A/N: The chapter of this story are long. So the updates may take a few days per chap. Enjoy! 

"What's your hair color?" Seokjin asks after staring at Taehyung for several minutes with curiosity lingering in his brown eyes. "It's stunning, sweetie"

Taehyung looks at him through the large mirror in front of them. "Ash brown" he tells, fingers touching some of his locks softly, grasping them. "Yeah"

"No, no, no" Jimin perks up, staring at the two omegas while shaking his head. A black hairdresser cape covering the sparkling shirt he was wearing. "Ash blonde"

"It's milk tea" A girly voice says, and the three omegas looked up through the mirror of the beauty salon to see one of the stylist coming. "Hello" she says, eyes lingering on Taehyung for a moment, he recognized her, she was the redhead with Jeongguk the day they ran into each other when he was shopping with Bogum. "Hi Jinnie" she says. 

"Hi Pam" Seokjin greets her, smiling widely at her, and signaling at Taehyung and Jimin with his chin. "I brought my friends to do a retouch in our hairs"

"Of course" the redhead known as Pam replies, smiling at him, and setting her eyes on Taehyung once again. "I love your hair color by the way. It's the perfect neutral hue that's not quite blonde and not quite brown either"

"It's still blonde" Jimin rolls his eyes, mischievously grinning at Taehyung.

"I think is more of a creamy beige" says Seokjin, tapping his fingers against his chin and tilting his head with a serious concentration look while staring at Taehyung.

Taehyung laughs at them, fingers twirling a lock of his hair, a bit shy having all the omegas looking at his hair with big curious eyes. "Can you stop talking about my hair color?" he says, watching other two omegas coming to them to work on their hairs.

"Auburn for me, Pam, yes?" Seokjin tells, having the redhead working on him. The girl smiles, red lipstick combining nicely with her hair, and Taehyung thought she was actually pretty, but it was obvious she wasn't part of the high society of Seoul. "Next week is Halloween" Seokjin continued to say, wriggling slightly his eyebrows, smirking to the younger omegas through the mirror. "You know what that means"

Jimin beams, his eyes disappearing for smiling too hard. "How are you dressing up this year?" he asks, tilting his head and pouting when the girl brushing his hair made him straight up his head again.

"I'm not going to tell you" Seokjin scoffs. "It's a surprise"

"What are you guys talking about?" Taehyung asks, cocking an eyebrows at the older omega.

"For Jeongguk's Halloween Party" Seokjin explains with excitement in his voice, as he was talking of one of the biggest events of the year.

"Jeongguk's Halloween Party" Taehyung repeats, eyes lingering on the redhead who for a brief moment stopped her hands on Seokjin's hair after hearing that name, but she resumed her work quickly. Still Taehyung saw her, and he wonder if the girl caught feelings for the alpha.

"Yes! He haven't told you yet?" Jimin asks with a teasing grin on his face. "Every year, Jeongguk and his alpha friends throw a Halloween Party, massive, everyone in the clique goes. And the best costumes win a price"

"It's always me" Seokjin tells him smugly, looking pleased with himself.

Jimin rolls his eyes at him. "He's the Heidi Klum of Korea" he tells, picking on his nails and earning an annoyed huff from the girl doing his hair every time he moves.

"Well thank you" The omega chuckles, amused by the comparison Jimin just did on him. "It's thematic of course" he tells, now his eyes settle on Taehyung. "Last year it was Pirates with Treasure Hunt and I dressed like Davy Jones"

"He got a really dramatic mask on" Jimin tells him quickly.

"This year is going to be Dark Fantasy" Seokjin explains to him, grinning at himself through the mirror. "I'm so going to win this"

"Oh" Taehyung blinks, eyeing the woman touching his hair. "Just the roots" he says to her, and the woman nods, with a light bow. "I don't know if I could make it" he tells them. "I need to finish my article"

"Taehyung" Seokjin calls. "You have to go" he says, furrowing his eyebrows while Taehyung opens his eyes widely, confused. "No one from the upper side of Gangnam miss the Halloween Party"

"We can go with matching costumes" Jimin suggests him, and Taehyung hums nodding. "Come on Tae, you have to go with us" he says, turning his head to look at the omega and earning another grunt from his stylist.

"Are you going to Jk's party this year, Pam?" Seokjin suddenly asks, staring at the girl with knowing eyes and lively grin. She shakes her head, returning the grin to the handsome omega.

"No..." she says. "I wasn't invited"

Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows, wondering why she wouldn't go when she looked so cozy with Jeongguk the other day. Seokjin and Jimin seemed like they didn't care about it either, acting as it was natural for her to not be invited, and perhaps Seokjin just asked her to be polite. Taehyung also remembered Jeongguk not introducing her to him and Bogum the day they ran into each other. Jeongguk did tell him he didn't mixed his fuckbuddies with his friends, maybe this was also the case. He looks at her through the mirror once more and couldn't help but feel a pang on his belly knowing that woman probably has touched Jeongguk and been intimated with him.

Taehyung starts to panic thinking in the possibilities of Jeongguk not inviting him either, his pride was at stake. He hadn't seen Jeongguk since that night, he had only shared a few text messages with the alpha, asking how he was and telling him he was working on new movements and training hard for the upcoming matches for the Fight Dogs, but nothing about the Halloween Party.

After getting their hairs done, Seokjin invited them to eat in a very exclusive part of Gangnam, mostly to check on ideas for costumes, and for they to accompany him to take his measures, still he wouldn't tell them what costume was going to be, despite Jimin's loud complains.

Taehyung followed Jimin about his ideas for their costumes, but internally he wasn't planning to go unless Jeongguk actually asked him to. Of course he skipped that part, just telling Jimin he would only go if he finished his article on time. Jimin rolls his eyes at him, making him pick a palette of shimmering eyeshadow, promising he would do his make up for the party.

"I asked Yoongi if he wants to have lunch with me tomorrow" Jimin says to him, eyeing some pretty makeup jewels. "Look at these strass, white for me, black for you"

Taehyung smiles at him. "What did Yoongi say?" he asks, trying a watermelon lip balm and humming satisfied by the smell. Jimin places a set with different shapes of black crystal strass in front of his face. "I like the heart-shaped ones"

"Heart-shaped it is" Jimin tells him, grinning and taking now two glass packs of makeup purpurin. "And he said yes" he answers, suppressing a squeak when Taehyung looks up at him in wonder, happily congratulating him. "I did what you suggested" Jimin tells, handing Taehyung red purpurin. "Asked him to eat lamb skewers with me, tempting him with soju and I'm planning to honestly have a conversation with him"

"That's good" Taehyung says to him, leaning against the glassed counter. "Be yourself" he encourages. "If he doesn't like you for who you are then he doesn't deserve you"

"Thank you, Tae" Jimin goes to him, giving him a small hug. "You're a good friend" he says giggling. Taehyung enjoyed to watch him giggling, just because of his eye-smile. "Most people in high society here are never honest"

Taehyung furrow his eyebrows, unconsciously pouting by the change of demeanor of Jimin. "What do you mean?"

"Omegas are constantly competing with one another" Jimin tells him, eyeing some girls buying make up too, and then his eyes settling on Seokjin who was animatedly talking with the vendor. "Most of us have to act passive-aggressive in order to survive" he says, smiling weakly. "Jin is the only omega that I have ever called a friend, but even to him I cannot tell him everything... he would judge me, or tell his father and soon my private life would be on everyone's lips"

Taehyung stares at Jimin for a brief moment, but soon the smaller omega beams happily showing him a small purple jewel shaped like a heart. He smiles at Jimin, telling him how much he loves it, but his mind couldn't help but remember the time when his aunt had her tea party and everyone were gossiping about Jimin's mother, and about Jeongguk and his father. Even Mr. Kim Seokhyung said to him to choose his friend wisely, and his enemies wiser to 'survive in this jungle'.

High society was unfair for omegas like them, Taehyung has always known. His grandmother was an elitism, and his grandfather taught him moral values and how to follow etiquette, but they still were constantly under a strict social code, which Taehyung was grown used to it, but not enjoyed. Back in Daegu, one bad action and it could ruin the family name, but here in Seoul it seems worst, everyone was competing to be in the higher podium, even in college. Taehyung felt nervous, so far he was under the radar, but he knew sooner or later, he was going to be known by everyone among the elite of Seoul.

Seokjin drove them back to their lavish building in his equally lavish Lexus. Taehyung was sure the omega exceeded the speed limit constantly, and broke more than one traffic rule on their way to their building. Jimin laughed at him after seeing his terrified face, probably used to Seokjin's driving skills.

"Don't worry" Jimin says to him, shopping bags in both of his hands as he push the elevator button. "He's never crashed in his life, not even a scratch"

"I thought we were going to die" Taehyung whines, entering the elevator after Jimin. The smaller omega giggles at him, covering his mouth with a hand, making the bags bump with each other. "I'm glad you're at least entertained" he says. Jimin was about to tease him more when his phone started ringing. Taehyung picks up and furrow his eyebrows to see his grandmother calling. "I need to take this" he tells Jimin who nods. "Hello grandma"

"Taehyung" Her voice sounded severe, and that only deepened the frown on his face. Jimin gives him a confused look but Taehyung just shrug biting his bottom lip. "Where are you, Taehyung?"

"I'm about to get to the department-"

"Who were you with?" She asks again, and Taehyung sighs, getting the idea of why she was calling. The elevator rings and Jimin points at his floor with a crooked smile. Taehyung smiles at him gesturing a goodbye with his hand. Jimin blows him a kiss moving his lips to mutter a 'goodbye, babe' and exiting the elevator.

"I was with my friends" Taehyung replies to her, watching the elevator's door closing again.

"Which friends?"

"Grandma" Taehyung began, pausing to exit the elevator on his floor. "Stop asking me unusual questions and tell me what's wrong"

He hears his grandmother sighing through the line. "Park Bogum happened" she says, and Taehyung immediately felt his heart sinking. "Darling, care to explain what happened between you and him?"

Taehyung stops his tracks, leaning against the wall of the corridor, feeling the frustration in him surging. "We broke up but that's no-"

"Taehyung, you can't end your relationship with him so easily, dear" His grandmother says, her tone sounding slightly softer. "Are you perhaps going through something hard in Seoul? You know you can come back immediately if that's the case"

"That's not the reason" Taehyung huffs air, becoming irritated. "I'm fine grandma, really" he tells her, knowing the woman would not understand him. His grandmother was conservative, and exceedingly difficult to please. Taehyung knew everything she did was on good nature, but most of those times she came off as overly ambitious. "But yeah, it's over now"

"Bogum spoke to me, Taehyung" His grandmother says, her voice wavering, like she was about to cry over the phone. "He loves you so much, darling. And he's so worry about you"

There was not need for Taehyung to tell her about the reasons he ended things with Bogum. She wouldn't understand, and maybe she wouldn't even support him, so Taehyung didn't tell her. "I'm sure he is..." he says instead. "But there's nothing to worry about"

"Taehyung, you know how critiqued are unmated omegas in our society? I even booked The Gala for your wedding ceremony"

"Grandma" He cuts her, facepalming himself, sure she was saying the truth, his grandmother's dream was watching him getting married to an important alpha in the most exclusive hotel in Daegu. "I want to focus on my studies now... please understand"

She stays silent for a moment, and Taehyung hears her exhaling. "Fine" she says, her voice going back to her acute tone. "But watch who you surround yourself with, dear. Bogum left me quite worried telling me that you were having bad influences"

"I'm sure he was just salty" Taehyung rolls his eyes. "I'm in the elevator and the reception is terrible" he says, his grandmother immediately starts rambling about how important was to make good acquaintances, so he cuts the call. "Unbelievable" he mutters to himself, glaring at the screen of his phone. Opening his text messages, he saw a text from Jeongguk sent an hour ago. It was almost obnoxious how his heart started beating just by reading the alpha's name on his phone.

Jeon Jeongguk

Lunch tomorrow?

I'm free after morning classes

Taehyung bites his bottom lip, a smile appearing on his face that he couldn't control. Jeongguk was a man of few words via text messages, and he started to reply to the alpha the same way, mainly to not sound so eager and needy.

Taehyung

I'm free after 2pm

Jeon Jeongguk

Great

And just that damn 'great' from Jeongguk had Taehyung internally screaming and smiling all silly. Yoongi gave him a weird look when he enters the apartment, but Taehyung ignores him, just giving him the watermelon lip balm he bought, wishing him luck in his date the next day with Jimin, leaving Yoongi all flustered after scaping to his room.

Jeongguk texted him the morning after to meet him in a pizzeria near campus, which apparently was immensely popular for their real Italian pizza dough and toppings. Taehyung wasn't able to concentrate during class, constantly feeling insufferable butterflies in his tummy, eagerly waiting for his classes to end and see Jeongguk.

But one of his teachers made Taehyung stay a bit longer, lending him a couple of books to catch up on his literature class. Taehyung was incredibly grateful, of course he was, it was one of his favorite subjects, but the literature teacher was an old beta who spoke slow and moved even slower, and now Taehyung was certainly very late for his lunch date with Jeon Jeongguk.

Besides, the professor had gone between books Taehyung had already read. And after discarding The Book Thief, Jane Eyre, and Lord of the Flies, the omega went out from the classroom with two books under this arm, 1984 and The Catcher in the Rye, and rapidly walking all across the immense campus to find the small pizzeria three blocs away from them.

Arriving there, the omega quickly took a small mirror from his bag to see his face. His nose was pink, and his cheeks flushed from the intense exercise he made of almost running to the place. Taehyung hides, peering through the large and clear windows for any sign of Jeongguk, but there was no hint of him at the nearby tables. He bites his lip, wondering whether to enter abruptly or not, but he had two books under his arm, so eager for the date that he hadn't put them in his bag, and if Jeongguk wasn't there anymore he could always read while dying inside.

Taking a deep breath and running his fingers through his hair to combine it pretty, Taehyung pushes open the glass door with the logo of a chubby guy rolling a pizza with his finger, ringing the bell that alerted new customers, and entering the small pizza place. He scans the tables searching for Jeongguk, but he was nowhere to be seen, and a hint of disappointment settle on the pit of his stomach. He sighs, taking his phone to text Jeongguk while walking towards the counter, unconsciously pouting.

"Taehyung? Hey!" Someone calls him, his voice familiar. Taehyung looks up ditching the text message he was about to write to see Kim Namjoon sitting nearby with a newspaper and reading glasses on, a slice of cold pizza at a side and a cup of coffee on his hand.

"Hi" Taehyung greets him, offering a small smile. "How are you hyung?"

"Good" Namjoon replies, showing his dimpled smile, looking handsome as always. "Making time for my next lecture" he explains, and Taehyung nods, eyeing warily again around the pizzeria and then to the newspaper Namjoon was reading, something about philosophy. "Do you want to join me or are you here with someone?"

Taehyung hesitates, eyes searching for him again but Jeongguk was nowhere to be seen. "Sure" the omega says, walking closer to Namjoon's table and sitting, plopping his two books on the table.

"What are you reading?" Namjoon asks, his voice gentle and sounding genuinely interested.

"Oh these are for my literature class" Taehyung explains to him, smiling shily and showing the tittles of the books to the alpha. "My professor gave them to me to make some assignments, because I entered late to classes and they already had done a couple of quizzes"

"I can help you with this one if you need another point of view" Namjoon offers, pointing to the Catcher in the Rye book. "I've read it when I was in school"

Taehyung perks up at that, eyes open widely. "Yeah? I heard about the name, but I was never interested into reading it"

Namjoon laughs at him, and Taehyung couldn't help but pay attention on those attractive dimples of his. His smile was endearing, really. "It's good, explores the challenges and loneliness of adolescence. Read it and decipher your own message"

Taehyung nods, smiling shily again, and looking down at the book to see a draw of a horse in a cover full of red paint, like a disturbing carousel. "I thought it was about war..." he says, and Namjoon laughs airily at his comment. Taehyung pouts, he wasn't joking, he really thought it was a dystopian book like the other one his professor lent him. "Hyung, don't laugh at me"

"No, no" Namjoon shakes his hands in a defensive stance. "You're really cute, that's all"

"Oh" Taehyung murmurs, feeling self-conscious and so, so shy. He looks down at the book again, fiddles with one loose strand of his beige sweater that was covering half of his hands, and he was certain he was blushing.

"You should order pizza, baby" Namjoon suddenly says, and the heat on Taehyung's cheeks intensifies. "Order whatever you want, I'll treat you"

"Baby?" Jeongguk's voice came unexpectedly from behind Taehyung. And the omega opens his eyes widely again, wondering why he did not smell Jeongguk before, but now that he was hovering above him all Taehyung could smell was tonka beans and something burnt, amber wood.

"Oh, hey Jeonggukie" Namjoon greets, smiling at the younger alpha. "Are you here for lunch too?"

Jeongguk narrow his eyes while looking at Namjoon, forcing a grin. "Yeah, with Tae actually" he says, shifting his eyes towards the omega. "Right?"

"Right" Taehyung replies awkwardly, standing up and taking his books with him. "Thank you Namjoon hyung for your offer though" he says and Jeongguk's burning amber wood scent was itching his nose, most alphas release burnt scents when they are angry.

Namjoon was unfazed by it. "Anytime" he tells Taehyung, fixing his glasses and folding the philosophy papers. "We can have lunch another time then, yes?"

"Y-yeah, of course" Taehyung replies, feeling Jeongguk's warm palm on the small of his back, tensing, and his burning amber wood scent not fading. It made Taehyung think the alpha was jealous of Namjoon being fairly nice to him, borderline flirty. "Good bye hyung"

"Bye, Tae" Namjoon smiles handsomely at him, then he looks at Jeongguk. "See you later, Jeonggukie. I'll be meeting your father tomorrow"

Taehyung's felt Jeongguk's hand tensing on his back. "Yeah, whatever" he shrugs, furrowing his eyebrows, and wrapping an arm around Taehyung's shoulder to guide him towards a table at the very end of the pizzeria.

The air between them was thick, and Taehyung felt clumsy around the alpha, not really understanding why Jeongguk would get jealous, if he really were jealous of course. He tries to change the atmosphere, tries to ignore Jeongguk's stiff position in the seat in front of him. "Have you read these? My professor lent them to me" he says and watches how Jeongguk stares at him, jaw tensed, and arms crossed against his chest. Taehyung tries not care, smiles and continues talking. "I need to read both before the end of November and do two big assignments about it"

The waitress with the pizza Jeongguk ordered for them arrives, leaving it in the middle of the table on a wood disc. "Do you need anything else?" she asks politely, and Jeongguk shakes his head, taking a sip of his coke. The woman bows and leaves.

Taehyung sighs. "You're being immature"

Jeongguk had the nerve to look offended. "Excuse me?"

"You're acting petty-minded" Taehyung tells him, eyebrows furrow together and lips jutting out. "You didn't even respond to me about the books"

Jeongguk scoffs, brushing his hair away from his face and making the earrings of his ear to jitter. "That book is great" he says pointing to the one with the title of '1984' and taking the utensil to serve the pizza, placing a piece in Taehyung's plate. "Eat up, this pizza is amazing" he tells, slumping his shoulders a bit, leaving his tensed position.

"Thank you" Taehyung smiles, taking it and eating a slice, the dough was crisp, leavened, and soft inside. The delicious tomato paste along with the melted parmesan cheese added perfectly to the salami topping. "Oh God" Taehyung moans, closing his eyes. "This is delicious"

Jeongguk hums, trying to conceal a big smile, eating instead. He eats his own slice in three bites, taking another chunk. Taehyung really wonder how he managed to stay so fit eating like a starving animal. "I told you it was amazing" he says after swallowing. Taehyung smiles at him, agreeing. "And if you like dystopian themes you'll like this book" Jeongguk tells him, eyes focused on the book. "Totalitarian world of control, humans are constantly struggling with living freely" he tells and Taehyung grins at the alpha, a hand under his chin while looking at him with playful eyes. Jeongguk cocks an eyebrow at him. "What?"

"You're smart, Jeongguk." Taehyung says, sniffing him discretely. The burn amber scent was gone, and now he only could smell the sweet and manly scent of tonka beans. "I thought you were just a dumb jock the first time I met you"

Jeongguk snorts. "Prejudices peachy"

"I guess" Taehyung says, watching how Jeongguk places another slice of pizza on his plate. "I shouldn't have judge you" he admits. "But you sniffed me and started calling me peachy right away, that's quite impolite"

The alpha chuckles, grinning at that. "I'm sorry about that" he tells, eyes meeting his, intensely. "But your scent was driving me crazy" he says bluntly, and Taehyung blushes looking away instantly, his slice of pizza was remarkably interesting at the moment. "So..." Jeongguk begins, leaning back against his seat, legs spread and looking like he own the whole place. "I didn't know you were friends with Namjoon"

Taehyung smiles, sensing the amber scent in the alpha picking up again. Definitely jealous. "Not friends" the omega tells him, amused by how Jeongguk was now looking rigid again. "He's Yoongi's friend"

"Right"

"But he was the one who helped to obtain the interview for the Yonsei Daily" Taehyung explains enthusiastically, genuinely excited about it. Jeongguk seems to soften after hearing that, returns the smiles and takes another sip of his coke. "He's been really nice to me" he says. Jeongguk snorts, and he didn't look pleased at all. Taehyung slightly knits his eyebrows tilting his head and looking at the alpha. "What is your problem?"

"No problem" Jeongguk says, looking at the black screen of his phone, playing with the switch just to watch the screen fade to black again. "He's wooing you" he sniffs and clicks his tongue sharply against the inside of his left cheek.

Taehyung was the one to snort. "Wooing me?" he laughs, amused and quite prompted by jeongguk. "Who even says that?"

"Me" Jeongguk says quickly, straightening his posture on the seat and staring at the omega. "I say that"

"But he's not wooing me" Taehyung rolls his eyes. remarking the word 'wooing' with a sarcastic tone. "He was just being nice"

"No" Jeongguk argues back, frowning, and looking at the omega with his big expressive eyes. Taehyung realized Jeongguk has doe eyes, gleaming large eyes, but he constantly gives hard stares to make himself look sharper and masculine, avoiding to be seen as innocent. "He's usually very indifferent towards omegas" Jeongguk says shaking his head. "He likes you, and I don't like it"

Taehyung opens his mouth to reply, but he was left speechless. Once again surprised by Jeongguk's blunt honesty, and he questions if the alpha ever think before speaking, probably not. It was one of the traits that had charmed Taehyung towards him from the beginning. Jeongguk was certainly tough around the edges, but he was also gentle, compelling him with his words and calm attitude. The omega was sure that was the most dangerous combination in an alpha.

"But he's not the one I'm interested in..." Taehyung says, voice deeply soft and eyes shifting from Jeongguk to the wooden disc keeping the remaining slices of pizza. Jeongguk smirks triumphally, of course he smirks Taehyung thinks. It was as if his ego had been inflated. "I didn't say it was you"

Jeongguk rolls his eyes, but his smirk was still displaying on his face, and his scent was slightly changing to the bergamot tone Taehyung smelt for the first time when they made out in Jeongguk's tent back in the groove, just before breaking up with Bogum. "Your scent says otherwise" the alpha tells him, cocking an eyebrow and showing his toothy grin.

Taehyung out of reaction felt his cheeks turning hot again, and he curses mentally taking the soda on his hand and drinking to cool himself off. "W-what are you saying?"

"You usually smell like fresh peach" Jeongguk says, taking another slice of pizza and easily munching everything. He cleans his lips, and smiles. "But when you're happy or... excited, you smell like vanilla" the alpha tells him and if Taehyung wasn't flustered before he surely was now, exuding his fascinating vanilla scent. And Jeongguk has the audacity to laugh, almost looking fond. "See? do you know how cute you are, Peachy?"

Taehyung pouts, he intentionally pouts, perfectly knowing how cute he looked while doing it. And by Jeongguk's crunched nose and toothy smile Taehyung knew it worked. They chat and joke comfortable from then, Jeongguk leaving his grumpy attitude, and Taehyung animatedly telling him about how the article about him and his fight club was going. Soon the extra-large pizza was gone, and two hours had passed since they had arrived at the pizzeria.

Jeongguk offers him a ride home, and Taehyung gladly accepted it. He was having fun with the alpha, of course he was, he always did, but there's was something nagging him in his mind. Jeongguk still haven't invite him to the Halloween's Party, and that was already getting in his nerves. Taehyung was sometimes spiteful and petty, he wasn't proud about it, so after Jeongguk parked his jeep near the luxurious building in the upper side of Gangnam, and tried to lean in to kiss Taehyung, he moved his face to a side avoiding the kiss, making the alpha kiss his ear and hair instead.

Jeongguk knits his eyebrows together, looking confusedly at the omega. Taehyung offers an awkward smile, hand going to the handle to open the jeep's door. "Thank you for the lunch" he says, with slow movements, expecting for Jeongguk to stop him and ask him what was wrong.

And he did. "You don't want to kiss me anymore?" Jeongguk asks, his boyish features at full display, and it made Taehyung's heart to flutter.

"Not today" Taehyung tells him, his lips forming a tight smile, forced.

Jeongguk frowns, a hand reaching for Taehyung's elbow, stopping him for leaving. "I did something wrong?" he asks, looking really confused.

Taehyung sighs, letting Jeongguk get closer, into his personal space. "No..." he says, sighing again and looking down at his bag. "Not really" he tells him, smiles weakly. Since when he had become into one of those petty omegas overthinking everything? Jeongguk has been nothing but honest to him, and if he wasn't inviting him to his super massive Halloween Party he may had his reasons. He leans in and peck the alpha's lips softly. Jeongguk smiles at him, hand reaching his nape and closing the distance again to give him a proper kiss, gentle, warm and sensual, nonetheless.

"Can I see you this Friday?" Jeongguk asks, nuzzling his nose on the omega's cheek, softly. Hand still on his nape and the other on the other cheek. "Let's have lunch together again"

Taehyung felt his body tingling, and he was close to melt into the alpha's touch, but something didn't make sense in his head. Halloween was on Friday, why Jeongguk was inviting him to have lunch and not saying anything about the damn party. Scrub his non-petty thinking. "Why aren't you inviting me to your party?" he asks, jutting his bottom lip and crossing his arms against his chest after pulling away from Jeongguk.

Jeongguk blinks, opening his mouth to say something and then he just burst into a fit of laughter. "Is that why you wouldn't kiss me?" he asks, pretending to clean a tear from his eye. Taehyung huffs, annoyed, grabbing the handle of the door again until Jeongguk is chuckling at him while holding him by his shoulders. "You thought I didn't want you to invite you or something?"

"Yes" Taehyung replies with a serious tone "You said you didn't mix your fuckbuddies with your friends"

Jeongguk looks taken aback, his chuckling ceasing. "You really think lowly of me" he sighs, tone of voice dripping with disdain and offense. "First, you're not my fuckbuddy" he tells him, slightly shaking his head "And second, I didn't tell you about the party because I'm not going"

"Oh" Taehyung exhales, closes his eyes for a moment, as in taking his overthinking and again misjudging Jeongguk. "I'm sorry" he says, eyes open again and reaching with a hand to grab Jeongguk by his leather jacket. "I've form prejudices about you, I'm a prick"

"Do you know what we call opinion in the absence of evidence?" Jeongguk asks him, and Taehyung knew he was quoting a book. He had already read too many books in his life to be fooled, but it still made his chest tight with shame. "We call it prejudice"

"I'm sorry, okay?" the omega almost whines, still tugging at Jeongguk's leather jacket with his fingers. "I swear I'm not this judgmental usually" he tells softly, feeling the blush already covering his cheeks. Jeongguk snorts, looking ahead and clicking his tongue. He turns towards the omega then, taking his wrist to make him let go of his jacket.

"My friends throws that party every year" the alpha begin to explain, not letting go of Taehyung's wrist, rather fitting his palm with his. "Not me" he tells, making eye contact, and he looks serious, borderline cold. "I'll be busy with family matters this Friday at night, and I certainly didn't think you were this eager to go to a stupid party"

"I'm not eager to go" Taehyung quickly replies, shaking his head and letting his soft ashy blonde/brown locks to falls with elegancy back in place. "I wasn't even planning to attend" he mutters, looking away from Jeongguk.

"You were angry because you thought I wasn't inviting you?"

"Not exactly angry but yes..." Taehyung says, tossing a tad his head back, again feeling ashamed, and looking at the dark velvety ceiling of Jeongguk's wrangler Jeep. "I was being silly, alright? I'm sorry..." he says, shifting in his seat, letting his fingers trace patterns in Jeongguk's palm. "I need to finish the article before Monday and it's taking quite long... I keep rewriting it every time I read it"

Jeongguk curls his lips, forming an amused smile. "Maybe you should ask for someone to read it and offer you a second opinion" he says smugly. Clearly, the alpha was offering himself for the task, but Taehyung felt like playing with him for a bit.

He hums, smiling at Jeongguk and nodding his head enthusiastically. "I'm going to ask Namjoon hyung then" he tells thoughtfully. Jeongguk chokes on nothing, coughing and puffing air. Taehyung couldn't help himself but to laugh gleefully.

"No" the alpha says, flickering the omega's chin. "Me"

"Anyone but you"

"Why?"

"Because it's about you" Taehyung says genuinely, looking at their now intertwined fingers. Their hands fit together perfectly, while Taehyung's fingers were longer and slender, Jeongguk's palm was bigger and hugged his own completely. It felt utterly wonderful to hold hands with him. "It's important to me that you read once I'm completely satisfied with this, Jeongguk"

"Okay" Jeongguk replies softly, pulling Taehyung closer again. "I can wait" he mutters lowering his voice, impossible close. He trips Taehyung's face up towards him and kiss him again. And as predictable, Taehyung felt tingles all over his body, melting like molted lava in the alpha's arms.

No matter how many times they kiss, it always felt different yet familiar at the same time. Amazing, and mesmerizing. Taehyung grabs him by the collar of his leather jacket, pulling his body closer, merging into a haze of bergamot and tonka beans, he also thought Jeongguk tasted just like how he smells, and it was so, so sweet. But they part too soon, or at least it felt too son for Taehyung, and the world around them started moving again, even when the tingles in his lips remained.

Taehyung watches how Jeongguk's jeep disappears among other vehicles in the busy streets near the building. People were passing by, busy in their own lives, but he was feeling so high up it seems for him that everyone was staring, knowing he was feeling an enormous crush on an alpha who didn't commit himself to others. He was probably making a silly face too.

Jeongguk had asked him if he were really okay with his way of life, or how he would keep his other 'friends' around too. And Taehyung had said yes like a lovesick boy when in reality it wasn't okay, not when the alpha made his heart beat so hard it keeps threatening him to burst. Having an enormous crush was obnoxious, and tiring for him, especially for someone like Jeongguk. The alpha was fascinating yet inaccessible, just because he did not want to have deep feeling for anybody, not even for Taehyung.

Sometimes he felt like he was actually going out with Jeon Jeongguk. They share kisses, and they had dates, talking about nothing and everything, it was pretty much how dating work. But there were also subtle attitudes from the alpha that made the omega's heart to cry in silence. Like when Jeongguk would look around before kissing him if they were in public places, how he would never talk about his family especially about his father, and how he would constantly remind Taehyung that he had other 'friends' besides himself, not with words but with actions.

It was very subtle, Jeongguk was smooth like that. But Taehyung was curious and clever, observant with sharp eyes and nothing went unnoticed by him. That Friday he agreed to go out and have lunch with Jeongguk before his family matters, the alpha took him to a nice restaurant, not his usual 'best bites' in Seoul but rather a fancy terrace in Gangnam with the best quality steak according to the alpha. 

Taehyung enjoyed the food, but not the company. 

Jeongguk was very out of himself that day, constantly spacing out and tensing when he received text messages. He excused himself to receive a pair of calls too, going away from their table to answer them. Taehyung knew most of those calls were from Jeongguk's father, by the solemn tone in the alpha's voice and changing of mood, but he also picked up another name, a woman's name, who called him one time and sent him multiple text messages. It was becoming very annoying.

By the fourth time Jeongguk stood up, excusing himself to pick up another call. Taehyung was angry. While the alpha was out speaking on the phone, Taehyung called the waiter and pay for both of them, standing up to go to the bathroom, taking more than a few breaths, and applying more lip balm on his lips along with powder, and ordering a cab. He wanted to go home and focus on the article that was supposed to help him become an intern in the Yonsei Daily.

While waiting for the taxi, Taehyung hugs himself slightly, the thin fabric of his wine long-sleeve top not sheltering him from the cold air. He was upset, angry, sad, a turmoil of emotions just because Jeongguk had been blatantly ignoring him during lunch. He wonder if the alpha were truly busy or there were more important things that he could not let pass. Either way, it was late already, he was done eating a long while ago while Jeongguk's plate was almost full of cold food, and he was not going to wait for another half hour for the alpha.

But the cab didn't arrive quick enough, and Jeongguk was running to him in no time with an exhausted look on his face that wasn't for the sprinting. 

"Tae!" he calls, jogging towards Taehyung's side. His scent was burnt amber again, and he was evidently distressed. "Come on Tae" he calls again, facing the omega.

"It's late, Jeongguk. I have to go" Taehyung replies grimly and avoiding to look at the attractive alpha in the eyes.

"Look I'm sorry" Jeongguk says, moving until the omega was properly looking at him. "My dad has been crazy all day and apparently the business dinner was moved to Sunday" he explains, like Taehyung would know what he was talking about. Of course the omega had an idea, but he was still upset, and wanted to go home.

"It's fine" Taehyung tells him. "Let's have lunch another day"

"Taehyung" Jeongguk says harshly, his voice demanding, and his eyes piercing. It made Taehyung's omega nature to slightly shiver. "Let me take you home at least, you haven't told me how the article is going"

Taehyung rolls his eyes, watching the taxi approaching them. "Yeah, I'm quite sure I spoke more with the waiter than with you" he says, waving at the driver who pullover near them.

"A taxi? Taehyung come on"

"Goodbye Jeongguk" Taehyung says, kissing his cheek and opening the door of the taxi.

Jeongguk looks close to be desperate. "I'm going tonight" he says, watching the omega getting in the cab and holding the door for him. "Will you go too?"

"No" Taehyung smiles, licking his lips and placing his purse on his lap. "I won't be going" he says, signaling Jeongguk to close the door for him. Jeongguk frowns, closes the door, and makes signal with his hands for Taehyung to roll down the window, but the omega waves his hand at him, saying goodbye with a smile, and the vehicle takes off. 

With a tight heart, Taehyung goes home.

***

Taehyung learnt that Jimin was very persuasive and wouldn't give up when he wants something until he get it. It was 7 PM, and Taehyung gave up trying to concentrate into writing his story about the Fight Dogs and was now in Jimin's bedroom helping him with his costume. 

Jimin's bedroom was a prince's bedroom, really, he even had a round canopy king bed with a white lace net covering it and Taehyung didn't want to get up from it.

"You can come stay with me whenever you want, Tae" Jimin speaks to him loudly from inside his enormous walk-in-closet. "But now I need you~" he whines, and Taehyung chuckles, imagining the other omega all pouty.

"Fine" Taehyung grunts, bouncing on the prince's bed and walking towards the closet where Jimin was only wearing a white bathrobe, and holding a set of wings with fake feathers, white and black, and quite beautiful. "You'll wear wings"

"I'll wear wings" Jimin repeats, smiling brightly. "White or black, Tae, help me" he begs, groaning and swinging his arms to show the set of black feathers that appeared extirpated from a black swan, and then switching to the set of white shimmering feathers.

Taehyung thinks, tapping a finger on his chin and humming in appreciation. "White" He tells, nodding mostly to himself. "You'll look beautiful in white"

Jimin blushes, his eyes and smile disappearing behind the set of white feathers. He starts talking about the makeup he was going to wear, and the strass he wanted to put in his face. Taehyung constantly replied with short answers, or humming at him, not quite concentrate because his phone kept alerting him from text messages in the back pocket of his jeans. He takes it in his hand, looking at the few new messages from Jeongguk.

The alpha had been texting him all noon, and Taehyung kept replying with simple 'sure' and 'I can't'. He was being melodramatic, he knew, but he was really not going to be a game for the alpha. Besides, he was enjoying to see Jeongguk struggling with more words than usual via text messages.

Jeon Jeongguk

I'm going to the Halloween Party

Are you sure you'll stay in home?

Taehyung

I'm sure

Jeon Jeongguk

Can we meet on Sunday then?

Taehyung

I can't

Jeon Jeongguk

Tae don't be angry at me

You're killing me here

Let me apologize with dinner

Taehyung

I'm not angry

I really can't

My aunt makes these tea parties on Sunday

And I promised to be there

Jeon Jeongguk

What about Monday?

Taehyung

I have to deliver the article

I'll be busy all day

Jeon Jeongguk

You're being a brat

Taehyung

I'm being honest

I learnt from the best

Jeon Jeongguk

Touché

Good luck with your article

And he left Jeongguk on read.

"Who are you killing with your eyes?" Jimin asks chuckling while buttoning a white silky shirt with a décor of sparkling feathers across the chest. His bathrobe was gone, and he was wearing equally silky white trousers.

"No one" Taehyung says, pressing his lips in a thin line and putting away his phone, safely in his one of his back pockets.

Jimin looks at him suspiciously. "Okay..." he says smirking. "Tae?"

"What?"

"What do I have to do for you to go to the party with me?" Jimin asks, making his best puppy eyes.

"Jimin" Taehyung begin to say with a bored look on his face, and a heavy sigh. "I've told you that I have to finish the story I'm writing"

"You can finish tomorrow" Jimin scoffs, going closer to Taehyung and taking his hands into his own. "Come on Tae~" he sing songs, voice mellow and pretty. "We can go with matching costumes. I'll be a light angel and you'll be a dark angel" He suggests, all smiley face and hope in those pretty eyes of his. "I have the wings! Tae~"

Taehyung doubts, Jimin was efficiently making him doubt his decisions for the night. "I don't know... I"

"Taehyung~" Jimin whines again, bouncing on his feet, and pulling Taehyung's hand along with his. "I'm dying to put makeup on that pretty face of yours" he tells him enthusiastically, wriggling his eyebrows and earning a soft giggle from the taller omega. "Please~" another whiny implore. "I'll do anything" he says, trying his best to appear his eyes round and bigger, but it was a funny sight for Taehyung. 

Jimin was funny, and cute, and kind, and Taehyung was thankful to be his friend.

Taehyung was contemplating the possibilities of actually going. He would see Jeongguk, and he would hang out with his friends, even Yoongi and Hoseok were going. He puffs air, looking done for Jimin. 

"Fine, I'll go" he tells and the smaller omega squeals excitedly, hugging Taehyung and hanging from his shoulders, supporting himself on his tiptoes. In fact, Park Jimin was very touchy.

"I'm gonna dress you up and do your make up and this is going to be so much fun!" Jimin beams again, smirking and pulling his hair backwards, exposing his forehead. Taehyung also learnt that Park Jimin had a duality of looking innocent and utterly sexy at the same time.

Taehyung nods halfheartedly, letting Jimin pulls him by his hand and contemplating his decisions. In any case of feeling uncomfortable or tired, he could just go back home. He also chose to not tell Jeongguk he was going, he wanted to surprise him, perhaps to see his face after learning he was there too, dressed up as a dark angel. Besides, he was going with Jimin, and for Jimin, not to see the alpha.

Jimin took out a bunch of black clothes from his super gigantic closet, leaving everything on top of his prince's bed, and demanding that Taehyung choose the sexiest thing he could find but that would fit him relatively well, after all both omegas were different sizes. 

"Okay..." Taehyung had said to him, roaming between the omega's clothes, different fabrics and designer pieces, sparkles, sequins, leather, silk, lace, everything. Taehyung was equally slim, but he was taller, and his legs were longer. But Jimin insisted him to wear a pair of leather pants that would complement his physical attributes. So Taehyung ended up with some sexy high waist, ankle-length (for him) leather pencil trousers, with sashes, and a silky black shirt that expose his chest and collarbones. And Jimin put a choker on him for a more dramatic effect.

Taehyung likes wearing makeup, but he usually goes for a more natural look. Jimin, on the contrary, wanted to make them look spectacular with shimmering eyeshadows, and purpurin under their eyes. Taehyung let him stylized his hair, finding out Jimin was very skillful with his hands. He also applied a dark red eyeshadow with a metallic finish with pearl pigments on him, and Taehyung watches himself in the mirror amazed, because it looked gorgeous on him.

"I've been wanting to do makeup tutorials" Jimin says to him, applying a subtone of dark brown eyeliner in the corner of Taehyung's eyes. "You and Jin could be my models" he offers, and Taehyung moves to look at Jimin, but the smaller omega slaps his shoulder to keep him in place. "He's going to pick up us at 10"

"I thought the party was at 9..."

"Yes" Jimin looks at him grinning. "That's exactly why we need to be there passed 10" he explains with a giggle. "Look at you, I made you even prettier"

Taehyung rolls his eyes, taking a look of himself in the mirror. He indeed looked exceptionally fine, the makeup suits him well, and the outfit matched him superbly. He felt pretty, of course he did, but Taehyung had a thing for flaws too, flaws makes everything more interesting. And one of his biggest flaws at the moment was his stupid infatuation for Jeon Jeongguk.

Jimin came back with two cinchers from his closet. A white waist-corset made of satin and lace, and a black leather strap harness with stretchy waist band. "Jimin, I'll look like a whore"

"That's the point of Halloween, silly" Jimin replies, handing him the leather straps thingy. "To dress up slutty and to not be judge about it"

Taehyung snorts, taking it and aligning the straps with ease. "Why do you have these anyways?" he asks, turning his head slightly towards the mirror to check his back and the leather straps nicely done.

Jimin laughs, stepping towards Taehyung with his own corset. "I'm a ballet dancer" he tells. "We have to dress up quite often. Now Tae, please lace these up real tight, yes?"

"Of course" he says, taking the laces and pulling at it firmly until Jimin was whining because he wasn't able to breath properly.

Seokjin arrives at their building exactly at 10 pm. Jimin was so excited he practically flew with his angelic wings where Seokjin's Lexus was parked waiting for them. It was a cold night, and Taehyung only wearing his costume was making him even colder, and the wings behind his back weren't helping him at all, in fact, they struggle so much to get into the car without messing with the wings that Seokjin couldn't stop laughing at them. 

Seokjin was dressed up as Edward Scissorhands, and he looked spectacular like him, and still very much handsome. He was wearing a black wig messy and sticky, and his makeup of scars, no eyebrows and pouty small lips looking perfect. He was dressed in the black suit, with a leather corset and straps, and his gloves like scissors were resting on the passenger seat, because he couldn't drive with those on of course.

Seokjin also claimed that Jimin and Taehyung were his minions and kept bickering with Jimin because Edward Scissorhands had nothing to do with angels.

The party was at one of Jeongguk's friends, a thai kid that everyone calls Bambam, living a newly built, two-story, contemporary mansion at the outskirts of north Seoul. As they approached the place, after going through a huge gate and saying their names to the guard, the music began to be heard loud, and Halloween decorations adorned the entire mansion, and huge yard could be seen. Seokjin drove to the side, arriving at a displace where other cars were parked, from Lamborghinis to Maseratis, a couple of Ferraris. Taehyung glances over the cars, expecting to see Jeongguk's wrangler, but there wasn't any jeeps parked there.

The party was located in the backyard next to a terrace that looked like a modern pool house with of course a circular pool around it. The Halloween decorations were scary, the backyard was looking like a cemetery with headstones, faux fog, skeletons and blood. Taehyung felt like entering to the set of a horror movie, one of those classics he loves like Pet Sematary, the one from 1989 not the new one of course, or Night of the Living Dead. He loved it.

They got out from the car, Seokjin putting on his scissors hands gloves, and Jimin taking Taehyung by his hand to not get lost.

The people in the party were dancing to pop music, holding fancy drinks in their hands, and wearing amazing costumes. The most commons ones were devils, mostly women wearing a pair of red horns with sequins and tiny lace dresses to 'match' it, and guys dressed as vampires and devils too, or as some movie character like a Jason from Friday 13th or Pennywise, the clown from IT. Taehyung was especially attracted by an alpha dressed as Van Helsing with three omegas as the vampire brides.

"Would it be strange to ask him to take a picture with me?" Taehyung whisper-shouts to Jimin while staring at the Van Helsing alpha.

Jimin laughs, following Seokjin who keeps moving his scissors hands to make other people move out of his way. "Ask him to dance instead!" Jimin shouts back, and Taehyung ignores him, watching other amazing costumes like The Joker and Sweeny Todd.

He realized that by Dark Fantasy, everyone thought about Tim Burton films. Perhaps if he hadn't chosen to come to the party at the last minute he would had spent time in a nice costume. Seokjin leads them close to the modern pool house where there was a DJ dressed as a zombie, and where some betas were tending a small bar, preparing drinks for the high society kids of Seoul.

Seokjin fetches them drinks, three cosmopolitans. Taehyung didn't drink alcohol, but the cocktail looked sweet and pretty, so he took it, tasting it softly. He wrinkles nis nose in disgust, not liking the strong flavor of vodka, but the cranberry juice tasted good.

"The guys are in there!" Seokjin shouts at them, almost dropping his glass of cosmopolitan because of his scissor hands. "Shit" he curses, handing the drink to Jimin who kept laughing at him.

Taehyung follows Jimin, feeling slightly anxious when Jimin let go of his hand to hold Seokjin's drink. His stomach was twisting in nervousness, and his heart was beating fast, and he knew well why he was being a nervous wreck. He was expecting to see Jeongguk. There was something deliciously arousing about feeling those nerves in his stomach, feeling those butterflies from seeing the alpha, but at the same time it was excruciating, to feel that way especially for a guy.

He felt his heart sinking when he spot their friends, because neither one was Jeongguk. Yoongi was there, Hoseok also, and Namjoon, plus a couple of betas and omegas. Taehyung tries to push aside his feeling of disappointment, thinking perhaps Jeongguk wasn't there, and smiles to his cousin and friends, tries to mock at Yoongi for getting dressed as Beetlejuice, but it actually suited him, the beta didn't have to wear much white powder to look pale, just some dark shadow in his eyes, his hair messy, and a white and black stripes suit, and he looked good, very attractive. Hoseok was Willy Wonka, but a zombie version, and it was absolutely fantastic.

"Hyung you look so good" Taehyung laughs, taking in Hoseok's costume.

Hoseok gives one flashy smile, just like Willy Wonka. "Thank you my child. And you make an absolutely beautiful fallen angel" he pauses, looks at Jimin. "So do you"

"What about me?" Yoongi asks, tone of voice bored already, while drinking from a beer. "Hey, what the hell are you drinking? I thought you were staying home tonight"

"Leave him alone. It's party night. He's allowed to have a drink" Jimin says, placing himself next to Yoongi, eager to receive compliments from him.

"Seokjin, are you planning on winning tonight? I almost didn't recognize you" It was Namjoon speaking, wearing a long coat and holding a Chinese takeout. Silver hair slicked back, and fake fangs along with yellow eye contacts.

"I will beat everyone" Seokjin announces, sipping from his drink with a straw. He gulps, and smiles. "These are authentic scissors" he says, and everyone backed away from him. Seokjin rolls his eyes. "Sharpless scissors, idiots. And what are you supposed to be? And why the hell are you eating Chinese food?"

Namjoon huffs annoyed, rolling his eyes. "I'm not- You know, whatever. I'm not telling who I am supposed to be you ignorant gothic scarecrow"

"Are you calling me ugly?"

"What? No!"

Jimin rolls his eyes at them, and everyone else seems to ignore their bicker but Taehyung laughs, stepping forwards, earning the attention of both. "I know who you are" he says, and Namjoon smiles at him, dimples kind of ruining his badass costume. "David"

"David" Seokjin repeats, unimpressed.

"Yeah" Taehyung sips on his cocktail, wrinkling his nose in disgust again. "David"

Namjoon grins widely, a look of fondness in his eyes. "Yeah, I'm David" he tells, and Taehyung smiles back satisfied.

"Who the hell is David?" Hoseok asks, furrowing his eyebrows and fixing a rotten part of skin in his face.

"David, the evil vampire from The Lost Boys" Namjoon explains with a shrug, showing the box of Chinese to them as they would know by that.

Yoongi snorts, shaking his head, letting Jimin sneakily intertwine their hands. "Taehyung is an avid fan of classic horror films. He probably knows every movie made before the 90s, and he had read every book too"

"He's the whole package then" Namjoon says, smiling again at the omega. Taehyung felt his face flushing, and he looks down at his feet, avoiding to look at Namjoon in the eyes, it was making him nervous. He glances over Jimin instead, who was smirking at him with risen eyebrows.

"I love the soundtrack too" Taehyung says, sounding shy.

"Me also" Namjoon says to him. "I think it's one of the most perfect soundtracks ever to exist"

"Oh God, this is sickening. Namjoon has a crush and Taehyung's a nerd" Seokjin rolls his eyes at them, sticking out his tongue at them. "Come on, Hobi, let's sign up for the costume contest" he says, pulling Hoseok with him who complains to the omega about getting cut with his scissors.

Taehyung was blushing, it was a natural reaction after being accused of flirting with someone. But he wasn't, he really wasn't. Namjoon was incredibly attractive, unbelievable smart, and quite charming, but he wasn't Jeongguk. And Jeongguk was all Taehyung could think about.

They have been an hour in the party already, and Taehyung still haven't found Jeongguk, not as he was actually looking for him. The omega stood with his friends the whole time, watching fondly how Yoongi seems to be enjoying himself, talking effortlessly and being with Jimin, constantly showing affection and skin ship to him. Jimin was happy, and Taehyung was happy for them. And no one asked or talked about Jeongguk, and Taehyung didn't ask either. The only ones who knew about his crush on the alpha was Jimin and Yoongi, and he was planning to keep it that way.

Jimin asks him to accompany him to the bathroom. After drinking three cosmopolitans, the smaller omega was tipsy, quite clingy and dying to go to the bathroom. Taehyung goes with him, holding him by his hand to not get lost among all the people in the party, they probably hit a couple of people with their wings anyways. 

The bathroom was in a quieter area in the pool house, the light was darker, fainted, and it give a gloomier atmosphere. Just couples were around, talking or making out in the nearby red velvet couches around the room. Jimin talks about how sweet Yoongi was being with him that night because of course no one could be mean to an angel, Taehyung giggles at him, commenting on how good both looked together. Jimin says something more, until Taehyung can't keep listening, not when his eyes set on the familiar figure of the alpha who keeps invading his thoughts, he stops walking, and feels his body freezing cold.

Jeon Jeongguk was there, sitting on one of the couches with a girl on his lap. He had a hand place firmly on the girl small waist, fingers brushing the curve of her butt, and his other hand holding a drink. Taehyung couldn't see the girl, only her back, long black silky hair falling on her, she was wearing a black nightgown at first glance, and she keeps kissing Jeongguk's neck, hands resting on his chest and playing sometimes with the tie he was wearing.

Taehyung felt sick, his heart beating hollowly loud it was truly hurting his chest. Jimin asks him something, but his brain was malfunctioning and didn't quite catch what the omega was telling him. Jimin turns to look where Taehyung was staring so disturbed, and frowns, pulling the omega inside the bathroom with all his strength, and closing the door behind them with the lock.

Jimin cups his face with his hands, releasing soothing pheromones that smelt like lavender. "Tae" he says, and Taehyung hated how pitiful he sounded. "I didn't know he was here... did you?"

Taehyung nods weakly, feeling his eyes burning but refusing to cry. He wasn't crying over Jeongguk, not after all the tears he shed about Bogum. Jimin says something else, but his mind was still outside, looking at Jeongguk with another omega on his lap, touching him so intimately, and the alpha letting her.

Taehyung knew Jeongguk keeps his other 'friends' around. Jeongguk was honest with him from the beginning, and Taehyung knew what he was getting into. He knew and went for it even when everyone else warned him not to. But he did not think how hurt he would feel actually seeing Jeongguk with one of his hookups. Perhaps doubting how hard he was falling for the alpha.

Infatuation. Taehyung keeps saying to himself he just had an unpleasant infatuation over the alpha. But his heart was aching, it was painful, and exhausting. "How do you make yourself not like someone?" Taehyung asks Jimin.

Jimin looks even more upset than him. "Baby you can't control your heart" he says, still cupping Taehyung's face. "But you can give them a taste of their own medicine. Believe me, I've been there more times that I could count"

Taehyung smiles at that, but it's weak and his face is still showing how hurt he was. "It's my fault, Jimin... I was the one who accepted his terms... I just didn't think how hurtful would be to actually see him with another person"

"I know, babe" Jimin pats his hair. "You can't sulk over him, do you hear me? You look beautiful in your costume, courtesy of Park Jimin. If Jeongguk is with a girl, you go out there and get a boy, it's okay to be petty in circumstances like these" he smiles and then mutters. "I've been there a lot of times too..."

Taehyung genuinely smiles at that, sniffing lightly. "I'm happy you're the one who is with my cousin. You're the sweetest, Jiminie" he says, and Jimin beams pecking his friend's cheek. "Go pee now, be careful with your wings"

"Got it!"

Taehyung smiles at him, but inside he was having a turmoil of emotions that he wasn't quite able to control. He keeps repeating in his head that it was just a crush, and that he agreed to Jeongguk's rules, and that he need no alpha in his life at moment. But he was so upset and in need of more cocktails, cocktails were good in times like these.

Once they got out of the bathroom, Taehyung avoided looking at the sofa but could smell the fading scent of tonka beans, acknowledging that Jeongguk was still there with the girl. Jimin instead hugged him from behind, wailing loudly about the feathers of his wings brushing against his face, and he made sure to shout Taehyung's name between loud laughter, effectively making Tae laugh with his dramatic performance. They caught the attention of the few people in the room, Taehyung turning to look at Jimin while laughing with him. His eyes met Jeongguk's for a brief moment, long enough to realize that the alpha was petrified in his seat, and the girl was no longer on his lap. Taehyung quickly looked away, meeting Jimin's eyes instead, and laughing with him as the omega told him that Seokjin would probably cut off the heads of the costume contest judges if he didn't win.

They danced. Jimin drags Taehyung onto the dance floor claiming that the song they were playing was one of his favorites. They danced freely, playing around and just having fun, not paying attention to the zombies dancing next to them that every so often they beat them with their wings. Jimin kept trying to spin Taehyung, hands entwined and moving to the swing. Taehyung was just laughing, unable to dance properly with Jimin trying to pick him up and recreate a move from Swan Lake. He laughs looking down at Jimin when the smaller omega, who was ridiculously strong, lifts him and spins him around.

Jimin laughs too, looking satisfied with his ballet move. "Tae" he calls, and Taehyung got closer to hear him better. "Don't turn but Jeongguk has been standing near the bar since we started dancing, and he looks constipated"

Taehyung rolls his eyes, letting Jimin guides his moves again. "Is the girl still there?"

"Yes, she's by his side" Jimin says, sneakily watching over the direction of the bar. "They are drinking but Jeongguk is clearly ignoring her now. Let's go get some drinks, yeah?" he suggests, and Taehyung could see mischievousness lingering in Jimin's sweet eyes.

They find their friends in no time, standing nearby a table and laughing while having drinks. Apparently the costume contest was going to begin, and Seokjin was already hyper about it. Yoongi was evidently drunk, a happy kind of drunk. Taehyung could tell because he was less uptight, and he easily slipped an arm around Jimin's waist, pulling him closer.

Taehyung sensed Namjoon getting closer to him, with his dimpled smile and masculine scent. He fetches him a drink, not a cosmopolitan but a sweeter one that tasted like strawberry and orange juice. "Oh thank you" the omega says, smiling at the alpha and tasting the drink, it was sweet and the alcohol in there was bearable noticeable.

"I thought you'd like something softer" Namjoon tells him.

Taehyung nods, subtly looking around and realizing Jimin was now with Yoongi, sitting on a corner by the table, giggling and making Yoongi effectively laugh, while Seokjin was teaching Hoseok some tricks to get into the finalists for the competition. He was now on his own with no other than Kim Namjoon. 

"You're very considerate" he says, taking another sip of the drink. "I like it"

Namjoon raises his eyebrows, not truly knowing if Taehyung was referring to the drink or the action itself. "I was surprised when you immediately recognized me as David from The Lost Boys"

Taehyung laughs genuinely. "I really love that movie. But only the first one, the other two were terribly disappointing"

Namjoon chuckles nodding his head enthusiastically. "I agree" he says, taking a sip on his own drink, a brown liquid that looked like whiskey. "What's your favorite song on the soundtrack?"

"That's easy" Taehyung tells, beaming more excitedly to share his tastes with someone who wasn't Yoongi. "Cry Little Sister"

"Of course. A masterpiece"

Namjoon was easy to talk to, and Taehyung didn't even notice his drink gone after talking and laughing with the alpha. He did notice the scent of burnt amber and tonka beans closely, but he was relaxed and unbothered by it, an effect from the alcohol in his system, he paid not mind, and didn't turn to look or acknowledge the owner of those scents. That until it was right behind him.

Namjoon was the first one to greet him, clueless and nice as usual, and Taehyung couldn't tell it he was really that naïve to not pick up on the piercing glare Jeongguk was giving him, or his bitter scent.

"Jeonggukie! I thought you were busy tonight" Namjoon calls him, smiling widely at the younger alpha.

Jeongguk offers him a tight smile, eyes flickering towards Taehyung constantly. The girl with Jeongguk was right next to him, clinging on his arm despite his cold demeanor. Taehyung looks at her, taking in her appearance. She was attractive, but her face was ruined by the large amount of makeup on it, and she was dressed as some kind of widow, showing off her great body.

Maybe Jeongguk wasn't interested in her face after all.

"Hey" Jeongguk says to them. "I thought you weren't coming" he speaks looking at Taehyung, looking slightly upset.

Taehyung knits his eyebrows, unbelieving the nerve of the alpha. He was the one supposed to be upset, not Jeongguk. "Jimin was very persuasive" he tells, and Jeongguk nods, clicking his tongue. He was dressed in simple black trousers, a white button-up shirt and a black tie, supported by a long black coat. "Are you even wearing a costume?"

Jeongguk scoffs. "Of course I am" he says tilting his head, eyes lingering in Taehyung's chest, his exposed collarbones and then on his eyes, shimmering with red pearly eyeshadow. "I'm John"

Taehyung laughs. "Constantine?"

"Yeah" Jeongguk replies with a chuckle. "Of course you know" he says smiling fondly at the omega. Taehyung couldn't help it but to smile in return. Namjoon was still clueless, looking at both of them. But the girl clears her throat, obviously annoyed. "Oh, she's Won" Jeongguk says, introducing the girl to them.

"Won" Taehyung repeats.

"Ryu Won" She tells him, smiling spitefully.

"Pretty..." Taehyung replies trying to sound as honest as his lie could let him.

An uncomfortable silence overwhelms them, and Jeongguk's scent was making Taehyung dizzy, letting out a whimper. Namjoon picks up on the situation, placing a hand on Taehyung's shoulder, and smiling kindly at him. "Do you want a drink, Tae?"

Taehyung nods, stiffly, trying to not look at Jeongguk, or his female companion. He was about to follow Namjoon when Jeongguk grabs his elbow, almost bumping with the black feathers of his left wing. "Can we speak for a minute?" he asks, but Taehyung shakes his head, a small pout adorning his lips, and he was certainly glaring at the alpha. "Tae"

"Jeongguk" Namjoon calls him, but Jeongguk didn't look at him, his eyes never left Taehyung's. "He doesn't want to talk to you right now. Be understanding"

Jeongguk scoffs, he was bothered but also restraining himself to not snap at his hyung. "I'm talking to Taehyung" he says, and Namjoon looks taken aback. Jeongguk set his eyes on the omega once again. "Please Tae, you can't be mad forever"

"I'm not mad at you" Taehyung says, lies again, pulling away his arm from Jeongguk's hold. And wanting to be away from him, and his girl.

"Taehyung" Jeongguk says harshly, like a growl coming from the back of his throat, demanding and almost making Taehyung whimper again. Jeongguk sighs, softening his expression. "Please?"

Taehyung looks at him, he felt Namjoon tensing at his side, and he sense the girl's floral scent turning rotten. But Jeongguk looks clearly impatient to talk to him, pleading. "Fine" he says, and Jeongguk smiles at him, content. Taehyung turns to look at Namjoon. "Hyung, I'll have that drink later, yes?"

Namjoon nods with a weak smile, not hiding how disappointed he was.

"Jeongguk" It was the girl, Won, who was talking now. She looks upset, furrowing her painted eyebrows and grabbing Jeongguk by his coat. "What the hell are you doing? You invited me and now you're ditching me?" she asks, hands going to her waist, and eyeing contemptuously at Taehyung. "I haven't seen you before. Are you Jeongguk's new friend?"

"Won" Jeongguk warns her. "Mingyu is probably at the house. Go find him"

The girl rolls her eyes. "Whatever, Jeongguk" she cocks an eyebrow. "I'll be at the pool house" she says, spinning around and walking towards the house moving her hips in an exaggeratedly way.

Taehyung says nothing but let Jeongguk take him towards a secluded area in the backyard, near a fake tomb with a fake hand coming out from the earth. "Lovely" the omega mutters sitting down on a white Victorian bench and eyeing the human hand replica with blood and rotten skin. The view from that place was nice, they could see the whole party passing through the small cemetery, and some jets of water in the pool festooned with dark and orange lights.

"Look Tae" Jeongguk calls him, putting a hand on Taehyung's knee to make him face him. "I'm sorry okay? About lunch today, and about now. I wouldn't have invite Won if I knew you were coming"

Taehyung rolls his eyes. "I'm sorry to spoil your fun then"

"It's not that" Jeongguk scoffs, letting out a long-exhausted breath. His scent was very scorched, and the tonka beans were barely perceptible. "I don't like what are you doing"

Taehyung blinks, looking surprised at the alpha. "And what I am doing?"

"You are talking to Namjoon"

Taehyung scoffs, incredulous at the alpha's way of reasoning. "Last time I check I was free to talk to whoever I want, Jeongguk"

Jeongguk frowns, his eyes looking rounder and bigger, making his features to appear less sharp and more boyish. "Are you trying to make me jealous? That's what you're doing right? Because you saw me with Won at the house and now you are flirting with Namjoon to make me jealous" he blurts out, nodding his head along, convincing himself from his own words.

Taehyung stares at him, mouth open and rethinking the words the alpha just spit on him, and he laughs, not amused not happy, but because he wasn't sure of how to react. "Stop talking, Jeongguk. What I do does not concerns you." he tells him sharply. Jeongguk seems even livider, pouting like a petulant child, and looking at Taehyung like the omega just committed the biggest betrayal. Taehyung sighs, not wanting to deal with a jealous alpha. "Look Jeongguk... Namjoon is nice to me, and we happen to have similar likes. We just get along, nothing else"

"I don't like it" Jeongguk growls, still pouting, still childish. "I don't like this, Taehyung" he accuses again, turning his whole body towards the omega and placing a hand on his shoulder to make him turn too. "I've never been jealous before. Never has a reason to... but seeing you with him it's driving me mad. So stop it"

"How can you be jealous when you were with someone else?" Taehyung asks, disbelief written all over his soft features. "Basically you want me for yourself, and I have to be okay with your hookups" he says, pausing and swiping Jeongguk's hand away from his thigh. "Guess what Jeongguk. I'm just as single as you are"

Jeongguk pinches the bridge of his nose, and rubs his forehead, vanishing the creases the frown had form. "You're putting me between a rock and a hard place, baby" he tells him, shaking his head and trying to take the omega by his shoulders. Taehyung lets him. "You want me to commit? Is that what you want? Because you know I can't do that, peachy"

"What?" Taehyung asks, perplexed again. "No, no, it's not that. I was doing nothing Jeongguk. I should be the one mad at you for having a skank on your lap minutes before making a scene to me"

"Tell me what you want from me then" Jeongguk rambles, getting closer to the omega. So close it was becoming dangerous for Taehyung. "Do you want me to be available for you all the time? Because I can do that. Just don't ask me to put a label on our relationship"

"Why are you so scare of commitment Jeongguk?"

"I'm not scared" Jeongguk scoffs, bewildered. "Commitment takes responsibility, and dedication... and-"

"And loyalty"

"You want me drop my fuckbuddies?" Jeongguk asks, puzzled. "Is that what you want?"

"Yes. I want you to not see other people if you want me to do the same for you" Taehyung tells him, firmly, his voice sounded solemn, even when he was shaking slightly, and his heart was beating faster each time the alpha said something to him.

Jeongguk nods, looking at the party. He seems to be thinking, licking his lips and bouncing a leg impatiently. He then turns to face Taehyung once again. "Okay" he says. "Okay I won't fuck anybody else" he tells him. "I can do that, easy. But you can't flirt with Namjoon either"

"I wasn't-"

"Hear me out first" the alpha says pointing a finger adorned with a thick silver ring at him. "He likes you, I know he does. But he's an asshole"

Taehyung furrow his eyebrows, gasping. "He's your friend, and he's really nice, quite a gentleman"

Jeongguk rolls his eyes. "You don't even know him" he says, and Taehyung tilts his head, staring and smiling. Having to experience at first hand an overly childish and jealous Jeongguk was borderline hilarious. Jeongguk seems to relax by Taehyung's pretty smile. "You look beautiful" he tells him, one hand placed securely at the omega's neck. "I really want to kiss you right now"

"I don't know where those lips has been" Taehyung tells him, wrinkling his nose and pretending to be offended. "I'm not letting you kiss me"

"Tae, you're killing me here! I didn't touch her with my mouth. You know I don't kiss anyone but you" Jeongguk pleads, making Taehyung feel close to triumphant, because once again he had Jeongguk just to himself, wondering how much the alpha likes him to be capable of making those 'sacrifices' for him. "Let's get out of here" Jeongguk suggests, smiling too, and his eyes looked so pretty under the big full moon. Taehyung really loves his eyes. "Let's go somewhere else"

"I can't ditch Jimin" Taehyung tells him, still smiling, humming sweetly at the soft and warm touch of Jeongguk's hand on his face. "And I really want to see the costumes. I've been wanting to ask Van Helsing for a picture all night long"

"Jimin is with Yoongi. And Seokjin will win as every fucking year" Jeongguk says to him, closing the distance between their faces and nuzzling his nose against Taehyung's neck, a habit the alpha had develop that Taehyung seems to not mind at all, on the contrary. "You owe me. You said yourself when I agreed to take you to the grove"

Taehyung rolls his eyes at him, the tonka beans scent coming back to sweetly lull him. "Are you really pulling this on me now?"

"Yeah, I am" Jeongguk says, pulling away from the omega and standing up, offering his hands to Taehyung and smiling. "Come with me?"

Taehyung smiles back but hesitates into taking Jeongguk's hands with him. "I'm scared of going with you"

"Why are you scared?" Jeongguk asks, his voice mellow and soft, and he tilts his head to look at the omega, letting his soft locks of black hair fall on his face.

"I'm scared of you hurting me" Taehyung looks up at him, a glimmer in his eyes after confessing those words to the alpha, feeling brave after his two drinks. "Breaking my heart..."

Jeongguk stood there in silence for a brief moment, hands still stretched out to Taehyung. He smiles, sincerely, toothy, and pleasant. "I would never dare to do so, peachy" he says, and Taehyung falls for him a little bit more that night.

He takes Jeongguk's hand, letting him lift him up from the bench, and pull him towards his hard chest. The alpha smelt like tonka beans and alcohol, but it was nice, it felt nicely familiar to Taehyung's nose. A hand was on his waist and the other on the back of his neck, Taehyung closes his eyes, leaning in and purring delighted when his lips met Jeongguk's, molding into a sweet kiss.

Kissing Jeongguk that night made him realize he was falling for him, hard and fast, and it was terrifying. A part of him was happy because the alpha was with him, but another part kept nagging him that Jeongguk was with him in a physical way but not in an emotional way. Feelings were not involved, just jealousy and his alpha pride perhaps, but Jeongguk was far from be falling for him he thought.

Taehyung was sure he could have Jeongguk any time he wanted, but he wanted Jeongguk in an emotional way too, he wanted Jeongguk to fall for him and commit his heart to him, just him.

It was funnily unfortunate how the emotion that had his heart beating excitedly was the same one that could break it. Love was tragic and beautiful that way. Taehyung didn't think about the outcomes, he just kisses Jeongguk time after time, follow him towards his car and goes with him.

Taehyung had always admired flaws, and Jeongguk had many of those. But for the omega, those flaws and imperfections were what made the alpha beautiful, and that night he was going to let himself fall for those flaws a little bit more. He thought they match together, because of their flaws and beauty, perhaps a part of his soul was Jeongguk's since the very beginning.

"Want to head to my place?" Jeongguk asks, a hand on the wheel and the other holding Taehyung's hand.

Taehyung hesitates, biting his lips nervously, but nods. "Okay.. let's go".

---------