✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

As the afternoon sunlight streamed into the room, Sehun stirred awake, his arm still securely wrapped around Y/N. He checked her temperature again, relieved to find it normal. A soft breath escaped him as he brushed a stray lock of hair from her face.

Looking around the room, he spotted RM and Suga seated quietly in the corner. They hadn't said a word, but their watchful eyes told Sehun they'd been waiting for the right moment to speak.

"How's she doing?" RM asked gently, breaking the silence.

"Better," Sehun replied, his voice low as he adjusted his position without letting go of Y/N's hand.

Suga leaned forward slightly, his tone calm but tinged with concern. "We've heard about the tension between your group and a rival gang. It's starting to spill into other areas, and we're worried it might escalate. If there's anything we can do to help, we need to understand what's happening first."

Sehun's gaze flickered to Y/N, still resting peacefully beside him. He took a moment to think, his protective instincts warring with the need for allies. Finally, he nodded, his decision made.

"Not here," he said quietly, his tone firm but not dismissive. "Let's talk outside. I don't want her involved in this."

RM and Suga exchanged a glance before nodding in unison. "Fair enough," RM said, standing up. "We just want to help."

Once they stepped outside, the three men stopped a short distance from the building. Sehun crossed his arms, his expression serious but open. "Alright," he began, his voice steady. "This is what's been going on..."

---

As soon as the trio stepped outside, Y/N lay still, eyes shut tight. She wasn't about to wake up in front of them-not after what had just happened. She stayed motionless, pretending to sleep as if she could just escape from this whole embarrassing situation.

But then, she heard their voices drift in through the door. Sehun's voice was low and steady, followed by Suga's more direct tone. She couldn't help it-her curiosity pricked her, and her eyes flickered open despite herself.

"God, I'm such an idiot," she cursed silently, her mind already spiraling into self-loathing. She tried to stay still, hoping they wouldn't know she was awake, but that plan was already failing miserably. They were talking right outside, and every word made her feel even more exposed.

As much as she tried to pretend, she couldn't avoid the sinking feeling in her gut. "Why the hell did I cry in front of them like that?" She wanted to scream, but she stayed quiet, holding her breath as if somehow that would hide the emotional wreck she felt inside.

Eventually, she couldn't stand it anymore. Feeling way too exposed, she slowly sat up, then immediately regretted it. The flood of embarrassment hit her like a tidal wave. "Why did I sit up? What the hell is wrong with me?"

She flopped back down quickly, face buried in the pillow, wishing the ground would swallow her whole. "Moron. Idiot. Dumbass," she muttered to herself. "Why can't I just keep my damn mouth shut? So stupid."

She cursed herself a little longer before her self-berating paused. She realized her fever was gone-she didn't feel like she was burning up anymore. "Well, that's something. At least I'm not dying anymore." She sighed, but that relief didn't come without a fresh wave of frustration.

"Great, now they definitely know something's up," she groaned, rolling onto her back and staring up at the ceiling. "The fuck, did I cry in front of them?" The thought circled in her head over and over, but this time, it wasn't just a wave of embarrassment-it was exhaustion.

After a few moments of sulking, Y/N finally felt the tension ease a little. "Okay, at least I'm not sick anymore," she muttered, sitting up again. "But seriously, what the hell was that? I really need to get my shit together." She let out a breath, running a hand through her hair, feeling a little lighter but still not entirely convinced she wouldn't explode the next time someone brought it up.

---

Y/N sat there for a moment, still feeling the weight of her earlier embarrassment but trying to shake it off. She took a deep breath and, with a dramatic sigh, stood up. Stretching her arms overhead, she smirked to herself.

"Alright," she said with a hint of her usual cockiness, "Now that we're all good... why not get some work done?"

She rolled her shoulders, cracking her neck in a show of readiness. "Gotta catch up on some things."

Her smirk widened, the playful glint back in her eyes as if to say, Bring it on.

Y/N glanced out the window, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the area like a spy on high alert. There was no one in sight-seemed like the others had wandered off or gone too far. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she saw an opportunity.

"Perfect," she muttered under her breath.

With a silent, almost cautious movement, she slipped from the room, stepping lightly on the floor. She peeked around corners, making sure no one was following, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety. She had no intention of letting anyone catch her in the act.

She moved through the building, her eyes darting, watching for any signs of people coming her way. When she reached the door that led outside, she hesitated for a second, checking if the coast was clear.

Once she was certain no one was around, she slipped outside, creeping toward the field. Her steps were quiet, but her pulse was loud in her ears. Every shadow seemed suspicious, every rustle in the wind a potential threat. She quickly made her way toward the stable, where the horses were kept, praying no one would catch sight of her.

Just a few more steps, she thought, making her way through the tall grass with her head down, hoping her little mission stayed under the radar.

Y/N reached the stable, her heart still racing, but a little more at ease now that she was in her element. She moved past a few familiar horses, their soft snorts and rhythmic chewing filling the air, and made her way over to Orion and Astra. She paused in front of them for a few seconds, inspecting their coats, checking for any signs of distress or injury.

"Good boys," she murmured, gently patting Orion's neck. His dark mane was smooth under her fingers, and he nuzzled her with a soft whinny, clearly happy to see her. She gave both horses a quick but thorough once-over, satisfied that they were doing fine.

"Alright, you two, you're good to go," she whispered, her voice almost playful, like she was talking to old friends. She made her way past them, the familiar sense of calm settling over her as she reached the far corner of the stable.

There, tied loosely to a post, stood Rebel-the horse she hadn't seen in months. Her chest tightened slightly at the sight of him, but she quickly masked the emotion.

"Hey, big guy," she said softly, stepping toward the horse. His ears flicked toward her at the sound of her voice, and he whinnied lowly, like he remembered her too. He was a tall, lean creature with a coat of rich chestnut, his eyes a sharp, intelligent brown. She reached out, gently touching his muzzle, the familiar roughness beneath her fingertips comforting.

"How've you been, huh?" she muttered, running her hand down his neck, feeling the muscles shift beneath the surface. "Been missing me, haven't you? No need to answer, I can tell," she said, smirking as he nuzzled her again.

She sighed, rubbing his flank affectionately before pulling away. "Well, let's get to work, boy." She grabbed the saddle and bridle, feeling the weight of the leather in her hands, preparing to saddle him up for a ride. Despite the chaotic world around them, the routine of preparing a horse for riding felt like the only thing that kept her grounded.

"Alright, Rebel," she said, adjusting his saddle one last time, "time to make up for lost time." She grinned, already feeling the excitement of getting back in the saddle after all this time.

Before she mounted Rebel, Y/N paused, looking over her shoulder to make sure the coast was still clear. She spotted one of the survivors from their camp nearby, a young man who'd been helping out with maintenance and general tasks around the compound. She gave him a nod, motioning for him to come over.

He jogged over, wiping sweat off his brow. "What's up, Y/N?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Hey, tell Minho I've got some work to do. I'll be back by evening," she said, making sure her tone was firm, like it was no big deal. She didn't need to explain more; they all knew how things worked around here. If she was heading out, she'd be doing something useful. "I'll catch up with him later when I'm back. Just let him know."

The young man nodded. "Got it. You need anything else while you're out there?"

Y/N shook her head. "Nah, just keep things running while I'm gone. I'll be back soon." She gave him a quick smile before turning back to Rebel, making sure he was ready for the ride.

As she adjusted the stirrups and gave Rebel one last reassuring pat, the survivor nodded and went off, presumably to deliver the message to Minho. Y/N mounted Rebel, her body moving smoothly into the saddle as she straightened herself, feeling the familiar weight of the reins in her hands. She gave one last glance at the camp, then spurred Rebel forward, ready for whatever the day had in store.

---

As evening fell, the group sat around the backyard table, quietly wondering where Y/N had disappeared to. Her sudden disappearance after she'd finally started feeling better had left them all in a mix of concern and frustration. RM, Suga, Jungkook, Jimin, Jiwoo, Jin, Hobi, Taehyung, Minho, Lee Jong Suk, and Sehun were all gathered, exchanging looks of mild annoyance.

Minho couldn't help but grumble, "Where the hell is she? She gets a little better, and then she just runs off to work again?"

Jin, sitting across from him, raised an eyebrow. "She's always been like that. Can't let her rest for too long, huh?"

Suga, leaning back in his chair, smirked. "Typical Y/N. Always thinking she can't sit still for more than five minutes."

Jimin chuckled. "She must have really missed her 'work' if she's out there already. Not even waiting to get back to normal."

Minho gave a disgruntled sigh. "Can't believe this brat. If she's going to keep acting like this, she'll work herself into the ground."

Lee Jong Suk shook his head. "You're calling her a brat? Don't you think she's earned some slack by now?"

"Yeah, Hyung. Let her do her thing," Taehyung added with a wink, clearly amused by the ongoing debate.

"Whatever," Minho muttered, clearly not happy with the situation, but he couldn't stop a tiny smile from tugging at the corner of his lips.

While the others chatted and joked, Y/N, out of sight, was still busy with her work, likely somewhere out in the field, her determination unwavering.

---

As Y/N strode back, a playful smirk tugged at her lips, one that no one could resist. It was the kind of smile that could disarm anyone, melting away the frustration and tension from the morning. She had worked hard, lost in the flow of it all, and now, there was a sense of satisfaction that replaced the embarrassment of earlier.

As she approached the group, the playful energy was impossible to miss. Her gaze swept over them, eyes twinkling with mischief, and for a moment, it was like the earlier awkwardness never happened. She was back to her usual self-strong, confident, and with a teasing air that made it hard to stay upset.

Her movements were effortless, confident in the way she carried herself. "Guess who's back from her little adventure?" she said with a grin, making sure everyone heard her tone of playful banter. Her voice carried the hint of challenge, daring anyone to comment on her absence or her morning breakdown.

She leaned casually against a nearby post, crossing her arms, still with that smirk. "No one died, no fires started, and everything's in order," she teased, her eyes flicking to Minho as if daring him to say something about her being gone. "I did what I had to do. Now, who's ready to get to work?"

Her confidence had returned, and she wasn't about to let anything ruin that. The mood shifted instantly-frustration faded, replaced by curiosity and a bit of admiration. Y/N was back in control, and it felt good.

---

As soon as Y/N bolted, her smile full of mischievous energy, Sehun didn't hesitate. He tossed the spatula aside with a flick of his wrist and sprang to his feet. "You think you can outrun me?" he called out, already taking off after her with quick, determined strides.

Y/N shot him a playful look over her shoulder. "Catch me if you can!" she shouted, darting ahead with surprising speed.

Sehun, not one to back down, pushed himself harder, gaining on her with each step. But just as it looked like he might catch her, she ducked around the corner of the barn, grinning as she made her escape.

"Not so fast!" Sehun called, but as he rounded the corner, Y/N was already ahead, weaving between the rows of haystacks. Her laughter echoed, and Sehun's chase only grew more intense. But, he wasn't the only one who had noticed the commotion.

A few others from the table, intrigued by the sudden burst of energy, stood up, chuckling and exchanging glances. Lee Jong Suk grinned and turned to Minho. "Wanna join in?" he asked, his voice playful.

Minho didn't even hesitate. "Hell yeah," he replied with a smirk, quickly getting to his feet. The two of them joined Sehun, and now it was a race-three against one.

Y/N caught sight of them closing in, her heart pounding from both the thrill and the rush of competition. She glanced over her shoulder and couldn't help the grin that tugged at her lips. "You guys are gonna need more than that!" she called, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Sehun was fast, but now with Minho and Lee Jong Suk joining in, she could feel the pressure. "Oh, you're all in for it now," she muttered to herself, her eyes scanning the yard for any potential escape routes.

But before she could get too comfortable, Lee Jong Suk lunged, his hand almost brushing her arm. She juked to the side, narrowly avoiding his grasp. "Close, but not close enough!" she taunted with a laugh, her voice full of challenge.

As they all chased her, the laughter and chaos only intensified. Minho, determined not to lose, ran ahead, cutting off her route. Y/N swerved, just barely avoiding him, but the others were still on her tail. Sehun's long strides were gaining fast, and for the first time, she felt like she might just be caught.

But her grin only widened as she spotted a nearby haystack, her escape route forming in her mind. With a quick, almost graceful leap, she dodged behind it, out of their sight, her body hidden just enough for a split second of relief. She heard their footsteps slowing, unsure of her location.

"Where did she go?" Lee Jong Suk muttered, looking around, his eyes darting from side to side.

Sehun, still breathing heavily from the chase, finally came to a stop, a grin creeping onto his face. "I think we lost her."

But just as they were about to give up, Y/N poked her head out from behind the haystack with a cheeky smile. "Too slow, boys!" she teased, sticking her tongue out at them.

The group stood in stunned silence for a moment before erupting into laughter, Sehun shaking his head in mock annoyance. "You're lucky, Y/N. But next time, you're not getting away so easily."

Y/N flashed them a sly grin, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "We'll see about that."

The playful energy lingered in the air as they all stood there, catching their breath and still laughing from the chase. It wasn't just about catching her-it was the camaraderie, the fun of it all, and the fact that for a moment, they could just enjoy the simple, carefree moments in a world that rarely offered them.

As the group caught their breath and laughed, the sounds of their playful banter didn't go unnoticed. From the table in the backyard, BTS-along with Jiwoo-watched the whole scene unfold, chuckling to themselves.

Jungkook, wiping a tear from his eye after laughing so hard, looked over at the rest of the group. "I swear, Y/N's got a knack for causing chaos wherever she goes," he said, shaking his head with an amused smile.

"She's definitely a handful," Jimin added, still smiling. "But damn, you gotta admire her energy. She's always on the move."

RM, who had been leaning back in his chair, sighed but with a smile tugging at his lips. "Well, at least she's not moping around like some people," he commented, glancing at Suga and raising an eyebrow. "I guess we all could use a bit of that energy."

Suga rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress his grin. "She's a pain in the ass, but I can't deny she makes things interesting," he muttered, watching Y/N dodge their friends' attempts to catch her. "At least she's having fun."

Jiwoo, who had been quiet until now, looked over at the group with a teasing smile. "She's definitely got more guts than some of us, huh?" she said, nudging Sehun, who was still pretending to be annoyed by Y/N's escape. "Maybe next time, Sehun, don't underestimate her."

Sehun, catching the jab, shot a playful glare at Jiwoo. "I'm not underestimating her," he said, trying to sound confident but failing to hide his amusement. "She's just-distracting."

"Distracting, huh?" Jiwoo raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "I think you're just not fast enough to catch her, Sehun."

Lee Jong Suk, grinning ear to ear, chimed in. "I'm betting next time, she's gonna get us all. We might as well start practicing."

Minho chuckled. "I'll make sure to bring my A-game next time. No more letting her win." He turned to look at Y/N, who was now casually walking back toward the group with a proud, playful smirk on her face. "She really knows how to keep us on our toes."

"Yeah, she does," Jin said with a laugh, shaking his head. "But it's a good thing. She's got a fire in her. Makes things fun."

"Can't argue with that," Taehyung agreed, nodding towards the now-returning Y/N. "We all need someone like her to shake things up."

As Y/N approached, her smirk never left her face. "You guys were so slow. I'm disappointed," she teased, her eyes glinting with mischievous pride. "But don't worry, I'll give you another shot next time."

"Next time, we'll be ready for you," Sehun said, shaking his head with a grin as he approached her, still pretending to be serious.

Y/N laughed, leaning back and crossing her arms. "We'll see, Sehun. We'll see."

The group, now back together, shared a collective laugh, the playful energy from the chase still lingering in the air as they all sat around, basking in the lightness of the moment. For once, everything felt a little less heavy.

---

It was the evening before the day the rival gang's leader was supposed to arrive, and tension hung thick in the air. Everyone around the table was on high alert. Every eye scanned the room as they prepared for the unknown. There was no room for mistakes. Tomorrow would change everything. But amidst the high-strung nerves, one person remained completely composed: Y/N.

She had been gone all day, and where exactly she had been? No one knew. But now, here she was again, strolling into the room as if nothing was going on, like she hadn't just spent the entire day... well, who knows where.

Without a care in the world, she took her usual spot at the table. Haru was handed to her from Jiwoo's arms, and Y/N gently