☾unavngivet - ☼

"Today's the last day of summer vacation. You know that means I'll be at Jeno's and won't be able to tell you bedtime-stories for some time," Mark caresses his little sister's cheek.

"I know," Mini mumbles softly.

"But you're a big girl Mini, starting your second year in kindergarten and everything," Mark tries comforting her, but by the mention of kindergarten she gives off a disgusted expression.

"I hate kindergart!" she spits.

Mark furrows his eyebrows. "Why?"

"People are annoying," she mumbles.

Mark laughs and ruffles her hair. "You know what?" he says. "What about you choose what today's bedtime story should be about?" he suggests and Mini seems really fond of that idea.

She thinks for a while before her eyes light up. "Tell story about Hae-" she pauses. "Story about H-"

Mark tilts his head. "Story about what?" he asks, but Mini doesn't say anything. She only stares out into nothing, her black forehead hair almost covering her confused eyes.

"Mini?" Mark asks.

"Something is weird, Marker," she mumbles. "I don't remember story..."

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"I can't believe you two will be gone for six months," Jaemin cooes, clinging himself onto Jisung who's desperately trying to push the latter away. It doesn't quite work out though.

Chenle shrieks. "I'm so excited!" he jumps.

Mark smiles subtly. The group of six are making their way through the airport. Chenle and Jisung are visiting Chenle's aunt in China for a few months. It has been planned out since November and the two are very excited. They get to spend both Christmas and the Chinese New Year there.

Jisung has never flown with a plane before and is quite nervous to do so. He doesn't let his worries surface to Chenle though, not wanting the latter to view him as a scared cat.

The six spent a few hours at the airport before Chenle and Jisung's flight was set to leave. Ever since they all met up at the summer house, they had started hanging out again. This time they were determined to not loose contact.

Mark always feels like something is missing whenever he thinks about that one week at the summer house. He can't quite pinpoint what it is, but it makes his heart arch so he knows it has an impact on him. Next summer they're all going there again, so he aughts to find out what it is.

After a few minutes of getting ready to say goodbye, Chenle starts crying.

"I'll miss you boys so much!" he sobs and Jaemin quickly hugs him with a laugh.

"We'll miss you too, Chenle," Renjun giggles. "You don't have to cry."

Chenle sniffles a little and cuddles himself into Jaemin's chest.

"Group hug!" Jeno screams and pulls Renjun with him as he clings himself onto Chenle and Jaemin. Jisung runs over and joins as well.

Mark stands back for a moment to watch the others. He smiles unintentionally before running over and joining the hug. People are for sure staring at them, but they don't care.

"While we're gone, will you guys promise us something?" Chenle asks.

"Anything," Jaemin smiles and caresses the shorter's back.

"Renjun, Jeno, and Jaemin promise us that you won't make Mark feel like a fourth-wheeler while we're gone," Chenle almost demands which causes the three to giggle.

"We promise," Jeno answers him.

The six break their hug a little to let Chenle have some space. "And Mark," the young boy says and turns to Mark. "Promise us you'll find someone while we're away."

Mark widens his eyes. "I can't promise you that," he mutters. "I might be lonely but that doesn't mean I actually want to date someone."

Jisung frowns. "But didn't you have something with someone back at the summer house?"

Mark feels his insides pinch for a second so he gulps. He doesn't remember having anything with someone back at the summer house, but weirdly enough, it does feel like he had. "I didn't," he says.

Jisung frowns. "I just have this odd thought that Mark fell in love with someone last summer."

"I have too!" Jeno chimes in.

"I thought I was the only one," Jaemin mumbles.

Mark's face drops. "Are you guys making fun of me?" he asks with dull eyes.

"No, we aren't!" Jaemin assures. "It just really feels like you did."

"Well, I didn't. So can we stop talking about my nonexistent love life and focus on getting Chenle and Jisung to their plane?"

And although Mark tried shaking the thought away, he couldn't stop thinking that he did indeed fall in love last summer, because his heart seemed to react so rapidly to the statement.

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