Shadow 🎀

After sneaking into the vents in the bathroom, you had been crawling for what felt like forever. Spotting a vent cover, you look down beneath you. Rows of guards wearing aprons lined up side by side, stirring large pots of what you recognised as dalgona. They worked in unison, stirring, pouring and stamping with varied shapes. Could it be the next game…?

Your studying of the scene down below is interrupted as some dust flows through the vent, causing your throat to itch. You try your best to hold back a cough and stay silent, the irritation proving too much as the sound echoes within the cramped vent. You pause immediately, holding your breath as you look down. You knew if you were caught you’d likely be killed.

A mask with a circle print stares up at you blankly, peering through the vent cover above the pots. Even through a mask, you can tell they’re locking eyes with you. Anxiety builds in your chest, someone knew you were up there…

The other guards continue to work, oblivious to your presence watching over them silently. The sole guard to see you had their attention pulled away, a triangle guard signifying the end of their shift. They exit the kitchen, a line of circle guards hanging up their aprons and filing out of the room. You wait nervously for the last guard to leave, but they simply hang up their apron and look back up at you through the vent.

Just as you’re about to crawl back to the bathroom, you see them wave you down. Arms outstretched, ready for you to land in after you give up and jump down. Pulling back the vent cover, you slip through the opening, falling right into their open arms. They barely move, your weight meaning nothing to their strong physique. Crossing your arms, you make it clear you aren’t afraid of them or what they’ll do. They don’t even have a gun, what’s to fear, right?

The guard looks down at you, shaking their head disapprovingly as they set you down. Placing their hands on their hips, they make a clear show of looking you up and down, noting your features and the curves of your body through your uniform. You had left the thick jacket behind, wearing just the t-shirt and sweatpants to crawl through the vent more easily. You glare up at them, brow furrowed as you watch them stare at you.

“Hey! I’m not afraid of you. What are you gonna do? Tattle on me to a triangle?” You mock, puffing your chest in an attempt to make yourself look scarier. “Yeah, that’s what I thought! You’re just gonna stand there like a… like a wimp!”

The guard watches you yell, listening as you try and think of an insult. You’re adorable. Bratty, but adorable. That attitude just won’t do, you need someone to remind you of your position here…

They step forward, towering above you. Grabbing your shoulders, they spin you around to face the wall, pressing you against it easily. Pulling your hands behind your back, they hold you in place. You feel your cheeks heat up, a blush spreading over your face as you’re manhandled by the tall guard behind you. It felt weirdly good, the hands around your wrists not allowing you to struggle. The attention felt good, even if you were trying to be angry.

Tilting their mask up ever so slightly, they lean over you, large body pressing against your frame. Their head finds your neck, pressing hot kisses against the sensitive skin. Trailing kisses along your jawline, they pull a hand away from your wrists, reaching up your shirt to run over your curves. The warmth of the guard’s body and their wandering hands causing your head to spin, the sensations causing you to shiver.

The guard notices your reactions, seeing you press against their hands, the way your lips part ever so slightly, cheeks dusted with red. They smirk, burying their face in the crook of your neck, sucking and nipping, leaving behind dark marks. Their hands squeeze your breasts softly, fingers pinching your nipples. Your quiet sighs and moans don’t go unnoticed, only fuelling their desire for you further.

Running down your sides, their hands pause at your hips, leaving you reeling in anticipation. Pulling a hand back, they slap your ass hard, chuckling to themselves as you gasp. Looking over your shoulder, you watch as they look down, kicking your legs apart. They tilt their head up towards you, eyes covered, yet their intense gaze causing your legs to go weak.

Pulling down your sweatpants, they let the fabric drop to your feet. You hear them let out an appreciative sigh, hands reaching down to grope your ass. You arch your back, pushing against their large hands. You can feel their gaze taking you in, feeling small under their looming height.

Their fingers hook the sides of your panties, yanking them down. Exposed before them, they waste no time reaching down to rub your aching clit. They hum, amused by how wet you are for them. A quiet moan slips out of you, the touch feeling incredible as you ache for more. Trailing circles around your sensitive flesh, they dip down towards your slit, a finger pushing into you. Your thighs shake ever so slightly, caught up in the pleasure being brought to you.

Pumping their finger slowly, they lean to press a dominating kiss against your lips, their tongue battling against yours. You feel a second finger slip inside of you, your moans swallowed by the kiss. Pulling away to let you catch your breath, they continue to pump their fingers, curling them against the sensitive spot buried within you.

Strings of moans and whispered curses leave your lips, their fingers filling you up so perfectly. They speed up ever so slightly, their pace rough yet still causing you to see stars, eyes barely open as you squirm beneath them.

Feeling you clench around their fingers, they quickly pull away, causing you to whine as your climax is held off. Gripping your jaw with their hand, they bring their fingers up to your mouth, pressing them against your lips. Watching your tongue work against their fingers so desperately pleases them, seeing you act so beautifully submissive.

Pulling away from your mouth, they kneel down between your legs, lips trailing up your thighs. Trailing their tongue around your clit, they tease the sensitive bud, listening to your pathetic moans. Sucking your clit softly, they moan at your taste, the sound vibrating against your sensitive skin. Their tongue trails down towards your soaked slit, trailing the entrance before plunging inside. Moans spill from your lips as they explore your aching heat, only growing louder as their fingers work your clit once again.

Feeling your climax building, you buck your hips, tilting your head back. They only continue, spurring you on and working you ever so perfectly until you reach your finish, moaning loudly as your eyes squeeze shut. You pant heavily, the pleasure taking your breath as you gasp between moans. The guard continues through your climax, only pulling away until you squirm from sensitivity.

Standing up once more, they yank your panties and sweatpants up, patting your ass teasingly. They gesture to the vent, reminding you to get yourself back and cleaned up, knowing you’ve already been gone a while. You feel their smug proudness, having left you a mess, smoothing your hair with shaking hands. Your legs felt so weak, the thought of crawling back through the vent already tiring you out.

Sae-Byeok:

•She’d do her best to make Valentine’s special, wanting to show you how much she appreciates you.

•She’d gather your favourite snacks and drinks, putting them all in a basket with a card. She’d add a few polaroids of you both, making up the perfect gift basket to represent her love for you!

Hyun-Ju:

•Hyun-Ju would want to give you the perfect day. She’d start by running you a hot bath, lighting some candles. It’d be sweet, and a relaxing way to start the day.

•She’d work hard to make your favourite meal, banning you from the kitchen to make it a surprise. You’d probably manage to figure it out, but you’d appreciate it no matter what!

Se-Mi:

•If you’re interested in piercings, she’d totally take you to get pierced (or attempt to do it herself). She’d get you some extra jewellery for when the piercing is healed, too.

•She’d make sure you felt amazing the entire day, showering you in compliments and affection. You’d probably end the day cuddled up watching your favourite show!

Ji-Yeong:

•Ji-Yeong would set up the living room with your favourite movie, even going as far as creating a blanket fort. She’d make your favourite drink and spend hours watching whatever you want.

Gi-Hun:

•Gi-Hun would be the type to forget to buy a card and do his best to make you one. His drawings aren’t great but its made from the heart and you love it.

•If you two were together after he won, he’d buy you a locket with a picture of the two of you. He knows life is short and wants to give you a reminder of his love.

In-Ho:

•He’d struggle to find something perfect, nothing would ever be good enough in his mind. Eventually, he’d settle on getting you a music box! A pretty trinket that plays your favourite song.

•He’d also pick up one of your favourite perfumes/colognes. He’d be obsessed with how good you smell, and he wants you to have the things you love.

The Salesman:

•He’d go for a classic Valentine’s day gift. He’d start off with a sweet card, writing a handwritten message. It’d include a bunch of compliments, and admissions of how much he loves you.

•He’d also grab your favourite flowers and candy, giving you something pretty to look at and something yummy to eat. After all, he thinks you’re the sweetest.

Sang-Woo:

•Sang-Woo would be a little awkward at first, he’s not the best at sharing his true feelings. Eventually, he’d decide to show you his love instead of writing it down or confessing it.

•Sure, he may be in serious debt but that won’t stop him. He takes you out for dinner, before taking a long walk with you. You watch the sunset and talk for hours, and he opens up easily, telling you that he loves you.

Jun-Ho:

•He’d likely be working on Valentine’s Day, but that wouldn’t stop him. He shows up with flowers and a card, dressed as neatly as he’s able to. He’d tell you he’s taking you out for a surprise!

He had found you amongst the crowd on the first day of the games, scolding you loudly in front of the other players, not caring if he embarrassed you. His younger sibling… here? Your brother refused to believe you could be so stupid. You had turned out just like him, and he couldn’t stand that fact. In debt, broke, searching for a way to restore your ruined reputation. It made him feel sick, seeing himself so clearly in you.

He had helped you through every game, making sure Gi-Hun accepted you as part of their team. You had faint memories of Gi-Hun being friends with your older brother whilst growing up, and he seemed to remember you well, spouting off moments of your childhood that you barely remembered. Each round became a blur, red light green light, dalgona, tug of war, marbles and the amount of players perishing became somewhat normal as the days passed and you seemed to be waiting for your end to come. Yet here you both were, ready for the next game.

Lined up in a row, you wore a vest with a number, stood in front of Sang-Woo. At first, he had ordered you to get behind him and, being as stubborn as ever, you refused. The guards had broken up your incessant bickering, putting you in front and him behind. Shifting your gaze forward, there stood a large bridge, row of glass tiles forming steps side by side, in front of each other, forming a path. The bridge was gigantic, and you could see how far the ground was from your position, swallowing thickly at the thought of falling to your death…

Shaking your head, you pull your mind away from thoughts like that. You just needed to stay positive, that’s all… this can’t be too hard, right? There were plenty of people ahead of you…

The first player stepped forward, jumping onto the first glass step. You look over, your entire team holding their breath as they wait for him to fall. A loud cheer erupts as the first player stays standing, ready to leap onto the next step. A sick crack echoes through the hall as your cheers quieten down, the player having chosen his next tile. The glass immediately shatters, and both the shards and the players slip through the metal rails of the bridge. You hear them scream helplessly, the sound fading as he falls towards the ground. Eventually, you hear a thud and… silence.

The next player stands on the first tile, jumping onto the next, making sure she avoids the broken glass that had landed from the previous players failed attempt. As she lands on the second row of tiles, the other player steps onto the first, beginning to form a chain of players all stepping across at the same time. You watch with bated breath as members of your team land on tiles, some holding strong while countless players fall to their death. You felt your hands begin to shake as it neared your turn, repeating the tiles in your head that you knew would be safe. Left, right, left, left again, right…

Eventually, you’re stood by the first tile, the players ahead jumping forward. Repeating the order, you jump accordingly. Left, right, left, left, right. You keep your gaze ahead, watching the other players and waiting to see who falls. The sound of glass breaking didn’t come any easier, causing you to flinch with every fallen player. Their screams burned into your mind, alongside the helpless fear on their faces.

Sang-Woo watches you closely, following behind you as you move ahead. There were three more tiles ahead of you. Just three more, and you’d make it across… He had faith in you, he had no other choice. You’d make it over that bridge and you’d both survive another round. Despite his forced confidence, he knew that it wasn’t a sure fact, and that you could fall at any time…

There were two players ahead of you now, and three more rows of tiles. You began to hope that they’d make the right choices and give you an easy path across the bridge, but your hopes were dashed as you saw one player push another, sending him through a tile and down to his death.

“Push him.”

You hear Sang-Woo mutter to you, wanting you to push the player ahead like he had done.

“It’ll show you the right tile, just… push him,” he urged. He wanted to make things easier, to help you out. You were his baby sibling, he had failed to protect you in the past once he had run off to business school. He was here now, trying to be a half decent big brother…

The player in front of you jumps before you can decide whether or not to listen to your brother, landing on the wrong tile and crashing down. You leap forward, onto the left tile. There was just one more row of tiles, one more decision, life or death…

You turned to look over your shoulder, eyeing your brother. “I’m scared,” you tell him, tears welling up in the corners of your eyes, hands shaking. “I don’t know what to do…”

Sang-Woo feels helpless. No amount of math or logic could provide the right answer and save you… it was completely up to you. “I…” he tried to form a sentence, trying to offer anything helpful but falling short. What had the order been so far…? His head spun, mind working overtime to produce something, anything.

Sensing his nervousness, your own fear only grew as you turned to the row of tiles ahead. You just needed to pick one. Left, or right. Just one correct decision and you’d be fine.

Glancing between the two, you take a deep breath and jump. You land on the left tile and for a moment, you’re stood still… everything is fine. You’re still standing.

Turning to look over your shoulder, you aim to give your brother a smile, before hearing a loud crack… your face twists in horror as the tile shatters under you, sending you spiralling down to your death.

Sang-Woo reaches out, barely able to process what is happening as he lets out a horrified scream. It doesn’t even sound like it came from him… a raw, guttural scream of straight terror and grief. You were falling, too far for him to grab you. There was nothing he could do, he was completely helpless…

He watched as your body hit the ground, shattered glass and blood surrounding your frame. You looked so small… you were always so small to him, being five years younger. He felt numb, body automatically stepping over tiles, to the finish line. He didn’t deserve to survive, didn’t deserve to win… not after he had failed you like this.

Gi-Hun crossed the finish line behind him, alongside Sae-Byeok. The three of them had made it across, the remaining players. Sang-Woo couldn’t even face them, how could he congratulate them on passing when you were down there?

Gi-Hun placed a hand on his shoulder gently, pulling him from his thoughts. “Sang-Woo…? It’s not your fault,” the man started, knowing there was a likely chance he would blame himself. “I’m so sorry…”

As the bridge suddenly began to explode, remaining tiles sending glass shards everywhere, Sang-Woo looked into Gi-Huns eyes, his own red with tears. The glass shards fly towards them, scraping against his skin and causing a few droplets of blood to drip down from his cheek.

“It’s all my fault,” he cried, voice shaking. It was so unnatural, so different from his usual steady, deep tone. “They’re all alone down there, they’re so small… I should have gone in front, it should have been me…“

His sobs followed his words, wracking his body as he looks down. The pink guards signal for them to follow, Gi-Hun wrapping a friendly arm around his shoulders, leading him back to the beds. His feet seemed to move for him, and Sang-Woo wanted nothing more than to return to the bunks and see you waiting there, ready to theorise about the next game or steal his food like you had done for the past week…

He’d give anything to have you back. He’d gladly sacrifice himself if it meant you would be given another chance. Sitting down on his bed, he stared out at the wall in silence. Gi-Hun had collected his food for him, pleading with him to eat it, to say something and stop punishing himself for what had happened.

“How am I supposed to move on from this?” He asked, voice cracking. He looked like a shell of himself, tears staining his face, hunched over miserably.

“There is no moving on,” Gi-Hun told his friend, sadly. He barely saw his daughter, he was unsure if he’d make it out to see her… “You just… have to keep moving forward, y’know? Try to keep going, it’s what they’d want you to do.”

Sang-Woo couldn’t help but nod. You would want him to keep going, you were always so optimistic. He was never like that, always so serious and logical, never wasting time on emotions.

“You should get some sleep,” he heard his friend say, trying to force him into a lying position. Normally, he would bat his hands away and tell him to leave him alone, but this time he allowed Gi-Hun to fuss over him the same way he should have fussed over you…

You had been requested by the square guard mentoring you to clean the locker area. He sat on a bench in the middle of the room, watching as you wiped down lockers and dusted. It wasn’t the first time your superior had requested your service while he simply sat and watched, often rewarding you at the end. You were always so good for him, and that’s why he liked you.

His eyes followed your body as you moved across the room, focused on your work. He chuckled softly as you leaned down, bent over, causing you to look over your shoulder and glare through your mask.

“Don’t give me that look baby,” the square guard murmurs, picturing your frown underneath your mask. “You know what it does to me.”

You went back to your work, grabbing a duster. Leaning up on your tiptoes, you do your best to reach the top of the lockers. Unable to reach the very top, you let out a frustrated sigh. As you continue to reach up you feel a pair of strong arms wrap around you, lifting you up. A blush crept over your face, thankfully being covered by your mask. As you finish up, he sets you down, firmly pressed against his chest.

“Look at how clean this place is,” he praises. “You deserve a reward for all of your hard work, don’t you?”

His hands run up and down your curves, coming to rest on your chest. “My pretty girl,” he mutters, zipping down your uniform. Your heartbeat races, his affection giving you butterflies. As your uniform is tugged down, he glances over you approvingly. Though his face is covered, you can sense his pleased expression. His hands reach down, settling on your hips and pulling you back against him.

You can feel a hard bulge pressing against you, your face heating up as you realise what it is. “See what you do to me?” He murmurs, leaning down to whisper in your ear. He pushes his mask up slightly, his lips pressing hot kisses against your neck, leaving behind marks and bites every so often. The sensation causes you to shiver, leaning back into his touch.

“Good girl,” he praises, hands reaching up to cup your breasts, giving them a gentle squeeze. “So fucking beautiful.” His hands continue to run up and down your chest, fingers gently pinching your nipples. “That’s my girl.”

He pulls your mask back, leaning down to hold your jaw, pressing a passionate kiss to your lips. Pulling you in by your waist, he continues to kiss you deeply, barely giving you a chance to breathe. Pulling back, his hands slip down to your ass, giving it a squeeze. “Gonna be good for me?” He asks. “Let me hear you say it, baby.”

“Gonna be good,” you repeat, practically putty in his hands. You feel him slide your panties down, slow enough to tease you. His fingers reach down to tease your clit, rubbing it softly. “Already so wet for me,” he chuckles, smirking. Rocking your hips, you try to get more friction, looking up at him lustfully. His fingers work your clit, teasing the sensitive spot just enough to get you to the edge. He pulls his fingers away, glancing into your eyes. “Can’t have you finishing so soon, can we?”

After giving you a second to breathe, his fingers slide down to your hole, pushing one in. “Taking that so well,” he praises, pumping his finger slowly. Adding a second, he curls his fingers, eliciting a moan from you. His free hand reaches down, fingers teasing your clit as he continues to curl his fingers. The added feeling makes you moan louder, looking at him through half lidded eyes. “Ready for me, babygirl?” He asks, pulling his fingers away.

Zipping down his uniform and stepping out of it, he slides off his underwear. Stroking his cock, you can see how large it is. It’s not your first time in such a position, you’re always his favourite guard to toy with. He spreads your thighs, pumping two fingers inside of you as his strokes his cock. “Gonna be so good for me, aren’t you?”

Pulling his fingers away, he lines up the head of his cock with your entrance, pushing it in slowly. The feel of him filling you up makes you moan, knees weak. His arms hold you up, shifting your thighs around his waist as he sinks deeper into your hole. “You feel so good around me, princess,” he murmurs, beginning to thrust slowly. You moan pathetically, barely able to hold yourself up without his help.

Continuing to thrust into you deeply, he leans down to press hickeys across your chest, covering you in his marks. Speeding up, he moans into your ear, voice deep and lustful. “You’re taking me so well,” he praises.

Your hands scratch at his back, clenching around him. “Gonna cum,” you moan, breathless. “Use your manners,” he tells you, continuing his pace. “Please… please!” You beg, trying to wait for his permission.

“Not yet,” he grins, continuing to thrust into you. You try to hold it, waiting for his permission as you moan beneath him. “Please!”

He chuckles as you beg him, amused at how desperate you are. “Listen to you begging for me so prettily, you’re so good for me, aren’t you? Cum for me, baby.”

You gasp and moan, sent over the edge. He continues to thrust through your orgasm, getting himself closer. He grunts, pulling his cock out and finishing on your chest, painting your breasts white. He lays you down on the bench, giving you time to rest. Scooping his cum from your chest, he holds his fingers in front of your mouth. “Go on, you know what to do.”

Sang-Woo awoke with a jolt, the familiar morning alarm playing through the speakers. Crap. He had fallen asleep beside you, your body cold and unmoving. The blood that had been shed now lay dry, clinging to your clothing, the bed and most of the floor around you.

He sighed, pushing himself into a sitting position and looking over his shoulder. Gi-Hun was awake, the man rubbing his eyes as he yawns. Spotting Sang-Woo, he waves cheerfully.

“Morning, Sang-Woo. One more game, right? Then we can get out of here,” he grins. “Is y/n still sleeping? They always slept through that alarm.”

So cheerful, so positive. It made Sang-Woo feel nauseous, knowing his sickly sweet optimism would fall the minute Gi-Hun found out about what he had done to you.

“Yeah… yeah, still sleeping,” he nods, watching Gi-Hun stand up and stretch. His plan had been perfect, wait until you had fallen asleep, strike and let the guards take away your body during the night.

It would have been a perfect plan, if you weren’t still laying here beside him. The guards would come any moment, he knew that, carrying a box for you to be taken away in. It’d be obvious, there were no longer hundreds of players to cause a crowd to hide away in. Gi-Hun’s reaction wouldn’t be pleasant, and he wasn’t quite ready to hear it.

The large doors of the hall slide open, and the two men catch sight of the familiar pink guards. One walks in front, another behind, a large black box between them gift wrapped with a pink bow. They had seen these boxes countless times, watched players they knew be carried into them and taken away.

Gi-Hun looked confused, looking over at Sang-Woo. “What are they doing here? We’re all still alive. Is this part of some game?”

His questions ramble on and on, as the guards move closer to your body. Sang-Woo stands motionless, watching as they begin to lift you up. Cold, pale and soaked in blood. Your shirt had a large blood stain, as well as your chin. Sang-Woo could remember the sound of your coughing and choking, the way blood had dripped out of your mouth.

Gi-Hun’s rambling falls silent, jaw dropping in disbelief. You…? But you were fine last night, you were unharmed. It didn’t make sense…

“Sang-Woo?” He piped up, voice shaking. He turned towards Sang-Woo who was still stood beside your body, the guards having laid you in the box and were beginning to put the lid on. “What have you done?”

“I spared them. It was for the best, Gi-Hun, you’ll understand that one day. They weren’t going to make it, they were alone out there. They would have died in the next game or gone on to live a miserable, lonely life.”

Sang-Woo’s confession made Gi-Hun go cold. He had killed you, he had admitted it right there and he had tried to play it off as a good thing… It almost didn’t feel real, he didn’t know how to react. He had cared about you so deeply, and there you were - cold, dead and gone. Just like the rest of his team.

Gi-Hun marched over to Sang-Woo, grabbing the man by his shirt. He pushed him against the wall, brows furrowed with anger. “What have you done?!” He yelled, voice thick with grief. “You… you’re a murderer. You’re sick!” His fists beat against Sang-Woo’s chest as tears roll down his cheeks. He was so shocked, so unwilling to believe that his own best friend had murdered you in cold blood.

“Cry all you want, Gi-Hun, you’ll get it someday. What I did was for the best, you just don’t understand it yet. This is the way life goes, you need to let go.”

His words caused Gi-Hun’s blood to boil. He sounded proud, like he really had done you a favour. “They wouldn’t have been alone! We were going to make it out together, all three of us.”

Sang-Woo chuckled, shaking his head. “You really don’t get it, do you? Only one of us can win, don’t you see? This place isn’t about friends and making it out as a time, it’s about competition! You either kill or get killed, circle of life, Gi-Hun.”

The guards had carried you away by now, your body being taken down to be harvested, just like everyone else. It was over, you were never coming back.

Gi-Hun pulled back his arm, sending a harsh punch across Sang-Woo’s jaw, causing the other man to grunt. He didn’t care that Sang-Woo was his friend, not right now. All he could see was a murderer, a man who thought he had done something kind for you. You should have been here, the three of you should have been eating breakfast, preparing for what’s to come.

The two guards stood by the door, one holding two bread rolls and two cartons of milk simply look at eachother, before turning their gazes to the wall. This was entertainment, a little preview of the next game, something for the VIP’s to eat up and enjoy. They’d step in when things got risky, they couldn’t have the players killing eachother before the last round.

Sang-Woo shoved Gi-Hun back, a hand rubbing his jaw where the punch had landed. “Don’t do this,” he warns. “It doesn’t have to be this way.” He holds his arms up in defence, knowing his friend is unlikely to back down now.

Gi-Hun moves forward, jabbing at his ribs. Sang-Woo could see the hurt in his eyes, the betrayal, and yet he simply grabbed Gi-Hun by the jacket, shoving the man to pin him against the wall. He held him there silently, Gi-Hun’s fists pounding against his chest and arms.

“You were my friend! You were their friend! We were going to get through this together,” the man sobbed. “Why would you do this? Sang-Woo… why?”

Sang-Woo looked down, unwilling to look into his friend’s tearful eyes. It was a sad sight, his eyes were always so big and shiny, finding light in the darkest of places and yet, now? Red, watery, pathetic. No longer light brown, just dark… dark, and angry.

Gi-Hun’s fists fell still, head bowed as sobs wracked his body. You weren’t coming back. You had likely been scared and in pain… images of you flooded his mind, imagining your final moments. It hurt him, truly. Like a knife to the heart.

The room was silent, Sang-Woo’s arms holding the man up against the wall as he shook and cried for his fallen friend.

“Attention players! The next game will be starting soon. All players must report to the arena.”

It had been a long day. After a dangerous game of glass stepping stones, you had watched player after player fall to their death. Only three of you remained - Sang-Woo, Gi-Hun and yourself.

Retreating to your bed, you looked up at the ceiling, the large piggy bank sending a soft, golden glow over the room. It had to be almost over, right? There were only three of you left, surely there were no more than two games to go.

You sighed, thinking of everything you would be able to do once winning. Pay off your debts, get a drink with your friends…

Start over.

Your thoughts were interrupted by footsteps, and you turn your gaze towards the sound. It was just Sang-Woo, you had grown to become fond of the man during your time. You had been apart of the same team, alongside Gi-Hun, Ali…

Painful memories crossed your mind, Ali was gone. He wasn’t coming back. You had to move on, no matter how tough it felt.

“Quiet in here, huh?” Sang-Woo’s voice speaks up, drawing you away from your own mind. He was stood above you, a few scrapes across his face from the glass tiles exploding. Dark eyes studied yours, his own expression unreadable. You could never tell what he was truly thinking.

“Yeah… it’s weird without everyone else here,” you shrug, the room holding a strange eeriness without the hundreds of players that once resided with you. “How many more games do you think there are?”

He stayed quiet, thinking. “One… maybe two? That’s my guess. Just a little longer and we’ll all be out of here and way richer than we ever were, too.”

You smiles, nodding at his reassurance. “Yeah, you’re right,” you nod, patting the space on your bed for him to sit down.

Taking a seat, Sang-Woo keeps his hand in his pocket, the other reaching forward to rest on your thigh. His thumb strokes your skin through the fabric of your pants, looking down at you with a slight hint of softness. “You’re coming for a drink with me and Gi-Hun, right? When we get out of here?”

“Of course,” you smile. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

Settling into comfortable silence, you allow your eyes to slip closed. You could feel Sang-Woo’s hand on your thigh, a small comfort in such a place. The two of you had grown close rapidly, you admired him. He was smart, and confident and seemed to know what he was doing. All of that lured you in, made you desperate to win his affection. He had seen you during the dalgona round, working ever so calm despite the shootings around you. He knew you would fight to survive, and he wasn’t sure if he loved you for it, or hated it.

Sang-Woo looked down at you, eyes closed and breathing steady. He couldn’t work out if you were sleeping, though it’d be best if you were…

Glancing over his shoulder, he could see Gi-Hun across the room, taking a much needed nap. He turned back to you, sliding his hand out of his pocket. He glanced down, eyeing the object he had been keeping so secretly.

A glass shard, sharp and easy enough to stab someone with. He took a breath, steadying himself and his nerves. Sang-Woo had decided you needed to go nights before, a long thought-out choice. He theorised the final game would be between the three of you, some sort of direct competition against each of you. Sang-Woo knew there could only be one winner, one player who takes the amount home.

You had become a distraction to him, his feelings overriding his logic. You were beautiful, strangely optimistic after what you had been through, and gosh, he… he loved you. He knew that if you faced against him, he would let you win. Let you walk away with the money, and a better life. No, he needed that money for himself. It’d be him and Gi-Hun. He could take down his childhood best friend, surely…

Sang-Woo leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. A sick and twisted act of love before enacting his wicked plan. He watched as your eyes fluttered open, smiling up at him as though he’s the most wonderful man in the world. He wasn’t, not that you needed to know that.

“Get some sleep,” he whispered, trying to make it easier. You wouldn’t struggle, or cry or yell. He didn’t want you to view him as a monster. In a way, he was doing something good for you. What if you suffered in the next game? What if you had to watch him die? No… that wouldn’t be an option for you. You’d have the peaceful way out, all thanks to him.

“Lay with me?” You ask, softly. It was such an innocent request, he couldn’t deny you. Laying down behind you, he wrapped an arm over your waist, pulling you against his chest. “You’re safe with me,” he lied. “Nobody will hurt you.”

Both laying in silence, legs tangled together, Sang-Woo waited for you to begin drifting off. He had to wait for the right moment, he didn’t want you to fight him on this. You wouldn’t realise it was for the good of things. His mind replayed everything you had told him. You were in severe debt, over a million won. You had nobody out there, no family, no friends. Loan sharks were waiting to get you.

It was no life for anyone. Even if you paid off your debts, you’d still be alone. There was no way you’d all make it out alive. He knew that, he wasn’t dumb. He, on the other hand, had plenty to return to. He could get himself out of debt, though his reputation would still be ruined. He could give money to his mother, have enough to live comfortably. Yes, Sang-Woo knew he needed to survive. It’d be better for him than it would be for you.

He leaned down, face nuzzled against your neck. A final moment of comfort, his arm wrapped around you tightly. He had the glass shard ready and waited, concealed in his free hand. Gi-Hun was still sleeping, nobody paying close enough attention to him or to you.

“I love you,” he whispers. “I’m sorry.”

Before your half-asleep mind can process his words, Sang-Woo digs the glass shard into your stomach. He continues to hold you close, your blood pooling on the bed. He strokes your hair, whispering soft comforts to you.

“Shh, just let it happen. Its for the best, you’ll see that.”

You cough and choke, unable to say anything as the light drains from your eyes and blood pools into your mouth. You felt pain, and nothing more than that. A white, hot blinding pain as the room began to dim. You were tired, so… so tired. It’d feel so good to close your eyes right now.

As Sang-Woo felt you go limp in his arms, a small tune played over the speakers, a voice ringing out.

“Lights out! All players must return to their beds.”