"You should probably go talk to her"
Taeyong said as he sat down beside Doyoung, who was on his bed, blanket covering his face. "How am I supposed to explain what happened? Why I didn't come back when there was no reason at all?"

"Maybe she doesn't want a reason. Maybe she just changed because of the shock. But whatever it is, you need to go talk to her. You made us bring her here. If you're not gonna talk, I might just throw you out"

Doyoung uncovered his face, glaring at Taeyong.

"You wouldn't"
"I definitely would and you know that more than anyone. Now, go take a damn shower. You smell like a rabbit that accidentally hopped into trash"
"Rude"
"Uno reverse"
"I hate you"

Doyoung got up and walked into his bathroom, not forgetting to side eye Taeyong. Taeyong shook his head before exiting the room and going to the living room, finding Jaehyun and Winwin, taking the seat beside them as they continued to play the game.

"Have you seen Yuna?"
Taeyong questioned as he watch Winwin and Jaehyun having a tight match.

"I think she escaped with Haerin to her room, not wanting to clean the mess they made in the kitchen"
Taeyong took a breath, about to ask them a favor. Noticing this, Winwin paused the game as Jaehyun groaned since he was about to win.

"What is it, hyung?"
"Can you guys..i don't know, take Yuna around the city, gaining her trust and all? Both of you are the same age as her so it would be easier. This is because the guy that wanted her here isn't taking any steps in doing what's needed"

Winwin and Jaehyun looked at each other before hesitatingly nodding to each other, turning to look at Taeyong.

"Sure, I guess. You know that thing Doyoung hyung does when he's nervous? When Yuna told him to cut the communications, he kept tapping his fingers, thinking something bad might happen to you guys"
Winwin explained what had happened in the tech room earlier. How he just wanted to tape Doyoung's finger to stop the annoying noise.

"Yeah, we can do that. But I can only be there until 4PM since I still need to train Dream, Yangyang and Hendery"
Jaehyun said, sneakily pressing the play button on Winwin's controller, making Winwin lose as soon as he tried to stop it.

Taeyong smiled to the two of them. "Thanks guys. I'll try to convince Doyoung to do something"
The two of them gave a thumbs up before restarting their game.

________________________

The next morning, Yuna woke up feeling more energized, possibly because of the boost of serotonin she felt the night before. She looked at Haerin, who was still peacefully sleeping in her bed.

She then got up and sneaked out to the kitchen, checking the clock that showed it was almost 7:30AM. She looked around, trying to find something to eat.

'Last night, I was so determined to escape but now you're going through their fridge. What kind of person are you, Yuna?'
Yuna laughed at herself, creeping the person that had just entered the kitched.

"What are you trying to find?"
Yuta asked, causing the girl to let out a light squeak. Yuta laughed at the girl that had just hit her head on the upper cupboard, approaching her.

"It's Thursday, so me and Taeil hyung are in charge of making breakfast. Any desired breakfast?"
Yuta asked as he sat on the high chair at the counter, waiting for Taeil.

"I'm f-fine with anything.."
"Yuta. My name's Nakamoto Yuta"
Yuna nodded, the awkward feeling filled the air before Taeil entered with his phone in hand. He looked up and saw Yuta and Yuna doing their own things awkwardly.

"Uhh.. How about kimchi fried rice with fried eggs?"
"Ooh you should add a fruit salad for a light snack after so that it doesn't feel so greesy"

Yuna realized she had accidentally joined the conversation, turning around to avoid the awkwardness she created when Yuta called her.

"How about you make that? I'll help Taeil hyung with the kimchi fried rice"
Yuta said, knowing they'll have to grow used to the girl sooner or later. Yuna looked to Taeil as he nodded in affirmation.

They then started by taking their needed ingredients. "I'll make the fried rice. You should make the fried eggs, Yuta. Feel free to ask if you need anything, Yuna"

Yuna nodded as she finished taking out a few fruit and lettuce from the fridge. She watched Yuta and Taeil as they set up their needed stuff, contemplating whether to ask where the cutting board and knife were.

"Where's the cutting board and knife?"
Yuna asked, awkwardly tapping Taeil's shoulder. Taeil then pointed to the dish rack where there was the cutting board.

Yuna went to get it as he pulled out the knife from the drawer behind him, pointing it to her.

"Are you trying to threaten me or scare me?"
"Sort of.. here"
Taeil placed the knife on the counter beside her as Yuna placed down the cutting board, taking the knife into her hands.

"Just so you know, my main weapons are daggers and blades. So if you think a kitchen knife is gonna scare me then.."
Yuna threw the knife into the air, as the sharp edge landed on the cutting board, making both Taeil and Yuta widen their eyes.

"Yes, they still scare me and thankfully that trick went well or else one of us would have a freakin knife in their skull"
Yuna pulled the knife from the cutting board, poroceeding to the fruit and lettuce.

"I have never felt so scared for my life"
Yuta let out a silent whisper as he continued to make the fried eggs, Taeil having trouble focusing as he heard the sound of the knife hitting the board. Yuna was chopping the fruit skillfully fast.

Soon, breakfast was complete as Yuna placed the chopped fruit and lettuce into a strainer to wash it before placing it into a huge bowl and putting in mayo, mixing it. Yuta walked to her with a spoon, taking some and putting it into his mouth.

(I don't remember what mom put into her fruit salad so it was frustrating writing this)

Yuna looked at him worriedly, suddenly concious of the taste until Yuta's eyes lit up at the taste. "This is so good.. Hyung, try it"

"I'll try it later. Go call the others. Yuna, help me set the table please"
Yuna nodded as she helped Taeil carry the utensils to the table as he carried the fried rice. As they finished up, some of the members start walking down, one of them being Jaehyun.

"Get ready by 10AM. We are going out with Winwin, he has been wanting to visit some place"
"Why me?"
"Because you'd be bored staying here. So just be ready by 10AM"
"Sure..I guess"

Jaehyun then grinned as he went to sit down with Johnny. Haerin walked into the kitchen, some of the boys behind her. She walked to Yuna half-awake, pulling the girl into a hug as Yuna stiffen.

"I thought you left. I have never felt so much better than now that we have another girl in the group"
Haerin mumbled sleepily causing Yuna to awkwardly grin as some of the older boys cooed at her, the 00 liners making disgusted faces.

"I'm not in NCT, Haerin"
"Who said so? You are in NCT"

Yuna's eyes trailed up, seeing Doyoung making her quickly shuffle to the place she sat when she ate with the 00 liners yesterday, helping them scoop up the fried rice.

Kun walked up behind Doyoung. "Talk to her after breakfast. Nothing's gonna go right on an empty stomach"

Doyoung just sighed and nodded as he sat beside Jungwoo, scooping up his desired portion. He ate, his eyes never leaving Yuna's back.

(Let's pretend there are three dining tables)

Noticing Doyoung's eyes on Yuna, Mark took the initiative for him to sit down in front of him, blocking his view. Mark then mouthed 'You're gonna make her uncomfortable, hyung' as Doyoung then lowered his gaze to his food.

Breakfast was soon over as Xiaojun and Winwin washed the dishes, following up on their set schedule. Yuna was about to close the door to the room she woke up in yesterday, to which some of members fixed the door, when Doyoung slipped through the opening, closing the door behind him.

"I'll talk, I'll explain whatever you want to know, I'll --"
Yuna suddenly walked to her bed, patting the space beside her. Doyoung then sat down, looking at her up and down.

"You don't need to explain to me if you can't. You thought I was a goner like our friends. I'm sorry I reacted that way when I woke up here. I was just too shocked because for years I thought you were gone. You don't know how hard it was for me to explain to your mom that you were dead"
Yuna said, swinging her feet to ease the tense feeling building up in her.

Doyoung looked down. "I'm sorry. I told you to run that day. They looked so determined as if you were their main target. It all came out to be a robbery gone wrong"

There was that feeling she felt years ago. She felt as if something didn't fit into the reports. She knew they weren't aiming for some type of robbery but something more malicious but she could never put her finger on what.

"You okay?"
Doyoung questioned as the girl was too silent. She looked up and nodded her head, not noticing she was caught up on her own thoughts.

Her eyes went to the clock on the wall, it showing 9AM as she recalled what Jaehyun had told her earlier.

"If you were here originally to apologize to me, then consider yourself forgiven before you even asked. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get ready now"

Yuna said as she picked up the pair of clothing Haerin had lent to her. A simple grey hoodie and long jeans. Doyoung had gotten up and was about to exit when he stopped by the door.

"Thanks and for your information, you're NCT now. So don't even try to say you aren't"

And with that, Doyoung left the room, leaving Yuna with spiraling thoughts. Feeling as if she had a place to lean on. Eventhough she barely knew much about them, she felt as if this was the right place for her.

Shaking off the thoughts, she started getting ready and by 9:45AM, she was ready. Walking out of the room, she walked to the room where Taeyong had took the guns from.

She checked her surroundings before opening it skillfully. She took a mini blade and a dagger, slipping them in between her belt before covering it with the hoodie which fitted her perfectly.

She walked to the living room, seeing Winwin already waiting. Both of them then waited for Jaehyun, making small talk. As Jaehyun came down, they got up and left, all three thinking the same.

'Never too safe out there'

Edited: 8/12/2020