gis ☾

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You had drifted off to sleep with a smile on your face. Daydreams had floated about in your head as you had gone about your bedtime routine. Thoughts of a deeply seeded crush. Wishes you hoped would one day manifest into something very real. Even as you slipped in between your sheets your imagination took the mundane, the ordinary, the expected, and decorated it all in blissful glowing light with him at your side. Painted it all in euphoric, glittering metaphoric tapestries of silk. Enchanted a notion of how life with him would be filled with affection and adventure. A heavenly existence. One where the two of you healed all those splinters and fissures you had each endured in the years before meeting. It made you smile. The idea of what could be as you wandered off toward dreamland.   

A rough rubbing sound followed by a soft thump made you stir some hours later. Turning your mind on to what was real. A suggestion of a groan slipped free from your lips. Your eyes fluttered. Blinking to bring your room, bathed in a gentle illumination from the fairy lights draped above your bed, into focus. You made out a figure climbing in through your window. It was him.

“Hey there stranger.” Still not fully awake, you weren’t entirely sure you had spoken with enough volume for him to hear you.

He paused for a breath of a moment. As if manifesting out of the dark night, he straightened to his full height. The width of his broad shoulders taking up almost all the narrow space between your bed and the wall. His eyes immediately dropped to the floor as if your carpet was suddenly of immense interest to him. “Hey. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I thought you might still be up. Sorry.”

Something was wrong. His voice was raspy. Tone gruff. Words rushed. He had spoken louder than was normal for his customary greeting. His shoulders were tensed. Pulled up tight as if prepared to meet an adversary in combat. The very skin covering his body seemed uncomfortable as he shifted back and forth in front of your window. Form swaying, as if prepared to begin pacing. His fingers bunched then relaxed. Perhaps in an attempt to release the tension in his muscles and shake it free from his body he shook his hands at the wrists. The action evidently unsuccessful from the twist of his expression and the reforming of fisted digits. Fingers clenched then released only to do it again.

“What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah. Fine. Just looking for somewhere to be is all.” A motion from him to stay put halted your move to get out of bed. “No, it’s fine. Don’t get up. I just…” His hands came up to rest on top of his head. His feet continued to alternate, rocking his weight back and forth. Still, he refused to look your way. “I just can’t be home any more right now. Everyone is asleep. I needed to get away is all. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have woken you up.”

Turning away from you and back to the window, you were afraid he might bolt.

“Don’t be sorry. I’m glad you did. I’ve missed you.”

He stood there, still rocking slightly. Hand resting on the windowpane. His character seemed – heavy - somehow.

“Please don’t go.” The words came out half because you did miss him. It’d been at least a week since you’d seen him last. Half, because you were really worried about him. Not once before could you recall seeing him in such a state. “What’s wrong?” Your tone was pleading.

“Nothing’s wrong. All good. You just – you just said I could always come to you if – if I needed to or anything. So I came here – and – yeah…,” His voice was tight. A sniff betrayed the tears threatening to dampen his mask.

“And I meant that. You can always come to me. No matter what time it is. No matter what the issue is. I’m here for you. Let me be here for you.”

The loud thud of the window nearly slamming shut made you jump. He seemed to jerk at the sound himself. He had put too much umph into closing it. Swiping a hand as if dismissing the entire matter he spun back to you. Finally lifting his eyes to you, you could make out how blood shot they were. How oddly pale his face appeared to be.

He cleared his throat. “Um, you go back to sleep. I’ll just, um, hang out and watch some TV or something if that’s okay with you.” Eyes dropped away again. Hands braced on his hips with a heavy breath as he awaited your approval. But his swaying continued. It was like he couldn’t bear to stand still. Maybe he’d break if he did.  

“Sweetie,” The clarity of the realization crept in on you. “How long has it been since you’ve slept?”

He stuttered out a humorless laugh. Casting his eyes to the ceiling, a few stray tears made their escape. He stretched out his arms, palms splayed wide as if searching for the answer in midair. “Two, three days. Maybe four. I don’t – don’t honestly know. It’s been a minute.”

Understanding calmed our vibrating nerves. The odd behavior made more sense now. “Why haven’t you slept?” You were trying your best to sound welcoming. Not accusatory. Not dismissive. Not teasing.

“Just - ugh.” He brought his hands up to forcefully rub his eyes. He kept rubbing as staggered, deep breaths puffed out his wide nostrils. “Been having nightmares. Every time I try to sleep. Driving me freaking insane.”

“Why didn’t you call me, silly?”

“Didn’t wanna bother you with something as stupid as nightmares.”

“Anything that bothers you enough to not sleep is not stupid. What are you having nightmares about?”

A wet laugh broke past his chest. He allowed his hands to free fall from his face, a loud pat sounding off as they dropped against his thighs. “It’s just, the same one. Over and over.” Now his feet were moving. He began to pace. Butting his knuckles against each other, keeping his shoulders taut, chest squared up to some imaginary threat. “Over and over and it just won’t freaking stop. Why won’t it go away?” His knuckles broke apart to bump lightly against his temples. Perhaps trying to push the images only he could see out of his mind’s eye.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No.” The reply was instant. Sharp.

“How can I help you?”

“How can you?”

You couldn’t decipher if it was rhetorical, a genuine question or simply him parroting back to you. As tenderly as you could, you asked, “What do you want, sweetie?”

Suddenly, he rounded on you. “What do I want? What do I want?!”

The sudden increase in his volume made your eyes stretch wide and involuntarily caused a hand to reach out in hopes of hushing him. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re okay. It’s okay. No need to shout. Just tell me what you need. Okay?”

Crumbling under the weight of your interruption, he choked out a few wounded sounding chuckles. Moisture was pooled blatantly in his eyes. “I just want to sleep. That’s it. Why is it so hard?” Again, he ground the heels of his hands into his eyes.

Well, you couldn’t exactly make him sleep. Certainly, he would’ve tried anything you could offer him already. But maybe you could make it easier for him to get there on his own. Sure to keep your voice soft but tone firm, you gave him a simple command. “Strip.”

“What?!” The off-balance movements that had been constant since his arrival paused, body halting from momentum heavily like stone. His eyes locked onto yours. And he tried to make his brain process your order. He really did. Going so far as to physically will himself to think, his mind merely came up blank. Nothing but a proverbial flatline aside from the words ‘think’ and ‘strip’ floating meaninglessly about.

“I said to strip. Down to your underwear. Everything else off. Gear, mask, all of it.”

A blank stare was your reply.

“Come on. I mean it. Strip.”

“Why would I -,”

“Do you trust me?” you interrupted.

“Wha -,”

“Do. You. Trust. Me?”

Did he trust you? The moment he stood, confused and weary, felt like it stretched on a long time. But with a submissive sigh, his shoulders finally dropped. “Yes,” he whispered. “Yes, I trust you.”

That brought a small smile to your lips. It felt good to hear him say so out loud. “Then strip.”

With heavy eyes, he relented. Nodding in acceptance he began to do as you told him. Operating off of muscle memory alone, his fingers unclasped his harness. Only a half-hearted amount of effort went into preventing his gear from falling straight to the floor. Bracing his weight on the edge of your bed, he next went to work removing the wrappings from his limbs. Most of his task was done with closed eyes.  

You watching his movements closely; seeking any inclination to tip you off to what was eating at him. The poor thing was so desperately tired. What could possibly be haunting his dreams so badly as to deter him from collapsing in exhaustion?

The heaviness of his own limbs was taking its toll. After shoving his clothing down to his ankles he allowed his arms to dangle limply at his sides. He forced his reddened eyes open to look to you for approval.

“Your mask too.”

Hands reluctantly lifted to the knot at the back of his head. They stalled. Another look to you. Seeking further direction.

“You’ll sleep better without it. Trust me.”

The energy to resist simply didn’t exist. He pulled the knot loose, allowing the frayed material to slip between his fingers, and fall to your bedside table. He lifted his feet out of the heap of his garments and nudged them to the side. That left him standing in the dim, faint blush of fairy lights and moon glow, in nothing more than his scales and slightly too snug, slightly too short boxer briefs.  

One more time, he looked to you and awaited your next instruction.

You stretched your reach across the bed to grab the far corner of your comforter. With arm straight, you swung back the blanket to expose the empty spot next to you. “Come lay with me.”

He hesitated. Touching his body to yours was not foreign. The two of you embraced each time you saw one another now. Cuddled close during movie nights and even walked arm in arm as he escorted you home from time to time. Sometimes you even fell asleep on the couch together. But you had never shared a bed before. Despite your invitation, he couldn’t help the feeling it was beyond his place. That he didn’t belong.

But he wanted to go to you. He wanted to fill that bare spot in your bed. To belong. So badly wanted to feel you pressed against him, enveloped within your scent, cradled with you in the spot where you were most vulnerable. To have that comfort only you seemed to bring him. He wanted that.

You saw the conflict in his eyes. It tugged at your heart strings. “You’re safe with me. Come lie down. Let me help you sleep.”

He could resist you no longer. Sliding an arm under your pillow, he came in close. Laying his form flush against yours. The warmth of your body washed over him. Nearly drug him to sleep like a current dragging him down to drown right then and there. The thought of how easy it was to join you in bed crossed his delirious mind. He dropped his top arm over your torso, hoping against hope it wasn’t too heavy for you.

It took some wiggling to find a comfortable position. To find just the right way to lay beside one another. His form was massive compared to yours. Between his hard musculature and natural armor his body didn’t meld as your soft flesh did. So finding a manner in which to actually sleep comfortably with him against you took some work. After a minute or so you figured out that it was going to work best if you scooted up a bit higher than he on the bed.

You lifted your chin so he could tuck his head down and rest it against your chest. The steady strumming of your heart was a lulling comfort. Its rhythmic thum-thump, thum-thump, thum-thump reassured him. It told him he was in fact safe with you. The fact that you let him in so close. Especially in such a way where you were virtually defenseless. You weren’t on guard. Weren’t worried or nervous. So he didn’t need to be.   

“Now tell me about this nightmare. Tell me all of it. Don’t keep any of it inside.”

You understood his whimper as an unspoken request to not share. But you knew he’d never get the rest he so badly needed unless he got the weight of his fears off his chest. As lovingly as you were able, you stroked your fingers over the swell of his shoulder cap. Nuzzled the top of his head. Encouraged him on

There was no fight left in him.

“I fall asleep. It’s like I just close my eyes then open them to find I’m up in the middle of some rooftop. Or someplace up high. The sky is dark. I can’t see anything else around. Except for my brothers. They all have their backs to me. Swinging like madmen, it looks like they’re fighting something invisible. They’re scared. They’re in trouble. I rush forward to help one. As I get close, he stops fighting. He just turns, terror all over his face, and mouths, ‘Help me.’ I reach out for him. Something in the dark sky rips him away. He’s gone. But I can still hear him screaming.”

His fingers tighten against your flesh. Wet tears drip against your skin.

“I turn to help my other brother. Same as the before, he turns to me too. Scared to death. He doesn’t say anything though. He just reaches out for me. I reach back. But then whatever we’re standing on caves away. And he drops out of sight. I still hear him screaming even though I can’t see where he’s fallen to.”  

Now his chest was shaking with each sharp, ragged intake of air. Moisture ran freely from his eyes to puddle on your chest then run down to dampen the bed beneath you.  

“I don’t even see my last brother when I turn to look for him. I can hear him screaming though. Just like the other two. Calling out for my help. But I can’t help. I can’t do anything. I’m not enough. I’m just stuck. All alone in that spot. Listening to their cries. The dark sky seething above my head. Fear creeping into my bones. Worthless. Useless. Unable to save them. Unable to protect them. And I know they’re dying horrible, painful deaths. But I can’t do anything about it. Nothing except listen.”

His words dropped off. Squeezing his burning eyes shut tight he turned into you more, silently pleading you would accept that confession as enough.

A few tears pricked in your own eyes. A twinge pulled at your heart. In a way, you felt terrible. Not just for your heart breaking at the story he was sharing; the gravity of the fears it confessed. Terrible because just hours ago you had been reveling in fantasies of a picture-perfect life with him. Delighting in the fairy tale of how amazing it would be to be his. It felt almost cruel now, to image being so important to him without giving a moment’s pause to consider the strain a relationship with you would put on his already burdened conscience. How unfair that would be of you.

Even though it hurt, you knew there was more. You had to get him to tell you all of it. Your fingers continued to rub soothingly. You whispered. “Get it all out. Don’t keep any of it inside.”

He shook his head. Burying his face further into your skin. He didn’t want to say it. Please don’t make him say it.

“Hey.” You leaned in, close enough that your lips grazed over his skin. Your words soft like silk. “’You’re safe with me. I promise. No matter what.”

The words felt like they needed to come out now. Despite his will to keep them inside. He wasn’t in control of himself anymore. He had given in to releasing a trickle of the pain. Now the rest demanded to surge forth.

His voice quaked as he continued. “Then I hear you. You’re so scared. I go to rush to you, but - you don’t recognize me. You throw your hands up to keep me away. You scream out. Call me a monster. Shout for someone to help you as you back away. Stuff starts falling from the sky and I know you’ll get hit. I keep reaching out, trying to grab ahold of you, to pull you to safety. I plead; I beg for you to come to me. To let me save you. Tell you that you can hate me all you want after you’re safe. Just to please let me save you.

But you don’t. You just keep scrambling to get away from me. All this stuff pops up, like steel bars all tossed around. It gets harder for me to stick near you. My shell keeps getting caught. And I’m just screaming and crying, desperately trying to get you to stop running away. So I can protect you. Then you trip and fall down. Just like my brothers did, you go silent. Just looking to me with this horrified look.

Then this pink, snake-like thing slithers out from the dark, coiling around your leg. You look at it, then back at me. Your hand stretches out. But I’m stuck. I can’t get to you. And this thing rips you back into the dark, screaming all the way. And I know you’re gone. There’s nothing I can do. You’re just gone.”

His whole body was shaking now. It made sense why he had fought falling asleep for so long. What a horrible thing to dream. What horrible emotions to feel.

“Is that all of it?”

Isn’t that enough? he wanted to yell. But he only nodded as he struggled to regain his composure. Slow his breathing down to normal.

You leaned away from him a little. A split-second fear that you were getting out of bed overtook him. He looked up to meet your eye. In your gaze, however, he saw only understanding and affection. You pressed a firm, sure kiss to the middle of his forehead, lips warm and calming. Communicating your love for him.

You dropped your lips down to press a kiss over one of his eyes, then the other in turn, not deterred in the least by the wetness of his skin.

“First, we have to get all the negative out. Then we seal it with love. So the hurt can’t get back in.” A caring smile crossed your face. “Now you can go to sleep. I’ve got you. No matter what.”

A few more tears slipped free as he allowed his eyes to close. “Thank you,” he choked out in a hush.

“Of course. I wish you’d come to me sooner. So you didn’t have to try and fight through this all alone.”

“I want to keep all the bad of my life away from you. I don’t want it to take away your joy.”

“You are my joy, you dork. And there’s so very little I can offer you. The very least I can do is give you a place where you’re safe. So you can let go of all that bad.”

Enough time had passed in silence that you thought he might have fallen asleep. But a faint whisper told you he was still very much awake.

“Am I safe enough here to tell you how important you are to me?”

His statement made your heart flutter. “I know I’m important to you big guy.”

“No.” He raised his head up to look at you. Thankfully, his face seemed to have more color now. “You have no idea how much you mean to me.”

Damp eyes clung to one another a long breath. In a whisper of your own, you offered, “I think I do. Because I think the same thing about you.”

“Is it safe enough to tell you how badly I want more?”

You caught your breath. “More?”

“I want a life with you. I – I don’t know if it’ll work. But I want to try. Is it safe enough to tell you I’m terrified to ask you to try with me though?”

It was your turn to have tears rolling down your cheeks. You stroked your fingers over his cheek, taking in every tiny detail you could, memorizing each freckle and scale, as though you’d never see it again. All the while, his eyes never left yours. They mirrored every miniscule shift like his very existence hung on his ability to do so.

“Only if I get to tell you how much I want it too. And how guilty that makes me feel. Because I never want to be a burden to you. I never want to be one more thing for you to worry about.”

“That’s not your choice. I’ll always worry about you. Even if you tell me you hate me tomorrow. I’ll still worry. That’s what happens when you care about someone.”

Your heart quivered. “How can I ask that of you? You already have so much to carry. How can I ask you for more?”

In a swift move you didn’t expect, he pulled you down to be even beside him. His forehead bumped against yours. “Because you’re safe with me.” With a nudge of his nose he tilted you to face up at him. Slowly, carefully, he leaned in to hover his lips barely above yours. “Is it safe enough with you to do this?”

At your single nod, he pressed in to fully capture your lips in a kiss, his arm tightening around your shoulders. You kissed him back. Hoping he was too tired to catch the way you trembled. He broke the kiss with a soft pop. Sleep had finally come to claim him.

“Tell me you’re safe with me. Enough to try,” he mumbled, tucking his head back under your chin. Seeking out the steady thum-thump, thum-thump, thum-thump of your heartbeat.

“I’m safe with you.”

“And tell me I’m safe enough to ask that of you.”

You squeezed him close. There was so much you needed to talk about. So much more to say. So many details to set straight. But all that could wait. Right now he just needed sleep. And you wanted the chance to fantasize one more time about a carefree life with him. A life free of nightmares.

“Yes. You’re safe with me. Always.”

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The end! Hope you enjoyed! Thank you for reading!

The stale air inside the bunk room hangs heavy with heat, sweat, and tension. The clang of the iron doors echoes as two Circle-masked guards wheel in a steel cart.

They move down the line of waiting players, robotic and silent, distributing the same miserable rations—a single piece of dry bread and a warm carton of milk.

You stand quietly in line, arms crossed, stomach already twisting with disappointment.

“ What kind of pathetic meal is this?” Dae-ho grumbles behind you, holding up his bread like it personally insulted him.

“ Right?” Jun-bae mutters in agreement. “ They want us weak. Easier to break.”

You tune them out. You're too tired to care anymore—until a tap lands on your shoulder. You turn your head slowly, half-expecting another complaint. Instead, you’re met with a flash of purple.

Player 230.

His hair is bright against the dullness of the room. His eyes gleam with arrogance, and his mouth curls into a smirk that’s far too confident for someone living off bread and milk.

“ Hey…” He purrs, voice smooth like he’s practicing for a music video.

“ You got a name, or should I just call you mine?”

You blink, unimpressed. “ No.”

“ No?” He echoes, playfully wounded.

“ Damn. I didn’t even get to introduce myself yet.” He points to his chest with both thumbs.

“ Name’s Thanos. Rapper. Legend. You probably heard my track ‘Born to Break Chains’. Underground hit.”

He winks.

“ Didn’t think I’d find something so beautiful in a place like this. You’re like a rose in concrete.”

And then, with exaggerated flair, he raises his hand and forms a Korean finger heart.

“ I. Like. You.”

You raise an eyebrow and deadpan, “ I don’t.” Your voice is flat, dismissive.

Thanos chuckles, clearly enjoying himself. “ Oof. Cold. I like that. I like girls who don’t like me back. Makes it more fun, y’know?”

Before you can snap back, you feel a shift in the air.

Across the room, two pairs of eyes are locked on the scene.

Young-il stands by the wall, arms crossed, jaw clenched so tightly his cheek twitches. His eyes are sharp, dangerous, tracking Thanos's every move like a predator sizing up competition. His posture is stiff, murderous.

A few bunks away, Gi-hun is seated on the edge of a bed, his knuckles bone-white as he crushes the milk carton in his grip. His usually gentle eyes are stormy, filled with silent fury. His lips are pressed into a thin line, but you can see it—pure, seething jealousy.

Neither of them moves. Not yet. But the air crackles with unspoken warning.

If looks could kill, Player 230 would’ve been long gone.

But Thanos, oblivious or maybe just cocky enough not to care, leans in a little closer.

“ I’m gonna make you like me eventually.” He says with a wink. “ Even the ice queen’s gotta melt sometime.”

You step forward in line, turning your back on him without a word. And behind you—rage brews like a storm ready to break.

...

The bunk room buzzes with restless energy—metal bunks, scraping trays, quiet murmurs, and the clatter of footsteps on cold concrete. But none of that reaches you clearly anymore. Not with him beside you.

Thanos. Player 230. Still glued to your side like a damn leech. You’ve shooed him off four times. He doesn’t care.

“ Come on…” He says, voice dipped in artificial charm.

“ All I’m asking is a shot. One chance. I could treat you like a queen, babe. You deserve that. Not this hell."

You scowl, sidestepping as he leans in.

“ No thanks.” You mutter, but it bounces right off his smug smile.

“ Let me be real with you.” He purrs, lowering his voice and leaning a little too close for comfort.

“ We can meet in the bathroom later. I’ll show you the real me.”

You stiffen immediately. He steps back just a bit, wiggling his eyebrows, clearly proud of his disgusting innuendo. You open your mouth to snap at him, but you don’t get the chance.

A throat clears behind you.

Low. Cold. Dangerous.

You turn—and relief crashes over you.

Young-il and Gi-hun.

They don’t say anything. They don’t have to. The tension rolling off them is palpable. Young-il’s jaw is already tight, and Gi-hun’s stare is like ice under fire.

Without a word, Young-il steps forward and grabs your wrist—not rough, but firm. Protective. He drags you behind him and plants himself between you and Thanos.

Thanos scoffs, clearly unbothered.

“ Yo, what’s your problem?” He sneers.

“ You her dad or something?”

Young-il doesn’t answer. Doesn’t blink. Just stares at him like he’s already dead. That makes Thanos grin wider, sensing an opening.

“ Ohhh…” Thanos hums mockingly, bowing with sarcasm.

“ My bad. Didn’t mean to flirt with your daughter. Real sorry about that.”

“ Shut up.” Young-il growls, voice low and sharp.

But Thanos keeps going, now walking up and towering over him.

“ What, gonna give me a lecture now? Save it for your daughter or your grandkids. I’m not some punk you can—”

SNAP.

Young-il’s hand flies to Thanos’ throat. The smack of the grab and the gasp of pain echo together. Thanos chokes, stumbling backward, hands flying up as Young-il’s grip tightens.

You flinch as Player 124—Thanos’ buddy—comes charging in to help, but it’s over before it starts.

Young-il steps out, plants a swift, brutal kick to 124’s leg. The guy collapses with a loud yelp, hitting the floor hard and curling around his knee.

Thanos is wheezing now. Desperate. “ O-Okay! Okay! I’m sorry! I’m done, man! I’m done!”

Young-il shoves him back, sending him staggering into a bunk post. His eyes blaze.

“ Stay the fuck away from her.” He says coldly.

Thanos nods rapidly, backing off with trembling hands. No more smirks. No more jokes. Just fear. He grabs 124 and helps him limp away without another word.

Once they’re gone, the air shifts again.

Gi-hun immediately turns to you, his voice soft but tense. “ Did he say anything to you? Something serious?”

Your heart is still racing. You remember the bathroom comment. The filth in his voice. But...if you tell them, things might spiral again. You glance at the bloodied nose of 124, the red mark on Thanos’ throat.

You shake your head. “ No. Just some dumb pickup lines.”

Gi-hun’s jaw clenches. He doesn’t fully believe you, but he nods anyway. He gently pulls you into a protective stance beside him.

Then Young-il turns to you, his sharp eyes suddenly soft as they meet yours. “ Did that bastard hurt you?”

You shake your head again.

A faint smile tugs at his lips—brief, almost unnoticeable. Then he turns and walks away without another word, his broad shoulders tense but slowly easing.

Gi-hun stays beside you a moment longer, his eyes scanning the room. And just like that, you know—no matter how dark this place gets, you’re not alone.

...

The bunk room has softened for a moment—laughter echoing off the cold walls like a rare song. You're sitting cross-legged on one of the lower bunks, surrounded by a few other players.

For once, you’re smiling, even laughing, as you chew on the stale bread, pretending—just for a second—that you’re not trapped in a nightmare.

Across the room, two sets of eyes are locked on you.

Watching. Smoldering.

Gi-hun sits at the edge of his bed, but his food remains untouched. His gaze isn’t just protective now—it’s possessive. He’s watching the way your lips curve when you laugh, the way you lean into the others comfortably. And then he sees it again.

Young-il.

The man is leaning back, arms folded across his chest, head tilted lazily, but his eyes never leave you. Not even once. That same intensity—since the second game. Since the moment he joined Gi-hun’s team during the Six-Legged Pentathlon.

Gi-hun’s jaw tightens. Something boils in his gut.

Enough.

He stands abruptly, strides across the room, and towers over Young-il without a warning.

“ What’s your fucking game?” Gi-hun growls, low but furious.

“ You’ve been eyeing her since the second game. You think I didn’t notice?”

Young-il doesn’t even flinch. A small chuckle escapes him as he looks up at Gi-hun, amused.

“ No game. Just want the same thing you want.” He replies smoothly.

Gi-hun grabs a fistful of Young-il’s collar, pulling him up with fire in his eyes. “ Stay the fuck away from her.”

Young-il’s smile fades. He grips Gi-hun’s collar in return, eyes flashing.

“ Who the fuck are you to order me around? I don’t follow rules. Especially not from another player trying to get in her head.”

With a violent shove, he breaks the grip and pushes Gi-hun back a step.

The air crackles between them. Then, without hesitation, Young-il says it outright—voice raw, honest, and filled with heat.

“ I want her. Just admit it, you do too.”

Gi-hun snaps. “ I don’t—! I’m just trying to protect her!” He lies.

Young-il throws his head back and laughs.

“ Bullshit.” He spits.

“ I see the way you look at her. You hide behind your fucking ‘protection’ like it makes you noble. But I see through it. I see that lust you try to bury under your nice guy act.”

Gi-hun’s fists clench at his sides. His whole body shakes with rage, the need to strike boiling in his veins. But he doesn’t. He can’t.

Not yet.

Young-il smirks, feeding off the storm in front of him. He steps closer, invading Gi-hun’s space. He places a hand on Gi-hun’s shoulder—mocking, calm.

“ You don’t want to share her. Neither do I.”

“ But if I had to…if I had to do it with someone who’s just as fucked in the head as I am?”

He leans in, eyes cold. “ I’d share her with you.”

Gi-hun’s eyes widen. “ You’re fucking sick.”

Young-il’s smirk deepens. “ So are you. You’re just better at lying about it.”

Silence lingers, thick and dangerous. Neither man backs down. From across the room, you laugh again at something another player says. And both of them…fall silent—haunted by the same thought.

That in this place of blood and games, you are the only thing still worth fighting for. Even if it means losing what little sanity they have left.

The tension between the two men still simmers like a ticking bomb. The noise of the room fades—the laughter, the clinking of trays, the distant announcements—all of it drowns beneath the low voice that now speaks with dangerous calm.

Young-il steps around Gi-hun like a wolf circling its prey, voice slow, sharp, calculated.

“ You think standing back and playing the good guy will be enough?”

“ You think just watching her smile from a distance is gonna make her yours?”

Gi-hun doesn’t answer. His fists are still clenched. Jaw tight.

Young-il stops beside him, voice dipping into something darker, something that drips with warning and truth.

“ You wait too long, someone else will move first.”

He nods his chin toward the far corner—toward the purple-haired bastard who’s still licking his wounded pride. Thanos sits at the edge of a bunk, watching you like a predator still waiting for an opening.

“ You want him to be the one who gets her?” Young-il asks, voice low and deliberate.

“ You want him to put his hands on her? Whisper his bullshit into her ear while she laughs at his dumb lines?"

Gi-hun’s eyes twitch—just slightly—but enough.

Young-il steps in closer. “ He’s watching her too. Just like us. And the next time he tries, maybe you won’t be there to stop it. Maybe I won’t be either. Maybe she’ll be alone.”

A pause.

Then he leans in.

“ Do you want that?” He hisses.

“ Do you want Thanos to snatch her away? You really gonna stand there and let that happen?”

Gi-hun’s breathing is heavy now. He turns his head slightly, watching you laugh again—so unaware of the hellstorm brewing in the shadows because of you.

He hates this.

He hates himself for even listening. But even more, he hates the image forming in his mind: you, cornered by Thanos again, no one there, his hands on you, that voice in your ear...

“ No.” Gi-hun mutters, almost growling.

Young-il smirks. The first crack.

“ That’s right.” He says softly. “ We don’t want that.”

A beat passes. The silence is suffocating.

“ So stop pretending you’re better than me, Gi-hun.”

“ We both want the same thing.”

“ And if we both move...no one else stands a chance.”

He steps back now, just enough to give space—but his words still echo between them.

“ Choose.”

Gi-hun doesn’t answer yet.

But his silence?

It’s not resistance.

It’s the beginning of something far more dangerous.

The heavy silence between them is suffocating, charged with heat and unspoken temptation. But Gi-hun stays where he stands, his chest rising and falling with slow, measured breaths.

His eyes—burning but steady—refuse to drift back toward you now. Not while Young-il’s shadow lingers beside him.

Gi-hun shakes his head slowly, his voice low and cracked with frustration. “ I’m not like you.”

“ I’m not doing this to own her, or claim her as some prize. I care about her.”

“ This is about protection. It’s about...connection. Something real.” His voice tightens as he continues, raw and sincere.

“ I want to keep her safe, not cage her. And if that means standing at a distance...I’ll do it. Because I still respect her.”

Young-il lets out a deep, low chuckle—a sound laced with both amusement and disbelief. He shakes his head, not even looking back at Gi-hun at first.

“ Keep saying that.” He mutters.

“ Keep telling yourself you’re different. Keep pretending that what you feel for her is so pure, so noble.”

He finally turns his head slightly, casting a side glance at Gi-hun with an unreadable look.

“ But one day, Gi-hun...you’ll realize that it’s not just protection. Not just care.”

“ You’ll wake up and feel it burning through your veins. That ache. That fucking need.”

Young-il turns fully now, slowly backing away with calm confidence. “ And when that day comes...”

“ You’ll remember this moment.”

He gives a faint, mocking smile. It doesn’t reach his eyes. “ The offer’s still open."

“ Take your time.”

And with that, he turns his back and walks away—leaving Gi-hun alone in his storm of thoughts, torn between conviction and the growing shadow of his own desire.

...

The noise of the day has dulled. Players are settling down, curling into thin blankets or leaning against bunk frames with weary eyes. Tension still lingers in the corners of the room like smoke that won’t clear, but for a moment, there’s peace.

You return to your bunk, body sore, but soul strangely light from earlier laughter. You spot Gi-hun, sitting alone on the edge of his bed, elbows on his knees, fingers loosely laced together. His expression is far away—lost in a place you can’t quite reach.

You approach him softly, carefully, your voice gentle like a feather. “ Hey...you alright?”

Gi-hun blinks out of his thoughts, startled only slightly. His gaze lifts to meet yours. For a second, that distant cloud in his eyes fades.

You sit beside him quietly, keeping a respectful distance, then smile and start talking—just to ease the air.

“ I was talking to Dae-ho and Jun-bae earlier.” You chuckle.

“ God, those two are ridiculous. Jun-bae’s joke about the guard’s milk obsession? I nearly choked on my bread.”

Gi-hun smiles faintly, the corners of his mouth lifting.

“ It’s good...” He says softly.

“ That you’re getting along with them. I thought you were the type who kept to herself.”

You laugh under your breath and shrug. “ You’re not wrong. I don’t usually talk much...especially not to strangers.”

You glance at him and soften your voice.

“ But sometimes...you just feel it, y’know? That someone’s safe. That someone’s good. Like you. Like them.” Your words are gentle, honest.

“ This place is meant to strip everything from us. But we can’t let loneliness consume us...not until we forget what it means to be human.”

Gi-hun turns to you, truly turns. And this time, his smile reaches his eyes.

“ You’re not like the others.” He murmurs.

“ You’re...full of life. Like you don’t belong in a place like this. You’re the definition of sunshine.”

You snort and nudge his shoulder. “ Sunshine? You’ve been breathing too much stale air.”

He chuckles, softer this time. But it feels warmer—real. Then your eyes scan the room, wandering slightly. Gi-hun notices the shift. Instantly.

“ Where’s Young-il?” You ask, curiosity on your face.

“ He’s not with you for once. I thought you two were glued at the hip.”

You raise an eyebrow playfully. “ Honestly, I was starting to think there’s a forbidden BL drama going on behind my back.” You laugh, teasing.

Gi-hun laughs too—but it’s tighter now. A little strained. His smile doesn't reach his eyes anymore. Because at the mention of that name, the warmth inside him evaporates.

The memory flashes in his mind—Young-il’s offer. That sick idea of sharing you. That slow, smug whisper of a temptation that clawed at him earlier.

Gi-hun’s gut twists. His hand curls slightly at his knee.

He doesn’t want to share with you.

He can’t.

You’re not something to be passed around or bargained over like a piece of candy in this twisted game.

He wants you for himself.

Not just out of desire. Not just lust.

But because being near you makes him feel human again.

And yet...his heart pulses with a dark truth he hates to admit:

Part of him did listen to Young-il.

Part of him...understood.

Your voice brings him back.

“ Hey.” You say softly, noticing his change in expression.

“ You alright?”

Gi-hun looks at you. And smiles. A smile that hides a thousand storms. “ Yeah. Just...thinking.”

But deep inside, he already knows—

He’s fighting a war with himself.

And you're the flame at the center of it all.

The bunkroom is dim now—most of the lights already flickering into their nightly dullness. Soft murmurs echo here and there, the low hum of restless bodies trying to forget they’re still inside a death game.

You’re still sitting beside Gi-hun, your legs swinging gently off the edge of the bunk as you talk. He hasn’t moved, not once. Not while you're speaking. He just listens—every word sinking into him like light through cracked glass.

He doesn’t look at anyone else the way he looks at you.

“ You know…” You say, voice quieter now, a soft vulnerability creeping in.

“ I’ve never had a boyfriend.”

You chuckle awkwardly, like you’re trying to cover honesty with humor. “ Not even a textmate. Zero. Zilch. I mean, I’ve seen love in movies—those sweet moments, the way they look at each other like they’re each other’s whole world...it’s beautiful.”

Gi-hun turns his head slightly to you, his expression unreadable but tender.

“ But maybe it’s stupid.” You continue, shaking your head.

“ Maybe it’s all just…fantasy. Love like that probably doesn’t exist in real life.”

He wants to say you’re wrong.

He wants to tell you that love does exist like that—that you, sitting right here, prove it can. That he feels something burning in his chest every time you speak, every time you smile without even knowing the effect you have.

But he stays silent. Because if he speaks now, he’s not sure he’ll stop.

You let out a sigh and glance down at your hands.

“ Anyway…doesn’t matter now. We’re trapped in this hellhole. No one falls in love here. They just try to survive.” You pause, then snort.

“ Except Thanos. That guy’s high on whatever fantasy world he made up in his head.” You roll your eyes, irritation blooming back across your face.

“ He’s fucking creepy. Always around. Always saying weird shit like he’s starring in a twisted love song. And the way he looked at me…like I was something to own. It made my skin crawl.”

Gi-hun’s hands slowly tighten into fists in his lap.

You don’t notice—your voice keeps going, filled with the pent-up frustration you’ve been holding in.

“ I told him no. Over and over. And he just laughs like it’s part of the game. Like I’m just being coy and playing hard to get. I’ve never felt so...disgusted.”

Gi-hun’s voice is low when he finally speaks. “ He won’t bother you again.”

You look at him, surprised. His eyes are darker now—not angry at you, but because of what you’re feeling. You see it now—the quiet storm in him.

The protectiveness that’s been burning beneath the surface since the very beginning.

“ If he tries, I’ll make sure he regrets it.” He says softly, but firmly.

You smile, touched by his words. Something in your heart aches with quiet warmth. “ Thank you, Gi-hun. Really.”

He nods. But deep inside, he doesn’t just want to protect you.

He wants to be the one who makes you feel all the things you dream about—the connection, the trust, the kind of love that even movies can’t capture.

The kind of love that lasts.

And maybe, just maybe, he’s already falling.

Too deep to ever crawl back.

The air inside the bunkroom is still thick, but warmer now—laughter and quiet chatter making it feel a little less like a prison, and a little more like a moment of stolen peace.

You’re still sitting with Gi-hun, your voice soft, calm, recounting something funny Dae-ho said, when a familiar figure walks up.

Young-il.

He wears that smile—the one that’s just charming enough to fool anyone who doesn’t know better. But Gi-hun does. And the second he sees it, his chest tightens and his eyes narrow.

You turn with your usual warmth, your smile offered easily.

“ Hey, Young-il!” You greet, just like you did with Gi-hun.

Gi-hun watches—frowning—as Young-il takes the open space on your other side. Not just sitting…but leaning. Subtle, smooth, calculated. His knee nearly touches yours. His shoulder brushes too close.

Gi-hun's eyes flick to the side, and he catches it—Young-il smirking directly at him. A silent, smug message: She’s not just listening to you, Gi-hun.

Gi-hun clenches his fist, jaw tightening. But he won’t look weak. He shifts slightly. Not much—but just enough for his shoulder to press gently against yours. Protective. Possessive.

Now, you’re sandwiched between two men who barely tolerate each other—both obsessed, both spiraling—but you don’t even notice. You’re too caught up in your story, laughing softly, your voice still lighting the dull air.

But the two men?

They're waging war in silence.

Young-il leans in a bit, the smirk never leaving his face, and says casually. “ Didn’t know Gi-hun had friends. Must be new at that, huh?”

You snort, laughing, unaware of the venom hiding beneath the joke. “ That’s not true! Gi-hun’s easy to get along with.”

Gi-hun’s smile is tight, eyes fixed on Young-il. “ At least I don’t pretend to be nice before stabbing someone in the back.”

Young-il chuckles, gaze cool.

“ Only if they deserve it.” He winks. “ You’d be surprised how many people do.”

You blink, your smile faltering. “ Okay…what’s with the sudden spice between you two?”

You glance between them, sensing a shift in the air for the first time. Both men immediately straighten, wearing false innocence like a mask.

“ It’s nothing.” Gi-hun says quickly.

“ Just teasing.” Young-il adds smoothly.

“ That’s how brothers bond, right?”

You eye them both suspiciously, your brow furrowed.

“ Weird way of bonding.”

Gi-hun forces a smile for your sake, but inside, he's burning. He knows what Young-il is doing. The subtle digs.

The invasion of space.

The fucking challenge.

And worse?

You’re caught right in the middle.

But this isn’t over. Not for either of them. Not by a long shot.

The tension between the two men simmers just beneath the surface, but you—still blissfully unaware—continue chatting, trying to keep the mood light.

Until Young-il tilts his head, eyes twinkling with amusement and mischief.

“ Hey…” He says casually, watching you closely.

“ Just curious…would you ever be willing to get shared?”

You pause mid-sentence, eyebrows furrowing slightly.

“ Shared?” You echo, clearly confused. “ What do you mean?”

Gi-hun freezes beside you, his breath catching in his throat. He doesn’t speak, doesn’t move—he just watches carefully, as if your next words will decide the fate of everything.

Young-il grins, leaning back slightly to play off the weight of his words. His tone is teasing but controlled.

“ You know, like when two people…want the same thing.”

“ And instead of fighting over it, they decide to…share it. Like, for teamwork.”

You blink for a moment, processing it.

“ Oh! You mean like group work?” You say, eyes lighting up as you finally make sense of it—though not in the way he meant.

“ Of course! I’m all about teamwork. If I’m part of a group, I promise I’ll pull my weight. I’ll be a good team member if someone wants to share with me.”

You offer a bright, sincere smile, totally missing the implications behind the question.

Young-il turns away, pressing his lips together to stifle a laugh. His eyes water slightly from holding it in. Your pure answer hits harder than any flirtation ever could.

“ God…” He mutters under his breath, a half-smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“ You really are something else.”

Gi-hun, still stone-still beside you, glances away to hide the twitch at the corner of his mouth.

He's quiet, but deep inside?

Something stirs.

Something dark.

Something hungry.

Your innocent words. The way you agreed without even knowing what they were asking—satisfied him. Not because you understood. But because a part of him, the part he doesn’t speak about, wants to take advantage of that softness. That trust.

His body shifts slightly, knees brushing against yours. He pretends it’s nothing.

But there’s heat now.

Burning just under the skin.

He doesn’t speak. He doesn't have to.

Because now he knows:

If things continue this way…

He might not say no the next time Young-il makes that offer.

You continue chatting, unaware of the quiet electricity pulsing between the two men beside you. The air grows heavier, thicker, as you keep speaking with that same kind-hearted tone—completely oblivious to the storm you've stirred between them.

Young-il watches you with narrowed eyes, lips still twitching with amusement from your innocent answer. He rests an arm casually along the back edge of the bunk behind you, letting his fingers dangle just a few inches from your shoulder.

“ You really mean it, huh?” He says, voice softer now, almost testing.

“ Even if…the people you’re working with are a little messed up? Still willing to be on their team?”

You nod without hesitation. “ Of course. Everyone’s got their flaws. Doesn’t mean I’ll abandon them. I just want to help.”

That answer.

It hits both of them.

Gi-hun exhales slowly through his nose, trying to control the sudden, possessive warmth curling in his chest. He looks down at your hands as you talk, at the way your fingers move, the small gestures, the gentleness in your voice.

You don’t know what you’re saying. You don’t realize what you’re agreeing to.

But it awakens something in him again. That same fire. The one he’s been trying to smother ever since Young-il put that offer on the table.

He should be ashamed.

But he’s not.

Young-il, meanwhile, leans in just slightly, his voice a little lower now—teasing, but edged with sincerity.

“ You might want to be careful saying things like that.”

“ Someone might take your words the wrong way.”

You turn to him, brows pinched. “ Huh, what do you mean?”

Before he can respond, Gi-hun speaks, his voice calm but laced with something darker. “ He means people like him.”

Young-il grins and throws Gi-hun a slow glance.

“ I don’t deny it.” He shrugs. “ But I’m not the only one.”

Gi-hun meets his eyes. And this time, he doesn’t deny it either. The silence that follows is thick. Tense. It hums between them like an unspoken pact that neither of them wants to acknowledge, but both of them feel—deeply.

You finally notice it—the subtle shift in the air. The tension. The way their eyes no longer hold the same light as a few minutes ago.

“ Okay…what’s going on?” You ask slowly, looking between them. “ Did I say something wrong?”

Gi-hun forces a soft smile and shakes his head. “ No. You didn’t.”

Young-il mirrors the expression, though his smile lingers longer, more satisfied. “ Not at all.”

You nod uncertainty and start to rise to stretch. As you turn, neither of the men speak. But behind your back, their gazes lock again—this time not with hatred…but with something else.

An understanding.

They both want you.

And you're too good, too kind, too unaware of the world they’re dragging you into. But if you keep smiling like that—keep trusting them like this—

You might never see just how far they’re willing to go.

Or how deep you’ve already pulled them in.

The tension that had been crackling like static between the two men starts to dissolve—at least on the surface—when you suddenly lean back and grin, your eyes dancing with mischief.

“ You two are so weird sometimes.” You tease, arms crossed as you lean into your performance.

“ The way you stare at each other, fight, banter…I’m starting to think there’s something more going on.”

They both blink.

You smirk dramatically, raising a brow. “ I mean, it’s already 2024, you guys.”

“ Pride Month may be over, but I still see rainbows every time you two are in the same room.”

You clasp your hands together as if watching a romance bloom. “ Forbidden love…rivals to lovers…poetic!”

Young-il snorts, but his grin doesn’t hide his sharp stare. He leans a little closer to you, resting his elbow on his knee.

“ If I liked someone like Gi-hun, I’d probably request to be eliminated voluntarily.”

You burst out laughing. “ God! That’s cold!”

Gi-hun rolls his eyes, but the edge in them doesn’t disappear.

“ I’d rather throw myself out of concrete than fall for that bastard.”

Your laughter comes louder now, real and unfiltered, your shoulders shaking as you hold your stomach.

“ You two are too much.” You manage between breaths.

“ You’re better than the shows I watched before coming here.”

They smile with you.

They laugh with you.

But beneath the surface?

Nothing is funny. Because the truth is, neither of them is joking.

Young-il's smirk fades the moment you look away, his eyes following the curve of your neck, your mouth, your hands as you wipe away tears of laughter. Every movement feeds the hunger that’s clawing at his restraint.

He wants you.

Not tomorrow.

Not after the next game.

Now.

Gi-hun, though quieter, is no better. Your laugh—it does something to him. It ignites a heat in his chest that won’t go away. You’re so close and yet feel so untouchable…unless he takes a step he swore he wouldn’t.

Unless he breaks the line he’s drawn for himself.

And the worst part?

You have no idea.

You think they’re joking.

You think this is all playful teasing, a harmless rivalry.

But behind every joke is a truth neither of them can keep buried much longer.

Because of the obsession?

It’s real. And it’s growing.

If this keeps going—

If you keep trusting them—

If you keep smiling like that…

It won’t be long before the line they both swore not to cross—

Is completely erased.

…

The dormitory was quiet. Most players were already asleep or faking rest to conserve energy. You were sitting in the far corner, arms curled around your knees, watching shadows move across the ceiling.

Gi-hun sat on the edge of his cot, staring at you. You didn’t see him watching—but he couldn’t stop. Then, soft footsteps approached.

Young-il sat beside him like nothing ever happened.

“ You didn’t sleep.” He said casually.

Gi-hun didn’t respond.

Young-il leaned back, arms behind his head. “ You’re thinking about it. I can see it in your face.”

Gi-hun glared at him. “ You think this is a game?”

“ This whole fucking place is a game.” Young-il’s smile was bitter. “ I’m just trying to play smart.”

Gi-hun shook his head. “ And what? You think dragging her into your twisted logic is smart?”

Young-il turned his head toward Gi-hun, eyes cold but calm. “ I’m offering something real. You think she’ll survive out there alone? Or even with you protecting her? They’ll tear her apart.”

Gi-hun stayed quiet, jaw tight.

“ But are we together?” Young-il continued. 

“ She’d be untouchable. No one here would dare hurt her if they knew she was ours.”

Gi-hun stared at the floor again. He hated how the logic made sense. He hated how Young-il knew exactly how to bend the truth into something seductive.

“ I’m not like you.” Gi-hun murmured.

“ You keep telling yourself that.” Young-il said. 

“ But you’re already standing at the edge. All I’m doing is offering you a hand.”

Gi-hun didn’t take it. 

But he didn’t walk away either.

And Young-il just smiled in the silence.

Because that was enough—for now.

The silence was unbearable. Gi-hun lay on his back, staring at the ceiling of the dormitory, unmoving, eyes wide open as the bodies around him slept in broken, shallow breaths. Every creak of a bed frame, every soft whisper of shifting blankets—none of it reached him.

Only one voice did.

Young-il.

The things he said.

The truth in them.

And the sick, undeniable part of Gi-hun that couldn’t argue anymore.

Because he tried.

He tried to stay above it.

To protect you the “right” way.

To pretend this desire could be smothered by guilt or duty or some imaginary line between wrong and worse.

But tonight shatters that illusion.

And something in him snapped.

Quietly, Gi-hun sat up. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on one man—awake already, waiting for him in the shadows like he knew this moment would come.

Young-il. Their eyes met. No words. Just knowing.

Gi-hun stood and walked to him in silence, his steps heavy, as if each one dragged chains behind it. He stopped in front of Young-il, who sat casually on the lower bunk, one leg resting over the other, arms crossed, a smug gleam already in his eyes.

Gi-hun didn’t sit. Didn’t speak right away. He just stared down at him. Until the words came—low, bitter, broken.

“ You win.”

Young-il tilted his head, a cruel smile curling on his lips. “ Took you long enough.”

Gi-hun didn’t smile. “ This isn’t about you.”

Young-il stood, closing the space between them, lowering his voice. “ No. It’s about her. And we both know—if you can’t have her alone…you’d rather have her with me than not at all.”

Gi-hun flinched slightly at how true it was.

Young-il leaned in, breath close, voice dark and sure. “ We’ll protect her. Keep her safe. Let her feel wanted…needed. She won’t even know what’s happening until it’s too late to fight it.”

Gi-hun looked away. “ If you hurt her—”

“ I won’t.” Young-il said immediately. 

“ Because I want her too. Not like those other animals in this place. I want her.” He paused, eyes gleaming. 

“ Like you do.”

Gi-hun’s fists clenched. “ She deserves better than this.”

Young-il’s tone softened—manipulative, coaxing. “ Then give it to her. Together. Make her ours. She’ll never be alone again. She won’t have to worry about the others, or this place. All she’ll have to think about…is us.”

Gi-hun was silent for a long moment. Then, finally…he nodded.

It wasn't a triumph on Young-il’s face.

It was something darker.

Something possessive.

Something final.

The pact was sealed.

And neither of them knew just how far they were willing to go to make you theirs.

…

The 30-minute lights out had just begun. You were crammed tightly under the bunk, knees to your chest, heart hammering as Gi-hun had warned. 

“ No matter what happens, don’t come out. Don’t make a sound.” He had said, voice stern but laced with fear. Outside your makeshift hiding spot, hell had already broken loose.

Screams echoed—raw, panicked, violent. Bodies thudded onto cold concrete, metal bunk beds clattered, some toppling, others being used as weapons. You pressed your hand over your mouth, trying not to breathe too loudly, trying not to move.

Then you saw it.

A pair of bloodied shoes stopped right in front of you.

You held your breath. Maybe he’d keep walking.

But no.

A head ducked down.

A twisted smile curled up beneath dark, frenzied eyes. 

" Boo!" He whispered before a hand grabbed your ankle and yanked you out. 

You screamed, scrambling and flailing, trying to hold onto anything—but there was nothing.

Player 124.

He was covered in blood—some his, most not. He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand, then raised something glinting. A fork.

“ Pretty little thing.” He sneered, waving the fork in front of your face like a toy. “ Scared now?”

He jabbed it playfully at your side. You flinched, sobbing. “ Please—don’t—please don’t kill me—”

" Beg louder!" He screamed. His face twisted into something feral. “ Beg like you mean it!”

You tried, tears falling. But it only amused him.

“ Fucking slut!” He spat.

“ Thanos wanted you. All he wanted was a piece of you, but nooo, you’d rather cozy up with the two old freaks who keep sniffing after you like dogs. You think they care about you? They’re going to ruin you. Fuck you so hard you forget your name. That’s all they want.”

He cackled. “ You think you're special? You're just meat.”

" I'm sorry." He whispered mockingly, voice dipped in false sweetness—then lunged.

The fork came down—fast.

But rage flared in your chest. With a scream, you slammed your fist into his face. He reeled, staggered, blood spurting from his nose. He groaned and lunged again, eyes unhinged.

“ YOU SHOULD DIE!” He roared, pressing the fork toward you again, arms shaking with fury.

You hit him again—nothing.

He was a fucking monster.

Until—

SMASH!

A bottle shattered across his head.

His body dropped instantly like a puppet with its strings cut. You gasped and saw her—a female player, wide-eyed, breathing heavily. She didn’t speak. She just ran.

You scrambled to your feet, trembling, staring at Player 124’s unconscious—maybe dead—body before bolting into the chaos.

Flickering lights made the room feel like a nightmare. Bodies everywhere. Screams. Blood. Madness.

“ Gi-hun?! Young-il?!” You called, voice cracking.

Then—grab!

A hand yanked you from behind and shoved you against the wall. You coughed from the force, head spinning.

Two figures. Familiar ones.

Gi-hun. His expression was dark, jaw clenched.

Young-il. Bloody knuckles. Eyes black with fury—but locked on you like you were the only thing that mattered.

“ Got you.” Gi-hun said, voice trembling—not from fear, but relief.

“ You’re ours now.” Young-il murmured.

Before you could answer, they dragged you into the bathroom, away from the chaos.

Far from the bloodshed. But not from what came next. Because in that moment, under the broken lights and the stench of blood, it was clear—this night wasn’t just about survival.

It was about possession.

Your back pressed against the cold bathroom tiles, chest rising and falling rapidly. Your clothes were stained with someone else’s blood, your face streaked with dried tears, your body trembling from the close call with death.

And yet…

It wasn’t over.

Not even close.

You frowned, confused, heart still racing. “ What…what do you mean ‘I’m yours’? What is this?” You asked, voice hoarse.

“ Is this—some kind of joke?”

You looked between them, hoping one of them—Gi-hun, usually the gentle one, would chuckle and say of course, it’s a joke, you're safe now. Or Young-il, cold and sharp-edged, would scoff and brush it off like he always did.

But neither laughed.

Neither blinked.

Their eyes burned into you. Two predators. Two men who had kept their obsession hidden—until now. The flickering light above cast harsh shadows on their faces. Gi-hun’s hands were still shaking, not from fear—but restraint. His gaze traced your face, your lips, your neckline.

“ I thought we’d have more time.” Gi-hun whispered.

“ To ease you into it. To show you. But after what just happened—after he almost took you from us…” His voice broke, eyes narrowing.

“ No more waiting.”

You took a step back, lips parting. “ You’re not making sense…”

Young-il stepped forward, voice low and tight. “ We’ve protected you. Watch you. Slept next to you. Killed for you. And you still don’t see it?” His tone twisted with something darker, something possessive.

“ You belong to us. No one else gets to touch you.”

“ I never asked for that—” You started, trying to keep your voice steady.

“ But you didn’t stop us either.” Gi-hun said, stepping closer.

“ You let us in. You let us close. Every time you smiled at me…every time you touched my hand…”

“ You were choosing.” Young-il added, dangerously close now. “ And now the game's over. No more pretending.”

Their eyes were devouring you.

Hungry.

Unapologetic.

Outside, chaos continued. Screams. Clashing metal. Someone begging for mercy.

But in here?

The real madness had just begun.

And this time, it wasn't about surviving the game.

It was about surviving them.

You stared at them—eyes wide, breath caught in your throat—as the reality of their words sank in.

“ I didn’t choose anyone.” You whispered, shaking your head slowly. “ I never—”

Gi-hun cupped your face with both hands, his touch surprisingly gentle. But there was fire beneath his skin, barely held in check.

“ You didn’t have to say it. We felt it. Every look. Every time you ran to us when you were scared. When you hid under that bunk tonight, it was because you trusted me.”

Young-il’s hand slammed against the tiled wall beside your head, making you flinch. His face was so close you could feel the heat of his breath.

“ You don’t even realize what you’ve done to us, do you?” He growled.

“ Do you know how hard it is to share you, to watch you sleep between us and not take what we both fucking want?”

“ You keep acting like this is something pure.” He continued, voice lowering into something husky and dangerous.

“ But it’s not. It’s twisted. And now it’s too late to run from it.”

You tried to move, to step away, but Gi-hun's grip didn’t loosen. He wasn’t hurting you—but he wasn’t letting go, either.

“ I almost lost you tonight.” He said, voice cracking.

“ When I saw him holding you like that…when I saw that fork…I wanted to kill every single person out there.”

“ And I still might.” Young-il said with a chilling smile.

Their eyes met over your shoulder—some unspoken understanding passing between them—and then both their gazes locked back onto you.

You felt cornered.

Not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually—owned, exactly like they said.

Gi-hun leaned in, forehead pressing against yours. “ We’ll keep you safe.” He whispered.

“ But in return…”

“ You’re ours.” Young-il finished, brushing his fingers across your cheek, leaving a smear of dried blood behind.

“ Every part of you.”

Then the door rattled violently—someone trying to get in. Another scream echoed outside. A brutal thud followed by silence. But the two men didn’t flinch. They didn’t even look away from you. It was as if the entire world had narrowed down to this small, bloodstained bathroom…and you.

There was no more pretending. No more games. Just the truth between you—and two men who were finally done holding back.

And you were trapped between them.

The air inside the bathroom grew heavier—hotter.

Gi-hun’s hands were still on your face, thumbs brushing your cheeks. Young-il stood just behind you, his presence burning into your back like a brand. You could feel both of them—too close, too much—and the silence stretched unbearably long.

Your lips parted.

“ I…” You breathed, voice trembling.

“ I think I’m just being silly. I mean…maybe I’ve lost my mind here. Maybe it's the fear or the adrenaline or—”

“ Spit it out.” Young-il muttered, voice husky.

You swallowed hard. Then, with your cheeks burning, eyes barely able to meet theirs, you whispered

“ I like both of you.”

Gi-hun inhaled sharply. Young-il stilled.

You stammered, voice cracking with shame. “ I didn’t plan to. I swear. I just—I didn’t think I’d fall this hard. For either of you. Let alone both.”

Silence.

Until you saw it in their eyes.

That look.

Dark. Ravenous. Possessive.

You hadn’t poured water on the fire—you poured gasoline.

Gi-hun’s lips curved into something feral, soft dominance simmering in his gaze. “ You…don’t even realize what you just did to us.”

Young-il’s hand slid from your cheek to your throat—not tight, not threatening, just claiming.

His voice was a low growl against your ear. “ You think admitting that makes this easier? You just made it worse.”

Your breath hitched as Gi-hun leaned forward, nose brushing yours. “ We were already barely holding back.”

Young-il’s hand at your neck tilted your head slightly toward him. “ Now we’re not going to.”

Your knees weakened.

Gi-hun kissed your cheek—soft at first, then lower, brushing your jawline with trembling restraint. “ You shouldn’t have said that…”

“ But we’re so fucking glad you did.” Young-il finished, dragging his fingers down your arm, slow and deliberate, until they laced with yours and pinned your hand gently to the cold tile behind you.

Gi-hun’s forehead pressed against yours again, but this time his lips hovered just above your own.

“ Tell us to stop.” He whispered, voice thick with hunger.

“ Or we’ll ruin you.”

But you didn’t.

You couldn’t.

Not when the heat between the three of you had already reached the point of no return. And in the midst of chaos outside—bloodshed, madness, screams—inside this small bathroom, something else entirely was about to be claimed.

You.

Their hands were on you now—exploring, claiming, trembling with heat and hunger. The air was thick, every breath laced with tension and unspoken promises.

You were pressed against the cold tile, sandwiched between two men who were no longer hiding their obsession—only feeding it.

Gi-hun kissed down your neck, slow, reverent. His hands cupped your waist like you might shatter if he held you too tightly.

“ You’re so soft.” He murmured between kisses, voice breathy, almost a whimper.

“ So perfect. I’ve dreamed about this…every night. You have no idea what you do to me.”

You gasped as Young-il’s hand slid up your thigh, firmer, possessive. He chuckled darkly when he felt your legs tremble.

“ You're shaking.” He whispered against your ear, his voice rough and low.

“ Good. You should be.”

Gi-hun whined softly against your skin, his lips brushing your collarbone. “ You don’t know how long I’ve waited for you to say it…that you want us too.” He kissed your jaw, eyes glassy with need.

“ You're mine. Our sweet little thing…”

Young-il tugged your head back gently by your hair, forcing you to meet his intense gaze. “ You have no idea what you’ve done to us” He said, his tone dark and commanding.

“ I’ve been holding back. Watching you sleep. Fighting every damn instinct to take you right then and there.”

Your voice shook as you finally whispered, “ W-Wait…”

Both men stilled.

“ I haven’t…I haven’t done this before.” You said, eyes wide, chest rising and falling rapidly.

“ This is my first time…”

Gi-hun blinked, expression softening instantly. “ Wait…really?”

Young-il’s smile curled slowly, eyes narrowing in a mixture of wicked delight and possessive pride. “ You’re untouched?” He echoed, fingers tightening on your hip.

“ No one’s ever touched you like this?”

You shook your head.

Gi-hun let out a soft, shaky moan, forehead pressing to your shoulder. “ Oh my god…baby…” He breathed, kissing you softer now, lips trembling.

“ We’ll take care of you. I promise. I won’t hurt you.”

But Young-il leaned closer, voice like silk laced with steel. “ You’re mine even more now.” He whispered, his lips brushing your ear.

“ We’re going to ruin you so well, you’ll never want anyone else.”

His fingers dragged along your spine, his tone darker, dominant. “ You’ll remember us with every breath, every sound you make, every time you close your eyes.”

Gi-hun kissed your lips at last—soft and slow—while his body trembled against yours, needy and gentle. “ You’re so good. So brave.” He whispered against your lips.

“ Let us show you how much we’ve been dying for this…”

And together—two sides of the same dangerous love—they began to claim you.

One with worship.

The other with fire.

You barely had time to breathe before the shift became overwhelming—touches turning into need, lips into hunger, and worship into possession.

Gi-hun’s hands caressed your body with trembling reverence, sliding under your shirt with careful fingers like he was unwrapping something sacred.

His mouth never stopped moving—lips kissing your collarbone, jaw, neck, whispering desperate praises with each breath.

“ So soft.” He murmured, voice thick with awe.

“ Every part of you…fits in my hands. God, I don’t want to stop. I’ll never stop.”

He pushed your shirt up, fingers trailing along your ribs, brushing beneath your chest. His mouth found your skin like he’d starved for it, leaving a warm, wet path as he kissed his way down, groaning when he heard your shaky breath hitch.

Behind you, Young-il was rougher—possessive.

One arm wrapped around your waist, pulling your back flush to his chest. His other hand gripped your jaw, tilting your head back so he could kiss your neck with biting heat.

He wasn’t gentle. His teeth grazed you. His hand was already moving lower, slipping past the waistband of your pants with practiced confidence.

“ You feel that?” He growled low against your skin, his voice sending shivers straight to your core.

“ You’re already wet. Just from a few touches. You want this more than you’re even admitting to yourself.”

You gasped, your hips reacting instinctively as his fingers explored lower—confident, claiming.

Gi-hun whimpered softly, kneeling in front of you now, sliding your pants down your legs. His hands gently caressed your thighs as he looked up at you—eyes hazy, lips parted, his breath shaking.

“ Can I taste you?” He asked softly.

“ Please…just once. I’ve dreamed of this… begged in silence for it…”

You couldn’t find your voice—but your body answered for you. A desperate nod. A strangled breath. A tremble.

Young-il didn’t wait for permission. His hand gripped your throat lightly, tilting your head so he could watch your expression as Gi-hun leaned in.

“ You’re ours now.” He said darkly, rubbing his hardened length against your backside, still fully clothed—but clearly undone.

“ And tonight, you’re going to learn exactly what that means.”

Then Gi-hun’s mouth met you—soft, warm, reverent. His tongue was slow at first, careful. But the second he tasted you, a moan escaped his throat—needy, wrecked. He latched on, worshiping you with his tongue like your body was the only heaven he ever needed.

You cried out, hands gripping his shoulders. Your legs buckled, but Young-il held you firm, fingers teasing your chest now, biting your earlobe as he whispered.

“ Don’t look away. Watch him fall apart between your legs. Watch how much he needs you.”

Gi-hun was whimpering as he worked you open with his mouth—addicted to every sound you made. His fingers gripped your thighs like he couldn’t bear to let go.

Young-il was growling, breathing harder, his own arousal pressing into your back. “ When I’m done with you.”

He whispered, “ You’ll never want anyone else’s hands on you. Not even in your dreams.”

Your mind blurred—caught between Gi-hun’s tender worship and Young-il’s brutal promise of possession.

And all you could do was hold on as they devoured you.

Your body was still trembling from the aftershocks—nerves buzzing, chest rising and falling in uneven gasps. But Young-il didn’t give you time to recover. He gripped your thighs and spread them wider as he stepped between them, pressing you flush against the bathroom counter.

The cool surface beneath you only made the heat of your skin more unbearable. You barely had time to react before he leaned in, his nose brushing yours, voice rough and low.

“ You came so sweet for us.” He murmured, eyes locked onto yours. “ But now it’s my turn.”

You whimpered as he pressed against your core, still painfully clothed but rock-hard beneath the layers. He was taunting you—grinding, teasing, watching your expression twist in anticipation.

His hand slid up your chest, over your throat again, holding—not choking—just claiming.

“ You feel that?” He growled. “ I’ve been hard for days thinking about you. And now…I get to be your first.”

Gi-hun, still flushed and panting, stood beside you, caressing your shoulder, kissing along your neck. He whispered soft, shaky words—his own need barely contained.

“ He’ll be rough.” He said gently. “ But I’m right here. I’ll hold you. I’ll keep you grounded, sweetheart.”

You nodded shakily.

That was all Young-il needed.

His mouth crashed against yours, demanding and raw, and in the same motion, he unzipped and pushed himself against your entrance—teasing, sliding over your folds, soaking in how ready you already were.

His breath stuttered. “ Fuck…so tight…so warm…I could lose my mind.”

He was big—too big—and your body tensed. But Gi-hun was there, kissing your face, holding your hand, rubbing soothing circles on your back.

“ You’re okay.” He whispered again and again. “ You’re doing so good for us. Just breathe, baby…”

Then Young-il started pushing in—slow, unrelenting.

You gasped, nails digging into Gi-hun’s arm. The stretch burned, overwhelming, your walls clenching instinctively. But Young-il held you firm, letting out a guttural groan as he sunk deeper, inch by inch.

“ That’s it…take it.” He gritted through his teeth. “ Take all of me. You're mine now.”

Once fully seated inside, he stilled—panting against your mouth, forehead resting to yours. “ So fucking perfect. I’m going to ruin you, sweetheart.”

Gi-hun kissed your temple, his voice barely audible. “ She’s already ours.”

Then Young-il moved. Slow, hard thrusts that sent your body rocking into Gi-hun’s waiting arms. The rhythm grew faster, rougher. He filled you so deeply that each stroke had you gasping—whimpering. Your mind blurred with every thrust.

Gi-hun kissed you again, cradling your head in his hands as you cried out, caught between pain and pleasure. “ That’s it…let it go. Let us have you.”

Young-il grunted with every push. “ You’ll never forget this.” He growled.

“ No one else will ever make you feel like this.”

You were gone.

Completely.

Surrendered to both of them—the one who held you gently, and the one who wrecked you with every thrust. And somewhere in the haze, you knew…

There was no way back.

Your cries echoed softly in the bathroom, swallowed by the hum of chaos beyond its door. But in here—there was only this: skin against skin, heat pressed tight, and two men who wanted nothing more than to mark you as theirs.

Young-il's hips snapped forward with controlled force, every thrust deeper than the last, stretching you around his length until your body was shaking again. Your breath came in stutters—half gasps, half moans—as your hands clutched onto Gi-hun’s shirt like a lifeline.

Young-il groaned into your ear, sweat beading at his brow. “ Listen to you.” He growled.

“ You’re so fucking tight…clenching around me like your body already knows who it belongs to.”

He slammed into you harder, forcing your body to jolt back—and Gi-hun caught you effortlessly, wrapping his arms around you, anchoring you.

“ You’re doing so good.” Gi-hun whispered, lips brushing your ear, his hands running gently down your back.

“ So beautiful like this. Let him fill you, baby…let him claim you like he needs to.”

Your moan caught in your throat as Young-il shifted the angle, hitting something deep—something electric. Your legs wrapped around his waist without thought, drawing him in, needing more.

“ You’re close again.” Young-il muttered, voice strained, his rhythm never slowing. “ I can feel it. Your body’s begging for it.”

Gi-hun leaned in front of you, hands cupping your flushed face, his forehead resting against yours.

“ Let go.” He whispered, voice barely holding together.

“ Let him break you this time. And then I’ll take my turn—slow. Sweet. The way you need it.”

Your eyes fluttered, your entire body tightening around Young-il as you moaned into Gi-hun’s mouth, lost in their voices—one soft and loving, the other raw and commanding.

Young-il slammed into you one final time with a deep, primal groan—his fingers digging into your hips as he spilled inside you, his body shaking, teeth gritted.

“ Mine.” He hissed. “ Fucking mine.”

You cried out again, your second climax crashing over you, more intense, more overwhelming—your body trembling, undone. But even as Young-il rested his forehead against your neck, catching his breath, you felt it:

Gi-hun’s fingers trailing down your thigh.

His lips are ghosting over your shoulder.

“ You think we’re done?” He whispered gently.

“ I’ve waited too long to have you like this.”

Young-il stepped back, eyes still dark, lips parted as he watched your shaking form—ruined, glistening, flushed and breathless.

Gi-hun scooped you up slowly, cradling you in his arms like you were something precious and fragile.

“ You’re safe with me.” He whispered against your ear, already lowering you gently to the floor. “ But I’m not letting you go.”

He kissed you deeply then—slow, passionate—starved.

And you knew…

Round two was just beginning.

Your body was still trembling—sensitive, raw, soaked in the aftermath of Young-il’s brutal claiming. Your mind swam in haze, but Gi-hun’s touch was already grounding you again. Different from Young-il’s fire, his touch was warmth. A soft blaze that burned slow and deep.

He laid you gently onto the bathroom floor, his hands ghosting over your sides, caressing every inch with quiet awe.

“ You did so well.” He whispered, brushing sweat-damp hair from your face. “ You took him like you were made for it.”

He kissed you again—soft, worshipful.

His lips moved over your cheeks, your chin, your throat, pausing at your collarbone as he whispered, “ Now I want to show you what it’s like when someone loves every single part of you.”

You whimpered, the contrast almost unbearable. Your body was overstimulated and still desperate, still open and aching.

Gi-hun was slow—achingly slow—as he removed what little clothing was left on both of you. He looked at you like he was unwrapping a miracle. His hands traced every curve, every mark, as though memorizing you with his fingertips.

“ First time…” He murmured again, kissing the inside of your thigh.

“ And you gave it to us. I’ll never forget this. Never.”

You gasped as he aligned himself against your entrance, where you were still so warm and wet from Young-il. Gi-hun groaned at the sensation, his hips trembling with restraint.

“ Still so tight.” He whimpered, barely sliding in. “ So perfect. I don’t deserve this…”

You reached for him, needing him closer. “ Please…” You whispered.

“ I need you.”

He pushed in slowly, inch by inch, as if he was afraid to hurt you—even after what you’d just taken. He kissed you through every breath, every stretch, every new sensation. Once he was fully inside, he stilled, forehead against yours. His breath was shaky, and his body trembled above you.

“ I can’t…I’m trying to go slow, but you feel too good.” He moaned, voice breaking. “ I might lose it too fast…”

You cupped his face, drawing him into another kiss, deeper this time. “ It’s okay.” You whispered.

“ You’re already giving me everything.”

He moved—slow and fluid, grinding deep, his hips rolling with practiced rhythm that sent waves of pleasure spreading through your already ruined core.

His moans were soft, breathless, desperate. Every time he bottomed out, he gasped your name like a prayer.

“ You’re so good to me.” He cried softly. “ So good. You’re everything. I’ll never let you go…”

His pace grew faster as you wrapped your legs around him, pulling him in closer, deeper. His arms cradled your body as he rocked into you with growing need—his soft whimpers filling your ears, his praises spilling endlessly.

“ So warm so tight…fuck, I’m gonna—I can’t hold it—”

You tightened around him and that was it—he gasped, body seizing against yours as he buried himself deep, spilling inside you with a cry that sounded half wrecked, half in love. He collapsed gently on top of you, holding you like something precious, kissing your shoulder, your chest, your lips—everywhere.

Young-il watched from nearby, eyes still dark, but quieter now. His gaze on the two of you was unreadable—part possessive, part oddly soft.

Gi-hun pulled out slowly, carefully, brushing trembling fingers between your legs to feel the mess they both left inside you.

“ You’re really ours now.” He whispered.

Young-il walked over, crouched beside you, and tilted your chin toward him.

“ Ours.” He repeated.

You nodded faintly—mind dizzy, body claimed, heart torn between the two flames that consumed you. And outside the bathroom door, the chaos still roared.

But in here?

You had been owned.

Completely.

Irrevocably.

…

Your body was wrecked. Ruined by Young-il’s dominance, undone by Gi-hun’s reverence—and yet, neither man was satisfied. You thought it was over. That they had claimed you, filled you, used every part of you already.

But that was only the beginning.

You lay on the bathroom floor, legs parted, trembling, both of their releases leaking slowly from your swollen, sensitive core. Your chest heaved as you tried to catch your breath, every inch of you tingling and raw.

Gi-hun hovered above you, brushing kisses along your collarbone while murmuring soft praises. But then Young-il crouched beside him, his fingers trailing between your legs. The moment he brushed against your soaked folds, your hips jerked violently.

“ N-No—” You whimpered, body instinctively recoiling.

“ I…I can’t—too much—”

Gi-hun’s lips found your ear, and he whispered, “ You can. You’re so strong, baby. Just let us love you a little more…”

Young-il’s smile was dark, cruelly tender. “ You’re still clenching. Still wet. Your body’s begging for more, even when your mouth says no.”

His fingers pushed in slowly—two, without hesitation. The stretch made you cry out, hips bucking off the floor, thighs twitching.

“ Sensitive, aren’t you?” He rasped, curling his fingers just right. “ Good. I want to see how much more you can take.”

Gi-hun was already moving down your body again—pressing sweet kisses over your belly, your hips until his mouth hovered over your throbbing clit, swollen and twitching from too much.

You reached down, trying to push him back, your voice shaking. “ Please…it’s too much…I-I’m—”

But he didn’t stop.

He moaned as he licked your overstimulated bundle, slow but relentless. The second his tongue touched you, your legs jolted—back arching, a sob tearing from your throat.

Young-il’s fingers pumped deeper now, curling, stretching, pressing into the spot that made your vision blur. His other hand pinned your hip down firmly.

“ You’re already shaking.” He growled.

“ You’re going to fall apart again, aren’t you?”

Gi-hun was whimpering into you, like your taste was driving him insane. He flattened his tongue, lapping at you hungrily while moaning softly, as if each sound you made fed his desperation.

“ I can’t—” You choked, tears brimming in your eyes.

“ Yes, you can.” Gi-hun whispered sweetly, mouth hot and wet. “ Come for us again, baby…let go.”

You were spiraling—your body overstretched, nerves short-circuiting. The pressure coiled again, too fast, too much.

Young-il watched you come undone again, his voice sharp with pride. “ Look at you. Fucking falling apart from our mouths and fingers alone. So needy. So perfect.”

The orgasm hit violently—your vision whiting out, back arching completely off the floor, a strangled scream escaping your throat as your body seized in blinding overstimulation.

Gi-hun didn’t stop licking.

Young-il didn’t stop pumping.

They wanted everything.

You sobbed out their names, voice cracking, your body trembling uncontrollably as wave after wave of pleasure left you breathless and twitching. Finally, Gi-hun pulled back, panting, lips slick with your release, kissing the inside of your thighs like he just touched the divine. Young-il slowly withdrew his fingers, watching you shake with satisfaction.

“ Still think you’re done?” He murmured, smirking as he licked your release off his fingers.

You couldn’t even answer. Your voice was gone, your limbs limp, your mind spinning.

But they weren’t done.

You were theirs.

And they hadn’t finished ruining you yet.

Your body was still shuddering, twitching from the aftershocks of overstimulation. Your skin glistened with sweat, flushed and slick, and your breath came in short, broken gasps. But even in your dazed state, you could feel it—the shift.

The hunger in Young-il’s eyes darkened.

The gentleness from earlier? Gone.

Now, he was all control. All intent.

He stood over you, bare and hard again, his cock already twitching back to full strength. Your legs were still spread wide, still leaking from both of them, your body so sensitive that even the air made you tremble.

“ You thought that was enough?” He said, voice low and dangerous as he gripped himself, stroking slowly while his gaze drank in the sight of you wrecked on the floor.

“ No, sweetheart. I told you we weren’t done.”

Gi-hun tried to touch you again, to soothe you, but Young-il held a hand out.

“ No more softness.” He snapped. “ Not now. I’m going to fuck her until she can’t speak. Until her body knows it’s mine.”

You whimpered as he grabbed your thighs and pulled you down toward him, dragging your hips to the edge of the counter, then lifting one leg over his shoulder.

You could barely keep your eyes open, but when you saw the way he looked at you—like prey already caught—you knew he meant every word.

Without warning, he shoved into you—deep, fast, brutal.

You screamed, arching off the tile as your walls stretched around him again. The burn was sharp, your body still far too sensitive, but that didn’t stop him. He leaned over you, caging you with his arms as he began pounding into you with no mercy.

“ Fucking tight.” He groaned, jaw clenched, hips slamming into you hard enough to shake the sink.

“ Still soaking wet from us. You were made for this. Made to be bred.”

Gi-hun knelt beside you, breathless, stroking your hair, his own cock still heavy and hard again. He kissed your temple, voice soft in your ear even as your body was rocked by Young-il’s rough thrusts.

“ You’re doing so good, baby.” He whispered. “ Taking him so deep. You’re gonna be so full…”

“ Yeah..” Young-il growled. “ You’re gonna take every drop.”

His pace quickened, brutal and relentless. The sound of skin slapping echoed through the bathroom, drowned only by your gasps, your sobs, and the filthy praises spilling from both of them.

“ Gonna fill you up.” Young-il hissed, thrusting harder.

“ Gonna pump you so full, you’ll feel it for days. Your cunt won’t forget what we’ve done to it.”

You cried out again, the pressure unbearable. Each stroke hit deeper, harder, stealing the breath from your lungs. Your body didn’t know whether to run or fall apart again—so it did both.

Your walls clamped down, your body convulsed, and another orgasm tore through you—violent, wrenching, soaked in sensation. Young-il grunted, hips stuttering as your orgasm milked him. He threw his head back with a vicious groan.

“ Take it.” He snarled. “ Fucking take it.”

Then he buried himself to the hilt—deep, hard—his cock pulsing as he emptied himself inside you. Rope after rope of thick, hot release filled your core, your body trembling beneath him, stretched and full and leaking everything they’d given you.

He stayed there, buried deep, panting against your neck, watching as his cum slowly dripped out of you around his cock.

Gi-hun pressed his forehead to yours, eyes shining.

And softly, with a hand to your belly, he whispered, “ You’re going to be so full of us. I want to see you round and swollen…carrying both of us.”

You were shaking, breathless, drenched. And yet your body was already reacting—clenching again. Because with them? There would be no stopping. You lay there—limp, wrecked, full.

Young-il still pressed deep inside you, breathing heavily, his release already beginning to spill from your stretched entrance. The mixture of both men’s seed dripped down your thighs, warm and thick, proof of everything they’d just taken from you. Claimed you with.

He pulled out slowly with a low groan, watching the mess he made leak from between your legs, his fingers immediately gathering it—pushing it back in with deliberate, rough strokes that made your hips jerk.

“ Don’t waste it.” He muttered, voice low and ragged.

“ You’re going to keep it. Every last drop.”

You whimpered, your body too sensitive, twitching with every small motion. You had already fallen apart again and again—but it didn’t matter. Not to them. Not to Gi-hun, who was already sliding in behind you, arms cradling your trembling body with reverent care.

“ Shh…” He whispered, pressing soft kisses down your back,

“ I’ve got you now. Let me make you feel good again. Let me fill you the way I’ve wanted to for so long…”

Your thighs parted again—automatically, helplessly—your body no longer resisting but offering. Broken open, completely pliant for them.

Gi-hun lined himself up, and you could feel him trembling—trying to be gentle, but failing. His tip nudged against your already stretched, leaking entrance, and he let out a shaky whimper.

“ You’re still so full.” He moaned, slowly pushing in. “ Still wet from him…from us…fuck.”

You cried out as he filled you—sliding past the mess inside you, stretching your sensitive walls once more. His pace started slow, agonizingly careful, but it only took a few thrusts before he lost control, overwhelmed by the feeling of your already-used body wrapped around him.

“ I can feel it.” He gasped into your shoulder. “ I can feel him still inside you.”

Gi-hun’s pace picked up, his thrusts becoming frantic—needy. His forehead pressed against the back of your neck, hips slamming into you with more force each time, driven mad by how overstimulated you were, how ruined your body had become for them.

“ You’re gonna take mine now too.” He whispered, breath ragged. “ I want to see you dripping with both of us. I want your belly full. Want you swollen with everything we give you.”

Behind him, Young-il watched, still catching his breath, but already getting hard again—his dark eyes trailing over your trembling form, slick thighs, the flushed arch of your back.

“ You’ll carry us.” He murmured. “ You’ll be marked from the inside out. Ours.”

Gi-hun’s thrusts became desperate, his soft moans now raw, pleading.

“ You feel too good.” He gasped.

“ You always did…every time you smiled at me, every time you touched me, I just— I needed this.”

You were beyond thought—body reduced to sensation. The friction, the stretch, the burn of being taken again and again.

And then he let go.

With a strangled cry, Gi-hun slammed in deep, burying himself fully as he came—hot, hard, endless. You could feel him spill into you, warm and thick, mixing with Young-il’s seed until you were overflowing.

You whimpered, twitching again as your walls clenched helplessly around him—another broken, overstimulated orgasm shaking your entire body.

Gi-hun kissed your shoulder, your spine, every part of you he could reach, whispering through breathless gasps.

“ I love you…I love you…I love you…”

When he finally pulled out, you collapsed forward, legs spread, shaking, completely used. And as the thick mess of both men’s release poured from your aching center onto the tile, they looked down at you—sweaty, spent, shaking.

Your body trembled on the floor—raw, used, leaking. Your thighs were soaked, your lips swollen, your mind fogged with heat and exhaustion. You didn’t even realize you were still moaning softly until Young-il crouched in front of you, tilting your chin up with two fingers.

His voice was low, firm—no hint of softness left in him.

“ Look at the mess you made.” He murmured, cock already hard again, glistening with his own release.

“ Clean it up.”

You blinked at him, mouth parting, breath catching.

He smirked darkly. “ We’ll show you how.”

Behind you, Gi-hun knelt, breath still shaky, but his eyes were soft, warm, flushed with leftover tenderness.

He brushed your hair back, voice gentle but firm “ You want to be good for us, don’t you, baby?”

You nodded, heart pounding. You had nothing left to give—yet you still found yourself moving. Kneeling slowly between them, your legs wobbling beneath you, your lips already parting again.

Young-il gripped the base of his cock, the tip flushed and glistening with lingering slick and seed.

“ Start with me.” He ordered, leaning back just slightly.

“ Lick it clean. Every drop.”

Gi-hun kissed your shoulder from behind, whispering sweetly in your ear. “ Just use your tongue, baby. Slow, just like this…”

He guided your head forward gently, letting you feel the weight of Young-il’s length rest against your tongue. Your mouth trembled as you began to lick—slow, kitten-soft licks from base to tip.

Young-il let out a low groan. “ That’s it. That’s good…fuck, look at you.”

“ Now swirl your tongue.” Gi-hun whispered, pressing his lips to your neck.

“ Right around the tip…just like that. Yes, baby. You’re doing perfect.”

You obeyed—lazily tracing your tongue around the head, collecting every trace of him, tasting yourself, tasting both of them. The more you licked, the more praise and growls you earned.

Young-il hissed, his voice sharper now. “ Open wider. Take it in your throat.”

Gi-hun’s hands stayed soft on your back, grounding you. “ Breathe through your nose. You’re okay. Let him feel how good your mouth is.”

You followed their guidance—bit by bit—taking Young-il deeper until he hit the back of your throat, until your eyes watered and your jaw ached.

“ Fuck…” Young-il groaned. “ You were made for this. Keep going.”

When he finally pulled back, you were breathless, lips swollen, saliva slick down your chin. Then Gi-hun turned you gently toward him, his cock twitching with need.

“ Your turn.” He whispered. “ Be gentle. I want to feel your mouth love me.”

You wrapped your lips around him, guided by their voices—one firm and commanding, the other sweet and encouraging. They taught you everything—how to suck, how to hold, how to let your tongue tease the underside.

Gi-hun moaned softly, his hands in your hair, eyes fluttering shut. “ Just like that. God, baby…you’re perfect.”

They switched you back and forth—Young-il thrusting into your mouth with deep, slow strokes while Gi-hun cupped your cheeks and whispered how beautiful you looked serving them.

“ You're learning so fast.” Gi-hun said.

“ And you’ll keep learning.” Young-il added darkly.

“ Because next time? You’ll clean us off while full of us.”

You moaned around them, throat raw, mind dizzy.

Because you knew…

You wanted that lesson too.

Your mouth was sore, your throat raw, your body still aching from the intense claiming they'd given you—but still, you obeyed.

You were on your knees, switching between them, guided by their hands, their voices—Young-il’s sharp and dominant, Gi-hun’s soft and coaxing. Their cocks, slick with your spit and their own release, throbbed against your tongue each time you took them in.

Young-il gripped your hair tightly, forcing you to look up at him as he pushed past your lips again.

“ Keep your eyes on me.” He ordered, his hips moving in slow, controlled thrusts into your mouth.

“ I want to see you own this. Learn it. Crave it.”

You moaned softly around him, tears slipping down your cheeks from the stretch. You were doing exactly as he said—watching him, letting him use your mouth, drool running down your chin as he hit the back of your throat again and again.

Gi-hun was beside you, stroking your back, murmuring praise like a prayer.

“ You’re so beautiful like this.” He whispered.

“ Serving us…letting us teach you how to please. There’s no one else I’d ever want like this.”

Young-il pulled back with a sharp, wet pop, letting your jaw rest for a moment. Your chest rose and fell in shallow, broken breaths. You didn’t even have to speak.

The look on your face—dazed, obedient, hungry—said everything. Gi-hun turned your chin toward him, gently wiping the spit from your lips with his thumb. His cock brushed your cheek as he whispered,

“ Now me, baby. Slow this time. Show me how much you want to take care of me.”

You nodded, eyes glassy, and leaned in. You kissed the tip of him first, soft and reverent, like he asked. Then your lips wrapped around him again—gentle, slow strokes, your tongue swirling with practiced effort.

Gi-hun groaned above you, his hand brushing through your hair, eyes fluttering shut as your mouth worked him perfectly.

“ Yes…just like that.” He murmured.

“ You’re learning so well. You’re so good for us…”

Young-il knelt behind you again, watching as you sucked off Gi-hun with soft slurps and hollowed cheeks. His hand slid between your thighs from behind, cupping your still-sensitive, soaked core. You gasped around Gi-hun, your whole body jolting at the overstimulation.

“ Even your pussy’s learning.” Young-il muttered, rubbing slowly, taunting circles over your clit.

“ Every time your mouth gets full, your cunt drips. Filthy little thing.”

Gi-hun moaned louder as your tongue flattened along the underside of his cock.

“ You like hearing that, don’t you?” He said, voice shaking.

“ Our perfect girl…messy and eager…”

Young-il leaned down, breath hot against your ear.

“ Next time, we’ll fuck your throat together. At the same time. We’ll train you until your mouth can take us both. Until choking on us turns you on.”

That image alone sent a shiver down your spine—and your hips pressed back against Young-il’s hand, needing pulsing in waves through your core again.

You pulled off Gi-hun slowly, your lips slick, your voice hoarse but breathy.

“ I want that.” You whispered. “ Teach me everything…”

They shared a look above you—one of hunger, pride, and ownership.

And you knew your training had only just begun.

Your body was trembling—not from fear, not from pain, but from sheer exhaustion. Used, stretched, and filled beyond anything you had ever known, your limbs barely responded as you lay sprawled across the cool bathroom floor, coated in sweat, tears, and their release.

And yet…you didn’t feel broken.

You felt owned. Seen. Craved. Loved in a way that had burned you down—and now, slowly, was putting you back together.

“ Hey, sweetheart…” Gi-hun’s soft voice broke through the haze as he gently lifted you into his arms, treating you like you were made of glass.

He sat you upright slowly, supporting your back, his hand brushing over your sticky, flushed cheek. His other arm wrapped around your waist to keep you steady.

“ Can you stand?” He asked gently, eyes filled with warmth.

“ Come here. Let me help you.”

You nodded weakly, letting him guide you to your feet, though your legs buckled beneath the weight of everything your body had just been through. Young-il was already behind you, steadying your hips with a firm but careful grip.

“ Easy.” He muttered. “ Don’t rush. Just lean on us.”

Together, they walked you toward the sink like guardians guarding a goddess.

Gi-hun grabbed tissues, whispering,

“ I’ll be gentle, baby.” He crouched, slowly wiping the mess off your thighs, down your inner legs, then carefully between your folds, his hand trembling just a bit at the sight.

“ I’m so sorry.” He whispered suddenly, looking up at you.

“ If it was too much…if I—if we hurt you…”

You met his eyes, still glassy and dazed, and shook your head slowly.

“ You two didn’t hurt me.” You said, your voice quiet but steady.

“ Both of you gave me everything.”

He kissed your knee, eyes fluttering shut, breath shaking in his chest. Young-il, standing behind you, ran a tissue down your back, cleaning the sweat and kisses from your spine, and gently pressing a dry towel around your waist. He was quiet for a moment before his low voice followed:

“ I got rough.” He admitted.

“ Rougher than I should’ve. If I hurt you—if it ever becomes too much—you say the word.”

His hands were careful now, unlike earlier, his grip more thoughtful than demanding.

“ I want to own you…but never break you.” He murmured.

“ You’re not just something we use. You're…ours. And we protect what's ours.”

The air was still for a moment. Heavy with the contrast between the savage way they took you earlier and the way they now moved around you like loyal knights tending to a bruised queen.

Gi-hun brought you into his arms again and kissed your temple. “ You’re okay?” He whispered.

You nodded, resting against his chest, completely wrapped in their warmth. Your body might ache, but your heart felt strangely safe—held.

“ I’ve never felt wanted like that before.” You admitted softly. “ Like…you didn’t just want to touch me. You wanted me. All of me.”

Young-il came beside Gi-hun, brushing your damp hair back. “ That’s because we do.” He said simply.

“ And next time…”

His gaze darkened, but his voice remained calm.

“ We’ll listen to every breath, every sound. No lines will ever be crossed unless you draw them for us.”

Gi-hun nodded in agreement, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “ You’re not just someone we want in our bed. You’re someone we want everywhere else too.”

You felt it then—not just the ache between your thighs or the sting of your skin—

But the warmth of belonging.

And though your body was wrecked and weak, you smiled. Because even after being devoured, they were right there—ready to piece you back together with gentle hands, whispered apologies, and promises not of possession…

But of devotion.

Wrapped in towels, your body still tender and your heart spinning with everything that had just happened, you sat on the bathroom counter while Gi-hun gently ran his fingers through your damp hair, and Young-il leaned against the wall, arms crossed but gaze soft.

The chaotic noise from outside the bathroom had long since faded into background static. In this small, quiet space, it was just the three of you—and the weight of something unspoken lingered in the air.

You finally broke the silence.

“ What are we now?”

Gi-hun paused, fingers stilling in your hair. Young-il tilted his head.

“ I mean…” You continued, eyes flicking between them,

“ What’s our relationship? I thought…you could only be with one person. That’s how it usually works, right?”

Young-il pushed off the wall, stepping closer, his expression calm but serious.

“ That’s how most people do it, yeah. One person. Monogamy.” He crouched in front of you so you couldn’t look away.

“ But there’s something called polyamory. It means…loving more than one person—openly. Honestly. No secrets.”

You blinked slowly, trying to process it.

He continued, his voice steady.

“ We aren’t asking you to be in anything you don’t want, though. If the idea of being with both of us at the same time isn’t what you want…we’ll let you choose. No pressure. I’ll step back. Gi-hun will. Whoever you want—really want—that’s who you should have.”

Your heart squeezed painfully. Just the thought of having to choose between them made your chest ache.

You shook your head, voice trembling as you spoke “ No. I can’t choose. I don’t want to choose.”

Both men looked at you, their faces unreadable.

“ I’ve seen sides of myself with each of you.” You whispered.

“ You both give me something different, and I care about both of you. It would break me if I had to lose one of you just to keep the other. That wouldn’t be love. That would be guilt.”

Gi-hun stepped in front of you, resting a hand on your thigh, his voice soft. “ You’re saying…you want both of us? Together?”

You nodded. “ If you’re okay with it…I want to treat you both fairly. I don’t want to hurt either of you. I…I want this to work. The three of us.”

A pause. A heartbeat of tension—

Then Young-il let out a breath of a laugh and shook his head with a smirk.

“ Damn. I told you she’d say that.” He muttered to Gi-hun.

Gi-hun chuckled softly and turned to you, a warm smile tugging at his lips. “ We already talked about it. A while ago.”

Your brows furrowed. “ What do you mean?”

Young-il shrugged. “ Me and him—we made a deal. That if it ever came down to you being caught between us…we’d share you. As long as you gave us consent. No fighting. No jealousy. Just…trust.”

Gi-hun took your hand, kissing your knuckles gently. “ Your choice was all we were waiting for. And now we have it.”

You looked between them, stunned. “ You two really planned this?”

Young-il leaned in, eyes burning with mischief and something deeper. “ We didn’t plan to fall for you. That just happened.”

Gi-hun smiled, softer. “ But we agreed…we wouldn’t make you choose. We’d just love you. Together.”

Your heart swelled. A tear slipped down your cheek—not from fear, or confusion—but from relief.

Because somehow, in the middle of chaos, bloodshed, and danger…

You found two men who were ready to love you completely.

And for the first time in this deadly game…

You didn’t feel like a pawn.

You felt like the prize.

…

You were laughing softly, the sound fragile but real, as Gi-hun cradled your hand in his. The two of you sat close, tangled in warmth and shared relief, the remnants of chaos and desire slowly ebbing into something calm—something tender.

“ I swear, the way you looked at me earlier—like you were gonna cry and pounce at the same time.” Gi-hun teased, his smile soft and teasing.

You chuckled, nudging his shoulder. “ And you were whimpering more than I was.” You shot back playfully, cheeks flushed.

Neither of you noticed the faint click of the door.

The bathroom door cracked open just enough to let in a sliver of cold, sterile hallway light—and Young-il was there, standing tall in the frame.

His expression was unreadable. Blank. Cold.

The warmth in the room didn’t reach his eyes now.

He kept his body positioned precisely, blocking your view from whoever was standing on the other side. You didn’t even look up—too wrapped up in the small cocoon you and Gi-hun had built in the wreckage.

From behind Young-il, a low voice murmured something—muffled, but firm.

A Square guard.

“ The 30 minute lights out is over, sir. Area is secure. We’ve cleared the bodies. Survivors are staying to their beds. Orders?”

You would’ve frozen if you’d heard it. But you didn’t. Neither of you did. Because Young-il simply nodded once, calm and precise.

“ Proceed as normal…” He said flatly. “ Tell the others I’ll return soon.”

“ Yes, sir.”

The door shut again, soundlessly.

Young-il stood there for a moment longer, his hand still on the doorknob, back turned to you. The soft sound of your laughter still echoed behind him.

When he turned around, the mask he wore melted away—back to the same Young-il who had worshiped and wrecked you only moments ago. But there was something else lingering in his gaze now—something that wasn’t there before.

Power.

He looked at you—how your legs draped over Gi-hun’s lap, your flushed skin glowing under the soft flickering light, your lips swollen from kisses and moans—and something deep within his chest coiled.

He stepped back into the space, his voice smooth and calm. “ It’s safe now. We can leave whenever you’re ready.”

You smiled at him, unaware. “ Already? That was fast.”

He nodded, brushing his dark hair back, the faintest curve on his lips. “ I saw it. Guards carrying the dead bodies of the players and the lights are finally back..”

Gi-hun looked up at him, relaxed. “ Damn…”

You didn’t question it. Not then. Not yet.

Because in your eyes, Young-il was the fierce, possessive man who couldn’t get enough of you. The one who touched you like you were sacred. The one who stood side by side with Gi-hun to protect you.

What you didn’t know…

He wasn’t just a player.

He wasn’t just a lover.

And he wasn’t just another man broken by the game.

He was the one who built it.

The chaos, the violence, the rules—the very arena of suffering and desire that had pulled you into its web…

It was his design.

And you had just given your heart—and body—to the man behind the curtain.

“Come on (name)! Hurry up! We ain’t got all day!” You sigh in annoyance as you look towards your friends and yell back, “I’m coming jeez! Jeez, give me a second okay!”

Your friends look at you with an annoyed expression but shrug it off. You carefully pull your luggage out from the trunk of the rental car you all rode in.

Honestly, it was already exhausting enough having to fly in a plane for 6-7 hours straight and the worst part is, is that you didn’t get one ounce of sleep thanks to your friend's snoring.

So not only are you physically exhausted but you're mentally as well. Just great.

You sigh in relief as your finally able to get your last piece of luggage out of the van.

you close the trunk door and decide to observe the scenery around you. It’s magnificent, you think to yourself.

From the tall yellow-like grass to the crops growing nearby filled with vegetables and fruits.

Then there are colorful flowers of all types surrounding the other side of the field, each being carefully taken care of to the fullest extent.

It mesmerized you To be honest, you've never seen anything this beautiful before, the only extent is the park in the middle of your city and even that can never compare to what you are looking at right now. No wonder people say Sweden is one of the most beautiful places to be because it hasn't been tainted by technology.

The sun reflects down onto you and you can feel the heat radiating off of your skin, but luckily there is a strong breeze to soothe that heat, it's perfect weather today you think to yourself as you continue to admire the fields surrounding around you and your friends, it seems like its endless.

“(name)! Get your ass over here! We ain't got time to dilly dally.” your friend says in an annoyed tone.

You snap out of your trance-like gaze and look towards your three friends, you sigh in annoyance as you pick up your backpack and suitcase and walk over back towards them.

“finally took you long enough.” your friend Mia says in annoyance scanning your form in a scrutinizing gaze, she was always the more moody one out of your group of friends, always having a stick up her ass.

She had dark brown curly hair and hazel irises with freckles littering her tan-like face, she was mostly slender having some curves here and there. “sorry I just got distracted by the scenery.”

you mumble annoyed at her attitude, Mia rolls her eyes, and states

“whatever let's get a move on before it hits sundown I want to get this shit over with anyways.”

Your two other friends Jacob and Cady nod reluctantly cady has long ginger hair with freckles and brown eyes while Jacob has dark brown hair with blue eyes and a more slim build.

and thus began your walk down the fields toward the desolate forest ahead.

“Mia, do you even know where we are going? Did the professor even provide us a map at all?”

you ask nervously having this gut feeling that nothing good is going to come ahead but maybe it's just a feeling.

You haven't really traveled outside of the U.S before so maybe it's just the anxiety of being in new places?

“yes actually i do know where we are going, don't be such a scardy pants and yes the professor sent me the map since I am the team leader.”

she taunts you sigh rolling your eyes at her cocky behavior.

You four continue down the long rocky path which results in you taking a look at the surrounding forest.

The forest honestly had humongous trees well bigger than the trees you've seen before when growing up, which caused the tree's height to block out most of the sunlight.

The rocky terrain your walking on looks worn down like it's been used for years which it probably has. What amazes you the most is how many flowers and wildlife are in the forest your walking through.

Youve honestly never seen so many animals in your life just from being here for liek 30 minutes it truly impresses you.

You occasionally glance at some of the logs or cut-down tree stumps next to the path finding interest in whatever inhabitants are abiding in it.

But you shake your head trying not to get to side tracked while you're here.

You're not here to explore the forest or play with the wildlife your here to work, so that's what you're going to do.

After a least an hour of walking and complaining from Cady you four finally arrive at what looks to be like a wooden gate with two strange-looking people standing in front of it with spears and animal like mask?

Okay well that's very creepy, “what the fuck”

you heard your friend jason mutter in absolute disbelief. It seems he was just a shocked as you but it seems like mia is paying no mind to it as she flaunts towards the gait confidently looking over the two guards and their appearance, you do the same but from a safe distance.

They both seem like males that's for sure from their muscular build to the lack of clothing they are wearing, it seems they are wearing on robes with metal plates on their shoulders acting as a shield.

What you also take notice of is both of them have a wolf mask.

What is even more strange, one of the guards has long wavy blonde hair while the other has short dirty blonde hair. Maybe there siblings?

You shake your head trying to rid your thoughts before you start to overthinking, you refocus back on the scene of Mia trying to flirt with the blonde-haired guard.

Which makes your two other friends sigh in annoyance at her behavior.

You three walk over to where mia is standing infront of the two guards, cady then clears he throat in annoyance

“you done mia so we can get a move on?” mia sighs at cady comments and nods her head

“yes in fact i am done i was just conversing with these two gentleman~ here but they've been ignoring me like a brick wall! And the worst part is, is that they won't even let me in!” mia states dramatically, whining like a puny child.

This causes Cady and Jacob to raise their eyebrow in confusion at her statement of not allowing her inside.

“they won’t? Why the hell not did you tell them that we came here for the research paper? Surely the professor notified the community of our arrival right?” Jacob states in pure bewilderment.

“I don't fucking know I tried to tell them! But nothing seems to go through to them! Like i said their brick walls!”

Mia states loudly which causes you to flinch from her tone of voice which of course your friends don't notice as they start to argue acting as if they arent just talking about the guards in front of them.

You sigh ignoring your friend's argument as you decide to step forward toward the two guards

“Hello there! Me and my friends here are here for a research project on your community, i don't know if you are aware of it or not? But could you please let us in?”

You state nervously, finally the guards look towards you and examine you like your a piece of prey, which unnerves you, to say the least.

But what surprises you the most is when the blonde-haired one speaks.

“So you are the one’s the great one has spoken about”

the blonde man states looking at you with a blank and unnerving expression behind the mask not that you could see or notice it though.

“I-i um yes?” you say confused about who the great one is.

The guards notice this and nod reaching to unlock the wooden gate this of course catches the attention of your arguing friends.

They turn to look at the two guards and you with a surprised look but quickly school it to a neutral one not wanting to piss the guards off.

When the gate finally opens to another pathway straight ahead your friends take this opportunity to push past you and the guards and enter the community.

Of course, this startles you to some degree but you quickly are able to reign your cool.

You then quickly thank the guards before rushing after your three friends.

This action very much surprises the guards having been used to rude and disrespectful behavior from “outsiders” so you doing behaving the opposite of disrespectfully is surprising to both guards but it also is nice that there are at least still some good people out there in the corrupted world outside of their sanctuary, its refreshing to say the least.

You sigh tiredly as you finally catch up with your three friends as they continue to walk down the more clean path.

You all finally make it towards what looks like a town square with a fountain in the middle and multiple other houses around it.

The houses look like they are made out of wood with a brick-like roof on the top of most of the houses. Strange you thought to yourself as you continued to examine the center of the community.

But you finally snapped out of your thoughts when Jacob nudges you in the shoulder to grab your attention. Which causes you to turn to look at him curiously.

That's when you notice the multiple stares directed at you and your friends.

You then look towards the source of those stares and find yourself faced with multiple people surrounding you and your friends, all of them having animal-like masks on.

But what catches your attention the most is the tall lady at the center of the people surrounding you.

She seems to be at least 6 feet tall with her long chocolate-like brown hair flowing down her back with her being nothing but dressed in a pure white dress with golden patterns to it that reaches her feet.

That's when you notice she's barefoot as well.

Strange you think to yourself but you snap out of your thoughts again when the lady clears her throat.

“hello their visitors you must be the foreigners our leader has spoken of, we are enlightened to be in your presence i hope you have a wonderful stay here. I will have one of our members show you towards your sleeping quarters.”

and with that before you and your friends coil question her at all she takes her lead with some of the community members following suit behind her.

“That was strange” Cady muttered anxiously “Yeah no shit” Mia states looking at the community members in a scrutinizing gaze.

You sigh ignoring your friends' spiteful comments, you then hear someone clear their throat which stops your friend's rant.

“if you all are done, I will be showing you to your sleeping quarters.”

you then gaze at the person speaking in a monotone like voice and are met with a tall slim man dressed in a similar fashion to the other community members just with a cow like mask to his face.

Your friends clearly embarrassed clear their throats and mutter a quick apology before returning their gazes to the man.

The man nods approvingly paying them no mind as he starts to walk down the town square, towards where you four will presumably be staying.

You and your friends follow after him at a steady pace.

Of course, you are more distracted than your other three friends, with the agriculture the community has to offer.

This annoys your friends of course but they do not say anything about it.

You four continue to walk down the cement path trailing behind the man. You all start to walk more towards the outskirts area of the community.

after a few more minutes of walking you four come face to face with a cabin-like structure that’s smaller than the houses the community has to offer.

It has a rustic type look with cobwebs poking out on the outside of the porch.

The porch in itself looks like it could've seen better days with some chipped wood poking out with dents on it.

It clearly looks like it has not had inhabitants for years now.

The condition of the cabin causes your friends especially Mia to grimace in disgust.

“Is this seriously what we have to stay in!” Mia states loudly, glaring at the man.

This causes the man to turn back towards her looking at her as if she's a spec of dirt underneath his shoe.

“Would you like to say that again?” he says coldly which causes Mia to flinch as she stutters out “I-I u-um N-never m-mind.”

the man then scoffs but pays her no mind as he walks towards the cabin.

You sigh as you reluctantly follow after him with your three shell-shocked friends. You both stand behind him as he unlocks the door with a wooden-like key, he opens it and motions you all to step inside.

Mia then sighs and steps inside first followed by cady and josh then yourself once you enter you take a good look at the interior presented in front of you.

Its old thats for sure from the rustic interior and the dusty floor all the way to the cobwebs littering the place with broken furniture and a animal like rug placed infront of the living room randomly.

Alomsot like someone didint even want to bother to atleast hide it or place it correctly.

Mia sneers at the predicament clearly unsatisfied with the conditions presented to her. “What the fuck is this shit show?”

she esclaims loudly which causes you to flinch at her loud outburst which doesnt go unnoticed by the man.

He glares at her disapproingly “i suggest you lower your voice and watch your language young lady that is no way to speak to your elders.”

he says calmly but with a hint of annoyance to his tone.

Mia looks baffled by the way he is treating her like some sort of child which of course angers her causing her face to heat up in embarrassment.

Cady and jacob start giggling at her sudden embarrassment finding it amusing that their friend is getting put in her place. You sigh at mia’s obvious childish behavior.

“I apologize for mia’s childish behavior she shouldnt have acted out like that.’”

you say with a tired tone looking at the man waiting for at least a irritated or unbothered response instead your surprised when his gaze softens towards you “oh its alright honey you friends are vert rumbunchs but nothing that we can’t handle”

he says softly with an almost fatherly look in his eyes from what you can tell.

This causes you to flinch not used to nicknames you stutter out an embarsset response which of course he notices and chuckles in amusement.

“your a shy thing arent ya? It’s very cute.” he says in a playful tone which causes you to blush in embarrassment.

Your friends awkwardly stand by as the conversation between you and the man unfolds, Mia then butts in and clears her throat before looking at the man “I think we're fine here its starting to get dark and we still have to unpack.”

she states in an annoyed tone clearly not wanting to be around the man any longer than she had to.

This of course disappoints you having enjoyed the man's company but you push the feelings aside.

The man turns around again to face mia and stares at her indifferently “Very well then have a good night and please if you all need anything, just ask you are our guests after all,”

he says in a dark tone which causes shivers to run up your spine but you shake it.

finally the man exists through the front door leaving you and your friends in a tense silence.

“Well, that was creepy.” Cady says with a nervous tone to her voice.

Jacob nods his head in agreement “Yeah no fucking kidding this whole place is giving off bad vibes and the way they talk to us is patronizing.”

Jacob said in an annoyed tone clearly irritated by the whole ordeal.

“let's calm down okay? How about we start unpacking our stuff and get a good look at this place?”

i say with a skittish tone trying to calm down the clearly pliable tension.

“Fine whatever” cady states as she puts her duffle bag and suitcase on the ground and moves towards the kitchen.

Jacob does the same following behind Cady which leaves you and Mia alone.

“Mia you okay?” I say in a worried tone not used to Mia being so quiet throughout the whole ordeal. “ yeah I'm fine.”

she says in an annoyed tone which causes you to flinch.

It doesn't go unnoticed by Mia as she smirks in response, she then turns around towards the old couches and places her backpack, duffle bag, and suitcase on the dusty couch.

You sigh setting down your luggage near hers as you decide to explore, not wanting to make the tension worse.

You decided on going down the hallway nearest to the kitchen, deciding its the best option to explore first. You could find some bedrooms, This cabin is pretty big after all.

You sigh as you slowly start to trudge down the dark hallway you finally approach what looks to be an old door clearly worn down from the lack of usage.

You reach your hand out to grab the door nob but before you can you hear a loud bang coming from the kitchen which causes you to jump in surprise. You rush back towards the kitchen panting.

“What was that noise what happened.” you say in worry, only for Cady and Jacob to laugh.

“jeez such a scardy pants, aren't you? Dont worry, Jacob just accidentally dropped the pan we were gonna use to cook.”

Cady says in a teasing tone while she playfully smacks Jacob on the shoulder. Jacob sighs, annoyed and glares at her which earns another laugh from Cady.

You sigh in relief “s-sorry just something about this place keeps me on edge,” you say as you try to laugh it off to lighten the atmosphere.

Which of course doesn’t work as Cary shakes her head In Amusement before turning back around to start cooking.

You sigh in annoyance as you leave the kitchen, deciding to at least find a bedroom you can lie in, completely forgetting about the door you were previously going to open.

You walk down the opposite hallway and finally find one of the bedrooms, which is pretty extravagant to say the least compared to the rest of the house.

You look at it in shock, from the pure red blood bed sheets with golden tips to the golden headboard with silver butterfly piercings indented into it.

Then, there's the pure white carpet placed in the center of the room. Finally, there is a wooden closet at the end of the room.

You gasp in shock at how pretty it is before taking notice of the basket of fruit placed directly on the bed. You tilt your head in confusion before finally entering the room.

You approach the basket placed on the bed and finally take notice on a note placed next to it, written in another language.

Whatever you think to yourself as you decide, you should show the rest of your friends the basket.

“Hey guys I found this basket in one of the bedrooms!”

You say as you finally enter the kitchen, which causes Cady and Jacob to turn their heads towards me in curiosity. “Oh, you did What's in it? Let me see,”

Jacob says as he snatches the basket from your hands and searches through it.

Cady sighs in annoyance at his eager behavior.

“Damn it theirs nothing interesting in here just a bunch of fruit and crap.” jacob sighs in annoyance and throws the basket back towards me which causes me to stumble and catch it.

Cady glares at jacob “ stop being an ass jacob” jacob rolls his eyes and mumbkes a whatever before getting back to cooking with cady.

You sigh as you exit the kitchen and enter the living room. You place down the basket next to Mia.

you notice her annoyed expression. “Whats wrong Mia?” mia look towards you and shakes her head in defeat “i cant get any damn service out here!”

you chuckle at her whining behavior in return she pouts towards you but finally takes notice of the basket next to you both “whats that?” she says as she points towards the basket.

“It's just something I found in one of the bedrooms I came across while exploring i dont think it has anything interesting in it all it has is fresh fruit.”

Mia sighs and nods before standing up to grab her backpack and open her laptop and grab her papers.

“since dinner's cooking do you wanna help me fill out these papers, the professor said we had to document everything so might as well start.”

you nod your head in agreement mumbling a sure before being handed a few papers to help fill out.

Finally, for what seems like an hour, cady comes back towards you both to inform you guys dinner is ready which causes you and Mia to sigh in relief.

You both make your way towards the kitchen, which has four plates of pasta placed out on the counter for you all to grab you and mia mutter a thanks as you make you way back towards the couch to coutinue your work, which leaves Cady and Jacob to eat together.

After three more hours of work you and mia finally completed the worksheets needed for today sighing in relief you then state

“I’m going to go and get ready for bed ill see you tommrow mia, dont try and overwork yourself okay? You need to get rest as well since we have a busy day tomorrow.”

mia sighs in annoyance at your worry and nods “yeah yeah dont worry about me just get to bed sleepy head”

you sigh at her nickname and nod your head in amusement as you rab your luggage from the couch and make your way to one of the bedrooms in the cabin.

You pass Jacobs and Cady's room, them having already fallen asleep beforehand.

You finally approach the bedroom you explored beforehand, having decided you'll just sleep in there for the night.

But before you can enter, you hear a strange noise coming from inside,which causes you to halt in your footsteps.

Suddenly, you feel like you're being watched, which causes a shiver to go down your spine. You shake off the feeling before finally entering the bedroom again.

You place down your luggage next to the wooden closet. You sigh as you crouch down next to your suitcase and open it to grab a fresh pair of pajamas and your medication for the night.

You finally finish changing as you hop into bed, laying down on the plush pillows You reluctantly try to fall asleep.

You still feel like you're being watched, but this time, you can't brush the feeling off, which heightens your anxiety.

But after an hour of staying awake, you finally fall asleep only to be woken up again by the noise of the door to the bedroom being opened, which causes you to freeze, you then hear quiet footsteps approach your bed which causes you to hold your breath silently.

You then feel a cold hand on your forehead caressing you like a parent would to your child as the figure starts to hum a soft lullaby which reluctantly causes you to drift back asleep.

But before you fall asleep you hear one last word from the person “dont worry baby youll be home soon.” but before you can process the words you fall asleep.

You yawn as you open your eyes to the sun drifting into the room through the slightly cracked window placed next to your bed.

You rub your eyes in exhaustment as you sit up to look around in the room. What catches your attention though is the piece stuffed animal placed next to your bedside table.

You widden your eyes at the plush lamb finding it absolutely cute your carefully pick it up and inspect it before placing it down on your bed deciding to keep it.

You stand up from the bed ad yawn walking towards your suitcase to grab your clothes.

You finally finish changing and step out of your bedroom as you walk towards the kitchen were jacob and cady are up conversing while mia is doing her makeup in the living room.

“Hey sleepyhead did you sleep well?”

cady says in amusement which causes you to nod hesotantly still thinking abou the events that happened last night.

“well we got a busy day today so you better be prepared to walk alot!”

jacob says as he bites out of a piece of bacon presented on the counters which you nod in agreement.

Mia finally exits the living room “are you guys ready to go? I already have the gear ready so we can document.” you, cady and jacob nod in agreement.

You then go towards the living room to grab some of the gear with the help of Jacob and cady.

You all then exit the cabin and walk down the same long pathway towards the town square of the community.

You sigh in relief as you all finally enter the twon square which causes the commonity members to stare at you all as you enter.

“what’s first on the list of stuff we have to do?” you ask in curiosity “well first we have to gather information on the resources they grow and make here so maybe we hould interview some of the farmers first?”

mia says qustionly, you nod your head in agreement. Jacob and Cady also nod their head, agreeing with Mia.

“alright then, off to the fields we go!” mia says as she approaches a female wearing a lamb mask. “excuse me Ms. if you dont mind could you point us in the direction of the feilds were the farmers work?” mia asks confidently which causes the female to nod and point ahead downanother path.

Mia mutters a thank you and walks off. You three follow behind her as you examine your surroundings.

But you can't help but feel like you're being watched again, which causes you to look around frantically, paranoia creeping up on you.

Finally, after a long walk, you four make it to the grass fields were some community members farm fruit and vegetables. This amazes you, to say the least, on how much effort these people put in to keep the community afloat.

“Okay, (name) you can stay here while we go and interview some of the farmers. Don't wander off, okay?”

You nod in agreement as your friends walk ahead and leave you on your own. But something catches your attention.

A community member struggling with a basket of fruit. You rush over to help her with the basket as you help her put it down.

Then you take notice of how old she looks and a worry look crosses your face.

“oh well thank you dearie for the help my old back hasnt been like it used to be when i was younger.” the woman says in a motherly tone smiling warmly at you behind the tiger mask over her face.

“Its no problem, ma’am im just glad i could help. Is your back okay?” you say in a worried tone. Which causes her to chuckle in amusement. “Oh, im perfectly fine dearie ive been through worse but i do appreciate your help this is the first time outsiders have been as nice as you.” you stare at her in confusion at her statement which causes her tone to turn solemnly.

“we haven’t had the best experience with outsiders as a whole. There have been few that have been here before hand that werent the nicest but of course, we took care of them!”

you look at her sympathetically, but her last sentence catches you off guard. What could she have meant by that? But before you could ask her, she was already walking away.

You sigh in annoyance but shrug it off, deciding to sit down in the grass fields and wait patiently for your friends to return. Hopefully, they’ll be back soon, you think to yourself as you gaze up at the sun.

fiddling with the dandelion in your hand as you slowly start to doze off. But before you could fully fall aslee,p you feel a small tug on your shirt.

And you're surprised to be faced with a child no older than 6 sitting next to you and fiddling with your shirt. You hadn't even heard him approach you. But you smile softly at him, which causes the little boy to flinch.

From what you can tell, he has strawberry-blonde hair and blue eyes with the same white dress that you see all the other members wear he also wears a bird like mask on his face.

“hi, little one do you need something?” you say in an affectionate tone.

You always did have a soft spot for kids. He looks up at you in wonder before muttering, “I... I like your s-shirt,” he says timidly, which causes you to soften your gaze at his timid nature.

You carefully pick him up and set him in your lap.

He continues to fiddle with your shirt as he cuddles against you, which causes you to chuckle as you comb your fingers through his silky soft hair.

He cuddles closer to you before finally falling asleep. The scene just looks to serene and feels so peaceful.

You don't remember the last time you felt like this. Felt at peace.

But of course that peace has to be interrupted at some point as your about to close your eyes, you hear the talking if your friends as they approach you.

I guess they finished you think to yourself.

The noise causes the little boy to wake up in confusion but when he sees your friends approaching his grip on your shirt tightens as he galres at them This suprises you of course.

Your friends stop in their tracks as they quietly wisper to each other but to break the tense silence,e you wave them over.

They hesitantly approach causing the little boy to glare even more,e but he still grips onto your shirt.

“hey guys, are you done doing interviews with the farmers?” you say hesitantly trying to ease the tension forming. “yeah, we finished.” Jacob says sharply, and you can sense hes on edge, which causes you to furrow your brows in concern.

“Did something happen? You all seem..tense.” you say in concern as you inspect them. “Well-” but before Jacob could finish what he was saying Mia interrupted him sending a glare to jacob “nothing happened, so you dont need to worry now lets continue our interview so we can get it done before the so-called banquet we were invited to tonight.”

Mia says in a snipped tone clearly not wanting to waste any more time. You flinch at her harsh tone and nod reluctantly in agreement.

Your flinch doesn't go unnoticed by the little boy though as he glares even harder at your friends.

Of course, this goes unnoticed by you, but your friends do clearly notice and their shoulders tense at the harsh glare the boy is receiving to them.

You grab the little boy and place him off of your lap and stand up and dust the grass off your clothes. This causes the boy to pout behind the mask, having wanted to stay next to you a little more longer. But he doesn't voice this because he doesn't want to upset you, you ruffle his hair as you turn to face your friends as you happily converse with them.

But unnoticed to you the boy is having an inner turmoil of his own. Why do they have to capture your attention.

You shouldnt even be looking in their direction your friends are just a waste of space, not worthy of your presence because your his, his sister and he would be damned to let these insects ruin that.

Mama always have said outsiders are nasty people and now hes starting to believe it. But he hopes you can stay here forever with him and the community. Hes sure youd be very very happy.

Plus it's not like you’d miss your own boring life anyways right? You could have everything you need here. A loving community that is ready to do whatever it takes to keep you. And he hopes that that's what his community decides to do. Because he wants you to stay no matter what it takes.

You're extremely tired after four long hours of interviews and interactions with the other community members, you're finally glad the banquet came around the corner faster than expected because you were starting to grow extremely hungry.

Of course you weren’t the only one you noticed how antsy Jacob has been getting, clearly he’s hungry as well.

But the strange is that the little boy from earlier has been following you like a lost puppy which is cute of course but it still bothers you that his parents havent come looking for him at all and when you asked him he just said

“mama and papa are just busy! But thdey know im safe!” which of course has you smiling in relief but you still held that sense of worry.

As the hours stretched on your finally learnt his name, it was Abner. It was a cute name to say the least. But back to the present at hand, you four finally finished all interview needed for the first day and were getting ready for the banquet at 9:00. Which of course, Mia told us we had to dress “presentable” whatever the hell that means.

Of course, you didnt pack anything presentable to her standards so you opted for a black dress shirt and some formal pants with sneakers.

You sigh in contempt as you finally finish brushing out your hair and styling it.

You then exit your room. Then head towards the living room to wait for the rest of your friends to finish getting ready. You then spot jacob already dressed and ready to go as he scrolls on his phone.

Your smile softens when yo see him you then take a seat next to him on the old couch. He notices your presence and smirks “ look at you all fancy looking you look hot.” he jokes as you nudge him in the shoulder, playfully muttering a shut up.

After 30 more minutes of waiting Mia and Cady finally enter the room in ruffles dresses and high heels you sigh and roll your eyes at their so called “presentable outfit” “that’s what you all are gonna wear its not a ball you know?” you say jokily which earns you a galre from Mia and a scoff.

You chuckle again, putting your hands up in mock surrender but before mia could respond cady cuts in.

“stop teasing okay? We have to get a move on so we wont be late we are meeting with the leaders of this so called community. So we have to make a good impresion so we can get as much information as possible so we can pass this extra credit.”

Cady states sternly which causes you all to nod your heads reluctantly in agreement. Not wanting to argue any further you and jacob stand up and make your way to the front door ready to go, cady and mia follow behind you two.

You four exit the cabin and make you way down the path leading towards the community center. You look up towards the moon shining down on all of you.

You’ve always been fascinated by the moon and how it reflects. In your opinion, you say its absolutely beautiful everything about this place is beautiful

Finally, after minutes of walking, you all arrive at the community center and walk towards another pathway leading towards the great hall, an imposing structure that is made out of wood.

After 5 minutes of walking, you all finally arrived at the entrance of the great hall You can see the light peeking out from the large imposing door.

You four walk up the wooden stairs, and Jacob opens the wooden door allowing you three to enter in first.

Mia goes in first then cady, then you as you finally enter the great hall you are in awe at the scenery and design of the place.

From the flower decorations hung up on the walls to the candles and fruits then their is white tablecloth placed on the tables with a bunch of fresh food.

From chicken and beef to vegetables and fruit. All sorts of varieties littered the table which makes your mouth water and your stomach grumble in hunger.

You then take notice of the statue of a naked man standing at the end of the room with a large star like window placed behind him.

It's amazing how people who only depended on natural resources could make all of this happen.

Then you noticed the hundreds, maybe thousands of stairs boring into your back. You look around, finally noticing the community members are not only staring at your friends but specifically at you. Which creeps you out, to say the least.

But what shocks you even more is the 6 imposing figures placed infront of the imposing statue placed infront of the star window. To say they are intimidating is an underestimating it, they loom absolutely terrifying.

But one of the members you recognize as the pretty lady from yesterday which makes you widen your eyes in shock. She catches your gaze a smiles softly standing up to approach you.

You stagger back in shock to shocked to speak “hello its nice to see you again foreigner i would like to request that you join us for supper our leader would like to formally meet you as well as our officials.”

You look at her in shock but realize that you don't have any room for argument, noticing the serious tone her voice holds.

So, with a heavy heart, you nod in agreement, which causes her to light up and smile warmly. She grabs your arm and pulls you forward which causes you to stagger back.

But you reluctantly follow her to the table she pulls the chair out for you and allows you to sit down next to a very tall man. She then takes her seat next to you

“our leader will be here very soon so please dont mind his tartiness. Oh! I never got to introduce myself! My name is Ezra! Whats your name little one.” you pause deciding whether or not it would be a good idea to tell her but you decide to.

“My name is (name).” you say timidly, which causes the female to coo at your shy nature. Which causes you to blush in embarrassment with earns a chuckle from the other 5 officals. Which makes you blush even more in embarrassment.

But before you could respond a the great hall door slams opens as the gaurds from yesterday are stationed next it, bowing to what seems like a very large man maybe 7 feet tall? With long dark white hair that looks almost unnatural, he is wearing something totally different a robe with golden pattern designs with black dress shoes with golden designs as well.

He wears a bear mask, and from what you can tell, he is very muscular and has baby-blue eyes.

This unnerves you, to say the least. He's very intimidating, with a golden robe hanging off the side of his shoulder, and his steps seem precise and planned.

This also unnerves your friends as they glance nervously at you. But you notice the man is staring right at you. His eyes bore into your very soul with an intensity that is so extreme that it makes you uncomfortable. What is his problem?

You think to yourself, nervously picking at your skin as the man approaches with steady footsteps, as all the community members stand up to bow before his presence like he's some sort of god.

This unnerves you even more as his eyes continue to bore into you, analyzing every twitch and breath you make.

Finally he arrives at your table, standing right infront of you, ezra then stands up and bows the official sitting on the right of you does the same thing so does the other four officials.

But he doesn't respond to their formal behavior as he continues to stare at you motionlessly as you anziously pick at your skin.

He then reaches out and imoblizes your wrist from continuing to pick at your skin this leaves you in shock as you freeze in anxiety.

You can clearly see the size difference between the two of you. His hand can fit fully around your wrist like he could easily snap it at any time which scares you to say the least.

His intimidating frame adds even more to the tense atmosphere “ dont do that anymore child; you'll hurt your delicate skin, and we dont want that do we?” he says in a very soft tone which surprises you to say the least, not expecting his voice to sound so soft and velvety.

Which comforts you to some extent that hes not trying to intentionally scare you.

But he keeps a form hand on your wrist letting you know that he won't be letting go of it any time soon.

“I-i just do it out of habit i cant really control it sometimes when im really anxious.” you mutter timidly, not daring to face his gaze as he stares intently into you.

His gaze softens slightly, and he rubs circles into your wrist to soothe your growing anxiety.

Which doesn't exactly work as you can still feel him staring into you, including all the community members and your friends.

You’ve never liked being the center of attention so you're surprised you haven't gone into a full blown anxiety attack right now.

Maybe it's the way he's trying to ground you that prevents that from happening. You don't know, and you don't care you just want to get this over with so you can get back into that comfy bed and sleep.

But before you can dwell on the thoughts plaguing your mind you feel the mans hand let go of your wrist. He turns around to look at everyone else with a calculating look before that look softens to a more serene expression. “ let the feast begin!” he shouts.

He then walks over towards the seat standing right next to the statue. The chair looks more like a throne than anything with its golden pattern designs and the red velvet texture to it, you would think a king would sit on it.

You sigh as you snap out of your thoughts when a plate of food is placed infront of you with apple juice? The food looks absoulty delicious on your part.

From the perifcally roasted beaf with mash potatoes and vegetables on the side to the white rice with chicken in it. Damn you mutter under your breath as your mouth starts to salvate.

But then you take a look around and notice all the adults oncluding your freinds got some type of alcoholic beverage but you just got apple juice.

Thats weird you think to yourself but shrug it off not wanting to dwell on something not worth your time.

You start to dig into your food quickly which causes ezra to chuckle in amusement a she Coos at you.

“Don't eat so fast honey, we don't want you to choke do we?” this causes you to blush I. Emmbaresment putting your hea down in shame which causes her to chuckle even more. But when you took a sip of th apple juice it tasted very sour.

Which is weird but you shrug it off not bothering to worry about it but before you could take another bite, the chattering decreased in the great hall as the leader stans up to approach the center of the room, this of course catches your attention instantly.

“Brothers, and sisters daughters and mothers, fathers and sons tonight our banquet has been honored by the cesilatial god himself to bestow us and our community a blessing and so to thank him we will preform our ceremonial sacrificial ritual for our god and our guests as a thanks.”

he says in a soothing tone and you can tell his voice has a deep effect on these people her from their adoring looks to their devotion you can feel radiating off of them. It awes and unnerves you at the same time.

But what do they mean by a sacrafical ritual?

You think to yourself as you anxiety starts to grow. You look towards you friends who are sitting at a table near you and you also notice their anxious expressions.

But before you could dwell more on your thoughst the great hall door opens as two of the guards carry in a struggling woman.

Which makes you widen your eyes in shock and horror. The guards put down the woman oto the cement like structure of the statue and tie her in place.

Then you notice another community member come in with a large tray of candles a book and a dagger.

This unnerves you even more as you start to shakinly pick at your skin from the growing anxiety creeping up onto you.

What the fuck…what the fuck are they going to do to that poor woman. You think to yourself as you stare in horror at her as she screams and struggles and pleads.

This causes you to close your eyes and put your hands over your ears. You take shaking breaths as you feel an oncoming panic attack. But of course your friends don’t notice or are to shocked to care.

You return you sight to the scenes I front of you as the woman pleads but it falls on death ear as the leader grabs the dagger from the tray

“låt dem vara ljusa och låt vår gud ge dig gåvan av evigt stycke unge” he says to the woman before impaling the dagger in her lower stomach then into her right breast and finally into her forehead the blood from the stand leaks out of her lifeless limp body onto the floor.

You feel like your going to throw up as the community members stand up to clap in celebration like what he did was completely normal.

And you can’t hold it back anymore you dip down and realealse all what was in your stomach to begin with. You gag at the smell and pant feeling tears rolling down your eyes. Then you notice everyone is looking at you now again.

You need to get out of here now you think to yourself as you eyes look up towards your friends who are as equally shocked and disturbed at what took place.

But before you could say or do anything you feel the tightening hold of Ezra rubbing your back soothingly this disturbed you even more at how calm she could be when just witnessing a murder!

You can’t seem to wrap your head around it and your heart is pounding so fast you think you’d have a heart attack any second and maybe that would be for the better because you don’t know what’s going to happen next and you don’t want to find out.

You just need to get out of here now no matter what it takes you refuse to die.