𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 ( 𝐀 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬)

•25•

Taehyung gripped the gun tightly, firing at the target bang, bang, bang. The shots rang out, reverberating in the silence of the room.

"Someone seems to have had a rough day," came a voice from the shadows.

Taehyung turned his gaze toward the sound.

"Well, well, how's my little brother doing?" Namjoon smirked as he stepped into the light, his one hand gripping a cigarette as he eyed Taehyung.

Taehyung lowered the gun, his expression shifting from focused intensity to a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. "What do you want, hyung?"

Namjoon shrugged, his playful demeanor masking a deeper concern. "Just checking in. You know, with everything going on."

Taehyung rolled his eyes, setting the gun down on the table. "I don’t need your check-ins. I can handle myself."

"But can you?" Namjoon took a step closer, his tone more serious now. "You’ve been on edge lately. This isn’t just about practice anymore."

Taehyung clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I said I’m fine. Just trying to blow off some steam."

Namjoon studied him for a moment, then softened his approach. "Look, I get it. But you’re not alone in this. You don’t have to carry everything by yourself."

The weight of those words hung in the air. Taehyung turned away, staring at the target that now seemed distant. "Maybe I don’t want to involve you in my mess."

"Too late for that," Namjoon replied, his voice steady. "We’re family. And family sticks together."

Taehyung exhaled slowly, the tension easing just a little. "I appreciate it, but... it’s complicated."

"Complicated is what we do best," Namjoon said, lightly punching his brother in the stomach.

"Sh*t," Taehyung groaned.

"Well, looks like those as*ses were too hard to handle," Namjoon laughed hastily.

"I guess so?" Taehyung said, glancing at the cigarette in Namjoon's hand. "You've changed a lot. Life's been tough on you, hasn’t it?"

Namjoon took a drag, exhaling slowly. "Yeah, it has. But I’m just trying to figure things out, you know? Sometimes it feels like I’m carrying the weight of the world."

Taehyung nodded, "You know right don’t have to do it alone, hyung. We’re all here for you."

Namjoon smiled faintly, appreciating the support. "I know. It just gets overwhelming sometimes."

Taehyung turned back to Namjoon, his expression softening slightly. "Fine, but if were here to check on me, there's more going on."

Namjoon raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

Taehyung sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You heard about Dad, right? He got injured."

Namjoon’s demeanor shifted, concern etching across his face. "Yeah, I heard. Is it serious?"

"Not really. Just another day for a mafia. But the family's planning to gather, and I thought you should know."

Namjoon took a drag of the cigarette, leaning against the wall. "Are you going?"

"Of course. We all have to show our support, even if it's just a formality."

Namjoon nodded, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes. "It's been a while since we've all been together like that."