The last two chapters were what was happening before Abigail found that they weren't at the dorm.
. . .
After that episode of Taeyong's in his bed, he immediately rounded the others up.
Most were groaning due to being woke up in the middle of the night, but regardless, everyone was packed onto the three couches, trying to rub the sleep out of their eyes.
Taeyong was pacing in between the trio of couches, rubbing the bridge of his nose, on the brink of getting a headache from all of the potential crises that could arise.
Sure, they've been training for this, but Abigail finding out and immediately coming after them was what he was worried about.
He needed to make a safe plan for everyone to stay safe and none of them to get hurt, not even Abigail.
After everyone had gathered in the living space, Doyoung spoke up, making Taeyong to stop in his tracks.
"When are you going to tell us what's going on in that head of yours?"
Taeyong looked at him, panic etched in his features.
That was the problem.
He knew what was wrong, but no solutions were coming to mind, and how to tell everyone without them freaking out. That was the last thing he wanted to have.
Twenty people freaking out in one space was not good to deal with.
They've been training hard for the past several weeks, trying to prepare for the nearing future. The only problem was that it was almost there, and that the reality of it was crashing onto Taeyong so hard.
"Abigail is coming," he said, "she knows."
There wasn't a response, only dead silence.
No one dared to say a word, but Taeyong could hear all of the random thoughts shouting from the others' minds.
Holy shi-
This is what we prepared for right? I'm ready, or at least I think I am...
Kick, turn, sneak kick. I think I can remember the move.
I hope all these kids can control themselves. Yeah, that'll take a miracle.
We already came up with the strategy for this. We're prepared.
I don't know about the others' training, but I know that most of us are solid on training...
Jungwoo looks so cute when he's confused. Awe. Wait, did Taeyong just say something?
Taeyong shot a glare at Lucas, who smiled dumbly at him, trying to act innocent.
Rubbing his temples, trying to focus again.
Taeyong, I know you can hear me, but listen to me. It doesn't matter that she found out. That left us enough to learn strategies and how to protect ourselves. We already came up with our overall plan, and now all we have to do is carry through with it. Don't worry. We're here, and we're here to support you. We're ready.
Taeyong's gaze shot to the familiar eyes of Renjun's eyes, who gave a knowing look to the older.
He nodded slightly, one of reassurance for the older, and smiled lightly. Taeyong almost let out a light laugh at himself for freaking out for no reason.
He was just scared that Abigail would come after all that he had built, and take the people he loved, and he didn't want that to happen.
He was determined to give Abigail his all, no remorse.
Clearing his throat, he regained the consciousness of the others, eyes all on him.
"We know what we have to do," he said, his singular voice strong against the silence in the room.
Everyone seemed to look at each other with mixed emotions full of uncertainty that was met with other looks of reassurance.
They've got this, Taeyong thought happily.
He felt like he could breathe again.
"I'm sorry for waking all of you, I just felt like you all should be told what's happening. Go ahead and go back to sleep and make sure you rest well. We have a big day tomorrow," he finished dismissing the boys.
The others made their way back up the stairs, whilst Jaehyun brought himself to Taeyong's side, wrapping an arm around the older affectionately.
"You did well," he told him, looking at him with pride.
"Let's just hope I can actually go back to sleep after this," Taeyong muttered, looking at Jaehyun.
Jaehyun simply laughed, before leading the older back upstairs to their bedroom.
. . .
After Dream had made it back to their shared room, Chenle started to throw pillows at Jisung, leading to the younger whining and hiding behind Mark's back.
Donghyuck laughed loudly when one of Chenle's pillows hit Mark square in the face.
Jeno, Jaemin and Renjun walked into the room, only to see a laughing Donghyuck, a sleepy but very close to being angry Mark, a Jisung cowering behind said Mark, a giggling Chenle, and three pillows laying on the floor.
Renjun looked at the situation in a sleepy haze, until one of the stray pillows hit him in the stomach, making him flinch slightly.
He furrowed his eyebrows as he tried to look down at what had hit him.
Confused, he looked at the pillow that lay at his feet, before slowly picking it up and proceeding to hug the comfortable cushion to his chest.
Jaemin cooed at the unexpected cuteness of the older when he was tired. But he was cut short when Renjun got out of his sleepy daze.
Eye widened, and the pillow fiercely held in his hands, he playfully glared at Chenle.
"How dare you," he said, Chinese flowing from the older.
The younger boy let out a gasp of fake fright, making Jisung look in between the two, worried for his friend.
"Chenle, what did he say?" Jisung asked, feeling anxious that a fight was going to break out.
Chenle ignored him, still looking at Renjun.
"Look how anxious Jisung is," Renjun said with a straight face, trying to prank the youngest of them all.
Chenle had never wanted to laugh so hard in his life at the priceless look of Jisung's face, but fortunately kept back the smile threatening to break through.
"He's going to fucking burst," he said, making his tone sound more rage-filled than what he was actually feeling.
Renjun nodded, pointing at the younger in a scolding manner.
"Don't curse!" he said, sounding even more angry, before he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist.
He turned to see a silent Jeno holding him back.
"How are you so fucking cute? he said, looking at the younger with his eyebrows furrowed even more.
Jeno looked at him, confused at what he was saying, and at how he was mad at him.
Just then he realized how still the others were, and how they were looking in between Chenle and himself.
Renjun and Chenle looked at each other simultaneously, before meeting eyes and bursting out in laughter.
The other's continued to look at the two, before giving even more confused looks.
"What just happened?" Donghyuck asked, sitting on the bed beside Chenle.
"Y-your guys' f-faces, oh god!" Chenle said, still laughing while holding his stomach. Jisung tossed a pillow at him, sulking that the older had pranked him.
Renjun stopped laughing until he looked back at Jeno again, who was still holding him.
Then he cackled at Jeno who looked like he was mildly concerned for the older.
"Why were you mad at me?" he asked sincerely.
Renjun had to catch his breath, Jaemin standing near the two with a light smile of amusement, waiting for Renjun's response.
"I wasn't," and that was all Renjun gave him.
Mark smiled at the Chinese boys' antics, before rounding up the boys to go back to sleep.
They were all settled, and half asleep when Renjun was poked in the cheek.
"What?" he asked, not even bothering to open his eyes.
"What did you say to me then?" he recognized Jeno's voice, feeling the younger's warm breath on the same cheek he poked.
"I'm not telling you," Renjun told him, smiling lightly.
He felt Jeno lay back onto his back heavily.
"Fine," he said, "I'll just ask Chenle."
Renjun laughed lightly.
"Yeah, Chenle isn't telling you shit."