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Afternoon came soon over the base, the sunlight filtering through the clinic's worn curtains. The golden glow fell across Y/N's face as she stirred awake, her breathing uneven. Her body tensed as flashes of her nightmare lingered, clawing at her mind.

She bolted upright, gasping for air, her heart pounding against her ribs. Pressing a hand to her temple, she winced as a sharp pain pulsed through her head. The throbbing headache only added to her exhaustion, and she let out a quiet, frustrated sigh.

"That's why I hate to sleep," she muttered to herself, her voice low and strained. "I can't rest... these nightmares just make me feel more tired."

Across the room, Sehun had standing near the window, gazing out. At the sound of her pained voice, he turned, his eyes narrowing as he took in her pale face and the way she cradled her head.

"You're awake," he said softly, stepping closer. "You shouldn't be sitting up. You've got a fever, Y/N. This is from your reckless stunt last night."

Y/N didn't respond immediately, her hand still pressed against her temple. "I'm fine," she mumbled, though the weakness in her voice betrayed her.

Sehun crouched down beside her, brushing the back of his hand against her forehead. His frown deepened as he felt the heat radiating off her skin. "You're not fine," he said firmly. "You're burning up. You need to rest."

She sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping. "I told you, I can't rest," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "Every time I close my eyes, it's like I'm back there. The nightmares-they don't stop."

Sehun's expression softened, his frustration giving way to concern. He knew how much the past haunted her, and hearing her say it aloud only deepened his resolve.

"You're pushing yourself too hard," he said quietly. "You can't keep doing this, Y/N. It's not sustainable."

She shook her head weakly. "What choice do I have? If I stop... if I let my guard down..." Her voice faltered, and she looked away, as if ashamed to admit the fear that drove her.

Sehun reached out, gently turning her face back to him. "You don't have to do this alone," he said, his tone steady and reassuring. "Let us help you. You're not responsible for everything."

Y/N hesitated, her resolve wavering under his steady gaze. After a moment, she exhaled softly and gave a faint nod, the fight draining out of her.

"Good," Sehun said, pulling the blanket up around her shoulders. "Now, no more climbing trees or running off. You need to focus on getting better."

She managed a small, reluctant smile. "I'll try," she murmured, her voice laced with both gratitude and fatigue.

Sehun stayed by her side for a moment longer before returning to the window, keeping watch as the base began to stir. He'd make sure she rested-no matter what it took.

---

A new day. The soft light of dawn spilled into the backyard of the old school building, illuminating the makeshift gathering spot where everyone had gathered for breakfast. Tables and benches, cobbled together from scavenged materials, were scattered under the shade of a few trees. It was a quiet, peaceful corner of the base, offering a brief respite from the harshness of their reality.

Those on duty that morning were already seated, eating quickly before heading out. Minho, sitting off to the side, was quietly observing the group as he picked at his food. Lee Jong Suk, on the other hand, was animated, chatting and teasing IU, who was helping Jiwoo prepare a small plate for Haru. The little girl clung to Jiwoo, calling her "Eomma," while giggling and reaching for food with her tiny hands.

Nearby, RM, Suga, Jin, Hobi, Jimin, Jungkook, and Taehyung were huddled around another table. Their conversations were light, teasing each other about who had snored the loudest.

The gate to the backyard creaked open, drawing everyone's attention as Sehun entered with Luhan and Chen trailing behind. They had just finished their night lookout duty, their exhaustion evident in their sluggish steps.

"Perfect timing," Jin called out, gesturing toward the food spread on the central table. "Better grab something before the kids eat it all."

Luhan chuckled softly, collapsing onto a nearby bench. "I'd kill for tea right now," he muttered, rubbing his face.

Chen dropped into the seat beside him, yawning widely. "Forget tea-I'd settle for a nap," he mumbled, earning a laugh from Hobi.

Sehun, however, didn't join the table immediately. His sharp eyes swept across the backyard, scanning the faces until they landed on Y/N. She was seated near the edge of the clearing, a steaming cup of tea cradled in her hands. Her posture was calm, but the faint shadows under her eyes betrayed her lingering exhaustion.

Jiwoo, noticing Sehun's gaze, called out playfully, "Appa, Haru's been waiting for you! Come sit with us!"

At the sound of her voice, Haru turned and beamed. "Appa!" she called, waving her little hands excitedly.

A faint smile broke through Sehun's tired expression as he made his way toward them, ruffling Haru's hair gently. "Morning, kiddo," he said softly, glancing at Jiwoo. "Everything okay?"

Jiwoo nodded, her expression warm as she met Sehun's gaze. "We're fine. How about you? You look like you didn't sleep much."

Sehun shrugged, his gaze flicking back to Y/N for a moment before returning to Jiwoo. "Just a busy night," he replied vaguely, before taking a seat beside Haru.

The backyard settled into a gentle rhythm as everyone ate, their voices mingling with the sound of birds chirping in the distance. For a fleeting moment, it felt like the world was whole again, as if they were just a group of friends and family sharing a meal under the morning sun.

The group continued their meal, but their attention was frequently drawn to Y/N, who had quietly gotten up from her seat and walked away from the table. She moved with a deliberate pace, taking a piece of bread in hand before climbing up the sturdy tree, the same one she had used for her lookout the previous night.

Her movements were slow, cautious as if she didn't want to draw attention, but her slight stumble earlier hadn't gone unnoticed. As she reached the platform in the tree, she leaned back against the trunk, her eyes fixed on the horizon where the first light of sunrise painted the sky in hues of orange and pink. It was as if she found solace in the stillness of the early morning, letting the quiet moments wash over her while she rested, even though her body clearly needed more.

Sehun, Jiwoo, and the others exchanged uneasy glances. They had asked Y/N to sit with them, to rest, but she had brushed them off with a quiet refusal, as she always did when they tried to intervene.

Sehun's gaze never strayed far from her as he nursed his own food, his mind heavy with worry. The mild fever she had developed overnight was still evident, her cheeks flushed with a slight redness. Yet, Y/N didn't seem to care, pushing her limits even as her body protested.

"She's not going to listen to us, is she?" Minho muttered, his voice low as he stared at Y/N from across the table. His usual calm demeanor was now tinged with concern.

Lee Jong Suk sighed, shaking his head. "It's like talking to a wall. She won't stop until she's completely drained herself."

"I don't understand," Jiwoo added, her eyes lingering on Y/N. "She knows we're worried, but she still won't sit down. I don't think she even realizes how hard she's making it for us to keep her safe."

"It's frustrating," Suga admitted, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "We can't force her to rest, but we can't let her get worse, either."

Sehun stayed silent, his thoughts tangled. He had tried to get through to her last night when he found her in the tree, but she wouldn't hear it. Every time he asked her to rest, she brushed him off, and no matter how many times he tried to reason with her, it was always the same. She refused to admit she needed help.

Y/N wasn't the kind of person who liked to rely on others, and they all knew that. It made her stronger in many ways, but right now, it made her stubborn and unwilling to show any sign of weakness, even though she was clearly struggling.

Y/N stared at her ankle, the memory of her fall replaying in her mind. Her thoughts wandered back to the moment when she had first tried to climb down the tree. She had been so focused on reaching the ground that she hadn't noticed how weak her body had become. It was only when she had slipped, her foot twisting painfully, that she realized how much her body was still struggling to keep up with her mind.

But it wasn't the injury that consumed her thoughts now-it was the conversation that followed.

After the fall, as she struggled to regain her balance, HyungSik had appeared almost out of nowhere again. He was calm, measured, his eyes sharp and knowing. She had expected him to offer a hand, but instead, he had simply said, "I knew it. You were just pushing yourself."

His words had taken her by surprise. How did he know? She barely knew the man, and yet he seemed to understand her in ways no one else did. The encounter had been brief, but the way he spoke had struck a chord deep inside her. He wasn't just talking about the fall. He was talking about her, about the way she always pushed herself, never giving in, never allowing herself to rest, even when everything inside her screamed for it.

But what really unsettled her was the one thing he had said that had shaken her to the core. How did he know that Sehun was her brother?

Y/N's heart pounded in her chest, and her head throbbed with the mounting tension. She hadn't told anyone. Not even Sehun. The secret of their shared bloodline had been buried deep inside her, something she kept hidden from everyone, even the ones closest to her. How could HyungSik, someone she barely knew, have figured it out?

She couldn't remember much about her interactions with him, just brief encounters. He had been part of her mother's team before the world had fallen apart. Back then, the world was still relatively stable, and Y/N had never questioned his role in the organization. She had never thought of him as someone dangerous-he had always been just a figure in the background, a face she didn't think much about.

But now, standing on the precipice of this new reality, everything felt different. The walls she had built around her past-the lies, the secrets, the things she had hidden from the people closest to her-suddenly felt fragile, as if they might crumble at any moment.

Her mind raced with questions. How much did HyungSik know? How long had he known? And more importantly, how the hell had he figured out that Sehun was her brother?

Y/N's gaze drifted back to the group below, all of them now aware of her struggles but too hesitant to confront her directly. They saw the outward signs-the slight fever, the way she had been pushing herself-but none of them knew the truth behind her pain, behind her refusal to rest.

Her chest tightened with the weight of the secret she had carried for so long. If HyungSik knew, who else did? How long before her carefully constructed world began to unravel?

She clenched her fists, trying to fight back the panic that rose in her chest. No, she couldn't let herself break now. Not when everything was so close to falling apart.

But as the morning sun cast its light over the group, Y/N couldn't help but feel the growing unease inside her. There were people in this world who knew too much. And there were secrets she was no longer sure she could keep hidden.

Sehun sat there, barely touching his own food, his mind racing. The worry gnawed at him, but what troubled him most was the distance he felt from Y/N despite being so close. The space between them had grown too large, and he didn't know how to bridge it. She was always the one to put everyone else first, to hide her pain and struggles, but now she was shutting them all out completely. And that, more than anything, hurt.

Sehun stood, his mind was set, his course of action clear. He wasn't going to sit by and let Y/N fall apart without saying a word. His feet moved toward the tree, each step heavy with determination. As he neared her, he could see the subtle way her head tilted, her gaze flicking toward him, but she didn't move. Not a muscle.

"You're not fooling anyone," Sehun said softly, but his words were sharp with the truth. "Come down, Y/N. You need to rest. You're not helping anyone if you're running yourself into the ground."

Sehun could feel the weight of the silence between them as he stared up at Y/N, perched against the tree, looking like she was somewhere far away. Her eyes, usually so steady and unwavering, were cloudy with unshed tears, the sun reflecting off them as if highlighting the deep struggle she was trying to hide. He watched her, his chest tightening with each breath she took, knowing something was wrong-something deeper than just her exhaustion and mild fever.

Her gaze flickered to him, but she didn't respond. She just stared ahead, as if lost in her own thoughts. He could see the way her body trembled ever so slightly, the way her face was flushed with fever. But it wasn't just the physical toll that worried him-it was something deeper, something in the way she held herself that felt fragile. And it made his heart ache.

Before he could say more, Y/N's eyes welled up with tears that she fought to keep back. The tears that had been threatening to spill for so long finally broke free, rolling down her cheeks in silent streams. She cried out, her voice thick with emotion, but it was too late. Sehun was already there.

Without a moment's hesitation, Sehun climbed up the platform to her side. He knelt down beside her, his heart pounding as he reached for her, wrapping his arms around her trembling form. He didn't care if the others were watching now-didn't care that they were probably waiting for him to fix things. All he cared about was her, the girl who had been carrying the weight of everything alone.

Her sobs wracked through her, each one breaking Sehun a little more inside. He held her tighter, never once pulling away, even as her body shook in his arms. The others watched in silence from below, their eyes filled with a mix of concern and helplessness. Jiwoo's face crumpled as she saw her friend, the girl who had been so strong for so long, break down in Sehun's arms.

"She's really been holding it all in, hasn't she?" Hobi whispered, his voice barely audible. He glanced at the others, the weight of the situation hitting him all at once.

Suga, who had been quiet, leaned back, his hands resting on his lap, his expression deep in thought. "We can't force her to open up... but she's going to need us more than ever now." His gaze was on Sehun, his eyes softening. "Let him in. He's the only one who can reach her."

Y/N's voice, barely a whisper through her tears, broke through Sehun's thoughts. "What if I'm hiding something from you?" she cried, her voice barely audible, but heavy with fear. "What will you do, Sehun? What if it's something big? Will you leave me?" Her body trembled in his arms, her fever spiking with the intensity of her emotions.

Sehun froze, his heart crashing at her words. He pulled her back slightly to look at her, brushing the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. Her eyes were filled with raw pain and vulnerability, a side of her he rarely saw. She was breaking, and it was all because of the weight she carried alone.

He hugged her tighter, his voice steady but full of warmth. "I don't care, Y/N. Whatever it is, whatever you're hiding, it doesn't change anything for me." His hands held her face gently, lifting her chin so she had to meet his gaze. "You could tell me anything, and I wouldn't leave you. You're my family, and I'll never walk away from you."

"I know you've been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders," Sehun continued, his voice soft but filled with conviction. "But you don't have to do it alone. You don't have to hide anymore. I'm here for you, Y/N, always."

Y/N's hands gripped the fabric of his shirt, holding onto him like he was the only thing keeping her together. And for a moment, everything else faded-the worries of the group, the weight of the apocalypse, the secrets she had kept hidden for so long. All that mattered was the promise he made, a promise that he would stand by her, no matter what.

Sehun could feel Y/N's body tremble against his, her sobs growing louder with each passing second. His heart clenched with a mix of helplessness and determination. She was breaking, and he couldn't stand it. He tightened his grip around her, refusing to let go. Her pain, her fear, her vulnerability-he was going to hold onto her through all of it.

As she sobbed uncontrollably, Sehun's brow furrowed in confusion and concern. What was she carrying that made her so broken? What could possibly be weighing on her heart this much? He didn't have the answers yet, but he knew one thing for sure-he wasn't going anywhere. Not now, not ever.

"Shh," he whispered softly, his voice soothing despite the storm raging in her chest. He rocked her gently in his arms, trying to calm her. "I'm not leaving, Y/N. I'm right here."

Her grip tightened around him, but slowly, her sobs became quieter, her breathing coming in shallow gasps as the fever took its toll. Sehun could feel the heat radiating off her, the weight of her fever sinking into his own skin. She wasn't fully conscious now, her head resting heavily against his chest, her body limp in his arms. She was barely aware of anything except the comfort of being held, the only solace she could find.

With a sigh, Sehun shifted her so that her legs wrapped around his waist, holding her like a child as he gently lifted her. Her arms were still tightly clutching him, but she wasn't fully aware of what was happening now-her fever had taken a toll, and she had drifted into a deep slumber.

Jiwoo's face was etched with worry, but there was nothing she could do right now. She had seen Y/N like this before, but never with so much raw emotion on display. Minho and Lee Jong Suk exchanged silent glances, their concern deepening as they watched Sehun carry Y/N away. The rest of the group-RM, Suga, Hobi, Jin, Jimin, and even the younger members like Jungkook and Taehyung-watched in silence, knowing that Y/N was in good hands with Sehun, but still uncertain about what was truly going on with her.

Sehun carefully descended from the tree with her in his arms, his steps slow and deliberate. Y/N clung to him as if he was her lifeline, her grip tight despite being barely conscious, her face flushed from the fever. Sehun's expression remained focused, brows furrowed in concern, as he carried her back to the clinic room. He didn't say a word to the others; he couldn't. His sole focus was on Y/N, on making sure she was okay, even if it meant carrying her through this storm.

Once inside the room, Sehun gently laid her down on the bed, the tears never stopping from her closed eyes. Her nose was a deep red, and her breath was shallow, but Sehun could feel her fingers still clutching the sleeve of his jacket, as though trying to hold onto him even in her sleep.

Sitting beside her, he carefully adjusted her blanket and then settled next to her, not wanting to leave her side. His eyes were tired from the previous night, not having gotten a full night's sleep, but it didn't matter now. He didn't care about his own exhaustion. Y/N needed him, and he wasn't going