#niragi suguru

[ankababy]

A Home (part 19)

Part 1 Part 18

Chishiya x reader x Niragi

Aaaand everyone is immediately on you, we expected that.

(AN: Forgive me if I get any character/object/thing names wrong, watched the show in my language!! Also please give me thoughts and opinions on my Kuina characterization because I don’t think I got her right. Of course, everyone has a different opinion about her in mind but I’ll try to put something together from the opinion y’all have. I tried.)

The longer the wait, the sweeter the kiss—isn’t that what they say?

Niragi would’ve laughed at that if he could think straight. He never cared about sweet things. Sweetness never got him anywhere in life. It never fed him, never protected him, never stopped the fists from falling. Sweetness was a lie, a trap, a weakness.

But you… fuck.

You made him want to believe in things like sweetness. Things like softness. Things like… you.

The world tilted as you two kissed, narrowed, shrank to nothing but the heat of your mouth, the soft brush of your fingertips against his jaw, the quiet little breaths you let out against him. His hands slid around your waist, pulling you closer, needing you closer, until there was nothing between you but the frantic thrum of your heartbeats.

And he could’ve—no, should’ve—seen this as a chance to manipulate you. That’s what he used to be good at. Taking things, twisting them, bending people to his will. He knew how to spot a weak point, dig his fingers in, and rip someone apart.

But with you?

He didn’t want to break you. He didn’t want to twist you. He didn’t want to mold you into something easier to understand, easier to control.

He liked you just like this. Soft. Sweet. Unbelievably you.

His mind wasn’t on games or manipulation. It was all you.

You, with your stupid little bag full of oils and bandages. You, who had kissed him so softly it made his chest ache. You, who touched him like he wasn’t a monster. Like he was worth touching at all.

His heart raced, pounding so loud he swore you could hear it. His hands shook as they slid up your back, curling into your hair. His lips stung from kissing you so much, so hard, and he didn’t care. The boner between his legs throbbed, his body tight with want, but he shoved it down, buried it deep. He didn’t want to rush this. Didn’t want to ruin this.

He just wanted you.

His angel. His babydoll.

You made a soft sound against his lips, something sweet and breathless, and his whole body shuddered. Fuck. You were gonna kill him. You had no idea what you were doing to him—the way your fingers curled into his shirt, the way you pressed closer, soft and warm and perfect.

He wanted to devour you. To pull you into his lap, pin you beneath him, and never let you go. But instead, he kissed you softer. Slower. Savoring the taste of you, the feel of you, the quiet little sighs you made when his hands slid down your sides.

You pulled back just enough to breathe, your eyes fluttering open. You looked at him like he was something precious. Something worth saving.

Niragi felt like he was drowning.

You smiled softly, fingers brushing against his cheek, and he leaned into your touch like a man starved. He closed his eyes, breathing you in, his heart pounding so hard it hurt.

He was fucked. Completely, utterly fucked.

And for once… he didn’t care.

He could still feel your lips on his, even as you pulled back. It lingered—soft, sweet, something unreal. He wasn’t sure if he was breathing right anymore. Or maybe he wasn’t breathing at all. His mind was quiet for once, blank, save for the warmth of you pressed so close. It was almost unbearable.

You looked at him, eyes soft and sweet and heavy with something he couldn’t name. Your fingers danced along his jaw, so gentle he almost shivered, before sliding down to his arm. You traced lazy lines up and down his sleeve, the warmth of your touch seeping through the fabric and settling into his skin. Fuck. It felt like you were trying to soothe him. As if he were worth soothing.

He hated it. He needed more of it.

“You should sleep.” you whispered softly. Your voice was a quiet thing, like a secret meant only for him. “You’ve been awake for too long.”

Niragi scoffed, looking away. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not.” Your thumb brushed over the curve of his wrist, circling there, slow and steady. “I can feel it. You’re shaking.”

He tensed. “No, I’m not.”

“You are.” Your hand slid further up his arm, gliding over muscle and bone, soft and warm and fucking unbearable. “You’re tired.”

Niragi clenched his jaw, refusing to look at you. Tired. Yeah, no shit. His body had gotten used to running on fumes a long time ago. He didn’t need sleep. He didn’t need anyone. He was fine.

But then your other hand slid over his, fingers curling around his palm, holding him. Like you cared. Like he mattered.

“Niragi.” you whispered, soft and pleading. “Just close your eyes. Just for a little while.”

He squeezed his eyes shut, hating the way your voice made his chest ache. He wanted to snap at you, to tell you to fuck off and stop caring so much. But he couldn’t. Not with your hands on him. Not with you looking at him like that.

“Why do you care?” His voice came out rough, barely more than a whisper. “Why the fuck do you care what happens to me?”

You tilted your head, frowning softly. “Because I do.”

“Why?” His voice cracked. “I’m not—I’m not good.”

“I don’t care.” You squeezed his hand, gentle and warm. “You’re tired. You deserve to rest.”

Niragi let out a shaky breath, his head falling forward until his forehead rested against your shoulder. “You’re fucking insane.”

“Maybe.” You laughed softly, the sound vibrating through him, warm and sweet. “But I still want you to sleep.”

He stayed like that for a long moment, eyes closed, breathing you in. Your fingers kept moving up and down his arm, slow and steady, like you were trying to lull him into sleep.

And maybe, just maybe… he’d let you.

~

Chishiya found you two at dawn. The sky was just starting to bleed pink and gold, the streets still quiet and empty. He kept his steps light, silent, watching his breath curl in the chilly morning air as he rounded the corner back to where he’d left you. He didn’t expect much. Maybe you still sitting there, eyes fluttering from how tired you were. Maybe Niragi pacing like the restless animal he was.

But instead, it was you, curled up next to Niragi, head resting softly on his shoulder, fingers still laced with his. Niragi was slumped against the wall, body loose, mouth slightly parted as he slept. His head tilted towards yours, just barely, his face soft in a way Chishiya hadn’t seen before.

Pathetic.

Chishiya’s eyes narrowed as he took it in. Niragi—that violent, pathetic little boy—asleep. On you. Using you like some kind of comfort. As if he deserved that. As if he had earned that.

Chishiya crept closer, steps silent, and crouched a few feet away. His pretty eyes scanned Niragi, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest, the twitch of his fingers against yours. His gun sat at his hip, forgotten. His guard was completely down. Foolish. Pathetic.

Chishiya could kill him right now. He could slide his knife—the one he got from you—into Niragi’s throat before the bastard even knew what hit him. It would be easy. So easy.

But he didn’t.

His gaze shifted to you. Your face was soft, peaceful, your breath slow and even. The dawn light painted your skin gold, made you look almost unreal. Like some fragile little thing, too sweet for this place. Too soft.

Too good for Niragi.

Chishiya’s fingers curled into a fist. He should’ve been the one you leaned on. Not Niragi. Never Niragi. Chishiya clenched his jaw, watching the way your fingers curled softly around Niragi’s. It made something dark twist in his chest.

Pathetic.

But not just Niragi.

Chishiya exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. Somewhere along the way, you slipped under his skin, dug into his bones, and now he was stuck with you there. Clawing at him. Driving him fucking insane.

And Niragi? He was too blind to see what he had. Too dumb to realize that if he wasn’t careful, Chishiya would take it all away.

But not yet.

Chishiya stood slowly, watching the two of you for another long moment. Then he turned and walked a few steps away, leaning against the wall. He folded his arms over his chest and closed his eyes. He could wait.

After all, patience was one of his many talents.

~

You woke up slowly, the world soft and quiet around you. The first thing you felt was warmth—the kind of warmth that made you want to drift back into sleep. The pavement beneath you was cold, but the body beside you wasn’t. Niragi.

The memories came. His hand in yours. The lavender oil on his wrist. His voice, low and rough, spilling out every dark, twisted thing he’d ever done. The kiss.

Your cheeks warmed at the memory. His lips, surprisingly soft against yours. The weight of him next to you. The way his fingers had curled into your body, like he was holding on for dear life. God. What had you done?

You blinked slowly, eyes adjusting to the pale morning light. When you finally focused, the first thing you saw was Chishiya.

He stood a few feet away, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, eyes already on you. He looked almost bored, but there was something else there. Something quieter. He tilted his head slightly, and his voice broke the silence.

“How’s your knee?”

You blinked again, pushing yourself up slightly. Your knee twinged in protest, but it wasn’t bad. The dried blood made the skin tight, and the ache was dull, more annoying than painful. You glanced down at it, then back up at him.

“It’s fine.” you said softly, your voice raspy with sleep. “Thanks for asking.”

Chishiya hummed, his gaze flicking down to your knee, then back to your face. “You sleep well?”

You stretched a little, feeling your muscles protest. “I think so.” You glanced to your side, where Niragi was still slumped against the wall, his head tilted back. He looked almost peaceful, his face soft in sleep. “I guess I needed it.”

Chishiya scoffed quietly. “You’re not the only one.”

You turned back to him, watching the way his eyes lingered on Niragi. There was a sharpness to his gaze. You opened your mouth to say something, but before you could, Niragi shifted beside you. His breath hitched slightly, and then his eyes fluttered open. For a moment, he just blinked, squinting against the light. Then his gaze landed on you.

“The fuck you two talking about?” Niragi’s voice was rough, low with sleep. He shifted, sitting up straighter and rubbing at his eyes. His fingers twitched towards his gun out of habit, but he didn’t grab it.

You smiled softly. “Morning.”

Niragi grunted, running a hand through his hair. “Whatever.” He glanced at Chishiya, his eyes narrowing. “You watching us sleep, asshole? Kink of yours?”

Chishiya raised an eyebrow, completely unbothered. “Just making sure you didn’t drool on her.”

Niragi scowled, opening his mouth to snap something back, but you reached out and touched his arm gently. His gaze snapped to you instantly.

“Hey.” you said softly, squeezing his arm. “It’s okay.”

Niragi stared at you for a long moment. Then he scoffed, looking away. “Tch. Whatever.”

But he didn’t pull away.

Chishiya watched you rub the sleep from your eyes, soft and slow, your little fingers curling against your face. He almost didn’t hear Niragi’s growl of irritation because he was too focused on you—the way you blinked in the morning light, the way you sat there, so soft, so sweet.

“We’re almost there.” Chishiya said.

Your head snapped toward him, eyes wide and bright. “What?”

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “The Beach. Should only be about one and half an hour away. If we keep moving.”

For a second, you just sat there, processing. Then, the most beautiful, heart-stopping grin spread across your face, and you lit up. Bright and brilliant, like the sun rising. “Really?”

Chishiya only nodded, but you gasped like he’d just handed you the moon. You scrambled to your feet, ignoring the pain in your knee, and before either of them could react, you grabbed his sleeve.

“Let’s go!” You tugged on him, so soft, so sweet, and for once, Chishiya’s body moved before his brain could. He let you pull him along, his sleeve bunched up in your fingers, your excitement bubbling over as you babbled about how you couldn’t believe you were so close, how you couldn’t wait to finally get there, how you hoped the people weren’t too bad—

And Niragi was still on the ground.

Just sitting there.

The spot where your warmth had been was cold now. The memory of your body curled up next to his, of your lips on his, was all he had left. And you’d just… left him. Like he was nothing. Like last night didn’t mean a goddamn thing.

His jaw clenched so hard it hurt. What the fuck was that about? One second, you were kissing him like he was the only thing that mattered. Like you saw something in him worth holding onto. And now you were up and dragging that smug little bastard along like Niragi didn’t even exist.

His hands curled into fists, nails biting into his palms. He could still feel the ghost of your touch on his arm, soft and delicate. Like you cared.

But if you cared, why did you leave?

Niragi shot to his feet, ignoring the way his head spun from standing too fast. He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked after you, his eyes burning holes into the back of Chishiya’s head. That little fucker. Acting all cool and detached while you practically clung to him. Niragi wanted to rip him apart. Wanted to shove him into the pavement and make him remember whose side you slept on last night.

His mind was spinning, dark and violent and loud. He didn’t know what the fuck he felt anymore. All he knew was that he wanted you. Craved you. And the sight of you slipping through his fingers—after he’d finally had you, after you’d finally let him in—made him feel like he was going insane.

But you were just there, holding onto Chishiya. Smiling and chattering away, completely unaware of the war raging inside him.

Niragi grit his teeth, his footsteps heavy against the pavement. Fine. He’d follow. He’d always follow. But he wouldn’t forget this. Not for a second.

~

The three of you stood at the edge of it—the Beach. A hidden back entrance.(like the one where Chishiya was about to leave after collecting the cards but the game started) You couldn’t hear the music or the parties from here, only the wind curling through the trees and the sound of your own breath, a little faster than usual.

“Oh my god.” you whispered, gripping the strap of your bag. “We’re actually here.”

Niragi scoffed, lighting a cigarette. “No shit.”

You barely heard him, eyes wide as you took in the sight. After everything, after all that walking, after the games and the near-death experiences—this felt unreal. The Beach. You felt like you were about to meet some sort of mythical creature.

“Oh my god. Wait. Wait, wait, wait.” You turned to the boys, gripping Niragi’s arm before spinning to Chishiya, practically vibrating with nerves. “Do I look okay?”

Chishiya blinked at you. “What?”

“Do I look okay?!” You waved your hands over yourself, frantic. “I mean—this is, like, a thing, right? A community or whatever. I don’t want to look like I just dragged myself off the floor.” You looked down at yourself and winced. “Which, okay, I kinda did, but still.”

Chishiya just stared at you. Niragi blew out a long stream of smoke.

You ignored them both, running your hands through your hair, trying to fix it. “Ugh. I probably look awful. God, I haven’t even seen a mirror in days.” You turned to Niragi, tugging his sleeve. “Do I look awful?”

He pulled his arm away, glaring. “Why the fuck are you asking me?”

“Because you have eyes!” You whined, bouncing on your heels. “Oh my god, they’re totally gonna judge me. Should I button this up more?” You fiddled with the buttons on your dress. “Or—or less? Maybe I should show a little more collarbone. I feel like collarbones are very in right now. What do you guys think?”

Niragi looked about two seconds away from strangling you. Chishiya, on the other hand, just tilted his head, watching you quietly.

You huffed and turned to your bag, rifling through it. “Maybe I have something in here. Ugh, I should’ve grabbed more stuff from that beauty store. Fuck.”

Niragi groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Fucking kill me.”

“I’m serious!” You snapped, waving a hair tie in his face. “First impressions matter!”

Niragi swatted your hand away. “Who gives a shit?”

“I give a shit!” You stomped your foot. “I just—I don’t want them to think I’m… I don’t know. Weird.”

Niragi let out a dark laugh. “Too late for that.”

You glared at him. “You’re no help.” You turned to Chishiya, hopeful. “Chishiya?”

He blinked, the corners of his lips twitching slightly. “You look fine.”

You frowned. “Fine?”

“Perfect.” he corrected.

You paused, blinking. Heat crawled up your neck. “Oh.”

Niragi made a disgusted noise, flicking his cigarette away. “Can we go now?”

You chewed your lip, still fussing with your shirt. “Okay, okay. Just… wait.”

You ran your hands over your dress, trying to smooth out the wrinkles. It didn’t do much, but it made you feel a little better. Then you turned to the boys, taking a deep breath.

“Okay.” You nodded to yourself.

Niragi rolled his eyes. Chishiya shoved his hands in his pockets. And you followed them.

Music thumped through the air, heavy and relentless, the bass vibrating through the cracked tiles beneath your feet. Lights flickered across the pool, the water reflecting shades of neon pink and electric blue. Bodies twisted and swayed to the beat—half-naked, sunburnt, and wild-eyed, moving like the end of the world was just another reason to party.

And maybe it was.

You squeezed yourself closer to Niragi, fingers curling around the hem of his shirt. You’d been so excited just minutes ago, bouncing on your heels at the back. Now that you were inside, that excitement felt a little tighter in your chest. Like a rubber band stretched too thin.

Niragi jerked to a stop. His hand shot down, fingers curling around your wrist. You blinked, startled, but before you could ask what was wrong, he wrenched your hand off his shirt and held it in his own.

You stared at him. “Uh—”

“Don’t get lost.” he snapped, eyes darting around the crowd. His grip on your hand was a little too tight, rough fingers curling against your pulse. He looked like he was ready to tear someone’s throat out.

Chishiya glanced back at the two of you, before shoving his hands in his pockets and continuing ahead.

You blinked down at your joined hands, then back up at Niragi. His gaze was locked on the crowd, jaw tight. You bit your lip, trying not to smile. He didn’t let go.

The three of you moved through the mass of bodies, and you could feel the eyes on you. Not many—most were too drunk or high to notice much of anything—but some did. Whispers started, quiet but urgent. Heads turned.

“Is that…?”

“No fucking way.”

“Thought they were dead.”

You glanced at Niragi, squeezing his hand. His lip curled, eyes scanning the crowd.

The two of them were infamous, you realized. The kind of infamous that made people avert their gaze and pretend they hadn’t seen them. Well, Niragi definitely was. They seemed more focused on him than Chishiya.

And then there was you.

Soft. Small. Dressed in all pink.

You stuck out like a sore thumb. The little angel walking between two devils.

“Who the hell is that?”

“Dunno. Never seen her before.”

“Shit, you think she’s new?”

“She with them?”

You curled in a little closer to Niragi, the heat of the stares prickling at your skin. He didn’t let go of your hand. Chishiya walked ahead, seemingly unaffected.

A drunk girl stumbled into Niragi, laughing as she pressed against him. “Heyyy.”she slurred, eyes glazed. “You wanna dance?”

You felt her. Niragi was hot.

Niragi’s grip on your hand tightened, knuckles going white. He bared his teeth, shoving her off with a snarl. She hit the ground hard, staring up at him in shock as he stepped over her without a second glance.

You winced, glancing down at the girl. She scrambled to her feet, disappearing into the crowd.

“Niragi.” you whispered, tugging on his hand. “Was that necessary?”

He didn’t answer.

Chishiya led you through the crowd, weaving between bodies with the kind of ease that made him hard to track. You followed, holding tight to Niragi’s hand, the music pounding in your skull.

The halls of The Beach were more luxurious than you’d expected, though the air smelled faintly of chlorine and stale alcohol. The distant thud of music from the pool party barely reached you here, muffled behind thick walls and heavy doors. It felt… wrong. Too quiet. Too pristine.

You swung your arm with Niragi’s as you walked, fingers curled loosely around his. He didn’t pull away, but he sure as hell didn’t swing back. His arm was stiff at his side, shoulders tense, eyes darting around like he was expecting someone to jump out and slit his throat at any second.

“You’re so tense.” you said softly, leaning your head against his shoulder for a moment. “Relax. We made it.”

Niragi scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Yeah. Lucky us.”

You ignored the sarcasm, skipping a little as you swung your arms dramatically, trying to get him to loosen up. His hand twitched, fingers curling slightly around yours before he caught himself and ripped his arm out of yours. You pouted. He scowled. Chishiya sighed.

Now Niragi walked a little ahead of you, one hand shoved into his pocket, his rifle slung over his shoulder. Chishiya trailed behind, quiet as ever, eyes half-lidded, like he wasn’t paying attention. But you knew better. He noticed everything. He always did.

You reached the end of the hallway, where two guards stood on either side of a door. They tensed the moment they saw Niragi and Chishiya, eyes going wide. One of them took a step forward, mouth opening like he was about to say something—but Niragi just tilted his head, raising his brows.

The guard’s mouth snapped shut. He stepped aside without a word, and Niragi pushed the door open.

The room was big—bigger than you’d expected. A long conference table stretched across the center, surrounded by high-backed chairs. The walls were lined with massive windows.

Mhm. People.

Kuzuryu. Ann. Mira. Aguni. That weird bald guy I don’t know the name of. I just call him bald fuck. (But of course, you don’t know their names yet ;) ) And a handful of other people who looked just important enough to sit at the table but not important enough for you to remember later.

The conversation ground to a halt the moment you walked in. All eyes turned to the three of you.

You blinked, eyes wide, frozen for a moment under the weight of their stares. Then you smiled. Big and bright. You even waved, your fingers wiggling enthusiastically.

“Hi!”

A long silence stretched through the room. You swore you heard someone’s jaw crack as they clenched their teeth. Chishiya stuffed his hands into his pockets, his expression bored as he leaned against the wall. Niragi just stood there, silent, head tilted slightly to the side.

“Well, well.”

The voice broke the silence, smooth. Hatter.

He pushed back from the table, standing slowly, a grin spreading across his face as he looked the three of you over. He looked… pleased. Like you’d just walked in and handed him a winning lottery ticket. “And here I thought we’d lost you.”

Niragi sneered. “Wishful thinking.”

Hatter laughed, the sound loud and bright, cutting through the tension. “I always knew you were too stubborn to die.” His gaze slid to Chishiya, eyes narrowing slightly. “And you… I should’ve known you’d find your way back.”

Chishiya said nothing. Just tilted his head slightly.

Hatter’s eyes finally landed on you. His brows lifted, a slow smile curling across his lips. “And who might this be?”

You straightened, beaming. “I’m Y/N!”

His smile widened. “Y/N.” He said it like he was tasting the name, rolling it around on his tongue. “A pleasure.”

You bounced a little on the balls of your feet, still smiling. No one else spoke. The silence stretched again, heavier this time. Ann watched you, fingers tapping rhythmically against the table. Even that fuckass Aguni bothered to move his eyes at you.

No one else said a word. No one else smiled.

Except for Hatter.

“Well.” he finally said, clapping his hands together. “It seems we have much to discuss.”

You weren’t sure what that meant. But you smiled anyway.

His dark eyes lingered on you from behind his sunglasses, curious, intrigued. There was something about him that made you feel oddly… safe. Or maybe it was the way he treated Niragi and Chishiya. Like they were his boys. Like they mattered.

“Well, Y/N.” Hatter said, stepping closer, his voice smooth as silk. “It seems I’ve been terribly rude. Let me introduce everyone.”

He gestured to the others at the table. “That’s Kuzuryu.” The man inclined his head slightly, eyes… strict behind his glasses. “Ann.” She didn’t move, her gaze flicking over you briefly before returning to Niragi and Chishiya, like she was trying to piece together what the hell was going on. “Aguni.” The stone-faced man barely spared you a glance, arms crossed tightly over his chest. “Last Boss. And of course, Mira.”

Mira smiled, soft and sweet. It didn’t reach her eyes.

“And the rest…” Hatter waved a hand dismissively. “Well, they don’t matter.”

You giggled softly, biting your lip. He was charming, in a way that felt both natural and rehearsed. Like he knew exactly what he was doing. But you liked it.

“And you.” Hatter stepped closer, taking your hand in his. His touch was warm, gentle. He raised your hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against your knuckles. “Are a delight.”

You flushed, eyes wide. “Oh. Um. Thank you.”

Behind you, Niragi scoffed. Chishiya rolled his eyes.

“Now.” Hatter clapped his hands, the sound echoing through the room. “Why don’t we all take a seat?”

You hesitated, glancing at Niragi. He caught your eye and tilted his head towards the chair in front of him. His chair. You blinked up at him, confused.

“Sit.” His voice was low, a little rough.

You hesitated. “But—”

“Sit.”

So you did. The chair was big, almost swallowing you whole, the leather cool against your bare skin. Niragi stayed behind you, arms crossed over his chest, leaning against the back of the chair. His fingers brushed against your shoulder, almost absentmindedly.

Chishiya took the chair in front of you, leaning back lazily, arms draped over the armrests. He looked like he couldn’t care less.

Hatter settled into his own chair, folding his hands in front of him. “Now.” he said, eyes glinting. “Why don’t you boys tell me what happened?”

Neither of them spoke. The silence stretched, heavy and uncomfortable. You shifted in your seat, glancing between them.

You sighed softly. “I found them.”

Hatter raised his eyebrows. “Oh?”

You nodded. “After a game. They were… pretty beat up.” You glanced up at Niragi, but he wouldn’t look at you. “I took them in. Helped them heal.” You hesitated. “And… they stayed.”

Hatter’s gaze shifted between the two boys. “How sweet.”

Neither of them said a word. Niragi’s fingers tapped against the back of the chair, slow. Chishiya didn’t move.

Hatter leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands. “And what exactly happened in that game?”

Again, silence. You bit your lip, glancing at Niragi. He tensed, his jaw tightening.

Finally, Chishiya spoke. “Does it matter?”

Hatter chuckled. “No, I suppose not.” His eyes slid back to you. “But I must say… I’m impressed.”

You blinked. “What?”

He smiled. “It’s not every day someone manages to tame these two.”

You flushed. “I… I didn’t tame anyone.”

“Oh, I think you did.” Hatter’s gaze flicked to Niragi and Chishiya, his smile sharp. “And I must say… I approve.”

Niragi scoffed, Chishiya just sighed.

Hatter laughed softly. “Oh, don’t be shy. You’ve clearly grown close.” His eyes glittered with amusement. “Very close.”

You shifted, glancing at Niragi. He stared out the window. Chishiya’s expression was carefully blank, his gaze fixed on the table.

The air wasn’t tense—no, it was worse than that. It was thick. Sticky, like honey, slow and dragging. It wrapped around Niragi’s throat and made it hard to breathe. Or maybe that was just you.

You looked so fucking small in that chair. Proper. Polite. Hands folded neatly in your lap, ankles tucked under the seat. Every time you shifted, the soft rustle of your clothes filled the silence. You were all pink, somehow untouched by the filth around you.

The way you made him feel was actually insane.

“Y/N.”

Your head snapped up at the sound of Hatter’s voice, and the soft little “Hm?” you let out made something twist inside Niragi’s chest. He clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing.

Hatter smiled. That fucking smile. It stretched across his face like a serpent. “How do you find our little haven?”

You blinked, glancing around the room. “It’s… nice.” You hesitated. “I mean, the halls were pretty. The pool party looked fun.” You smiled softly, tilting your head. “I bet people feel safe here.”

Hatter chuckled, the sound low and smooth. “That’s the idea.” He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. “And you? Do you feel safe?”

Niragi tensed. His fingers dug into the back of your chair, white-knuckled. He wanted to shove Hatter’s teeth down his fucking throat. He wanted to grab you and drag you out of here, away from all these leering eyes.

But you just smiled, soft and sweet. “I feel safe with them.”

Hatter’s eyes flicked to Niragi and Chishiya. “Is that so?”

You nodded. “They’ve been really good to me.” You hesitated, glancing down at your hands. “I… don’t think I would’ve made it this far without them.”

Niragi scoffed, looking away. His chest ached. You were too soft. Too trusting. You didn’t know what the fuck you were saying.

But the worst part? He wanted to believe you.

Chishiya sat silently in front of you, his mind was somewhere else. Niragi could tell. He was too quiet. Too still. He didn’t like it.

“They’re lucky.” Hatter said softly, his gaze lingering on you. “To have someone like you.”

You flushed. “Thank you.”

Niragi rolled his eyes. This was fucking unbearable.

“Sweet little thing.” Mira murmured, her voice soft and lilting. She tilted her head, studying you like a butterfly pinned to a board. “I can see why they kept you.”

Your eyes widened. “Kept me?”

Mira just smiled.

Niragi clenched his fists. He wanted to tear the smugness off her face.

Ann, quiet until now, leaned forward, her gaze settling on you. “How long have you been with them?”

You blinked. “Um. A month, I think?” You glanced at Niragi, then Chishiya. “I’m not sure. Time feels weird here.”

Hatter chuckled. “Well, isn’t this fascinating.” He leaned back, folding his hands behind his head. “Two of my most dangerous boys… and a little angel.”

You bit your lip, glancing down. “I’m not an angel.”

“Oh, but you are.” Hatter’s gaze slid over to Niragi, then Chishiya. “And I’d say they know it, too.”

Niragi’s jaw clenched. He could still taste you. Soft lips and warm breath. It had been a mistake. He shouldn’t have kissed you. Shouldn’t have let you in. But fuck, he’d wanted it. Still wanted it.

You shifted in the chair, the soft rustle of fabric cutting through the silence. Niragi’s eyes flicked down. Your knees pressed together, your hands fidgeting in your lap. So small. So sweet.

Chishiya hadn’t said a word. Niragi glanced at him, eyes narrowing. The bastard looked bored. But Niragi knew better. He could see the tightness in his jaw, the slight twitch in his fingers. He was thinking. About what, Niragi didn’t know. Didn’t care.

Because you were here. In this room. With him. After everything he’d told you last night, after everything he’d done, you were still here.

You turned back to Hatter, smiling softly. “I just… I want to help.”

Hatter raised his eyebrows. “Help?”

You nodded. “I mean… if I can. I don’t know how things work here, but… I’m good at taking care of people.” You glanced at Niragi, then Chishiya. “They can vouch for that.”

Chishiya snorted softly. Niragi shot him a glare.

Hatter chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, darling. I think you’ll fit in just fine.”

You smiled, bright and beautiful. Niragi hated it. Because he wanted it. And he knew—deep down, where all the dark, fucked-up parts of him lived—that he would do anything to keep it.

Hatter leaned back in his chair. That slow, satisfied smirk tugged at his lips, sunglasses gleaming in the light. The weight of the room settled heavy over your shoulders, but you kept your soft little smile, hands clasped neatly in your lap, just the way they liked it.

“Well.” Hatter drawled, dragging the word out like smoke curling from a cigarette. “I’d say that settles it.” He raised a hand, two fingers flicking lazily in the air. “Give the girl a bracelet.”

One of the hot ass bodyguards moved forward. He pulled one of those bracelets from his pocket, the silver number glinting under the lights. As he reached for your wrist, his gaze softened, just a little. His fingers brushed against your skin as he slipped the bracelet on, and when you looked up at him with that sweet, bright smile, he actually smiled back.

Chishiya noticed.

Of course he did. Chishiya noticed everything. The slight tilt of the guy’s head, the flicker of warmth in his eyes. He liked you. And why wouldn’t he? You were a dream. Something soft in a world that had gone hard. Chishiya watched the way you thanked him—the little tilt of your head, the flutter of your lashes. So polite. So sweet.

He felt sick.

The bracelet fit snugly around your wrist, the silver number catching the light. You turned your hand this way and that, watching it sparkle. “Thank you.” you whispered, soft and sweet, and the bodyguard gave you a little nod before stepping back.

Hatter clapped his hands together, the sharp sound cutting through the quiet. “There we have it!” He gestured lazily at Niragi and Chishiya. “You two can fill her in on the rules later.” His eyes slid to you, grin widening. “Welcome to the Beach, angel.”

You smiled, bright and innocent, completely oblivious to the way the room watched you. To the way Chishiya’s stomach twisted at the sound of Hatter’s voice curling around that word. Angel.

Niragi’s hand landed on your shoulder. Heavy. Possessive. “Come on.” he muttered, giving you a little shove.

“Wait.”

Aguni’s voice was low, rough. Niragi tensed. His hand dropped from your shoulder as he turned, eyes narrowing. Aguni didn’t say anything else. Just looked at him.

Niragi scowled. “Tch.”

You blinked, glancing between them. “What’s—?”

“Go with Chishiya.” Niragi grunted.

You hesitated. “But—”

“Go.”

You bit your lip but nodded. Slowly, you pushed yourself up from the chair. Chishiya stood as well, like a cat stretching in the sun. He didn’t say anything. Just slipped his hands into his pockets and waited. You glanced at Niragi once more—but he wouldn’t meet your eyes. So you turned and followed Chishiya out of the room.

The halls were quiet, the distant thrum of music echoing from the pool. “Do you think Niragi’s okay?” you asked.

Chishiya raised a brow. “Does it matter?”

You frowned. “Of course it matters.”

He studied you for a long moment. The soft curve of your lips. The gentle furrow of your brows. So fucking sweet. It made his teeth ache.

You walked in silence for a while. Chishiya’s mind spun, thoughts clicking into place like puzzle pieces. He’d been trying to figure you out since the moment you found them. Since the moment you saved them. Why would someone like you care about someone like Niragi? Or him, for that matter?

He glanced at you again. You were staring down at your bracelet, fiddling with the band, your teeth sinking into your bottom lip. Chishiya frowned.

“What?” he asked.

You startled. “Huh?”

“You’re thinking too loud.”

You laughed softly. “Sorry.”

He waited.

You hesitated, glancing up at him. “Do you think… Do you think Niragi’s mad at me?”

Chishiya snorted. “Why would he be mad at you?”

You shrugged. “I don’t know. I just… I feel like I did something wrong.”

Chishiya watched you for a long moment. The way your fingers curled around your wrist. The way your eyes darted nervously down the hall. So fucking soft.

“Niragi’s always mad.” he said quietly. “Don’t take it personally.”

You didn’t look convinced. But you nodded anyway.

Chishiya sighed, looking away. This place was going to eat you alive.

“So.” you began softly, looking up at Chishiya. “What’s the deal with the bracelet?”

Chishiya spared you a glance. “It means you’re a member.”

You blinked. “That’s it?”

He sighed. “It means you have a room now.”

You smiled at that. “Oh, that’s nice.”

Chishiya arched a brow. “Is it?”

You frowned, glancing around the pristine hallways, the flickering neon lights in the distance. “Isn’t it?”

Chishiya huffed out a quiet laugh. “We’ll see.”

Before you could ask what he meant, a door swung open down the hall, slamming against the wall with a loud BANG. You jumped, eyes widening as a figure stormed out into the corridor.

“Chishiya!”

The woman’s voice was sharp, echoing off the walls. Chishiya didn’t flinch, barely even spared her a glance. You, on the other hand, blinked rapidly, taking a nervous step closer to him.

“Kuina.” Chishiya greeted, voice as flat as ever. “Miss me?”

The woman—Kuina, apparently—stormed toward him, eyes blazing. She shoved his shoulder, hard enough to make him stumble a step back. You gasped softly, eyes darting between them.

“You disappeared.” Kuina’s voice was low, angry. “For a month.”

Chishiya shrugged. “Got caught up.”

“Caught up?” Her eyes narrowed, fists clenching at her sides. “I thought you were dead, you asshole.”

“Sorry to disappoint.”

Kuina rolled her eyes, those shifting to you for the first time. Her anger faltered, brow furrowing as she took you in—the soft pink of your dress, the nervous grip you had on Chishiya’s sleeve, the wide, innocent eyes staring up at her.

“And who are you?” she asked, voice softening just a little.

You smiled shyly. “Y/N.”

Kuina stared at you for a long moment. Then she looked back at Chishiya. “Seriously?”

Chishiya shrugged. “She’s… interesting.”

Your smile faltered. Was that a compliment? It didn’t really sound like one.

Kuina huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “Unbelievable.” Her eyes softened as she looked at you again. “You okay?”

You blinked. “Oh! Yeah. I’m fine.”

“Good.” She shot Chishiya a glare. “Because this one? He’s an asshole.”

You giggled. “I’ve noticed.”

Kuina smirked, crossing her arms over her chest. “I like you.”

Chishiya sighed. “Of course you do.”

Kuina ignored him, turning back toward the hallway. “Come on. You’re new, right? I’ll show you to your room.”

You hesitated, glancing up at Chishiya. He gave you a slow nod, and you hurried after Kuina, your soft little steps echoing against the marble floors. Chishiya followed behind you, watching silently.

Kuina was right. He was an asshole.

She glanced down at you, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “You’re cute.”

Your eyes widened. “Thank you.”

She chuckled. “No wonder Chishiya likes you.”

You blinked up at her. “What?”

Kuina just smirked. “Nothing.”

The two of you walked in silence for a bit, the music growing fainter behind you. You fiddled with the bracelet around your wrist, the cold metal pressing against your skin.

“Do you have a bathing suit?” Kuina asked suddenly.

You looked up, startled. “What?”

“A bathing suit.” She gestured toward the walls. “You’ll need one if you wanna hang out by the pool.”

Your lips parted. “Oh.” You blinked. “No, I… I didn’t exactly bring one.”

Kuina moved that fuck around her mouth. “Come on. Let’s fix that.”

Before you could protest, she grabbed your hand and tugged you down another hallway. You stumbled after her, your soft little gasps echoing through the corridor. Behind you, Chishiya sighed quietly and leaned against the wall, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Kuina led you to a supply room, its door slightly ajar. She pushed it open and flicked on the light, revealing shelves upon shelves of neatly folded towels, stacks of pool floats, and rows of colorful bikinis hanging along the far wall. Your eyes widened.

“Whoa.” you whispered.

“Help yourself.” Kuina said.

You hesitated. “Are you sure?”

She shrugged. “They’re just sitting here. Might as well put them to good use.”

You bit your lip, glancing over the selection. The bikinis were all so… tiny. Delicate strings and soft fabrics, all in bright colors and bold patterns. You ran your fingers over a soft pink one, your heart fluttering in your chest.

Kuina made sure the door was closed before she plopped down on a nearby chair, crossing her legs. “Try some on.”

Your cheeks flushed. “Oh. Uh…” You shifted nervously. “Okay.”

You grabbed a few bikinis and disappeared behind a rack of towels, quickly slipping out of your dress. The first bikini was a soft baby pink, the fabric barely covering anything. You hesitated before stepping out, your arms wrapped around yourself shyly.

Kuina raised a brow. “Damn.” She grinned. “You look hot.”

You giggled, hiding your face in your hands. “Stop!”

She laughed. “I’m serious.” Her eyes flicked over you appreciatively. “Chishiya’s gonna lose his mind.”

You blinked. “What?”

“Nothing.”

You tried on a few more bikinis, Kuina offering her opinions with each one. She was surprisingly sweet, her earlier anger at Chishiya melting away as she giggled and gossiped with you. After a while, you found yourself relaxing, the two of you falling into cssual conversation.

“So,” Kuina said as you tried on a soft blue bikini. “what’s with you and Chishiya?”

You blinked. “What do you mean?”

She arched a brow. “You two seem… close.”

You bit your lip. “Oh. Well…” You hesitated. “I found him and Niragi after a game.”

“Niragi?”

You hesitated. “Yeah.”

Kuina crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair. “And?”

You sighed, sitting down beside her. “They were both pretty banged up. I… I took care of them.” You fiddled with the hem of your bikini top. “They stayed with me after that.”

Kuina frowned. “And Niragi?”

You hesitated. “He’s… complicated.”

Kuina snorted. “That’s one way to put it.”

You bit your lip. “I know he’s done bad things.”

Kuina scoffed. “That’s an understatement.”

You looked down at your hands. “But… I don’t know.” Your voice softened. “He’s different with me.”

Kuina sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Be careful with him, okay?”

Too late for that, after last night.

You nodded softly. “I will.”

Kuina studied you for a long moment. Then she smiled softly. “You’re too sweet for this place.”

You flushed. “Oh. Um… thank you?”

She laughed, shaking her head. “Come on. There are way better looking ones than this.”

You giggled, the two of you diving back into the racks of clothes. Outside the door, Chishiya leaned against the wall, listening quietly. His lips curled into a faint smirk.

You really were too sweet for this place.

~

You dropped the bikinis onto your bed, the brightly colored fabric a stark contrast against the white sheets. You turned toward Kuina and Chishiya, your eyes sparkling as you held up a soft pink one, the delicate strings dangling from your fingers.

“I used to have a bikini kind of like this.” you said, twirling it in the air. “But, like… nicer, you know?”

Kuina raised a brow, lounging in the desk chair with her legs draped over the armrest. “Nicer?”

You nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! It was designer. Cost a fortune, but it was so worth it.” You sighed wistfully. “It had little crystals along the straps.” You plopped down on the bed, spreading the bikinis out in front of you. “I used to have a whole collection of designer swimsuits. And dresses. And shoes.” You paused, frowning slightly. “I wonder what happened to all that stuff.”

Chishiya, perched on the windowsill with his arms crossed, raised a brow. “Probably doesn’t matter much now.”

You pouted. “I guess.” You ran your fingers over the soft fabric of a blue bikini. “Still… it’s kinda sad.”

Kuina tilted her head. “You must’ve been pretty loaded.”

You shrugged. “My family had money.” You smiled softly. “Lucky that I didn’t turn out a bitch.”

Kuina hummed, watching you quietly. You were so… soft. So delicate. Sitting there cross-legged on the bed, surrounded by pretty little bikinis, your fingers brushing over the fabric like it was something precious. Chishiya just watched you in silence, his eyes half-lidded.

You sighed, flopping onto your back and staring up at the ceiling. “I miss bubble baths.”

Kuina blinked. “Bubble baths?”

You nodded, your voice soft. “Yeah. And scented candles. And those little bath bombs that make the water all sparkly.” You closed your eyes, a small smile on your lips. “I used to light candles, put on some soft music, and just… relax.”

Kuina scoffed. “Sounds nice.”

“It was.” You opened your eyes, staring up at the ceiling. “I miss soft things. Fluffy towels. Cozy blankets. Big sweaters.” You sighed softly. “Everything here is so… hard.”

Kuina looked at Chishiya, who just shrugged.

You turned your head to look at them, your eyes wide and soft. “Do you guys miss anything?”

Kuina hesitated. “I dunno.” She shifted in her chair. “I guess… I miss normal stuff. Like… going out for drinks with my friends.”

You smiled. “That sounds nice.”

Kuina nodded. “It was.”

You turned to Chishiya, your head tilting slightly. “What about you?”

Chishiya blinked slowly. “I don’t really miss anything.”

You frowned. “Nothing?”

He shrugged. “Nothing worth missing.”

You stared at him for a long moment, your eyes searching his face. Finally, you sighed softly and looked away. “That’s kinda sad.”

Chishiya just watched you in silence, his expression unreadable. Kuina leaned back in the chair, arms folded, one brow arched as she watched Chishiya perched against the windowsill, looking as nonchalant as ever. She huffed. “Alright, genius. Time to get lost.”

Chishiya blinked slowly, tilting his head. “Excuse me?”

Kuina shrugged. “She needs to change.” She gestured toward you, who had paused mid-bikini inspection to blink between the two of them. “Unless you wanna stay and watch.” She raised her brows. “Wouldn’t put it past you.”

Chishiya scoffed, though his expression didn’t change much. “I’ll pass.” He pushed off the windowsill, slipping past Kuina toward the door. Just as he reached for the handle, he glanced back at you. “Don’t take too long.” Then he slipped out into the hallway, the door clicking softly behind him.

Kuina let out a sigh, stretching her arms over her head. “Finally.” She turned to you, gaze softening. “Come on, princess. Let’s get you ready.”

You giggled softly, scooping up the pink bikini and hugging it to your chest. “Bathroom?”

She nodded, following close behind as you pushed open the bathroom door. You set the bikini down on the counter, eyeing the shower longingly. “God, I need this.”

Kuina shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. “Take your time.”

You hesitated, glancing over your shoulder at her. “You… you can stay. If you want. Just… don’t look.”

Her brows shot up. “Seriously?”

You nodded, biting your lip. “Yeah. I don’t mind. I just… I don’t wanna be alone.”

Kuina’s expression softened. “Alright. I’ll stay.” She slid down to sit on the floor, resting her back against the door. “Promise I won’t peek.”

You smiled softly, turning back to the shower. The water sputtered to life, quickly heating up into a soothing stream. You slipped out of your clothes, carefully folding them and setting them on the counter before stepping into the spray.

The water hit your skin, and you let out a soft sigh of relief, tilting your head back and letting it cascade over you. It was hot—hotter than you expected—and it felt like it was washing away weeks’ worth of grime and fear and exhaustion.

Kuina kept quiet, respecting your silence, only the occasional rustle of skin on fabric or the soft tap of her fingers against the tile filling the space.

You reached for the tiny shampoo, lathering it into your hair with slow movements. “Hey, Kuina?” you called softly, your voice barely audible over the sound of the water.

“Yeah?”

You hesitated, biting your lip. “Do you… do you think we’ll get out of here?”

Kuina was quiet for a long moment. “I don’t know.”

You swallowed, rinsing the shampoo from your hair. “I hope we do.”

Kuina let out a soft chuckle. “Me too.”

You reached for the razor you’d found earlier, carefully dragging it along your body, taking your time. When you finished, you turned off the water, the sudden silence almost deafening. You stood there for a moment, just breathing, before reaching for the towel hanging on the rack.

Kuina kept her promise, staring pointedly at the wall as you wrapped the towel around yourself and stepped out of the shower. You caught her eye in the mirror, offering her a soft smile.

“Thanks.” you whispered.

She smiled back. “Anytime.”

You turned to the counter, carefully unwrapping the pink bikini and slipping it on, adjusting the straps until it sat just right. The fabric was soft against your freshly cleaned skin, and you felt… new. Almost.

Kuina pushed herself to her feet, crossing the small space to stand behind you. She rested her chin on your shoulder, meeting your eyes in the mirror.

It was actually insane that you made her this comfortable—like, her chin on your shoulder, insane—in such a short time. But she saw that you were genuine. Kuina liked you.

You let her in, she let you in. That easy.

“Damn.” she said softly. “You’re gonna turn some heads.”

You blushed, ducking your head. “You think so?”

“I know so.”

You giggled, the sound light and soft, like the first rays of sunlight after a long night. And for the first time in a long time, you felt… okay. Maybe not great. But okay.

You tied your hair up, the pink bikini sitting pretty on your skin. Kuina watched from behind you, arms folded.

“So.” she drawled, tilting her head. “Where to? You wanna check out the pool?”

You perked up at the suggestion, eyes lighting up as you turned toward her. “Really? That sounds… nice.” You smoothed your hands over the fabric of your bikini, as if making sure everything was just right.

“Alright then. Pool it is.”

You gave her a soft smile, grabbing a hair tie from your bag and twisting your damp hair into something that felt right.(AN: could be a bun, a ponytail, anything you like, but put it up, it’s pretty.)

Chishiya was still outside the room. Leaning against the wall, arms folded across his chest, his head tilted back against the wall. His eyes slid lazily toward the two of you as the door clicked shut, taking you in quietly.

You barely noticed him, too busy chattering softly with Kuina as you padded down the hallway. Chishiya pushed off the wall, falling into step behind you without a word.

You were different now.

He watched you as you walked ahead, your ass not what caught his attention—though he checked that out too—no, it was the lightness in your step. The way you moved, the way you laughed softly at something Kuina said, the way your fingers fluttered in the air as you talked, painting pictures with your words.

You were always different.

He’d seen you bare before. Not just in the physical sense—though he had—but in the quiet moments. The raw, painful ones. When you cried under the spray of the shower, your body curled in on itself, trembling. He hadn’t cared about the way your body looked then. No, he’d been too focused on the way you’d fallen apart. The sound of your soft sobs, crumbling into pieces.

And now… now you were this. Soft. Bright. A little beam of light bouncing off the cold walls.

It was brutal.

How could one person hold so much? How could you be so many things all at once? Every time he looked at you, it was like seeing someone new. And every time, he wanted more.

Chishiya shoved his hands into his pockets, eyes narrowing slightly as he watched you. Was this what people called… obsession? No. He wasn’t obsessed. He was curious. Interested. That’s all.

That’s all.

~

The pool was alive with music and laughter, the water glowing under the soft lights. People were all over the place, drinks in hand, bodies pressed together as they danced and laughed and tried to forget where they were.

You slipped through the crowd with Kuina, the two of you giggling softly as you made your way toward the edge of the pool. Chishiya hung back, watching. Always watching.

He thought about earlier. About the way he’d wanted you, back when you were still on your way to the beach. Not just in the way most men wanted women, though there was that, too. No, it was deeper than that. It wasn’t your body—not really. It was you.

You were light. Softness. Sweetness. In a world that had stripped everyone bare, leaving only the worst parts behind, you remained untouched. Untainted.

That’s what why he wanted to ruin you.

Or maybe… maybe he wanted you to ruin him.

Fuck.

He didn’t understand this. He didn’t understand you.

But he wanted to.

The music thudded dully against Chishiya’s ears, but all he heard was the sound of your laugh.

You stood near the pool, Kuina at your side, chatting with some random guy. He was tall, dark haired, good looking enough. Not that Chishiya cared. He wasn’t paying attention to him. His eyes were on you.

You were smiling. That soft, sweet smile that made something inside him twist violently. He told himself it was just curiosity. That’s what this was. You were… interesting. A new thing to his life, that’s what made his insides turn. That’s all.

But god, it was so much more than that, wasn’t it?

Denial.

You tilted your head, eyes wide and curious as the guy said something. You laughed softly, and Chishiya’s jaw tightened. Fuck. Why did that sound crawl under his skin? Why did it feel like nails dragging down his spine?

He hadn’t figured you out yet. That was the problem.

What the fuck were you?

You’d wormed your way into his head without even trying. One moment, he wanted to push you away, watch you stumble, watch you fall. The next, he wanted to pull you close, feel your warmth against him, see if you were real.

He’d wanted you in bed. That much was simple. Primal. Easy.

Then he wanted to see you smile.

Then he wanted you gone.

Then he wanted you closer.

Then he wanted to tell you things he’d never said out loud. Things he barely admitted to himself.

He watched you tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, your fingers delicate, your smile soft. The guy leaned in a little closer, saying something that made Kuina snort with laughter. You giggled, pressing a hand to your mouth.

It was unbearable.

You weren’t his. You weren’t anything. You were just… you. Soft and bright and untouchable.

And he wanted to touch.

He wanted to ruin you. To drag you down into the dark with him. To see what you’d look like when there was nothing left of that softness.

But then…

Then he wanted to protect you. To keep you safe. To shield you from every sharp edge of the world.

His mind twisted itself into knots, the thoughts coming too fast, too fucked up. He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets, scowling.

What the fuck was wrong with him?

Chemistry, Chishiya. Chemistry between two people is wrong with you.

He was good at keeping people out. At staying detached. But you… you wormed your way in. And he didn’t know what to do about that.

And then—like you could feel him watching—you turned.

Your eyes met his, and you beamed. So sweet. So soft. So you.

Before he could even think about looking away, you excused yourself from the conversation and started toward him. Chishiya straightened subtly. His heart kicked against his ribs. What the fuck was that about?

“Hey.” Your voice was soft, light. “You okay?”

Chishiya raised an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

You shrugged, that same sweet little smile playing on your lips. “I dunno. Just… you’ve been over here all by yourself.” You tilted your head, studying him, making sure he was alright. “Thought I’d check on you.”

That stupid twist in his chest tightened. He scoffed softly, looking away. “I’m fine.”

“Okay.” You nodded, not pushing. Just accepting. That made him grit his teeth even harder.

Before he could say something snarky—push you away, push you away, push you away—Kuina walked over, a grin tugging at her lips.

“What’s this? The Chishiya actually socializing?” She gasped dramatically. “What’s next, Niragi handing out hugs?”

You giggled softly, and Chishiya just rolled his eyes. “Don’t get used to it.”

Kuina snorted, crossing her arms. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Then, her gaze flicked back toward the pool, where the guy you’d been talking to was still lingering. “You make a new friend?”

“Oh!” Your eyes widened slightly, glancing back over your shoulder. “I guess? He was nice.”

Chishiya’s jaw ticked. “Who was that?” He meant for it to sound casual. It didn’t.

Kuina raised an eyebrow, a sly grin curling at her lips. “That? That’s Akira. He does gambling sometimes. Collects information. And, apparently, flirts with cute girls.”

(AN: He’s not an OC or anything, but he WILL be important!! I swear I’m not one of those writers who put random OCs in their fics, I created this character for a reason.)

You blushed. Chishiya hated that, too.

“Come on.” you said, grabbing Chishiya’s sleeve and tugging softly. “Let’s sit down.”

Chishiya’s heart pounded against his ribs, and he had to swallow hard to shove down the sudden, burning heat that crawled up his throat.

Kuina watched him with a knowing smirk, and he scowled. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?” She blinked innocently.

“Shut up.”

But still, he let you tug him along.

You led them over to a pair of sun chairs near the pool, plopping yourself down on one and patting the seat next to you. Chishiya hesitated, but after a long moment, he sighed and dropped into the chair, stretching his legs out lazily. Kuina flopped down on your other side, propping her chin in her hand.

The three of you sat in silence for a while, the music thudding softly in the background, the water shimmering under the lights.

“So…” Kuina drawled, kicking her feet out in front of her. “What do you think?”

“About what?” you asked, tilting your head.

She gestured vaguely to the pool, the music, the people. “All this. The Beach. The ‘utopia.’”

You pursed your lips, thinking. “It’s… nice. I mean, it’s a little weird. But everyone seems happy. And the pool is pretty.” You smiled softly, eyes catching the light as they danced across the surface of the water. “I dunno. I think it’s nice to pretend for a little while. Even if it’s not real.”

Chishiya watched you quietly, his eyes studying every little movement, every flicker of emotion across your face. You were so open. So soft. He wanted to protect it. He let out a soft breath, leaning back and closing his eyes. Your words buzzed in his head, soft and warm, curling around his thoughts like smoke.

Nice to pretend.

For the first time in his life, he found himself agreeing.

You stretched out on the sun chair, your fingers trailing lazily over the fabric, your legs tucked beneath you. The soft glow of the pool lights painted your skin in hues of blue and green, making you look almost ethereal. Chishiya glanced at you from the corner of his eye, trying not to be obvious about it.

You tilted your head, eyes flicking toward the DJ booth. The guy behind the turntables was shirtless, his fingers dancing over the soundboard. He caught your eye and winked.

“Oh.” You blinked, surprised, before breaking into a soft giggle. “The DJ just winked at me.”

Chishiya’s eyes snapped open. He turned his head slightly, squinting at the guy.

Niragi would’ve killed him.

He didn’t know why that thought hit him so fast, so clear, but there it was. Niragi would’ve walked across the pool deck and ripped the guy’s fucking face off without a second thought. And Chishiya… Chishiya would’ve let him.

Kuina snorted, resting her chin in her hand. “Well, you are cute. I bet he’s not the first guy who’s tried.” She nudged you playfully. “What do you think? Gonna go over there and dance for him?”

You laughed, soft and sweet, shaking your head. “No way.”

Chishiya hated the little twist that made in his chest.

The DJ spun the track into something faster, bass thumping harder, and a cheer went up from around and in the pool as people started to dance. You tucked your knees up against your chest, resting your chin on them, watching the party.

Kuina stretched, sighing. “This place is insane. I swear half the people here are completely unbearable.” She glanced at you, turning that little stick around her mouth. “You sure you’re not interested in that DJ? He’s not bad.”

You made a face. “He’s okay, I guess. But…” You hesitated, chewing your lip. “I dunno. It feels weird. Everyone’s acting like this is some kind of vacation. But it’s not.”

Chishiya watched you closely. Your voice was soft, thoughtful, and it made something curl in his stomach. Of course you saw through it all. Of course you did.

He wanted to protect that part of you.

Or maybe he wanted to break it.

His thoughts were a mess—tangled, cutting him every time he tried to unravel them. One minute, he wanted you soft and safe, untouched by the filth of this world. The next, he wanted to pull you down into the darkness with him, watch the light drain from your eyes as you realized there was no hope, no escape.

That was because he was so jealous.

You shifted beside him, and the scent of lavender drifted through the air. You smelled like that.

He hated you.

He wanted you.

He wanted to destroy you.

He wanted to save you.

“Chishiya?”

Your voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He blinked, turning to find you looking at him with those wide, curious eyes. Fuck, those eyes saw too much.

“Hm?” He raised an eyebrow, masking the feelings swirling inside him.

You smiled softly. “You okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

You shrugged. “You seem… quiet.”

He huffed, leaning back on his elbows. “I’m always quiet.”

You giggled, and Chishiya felt his heart skip a beat. Fuck.

He glanced back at the DJ booth, narrowing his eyes. “So. You interested in him?”

Your eyes widened. “What? No!” You laughed, shaking your head. “I just thought it was funny. He winked. That’s all.”

Chishiya hummed, watching you closely. “Mm.”

Kuina arched an eyebrow. “Why do you care, Chishiya?” Her tone was teasing, but her eyes looked like they knew what was up, watching him closely. “Jealous?”

Chishiya scoffed. “Hardly.”

But the truth was… he didn’t know what he felt. It wasn’t jealousy. Not exactly. It was something darker. Something worse. Something possessive and cold, curling around his heart like a snake.

He wanted to take you away from all this. From the DJ and the pool and the party. From Kuina. From Niragi. From everything. He wanted you all to himself, soft and sweet and perfect, just for him.

And that terrified him.

You shifted closer, resting your head against his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here.” you murmured softly. “Both of you.”

Kuina smiled at you, her eyes soft. “Sure.”

Chishiya said nothing. He just stared at the pool, the music fading into the background, and tried not to think about the way your warmth seeped into his skin.

Kuina watched you with a kind of fascination. You were weird. Not in a bad way—not at all—but in a way that didn’t fit into this place.

What the hell were you doing with Chishiya and Niragi?

She glanced at Chishiya out of the corner of her eye. He was stiff, unreadable as always, but there was a flicker of something behind that cool gaze every time he looked at you. It wasn’t like him. She’d known him long enough to pick up on the subtle shifts in his mood, and this was… different. Unsettling, almost. Like watching a snake slowly coil around something soft and unsuspecting.

And the worst part? You didn’t even notice.

You just smiled, leaning toward her, eyes lighting up as you caught sight of her nails. “Oh my god, your nails are so pretty!” You reached out, taking her hand gently, turning it this way and that under the lights. “Where did you get them done?”

Kuina blinked. “Uh… did them myself.” She felt herself softening under your attention, your sweet little voice chipping away at her usual guard. “You like them?”

“They’re gorgeous.” you breathed, grinning up at her. “I used to be obsessed with doing my nails before all… this.” You gestured vaguely at the Beach, the world, everything. “I was terrible at it, though. Always smudged them.”

Kuina chuckled. “I’ll do yours sometime. I’ve got a bunch of colors.”

Your eyes widened. “Really?”

“Sure.”

Chishiya shifted beside you, looking distinctly unimpressed with the conversation, but you ignored him. You were too busy chatting away with Kuina, bouncing between topics. It was weird. But Kuina liked weird. Weird was interesting.

And then Niragi showed up.

Kuina tensed the moment she spotted him, her smile fading. That fucking guy. He moved through the crowd like a predator, his rifle slung casually over his shoulder like an accessory. People parted for him without even realizing they were doing it, some instinctual fear making them step aside.

Kuina hated the way he looked at you.

You didn’t seem to notice the tension that settled over the group as he approached. You just blinked up at him, curious, as he stopped in front of you and tossed something into your lap.

You caught it clumsily, frowning down at the object in your hands. A key.

You looked up, confused. “What’s this?”

Niragi smirked, leaning on the back of the chair next to yours. “Got you a good room. You’ll like it.”

Oh, so like, a better one? Sure.

Kuina watched the exchange closely, her stomach twisting. The fuck was that about? Niragi wasn’t exactly known for being generous. If he got you a new room, there was a reason for it. And judging by the way he was watching you, it wasn’t a good one.

You, of course, just smiled softly. “Oh… thank you, Niragi.”

Kuina almost choked. What the fuck? No one thanked Niragi. Ever. She glanced at Chishiya, expecting some kind of reaction, but he just sat there, quiet his gaze flicking between you and Niragi.

And Niragi… Niragi was looking at you… different.

Fuck.

“Well.” Kuina said, standing abruptly. “This has been fun, but I think I need a drink.” She grabbed your hand, pulling you to your feet. “Come on, let’s go.”

You hesitated, glancing between the boys. “Oh… okay. Um, I’ll see you guys later?”

Neither of them answered.

As Kuina dragged you away, she risked one last glance over her shoulder. Niragi was still watching you. And Chishiya… Chishiya looked almost bored, but Kuina knew better. She’d seen the way he watched you.

The moment you disappeared into the crowd with Kuina, Chishiya and Niragi stood there, silent, the music thumping around them, neon lights streaking across their faces. Chishiya leaned back in his chair, arms folding lazily across his chest, his gaze flicking to Niragi’s rifle, then back to his face. Niragi’s lip curled.

They didn’t need to speak. The air was already poisoned.

Niragi tilted his head,, eyes narrowing mockingly. “You’re awful quiet.” His voice was low, half a sneer. “What’s wrong, Chishiya? Don’t like sharing?”

Chishiya smirked, the corner of his mouth curling upward, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Sharing implies you have something I want.”

Niragi laughed, shoving off the chair. “Keep telling yourself that.” He slung his rifle back over his shoulder and disappeared into the crowd. Silent. He didn’t need to stick close to you—he knew how to follow unnoticed.

And Chishiya let him go.

Because Niragi wasn’t the problem, was he?

You were.

Kuina liked you. She couldn’t help it. You were just so… sweet.

The Beach was a fucking nightmare. Even now, in the middle of a party, the air felt too thick, the music too loud, the smiles too fake.

But you? You were soft. Gentle.

She watched you as you spoke, your hands fluttering with every word, your eyes wide. Like you didn’t belong here. Maybe that’s why Chishiya was acting so weird. Maybe that’s why Niragi hovered in the shadows, the fucker.

They didn’t deserve you. Neither of them.

You turned to her suddenly, your fingers brushing her arm, your eyes bright. “Kuina, did you see that guy’s shirt? It had little sharks on it!” You said, soft and sweet, and Kuina found herself smiling despite everything.

“Yeah.” she said. “Wouldn’t wear it, though.”

You giggled, and Kuina felt something twist in her chest.

Fuck. Okay.

Chishiya watched you from a distance.

You were laughing at something Kuina said, your face bright, eyes sparkling under the neon lights.

It made him sick.

No, that wasn’t right. It made him angry.

Why were you like this? Why did you care? About him? About Niragi? About anyone? What did you see when you looked at him? When you touched his arm, soft and gentle, like he was something worth saving?

He wanted to ruin you.

No, he didn’t.

Yes, he did.

Fuck.

Chishiya closed his eyes, taking a slow breath. He’d wanted you before. He could admit that. Wanted to push you against a wall and see what sounds you’d make. Wanted to feel your soft little body under his hands, all pliant and sweet.

But that wasn’t what this was anymore.

It wasn’t about sex. It wasn’t about power.

It was about you.

You, who had wormed your way into his mind. You, who made his chest tighten and his hands shake. You, who made him want.

Niragi’s fingers twitched on the trigger of his rifle.

He stood in the shadows, eyes locked on you. The music pounded in his ears, the lights flashing across your face. You looked so soft. So sweet. Too sweet.

You kissed him.

You kissed him, and he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Your lips, soft and warm. Your little hands on him. The way you looked at him afterward, eyes wide, breathing heavy. Like you cared. Like you fucking wanted him.

He should’ve laughed in your face. Should’ve shoved you away. Should’ve told you how pathetic you were for thinking he was anything but a monster.

But he didn’t.

He let you kiss him.

And now he was losing his fucking mind.

He watched you laugh with Kuina, your smile bright, your body soft and perfect in that little bikini. He wanted to drag you away. Wanted to pin you down and hear you beg for him. Wanted to mark you, bruise you, claim you, make sure everyone knew who you belonged to.

But more than that…

He wanted you to smile at him like that.

Fuck.

It was all you.

It had always been you.

It all revolved around you.

Every glance, every breath, every heartbeat. You were the axis the world spun on, the thread woven through their minds, tugging tighter with every step you took, every word you said. You. It was you.

Chishiya felt it in the quiet spaces—the moments where you tilted your head, eyes soft, waiting for him to speak when no one else dared. The way your fingers brushed his wrist, light as a ghost, comforting him without even knowing it. You smiled like you had no idea what you were doing to him. Like you didn’t know you were cracking open the parts of him he’d kept sealed off his entire life.

He’d spent years building walls. Years perfecting his indifference. No one ever got close. Not really. Not until you.

And Niragi? Niragi felt it in the chaos.

You were the only thing he thought about anymore. You, with your soft voice and your wide eyes. You, who kissed him like he was worth something. You, who looked at him without fear. It made him crazy. He wanted to break you, to tear you apart, to see what you’d look like shattered under his hands.

But more than that, he wanted you to stay.

Every step you took, every laugh, every soft glance—it all belonged to you. They belonged to you. And you didn’t even know it.

You moved through the crowd like you belonged there, but you didn’t. Not really. You stood out like a candle in the dark.

And they wanted to snuff you out.

Or maybe they just wanted to keep you.

Maybe they wanted to lock you away, safe from everyone but them. Maybe they wanted to hold you so tight you could never leave. Maybe they wanted to own you. Completely.

It didn’t matter.

Because it was all you.

It had always been you.

~

You dropped your pink little bag onto the pristine white bed, the bikinis spilling out. The room was bigger than the last one—softer, quieter, tucked away from the chaos outside. You could barely hear the music thumping from the pool, just a low, distant pulse. It felt… safe. Or as safe as this place could get.

Chishiya stood by the window, hands in his pockets, eyes half-lidded as he stared out at the dark city. He didn’t say much. He never did. Just watched. Always watching.

You flopped onto the bed with a sigh, legs kicking lazily in the air. “Okay, this is definitely an upgrade.” you said, grinning as you rolled onto your back. “What do you think?”

Chishiya shrugged, gaze flicking toward you. “It’s a room.”

You pouted. “Come on. It’s nice. Don’t be so grumpy.”

That earned you a slow blink. “I’m not grumpy.”

“You’re always grumpy.” You propped yourself up on your elbows, watching him. “Well… unless you’re with Kuina. You two seem close.”

Chishiya’s brow arched. “Jealous?”

You laughed, soft and sweet. “No. She’s nice. I like her.” You paused, biting your lip. “She asked about you, though. About… us.”

That made him turn. “What did you say?”

You shrugged, picking at the hem of your top. “Just that I found you and Niragi after a game. Took you in. She seemed surprised you stuck around.”

Chishiya huffed a quiet laugh, leaning against the wall. “So am I.”

You frowned. “Why did you?”

He looked at you for a long moment, like he was trying to figure something out. “Why did you?”

You blinked. “What do you mean?”

“You could’ve left us. Let us die.” His head tilted. “But you didn’t.”

Your fingers twisted in the sheets. “I couldn’t.”

“Why?”

You hesitated. “Because… I don’t know. You looked like you needed someone.” Your voice softened. “And I wanted to be that someone.”

Chishiya’s lips parted, but no sound came out. He just stared at you, something flickering behind his eyes.

You shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. “Is that… weird?”

“No.” His voice was quiet. “Not weird.”

For a moment, neither of you spoke. Just sat there, the silence stretching out.

Then, softly, you said, “I’m glad you’re here.”

For the first time, he had no idea what to say.

You sat up, crossing your legs on the soft white bed, the bikinis still scattered around you. Like candy wrappers. You tilted your head, watching him.

“What’s up?” you asked, soft and curious. No accusation. Just care.

Chishiya blinked, slowly dragging his gaze to you. “What do you mean?”

You patted the bed next to you. “Come sit.”

For a moment, he didn’t move. Just stared at you with that usual asshole expression of his. Then, with a soft sigh, he pushed off the wall and crossed the room, his steps quiet against the carpet. He sat at the edge of the bed, his back straight, hands resting loosely on his knees. He didn’t look at you.

You shifted closer, the warmth of your body brushing against his arm. “How have you been lately?” you asked, voice light and sincere. “Like… really.”

He hesitated, gaze flicking to you for a second before looking away again. His fingers tapped idly against his knee. “I’m fine.”

You frowned. “That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re getting.”

You sighed but didn’t push. Instead, you shifted closer, your knee knocking against his. The silence stretched, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Not really. Just… heavy. Like there was too much in the air that neither of you wanted to say.

After a while, you spoke again, voice soft. “You know… you don’t have to be fine.”

He glanced at you, brow furrowing slightly. “What?”

You shrugged. “It’s okay not to be okay. I mean… look at where we are.” You gestured at the room, at the world outside. “No one’s fine here. Not really.”

Chishiya’s lips twitched into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “And you are?”

You laughed quietly. “God, no.” You looked down at your hands, twisting your fingers together. “But I try. I try to be okay. For you. For Niragi.” Your voice softened. “For myself.”

“Why?” Chishiya asked.

You blinked. “Why what?”

“Why try?” He tilted his head, studying you. “Why care?”

You hesitated, biting your lip. “Because… I want to.”

“That’s stupid.”

“Mhm.”

The silence stretched again, but this time, it felt softer. Warmer. You reached out, your fingers brushing against his hand. You squeezed his fingers gently.

“You don’t have to tell me anything.” you said softly. “But I’m here. If you ever want to.”

He looked at your hand in his. Swallowed thickly. “I don’t.”

“I know.” You squeezed his hand again. “But if you ever do…”

He didn’t say anything. Just stared at your fingers curled around his own.

He didn’t know what he felt.

You smiled softly, leaning in a little closer, your knees brushing against his thigh. Chishiya stayed still, barely breathing, watching you.

“You know…” you started, voice quiet, almost hesitant. “You’re amazing.”

Chishiya blinked slowly. “What?”

You laughed softly. “I know I already told you, but I mean it. You’re so smart. You always know what to do. You… you stay calm when everything’s falling apart. You’re brave. Even if you don’t see it.”

His brow furrowed slightly. “I’m not brave.”

“Yes, you are.” You shifted closer, your warmth seeping into him. “Bravery isn’t about not being scared. It’s about doing what needs to be done, even when you are. And you always do.”

He scoffed quietly, eyes flicking away. “You don’t know me.”

You tilted your head. “Maybe not. But I want to.”

He swallowed thickly, trying to keep his expression neutral, but something inside him twisted painfully. Why were you saying these things? Why were you looking at him like that? Like he wasn’t a selfish, manipulative motherfucker who would throw anyone under the bus if it meant surviving.

He almost flinched when your fingers reached out, soft and gentle, pinching the tiny bit of skin under his chin. You giggled, and the sound was so sweet it made his chest ache.

“And this.” you said playfully, giving his chin a little shake. “This is adorable.”

He stared at you, frozen. No one had ever done that before. No one had ever dared to touch him like this—soft, teasing, affectionate. It felt wrong. It felt right. It made his skin crawl and his heart race.

You smiled up at him, eyes warm and full of something he didn’t deserve. “You’re amazing, Chishiya. I don’t care what you say.”

He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t move. All he could do was sit there, as you kept pouring sweetness over him like it wouldn’t rot him from the inside out. His hands curled into fists on his knees, nails biting into his palms.

Why were you doing this? What did you want from him? No one was kind for no reason. No one cared without expecting something in return.

But when he looked into your eyes, all he saw was honesty.

Amazing.

You’d called him amazing. Wasn’t that a joke? Wasn’t that the cruelest fucking joke he’d ever heard?

He could feel the warmth of you, even with the small space between you both. It soaked into him like poison, slow and sweet, curling around his heart and squeezing tight. He hated it. He hated how good it felt.

Chishiya never wanted things. Not really. He learned a long time ago that wanting led to disappointment. To pain. But right now, he wanted. Fuck, he wanted.

He could take you away from all of this. The Beach, the people, the blood—all of it. You didn’t belong here. You belonged somewhere soft, somewhere safe, somewhere that smelled like flowers and sunshine and all those things that made him sick to his stomach because they were never meant for people like him. But maybe they were meant for you. Maybe he could find a way to give that to you.

If you didn’t want to leave, he could make you. It wouldn’t be hard. You trusted him. You’d follow him anywhere, wouldn’t you? And if you didn’t… well. He could be even more of an asshole. Manipulation was second nature to him. He could twist things just right, plant the right seeds in your head, make you believe it was your idea to leave. That it was for the best.

But then there was Niragi.

That psycho wouldn’t let you go. If Chishiya took you and Niragi found out—and he would find out—he’d burn the whole fucking place to the ground trying to get you back. He’d tear through the Beach, through the games, through anything and anyone in his way. Niragi was unpredictable. Dangerous.

Even Chishiya wouldn’t be able to outthink him when it came to you.

Because Niragi was just as fucking obsessed.

And that made something dark curl in Chishiya’s stomach. He hated the way Niragi looked at you. Hated the way he hovered, like you were something fragile he needed to protect. As if he could ever be gentle enough to deserve you. As if he wouldn’t crush you the second he got his hands around you.

But Chishiya was no better. He knew that. He was selfish. He was cold. He didn’t care about people. He used them. And he was fully aware of that fact.

But you? You made him question things. You made him feel things he didn’t understand. Things he didn’t want to understand.

He could take you away. He could find a way. And if it hurt Niragi? If it made him burn? Well. That was just a bonus.

But then you turned to him, eyes bright and curious, and all those dark thoughts faded for just a moment.

“Chishiya?” you asked softly, tilting your head. “What are you thinking about?”

He blinked slowly, forcing his expression back into place. “Nothing important.”

But it was a lie.

Because the only thing on his mind was you.

You shifted closer, tucking your legs beneath you, your pink bikini strap slipping down your shoulder. You didn’t even fix it. Just sat there.

“You should go to bed.” Chishiya said quietly, his voice flat. Detached. He needed you to leave. He needed space to breathe.

You blinked, soft and slow, and tilted your head. “You should sleep too.” you said, just as soft. “You’ve been awake all day.”

He scoffed. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”

You frowned. “Don’t say that.”

Chishiya closed his eyes, exhaling through his nose. He could feel your eyes on him, burning into his skin.

“Seriously.” you pressed, your hand coming to rest on his arm. “You’re tired. You need rest.” Your thumb brushed over his skin in slow circles, so soft, so gentle. “Baby, please.”

Baby.

He swallowed hard, his throat tight. “I’m fine.”

You didn’t look convinced, but you didn’t push. You just sat there, watching him, your hand still resting on his arm. “Okay.” you whispered. “Okay, Chishiya.”

You were dangerous. More dangerous than Niragi. More dangerous than the Beach. More dangerous than the games.

And he was completely powerless against you.

You stretched, arms lifting above your head, body soft and sleepy under the dim lights “I’ll get ready for bed, then.” you murmured, soft, like you were already half-asleep. You ran a hand through your hair, turning toward the bathroom. “Don’t stay up too late, okay?”

Chishiya didn’t answer.

You hesitated in the doorway, glancing back at him. Your eyes lingered for a second—maybe two—and then you smiled. That soft, gentle little smile that had dug its way under his skin, nestled somewhere deep and painful. Then you disappeared into the bathroom, the sound of running water filling the silence you left behind.

Chishiya sat there for a moment. Still. Silent. Listening to the soft sounds of you moving around, humming some quiet tune under your breath. His hands curled into fists.

He needed to get out of there.

He stood quietly, moving through the room without a sound. His footsteps barely whispered against the floor as he slipped out the door, the soft click of the lock behind him the only proof he’d ever been there at all.

The hallway was quiet, the party downstairs a distant thrum in the walls. The Beach was never truly silent. Even now, late into the night, there was life somewhere. People drinking, laughing, fucking, dying. It never stopped.

Chishiya exhaled slowly. Then he turned.

Kuina was leaning against the wall.

She raised her brows, arms folded across her chest. “Thought you might sneak off.”

Chishiya said nothing, sliding his hands into his pockets.

She pushed off the wall, falling into step beside him as he started down the hallway.“What’s the deal with her?”

He didn’t answer.

“Come on, Chishiya.” She sighed, stepping ahead to watch his face. “You disappear for a month and come back with Niragi and some… sweet little thing in pink? That’s not like you.”

Still, he stayed silent.

Kuina huffed. “You’re really not gonna tell me?”

Chishiya’s footsteps slowed. His head turned, eyes cold and empty when they met hers.

“No.”

And he walked away.

~

BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.

You startled, sitting up so fast the sheets tangled around your legs. The room was dark, the heavy curtains drawn tight over the window, but the sound was unmistakable. Pounding against the door.

Your head felt heavy. Slow. Everything moved in syrup, your body sluggish and soft with sleep. You rubbed your eyes, blinking.

BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.

You stumbled out of bed, the floor cold against your bare feet as you walked across the room. The banging kept going. Louder. More impatient. You fumbled with the lock, hands clumsy and slow, and pulled the door open.

Niragi stood there.

His eyes raked over you. Bare legs. Sleep-rumpled hair. Face soft and dazed, blinking up at him with those stupidly innocent eyes. You looked like a dream. Like something unreal. It made his stomach twist, sharp and ugly, and he shoved past you into the room without a word.

You blinked after him, confused. Still half-asleep, trying to make sense of the situation. “Niragi…?”

He didn’t answer. Just paced across the room, one hand shoved deep in his pocket. The gun was in the other. He never went anywhere without it.

You stood in the doorway, watching him. “Is everything okay?”

He scoffed. Loud. Sharp. “Yeah. Peachy.”

You frowned, slow and soft, trying to process. Your brain felt foggy. Heavy. “Then… why are you here?”

Niragi’s jaw clenched. He turned toward the window, yanking the curtains open. Morning light poured into the room, cutting across the floor. The sky was pale blue, the sun just starting to rise.

You winced, squinting against the brightness. “Niragi…”

“What?” he snapped, not looking at you.

You flinched. He heard it. Felt it. His hands curled into fists.

You were so fucking soft. Always soft. Even now, half-asleep and confused, you were soft. Sweet. Gentle.

It made him feel sick.

You closed the door and walked toward him, slow and clumsy. “Did you… need something?”

Niragi scoffed again, louder this time. “What? Can’t a guy visit his favorite little dumbass?” He shot you a grin, mean. “Or do you only like it when Chishiya does it?”

You blinked. Slow. Confused. “What?”

He rolled his eyes, turning back to the window. “Forget it.”

You stood there for a moment, watching him as he sat down in the huge windowsill. Trying to understand. Then, quietly, you moved to his side. You sat down in the windowsill next to him, tucking your legs under you.

Niragi didn’t move.

The two of you sat in silence. The morning light spilled across the room, warm and soft, dust dancing in the air. You looked out over the Beach, watching the sun climb higher.

Niragi’s fingers tapped against his knee. He could feel you next to him. Small. Warm. Close. Too close.

His mind raced. The kiss. Your hands on him. The softness of your lips. The warmth of your touch. He’d felt it all night. Could still feel it. Haunting him. Driving him fucking crazy.

He wanted to ask. Wanted to demand what the fuck that had been. Why you’d done it. Why you weren’t running. Why you weren’t scared.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he sat there. Silent. Watching the sun rise. Being a pussy. And you sat with him. The sunlight poured through the window, soft and golden, warming your bare legs where they curled beneath you on the windowsill. Niragi just sat there, staring out at the Beach, jaw tight, fingers drumming against his knee.

You glanced at him. His face was blank, but you knew better. You could feel it—that barely leashed violence simmering just beneath the surface, coiled tight in his shoulders, in his eyes.

Softly, carefully, you bent down and reached into the pocket of your little pink bag what was on the floor. The familiar glass bottle was cool against your fingers. You held it out to him.

“Do you want some lavender oil?”

He looked at you. “What?”

You blinked. “Lavender oil.” you repeated, holding up the bottle. “You know.”

Niragi stared at you. Then he barked out a laugh. “You think I’m stressed, babydoll?”

You frowned. “I just thought—”

“Don’t think.” He sneered, looking away. “It doesn’t suit you.”

You shrank back, biting your lip. The bottle trembled in your hands, the little dropper inside clinking against the glass. Niragi watched it. Watched you. His lip curled.

Then he saw the way your fingers curled around the bottle. The softness of your hands. The gentle slope of your throat as you swallowed. Your mouth—fuck, your mouth. The memory of your lips on his crashed over him. He clenched his fists so tight his nails bit into his palms.

“Why?” His voice came out low, rough. “Why did you kiss me?”

You blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“The kiss.” His teeth ground together. “Why did you do it?”

You stared at him for a long moment, your face soft. Then you said quietly, “Because I wanted to.” You hesitated. “And because you needed it.”

Niragi went still. For a moment, he just stared at you. Then he laughed—dark and bitter, the sound scraping down your spine like rusted metal.

“God, you’re fucking stupid.” He shook his head, grinning wide. “You think I needed it?” He leaned closer, the heat of him prickling against your skin. “I don’t need shit.”

You tilted your head. “Then why did you kiss me back?”

The grin slipped from his face.

He scoffed, leaning back like the question was too ridiculous to even consider. “Please. You threw yourself at me. What was I supposed to do, say no?”

You didn’t flinch. Didn’t shrink away. You just looked at him—soft and calm and so fucking steady. “You kissed me back because you wanted to.”

His breath caught.

“And because you needed it.”

His fists clenched. His jaw tightened. He wanted to hurt you. Wanted to grab you, shake you, scream in your face until you stopped looking at him like that. Like you could see straight through him. Like you understood.

But he didn’t.

He just sat there, shaking with rage. And you sat beside him. Silent. Gentle. Warm.

It made him want to tear you apart. He wouldn’t look at you. He stared out the window, past the Beach, past the party, past everything. His eyes were dark, burning. His whole body looked ready to snap.

You watched him quietly. Studied him. The curve of his sneer. The tension in his muscles. The way his fingers twitched, restless and angry, like they needed something to hold onto—or destroy.

“You’re scared.” you said softly.

“The fuck did you just say?”

“You’re scared.” you repeated. “You pretend you’re not, but you are.”

His head snapped toward you, eyes narrowing. “You don’t know shit about me.”

“Maybe not.” You tilted your head. “But I know what fear looks like.”

He laughed. “Oh yeah? What else do you know, baby?”

You hesitated. Then you said quietly, “You’re angry.”

“No shit.”

“No.” you said. “You’re always angry. It’s not just a feeling. It’s part of you now. It burns in you. Every second. Even when you’re quiet. Even when you’re still. It never stops.”

His face faltered.

“You push people away.” you continued, voice soft. “You hurt them. Because it’s easier. Easier to make them hate you than to let them get close. Easier to destroy things than to admit you care.” You paused. “Because caring hurts, doesn’t it?”

“Shut the fuck up.” His voice was low, dangerous.

“You don’t trust anyone.” You shifted closer, your knees brushing against his. “Because the second you do, they’ll leave. Or betray you. Or die. You’ve convinced yourself that the only way to survive is to be alone.” You looked down at your hands. “But you don’t want to be alone.”

His breath hitched.

“You act like you don’t care about anything. But that’s a lie.” You looked up, meeting his gaze. “You care. So much that it eats you alive.” You hesitated. “That’s why you kissed me.”

His jaw tightened. “I kissed you because I wanted to.”

“I know.” You smiled softly. “But that’s not the only reason.”

His fists clenched.

“You’re desperate.” you whispered. “For something. For anything to hold onto. Even if it hurts. Even if it burns. Even if it destroys you.” You reached out, fingers brushing against his knuckles. “You’re drowning. And you don’t even realize it.”

“Shut. The fuck. Up.” His voice trembled.

“You hate yourself.” The words hung heavy in the air. “You hate yourself so much you can’t breathe. And the worst part?” You swallowed. “You think you deserve it.”

He grabbed the little bottle of lavender oil from your hands. You barely had time to blink before he hurled it across the room.

It shattered against the wall, glass and oil raining down.

The room went quiet.

Niragi stood, his breath ragged, hands shaking. He didn’t look at you. He couldn’t.

Without a word, he turned and walked out.

You sat there, staring at the broken glass. The lavender oil seeped into the carpet, its scent soft and sweet and overwhelming.

You didn’t move. You didn’t speak.

You just sat there.

Because you knew.

You’d been right.

❤︎︎ @lizntstoptalking @cherryheairt @fiction-fantasy-folks @monkey4lifer @psychicyouthfox @so-dramatic1 @mypsychoticlove @unhinged-sorcerer @rattymess @mocchii-writes @adanfore @scarlet703 @fluentgoddess @maxinehufflepuffprincess @onyxmango @bluerthanvelvet444 @risingofjupiter @enhasrii @potato-vagina @cherryyserenade @l5byrinth @soaplickerrr @sillyenemyarcade @miellette @sk1ndx0

[onceinablueberrymoon]

sleepy mornings | alice in borderland x gn!reader

shorts that are pure fluff :)  characters: banda sunato, chishiya shuntarō, niragi suguru, segawa chōta, tatta kōdai warnings: self-esteem issues (tatta); gn!reader; second person POV; no use of y/n borders by @kodaswrld! squid game version

✧ banda sunato 

when he opened his eyes, he was surprised to find you next to him. 

you had known of his past — that he killed four women and went to prison for his crime. no one trusted him, and for good reason.

and yet, you were still here, cuddled into his side, fast asleep. you had let down your guard around him, and he wasn’t sure how to feel about that. 

he could have easily discarded you or let you die in a game. but in the couple weeks since you’ve met, he’s felt drawn to you in some way he couldn't explain. 

you had been useful for gaining others’ trust, he supposed. not that he needed it. he could survive alone, just as he always had.

but for now, he was content with having you around. 

he looked towards the window. it was still dark outside, too early to get up. 

he settled back into the mattress, drawing you closer to him. he closed his eyes once more. 

a small part of him hoped that you would still be there when he woke up.

✧ chishiya shuntarō

you were woken by the rays of sunlight that cracked through the blinds. 

the first thing you noticed was the absence of your allies, save for chishiya, who seemed to be sleeping. the blond was resting against a nearby wall.

even though you had been allies for a while now, you had never seen him so peaceful – his head was leaning against the wall and his chest rose and fell in time with his breathing. 

when he was awake, chishiya appeared cold and distant. he was usually deep in thought, observing everyone and everything around him. 

but now, with his face relaxed, he seemed at peace. innocent, even.

as the sun rays moved across the room, they bathed him in golden light. 

a small gasp escaped your lips. he looked ethereal. 

“finally awake?” he spoke out of the blue, eyes still closed.

you averted your gaze, staring down at the ground. you heard him exhale, almost as if he were amused.

“let’s go. the others have gone to find supplies.” he stood up, shielding his eyes from the sun.

“were you awake this whole time?” you asked as you gathered your belongings.

he glanced back at you before leaving the room.

“maybe.”

✧ niragi suguru

you woke up first, like usual. 

niragi wasn’t a morning person, really. 

when he was asleep, he looked like a totally different person — his face was relaxed, his eyes fluttering as he dreamed. he was sprawled out, his body taking up most of the bed. 

you liked him like this, when he let his guard down. 

you brushed a strand of hair from his face. he looks so peaceful, you thought. nothing like the brash, boasting personality that threatened to kill everyone if they so much as looked his way. 

others at the beach never understood why you willingly hung out with niragi, and to be honest, you didn’t really know yourself. 

he treated you like trash when you first met. but something drew you to him. over time, he had warmed up to you. 

and now? he acted as your protector at the Beach. 

which brings us to your current situation – your fingers running through his hair as you gazed at his sleeping form. 

while you couldn’t wait to return to your world, a small part of you wanted to stay here with him. even if just for a little bit longer.

✧ segawa chōta: 

maybe his mother’s prayers really did come true. that was one explanation for why you were still by his side. 

for years, he had been teased by everyone for his inexperience with relationships. but you wove yourself into his life seamlessly, easily befriending arisu and karube to his delight. 

now, as you laid next to him on his bed, he gazed at you fondly. you were the apple of his eye, and he was so grateful to have you in his life. 

you must have noticed him staring at you, because you soon blinked your eyes awake. 

“i didn’t mean to wake you,” he said. “i was just thinking about how lucky I am.” 

you gave him a sleepy smile before your eyes fluttered closed again. 

he chuckled, drawing you close and kissing the top of your head.

✧ tatta kōdai: 

it’s been a long time since he’s woken up feeling so well-rested. like many others, he had had trouble sleeping ever since arriving in the borderlands.

but since he met you, he felt more calm, more sure of himself. you were kind to everyone, even in this dog-eat-dog world. 

most importantly, you were the first person that didn’t think he was a good-for-nothing.

you were asleep beside him, your face slightly scratched from the previous night’s game. you had brushed it off, but tatta blamed himself for not shielding you in time.

still, you looked so peaceful. he didn’t think he deserved someone like you, but you reassured him every time. 

he grazed his finger over your cheek, jolting back when you winced. he hadn’t meant to wake you. 

“it’s okay,” you said sleepily. “i know you would never hurt me on purpose.”

he moved closer to you and wrapped an arm around your waist. you snuggled into his chest.

“love you,” you said as you fell back asleep. 

a small smile tugged at his lips. he rested his head on yours and closed his eyes.

“love you too.”

[hitorimaron]

Inspired by Keep your cards close (and keep me closer) by NobodysPoet

[j-jinxee]

-,' ♱ — :: blowjobs with niragi !

!! — very nsfw

-,' ♱ — niragi's room was filled with nothing but broken moans and the smell of sex. your head spinning from the lack of oxygen,, all your senses filled so heavily with him. the taste of his cum in your mouth,, the scent of his faded cologne,, the blurry sight of him above you — using your pretty mouth for pleasure and nothing more.

-,' ♱ — his pace is sporadic and random,, but very intense. his tip touching the back of your throat with every thrust,, hands entangled in your hair while he forces your head down,, nose kissing his pelvis.

-,' ♱ — it takes hours before he goes soft,, usually cumming about four times before needing a break — and when he cums,, he cums alot. spilling down your throat fast,, ready for you to swallow it all.

-,' ♱ — saliva litters your chin,, he likes it messy after all. your own slick leaking out of you so intensely,, literally dripping onto the floor — the only thing on you being your loose bikini top. your core aches with arousal so intensely,, you have to touch yourself.

-,' ♱ — 'absolutely not — fucking slut' he spits,, his hands going down to grab yours and hold them together. 'not yet baby,, ill get to you soon — just keep fucking going' he says,, neck angling back again as he cums for the fourth time tonight.

-,' ♱ — 'your turn pretty,, cmon — get up' you weakly situate yourself onto the bed,, knees sore from the floor's friction. before you even adjust to the elevation change,, his fingers slide inside you — with such ease,, due to how much sweet juice your pussy's spilling.

-,' ♱ — he won't make you suck him off again tonight,, but you'll request to. he makes you feel so good,, you just wanna make him feel good in return — resulting in a long night of pleasure ᡣ𐭩

─────

ᯓ lalalala so sorry it's been so long,, tq for all the support on my past aib fics ! currently tryna finish some enha fics just to have more of my work out :3 anyways yea,, cya luv ya x

[xxxfxntzdeathxxx]

He's bisexual with internalized homophobia trust me bro

[maxinehufflepuffprincess]

How To Say I Love You

Chishiya Shuntaro x Reader x Niragi Suguru

Love Line Collection.

Summary: The boys tell you they love you without saying it.

I Love You. These three words held a lot of meaning and weight. These three words were both the easiest words in the world to say and yet the hardest too. Some people wanted an epic love story. One they could tell their grandkids about. Others wanted a quiet love. One that was safe and always there. Some wanted all the love they could get. To grip it tight and never let go. Others didn't think they deserved to be loved. Maybe they wanted to experience it just once. Other times it never crosses their minds.

Chishiya was someone who grew up without love. So his thoughts were simple. 'Why mourn something I never had?' But now he did have some look at what love was, a part of him didn't know how to handle it. He often tried to convince himself that it wasn't love. Maybe it was just a really strong attraction. Maybe it was his mind playing tricks on him. Maybe the borderlands had finally driven him up the walls with madness.

Niragi wanted love, but the world treated him like a monster who didn't deserve love. The bullies from his high school days made his life hell and he carried that pain and anger everywhere he went. People wanted to beat him down, so he would beat them before they got the chance. Love was something Niragi would scoff at because who needs it right?

Both did. Both men needed and wanted it. It wasn't a bad thing but both concluded it was a terrible thing to crave. When they two had met, both hated one another. Niragi hated how Chishiya was always judging him, how he could seem to look right through him. Chishiya hated how Niragi always went after someone weaker than him. That he always found himself to be the most important person in the room, and all because the dude was way too trigger-happy.

Then you came into their lives. A light. A softness. A cute sarcasm. You befriended both. Creating your own connections with them. You loved them without them realising at first. Then that first night happened. When the three of you crawled into bed and snuggled up together. The guys held you and you held them, and they held each other. Something shifted between them. Neither realised that change at first. But soon their hate for each other was changing, dissolving and paving a path for new feelings.

When Chishiya first realised that he might actually love you and Niragi. He had been with Kuina. The two were talking quietly. Niragi was on duty and you were just walking with him. Chishiya later found out that your conversation had been about ice cream flavours. But from where he had been standing, all he saw was smiles. You smiled brightly, talking with your hands as you yapped about what was on your mind. Ice cream apparently. People parted like the Red Sea as you and Niragi walked. Niragi loved it, you didn't even notice that people moved. He watched the way Niragi did his best to keep his composure. But Chishiya noticed the little smile on Niragi's lips. The one that was there when he was wholly listening to you, engaging and enjoying himself. Normally doing his job brought him joy, but right now you were the only light of happiness for the man.

"Fuck." Chihsiya whispered under his breath. It hit him hard. He wanted this forever. To watch the two of you smile, laugh and talk. The flutter in his chest, the slight bounce in his knee, the eagerness to have you both. His mind slowed to a stop as he watched you both like no one else was even there. Chishiya was pretty sure he was in love with you both.

Niragi's realisation came in the intimacy of the room you shared. It was a night like any other. The three of you were snuggled together. Your head was on Niragi's chest, legs were on Chishiya's lap. Chishiya and Niragi held hands. The three of you were just talking. Some moments were spent in silence. But it was a comfortable silence. One that didn't need to be filled. It was in that moment, as he looked at you both, smiling up at him. One smile sweet, the other holding a smugness. He knew, then and there, that this was what love was. The small moments. He knew he wanted a future with you both.

Neither were ready to say those three words out loud just yet. So they found other ways to show you and each other how they felt. Touches that lingered longer than usual. Hand holding made each other feel safe. Then there were the other things.

--

Like Niragi, making sure everyone had eaten that day or Chishiya checking wounds, not because it was his job but because he cared.

Niragi would hold your hand, lifting it to his lips, kissing the back of your hand or grazing your knuckles with his lips.

Chishiya would stroke your hair, helping you to calm down after a rough day.

Niragi would listen to Chishiya's ideas. Listen to him talk about some random facts he knew.

Niragi and Chishiya would take turns brushing and styling your hair. They never said no when you offered to do their hair.

You would turn on music or sing a song you knew the boys enjoyed. Dancing with the two of them.

--

"You bring joy to my life." Niragi had told you both one night as the three of you sat by the pool. No one else was there, surprisingly. A rare moment of quiet, as the Beach residents slept.

"Being with you both feels right to me." The three of you had been in the kitchen. Looking for food. You had been talking. A moment of vulnerability from Chishiya told you everything you needed to know.

--

"I trust you more than I trust my own eyes." Chishiya had confessed during a game. You had come up with a plan and asked the boys if they trusted you and your judgement.

"Hear that? You make it do that." Niragi had told you one night as he held you close to his body, your head on his chest, listening to the sound of his heart beat. To say you were a giggling, flustered mess was an understatement.

--

"You need to sleep. Please, just sleep." Niragi knew Chishiya hadn't been sleeping properly. He stayed up at night tinkering with his gadgets that he made. Niragi had had enough. Chishiya needed to sleep, and Niragi cared enough about him to encourage sleep. That night, Chishiya slept peacefully.

"You make every day worth waking up for!" Niragi and Chishiya had been arguing. It wasn't the best argument. They were angry. You didn't find out about what. Not until much later. All you knew was that Chishiya had been hiding something, and Niragi was angry. In a burst of his anger, he blurted out those words. It made Chishiya melt. Maybe secrets weren't always the best way to go.

"I want to share something that happened today." Chihsiya had had a tough day. And he found himself with Niragi, ready and willing to open up. It left Niragi was a warm feeling in his chest. He felt like he held all the trust of the world in his hands. And maybe that was true. Because you and Chishiya were his words. Just as he was your two's world.

Taglist: Thank you for supporting me.

@thecheshireprincess @mocchii-writes @moonchild323232 @potato-vagina @monkey4lifer @kimsrie @so-dramatic1 @28361573

[thecheshireprincess]

Princess of Diamonds

Part I of V

In which you find yourself in Borderland, somehow running into the one person you'd thought was lost to you forever.

A Dad!Kuzuryu x Daughter!Reader five part mini-series

Content Warning: Mentions of death and suicide, curse words, not too much craziness going on in this part ✨️

A/N: I haven't decided if Reader will have one specific love interest, have two 👀 specific love interests, or if she will just remain a flirty queen 👑 So just know that this isn't necessarily a Niragi x Reader pairing, he just gets the first flirt for now 🤣🤭 I hope you guys love this! ❤️

Princess of Diamonds Masterlist

Even your eyelashes feel heavy and achy as you blink rapidly, eyebrows furrowing as you attempt to regain consciousness. The space in front of you was completely dark - you had opened your eyes, hadn't you? - and your head throbbed aggressively.

You bite back a moan of agony, the rest of your body finally responding to your awakened state, nerve endings lighting up all over like fireworks. Stiff, sore, fuck. What happened? You can tell you're sitting upright in an uncomfortable chair with something covering your head. A bag?

Arisu. Usagi. Last you could recall, the three of you had been searching all over Tokyo for a place called The Beach; you must have been caught. Secretive fuckers. You just hoped your friends were still with you and unharmed.

You aren't left to your thoughts for long as the shade is yanked abruptly from your head, allowing bright white light to infiltrate your vision. You squeeze your watering eyes shut tightly in response, the sudden intrusion of the sun's rays doing no favors to your pounding headache. Your hand instictively comes up to massage a tender bump on your head, likely where your kidnappers had hit you to knock you out. You should sue for damages.

"Good morning!" a woman's cheerful voice chirps from a couple of feet in front of you. It probably would be a good morning, if you hadn't been assaulted for simply looking for answers in a world that seemed to have none.

And then a voice fills your ears, the low tone immediately soothing your frayed nerves like a balm. A voice that you'd been certain you'd never have the privilege of hearing again, "I'm sorry that we were so rough. We heard that there were some people sneaking around the place." You finally lift your head up as he finishes his apology, eyes meeting his framed behind distinctive wire glasses. You notice his breath catches in his throat, eyes widening, as your reality seems to shift beneath you. How could this possibly be?

Your father was presumed to be dead, missing for more than six months in the old world. His disappearance the catalyst for the fiery collapse of the life you'd known for 24 years. But now? Here he was standing in front of you dressed in a short-sleeved collared shirt and board shorts. At a place dubbed The Beach. A place whose citizens had assaulted you and your friends, leaving you unconscious and bewildered. The sight of him filled you with rage, only adding to the pressure currently threatening to crack your skull in half. Your pulse pounded obscenely in your ears, making it nearly impossible to hear anything over the thunderous beat. You lowered your gaze to the dirty tan carpet at your feet, you'd be sick if you had to keep looking at the man.

You're instantly grateful that Arisu and Usagi are, in fact, on either side of you and can function well enough to converse with the wild haired man that has come parading ceremoniously into the room. You make a half-hearted attempt to listen to the man, spewing all sorts of propaganda about what the cards mean, what collecting them will do, and how the citizens of The Beach have pledged themselves to him. To live for him, to die for him. What an absolute lunatic; you kind of like him.

It's then that the two muscular men that had accompanied Hatter - that's what he called himself - into the conference room push the thin pocket wall dividing the room out of the way. Your eyes are met with a colorful wall coated thickly in spray painted playing cards. This must be their way of keeping track of which cards they still needed, and from the looks of things, they weren't too far off from the goal. Impressive.

Hatter paces back and forth in front of your group, animatedly describing that most things are allowed and encouraged in his self proclaimed utopia - drinking, drugs, sex, you name it. There are, however, a few limitations. "Rule one, swimwear is mandatory," he says, grandly gesturing towards a pretty woman with a bob cut. When the three of you presumably look at him questioningly, he gladly elaborates, "Well you can't very well hide weapons in swimwear, right?! It's genius!"

Ah, so no weapons then. That's disappointing. A quick glance to your right confirms your suspicions - they'd already confiscated your pistol and homemade bombs. They were sitting innocently among your groups' other possessions on a desk by the window, likely never to be seen by you again. Hatter re-enters your line of vision as he strides toward the desk, gracefully scooping up the stack of playing cards adorning it. Your playing cards, to be more specific.

"Rule two, all cards belong to The Beach. We work together to collect all the cards, sending one person back at a time as we form complete decks." You can see through your periphery that your friends are a little distressed by this particular rule, and the fact that Hatter now has your cards pressed in his hands. You on the other hand, couldn't care less. You aren't trying to get out of here anyway.

Arisu and Usagi launch into another back and forth with Hatter, and you won't lie, you're starting to get bored. Everything feels inconsequential to you at this point, and you'd prefer to just get on with it. And away from your father. You take this moment to quickly analyze the people stationed around the room. You don't, however, dare look to your left; actively avoiding your father's constant gaze burning a hole through you. So all of these people have truly bought into this man's insanity? Your incredibly intelligent father included. You briefly wonder if he's lost his mind. But no, Hatter must really be that charismatic, that convincing. Or maybe people finding themselves in this new place are really just that desperate for something to find hope in? You can't relate.

You tune listlessly back into the conversation just as Arisu asks what would happen if the three of you refused Hatter's offer. You had a feeling that you already knew the answer to that, the long-haired man in front of you looking like he'd never accepted no as an answer in his life. He turns ominously around from where he'd been ogling the cards painted carefully on the wall to face the three of you once more.

"Rule three, this is the last rule," he articulates in a low tone, holding three fingers up to you. "Death to the traitors." His oddly distant eyes stare daggers at the three of you over the top of his aviator glasses, making it clear that this was not a joke. Finally, something exciting. So you would be forced to live here and serve this man's whims - him blackmailing you into staying with the cold threat of death. Your eyes sparkled, you could have a good time here. You smirk, crossing your arms and leaning back in your chair as Hatter makes his grand exit. There is nothing more that needs to be said, the three of you would be locked in here until the end - whatever that might look like.

The mysterious woman with the bob cut and sunglasses covering her face strides confidently over to your group, offering to show you around and help you get settled in. You are quick to accept, knowing that you didn't have the patience or willpower right now to deal with the man still studying you from across the room. You doubted that you could avoid him forever at this resort, but you would damn well try.

He was, after all, just a ghost to you now.

♤ ♡ ◇ ♧

You sit comfortably on a wicker barstool in front of the bar, swinging your legs back and forth in a show of indifference. One finger traces the base of your martini glass with a feather light touch, your other hand cradling your chin as you reflect on the last couple of hours. Ann turned out to be super sweet, much less intimidating than she presented herself. You liked that about her.

She had helped you choose a few outfits to stock your new wardrobe with; most pieces were beachwear, of course, but you'd also chosen some sweatshirts, long pants, and shorts for game nights. She'd also shown you to your room, giving you a full rundown of the power dynamic at The Beach as you put away your new clothes and tried to settle in to your new life.

She was quick to tell you about Aguni and the Militants, warning you in no uncertain terms to stay out of their way. Away from them entirely, if possible. A challenge. Then there was, of course, Hatter and his Executive board. You weren't surprised in the slightest to hear your father is ranked number two and has been for some time. You'd scoffed as Ann presented you with that piece of information, catching her attention. "Do you know each other?" she'd implored. You'd laughed drily, feeling no need to lie to her, "He's my Dad. And he's supposed to be dead." You know the look on your face must have been dripping in disdain and probably confused the woman sitting on the edge of your bed. Ann had pursed her cherry red lips, giving a slight nod before smiling encouragingly, "Family can be . . . difficult. Try not to waste an opportunity for a second chance." You'd hummed in acknowledgement, shooting her a half-hearted smile. Did you want to give your father a second chance? You weren't sure.

You didn't stay locked up in your room for long after Ann had rushed off to perform other Executive duties, deciding that you should at least try to take advantage of the amenities. If the people of The Beach were partying, who were you to argue? Bottoms up. You didn't bother to search for Arisu and Usagi either - you knew they'd be safe at the resort and would take care of each other. Honestly, those two were perfect for each other, and you were more of a loner anyway.

At least, you were now. It was better that way - with the way you were these days. You weren't sure how to explain it. It turns out that losing both of your parents in such a short span of time can really take a toll on a person's livelihood. You'd been in a sort of depression since everything had happened, most days you felt like a walking zombie. You still went through the motions of keeping your basic needs met and showing up to work, but you could tell that your will to thrive was not very strong. Coming into this new world was an interesting development to say the least. A positive development?

A different world, with different rules. It was a sort of sick entertainment for you, watching people fear for their lives in the game arenas as you laid your life on the line without concern. It was no concern to you if you lived or died, because you had nothing to live for here, and nothing to return to in the original world.

Whether Hatter's theories were true or not, didn't matter to you. You couldn't care less that he wanted to make all of these people bust their asses to earn cards every night just for him to be the one to return to the original world, yourself included. He could have all of your cards, for the rest of time if he wanted. You had every intention of staying here for as long as you could keep yourself alive. It was at least better than being stuck in a world where everything had been stripped from you.

After a while of soaking up the sun's golden rays and enjoying the rowdy sounds of the players splashing in the pool behind you, a shadow is cast over your form as someone approaches you from behind. You sigh, rolling your eyes as you turn to look at them. To tell them to fuck off. A slender man with sharp black eyes and a rifle slung against his shoulder slips an arm on the back of your chair and lowers himself presumptuously in the one next to you. Niragi. You had wondered when you would get the pleasure.

You raise an eyebrow at him expectantly, taking a delicate sip from your glass and allowing the pink liquid to burn its way down your throat deliciously.

The man studies you, dark eyes roaming all over your body, "What's a pretty thing like you doing over here alone?" You chuckle in disbelief, not really expecting the weakest pickup line of all time to come out of his mouth.

"I choose to be alone, thank you. And is that the best a guy like you has got? You are really underestimating me," you say dangerously, flipping your hair over your shoulder and settling back into your seat. Allowing his arm to brush lightly across your shoulders. Niragi's reputation preceeded him, you already knew he was a walking red flag. A monster. And maybe that's why you felt a little intrigued by him. It couldn't hurt to get to know him a little, right?

At the very least, you knew allowing someone like him within close proximity to you would bother your father, which was something you were highly interested in accomplishing right now. A mischievous grin spreads across your face just at the thought of his reaction to Niragi's arm being wrapped around you.

Niragi smirks, excited to have met someone who could actually hold their own against him. "Really?" he drawls, arching a pierced eyebrow at you, "Are you sure that you aren't the one underestimating me?"

You hum, leaning forward with your chin resting in both of your hands now, bright eyes clashing against his dark ones. "I know exactly who you are, Niragi. And I'm not afraid of you, you won't be getting in the way of what I want."

Your eyes narrow at him, waiting patiently for him to try to rebut you. The man standing behind the bar, Tatta you'd learned earlier, sends you a distressed look as he slides another fruity pink drink over to you; you are allowing a snake dangerously close to sinking its fangs into your neck. You smile sweetly at the boy, reassuring. You have Niragi right where you want him.

"And what about what I want, baby?" he asks, piercings glittering in the sun. You are definitely attracted to this man, monster or not. His face has gotten dangerously close too, though you certainly aren't complaining, allowing his nose to nearly touch yours. After a moment of tense silence, you flash Niragi a dazzling grin before turning your head to tip your glass all the way back, finishing off your first drink. You stand abruptly from your seat now, grasping the stem of the martini glass that Tatta just handed you as you go.

Niragi's eyebrows knit in confusion at your sudden departure,and you send a confident wink in his direction. "Guess we'll have to wait and see what you deserve to get from me," you say ardently, tone even but still teasing. Flipping your hair again to fall luxuriously back down your back, you skip off toward the other side of the glistening blue pool and leave the man sitting dumbfoundedly at the bar. You, on the other hand, were hoping to get lost in your second martini and fall asleep in the sun for a few hours.

If Niragi wanted to play cat and mouse with you, you wanted to make sure that he knew you were the cat.

♤ ♡ ◇ ♧

After spending your entire afternoon and early evening basking in the hot sun and drinking, you were looking forward to drowning yourself in a hot shower. Okay, maybe not drowning yourself, but at least drowning the thoughts that hadn't been sufficiently killed off by the liquor. You turn the brass door handle to enter your room, flinging the door open blindly into the darkness. You nearly jump out of your skin, clasping your hands to your mouth to mask your scream when you find a silhouette already standing by the window waiting for you.

"What the fuck!" You curse at your father, nearly having had a heart attack. You should have been expecting this, of course he wouldn't just leave you to your own devices now that he knew you were here. "Do you have to stand forebodingly in the dark like that? You could have at least turned on the light!" you exclaim again, conflicting emotions seeping out of you like a thick smoke. You indignantly flip the switch to bathe the room in warm light, finally letting your eyes study your father for the first time.

He looks mostly the same as he always has, serious and tired from - what? In the old world you could kind of understand, the man worked tirelessly as a powerful attorney, usually putting his job above his family and often times even being forced to go against his own personal ideals. What's he tired from now? Sitting at The Beach and partying all day? A part of you wants to tell him to fuck off, to leave you alone and let you sleep, but for some reason you don't. He turns to look fully at you now, showing very little emotion on his features, but a brief flicker of concern in his eyes. His arms are crossed characteristically across his chest, standing as though he was holding court. And somehow you're the defendent.

You shuffle further inside the room to be able to push the door shut behind you, stumbling a little bit over your strappy sandals as you do. Whoops, so maybe you'd had a little more fun at the pool than you realized.

Chestnut eyes examine you, his professional poker face giving away nothing about how he was feeling. "You're drunk," he states simply, only stoking the flames of your fury towards him.

You look incredulously up at him from where you've plopped yourself down on the plush couch against the opposing wall; a younger, very different version of yourself would probably have cried. Instead, you laugh. A coarse, mocking sort of sound. "You haven't seen me, your only daughter, in six months and the first thing that comes out of your mouth is a criticism? Just when you think you know a person," you spit venomously.

"Is that all you wanted, then? Worried that I'll tarnish your precious reputation here at this stupid cult resort?" You give him no chance to respond to you, and he doesn't interrupt. Would never interrupt. Because where you are fiery and stubborn, he meets you with calm composure; a perfect counterpoint. "It all makes sense, really. All you've ever cared about was your reputation, isn't it? You've never cared about me. About Mom. No wonder she left you in the dust," you snarl. You realize that you're openly spitting vitriol at your Dad, allowing the liquor flowing through your system to drive the conversation.

He hums calmly, not taking the bait. Not responding back out of anger or hurt. Because if there was one thing your father was actually good at, it was listening to understand, not listening to react. So even though you've just spewed hateful, horrible words at him, you know he isn't hearing that. He's hearing what you aren't saying. I was so scared when you went missing. I've missed you. Why are we here? Didn't you know that I still needed you? Don't you love me anymore? What is going to happen to us here?

The man takes a couple of carefully measured strides to shorten the distance between you, sitting on your bed across from where you're sprawled somewhat drunkenly. "I understand how you must be feeling . . ." he tries to reason, one hand raised and reaching toward you slightly, but you still have shit you need to say and cut him off immediately.

"No the fuck you don't understand!" you roar without second thought of players residing in neighboring rooms. "Mom's dead. It's all your fault. You think I'm just going to throw myself into your arms?" Think again. I'm not your sweet little girl that you left behind. I'm an orphan now." You feel the emotional tide start to turn within you at this point, rage bleeding slowly into despair as you think about all of the horrible catastophes that had led you to this place.

Your father takes his glasses off to pinch the bridge of his nose, a classic indication that "you've stressed him out". Good. You don't say anything more now, picking lightly at a loose thread that hung from the arm of the couch. Trying to hold back tears. Because you'll be damned if you cry in front of your father today, absolutely the fuck not.

The man says your name quietly when he's certain you're finished with your outburst, "Honey, I didn't ask to come here any more than you did." He sighs, exhausted, always exhausted just like in the old world. It's then that you notice how much older he looks, like he's carrying the weight of an entire world with him. "Tell me what happened with Mom." His voice cracks just a tiny bit at the mention of his ex-wife, a change that would go unrecognized to most people, but you can tell at least that bit of news has hurt him. You turn your head to escape his scrutinizing gaze, fixing your eyes on a spot on the wall.

Eight months ago, two months before the man now sitting in front of you disappeared, your parents announced they'd be getting divorced. You'd thought it was the worst thing that could happen to you at the time. Devastation. No one wants to see the eternal love they've always known and looked up to, be shattered right in front of their eyes. You had been left disillusioned about love at the very least. Was love a real thing? Even if it was, could it last forever?

Just a few days after you had helped your Dad move into a new townhouse about twenty minutes from your childhood home, he left to go on a work trip. You were staying at the new place to help him get settled, and of course to watch Kumo, your father's Akita. It was only supposed to be a three day trip, but as three days turned into five, and then into a week, you'd panicked. Search party after search party was sent out, exhausting every location that he could possibly be.

Though no body was ever uncovered, search efforts were lifted after three weeks. Your father was presumed dead. Some people speculated that he ran away, but you knew. It didn't matter that your Dad often put work ahead of you, you knew that if he was capable of coming back, he would have. But still? There was a lot of fury in you. Your brain desperately wanted - needed - something to blame for the pain.

"She blamed herself for your disappearance. She thought that maybe you'd run away because of everything that happened, and just wanted to start fresh without us." You blink some tears from your eyes, because this was the worst part. The part that you usually left out of the story, because you were not a good daughter. Because though you'd told your Dad it was all his fault that your Mom was gone, it was really your fault. At least that's how you see it.

You let out a shaky breath, pressing your nails deeply into the soft skin of your palms as the gravity of the situation weighs on you. You hazard a brief glance up at your father, finding his face softened, looking at you with as much warmth as someone like him can offer. When he realizes that you're struggling with the next part, he shifts toward you. Slowly, giving you the chance to back away from him if you want. Your father comes to kneel in front of you, carefully unwrapping your fingers from where they are leaving crescent shaped marks in your skin, taking your hands in his. Gently rubbing his thumbs along your knuckles, let me hold the pain for you.

"I-i blamed her too. I told her it was her fault that you left us . . . It was me that put that idea in her head. I-i made sure that she lost both of us and I didn't even get a chance to apologize or see her one last time before it happened," you lament. You hadn't meant it when you said it, you were just so upset. It would always be your greatest regret in life.

Your father closed his eyes, taking in the information you'd given him, processing it all with a deep, painful sigh. He shakes his head slightly, pulling you fully into his arms in a tight hug now. You stiffen initially, still a little bit hesitant, but eventually allow your head to rest on his shoulder. You feel a weight lifted from your chest, one that has been pressing down on you like a boulder for the last eight months.

"It's not your fault, sweetheart. There's so much that you don't know, so much that we didn't want you to have to carry the burden of," your father consoles you, and you lose track of time as you revel in the feeling of being held by the person you thought for sure you'd never see again.

"Dad?" You whisper after a while, as if there were people of The Beach watching or listening, and honestly there probably were. "I know you're a part of this weird organization or whatever and I won't do anything to mess that up. But know this, I don't plan on going back to our world. I want to stay here."

Your statement caught Kuzuryu off guard, and his spine went rigid at hearing it. He was lucky you still had your head rested on his shoulder and weren't looking at his face, because he was certain his usually vacant expression was anything but.

There was so much you didn't know, didn't understand about this place. So much he couldn't reveal to you. The man felt a lump in his throat forming, time was a precious commodity here and he was already running out of it. The Beach had just a few remaining cards to collect before the Ten of Hearts would be revealed, and then, it would be their turn. He had a few days, maybe a week if he was lucky, to spend with you. In that time, he needed to convince you to go home when you were given the choice.

Kuzuryu might not be willing to weigh the value of other peoples' lives against each other, but to him, your life was the most valuable in the world.

♤ ♡ ◇ ♧

Princess of Diamonds Tag List: @dreamy-crow @maxinehufflepuffprincess

Princess of Diamonds Masterlist

As always, please never hesitate to let me know if you want to be added to (or removed from) the tag list! 💕✨️ I absolutely love hearing from and interacting with this community, so come hang out in the comments or in my asks ❤️ ily endlessly

[burdarian]

ТГК: burdarian

[ryoheiii]

I just realised that both Chishiya and Kuina fought their mirror selves

[safushio]

[flaredcfan]

I just realised this, after re-watching Alice in Borderland for like the 723828372 time.

"I wonder if there's a doctor here" Then the camera pans to Chishiya, with a freaking close up.

Yeah. There was a doctor there actually. I feel so stupid not noticing this earlier 😔

[ankababy]

i feel like i'm the only one that is rooting for niragi 😭😭don't get me wrong i love chishiya, but i fear niragi has my heart. like i love the interactions with him and reader.

I want them both so bad it’s driving me crazy but I kinda want ALL characters💔 like vro I dunno who to think about b4 falling asleep🥀

[angelseraphines]

ೃ⁀➷ body electric ˗ˏˋ꒰ 🦢 ꒱

╰┈➤ suguru niragi x former!lover!reader imagine

a/n: i would like to give a special thank you to @lumillsie for the layout of this post and for the filter used on the header! please note that i do not agree with the choices of niragi and for any fanfictions i write about him, those controversial actions will be omitted!

˚ ༘♡ it was the strangest thing, stepping out of your bedroom and into a world that had ceased to exist. the familiar cadence of life, the hushed creaks of the old family estate, the distant sounds of the city beyond, had been swallowed whole by silence. you called out, expecting an answer, but none came. the lavish halls stretched empty, the doors left ajar as if abandoned in an instant. outside, the streets of tokyo stood frozen in time, emptied of their ceaseless crowds, their neon-lit chaos. no cars idling at intersections, no distant murmur of conversation, no footsteps beyond your own.

˚ ༘♡ for hours, you wandered, a lone figure adrift in a dead city. the absence of life gnawed at your mind, an eerie stillness pressing against your skin. you searched for movement, for any sign that you weren’t the last person left in the world. then, at long last, you found them, a handful of strangers clustered in the remains of a building complex, their faces etched with the same confusion and fear that pained your expression. pitiful consolation burned in your chest, only to be doused by frustration. they knew nothing. no one did.

˚ ༘♡ then came the notification, it read the following, “visa: 3 days remaining.”

˚ ༘♡ your heart pounded as you turned to one of the others, demanding to know what it meant. their answer was worse than anything your mind had conjured. you had three days to play. three days to win. fail, or refuse, and your visa would expire. and when that happened, you would die.

˚ ༘♡ it sounded absurd, a nightmare spun from exhaustion and fear. but then the first game began.

˚ ༘♡ a siren wailed through the building, red emergency lights casting the halls in an unnatural glow. a door slammed open. and then he appeared.

˚ ༘♡ a towering figure draped in dark clothing, a horse mask concealing his face, the gleam of a gun heavy in his hands. he did not hesitate. the first shot rang out, cutting through the confusion, splattering blood across the walls. screams shattered the air. chaos erupted, bodies scrambling for cover as the game of tag began, except this wasn’t a game. not really.

˚ ༘♡ you ran. every breath burned, every heartbeat a countdown to death. the masked man moved with terrifying precision, his steps unhurried, methodical. you turned a corner just as another shot rang out through the air, a body hitting the ground behind you. fear coursed through your veins like fire, but survival drove you forward.

˚ ༘♡ in the end, you lived, not by skill, not by strength, but by sheer luck. a young man and a woman, moving like they had done this before, found the safe zone in the final moments. you barely made it, collapsing against the wall, lungs heaving, the taste of fear still thick in your throat. the masked man vanished. the sirens cut off. eerie silence returned.

˚ ༘♡ your phone buzzed again. your visa had been extended.

˚ ༘♡ the next day, you could hardly move. fatigue and shock weighed you down, pinning you to the cold floor of the abandoned building you had taken refuge in. your mind refused to process what had happened, but deep down, you knew. if you didn’t move, if you didn’t act, you wouldn’t survive the next game.

˚ ༘♡ it was pure chance that you ran into them again, the two who had saved you. the young man introduced himself as ryohei arisu, the woman as yuzuha usagi. you thanked them, though words felt meaningless after what you had just endured. when they asked if you wanted to join them, you didn’t hesitate.

˚ ༘♡ arisu mentioned a location called the beach, a rumored sanctuary where players had gathered. a sliver of hope in a city that had become a graveyard.

˚ ༘♡ it took time, careful observation, and calculated risk, but after following a group of players you recognized from the game of tag, you knew you were close, but without warning a devastating blow was delivered to the back of your head and you were entrenched by darkness.

˚ ༘♡ when you woke, your wrists were bound, the scent of lavender incense thick in the air. a lavish room stretched before you, unfamiliar faces standing in the dim light. a man entered, draped in a loose robe, his presence far too casual for the circumstances. he grinned and extended his arms in a welcoming gesture, “i am sure you all have questions, and we have the answers you are searching for.”

˚ ༘♡ the robed man, who introduced himself as the hatter, was the self-proclaimed ruler of the beach. with a charismatic grin, he explained the laws that governed this facade of a sanctuary, his voice smooth, practically hypnotic, as if he had rehearsed it countless times before.

˚ ༘♡ one. all playing cards collected from the games belonged to the beach. they believed that obtaining a full deck would grant them passage back to the original world, though there was no proof, only blind faith and desperation. two. all members were to follow the will of the leader, the hatter himself, and his chosen executive members. their word was law. questioning it was not an option. three. the most sinister of all, betray the beach, and you will be executed without mercy.

˚ ༘♡ his delivery was casual and lighthearted, but the dread of those mandates settled akin to lead in your stomach. there was no room for dissent. you were not being invited, you were being conscripted.

˚ ༘♡ with no choice but to comply, you were ushered away, given a simple command: change into swimsuits. no exceptions. it was a method of control, a way to ensure no weapons could be concealed. but beyond that, it was humiliating. a stripping away of your identity, reducing you to just another body in the beach’s twisted paradise.

˚ ༘♡ you were led into a grand dressing room, its gilded mirrors and velvet benches a stark contrast to the world outside. racks of swimwear lined the walls, bright, revealing, designed for spectacle rather than function. hesitant, you sifted through the options before settling on a pearl-white one-piece with a sweetheart neckline, elegant yet understated. even so, the thought of baring yourself in such a vulnerable space made you uneasy. for a sliver of modesty, you grabbed a sheer cover-up, draping it over your shoulders before stepping out into the heart of the resort.

˚ ༘♡ and what you saw left you speechless.

˚ ༘♡ the beach was alive with indulgence. men and women in vibrant bikinis and neon swim trunks danced freely, their bodies moving under the golden glow of the sun. cocktails sloshed in their hands, music pulsed from unseen speakers, laughter rang out like the city had never vanished. it was surreal, a fever dream of excess set against the backdrop of an abandoned world.

˚ ༘♡ but beneath the revelry, there was something off. something calculated.

˚ ༘♡ as you moved through the crowd, you felt it, the leering gazes of men trailing after you, drinking you in like you were just another prize in this lawless haven. your grip tightened around your cover-up, pulling it closer, shielding yourself as best as you could without drawing attention. searching the crowd, you finally spotted familiar faces, usagi and arisu, standing off to the side, their expressions indistinct.

˚ ༘♡ relief rushed through you as you hurried over. “i thought i’d never be able to find you two.”

˚ ༘♡ usagi glanced up, her eyes taking you in. she wore a navy blue two-piece, a peach zip-up jacket pulled tightly around her frame despite the heat. her voice was low, almost conspiratorial as she muttered, “can you believe they’re making everyone dress like this? it’s humiliating.”

˚ ༘♡ arisu, arms crossed, let out a slow breath, gaze drifting toward the endless stretch of blue sky. “you think what the executives said is true?” his voice was laced with doubt. “that if we gather all the cards, we can go back?”

˚ ༘♡ neither you nor usagi answered. because what was there to say? it was a fool’s hope, a dangling promise intended to keep the beach running, to keep its members playing the games. no one knew if escape was even possible. and something told you that the people in charge of these depraved, debauched games didn’t care.

˚ ༘♡ the vivacious laughter and excitement that had consumed the resort mere moments ago began to wane, like a tide pulling back, exposing something far more menacing beneath the surface. you felt it before you saw it, a change in the air, an unspoken tension that rippled through the crowd, silencing the drunken revelry. turning your head, your breath became erratic.

˚ ༘♡ a group of men strode through the party, their presence suffocating, the very energy of the beach seeming to warp around them. at the front of the pack, you recognized him immediately, the man who had taken down the tagger during your first game. his presence had unnerved you then, and it unnerved you now. he moved with the quiet confidence of a predator, his muscled frame tense beneath his tank top, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd with indifference. he looked like a member of the yakuza with his shaved head and vicious attitude.

˚ ༘♡ yet, it was the figure behind him that truly sent a chill down your spine. a man dressed in black, his hood drawn up over his head, a long, gleaming blade clutched in his grip. his head was shaved clean, but tattoos inked his stark white skin, crawling down his neck like a web of curses. he didn’t speak. he didn’t need to. his very presence was suffocating, a walking omen of violence.

˚ ༘♡ your gaze steadily drifted to the figure on the left, and your entire body locked up.

˚ ༘♡ no.

˚ ༘♡ your heart lurched, your stomach twisting into knots so tight you felt nauseous. your breath caught in your throat, your knees going weak beneath you. your mind screamed at you that it couldn’t be, that it shouldn’t be. but it was.

˚ ༘♡ “hey, aguni, who is this jerk staring at you?”

˚ ༘♡ the masculine voice with a taunting edge, slashed through the unbearable silence, your gaze landed on him. niragi.

˚ ༘♡ he stood before you, a rifle slung casually over his shoulder, his smirk razor-sharp and laced with cruelty. but your eyes weren’t on the weapon. they weren’t even on the piercings that now lined his eyebrow and tongue, nor the unruly strands of black hair that had grown out since you last saw him.

˚ ༘♡ the same eyes that once held warmth, shyness, devotion. the same eyes that once looked at you like you were his entire world. but now? now they were malicious and dark, devoid of anything kind and compassionate. the cocky bravado was there, the smirk, the teasing edge to his voice. but for a fleeting second, just a fraction of a second, his mask slipped. his expression faltered. he recognized you. he wasn’t expecting this, he wasn’t expecting you.

˚ ༘♡ arisu, beside you, blinked in surprise. “you’re the guy from the game of tag.”

˚ ༘♡ aguni, the man leading the group, barely spared you a glance. instead, his gaze flickered over the three of you, his lips curling in something that wasn’t quite a sneer, wasn’t quite pity. “i see your friend died.” his tone was cold, impersonal. “what a shame. the weak ones survived.”

˚ ༘♡ niragi, however, was no longer looking at arisu or aguni. his full attention was on you. his fingers twitched at his side, his head tilting slightly, like he was trying to piece together if this was real or some bizarre hallucination. then, before you could even think of what to say, he took a step forward, closing the distance between you just enough to make your breath catch in your throat.

˚ ༘♡ ”it’s been a while, honey.”

˚ ༘♡ his voice was laced with mockery, with that menacing brutality, but there was something else too, something genuine. a sliver of sincerity buried beneath it all, a trace of something that made your heart ache, remnants of the niragi you once cherished so deeply.

˚ ༘♡ “why are you hanging out with this loser?” niragi seethed, his voice ridden with contempt as his glare locked onto arisu. before arisu could even process the insult, let alone defend himself, niragi swung the end of his rifle into his face with a sickening crack. the impact sent arisu crashing onto the cold, tiled floor, his head snapping back against the hard surface.

˚ ༘♡ blood gushed from his nose and mouth almost instantly, painting the shining white tiles in deep crimson. he barely had a chance to react before niragi loomed over him, lifting his boot and slamming it into his ribs. arisu curled inward, gasping in pain, but niragi wasn’t done. he kicked him again, this time in the head.

˚ ༘♡ usagi let out a panicked cry and dropped to the ground beside arisu, her hands flying up to shield him. “stop! please!” she shouted, desperation cracking her voice. she tried to shove niragi away, but he barely stumbled. without hesitation, he turned and shoved her back with enough force to send her sprawling across the floor.

˚ ༘♡ “what the hell are you doing?” you snapped, horror and disbelief flooding your veins. your mind reeled, unable to make sense of what you were seeing, of the man standing before you. niragi had once been the one suffering under the weight of cruelty, bullied relentlessly until he had nearly been broken. you had been the one to step in, to defend him, to pull him from the insults and beatings of others. and now, here he was, standing in the shoes of the very monsters who had tormented him.

˚ ༘♡ what happened to him?

˚ ༘♡ “niragi, enough! no more!” you yelled out, but he ignored you, lifting his boot again as if he had already decided arisu’s fate.

˚ ༘♡ you didn’t think. you acted. you threw yourself in front of him, your body a barrier between niragi and the bloodied mess of arisu curled up on the floor. usagi was already huddled beside him, shielding him as best as she could. you could see niragi’s rise and fall as adrenaline coursed through his veins, feel his eyes boring into you, but you didn’t care.

˚ ༘♡ “what have you become?” you shouted, your voice shaking, your emotions threatening to swallow you whole. “have you lost your mind because of these games? is this who you are now?”

˚ ༘♡ niragi stood motionless, his expression darkening. for a minute, something unreadable glistened in his gaze, something vanishing, something buried beneath layers of cruelty and indifference. then, his lips coiled into a sneer.

˚ ༘♡ “what have i become?” he mocked, his tone laced with amusement. “why are you being so melodramatic?”

˚ ༘♡ your heart pounded as you looked past him, at the men standing behind him, watching without saying a word. this was for them. niragi wasn’t just acting out of anger, he was performing, playing the role expected of him, preserving whatever foreboding image he had built here.

˚ ༘♡ he exhaled sharply and tilted his head, his smirk growing. “get out of my way, would you?” his voice was almost teasing, but there was a dangerous edge beneath it. he reached out, fingers brushing against your cheek in a touch that once would have made you feel more beloved than any woman in the world. but now? now, it was no different than the most potent of venom.

˚ ༘♡ your grimaced with revulsion, and before he could even register it, you jerked away, stepping back like his touch had burned you. niragi chuckled, shaking his head. “come on, don’t be like that,” he mused. “i promise we’ll have all the time in the world to catch up, after i finish with these two.”

˚ ༘♡ he moved to step around you, his patience wearing thin, but you blocked him again. this time, your stance was firmer, your hands clenching into fists at your sides, your fingernails digging into the skin of your palms. you could feel your pulse pounding in your throat, but you forced yourself to meet his gaze, unflinching.

˚ ༘♡ “niragi, please.”

˚ ༘♡ his name left your lips softer this time, stripped of the anger, stripped of the disbelief. it was a plea, not simply for arisu’s sake but for his, for the young man you once knew, the one you once loved.

˚ ༘♡ niragi hesitated. for a short while, something in his expression changed. you held his gaze, hoping, praying, that somewhere beneath the layers of cruelty and violence, he still remembered, those late-night phone calls, the way he used to look at you when he thought you weren’t watching, the warmth of his fingers laced through yours on lazy afternoons at the café. if there was anything left of that niragi, maybe, just maybe, he would stop.

˚ ༘♡ his smirk twitched, his tongue flicking over the silver piercing on his lip. then, with a lazy wave of his hand, he scoffed. “eh, whatever,” he muttered, swinging his rifle back over his shoulder as if nothing had happened. “this is no fun with you whining in my ear.” he turned away without another glance, striding off like he had already forgotten all about you. the rest of the men followed, their presence dissipating as quickly as it had arrived. aguni lingered for a tad longer, his expression obscured and harsh, before he, too, disappeared into his horde of followers.

˚ ༘♡ you stood bewildered, the tension in your body unraveling all at once, leaving only nausea in its wake. the atmosphere still buzzed with energy from the resort party, but it all felt so far away, like a different world entirely. your mind returned to arisu and usagi, they required your help.

˚ ༘♡ you spun on your heel and dropped to your knees beside him. he was still on the floor, barely conscious, his face drained of color, his body limp. usagi knelt beside him, pressing her zip-up jacket against his forehead to slow the bleeding. the fabric was already stained deep red.

˚ ༘♡ panic surged through you. you reached out, brushing arisu’s shoulder tenderly, trying to ground yourself as much as him. “i’ll get help, okay? stay here.”

˚ ༘♡ usagi nodded, her jaw tight, her focus entirely on arisu. you pushed yourself to your feet, your heart hammering as you turned and ran. you didn’t know where you were going. you didn’t even know who you could turn to in a place like this. but you had to hurry. arisu was losing too much blood, his life was in danger, because of niragi.

˚ ༘♡ your mind still couldn’t fully grasp it, the sheer impossibility of what he had become. your sweet and loving boyfriend you once knew was gone, replaced by a man who could smile through savagery, who could beat someone half to death and consider it entertainment.

˚ ༘♡ niragi was gone. whatever had taken his place, you weren’t sure you wanted to understand.

a/n: my first alice in borderland fanfiction! if you have any thoughts or requests, please let me know! 🤍

[dreamwavesexploringreality]

Unfinished business (pt 1):

Chishiya x Reader

Requested: Chishiya and the reader, who are in a relationship, face a game together where her toxic ex-boyfriend appears

—

"Ready?" Chishiya asked as he strode into Y/N's room without bothering to knock.

The girl was staring at her reflection in the mirror, trying to tie her hair into a high ponytail that would keep it out of her way during a game where her life might be on the line.

"Almost," she replied, struggling to tame a few rebellious strands that refused to cooperate.

With a sigh of feigned annoyance, Chishiya stepped forward, his hands moving through her hair with practiced ease to help smooth it back.

"Thanks," she smiled, turning to plant a soft kiss on his lips, which he returned without hesitation.

If anyone had ever told Chishiya he would be this affectionate with someone, he wouldn't have believed it. Yet, somehow, through time and relentless effort, Y/N had managed to break down the high walls he'd built around himself, walls he once thought impenetrable, keeping him distant from anything resembling human emotion.

"Shall we?" she asked, extending her hand toward him. He took it, intertwining his fingers with hers.

The pair walked out the door, their steps immediately met by the raucous noise of the crowd in the main hall, ready to face another night of death and pain with false optimism and several liters of alcohol in their systems.

They descended the stairs in silence, and Y/N felt the faint pressure of Chishiya's hand giving hers a gentle squeeze before releasing it. It was a familiar routine; whenever they entered a crowded space, he would always let go. Everyone at The Beach already knew they were together—it wasn't a secret, nor did they try to hide it. Still, Chishiya found comfort in masking his emotions in public, and Y/N didn’t mind. It was enough for her to know that, at the end of the day, he was still hers.

With a quick nod of his head, Chishiya gestured for her to pick up her group number for that night's game.

Approaching the table, she took a folded slip of paper from Niragi, who handed it over with a gaze heavy with desire. Y/N avoided his look as quickly as she could. She heard his laughter, a sound that reminded her of a hyena, and at the same moment felt a hand rest lightly on her lower back. Turning, she exhaled in relief to find Chishiya standing there.

Without a word, Chishiya extended his free hand, and Niragi handed him his slip in a silent exchange, their gazes locking in an unspoken challenge.

The couple moved through the crowd, Chishiya's hand lingering on her lower back, almost imperceptible to anyone who wasn’t paying close attention. With subtle movements, he guided her toward the farthest wall of the room, where they unfolded their respective slips of paper.

"We're together tonight," he noted after glancing at the numbers.

Y/N nodded, though a wave of unease churned in her stomach. She looked at him, doubt flickering in her eyes. His face remained calm and stoic, his gaze fixed ahead on the Hatter, who had begun his usual speech. Chishiya was impossible to read when he chose to be neutral. Was he pleased they were paired tonight? Was he afraid? Or did he simply not care? Y/N brushed the doubts aside, knowing they wouldn’t do her any good, and tried to focus on the Hatter. She didn’t notice the fleeting glance Chishiya cast her way, nor the moment his mask slipped, revealing his grim realization that tonight, he might have to watch her die.

When the speech ended, Y/N felt his hand on her back again, urging her to move. Together, they walked outside, where the cars were already waiting to take the players to their destination. She noticed Chishiya's touch grow slightly more intimate as it shifted to her waist, giving her a gentle squeeze before letting go entirely.

The two entered the car alongside three other players, plunging into the night with their minds weighed down by worries and a bitter foreboding in their throats.

When they arrived at the venue and stepped through the counting laser, they found themselves in a small, nearly empty room. Apart from the five players from The Beach, there were three other men, their faces pale and filled with terror. "Newbies," Y/N thought with a pang of sympathy.

“The game will begin in one minute,” the robotic voice announced.

Y/N leaned against a wall beside Chishiya but kept some distance, a rule he reminded her of almost daily. In front of strangers, especially in a game where emotions could be weaponized, distance was crucial. He always softened his tone when explaining this, his fingers brushing against her cheek as his steely words melted into an apology. He would end his reminder with a gentle kiss, a silent plea for understanding.

Recalling the taste of his lips, Y/N slid down the wall, sitting on the floor with a sigh. She glanced at her phone: thirty seconds until the game started.

Suddenly, the laser beeped again. A new player entered. From her spot on the floor, Y/N looked up, her body reacting before her mind. Her heart raced, blood surging through her veins like fire as her eyes locked with the newcomer. One thought consumed her as those cold eyes bore into hers: Kai.

The phone chimed, announcing the game’s rules.

Swallowing hard, Y/N forced herself to focus on the screen, her trembling hands clutching the device. She tried to stand, but her legs refused to obey, as though cursed to stay still. She hated it—hated feeling so small, so exposed in front of that man. A flood of unwelcome memories swept over her, dragging her back into a pit of insecurity and helplessness she had worked so hard to bury. Only Kai, with his tall frame and piercing brown hair, could ignite that fire, a blaze threatening to consume her from within.

Suddenly, a hand gripped her arm, pulling her to her feet and making her stumble slightly. She looked up, relief washing over her when she saw Chishiya. He held her gaze briefly before leading her after the others into a dimly lit room.

“Three of Hearts,” he said, his tone calm yet firm. “Logic puzzles in glass cubicles via a console. We can share clues or sabotage others by sending codes to their consoles. Ten points to escape. The cubicles explode in forty minutes.”

Y/N swallowed, her mind racing to absorb the information. She’d been so caught up in her emotions that she hadn’t paid attention to the game's explanation. The room illuminated, revealing individual cubicles arranged in a circle with a large console in the center.

She glanced at Chishiya, who was already looking at her, his expression demanding an explanation once the game was over. Nodding slightly, she stepped into one of the glass cubicles as Chishiya entered the one beside hers. The door creaked shut behind her, and she exhaled all the air she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Raising her eyes, she saw him—Kai. He had positioned himself, likely deliberately, directly across from her. His dark, piercing gaze burned into hers, sending a shiver down her spine. She quickly looked away, turning her head toward Chishiya, but his attention was elsewhere. Chishiya’s sharp eyes were locked on Kai, observing him with quiet intensity.

Chishiya didn’t know who this man was or what his intentions might be, but he had a sinking feeling that the game wouldn’t end well.

© 2024 [@dreamwavesexploringreality]

—

Hi hi! 🥰

Sooo, while I was writting the story, I decided to split the idea into two parts!

The concept is just so interesting, and taking a bit more time allows for deeper exploration… Total drama vibes! 😏

Hopefully, the person who made this request is okay with this decision😅…it’s all about doing justice to such a cool idea!

Feedback or thoughts are always welcome because it’s exciting to see how it all comes together. Can’t wait to share and hope it turns out amazing! 🌟

[luvlyfandoms]

As we're doing aib hcs

How about Niragi, Chishiya, Banda and Arisu being jealous ? 👀

Niragi

• he knows that no one compares to him

• he knows that no one can fuck you like he can

• he’ll grab you by the arm and take you to his room and pin you to the bed by your throat

• he whispers in your ear and flicks his tongue ring on your neck

• pushes your knees to your chest as he thrusts into you, fully exposing yourself to him

• will probably hold a gun to your head

• “aww, you poor little thing. scared?”

• “you know you love this shit, dirty whore. take me”

Chishiya

• always calm, cool, and collected

• but when he gets jealous, you’ll know

• he’ll pin you to the wall and bury his fingers inside of you while he keeps eye contact

• “you like getting on my nerves, don’t you?”

• pushes you to the ground and makes you look up at him while you take his cock in your mouth

• tosses his head back and sighs with his signature smirk on his face

Banda

• fucking scary when he’s mad/jealous

• he usually stays pretty quiet, which is why he’s so scary

• ties your hands behind your back and pushes your face into the ground without saying a word

• meanwhile you’re begging for mercy

• holds a knife to your throat and makes you beg for your life

• fucks you from behind with painfully slow thrusts while keeping his eyes on you and slowly dragging the flat side of the knife down your back

Arisu

• usually keeps his emotions bottled up so when he gets jealous, he doesn’t know what to do with himself

• might accidentally go too hard

• makes you ride him while he thrusts up into you, making you cry out as he hits your cervix

• reaches up and grabs your chin to make you look at him, the other hand going to squeeze your boob harshly

• “keep your eyes on me, got it?”

[j-jinxee]

𐙚 :: Thinking about Niragi again,,

!! NSFW below the cut !!

₊˚♱ Thinking about the way he'd fuck my face till my throats so bruised I can barely talk. The way he'd pull my hair while shoving my head down until my nose met his pelvis. The way he'd stop just for a second before shooting his seed down my throat, moaning as I swallow every last drop of the hot white fluid.

₊˚♱ Thinking about how he'd swear he just wants to 'help you' in the shower, but it quickly turns into being pinned against the wall as he nails you from behind. Hot steam surrounding you as his fingers find your clit, rubbing the little bud soooo fucking smoothly, contrasting the hard, rough sensations caused by his cock.

₊˚♱ Thinking about how he'd have a thousand different ways to punish you. Ranging from overstimulating you till you cry — to not allowing you to touch him. Some nights, you'd see the sun come up before he was done with you. Other nights, he'd make you get yourself off while he watches, then laugh when you weren't able to. 'Awh baby really needs me? Can't get off without my cock anymore huh? Well, too fucking bad'

₊˚♱ The way he'd give you your own hand gun to protect yourself, even though there's no chance of anyone ever fucking with you. Everyone knows who you're with, as if they'd try anything, but he insists you need it.

₊˚♱ The way he'd come to you after shooting someone. Angry reasoning turns into him crying in your arms from his ptsd, expressing how people just make him so angry until he snaps, even if he doesn't mean to. He doesn't want to face the consequences of things he can't control, so he cries with you, the only person who doesn't make him feel less than.

₊˚♱ Thinking about how unintentionally possessive he gets after those moments. How after you comfort him, he will not let you go. To him its just any other night, but you've picked up on his habits over time. His heart is scared to lose you, so after being vulnerable he'll hold you all night. Not wanting to let you go in fear you'll leave.

₊˚♱ Thinking about how soft he could be with you :( yes he is a sadistic maniac who could kill you at any moment, but he doesn't, and he never would. You're his only place he can be vulnerable, he'd never let anyone else see that.

─────

Dk how I switched from hella sexual to lowk sad but I jus have so many thoughts abt this man so makes sense 🤧🤧 ALSO the way I wrote the first one in first person but then the rest in second lmfao ignore it. Anyways this was like an organised jjinx thoughts ig? Not rlly headcanons but ykyk, hope u like xx