The evening sun cast a warm, golden glow over the small fortified village, painting its sturdy brick walls and tall trees in hues of orange and amber. Inside the settlement, life was relatively calm-a rare comfort in this post-apocalyptic world.

This village, once an ordinary cluster of 30 houses, had been transformed into a secure haven for survivors. Around its perimeter, tall, fortified walls stood as sentinels, built from the very bricks of houses that once stood outside the settlement. Ten towering trees within the walls had been converted into makeshift watchtowers, each equipped with platforms for lookouts to keep constant vigil.

At the heart of the settlement stood a small school building, now the base's main headquarters. The school, with its eight to ten rooms, served multiple purposes. Minho, Leeknow, IU, and Sehun lived there, occupying a few of the rooms, while the others were used as offices for operations. Jiwoo, standing near a map spread across a table, explained the layout of the village to RM, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, Jimin, Taehyung, and Hobi.

"This place didn't start like this," Jiwoo began, her voice steady but tinged with nostalgia. "It was just a small village. Most of the houses you see here were built after we broke down some of the others to reinforce the walls. Y/N was the one who came up with the plan when there were only about fifteen of us. She had the vision for what this place could be."

The walls, tall and sturdy, were constructed from the bricks of demolished houses outside the village. Within the perimeter, ten tall trees served as makeshift watchtowers, their platforms giving lookouts a clear view of the surroundings.

"When we arrived," Jiwoo began, "this was just a small village. We broke down several of the houses to use their bricks for these walls. It was necessary. Without them, we wouldn't have lasted a week."

Twenty houses remained, repurposed for survivors who sought refuge from the wilderness. The other ten, alongside the school building, were converted into storage areas, a clinic, and other essential facilities. Jiwoo's voice softened as she continued, her gaze drifting toward the western part of the base.

"Out there," she gestured, "is the farming area. It's about the size of six or seven basketball courts. That's where we grow vegetables-The survivors who live here grow vegetables from whatever seeds we find on scouting runs. It's not much, but it's enough to keep us going. There's a well nearby, and we've set up systems to collect rainwater too. Y/N came up with that idea when we first started reinforcing this place. She even suggested planting those trees for watchtowers and creating the farming fields."

Jiwoo's tone turned wistful as she mentioned Y/N. "She's always been the planner. Even our livestock area-cows, chickens, and horses-is her doing. It's about an acre for the animals and field area and another acre and a half for the rest of us. This place wouldn't exist without her. We built this place years ago and, in the process, found so many survivors out there. It's become a sanctuary for those in the wild, giving them a chance to start over.""

Suga, arms crossed, leaned against the wall, listening intently. "So, why does Y/N live outside the walls?"

Jiwoo hesitated, her expression clouding. "That's... a complicated story. Y/N has her reasons. She told me to stay here where it's safe, but Sehun..." Her voice softened. "Sehun refuses to leave her alone out there. And I can't leave him. So, while most of us live here, Y/N, Sehun, and I remain outside the walls."

Jungkook furrowed his brow. "Is it to find more survivors?"

Jiwoo's expression turned guarded. "Maybe," she replied vaguely. "But only Y/N knows the real reason."

The group fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them. The base was a beacon of hope in a broken world, but the secrets that lingered in its shadows were a reminder that survival wasn't just about safety-it was about trust, sacrifice, and the choices that defined them all.

Jiwoo settled onto the worn-out sofa in the small living room of the house provided to RM, Suga, Jin, Jimin, Hobi, Jungkook, and Taehyung. The room was modest, with just enough space for a few chairs and a small fireplace that offered a faint glow against the encroaching evening chill. Around her, the others found seats where they could-two chairs near the backyard door and even the edge of the worn coffee table.

The house itself was simple and practical, like most of the homes in the village. It had only three small rooms: a shared sleeping space, a compact kitchen corner, and a bathroom. However, water had to be fetched from the nearby well, adding another layer of survival to their daily lives. The fireplace served as a hub of warmth and comfort, though it couldn't fully dispel the lingering cold that seeped through the cracks in the walls.

Jiwoo sighed, leaning back into the couch cushions as the group listened attentively. She gestured toward the small window that overlooked the backyard. "Dinner's near, so everyone will gather soon. The backyard here is close to the school, so it's the perfect meeting spot before everyone heads back to their duties or shifts."

She paused, glancing at the firelight reflecting off the tired faces around her. "Leeknow, IU, Sehun, Y/N, Minho, Kai, Suho, Chen, and Luhan are still around, but others are either on duty or scouting. We all eat together before splitting off-it's a tradition we've kept to remind us of what we're fighting for."

The atmosphere in the room was warm but tense, the silence punctuated by the occasional crackle of the fire. Despite the modesty of their surroundings, there was a sense of unity in the air-a bond forged by shared hardship and mutual reliance.

Jiwoo's voice softened as she continued, her gaze momentarily fixed on the glowing embers in the fireplace. "It's not much, this life we've built, but it's ours. We protect it because it's all we have left."

Outside, the sound of footsteps and low voices signaled the beginning of the evening routine. Those who weren't on duty filtered toward the backyard, ready to share a meal and a moment of peace before returning to the relentless fight for survival.

---

Just as the group sat in the cozy yet cramped living room, IU stepped in, her voice light but firm. "Dinner's ready," she announced, hands on her hips as she glanced around the room. "What's everyone doing here? Are you planning to eat, or should I finish it all myself?"

Her playful tone broke the tension, earning small smiles from the others. She made her way toward Jiwoo, who was seated on the sofa, and as Jimin quickly stood to offer her space, IU sat beside her with a grateful nod.

Jin, who had been standing near the fireplace, crossed his arms and asked curiously, "How many survivors are here in total now?"

IU tilted her head, counting briefly in her head before replying, "Including you seven? It's now 41."

Jiwoo grinned mischievously, leaning forward slightly. "Actually, it's soon going to be 43."

Jungkook furrowed his brows, intrigued. "How's that?"

IU blushed, looking down at her hands, while Jiwoo answered for her, her tone laced with excitement. "There's a woman here who's pregnant... and so is IU."

The room fell silent for a moment before shock rippled across everyone's faces. Hobi was the first to react, his voice rising in surprise. "Wait, you're pregnant? Are you married?"

IU laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Technically, no. But yes, we took vows. I'm married now."

Taehyung leaned forward with a teasing grin. "Oh really? Who's the lucky guy, huh?"

Jiwoo smirked, nudging IU playfully. "Lee Jong Suk."

That revelation sent the room into chaos. Jimin, who had been about to retake his seat, froze, standing halfway before plopping back down onto the arm of the sofa. Taehyung, who was leaning against a chair, straightened abruptly. The group stared at IU and Jiwoo, too stunned to speak, while the two women exchanged a knowing look and burst into laughter.

RM broke the silence first, his dimples showing as he smiled warmly. "That's great news. Congratulations, IU. Both of you."

Suga nodded in agreement. "You're really lucky. He's a great guy. We saw it today."

The maknae line wasn't done with their questions, though. Jungkook raised an eyebrow, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and mischief. "Didn't you get jealous when Jong Suk kissed Y/N's forehead while she was sleeping earlier?"

IU smiled knowingly, shaking her head. "Not jealous at all. But if he keeps teasing Y/N, I might have to beat his ass."

Jiwoo laughed, adding, "They're close, almost like siblings. Leeknow and IU were Y/N's best friends long before I met them."

The room relaxed at her words, the initial shock giving way to warmth and a renewed sense of camaraderie. As IU stood to lead everyone toward dinner, Jiwoo and the others exchanged quiet smiles, their shared laughter echoing softly in the small, firelit space.

---
The evening air grew cooler as more members of the group began arriving in the backyard. Minho, Kai, Suho, Chen, and Luhan came from the direction of the school building, Lee Jong Suk trailing behind them with his usual calm demeanor. They were chatting quietly among themselves, their expressions softening as they neared the glow of the fire and the lively chatter of the gathering.

As the newcomers settled in, IU handed out bowls of stew, her warm demeanor helping to soothe the group after a long day. Despite the camaraderie, the absence of Y/N and Sehun hung in the air like an unspoken question.

Lee Jong Suk broke the silence first, glancing around. "Still no sign of Y/N or Sehun?" he asked, his voice tinged with quiet concern.

Jiwoo, seated near the fire with IU beside her, sighed softly. "They're not coming tonight," she said. "Y/N's still sick. Sehun decided to stay back with her."

The group exchanged knowing glances. Jin, ever the caretaker, frowned slightly. "How's she holding up? Is it just exhaustion, or something worse?"

Jiwoo shook her head, trying to reassure him. "The fever's been stubborn, but she's stable. Sehun's making sure she rests-and probably annoying her in the process."

That earned a small laugh from Jungkook, who leaned forward from his spot on the bench. "Annoying her? That's like his love language. If anyone can get her to listen, it's him."

"I can imagine it now," Taehyung chimed in with a grin. "Sehun pacing back and forth, lecturing her while she tries to throw a pillow at him."

"Sounds about right," RM added with a chuckle. "Still, it's good he's there. Y/N's not exactly known for taking it easy."

Lee Jong Suk, sitting beside Minho, crossed his arms and shook his head. "She's too stubborn for her own good. But at least Sehun knows how to handle her."

"Handle her?" IU smirked. "You mean survive her temper when she's sick."

The group laughed, the lighthearted teasing helping to ease their collective worry. Even Suga, who had been quietly listening, allowed a small smile to creep onto his face. "She'll be fine," he said, his tone confident. "Y/N's too tough to let something like this keep her down for long."

"Agreed," Minho added, raising his bowl in mock salute. "To Y/N-she'll probably come back with some wild plan to make up for 'lost time.'"

"Or a list of new things to boss us around about," Kai joked, earning a round of chuckles.

Jiwoo's expression softened as she looked around the group. "Thanks, everyone. I know she'd appreciate knowing you're all thinking of her."

"Of course," Jin replied firmly. "She's one of us. We take care of our own."

The group nodded in unison, their camaraderie a stark contrast to the harsh world outside the safety of the walls. Though Y/N's absence was keenly felt, the bonds they shared carried an unspoken promise: no one would face their struggles alone.

---

As the last of the bowls were cleared away and the fire crackled softly in the background, Minho approached Hobi and Suga, who were sitting off to the side, engaged in quiet conversation. The air between them shifted subtly as Minho's presence loomed closer, his usual easygoing demeanor tinged with something more serious.

"Shall we talk now?" Minho asked, his voice steady but carrying a weight that immediately caught their attention. "If you're free, that is."

Hobi glanced at Suga, his brow furrowing slightly, but it was Suga who answered first, his tone measured. "I suppose it's overdue, isn't it?"

Minho nodded, his gaze unwavering. "After all, it's been years. And the way we parted... well, it wasn't exactly on the best terms."

Hobi stood, brushing imaginary dust off his pants before crossing his arms. "You've got a point there," he said, his voice carrying an edge of hesitation. "Let's get this over with, then."

---

The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the backyard as Minho, Hobi, and Suga stood apart from the rest of the group. The quiet murmur of their voices was filled with the weight of unspoken grievances and unresolved pain.

Minho, the eldest among them, finally broke the tense silence. "We've avoided this for years," he said, his voice steady but firm. "But we can't keep pretending it didn't happen. We need to talk about what went wrong that day."

Hobi exhaled sharply, crossing his arms. "You're not wrong, Hyung. But dragging up the past isn't going to change anything."

"No," Minho agreed, his sharp eyes locking onto Hobi's. "But it might stop us from repeating it."

Suga, usually composed, rubbed the back of his neck, guilt flickering across his face. "We thought we were doing the right thing-splitting up, covering more ground. It wasn't supposed to go the way it did."

"It wasn't supposed to leave Y/N behind," Minho snapped, his calm demeanor slipping for the first time. "She was a child, and you left her alone in the middle of a zombie-infested zone. You didn't even make sure she was with the group."

Hobi winced, the accusation hitting hard. "We made a mistake, okay? We were trying to protect everyone, to clear the area faster-"

"And in doing so, you put the youngest member of our group in the most danger," Minho interrupted, his tone biting. "You didn't communicate, you didn't check, and we paid the price for it. She paid the price for it."

Suga stepped forward, his jaw tight. "Do you think I don't regret it? I've replayed that day in my head a thousand times, Hyung. I know we screwed up. But at the time, we thought we were making the right call."

Minho sighed, the anger in his eyes softening into something more resigned. "I know you thought you were doing the right thing. But you didn't think about the consequences. You didn't think about her."

Hobi's voice cracked as he spoke. "We didn't mean to leave her behind. We thought she was with you, with the others. By the time we realized she wasn't... it was too late."

"It nearly broke us, searching for her," Minho said quietly. "Days of not knowing if she was alive or dead. And when we found her..." He trailed off, the memory too painful to voice.

Suga looked down, guilt etched into his features. "I'm sorry," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Hobi nodded, his expression grim. "Me too. We can't undo what happened, but we can make sure it never happens again."

From the shadows, Sehun stood frozen, his fists clenched at his sides. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but Minho's words had drawn him in, and now the emotions swirling inside him threatened to overwhelm him.

Just behind him, Y/N watched silently, her heart pounding. She hadn't intended to follow Sehun, but the emptiness of the house had been too much. She had hoped to find comfort in his presence, but now she found herself reliving the pain of that day-the fear, the loneliness, the desperate fight to survive.

As the trio's conversation neared its end, Sehun couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped out of the shadows, his expression a storm of anger and anguish.

"That's all you have to say?" he demanded, his voice trembling.

The trio turned in unison, their surprise evident.

"Sehun-" Hobi started, but Sehun cut him off, his voice rising. "You left her. You left her! Do you know what that did to her? Do you know what it did to me?"

Without warning, he closed the distance between himself and Suga, grabbing the older man by the collar. "You think an apology makes it better? You think it erases the years I spent wondering if she was even alive?"

Suga didn't resist, his hands falling limply to his sides. "Sehun, I..."

"Don't!" Sehun snapped, his voice breaking. "Don't you dare tell me you're sorry. You don't get to say that after what you did."

Minho stepped forward, his hand resting firmly on Sehun's shoulder. "Sehun," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "Let him go."

Sehun hesitated, his grip tightening before he finally released Suga with a frustrated shove. His hands trembled as he stepped back, tears brimming in his eyes.

"I won't let it happen again," he said, his voice quieter but no less intense. "I lost her once. I can't lose her again."

From her hiding spot, Y/N felt the tears streaming down her own face. The raw emotion in Sehun's voice brought back memories she had buried-of fighting to stay alive, of clinging to the hope that someone would find her.

None of the men noticed her, too wrapped up in the moment.

Minho sighed, his expression heavy with understanding. "We all made mistakes that day," he said. "But Sehun's right. We can't afford to make them again."

Hobi stepped forward, his voice steady. "We're a team now. A family. That means we stick together, no matter what."

Suga nodded, his voice filled with quiet resolve. "We owe it to her. To each other."

Sehun didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the ground as he fought to regain control of his emotions.

In the shadows, Y/N wiped her tears, her heart heavy but resolute. She couldn't bring herself to reveal her presence, not yet. Instead, she turned and slipped away, her mind swirling with emotions.

The night settled once more, the fire crackling softly in the distance as the men stood in silence, united by their shared pain and a newfound determination to never let history repeat itself.

---

The cool night air brushed against Y/N's face as she made her way toward the lookout tree in the middle of the camp, seeking solace. It was always the quieter spot, a midpoint often overlooked during moments of high tension. Tonight, with the camp on edge due to the ongoing skirmishes with the rival gang, she thought it might be deserted-everyone was either patrolling or resting in preparation for another fight.

The tree stood tall, its branches stretching wide against the starless sky. Without hesitation, Y/N began to climb. Her fingers gripped the rough bark, the motion mechanical, her mind lost in the echoes of the earlier conversation she had overheard. Her chest still ached with the weight of her tears, but she forced herself to push them aside, seeking distraction in the quiet height of the tree.

As she reached the top, however, she froze. She wasn't alone.

Sitting there, legs dangling over a sturdy branch, was D.O. He turned his head slightly, clearly surprised to see her. His usually calm demeanor flickered with a hint of concern.

"Y/N?" he said softly, his voice barely audible over the distant sounds of crackling fires and occasional