her husband. She decides to follow them to Seoul to find out.

- AsianWiki

 Cast:

-   Moon Chae-Won as Sun Ok-Nam                  -Ko Du-Shim as Sun Ok-Nam    

-    Yoon Hyun-Min as Jung Yi-Hyun                 - Seo Ji-Hoon as Kim Geum              

-  Jeon Soo-Jin as Lee Ham-Sook                      - Kang Mi-Na as Jeom-Soon

 Other title/name: Tale of Gyeryong Fairy

Network: tvN

Episodes: 16 (completed)

Release Date: November 5 - December 25, 2018

Country: South Korea

Language: Korean

 My Notes:

-  This story is really nice to watch because it is full of mystery and plot twist about the fairy and his reincarnated husband. But she is not sure which one of the two men is her husband. So she decided to follow them to Seoul to find out.

-  It was also fun to watch because there were a lot of CGI effects used in this drama, and I think it was nice in some part but there are some parts also of the drama that are not really good for me, but all in all I like how the drama was created.

- Oh! What am I curious about in this drama is why do they decide to put ______hahaha !! guess what??? like that inside the egg.??? If you want to know what was it, and know more about this drama just watch this k-drama. 

-  If you want to know more about the memorable CGI moments in k-drama visit this link https://www.dramacool.info/8-bizarre-cgi-moments-mama-fairy-woodcutter.html

So that was all My Top 5 Recommended Visually Spectacular K-drama Fantasy, hope that this will help you to find new k-drama for you to watch on. Especially when you are new in watching Korean dramas I will highly recommend the top 3 on my list and by that see you on my next post.

Sources:

https://www.soompi.com/article/1346591wpp/10-memorably-fantastical-cgi-moments-from-hotel-del-luna

https://mydramalist.com/32925-hotel-del-luna

http://asianwiki.com/Goblin_(Korean_Drama)

http://asianwiki.com/The_Legend_of_the_Blue_Sea

http://asianwiki.com/Mama_Fairy_and_the_Woodcutter

https://wiki.d-addicts.com/Bride_of_the_Water_God

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB5sIHPDAZE

https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2017/02/06/special-episodes-reveal-goblin-behind-the-scenes.html

https://www.dramacool.info/8-bizarre-cgi-moments-mama-fairy-woodcutter.html

[a-tired-student-blog]

Analytical Reflection

    For this reflection I am going to talk about each part as it’s own paragraph. There are six parts in all, each part containing 4 links. These links dive into the topics at hand and explain them in a different way. Our six parts that we will talk about are Ideas, Bodies, Performances, Intersections, Inequalities, and sexualities.

    First we will talk about gender ideas. In our book this section talked all about the strict binary that children grow up with. The gender binary is very 1 and 0, like a computer binary. But gender is much more than just 1s and 0s, its 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 and all its combinations. Gender is not a hot or cold, up or down thing, it’s much more than that, and always has been. One of my links on my scrapbook are two youtube videos that talk about the native american “two-spirits”. Two-Spirits have been part of native american culture forever. According to the videos two-spirit is an umbrella term for queer people. They normally are trans people, who contain both male and female spirits. These people are held at a very high place in their tribes. My next link is two twitter posts that talk about the idea of white men being the most talented in any industry and how horrible that is. My third link talks about how dogs are considered masculine and cats are considered feminine, and how weird and messed up that is. My final link is a Teen Vogue article about how gender is viewed in other places of the world. It talks of two spirit people, hijras, Il Femminiello, and Elagabalus. All these links talk about how it is wrong to think of gender as a binary when it is so much more than that, and has always been so much more than that.

    The next section is Bodies. This section talks about the biological difference between males and females, both in humans and other species. These differences have nothing to do with liking blue or pink, but all about what may be in their pants, and naturally in their brain. My first link for this section is a comic about how a man tends to get misgendered as female when people approach him from behind due to his shortness and body type, but when seen from the front he is very obviously male. This shows how people immediately guess gender based on the way someone is built, in this example short and hips= female. My next link is a video of a professor explaining sexual dimorphism and the differences between high and low dimorphism. He explains it in a very easy to understand way. My third link is an article about a trans man who got pregnant. This shows that just because you are physically look and identify as one gender (in this case male) does not mean you cannot still do the things your biological gender may have done. These links are about how the human body is a huge part of gender, but is not viewed the same everywhere and in all aspects of life.

    Next we will talk about gender performances. This section talks about how people act in society based on their gender identity. Do they have long hair because they identify as female, or may =be short hair because they are male? It also talks about how gender performances change throughout the years. My first link is a tumblr post that goes into the idea of the friendzone. In the post they talk about why it exist, which in short, is due to boys being taught they can’t be close to their male friends, and can only be very close and open up to their female friends. My next link is a documentary from the 60s. It has 4 drag queens/ trans women come and talk about their experiences with living as a trans women and how they live their lives. This is a great example for performances because it shows how these women must perform in both the drag world but also their “normal world” where they live as male. My third link is a video that pokes fun at straight cis people. LGBT+ people get pride days and parades, and some straight people think they deserve that as well, and this video very sarcastically talks about that.

    Next we have intersections to talk about. The idea of intersectionality is the idea of how gender is also combined with things such as jobs, race, sexualit, and other things that may effect how one’s gender may be viewed. My first artifact for this section is a tumblr post that says different professions a woman may do and how people should not treat them any differently if they are, lets say a nun or a porn star. Both women would deserve the same amount of respect no matter what. My next post is also a tumblr post. It is similar as the one before in saying that you need to respect all women the same. My third post talks about how feminism need to be more inclusive of disabled women and give them the same recognition as all other abled women. My final link is an article that goes into more depth of intersectionality in feminism. All these links are very rooted in feminism and allowing ALL women to be a part of it and to help fight for the rights of all women no matter who they are, what they do, or how much they may be able to do.

    The next section is a heavy one, it is inequalities. And not just for women, men have inequalities too. No matter your gender, there will be inequalities you will have to face. While it tends to be stronger focused on women,the equality movement will help men in the end as well. My first post on this topic is a tumblr post comparing statistics about men and women problems and showing inequalities. The original poster went at it the wrong way, but other users came along and made a good message from his post. I then have a music video that shows the “girls need to like pink and makeup, and boys need to like sports and blue” stereotype and shows how people can be treated if they don’t fit that stereotype. I then posted two short films, “Barbie Boy”, a short film about a young boy who likes to play with barbies, but his father makes him hide it; the “Boys will be Boys” a short film about a young girl ho was molested by her friends boyfriend multiple times, and when she went to authorities on the matter, she was told “boys will be boys”.

    In the final section, sexualities, we talked about how sex is viewed differently between the genders. We also talk about how women are sexualized in ads, and about the orgasim gap. My first link is a Ted Talk where Peggy Orenstein talks about how the way girls are taught to view sex ruins it for them. It makes them uncomfortable about it, and does not allow them to talk about it. It makes it so they do not achieve pleasure from sex. My next link is a ted talk that explains the dangers of over sexualization of women in ads. There are also some crazy examples to go along with the talk. My third link talks about how men and women naturally differ in the ways they experience sex. These links, while all very different, go into details about how sex is experienced by different genders, and how seeing over sexualized people in media can cause harm.

    In this class I definitely have learned more on how the world views gender. I have learned how much we still have to fight for equality, and how bad things still are, even if not noticeable on the surface.