"Did I miss the memo? You said a few people. This is more than a few. " Hosoek states motioning to all the people currently seated in Jins lounge area. I pass him a sheepish smile, moving to the side to let him in. He's not even fully inside, but already I see the waves of nerves passing through him. With ears turning red, he starts taking small steps toward the group.

Jimin is the first to greet him. A friendly and welcoming smile on his face. "Hobi, you made it!" This stops everyone and places all eyes in Hosoek. As if he's santa, the man, surprised, changes from his normal shade to a blushing mess. Red in the face with all eyes on him.

I understand his feeling. It's intimidating to join a group of people as an introvert. With that knowledge, I stalk toward the redhead and pull him with me toward a seat on the couch where Jeongguk offers him a beer. He's been hogging the cooler box all evening.

"So, how have you been man?" Jimin continues, now making himself comfortable on the sofa arm, not caring for the glare Jin sends him from the other side of the room.

Hosoek sputters out an answer, still nervous. Jimin doesn't pick up on his clear body language and instead throws his arms around the man. Next to me, Jeongguk giggles to himself at the very sight of Hosoek recoiling at the affection.

It's the first Christmas we've all spent together. Usually we all head back to our families. The only one that stays behind is Taehyung. Seeing as his whole family has relocated to Seoul, there's no need to visit Daegu anymore.

This year we've all decided to spend the day at Jin's. The group is missing the married couples. Both Yoongi and Namjoon were both very straightforward in saying they would rather spend Christmas with their wives and family. Namjoon even went as far as to say "You wouldn't understand because you're all single." As expected, Taehyung didn't take the statement very lightly, but because they're cousins, his blunt words were taken as a joke.

"Well, I'm so glad you're here man. Let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Scarlet." Jimin pulls at the redheads arm, causing Hosoek to reluctantly rise up from his seat. A very displeased look is sent my way, but because he's nice, he follows after the man.

Jeongguk, myself and everyone else watch the interaction as if it's prime television. It's more like an awkward first date.

Scarlet runs her hand through Hosoek's hair saying she likes the colour. His eyes bulge, body taking two steps away from her in defense. I sigh at the awkwardness that is my brother. He's met these people hundreds of times and still he doesn't feel comfortable around any of them except Taehyung and Jeongguk. The latter only being because he's romantically linked to me.

"Elle, your brother is so handsome." Scarlet turns to me. "I didn't know you had a brother." She smiles, while Hosoek moves back toward his seat.

"It's not like the information will change your life." Taehyung shrugs, "Besides, you you guys aren't friends. You're only-"

"Thank you, Scarlet." I shut him up. A look passing between the two of us because he's been cutting her off all day. Not only is it rude, but it also spoils the atmosphere and Jimin doesn't like it.

The moment passes as quickly as it happened. Jin and Nina deciding to go and prepare the food like the good hosts they are. I offer to help, but they're quick to reject the offer. Once they're in the kitchen, all of us sit in complete silence. It's like we've never hung out before.

Jeongguk goes onto his phone, playing a game. Taehyung decides to start sipping at an opened bottle of wine. Jimin and Scarlet go into their own little world and all is left is Hosoek and I.

"Mom says you haven't phoned her." Hosoek starts, turning to me wit curiosity and worry. Emotions that are not needed because my mother and I are always in contact. It's just that I had been too busy with a particular man, that I forgot all about wishing her a merry Christmas.

"I sent her a gift," I shrug, to which my brother gives me a scoff, "I forgot to call her, but I'll do it tonight." I promise, knowing our mother must be feeling super lonely without either of us at home. Every year, around this time, she struggles with being alone.

Hosoek pats me on my arm, "Just make sure that you do. She could really use your encouragement." I nod, taking it in.

From his seat, Taehyung perks up at the mention of my mom. His head motioning toward the door. It's an indication that I should make the call now. Unlike everyone else in the room, Taehyung knows why it's so important for me to contact my mother.

We never spent Christmas apart. Ever since our father passed on in a car accident travelling home in Christmas, Hosoek and I have always made the effort to travel home to be with her. Now, she's alone and probably missing him a lot more.

I shake my head at him, not wanting to attract unwanted attention.

"I'll call her later." I assure him, looking away when he wants to reply.

-

"Hey, love, are you okay?" Jeongguk asks, bending down to stare into my eyes with his big brown ones. Even in the dark, they still manage to twinkle like little stars. It's one of the things I love about him.

"Yeah," I nod, kicking at some snow while he stares at me in confusion. The kind of look I know too well. He's about to dig and prod until he gets me to tell him exactly what it is that's bothering me.

Hosoek left over and hour ago. Stiffly thanking everyone before he bounded out the door as if he was being chased. It's something we're all used to. Even Taehyung who made joking barking sounds behind him.

Since then, the message of calling my mom has been on my mind. A kind of guilt eating me up because I should've made the effort to be home today. I should've forced my brother to do the same. Now, she's all alone probably crying herself to sleep.

"Do you want a hug?" He asks me, still not standing to his full height. A soft gaze on his face that makes me almost melt into the snow.

"No, I'm just-"

"You don't need to speak to me about it, but please speak to someone." Jeongguk mumbles, pulling me into his scarved neck. Thick bundles of wool meeting my face in a manner that makes me shriek in surprise. His hands don't let go, swaying the both of us side to side. In that moment, I'm glad he can't see my face because I probably resemble a tomato. He's always been a cute partner.

I pull away, going back to avoiding his eyes. "You should probably get going." I mumble, kicking at the fallen snow again.

"You sure you don't need a lift?" He asks me, small smile playing on his lips.

"You stay a little while away. I'll just go with Tae." He nods, moving to peck my cheek before he bounds down the snow covered parking lot. Brown hair bouncing with every step he takes. When he starts his car, I move toward the house, a sad smile resting on my face.

-

Thank you for reading. We're still new into the book, so there will be a lot of backstories on different characters.