Halloween (n)
The night of 31 October, the eve of All Saints' Day, often celebrated by children dressing up in frightening masks and costumes.
Waking up to a dagger pierced into your door isn't the best start to Halloween. Taehyung stood staring at it for 10 minutes before Jungkook pulled him inside, chuckling and gabbling about Halloween pranks. Taehyung, however, didn't see it that way.
He didn't always hate Halloween; he has fond memories of his mother taking him trick or treating, dressed up in various costumes; watching his father carve funny faces in pumpkins and telling scary ghost stories.
All that changed when he was 10. On October 31st, 2004, Taehyung witnessed something he didn't dare speak of. Something that changed his outlook on Halloween forever.
It was never the same for him. His mother tried dragging him out, hoping he would interact with kids like he had once done. He showed little interest in the beautifully carved pumpkins, nor the delicious treats his mother baked.
"Taehyung are you alright?" Jungkook asked, touching his arm tentatively.
Jungkook, on the other hand, loved Halloween.
"Yeah... I just hate Halloween,"
Jungkook was taken aback. Never had he heard of someone who didn't like Halloween.
"What do you mean? Everyone likes Halloween,"
"Yeah, well not me," Taehyung replied coldly, striding into his bedroom and slamming the door closed behind him.
•°•°•°•
Taehyung's parents had gone away to stay with his aunt for the weekend - no doubt going to countless parties and acting like they're 21 again - so they had all planned for a night in, away from the mountains of school work and the looming mock exams. A time to relax, stuff their faces with candy and binge watch horror movies.
Taehyung didn't really want to watch horror movies - he hated them - but he would settle for anything that didn't involve leaving the house or being alone.
As the clock struck 3, the bell rang out across the room, signifying the end of class. The hallways were filled with people talking excitedly about their Halloween plans and what their costumes were going to be.
Taehyung slammed his locker door closed, turning to see a figure standing right in front of him, wearing a red mask with fangs and black horns.
He let out a scream, causing the individual to roar with laughter, clutching their stomach and doubling over.
"For fuck's sake Hoseok,"
"You should've seen your face! That was priceless!"
"What did you do?" Jungkook chuckled, joining them.
"Nothing, let's go," Taehyung said quickly, grabbing Jungkook's arm and walking away.
•°•°•°•
Jungkook placed his hands over Taehyung's, who's eyes were fixed on the clock.
"Tae, you're shaking,"
Taehyung lowered his eyes, "I'm just nervous,"
"About what?"
He was nervous about everything. For the whole night, for the hyungs coming over, for his parents choosing the worst time in the world to visit his aunt and leave him alone in a big, cold house. Thankfully, Jungkook had volunteered to stay with him.
"For Halloween?" Jungkook asked softly.
He didn't know why Taehyung hated Halloween so much, just that something had happened to him when he was young, causing him to be afraid of the seasonal holiday.
