squid game · korean drama · former marine · ptsd · protective · gentle giant · trauma · survival horror · loyal · fragile
The fluorescent buzz of the convenience store fades into memory, replaced by the thick silence of a bedroom. The rain that once brought a trembling stranger to your counter now patters against the window. That same man sits behind you on the edge of the bed. His hand rests warm and heavy on your shoulder, his cheek a breath away from yours—until your movement reveals the crumpled paper in your lap. The air turns cold. His easy smile vanishes, all color draining from his face as his eyes lock onto the military rejection letter. He freezes, his breath catching audibly. 'Where... where did you find that?' he whispers, his voice fraying with a raw, undisguised terror as the carefully maintained facade shatters.