once in a blueberry moon

25 | i write when inspiration strikes! ✩ it's always gong yoo month here ✩ currently into: squid game & alice in borderland

[onceinablueberrymoon]

✧ welcome! ✧

✧ i write exclusively x readers (mostly fem!readers, but sometimes gender-neutral too). i love writing x pregnant!readers and characters as parents! i aim to not make characters ooc when possible. i personally don't use y/n in my stories, instead i write mostly from second person POV.

✧ i usually only write about what i’m currently into, but you can always send in a request and i might cook something up :) 

✧ i don’t have a schedule. rather, i write/post when i get inspiration. 

✩ check out my masterlist and works in progress! ✩

fandoms i like (or would like to write for)

squid game

alice in borderland

stranger things (when s5 release is approaching, i’ll prob start writing for this)

characters i’ll write for:

squid game:

for headcanons, pretty much any character

other requests: the recruiter (♡), cho sang-woo, hwang in-ho, hwang jun-ho

alice in borderland:

for headcanons, pretty much any character

other requests: chishiya shuntarō, kuina hikari, arisu ryōhei, segawa chota, banda sunato

i enjoy writing:

fluff! and comfort

pregnancy

parent!characters

love triangles

intriguing plots/deception (especially for squid game)

suggestive situations / light smut 

anything more than light smut will most likely be headcanons

thank you for reading ♡

[onceinablueberrymoon]

help me decide!

hello everyone! long time no see (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) 

now that season 3 is out, i was going to make a third, alternate ending for my intentionally by chance series (husband!salesman x pregnant!reader). i’m conflicted on whether it should be closer to s3's canon ending or not, so i’m leaving it up to you. btw, the salesman will live regardless in this ending :)

also if you’ve watched s3, message me your thoughts lol i’d love to hear them!

and if you haven't read the other two endings for my series, you can find them here: swan lake and nocturne no. 2.

should the alternate ending

follow canon

be a truly alternate ending

other ideas? put in comments

Voting ended onJul 7, 2025

tagging those who wanted to be updated on this series: @muchwita @hkssfjsjs @ruby-the-scholar @beebeechaos @preppyfella @buckitostan @luvr4miya

[onceinablueberrymoon]

miss u.

miss you all too! i’ve been on a hiatus of sorts due to finals and lack of inspiration, but i hope to be back soon for sg season 3! 🫶

i have quite a few works in progress (including requests), so i hope to release those in due time. thank you all for your patience and support! :)

[pillowspace]

It feels like this every time I write a fic

[thecheshireprincess]

except this timeline happens over the course of a single day for me 🤣🤭

[onceinablueberrymoon]

this is me rn😩 too many ideas but not enough willpower/time to fully flesh them out :’)

ik it’s been like a month since i wrote for the salesman but i swear he’s coming back soon!

i’ve got a few alice in borderland ones in the works too (thanks to the heavy inspiration of chishiya fics on tumblr lol they are really keeping me going)

[onceinablueberrymoon]

welcome hi! can you write jun ho from squid game x pregnant reader? they were told that they were gonna have a boy so when they end up having a girl instead.. it comes as a surprise to the both of them. fluff obvi. thank you and have a great morning/day/night <3

jun-ho finding out you're having a girl instead of a boy!

this explores jun-ho’s psyche a bit more than originally intended, but it ends up happy nonetheless :) i think he'd be a great dad, and happy regardless of his child's gender. please enjoy!

while this isn't headcanons really, it's kind of written in that style.

notes: pregnancy; jun-ho's POV for the most part; no use of y/n

From the moment Jun-ho met you, he was whipped. 

Luckily for him, so were you.

The two of you clicked instantly, and, after a few years of dating, got married.

While you didn’t exactly plan for children, the news that you were expecting was very welcome.

Jun-ho was so excited when he first found out you were pregnant. The two of you had created something that was both you and him. Living proof of the love you shared.

But when you learned that you were expecting a boy? The reality of the situation came crashing down on him. There’s an actual person growing inside of you. His son.

This made him a bit anxious. Would he be a good father? Would he be able to properly care for his child? His own father hadn’t been the best person. Could he be a good role model, even though he hadn’t had many role models of his own?

The majority of your pregnancy went off without a hitch. You and Jun-ho had made all the necessary preparations ahead of time, including decorating the nursery. 

But there was a nagging feeling in the back of Jun-ho’s mind. His brother’s wife and their child. Jun-ho knew how broken his brother had become when he lost them. It had turned him into an entirely different person.

He couldn’t lose you. Because he knew that he would succumb to the darkness, just like his brother. The darkness that led his brother down a path filled with death, betrayal, and loneliness.

Jun-ho tried to shake off the feeling, but it was always there. A tiny speck of doubt. 

He refused to acknowledge it. He couldn’t lose you now. 

Not when he’s come so far. 

Not when his life has finally fallen into place. 

‧₊˚ ⏾. ⋅

When you went into labour, Jun-ho tried his best to help. He really did. Got you ice chips, fluffed your pillows. He held your hand, fighting through the pain when you crushed it during contractions. Anything to support you.

When you had been in labour for over eight hours, he started to get worried. You were doing okay, but progressing very slowly. He knew that he could trust the hospital staff, but he was still so scared to lose you and the baby. 

He would keep these concerns to himself, but you noticed.

“Everything will be okay, and we’ll be holding our son soon,” you told him, brushing your hand over his to comfort him. 

A few hours later, the baby finally arrived, its cries ringing throughout the delivery room. Jun-ho let out a sigh of relief. 

It was over. The two of you were safe. 

But wait!

Instead of the son the two of you were expecting, the doctor declared that the baby was a healthy girl.

Jun-ho’s breath hitched. He had a daughter?

He turned to you, who looked just as shocked as him.

After a few seconds of processing the news, the two of you couldn’t help but smile.

While unexpected, your daughter was welcomed with open arms.

When you first held her in your arms, he felt himself tear up. His family was finally complete.

Jun-ho’s heart melted when he first held his daughter. She was so tiny, and yet just right. 

Though she was just a newborn, he could see some of your features in her, and it made his heart soar. She was perfect.

Even when you had to take her back to feed her, he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. He couldn’t believe that she was real. He had been both fearing and waiting for this moment for so long. 

His dream of you and your child had finally come true, and he couldn’t have asked for anything else.

[onceinablueberrymoon]

safekeeping | hwang jun-ho x reader

request: fluffy comfort with jun-ho who’s dealing with insomnia because of his trauma setting: after jun-ho wakes from his coma, but before the events of season 2, episode 1 word count: 551 warnings: jun-ho’s trauma; insomnia; gn!reader; second person POV; no use of y/n  this request was way overdue, sorry about that! for some reason, i had much more difficulty writing for jun-ho than expected. but i hope i captured him accurately. hopefully he gets some closure (and more screen time) in s3! please enjoy :) spoilers for season 1, if you haven’t watched yet. border by @strangergraphics!

Another sleepless night.

Jun-ho had been having trouble sleeping for a while now, but you were truly starting to worry during the past few days. The bags under his eyes were growing heavier, and you noticed that he wasn’t his usual self.

You tried to be there for him, but he would shrug you off, saying that it was just a late night at the station or that he was backed up on paperwork. But that didn’t explain the nightmares.

When he was able to fall asleep, he would have these recurring nightmares. At first, they happened every once in a while. He wouldn’t say anything, telling you not to worry. But since he woke up from his coma, they came almost every night, and while he wouldn’t say it outright, you could tell that he was afraid to fall asleep. 

You woke up to the shuffling of bedsheets. Jun-ho had sat down on the edge of the bed after going to the washroom yet again.

“Still can’t sleep?” Your voice caught him off-guard. 

“Sorry for waking you up.” He waved his hand at you to go back to sleep. 

There was no way you could fall asleep knowing that he was suffering right next to you. You moved to his side and wrapped your arms around him. You grimaced – his skin was cold despite the summer heat.

“If you need someone to talk to, I’m here,” you whispered as you placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

He murmured, “You wouldn’t believe me. No one does.”

“Try me.” You rested your head in the crook of his shoulder. “We have all night.”

A sigh escaped his lips. Clearly, his thoughts were weighing heavily on him. He took a deep breath.

“I know who shot me on the island.”

‧₊˚ ⏾. ⋅

It had been a couple hours since Jun-ho had started telling you the story of his brother’s disappearance and how he stumbled upon this remote island. You were resting against the headboard, struggling to comprehend the strangeness of the whole situation.

“... so it was your brother, all along?” You wondered aloud, carding your fingers through Jun-ho’s hair. His head was resting against your stomach, his eyes closed as he hummed in acknowledgment. 

“And you’re sure he knew it was you? You weren’t wearing that mask still?” You were trying to understand why In-ho would have shot his brother. Jun-ho hummed again.

“...I don’t know what to say.” You shook your head in disbelief. Even though it was such an unbelievable story, you knew he was telling the truth. It made your heart break. He had held this weight on his shoulders for so long, and he didn’t think anyone would care to listen. Not even you.

“I believe you,” you murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind his ear.

Jun-ho tilted his head up to look at you, his eyes locking with yours. A small smile graced your lips.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, you moved to capture his lips in a loving kiss. 

When you broke away for air, you noticed that his eyes were closed.

“Jun-ho?” You questioned. He didn’t respond, his breathing evening out. You exhaled softly, a smile on your lips. 

He had finally fallen asleep.

[onceinablueberrymoon]

sleepy mornings | alice in borderland x gn!reader

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

✧ banda sunato 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

✧ chishiya shuntarō

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

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

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

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

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

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

a small gasp escaped your lips. he looked ethereal. 

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

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

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

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

he glanced back at you before leaving the room.

“maybe.”

✧ niragi suguru

you woke up first, like usual. 

niragi wasn’t a morning person, really. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

✧ segawa chōta: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

✧ tatta kōdai: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“love you too.”

[gnohomotho]

I can explain

[onceinablueberrymoon]

wow this is actually me with my final paper though😭

[onceinablueberrymoon]

Please make a masterlist, and a set of guidelines. I'd like to read your pinned post before I interact with you.

here's my masterlist and guidelines!

[onceinablueberrymoon]

praying that you never get over gongyoo and it's your gongyoo month for a solid year lol

gong yoo month has dwindled slightly due to busy schedule but i’m pretty sure he’s here to stay (in my heart LOL)

also as much as i hate using this term he’s just so babygirl??

[onceinablueberrymoon]

lemon pie | husband!salesman x reader

scenario: you have a craving for lemon pie. the salesman is on the case. setting: before season 2 word count: 1.1k warnings: mention of gambling addiction; second and third person POVs; no use of y/n; recruiter is called salesman here notes: this was originally for pi day, but i rewrote this way too many times💀 gi-hun is not the target this time (surprisingly!). just a simple fluff piece with classic squid game vibes :) please enjoy! borders by @enchanthings-a!

4 p.m.

It was finally time to clock out. 

You stretched your arms above your head and let out a yawn. 

At least it was the weekend, you thought. It had been a rough week at work and you were just relieved it was finally over.

You decided to get a little something to cheer you up. A pie. Not just any pie, but your local bakery’s house special: lemon pie.

Checking the time, you concluded that there wouldn’t be enough time for you to get to the bakery before it closed. Then, you had an idea. Your husband was working at home today. Maybe he could get to the bakery in time?

You sent him a message.

Really craving lemon pie from that bakery. Could you pick one up?

Your husband replied almost instantly, promising to get you your pie. You couldn’t help but smile as you packed up your things. He really was the best!

‧₊˚ ⏾. ⋅

The familiar chime of a bell rang as the salesman entered the bakery. The smell of baked goods wafted through the air. The bakery wasn't very busy, thankfully. Only one customer was at the counter, a man.

The salesman went to stand behind him, patiently waiting for his turn. The man in front of him didn’t take long, soon leaving with a plastic bag in hand. 

“Hello,” the salesman greeted the cashier. “I would like one of your lemon pies.”

She frowned slightly. “Unfortunately, the last pie was sold to the gentleman who just left.” 

“I see,” the salesman mused, pondering what to do next. You were really counting on that pie to lift your spirits. “Thank you,” he bowed slightly to the cashier before leaving the bakery. 

Once the salesman stepped out, he spotted the man walking across the street. An idea popped into his head.

He followed the man to the nearest subway station. Once on the platform, he made his move.

“Hello, sir. Could I talk with you?”

The man looked confused. “Sure? Can I help you?”

The salesman smiled politely. “I would like to make you an offer. Have you played ddakji before?”

The man chuckled. “The kids game? Of course.” He paused. “Why?”

The salesman clicked open his briefcase to reveal stacks of won bills. The man gasped.

“If you win, I’ll give you 100,000 won.” 

The man’s eyes widened into saucers. 

“But if you lose…” The salesman looked down at the plastic bag in the man’s hand. “You give me your pie.” 

The man looked at the bag, then back at the salesman. “It’s my daughter’s birthday. This pie is her favourite dessert…” He seemed conflicted.

“We don’t have to play,” The salesman said as he began closing his briefcase.

“Wait!”

The salesman smirked. No one could resist the allure of money. 

“I’ll… I’ll play.” The man looked desperate. 

The salesman gave his signature smile. 

“Then, let’s get started.”

‧₊˚ ⏾. ⋅

“There’s no way-! One more round!” 

The two men played five rounds before the salesman spoke up.

“I believe I’ve won.” The salesman held out a hand, a polite smile on his face. “Pie, please.”

The man begrudgingly handed it over. “What am I going to tell my daughter? Now I have nothing for her.”

The salesman tsked at the man. He took out a crisp 50,000 won bill from his briefcase and held it out. “Here, get your daughter something nice.” 

The man nearly leapt to collect the money. He held it up to analyze it, his eyes wide with disbelief. 

The salesman let out a huff. “Don’t go spending that at the races, all right, Park Jung-bae-ssi?”

The man froze, his eyes darting to the salesman. “H-how… How do you know my name?” 

The salesman just looked at him with his usual polite smile. “Park Jung-bae. Marine Corps Class 746. Originally worked at Dragon Motors, but after the strike, was laid off. Attempted to start several businesses afterwards, none of which would last longer than a couple years.”

Jung-bae stumbled backwards. “Who… just who are you?!”

The salesman ignored him and continued to speak. “You’ve acquired quite a large sum of debt these past few years. And to top it off, your ex-wife only allows you to see your daughter a couple times a year.” He almost pitied Jung-bae. 

Almost.

The salesman stepped towards Jung-bae and handed him a card. “There are other games where you can make more money than just 50,000 won. If you’d like to participate, give us a call.” He gave a short bow and lifted the plastic bag slightly. 

“Thank you for the pie.” 

The salesman walked away, leaving Jung-bae in stunned silence.

‧₊˚ ⏾. ⋅

The sound of the front door closing woke you up from your post-work nap. Looking out the window, you noticed it was already dark.

You got out of bed and went to the kitchen where the salesman was washing his hands. A bag was next to him on the counter.

“Did you get it?” You asked, peering into the plastic bag. 

“Of course,” he replied. You cheered, pulling him into a hug. To your surprise, he hugged you back.

“Thank you so much, I’ve been craving it all day!” You exclaimed.

He chuckled, then added, “It was the last one, too.” 

You gasped. “No way! You really got lucky.” 

He shrugged.

You moved to get some plates and a knife to cut the pie. “Would you like a piece?” You offered.

He shook his head. “It’s all for you.”

You cut yourself a big slice and went to eat it on the sofa. You turned the TV on to watch the nightly news. Your husband followed you, taking his place beside you. You snuggled into his side and began eating your pie.

“Is it everything you hoped for?” He asked. 

You nodded and kissed him on the cheek. “It’s even better because I’m with you. I’ve been dreaming of this moment all week.”

The salesman smiled, a fuzzy feeling enveloping his heart.

The joy on your face, the way you practically melted as you savoured your dessert… It was all worth it.

And he recruited another player at the same time. Two birds with one bullet. 

Your happiness meant everything to him. He always tried his best to care for you, even if his ways could be a bit unconventional sometimes. 

The salesman cherished you dearly, and he would do anything for you. That’s what people do for those they love, right?

Just then, the latest news in horse racing flashed on TV. They were interviewing a man who had won big at the races. But there, in the background, the salesman could pick out Jung-bae amongst the crowd, his expression distraught. 

Your husband scoffed.

Well, maybe not everyone.

tags: @muchwita

[onceinablueberrymoon]

sleepy mornings | squid game x gn!reader

shorts that are pure fluff :)

characters: hwang jun-ho, seong gi-hun (pre-games and post-season 1), lee myung-gi (333), park gyeong-seok (246), hwang in-ho (pre-games and as frontman)

warnings: pregnancy (only for in-ho (pre-games)); gn!reader; second person POV

borders by @enchanthings-a!

edit: not sure why some sentences got cut off on mobile. but hopefully they work now!

alice in borderland version

hwang jun-ho: 

you wake up first and turn to find him still sleeping next to you. you admire his sleeping face, so relaxed and at peace. 

he’s been so busy lately with all that’s been going on, you thought. he deserves a restful sleep. 

the stress of searching for his brother has really gotten to him. while you tried your best to be supportive, you could tell he was growing more desperate by the day. 

you move closer to him, burying yourself in his side. his warmth lulls you back to sleep. 

soon after, he wakes up to you at his side, and he smiles softly.

he's so glad he has you as a partner, someone who is always in his corner.

when he lived alone, he dreaded returning to his lonely apartment. but now, he looked forward to going home, knowing you’re there to welcome him.

he wraps an arm around you and places a kiss on your forehead before drifting back to sleep.

seong gi-hun (pre-games): 

he’s passed out next to you after yet another night of drinking. 

you sit up groggily, your head spinning. you reach for the glass of water on your bedside table and chug it. 

once you’re done, you look back down at him. he’s still asleep, a blissful expression on his face. 

he must be having a good dream, you thought. 

you lay back down next to him and cuddle into his side. he doesn't react, but that's okay.

with his loans coming due soon, you're glad that he has some reprieve from the never-ending stress of debt collectors and loan sharks.

as much as you tried to help, it wasn't nearly enough to cover what he owed.

your parents always wondered why you chose to be with someone who was so careless with money. there was just something about him — his smile, his laugh, the way he always seemed to cheer you up when you were down. you believed that, at his core, he was a good person. and that’s why you stayed by his side.

glancing at his sleeping face once more, you smile softly before pain pulses through your head once more.

you try to get some more shut-eye, hoping that when you wake up, your headache will have disappeared. 

seong gi-hun (post-season 1): 

the birds are chirping, it’s dawn. 

yet still, he’s unable to sleep, his thoughts plagued by all the possibilities the future holds. the salesman is out there, somewhere. he knows it. 

he looks at you, sprawled out on the bed next to him. you look so peaceful, sleeping without a care in the world. 

he doesn’t want you to get hurt, maybe he should have never involved you in this whole mess. but at the same time, you’ve been his rock, his reason to keep going. he wouldn’t have made it this far without you. 

he slinks back down onto the mattress, covering himself with the sheets. you would probably scold him if you found out he didn’t get any sleep again. 

he wraps an arm around you, and pulls you to his chest. you stir, but quickly make yourself comfortable. he rests his head on yours, and closes his eyes before trying to get some rest, even if it’s just a little. 

he falls asleep, lulled by the beating of your heart.

lee myung-gi (333): 

he lives by the mantra, the early bird gets the worm. and this early bird definitely wakes up early. 

he wakes up like clockwork, reaching over for his phone to check his daily stocks. today was no exception. 

you opened your eyes to him sitting up, scrolling through his crypto apps. a sigh escapes your lips. 

“can you just put it down for one morning?” you ask gently, putting a hand over his phone and pushing it down slightly to get his attention. 

he tries to shake you off, but you’re persistent. 

“please? for me?” you give your best puppy dog eyes. 

he sighs, but gives in. 

you cheer, and take his phone and put it on your side of the bed. 

he lies back down and you wrap your arm around his stomach. he kisses the top of your head. 

it’s not long before the two of you fall back asleep.

park gyeong-seok (246):

it's one of those rare mornings when you can sleep in.

na-yeon is at her grandparents's house, so it's just the two of you.

you wake up naturally, having not set an alarm. he's spooning you, his arms caging you in close to his chest.

his warmth surrounds you, and you've never felt so safe and loved.

you place a gentle kiss on one of his arms, but he doesn’t stir. you don’t push — he needs his rest, after all. instead, you snuggle further back into his chest.

you close your eyes, your thoughts drifting to gyeong-seok. how had you gotten so lucky to end up with a guy like him? 

he was such a devoted father, but he always made time for you, which you appreciated. you, in turn, made time for na-yeon as well, always keeping an eye out for her while her father is working.

even with your help now, being a father is still a tiring job. while he would do anything for nayeon and you, you tried to make sure he was practicing self-care as well. 

you didn't want to wake him and you weren't ready to leave your cozy cocoon either.

you allowed yourself to be lulled back to sleep by the sound of his heartbeat.

hwang in-ho (pre-games): 

he woke up earlier than his alarm, which was unusual. he looked over to see you sleeping peacefully next to him. he could've mistaken you for an angel.

a soft smile graced his lips. how could he have gotten so lucky?

he shuffled closer to you, wrapping his arm around your belly. 

you were just starting to show, your bump small enough to be hidden under sweaters. 

he still couldn’t believe that he was going to be a father. the thought made him giddy with joy. and the fact that you were carrying his child made him over the moon. 

he rested his hand on your bump, not wanting to wake you by accident. after all, you needed your energy for the baby. he was just happy to be part of the experience. 

he pressed himself closer to you and allowed himself to fall back asleep, imagining the exciting possibilities the future held for his family.

hwang in-ho (as frontman): 

he was still sleeping when you woke up. that was unusual.

he liked to start his day earlier so he could complete all the necessary arrangements for the games.

maybe he just forgot? you wondered. that didn’t seem like him. he was usually methodical, planning everything down to the minute. 

you reached out to wrap an arm around him when he stirred awake. he blinked slowly, a soft smile forming when he saw you. 

“you’re usually awake by now,” you noted. 

he reached a hand out to brush your cheek. “i wanted to spend the morning with you,” he murmured. 

you let out a small laugh, reaching over to kiss him on the cheek. 

“thank you.”

[onceinablueberrymoon]

one final game: swan lake | husband!salesman x mom!reader

scenario: it’s time. gi-hun and the salesman play russian roulette. unbeknownst to them, you’re listening in. setting: during season 2, episode 1; directly after stick to the plan (please read this first!) warnings: major character death; murder; major deception/betrayal; fem!reader; second person and third person POVs; i’m so sorry (˃̣̣̥ᯅ˂̣̣̥); spoilers for season 2, episode 1!  word count: 3k notes: the end is finally here! thank you for all the love you’ve given this series. both this ending and nocturne no. 2 start the same way and diverge at around halfway through the russian roulette scene. also, i would love to know what you thought of this ending. please enjoy! this was written before the release of season 3, so i had to make up my own version of how the games ended. i might change that after season 3, if it works with the rest of this story. this is one of two endings to the intentionally by chance series. you can find the other here: nocturne no. 2. borders by @strangergraphics-archive!

Thump. Thump thump.

Your heart was pounding.

Soon after your husband left the room, you tried to distract yourself by caring for your son. Thankfully, he was calm, his eyes heavy with sleep as you rocked him in your arms. Even though he was resting against your chest, he didn’t seem to notice your racing heartbeat, which you were grateful for. The last thing you needed was a crying baby.

Your thoughts wandered to Gi-hun, who didn’t know what he was about to walk into. 

Or maybe he did, you wondered. 

While unlikely, it was possible that he figured out that the salesman’s baby was Min-seok. But then you reminded yourself that this was Gi-hun. He wasn’t exactly the most observant person. Still, you couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that continued to grow in your chest.

As the minutes ticked by, Min-seok had finally fallen asleep. You gazed at his face, pure and innocent. A stark difference from his parents, who were instrumental in the deaths of thousands of people. Would he grow up to be the same? To harm with no mercy, to act purely for his own gain? Or would he reject his family’s past and fight to help others, including those who no longer deserved a chance?

Like Gi-hun, you thought. 

You had to keep reminding yourself that, although well-intentioned, Gi-hun was foolish. He had won the Games and gotten his money. Why was he so obsessed with stopping them now? Even though he had told you his plan to catch the salesman, he never revealed how he would stop the Games themselves. 

Perhaps that’s what drew him to you after your first meeting. His blind faith. 

Even after the Games, where he had seen his childhood friend die in his arms, he had faith that things would work out. As time went on, he eventually placed his trust in you. 

In return, you had betrayed him. Used his intel to manipulate him effortlessly, to play him like a fiddle. His faith in you had made him none the wiser.

When you had first devised this plan to help your husband, you had no intention of meeting Gi-hun regularly. You had one goal: to learn about his plans. But then, you met Seong Gi-hun. Even though you were a complete stranger, he showed you nothing but kindness. He had somehow wormed his way into your heart, and it had made everything so difficult. 

You hated to admit it, but a part of you actually cared for Gi-hun. Over the past year and a half, you thought nothing of it, that meeting with him was just your job. That you didn’t actually care if anything happened to him. 

But now? Knowing that this would be the end?

You were terrified. 

Terrified for him, but also for your husband.

Gi-hun had been searching for him for almost two years by now, and even though you knew your husband could protect himself, your heart ached at the thought of losing him. 

You let out a deep sigh. Now that Min-seok had fallen asleep, you settled him into his bassinet. 

Gi-hun should be arriving any minute, you thought. You were drawn to the front door, so you walked over.

Opening it slowly, you checked for any noises. 

Silence.

Looking back at the bassinet, you took a deep breath. Min-seok will be fine for a few minutes. 

The anxiety of the whole situation was eating at you. Closing the door with a soft click, you quietly climbed the rear stairs of the motel.

Room 410.

You tiptoed up to Gi-hun’s room, freezing when you heard voices. Gi-hun had arrived.

Pressing your ear against the door, you listened intently.

“Seong Gi-hun-ssi. Do you think you’re special because you won the game?” You heard your husband say, his voice hostile. 

A pause.

“Someone like you could never know or understand how I made it out of there alive.” Gi-hun’s words were hushed, but they sent chills down your spine.

You heard the faint click of a gun, but no gunshot. 

Then, in his usual recruiter tone, your husband said, 

“Let’s play a game.”

The muffled melody of Time to Say Goodbye caused your body to tense. As your husband explained the rules of Russian Roulette, you felt your breathing quicken.

“But I’d like to make this game a little more serious. Because you’re special, Seong Gi-hun-ssi.”

Your mind raced. You knew he was tasked with killing Gi-hun, but why did he choose this game again?

“We’ll take turns pulling the trigger without spinning the cylinder again. The bullet will be fired within six attempts, and the game will be over.”

Your breath hitched, your vision blurred. 

Was he insane? You screamed internally. There was such a high chance of death – 1 in 6. You felt dizzy. How could he do this to himself? To you? To your family?

Shuffling could be heard behind the door. Who was going first?

Click.

Your heart stopped. No gunshot. 

But no talking either. You were in the dark.

Click.

Nothing but music in the background.

Then, a voice. Your husband’s.

“My wife and I always wondered how you made it out of there alive,” he chuckled. “For one thing, you were even terrible at ddakji.” 

Your heart caught in your throat.

“A monster like you has a wife?” Gi-hun’s raspy voice was laced with confusion.

You heard a scoff. 

“You might know her… ” Your husband said coolly. “Unfortunately, she’s preoccupied with our son.”

Another chuckle.

“You might know him too.”

You didn’t need to be in the room to feel the sheer weight of your husband’s words. You heard Gi-hun’s soft gasp, the pressure of it crushed your heart. 

Now, Gi-hun knew. 

Knew of your betrayal, of the lies, and of the coincidences that hadn’t really been coincidences at all. 

This wasn’t how you expected to feel.

Click.

For a brief moment, you had forgotten about their game, that they could die at any moment.

There had been three clicks so far, if you recalled correctly.

A clatter of what you presumed to be the gun falling on a table shook you from your thoughts. 

Seconds passed. Again, no talking. Only the sound of music.

Click.

Still, no gunshots. You were surprised. Usually, the gun would have gone off by now. 

Your husband’s voice chimed in again. 

“What’s the matter? Is your mind starting to race?” He teased. “Now your odds of death are 1 in 2. That’s pretty high indeed.”

You guessed it was Gi-hun’s turn to shoot.

Your husband continued, “I’m sure you’re afraid. Lots going through your mind.” 

Gi-hun didn’t respond.

“Let me guess what you’re thinking right now. ‘The gun is in my hand. Screw the rules. Pull the trigger once or twice, and I can blow this guy’s face off. Isn’t that right?’” He paused. “If you want to meet the person you mentioned earlier, the key is in my pocket. You can simply shoot me with that gun and take it.”

Your eyes widened in disbelief. Why would he even suggest that?

He continued, “But I’ll have you admit one thing.” 

A lengthy pause. 

“That you’re a piece of trash, just like everyone else. A piece of trash who got lucky and made it out of the dumpster.” You could hear him chuckle.

Click.

No gunshot. 

That means…! 

You gasped sharply, hands flying to cover your mouth. You hoped that they hadn’t heard you.

After what seemed like an eternity, Gi-hun spoke.

“What’s the matter? Is your mind starting to race?” He mimicked your husband’s words. “That’s right. Screw the rules. Now, with a single pull of the trigger, you could kill me.”

He paused.

“I must know,” Gi-hun’s voice was pained. “Why would you choose this game, knowing you have a wife, a family?”

“I never understood what my wife saw in you. But now, I get it.” 

Your husband’s voice was quiet. Reflective. 

“Your naivety. Your blind trust in everyone. Your foolishness. She found it so endearing. So easy to manipulate. You trusted her in a heartbeat.” 

He let out a soft chuckle. 

“I was skeptical at first. But then I realized that you wouldn’t have been able to hurt her even if you wanted to. She had you wrapped around her finger.”

Gi-hun spoke, “Then why? Why play this game, knowing you could lose?”

Your husband ignored him, raising his voice. “My wife and my son are my entire world. If what she says about you is true… Please, spare them.”

You felt your heart stop. There was no way that he would-

That’s when you realized. 

He was buying you time to escape.

He had accepted his fate, and was distracting Gi-hun so you could take off with Min-seok. Surely, Gi-hun would be after you once he realized you had been in the motel. Your heart lurched in your chest.

Your husband was sacrificing himself.

You sprinted down the hall as quietly as possible. Once you got to your room, you gathered Min-seok and your belongings, praying that your husband would buy you just a few more minutes. You only had time for one trip to the car, so you had to leave the stroller behind.

Just as you were about to go out the rear exit-

Bang!

To your horror, Min-seok started crying, his sharp wails ringing throughout the walls of the motel. You had no doubt that Gi-hun would appear at any moment.

There was no time for you to process your emotions.

You kicked open the back door and threw everything in the back seat of the car. You haphazardly clicked Min-seok’s bassinet into the car seat before jumping in the driver’s seat. There was no time to spare. You floored the accelerator in a hurry to get some distance before Gi-hun could catch up. 

All the while, Min-seok continued crying from the back seat. Maybe he sensed that his father was dead, somehow. That his favourite person was gone. 

It was only when you arrived at the pier to meet Captain Park that his sobs weakened into quiet whimpers.

Four years later.

“Mini, be careful, okay?”

Your son, now 5 years old, grinned at you and gave you a thumbs up before running towards the playground.

“I love you!” You called, smiling when he yelled it back. You rolled your suitcase to a bench under a tree not too far from the playground. The park wasn’t too busy, which was good. Fewer witnesses was better.

A few weeks before, you sent Gi-hun a letter. Ever since your husband’s death four years prior, you cut contact with everyone. It was like you never existed. 

You were certain that Gi-hun had been hunting you, just as he hunted your husband during the Games. But now that the Games had been terminated and the Frontman destroyed, you had no doubt that you were his next target.

The letter had said to meet at the playground. You had taken great care to ensure that no one could find you, and so far it seemed to have worked. 

You were watching your son slide down the slide when you noticed a figure in the corner of your eye. You exhaled sharply. 

This was it.

You turned to face him and clapped your hands together. 

“Gi-hun-ssi, you came.” You kept your voice steady, a smile on your face. “Please, sit.”

He did so wordlessly. You looked behind him and saw that handsome cop he had befriended. You figured he was probably here to arrest you.

The two of you sat on the bench in silence and watched the children play. Then, Gi-hun spoke.

“Why… Why did you befriend me in the first place?” His voice was calm, as if he’d practiced saying it in his head a million times.

“You were interfering with my husband’s work,” you said curtly. “I only did what I thought was necessary.”

Gi-hun turned to face you, his brows furrowing. “For the longest time, I thought we were friends. You helped us in our investigation. I trusted you.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “You even introduced me to your son. Was that necessary too?”

Your chest tightened at the thought of your son. You pointed at Min-seok who was chatting with a little girl.

“You know, he reminds me so much of his father,” you spoke softly. “I know he wasn’t kind to many, but he was so good to us. He treated us so well.” Your voice choked. “I miss him every day.” 

Although he was upset, Gi-hun couldn’t help but feel sorry for you. He didn’t doubt your words. He remembered the salesman’s last words, when he had asked that Gi-hun spare you and your son. The only selfless act he had probably ever done, Gi-hun thought.

“Speaking of which, I have one last favour to ask of you.” 

He shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe this.”

You turned to face him and reached out to cover his hands with yours. 

“Please…” You took a deep breath. “Please, take care of Min-seok. There’s no one else who can take care of him.” Your voice was reduced to a whisper.

“He has no one left but me.” 

Gi-hun’s eyes softened at the mention of your son’s name. The baby boy who he’d seen a number of times during his investigation, who always brightened his day when you brought him by. 

But he was also confused. You would surely get released from jail at some point, or perhaps make bail and get out earlier. Unless you meant temporarily? 

“Here are his things…” You gestured to the small suitcase beside you. “H-he likes going on walks. His favourite drink is yakult, and…” You continued listing off everything Gi-hun needed to know about your son. He was about to stop you, but you gripped his hands tighter.

“I can’t keep this up any longer. Please. Just as you trusted me, I entrust my son to you.” You paused, turning back to make eye contact with Gi-hun. Your eyes were misty, tears threatening to fall. 

Your voice wobbled, “He’s my whole world.”

It was then that Jun-ho came up from behind Gi-hun and placed you under arrest. As he put the handcuffs on you, you sent Gi-hun a final look of pure desperation. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

As you were escorted away by Jun-ho, Gi-hun watched you walk away. His gaze then turned to Min-seok, who was trying his best to climb the playground structure. 

Bang!

Gi-hun whipped his head around at the sharp noise and saw your crumpled figure in the distance. He ran up to it, falling on his knees once he realized that you had been shot. 

Jun-ho, who had been unharmed, pointed at the roof of a building, and Gi-hun saw a flash of pink before it disappeared. Turning his attention back to you, he noticed that you had been shot in the head, your blood oozing out onto the grass. 

He froze. 

How could this have happened? 

Gi-hun’s thoughts sped through his mind. The Games had been terminated for good.

…Right?

Jun-ho placed a hand on Gi-hun’s shoulder.

“Gi-hun-ssi, please step back. I’ve dispatched other officers to catch the sniper,” Jun-ho said calmly, although he seemed shaken from the attack as well. He continued, “Go check on her son. Make sure he’s okay.” 

Gi-hun stood up slowly. He took Junho’s recommendation and started walking towards the playground, his eyes frantically searching until he found Min-seok on the swings. 

Walking up to him, Gi-hun realized the reason why you had entrusted your son to him. Not because you would have gone to jail, but because you were going to be killed as soon as you were arrested. 

Gi-hun knelt before him, the little boy’s head tilting ever so slightly. His heart dropped even further in his chest. He hadn’t noticed before, but the boy resembled his father so closely that it gave him the chills. 

“Min-seok-ah, I’m your mother’s friend. Do you remember me?” Min-seok shook his head. Gi-hun didn’t know what to say. How could he tell this innocent boy that both his parents were dead?

He felt tears forming in his eyes. 

“Where did she go?” Min-seok asked inquisitively. 

Gi-hun took a shaky sigh. He spoke softly, “I’m not sure. But she wanted me to tell you she loves you.” He paused. “And that your father loved you too.”

Min-seok broke out into a lazy grin, one that Gi-hun remembered distinctly. It was identical to the one that the salesman wore during their bout of Russian Roulette all those years ago. The thought made him shiver.

“I love them too! But I don’t remember my appa,” Min-seok pouted. And just like that, he looked like you.

Gi-hun grimaced, knowing he was partly at fault for the salesman’s death. But he returned to the matter at hand.

“Your mother told me to take care of you from now on. You can stay with me, okay?” Gi-hun placed a hand on Min-seok’s shoulder.

The little boy nodded, seemingly unaffected by the news. 

He’s probably too young to understand, Gi-hun thought. 

Wanting to distract the boy, Gi-hun proposed that Min-seok go play with the other children on the playground. His eyes lit up. 

“Come play with me, ajeosshi!” He tugged on Gi-hun’s arm. 

Gi-hun relented after seeing Min-seok’s pleading eyes and pouting lips. He let himself be dragged towards the playground, his heart aching. 

Even after everything, after all the pain and suffering you had caused him over the years, he still felt compelled to respect your wishes. If anything, he had to be strong for Min-seok, who no longer had anyone else in this world. Gi-hun believed that he deserved a chance at a good life. While he didn’t agree with his parents, he knew that they ultimately wanted the best for their son, even if they had to sacrifice themselves in the process.

Min-seok’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts as he let go of Gi-hun’s hand to climb onto the playground.

“Come on, ajeosshi! Let’s play a game!”

but wait! what if, somehow, the salesman did live? check out the other (non-canon-compliant) ending, nocturne no. 2!

tags: @muchwita @hkssfjsjs @ruby-the-scholar @beebeechaos @preppyfella @buckitostan @luvr4miya

[onceinablueberrymoon]

one final game: nocturne no. 2 | husband!salesman x mom!reader

scenario: it’s time. gi-hun and the salesman play russian roulette. unbeknownst to them, you’re listening in. setting: during season 2, episode 1; directly after stick to the plan (please read this first!) warnings: character death; major deception/betrayal; mentions of pregnancy; sex is heavily implied, but nothing graphic; major fluff; fem!reader; second person POV; if you like gi-hun, i’m sorry; spoilers for season 2, episode 1! word count: 2.7k  notes: the end is finally here! thank you for all the love you’ve given this series. both this ending and swan lake start the same way and diverge at around halfway through the russian roulette scene. i would love to know what you thought of this ending! please enjoy! this is one of two endings to the intentionally by chance series. you can find the other here: swan lake. borders by @enchanthings-a!

Thump. Thump thump.

Your heart was racing.

Soon after your husband left the room, you tried to distract yourself by caring for your son. Thankfully, he was calm, his eyes heavy with sleep as you rocked him in your arms. Even though he was resting against your chest, he didn’t seem to notice your pounding heartbeat, which you were grateful for. The last thing you needed was a crying baby.

Your thoughts wandered to Gi-hun, who didn’t know what he was about to walk into. 

Or maybe he did, you wondered. 

While unlikely, it was possible that he figured out that the salesman’s baby was Min-seok. But then you reminded yourself that this was Gi-hun. He wasn’t exactly the most observant person. Still, you couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that grew in your chest.

As the minutes ticked by, Min-seok had finally fallen asleep. You gazed at his face, pure and innocent. A stark difference from his parents, who were instrumental in the deaths of thousands of people. Would he grow up to be the same? To harm with no mercy, to act purely for his own gain? Or would he reject his family’s past and fight to help others, including those who no longer deserved a chance?

Like Gi-hun, you thought. 

You had to keep reminding yourself that, although well-intentioned, Gi-hun was foolish. He had won the Games and gotten his money. Why was he so obsessed with stopping them now? Even though he had told you his plan to catch the salesman, he never revealed how he would stop the Games themselves. 

Perhaps that’s what drew him to you after your first meeting. His blind faith. 

Even after the Games, where he had seen his childhood friend die in his arms, he had faith that things would work out. As time went on, he eventually placed his trust in you. 

In return, you had betrayed him. Used his intel to manipulate him effortlessly, to play him like a fiddle. His faith in you had made him none the wiser.

When you had first devised this plan to help your husband, you had no intention of meeting Gi-hun regularly. You had one goal: to learn about his plans. But then, you met Seong Gi-hun. Even though you were a complete stranger, he showed you nothing but kindness. He had somehow wormed his way into your heart, and it had made everything so difficult. 

You hated to admit it, but a part of you actually cared for Gi-hun. Over the past year and a half, you thought nothing of it, that meeting with him was just your job. That you didn’t actually care if anything happened to him. 

But now? Knowing that this would be the end?

You were terrified. 

Terrified for him, but also for your husband.

Gi-hun had been searching for him for almost two years by now, and even though you knew your husband could protect himself, your heart ached at the thought of losing him. 

You let out a deep sigh. Now that Min-seok had fallen asleep, you settled him into his bassinet. 

Gi-hun should be arriving any minute, you thought. You were drawn to the front door, so you walked over.

Opening it slowly, you checked for any noises. 

Silence.

Looking back at the bassinet, you took a deep breath. Min-seok will be fine for a few minutes. 

The anxiety of the whole situation was eating at you. Closing the door with a soft click, you quietly climbed the rear stairs of the motel.

Room 410.

You tiptoed up to Gi-hun’s room, freezing when you heard voices. Gi-hun had arrived.

Pressing your ear against the door, you listened intently.

“Seong Gi-hun-ssi. Do you think you’re special because you won the game?” You heard your husband say, his voice hostile. 

A pause.

“Someone like you could never know or understand how I made it out of there alive.” Gi-hun’s words were quiet, but sent chills down your spine.

You heard the faint click of a gun, but no gunshot. 

Then, in his usual recruiter tone, your husband said, 

“Let’s play a game.”

The muffled melody of Time to Say Goodbye caused your body to tense. As your husband explained the rules of Russian Roulette, you felt your breathing quicken.

“But I’d like to make this game a little more serious. Because you’re special, Seong Gi-hun-ssi.”

Your mind raced. You knew he was tasked with killing Gi-hun, but why did he choose this game again?

“We’ll take turns pulling the trigger without spinning the cylinder again. The bullet will be fired within six attempts, and the game will be over.”

Your breath hitched, your vision blurred. 

Was he insane? You screamed internally. There was such a high chance of death – 1 in 6. You felt dizzy. How could he do this to himself? To you? To your family?

Shuffling could be heard behind the door. Who was going first?

Click.

Your heart stopped. No gunshot. 

But no talking either. You were in the dark.

Click.

Nothing but music in the background.

Then, a voice. Your husband’s.

“My wife and I always wondered how you made it out of there alive,” he chuckled. “For one thing, you were even terrible at ddakji.” 

Your heart caught in your throat.

“A monster like you has a wife?” Gi-hun’s raspy voice was laced with confusion.

You heard a scoff. 

“You might know her… ” Your husband said coolly. “Unfortunately, she’s preoccupied with our son.”

Another chuckle.

“You might know him too.”

You didn’t need to be in the room to feel the sheer weight of your husband’s words. You heard Gi-hun’s soft gasp, the pressure of it crushed your heart. 

Now, Gi-hun knew. 

Knew of your betrayal, of the lies, and of the coincidences that hadn’t really been coincidences at all. 

This wasn’t how you expected to feel.

Click.

For a brief moment, you had forgotten about their game, that they could die at any moment.

There had been three clicks so far, if you recalled correctly.

A clatter of what you presumed to be the gun falling on a table shook you from your thoughts. 

Seconds passed. Again, no talking. Only the sound of music.

Click.

Still, no gunshots. You were surprised. Usually, the gun would have gone off by now. 

Your husband’s voice chimed in again. 

“What’s the matter? Is your mind starting to race?” He teased. “Now your odds of death are 1 in 2. That’s pretty high indeed.”

You guessed it was Gi-hun’s turn to shoot.

Your husband continued, “I’m sure you’re afraid. Lots going through your mind.” 

Gi-hun didn’t respond.

“Let me guess what you’re thinking right now. ‘The gun is in my hand. Screw the rules. Pull the trigger once or twice, and I can blow this guy’s face off.’” He paused. “Isn’t that ri-”

Click.

No gunshot. 

Your eyes widened. Did he just..?

You heard the clatter of the gun falling on the table. Your husband made a tutting sound. 

“It seems your luck has finally run out, Seong Gi-hun-ssi.” 

Gi-hun must have shot at your husband, but the gun didn’t go off. The bullet was in the last chamber.

A 1 in 2 chance.

“I never understood what my wife saw in you,” your husband remarked. “To me, you were simply a piece of trash, just like everyone else. A piece of trash who got lucky and made it out of the dumpster.” 

You heard the shuffle of clothing. 

“Even so, she kept meeting with you. Every day, she had something to say about you. Your friendships, your stories, your plans…” He sighed. “I could never understand why, until now.” 

You started to feel dizzy, your hand grasping the doorknob to steady yourself. You silently turned the knob to open the door. 

From your obscured view, you saw your husband standing in the far corner of the room. He was facing the window, the loaded gun in his hand. Gi-hun was seated at a table, his posture rigid as he took in your husband’s words.

“Your naivety. Your blind trust in everyone. Your foolishness.” He let out a chuckle. “She found it so endearing. So easy to manipulate. You trusted her in a heartbeat.” 

He shrugged. 

“I was skeptical at first. But then I realized that you wouldn’t have been able to hurt her even if you wanted to. She had you wrapped around her finger.”

Gi-hun’s silence spoke volumes. 

“You say that I’m an underling, that I’m just a dog who wags my tail for my superiors.” Your husband tilted his head slightly, still facing the wall. “I’d say you’re in no position for such remarks.”

Your husband’s tone was eerily calm. Too composed for the situation at hand.

“You told her everything she needed to know, everything I needed to know.” 

He huffed a laugh. 

“If she asked, you gave. And you were so willing. Willing to please her.” 

A pause.

“To please me.” 

Your husband whirled around, pointing the gun straight at Gi-hun’s head. His expression was smug, an eyebrow quirked.

“Who’s the dog now?”

Bang!

Gi-hun’s head drooped to the side, his body lifeless. You were in shock, unable to move after witnessing the murder in front of you. 

It was only when your husband spoke that you snapped out of your trance.

“Did you enjoy the show?” He asked, an amused lilt to his voice. 

You didn’t know what to say, so you said nothing. Words couldn’t express the swirl of emotions inside your mind.

Your husband came to your side, gun still in hand. Even though it was no longer loaded, you flinched at the sight of it so close to you.

He used his unoccupied hand to lift your chin slightly to force you to make eye contact. 

“It had to be done. For our jobs, and for our family.” His voice was steady, unflinching.

You nodded, but felt tears form in your eyes. 

He was right, you reasoned with yourself. If Gi-hun found a way to interfere with the Games, who knows what would have happened? Your involvement would have likely been discovered, and you and your husband would have been thrown in jail. Min-seok would have been left all alone.

Min-seok.

Your thoughts flitted to your precious baby boy, sleeping soundly in his bassinet and unaware of everything that had just transpired. He was your top priority. All of this was for his safety. For his future. 

You couldn’t bear the thought of him navigating this world without you.

Snapping out of your thoughts, you kissed your husband’s cheek. A bit of blood stained your lips, the metallic taste a sharp reminder of his transgressions. 

You had to keep moving forward. 

“We should get going before anyone sees us,” you murmured. Your husband nodded, a soft smile gracing his lips. 

“We shouldn’t keep Captain Park waiting.”

Four months later.

The sun rays filtered through the blinds, their soft glow bathing you and your husband in light. Even though it was early in the morning, you had been up for some time. 

“Ah,” you gasped when he lightly nipped at your collarbone, his head buried in the crook of your shoulder. You were perched on his lap, your back against his bare chest. A groan escaped your lips as he trailed kisses up along your neck. You leaned into his touch, his warmth enveloping your entire body. 

In an effort to ground yourself, you gripped the bedsheets with one hand and placed the other on your stomach. The slight swell was barely noticeable, but its presence unmistakable. 

You craned your neck to kiss your husband on the lips. He smiled, placing his hands on top of yours on your stomach. The two of you stayed like that for a while, basking in the afterglow of your love.

A cry from another room shook you from your dreamy haze.

Min-seok must have woken up, you thought as you started to untangle yourself from your husband. But he was quicker.

“I’ll get him,” he said, slipping into a pair of sweatpants that rode low on his hips. He was gone before you could protest.

Min-seok’s cries soon quieted, only to be replaced by the gentle sound of waves outside.

You got out of bed, tying your robe around you before walking out to the balcony. The fresh, salty air of the sea always cleared your mind. 

Shortly after your brief stay on the island where the Games took place, you and your husband were relocated to Busan. The investigation into Gi-hun and Mr. Kim’s deaths was still ongoing. With Woo-seok alive, the Frontman didn’t want to take any chances, so you had been assigned to work in Busan for the time being. 

You welcomed the change in lifestyle. The city was more laidback than Seoul, and your husband didn’t seem as stressed in his job as a recruiter. You loved living by the sea and waking up to the calming lull of the waves. 

Gazing out at the seascape, your fingers danced along your small bump. You were only a few months along. Thinking back, you believed you had conceived the night you escaped Seoul. The night Gi-hun was killed. 

The pure adrenaline of murdering Gi-hun and Mr. Kim had flipped a switch in your husband. As soon as you had settled into your room on the island, he had pounced on you immediately, unable to hold back after hours of build-up. It was no wonder you had gotten pregnant. 

You brought your hands up to caress your belly. You were happy now, despite all the horrible events that had occurred. Even though you had made your peace with Gi-hun’s death, you secretly wished that he didn't have to die. That there might have been some way for him to live. 

Looking down at your stomach, you sighed. It was thanks to him that your husband had lived and that you were expecting your second child. 

The sound of footsteps made you turn around. Your husband was approaching you, a fussing Min-seok in his arms. 

“He’s hungry,” your husband said, passing your son to you. You scoffed as you loosened your robe to nurse. Impatient, your son latched on immediately. 

You adjusted your hold on him before looking at your husband. 

“You know he can eat some solids now, right? I’ve shown you how to prepare baby food before.”

Your husband smiled teasingly. “I think he just wanted you.” He kissed your head and rested his head on your shoulder. The two of you watched your son feed in comfortable silence.

Once Min-seok had finished feeding, he dozed off.

“I’ve been thinking about that night,” your husband mused. “If 456 followed the rules… I wouldn’t be here with you.” He brought a hand up to brush his fingers through Min-seok’s fluffy hair. 

“Our lives would have been very different,” you said thoughtfully. “Would you have followed through? If Gi-hun did follow the rules?”

Your husband didn’t respond. 

He just kissed your cheek and wrapped his arms around your waist, careful to mind your growing bump.

“He chose to break the rules, and that choice gave us a chance at a brand new life.” His hands tightened slightly around your stomach. You felt him lift his head to peer down at Min-seok, fast asleep on your chest. 

“You gave me the opportunity to be a father, something I had never dreamed of being. Now, I couldn’t imagine life without you and Min-seok.” His voice dropped to a murmur. “I could never thank you enough.”

You exhaled, your heart melting from your husband’s words. He wasn’t one to express his feelings so openly, so you were especially touched that he confided in you.

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” you spoke softly, a blush forming on your cheeks. “I love you.”

He chuckled.

“I love you too.”

He returned his head to the crook of your shoulder, and gently kissed your neck. You let out a laugh, and felt him smile against your skin.

In that moment, you wished time could stand still, with your husband by your side, your son in your arms, and the swell of new life growing inside your womb. 

As you gazed out at the Busan seascape, you felt yourself let go of your worries. After everything you had been through, all the pain, all the suffering, one thing rang true. You wouldn’t change the world for anything. 

but maybe you’re a little curious? 👀 what if gi-hun had followed the rules? check out the other (canon-compliant) ending, swan lake!

tags: @muchwita @hkssfjsjs @ruby-the-scholar @beebeechaos @preppyfella @buckitostan @luvr4miya

[dandyshucks]

being in love with a fictional character will make u produce art u didnt know u were capable of

[namsgyu]

this is literally how i started writing. i love namgyu

[onceinablueberrymoon]

didn’t even write an inkling of smut before the recruiter, now look at me😔

others saying i can change him but he’s changed me😭

[onceinablueberrymoon]

masterlist!

i like the recruiter, can you tell? (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)

coming soon (in no particular order): ⊹ jealous!salesman x recruiter!reader (comfort) ⊹ chishiya x reader x niragi (nsfw + fluff) ⊹ aib characters talking to their child in your belly (fluff) ⊹ dad!hwang in-ho x mom!reader (fluff) ⊹ hwang jun-ho x niece!reader (fluff/comfort)

squid game

✩ the recruiter/salesman ✩

✧ intentionally by chance (husband!salesman x pregnant!reader)

intentionally by chance

made for this

i spy

the name game

stick to the plan

one final game (two possible endings -- take your pick!):

swan lake

nocturne no. 2 (nsfw implied)

✧ the recruiter and the reporter (salesman x reporter!reader)

special report

(cheers) to the future (slight nsfw)

scavenger hunt

intermission (mild nsfw)

✧ headcanons!

x recruiter!reader (sfw + nsfw)

recruiter as a girl dad!

✧ one-shots

lemon pie

✩ hwang jun-ho ✩

safekeeping

finding out you’re having a girl instead of a boy

sleepy mornings

alice in borderland

sleepy mornings (banda, chishiya, niragi, chota, tatta)

sleepy mornings! (with multiple characters)

squid game

alice in borderland

[onceinablueberrymoon]

I feel like the recruiter would totally be a girl dad 😭😭

recruiter (salesman) as a girl dad headcanons!

i absolutely see where you're coming from, and i agree LOL

here are some headcanons for the recruiter as a girl dad! the beginning part is about reader's pregnancy and his feelings throughout that. this is also mostly from the recruiter’s side of things, instead of my usual second person POV.

this is not related to my husband!salesman x pregnant!reader series, btw.

notes: pregnancy; fem!reader; fluff; the recruiter is whipped for reader; he gets feelings lol

please enjoy! ٩>ᴗ<)و

once the recruiter learned that he would be a father, he wasn’t sure how to feel.

when he first fell for you, he didn’t know he could love anyone in this cruel world. but somehow, you had weaved your way into his life, and now he couldn’t imagine it without you. 

but now that you were pregnant, would he have space in his heart for one more?

he refused to talk about his feelings, instead choosing to focus his attention on you. he made sure you were comfortable, well fed, and satisfied in every way.

he generally ignored the baby for the first few months. he didn’t talk to them and didn’t want to touch the slight swell of your stomach. instead, he chose to lavish the rest of you with affection instead.

it wasn’t until your second trimester, when the baby started kicking, that he was forced to recognize the magnitude of the situation. 

there was a real person inside of you. one that was part him, whether he liked it or not.

but he had to remind himself that it was also part you. the person he cared about most.

you had been so excited when you found out you were expecting, and it made his heart ache. 

he wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but he was scared. your health had been less than stellar throughout your pregnancy, and he couldn’t bear to lose you. he would sacrifice a hundred of his own children without hesitation if it meant you could live.

once he had gathered his resolve, he was determined to do everything in his power to care for the child. not for their sake, but for yours.

he liked to plan ahead: doctor’s appointments, buying all the necessary equipment with you before you were too uncomfortable to move.

he tried to be present for all your appointments, because it would make you happy. but sometimes his schedule wouldn’t allow for it. 

on occasion, he would find you talking aloud to your baby. the one time you had caught him looking, you invited him to talk to them too. he was initially dismissive of the idea, but the pleading look in your eyes convinced him to try. he propped himself up next to your swollen belly, and, after your gentle encouragement, he started telling the baby how wonderful their mother was.

your happiness was all the reward he needed.

‧₊˚ ⏾. ⋅

once the baby was born, the recruiter sighed in relief. while you had gone into labour earlier than expected, you delivered your child safely. all that mattered to him at that moment was that you were okay.

the nurses had whisked your baby away, but your husband’s attention was all on you, who had been breathing heavily after pushing for so long. 

he had been so focused on you that he didn’t even know that the baby was a girl. he only realized when the nurse commented that the baby looked like her mother.

looking at her in your arms, he was struck by just how true that statement was.

even though she was still scrunched up from just having been born, he was able to see your features so clearly.

when you passed her to him, he was enamoured, completely intrigued by this tiny person in his arms.

and when she opened her eyes, his breath hitched slightly. 

they were his.

while he knew how genetics worked, it baffled him how clearly the two of you shone through your daughter. 

it was so odd to see himself reflected in someone else. he had never seen himself in anyone, not even his parents.

even though his daughter had just been born, he felt connected to her in a way he couldn’t describe. he supposed this is what you meant when you said you shared a bond with the baby.

there was no question – he was absolutely smitten by his daughter.

in that moment in the hospital delivery room, he had committed to doing anything for her, just as he had committed the same to you. 

all those dismissive feelings he had during your pregnancy vanished, and were instead replaced with the need to protect this innocent life from the cruel and violent world she had been born into. a world he had helped sustain for most of his life.

he would do his best to shield her from life’s harsh realities. anyone who dared harm her would face his wrath, and he wouldn’t think twice before swiftly ending their life. anything for his daughter. 

and you. 

your daughter made him fall even more for you, which he didn’t think was possible. but the way you cared for her unlocked a part of him. 

your kindness, your unconditional love… he never had that during his childhood, when his father was out gambling and drinking. he was grateful that you showered your daughter with love so that she wouldn’t have to bear the same burdens he had.

he also made sure to spend time with his daughter and to be a present father even though his work schedule could be demanding. his daughter had opened up a new side of him: one that enjoyed playing games for no reason but having fun. 

just as you had showed him that not all people were trash, his daughter had shown him the goodness of life, and that, just maybe, the world wasn’t so bad after all.

‧₊˚ ⏾. ⋅

tags: @muchwita