Fracture S3 [Taekook]

• Bloody Masquerade •

"Why do we have to be here? Taehyung and I don't even work at the hotel." Jimin complains as he shimmies his dress pants up his leg and buckles his belt.

"Why are you even complaining? You're getting paid and there will be free food." Jin scolds as he adjusts his name tag and his tie.

"Hyung, Jimin has a point." Taehyung comments as he plays with his long curly hair and fixes his suit. "Why are you making us work at the hotel tonight? And don't tell me you are understaffed when I overheard you telling Namjoon your boss hired six new employees last week."

Jin closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, mentally telling himself to be patient and not smack his brother and his short boyfriend upside their heads. "I don't want you both home by yourselves." He says, then explains that with Jungkook out on the streets, none are safe at home, especially Taehyung, who Jin is sure Jungkook is looking for.

Taehyung slowly feels his anxiety crawl under his skin, not wanting to think too much about Jungkook. When he saw the news report of Jungkook's escape, he cried all night in Jin's arms, wishing it was all just a nightmare.

Luckily Namjoon is still close with Chief Kang, and issued a round the clock protection on Kim's house. He agreed to help them with the investigation, even though he is no longer a detective.

"The last place he'll ever come is here. I mean this masquerade ball is filled with snobby rich pricks from all over the world." says Jimin in an attempt to comfort his boyfriend. "Also, there are a shit ton of police officers all around the hotel. No way in hell is he getting through."

Taehyung rubs at his temples to ease away his growing anxiety, but hearing Jimin's words only makes it worse. "That's never stopped him before." he mutters.

"Seokjin, we need you out here, the guests are arriving." A hotel staff enters the room looking for Jin.

"I'm coming out right now." he tells his coworker, then turns to Jimin and Taehyung and hands them two masks. "Put these on, we all have to look like we are part of the aesthetic." he takes out a third mask and puts it on himself. All the masks cover half their faces so they can still be able to talk to one another.

"I feel like I'm part of the Phantom of the Opera." Jimin jokes, which cracks a small smile from Taehyung, but Jin glares at him in return before opening the door and leading them out into the busy hall, where Namjoon awaits them, also wearing a mask.

"Hyung, I just spoke to Chief Kang and he told me the perimeter is safe." Namjoon informs them of Chief Kang's plan if Jungkook were to show up. They don't expect him too, but this event was the talk of the town, and they are sure Jungkook is already aware of it.

Even with the maximum security surrounding the hotel, Taehyung still feels uneasy, if anything he feels like Jungkook might already be inside the hotel, waiting to grab and take him far away.

"Jimin will be going with Jin hyung, Taehyung you are coming with me." Namjoon informs, earning gawks from both Jimin and Taehyung.

"Why can't I go with my brother or Jimin?" Taehyung asks, his lips forming a pout. "No offence or anything, I just feel more comfortable with them."

Jin gently grabs his brother's shoulders and squeezes them, a gesture of comfort whenever Taehyung was feeling uneased. "You'll be safer with Namjoon. He used to be a cop so he knows what he's doing."

"I'll keep an eye on him through the night." Namjoon says as he tugs on Taehyung's arm, gesturing him to follow. "C'mon, you and I will be serving drinks on the dance floor."

"Please be safe, the both of you, and don't drop the drinks Namjoon." Namjoon groans at Jin's teasing, being sure to give Jin a quick kiss on the lips before leaving with Taehyung to the dancefloor.