Squid Game Mingle - Blog Posts

no universe where they didn't get freaky during mingle. sorry

Let it happen

hwang in-ho x reader

Chapter 3

The team your companion procured hovered around the pair of you, Eun-Shin occupying the dull minutes with endless chatter that you yearned to be deceased- the newfound team less enthusiastic about straining the cords within their neck to speak with you. Although your partnership with Eun-Shin promised neutrality, you could feel the pierce of daggers in their gazes, the X patch merely tagging you with a target, a deer in the scope of a hunter. It was ironic, considering you were the cynical one.

Your head settled against the cool frame of the beds, the vibrations thrumming through the metal to your skull, a nice distraction from the isolation. You couldn’t even blame them for it since you’d brought this on yourself by pushing everyone away, portraying a near emotionless front. For all they knew, you would throw their lives away without a second thought- and you would, you convinced yourself. After the last game, their perception of you would be lasting, but somehow, the rush dulled whenever you realized people with actual lives were dying. These people weren’t simply nobodies who lacked depth anymore, you’ve witnessed firsthand the whirlwind of emotions that consumed them- the grief, the horror, even the cruelness. What about the trembling girl from earlier- 95- pleading to everyone for a shred of mercy, to leave? It gnawed at your intricately crafted persona, something that had been engrained into your being since you were young.

“You seem bored over here,” A voice intruded your daze, clearing the fog that dwelled the crevices of your brain. You blinked, a slight surprise flickering briefly in your eyes before your head finally tilted, revealing the origins to the familiar voice- dark eyes meeting e/c ones.

A glance back at the team not so far from you, your tongue formed words, voice free of the feelings that your body teemed with, “I just have nothing to say.”

Young-Il cracked a small smile, releasing a breath of air through his nose- something about his demeanor appearing to disbelieve your answer, seeing right through that cracking persona of yours. He sat beside you, hands wrung together, elbows settled against his knees. “Our group over there is taking safety precautions for lights out,” He revealed, voice harboring a lower tone, hushed from potentially prying ears. “With the addition of another person I thought Jun-hee might feel safer, considering you two are already acquainted.”

“Jun-hee?” You repeated, the name void of memory in your mind, face revealing your lack of awareness.

His eyebrows raised, realization seeping onto his features. “222,” He clarified. “The one you brought to us earlier?”

“Oh. I remember now.”

“So what do you think? Wanna join us for the night?” Young-Il’s gaze drifted between you and your group, the one so eager to leave you secluded. Looking into his eyes, you searched for meaning and explanation behind his question- but alas, his eyes offered no translation. So you took it at face value.

“I’ll do it for her,” You agreed, finally stretching your legs after being sat for so long- trapped within your own thoughts. “It’s not like they’ll notice,” Speaking of your group, referencing their distance from you.

You followed Young-Il, his hand hovering over your back as he introduced you to the rest of the group- your name now known among the individuals apart of it. They were nice, offering a space with them, but still, you found yourself a black sheep, unsure what to say or do- unsure how willing to be. Awkward.

Lights later fell, signaling lights out had began, the six of you situated on mattresses on the floor- you laid between Young-Il and Jun-hee, back soaking in the small comfort of the bed, blanket tugged to your chest snugly. Gi-hun, you learned his name was, sat ahead of you, volunteering to keep guard first- eyes having seen the brutalities of this game once before. While you should’ve been asleep, you found yourself unable to, simply staring up at the ceiling dimly illuminated by the golden piggybank, the silence borderline deafening.

You turned on your side, facing right; where Young-Il slept, oddly sound. You shouldn’t have- you felt strange doing so- but you examined his sleeping face; the creases left from smiling throughout his lifetime, one spent joyously, and his at ease features, which were usually so stern and unrevealing- dark. He appeared at peace, the tenseness from the day’s events ebbing and allowing him to rest cozy. Your eyes then lowered, concentrating on the steady rise and fall of his chest, and you wondered how someone could be so at peace in the wake of disaster, having no inner turmoil- so confident and sure about himself, about his morals. You envied that. You envied his sureness about himself.

At that, you allowed your eyes to flutter shut, mimicking the man inches from you- copying that shred of peace tackling his face, your muscles easing. And for once, you had a decent rest.

“Your attention please. The third game will begin momentarily,” The monotonous voice beckoned from the intercoms, stirring the contestants inside, including you. “All players, please wake up and prepare to move to the game hall.”

When you awoke, you’d nearly forgotten of your predicament with Jun-hee’s group- recollecting your memory from the day prior. The previously mentioned girl blinked as she sat up, groggy and squinting from the bright lights raining down on the players, but she still managed to offer you a small smile, one that soothed your already bubbling nerves. You were unaware if you were anxious for the interrogation awaiting you- or if you were afraid of what was to come.

Rubbing your eyes, you noticed the familiar outline of Young-Il directly in front of you, having been his turn to keep watch while the rest of you slept soundly. You hadn’t even heard him move in the night, as quiet as a mouse. He dared a look back, hearing the sounds of the group’s stir- their faces soured by unwillingness to wake, eyes resting on your face briefly. As he stood, you crawled slightly forward, using the frame of the bed to hoist yourself up- hand extended to the other girl to make her attempt less strenuous.

“It was… nice.. being around you, Jun-hee, but I must return to my own group now,” You alerted, unsure how to word your time spent with the group- the kindness of your words tasting bitter on your tongue, so foreign to you. “Best of luck this game.”

And with those parting words, you slipped away to merge with the horde of people, in search of Eun-Shin, eyes skimming across the wave of contestants, each of the faces you spotted just as weary as the last.

An arm locked around yours soon enough, tugging you toward them, shoulder clashing with their’s. “What the-“ You spat, puzzled until the perpetrator’s face entered your vision. “Oh. It’s you.”

“Yep. You can’t escape me that easily,” Eun-Shin joked, nudging you with his elbow, the rest of the group to his right. They were never interested in your doings, but you weren’t very intrigued by their’s either. “How was your little sleepover, huh?”

“I just slept. Nothing more, nothing less,” You shrugged, lips smushed into a fine line, boredom plain on your features, this line of questioning gaining you no entertainment.

“Odd that he invited you over there, though,” He mumbled, his expression thoughtful- almost mockingly so. Always trying to pick apart Young-Il for reasoning you couldn’t be sure of. “Seems kinda off. What if he tried murdering you?” His hands mimicked a strangling motion before becoming firm on your shoulders, shaking you back and forth to emphasize his point.

Prying his hands from your shoulders, you responded to the notion, “There were other people there. But I didn’t go because of him, I went for 222. She’s pregnant, so… I felt a little bad,” You attempted to phrase your words less empathetic, not wanting him to believe your frozen heart had started watering. “Not for her, the baby, I mean- the baby didn’t sign up for this,” You clarified, though that sentence only appeared to cement the opposite impression.

“You know, it’s okay to care for people, but here is.. probably not the best place for that,” Eun-Shin stated, eyes flying to the other members of your group, voice lowering to where only the pair of you could hear. “Listen, you’re the only member of this team I can rely on- even if you’re a little crazy. I can’t have you dying on me. Just be careful,” Surprisingly, his statement eased the strange worry of abandonment, feeling a little more useful to them.

“I won’t, and I won’t… do anything..” You gritted your teeth, the words difficult to let out. Change proved difficult. “….crazy… anymore. At least not here while our lives are at stake.”

“Wow, you really have changed. Are you sure you’re really… 11… anymore instead of a clone?” Eun-Shin teased, a joking smile present on his face. “I’m just kidding. I’m glad you’re coming around.”

Eventually, guards escorted everyone out of the room, leading you up the colorful and seemingly endless amount of stairs- up and up you went, trudging unbearably slow up each step, Eun-Shin silent and thoughtful throughout the entire process- probably pondering the next game’s events, wondering the difficulty and severity. Even you couldn’t deny your curiosity, palms a twinge sweaty from what pulsated beyond flesh- and you shouldn’t have felt this way, with your morphing perspective, but ecstasy threatened to seize you, heart hammering and body pumping with the buzz of adrenaline. You clenched your fist, snuffing out the growing intensity- you needed to stay focused for the livelihood of your group, or else you’d easily be sidetracked by euphoria.

Everyone came to a halt at a set of cream colored curtains, which added a sense of mystique to the already anxious crowd, guards stationed in front of everyone, waiting just as you were. Curtains spread apart, the pink clad figures entered, standing on either side of the entrance while the rest of you cautiously followed, eyes darting around the sleek room to study its interior, the center piece of it a trio of galloping horses, reminding you of a carousel. Seeing your reflection in the floor, your eyebrows furrowed, your face lighter- something different in the way your eyes gleamed, sparked with will.

“Players, welcome to the third game. We will begin momentarily,” The intercom chimed. “The game you will be playing today is Mingle. I will now repeat the announcement…”

“Mingle? Do you have any idea?” Eun-Shin peered across the faces of your group, questioning if anyone had any idea about the game. You could only shake your head, “mingling” being the last thing you ever did while out in the world.

“I will now explain the rules of the game. All players will step onto the platform in the center of the arena. Once the game begins, the platform will spin. Shortly after, a number will be called out. You must then form a group that matches this number, enter one of the surrounding rooms, and close the door within thirty seconds- or be eliminated.”

“There’s the answer to your question,” You remarked, eyeing your partner, the five of you approaching the middle of the room. The horses loomed over you, being a mock to all of you down below, just within shooting range.

“Well, this one’s gonna suck,” He muttered, turning to the four staring at him, awaiting a speech- or maybe a game plan, looking to him like they were disciples in need of knowledge. “We’ll try to stick together the best we can- but I doubt it’s gonna be as simple as that, so just… no matter what number they call, don’t panic, just think first and do the most logical thing. We just have to trust one another, and we can all make it out.”

“What if she leads one of us to dying?” 30 directed a pointed glare at you, her eyes peeling from you to your companion.

Before Eun-Shin could respond, you stepped in for yourself, “I understand my actions from the game before frightened you- but I won’t do it again- or not this time. I like gambling, but…. not to the point of someone… dying.”

Eun-Shin appeared surprised at your accountability, eyes flickering to something behind you briefly- darkening for merely a second before he threw his arm around your shoulders, not revealing the sourness on his features. “Plus, we need our token crazy girl- and besides, while she may have taken a risk last game, she did it knowing she could come back from it,” He added, the group’s resentment slightly dissipating as they mulled over his words.

“I guess you’re right… I didn’t think of it that way.”

You sighed, again feeling overshadowed- your words less impactful than that of your peer. You only wallowed under his arm, beneath him as always, a tinge of envy at his ease in dominating everyone- having all of you enamored with him. The effect of extroverts.

“With that, let the game begin,” Music reverberated throughout the room, a catchy tune chorused, and the platform all players stood on jerked as it began its deathly spin- everyone wary and preparing for the moment it would stop. Eun-Shin had a grip on your wrist and 155’s, keeping each of you interlocked and close.

“Ten players.”

“We need five more people,” Eun-Shin declared, grabbing another nearby player. Nerves were scattered, panic settling among some players, the addition of flashing lights helping none- regardless, you found yourself grabbing ahold of a nearby number’s hand, tugging them toward you while the rest of your group clung to anyone near- running with haste to the nearest door once the numbers reached ten and shutting it. Each of you heaved a sigh, backs supported by the wall as a sense of relief washed over you. The game wasn’t over yet, however, so tensions still ran high.

The hand you gripped scarily tight ripped itself from your grasp, the man rubbing the aching spot, wearing a grimace on his face. “I had my own team,” He grumbled, approaching the slot in the door to peek into the open space where stragglers were left defenseless. “My friend.. She’s- She’s out there!” Frenzied pounds reverberated from the knuckles hitting metal, hands frantic against the locked doorknob. “Nari! Please..! Please…” His shouts bled into whimpers as bullets scattered, the sounds jolting you and his reaction shattering you, the tremble of your hands only slightly recognizable. The rest of you inside could only watch in silence, having nothing to say- nothing that could comfort his cries.

He turned to you abruptly, hands springing to the collar of your shirt and slamming your back into the wall, feet hovering inches above the floor- gasps escaping opened mouths at the sudden action. “You did this! Why would you do this!” He demanded, your arms drooped and demeanor showcasing your lack of willingness to defend yourself- because truthfully, you agreed.

“Hey, hey, it’s not her fault,” Eun-Shin’s hand cautiously settled on the player’s shoulder, to which the opposer removed a balled fist from your collar, jamming his elbow into Eun-Shin’s chest, causing him to barrel over, a wheeze torn from his throat. It was the first you’d seen him unable to deescalate a situation.

“It’s fine.. Eun-Shin,” You managed, the pressure against your throat leaving little room to speak, eyes flickering between the enraged expression directly in front of you and the view of your partner on the floor from the corner of your eye. “I’m… I’m sorry…”

He released you, body instantly socked to the ground, regaining all the air your lungs were deprived of for those moments, a blizzard of coughs terrorizing your throat. “I would’ve rather died out there with her than been the reason she died,” He spat, towering dangerously above you, the gleam in his eyes making your mouth go dry. “Touch me again, and your neck will be more than bruised.”

With that, the door clicked, signifying it’d been unlocked- the time until then seeming infinite under the intense scrutiny. Another female inside helped you stand, putting your arm around her shoulder as the two of you walked toward the circle, the aid something you didn’t reject as you were still blindsided.

“Are you okay? He shouldn’t have done that to a girl,” She shook her head disapprovingly, trying to soothe you, a hand on your back- Eun-Shin was busy being comforted by the rest of your group, who were more or less unaffected by the actions when it involved you. “I was scared he was gonna hit you- or any of us if we had tried stepping in. I mean- he did hit your friend.”

“It’s okay,” You sighed, gently removing your arm from around her, lessening the weight against her. “I deserved it.”

“You couldn’t have known, you grabbed anyone you could,” She comforted, a sympathetic look on her face. “Plus, if he really believed what he said, he wouldn’t have let you drag him all the way there. People in grief just need a person to blame, especially here. Everyone is scared to die.”

The tune started again, the platform spinning smoothly, but the repeated and drawn out motion made you dizzy, nausea creeping into your body as you peered further at the puddles of blood, your mind trailing back to the man. Like the woman said, he needed a person to blame- but really, was he unfounded?

“Four players.” The jerk of the platform stopping abruptly brought you back to the hectic situation, Eun-Shin’s grip on your hand causing your gaze to shoot up, “Come on, let’s go. 30, you go with 33,” The woman you had just spoken to. “We’ll meet back with you.”

Along with Eun-Shin, 155, and 77, you darted toward a door, your hands interlocked, footsteps hurried- the hammering of your heart swift and filling your ears. Opening the door revealed a man inside, trembling in fear at the sight of your group. You swallowed thickly, casting a glance at the men beside you. They looked deranged from this angle. You wished you were courageous enough to sacrifice yourself- but instead, you stayed silent.

“Sorry about this,” Eun-Shin frowned, nodding at the other two, who each took one of the man’s arms and shoved him into the chaos- something so ruthless you wouldn’t have expected it from Eun-Shin, your eyes wide, merely watching as the door slammed shut, the duo (155 and 77) guarding the door, in the chance someone would try forcing it open. His eyes fell on you, taking in your appearance. “I put the safety of our group above all. I know it’s hard, but we have no other choice. You understand, don’t you?”

“I didn’t say anything,” You defended, the gunshots a grim reminder of what would happen if you failed to make it inside. You wondered if the man, who’d nearly strangled you, survived, hoping to not summon his wrath later on.

“You were thinking it, I could tell. Come on, at this point, I need crazy you back.”

“You can’t be picky now when you almost killed us earlier,” 155 snarked, stealing a glance out the slot.

“I… understand..” You muttered.

When you exited the room, your shoulders were slumped, an exasperated sigh threatening to leave your mouth. It didn’t matter how you behaved, people were still unhappy- no matter if you said anything or kept yourself tame. What could possibly appease them? Perhaps it was for the best to act how you always did and be how you always have been. Even when you tried to do good, it only resulted in wrong.

The music’s thrum became repetitive, a childish tune used to conduct such dark acts- everyone’s nerves frayed from the amount of people dying with each round, with each countdown, the number of people to be in a room lessening.

“Three players.”

You looked to Eun-Shin, hand on the cloth of his jacket to keep him close. “Okay, okay, 11, 155, come with me, 77 and 30, find another player- quick,” He instructed in haste, the three of you running toward a door while the remainder sprinted in the opposite direction. He slung you inside, the door falling closed behind the trio. His hands were on his knees, recuperating- the flashing lights, the running, the sprinting, the mixture overwhelming.

“Are you… okay?” You questioned, eyeing him.

“Yes. We made it in, didn’t we?”

You nodded and walked toward the slot in the door, watching the guards shoot the individuals scattered about the room, pleading helplessly for the pink figures to spare them- and then you removed yourself from it all, distancing yourself little by little. You’d done it once, and you could do it again, building your cold demeanor back piece by piece, mend the melting heart and make it cold again. You would never see these people again- whether it be because you died, or because you survived.

“Scared?” Eun-Shin asked, noticing your prying eyes.

You looked at him, eyes stern and cold, something he was certain to discern. “No. You?”

“Me either,” He admitted. But you almost scoffed at the statement, believing it a lie.

Once the doors were unlocked, you stepped out, regrouping with the parting teammates. You remained silent while the others chatted a little bit, relieved to see one another alive, but you weren’t apart of that relief.

The music mocked you with its cheerful tone, the spinning leaving you in a slight daze. Your face beamed with disappointment, for a reason you shouldn’t have been disappointed for- people betrayed you countlessly, caring only for their wellbeing, it was foolish of you to believe otherwise, at least for these people.

“Six players.”

Again. Six of you scurried to a room, tensions high and aggravation settling underneath the mask of panic. More people dead- a repetitive cycle that you wondered how long would last. When would you die? How long would you last? Six players was generous this round, but when would it shift again, flipping a switch and catching everyone off guard. The blood on the floor greeted you, shoes slick with the red substance, but that had grown normal after the last game, your shoes stained with pink.

“Attention, players. The final round will now begin,” The intercom announced, slight anxiety spilling into your stomach, organs twisting into knots, the next number to be called unknown- a question of what it would be on every player’s mind. The music doing little to quell anyone’s nerves. “Two players,” The lights dimmed, the light’s enthusiastic flashing and jolt of the platform sending everyone into flight mode.

Your eyes darted to Eun-Shin, having the intention of grabbing him, but his arm was already tangled with 155’s, lips in a thin line as he blankly acknowledged your stare, haste to leave you behind. A sacrifice had to be made- and looks like he’d chosen you for that role, disregarding his earlier statement. Your eyes then darted to your last two teammates- even if it’d been one, you were aware they’d rather die with you than be in a room with you. Because of your attitude, or maybe because of the X patch.

Mouth dry, the time ticked by awfully slow as you stood there. Your face was void of panic or anger- and the thought that this would be your last day alive struck you for a moment, you weren’t fearful of it. You expected it to happen eventually, especially with a game containing such high stakes. You took a small step forward, stealing a glance back at the platform- should you just sit down and give up now? Fighting against it would be shameful.

Before you could decide, your hand had been grabbed, the sudden grip stunning you, but your reflexes acted accordingly, the pace of your feet fast. Maybe you didn’t want to die after all. You were dragged into a room, a pair of hands then firm on your shoulders once safety had been secured, causing your eyes to finally lift from the floor to your savior.

Young-Il?

“What were you doing?” He questioned, eyes fixed on you. His eyebrows were furrowed, seeking an answer, determined to find one within your expression like he were a detective attempting to crack a code. The last thing you’d expected was to be saved- your mind vacant in those moments, merely basking in gloom. “Why wouldn’t you run? Try to find someone, try to get a room?”

“I… was looking,” You defended, though the lie was blatant, and as someone who already saw through the carefully crafted persona, it was even more so- so you crumbled. “Okay… I just didn’t have anyone. I’m not scared of dying, why not accept it?”

Young-Il sighed, arms falling to his sides- seemingly disappointed. “You should value your life more,” He examined your features, the concern on his face clear, but you didn’t understand why. You wouldn’t ever understand why- but you did know him to be caring, he would react this way with anyone so willing to surrender their life. “What’s that on your neck?”

Your hand flew to your neck, the spot sore under the brush of your fingers. “Oh….” You paused, words unable to form on your tongue- all the sentences you could possibly say falling short. What would you say? “I pulled someone into a room with us, and his friend got killed… so…”

“He blamed it on you,” He finished, a noticeable grimace on his face, eyes lowering, the ideas brewing in his mind unknown to you, and for once, you wished you could know. But the mystery surrounding him drew forth a curiosity within you. The door then clicked, signaling it had unlocked- with that, the game ending. “Join my team, Y/N,” His words were less of a question and more of a demand, sounding as if he wouldn’t accept no as an answer, the door still shut.

“For Jun-hee.”

“For you,” He corrected, sending you a final glance before he finally opened the door, keeping you near to him.

His words rattled your brain, and although you yearned to be alone- to be cold, isolated, distant from connection- you stayed with him, your eyes never straying from the number displayed on his back, oddly comforted in proximity to him. Conflicted feelings arose in you, unsure how to return the group’s kindness- or how to accept it, rather. You’d been alone the majority of your life, so affection was limited, gambling and making enemies being your way of survival.

“Once we all get back, somebody should go around and do a head count,” Your ears caught the low tone of Gi-hun, whose eyes darted across the scape, cautious and noting all surroundings. His senses keener since the last time he’d been here, wary of anything and everything- and who could blame him? This was your third day, and already, you felt your sanity crumbling.

“Why?”

“If we figure out what the X and O split is, then we’ll know which of the two sides is gonna have a better shot at the next vote,” He clarified.

“Guess we have to hope more O’s died than we did,” Young-Il remarked, a condescending air to the statement that proved clear as day to you- almost as if subtly pointing out the contradiction Gi-hun faced.

Eyes traced his back, pondering the midst of his mind, the storm concocted inside- what conceived such an arrogance toward the second time player? The pair seemed strangely familiar to one another, though that was impossible, as Young-Il was just another player led astray and down on his luck, but the strive to one up- could you call it that?- Gi-hun struck you as personal. Regardless, it didn’t involve you, and you’d prefer if it remained that way. After all, Young-Il had come to your rescue, one of the few to notice and tend to you- even besides that, you were a new addition to the group, perhaps there was context you lacked.

“You seem thoughtful,” The aforementioned individual commented, nudging you gently to grab your attention.

Chin tilted up to peer at him, you responded, “It’s nothing.”

He didn’t pry any further on the matter, a trait about him you appreciated. “What was your life like before?” His question surprised you, but you were aware he probably perceived it as a simple maneuver of topic- your life having just been chaotic. “Before all of this.” His eyes glimmered with intrigue, dark but there was a lightness.

And for some reason, you answered, treating him like a sinner to a confessional, excusing the frail admission, because you were likely to never see his face again, at least someone would know you- maybe even remember you if he survived, “I gambled. A lot.”

“Is that why you’re here? Debt from gambling?”

“No… I just love gambling in any capacity,” Gaze flitted to the steps, each of them a new color- the gnawing anxiety of being judged gargantuan. Which wouldn’t be completely wrong, most of your bad decisions stemmed from it.

Young-Il nodded, his features lightly submerged in realization. “That explains the last few games,” He noted, drawing your eyes back to him. “So even your life you’re willing to gamble?”

“Yes, but they’re usually… estimated gambles. Here, at least,” You expounded, unusually talkative- you felt like you were rambling a bit. “I don’t want anyone to die because of me. But… that probably sounds like I’m lying.. You think I’ll get you killed?”

His laugh was low, eyes drifting to the floor briefly as a smile crept onto his face. “No,” He rejected, amused by the question you’d posed. “We’ll be killed anyway if we lose the games. I think I’ll take my chances.”

“I guess you’re right..”

Herded back to the room you were originally contained inside, you couldn’t train your eyes any longer to Young-Il, allowing them to wander across the room, scanning for the broken partnership that dangled you above the crushing jaws of death. He was settled among the rest of your team, gaze drooped, appearing very thoughtful and dazed.

A hand hovered along your spine, ushering you toward an area in the back- Young-Il guiding you to the spot his group claimed, feeling so meek, like a rabbit in the paws of a wolf. Uncharacteristic and strange, you reveled in the sensation, your stomach churning with a fond emotion unknown to you.

“Don’t worry about him right now,” He instructed softly, showcasing an assuring smile that bloomed spring in your stomach, butterflies the evidence of such. You’d never experienced euphoria so vivid before- is this how blossoming friendship felt? Was this the sickening sweet symptom derived from affection? You found it more addictive than adrenaline, a new sickness to fester within you.

“Okay.. I won’t,” You relented, heart hammering in your chest, fingers giving a little twitch, a part of you worried he would hear the rhythmic beating.

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sorry this chapters a little shorter than the rest, but i wanted to get a chapter out for you guys since its been a while!! thank you so much for the support:)) hope you enjoy!!!