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Four months after the games ended on the majority of players voting to leave, after witnessing the rebellion and its downfall; you wake up suffering from night terrors of what happened on that sickening island, unwillingly reminiscing on the tragic events that took place.
You tiredly walk to the bathroom to flash your face with cold water hoping the temperature of the water will take your mind to an other place. A text notification catches your attention, as you’re drying your face.
It was Dae-ho, “hey, you okay? Js checking in😺”
he checked up on you pretty frequently at this hour ever since you’ve told him about your night terrors.
The message warms your heart as it reminds you of the only thing good that came from that island, a family you didn’t have before, and people that truly cared about you.
“Yea. I’m fine, js it happened again. They’ve been coming more often than usual lately💔”
“Want me to come over? it’s not an issue”
you didn’t really see the point in him coming, since you guys hung out quite often aside from everyone, but his concern response eases your mind.
“It’s okay I’ll probably get a snack and go back to sleep”
“Oh, okay then, well if you need anything, I’m a phone call away😸”
You do as you told him and fall back asleep slowly, barely getting 3 hours of rest.
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Just as you get off work your phone dings with a notification from Hyun-ju.
“Are you ready for tonight?😄”
The message stuns you for a moment, wondering what could she be referring to-
“Wdym?🤨”
“Don’t tell me you forgot…”
A moment passes as you scour your brain to help you remember what was planned for tonight.
“The dinner, Geum-Ja and Yong-sik planned at their place”
As your hand quickly rushes to your head, while letting out a sigh of annoyance, the dinner had completely swiped your mind. You thought about canceling but the thought of spending time with the people that comforted you, not having to worry about being alone pushed you to go.
“I totally forgot, I’ll be getting ready soon dw🙂↕️”
“Glad you’re still coming, I can’t wait to see everyone☺️”
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You finally make it to Geum-ja and Yong-siks, you hesitate before slightly knocking on the door, as Geum-ja greets you, a smile bright as day appears across your face. The sight of everyone all together behind her, which brings a warm and welcoming fondness in your heart.
You notice someone missing, you look to see Dae-ho’s not here, even through you seen him often, you still hoped to see him at the dinner.
Settling down with everyone and catching up, soon a knock at the door, only person it could be walks in, your eyes lock on Dae-ho, studying his face which had a hopeful but somewhat awkward smile.
You could tell he still felt bad about the rebellion, even four months later.
Your mouth agape analyzing his hair, as you realize he has it down, to pieces from the front slightly covering his face.
This is the first time you’ve seen him with his hair down, all the times you guys hung out he’s had his hair up in any way, shape, or form so the sight was a gem.
He catches you staring and winks as he waves, with his usual big smile.
Sitting down next to you, time passes as everyone sits around celebrating your guys release, hyun-ju’s finished surgery, Jun-hee and myung-gi’s baby, Gi-hun getting help, most of your debts being cleared.
Hours go by as you drank away all your trauma, Dae-ho carefully watching you in between your drinks.
Finally deciding to head home, slurring your words and joyfully laughing as you do so “I ha-aad such an awesome n-n-hic- night.”
everyone can clearly tell you’ve had a good night. Geum-ja concerned for you-
“Here stay, we have extra space here.”
Yong-sik backing up his mom “Yea, you don’t seem to be in the right condition.”
“Especially to drive” Jun-hee added.
As everyone shows concerns for your safety, small tears from in your eyes as you sniffle your nose, pouring out “I love-hic-all so so sooooo -hic- much.”
Dae-ho explains with a gentle smile, as the others chuckle away at your Maudlin drunkenness.
“It’s fine, I’ll take her home. I didn’t really drink much, plus I know where y/n stays.”
As you stumble to stand properly, dae-ho’s hands swiftly moving to your shoulders balancing you as, he leads you out the door, while waving goodbye to everyone.
Your body twitching as you both enter the cold exterior, he guides you to his car opening the car door for you, slowly helping you lift yourself to the passenger seat.
Your body melts into the seat, while he starts up the car; You sit back, leaning against the door and window admiring his face as he drives.
Dae-ho looks over as you watch a wave of embarrassment and concern glide over his face, due to your intense staring.
“Is there something wrong?”
“No, I just love you that’s all.” a cheeky grin runs across your face.
His heart stops for a beat, as he gradually remembers you were drunk. The hint of a smile on his face “You’re just drunk.”
Launching yourself forward facing him you eagerly reply “NO I love -hic- you.”
Dae-ho gives a sarcastic laugh “Yea I love you too.“
A lump forms in your throat as you drunkenly confess “No I truly love you….You-yo-you’re so kind, a-and you care so -hic- much, and you light up a room instantly. When we hangout I-I I feel so at home, and when you leave it’s like a part of me fades away; I can’t imagine life without yo-“ cutting yourself off sternly “I Love You.”
As Dae-ho slowly pulls up to your apartment he softly looks at you.
“I love you too, but you won’t even remember this in the morni-“
Your lips interrupting him as you lean on the armrest in between you both. His lips fusing with yours before he slowly moves away from the kiss as your body slowly starts sobering up.
Frustratingly looking down “I need you sober” He whisper’s to himself
A soft smirk “Here I should get you inside.”
As he carries you to the inside “I see you live up to the name.” “Big Tiger” you kid at him, to hide the faint tears that fall at the slight rejection from before. He arrives to your bedroom.
Mustering up the courage “Please stay…I can’t take the night terrors tonight.”
“Of course, it’s best I stay to keep you safe.” He chuckles out
going to lay you on the couch instead, he sets you down graciously, getting you covers. He spends the night watching over you, all through the night he cradles you in his arms. For the first time in a while you sleep soundly not waking up due to the terrors.
You didn’t just love him, you needed him
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Your eyes lushly open as the harsh sunlight hits your face, the smell of green tea and honey hits your nostrils, as a strong pounding hits your head. You turn to find Dae-ho in your kitchen. A small glimmer in your eyes as you see his back turn and his eyes find you.
“Oh finally you’re up, good. Tea would’ve been a waste you were still sleep.”
He brings the tea over to you, as he helps you sit up properly.
“What are you doing here?” You take the tea down as it cleanses the inside of your burning throat.
“I knew you wouldn’t remember, uhh remember the dinner?”
“Oh yea I had so much fun, but I don’t remember getting home.”
“That’s where I come in, I took you home and you asked me to stay.”
He doesn’t even release to you, about your confession
“Oh my I’m so sorry, I hope I didn’t trouble you.”
“No no no, of course not, I was more than happy to stay.”
Your mind slowly starts to recall what happened yesterday
“Uhh if you want I can stay longer, I don’t have anything planned today.”
“Oh no it’s fine i can manage on my own.” You reassured
He sincerely reminds you “I really don’t mind staying.”
You feel bad for making him stay the night, you don’t want to overstep his kindness. Encouraging him “then make yourself busy, go out, go-go go watch a movie or something”
Small laughter releases from him “Fine I see I’m not wanted”
You both stand as he hugs you wishing you to rest a little more, you watch as he takes his time to get through the door, your words stop him in his tracks
“I meant what I said.”….
He turns around in confusion.
“Yesterday, I remember now and I mean it, I love you”
He slightly rushes back to you, with the twinkle you love about him, in his eyes.
“I love you too” his hands go to cup your face into a kiss, deepening the kiss as your arms fly around his large figure.
Finally breaking away for a bit of air, “I could hold you forever.” he lets out like it’s a secret he’s been holding in
“So can I stay?” he chuckles
“Of course you can” you tease at him
He stays the rest of the day, helping with your hangover, by the end of the night you’re cuddled up on the couch, laying on top of him watching a movie. You look to him, face resting on your chin, adoring him.
Happy you’re no longer hiding your feelings for him