i was finally able to make a masterlist! currently i have fics about squid game, obey me, and overwatch. i kind of just write for whatever i'm hyperfixating on at the moment. hope you enjoy <3
SQUID GAME:
Hwang In-ho x Reader:
One-Sided Reunion: You had been friends with In-ho since you were kids. In the games, there is a man who reminds you of the ghost from your past. In-ho couldn't help but ask you about him, and after the conversation goes poorly, he realizes how dire your situation is.
One-Sided Estrangement: ["Bad Ending" of One-Sided Reunion] You had been friends with In-ho as long as you can remember, up until he suddenly disappeared without a word. You end up participating in the games and win. On your ride back to the mainland, In-ho tries to reconcile with you. It doesn't go well
Two-Sided Reunion: ["Good Ending" of One-Sided Reunion] The games continue despite the failed mutiny of the games. The players left in Gi-hun's group have to manage the next game on their own. Just when you have accepted your fate, you are escorted to the quarters of the man in charge, your childhood friend. He'd been waiting for you to arrive, and he knows just how to convince you to stay.
20 Questions: You and Young-il made a quick but strong connection during the games, both being observant and quick-witted. He was fascinated by your shift from selflessness to self-preservation after the attempted uprising. When you make it out of the games, In-ho invites you to play one last game with him, and how could you resist?
Safety Measure: You have been living with In-ho in his apartment for a year, still haunted by the experience you had in these very halls. When a breach of security happens, your life relies on the safety measures put in place to protect you as well as the fury of the Front Man himself. [Pseudo Follow-up to One-Sided Reunion, but can be read standalone]
Special Delivery: After Dae-ho goes into shock, you decide to take the ammo out to the rebelling players. You witness your closest ally turn on the other players, but after you are injured, he proves his loyalty to you.
Ransom: As much as In-ho tried to keep you a secret, a plot to overthrow and loot the compound involved holding you, his spouse, as ransom. The plan is unsuccessful, but your life wouldn't be the same again.
Back In Hell: You and your husband reenter the games to watch over Gi-hun and the brewing rebellion. Things take a turn after you are injured during the brawl in the bathroom.
Never Love an Anchor: After treating him for years, Il-nam invited you to care for him on the island, and you accepted without knowing the horrors that lay ahead. You meet Hwang In-ho on the island, and you are instantly smitten with him. He tries to keep you at a distance to avoid dragging you down, but he falls in love with you slowly but surely.
Like Real People Do: [Follow-up to Never Love an Anchor] w As In-ho prepares to go back in the games, you both realize how much you care for one another. The universe finally seems to relent, and you find the perfect opportunity to find a better life with each other as the games crumble around you.
Thanos / Choi Su-bong:
Devotion: After the glass stepping stones, there's only you, Thanos, and Nam-gyu left in the games. Tensions are high, and you are trying to stay alive with a serious injury. Luckily, Thanos is there to help you. (aka, a rewrite of the ending of the first season but with team Thanos)
Fallen For You: [Follow-up to Devotion] After you are injured in the last game, You and Thanos try to make it out of the games alive so you can see where your budding relationship takes you, and Nam-gyu tries to make sure he is the sole winner by any means necessary.
Would You Fall In Love With Me Again?: Your relationship with Su-bong had never been perfect, but you loved him anyway. After a fight, he doesn't come home, and you fear the worst. In reality, he just spent a week in hell fighting for his life, but he comes home to you, hoping he can salvage the relationship with the one person who stuck with him through everything.
Every Second of Every Day: You break up with Thanos after a particularly messy fight, and to protect yourself, you try to cut ties completely. Of course fate would lead you both to the same death game. You both struggle with your emotions for each other and hope to repair your broken relationship.
Kang Dae-Ho:
You And Me 'Til The End Right?: You had obviously been crushing on Dae-ho throughout the games, but when he comes back to gather the ammo and has a panic attack, you enter uncharted territory when you try to comfort him. (aka, the fix-it fic where Dae-ho gets a hug bc he needs one)
Seong Gi-hun:
Luck Runs Out: You've been by Seong Gi-hun's side through all of it, and despite his best efforts, you stuck with him even after his usual demeanor hardened from the traumatic experiences in the games. As he prepares to infiltrate and end the games once and for all, both of your feelings for each other emerge.
Various Characters:
Injured gn!Reader: includes Gi-hun, In-ho/Young-il, Thanos, and Dae-ho
A Chance Meeting After the Games: includes Thanos, Nam-gyu, Dae-ho, In-ho, and Gyeong-seok
OBEY ME!: SHALL WE DATE?
Camping With The Demon Brothers: all brothers (separately) x gn!reader
Coming Home: Reader returns to their timeline post Nightbringer (canon noncompliant because they fumbled this imo)
obey me fandom, i need help finding a fic. i distinctly remember a fic of headcanons where MC has a flashback of getting killed by Belphie and pretty much every character react to it. It happens while Mesphisto is measuring them iirc. I cannot for the life of me find it.
warnings: canon-typical violence, angst to fluff roller-coaster, medical/hospital themes, ~ 9.5k words
Summary: As In-ho prepares to go back in the games, you both realize how much you care for one another. The universe finally seems to relent, and you find the perfect opportunity to find a better life with each other as the games crumble around you.
Ever since you were brought onto the island to be the compound's medical officer, you'd seen things you would never forget. You were introduced to the brutal death games that were held for the super-rich and watched hundreds of desperate people fight for their lives. You watched Oh Il-nam turn into someone unrecognizable from the cheerful man you had taken care of for years before. You saw behind the curtain hiding his depravity as you learned the sweet old man had started these games. Then you saw his health deteriorate, turning him into a shell of his former self. You watched him die in that hospital bed on Christmas morning.
The most important thing that you'd seen was who lied behind the polygonal mask of the Front Man. In-ho was originally cold toward you, pushing you away to avoid dragging you down with him. He thought he was saving you, but he didn't know that embracing you would help him save himself. He eventually learned that, and getting closer to him was one of the best things that had ever happened to you.
Your life seemed to be constantly changing. You went from living in a dingy apartment and slaving away at the hospital to living in luxury and being a nurse at the cost of your ethical standards. To survive on the island, you had to accept that you were indirectly supporting these horrific games. You never got more involved than you had to. The most you did was patch up any injuries the winning player had sustained before they were returned to the mainland. You refused to do anything more.
Once things seemed to be falling into a routine for the first time since you'd arrived, the universe decided it was time to turn everything on its head. Player 456 was beginning to track down the operation and becoming a thorn in In-ho's side. You knew In-ho felt connected to that player. You could see it in his eyes anytime Gi-hun was mentioned. There was a look of a forlorn pain, like he had seen Gi-hun's future but was secretly hoping the man could claw his way out. So when Gi-hun decided he wanted to return to the games, In-ho was more than willing to oblige.
You just wished that didn't mean he had to go in to watch over him. You tried to convince him not to, but any attempt was futile. You knew it would be, but you had to try.
The night before the games were set to begin, you laid in bed beside him, trying and failing to forget the fact he was going to throw himself to the sharks tomorrow. 455 other people to worry about. You wouldn't be able to do anything but watch.
âYou should get some sleep.â You heard In-ho's voice break the silence in the room. When you snapped out of your thoughts, you realized your breathing had quickened with your growing anxiety spiral.
You sighed, hand reaching to rest on his chest. You looked up at him as you were already turned to face him. Your voice almost seemed defeated. âThat's not an easy task right now.â You murmured, finger lazily tracing patterns onto the fabric of his shirt.
He didn't say anything, just steadily breathing and trying to avoid the elephant in the room. His hand moved to caress your upper arm gently.
You sighed softly. âDo you have to go back in?â You asked, feeling small. You knew the answer. You knew your effort would be in vain. There was nothing you could do to convince him to stay but you couldn't stop yourself from desperately trying anyway.
He was quiet for a moment, swallowing tensely. He knew there was a small part of himself that could be convinced, but he knew deep down it was a bad idea to leave Gi-hun unchecked. He'd be risking the entire compound if he did.
âI do.â He said. A sigh left his lips. âWe've designed the games specifically to ensure my safety should something cause my elimination.â He explained
Your eyes flicked up to his with a slight glare. âYou know that's not what I'm worried about.â You mumbled, annoyed that he was aligning his argument with something he knew wasn't the real issue.
He exhaled, something that seemed to be a chuckle that caught in his throat. âI know, but to my credit I'm pretty sure I could hold my own there.â He said.
You knew that. There was no doubt in your mind. He was a former police officer for one, and while he had been off the force for a while, he wasn't much weaker than he was in his prime. But there were 455 other people to worry about. They could be strong too, and even worse, they were desperate. They were desperate people who were now being given permission to be violent in order to get more money than they'd ever seen in their lives.
âIt's justâŠâ You started, trailing off as you thought for a moment. You thought about not saying anything, just going to sleep and not putting the thought into the universe. The last thing you needed was your fears being made a reality. But you decided to say it anyway. Maybe if In-ho knew your concerns, he'd have it in the back of his mind while he was in there.
You looked up at him. âI just don't want to have to be the one to save you if something goes wrong.â You said softly, voice hardly above a whisper. You felt yourself tearing up somewhat. âIf I couldn't save you, I don't think I cou-â You started, but you were cut off by In-ho pulling you into a tight hug against him. You tried not to start crying.
His breathing was tense, like he was holding in emotions as well. Because he was. He knew exactly what you were describing. He'd lived with that feeling for years. The guilt that had seemed to settle into his bones and fuse itself to his soul. He tried everything he could to save his late wife. He outplayed 455 other people, even brutally killing his final competitors with the tools Il-nam provided him. He fell into utter depravity to save her life and he failed anyway. All of his efforts were futile in the end.
The feeling nearly killed him. It consumed him from the inside out for the longest time. The regret and shame and guilt nearly drowned him. Until he met you.
He couldn't put you through that. You didn't deserve that. No one deserved that, but definitely not you.
âI promise you, it won't be an issue. I'm coming back to you no matter what.â He said. There seemed to be something he wasn't saying, like there was some underlying motivation that he refused to reveal. Whatever it was, you didn't dwell on it. He could keep whatever it was close to his chest, as long as it pushed him to come back to you.
âHey?â He called softly to get your attention, pulling you from your thoughts. You looked up to him and he pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead. âI love you.â He said, locking eyes with you.
You didn't think you would ever stop feeling butterflies every single time he said those words. It always felt like the first time.
He'd always feel his heart skip a beat when you looked up at him, eyes full of love. The feeling once forgotten was reintroduced every time you saw him for who he really was.
You kissed his jawline and smiled slightly. âI love you too.â You said, the quiet words quickly followed by a soft yawn.
His gaze flickered away from you for a moment, toward the wall of your room. You didn't try to follow his gaze, as it would be too dark for you to see anything. His eyes returned to you before you could ask any questions.
He sighed contently, wrapping an arm around you. âGet some sleep, okay?â He said.
You curled into his touch with a slight nod. âYou too.â You said, the slightest hint of sarcasm breaking through your tired exterior. He smiled at your attitude, but you were too tired to retort.
He was definitely tired too and he would need sleep before going into the games, but he stayed awake long enough to make sure you were able to sleep. He drew lazy circles onto your back to soothe you until he heard your breathing deepen as you drifted off.
He stayed up a few minutes longer, trying to commit this moment to memory. How your body pressed against him, how he could feel the steady rhythm of your heartbeat beneath his fingers, how peaceful you looked. He wanted to remember every detail. If something threatened his survival, he wanted a clear image of what he was fighting for, something to help him push through the experience he knew would bring up memories he wished he could bury. But eventually he drifted off as well, unable to resist sleep any longer.
After he went into the games, you tried to find things to do to keep you busy. You didn't want to let your mind wander too far into the anxiety you felt at the pit of your stomach.
This year, you were more involved in the games than ever, although that was hardly a high bar to clear. Normally you avoided their entire existence, but you found yourself watching them this year. You focused on In-ho, of course. You wanted to make sure he was okay, but you couldn't help but tear your eyes away when anything gruesome happened. You couldn't stomach it.
You spoke with the Officer on a few occasions, checking in on In-ho while the players were in the dorms. He seemed rather dismissive to your concerns and often was short with you. You knew why. He had told you about the organ harvesting scheme and insisted you joined their efforts. He wanted you to perform the sick operations for his gain. You didn't even know the first thing about organ donation procedures, but even if you did, there was no way you'd be willing to commit such horrific actions. It went against everything you stood for.
You told him to fuck off and never mention it to you again unless he wanted snitched on to the Front Man.
Not the most rational response, but hindsight was 20/20. You didn't mention it to In-ho in fear of the Officer's retaliation, even though you knew that he would be dealt with swiftly.
You mostly stayed in the suite. There wasn't really anything to do in the medbay, as none of the staff were injured in the process of the games. You busied yourself with straightening up the apartment and tackling some of the projects you'd been putting off.
You hadn't imagined finding out something that would be so groundbreaking. You hadn't been trying to be nosy. You'd been dusting off a bookshelf in your shared bedroom when you found it. You were removing the stacks of books from the shelves to dust, and naturally, your clumsiness caught up to you and you dropped one of the stacks. You sighed in frustration with yourself and crouched to pick them up.
You noticed that one of the now open books wasn't an actual book at all. The pages were hollowed out and glued together to make a hiding spot for something small.
You were a bit concerned about that. Why would there be a need to hide something from you like this? There weren't many secrets kept from the other in your relationship, at least none you were aware of. If it was something important for the games, there were dozens of places he could have stashed it where you wouldn't have access to it.
You scanned the pile of books around you, trying to determine what it was that once occupied the book's small compartment. You moved a book to find it was resting on a small black velvet box with a metal hinge on one side. Your hands started to shake as you reached down to grab the box.
You already suspected what was inside the small box, but you still froze for a moment upon seeing the ring nestled into the box. The light glinted off of the gemstone and the polished metal surface, making the ring look even more elegant.
You knew this wasn't the ring he had used to propose to his first wife. That ring was buried with her.
Was it for you? It had to be, right? What else would he have an engagement ring for? You suddenly felt guilty for finding it and ruining the surprise.
In-ho had gotten that ring for you about a year after Il-nam passed away. He hadn't made specific plans to ask you, but he wanted to be ready for when he did. He already knew he was sure of this. He didn't think he was more sure about any other decision he had made.
His hesitation had nothing to do with you and everything to do with the world you two lived in. He wanted to be able to commit himself to you and have no competing priorities. If given the choice, he would pick you over the games no matter what. But he couldn't just leave the games right now. It wouldn't be safe. You'd both be hunted down and taken out since you were loose ends. You didn't deserve a husband like this, someone who was trapped in a world you couldn't stand.
If you would have him, he wanted to marry you. He knew you likely couldn't do it traditionally, and it likely wouldn't be legally binding. But it wasn't about that. It was the principle that mattered to him. He loved you. So much. And you deserved to know it, even if the specifics would just be between the two of you.
He made the secret book hiding spot himself, purposely choosing a book you had mentioned despising after you had a book report on it in secondary school. He would have hidden it in one of the control rooms (as he knew you would likely never enter them) but he didn't trust the guards to leave it alone if they found it. The workers were just as desperate for cash as the players, so if they found the ring, In-ho would likely never get it back.
You closed the box gingerly, like you were afraid you would damage the ring somehow. You were still taken aback by the whole thing. You didn't even know marriage would be on the table. He was already married once, and despite the years that have passed, you knew he still loved her. Not that you would blame him, of course. But you just hadn't expected him to be willing to end that chapter of his life when he had been ruminating about it for so long.
Most of all, you just felt loved. Like it was going to swallow you whole. Like you would drown in it. If you did, that would be okay. You basked in the feeling for a moment or two before you were dragged out of it by blaring alarms.
Your body went stiff, and you nearly dropped the box in your shock. You fumbled to catch it while hearing the radio affixed to your belt start to emit sounds. You clumsily sat the box on the bookshelf while listening to the radio.
A part of you wished it was In-ho, but it wasn't. You knew it wouldn't have been him anyway, but you couldn't help but hope.
âGet to the main control room as soon as you can so I can debrief you.â You heard the Officer's voice through the speaker.
You sigh disappointedly before grabbing the radio from your belt and raising it up. You pushed the button before speaking: âOn it.â
You stepped toward your closet, fumbling through some of the drawers until you found what you were looking for.
Before Il-nam's memorial service between a few of the higher-ups in the organization and the VIPs who knew him well, In-ho had convinced you to get yourself a mask to conceal your identity. You hated the idea but you knew it was probably for the best in the long run. Very few people had seen your face around the compound anyway in the first year or so of your employment.
It was nothing as elaborate as In-ho's nor as gaudy as the VIP masks. It was a black mask that only covered half of your face, leaving your eyes uncovered. It looked like a surgical mask with a white cross symbol in the center. You fumbled to put it on with your hands trembling from your nerves.
You made it down there as soon as possible, somehow managing to find your way there. You didn't have many reasons to enter this part of the compound.
You saw the carnage in the dorms for a few seconds before one of the players started shooting the cameras to kill the feed. Carnage of players and guards alike filled the room, and the players seemed to be forming a small militia. Nothing like this had happened since Jun-ho.
âIs he okay?â You asked, unable to find In-ho on the screens before all the ones in the dorms were shot out.
The Officer nodded. âRight now, yes. But there's going to be a lot of fighting before this is over.â He said. He seemed to be on edge.
You sighed before he continued to speak. âI want you to get ready in the medbay. If there are any survivors, we'll get them to you when it's over.â He said. You were kind of surprised he was willing to allow them to be patched up. He seemed like the type to just let them die. But you knew he wasn't necessarily talking about just the soldiers. He was getting you ready in case something happened to In-ho. The thought made you sick.
âI'll go now. If there is anyone with a medical background, you should send them my way. Some extra hands wouldn't hurt.â You said. He nodded and you took that as an invitation to leave. You headed down to the medbay to wait, hoping to any god out there that he didnât end up on the table.
You had quite a few soldiers brought into the medbay. You had over a dozen patients to care for with varying levels of severity. Some were just twisted ankles or grazed bullets, which weren't too hard to take care of. But a few of them were in more critical condition, so luckily there were three circle guards who were assigned to help you.
You were trying your best to stay calm, but you just got more and more nervous as time went on. You couldnât stop imagining some more guards carrying In-ho into the room in a hurry. Your eyes kept finding their way to the doorway, expecting someone to come in and deliver soul-crushing news.
You found the other guards staring at you a lot, like they were waiting for orders. It made sense. They were ruled by an iron fist out there, and you had a special mask like the other people who controlled them. Their need for guidance started to irk you. You didn't have time for their required pleasantries.
âGuys, fuck the rules that you have out there, okay? You're here to help me so do it or get the fuck out. Just don't take your mask off. Any other infractions, I'll stop any consequences they try to give you, okay? Your âno speaking to unless spoken toâ bullshit isn't helping me.â You said, raising your voice somewhat. But you didn't look up from the patient you were working with, gingerly trying to stitch their wound despite the harsh tone of the words leaving your mouth
âListen to them. Violations of rule 2 in this situation will be excused.â You heard a distorted voice come from the doorway. Your eyes widened as you looked up from your work.
For once you were happy to see that polygonal mask staring back at you. Usually it annoyed you to no end, but you were relieved in this case. He could see the relief fill your eyes for a moment before you looked back down to your patient.
âGlad you're back, sir. You aren't hurt at all, are you?â You said, trying to maintain some level of reservation. You want nothing more than to hug him, but you obviously couldn't do that. Very few knew about your relationship, and no one else could know. You gave him the same reverence that the other workers would give him, both because he deserved it and you needed to set a good example.
The other workers in the room would swear they heard a chuckle come through the distorted voice filter. It was soft and restrained but it was still a laugh. They would tell the story later on and no one would believe them, of course. The Front Man would never do that.
âI'm fine. How are things going here?â He asked. Once he had delivered Gi-hun back to the dorms, he made his way down here as soon as he could. He knew you would be worrying about him and he wanted to ease your mind.
You nodded slightly. âItâs going. Iâll debrief you later, Iâm a little busy.â You said, trying not to seem annoyed. You were anything but annoyed, but you needed to focus. Now that you knew he was safe, you could be at peak performance.
In-ho gave a nod and left. You heard his footsteps echo through the hall.
You couldnât see it behind you, but one guard looked to another with a bewildered look behind their mask. The other murmured, âHow the hell did they just talk to him like that?â
You continued your work without saying anything, but you smiled a little behind your mask.
Most of your work was patching up anyone who had a bullet wound in an extremity. Anyone else wasnât even brought here for treatment. By the time the rebellion was quelled, they had either bled out or were too far gone. There were two soldiers that you wanted to keep in observation just in case.
Once the rest were all taken care of, you spoke to the three guards that helped you. âThank you so much for your help. I appreciate it more than you know.â You said with a slight bow, dismissing them to their quarters. You could handle the two who were left.
You went to the sinks in the medical room, staring at your hands. You had been wearing gloves, but you felt like you were covered in blood. You could see some smudges above where the glove ended. The smell was making you sick. Youâd seen enough bloodshed for the day. You scrubbed it off your hands and forearms, watching the water recede down the drain. You changed clothes as well, wanting to put all of that behind you. It reminded you too much of In-hoâs wound from his confrontation with Jun-ho. While that night was the launching point for your relationship, you could never get rid of the image of your hands covered with his blood.
-
Once In-ho had given his orders to the Officer and the other managers, he went up to the suite for a moment of peace. He needed to recuperate from the games. He went to take a shower, ridding himself of the blood and sweat and metaphorical filth he felt he was soaked in after spending so long with the players. He hadnât felt that way since his own time in the games.
He hadnât even noticed the disarray in your bedroom until he reentered the room. He would have been concerned that something had happened, but any concern was stopped when he saw the velvet box sitting on the bookshelf.
He didnât know how he was feeling at that moment. Disappointed wasnât the right word, but it was pretty close. He was upset that this wouldnât be a surprise like he had planned it to be, but there was also a sense of relief. He no longer had to wait for the so-called right time. The time was now and that feeling was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
He put the box into his pocket when he left the room. Normally you cooked for the two of them because of his busier schedule, but he was starving. The meals they had were mostly just bread and milk, and a lot of the time he was giving his meals to Jun-hee. She reminded him a lot of his wife in a way, a pregnant woman who seemed to be doomed by something out of her control. His wife by her liver and Jun-hee by the games. He never would have left her in the games if heâd known she was pregnant.
As he was gathering ingredients, you entered the suite quietly, not knowing he was there. You turned around to see him in the kitchenette. You pulled off your mask now you knew you were alone, setting it on the counter.
You really donât remember walking over to him. The next thing you remember is being in his arms and trying to hold back tears.
This was a surreal moment for him. The memories of his own time in the games were on loop in his brain. He kept seeing all the horrible things he had done (years ago and presently) juxtaposed by you holding him like he was the air you needed to breathe. He saw his hands holding the knife given to him by Il-nam, but now he was just holding you. The irony of that situation wasn't lost on him. Il-nam always managed to give him what he needed to improve his life. He gave him the knife, the job, and then you.
Eventually he was biting back tears himself. He just couldn't believe this was real, that you still loved him despite him being forced to commit such atrocities again.
âI'm so glad you're okay.â You said softly, somewhat muffled by the fabric of his jacket.
He pulled away slightly, gently holding your face in his hand to meet your eyes. âI'll always come back to you, okay? Always.â He said. He waited until you nodded to press a kiss to your lips, which you quickly reciprocated.
He pulled away after a moment. âAs much as I'd love to continue,â He started, earning a giggle from you, âwe should get started on something to eat. I'm starving.â He said with a lightness to his voice that made you smile.
You both decided on something that was quick, less elaborate than the dishes you would typically make. He didn't care what he was eating, he just needed something that wasn't plain bread. It was hardly a dinner worthy of a proposal, but it felt appropriate in this case.
As you were washing up the dishes, In-ho leaned against the counter beside you. He was good at acting nonchalant, so you didn't pick up on anything. âBy the way,â He asked you, âwhat happened to the bookshelf?â
You didn't turn to him at first. âI was trying to dust the shelves and dropped a pile of the books. I didn't have a chance to put everything back before the alarms went off.â You said.
You then remembered what else you discovered. You felt both the burning heat of shame as well at the fluttering of anticipation in your stomach. âOh, and I also did findâŠâ You began, but you trailed off as you turned to face him. He was holding the box in his hand, the hinge open to show the jewelry inside. âThat.â You said softly.
You looked up at him, pausing for a moment hoping he would speak to break the tension, but he didn't. You couldn't help but get a little nervous. He was just looking at you with a gaze that was difficult to read. âI promise I wasn't going through your stuff. I was-â You started, but he cut you off.
He tried to hold in a smirk. He was definitely teasing you a bit, trying to be vague. âNo, it's fine that you found it. It's for you anyway.â He said.
You whispered a soft âOh,â and paused for a moment.
He pretended to think about something for a moment. âYou know, I was saving that for your birthday, but you can have it now on one condition.â He prompted.
You furrowed your eyebrows slightly, a little confused. You should have caught on to his ruse by now, but you were exhausted by the day's events. âAnd that is?â You asked.
His gaze lowered to the ring for a moment and then back to your eyes. No time like the present. âWould you marry me?â
Your eyes widened as you heard the words, tears beginning to form. Your heart felt like it could explode. âReally?â You asked. It was a stupid question and you knew it, but you wanted to make sure this was actually happening and not some exhausted daydream or a cruel nightmare.
âI've never been more sure of anything in my life.â He said honestly.
The tears fell from your lashes as you took a shaky inhale. You nodded. âYes. Yes, of course I would.â You managed to get the words out.
He removed the ring from the box, gently grabbing your hand and putting the ring on it. It fit perfectly. Of course it did. In-ho was always meticulous, so it didn't surprise you that this was fitted exactly.
He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you against him in a tight yet gentle embrace. Your hands clutched the back of his jacket like this moment would fade away from you.
That night was a sense of normalcy that you both had desperately needed. You'd spent the last few days worried sick over him and he was fighting for his life reliving events that he thought he had buried. It was exactly what you needed, but it was fleeting. He was called to the control room in the early hours of the morning, and by the time he returned, you had to leave to check on the injured soldiers still recovering.
This sense of peace would be absent for a few days after this.
In-ho was tending to the newer VIPs and their desire to be in the games. They seemed even more depraved than Il-nam's friends, if that was possible. He was watching a mother and newborn child go through hell, reminding him far too much of the woman and child he left behind. Who died without him. He was doing his best to spare the child, but realizing that Gi-hun was far more self-righteous than himself. The knife was his and the child's ticket out of the games. All he had to do was kill the others. It seemed like an easy choice to save the newborn, but Gi-hun chose his morals over his promise to Jun-hee. The knife sat unused, and the baby was still trapped in the games. Even more troubling, Jun-ho was getting close to the island and only grew more vindicated from In-ho's attempt to spare him.
And you were busy with the wounded. Your problem only amplified when there was yet another disaster in the organ harvesting room. Thank goodness you refused the offer that the Officer had given you. Everyone in the room was gunned down by a soldier, someone who was in on the operation. The doctor who performed the procedures was still alive when they found the room, and you were told to try to save him. Not because the Officer actually cared about him, but because it was hard to find a doctor that would compromise their principles. You were trying your best, but you weren't exactly hopeful for his recovery.
Because you were so busy, you had no idea what was going on in the games. You had hardly left the medbay on the day before the last game was set to commence. You hadn't heard from In-ho, but that wasn't uncommon during the final stage of the games. The VIPs were a lot to handle. You had no clue there was a baby in the games or about Jun-ho's impending arrival.
So needless to say, the evacuation alarms shook you to your core. All of the monitors switched to the words âGAME OVERâ and a 30 minute countdown. Air raid sirens blared while that robotic voice announced the evacuation.
You looked over to the doctor lying in the hospital bed. There was no way you would be able to transport him to the ferry. He was still unconscious and far too large to carry on your own. You tried to lift him out of the bed to no avail. You wouldn't be able to get help with this since everyone else was already being evacuated. Plus, you would have to find a way to get the supplies needed to keep him alive until he could be taken to a real hospital. It was an impossible task, and trying to help him would waste precious time.
You winced. âI'm so sorry. I'm so fucking sorry for this.â You said even though you knew that he couldn't hear you. You took off the gloves you were wearing and stopped to grab the ring from the counter. You'd taken it off so you didn't get blood on it, and you'd be damned if you left it here.
You made your way to the suite, covering your ears as the sirens were amplified as they echoed through the empty halls.
The first thing you noticed upon entering the suite was the body of the Officer laying right in front of the elevator. He was bleeding out of a dozen or so bullet wounds. You instinctively knelt down to check his pulse, even though you wouldn't be able to save him anyway. He was gone, to no surprise.
The second thing you noticed was the smoke billowing out of the basement holding the records. That was certainly unrelated to the evacuation, but there was no point in investigating. It would all be blown to smithereens soon anyway. The smoke laid heavy in your lungs, doing little to help with the panic creeping up on you.
You looked around the ruined apartment one last time before descending down the ladder hidden in the stand for the music box.
You hadn't expected a man to be there when you stepped off the ladder. He was halfway done putting on the scuba equipment when he heard you coming. You turned away from the ladder to be looking down the barrel of an assault rifle. You raised your hands before taking a second glance at who was holding the gun.
âJun-ho?â You asked, recognizing him almost immediately.
His resolve strengthened, tightening his grip on the rifle. âHow do you know who I am?â He asked sharply.
You were confused for a second before your hands fumbled to remove your mask. âIt's Y/N. The nurse?â You asked, hoping to jog his memory.
He seemed to have a look of recollection before setting down the gun and moving to grab a second set of scuba equipment. âHere, I'll help you put this on. We need to get out of here bef-â He started.
âI can't go with you.â You interrupted him, shaking your head.
He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. âWhat do you mean?â He asked.
You sighed. âI'm going with him.â You said softly.
His eyes widened. You didn't need to elaborate. He knew exactly what you meant.
âBut why? I can get you out of here once and for all. You can leave now and everything will be fine. They can't hurt you anymore,â he said.
You knew this would never work even if you wanted to go with him. He was a cop, a man of the law. He would have to turn you in. You would be the scapegoat for this whole thing even if Jun-ho tried to vouch for you. There was no way you'd consider walking out with Jun-ho even if you wanted to.
You shook your head. âI can't. I made a promise.â You said. You promised Oh Il-nam that you would watch over In-ho. You told him on his deathbed you would be there for him through all of it. While Il-nam was a horrible human being that you had grown to despise, you stuck to your word. You loved In-ho too much to escape the world Il-nam dragged you into.
Before he could say anything else, you spoke again. âYou should really get out of here. There isn't much time left.â
He knew you were right, but he had so many questions for you. He wanted to know what was going to happen to this place and where you were going. Neither of which you knew the answer to, but you had a pretty good theory.
You could see the hesitation in his eyes. You took a deep breath. âYou won't have to worry about In-ho anymore. I'll watch over him, I swear.â You said, hoping to ease his fear somewhat.
He looked at you puzzled. âWhy?â He asked.
Without a word, you lifted your hand, showing him the ring on your finger. When he caught the glimmer of the metal, he was obviously shocked. Ever since his brother dropped off the face of the earth, Jun-ho had never stopped worrying about him. He always tried to find him just to make sure he was okay. And eventually it led him to be dragged into this mess. To go undercover as a guard and have countless traumatic experiences. To get shot by his brother and put into a coma for months. To devote himself to find his brother again just to almost be killed by the one man he had grown to trust.
There was a sense of relief that washed over him. If In-ho learned to love again even after all of the hurt and chaos and guilt, maybe he really would be okay with you. In-ho clearly had no intentions of returning home by Jun-ho's side. There was no hope for that anymore. But now that he knew that In-ho still had someone in his corner, Jun-ho could start to heal. He could finally rest after years of desperate searching knowing his brother would be taken care of. If he wouldn't come home, this was the next best thing.
The man swallowed tensely, clearly trying to restrain some emotion stewing inside him. âThank you. Thank you so much.â He said breathlessly, begging the tears not to fall from his eyes.
You nodded before turning to leave. You had a different route to your evacuation point. But you stopped for a moment, looking back at him. âHe still loves you, you know? Despite all of it, he's just trying to protect you.â You said.
You were working with incomplete information here. You had no idea that In-ho had ordered the captain to kill everyone including Jun-ho.
Jun-ho winced slightly, as if your words cut through him, but he nodded. Deep down he knew that was true, but it would never feel like a satisfying answer. After a second to think, Jun-ho replied. âTell him I love him too.â You heard his voice cracking slightly under the finality of this encounter. He wasn't going to see In-ho again. There was no chance for that anymore. But maybe this closure would be what he needed to heal.
You made your way to the ferry through the underground tunnels. You only knew the way vaguely. You didn't have many large-scaled drills like this, but the signs on the walls got you to the right place. Before you entered the hangar, you put your mask back onto the lower half of your face. Anonymity was vital now. If any of the soldiers remembered your face, there would be hell to pay.
You made your way toward the captain's quarters. That was the place you and In-ho were assigned to on the ferry. Neither of you were actually acting as captain of the ship, but being higher on the deck allowed a better vantage point and indirect control of the ship.
You entered the room and immediately froze in the doorway. You had so many questions. In-ho was already there, his mask lying beside him on the couch he was sitting on. All of that made sense. But what baffled you was the fact he was holding an infant. He held the child close to his chest watching them silently. He was so entranced by them that he hadn't even noticed you came in.
âWhat the hell is going on?â You asked loudly to get his attention. Your voice was stern, but you were just overwhelmed and so incredibly confused.
In-ho jumped a bit at your voice breaking into his thoughts. When he met your eyes, he seemed to relax momentarily. âListen I know I have a lot to explain, but first can you please just check if she's healthy? I'll explain everything after.â He asked.
As much as you wanted answers, you weren't going to wait to look her over. Asking questions could wait.
You did what you could, which admittedly wasn't much. You checked her pulse and breathing which was normal, and you checked some of the reflexes you remembered learning about in a child development class.
âShe seems okay. I can't do much for her here. She needs to see a pediatrician who has actual equipment for blood tests and such.â You said. You were very limited on what you were able to do. Even if you had the equipment, you wouldn't know what to look for.
You had no idea where this baby came from nor how she came to be under In-ho's care. She seemed very young. A few days old maximum. You noticed what she was swaddled in and things started to click into place.
A player's jacket.
This baby was born in the games.
Suddenly, an explosion could be heard thundering from behind the ship. It was muted somewhat by the distance, but you didn't have to stand up to know what happened. The island's failsafe was activated and it was gone now. Reduced to rubble. You were somewhat relieved. A weight you had felt for the last few years was lifted knowing that right now, you wouldn't have to deal with the games. At least for the moment.
The noise wasn't too loud for you, but it startled the baby who was still in In-ho's arms. He shushed her softly, rocking her slightly as if caring for her was second nature to him. You watched him for a moment, eyes softening at the sight.
âHow did she get here?â You asked gently. You were trying to restrain the distaste you felt for this situation. Why the hell was there a baby in the games at all? You had always thought the games were despicable, but this was a whole new level of depravity.
Regret seemed to fill his eyes as he spoke. âHer mother was a player. One of the people in my group.â He said softly. He swallowed tensely, clearly feeling some emotion right now. Likely a multitude of emotions simultaneously. âShe had the baby in the fourth game, but the mother didn't make it through the fifth. The VIPs decided the baby would inherit her place in the games.â He explained.
He left out the part where he suggested that idea. He knew that the VIPs would want to do something awful. While he was limited in what he could do, he suggested what seemed to be the safest option for the baby. He had no idea what this newer batch of VIPs would want to do with her. They had already insisted on entering the games themselves. He didn't want to know what they were thinking.
He could see the disgust and anger burning behind your eyes. You always hated the VIPs, but this just added a whole new resentment. âThere wasn't anything you could have done to get her out of there?â You asked
In-ho winced as if your words burned him. You were confused, but you didn't question it.
He took a moment to find his phrasing. âI tried. Believe me, I tried. I tried to offer Gi-hun and her a way out. I thought he would take the deal just like I had but he didn't.â He said slowly. His voice wavered slightly, clearly becoming emotional about this issue.
You had no idea what the hell he was talking about. It took you a second to register that Gi-hun was Player 456. You hadn't heard his name often. Mostly you had heard it only from Il-nam up until the ex-player was becoming more of a threat.
What deal was he speaking of? What did Gi-hun refuse to do? If anyone would have chosen to save the child, you would have thought it would be 456. While you didn't know much about the events of the games as they occurred, Gi-hun was mentioned enough that you had been rooting for him in a way. While you worked on the compound, you had always hoped he would find a way to end the games.
It seems like he achieved his goal.
You leaned against In-ho, resting your head on his shoulder. âYou did what you could, okay? What's important is that she's safe now.â You said.
He nodded. You glanced up at him quickly. His eyes were watery as he stared at the infant in his arms. âI know. She'll be okay now.â He murmured
Your head returned to its resting spot on his shoulder. âWe can't keep her forever, but we can watch over her until we find something for her.â You said softly. You felt his shoulders shake, likely as a result of him simply nodding at your statement.
You knew this was probably hard for him. He never got to do this. To be a parent. Hell, even to have a normal life. His wife and child were taken from him too soon and it ruined him inside. It seemed that despite all of the chaos and uncertainty a part of him was healing. Everything that he had grown used to was gone, but this, being with you and 222, felt like a new normal.
He wished it would be the new normal. With all his being, he hoped it would be. This is what he wanted. It always was. After winning the games, he thought he was no longer capable of this. Of loving. Of being loved.
Oh Il-nam was right about a lot of things, but he most certainly was wrong about that.
He was stuck in his thoughts as he watched the baby begin to fall asleep. You had to get his attention by touching his arm. His gaze snapped to you.
âWhat should we call her?â You asked. Your cadence made it seem that this was not the first time you asked that question.
He stayed quiet for a moment. âI don't know.â He murmured. He almost didn't want to give her a name. He didn't want to get too attached.
But he quickly realized that was the line of thinking he had fallen into when you first arrived too. He was so used to pushing others away in order to avoid the eventual heartbreak of losing them. He tried to do that ever since the passing of his wife, but he had since learned from experience that it only served to make him miserable. The last few years with you had been the best in his life. None of that would have happened if he hadn't let those walls down. It's about time he finally learns from his past mistakes.
âOoh, I know!â You said excitedly, causing the baby to stir. She didn't cry, but she didn't go back to sleep either. You gave a nervous laugh before continuing to speak at a lower volume. âYou know how you made up the name Young-il based on the number you had. Well her number is three twos, so what if we called her Sam-i? You know, âthree twoââ You suggested.
He looked down at the child, who seemed to almost giggle at the sound of your voice. He nodded. âI like it.â He said.
After a moment, you spoke again. âBy the way, I saw Jun-ho on the way to the ferry.â You said grimly.
You felt his muscles tense at this. âWhat? Where? What happened?â He questioned. For once, he tore his gaze away from the child in his arms.
âHe was going for the scuba pack as I was using the tunnel under the suite. Tried to convince me to go with him.â You said with a laugh. You had told In-ho about Jun-ho's promise to get you off the compound when he infiltrated the apartment.
In-ho didn't find your statement amusing. âDid he⊠say anything? Did you say anything?â He asked. He was growing nervous, worried you accidentally gave him information to lead him to where the ferry was headed. Or where the two of you would be found after this.
You shook your head. âNothing about where we were going.â You started with that statement to hopefully calm him a bit.
âI told him that he didn't have to worry about you anymore. That I would make sure you're okay.â You started. You tried to keep your voice from wavering. You knew how emotional this was for both Jun-ho and In-ho, and your empathy made it emotional for you too. âHe didn't believe me at first,â you said, causing In-ho to chuckle weakly.
âBut I showed him the ring. He thanked me. Then I told him that you still love him. That everything you did was to try to protect him.â You said, taking a shaky breath.
You looked up at In-ho. He had tears running down his face. You reached your hand over just as he began turning to look away, seemingly to hide his emotional reaction. You held his face still, gently wiping the tears with your thumb.
He cleared his throat, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly at the action. âA-and what did he say?â He asked, voice barely audible. He seemed reluctant. He wanted to know the answer but he also didn't want to know. He didn't know which answer he wanted to hear.
You smiled the slightest bit. âHe said he loves you too.â You said, a tear escaping your eye as well.
In-ho closed his eyes, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself down. That was probably the answer he preferred, although it wasn't all a good thing. He was worried Jun-ho would still try to find him. It is only in his brother's nature to do that. He spent years on the sea with Captain Park even when everything seemed hopeless.
Jun-ho was the only person in the world outside the games who knew In-ho was still alive. He was relieved that his brother hadn't completely disowned him. He probably deserved it after everything he had done, but something in him was relieved to know that he didn't lose his brother entirely. That the love they shared was still there somewhere. It was lost in the complicated moral quandaries and secrets between them, but it was still there.
You kissed his cheek gently before returning to your typical seated posture. You looked over at the baby for a moment, looking to see if In-ho had woken her somehow, but he didn't.
You leaned into him again, fingers absent-mindedly fidgeting with the strap of your mask. You waited until he had seemingly calmed down. His breathing deepened and became steadier as the height of emotion died down.âSo what happens now? With the island gone and everything?â You asked.
It was a question you had been dreading asking. Between the compound being blown up and the games in Korea seemingly screeching to a halt, you finally had the chance to get out of this shadowy operation. You both could finally be free from the chaos and bloodshed. You had plenty of money at your disposal. Fake identities and forged documents wouldn't be hard to obtain.
But you feared In-ho would be dragged back into the control room in the future. This doesn't seem like something you can just walk away from. You wouldn't be surprised if the VIPs tracked him down once they decided they wanted to hold the Korean games again. You knew that games were certainly being held in other countries, so maybe they could just go watch those instead. Either way, this was the chance to leave and you didn't want to squander it. But ultimately, if In-ho decided he wanted to continue with the games, you don't think you would stop him. You would try to convince him otherwise but if he had his mind set on that, you would go with him. While you hope your life moves away from the games, you'd follow In-ho wherever he goes. You love him too much.
In-ho felt like it was an obvious question. There was only one answer.
You felt him sigh. âI think⊠I think it's over. I think we can move on.â He said softly.
The answer was you. It would always be you. It was a no-brainer. He'd choose you every single time. He was already contemplating giving up the games entirely for you. That's why he'd been holding onto the ring for so long. He felt like he needed to
Happy was an understatement for the emotion you were feeling. You were elated. You looked up at him, pressing a kiss to his cheek. âI hope so. You deserve some rest after everything you've been through.â You said softly.
You sat like this for a moment until you heard a sharp knock on the wooden door. In-ho sighed. âI should go see what they need.â He shifted in his seat, slowly lifting the mask to his face.
You nodded slowly. You wished he wouldn't but you knew he had to. You looked over at him. âI can watch her for you.â You said. You could just tell that he would have no problem taking her with him, but she didn't need to be involved. Who knew what else could happen?
He slowly shifted her into your arms, accidentally waking her in the process. She fussed a little, but a soft shush from In-ho calmed her back down.
âI'll be back as soon as I can.â He said before walking and exiting the room.
You held the girl in your arms. âHi, little one.â You cooed softly. âYou must have been through a lot.â You watched her silently, gently rocking her in your arms. She seemed so peaceful despite everything.
You felt like your soul was aching for her. She's just a baby who was stuck in the games. She was a new life surrounded by so much death. Everything she knew in the past few days was bloodshed. Anyone else who met her was dead and gone.
You wondered what her mother was like. You knew In-ho had been on a team with her at one point, but you knew next to nothing about his time in the games this year. You wondered if she knew she accidentally dragged her child into the games in her place. Obviously someone protected her, likely Gi-hun from what In-ho had said.
You thanked the universe for granting her freedom from the games. You rejoiced that she was left alive. You grieved her family that she would never know and the men and women who died protecting her. You vowed to help keep her safe until they found better arrangements for her. You already had some ideas to mention to In-ho.
When In-ho returned, he saw you cradling the girl in your arms as if it was second nature. Your head was resting on the couch behind you as you slept silently. The baby was sound asleep, curled up into your chest as you sheltered her from the deceptive, depraved world she found herself in.
A smile flashed across his face. He could get used to this. Maybe not with Sam-i, but one of your own someday.
This is what he always wanted. And after years and years of misfortune and tragedy, it finally seemed like he had the chance to live out his dream with you.
i should have a fic out tomorrow? it's a part 2 to the nurse reader fic with in-ho. i do have another idea for in-ho but honestly guys i might write a few dae-ho fics. i still don't know if i entirely like what they did to his character, but i do have some cool ideas floating around in my head.
synopsis: thanos wants a new hair color, and you pick out the best one for him!
thanos sits on the carpet in front of the couch, his head resting in your lap as he scrolls through his phone. youâre sprawled on the couch with his head in between your legs.
you can hear him, very lightly, muttering rap lyrics under his breath.
the rapper's nails, painted a vibrant pink from last weekâs impromptu spa night, catch the light as he taps the screen.
âbaby, iâm thinkinâ purple next,â he says, voice with some type of playful swagger heâs always got.
it is the kind that made you fall for him back when you first saw him around club pentagon.
thanos looked all cocky and loud, but he is secretly a softie.
thano's green hair, faded from weeks of wear, sticks out in wild tufts, and you canât help but grin at the thought of him having a new color.
âpurple, huh?â you tease, running your fingers through his hair, âyou're gonna look like a grape.â
he chuckles, turning to look up at you, his eyes glinting with mischief, âseñorita, thanos is purple. this just seals the deal.â
su-bong is referring to the marvel character thanos.
he grabs your hand, kissing your knuckles, and you feel that familiar warmth spread through your chest. heâs always like this...silly, dramatic, but so damn sweet it makes your heart ache.
you drag him to the bathroom, where youâve set up a makeshift hair-dye station on the counter.
a bottle of vibrant purple dye, gloves, a mixing bowl, a brush, and a towel thatâs seen better days.
thanos plops down on the edge of the bathtub, kicking his legs like a kid, already humming some beat heâs probably cooking up for his next album.
âyo, baby, you sure you know what youâre doinâ?â he asks, smirking as you pull on the gloves, âiâm trustinâ you not to make me look like a clown.â
âplease,â you scoff, tying an old t-shirt around his shoulders to protect his clothes, âiâm an artist. youâre gonna look like a masterpiece.â
he laughs, loud and unfiltered, and pulls you closer by the waist, pressing a quick kiss to your cheek.
âthatâs my girl,â he murmurs, and you swear your knees go weak.
you mix the dye, the sharp chemical smell filling the air as you stir the vibrant purple goop. thanos watches, fascinated, like itâs some kind of science experiment.
âthatâs gonna be on my head?â he asks, raising an eyebrow.
âyup,â you say, dipping the brush in, âready to be the flyest rapper in seoul?â
he grins, showing off his teeth, âborn ready, sweetheart.â
you start sectioning his hair, the green strands soft under your fingers as you work the purple dye in. thanos is surprisingly still, though he canât resist making goofy faces in the mirror every time you glance up.
âyou lookinâ real serious, baby,â he says, mimicking your focused expression.
âthis is high art, su-bong,â you retort, smearing dye across a chunk of his hair in the middle.
he snorts, muttering something about how youâre the only one allowed to call him that.
the purple starts to take, turning his faded green locks into a bold, electric hue.
youâre careful, making sure every strand is coated, but thanos keeps leaning into your touch, like heâs soaking up the attention more than the dye.
âyouâre too good to me,â he says softly, catching your wrist as you work.
the rapper's voice is quieter now, that rare vulnerable side peeking through, and you pause to lean down, kissing his forehead without getting the purple on your face.
âonly 'cause you deserve it,â you whisper, and he smiles, all soft and smitten. the man's painted nails tapping a rhythm on the tubâs edge.
halfway through, your phone buzzes on the counter, se-miâs name flashing on the screen.
you groan, knowing itâs probably another crisis about her girlfriend.
âdonât answer it,â thanos whines, grabbing for your hand, but youâre already reaching for the phone, putting it on speaker.
âse-mi, whatâs up?â you ask, trying to keep the dye brush steady.
ây/n, sheâs driving me insane!â se-miâs voice crackles through, loud and dramatic.
âshe keeps leaving dishes in the sink after I fucking told her to clean up after herself, andââ thanos rolls his eyes so hard youâre worried theyâll get stuck.
âyo, se-mi, can you chill for, like, ten minutes? iâm in the middle of a glow-up here!â he calls, voice dripping with impatience.
you stifle a laugh, nudging him to stay still as you work on the back of his head.
se-mi ignores him, ranting on about her girlfriendâs weaponized incompetence.
thanos starts fidgeting, drumming his nails louder on the tub.
âbaby, câmon,â he mutters, shooting you a pout, âthis is our time.â you mouth an apology, trying to focus on both the dye and se-miâs meltdown.
âse-mi, just talk to her calmly,â you say, spreading more purple across thanosâ hair. he huffs, crossing his arms like a sulky kid, but when you lean down to kiss the top of his head, he melts a little, muttering, âfine, but you owe me, señorita.â
once the dye saw on his head for fourty-five minutes, you lead thanos to the tub to rinse it out.
heâs all grins again, the impatience forgotten as he kneels by the tub, head tilted back under the faucet.
you turn on the cool water, and purple dye starts streaming out, swirling in the tub like some chaotic watercolor painting.
âdamn, itâs like a crime scene in here,â thanos laughs, splashing water at you.
you yelp, flicking water back, and soon youâre both giggling, the tub turning into a purple-stained disaster.
the dye keeps running, staining the porcelain of the bathtub and splattering the tiles. you grab the showerhead, trying to aim it at his hair, but thanos keeps shaking his head like a dog, sending purple droplets flying.
âsu-bong, stop!â you laugh, grabbing his face to hold him still.
he smirks, pulling you closer until your foreheads touch, water dripping down his face.
âyouâre so cute when youâre bossy,â he says.
you roll your eyes, heart fluttering as you rinse the last of the dye out.
when you finally turn off the water, the tub looks like a modern art project gone wrong. purple streaks coat the sides, and thereâs dye on the floor, the towel, even a few specks on your shirt.
âweâre never getting our deposit back,â you groan, but thanos just laughs, pulling you into his lap on the bathroom floor.
âworth it,â he says, kissing your nose.
your boyfriend's hair is still damp, the purple vibrant and bold, and you canât stop running your fingers through it, marveling at how good it looks.
âyou like it?â he asks, tilting his head like heâs posing for a photoshoot.
âlove it,â you say, and he beams, wrapping his arms around you.
âthatâs all i need to hear, señorita.â
you stay like that for a moment, his wet hair dripping onto your shoulder, the bathroom a mess but your heart full.
your phone goes off in a jingle again, se-miâs name lighting up the screen.
thanos groans dramatically, flopping back against the tub.
âthis girlâs got the worst timing,â he grumbles, but youâre already answering, putting her on speaker again.
ây/n, sheâs saying iâm overreacting!â se-mi wails, and thanos throws his hands up, his painted nails flashing.
âse-mi, youâre killinâ me! iâm tryna have a moment with my girl here!â
you laugh, trying to calm se-mi down while thanos starts rapping under his breath, something about âpurple hair, donât care, just leave us alone, se-mi.â
you nudge him, mouthing for him to behave, but he just leans in to kiss your temple while you talk.
âse-mi, just give her some space,â you say, and thanos mutters, âyeah, and give us some too.â
once se-mi finally hangs up, you dry thanosâ hair with a towel, the purple strands soft and vibrant under your fingers.
heâs back to his silly self, striking poses in the mirror and rapping.
you laugh, wrapping your arms around his waist from behind, resting your chin on his shoulder.
âyouâre ridiculous,â you say, and he turns, pulling you close.
âridiculous but you love it, baby,â he says, kissing you slow and sweet, his hands warm on your back.
the bathroomâs a disaster, and se-miâs probably gonna call again in ten minutes.
right now, itâs just you and a new purple haired thanos.
I HAVE STILL ONLY SEEN UP TO EPISODE TWO BUT WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN I PREDICTED HIDE AND SEEK AS THE 4TH GAME???? I PUT HIDE AND SEEK WITH A SIMILAR CONCEPT INTO ONE SIDED REUNION WHAT THE HELL
also i will probably watch the rest tonight, but i need to mentally process episode two. i started crying so hard lmao
Olay so i don't know if I'm gonna be able to watch season three right away, so I've made the decision to delete Tumblr until i have watched it to avoid spoilers. see you on the other side guys đ«Ą
I mentioned recently that I needed to write a post exploring the similarities between Anakin Skywalker and Hwang In-ho... well, the time has come!
(or, in other words, I'm on the clock rn and needed a little escape from the joy that is my job today)
Before diving into the main comparison, I want to share a bit about what initially drew me to the character of the Frontman, so if you'd rather skip my self-indulgent ramblings and go straight to the point, feel free to scroll past this preface.
I was captivated by the Frontman the moment I watched the first season of Squid Game. It took me a while to get around to it, though, as I only watched it in early 2024, curious to explore Korean media and see if it might inspire me to learn the language. Ironically, when something becomes a massive cultural phenomenon, I tend to avoid it until another impulse finally pushes me toward it.
What immediately hooked me was the mystery. Iâve always loved enigmatic characters who hide behind masks... whether theyâre heroes, villains, or something in between. The intrigue, the secrets, the slow unraveling - simply delicious! They pull me in every single time. I had my suspicions early on that the Frontman would turn out to be Jun-hoâs long-lost brother, so I was extremely excited for the reveal long before it came. And when it did? Boy, did it deliver.
My first reaction to seeing Lee Byung-hunâs face was purely superficial - what a ridiculously handsome man, but what truly won me over was the acting. My favourite type of acting: the subtle performances, the blink and you'll miss it type of acting, where everything is stored in the microexpressions. Seeing In-ho so conflicted, broken and yet still determined to go through with it - with shooting his own brother... it was a such a powerful and compelling scene full of angst, I knew in an instant that I had hit the jackpot on a new hyperfixation. After finishing Squid Game, I dove headfirst into Lee Byung-hunâs filmography and havenât stopped since.
Before starting the Season 2 binge, I glimpsed a spoiler saying that the Frontman would join the games this season - I didn't truly believe it. The shock and excitement by the end of the third episode were through the roof and I was glued to the screen. And then the season brought something even crazier: its main theme centered on a battle of ideologies between these two amazing characters, with the Frontman becoming Gi-hunâs foil!
Even in the middle of that juicy, juicy old men yaoi battle-of-wills I was still pretty much mindful about each and every scrap of information we got on In-ho, Jun-ho and their family. While at first the parallels between In-ho and Anakin seemed more surface-level, sparked by black masks and villainous introductions, Season 2 delivered an insurmountable ammount of parallels that simply keep piling up...
Let's start with the obvious:
both Vader and the Frontman are introduced as villains, but it soon becomes clear that theyâre not the true masterminds. Theyâre enforcers for more powerful figures: Anakin under Emperor Palpatine, In-ho under the VIPs and Oh Il-nam. They wear the mask of control, yet remain puppets to greater evils.
they both come from humble beginnings: Anakin was a slave, while In-ho was a middle-class police officer. Their masters, in contrast, are politicians and the ultra-rich. Despite their power, both Anakin and In-ho remain pawns in systems built to exploit them.
both began as defenders of justice within institutions that served as their worldâs law enforcement: Anakin as a Jedi, In-ho as a cop. But those institutions themselves are morally compromised. The Jedi, led by their Council, the supposed 'peacekeepers', become generals in a galactic war. The police force, meant to protect, turns a blind eye when it's convenient. Both men become agents of systems that claim moral high ground while perpetuating corruption, upholding the status quo.
we eventually learn theyâre not lone figures: they have a past, a family. Anakin and Luke. In-ho and Jun-ho.
both men were good: Anakin - the compassionate boy turned general who fought alongside his troops, always trying to save everyone, risking it all for a friend or a loved one. In-ho, the devoted brother and husband who donated a kidney and raised Jun-ho with love and care, risking it all for his loved ones, a decorated police officer.
their loved ones fight to reach them: Luke tries to save his father and Jun-ho searches for his brother - willing to lie and to risk everything to save him. Luke and Leia, Jun-ho and Gi-hun - flawed characters on arcs of their own, full of heart, unwilling to give up on those lost to the dark, fighting to stop the cycle of violence by bringing down the evil that enslaved them (the Empire and the games).
in their unacknowledged pain, they retreat to isolated places steeped in their own pain: Anakin in his fortress on Mustafar, In-ho on the Gameâs remote island.
and yet, a spark remains: Anakin dreams once of returning to the Jedi, to Obi-wan, only to crush that thought - this reality is all that there is, there is no going back. In-ho avoids his wifeâs grave, his brother, his step-mom, hides behind a mask, kills Jung-bae to teach Gi-hun a lesson - because this is all there is, he has to make a point, he has to prove to Gi-hun - and to himself - that what he's doing is right.
eventually, someone reaches out: Luke refuses to kill his father and helps him destroy Palpatine - his slaver - and free himself. Jun-ho never stops believing in his brother. But Jun-ho alone wonât be enough, just as Ahsoka wasnât enough to save Anakin. She represented a past he wanted to erase. He didn't want to kill her, but he had to. Similarly, In-ho doesnât kill Jun-ho, but he pushes him away.
just like Anakin needed Luke, In-ho may need Gi-hun. There are differences, of course, in their situations and relationships, but when it comes to the roles they play, Gi-hun is to In-ho what Luke was to Anakin: a beacon of hope, a stranger who sees the humanity even at its darkest point and still reaches out with compassion.
Neither Luke nor Gi-hun knew the man before the fall - but both meet him at his worst, and choose to believe in forgiveness and redemption. Because in the end, what is most important is to stop the cancer at its core. They pause and say: you are worth it. You can make another call. Let's stop this sensless death. Let's turn back and find another way. You can and should be good. The way forward may be the only way through, but that doesn't mean that there is only one path to get there or that you cannot change it.
I JUST WATCHED THE PREQUEL TRILOGY FOR THE FIRST TIME (MY FIRST INTRODUCTION TO STAR WARS EVER) AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH MY BRAIN. AHHHHHHHHH
sometimes it's so hard for my brain to comprehend the ages of the squid game characters bc i just pulled up dae-ho's wiki page to reference something for the fic i'm writing and what the fuck do you mean he is 37 years old. like i thought he was like late 20s maximum, how the hell is he nearing 40
