Nightmare

Chapter 28

When the morning comes, very few feel like talking. Instead, you go about cleaning up camp and having breakfast in a quiet, tense manner. Your siblings are obviously trying to not start a fight with your mates, and your mates finding their dilemma a little funny. If you weren't so stressed about what today entails, you probably would have found it humorous as well.

"Okay, when we get there we-"

"Don't do anything immediately."

You flush when your mates chorus back their response. "Sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry about, sunshine. You need this to go right and you want to make sure that happens," Yeonjun assures you, kissing the crown of your head. "We don't mind repeating it as many times as you need."

"My heart?"

You turn your attention to Soobin, humming in acknowledgement.

"You have everything?"

"I think so."

"We'll go check then we can head out."

"I can do that."

"No, we got it. Just stay up here with the youngsters."

Kai rolls his eyes. "I'm really sure we aren't youngsters."

Soobin smiles, pressing a kiss to Kai's cheek. "But you and Taehyun are our babies."

"Gross."

Yeonjun whacks Taehyun upside his head at the remark.

"Don't be rude."

Taehyun rubs the back of his head, but a smirk grows on his lips. "Oh you're right, I should respect my elders."

Taheyun backs away and rushes behind you before Yeonjun can tackle him. You let out a little laugh as his arms wrap around you, keeping you situated in front of him.

"Little crow," you coo and Taehyun melts against you. "I don't think I'm the best hiding space. He doesn't really mind getting close to me. Plus, I still don't have anything to really push him back with."

"Knives."

"I said push him back, not incapacitate him."

Yeonjun rolls his eyes. "Whatever. I'm going to check that we have everything. Taehyun, you're safe for now."

"Thanks Junie, love you so much."

Taehyun pulls you a little closer once the two oldest leave, nuzzling his head against the back of your neck.

"You seem to really like laying your head there," you chuckle a little.

Beomgyu and Kai are watching the two of you with dopey smiles. Taehyun just nods.

"None of the others really seem to do it."

"They do," Taehyun assures you. "Just normally when you're cuddling. I just enjoy nuzzling it more outside of that."

With a sigh, you lean back against him. Kai and Beomgyu move towards the two of you, Kai choosing to place his hands on top of Taehyun's around your waist. Beomgyu stands to the side, but refuses to stray too far away from you.

"You guys are clingy."

Beomgyu shrugs. "Not anymore than usual I think."

"Besides, we are about to walk for a day and a half, I need my hugs," Kai adds with a bright smile. "And I thought my little star could help me."

One of your hands snakes up his side and makes it to his face so you can cup his jaw. "Where'd you get an idea like that?"

Before he can respond, a scoff comes from behind you. You throw your head back onto Taehyun's shoulder in annoyance at Gaia's interruption.