#player 2 au

[sillyandquest]

So I had an idea

To be completely honest, I mostly drew this as a treat for me. We don't see a lot of Roll outside of a cutscene or manning the shops and it just makes sense for her to be the player 2 in-game. Yeah we got Protoman and Bass, but c'mon!

I wanna see this lady charging in, full throttle, wooden chair in hand, and smack Wily's newest machine around like a piñata.

So yeah, player 2 au I guess? There's more info below the cut if you wanna read. Be warned, it's a long one.

First I had to ask myself why would Roll even want to fight when Rock does just fine on his own.

Roll's a coward canonically, but she also has a big heart and is willing to fight if she has to. Maybe after the first Megaman game, Rock came back far more damaged than Dr. Light expected. While this does convince him to build Rush, Roll also volunteers to join Rock in this fight.

Dr. Light was super hesitant, but Roll's reasoning was that if Wily was willing to kidnap the Light Numbers to one up Light, who knows what else he would do? Rock already had a hard time fighting them by himself and the Numbers weren't even built to fight. If Wily was smart enough to reprogram civil servant robots, why wouldn't he reprogram robots built to fight?

Eventually, Dr. Light relented and built Roll her own set of armor and a durable broom. She has a shorter attack range, but in exchange she deals way more damage. She doesn't have the copy chip Rock does, so her armor doesn't change color, but her broom does and can change shape/color depending on which weapon is equipped.

Now onto my thought process during the drawing.

When I was drawing the armor, I wanted to keep a couple things in mind. Specifically, what makes Roll so iconic by herself. She has her hair, the green bow, her dress, and her broom/cleaning products.

One other thing I kept in mind was the various depictions of Roll in combat armor. Many fans have made their own and they all look amazing, but I always thought Roll was more of a heavy hitter up close. Most equip Roll with a buster like Rock, which is a good direction to go in, but it wasn't what I wanted to do. Then I looked at Roll's"official" armors, specifically the armor she wore during the Upon a Star movie and the armor she dreamed of from Megaman 11.

I basically put a chest piece and shoulder armor over the Megaman 11 armor, I removed the buttons on it, both of them had a heart motif on the chest which I thought suited Roll very well so I added that. I also used her hat from the Megaman Fangame Perfect Blue. You may notice her arms don't have the bulky arm guards most robot masters have... Yeah, I have no excuse for that, but Splash Woman doesn't have the guards either sooooo.....happy accident?

They're sisters so they matching!!!

I think the colors were the hardest part. I colored the dress to be more red with a pinker red for the heart and middle of the dress. Originally I had the skirt be a solid pink color and the rest of the armor be red and white, but it looked off to me. I knew I had to add her bow which meant adding green and I think that's what threw off the whole thing. The first draft only had a green bow, and I felt I had to add it somewhere else to make it look more appealing and I immediately went to color the buttons on the heart green. A small callback to Zero that doubles as a parallel.

That kinda makes me wonder if Zero was modeled after Roll and Protoman in this au. Also, what would the Megaman timeline even be like with Roll as a fighter alongside Rock? It's always better when someone has your back and Rock and Roll were always meant to be a pair.

They're twins in this au, not a couple. Just had to set the record straight.

Anyway, speaking of Blues. It makes sense why Protoman wouldn't show up as much in this context. Roll is right there, why would Rock need Protoman's help? I imagine he usually shows up only in situations where Rock and Roll are forcibly separated or shows up to both of them individually. Whether it's because he wants to help them be more independent or test the strength of their bond remains to be seen.

I have more to say about this au, I'll try drawing some expressions and go into more detail regarding Rock and Roll's personalities in the au.

[akanemnon]

Shouldn't there be a minotaur in the labyrinth? Who put this goat here? This is not accurate to the mythology! /j

FIRST - PREVIOUS - NEXT

MASTERPOST (for the full series / FAQ / reference sheets)

[starkidmunson]

glitter & crimson

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

“Marry.”

“What?”

“Marry. He’s hot, I’m not gonna kill him.”

“Eddie, we’re not playing FMK; you’re supposed to be telling me his name.”

“Oh. That’s…. Joe Jonas.”

“…he’s literally from Hawkins. And he’s holding a hockey stick.”

“Nobody from Hawkins is that hot, man, no way.”

~~~

Gareth posts the clip to his personal TikTok. Before he can get around to reposting it on Corroded Coffin’s band account, it has more than 100k views. Things only spiral from there, because once the band shares it, the video goes more viral and ends up on the screens of the right people.

chiblkhwks: harrington94 is social media challenged, but we’re going to make sure he sees this. Will keep you posted.

The comment is immediately overshadowed by a busy day of PR. A photoshoot to an interview to a radio show to the green room at the Fillmore in Boston, before an intimate pre-album release show for members of their fan club. Eddie has completely forgotten about the video entirely, but Gareth’s phone pings with a text notification.

“A response has been issued!” He declares to the room, still grinning down at the screen of his phone.

The rest of the band shares a collectively confused look, all seeming pleased to find they’re not alone in whatever they’ve missed.

“What?” Jeff asks for the group.

In lieu of an explanation, Gareth just flips the phone in his hand around to show a TikTok, stitched with the clip they’d made earlier that morning.

~~~

“Marry. He’s hot, I’m not gonna kill him.”

#Stitch

“Is… is that supposed to be a compliment?” Steve asks, making a pinched face as he laces up his skates.

“You watched the whole video. He compared you to Joe Jonas.” The girl behind the camera responds, but he levels her with an unimpressed look. She doesn’t respond, and after a beat, he sighs.

“Yeah, alright, I guess Joe Jonas is hot. I’ll take the compliment.” He huffs, standing to his feet and moving from the bench he’d been suiting up on toward the ice. The girl follows him, gliding toward the net once they're in the rink, never falling out of pace with him.

“Do you know who it is talking in the video?” She presses, and Steve looks unimpressed again.

“You mean the other hot guy?” He asks with a grin, then nods. “That was Eddie. I’m surprised you don’t know him, the Party listens to Corroded Coffin all the time.”

The video loops back to the stitched clip from Gareth’s initial TikTok then. Everyone in the room processes what just unfolded.

“The Party? Did… did Steve Harrington just make a reference to DnD? Or is that some sports thing I dont understand?” Jeff asks.

Freak raises his hand, indicating he’s next to speak. “Not only that, but his nerdy DnD friends listen to us all the time?”

“Did King Steve call Joe Jonas hot?” Eddie asks, visibly still trying to connect the wires in his brain that fried at Steve’s agreement. “Did he call me hot?”

All three turn toward Eddie, whose face is still reflecting the long form math equation his brain is trying to work out, and Jeff sighs.

“Well, boys. I think we’ve officially lost him.” He says, bowing his head. Freak and Gareth join him solemnly, making Eddie huff and cross his arms over his chest.

“You’re all so dramatic.”

“Gee, I wonder who encouraged us to be this way,” Freak exaggerates through a grin, before shoving a guitar into Eddie’s chest, just in time for Paige to open the door and summon them.

“We can have a meltdown over Harrington after the gig,” Gareth promises with a pat to Eddie’s back as everyone moves around him, exiting the green room and heading for the stage.

~~~

Riding his post-show high, Eddie makes a bold move in the CC band TikTok, commenting under the video Steve had stitched.

corrodedcoff!n: we’ll be in chicago 1/26 if harrington94 and ‘the party’ are free 🎫

He only gets about 20 minutes of peace before Gareth is jumping around, proclaiming himself the greatest wingman in history.

“It’s an offer for free concert tickets made over social media, and he hasn’t even answered, Gare Bear.” Eddie tries to get him to relax, but he, too, is eager to see how the other reacts to the offer.

He wakes up the next morning to the answer he’d been waiting on, and his stomach flips as he reads it over.

harrington94: only if you guys come to the home game 1/27 🏒

__________

Steve doesn’t even bat an eye when Max shoves her way into the locker room, b-lining straight for him.

“Can I help you?” He asks without looking up, unhooking the padding from his calf and letting it drop to the ground in front of his locker.

“Are you using TikTok to publicly flirt with Eddie Munson?” She asks, voice quieter than he’d typically expect from her, but he just scoffs.

“I’m just being friendly! You’re the one who started this in the first place! What, you didn’t expect me to log on and check if they’d responded?” He asks in response, freeing his foot from the skate, before placing a cover over the blade and letting the boot drop into the lower shelf beside his locker.

“I’m just confused because you’ve been super weird about coming out, and now you’re out here hitting on a rockstar all over social media, that’s all.” Max says, and Steve freezes for a moment.

“Do you…” he trails off, before closing his eyes and rubbing a thumb into his temple. “You really think I just accidentally came out?”

“You called Joe Jonas and Eddie Munson hot, encouraged this rockstar to come to your game when he’s in town and also accepted tickets to see him perform, Steve.” Max was monotone, and held her hands up defensively when he groaned. “I’m not starting anything, I’m just saying that this could get blown out of proportion now.”

They discuss a little further, deciding neither of them will publicly acknowledge anything that’s been posted to the account for now, until they actually come up with a plan.

Once he’s in his car heading home, Steve calls Robin.

“Dingus,” she greets, as always, and he lets out a grumble. “Uh oh. What happened?”

“I think I accidentally came out on the internet, and it’s Eddie Munson’s fault.” He’s met with several seconds of silence as he starts his car on the path to him and Robin’s shared apartment.

“Eddie, the drug dealer from high school?” Robin eventually asks, confused, and Steve groans again.

“Yeah. He uh, also is in a band?” He supplies, and Robin’s quiet for a moment as she processes. Then, he hears the tapping of a keyboard. “What are you doing?”

“Looking Eddie up, obviously.” Steve can practically see her eye roll, even though they’re not FaceTiming. “You’re nothing if not consistent, I guess. Doe-eyed curly brunet.”

Steve scoffs. “You say as though you’re not the one currently waking up beside Nance every morning.”

He’s met again by a short silence, before Robin lets out a little puff of air, in a small laugh. “Thank you again for being so cool about that, by the way.” She says, before he hears clicking on her end. “Apparently, Eddie is out as bi. Corroded Coffin does a charity show for the Trevor Project every year, and he’s been to a lot of Pride events.”

Steve’s stomach twists with each new bit of information she provides, because a part of him wants to be that out, wants to be like Robin or apparently Eddie, freely sharing that part of themselves with the world and having no one give a shit. But that’s not how it works on so many levels for Steve. Beside the shit he’d have to deal with on the ice from certain other players, he had no idea how it would impact the team overall. There’s no way to gauge how fans would react, when there’s never been an openly gay player in the NHL. And that didn't even begin to touch on how his parents would react.

“Hey,” Robin breaks him out of his spiral and he realizes he’s been chewing a hole into his cheek. “I can hear how loud you’re thinking right now. Do you need me to come home?” She asks, gently, and he sighs.

“Please.” He mumbles after a long pause, and is grateful when he hears the jingle of car keys from the other end of the phone.

~~~

Robin scrolls through article after article once she gets to their place, pulling Steve onto the sofa with her and laying his head in her lap. Her fingers twist through his hair, doing her best to keep him calm as she reads up on the situation playing out to try and help gauge how big of a hole he’s dug himself this time.

“I don’t think there’s really anyone who thinks you were flirting with him. Not seriously, at least.” She tries to assure him, but he’d already seen the twitter posts to contradict that before she came over. He sighs and rolls onto his back, so he’s looking up at her, and shrugs.

“I kind of don’t think there’s any avoiding it, at this point.” He mumbles. “I’m not… I’m not ready to come out, not like this. Not on this scale. I think the only thing I can do is carry on and hope it doesn’t get turned into any bigger of a deal.”

Robin hums down at him, and continues to brush his hair back out of his eyes. “Okay. So you don’t come out yet. But don’t overcompensate for it, okay?” He scrunches his face up at her, and she types something into her phone before turning it back into his face. He immediately pales, met with a photo of him out with Heidi last year. With a black eye on full display, he looks miserable behind a fake smile.

“Low blow,” he grumbles, pushing himself away from Robin to sit up beside her, and she raises her eyebrow at him, still holding the photo pointed in his direction.

“‘Maybe they won’t notice or ask why my literal teammate punched me in the face at practice if I take a fucking supermodel out to dinner.’” Robin’s imitation is a little too good, a sure sign of too much time spent together.

“Hey, it worked, didn’t it!” He asks, taking the phone off of her and closing out of the image before locking it. He drops it back into her lap with a sigh. “I just don’t know how many times I can keep getting away with hiding it.”

“Well, it helps that Billy got traded out to LA. He would be insufferable about this, and would absolutely make everything 10 times worse.” Robin muses.

Steve sighs and hesitates for a moment before dropping his head back into her lap, curling into her. “I just want it to be on my terms, when I’m ready.”

“We’ll figure it out, and it’ll all be okay, no matter what. Okay?” She assures quietly, leaning down to press a kiss to his cheek.

His phone dings with a new notification; Max texted him a screenshot from TikTok.

corrodedcoff!n: you’ve got yourself a deal 🤝🏻

[crow-perch]

After approx. 4 days of nonstop drawing, I present to you my AU idea!

Current working name is "World's Soul", but that might be subject to change in the future, I dunno.

This is my first true comic I've ever made. I'm much too used to just doing character designs and portraits, so I'm stepping out of my comfort zone for this. Getting to blend my hyperfixations is the best part of being an artist ^_^;

[PROLOGUE] -> [NEXT]

[diaryofawhoretbh]

Hello. I saw you had your requests opened and wondered if you could please write some Nam gyu x reader who likes to call him cute after she saw him take his picture. I was just thinking about how ofter we see koreans say kiowo. thx

i really hope this is what you asked for, if not, please let me know, but enjoy!!!

kiyowo | nam-gyu (player 124)

the air felt thick with anxiety as you stood in line, your heart hammering against your chest. the players ahead of you moved forward one by one, the sound of the camera's flash echoing in the cold, yet colourful room. every step you took felt like it weighed a ton, and your palms were slick with sweat. yet, you couldn’t afford to show it. no one here could afford to show weakness.

you were just about to step up when you saw him. player 124. nam gyu. he was standing a few steps ahead, his expression as calm as ever, his posture straight, shoulders squared. he was... composed. maybe even too composed for a place like this. you didn’t know him, but there was something about the way he stood—so perfectly still and unwavering—that made you admire him.

the sound of a guard’s voice broke through your thoughts, and you realized it was your turn. you quickly stepped forward, keeping your gaze fixed on the camera ahead, trying not to let the overwhelming feeling of dread consume you. the guards were watching closely, their masked faces impossible to read. the flash of the camera was bright and sudden, blinding you for a split second, but you stayed still. just get through it, you told yourself.

as you walked away from the camera, trying to act like this was just another moment in your life, you noticed nam gyu stepping up for his photo. again, his posture was impeccable, as if he had been through this countless times before. you couldn’t help but think about how... cute he looked. the way his serious expression remained even in such an intense moment made him seem almost otherworldly. he was standing so still, like he was in control of everything around him, and for some reason, that made your heart flutter.

without thinking, the word slipped from your lips. “kiyowo,” you muttered softly, the word almost a reflex at this point, but it felt genuine. you weren’t expecting anyone to hear you—certainly not him. yet, the moment you said it, you saw his eyes flicker toward you, sharp and knowing.

“did you just call me... cute?” his voice was low, and the curiosity in it made your stomach flip. you froze, your heart skipping a beat. you hadn’t meant for him to hear that. your mind raced, unsure of how to react. should you apologize? ignore it? say something else?

he tilted his head slightly, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his lips, though it wasn’t a full smile. it was just enough to make your heart beat faster. he didn’t seem mad or surprised—just... intrigued.

“uh... yeah,” you stammered, feeling your cheeks warm. “i mean, you looked cute, standing there all serious. i wasn’t expecting that.”

his eyes narrowed slightly, but the way he looked at you wasn’t cold. in fact, it seemed almost... amused. he considered your words for a moment, and the brief silence between you felt heavier than it probably should have.

“serious, huh?” he said, almost like he was thinking out loud. then he glanced around, as if checking that no one else was listening, before speaking again, his tone more playful. “you’re not so bad yourself. i didn’t expect anyone to notice... but you do stand out a little.”

you blinked in surprise. what was he saying? was he complimenting you? you weren’t sure, but it made you feel strange in the best way.

“well, i’ve got to stand out somehow,” you replied, trying to keep the conversation going. “i mean, this place is terrifying. if you don’t show a little confidence, you might as well give up already.”

he looked at you for a long moment, his gaze never leaving yours. something in his eyes softened, just slightly. “confidence, huh? i guess i can see that. most people here would be shaking in their boots by now.”

you laughed nervously, trying not to let the tension of the moment weigh too heavily on you. “well, i don’t know about you, but i’m not planning to be the one who goes out first.”

his expression shifted again, just for a moment. there was something else behind his eyes now, something more genuine. “you’re not bad,” he said, almost as if he was acknowledging you as someone worth remembering. “we’ll see how long that confidence lasts.”

the guard behind him motioned for him to step forward, and nam gyu gave you one last look before moving on. you could have sworn you saw a small, knowing smile before he turned away.

as he disappeared into the next line of players, you felt a strange sense of warmth in your chest. the conversation had been brief, barely more than a few exchanged words, but something about it made you feel... seen. not bad, he’d said. for some reason, those words lingered in your mind as you moved forward, preparing for whatever came next.

despite everything—despite the terrifying reality of what was about to happen—you felt a little more confident than before. maybe you weren’t just another player in the game. maybe you could make it through this. and, just maybe, nam gyu would be someone you wouldn’t forget anytime soon, because little did you know, that one word, kiyowo, would become the foundation of your relationship with him.

[marvolos]

Hold Me While You Wait

PAIRING: Cho Hyun Ju x gender neutral reader

SYNOPSIS: Cho Hyun-ju has known loss, but nothing compares to holding the lifeless body of the only person who ever truly believed in her. As they die in her arms, their final plea for comfort shatters her. Consumed by guilt over her choices in the deadly games, she is left alone in the silence of her grief, forced to confront the price of survival in a world that offers no mercy.

GENRE: angst

WARNINGS: blood, death, grief, guilt and self-blame

NOTES: i have literally been obsessed with hyunju since i finished watching s2 and the lack of fics made me want to attempt my own hand at writing (thank u to the people who requested this!!). please keep in mind that this is my absolute first time indulging into fanfic writing rather than relying on reading others' works so i would love some constructive criticism!! english is not my first language so i apologise if there are errors, this is not proof read.

Cho Hyun-ju was no stranger to the cruel intimacy of loss. It clung to her like a shadow, its touch cold and unrelenting. She had lost so many she had once dared to love, the echoes of their departures a constant ache in her chest. Friends, companions, confidants—each had slipped through her grasp the moment she chose to trust them, her vulnerability rewarded with betrayal as sharp and merciless as any blade. Yet, as she knelt there now, cradling the almost lifeless body of the only soul who had never faltered in their belief in her, she realized she had never truly understood pain. Not like this.

“Hyun-ju...” Their voice was weak, little more than a whisper. She leaned closer, her tears falling onto their face as she brushed a strand of hair from their blood-streaked forehead.

“I’m here,” she choked out, her voice cracking. “I’m here. You’re going to be okay. Just...stay with me.”

A faint smile tugged at their lips, so familiar yet so fragile it made her chest ache. “Liar,” they murmured, their words tinged with bittersweet amusement. “We both know...I’m not making it out of this.”

“Don’t say that!” Hyun-ju snapped, her hands pressing desperately against the wound in their chest. “You’re not leaving me. You promised! You said we’d survive this together!”

Their hand, slick with blood, reached up to cup her cheek. The gesture was weak, trembling, but the tenderness in their touch was unmistakable. “Hyun-ju,” they said, their gaze locking onto hers with a heartbreaking intensity. “Just...hold me.”

Her breath hitched. “No, I can stop the bleeding, I—”

“Please,” they interrupted, their voice so soft it broke her. “There’s no time. I don’t want to die alone... Just...let me feel safe. One last time.”

Hyun-ju’s vision blurred with tears, but she obeyed, gathering them closer against her chest. She buried her face in their hair, her sobs muffled as she clung to them like a lifeline. “You’re not alone,” she whispered, her words trembling with the weight of her grief. “I’m here. I’ll stay with you. Always.”

“Thank you,” they murmured, their voice barely audible now. “You...made it all worth it. Even this.”

“No,” Hyun-ju cried, her tears falling faster. “Don’t talk like that. Don’t leave me. Please...”

But their breathing slowed, each ragged inhale weaker than the last. Their hand fell from her cheek, limp at their side.

“I love you,” they whispered, the words so faint she barely caught them. And then, silence.

Hyun-ju’s world shattered.

Her beloved’s blood soaked through her fingers, warm and sticky, as if it carried the remnants of the life now slipping away. Hyun-ju's arms tightened around them as if she could hold their spirit in place, refusing to let death take what was hers. But their chest no longer rose with breath, and their once-bright eyes had dulled, staring blankly at a sky that offered no solace.

Hyun-ju's mind screamed at her to do something��anything—but her body was paralyzed, shackled by despair. The memory of a promise whispered in the tender quiet of midnight played cruelly in her head: We’ll face this together. Forever. That word mocked her now, hanging heavy with unfulfilled dreams, as eternity dissolved into a fleeting, fragile moment that ended too soon.

This was her fault.

The realization hit like a tidal wave, threatening to drag her under. Every choice she had made, every desperate gamble to survive, had led to this. She had believed she was fighting for their future—for their chance to escape the grasp of the brutal games that reduced human lives to fodder for the amusement of the elite. But instead, her choices had forged the very blade that now severed their shared hopes and dreams.

Her thoughts spiraled back to the first moment she saw them, standing on the shoreline, now just the pieces of a faint memory. The sea had stretched endlessly behind them, a restless expanse of possibility. Their smile had been like sunlight breaking through storm clouds, offering her something she had almost forgotten—hope. For the first time in years, she had felt seen, understood, as if their very presence whispered, you belong.

In the games, that hope had been her anchor. They had stood by her through every blood-streaked challenge, every moment of terror when the line between life and death blurred. They had trusted her when no one else would, had defended her when she didn’t deserve it.

And now they were gone.

That fleeting sense of belonging had been torn from her, ripped apart by the blood-soaked machinery of the games. She wanted to blame them—the faceless architects of this hell—but deep down, she knew it was her own hand that had led them here. Stay for one more game, she had told herself, clinging to the illusion that they could endure just a little longer, that she could outwit the odds. And now...now, that decision had cost her everything.

The weight of her grief pressed down on her chest, suffocating. Her vision blurred with tears, but she didn’t bother to wipe them away. What did it matter now? The world was a cruel, hollow place, and mourning was all she had left.

Her hands shook as she pressed them to the wound in their chest, futilely trying to stem the flow of blood. But it was pointless. The games didn’t allow for miracles.

The loudspeaker crackled to life above her, the voice cutting through her despair like a blade.

“Contestant 024 eliminated. Remaining contestants, return to the starting line for the next round.”

Hyun-ju’s breath hitched. The next round. It never ended. The games didn’t stop for grief, didn’t pause for the dead. They demanded obedience, demanded survival at any cost.

But what was the point of surviving now?

Her gaze shifted to the others still standing at the edge of the arena, their faces pale, their eyes averted. They had seen what happened, knew it could just as easily have been them. The games had robbed them all of their humanity, turning them into hollow shells, desperate only to live another day. Sympathy was a luxury the games didn’t allow.

“What was the point?” she choked out, her voice raw and broken. The words fell into the stillness around her, unanswered, as if the universe itself had turned its back on her suffering.

She looked down at her beloved’s face, tracing every line and feature with trembling fingers. How often had those lips spoken words of reassurance, promises that they’d make it through together? How often had those eyes met hers with unwavering faith, even when the world seemed intent on breaking them both?

Now, they were gone. And she remained. A cruel joke, an empty punishment for sins she could never atone for.

Hyun-ju pressed her forehead to theirs, her tears mingling with the blood between them. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice shaking with the weight of a thousand unspoken apologies. “I’m so, so sorry.”

But the silence that greeted her was deafening, a reminder that forgiveness would never come.

The night stretched on, oppressive and eternal, as she sat there in the crimson pool of her regret, mourning not just the love she had lost but the pieces of herself that had died with them.

hold me while you wait — © marvolos, 2025.

[mipmoth]

Squidifies the subway brothers

[palatabl3]

more frontman gihun!!

[saltedmess]

Squid Game — Neighbor AU pt. 5

Sangwoo ruining Inho's plan so Inho had to send his last hope — Junho — to win Gihun's good graces (and heart)🫰

find the other parts here

support me on kofi

[karli6]

ᯓ★ k. saebyeok headcannons

a/n: hai this might be ooc sorry.. I enjoyed making this and i'm sorry if it isn't enjoyable! pls point out any typos, thank you!

𓂃⋆.˚ Loyalty

This girl is LOYAL. She literally has no interest in anyone but you. You want her to get your name tattooed on her arm? Say the word and consider it done. • You and Sae-byeok have often been mistaken for friends when the two of you are out in public. But this time was a bit different. A man came up to you both, a smug look on his face, and asked for Sae-byeok's number. She didn’t even spare him a glance as she gently locked her hand in yours and walked away. You NEVERRR have to worry about anyone flirting with Sae-byeok because she never responses.

𓂃⋆.˚ Affection

Sae-byeok's love language is most definitely acts of service. With her, you will NEVER have to open a door for yourself. Whether it’s opening or closing your water bottle, going out for you, or just finding your clothes for the morning, she'll do it. She loves holding hands. It’s a small gesture, but it definitely grounds her. She can feel you, and she knows you're there. She rarely uses pet names, but if something reminds her of you, she'll call you that from time to time! She’s very cuddly and clingy. In public, she’s always closely behind you, which intimidates a few people, but hey! #guarddog, I guess! She watches you closely, like a cat, maybe. She just finds you so precious and interesting. She has TikTok, but only because you like filming some with her. They stay in her drafts, but she watches them often! I forgot to mention, she also uses the platform for recipes, and if you make content, you will ALWAYS catch her liking your videos.

𓂃⋆.˚Gifts and more

She loves giving you things. Most of her gifts are handmade by her. She puts a lot of thought and effort into these gifts! She even learned how to crochet just so the two of you could have matching beanies. She LOVES matching. Nothing more to be said. She makes you sweet treats if you like sweet things. She’s always nervous while waiting for your response. She teared up after you handed her a necklace with her own birthstone, along with yours and her brother's. She ALWAYS wears it.

[sillyandquest]

A friend of mine recommended that I practice backgrounds and I decided to try it out with a doodle from the last player 2 au post.

Not used to it at alllll. Still though, I think it came out alright.

[spiderfunkz]

SEND YOU MY LOVE ON A WIRE!

pairings. cho hyun-ju x f!reader

cw. fluff, reader is alternative and plays the bass, no games au.

author's note: guys i don't know anything about instruments okay💔💔 i'm not sure if i did justice for this one, my knowledge for the subculture is very limited but i tried my best.

wandering through the streets of seoul late at night wasn't exactly the plan for cho hyun-ju.

after a long day at work, all she wanted to do was to eat at her favorite restaurant. she could already imagine sipping on the warm hearty soup. unfortunately though, the place was closed for the rest of the week.

now she has found herself staring into the window of a local pub. the music playing gave her a sense of nostalgia and starstruck-ness. the tunes brought a small wave of relief to hyun-ju, no matter how loud it was, it felt empowering.

a band was putting on a show there. hyun-ju was mesmerized by the melody, the genuine emotions it stirred, and also the cute bassist.

but to her luck the band stopped playing rather abruptly.

a rush of muttering and soon shouting came along with it. the band left the pub silently, walking towards the old van parked nearby.

the bassist followed behind them.

this could be the time to start a conversation with her, hyun-ju thinks, she could come up with many topics. it has been a long day, some small talk with a girl couldn't hurt, right?

"excuse me?" her hands awkwardly fidgeted, she wonders if you were even in the mood to talk. her worries were soon brushed off as she was met with a friendly smile.

"hi!" the light reflected on you, hyun-ju noticed your makeup. it looks flawless, everything seemed to compliment your features very well.

"could i help you with something?" your voice was just as angelic as the singer— well, you were in a band, that talent must've lingered for all the members.

hyun-ju's mouth began talking faster than her head could comprehend it, "is it okay if i ask why you stopped playing in there?"

you laugh, "oh yeah, i guess the guy, owner, whatever- was expecting we play something.. softer? i don't know. i'm assuming he didn't read the list of songs we were gonna play."

hyun-ju nods, "i thought it was really nice."

"the guy thought otherwise," you shrug.

"you played very well there, i only heard a bit of it. but you looked very skilled." hyun-ju's voice made it sound like it was more of a statement. she was genuinely in awe of your talent.

"i'm just the bassist, credits should be given to the guitarist or singer if anything."

"but the bass ties it together, no? it controls the rhythm and pace, i think it enhances the tune of the song you were playing," hyun-ju smiles, she hopes she doesn't sound too sheepish or weird, "you brought a nice sense of energy and aura."

her words definitely struck a chord with you.

"what's your name, pretty?" your words caught the woman off guard, "oh, hyun-ju, cho hyun-ju."

"well, hyun-ju, do you want to grab a drink with me?"

"what about your band?" she gestures to the van that has been waiting for you this entire time, "i can handle it. they won't mind too much, besides, we're not gonna play anything else tonight."

hyun-ju nods, excited.

"okay then, i know a spot."

you motion to the van to leave without you, the bass still strapped on your back. hyun-ju's eyes focused on you before giving a small wave to the van driving away.

hyun-ju was wrong. wandering the streets of seoul late at night was the perfect plan. to meet someone as talented and gorgeous as you, she was able to ease off for the night. forgetting all the worries that laced her thoughts earlier today.

the night felt more lively than ever. you got to tell her many things, such as; your love for alternative rock, how you eventually learned the bass, how you met your friends slash bandmates, and how you discovered yourself through the art of music. you got to share your views and perspectives, your makeup routine, your favorite places to play at— hyun-ju listened to every single word that came out of you.

you noticed it. "say, hyun-ju, would you like to go out sometime? grab another drink maybe, or go to a place of your choice?"

"i would love to."

"okay then," you grab a piece of paper and pen hidden in your pocket, you had this planned all along, did you?

"here, give me a call, pretty."

[nomono3]

royalty au idk… i will draw 457 later ig :,3

im kms if they dont appear together in s3.

[bey0nd-1he-stars]

Yours - Jacaerys Velaryon

Masterlist

Pairing: modern!hockeyplayer!Jacaerys Velaryon x reader

Word count: 1732 (I named the document I wrote this in "HotD micro fics" ... that went well)

Warnings: Fights, blood, insecurity

Summary: Jace storms off the ice in the middle of his game of hockey and you run after him to find out what happened, and to give him some comfort.

“Hey- Jace!” you stumble down from the bleachers and hurry after him. Even with skates on, he walks faster than you. He disappears down into the locker rooms, the door swinging shut with a loud bang behind him. He’d gotten into a fight on the ice and gotten benched but, in his fury, he’d stomped away from the whole game, dropping his helm and stick on the floor.

You were wearing his jersey, his last name written on the back in bold, blocky letters. The bright colour of the text, along with what had happened on the ice a few minutes ago, turned some heads when you hurried down to the locker room, shouting his name to try and make him wait for you; without any success. 

The door seems to be almost mocking you where you stand, catching your breath. The black paint is peeling away at some edges around the frame, revealing the old red colour underneath. You picked up Jace’s helmet and stick on the way, holding it in one hand as you press down the handle with the other. 

When you push the door open the strip of light that comes from the door lights up Jace where he’s sat on the bench, head in his hands. As you let the door slip close behind you, he looks up and the split second of light you have before the door slips shut shows you a split lip and a bloody nose. The door closes behind you with an echoing bang and the two of you are left in darkness. 

“Don’t turn the lights on,” Jace asks as you move to do just that. You furrow your eyebrows but do as he asks. Instead you cross the floor, having been in here enough times to know your way around, even in the dark. You place his things on the floor before him and he mumbles a quiet “thank you.” 

“What happened?” you ask gently as you go to the toilet to get some paper for his bloody face. The outline of his slumped body is what guides you back to him and he tilts his head back at your request and you sit down beside him, gently pressing the paper to his nose to stop the blood from getting all over his hockey gear. 

“Just got pissed off,” he mutters from behind the tissue and you raise an eyebrow at him in the dark. 

“You got pissed off?” You questioned with the disbelief dripping in your voice. “You’ve never walked out on a match and I am to believe that the first and only time that has happened, it’s simply because you got ‘pissed off’?” You’re close enough to him to see that he gives you a defeated look. 

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” is his response and you sigh but accept it. 

“Alright,” you whisper to him, keeping quiet in the dark so as to not disturbed the peace. The sounds of the game are muffled through the walls but they keep out the complete silence. Within a few minutes, his nose stops bleeding and you gently remove the tissue from his nose and Jace carefully tilts his head back up, being careful not to make it bleed again. You go to throw away the bloody paper and to bring some clean tissues that are slightly wet to clean up the blood from his face. Jace sits in silence as he lets you take care of him, eyes closed and breathing heavy. 

You’re leaning close to him, the dark making it hard to see if you’ve gotten all the cuts cleaned. You can feel his breath fan over your face as you work and you have to stop yourself from leaning forward to kiss his bruised lips. 

“There,” you mumble as you’re finished. His eyes blink open and even in the dark you can see the hazel colour glimmering. 

“You wanna finish the game?” you ask, sitting down again beside him and pushing a stray lock of dark hair behind his ear. He shakes his head, still silent. 

“Alright.” You don’t want to press him. He’s never stormed off the ice like this before and you don’t really know the reason, so you settle for being understanding and kind. He seems to appreciate it. 

“Let’s go home?” he asks silently, and you nod. Without a word, you kneel down on the floor before him, starting to untie his skates for him as he pulls his shirt off and starts to take off all the gear. When the skates are off, he pushes down the knee pads and you both hang it all up in his locker, the clothes Jace puts in his bag and you hold up his jacket for him before you step out into the light again. 

You both blink, the harsh light stinging in your eyes. Jace is quick to grab your hand in his, pulling you out of the stadium and into his car. He opens the passenger door for you as you get in with a gentle ‘thanks’ before he pushes the door closed again. You watch as he rounds the car and gets in beside you. He starts the car, the engine roaring to life and then he backs the car out of the parking lot with his hand splayed across your thigh. 

After a few minutes of silence, he finally speaks up. His voice breaks and he refuses to look you in the eyes.

“They- they talked about you,” he whispers and you turn to look at him with wide eyes. He’d left the game because of that? But before you can question it, he continues. 

“Said I don’t deserve you, that you should- should be with someone like them.” 

His words leave you completely astonished. 

“What? I- I would never!” Your words are soft and kind, not at all angry or upset. You know Jace has problems with his insecurities, some days are worse than others. And you also know that this is less about your preference for a boyfriend and more about what he thinks he’s worthy of.

Jace shakes his head, hand slipping from your leg but you grab ahold of it before his touch disappears. 

“Hey, Jace,” you coax, trying to get him to show that he’s listening. “I’m yours. And I love being yours, okay? I wouldn’t want it any other way.” 

He nods and swallows harshly, “you say that now, but-“ 

“No but,” you cut him off. “I mean it.” He’s parked the car now, the big house that belongs to the Targaryens tower before you. Rhaenyra passes by one of the big windows and waves through the glass to you as she walks by. You get out of the car and round it, opening Jace’s door for him but he doesn’t move. 

“Look, I don’t know what they said to you out on the ice,” you begin, reaching out to turn his face towards you. He opens his mouth to tell you, tears in his eyes now, but you shake your head, shushing him gently. 

“But the truth? It doesn’t matter.” Jace looks down, nodding slowly. 

“I know,” he sighs, “but- I just, I can’t help but let it get to me.” You lean forward, pressing a kiss to his temple, not really wanting to hurt his already split lip. 

“Jace, love-” are the only words you get out before Jace cuts you off. He pulls you down into his lap, minding your head so you don’t hit it on the way, then he captures your lips in a searing kiss. You try to pull away when you hear the huff of pain he lets out but he wraps his arms around your waist, pressing you close. 

And you can’t help but lose yourself in him, hands coming up to bury themselves in his luscious curls. He kisses you with desperation, but it’s so soft and so sweet. You let him indulge in the act, let him swipe his tongue across your bottom lip and kiss you like that’ll make all the problems in the world disappear. 

You pull away with a gasp but you barely get one breath of air down your lungs before he’s back against your lips. 

”I don’t think I’d survive losing you,” he whispers the words against your lips, so close you can feel the puffs of air from the short phrase bounce against your skin. 

You shake your head, “you never have to find out.” 

“Promise?” And he seems so small and innocent at that moment, big, wet eyes seeking yours. 

You nod, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. 

“I promise.” 

He takes a deep breath and nods. 

“Okay,” he agrees and now it’s your time to nod. You press another kiss to his temple and he sags forward into you, falling into your embrace and snuggling close to the warmth radiation from you. His cheek comes to rest over your heart and your hands tangle themselves in his dark curls. You lose track of time, just holding Jace close and letting him hold you. After a while, the sound of the front door being opened breaks through the silence and you look up to see Rhaenyra stand in the doorframe, a soft look on her face and a thankful smile. 

“Everything alright?” she wonders gently, tilting her head slightly. Your eyes meet Jace’s and he gives you a short nod. 

“Yeah,” you assure her with a small smile. 

“Alright,” Rhaenyra nods, a crooked smile on lips, “dinner’s in five, if you want to join us.” Both you and Jace nod and she steps inside again, shutting the door softly behind her and giving you all the time you need. 

“Can we eat in my room?” Jace asks as you coax him out of the car, keeping a hold of his hand in yours. Your laugh billowes through the air as you take in his sheepish expression. 

“And leave your mother waiting?”

“No, we’ll tell her,” he protests as he grabs his bag from the backseat. You smile up at him, tugging him close to press a loving kiss against his lips. 

“Fine,” you agree when you pull away, “but you’re the one telling her.” Jace agrees quickly and the wide smile that finally reaches his eyes and shines up his whole demeanor is reward enough. 

[prettycopperpennies]

Angel On His Shoulder | Thanos/Choi Su-bong/Player 230 x F!Reader

Description: Demon Thanos x Angel Reader, Supernatural au, enemies to lovers

Warnings: Cursing, no descriptions of gore but the setting is squid games

Part 1 | Next

Angel On His Shoulder

Su-bong walked into the arena of the first game, and he soaked in the setting quickly. The players were spread out across the field just before the starting line. He could finally survey them all with ease. His eyes moved across all the future wayward souls when a light started to glimmer in the corner of his eye. He turned in its direction, assuming it must be something reflecting the sun that was currently shining in from a temporary massive skylight above the field.

But it wasn’t a glint from the sun or a reflection of any kind. Instead it was coming from one of the players. Player 444 had a warmth aura surrounding her, and as Su-bong looked at the light he noticed the occasional sparkle move through the air as if glitter was literally floating around her. No one else seemed to notice the glow emitting from their fellow player, but that didn’t surprise Su-bong.

You’ve got to be kidding me, he thought to himself, Not a fucking angel.

You walked into the arena of the first game, and you surveyed the area around you adeptly. You could gaze across the mass of players with ease for the first time. Your eyes moved across the people who you knew had the potential to be truly good hearted people if they had the chance when a wave of smoke passed through the air from the corner of your eye. You turned in its direction, worried something had caught on fire.

But it wasn’t smoke from a fire. Instead it was coming from one of the players. Player 230 had a black and grey aura surrounding him, and as you looked at the smoke you noticed the occasional flicker move through the air as if fiery embers were literally floating around him. No one else seemed to notice the haze emitting from their fellow player, but that didn’t surprise you.

Oh, please, no, you thought to yourself, Not a literal demon.

Su-bong was subtly keeping an eye on you, so he most definitely saw it when you realized exactly what he was. He nearly gave away the game, smirking when he momentarily caught your wide eyed expression out of the corner of his eye. As much as he hated having an actual mortal enemy around at least you weren’t expecting to see him either. You weren’t exactly subtle yourself as you looked in his direction. The shock of seeing him was evident on your face. However, with the help of his carefully crafted celebrity persona no one would see this as odd. They would just assume you were a fan. You, an angel, being perceived as one of his devout followers amused him to no end.

This might actually be fun, he thought to himself.

In the middle of the game you instinctively reached out and grabbed the player in front of you. Moments later the song ended and the first gunshot rang out. You tightened your grip when you felt the person in front of you start to move. You kept them in place, heaving a sigh of grateful relief your intuition had not come even a second later.

Time to even the odds, Su-bong thought as he saw you just barely save the person in front of you in time.

As soon as the chaos ended and the song started again the player in front of you turned back to face you.

“Thank you,” they said breathlessly.

“No need to thank me. Let’s just get across that finish line,” you said. You remembered what player 456 had told the group a few seconds ago and added on, “Why don’t you get behind me.”

They nodded, gratefully moving to use you as a shield (admittedly, it wasn't the easiest task considering your frame was smaller than theirs). You encouraged an older player beside you to do the same. Soon you had a small line forming behind you, and you were ready to take them all the way to the end of the game.

You passed through a few rounds when smoke once again entered your eye line. You glanced around to see that demon standing just a few steps to the side of you. He was grinning widely and raised his eyebrows excitedly in your direction. As the song abruptly stopped you were not prepared to see him shove three players to the ground, looking directly at you as he did.

“Hey, angel,” he greeted, then waited for the gunshots.

But they never came.

He finally broke eye contact with you to glance around. His three targets were somehow perfectly covered by a few players in front of them, and the doll’s eyes moved past them. Thanos knew those players weren’t there before. 

“A miracle? Really?” he asked you with a growl. He somehow found it even more annoying that you didn’t answer as if he wasn’t even worth your time. He wasn’t so easily beaten, and he would have to find some way to prove that to you.

The second the song started you were trying your best to move your line away from Player 230, but it proved to be pointless. He suddenly was snaking through another line clearly hoping to wreak havoc somewhere else.

You made it over the line one round later, and cheered on the rest of your line as they rushed over into the safe zone. You glanced back behind you, trying to gauge how many people had made it across so far. But in your direct eyeline, leaning against the wall, was Player 230. He gave you a sarcastically friendly wave, but that was all you saw before you snapped your head back towards the field watching carefully and cheering on the last few players. You felt your feet moving back over the line and you rammed straight into a player, stopping them mid free fall. They grabbed onto you as you stabilized them just in time to freeze. After the song, the two of you crossed the finish line together with mere seconds to spare.

Su-bong watched you dive across the finish line in the nick of time. His fingers subconsciously came to adjust the cross necklace around his neck as he did, thinking spitefully about your seemingly impossibly good instincts. He scoffed to himself as he heard the player thanking you for saving his life.

“It’s alright,” you assured the player, pretending you couldn’t hear the demon just a few feet away from you, “We all have to help each other, right?”

“Right!” they said with a nod.

“Riiiight,” a deep voice said behind you, their tone dripping with sarcasm. You already knew who it was. The heat that was suddenly enveloping you was a major clue you hardly even needed. You disliked the feeling, not even used to slightly warm temperatures. You liked your cold aura, but his own aura seemed to outbalance your own.

You turned and came face to face with the tall stature of Player 230. He smiled as you glared at him. There was something about you finally giving him your full attention that gave him some kind of satisfaction he couldn’t put his finger on just yet.

“You really think he’s going to believe that sentiment by the third game? Fourth? Shit, maybe it’ll be out the window by round two,” he taunted. He noticed how you flinched at his use of a curse word, and made a note of it to torment you with as often as possible.

“You don’t know that he won't. I choose to hope that he will,” you said.

“Ugh, that’s such an angel answer,” he said with a groan.

Your eyes darted around quickly, but it seemed no one had heard him or cared, “Don’t call me-”

“Relax. They’ll just think it’s a nickname. It’s all part of the Thanos vibe,” he said, leaning back into a performative “cool” pose.

“Thanos?” you asked, your nose crinkling a little.

Damn it, why does she have to be cute, he thought to himself as he looked at your confused expression. It didn't help that he hadn’t at all expected your angel aura to be so cold. He was used to letting his heat encompass him and everyone around him, but your cool aura seemed to combat it easily.

“It’s my name,” he said, not giving away the thought that just flashed through his head in the slightest. Lies and deception came to him with ease.

You sighed and just barely resisted rolling your eyes. He cocked an eyebrow at your response before asking, “What?”

“It’s just… such a demon nickname,” you told him.

He was taken aback by your little quip, not expecting an angel to have it in them.

I never told her it was a nickname, he thought to himself, wondering if that was part of your stupidly good instincts. You left him feeling shocked, heading towards the now open doors, checking over the players (and going right back to ignoring Thanos) as you walked.

[diaryofawhoretbh]

fine line pt.2 | thanos (choi su-bong)

REQUESTED by: @pillowcolorsstuff = "Could you make it like a part 2 of this thin line | thanos (choi su-bong)? like with thanos and his group having a cute moment with the pregnant reader?"

wc: 1.9k

warnings: none

hope you like it!!! enjoy :)

the dormitory was dimly lit, its cold steel walls doing little to ward off the chill of the night. the faint hum of the overhead lights buzzed like white noise, but within your little group, there was warmth; an unspoken connection that had formed over time, despite the brutal games you all faced.

you sat on a makeshift mattress on the floor, leaning against the wall as su-bong sat beside you, his presence grounding. to everyone he was thanos, but to you, he would always be your sweet su-bong. no matter how cocky he seemed to everyone else. his hand rested lightly on your belly, his thumb moving in soft, slow circles over the fabric of your jacket. every so often, he'd glance at you, his gaze soft and filled with concern, checking to see if you were comfortable. it was a tenderness he usually reserved only for you, something that made your heart swell every time.

"are you sure you ate enough señorita?" his deep voice was low, barely a whisper, as he spoke, his lips brushing your ear in a way that sent a warm shiver down your spine.

you rolled your eyes playfully, feeling his breath on your skin, but smiled all the same. "for the third time, yes, i'm fine babe."

he chuckled softly, squeezing your hand in reassurance before gently touching your belly again, his fingers tracing the curve of it like it was the most precious thing in the world. "you better eat. that's not just your baby, it's mine too." his tone was playful, but there was a serious undercurrent to it. his hand stayed on your stomach, warm and steady, like he was anchoring both you and the baby in place.

you couldn't help but smile at the way he said it, his words so full of quiet devotion that it made your chest ache. "you're really serious about this whole dad thing, huh?"

"hell yeah," he said, his grin turning a bit cheeky, as he leaned down to press a kiss to your forehead, soft but lingering. "you're stuck with me, remember? we’re in this together."

you chuckled, feeling a light flush creep up your neck at his affectionate words. "well, i guess that's not the worst thing," you teased, nudging him lightly with your elbow.

the sound of nam-gyu’s voice interrupted the moment. "here," he piped up from the other side of su-bong, ripping his bread in half and holding it out like it was the most natural thing in the world. "you've gotta take this. the little bean's hungry."

"nam-gyu, you haven't eaten anything yourself," you protested, shaking your head.

he waved off your concern with a dramatic flourish. "i'm not growing a whole human in me, am i?" he said with a grin, clearly proud of himself for making the offer.

"take mine too," se-mi added, sliding her milk carton toward you with a smile. "seriously, it's not even that good."

"guys, i'm fine," you said, a laugh bubbling in your chest at how insistent they all were.

"fine isn't enough," min-su shyly cut in, setting his entire bread ration next to nam-gyu’s. he didn’t even look at you as he spoke, like it was just something that had to be done. "you need more energy."

"for real," gyeong-su agreed, pushing his milk and half his bread toward you. "you're carrying the only good thing in this whole place. we've gotta make sure you're okay."

you glanced at the small pile of food in front of you, feeling a mix of gratitude and exasperation. "if i eat all of this, i'm going to be too full to move," you teased, looking at each of them in turn.

"good," su-bong said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he watched you. "then you won't try to do everything yourself for once."

you laughed, shaking your head at his playfulness. but before you could take another bite, su-bong’s gaze softened, and he leaned closer to you, his lips brushing your temple in the gentlest of kisses. "how’s the little bean doing?" he asked quietly, his hand still resting on your belly.

you smiled, feeling a flutter of warmth in your chest. "good, i think. still quiet, though."

"let me know if they kick," he said, his voice full of anticipation. "i wanna feel it."

"maybe soon," you replied, placing your hand over his, letting the warmth between you spread.

the group chuckled, the sound light and warm—a small reprieve from the weight of the games. you picked up one of the bread pieces and took a bite, knowing they wouldn't take no for an answer.

but su-bong’s eyes never left you, his focus completely on you and the baby. every now and then, he’d glance down at your belly, his thumb still tracing gentle patterns. "you’re glowing," he said suddenly, his voice low, full of admiration. "i don’t know how you do it. carrying a little human and still looking like this..."

you rolled your eyes, but you could feel your heart fluttering in your chest, warmth spreading through you at the way he looked at you. "you’re too sweet," you teased, your fingers brushing the side of his hand.

his smirk turned softer, and he leaned down to kiss you, a slow, lingering press of his lips against yours. when he pulled back, his eyes were full of warmth and affection. "you better eat, though," he said, his voice just above a whisper. "we’ve got a lot to look forward to."

you smiled, your heart swelling at his words, feeling safe, loved, and cherished in that moment. "i will," you promised softly, feeling the warmth of the kiss still lingering on your lips. "for both of you."

"good," su-bong whispered, pressing one more kiss to your forehead before settling back beside you. his hand never left your belly, his touch gentle and reassuring. "i can’t wait to meet the little one."

you leaned into him, resting your head against his shoulder as you allowed yourself to relax for the first time that day. in a world full of chaos, in a place that had taken so much from you, su-bong was your safe place, and you were grateful for every second with him.

and in the silence of the dormitory, with the soft hum of the lights above and the gentle rhythm of su-bong’s hand on your belly, you found a sense of peace, knowing that no matter what came next, you would face it together.

su-bong’s thumb continued to trace circles on your belly, the gesture so tender and constant that it grounded you in the present moment. as the others settled around you, each offering their own quiet support in their own ways, your heart swelled. it wasn’t just the baby that had changed everything—it was the way your little family, however unconventional, had grown. the way su-bong was always there, always protective and loving, in his own unique way.

"you’re gonna be the best dad," you said, breaking the silence, your voice soft but sincere. you didn’t need to look at him to know his eyes were already on you, filled with that rare kind of tenderness he only showed when it was just the two of you.

"you think so?" su-bong’s voice was low, almost teasing, but there was a slight vulnerability behind it, one that only you could see. he shifted closer to you, his lips brushing against your cheek, leaving a soft, lingering kiss. "i’m gonna spoil them. just wait."

you giggled, imagining what he’d do with a baby in his arms. "i don’t think they’ll ever get any sleep with you around," you teased, looking up at him through your lashes.

he grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. "maybe not, but they’ll definitely know they’re loved."

you were about to reply when, just as if on cue, a tiny flutter shifted beneath your hand. a kick. you blinked in surprise, glancing down at your belly.

"did you feel that?" you asked, your voice full of wonder, a smile spreading across your face.

su-bong’s eyes widened as he immediately moved his hand to your stomach, his touch gentle but firm. "yeah, i felt it!" his voice was full of excitement, and you could see the joy lighting up his face. "oh my god, they kicked! did they know i was talking about them?"

you laughed, feeling a rush of affection for both him and the little one growing inside you. "i think they just wanted to remind you they’re in there," you teased, placing his hand firmly on your belly so he could feel the baby’s movements again.

"hey," he said, leaning in closer, his voice almost a whisper. "if they kick again, i swear, i’m gonna lose my mind. that’s my baby."

you smiled at his enthusiasm, your heart swelling with warmth. "they’re already a little troublemaker, just like you," you teased, running your fingers through his hair as he leaned his head on your shoulder, still completely engrossed in the feeling of the baby moving.

the others seemed to have settled into a quiet rhythm, but nam-gyu, ever the playful one, couldn’t help himself. "man, you’re gonna be the type to cry when they’re born, huh?" he called from across the room, his voice teasing but with a hint of affection.

"shut up, nam-gyu," su-bong muttered, though there was no bite in his words. you could tell he was actually a little embarrassed by the idea, but the truth was—you could see it in his eyes. he would be that kind of dad.

"i’m not crying," su-bong added, his voice more serious now, though still full of that sweet affection. "but i am gonna be there for every moment. for you. for them."

the way he said it made your heart flutter, and you leaned in to kiss him softly on the lips. when you pulled away, you saw the softness in his eyes, the deep sincerity behind his usual tough exterior.

"i know," you whispered back, placing your hand gently over his, still resting on your belly. "and i’ll be here too. always."

he smiled, his thumb brushing over the swell of your belly one more time before leaning back against the wall, still holding you close. "we’re gonna be a good team, huh?"

you nodded, feeling a sense of peace you hadn’t felt in a long time. "yeah, we are."

the warmth of his embrace, the quiet hum of the room, and the subtle kick from your little one filled the space around you, creating a sense of calm that contrasted sharply with the chaos of everything outside. in this small, dimly lit room, you were surrounded by love—by su-bong, by the little one, and by the strange, beautiful family that had formed amidst all the chaos.

you closed your eyes for a moment, letting the sound of su-bong’s steady breathing and the soft pressure of his hand on your belly reassure you. no matter what came next, no matter what the future held, you had this—this bond, this love, this little family. and for the first time in a long time, you felt like you could face anything.

"you ready for this?" su-bong asked quietly, his voice a gentle murmur against your ear.

"always," you whispered back.

and with that, the two of you, and the tiny life between you, settled into the stillness of the night, hearts beating in unison as the world outside continued to turn, indifferent to the quiet, perfect moment you had carved out together.