Chapter Text
Welcome to the Masquerade, where mates are to be found, and steamy nights to be had. No matter your background, you are welcome, and among the crowd of colorfully obscured faces, may we wish you happy findings.
“Do I really have to?” His friend whispered as he fidgeted with his suit, the scent of lemongrass floating through the air, veering onto the sour side. George rolled his eyes good-naturedly behind his mask, which he had handpicked for the both of them. Over the years he had collected some flamboyant masks just for fun, and he wore three of them for the three balls he had attended. He liked fancier ones, but Sykkuno literally covered his face at the sight of the flashier designs, so he eventually relented and got him to choose one from the simpler pile, which he had got as basics. Meh, he liked the sparkles, golden trimming, and blue-ombréd feathers, but apparently his friend could only stand the pure black one with little green curls. He said they looked like little sprouts.
“Look, I want you to go out more.” He countered as he pushed Sykkuno out the door after shoving the mask he chose into the man’s hand. Today was the annual masquerade ball, which he himself attended frequently, but his friend had never even heard of. He guessed that made sense, as Sykkuno never really liked social gatherings. He met the guy in the flower shop he owned when he was ordering flowers for his interior designing job a few years back, and after a few drinks together, they became friends. “Imagine the alphas you would meet! You don’t have to commit to anyone, as you can see, I haven’t even though I’ve gone to at least two. It’s a night of fun, so don’t worry, okay?”
Oh, did he mention? Both of them were omegas, though quite different in personalities. Sykkuno had always been quieter and sweeter, truly a lovely young man whom any alpha would be blessed to have and none would deserve. George sometimes envied his softness, as he himself could never put himself down enough to achieve it. He knew he could be quite prissy and bossy, but it wasn’t his fault that every alpha he met there expected him to submit like some trophy wife. No, thank you. He was not going to accept that, not in hell. He glanced at the mirror and smirked at his own reflection in appreciation. He was wearing the off-the-shoulder marine blue suit with thin silver stripes, showing off his delicate shoulders. It had a small train in the back, made with floral lace of the same color, and it made him feel like a majestic peacock. A lapis lazuli pendant sat snuggly on his collarbones, connected by a silver necklace chain. He held up the dark blue mask with feathers just to double check that they matched. Sykkuno had gone the simple approach to everything, and was in a slightly shiny satin suit with velvet lapels. George had made him put on a malachite lapel pin to match his mask, and since it was small, his usually shy friend complied without complaints.
Of course, he lent all of the stuff to him, because Sykkuno literally had no formal clothes, which was predictable. Thank god they were the same height.
As they made their way down the stairs, George briefed his friend on everything he knew about this year’s ball. He had heard through the grapevine that this year it was going to be at the Evans household, and supposedly there was going to be a lot more people (he didn’t really tell Sykkuno that) because one, it was the first time the family ever hosted one, and b, it was the sons’ debut. He had heard they have two sons, both alphas and of course, bachelors. You can bet omegas and betas would flock there immediately. He felt kinda bad for the alphas who would attend, because who would even care about them with that kind of deal in the competition?
“Wait, so how would anyone find anyone else? Don’t we all have masks?” Sykkuno asked as he put on the nice dress leather dress shoes at the entryway. George winked at him while he put on his boots.
“The thing is you don’t. Sometimes you can tell from the lapel pins, but most of the time, it’s strongly advised to not have any indication of identity. It’s part of the fun.” He opened the door and together, they left the house and went to the car. “I think the prizes are the ones with golden stag antler pins, so you know, if you want to get away from the crowd, stay away from those.” He got into the driver’s seat, and his friend got into the passenger’s seat. He amped up the music and with a quick gear change, backed out of the parking space, and headed right out onto the road. Sykkuno was still looking extremely nervous, but well, he couldn’t really do anything about that other than just being beside him. He himself was very excited: Karl had told him he would be going, Quackity also said he was going… he couldn’t wait to find them in the crowd. The anonymity never gets old, and there was something invigorating about finding someone who clicked with you, like how one would look through thousands of trinkets to find the one that truly spoke to their heart in a jewelry shop. He knew Sykkuno didn’t understand his obsession with it, but oh well. As they sped down the road, music pumping through the car, Sykkuno turned to him once again.
“Are there any hidden social rules I have to follow? Like… things everyone just knew but I don’t?” He asked tentatively. George glanced at him and thought for a moment.
“Not really. Just don’t ask about too much their identity, you know? Don’t you worry: background checks have been conducted before you got the invitation. The risk of danger is low. Just be yourself and enjoy yourself.” He comforted the man as he gripped on the wheel. “One thing though… Sykkuno.” His friend met his eyes as they came to a red light. George held his gaze, serious, as he uttered the sincere advice he had to give. “Don’t let anyone walk over you. Some alphas will be disrespectful and treat you like you owe them obedience or some shit. Do not let them have their way.” Sykkuno blinked. George pushed on. “Just leave them. It’s okay. You don’t need to please them. There are a lot of people there. They won’t obsess over you. If they do, call me. I’ll handle them. Remember that.” He still remembered the first time he made that mistake, just because the alpha seemed so attractive. He paid the price for it when they dated, and in the end, the alpha had thrown him aside like some ragdoll. He smirked at the memory of his own revenge, when the alpha had the audacity to come back to retrieve his shirt, and he had burned it right before his eyes. He then threw the ashes in his face.
He never saw the alpha ever again. Good riddance.
He knew Sykkuno wouldn’t be as cold-hearted as he was, and he didn’t need to be. Whatever disrespectful, brash thing that had to be done, he alone could do it. No need to taint his sweet friend’s hands. Said man smiled at him, his eyes squinting slightly and for once, not covered by his hand.
“I will. Thank you, George.” He said warmly, and it made him feel warmth in his heart as well. Focusing back on the road, he slammed down on the gas pedal at the green light, and the car flew forward, heading to the place where the biggest singles event of the year was to be held, where an unforgettable night was promised, and he sure as hell was going to make the most of.
“Clay, why did our parents agree to host tonight again?”
“Because, brother dearest, we’re both of age. Haven’t you gotten this figured out? It’s always the family that has bachelors or bachelorettes. This year, it’s our turn.” His brother droned as he fixed his tie calmly in the mirror. Oh how he envied him, who was completely comfortable with social gatherings and dozens of people within one meter of his body, unlike him. He displayed his stag antler lapel pin proudly on his lapel, while he wanted to rip his right off and curl into a ball and hide while his own panic scent spread throughout the room.
There was a little glass bowl of bonbons on the mahogany table beside them, and it was taking a lot in him not to thrust his entire hand into the bowl and stress-shove the sugary treats into his mouth. There were also twin glasses of red wine which his brother had secretly brought in, which he promptly grabbed and poured right down his throat, the slightly astringent taste of the tannin leaving a familiar dryness on his tongue.
“Don’t they know? That I’m afraid of…?” He asked with a trembling voice as he wiped his mouth. His brother gave him a look, which he pointedly ignored. A calming scent of cedar wafted through the air, in a valiant attempt to just make him calm the fuck down.
“Oh c’mon, they’re just omegas. And you just drank my glass, too. Great.” Clay replied sarcastically while he put on his emerald green mask with gold ascents. “Also, you smell like a panicking tree, which is just… absurd. You want everyone to smell that once we head out?” He tossed a dark purple one with silver ascents at him, which he caught in a hurry, almost letting it slip through his fingers and dropping onto the floor.
“I’m afraid of people, Clay, and if you haven’t realized yet, omegas are still people.” He shot back as he all but slapped the mask over his face, securing it with the ribbons over his ears and behind his head. It matched the silver stag antler pin he had, as the gold matched his brother’s. “I still don’t understand why a masquerade party would make me any less nervous, when we’re literally advertising our identities on our chest?” Clay shrugged as his fingers trailed up the antlers of the stag head. It was a rule that people should hide their identities, so a mask was required. However, the hosting family could break the rule, as it was easier to tell them of situations in the party should they arise. A lapel pin was the norm, and for women, a brooch, which their mother had.
“You know, you can always take it off. I won’t snitch.” He replied conspiratorially. “I know you’re not good with people, so just take it off. They’ll flock to me, and if you don’t really speak, no one will know who you are.” His brother finally turned away from the mirror, and he smiled at him gently. “I know they want us to find a mate, but they’re not too bad. In the end, they do want us to be happy. So, just enjoy your night.” A maid came to the door, and he beckoned him with an outstretched hand. “This is a practice round, and once on the dance floor, this is how you’re going to invite omegas to dance.” He dipped his head in a joking manner. “Let’s get going shall we, brother dearest?”
“Young masters, it is time.” The beta maid informed them. He gave her a smile and stepped forward, grabbing his brother’s hand. Clay grinned, and he pulled him out into the hall leading to the ballroom.
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle everything. They expect me anyway.” He promised as their shoes clacked on the tiles. “You just… chill. Worst case scenario, tell mom and dad that you didn’t find anyone.” They passed the stylists, who gave them final once-overs, tsking at the slightly wrinkled shirts and fixing their ties even though they both knew how to do them since they were ten. Clay gave him a grin as a stylist clipped on the emerald ear studs, chastising him over the slightly ruffled blond hair. He himself was getting his curly hair brushed again, even though it looked immaculate before.
“Tonight, you don’t have to be Theo Evans, eldest son of the Evans household. Just be Corpse, and I’ll handle the rest.” He whispered as the stylists deemed them ready. They both stood before the door, as the maid reached for the brass antler door handles.
“Enjoy the night, Corpse. Don’t you forget that.”