feel free to point out any errors if you see them, i'm too tired to correct them right away 😭 i think i got them all as i was writing, but i feel like i did the bare minimum
enjoy the update my loves <3
***
Holidays were never anything extraordinary for Mark. With his parents almost always out of the country year-round, it was nothing unusual for Mark to spend the holidays with Taeyong, Jaehyun, and Yuta. It was much like any other night of the year, the four of them together, Taeyong making something to eat while they sat around the living room exchanging jokes and random conversation. Big holidays like Chuseok and Christmas were nothing unusual for them to spend together. They developed their own traditions around the holidays, unique to the four of them, and that was more than okay with Mark.
Now, there are new editions to his inner circle, which come with their own traditions.
With Christmas approaching, Mark is used to Taeyong making a big fuss about the preparations before December starts. Now, Taeyong insists on hosting a get-together for everyone at their home. As expected, Jaemin was the most enthusiastic and jumped at the chance to help with the planning. Both of them are used to being the hosts, so Mark thinks it's a match made in heaven, but he can already feel the headache of having two holiday preppers running their group like drill sergeants.
Taeyong insisted on inviting more people, including Ryujin and her friends, and making it a holiday party. He even thought they should all have a day to sit down and get the planning written down and tasks delegated since the number of people had increased. The thought of just how much planning needed to be done made Mark's head spin, and he was glad he was only one of their errand boys in the whole charade.
Renjun stressed the importance of focusing on classes and how behind they were (they weren't; Mark made sure of that) and suggested they take the rest of the week and weekend to play catch-up and meet up on Monday. Taeyong agreed, ignoring Yuta's disapproval at using his day off to do work, and ended the call with an excited wave.
Mark made a group chat with everyone, upon Taeyong's insistence, after the call ended. Strings of texts flooded in almost instantly, mainly of everyone assigning a name to their number for those who didn't have specific contacts.
Mark sighs at the constant buzz of his phone before turning off his ringer and tucking the device away in his back pocket. Donghyuck snickers at his side, resting his elbows on the table as he looks at him with a teasing smile.
"You tired of us already?"
"Not yet." He responds with a smile, the gesture brightening when Donghyuck knocks his shoulder against his playfully. The dining hall isn't as crowded as it usually is at that time of day, so they decided to sit in a booth near one of the many expanses windows. Not only does it allow them to sit in the sunlight without enduring the steadily dropping winter afternoon weather, but they're also attempting to do their assignments while hanging out as a group.
Per Jeno's comfort level, he wanted to return to Jaemin's home since that's where they would end up later, but Renjun refused. He explained that doing their work somewhere they were likely to be super comfortable only made it easier for them to be distracted. Though he was the one who suggested they remain on campus to do their work, it became apparent with each passing second that he wished he was anywhere else, especially with two couples breathing down their significant others' necks and making him an abrasive fifth wheel.
"If you kick me one more time..." Renjun trails off with a glare directed at Jeno. A blue ballpoint pen is clenched between his fingers, poised above a page filled with random doodles in his notebook. He aims the end of the pen between Jaemin and Jeno. "Cut the footsie shit out, or I'll rip your feet off at the ankles and beat you with them."
