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The early morning air was crisp and quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded just hours before. Y/N stood near the balcony railing, her hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea. The steam curled upward, offering a fleeting comfort she barely noticed as her thoughts wandered. The sky was still a deep gray, the sun yet to rise, but she knew that somewhere above, on the terrace, Hobi and Taehyung were on watch duty. She couldn't see them, but she didn't need to. She simply knew-they always took their responsibilities seriously, and she trusted them with her life.

Her hair was tied in a messy bun, strands escaping here and there, but she didn't pay it any mind. She wore a neat half-sleeve T-shirt paired with black joggers, the simplicity of her attire matching the no-nonsense attitude she carried. Her boots were already on, laced tight, and her dagger rested securely on her waist. It was as much a part of her as the scars she carried, both visible and unseen.

After taking a final sip of her tea, she placed the cup down on the small table beside her. Her gaze drifted to the three large bags she'd packed, neatly arranged on the sofa and table nearby. Each one was filled with the essentials she'd need for her journey-food, medical supplies, weapons, and a few items of personal value she couldn't leave behind. She'd spent hours making sure everything was accounted for, the act of preparation keeping her mind focused, giving her something to hold onto amidst the turmoil.

Y/N lingered near the railing for a moment longer, her eyes scanning the faintly lit horizon. The quietness of the camp felt heavier than usual, and the solitude-a sanctuary no one dared enter without her permission-offered a bittersweet kind of peace.

She made her way down to the hall. The large space was cloaked in shadow, the only light coming from the faint glow of the embers in the fireplace. It was abandoned now, the others either asleep or recovering from their watch duties. Perhaps some were still stewing over the confrontation from the night before.

Y/N lowered herself to the floor beside the fireplace, her back pressed against the cold stone. The fire was long dead, its warmth a distant memory, much like the fragile sense of control she'd lost during the argument. She sighed deeply, the weight of guilt settling heavily in her chest.

Her mind replayed the moment she'd lost control, her voice sharp and cutting in a way that wasn't like her. She hadn't meant for things to spiral like that, but the emotions she'd been suppressing had finally broken free. She clenched her jaw, her fingers curling into fists as she remembered the look Taehyung had given her. His eyes had held something raw-worry, maybe even fear. It had been enough to pull her back from the edge, to remind her that losing herself wasn't an option. Not now, not ever.

Glancing down at her hands, Y/N traced the faint scars that crisscrossed her skin, each one a reminder of battles fought and survived. Sleep had eluded her as usual, but that wasn't new. She hadn't needed much sleep in years, her body accustomed to the constant state of vigilance her life demanded. Instead, she'd spent the night practicing, pushing herself to exhaustion in an attempt to quiet the restless energy buzzing beneath her skin.

She sat there in silence, staring into the faintly glowing embers, lost in the labyrinth of her thoughts. The decisions she had made, the paths she had taken-they were all carved into her mind like scars on her skin. She had come too far now to turn back. Even the thought of looking back felt dangerous, as if acknowledging the weight of the past might shatter the fragile resolve that held her together.

Her fingers grazed the cold stone beneath her, grounding herself as a memory surfaced-a fragment from a time that felt like it belonged to someone else entirely. She was a child again, no more than a teenager, running through the secure corridors of the military base with Suga, Hobi, and Sehun. They were carefree then, despite the shadow of the world outside. The base had been their fortress, their cocoon. The walls that kept them safe also kept the horrors of the outside world at bay.

She could almost hear the echoes of their laughter. Sehun's teasing remarks, Hobi's infectious grin, Suga's quiet smirk as he played along with their antics. Minho, barely older than them, was on watch, keeping a half-serious eye on the group while pretending not to notice their mischief. They were a gang of restless teenagers, skipping classes, sneaking off to the storage rooms, and stealing scavenged food for late-night feasts.

It was innocence wrapped in rebellion, a fleeting time when they believed the world couldn't touch them.

But it had.

The memory faded, and the silence of the hall pressed down on her once more. How far they had come from that. The trust, the innocence-those pure, untarnished souls were long gone, replaced by survivors hardened by loss and betrayal. The base that had been their sanctuary was now just another ghost of the past, another place they had left behind in their relentless march toward survival.

Y/N drew her knees up to her chest, resting her forehead against them for a moment. She wasn't the same girl who had laughed so freely, who had stolen food and skipped classes just to feel a little thrill. None of them were. And as much as those memories brought a brief flicker of warmth, they also reminded her of what they'd lost-who they'd lost.

She exhaled deeply, shaking her head to clear the haze of nostalgia. There was no time for it now. The journey ahead loomed larger than the memories behind her. Whatever lay at the end of this path, she would face it. Because turning back wasn't an option-not anymore.

Hyungsik lingered on the stairs, his hand gripping the railing as he debated what to do. The sight of Y/N sitting there, shoulders hunched and head low, tugged at something deep within him. He had always admired her strength, but seeing her like this-quiet-felt like intruding on a moment she hadn't meant to share.

From above, RM and Suga watched in silence, their positions hidden by the shadow of the first-floor railing. They had woken minutes earlier, checked in on Tae and Hobi on the terrace, and were now heading down when they caught sight of Y/N. Their steps halted instinctively as they observed her.

She hadn't noticed any of them. Her focus was on the ground, her posture radiating exhaustion. Occasionally, she would sigh deeply or shake her head, as if denying some dark thought trying to root itself in her mind. It was unsettling to watch.

Hyungsik shifted slightly, drawing their attention for a moment. They exchanged a glance, understanding his hesitation as he stayed frozen on the stairs below, clearly debating whether to approach her or retreat. RM's jaw tightened, his leader instincts kicking in, but even he wasn't sure if now was the time to speak with her. Suga leaned on the railing, his sharp gaze fixed on Y/N with a mixture of concern and quiet respect.

The three men didn't need words to communicate the same thought: Y/N was battling something far greater than anything they could imagine.

Her demeanor from the night before lingered in their minds-the edge in her voice, the raw pain in her eyes as she had spoken words that crawled under their skin. She hadn't shared the details of what haunted her, but she didn't have to. The weight of her silence was enough. The pieces they had managed to put together painted a grim picture, one that made them wonder how she was still standing.

Most people would have broken long ago under the weight of secrets and trauma like hers. Yet there she was, sitting on the cold floor by the dead fireplace, holding herself together with a strength that almost felt inhuman. It wasn't just respect they felt for her-it was awe. And fear. Because they had seen the cracks forming in her carefully maintained control.

They had seen it last night, the way she had almost let herself go. The glimpse of what might happen if she truly broke was terrifying. She had built herself into an unyielding force, but the cost of that strength was etched into every line on her face, every scar on her body.

RM exhaled slowly, his grip tightening on the railing. She can't afford to break, he thought, though he wasn't sure if he was trying to convince himself or silently pleading with the universe. They had all seen too much, but whatever Y/N had endured seemed far worse-something none of them dared to fully imagine.

Suga's gaze didn't waver, his usually stoic expression betraying a hint of concern. He had known Y/N longer than most of the others. He'd seen the way she carried herself, always in control, always a step ahead. But now, he wondered how much of that was real and how much was just an act to keep everyone else at ease. The thought made his chest tighten.

Hyungsik, still at the stairs, took a step back, as if deciding against approaching her. He glanced toward RM and Suga briefly, their silent presence unnoticed by Y/N. He gave them a small nod before retreating quietly back toward the basement. Whatever she was going through, it wasn't something he felt equipped to handle right now.

As Hyungsik hesitated on the stairs, Y/N's voice broke through the silence, low and calm yet carrying an undeniable weight.

"Hyungsik," she said, her head still bowed, eyes fixed on the ground.

Hyungsik froze, his heart skipping a beat. Her voice wasn't sharp, but there was something in it that made him turn back. Slowly, his eyes darted toward RM and Suga above, who remained still, just as taken aback by her sudden acknowledgment of their presence.

Y/N lifted her head briefly, her gaze flickering toward them-not long enough to fully meet their eyes, but just enough to let them know she was aware. Then, just as quickly, she looked back down, pulling a lighter from her pocket. She gathered the cold, unburnt wood in the fireplace with practiced efficiency, striking the flame until the fire crackled back to life.

"What, you thought I wouldn't notice you?" she said, her voice quieter now but laced with a subtle edge. Her tone wasn't accusatory, but it carried the faintest hint of a challenge.

The three men exchanged silent glances, a mixture of mild embarrassment and awe passing between them. They should have known better. Y/N's instincts were always sharp, no matter how deep in thought she appeared. It was a survival skill, honed to perfection over the years, and it was one of the many reasons they trusted her implicitly.

RM cleared his throat softly, his hand sliding off the railing as he straightened. Suga stayed leaned against it for a moment longer, his expression unreadable, before finally following RM's lead.

Y/N finished arranging the firewood, the flames now casting a faint orange glow across the room. She leaned back against the wall, her legs crossed, and looked at them again. This time, her gaze was steady.

"Come and sit," she said, gesturing casually toward the area near the fire. "What's the matter? You all look like you've seen a ghost."

Hyungsik hesitated, glancing back toward the basement stairs, before deciding to move forward. He stepped closer, his movements careful as though he were approaching something fragile. RM and Suga descended from the first floor, their steps slow but deliberate.

The three men joined her, settling around the newly lit fire. They didn't speak right away, unsure of how to start. The silence stretched for a moment, filled only by the faint crackle of the flames and the distant sounds of the camp stirring awake.

Y/N leaned her head back against the wall, her eyes half-closed as she exhaled softly. "I'm not mad at any of you," she said after a beat, sensing their unease. "You don't have to tiptoe around me."

Suga, sitting cross-legged opposite her, gave a quiet scoff. "It's not that. We just... didn't want to disturb you."

"Yeah," RM added, his deep voice calm but firm. "You looked like you needed space."

Y/N's lips twitched slightly, the closest thing to a smile they'd seen from her in days. "Space, huh? You all seem to think I'm some fragile little thing that might shatter any second."

"That's not it," Hyungsik cut in, his tone soft but resolute. "We know how strong you are. But even the strongest people need someone to lean on sometimes."

She opened her eyes fully at that, her expression unreadable as she studied him. For a long moment, no one spoke. Then, finally, she let out a quiet chuckle-dry and humorless, but a chuckle nonetheless.

"Lean on you?" she repeated softly, shaking her head with a small, rueful smile. "It's not that I don't trust you. It's just... the weight I'm carrying-it's not something I can share. Not because I think you're weak, but because it's mine. And I wouldn't want anyone else to bear it."

Y/N's smirk lingered as she leaned forward, looking at each of them with a knowing glint in her eye. "I've made a decision," she said, her tone light yet carrying an underlying seriousness. "And I think you're going to like it."

Her gaze shifted between them, a teasing edge in her voice as she added, "But don't worry, you'll know soon enough. When everyone's here."

The men exchanged quick, curious glances, but no one asked her to elaborate. They had learned over the years that Y/N didn't share her plans until she was ready. It was something they had come to expect, even if it sometimes drove them mad.

She leaned back against the wall again, her eyes momentarily drifting to the fire as the warm light flickered in her face. Then, breaking the brief silence, she added, "But let them rest. After everything that happened last night, they need it." Her gaze flickered over to them, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "And looking at you all, I don't think any of you have had any sleep either. Or maybe others haven't either..."

Suga, never one to let a comment slide, shot her a playful look. "You're talking like you got any sleep."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her smile deepening. "I never said I slept. I just said you all need rest."

Suga chuckled under his breath, leaning back slightly, while RM's lips twitched in amusement. Hyungsik, always more reserved, just shook his head, clearly trying not to smile.

"Guess we're all in the same boat, then," RM said, his deep voice calm but carrying a hint of humor. "Not much rest for any of us lately."

Y/N let out a small, dry chuckle. "Rest is overrated anyway." She gave them a sideways glance. "Especially when we've got bigger things to focus on."

The conversation naturally shifted into an unspoken understanding-rest or not, they all knew what needed to be done next.

Just then, Jin and Jiwoo came down the stairs, followed closely by Hobi and Taehyung. Hobi was cradling Haru, the little girl, who looked groggy from just waking up, her small hands gripping onto him loosely as her eyes fluttered open.

When Jin, Hobi, and Taehyung reached the bottom of the stairs and saw Y/N sitting near the fire with the others, they paused for a moment. They exchanged quick, silent glances, the tension palpable in the air. But seeing the others-Suga, RM, and Hyungsik-all present and relaxed, they continued their approach at a slower pace.

Jiwoo, clearly unaware of the events that had unfolded the previous night, stepped forward with a knowing smile. "So, you finally decided to come out of your den, huh?" she teased, her voice light. "We were all wondering who would dare disturb the lioness inside. You never know when she'll attack."

Y/N let out a soft chuckle, her attempt to lighten the mood working like a charm. It was clear she was trying to ease the tension from earlier. The others-Jin, Hobi, and Taehyung-looked to Suga, RM, and Hyungsik, who were all smiling too, their expressions much more relaxed than before. It was a subtle reassurance that Y/N's presence had returned to its usual calm, and they could all breathe a little easier now.

"Lioness, huh?" Y/N said, looking at Jiwoo with a raised eyebrow, as if considering the title. "I think you're giving me too much credit."

Jiwoo laughed, taking a seat next to Y/N and glancing over at the others. "Well, it's not like we've ever dared cross you, have we?"

The group shared a small laugh, the weight of the night's tension melting away in the warmth of the fire. Even Haru, who had been fidgeting in Hobi's arms, seemed to calm down, resting her head on his shoulder.

Y/N's gaze lingered on Jiwoo for a moment, tilting her head as if processing something. The others sat in silence, watching her, unsure of what she was thinking. Her expression softened for a brief second, a hint of confusion flickering across her face before she turned her attention back to Jiwoo.

"You want to see what's behind that door?" Y/N asked, pointing toward the door to her room, which was visible from where they were sitting.

The group froze. The unexpectedness of her words left everyone momentarily speechless. The atmosphere shifted, the playful lightness from before quickly evaporating, replaced by a subtle tension.

Jiwoo blinked, clearly caught off guard by the question. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her tone cautious but curious.

Y/N remained quiet for a beat, her gaze unwavering as she glanced between Jiwoo and the others. She could feel the weight of their stares, the hesitation in the air. It wasn't like her to open up about the things hidden away behind that door, but for some reason, today felt different. Maybe it was the mix of exhaustion, the unspoken burdens, or the feeling that, after everything, it was time.

"You're serious?" Jin asked again, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he were still trying to make sense of it all. "You're really going to show us what's behind that door?"

Y/N gave a slow nod, her gaze steady as she leaned against the wall, arms folded. "After last night, and with what you already know, it's not going to harm anyone," she said, her voice cool but firm. "I've said I'd tell you everything, but on my terms, at my pace."

Jiwoo, still somewhat confused, glanced at the others for some kind of clarity. Her brows furrowed as she searched their faces, but none of them seemed to have any better understanding. Y/N noticed her confusion and gave a small, reassuring smile, although it was tempered by the serious nature of her words.

"Don't worry," Y/N continued, her tone lighter but still tinged with purpose. "Ask Minho. He'll explain what needs to be said. It's just about what I've been doing."

She then turned her attention back to the others, her gaze sweeping over each of them before her eyes finally landed on the door once more. "And now, I want you to understand what's behind that door, but only after everyone gets here. Let's just say, if you think it's my office, you're in for a shock."

The group's curiosity intensified, but no one spoke. They didn't need to; they knew better than to ask. Whatever was behind that door, they'd find out soon enough.

Jiwoo rolled her eyes playfully but with a hint of curiosity. "Alright, then. Maybe Minho's already awake. You'll show us what's behind that door after everyone gets here, huh?" She glanced over at Y/N with a teasing smirk before adding, "And by the way, you better fill me in on everything you talked about with them, without me. What, you just left me out? You talked about your secrets without me?"

Y/N chuckled lightly, leaning back against the wall. "Secrets? Maybe you'll hear them soon enough," she replied, her voice light