WARNING: This story is rated M. There is sexual content, swearing, drug use, violence, self-harm, and adult themes ahead. You have been warned. If you do not read this warning and get triggered by something in the story IT IS NOT MY FAULT. Please keep in mind I love writing but I also have to protect myself. Thank you.
All characters are depicted as 18+ and please remember - this is a fictional story, I am not trying to sexualize any BTS member or interpret them as bad people. This is completely fictional, please don't take it too seriously. With that being said, enjoy Royale.
NOTE: Although this story follows Squid Game, for sake of narrative it won't be following it directly. Don't expect the BTS characters to replace the characters in the TV show. There'll be similarities, but they won't be the same. I want them to be original characters and it'll stray from the original plot to fit the narrative I want to tell. DO NOT expect a direct retelling of Squid Game, I don't like following stories word for word. This is simply based off the story. Enjoy 3
? ﾝﾓﾹ? ﾝﾓﾼ? ﾝﾓﾭ? 1:
? ﾝﾓﾘ? ﾝﾓﾗ? ﾝﾓﾡ
He saunters down the roads with his hands in his pockets, muttering a few curses at the thought of going home. His eyes scan over the empty streets, a sigh passing his lips before he can tell it to stop. The man besides him glances at him with distraught, a sigh leaving his lips as well.
"Dreading it isn't going to help," he remarks.
"I appreciate the advice Tae, but nothing's working anymore. I don't know what to do," he mumbles back.
The two walk in silence. Neither of them know what to say. For around a year now everything's been bland to him. Whether it be the streets or his home life. It's not like he has much of a job anymore, so there's no escape there either. He'll work part-time as stupid things. Sometimes a driver, sometimes a waiter, sometimes a retail worker. Stupid things that put food on the table while his wife pays the rent with her minimal job. They're both in the financial dump right now.
"Still, dreading it won't help," Tae points out, "it'll only make things worse. Let's brainstorm a little bit okay? What if you started street dancing? Maybe that can bring in some extra bucks. You've always been good at being graceful."
"My wife calls me clumsy," he grumbles back.
"Yeah you're that too, but you're graceful when you put your mind to it." Tae stops him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Jimin, listen to me, you and her had a good thing. A wonderful thing, actually. Don't waste it because of something like money. I know it's a big factor, but there's more to life than that."
Jimin almost snorts, "aren't you in debt by a few million?"
Tae frowns, "it's not about me right now. I made my choices and threw away my own life, but you still have a chance here."
Jimin kicks at the ground, starting to walk again. Tae sighs and joins. Together, Tae escorts Jimin back home. He stops in front of the door, taking out his keys. Tae on the other hand seems excited. "Say hi to the wife for me?" Jimin hums. "Oh and give baby Aria a hug for me okay?" Jimin looks at Tae and brightly smiles.
"That was happening anyway," he coos, "but I'll give her an extra one just for you."
They say their goodbyes, exchanging a brief hug. Then, Jimin enters his home. The door clicks shut behind him, and a soft rap of footsteps gets louder and louder until Jimin sees the small girl rushing over to him. He laughs and kneels in time to pick up his daughter, twirling her around with glee. "Hey baby," he purrs, holding her close and rocking her back and forth. "How has your day been huh? Did mommy give you lots of love?"
"I always do," his wife remarks, sauntering into the room.
He softly smiles seeing her beautiful form. For all their problems, she's still so gorgeous. Even after giving birth to their two-year-old daughter. She comes over, him pecking her lips. "Hey beautiful," he whispers. She strokes some of Aria's hair out of her face and looks at him, returning the soft smile.
"Hey Min. You're back late. Tae keeping you busy?"
"Always," he hums, following her to Aria's bedroom. He sets her down on her small bed, kissing her forehead goodnight. "Sleep tight baby," he gently says, petting her locks a few more times before backing off. Then, he follows his wife to their bedroom, closing the door behind him. As soon as their daughter is out of the picture the tension settles back into his heart. No fights this time. One day without a fight. One day is all he's asking for.
"Any luck with job hunting?" she asks. So much for no fights.
"Not yet," he sighs out, "can we go to bed? I don't want to talk about this right now."
She clearly does, but she shakes it off. "Fine. We'll talk about it in the morning."
"Not in front of Aria," he insists.
"Then when? If I lose my job it's over. We can't provide for her, we won't even get the chance to argue in front of her anymore. I'm worked to the bone and all I'm asking is for you to try. Why does it feel like I'm the only one trying here? All I'm asking is for you to get an interview. Just an interview, prove that you're trying."
"I am," he protests, "I'm trying so hard, please believe me."
"I would believe you if your actions followed your words," she mumbles, lying down on the bed, "but you're right. We shouldn't talk about this now. It's late. Sleep helps with stress."
Jimin scoffs, "well you obviously want a fight as always, so go ahead, yell at me. Tell me what I'm doing wrong this time."
She tiredly looks up at him, "Min, I don't want a fight. I just want you to get an interview. We have a daughter now, this isn't something that can be put off. We're not teenage lovers anymore - we're husband and wife. Married. Please, let's go to bed and discuss it in the morning."
"Bullshit, we don't feel like husband and wife," he scowls, "we feel like strangers who sleep in the same bed."
She goes still at that, her hands clutching the sheets until her already pale skin gets paler. He rests back on the balls of his feet, poking his tongue against his cheek. What the hell's she thinking? Her gaze meets his, no emotion hiding behind the beautiful blue shade of her eyes. "Oh..." is all she can muster. Moments later she turns so her back is facing him, earning a small groan from Jimin.
He strips down to his boxers, taking off his shoes and kicking them away. Soon enough he's under the covers, not moving to hold her like he normally would. Truthfully he hasn't held her in probably a solid month now. There's more silence in the air, then, he hears a faint sniff. He glances at her. "Rave?" he questions. She keeps her back facing him. "Raven. Come on, look at me."
"You don't love me, do you?" she painfully asks.
His eyes widen, him rushing into action. He back-hugs her and shushes her soft cries. "No, no baby I love you so much... I love you and only you," he insists, kissing her shoulder, "I married you for a reason. Shhh, I still love you my baby, I still love you." She turns and they hug for the first time in what feels like years, his arms wrapping around her protectively.
"Then why do I feel like any moment now you'll ask for a divorce?" she whispers.
His heart breaks in two hearing that. "Oh baby girl, I don't want a divorce. I want us to be okay."
"We're not," she chokes out, "we're not and we both know that. We've tried everything but nothing works. What else can we do?"
Jimin strokes her hair, pondering the answer to that question. Is there a way to go? Finance is one of the most important things in marriage and right now that's shit for them. How are they going to fix things if Jimin can't even get a good job? Can't even get a good interview? He sighs and kisses the top of her head, pulling her closer. "I don't know," he admits. He lets out a breath. "I don't know."
~Three Days Later~
Jimin plops down on the bench, staring blankly at the train that just left. He had an interview lined up. An interview. Great, now he's going to have an argument with his wife. Probably a bad one. Really bad. Probably bad enough that her fears about divorce will come to life. Shit she's gonna be so pissed when she finds out he was late to the interview that might score him a decent job. Not a great one - but one that would help a lot. Before he can delve deeper into his thoughts, a weight is added to the bench. Jimin goes still, slowly turning to see a middle-aged man in a suit sitting next to him. A briefcase gets set in the small space between Jimin and the man. He looks clean. Professional.
"Excuse me sir?" his voice inquires. It's sharp but somehow smooth at the same time. A type of voice that allures others. Maybe even tricking them.
"I don't want girl scout cookies," Jimin grumbles, kicking at the concrete beneath him.
"Sir, that's not what I was going to ask."
"I don't care," Jimin interjects, glaring at the man, "I've had a shit enough day, I don't need anything else."
There's silence for several moments. Both of them stare at each other, Jimin's hooded eyes reflecting his reluctance to this stranger. Why would he listen to him? Some random good-looking stranger sits next to him and wants to ask something. As if Jimin has that kind of luck. He's literally late to an important interview, arguably one of the most important ones in his life. He can't even go to an interview right.
"Listen, I don't know what your game here is-"
Jimin stops when the man opens his briefcase, showing the bills he has stored inside along with colored paper tiles. Oh... oh shit. There's more money in that briefcase than Jimin has seen in his whole life. Holy shit. "Would you like to play a game with me sir?" the man offers. Well shit with money like that who the hell is Jimin to say no? Is he insane? If he has to wait for the next train, he might as well pass the time, right?
"Sure," Jimin whispers, nodding rapidly, "y-yeah sure I don't see why not."
The man flashes a charming smile, "I'm sure you've heard of ddakji, hm?" Jimin nods. "Play a few rounds with me and each time you win I'll pay you 100,000 won. If I win, you pay me 100,000 won."
"So I hit your ddakji and flip it over, I get 100,000 won? Just like that?"
He nods, "just like that."
Jimin stares at the 50,000 won bills all stored inside. Is it worth it? Risking owing money to someone for 100,000 won? If he gets that, it might not help much, but it can get them two week's of groceries, maybe three. All that from playing a game. Jimin furrows his brows, seeing his wife's smile and his daughter's hopeful face. Yeah. It'll be worth it to be able to buy good food and maybe even dessert. He needs to see them smile.
"Okay," Jimin finally confirms.
"You can play first," he replies, standing and offering a red or blue paper to him, "which color?"
Blue never failed Jimin. His favorite color is blue. So, that's the one he gently takes from the man's hands. The salesman stands and places his red one down, Jimin standing over it. Okay it can't be that hard, right? Just hit it on the corner hard enough that it flips over. Jimin gulps. But he doesn't have 100,000 won. What if he loses? Well he already agreed to this. If he loses, he loses. Shit.
Without any more thoughts, Jimin throws the tile down as hard as he can. It bounces uselessly off of the side of the red paper, no progress being made. Jimin groans. Great, now he has a chance to lose. Without a word the man saunters over, picking his up gracefully off the ground, then he stands in front of Jimin's blue one. He prepares himself. Seconds later, the thing clatters against Jimin's.
It flips over.
Jimin goes completely still. Oh no. He's getting ripped off isn't he? Is this a scam? Is there something in the businessman's paper? The man leans closer, raising a brow. "I um..." Jimin mumbles. He shakes his head. Oh lord how embarrassing. How mortifying to say he's too broke and doesn't have the money. Even if he did, he can't give it away. His wife would be even more pissed. Jimin gulps while rubbing his pinky over the cool metal on his ring finger. He can find a way out of this right? For her. He has to for her.
"You can pay me back with your body," he offers.
"Wait wha-" 'SLAP'
Jimin stands there, astounded by what just happened. He holds his stinging cheek, staring at the man with horror in his eyes. Meanwhile the man keeps a kind smile on his face. "W-What the hell man?" Jimin asks, not bothering to hide the pure terror in his tone. Jimin's alone in a subway with this man and he slapped him. What could possibly go wrong?
"I'll take 100,000 won off per slap," he announces. Jimin keeps his stare on the man. Then, without a word, he picks up his blue tile and steps in front of the man's red one. He keeps his feet planted, trying to remember his tactic from when he was a kid. He uses all his strength to whip the tile down, hitting the corner of the red one. But... it doesn't move. Seconds later, it's the business man's turn. He flips Jimin's tile over easily. Jimin sighs.
'SLAP'
He winces, his face starting to hurt. The sting almost brings tears to his eyes, but he manages to blink them back. He tries again. Nothing. The business man. He flips Jimin's over. Another slap. Then another. Another. Six. Seven. Eight. Jimin loses count of how many slaps he gets until he's finally had enough.
Jimin practically rips the tile off the ground, lining himself up with the red one beneath him. It taunts him, laughing in a bellowing tone. Jimin grits his teeth, planting his feet and raising his arm. With all his strength he throws it, hitting the red one at just the right angle. Time seems to slow down as the flash of red flips and flips until... it lands on the opposite side. Jimin almost screams, jumping for joy, his hands clenching into fists and shaking rapidly.
The business man claps, Jimin coming down from his high and straightening his shirt sleeves. "Alright let's go big boy," Jimin calls, about to slap him when the business man grabs his wrist. Seconds later, Jimin sees 100,000 won being placed in his hands. He gulps. "Right, money... forgot about that," he mumbles, slightly embarrassed.
He simply smiles, "sir, there are plenty of games out there. Opportunities to earn more than this."
Jimin counts the money, biting back his disbelief that he finally has money he earned. He earned it. Sure, in a shitty way, but he earned it nonetheless. He softly laughs, not really paying attention to what the other man said. The taller of the two chuckles, taking out a business card and offering it to Jimin.
"If you want to play more games, call that number," he explains.
He takes the card, observing the mysterious man as he walks away. Jimin stares after him, then, a train hisses. He lets out a breath. Right, interview. He's about to show up to an interview with a bruised face. How does he explain that? Oh whatever he has a long train ride to think of an excuse. He finally has money! Finally! Jimin giddily skips over to the approaching train, his mind in euphoria. Maybe, just maybe, he can make things right.
Jimin can't make things right.
"Are you kidding me right now?!" his wife shouts, her eyes almost popping out of her head.
"Baby please, I swear it wasn't anything dangerous-"
"You come home with bruises on your face and that's your definition of 'nothing dangerous'?" she exclaims, her voice hoarse, "Jimin you showed up to an interview late and with a bruised face and you want me to be calm? How the hell am I supposed to be calm? I don't care how much God damn money you bring home - look at you! Look at your f-face." She trails off, starting to hyperventilate while hot tears stream down her face, "your face..."
Jimin comes closer, placing his hands on her shoulders, "Rave, please listen to me." She shakes her head, letting her eyes cast down. "Baby girl, I didn't do anything bad. I told you exactly what happened." Minus the part where he has a business card that could potentially get him more money. Based on her reaction to his face, he doubts that she'd be pleased to hear he's tempted to do more. "I'm fine. They were just stupid slaps, nothing permanent. We can pay for more groceries this week, get some snacks for Aria. Isn't that what matters here?"
She takes a step back, glaring at him, "you think I'd rather have money than my husband come home safe and sound?" His heart breaks at the pain hidden behind her tone. She sniffles, wiping her eyes, "you know what? Do whatever you want Jimin. I've had enough of this shit."
"Baby-" He cuts himself off when she abruptly turns on her heel and stomps over to the closet, opening it and grabbing her suitcase. "Woah woah woah wait baby girl what the hell are you doing?" he asks in a panic, rushing over and back hugging her. His arms keep her in place, but she still tries to get out of his grip regardless.
"I'm taking Aria to her grandma's for two days. We both need some space," she mumbles, grabbing his hands and attempting to pry them off, "now let me go." He only holds her tighter, tearing up in the process. "Jimin, I swear to God let me go right fucking now!"
He softly cries, "please don't leave me, please I'll get another interview. Please I'll do anything. Not you... not you too."
She finally manages to get out of his grip. This time he doesn't try again. He watches his gorgeous wife pack her clothes while he sits on the bed crying, not daring utter a word. Once Raven's done with her packing, she comes over to him and sits by his side. It's quiet for a few moments. "I love you," she whispers. His heart burns hearing those three words pass her lips. "But you need to get your shit together before you tear our family apart. I dealt with one deadbeat father." She pauses to shake her head, "I'm sure as hell not dealing with another."
He keeps his eyes on the ground. She stands, grabbing the handle of her suitcase and going to the door. "I love you too," he whispers, but it's too late. She already closed the door. For about half an hour he cries. His wife left him, taking his daughter with her. Money isn't the solution, but at the same time, if he doesn't get a job a divorce is on the way.
With one last whimper he takes the business card out of his pocket. If she's gone for two days, that gives him some time to figure this out, right? He can get a lot more money and contribute while he's looking for a job. This time no bruises. Jimin wipes his tears and sniffles, looking at the strange symbols on the front of it, then he flips to the back and sees the number. He swallows his fears. This is for his family. There's no other way: either he does nothing and loses his wife or does something and at least gets money for them, even if she ends up leaving him again. So, he sighs.
And moments later, he grabs his phone and dials the number.
TO BE CONTINUED