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The stillness of the early dawn was shattered by the sudden sound of someone landing on the ground inside the base. The group snapped their heads toward the wall, the faint light of morning casting a shadow over the figure that had just leapt down effortlessly.

Before anyone could fully process what was happening, the figure straightened, revealing Y/N, standing there like it was nothing.

Shock rippled through the group, no one moving at first. Suga, however, wasn't caught in the spell of disbelief like the others. His sharp eyes immediately noticed her unsteady stance, the slight lean to her side, and the crimson trail of blood running from her forehead down to her neck.

"Y/N," Suga muttered under his breath, but she didn't respond.

Without waiting for anyone else to react, Suga shot to his feet and strode toward her, his instincts taking over. The bow and arrow slung over her shoulder slipped as she swayed again, but Suga grabbed them, tossing them to the ground. He moved closer and, without hesitation, scooped her into his arms, lifting her bridal style.

Y/N didn't protest. She simply let her body sag against him, her weight heavy in his arms. Her face was pale, streaked with dirt and blood, but her eyes-oh, her eyes-still held that familiar mischievous spark.

Even as her exhaustion was evident, she couldn't help herself. Her lips quirked up into a faint smirk as she leaned her head against Suga's shoulder. "What's with all the long faces?" she murmured, her voice raspy but teasing. "Didn't sleep? You all that worried about little old me?"

Suga stiffened slightly at her tone, recognizing her attempt to downplay everything, to act like she hadn't been through hell and back. His jaw clenched as he looked down at her, his expression unreadable but his grip tightening.

"Stop talking," he said, his voice gruff, though there was an undercurrent of worry laced in his words.

The rest of the group began to shake off their shock. Sehun was the first to move, his expression flickering between relief and frustration. RM and Jin exchanged glances, both silently agreeing not to bombard her with questions yet. Jungkook let out a shaky breath, muttering something under his breath about her always doing things like this.

"You're unbelievable," Sehun finally muttered, his voice low but tight with emotion.

Y/N glanced at him, her smirk widening just slightly despite her condition. "You're welcome," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Enough," Suga snapped, his voice sharper now as he adjusted her in his arms. "You're hurt, and you're not talking your way out of this."

Y/N's smirk didn't fade, but her eyes fluttered closed as exhaustion finally began to take over. Suga didn't wait for anyone else to speak, turning and heading straight toward the medical area.

The others remained rooted for a moment, the tension in the air slowly giving way to relief and concern. As they followed behind, the weight of the night began to ease-but the worry wasn't gone.

There were still too many unanswered questions: where she'd been, what had happened to her, and why she had returned in such a state. But for now, all that mattered was that she was back, alive, and in need of care. The rest could wait.

---

The tension in the room was palpable as Jin carefully cleaned and bandaged the gash on Y/N's forehead. She winced slightly but said nothing, her smirk firmly in place as if to mock the worry etched into everyone's faces.

"Stay still," Jin muttered, his voice clipped with frustration as he adjusted the bandage.

Across the room, Minho crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall, his sharp eyes darting between the others. "She's fine," he finally said, breaking the silence. "Just let her rest. No point in all of us hovering around and exhausting ourselves more."

The room erupted into quiet murmurs of argument.

"She just walked in here half-dead, and you want us to just leave?" Sehun snapped, his voice laced with anger and worry as he paced back and forth.

"I'm fine," Y/N interjected, her voice hoarse but still carrying that infuriating edge of amusement.

"Don't start," Suga growled, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall, his glare fixed on her. "You can barely sit up straight without leaning on something."

Y/N tilted her head slightly, the smirk never leaving her lips. "And yet, here I am. Alive. You're welcome, by the way."

Sehun let out a frustrated groan, running a hand through his hair. "You think this is funny? Disappearing for days, coming back like this? Do you know what you put everyone through?"

"Sehun, enough," RM said quietly but firmly, his voice cutting through the rising tension. His expression was unreadable, but his clenched fists betrayed his own frustration. "She's back now. Let's deal with this tomorrow when we've all had some rest."

Minho stepped forward, gesturing toward the others. "You heard him. Go rest. Standing around here isn't helping anyone."

The group hesitated, glancing between each other and Y/N, who sat there with a nonchalant expression, clearly enjoying the chaos she'd stirred. Hyungsik exchanged a glance with Minho but didn't say anything, quietly heading toward the door. One by one, the others began to leave, grumbling under their breaths.

Lee Jong Suk muttered something about checking the perimeter and slipped out without another word. Hyungsik followed shortly after, leaving only Sehun, Suga, and RM behind.

The three of them stayed rooted, their gazes locked on Y/N, who leaned back against the wall, her smirk faltering slightly now that the room had cleared out.

"Still playing your games," Suga muttered, his tone sharp as he studied her. "But you're not fooling us."

Y/N's smirk returned, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes-something vulnerable and fleeting. "Games? I don't know what you're talking about," she said lightly, though her voice lacked its usual bite.

Sehun crossed his arms, his expression dark. "You're not invincible, Y/N. Stop acting like you are."

For a moment, Y/N said nothing, her gaze dropping to her hands. Then she looked up, her smirk firmly back in place. "You're all such worrywarts. Go to bed. I'm fine."

As soon as Y/N brushed off their concerns with her smug, Sehun snapped. His frustration boiled over as he closed the distance between them. Before anyone could stop him, he firmly but gently ushered her toward the bed.

"You're not standing another second," he muttered, his voice low and filled with a mix of anger and worry.

Y/N barely had time to react before she found herself sitting on the edge of the bed. She rolled her eyes, her smirk still lingering, but as she shifted to make herself comfortable, her hand instinctively went to her side, near her ribs. The sharp intake of breath and the wince that followed didn't escape anyone's notice.

Sehun froze, his anger melting into immediate concern. "Y/N..." he said, his voice softer now, though it still carried an edge of frustration.

Suga, standing nearby with his arms crossed, narrowed his eyes. "What else are you hiding?" he demanded, stepping closer.

Y/N waved her hand dismissively. "It's nothing," she muttered, though her hand remained pressed against her side.

"Nothing? You're wincing like you've been hit by a truck," Sehun snapped, kneeling down beside her to get a better look.

Before Y/N could protest further, RM appeared at her side with a small jar of ointment he'd found while listening to their bickering. "Stop arguing and let us help," he said firmly, setting the jar down on the bedside table.

"I don't need-" Y/N started, but her words were cut off by Suga's sharp glare.

"Enough," he said, his voice cold and clipped. "You've already pushed it too far. You don't get to brush this off after making everyone sick with worry."

Sehun nodded in agreement, his expression still clouded with frustration. "We don't care if you think you're invincible. You're not. Now, either you let us help, or I'll pin you down myself to make sure you don't do more damage."

Y/N let out a small laugh, though it lacked her usual bravado. "You're really overreacting-"

"No," RM interrupted, his calm tone laced with authority. "You're underreacting. This ends now."

Realizing she wasn't going to win this argument, Y/N let out a resigned sigh and leaned back slightly, her hand still protectively covering her side. "Fine. But I'm telling you, it's not that bad."

Sehun carefully reached for the hem of her shirt, hesitating for a moment as if waiting for her permission. When she didn't object, he gently lifted it just enough to reveal a dark, angry bruise spreading across her ribs.

Suga let out a sharp breath, and RM's expression darkened.

"That's 'not that bad'?" Suga said, his voice rising slightly.

Y/N shrugged, though the motion made her wince again. "It's just a bruise. Nothing broken. I've had worse."

"That's not the point," Sehun snapped, his voice tight with worry. "You didn't even tell us."

"Because it's not worth mentioning," Y/N replied, her tone stubborn but quieter now.

Suga leaned in closer, his hands twitching as if resisting the urge to shake her. "Do you have any idea how reckless you're being? How much you're putting yourself-and us-through?"

"I didn't ask you to worry about me," Y/N said softly, her gaze dropping to her lap.

"That's not how it works," RM said firmly, handing the ointment to Sehun, who immediately began applying it to her ribs with a gentleness that contrasted his earlier frustration.

For a moment, the room was silent except for the sound of their breathing. Y/N stayed quiet, her usual defiance dimmed by exhaustion and the undeniable pain.

When Sehun finished, he sat back on his heels, his expression a mixture of anger and concern. "You don't get to do this alone, Y/N. Not anymore."

Suga nodded, his gaze softening slightly. "We're a team. Start acting like it."

Y/N glanced between them, her smirk long gone. "I'll try," she said quietly, though the mischievous glint in her eyes suggested she wasn't making any promises.

The three men exchanged a look, their frustration tempered by relief. She was back, and for now, that was enough.

Suga sighed, his voice firm but not unkind. "Now sleep. No arguments."

Sehun, already adjusting the blanket over Y/N, gave her a pointed look. "And don't even think about pretending you're fine. Just close your eyes."

Y/N opened her mouth to protest, but RM cut her off. "We're not leaving until you're asleep. So unless you want three grown men staring at you all night, I suggest you stop fighting and rest."

Her lips twitched into the faintest smirk, but exhaustion won out. "Fine, fine," she muttered, turning her head slightly to the side.

For a moment, the room was quiet, the tension easing as Y/N's breathing gradually steadied. Without realizing it, she drifted off, the day's fatigue overtaking her.

Sehun remained seated beside her, his earlier frustration replaced by a deep, quiet worry. Gently, almost absently, he ran his hand through her hair, his fingers brushing softly against her head. His voice was low as he muttered to himself, "You always do this. Always pushing too far."

Suga leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. "She'll never stop being reckless," he said, though his tone lacked its usual sharpness.

RM nodded, his eyes still fixed on Y/N. "It's not about stopping her. It's about being here when she falls. And making sure she knows we'll catch her, no matter how much she fights it."

Sehun glanced up, his hand pausing for a moment before resuming its gentle movements. "She'll hate that," he said quietly, though there was a faint smile on his face.

Suga smirked, leaning forward slightly. "Good. Let her hate it. As long as she's safe."

RM chuckled softly. "Agreed. She can fight us all she wants. We're not going anywhere."

Sehun's gaze dropped back to Y/N, her face now peaceful in sleep. "She doesn't have to do everything on her own," he murmured. "She just needs to realize it."

Suga and RM exchanged a glance, both silently agreeing. For now, though, they let the silence settle around them, content to keep watch over her. The night wasn't over, but with Y/N finally resting, a small weight had lifted from their shoulders.

---
RM, Sehun, and Suga stepped quietly into the cool morning air, each step measured and silent. Despite the urgency, RM couldn't help but throw a frustrated glance at Sehun, who was still visibly tense. "We'll check the backyard first," RM suggested, his voice low. "Maybe she's just hungry. Or maybe she thought we wouldn't look there first. Who knows with her."

Sehun's eyes narrowed at the thought. "If she's hungry, then she's playing this too well." His tone was a mix of exasperation and concern, but they all knew that Y/N wasn't exactly the type to sit still for long.

Suga simply nodded. "Let's check. But we know better than to assume anything with her." His words were matter-of-fact, but the hint of worry lingered in his eyes.

They made their way toward the school backyard, walking past the familiar abandoned structures and the overgrown trees. As they approached the large, sturdy tree near the edge of the yard, they all instinctively slowed down, knowing exactly where they would find her.

And there she was. Perched comfortably on the thick branch, one knee slightly bent and the other leg stretched out, as though she had all the time in the world. Her head was resting on one hand, using it as a pillow while the other hand hung carelessly by her side. She was perfectly still, but the way she held herself-the faint smirk tugging at her lips-gave her away.

Suga stopped first, his eyes narrowing slightly. "As if we wouldn't notice, Y/N."

Sehun's jaw clenched, the frustration evident. "Always with the games," he muttered under his breath, barely loud enough for the others to hear. "You think we won't know you're pretending to sleep?"

RM, though more collected, could feel his annoyance bubbling up. He crossed his arms, staring up at her with an exasperated sigh. "You're not fooling anyone, Y/N. You know we're standing here, don't you?"

Y/N slowly opened one eye, looking down at them with that mischievous, almost playful smirk still on her face. "You're all so predictable," she said, her voice dripping with teasing amusement. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice you three sneaking around?"

Suga shook his head with a resigned sigh, clearly unimpressed. "You always make everything harder than it needs to be. What the hell are you doing up there?"

Y/N let out a small, exaggerated yawn, pretending to stretch for effect, then glanced down at them with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "What? Just enjoying the view. Is that so wrong?" She paused, then added with a slight tilt of her head, "I thought I'd be alone for once. You know, get a little peace. You guys should try it sometime."

Sehun's frustration boiled over as he stood with his arms crossed, his voice sharp. "You've been gone all night again, and this is how you show up? Like nothing happened?"

Y/N finally sat up, still perched on the branch but now with both hands resting on her lap as if she was at complete ease. "Relax, Sehun. I'm fine. You worry too much," she said nonchalantly, though the underlying sincerity in her tone was clear. But there was no escaping the truth that she had been playing them, pretending to be asleep just to mess with them.

RM gave her an exasperated look, the frustration and worry still hanging in the air. "You're impossible, you know that? We were all worried about you, and you're up here like it's just another lazy day. We need you to stop doing this. You can't just disappear whenever you feel like it."

Y/N shrugged, an almost playful grin tugging at her lips. "I'm fine. Honestly, it's not like anyone noticed I was gone, right?"

Sehun shook his head in disbelief. "You're ridiculous."

Suga, however, took a breath and spoke more calmly, though still with concern. "Just... don't do that again, alright? We're not as calm as you are, Y/N. You can't just wander off without telling anyone."

Y/N's grin softened just a bit, her eyes meeting each of theirs. "I get it. I'm sorry for worrying you guys." Her tone was sincere now, but the lingering smirk told them she wasn't going to let them win that easily.

Sehun crossed his arms again, clearly still frustrated but softening. "Just don't make us go looking for you again."

"Fine, fine," Y/N said, holding her hands up in mock surrender. "I promise, no more disappearing acts. But I'd really appreciate it if you guys didn't treat me like a kid."

As RM casually commented, "You really do act like a kid sometimes," Y/N's face flushed red with both irritation and embarrassment. The group was standing around, bickering amongst themselves as usual, but now their attention shifted to her. She crossed her arms in defense, glaring at him.

"I am not a kid," Y/N snapped, trying to hide the redness creeping up her neck. "I'm just... more agile than you guys."

Before RM could reply, Lee Jong Suk, who had been quietly observing the whole scene, could no longer hold back. He walked past the group, shaking his head with an exasperated smile. He had enough of their back-and-forth and of Y/N pretending she wasn't struggling to keep up with all the attention.

Without saying a word, he climbed the side ladder leading up to the tree where Y/N had been perched earlier. His movements were swift and sure, making it clear that he knew exactly what he was doing. Once he reached her, he didn't hesitate-he scooped her up into his arms effortlessly, lifting her as if she weighed nothing, cradling her like a child.

"Stay still," Jong Suk muttered, his voice soft but firm. "Both of us will fall if you move around too much."

Y/N, though initially startled, instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck to steady herself. She wasn't about to fight him on this. Despite her protests, she knew he wasn't going to let her down. With a sigh, she held on to him, her face flushed with a mix of annoyance and acceptance.

However, there was a small wince when Jong Suk's hand brushed against her rib, the one she'd hurt earlier. Her sharp intake of breath didn't go unnoticed by the group. They all exchanged glances, concern flickering across their faces, but no one said anything immediately. They had all grown used to her deflecting any care with her stubbornness.

Jong Suk, noticing her discomfort, adjusted his grip around her waist, making sure she was secure but trying to ease her pain at the same time. His touch was gentle, but firm enough to remind her that he wasn't about to let her go anytime soon.

When he descended the ladder and came back down to the ground, Y/N still in his arms like a child, her legs wrapped around his waist, her face turned a deep shade of red. She buried her face into his shoulder, trying to avoid the laughter and teasing that was sure to follow.

"I'm not a kid!" she muttered under her breath, her tone muffled by the fabric of his shirt. She lifted her head just enough to shoot a glare at the others. "So, whenever you all feel like it, you can carry me around like this."

Her statement only made the teasing worse. Minho, who had been standing nearby with Hyungsik, couldn't help but chime in. He walked over, a playful grin on his face. "Oh, you're definitely a kid,