Her Neonate

사십 오 45

He was going through it, really, it was weeks of him feeling like shit and watching everyone pretend what he had done wasn't equal to a monster.
But nobody knew except Alani and it was like she was tormenting him, she'd ignore his existence and laugh and smile with his aunt and uncle or look like a happy family with his cousin and angel...he didn't blame her though, he could never make up for the things he's done to her.
Angel approaches him and tugs on his hand, "Nammie please play with me..." he murmurs, he missed playing with namjoon, since his mother came home he just stopped acknowledging angel.
Namjoon grins at Angel, "Maybe some other time okay?"

"...Why won't you play with me?...we can just play Simon says...Ooh or Rock,paper, scissors...please"

Namjoon watches the child stare him down with pleading eyes before nodding, "Alright- Rock, paper scissors Shoot!"
Quickly Angel shoots out a rock while Namjoon paper and he flicks angel's forehead, Angel grunts in defeat.
"Rock,paper,scissors shoot!"

Angel won this time and flicks Namjoon's head, the game went on for a couple rounds until Alani walks in just as Angel flicks Namjoon's head again.

"Angel that is not nice!" She matches over and pulls him close to her, "...Sorry..." she says to him avoiding his eyes, "No mommy, me and Nammie we're playing and the winner flicks the loser..."

She narrows her eyes, "Teaching a child it's okay to hit others is not okay...especially when they're not yours"

Namjoon clears his throat nervously, "I didn't think about it like that..." he hangs his head, Angel pouts "He didn't mean to be bad, we won't hit anymore mommy please"

Angel was good at the puppy dog eyes but...Alani just didn't trust him, "No..." is all she's say as she drags away a pouty angel, Namjoon sighs before shouting after her, "I'm sorry"
Alani mutters under her breath "I'm sure you are"

Moments pass and Taehyung walks into the house, catching eyes with his cousin before rolling his.
"Wait Taehyung can we talk"

"Screw you joon" he continues walking.

"Aye man...seriously, we grown ass dudes...let's just talk...please" Namjoon pleaded, Taehyung scoffs.

"Okay let's talk, as two grown ass dudes, you're an asshole Namjoon. Always have, always will be"

Namjoon stares at his cousin in disbelief, "Man wha-"

"Everyone is too afraid to tell you but I'm not, you're a selfish man-child with mommy issues so you use women as great as Alani to temporarily fill some void you have"

"Taehyung...I'm sorry...I swear I didn't mean it-"

"Oh yeah you're a liar too, I can't believe a fucking thing that comes out your mouth!"

Namjoon feels his heart break hearing those words leave his cousin's mouth, "I'm not a bad guy...Please"

"You're a horrible fucking human! You don't care about anyone but yourself and if I hate anything it's those kinds of people"

Taehyung huffs watching Namjoon stare blankly, before walking pass him but is stopped by Namjoon's words.
"I-I hit her..."

Taehyung froze immediately, "Hit who?"

Namjoon slowly turns to him, "Since it happened it feels like someone is throwing weights on my chest"

"Who did you hit?"

"I slapped her...I-I pulled her hair, and when she cried I didn't stop" Namjoon ignores these question, Taehyung shoves Namjoon just as Alani left the room to calm the two males down.

"He-Hey! Tae stop it!" She stood between them holding onto his cheek, "Has he hurt you?!"

Alani hesitantly nods and Taehyung charges at him, but Alani quickly wraps her arms around him and squeezes.
"Please Angel is gonna get sad"

Taehyung felt chills go up his spine staring at his cousin, Alani continues to speak, "Let's just go-"

"No please, I can't take this guilt anymore. I'm sorry for hitting you, I'm sorry for saying that disgusting shit after I hit you, I'm sorry for making the letter, I'm sorry for making you think she didn't want to be around anymore. I did it. All of it, Me!" He cries, "I won't ask for your forgiveness but I just ask you know I'm being sincere"

Alani looks over her shoulder and nods, "Now please just leave...please"

Namjoon takes a moment before he turns and leaves the apartment, Taehyung frowns "Why are you protecting him"

Alani doesn't answer and just stares down at their feet.
"You should have told me Alani"
"I didn't want to cause any issues"

"Issues? He hurt you Alani..."

Alani shakes her head, "It's okay Tae-"

"No it's not! It's absolutely not okay for a man to put his hands on you...You should have told me"

Alani wipes her tears, "I just thought you wouldn't believe me over your cousin"

"I know what kind of person my cousin is, and most importantly I know what kind of person you are" he pecks her lips softly, "I wouldn't hurt you like that, I'd never make you feel secondary...unless it's you or my mom of course" He chuckles as he holds her face.
Alani sniffles, "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, it's not your turn" he looks past Alani and looks at the door Namjoon left through, "N-no come on, let's just ignore him for today okay?"

"...Just for today"