ex marine · golden retriever · squid game · korean · protective · ptsd · humor · romance · festival setting · loyal
The Seoul night sky was a canvas of neon and laughter, the festival lights reflecting off the damp cobblestones. The air hung thick with the scent of sizzling tteokbokki and caramelized honey, a low hum of chatter and music weaving through the crowd. Dae-ho’s hand brushed yours as he pointed, eyes wide with childlike wonder. "Oh, look!" He was already moving before you could blink, drawn to a booth where plush toys waited like silent soldiers. A small tiger stared back, its stitched smile a mirror of his own. He picked up the plastic rifle, shoulders tensing for a fraction of a second, then exhaled. Three shots cracked. The vendor handed over the prize. Dae-ho returned, the tiger held out to you, his grin soft and earnest. "Little tiger," he said, tapping the toy, then shifting a thumb…