VENOM | TAEHYUNG

39

09 : 21 am
-

The lake swayed peacefully as the sun kissed its blue surface. Trees dancing in the morning breeze and birds chirping from their high nests. It was a beautiful morning to start the new year.

"When are you planning on popping the question?", joon asked while casting his bait into the shimmering water. Him anx jungkook have been fishing since 7am. "Not any time soon. I haven't even met her family ", jungkook explained, reeling in his line to add new bait. "It'll he 3 years soon. I think you should apply pressure. It's kinda weird that she does not want to introduce you to her family. I mean – you're the complete fucking package", joon nudged jungkooks arm. "I love her. I don't want to force her if she isn't ready", he mumbled. Deep down, it scared jungkook. He had been dating her for almost 3 years now. He knows nothing about her family. Anastasia either changes the topic or she becomes distant when he brings up meeting her folks.

"You think she killed them?", joon said in a spooky voice which made jungkook chuckle. "Think she's pulling a Jeffrey Dahmer?", jungkook add and they laughed. "No – she's just not ready and I understand. There's no rush. When the time is right , we'll have our happy ending", he smiled at the thought. He loved her far too much to allow a trivial obstacle to separate them. Namjoon on the other hand was skeptical about it all. Especially with what's going on between Anastasia and Taehyung. He needed to find out. He couldn't have their past ruining something golden in jungkooks life. They deserved happiness. Taehyung shouldn't be ruining it to get revenge on them.

"You good?", kookie noticed he had zoned out. "Yeah, I'm good", he whispered. "You think he's spill to mother?", jungkook mumbled. "I don't know kook. I hope not. We've come so far in life to be belittled and cursed by our parents". Jungkook agreed with Joons wise words. "He could have taken revenge long ago. But he hasn't ", jungkook tried to reassure his pale brother. "You'll never know what he's planning", namjoon said with Anastasia on his mind. "He has nothing up his sleeve", kookie chuckled, setting aside his rod on the wooden deck where they stood. "Don't look so gloomy. It's the new year. This is our year to better ourselves ", jungkook have joons shoulder a squeeze. "I'm going to wake Anastasia", he said before walking away. Namjoon remained on the deck, waiting for a fish to bite the bait. His heart wouldn't stop pounding. He had all these horrible thoughts in his mind. He couldn't lose everything over their childhood drama. He was the pride and joy of the kims. A surgeon. He made his parents proud. Sure – he had done horrible things to taehyung but they were children. He didn't know any better.

"Namjoon‐", taehyungs voice yelled louder. Joon jerked before glancing back at Taehyung. "Sorry , I didn't hear you", joon cleared his throat as taehyung paced to stand beside him, cigarette between his teeth. "Deep in thought?", taehyung held out the cigarette which joon gladly took. "Yeah. Just planning for the new year", he lied,  taking a few puffs before handing it back to taehyung. "Thought you gave it up. Being a surgeon and all", taehyung mumbled. "Nah– I still indulge ", joon smiled. "Going somewhere?", he asked tae who stared at the lake. "No", he whispered. "Kookie was here", he mentioned. "Yeah, I saw him on the way out", taehyung dropped the cigarette, crushing it under his shoe. "We were discussing wedding plans", joon laughed. Taehyung internally flinched at that. He didn't think those words would ever have a reaction from him. But it truly did affect him. He couldn't allow Anastasia to slip through his fingers. She had become his world. "You good?", joon asked. He knew exactly what to say to rub salt into tae's wounds. Even if taehyung did not admit to liking Anastasia– joon knew there was some connection. Taehyung was not heartless after all.

"Yeah I'm good", taehyung inhaled the crisp breeze. It was soothing. "Maybe later, the 3 of us could head to town for drinks", joon suggest, earning a nod from tae. "Feels like we need it ", joon add , placing down his rod. "Mama done with breakfast?", he asked , earning a nod from taehyung. "Perfect, let's go eat", he gave taehyung a pat on the shoulder before walking away.