Chapter 3

"It's about time you guys got back! I was just about to call you to see what the hold up was!" Ethan yelled from across the room as soon as the both of them walked through the door, tapping the time on his phone. Kathryn barely looking up from her phone while Ethan was having his apparent breakdown.

"We had some," Tyler paused, looking over at Mark, "complications at the store finding some hot chocolate," Tyler explained while he and Mark set down their overstuffed bags.

Mark looked over to where Ethan was and said, "I was the complication," Before going back to the bag and pulling the contents of it out. Tyler copied Mark's actions, setting down the hot chocolate, frosting, and a few more snacks from his bag.

"I figured as much, Mark. Tyler's no trouble maker, unlike you" Ethan retorted, getting a scowl from Mark and a large smile and chuckle from Tyler.

"I see you guys found some Christmas attire," Tyler mentioned, looking at Ethan who was wearing some red and white striped pants, that looked like candy canes. Ethan shook the slightly baggy pants with his hands before turning and reaching for something on the couch. He pulled up two pairs of pajamas, holding one out to Mark and one to Tyler.

Mark grabbed his pair, looking doubtfully over at Tyler before saying, "My pj's are cuter than yours."

"Oh, well we'll just have to see about that now won't we?"

"Well I'm cuter anyways so it won't be that hard," Mark said slyly, moving past Tyler towards the bathroom, the heat of his body radiating onto Tyler's skin. He watched Mark as he closed the bathroom door behind him. Coming to realize his mind was quite foggy. He peeled his eyes from the door, trying to focus on the clothing in his sweaty hands.

"Oh Kathryn, tonight is gonna be a riot. I was having doubts about this, but we are in for a show," Ethan said to Kathryn, walking over to where she was and plopping himself down next to her. Kathryn gave Ethan a smile but shook her head at him. Tyler decided to ignore Ethan's comment and begin arranging the grocery items around on the table.

The bathroom door suddenly burst open, slamming against the wall and making the things on the desks next to it rattle, "IIIIIII AM THE CUTEST AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME OTHERWISE!" Mark yelled, drawing all attention to himself.

"You're not the cutest, Mark, sorry," Ethan said, turning his attention back towards the TV that had a virtual fireplace playing on it. Mark made a huffing noise and Tyler kept his eyes away from Mark as he walked towards the bathroom, waiting for the red-haired man to move.

Mark was cute, though, dressed in his lounge pants with presents and shirt that had a bunch of Santa heads along with the words 'Ho Ho Ho'.

Tyler squeezed himself past Mark whose hands were on his hips, elbow jutting out where Tyler was trying to pass.

"Just wait until you see me in my pajamas," Tyler mumbled, finally making his way into the bathroom. He quickly shut the door before he had to deal with any remarks from Ethan or Kathryn. He locked the door behind him, trying to get his mind together and in focus. The brown-haired man moved to face the mirror looking at himself and seeing that his blown pupils and slightly red cheeks.

"What is your deal?" Tyler questioned his reflection, rubbing his hands across his face.

He heard muffled voices coming from the other side of the door but made no effort to listen to what they were saying. He quickly took off his clothes and put on his Christmas pajamas, trying to keep his breathing steady. He threw his clothes into the corner where there already was a growing pile. Once he finished dressing in his holiday clothes, he walked out of the bathroom and saw the three of his friends in the kitchen area, so close that they were elbowing each other.

"I want more frosting on mine!" the blue-haired boy whined, trying to get ahold of the frosting canister from Mark. Mark reluctantly let go of it and wondered as Ethan smeared more frosting on the cookies on his plate if he had eaten enough today. Kathryn was gathering up some coffee cups for the hot chocolate. Tyler made his way over to them, ready to push his way in between them to get some cookies.

"I already got a plate made up for you Tyler, buddy," Mark assured, handing Tyler a large plate with an array of different shaped cookies, covered with a good amount of frosting. Mark turned back around, finishing his own frosted cookies as Tyler turned and set his plate down.

"I'll give you some help Kathryn," Tyler offered, grabbing two of the cups from her, helping her fill them with water.

"Thanks, I don't think I was gonna get any help from those frosting obsessed weirdos," Kathryn quietly revealed to Tyler, earning knowing eyes and a quick nod.

"Frosting obsessed weirdos, huh?" Mark mimicked, him and Ethan both turning around with some menacing looks on their faces. Both of them held up their hands, spots of frosting covering them, and pounced at Tyler and Kathryn. Mark went for Tyler and Ethan for Kathryn, the crazy bois screaming as they smeared frosting across their faces. The two took a step back, admiring the work they did.

"Tyler is Rudolph, the semen-covered reindeer," Mark said in his German accent and Tyler could feel the bit of frosting that was covering the tip of his nose.

"Won't let it go to waste, though," Tyler said right before wiping the frosting off his nose with his hands before licking it all off. His actions left his friends in shock, all staring at him slack-jawed.