1 - 20 of 161 Bookmarks by mysterionrises
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"Here was Gi-hun, with his lifetime of tragedy and difficulty, picking up strangers in the rain and campaigning for the inherent value of mankind. And if that existed, if it was possible to sustain that even in spite of immense hardship, maybe it wasn't circumstance that had turned In-ho into something bitter. If Gi-hun was possible, if his worldview was somehow sustainable, that meant that whatever In-ho became was not a result of a bad situation; it was inherent. He was always empty, or capable of emptiness, and wasn't that the same thing?"
FAKE DATING AU. No Squid Games, just other trauma and the power of grief competing with the audacity of hope.
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
01 Sep 2025
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Gi-hun could have done what it took to save himself if he thought that was necessary for the child's survival. In-ho realizes this, and in anticipation of Gi-hun's intention to sacrifice himself, presents his proposal without the full context. No matter the outcome, part of Gi-hun has to die.
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
10 Jul 2025
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"He thought about Gi-hun, who was probably dead by now. After all, the world ate goodness. Consumed it like an animal eats raw meat, feeds on it and tears it up and destroys it. Who would know that better than In-ho? His wife, Gi-hun, these people were the type that the world swallowed whole.
And empty, rotten people like Hwang In-ho? Well, he'd probably live forever."
Hwang In-ho encounters Seong Gi-hun more than once, and each time, Gi-hun wedges himself deeper inside his mind. In-ho has been devoid of personhood for years, since his wife's death, but hope is a powerful thing. So, too, is love.
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
09 Jun 2025
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Summary
This was meant to be one maybe 4k word short story, and now... Here we are.
Empire of Light is an exploration of In-ho's character and the way modern art and philosophy play a role in the visual language of the show and overarching themes. Through the final part of that, and the sequel, I explore what In-ho and Gi-hun represent to each other in more depth, and how that dynamic can change as they get to know each other as people.
Unexpected Answer is a more traditional narrative than Empire of Light, and is much less dense, but it is a direct continuation that needs the context of the former.
Completed before the release of S03, but I feel as if S03 retroactively makes it land harder.
- Words:
- 56,648
- Works:
- 2
- Bookmarks:
- 8
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
04 May 2025
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In In-ho's room (S01E02) there are three visible prints of "Empire of Light" by René Magritte. One is on the cover of a book, alongside books on Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and two on Picasso.
Modern art, especially surrealism, is a huge influence on the visual storytelling in the show, and further, the associated philosophies of the artists and works play a significant role in the story. It is interesting to me that In-ho is, in fiction, invested in these same works that inspired the creation of the world around him. It would make sense if he bought these books as a response to the trauma of surviving his game, as a way to make sense of the absurd. Picasso: The Blue and Rose Periods is from 2019, four years after his game. Then there's his books on Lacan, Camus, and Nietzsche.
This is an exploration of that concept, of In-ho fixating on modern art, particularly surrealism, to make sense of his reality. The first part is based in NYC, when the Front Man is tasked to smooth things over with the Panther mask VIP in person. The second part follows Gi-hun's life after winning his game, as In-ho observes him. In the third, they clash.
Series
- Part 1 of Empire of Light
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
03 May 2025
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Summary
Series title from "Forgiveness" by Marsden & Richardson: "holy, that's what you are, and you used to heal me too / hated, that’s what you are, and you used to hate for me / i've been searching for forgiveness but so far it has escaped me / so forgive and forget my love"
- Words:
- 30,023
- Works:
- 3
- Bookmarks:
- 16
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
28 Apr 2025
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Gi-hun thinks back to a ridiculous picture book Ga-yeong had about ancient Greek mythology. He remembers the story of Persephone and Hades.
Six cursed pomegranate seeds. Six games. The similarities are almost funny.
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
06 Apr 2025
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The Front Man closed the space between them in two short strides. His gloved hand darted out to grip Gi-hun’s face, forcing his chin upward. “I entertained your demands to re-enter the games, indulged your misguided notions and faulty sense of duty. I let you play the hero, at the expense of my own guards. I let you have your fun.”
“Why indulge me at all?” Gi-hun burst out. “Unless some part of you agrees with me?”
“I gave you a chance to prove me wrong. You failed.”
“I failed because you murdered Jung-bae.” Gi-hun’s voice hitched over the lump in his throat. “And Young-il.” And probably every other member of their failed coup.
The Front Man stilled. “Player 001 has not been eliminated.”
Gi-hun’s heart gave a painful lurch. He must’ve heard wrong. That, or this was another game. Another trick to drive him to the breaking point. “What did you say?”
“Cooperate and you’ll see Player 001 again, as a sign of goodwill.”
After the failed coup, the Front Man offers Gi-hun the chance to see Young-il again—in exchange for his continued cooperation.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 15,033
- Chapters:
- 4/4
- Comments:
- 218
- Kudos:
- 2,282
- Bookmarks:
- 251
- Hits:
- 23,392
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
02 Apr 2025
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The morning of November 4th, 2024, Hwang In-ho, the Front Man, wakes up in a Seoul apartment he doesn't recognize, and a husband that he very much does. And then his daughter, his dead wife's child, climbs into the bed with them, alive and nine years old now and the most perfect thing In-ho has ever seen.
Despite the shock, the doubt, the confusion, In-ho finds himself very quickly falling in love with this soft life, this kinder reality where neither he nor Seong Gi-hun ever touched the Games, this world where their daughters walk to school together and Jun-ho stops by for coffee and his stepmother calls casually to ask what Gi-hun wants for his birthday.
But this Gi-hun knows his husband, and he knows something is wrong. And In-ho knows he can't stay. Not when the gears of time are still churning in another, colder reality.
Meanwhile, Hwang In-ho, private investigator, husband to goofy, good-hearted Seong Gi-hun, father to Hwang Ji-ah and stepfather to Ga-yeong, wakes up in a world of horror and blood, a world where he himself is the villain... a world where his husband hates him.
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
26 Mar 2025
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Gi-hun wouldn’t call himself a winner. He didn’t win the games, he survived them. That’s all he’s ever done: survive, even when survival means carrying the weight of every life lost along the way. He took the money and left that world behind, convincing himself it was for the best. For his daughter. For their future. At least, that’s what he keeps telling himself.
He never expected to meet someone just like him. Another survivor, another person who escaped.
Or Gi-hun meets In-ho, a former winner, now single father. Just like him.
(Single fathers Inhun AU)
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 80,362
- Chapters:
- 12/12
- Comments:
- 358
- Kudos:
- 1,353
- Bookmarks:
- 291
- Hits:
- 24,884
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
25 Mar 2025
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“Live your life, 456. Do something with it. Move on.”
Gi-hun, who had not spoken all night, broke his silence. “Please,” he mumbled. “Kill me.”
And, oh, how badly did In-ho wish that he had it in him to honor that request.
xxx
In-ho can't help but spy on Gi-hun after he lets him go. He makes it a habit to watch him once a week at the same bar. But when he slips up, and Gi-hun sees him, he's forced to bring Young-il back to life. Chaos ensues.
Series
- Part 1 of I love you, it's ruining my life
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 37,102
- Chapters:
- 18/18
- Comments:
- 493
- Kudos:
- 974
- Bookmarks:
- 125
- Hits:
- 16,965
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
24 Mar 2025
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Summary
When a simple mission goes awry, will Estinien be able to find and save Alphinaud?
Series
- Part 1 of Lost Saga
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
28 Dec 2024
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Summary
For all the devotion they place unto their goddess, the elezen of Ishgard place more unto their Chevaliers d’Eglise. None are more celebrated among their ranks than the vaunted Dragoons Azures, known to take both their name and their power from the drachen foe that so blights the city. Gifted said power by means unknown to all but the highest cardinals, their single-minded thrust to drive the Guerre De Mille Ans to an end has featured heavily in the city-state’s culture and arts.
“Thick tome you’ve got there,” said a familiar voice, and Alphinaud nearly jumped.
--
estinaud? alphinien? whatever the ship name is. they kiss,Bookmarked by mysterionrises
28 Dec 2024
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Summary
When both Alisaie and Alphinaud fail to turn up for breakfast in the morning less than a fortnight after their twentieth birthday, Estinien knows instantly why. He takes on the task of supporting Alphinaud through the growth spurt despite his long-buried feelings for the man. Surely it'll be fine.
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
28 Dec 2024
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Bookmarked by mysterionrises
28 Nov 2024
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Summary
London was supposed to be a big enough city to get lost in, yet somehow the Brooklands Alums keep running into their most enigmatic ex-classmate. No one likes a high school reunion, but everyone does enjoy some good gossip and Alex Rider has always been an excellent source of that.
OR
The 5 times Brooklands Alums ran into Alex Rider in the wild and the one time he ran into them.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 33,315
- Chapters:
- 8/8
- Collections:
- 3
- Comments:
- 183
- Kudos:
- 2,429
- Bookmarks:
- 553
- Hits:
- 26,655
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
03 Sep 2024
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Summary
Cazador Szarr didn’t intend to turn a man like Astarion. That’s Aurelia’s working theory. Astarion—loud, prideful, panicky Astarion—was a crime of passion from a passionless monster. Astarion is a crime scene, not of a murder (murder isn’t a crime to a predator) but rather the crime of losing control. Aurelia is pretty sure Cazador couldn’t help himself. AKA: 5 times Cazador saw Astarion before he finally killed him.
Series
- Part 1 of Astarion Origin Party Nonsense
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
25 Feb 2024
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Summary
A relationship study set in the months immediately preceding Gale’s falling out with Mystra.
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
24 Feb 2024
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Summary
“Ah,” Gale startled, “Forgive me. I may have had a little too much to drink, I’m afraid.”
The stranger chuckled, and the sound slid like silk down Gale’s spine.
“What’s the occasion, may I ask?”
“The worst day of my life,” Gale replied, louder than he meant to. He raised his glass in a mock toast and tossed the last of the bourbon back.
* * *
Professor Gale Dakarios loses his research, his magic, and his lover Mystra all at once and only has himself to blame. When he goes to drown his sorrows, he meets a pale stranger with mysteries of his own.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 31,740
- Chapters:
- 7/7
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 387
- Kudos:
- 3,279
- Bookmarks:
- 721
- Hits:
- 34,671
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
23 Feb 2024
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So here he is: a monster in the wilderness, a shadow crawling in the sun, trying desperately to be more than his nature. Than the terrified creature two centuries of torment shaped him into.
(Or Astarion reclaims his personhood, one fraught, determined step at a time. And with a little help along the way.)
Bookmarked by mysterionrises
23 Feb 2024