“So, we are gathered here today-”

“Hyuck, you invited us out for a group dinner…”

For some reason, despite the obvious tension and awkwardness that lingered in the air, Donghyuck couldn’t help but feel at ease as he banged a fork against the side of his coca cola can.

“Injun, don’t interrupt me,” he simply stated, clearing his throat and standing up before proceeding. “As I was saying, we are gathered here today to acknowledge all the important events that have occurred in the past few hours and-”

“Hyung, I’m hungry,” Chenle whined, his head resting on his younger boyfriend’s shoulder and Donghyuck couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Alright, let’s get this over with so I can cuddle my boyfriend too.

“Chenle…you have to fight through it!” Donghyuck stated as he took in the sight of Jeno and Jaemin poorly imitating Mark’s fidgeting from across the table before sending concerned looks the elder’s way. “Hunger will get you nowhere-”

“But hyung, we were promised food,” Jisung interrupted and Donghyuck could instantly see Jaemin’s mother hen nature awakening as he immediately looked through the menu. However, the younger didn’t get far before Renjun was calling over a waitress and ordering some fried rice and spring rolls.

“Hyuck, why are we really here?” Jeno asked, tone bitter, once the waitress had left but not before sending a wink Jaemin’s way – he was certain that the younger male hadn’t seen it but the glares Renjun and Jeno had sent to the waitress made up for it. “I have important things to do-”

“No, you don’t,” he interrupted, knowing full well that Jeno would plan something lame before abandoning the plan and asking Jaemin out in a weird way. “This is the plan.”

“Hyuck, your boyfriend may be used to the code talk but I’m not,” Jaemin complained, frown on his face as Donghyuck felt a hand wrap around his wrist and pull him down slightly.

“Sit down, Hyuck.” Mark’s soothing voice pierced through his chaotic thoughts, calming him as he finally lowered his body and let himself relax. “Don’t embarrass yourself further, please.”

“Only because you said ‘please’,” he mumbled back in reply, crossing his arms before pointing to the youngest couple sitting at their table. “I’m going to explain everything once so listen carefully.”

“I’m only here for the food but go on,” Chenle replied as Jisung simply nodded his head, eyes showing how intrigued both were.

“We all heard what Renjun told Yerim,” he started, ignoring Chenle and Jisung’s questioning looks. “Basically…Renjun is polyamorous and-”

“Hyuck! What if people hear?” Sighing, Donghyuck reached across the table to allow his fingers to tangle his fingers between his best friend’s locks. He set his eyes on Renjun’s own dark brown orbs, ignoring the pang of pain that had appeared with the evident fear in the elder’s eyes.

“If they have a problem with it, they’ll have to get through me before bothering you.”

“Uh…hyung…” Chenle piped up, curiosity lacing his words as Donghyuck let his eyes follow everyone else’s to the two youngest.

“What’s ‘polyamorous’?” Jisung asked, tapping on the table absentmindedly as Donghyuck opened his mouth to speak.

“It’s liking more than one person, Sung,” Jaemin explained in his steed, never even allowing Donghyuck to have time to explain. Wait…Jaemin knows what polyamory is? “And the correct term is ‘polyamory’. ‘Polyamorous’ is the adjective.”

“Oh cool,” Jisung replied, leaning back in his seat as Chenle nodded and rested his head on his slightly younger boyfriend’s shoulder.

“As long as you’re happy, ge,” Chenle said softly, smiling at Renjun who Donghyuck was sure was a few seconds away from tears. “How did you know?”

“Renjun likes two people sitting here,” Donghyuck continued, much to Renjun’s screech of protest. However, his best friend quickly quietened down when Jeno leaned over and whispered something – Donghyuck didn’t hear what – into his ear.

“What a coincidence,” Mark stated smugly, leaving him to turn to his boyfriend. “Jaemin does too.” Donghyuck made sure to send his boyfriend a curious look, after all, his boyfriend wasn’t the best at figuring things out with clues.

“So does Jeno.” Donghyuck was certain that the streak of mischievousness that had passed in Mark’s eyes had done the same to his.

“Yeah, so does Jeno,” Mark replied, a smile on his face that reflected Donghyuck’s own. “It’s a shame that Jaemin thinks Jeno likes girls though.”

“Jeno liking girls?” he asked dramatically, imagining the betrayed faces of the three they were discussing and tried his best to hold his laughter. “Our Jeno? The guy who is more of a panicked gay than you?”

Donghyuc