#daehoimagines

Dae-Ho

The air in the brightly lit room vibrated with a nervous hum. The mingle game had just ended, a chaotic ballet of terrified players scurrying to form groups, the deafening crack of gunfire punctuating the end like a gruesome period on a grim sentence.

You, heart hammering against your ribs, scanned the crowd, desperately searching for him. Dae-ho.

You’d seen his face just moments before the last game started, the worry lines etched deeper than usual around his kind eyes, a stark contrast to the brutal setting. He’d given you a fleeting, almost hesitant smile, a silent promise that he’d try his best to find you, to stay safe. Now, you were terrified he hadn’t made it.

The memory of the chaos played in your mind like a broken record. The panic-stricken faces, the desperate scrambles, the sickening thud of bodies hitting the ground. You'd managed to find a group, narrowly avoiding the laser sights that had flickered with deadly intent. But what about Dae-ho?

You pressed your hand to your chest, trying to quell the rising tide of panic. You had grown so attached to him in this awful place. His quiet strength, his gentle humor, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled – those were the things you had clung to in this nightmare. He was your anchor, a beacon in the darkness.

The heavy metal door at the end of the room groaned open, signaling the end of the game. Players, a mixture of relief and terror etched on their faces, began to shuffle back into the dormitory. You pushed through the crowd, every step a plea, every breath a silent prayer. You searched the faces, your vision blurring with unshed tears.

And then, you saw him.

He was sitting on his bunk, his shoulders slumped, head bowed. He was pale, his normally vibrant dark eyes now dull with worry. He was scanning the room just like you had been, his head turning slightly with every shift of the crowd of players, his gaze desperate. As you edged closer, you noticed he was trembling.

He was alive.

The relief that washed over you was so powerful it almost buckled your knees. You started towards his bed, and it wasn’t long before he saw you too. His head shot up, his eyes widening in disbelief. In his eyes was a mixture of utter relief, profound sadness and love that made your heart ache.

"You're okay.."

He whispered, his voice thick with emotion, as if daring to even believe what his eyes were showing him. He stood up quickly, the sound lost in the general hum of the room.

You didn't hesitate. You broke into a run, your heart pounding a joyous rhythm against your ribs. You didn’t care about the other players, the guards, none of it mattered. All that mattered was reaching him.

He met you halfway, his arms already outstretched. The moment you collided, his arms wrapped around you like a steel cage, holding you so tight you felt his heart beating against yours. It was as if he was trying to melt you into him, hold you in place, make sure you weren’t just some figment of his imagination. You buried your face in his shoulder, your own arms clinging to him with equal ferocity.

You were finally safe in his embrace, and you never wanted to leave.

"I thought…"

His voice was muffled against your hair,

"I thought I'd lost you."

His grip tightened, his body trembling slightly. He was gripping you like you made him whole, and you understood why, you felt the same.

"I'm here,"

You whispered back, your own voice choked with tears.

"I'm here, Dae-ho."

He pulled back slightly, his hands cupping your face, his gaze searching your eyes as if he was checking every detail to confirm you were really there.

"I was so scared,"

He confessed, his voice hoarse.

"I saw the flashes… I thought..."

He couldn’t finish the sentence, the unspoken terror hanging heavy between you.

You knew what he meant. The memories of the marine days, the explosions, the screams, the death. The fear of losing those he cared about. This place had brought it all back, amplified it, made it a constant, gnawing presence in his mind.

You reached up, your hand caressing his cheek, your thumb gently wiping away a stray tear that had escaped his eye.

“I was scared too..”

You admitted, your voice barely audible.

"I thought... I thought something bad had happened to you."

You knew your fears hadn't begun to compare to his, but he needed to know you had been waiting for him, worried for him. You saw the sadness in his eyes, a deep well of pain, but there was also a flicker of something else– a quiet, burning love that mirrored your own.

For long moments, you just held each other, the rest of the room fading into a blurry background. The world narrowed to just the two of you, the warmth of his embrace a refuge from the cold, harsh reality of your situation. You could feel the tension slowly leaving his body, replaced by the familiar comfort you found in each other's presence.

He leaned his forehead against yours, his breathing still slightly labored.

"Don't ever do that again.."

He murmured, his voice a low rumble.

"Don't ever leave me."

He wasn’t demanding it, just stating a longing, a fear. Pleading.

"I won't."

You promised, your fingers threading through his hair.

"I promise. I'll stay by your side."

You knew it was an impossible promise, in this place, nothing was guaranteed. But in this moment, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that you were both alive, that you had found each other again.

You pulled back, wanting to see his face again. He smiled then, and though it was small, it reached his eyes, erasing some of the worry. His hands grasped yours, holding them tightly.

“Thank you.”

He said, looking at you with such sweetness that made your heart melt.

“Thank you for being you.”

You knew that the game wasn't over. You both knew that survival here was a matter of luck and grim determination. But in this moment, as you stood there, hand in hand, in the middle of that awful dormitory, you felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, you could get through this nightmare together.

The world outside these walls no longer mattered. The only world that mattered was the one you had created together. Where you could feel safe, within each other’s arms, two souls trying to cling to what little humanity was left in this twisted game. And with Dae-ho by your side, that small, fragile hope felt a little bit stronger. You knew, somehow, that you would face whatever came next, together. His love for you was stronger than death itself, and it was keeping you alive.

Hello loves!! I hope you like this one.

Also I'm so so sorry for NOT writing anymore- my laptop had issues and my keyboard is still kind of broken but I will make sure to post more.

Don’t forget, requests are always open and I can write for any character you’d like!

I love you guys so much <33

El <3

Seong Gi-Hun

(in game)

In the twisted reality of the games, your eyes always found *them*, your focus fixed on another

Gi-Hun, a few paces behind you, felt a familiar ache in his chest- he hated this feeling, hated how his heart hammered just seeing you, how it twisted when your gaze lingered elsewhere

Yet, he couldn’t deny it even if he hated being in love, feeling so helpless

During the Glass Bridge, a moment of panic sends you stumbling but before you can fall, Gi-Hun is there, pushing you forward, his own foot landing precariously close to the edge

He would totally forget about his own safety, only caring about your wellbeing

"Careful!" His voice is sharp with a fear meant only for you, completely disregarding his own life hanging by a thread

He’d throw himself into any danger, any risk, if it meant you were safe

(outside the game)

Outside the game's shadow, Seong Gi-Hun is a different man

You bump into him at a quiet cafe, and he offers a polite, almost distant, nod

He seems cold, but his eyes hold a quiet intensity

He remembers your coffee order, the subtle way you prefer your tea, details you’d never thought to share

He doesn't rush, doesn’t push

Instead, he’s a gentleman of quiet persistence, always appearing when you least expect it- a shared bench in the park, a spontaneous offer to carry your groceries

Slowly, carefully, he’s trying to win you over, one considerate gesture at a time, showing you a depth of care that was always there, just hidden beneath the surface

Dae-Ho

(in game)

In the chaos of Red Light, Green Light, you felt a light, trembling grip on your arm

It was Dae-Ho. His eyes, usually so bright, were wide and darting, his face pale

He was terrified, you could tell, but he didn't let go.

When the doll turned, he pulled you close, a silent shield, whispering, "Don't move. Just breathe."

He barely ever spoke in here, but he was always there

You glanced across the field, searching for *them*, and Dae-Ho’s grip tightened imperceptibly, as if trying to ground your attention, to protect you from more than just the sniper's aim

He was scared for himself, yes, but you knew, somehow, he was even more terrified for you

(outside the game)

"So, did you hear back from *them* about the movie?" Dae-Ho asked, stirring his latte, a casual, almost too-casual, question

You shook your head, explaining they were busy. Dae-Ho nodded slowly, his expression a mix of feigned sympathy and something else, something subtly smug

"Ah, well, *their* loss then. I was thinking we could finally try that new arcade downtown tonight? I bet I could beat your high score in everything."

He grinned, a familiar, playful challenge in his eyes, always trying to present himself as the better, more reliable option without ever explicitly saying it

He was your best friend, always planning the next adventure, always subtly trying to prove he was the one you should be looking at

Hwang In-Ho

(in game)

You felt a strange, almost magical shield around you in the brutal game, always surviving by the narrowest margin

Unbeknownst to you, the masked Frontman, In-Ho, watched your every move

His control room was a vantage point, his eyes fixed on your number

He’d whisper curt orders to the guards, ensuring your spot was mysteriously skipped during eliminations

A dangerous urge to fix the entire game for your victory simmered within him, only restrained by the VIPs' suspicious glares

But his calm exterior shattered when he saw you, a soft smile gracing your lips as you shared a moment with *them*

A silent, furious clench of his gloved fist was the only outward sign of his rage, he would wreck the whole control room if needed

You were his to protect.

(outside the game)

After the games, the world felt muted, yet In-Ho’s pursuit was anything but

He was an anachronism- old-timey romantic to the core

He’d invite you for coffee, always leading to a meticulously planned dinner, then another, despite your gentle mentions of someone else

He’d arrive with a small, perfectly wrapped box, a "shiny gift" nested inside- a vintage locket, a shimmering ring- each offering a silent plea for your affection

He’d listen, a melancholic understanding in his gaze, as you spoke of *them*, the one your heart truly desired

He’d simply nod, a polite smile masking the ache, before trying again the next day

Salesman

(in game)

He would be so in love, ready to pay to become a VIP, only to see you

The sharp crack echoed in the eerie silence of the VIP lounge, a crystal glass shattering in the Salesman’s white-gloved hand

Blood welled, but he barely registered it, his gaze fixed on the monitor

You, navigating the final game, smiled, a genuine laugh bubbling up as *they* patted your back

A wave of possessive agony washed over him

He didn't even dare hit you in the station, wouldn't even think of recruiting you

He’d practically begged In-ho to keep you safe, to watch over you.

He’d paid exorbitant sums, endured the tedious VIP theatrics, just to confirm you were alive, seeing your name flash on the eliminated list was his deepest fear

Now, seeing that smile directed at someone else, a wave of sickness

Other VIPs shot him curious, disapproving glances

He didn't care

(outside the game)

Outside the game, he was a different man

Quiet, yes, but almost painfully touchy

His hand would instinctively reach for yours, a warm, reassuring presence when you crossed the street, even if there were no cars in sight

Your phone would buzz with the most absurd, mundane observations- a particularly fluffy cloud, a dead cat on the road-anything to keep the conversation flowing between your shifts

He’d be there, waiting, a constant silhouette by the streetlamp as you walked home from work, a silent guardian

He’d offer to carry your bag, make you tea, his actions a humble, earnest plea to prove himself, to show you he could be everything you needed, everything *they* weren't.

Requests are always open. El <3 (all images were made by: El via canva & paint)

Also, here is the MASTERLIST!! (click on link, babes <3)

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