Burnout (K.Sn) [Sequel]

Down Low (3)

August 5th, 2025

"Try and get some rest, okay?" Sunoo quietly questioned as he softly patted my head, turning to Sunghoon who had stopped by to visit, "she didn't really sleep last night."

"I can go get some sleep medication," Sunghoon offered and glanced over at me before I just shook my head and pulled my blanket further up under my chin.

I didn't like how Sunghoon looked at me with pity as Sunoo hung his jacket up for him. Quietly Sunghoon walked over and placed a small box down on the table in front of me, a small smile playing on his lips.

"The others wanted to be here to hand it over as well, but we decided it would be best for you if it only was one of us," Sunghoon excused, "happy birthday Li."

Sunghoon softly patted my head before following after Sunoo into the kitchen, to get his cup of coffee.

"She really isn't sleeping that much?" even though Sunghoon obviously tried to talk quietly I could still hear him clearly.

"She's been crying and having panic attacks all night," Sunoo's voice replied as I could hear the occasional cling between a spoon and porcelain mug as he stirred up Sunghoon's coffee.

"She needs to sleep at night, she can't live like that. Neither can you Sunoo..." Sunghoon softly reminded, "you have heavy bags under your eyes."

"I'm not letting her stay awake alone with that," Sunoo insisted as I only clutched the comfort blanket, "and I'm not forcing her on sleep medication," he sternly finished, supposedly cutting Sunghoon off before he offered it.

"We're worried about you two," Sunghoon sighed, "Lin's never been the same after that night, neither have you. She's vulnerable and you're too protective. This whole ordeal will break the both of you more if you don't do anything soon."

"It's been two days hyung," Sunoo replied, "it's her birthday."

"She's supposed to be smiling on her birthday," Sunghoon sighed, "that lump out there is neither smiling nor the Lin I know she can be... Belift wants her to make a statement against the article."

I quietly got up from the couch at that offer, dragging my feet over towards the kitchen, quietly peering in to see Sunoo standing with a frown on his face, obviously deep in thought.

"It's not for the sake of us, but for the sake of her," Sunghoon softly spoke as Sunoo just nodded.

"She can barely sit and eat dinner with me without just turning off," Sunoo shook his head, "I can't make her do it, not yet. She needs to be more stable."

"And when is that?" Sunghoon sighed as he crossed his arms over his chest, "we are worried and you haven't told us anything since you took your leave. All of us are worried sick, and you're not letting us know anything of what is happening. She might be your wife but she's as good as a sister to the rest of us. You know that."

"I found a new appartment for us. She can get her on atelier there, it's bigger, it's lighter and it's on the other side of Han River," Sunoo sighed, "we're moving in start of September. I couldn't get it pushed forward further. She can do it once we're in the new appartment."

"Move back into the dorm," Sunghoon insisted within a heartbeat, "if it's the appartment that's the current problem, move back in with us. Niki is going around asking if any of us heard how she's doing, only getting more and more disappointed he gets a no. Jay is cooking up all the Chinese recipes he can to go bring it here one day. Jungwon and Jake are reading into law and if we can sue the journalist for this. We'll all be a support for as well, but you'll still have your leave."

Sunoo looked down at the floor before brushing his bangs out of his face, letting out a small sigh.

"At least try and think solely about her, because right now there's also a small part of you that thinks of yourself in this situation. This is about her, not you Sunoo," Sunghoon sternly spoke and I quickly walked into the kitchen, catching the attention of the two boys.

"Are you alright?" Sunoo worriedly questioned as I just walked up and hugged onto him, making him quickly wrap his arms around me.

"I see you taking care of her like this, but just... please consider the offer," Sunghoon sighed.

"I want to go back to the dorm," I whispered making Sunoo sigh before he nodded against my shoulder, digging a hand into my hair as he softly rubbed my back, "until September."

"We can have a room and everything ready for you two to move back in tonight," Sunghoon offered, to which Sunoo just nodded in agreement, "and... if it's another rough night then Heeseung hyung has offered to stay up with her all the nights needed, Jungwon too. Any of us would do it, just get enough rest... both of you."

"If..." Sunoo trailed off with a small sigh, "I'll drop her off tonight after dinner and then I'll go back here to pack down the last few things. Please just look after her."

"We couldn't dream of anything else, you know that," Sunghoon assured.

I sucked in a deep breath as I pulled out of Sunoo's grip, just staring straight at his chest before turning around and hugging onto Sunghoon as well. Immediately a hand ran through my hair soothingly as Sunghoon brought me in closer.

"You know you always got us, alright?" Sunghoon whispered and I just nodded, "we'll take good care of you, I swear."

"Sunoo's tired," I whispered and Sunghoon just nodded with a small hum.

"I know," he assured with a small laugh, "we've noticed."

"I can hear you, you know," Sunoo called out making a small laugh escape Sunghoon.

"Yah, quiet. We're gossiping," Sunghoon defended, actually making a small smile spread on my face.

I guess it was quite a nice small birthday gift that at least one of the boys stopped by to check up on us.